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Make Love, Make War: NOW Is the Time to Worship
Worship elevates us into God's presence, renews our spirits, and expresses our deepest love for our Savior. Yet worship can also be a call to arms, a battle cry, a salvo in an ancient spiritual struggle. Acclaimed songwriter Brian Doerksen believes that God is calling us to both love and to battle. To spread peace and wage spiritual warfare. We do this through how we live, how we serve Him, and how we protect and fight for what matters most. For Brian, music was his answer to this provocative call. Now Brian shares the stories and inspirations behind some of today's most acclaimed songs of worship, including "Come, Now is the Time to Worship," "Hallelujah (Your Love is Amazing)," and "With All My Affection." Brian shares rich truths and insights that informed twelve of his greatest songs, and offers special tips for aspiring songwriters. Readers will be encouraged to wage spiritual war and share His love through a life of radical worship.
224 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 2, 2012
Fabulous. Whether you write music or not. Highly recommended. Thought-provoking. Encouraging.
August 21, 2026
A Worship Warrior Cry
Brian Doerksen, the writer of "Refiner's Fire" and "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship," gives more than a mere book about music. "Make Love, Make War" is a passionate, often intimate, call to radical surrender, loving faithfulness, and to knowing our Triune God.
He writes: "The content and theology in each worship song is vital! And not just the theological content of each individual song, the theological emphasis of our overall songlist, the songs and hymns that we sing the most, is incredibly important. That emphasis reveals what we really believe about who God is."
This isn't a formula for leading worship, it's an honest, solid battle plan for the heart, full of wisdom on worship as warfare, covenant relationships, and abiding in Christ. Doerksen is like a wise older brother... warm, transparent, and deeply biblical.
Whether you're a worship leader or a believer seeking to go deeper, this book will stir your heart and strengthen your resolve to worship in spirit and in truth. I finished it convicted, hopeful, and refined.
A must-read for anyone serious about following Jesus.
Brian Doerksen, the writer of "Refiner's Fire" and "Come, Now Is the Time to Worship," gives more than a mere book about music. "Make Love, Make War" is a passionate, often intimate, call to radical surrender, loving faithfulness, and to knowing our Triune God.
He writes: "The content and theology in each worship song is vital! And not just the theological content of each individual song, the theological emphasis of our overall songlist, the songs and hymns that we sing the most, is incredibly important. That emphasis reveals what we really believe about who God is."
This isn't a formula for leading worship, it's an honest, solid battle plan for the heart, full of wisdom on worship as warfare, covenant relationships, and abiding in Christ. Doerksen is like a wise older brother... warm, transparent, and deeply biblical.
Whether you're a worship leader or a believer seeking to go deeper, this book will stir your heart and strengthen your resolve to worship in spirit and in truth. I finished it convicted, hopeful, and refined.
A must-read for anyone serious about following Jesus.
December 30, 2015
The title of this one may be a little intimidating, but look at the subtitle: "NOW is the time to worship." Songwriter Brian Doerksen challenges Christians to adopt an intentional lifestyle of loving and serving God.
Each chapter begins with one of Brian Doerksen's songs. Part memoir, part expansion on the themes that sparked the songs, this is an honest reflection on circumstances both joyful and sad. Topics include a Christian's identity, the importance of gratitude, the Father's love, hearing God, the importance of controlling our thoughts, and surrender.
If you've ever thought contemporary praise music was too upbeat to the point of ignoring the pain in life, you'll appreciate the author's perspective. As well as songs declaring God's praise, he's not afraid to write worship songs for the hurting. After all, songs of lament hold a valid place in the psalms. Lament, says the author, is different from simply complaining. After laying out the trouble before the Lord, a lament expresses the singer's choice to trust God even in the hardship.
Favourite lines:
As a bonus for readers who write music (or who'd like to), each chapter ends with practical songwriting tips.
Brian Doerksen is an award-winning Canadian songwriter and worship leader. For more about the author and his latest projects, visit briandoerksen.com.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
Each chapter begins with one of Brian Doerksen's songs. Part memoir, part expansion on the themes that sparked the songs, this is an honest reflection on circumstances both joyful and sad. Topics include a Christian's identity, the importance of gratitude, the Father's love, hearing God, the importance of controlling our thoughts, and surrender.
If you've ever thought contemporary praise music was too upbeat to the point of ignoring the pain in life, you'll appreciate the author's perspective. As well as songs declaring God's praise, he's not afraid to write worship songs for the hurting. After all, songs of lament hold a valid place in the psalms. Lament, says the author, is different from simply complaining. After laying out the trouble before the Lord, a lament expresses the singer's choice to trust God even in the hardship.
Favourite lines:
As we worship, our hearts are healed by the faithfulness of God, because that's who God is. [Kindle location 331]
The names that our parents give us and the labels others slap on us are not as important as who we are in the Father's eyes. [Kindle location 364]
Sometimes our greatest act of worship is just hanging on to God in the middle of the storms of trouble that threaten to engulf us. [Kindle location 1946]
As a bonus for readers who write music (or who'd like to), each chapter ends with practical songwriting tips.
Brian Doerksen is an award-winning Canadian songwriter and worship leader. For more about the author and his latest projects, visit briandoerksen.com.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
January 1, 2010
Make Love, Make War has been one of the most enriching books I’ve read in a very long time. I learned much about the heart of this man, his devotion to God and family, his intimate and intense love for God and the His Church (The Bride), and his musical works. He has a specific purpose for writing each and every song. The reasons may surprise you. I know I delighted in them.
Although I have no background in music, Brian’s life history behind his songs have been an inspiration to me. To top it off, you get some thoroughly in-depth teachings about who God is, little nuggets of truth throughout the book. He also shares song-writing tips to aspiring musicians and current worship leaders.
This is one book everyone should have on their shelf to read. It will give you a greater insight into the words of the songs and inspire you to respond in love and/or war.
Although I have no background in music, Brian’s life history behind his songs have been an inspiration to me. To top it off, you get some thoroughly in-depth teachings about who God is, little nuggets of truth throughout the book. He also shares song-writing tips to aspiring musicians and current worship leaders.
This is one book everyone should have on their shelf to read. It will give you a greater insight into the words of the songs and inspire you to respond in love and/or war.
January 28, 2016
As soon as I read the introduction I was hooked. Love and war are at the core of our relationship with Christ. We are in the middle of an ancient battle and when we worship we wage war!
I have always enjoyed hearing the stories behind the songs. It is encouraging and oftentimes challenging to hear the ways that God moved and taught that resulted in the music that leads us in praise of His glory.
The only thing that would make this book better is if it was offered with an audio CD of the songs. If you aren't familiar with the songs I would recommend you get a hold of them and listen to them before and after each chapter. If you are looking for them on Itunes they are all under Brian Doerksen except for "Father, I Want You to Hold Me" which they have as recorded by Paul Turner.
I have always enjoyed hearing the stories behind the songs. It is encouraging and oftentimes challenging to hear the ways that God moved and taught that resulted in the music that leads us in praise of His glory.
The only thing that would make this book better is if it was offered with an audio CD of the songs. If you aren't familiar with the songs I would recommend you get a hold of them and listen to them before and after each chapter. If you are looking for them on Itunes they are all under Brian Doerksen except for "Father, I Want You to Hold Me" which they have as recorded by Paul Turner.
January 26, 2016
So far - so so. But I'm not done yet and will add more when I've finished it.
Okay - finished it and it definitely got stronger after the first three chapters. He writes from his heart. Overall, I think songwriters or musicians would get much more out of this book than the average lay person but there are still gems here to uncover.
Okay - finished it and it definitely got stronger after the first three chapters. He writes from his heart. Overall, I think songwriters or musicians would get much more out of this book than the average lay person but there are still gems here to uncover.
September 30, 2013
Though it started slow and I almost put it down, this book became a wonderful source of inspiration Mixing biblical reflection, personal narratives, and worshipful insight, the author invites us to deeper life of worship. Definately book worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews