Written by: Jay Heilman (2/3/2014)

I remember when I first heard tracks off of John Waller’s 2007 solo debut record The Blessing, I was moved by how personal the album came across. Upon talking to John for the first time, I discovered that he faced the same real life problems I did. Instead of backing down and giving up, he used those stories to help uplift and encourage others through music. From that point on, you could consider me a life- long fan.

After successes with songs like “While I’m Waiting”, which played a prominent role in the plot of the 2008 Kirk Cameron-led film Fireproof and the placement of “As For Me and My House” on the soundtrack for Sherwood Picture’s 2011 follow-up Courageous, it seemed like life was at its peak for Waller. That’s when Waller went back and realized that things like how well his music did, if radio stations played his songs or not became a great focus. Too much of a focus. The opening lines of the self titled single from his 2011 As For Me and My House really summed up everything that had gone on in his music career up until then. “I’m done, building my own kingdom”. Was this what God really wanted him to focus on? As great of an album as As For Me and My House was, his new album Life Is A Gift really serves as a pinnacle of his already illustrious career as a solo artist, and upon listening to it for yourself, I think you’ll agree. It’s got pop, rock, contemporary and a hint of the south all wrapped up in a record I could find myself listening to over and over again.

The songs of the album focus on some things familiar to what’s been known to find itself on a John Waller album. Hope and Faith. Two important parts of our walks with Christ, make headway on Life Is A Gift. The title track portrays a message of what this life should be viewed as. Waller’s humble view comes out in the simple chorus, “When I stop and think about it/It changes everything/I’m further down the road/The more and more I know/I do not deserve it/But I receive it/Life is a gift”. There are so many things we take for granted in life, but life itself is truly a gift of God.

“Love Has Spoken” was one of the earliest tracks that I heard from the album. It’s simple but very truthful message spoke volumes to me. “God is in His heaven now/And I will soon be in the ground/But death will never hold me down/Love has

spoken”. It’s assuring to know that Christ death on the cross immediately won Victory over death for us. His sacrifice and love for us, was forever spoken at Calvary.

“Crazy Faith”, is a song that I have heard has been a crowd favorite at shows. I think the message is so true in today’s culture. There are so many things mentioned in scripture that Jesus says we can do, and many of us are like “That’s crazy! How do we do that?” It’s simple really. By putting our full faith and trust in what God has told us, it’s really not all that crazy and becomes real to us. It’s really putting the message of Proverbs 3:4-5 and applying it to life. We don’t understand why God draws us in the directions we go sometimes, and though it may seem crazy, it’s that blind faith that He wants us to see. “It’s gonna take/Crazy faith/What if it calls me everything/I’m stepping out/I’m taking the leap”. It’s important to trust in God, because whether we think it crazy or not, He knows what He’s doing.J

The softest song, and perhaps my favorite from the record is the cover of Tim Miner’s song “Forgive Me”. After listening to this song, I felt so guilty of many things that I haven’t done in my walk with Christ. I say that I am a Christian and I say that I do what I believe God has asked of me. But, scripture is very clear of the consequences of not walk in truth. It reminds me of the scripture in Galatians 6:7 (NASB) which says “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” But God forgives! And I couldn’t be thankful enough for that forgiveness.

The chorus is a new prayer for me and really got me under conviction…
“Forgive me/Once again cleanse me/Forgive me/Once again cover me/I don’t even know why/Your mercy never dies/But I’m glad/Lord, I’m glad/Jesus I’m glad” – John, thank you for including this song – it truly touched my heart!

The song “Orphan” really touched the heart of my wife Shannon and I. Being adoptive parents, we could really relate to this song. We adopted a special needs child, one who doctors said would be developmentally delayed and may not be able to do what other kids could do, or considered “normally”. I know the personal story behind the song, as John shared with me a few years back that his wife Josee and him had decided to adopt. I assured him that adoption was a true blessing and that it was an amazing thing he did. So as the story goes, the Waller family packed up and went to Ukraine for one children – and came back with three! The really great thing is, that Jesus mentions children and orphans a lot in scripture. “Jesus hears the orphan/He is moving Heaven and Earth/For little boys, little girls/We hear Jesus calling, “Will you come and rescue them?” Very touching song, and I can guarantee you the accompanying music video will stir emotion within you too. John’s daughter Hadlee is the little angelic voice at the end (in case you were wondering)

The album ends with the uplifting track and duet with John’s sister Laura Waller- Smith, “Your Word, My Life” a song reminding us of who we really are in Christ. I hink it’s a fitting end to a great record. Its chorus really sums up the album as a whole “Lord, where else would I run/I’m alive because Jesus Christ/Your Word is my life” and ends with “Jesus You’re the Word/And the Word is living/Jesus You’re the Word/And the Word is Life”

I could go on and on about how great this album is, and though most may think my opinion is biased, John’s incredible ability to be able to craft a record that’s not only entertaining, but more importantly one that carries a meaningful and inspirational message to all that hear it. In a day an age where we’re met with negativity at every turn, it’s always great to be reminded that we serve a God who cares for us and loves us enough to send His only Begotten Son to die for us. It’s a reminder that life is a gift, and at times we must follow that crazy faith and know that through Christ, love has spoken and it’s epic! We’re to shield and protect the orphan, proclaim our decree in the Almighty alone and apply His word always, to our lives. Can you say masterpiece? I think I just did.

5/5

ADDED TO TCE ON: March 15, 2024

Released: February 3, 2014

Label: Label Me Not

Track Listing:

  1. Life is a Gift (3:31)
  2. I Know My God (4:50)
  3. Love Has Spoken (3:27)
  4. Crazy Faith (3:51)
  5. Forgive Me (4:38)
  6. Epic (4:44)
  7. Orphan (4:26)
  8. Rain (4:51)
  9. Our Decree (4:06)
  10. Your Word, My Life (5:05)

10 Tracks, 43:35

Buy on iTunes

More from John Waller:

Visit John Waller’s Official Site Here