In 1995 a multi-artist Contemporary Christian Music album
was released entitled MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST (Word/Epic). Now for some background on this album
produced by Brown Bannister and with Loren Balman as executive producer. Oswald Chambers was born on July 24, 1874 in
Aberdeen, Scotland. The album’s liner
notes tell us: “Chambers, a Scottish preacher, died at the age of 43 in 1917
while serving as a British chaplain in the Suez during the Great War”. They go on to tell us: “A collection of his
sermons was compiled and edited by his widow, published posthumously in
1927”. By the time this album came out,
this devotional of devotionals, ‘My Utmost for His Highest’, had been updated
and released in modern language.
4 Him starts things off with an inspirational praise and
worship ballad called ‘You Are Holy’.
The London Session Orchestra is used and the following are some of the
words: “You are holy (2X)/You’re wonderful in all Your ways/Holy, You are holy,
Lord/Unto the One Who sits on the throne/And unto the Lamb/Be all blessing and
honor/Glory and power and praise”. Amy
Grant gives a great vocal performance on the adult contemporary song ‘Lover of
My Soul’ that speaks of intimacy with the Father: “And maybe my eyes can’t
see/But You are surrounding me/Here in the wind and the rain/The things that I
know/Tender and sweet, and strong as my need/I know the voice, I know the
touch/Lover of my soul”. Next up is Gary
Chapman with ‘Man After Your Own Heart’, a ballad that is prayerful: “Deep in
my soul there’s a craving/To please the One who has saved me/O God, though I
have fallen so far/You know that I’m still/A man after Your own heart.../Lead
me by the still waters again/Use me in spite of the prodigal child that You
know I am”.
Cindy Morgan wrote and performs ‘You’ll Be There’, an easy
listening number addressed to Christ: “Oh shadow the lightning/When we are
frightened/Oh heavenly light keep shining on me/Shining on me, oh
everywhere/Sweetest Savior who cares/Angels dance in the air/And tell us You’ll
be there”. Steven Curtis Chapman sings
the adult contemporary ballad ‘Sometimes He Comes In the Clouds’. We could all learn from these words : “I’ve
looked in the pages and I’ve looked down on my knees/I’ve lifted my eyes in
expectation/To see the sun still refusing to shine/But sometimes He comes in
the clouds/Sometimes His face cannot be found/Sometimes the sky is dark and
grey.../And sometimes our faith can only grow/When we can’t see/So sometimes He
comes in the clouds”.
Sandi Patty performs ‘God of All of Me’, written by Michael
W. Smith and Bob Farrell. This
inspirational gem is one of spiritual surrender: “Father take my heart/Hold it
in Your hand/Be the God of all of me/Father take my life/Everything I am/Keeper
of my soul/God of all of me”. Michael W.
Smith follows with ‘Move In Me’ a beautiful adult contemporary testimonial:
“When You move in me, it’s like a symphony/A timeless melody that soothes my
soul/Though silent I can tell that You’re alive and well/Cause I can feel You
move in me”.
Point of Grace sings ‘Hold On To Me’, a song of deep
gratitude to the Father: “I could never offer You the praise that You
deserve/The thanks for all You’ve given me/And with nothing in return/But I
will give my life to You/My moments and my days/If only for the peace I
find/Every time I hear You say/’I love you so, won’t let you go/Hold on to
Me’”. Bryan Duncan lends his soulful
vocals to ‘A Heart Like Mine’ which speaks of our redemption: “You stopped the
world to recover me/Oh Lamb of God, the price You’ve paid for a heart like
mine/How could it be worthy that You’d find a way to redeem this hardened
clay/Twisted and broken?/Oh Father God above/The wonder that You’d love a heart
like mine”.
Twila Paris wrote and sings ‘Where He Leads Me’. Michael Mellett sings background vocals on
this gentle song about following Christ: “There is a great, broad road to
nowhere/And so many travel there/But I have a gentle Shepherd I would follow
anywhere/Though the journey take me far away/From the place I call my home/To
be ever in His presence/Where He leads me I will go”. Last up is a song penned by Michael W. Smith
and his wife Debbie. Phillips, Craig
& Dean perform ‘Shine on Us’, a moving ballad that is a prayer: “Lord, let
Your light/Light of Your face/Shine on us/Lord, let Your light/Light of Your
face/Shine on us/That we may be saved/That we may have life/To find our way in
the darkest night/Let Your light shine on us”.
MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST is on the mellow side musically. It’s made up of inspirational, easy
listening, and adult contemporary ballads.
It has a calming lullaby-like effect.
Despite featuring eleven different artists, the songs flow nicely
together to make a complete whole. The
album’s main themes are: inviting and celebrating God’s presence in our lives,
and declaring the love God has for us.
This album will inspire in you holiness and a desire to be more
Christ-like. The album won a Dove Award
for ‘Recorded Music Packaging of the Year’.
The CD booklet is lovely and contains many thought provoking
quotes. I’m rating this multi-artist
album 100%. For more information connect
with the artists on Facebook.