Sharpen the Axe [Digital single]

Description

Sharpen the Axe is a digital single by the American singer and songwriter Paul Clark, self-released in December 2023. The track was recorded by Spencer Coats at Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Overdubs by Phil Keaggy at Kegworth Studio and by Paul Clark and Jonathan Allen at Cavernn Studios. Mixed by Bill Schnee at Schnaze Studio.

Featuring Paul Clark on guitar and lead vocals, Clayton Ivey on Wurlitzer and B3 organ, Will McFarlane on guitar with Phil Keaggy providing solo guitar, Jamie MacFarlane on bass, Justin Holder on drums, and Luis Conte on percussion. Horns by Brad Guin. As well featuring Charity Mozafari on solo vocals with Cindy Walker and Marie Lewey on background vocals.

At the peak of the Jesus Movement in the mid-70’s, I was awestruck by the number of people leaving their first love for Him. To fight the slumbering apathy, I switched genres from acceptable folk rock to the untested waters of jazz-rock and penned “Hand To The Plow.” The seven minute “gem with a jam” launched from Jesus’ sharp warning found in Luke 9:62, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God,” had an immediate impact.

Fast forward to the 21st Century, where the strategically franchise manufactured mega church model, adorned in her cultural relevance, seemed immune to setting suns until Covid closed the majority of their doors. Once again, the landscape of Christian culture was suddenly littered with couch potato believers waning from their first love. Birthed from my passion to stop the sheep from slouching toward apostasy, I believe the Holy Spirit lit my long term love affair with Ecclesiastes 10:10 to sound the alarm as well as provide a solution. “If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.”

Unexpectedly, as 2022 was phasing out, “Sharpen The Axe” came to me one evening and less than an hour later I felt the prophetic power had employed me with a new trumpet to sound the alarm much like I had experienced with “Hand To the Plow.” I pray you’ll have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying and the courage to intentionally grind off the carnal rust that has corrupted so many of us. Return to your first love for Jesus and live in the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit that is derived from dying to oneself and living out the Word of God. The two seemingly harmless letters that form the word “if,” boldly implies that your axe will get dull. It also demands for responsive action to sharpen it daily to acquire wisdom to restrain the folly and ensuing exhaustion from living of off the nutrition from yesterdays manna.

In humility and love, I implore you to get back to the Bible and sharpen your axe. Our world is a dense forest of chaos filled with the cacophony of deceptive voices leading to eternal darkness. Let’s clear the vast amount of dead wood and allow the salvation light of Jesus to usher in new growth in preparation of the great harvest to come. Sharpen the Axe!

In His love,
Paul Clark

24 Dec, 2023

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> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/sharpen-the-axe-single/1721510466)

Digital Single:

01. Sharpen the Axe – 5:40

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The Upper Room Presents (April 29, 2024): Jesus Movement Pioneer Musician Paul Clark talks Music.