Combine the strengths of two super groups that have sold millions of records, achieved an astounding number of #1 radio hits and received numerous Dove Awards. The result? A reborn Newsboys.

Now that longtime members Jody Davis (guitar), keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein and drummer Duncan Phillips have welcomed the vocal strengths, writing talents and boundless energy of former dc Talk member Michael Tait to the band, this is clearly a good reason to feel born again and in fact, share some new songs. Recently, newsboys released their 15th studio project, aptly titled Born Again.

It is their best overall album in my opinion, and one of my top 10 albums of 2010. I got the chance to interview keyboardist Jeff Frankenstein about hit single “Way Beyond Myself,” which is also featured as a remix on Born Again: Miracles Edition. The following is my talk with Jeff about the meaning behind the song.


Please describe the message of the song "Way Beyond Myself."

The concept of the song is based on the pervasive messages we see all around us about selfishness. In our culture today, all the messages tell us we can control everything; we can do anything, we’re powerful, and it’s all about us. That sort of message is all over mainstream music; it’s all about me, I’m going to be rich, etc. Those messages are the opposite of the Gospel.

The song speaks about our tendencies to want to control things and be right all the time and live for ourselves. It’s not hard to fall into living like that. The song comes from a personal place for all of us. We are all guilty of this. The reality is that God’s plans are way beyond anything that we can imagine. That’s easier said than done. A lot of times, we don’t really allow ourselves to believe that.

I just did a little devotional study the other day and we were talking about what it would take for us to grasp the possibilities of God’s promises for us. There are some Scriptures in the Bible that blow my mind. I grew up as a pastor’s kid and many Bible stories were like flannel graphs. Yet, now for me stories like Joshua and his faith really challenge me. The lyrics of this song allude to how God is all around us and He is waiting for us to put Him first.

Which Bible verses go with the song?

Jeremiah 29:11: "'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.'"

... and Psalm 23: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

How can listeners apply that message when they listen to the song?

Relating to the band and all of the changes we’ve been through and making this album, there were a lot of days we thought we were completely done as a band. I remember after one show thinking I just spent 15 years of my life dedicated to this band and that’s it, we’re done, I guess it’s over. I got into the dressing room and my wife had texted me that she was pregnant. Immediately I thought about how I had completely lost control of my life. I prayed to God through that time for Him to show His plans for my life. I certainly know that people deal with much tougher issues than changing band members and the moral of the story is that God had a plan for Newsboys.

The song challenges me to not think about storing up things but to think about people. There’s people on my street that could use my help or a shot of God’s love in their lives. I’m preaching to myself when I say those words in this song. The Gospel turns the world upside down. We need to live as Christians with God’s upside down expectations that defy the world’s expectations. The songs that we made as Newsboys and dcTalk in the 1990s had bold Christian messages and we set out to make an album with songs that had those type of messages.

Here are the lyrics:

I’ve been thinking it’s about time
To win the war that fights against all the lies invading my mind
You have brought me to my senses
Even though You built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it’s time to leave my doubt behind

There’s so much more than meets the eye
Or what’s going on inside
I believe in something way beyond myself
Like the wind that moves the leaves
Lord, You bring me to my knees
I believe in something way beyond myself

Oh the way we build our empires hoping to impress our friends
We’ve forgotten how to inspire those who fall to rise again
Oh my God, You’ve built this world to shake
You still love me in a personal way
So I think it’s time to leave my doubt behind

Storms are gonna come my way, I know
Some things are out of our control but there’s a hope beyond myself
It’s You and You will never let me go
Now I want my life to show You got me thinking beyond myself
Way beyond myself

Here’s Mathew Henry’s commentary on Psalm 23: “In these words, the believer is taught to express his satisfaction in the care of the great Pastor of the universe, the Redeemer and Preserver of men. With joy he reflects that he has a shepherd, and that shepherd is Jehovah. A flock of sheep, gentle and harmless, feeding in verdant pastures, under the care of a skilful, watchful, and tender shepherd, forms an emblem of believers brought back to the Shepherd of their souls. The greatest abundance is but a dry pasture to a wicked man, who relishes in it only what pleases the senses; but to a godly man, who by faith tastes the goodness of God in all his enjoyments, though he has but little of the world, it is a green pasture.”

The song is about faith and letting God’s plans be revealed in your life. The band’s situation was a modern day example of their faith being tested and needing to rely completely on God. This current album, Born Again, really reflects my life story as well. We need to die to ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit to wash over us “like the wind that moves the leaves.”

This has become my most played song ever by this legendary band. I'm drawn to the musical hooks and incredible biblical truth “behind the song.” The bridge says it all, and as we prepare our hearts for Easter, sing at the top of your lungs, “It’s You, and You will never let me go, Now I want my life to show, You got me thinking beyond myself.”

Wow. What a great reminder of how we’re called to be "born again" in the Spirit and to think way beyond ourselves. Amen.