Lifegiver - This song has a dual-meaning. God, the Father created us and breathed initial life into us and everything around us. But this life has been tainted by Adam’s original sin. We are just as guilty and deserving of death as he was: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2-1). We all require a new life through Christ who pardons us from sin. I was given the analogy once of “roadkill” in Bible study as we were reading through Ephesians. It goes like this: We are basically a dead opossum on the road, mangled, blood everywhere, broken jaw, intestines exposed, etc. We’re not only dead without Christ; we’re ugly, wretched, and abhorrent. And Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, is driving down this road in a solid-gold convertible Cadillac (He’d actually probably drive a Geo Metro with body damage but this is all debatable) as He comes upon us…this week-old, smelly roadkill. He stops the car and inspects us. Knowing full well that He has every right to roll His Caddy tires over the top of us and keep on moving, He instead decides to supernaturally heal us and send us scurrying back into the forest so we can hang from our prehensile tails in peace. In the blink of an eye, we are transformed from a state of complete helplessness and death to a state of abundant life and independence. Our sin is no match for the “Lifegiver.”

Overhead - The writing process for “Overhead” began with many attempts to witness to a friend of ours who at this stage in his life is much like the rich young ruler found in Matthew 19:16-23. Basically, in his mind, it costs too much, the price is too high, there’s too much overhead. We continue to pray for our friend, and we remind ourselves that we are called to daily die to our sinful desires and follow Christ with an eternal frame of mind.

Praying for Sunny Days - We can’t control the weather. So why are we always praying about it? Because God can control it. Being a Northwest band, Hyper Static Union has been in more than our fair share of prayer circles where everyone is basically asking God to stave off the rain. Many a well-planned outreach event has fallen prey to the drenching nimbus clouds that, so often, hover above our area. It may seem pointless to pray about the weather. Doesn’t God already have it worked out? He knows when it should or should not rain. The same God who miraculously brought plagues on Egypt to free His people is listening to our plights today. Our God is an active, caring, listening God who answers prayer. Do not underestimate Him! Bring all your concerns to Him, even if you’re simply “praying for sunny days.”

Chariot - This song reminds me that it’s a great thing for Christians to be waiting for Christ’s triumphant return. It’s healthy for our spirits to have our heads in the clouds from time-to-time, looking for His chariot to swing low and take us home.

Right Where You Want Me - I find great comfort in knowing that God knows everything. It can be a little bit scary when you think about all the bad stuff He knows that you did, or are doing, or are thinking about doing. But how much more does that show His love for us that He was willing to put on human skin and die a tragic, barbaric death as atonement for our sin? The Bible says He works everything out according to His purposes, not ours. And rest assured, His purposes are better than ours. Our goals need to be tempered with submission to our Father’s will. God doesn’t need us to implement his plans, but He chooses to use those who are available. Instead of being dissatisfied with the current state of our lives, relationships and even ministries, how about we simply submit to His authority and authorship and realize He has us right where He wants us?

Just Can’t Leave It Alone - This song is basically an updated version of “This Little Light of Mine.” It was one of the most fun tracks to record, and it has a very simple message. Basically, it’s about how, when the gospel is at work in our lives, it’s impossible to not share it with people. I actually got to sneak my wife’s vocals onto this song, too.

Free Me - It’s easy to see Christianity as merely a set of rules to follow. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Our faith is not a restrictive set of do’s and don’ts. It’s actually an enabling, freeing relationship with our Heavenly Father who calls us to total righteousness but allows us to fail along the way. We are not held captive to sin. God provides a way to rise above the lowly state we were born into. God wants you back no matter how bad you think you’ve been. Start by apologizing directly to God and asking Him to “free you from within.”

Child of His Grace - This song was written very shortly after I recommitted my life to Christ. I had grown up with a very limited understanding of God’s grace and mercy. I think more emphasis was placed on His judgment and wrath, which are essential, undeniable parts of His character. But I desperately needed to hear of His unfailing love and grace. Ray invited me to start attending a college group Bible study at Cascade Park Baptist Church in Vancouver, Wash., the same study where we got our band name. And it was through the teaching in this group and the book, Transforming Grace, that my eyes were opened to what Jesus’ sacrifice truly meant. He died for all sin, once and for all. And we are all His children. As children we have but a small fraction of knowledge about who God is and His limitless grace. But every day we can make it a point to ask God to reveal His ways to us.

Good Fight - The good fight of the faith as the Apostle Paul describes it is essentially the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Pursuing these things will prepare us for persecution. We may never need to “take a bullet for what we believe,” but we should all be confident in our salvation and eternal life enough to endure that kind of persecution.

Now That It’s Over - Just about every believer can identify with having dated a non-believer. In our spiritual immaturity we can sometimes be drawn romantically to someone who needs Jesus. Make no mistake, this is codependency at its finest. And experience like this will afford you nothing save perspective on why it simply cannot work. Don’t get me wrong, God can do anything. But you’ll be much better off avoiding a scenario where you’re trying to win your boy/girlfriend to Christ. This song was a metaphoric attempt to show the futility of trying to have a relationship without an agreement of faith.