This project is over a decade in the making. As a new guitarist, I wrote my first song, Psalm 40. During that season of life the Lord allowed an emotional injury that has shaped and molded me into the worshipper that He wanted me to be. I learned to put my hope in God rather than in man.
In the years to come, God brought people across my path that He would use to heal that emotional injury (thanks Ian!), people that would show me what it means to live out my faith daily (thanks Grace family!), and people who would encourage me to use the gifting that God had given to me (thanks to my wonderful husband, Joe, and a myriad of others!).
My testimony is that God can take a broken heart and life and make it into one that is conformed to the image of His son, Jesus; one who is lead of the Holy Spirit, one that begs God to teach them His way, one that runs to God to be their shelter, one who suffers but trusts God in the suffering, one that declares God’s greatness and is willing to offer up their life to glorify Him.
My husband and I have dubbed ourselves “Christian gypsies” because God has moved us so many times. In reality, our lives should be led by the Spirit moment by moment in attitude, heart and actions. The Christian life is a journey and we have choices along the way. Do we look at trials as being something to “white knuckle” through or something to grow from? Do we choose our way or God’s way? When we choose God’s way, we become those who would declare with King David, “A day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere”! Frances Phipps 2012
Musicians
Ian Bail – Guitars, Keys, Percussion
Melissa Francis – Backing Vocals (Shelter Me)
Rebecca Marriott – Cello (Breathe on Me)
Robin Parry – Ukulele (Psalm 40A)
Frances Phipps – Vocals, Guitar (Deliverance)
Special thanks
Ian Bail for making my simple songs into wonderful music.
Margot Bail and the boys for allowing dad the time to help out a friend!
Tom & Priscilla Leonardi (mom and dad) for the helpful feedback &love
Madelyn Fernandes for being a gentle but critical critic
Dallas, Joy and Lachie for the use of your wonderful instruments.
Credits
Music & lyrics by Frances Phipps, Track 4 lyrics by Joe & Frances Phipps
Produced, Arranged and Recorded by Ian Bail @ OrchardRiseStudio, Victoria AUS
Photography by Joe Phipps, Artwork by Ian Bail www.orchardrisestudio.com
All rights reserved © 2012