"New Creation" - Karen's second project - was released in June 2006. The "New Creation" compact disc includes 14 songs, totaling 67 minutes of music. Purchase online now, or for other purchase options, visit our purchase-music page.

Read the lyrics and hear music samples

We've posted all of the lyrics below. Under each song title is a link to streaming audio. Each stream is in .MP3 format and includes the first 2 minutes of the song.

Read more about "New Creation"

Read a review of "New Creation" at CD Baby. If it reads like it was written by Karen's biggest fan - well, Karen's husband wrote it, and he sure hopes so!

Who did the music?

All of the arrangements, and most of the instrumental work, were done by Christian jazz saxophonist Reggie Murray of Gulfport, Mississippi. Reggie plays soprano, alto, and tenor sax, keyboard, and a variety of other instruments.

Reggie mixed the songs on an Apple Macintosh computer. The primary software packages used were Pro Tools and Digital Performer.

New Orleans-based Christian guitarist Mark Mehaffey also took part in the recording.

Recording background vocals at Karen's house. Left to right: Mildred Watson, Akua Aidoo, Vicki Bryant, Tai Miller, Dana Isaac, Sandy Murray, Nicole Sapp, Jerryl Favorite, Ronald Gullage, Cliff Summers. Mike Indest was also in this recording session, but doesn't appear in the photo.

Reggie Murray coordinates all.

More recording of background vocals. Left to right: Darla Nitsch, Julie Nitsch, Karen, Darien Sam, MJ Sapp (obscured by microphone stand), Nicole Sapp. This photo was also taken at Karen's house; but unlike the photos above, it was shot during the day, hence the different lighting.

Lyrics

All lyrics, music, and arrangements are Copyright ©2006 Karen Grant. All rights reserved.

New creation
Ephesians 2:10

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

There was a time
when I thought Christ was just religion
it seemed
But then one day
I turned and made the right decision
to heed

Now I see it all so clearly
I was always in God's plan
there was no delay
when He came one day
showed me the right way
now I have to say

chorus
I've been changed
I have become a new creation, rearranged
There's not a part of my whole life that's still the same
by His grace I am now claimed
I will explain
I was a worm, but now I am a butterfly
When I am tempted, I don't yield, I just rely
upon my Savior to reply
to my cry

I was encased
in the cocoon of my own prison
indeed
When Jesus came
He gave me freedom and a vision
to lead

Now my life is an example
of the love He showed to me
Now I'm free to fly
yes, to touch the sky
joy in flying high
God is always nigh

Second chorus
I am saved
by the life I used to live, I'm not enslaved
Living just to please my Savior's what I crave
He is the Lord who left the grave
I won't regress
I am a sinner saved by grace, no more, no less
And to my God, this point I always will confess
it is the truth and I will never need to guess

Drum break/kicks

Alto sax solo

Repeat chorus
I'm a new creation
I'm glad I'm not the same

(and fade)

Brought us together
Song of Solomon 6:3; Matthew 19:4-6

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

Being here with you unwinding
enjoying time just us alone
I like the way that you're reminding
me of the love, we had not known

I know God gave us to each other
only He could

chorus
Lord, You had made us one
long before time had begun
Brought us together
Father, You are so wise
You helped us not to compromise
Brought us together

Through many trials we have both come
and over them the victory won
By them God gave us understanding
to do our best and have some fun

A love so rich, He gave to us now
with no sorrow

chorus

By God's grace our love is true
To Him our praises are due
Our love is tied with more than strings
It's not a fly by night fling
This love is a God thing

instrumental interlude
new chorus
Nobody else for me
best friends, God has made us to be
Brought us together
Our love is not a lie
God, Himself, is our alibi
Brought us together

chorus

new chorus

Like a child
Matthew 18:1-4

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

Like a child
to follow in Your foot steps Father
all the while
by faith I see You're there
When You speak
I'll do what I am told, to please You
And I'll seek to make You proud

As Your child
I can come and cry before You
Let You see
how vulnerable I am
No need to hide
No place to go where You can't see me
My hurts and pains have always touched Your heart

Your word says stand, after having done all to stand
I just want to live as You command
all my battles I don't have to fight
for my foes You'll set to flight

When I cry
You wrap me in Your arms securely
You let me know that I'm completely Yours
to trust in You
has made me see Your love and kindness
to live Your word
I'm in Your will

instrumental solo

Your word says stand, after having done all to stand
I just want to live as You command
all my battles I don't have to fight
for my foes you will set to flight

Now I know
You give me guidance through my trials
That's how I'll grow
I'll take You at Your word
it's the truth,
the things You say they have been proven
I've seen it happen,
time and time again

Word of God
Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; Philippians 3:9; 2 Timothy 3:16; Revelation 19:13

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

The word of God is sure and true
There is no need to fret
for what He's said is what He'll do
He's not through with your life yet

The strength of God is never weak
to the low, He condescends
with a gentle eye He sees the meek
and on Him we can depend

Let's not try to move beyond God's will
in any way, for He knows best
We can work with Him or on our own
but our works won't stand the test, no no

Sometimes God's purpose is not clear
but don't sit and mope and moan
for the problem is completely yours
when you do things on your own

To the child of God, He said these words
One day I will bring you home
Every promise He makes
is a promise He keeps
as He sits upon His throne

Let's not try to move beyond God's will
in a thing, for He knows best
We can work with Him or on our own
but we'll accomplish so much less

Spend some time in the Word of God
and you will see

Bridge
The Word of God
It's one way that He'll speak to you today
The Word of God
Are you listening to what He has to say
The Word of God
It's the truth, not based on that which you can feel
The Word of God
It will give you strength, and help you do His will

So please don't think you're all alone
that is so far from what's true
He is always there
and He's always cared
What He's promised He will do

Stay in touch with The Father
and He'll give you peace

The Word of God
Open up His Word to learn how to live
The Word of God
It will show many ways that you can give
The Word of God
It will give you understanding of His ways
The Word of God
Spending time in it, I'll tell you really pays

He will teach how to live
He will teach you how to give
hoo hoo hoo hoo.......
Trust in the Word of God

Lonely
Psalms 147:3; Hebrews 4:14-16

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

I used to see the world
as a very lonely place
and every drop of rain
as a tear upon my face
One day I sat alone
Knowing I was on my own
And then I wondered why
at times I've had to cry

Then the words I love you
were not truth to be believed
and the dreams I had
were not yet to be received
Many friends around me
did not satisfy my thirst
and it seemed to me
my life could not be worse

But then I met a Man
who fulfilled my heart's desire
He always told the truth
no, this Man was not a liar
He told me come to me
when your burdens are too great
He was there to meet my needs
and He was never late

short interlude

Now I see the world
as a very different place
and all the tears that fell
with His grace He has replaced
Some days I sit alone
but no longer on my own
now I don't wonder why
at times I used to cry

He came here from His throne
with Him we'll never be alone
He is God, not just a man
and He fully understands
By our pain He has been touched
though for Him it's not too much
Let's lay our cares before His throne-
we'll never be alone

instrumental solo

He came here from His throne
with Him you'll never be alone
He is God, not just a man
and He fully understands
By your pain He has been touched
though for Him it's not too much
Lay your cares before His throne-
you'll never be alone

You will never be alone
For God won't leave you on your own
No no no

Decisions
Joshua 24:15; Psalms 41:12; Psalms 101:2; Proverbs 1:3

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

Integrity is the hard part
It's the truth don't you know
We must all make decisions
That's the way our lives go

Satan's out just to conquer
everyone all the time
He will tempt you and tell you
doing right is a crime

A trial in your life can make you doubt
that's what some decisions bring about
Each decision that we make has a sure consequence
here on earth and in heaven affecting future events

chorus:
We must decide to please the Lord
to live for Him brings great rewards
In Him we can confide everything that we decide
He lets us choose His way of our own accord

We must trust in The Father
to give us guidance each day
He'll direct every footstep
if we'll walk in His way

Let's remember each promise
that He has made to us
We can choose them or lose them
for our success they're a must
Some choices in life test your resolve
To see if in sin you'll get involved
Every time there's a challenge to your integrity
Turn your eyes to the Father so that clearly you'll see

chorus

lead:
We must decide to please the Lord
If we'll live for Him, He will reward

instrumental solo

lead:
We must decide to please the Lord
If we'll live for Him, He will reward
new chorus:
He listens to His children's words
assures us that we will be heard
He'll guide our steps and lead our way if we'll follow Him each day
To trust the Lord can never be absurd

(and fade)

The truth you seek
John 3:17-21; Hebrews 11:6

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

There are hurting people everywhere we look
They try to help themselves through oh so many books
They want to know why they are here, why they exist
They have so many questions on their lengthy list

Are you someone who thinks just walking that straight line
is all you need to do and surely you'll be fine
Is it enough to smile, be clean, and kind and sweet
Will these get you through, when your Maker you meet

But this one thing is clear
We have a purpose here on earth
if we would only open up our eyes

first chorus
God gave Christ as a sacrifice
Jesus died one day for our sins to pay
You must trust, believe in this truth I speak
And if you will put your trust in Jesus
then you will find the truth you seek

Sometimes you feel the pains of life you just can't bear
And so you say there must be no one else who cares
But don't believe that lie, there's One cares so much
and if you let Him in, your heart He'll surely touch

You have so many fears
You've had them all these years
and now the time has come to lay aside your pride

second chorus
God gave Christ as a sacrifice
Jesus died one day for our sins to pay
You must trust, believe in this truth I speak
Now it's time to put your trust in Jesus
And you will find the truth you seek

God gave Christ as a sacrifice
Jesus died one day for our sins to pay
You must trust, believe in this truth I speak
And if you will put your trust in Jesus
then you will find the truth you seek

You have so many fears
You've had them all these years
and now the time has come to lay aside your pride

first chorus 2 times
second chorus 1 time

Don't run away
Psalms 119:9; Psalms 119:28-31

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

What's wrong, young man
What's on your mind
I see your face little brother
You're really in a bind

She's gonna have a baby
now who is this?
This girl you're talking about
Is she your young miss?
she says it's your child
that you're the only one
What will you do for you may have a daughter or son

chorus
Don't run away, but stand and pray
and ask the Lord to be your guide
He knows your heart, yes every part
He still loves you, no need to hide

To be a husband are you ready
to hold a job that's good and steady
to be a father, oh yeah, to a son
to show him just exactly how the job is done
to be a daddy, yeah yeah, to a little girl
to protect your daughter from this cold, cruel world

chorus

Instrumental

rap
How to handle this, my friend do you know
time to stop and drop and pray and to the Father go,
Trials and tests come to us all.
By obeying the Lord we stay on the ball.
It's not too late to do the right thing.
A one-eighty turn you have to swing.
You have to repent, no more fornicating.
To pure and holy living you must be relating.
God forgives sins of every kind.
Ask. He'll give you answers line by line.

God may say marry this girl with your child
He may tell you to sit and think a while
Could you be with her throughout your many days
or will that change your love in all of the wrong ways
every child needs a father, and a woman needs a man
Are you the one for her, is this what God has planned

new chorus
Repentance brings wonderful things
so trust the Lord to work things out
Mmm Hmm
He's heard your prayers, you know He cares
Just trust in Him and never doubt

old chorus

You are my everything
Ephesians 4:6

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

You are my love
You are my everything
for all the joy
and all the hope You bring
Through all the trials
that I have gone through
You held me every
step of the way

You are my love
You are my everything
You are my joy
You are my everything
You are my hope
You are my everything
You are my peace
You are my everything

Lord, You're my life
It's only peace you give
In pain and strife
You strengthen me to live
No matter how
life's storms may toss me
In You I'm safe
and I'm secure

There is no grace
like Yours I've ever known
There is no truth
no truth but Yours alone
You've never failed
to keep Your promise
like rainbows in the sky up above

You are my love
You are my everything
You are my joy
You are my everything
You are my hope
You are my everything
You are my peace
You are my everything
Instrumental solo

Since I've known You,
Lord, by Your grace I've grown
No better love
to me was ever shown
A better life
one day I'll surely live
The greatest price
for me, You did give

You are my love
You are my everything
You are my joy
You are my everything
You are my hope
You are my everything
You are my peace
You are my everything

Oh, Lord You are my everything, oh oh yeah yeah
It only peace and joy You bring
joy You bring

A better life I'll one day live, one day live
because it's hope and love You give
love You give

There is no God, but You alone You alone
That's why I worship at Your throne

You're Lord of lords and King of kings
That's why You are my everything

Reasons
Psalms 40:5; Acts 17:28

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

You've given me a reason, Lord
for everything I say and do
I have a reason for living
I have a reason for loving too

You sacrificed Your life for mine
which I can't say I deserve
You died for my sins, You rose again
now only You, I want to serve

I have reasons to rejoice each day
For the blessings that You display
You work all together for my good
When I follow as I should

From when I rise to when I rest
As I go through my routine
At work or play You're always there
And on Your presence I can lean

A reason to live
A reason to love
A reason to give
to praise You, Lord above
A reason to grow
to know Your will for me
You're the reason why I'm here
You're the reason I believe

My life is better every hour
since I've come to know Your saving power
Your Holy Spirit leads and guides
In You, He helps me to abide

You're the reason that I live
You're the reason that I want to give
My time, my talent, everything
that's why for You, I'll always sing

A reason to live
A reason to love
A reason to give
to praise You, Lord above
A reason to grow
to know Your will for me
You're the reason why I'm here
You're the reason I believe

There are just so many reasons
to praise you Lord
Can't tell them all within this space
They come so quick can't keep the pace
But all I have to do is thank You
and receive Your grace
Instrumental

A reason to live
A reason to love
A reason to give
to praise You, Lord above
A reason to grow
to know Your will for me
You're the reason why I'm here
You're the reason I believe

A reason to live
A reason to love
A reason to give
to praise You, Lord above
A reason to grow
to know Your will for me
You're the reason why I'm here
You're the reason I believe

You're the reason why I'm here
You're the reason I believe

Where would I be?
Psalms 25:2-3; Job 11:18; Romans 5:5; 1 Corinthians 15:57

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

Mother, I must ask you
something I really need to know
Why was adopted
but my brother you nurtured and loved him so

You call me by different name,
The one I'm known by is not the same
My brother's yours, you say I'm not
He's your pride and joy but I'm your shame

Short interlude

He was the one you kept, but gave me up
for years I drank that bitter cup
My cries for help you never wanted to know
My many tears you did not want show

Rejected then molested too
by the trusted ones you gave me to
I was forced to do such ugly things
Looking back on it what pain it brings

Chorus
I hoped one day
to just be free
from all the pain
that I could flee
that anyone would rescue me
or that I just would cease to be

Satan was trying to take my life
by filling it with pain and strife
He thought he'd drive me just insane
Thought he'd destroy me, that was plain

But Christ removed that curse posthaste
A sound mind, He put in its place
In Christ, no longer do I fear
In Him, now I can persevere

Chorus
One day those things
came to an end
for Christ my Savior
He stepped in
My life and soul
He did redeem
and from it all
He made me clean

Short interlude

I know to God I'm worth much more
and not one tear did He ignore
I'm treasured by the Holy One
that's why He sent His only Son

I'll never be where I once was
and no it is not just because
Christ taught me love forgiveness and hope
and through His grace with life I cope

Chorus
I thank the Lord
He came to call
removed sin's stain
replaced it all
He came and gave
new life to me
If not for Him
where would I be

Mother, I don't hate you
I just don't understand you
but I'm always praying for you
because I really love you

Obeying Christ
Psalms 1:6; 2 Peter 2:9

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

If we lack understanding
then we need to go back to God's word
If this world's too demanding
Let's to The Comforter, and we'll be heard

The Thief, he comes to steal
and kill and just destroy our lives, oh yeah
deceiving with sex, lies and money
is his favorite guise

chorus
We need to please the Lord
and do it every day
Obeying Christ is right
and it's the only way

Brothers and sisters
do we strive to do what we are told
we should obey God's word
and always do it strong and bold

To live the Father's way
is what each one of us must want
When others see what we believe
God's love their minds will haunt

chorus

instrumental solo

We need to labor on
while there is still daylight
For when the darkness comes
we cannot work at night

If we are going to live God's word, we really must commit
We have to live it every day and totally submit
If Him we strive to please, then He will always show the way
It's how we'll stay within His will and how we'll always pray

chorus

There's not a lot of time for us to waste my friend
Life on earth as we've known one day will surely end
We need to be on guard and teach our children this
Our lives should point the way so heaven they won't miss
No no no

Lord, You are worthy
Psalms 115:1

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

You are our Lord and King
You are our everything

You're our Great Priest on high
On You we can rely

Chorus
Lord, You are worthy
of honor and praise
because we love You
our voices we raise
We want to thank You
for sending Your Son
by His blood
You have made us all one

God, You're our Father even though You're not a man
Lord, You are holy
Though we are weak and frail somehow You understand
You came to know us as You planned

Chorus

Yours is the kind of love that every person craves
In the storms we face oh God, You walk upon the waves
On the waves

Chorus

By His blood You have made us all one

Like Jesus
Romans 15:5; Philippians 2:4-6; Philippians 3:14-15

Hear the first 2 minutes in streaming audio (.MP3 format)

Lord rescue me from the state that I'm in
help me not be just a fair-weather friend
Teach me to be like my Savior I love
help me to walk in Your light from above

And here I am just to seek and to serve
giving to You all the praise You deserve
Lord use my life any way that You choose
help me to obey You, Lord, and never to refuse

Chorus
I want to be like Jesus
committed to You, til the end
I want to be like Jesus
the broken hearted to befriend
I want to be like Jesus
sacrificially to give
like Jesus
say it all in how I live

Lord, this I ask in this prayer now to You
infuse my life with truth and wisdom too
I know when I pray that You hear what I say
but You respond in Your own time and way

Help me remember in those times I must wait
that You're on time, when it seems to me You're late
Thank You that You made me free, not a slave
Help me be like Jesus, Lord, to always be brave

Chorus

Bridge
Lord, in my strength what can I do?
You give me power to live for You
Your Holy Spirit helps me to live right
I want to be like You, with all my might

Instrumental

Lord as I'm drawing this prayer to a close
move by Your Spirit, my sins expose
You're God alone, in You there's no sin
Your holy presence just draws me in

Chorus 3 times

I'll give praise to You, You've made me glad
it's not some crazy phase, it's iron clad
I want to mirror You in every way
to show I love You, Daddy, every day

I'm gonna see You coming in the clouds
I won't deny You, Lord, but make You proud
My eyes have yet to see Your very best
Which You've prepared that You might give me rest


Karen's home page