The stories behind the songs from the 4th CD project, Grace Finds Wings
Grace Finds Wings, A Journey in Song – Follow along with Jill Miller in this inspired work and learn the stories behind the songs on her latest CD project. Led by the nudging of the Holy Spirit, the music and the stories she tells have incredible depth, heart, and compassion. Her stories will inspire the reader and resonate with the day-to-day problems that every believer struggles with. Somehow she finds a way to touch your heart and help you discover grace in things like infertility, divorce, financial problems, marital infidelity, loss, and fear of the unknown. With honesty that is uniquely Jill, she shows us that we can rise above our hurts and become the beautiful new creation God wants us to be
Excerpt
It hit me one day before I went to write this song that, no, God
doesn’t want us to struggle. He truly wants to watch us fly. He wants us to reach our goals and be happy and comfortable during our brief stay here on earth. He doesn’t want us too comfortable, because we have to live in anticipation of Heaven, but he does want the best for us. I don’t believe He enjoys watching us struggle. I believe His heart breaks every time our hearts break, and I know He sees every single tear we cry. He’s given us free will, so He has to let us struggle and figure it out on our own, but He’s right there waiting with something so much better.
Professional Reviews
A Wing and a Prayer
Pamela Jo Meitzler on July 30, 2014
My Review: A Wing and a Prayer
In "Grace Finds Wings," Jill Miller tells the stories behind the songs on her new CD of the same title. This is the companion book to her CD. It is a book about imperfection, prayer and faith. As I was reading, it felt much like this was Jill Miller's autobiography. In a way, it is exactly that.
The book talks about the themes of Miller's songs...financial difficulty, personal struggles, and the many fears we all face throughout life. While talking about these things, Jill also focuses on the need to seek God. We all need to do that, no matter what trials we face. This is a wonderful book about finding the grace of God through prayer and having faith in the fact that God is always with us.
When you read this book, you will discover why butterflies are so very important to Jill. Your spirit will soar with her as she describes the butterfly on the cover of the book. You will understand that no matter the scars of life, and even with imperfections, we can all fly on the wings of grace.
Personally, I bought Jill's CD and listened to it before I read her book. When I revisited the songs after finishing the book, I had a much deeper understanding of the music. I highly recommend "Grace Finds Wings"...both the book and the CD. It is an uplifting journey in song and a meaningful journey through life. When you experience Jill Miller's talent and faith, you won't soon forget the journey!
Heart To Heart Encouragement
Reply by Beverly L Terry 10-8-14
Jill Miller is a Christian singer/songwriter/conference speaker in the
contemporary pop/rock genre of music whose melodies and message are heart to
heart encouragement from one overcomer to another. Her clear voice and songs
reach right down to our souls and lift us up.
Grace Finds Wings, an autobiographical book, takes the songs from Ms. Miller's
most recent CD by the same name and explains the story behind each one. There
are ten songs and ten chapters in the book. Some of the tunes have a definitive
story, either personal in nature or shared from someone else's experience. Some
chapters are a devotional, usually about the Scripture behind the song's idea or
what may have been on her heart at the time she wrote the song.
In the preface (the Prelude) and later on in another chapter, the author explains
how and why she adopted the butterfly as a metaphor for her life's journey and
her music ministry. It's a beautiful symbol, one I feel many women identify with
so well. If you look carefully at the one on the book's cover, you notice its wings
have nicks and small imperfections in them. This was shown purposefully to
indicate our own imperfections while on our life's journey. Yet ultimately, the
butterfly still flies, signifying God's Grace. It's not about us, but how God can
work through us.
I was fortunate enough to find Jill Miller's vocals on the iHeart Radio app on my
Kindle Fire. I listened to many of the tunes from her CD's while I read their stories
in the book. My first impression of what she wrote was how well she expressed
herself in print. Her words are touching and as real as the lyrics of her music. She
doesn't sugar coat her words or spare herself from self-scrutiny. There were times
when her stories and meditations felt like pages out of my own book/journey. I
felt a kinship, as if we'd met on the same path, heading the same direction and
walked together for a time.
My favorite chapter is based on the song title, "This Mother's Love." In this
chapter, she tells the story of her struggle with infertility, the adoption process of
her eldest son Christopher, the struggles in the family during his growing up
years, and the eventual diagnosis of ADHD/Asperger's Syndrome. I felt so much
empathy for this heart-tugging experience, since I have had similar experiences. I
understood the triumphant joy as obstacles were ultimately overcome and her
son became the responsible adult he is now. He was even able to serve in the US
Marines after graduation from high school. As a mother looking back over time,
she concluded that it was all worth it.
Knowing the stories behind this artist's work has made them breathe and come
alive for me. Putting story and song together is a winning combination. I can
easily see how Ms. Miller's music is much more of a ministry than just a form of
entertainment. I think many readers will find this book a blessing.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this
book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) on behalf of Carpenter's Son
Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have
expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade
Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and
Testimonials in Advertising.”
Lessons Through Song
Kim Ferland on August 6, 2014
Lessons through song
Whenever I hear a song that touches me in some way I always wonder about what is behind the songwriter’s words. This book is just the answer for Jill Miller’s CD by the same name, ‘Grace Finds Wings”. Jill takes you on a journey, song by song, giving you insight into what was happening in her life during the time the song was written, plus life lessons learned along the way. I liked the format she used for each song, telling the reader the same details about each song, such as when it was written and where she was when the inspiration came to her. Jill’s songs are grounded in her faith, so this could be a great small group project to listen to the songs and then discuss them. Reading the book definitely made me want to buy the CD so now I can listen to the songs whenever I want. As I listen I reflect back on what Jill wrote about the song and it enriches the experience so much more. The book is a wonderful journey and life lesson even if you don’t hear the music.
