The Early Works  is a 1991 compilation album of Christian singer/songwriter/ author Michael Card . It is released as part of a series of artist anthology albums called The Early Works featuring former artists who were on the Benson Records label when they first started. It contains 15 select songs from Card's two Milk & Honey albums First Light and Legacy . Card himself wrote the liner notes on each song and contains photos of Card on the CD insert. Track listing All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted. 1. Love Crucified Arose (from Legacy ) -3:00 2. The Voice of the Child (from Legacy ) -3:00 3. By Your Name (from First Light ) -2:34 4. Light of the World (from First Light ) -2:48 5. This Must Be the Lamb (from Legacy ) -3:50 6. Jesus Loves Me (This I Know) (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) (from First Light ) -3:43 7. El Shaddai (Michael Card, John Thompson) (from Legacy ) -3:45 8. Stranger On the Shore (from First Light ) -4:20 9. No Rusty Swords (from First Light ) -3:07 10. Hound of Heaven (from First Light ) -3:12 11. Don't You Know (from First Light ) -3:49 12. I Have Decided (from First Light ) -3:42 13. Dragonslayer (from Legacy ) -3:34 14. Tell the World That Jesus Loves You (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) (from Legacy ) -2:38 15. Now That I've Held Him In My Arms (from Legacy ) -3:28 Production credits Randy Scruggs and John Thompson -producers (all tracks) Previous release: The Way of Wisdom  (1990)   Next release: The Promise: A Celebration of Christ's Birth  (1991)

Michael Judson Card (born April 11, 1957) is an American Christian singer-songwriter, musician, author, and radio host from Franklin, Tennessee. He is best known for his contributions in contemporary Christian music, which combine folk-style melodies and instrumentation with an in-depth study of the Bible. Since his debut in 1981, Card has released more than 25 album and has written several number one songs. He has also authored several books, including the Christian Book Award winner A Sacred Sorrow . Card was born in Madison, Tennessee. He is the son of a doctor and the grandson of a Baptist minister. He received bachelor's and master's degrees in biblical studies from Western Kentucky University, and was awarded the university's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997. His studies in physics and astronomy led to a job at a planetarium, allowing him to fund his education. Card received his start as a professional musician when his professor and mentor, William L. Lane, asked him to write some music to accompany weekly sermons at their church. Card's friend and fellow musician, Randy Scruggs, then requested that Card record a demo tape to help Scruggs get a job as a producer. The record label agreed to hire Scruggs as long as his first project featured Card. Since then, Card has released thirty-two original albums and six compilation albums. His Starkindler project is composed of his interpretations of traditional Celtic hymns. The compilations often include one or two new songs along with previously released material. With the exception of Starkindler and Hymns , Card writes a vast majority of the music he records. Many of Card's albums are structured around a unifying theme. The songs from The Beginning are all based on the Pentateuch. The individual songs have subjects such as Genesis, Leviticus, Abraham, Isaac, and Moses. He is particularly adept at relating difficult or obscure concepts from the Old Testament to more understandable themes from the New Testament. The song "Jubilee" concerns the period of rest and the release from debts and slavery commanded in the Jubilee year as described in Leviticus 25, but also relates to the rest and freedom from condemnation offered through Jesus. Card's most famous song is "El Shaddai," which was also recorded by popular CCM recording artist and songwriter Amy Grant . Grant's recording was named No. 326 on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of 365 Songs of the Century in 2001. Other popular Card songs include "Immanuel," "Joy in the Journey," and "Heal Our Land," which was commissioned as the 1993 National Day of Prayer's theme song. Despite his success in music, Card has always maintained that his music career is secondary to his calling as a Bible teacher. He has distanced himself from the Christian music industry by criticizing the promotion of personalities over musical content and the shifting emphasis away from God to sell more albums. In 2008, alongside the By/For Project, Card produced and contributed vocals and songs to the album Sweet Sacrifice , collaborating with Seattle, Washington-based artists Brian Moss, Molly McCue, and Kurt Dyrhsen. The album was made available for free on ByFor.org under a Creative Commons Attribution license. In 2019, Card released the album, To the Kindness of God , featuring seven new original songs, two hymn covers, and a new arrangement of one of Card's earlier songs, "Song of Gomer" (here renamed "Gomer's Song"), which first appeared on the album The Word: Recapturing the Imagination . Prior to its release, Card announced that it would be his final full-length album, but also clarifying that he was not yet retiring from music in general, or writing new music. When not making music, Card is also the author and co-authored more than 20 books. Some of his books also served as companion books to some of his albums. Card also hosted a weekly radio program titled In the Studio with Michael Card . The program consisted of talk, Bible study and musical performances. The radio show ceased production in 2009 but was then revived as a podcast in 2018, with new and classic material. Card l ives in Franklin, Tennessee, where, with a group of close friends, he pursues racial reconciliation and neighborhood renewal, and is currently writing on the details of the life of Jesus. He and his wife, Susan, have four children and five grandchildren. Michael travels frequently each year, teaching and sharing his music at Biblical Imagination Conferences. More information on Michael Card at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Card Discography First Light (1982) Legacy (1983) The Life of Christ trilogy: Known By His Scars (1985) Scandalon  (1986) The Final Word  (1987) The Life (1988) (2-CD box set) Present Reality  (1988)   Sleep Sound in Jesus: Gentle Lullabies for Baby  (1989) The Ancient Faith trilogy: The Beginning  (1989) The Way of Wisdom  (1990)   The Word: Recapturing the Imagination  (1992)   The Early Works (1991) (Benson Records compilation album) The Promise: A Celebration of Christ's Birth (1991) Come to the Cradle  (1993) The Ancient Faith (1993) (2-CD box set) Joy in the Journey: 10 Years of Greatest Hits (1994) (compilation album) Poiema (1994) Brother to Brother  (1996) (collaboration album with John Michael Talbot)   Close Your Eyes So You Can See  (1996)   Unveiled Hope  (1997)   Starkindler: A Celtic Conversation Across Time  (1998)   Signature Songs  (1999) (Benson Records compilation album)   Soul Anchor (2000) Scribbling in the Sand - The Best of Michael Card - Live (2002) (live album/DVD) A Fragile Stone (2002) The Ultimate Collection (2006) (2-CD compilation album) The Hidden Face of God (2006) Hymns (2008) An Invitation to Awe (2011) (reissue of The Ancient Faith 2-CD box set) Luke: A World Turned Upside Down (2011) Mark: The Beginning of the Gospel (2012) A Violent Grace (2013) Matthew: The Penultimate Question (2013) John: The Misunderstood Messiah (2014) To the Kindness of God (2019)

Starkindler: A Celtic Conversation Across Time  is the 17th studio album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card , released in November 1998 by Covenant Artists/Myrrh/Word Records. Card co-produced the album with Craig Duncan. Starkindler showcases Card performing Irish songs of faith from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, incorporating Renaissance and Celtic music into his sound with traditional musical instruments such as acoustic guitar, harp, fiddle, flute and Uilleann pipes. The title song is the only original track while the other eight tracks are hymn covers. Starkindler peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums and at number 28 on the Heatseekers Albums charts. In 2000, the album was nominated for a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year. Track listing 1. Be Thou My Vision (traditional; arranged by Craig Duncan) -3:29 2. Starkindler (Michael Card) -3:49 3. Morning Has Broken (Eleanor Farjeon) -3:09 4. I Will Arise And Go to Jesus/Musical Priest (traditional/Joseph Hart) -3:24 5. Let All Things Now Living (traditional) -3:11 6. The King of Love My Shepard Is (traditional; arranged by Craig Duncan) -2:58 7. Jesus, Lover Of My Soul (Charles Wesley) -2:57 8. I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say/Blarney Pilgrimage (Horatius Bonar/traditional) -4:50 9. Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (Ignace Franz) -2:56 10. Be Thou My Vision (reprise) -3:30 Previous release: Unveiled Hope  (1997)   Next release: Signature Songs  (1999) (Benson Records compilation album)

Signature Songs  is a 1999 compilation album of Christian singer/songwriter/ author Michael Card , released on Benson Records' Greentree label. It is part of a series of anthology CDs by former Benson artists called Signature Songs. It contains tracks from his two Milk & Honey releases First Light  and Legacy with signature classics like "Love Crucified Arose," "I Have Decided," "El Shaddai" and more. The CD includes artist liner notes reflecting the ten most memorable songs. The first nine tracks were also previously heard on Card's earlier compilation release The Early Works . Track listing All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted. 1. Love Crucified Arose (from Legacy ) -2:57 2. I Have Decided (from First Light ) -3:42 3. El Shaddai (Michael Card, John Thompson) (from Legacy ) -3:45 4. Now That I've Held Him In My Arms (from Legacy ) -3:28 5. This Must Be the Lamb (from Legacy ) -3:50 6. Jesus Loves Me (This I Know) (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) (from First Light )   -3:43 7. The Voice of the Child (from Legacy ) -3:01 8. Light of the World (from First Light ) -2:48 9. Don't You Know (from First Light ) -3:48 10. Abba Father (Michael Card, John Thompson) (from Legacy ) -4:01 Production credits Randy Scruggs and John Thompson -producers (all tracks) Brian Gilbert -compilation producer (all tracks) Previous release: Starkindler: A Celtic Conversation Across Time  (1998)   Next release: Soul Anchor  (2000)

Unveiled Hope is the 16th studio album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card , released in April 1997 by Covenant Artists/Myrrh/Word Records. The album was produced by Phil Naish. Unveiled Hope is a concept album with songs inspired by the Book of Revelation in the Bible. The album's sound is a mix of contemporary, classical and R&B/ Gospel. The lead single "To the Overcomers," was Card's final charting song on the Christian AC chart published by The CCM Update , peaking at number 25. The track "Holy, Holy, Holy" is a two-minute vocal duet with Christian singer and friend Steve Green , based on and inspired by the church hymn of the same name written by John Bacchus Dykes and Reginald Heber. "You Are Worthy" is a Gospel vocal duet with American Gospel singer Darwin Hobbs. Card and Hobbs also team up on the original classical track "Hallelujah." Card also co-wrote a book with his Pastor Scotty Smith to accompany the album titled Unveiled Hope: Eternal Encouragement From the Book of Revelation , published by Thomas Nelson. Unveiled Hope debuted and peaked at number 10 on the Top Christian Albums and Card makes his first appearance on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart at number 14. In 1998, the album was nominated for a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year. Track listing All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted. 1. Prelude (Scott Brasher, J.A.C. Redford) -2:56 2. The Unveiling -3:46 3. To the Overcomers -3:56 4. Holy, Holy, Holy (featuring Steve Green) -2:00 5. You Are Worthy (featuring Darwin Hobbs) (Michael Card, Fred Vaughn) -3:56 6. Salvation -2:52 7. Interlude (arranged by Rob Mathes) -0:31 8. The Dragon -4:09 9. The Song of the Lamb -3:03 10. The City of Doom -4:37 11. Hallelujah (featuring Darwin Hobbs) -3:36 12. New Jerusalem (Michael Card, Scott Brasher) -4:49 13. Reprise (arranged by Michael Card and J.A.C. Redford) -1:23 Radio singles 1997 "To the Overcomers" -#25 Christian AC Previous release: Close Your Eyes So You Can See  (1996)   Next release: Starkindler: A Celtic Conversation Across Time  (1998)

The Music of Christmas is the seventh studio and first Christmas album by Christian singer - songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman , released on September 14, 1995 by Sparrow Records. Chapman co-produced the album with Brown Bannister, who is best known for producing Amy Grant 's two previous Christmas albums, featuring original compositions and well-known Christmas songs. One of the original songs "Christmas Is All in the Heart" was released as a single and music video. The song features guest vocals by Christian gospel singer CeCe Winans . Chapman's father Herb Chapman and older brother Herb Chapman, Jr. provide guest vocals on the medley of "Silent Night," "Away in a Manger" and "O Holy Night." The Music of Christmas peaked at number 2 on the Top Christian Albums, number 7 on the Top Holiday Albums and number 61 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts. In 1999, the album was certified Gold selling half a million copies by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). On November 8, 2025 after 30 years, Chapman and CeCe teamed up again for a new recording of Chapman's Christmas classic "Christmas Is All in the Heart" and was released as a non-album single and music video. Track listing 1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/The Music of Christmas (William H. Cummings, Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Wesley/Steven Curtis Chapman) -6:44 2. Christmas Is All in the Heart (guest vocals by CeCe Winans) (Steven Curtis Chapman) -5:16 3. Angels, We Have Heard on High (Edward S. Barnes) -5:41 4. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (traditional; arranged by Steven Curtis Chapman) -3:29 5. Our God Is With Us (Steven Curtis Chapman, Michael W. Smith) -6:44 6. Interlude: The Music of Christmas (instrumental) -4:47 Joy to the World (Isaac Watts) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing The First Noel Angels, We Have Heard on High 7. What Child Is This/This Baby (William Chatterton Dix/Steven Curtis Chapman) -4:36 8. Medley (guest vocals by Herb Chapman and Herb Chapman, Jr.) -6:04 Silent Night (Joseph Mohr, Franz Gruber) Away in a Manger (William J. Kirkpatrick, James R. Murray) O Holy Night (Adolphe Adam, John Sullivan Dwight) 9. Carol of the Bells (instrumental) (arranged by Steven Curtis Chapman) -3:45 10. O Come, All Ye Faithful (traditional; arranged by Steven Curtis Chapman) -4:19 11. Going Home for Christmas (Steven Curtis Chapman, James Isaac Elliot) -5:26 12. Precious Promise (Steven Curtis Chapman) –4:13 RIAA certifications Gold certified in 1999. Radio singles 1995 "Christmas Is All in the Heart" -#1 Christian AC for 3 weeks Previous release: Heaven in the Real World (1994) Next release: Signs of Life (1996) Watch the music video of "Christmas Is All in the Heart" here: Watch the music video of "Christmas Is All in the Heart" featuring CeCe Winans here:

Speechless is the ninth studio album by Christian singer - songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman , released on June 3, 1999 by Sparrow Records. Produced by Chapman and Brown Bannister. Speechless provided five No. 1 singles on the Christian AC radio chart than any of Chapman's other albums: "The Change," "Fingerprints of God," "Great Expectations," "Dive" and the title song "Speechless" in addition to two Top 5 Christian CHR hits, "Whatever" and "I Do Believe." The album is considered one of Chapman's greater works by many and is recognized by many as being one of the best Christian albums of all time. The song "Dive" is based on Chapman's friend and pastor Scotty Smith, who went on a fishing trip with his friend and there they fond an idyllic stream of water and waded out chest deep with their flying fishing rods. That afternoon, they caught a lot of fish in that deep water area and Smith drew an analogy to the Christian life, encouraging his congregation to not sit on the sidelines, but to brave the deep waters and fully experience the scary, sometimes dangerous places God has called His people to walk. The track is named as one of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music by CCM Magazine in 2006, listing it at number 78. The album topped the Billboard Top Christian Albums and peaked at number 31 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts. It was certified Gold in November 1999 and Platinum a year later selling over a million copies by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2000, Chapman won his fourth Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album at the 42nd Grammy Awards and also won four Dove Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year, Artist of the Year, Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "Dive" at the 31st GMA Dove Awards and winning another Male Vocalist title the following year. "Dive" was nominated for Song of the Year twice in 2000 and 2001. Track listing All songs written by Steven Curtis Chapman, except where noted. 1. Dive -3:58 2. Speechless (Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore) -5:07 3. The Change (Steven Curtis Chapman, James Isaac Elliot) -3:47 4. Great Expectations -5:03 5. Next Five Minutes (Steven Curtis Chapman, Adam Anders) -4:20 6. Fingerprints of God – 4:03 7. The Invitation (Steven Curtis Chapman, Geoff Moore) –4:58 8. Whatever –4:02 9. I Do Believe – 4:02 10. What I Really Want to Say -4:23 11. With Hope –5:13 12. The Journey (Steven Curtis Chapman, J. A. C. Redford) -3:06 13. Be Still and Know –3:20 RIAA certifications Gold certified in 1999. Platinum certified in 2000. Accolades Grammy Award -Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album ( Speechless ) Dove Award -2000, 2001 Male Vocalist of the Year 2000 Artist of the Year 2000 Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year ( Speechless ) 2000 Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year ("Dive") Radio singles 1999 "Speechless" -#2 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC for 4 weeks 1999 "Dive" -#1 Christian CHR for 3 weeks, -#1 Christian AC for 3 weeks 2000 "Whatever" -#3 Christian CHR 2000 "Fingerprints of God" -#1 Christian AC for 4 weeks 2000 "I Do Believe" -#3 Christian CHR 2000 "Great Expectations" -#1 Christian AC 2000 "The Change" -#4 Christian CHR, -#1 Christian AC for 7 weeks Previous release: Greatest Hits (1997) (compilation album) Next release: Declaration (2001) Watch the music video of "Dive" here:

Can't Stop the Rock is the first official compilation album by the Christian hard rock band Stryper , released on July 16, 1991 by Hollywood Records. This collection features 10 of the band's best known songs and album tracks and two new songs: "Believe" and the title song. "Believe" was dedicated to the American troops fighting the Persian Gulf War that same year and was accompanied by a montage music video in which the band did not appear. Both new tracks were produced by lead singer Michael Sweet and Paul Lani. Stryper's first four releases ( The Yellow and Black Attack , Soldiers Under Command , To Hell with the Devil and In God We Trust ) were all reissued by Hollywood Records, distributed by Universal Music Group, at the same time this album was released. Sweet left Stryper in 1992, in pursuit of a solo career, which marked the end of the original band lineup until they reunited in 2003. Track listing All songs written by Michael Sweet, except where noted. 1. Believe (new recording) -4:18 2. Can't Stop the Rock (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, Richard Oderbagen) (new recording) -3:38 3. Soldiers Under Command (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet) (from Soldiers Under Command ) -5:04 4. Free (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet) (from To Hell with the Devil ) -3:42 5. Always There for You (from In God We Trust ) -4:11 6. Lady (from Against the Law ) -4:54 7. To Hell with the Devil (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet) (from To Hell with the Devil ) -4:07 8. In God We Trust (Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet) (from In God We Trust ) -3:43 9. Honestly (from To Hell with the Devil ) -4:08 10. Two Bodies (One Mind One Soul) (from Against the Law ) -5:18 11. Together As One (from Soldiers Under Command ) -5:05 12. You Know What to Do (Stryper) (from the EP The Yellow and Black Attack! ) -4:48 Personnel Stryper: Michael Sweet -lead vocals, guitars, lead guitar on track 1 Robert Sweet -drums Oz Fox -backing vocals, lead guitar on track 2, guitars Tim Gaines -backing vocals on tracks 1 -3, 6, 10 -12, bass guitar on tracks 1 -3, 6, 10 and 12, keyboards on tracks 1 -3 and 12 additional musicians: John Van Tongeren -keyboards on tracks 9 and 11, bass guitar on track 11 Brad Cobb -bass guitar on tracks 4, 5, 7 -9 Billy Meyers -keyboards on tracks 5 and 8 Production credits Michael Sweet -producer (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 -9 and 12) Robert Sweet and Oz Fox -co-producers (tracks 4, 5, 7 -9 and 12) Tim Gaines -co-producer (tracks 3 and 12) Paul Lani -co-producer (tracks 1 and 2) Stephan Galfas -co-producer (tracks 4, 7 and 9) Michael Lloyd -co-producer (tracks 5 and 8) Michael Wagener -producer (tracks 3 and 11) Tom Werman -producer (tracks 6 and 10) Ron Goudie -co -producer (track 12) Previous release: Against the Law  (1990) Next release: 7: The Best of Stryper  (2003) (compilation album) Watch the music video of "Believe" here:

Close Your Eyes So You Can See  is the 15th studio and third Children's music album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card . It was released in 1996 and is his second album on Card's Covenant Artists label, distributed by Myrrh/Word Records. Card co-produced the album with producer"JB" Baird. It contains ten songs about children in the life of Jesus and Card wrote all the songs. It was also accompanied with a storybook of the same name that Card wrote with illustrations by Stephen Marchesi was published by Harvest House Publishers. Just like the CD, the book contains ten fictional stories but was based around the Gospels in the Bible during Jesus' time. The album is targeted for children ages 4 years and up. It was nominated for a Dove Award for Children's Music Album of the Year in 1997. Close Your Eyes So You Can See is not available for streaming or for digital download purchasing. A YouTube link to listen to the album is posted below this article. Track listing All songs written by Michael Card. 1. When Jesus Was a Boy -2:28 2. Close Your Eyes -2:58 3. Talitha Koumi -3:33 4. Make Me a Miracle -1:59 5. Let the Children Come -2:39 6. The Greatest Miracle -2:39 7. The Bully's Tune (featuring lead vocals by Ashley Cleveland) -3:02 8. Hosanna -2:38 9. Girl At the Gate -2:18 10. He Sends His Angels -2:54 11. Let the Children Come (reprise) -0:56 Previous release: Brother to Brother  (1996) (collaboration album with John Michael Talbot) Next release: Unveiled Hope  (1997) Listen to the Children's music album Close Your Eyes So You Can See  here:

Brother to Brother is a collaborative album by Christian singer/songwriter/ author Michael Card and American Catholic musician/songwriter/author John Michael Talbot. It was released jointly in late May 1996 by Talbot's Troubadour for the Lord label and a new independent label for Card called Covenant Artists, with distribution by Myrrh Records, a division of Word, Inc. For Card, it is his 14th studio album and his first on the newly-formed independent label Covenant Artists and for Talbot, it is his 28th studio album. Both were former label mates on Sparrow Records. Brother to Brother came about when Card and Talbot admired each others recordings and songs. Card and Talbot got together in the studio and were tasked to cover each other's songs as well as each exchanging acoustic guitars. On the opening track "One Faith," Card and Talbot, along with fellow musicians and friends Phil Keaggy and Wes King , all performed on acoustic guitar with Card arranging Talbot's song. Talbot cover's Card's song "Immanuel" in a medley with his composition "Behold, Now the Kingdom." Brother to Brother was critically acclaimed, but not without controversy: Card caused some concern from within his primarily evangelical fan-base by co-releasing this album and touring with Talbot. Some fans and critics felt betrayed by the collaboration since Card is known for lyrics that scrupulously adhere to Protestant theology whereas Talbot is a Roman Catholic. Brother to Brother peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Track listing 1. One Faith (John Michael Talbot) -4:46 2. Come Worship the Lord (Psalm 95) (John Michael Talbot) -5:23 3. Glory to Thee (O God of Life) (John Michael Talbot) -2:58 4. Immanuel/Behold, Now the Kingdom (Michael Card, John Michael Talbot) -3:52 5. Advent Suite (John Michael Talbot) -4:45 6. The Word (Michael Card) -2:55 7. The Final Word (Michael Card) -3:02 8. Why (Michael Card) -4:08 9. The Mystery (John Michael Talbot) -2:23 10. Healer of My Soul (John Michael Talbot) -3:10 11. Live This Mystery (Michael Card) -3:10 12. Come to the Table (Michael Card) -4:31 Production credits John Michael Talbot and Phil Perkins -producers (tracks 4, 6 -8, 11 and 12) Phil Naish -producer (tracks 1 -3, 5, 9 and 10) Michael Card: Previous release: Poiema  (1994)   Next release: Close Your Eyes So You Can See  (1996) John Michael Talbot: Previous release: Chant From the Hermitage (1995) (with the Monks of Little Portion Hermitage) Next release: Table of Plenty (1997)

Poiema is the 13th studio album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card , released on November 7, 1994 by Sparrow Records. Poiema is the second official release by Card, as he released his "Best of" album Joy in the Journey earlier in 1994 as it still continues to chart. The word "poiema" is Greek meaning "a work," "workmanship," or "that which is made," often used to describe something created by a divine hand. In a biblical context, it is famously used in Ephesians 2:10 to refer to believers as God's "handiwork" or "workman- ship," created for a specific purpose. It is the root for English words like "poem" and "poetry," implying a masterpiece of creation. According to Card as he wrote in the CD liner notes, "These songs are the result of listening to my life and the lives of others close to me, to try to hear the parables, poems, and songs; to determine what some of the moments mean. I hope they encourage you to realize that your own life is indeed a poem, a parable." The title song, "The Poem of Your Life" based on Ephesians 2:10, served as the album's lead single and was Card's final Top 10 hit on the Christian AC chart, as his sound has shifted to an older audience and further singles were relegated only to the Christian Inspirational chart, as has previous songs from past releases have charted on the latter. The track "For F.F.B." is dedicated to Card's grandfather, who was a preacher and the audio portion of his sermon on the song was preached four days before Card was born. "Bearers of the Light" was previously recorded for the various artists album Promise Keepers - A Life That Shows . Poiema climbed to number 7 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart in March of 1995. In 1996, the album was nominated for a Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year. After being on Sparrow Records for more than 10 years, Poiema served as Card's final release on the label. Track listing All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted. 1. The Poem of Your Life -3:03 2. The Basin and the Towel -3:59 3. Things We Leave Behind -4:14 4. Earthly Perfect Harmony (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) -3:00 5. Home -3:35 6. Lowden's Prayer (instrumental) -2:37 7. The Poem of Your Life (reprise) -1:29 8. The Edge (Michael Card, Phil Naish) -5:49 9. Hope -3:25 10. Bearers of the Light (from the various artists recording Promise Keepers - A Life That Shows ) -3:58 11. The Greening of Belfast -4:28 12. For F.F.B. -3:51 13. Sunrise of Your Smile (Michael Card, Phil Naish) -4:12 Production credits Phil Naish -producer (tracks 1 -9, 11 -13) Brown Bannister -producer (track 10) Radio singles 1994 -1995 "The Poem of Your Life" -#8 Christian AC 1995 "Things We Leave Behind" -#39 Christian AC Previous release: Joy in the Journey: 10 Years of Greatest Hits  (1994) (compilation album) Next release: Brother to Brother  (1996) (collaboration album with John Michael Talbot)

Legacy is the second studio album by Christian singer/songwriter/author Michael Card . It was Card's second and final album on the Milk & Honey label, released on April 1, 1983. The album was produced by Randy Scruggs and John Thompson. Both Scruggs and Thompson got involved in songwriting with Card on a few tracks. After the release of his debut album First Light , Card released his second album Legacy continuing his folk-pop sound. Card's first two singles "Love Crucified Arose" and "Abba Father" went Top 5 on the Christian radio chart. "Love Crucified Arose" was named as one of the 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music by CCM Magazine , listed at number 41. The song's Easter theme became a Christian radio staple, and in some ways, a blueprint for his upcoming series of albums about the life of Jesus. Card even records his own version "El Shaddai," which was made famous by Amy Grant  on her Age to Age  album. Card won two Dove Awards in 1983 as a songwriter for Song of the Year for "El Shaddai," which he co-wrote with Thompson, and Songwriter of the Year. Ironically, fellow artist and songwriter Benny Hester also released his album titled Legacy in the same year. Card's Legacy is his first chart appearance on the Billboard Top Inspirational Albums chart climbing to number 8. The album was reissued in 1988 on CD as a double album with his first Benson release First Light  and then reissued solo on CD in 1993. Track listing All songs written by Michael Card, except where noted. 1. Love Crucified Arose -3:00 2. Now That I've Held Him In My Arms -3:28 3. The Voice of the Child -3:01 4. This Must Be the Lamb -3:50 5. Dragonslayer -3:34 6. Abba Father (Michael Card, John Thompson) -4:00 7. El Shaddai (Michael Card, John Thompson) -3:45 8. God Will Provide a Lamb -2:58 9. Livin' We Die (Michael Card, John Thompson, Randy Scruggs) -4:25 10. Tell the World That Jesus Loves You (Michael Card, Randy Scruggs) -2:36 Radio singles 1983 "Love Crucified Arose" -#5 Christian AC/CHR 1983 "Abba Father" -#4 Christian AC/CHR 1983 " Tell the World That Jesus Loves You" -#32 Christian AC/CHR 1983 -1984 "This Must Be the Lamb" -#14 Christian AC/CHR Previous release: First Light  (1982) Next release: Known By His Scars  (1985)