Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story - Hamilton Broadway Cast

This weekend I was struck by a line towards the end of our sermon. Josh was preaching on a line from the Shema: All your Heart. Our sermon series this month is about being all in for God - focusing on a different part of the Shema each week as we lead up to Christmas. Josh drew a parallel saying that what we put into our heart becomes the story we tell - and talked about the story Mary tells about the birth (and life) of Jesus, as retold by Luke in chapter 2. How a lack of forgiveness leads to a bitterness and that will be reflected in our story. Instead of focusing on a cruel Roman government who forced her to go to Bethlehem while 9 months pregnant, or a mean inn keeper with no room she speaks of it as a fact - the census happened, and the inn keeper found room for her - in the stable. Josh urged us to be mindful of the story we tell, what we add to the story. We choose our response intentionally to fill our story with truth not tainted by bias. "The story you tell becomes the story you keep" - it's a good sermon... worth listening to.

As is normal for me, however, at the end of the sermon I found myself in lala-land, lost in a song. Weirdly it wasn't a worship song, but rather a song from the end of Hamilton. Who lives, who dies, who tells your story. Eliza sings the bulk of this song. If there is anyone in this show who I feel has reason to hold onto hurt, to withhold forgiveness, to be in a place that leads to bitterness it is Eliza. She is cheated on publicly by her husband. Her husband gives their son the guns to use in a duel that leads to their son’s death. And then her husband himself dies in a duel in much the same way. And yet...

    I put myself back in the narrative
    (Eliza)
    I stop wasting time on tears
    I live another 50 years
    It's not enough (Eliza)

She doesn't hold onto the hurt or withhold forgiveness... she heeds the call, puts aside the hurt, deals with it, and isn't tainted by the bitterness. She tells the story:

    I interview every soldier who fought by your side

    (She tells our story)

    I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings

    You really do write like you're running out of time

And I started to think. We serve and love a God who came, who died, who has called us to tell His story. To champion those who fought by his side. We have the accounts of those interviewed. We have "thousands of pages" written by God's servants, to make sense of... to tell the story of a King who came, lived, died, and rose again. A story that we the living are left to tell.

Who lives who dies who tells your story...

    I ask myself, what would you do if you had more time

    The Lord, in his kindness

    He gives me what you always wanted

    He gives me more time

We have been given the gift of our time on this earth. Every day is a day to live, to breathe, to tell His story. To speak out against slavery, to care for the orphans. To see His face in the faces of those around us.

And when you reach the end, what will you be most proud of? How will you tell His story? Are you filling your life with the right things to tell his story full of hope, love, peace - with your whole heart? Or are you filled with bitterness? How will people hear the story you tell?

    Oh, I can't wait to see You again

    It's only a matter of time

    Will they tell Your story?

    Who lives, who dies, who tells Your story? 

Let me tell you what I wish I'd known

When I was young and dreamed of glory

You have no control

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

President Jefferson

I'll give him this, his financial system is a work of genius

I couldn't undo it if I tried

And I've tried

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

President Madison

He took our country from bankruptcy to prosperity

I hate to admit it

But he doesn't get enough credit for all the credit he gave us

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story

Every other founding fathers' story gets told

Every other founding father gets to grow old

And when you're gone, who remembers your name?

Who keeps your flame?

Who tells your story?

Who tells your story?

Who tells your story?

I put myself back in the narrative

(Eliza)

I stop wasting time on tears

I live another 50 years

It's not enough (Eliza)

I interview every soldier who fought by your side

(She tells our story)

I try to make sense of your thousands of pages of writings

You really do write like you're running out of time

I rely on Angelica

While she's alive, we tell your story

She is buried in Trinity Church near you

When I needed her most, she was right on time

And I'm still not through

I ask myself, what would you do if you had more time

The Lord, in his kindness

He gives me what you always wanted

He gives me more time

I raise funds in D.C. for the Washington Monument

(She tells my story)

I speak out against slavery

You could have done so much more if you only had time

And when my time is up, have I done enough?

Will they tell your story?

Oh, can I show you what I'm proudest of?

(The orphanage)

I established the first private orphanage in New York City

(The orphanage)

I help to raise hundreds of children

I get to see them growing up

(The orphanage)

In their eyes I see you, Alexander

I see you every time

And when my time is up

Have I done enough?

Will they tell your story?

Oh, I can't wait to see you again

It's only a matter of time

Will they tell your story? (Time)

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story? (Time)

Will they tell your story? (Time)

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Lin-manuel Miranda

Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story lyrics © 5000 Broadway Music

Before The Throne of God Above - Selah

I'm not sure how many times I have sang this song without really focusing on the words. But, suffice it to say the answer is far far too many. I have led this song in worship. I have sang this song, in private reflection and corporately... 

    My name is graven on His hands

What the what... what was that?? That's in there??? I remember when I found this in Isaiah a few years ago - and it rocked me then... "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" - Isaiah 49:16 NIV. Graven means to carve, deeply impress or firmly affix something to a surface. When you carve a statue, you are engraving something permanently into something. It will leave a scar - even if you try to rub it out.

But carved onto His hands. We're not talking about our names being carved into a stone. Or written in a book. Our names are scratched into His very hands. Painfully, letter by letter. Leaving a permanent mark. One that no-one can remove.

I have eluded in several blogs in the past to some of my own history, but perhaps it is time to get more explicit. When I was a teen and into my young adult years I had an addiction to self injury. Much of my self injury addiction took the form of mentally and emotionally repetitively tearing myself down. Some of my self harm took the form of physically and repeatedly digging things into the palms of my hands. I'll spare you much of the details, but I feel it is necessary to share this for you to understand my emotional reaction to these words. MY name is graven on His hands. Painfully, He carved my name into His hands, to save me from myself.

    When Satan tempts me to despair

    And tells me of the guilt within

    Upward I look, and see Him there

    who made an end to all my sin

The process of recovery from any addiction is difficult. It involves so much temptation to despair. It involves repeated shame, clouds our vision, and makes us feel hopeless of ever finding sobriety. For me it left me isolated, afraid of what I had become, scared to be left alone, but always feeling disconnected from those around me. The process of restoration of my life has lead me to realize the power of looking up. To seeing the savior who has made an end to all my sin. 

    One with Himself I cannot die

    My soul is purchased by His blood

    My life is hid with Christ on high

    With Christ, my Savior and my God

In the dark days, when I felt like my life wasn't worth anything, like people would be better off without me, when I felt like I deserved the punishment and pain... my soul was purchased by His blood. In the good days, when I felt like I could take on the world, like I was unstoppable... my soul was purchased by His blood, and without that I would not be able to stand before Him. It is His grace and His grace alone that makes my life hid with Him on high. 

    Because the sinless Savior died

    My sinful soul is counted free

If you find yourself feeling trapped, stuck, ensnared... anything but free... reach out. Whether that is to me, or another trusted friend... Your life is worth so much more, friend, and I'd love to walk with you along that path. Your name is graven on His hands. Can I hold your hand and walk with you on the path towards freedom? Let's look up together. He's there... the one who makes an end to all our sin.

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest, whose name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands

My name is written on His heart

I know that while in heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart

No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look, and see Him there

who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within

upward I look, and see Him there

Who made an end to all my sin 

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the Risen Lamb

My perfect, spotless righteousness

The great unchangeable I am

The King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself I cannot die

My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ, my Savior and my God

One with Himself I cannot die

My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high

With Christ, my Savior and my God

With Christ, my Savior and my God

With Christ, my Savior and my God

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Vikki Cook

Before the Throne of God Above lyrics © Pdi Music, Sovereign Grace Worship

There's Nothing Like the Name - Trey

It's been a long time since I sat down to write a blog. I can tell because when I sat down to write this my thoughts sorta all started swirling and I struggled to cling to anything. But here I sit - because this writing, this reflecting, this digging into worship is good for me. It's healthy; it's healing. It brings my focus back in on who and what matters most.

Friends, I love my job. I love teaching. I love students. I love being with them, I love their quirkiness, I even (most of the time) love their stubbornness and their thoughts of invincibility. I am passionate about my WHY for what I do, and I am passionate about helping others know their why - for their life, but also knowing why I ask them to do certain things. It is crucially important to me that when I give a rule or expectation I am able to explain the why behind that decision. Covid has been a trying time. There aren't always a lot of good "whys" to explain. 

This morning while reading Psalms I was struck by these verses:

"We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.... But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. For God says, "I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the Godly." - Psalm 75:1, 9-10

It's really easy right now to get sucked into the "strength of the wicked" (whichever way you define wicked) and the stress and struggles... but our job is to thank God, because He is near. We proclaim what God has done, we sing His praises... and leave the rest to Him. Because their is power in His mighty and wonderful name.

What name of God do you relate to? What name of God pushes you to be more than you were before? For me I tend to gravitate to "El Roi" - the God who sees me. I often feel invisible (sometimes because I try to be invisible) but the reminder that who God is is all seeing - that he sees ME where I am in everything I do... it's such a powerful image for me. If you don't have a name of God that you identify and cling to when things get hard, listen to this song, read the lyrics, think about who God is to you, what is His truth? Because fear trembles when His name is mentioned. 

      There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
      There's nothing like the power of the Blood
      Fear trembles when His name is mentioned
      He watches over us
      There's nothing like the Name of Jesus

He is watching over us. All of us. All of the time. There is nothing like His name, and so we praise Him with everything in us, giving thanks for He is near.

     Grace upon grace Your forgiveness made a way for us
     All for us
     Faithful to save and deliver from the grave what love
     Amazing love

If you don't know your why, here's a good one. What love; amazing love.

There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
There's nothing like the power of the Blood
Fear trembles when His name is mentioned
He watches over us
There's nothing like the Name of Jesus

Gentle Shepherd Mighty Warrior
Faithful Healer the Son of God
Way to the Father like no other
Mountain Mover the Holy One

There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
There's nothing like the power of the Blood
Fear trembles when His name is mentioned
He watches over us
There's nothing like the Name of Jesus

Word of God made Flesh among us
Living Water our Daily Bread
Soul Redeemer our Messiah
I've never been the same since You raised me from the dead.

There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
There's nothing like the power of the Blood
Fear trembles when His name is mentioned
He watches over us
There's nothing like the Name of Jesus

Grace upon grace Your forgiveness made a way for us
All for us
Faithful to save and deliver from the grave what love
Amazing love

Grace upon grace Your forgiveness made a way for us
All for us
Faithful to save and deliver from the grave what love
Amazing love

Grace upon grace Your forgiveness made a way for us
All for us
Faithful to save and deliver from the grave what love
Amazing love

There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
There's nothing like the power of the Blood
Fear trembles when His name is mentioned
He watches over us
There's nothing like the Name of Jesus

There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
There's nothing like the power of the Blood
Fear trembles when His name is mentioned
He watches over us
There's nothing like the Name of Jesus
There's nothing like the Name of Jesus

Oh there's nothing like your name
Oh there's nothing like your name
Oh there's nothing like your name, Jesus
Oh there's nothing like your name
Oh there's nothing like your name
Oh there's nothing like your name, Jesus

Fade Away - Passion ft. Melodie Malone

Do you ever get music stuck in your head? I mean really really stuck... like no matter what you do, what annoying song you listen to that always gets stuck in your head it still doesn't get rid of the other song? Yeah. That's where I'm at with this song. And somewhere around a week in I started asking myself what is God trying to tell me. Certainly now, at the end of a second week I have found myself reflecting a lot on what God could be trying to tell me. (and perhaps desperately bargaining that if I write a blog about it maybe it can get unstuck??!!) 

    Speak to me

    You're the only voice I want to hear

    Walk with me

    Show me who You are as I draw near

The irony that the line most stuck in my head as I have asked myself what God is saying to me is "Speak to me..." is not lost on me. Is God's voice the only voice I want to hear? And am I listening, really listening, to what He is saying? Am I digging into His word to draw near to Him?

    If You're not in it

    Then I don't want it

    Let all else fade away

If You're not in it then I don't want it. What lies or half truths are we listening to? Are we checking to be sure that God is in it when we run towards it? In the midst of all of the noise of social media, the regular media, political, and personal jabber are we really listening to God? Are we simply asking Him to let the noise fade away because we know that's the "right" answer, but then later turning back on that noise? Or are we making the conscious choice to lean into His still small voice?

    'Cause Your name is the only name that matters

    And your heart is all that I desire

    And not my will, but Yours alone forever

    Here's my life, have Your way 

Yes, this song has been stuck in my head. A constant reminder that I need to listen to Him, to lean into Him, to tune out the rest. Not my will, but Yours alone forever. Here's my life, have Your way.

    So turn your eyes upon Jesus

    Look full in His wonderful face

    And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

    In the light of His glory and grace

Speak to me

You're the only voice I want to hear

Walk with me

Show me who You are as I draw near

If You're not in it

Then I don't want it

Let all else fade away

Take the whole world

Give me Jesus

Let all else fade away

Satisfy

You're the only one I'll ever need

Holy fire

Burn away the old that stands between

If You're not in it

Then I don't want it

Let all else fade away

Take the whole world

Give me Jesus

Let all else fade away

Let all else fade away

We surrender

We surrender

You are the treasure

You are the treasure

Whoa, Jesus

You are all that I want

'Cause Your name is the only name that matters

And your heart is all that I desire

And not my will, but Yours alone forever

Here's my life, have Your way (Your way)

Your name is the only name that matters

And your heart is all that I desire

Not my will, but Yours alone forever

Here's my life, have Your way

Here's my life, have Your way

Here's my life, have Your way

If You're not in it

Then I don't want it

Let all else fade away

Take the whole world

Give me Jesus

Let all else fade away

Let all else fade away

Let all else fade away

So turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

Let's sing it to Him

So turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace

Come For Me - Jesse Jorgensen (Charlie Hall cover)

Jesus come now... no? How about now? or now?

This series of statements has become somewhat of a running joke for me, used fairly regularly over the last 18 months to express my exasperation with this world. So when a friend (actually, Jesse, whose cover is linked here) sent me this song a few weeks ago it came somewhat as a slap in the face. I should clarify that it wasn't sent to be a slap - it was sent because he figured I'd resonate with the line "Jesus today I'm so tired" as the school year was finishing up. He wasn't wrong.

Over the last several weeks while I waited (impatiently, I might add) for Jesse to cover this song I have had a lot of time to think about these lyrics. So I'll share just a few of the things that God has used in this song to convict me - otherwise we'll be here all day.

    And this world is broken yet beautifully made

    Jesus come take me away.

Thought 1: how often do I get stuck at the start of this line and forget about the "beautifully made" part. How easy it is to pick apart all of the broken, and forget that the world was made beautifully... wonderfully.

    Jesus I'll patiently wait

    Until like a vapour I'll fade

    Help me fulfill all your dreams for these days

    Jesus I'll patiently wait.

Thought 2: OUCH. OUCH OUCH OUCH. At the time that I was sent this song my password on my computer was something along the lines of JesuscomeNOW! (I'm feeling very confident sharing that, because I promise it isn't my password on anything anymore) Patient was not a word you could use to describe my waiting for Jesus. But more than anything the line "Help me fulfill all your dreams for these days" has brought me a mission. I am here. Now. I am called to serve Jesus. Here. Now. And I have a role to play in fulfilling His dreams for these days. To act justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). To love with compassion and abandon, all those around me. Whether that is in my classroom each day (I posted this line next to my desk as a reminder), my family, in the church, on the street, in the store... my job is to help fulfill His dreams.

    Jesus today I am tired

    And I need your music to come and inspire

    And I'd give myself to be refined in this fire

    But Jesus today I'm so tired.

Thought 3: I'm tired. There is no better way to describe how I crossed the finish line of this school year. I. Am. Tired. But - His music is what comes and inspires me. There were a lot of times this year where I contemplated the need to give up worship team. I just was lacking space in my schedule. And yet again and again I realized that for me to be healthy that includes a regular dose of music in my life. And the only thing forcing me to make time for that was worship team. And I realized that the prioritization required by leading worship was helping me stay connected to His inspiration. 

Bonus thought: how scary is this line: "I'd give myself to be refined in this fire" - that's one of those prayers that you pray and then later say "wait wait wait maybe I didn't mean that". But it's still worth it. Jesus I give myself to be refined in this fire. Come for me, Jesus. Come for me.

Jesus come take me away

I long to see your face

And this world is broken yet beautifully made

Jesus come take me away.

Jesus I'll patiently wait

Until like a vapour I'll fade

Help me fulfill all your dreams for these days

Jesus I'll patiently wait.

And you'll come again with a shout

Like a thief in the night

You'll come riding on clouds

Finally the voice I had followed for life

Has a glorious face that is lit up with light!

And you'll come for me

No more pain - peace

No more fear - release

Just lost and consumed with my glorious king.

Jesus today I am tired

And I need your music to come and inspire

And I'd give myself to be refined in this fire

But Jesus today I'm so tired.

And you'll come for me

Come for me

Come for me

Come for me

Come for me...

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Melissa Manchester / Carole Bayer-sager

When We Fall Apart - Ryan Stevenson

I'm not even sure where to start in talking about this song. Other than to say that it has left me completely bawling several times over the last week or so. I'm not sure at what point in my life I decided that I always needed to have it together - that it wasn't ok to cry. But I know it was early on. And I think in general we do a lousy job of telling kids that it is ok to fall apart. We reward them for their "toughness" or for how well they "buck up" and deal with things. But we also need to give them the space and permission to fall apart. To grieve. To cry when they need to.

    It's okay to cry

    It's okay to fall apart

    You don't have to try

    To be strong when you are not

    And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

    But don't ever fight your tears

    'Cause there is freedom in every drop

    Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

I'm not even sure I like this song. As someone who fights tears tooth and nail, who holds it all together all the time I'm not sure I want to be that vulnerable. And certainly not in front of someone else. I really wanted to learn to play this song - and so I waited until the house was completely empty, turned the song on, picked up my guitar, and proceeded to ugly cry all by myself. (like eyes burning, snot dripping UGLY cry, y'all) What's funny is I'm not even sure why I was crying - I wasn't sad. I wasn't mad. I'm not in pain. I think the very act of singing about the freedom to cry was liberating and freeing in a way that my body knew what to do even if my brain didn't.

    And you've got the gift of mercy

    Don't ever think it's strange

    Not a curse, but it is a blessing to feel other people's pain

    And always love without condition

    And trust with all your heart

    There's healing in the story of your scars

When you love without condition and trust with all your heart there are times when you will end up with scars. Relationships with people are messy. And dealing with other people's pain hurts. But without it we won't find the healing that we seek.

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart.

Fall apart. Just do it. Don't ever fight your tears. Let them fall. And remember that Psalm 56:8 says "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." God sees you, and knows you, and loves you. Even when we fall apart. Or maybe especially then.

You were 43 when you got the news

Life will be changing, nothing we can do

The clock is ticking now

All I can think about

Is knowing I have to move on without you somehow

And I just can't believe

That you're the one whose keeping it together

As you hold my hand and say

It's okay to cry

It's okay to fall apart

You don't have to try

To be strong when you are not

And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

But don't ever fight your tears

'Cause there is freedom in every drop

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

You ask me to sing

Some songs that I wrote

But I can barely speak

Can barely play a note

All my tears rush in

Falling on my strings

And make the sound of these progressions have a different ring

And I hate to say goodbye

Knowing this will be the last time we're together

As you close your eyes and say

It's okay to cry

It's okay to fall apart

You don't have to try

To be strong when you are not

And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

But don't ever fight your tears

'Cause there is freedom in every drop

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

And you've got the gift of mercy

Don't ever think it's strange

Not a curse, but it is a blessing to feel other people's pain

And always love without condition

And trust with all your heart

There's healing in the story of your scars

Well, it's been awhile

Since you've been gone

Sometimes I still catch myself trying to call your phone

All the hopes and dreams we used to talk about

They're still alive in me and I just hope I make you proud

Now I'm your legacy

And it's your love still holding me together

And I still hear you say

It's okay to cry

It's okay to fall apart

You don't have to try

To be strong when you are not

And it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughts

But don't ever fight your tears

'Cause there is freedom in every drop

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart

Sometimes the only way to heal a broken heart

Is when we fall apart

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Ryan Stevenson

When We Fall Apart lyrics © Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Songs Of Emack, Redswan Music

What I Really Need - Bryan Fowler

    I've seen mountains move, I've seen giants fall

    I've watched oceans part in front of me

    Every battle won, every miracle 

    Couldn't stop my heart from questioning 

Do you ever feel like you have seen so much that should make you firm in your beliefs, and yet you still find yourself questioning? No? Just me? What questions do you find yourself asking? 

    I need truth instead of answers

    I need faith instead of sight

    I need trust when I can't find the reasons why

    I need presence over blessings

    I need promise over proof

    I need hope instead of healing in my life

    What I really need is You

I could probably write a paragraph about each and everyone of these lines, but I'm pretty sure no-one would want to read all that. So I'll try to summarize it with one line that I think is most impactful to me. As a "math minded" person I often look for proof. I want things that are clear cut, easy to prove, follow logically and are sure. I want to know something is true beyond a shadow of a doubt before I believe it. But really, what I need is promise over proof. I need to rely on God's promises. Because the truth is that those are what will sustain me. His promise of salvation. His promise of a love that never fails. His promise to never leave me. These are the things that I can be certain of, instead of searching for a proof. 

    Set my heart on fire 

    And let it burn away the fear 

    of what I don't know

    I don't need the answers 

    Cuz I trust the one who watching over my soul

    He won't let go

Jesus burn away the fear of what I don't know. What I need is You. Lord, I need You.

I've seen mountains move, I've seen giants fall

I've watched oceans part in front of me

Every battle won, every miracle 

Couldn't stop my heart from questioning 

Oh lord help my unbelief

Through all this You're showing me

That I need truth instead of answers

I need faith instead of sight

I need trust when I can't find the reasons why

I need presence over blessings

I need promise over proof

I need hope instead of healing in my life

What I really need is You

I've seen gardens grow from the desert place

I've seen purpose drawn from my pain

There's no tear that falls that isn't met with grace

There's no suffering here that goes to waste

Set my heart on fire 

And let it burn away the fear 

of what I don't know

I don't need the answers 

Cuz I trust the one who watching over my soul

He won't let go

Set my heart on fire 

And let it burn away the fear 

of what I don't know

I don't need the answers 

Cuz I trust the one who watching over my soul

It Is Well (My Soul Sings) - Canyon Hill Worship

When things are good, we easily sing "It is Well" - but what do we do when things are hard? What do we sing? Do we still sing "It is Well"?

    When my soul is crushed within

    You see me in my pain

    You have not forgotten me

    When I call upon Your name

    I know You're always here

    Deliverance is near

God has not forgotten you, He will not forget you! When you call on His name He is near and will bring deliverance with Him.

    Whatever may come

    Your Spirit reminds me

    You still reign on high

    In all You allow

    When darkness surrounds me

    You are glorified

When darkness and chaos surrounds me, He reminds me that it is well - that in those places He can be glorified.

    Holy Spirit have Your way

    My life is in Your hands

    I rest here in Your plan

No matter the mountain and valley, may I find myself singing "It is Well" - Spirit have your way, let my life be in Your hands, may I choose today to rest here in Your plan!

Though You give and take away

Your heart for me is good

You are always good

When I cannot see the way

You promise to draw near

Please come meet me here

It is well

In the mountains and valleys

It is well

When the chaos surrounds me

It is well

God wherever You lead me

My soul sings it is well

When my soul is crushed within

You see me in my pain

You have not forgotten me

When I call upon Your name

I know You're always here

Deliverance is near

It is well

In the mountains and valleys

It is well

When the chaos surrounds me

It is well God wherever You lead me

My soul sings it is well

Whatever may come

Your Spirit reminds me

You still reign on high

In all You allow

When darkness surrounds me

You are glorified

Whatever may come

Your Spirit reminds me

You still reign on high

In all You allow

When darkness surrounds me

It is well

In the mountains and valleys

It is well

When the chaos surrounds me

It is well God wherever You lead me

My soul sings

It is well

In the mountains and valleys

It is well

When the chaos surrounds me

It is well God wherever You lead me

My soul sings it is well

My soul sings it is well

Holy Spirit have Your way

My life is in Your hands

I rest here in Your plan

Holy Ghost - Jesse Jorgensen (John Mark McMillan cover)

 Pentecost is a holiday that we as a collective church I think struggle with. We're good with Christmas and God the father sending to earth the baby Jesus. We're good with Easter and Jesus the son returning to the Father, tearing the veil and opening the way for a connection and communication with the father. But how do we really feel about pentecost? A holiday celebrating Holy Spirit, sent to us providing real life power in our every day lives. Because Holy Spirit is weird. And uncomfortable. And does things that don't always make sense. And upsets the apple cart a little.

        For all the dues that we collect

        Our hearts can be overdrawn

A friend sent me this line this week. I was talking about feeling over exhausted. Just plain spent. I know I am not alone in feeling this way, I'm not sure I've talked to anyone not feeling that way right now, but I guess I probably don't get out of the education circle much. Maybe others aren't feeling overdrawn. I used to joke ain't no tired like end of May teacher tired. But this May has brought a whole new meaning to that. For all the love and support that we get, our hearts are still overdrawn.

        Dead in the water

        Like lamb to the slaughter

        If the wind doesn't sing her song

        And I'm speaking in tongues

        Cause I need a Holy Ghost

Dead in the water....cause I need a Holy Ghost. 

Holy Spirit would your raging fire and wind blow life into these dry bones that feel like lamb led to the slaughter. I need you...oh how I need you!

Who are we sometimes I wonder

Mercenaries or lovers

On this side of the thunder

It can be awful hard to know

Sell our love for the paycheck or

Spend the night on the freight deck

For all the dues that we collect

Our hearts can be overdrawn

Dead in the water

Like lamb to the slaughter

If the wind doesn't sing her song

And I'm speaking in tongues

Cause I need a Holy Ghost

The geeks they can smell when you're coming

Even out in the cold

They'll wait you out yeah

They'll grind you down

But they're gonna get what they're owed

I know the red thread unravels

I know you're blue and you're black

But there's still time if you don't mind

The way that the odds are stacked

Dead in the water

Lamb to the slaughter

If the wind doesn't sing her song

And I'm speaking in tongues

Cause I need a Holy Ghost

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: John Mark Mcmillan

Holy Ghost lyrics © Meaux Jeaux Music, Raucous Ruckus Publishing

Too Good - Jess Ray

 Are you weak, are you poor are you wanting for more, in the quiet of your heart?

What does the quiet of your heart search for? What do you find yourself wanting in the quiet of your heart? Or do you run away from the quiet of your heart for fear of what you will find there?

Sweetheart, stop cutting your sweet arms, no hope, smoking dope and drinking your life away. lets dance and sing, lets eat from the tree, Come down to the river with me. 

What do you do to escape from feeling? It may sound weird that someone would seek out purposeful pain as an escape - I know most escapes for people are things that numb pain, whether that is drugs, alcohol, pornography or video games, the things we do to escape generally provide a dulling of the senses, but I think self injury falls into this same category because it provides something different (and generally stronger) to feel than the emotional turmoil inside. It is a physical manifestation of the emotional pain that you are feeling inside, and provides something different that allows you to numb out the internal conflict and pain.

It may be too good to be understood, but it's not too good to be true. 

Have you ever felt fully and completely understood, for who you are, deep inside clear to your bones? Friend, it's not too good to be true. Nothing compares for me to the realization that I am completely fully and entirely understood. 

But darlin' you're gonna find where you came from. Don't let your eyes deceive your heart, believe the best is yet to come.

Deep down, believe that the best is yet to come. That it's not too good to be true. That thing you long for in the quiet of your heart - to be understood, fully known and fully loved. It's true.

It may be too good to be understood, but its not too good to be true. He may be too good to be understood, but he's not to good to be.

It is not as we've seen, it is not as we've read, it is not as they've said. How we need to forget, we need to reset and be like children again. Are you hungry and have no money? You can sit at this table. Are you thirsty and unworthy? You can draw from this well. 

Are you weak, are you poor are you wanting for more, in the quiet of your heart? To yourself you say I wish someone would pass my way, and give me a new start. Sweetheart, stop cutting your sweet arms, no hope, smoking dope and drinking your life away. lets dance and sing, lets eat from the tree, Come down to the river with me. 

It may be too good to be understood, but its not too good to be true. 

From the dust we came, to the dust we all will go. We brought nothing with us, we'll take nothing on, Heaven knows keep in mind, it'll take a little time, But darlin' you're gonna find where you came from. Don't let your eyes deceive your heart, believe the best is yet to come. 

It may be too good to be understood, but its not too good to be true. He may be too good to be understood, but he's not to good to be.

This blog could be an email! If you want to sign up to get my blogs sent to your email whenever I blog, click the link here to sign up!

Eustace Scrubb - Sarah Sparks

I don't know how familiar you are with the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis, but since this weekend when Pastor Sky preached on books and stories I've spent a lot of time thinking about the lessons I learned from these books (just to be clear, the sermon spoke of learning to read well so that we can learn to read the Bible well... to listen online click here). Eustace is one of the main characters found in several of the books, but this song is specifically about his experience in the book Voyage of the Dawn Treader. 

    For the first in my life

    I’m not living a lie

    And I hate who I am

    I’ve become what I feared

    And I cried dragon tears

    Just to prove I’m a man

When have you found yourself crying tears, realizing you have become exactly the one you feared you'd become? Have you, like me, found yourself hating who you are? Do you feel like your life is a lie? Have you at any point? Do you remember what got you out of that spot?

    I tried to change my appearance but I am not changed

    I’m just tired

    I tried to heal myself long before I met your gaze

    At the water

    I’m at your feet

    Would you tear into the deep of my heart

    To heal me?

I remember trying to be "good enough". To be "perfect" to make things better. The scratch marks and claw marks I left behind as I struggled to get out of depression, out of the skin I was in that I didn't feel fit, but didn't know how to change. The crumpled mess of me that found myself at the feet of Jesus crying out to heal me.

    As he looked through my eyes

    At the things I despised

    I felt pierced by his gaze

    But he pealed off my skin

    And he then threw me into

    The water to save me

The feeling of being seen. It's simultaneously a beautiful and terrifying thing. Seen for who you really are. Known. The comfort of someone who cares enough to stay with you until they know you. The horror of someone knowing the depths that you have sunk to. The piercing gaze of the one who knows you inside and out. Then the tearing, deeper than you've ever been able to tear on your own to peal off the old skin, that leaves you raw, shivering...and then as He throws you into the waters to save you.

I clearly remember the feeling of bubbling up to the surface after having been through that most horrible of pain. And I remember thinking that it was some of the sweetest pain of my life, that with it came the relief of years and years of burdens. Friend, I don't know what that moment will look like for you. I don't know what will bring the transformation about for you. I simply know that He can take a wretched lonely soul that cries out in the dark, cut deep inside of you and find the you who is really you. The heart that knows Him, the servant deep inside, cut away from the chains. Call out to Him. Reach out. He holds the key to unlock the prison doors.

    I was a lonely, wretched soul that

    Lost in the dark cried out your Name

    You cut me deep, I know I felt it

    But it’s the sweetest kind of pain

    Oh sweet relief, You took my burdens

For the first in my life

I’m not living a lie

And I hate who I am

I’ve become what I feared

And I cried dragon tears

Just to prove I’m a man

I tried to change my appearance but I am not changed

I’m just tired

I tried to heal myself long before I met your gaze

At the water

I’m at your feet

Would you tear into the deep of my heart

To heal me?

I’ve seen my own reflection

I know the pain I’m in

I’ve been a lonely wretch and

I can’t get out of it

As he looked through my eyes

At the things I despised

I felt pierced by his gaze

But he pealed off my skin

And he then threw me into

The water to save me

I wore this bracelet, bright and golden

That overnight became a chain

I was a lonely, wretched soul that

Lost in the dark cried out your Name

You cut me deep, I know I felt it

But it’s the sweetest kind of pain

Oh sweet relief, You took my burdens

Oh I believe Oh I believe

This blog could be an email! If you want to sign up to get my blogs sent to your email whenever I blog, click the link here to sign up!

Sound of Surviving - Nichole Nordeman

This song is nothing resembling new, but for some reason I stumbled upon it a few nights ago and haven't been able to shake it. It feels so much like my story - too many bullet holes, knowing it would take a miracle. The voices from the past poisoning my present, silencing what is inside of me.

    But my story is only now beginning

    Don't try to write my ending

    Nobody gets to sing my song

That last line: nobody gets to sing my song. It gets me every time. Do you hear it as nobody gets to sing my song? or that nobody gets to sing my song. Nobody but me and Jesus gets to sing our song. The story is only just beginning, the story to come is even bigger, even better. The ending to this song is yet to be written because I've turned the pen over to the author of life, the author of the greatest story ever told.

    This is the sound of surviving

    This is my farewell to fear

    This is my whole heart deciding

    I'm still here, I'm still here

    And I'm not done fighting

    This is the sound of surviving

I'm deciding I'm still here, and I'm not done fighting. This is the sound of surviving.

Have you ever been in a place where ending your story felt like a good idea? Like the story was over, that you should remove yourself from the story? Friends, I know the depth of that pain. I have been there. Can I tell you that your story isn't over yet? 

    I'm still here

    Say it to the ache, lying there awake

    Say it to your tears

    I'm still here

    Say it to the pain, say it to the rain

    Say it to your fear

Say it. Over and over. I'm still here. God is still here. I can survive and get through this. Because God has put a strength in me that is bigger than I knew. And when you come out on the other side you will be stronger because of it. Those pieces that left you bleeding, that were intended for your pain will become the gift. A marker, a place to look back and see what God has brought you through. You can't see it now. But reach out. There are those around you that can. God created us to be together. Call someone. Call a friend. Call a family member. Call me. Make the decision to be here.

    This is my whole heart deciding

    I'm still here, I'm still here

    And I'm not done fighting

Decide today. Be still here. And don't give up fighting. It's not the end. It's only the beginning.

They told me

I'd never get to tell my story

Too many bullet holes

It would take a miracle

These voices

Inside my head like poison

Trying to steal my hope

Silencing my soul

But my story is only now beginning

Don't try to write my ending

Nobody gets to sing my song

This is the sound of surviving

This is my farewell to fear

This is my whole heart deciding

I'm still here, I'm still here

And I'm not done fighting

This is the sound of surviving

These pieces

The ones that left me bleeding

Intended for my pain

Became the gift You gave me

I gathered those pieces into a mountain

My freedom is in view

I'm stronger than I knew

And this hill is not the one I die on

I'm going to lift my eyes and

I'm going to keep on climbing

This is the sound of surviving

This is my farewell to fear

This is my whole heart deciding

I'm still here, I'm still here

And I'm not done fighting

This is the sound of surviving

I'm still here

Say it to the ache, lying there awake

Say it to your tears

I'm still here

Say it to the pain, say it to the rain

Say it to your fear

This is the sound of surviving

This is my farewell to fear

This is my whole heart deciding

I'm still here, I'm still here

And I'm not done fighting

No, I'm not done fighting

And I am still rising, rising

I'm still rising

And I'm not done fighting

This is the sound of surviving

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Nichole Nordeman / Tommee Profitt

Sound Of Surviving lyrics © Birdwing Music, Birdboy Songs, Capitol Cmg Genesis, Tommee Profitt Songs

Out of Hiding (Father's Song) - Steffany Gretzinger

What are you hiding from God thinking he won't see it? What does your shame keep you shackled to? What do you cover up hoping that God doesn't realize that was you? Where are you locked up? Do you know Who holds the key?

    Come out of hiding

    You're safe here with me

    There's no need to cover

    What I already see

Where do you need to hear God's truth? That He rose from the grave thinking of you.

    'Cause I loved you before you knew it was love

    And I saw it all, still I chose the cross

    And you were the one that I was thinking of

    When I rose from the grave

The truth, friends: He loved you before you knew that what you were feeling was love. He still chose the cross, knowing you - all of you. The you that you know and no one else does. 

Now rid of the shackles, my victory's yours

I tore the veil for you to come close

There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore

You're not far from home

Possibly the most poignant part of the Easter story for me is not actually the resurrection - it's the tearing of the veil in the holy of holies. The more I have thought about this the more earth shattering I find this fact. In Old Testament times the veil in the temple was there to protect US from GOD. Because we were not good enough. We couldn't be perfect. Our sin that kept us from perfect relationship with God (as in early Genesis Adam and Eve experienced) was kept separate from God to protect us. With Jesus's death and the tearing of the veil we are able to enter into His presence freely. He is no longer contained to a small room, but rather He is now everywhere. Because those things that you are trying so desperately to hide from God are already paid for. There is no need to clean up to enter the presence of God. We can draw close to Him now. 

    And oh as you run

    What hindered love

    Will only become

    Part of the story

May the parts of your story that have held you back from His love become just that - part of the story, and not feel like the whole story. But don't quit running to the Father. You're almost home.

Come out of hiding

You're safe here with me

There's no need to cover

What I already see

You've got your reasons

But I hold your peace

You've been on lockdown

And I hold the key

'Cause I loved you before you knew it was love

And I saw it all, still I chose the cross

And you were the one that I was thinking of

When I rose from the grave

Now rid of the shackles, my victory's yours

I tore the veil for you to come close

There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore

You're not far from home

I'll be your lighthouse

When you're lost at sea

And I will illuminate everything

No need to be frightened

By intimacy

No, just throw off your fear

And come running to me, woo-ooah

'Cause I loved you before you knew it was love

And I saw it all, still I chose the cross

And you were the one that I was thinking of

When I rose from the grave

Now rid of the shackles, my victory's yours

I tore the veil for you to come close

There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore

You're not far from home

You're not far from home

Keep on coming, ayeh

And oh as you run

What hindered love

Will only become

Part of the story

And oh as you run

What hindered love

Will only become

Part of the story

And oh as you run

What hindered love

Will only become

Part of the story

And oh as you run

What hindered love

Will only become

Part of the story

Baby, you're almost home now

Please, don't quit now

You're almost all to me, yeah

Baby, you're almost home now

Please, don't quit now

You're almost all to me, yeah

Yes, you are

Now, baby, you're almost home now

Please, don't quit now

You're almost all to me, yeah

Source: Musixmatch

Song By: Steffany Gretzinger

After the Last Tear Falls - Andrew Peterson

    After the last year that's just too hard

    There is love

    Love, love, love

    There is love

I don't think I'd be alone with saying that this has been a long hard year. It's a year that will definitely be remembered by future generations, a year that has stretched many of us to the furthest we thought we could go and then just a little bit (or a lot bit) further.

    And in the end, the end is oceans and oceans of love and love again

    We'll see how the tears that have fallen

    Were caught in the palms of the Giver of love and the Lover of all

I am struck by this line. In the end the end is oceans and oceans of love and love again. I have watched people divide over different positions, different political viewpoints, different interpretations of data, different skin color, different experiences... and I'm left wondering what does God call us to? You see, as Christians we are caught in the palms of God: the giver of love and the Lover of all. The tears and heartbreak are caught and collected by a God who loves us and wants to take care of us. And He does that because He loves all people, and wants to see all people become more like Him.

    And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

What a promise. That we can look back on the tears as old tales. I'm not there yet with a lot of my tears. Some from the last year, many from further back. But my prayer for you today is that no matter where you are with your tears that you remember that in the end there is oceans and oceans of love for you - as you are now, as you will be in the future. That someday these tears will be old tales. And then that you take that love that has been poured out on you and share it with someone else who needs to hear that they are loved, imperfect as they are, by a perfectly loving God.

After the last tear falls, after the last secret's told

After the last bullet tears through flesh and bone

After the last child starves and the last girl walks the boulevard

After the last year that's just too hard

There is love

Love, love, love

There is love

Love, love, love

There is love

After the last disgrace, after the last lie to save some face

After the last brutal jab from a poison tongue

After the last dirty politician, after the last meal down at the mission

After the last lonely night in prison

There is love

Love, love, love

There is love

Love, love, love

There is love

And in the end, the end is oceans and oceans of love and love again

We'll see how the tears that have fallen

Were caught in the palms of the Giver of love and the Lover of all

And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

'Cause after the last plan fails, after the last siren wails

After the last young husband sails off to join the war

After the last, this marriage is over

After the last young girl's innocence is stolen

After the last years of silence that won't let a heart open

There is love

Love, love, love

There is love

And in the end, the end is oceans and oceans of love and love again

We'll see how the tears that have fallen

Were caught in the palms of the Giver of love and the Lover of all

And we'll look back on these tears as old tales

'Cause after the last tear falls there is love

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Andrew Peterson / Andrew David Osenga

After the Last Tear Falls lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Risen Indeed - Andrew Peterson

He is not dead...He is risen!

Where do you find yourself this morning? Are you hiding in the upper room too afraid to go to the tomb? Are you racing with Peter to the tomb? Were you up with the women, finding the tomb empty and running back to tell the others? Are you doubting the report because you weren't there?

And let your heart believe

He is not dead,

He is risen

Risen indeed

Let your heart believe. Without seeing. Without touching. Let your heart believe. I believe our hearts know the truth of this beautiful morning...without having seen it. What will you do with it? Will you race to tell the others? Will you wait at the tomb to hear the gentle words Jesus speaks to you?

Mary, the sun will rise again

Mary, the sun will rise again

Daughter, listen, listen

Daughter listen

He speaks your name

Listen...He speaks your name. Let yourself be loved, seen, and spoken to by name. He is not dead, He is risen. Risen indeed!

And so the winter dies with a blast of icy wind
Like a mournful cry, it's giving up the ghost again
Another sheet of snow melts away to gold and green
Look at Peter go, he's racing to the tomb to see

Where has my Jesus gone?
He is not dead
He is risen
Risen indeed

And now the flowers bloom like a song of freedom
Behold the earth is new, if only for the season
And so the seed that died for You becomes a seedling
Just put your hand into the wound that bought your healing

And let your heart believe
He is not dead,
He is risen
Risen indeed

And the rain will fall on the furrow
It immerses the earth in sorrow
Mary, the sun will rise again
Mary, the sun will rise again
Daughter, listen, listen
Daughter listen
He speaks your name

And Father Abraham could not have dreamed of this
Could never understand the end of all those promises
How all the pieces fit, every star and grain of sand
Is safely hid in Jesus' hand

Let every tongue confess

He is not dead
He is risen, risen
He is not dead
He is risen
Risen indeed

Oh Mary, the sun will rise again
Mary, the sun will rise again
Daughter, listen, listen
Daughter listen
He speaks your name

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Andrew Peterson

Face to Face - Natalie Grant

What does it mean to wait for God? How many different things can that look like? Waiting for an answer, waiting for a change, waiting for direction, serving ("wait on")... But in all of these, there is an expectancy. An understanding that something is going to happen, and anticipation.

    My feet are tired from the runnin'

    My strength is gone for overcomin'

    My lips are silent, I don't know what to pray

    So I'll wait, I'll wait for You

Something I am hearing and sensing from people right now is an utter exhaustion. We are tired of COVID, we are tired of restrictions, we are tired of wearing masks, we are tired of distance, we are tired of doing the things. The things that normally would bring us energy and joy we find difficult or not allowed and it leads to a tired and exhausted existence. Our strength is gone. And I find myself at a loss, silent, unsure what to pray.

    My eyes have seen Your hand deliver

    My heart remembers You, my help and my defender

    My well runs dry, but I've known the taste of rain

    So I'll wait, I'll wait for You

What do you cling to when you find yourself tired, exhausted, and with no strength? Do you give in and give up? or do you remember with your eyes and heart the help and defense of the past? Do you wait for God because you know the taste of rain, and believe it is coming?

My cry today is echoed in this chorus. Here I am God, reaching out. And I will continue to do so hand in hand until we stand face to face.

    Here I am, I'm reachin' out

    I need You always, oh, I need You now

    I'm comin' close so we can stay

    Hand in hand until we stand face to face

My feet are tired from the runnin'

My strength is gone for overcomin'

My lips are silent, I don't know what to pray

So I'll wait, I'll wait for You

My eyes have seen Your hand deliver

My heart remembers You, my help and my defender

My well runs dry, but I've known the taste of rain

So I'll wait, I'll wait for You

Here I am, I'm reachin' out

I need You always, oh, I need You now

I'm comin' close so we can stay

Hand in hand until we stand face to face

I still believe in new beginnings

The battle rages, but I still believe You'll win it

The night will bend to the light that's breakin' through

So I'll wait, I'll wait for You

Here I am, I'm reachin' out

I need You always, oh, I need You now (oh, I need You now)

I'm comin' close so we can stay

Hand in hand until we stand face to face

Face to face, You are the light here

When bondage breaks and darkness dies

Face to face, You are the end of fear

Who You are brings Heaven here, yeah (who You are)

Oh, who You are brings Heaven here, yeah

Here I am, I'm reachin' out

I need You always, oh, I need You now

My hope is found in Your embrace

Hand in hand until we stand face to face

Hand in hand until we stand face to face

Hand in hand till we stand face to face

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Bernie Herms / Natalie Grant / Paul Duncan

Face To Face lyrics © Sony/atv Tree Publishing, Centricity Music Publishing, Pure Note Publishing Worldwide

Warrior - Hannah Kerr

Have you ever stared into the face of fear, taken a deep breath and kept walking? Do you feel like everything you hear right now is negative? Do you still believe in the truth and hope of a future?

'Cause in the dark there is a light

Your truth it keeps on burning bright

Brave enough to fight the fight

And shout the battle cry

In the dark there is a light. What a hope we have in Jesus - that not matter what the dark we are facing, no matter what the fear, there is a truth burning bright, giving the light we need to continue on in our fight. To shout the battle cry.

Every scar on my skin

Is a beautiful reminder

Of a moment when I didn't give in

And I walked through fire

Have you ever stopped to count your scars? The things that have happened may have left a physical toll on your body, or they have left emotional scars on your heart. Have you gone through the process of digging into each scar, finding forgiveness for yourself or others, allowing it the heal, and then choosing to count the scar as a reminder of God's faithfulness in walking with you through the fire? Because friends - those scars? They are a testimony to the story God is writing on your heart and in your life, the fires that you have been through, the trials. The places where you have fallen, the places where you have been sliced through. Maybe the hands holding the blade have been a loved one, someone you thought you could trust. Maybe they have been your hands holding the blade, slicing through your own skin. Whatever has cut you, friends... God is the great physician. The one who heals.

You'll never stop me I'm a warrior

When I fall down I get stronger

Faith is my shield, His love is the armor

 After I broke my leg and it had healed the doctor looked at my final x-ray and declared "your bone is now stronger there than any other place." The process of breaking and rehealing (a non-trivial thing, as those who walked through that year of my life will recall) built a spot in my bone stronger than any other. 

Friends, we have a choice with our scars. Will they make us stronger as we lean into God, and allow Him to knit us back together firmer than before? Or will they cut us down and continue to fester? The choice is yours. Choose to fight with God instead of against Him.

I will keep the hope alive

I will find the strength inside

I will keep the hope alive

I am a warrior, I will survive

Staring down the face of fear

Gotta keep breathing

When the negative is all you hear

Gotta keep believing

'Cause in the dark there is a light

Your truth it keeps on burning bright

Brave enough to fight the fight

And shout the battle cry

You'll never stop me, I'm a warrior

When I fall down I get stronger

Faith is my shield, His love is the armor

I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior)

I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior)

I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior)

Every scar on my skin

Is a beautiful reminder

Of a moment when I didn't give in

And I walked through fire

'Cause in the dark there is a light

Your truth it keeps on burning bright

Makes me brave to fight the fight

And shout the battle cry

You'll never stop me I'm a warrior

When I fall down I get stronger

Faith is my shield, His love is the armor

I will keep the hope alive

I will find the strength inside

I will keep the hope alive

I am a warrior, I will survive

I will keep the hope alive

I will find the strength inside

I will keep the hope alive

Warrior

You'll never stop me, I'm a warrior

When I fall down I get stronger

You'll never stop me, I'm a warrior

When I fall down I get stronger

Faith is my shield, His love is the armor

I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior)

I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior)

I'm a warrior (I'm a warrior)

Jesus make me Your warrior

I will keep the hope alive

I will find the strength inside

I will keep the hope alive

Warrior

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Alyssa Bonagura / Tami Hinesh

Warrior lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Strong God - Jesse Jorgensen (song revisit)

Often over the last few weeks/months I have found myself questioning where the good is. As I watch people divide over issues that they feel passionately about one way or the other I find myself concerned over the lack of unity, and the message that might be carried "in the name of Christ" to people. When people doing things that feel contrary to the Jesus I know carry signs saying "Jesus loves you" I get defensive. I find myself worried that others will lump me into categories that I don't want to belong in.

Father to the fatherless

Defender of the weak

Freedom for the prisoner

We sing

This is God in His holy place

This is God clothed in love and strength

THIS God. This is the God that I worship. The Father to the fatherless, the defender of the weak. And this is the God that I have found myself crying out to... seeking above all. That I might be a true reflection of His love, His grace. 

Because my actions speak louder than my words, and my God speaks louder than others. I need to listen to Him alone - do what He asks, love whom He loves... in every day, in every way. I pray that my life speaks louder than the categories...that my care of others will be the testimony that allows me to resist defensiveness.

There is no higher, no

There is no greater, no

There is none stronger than our God

Father to the fatherless

Defender of the weak

Freedom for the prisoner

We sing

This is God in His holy place

This is God clothed in love and strength

Sing out, lift your voice and cry out

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

With us in the wilderness

Faithful to provide

Every breath and every step

We see

This is God in His holy place

This is God clothed in love and strength

Sing out, lift your voice and cry out

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

Sing out, raise your hands and shout out

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

There is no higher, no

There is no greater, no

There is none stronger than our God

Sing out, lift your voice and cry out

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

Sing out, raise your hands and shout out

Awesome is our strong God, mighty is our God

Mighty is our God

Mighty is our God

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Jon Egan / Meredith Andrews

Strong God lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Spirit Music Group, Essential Music Publishing