Episode 353: Rick Lee James Thunder Radio Special

Welcome to Voices in My Head, the official podcast of me, Rick Lee James. I'm a recording artist, a singer, a songwriter, an author, a worship leader, and an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. The Voices in My Head podcast is where I discuss music, movies, books, pop culture, theology, and more with friends, colleagues, and sometimes just by myself. Now make sure to let me know what you think of today's episode by leaving me a review on iTunes or by tweeting at me @RickLeeJames on Twitter. And please join my mailing list at RickLeeJames.com where you can receive an email every time a new episode is released. By the way, in case you're interested in a daily dose of kindness and encouragement beyond this podcast, I also run the Twitter account @MrRogersSay where I post daily quotes from Fred Rogers, one of the voices in my head. Well, I guess that's it for the intro, so sit back, relax, and listen to the latest episode of Voices in My Head. Welcome back to Voices in My Head. As always, I am your host Rick Lee James, and I'm glad you're here with us this week. This week we don't have a guest on on the show, and there's a couple reasons for that. One being that I just had surgery on my arm, and thankfully I am healing up from that, but it is just kind of really taken more recovery time than I expected it would. I can't play guitar, and I really haven't tried to do much as far as typing or scheduling or getting anything ready for the podcast. I apologize for that. But what I'm going to do instead today is share the 30-minute radio special that I made with WestStar Media for radio stations. So if you haven't had a chance to hear this 30-minute radio special about my album Thunder, it's a documentary-style audio radio show, and it's, it's a full professional 30-minute special that has been airing on several radio stations across the country. It's also on my YouTube page and at rickleejames.com. So if you haven't had a chance yet to hear the radio special in its entirety, it really is a behind-the-scenes look documentary that you can listen through your earbuds and hear more about the album. There's some interviews with me on there, there's full-length songs about the album, there's great narration, and I'm really proud of it. And so if you haven't had a chance to hear it, or maybe you have and you just want to hear it again, I'm going to be sharing that today on Voices in My Head. I also wanted to remind you, in case you have not heard yet— I guess this wouldn't be a reminder, but this would just be news for you— the, the Thunder shirts, the official tour shirts that I've been selling on the road when I do concerts. For the first time, they are now available online through the store at rickleejames.com, or you can go directly to the shop at rickleejames.myshopify.com, and you'll be able to find those. We've also added my book, Out of the Depths: A Songwriter's Journey Through the Psalms, and you can get the book, both the physical book and a digital download of it. So we also have sales going on right now. On Thunder, the album on vinyl and on CD, and plus you can get some of my old music there as well. So if you want to go to rickleejames.myshopify.com, you can get the t-shirts and more, and they are on sale right now. So that's it, I think, for today. I don't have much more to share with you, but I hope you'll enjoy this Thunder Radio special. I look forward to being back with you soon with some new great guests, and hopefully my arm will be all healed up and I'll be back to playing guitar and touring before we know it. So God bless you guys. Thank you for listening to Voices in My Head. Thank you for your patience, and thank you for all your support both now and through the years. I hope you enjoy this special, and thanks as always for listening to Voices in My Head.

Rick Lee James and the album Thunder.

It was written by the late Rich Mullins. When the opportunity came for me to record it, I of course jumped at the chance because I love Rich Mullins.

Sounded like thunder when you cleared the temple.

It sounded like thunder Welcome to the Rick Lee James radio special featuring music from his album titled Thunder. Rick Lee James is a singer-songwriter who cultivates lyrics that are firmly planted in deep theological biblical roots. The mission statement of his music ministry is to lead congregations in hearing God's word, in confessing God's holiness, in praying faithful prayers and singing truthful songs, and accepting God's generous invitation. Thunder is a 13-track album that combines Rick Lee James' thoughtful melodies, instrumental versatility, and spoken words to create a vibe where artistry and liturgy meet. You can hear Rick's music, watch his music videos, and learn more about his ministry at rickleejames.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter, just search for Rick Lee James. On our program today, we'll feature 5 tracks from the Thunder album And you'll also hear Rick talk about the story behind each of the songs. And we begin with track 1. It's the lead single and title track, "Thunder," a never-before-released song by the late iconic Christian music pioneer, Rich Mullins. Rick shares why he chose to record the song.

You know, "Thunder" is a unique track in that it was not written by me. It was written by the late Rich Mullins and co-written by Phil Nash and Lowell Alexander, but it was never released when Rich was still with us. And when the opportunity came for me to record it, I of course jumped at the chance because I love Rich Mullins. And not only did we put it on the album, we made it the title cut of the album. And it really inspired not only the feel of everything on the record, but it inspired the artwork, which we printed the album on clear vinyl and it has sort of this stormy look to it. And that was great, that's what we wanted, because in an album that is heavily focused on worship, we wanted to disrupt the landscape just a little bit. It sounded like thunder when you cleared the temple. It sounded like thunder sometimes when you prayed, just these really powerful lyrics. And I hope that in some way we were able to preserve the legacy of Rich Mullins for fans who maybe would not have been able to hear this song otherwise.

You walked in when the prophets had grown tired of being so inspired but rarely being heard. Coming on to a world confused and scattered. The silence was shattered by the power of the Word. It sounded like thunder when you cleared the temple. It sounded like thunder sometimes when you create incredible wonder. When the veil was torn in glory, it sounded like thunder when the stones rolled away. It sounded like thunder when you cleared the temple. It sounded like thunder sometimes when you prayed. Incredible wonder when the veil was torn in glory. It sounded like thunder when the stones rolled away. When I think about you giving and loving and crying. And suffering our pain. And when I think about you living and dying and rising, my tears fall like rain. Sounded like thunder when you cleared the temple. It sounded like thunder sometimes when you pray. Incredible wonder when the veil was torn in glory. It sounded like thunder when the stone was rolled away. Yeah, when the stone was rolled away.

Rick Lee James, the title track off his album Thunder, a song written by the late Rich Mullins. You're listening to the Rick Lee James Radio Special, and we're featuring 5 selected songs from the album. Have you ever let the Book of Psalms truly speak to you? Or to put it more accurately, Have you ever let God speak to you through the Psalms? In our next song titled Whom Have I in Heaven But You, Rick Lee James invites you to do precisely that.

Whom Have I in Heaven But You is a song that was inspired by Psalm 73, a psalm that I think all of us can relate to because the psalmist who is seeking after God so hard is so broken and it just seems like nothing is going right for him. In the meantime, he sees wicked people prospering. He says that their Bodies are sound and their pockets are full, and they are scoffing at the righteous ones. And the psalmist is so discouraged, he nearly gives up on his faith. But in this wonderful encounter in the temple, in the house of the Lord, everything changes, and he sees God in a new way. And he is reminded that as he sings these words, the nearness of the Lord is his good. Your nearness is my good. And he cries out, whom have I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but you are the strength of my heart. What a powerful psalm that truly is.

I nearly fallen away, my feet almost stumbled. The wicked seem to have no pain, their hearts are never humble. Their bodies are sound Their pockets are full. They scoff at the righteous one. They say you don't know. They say you can't see. But where else can I go? Whom have I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but you are the strength of my heart. Forever. Who am I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but you are the strength of my heart forever. I walk in to the house of the Lord, trying to understand. The bitterness in my soul had made me a foolish man. But you didn't scorn. You held my hand. You led me home again. You are my shelter. And you are my guide. You hold me in your right hand. Whom will I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but you are the strength of my heart forever. Whom will I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the Earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but you are the strength of my heart forever. Your nearness is my good. Your nearness is my good. Truly good. You're truly good. <LYRICS>Who move I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but you are the strength of my heart forever. Who move I in heaven but you? There's nothing on the earth I desire more. My flesh may fail, but</LYRICS> You are the strength of my heart forever. Your nearness is my nearness, is my nearness, is my good. Your nearness is my nearness, is my nearness, is my good. Your nearness is my good.

You're listening to the singer-songwriter Rick Lee James. That track is called Whom Have I in Heaven But You, based on Psalm 73. It's from Rick's album Thunder, 13 songs recorded at Old Bear Studios in Buffalo, New York, and produced by Chris Hoisington. You can hear Rick's music, watch his music videos, and learn more about his ministry including his CD Hymns, Prayers, and Invitations, and a book he's written called Out of the Depths: A Songwriter's Journey Through the Psalms. It's all at rickleejames.com. You can also follow him on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for his podcast, which he calls Voices in My Head. Just search Rick Lee James. We're listening to Rick's album titled Thunder, and song number 3 on our program today is Glory to God the Trinity.

As someone who leads music in my local church and abroad, I often have a hard time when I'm planning services finding songs that are about the Trinity. So "Glory to God the Trinity," also known as Trinity Hymn, became my way of writing a hymn for the church to sing that proclaims the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The first verse is about the Father, the second verse is about the Son, the third verse is about the Holy Spirit, and there's a chorus that unites them all. It really is a fun song to sing, and it was a really fun time in the studio to be able to play a very Celtic-feeling song. And you know, I tune my guitar up in all sorts of different tunings and play different things. But my hope is that the church will actually find this to be something that is very singable and very true for their congregation, and something that they can sing with confidence. Glory to God the Trinity, in essence one, in persons three. Glory to God the mystery revealed in Christ our Lord.

We come today in the name of the Father, Maker of earth and sky, Father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, true living God Most High. We come to echo the voice of creation, praising the Lord of Hosts. We sing to the Father, we sing to the Son, we sing to the Holy Spirit. Holy Ghost. Glory to God, the Trinity, in essence one, in persons three. Glory to God, the mystery revealed in Christ our Lord. <LYRICS>We come today in the grace of our Savior, Jesus, the Father's Son. The one fully human and fully divine, born of a virgin's womb. He died as he lived with the weak and the poor, proclaiming the mercy of God.</LYRICS> The grave couldn't hold him who's holding us now. He's risen as Lord over all. Glory to God the Trinity, in essence one, in persons three. Glory to God the mystery revealed in Christ our Lord. Chasing the darkness away. There is no wall that will hinder his coming, no darkness he can't drive away. O God, three in one, the beginning and end, we give you our worship today. Glory to God the Trinity, in essence one, in persons three. Glory to God the mystery, —revealed in Christ our Lord. Glory to God the Trinity, in essence one, in persons three. Glory to God the mystery revealed in Christ our Lord.

Rick Lee James. That's Glory to God the Trinity from the album Thunder, a project he wrote and composed with the complexity and depth of a musician who has learned the craft by living the life of a Jesus follower. Rick is a worship leader, singer and songwriter, speaker, author, and podcast host. He's been doing it for over 20 years, and over those For 30 years, he's used his music to share the gospel in numerous venues, from the National Worship Leader Conference to the world-famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. And we're up to song number 4 on our program today from Rick's album Thunder. This next track is a very personal song, The Lord Is Our Shepherd, to the babies we lost.

The Lord Is Our Shepherd is really a musical love letter to our unborn children. Children. My wife and I, we have suffered the loss of several children through miscarriages over the years. And it's something that people don't like to talk about a lot. I don't know why. Maybe it's because we never actually met these children and maybe people don't realize what a true hole there is in your heart when you suffer something like that. But it really is real., and it's something that hurts, and it's a grief, and it's a loss, and you should never rush through that loss. You need to feel it and go through it. And part of that process of grief for me was to write this musical love letter to them that tells them not only their story, but it also tells them that your mommy and I, we love you even though we never met you, and that it's okay to rest in the everlasting loving arms of the Father. And one One day at the resurrection, we will be together.

When we found ourselves in a hospital room, your heartbeat couldn't be found. Something went wrong. And now you are gone. What are we supposed to do now? Where do we go? Where else can we go? If the Lord is our shepherd, he's walking with us through the valley of the shadow of death. Though the long dark night is swallowing us, he will not give up what is his. He restores our soul. How do we say say goodbye when we never got to hold you or hear your little cry? How do we leave this hospital room, get in our car and drive home without you? I don't know. There's only one place to go. If the Lord is our shepherd, he's walking with us through the valley of the shadow of death. And though the long dark night is swallowing us, he will not give up what is his. He restores our souls. Oh, we never met you, but we love you. We never met you, but we love you. Rest in the arms of him who loves you. Lean on the everlasting arms. We never met you, but we love you. We never met you, but we love you. Rest in the arms of him who loves you. Lean on the everlasting arms. If the Lord is our shepherd, then he is walking with us through the valley of the shadow of death. And though the long dark night is swallowing us, he will not give up what is his. He restores our soul. He restores our soul.

The Lord is our Shepherd. To the babies we lost, in our weakest moment, Jesus is with us. He is our eternal hope. Hope, the one who guides us and comforts us through the darkest times. You can watch Rick's music video of this moving song on YouTube, and you can also subscribe to his YouTube channel while you're there. Just search Rick Lee James. You're listening to the Rick Lee James radio special featuring 5 songs from his album Thunder. The last song in our program today is titled Stay.

This world is such a rushed and noisy place isn't it? I wrote the song "Stay" because I really wanted to encourage people not to just rush through their times with the Lord and not rush through even church services when we come together to worship. I wanted to give permission and even encourage people, beg them even, stay, wait, pray until you're sure that peace has been found. And I'm so grateful to say that it really seems to be resonating with people everywhere I share this song. It's by far the one that I get requests for more than any other so far on the album. And it really, you know, just on a musical level, I love how it turned out on the album. I always tell people, if you're gonna listen to Thunder on vinyl and you only had one song to listen to on vinyl, go listen to Stay. It has such a great feel. But I'm really, more than anything, grateful that the message seems to be resonating so much with so many people's hearts.

That you need but can't seem to find? Are you crushed by the weight of your sin? Is it dragging you down in defeat once again? Are the burdens just too great to bear? Are you lost and alone in the depths of despair? Will you stay just a little bit longer? Will you pray till you're sure peace has been found? Will you seek his face in this holy place. Be still and know him now. We can stay here as long as As it takes. Seeking his mercy, receiving his grace. For he has not come to condemn, but to rescue each soul who will call upon him. Let's pray till we know we've been heard. We can seek God's forgiveness, believing his word. We can praise him for victories won. In the name of the Father, The Spirit, the Son. Will you stay just a little bit longer? Will you pray till you're sure peace has been found? Will you seek his face in this holy place? Be still and know him now. We will stay just a little bit longer. We will pray to assure that peace has been found. We will seek —his face in this holy place. Be still and know Him now. Know Him now.

From Rick Lee James and the album Thunder, that's Stay. Rick's ministry slogan His slogan is "Hear it, sing it, live it," and his mission is to lead congregations in hearing God's Word, in confessing God's holiness, in praying faithful prayers, in singing truthful songs, and accepting God's generous invitation. You can hear more of Rick's music, watch his music videos, and learn more about his ministry, including his CD, "Hymns, Prayers, and Invitations," and even read a book he's written called Depth: A Songwriter's Journey Through the Psalms. It's all at rickleejames.com. That's rickleejames.com. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and sign up for his podcast, which he calls Voices in My Head. Just search Rick Lee James. Thanks for listening to the Rick Lee James radio special.

Thank you for joining me here this week on Voices in My Head. I hope you'll visit me on my website RickLeeJames.com, where you can find out more about me, get my music on vinyl and CD, follow my blog, and even schedule me for a concert or a speaking engagement. Better yet, even a book signing in your neighborhood. You can find all that and more at RickLeeJames.com. Also, it would mean a great deal to me if you could write a review of this podcast on iTunes. The more positive reviews that we receive The more visible this podcast will be online. And now for the benediction: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. God bless you, and thank you for listening to Voices in My Head.