Behind the Song: Build An Altar
I was asked to lead worship at a weekend retreat for young adults. The speaker's message was entitled: "Altars of Remembrance." After reviewing his outline and looking over the songs I had prayerfully chosen, I realized I was missing that “key” song to accompany the retreat title. I completely identified with the message as he relayed how the Israelites would stop along their journey and build an altar to God. These altars were built in remembrance of how God met them in their time of need, performed miracles on their behalf, fulfilled the promises of His word, and answered their prayers. In my own life God has met me in countless ways. Some were obvious outward occurrences, but most were so deeply personal that they only make sense to me. In this place of introspection I remembered how I felt in my early twenties and how far I have come in my walk with God since then. So many altars could have been erected along the way. I felt led to write this missing worship song for the retreat. The words to this song are a reflection of my own journey. God can see past all the exterior junk to the truth of my soul, and yet He repeatedly reaches to pick me up and dust me off. This He does in His unending mercy knowing full well that I will stumble and fall at His feet time and time again. As I completed the song, I felt God tell me that I am building an altar with my music ministry. Each song that I write becomes a "living stone" in my altar. With the music written to glorify Jesus, His power comes to change lives and encourage the listeners. This is my prayer for my ministry and for the lives I might touch for the Kingdom. What could be a better title for my first CD?

Behind the Song: Hold On To The Mountain
One night in a dream I wrote and performed a song with my friend Kim for my daughter Megan. I woke up, grabbed a cup of coffee, and ran to my computer to jot down the song’s lyrics and began working out the chords for the melody with my guitar. In an hour or less I had the whole song written, chorded and ready to sing. Song writing is something I do, but never that fast. My friend Kim is now my producer (along with doing everything else) and we have just completed Megan’s song in time for her 24th birthday, June 9th. I cannot share with the world the hills and valley’s we have experienced together, but I can tell you that life has not been an easy journey for Megan thus far. As a mom, my faith has been tested and challenged in all sorts of ways. My mother’s heart is counting on God’s promises for an awesome testimony in her future. If you are reading this, I would really appreciate it if you would lift my sweet daughter in prayer. Megan, this song is for you. I love you, Mom

"Goodbye Lullaby" Link to Song Page and Story

"Master Weaver" song bio & dedication
A menagerie is defined as a collection or mixture kept especially for exhibition, often times referring to wild animals. The French Methodical Encyclopedia defines a menagerie as an “establishment of luxury and curiosity.” We are likened to this word in that we are a curiously wild collection established by and belonging to God

In high school I read a story called “The Glass Menagerie.” In my song, Master Weaver, the word ‘menagerie’ reminds me of a collection of glass or crystal contained in a curio. Glass figures on display glisten and sparkle as the light shines through them. Facets and intricate patterns of color are revealed as the light dances in and out of each translucent creation and as one reflects the light to another. What a beautiful display! However, when the light is shut off the little works of art aren’t quite as alluring. It’s harder to distinguish what they were meant to be, and some seem to become dark, featureless or invisible.

What a picture of the human race. A curiously different lot, we are on display much like these glass sculptures. We are God’s masterpiece and there are many aspects of who we were created to be woven into who we are. (Psalm 139) I’m sure that by giving us free will, God waits in excited anticipation to see what we will do with it. Will we choose to love Him with it? Will we serve him? Will we include Him at all in our lives as we explore the world He created? Are we an establishment of luxury or curiosity? God so clearly indicates to us in His word that He created us as a luxury. The definition of luxury is an indulgence rather than a necessity that is excessively expensive. He certainly did not need us to complete Himself, but instead He created us out of His love.

Since the beginning of our existence, we have proven to be excessively expensive, even costing God the sacrifice of His own son. And yet, He continues to pursue and desire a relationship with us, willing to leave the flock to go after the one who has used their free will to walk away from His friendship. (Luke 15)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the light that illuminates our soul by awakening the spirit born inside every human. We are each a complex collection of individuality and when we allow Jesus to shine through us, our lives become unimaginably beautiful. The varied and wild facets in our design begin to appear as we willingly allow them to be held captive by a Loving Savior. We reflect His love to one another and our best is offered for His glory. We are His personal collection of devotion on display for the splendor of a loving God.

"Master Weaver"
dedicated to WOVEN
"Women of Value in Every Nation"
Sandy presenting CD to Renee Cobb, Founder of WOVEN