How did I miss the memo that Steven Curtis Chapman had a new album?!?! Wow, I really must be slacking in my stalking of him. Have no fear though, thanks to iTunes, I am rocking to This Moment at this moment. Here’s are the highlights…

Miracle Of The Moment: The album opens with a truth that we all need to hear. Life is now. Don’t miss it because you are so concerned with what has happened or what might happened. God is the only one who knows what comes next. Live by faith and make your life matter now… in these moments.
Broken: “I’m just a well dressed wreck / I’m just a made up mess / working hard trying to keep everybody impressed / All the while I’m falling apart on the inside…” It’s this honesty that makes this one of my favorite tracks on the cd. Who hasn’t felt this way? Probably not many. There’s no need to pretend that we’re something we aren’t We’re human… but as he reminds us, “We’re all broken. We all need a Savior.”

Cinderella: I want this song at my wedding. I want to dance with my father and try not to cry to this song. I’m crying now as I listen to it. This is the classic father/daughter song. “I will dance with Cinderella while she is here in my arms…Because all too soon the clock will strike midnight, and she will be gone.” If you’re not the least bit choked-up, you might wanna see a doctor.:)

Yours: London… Uganda… Nashville… Singapore… Manila… all of creation is Yours. This is the Speechless of 2007. The declaration that all we are… all we do… all we have is Yours. What a reminder in a world where who we are is based on what we have when we really have nothing that isn’t His blessing. There’s a challenge buried in the lyrics

Something Crazy: This is definitely the Dive or Signs of Life of this album. Catchy, lyrics with Mraz-like tongue twisters tied into real-world stories. It’s hard not to bop along to this classic SCC tune.

Children of God: Oh what the kids can teach the adults… this song showcases the influences of Chapman’s sons and has an almost Stellar Kart-esque feeling. With Will pitching in on a verse, its great to see SCC staying true to who he is without growing stagnant.

My Surrender: A modern-day I Surrender All. “All my plans. All my dreams. I lay it all down at Your feet. I am Yours.“I’m a control freak and saying ‘I give it all to you’ is one of the hardest things I must do… but we must.

One Heartbeat At A Time: A simple tribute to motherhood that warms your heart and makes you wanna call your mom and thank her for being who she is. No matter the struggle…. mothers, you are changing the world one little heartbeat at a time. (Yeah, it tugs on your ovaries )

You Are Being Loved: What a welcome reminder in a world that craves to belong, be accepted, be loved. No matter who you are…. ‘you are being loved.’

Definition Of Me: Poppy… happy but honest. Who we are is who He made us. “It is Your that defines me and reminds me that it’s not what I do…”

With One Voice: This is SCC’s first real worship song. What an awesome pairing, his honest song-writing with a desire to worship and a dash of Matt Redman. “Oceans divide us, but we sing together. Now what defines us is our love for You.” Not his usual album-closing, ballad, but an upbeat and rousing, this is a worship song not full of fluff but the honesty of worship. I love it.

Run Home: SCC saves the best for last on this cd. I’m so thankful that I was so impatient I had to have it off of iTunes tonight because my favorite song on the album is a bonus track. I’m pretty sure he wrote thing song specifically for me and know it will be on repeat for the next month. It’s like I can hear him saying, “Yes, I know you’re tired… weary… heartbroken and have lost hope… but this is not all there is for you… Run wild. Run free. Like a river on its way to the sea. Show your heart. Show your face. Let the fire inside you blaze. Run brave. Run strong. Throw your head back and sing out your song. Run wild. Run free. Run home.’”
It’s really no wonder that Steven Curtis Chapman is my all-time favorite song-writer. Whether it’s Christmas and I’m 15 with Signs of Life, 17 and in the backseat of the family van with Speechless, 20 and sitting on the floor of the BSM with Declaration, 23 and in my car jamming to All About Love, or 26 and touched by This Moment, his music never fails to speak to where I am at that moment in my life, in my heart and in my walk. Lyrics for my struggles. Melodies to give me hope. Reminders that “He is still listening…”