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I love the new album by Israel Houghton – Love God, Love People: The London Sessions. But the stand out track for me is “Mercies” which features Kirk Franklin. The song uplifts the spirit when things just aren’t going your way. It’s fantastic. It’s currently on *repeat* in my car. check it out!

Nobody said things would always be easy
Nobody said it would always be nice
Nobody said that everyday would turn out perfectly right
Somebody said my yoke is easy
Somebody said my burden is light
Somebody said that weeping only lasts for just a night

So when your day comes to an end and your night is closing in
Tears fall uncontrollably but you’re gonna see

Oh Your help is on the way
You gotta know, tomorrow is another day
His mercies are fresh every morning!

Nobody said there will always be sunshine
Nobody said there will never be rain
Nobody said that you will never have just one of those days
Somebody said that I’ll be your lifeline
Somebody said I’ll take all your pain
Somebody said that I specialize in impossible things

When there’s darkness all around and you feel like breaking down
Tears fall uncontrollably but you’re gonna see

Oh Your help is on the way
You gotta know, tomorrow is another day
His mercies are fresh every morning!!

Every morning, grace is dawning
Sun is rising, favor falling
Goodness and mercy will follow you everyday

So don’t you worry ’bout a thing, don’t you be afraid
Everything will be OK in the morning…

written by Israel Houghton, Meleasa Houghton and Aaron Lindsey

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I absolutely love Israel Houghton’s Power of One album. His last live release “A Deeper Level” was a bit of a disappointment to me (except for the song “If Not For Your Grace” which is absolutely phenomenal). It felt like Houghton was coasting creatively. But with the new studio album, it seems like he was allowed to stretch beyond the confines of the praise & worship format. Check out the track “You Found Me”. It’s a bit of a departure for him since it’s a bit of nu-metal ala “Linkin Park”. Houghton normally works within the R&B/gospel/pop framework so to hear him do nu-metal is a bit of a novelty. But even so it’s a great song and a highlight on the album. It’s today’s song of the day.

You found me. You found me. Once I was lost but now I’m found.
You loved me You loved me. You broke the chains that held me down.
You healed me You healed me. Once I was blind but now I see.
You freed me You freed me. With what You did at Calvary.
Thank You for the cross.

No more chains holding me. I am free indeed.
No more chains holding me I have been delivered.
No more chains holding me. I am free indeed.
-You Found Me written by Israel Houghton, Meleasa Houghton, Aaron Lindsey and Toby MacKeehan

Be sure to listen to the complex rhythm pattern in the middle section of the song. simply amazing!

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