On September 14, 2018, we captured the sound of hundreds of women warring through their circumstances with weapons of worship. Our live album recording, The Way We War, features songs written in the midst of pain, uncertainty, sickness and grief. They are declarations of the faithfulness and love of God in the darkest of times. They are songs that break chains and shake darkness. They are songs that bring our eyes back into focus- back to Him. These five women are the writers of those songs. In the coming days, we’ll be sharing their song stories along with the song videos from the night of the live recording.
Song Stories
Declare
There is a beautiful ecosystem in the kingdom of God. Rom 8:28 - ALL things work together for good. Late 2017, the call went out over social media for the young son of @joeltaylor and @janie_taylor. As a mom, it immediately gripped my heart and every morning and evening, our family prayed over his life to be given back to this family. Even though I tried to walk in belief, I could feel doubt trying to pull me into an undesirable ending. Several times a day, I would check for an update, expecting to hear the worst, all the while praying for the opposite. Then, one Sunday morning, when I checked for any news, the Lord clearly spoke, “Charity, you need to change your expectation.” In that moment, the fear and doubt vanished and this song was born. A declaration of seeing things from above - of speaking life into EVERY situation, no matter how hopeless it may seem. This song has become an anthem for our church and for many others as well and is definitely my theme song for this new year. There is a beautiful ecosystem in the kingdom of God...he turns a little boy’s near death experience into a song of hope for those who will never even know him.
Even Still
“I have been a type 1 diabetic for 28 years. I’m insulin dependent which basically means I have to wear an insulin pump 24/7 in order to live. Since day one of being diagnosed, I've believed in the power of the Lord’s healing. Yet, I always felt like it was for everyone else - that my disease was too big. But anytime prayer was happening, I had my hand raised. Many times I would receive what was being declared over me only to be met with another high or low blood sugar. I have cried out many times, "Lord, all You require is faith the size of a mustard seed, and I have that! I know You are a Healer, why won’t You heal me? Why do I feel like You are passing me by?" But last year I came to the women's conference at Hope, and Katie Levell spoke about her mom’s cancer battle. Even until her her last breath, Katie believed in the goodness of the Lord for her mom, and that the Lord could heal her and raise her up. I wanted that kind of faith! I immediately felt this stirring in my heart...a song nugget as I call it. I knew the Lord was doing something and I couldn't wait to get home and get started. I had an incredible encounter with the Holy Spirit that day that shifted everything for me. As I got in my car to leave, I was full of joy and excitement... and adrenaline. The adrenaline caused my blood sugar to spike really high. By the time I got home, I had developed a horrific migraine that left me sobbing on my bathroom floor from sickness and pain. But I began saying out loud, "YOU ARE GOOD!! EVEN STILL, YOU ARE GOOD. I refuse to let Satan steal this day from me.” I shifted my perspective right then and there. Over the next few days, I began writing, “Even Still.” This is my declaration of his goodness. I am choosing to trust, believe and know that He will heal me. He is a promise keeper and whether it’s on this side of heaven or not, He will fulfill His promise to me. His timing is always perfect. Even Still, He is good!!”