Ryan Clair - Among The Pines - Episode 354

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Welcome back to Voices in My Head. We're going to start the show just a little bit different today because Ryan Claire, a wonderful singer and songwriter, has a new album out, and he is on the show today. And I thought it would be very appropriate to open the show not only with one of his tracks, but actually two of his tracks, because his new EP Among the Pines has this really great instrumental that really gives a feel for the whole album. And I really want to give everyone listening today a feel for the journey that you're going to be on. So I'm actually going to play the first two tracks. The first one is an instrumental, and then it'll lead into a song called Among the Pines today on the show., and then we're going to go right into the conversation about this new EP Among the Pines by Ryan Clair. And at the end of the show, make sure you stick around too because we're going to play another song called This Old Coat at the end of the episode. It was a great conversation we had today. I just finished recording it moments ago, and this is going to be a great episode, so stay tuned.

take my breath away. I'm home at last. As I lay beneath this old tree by the river near the water's edge, I hear the stream so peaceful. My soul finds rest as the silence breaks to the sound of laughter and songs fill the air. Children gather round the table with thanks and prayer. Hear the church bells ring in the dawning of light as creation sings his praise. Bursting with life, o'er all the fields are swayed with dance. Each gust As the cold wind blows through the frosty meadow and the skies declare his work, as an artist paints a picture, proclaims his worth. With a sky like fire can't contain his glory, the sun sets flame to the clouds, burning As the evening fades, the night sings out. And hear the church bells ring in the dawning of light as creation sings his praise. And bursting with life, o'er all the fields, a swayed dance to each gust of the wind. Every flower filled with praise is an offering in among the pines.

For from the chaos I found my stance through the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea.

I was And you wouldn't still believe in the hands of the maker, the sovereign creator, for he's there among the pines, and among the pines.

Welcome back to Voices in My Head. As always, I'm your host Rick Lee James, and I'm so glad that you can be here with us again this week. Today I get to talk with Old Bear Records recording artist Ryan Clair. Born and raised in a small mountain community in Southern California, Ryan was the firstborn child to a young mom who did all she could to raise a kid amidst trials, heartache, and broken relationships. Though she didn't play music, Music was something Ryan's mother shared with him at an early age. Music has a way to help escape reality and bring a sense of joy and peace in the moments of pain and uncertainty. In his early teens, Ryan packed up his guitar and spent much of his life playing in bands, finding out who he was as a musician. A few years later, a now-married Ryan Clair, a father of 5, has reached a place where he feels at home. In his life and in his music. Ryan writes songs that tell his story, a journey of faith as a follower of Jesus Christ. In 2018, Ryan Clair's Less Traveled Road LP introduced us to his impressive, gritty Southern rock chops with an absolute barnburner of a record. The year 2019 found Ryan adjusting course in more ways than one. He made the westward move to the scenic Pacific Northwest where, inspired by his new surroundings, he penned a starkly minimal sophomore album. This brings us to the present. That album is Among the Pines, which released on January 24th, 2020. Among the Pines is a musical journey of the soul, with Clair positioned as a narrator on a solo trek through the mountains. Today we get to talk with Ryan Clair, and I'm so pleased to have him on the show. Ryan Clair, welcome to Voices in My Head.

Hey Rick, thanks so much for having me.

Well, I'm glad we were able to work this out. All weekend long, whenever I've had the chance, whether it be in my car or in the house, I've been listening to your album. And it's such a— it's a good album and it's so unique and really different from your last project. So as we get going today, I just want to congratulate you on a job well done because I know what it's like going into the studio and working so hard on something. And you've done very well. So congratulations on this great new release. Among the Pines.

Oh man, thanks so much. This is just a blessing and just a really exciting time for, for myself, for my wife and family, and just blessed to be able to release another project.

Well, we're excited for you, and it's really going to be a great chance, I think, today to sit down and just kind of find out more about what went into the making of this album and kind of your heart behind it. I hope this will be an encouragement to you. Things have been kind of crazy at my house over the last couple of weeks, as you know, I've had surgery on my arm, and even just today, just before we recorded, I had some stitches out. And, and plus we've had sickness, and like my son's been sick, my wife's been sick, and so everything has been kind of up in the air and just crazy around our house the last couple weeks. But last night I was in the kitchen and I was listening to your album on my phone, and, uh, and my wife walks in and she goes, oh, that's nice, you know, just like— and she hadn't had a chance to listen real close. Yeah, um, but coming from, from her, and a person who— she can be pretty picky about music she hears, you know. It was almost like a breath of fresh air to her to walk into the room. So, so you definitely get the James family endorsement on that end.

Awesome, that's sweet. Thank you.

So let's talk a little bit about sort of the transition from your last album to this new EP. You have a voice that I want to describe as being first of all, this very powerful voice, but also at the same time, it's, it's so tender at times it almost wants to make me cry, you know. So there's this tender power that's there, and you really showcase it on, on your previous album, which really had a southern rock feel.

Yeah, right.

Um, what moved you to go from an album like that to really a year later coming to this very sort of reduced sound that really is— I almost feel like I'm listening to a Western soundtrack in some ways, what I'm listening to. But tell us kind of about that journey to Among the Pines.

Sure. Yeah, you know, A Less Traveled Road, when I wrote that, I was in worship school. It was really a time of just excitement and victory and just, you know, celebration really, because I was journeying into songwriting again. So there's a lot of excitement there. I had a lot of people surrounding me that were affirming what I was doing. And then moving from Minnesota to Washington, as anybody knows, moving is really a difficult thing. It's a difficult season. You feel lonely a lot of the time. You're transitioning, you're making new friends, you're meeting new people. You still haven't built that, that firm foundation of close, uh, musicians, if you will, or, or songwriters around you. So it kind of felt like a lonely time. Um, and so during this season of writing, I kept writing, um, but it felt very like I, I was more in a mindset of solitude, and I spent a lot of time outside writing these songs. Um, so you get a lot of that thematic feel of nature and God's creation in Among the Pines. And so, you know, moving as well. We were trying to find that house that worked for our family of 7. And, uh, out here in Washington, I don't think they make rentals that have more than 3 bedrooms. So it was always really tight quarters. And so I did find myself outside, um, riding. I found some really good spots out on this island where I would sit on this panoramic view and just, uh, take in my surroundings and, uh, and write from there. So it really was— it felt like, uh, you know, it's just me and my guitar and the Lord, uh, and his creation surrounding me. So there's just so much inspiration and, uh, just really blessed to, you know, where I was and in that season of writing. I feel like it, it came across just how I was feeling.

So, well, that's great. That's— and I'm glad that you touched on kind of the difficulty of moving.

Yeah.

And I think you can kind of hear that in the transition of the music. I always think it's interesting the way that what we're going through in life kind of comes out in what we're creating and in what we're writing.

Right.

And I think you can feel that with A Different Feel on this album. And you talk about the places where you were writing. I'm curious, how much does co-writing play into your process these days? Do you prefer to sit down and do it yourself or spend time outside, or do you get together after you've initially started writing with other writers? So like for this EP, was it mostly you, or was it you with the help of some other songwriters?

Yeah, I think, you know, co-writing comes with maturity, and I feel like in my younger days I really wanted to have that ownership and just say I did it all myself. And I'm learning to open up a little more with that. I guess I like to take it as far as I can and then invite others in. But I found a real love of writing with Anthony Hoisington from Brothers McClurg and Ian Zumbach. He's another writer that wrote with me on this album on Upstream. And so, I mean, this one is— there's more songs that I wrote by myself But I really, I feel more sentimental towards some of the ones that I wrote with my buddies. And, uh, and so those were just special moments of us coming together and how can we make this the best song that we can, uh, you know, how can we say this in the best way? And when you put more minds together, it really works well.

So yeah, that's, that's terrific. And, and, you know, I, I often will have, uh maybe, maybe not young, but newer songwriters will reach out to me sometimes. Yeah, they'll send me a message and they'll say, you know, what's some good advice? In fact, I was at a conference this weekend and a young— I didn't ask his age, but I assume he was, was late high school years. And, and he and his family, they were kind of asking me, you know, you have any good advice for a songwriter? He's starting to write music and And, um, you know, one thing I, I do try to tell people is, you know, collaboration is so wonderful. And like you said, I, I wish I had learned that earlier. Yeah, because there's, there's so much. And, and not even just as like a co-writer, but even being able to, um, take good constructive criticism, you know, from people. And, and people that'll, that'll make the song so much better. I think of in my own life people like like Paul Balázs, who early on, you know, heard some of my songs and quickly gave me, like, not like, that's the greatest song I've ever heard, but immediately goes like, yeah, that's a good line. Yeah, I don't think I'd keep this, you know, I think I'd change that and do that. And at first you're kind of like heartbroken by it. Yeah, but people, people like Paul taught me in such a loving way, like they, they really want you to do better. And so when they're critiquing a song, they approach it like they're co-writing the song, you know. And they— and so I, I think I can appreciate that too, what you said, because I used to be that same way. I, I wanted the sole ownership of it.

Yeah.

But, but don't you think that there's really something beautiful that happens as a result of the, the fellowship with other writers together?

Yeah, it really is. And you get to celebrate together, you know, after it's done and finished and released. There's just something really cool about being able to say that they were a part of this. So I love that.

Well, and Anthony and Ian are great brothers anyway, just on a relational level. So yeah, it's awesome that you guys get a chance to write together in this capacity too.

And absolutely.

And you can hear good quality songs on this album. Now, I think every writer, when they release an album, they— I think they're always proud of the whole album. And, and so asking a writer like which one is their favorite is, is almost like asking you which child is your favorite. So it's so true. But, but I do wonder, is, is there a particular song on this project that, that just really holds a special place in your heart, maybe because of something that either happened in the studio or maybe something that that kind of was working in you whenever you were writing the song?

Yeah, you know, the song that really caught me by surprise, um, just in the whole development of it was Upstream. And, you know, speaking of Anthony and Ian, they were the co-writers on that. And then also, uh, my drummer here that I've just grown to love, and we play really well together here in Washington, um, he— I flew him out to the studio with me, and so he kind of created the percussion side of this song as well. So there's just so much creativity and, uh, I don't know, working together on this song that just made it so special. And it just came to life, and I knew immediately, um, we all kind of said, this has got to be the single. And so it was our first release to kind of get people interested in Among the Pines and let them know what it was going to sound like.

Well, let me ask you another question because I know you're not only a husband but you're a busy father as well. 5 children.

Ja, ja.

So, and as you're talking about that and then in the transition of a move and trying to find adequate living quarters and just all that is going on, that's a lot just in itself. I wonder, do you have any maybe set routine that you kind of carve out in your schedule to be a songwriter? And what I mean by that is, you know, is have you had to be almost a little bit legalistic about it at times to kind of make yourself like write it down on the calendar, today's the day, gotta do this writing? And what's kind of been your method? Is it something like that, or is it more kind of when you take those moments out on a walk or whatever and you can find some quiet moments?

Yeah, it, you know, looks different and really in any season that I've been in, um, you know, I've had moments where I had my chair, uh, and my spot that I would write. And usually I'm a night owl, and so I like to spend— after the kids are in bed and the wife, she usually goes to bed pretty early as well, um, I'm out there just kind of pressing into the word of God to, um, to the theme of whatever that song is, uh, really doing my research and thinking about how I can explain what I'm trying to get after. I do a lot of object writing, so, you know, I pick just objects and I'll write every— think of every sense that I can explain just that object, and I could pull those into songs later. Um, you know, in this season for me, having spent a lot of time outside, uh, in my writing, and then even just as I'm walking, I, I have a whole library of voice memos on my phone. So if I'm hiking or if I'm in my car and something comes to me, I'll just record it, make sure it's there ready for later. So it's just really sporadic for me, um, and I— but I do write a lot at night when everybody's kind of tucked in and, uh, and I have my, my time then, so Yeah, well, go a little deeper with that if you don't mind.

I'd love to hear a little bit more of what you talk about with object writing. Um, I think I know what you mean by that, but by object writing, do you mean like, say you're out on a walk and you see, I don't know, let's say a unique rock formation or something that, that really catches your attention?

Yeah.

What you mean by that, will you you like start kind of brainstorming about different images that might evoke in you and that object? Or what, what do you mean? Go a little deeper on the object writing thing for listeners.

So, you know, it's, um, so basically you're thinking about that object. Um, so like the song Among the Pines, uh, on this album, it's, it's really— that song was mostly all object writing. Uh, you know, as I was spending time in my my folks' backyard. They have this stream that runs there, and I was trying to think of just all of the times in that moment. There was the smell of chimney smoke in there because it was brisk, but I was laying under this just beautiful tree, and you can hear the wind rustling through it. And what else? This, this, the sound of the trickling water. And, you know, so trying to get in the smell, you know, the smell of that moment, so that the fog of the chimney is kind of that, that smoke that you're smelling, um, the sound of the rustling, um, you know, grasses in the fields. You're trying to describe that setting to the best of your ability that you invite the listener to feel like they are— they can be a part of it. And so, um, Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison, um, he wrote a book on object writing, and we went through this in 10,000 Fathers Worship School. And so it just really, uh, during that time, we were encouraged to take journals and, uh, and pick these objects throughout time and just write everything we could about, you know, water, I don't have it in front of me, but you just go on. It doesn't have to be poetic. It could just be what comes to your mind in that moment, and you'll find later on that you can use some of those things in songs. So it's, it's a great thing. I could be better at it, uh, you know, and reminding myself to journal these ideas down, but I love the idea, and I think it's helpful in keeping our minds sharp and active in writing. Even if we're not writing songs, we're, we're keeping our minds working towards thoughtfulness and creativeness.

Yeah, and that book, by the way, because I know some of our listeners might be interested in that as well, it's called Writing Better Lyrics, and it's by Pat Pattison. Yeah, yeah, I believe that's, that's a tough name because you feel like you're stuttering when you're saying Pattison, but I know Sounds like a great book though. I'm going to add it to my to-read list here on Goodreads, so I'll make sure I check that out in the future. I'm always looking for better ways of hopefully sharpening the iron of songwriting, so to speak. Yeah, well, let me ask you this, because I think you did a great job on this album of not only with the lyrics that you write creating a picture, but you and, and I, I didn't even look so closely at the liner notes, but I assume Chris produced it, right? Chris Hoisington?

Yeah, he did. Yep.

And, uh, you know, he always does such a great job of, of matching, um, and, and marrying the lyrics and the song, uh, with a feel that, that fits together. And it seems like he always finds something unique on the track, like when Ian Zumbach did Murderer or Messenger. It was, it was that record player sound that was making that kind of crackly percussive sound in the background, you know, throughout the record. And yeah, when he recorded with me, there was a song that, that dealt heavily— it's called Be My All— and there's a bridge that says, you are the potter, I am the clay. And he used the sound of a potter's wheel as the percussion of the song, and I just thought it was so cool. Was there anything like that that you know, kind of added a background flair that maybe the listeners wouldn't even necessarily like stand out to him, but you just go like, wow, that's so cool, and that's a story that needs to be told about the studio.

Yeah, he, he definitely had a creative moment in this album for sure. And, you know, after sending him the songs, my rough tracks over, and telling him the title of what I wanted to name the album, Among the Pines, Right away he sent back and he's like, "Man, there's such a theme here." And so if you've listened to this album already, it's got this— it's got an intro that really invites you in. It's got this rustling wind that sounds like it's just going through the pines, and then there's crackle of the branches kind of hitting each other, and a little bit of crickets throughout the album. So we brought this theme of of nature, and it's gapless, so there's never any stopping in this album until you get to the very last song. And so you feel like you're in the setting of Among the Pines. So it starts with that intro, it's that call, it's just kind of beckoning you into this journey, and it just goes from song to song in one flow. And so he was just really creative in that, and I love how it turned out being gapless. I was a little worried about, you know, in this day and age, people are buying songs individually or liking songs individually, and I feel like this album is meant to be sat down and listened to in one sitting. Um, and people are really enjoying it like that. So I'm getting a little— getting a lot of people telling me that they're listening to it all the way through because of that. So it was a smart move, and it's a brilliant idea that Chris brought in.

Well, that's great. And you know, that brings me to a point of discussion too, because I think everybody's trying to figure out the best way to release music anymore. You know, do you do it as an EP? Do you just do it as a series of singles? You know, I had Andrew Osingo on my show a few times, and he was trying something where he would give the full album to donors who gave to the Kickstarter, but for everybody else, for like a year, he was only going to release like a song a month. Out to iTunes or Spotify or wherever. So you really couldn't get the whole album unless you had kind of given an advance. And then a year after, um, everything came out as singles, then the official album would drop by itself. And I thought that was a really creative idea.

Yeah.

Um, but I wonder what your thoughts on that. If, you know, we're all trying to figure out what's the best way to do this in this age where we just stream everything. What's your personal preference, I guess, as a music listener, right? Do you prefer when an artist puts out, say, the entire album, or do you kind of like— in the way that you listen, do you kind of prefer any more like an EP or just a single, or what? What's your personal preference?

Yeah, you know, I can see, you know, kind of going back to the single thing, I could see why people are doing it, especially in a streaming world as it is now. I feel like if you're releasing one song, you're gonna get more plays out of it, more interest in that one song. It's more dedication on that one. You know, you put a lot of work into recording and writing a song, so to have it be shown its best is important to the artist. But I think as a listener and as a music fan, when somebody releases something, I want more than just one song. You know, and so I think EPs for me personally is giving your fans the best. You're giving them more than just, just one piece of art. You're giving them something more broad and something for them to enjoy beyond just that one song. Because I feel like you're just— when you give them one song, they're gonna listen to it for, you know, a couple weeks maybe. I could be wrong. Some people love music. I know I've listened to songs forever. But I just feel like there's something more to be said about releasing something a little bigger with more songs. It's just more exciting to me when I get one of my favorite artists' albums or EPs. So that's my preference.

Gotcha. No, that's totally understandable. Well, let me ask you this too, because all of us as musicians and writers, we have people that influenced us greatly, and otherwise we probably wouldn't be musicians. You know, there's people that we go, wow, I just, I love their music. And something inspired us. Who would you, if you had your preference, you know, would you like your music to be associated with? Sort of like, obviously right now, I'll try to clarify my statement a little bit. Yeah, you're on Old Bear Records, so you're automatically associated with sort of that Old Bear sound. You know, there's this pantheon of artists, you know, that are a part of that. But other artists would say, you know, I'd love it if, you know, when people thought of me they saw somebody like Tom Petty, you know, like I'm in that vein or something. Is there an artist that you just have really connected with, maybe from the beginning, that you've thought, boy, if I could have people think of me and this other artist in the same category musically, who would that artist, or maybe a couple of artists like that, be for you?

Oh man, I think I'm just such a music fan that I, I love so many artists, especially from so many genres, Christian and secular, um, you know. So currently I just, uh, I'm really into like, uh, like sounds like from Gregory Alan Isaakov, uh, Colter Wall, and, uh, you know, some David Ramirez stuff. But then in the Christian world, I feel like I would I would tour really well with like Zach Williams or David Crowder, um, because even though my music is, um, can come across a little more light and folky, um, live I feel like I'm more of a kind of a little fireball, a little more, a little more energy. Um, I love— I'm, I'm a worship pastor, so I've been doing that for 23 years. I love to lead worship. I love to invite others into singing and being a part of the the music. So those are a few that I, I really admire and enjoy.

So, well, I'm glad you said David Crowder because I, I hesitate sometimes to compare artists to other people, but as I listened through the albums, I, I kept thinking, you know, he kind of reminds me of David Crowder. So I'm glad that you said it, and I was thinking it earlier, and so I was like, great, this is spot on, you know, good stuff.

Yeah, I love that he brings a lot of the old hymns back. Uh, yeah, you know, some Gaither tunes and just he's just really good at bringing those back for— and kind of bringing them to life for the younger church. And so another guy that you— I know you love is Andrew Peterson. I feel like for him, uh, even the Grey Havens, they're kind of all associated together, but the— they were the ones that inspired me to write better lyrics, you know, to maybe think a little bit more poetically. And, uh, you know, with Andrew Peterson being an author as well, it's, uh there's something to be said about putting a lot of time and investments and heart into your lyrics and not just writing something that's catchy or just has a hook. I like creativity.

Yeah, definitely. Have you had a chance to read his new book? Um, shoot, something, something the darkness. Um, I haven't. The title left me. Doggone it, it's so good. If you have a chance to read it, I recommend it to everybody. It's something like Ornamenting the Darkness. That's, that's not right though. It's something like that. But if you look up Andrew Peterson's 2019 book, it has so much— it's kind of a, it's kind of an autobiography, but it's also a lot about sort of his method of writing both books and songwriting and different things that have affected him along the way. So I always try to recommend that to writers whenever I have a chance because he's, he's just as good on the written page age as he is listening to him, I think.

So yeah, yeah, that's good stuff. It's funny, I've been, uh, super passionate and excited about, uh, finding Louis L'Amour old Western books. Yeah, so yeah, I bought a whole box set at a Goodwill, and, uh, I've just been reading like one a week. It's just been really fun. So that's cool.

Yeah, yeah, because they're not like incredibly big books, but you know, they're just like fun and kind of take you to a different time period in life. Yeah, it's, it's interesting to see, you know, where— whereas we're kind of in a time of like everything superheroes, like probably our parents grew up in this time where like everything on the screen was cowboys, you know, and all those— or maybe our grandparents were more in that time. But it's interesting how just how big those were. And I've read a couple of those too, and they really do kind of just grab onto you pretty quick if you start reading them.

That's great. Yeah.

Well, you know, before our time runs out together, because I think I want to close the show out today with this song, I'd love for you to talk a little bit about the tune This Old Coat just a little bit more. It's a song that, as is described actually in your press release, is a song that aches with a longing for eternal renewal. And to me, it's one of the most poetic one of the more unique songs on the album. I wonder if you could just share a bit about "This Old Coat" and kind of what it means to you.

Yeah, you know, "This Old Coat" stems from the parable of the old garment, new wineskin in Matthew 9:16-17. I had originally written it for a compilation that's yet to be released. It's probably, I would say this is probably one of my favorite songs on the record just because I did spend so much time studying and immersing myself in the scripture and just trying to describe what it meant to, um, you know, kind of let go of our, our old ways, or my old ways. I was, you know, it's easy to cover up little sins that— and it just makes it worse. So, you know, you play off like, ah, they're not that bad, uh, you know, sorry Lord. And so, um, you know, I wrote this song while I was living in Minnesota, and I I had this old coat that was just so comfortable, and that's kind of where the old coat idea came, is I was thinking of what, what is a garment? And so I was thinking of an old coat that you just don't want to let go. Keep putting patches on to try to keep it so it's wearable, I guess, or it's working to keep you warm. And so, you know, it's a You know, I guess it's thinking even of the wineskin, uh, you know, if we're living in our old ways and we're studying scripture, we're hearing the word of God, and all this newness is coming into our life, it's just— it's leaking out, you know, it's just going to fall out. And I feel like that's where God wants us to give him give that old coat over and just say, God, make me new. Give me, give me your newness of life. Um, you know, in the lyrics it just, it talks a lot about that, of being made new. Um, he's the restorer of all things. And so that's really what it's about. Um, you know, that we would be filled with his goodness and it wouldn't leak out, and we'd, uh, understand his ways of being made new. Being a new creation in Christ.

Well, I think that's a great way for us to close our conversation out together today. So once we say goodbye here, I'm gonna go ahead and play that song for our listeners from your newest album. And again, I want to congratulate you because this is really a special project, and, and I hope that you find many new listeners Among the Pines, or wherever they listen. Yeah, but, but Among the Pines is a great EP for, for all of you listening. You can find it everywhere that you, you stream music. And I forgot to ask this, but can they buy physical copies of the CD, or is it at this point still just streaming only?

No, absolutely, you can buy them at ryanclairemusic.com. CDs are available there. I ship them out as soon as I I see the order come in.

So awesome. Well, that's terrific. And I do want to send everybody to RyanClareMusic.com. Yes, for the website. And we'll make sure and put links to that in the show notes of this show as well. Well, as I tell my guests every week, Ryan Clare, thank you for being one of the Voices in My Head this week.

Absolutely blessed to be here. Thank you.

And I've been wearing this old coat for far too long. It's filthy, rags, old stain and torn. Who could afford to cover up the rent all on his own? And every chasm, every tear, every hole Make me new. I will not be satisfied anymore. Living is an old red old wineskin that spills on the floor. Fill me up, make me new, oh Lord. to make it known that I'm living a life where the old never dies. Just to cover up in comfort and my pride.

Make me new.

Make me new. Yes, I carry on my days like none before. Leave behind my old ways, unfulfilled and wanting more. No more patches, no more holes, no more shame. I'll tell the story of how it was, used to say. This old weather coat, new patches I sew. I've only pulled away to make it known that I'm living a life where the old never dies, just to cover up in comfort in my pride.

Maybe morning mercy shining. I'll be clothed in the righteousness of God, and I'll be filled with your goodness.

We'll cover, Lord, your gracious—

in the hands of the Maker, I'm restored. Make me new. Make me new. Make me new. Oh, make me new.

So whether cold New patches I sew have only pulled away to make it known.

I've been living a life where the old never dies, just to cover up income.

And my pride will make me near death. Make me new. Make me new. Make me new.

Thank you for joining me here this week on Voices in My Head. I hope you'll visit me on my website at rickleejames.com, where you can find out more about me, get my music on vinyl and CD, follow my blog, and even schedule me for a concert or a speaking engagement. Better yet, even a book signing in your neighborhood. You can find all that and more at rickleejames.com. Also, it would mean a great deal to me if you could write a review of this podcast on iTunes. ITunes. The more positive reviews that we receive, the more visible this podcast will be online. And now for the benediction: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. God bless you, and thank you for listening to Voices in My Head.