Making a ‘Joy Full’ Noise

The pandemic has impacted nearly everyone in some way or another, and finding a way to cope for many has proven difficult.

Like many, Dennis C. Cook, 42, formerly of Beaver Dam, began experiencing a little depression and anxiety in the summer of 2020 and he too needed to find a way to cope.

“Mental Health was a major concern for many people going through (the pandemic), and through that time I was able to reach out to several people who were able to help me refocus my thoughts on what they should be,” said Cook, the pastor of worship and discipleship at First Baptist Church in Leitchfield. “Through that, I was reminded of God’s plan for me and my life.”

It was this gentle reminder in June 2020 when God opened Cook’s eyes and heart again toward loving the creative aspects of making music and that led him to write his first-ever song which eventually led to his third CD – the first to be filled with his original music.

In a matter of 15 minutes, Cook said God gave him the lyrics and chord structure for his first-ever song, “Giver of Days.”

“He basically gave me a song that reminded me He was the giver of days. That He was in control of everything and He is sovereign over all things,” Cook said. “He reminded me that He was in charge through that song.”

From that point, God

continued to work in Cook helping him create an additional seven songs for his CD that was released this week. The album took a year and a half to complete from lyrics, rough drafts of chord structures to building, writing and recording the tracks.

Cook said God gives him a topic and a scene for a song and that most often is based on something that he is going through or experiencing in his walk with Christ.

“Once He gives me that passion behind that topic and I believe it is something that is fitting for the church, I do the lyrics,” Cook said of his writing process.

For him, writing the lyrics takes the longest because words mean so much.

“The lyrics are the whole point of the song. You want to be right scripturally and you want to convey the message that God gave you.”

This CD is titled, “Joy Full.” It is two different words. That came from a sermon series at church based off the book of Philippians about being filled with joy.

“The thought was that we as Christians want our joy to be full. We want to be full of joy in our homes, in our communities and in our churches and let the light of Christ shine within us.”

Not all of the tracks are Christmas songs, although Cook confesses he has a heavy hand for Christmas. He draws inspiration through God and what He is doing in his life, sermon series, Christmas and the advent season and even his own bride.

“I could probably write Christmas songs every day,” he said. “Some are just general worship songs and the last song is a song I wrote for my wife.”

This is the third CD for missions that Cook has released, but the first with his original songs. The previous CD’s songs were covers of famous Christmas songs and together raised almost $7,000 for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering to assist with worldwide missions. Cook hopes this CD raises another $3,000 to reach his original goal of $10,000 total for the offering. All of the proceeds from the CD go directly toward this mission.

“I can firmly say (had it not been for the pandemic) this CD would not have come about,” he said. “We all struggled but through that struggle, God reaffirmed my faith and that led to the ‘Giver of Days’ song and the Christmas song ‘Fear Not’ (another track he wrote on the CD). Those are songs of assurance for me. To refocus my heart on the passion of following Christ with my whole heart and my whole mind.”

Cook wants everyone to know that while the CD is filled with his music and he is promoting it, it isn’t him. He is promoting Jesus and sharing the Gospel through song and raising money for missions.