My new record BREAKING FREE (available now) is a wide open look into me. There are a many allusions to some very personal moments in my life, faith, and relationships. Here are the stories behind the songs:
Track 1. SING GLORY:
It was my 12th birthday. I was in a doctor’s office. I was diagnosed with a walnut sized tumor in my brain. Yeah, I was pretty shocked. Thing was, back then, I didn't know Jesus. I wasn't from a church going family and my knowledge about faith was very little if not nonexistent. I went through that whole ordeal without the security of knowing that I had a loving God who was going lead me though the toughest trial of my young little life.
I didn't know how to pray, I didn't know what to do. I have a very vivid memory of checking into the hospital one day, my mom was answering questions about our family from the check-in desk. One of the questions was, "Religion?" The only thing I could think of was, "Oh great, they want to know what kind of minister to call in to comfort you when I die." I wasn’t very encouraged, and I had little to draw real hope from. It was all very draining. And as you can tell from my reaction to that question, it was very deflating. I was just watching my life fast forward though MRI scans, a biopsy, a removal surgery, a long surgery recovery, and even after all of that, the tumor re-grew. It was then I saw how God was going to work; how He was going to use my story to transform me, my family, and use my voice as instrument of ministry and revival.
The tumor's second appearance was miraculously healed. Over the next two years, it shrunk until it eventually vanished completely. I was declared "cured" at age 17. I had a lot of people praying me through that I continue to meet for the first time. It's not rare that I come across someone from my hometown and they say, "I remember when you were going though all that... our whole family was praying for you." I sincerely hope those reminders never stop coming.
I've always wanted to write a song to commemorate this life altering span of my life, but nothing ever seemed good enough... until one night it all came spilling out on my guitar. What started out as a slow, sad, story song turned into a joyous declaration of God's glory and promise. This is the last song I wrote for this record. After trying for years to write something that truly described how I wanted to paint the picture of this story, It turns out that all I really wanted to communicate was my thankfulness, and my understanding of how God has provided a platform for me to share His glory with others. I hope "Sing Glory" sings to you too.
SING GLORY
verse 1
when I was blind and my heart erased
your unfailing love led me through
but like a flood your amazing grace
kept nothing from out-shining you
so I praise, oh I praise
chorus
sing glory glory, sing glory glory
the good news and story, hallelujah
sing glory glory, sing glory glory amen
verse 2
driving out on this open road
believing in all that I breathe
with my windows down and my life in tow
Your goodness is all that I need
so I praise, oh I praise
and ask for a thousand more ways
verse 3
no regrets of this time or place
without 'em I'd never learn
now reflecting back is a wiser face
with stories about every turn
so I praise, oh I praise
and ask for ten thousand more days.
Download the new album BREAKING FREE on iTunes or order a CD at the Cody Collier Store.
Track 1. SING GLORY:
It was my 12th birthday. I was in a doctor’s office. I was diagnosed with a walnut sized tumor in my brain. Yeah, I was pretty shocked. Thing was, back then, I didn't know Jesus. I wasn't from a church going family and my knowledge about faith was very little if not nonexistent. I went through that whole ordeal without the security of knowing that I had a loving God who was going lead me though the toughest trial of my young little life.
I didn't know how to pray, I didn't know what to do. I have a very vivid memory of checking into the hospital one day, my mom was answering questions about our family from the check-in desk. One of the questions was, "Religion?" The only thing I could think of was, "Oh great, they want to know what kind of minister to call in to comfort you when I die." I wasn’t very encouraged, and I had little to draw real hope from. It was all very draining. And as you can tell from my reaction to that question, it was very deflating. I was just watching my life fast forward though MRI scans, a biopsy, a removal surgery, a long surgery recovery, and even after all of that, the tumor re-grew. It was then I saw how God was going to work; how He was going to use my story to transform me, my family, and use my voice as instrument of ministry and revival.
The tumor's second appearance was miraculously healed. Over the next two years, it shrunk until it eventually vanished completely. I was declared "cured" at age 17. I had a lot of people praying me through that I continue to meet for the first time. It's not rare that I come across someone from my hometown and they say, "I remember when you were going though all that... our whole family was praying for you." I sincerely hope those reminders never stop coming.
I've always wanted to write a song to commemorate this life altering span of my life, but nothing ever seemed good enough... until one night it all came spilling out on my guitar. What started out as a slow, sad, story song turned into a joyous declaration of God's glory and promise. This is the last song I wrote for this record. After trying for years to write something that truly described how I wanted to paint the picture of this story, It turns out that all I really wanted to communicate was my thankfulness, and my understanding of how God has provided a platform for me to share His glory with others. I hope "Sing Glory" sings to you too.
SING GLORY
verse 1
when I was blind and my heart erased
your unfailing love led me through
but like a flood your amazing grace
kept nothing from out-shining you
so I praise, oh I praise
chorus
sing glory glory, sing glory glory
the good news and story, hallelujah
sing glory glory, sing glory glory amen
verse 2
driving out on this open road
believing in all that I breathe
with my windows down and my life in tow
Your goodness is all that I need
so I praise, oh I praise
and ask for a thousand more ways
verse 3
no regrets of this time or place
without 'em I'd never learn
now reflecting back is a wiser face
with stories about every turn
so I praise, oh I praise
and ask for ten thousand more days.
Download the new album BREAKING FREE on iTunes or order a CD at the Cody Collier Store.
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