Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

After a smattering of shorter offerings, Nashville-based Alisa Turner has released her first full length album and it's an accomplished and striking affair. Produced by Dove Award-winner Michael Farren, this is a powerful piece that draws the listener in as Turner tells of her walk through the valley and offers up encouragement that God has it all in hand no matter the circumstance. Having battled Lyme disease since childhood and suffered tragic personal loss on more than one occasion, Turner expertly channels her pain to sing about God's faithfulness and steadfastness in the likes of the opener "Lift My Eyes" and "Only My Jesus" - the latter co-written with All Sons & Daughters' Leslie Jordan who also provides harmonies on the track - with Turner's tremblingly powerful and passionate vocals breathing life into each song on the album. Elsewhere, the simply sublime "As It Is In Heaven" and the candid title track - written by producer Farren, Lou Fellingham and Mark Allan for the singer when she was going through a particularly rough patch - tackle the subject of maintaining trust in God despite seemingly unanswered prayers with wisdom, clarity and hope and will be a great help to many listeners in similar situations. The combination of Turner's uncompromisingly intense vocal delivery, Farren's equally serious backing and the undeniably tough subject matter can feel a bit heavy at times but this doesn't take away from the fact that this is a supremely moving and ultimately helpful release from an artist with something valid to say.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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