Stephen McWhirter and Jason Clayborn have recently teamed up on the album Highest Praise. The collaboration, meant to intertwine two stories and showcase God's hand on each, released in early October. It is a vibrant display of gratefulness for God's grace and living proof of a miracle. 

Both McWhirter and Clayborn grew up in the church, but by the time McWhirter was a teenager, he had strayed far from his worship background and what many believe to be the "good Christian" path. Addicted to drugs as a form of rebellion and reprieve from the hopelessness in his life, he had very nearly hit rock bottom. He says he doesn't think he could have found saving the traditional way, in a church pew with other believers around him, but he does trust that God will work wherever he chooses. So it was in his bedroom, early in the morning that he decided to give his life up to Jesus. His life has never been the same and that is something Clayborn very much so relates to. Clayborn comes from a family with deep roots in gospel music which has directed his life and musical passion towards God for as long as he can remember.

Although the two musicians come from very different backgrounds, their shared story of grace connects them as brothers in Christ. It is this syncretism of styles which flows through the album and sets it apart from others. We take a look at two songs from the collection, below. 

NEW: "Wanna See You"

We will be face to face
To be in your presence Lord
We will be face to face
You have made a way
We will be face to face

I loved this section of the song because the lyrics are so diverse. It includes their repetitive cry "We will be face to face," but also spontaneous additions displaying their hunger for the Heavenly Father. The hope they sing about is tangible; it is the love of God. It's not something worldly, and it's not another illusion that we reach out for, yearning but falling short time and time again. 

Rather, it is something within us, something we carry inside our hearts. Wherever we go, the love of God follows because He has a love unique to each one of us. Sometimes talking about grand ideas like this one can be hard to wrap my head around, but once I accepted the simplicity of God, I accepted the truth with it. God loves me and God loves you. In fact it's just like the childhood melody, "Jesus Loves Me." It doesn't get better than that!

NEW: "Highest Praise (We Lift You)"

It's everything or nothing for you
Ninety-nine and a half won't do
Lord, we're gonna dance and sing
With wild shouts of praise we will
Bring it to you, bring it to you
Bring it to you, Lord

The energy captured in this song is contagious and I especially love the line "Ninety-nine and a half won't do." It hammers in the truth that God gave up his only son for us; does he really deserve our half best? Does he deserve our burnt out, exhausted selves at the end of the day when we finally remember to go to Him?

It is true that He loves us just the way we are, but giving Him our best is going past that. He has done so much for us; why do we consistently repay him in tired amens? This is the main reason that I began praying and doing quiet time in the mornings. I highly suggest you try it; even if you're not a "morning person." It's a great way to start the day with peace on your mind and the reminder that God is with you, even when it feels like no one else is.