Here’s the review:

”As I listened to these simple words, I realized that I say thank you so many times each day, and do I say it to Jesus that much? No, sadly no. It’s really nice when I hear a song for the first time and it opens my eyes and my heart.”

Amazing Grace may be one of the most iconic Christian songs ever written; Christian and non-Christian alike have heard it sung so many times that we’ve almost become numb to the real meaning of the song.  When I wrote my version I had no intention of sitting down and writing a new version of “Amazing Grace”.  I had no goal in mind other than expressing to God what was in my heart at the time- that His grace is so WONDERFUL, and so AMAZING!  The original words to Amazing Grace came to my mind at the time, but a new melody to express those words came out of my mouth!  It was just me, Jesus and my guitar when it happened; and so I decided to record it just like that- as simply as it came to me.

I was so happy that my first reviewer of the song “got it.”  They heard in the song what I felt when I wrote it- God’s grace is amazing and when we truly grasp that, thanks to Him will flow from our heart and lips.

I’ve spent most of my life being amazed by Jesus- I have no clue why He would love me as He does.  I certainly don’t deserve it, and yet, His tenderness, gentleness, and love are always there for me even when I’m at my worst.

I hope my song helps you to really hear the words that John Newton wrote so long ago when he penned Amazing Grace.  I hope by the time you’re done listening to the song you’re also “giving thanks to God” saying “Yes!!! Thank you Jesus, You are AMAZING!”

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” – Colossians 3:16

I became a born again Christian in the summer/fall of 1984. I give the precise time a little leeway because I can’t say exactly when it happened. I like to say that God caught me by surprise because I had no clue what was going on with me- all I knew is that my life was in transition and I was suddenly alive to the reality of Jesus and eternal things! This wasn’t like my previous ventures into astrology, astral projection, and psychic fairs. I knew that in some way I’d never be the same again- I was riveted by the Word of God and captivated by Jesus.

During that time of transition I would devour the bible; I read it morning, noon and night. I was like a great big sponge just trying to soak in as much as I could. I found Jesus in my bedroom, not in a church, so any outside influence would usually come through radio or TV. It might sound strange, but I never even really thought of going to church until many months after finding Jesus. By that time I’d already completely read the bible through twice. The more I read, the more I wanted!

During those days I was a clerk at Radio Shack. The mall where I worked was almost uninhabited and I’d often not have a customer for hours. Some days I might only have a couple customers for the whole day! I spent the time reading my bible and listening to radio preachers. After work I’d sometimes drive to a local dance club that I used to hang out at before becoming a Christian. I was gloriously free and not in the least bit legalistic. Whatever changes that were happening in my life were because I wanted them, not because somebody told me I couldn’t do this or that. So I’d drive to our local disco listening to radio preachers the whole way!

I’ll never forget one cold winter night sitting outside the bar watching the dance floor lights bounce around and light up the room while I sat in my car riveted by the Word of God that was coming through my radio. Most times the reception was not that great and I’d often lean into the dash trying to pick out the words from the crackling speaker as the AM signal went in and out of range. On that winter night I was tuned into Charles Stanley, one of my favorite radio preachers. He had a program called InTouch and I couldn’t get enough of it. I still remember the teaching series he was going through that night- “Advancing Through Adversity”. As the lights continued to flicker and the music rumbled in the bar I listened to Charles Stanley as he taught about the life of the Apostle Paul and the adversity Paul went through; and how God used it all to bring about His glorious ends. I was captivated! Riveted by the Word of God! I couldn’t move from that place until I heard the whole thing. After the broadcast was over I looked over at the bar and it’s bright lights doing patterns on the dance floor, turned on my car, and drove away. I was done- I didn’t want it anymore.

Now you have to understand, I’m not one of those Christians who believes dancing is sinful. I didn’t think that way then, and I still don’t. It went much deeper than that: I had been riveted by the Word of God, captivated by a life that was so much more than what I was living. The whole bar scene just seemed empty compared to what I saw in front of me portrayed in the pages of God’s Word. He had something better, and I wanted it! So I said goodbye to one thing and opened the door to another. It wasn’t hard to do, and nobody told me it was something I had to do- I just drove off, sure that God had something more for me than what I’d been living.

When Jesus captivates your heart, everything changes… it’s really that simple. And so I was beginning a journey with Him, a journey that would turn out to be the best move I’d ever made: Not simply leaving the bar… choosing Jesus. What happened that night, is that in one small area of my life I decided to choose Jesus. I did it simply because the vision of who He is, and what He has for me, filled my heart and mind.

Twenty six years later I’m still choosing Jesus for the same reasons: The Word of God captivates me, rivets me- opens my eyes to who He is and what He has for my life, and I can suddenly see! Not that I’ve been perfect these 26 years; far from it. If anything, I wonder why He ever came into my life and showed me mercy in the first place. The years I’ve been a Christian haven’t proved that I was somehow worthy to be His. Quite to the contrary! All the years have done is make me wonder more at His grace and love- you’re not going to find me bragging about how good I am. I’m at His feet just as I was 26 years ago, seeking forgiveness- more aware than I’ve ever been at my need of Him and what He’s done for all of us at the cross.

And I’m still riveted.

Yesterday I drove up to our apartment parking lot and couldn’t get out of the car. It was my radio again! I’m still stunned, still amazed by the Word of God and the things I find in it. I see things in it, and hear things from it, that stop me in my tracks- just makes me sit there and go “Whew! That’s God’s Word!” It’s always new no matter how many times you’ve read it. It’s always got something to say directly to me. It can stop me short, cut me to the heart, and blow away all my excuses; it can comfort me in it’s next breath. It never ceases to amaze me, and never fails to reveal my amazing Savior, Jesus Christ.

A sister in the Lord named “Trudy” created and posted some videos with my music to YouTube.  She chose the song, “Those You Love“, and I was blessed by how wonderfully she captured God’s heart of love.  The song is about how God’s discipline is meant to bring us back to Him and ultimately make us more like Him.  I’m the kind of person who seems to learn things the hard way, so I knew what I was talking about when I wrote the song!  I write and sing a lot about following Jesus but that doesn’t mean I’m an expert at it by any means.  One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that God doesn’t just give up on us.  I’m grateful that His Spirit strives with me when I wander, because I know His goal is to bring me into the love of God that’s in Jesus. 

“And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.”  (Hebrews 12:5)

The tone of my song is thankfulness to God because I realize that even in my stupid rebellion and times of sin He just doesn’t give up on me. … I’m His son!  “Thank you Jesus that you’ve brought me back again and again, and your love is true!”

“Behold!  The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

If He can bear the whole world’s sin
then who am I to say to Him,
that mine is just too much?

Surely such a sacrifice
is worth my very heart and life…
Look at how He bled and died,
Look at how He loves me!” 

I hardly need to say a word about my lyrics for today… God’s love is amazing!  He has power to forgive sins, but not just power… more than enough power!  When I start to believe that my sin is just too bad to forgive, or that I’ve sinned the same sin one too many times to be forgiven, I remember that Jesus’ death was powerful enough to take away the whole world’s sin! 

“He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”  (1 John 2:2)

Think about it:  That’s the whole world’s sin for all time, not just my lifetime.  If He can do that, then who am I to say that mine is just too much to forgive?  There’s mercy for you in Jesus, and not just enough, but overflowing, overwhelming mercy, far exceeding any sin you have committed.  The power of what Jesus did on the cross for you, is greater than your capacity to sin.  In all ways His blood shed on the cross is enough; you cannot sin more than He is able to forgive!  That’s how powerful His sacrifice for you is!

Now, having said that, there is something you can do if you want to continue on and die in your sin… You can turn your back on Jesus and say no to His forgiveness, but why would you?

Doesn’t a love like His demand your very heart and life?  Do you really want to walk away from the One who loves you more than anyone else in all the world, whose love goes beyond the grave and promises to be there for you throughout eternity?  Look at how He loves you!  He paid the penalty for sins you committed and offers you eternal life!  He doesn’t accuse you of sins you’ve committed, but washes them away!

“Surely such a sacrifice
is worth my very heart and life…
Look at how He bled and died,
Look at how He loves me!”

How do you become a Prodigal son or daughter?  It’s not that hard really; all you have to do is walk away from the Father’s love.  Sometimes we just walk away and everyone knows it; we go back to the pigpen of the world and it’s obvious to everyone.  Sometimes it happens like erosion; we don’t even know how we got where we are.  We’re still “talkin’ the talk”, going to church, smiling our Christian smile… but if we just stop to think about it, there’s nothing inside; it’s not real anymore.  You’ve become a prodigal. 

The scariest thing is that you can be a Prodigal and not even know it!  Jesus tells the church of Laodicea that they are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked”… but they have no clue! They have “Prodigal” written all over their foreheads but don’t see it at all. You can look, sound, and act like a Christian… and be a million miles away from your Father’s house.

I wrote this song because I’ve been there, and it just seemed such a strange contradiction to be a “Child of the King” and be so empty inside. Our Father’s heart is that we’d come to our senses and return home. He’s so ready to receive us with open arms!

The Prodigal Son:  Luke 15:11-31

The song, “It Shouldn’t Be Like That”  is available at iTunes and amazon.com .  Also available on my site here, and at CD Baby here , and at other download sites.