The full circle of empowering life Kristi Engelbrecht Lindow lives and shares through her ministries are the foundation of âJesus With Skin On.â. Her stories of Godâs love and transformation in her life inspire her music and work.

Through Kristiâs Jesus With Skin On CD, her moving lyrics and memorable music tell her stories about experiences with Jesus. Her journey continues as she works to enrich and empower othersâ lives through mission work in Africa, ministries in the United States, her music and mentoring. And as an avid outdoorswoman, Kristi often invites women to join her for transformative experiences through camping, hiking and kayaking adventures of discovery that expand their horizons.

Jesus With Skin On came to fruition so it could be an instrument of ministry and mission. Listeners will discover its ministry. Sales of the CD will support Kristiâs mission trips and especially one to Africa in late 2011.


14 MP3 Songs in this album (51:20) !
Related styles: Spiritual: Contemporary Christian, Spiritual: Inspirational, Solo Female Artist

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Back Stories about the Songs on the Jesus with Skin On CD

These stories describe the inspiration that shaped each song on Kristi Engelbrecht Lindowâs CD, âJesus with Skin On.â

Freedom Sings
This song of hope and joy speaks of Kristiâs relationship with Jesus, how she once was bound by chains of sin and He has unlocked those chains, inviting her to come in. We all are invited to come in, to learn how to sing a new song through Jesus and experience the freedom that allows us to have a brand new life and love through Christ.

One night when Kristi was in a place where homeless people could receive something to eat and drink, a man asked her to pray for him. As she began praying, Kristi realized he needed a physical touch and she placed her hand on him while she prayed. That small touch with the prayer unlocked something in their hearts, freeing them to experience the hope and joy Christ shares with all.

Good Shepherd
Psalm 23 and the well-known parable of the Good Shepherd (Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15: 3-7) are woven into the fabric of this song. Sin is fun; as we pursue that fun we run and hide from God and what He wants for our lives. This moving text is Kristiâs pleading with Jesus to find her, and keep her from running away and hiding. She even asks him to break her legs so she cannot continue to run away and to carry her on His shoulders so He is all she sees. Like the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep in the flock to find the one who has gone astray, Jesus always comes for us when we are lost in sinfulness.

Oasis
Many of us think of an oasis as a wonderful place in the desert where weary people who are hungry and thirsty find respite. The text in this song reminds us that Jesus is our oasis when we seek Him. When weâre too focused on ourselves, tired and feeling hopeless, we can hear Christâs voice above the storminess of our lives â if we only listen. He leaves a trail for us and when we come to Him, we receive strength, rest, shelter, a listening ear, healing â everything we need. Hope and joy fill our lives when weâre with Him.

Reclining at the Table
In Mark 2:15, Jesus was dining with disciples, tax collectors and sinners in Leviâs house. The scribes of the Pharisees were judgmental, asking why Christ would eat and drink with sinners. He responded, âThose who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.â

Righteous people in our lives can be very judgmental and sometimes we only see it in their hearts rather than in their words. It can be devastating to be judged by others when weâve âscrewed upâ something in our lives. Jesus welcomed and forgave sinners. At another table Jesus and His disciples gathered for the Passover meal. Mark 14: 22-25 describes how Jesus broke bread and shared the cup telling his disciples that this was his body and blood. For almost 2,000 years Christians have gathered for Holy Communion, coming to the table as sinners and commemorating how Jesus shouldered our sins and brought us salvation through His death and resurrection. We are always invited to sit at His table.

Beautiful Butterfly
Butterflies remind us of transformation from what was, into a newness of life. Throughout our lives we experience change as we grow and mature, take on new challenges and move to new places. Nothing is more transformative than hearing Godâs call, accepting that call and spreading our wings.

As Kristi described her inspiration for this text, she recalled a party for a friend who was moving to a new home where she would work helping women who had been abused. That journey would transform her from a person who had lived through abuse to one where she could assist others. She would become an inspiration and enabler, no longer the victim. We can become butterflies in this life and as we make our final journey into eternal life. Although the journeys can be difficult and challenging, the transformation is beautiful when like butterflies, we fly away.

Jesus With Skin On
The anonymous quote, âSerendipity is Godâs way of remaining anonymous" reminds us that many things in our lives happen at just the right time. We receive a call when weâre experiencing deep despair and hear words of love and caring from a friend. When weâre in a desperate situation, a friend â or even a stranger steps up to help. These are moments when others become Jesus with Skin On for us. Sometimes weâre Jesus with Skin On for others, rescuing, loving, listening, feeding, showing compassion and caring for people in need. The little voice in our brain says âdo it now.â The timing is the amazing part. Godâs fingerprints are all over the timing when someone reaches out to be Jesus with skin for us, at the perfect moment.

This is Love
Life changes can disillusion us especially when hearts are broken and what we thought was love has died. Those weâve loved and elevated to a place of prominence in our lives no longer care. Weâre living through dark days that are the winter of our soul.

Perfect love however exists through our relationship with Christ. His death for our sins demonstrated His love for us and through His resurrection we have new life. Spring returns to our soul and hope fills our hearts.

In the story of the 10 bridesmaids preparing to meet the bridegroom (Matthew 25: 1-13) weâre reminded of the preparations we need to make to be received into the kingdom of heaven. And weâre reminded of Christâs scepter of forgiveness reaching out to welcome us with his abundant love.


Days Like These
Weâve all experienced the frustration and anger of days âlike these.â Anguish permeates the opening text in this song as the writer prays as hard as she can, pleading for answers. She is broken and angry, and trying to hold in the pain. She asks God to âreach down and pull me from myself.â She hopes that if she prays hard enough the answers she seeks will come. But they donât. Things happen in Godâs time, not with our timing. Sometimes when weâre trying to hold together something God is trying to break apart, His answer is âno.â

She sings about her brokenness as she prods God for answers. Eventually she moves from pleading to inviting Him into her life. Her pain and brokenness move to acceptance, wholeness and rejoicing as she understands how much God loves her and gives her what she needs, rather than wants. And when she embraces that realization, peace is with her.

Song of Peace
Many fear Godâs punishment especially when theyâre on stormy seas, sometimes of their own making. He sees into our hearts and knows our innermost thoughts. But He calms our stormy seas and whispers âpeace be stillâ in our ear. Through the text of this song we hear tough questions asking for affirmation that God will be there and will show us the way even when weâre most disconnected from him. We move from walking in fear to the experience of His loving arms around us. And when, through the grace of God weâre washed clean of our sins, we are at peace and can sing His praises. âIf God is for us, who is against us?â (Romans 8:31)

I Thirst for You
Psalm 42 verses 1-2 speaks about our thirst for God. âAs a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you. O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?â
Since humans cannot survive for long without water, the theme of thirst captures the importance of Godâs presence working in our lives. Many who serve churches and work in ministry are leading people to God, so followers may slake their thirst. Through this song text however, we hear the contrast between our thirst in the desert and still being thirsty when too much water is crashing over us. Many of those who successfully lead others to water fail to have enough âliving waterâ to sustain their own faith. Kristiâs refrain, âWhen will you come to me, Lord?â pleads with God to slake her thirst for Him. And she confirms that nothing can keep her from His love.

Where Can I Go?
Young children play hide and seek with their parents, trusting that their parents will always find them, even if theyâre well-hidden. In the text of this song Kristi asks hide-and-seek questions of God, challenging Him to connect with her even when she does things to create separation.

Trust replaces the challenges, as the text shifts from running away to running to God. He is always with her wherever she goes. He will find her wherever she is. God claims her broken heart and it is full of love for Him. Through Christ who gave His life for the sins of all, she is made whole. Through that most loving gift imaginable, all people may have their sins forgiven.

Answer Me
Itâs very difficult to surrender because it usually means weâve lost something and someone else has the upper hand. We surrender the keys to our car when we canât honor car payments. The invading army is capturing our soldiers and we must surrender. It just isnât a good feeling when you surrender.
Surrender is a good thing in our relationship with God. King Davidâs pleas to God transcribed in Psalm 4 are echoed in this song. David knows God has set him apart and David is a sinner. David trusts God and thanks Him for peace in his heart and safety. When we surrender to God, our will is replaced by His will. Weâre no longer fighting him like a warrior; we focus on what He wants for our lives rather than our priorities. God becomes the warrior fighting our battles and we find rest.
This piece prompted a man to come up to Kristi when she sang this song at a wine tasting. The manâs face was covered with tears as he said, âAnytime I hear that word surrender, I know God is calling me. Iâm going into the bathroom to get my life right with God.â

Desperate Faith
With a sense of wonder Kristi sings this love song, marveling that her Divine Designer sees her thoroughly yet loves her so deeply. She shares the depth of passion she has for Him and asks Him for the things she needs to do His work, including helping her to be Jesus to this generation. She describes poignantly how Godâs âglassesâ cover her sins; âJesusâ blood-covered glasses with glory-filled rimsâ make it possible for her sins to be forgiven.

The changes in her needed to do Godâs work in the world include many things: vision, heart, compassion, love and surrender. And she notes that grace to surrender is what loveâs about. The passion and energy in this text contains a mosaic of themes - calling, thankfulness, devotion, amazement, desire and connectedness that will further Godâs work in the world through those who love Him.

Lord of Glory
In Africa, a lionâs roar soars above all other sounds commanding the attention of every creature. Sometimes God cuts through the clutter of noise and sin in our lives with a mighty roar so we pay attention and listen. This text conveys the story of one whoâs heard that roar and is now on a journey of love and faith, giving herself to God. Worshiping all that God has done for us through His endless grace, she celebrates that âI am yours and You are mine.â These heartfelt words of love are a fitting benediction to this CD that explores the many facets of the relationships we share with the Triune God. We are His and He is ours. Amen!