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Whispering hope

So I call Steven Curtis Chapman 'The Gospel Whisperer' in my American Chronicle article (click link below when you’re ready to read him according to me). I call him that because he doesn't shout it -- he just shares it; he doesn't attack those who do not believe like he does – he just talks about it; he doesn't speak in tongues – he just sings in the language of everyday life.

Jim Mueller asks him about his newest album, #14, 'All Things New' ('A conversation with Steven Curtis Chapman,' 2004, growthtrac.com/). Steven says:

'God is whispering to us, and sometimes screaming – through creation and all that goes on around us – He desires to renew all things including our hearts, minds, and relationships.' So God is a Gospel whisperer also. He is whispering hope.

How did Steven come to write the songs in the album? He had seen degeneration. He had begun noticing that the car was wearing out, the house needed painting, the bread was going stale, and he saw 'plenty of reminders all around' that things were 'declining.' And out of that sight of degeneration, he had the insight of regeneration. 'We look at God's truth and who God is and see He’s committed to renewing all things and making all things new.'

Hearts, minds, relationships. How about his old relationship with Mary Beth, his wife? Steven says:

'We've been married twenty years this October and I can honestly say my wife and I have never been more in love.'

'What about romance?' Jim asks. 'Is that still a reality for old married people and a houseful of kids?'

Steven says, 'We need to keep ourselves aware that we have to make time for ourselves. Even when I was making this record, Mary Beth came out and spent some time with me in Los Angeles. It was a special getaway time. We’ve been blessed to be able to do that.'

You don’t say!

'With three older kids, they can baby sit and give us a night out. We can escape to our favorite restaurant, grab a meal and gaze into each other's eyes – even if they're bloodshot and sleepy.' They can be whispering love.