Tessa Cox, who was there the night of the recording says . . .
"I struggled.
I struggled all the way home . . . trying to define the music I heard tonight.
When I finally stopped trying, only one word presented itself to me as the perfect moniker for both the music and the atmosphere it created in the sanctuary tonight.
Pure.
It was pure. Like drinking the purest mountain water, cold and refreshing. The kind you want to splash in your face to wake you up after a long sleep, or kick around in when you feel joy.
Pure praise.
Pure worship.
Pure refreshment.
Pure air to breathe and pure water to drink.
And, it was good to watch you worship. I knew it was very real. The look on your face was unmistakable. I'm so glad you're not a phony. I've seen so much of that in my short life. Too much, especially found in the situation such as you find yourself in now. There was nothing contrived in anything that was done this night. I would say, 'it is good'. Be blessed, my friend."
---Tessa
Derek Levendusky from Isaiah 6 Ministries says . . .
I got home at about 1:30 am, and popped in this new CD I got by a guy named Duane Clark. Nice job, bro. Both my wife and I have been listening to it. I have a certain group of "praying CD's" that I use for my early morning time with the Lord, and your album has made the roster.
Good guitars, nice harmonies, good songs. I especially like the first three cuts. (And the Leslie organ sound on cut one is nice.) I especially appreciate the vertical-ness of the album, as it calls the listener to worship, and not be entertained.
It's rare that I hear an indie album that sounds good, or that I like. Yours definitely broke the mold. Good work. Thanks for serving the Lord with your gift.
Keith Mohr from Broken Records says . . .
What a wonderful praise and worship CD! I was brought right into the holy of holies! Every bit as good as anything released by Maranatha, Vineyard, or Integrity. Refreshing, revitalizing, rejuvenating, restorative, really good!
Vince Perna from River Of Life Christian Bookstore says . . .
"Restoration" is the new CD from worship leader W. Duane Clark and the New Life Christian Fellowship. This CD is one in which all of the requirements for a "great" CD are met. Powerful lyrics, wonderful music, professional mix and packaging and songs that are usable for worship teams with a full blown praise band, choir or a single worship leader playing guitar or piano.
All of the songs were written by Duane Clark and were birthed out of a time of restoration in his own life. From the liner notes "I present these songs to you as a testimony of God's ability to breathe life into one whom was dead in sin and at the edge of utter ruin. Even though I had hurt him so deeply, He still cared. Even though I was ready to give up, He was not. Even though I thought my failure was final, He was not finished."
The CD opens with "Jesus You Reign", "Do You Not Know?", "I Will Lift Up", "Full Of Your Glory" and "Great Giver Of Life", praise songs that expound on the attributes of our Savior and our response to them. The songs are lively, have nice "hooks", and will have you singing parts of them as you go about your day. The CD then changes direction and gets personal and serious. "In The Quiet" is one of my favorite songs on the CD. It will force you to search your heart and ask the Lord to remove whatever is not of Him. The first chorus leads us into His embrace with:
"And then I'll see Your face, shining like the sun tearing through the clouds of all my sin and sorrow. Burning away the shame bringing joy where there was sadness. Then I can take my place around the Throne of the Son."
The next songs "Lord Of Lords", "Take Me Where You Are" and "You Are Able" continue the theme of restoration and the Lord's desire to draw us to Himself. The last song "Come To Me" led by Denise Parroco is a tender cry from the Father, saying . . . "come to me, and I will bind up your wounds, I'll take your pain, I'll dry your tears, I'll give you hope for tomorrow . . ."
If you are looking for new songs for your church or a CD for someone searching for answers, I highly recommend "Restoration".
From: "Debby Fazekas"
Date: Tue Sep 5, 2000 12:44p.m.
Subject: W. Duane Clark & other news
Dear Fred & all,
I pray you can "connect" with W. Duane Clark! I'm listening to his music as I'm typing this, right now. When I heard "Take Me Where You Are" I was completely "trashed." I sat here with my hands over my face crying. I was a mess by the time the song was over! Tip: Ladies wash your mascara off before you listen to that song! I have never cried so hard over any song in my life.
From: Fred McKinnon-- President, "Highest Praise" Productions
Hey ya'll -
Debby - "ain't it the truth". That song blew me away - I've "downloaded" it to my desktop, and can't quit playing it - it's so beautiful. Several on there are just awesome. My talks with Duane went VERY WELL this AM, and I have all ideas that we'll be announcing an agreement within the next couple of days - he really seems to have a pure heart, and loves God . . . which is obvious through his writing and worship leading! I'll have the CD's available if that's the case! Blessings!
Fred
From: "Cathy "Date: Tue Sep 5, 2000 2:21pmSubject: Re: W. Duane Clark
Dear Fred, Debbie and list,
Duane's music is incredible. What a heart for Christ. I'd like to know when he "signs" on with HPP so I can get the CD.
Two songs, "Take Me Where You Are" and "Come to Me" also had me in tears. These songs really ministered to me, especially since the Lord is doing something with me outside of my music ministry. Recently I was introduced by e-mail to a young woman who is going through something I went through 9 years ago. She is pregnant with twin boys, but one of them died in utero a few days ago. 9 years ago I was pregnant with twin girls when, at 26 weeks gestation, Sara died. I knew the Lord would someday use my testimony, but I never imagined it would be this way. Anyway, Christ-centered music was what saw me through some of the roughest moments as I carried Sara so Dorothie could live. When I heard Duane's music, the words brought such healing to my heart even years after the fact. I intend to suggest that the young woman, and her husband, also listen to Duane's music by sharing the site with her.
Once again the Lord has come through for His children. Yes, what I experienced was tragic and horrible, but even in the worst times of our lives God is so faithful. He loves us through things that seem so insurmountable. I know that He loves the young woman and her babies very much. What comfort it will be to her when she hears "Come to Me" as it will be as if Abba Father is speaking directly to her with His loving arms outstretched to her. And "Take Me Where You Are" will help her respond to His love.
Wow. I must admit that timing is everything, and God's timing is ALWAYS perfect, amen? Thanks for the suggestion Fred and Debbie. A servant,Cathy"
From: Jennifer Owens:
I received the CD this week and I have songs 6-10 on repeat. They are so deep!!! It was as if they were in my heart and flew out to reach God's heart . . . they express the desires in my soul. It's so good. Thanks for pouring your life into it and producing it. It has brought me closer to God by opening my heart up.
Other testimonies . . .
"Duane, I just purchased your "Restoration" CD and it is as awesome as I
anticipated it to be. We used it in our intercessory prayer group and wound
up on our faces on the floor, sobbing uncontrollably!!"
". . . I want to make sure I can get them [lead sheets] so our church band & praise team can learn them. Duane's CD is marvelous! I believe that 'Full of Your Glory' is going to be a BIG hit for him. But 'Come To Me' is destined to be one powerful invitation song. At any rate, I can't wait to get those sheets and start having our church join in the celebration with Duane & the New Life Christian Fellowship Church!"
". . . I plan to use it [Great Giver of Life] for our 'song of the month' in Feb. in my church. We used 'Jesus, You Reign!' this month, and it went over big!"
". . . I love the 4 songs from Duane Clark . . .Keep finding the great music - And God Bless."
". . . We haven't used this ["I Will Lift Up"] song yet - But its style is just what we like for praise and worship. I am excited about teaching it to the rest of the group."
" . . . This song is awesome! I had a chance to listen to other songs on the Restoration" C.D. and they fit the heart of our ministry. Our church is Vision of Love Outreach Center and our vision is restoration and revival. The C.D. is great. It is hard trying to find songs to fit our churches vision. I was notified of this C.D. just in time."
" . . . We have used "I Will Lift Up" a lot. It is a wonderful, powerful song and we enjoy it. Thanks a bunch for all your labor of love to provide the Church with music. God bless you abundantly beyond what you could ask or think. Colleen"
The following messages were sent from visitors to the page on MP3.com:
______________________________________________________
"I really appreciate the music that you are offering through mp3.com and through your own web site. I find it to be a fantastic quality and brings me into a wonderful worship attitude. I will soon be introducing some of the music to my church and to youth in a camp setting. I was wondering if it would be possible to get some material on two songs listed here but not on at Highest Praise.com.
I would like some chord sheets, lead sheets, midi, and PowerPoint slides for:
Take Me Where You Are
Full of Your Glory.
I know that God will continue to bless your ministries and many people will be touched by your music. Thank you.
Pastor Todd Bergman
Leedey United Methodist Church
Leedey, Oklahoma"
"I just want to let you know that your song "I will lift up" has been a tremendous blessing to me. Thank you for putting it on MP3. The Lord placed it in my path at a time when I really needed it."
Pastor Steve
Lighthouse Community Church
Madison, TN
" . . . I found this great song on the MP3 site the other day. I remembered hearing it once and thinking that it was one of the most unbelievable songs I'd ever heard. So, I went looking forward to it. Have you ever heard a song that you immediately said, "I wish I had written that?" This is the one for me. In my opinion it is as good as any song Rich Mullins ever wrote. Here are the words written as though they are prose, instead of poetry. (See below)
In the quiet of this hour I come to You; calling on Your power to strip away all that is within me . . . That's in the way of Your love flowing to me. Lord, hear my prayer, hear my prayer. Search my heart . . . show me what You find. And, where it's dark, shine Your light. Reveal my sins as only You can see them; then I'll agree, and ask You to forgive them.
And then I'll see Your face shining like the sun, tearing through the clouds of all my sin and sorrow; burning away the shame, bringing joy where there was sadness.
Then I can take my place around the Throne of the Son singing:
'Holy, Holy is the Lord Most High.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.'
We sing: 'Holy, Holy is the Lord Most High.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.' "
" 'Restoration' is one of the greatest independent worship recordings I've ever heard.
All of the songs offer a heartfelt sacrifice of worship and praise to the Lord. The 'restoration' theme is woven throughout the recording, with many songs expressing devotion and repentance to the Lord. 'I Will Lift Up' is one of the most popular praise songs we sing in our chuch, and 'Take Me Where You Are' is one of my favorite intimate, worship ballads ever!"
"Your song 'Lord Of Lords' is awesome! I really would like to know how to get the lead sheet for this song in order to use it in our worship service. This song will drop you to your knees in a hurry! Please help!"
Cherry Pratt
Worship Minister
