The CD begins with 'Steady my Heart', a good pop song, co-written with Ben Glover and Matt Bronleewe. It begins with these words we can all identify with: "Wish it could be easy/Why is life so messy/Why is pain a part of us?/There are days I feel like/Nothing ever goes right/Sometimes it just hurts so much." This lyric brings to mind the following quote from Kari's website: "I think there are times as believers when we feel entitled and that life shouldn't be hard. We live in this culture of convenience that says we can do everything ourselves and find all the answers on Google...But if we can learn to fall more in love with the Lord and trust Him in the middle of every storm, we build our endurance to keep running the race." 'We Are' is next up and reminds us of one of our prime callings as Christians: "We are the light of the world/We are a city on a hill/We are the light of the world/And we gotta, we gotta, we gotta/Let the light shine/We are called to spread the news/To tell the world this simple truth/That Jesus came to save/There's freedom in His name/So let His love break through." The song is happy sounding. 'One Desire', co-written with Jason Ingram, features electric guitar work by Stu G, Jerry McPherson and Adam Shoenfeld. On this song, Karis is fixated on the Lord: "Here I am/Just for You, only You/Here I stand/Wanting You, only You."
'Find You on my Knees' features Chris Carmichael on strings. The song has Kari placing her trust fully in God and has a nice bridge: "When my hope is gone/When the fear is strong/When the pain is real/When it's hard to heal/When my faith is shaken/And my heart is broken/And my joy is stolen/God, I know that/You lift me up, You never leave me searching." 'Savior's Here' is a powerful track co-written with aspiring worship artist Cody Carnes. It contains these words that speak volumes about our Lord's character: "Love that never fails/Arms that never close/Blood that covers sin/Grace that never ends...Our Savior's here (2X)." 'Stars in the Sky' is co-written with Chris August who won New Artist and Male Vocalist of the Year at 2011's Dove Awards. The song flows smoothly and speaks of surrender: "Here's my life and all my heart/I give it all/Lord, every part/Is under Your control/Lord, You're all I know."
'What Love is This' is a soft ballad written with Mia Fieldes and Lincoln Brewster. Jeff Roach plays piano on this song that marvels at the Lord's sacrifice at Calvary: "What love is this/That You gave Your life for me/And made a way for me to know You/And I confess You're always enough for me/You're all I need...Jesus in Your suffering/You were reaching/You thought of me (2X)." 'Run to You (I Need You)' was written by Kari and six others! Paul Mabury plays drums on this tune that finds Kari longing to be on a spiritual plateau where her desires are aligned with God's: "I need You/I can't get enough of You/I come alive when I'm in Your presence/O God, of my salvation." 'Rise' is a joyful song that praises God for who He is and what He has done: "You clothe the poor/You mend the broken/You heal our hearts/You take our shame/It speaks of Your kindness.../We will cry out Your renown/You are the God who has saved us/We will rise to praise You/We lift a glorious sound/You are the One who redeemed us/We will rise to praise You (2X)."
'Love Came Down' features guest vocals by Ryan Edgar. The lyrics speak of sometimes having to see through the eyes of faith: "If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice/I hold on to what is true, though I cannot see/If the storms of life they come, and the road ahead gets steep/I will lift these hands in faith, I will believe/I remind myself of all that You've done/And the life I have because of Your Son." 'We Exalt Your Name' was co-written with, and features guest vocals by, worship artist Matt Maher, who has six albums under his belt. Tony Lucido plays bass on this reverent song that ascribes great worth to our Sovereign: "Your presence fills and satisfies/Tears down the walls we hide behind/Oh, God of every aching heart/We long for You in light and dark/For Jesus reigns/Over all He reigns." 'Here' was written with Leslie Jordan and David Leonard of the worship duo All Sons and Daughters. It is an open invitation to all to draw near or nearer to God: "Come and rest here/Come and lay your burdens down/Come and rest here/There is refuge for you now/You'll find His peace/And know you're not alone anymore/He is near/You'll find His healing/Your heart isn't shattered anymore/He is here."
Kari is a supporter of the A21 Campaign (http://www.thea21campaign.org/) whose aim is to abolish human trafficking in the 21st century. Kari and her sister Kris have designed jewelry and t-shirts, the proceeds of which go to the worthy cause.
The twelve songs on WHERE I FIND YOU combine to create an intimate atmosphere of contemporary worship that could be used for devotional purposes. I recommend this album to fans of Jessa Anderson and Jeremy Camp. Kari looks cute, almost doll like in the photos for this project. I'm rating this album 85%. For more info visit http://www.karijobe.com/ and http://www.sparrowrecords.com/.