Life on Purpose

In the fall of 2006 I did a Bible study on the book of Daniel by Beth Moore.  It challenged my comfortable middle-America, soccer-mom lifestyle to the core.  Daniel lived in a culture that was calling him to compromise his Godly beliefs on a daily, if not hourly basis.  I decided to embrace the rest of my God-given life and live it purposefully, like Daniel did so well.  So with a new resolve came a new song!


Be Brave

I wrote "Be Brave" for SSM Health Care's Corporate Leadership Conference in 2008.  The theme was "Courageous Leadership".  While brainstorming the idea, I though of the abundance of stories in scripture where common people were faced with overwhelming circumstances.  With a bold resolve to be strong and have faith in God, who's sovereign over all, they overcame amazing odds.  I have had to remind myself of this again and again in my trials, but I'm seeing God "show up" more with each step I take in faith.


Common Deeds

In a world of 6 billion+ people, I feel very small.  But occasionally I'll hear a story of one person's small deed affecting multitudes in a profound way.  There is a great quote from Mother Theresa that says, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love".  It's the little things done for others that help our world to be a much better place and shine a light on God's goodness!


She Gets Grace

I have a special place in my heart for adoption.  My husband and I adopted our daughter from China 10 years ago.  I also spent some time volunteering at a Crisis Pregnancy Center a few years ago.  It was there that I became aware of the wounds that abortion leaves in a woman's soul for years, even decades, following an abortion.  This song arose from these combined experiences and is based on Galatians 4:4-7.  God's grace is so utterly amazing.  My hope is that it will set many free as they choose to be held by His rich forgiveness and adopted into His "forever family". 


Back to Eden

A month after Hurricane Katrina tore into the Louisiana and Mississippi coastlines, I was still haunted by the images that played on the news day after day.  My heart longed for Heaven like no other time in mylife.  I remember one fall day looking out my kitchen window through tear-filled eyes to see a beautiful line of autumn colored trees glowing amidst the back drop of a dark-gray, cloudy sky.  The juxtaposition of beauty and imminent storms reminded me once again of our fall from Eden.  I cried out loud to God to bring us back to Eden, thinking of a day when all will be made right.  This hope of Heaven is the only thing that can pull me through devastating times of fear, pain and even death.  Christ is my hope of Glory!


Whisper Your Mercy

My dear friend, Karen Michel, writes beautiful poetry.  A couple of years ago she sent me a poem she wrote after reading the account of Elijah hiding in a cave from 1 King 19:9-12.  I was so moved by the imagery in her words that I needed to set it to music.  I have been like Elijah, hiding in fear and all but giving up on God.  I'm so grateful God did not strike Elijah dead, or punish him, or even yell at him.  He whispered His love.  How beautiful is that?!


Have Your Way

Most of my songs take a lot of time to write.  This one just sprung up in my mind one afternoon and was done by the next day.  I love folk and bluegrass music and decided to try my hand at it myself.  It's a song of surrender, but one you can tap your feet to.


Speak to Me

This song came from another poem Karen wrote.  Sometimes when we need to hear from God the most, we hear mostly silence.  This came from a place of quiet, intense desperation. There are barely words to describe thoughts prayed in anguish in the middle of a long night, but that is exactly what this song is - a prayer of longing for God to speak.


I'll Sing

I wrote this song for my friend after she went through a painful divorce.  While I believe God hates divorce, I also believe God allows free choice.  In her case, as much as she tried to save her marriage, she couldn't do it by herself.  It takes two.  In my attempt to remind her of God's goodness and healing power, I wrote her this song.  It's really good to hear her singing again.


Carry On

This song was written for SSM Health Care's "Our Heritage of Healing" presentation and subsequent documentary DVD.  The Franciscan Sisters of Mary have held on to their mission to "reveal the healing presence of God" through the most dire circumstances.  Many have lost their lives to save the lives of those in need.  This is dedicated to them and their awe-inspiring lives.  God is glorified!