Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

Joel Osteen is the pastor of Lakewood Church, Houston, a church that is apparently America's largest and fastest growing church, currently having more than 38,000 attendees. The front cover says "Joel Osteen presents..." but I have to say that I cannot see where he features in the music at all. The music is actually presented by the church worship leaders, Israel Houghton, Anointed and Cindy Cruse Ratcliff, and apart from a couple of Hillsong songs and the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul", all of the songs are written by them. The musical performances are excellent, with highlights being the infectious energy of the opening "Everywhere That I Go", the anthemic "Love So Amazing" and the title track, a strong ballad declaring that whereas fear once kept us at a distance from God, that distance has been erased by grace and we are now free to worship. The songs are mostly about victorious Christian living, and of course Christ has given us the victory and that is definitely worth remembering and celebrating. However, being based on Joel's book Become A Better You (which is a prosperity gospel manual for self improvement, naming and claiming from the Bible in a way that sometimes makes the Bible seem like a collection of fortune cookies) this sentiment is taken too far in that we hear lines spoken such as "...this year will be our best year so far, a year of increase, a year of promotion, a year when we'll walk in greater health...we declare it by faith in Jesus' name" and my Bible does not say this at all, but rather talks about self-sacrifice, service and the taking up of one's cross! I therefore feel I cannot wholeheartedly recommend the CD, but taken with this caveat, based on the music alone one could certainly be blessed by these songs of worship.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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