Husband-and-wife worship duo Alabaster Grace invite listeners into a deeply Scripture-centered encounter with their new single, "Word of God," a song inspired by the opening verses of the Gospel of John and shaped by a shared calling to unite faith, music, and wonder. Blending acoustic worship with subtle Middle Eastern textures, the track reflects the duo's unique journey - from personal devotion and theological reflection to a musical ministry grounded in reverence for God's Word. With heartfelt vocals, thoughtful artistry, and a message anchored in Christ as the eternal Word made flesh, "Word of God" offers a worship experience designed to draw listeners back to Scripture and into a deeper awareness of the Gospel's transforming truth.
Q: For listeners encountering Alabaster Grace for the first time through "Word of God," how would you describe who you are as a husband-and-wife worship duo and what drives your shared calling?
Joanie: Singing has always been a passion for me. When I became a believer in Christ, God started giving me songs of praise and worship. During quiet times of reflection in His Word, especially in the Psalms, He would - and still does - give melodies that go with the Scripture. For the longest time, I held on to them as treasures from God. I would share some of the songs with close friends, but I never intended to do anything with them because they were precious to me. When I met Brad, I gathered the courage to share one of my songs with him. A couple of months later, he brought out his guitar, and we started to work on that song. It was amazing! It was a truly inspired moment because God immediately gave Brad the introduction to the song, along with a beautiful guitar arrangement throughout.
Brad: It was in that moment, working on our first song, "Adonai," that we both realized that God had brought us together for a special purpose - not only for each other, but to serve together through music in His kingdom. Since we began presenting our original Christian music in 2012, we have had the opportunity to share it in person and online, helping people experience God's love, hope, and encouragement. It is so special to see how God brought us together to serve through the music that He gives us.
Q: "Word of God" draws directly from the opening of the Gospel of John. What was happening in your personal Bible study that led Scripture to become the foundation of this song?
Joanie: During my personal devotion time of reading through the Gospel of John, God put the words into the melody that you hear in the recording. It was an incredible experience to receive a song straight from heaven. We talk about God's Word being alive, and in that moment, the words became a living melody, truly inspired by God.
Brad: The initial verses of John's Gospel point back to the Genesis 1 creation story, and collectively, Genesis and John inform us of the presence of all three Persons of the Trinity during creation. Additionally, "Word of God" draws on John 1:14 in describing our relationship with the Word, Jesus Christ: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Q: Brad, your background as a former NASA rocket scientist is uncommon in worship music. How does that experience of precision, design, and awe influence the way you approach worship and theology?
More exacting than rocket science is God's creation. Throughout my career with NASA, I gained a deeper appreciation of God's creation - the universe and everything in it, including each of us, whom He created in His own image, yet with our own unique fingerprints. I conducted astronomical observations of novae and supernovae, as well as small Solar System objects, characterizing their composition through optical and infrared spectroscopy. In my study of the heavens, I was increasingly impressed by the precision of God's design throughout His creation and filled with awe. This experience led me to pursue an integrated study of God's two books, His Word and His book of nature, and how they fit together.
I believe God calls us to use our full abilities to grow in our knowledge and relationship with Him. Scientific study of His creation yields a better appreciation of Him as the creator God, more infinite than His creation. Through working together and reinforcing each other, the integration of faith and science enables us to better appreciate the precision of God's design throughout His creation. With its naturalistic path of inquiry, science at times appears to contradict Scripture; however, with additional advancement, it confirms and ultimately supports God's Word. For me, it is both an incredible opportunity and responsibility to reveal God to people through His Word and His book of nature so that they can receive the Gospel message.
Q: Joanie, as the primary lyricist, you've spoken about reflecting deeply on the names and nature of God while writing this song. How did that reflection reshape your understanding of Christ's sacrifice?
The more we know and reflect on the names of God, the more we realize that we are only scratching the surface of our knowledge of who He is. God is holy, and there is no one like Him. Each name we learn about Him is like a beautiful diamond with many facets. Each part is different and uniquely brilliant, but when all those facets come together to form the whole, the result is breathtaking and awe-inspiring. How wonderful it is that God has revealed Himself to us and calls us His children.
I believe that it is beyond our comprehension to be able to measure the fullness of who God is, but I am forever grateful that He does reveal Himself to those who diligently seek after Him. He is Yeshua, Messiah, Redeemer, and King. Yeshua is Hebrew for Jesus, and Jesus is our Messiah, the anointed or chosen one who is our Savior. He is our Redeemer, the only One capable of rescuing us from sin and bringing us into His light because of His sacrifice on the Cross. And He is King. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings to whom we owe total allegiance for loving us and saving us.
Q: Musically, the song blends acoustic worship with subtle Middle Eastern textures. What inspired that sound, and how does it help listeners connect more deeply with the biblical world behind the lyrics?
Joanie: Each song that we receive from God has a unique style. Some of the songs have a contemporary feel, some with an Americana vibe, and some with a bit of a country style. However, many of our songs have a Middle Eastern edge. We really can't explain why. It is how God gives us the songs. Each song is like a download from God, and we are intentional in rendering them as we receive them.
Brad: "Word of God" conjures an image of what it must have been like when Jesus walked this earth in the Holy Land. When we present this song, we always tell our audience to imagine themselves walking with Jesus in Israel. By doing this, our listeners can engage with the song more vividly and internalize its message more completely.
Q: As "Word of God" reaches Christian radio, what do you hope it awakens in listeners - especially when it comes to returning to Scripture and rediscovering the Gospel of John?
Music touches the heart in ways that words alone cannot. When Scripture is set to music, the words somehow penetrate the heart and leave a lasting impression.
Joanie: Since music is such a large part of my life, I have found it integral to my faith walk to learn Scripture through song. I can better memorize God's Word when it is set to music. Perhaps that is why He has given us these songs to share with others. It is our prayer that listeners will be drawn closer to the heart of God and will experience the true, living Word of God in their lives.
Brad: "Word of God" is powerful to us because it introduces the listener to the first few verses of the Gospel of John. These verses are powerful because they emphasize who Jesus is - He is the Word of God, and He became flesh, laying down His life to free us so that we can be called His children. It doesn't get any better than that!
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