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God Made a Way by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton
Monday, 05 December 2022
As we welcome this Christmas season, KAMB is excited to celebrate Christ’s birth with our listening family. Throughout the next few weeks, you’ll hear covers of traditional Christmas music as well as brand new songs by your favorite artists. One of the latest holiday hits is God Made a Way, a collaboration by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton.
Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton
Brandon Heath has been a CCM favorite for several years. He initially began writing songs as a teen in Nashville. Around that same time, he also began exploring Christianity and soon came to faith in Christ. Both passions were eventually combined and led him to success in CCM. Heath released his first major album in 2006 and has followed it with several other albums throughout the past 18 years. From them, KAMB listeners will recognize songs like “Give Me Your Eyes”, “Your Love”, “Jesus In Disguise”, and others. With every great album, Heath has also received various music awards including eight Dove Awards, Grammy nominations, and an Emmy. In addition to his individual successes, Heath has also participated in several collaborations with other artists. His most recent work led him to fellow CCM artist, Tasha Layton.
Unlike Heath, Tasha Layton grew up in a Christian home but faced difficulty in her faith after a church split. Her trials prompted her to pursue religious studies in college, eventually leading her back to Christianity. After graduating, Layton moved to California and earned a Master of Divinity degree while working as a worship leader. She also spent a few years exploring her musical talents by auditioning for the ninth season of American Idol and later becoming a back-up vocalist for Katy Perry. In 2019, she made her debut into CCM. Layton’s popularity among listeners rose at a rapid pace as her two later songs— “Into the Sea” and “Look What You’ve Done”—attracted further attention. Thus far, her music has landed high rankings on Christian Billboard charts and a spot as a Top 5 female Christian artist in 2021.
As both Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton continue developing their careers, they also welcome Christmas through their beautiful collaboration God Made a Way.
God Made a Way
God Made a Way is a gentle and heartfelt reminder of exactly what God did for us by sending Jesus. Much like our infant Savior, the song is sweet but powerful in its delivery. Every lyric tells the story of Jesus’ birth and the love God demonstrated through it. Heath starts the song by singing of the birth, while Layton’s first words express a longing to have been there. The pair end the song by voicing a moment of reflection during the present time we live in. God Made a Way reminds us to pause and consider what the true celebration is all about this season. As the artists sing, we are invited to listen and sit in awe of our Savior with them. So much miraculous power and divine grace was swaddled in the tiny bundle of a baby. We were condemned, but our Lord intervened because of His love for us. What a night it must have been, and what a miracle we can grasp onto because God Made a Way.
God Made a Way by Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton (Official Music Video)
Watch the new music video for God Made a Way now by clicking on the link below!
Lyrics
That night when Jesus was born Back two thousand years or so Guess in the grand scheme of time It wasn't really that long ago When Mary laid down Holding onto Joseph It wasn't his child but He believed she was chosen That night when Jesus was born Two thousand years ago When God made a way God made a way A way in a manger God made a way God made a way A way in a manger Wish I could follow the star To that little town of Bethlehem Walk through the fields where those wise men And shepherds watched over him But what would I say, what would I bring What else could I do but just worship my king Wish I could follow the star To that little town of Bethlehem Where God made a way God made a way A way in a manger God made a way God made a way A way in a manger In his infinite love It had to be done He did the impossible And gave up his son Jesus God made a way A way in a manger For God so loved the world And God still loves the world Look at all His hands have made It was God who made a way For God so loved the world And God still loves the world His only son to save It was God who made a way As I sit down in the quiet In the dark of this living room Snow falling outside my window I can't help but think of you That God made a way God made a way A way in a manger There was no other way God made a way A way in a manger
Conclusion
Much of this Christmas season may already be overwhelming you. There are relatives to see, friends to catch up with, meals to prepare, and probably some gifts to exchange. However, as you go about the busyness of the holidays, remember Who this season is about. Enjoy the time you have with loved ones and eat all the food you can handle, but also remember Jesus.
When you turn your radios on over these next few weeks, listen in for God Made a Way. In addition to Brandon Heath and Tasha Layton, you will also hear great music from other artists you love. To find more listening options for KAMB, visit our Ways to Listen and Where to Listen pages.
Related Scriptures
Luke 2:1-20 The story of Jesus’ birth and those who came to visit him.
Isaiah 7:14 One of the prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth.
Genesis 3:15 Another prophecy regarding Jesus’ birth.
Sources
To visit Brandon Heath’s website and discover more about him and his music, click here. To find out more about Tasha Layton, visit her website here.
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Maverick City Music and Fear Is Not My Future
Sunday, 06 November 2022
As we move through seasons of fear and uncertainty, KAMB continues to pursue its goal of encouraging our listening family. All of us have obstacles that we maneuver on a daily basis. Rather than allowing those things to paralyze us, we must remember that God has already set us free from them. Maverick City Music gives us such a reminder through their newest song Fear Is Not My Future.
Maverick City Music
Since 2018, Maverick City Music has become an increasingly popular name within CCM. The talented group is comprised of many members, including musicians such as Chandler Moore, Naomi Raine, and Brandon Lake. In an interview with The Christian Post, Jonathan Jay—cofounder of Maverick City Music—the group started after many years of “songwriting camps” through Tribl. (For those unaware, Tribl is the larger source behind Maverick City Music’s existence.) As the songwriters from these camps came together in fellowship and worship, God’s Spirit started moving. Instead of sitting on the hundreds of songs generated by the musicians, they began recording some of them.
Thus, Maverick City Music was born. As the group became increasingly popular for their powerhouse worship songs and collaborations, they also gained admiration for their diversity. The community that was first built during those songwriting camps only continued to grow and strengthen. In a harsh season of exposed racial and political tensions throughout our nation, people have found comfort in the example of unity that Maverick City Music offers. The group’s successful existence reminds us that there is purpose and beauty in coming together and loving as God has called us to. Our relationships are richer, and our experiences are deeper when we lean into connection with each other. Every song that Maverick City Music has released demonstrates both honor of God and honor of people. Their lyrics point us to God’s Truth while their actions draw us together as one body. Maverick City Music’s latest release, Fear Is Not My Future, further upholds all that the group has become.
Fear Is Not My Future
In their latest hit Fear Is Not My Future, Maverick City Music gives listeners yet another song of hope and fiery passion for the Lord. All of us encounter trouble in our lives, and it can be so tempting to live under our fear. Yet, God hasn’t called us to stay in fear’s shadow. Instead, He leads us out of it and fills our lives with better promises—promises which Fear Is Not My Future reminds us of. With every lyric, Maverick City Music takes powerful truths from God’s Word and sings them over their listeners. God takes our fear, pain, shame, and heartbreak, and He replaces those things with peace, joy, love, and hope. Much in this world seeks to destroy the good that God has given us, but He is faithful. He is for us, He is with us, and He will not leave us. And it’s because of God’s faithfulness that each of us can say, “Fear Is Not My Future, God is.”
“We make agreements with things. Like, ‘This is just my fear. My fear is this… You know what? Sickness is just my story.’ There’s so many people that—they’re like: ‘You know what? This has just been what I’ve been given, and I have to deal with it.’ And I felt like this would be a powerful opportunity to break that agreement and say, ‘No. Goodbye, fear. Goodbye, pain. Goodbye, the grave that you feel like you’re standing in. No let’s do the opposite. Let’s prophesy: Hello peace. Hello joy. Hello love.’ And let’s do the exact opposite. Let’s break that agreement.”
Brandon Lake, Fear Is Not My Future (Song Story), YouTube
Fear Is Not My Future by Maverick City Music
Take some time to watch the song session here! Other versions of the song can be heard on KAMB and other music apps.
The Story Behind Fear Is Not My Future by Maverick City Music
Listen to this amazing interview with Brandon Lake as he talks about the story behind Fear Is Not My Future.
Lyrics
Let Him turn it in your favor Watch Him work it for your good He’s not done with what He’s started He’s not done until it’s good Hello peace, hello joy, hello love Hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon Hello peace, hello joy, hello love Hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon If you’re ready for a breakthrough, yeah Just open up and just receive, hey ‘Cause what He’s pouring out is nothing You’ve ever seen, you’ve ever seen Hello peace, hello joy, hello love Hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon Hello peace, hello joy, hello love Hello strength, hello hope, it’s a new horizon (It’s a new day) Fear is not my future, You are Sickness is not my story, You are (You are) Heartbreak's not my home, You are (You are, You are, You are) Death is not the end, You are (Hey, You are, You are) Fear is not my future, You are (You are) You are (You are) Sickness is not my story, You are (You are) You are (You are) Heartbreak's not my home, You are (You are) You are (Yes, You are) And death is not the end, Jesus, You are (You are) You are (You are) So hello peace, hello joy, hello love (It’s a new day) Hello strength, hello hope, it's a new horizon (The sun is coming up) Hello peace, hello joy, hello love Hello strength, hello hope, it's a new horizon (Fear is not my) Fear is not my future, You are (You are) (Sickness is not my story) Sickness is not my story, You are (You are) (Heartbreak) Heartbreak’s not my home, You are (You are, You are) (Death is not the end) Death is not the end, Jesus You are
Conclusion
Fear Is Not My Future offers so much hope for everyone who listens to it. Every word draws us back to God’s Truth and His faithfulness. The fear in our lives can be so loud, but His peace whispers over us until it lifts us out of the darkness. As you go about your day, take a few minutes to listen to Fear Is Not My Future. We hope and pray that the words and beautiful music will uplift your spirit and shed light into your situation. No matter where you are, no matter what you may be facing, God is with you and He sees you.
Keep your ears tuned to KAMB and be on the lookout for Fear Is Not My Future by Maverick City Music. You won’t want to miss it. For other ways of listening to the station, check out our Ways To Listen and Where To Listen pages. Thank you for supporting KAMB.
Related Scriptures
2 Timothy 1:7 God did not give us a Spirit of timidity.
Psalm 56:3-4 and Hebrews 13:6 When we are afraid, we should put our trust in God because nothing can hurt us through Him.
Deuteronomy 31:6 We should be strong and courageous for the Lord our God is with us.
Sources
To hear or read the whole interview with Jonathan Jay, click here. To visit the Tribl website and Maverick City Music’s website, follow these links.
Casting Crowns and Desert Road
Monday, 24 October 2022
Once again, Casting Crowns has released a truth-professing album filled with songs that will uplift any listener’s spirits. With songs such as “Who Am I” and “Voice of Truth” already being aired, KAMB is thrilled to introduce Desert Road to our listening family. As the latest hit from the album, Healer, Desert Road stays true to Casting Crowns’ nature and powerfully encourages believers as they pursue God’s will.
Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns is a household name for anyone who considers themselves an avid listener of CCM. In 1999, Mark Hall—founding member and a lead singer/songwriter—originally wanted to use the band to reach youth during his time as a youth pastor. However, after signing a recording contract, Casting Crowns became an established presence in Christian music on a large scale. Over the last two decades, Casting Crowns has released 12 albums, received 17 Dove Awards, 4 American Music Awards, 2 Billboard Awards, and 1 Grammy. The band has also successfully encouraged fellow believers worldwide through their music while balancing their church responsibilities at home.
The band’s latest album, Healer, was written during the initial stretch of COVID-19. Much like the title suggests, Casting Crowns’ focus with this album is Jesus as Healer. During a time of global uncertainty, Hall wanted to write songs that reflected our circumstances and God’s Truth. Still working as a youth pastor, he found common stories of lost experiences, connections, and friendships abounding within teenage lives. As he began writing the lyrics for Healer, he discovered a unifying thread of healing between each song. Thus, when Casting Crowns released the album, the reminder of who God is in our lives struck home. It’s for that album that Desert Road was written.
Desert Road
Casting Crowns boldly describes the struggle of following God’s unexpected (and even undesired) plans in our lives through their new song, Desert Road. Many of us can recall times of great blessing in our lives. Times when God healed a loved one, provided a job promotion, or delivered us out of hardship. However, many of us can also recall times when God set us down a path that we didn’t ask for. Paths that ask us to trust Him in the face of death, tense relationships, and other unforeseen changes. Listeners who have been down such troubled paths will likely resonate with the lyrics in Desert Road.
Every word of Desert Road speaks to our uncertainty and God’s faithfulness. We hesitate, we question, we feel afraid. But God is always on the other side of what He’s called us to, waiting for us to trust Him. In the second verse of the song, Casting Crowns sings “I was doin’ the talkin’, but now I’m listenin’ / This is where my hope is found / Knowin’ life is hard, but You’re still with me”. Often, the initial reason for our resistance to God’s plan is our unwavering focus on what we want. Instead of listening to God’s voice and letting Him lead us, we try to control the length of our obedience. In fact, sometimes we even go so far as to become disobedient. And yet, as believers, we know that the greatest blessings come when we follow God’s will. Desert Road is a reminder of that promise. Casting Crowns uses this song to sit with fellow believers in their emotional reality while also encouraging them to hold onto their hope in our faithful God.
“When we can’t see the plan, we start wondering if there even is a plan. Sometimes He calms the storms and sometimes He rides them out with us. We have to learn how to let go of how we feel and learn to lean in to Who we know.”
Mark Hall
Official Lyric Video of Desert Road by Casting Crowns
Take a few minutes and listen to Desert Road while you’re here!
Lyrics
I don't wanna write this song I don't want this pain to be my story I don't want this desert road Are You sure this is the plan that You have for me? Out here in the dust and clay God, if there's a bigger picture It's gettin' hard to see today But I know that You won't leave me here I don't know where this is goin' But I know who holds my hand It's not the path I would've chosen But I'll follow You to the end Lord, as long as I am breathin' I will make Your glory known Even if it means I'm walkin' on this desert road (Where You lead me, I will follow) On this desert road (Where You lead me, I will follow) You got my attention now I was doin' the talkin', but now I'm listenin' This is where my hope is found Knowin' life is hard, but You're still with me I'm not out here on my own You are close to the broken-hearted 'Cause You've already walked this road And You're gonna finish what You started I don't know where this is goin' But I know who holds my hand It's not the path I would've chosen But I'll follow You to the end Lord, as long as I am breathin' I will make Your glory known Even if it means I'm walkin' on this desert road (Where You lead me, I will follow) On this desert road (Where You lead me, I will follow) (Where You lead me, I will follow) As you lift my head, I see (Where You lead me, I will follow) So many desperate souls in need (Where You lead me, I will follow) I'll walk with them as You walk with me (Where You lead me, I will follow) You're the livin' water to the thirsty I don't know where this is goin' But I know who holds my hand It's not the path I would've chosen But I'll follow You to the end Lord, as long as I am breathin' I will make Your glory known Even if it means I'm walkin' on this desert road (Where You lead me, I will follow) On this desert road (Where You lead me, I will follow) So many desperate souls in need (Where You lead me, I will follow) I'll walk with them as You walk with me (Where You lead me, I will follow)
Related Scriptures
Mark 14:32-36 Jesus struggled with his impending death but ultimately obeyed God the Father’s will.
Job The entire book of Job is filled with the suffering he faced, yet he did not lose his faith in God.
There are many other examples throughout the Bible where God called His people down paths they didn’t want. A couple of longer examples include Abraham and Sarah’s struggles to have a child and the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
Conclusion
As you listen to Desert Road, pay attention to the direction Casting Crowns wishes to lead us in. The lyrics reflect the real-life struggle of accepting and following God’s will, but they also point us to God’s faithfulness. Rather than allowing ourselves to wallow in the misery of losing our plans, we should celebrate in knowing that God has the best plan. Neither Casting Crowns nor KAMB wish to dismiss the reality you may be facing, but we do wish to remind you of who God is. He is our Healer and our Good Father. As believers, we can confidently lean into these promises as we pursue His will ahead of our own. Even if you’re traveling down your own Desert Road right now, God is still good and He is always faithful.
In addition to Desert Road, you can hear other songs from Casting Crowns and different artists here at KAMB. You can also find other listening options on our Ways to Listen and Where to Listen pages.
Sources
To find out more about Casting Crowns, you can click here. To visit the band website, click here! To find Casting Crowns on social media, use the links below.