Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

  I wrote this song shortly after 911.  Can you believe it's been 20 years?   This song is perfect for our times now - a reminder to run to Christ when world events baffle and disturb us.   He provides peace. He provides reassurance. He reminds me that He is in absolute control and that He knows exactly what He is doing. We need never fear when we belong to Jesus. We need only stay close to Him and He will protect, provide, and heal. He delivers. He restores. He mends. No other place or person in the world can give us what Jesus does.  Won't you come to Him today? Lord Jesus, You are the One I run to.  You are the One who's there for me.  Thank You for this awesome and wonderful truth, Lord Jesus.  I love You.  Please stay close to Me not only in times of distress or disturbance, but always.  Please give me more of Your wisdom in all things, Lord.  Thank You that I can trust You even when things don't make sense to me.  In Your Name I pray.  Amen.

I am an artist.  As an artist, truth is very important to me.  Seeking it, wanting it, finding it, revealing it. I want to get to the heart of the matter in life, in others, in my environment, and just plain everywhere. And therein lies the bane of my existence!  Why?  Because "All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players," said Shakespeare. Most people live in denial of the truth - about God, about life, about themselves.  So when people like me come along, they get uncomfortable.  "You're rocking the boat!"  "We like the little world we've created for ourselves - even if it is a house of cards!" I am drawn to those who "tell it like it is."  I admire those who are themselves no matter what others think of them.  They won't be kowtowed into the status quo, or bullied into believing the latest ism.  They stay true to themselves, who God made them to be. They don't find it necessary to "play act" t