John Waller
From his early days leading the critically acclaimed band According to John to his impactful ministry as a solo artist, John Waller has continually used his gifts as a singer and songwriter to inspire, educate and encourage the body of Christ. With such powerful songs as The Blessing and While Im Waiting, Waller articulates what it means to live a God-centered life in a turbulent world.
He continues to do so on his new album, As For Me and My House a potent collection of songs buoyed by Wallers insightful songwriting and compelling voice. I dont think I could write a record in any less than a year or two years because you really have to walk with the Lord and you have to experience life and allow the Lord to teach you something. The title track is, to me, the heart of this record, Waller says of As For Me and My House, which joyfully declares we belong to the Lord, and we will not give our hearts to another.
Ive been parallel to the children of Israel in a lot of ways, Waller says of his life. I suffered with depression for so many years. I was in bondage for years and then the Lord set me free about seven years ago. He healed me and taught me a lot about blessing and speaking life. Many of the songs on my first solo album came out of that. The Lord has given all of us so many promises that are ours for the taking; yet there is a battle to lay hold of what God has promised us.
A devoted husband, a loving father and a fierce believer in Gods word, Waller pours a torrent of emotion into the songs on As For Me and My House. This album has promises. Its about the clarity that comes when we remove anything that takes the place of God, he says. There have been a lot of idols in my life in the last couple of yearsone being music. Wanting to make it and be established as a Christian artist became an idol in my life. I came to a place where I said, Im done doing that! Im done building my kingdom, Lord I give it all to you. I just want to build your kingdom and I dont care how that looks.
The talented Georgia native first caught the attention of the Christian music community as frontman for According to John. When the group disbanded, he and his wife Josee felt led to move to Colorado where they helped launch Southlink Church. Though he had given up his aspirations as a recording artist, he began writing songs at Southlink that led to new chapter in his ministry when he signed a deal Beach Street Records/Provident Music Group. His major label debut, The Blessing, introduced a wider audience to Wallers music and gave him a national platform. He followed his debut solo album with While Im Waiting, a powerful project that included the poignant title track, which was featured in Fireproof, the No. 1 independent film in 2008. Wallers song was the only song in the film played in its entirety and its powerful message resonated strongly with audiences.
In recording As For Me and My House, Waller once again sought Gods direction and penned a potent collection of songs. Produced by Jason Hoard, the 11-song set is teeming with the passion and integrity that have become hallmarks of Wallers artistry. Jason gets what I do and weve been working together for so longsince According To Johnand he just knows what Im going for, Waller says of working with the Georgia-based multi-instrumentalist. With Jason we took each song and built it from the ground up and made sure it was built around the vocal.
The album opens with the anthemic Our God Reigns Here a song Waller felt strongly about revisiting from the his previous album, which is direct spiritual warfare. Yes is a sonically vibrant song that reverberates with the truth of Gods goodness and positive touch on our lives. Penned by Waller, Hoard and Third Day frontman Mac Powell. Because God is Good is a celebration of the Lords grace and sovereignty. Every believer that I know can relate to the fact that life doesnt go the way we plan it all the time, Waller says, but the Bible promises all things work for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Things have not gone the way I thought they would go, but God has always been good to me. Its because God is good that sometimes life doesnt go the way we want it to go. Its because of his goodness that he spares us from going the way we think things should.
Man of the Valley is a poignant song about the challenges that help us grow. I love mountain top experiences, Waller says with a smile, but my life has really been shaped in the valley. In the desert where it seems dry and it seems like God isnt doing anything, thats really where Hes molding me most. I speak with authority because I have been in the valley and my story has really been written in the valley.
Among the albums many highlights is The Marriage Prayer, a beautiful duet featuring Johns wife Josee. Shes always sang with me and when we lived in Colorado, she was on my worship team. Shes done backup vocals on my records, but this is her debut singing her own, Waller says of the song. I adapted it from a prayer that author named Patrick Morley wrote. I changed it around and made it fit to a song format. Its a great song and Im excited about people hearing this one.
Somebody Elses Story is a tender prayer that captures Wallers heart for sharing Jesus with others as he sings I want to be a part. I want to be a part of somebody elses story, somebody elses story of redemption. I want to be the one to shine the light of Jesus into their darkness. Lead me to that someone I pray. Lord I want to bring you glory.
John Waller is a talented man who continually uses his gifts to bring glory to God by encouraging fellow believers and by introducing others to the Lord he so passionately serves. God has definitely taught me to completely live by faith and I can honestly say that my wife and I completely live by faith in everything we do, Waller says. God always provides. He always comes through and one of the biggest things Ive learned is that Gods plan for each one our lives is not going to look like someone elses. Im an individual and unique and God has a unique plan for me. Ive had to learn to not compare myself to someone else and its hard not to do that especially in this industry. You want to measure your success by what you see others doing. Ive learned that Ive had to let that go and know that I am successful, but Im successful by Gods standard and not by man.
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