Absolute Atonement
At a service during Passion Week each person would receive a nail that they would hold until it came time for the Lord’s Supper. At the front of the church was a cross next to the communion table that had the elements. Each person by row would, in turn, walk to the front, face the cross and drop the nail in a metal bucket before taking the elements. “With every nail that bore my name”, was the first line I was inspired to write.
All I Ever Need
While watching the Championship Parade of the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers I was struck by the excitement of the fans and people waving banners and towels. While watching I heard in my heart: If you think this is exciting imagine what it will be like when we get to cheer for Him as one in heaven! The line: “To cheer with your saints’ raise your banner high”, came from that time and expresses throughout “It’s all I want or ever need”.
Dad’s Song
When my Father in Law, who loved and served the Lord, died, my pastor suggested that I pick the bible readings, the songs, the speakers– organize the entire service. I couldn’t find a song to express the joy of being with the Lord forever. After struggling for a day or two to find the right song I heard: “you write it”– Dad’s song was born. I didn’t want to say good-bye to my Dad, so “forevermore” continues at the end ……
Audience of One
The title of the CD “Audience of One” comes from a book on worship I read years ago. The author stated in worship God is the Audience not the people! This always stuck with me. It was close to going into studio with no title song and I wondered if I should have a song of the CD with that title. That night I went to sleep and while sleeping I heard a new song. I awoke, got up and hammered out the chords in front of my computer and tried to write the words but nothing! The sun was just starting to rise. I was frustrated and cried out to the Lord. I then heard: “Speak from your heart, what are you trying to tell Me? ” The music in the beginning is the sun rising.
El Elyon God Most High
My wife Debby was just recovering from a serious illness and, through a blessing from God, a customer sent my wife and I to an exclusive resort in the mountains. Once we checked in that day it started to rain. Reluctantly and grumbling I headed to an indoor basketball court and started to shoot a few hoops. There was no one around. All of a sudden I started to worship and started to sing the chorus: Holy are You, Lord Almighty, Sovereign Forevermore. The more I sang it the more I just had to fall down and hide my face. My friend Sean, with the help of the pastor’s son, Robert, turned it into a rap song. If a rapper meets Jesus, he may be loud and boastful at first, but is “blown away” as he is confronted by God’s majesty–The Great I AM.
Glory to God
This song was originally written over 20 years ago and re-written with the feel of an old-time southern spiritual. It feels like a BB King piece and I am very grateful for it. The re-write was created while on a bike trail along the Delaware River when I sang into a little handheld recorder while peddling along looking at the beauty of God’s creation–for all I want to do is sing everlasting praises. I was born again to give Glory to You Lord. My earnest desire is that my praises never die — even intensify.
Holy God
A plaque hangs in my office. It has a poem that helps me keep everything in perspective. The idea is that I don’t boast or brag about being God’s child through the shed blood of His Son–just grateful I married that idea with a sermon I heard long ago with an illustration of the Cross of Jesus being a bridge between The Holy God and sinners; this sinner saved by Grace. I wrote the song facing the plaque and still have it up to this day.
Holy Spirit’s Fire
I had gotten an email from church stating that my friend was unexpectedly to have open-heart surgery the next day. I heard the Lord say: Go! I told my wife and daughter, and we got right up and went to the hospital. I thought we were sent to encourage him and His wife Martha. Upon entering the room Hank was not fearful but joyful! Not because he wanted to go through the operation, but that God was in control and he had the peace of a man filled with the Holy Spirit, glorifying the God he loved with all his heart. We see it in everyone who knows, we see it in their eyes, that special glow, the Holy Spirit’s Fire–the words will always remind me of how Hank ministered to me that day.
God’s Greatest Plan
I had always wanted to write a Christmas song and a couple of weeks before Christmas I was given this song. Based on John chapter one where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, some of my favorite lyrics ever are: the Lamb is in His mercy seat, the manger and the judge. “He’s come to bring HIS peace” not us peace–for God’s Plan was through His Son and our King. To everyone else, He is a baby in a beautiful Christmas story that never grows up nor has the power and glory of the Father. How Sad!
It’s All About You
For anyone who knows me they will attest to the fact that this song is a miracle–me writing a song with a reggae’ beat! I couldn’t do a reggae’ beat if I was jettisoned to Key West. But thank God it’s not about me–and that’s the point! The hook came on the many occasions I would discuss with Sean and my other worship team members how I had failed, and we would always end up to the point it’s not about us it’s all about Jesus. So, when we mess up, He steps up! Aren’t You glad? I sure am!
Hosanna
This is one of my two throne-room songs. It was written after the tragic death of one of my worship team buddies Mike Shaw at the prime of his life. The music endeavors to paint the picture of the believer approaching the throne of Grace and as he gets closer, the music builds and the kettle drums stand out as thunder, till he reaches the throne. Then the Lord says: “Well done good and faithful servant enter into your rest”, and the end is the chorus of voices fading out. I will be doing a sequel on the next CD coming this summer.
Rock Me In Your Arms
Another miracle. I wrote a song that actually had a jazz feel to it. (I can just hear my base player buddies saying: “this from a man that couldn’t even do a counter rhythm!”) It also has a feel [sorry guys] of Disco! Well God created all music, even Disco! Sometimes you just want to be held. Late one night, due to a tough day, I couldn’t sleep, so I got up sat and tinkered with the guitar. While playing the God led to Matthew 11and He ministered to me, rocked me in His Arms and revived my spirit and taught me that night that His burden is light, once You release it to Him!
The Lamb Upon the Throne
The second of the throne-room songs was written with one of my team buddies Vic, at his house. We were playing and worshiping and the verses just came out. The scene and music builds up to the chorus where every knee joyfully bows and every tongue gratefully confesses that Jesus is Lord of All! The bridge at the end was written while waiting impatiently to see a pastor friend of mine. He was a little late and I was upset, but God used that time to give me: “our hearts are united in worship to You”. As to the feel at the end, I had always wanted to do a cool ending like a “Hey Jude” or “Layla” but in a way that it would be a glory to God. With the help of some wonderful musicians and sound mastering, praise the Lord, He provided.
