Pam Thum was the only child of traveling evangelists Bruce and Ruth Thum, producers of the very popular and unique drama, Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames. The experience, which never kept them in the same place for more than a month, had both positive and negative effects on Pam.
Thum's parents were very dedicated Christians and carried Jesus into every aspect of their lives. They taught her a great deal about prayer and helped give her the assurance that Jesus was always with her. Still, Thum grew up in a very adult world and often felt quite lonely. She learned to depend on Jesus at a very early age and often made up little songs to sing to Him to help her not feel so lonely and scared. Jesus was one of the only constants in her life and she knew she never wanted to leave Him.
Pam's music career began when she was three years old and started singing on stage. As the years went on, Pam began to realize the effect music had on people and the hope that the words she sang often gave them. "I wanted them to feel the peace I did when I sang to God. I wanted them to feel as though Jesus were hugging them through my music."
And so it began. Pam Thum started writing songs when she was 16 and decided to pursue songwriting and performing as her own full time ministry. In 1987, Pam was offered a songwriting contract after her song "We Are An Army" was recorded by Trace Balin. She was offered a recording contract in 1992 and released her self titled debut album in 1993. The record was a huge success, with six of the songs making the top ten. She also received a Dove Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.
Pam Thum's albums:
Pam Thum, 1993
Faithful, 1994
Feel the Healing, 1995
Believe, 1997
Thum's geatest influences have been her parents and her Aunt Myrtle. Aunt Myrtle was a bundle of energy and was always hugging someone, taking people to church, baking cookies, teaching Sunday School, or singing joyfully to the Lord. Thum's greatest desire in her music is to be like her Aunt Myrtle and to love others where they're at and point them to Jesus.
Perhaps one of the most surprising things that came out of Pam's immediate success was her popularity in South Africa. Shortly after the release of her first album, the readers of JOY Magazine, a Christian publication in South Africa, named her Best International Female Artist of 1993. On her first trip there, she was greeted by an enormous group of fans and a hotel room filled with flowers. Thum believes that God has given her a special platform in South Africa and she desires to use it for His glory.
Today, Pam is married to Stephen Marshall and together they have built Pam Thum Ministries, which is partnered with several other "world-changing" ministries. Her mission remains the same - to fearlessly share the Good News of Christ with the world and encourage others to do the same. "We have the greatest news for this world," says Pam, "and we've spent too many years acting as if we're in some kind of secret club. People are living and dying without Jesus -- hurt, hatred, sickness, and fear have ruled for too long. I just feel an urgency that we've got to shake off the apathy in our lives and get bold and direct about our faith."
Faithful Heart
Pam Thum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It rises up from the sacred ground
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
Sometimes we all face mountains
Believing that we'll climb them all
Sometimes we have temptations
Sometimes we follow our hard road
And fight on though our strength is gone
Sometimes we're unlikely heroes
Helping someone else be strong
A faithful heart is treasure found
It rises up from the sacred ground
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
Sometimes we say yes to danger
Knowing the price that we'll pay
Oh, sometimes we'll walk with a stranger
And help him find the way
A faithful heart is treasure found
It rises up from the sacred ground
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
Even oceans filled with hopeless dreams, oh
Can never put out the fire
Faith is so much stronger than it seems
It just keeps burning brighter
A faithful heart is treasure found
It rises up from the sacred ground
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
A faithful heart is treasure found
It rises up from the sacred ground
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
A faithful heart is treasure found
It rises up from the sacred ground
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
A faithful heart is treasure found
(Oh-oh, God, give me a faithful heart)
It rises up from the sacred ground
(Oh, let it rise)
Its precious light consumes the dark
(Oh, it's so precious)
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
(Oh, love shines)
A faithful heart is treasure found
(Oh, a faithful heart is treasure found)
It rises up from the sacred ground
(It rises up)
Its precious light consumes the dark
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart...
The song "Faithful Heart" by Pam Thum talks about the importance of having a faithful heart that rises up from the sacred ground and consumes the dark with its precious light. The lyrics describe the struggles and challenges we all face in life, such as encountering temptations, following a hard road, saying yes to danger, and walking with a stranger to help them find the way. However, a faithful heart can overcome all of these obstacles as it is a treasure found that shines bright with love.
The song highlights the power of faith and how it can keep burning brighter even in times of hopelessness. It encourages listeners to ask God for a faithful heart that rises up and shines bright to consume the darkness around them. The song is not just a reminder of the importance of having faith, but also a reminder of the power of love and how it is still the most potent force in the world.
Overall, "Faithful Heart" is a powerful and uplifting song that reminds us that our faith and love can help us overcome any obstacle.
Line by Line Meaning
A faithful heart is treasure found
A heart that is loyal and committed is a valuable discovery
It rises up from the sacred ground
Such a heart is formed from a deep sense of purpose and meaning
Its precious light consumes the dark
The pure love that emanates from such a heart can dispel negativity and despair
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart
A heart that is steadfast and true has the power to radiate love and warmth
Sometimes we all face mountains
We all have challenges that seem insurmountable
Believing that we'll climb them all
We must maintain faith that we will overcome these obstacles
Sometimes we have temptations
We are often tempted to give up or take an easier path
And struggle not to fall
We must resist these temptations and stay on course
Sometimes we follow our hard road
Life can be difficult and challenging at times
And fight on though our strength is gone
We must persevere even when we feel weak and exhausted
Sometimes we're unlikely heroes
We may not see ourselves as heroes, but we can still make a difference
Helping someone else be strong
We can uplift and support others in their struggles
Sometimes we say yes to danger
We may need to take risks in order to achieve our goals
Knowing the price that we'll pay
We must be aware of the potential consequences of our actions
Oh, sometimes we'll walk with a stranger
We may encounter people who are unfamiliar to us
And help him find the way
We can still provide guidance and support to those who need it
Even oceans filled with hopeless dreams, oh
The world can be filled with despair and hopelessness
Can never put out the fire
But the fire of faith and love can never be extinguished
Faith is so much stronger than it seems
Faith has tremendous power and can sustain us during the most difficult times
It just keeps burning brighter
Our faith can continue to shine and offer hope even in the midst of darkness
(Oh-oh, God, give me a faithful heart)
The singer acknowledges her need for a heart that is faithful and true
(Oh, let it rise)
She asks for the strength to let her heart rise up and shine
(Oh, it's so precious)
She recognizes that such a heart is rare and valuable
(Oh, love shines)
She celebrates the power of love to overcome all obstacles
(Oh, a faithful heart is treasure found)
The singer reiterates the value of a heart that is faithful and true
(It rises up)
Such a heart can rise up and offer hope and light to others
'Cause love shines bright from a faithful heart...
Once again, the singer emphasizes the power of love to transform and heal
Contributed by Adrian W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.