Casting Crowns "This is Now" Matthew 4:18-20; 14:22-23

Chuck Spangler

Grace Memorial Parishioner and former Youth Christian Formation Teacher

“This Is Now”
Album: Thrive
Artist: Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns was established in 1999 under the direction of Mark Hall (lead singer and primary songwriter).  13 million of their 9 albums have been sold…6 of have gone platinum.  They have received 15 Dove Awards, 1 Grammy, 2 American Music Academy (AMA) and 2 Billboard Music awards for “Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist”.

​Casting Crowns’ music was a frequent subject of Grace Memorial’s Christian Formation group…as a result we travelled to 2 Casting Crowns concerts (Lafayette-Apr., 2017 and at the Smoothie King Center in Nov., 2019). 

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishers. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
​Matthew 14:22-32

"This is Now" Lyrics:
Standing at the water’s edge…I dropped my dreams when I dropped my nets.
No hesitation, no regrets, I followed You, but that was then…this is now
You washed my feet and You changed my name, I swore I’d never be the same
Just like the tides I guess people change, cause that was then and this is now.

I wish I could go back but I don’t know how, I remember when I stood my ground,
I swore I’d never let You down, I want to be that man again, but that was then…and this is now.

I watched the blind man lift his head…and look his savior in the eyes.
I heard a dead man take a breath…dropped to my knees as I watched him rise.

I felt the sea beneath my feet as I stepped out on the angry waves,
But You saw the storm raging within, You reached out and caught me then…but this now.

I wish I could go back but I don’t know how
I remember when I stood my ground, I swore I’d never let you down…I want to be that man again, 
But that was then…and this is now.

Just when I thought my sin had closed the door, I see my savior standing on the shore, 
With arms wide open, just like the first time You called my name, 
You said 
          “that was then…and this is now.  
          “My child I bore your cross I wore your crown. 
          “When you couldn’t come to Me, My love came down.  So take My hand I’ll lead you out,
          “cause that was then…and this is now.
          “My child I bore your cross, I wore your crown…you couldn’t come to Me,
          “so My love came down.
          “Take My hand I’ll lead you out, Cause that was then…and this is now.”

Scripture readings are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission. All rights reserved.