Turn to Him

1. Praise the Lord! 

This is a straightforward song of praise to God, simply because He is worthy and deserves our praise. He has done so many great and marvelous things. 

2. Turn to Him 

This was written for a friend who really seemed to be struggling at the time - with parents, with friends, with so many things. I wanted so badly to help, but sometimes there's nothing we can do except try to point them towards Jesus Christ. "Turn to Him" for the answers, Chrissy... 

3. Holy Spirit, Fill Me Now 

There are times when I'm sure I can't go on, that I truly "can't handle all the strain"... yet God is faithful. He promised His spirit as a comforter and a guide. This song is, in part, a plea for God to manifest His presence, His Spirit, in my life. 

4. Psalm 96 

Taken almost directly from the 96th Psalm, this song reminds us to continually sing a new song to the Lord. This one might have been the most fun recording the vocals... It's not often that I get to sing all four parts (and then some!). And Jeff's "something different" idea (the underlying bass vocal part on the last choruses) was truly a winner! 

5. We're Here Because We Love You, Lord 

Why do we gather with other believers? Out of obedience to Him who has called us to not "neglect the gathering together"... and because it gives us the opportunity to publicly thank Him and proclaim the things He's done for us. Besides that, it's generally a lot of fun, too! 

6. Hallelujah 

Sometimes a simple word of praise is all we can utter... The bulk of this song came to me in an evening - simply the word "Hallelujah", over and over and over... The song grew out of that simple praise - and a desire to sing to Him as the angels might. 

7. In Your Presence 

This song was written in preparation for a men's gathering. It tells of a 3-fold response to Jesus Christ: looking (turning my eyes) to Him, lifting my hands (offering what I have and what I can do), and finally, by giving Him my heart. 

8. We Will Worship 

As a corporate body, our congregation is truly a "worshiping church", lifting our voices and lifting our hands. This song was written to verbalize what I felt to be the heart of our church - a recognition that God truly is on the throne, and that we WILL worship Him. 

9. Your Choice 

This is another song written for a friend... I found myself wanting very much to decide for them, to make their choices for them, to live for the Lord. But each of us has to decide for ourself...

10. My Child 

This song is truly a heart-level cry - a longing to know the love of God in Christ. It was written in a single evening, towards the end of this CD project, in part inspired by the "Jesus banner" shown above (thank you, Tanya Fuhrman, for being obedient with your talents!!). Sometimes, it seems that everything really is crumbling and tumbling down around us... and all we have to hold onto is love - our love for each other, and most importantly, the love of God for each one of us, whom He gladly calls "My child". This was probably the most difficult song to sing in the studio, because the final takes were done when my boys were at the studio with me ... and there I was, looking out at my two boys, trying to keep it together while singing, "I love you, my child..." 

11. You Are My God 

The text for this song is taken from Psalm 62 and 63, and varies (as David often did) between singing about God and singing directly to Him. And yeah, that really is me singing the high part in the bridge. Although I had written it a bit earlier, I chose to sing this song at my newest nephew's dedication service. My prayer, Andrew James, is that your life (and my own) will truly be dedicated to blessing the Lord as long as we live. 

12. The Lord God Almighty Reigns 

I've always had a bit of good-old-fashioned rock-n-roll in me, and when I again read through various parts of Revelation, I just couldn't resist. I guess I can't say for sure that there will be rock-n-roll in heaven, but I can almost picture the angels clapping and dancing and singing at the tops of their lungs (do angels even have lungs?), "The Lord God Almighty reigns!!"