We are home and everyone is doing well. Moma and baby are healthy and happy. Mama and Daddy are tired though! Just wanted to thank you all for your prayers. Even though we may not know each other well it means so much to know of your thoughts and prayers. We have felt them in a strong way over the past few days. Thank you also for rejoicing with us in this time. Children truly are a reward from God.Now, on to the next Connersvine song!

I love country music. Chris does not love country music. If you get to know us you will find out that we both agree on the virgin birth, the redemption of God through Jesus, and the hope of eternal life. That’s about it. (oh yeah,……and Waffle House) We are extreme men that God saw fit to yoke together for a particular expression of ministry and music in our generation. It is our extremes that make Connersvine happen. As long as we are making albums there will be hints of rock, folk, country, soul, pop, and all kinds of indie stuff. That is who we are musically. Connersvine is a melting pot of influences, and I’d have it no other way.

“Lay Down” is one of our favorite songs as a band. It’s country feel gives it a unique personality that is rare in corporate worship music. It is one of the first songs we wrote once we decided to become Connersvine, and for that reason it will always have a particular sentimental value spiritually and historically. It was late morning sometime in the spring of 2003. I was in our basement having some alone time with just the Lord and my guitar. Sometimes in these moments I will start just playing a chord pattern and singing “randomness” over it. I don’t talk about this a lot because it could be misconstrued as insanity, but sometimes I just worship by opening my mouth and singing out my raw emotions and sentiments to God. A large portion of the time this sounds like gibberish or at best someone who has forgotten the words to a melody they never really knew in the first place. However, to God I believe it is a sweet sound. To my surprise on this particular morning I began to sing something that had both clear form and meaning:

All of my life I’m
happy to lay down
in light of Your glory
the light of Your glory

The lyric was exactly what I felt in my heart. I mean in light of the glory of God I am compelled to give Him everything. Thoughts and images began to flood my mind and soul about who, in my limited knowledge, God is and who He must be. I mean we aren’t talking about the Easter Bunny here. This isn’t a fat old figment of our imaginations dressed in a redsuit delivering gifts down people’s chimneys once a year. He either is or isn’t the King of the universe!! In that moment I was positive of the former and overcome with joy, awe, and willingness to do whatever He asked. This spontaneous chorus was a response to his lovely and powerful existence.

Originally “Lay Down” was just a series of choruses similar to the above mentioned. Truth be told I still wish they could be included in the recording. We play them live sometimes. Here they are:

All of my will I’m
happy to lay down
in light of Your wisdom
the light of your wisdom

All of my dreams I’m
happy to lay down
in light of your destiny
the light of your destiny

All of my heart I’m
happy to lay down
in light of Your love for me
the light of Your love for me

This song was Chris’ favorite idea of mine at one point, country feel and all! He would even lead it when he was leading on his own somewhere. Somewhere along the way we started trying to think of ways to make it a more album friendly song. We collaborated and decided it should have a more traditional structure. It needed verses, a consistent chorus, and a bridge. This wasn’t change for the sake of change however. We felt this was a real improvement that would help the song be embraced more over time.

Late that summer I reported to training camp at Rose Hulman in Terre Haute, IN with nothing to entertain myself with but a guitar. I was dead set to work on writing songs in my time off the field. At the top of my priority list was the refurbishing of “Lay Down”. Almost everyday Chris and I would talk on the phone and play our new ideas for one another. As per usual some of the ideas were good, some great, and some still make for a good laugh when they’re remembered.It was late afternoon sometime in the middle of our stay in Terre Haute as I remember and we had a night practice under the lights that evening. I had about 45 minutes before I was gonna go grab a quick bite to eat and head over to the locker room. I began to read through the Psalms while strumming my guitar through the “Lay Down” chord progression. Long story short the first verse was finished before I left for practice. It came quick but was still thoroughly thought through. I love the combination of Davidic psalm language in the first stanza withthe more “regular guy” folksy sentiment of the second:

(1) Listen to my humble cry
Listen to my earnest plea
Hear my voice as I am calling out
I’m on my knees again

(2) I don’t wanna go away
from this holy, holy place
I guess I am sayin’
Lord, I lay it all down again

For quite some time Chris and I would play this song with just one verse and a bunch of choruses. Soon Chris had the idea that we should write a bridge for it. The bridge’s origin came about just like it sounds. We were playing through this song looking for what felt right coming out of the chorus. I sang a line and Chris, the brilliant melodist, sang a linear response. It wasn’t an answer. No, it was a finish to the thought I had started. We decided that this was a really cool thing and finished the lyrics together. To me they are a simple circumstantial summation of the songs entire message: at all times God is worthy of our lives being laid down for Him.

In the morning when I rise to You
Lord, I lay it downIn the evening under skies from You
Lord, I lay it downEveryday and all my life for You
Lord, I lay it down

I know we are out of order here but the song was 3 years old when the second verse was written. However, it might be my favorite part of the song. Many times when we are writing I will have an idea that I feel like is really inspired, really different, really a risk, etc. Typically Chris or whoever is in the room will look at me like I’m crazy, then act like they didn’t hear me, then hope it all just goes away. A lot of them should just go away. Thankfully, this one didn’t.The first stanza of this verse might seem kinda risky:

When I wake up in the night
and I feel You in my room
Something in Your voice is drawing me
to follow after You

I love being able to say exactly what I feel in a song. This line is not about a stalker or burglar or anything like that. It is about times when I can feel the presence of God in the night. Sometimes I sense Him calling me out of bed to meet with Him. Now, I’d love to say that I answer the call every time, but I can’t. Sleep is a powerful force as well and not nearly as gentle. When I do answer the call, however, He is always faithful to be there for intimate fellowship. (I feel like this is a journal entry more than a blog post.) At any rate, I love being able to put something in a song that is honest and real even if a little weird sounding also. The second stanza completes the thought and points to the chorus:

to the place where I belong
far away from incomplete
where I give it all to You
because You gave all for me

“Lay Down” will always be a special song for us to play. It is our prayer that it is a challenging but hopeful way for you to express your will to lay your life down for a master worth so much more than anything in existence. Thanks for reading this. I know it was long, but it means a lot that you would take the time to understand the heart behind this work.”Live For You” is next. All I can say is that Chris is an anointed man. I’ll fill you in next time!

-Hunter