Artist and storyteller Jonny Diaz continues to impact the music listener with his powerful lyrics and heartfelt songs. With his brand new radio single “Scars,” the song follows Diaz’s other well-known radio hits such as “Break My Heart” and “Beauty of the Cross,” as well as his 2010 top hit “More Beautiful You.”

The important message of “Scars” is poignant during this Easter season, yet it’s also a song that Diaz will surely be playing for years to come. Be sure to click here to listen to the song, and to watch Diaz share the message behind the writing of “Scars” here.

The single, which is being added to stations across the country, is obtaining new adds weekly and already receiving an overwhelming response from fans and radio stations of how it has deeply impacted them.

Greg Cassidy, Music Director/Morning Show Host from JOY-FM in St. Louis, shares, “From the first time I heard ‘Scars,’ I really felt it was a song that would connect with our community. We all have scars – though they are different scars for different people. We’ve all been in that place. Whatever you’re are suffering through, ‘Scars’ is a reminder that Jesus’ scars cover ours! So powerful. While it may be top of mind this Easter season, it is a theme that is timeless. Great writing from Jonny D!”

After fans have recently seen Diaz in concert performing the song, numerous comments have been rolling in. From “breathtaking” to “loving it,” a fan also posted, “Thank you so much for playing ‘Scars.’ I really believe it’s why I was there (at the show) tonight.” Another fan wrote, “Scars is your best song yet! Oh my goodness it is amazing!!”

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Jonny Diaz has a brand new single on the way, and spent some time recently sharing a little bit about it with us. Check out the video below to see what he had to say about the story and meaning behind his new song “Scars!”

Praise God we don’t have to hide scars
They just strengthen our wounds and they soften our hearts
They remind us of where we have been, but not who we are
Praise God we don’t have to hide scars

-Jonny Diaz

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it has already got me thinking about all of the things I’m thankful for. There is so much that God has blessed me with like my family, friends, food to put on the table… the list is endless. However, at the end of the day none of the things that He has given me compares to the gift He gave through his son Jesus so that I may know Him and have a relationship with Him. Jonny Diaz talks about it in his song “How Can It Be?” where he stands in awe of the fact that the God of the universe knows and loves each one of us and hears our every word. See what he had to say about it below. What things are you thankful this Thanksgiving? Let us know in the comments section to enter at winning Jonny’s latest self-titled album!

One of my biggest struggles as a believer is just looking out at this world filled with billions of people and still believing the idea that God could know me personally. Not just know me, but know the hairs on my head, know my every thought, my every heart beat. So “How Can It Be” is just this song where I’m in awe asking God, “How can this be?” Its just so cool to think that every single person out of billions of people, God knows and loves individually and he wants that individual time with us. – Jonny Diaz

Since we’ve been talking about food so much lately surrounding the Thanksgiving Holiday we wanted to let Jonny Diaz also tell you about his favorite place to eat. He loves Chik-Fil-A so much that he wrote a song about it.

In honor of Mother’s everywhere on their special day, we got to sit down with a few very cool artists to hear what Mother’s day means to them. Click on each clip below to hear their stories!

Sara Groves Talks About What She Learned From Her Mother

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Nathan Cochran of MercyMe Tells What Mother’s Day Means To Him

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Jonny Diaz Reflects On The Things He Appreciates About His Mom

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A Mother’s Day Greeting From Jason Barton of 33Miles

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What do you appreciate the most about your mother? Let us know in the comments section!

This week marks the anniversary of the Nashville flood that came in and did so much damage to the city. As someone who lives in Nashville, Jonny Diaz was inspired to write a song about it. Watch the video below to see what he had to say from his experience, and his thought process for writing the song “What Water Can Do.”

“What Water Can Do”
From Jonny Diaz’s new self-titled album

He cannot forget that Saturday
The day his life forever changed
As the clouds unleashed their darkest wrath
And sandbags could not hold it back

He cannot forget that Saturday
When all his dreams were washed away
When the laughter and the lights went out
And were replaced with fear and doubt

CHORUS:

Isn’t it amazing?
Isn’t it amazing?
It’s true
Isn’t it amazing
What water can do?

He will not forget that Saturday
In just one week after the rain
When he finally learned his neighbors’ names
As they helped him drag the wreck away

He will not forget that Saturday
When called to serve, they all obeyed
Not just his house but his heart was clean
As they reached out to meet his need

CHORUS

He will not forget that Sunday when
The living water washed his sins
Then in front of his church family
He stepped into the Baptist stream

He will not forget that Sunday when
He could not hide his childlike grin
Cause he was raised to life from this point on
Hallelujah, his chains were gone
Oh, Hallelujah, his chains were gone

CHORUS

Jonny Diaz gets us thinking about the “beauty of the cross” in this week’s bible study as we approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Check out his special video message, and written devotional below.

The “BEAUTY OF THE CROSS” Is Found In The Resurrection
By: Jonny Diaz

Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven. . .  1 Peter 1:3b-4 (The Message)

There is a song on my new record called, “Beauty Of The Cross.”  This title may not sound very strange or contradictory to you.   After all, we’ve been singing songs such as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” and “How Beautiful the Cross” for decades.  However, if you step back and check this out from a non-churched perspective, you have to admit that it seems a little, well . . . weird!

That’s because to this day the cross is known as one of the most torturous killing devices ever conceived.  No one would ever sing a song called “The Beauty Of The Electric Chair,” or “The Wondrous Lethal Injection.”  Songs like these would not only get puzzled looks, but they would enrage many listeners.  And yet, we sing songs proclaiming the wondrous beauty of the cross, and no one bats an eye.  How do we explain this?

Well, it was on that ugly, barbaric cross that God’s amazing love for us was demonstrated.  It was on that cross that Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for us was made.  It was on that cross where the forces of evil and the grace of God battled for supremacy.

At first glance, it would appear that evil was victorious . . . but three days later, when Jesus’ tomb was found empty, everything changed!  You see, it was the resurrection that brought beauty to that blood-stained cross.  It was the resurrection that turned tragedy into triumph and sacrifice into salvation.  It was the resurrection that transformed condemnation into redemption.

Without the resurrection the cross would remain just a horrific symbol of suffering and shame.  Instead it is a symbol of love and life and beauty.  And, when we believe that Jesus died on that cross for our sins and that he rose from the grave on the third day, our lives become beautiful too.

If you’ve taken advantage of our free Jonny Diaz album stream over the last week, then I hope you stuck around long enough to get to the very last song on the record- the hilarious “Chick-Fil-A Song.” But, if you have yet to hear it then I highly recommend clicking here now to go take a listen. I promise it will at least bring a smile to your Tuesday morning, if not joy and laughter. Check out the video below where Jonny talks about the song, and the process of adding it to the album.

Chick-fil-A I have to say that you’re the one for me
If you were open Sunday, I’d just stay with you all week
Some coupons would be nice, but you know I’ll take whatever
Cause it is not the gifts but love that’s holding us together
So if you thank me for this song you know I’d love the gesture
But I won’t make a big deal out of it, I’d simply say, “It’s my pleasure!”

-Jonny Diaz

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The cross is an ugly sight. Imagine Jesus, bloody, torn, bruised,  hanging from wood. He’s beaten, He’s struggling just to breathe. Everyone gathers around, watching, as this man is mocked and ridiculed. What does He do? He just takes it. He’s defenseless. It’s a morbid, depressing thing to take in. All you can do is just stand there, watching Him die a horrific, painful death.

Fast forward to today and look at Christians wearing crosses in memory of that day. Even Jonny Diaz’s song talks about the “beauty” of the cross. If it is such a horrible sight, how can we find any beauty there? Isn’t that a bit twisted?

When we look at what happened afterward, we find the answer. While it looked like Jesus died in shame, not as powerful as He claimed, when we listen to the rest of the story we see just how contrary to the truth that notion is. Jesus rose from the dead three days later, conquering the grave and paying the price for our sins.  He overcame the world, giving us the opportunity to live again with Him. When we look at the cross this way, as the tool He used to conquer sin, it suddenly strikes us as something different entirely. Jesus, fully man and fully God, is the only existing being who was capable of overcoming death. Without Him, we would have no hope. “The beauty of the cross is that there’s One who has redeemed my soul. The beauty of the cross is that I’m finally free and letting go. The beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am.” Because of the cross, we are able to enter into eternity with God. When we realize what this means for us, we are left with no other image but just how beautiful the cross is.

Scroll down for a video background of the song and the lyrics. If you want to buy the song check it out here. Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to leave your comments!

Lyrics:

At the cross I find the beauty of Your matchless grace
At the cross I see a King who died to take my place
It’s the moment that you made me clean and pardoned my soul
Amazing grace that I would be allowed unto Your throne
Not by my own will but solely by Your will alone
I’m unworthy of this love You ‘re showing to me
I see my desperate need

CHORUS:
The beauty of the cross is that there’s One who has redeemed my soul
The beauty of the cross is that I’m finally free and letting go
The beauty of the cross is that Your grace has found me just as I am

Not by my own works that I may boast or I may come
Simply through your Son the sinless and Exalted One
Only through the cross that I’m made clean to draw near to you
Saved so that You would receive all glory due Your name
Everlasting God from age to age you never change
A true love story remains for all eternity
That all the world would see

CHORUS

My sinful soul could only be
Redeemed by the blood of a sinless King
So you came to the world that You had made
Conquered sin on the cross and You rose from the grave

CHORUS

INO Records’ singer/songwriter Jonny Diaz is an artist with a mission – to serve the Body of Christ. And from the very beginning of his music career, his desire has always been to write songs that encourage and entertain, yet challenge fellow believers. His latest CD release, titled simply Jonny Diaz, is a collection of songs that definitely accomplishes that mission.

“I attempted to break free from some of the traditional confines of Christian music, but I couldn’t get away from the fact that most of my songs revolve around my relationship with Christ,” Diaz shares. “He is the focus of my life, and I find it impossible to honestly record my emotions and my journey without including Him. The people who truly understand my music share this same kind of relationship with God.”

The songs from Jonny Diaz encompass a full range of human emotions – from the heights of love to the depths of grief; from praising God to a cry for those whose lives are broken. Through his music, the Church receives challenging and encouraging reminders that every broken human life can find redemption in God’s love.

The anticipated project, releasing April 12th, was produced by a plethora of talent. Those lending their skills to Jonny Diaz are Ed Cash (Dave Barnes, Chris Tomlin), Chris Stevens (Toby Mac, Sanctus Real), Jeff Pardo (Josh Wilson, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra), and Steve Wilson (Josh Wilson, Leeland).

Diaz also collaborated with others in the songwriting process, such Audrey Assad, Mia Fieldes, Kate York (co-writer on “More Beautiful You”) and Chris Stevens. “It can be challenging coming up with new ways to express themes that are important to believers. Co-writing encourages and inspires me,” says Diaz. “My own personal growth and new insights gave me fresh perspectives on old material, and co-writing added exciting and alternative ways to express what I was learning.” Diaz also confronts timely issues in the Church with his writing. “These days we can become immune, and we need to be brokenhearted for the poor, to feel their pain the way that Christ feels it.”

The project’s first radio single, “Beauty of the Cross,” was especially important to Diaz. “This is the first song I’ve recorded that I haven’t written,” he explains. “The first time I heard it, I was drawn straight to God’s throne in worship. I am not a ‘worship artist’ but there is something special about this song and I wanted to be a part of it. The great irony and beauty here is that we’re singing about one of the most awful torture devices ever conceived by man, and yet we are calling it ‘beautiful.’ Those of us whose lives have been changed by the sacrifice Jesus made for us at Calvary know exactly why the cross is so beautiful.” Click on the image below to watch his story behind the song, “Beauty of the Cross.”

Currently planning to share these new songs on the road, Diaz looks forward to sharing his music with audiences everywhere. “As an artist, I believe God gifted me with an ability to relate through the songs and stories I share. I like looking out at the crowd and seeing the smiles on faces or tears in the eyes and knowing straightaway that these songs are connecting.” Diaz told himself he would continue as long as people were interested – and he feels that it is clearer now more than ever that this is what God has for him.

“I love making music; it’s challenging and fun,” he says, “but my prayer is always: Whatever God wants me to do, that is where I want to be. It is a prayer of abandon to be used by God wherever and whenever.” And today that is sharing music that encourages, entertains, and, above all, challenges the body of Christ.

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MORE ABOUT JONNY DIAZ:
Jonny Diaz released three independent projects before signing with INO Records. His first release as a signed artist, More Beautiful You (2009), produced the No. 1 radio single “More Beautiful You,” as well as Top 10′s “Stand For You” and “Waiting Room,” and led Diaz to a 2010 Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.

Jonny Diaz was one of 2009′s breakout artists. With “More Beautiful You,” he held the No. 1 spot at radio for four weeks in a row and to date, the song has received more than 170,000 single downloads and over 100,000 spins. The single also hit Top 25 on the mainstream AC/pop charts. For all of his songs combined, Diaz has had over one million MySpace plays, with “More Beautiful You” receiving over 700,000 MySpace plays alone.

2009′s year-end charts placed Jonny Diaz No. 9 as Billboard‘s Hot Christian Songs Artist and “More Beautiful You” claimed the No. 6 spot on Billboard‘s AC charts. The song was also the 3rd best Christian Song of the year, according to AOL Radio. The music video won the “Contemporary Video” category in 2009′s Gospel Music Channel Video Awards and received more votes than any other video in any of the categories. Along with exposure on GMC, the video has been seen by over 630,000 viewers on outlets such as YouTube, MySpace, and GodTube.

Jonny has a brand new song called “Beauty Of The Cross,” and he sat down to tell us a little bit about what it means to him. Check it out below!

I’m not typically what you would call a ‘worship artist.’ The songs I usually write and play (although they can be worshipful) aren’t directly intended for Christians to sing to God. However, the first time I heard ‘Beauty of the Cross,’ I was drawn straight to the throne in worship. I knew there was something special about this song, and I wanted to be a part of it. It’s very ironic when you think about it. I’m singing about one of the most awful torture devices ever conceived by man, and I’m calling it beautiful. Well, for those of us whose lives have been saved and changed by the sacrifice Jesus made on that old torture device, we know exactly why the cross is so beautiful.

-Jonny