Based on the strength of “Awesome God” and “If I Stand,” many consider Winds Of Heaven, Stuff Of Earth to be legendary CCM singer-songwriter Rich Mullins’ best album, and they’re right. But there’s far more to the Winds than these two classics.

But let’s get it over with and extol the virtues of those two songs first; after all, any review of this album that neglected them would be an empty effort. “Awesome God” was THE worship song for years after 1988, and the track experienced a powerful resurgence in churches across the country after Mullins’ untimely death in 1997. The lyrics are simple, and though it is certainly not the best song Mullins ever wrote, it nonetheless carries with it a sense of profundity and a melody built for a congregation. “If I Stand” is a much better written, albeit less popular, piece, but both songs have (and deserve) a place on any Mullins compilation out there.

Ultimately, though, it is the surrounding songs on this album that lift it to new heights. Opener, “Other Side Of The World,” is a beauty about the importance of missions, complete with a choir of children. This would be considered a gimmick if used by other artists, but Mullins’ reputation as a musician and a man serves to convince the listener of the device’s sincerity.

“Ready For The Storm” stands as another fine work by Mullins as a singer. Though his songwriting is what truly set him apart from the pack, his voice carries this Dougie MacLean ballad, and by the end, one can barely even tell that it was not an original Mullins composition. The two songs that follow it and close out the album, “One True Love” and “How Can I Keep Myself From Singing” are the weakest pieces on the album, quite a feat considering niether is a bad song. That’s the amazing thing about Mullins -- no matter what album, he was always eerily consistent. Some songs were obviously better than others, but I have yet to find a bad Rich Mullins song.

“Such A Thing As Glory” is probably the best song I have yet to mention. Mullins’ songwriting stands out the most on this track, with the verses telling the story of Christ and the chorus praising His name.

All in all, Winds Of Heaven, Stuff Of Earth is without a doubt an excellent album, and my favorite non-compilation album that Mullins put out. His lyrics and his voice were those of a generation, and they ring just as clear to the Christian listener today as 20 years ago.

Rating: A

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