My first observance of Warner Sallmans’“Christ at Heart’s Door” painting with its knob-less door produced an instant appreciation and joy for the infinite kindness, respect, and love that Jesus has for our free will, our gift of self, of freedom, of life. With self, comes the battle, and our self confines us to our own dark prison of pride. I was fortunate enough, in my darkest moments, to open my door to “The Light of the World”, Jesus Christ. I now struggle to perform God’s will with the constant help of my Intimate Friend and Brother, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. I hope the song “Jesus Knocking on the Door” and the additional Spirituals will lift your Spirit, and fill your heart with the peace and joy of Jesus.

And now for the story. All of a sudden, in the still of an empty house, I was awakened by an extremely hard banging on my bedroom door. Scared me to death, but only for a moment as soon I was overcome by an intense joy. I knew I had to deliver a Jesus message to my Dad; so I wrote him a letter, met him for breakfast, and recanted my story. The message was tough, as Dad was having a tough time dealing with Jesus. I left sensing some progress as my ears continued to repeat the unexplainable sounds of the knock.

And as if by coincidence….I give the song to my Dad for Christmas. I bring the song to Sally Fischer, my Dad’s voice teacher. She encourages a recording. I hear Pat Ruelo-Nicaud playing piano at church. Sally introduces Mike Harvey, our sound engineer. We practice, collaborate. I attempt to impose my artistic will on the group; and then I realize, it’s not my song, its Jesus’ song, Jesus’ will, brought to fruition through the combined effort and labor of my “coincidence” cohorts.