inspired by a true story……..

There is a long running joke within our small group that I might never get my “man card” back. If downloading, listening to and enjoying the new CD by Mandisa adds a few more months to the time before I can get it back…so be it. Her previous CD called “True Beauty” is also in rotation on my iPod. She happens to be a favorite artist for my wife. So, it was with great anticipation that I downloaded her latest CD called “Freedom” on Tuesday.

Tuesday also happened to be an 8 mile training day for me, so I used the opportunity to give this CD a listen (one and a half times to be exact). I had anticipated that many of the songs would carry the beat necessary to stay moving during the run. Mandisa didn’t disappoint and neither does “Freedom”. I can confirm that she was able to avoid the “sophomore slump” of her second CD and actually equals the success of “True Beauty”. On a totally different note, Mandisa has also lost 75 pounds and is working towards a personal goal of 100!

Two songs really stood out to me on this CD. “Not Guilty” is an incredible reminder that in the court of our past and regret the verdict for those who believe is clear…not guilty! In the art of full disclosure, “You Wouldn’t Cry” hit me really, really hard. The lyrics went right to place that I didn’t know I had not dealt with yet. I opened a box of emotions that needed to be faced and sorted out. It’s a long story I won’t go into here, but for anyone that has lost someone close and struggled with the process of grief, I cannot recommend this song enough. The lyric that hit the hardest simply says:

You’ve got to lay it down
Cause Jesus holds me now
And I am not alone
Your faith is wearing thin
But I am watching him
And he is holding you too

I give “Freedom” a 4 out of 5. “Man Card” is optional

1. My Deliverer
2. How Much
3. He Is With You
4. The Definition of Me
5. Not Guilty
6. Leave it in The Valley
7. Victorious
8. Broken Hallelujah
9. Freedom Song
10. Dance, Dance, Dance
11. You Wouldn’t Cry

*bold indicates highly recommended downloads