I’m a recovering Pharisee. I’m getting over thinking that I have to have my act together so God won’t be mad at me anymore. I’m learning that my Father loves me, accepts me, even adores me regardless of how well I perform my religious duties. I’m starting to understand how important it is that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. It’s been hard to accept that I can’t do anything to save myself, that even praying the right prayer doesn’t “save me” – Jesus does that. Jesus DID that. The work of the cross is a finished work. Therefore, we can’t boast in anything we’ve done. That’s hard for a prideful man like myself to take. But I’ve found freedom in this truth. And peace. In a way, these songs tell the story of my journey to freedom – freedom in Christ and freedom from all the “things I would be” had he not so mercifully changed my mind.