"Speak to Me" - Story Behind the Song

If you don't like long stories, scroll to the bottom!

The year 1996 became the spring board that literally propelled me into songwriting. God first began working in me through songwriting during this year of my life. Two monumental things happened that year that impacted me greatly. I was about 15 at the time, so they may not seem so monumental to you, but they were to me at the time.

The first "monumental" event was that I gave up playing the violin, something I had been doing for 10 years. This was a really hard decision for me to make, but since playing was causing the beginnings of (probable) tendonitis in my wrist and also giving me neck pain, my parents and I both felt that quitting was the best thing. Music was a very important part of my life, of me, really. Out of desperation, I began playing around on the piano and my mom taught me the basics of chords. I couldn't have thought at the time that God had a very special plan for me that could on occur by taking away my ability to play the violin. It seemed to me, at the time, to be a tremendous loss and an incredible waste of so much time and effort. However, the piano opened up a door in my heart that led me to the secret place where the Lord makes music and inspires new songs. I didn't see it then, but it's crystal clear now. {smile}

  The second "monumental" even that impacted my life greatly later in my 15th year was my grandma being diagnosed with cancer, the prognosis not hopeful. I was very close to her and she was a special person in my life. Knowing she would die within a year or two was hard to accept and caused great pain in my heart. When you're 15, things like this really shake up your world. This news and revelation certainly did that for me.  

The Lord gave me this song during that time of wrestling with my grandma's suffering and impending death, which gave me great encouragement and comfort during this time. Right before my Grandma passed away, a friend of my family's made it possible for me to make a recording of this song and I was able to share the finished product with her. How sweet that God gave me that special opportunity!

  So, that is the story behind "Speak to Me" and the Lord has continued giving me songs ever since! And wouldn't you know it, that song is how my husband became interested in me. Kind of a silly thing, I know, but God used it for a variety of purposes - good purposes! =)

I hope that no matter what you are walking through or the turmoil going on inside of you, that you will pray these simple words:

"God, speak to me in my heart, calm the storm raging in my mind. Give me peace, just speak it to my soul. Speak to me, speak to me, Jesus."

You can listen to and download "Speak to Me" for free HERE and view the lyrics HERE.

All glory to Jesus,
Adriel

"Whom Shall I Fear" - Story Behind the Song

  

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?"

Psalm 27:1

  
This familiar passage was a source of comfort to me through a difficult and painful time in my life in regard to a relationship, watching someone very dear to me make bad decisions that brought pain to others close to me. The Lord was constantly reminding me not to get side-tracked with this situation, but there were many times when my emotions took over and got me away from my Goal.

  These were the times of struggle, the storms of life, the waves of doubt that I talk about in this song. Life is always going to be throwing wild cards at us. Painful experiences, unexpected situations and changes, hardships we are not prepared for.

  But thanks be to God that the shadow of His wings covers and hides us, that the light of our salvation can penetrate through the lies and the fears, declaring to us that the nature of God has not changed, regardless of what we are passing through and that He is and always will be our refuge amidst the many things we pass through in this life.

  You can listen to and download "Whom Shall I Fear" for free HERE and read the lyrics HERE.

  I hope it is an encouragement to you and that you have a blessed day.

All glory to Jesus,
Adriel

"I Exist for You" - Story Behind the Song

   Today, I am sharing the recording and lyrics for the song "I Exist for You" and the background of this song.

  From my journal entry for 11/24/2005:

  "God works in wonders! I can have faith in the God who made the world from nothing! And from this faith, I have righteousness.
  God, give me the faith to believe in You. To believe that You can do anything and everything. Nothing is beyond You. Nothing is above you. You created everything that exists and it all exists for You. You've ordained every minute of my life and planned out the path for my life. It is all for You, Jesus. It is all for You."
  
  On a Wednesday night gathering back in 2005, we were studying Romans and on this particular week we had studied chapter 4. My dad shared and his insights, along with with the Lord revealing His word to us, gave all of us such a clear picture about faith and righteousness. It was incredibly amazing!
  
  The next evening, I was going back over the chapter and I wrote the journal entry (which I quoted in this post) and alongside it the words for this song. This song was written in five minutes. That is truly the Lord!

Here is a link where you can listen to and download for free "I Exist for You" (you may have to make an account to listen, but it's free and painless) and also a link to view the lyrics.

I hope it encourages you!

All glory to Jesus,
Adriel

Hiding Place

   Last night I started singing a simple chorus of a new song forming in my heart. I spent some time today looking at the verse in particular that the chorus originated from. 

"You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

"You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word." Psalm 119:114

   I don't think I read a book from the Bible more than I do the book of Psalms. There's just something about it that captures me, draws me in and leaves me so encouraged. My heart feels lighter, my step is firmer, and my faith is moored deeper. I'm not putting down the whole Bible - the entire Book is good! The Psalms just have a special way of speaking to me. Perhaps it may be that they are, in a sense, songs. It could be the songwriter in me that is drawn to them. Or just the combination of poetry and truth woven together in such a beautiful way - that could be it. Whatever the case may be, I am thankful for them.

   I've got some ideas for this song mulling around in my head and also scribbled in my journal. I'll be able to work on it this evening probably and get it cleaned up. Looking forward to sharing it with you!

All glory to Jesus,

Adriel