"Dear Friends,

I've just come off of one of the most unusual experiences of my life. This new album, number 19 by the way, was the fastest I've ever made a record in my career. Forty days from beginning to end. It was a whirlwind. It was a blast.

As a result of being so pressed for time, all of the songs were being written at once. Lyrics were flying across the internet and over fax machines, demos were being cut late at night, writers were coming and going…it was barely controlled chaos.

But, in the midst of it all, songs began to emerge that truly reflect some ideas that have captured my imagination lately. As I listen through the songs now I hear an urgency to the lyrics because there wasn't time in the process to sit and discuss what I wanted to say. The process was more like a download of all of these thoughts and feelings that were coming out of my experience leading worship at my church. Themes like embracing the lost, stepping out of our comfort zone and taking a stand.

Being involved so much in my church has given me insight into what the church is really about. We need to think of what happens on Sunday as only 10% of what it means to be the church. The rest of the week should be 90% of what it means to be the church, the real body of Christ.

So the album is called Stand. It is a call to stand for what you believe in. It is a call to stand outside of the walls of the church, rubbing shoulders with the lost. It is a call to stand because you've captured a glimpse of something so powerful you cannot stay seated. It is a call to stand "for the One who gave it all."

This album is more than a collection of songs; it is an experience. I would encourage you to listen to it all the way through in one sitting. Hopefully, you will be moved and inspired to step out and take a stand.

With love,