With words and music that focus on seeking God’s truth through prayer and growing in faith, contemporary Catholic Christian singer, songwriter and speaker Ellen Soukup’s CD "The Truth is There," is in itself a work of the Holy Spirit, and represents her debut as a songwriter.
“In my recovery from major surgery, I had orders from my doctor not do anything strenuous. So I decided to just sit down at the piano and play anything that came to mind,” said Ellen, who up to that point, had written only one song in her life. That was about to change.
“Over the next few days I received an intense flow of melodies into my mind. It was a little bewildering, since I had never felt anything like that before,” she says. “Morning, noon and night, I was literally inundated with new ideas for songs, so much so that I asked God to slow down a little bit so I could get some sleep!”
After nearly two months, not only was Ellen’s recovery successful, but she had also written nearly a dozen new songs. “It was obvious that the Holy Spirit was asking me to take my music ministry to another level, and I feel so blessed.”
Spiritually vibrant yet prayerfully soothing are words that not only capture the essence of Ellen’s vocal ability, but also the soul of her Holy Spirit inspired songs. “The title-track of this album was written for people, especially youth, who may have difficulty discerning how God’s truth fits into their lives. The truth is all around us, it’s just up to us to see it,” she explains. “All in all, it’s my hope that this recording not only strengthens our faith, but also opens a window into souls that may have questioned their beliefs.”
Each song was inspired by a different experience in her life. “Believe it or not, I wrote one of those songs after getting mad at my kids one day,” laughed Ellen, the mother of two children. “They were just being kids, bugging me while I was at the piano. Then right after I scolded them, God helped me realize that even though it’s tough at times, it’s such a wonderful gift to be a mother and to be a family.” She says that particular song, aptly titled “Family,” is a fan favorite.
“Ellen’s music is wonderful in that it appeals to all ages and speaks to the heart in many situations,” said Father Robert Sullivan, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Birmingham, Ala. “She doesn’t have a ‘miracle story’ to share, but through her music and talks, she reminds us that God speaks to all of us, even in the ordinary events of life.”