album review   

 "I Have To Believe" - by Rita Springer
Album Review by Sue-Jean Chung

This is not just a worship CD – this is a part of someone's journal in song form.  I can't quite put my finger on it…whether it's the lyrics of the songs or the fact that throughout the whole CD jacket, there are comments, thoughts and stories shared about Rita's journey through life.  There is a whole page devoted to Rita sharing about how this CD came to be, and a very, very touching testimony of how she came to adopt a baby African boy and name him Justice.  This is one of the few CD's that I feel is a real reflection of King David and the Psalms – it's about a worshipper pouring her heart out to God, declaring things that even her heart didn't even fully understand, and celebrating the goodness of God. 

I love the lyrics to the song, "I Have to Believe".  The first verse goes as follows:

I have to believe that He sees my darkness
I have to believe that He knows my pain
I have to lift up my hands to worship
Worship His name

I love this heart to worship – that despite pain and difficulty, one still acknowledges God's worthiness and makes the choice to worship anyway.

"You Are Good" is a song that has recently been taught at ACTS – and I have to say, I love this recording of it!  I love the layers of instruments and even the change in tempo in the bridge.  Another song, "Oh God of Mine" is a modern day hymn written by Rita and it's one of my favorites on this CD.  (I personally really like the hymns, and think that they can be packed with so much truth and worship).  But the most touching song of all for me is the last song, "Love with Justice".  Sorry, but I have to make one more quote, because every time I read through this, my heart wells up with emotion:

On December 1, 2004, I stood by as my son was born.  I cannot describe the emotion of saying yes to God about adoption and then actually holding my obedience in my arms.  When I brought Justice home I went to the music room, laid him in his basket and sat down…stared at him…and sang…I'm in love with Justice.

It's very clear that this is a very personal song for Rita, and I'm thankful that she had to courage to share it with others.  If I had written this song, I don't know if I would have been able to put it on a CD – it'd be like sharing with the world the most personal, inmost part of my journal and heart.

In some ways, listening to this CD and reading through the CD jacket, I feel like I know Rita personally.  This album is really 'down to earth' and great for personal worship and spending time with God one-on-one.  I think anyone will be able to relate to these songs and connect with God with this CD. All in all, this is a very good album, and it's got my two thumbs up!