Geoff, Don Chaffer and I wrote “Saying Grace” and “The Long Way” together, and Geoff and I wrote “Find me in the Fields”. The last one is a title Geoff had brought up and I’m so glad he did because I loved it immediately. My husband and I are going camping as our last mini vacation before this new baby enters the picture, and that to me is more of a vacation than a beach resort most days. I don’t know what it is, but I do seem to find rest and hear God clearer “in the fields”, as Geoff does. The song talks about literal and metaphorical fields and is a good reminder for me to live life to the fullest.
I am proud of all the songs I got to be a part of, and I really love the rest of this record as well. The song “The wonder of kindness” is probably my favorite on the record, if I can say that. :) Even though I had no part in it! Geoff and Don wrote that one really beautifully and it moves me every time I hear it. Check out his record here!
The second record I want to tell you about is Sara Groves new project called Invisible Empires. What a great title and cover, huh?
Sara has been an inspiration for me as a singer/songwriter, woman, and believer! Her music has meant so much to me and to get to write with her for this record was really quite a privilege. I try really hard to listen to other peoples records, but more often than not it is Sara’s that I put on at the end of the day. I just can’t get enough! We wrote the song “Open my hands” together on this project. It was inspired by our conversation about the “Good things” of God. On her last record, she referenced a verse from the Psalms that talks of God withholding no good thing from those who walk uprightly. We wanted to continue that thought. A quote inspired us:
“...but how is this true, when God oftentimes withholds riches and honours and health of body from men, though they walk ever so uprightly; we may therefore know that honours and riches and bodily strength are none of God’s good things;... and the good things of God are chiefly peace of conscience and joy in the Holy Ghost in this life; fruition of God’s presence, and vision of His blessed face in the next, and these good things God never bestows upon the wicked, and never withholds from the godly.”
-Sir Richard Baker
This truth is a constant encouragement to me and Sara’s prayer in this song of opening our hands to whatever God has for us is such a great prayer. Thank you Sara! You can order Sara's record today here. (and she has a really great package deal that includes a tshirt, an instant download with bonus songs and commentary on the record)
I love writing songs. I always have... and I suspect I always will. It will look different over the years I’m sure, but the gift of being a part of projects like these has been life giving for me. I hope you’ll check them out!
