Once in awhile a song from a Christian artist seems to resonate with followers of Jesus Christ as well as with those who don’t know Him. Bob Carlisle’s 1996 hit — Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace) — hit the top of both Christian and secular charts, becoming a favorite of numerous women who were getting married at that time.

An Appeal To Women

I don’t know if Jonny Diaz’s “More Beautiful You” will have the same response as Bob Carlisle’s hit, but I can certainly see the song’s appeal for many women. Diaz croons imploring young women to examine their lives and avoid getting caught up in the world, particularly where there personal looks and character are at stake.

True, the name of God and Jesus Christ are not mentioned in the song, but I’m thinking that the song’s introspective message will have the listener looking deep within themselves.

Along with the YouTube video of the song, the lyrics are as follows:

Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn’t straight her body isn’t fake
And she’s always felt overweight

Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are

There could never be a more beautiful you
Don’t buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you

Little girl twenty-one the things that you’ve already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you’ve got a man but he’s got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead

Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there’s a man whose love is true
And he’ll treat you like the jewel you are

So turn around you’re not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It’s not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who’s strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you’ll see through the eyes of a little girl

Popularity: 8% [?]

I never heard Mary Barrett sing until very recently when my wife shared the embedded video with me, a tribute to her life as a singer, songwriter, but above all else as a daughter of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.

My wife met Mary at a worship conference held at Sandy Cove conference center during the 1990s, recalling a brief encounter where the always beaming worship leader from Calvary Chapel Merritt Island (FL) was present to teach and inspire others.

Last November 10th, Mary went home to be with the Lord, after a lengthy battle with ovarian cancer. As the video clip clearly shows, her body was ravaged by disease and chemo treatments, but her spirit stood strong. Mary was working on an album completed just weeks before she died, the result being The Vanishing Point. Mary’s final work was released this past January and is now available online.

Mary’s music style is (was) both upbeat and worshipful.  Personally, I don’t find myself being drawn to her, rather I find myself being drawn to Him, just as Mary intends for her songs to be sung.  Thoroughly refreshing and awe inspiring, songs offered up to God in the way they should be — worshipful.

Throughout our brief lives we encounter many special people, some of whom we barely get to know but still manage to leave a positive impact on us. Though Mary is absent from her body she is present with the Lord, singing new songs to the One she glorified.

Popularity: 1% [?]