 no matter where you've been or what you've done, lift up your hands to praise the Lord. Even at the age of five, singer-songwriter Miriam Webster could sense the joy that came from praise, worship, and dancing. Born near Sydney, Australia, Miriam served as one of the Hillsong Church's main worship leaders and is featured on numerous Hillsong music praise and worship albums. Songs like Made Me Glad, Dwelling Places, Exceeding Joy, and Welcome in This Place. Today, her life and music has moved her to America. This is her story. This is Today's Nashville. This is Faith. Beautiful, Miriam. We have been talking about getting you on my show for a long time. You and your husband are such dear friends of ours. You have quite the story from Australia to America, but I want to share a little bit. Let's talk about the time you were here in Nashville, and your husband was in California, and you had what? I had a surprise attack. A appendicitis attack. Yeah, yeah. I got a call from the Nashville Hospital saying, you need to come into hospital right now because I suddenly went into the emergency. You walked? You walked in, didn't you? I walked in there, yeah. I walked past, I can't remember what you call it here in America, the urgent care. That's right, and had a pain, so I went in there. They, amazingly, they gave me a scan right there, and then they said, oh, you got in. Wow. I got a call from Nashville Hospital saying, you need to come into emergency right away. And you had an emergency appendectomy. Yes, yep. So we really had a lot of time to spend together and bond during that time because maybe in a nurse, previous nurse, I was able to take care of you in my home. Yes. So I learned a lot about your ministry, your music, and it was a recovering time, but it was a blessing time because I got to really know who you are. Let's go back to Australia. Tell me about your life growing up there. Australia, you know, what I remember mostly about the start and probably what had the the hugest impact or a very huge impact on me was in the 70s, there was the real outpouring of the Holy Spirit. So I was a little kid and I remember at five years old being in New Zealand because our family had moved there for a while. I remember just dancing and I remember the joy as a five-year-old just dancing and not wanting to go home. Mum and Dad would wake up. They said, we'd wake up just worshiping. Their spirits were so alive just with that outpouring. Your whole family. Yeah, there was three kids at that time with Mum and Dad. Yeah, yeah, everybody, but mainly Mum and Dad remember that themselves waking up worshiping. I just remember going to all these meetings every night. We'd go on our pajamas and then we'd just be dancing. They'd come and pray for us. Sometimes we'd fall over, but I remember the joy and not wanting to go home and just keep dancing and dancing and dancing. And so from that time, you started really loving music also. Whenever there was a record at some, we had records back then. If we'd go to someone's house, I'd just be like, excuse me, where is your record player? Is there anyone to be playing? I'd sit there and just listen to music. I was a little kid. So during that time, did you know Jesus or when was it, when in your life that you just thought I need to know more about him? That's pretty amazing really because around that time, my mother tells me I was about two and these people came to our church and they were telling a story and they're using an easel. And I remember the last picture of these three mountains and a cross on there and actually, you know, a blood spritling down from the cross and then living waters. I never forgot, I used to draw it everywhere. And I feel like the Holy Spirit did something then, you know, in my heart. And then, you know, my parents, well, I used to always say, the blood this, the blood that, the blood of Jesus, I was always so interested, you know, about the blood of Jesus and what he'd done for us. You know, Mum and Dad always talked about worship and, you know, after that, we came back to Australia and it was sort of had flowed over to Australia as well. We're in that church. We're there a few years and then we joined the shepherding movement, which kind of, I don't know if you've heard about that, but it sort of went way that way, a little controlling and, you know, Mum and Dad always told us, you know what, in the end, Jesus Yeshua is the firm foundation, you know, so that was always ingrained into me. And, you know, I had my ups and downs and everything, but that was a real strong foundation. And really, without realizing or articulating it, I'd, you know, experienced His presence and His glory from a really young age. So you knew Him, like you said, from early, but was there a time in your life that's just like, you know, Jesus is my Savior? Or was it just a, you just always knew? I remember when we came to Australia, the pastor at that church, and like I said, there was a real outpouring there. I remember he was always doing altar calls. I remember him saying, would you come, would you come? And I'd, as a five-year-old, not knowing, just go out there and get saved all the time. How many times now? Quite a few. I'd just go out there and go, yes, yes, I received you. Oh, it's so precious. Well, we all got baptized together, the three of us. We all got baptized. I remember holding hands, we all got baptized together. I got baptized later on when I understood it more, but I just think in that simplicity, you know, I believed, I guess I looked at it more like I was really blessed to find that at a young age and to whom much is given, much is required, you know? So, because a lot of people haven't had that. But through the years, I'd sit at the piano when we were in Australia and just try and learn to play, you know, all the, if there was a song, I had happened to have a, a book with the chords that went to the tape we had back then. And so I'd think, well, that must be B flat because, you know, and so I'd try and play what was on the tape. So you really didn't take music lessons? No, no. I just had somebody say to me one day, this is A, and you stop at G, and then you start again. I thought that was weird. When did you know that music was going to be part of your life? So that's another interesting thing. Everybody's journey is different, but it was funny with me. And I think, you know, around that time there was prophetic words as well, but I didn't get them, you know, till later. But something in me, and I don't even know if words were spoken to me, but, you know, I always just knew one day I'm going to sing. And that was that, you know, I was going to sing. I used to listen to Evie Taunquist a lot. Remember Evie? Evie? Yeah. So she was my mentor without realizing it. So I'd listen to her all the time and songs I'd pretend I was her. But I think the main thing was I remember, I really do remember when we were in, we were in Toowoomba in Queensland when I was growing up there. I really do remember we had these glass live-a-doors and I'd be behind there on the piano. And, you know, I don't want to sound over-spiritual or anything, but the truth is I'd start worshiping all these songs that I learned back there, which are songs like Within the Veil, I now would come. I don't know if you know that song. Into the holy place to look. So I'd just be sitting there playing that and just without trying to, I'd just go into that place and I wanted to keep going back there. Now, you know, sometimes I remind myself, keep that childlike simplicity. Other times I'll go and I'll break through and, you know, my flesh doesn't want to. You have flesh and spirit at enmity, you know. You know, you get into that place and it's just so beautiful. But back then I didn't think about it. You know, you went to a famous church. You started attending a famous church, Hillsong. And we are going to talk about that when we come back. Miriam, you went to a famous church. Was it about a teenager or was it older? I was in my 20s. 20s? Hillsong in Australia. And it changed your life, didn't it? Yeah, yeah, it did really. I was singing around. I had done an album and I was singing around and went to Sydney doing a project and didn't plan at all to go to Hillsong church. But I was staying with one of my best friends while I was doing this project. And long story short, I ended up going to Hillsong church. She went there. I was going to go to a church out near the beach. It was more what I was used to, just lingering and, you know. And, you know, in the end I made friends there and ended up being, you know, on the worship team. And yeah, definitely had a very big impact on my life. What were some of the songs that you were singing during that time, the worship? That I wrote? Or that, okay. Back then, you know what? I'd written this song more early when I was there called Dwelling Places, which is, I love you, I love you. Very simple. I remember the pastor saying to me once, boy, that must have been a hard chorus to write. It's been funny, but anyway, it was pretty funny. When you're writing these songs, I know we talked about this when you were at my home and what inspires you? Or when you sit down and write a song, I know we were talking about one song that might have been Dwelling Places. I don't know. But you were just talking about the Holy Spirit. Share with me what it takes to write that song or the songs and how the Lord just inspires you. Well, it's been different at different times, but I would say the majority of the time, it's when I have really been ministered to by a certain phrase or a hook or there's been a rhyme or something is, you know, stuck out to me in the Bible. Is that the right word? Stood out, stuck it out? I don't know. You know, it's really touched me and or, you know, the Lord has spoken to me something during worship or so I'm like, I have to write around that because I know it will have power because it's revelation to me. So I always want to write from something that is truth. You know, I feel like that will have the power or other times I sit at the piano and I'll just, you know, flow out of that. But I always want something to be that has something that I know on the inside, you know, because that's where it's going to release people and as it has released me. Is there a song that's very dear and close to your heart that you've experienced something that maybe somebody else has experienced that you just want to, you know, touch them or? Yeah, I remember before I went to Hillsong writing a song called Fall Upon Your Knees and there were a couple of friends and they'd friends and they'd been through a tragedy, two different types of things. I remember sitting at the piano and I remember reading about actually in the old testament about, you know, if you cry out to me, I'll hear you. And so I just started writing this song about, you know, Fall Upon Your Knees. He will hear you because he's your secret place and, you know, he's able to wound, he's able to heal, you know, from Isaiah and that came out of that. And that was actually one of the first songs I sang at Hillsong. And Brian, the pastor, happened to be in the youth group, which he never goes. He had said to Darlene the pastor, the music pastor at that time, oh, can Miriam sing that? So it's like, you know, those steps just kind of, that's where it started with, you know, that song. And you were there for how many years? About 11 years. 11 years. Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, I learned a lot and definitely a place of worship. And I don't know why, just the grace of God. But, you know, singers and worshipers were just drawn there. Definitely a place with a heart to worship. What song is close to you that you could share? Can you share a little one that you want to just see? Yeah. Yeah. Oh, okay. This one, I was going for a walk one day and got home. And then the chorus just flowed. And that was, it's called I Will Love. And I was just walking along singing, I will love you, Lord, my strength. And I was working on that one. I thought, I need to walk home so I can quickly write that down. And then I got home. And the chorus just flowed like a song's never flowed before. And it's very simple. It was Jesus, you alone are holy. You alone are holy. Name above every name. Then Lord Jesus, you alone are worthy. You alone are worthy. Worthy the land that was slain. And that just flowed so easily out of that chorus. So I always remember that, you know. I wish they were all that easy. But you're still writing. So after Hillsong, what happened? I mean, after Hillsong, I was traveling around a little bit. I came to the States. I had done an album, an extravagant worship album at Hillsong. And I came to the States. And I was singing around a little bit with that, you know, back home. I lived here for a while and came back. And then I was going to Mark and Darlene. Darlene was the worship leader at Hillsong. They had started a church on the Central Coast. So when I came back from America, I knew them. I went there. And we just supported them. And in that time, there was a bracket of time where I had to move out of a house I was in. That's kind of a long story. And then we were all going to move back. And I thought, you know what? I've always wanted to go to Israel to be my dreams as a little girl. So I'm going to go to Israel. So I emailed this friend, his name's Hubey. And I said, you know, do you know of a Messianic rabbi? Because I didn't want to go with the pastor. I'm a pastor's kid. You know, I would have gone, but I like imagine going with a Messianic rabbi. And he goes, well, I do know this friend. And when he speaks the word, my mouth drops open. I thought coming from Hubey, that's a big thing. So they happened to get me on the team. I went over there and it was an amazing, incredible tour. Just really, you know, like my husband says, now it brought the Old and New Testament together. Even songs that I've written about, I'd go there and it added so much more meaning. And so I didn't realize- Were you doing the worship too? Or were you just- Well, well, because Jason knew I was a singer, he said we'd be at a site like Angerdi or something he'd say, oh, Miriam, can you sing something? You know, so I'd sing, as the dear Panath 4, you know, thinking about David then or, you know. And then I didn't know that one day, like, that I would actually marry the tour guide. You know, and we're going to talk about that because God had a plan for you. Yes. Taking you to Israel. And you had no idea. No idea. That it was going to lead to a marriage. Yes. To a very famous rabbi. We are going to talk about it when we come back. Miriam, your trip to Israel changed your life. How did it change? Well, you know, I was enjoying this trip and didn't think, you know, this tour trip with Rabbi Jason and didn't actually think I'd see any of them again. You know, he would do a, you know, one of the things he does is after a trip maybe three months later or something, he'll get everybody on that trip and just go over things, see everybody is. He really keeps in contact with people. And so you left after the trip? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And one of the people on the tour said, hey, Miriam, if you're in America, you know, come and sing in my church. And I said, yeah, great. And I didn't even think that would happen. You know, I mean I knew I'd be in America, but I didn't think you know. And long story short, I ended up singing in his church and he ended up inviting the rabbi as well because all his friends that went on the tour were there. He says, by the way, and I said, great. Where was his new tour? This was in Albany, yeah, in Texas. Okay. Yeah. So it was kind of everybody getting together again, you know, a long time later. And we happened to be sitting when he hopped on the plane because he came to Dallas. I came to Dallas. He walked on the plane and I was like, oh, because it'd been so long. You know, we just had our WhatsApp from way back, you know, when we were in Israel. And I gave him a wave, you know, and he came and he's looking for his seat and he's sitting right next to me. So then we just got to chat and here we are today. So what happened then? You know, a friendship developed and then, you know, we, you know, we ended up, you know, getting married and then I would go on trips with him and keep singing. You know, I would sing at different events and now we administer a lot more together, but it was a real God appointed. So you married Rabbi Jason Sobel. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Isn't it amazing how God works? Oh, absolutely amazing. Absolutely. And God has spoken to me, you know, he speaks to you in different ways. You know, there's times where, you know, I'm telling you my spiritual moments, but times where I get home and, you know, something would flow out. And other times where I can count on my hand where I just heard his voice so strongly here that bypassed my mind. I'd be thinking about something else on here. Bam. One time was faith. And that was when I was living in a garage in the middle of winter and working at a hospital and cleaning and getting up at six and one is freezing. And I, and I said, Lord, I just need one word. I'm so simple. I just need one word. Just, you know, I'm simple. Lord, give me one word. And then I forgot about it. I thought I've got to get up now. And clear as day, I had faith. It just, and I was like, wow, just lying about going, oh my gosh, he's just spoke. I didn't care what he said. Oh, that's amazing. Yeah. So you're in ministry now with Rabbi Jason. Yeah. Going on tours, Israel now. How many, I mean, you guys are going all the time now or two to Israel? Yeah. Yeah. We're going a lot now. And he, Jason, ministered around different places. I go with him. Sometimes I go to New York or different places and we'll minister with other groups and I'll be recording at some stage soon. Yeah, let's talk about what's next for you with your music. Yeah. Well, I'm just, you know, always doing lots of writing and we just trust and go with each step. But I know we're heading toward, you know, a project whoever God, you know, leads, but definitely there is recording. So you're writing every, every week? Yeah. Yeah. And, you know, I often, you know, grab stuff. It might be years ago, it might be recent, but what, like I said before, whatever is a revelation to me that is truth. Oh, I always want to write, you know, from that because, you know, it's, it's, as we know that the word and spirit coming together that is what's going to release people, even though the, the, the word by itself is powerful enough, but there's something about, you know, when the truth has been revealed, you know, in spite of me, where God's come on me and showed me something, I always want to write for that or, or something that I've been through or that I've seen other people, you know, go through. So that's my heart just really to write. When you look back on your life and the things that you've gone through some of the trials and challenges, can you think of something that you know that God has been there from the very beginning and, but you maybe have questioned or, you know, what is he doing or that you can share and that would just be an encouragement to somebody today? Yeah. Yeah. There's so many, you know, for instance, one time I remember seeing a picture of me standing somewhere behind a camera and a big light coming down on my friend over there and just watching, you know, and, you know, a few things with that picture. And then I went through this really hard time where, you know, just crying out to God, beating, you know, something we can beat ourselves up because the enemy is the accuser. I should have more faith. This shouldn't be affecting me, you know, all this kind of thing. In the midst of all that, about a year later after, it was a, you know, quite an experience. And I remember just standing there one day, I was at this place and I was like, I'm in this picture. There's the light. There's, and I knew exactly. I remembered. And it's like God was showing me I'm so much greater than what you can see and everything you're going through. And my, I, I stand true to my promises if I've shown you something. And that was just download of, of revelation to be right there. How faithful God is in spite of me, spite of the enemy attacking me, you know, that he is always faithful. And the times where I don't feel him were another time where he just spoke, be anxious for nothing. And it was just a day when I was just out shopping, locked out of my car, a little bit of an air, and I got home and I had be anxious for nothing. I'm like, you really are into every detail of my life because I wasn't even thinking about you then. And you're just saying, you know, just those times in your life as milestones where all the things I've heard all my life was he's with you in every moment. It just downloaded. He is with us when we feel him least, you know, in the most mundane things. Mary and Joseph, you know, before they had the Son of God, they couldn't even find a stable. And they're frustrated. She'd been all that whole time on the donkey, pregnant, and yet the next day she birthed the Son of God, you know, so he's with us. But that's when we walk by faith. And he's so faithful. He is so faithful. And I think it's so important for people to know that he is in every detail of our life. Yes. Amen. Amen. Miriam, thank you so much for sitting down with me. I love what you're doing, your ministry, where God is taking you. If anybody wants to find your music, MiriamWebster.net. Yeah. Yeah, that's right. And you're going to be recording some new music in the future. Yes. Traveling the world. Yes. Spending time with us in Nashville. Yes. My husband definitely keeps me on my feet and on the move, which is great. I love it. Well, thank you, Miriam. We love you. You too. My friend, are you going through trials and challenges in your life? Like Miriam said, his light is shining on you and he is with you in every detail of your life. Trust him today. This is today's Nashville. This is faith. Cornerstone Television wishes to thank all our faithful viewers, whose consistent prayers and financial support have made this program possible.