Be At Rest, O My Soul (Psalm 116)

 

Lyrics:

Verse 1

I love the Lord, because He heard my voice;

He heard my cry for mercy;

Because He turned His ear to me,

I will call on Him as long as I live.

Verse 2

The chords of death had entangled me;

The anguish of the grave was on me.

Trouble and sorrow had overcome my soul,

And I called on His name, called on the name of Lord.

 

Chorus

 

Be at rest, O my soul;

Be at rest once more,

For the Lord has been good to you,

The Lord has been good to you. (2x)

 

Verse 3

For you O,Lord have saved my soul from death;

My eyes  from tears, my feet from stumbling.

That I may walk with the Lord my God;

In the land of the living.

 

Verse 4 

I'll sacrifice to You my thankfulness;

Call on the name of the Lord,

With all the saints, Your righteous ones,

In the house of the Lord;

The courts of the house of my Lord.

 

Chorus

Andy's Love

 

Story:

This song is about our son, Andy, who has Down Syndrome.  It was written when he was three years old.  He is now 13 years old, and just as sweet as he was at age three, but he definitely has entered his teen years.  We love our dear Andy!

Lyrics:

Verse 1

A time had come when leisure seemed so close;

An age when infant care had passed for most.

Oh our surprise, the morning sickness came;

I was feeling life inside again.

 

Verse 2

God's grace came through;

To help us in the hour;

When little Andy came into our hearts.

Downs fell to us, that's about all we knew;

The child You love is ours,

To us from You.

 

Chorus

Andy's love is like Jesus' love;

I see it all day long.

Oh and it's shining from his little face;

And there I see another place in God's heart.

In those almond eyes, I see Jesus' love.

 

Verse 3

As with each child, rejoicing with each step;

And cuddled close in arms safe and warm.

A mended heart, God saw our wringing hands;

We sailed on wings of prayers;

New plans in hand.

 

Chorus

 

Bridge

He's living proof God gives good gifts to His children;

And we pray he'll know Jesus;

The One he resembles so well.

 

Verse 4

Now words come slow, except the "I love yous"

And kisses blown,

When bedtime's calling him away.

In those almond eyes, I see Jesus' love.

In those almond eyes, I see Jesus' love.

Love LIke Yours

 

Story:

I have seen my selfish responses to undeserved conflicts in a few relationships, and I realize how divine Jesus' love really is, especially when he stayed on the cross when He could've come down and saved Himself.  He stayed there to pay for my sin.  Only God would do that for a sinner.  Only God IS that kind of love.

Lyrics:

 

Verse 1

I don't really understand love like Yours in light of mine.

Cuz when I'm kicked inside;

I raise my fist and claim my rights.

 

Verse 2

Instead of love my heart retreats;

I lick my wounds and deny defeat.

Then I start blaming and accusing;

I think I'm winning instead of losing.

 

Chorus

 

Mighty love endured the jabs and jeers;

That blameless Love died for sin that wasn't His;

Love so powerful and unlike mine.

I need Your love, Jesus, so I can love like You.

 

Verse 3

Years go by so effortlessly;

But my wounds don't heal so easily.

It's not intentional;

I think pain just has an ebb and flow.

 

Verse 4

I know what is my only cure

Is to lay it down and leave it with You,

Where there's no blaming or accusing;

I know I'm winning instead of losing.

 

Chorus

 

Wonderful Counselor

 

Story:

I wrote this song when I was 17 years old, with guitar in hand and sitting on my parents' bed with the album jacket of the Messiah before me.  I love Frederich Handel's "Messiah," and I love the Scriptures he used in writing his piece.  These three verses "popped" out at me and were used in the writing of "Wonderful Counselor."  This song has become a standard worship song at Christmas time for many churches, and I pray the church at large may be able to enjoy worshiping our King with this song for many Christmases to come.

Lyrics:

 

 

Verse 1

For unto us a child is born

For unto us a Son is given

His shoulders bear His government

He reigns forever and ever, and He's called. . 

Chorus

Wonderful Counselor,

The Mighty God

The Everlasting Father

The Prince of Peace (repeat)

Verse 2

Come unto Him you laborers

Come unto Him you heavy laden

And you will find rest unto your souls

For He is meek and lowly of heart, and He's called . . .

Chorus

Verse 3

Blessing and honor

Glory and power

Be unto Him who sits upon the throne

And unto the Lamb, and He's called . . .

Chorus

Dancing On The Inside

 

Story:

This song came from a single thought, "Would God view my worship any differently if I couldn't show it outwardly?"

My friend, Linda, is the subject of the first verse.  She was in her mid-twenties when she died.  She had a disease called Friederich's Ataxia Disease.  It looks a lot like Multiple Sclerosis.  It's a hereditary disease that left her unable to talk or walk and eventually took her and her sister's life.  Linda loved God with all of her heart when she was here on earth.  Her favorite song was a worship song called "Sing a Song of Celebration," which mentioned dancing on the Streets of Gold,.  She was also a member of our little choir, though she couldn't sing.  She loved music, dancing, and the arts and her smile was contagious.  Her family and church family miss her very much.

The second verse makes mention of members of the Family of God who are being mistreated, censored and killed just because they associate themselves with Jesus.  They are known as the Persecuted Church.  When asked what they need, they respond, "Prayer. . . we just want to be able to stand strong and glorify our Lord Jesus."  We in the West may not understand that, as we are used to comfort, but they know Jesus in a way we may never know, that is unless we too are persecuted and completely dependent on the grace of God!

The answer to the question I posed above is, "No," God doesn't look at our outward worship, the words we say or the style we choose, He looks at our hearts and accepts our adoration if sincere, yet imperfect.

Lyrics:

 

Verse 1

Linda rolled into church beaming with the joy of God.

Wheels replaced her dancin' legs but a song filled her heart.

She was longing for the day to dance on the Streets of Gold;

Standing in the chorus of Heaven, singing to her Lord.

She patiently waited, longing for the freedom;

Her voice wasn't able, oh, but her humble heart sang!

Chorus

She was dancing on the inside, dancin' with all of her might.

Dancing on the inside, singing and shouting for joy!

Dancing on the inside, lifting up the Son of God;

Dancing on the inside to her Lord.

Verse 2

Everywhere are believers who are forced underground.

Their freedoms seized and taken, oh but faith still is found.

Jesus hears their broken hearts praying for the strength to stand;

Looking for God's glory to shine in their land.

In the most unlikely places praises fill the skies.

Their voices sing quietly, oh but their hearts sing out loud!

Chorus

They're dancing on the inside, dancin' with all of their might.

Dancing on the inside, singing and shoutin' for joy!

They're dancing on the inside, lifting up the Son of God,

Dancing on the inside to their Lord!

Bridge

So, dance and sing, hold your head up high,

For the hope of God is holding you inside!

So, dance and sing, hold your head up high,

For the love of God is holding you, He's holding you inside!

Chorus

We're dancing on the inside, dancin' with all of our might!

Dancing on the inside, singing and shouting for joy!

We're dancing on the inside, lifting up the Son of God,

Dancing on the inside to our Lord!

Valley of Baca (Tears)

 

Story:

We've all been through our own Valley of Baca (Valley of Tears) for one reason or another, and this song tells of our great Fountain and Rock who offers rivers of refreshment for us in our times of need.

Lyrics:

 

Verse 1

In the Valley of Baca, I am beaten by the wind;

And whirling sands throw hopeless whispers

I'm so tempted to believe.

Verse 2

In the Valley of Baca it is waterless and fierce,

And in this parched land deep inside me,

I'm aware of desperate need.

Chorus

But in the distance, I catch a glimmer;

A reflection of the sun.

I see a Rock that's gushing water,

That forms a river for everyone.

In the Valley of Baca, My Lord offers me my fill.

O my Fountain, I can see now;

That all my fountains are in You!

Verse 3

In the Valley of Baca, my soul longs for its relief;

And when the winds die down a  moment,

There is hope, I now can see.

Chorus

Change of Heart

 

Story:

It is always easier for me as a Christian to act well when I have an audience, but I want to be the same mom who is patient with my son whether I'm around people watching me or alone with only God watching me.  Of course, we are all flawed and perfection isn't the goal, LOVE is the goal.

Lyrics:

Verse 1

When others' eyes are upon me,

I can put forward my very best.

But when their gaze is gone may I never lay

Your holy standard down to rest.

And may the words I speak be a reality

Of Jesus living in my heart;

The evidences of the Spirit's grace and love

Growing strong in fertile ground.

Chorus

I wanna be the same woman who follows You,

Whether alone or in a crowd.

Don't let me take a rest from Your righteousness

When I'm at home safe and sound.

I think it's nothing short of a miracle,

When I see Jesus change my heart.

Bring on the miracle so I can follow you when I'm alone

Or when others are around.

Verse 2

I know there's nothing new under the mighty sun;

There will be challenges day to day.

But may my famiy see God's grace in me,

When frustrations come my way.

And with the hope of God and His ability,

I will have love living in my core;

Without discrepancies about what others see,

Or alone behind closed doors.

Chorus

Bridge

Oh, all things are possible when my heart is in Your hands;

Open and in full view, I put my trust in You;

To make these changes as only you can.

Chorus

Inexpressible

 

Story:

Inexpressible was birthed from my experiences when I am meeting with God in the morning, while sipping my coffee, journaling, reading, and praying. I don't experience God's goodness in a dramatically emotional way every day, but there have been times when I am so overwhelmed by His goodness and mercy given to me, and His everlasting love that He lavishes on me, that all I can do is sit there and cry my gratitude!

God has been given a bad rep in this world! The rep that He is harsh and hateful, unjustly vengeful and uncaring, which is just not true. If we approach God just as we are and truly want to know Him, we will find that He has been waiting for us, not the other way around.

Lyrics:

 

Verse 1

You're my hero, You're all I want to be,

You are merciful, kind and good,

Flawless in love and purity,

Beyond all I have understood.

Verse 2

Oh, I quiet myself beneath Your wings

Where You're loving me through and through.

Such knowledge is overwhelming me

And I'm crying my gratitude.

Chorus

Oh, You're goodness to me is inexpressible!

So, I'll sit at Your feet and just cry

With worship that wells from deep within;

My thankfulness rising inside!

Oh, Your goodness to me is inexpressible!

As You're drawing me close to Your side.

I'm embraced by the One who first loved me!

Inexpressible, I will worship You with the tears in my eyes.

Verse 3

When I think of our glorious meeting

When I can see the love in Your eyes.

Fullness of joy, I will finally know

In my Home where the sun need not shine!

Chorus