Matt Redman - The Friendship and the Fear

I consider "The Friendship and the Fear" to be Matt Redman's best collection of songs. It is a balanced offering of heartfelt prayer, introspection and repentance, and praise. Though an older recording (1998) and perhaps slightly dated for some youthful ears, the music and message are strong. The first several songs concern faith in God's work in this world: longing for it ("Believer"), praying and watching for it ("Knocking on the Door of Heaven"), and rejoicing in its certainty ("There Is a Louder Shout to Come"; also "It's Rising Up"). The album proceeds to wrestle with songs of discipleship ("I Will Offer Up My Life" and "The Way of the Cross"). Because each of these songs is so moving to me personally, I tend to linger on them and not move on to the second half of the CD. Those who move on, however, will find several treasures, including the Sunday morning hits "Once Again" and "Better is One Day." One of the few lesser lights (out of 13 tracks) is the peppy "The Cross Has Said It All" -- good words, musically weak. Matt Redman's other albums are quite good. Yet this 1998 offering seems to me to have the most comprehensive spiritual vision of them all. Look up the lyrics on the web or, better yet, buy the album and let it take hold of you.