The Gettys on NPR

Some of you may have heard the interview with Keith and Kristyn Getty on NPR's "All Things Considered" a few days ago.  If not, you can listen to it or read it at the NPR website.  Here's a brief snippet: 

"Our goal is to write songs that teach the faith, where the congregation is the main thing, and everybody accompanies that," he says.

There's no definition for what's a hymn and not a praise song. But Keith Getty says it should be singable without a band and easy for anyone sitting in the pews to pick up. And it should say something bold. 

For the whole interview, click here.

Songs that Endure - The "Secret" Behind the Gettys' Success

The Christianity Today blog has a great post on the "secret" behind the success of modern hymnwriters, Keith and Kristyn Getty. What is that secret?  Instead of writing songs they hope will end up on the radio, they write songs they hope will last (and will one day end up in dusty old hymnbooks).

Read the article here.

Not What You Give But What You Keep

A Rich Young Man (Simple Living)
Keith and Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend



A rich young man came to ask of Christ,
"Good teacher, will you tell me:
What must I do for eternal life?
I've kept your laws completely."
"Sell all you have, give to the poor;
Then heaven's treasure shall be yours."
How hard for those who are rich on earth
To gain the wealth of heaven.

Now Jesus sat by the off'ring gate
As people brought their money.
The rich they filled the collection plate;
The widow gave a penny.
"Now she's outgiven all the rest;
Her gift was all that she possessed."
Not what you give but what you keep
Is what the King is counting.

O teach me Lord to walk this road,
The road of simple living.
To be content with what I own,
And generous in giving;
And when I cling to what I have,
Please wrest it quickly from my grasp.
I'd rather lose all the things of earth
To gain the things of heaven.

Oh, To See My Name Written in the Wounds

The Power of the Cross
Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.

Chorus:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath-
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.

Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.

Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.

Final Chorus:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God-slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.

Keith and Kristyn Getty in Jackson

Keith and Kristyn Getty's "Joy: An Irish Christmas" tour will be making a stop in Jackson this Sunday evening.  They will be at West Jackson Baptist Church at 7:00PM on Sunday evening.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased here.

Keith and Kristyn Getty at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis

For those of you in and around Memphis, you might be interested to know that this year's celebration of "The Majesty of Christmas" at Bellevue Baptist Church will feature special guests Keith and Kristyn Getty (who have written modern hymns such as "In Christ Alone," "The Power of the Cross," and "Come, People of the Risen King."

The Gettys will be premiering their new Christmas CD, Joy: An Irish Christmas, as they join with the church's choir and orchestra this Sunday, December 18, at 6:00pm in the worship center at Bellevue. For more information, click here.