BenChilcote.com

I’m Beginning to See – By Ben Chilcote

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:56:50 +0000

This song was written as the first assignment in the WCS Songwriting Club. I only had a week to write it. The song is about the tension we live with as Christians trying to figure out our lives while we still have remnants of our old life still trailing behind us.

I’m Beginning To See

My former life is
A life of darkness
Though shadows still cast in the light

Once you awaken
Everything changes
Bright colors bleed through black and white

I’m beginning to see
That maybe
This whole thing is not about me
There’s a bigger picture here to be seen
But I’m much to close now

I’m beginning to fear
That maybe
This whole thing will never be clear
There’s a whole new way to tell if I’m where
I’m supposed to be
I’m beginning to see

Now I am leaning
On those beside me
No longer needing to pretend

We’ll find the arrows
To the path that narrows
We’ll walk it till we find the end

CHORUS

Step by step
Day by day
Trust in faith

CHORUS

Christian Songwriting Club Launching

admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:34:52 +0000

Hello readers! I know it’s been quiet on here for awhile and there’s a good reason for that. A few months ago I had an epiphany and since then, I’ve been busy working on it.

I’ve been online now for about 2 years. It started with the release of “In Good Hands” and the launch of the first version of this blog. After that, my eyes where opened to the power of the internet for a do-it-yourself Christian songwriter. Since then, I’ve developed my site, a small following, my YouTube Channel, and my knowledge of the world of internet marketing and business. But until recently, I’ve had a very broad focus, bouncing from idea to idea not knowing what to do with everything I’ve been learning.

A few months ago I had an idea come to me that at first seemed pretty good. The more I thought about it, the more sense it made and then I finally decided to commit to the project.

So…. In January, 2012, I will be launching a brand new Christian Songwriting Club! It will be free and open to anyone who has internet access. I’m VERY excited about it and have already started growing a small community who is anxiously awaiting it’s start.

If you are interested in getting started in songwriting, consider yourself a songwriter, or are a seasoned pro, you are invited to join us! Simply go to facebook.com/writechristiansongs, watch the video, and follow the instructions. If you are NOT interested but know someone who might be, or just want to help me spread the word, then share this post, or simply send people to facebook.com/writechristiansongs!

What This World Needs by Casting Crowns – Acoustic Cover

Ben Chilcote — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:00:13 +0000

This song ROCKS. It especially rocks to play. It especially rocks a lot to play with a full band. We’ve used this song a few times in our services. Casting Crowns has proved to be a game changer in Christian music. There songs are well delivered and usually carry a challenging message. Well done, Casting Crowns! It’s always a challenge to ‘bring it’ in a song like this when trying to pull it off on an acoustic guitar. I definitely gave it my all on this one. You’ll see that it’s a lot of words to get right!

What This World Needs

Hector Cervantes | Mark Hall

What this world needs
Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs
Is not another sign waving super saint
That’s better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man
Afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs
Is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them
In their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That’s what this world needs

What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside
Than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can’t see
God’s gotta change her heart
Before He changes her shirt
What this world needs
Is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well
That people can’t see the difference
And it’s the difference that sets the world free

Jesus is our Savior
That’s what this world needs
Father’s arms around you
That’s what this world needs
That’s what this world needs

Mighty To Save by Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan – Acoustic Cover

Ben Chilcote — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:27:23 +0000

This song is one of hundreds that have come out of Hillsong Church’s worship universe. I first became familiar with Laura Story’s version of the song. Though the original is rock heavy, Laura Story’s version is in her typical melodic piano style. We use her version in our services with some elements of Hillsong’s heavier guitar driven version sprinkled in. For my acoustic arrangement, I tried to incorporate some of Laura’s piano melodies. Enjoy!

Mighty To Save

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan

Everyone needs compassion
Love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Saviour
The hope of nations

Saviour
He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender

Shine your light
And let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory
Of the risen King Jesus
Shine your light
And let the whole world see
We’re singing for the glory
Of the risen King

Hands and Feet by Audio Adrenaline – Acoustic Cover

Ben Chilcote — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:21:07 +0000

This song is an oldie but a goodie. I was introduced to Audio Adrenaline in my early high school years with their “Don’t Censor Me” album, which, in my opinion, is one of the best Christian albums ever made. Audio A actually came to my high school and did a show with Newsboys! This was obviously before they were both superstar Christian bands. A few albums into their career, Hands and Feet hit the scene. We have used this in our church services on occasion for the song’s strong message of obedience to being “sent” by God to serve the world and make disciples.

Hands And Feet

Bob Herdman | Charlie Peacock | Mark Stuart | Tyler Burkum | Will McGinniss

An image flashed across my TV screen
Another broken heart comes into view
I saw the pain and I turned my back
Why can’t I do the things I want to
I am willing yet I’m so afraid
You give me strength
When I say

I wanna be Your hands
I wanna be Your feet
I’ll go where You send me
I’ll go where You send me
I’ll be Your hands
I’ll be Your feet
I’ll go where You send me
I’ll go where You send me
And I’ll try yeah I’ll try
To touch the world like You touched my life
And I’ll find my way to be Your hands

I’ve abandoned ev’ry selfish thought
I’ve surrendered ev’rything I’ve got
You can have ev’rything I am
And perfect ev’rything I’m not
I am willing I’m not afraid
You give me strength
When I say

This is the last time
I turn my back on You
From now on I’ll go out
Send me where You want me to
I fin’lly have a mission
I promise I’ll complete
I don’t need excuses
When I am Your hands and feet
I am Your hands and feet

Hands (hands hands hands)
Feet (feet feet feet)
Go (go go go)
Go (go go)
(I wanna) (I’ll) be Your hands
I wanna be Your feet
I’ll go where You send me
I’ll go where You send me
I’ll be Your hands I’ll be Your feet
I’ll go where You send me
I’ll go where You send me
(REPEAT 2X)

In Good Hands first online review

admin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:49:25 +0000

For an online singer-songwriter like myself, there are many firsts that you get to experience. Your first blog post. Your first comment. Your first YouTube Channel. Your first YouTube subscriber. Your first original song for sale online. Your first sale ! Your first mailing list subscriber.

Today, as an independent artist, I experienced a new first. My first online review. My song was generously featured on another blog and I am so honored that my music has been considered worthy of sharing (not counting social media, which in itself is pretty awesome!)

Do me a favor and pay a visit to www.amomwithablog.com and check out the positive comments. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share my song online and I have been so amazed at how far of a reach the song has had!

Sing, Sing, Sing by Chris Tomlin – Acoustic Cover

Ben Chilcote — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:17 +0000

Good old Chris Tomlin. I originally avoided this song to introduce to our congregation because it was kind of in a hard key to sing. However, I’ve found that Chris Tomlin writes music that is actually quite singable for most. I happen to have a higher voice, but not quite to the extent of Chris. I can usually manage to get most of his vocals down. This is a song currently on rotation at our gatherings.

Sing Sing Sing

Chris Tomlin | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Matt Gilder | Travis Nunn

Sing sing sing
And make music with the heavens
We will sing sing sing
Grateful that You hear us
When we shout Your praise
Lift high the name of Jesus

What’s not to love about You
Heaven and earth adore You
Kings and kingdoms bow down
Son of God You are the One
You are the One we’re living for

Sing sing sing
And make music with the heavens
We will sing sing sing
Grateful that You hear us
When we shout Your praise
Lift high the name of Jesus

You are the love that frees us
You are the light that leads us
Like a fire burning
Son of God You are the One
You are the One we’re living for

Sing sing sing
And make music with the heavens
We will sing sing sing
Grateful that You hear us
When we shout Your praise
Lift high the name of Jesus

Follow You by Leeland – Acoustic Cover

Ben Chilcote — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:50 +0000

Wow. To me, this song stands out among many we hear in mainstream Christian music. I recall this song being on Christian radio for just a short span of time. I came across it again while searching for a song that matched the certain topic of our Sunday morning sermon. Every time I listen to it, I feel compelled to adopt it as my own personal life-theme song. I have not come across a song that better encapsulates the Christian life – both the lyrics AND the song that carries them to us. Brandon Heath joins Leeland Mooring on this track which is a bonus for me because I’m a Brandon Heath fan. As a second bonus, when we presented this in our service, I sang it with my wife, Nicole. God willing, I’ll be able to do another version with us together. This version is transposed to a lower key to accommodate my voice. Leeland has a really high voice. Really high. One of my favorites!

Follow You

Leeland Mooring

You live among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy
For me to turn away

All my needs You have supplied
When I was dead You gave me life
So how could I not give it away so freely?
And I´ll

Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
Follow You into the world

Use my hands use my feet
To make Your kingdom come

To the corners of the earth
Until Your work is done

Faith without works is dead
On the cross Your blood was shed
So how could we not give it away so freely?

Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world ooooh
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
Follow You into the world yeaah
(repeat)

And I give all myself, I give all myself
I give all myself to YOU
(repeat)
Yeaaaaah

Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world (Follow YOU)
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
Follow You into the world

Follow You into the homes of the broken
Follow You into the world
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy God

It Is Well by Todd Fields – Acoustic Cover

Ben Chilcote — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 02:49:14 +0000

I’m not positive, but I believe I was among the first to ever hear this upgraded version of It Is Well. I was at the Drive Conference at North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia. Todd Fields, who is on staff at North Point, shared a song he had just finished up. The song was great but after getting home there was no looking it up for a download. It wasn’t out yet! A few months later, I received an email with a free download to the track. I immediately considered it as a song to throw into the rotation for our congregation. It has proved to be a well-liked song – liked by young and old.

It Is Well

Horatio G. Spafford | Philip Paul Bliss | Todd Fields

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot
You hast taught me to say
It is well it is well with my soul
It is well
It is well
Through the storm
I am held
It is well
It is well
With my soul

My sin oh the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross
And I bare it no more
Praise the Lord praise the Lord oh my soul

It is well
It is well
Through the storm
I am held
It is well
It is well
With my soul
It is well
It is well
God has won
Christ prevailed
It is well
It is well
With my soul

And Lord haste the day
When my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend
Even so it is well with my soul

Mighty is the Power of the Cross by Chris Tomlin – Acoustic Cover

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:00:59 +0000

Another Chris Tomlin classic. This track gave me an opportunity to create a duet. It’s not a polished recording but was fun to do.

Mighty Is The Power Of The Cross

Chris Tomlin | Jesse Reeves | Shawn Craig

What can take a dying man
And raise him up to life again
What can heal a wounded soul
What can make us white as snow
What can fill the emptiness
What can mend our brokenness
Brokenness

Mighty awesome wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross

What restores our faith in God
What reveals the Father’s love
What can lead the wayward home
What can melt a heart of stone
What can free the guilty ones
What can save and overcome
Overcome

Mighty awesome wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross

It’s a miracle to me
It’s a miracle to me
And it’s still a mystery
And it’s still a mystery
It’s a miracle to me
The power of God
For those who believe

Mighty awesome wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross