Ben and Robin
Paisley have a ministry. They are missionaries of a different sort. They mix worship
with what I would label folk alternative music. Ben plays the guitar, and Robin
plays percussion on instruments from around the world. They call themselves "100
Portraits," because they want to expose the world to the many facets of God’s
character. Their second album, "Five Wise Virgins" focuses on the love of the
Lover for His bride. They present Him pursuing us relentlessly, and what happens
when we turn to Him. It also presents how He feels when we don’t.
The first track does the latter. "Men with knives"
paints a picture of God’s grief by portraying what a man endures when his wife
has left him. "I walk the streets at midnight, searching with your photograph
in hand… ‘have you seen her?’ What I fail to find reminds me… the day you left
me, lonely came and whispered you were gone." Another song shares the mutual love
between us and Him. It’s called Solomon’s song, and weaves pieces of the Song
of Solomon into a story applicable to our lives. Ben naturally sings the part
of the Groom, and Robin, the Bride. His part shows a little of God’s love we don’t
often consider. "Like a sweet flower in the valley of the thorns, so is My lover
among every other girl, she has stolen My heart. Like cool water, to a traveler
tired and worn, I will fall into you, hold you in My arms, you have stolen My
heart…" The last line you hear before the music fades states it clearly. "I will
have her, I will have her here."
This music has meant a great deal to me personally. When I first heard these two
sing, "Solomon’s song" was the only one that stuck in my mind. The next time I
heard them, I was in a place where I could hear the words, and understand them.
God had shown me a little of His love, and was longing to show me more. Every
song on this album is very clearly a declaration of His love. These songs have
been the soundtracks to my spiritual maturing process. That’s the thing I forget…He
loves me. But I can remember the times when He spoke clearly to me when I hear
in "Dreaming", "Why would you be afraid when I lie awake and dream of you? I lie
awake and dream of you—These scars in my wrist in my wrist, in my feet, they are
marks of my passion for you.".
"I have paved your way with velvet and
pearls…" This CD is worth a listen for anyone who wonders about His love—its reality,
or its continuity. 100 Portraits has produced three albums in all. Their first
one is called "Time Will Be the Tell, and is more evangelistic in nature, and
their third album is a collaboration with Waterdeep called "Enter the Worship
Circle."
100 Portraits'
Official Website
www.100portraits.com |
