As of 2006, she has released nineteen albums. Thirty-two of her singles have reached the Number 1 position on Christian radio national airplay charts. These include "He Is Exalted", "God Is In Control", "We Bow Down" and "The Warrior Is A Child". She has received five GMA Dove Awards, and three American Songwriter Awards.
Some of Paris' songs have been included in the hymnals by a variety of churches including the United Methodist church and various Charismatic churches. In recent years, Paris has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards and writing new praise and worship music in contrast to contemporary Christian pop songs that she released the latter 1990s.
Her uncle, Loren Cunningham is the founder of Youth With A Mission, while her family started Ecclesia College in Elm Springs, Arkansas, where her brother Oren Paris III is president and father Oren Paris II is chancellor. Paris herself studied theology and sacred music, though she has claimed to have placed little emphasis in her formal studies on composition or songwriting. Beyond songwriting, she is the author of four books, three of which focus on contemporary Christian theology.
She and her husband Jack Wright have one child, Jack Paris Wright, born April 29, 2001.
Although widely associated for much of her career with Star Song Records, EMI switched her over to the Sparrow label in 1996, before her contract ended after 2003. In 2005, she switched to Michael Coleman's INO label.
God Is All Around Us
Twila Paris Lyrics
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The bluebird and her little ones are gathered in their nest
And I am on my pillow because I need my rest
God is all around us, and He knows best
He's higher than the treetops in the tallest wood
Why He would come and speak to me, I'd tell you if I could
It makes me want to please Him in all the ways I should
God is all around us everywhere we go
Caring for His children that's all I need to know
He's stronger than the eagle circling above
He's wiser the oldest owl more gentle than a dove
He's closer than pajamas that fit me like a glove
God is all around us, and He is Love
In these lyrics by Twila Paris, the image of God's presence is painted through the natural world around us. The setting sun behind the mountain signifies the end of a day and the bluebird in her nest with her little ones speaks to the security and home of nature. The singer of the song is lying in bed, needing rest and comfort. The repetition of "God is all around us" creates a sense of comfort and assurance. The lyrics suggest that God is superior to anything on earth- higher than the treetops, stronger than the eagle, wiser than the owl and yet also close and gentle like a dove in a snug pair of pajamas.
The lyrics of "God Is All Around Us" celebrate the presence of God in our lives and the world we live in. It reminds us of God's power and wisdom, as well as his love and closeness to us. The song encourages a sense of awe and reverence in the listener towards the divine, through the use of natural imagery. Interestingly, this song was originally part of a larger work titled "The Warrior is a Child" but went on to receive its own recognition for its message of the omnipresent nature of God.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun behind the mountain is setting in the west
The sun is setting behind the mountain in the west.
The bluebird and her little ones are gathered in their nest
The bluebird and her babies are safely in their nest.
And I am on my pillow because I need my rest
I am on my pillow and I need to rest.
God is all around us, and He knows best
God is everywhere and He knows what's best.
He's higher than the treetops in the tallest wood
God is higher than the tallest trees in the forest.
Why He would come and speak to me, I'd tell you if I could
I don't know why God would speak to me but I wish I did.
It makes me want to please Him in all the ways I should
When I think about God speaking to me, I want to do everything I can to please Him.
God is all around us, and He is good
God is everywhere and He is good.
God is all around us everywhere we go
God is everywhere we go.
Caring for His children that's all I need to know
Knowing that God cares for His children is enough for me to know.
He's stronger than the eagle circling above
God is stronger than the eagle circling in the sky.
He's wiser than the oldest owl more gentle than a dove
God is wiser than the oldest owl and more gentle than a dove.
He's closer than pajamas that fit me like a glove
God is closer to me than even my most comfortable pajamas.
God is all around us, and He is Love
God is everywhere and He is Love.
Contributed by Colin H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.