I recently had the privilege of performing with Sandra McCracken her new album, “In Feast or Fallow”, for her cd release show in Nashville.  If you aren’t familiar with her music, do yourself a favor and check it out on iTunes or visit her website, www.sandramccracken.com. You will not be disappointed. This is her latest project comprised of mostly old hymns, which you likely haven’t heard, set to new music.
            For the record, this is not a review. The project is amazing and beautifully done on every level from writing and arranging to producing and mixing.  But, my interest is in communicating that my heart is stirred by this album.
            I love the idea of setting old lyrics to new music. There is something beautiful about words written hundreds of years ago that resonate truth, beauty, joy, and sorrow as much today as they did then. There is a connection that reminds me that I am an eternal being that can’t be defined by mere time and date, or even geography. In a culture consumed with image and self-sufficiency the last thing we want to admit is that we’re in need or that we’re fearful. I am encouraged by the hymn writers of old that so boldly sing with honesty about their fear, yet joyously remind us that “Love cast-eth out all fear”
            In preparation of learning these songs to perform, I listened through them many times. I realized that is difficult to tell which songs were written by Sandra and which songs were written by people hundreds of years ago. This greatly impressed me, not only with the talent that it takes to do this, but also with the relevance that these hymns have and continue to have in our communities. I am hungry for the truth, grace, justice, joy and comfort that only is found in Christ, but I forget that I share this hunger with my brothers and sisters past, present, and future.