Janet Paschal

Item: Journey of Grace
Author: Ann Hathcock

Journey of Grace

(1994)

Reviewed by Ann Hathcock

Discogs Apple Music TIDAL Amazon Music Spotify YouTube Music

Label Word RecordsThe LighthouseMarch 1995

adult contemporary ccm southern gospel

Journey of Grace is the latest recording from Janet Paschal. As with her other projects, she continues a high lyrical quality in each song. Many of the songs are written or co-written by Paschal and carry a traditional, inspirational flavor, but on several selections she opts for a more contemporary style.

The album opens with an upbeat tune, "God Is Up To Something." Her voice is a bit lower and stronger on this song which gives her the illusion of variety. "Something In My Heart" and "Choose You Again" are beautiful songs filled with promises set to music. Paschal is known for being "lyrically correct" and these tunes hold true to that theme. Switching to a more contemporary jazz rhythm is "You Can Depend On Jesus." This song has more backup vocals allowing for a fuller sound than her typical recordings. "If I'd Had My Way" is a slow, yet meaningful song of trusting God versus having "our way." Babbie Mason is the writer of the next moving tune, "Nothing Can Separate Me." The band on this song does a great job and adds musical interludes to complete this production. "Only For A While" encourages the Christian that no matter what you are going through, it is temporal. The chorus ends, "If burdens seem so heavy and its hard to smile, then just remember that it's only for a while." A bold declaration of our dependence on God is "Lean On You." Paschal does a duet with Ron Hemby on "I Can See The Difference." They have great harmony and this adds to the impact. Ending up the project, Paschal adds another lyrically perfect song, "Just As Faithful." This song holds true to Paschal's typical inspirational style, encouraging us in our relationship with a consistent, faithful Father.

This project is nothing new to Paschal listeners. Her beautiful, inspirational style is an encouragement to the Christian as she ministers through her devotion and dedication to the One she serves. It is obvious with this project, as others in the past, that Paschal's main focus is that the listener gain strength from the lyrics in the songs. If you want an album that will move your heart to a greater understanding of our service to God, give Journey of Grace a listen.