If you don't want people to find out who you are then don't tell stories.  This is because when we tell stories, others will get a good start in learning about our values and how we will act.  Most of the times spiritual truths and morality can't be drilled into us.  Rather, our hearts soften and our minds open when we are moved by a carefully crafted story. The Murray Family knows how to tell stories through their songs. And these stories are indeed page turners often leaving us grasping at the cliff's edge as to how the narrative will unfold.  Take the title track of their latest album "Homesick" as an example.  The song starts off with a mysterious phone call in the middle of the night as we are quickly drawn into the story of the song.  Then our hearts get a nudge when we learn that it's the troubled call of protagonist's daughter who feels out of place and longs to come home.  By the second verse we are surreptitiously swirled into the story as the Murray Family articulates our own homesickness for Jesus when the world has wearied us with its cares and anxieties.  Yet the song "Homesick" is just a chapter in this story-layered record.

"Homesick" is the sophomore record by the Murray Family that bears the Crossroads imprint.  Just like many of their label mates who have had released some stellar Southern Gospel records, "Homesick" doesn't belie the label's reputation.  The Murray Family consists of Ernie and Connie together with their sons Chris and Jason.  They started off in 1997 with their four part harmony.  Later, they were joined by the wives of their sons Cindy and Emily.  "Homesick" is the Murray Family's follow-up to their critically acclaimed Crossroads debut "He Gives Us a Song." Unlike many Southern Gospel groups who are content with just regurgitating covers, Chris Murray writes four cuts here by himself with one more being a co-write with his wife Cindy.  Just like their CD cover which depicts them casually posting in a stable sitting on haystacks and in front of a wagon wheel, there is a rustic country charm to the entire record that is also this CD's selling point. 

Written by Chris Murray is the album opener "His Name is Jesus."  Deftly catching the nimble balance between the simplicity in its tune and profundity of the song's message, "His Name is Jesus" is a understated country testimony of how Christ saves the song's protagonist.  Digging into the loftier issue of Christ's second coming is harmonica driven "That's Where I'll Be."  Imbued with an elongated fiddle drawl, "The Best is Yet to Come" bears all the sound marks of a Vince Gill-styled ballad of the 90s.  As for the songs that do not come from Chris Murray's pen, William Funderburk's "Whiter than Snow" is noteworthy of mention.  Featuring some gorgeous harmonies from the family, "Whiter than Snow" is another testimonial ballad that highlights the cleansing nature of Christ's blood.

"Near to Thee" finds nature in the narrator's chair.  Here the beauty of the earth beckons us to praise the Creator on this worshipful ballad.  Producer and label chief Jeff Collins certainly knows how to use instruments such as the fiddle, steel and guitar to the greatest advantage on the lilting country delight "I Thank You Lord."  "Homesick," in sum, finds these various life stories converging together telling the story of Jesus Christ and love.  And with their Spirit-filled singing, listen to these songs long enough and they become more than just stories.  Rather, they become God's truths that can truly transform our hearts.