Artist/Album profile for ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST: The Strife is O'er
This page contains a brief overview on the album ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST: The Strife is O'er. Learn more about the artist and explore the track lists and website. If you find any information that needs to be corrected, please let us know.
For centuries, men have poured energy, thought, talent, and knowledge into the creation of music that will enlighten the mind of the listener. Music has evolved into an enduring means of communication of the ephemeral spirit of man that is unlimited by time. Music can place within your spirit an emotional response to a higher calling- to elevate the thoughts of the listener to hear the call. Once the call for Christian action is heard then the decision is up to you, the listener. Will you commit yourself to righteousness and form an allegiance to the cause of Christ, or will you ignore the call and follow worldly, selfish pursuits?
· An Allegiance to Christ means setting one's aim on the pursuits exemplified by the life and spirit of Jesus Christ.
· An Allegiance to Christ is a positive direction for your mental energy - it is a pursuit of the loftier goals of humankind - of self-realization and self-actualization.
· An Allegiance to Christ is a dedication of oneself toward the noblest purpose of the human spirit, where thought is centered on purity and the actions which stem from those thoughts are actions of integrity and honesty.
That's what Allegiance to Christ music is all about. It is not music directly praising God by expressing God's attributes in song - no phrases such as "You are Worthy", We Magnify You, We praise you" will be heard on this album. None of that. Instead, this album is about what we must do to find salvation. It is not about who God is, but it is about who we are. It is about finding nobility and purpose by repenting, giving up our vanity, and giving full authority in our lives to Christ. It is about forming an Allegiance to Christ.
ABOUT THE SONGS
"This Valley of Dry Bones"
In his vision quest Ezekiel stood in the midst of a valley filled with disjointed, parched bones and asked God, "Can these bones live again?" Like Ezekiel we live in the midst of people with emptiness of heart and a lack of purpose and spirit and we ask God "Can these bones live again?" The song "This Valley of Dry Bones" reminds us that the spirit of the living God gives us animation and life. The Word of God in song quickens our spirit and restores life to our dry, brittle bones.
"What Shall We Say?"
The song "What Shall We Say?" is a rhetorical question with a challenging answer. Only when we realize that we cannot earn salvation is when we can achieve it. Surrendering our lives to Christ is the answer and fulfillment for all our questions. The song delivers a soulful rendition of the yearning questions of human existence. "Where can we go? Who can we call? What must I do to be saved?"
"Too Many Times"
"Too Many Times" is a song about confidence and trust in God mixed with a little attitude! God reminds us that He has demonstrated who He is in our lives "too many times" for us to even harbor doubts about his purpose for us. The jam session at the ending vamp with the horn section makes this song swing right off the page!
Fool's Gold
The song "Fool's Gold" is about the aimless pursuits of life and how they fail to be the "real" life we are looking for. The song offers a simple solution: give it up, let it go. The message of the song assures us that God wants to give us an authentic life and not one that is caught up in the pursuit of empty dreams, "so-called" friendships, and a chase of worldly pursuits. The song says its like sifting through sand searching for fool's gold.
Hold On
The Song "Hold On" provides encouragement for people who are dealing with difficult circumstances. Whatever the issue is, the song admonishes the listener to hold on because it may be God's purpose to strengthen our faith by taking us through difficult ordeals.
"All we Have to Do is Repent"
"All we Have to Do is Repent" - need I say more? The song is self-explanatory. Short, sweet, and to the point. This song beautifully and convincingly shares the message of repentance against the backdrop of a lush string orchestra - truly a moving experience.
The Lord of the Harvest
The Lord of the Harvest is the epitome of the call of Christ to form an Allegiance with Him. The song tells us that the time for harvest is now and we must respond to the call and go win some souls for Christ! The song is high energy, rhythmically strong, and packed with scripture.
"Heal the Land"
To cry out to God for help is a gift given to us by our salvation. When our hearts are broken, when we yearn for holiness, when we need for God to take us by the hand, we can call on Him because He cares for us. God assures us in II Chronicles 7:13-15 that "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
The song "Heal the Land" is more than an indictment on humankind's shortcomings but becomes a personal plea for God to "start with me" as He heals this land. The world becomes a better place only when we have made our personal Allegiance to Christ - a commitment in our mind to do God's will and to serve and support our fellowman. Then the healing will sweep across the nation and the world.
"The Strife is O'er"
Without Christ's death, burial and resurrection, there would be no understanding that the call on our lives for a higher and nobler purpose is born from the ultimate forgiveness of our failings, shortcomings and fallen nature which was granted to us by Jesus on the cross. The victory of Jesus over death, sin, hell and the grave is celebrated triumphantly in the final song of the album - "The Strife is O'er". This song is an ancient hymn which is uniquely set against the foreboding harmonies inspired by Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. The use of a crashing gong, cymbals, timpani, thundering pipe organ and a huge choir set the opening stage to be one of mystery, darkness and drama.
After the final echoes of the organ reverberate into nothingness, the silence is broken by the funk of the bass guitar and drums. A rap artist gets you excited about the message of the song and the singers deliver tight, unfaltering harmony and counterpoint that gives the song a sense of development until the final chorus. The song ends with the rap artist declaring that the conquest of Christ over sin is alive in believers today.
Throughout this album we are reminded that an Allegiance to Christ is about our commitment to noble purposes that can change the world.
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.allegiancetochrist.com
Track List:
1. This Valley of Dry Bones
2. What Shall We Say
3. Too Many Times
4. Fool's Gold
5. Hold On
6. All We Have to Do is Repent
7. The Lord of the Harvest
8. Heal The Land
9. The Strife is O'er
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