INTEGRITY SEMINARS & CONFERENCES
presents
ing—a meaning that might not have been learning the depths of God’s love for
painstakinglywroughtwhen Gungorand His children, that idea alone can be
Houton penned the tune, but remains problematic. Our earthly best friends
true all the same. The song carries both may, metaphorically speaking, embody
an intimate and fearful understanding some similar relational aspects that help
of our relationship with the creator of us grasp the concept of God’s love, but
everything. they represent a dismal comparison to
Gungor explains, “Saying, ‘I’m a the true nature of God’s grace, forgive-friend of God’ can be trite if you don’t ness, peace, love and, yes, authority in
get the other side, which is that God is our lives. “I’ve heard phrases like, buddy
worthy of being feared. He is the cre- Jesus and it gets pretty casual,” says
ator of all things, the God of the ages. Gungor. “But when we sing about our
If we stand before Him and don’t relationship with God, it should cre-understand that side of it then the phrase ate a sense of wonder. The song came
‘I’m a friend of God’ doesn’t mean quite so quickly I don’t know if it was pur-as much. So the song starts off trying to posefully like that right away, but after
stir up a little a bit of reverence, to help we had that chorus, we wanted to make
us think about that this God being the sure we supported the idea of God being
almighty Lord of glory.” almighty. Which is what the bridge does.
TTWOO IINNCRREEDDIIBBLLEE DDAAYYSS
OOFF EQUIPPING
PPaassttoorrss aanndd WWoorrsshhiipp TTeeaammss
TTOOENGA’GE PEOPLE
IINN GGOODD’SS PPREESSEENCCEE
50
MORE
THAN
Classes!
Just ‘God almighty, Lord of glory.’”
Who am I that you are mindful of me?
That you hear me
When I call
Is it true that You are thinking of me?
That you hear me
When I call
“Worship music really does indoctrinate people, whether we are intentional about it or not. So it’s important
to have good theology. It’s always been
my heart to have the songs help with
the teaching the Word of God and to
help the truth of the Word of God come
COMING SOON TO A CITY NEAR YOU!
“The God almighty part makes the through.”
friend mean more. And then we need As a song that came in a moment
to understand that He really is inviting with worship in mind, “Friend of God”
us to be His friend. So it’s both of the is an offering that worship leaders can
truths together. God is not just one- bring before their congregations and
dimensional. He’s completely merciful, know that it carries a beautiful paradox.
yet He’s completely beyond our human All awe and admiration belong to God—
understandings.” yet He is also a God of forgiveness and
grace. Together, these truths are an im-
Best Buddies portant aspect of the beautiful story of
We have all likely heard phrases God. When sung with that understand-like “God is my best friend.” As warm ing, this song will bring gratitude and
as that makes us feel, and as encourag- empowerment to the people whom God
ing as that can be to someone who is calls His friends.
■ Before you next sing “Friend of God” for a worship service,
explain the beautiful paradox of God’s relationship with us.
COLUMBUS, OH | JUNE 4-6
CHARLOTTE, N.C. | JULY 9-11
ASHEVILLE, N.C. | AUGUST 22-25
Worship Songwriters’ Retreat
DETROIT, MI | SEPTEMBER 10-12
PITTSBURGH, PA | OCTOBER 8-10
DALLAS, TX | OCTOBER 29-31
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL
NOVEMBER 15-17
Fall 06’ Leadership Summit
■ Write a worship song without any intention to be complex.
Stick to three or four chords and simplify the phrases.
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seminars4worship.com
orr ((800) 503--0629
