Search - Rita Springer :: I Have to Believe

A wonderful journey with a powerful worship leader

Brian Reaves | Anniston, AL USA | 01/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rita Springer is no stranger to worship. Her songs are sung in churches all across the U.S., she's old over 100,000 albums, and spends 40 weekends a year traveling and ministering in her Fragrant Oil conferences (as well as other worship conferences nationwide). She has the ability to be honest with her lyrics while still acknowledging the sovereignty of God in everything. This album extols us to hold on to the promises of God-even when they aren't always apparent.



I Have to Believe is a wonderful worship CD. The title cut is an absolutely perfect showcase for her smoky vocals. It's a bluesy, laid-back worship song you can pick up and sing along to quickly. She doesn't start things out with a wild tempo, but this daring choice for a lead song is a great one. Things really pick up with "You Are Good". It's a heart-cry to her wonderful Savior, and you'll probably find yourself in the lyrics to this one.



"Rain Down" is a cover of a Delirious song. She does a little more relaxed version than the original, but the intensity is still there when she sings "Open up, open up our hearts". "I Will Rejoice" feels very similar and is a great follow-up.



"O God of Mine" could be considered a hymn. The quiet reflection of the goodness of God is refreshing and leads naturally to worship. Songs like "You're More Than a Friend", "My Hero", and "Everywhere" take you into an even greater intimacy with God. "Those Were the Days" sounds like it could have come from Amy Grant's Lead Me On album (that's a high compliment, by the way).



Nathan Nockels and Margaret Becker produced this debut release of Flood Records, and they did a great job. Understated in places, they avoid the trappings of taking a simple song and making it complex for the sake of "putting their stamp on it". Rita's vocals are always up front and strong, with the music taking a back seat every time. The entire CD is filled with great songs. I couldn't find one I needed to skip through, which is unusual for me. Each seemed to quietly command moments of time and reflection. This is a great CD for winding down after a hard day at work, or during a time of devotion. Rita has delivered another winner to her discography. If you enjoy the honest worship songs of Jason Upton or Tim Hughes, this is one to pick up.

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New From Rita Springer

Joshua Inman | Nashville, TN USA | 09/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here is the new album from Rita Springer. She is a former Vineyard Music worship leader and now has her own ministry. She has seven albums out and travels the world leading people into the throne room of God. Her honesty shines through this album in the lyrics she writes as well as the liner notes. She, just like the rest of us, goes through hard times but her committment to worship the Lord in every situation is evident. It is so hard to choose a favorite from this album but I am currenlty into "Captured," "There Is A River" and "You are Good". Her song "O God Of Mine" is an atempt to create a modern day hymn and is very beautiful. "Love With Justice" is a song to her new adopted African/American baby Justice. "Rise Up," and "My Hero" are newer versions of these songs that where recorded on her last live album "Rise Up." I highly recommend "I Have To Believe." The first 10,000 copies will have a bonus "Best Of" CD that features 12 classic songs from the last 7 years of her ministry. Make sure to get your copy before the limited edition "Best Of" CD runs out. I am not sure if Amazon has the copies with the bonus CD but I am asuming that they do. If you have never heard of Rita Springer before or heard her music, then today is a good day to start!! What I love most about her music is her intimate lyrics to the Lord. Her total surrender to the Lord shines out through her lyrics."

Bodene

Jeff Haldeman | Advance, NC | 04/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an Awesome Soulful Voice!! Rita literally rings the bells of the Steeple with her golden-rich vocals. Her music transends a good majority of the current Christian "Radio Play" today. Rita Brings the listener In to her inner circle of Worship and Praise; its a feeling of Closeness that cannot be experienced by alot of todays contemporary music. An Must Album, for those who take their relationship with The LORD serioulsy."