Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The works of Oswald Chambers and particularly his classic compendium My Utmost For His Highest were about the first books I read after my conversion. They weren't always easy to take, challenging me to my core to strive passionately for holiness and to avoid both the blandishments of the world and the shallow conformity of religiosity. But Chambers' writings (or should I say sermons - it was his wife who transcribed her husband's messages and discovered years later they still retained their power when put into print) had a deep effect on me and now this musical evocation of a few of the saint's spiritual insights is blessing me afresh. Word have pulled together a roster of many of the finest talents in CCM: 4 Him, Amy Grant, Cindy Morgan, Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W Smith, etc, etc and each delivers a song, most of the highest quality. There are a couple of snags, most of the material is slow so listening to the whole album at one sitting is a tad difficult while the production by the usually reliable Brown Bannister occasionally touches on MOR excess, as with Sandi Patty's "God Of All Of Me". But more often it's intuitively right, as with the haunting "Lover Of My Soul" by Amy or Cindy Morgan's lovely "You'll Be There". If you're looking for an exceptional devotional album look no further.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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