This song was written during a time when I saw great spiritual pain in some of my closest friends. I had a tight circle of friends in my 20s (during the 1980s), and we were very close as we walked with Jesus together. Some needed physical healing, but some just needed to know His love in a deep and residual way.

I felt strongly that no barriers, yes nothing, could block the Lord from doing anything in any of my friends’ lives. We just needed to reach out to him and in faith believe. (“…you have not because you ask not.” James 4:2b.). I knew His mercy always covered us and He would tend to all of our needs. That’s just the way He is – loving, merciful, and strong.

At that time in my life, I believed this not just for my friends, but for the world, and I still do. We need these truths now more than ever. So many people are hurting today, and we see no end in sight. There is much division and little camaraderie where I live – in the USA. The things that make us a divisive society are loud and relentless. Some, often retreating to the quiet, are trying to find common ground while the chaos rages all around us. While we exhaust ourselves with endless talk about what will make the world a better place, only the truth of Bible provides all the answers, because…

…where else will you get the full story?
• A perfectly created world;
• sin enters in and ruins it – now eternal death looms;
• our heavenly Father, who created the perfect world, sets the stage for redemption (Jesus) which can be found hidden throughout the Old Testament of the Bible;
• the New Testament begins with Jesus Christ’s geneology connecting the generations of old to the One who will save us;
• continuing with Christ’s ministry, death, and resurrection.
• Then, we find beautiful teaching about “God’s best” for us; that if we follow it unto obedience, our lives here will find much more peace;
• and finally, there’s talk of the end times of the world and how to prepare for the best outcome.

The best part of the story is Christ’s physical resurrection and bodily ascension to the heavens. No other “god” can claim this feat for which there are documented eye-witness accounts and verification. This alone should give pause to many. Think about it. God physically resurrected His Son from the dead and took him home in front of many witnesses. There is documented historical proof in addition to the Bible – one must open one’s mind to it.

Society looks for “feel good” answers, to seal the fate of social injustice once and for all, which is futile. The truth is, no one will ever be satisfied with man’s way of solving a world full of social injustice. While one man feels better and somewhat justified with one solution (it won’t last long and there will be an unquenchable lust for more), another man feels pain and bias. WE CANNOT FILL UP OUR OWN CUP. Jesus said it so eloquently: “...Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

It was prophesied of Jesus in Isaiah 61: 1-3 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.”

***production notes*

Michael Voiers co-produced this single around ’86-’87. I respect Mike’s input and opinion because he is an excellent guitarist who is skilled at bass and mandolin as well. He is also a top-notch collaborator and has brought in other musicians to work on my songs during our recording years together.

I wrote it and played it in church on the piano. But, when we decided to record it professionally, I wanted to give Mike a chance to add his classical pop style. Mike is a great Chet Atkins fan (as are my parents – shout out to Mom and Dad!). Mike said he was particularly inspired by the acoustical pop classical style Chet shared with Mark Knopfler for a season.

Mike recorded two guitar lead tracks, a mandolin, and an acoustic finger pick guitar track.

I would be remiss not to mention my duet partner, David Hunt, who is also the recording engineer. Once again, David hits a homerun carrying the lead for this song and singing the heart of Jesus to you! Without his contribution, there would be no My Love Can Heal since I wrote it with him in mind for the lead. Thanks, man!

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