Wide Eyed

Nichole Nordeman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 22, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 22, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sparrow
• ASIN: B00000AGDX
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #173,073 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honesty, May 8, 2003

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wide Eyed (Audio CD)

Sometimes, Christian music glosses over the struggles in life. And, while I still enjoy those songs, I occasionally want more. That's why this debut CD was such a breath of fresh air.

Nichole Nordeman doesn't shy away from the struggles and pain in life. I knew I'd found someone who will face life realistically when she admitted in the opening song that she shares common ground with Doubting Tomas. Of course, that confession comes in a prayer "To Know You" better. "Who You Are" follows a similar theme or wanting to know who God truly is with all the ambiguity thrown in. "To Say Thanks" is another honest admission, this one admitting that it's not always easy to give thanks in everything like we are told to do in the Bible.

Also included are prayers for God to perfect her. My favorite of these is the ballad "River God." It paints such a vivid picture of God smoothing us as He sees fit.

And "Anyway" and "I Wish the Same for You" just reflect on the amazing grace and love God has given us.

With three CD's now, Nichole has proven that she has a sharp pen for writing what is in her heart in new and refreshing ways. I highly recommend any of her CD's for a challenging reflection of your walk with God.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God, not man made, February 18, 2004

By 

Philip S Roeda (Cook, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wide Eyed (Audio CD)

This album is a joy to listen to. One song in particular I sing loudly when alone in my car. The songs written by Nicole Nordman are connected by a theme. This theme comes from the first song of the album titled :To Know You. The song talks of an individual "awake with questions"; Asking oneself about how does one "separate fact from fiction" . She compares the struggle with how the scholar and religious authority ( Nicodemus) could not understand How a grown man could be born again? And how Thomas did not believe without seeing the nails in Jesus' hands. She talks about common ground she has with these men. Which I understand is the struggle of any finite man understanding an infinite God.

Wide Eye begs the question: What type relationship one has with God is dependent on how one relates with others who walk on this earth. The clear message is all humans are created in the image of God, no matter how off base their theology. How do you who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ are to relate to others who hold another theology { or truth}. In the song there is given a couple examples of people talking of weird theology that leave the listener "confused and disillusion". Listening I ask myself is she talking about the person or faith? How am I to respond to{these}people who seem to be disconnected with reality {nuts}. Jesus did talk about how one treated the least so you have Him.

Who You Are is the song I enjoy singing along with most on the album and is the reason I purchased the album when the CD first came out. The song uses the voice of Nicole to great effect. She sings sweetly how people taught her to comprehend God in simple/easier ways so the relationship would be less daunting . To make coming to him easier and simpler. She talks as if one could put God " in my pocket". Then in a loud outburst manner she responds "I know I cannot explain You". She continues to talk how Jesus walks with us: "so near yet so far". How does anyone understand the personal relationship of a finite being with an infinite being. That is who I am and that God is so much more. My finite ability to comprehend God does not give me an excuse to reinvent God, so I do not need to revere Him as much. If I do, I am honoring the Onewho lowered himself so I could have a relationship with Him.

Who You Are is the reason I chose to review this album at this time. In the book titled: Christ Among Other gods by Erwin Lutzer is a quote by Nietzche.

"You have caged [God], tame him, domesticated him, and the priests have plenty lent their aid. the roaring bull has became a listless Ox."

From the song: " Every teacher, every preacher-with the very best intent- Found new ways to hide the mystery-Replaced with common sense".

Does [your] perspective of God `make' God less awesome. Scripture should teach the Christian who God is. God's word should pierce your heart. Only by knowing God's power, might, and righteousness can one begin to comprehend the grace of God. Only through some comprehension of God's hatred for sin may one understand the humiliation of Christ dying on the Cross for my disobedience. This is the only way to begin comprehending having a relationship with God. The privilege of knowing Jesus.

Anyway is a simpler and calmer song. The song talks as if God saw something in me so He sent His Son. I do not agree. What ever I am? Jesus gives me value. I have no value in myself. It is who God is that gives me value. No redemption, no value.

I Wish the Same for You. First one has joy in his salvation. Second one wants others to know this joy. Third one wants to share this joy with others. Remember the song Wide Eye: it is how a Christian relates to others, that determines how close his walk with Jesus is.

Is It Any Wonder talks about what does really matter. "You do not need the softest curves to have love" is phrase to communicate that physical attractiveness is not the goal or idol to be served. Young girl [ and boys] should seek something more important. the song also talks about the "fastest and biggest toys" as the goal to become a winner in life. This is most certainly not what God wants us to strive for. These things can most certainly effect your relationship with God.

Burnin the song sounds very moody and can be a downer. "Until nothin is left to show", "a new life begins to grow". Does spiritual growth come when a Christian lets go of the things of the world and learns to grasp on God instead? The song is about seeking the things of heaven.

To Say Thanks I use to dismiss this song as meaningless with the lyrics crying repetitively the word why and concluding with the words to give thanks. I used to think nice sounding but what meaning. Listen closely, the songs talks about trials sent by God for our own good. Yes I have wonder why God brings trials to me and at times I have been most ungrateful. Nicole does remark about self inflicted pains briefly, but that is not the subject of the song.

River God A variation of the potter and the clay. God is the river and the Christian is a rock in the river. God flows water over the believer to smooth out his
rough edges. I agree that God chooses times and events [often the mundane] to shape His followers. "Never is the river dry" ,God is always workin on the believer.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Christian Life, April 20, 2000

By 

"slcampbe" (Birmingham, AL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wide Eyed (Audio CD)

I cannot express how deeply Nichole Nordeman has touched my life by releasing this album. All of the songs are extremely soul searching, making you want to reexamine why you are a Christian, and exactly what that means. I must say that I loved it when I bought it, but it did not completely move me until I saw her in concert. It was just her and that Magical Piano, and her telling us all why she wrote each and every song. My favorite is "To Say Thanks." This song is about how God doesn't always lead us out of the "Storms of Life," because he wants us to grow in Him. How it's so hard to say thanks to Him for allowing us to go through this gut-wrenching experience. When you here this song, think of the poem "Footprints in the Sand." Also, at her concert, Nichole played a few other songs, and trust me, if she puts them on this new album, expect God to convict you again. When she was finished, there wasn't a dry eye in the whole church. Thank you Nichole for giving us all an album from your heart, and from your experiences. Because in one way or another, they are all our experiences too.