Alt-rock band, I Am Empire is back. Well, sort of. The band's former lead vocalist Austin Lyons is releasing a new EP, under the name Future Divine. The indie artist's latest EP, Fully Alive is a worship music release full of ripping guitar solos and ambient synths. It's the perfect blend of alt-rock and the worship sound of today. Austin took some time to give us the 411 on the EP's songs.Enjoy.
“Child of God”
“Child of God” is about identity. When I was lost in a season of anxiety, I realized I had forgotten who I was. Luckily, the Lord reminded me of who I was: loved and forgiven, at the core of my being, a child a God. The song's truth is a powerful testimony of coming back to God.
1 John 3:1 (NIV): "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"
“Lifeblood”
“Lifeblood” was written on a sunny day. I remember grabbing my acoustic guitar and belting this song out in my home studio until it was finished. Jesus is my lifeblood. He's the lifeblood of His church. "Lifeblood" is a song of victory and hope.
I was reading Joshua at the time, so I was very inspired by the idea of walking around the walls. The wall I was dealing with while I was writing was the wall of anxiety keeping me from being well. But, this song applies to any struggle we face. Keep leaning into Jesus and that wall will come down.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV): “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“The Cross Has Spoken”
I believe Jesus won the war at the cross. But, there are many battles to face until He returns. The cross and resurrection of Jesus is the defining moment of all time and space. "The Cross Has Spoken" is a worship song and a reminder of who reigns. Love has truly made a way for you and me.
John 3:16 (NIV): "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
“Show Me How To Live”
“Show Me How To Live” is a prayer asking God to lead me into a life of peace and purpose. With anxiety taking over my brain, I was learning how to live a simpler life. Jesus is the best example of a life well-lived. So, this song is a prayer for the Holy Spirit to lead me in the ways of Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG): “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
“Nightmare Into Day”
"Nightmare Into Day" was written while I was covered in smoke during the 2020 west coast fires. It's a song about being a perfectionist in an imperfect world. My prayer was for the Lord to lead me into a brighter future and to turn the nightmare of my perfectionism into something good. The realization of love is always a reminder of how to defeat perfectionism or any nightmare we face.
Psalm 61:2 (NIV): “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
“There Is Hope”
“There is Hope” was inspired by a testimony I heard at my church. The gentleman who shared said he was wandering in the dark until He found Jesus. Once he said yes to Jesus, He realized God was with him all along through some pretty intense life situations. The gentleman said it was like every moment of his life was meant to be. This testimony resonated with my story, so I grabbed my guitar and started writing.
Even when we don’t feel it or see it, God is pursuing us. The good news of who Jesus is, what He did at the cross, and His resurrection is an assurance of hope. The bad days won’t last forever. He is with us as we walk through life. Eternal life is guaranteed for those who call on His name. There truly is hope in the name of Jesus. Peace and redemption are just a part of heaven's good plans for you and me.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV): "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”
“Fully Alive”
“Fully Alive” is based on the words of Jesus in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” I found this scripture to be of great help when I was plagued by anxiety and panic attacks. I was living, but I didn’t feel like I was fully alive.
Through a season of surrender, God taught me how to become fully alive. He taught me how to simplify, how to worship, how to abide, how to be still, and how to trust Him with my future.
Without Him, I can do nothing, and I would not have been able to weather that season of life as quickly as I did. While I don’t live a perfect life―thank God for grace―I now know how to adjust and reorient my life around the truth of Jesus when stress comes my way. To be fully alive is to be fully surrendered to Jesus. I pray this song helps an anxious culture have peace in Jesus.
“The Glory of God is a human being fully alive.” ― St. Irenaeus
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