Album Notes

Mark Portis is an accomplished keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter
and arranger currently residing in Redondo Beach, California.
He is the Pastor of Worship Arts at Journey of Faith Church in
Manhattan Beach.

Prior to moving to the Los Angeles South Bay, Mark was the
contemporary worship leader at the 5000 member Lake Avenue
Church in Pasadena, California, for 11 years.

Mark graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1989 with a bachelor\'s
degree in music and has been involved in music ministry for over
20 years, including 17 years of full time church music ministry.

He has been married to his wife, Linda, for 16 years and they have
three active boys: Kevin (15) John (14) and Michael (11). Mark enjoys
bike-riding, roller blading, going to the beach, watching good movies
and spending time with his family.

This project has been a long time coming for Mark, as he started
writing songs over 20 years ago. In the summer of 2002, during
a time of sabbatical, he felt that God inspired him to write several
songs. It was also during this time that God was working in a
dramatic way in his life. Following \"standard\" Lasik surgery, Mark
lost most of his eyesight for about 10 days. During that time, he
was unable to watch TV, drive or even read! As he laid in his bed,
covered by the prayers of friends and family, he felt God speaking
to him to \"fix his eyes of Jesus\". He also sensed that God was
wanting to \'open his eyes\' to see Him more clearly. Needless to
say, this was a profound time of spiritual renewal for Mark, who
eventually regained his physical sight but had a new, deeper view
of who God is and what His purpose was for Mark and his life.

Many of the songs on this CD were birthed during this time of
spiritual renewal, so it is his hope that they touch your heart in
some way and cause you to move closer to God and His purposes.

Soli Deo Gloria!
(To God be the glory!)