Phil Morgan along with his wife Pam have traveled the country in full-time music ministry since 1996, appearing on various radio and television programs including Oprah, Montel, and the 700 Club. Phil has written two books and hundreds of songs, plus a weekly email devotion than highlights his humorous and creative way of expressing Biblical truth. Most recently, Phil has accepted a staff writing position with Valley Songs, the publishing division of Chapel Valley Music in Nashville
Phil will be leading the workshop Song Painting. Visit the workshop page to learn more.
We asked Phil a few questions to help you get to know him.
Phil Morgan: Do you remember a gift you received that seemed so useless and nonsensical and you didn’t know how to express your gratitude? How did you handle the situation? Years ago at a concert someone left a gift for us on the piano bench. It was a plaster head of Jesus with a light bulb below, but the face was concave as if Jesus had stuck his face in wet plaster and left an impression. We appreciated the gesture, but it looked a little hokey, like a crushed velvet picture of Elvis. When we took it home, I was wondering what to do with it and decided to at least plug it in before we filed it away in the basement. When the light came on, Jesus’s head popped out in 3D and his eyes appeared to follow as you moved around the room. Way COOL!!! That was a huge reminder for me not to take everything at face value, but look for what is hidden inside. When Jesus shines, his light can transform the goofy into the glorious, so there’s hope for me yet! By the way, that Jesus lamp sits proudly in my office and is still shining today.
What is your favorite hobby? How does it help or influence your writing? I’ve recently taken up woodworking. It helps me in two ways. One, it is a completely different creative outlet from writing and gets me out of my office (or prison as it feels some days). Second, it teaches me patience. There are no shortcuts to creating a thing of beauty. The most crucial and monotonous step is the sanding, but if hurried or skipped the results are never spectacular. The same goes with editing and rewriting, it’s not fun, but so necessary to craft a masterpiece. To see some of my humble efforts, check out my flickr page .
Do you have anything posted around your writing desk–a reminder of why you sit at a computer for hours on end? I have a black piece of construction paper my daughter gave me years ago. In big, silver sharpie letters she wrote “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58” Amen to that!
Visit Phil and Pam’s website to discover more about their music and ministry.