Christi Bradford

“...The only way we can be of use to God is to let Him take us through the crooks and crannies of our own characters...Jesus reveals to us all that this body has been harboring before His grace began to work. How many of us have learned to look in with courage?”"Our Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald ChambersMany times, as Christians, we listen to music that details the ideal walk with God, the place spiritually that we all want to reach...believe we can and will one day reach! These songs are comforting, encouraging, and necessary for edification. In the meantime, what do we do when confronted with our own life's issues and want to take dedicated steps from there?“I have only recently realized what some of the songs on my album actually mean, and I am sure that this process will continue for the rest of my life. Donald and I wrote the album while I was still single and not deeply interested in marriage. I am married now, and submission to Christ and to others in love...living out the words 'By All Means' has a different and deeper shade than it did previously. I am challenged more than ever to lay down my own way and to be who the Lord desires me to be”Christi Johnson (formerly Bradford) has been singing in church since she was 14 years old, songwriting since the age of 16. Since those first starts, finding her voice and her own talents has been a study in patience, and trial and error. The result today is a smooth, jazz-like sound that both comforts and encourages the listener to move closer to Christ's way of living, no matter what the situation. “God made His people to worship Him, and worship happens every day, all day long, whether we are in a church setting, alone, or in interaction with others.”“By All Means” starts and ends with offerings to God, piano accompanied vocal tracks that simply acknowledge God and His goodness; sandwiched between these two are songs that do everything from lament a breakup while reaching to God for restoration to celebrating the joy of Sunday mornings in church. One notable, “My Redeemer,” focuses on the fact that Ruth lost everything that was important to her yet gained everything by the end of her life's story...a story that actually ends when Christ is born into the world. “It has taken a great deal for me to learn that what the world might view as loss can be in God's eyes gain. Each challenge...each interaction is an opportunity to grow in His character. Trusting God through Christ with my whole heart and dying to myself...well that is what I want to learn more than anything else, even though looking inside is not always the easiest thing to do. I hope the album and all future music God gives me articulates that I want to follow Him alone.”And Christi continues to learn, having placed 3rd and 4th in Music in the Rockies for music ministry in both 2003 and 2004. She also placed in the top 10 and the top 16 in Gospel Music Channel's Gospel Dream competition in both 2005 and 2008 respectively. Today, she is content to sing as the Lord gives her the opportunity. “Deep inside, I believe that I am meant to sing, but only God knows the timing and whether or not I am am actually right about it.” That might sound like doubt, but it is not; it is faith in God. “He led me to my producer, Donald Robinson when the timing was right, and He will take me further when the timing is also right again. Just like the album tries to get across, He will be whatever I need whenever I need it...by all means.”