The son of an Assemblies of God pastor, Gary Chapman grew up in De Leon, Texas. He performed in bands throughout high school and college. After college, he moved to Nashville and was hired as bass player for The Rambos. In 1979, his song "Father's Eyes" was recorded as the title track to Amy Grant's second album. In 1982, his song "Finally" recorded by T.G. Sheppard reached #1 on the country music charts. He also received a Dove Award as Songwriter of the Year from the Gospel Music Association. That same year, he married Grant.
During the rest of the 1980s and the early 1990s, Chapman continued to write, record, and produce music, while touring as an opening act and bass player for Grant. His career reached new heights in the mid 1990s. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album in 1994. The Light Inside also resulted in a Dove Award nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year. and also yielded a Contemporary Christian Music chart #1 song, "Sweet Glow of Mercy." He won a second Dove Award in 1994 for co-producing the album, Songs From The Loft, featuring various artists.
In April 1996, Chapman was honored as Male Vocalist of the Year by the GMA. His 1996 album, Shelter, delivered another #1, "One of Two," with "Man After Your Own Heart" resulting in a Dove Award for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year and being featured on the Dove Award winning Special Event Album of the Year, My Utmost For His Highest. Shelter also received a 1997 Grammy nomination for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.
In 1996, Chapman was selected as the host of The Nashville Network’s music and talk show, "Prime Time Country." The show experienced improved ratings, but was canceled in 1999.
At the 1998 Dove Awards, his album featuring other artists, Hymns From The Ryman, won Country Album Of The Year.
Chapman and Grant were divorced in 1999. He married Jennifer Pittman in July, 2000.
Chapman was arrested in 2006 for DUI, and after another divorce, recently remarried again, while also caring for his terminally ill father. Despite the many ups and downs of his life, about which he frequently blogs openly on his myspace page, he is still recording and making music.
Outside
Gary Chapman Lyrics
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Where we come to worship, to witness and marry
But after we've gathered I have to confess
My soul feels a restlessness to take this remarkable light
[Chorus]
Outside where people are hurting
Suffering and searching for some place to hide
To carry the love in our hearts, outside
It's time to leave self-centered thinking behind us
Expecting the whole world to seek out and find us
Jesus is making us people who care and if we will be willing to share
These graces can be multiplied
[Chorus]
Outside where people are hurting
Suffering and searching for some place to hide
Inside God pulls us together from a world torn apart
To carry this love in our hearts
Outside where people are hurting
Suffering and searching for some place to hide
Inside God pulls us together from a world torn apart
To carry this love in our hearts
Outside, outside
Let's all go outside
We got to take the love outside
Outside, outside, outside, outside
The song "Outside in" by Gary Chapman is ultimately a song about love and the call to serve others. The lyrics express the idea that although it's safe and comfortable to be inside of our places of worship, there is an unignorable urge to step outside and make a difference in the world. The first verse describes the feeling "after we've gathered," indicating that church attendance is not enough to satisfy the human spirit's yearning to serve others. The choir and the pastor, being the ones leading the song, can also experience this yearning to do more. The chorus solidifies the message that we ought to share our love with those outside the walls of the church. The verse "It's time to leave self-centered thinking behind us, Expecting the whole world to seek out and find us" is a poignant reminder that our love and our service should be extended beyond our personal and societal bubbles.
The second verse acknowledges that we shouldn't just wait for people to come to us or find their way into a church. As Christians, we should be actively looking for those who need help, love, and support. "Jesus is making us people who care, and if we will be willing to share, These graces can be multiplied" underscores the idea that love begets love; the more we give, the more we will receive.
In conclusion, "Outside in" is a powerful call to action for Christians to extend beyond the walls of their church and heed the call to serve and love others.
Line by Line Meaning
It's safe and it's warm inside this sanctuary
This sanctuary offers a sense of security and comfort that makes it easy to worship.
Where we come to worship, to witness and marry
This is where we worship, bear witness, and can get married.
But after we've gathered I have to confess
However, after we've gathered here, I must confess.
My soul feels a restlessness to take this remarkable light
I feel restless and compelled to take this remarkable light elsewhere.
Outside where people are hurting
The outside is where people are currently suffering.
Suffering and searching for some place to hide
They are suffering and searching for a place to escape.
Inside God pulls us together from a world torn apart
While inside, we are brought together by God in a world that is falling apart.
To carry the love in our hearts, outside
We are to take this love in our hearts outside.
It's time to leave self-centered thinking behind us
We must let go of selfish thinking.
Expecting the whole world to seek out and find us
We cannot expect the world to find us on their own.
Jesus is making us people who care and if we will be willing to share
Jesus is leading us towards becoming people who care and are willing to share.
These graces can be multiplied
Through sharing, these blessings can be multiplied.
Let's all go outside
We should all go outside.
We got to take the love outside
We must take this love outside.
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MATTHEWS, SILVEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind