1981 — THE MCKENZIE PROJECT

Carry Me

The great thing about the Christian faith is that it's all about building relationships in such a way that we touch people with our lives and our mission. Jesus demonstrated many of the secrets to life as it relates to the building blocks on which true friendship and intimacy can be formulated. The song Carry Me talks about the promise of life as embodied in the truths of Christ’ teaching which so joyously leaps from the page.

Christopher Meghan and Katie

Here I would ask for your indulgence, as I borrow a few pages from the storybook tales of a young couple in love with their most precious children and the mysteries of life... mostly I am inviting you to share the beauty that is mine as captivated in the lives of my children.

Dream

Sometimes we unknowingly conjure up images of what has become and what continues to become in an alternate reality. It’s in this somewhat altered state of possibility that we allow external forces to influence our assumptions and those things that we desire for ourselves and our families. I like to think that we are moving into a realm and a belief system arising from our faith in Christ, where we elevate such concepts above and beyond the apparent. It’s there, in that time and space, when we are conscious of our God and when our faith in His Kingdom opens doorways that lead to beautiful dreams.

Father

It’s only fitting that we should present seven of the twenty-three found songs by leading off our catalog with the song “Father”. It’s particularly meaningful to me that my father, George Martin McKenzie, should be highlighted given the many years of support that he gave me in reaching my goals and enabling my ministry. Dad’s support was unusually meaningful given his sacrificial willingness to support my enterprise ahead of his own. I wrote the song “Father”, as a way of understanding and expressing the depths of fatherhood as exemplified every day of his life.

Give My Love To Bobby

I’m sure we’ve all had experiences as loved ones have landed their ships on rocky shores. Particularly, when we consider Christ’s compassion as brothers and sisters have fallen prey to the perils of life. I’ve had many such experiences on behalf of grieving sons and daughters. In the song, “Give my Love to Bobby”, I echo a plea and a prayer to overcome the anguish of one who is depicted as “Bobby/Jenny”.

I Don't Want Anything Else

We live in an interesting time when ideologies abound and our expectations exceed capacity. There’s an endless stream of demand for the myriad of things that apparently, are hoped to satisfy our every need. But the truth is that such pent-up demand will never fully satisfy the desires of our hearts until we have fully realigned our hearts with that of our Lord. In fact, as I’ve expressed in this simple but poignant song, I don’t want anything else.

If Only They Could Have Known

It may be obvious as one considers our catalog of music, that I have taken the liberty to lyrically go straight for the heart. Common ground in setting out such emotion would be to build upon premises that express the child-like joy, and the Kingdom orientation of the needs of the most vulnerable in our world. If Only They Could Have Known is a plea to all of us that we would love and protect the innocent while leading each other to the miraculous principles of God’s domain.

I'm Making Music For You

Once in a while, I enjoy writing songs that speak to the reality of the human condition, including the love relationships that emerge around men and women. While such songs may not be demonstrably “Christian”, they are valid in expressing the Godliness of our desire to truly care for each other in our love bond with the one true God. I’m Making Music For You genuinely expresses God’s unlimited capacity for love.

I'm No Hero

In an age of superheroes, when stories of men clad in steel who are literally flying through our atmosphere, we tend to cling to superficial icons as we believe the impossible becomes probable. Many years ago, it occurred to me that a performer of Christian songs may unintentionally have such values imposed upon them by an audience seeking to be entertained. In and of itself, entertainment can inspire, can heal, and can make a difference in a society that is culturally aligned with the same. This song is important to me as it expresses the commitment I feel to an audience that needs to reflect the reality of heroism without attracting self-serving glory.

Into His Love Again

The mystery of the “garden” causes many of us to seek the pleasure of His intimacy, in an otherwise weary world. I have often imagined the Garden of Eden as being a most beautiful environment, both physically and in the display of wonderful music and the sound of creation. This song is one of my favorites from our catalog, as it speaks to the hearts of children who have taken up residency in this hallowed place.

I Will Not Stand Alone

There’s a powerful lesson that I learned from the writing of this song. God is able to provide all that we need in any situation. I know this because at one of the most stressful times of my life when I needed Him most…He showed up. I recall being in earnest prayer in my office on such an occasion when the pressure of my “then” circumstance caused me to retreat to my guitar. Amazingly, and honestly, I don’t recall this ever happening again, however, I am always aware of his presence. The song, “I Will Not Stand Alone”, flowed from my instrument and apparently wrote itself without hesitation and was completed in ten minutes.

It's All Over

Have you ever heard the expression... “at our wit’s end”? Have you ever reached your wit’s end? There’s a finality that confronts us when we reach the tolerable end of our breaking point. Often it comes at a time at which one simply can go no further, having exhausted all reasonable channels for recovery. This is also a point at which many people are severed from their own reality. Here, we finally admit that proceeding under our own strength or wit will simply not lead to a successful conclusion.

Loverboy

Love comes in many shapes and colors, and its dynamics frequently catch us by surprise. Often the relationship between two people opens doors to the joy that God gives us, however, it can also lead to stresses that give way to conflicts. I have always found it to be true that music brings together those who engage in such conflict while at the same time coming to the conclusion that God’s purpose can arise from the discourse and lead to a peaceful resolution that blesses both parties. “Loverboy” is a somewhat whimsical reference to a particularly engaging dialogue.

Never Go Back

As with many of my catalog songs, Never Go Back, expressed the obvious prospect of one having reached the point of no return.

Sharing

Most of the beautiful things that envelop our acts of worship come about as a result of an attitude of sharing that God has intended for a broader purpose. Our tendency is to hold the great spiritual gifts of Heaven in our grasp and in a selfish way, and we can easily miss the point; everything that Jesus shared with all of us was done so in a selfless way and for all the purposes of Heaven upon the Earth. This song, “Sharing”, has as its backdrop the cross of which the fate of the world would be reconciled. It is also demonstrative of the greatest sharing imaginable, which is the gift that God gave to all of us of His son, Jesus.

Silver Lining

We were performing our ministry in song one night near Woodstock, Ontario. In the preamble or setup, I sat off to one side with my guitar and began to pick away at a song that one of my band members had become unusually enamored with. In that unlikely setting and in that instant, pursued thereafter, I realized a form of artistic new birth, which has brought about this song of hope.

Thirty Three and Died For It

When trying to express the inexpressible, in and through a song that embodies both fear and hope, one can’t help but be amazed at the awesome power of God, who intervenes on our behalf at the most challenging, yet rewarding, of times. If we stop and think for a moment about what Christ has actually accomplished on our behalf, it may dawn upon us as we acknowledge His beauty and sovereignty, the completeness of what He achieved for us in the thirty-three years of His ministry to all of mankind.

Until We Know Him

The story of God’s special blessing upon the creation of His children is a story that will span the eternity of time as we come to know Him in an intimate way. The song, “Until We Know Him”, portrays the saving power of a heavenly Father who cares for His children in the most embracing way. It is in the process of submitting and coming to know Him and the truths of His Kingdom.

When I Recognize Jesus

There is a supernatural crossroad at which exists a moment of blissful truth as we consider the kingship of our Lord. It is the point at which our life is made whole by the simple recognition of Jesus as Lord. Once recognized, and thereby empowered, the Christian is mystically given the keys to a Kingdom with limitless power.

Who Do You Say That He Is

We remember Jesus embracing Simon Peter on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and the opportunity given to him by Christ to withdraw the impact of Peter’s three denials of his master and friend. This was a very significant time in the history of the church as it established the basis of forgiveness which would thereafter build the precept on which Christ’s church would be founded. Our declaration of Christ’s sovereignty also set the stage for His desire and worthiness to forgive.

Who Will Come Lead Us

There are many frightening sounds that enter our worlds and cause us great fear. The worst of these are the sounds that threaten our liberty, and the fear of the unknown. This song, I trust, will gradually emerge through embellishment into one of the more poignant statements that I can offer you on the world today. This is where prophecy steps in. I hear “power guitars” and wailing prisoners, people of greed and distorted views of beauty, and I can safely predict an evolution will cause this particular expression to invade our psyche, causing us to call upon our Lord, the only one who can “come to lead us”.

Wrapped Up

There are many country music songs from which I traditionally take inspiration. Wrapped Up is one of those rare opportunities that I get to express, in simple terms, what Jesus taught us about minimizing the baggage that often formulates and clutters our world. Our life in Christ is simplified and magnified when we roll it all up in our busy lives and, from time to time, lose sight of the true gifts that God bestowed on us, we who are His children.

You Are The Seasons

Once in a while, I stumble across humor in the scriptures, co-mingled with odd cultural realities of Christ’s time. One such event took place on the road leading into Jerusalem, with Jesus riding on the back of a donkey and the crowds becoming joyous and noisy. Such was the commotion, that caused the Jewish leader, Caiaphas, to command Jesus to control his followers. Christ’s words echo throughout all of creation, as he advised the ill-informed Jewish leader that he could not silence the crowd even if he wanted to, given the irresistibility and the universal power of the name “Jesus”. The song, “You Are The Seasons”, compliments our catalog and hopefully blesses you, as you make your own noise in worship to the King of the Jews.