Hi Friends!  Here's an unmixed/unedited/unfinished taste of one of the songs that will be on the new project.  We'll be adding percussion, bass, pedal steel, mandolin, and all the extra sweet vocals to this one - including a mighty fine instrumental "hoe down" duel during the long break.  The plan is for the entire project to be released in early September.  Stay tuned to www.lorisealy.com for more info!  

A Pilgrim Here I Wander - unmixed 1st cut

A STRONG ABODE (He Who Trusts In God) May 17 2015 Update

From "The Strife is Over" - releasing 09.18.15
www.lorisealy.com
Lori Sealy- lead vocals
Becky Edmondson - backing vocals
Dale Baker - drums and percussion
Anthony Gravley - percussion
Reggie Sullivan - electric bass
Sarah Dean - violin and cello
(c) 2015 Lori Sealy Music

BE STILL MY SOUL - Lori Sealy

"As strange as it might sound, there are moments when faith and unbelief can be simultaneously mingled in the same human heart. Sometimes doubt dwells deeply in the very soul that is full of faith. There are seasons when a true Christian may be marked just as much by his wrestlings against sin as he is by his restings in the Savior, or by his warring as he is by his peace. I am one of those believers who, at times, battles with unbelief - sometimes epically. Many of the songs on this project were birthed in that battle. Some songs were crafted solely from my own psyche while others are compilations of the works of struggling saints who’ve gone before me, wrestling just as I. “I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) is a paradoxical reality that has spanned the centuries. David the psalmist, John the Baptist, Thomas the apostle, Augustine the saint, Luther the reformer, Cowper the poet, Schaeffer the philosopher – all were, at times, dogged with doubt and like the modern minstrel, Rich Mullins, often “beat their heads against so many walls” because their “faith just seemed so small.” 

So, what are people of feeble faith to do with the dilemma of doubt? Fall upon Jesus – even upon the Jesus who may be the focal point of the struggle. The faltering father of Mark 9, that doubting daddy turned to Jesus in his darkest hour and cried, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” So must we. As miniscule as our mustard seed of faith may be, we must plant it in the field of Christ. We must not wait until the seed has sprouted. We must not linger until the bud is in bloom. We must put our feeble, faltering, failing faith in Jesus. We must use that tiny crumb of credence and draw near to Him with even a whisper of, “I do believe!” As dark as the dungeon of doubt may seem, as bitter its bars, we must resist its imprisoning presence and not lose hope, but flee to the merciful Redeemer for help, for strength, for deliverance - “Lord, help my unbelief!” Carry your query to Jesus. A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, and a doubting disciple He will in no way cast out. “Come ye sinners, poor and wretched, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, … He is willing; doubt no more.”

---------------------------
Begone Unbelief
Words by John Newton and Lori Sealy
Music by Lori Sealy
Mark 9:24

Begone unbelief, my Savior is near, 
and for my relief will surely appear; 
by prayer let me wrestle, and He will perform; 
with Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm. 
Though dark be my way, since He is my guide, 
‘tis mine to obey and His to provide; 
though cisterns be broken, and creatures all fail, 
the Word He has spoken shall surely prevail.

His love in time past forbids me to think 
He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink; 
while each Ebenezer that I have in review, 
confirms His good pleasure to help see me through. 
Oh,why should I complain of want or distress, 
temptation or pain? He has told me no less; 
the heirs of salvation, I know from His Word, 
through much tribulation must follow the Lord.

Begone, unbelief!  
Cruel doubts fly away. 
Lord I believe, increase my weak faith. 
Blessed Son of David  have mercy, oh, please. 
Oh, begone unbelief!  
Begone far from me!

How bitter that cup, no heart can conceive, 
which He drank right up that sinners might live; 
His way was much rougher and darker than mine; 
did Jesus thus suffer, and shall I repine?  
Since all that I meet shall work for my good, 
the bitter is sweet, and the medicine food; 
though painful at present, ‘twill cease before long; 
and then, Oh! how pleasant, the conqueror’s song!

Begone unbelief!  
Cruel doubts fly away.  
Lord I believe, increase my weak faith.  
Blessed Son of David,  have mercy, oh, please.  
Begone unbelief!  
Begone far from me! 
Oh, begone unbelief!  
Begone far from me.

www.lorisealy.com - also available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon mp3, and at CD Baby


Begone Unbelief - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

Surely
Words and Music by Lori Sealy
Isaiah 53

No stately form, no majesty, no outward look of great beauty; 
was despised by men. 
Acquainted with sorrow, He knew pain. Men hid their faces, cursed His name; 
esteeming not the Son of  God.

Surely our griefs He bore, 
our sorrows wore. 
Stricken and smitten of God, 
afflicted Son, for us You’ve come.

He was pierced for our sin. The weight of transgression fell on Him, 
and by His wounds we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; each of us turned to his own way,
 but God has placed the guilt on Him

Surely our griefs He bore, 
our sorrows wore. 
Stricken and smitten of God, 
afflicted Son, for us You’ve come.

Though oppressed His mouth did not open; 
just like a lamb to the slaughter He walked. 
He was cut off from the land of the living, 
that we’d be redeemed from the land of the lost.

Surely our griefs He bore, 
our sorrows wore. 
Stricken and smitten of God, 
afflicted Son, for us You’ve come, 
for us You’ve come, 
for us You’ve come (He was pierced for our sins), 
for me You’ve come.

www.lorisealy.com - also available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon mp3, and CD Baby

Surely -  Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

Have you ever tried to cover and hide your sin? 

Achan was an Israelite who fought in the Battle of Jericho and who, contrary to God’s clear command, decided to steal some of the booty from the battle. He smuggled the contraband into his tent, buried a hole in the ground, and covered it up hoping that no one would ever know.  But God, being the One who sees all things at all times, knew.  On the heels of the victory over Jericho, Israel faced another enemy – the small town of Ai.  It should have been an easy win and coming off such a miraculous conquest Israel had no thoughts at all of a loss.  But a loss is exactly what they received.  Upon returning to camp, Joshua cried out to God asking “Why, Lord?”  The answer, “Joshua, Israel has sinned, has broken My covenant and transgressed My law.  They have stolen and deceived and therefore they shall not stand before their enemies!”  Through a series of providential means, Achan’s sin was discovered and his attempts to bury that sin were uncovered.

We find a similar situation in the life of King David.  After giving in to the lust of flesh, he committed adultery with Bathsheba and then contrived a dastardly plan to end her husband, Uriah’s, life.  For over a year it looked like he’d gotten away with it.  No one knew – well, God knew!  God sent the prophet Nathan to King David with a little story about a poor man and his much loved little lamb, and a rich man who took that little lamb and slaughtered it to feed a guest.  David was infuriated at the vile and selfish behavior of  one who would do such a deed, to which Nathan replied, “King David – you are the man!” David’s sin was discovered and his attempts to bury his guilt were uncovered.

As with David, as with Achan, so with us.  We may hide things from men, but we shall never hide them from God. “May the fear of God within, keep us far from Achan’s sin” and may the grace of God within cause us to flee to Christ for mercy when we fall in sin!

------------------------------

ACHAN'S SIN
Words and Music by Lori Sealy
Joshua 7; II Samuel 11-12; Genesis 4

Achan’s greedy eyes brought him trouble in the Battle of Jericho. 
Fifty shekels of gold and silver Achan craved and Achan stole. 
Hoped that they would not be found; buried them deep in the ground.  
Achan’s sin, he tried to cover, but, by God it was discovered.

David’s lusting eyes brought him trouble, with Bathsheba he fell in sin. 
And his wickedness led to murder, for, Uriah’s life he did end. 
Through his plotting and his schemes he hoped to hide these evil things. 
David’s sin, he tried to cover, but, by God it was discovered.

Through a Nathan or Ai, God will bring our sin to light; 
for His sure, all-seeing eye is upon us all the time.

Cain killed Abel in the heat of anger. Sin was crouching at his door. 
In the field with no one looking, struck his brother without remorse. 
Abel’s blood cried from the ground. The God who hears, He heard the sound. 
Cain, his sin, he tried to cover, but by God it was discovered.

Through a Nathan or Ai, God will bring our sin to light; 
for His sure, all-seeing eye is upon us all the time.

May we put to death deeds of darkness.   May we walk in the light of truth;
 casting away the sin that binds us; put off the old & don the new. 
May the fear of God within keep us far from Achan’s sin.
Achan’s sin he tried to cover, but by God it was discovered.

www.lorisealy.com - also available at iTunes, Google Play, CD Baby, and Amazon mp3

Achan's Sin - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

For Jason and Kara Tippetts as they face the realities of frowning providence and await the bitter bud to blossom into the sweetest of flowers.

Words by William Cowper and Lori Sealy
Music by Lori Sealy


God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; 
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. 
Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill 
He treasures up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will.


Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds you so much dread 
are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. 
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; 
behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face.

God moves in a mysterious way that’s often not my own. 
His wisdom guides each path I take; His mercy leads me home.

His purposes will ripen fast, unfolding ev’ry hour; 
the bud may have a bitter taste, sweet will be the flow’r. 
Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain; 
God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.

God moves in a mysterious way that’s often not my own. 
His wisdom guides each path I take.  His mercy leads me home. 
Help me to trust when I don’t understand. 
Grant me the peace of resting in Your plan.

God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; 
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm. 
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; 
behind a frowning  providence He hides a smiling face.

(www.lorisealy.com)
Available on iTunes, Google Play, CD Baby and at Lori's website


God Moves in a Mysterious Way - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

All the Way
Words by Fanny Crosby
Music by Lori Sealy

All the way my Savior leads me; what have I to ask beside? 
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide? 
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell; 
for I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, 
gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the Living Bread. 
Though my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be, 
gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see!

All the way my Savior leads me – O the fulness of His love! 
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father’s house above:
 when my spirit, clothed, immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, 
this my song through endless ages: Jesus led me all the way!

All the way my Savior leads me; what have I to ask beside? 
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide?

All the way – everyday - everywhere my Savior leads me. 
Near or far – there You are – faithfully my Savior leads me.

www.lorisealy.com - also available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon mp3, and at CD Baby

All the Way - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

Whate’er My God Ordains 
Words by Catherine Winkworth and Lori Sealy
Music by Lori Sealy
Genesis 18:25; Isaiah 25:1

Whate’er my God ordains is right:  His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth, and follow where He guideth.
He is my God; though dark my road, He holds me that I shall not fall: 
therefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:  He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path; I know that He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He has sent; His hand can turn my griefs away, 
And patiently I wait His day.

I will exalt Him; to Him I’ll sing praise.
 In perfect faithfulness He has planned my days.

Whate’er my God ordains is right: though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart, I take it all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart, 
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

What my God ordains (is right).  
What my God ordains (is right)
I will exalt Him; to Him I’ll sing praise. 
In perfect faithfulness, He has planned my days.

Whate’er my God ordains is right: here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine, yet am I not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there; He holds me that I shall not fall: 
Therefore to Him I leave it all.

What my God ordains  (Whate’er my God ordains is right.)
What my God ordains  (His holy will abideth.)
What my God ordains (I will be still whate’er He doth.)
What my God ordains (And follow where He guideth.)


Whate'er My God Ordains Is Right - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

Remember, O Thou Man
Words and Music by Thomas Ravenscroft and Lori Sealy

Remember, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man,
Remember, O thou man, thy time is spent.
Remember sin is strong, in it we’re dead and gone,
But Christ has righted wrong, therefore repent.

Remember Adam’s fall, O thou man, O thou man.
Remember Adam’s fall from Heaven to Hell.
Remember Adam’s fall, how we were condemned all
To death perpetual justly to dwell.
O thou man, sin has ruined you.
O thou man, nothin’ you can do.

Remember God’s goodness, O thou man, O thou man.
Remember God’s goodness and promise made.
Remember God’s goodness, how His only Son He sent,
Our judgment to prevent; be not afraid.
O thou man, the curse of sin is great.
O thou man, turn before it’s too late.

Remember, O thou man, O thou man, O thou man.
Remember, O thou man, that God above,
Long before time began, knew of the sin of man,
And laid redemption’s plan, for He is love.
O thou man, hope has been restored.
O thou man, trust in Christ the Lord!

Give thanks to God always, O thou man, O thou man.
Give thanks to God always, most joyfully.
Give thanks to God always, for His redemptive ways
Let all men sing and praise, “Holy! Holy!
Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy! Holy!”

Available on iTunes, Google Play, CD Baby and at www.lorisealy.com

REMEMBER, O THOU MAN - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

Rock of Ages
Words by Augustus Toplady
Music by Lori Sealy
I Corinthians 10:4

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and pow’r.

Not the labors of my hands can fulfill the law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know, could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone; Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the Fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath, when my eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown, see Thee on the judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Available on iTunes, Google Play, CD Baby and at www.lorisealy.com

ROCK OF AGES - Lori Sealy (from "Begone Unbelief")

"Striving to create Christocentric songs that will be pleasing to the ear, soothing to the soul, and engaging to the mind."

ABOUT LORI:

Lori Sealy is daily amazed at the grace of God in her life. Adopted as an infant and raised in a Southern Baptist church, she rebelled against the things of Christ during high school and considered herself an atheist. Upon entering college, the God Who ordains our steps, ordained that her path would cross with several students who loved Christ and loved His Word. During that first year of college, she set out to destroy the faith of these young Christians. They set out to pray for her salvation.

Knowing that “faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ,” these six college students daily confronted her sin and challenged her with the truths of God’s glorious Word. Their obedience in proclaiming the good news of the gospel of Christ bore fruit in August of 1988 when by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, she was adopted for the second time in her life—this time into the family of God.

Lori has been playing piano since she was 5 and has been performing her own original music since the age of 10.

The Sealy’s currently live in Cullowhee, North Carolina where Phillip is the church planting pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA). The Sealys have two children, Joshua (10) and Elizabeth (8). Both Lori and Josh live life on the autistic spectrum and are daily driven to see their need for Jesus amidst the thorns of a fallen world.

ABOUT "BEGONE UNBELIEF":

"Begone Unbelief" is a 13 song project that has truly been a collaborative effort with Lori and mucho-talented musician/producer Anthony Gravley of Addeybug Studio.

Musically, "Begone Unbelief" features Lori's signature songwriting, coupled with her vocal, acoustic guitar and keyboard work - but it goes so much further than what many have encountered in the live experience of her music. On this project you will also find the amazing talents of musicians like Dale Baker (Grammy nominated drummer formerly with Sixpence None the Richer), Reggie Sullivan (bassist extraodinaire - currently with The Reggie Sullivan Band and formerly playing with the likes of Wynona, Olivia-Newton-John and Ron McCurdy), Anthony Gravley (electric guitar, percussion, and recording guru - who's hung out with greats like Geoff Moore, Emmylou Harris, Buddy and Julie Miller, Steve Hindalong, and tons of other talented folks in both big and small ways), Becky Edmondson (background vocalist and Lori's live singing compadre), Leah Wilson (flute and penny whistle), and Kelley Robertson(cello and violin).

Lyrically, "Begone Unbelief" is a project about wrestling and redemption. Here, Lori strives to deal honestly with issues of doubt and with the hope that is found when there is even a miniscule mustard seed of faith.

In this section from the CD's liner notes, Lori gives a glimpse at the spiritual ethos of the project:

"As strange as it might sound, there are moments when faith and unbelief can be simultaneously mingled in the same human heart. Sometimes doubt dwells deeply in the very soul that is full of faith. There are seasons when a true Christian may be marked just as much by his wrestlings against sin as he is by his restings in the Savior, or by his warring as he is by his peace. I am one of those believers who, at times, battles with unbelief - sometimes epically. Many of the songs on this project were birthed in that battle. Some songs were crafted solely from my own psyche while others are compilations of the works of struggling saints who’ve gone before me, wrestling just as I. “I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24) is a paradoxical reality that has spanned the centuries. David the psalmist, John the Baptist, Thomas the apostle, Augustine the saint, Luther the reformer, Cowper the poet, Schaeffer the philosopher – all were, at times, dogged with doubt and like the modern minstrel, Rich Mullins, often “beat their heads against so many walls” because their “faith just seemed so small.”

So, what are people of feeble faith to do with the dilemma of doubt? Fall upon Jesus – even upon the Jesus who may be the focal point of the struggle. The faltering father of Mark 9, that doubting daddy turned to Jesus in his darkest hour and cried, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” So must we. As miniscule as our mustard seed of faith may be, we must plant it in the field of Christ. We must not wait until the seed has sprouted. We must not linger until the bud is in bloom. We must put our feeble, faltering, failing faith in Jesus. We must use that tiny crumb of credence and draw near to Him with even a whisper of, “I do believe!” As dark as the dungeon of doubt may seem, as bitter its bars, we must resist its imprisoning presence and not lose hope, but flee to the merciful Redeemer for help, for strength, for deliverance - “Lord, help my unbelief!” Carry your query to Jesus. A bruised reed He will not break, a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, and a doubting disciple He will in no way cast out. “Come ye sinners, poor and wretched, weak and wounded, sick and sore; Jesus ready stands to save you, … He is willing; doubt no more.”"

For ordering information go to www.lorisealy.com or find digital downloads on iTunes, Google Play, and CD Baby. (CD Baby and Lori's website have physical copies available which include all of the liner notes.)


Lori Sealy

Popular tracks