"For the Sake of the Call" by Steven Curtis Chapman surprised me. Generally, I tend to listen to alternative, acoustic and mildly progressive music. By preference, I'm generally not too thrilled with the average adult Christian contemporary music, so it's slightly odd for me to enjoy this album as much as I do.
It's actually a funny story how I came across the album. Over break I went into the local Christian bookstore, and I couldn't find anything I wanted. Well, I was holding four of those infamous "Buy 4 Get 1 Free" stickers and I was itching to use them. As I turned around to walk out of the store, I almost knocked over the display for Chapman's new album. I had never heard anything by Steven Curtis Chapman, but I had heard tremendous things about him. So I bought the album and stored it in my library of tapes. When I finally listened to it—WOW!—I couldn't stop singing the songs in my head.
Chapman is a fabulous singer and songwriter. The album is the typical adult contemporary Christian pop sound with some nice acoustic flares and a pinch of folk.
Chapman's vocals are what make this album above average. His vocals are powerful, yet gentle, and sometimes distracted by the full-sounding music.
All the vocals are great, and the music is really hot. But even more impressive is the content of the album. I find myself learning something new every time I listen to the tape. "For the Sake of the Call" is a devotion book within itself. Chapman is a solid man of God who sees the challenge of the cross and strives for it.
Here at a Christian school, we're required to go to chapel and to take our required Bible classes. It almost seems Christianity gets too easy and becomes more of a religion than a relationship.
People lose the vision and don't see how much is really there. Man, I find myself conforming to the little mold of the good Christian boy, but that's not where it's at.
I want to love Jesus with everything I have and seek Him first. I want to give Him everything and be the disciple of my Father and Master. This album is one of the few albums that keeps the fire burning. It inspires me and shows me what real Christianity is.
Every song is filled with truth. Every song convicts and opens my eyes to so much more about my Father. I can't do the album justice, but I'll leave you with one line that will take a lifetime to achieve:
"I want to be lost,
in the shadow of the cross."
Similar sounding releases
1993Jerry Williams and HarvestMighty River
1994Gary ChapmanThe Light Inside
1999Al DensonSignature Songs
1994NewSongPeople Get Ready
1995Wayne WatsonField Of Souls
1994White HeartNothing but the Best - Radio Classics
