Nicol Sponberg From Selah Releases 'Awake My Soul'
Nicol Sponberg, one-third of the Dove Award-winning Christian group Selah, has selected a few of her favorite hymns for her new project from Discovery House, 'Awake My Soul'. In her distinctive, husky voice, Nicol brings each song to life with the prayer that its words will speak to listeners as well.
Nicol experienced a whirlwind courtship at age 32, marrying her husband just over 2 months after they met. And she's known loss, as her second child died of SIDS only 10 weeks after he was born.
The threads of her life are woven into a beautiful tapestry that makes Nicol who she is today. She grew up singing the sacred hymns of the church, and they still speak to her heart.
"Awake, my soul, and sing" is a line from the hymn 'Crown Him with Many Crowns'. It lends itself perfectly to the CD's title as Nicol chooses daily to sing praise to her Savior through the highs and lows of life.
One of the lows that forever changed Nicol and her husband, Greg, was walking the excruciating valley of the unexpected death of baby Luke. This came just one month after the death of Nicol's infant niece, the daughter of her brother (and former Selah singing partner) Todd Smith and his wife. Having seen miraculous physical healings firsthand in Africa, Nicol believes in the dramatic power of prayer. "I think that was why it was so hard for me when we lost our son because I had seen God heal people, including my own brother when he was sick. And here we are in America with all the greatest resources, and they couldn't bring my son back to life."
But with each heartache, Nicol chooses to see the good. "It makes us treasure our children more," she says. "We had three miscarriages after losing Luke, and you realize it's just such a gift to bring a child into the world. I don't know if I would appreciate my children as much if it hadn't been for all the loss. There are things that just don't matter anymore. Suffering just changes you. It humbles you whether you want it to or not."
'Awake My Soul' Track Listing:
1. Crown Him (Forever)
2. No, Not One
3. In the Garden
4. The Solid Rock
5. Greater Still
6. Our Great Savior
7. Sweet Hour of Prayer
8. Holy, Holy, Holy
9. Wonderful Grace of Jesus
10. Trust and Obey
11. He Leadeth Me
