Pop vocalist and songwriter David Phelps has been given such a talent. Credited by many as having one of today's most spectacular voices, David has seen countless thousands rise to their feet for his inspiring, powerhouse performances. His audiences have included George W. Bush, massive crowds at Billy Graham Crusades, and millions of "ABC News" viewers, and his voice has brought him multiple Grammy and Dove awards. And with the release of his new solo debut for Word Records, Revelation, Phelps is poised to reach an even greater audience of fans around the globe. Yet amid all the acclaim, David has a special person in his life who reminds him to always honor the One who gave that talent to him.
His wife of eleven years, Lori, helps David balance his dual roles as acclaimed vocalist and down-to-earth husband and father of three (soon to be four). "Most of us don't get the chance to have even one standing ovation or round of applause in our lives, so working on a stage of any kind can give you a really unrealistic view of life if you're not careful," David reveals. "In her own loving way, Lori won't let me live in that place of applause, and I'm very thankful for that."
Though not a musician herself, Lori has walked with David all along the long, challenging road as he has pursued his calling to music. Hailing originally from the Houston area, the couple met at Texas' Baylor University over a decade ago, where Phelps earned a degree in line with his passion—music.
Recognized from an early age for his unusual talent, David knew from the beginning that he wanted to perform music for the glory of God. Not everyone understood his commitment to faith, however. "I had several teachers who felt that I should be singing opera, or performing somewhere on Broadway," he recalls. "In college particularly, I had a teacher who kept pushing me strongly toward classical music, but when she finally accepted that Christian music was what God was calling me to do, that became the turning point for me."
From there, as a teenager, David went on become the winner of the 1988 Seminar In the Rockies held in Estes Park, Colorado, the youngest winner of the contest at that time. He then continued his career after graduation with a stint as Artist In Residence for First Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas. Though for a time it appeared that family commitments might prevent David from realizing his dream, he and Lori packed their bags for Nashville, Tennessee, in 1996 with the hope of landing a record deal for David.
Once again, however, he faced a challenge. After six heartbreaking months, David had not found an opportunity, and since he had given up his job back in Texas, the young couple was running out of funds. While visiting his family one weekend back in Texas, David told them, "We really feel like God was calling us to Nashville, but it's just not happening." Instantly, his family gathered around David and Lori and began to pray for a miracle.
A miracle is what God had in mind. The very next day, back in Nashville, David met with executives from Word Records and found out about an opportunity with best-selling vocal foursome Gaither Vocal Band. Two weeks later, he officially joined the group that has brought him four Dove Awards, two Grammy Awards, and over 13 gold and 15 platinum-selling projects.
Throughout the phenomenal success he has experienced with Gaither Vocal Band, David has cherished the dream of releasing a solo album expressing his own style and songcrafting. With the release of Revelation, David has finally fully realized the calling he first felt so many years before.
Featuring songs primarily written or co-written by Phelps, Revelation is a showcase for the impressive vocal and musical training that have shaped Phelps as a performer, swirled into a beautiful sonic blend that reflects the best of 21st century pop. From dramatic ballads to R&B-influenced groove and rock-tinged, energetic pop, Revelation reveals the musical passion and substantive message behind this exceptional singer/songwriter.
"The foundation of this album lies in knowing who Christ really is," explains David. "There's a line at the beginning of the song 'Break Free' that sums it up well—'Forget what you've heard about Jesus, if it doesn't begin and end with love.'
"As a culture, both churched and unchurched, we carry around so many ideas of who Jesus is that are not true," David continues. "We relate Christ to the idea of being judged or compared against an impossible standard. I want people to hear about a God who isn't standing there with His finger in their faces, but is simply there with His arms open wide saying, 'I just want to know you. Come to me, and I'll help you through this journey.'"
Every song on Revelation reveals God's mercy and compassion for His people. "Just As I Am," penned by David and award-winning songwriter Cindy Morgan, expresses Christ's loving acceptance of the broken, while "Arms Open Wide," a cut written by Rita Baloche [wife of Paul Baloche ("Above All," "Open the Eyes of My Heart")], praises the Savior for coming to redeem us. From the story of God's loving care as He shapes our lives and the universe in "Virtuoso" to the promise that "God Will Take Care Of You" and the tender ballad "Love Goes On," Revelation paints a portrait of who God really is, all superbly communicated through the expressive artistry of one of Christian music's finest vocalists.
Producers Regie Hamm (Bob Carlisle, Jaci Velasquez, Clay Crosse) and Chris Harris (Avalon, Anointed, Allen Asbury) had the task of guiding David's musical vision and wide tastes into the cohesive and compelling Revelation. The album's title cut is a dramatic, rock opera-styled song that provides a centerpiece, both musically and vocally, for David's talent. "I'm thrilled about this song, because it's a piece that I've spent a lot of time and effort to write," David says of "Revelation." "It represents so much of what I love about music." The song, which tells the story of a man much like David on the morning of Christ's return, reveals David's imaginative story-telling ability, and combines a myriad of his favorite influences, from rock to classical to "Bohemian Rhapsody."
David is making sure that his kids have the same musical opportunities he had by taking them on the road with him and Lori to his concerts. Lori homeschools their two daughters—eight-year-old Callie and six-year-old Maggie Beth—both at home and on tour in order to let them and three-year-old Grant spend more time with Dad. The couple are preparing for the arrival of a fourth little one, due to arrive just in time for the release of Revelation.
For an artist who makes nearly 150 concert appearances every year, the decision to educate their kids themselves was the only right one for them. "I'm gone pretty much every weekend, so I would never get to see my children!" says David. "Homeschooling allows us to pick up and go when we need to, and as a result, our kids have been able to see some wonderful things around the country."
And though one of the things his kids often see are the thousands of people who flock to hear him sing, David is careful to remind them that the walk of Christian faith, even when it's lived out before a national audience, is one of humble obedience. In the regal ballad "Live Like a King," written by Bob Halligan, Jr. (Kathy Mattea, Michael Bolton, Rebecca St. James), David beautifully conveys the paradox that marked Christ's reign here on earth, and that he hopes will always prove to be the example for his own life:
My thirst for the things of this earth, isn't quenched by diamonds or pearls/One man lived the life I want—He's the One they said ruled the world/Though He only wore a crown of thorns, and He never owned a thing…I want to live like a King!
Those words also reveal the purpose behind the tremendous talent God has placed in David's own life. Despite being given such great ability and opportunity, David Phelps is a man who will forever invest that gift in honor of its Giver.
Something Beautiful
David Phelps Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of my confusion. He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life
If there ever were dreams
That were lofty and noble
They were my dreams from the start
And the hope for life′s best were the hopes
But my dreams turned to ashes
My castles all crumbled, fortune turned to loss
So I wrapped them all up in the rags of my life
And laid it at the cross
Something beautiful, something good
All of my confusion. He understood
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life
(Something beautiful, something good)
(All of my confusion. He understood)
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife
But he made something beautiful of my life
He made something beautiful of my life
Something beautiful
Something beautiful
In David Phelps's song "Something Beautiful", the lyrics describe the journey of an individual who had lofty dreams and aspirations that eventually turned into ashes. The singer acknowledges that during this period of confusion and despair, they offered their brokenness and strife to God. Despite their setbacks, the singer is comforted by the understanding and compassion that God has towards them. Ultimately, in the end, the singer finds that God has taken their brokenness and transformed it into something beautiful.
The message behind the lyrics is about redemption and finding beauty in the midst of one's struggles. It speaks to the idea that no matter how dire the situation may seem, there is always hope for something better. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings and failures but finds solace in turning to God, who is able to take what is broken and make something beautiful out of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Something beautiful, something good
David Phelps is referring to his belief in the goodness of God and how faith in God can bring about good things.
All of my confusion. He understood
David Phelps felt confused and lost, but he found solace in God's understanding of his situation.
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife
David Phelps felt like he had nothing to offer God, except for his brokenness and struggles.
But he made something beautiful of my life
David Phelps believes that God took his brokenness and struggles and created something beautiful out of his life due to his faith in God.
If there ever were dreams
David Phelps is reflecting on the dreams he had in the past.
That were lofty and noble
David Phelps' dreams were important and had good intentions.
They were my dreams from the start
These dreams were his own and personal.
And the hope for life′s best were the hopes
David Phelps hoped for the best in life.
That I harbor, down deep in my heart
These hopes were deeply rooted within him.
But my dreams turned to ashes
David Phelps' dreams didn't come to fruition and felt like they were destroyed.
My castles all crumbled, fortune turned to loss
David Phelps lost everything he had, including his wealth and status.
So I wrapped them all up in the rags of my life
David Phelps felt like he had nothing left, and his dreams were wrapped up in his struggles and hardships.
And laid it at the cross
David Phelps gave his struggles and hardships to God, symbolized by the cross.
He made something beautiful of my life
David Phelps strongly believes that God turned his hardships into something beautiful in his life.
Something beautiful
David Phelps repeats the phrase to emphasize his belief in the transformative power of faith in God.
Writer(s): Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@EndtimeElijah
The Lord prophesied that He would send His End Time Prophet in THIS DAY…….
Malachi 4:5.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet BEFORE the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
To recieve the Lord we MUST receive the MESSENGER who the Lord sends:
John 13:20.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth WHOMSOEVER I SEND receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
The Lord Jesus Christ must REMAIN in Heaven until the times of RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS,
Acts 3:20 + 21.
20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of RESTITUTION OF ALL THINGS, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
The word “RESTITUTION” means “RESTORE.”
The Lord stated that He would send HIS END TIME PROPHET to “RESTORE” the Word of God, as the Apostles knew it.
Matthew 17:11.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and RESTORE ALL THINGS.
And also.....
Malachi 4:5.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet BEFORE the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
This Elijah prophet comes BEFORE, “The coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord,” which happens in this day.
We are now living in the last days, God has kept His word and sent His prophet, thereby “RESTORING” His word to His Bride.
God has raised the dead on FIVE occasions through His chosen vessel.
God was photographed SIX times, (Veiled in the form of the Pillar of Fire) with His chosen vessel.
http://www.williambranhamstorehouse.com/pdf_downloads/the%20supernatural%20halo%20photograph.pdf
The, “Elijah anointing,” (Concerning the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ) is used “TWICE.”
The first time 2,000 years ago, when God sent John the Baptist, then AGAIN in this day.
At each, “Coming of the Lord,” there is an Elijah prophet who precedes that, “Coming.”
Jesus said concerning John the Baptist.
Matthew 3:3.
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Elijah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
John, “Prepared the way for the Lord,” John did NOT “Restore anything,” as that which would need to be restored, (The full understanding of the whole Bible,) had not yet been given.
These and other “Prophetical scriptures” brought to pass:
Malachi 4:5.
Matthew 17:11.
Revelation 10:7.
Revelation 3:14.
Revelation 1:16 – 20.
Revelation 2:1.
Revelation 3:1.
God`s Chosen Vessel is William Branham.
Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ax-wN1lpn4
Watch this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xGjb2Fc5PQ
Visit:
http://endtimemessage.org/
@lavernevanauken1112
If I thought it would be possible ,I’d put DAVID IN MY BUCKET LIST !! I’ll be 84 in JANUARY 15🙏🏼🤗😉😉🙏🏼I JUST THINK THAT DAVID IS THE best tenor in the whole wide world !!! God bless him and THEM !!!
@lydiamoses6098
Echoes of my life so accurately... 'All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, But He made something Beautiful of my life'...Love so amazing, so Divine.
@leeannkaplan57
It’s definitely something beautiful to see you singing with your talented daughters. Thank you for sharing this with us.
@zionpraises6286
Oh I didn't know all three are his daughters?!? Yes my ears and face were all smiling.
@leeannkaplan57
@zionpraises Only Callie and Maggie Beth are his daughters.
@kmorgan2203
Very beautiful... Love seeing Charolette again with you..
@daisymg4667
God bless you, family Phelps. 🙏🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻
@misshazel271
David, you are a very special person. You have a God given talent. Please don’t ever lose site of that. Absolutely beautiful. I really don’t have words to express how much I enjoy listening to your music.
@user-rs7rf3hg9i
Best tenor i ever heard and favorite singer
@jamiemcmurtrey3154
Story of my life 😌 Thank You Lord 😊🙏🏻❤️