It’s the first New Music Friday of 2008, and 11 days until the release of my new album on 1/15. I can’t believe it’s finally time to release a new record. It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve had new music out. These things take time…

I picked this song "Life Inside You," for today, because it felt like a fitting theme for the new year. check out my myspace page to hear the song and watch webisode 4 of making the album. Here’s the story behind the song:

"Life Inside You"

I wanted to write songs for this record that weren’t afraid to talk about real life. Real struggles, real issues, real problems. This is one of those songs. I think sometimes there is a fear that comes with talking, or in my case, singing about real life. But I’m not afraid, because every song about real life is an opportunity to sing about the real hope that can be found in Jesus.
A teenage girl was devastated when she found out she was pregnant. She hadn’t been dating the boy very long, and was contemplating abortion. The boy was facing his own battle, with drugs. Addiction was changing him, and stealing any hope for a good life. With both situations I saw darkness. I saw discouragement. But somehow, in the center of what seemed like a hopeless situation I kept thinking about the tiny heart that was beating, and the life that was hanging in the balance.
She kept the baby. It’s a boy. They got sober, and got married. Redemption is real. God is never done with us, no matter how far in the wrong direction we may wander. A real world with real problems can find real hope, and grace can give new life inside all of us.
Maybe you’re starting this new year struggling to see any signs of life in your own world. Maybe this song is you. I just want you to know that God can be that new life inside of you. Just whisper a prayer, He’ll hear you. He’s waiting to hear from you every day. He has what you need, let Him be the LIFE inside you.

-mw