CAUGHT IN A TEMPEST

Robert Allen Zimmerman was born on May 24, 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota, but he is better known to the masses as Bob Dylan. His first studio album was self-titled and came out in 1962. For what it’s worth, my favourite Dylan albums are his three gospel records, SLOW TRAIN COMING (1979), SAVED (1980), and SHOT OF LOVE (1981), plus MTV UNPLUGGED (1995), TIME OUT OF MIND (1997), AND CHRISTMAS IN THE HEART (2009). His early songs such as ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and ‘The Times they are a-Changin’’ became anthems for the U.S. civil rights movement and anti-war movement. He’s been inspired by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, and Elvis Presley. Among the musical styles he has experimented with over the years are: folk, blues, country, gospel, rock and roll, swing, and jazz. In May of this year he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. His thirty-fifth studio album TEMPEST (Columbia Records) released on September 10, 2012 in the U.K. and on September 11, 2012 in the U.S.


A single from the record, ‘Duquesne Whistle’ was co-written with Robert Hunter, and starts things off with an instrumental bit that makes me think of a gal playing the piano in a saloon. It features these playful lyrics: “Listen to that Duquesne whistle blowing/Blowing like it’s gon’ blow my blues away/You old rascal, I know exactly where you’re going/I’ll lead you there myself at the break of day/I wake up every morning with that woman in my bed/Everybody telling me, she’s gone to my head.” ‘Soon After Midnight’ is a terrific ballad that finds Dylan fairly optimistic: “I’m searching for phrases/To sing your praises/I need to tell someone/It’s soon after midnight/And my day has just begun…My heart is cheerful/It’s never fearful/I’ve been down on the killing floors/I’m in no great hurry/I’m not afraid of your fury/I’ve faced stronger walls than yours.” ‘Narrow Way’ is a rollicking country song where one finds themselves in a real pressure cooker: “This is hard country to stay alive in/Blades are everywhere and they’re breaking my skin/I’m armed to the hilt and I’m struggling hard/You won’t get out of here unscarred/It’s a long road, it’s a long and narrow way/If I can’t work up to you, you’ll surely have to work down to me someday.”

‘Long and Wasted Years’ is musically innovative. I have to wonder here if Dylan’s lyrics are autobiographical: “I wear dark glasses to cover my eyes/There are secrets in ‘em that I can’t disguise/Come back baby/If I hurt your feelings, I apologize…We cried on a cold and frosty morn/We cried because our souls were torn/So much for tears/So much for these long and wasted years.” ‘Pay in Blood’ according to one internet interpretation, draws from Ezekiel 3:9. In Ezekiel 3, the prophet is told by God to go to the house of Israel, a hard-headed people. God tells Ezekiel He’ll make him just as hard-headed. Ezekiel is made a watchman by God. He’s to warn the people of impending disaster. If they do not listen, the blood is on their own heads. If Ezekiel does not warn the people, the blood will be on his own head. Christ’s blood covers Bob, but he’s still trying to warn people of disaster to come. Here are some of the lyrics: “Low cards are what I’ve got/But I’ll play this hand whether I like it or not/I’m sworn to uphold the laws of God/You can put me out in front of a firing squad/I’ve been out and around with the rowdy men/Just like you, my handsome friend/My head’s so hard/Must be made of stone/I pay in blood but not my own.” ‘Scarlet Town’ is a weak, boring composition. It does, however, make a plea for racial equality and understanding: “If love is a sin, then beauty is a crime/All things are beautiful in their time/The black and the white, the yellow and the brown/It’s all right there in front of you in Scarlet Town.”

‘Early Roman Kings’ has a slow blues groove to it and contains these dark lyrics: “I was up on Black Mountain the day Detroit fell/They killed them all off and they sent them to hell/Ding-dong Daddy, you’re coming up short/Gon’ put you on trial in a Sicilian court/I’ve had my fun, I’ve had my flings/Gon’ shake ‘em on down like the early Roman kings.” ‘Tin Angel’ is sparse when it comes to instruments. It is a story song, over nine minutes long, that is based around a traditional folk song performed by Woody Guthrie, called ‘Gypsy Davy.’ In this song of Dylan’s a man confronts his lover right while she’s cheating on him: “She turned, she was startled with a look of surprise/With a hatred that could hit the skies/’You’re a reckless fool, I could see it in your eyes/To come this way was by no means wise’\’Get up, stand up, you greedy lipped wench/And cover your face or suffer the consequence/You are making my heart feel sick/Put your clothes back on, double quick.’” The tale ends tragically, with all three parties dead: “All three lovers together in a heap/Thrown into the grave, forever to sleep/Funeral torches blazed away/Through the towns and the villages all night and all day.”The title track, ‘Tempest’, is a gem of a song, one of Dylan’s best ever. It has an astonishing forty-five verses with no chorus and clocks in at 13:55! That’s even longer than a Hillsong hit! ‘Tempest’ is a musical film if you will, about the sinking of the RMS TITANIC, a British passenger liner in April 1912. The song is good to slow dance to. Here are select lyrics: “T’was the fourteenth day of April/Over the waves she rode/Sailing into tomorrow/To a golden age foretold…/Lights were holding steady/Gliding over the foam/All the lords and ladies/Heading for their eternal home…/The ship was going under/The universe had opened wide/The roll was called up yonder/The angels turned aside…/They battened down the hatches/But the hatches wouldn’t hold/They drowned upon the staircase/Of brass and polished gold…/When the Reaper’s task had ended/Sixteen hundred had gone to rest/The good, the bad, the rich, the poor/The loveliest and the best.” The album ends with ‘Roll on John’, a strong, fitting tribute to the late great John Lennon, who was shot to death by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980. Here are some of the lyrics: “Shine your light/Movin’ on/You burned so bright/Roll on, John…/I heard the news today, oh boy/They hauled your ship up on the shore/Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy/They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core.”

On TEMPEST Bob Dylan’s voice sounds more gravelly and ragged than I’ve ever heard from him before, if that’s even possible. There is no doubt that this effort is on the more somber, slower side overall musically. One of its weaknesses is that some of the tracks sound like Dylan is reciting poetry and that the background music is just an afterthought. That being said, there are enough solid songs here that only an artist of Dylan’s longevity could deliver as well as he does. I recommend TEMPEST to fans of Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Louis Armstrong, and Phil Driscoll. I’m rating it 84%. For more info visit www.bobdylan.com.

TRACING GOD'S LOVE STORY

Nichole Ellyse Nordeman was born on January 3, 1972. Her first album was 1998’s WIDE-EYED. She has twice won the title of Female Vocalist of the Year at the Dove Awards (2001 and 2003). She is best known for songs such as ‘Holy’, ‘Brave’, and ‘What If’. Her song ‘Hold On (Love Will Find You)' was recorded by country star Paul Brandt for his 2007 album RISK. More recently she has writing credits on seventeen songs for the 2011 album MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE STORY which features the vocal talents of Matthew West, Michael W. Smith, Mandisa and many others. It has been seven years since she has put out a new solo record. One can only hope she does so sooner than later.


Nichole’s latest venture is her first book LOVE STORY-THE HAND THAT HOLDS US FROM THE GARDEN TO THE GATES (2012, Worthy Publishing). In it she brings to life the stories of various Bible characters including Adam and Eve, David, Mary, the thief on the cross, and Paul. Nordeman hesitates to call them heroes. She points out convincingly that they were human with fears and doubts like the rest of us. What I highly value about this book is that Nichole is very transparent about her doubts, questions, and insecurities when it comes to her own faith. She is so vulnerable that it is refreshing. Especially at a time when I am examining my own faith.

Nichole recounts how when she was early on a music minister at a United Methodist church, she was asked by her fellow pastoral staff to find some songs to lead that were gender neutral when it came to God being referenced: “I must not have done much to conceal the panic on my face because she quickly (and with great compassion) explained their reasoning. It was not because they had some wishy-washy lukewarm center from which their liturgy had sprung. It wasn’t because they had a liberal agenda and sought to undermine the whole of evangelical rhetoric, and it most especially wasn’t because they were women who hated men.” You will have to read the book to find out how this episode ended!

Nichole spends a good deal of time writing about our fear of being spiritually lukewarm. The Message has God saying of those who are neither hot or cold: “You make me want to vomit” in Revelation 3:16. She has some concerns however: “From this passage, and others like it, an ideology is born. A brand of ‘take no prisoners’ faith emerges. A battle cry goes up, uniting large numbers of people who, arms linked, move across the landscape of culture and politics and art. Putting stakes in the ground. Congratulating each other on our Sold Outness. Everything black or white. Hot or cold. No danger of lukewarm allegations. Nobody’s gonna make God vomit on our watch.” Nichole admits she has been guilty of: “Taking firm stands and hard lines on things that I don’t feel firmly in my heart of hearts, all out of the deep fear of sounding lukewarm.” This makes me not a ‘sold-out Christian’ but one who’s selling out. In a panic that somehow these many gray places in my faith will be sniffed out by the Wishy-Washy Patrol.” These are thoughts that I as a born-again believer can certainly relate to. There seems to be a group mentality in many of today’s evangelical Christian circles. No longer is it good enough to believe Jesus is the only Way to Heaven. We have now added all kinds of other moral stances that must be held on issues that I don’t think are going to matter greatly in the grand scheme of things. Being a clone is valued more than diversity of opinion on issues of our day now. And many are leaving or won’t enter our churches because of it.

Nichole daringly reflects on the fact that because Paul was a Pharisee while he was Saul, even after his conversion he may have had a tendency to be a stickler when it comes to laying down rules. She allows for some of his humanness to have crept into his Scriptural writings. Many evangelicals will take issue with this. I, find it to be, a refreshingly honest take on interpreting the Scriptures. Nichole’s writings on the Second Coming are also particularly well done. She admits when Christ returns: “I’ll probably be looking for the really bad guys to drag out of the bushes by their ankles, hoping to create a diversion. I will look left and right and left again. Hiding like a hippo behind a telephone pole. Wishing for an invisibility cloak.”

LOVE STORY is at the end of the day, really the story of God’s love for the entire human race. I recommend this book to those who have been Christians for some time and are finding their faith becoming stale and suffocated by doctrine and dogma to the point where God’s voice has become very distant, and to those people who are not believers but are interested in what God says about them, not what the church says about them. God loves you! You don’t have to jump through hoops to impress Him, and you most certainly are loved just the way you are. I’m rating LOVE STORY 90%. For more info visit www.lovestorybook.com and www.nicholenordeman.com.

HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS

Alanis Nadine Morissette was born in Ottawa, Ontario on June 1, 1974. Her fantastic 1995 rock record JAGGED LITTLE PILL birthed such great songs as ‘All I Really Want’, ‘You Oughta Know’, ‘Ironic’, and ‘You Learn’. During this time I was attending Emmanuel Bible College in Kitchener, Ontario. Her angst-filled songs really struck a chord with me. I would blare her songs from my dorm room, wore a self-made fan t-shirt in her honour, had her poster on my wall, and used her lyrics in a sermon I preached in front of my classmates. Over the years Alanis has won sixteen Junos and seven Grammy Awards. Over the years she has also been romantically linked to Dave Coulier (Uncle Joey on Full House) and Ryan Reynolds. In 2010 she married rapper Mario MC ‘Souleye’ Treadway. Alanis is a vegan and an environmentalist. She had a Catholic upbringing, but more recently has practiced Buddhism. HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS (2012, Collective Sound) was produced by Guy Sigsworth and Joe Chiccarelli. It is her eighth studio album.


The lead single, ‘Guardian’, starts things off and is a refreshingly joyous pop song. It contains these words that we’d all love for someone to speak to us: “I’ll be your keeper for life as your guardian/I’ll be your warrior of care, your first warden/I’ll be your angel on call/I’ll be on demand/The greatest honor of all, as your guardian.” ‘Woman Down’ is another cool pop song. It has a chorus that is akin to a feminist rally cry: “Calling all woman haters/We’ve lowered the bar on the/Behavior that we will take-come on now/Calling all lady haters/Why must you vilify us?/Are you willing to clean the slate?/Woman down.” ‘Til You’ is a, dare I say it, pretty tune with airy vocals. It includes these words of someone waiting for another to come and enter a relationship with them: “I’ve been taking notes, nursing the thought of you/Research and develop as I’m biding my time/I’ve been holding up this magnet that calls to you/Entertaining myself with these consolation prizes.”

‘Celebrity’ has a dark, rock feel musically. It takes aim at our culture’s obsession with fame and how far people will go to achieve it: “Never wondered who’s pulling strings above me/Cuz I’m aware of wheels, heels and vintage Gucci/I’m on my twentieth round of Vitamin V/And I’ll cut my weight in two if you’ll have me/Give me celebrity/My kingdom to be famous/Tell me who I have to be/Starving to be famous.” ‘Empathy’ is a happy, keyboard-filled celebration of finding one’s soulmate: “Thank you for seeing me/I feel so less lonely/Thank you for getting me/I’m healed by your empathy/Oh this intimacy.” ‘Lens’ should be put in rotation on Christian radio for its great message. It speaks of how our beliefs often separate and divide us rather than being a unifying force: “So now it’s your, your religion against my, my religion/My humble opinion ‘gainst yours-this does not feel like love/And it’s your, your conviction against my, my conviction/And I’d like to know what we’d see through the lens of love.”

‘Spiral’ would make for a good, peppy TV show theme song. The lyrics admit to a desperate need for bosom friendship: “Don’t leave me here with all these critical voices/Cuz they do their best to bring me down, bring me down/When I’m alone with all these negative voices/I will need your help to turn them down, turn them round.” ‘Numb’ is heavily guitar driven and features violin by Lili Haydn. The song speaks of a tendency in today’s society to bury one’s emotions under medications: “I am lonely, I feel hungry and unloved/I feel angry, I am livid, need a hug/Here comes a feeling/I run from the feeling/And reach for the drug/Can’t sit with this feeling/I’d rather be flying/And comfortably numb.” ‘Havoc’ is a somewhat dreary ballad. On it, Alanis shares how quickly one’s lot in life can change for the worse: “Just when I thought I had handles on this/I could soften my guard behind false confidence…/I’m slipping again/I’m up to old tricks off my wagon/I have no defense/I’m wreaking havoc/Wreaking havoc and consequences.”

‘Win and Win’ is a weak song, but it reminds us of the absurdity of thinking we are better or worse than another: “In my old days someone won/Those were days of win-lose/In those bleak times I was better/I sat high: looking down my nose/Change direction: looking up/I’m not worthy to be with you/We are separate, I’m inferior/I had yearnings to sit across from you.” ‘Receive’ is a memorable song that would be good for those such as pastors and mothers with awesome demands on their time to hear: “I give hard, impart hard and now I need to retreat/I give out, dedicate and now I need to acknowledge me/Today’s all about me/All about cup filling/Today’s all about me/Learning how, how to receive, how to receive.” ‘Edge of Evolution’ ends the album on a strongly spiritual note: “In this sacred duality/The highs and lows and the heres and theres/These aversions and these cravings/Push me beyond identity into pure awareness (we’re already here).”

Much like arena rock band Petra experimented with modern rock on their albums NO DOUBT and GOD FIXATION, and rock group DeGarmo and Key experimented with pop music on GO TO THE TOP, Alanis Morissette pretty successfully ventures into new pop and adult contemporary territory on HAVOC AND BRIGHT LIGHTS, while bringing just enough of her rock tendencies along with her to please her fans. As always, Alanis’ lyrics are thoughtful and full of meaning. Introspection is one of her gifts. This album could have been made stronger by eliminating tracks nine and ten, still leaving it a ten song album. I’m rating it 86%. For more info visit www.alanis.com.

HYMNS

Guy Penrod grew up the son of a West Texas preacher and is a graduate of Liberty University.  He has been a background vocalist for such well known artists as Carman, Steve Green, and Garth Brooks.  He is probably best known though for having been a member of the Gaither Vocal Band for fourteen years!  In 2010 he released his well-received country debut BREATHE DEEP.  The next year he was inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame.  Guy's latest offering is HYMNS (2012, Servant Records).  Guy says: "I believe in a biblical way of living."  Of the hymns, he says: "The melodies tend to be memorable and singable...Hymns are thorough theologically...Hymns are an important part of our history as believers."  He adds: "I don't sing 'em because they're old.  I sing 'em because they're good."

The album begins with 'Leaning on the Everlasting Arms' which was written by Elisha A. Hoffman and Anthony J. Showalter and published in 1887.  Showalter had received letters from two of his former pupils whose wives had died.  He was inspired by Deuteronomy 33:27: "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" when he wrote them back.  The song has Paul Franklin on steel guitar and has an old country feel to it.  It begins with these encouraging words: "What a fellowship, what a joy divine/Leaning on the everlasting arms;/What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,/Leaning on the everlasting arms/Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms."  'Count Your Blessings' was written by Johnson Oatman Jr. and Edwin O. Excell.  Background vocals are wonderfully performed by Russell Terrell and Tanya Hancheroff, as they are on several of the tracks.  The song has a soothing sound.  It asks a couple of questions and offers answers: "Are you ever burdened with a load of care?/Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?/Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,/And you will keep singing as the days go by."  'The Old Rugged Cross' was written in 1912 by evangelist and song leader George Bennard.  It has been covered by the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and June Carter, and Kevin Max.  Here, we find a laid back version with Gary Prim on keyboards.  The song contains these lyrics that get to the heart of the Gospel message: "In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine/A wondrous beauty I see/For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died/To pardon and sanctify me."

'Down at the Cross' by Elisha A. Hoffman and John H. Stockton picks up the pace musically and is joyful.  Paul Franklin plays dobro on this song that continues with the Gospel message: "Down at the cross where my Savior died/Down where from cleansing from sin I cried/There to my heart was the blood applied;/Glory to His Name!"  'He Hideth my Soul' was written by Fanny J. Crosby and William J. Kirkpatrick.  Crosby lived from 1820 to 1915.  She was blind from six weeks old due to a surgical mishap, and she became a teacher at a blind school.  She wrote over 8000 hymns and 1000 secular poems!  This particular song includes these words of confidence: "A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,/He taketh my burden away;/He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved,/He giveth me strength as my day."  'We'll Understand it Better By and By' has Biff Watson on acoustic guitar and Brent Mason on electric guitar.  The song was written by Charles A. Tindley, an American Methodist minister.  The lyrics admit that God's ways are not always our ways: "Trials dark on every hand,/And that we cannot understand/All the ways that God would lead us/To that blessed promised land;/But He guides us with His eye,/And we'll follow till we die,/For we'll understand it better by and by."

Next up is 'Rock of Ages/I Stand Amazed' with Guy and Debbie Winans-Lowe on background vocals and Aubrey Haynie on fiddle.  The song delights in the Lord: "O how marvelous!/O how wonderful!/And my song shall ever be:/O how marvelous!/O how wonderful!/Is my Savior's love for me."  'What a Friend we have in Jesus' finds Eddie Bayers on drums and Gary Lunn on bass.  The song was originally penned as a poem in 1855 by Joseph M. Scriven to comfort his mom who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada.  The tune was composed by Charles Converse in 1868.  Hear these words of wisdom: "O what peace we often forfeit,/O what needless pain we bear,/All because we do not carry/Everything to God in prayer."  An excellent cover of 'The Solid Rock' follows.  Edward Mote and William B. Bradbury are the writers.  Mote pastored at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex for 26 years.  This song is based on Jesus' parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders in Matthew 7:24-7.  The song includes these words of bold declaration: "On Christ the solid Rock, I stand/All other ground is sinking sand (2X)." 

John Newton first used 'Amazing Grace' to illustrate his New Year's sermon on January 1, 1773.  It was a sermon looking at a Christian's past, present, and future.  John P. Rees added the last verse, which appeared in Harriet Beecher Stowe's 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'.  It offers eternal hope to believers: "When we've been there ten thousand years/Bright shining as the sun/We've no less days to sing God's praise/Than when we've first begun."  'Does Jesus Care?' is a special duet with longtime Billy Graham crusade soloist George Beverly Shea.  He was born a preacher's kid in Winchester, Ontario on Feb 1, 1909, making him 103!  Of Bev, Guy says: "I was the kid that ordered George's records.  Watching him perform on Billy Graham crusades, his rich and confident-yet kind and gentle-baritone really impacted my musical journey as a young kid."  Guy points out that this song comforted him when his folks died and when he left the Gaither Vocal Band to go solo.  Take in these words: "Does Jesus care when I've said 'goodbye'/To the dearest on earth to me;/And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,/Is it aught to Him?/Does He care?/Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares/His heart is touched with my grief;/When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,/I know my Savior cares."

'Nothing but the Blood' was written by Robert Lowry, an American professor of literature and a Baptist minister.  He also wrote 'Low in the Grave He Lay' and 'Shall we Gather at the River?'  He did, however, want to be known more for his preaching.  Listen to these words of praise he wrote: "Oh! precious is the flow/That makes me white as snow;/No other fount I know/Nothing but the blood of Jesus/This is all my hope and peace,/Nothing but the blood of Jesus;/This is all my righteousness,/Nothing but the blood of Jesus."  'Softly and Tenderly' written by Will L. Thompson (1847-1909) ends the album off on a quiet note.  It was performed by Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin in the film 'A Prairie Home Companion.'  It is a song of invitation to the lost: "Come home, come home/You who are weary, come home;/Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling/Calling, O sinner, come home!"

Guy Penrod has been married to wife Angie for 27 years.  They have seven boys and one girl.  They are homeschooled in Tennessee.  Guy shares: "We all have to come to a place of brokenness to come to God.  But the beautiful part is the putting back together-the restoration and the healing-culminating with His peace and His joy, which is our strength."  Guy also adds: "I want to point people in an attractive way, with arms wide open, not finger pointing, to the goodness of God.  Hymns do that."  HYMNS was produced by Guy Penrod and Pete Greene.  It should please fans of the hymns, old country music, and Clay Crosse's EVERYTIME I FEEL THE SPIRIT: AN AMERICANA COLLECTION OF HYMNS AND SUCH.  I'm rating HYMNS 89%.  For more info visit www.GuyPenrod.com.

STEVE GREEN: PEOPLE NEED THE LORD-NUMBER ONES

Steve Green was born on August 1, 1956 in Portland, Oregon to missionary parents.  He spent a lot of his early life in Argentina.  Early on in his musical career he sang with the group Truth.  After this he sang backup for the Bill Gaither Trio.  In 1980 the Gaither Vocal Band formed.  Steve sang tenor with them for two albums.  Following this, he was a founding member of the Christian rock band White Heart.  After a short stint with them he released his first solo album which was self-titled in 1984.  It was decidedly more inspirational in nature musically.  I remember around that time going to our local Christian bookstore with my Dad.  The goal was to buy me a Christian cassette that was contemporary in sound, but did not have a rock beat (which was thought to be Satanic), and where you could hear the lyrics plainly.  Believe it or not, David Meece and Michael W. Smith were considered too heavy musically!  So, we settled on Steve Green.  He passed the test!  Over the years Green has been involved with organizations such as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Focus on the Family.  My two kids have enjoyed his two HIDE 'EM IN YOUR HEART children's projects from the early '90's.  I highly recommend them!  Steve's latest project is PEOPLE NEED THE LORD-NUMBER ONES (2012, Sparrow Records).

The album begins with Steve's very mellow signature song, 'People Need the Lord'.  It was written by Greg Nelson and Phil McHugh, and is also the oldest song on this collection, having been released in 1984.  The song reminds us as Christians to be observant when it comes to the spiritual needs of others: "Every day they pass me by/I can see it in their eyes/Empty people filled with care/Headed who knows where/On they go through private pain/Living fear to fear/Laughter hides their silent cries/Only Jesus hears/People need the Lord."  'We Trust in the Name of the Lord our God' is an upbeat, joyful song written by Steven Curtis Chapman.  It is one of four songs on this collection from 1994's WHERE MERCY BEGINS.  Ephesians 2:8 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."  The song's lyrics draw from this verse: "Some trust in the work they do/We trust in the name of the Lord our God/'Cause by His grace all the work is through/We trust in the name of the Lord our God."  'That's Where His Mercy Begins' continues with the theme of the goodness of the Lord: "And He wasn't surprised at where I had been/He was waiting for me at the end of my sin/And the heaven I found in the hell I was in,/That's where His mercy, That's where His mercy begins."  The wedding favourite 'Household of Faith' written by John Rosasco and Brent Lamb is next.  It is a duet between Steve and wife Marijean that speaks of the good intentions a Christian man and woman have at the start of their marriage: "Here we are at the start committing to each other/By His Word and from our hearts/We will be a family in a house that will be a home/And with faith we'll build it strong."

'Teach me to Love' is from 1994's compilation album PROMISE KEEPERS-A LIFE THAT SHOWS.  The song features another former Gaither Vocal Band member Larnelle Harris and is spot on vocally!  It is a song of genuine repentance: "There's no power but the power of the cross/That can melt my hardened heart/And show me all the pride and arrogance/That tear our souls apart/For injustice that you suffer/And for our nation's shameful sin/I humbly ask for your forgiveness/We need to learn to love again."  'Love One Another' was written by Jon Mohr and Randall Dennis.  It speaks of the kind of love non-Christians should see displayed by us: "Love is always patient, love is always kind and always gives itself away/Love is there to serve, it doesn't seem to mind, never has a harsh word to say/Slow in passing judgment, quick to forgive/It gives its life that the world may live."  Nice, soft touches of electric guitar and children's voices are used.  James 1:17 reads: "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."  'Glory to You' a contemporary pop number for the time (1994) echoes the sentiments of that Bible verse: "How do I express/My love and gratitude?/For all I am and ever will be/All depends on You/Where in the world would I be/Had You not reached out to me?/All the good I have in life/Can all be traced to You."  'Sing Children Sing' is a nice, warm song of praise: "Jesus, loving Savior/Constant companion/Creator, yet our brother/We lift holy hands and applaud/For we who were paupers are now sons and daughters of God/Sing, children sing/Let your voices ring/Sing, children sing/A joyous refrain like the sound of a sweet summer rain."

Those who appreciate Petra's song 'Creed' and Rich Mullins' song by the same name will value 'We Believe' written by Nathan Digesare and Dan Scott.  This song really shows Green's vocal strength and finds him certain and sure in his faith: "So if the mountains are cast down into the plains/When kingdoms all crumble, this one remains/Our faith is not subject to seasons of man/With our fathers we proclaim/We believe our Lord will come as he said/The land and the sea will give up their dead/His children will reign with Him as their head/We believe."  'Find us Faithful' from 1988 has always been one of my Steve Green favourites.  It draws from Hebrews 12:1-3 and is an anthem that exhorts us: "Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses/Let us run the race not only for the prize/But as those who've gone before us/Let us leave to those behind us/The heritage of faithfulness/Passed on through godly lives/Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful."  'Unto Me' was written by Twila Paris in 1998, making it the newest song on this collection.  The song has great background vocals and boils true religion down to the following in a peppy chorus: "Go and find your neighbor/Find a friend in need/Go and find a widow/There's a hungry child to feed/When you help the helpless, that is true Christianity/Whatever you've done to the least of these, you have done it unto me."  'Great is the Lord God' uses horns to good effect and has a happy sound to it  It exalts the Lord: "He has found me in my misery/He has freed me from my shame/He has saved me from self-tyranny/Holy is His name."

'He who Began a Good Work in You' is a delicate song of promise based on Philippians 1:3-6 and benefits from a pretty female guest vocal: "He who began a good work in you (2X)/Will be faithful to complete it/He'll be faithful to complete it/He who started the work/Will be faithful to complete it in you."  'The Mission' is another great spiritual anthem.  The chorus reminds believers in Christ of what one of our key priorities should be: "To love the Lord our God/Is the heartbeat of our mission/The spring from which our service overflows/Across the street/Or around the world/The mission's still the same/Proclaim and live the Truth/In Jesus' name."  Exodus 20:4-6 makes it clear that our God is a jealous God.  'God and God Alone', another Green favourite of mine from the 1980's, was written by Phil McHugh and is a song of praise born out of love, not fear: "God and God alone/Is fit to take the universe's throne/Let everything that lives/Reserve its truest praise/For God and God alone/God and God alone/Will be the joy of our eternal home/He will be our one desire/Our hearts will never tire/Of God and God alone." 

Steve shares the following on his website: "Today the gospel is more precious to me than ever.  I realize that God's grip on me far surpasses my ability to hold on to Him...In the end it will be clear that He alone is the hero of not only my story, but of all our stories."

I recommend PEOPLE NEED THE LORD-NUMBER ONES to fans of great inspirational music and light adult pop music.  I also recommend it to those who wonder where all the real singers are these days.  I'm rating it 92%.  For more info visit: http://www.stevegreenministries.org/.

DO IT AFRAID

Elizabeth South is a full-time elementary music and drama teacher.  Her bio states: "Elizabeth's music explores the eclectic styles of theater, spirituality, romance, ballad, and even dance.  She pours her heart into every song she writes.  Her Music Therapy background has also found a home in her music, being both healing and uplifting.  Her voice has been described as mysterious, magical, soothing, and angelic." 

In 2010 she released THE MYSTERIES OF OUR MINDS which birthed the successful single 'Have Faith.'  Her latest album DO IT AFRAID came out on November 1, 2011.  It was produced by former White Heart member Billy Smiley for Northern Shore Productions.  Several years ago Elizabeth developed stage fright.  These words from the liner notes reveal the key concept behind the album: "The album title and song, 'Do It Afraid', were inspired by Joyce Meyer's book, Do It Afraid.  In the book, she shared Elisabeth Elliot's real life story of facing her fears of returning to ministry after her husband had been killed by the very people they had ministered to.  Always remember that no matter what you are called to do in life, don't give up, because God will always be with you, even if you have to do it while feeling afraid." 

The CD begins with the first radio single.  'I Will Trust You' is one of six songs South and Smiley wrote as a duo.  It extols the Lord: "You are love, You died for me/You heal my weary soul/You lift me up and keep me from falling/Forgive and make me whole.../You are the Maker of the heavens and the earth/You are the only One who knew me before birth."  It is apparent from the get go that Elizabeth has a pleasant, easy to listen to voice.  'Higher' based on Romans 8:35-39, is a great praise and worship song.  Blair Masters who has toured as a keyboard player for Garth Brooks and Casting Crowns is one of the writers: "Fight your battles on your knees/And watch Him do amazing things/Every trial that comes your way/He will hear you when you pray/Nothing will ever separate us/No nothing from the love of God/Neither death nor any powers/Will overcome His love for us."  'Arms of the Savior' is a gentle ballad that finds Elizabeth resting in the Lord: "There's a truth that is seldom known/That I'm in the center of what He's already done/So I'm waiting for what's yet to come.../I'm in the center of Your will/Of Your grace/It can't be erased/I'm in Your presence in this place/I see Your face/In the arms of the Savior."

'Fall to My Knees' is a song of gratitude, inspirational in sound: "Your love is greater than everything in life/The Maker and Healer on high/I will always love You/I will always praise You/Lord, in Your name I'll delight/You brought me from darkness to light/Your ways are perfect/Though I'm not deserving/You brought me to this place/Where You go before me/And lead me to the waters/Of Your unending grace."  'Do It Afraid' is a strong title track that builds in momentum.  It doesn't hurt either that White Heart lead vocalist Rick Florian adds his talents to the track!  The song speaks of the benefits of having a deep trust in the Lord: "When I am lost, when I am trembling/These steps of faith I will take/And when I obey in spite of my feelings/You'll do amazing things/When You open doors that I need to walk through/There's nothing impossible to do."  Fittingly, the next cut is White Heart's classsic 'Desert Rose' from their terrific 1990 album POWERHOUSE.  The version here is nicely performed by Elizabeth and even has White Heart bassist Anthony Sallee playing on it.  The song admits that following the Lord and His will is not always a happy or easy task: "Lost in a windswept land/In a world of shifting sand/A fragile flower stands apart/And there in that barren ground/You feel like the only one/Trying to serve Him with all your heart.../Sometimes holiness/Can seem like emptiness/When you feel the whole world's laughing eyes/But if it's a lonely day/Know You're on the Father's way/He will hear You when You cry."

'Still' was co-written by South with George Cocchini.  He has worked with the likes of Joe English and DC TALK.  'Still' is a soft sounding song of hopeful anticipation: "One day I'll stand on glassy sea/Kneeling down before the/Throne of God, I'll be set free."  These words bring to mind Revelation 22:3 which says: "No longer will there be any curse.  The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him."  'Surrender' was penned solely by South and has her coming to the end of her own efforts: "Overcome the world says/Conquer everything/Don't give up/Fulfill your deepest needs/Surrendering is a dark and ugly word/In a world where we must self rely/I have been in control now for so long/I'm ready to surrender, to surrender all.../I am ready to surrender all/To surrender all to Christ." 

In Philippians 2:9-11 Paul writes: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  'Holy Holy Holy' written by Mark Swayze continues the theme of surrender and adds to it praise: "Here I bow in holy awe/I am Yours my life, my all/Here I am to hear You speak/You're my God/And You're my King/Holy, Holy, Holy/Is the Lord God Almighty/Who was and is and is to come (2X)." 

A pretty instrumental version of 'I Will Trust You' follows.  The album ends with the bonus track single 'Don't Give Up on Your Love'.  It was programmed and mixed by Joel Wild and has George Cocchini on electric guitar.  The song has been described as "pop/rock/electronic dance style."  It could just as well have been released by Madonna or Kylie Minogue.  It contains these words of determination: "You gotta take a stand/When the doors slam/Don't let anyone make you lose your ground/Don't give up/Don't give in/Find the freedom that love can give/Don't give up/Don't give in/Fan the flame of the fire within." 

In the liner notes Elizabeth writes: "I feel blessed to have the opportunity to create another beautiful album that expresses my beliefs.  So many people in this world deal with fears and doubts.  It is my hope that this music will inspire faith, courage, perserverance and love."  Most of the album finds Elizabeth in the musical vein of Twila Paris and traditional praise and worship music.  Musicians that appear include John Catchings (cello), Billy and Brennan Smiley, Ken Lewis, and Scott Dente from Out of the Grey.  The photographs of Elizabeth accompanied by a sunflower were taken by Ben Pearson and are absolutely beautiful.  Elizabeth should be the next Bachelorette if she is available!  I'm rating DO IT AFRAID 84%.  For more info visit http://www.elizabethsouth.com/.

THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN

Thousand Foot Krutch is a great rock band whose music has been used by well known organizations such as ESPN, NASCAR, and WWE.  This band with origins in Peterborough, Ontario has now released seven studio albums and one live project.  Some of my favourite songs from them are: 'Rawkfist', 'Absolute', 'Fire it Up', and 'Already Home'.  After several albums with Tooth and Nail Records, Krutch made a gutsy move and decided to go independent, raising funds with the assistance of fans through Kickstarter for their latest project THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN (2012).  The CD is co-produced by Aaron Sprinkle who has also produced projects for Jeremy Camp and Starflyer 59, and Trevor McNevan.  The album shows the musical influence of artists such as Run-DMC, the Beastie Boys, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Of it, lead singer, McNevan says: "This record in a lot of ways, is a bridge going back to where we came from, traveling all the way through where we've been, to where we're going."

'The Introduction' opens the album with a distorted vocal that presents a mission and a mandate to the listener: "You must find the Truth...Remember, not everything...is what it seems...If you don't stand for something...you might fall for anything."  'We Are' is an electric guitar driven rock song that has the band coming out swinging: "We are the ones, we are the guns/And we will run/We are the voice of a song unsung/We are the change, we are the chains that hold us/We are the choice, we are the strong/We are one/My heart is racin' just like a rocket/Victory looks like a distant dream/'Cause what we're fighting's not gonna stop it/But we can beat it, if we just believe."  'Light Up the Sky' continues the battle theme with these rapped lyrics: "Game time, rippin'/Mint condition/Lights out, stompin' all competition/My utmost to His highest/It gets no flyer/Oh, oh, we set the main frame on fire/Boom! Code red, feel the lead/From the pedal I pushed/To the metal, the dust never settles/F5 Level, kick up the bass, and the/Treble, 'cause faith, that's a rebel/I can show you the devil."

1 Peter 2:11 reads: "Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."  'The End is Where We Begin' is a great rock title track!  It is the song of a Christian declaring their true identity: "I'm an alien, 'cause I'm not of this world/I have a name, but I've been changed/And now I can't stay the same...The end is where we begin/It's crawling back, when we run away, run away/'Cause the end is where we begin/Where broken hearts mend/And start to beat again."  'Let the Sparks Fly' features Trevor screaming along to a heavy rock beat.  The song speaks of outreach: "Let me take you into the light/There's nowhere to hide/There's nothin' but darkness left here/Shake it off and let's take a ride/'Cause heaven's not far away/And I'm not gonna leave you here."  'I Get Wicked' has the band still rocking hard with heavy guitars, bass, and drums.  The message is one of having a very strong faith: "My faith's my life...I am not afraid of this mountain in my way/You can push me to my knees, I believe/And I am now awake, uncontrolled, and unashamed/When it rushes over me, I feel free/Go!"  The song draws on Mark 11:23: "I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him."

'Be Somebody' is a thoughtful ballad of praise: "And You create in me/Somethin' I would have never seen/When I could only see the floor/You made my window a door/So when they say they don't believe/I hope that they see You in me/After all the lights go down/I'm just the words, You are the Sound/A strange type of chemistry/How You've become a part of me/And when I sit alone at night/Your thoughts burn through me/Like a fire You're the only One/Who knows who I really am."  'This is a Warning' is a short instrumental with a dark feel to it.  'Courtesy Call' has the band going another round in spiritual warfare with the devil: "There's a rumble in the floor/So get prepared for war/When it hits it'll/Knock you to the ground/While it shakes up everything around/But survival is a must/So will you stand with us?/Can you feel it?/Make it real and/Make me feel it."  'War of Change' is a very creative song musically, has a catchy chorus, and is a song that tells of spiritual growth birthed via inner struggle: "There's a war goin' on inside of me tonight/Don't be afraid (2X)/Wait, it's just about to break/It's more than I can take/Everything's about to/Change, I feel it in my veins/It's not goin' away/Everything's about to change (2X)."

In Matthew 5:13a Jesus says: "You are the salt of the earth..."  'Down' is an urgent rap/rock number.  It is also the song of a man on a mission: "People used to tell me that I'm on my own/They said I'd never make a difference on this microphone/'Cause there's a million other people who could/Sing this song/I said 'Well thanks for the push 'cause you all were wrong'/Let's go/You wanna try to take me under?/I'll never bow till I'm six feet under/Listen to the sound of rolling thunder/You can't break me/You'll never take me down."  'All I Need to Know' is a pretty tune that has Trevor using his falsetto some.  The song reminds us that God is faithful to draw near to us just when we need Him to: "There's a moment in the morning/When I feel the most alone/But then I hear Your voice/Whisperin' my name/It's like a wave of understanding/And I never could have planned it/Where the questions and doubts all fade away."  'Fly on the Wall' has a good chorus but is not as good a song as Miley Cyrus' of the same name.  It speaks of overcoming the devil and becoming who we were created to be: "I don't think I need you anymore/Take your words and your lies, and just beat it/I don't think I need you anymore/Take the hurt and the pain, I don't need it/I wanna live, I wanna be the change/We can all be kings and queens/If we could just learn to believe (2X)."

Matthew 5:6 says: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."  'So Far Gone' conveys a desire for deep intimacy with God: "I want to be so far gone in You/So far nothing else will ever do/I want to be so far gone/In You, In You."  'Outroduction' ends the album the way it started, with a distorted vocal.  We are left with these words of advice for our journey: "Choose your decisions wisely/Change starts with us/Remember if you don't stand for something/You might fall for anything." 

THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN is a dandy follow up to 2009's WELCOME TO THE MASQUERADE.  Krutch continues their full on rock assault while sharing a positive, encouraging message.  Fans of Skillet should enjoy this album.  In the liner notes Trevor McNevan thanks: "My God, Who is my refuge and strength.  Without You, there's nothing."  Joel Bruyere (bass) thanks: "God who radiates grace, patience, love, peace, and pure understanding.  I am in awe every minute of every day."  Steve Augustine (drums and percussion) thanks: "God, thank You for all Your promises, for blessing me with a wonderful family, and incredible group of friends."  I'm rating THE END IS WHERE WE BEGIN 90%.  For more info visit http://www.thousandfootkrutch.com/.

THE COVER OF LOVE

Phil Keaggy was born in Youngstown, Ohio on March 23, 1951.  At the age of four he lost half of his middle finger on his right hand due to an accident on the family farm involving a water pump.  He was the guitarist and vocalist for rock band Glass Harp who released three albums in the early 1970's.  They opened for the likes of Alice Cooper, the Kinks, and Yes.  Keaggy put out the first of his over 50 solo albums WHAT A DAY in 1973.  That summer he married Bernadette.  They had a rough go of it for a while.  She miscarried in 1975 with triplets.  In 1976 they had a son Ryan die after only a few days.  In 1977 there was another miscarriage.  God was good to them though and they had three kids.  Alicia was born in 1980, Olivia in 1984, and Ian in 1987.

Keaggy's bio states: "For three years in a row, Phil was voted one of the top fingerstyle guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine."  His 1978 album THE MASTER AND THE MUSICIAN was CCM's first instrumental album.  He has won several Dove Awards in that category.  My favourite Phil Keaggy albums are: PHIL KEAGGY AND SUNDAY'S CHILD (1988), CRIMSON AND BLUE (1993), TIME 1 AND 2 (1995), and TRUE BELIEVER (1995).  Phil's latest effort is THE COVER OF LOVE (2012, Strobie Records).  It is a collection of love songs recorded between 1997 and 2011, with half of them being covers.

'Between Wyomings' starts things off.  Ken Mansfield is the writer.  He was a young music executive with Capitol Records in the 1960's, helping the careers of the Beatles, Glen Campbell, Lou Rawls, and others.  In 1968 the Fab Four named him the U.S. manager of Apple Records.  Today he has a ministry which involves him being an author and speaker.  'Between Wyomings' finds him love sick: "Seems I've tried a thousand times/But I can't get you off my mind/They say that time is supposed to heal/But it always hurts me when I feel/Lost between Wyomings without your love/And baby, lately I've been havin' dreams about you."  The song would fit nicely on Larry Norman's 1970's albums SO LONG AGO THE GARDEN and IN ANOTHER LAND.  Phil's daughters provide backing vocals.  A fantastic cover of 'Good Vibrations' which was written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love in 1966 is up next.  The version here features lead and background vocals by Phil and Gene Miller.  Miller has toured with the likes of Kenny Loggins and Donna Summer.  He is currently a member of the Nashville Alternators, a group that includes CCM industry vets Chris Rodriguez and Tommy Sims.  'Good Vibrations' begins with these magical words: "I, I love the colorful clothes she wears/And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair/I hear the sound of a gentle word/On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air/I'm pickin' up good vibrations/She's giving me excitations."  'She Sees Me' written by Phil and Jon Sexton finds Carl Herrgesell on piano and B3 organ.  It speaks of the intimacy experienced in a love relationship: "Because there's so much there to see/Written between the lines/Oh how do I say it?/She is my best friend and she sees me for who I am/Because there's someone standing there/Standing right by my side/How do I say it?"  The song has a gentle, breezy sound to it.

'Where are you Love?' was written by Phil and Olivia Keaggy in 2011.  Olivia is on lead vocals, while Phil is on guitar and harmony vocals.  The song is a tender ballad about losing love: "Tell me, will you tell me while my heart is breaking?/Walk with me through the flame of the fire/Where are you love, where are you love?/Oh, did you mean to be leaving?/Speak to me/Walk with me."  On 2011's 'My Auburn Lady' Phil handles vocals, guitars, bass and percussion.  It is a soft number with ultra romantic lyrics written for his wife: "Ah, Bern, I am smitten o'er again/Ah Bern, by your beauty my dear friend/Ah Bern, and you know how much I do depend on you/It's true, my auburn lady/Ah Bern, so faithful through the years/Ah Bern, through the laughter, through the tears/Ah Bern, through my dark insides and foolish fears/I knew, I knew.../You to be a rock that I can cling to."  'Somedays' is from Paul McCartney's 1997 album FLAMING PIE.  Phil is responsible for lead and harmony vocals, guitars, mandolin, and keyboards.  The song includes the following words of someone blown away by the love they've found: "We don't need anybody else to tell us what is real/Inside each one of us is love/And we know how it feels/Somedays I look/I look at you with eyes that shine/Somedays I don't/I don't believe that you are mine/It's no good asking me what time of day it is/Who won the match or scored the goal/Somedays I look/Somedays I look into your soul." 

'I Want You, I Need You, I Love You' has an old time rock 'n' roll feel to it.  It was written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Koslof in 1956 and popularized by the one and only Elvis.  These words from it paint a picture of someone head over heels in love: "Ev'ry time you are near/All my cares disappear/Darling you're all that I'm living for/I want you, I need you, I love you/More and more.../Won't you please be my own?/Never leave me alone/'Cause I die ev'ry time we're apart/I want you, I need you, I love you/With all my heart."  'Voices in the Sky' was a hit single for the Moody Blues in 1968.  It includes these lyrics inspired by nature: "Bluebird, flying high/Tell me what you sing/If you could talk to me/What news would you bring/Of voices in the sky?/Nightingale, hovering high/Harmonize the wind/Darkness, your symphony/I can hear you sing/Of voices in the sky/Just what is happening to me?/I lie awake with the sound of the sea/Calling to me."  'Grow with Me' written by Phil and Michael Lewis is an excellent new rock song driven by electric guitar.  Drums are played by John Sferra of Glass Harp.  Read these passionate lyrics: "To have you by my side/I could never ask for more/And when you hold me it's so right/I love you, I do/And that's all she wrote/So let's keep the flame alive/And don't ever let me go/Never let me go/Let's keep the flame alive/And don't ever let me go/Never let me go (2X)."

The last three songs turn our attention to Divine Love.  'Motor of Love' is another Paul McCartney number, this time from 1989's FLOWERS IN THE DIRT.  It is a beautiful sounding, blatant song of testimony: "Motor of love, motor of love/Heavenly Father, look down from above;/I can't get over Your powerful motor of love/I can't get over Your love/No matter how lost I feel/I know my love is real thanks to You/You simply reached out Your hand/And touched me deep in my soul/Came in out of the cold, thanks to you/I won't steal anything from You/You give me more than enough."  'What Matters Most' written by Phil contains these spiritual words of invitation: "Come close to me and open your heart/Come here and listen, and open your eyes/Come and embrace, open your arms/What matters most is love never dies/Go to the sea of forgiveness/Go to the well that never runs dry/Walk in the land, the land of the living/What matters most is love never dies."  The closing track 'Where the Morning Dawns', written by Phil and Mike Radovsky, was inspired by author George MacDonald who died in 1905.  Musically this song that credits James Hollihan Jr. with trumpet and strings arrangement, will please Beatles fans.  Lyrically, it is a tribute to God who is Himself Love: "In the holy hush of the early dawn/Oh to hear a Voice speaking/'I am with you all day long'/And to know that Love has a Face/The giver of Amazing Grace."

THE COVER OF LOVE has on the cover a totally cute picute of Olivia Keaggy when she was four.  The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Phil Keaggy at Kegworth Studio.  It was mastered by Mike Pachelli at Fullblast Recording Studio.  According to his bio: "These days, Phil Keaggy continues to delight audiences all over the U.S. performing primarily acoustic shows, and occasional concerts with a band."  In the liner notes Phil says: "Thank You my Lord for granting me grace, mercy and peace and love that endures through all eternity.  I am humbled and eternally grateful to You."  I recommend THE COVER OF LOVE to those who enjoy good pop music on the lighter side of things, and to those whose favourite Bible book is Song of Songs.  I'm rating this CD 87%.  For more info visit http://www.philkeaggy.com/.

THE GREATER CAUSE

John Schlitt was born on February 3, 1950 in Lincoln, Illinois.  From 1974 to 1980 he sang with the mainstream rock band Head East.  Their hits included 'Never Been Any Reason' and 'Since You Been Gone'.  Following his conversion to Christianity he was Petra's lead singer from 1986 until their retirement in 2005.  Their songs such as 'He Came, He Saw, He Conquered', 'Hit You Where You Live', 'I am on the Rock', and 'Jekyll and Hyde' have had a profound effect on my spiritual walk over the years.  Schlitt has now released four solo albums: SHAKE (1995), UNFIT FOR SWINE (1996), THE GRAFTING (2008), and THE GREATER CAUSE (2012).  THE GREATER CAUSE (4K Records) is a largely fan funded project that sees Schlitt return to his rock roots.  It was produced by his son-in-law Dan Needham, who has writing credits on all eleven tracks.  Dan has worked with the likes of Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, and Peter Cetera.  Of this album that has a very cool cover, Schlitt says: "The message is-and always has been-to encourage the listener to grasp the reality that we are on the winning team.  The enemy is escalating his tactics, using every possible means he can to keep people away from the truth-the truth that they are made in the image of God and are designed for a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ." 

Ephesians 6:19-20 says: "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.  Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."  The CD begins with a full on rock number 'Live it Loud' written by Chris Rodriguez, Dan Needham, Scott Faircloff and John Schlitt.  Rodriguez, who has played guitar for Michael W. Smith, plays guitars on this track that has guest rap vocals by Needham.  The chorus urges us to make a positive difference for Christ in the world: "Watch the world, spinning round/What's your legacy?/Live it loud/Like a fire, deep inside/That won't be contained/Live it loud (2X)."  'Take Me Home' is a tasty rocker with an intro guitar solo by industry vet Jerry McPherson.  It draws on the very familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son for lyrical inspiration:  "There's a time when you realize/There must be something better than this hollow life/Sometimes the grass it isn't greener on the other side.../Take me home-I've been away so long/Take me home-I can see I was wrong."  'Love Won't Leave Me Alone' was written by Ed Cash and Dan Needham.  Cash has worked with the likes of Sara Groves and Steven Curtis Chapman.  The song has Peter King on synth and mellotron.  It reminds me of classic rock by Def Leppard and contains these words of a man on a spiritual journey: "I follow, You lead/To the mountain from the valley/Don't leave me where I am/Got my eyes on the Promised Land/Wherever I go, whatever I see/I need You there surrounding me/From the cradle to the grave."

2 Chronicles 7:14 reads: "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and will turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."  'One of these Days' is a modern rock gem that sounds like what Petra might have sounded like if they were still putting out new music.  The song finds Tony Lucido on bass and asks some pertinent questions: "When will truth be the truth again?/When will  hope not fade away?/When will change ever come to an end?/I wonder if today/Is one of these days?.../How long 'til we stand and fight?/'Til the hunger grows and the pain is right?"  'Faith and Freedom' is one of two back to back songs penned by Ian Eskelin and Dan Needham.  Eskelin fronts the band All Star United.  He has also worked with the likes of Francesca Battistelli and Point of Grace.  'Faith and Freedom' is contagious and patriotic like Miley Cyrus' 'Wake up America'.  It begins with these lyrics: "I'm an American/Red, White, and Blue/And I'm a citizen/Of this world and of heaven/Some things were meant to be together."  The song also encourages Christians not to be passive about their faith: "We gotta rise up/We gotta stay strong/To save our way of life."  Hebrews 13:6 says: "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?'"  'End of Fear' is a quieter song with Needham on keys, percussion, drums and backing vocals.  It is a song that declares that the Lord is aware of everything that goes on on on our planet and is ultimately in control: "When I turn on my TV/The whole world's falling apart/I'm reading today's headlines/It's like taking a walk in the dark.../But now I walk in freedom/Trusting who You are/You make the biggest of the biggest problems/Suddenly seem small."

Next up are the first two radio singles.  'Where I Wanna Be' is a beautiful ballad that stands out, with Joeie Canaday on bass.  The chorus conveys a hope for reconciliation in relationships: "If love could set the world on fire/What would it burn away?/What would remain?/Would it build a bridge between us?/If love would rain for forty days/Would it wash away the pain/Of bitter days and all the lies that came between us?/And conquer all the fears in me?/That's where I wanna be."  2 Corinthians 4:4 reads: "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."  'Hope that Saves the World' written by Needham and Schliltt, is a pounding rock number with Jerry McPherson on guitars.  The song points to God as the only one who can cure us of our spiritual blindness: "We're incomplete/Blinded with our eyes wide open/Why can't we see/You're the hope/That we need?/You lit the stars/You spun the earth/You gave us life/So tell me why can't we see?/You're the hope that saves the world.../We're incomplete/Always searching for the greater cause."  'Run' is a simmering rock number with Tim Acres on the B3.  This track urges us to make a concious decision to leave our troubled past behind and pursue God and the things of God: "All the pain/That you've known/No more shame/Let it go/Run, you can run/To the light at the end of the way/Run, will you run/Run from the things that remind you/Things that will bind you?/You've got to leave it behind."

John married his wife Dorla on August 28, 1971.  They have four children.  'The Gift (Dorla's Song)' is a soft, romantic ballad with Matt Butler on cello: "I could thank You for so many things/The life I've lived, the things I've seen/But if I had to choose I'd throw it all away/'Cause the greatest gift/You've given me/Is standing right in front of me/She's the answer to every prayer/I've ever prayed.../She is such a gift, Lord, thank You for the gift."  This is one of the better love songs I've heard in a while.  1 Corinthians 1:18 says: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."  The album ends with the inspirational 'The Cross Remains' which has been used by Jay Sekulow's American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ).  These words from the song are a good summary of the message of John's musical ministry throughout the years: "Through the smoke/Through the tears/Through so many years/The cross remains/When the darkness turns to light/When the flames begin to die/The cross remains, the cross remains/Though there's tension in the air/Sometimes more than we can bear/Through it all the cross remains."

John shares these words from his heart: "In these days filled with uncertainty and insecurity-both economically and politically-we as Christians need to remind each other who Christ is and who we are in Him.  We need to use common sense in this world and awaken to the fact that Jesus is Lord, no matter what those around us may say or do.  This is my goal with THE GREATER CAUSE."  It is encouraging to see John Schlitt still going strong after all this time.  In an industry where there are so many new artists appearing on the scene, Schlitt is a shining example of relevant ministry and fine quality entertainment.  THE GREATER CAUSE will please fans of Petra's albums WAKE-UP CALL (1993) and JEKYLL AND HYDE (2003).  Schlitt's voice is stronger than ever.  This is truly how Christian rock music should sound!  I'm rating THE GREATER CAUSE 93% and recommending it to one and all.  For more info visit http://www.johnwschlitt.com/. Check him out on itunes as well!

ARE YOU A BELIEVER?

Kutless has been pumping out quality Christian rock for over ten years now, including two worship albums, 2005's STRONG TOWER, and 2009's IT IS WELL.  Kutless is back with their seventh studio album BELIEVER (2012, BEC Recordings).  For this album group members are Jon Micah Sumrall (vocals), James Mead (guitar), Nick De Partee (guitar), Dave Luetkenhoelter (bass), and Jeff Gilbert (drums).  In the liner notes Jon Micah makes it clear he is grateful to still be making music.  He quotes James 1:17 which reads: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

The record begins with a rousing rock number 'If It Ends Today' which anticipates Christ's Second Coming: "Seems like the end is coming/Seems like the signs are lining up/As far as I can see/We're closer now than ever/This pain won't last forever/Love, Love is on His way."  'Carry On' extols the Lord's virtues: "There is love for the lonely/That only comes from You/There is peace and forgiveness/That I have found in You/Where else can I go?/You are the Way/You are the Light/You are the voice calling me through the night."  'All Yours' features strings by Brian Gocher and musically sounds ready for mainstream rock radio.  It is a song of grateful surrender: "With blood You bought my broken heart/So here I am, take everything/It's all Yours anyway/You turned my heart around, I came running back to You/Oh what joy I found surrounded by the Truth/That You love me and now I can see/It's all Yours anyway."

'Even If' is a ballad penned by Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood.  It speaks of trusting God even in those times where life doesn't go as we wish: "Sometimes all we have to hold on to/Is what we know is true of who You are/So when the heartache hits like a hurricane/That could never change who You are/And we trust in who You are/Even if the healing doesn't come/And life falls apart/And dreams are still undone/You are God, You are good/Forever faithful One."  'Hero' is much more mellow than the Skillet song of the same name.  The words to it tell us that the harvest of souls is waiting to be gathered in: "You don't have to look that hard to see/You don't have to reach that far to find someone in need/There is a desperation deep in this generation/Looking for something new, a love they can believe."  'Identity' written by Nick De Partee and Jason Walker, is about opening up to God and His purposes for us: "God I need You to be my identity/It's always easier to hide behind that/Camouflage that keeps our hearts so guarded/But there's no shame when we surrender everything to You/Everything to You."

'Need' is a guitar driven rock number.  It communicates how we oft feel when in a spiritual wilderness or 'dry season'.  Witness these words: "You tore the veil so my eyes could see/Your open arms right in front of me/Lord I feel blind, make this darkness flee/You know exactly what I need/Help me God I do believe/But I feel lost and it's killing me/I need You right now/God please answer me."  'Come Back Home' will appeal to those who appreciate the story found in Luke 15:11-32, that of the Prodigal Son.  Here are some of the words to this song written by Sam Mizell and Jeff Pardo: "I wanna see that face that I've been missing so much/I want to wrap My arms around your neck/I want to welcome you back to the place where you belong/I want to show you love has never left.../I've paid the price so have no fear/There's nothing but mercy here, yeah.../Mercy is waiting/Oh, when you come back home."  'This is Love' is a great modern rock song based on Luke 22:39-46 which recounts the night Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane: "Alone in a garden weeping/Begging His Father pleading/Take this cup from me/But if it's Your will Father let it be/All of the others sleeping/Sweat on His brow was bleeding/He could have run away but He chose to stay/This is Love, this is real." 

'Gravity' paints a picture of the Lord drawing us closer to Himself: "No matter where I go Your mercy follows/And I come running back to You/Your gravity keeps pulling me to You/I must have been destined for You.../You knew this human heart would be lost/So You planned a ransom and You paid the cost."  'I'm With You' has Grant Diggles responsible for strings and Jeff Gilbert on acoustic guitar.  This song will speak to the prodigals among us: "All this time You've been walking here beside me/Waiting for the day I'd call Your Name/So here am I walking through the darkest valley/Shine down Your light so I can see/You know I'm weary/I know You're calling out to me/Fall in My arms and I will carry you, carry you/I know you and I we can make it through, make it through.../All who need rest, all who are lonely/Come to Me now and just let it go."  The title track 'Believer' was written by Jon Micah and Scott Krippayne.  It is on the softer side, but beautiful.  It offers these wonderful words of hope: "No matter what you've done/How far you've run/There is hope for you/For every broken heart/He'll meet you where you are/And He will rescue you/Let Him rescue you."  One of the co-writers of the closing track 'Carry Me to the Cross' is Mark Stuart of Audio Adrenaline fame.  It ultimately points us to a place of refuge at Jesus' feet: "All these burdens on my shoulder/I'm not alone (2X)/You pull me from this place/Hallelujah! You carry me every day/You carry me all the way/And Hallelujah! You carry me to the/You carry me to the cross."

BELIEVER runs a generous 46 minutes and 27 seconds in length.  It is a project that does a good job of both encouraging Christians and reaching out in love to non-Christians.  On it the band shows a great deal of maturity.  I'm rating BELIEVER 87% and recommending it to fans of rock acts such as Daughtry, Creed, and Nickelback.  For more info visit http://www.kutless.com/ and http://www.becrecordings.com/.

LEARNING TO BREATHE AGAIN

Tammy Trent's autobiography LEARNING TO BREATHE AGAIN-CHOOSING LIFE AND FINDING HOPE AFTER A SHATTERING LOSS was published in 2004 by Thomas Nelson.  Most of the books I read fall into the Christian living or biography categories.  I have to say right up front that this is one of the best books I have ever read.  In it, Tammy is honest, vulnerable, down-to-earth, and displays a sense of humour.  There are many reasons you should read this book.

The book details Tammy's musical influences, and provides an inside look at the hard work it takes to break into the Contemporary Christian Music scene and get radio airplay and become known.  The book examines the effects of divorce on children, as her parents were divorced.  It details the importance of the divorced parents being able to get along and be in the same room together for the children's sake.  Tammy came to greatly appreciate that.

Mostly, this book is a love story. It tells how this Michigan girl fell in love with a Michigan boy, Trent Lenderink whom she met at a church event.  This book is a great tool for those married folks wanting to learn how to treat their spouse better, like they are special, and wanting to help stimulate spiritual growth in their partner.  For single folks, this book could be beneficial as well, as it shows the importance of waiting to have sex until marriage.  I like that in this book, Tammy does not hide her sexual passions she experienced before marriage.  When reading this book, one is reminded that ultimately though married, one should rely on the Lord more than they rely on their spouse.  Tammy also shares a lot about her relationship with her in-laws which some people may also find useful if they are having difficulties with theirs.  Tammy also documents the importance of having good friends, one of her best being singer Pam Thum.  Tammy's husband Trent often struggled with finding out what God's ultimate purpose was for his life. If you are in the same boat, this book will encourage you that God may be using you right now in ways you don't even realize.  Praise the Lord!

Read this book to find out how Tammy's husband Trent died tragically, right around the same time the 9/11 attacks occurred! You will go on a journey with Tammy through the various stages of grief, and see how God ministered to her during this time, and used her to minister to others as well, when she was experiencing grief.  Read to find out Tammy's newfound purpose in life and how she re-entered the Contemporary Christian Music scene when the time was right. 

If you enjoyed Clay and Renee Crosse's book I SURRENDER ALL, you will appreciate the candid nature of Tammy Trent's LEARNING TO BREATHE AGAIN.  What a great book. Thanks Tammy for sharing your story with us! God bless you in the years ahead!  I'm rating this book 95%.  For more info, and to purchase Tammy's book and cd's go to http://www.tammytrent.com/, or your local Christian bookstore!

WHERE I FIND YOU

Kari Jobe is a worship pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.  She is thirty years old.  Her latest album is WHERE I FIND YOU (2012, Sparrow Records).  The producers she uses are Ed Cash and Matt Bronleewe.  The following words from Kari's website speak of the purpose of the album: "Rather than simply emphasizing the beauty found in God's presence, WHERE I FIND YOU is a clarion call for listeners to experience His presence to the fullest...Ultimately, it's about declaring who He is and enjoying the simplicity of knowing the Lord is near...He's for us, He loves us, and sometimes, we need to stop, enjoy His presence and take that in."  These words from the liner notes go well with the previous quote: "Instead of only your own thoughts, I encourage you to fill your heart, mind, and spirit with HIS word and thoughts for you." 

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/.

FROM HEARTACHE TO HOPE

 Holly Spears grew up in Wana, West Virginia.  According to her website: "After hours of begging her mother and spotting in the classifieds by her mom, Holly got the first love of her life, her first guitar.  Little did she know that the seemingly insignificant purchase of her twenty five dollar garage sale special would set the stage for a whirlwind of new life experiences coming her way."  Holly was discovered by Eliot Sloan, lead singer of Blessid Union of Souls, while she was doing a radio internship.  After high school she began touring with Blessid Union of Souls and opening for the likes of the Spin Doctors and Gin Blossoms.  Her music began appearing on MTV, MTV2, and VH1 among other places.  Holly's latest album HEARTACHE TO HOPE (2012, Girl on a Mission Music, LLC) was produced by Mitch Dane (Jars of Clay, Bebo Norman, Caedmon's Call) and features vocal, bass, keyboard and mastering support from multi-platinum rockers Jars of Clay, according to a press release.  In a youtube interview in 2011 with the AUGEgirl Network, of the album, Holly says: "It's about how we tend to dress up on the outside to make everything look okay when really on the inside we're upset or we're hurting." 

The album begins with a mid-tempo pop number, 'Just Another Love Song', which finds her yearning for everlasting love: "Cause I bend and I break/There's so much I can take/Just for once I would like/To feel that someone's on my side/Thick or thin, through it all/When I stand, when I fall/I wanna know/Are you just another love song?/When I wake up will you be gone?/Or is this something that is lifelong/That won't go wrong?...No."  'A Beautiful Mess' is radio friendly in sound and is about taking off the masks we often wear: "Why do I always try to hide/Everything that I feel inside/Dress it up and make it look all pretty?/Don't ever let 'em see the gritty side/I'm tryin' to hide/No way-I'll be just fine."  'Identity' is a quiet number that talks of how females sometimes go too far to please their guys: "She's on the treadmill every day/She dyes her hair and throws her favorite clothes away/But somehow what she does is never quite enough/And she gets tired of performing for his love/Yeah, she gets tired of performing for his love."

'Hard to Carry' is again quiet and is ultimately about forgiving one who has hurt you: "I wrote your name down today/Then crumpled it up and threw it away/I'm angry for the words you said/And all the hurtful things you did/Lord, help me to forgive her please/She's so hard to carry/This broken heart/Inside of me/Is so hard to carry/Help me bless her soul/Wash us white as snow/Help me let it go."  'A Small Voice' is written from the perspective of a child sex slave: "Loving neighbor/Save me sister/Help me preacher/I need you, I need you/Don't you walk away/From these words I say/Come rescue me/From all I've seen/I'm suffering/I need you, I need you/I need your love/To protect me from/The one's who came/To rob me of/My innocence/My confidence/My self-respect/My voice in this."  'Where'd you Go' is well written and builds in intensity musically.  It is about a person who has not weathered the storms of life very well: "Don't you see yourself in the mirror there?/Who's that girl you see with the dull blank stare?/How I've missed your smile and the way you laugh/Like the way you looked in that photograph/Where'd you go, where'd you go?/When you comin' back?/I've longed for you/'I don't know, I don't know/Where I went' you said/'But I'm passing through'." 

'Fairytale Dreams' is a ballad that is a call to action: "Wake up o' sleeping beauty/Your life is out there waiting for you/It's waiting for you/Your dreams aren't just in your head/Take a leap of faith, use your heart instead/Get out of your bed/It's alright to be who you're made to be/Don't be afraid (2X)."  'Even Flowers' is a gem co-written with Sarah Conant.  It is about turning the abuse one may have suffered into something good and productive: "Don't you see what you've made of me?/I'm not afraid to be who I'm supposed to be/I've been weak, but you make me strong/Go on push me down and watch me get back up/Thank you for the pain, even flowers need the rain/Freedom feels so good/Just like I knew it would."  'Looking for you' has a faster beat and is about looking for and finding one's soulmate: "I've been waiting here/You finally came my dear/Been looking for you/To run away with me/Break your plans and see/What life is/Been looking for you/Oh, oh, oh/Oh, oh, oh/I've been looking for you." 

'Watch Over Me' is a good song to crank on your stereo.  It relates the satisfaction and security one feels when they are in love: "When you're here I know I am loved, it shows/God sent you to watch over me/I am glad tonight that you hold me tight/I need you to watch over me/Can you stay a while/Till I fall asleep?/Come next to me my dear/Calm my racing heart/Beating oh so fast/Come next to me my dear."  'Learning to Love' sounds energetic and uses organ to good effect.  The song encourages one and all to take a risk and open their hearts to love: "From the bottom of my soul, I hope you know/That you're never, never out here on your own/We're all learning to let love in/To let go and/Begin again/We're learning to love/We're leaving it all behind/To free our minds/We'll seek and find/As we're learning to love."  The title track 'Heartache to Hope' is a strong finishing number.  On it Holly rejoices in the fact that God uses our trials and tribulations to develop and perfect our character: "All my life until now/I was only thinking about/The wrong that's happened to me/But now I'm starting to see/From heartache to hope/You brought me through it all/You took all my mess/Made something beautiful."  The Bible passage James 1:2-4 comes to mind: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perserverance/Let perserverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

In the liner notes for HEARTACHE TO HOPE we learn that Holly does not take her music ministry forgranted: "I am extremely thankful for the gift God has given me to share with the world; for His provision and love in my life; and for the exciting adventure it is to be living out my dreams.  I am thankful for those who have built into my career financially; emotionally; and spiritually."  The cover photo of Holly is stunning!  If you enjoy the self-esteem building message of songs such as Johnny Diaz's 'More Beautiful You' and Kevin Max's 'Be', and if you enjoy the lighter pop sounds of Natalie Merchant, The Corrs, and Erin O'Donnell, this is the album for you.  Holly Spears is a supporter of the International Justice Mission.  I'm rating HEARTACHE TO HOPE 80%.  Holly is to be commended for writing eleven of the twelve tracks herself.  For more info visit http://www.hollyspears.com/ and http://www.ijm.org/.

GOD'S NOT DEAD

GOD'S NOT DEAD (2011, Inpop Records) is the third praise and worship record from the Newsboys, with the first two being 2003's ADORATION, and 2004's DEVOTION.  This latest effort was produced by Seth Mosley, who also co-wrote four of the songs.  The current roster for the band is Michael Tait (vocals), Duncan Phillips (drums), Jeff Frankenstein (keys), and Jody Davis (guitars).

When you take the CD out of its case you can read an article behind it written by Dr. Rice Broocks.  It documents how people over the ages have concluded that God is dead: "Many thoughtful people who were influenced by Frederick Nietzsche (1900) and Karl Marx (1847) predicted that modern politics and economics would cause people to embrace atheism even as Christianity and thoughts of God would completely vanish from the world...In recent days scientists like Steven Hawking have tried to revive this non-belief in God by suggesting quantum physics has eliminated the 'need' for God."  The article offers these words of hope: "The evidence is undeniable, and as millions of people continue to put their faith in Christ around the world, God is being revealed as the source of ultimate meaning and purpose.  By humbling Himself in the person of Jesus Christ, God entered the natural world and experienced everything from the perspective of human beings.  In this way, God demonstrated the real meaning of life: a personal relationship with the Creator."

Things start off with 'The King is Coming', a joyous sounding cry for revival: "Split the sky with Your glory/Bring to life an awakening/Burn away everything that's not for You/Hear our voices crying out/We won't stop 'til heaven's come down/We won't stop 'til every knee bows to You/And all our hearts will sing/Make a way for (2X)/Make a way for the King/The King is coming."  The title track 'God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)' was written in 2010 by Daniel Bashta.  It has an energetic chorus that conveys a bold faith: "My God's not dead/He's surely alive/He's living on the inside/Roaring like a lion."  It is nice to hear Kevin Max's soulful voice in a supporting role on this track.  Max, of course, was in DC TALK with Michael Tait back in the day.

'Your Love Never Fails' is a great dance pop number that draws on a couple of Bible verses.  Romans 8:38/9 reads: "For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus."  Lamentations 3:22/3 reads: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."  The song begins with these words: "Nothing can separate/Even if I run away/Your love never fails/I know I still make mistakes/You have new mercy for me everyday/Cause Your love never fails."  'Here We Stand' written by Seth Mosley and Jason Ingram is an upbeat song that is modern worship at its best.  The song contains these very true words: "There's nothing like Your presence God (4X)."

'Savior of the World' continues the tradition of Newsboys songs about the importance of sharing the Gospel: "Christ the Lord overcame the darkness/He's alive: death has been defeated/For He made us a way/By which we have been saved/He is the Savior of the world/So we lift up a shout for His fame and renown/Praise the Lord (2X)/Jesus, Savior of the world/We must spread the word of His soon return/To reclaim the world for His glory."  'Forever Reign' written by Jason Ingram and Reuben Morgan is a power ballad that features strings.  It is also a song of surrender: "You are more, You are more/Than my words will ever say/You are Lord, You are Lord/All creation will proclaim/You are here, You are here/In Your presence I'm made whole/You are God, You are God/Of all else I'm letting go."

'More than Enough' is tranquil in nature musically compared to the previous tracks.  It again shares the Gospel: "Man of sorrows, heart of mercy/Love raised high upon a cross/Dead to lead us to redemption/Man of sorrows, Son of God.../Lord of life in glory risen/Love has conquered both sin and grave/Heaven's gates are truly open/Lord of life, King of kings."  'Revelation Song' is the oldest song on the album.  It was written in 2004 by Jennie Lee Riddle and has been covered by everyone from Kari Jobe to Phillips, Craig, and Dean.  The version here starts off with heavy percussion and uses guitar to good effect.  The ever familiar chorus is reverent: "Holy, holy, holy/Is the Lord God Almighty/Who was and is and is to come/With all creation I sing/Praise to the King of kings/You are my everything and I will adore You."

'Pouring it Out for You' written by Jared Anderson and Jonathan Lee makes these bold requests: "O for faith to rise/O my soul come alive/O my God You are all I need/O for feet to dance/O for a heart to romance/O for lungs to lift Your name so high.../My heart and flesh they cry out holy/Jesus be my one and only joy (2X)."  The Newsboys cover version of the praise standard 'Mighty to Save' is probably my favourite version of the song.  It is stirring and begins with these words that put us all on level ground at the foot of the cross: "Everyone needs compassion/Love that's never failing/Let mercy fall on me/Everyone needs forgiveness/The kindness of a Savior/The hope of nations."

'All the Way' includes these utopian words: "We're joining with You God/Everything You're doing/Your fire is in our hearts/Burning for the broken/We open wide our arms/A refuge for the hurting/Your mercy is our song/We're joining with You God."  Unfortunately, in reality we are often more judgmental than caring, and we tend to rank some sins as being worse than others.  The last song is 'I am Second'.  The liner notes speak of the I AM SECOND movement: "It is simple, really.  Jesus is first.  Always and forever.  I am Second is a movement that inspires people of all kinds to live for God and for others...I am Second is designed to help people discover their purpose in life.  Have you discovered yours?"  Kevin Max adds his vocal prowess to the song.  The words of the chorus sum up the theme of the album: "I'm second to One/Redeemer, the Way, the Light/I'm second to One/The Savior, no compromise/I'm laying everything at the foot of the cross/My pride, my life, my all/I am second to One/And He is second to none."

GOD'S NOT DEAD is a mighty fine praise and worship album.  Michael Tait is settling nicely into his role as lead singer.  I only wish the band had written some of the songs themselves.  I'm rating GOD'S NOT DEAD 87%.  For more info visit: http://www.newsboys.com/, http://www.inpop.com/, and http://www.iamsecond.com/.