There is neglected gold lying about in dusty hymnals. Due to an understandable desire to create songs that appeal to contemporary tastes, there has been a gradual turning away from some of the most profound expressions of Christian faith that can be found outside of the Bible itself. Writers like Charles Wesley, Isaac Watts, John Newton, and Fanny J. Crosby composed dozens, even hundreds, of powerful spiritual songs. To Anna Laetitia Waring, who created, 'My Heart is Resting,' I owe a huge debt. Her words gleam like sparkling gems. Learning them and singing them was like a spiritual transfusion, giving me hope and comfort in dark times. Martin Luther's 'A Mighty Fortress' was a song I used to sing defiantly while walking the halls of York University. Let the demons hear the truths of that mighty man of faith! I don't know how many of these hymns I will record, but I intend to work on them between original projects. My voice is no longer as strong as it once was, so my range doesn't make singing some of these easy, but the substance of these songs is words preserving for any listener who would like to be blessed, refreshed, and enriched.
