It’s been a while since I have loved an album as much as I love “Keeper of Days”, put out by Jon Guerra this past May. I can’t get over how good it is. I want to listen to it over and over and over again. It is truly a breath of fresh air in this crazy year.
I first ran across it when when Brett McCracken (who, by the way, has become one of my favorite recommender of good things) published an excellent interview with Jon about the album. In the interview, Jon points out that the genre for this album is “devotional music”...”music birthed in quiet, and intended to be listened to in quiet.”
When you listen to this album, that last line makes a lot of sense. There is a depth and beauty to the melodies and the lyrics that must come from a place of stillness and rest. Jon says, "The world is so loud. Our minds are so loud. But 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says, “Aspire to live quietly.” How lovely would it be if we, as Christians, were known as the “quiet ones”?"
And because of this, it invites the listener to be still, to rest, to be caught up in beauty, and to pray. And that’s ultimately what this album is, a collection of prayers. Jon elaborates as he further explains the devotional music style: “The music, language, style, and personal expression are, ideally, all alive with prayer. It takes cues from the Psalms. There’s room for darkness, doubt, ugliness, and self-exposure.”
The first song, “Kingdom of God”, is a prayer infused with longing: "Oh that I could see your face. How I’m longing for that day…Make my heart a holy place.” He goes on to remind himself and us that it’s the poor and the mourners and the guilty that are blessed: "For their hearts have a road to the kingdom of God. And their souls are the songs of the kingdom of God. And they will find a refuge, for theirs is the kingdom of God.” And the bridge is a beautiful, soaring melody quoting Psalm 23.
The second song, “Citizens”, is equally as powerful, as he explores what is mean to be “Christian in this American life.” I continue to be thankful for this song in the midst of this election year, as it reminds us where our true citizenship lies: "I need to know there is justice. That it will roll in abundance. And that you're building a city. Where we arrive as immigrants. And you call us citizens. And you welcome us as children home.”
It also doesn’t hold back in its prophetic voice to many in the church:
"There is a wolf who is ranting. All of the sheep, they are clapping. Promising power and protection. Claiming the Christ who was killed. Killed by a common consensus. Everyone screaming “Barabbas”. Trading their God for a hero. Forfeiting Heaven for Rome...Love has a million disguises. But winning is simply not one.”
Love Goes On is another one of my favorites. I’m a sucker for a song that builds and this one does it wonderfully. During the bridge, Jon belts out some lines from Psalm 139: “Where can I go from your presence? Where can I flee from your Spirit? Your goodness and your mercy will follow me forever, God"
Besides listening to the album (in order, in one sitting, if possible), I also recommend his YouTube channel where he has some stripped down versions of the songs. Outside of the above songs/videos mentioned, these are a few more of my favorites:
