Biography:
Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk-rock band formed with his older brother Terry.
Talbot embarked on a spiritual journey that led him through Native American religion and Buddhism to Christianity. At this point he and his brother, Terry, joined the Jesus Movement, recording the album Reborn which was re-released by Sparrow Records (originally released as The Talbot Brothers on the Warner Brothers label).
Two solo albums followed for Talbot: John Michael Talbot (1976) and The New Earth (1977). Both of these were produced by Billy Ray Hearn.
Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion.
Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He founded his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, at Little Portion Hermitage as an "integrated monastic community" with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986.
Per the community's General Constitutions, Talbot's title is "General Minister and Spiritual Father". For many years, he has promoted the work of Mercy Corps.
The hermitage suffered a fire in April 2008 in which the chapel, library and many common areas were destroyed.
On April 10, 2010 the Bishop of Little Rock, Anthony Taylor, dedicated the new buildings. On October 2, 2010 the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage celebrated the opening of the new monastery church and common center.
God Alone Is Enough
John Michael Talbot Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let nothing frighten you
For everything passes
But God will never change
Patient endurance
Will obtain everything
Whoever has God
God alone is enough
God alone is enough
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing at all
God alone is enough
God alone is enough
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing at all
So let nothing trouble you
Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes
But God will never change
Patient endurance
Will obtain everything
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing at all
God alone is enough
God alone is enough
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing at all
God alone is enough
God alone is enough
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing at all
Let nothing trouble you
Let nothing frighten you
For everything passes
But God will never change
Patient endurance
Will obtain everything
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing at all
The lyrics of John Michael Talbot's song God Alone Is Enough speak to the power and security found in God. The opening lines, "Let nothing trouble you/Let nothing frighten you/For everything passes/But God will never change," emphasize the fleeting nature of earthly concerns and the steadfastness of God's love and presence. The following lines, "Patient endurance/Will obtain everything/Whoever has God/Wants for nothing at all," suggest that those who rely on God and endure with patience will attain all they need.
The chorus, repeated throughout the song, reiterates the idea that "God alone is enough" and those who have God "want for nothing at all." This speaks to the idea of contentment and satisfaction found in a relationship with God. The final lines of the song, again emphasizing the temporary nature of earthly matters, offer a sense of peace and reassurance: "Let nothing trouble you/Let nothing frighten you/For everything passes/But God will never change."
Overall, the lyrics of God Alone Is Enough offer a message of hope and encouragement for those seeking to find security and meaning in God. The song reminds us that temporary concerns and challenges will pass, but a relationship with God can provide lasting contentment and peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Let nothing trouble you
Don't let anything bother or disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
Don't let anything scare or intimidate you
For everything passes
All things in life are temporary and will come to an end
But God will never change
God is eternal and constant, always the same
Patient endurance
Sustaining power to endure patiently through difficulties or waiting for something expected or hoped for
Will obtain everything
Being patient and enduring through trials leads to gaining everything we need and desire
Whoever has God
Anyone who has God in their life, their heart, and their mind
Wants for nothing at all
They lack nothing; they have everything they need
God alone is enough
God is all we need in this life, that He can fulfill all of our needs
Contributed by Claire A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arvis H.
Beautiful, calming and inspiring! John Michael Talbot has a marvelous voice! Amen and Amen!
Frances Knoef
God bless you Micheal. You help my spirit and my soul dance. Praise God for you.
Arvis H.
@Madalene Camilleri I am so glad you liked it too.!
Madalene Camilleri
Very lovely voice that the song came in my heart
gypsyheart49
Someone gave me several of JMT's albums when I was a new Christian back in the early 1980's. Shortly after, my mother died, my husband took off with his best friend's wife and on and on...the Peace of JMT's music calmed my spirit and my soul, helped me to see the Lord around me and helped me to go to sleep at night. Now, I'm 30+ years down the road and we don't have albums and even CD's are becoming old, but JMT's music still brings that sweet smile of peace that it brought so many years ago. What a blessing he is and what a gift the Lord has given him.
Ann Griffith
May Jesus be reaching out to you this evening and may you sense his presence and his fragrance. Only One who has died of a broken heart can heal the broken hearted.
JohnMichaelTalbot
God bless you.
jim P.
Similar situation here, my youngest brother died and I discovered the music of JMT and it helped to bring me closer to God. That was back in July 1999. So much has changed since then, a marriage and divorce, death of family and friends, job changes, moves, abandoned by those whom I thought were friends, depression, health issues, loss of money, now caring for an aging and frail parent alone. At this point, death would be more of a long- awaited friend than an enemy. I shall go to God one day, death shall never separate again, no more suffering, sorrow, pain, sin, sickness, disease, abandonment, etc; the former things will all have passed and never to return.
Marc Marmolejo
in the past three month I found myself in similar circumstances on thing after an other.. my wife just left me two days ago.. the pain is overwhelming.. please pray for me..
Song Bird
This song has brought so much healing to my spirit and soul.
His music is annointed.
Praise be to our Lord and God!