Bethel Music: Be Lifted High

First off, I normally post these on Monday's but this Monday/Tuesday I was gone to the CAKE concert that I had mentioned earlier. SUPER amazing. They are incredible live and their trumpet/keys/auxiliary percussion player is incredible! Okay, enough about that... now on to this week's featured artist...... Bethel Music!

A little background: Bethel is a church here in Redding, CA pastored by the one and only Bill Johnson. I first went there in high school for a youth group with my friend Ashley. I had never felt the presence of God until that night. I had a major encounter that night which ended with me crying my eyes out. It was amazing however, throughout high school I struggled with my faith and eventually ended up not even going to church at all.

In college I met my friend Megan (one of the most amazing people you will EVER encounter) who went to Bethel. The way she talked about church and God was like nothing I had heard before. She roped me into going to a Friday Night Revival Service with her and from that moment on, God captured my heart.

I started going to Bethel after that night and LOVED their worship. There was never an agenda and they had the most inspiring/spirit filled worship EVER. I then attended a Jesus Culture event (an amazing movement based around revival and seeking God's presence) that is based out of Bethel Church.

The first worship CD I bought was Jesus Culture's "Your Love Never Fails." After that I just HAD to get the rest. They've put out many albums as well as some individuals work which you can check out here.

After getting these I found Brian and Jenn Johnson's worship albums and then Bethel started putting out these "Bethel Live" albums.
They are recorded at Bethel's services. The last one was entitled "Here is Love" and featured Brian and Jenn, Kim Walker-Smith, Kristene Mueller, Leah Valenzuela, and Chris Quilala. It is amazing.
As my friend Emily said, "I always think I've found the most anointed CD until they come out with a new one." Which is SO true.

The newest one (just released THIS Tuesday) is entitled "Be Lifted High." THIS one features Brian and Jenn, William Matthews, Steffany Frizzell, and Jeremy Riddle. Almost all of the songs were written by these guys. They are so amazing.
This CD is genuine and will lead you into a time of worship in which time has no meaning. All you'll want to do is praise Jesus.

So do yourself a favor and go buy it!
And buy the deluxe edition! It has interviews with the artists and with Bill Johnson and Kris Vallotton about worship and how they each define it.
To buy:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-lifted-high-feat-brian/id417051544?i=417051557&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Dustin Kensrue

Ohhhhh Dustin.
To put it simply... I love him.
Chelsey Davis was who told me about him (but she originally found him because of Betsy Slate so we'll give them both credit.)
Dustin Kensrue is in a Southern California rock band called Thrice but has also released some solo work.  After listening to some of Thrice's songs I couldn't BELIEVE that he was the same singer that I had fallen in love with. It just goes to show how great of an artist he is when he can sing for a rock band and then put out a bluesy/folk sounding solo project.
When I first looked him up I only had the song "Pistol" but after having it on repeat for a few weeks I decided to get the rest of the album. ("Please Come Home")
He has this raspy bluesy voice that's paired with Johnny Cash sounding melodies AND (as if that wasn't enough) he plays the harmonica.
Not only is he an incredible artist, but he stands up for what he believes in. He has bible verses tattooed on himself and many of his songs on his solo album are biblically based. His song "Please Come Home" is based on the story of the Prodigal Son (shout out to Andrea for figuring that one out for me.. hehe).
On top of ALL of this, he supports To Write Love On Her Arms. (A  nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for those struggling with clinical depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.) 5% of the proceeds from his album "Please Come Home" go towards this cause. 
So, check him out and hopefully you will all fall in love with him like I have. 


"Pistol" Music Video