Helping people through song
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First Baptist Church of Everett serve
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Verse 1
Lord I'm sorry for taking you for granted
Oh I can't imagine how it felt that day
When you bore all my shame all alone
And all the evil of the world came down on you
Verse 2
Thank you just doesn't seem enough
To describe how much I love you
Please forgive me for not showing better
To the world all you've done for me
Chorus
I owe you everything, for saving me
You are my everything
My friend, my Lord, my King
Verse 3
How many times have you picked me up
When I could not stand on my own
You rescued me, from the jaws of my darkness
Your love and mercy set me free
Chorus
I owe you everything, for saving me
You are my everything
My friend, my Lord, my King
Inspiration
The great thing about writing a letter is that it enables you to slow down and choose your words carefully. If I were to write a letter to Jesus, this is what I would write.
The moment that the full weight of what Jesus did for me - truly sank into me, was the moment that started this song. Close your eyes and imagine the most evil and painful time you have ever had, and multiply that times everyone who will ever live on this earth. Now imagine going through that all alone without even the Father's love, even though you didn't deserve any of it, for three whole days.
Oh Jesus. How did you do that?
MATTHEW 12:40
Verse 1
Still sometimes I find it hard - to catch my breath
There's just no wind left, in my sail
Though you may only see, a scab right now,
There's a brand new me, just underneath
Chorus
And I'm still glowing, from your refiners fire
Glowing, from refiner's fire
I Make My Stand, I Will Survive
Verse 2
Day by day Lord, you pick up the pieces,
That I never thought I'd find again
Yes this butterfly is free, free at last
I am shedding the dark - night of my soul
Chorus
Bridge
Rising up through the ashes
Of the life I once knew
I've finally come to the place where
I can reach out to someone new, like me and you
Verse 3
Now the sunlight breaks - through the clouds
And the rain gives way, to a rainbow
Oh I thank you Lord, for all you've done
With your healing hand, I'm whole again
Chorus
Inspiration
After loosing my first wife to a long and miserable illness, I was devastated, lost, exhausted, and suffering from an identity crisis.
Some people write a diary to cope with loss, but songs are what flowed out of me. I share this song to help those that might be going through loss to know that it is possible to go through that dark tunnel of despair, and yet come out of the other side into the sunlight of a new and bright day, a complete and joyful person once again. You just have to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus more than you have ever done before, and be patient with yourself and Jesus. It's going to take some time, but you'll get there.
I know because I've been there.
PHILIPPIANS 4:13
Verse 1
Beware my friend when shadows call your name
The enemy is everywhere
Expose his empty lies to holy light
And you will see him fleeing there
Chorus
I know your will is tired and your soul feels dry
But that won't quench the thirst you have
The icing of that cake won't hide the mold inside
The promise just beyond your reach
And though it shimmers in a glowing horizon
You know it's only a Mirage
Verse 2
Truth is not something you can twist to
your desires
It just simply is what is
But don't believe the good fight is lost
before you start it
That's a favorite lie of his
Chorus
Bridge
Holy Spirit, come and fill us now
Push out all that - is not of you Lord
Until there's no room for anything else
Verse 3
And don't be the frog in the frying pan
Thinking everything is fine
Just because it's only warm right now -
don't mean you won't get burned
He'll turn the heat up all he can
Chorus
End
Only a Mirage, Only a Mirage
Inspiration
I know that this song may not be very PC, but I still believe that some things are simply true or not true. It is not a matter of choosing which things out of my shopping cart of selfish desires I want to commit to - for the moment. Like this cake, some things are only a lie and not at all what they seem.
Please don't misunderstand me. Like all of my songs, it is directed to myself. I just share it in case this reminder has some value to you as well. I may not have everything right, but this I know with absolute certainty, relative truth and the frame of mind that God's "guard rails" are really just jail bars, is simply a lie to get us to invite in our own self-destruction.
And guess who is behind all of that?
ROMANS 6:23 EPHESIANS 6:11
Verse 1
When I finally lay back,
And learn to just let it go, let it go
I feel the warmth of your son,
Beaming down upon my face, upon my face
Chorus 1
Where I Can Just Float
I Can Just Float, Just Float
Verse 2
When I stop paddling this -
Boat of doubt I come to know, I come to know
Your love's the current that has -
Brought me safe to this place, to this place
Chorus 2
Where I Can Just Float
I Can Just Float
When I can just listen
Bridge
I hear, be still, be strong,
This time won't be long, because I love you
Just let my current glide you along,
The stormy waters of life
Haven't I always been right there for you?
Even when you didn't know what to do
Search your heart you know there's -
No one more true, for you, because I love you
Verse 3
Lord please forgive me for the -
Times I went against your flow, against your flow
I know that when I let go,
I'll feel the warmth of your embrace, your gentle grace
End Chorus
And I Can Just Float
I Can Just Float
Just Float, Just Float, Just Float
Inspiration
This song was born in a two man canoe on the Arkansas river. A full afternoon of paddling against the current, my fresh wound of loss, and the fact that the guy in the front had only one good arm, sent me on an exhausting zig-zagging journey down the river and into the inner-most parts of what I was really dealing with inside.
I was on this church outing to forget about everything for awhile but after we finally got past the strong currents and the other guy left for the shore, I stayed in the canoe for awhile to rest and reflect. All I had inside was complete turmoil. Who was I now? What was I still doing here? What I am supposed to do now? It was when I finally let go and just listened that I "felt" some of the most comforting words in all of my life.
God simply said: "This is not a time to do or decide. It is your time to rest and heal. I got you. Just float."
PHILIPPIANS 4:7 PSALM 46:10
Verse 1
Throwing rocks, climbing trees,
After school with Rusty
Talk'in 'bout girls, catching bugs,
Dragging sticks on the fences
Chasing dogs, or being chased
We were taking our time...
Chorus
On The Way Home
On The Way Home
On The Way Home
Where We Belonged
Verse 2
Later on, I met some good friends,
From all over our nation
A high school tour across the ocean,
Having the time of our lives
Though I'ver forgotten, some of their names,
I'll never forget the feeling -
When flying back, the whole plane,
Was singing "The Star Spangled Banner"
Chorus
Verse 3
So we do we stray, and turn our backs?
Do we forget the way home?
It's time to turn back, it's time to give thanks,
For all we've taken for granted
Back to our roots, back to God's love
Then we'll find ourselves...
Chorus
End
Where We Belong
Where We Belong
Inspiration
Isn't it so much easier to go on new adventures when we feel the safety of being connected to what or who we consider "home"?
I saved up everything I could from my grocery store job in the last year of high school to go on a trip to Africa with a tour group of kids from all over the U.S. It was on the plane trip back home that it hit me how incredibly blessed I was.
If think if we truly look around us we will see that a lot of the "disfunctionality" of the word is due to that there are so many who just don't feel like they belong anywhere. They would rather belong to something really wrong than to nothing at all.
This song is to remind me to be thankful. Not only to my to my parents, to those who gave their lives to keep me free, and my loving heavenly Father, but also to my brothers and sisters in christ who stand with me in fighting the good fight.
Let's stand firm in His love as one and not take for granted the strength we have in each other.
JOHN 17:23
Verse 1
Every since I was a boy
I looked up to you
Loyal, genuine and true
Verse 2
A love that knows no bounds,
Eyes that see right through
Forgiveness always brand new
Pre Chorus
Selfless love no matter the cost
Chorus
Jesus, Jesus, You Are My Hero
Jesus, Jesus, You Are My Hero
Verse 3
I seem to be a better me
Just being with you
You always know just what to do
Verse 4
You never back down from a foe
You're the real deal not a show
The strongest, bravest man I know
Chorus
Bridge
Fully human yet fully God
Fully tested yet pure
Chorus
Inspiration
My prayer is that my life would reflect this same complete admiration and unconditional love that Seamus (the golden retriever) is demonstrating for us in this picture.
I want to be fully devoted in the good times as well as the bad, during times of waiting, and whether I understand or not.
I guess this is my version of being "all in".
MATTHEW 22:37
Verse 1
A gentle snow is falling,
Beneath the pale moonlight
And I can feel you whisper,
In the twinkling starlight
And I know you're here
Verse 2
And when I hear the voice
of someone who's - an answer to a prayer
I can see your love that runs so deep
In the eyes of one who cares
And I know you're here
Pre Chorus
A snapshot of heaven comes to view
A mere reflection of
All the wonder and glory of you
Chorus
Your love is everywhere I go
It covers me, even when I don't know
Your love is everywhere I go
Even when I can't feel you here I know
A time is drawing near,
When there'll be no more tears,
And your perfect plan of love is complete
Verse 3
I want to hear your voice,
Calling me, from the words that you wrote
And praise your name
With this song I sing, with every note
Cause I know you're here
Pre Chorus
Chorus
Inspiration
Even though the evidence of His love and presence is everywhere, sometimes it can feel like the Lord is disengaged. It is then that I must lean on what I know to be true rather than what I "feel" is true. I know from His word and my personal story that He is still very active and will never let me go.
This song is to reconnect me to the fact that if I get too wrapped up in this "lower story" I can miss so much of His "upper story" powerful love wrippling through my life. I also believe that once in a great while He lets me see a little "snapshot" of His love moving to re-energize me. It could be seeing a "seed" that I helped plant grow or by looking backward to see how the "crooked road" lead me directly to where I needed to be to meet my wife or get the job I currently have.
He is truly in the big picture as well as the smallest of details.
MATTHEW 6:33 LUKE 12:7 JEREMIAH 10:12
Verse 1
I've seen pain and sorrow,
Yeah I've felt the rain
But now I've been healed by the Master
His love washed away my pain
Pre Chorus
I vow to remember the lessons,
Loss has brought my way
And to cherish each moment...
Verse 2
I'll laugh 'till my belly hurts,
And I'll soak in each smile
I'll be the one who truly listens,
The one who can stay for awhile
Pre Chorus
I vow to remember the lessons,
Loss has brought my way
And to cherish each moment...
Chorus
Of My Time In The Sun
My Time In The Sun
My Time In The Sun
My Time In The Sun
Verse 3
Each breathe I take, each friend I make
Each step I can take on my own
And every blessing I hold dearly
- is only here on loan
Pre Chorus
Chorus
Bridge
I won't sweat the small stuff,
I won't be all wound up inside
I won't sweat the small stuff,
I'll learn to enjoy the ride
Verse 4
I'll drink in each sunset sky,
And your twinkling starlight
Your voice through the rustling trees
- in the glow of your soothing moonlight
Pre Chorus
Chorus
Inspiration
Whenever I forget what true joy is, I look to Samson and Seamus pictured here. They are such a great reminder of how to not sweat the small things and just enjoy the moment.
One thing about loss is that it really puts the proper perspective into crystal clear focus. When you live through a crisis, things that we once held onto tightly melt away as trivial. Things that I used to get so upset about seem downright silly. This is a song of priorities. What would completely trash me to lose? That is what I need to make my priority today.
JOHN 4:14 PSALM 118:24