The Hurt and the Healer by MercyMe

Since they released "I Can Only Imagine", their multiplatinum single well over ten years ago, MercyMe has continued to deliver engaging pop songs, exhortive anthems, and worshipful and intimate moments to a world looking for encouragement.

The Hurt & The Healer produced by Brown Bannister and Dan Muckula, once again delivers an album proclaiming their faithfulness and adoration of our King and Savior Jesus. With an indie alternative rock musical style, lead singer Bart Millard, guitarists Mike Scheuchzer and Barry Graul, bassist Nathan Cochran, drummer Robby Shaffer, and keyboard player Jim Bryson passionately worship the King of Kings.

The foundational statement of the new MercyMe album is the title track and ballad "The Hurt & The Healer." We are all longing to find hope, a purpose in our suffering . . . seeking the restorative value in our hurts and disappointments. The chorus includes these poignant words, “I fall into your arms open wide, when the hurt and the Healer collide” and, “The moment when humanity is overcome by majesty.” It is indeed a prayerful expression of our hearts’ deepest longings.

My immediate favorite is "You Don't Care At All" with its piano-rock beat reminder that we serve an “apathetic” God . . . who doesn’t care about our yesterdays, past mistakes or what we do. His redemptive love, through the blood of Christ, is enough to silence the devil’s lies that we are unworthy of God’s grace and mercy.

Another favorite is "You Are I Am": a relaxed affirmation of who God really is and how that is enough for us as His children. There is no ambiguity about the God they are lifting up in their worship. This is one of those songs that will stick in your mind!

Inspirational is often an overused word to describe music that moves our emotions. It is a fine line to write Christian music that tickles the ears or warms the heart but leaves it at surface level. I’ve never met MercyMe, but I believe these guys don’t want the hits unless God receive the glory and honor.

You’ll find all of MercyMe’s music to be lyric-driven and bathed in biblical truth. And I, for one, will crank this God-honoring music up whether I’m in the living room or in the car. I’ll even be singing out loud!

Reviewer Favorites: You Don’t Care At All, You are I Am, The Hurt and The Healer and The First Time

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.