The Cross Began To Call by Keith Caldwell
Co-Writers and Co-Exectutive Producers: Keith Caldwell and Clayton B. Howell
A KCCH Music Production, in association with Canyon Creek Records

   

NOTE: You can listen to previews at Indieheaven.com

Track Listing

Composer

This song was written by Keith Caldwell and his writing partner, Clayton B Howell. It was inspired by the story of John the Baptist in Keith's remembrance of his excitement at his own baptism, both by water and the spirit. It has a definite Southern Rock feel to it and will have you up on your feet, clapping your hands at this joyous rendition of the story of Jesus' baptism by John at the River Jordan.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, there were 2 thieves that hung on either side of Him. One reviled Him, saying, "Save us and yourself". The other thief chastised his fellow thief and reminded him that they deserved their fate. He then turned to Jesus and said, "Remember me this day when You come into Your kingdom", and of course, Jesus did.

Clay, in talking about this song’s origin said, “In the 80’s, my dad had a heart-attack and was seriously ill. I was in Houston and couldn’t leave work to be there, so all I could do was pray. When I spoke with a pastor friend of mine about my frustration, he gently reminded me that I was doing the most important thing that I could do for my dad. Daddy recovered to live 3 more years before going home to be w/ Jesus. This song was written not long after he came out of the hospital.”

Co-written by Keith Caldwell & Clay Howell, this song is the personal story about Keith's own grandmother and her struggle with Alzheimer. “His Amazing Grace” tells the story of how he was told his grandmother would not know him that day and how they told him she couldn’t hear, see or reach her arms up to feed herself. However, Keith’s grandmother did indeed hear the song and her response disproved what the doctors and nurses said, prompting Keith to write this song 5 years later.

Co-written by Keith Caldwell and Clay Howell, this song reminds us that we have been tasked with going out and preaching the Word to non-believers. This upbeat song has a beautiful melody and a beautiful message.

Keith Caldwell & Clay Howell wrote this song of hope for those who had been flooded in the Midwest. However, it was written just weeks before Hurricane Ike hit Houston. Keith's home sustained over $40,000.00 worth of damage and he feels as if he lived through the song he wrote for others. This song has a powerful message.

Keith had actually written this song for something else previously, but thought it could be adapted to be an upbeat, positive Christian song. He brought it to Clay & they reworked it into its current form. It is on the album because Mike, our studio guy got it mixed up with another song they wanted arranged. When they heard the arrangement Mike did, they immediately decided to use it on this project.

It's funny how often we come to a writing session with an idea for a song that when we begin to actually write, goes in another direction completely. This was supposed to be a country song with a different title altogether. We had both seen the movie, “Fireproof” and it had deeply touched us. What we wound up with here could be the theme song from this movie and is a soaring affirmation of loving someone to Christ. --Clay

One of the great delights of my life has been working with black gospel singers and their music. Back in the early 70’s at ORU, I learned the basics of playing that style and fell in love with their music. The idea of this song is based on an old and slower version of a black gospel standard I loved, but this song instead of being a slow and thoughtful presentation is a joyous affirmation of the assurance of God’s Provident Grace in “making a way where there is no way.” –Clay

Keith's pastor asked him to write a song for his Easter musical in 1998 about a song from the point of view of Barabbas as he sat in his cell. Keith finally pulled this one out of hiding and recorded it for this album. It may be from Barabbas' point of view, but we can all relate to it as we can all say, "It Should Have Been Me".

During Keith and Clay’s Bible study one night, they came upon the scripture that tells how Jesus said, “Send The Mourners Away”. Christ had said that the girl Tabitha whom had died was only sleeping and some of the crowd laughed at Him. Realizing that there are many moments in our lives where even our closest friends can tell us not to try or will give us words of discouragement, Keith and Clay wrote this song to let people know that everyone should rely on the Word of God and not the word of man.

One day Keith asked a clerk at a store how she was with a big smile and her response was, “I have worked today for almost 12 hours and you are the first person who has asked my how I was or even said, ‘hello’”. Keith noticed how she was nearly in tears and all he could think about was how many others he had passed by who just needed to know that someone cares. Keith got with Clay, took the scripture about “taking care of the least of these” and wrote this moving song.

A God of Second Chances by Keith Caldwell
Co-Writers and Co-Exectutive Producers: Keith Caldwell and Clayton B. Howell
A KCCH Music Production, in association with Canyon Creek Records

   

NOTE: You can listen to previews at Indieheaven.com

Track Listing

Composer

This, the first major release and #1 hit single from A God of Second Chances, is southern Gospel at its finest. The inspiration for the lyrics comes directly from Isaiah 55. Do not waste your resources on earthly pleasures! "Come hungry to His banquet table" and be genuinely fulfilled! The song's success marks the first #1 hit single for both Clayton B. Howell and Keith Caldwell as Songwriters, and it's Keith Caldwell's first #1 hit single as a a Gospel Recording Artist.

This song details exactly how Keith's own grandmother saw angels while she was in the hospital waiting for surgery. Keith intended this to be a personal song for his mother, Julia, his Aunt Janice and as a tribute to his grandmother. He never thought this song would be published or recorded, but everyone who heard it convinced Keith it should be included on the album and that it had a larger appeal than just to his immediate family.

God forgives us no matter how many times we sin and break His commandments. Our God of second chances is there every time we reach out for Him, and His mercy is infinite and everlasting.

"Don't be so heavenly minded that you're no earthly good," Granny's advice for a proper Christian life, is passed through the generations in this delightful country Gospel masterpiece sure to have you clapping and tapping your toes!

We are reminded that we cannot live this life on our own without God's loving guidance. Every one of us, at one time or another has tried. It's only through regular prayer and the submission of power to Him that we have the strength to face what life deals us. (I Kings 8:54)

Living a Christian life does not start and stop with attending service on Sunday. We must "walk" and "talk" with Jesus every day of our life! Keith's own smoothly blended harmony adds pizzazz to this well-crafted southern Gospel arrangement.

Keith himself has come close to death more than once in his life, but God was not ready to accept him into heaven. "Go on back and finish the good work you had begun, and when you're done you'll be coming back to me." God has a plan for each one of us. Just as Keith shares God's word through this country Gospel tune, we need to be disciples for Christ and be ready to "make it to the other side" in God's time.

In preparation for choosing a musical selection for Sunday service one week, Keith was given the topic, "If Christ was born 2000 years ago, what does it profit me today if he does not live within my heart?" After struggling with this, he took the opposite approach, asking the question, "If Christ Was Never Born," wrote the song on a Saturday afternoon, and sang it in church that next morning. The orchestration and arrangement added by Mike McClain are amazing.

We often do not understand God's reasons for leading us to abandon our way and follow His instead. Have faith in Him; He will provide! Share His Word with others! (Matthew 4:18-21)

It is indeed never too late to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. Jesus loves each and every one of us and welcomes you to eternal life regardless of past sins. Simply pray to the Father, sincerely ask for forgiveness for your sins and declare your faith in Jesus as your Savior.