"This song was the outcome of listening to a series of 12 teaching tapes on this subject by Kay Smith who was the wife of Chuck Smith the head of Calvary Chapel, California"

Pleasing God

"I had never experienced the silence that was in my mind after the breakup of my 14yrs marriage. In the previous 35yrs there had always been music! Even to the point of my aunt complaining after a weeks holiday at her house that I was always humming! The words of Ps 91 Dwelling in the secret place were in a daily Bible Study booklet. I realised that was where I needed to be and with that realisation the music flowed and the psalm came to life in that song and in my life."

Dwelling in the secret place

"In the early 80's I had been attending a fellowship group at Bodmin Road Church, Hull. I really don't remember how it came about that I was asked to sing at a baptism service but this was the song I wrote for him. I didn't know the man who was to be immersed so therefore didn't know his life story. After the service he was quite overcome by the experience and asked me how I had heard about his story and was amazed at my answer. The bottom line is we all have sin and shame in our past, we all have need of a Saviour and His power in our lives to turn us around. "

This is the day

"The words of this song came straight from God - they were given to a dear friend Glennis while she was praying for me (if you're reading this, thanks again honey). Doors were opened for me for jobs and entrance to a university place. I only went to talk about the course and came away with the verbal offer of a place! God is great!"

Use me, use my power

"Going to bed on my own was hard to say the least. One coping strategy I used was to recite every right I could think of that needed to be surrendered to God - my right to my husband, to be happy, to be loved, my will. It didn't stop me crying but tears have a healing power."

I surrender my life to you

""

Your healing touch

""

We join together to worship the lord

""

Time after time

"This is the hardest one to write about on this CD. It was written as a declaration of God's total support in every area of my life when I was at my lowest emotionally following the breakup of my marriage. Six months later I had contemplated suicide but my children became my reason to live. I did have an amazing experience with this song. I had gone to a young offenders prison with some friends and they asked me to sing. I chose this song without knowing why and as I began to sing I felt I had chosen wrongly - why would 18yr olds be interested in this? but as I began the chorus after the first verse you could have heard a pin drop and God was there in that room so powerfully."

You're the light in my darkness

"This one reminds me of my own foolishness - The lead up to this was a build up of petty resentment aimed at my then husband. I was getting annoyed because I felt he always assumed that if we were going anywhere in the car he would drive! So one day I bundled the girls in the car leaving him to lock up and I jumped in the drivers seat (feeling very pleased with myself) That night in that state between awake and asleep I saw a huge mansion with a lawn that sloped down to a vast expanse of water. There were workmen tidying and clearing rubbish and I realised this mansion was my life. The workmen brought out some huge hoardings with just one word written on each. One said resentment but I can't remember what the others said! The Foreman, who I realised was Jesus, said to me "take these and throw them in the water" I said "I can't carry them they are too heavy" and He said "I will help you" So together we carried them and threw them in the Sea of Forgetfulness!"

The sea of forgetfulness

"While staying with some friends I was asked how I write my songs. I explained that sometimes I base them on life circumstances and sometimes on scripture. I asked Geraldine for her favourite text and she gave me "Let your light so shine before men" and "You are the light of the world" Say no more!!"

Let your light so shine

""

Sometimes

""

Teach me

"Well here you are John - Credit where credit is due! This was written by my ex-husband John McWilliams - It's a lovely song and I enjoy hearing it still 25yrs on."

Peace of God