Do you have a favorite song—or songs—that resonate deep within, reminding you of important moments with God, His encouragements, or beautiful reminders of His love? Have you ever wondered about the back story that inspirated these stories?
I do. Many of the worship songs that impacted—and still impact—me were penned by singer/songwriter/worship leader Lynn DeShazo. I recently was given a copy of her book MORE PRECIOUS THAN SILVER: The God Stories Behind the Songs of Lynn DeShazo. I now include the book as part of my devotional moments; reading a chapter about a particular song and then listening to that song.
The book opens with her song, “More Precious Than Silver.” After sharing some of her life and how she was actively involved with the Marantha Campus Ministries at Auburn University, she shared how this beautiful worship song was inspired by a situation with McDonald French Fries. Yes, you read that right; those salty, delicious fries were instrumental in writing that amazing song.
Throughout the rest of the book, DeShazo shares circumstances from her life that were pivotal in writing twelve more of her well-known worship songs published through Integrity Music:
“Praise Him”
“Lead Me to the Rock”
“Turn My Heart”
“Be Magnified”
“In Your Presence, O God”
“Be Unto Your Name”
“Ancient Words”
“The Diamond Turns”
“Learn to Love”
“The Gates of Zion”
“There is a Table”
“Mercy’s Sacrifice”
From the first chapter, this book is an insightful look at how God inspires people. Some of DeShazo’s situations were similar to situations many people face; a sense of rejection, fear, healing of memories, forgiveness and unforgiveness, attending a funeral, or a trip to Israel. Lynn describes the situation, what she learned, and how she used that to write a song.
MORE PRECIOUS THAN SILVER not only shares the behind-the-scenes of the penning of some of Lynn DeShazo’s songs; it is a gentle reminder that God can take our lives and our situations and use them all for His glory.
About Lynn DeShazo
About Lynn DeShazo
Singer, songwriter, worship leader and instructor, Lynn DeShazo has been involved in ministry on the local church level for nearly forty years as a worship leader, a songwriter, and a teacher. Her songs have been sung in worship throughout the Body of Christ since the early 1980’s, and she was an exclusive songwriter for Integrity Music for twenty-two years. She still travels occasionally as a worship leader, and still writes a few songs, but more often finds herself in a teaching role these days. Lynn is a native of Alabama, and still resides in Birmingham. She is also a graduate of Auburn University and the Christian Life School of Theology.
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