Chris Tomlin (Top-10)

The #5 album for Top Ten Pick for New Believers is well-known Christian music artist from TexasóChris Tomlin. His simple, yet profound worship songs are sung non-stop in churches around the country. Itís amazing how many of Tomlinís songs are part of the fabric of contemporary worship. Musically, his songs are fresh, powerful, and fun to sing along to or harmonize to; lyrically, his songs are written with a message to touch and teach both new and old believers in the faith.

The album we chose for this selection, Not to Us, is an older one of Tomlinís. Itís got a rather mellow feel to it, good for unwinding, cruising, or just chilliní. Because Tomlin writes or co-writes most of his songs, his music has an extra dynamic that reveals his heart and expresses his love for the Bible. The opening song on the album says:

With rain, with sun
With much, with less
With joy, with pain
With life, with death

The only things that satisfy
come from You
They come from You

It is a song that declares the sufficiency of God, no matter what we are going through in life. In good and bad, happiness and hardship, it is God who ultimately satisfies. Appropriately following on the heels of this song is the very popular "Enough." This song declares:

All of You is more than enough
for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

The idea is that God - everything contained in his nature - is all we need. It is a truthful message and a good reminder for any believer that God is "more than enough." Every song on this album is full of life and color; Tomlin has a knack of finding new ways to proclaim age-old truths. For example, "The River" is a great song for young believers that gives a new take on Jesusí sacrifice on the cross.

This song talks about being set free from our sins through the saving power and love of God. But the deeper theme behind this song is that of "letting go." Now that the river has rescued and cleansed and satisfied, it is time to be totally submitted to Christ and let the river carry us away.

Iím dancing in the river
And Iíll be here forever
Iím letting go of everything but You
Carry me away

What an anthem for the new believer! The sin and sadness, mistakes and miseries, of the past no longer need to haunt our minds. We are rescued and liberated by our belief in Jesus Christóso letís go dance in the river!

Each song on this album has been sung in churches near you. So if youíre feeling like you need a hug from God, pop in this CD and rest in the knowledge that He is "a wonderful MakerÖa wonderful Savior," (from the song "Wonderful Maker") and let your heart affirm, "Great is Your faithfulness/You never change/You never fail, O God" (from "Unchanging"). If youíve found yourself wandering off the path of righteousness, remember that Heís calling you to "come home running"óJesusí "arms are open wide" to receive you back (from "Come Home Running"). And donít be surprised if you find yourself singing loudly that life isnít about us: "Not to us/But to Your name be the glory" (from "Not to Us").

Whether you need to celebrate, cry, or confess, we hope you find this album to be a blessing in your collection!

#5 Chris Tomlin (Not to Us 2001)