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From the back cover:
Jesus' invitation was so simple - "Come follow Me". Beginning with twelve unlikely men, history records the lives of many who have responded to that call at all costs and so shown themselves to be disciples of Christ. What motivated them to respond with "reckless abandon" to such a simple call from this man Jesus? It seems as though they had no concern for questions such as how they might benefit and what exactly was involved in following Christ. Somehow when they realized who it was calling them, they needed no other reason to obey. It was the simple yet profound fact that God's own Son, Jesus Christ, in all of His authority had called. My prayer is that history might repeat itself, that we might hear those words of Jesus again, "Come follow Me", and that we too might respond as true disciples by living and giving ourselves "for the sake of the call".
Jesus' invitation was so simple - "Come follow Me." The Son of God calling us to step into the glorious unknown, "the ultimate reality." And those who respond to this invitation must do so for one reason alone, simply "for the sake of the call."
Song List
Matthew 4:18-22; John 12:26
Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start
This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said 'Come follow me' and they came
With reckless abandon they came
Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe and none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered
CHORUS
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call
Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea
No turning back for the water cannot help but flow
Once we hear the Savior's call well follow wherever He leads
Because of the love He has shown
And because He has called us to go we will answer
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
BRIDGE
Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey
CHORUS
Acts 5:41; Acts 16:22-25; John 5:10 & 11
Anybody in their right mind
Would've given up their preaching and headed for home
They've been warned a hundred times
But something inside them keeps giving them hope
And just when you think they'd be crying
Instead of the tears, there's joy in their eyes
CHORUS 1
What kind of joy is this
That counts it a blessing to suffer
What kind of joy is this
That gives the prisoner his song
What kind of joy could start death in the face
And see it as sweet victory
This is the joy of a soul that's forgiven and free
Anybody else with his pain
Would want to shake their fist at heaven
And give up the fight
'Cause trouble had been Paul's middle name
Ever since he'd been captured by God's blinding light
But just when his hope should be dying
If you listen you'll hear him singing a song
CHORUS 1
CHORUS 2
What kind of joy is this
The Father has promised his children
What kind of joy is this
That Jesus has come to reveal
What kind of joy could give hope in this world
To someone just like you and me
This is the joy of a soul that's forgiven and free
I've found this joy for my soul is forgiven and free
Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 9:25; Psalms 46:10
I know a man named Billy
He's got almost everything
Three stories, two cars, one swimming pool
And some broken parts of an empty heart
And I'm thinkin'...
CHORUS 1
Billy, Billy, Billy, you're a very busy man
But you're running with your eyes closed
You could be missing life all along the way
And you'd never even know it
You're a busy man, Billy, Billy, you're a busy man
Just too busy man
You've got a lot of nice things there Billy
But they cost you more than you know
'Cause what is it really worth can you tell me
If you're gaining the world but you're losing your soul
And I'm thinkin'...
CHORUS 2
Billy, Billy, Billy, you're a very busy man
But you're running with your eyes closed
Looks like you traded life for the things you have
Not the thing you really wanted
You're a busy man Billy, Billy you're a busy man
Just too busy man
BRIDGE
So when the day is over
And the lights go out
Do you ever stop and wonder
Wonder what it's all about
Wonder what it's all about
Wonder what it's all about
Hey Billy do you ever wonder
What it's all about?
CHORUS 1
FADE
Slow down busy man take a look around you
When it's all said and done tell me what's it gonna come to
Luke 14:27; Luke 9:23 & 24
I wake to the sound of different voices calling my name
Two little ones who want to start another day
And one voice that's calling
Take up your cross and come follow Me
CHORUS
And I want to get lost
In the shadow of the cross
To answer the call surrender it all
In the shadow
I want to live this (each) day
With a humble heart
That's ready to pay
Whatever it costs, to find myself lost
In the shadow of the cross
Living beneath the burden of this cross I carry
I'm finding more of Christ and losing more of me
So I'll hide in His shadow
Until I am nothing and He is everything
CHORUS
The voices that call to me like my little ones are sleeping
But here in the shadow there's one whisper
I still hear
CHORUS
Steven Curtis Chapman/James Isaac Elliott
c1990 sparrow songs(a div. of the Sparrow Corp.)/Careers Music, Inc.
(BMG)/Greg Nelson Music((admin. by Careers Music, Inc. (BMG))
(BMI)/Lita Music(ASCAP) All rights reserved. Used by permission.
International copyright secured.
Isaiah 55:8 & 9; Phllippians 4:6 & 7
If I could only fly
I'd go up and look down from the sky
So I could see the bigger picture
And Lord if I could sit with You
At Your feet for an hour or two
I'm sure I'd ask too many questions
'Cause there's so much going on down here
That I must confess I just don't understand
BRIDGE
But I have prayed
At Your feet my whole life has been laid
So I won't worry I won't be afraid
'Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways
Let the road ahead become unclear
I am Yours so what have I to fear
If my soul is resting on Your higher ways
CHORUS
Your higher ways teach me to trust You
Your higher ways are not like mine
Your higher ways are the love of a Father
Hiding His children in His love
BRIDGE
So let it rain
And if my eyes grow dim with tears of pain
This hope I have will not be washed away
'Cause my soul is resting on Your higher ways
Someday I will fly
Maybe then You will take me aside
And show me the bigger picture
But until I'm with You
I'll be here with a heart that is true
And a soul that's resting on
Your higher ways
Steven Curtis Chapman/Phil Naish
c1990 sparrow songs(a div. of the Sparrow Corp.)/Careers Music, Inc.
(BMG)/Greg Nelson Music((admin. by Careers Music, Inc. (BMG))
(BMI)/Davuab Music (admin by BMG Songs, Inc.)(ASCAP)
Luke 6:39; Psalms 119:105
There's a teacher in a school room
Somewhere on the edge of town
Telling innocent little children what we used to be
They look and listen without a question
They see the pictures passed around
Making facts out of a theory and they all believe
As the lost lead the way
Another heart is led astray
CHORUS
These are the days when the blind lead the blind
And there's one narrow way out of here
So pray that the light of the world will keep your eyes clear
'Cause it's a dangerous place here where the blind lead the blind
There's a preacher in a nice church
Anchored in the heart of town
People flock to hear his eloquent delivery
He talks of Jesus how He can please us
But the cross cannot be found
Making theory out of facts until they're all deceived
And the lost lead the way
And more hearts are led astray
CHORUS
This is a dangerous time
And the truth can be hard to find
So let His word light your way
And guard every step you take
CHORUS
Steven Curtis Chapman/Geoff Moore
c1990 Sparrow Song(a div. of The Sparrow Corp.)/Careers Music, Inc.
(BMG)/Greg Nelson Music((admin. by Careers Music, Inc.(BMG))
(BMI)/Statstruck Music(a div. of The ForeFront Communications Group Inc.)(ASCAP).
All rights reserved. Used by permission. International Copyright secured.
Mark 9:33-35; 2 Corinthians 10:18
I saw you staring out your window
Watchin' the people passing by
Taking some notes on what you saw out there
So you would know how hard you need to try
I heard you asking lots of questions
How in comparison you stand
Please let me warn you to be very careful
God wants our best and not our better than
CHORUS
But you know better, better than that
You know better than, better than that
You should know better, truth is the only measure
You know better than, better than that
Now just in case I've got you thinkin'
And if you're feeling like I do
Maybe it's time we open up the Holy Bible
And see exactly what He's called us to
He said the least would be the greatest
The greatest is the one who serves
We must be living by a different standard
A life that isn't graded on a curve
CHORUS
Steven Curtis Chapman/Bob Sauer
c1990 Sparrow Song(a div. of The Sparrow Corp.)/Careers Music, Inc.
(BMG)/Greg Nelson Music((admin. by Careers Music, Inc.(BMG))(BMI)
John 15:12 & 13; Proverbs 17:17; Galatians 6:1 & 2
When you are a soldier I will be your shield
I will go with you into the battlefield
And when the arrows start to fly
Take my hand and hold on tight
I will be your shield, 'cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier
When you're tired from running
I will cheer you on
Look beside you and you'll see you're not alone
And when your strength is all but gone
I'll carry you until you're strong
And I will be your shield 'cause I know how it feels
When you're a soldier
BRIDGE
I will be the one you can cry your songs to
My eyes will share your tears
And I'll be your friend if you win
Or if you're defeated
Whenever you need me I will be here
When you're lost in darkness I will hold the light
I will help you find your way through the night
I'll remind you of the truth
And keep the flame alive in you
And I will be your shield
'Cause I know how it feels
When you are a soldier
NO BETTER PLACE
John 8:12; Proverbs 4:18 & 19
I was eight years old when I decided to follow Jesus
I started down that road
Somebody told me that this path that leads to heaven
Will not be the easy way
Well I found that to be true
But I also found, I found out there's
CHORUS
No better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven
No other place I'd rather be
No better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven
No better place to be
Well I know this road has a final destination
But I also know that if we're only looking for the prize that's waiting
Well miss so much along the way
'Cause Jesus came to give us life in the here and now
And to show us that there's
CHORUS
BRIDGE
I know this path we travel on
Is very straight and narrow
But I've looked down other roads along the way
And from all I've seen I can say without a doubt there's
CHORUS
Steven Curtis Chapman/Phil Naish
c1990 sparrow songs(a div. of the Sparrow Corp.)/Careers Music, Inc.
(BMG)/Greg Nelson Music((admin. by Careers Music, Inc. (BMG))
(BMI)/Davuab Music (admin by BMG Songs, Inc.)(ASCAP)
All rights reserved. Used by permission. International copyright secured.
John 15:1-8
Sweet are the branches growing the fruit that comes from
the vine
But these are just branches blown by the wind holding on to life
I want to be like them holding to the One whose life is mine
And I know as I follow Him His life will sure show in me
CHORUS
He said you will
Show yourselves to be the ones who follow Me
By the evidence you leave along the way
They'll know that you are Mine like the branches on the vine
If you show yourselves to be following Me
Faith joins our hearts to Him, it's not a result of anything
we do
But if we are part of Him, there will be reasons to believe it's true
The fruit cannot help but grow if the branch is joined into the tree
And love cannot help but show in the one who goes where Jesus leads
CHORUS
BRIDGE
Planted in the fertile soil of quiet times
Watered by the rains of trouble, growing toward the sun that shines
They'll know that you are Mine like the branches on the vine
If you show yourselves to be following Me
FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL(reprise)
All songs except where noted are written by Steven Curtis
Chapman
c1990 Sparrow Song (a div. of Thc Sparrow Corp.)/Careers Music, Inc.
(BMG)/Greg Nelson Music((admin. by Careers Music, Inc.)(BMG))
(BMI)(All Careers Music, Inc. admin. by BMG Music Publishing
8370 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211). All rights reserved.
Used by permission. Interntional copyright secured.
Produced by Phil Naish for NT Productions
In association with SCC
Productions Executive Producer: Peter York
Musicians:
Steven Curtis Chapman: Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin,
Electric Guitar on "Busy Man," Classical Guitar on "Higher
Way"
Dann Huff: Electric Guitar
Paul Leim: Drums
Phil Naish: Keyboards
Craig Nelson: Acoustic Bass on 'You Know Better"
Jackie Street: Bass
Strings:
Carl Gowdetzky and the Nashville String Machine
Strings arranged and conducted by Don Wyrtzen
Horns:
Barry Green, Mike Haynes, Chris McDonald, George Tidwell
Horns arranged by Chris McDonald
Background Vocalists:
Herb Chapman, Steven Churtis Chapman, Chris Rodriguez
Addifional Background Vocals on "No Better Place": Brent Lamb
Additional Background Vocals and Whistler on "You Know Better":
Bob Sauer
Background Vocals arranged by Steven Curtis Chapman and Phil Naish
Choir on "For The Sake Of The Call": Christ Church Choir, Nashville, TN
Recorded by Ronnie Brookshire
Assistant Engineers: Jim DeMain, Patrick Hutchinson, Patrick Kelly,
Gary Paczosa, Ed Simonton, Carry Summers
Mixed by Jeff Balding at Digital Recorders, Nashville, TN
Assisted by John Hurley
Studios:
Nightingale Studio, OmniSound Studios, Digital Recorders,
Hummingbird Studio, Treasure Isle - Nashville, TN
Recorded Digitally on Sony 3348
Mixed on analog format
Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering lab, Los Angeles, CA
Production Manager: Cindy Wilt
Management and Tour Development:
Creative Trust PO. Box 871 Franklin, TN 37065-0871 615/790-7675
To receive a "For The Sake Of The Call" bible study outline, please send $3.00 to Creative Trust.
Fairs, Parks and University Bookings:
Charles Dorris & Associates 110 30th Avenue North Nashville, TN 37203
615/320-1990
Art Direction: Barbara Hearn Design: Nick Newton Photography: Alan Dockery
Christ Church Choir appears courtesy of Star Song
Dann Huff appears courtesy of A&M Records
Brent Lamb appears courtesy of Diadem Records
In the past year, I have received great encouragement and support by being presented with several awards acknowledging the use of abilities God has given me. While it seems a little awkward at times being singled out to receive recognition for using a gift, it does provide me with a great opportunity to acknowledge the ones to whom the credit is most appropriately due.
Thanks to my dear friends at the offices of Sparrow Records, all the folks at Lorenz Creative Services, and to our Creative Trust family for adopting us. Thanks to each of those who have opened their hearts and ears to the music and message through attending the concerts and/or listening to the recordings, all of my friends (whether we've met face to face or not) at the bookstores and the radio stations, those individuals scattered all over the world who continue to make Christian music concerts possible by working so hard to organize them, each of the players, singers and engineers who gave a part of themselves to help create this recording.
A special thanks to Dan Raines, Phil Naish, Bob Sauer, Melissa Campbell, Matt Pierson, Al Henson, Bobbie Blazier, The Lamb's, The Moore's, The Kroeker's, The Chapman's (too numerous to mention but deeply appreciated), all of our family and friends who support us more than you know by just being there through it all, my best friend and priceless treasure, Mary Beth; and to Emily, Caleb and TBA for keeping us young and growing us up at the same time.
This album is dedicated to the twelve men who were the first to hear Jesus say "Follow Me" and obeyed; and to Dietrich Bonhoeffer for being one of many through the course of history to inspire us to continue to listen and respond "for the sake of the call".