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It’s an honor to spotlight some of the most influential Christian musicians of the modern era. John Mark McMillan was born on November 27, 1979 and has two younger brothers and one younger sister. He’s married to Sarah Kathryn McMillan – a fabulous musician in her own right, and they have three children of their own. They have made their home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2002, McMillan released his debut album Hope Anthology, Volume 1. It was followed in 2005 by his second album, The Song Inside: The Sounds of Breaking Down, which included the song How He Loves. Perhaps his most well-known song, How He Loves has been recorded by multiple contemporary worship musicians, including Chris Tomlin. It’s touched the hearts of millions and has probably been played by nearly every worship team (perhaps many times)!
McMillan’s personal website may be viewed HERE and he is also on Facebook HERE.
McMillan’s story of the writing and meaning behind the song How He Loves was captured on November 23, 2019 during his Stabal Session concert in London. The song was inspired by the untimely death of his close friend roughly two decades earlier in a car crash. Here is the video:
My brothers and sisters, let’s listen to the remixed, original recording of How He Loves, with added lyrics about the death of his friend included at the end. This recording is emotional and somewhat raw, and of course, there’s always the issue of the lyric about the “sloppy wet kiss.” This writer appreciates the boldness and considers this lyric in the totality of the song as an example of being completely overwhelmed or overtaken (in this case, by the love of God).
This version of the song is not one you’d likely hear played on contemporary Christian music radio stations, but it brings an understanding of how God uses our emotions, and takes even tragic circumstances to turn them for good and to bring Him glory.
Here is the video:
Here are the lyrics:
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden
I am unaware
Of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me
Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so
He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves us
Oh, how He loves
We are His portion
And He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If grace is an ocean
We’re all sinking
So Heaven meets earth
Like a sloppy wet (unforeseen) kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way…
Scripture to consider:
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:38 (NLT)
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NKJV)
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)…”.
Praise Jesus forevermore!
