about the album

The idea for this project started rumbling through my spirit in the Fall of 2022.  As I became increasingly frustrated with the lack of unity in the body of Christ, I set upon a quest to focus on the specific teachings of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6 and 7).   In early December, 2022, I began the journey (or attempt) to memorize this substantial passage.  One month later, after pulling through another busy Christmas season, I received a call from my mother from the hospital where my father, Dick Kelly had been admitted.  The following week was a journey of emotion as Dad's condition did not improve rapidly.  I found myself preparing for the worst.  One week later, on January 13th, 2023, my father went home to be with our Heavenly Father.  

During the week of Dad's hospitalization, I found myself late each night sitting by my fireplace, often times with a glass of whiskey, wondering about the future, remembering the past, and leaning into the recently memorized first section of the Sermon on the Mount.  It was amazing how the teachings seemed like a crutch that I was forced to lean on during that time.  That was the point when Jesus gave me the first melody.  It was simple and hopeful.  Before too long, the melody and rhythm of the first verse fell into place.  Next, the second verse, then finally the bridge.  I can't describe it any other way then to say God downloaded the music into my head....  I felt like it was literally a gift from God when it came together that first evening.  Then, all of the sudden, I heard a choir singing "Rejoice and be glad, for great is your reward in Heaven".....  It was awesome... I quickly ran to the keyboard, figured out the progression, and jotted down the idea in a voice memo....  It was at this point that I became attentive to the idea that maybe this entire teaching could be "scored" like a musical play.   The first two ideas weren't "complete" songs, but flowed into each other, which continued into the Salt and Light, The Law and Murder tracks.  

I decided to trust the Lord and proceed in faith.  My goal wasn't to write complete songs, but rather to score the text and attempt to properly represent the text musically. 

The following few weeks, after the funeral, after the family came and went, after the dust settled,  I found myself with a demo for five tracks.  I felt like this could be a good stopping point for a first volume.  The month around my father's passing seems like a blur or fog to me as I look back.  But somehow in the midst of that fog, the Lord handed me a gift.  The Sermon on the Mount project brought comfort to my soul while I was mourning.  In addition to receiving the album from the Lord, I also was substantially blessed by my amazing brothers and sisters in Christ who helped me to record this album.  The outpouring and support from everyone involved will never be forgotten.  

Moving forward, by God's grace, I'll continue to seek the Lord's inspiration in scoring the remaining sections of this teaching.  To God be the glory forever and ever, amen.