THE STORY BEHIND THE SONGS
1. LOVE NEVER FAILS
This song actually came to me as a poem first. Usually when I write a song the words and melody come at the same time (even If I eventually change the tune). For this I was apparently "waxing poetical" and wrote the entire lyric without a melody in mind. I handed the words off to a worship leader friend, Sean Hooper who lived with it for about 6 months. He came back with a beautiful music arrangement. During that time Sean (who's in his early 30s) battled a cancer diagnosis and with God's grace is recovering fully. The song based on I Corinthians 13, and is very special to me.
2. I WILL COME WITH A SPIRIT OF PRAISE
This was the last song to make it on the album. I had written the song in 1995, and was originally written in a minor key. Hanging out with Mary Hamilton (a black gospel diva, extrodinaire) at the Church for all People where we both attend, I wanted to write something that sounds like Mary Hamilton. Well...this is my best attempt at a black gospel song to date. Guess I've still got a ways to go! But, all in all, this is a good "call to worship" song!
This song actually came to me as a poem first. Usually when I write a song the words and melody come at the same time (even If I eventually change the tune). For this I was apparently "waxing poetical" and wrote the entire lyric without a melody in mind. I handed the words off to a worship leader friend, Sean Hooper who lived with it for about 6 months. He came back with a beautiful music arrangement. During that time Sean (who's in his early 30s) battled a cancer diagnosis and with God's grace is recovering fully. The song based on I Corinthians 13, and is very special to me.
2. I WILL COME WITH A SPIRIT OF PRAISE
This was the last song to make it on the album. I had written the song in 1995, and was originally written in a minor key. Hanging out with Mary Hamilton (a black gospel diva, extrodinaire) at the Church for all People where we both attend, I wanted to write something that sounds like Mary Hamilton. Well...this is my best attempt at a black gospel song to date. Guess I've still got a ways to go! But, all in all, this is a good "call to worship" song!
3. CHANGE THE WORLD
This song was written in response to all the negative things that was occuring at the time. The Iraq War, the greed and arrogance of the rich, the violence and blood shed in Columbus, Ohio. In fact, I 've had 2 friends gunned down in 4 years. Only Jesus Christ can rescue us from this cycle of sin. Sean Hooper wrote the haunting melody line.
4. GRATEFUL
I wrote this as an uptempo testimony to the goodness of God in my life. My prayer everyday is "Lord, help me to be grateful to You in eveything."
5. WE'VE BEEN LOVING JESUS (TOO LONG TO STOP NOW)
I wrote this in the late 90s for Ernie and Auddie Cavanaugh, two wonderful saints of God who traveled and sang for many years. Unfortunately Ernie passed away before they could record it. I decided that I'm old enough now to sing the lyric. Joining me is one of Ohio's best female gospel singers, Diane Green, also a friend to the Cavanaugh's, and I'm proud to say a great friend of mine!
6. OPEN HEART
A few years ago, the United Methodist Church used the slogan "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" for a year long campaign. Our pastor, John Edgar was preaching on each of the three ideas. My particular Sunday to lead worship was "Open Heart" so with a little prayer and piano time, out came "Open Heart".
This song was written in response to all the negative things that was occuring at the time. The Iraq War, the greed and arrogance of the rich, the violence and blood shed in Columbus, Ohio. In fact, I 've had 2 friends gunned down in 4 years. Only Jesus Christ can rescue us from this cycle of sin. Sean Hooper wrote the haunting melody line.
4. GRATEFUL
I wrote this as an uptempo testimony to the goodness of God in my life. My prayer everyday is "Lord, help me to be grateful to You in eveything."
5. WE'VE BEEN LOVING JESUS (TOO LONG TO STOP NOW)
I wrote this in the late 90s for Ernie and Auddie Cavanaugh, two wonderful saints of God who traveled and sang for many years. Unfortunately Ernie passed away before they could record it. I decided that I'm old enough now to sing the lyric. Joining me is one of Ohio's best female gospel singers, Diane Green, also a friend to the Cavanaugh's, and I'm proud to say a great friend of mine!
6. OPEN HEART
A few years ago, the United Methodist Church used the slogan "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors" for a year long campaign. Our pastor, John Edgar was preaching on each of the three ideas. My particular Sunday to lead worship was "Open Heart" so with a little prayer and piano time, out came "Open Heart".
7. HE TRAINS MY HANDS FOR WAR
Based on Psalm 144 and other scriptures, this is one of two controversial songs on the album. I wrote this in 1998 and the song is really about prayer and features violent images that take place in the spirit realm. My more liberal friends struggle with the imagery. I love this song because it's got "attitude" and it's got a great beat you can dance to! LOL
8. SCANDALOUS
This is the other controversial song on the CD. It's based on the story of the prodigal son which is really a story of the extravagant love of the Father. My conservative friends are uneasy with the lyrics in the last verse. My friend and youth pastor at Church for All People, Chris Sunami wrote the music and helped arrange it.
Based on Psalm 144 and other scriptures, this is one of two controversial songs on the album. I wrote this in 1998 and the song is really about prayer and features violent images that take place in the spirit realm. My more liberal friends struggle with the imagery. I love this song because it's got "attitude" and it's got a great beat you can dance to! LOL
8. SCANDALOUS
This is the other controversial song on the CD. It's based on the story of the prodigal son which is really a story of the extravagant love of the Father. My conservative friends are uneasy with the lyrics in the last verse. My friend and youth pastor at Church for All People, Chris Sunami wrote the music and helped arrange it.
9. I DON'T LOVE YOU (LIKE I USED TO)
I put this old picture up because that's how I looked when I first wrote this song! I wrote the lyrics and some music to it in 1981. A musician friend of mine loved the words and together we re-wrote the music and the lyrics to fine tune it. The original song was about some lost love of mine whom I've since forgotten. We shopped the song in Nashville hoping to get a cut, but to no avail. In the mid 90s, I got the song out again and began writing it with a spiritual perspective. Later in 2005 I added the bridge to the song. This is the song that took 30 years to record! My thanks to Ron Baumann for co-writing!
10. REIGN, JESUS, REIGN
I wrote this in the mid 90s as worship leader for Frontline Church of God. We probably sang it a thousand times.
11. TEN THOUSAND DOORS
Once again the United Methodist Church had a campaign, this one for 4 years I believe, to encourage their churches to "Open Ten Thousand Doors" to introduce people to Christ. This song was inspired by all the ministry that goes on at UM Church for all People in Columbus and by the words of our pastor who challenges us weekly to "think outside the box" so we can open another door.
12. JESUS IS MY DAILY BREAD
Our associate pastor, Donita Harris preached on this exact subject, and as I was leading worship that Sunday, wrote this little ditty for the service. When I took it to Nashville to record I realized then the song wasn't long enough. So, I told my producer to add a musical verse, and Lord willing, I'll fill it in with something new when we do the final vocals. Verse 2, the "tempted" verse was added just in the nick of time!
I wrote this in the mid 90s as worship leader for Frontline Church of God. We probably sang it a thousand times.
11. TEN THOUSAND DOORS
Once again the United Methodist Church had a campaign, this one for 4 years I believe, to encourage their churches to "Open Ten Thousand Doors" to introduce people to Christ. This song was inspired by all the ministry that goes on at UM Church for all People in Columbus and by the words of our pastor who challenges us weekly to "think outside the box" so we can open another door.
12. JESUS IS MY DAILY BREAD
Our associate pastor, Donita Harris preached on this exact subject, and as I was leading worship that Sunday, wrote this little ditty for the service. When I took it to Nashville to record I realized then the song wasn't long enough. So, I told my producer to add a musical verse, and Lord willing, I'll fill it in with something new when we do the final vocals. Verse 2, the "tempted" verse was added just in the nick of time!
