1986 - I think it was something that the late John Wimber of the Anaheim Vineyard had said that gave me the idea for this one. He was talking about moving in the Holy Spirit and how some are affected by it more than others. Those who are in the “mainstream” of the Lord’s moving will get the most benefit from it- something along those lines. The phrase“living water” is used in too many bible verses to mention here; look it up! As for the entire title, it appears in John 7:30 where Jesus says “He who believes in me, as the scripture said, ‘from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’”, hence the lyrics “I will spring forth with the glory of the everlasting Father and rejoice.” Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 7 I believe, although not verbatim. And that verse from Job comes to mind also when Job remembers how the Lord “poured out rivers of oil for me.” (Job’s Summary Defense). The twist on this song is that I describe the Lord Himself as a river of living water; the Lord in this case being
God the Holy Spirit.
This song brings up memories of playing at the fellowship at Cindy Pierson’s and the San Carlos Recreation Center, as well as jamming and working out harmony parts with Jon and Bonnie Hayman. I also played it at a 4th of July Celebration we had at Foothills in the parking lot one year. That’s where the pic of me and the banjo with Garrett sitting on my lap came from. This was one that Wendy Neff frequently asked me to play back in the day and asked me about it as recently as a year ago in 2009. I like the song because it is fast and Bluegrassy, which makes it more like traditional than contemporary Christian music. I recorded this version in May of 2010 and Jeff Hornbuckle contributed the Dobro track. Here are the lyrics:
RIVERS OF LIVING WATER
Words & music by Reggie Michaud © 1986 (ref: John 7:30)
River of living water; River of anointing oil
River; a fountain of glory; River is my Lord
River of milk and honey; River of healing oil
River; so pure and so holy; River is my Lord
I will flow in the mainstream of my Lord
I will walk in the calling of my Lord
I will spring forth with the glory of The Everlasting Father and rejoice
River of living water; River of anointing oil
River; a fountain of glory; River is my Lord
River of milk and honey; River of healing oil
River; so pure and so holy; River is my Lord
I will flow in the mainstream of my Lord
I will walk in the calling of my Lord
I will spring forth with the glory of The Everlasting Father and rejoice