Beyond Measure - Defy Human Nature

By Nadine Halstead

Integrity Mgmt Group

Gospel music has seen its share of all female groups. There was Witness, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Out of Eden, Virtue… and now there’s Beyond Measure. This group of four ladies – Ronda Singelton, Joslyn Blackburn, Angela Stewart and Teresita Alsandor – uses their voices to uplift and to glorify God with melodious praise. Defy Human Nature features songs that are a testament to God’s goodness and His greatness… greatness that definitely defies human nature.

How Can I Defy Human Nature is the spoken word piece that opens up the CD. Set in a jazzy background, this piece lets you know how you can defy human nature. Through God, all things are possible and even though we are all human, He will give you the strength to defy the natural urges that dwell within us. The same theme continues in Nothing is Impossible. The ladies send the message home in this R&B laced track reminding everyone that we can have whatever we ask when His Word abides in us.

Isaiah 54:17 is the basis of the song No Weapon. If you’re down and think the odds are stacked against you, remember God is in your corner and think back on this well known verse. This song will help you remember that no matter what happens in your situation, anything formed against you will never prosper because you have supernatural power over the enemy. That just happens to be the next song on the play list. Supernatural Power allows the ladies to blend their voices over this rock-inspired track to let the devil know we have supernatural over him and that he has to flee.

When Andrae Crouch penned the words to I Don’t Know Why Jesus Loves Me, he wrote what was coming from his heart. He probably didn’t know the song would be such a staple in many churches today. Beyond Measure remakes the song and blends it together with What Shall I Render, which was written by Margaret Douroux. These two classics fit perfectly together by helping us to think about how we can possibly repay God for His love towards us. It’s amazing that even though we don’t deserve it, He still loves us and all he wants in return is our love and devotion to Him.

God’s omnipresence is depicted in the ballad, Thou Knoweth Everything. Even when we think He isn’t watching or listening, He knows every thought and intent of our hearts. Beyond Measure asks the Lord to teach them how to be true to Him. This should be the prayer of everyone… ask the Lord to daily show us how to be true to Him. What an excellent song to play during your personal devotional time with the Lord. Thou Knoweth Everything fuses in with the next song, Lord and Master. The atmosphere for worship is eminent in this track. Just sit back and reflect on the Lord and who He is to you on this track.

The flow of worship continues with I Worship You Because. You will lift your hands in adoration as the music builds towards the end. You can feel the intensity in the atmosphere as it gets heavier and more saturated as the ladies lift their voices in praise. This is definitely worth repeat status in the CD player.

The story of a little girl looking for love and peace in the wrong places is told in the song Little Girl. Many listeners may be able to relate to the story told in this song. The song has a light feel to it, with children joining in at the end of the song. Of course, this story has a happy ending because the little girl has found Jesus Christ. Beyond Measure simplifies the music with the song, Be Still and Know. Just a simple acoustic guitar and voices are featured. It gives the listener a chance to really be still and listen to the voice of God. Then the reprise comes with a piano and guitar playing. The ladies go into a feud, singing, “Be still and know that I am God.” This song gives them a chance to display their beautiful voices. The CD goes out with a bang with the praise party track, Get on Your Feet. You will want to get on your feet and praise the Lord with Beyond Measure on this song.

Defy Human Nature is Beyond Measure’s first project. To show they are multi-talented, not only do these ladies sing; they also write and produce. The majority of this project is written and produced by them. This is an excellent effort for their first project and I’m sure this won’t be the last that you hear from this gifted quartet.

To find out more about Beyond Measure, visit their website at www.beyondmeasure.net.