Hey all... I decided to start a dedicated blog.  Click on the URL below to check it out!

www.markroachmusic.blogspot.com

Many blessings...

Mark



[phil 4.8]

So I just found out that I am a featured guest this weekend on 'The Heart of Worship' with Don Buettner. It's pretty crazy for me, 'cause I started leading worship in 1999 and shortly thereafter found 'The Heart of Worship' on my radio dial on Sunday mornings.  I would listen to it, find new songs, get cool insights on the background of some of my favorite worship tunes... then I basically couldn't listen anymore as we started growing 'cause we eventually moved to three services on Sundays.  Anyway, the show is just kind of a 'fixture' to me, you know?  It's humbling to be a part of it.  Of course, I'm leading worship (yes, three services) on Sunday, so I know I won't be able to catch it on the air, but I'm getting a copy of it, so I'll be able to hear it after it's aired.Anyway, if you'd like to catch the show, click here to find stations and times in your area!  Let me know what you think!

Many blessings...

Mark



[phil 4.8]

Hey, everyone!  I'm elated to report that after months of discussions, patience and prayer, Myrrh Records has decided to partner with me and my ministry!  Obviously, I can't tell you how excited I am to see how the unbelievable people over at Myrrh will take my songs and ministry to the next level.  My hope and prayer is that this marks the beginning of a long, fruitful partnership in which God is truly glorified!

Currently, my first record is slated for release some time in the first half of 2007.  In the meantime, stay tuned to www.markroach.com for updates, or to order 'Sevenfold,' my new limited-edition EP.  While I won't pretend to boast a collector's item here, I am only printing 1000 copies of this, my last 'indie' project.

As always, my sincere thanks goes out to all of you who've supported me in prayer!  There is simply no way I could do this without you!  I hope to see you all around sometime soon!

 

To God Be the Glory!              

Mark                    

www.markroach.com

www.myspace.com/markroach

Tuesday, January 24th, 2006 became the very first day that someone could walk into any music store anywhere in the country and buy a CD with one of my tunes on it... the song:  A Thousand Hallelujahs... the CD:  Absolute Modern Worship (Yellow)

I'm totally excited, obviously, about this opportunity and hope that it continues to get my music out to Worship Leaders and churches, that it may glorify God and bless those who hear it...

Hey, let me know what you all think!

Mark

As a songwriter, I tend to write from an emotional perspective.  To me, writing worship songs is no different.  ‘A Thousand Hallelujahs’ was written as a response to the phenomenal—and often unmentioned—duality of emotions that we feel when we worship.

 

We all know that true worship is a response to the unfathomable nature of our God and, therefore, not at all about ourselves.  However, it’s also unthinkable to me to deny the electricity that pierces the human heart when one engages in worshiping our Creator!  As we allow God’s spirit to penetrate our lives, an interaction occurs that transcends anything we’ve experienced apart from that moment… not only are we offering ourselves up in worship to Him, He’s in turn offering Himself to us that we would not leave the experience unchanged.  This is the heart of ‘A Thousand Hallelujahs.’

 

The words themselves intertwine scriptural truths with human emotion.  The verse speaks of the nature of God—His unending grace (Ephesians 2:7), the promise of His presence when we gather in His name (Matthew 18:20).  The chorus is a celebration of the interaction that is worship.  That we are able to enter into the courts of our Creator feeling so embraced that we beckon Him to dance and sing with us as we praise Him is an astounding thought.  As we engage in authentic worship God’s presence is so tangible that we begin to desire it in everything we do.  We also are reminded of the uncompromising love He has shown us in Jesus Christ.  All of this sparked the declaration found at the culmination of the bridge—the promise to follow Him… to live for Him.

 

As ‘A Thousand Hallelujahs’ is sung in congregations across the nation and world, my prayer is that individuals would literally get lost in the abyss of authentic worship… that congregations would savor the presence of God around them.  It’s a song that revolves around a sustained moment of heartfelt worship.  To God be the glory!

Psalms:  Defining Worship

Mark Roach

 

Many of today’s great worship texts are derived from the Psalms.  One could say that it’s the definitive worship book of the Bible.  As we examine this book more closely, though, we find that our current definition of worship is often far narrower than that of the psalmists themselves.

 

Take a moment and read Psalm 145.  The psalmist is proclaiming the Glory of God.  When most of us think of worship, this is the type of scripture that comes to mind.  However, while it is of utmost importance to include elements of awe-inspired praise and gratitude in our times of worship, we also must acknowledge the prevalence of transparent prayer in the Psalms.  Now take a moment to read Psalm 42.  We see a stark contrast in tone and content in this scripture.  The psalmist is vulnerable—struggling with the core of his faith.  Desperately, he expresses his soul’s thirst for God.  In verse 9, he even goes so far as to challenge God.

 

This is an example of transparent prayer.  Isn’t this exactly what God is longing for in our relationship with Him?  In worship, we give ourselves to God in response to His sovereignty.  Shouldn’t that include our most intimate prayers?  Read Psalm 3:7 and Psalm 25:17 for some striking examples of this.  How transparent are you in your worship on Sunday?  In your everyday life?  Remember, God desires the fullness of our hearts.  Our worship should reflect nothing less.

 

(as appears in the Absolute Modern Worship Yellow Devotional, due to be released in 2006)