Mandisa Out of the Dark Review

Out of the Dark.  The name alone intrigued me, so of course I said yes to reviewing Mandisa's new CD, Out of the Dark.  You see, I am no stranger to the dark.  Is anyone?  Even as someone who has walked with God for a quite a while, there have still been times of darkness in my life, the last few years in particular.  And while, like Mandisa, I have allowed God to pull me back closer to Him, there were dark times, none the less.

Can anyone else relate?

Maybe-

A loss of a child.
An unexpected move.
A job loss.
A unexpected diagnosis.
World uncertainty
Depression
Anxiety
Loneliness

Struggles exist in all forms.  And no one is immune.  Certainly not believers.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b

Those struggles are what inspired Mandisa's newest CD, Out of the Dark.  Each song was written in response to the personal tragedy of losing a close friend to cancer and the faith struggle that followed.  In a beautifully written tribute in the CD, Mandisa talks of her loss, her struggle with God, her dry period of faith, and how eventually God used her friends and family to draw her back to the Lord.  It is beautifully written and worth the read.  

 

It is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that even those with great faith can stumble along the way.  A reminder that we too must be the hands and feet of Jesus.  That God uses everyday people to do extraordinary work.

On the Out of the Dark CD you will find 15 new songs and three bonus songs, written four years after Mandisa's hit song, Overcomer.  Most are pretty upbeat tempos, in typical Mandisa style, though a few are slower.  ALL have beautiful, heartfelt lyrics which can also be found printed in the CD case.

Let me tell you though, one of the things that stuck out to me the most was the opening track in which Mandisa shares a few voice recordings of friends who left messages on her phone reaching out to her.   Oh, friends, never underestimate the power God gives you to touch other peoples' lives and speak truth into them.  God's Word is sufficient, but the bonds of friendship are sometimes what it takes to reach a hurting soul with that Word!

While my old fashioned self does love the old fashioned hymns that simply praise God, I do acknowledge that different kinds of music can speak to different people.   If you like a more upbeat style of Christian music you are going to like this CD!  The tunes are catchy, the words are uplifting, and there is no doubt that the heart behind the songs is one that loves the Lord and seeks to praise Him.

Our friends at FlyBy Productions are offering a Out of the Dark CD to one of our readers!  Just leave me a comment and a way to reach you if you win and we will draw a random winner's name next week! 

May you be blessed! 

You can watch the story behind the music HERE! 

 Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.