Raymond Gregory: News

Lately I've had the "songwriting bug," so I've been coming up with ideas and melodies. One thing I love to do is to demo a new song in it's raw from and let everyone hear it. I feel that if the song shines through the low-production, then it's a good song. As I write and demo new songs I want to share them with those who are closest to me and my music. It's kinda a "thank you" for supporting me, a way to get feedback, and hopefully make your day a little more "musical." Below are the Lyrics.

The song "Like a Child" comes from Mark 10:15 - "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Sometimes we are so hung up on proving that what we believe is true, that we forget how important faith is. The truth never needs to be convinced, but rather it needs to be received. Sometimes we try to make a case for God and try to explain his existence, which has it's place in defense of what we believe, but should never be the premiss. God wants us to receive the truth like a child, and truth has a great way of always being proven through growing closer to God, and his word.

DISCLAIMER: This is a VERY rough/raw recording... please have mercy ; )

"Like a Child" by Raymond Gregory

[VERSE]
Thinking back to 1993
Playing tag and falling out of tree
I never let the Sandman get "the drop" on me
Time was far too important to waste on sleep
Why can't we be more like we were when we were young?


[CHORUS]
I want to fall in love with someone I've never seen
I want to have faith like I did the hour i first believed
I want to carry a cape in case I learn how to fly
Oh, i want to be more like a little child


[VERSE]
When did we loose our innocence?
Why were we so eager to give it all away?
We traded our youth for experience
And sometimes forget why we were made
Why can't we be more like we were when we were young?


[REPEAT CHORUS]


[BRIDGE]
We're all out to prove what we believe
But when I look at a little child
I start to think that we're the ones who are naive


I want to believe in you with all of my heart and mind
I want to be more like a little child

We finished out the new Harvest Worship CD, "Enter In," at Capitol Records in Hollywood CA yesterday. Here's a little inside look...

Many of you sent me your photos to be included in the Day7 Vday video. I had a lot of requests for it to be posted, so here it is. Share it with your friends and family, so they can see your photo!

Many of you have sent me your photos to be included in the Valentine's Day video that will be shown at Day7@Harvest on Feb 14, during the song "Matrimony (Happily Married).  I figured I'd start the festivities early and show off a few of the photos ahead of time (I'm impatient).  There is still time to get your photos to me to be included.  Just send a high rez picture file to Matrimony@RaymondGregory.Com.  For more info CLICK HERE.

Sunday, 01/24/10
Forever- (Chris Tomlin)
The Risen King – (Raymond Gregory)
**************
Announcements/Offering
Exalted – (Chris Tomlin)
**************
Message
Pastor Greg
**************
Communion
Remember Me – (Steve Wiggins)
Nothing but the Blood – (TRADITIONAL)
**************
Closing Song(s)
The Risen King

This feels like a good rainy day song to me... I'm playing it a Day7 in Valentine's day... Don't forget to send me your married couple photos to be featured that night too! Matrimony@RaymondGregory.com - More info in the post below...

Getting Older

This coming Valentine's Day (02/14/10), I'm doing a special set for Day7@Harvest in Riverside CA.  It will be a great way to celebrate a day of love, through music and the promise of the greatest love ever shown - God's love.

When I play the song "Matrimony," we are going to show a video, and that's where you come in.  I want the video to be clips of various married/engaged couples, but I need photos!  Imagine celebrating your love for your spouse in front of thousands people! (hint to guys - do it as a surprise)  Even if you live too far to attend, the night will be webcast live.

To be in the video send a High Resolution photo to Matrimony@RaymondGregory.com.  Please include your names, and how long you've been married.  Also, there will be a special treat for the couple that's been married the longest.


Not Married? - this would be a great chance to honor someone that you know who is, like your parents...

Let's make this great!  Blessings ,
Raymond Gregory.

You’re worthy of my praise
Justified
Hosanna, the God who saves
You are my king
God with us

It's 2010, and there is a lot in store for our little camp here. So far, here is what is in the works-

Magazine Feature - Inland Empire magazine has a feature of my music in the January issue.

New Worship CD - We have been recording a worship record at Harvest, and I'm happy to say that it will be released near the end of February! Many of you have asked where to get "The Risen King" and "Way to the Father," and I'm happy to say those song will be on it.

iTunes single - In spring, I'll be releasing an exclusive iTunes single of the song "Getting Older." Make sure you follow on twitter and facebook for announcements about that.

Valentine's Day Event - we are in the process of putting together a special V-day event. Stay tuned...

RADIO - You'll be hearing "Matrimony" on the radio a lot more pretty soon...

MORE SHOWS TO COME!
Thank You for being such a huge part of my music! Let's make 2010 a big year. Tell your friends and family about the music, and help me reach more people with my story. Love you guys!

Raymond Gregory
P.S. be sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook

I had a friend come up to me and say: " congrats on your magazine feature!" I looked into it, and it looks like I'm featured in the January 10' issue of Inland Empire Magazine. It's available at Borders, Vons, Staters, and basically wherever magazines are sold in the IE...


I'm also thankful for many of you that listened to the Don Moen show on KSGN, and let me know how my story impacted you. It was a blessing to be a part of his show, and to talk with him. If you'd like to hear the story CLICK HERE

Also, there's some cool news coming about a new iTunes single, and an opportunity to get involved with some radio airplay requests... You'll be hearing "Matrimony" on the radio a lot more...


And lastly, stay tuned for an announcement of a special Valentine's Day Dinner/Show...

Here is the live recording to the new Christmas song I played last night at Harvest! Hope it reminds you of God's love for us this season...

Just click the link below to get it-

Evelyn (Live) - Raymond Gregory

Here is "The Christmas Song" download, for free! Consider it a Christmas gift from me to you...

The Christmas Song (Raymond Gregory)


You may need to right click a "Save As."

We're busting out a Christmas song, and Pastor Greg brings a special "Get Ready for Christmas" message, with musical guests - Tenth Avenue North.
Tonight at 6:00 PM, at Free Chapel in Irvine CA.

This song was played on the Don Moen show over the weekend. Here is some of the story behind it...

CONSIDER IT JOY:

To get the song CLICK HERE.

You may recognize that the main lyric is taken from James 1: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." The song, though, really comes to fruition through the difficult application of this verse in my life.

Though I was delivered from one trial in my life (hearing loss -see video below), shortly after, my family went through another season of trials. My Mother was deep within her battle with breast cancer, while my Father needed to spend the week working 4 hours away, in order to cover bills and medical expenses. I remember being on "independent studies" while I took care of my younger sister during the week. The most trying part of this season, though, comes with news that nobody wants to receive.

We had adopted a little boy named Michael at age 2. When he was about 4 or 5, we received news that he was most likely HIV positive (contracted from his biological parents). The tests confirmed. Throughout the next few years he went through treatments. These treatments would eventually bankrupt my parents. As time went on, the disease grew worse and we needed to admit him to a Hospice home, in order for him to receive proper care. We would see him very often, but the hardest part was not taking him home when he cried as we left. One day, while my Dad was away working, my Mom got the call that no parent wants to get. Michael had passed away after an ongoing fight with pneumonia.

This really hit our family hard, but the thing that got me through was the hope that trials can remind us of, and brings us to. Romans 5 says "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."


There's no greater hope than the hope we have in Jesus Christ - the hope of Heaven. Trials WILL come, and character will be produced. We live in an imperfect world, but we serve a perfect God. He will see you through. I hope this song will be a helpful reminder, that when you are faced with trials - Consider It Joy.

I'm sharing this today on the "Don Moen and Friends" radio show. I'll let you know when it airs!

Here is the 1st of many free Ecards we got in the works... This one is set to "Respect You" and works as a great way to let your significant other know how you feel, and to get the word out about the song! Just click the link below to get it!

CLICK HERE FOR THE "RESPECT YOU" E-CARD!

More to come:
Anniversary Card - "Happily Married"
Wedding Card - "Happily Married"
Thinking of you Card - "Off my mind"
Valentine's Day card - "Wealthy"/"Respect you/"Happily Married"
General I Love You - "Wealthy"

I'm sad to say these are the Lyrics to John Mayer's new song "Who Says." I'm saddened. My response to this song is coming soon. RIP - John Mayer we used to love...

WHO SAYS - LYRICS Who says I can't get stoned? Turn off the lights and the telephone
Me in House alone, Who says I can't get stoned?

Who says I can't be free from all of the things I used to be
Re-write my history, Who says I can't be free?

It's been a long night in New York city
It's been a long night in Baton Rouge
I don't remember you looking any better
but then again I don't remember you

Who says I can't get stoned? Call up a girl that I used to know
Fake love for an hour or so... Who says I can't get stoned?

Who says I can't take time? Meet all the girls on the county line
Wait on fate to send a sign, Who says I can't take time?

It's been a long night in New York city
It's been a long night in Austin too
I don't remember you looking any better
but then again I don't remember you

Who says I can't get stoned? Plan a trip to japan alone
Doesn't matter if I even go, Who says I can't get stoned?

It's been a long night in New York City
It's been a long time since 22
I don't remember you looking any better
but then again I don't remember you

We are starting to record the new Harvest record next week. Here's the songs that will be on it! In no particular order...

1. The Risen King
2. Way to the Father
3. Enter In
4. He Arose
5. Looking for Heaven
6. Lord on high
7. Resurrection Song
8. Son of the Highest
9. A heart that burns for You
10. Come Forth as gold
11. We will be made alive

Here is my set for tonight. Hope to see you there @6pm. More info here: http://bit.ly/teenchallenge
Sunday 08/30/09
1. Sunrise
2. Wealthy
3. Consider it Joy
4. Reliable
5. Getting Older
>>>> Break <<<<
6. The Risen King
7. Say Goodbye
8. Way to the Father
9. Matrimony (Happily Married)
10. Sweet Love

There is now a page here on the site dedicated to Worship Song Charts. You can download charts to all my original worship songs for free. Just visit the "Worship Charts" page...

I'll be posting more as they develop, and the whole library of charts will also be available on the new Worship EP that We are working on right now. Be sure to join the email list, and follow me on Twitter/Facebook to get the updates as they happen!

Here is the latest worship song Demo. As you know, I'm writting songs for my first worship CD. Feedback is welcome! Enjoy!

The Risen King (Demo)
LYRICS:
You laid Your glory down to wear a sinner's crown
Suffered and died for Your creation
The perfect sacrifice, wounded to give us life
You bore it all for our salvation

Blessed is the day; You washed our sins away!

Hallelujah, we will sing
Honor and glory to the Risen King
Death is defeated, and we are saved
Jesus has overcome the grave

So let the music play with shouts of Joy and Praise
Our God has unlocked eternity