Original songs focusing on faith, hope, love and God's amazing grace, for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of these life-changing themes in their own life.
Tap a track to read the lyrics alongside the story that shaped it. Replace these placeholder tracks with your real songs, lyrics, and notes.
Karen wrote this song after being hired to work at a Christian-based, non-profit supporting women who are survivors of sex trafficking. She tried to imagine the trauma they had experienced and wanted to write a song about the healing process from their point of view.
Karen wrote this song pondering the majesty of God and how He is the Creator of the world and yet cares about the tears we cry.
Karen wrote this song after the suicides of both her biological father in 2002 and her husband in 2012.
This song was written after Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer in the Spring of 2019. Feeling led to a different path for her healing journey, she trusted the Lord to guide her through it — and today she is cancer free.
Karen wrote this song during Covid in 2020. She belonged to a small Life Group (Bible study), and each member was asked to share their favorite "go-to" Bible verse when facing major trials, as a way to encourage one another. That night, Karen wrote this song in the middle of the night, weaving together the Scriptures that had been shared the day before.
This song was written after Karen lost her maternal grandmother and biological father in the same year, 2002. Her father passed after a long battle with bipolar disorder — they had been estranged for 20 years after her parents divorced, but reconciled and shared a close bond in the final ten years of his life.
After struggling for years with insecurity, low self-esteem, and shame from growing up in a difficult family situation, Karen asked God to help her write this song — and it came very easily. She asked Him to help her see herself through His loving eyes instead of her own often distorted view. This song is the result.
A friend shared a memory with Karen of being a little girl at a church camp who picked up a red crayon and started coloring a picture of Jesus. A nun scolded her for coloring outside the lines and said Jesus wasn't red — and the little girl looked up and innocently asked, "How do you know? Have you seen him?" This song is about being perfect in God's eyes, no matter how the world sees us.
This song was written after Karen attended a 72-hour women's retreat called "The Great Banquet" that was spiritually life-changing. After her first night home, she experienced a rare nightmare and knew the enemy was attacking. When she woke up, Karen grabbed her guitar and started writing this song.
This song is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come."
Karen wrote this song three days before an Open Mic performance at a retirement home. She was thinking about the residents and the stories they shared, and could relate with their heartaches. She wanted to write a song depicting this, while also sharing the joy of knowing heaven awaits all who are saved by grace.
Karen wanted to write an upbeat worship song to the Lord and thought it would be the perfect way to wrap up the album.
Original pieces inspired by the album, available as prints. Replace these placeholders with photos of your real artwork.
A journal of the book in progress — behind-the-scenes thoughts, excerpts, and updates as it takes shape.
Write a short journal-style entry here about why you started writing this book and what it's about — the same story behind "Light the Candle," told in prose this time.
Share a short excerpt or a behind-the-scenes look at a chapter you're working on. Readers following the album will want to see the book take shape in real time.
Give readers a sense of timeline or what to expect — draft progress, a working title, or how the book connects back to the songs.
The album, the art, and the book — once ready — all in one place.
The full eleven-track album. Digital download available now; physical CD ships once pressed.
Pre-order the albumSigned prints of the artwork created alongside the album, in a few sizes.
Browse the galleryCurrently being written alongside the album. Sign up for updates and you'll be the first to pre-order.
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Karen is an award-winning writer and artist. She writes faith-based, non-denominational, Christian songs that focus on grace, hope, and love. She has been singing and writing songs since the age of 19, after her roommate prophesied she would become a songwriter. "Light the Candle" is her debut album.
After surviving a chaotic childhood of continual abuse, abandonment, and experiencing the trauma of losing both her father (2002) and husband (2012) to suicide, Karen has transformed her pain and grief into powerful and healing songs that are relatable on a universal level.
In addition to obtaining a B/A in journalism, Karen has an extensive musical background participating in an international singing group, choirs, worship teams, as well as being a worship leader and performing in numerous musicals. She is the Founder of "Light the Candle Ministries."
Karen performs her songs nationally, while also displaying a small original piece of artwork to accompany each song. Her deep, heartfelt, and profound lyrics, along with her intriguing paintings, provide a unique, one-of-a-kind experience that inspire, encourage, and bless her audience. Karen's goal is to point others to a loving Savior who has the power to heal, restore, and redeem all that is broken in our lives.
"He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
— 2 Corinthians 1:4
Light the Candle Ministries is the non-profit behind this work — carrying the same message of faith, hope, and grace into the community beyond the music.
Your donations fund the ministry itself — the cost of recording the music, printing the art, and publishing the book — so this work can keep reaching people.
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