Review Of
Healed Without Scars
Various Artists
May, 2006 on BlackGospel.com,  Review by Jennifer Belot

There comes a time in the life of every man, woman and child when pain will make an appearance.  And here I am not talking of toothache type of pain; I’m referring to the debilitating, bone crunching pain of a wounded heart caused by grief or a broken heart, or a disenchanted spirit.  Often one finds themselves flipping through their record collection for those perfect songs that can relate to the mood of your spirit, well, I have here something that will soothe your heart and minister to your pain, an inspirational CD entitled Healed Without Scars.

The brainchild of Bishop David G Evans, well known minister of the renowned mega church Bethany Baptist Church in New Jersey, this project is the musical expression of the book by the same name.  The CD features the talents of independent artists and is produced by acclaimed recording artist Lonnie Hunter, better known for his work with the voices of St-Mark.  Also adding his talents to the roster is musician-extraordinaire Gary Diggs who acts as musical director of the project.

Healed Without Scars follows a clerical understanding that the people of God need to have their issues addressed on a biblical and psychological level.  The album puts into song the words of the book, with thirteen tracks named after the same number of chapters in the book.  I’ll Let Nothing Separate Me is a lulling canticle surrounded by a warm organ while the voice of the Bishop assures listeners of the words of Romans 8 “nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God…”

Pastor Ron Walker lends his voice to the smooth Urban-driven Life, a song which is contemplative on the tribulations of everyday life and the mighty presence of God throughout. 

Gifted with one of the most alluring female voices on the project, Tia Pittman’s raspy soprano invites us to “lay our burdens at the feet of mercy” in the contemporary hymn Created to Be Whole.  Heralded by a beautiful piano solo, Beth Winslow’s classical soprano trills the assurance that no pain is too great to be out of God’s healing reach in Remove the Mask

Pastor Chris Harris brings the wounded heart into the sanctuary as the organ makes a statuesque statement in Let It Be Me, as the uplifting lyrics “someone’s on the verge of deliverance, today is the day you shall be free… lift your hands and say Lord let it be me” bring us closer to the culmination of God’s healing grace.

Deshahn Lawrence and William Demps Jr. display a touching vocal cadence in I Will Trust as they relinquish their situation and their circumstance at the foot of the cross. Their interpretations are followed by Bishop Evans as he encourages sinners with the words “He hears the eloquence of your despair, the pain that is locked up in your heart” as the choir hums Reach Out To Jesus

Healed Without Scars is the fulfillment of the title and fittingly comes at the end rather than at the beginning of the project, after we’ve cried our woes, praised God for his blessed assurance and now, at the culmination of the album, our belief are affirmed in the words of the song “You’ve changed my life completely, you erased my pain and defeat, I am healed without the scars and my life was made new, because of your love I have been healed without scars”

The crowning achievements of this album are not so much the talented vocalists nor the lilting instrumentation but rather the inspirational theme of healing that’s reiterated throughout.  Whether you’re nursing a broken heart or grieving the loss of a loved one, there is a word of comfort to be found.  The sung interpretations from the written words of the book bear similar characteristics in that they are written in simple yet effective lyrics that will touch your heart and bring you closer to the heart of God.  I could not say it better than Bishop Evans himself; this musical journey will guide you to a path of wholeness in Christ.