While Abe and Liza Philip have scored international success in the music world, they keep a low profile.

Abe, 35, works as a dentist with Chippewa Valley Dental Health. His wife, Liza (pronounced Lisa), 30, stays busy as the mother of three energetic children.

In their "off" time - usually in the early morning hours or late at night - they write, sing and produce Christian music in their basement studio.

"It's inspiring subject matter. It's a massive, epic thing to talk about," Abe said of Scripture.

In November, Songoftheyear.com recognized Abe and Liza as finalists in its gospel/Christian category. Song of the Year is an international online contest that encourages the art and discipline of songwriting.

For Abe and Liza, that art and discipline happens in their home.

Abe built a studio in the family's partially finished basement - complete with a full-size keyboard, microphone with pop filter, guitar and mixing equipment. For comfort and privacy, they added a comfy rocking chair and partitioned off the space with a sheet of cloth.

As home-grown as the Philip's music business may be, their Web site, www.philipmusic.com, has attracted listeners from throughout the world.

"It's neat how it's just gone all over the world," Liza said of the site, which had registered more than 8,700 hits as of last week.

People from 95 countries have visited the site, including individuals from Afghanistan, Chile, Hong Kong, Latvia, Tanzania and Zambia.

Abe and Liza's goal is not to become famous from their music but to share their passion and to educate. They also appreciate continuing their own education in writing and recording music, which is why having their songs recognized nationally is important to them. With recognition comes feedback.

"Our primary focus is to find great songwriters while helping them network with professionals in the music industry," the Song of the Year Web site says.

The Philips assumed they simply would get feedback from their contest submission. Instead, the Web site chose them as finalists for their song "How Great Is Your Kindness."

It's the same surprise they felt in summer 2006 when they became finalists in a national song contest sponsored by the Gospel Music Association.  Three of their four compositions earned recognition.

The contest was part of a Music in the Rockies seminar in Estes Park, Colo. Abe and Liza received training and feedback at the Christian and gospel music training camp and competition for artists, songwriters and worship leaders.

"We didn't really know we were the real thing," Abe said while sitting with his family at home. "It was humbling and exciting."

Abe and Liza always have been musical. When Abe was young, he started playing the coronet, baritone and organ and later played the piano and guitar. Liza played the clarinet, alto saxophone and piano. Both write songs and sing, although he mostly plays the piano and guitar for recordings and produces the music.

Abe was born in India and lived in Tanzania, Africa four years before coming to the United States. Liza's family is from India, but she was born and raised in Canada. Instead of following the Hindu faith that is traditional in India, they believe in Christianity.

"We as Indian people are an ethnic minority here, and (we are) a religious minority in India," Liza said. "We're grateful that our grandparents and great-grandparents were believers in Jesus Christ."

Abe also is grateful for the way his family instilled faith in him. He has continued to learn about Christianity through his favorite authors.

"I was just wired to think that way," Abe said. "A lot of it was from reading ('Chronicles of Narnia' author) C.S. Lewis."

The couple moved to Eau Claire from Appleton last July. They still are researching churches.

To Abe and his wife, producing Christian music is giving back to God.

"It's kind of natural to want to thank him," Liza said. "God is just so gracious. He's given it all to us, and he's blessed us."

Their new CD, titled "God's Words From A to Z," features a mix of musical styles as well as Bible verses spoken by two of their children, Zach, 4, and Zoe, 2. Some extended family members contributed to vocals on the CD.

The CD's genres include classical, Indian, pop, rock, jazz and bluegrass. The 26 songs are one to two minutes long; spoken Bible verses round out the recording.

Abe and Liza try to involve their children when they can. "Part of the goal is not just teaching the Bible to kids, but music education," Abe said.

It shows in the children's curiosity about the keyboards when they spend time in the studio. Zach and Zoe have learned all the songs by listening to the CD. They recently sang one of the songs for a visitor. Their sister, Faith, 1, got in on the action by bopping along to the music.

Zach and Zoe also have memorized all the verses recited on the CD.

Although the Philips are selling the CD for $9.99 through their Web site, other songs can be downloaded free on the site. "It's the gift we just want to share," Liza said. "We want to share the Savior with everyone."

Abe agreed. "I think that the world can be a very ugly place," he said. "I just hope people see kindness - just to know that there is a God.

"We just think God was behind the scenes in all of this."

Waters can be reached at alyssa.waters@ecpc.com or 833-9214