The Jesus I Know 10-Day Devotionalናሙና

You Are Not Alone: A Conversation with Chuck Harmony and Claude Kelly (AKA Louis York)

Kathie Lee

Claude Kelly and Chuck Harmony are among the most successful songwriters and producers in the pop music world. Together, they are the duo know as Louis York. We have written songs together, but it’s our time together just hanging out and sharing life that I value the most. This is their story with Jesus.

Chuck

My mom kept me in church for my whole life. That was a part of our household: God and religion. My mom to this day is a faithful churchgoer. I used to keep in my wallet a scripture that my mom gave me when I was eight. Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Claude

I also grew up going to church. I went every single Sunday, everything in the week, and I sang in the choirs. Besides school, that was my life. My mother gave me a placard that said, “This too shall pass.” It reminds me of the concept of the seasons, of turning over. Winter won’t last forever, summer won’t last forever, and so on. 

Kathie Lee

Was there a time when you discarded your faith and went down that Hollywood, Grammy-pursuit road? Pursuing your dreams instead of walking in the footsteps of Jesus?

Chuck

After a while in the music business, it kind of lured me out of the pattern of going to church. There was a point where I felt I was all by myself, with no faith and no real direction. I’ve always had too much fear to doubt God, but I kind of doubted what my childhood taught me about faith and religion. I was just drinking a lot and locking myself up in the studio. It was at that time I rediscovered my faith. I learned I want to be on the right side of spirituality, and that’s relationship. 

Claude

The year I went to college, my church at home fell apart. I’ve spent many years separating my love for God from my lack of faith in the messengers, the teachers. I discovered that my relationship with God is the core of who I am. When Chuck and I had both moved to New York, having known each other as polite associates in business, we realized we had the same tastes and we didn’t tolerate the same things. 

In spite of all the success, I realized he was as unhappy on a soul level about what our careers were giving us as I was. I really believe God put us in each other’s lives to be mirrors to each other. I think the gift I got from our business partnership and friendship was that I had to learn how to run this race together with another human being for it to work.

Chuck

When we realized we shared the same struggles we knew we weren’t alone, and that’s the most freeing feeling. We also realized we weren’t using our gifts to make a difference in the world.

Kathie Lee

When we met it was love at first sight. We shared a hunger for the Word of God. We’re living beings, and our souls need to be tended like a garden. Our greater purpose is to share the love of God with people who don’t know it yet. To share the truth and build community based on what Jesus taught.

Respond

What influence has your childhood experience had on your faith—for better or worse?

When have you felt the most alone and isolated from God and others? What difference does Christian community make in your life?

How can hunger for God’s Word help you discern what is true and make a difference in the world?

Prayer

Lord, You strengthen me when I feel alone. You uphold me when life tramples me down. Thank You for Your Word to help me discern what is true. Thank You for fellow believers who encourage me and walk beside me walk in my journey of faith. You have given it all for me. May I gratefully live sacrificially for You. Amen.