As Linda Doane battled Stage IV non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, she couldn't take a normal breath. She realized the gift of breathing as she was given only 2-12 months to live. That was nearly seven years ago, and now she's in full remission. With the breath that has been given to her, she's using it to praise God with Inspiration Worship.
On April 12, Linda released her latest full-length album, Real. The ten-song project was released with Radiate Music and is available to listen to here. But these songs are so much more than just songs. There are stories behind her music, and today, Linda is taking us song by song through the album to reveal the deeper meanings of these tracks.
"Crown"
"Crown" is a song I started writing many years ago but didn't finish until this album. Masterfully produced by Ian Eskelin, it blends soulful vocals with a mix of acoustic and subtle electronic elements. It is my heart's cry summed up in 2 minutes and 42 seconds. After a lifetime of striving, I truly want to lay it all down at the Lord's feet.
"I have no use for an earthly crown."
"Real"
"Real" is a song about life after trauma. Having dealt with stage IV cancer for over a decade, I fiercely believed God for my healing and never wavered. But about a year after my last treatment in 2021, I realized the emotional trauma attached to the physical trauma wanted to linger. No matter how many times the fear of a reoccurrence would creep back in, or feeling like my testimony wasn't worthy because I kept getting sick, or feeling like I was being punished for not being good enough, I knew I could bring it to Him. God can handle real feelings.
"Sometimes the hurt feels more alive than faith."
"Do It Again"
"Do It Again" was birthed when Ian Eskelin, my producer and co-writer, played a melody on the piano. He didn't have any lyrics for it yet, so I started going through my stack of ideas, and this fun song happened. Musically, it's part chill, part cool, and all vibe. Lyrically, it's boldly requesting that God, who showed His omnipotence through parting the waters, making giants fall, and numerous other great exploits in the past, will do more wondrous things today.
"I can count on You."
"I Am His"
"I Am His" is based on John 18:6. I have always loved when Judas brings the army to Jesus, He answers their inquiry as to His identity with "I am He," and they draw back and fall to the ground. That's the King I serve! Verse two juxtaposes Judas's betrayal in verse one with the exuberant response of the woman at the well. I loved the idea that the same three words can inspire completely different responses. And, hands down, this song has my favorite bridge ever. It is simple yet says it all.
"I pledge allegiance to the King of kings."
"Live For You"
"Live For You" is a song about not wanting to waste a breath. When I first got diagnosed in 2011, the process took six weeks. At that time, I had seven lung taps to drain the excess fluid around my lungs. Not being able to take a full, comfortable breath for so long puts things in perspective. It's the reason for the name Inspiration Worship. "Inspiration," which means a single inhale, is the breath of God giving life, and "worship" is the exhale of gratitude back to Him.
"Let the air in my lungs not be wasted."
"Red Sea Moment"
"Red Sea Moment" was inspired by the story of Dallas and Amanda Jenkins with regard to The Chosen. Before and during the filming of this astonishing series, they believed for and witnessed God move in miraculous ways they called "Red Sea moments." When I heard their story, my faith was increased.
Later, when reading Psalm 106:9, which says, "He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as though a desert," I knew a song was being birthed. Initially, my melodies were dark and heavy, but as Ian and I discussed it, he said, "Come pave a street through the ocean!" The way he said it paved the way for "Red Sea Moment" to become the fun, declarative, and expectant song it was meant to be.
"When You move, You take me through the deep as though a desert."
"Faith Wins"
"Faith Wins" is autobiographical. When my doctor told me that my cancer was not only back for a third time, but it had transformed to a more aggressive type and I had 2-12 months to live, I simply shrugged my shoulders and said, "Faith."
There's a line in the first chorus where I say, "Faith wins, fear loses, when what's scary in the moment tries to move in." I cannot count how many times, over more than a decade, that the momentary discomfort of treatment tried to establish itself in my heart and mind. It really does take a faith built on a firm foundation to withstand life's battles.
"There's a NO in diagNOsis for a reason."
"Hands"
"Hands," sung by my husband Tom, is a very catchy, toe-tapping song with a relatable message that everyone needs to be reminded of now and then. Whether we are feeling lost, hopeless, or broken, there is a God ready to hold us close and remind us that He has a plan and purpose for us. Jesus is where peace is found.
"He holds you in His hands."
"Once For All"
"Once For All" is a worship song based on Hebrews 10:10: "By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." It is brought to life with soothing melodies and captivating harmonies and never wavers from the message that Jesus paid the price for our sins once and for all.
"Once for all and it was done."
"Splendor"
"Splendor" is a love song to Jesus. Over and over, "I'm in love with You" is declared. And, when the drums kick in, it's hard not to smile, sing at the top of your lungs, and lift your hands into the air. It's a song that needs to be blasted in the car or the kitchen and played on repeat.
"Creator, Defender, my Savior forever, to You I surrender, I'm lost in Your splendor."
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