Hello and welcome to my little haven here…
JUNE 2026 - Gospel Album Update
Hello friends,
What are the first songs you remember singing? For me, they were songs from church like “Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory” or songs that my mom wrote like “Oh Sunny Day,” or “Daddy’s in the hospital” (recuperating from a hernia operation). We sang as a family and as a way to feel connected to God. Singing has always made me feel whole, has helped to soothe me and brought me deeper into community.
As Mike and I prepare for our next recording sessions for our Gospel album, I am aware that this album is a fulfillment of seeds planted long ago. In 2012, I was leading music at a prayer retreat and I heard, “Divinity school is now.” I took that to heart and got enrolled. I wasn’t sure if this was a call to ordained ministry, but knew the next right thing was graduate Theology School. After a year in St. Louis, I attended a discernment weekend in the Episcopal Church. By the end of that weekend, I had the clarity I sought. I am called to lay ministry through songwriting.
Songwriting has always been a spiritual practice for me – and I have had songs about Jesus and God on my previous albums (Believe in Me, We Will Pray, You Gotta Live). But this Gospel album is a huge step forward for me in my musical ministry. I have wanted to have one album of all spiritual songs. I want to offer the catharsis and soothing I experienced in writing these songs, communicating with God through prayer, lamentation and praise.
It is my hope that songs like Give it All to God, Tunnel of Trials, Jesus Be My Ballast will meet you in the place where you could use soothing, connection, inspiration and faith.
That God has brought Mike Alexander back into my life and that he is open to producing this album with me, is extraordinary. I tried recording it for the first time in 2017, then in 2019, then in 2020. Something always fell through – it was clearly not the right time. And as it is all about God, then it is in God’s time, not mine.
In 2021, Mike and I met up again for the first time in 13 years. Our relationship blossomed into marriage and making music has been with us the whole time. We are both deeply spiritual people, though we express our spirituality in very different ways. It is because Mike introduced me to Dr. David R. Hawkins’ work that my walk with Jesus has become primary in my life. I feel held in love and aware that it is my goal in life to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as I love myself. I am to love as Jesus has loved me. That is what this album is all about. You are loved, infinitely, exquisitely, eternally.
I am so grateful to everyone who has already pre-ordered their copy of this Gospel album! It truly delights me to think of sending these out to each of you. We’ve got aways to go with our fundraising for this, so if you haven’t yet, please consider pre-ordering albums or having us play a house concert, or just donating, if that feels right to you.
Every step forward is one of trust. Please know that I am so grateful for your interest in my music! Please keep us in your prayers.
Blessings to you and thank you for your visit! For other recent updates, please visit my Blog.
With love,
Eliza
PS - I'm so thrilled to have some new photos (and more to come) by the amazing D Smith! What a gift!!!
