Sherry: This is the first song that Robin and I collaborated on.   It began as a song that was written when I first moved to California.  Sitting on the sand at the ocean, gazing at the vast expanse of beach, I realized we are all like grains of sand, and it put my problems into perspective.  Then, I started thinking about how a pearl starts as a grain of sand – an irritant – and becomes something beautiful.  In the same way, God can take each one of us, layer us with His love, and create something beautiful of our lives.

I must admit, my first attempt at this song was almost laughable, but feeling that the idea was solid, I shared it with Robin.  I remember sitting in my living room, Robin with her guitar, while she created this fun, “beachy” melody, condensed my words, and added her very cool arrangements (“tumblin’ around, around, around” and the bridge.)   I knew right then that we would be a good song-writing team!  And yes, we still laugh at my original version titled... ta-dah...Precious Treasure! What?! Are you laughing yet? We are!

Sherry: This song was brought to us by Nona Brockman, one of the dear ladies from our Wednesday morning Women’s Bible Study.  We loved it immediately, and is one we use often in worship.   Geoff Bullock has become one of our favorite songwriters, and we enjoy sharing his music.

A Journey Spent
Lyrics & Music by Robin Spurs

Robin: I wrote this song as a summary to one year's teaching of Corinthians at SMCC Women's Bible Study. It simply struck me that the only thing we really take with us is how we loved: both the Lord and others. I can't say I really love God if I don't have love in my heart for others. All of the motives behind all I do in this life will be revealed one day soon.

So the idea of "a journey spent that doesn't fade" is, to me, a life lived motivated by love, love, love. And how can I live this way? Only by the Author of Love Himself living in my heart. And as our Pastor Anderson says "If Christ is living in you, then LET HIM OUT!"

Turn My Heart
Lyrics & Music by Lynn DeShazo
Arranged by Robin Spurs

Sherry: This song has evolved into the offering that is now on our CD.   One of Robin’s favorites from the beginning, it truly came alive when she added the guitar vamp, and we nailed down our harmony.  It has a “cool groove” that is very addictive and fun to play and sing!

Bonnie: Several years ago, I attended a monthly music meeting at a small catholic convent.  I had spoken with one of the sisters about a one-day personal retreat and was looking forward to spending time alone with God.  As I have come to learn, God’s timing is perfect. The day before the retreat, a major crisis occurred; a relative, whom I had been trying help, landed in jail.  I cried out to God, searching for guidance and answers.  Above the retreat was a cross on the hillside.  I walked up and prayed, searched, hoped, cried, and tried to leave my burden there at the cross.  Upon returning from the cross, I began playing a small harp I had with me.  A very simple melody, and words from scripture, poured from heart: 

Be Still and know that I am God,
Be Still and know I am He.
Be Still and know there is Strength in My Name
That the Glory of Heaven proclaims.
Be Still. 

Let My Prayer Be a Fragrant Offering
Text: Psalm 141, adapt.
Music by Ralph C. Sappington

Sherry: We love the haunting melody and chord progressions of this song; they inspired Robin’s mandolin style guitar.  We wanted the instruments to evoke incense rising to the heavens in praise of our Lord.

Alabaster Jar
Matthew 26:6-13
Lyrics & Music by Sherry Nissen 
Orchestrated by Robin Spurs

Sherry: I used to accompany the choir, and occasionally lead worship for, a special church in Glendale, CA called Abiding Word.  I was always moved by Pastor Frank’s sermons, and when I was leading the worship, would ask what his scripture and sermon theme would be for that week.  I would then write a song to go along with the message. 

One particular week it was the story of the woman who defied Jesus’ disciples to worship her Lord by anointing Him with expensive oil and washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair.   I had heard this story from the time I was very young, but this time I was so taken with the message, that as I searched the bible, the song merely unfolded.   The first line of the chorus “What great love you must have, to save a sinner such as me,” became very personal.  I pray this song touches many hearts, and helps people realize that no sin is too great for God to forgive.  May we be moved by heartfelt gratitude, to “pour out” our love for Him.

I Cannot Fathom
Inspired by Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”
Lyrics by Sherry Nissen & Robin Spurs 
Music by Robin Spurs

Sherry: For those of you who have seen The Passion of the Christ you will understand the impact this movie has on those who view it.  My husband and I saw it the Thursday before Good Friday, and I was so moved that I awoke with the words ready to pour out of my heart!  There were three scenes from the movie that especially touched me, and those are the ones I wanted to highlight in the song.  I started writing that morning, and as I ran errands, began jotting down notes at each stoplight, came home and finished it that afternoon. 

I was so excited to play this song for Robin, and as I finished the chorus and started into the verse, Robin stopped me and said, “Sherry, that’s Alabaster Jar.”  Aghast I said, “No it’s not!  It’s in an entirely different key!”  Well, Robin was correct...I had written Alabaster Jar years before, but it was definitely the same melody (in a different key!) that I was using for I Cannot Fathom!  Chagrined, I turned to Robin and asked, “Can you write the music for these words?”  and she said, “I will do my best!”  And she created the most beautiful music for our song.  She also rearranged and edited the chorus, created a bridge and counter melodies with the strings; in essence, she turned my words into a breath-taking song. 

Enter His Rest
Lyrics & Music by Sherry Nissen
Arranged & Orchestrated by Robin Spurs

Sherry: This song was a heart-cry and a direct answer from the Lord.  I had reached a point in my song-writing where I was completely dry.  Nothing would come to me.  I remember standing in the kitchen, my forehead leaning against the wall, and asking God, “What do I think I’m doing?  Can I really write, or am I just fooling myself?  Lord, if this is a gift you have given, and something You really want me to do, please give me a sign.  Give me a song.”  Immediately, the lyrics and music of the chorus came to my mind, and I was overwhelmed with the quickness of His answer. 

The original verse was from scripture we were studying at Bible Study, and was well received by the ladies.  However, I felt that it was not the ultimate message I wanted to portray.  I wanted it to be about entering His rest here on earth until we can join Him for eternity in heaven.  So, I worked and re-worked the verse, never quite happy.  When we announced that we were finally recording a CD, the ladies at Bible Study began to ask if we were going to include Enter His Rest and I realized I needed to finish it!  I had a chorus, and I had a verse, but they sounded like two different songs. 

We wrestled with this, and it wasn’t until Robin was mixing it in the studio that it finally came together!   She stripped away the instruments at the beginning so that it started out acappella.  Then, she added the “angel aahs” to the bridge, and raised the song to the level I had hoped it would become.  The first time I listened to the finished version, it brought tears to my eyes, and I pray it makes those who listen, long for heaven.

You Are My Peace
Lyrics & Music by Sherry Nissen & Robin Spurs

La Vasija de Alabastro
Lyrics & Music by Sherry Nissen
Orchestrated and Sung by Robin Spurs
Spanish Translation by Ignacio Flores & Rosa Trypucko

Robin: I have always loved the Spanish language and decided (finally) to start learning Spanish through a local college night-school program. Just prior, I had attended the funeral service of my friend Martin's brother. Martin's church is a completely Spanish speaking 4-Square Gospel Church. I longed to understand what was being spoken of about Jesus in Spanish, and to comfort my friend and his family in their time of loss. I also longed to speak about Jesus in another language - Spanish!

I love how the Lord builds upon His plans in our lives. In hind-sight, it appears this inspiration was also to prepare me for something He would put on my heart a few months later: to sing Sherry's song Alabaster Jar in Spanish.

Sherry's song so touched my heart. The story of Mary whose love for Jesus, so vulnerable yet so tenderly, sweetly persistent, speaks to me of pursuing loving my Savior in light of any adversity. I pray this song, sung in two languages will touch many hearts, as it did mine. (May those who are fluent in Spanish forgive my humble attempts at singing in your beautiful language).