“…Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness, Our God reigns, Our God reigns…” 

The words came easily to Lenny Smith after he pored over the scriptures seeking comfort late into the night.  Isaiah had always been a calming source to Lenny, dating back to his years in Seminary where he learned to find God in a fresh new way.

In the ‘60’s, Lenny entered Jordan Seminary in Menominee, MI to study for the priesthood under the auspices of the Camden Diocese of New Jersey.  It was during this time he was exposed to a new and controversial form of worship called a “Folk Mass”.  Reverend Clarence Rivers gave a presentation of contemporary liturgical songs at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland that was to change Lenny’s life forever.  

Hearing scriptures put to music stirred something in Lenny’s heart that remains to this day.  170+ songs have come from the deep dealings of God and his desire to find solace in his maker.  The songs have been presented in the form of hymns, ballads, country, “earthy” praise & worship, soft rock and even rock & roll. 

Connecting with his Catholic roots, Lenny has been honored to have his song  “Our God Reigns” played as the Popemobile enters the stadium during the Pope’s visit to America.  The honor has continued with the song appearing in songbooks throughout England, Australia and the United States.

Lenny’s 30-year plus marriage to Marian produced 5 children that became performers in their own right as “The Danielson Famile”.  As toddlers, toy instruments were pulled from an old paper box to accompany Dad (Lenny) during their family worship time.  Dad would play the guitar as he taught the children old hymns and songs that he had written.  

The (adult) children currently perform in personalized doctors’ and nurses’ uniforms as a visual reminder of the healing that takes place when we surrender our lives to the Lord.

Surrender was something that Lenny learned over a period of time resulting from God dealing with his heart.  He continued his formal education at Mt. St. Paul’s in Waukesha, Wisconsin and Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary located in Emmitsburg, Maryland receiving a B.A. in Classical Philosophy.

It was during this time that the foundation for New Jerusalem Music was laid.  Thumbing through Revelation, he paused at chapter 21  “…then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… the new Jerusalem”.  “My room literally lit up as if I had switched on four or five lamps. “ Lenny has stated.

Words had become a labor in the midst of pursuing a Masters Degree in Theology and another in English, but a new light was shed on the Words of scripture as God was birthing something in his spirit. 

“…Behold, the home of God is with men…” “…and He shall wipe every tear from their eyes.”  As tears streamed down Lenny’s cheeks, he took his guitar and began to express his heart to the Lord.  “The New Jerusalem” was birthed both in song and eventually became the name of his music publishing company.  From that moment on, writing songs became an outlet of expression and emotion of God’s love.

1970 Lenny was dramatically baptized in the Holy Spirit.  His wife did not have the same experience and this soon brought tension to their relationship.  Lenny continued to have difficulties concerning his family and “…my inability to earn a ‘decent’ living”.  He went from student, to teacher, to housepainter and even the opportunities to paint seemed sparse.  

His emotions plummeted with life’s problems.  Embarrassment overshadowed his pride.  Life had not turned out how he had dreamed.  Seven years of seminary and here he was painting houses.  Former students seemed to always be in his path that brought further shame and humiliation. 

Yet, all the time God was teaching a greater lesson.  In the depth of his pain, he turned to Isaiah 52.  This chapter brought another breath of freshness.  Lenny read verse six over and over in his mind seeking a greater depth of understanding.  Frustrated, he moved on to the next verse “How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news…”

His mind wandered.  “Here was somebody with ‘lovely feet’ walking along on the tops of the mountains about to tell us ‘the good news’.”  He continued to look for something, to his perception, of greater depth.   “…announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness…”

Still waiting for the profound, Lenny was taken back when he read the words “…Your God reigns.”  He didn’t just glaze over these words, something much greater happened within him.  Suddenly, it was HIS God that was reigning.  Reigning over his pain, reigning over his failures, reigning over his family, reigning over his embarrassments, reigning over tensions.  It was the reigning of God in all of his life that became a rhema word, active and hopeful.  

It was as if God was speaking to him personally, saying, “I am here now.  I have seen your pain and anguish.” 

“My heart was so full that it seemed only music could pull the words from deep within.  So I began to sing… “Our God Reigns, our God reigns, our God reigns, our God reigns!”  

Within 10 minutes, God had given Lenny a song that has blessed many throughout the world reminding them, that through all of life’s trials, “Our God Reigns”!

Currently, “Our God Reigns” is featured on Lenny’s latest album “Deep Calls To Deep” along with 14 other songs written by Lenny.  To find out more about Lenny and his music contact New Jerusalem Music LESmith@newjerusalemmusic.com or New Jerusalem Music; P.O. Box 225; Clarksboro, NJ 08020.