RFG 2: How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?

Posted on December 2, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

Discuss in ILovePhilosophy.com: RFG: TWO: How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?

Tim Keller’s The Reason for God Book Discussion – Part 1: The Leap of Doubt

TWO: How Could a Good God Allow Suffering?

From now on, along with my own observations and questions, I will be including discussion questions written by Penguin and found here, if you’d like to look ahead:
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/Penguin%20Reader%20Guide.pdf
Here is the sermon series at Redeemer NY:
http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=29

As always, feel free to comment on any part of the chapter not mentioned here.
“In chapter 2, Keller responds to the contention that a loving God could not allow suffering. He states: ‘Just because you can’t see or imagine a good reason why God might allow something to happen doesn’t mean there can’t be one’ (p. 23). Do you buy the argument that the absence of a clear answer doesn’t rule out the possibility that a plausible — but hidden — explanation exists? Why or why not? Do you feel that claiming that God has reasons for his actions that are beyond human reasoning is a cop-out? Or is this a valid argument when the topic is God and his transcendent ways of doing things?” — Penguin

“As he continues to examine the problem of pain, Keller writes: ‘… though Christianity does not provide the reason for each experience of pain, it provides deep resources for actually facing suffering with hope and courage rather than bitterness and despair’ (pp. 27-28). Have you ever experienced the hope and/or courage that he refers to? If so, describe your experience to others in the group.” — Penguin

“Paraphrasing C.S. Lewis, the author states: ‘… modern objections to God are based on a sense of fair-play and justice. People, we believe, ought not to suffer, be excluded, die of hunger or oppression. But the evolutionary mechanism of natural selection depends on death, destruction, and violence of the strong against the weak — these things are all perfectly natural. On what basis, then, does the atheist judge the natural world to be horribly wrong, unfair, and unjust’ (p. 26). How would you respond to Keller’s question? Does an allegiance to the laws of natural selection and survival of the fittest contradict human values that oppose suffering, discrimination, and the victimization of the poor and powerless? Why or why not?” – Penguin

And my own contribution to the discussion: It wasn’t mentioned in the chapter, but I think a lot of (but certainly not all) suffering is the natural, direct consequences of sin. It is not evidence against God, but against our being God, and in favor of the fact that God, like a good father, allows us to learn from our mistakes, rather than dysfunctionaly protecting us from them by a) preventing us from making them, or b) preventing us from experiencing the consequences. Agree, disagree? Pick one: prevent suffering and prevent free will (love), or allow free will (love) and allow suffering.
https://ichthus77.com/2008/01/03/problem-of-evil/

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Notes on Keller’s sermon for this chapter:

Download sermon:
http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=29

Suffering 1 Peter 1:3-12

“The Problem of Evil and Suffering”

Doubt: If God allows evil and suffering to continue because He can’t stop it, He might be good, but He’s not all powerful. If God allows it because He can stop it, but He won’t stop it-then He might be all-powerful, but He’s not good.

One way “not” to face evil/suffering-three ways “to face” it.

1 not. One way “not” to face evil/suffering: abandon faith.

Peter says the pain you are going through can “strengthen” faith-not weaken it.
Abandoning faith doesn’t help you understand or deal w/ pain/suffering.
MLKJr: Only way to know if a human law is unjust, is according to the divine law.
If no God-no divine law-can’t say ‘any’ historical event is unjust.
In nature, there’s nothing more natural than violence.
Sartre and Dostoevsky-no God, all permitted-no “evil”-suffering is not a “problem”.
If there is evil/suffering-if they are problems-a lack of God’s existence is a problem.

Look: 1. Back 2. Ahead 3. In

1. Look back (to cross)

Peter likens pain/suffering to a fire/furnace/crucible. Daniel 3.
Isaiah: fear not, I have redeemed you-when you pass through the waters, I will be there-when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon you
“thy dross to consume, thy gold to refine” – hymn
Promise is NOT “smooth sailing” – the promise is WHEN you go through trials-I will so love you, and you will so sense my presence, you will be refined and not be broken
God became vulnerable to suffering/pain/death (calling out Why?) on the cross for us.
–connection to hell sermon
Ask Jesus on the cross why He allows pain/evil-the answer cannot be that He doesn’t love us-when there He is loving us…in the furnace with us.

2. Look ahead (to resurrection)

Peter says we have a living hope that will get us through the furnace-our inheritance in heaven, the foretaste of which was Jesus’ physical resurrection-the first-fruits of the new heavens, new earth, our own resurrection. Rev 21-22. 1 Corinthians 15. Restoration of “this” world. Pure, unfading, imperishable, unspoiled. Everything sad and horrible is going to be brought up into the victory.
Dostoevsky: “I believe like a child that suffering…will be made up for.” (get whole quote from RFG book)

3. Look in (YOU are His living hope)

V.12 angels long to look into this-“long” means “lust”-they obsessively, passionately look into the Gospel…never get tired of it.
How did Jesus get through His furnace? Heb 12-for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.
What was His living hope? What drew Him away from heaven, brought Him down here-“the results of His suffering He will see and be satisfied”–
Isaiah: my righteous servant will justify many”
YOU are His living hope.
That will make Him your living hope, and your suffering in the furnace will burn away the dross and you will be refined and turned to gold.

Posted in Apologetics, Keller's Reason for God, Problem of Evil & Hell, Reviews and Interviews | Leave a comment

Blind Will vs. Free Will

Posted on November 30, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

Blind will (blind instinct/habit) is the paint and a free will is the painter.

No longer will it suffice for me to say “intentionally” or “wilfully” when what I really mean is “freely”. The words “intention” and “will” must now be qualified with either the word “free” or “blind.” Here’s why.
 [Edit… I think I’ll only be specific when I mean “blind” actually… less trouble… my brain won’t switch over.]

[To clarify: a selfless act is [b]focus[/b]ed on “other” whereas a selfish act is not.] [EDIT: A selfless act is other-inclusive, whether or not the inclusion is focused, whereas a selfish act is other-exclusive, whether or not the exclusion is focused. If we more often focus on other-inclusive, selfless acts, we will more often perform them when focus is difficult. Same deal if we focus more often on other-exclusive, selfish acts. The more focus required to ‘include’, the more selfless (and loving) the act. You might say God is eternally focused. The more focus required to ‘exclude’–the more selfish (less loving). However, as we selfish folk know, once you are good at something, it requires less focus, and doesn’t make it any less selfish. That feeling of it requiring less focus, is what is meant by “hardened heart”. If we get good (or were born good) at focusing on other-inclusive, selfless acts, it will require less focus… like when you are driving somewhere and before you know it, you’re there, and you don’t even remember most of the trip. That’s only a bummer if you wanted to enjoy the trip. Next time pay attention. But the point is, God loves us even if we were born more selfish than other people, even if we put our whole lives up to now into focusing on other-exclusive behaviors. If we think He’ll love us more, or if we think we’re better than everybody else if we focus focus focus on selfless acts, or get so good at selfless acts that we don’t even have to focus anymore–we’ve missed the point. It ain’t about us or how good we are. It’s about love.]

A selfless act is performed by free intention (free will) or by nature (blind instinct) or blind habit.

So, [b]focus[/b] (in this case, [b]focus[/b] directed to the Other) is not necessarily ‘freely’ intentional. [EDIT: yes, it is.]

A selfless act done out of habit conforms to a pattern of past selfless, free intention or blind instinct/habit.

A selfless act done out of instinct does not conform to any past free intention, is not in any way intentional (blind or free). Note the instances when we do what we should (the Law) by nature, but that we cannot live the Beatitudes (which require the full participation of reason) by mere instinct. Prosocial acts require focus on the other—instinctive prosocial focus serves as an example of blind focus. [That sounds wrong… blind focus.] [EDIT: that’s because it is. See first EDIT note.]

Instincts are neutral—are a good (without defect)—it is what we do with them that is moral or immoral. Many Christian authors have written on this.

Struggling against bad habits of how we used to respond to instinctive, habitual and environmental (all are ‘external’ to the internal, free will) stimuli is what is meant by warring with the flesh (the new man in conflict with the old). It is not warring with the instincts (neutral, good), but with immoral ways of responding to them.

As far as we know our blind influences (either instinctive or habitual), we have the power to counteract or choose them freely (the freer our free will). We are most free when our free will is aligned with God’s will (which is Love). And when we freely align our free will with the free will of God and allow Him to love through us, by habit (or perhaps with God’s help) we perform His free will (love) even when there is no time for thought.

I conclude by saying that God is free will (omniscient) [even when He became flesh… He maintained complete unity within the Trinity… Jesus’ will was the Father’s will (love)… and by will I mean free will]. Oh the awesomeness of the most awesome! [C.S. Lewis has more to say on this in his book “Miracles”… how our resurrected bodies will make our wills more free, with less disconnect between our bodies (and the impulses of it) and our wills.]

[edited a few things for clarification]

[this is prob’ly going to be reworked again in the future!]

Posted in Predestination | Leave a comment

RFG 1: There Can’t Be Just One True Religion

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

Discuss in ILovePhilosophy.com: RFG: ONE: There Can’t Be Just One True Religion

Tim Keller’s The Reason for God Book Discussion – Part 1: The Leap of Doubt

ONE: There Can’t Be Just One True Religion

Keller does not refute the chapter’s title by arguing that Christianity ‘is’ the one true religion. He points out that not all religions can be true, because many of them contradict each other, for example: “‘If Christians are right about Jesus being God, then Muslims and Jews fail in a serious way to love God as God really is, but if Muslims and Jews are right that Jesus is not God but rather a teacher or prophet, then Christians fail in a serious way to love God as God really is.’ The bottom line was—we couldn’t all be equally right about the nature of God,” (4). However, saying that not all religions can be true does not go as far as saying that “only one religion can be true.” The closest he gets to saying this is when he shows the self-refuting nature of relativism. But Keller’s main purpose in this chapter is to go much deeper and address the fears and contradiction underlying the doubt in the chapter’s title.

The doubt here surrounds the perceived arrogance and feared danger (barrier to world peace) of religious exclusivity (often termed ‘fundamentalism’). Keller grants that this fear is reasonable regarding religion in general (including the apostate church), but not regarding the fundamentals of Christianity, which “can be a powerful impetus for peace-making in our troubled world,” (21). One could say that what went wrong whenever violence broke out in the name of Christ, was a straying from those fundamentals (from Christ).

Keller also points out that everyone (whether they consider themselves secular or religious) bases how they think people should behave on their own improvable fundamental faith-assumptions (see for example footnote 21, page 247-8) – and that “secular grounds for moral positions are no less controversial than religious grounds, and a very strong case can be made that all moral positions are at least implicitly religious,” (17). How? Keller defines religion as “a set of beliefs that explain what life is all about, who we are, and the most important things that human beings should spend their time doing. For example, some think that this material world is all there is, that we are here by accident and when we die we just rot, and therefore the important thing is to choose to do what makes you happy and not let others impose their beliefs on you. Notice that, though this is not an explicit ‘organized’ religion, it contains a master narrative, an account about the meaning of life along with a recommendation for how to live based on that account of things. … All who say ‘You ought to do this’ or ‘You shouldn’t do that’ reason out of such an implicit moral and religious position,” (15). “It is common to say that ‘fundamentalism’ leads to violence, yet as we have seen, all of us have fundamental, improvable faith-commitments that we think are superior to those of others. The real question, then, is which fundamentals will lead their believers to be the most loving and receptive to those with whom they differ? Which set of unavoidably exclusive beliefs will lead us to humble, peace-loving behavior?” (19-20). One might argue that this comes dangerously close to pragmatism (truth is what works) even though pragmatism is rejected in this chapter, however, the issue here is not “which fundamentals are true?” but “which fundamentals do not provoke the fear being addressed?” Keller notes the Greco-Roman religious tolerance versus their brutal cultural practices (see also footnote 30) as one example of tolerance of beliefs not necessarily translating into loving behavior. There is an excellent quote of Alister McGrath on page 5 showing the ironic intolerance of those who believed in tolerance. He also notes that we “cannot skip lightly over the fact that there have been injustices done by the church in the name of Christ” (21) but ends affirming that (again) the fundamentals of Christianity “can be a powerful impetus for peace-making in our troubled world,” (21).

Keller shows that if we weigh relativism, it comes up short because it refutes itself (see also footnote 10). “To deem all beliefs equally true is sheer nonsense for the simple reason that to deny that statement would also, then, be true,” (4, Zacharias, “Jesus Among Other Gods”). Outlawing, condemning, or privatizing religious belief also backfires, since it is shown that we all hold our own (potentially dangerous) improvable fundamental faith-assumptions (religious ones at that, whether or not they would pass as secular – secular beliefs are implicitly religious beliefs, as shown above). So, I agree with Keller when he says, “The reality is that we all make truth-claims of some sort and it is very hard to weigh them responsibly, but we have no alternative but to try to do so,” (11). We cannot escape the responsibility to weigh our world-view responsibly, just like we cannot escape the responsibility to choose – even if that means choosing to do nothing. To give up weighing is to affirm as true.

So how is Christianity fundamentally superior to other religions, as it concerns promoting humble, peace-loving behavior? Keller notes that there is an overlap of religions with regard to ethics, but Christianity stands out with regard to soteriology (footnote 29). “Most religions and philosophies of life assume that one’s spiritual status depends on your religious attainments [Ichthus: the ‘moral improvement’ view]. This naturally leads adherents to feel superior to those who don’t believe and behave as they do. The Christian gospel, in any case, should not have that effect,” (19). Why? “In the Christian understanding, Jesus does not tell us how to live so we can merit salvation. Rather, he comes to forgive and save us through his life and death in our place. God’s grace does not come to people who morally outperform others, but to those who admit their failure to perform and who acknowledge their need for a Savior,” (19). “At the very heart of [our] view of reality [is] a man who died for his enemies, praying for their forgiveness [Ichthus: ‘forgive them, for they know not what they do’]. Reflection on this could only lead to a radically different way of dealing with those who [are] different from [us]. It mean[s] we [can] not act in violence and oppression toward [our] opponents,” (20-21). It means we should love our enemies. Christ taught that we (the branches) cannot do any of this on our own, apart from Him (the vine) – so it is not cause for pride when He works through us, nor cause for judgment when others do not bear fruit they cannot bear apart from Him. All it takes to cut others slack, is to remember where we were at when we were on our own, apart from Christ, and to remember that it is Christ, not ourselves, who has brought us to where we are now. It is very humbling.

Discussion questions:
1. Do you agree that even secular beliefs are implicitly religious? Why or why not?
2. Considering that relativism refutes itself, then, of the available differing worldviews, only one, if any, can be correct (in an eternal sense, where it did not have to compete for its status in the marketplace of ideas). Does yours promote humble, peace-loving behavior, and, if so, how? Does yours base a man’s worth on his good deeds, or on God’s unearned love demonstrated on the cross – or does man have no worth in yours?
3. “If morality is relative, why isn’t social justice as well?” If it is objective, what is its foundation?
4. Feel free to critique anything I said up there or didn’t mention from the chapter.

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Notes on Keller’s sermon on this chapter:

Download sermon and study guide: http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=29

Exclusivity

1 John 4:1-10

Doubt: How can you possibly claim your religion is the only true religion-that you have the ‘one’ truth? Main barrier to peace in the world is religion and religious exclusivity. Religion is divisive.

Agreement: religion has a very strong tendency to divide, create strife, tends to have a slippery slope from superiority, to separation, all the way down to oppression and violence, active or passive.

What do we do? Two things that won’t work, one thing that will.

1. Won’t work: weaken religion, help it disappear, regulate it.

Was a theory that religion would die out on its own with technology meeting our needs (no longer need it to adapt to our environment).
–Religion is increasing. Africa 9-50% Christian 100 years. Korea 1-45/50% 100 years. China supposed to do the same sort of thing in the next 100 years.
1940s, got rid of Christian missionaries in China-made it more indigenous, spread more rapidly.
Why does religion not go away, get stronger when you try to weaken it?
“test the spirits” Stott: religious impulse isn’t merely intellectual-there are spiritual influences…you can worship something that enslaves rather than frees

2. Won’t work: confine religion to private realm.

Position: agree that a) all religions are equally valid paths to God, b) religion is good to give you strength in your private life, but leave your expectations at home and don’t put them on society (Rorty)

a) v.5 critics of religion (the world) have a faith position

Blind men and elephant illustration. Each one has different perspective, small piece of truth, not whole truth-they’re all right/wrong, so none of them should say they see the whole picture. Conclusion: so it is w/ religion. BUT–the only way you could “know” they didn’t have the entire reality-is if “you” have that which is what you’re saying nobody has.

b) leave faith out of it-find what works. Ironically, that’s impractical. What is religion? “set of answers to the big questions-why are we here?-what is right and wrong?-what’s wrong with us and what fixes it?-what should we be doing?” All answers to those questions (what works?) are faith assumptions-implicitly religious. “My faith assumptions are better than yours-leave yours at home.”

If we leave faith out of divorce laws that “just work”-but what you think works depends on what you think is the purpose of marriage. Individual before family? Divorce will be easy. Family before individual? Divorce will be hard.

Everyone has a take on spiritual reality that they think is better than others (or they wouldn’t hold it)-so what matters is “which set produces loving, inclusive, reconciling, peaceful behavior?”

3. Strategy that works: common ground is good, but look at what’s unique to Christianity, different from all other religions-they are the things that will empower you to be agents of reconciliation and peace in the world.

a) origin b) purpose c) method (of Jesus’ salvation)

a) origin of Jesus’ salvation-“Jesus has come” (was somewhere else before)
–every other religion has a founder that is ‘only’ human
b) purpose of Jesus’ salvation-“in the flesh” – at resurrection, flesh is redeemed/restored
–every other religion is to escape (rather than redeem) this world
c) method of Jesus’ salvation-grace. V10
–every other religion is about performance, earning, karma

Humbled–If you’re saved by performance, you look down your nose-the slippery slope. Secularists are every bit as self-righteous “I’m enlightened, you’re the primitive religious person,” and it all goes back and forth. The Gospel leads you to expect that unbelievers are better than you-the Gospel humbles you, helps you see who you really are.

Serve–Resurrection, new heavens, new earth, means we work w/ God to make “this” world good, seek its peace/prosperity/shalom. Not only are you humbled, but you serve.

Ultimate reality visible–Jesus is both human and God-not just a prophet/teacher/founder. Doesn’t lead to superiority-“Jesus is Lord of all”-“all”. Christian included everybody (rich/poor, slave/free, man/woman), in a culture when exclusion was the norm (although they were religiously inclusive). Jesus on the cross loved people who didn’t love Him-died for His enemies-that’s ultimate reality, and the early church lived it.

If religious moralist-feel superior to secularist.
If secularist-feel superior to stupid religious people.
If accept Gospel-be humbled, serve, know your life is built on ultimate reality (grace)-become part of what the world needs.

Posted in Apologetics, Keller's Reason for God, Reviews and Interviews | Leave a comment

RFG Intro: Best of Left and Right; Doubting Doubts

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

Discuss in ILovePhilosophy.com: RFG: Intro.: Best of Left and Right, and Doubting Doubts

Tim Keller’s The Reason for God Book Discussion — Introduction

Best of Left and Right, and Doubting Doubts

Keller observes, “the world is polarizing over religion. It is getting both more religious and less religious at the same time,” (x). Do you see this in your day-to-day? If so, how so? If not, how do the people around you seem to feel about religion? How do you feel about religion? Would you like to give a brief synopsis of your faith narrative thus far (modeled after June, Jeffrey and Kelly’s)? This is a great way to introduce yourself to the group.

Keller mentioned “the two camps,” and a “third camp.” In the first two camps, “the people most passionate about social justice were moral relativists, while the morally upright didn’t seem to care about the oppression going on all over the world,” (xii). In response to the first camp, Keller asked, “If morality is relative, why isn’t social justice as well?” In response to the second camp, “Christianity began to seem very unreal” to him. This formed one of three barriers to his faith. The three barriers were 1) intellectual (the tough questions), 2) interior, personal (lack of experiencing God’s presence), and 3) social (dissatisfaction with the first two camps and a need for the third camp). In the third camp he found a “band of brothers” (and sisters) – “a group of Christians who had a concern for justice in the world but who grounded it in the nature of God rather than in their own subjective feelings,” (xiii). In another section he mentions a spiritual third way (the first two ways being traditional conservative and secular liberal) that is “much more concerned about the poor and social justice than Republicans have been, and at the same time much more concerned about upholding classic Christian moral and sexual ethics than Democrats have been,” (xx). Does this third camp appeal to you, and, if so, what are some practical ways to develop it? If not, why not? Have you identified any barriers to your faith that Keller did not mention?

I like how Keller points out “A faith without some doubts is like a human body without any antibodies in it.” I also like how Keller sees that all doubts emerge from a starting point of alternate belief, and that he encourages skeptics to “doubt their doubts” with as much force as they require justification for Christian belief. I like his goal that “Believers and nonbelievers will rise to the level of disagreement rather than simply denouncing the other. This happens when each side has learned to represent the other’s argument in its strongest and most positive form. … I’ve tried to respectfully help skeptics look at their own faith-foundations while at the same time laying bare my own to their strongest criticisms,” (xxviii, xix). Keller is not afraid of this ‘laying bare’. He concludes the introduction pointing out how, though Thomas doubted, Jesus gave him the evidence he sought; even though the man in Mark 9:24 had doubts, Jesus “blesses him and heals his son.” “I invite you to seek the same kind of honesty and to grow in an understanding of the nature of your own doubts. The result will exceed anything you can imagine,” (xxiii). His reference to ‘honesty’ reminds me of my fellowship’s emphasis on ‘authenticity’. I have found all of this to be true in my own spiritual journey with Christ, and it is ultimately what I pray for this group as we work through Keller’s “The Reason for God.” Do you fear doubt, questioning, and ‘laying bare’ your beliefs to criticism? Why do you agree or disagree with footnote 9 (page 244)? Do you doubt the result that Keller promises? What are your personal goals for this book discussion?

Is there anything in the introduction you would like to discuss that I did not refer to?


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Notes of sermon at Redeemer on the intro.

Download sermon and study guide: http://sermons.redeemer.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=29

Doubt

Case study: John 20:1-18

Unmask Doubt, Examine Faith, Fuel Hope

1. Unmask Doubt

Evidence: empty tomb.
Mary’s conclusion: grave robbing.
–doubt of resurrection is belief/faith in resurrection’s impossibility
John’s conclusion: Jesus rose from the dead.
–unreasonable? Impossible? a belief

Every doubt is based on an alternative belief, a faith assumption.
It’s faith vs. faith, not reason vs. faith (false dichotomy).

2. Examine Faith

Doubt your doubts (faith assumptions).
Everyone makes their choices based on these assumptions-compass of soul. It matters.
Faith is trust, so it doesn’t matter how strong/weak it is-but what you put faith “in”.
v13 Mary trusted Jesus as Lord, now what she trusts in is gone
What do you put your faith in? Easy come, easy go. We’ve all done it.
The weakest faith in Jesus is far more liberating than the strongest faith in anything else.

3. Fuel Hope

Hebrews 11:1 – hope is that which fuels our faith
Mary’s crying, everyone is hiding in the upper room, ’cause their hope is gone
Doubt our doubts, gaze at the tomb.
Matthew 14-“why did you doubt?”
faith in reality of storm greater than faith in Jesus, for Peter
faith in our doubts greater than faith in Jesus
is relationship w/ Jesus more intellectual than it is personal?
do you believe in the cross, but it isn’t “real” to you?
If you trust Him to die for you-trust Him with every part of your life.
Spend time developing your relationship with Him…reading what He says, praying, hanging out with His people, listening to their encouragement, etcetera.
Then the doubts won’t sink you.
Gaze at the tomb. V16 It all seems too good to be true, in this broken world-a fairy tale. But it is true “Mary”. Live it. Walk out on that water. Tell everybody.

Posted in Apologetics, Keller's Reason for God, Reviews and Interviews | Leave a comment

Leftover Legalism vs. Love

Posted on October 18, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

“What if… just what if people in the world can be brilliant and talented and moral and kind because people honestly have the capacity to be brilliant and talented and moral and kind? What if, whether god(s) made us or not, we’ve advanced enough that even though we have the ability to do horrible things we’ve also managed to create FOR OURSELVES a need and expectation to be good and kind to one another, and to express ourselves in beautiful ways.

“What if we, as a species, honestly have the capacity to find goodness for ourselves? What if we’re growing up?” – Dave Haaz-Baroque

The word religion can trigger resentment because often there is lingering guilt left over even after someone leaves a legalistic system which mangles our understanding of why ‘good’ even matters. The guilt can drive people to be defensive to the attack that “Your atheism means you have no morality… means you are amoral, immoral… for shame!” Such an attack reflects ignorance about ourselves and about God’s love. We all behave amorally/immorally, regardless our relationship with God (or lack thereof). The point is not to be a “moral” person (legalism). The point is love.

I wasn’t particularly motivated to be good after I lost faith (I have since been brought back to faith), but I did and do notice others who have lost faith, or never had faith, saying essentially “We can be good without God.” What exactly does it mean to be “good”? If we create the meaning of “good,” why do we feel obligated to do so if there is no God to judge us? If we grow into it, is it a part of reality that we don’t create? Let’s say that to be good is to love without prerequisite or discrimination. How many people do you know who love like that? If that definition is a creation, what motivates me to follow it, if the poor opinion of others does not motivate me? If that definition is a part of reality we don’t create—then isn’t that part of reality capable of love? Isn’t it God? Can’t His unearnable love motivate mine?

Being neither self-sufficient, nor eternal, we can’t be our own self-sufficient source of eternal moral truth. On our own, apart from God, we adapt love into what it is not (still perhaps calling it love, though it isn’t, or feigning to abandon it altogether, though we cannot… not without that part of ourselves dying). Often, we love from a lack because we are lonely and feel empty, but He loves and helps us to love from abundance because He is completely fulfilled and it is in His nature to pour out unmerited love.

If we think doing good makes us a good, worthy person, we are enslaved and do not understand God’s unmerited love. We cannot buy His love with good works, and works cannot really even be considered ‘good’ if not motivated by unmerited love (of which God is the source).

One criticism of Christianity in general is that there are so many hypocrites who don’t conduct or model their lives according to Christ’s example, either through resembling the world or resembling the legalistic Pharisees. The argument is that Christianity doesn’t work. If it did, every last Christian would be the spitting image of Christ. But only God is ever going to be perfectly good. Christianity is not about being morally superior—it is about an intimate, authentic relationship with our Creator. That we do not become perfect the instant we become a Christian, perfect in the sense of being self-able to overcome every single temptation in a single bound, points to the fact that we are not and never will be self-sufficient and that the point is God’s unmerited love, holding fast to an intimate loving relationship with God from which nothing can separate us – it is He who cleans the slate and is the author and perfector of our faith. C.S. Lewis writes, “If what you want is an argument against Christianity … you can easily find some stupid and unsatisfactory Christian and say … ‘So there’s your boasted new man! Give me the old kind.’ But if once you have begun to see that Christianity is on other grounds probable, you will know in your heart that this is only evading the issue. What can you ever really know of other people’s souls—of their temptations, their opportunities, their struggles? One soul in the whole creation you do know: and it is the only one whose fate is placed in your hands. If there is a God, you are, in a sense, alone with Him,” (18; 168).

We are alone with a God who loves us despite what we do, and will motivate us to love others likewise. The reason I was motivated to write this is because I have heard so many non-Christians say, “I can be good without God.” They are still enslaved to the sort of thinking left over from Pharisaical legalism. The goal, the meaning of life, is not to be a good, worthy person—it is to know love. God’s love is not earned—it is free. A Christian seeks to answer, “Which theory best explains the mark God has already forgiven us for missing?” And we won’t be able to keep that love to ourselves. That is the ‘why’ behind this paper: http://theswordandthesacrificephilosophy.blogspot.com/

Posted in The Gospel | Leave a comment

God’s Essential Nature

Posted on October 8, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

I was asked by Peter Harrison on Richard Dawkins’ forum to explain what God is, exactly. He took issue with the fact that God is the same as His attributes. Read on…

Peter: “What” is the same as “attributes”? Watch this for a short introduction to why what you say is nonsense: http://www.richarddawkins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57739&st=0&sk=t&sd=a” — That thread contains a link to this YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IyJp5dak9M by eightfootmanchild

I posted this in that thread yesterday after lunch and am awaiting response: Put anything else in existence in the position of ‘x’ in “What is ‘x’?” How do we describe x? Isn’t it by defining its attributes? If you rule out such description and insist that x must not exist if all one can provide is a list of attributes–then… nothing exists. Is there not an already-established title for this fallacy? … “Perhaps it would help others understand what exactly you mean by “primary characteristics” if you provided ONLY the primary characteristics of yourself (eight foot manchild), or of “the human” in general.

Before I answer “What is God?” — a warm-up:

“The Platonic idea of a univocal concept whose Form remains constant does not fit our experience with language. Further, whatever form our finite expressions may have, it does seem to be a gross form of verbal idolatry to suppose that such forms can convey to us the very essence of an infinite and transcendent God. … And this essence no finite mind, ideas, or words can capture,” (310-312, Geisler and Feinberg, “Intro. to Philo. / A Christian Perspective”). With all that in mind, I will do my best to explain this.

What is God? What is the essence of God?

God (eternal; “I AM that I AM”) transcends beyond, and is imminent within, the temporal – and though the two are distinct types of being (eternal and temporal), they are not divorced from each other. The eternal can affect the temporal, but the temporal never affects the eternal unless the eternal allows it (for example, all prayer requests are granted both within the temporal, and beyond the beginning of time). Eternal God is unchanging: (Ps. 102:25-27; 1 Samuel 15:29; Mal. 3:6; Hebrews 1:10-12; Heb. 6:18; Titus 1:2; James 1:17). He intimately, lovingly interacts from within and beyond the temporal. This is what enabled Him to communicate with us on our level through the Son’s incarnation without breaking unity between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and is what enables our sovereign God to allow our free will (without which love is impossible), answer our prayers, and react appropriately to every temporal situation within His eternal happiness. “…God is an eternal and entirely independent Being. He is not dependent on anything in the created universe for what He ‘is.’ And being a simple (indivisible) Being, whatever He ‘has’ He is. That is, His attributes are identical to His essence or nature. So if God has knowledge, then he is knowledge. This means that while the objects of His knowledge are distinct from His nature, God’s knowledge of them is identical to His eternal and independent nature. Thus, God’s knowledge is independent of anything outside Himself,” (52, Geisler, “Chosen But Free”). Same deal with love (and His other positive attributes) as with knowledge–all primary, because He is simple and unchanging. “God’s attention does not pass from thought to thought, for His knowledge embraces everything in a single spiritual co-intuition. For if God is simple, then His thoughts are not sequential but simultaneous. He does not know things inferentially but intuitively,” (ibid). “In brief, God can know the potential as well as the actual. And the future is potential. The future preexists in Him as its primary cause [“In him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28)]. So God knows the future in advance by knowing Himself,” (111, ibid). [The future is only ‘potential’ in the sense that it ‘preexists’ rather than ‘exists right now’. The ‘present moment’ is only ‘actual’ in the sense that it ‘exists right now’. I say that because in other contexts (especially when discussing the view of Neotheists), ‘potential’ and ‘actual’ carry different meanings.] Being simple and eternal, God’s essence, or virtue, is His existence (He is pure actuality, did not have to ‘develop’ virtue, and exists eternally), whereas our essence, or virtue, precedes our existence (we have potential, develop virtue, and exist temporally). “That is, nothing is accidental to the being (existence) of a necessary Being. Whatever God ‘has,’ that He is—essentially,” (111, ibid). That is why God ‘is’ love, and to be made in His image is to be made with the potential to love [“he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,” (2 Peter 1:4)]. All of our other abilities that make us unique as humans, such as creativity, contemplation, and so on, are (or should be) in service to the main ability to love. Because He is eternal love, and because love is impossible outside relationship, He is eternal relationship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God wills in accordance with His essential, good nature, and it is this love-nature that spoke the universe, from beginning to end, into existence, knowing His love is made evident to the world through the promised sacrifice of the Son. If we break unity with Him, the ground of being, it limits our entire essence (our understanding of and ability to fully love), but it does not destroy it—we still exist apart from Him and love the way the world loves, but we are incomplete and cannot enjoy the fullness of His love apart from Him.

Love defined:
http://bible.crosswalk.com/Concordances/TorreysTopicalTextbook/ttt.cgi?number=T349
http://www.godandscience.org/love/biblicallove.html

Posted in Divine Essentialism, Richard Dawkins | Leave a comment

My Testimony

Posted on August 31, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

I can really relate to Jonah’s prayer when he says, “For You had cast me into the deep… But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.” It is my testimony in a nutshell.

I grew up in church. I was a preacher’s kid. I prayed to receive Christ when I was four. I never moved beyond the Sunday school understanding of avoiding the punishment of hell and being rewarded with heaven. I never had a real understanding of grace, of God’s love being free and deep and impossible to earn or lose. My relationship with Jesus was shallow and restricted to the times He was discussed among other believers. However, when I got married and moved away from home and we bought a computer, I started out using it to witness in chat rooms and message boards, even met a few times with one of the people to whom I was witnessing, but in the process I discovered there are a lot of doubts about Christianity, and I added those doubts to my own. I remember the night when the scales tipped and my doubts outweighed my faith – I had a nightmare that I was in the passenger seat of a car speeding through a hilly stretch of road and I could not make the driver slow down. I woke up terrified as the car launched off a cliff into the blackness of night. I was a lost, prodigal sheep for around five years. Even though I considered myself an atheist, I do not say I lost my salvation (I prayed to receive Christ at four), because God’s unmerited love never changes. I just didn’t have a very real understanding of what it means to need saving and be saved until God brought me back. The way my brother says it is that my walking away from God was “just a chapter in the story” of my life as a Christian. I emotionally abandoned my family, paying as little attention to them as I could get away with, and invested all my spare time into philosophy message boards. I did a lot of selfish things I rationalized to be okay at the time as long as no one knew, but now I look back on those things with regret, because they caused a lot of pain, left a lot of scars – nothing that is genuinely good needs to be hidden. Really, I knew that, but I was ignoring what I knew, and God gave me over to that sort of delusional thinking.

By the time He brought me back to Himself, I no longer thought about God because I didn’t think there was a God to think about, and was pretty apathetic about life. I was teaching my kids that believing in God was like believing in the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy, and butting heads over it with my believing husband. He had been saved when he was deployed to Panama six years earlier. There was the nagging question of why something exists instead of nothing, but it bothered me because I couldn’t answer it, not because I thought there was an answer. When I got tired of lying to my husband and stopped doing things that I had to hide, hoping my marriage would get better, I became a zombie, merely existing, and would’ve gone on that way into old age if God had not intervened. I wished I could believe like my husband believed, but I couldn’t. But God didn’t leave me there.

On September 22nd, 2005, God broke through to me. I am leaving out a lot of details, but He influenced me to tell my husband everything I had ever done, which felt like throwing my whole marriage and our being parents together up in the air and trusting God to catch it and help it all land safely on the ground. Although my husband was not walking with Christ by that point, he still believed in God and it turns out that he had broke down and prayed two days before that I would find God and that our lives would get straightened out. He already knew that I wasn’t completely present in our marriage, and when I told him the truth, he wanted to leave, but God put it on his heart to stay. Besides telling my husband the truth that day, God helped me quit smoking and other addictions. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses—things got much worse before they got better, but God was on my side and carried me through the storm of insanity. I refer to it sometimes as the fiery whirlwind. It was how God broke me, sifted me and refined me. It reminds me of a line in a song: “Father, I’m stronger than when I first believed.” By offering me His hand and giving me the choice to be saved out of the mud when I was still in it, is how He made His saving love real to me. And observing the transformation God brought about in my life, confirmed for my husband what he had learned in Panama six years before: that God is real and cares about our needs and hears and answers our prayers. So we went from being on the nightmarish brink of divorce, to being best friends in love all over again and united in Christ. “For You had cast me into the deep… But You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.”

Posted in Apologetics | 5 Comments

Temptation

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

Please note I wrote this shortly after being brought back to God. There is undoubtedly room for improvement. Feedback is appreciated.

Temptation

I grew up as a Christian, in a Christian home. When I went out on my own, I lost faith, and began reevaluating all of my values. A year ago, God woke me up from my apathetic stupor and showed Himself to me – brought me back. Since then, I am re-reevaluating all the old questions – now more curious than the first time around about what the Bible has to say about all of it.

This study sought and found answers to (or despite) these questions:

Does being able to recognize a temptation point to a lack of virtue? In other words: is susceptibility to temptation a sign that a person is lacking in virtue? Can temptation never enter the head of the truly virtuous person, because they wouldn’t even recognize it (see “another personal note” before Matthew 4:1)? Or does virtue and moral strength of character show itself precisely in the face of temptation – because then you can make a conscious choice against adversity (see NASB footnote after Matthew 4:1)? Or is a person who enjoys and is inclined to doing good more virtuous than a person who has to struggle against inclination to give in to temptation? How do you know if you are being tempted or if you are being tested (discernment comes from reading the Word and doing it – read on… then do it… that’s what I’m doin’, anyway…)?

Note that ‘temptation’ is meant, rather than “evil surmising”. According to Brian Brodersen in “Spiritual Warfare” (2004) “Evil surmising originates from within. As Jesus said, ‘Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts…’ (Matthew 15:19). Evil surmising is within your power to control and has an element of delight in it. The flaming arrows of the wicked one, on the other hand, come from outside of you and are, to a certain degree,
beyond your power to control. They are also offensive to you. You not only do not want to think these thoughts, you consciously reject them,” (p. 39).

Some of what Zondervan’s NASB Study Bible has to say about temptation and testing:

Matthew 4:1-11 The Temptation of Jesus

Personal note: Jesus never sinned, and never, therefore, felt guilt. Never once had a guilty conscience. This despite being raised in an environment surrounded by sinners – because God the Father brought Him into maturity. When I was an atheist, I wrote, “If you are doing what comes naturally, you are not making a decision — morality is not a factor.” However, I was wrong, in that Jesus made moral decisions during His being tempted, based on what comes (super-) naturally to Him. A slip away from the Truth would be to say that His actions transcended morality, like some sort of Nietzsche’s Overman. Rather, Jesus exemplified a moral person. Also, what I wrote as an atheist neglects to note how guilt (always having to do with morality) is often, as a response, almost second-nature (without intention). Being converted makes life more interesting for a thinker, because you can win arguments against your old self, and not worry about hurting anybody’s feelings. :-)

NASB footnote excerpt: Jesus had no inward desire or inclination to sin, for these in themselves are sin (Matthew 5:22, 28). Because He was God, He did not sin in any way, whether by actions or word or inner desire (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 John 3:5). Yet Jesus’ temptation was real, not merely symbolic. He was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). He was confronted by the tempter with a real opportunity to sin. Although Jesus was the Son of God, He defeated Satan by using a weapon that everyone has at his or her disposal: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). He met all three temptations with Scriptural truth (vv. 4, 7, 10) from Deuteronomy. … He became the model for all believers when they are tempted.

Another personal note: before I was converted, and a little bit after, I used to think of Jesus as naive. I thought that since He is perfect, without sin, He is totally uninitiated to reality, like some kind of little innocent child. After I was converted, He taught me the reality – He knows every last detail about life in this universe (including the aspect residing in you) – the beautiful and the ugly. A lack of ignorance (an ability to recognize a temptation) does not equate to a lack of moral innocence, otherwise “all knowing” would equate to “completely evil”. Temptation, spiritual warfare, comes from without.

Matthew 4:1 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”

NASB footnote excerpt: This testing of Jesus (the Greek verb translated “tempted” can also be rendered “tested”), which was divinely intended, has at its primary background Deut. 8:1-5 (Ichthus: see also verse 16, and the whole chapter) … There Moses recalls how the Lord led the Israelites through the wilderness 40 years “that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.” (Ichthus: see also Heb. 2:17-18; Heb. 4:15-16). … God surely tests His people, but it is the devil who tempts to evil (see note on Gen. 22:1; see also 1 John 3:8; Rev. 2:9-10 and notes; Rev. 12:9-10). Like the Hebrew for “Satan,” the Greek for “devil” means “accuser” or “slanderer.” The devil is a personal being, not a mere force or influence. He is the great archenemy of God and the leader of the hosts of darkness.

Matthew 6:13 “And do not lead us into temptation” can also be translated “and do not put us to the test, but deliver us from evil.” I point that out because maybe there are others like myself who read that verse and at first think it implies God leads us into temptation (why else would we ask Him not to?) whereas other verses say God does not lead us into temptation. The temptation (by Satan) of Jesus was a divinely intended test — He was lead into it by the Spirit (Matt 4:1-11). It was Satan who afflicted Job, but God who allowed it, to prove Job’s faith was genuine and not all calamity is God’s judgment. [Rather than judgment, Job’s suffering was a trial that served to prove wrong the great adversary of God and man (and all his advocates)–those in relationship with God do not seek Him to avoid suffering or obstacles (including not knowing the divine purpose of the obstacle) or because it pays.] Neither tests resulted in sin, and both show how Satan is under God’s control. God does not tempt to sin, God does not want us to sin (James 1:13; 1 Cor 7:5). Does that mean that where there is sin, God’s sovereignty has stopped (another thought that entered my head)? No. Our freedom to reject love and responsibility to choose love is a built-in part of this grand creation over which God is sovereign. That we choose to reject love, that we choose to sin in His creation, does not equate to His endorsing what we chose — but it does equate to His endorsing choice. Without the possibility of rejecting God’s love (at the root of all sin), there is no possibility to choose it. Love must be chosen — it cannot be forced upon us. So Matthew 6:13 is acknowledging God as sovereign. Jesus just as well could have said, “Let us not wander off and get lost in sin, but lead us with the rest of the fold, away from the wolves who won’t come near your rod and staff without consequence.” Of course, Jesus said it much more concisely.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

NASB footnote: tempted in all things as we are. The author stresses the parallel between Christ’s temptations and ours. He did not have each temptation we have but experienced every kind of temptation a person can have. yet without sin. The way in which Christ’s temptations were completely different from ours was in the results-His temptations never led to sin.

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

NASB footnote: Because Christ our high priest has experienced human temptation, He stands ready to give immediate and sympathetic help when we are tempted.

STOP! The doubt has entered my head: “Was God not sympathetic before Jesus? Was He not ready to help before Jesus? How is Jesus necessary?” But God’s counter-thought tells me: “I will keep talking to you.” He will keep teaching us about who He is to us, and who we are to Him. Jesus is the living Word of God, and His coming was foretold in the Old Testament, so that we would recognize Him. The grand narrative is still unfolding.

Genesis 22:1-18 The Offering of Isaac

Genesis 22:1 “Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.'”

NASB footnote excerpt: tested. Not “tempted,” for God does not tempt (James 1:13). Satan tempts us (see 1 Cor. 7:5) in order to make us fall; God tests us in order to confirm our faith (Ex. 20:20) or prove our commitment (Deut. 8:2).

James 1:13-15 “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.”

NASB footnote excerpt: tempted. In vv. 13-14 the verb refers to temptations that test one’s moral strength to resist sin. God cannot be tempted. Because God in His very nature is holy, there is nothing in Him for sin to appeal to. … The three stages (Ichthus: in verse 15)-desire, sin, death-are seen in the temptations of Eve (Ichthus: Gen. 2:16-3:24, emph. on Gen 3:6) and David (2 Sam. 11:2-12:25).

Exodus 20:20 “Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.’”

NASB footnote excerpt: Do not think that God’s display of His majesty is intended simply to fill you with abject fear. He has come to enter into covenant with you as your heavenly King. … fear of Him. See note on Gen. 20:11: A conventional phrase equivalent to “true religion.” “Fear” in this phrase has the sense of reverential trust in God that includes commitment to His revealed will (word).

Matthew 5:28 “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Mark 14:38 “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” NASB note: Here the temptation is to be unfaithful in the face of threatening circumstances confronting them. When that part of man that is spirit is under God’s control, it strives against human weakness.

That study answered most my questions – but a few other verses not directly related to temptation help answer the rest – first – no one is perfect but God (Romans 3:23) – and second, He loves us despite that fact (Romans 5:8). The virtue questions are just a guilt trip in disguise.

“A guilty conscience that precedes sincere repentance is the conviction of the Holy Spirit. A guilty conscience following sincere repentance is condemnation that is not coming from God.” — Beth Moore

Here’s biblical backing for the Beth Moore quote: 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Godly sorrow versus worldly sorrow); Luke 7:40-43 (the one whom He forgives more, loves more); 1 John 3:19-20 (for the over-sensitive conscience).

1 Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

Always look for the way of escape — recognize it as provided by God. There is no greater feeling of victory than to overcome temptation by the power of God.

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good,” Romans 12:21.

Another thread relevant to this is found here:
http://jesuschristsonofgodsavior.blogspot.com/2008/02/self-and-refusing-thoughts.html

Hold every thought captive, rather than being held captive by your thoughts.

Posted in Problem of Evil & Hell | Leave a comment

Against Pragmatism

Posted on June 24, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

Pragmatism is a philosophy which makes “practical results” or utility the criterion for both what is true and what is good (according to James, truth is a species of good*). It will be shown that this philosophy is inadequate.

A few words before beginning: If everything in the physical universe is the paint (including ourselves, conscious paint) and God is the painter — science can only study the paint — it cannot tell you why God made it, or what picture He is painting with it. Religion without God can only guess at why, and philosophy can only analyze the guesses. If you want to find the ultimate Purpose, find God, or be receptive to being found. A good book to read is “The Reason for God, Belief in an Age of Skepticism” by Timothy Keller – in it you will not find any variation of James’s argument “It is useful to believe God exists, therefore the belief that God exists is justifiably true,” (in my own words).

What Is True, according to pragmatism…

Pragmatism is: “A label for a doctrine about meaning first made a philosophical term in 1878 by C.S. Peirce. ‘Consider what effects, which might conceivably have practical bearings, we conceive the object of our conception to have. Then our conception of these effects is the whole of our conception of the object.’ The term was soon borrowed by William James, F.C.S. Schiller, and John Dewey, who all in their different ways made pragmatism a theory of truth. Thus in his Pragmatism James said, ‘Ideas become true just so far as they help us to get into satisfactory relations with other parts of our experience.’ Peirce reacted by coining the substitute ‘pragmaticism’, a word too ugly to be purloined. Russell assailed the pragmatist notion of truth as obscurantist. See also instrumentalism,” (284, “A Dictionary of Philosophy,” Antony Flew). Instrumentalism is: “1. A theory of the nature of thought, logic, and acquisition of knowledge, advanced by Dewey, developing the pragmatism of William James. Ideas, concepts and judgments are instruments functioning in experienced situations and determining future consequences. Propositions are to be regarded as means in the process of enquiry; as such, they cannot be true or false but are characterizable only as effective or ineffective. Judgments may have truth-values relative to whether or not their assertion is warranted. Ideas and practice work together as instruments: ideas relate experiences, making prediction possible, and are in turn tested by experience,” (175, ibid).

***

Excerpts on pragmatism from “Introduction to Philosophy, A Christian Perspective” by Geisler and Feinberg:

“Pragmatism. The philosophy which makes practical consequences the criterion for truth,” (433, ibid).

In chapter 4, “The Tools of Philosophy,” in the section titled “The Scientific Method,” it reads, “In his famous essay, ‘The Fixation of Belief,’ Charles Saunders Peirce (1839-1914) examines four basic methods of ‘fixing belief,’ or determining truth, which have been utilized by man through history. He calls these: the method of tenacity; the method of authority; the metaphysical or a priori method; and the scientific or pragmatic method. It is Peirce’s view that only the last method is satisfactory, for the other three always break down in practice,” (62-63, ibid). The rest of the section is also interesting.

***

In chapter 7, “How Can We Know?” there are presented five “logics or criteria for validating beliefs. They are: faith or authoritarianism, subjectivism, rationalism, empiricism, and pragmatism” (103-4, ibid). The chapter shows how each method is suited to justifying a certain type of belief – pragmatism suited to justifying practical knowledge, “social and individual conduct where moral norms do not apply,” (118, ibid). The entire section on pragmatism is included here:

“Pragmatism

“Pragmatism has been advanced as a method for determining genuine from mere verbal disputes, as a theory of meaning, and as a theory of truth. Here, it is our desire to examine it as a possible source and means of justification for our belief about the world.

“Exposition of the Method of Pragmatism

“At the heart of pragmatism is a radical reinterpretation of the nature of knowledge. Traditionally, knowledge has been defined in static, eternal, and ‘spectator’ terms. Knowledge is, in fact, quite different, according to the pragmatist. It is dynamic. It grows out of the interaction of an organism (in this case, man) with his environment. Because the pragmatist views human beings as constantly interacting with and adapting to their environment, he considers all knowledge to be practical. (This practical approach has led many to call pragmatism anti-intellectual.)

“For the pragmatist the proper epistemological method is to be found in the natural sciences. Man applies the scientific method (see chap. 4) to acquire knowledge. (It will be remembered that for the rationalist the proper epistemological method consisted in the adoption of a mathematical model.) The pragmatist considers hypotheses or systems of ideas as instruments to help man adjust to his environment. Man’s reason is put to its highest and proper use in solving the problems of human existence. Reason seeks to solve these problems by trial and error.

“Since our environment is constantly changing, there are no final solutions to any problems man faces. As a matter of fact, man’s ability to deal with is environment is in constant flux, so the task is ongoing. Thus, those ideas, beliefs or hypotheses that work, that have utility, or are successful are considered to be true. Those which fail may be discarded and considered false.

“Two of the most prominent proponents of pragmatism were William James (1842-1910) and John Dewey (1859-1952), both American philosophers.

“Evaluation of the Method of Pragmatism

“Pragmatism is a practical, in-use account of the origin and justification of our beliefs. It makes no attempt to abstract knowledge from its context. Moreover, like empiricism, it accepts probability as an adequate requirement for knowledge. Furthermore, it does not cut off epistemology from experience. It allows man to seek justification for his beliefs in his experience.

“Nevertheless, there are some serious shortcomings of pragmatism. First, pragmatism entails the giving up of objective grounds for testing beliefs. Everything is viewed as in constant flux, and as a means rather than an ultimate end. The result is the most radical kind of subjectivism and relativism.

“Second, pragmatism has too restrictive a view of the nature of knowledge. To the pragmatist, only practical knowledge is considered true knowledge. This means that much of what has traditionally been considered part of epistemology must be rejected or ruled out. Pragmatism recognizes only the methodology of the natural sciences as valid. One may question absolutizing the scientific method even for the natural sciences, and there is even more reason to question extending the method to all areas of human knowledge and inquiry.

“Finally, while it is not our primary objective to deal with questions of truth in this chapter, we must note that pragmatism advances a theory of truth that many philosophers consider false. Pragmatism claims that truth is defined as what is useful, what works, or what has good practical results. But it is possible to show that certain statements we know to be false on independent grounds are ‘true’ on pragmatic grounds. For instance, suppose a patient fears he has cancer. He visits a doctor, who runs tests. Sure enough, cancer is present. However, knowing the mental state of the patient, the doctor tells him that there must be surgery but that there is no cancer. The patient comes through the operation with flying colors. The lie has clearly ‘worked.’ Therefore, on pragmatic grounds the lie must be true.

“It has also been argued that if ‘true’ and ‘useful’ are synonymous, then after one says, ‘X is useful,’ it should make sense to say, ‘X is true.’ But obviously that does not make sense; the terms are not synonymous.

“The reason that such a definition of truth has any plausibility at all is because the phrase ‘it works,’ ‘it is useful,’ and ‘it has good practical results’ are ambiguous. As has been shown, some falsehood can bring peace of mind, but is this really a good practical result? Not all are agreed that it is. Some would argue that it is better to face up to reality rather than attempt to avoid or escape it,” (115-117, ibid).

***

In chapter 16, “What is Truth?” there are presented “four major theories of truth: the coherence theory, the pragmatic theory, the performative theory, and the correspondence theory” (235, ibid). The chapter shows how the first three theories are inadequate, that the correspondence theory alone is sufficient. The entire section on pragmatism is included here:

“The Pragmatic Theory of Truth

“Pragmatism was a dominant force in American philosophy during the first half of the twentieth century. While there are few philosophers today who call themselves pure pragmatists, the movement has left an indelible mark on American philosophy. We will examine a distinctive theory of truth which grew up with pragmatism. It will be helpful in dealing with this theory of truth if we build our discussion around the three central figures in pragmatism—Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914), William James (1842-1910), and John Dewey (1859-1952).

“Charles Sanders Peirce

“Peirce’s view of truth. Peirce (pronounced Purse) sought to relate truth to observable practices; his understanding of truth was in contradistinction to that of Descartes. Descartes thought that a proposition was true if we had a clear and distinct idea of it. Peirce reacted to this subjectivism, and rejected Descartes’s view. He felt that a proposition could seem to be clear and distinct without really being clear. Peirce’s theory of meaning, sometimes called the pragmatic maxim, bases the meaning of a proposition on the bearing it has on the conduct of our lives.

“Peirce called his approach pragmaticism, and argued for a public understanding of truth. Truth could not be conceived apart from its practical relationship to doubts and beliefs within the framework of human inquiry. Metaphysical visions of truth such as those set forth by Spinoza and Leibniz were, for Peirce, in violation of Ockham’s Razor (p. 183). Men and women search for belief; the search for truth is, in practice, the search for belief. Truth is the consequence of the experimental method, and will ultimately be agreed upon by the scientific community.

“Evaluation of Peirce. We shall say more about the identification of truth with practice in our discussion of William James. Suffice it to say here that a number of key notions in Peirce’s view of truth lack practical consequences; thus they too would presumably fall when examined under the principle of Ockham’s Razor. What is the experimental or practical difference between Descartes’s ‘absolute fixity of truth’ and Peirce’s ‘opinion which is fated to be ultimately agreed to’?

“These, however, are minor objections when viewed in light of the criticisms to be made of pragmatism’s central thesis that truth is related to practical consequences.

“William James

“Both William James and John Dewey sought to apply the pragmatic notion of meaning to truth. There was, however, a decided difference in the application and results achieved by each man, and in James’s hand Peirce’s method undergoes crucial transformation.

“James’s view of truth. When Peirce talked about practice bearing on truth, he was talking about the results of the scientist or the experimenter. He claimed that only this sort of experience is important for our understanding of truth. Furthermore, said Peirce, experience is very general in nature, not particular. Given the scientific flavor and the public nature of his views, Peirce was interested in experience stated according to general rules or regularities for a group of observers.

“Both of these views of Peirce were modified by James. First, James was interested in the particular and the concrete, as opposed to the general and abstract. Second, James’s understanding of what constituted experience was quite different from Peirce’s. Rather than the results of the scientist, James was concerned with the effects of a belief in the private and personal life of the individual.

James defined the role of thinking in light of these concerns. The function of thought is not to imagine reality, but to produce ideas that will satisfy an individual’s needs and desires. Thought functions primarily as a problem-solver. In the area of science, truth is determined by verification, for such ideas are necessary to predict and to cope with experience. Thus, scientific truth meets the criterion of practical interest.

“However, James said that scientific truth gives us no criteria for metaphysical and theological beliefs. Since meaning and truth are related to consequences, James argued that an individual could regard metaphysical and religious beliefs as true if they provided him with what James called ‘vital benefits.’ Vital benefits are consequences that help an organism survive in its environment. Thus, according to pragmatic principle, if belief in God ‘works’ satisfactorily for us, then we will be justified in believing it, and it will be true. James’s famous statement is that what is true is ‘the expedient in the way of our thinking,’ just as right is ‘the expedient in the way of our behaving.’ In other words, truth is determined by consequences.

“Objections to James’s view of truth. Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) and Arthur O. Lovejoy (1873-1962) were two of the most severe critics of James’s pragmatic theory of truth. First, both Russell and Lovejoy argued that the notion that something is true if it ‘works,’ which is central to James’s view of truth, is ambiguous. Lovejoy pointed out that a belief may ‘work’ in two very different ways. We may say it works if predictions we make on its basis are in fact fulfilled. On the other hand, we may say that a belief works if it contributes to our motivation and effort.

“But a belief may work in one of these ways and not in the other. Let us consider a particular belief, that an extremely rich uncle loves us. On the basis of this belief we predict that we will receive great wealth upon his death. This belief may motivate us to do things for this uncle that we would not do otherwise, such as mowing his lawn. Likewise, it may help us in times of great poverty to endure the lack of earthly goods. Btu when this uncle dies, he may leave us out of his will, and we may not receive a penny. Thus our belief ‘worked’ to motivate and encourage us, but it did not ‘work’ to benefit us financially. Russell makes a similar point. When a scientist claims that a hypothesis works, he means that he can deduce a number of predictions that are confirmed in experience. However, these predictions or their results may not necessarily be good, and so many not ‘work’ to benefit mankind.

“Second, Russell claimed that James’s view of truth ignores the way we usually understand truth. Consider the following two sentences: ‘It is true that it is sunny out’; and ‘It is useful to believe that it is sunny out.’ If James is correct, then these two sentences are identical in meaning. When we believe one, we believe the other. There should be no transition in our mind from one to the other—but there obviously is. Therefore, the two sentences cannot be identical in meaning.

“Moreover, on pragmatic grounds we will be bound to declare certain sentences true that we know on independent grounds to be false. Consider the case of a patient who comes to a doctor. The patient suspects cancer and is emotionally unstable because of this fear. The doctor examines the patient and finds overwhelming evidence that there is cancer. However, because the doctor feels that the patient either will refuse the needed surgery or will not do well in surgery, he tells the fearful patient that nothing serious is wrong. Reassured by the words of the doctor, the patient goes through the surgery and recovers. Telling the patient that nothing serious was wrong ‘worked.’ But was it true? On pragmatic grounds we must say yes, but on independent grounds we know that it is not true.

“Third, Russell argued that James’s notion of truth was, in practice, useless. To say that belief is true in light of the consequences, is to say that the results of holding it are better than the results of rejecting it. But how can we be sure of the results of holding any belief? We may underestimate or overestimate their effect.

“John Dewey

“Dewey developed a theory of truth which was in keeping with his pragmatic method, and may be identified with the phrase, ‘warranted assertibility.’

“Dewey’s view of truth. Dewey began by pointing out that it is easy to subscribe to the belief that truth is a correspondence between an idea or statement and a fact. However, this can also be understood outside the context of inquiry, reflective thinking, and problem solving. What does ‘correspondence’ mean in practice? What is the relationship between ideas and facts in practice, that is, in the context of investigation?

“According to Dewey, an investigation is always instigated by an initial state of doubt. The doubt is real, not theoretical. One is uncertain about the surroundings. It is impossible to understand the use of ideas and facts unless we first understand the purpose in undertaking the inquiry, that is, to answer doubt and uncertainty.

“Serious inquiry begins with the formulating of one’s doubt into a problem. Within this context an idea is a possible solution to the problem. An idea is more than simply that which is directly perceived. It extends beyond what is perceived to what is (as yet) unperceived.

“Facts, said Dewey, are used in inquiry to mark off or set what is secure and unquestioned. Facts guide inferences by prompting new ideas, and new ideas promise new facts, which in turn verify the ideas. Facts are not abstract, and they always occur in the context of inquiry. Thus, the correspondence between ideas and facts comes from their working relationship in the context of inquiry.

“Ideas, then, become true when their ‘draft upon experience’ is verified by the promised facts. According to Dewey, truth is not antecedent to a context of inquiry. Furthermore, truth is a mutable idea. It ‘happens to an idea’ when it is verified, or ‘warranted.’

“Objections to Dewey’s view of truth. There are a number of problems concerning Dewey’s view of truth. First, it is argued that truth is certainly antecedent to its verification. Truth is not something that ‘happens’ to an idea. It is not a time-dependent, acquired property. Suppose, for example, that a crime is committed on Tuesday. On Friday we have enough evidence to place the guilt on Jones. The statement ‘Jones committed a crime’ cannot be true on pragmatic grounds until Friday, but we know good and well that it was true on Tuesday. As a matter of fact, on Dewey’s interpretation we should not be able to convict Jones. ‘Jones committed a crime’ is not true until Friday, and the crime was committed on Tuesday.

“Both Rudolf Carnap and G.E. Moore attacked Dewey’s view of mutable truth. Carnap pointed out that there is a distinction between truth and confirmation. It does make sense to say that a statement is confirmed today, but not that it may be true today and not yesterday or tomorrow. Dewey has merely confused truth with confirmation. To accept his view will ultimately lead to the surrender of the law of non-contradiction.

“G.E. Moore, on the other hand, stated that there is only one way we can make a belief true. We will make the belief, ‘It will rain tomorrow’ true only if tomorrow we have a part in making the rain fall,” (239-244, ibid).

***

What Is Good, according to pragmatism…

In chapter 24, “How Do We Know What Is Right?” in the section “Justifying What Is Meant by Right” subsection “Justification by Results” it reads:

“William James unabashedly suggested that something was right if it ‘worked.’ The good is the expedient, he claimed; acts or intentions are not good as such, but they become good if they bring good results. The rightness or wrongness of actions is judged not by their roots, but by their fruits. To use James’s term, the ‘cash-value’ of the term right is its results. What brings desirable consequences is good and what does not is bad.

“One of the most pointed criticisms of James’s pragmatism was given by Josiah Royce, a colleague at Harvard, who wondered whether James would be satisfied ‘to put a witness on the stand in court and have him swear to tell ‘the expedient, the whole expedient, and nothing but the expedient, so help him future experience.’ ’ Furthermore, one could ask, ‘Results desired by whom?’ For obviously, results desirable to some are undesirable to others. In addition, even desired consequences do not prove something right. Lying, cheating, and even killing sometimes bring desired consequences, but this does not make them right. Finally even when the consequences are clear, one can still ask, ‘Are they good or bad?’ If the question of right or wrong is not answered by results, then results cannot be the sole justification for what is meant by right actions. Bad motives (for example, being generous to be praised by men, not out of concern for the poor) can bring good results, and vice versa,” (373-374, ibid).

***

Note: pragmatism and utilitarianism are not identical to each other, but are similar in their emphasis on ‘results’.

In chapter 23, “What is the Right?” in the section on utilitarianism titled “Right Is the Greatest Good for the Race” it reads “First of all, how does a human being—who can only rarely predict short-run consequences—determine what will result from his actions in the long run? Many evil actions (lying and cheating, for example) seem to ‘work’ for people for long periods of time. Does this make them right? Second, how long is the long run? If it means the remote future or end of the world, then it is too out of reach to be of any help in making decisions today. But if it means the near future, then that would justify obviously evil things which work well for a short time (corrupt governments, cruelty, and deception). Finally, even when the results are obvious, how does one know they are ‘good’ results unless he has some standard of good beyond the results? But if there is a norm for rightness or wrongness beyond the results, then the results as such do not determine rightness,” (357, ibid). However, in the section titled “The Synthesis of the Other Views” it reads “Fourth, there is, however, some truth in relating good to long-range results. If there is an absolutely good God, then surely He is interested in bringing about the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run. However, the results (in the long run) do not determine right; rather, what is right according to God will determine what the results will be. Further, since only an omniscient God can know what will bring the greatest good to the greatest number in the long run, then only God is in a position to determine the right way to bring about these best results,” (360).

In chapter 25, “The Relationship Between Rules and Results” there are compared, and eventually synthesized, two approaches to ethics: the deontological (duty-centered) view, and the teleological (end-centered) view. I recommend purchasing the book and reading the whole chapter (the whole book, actually, not that it is without its problems).

It is admitted that “the duty ethic has been charged with inconsistency, for it too is concerned with the results of actions—immediate results. Indeed, there seems to be no way to separate an action from its immediate results. For instance, the act of killing is inseparable from the result of someone being killed. Likewise, the act of stealing is inseparable from the result that something is stolen. Hence, even deontological ethics is concerned about results of actions—immediate ones,” (392, ibid). However, “No matter who—man or God—determines what rule is right (based on the foreseen results), there must be some concept of what is intrinsically right apart from the results. Otherwise, there would be no way to know whether the results are good or bad. Obtaining desired results is insufficient, for what is desired may in fact be evil. … And even in the case of theistic utilitarianism (where God determines the rules by the results), God, also, must know some intrinsic or ultimate value by which He determines that the results are good rather than bad. This intrinsic value must be inside His own nature rather than outside; otherwise there would be some ultimate beyond God. In brief, even the theistic version of utilitarianism reduces to a deontological duty to be God-like. It is, in the final analysis, a rule-centered duty geared toward emulating the ultimate good (God),” (392-394, ibid).

Recommended reading:

*The chapters on James and Dewey in Bertrand Russell’s “A History of Western Philosophy”.

(I haven’t recommended reading Peirce, James or Dewey, or any others named in this document, because the only one I really read was Peirce, and I fell asleep doing so.)

Based on Russell’s chapter on James, I may one day read James’s “Does Consciousness Exist?” – but, that is off-topic.

Posted in Golden Rule | Leave a comment

Christian Lyrics

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Maryann Spikes

If you want to add any Christian lyrics that resonate, feel free.

Below you will find the lyrics to these Christian songs, complete with links to listen to some of them:

Britt Nicole – You
Nickel Creek – Doubting Thomas
Mercy Me — So Long Self
Rush of Fools – Undo
Mercy Me – Bring the Rain
ZOEgirl – Dead Serious
Disciple — After the World
Toby Mac – Burn for You
Toby Mac – Made to Love
Sanctus Real – Don’t Give Up
Group 1 Crew – Can’t Go On
Casting Crowns – East to West
Downhere – A Better Way
Barlow Girl – I Need You to Love Me
SUPERCHICK — Stand In the Rain
“Only Grace” by Matthew West
“Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns
“The Real Me” by Natalie Grant
“I’m Not Who I Was” by Brandon Heath
“What I Hear” by Jessie Daniels
“Your Love Never Changes” by Paul Wright
Nate Sallie – Lone Ranger
“Be Still” by Storyside:b
“Call On Jesus” by Nicole C. Mullen
“Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns
“Here’s My Life” by Barlow Girl
“You Are Loved” by Rebecca St. James
“In Better Hands” by Natalie Grant
“Brave” by Nichole Nordeman
“Held” by Natalie Grant
Music of My Heart — Nicole C. Mullen
Redeemer by Nicole C. Mullen
Nichole Nordeman “What If”
CASTING CROWNS “Life song”
Steven Curtis Chapman — Miracle of the Moment
Leaving 99 — Audio Adrenaline
Brandon Heath — Don’t Get Comfortable
Britt Nicole – Set the World on Fire
Sara Groves – You Are the Sun
Sara Groves – Loving a Person
Phil Wickham – After Your Heart
Krystal Meyers – The Way to Begin
Ruth – “You Are”
Barlow Girl “Enough”
Barlow Girl — Never Alone
Toby Mac — Diverse City
Joy Williams – Hide
John Waller — Still Calls Me Son
“If This World” by Jaci Velasquez
MercyMe — “God With Us”
Everyday Sunday — Wake Up! Wake Up!
Newsboys — God Is Not a Secret
Toby Mac – Irene
Nichole Nordeman \ Holy
Apologetix — Meshach
Switchfoot “Head Over Heels (In This Life)”
Grey Holiday “Let Go”
Kutless – Strong Tower
Bless the Broken Road – Selah
Who? by Newsboys
Matthew West – You Are Everything
Waverly – Praise and Adore (Some Live Without It)
Casting Crowns — If We Are the Body
Third Day – Mountain of God
Matthew West – History
The Afters – You
Hillsong – Point of Difference
BRIAN LITTRELL — “Over My Head”
“Nothing Left To Lose” Mat Kearney
Newsboys – Take Me To Your Leader Lyrics
Every Season — Nichole Nordeman
THE AFTERS – Never Going Back To OK
RED – Breathe Into Me
Hillsong United – Lead Me to the Cross
Sara Groves – Why It Matters
Ginny Owens “If You Want Me To”
Stellar Kart “Me and Jesus”
D.C. Talk “Say the Words”
Johnny Lang “My Love Remains”
Mark Harris – “Find Your Wings”
“The Only Thing Good in Me” – Michael English
“Gotta Serve Somebody” – Bob Dylan
Everyday Sunday — Tell Me You’ll Be There
David Crowder — You Never Let Go
The Afters – Keeping Me Alive
Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes
“Whatever You’re Doing” Sanctus Real
Casting Crowns – Slow Fade
Chris Sligh – Empty Me
Natalie Grant – I Will Not Be Moved
Phil Wickham – Divine Romance
Third Day – Call My Name
ZOEgirl – You Get Me
Above The Golden State – Sound of Your Name
Plumb – In My Arms
Stay Strong – Newsboys
Phil Wickham — True Love
Sara Groves — Just Showed Up for My Own Life
Sara Groves — Something Changed
Tenth Avenue North — By Your Side
Addison Road — Hope Now
“Your Love Is Strong” Jon Foreman
“Little Drummer Boy” Mercy Me
Barlow Girls “O Holy Night”
Casting Crowns “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
Casting Pearls – Whole World In His Hands
“Shadowfeet” by Brooke Fraser
“In Your Eyes” Peter Gabriel (redone by Nichole Nordeman)
“I’m Not Alright” Sanctus Real

Listen to all of the above at these stations:

K-LOVE on-line:
http://www.klove.com/Listen

I’m sure there’s more lyrics on K-LOVE’s site if you can’t find ’em on mine:
http://www.klove.com/Music/LyricSearch.aspx

You can also listen to XM-32 and Sirius-66 “The Message”

Britt Nicole – You

I’ve been looking for love in another’s eyes
Searching for water, but I come up dry

Thought that I could find
Happiness in the world’s applause
Peace of mind in a worthy cause
Take me back, take me back
Got to trust in the simple truth
Got to trust all I really need is

(Chorus)
You
I’m coming back to
You
The only thing I know worth living for
Will You take this heart and make it more like
You
I give it back to You
It’s obvious no one could love me more
I’m Yours
I’m coming, coming back, yeah
I’m coming, coming back

To joy that speaks to my deepest need
To arms never far out of reach
Yeah, how Your love it
Calls to me when I lose my way
Holds me close when I feel afraid
Take me back, take me back
Got to trust that I’m safe and sound
Got to trust that it all comes down to

(Chorus)

So no more getting caught in the middle
No more waiting for what is unsure
Back to Your love so true and so simple
Don’t understate it or complicate it

It’s so simple, yeah, it’s so simple

(Chorus 2xs)

You, coming back to You, You coming back
You, coming back to You, You coming back
You, coming back to You, You coming back
You, coming back to You, You coming back

I’m Yours, I’m Yours, yeah, yeah
I’m Yours, I’m Yours, yeah, yeah

Nickel Creek – Doubting Thomas
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26557314&artid=6404202&profid=394635518&plid=

What will be left when I’ve drawn my last breath
Besides the folks I’ve met and the folks who’ve known me
Will I discover a soul-saving love
Or just the dirt above and below me

I’m a doubting Thomas
I took a promise
But I do not feel safe
Oh me of little faith

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face
Then I beg to be spared cause I’m a coward
If there’s a master of death
I bet he’s holding his breath
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power

I’m a doubting Thomas
I can’t keep my promises
Cause I don’t know what’s safe
Oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth
When I’m scared I’ll find proof that it’s a lie
Can I be led down a trail dropping bread crumbs
That prove I’m not ready to die

Please give me time to decipher the signs
Please forgive me for time that I’ve wasted

I’m a doubting Thomas
I’ll take your promise
Though I know nothin’s safe
Oh me of little faith

Mercy Me — So Long Self
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28375951&artid=1694330&profid=394635518&plid=

Well if I come across a little bit distant
It’s just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say

So long, self
Well, it’s been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There’s just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don’t take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don’t cry
So long, self

Stop right there because I know what you’re thinking
But no we can’t be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can’t you see

Don’t feel so bad (don’t feel so bad)
There’ll be better days (there’ll be better days)
Don’t go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away, go away

Rush of Fools – Undo
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=19113814&artid=8713696&profid=394635518&plid=

I’ve been here before, now here I am again
Standing at the door, praying You’ll let me back in
To label me a prodigal would be
Only scratching the surface of who I’ve been known to be

Chorus

Turn me around pick me up
Undo what I’ve become
Bring me back to the place
Of forgiveness and grace
I need You, need Your help
I can’t do this myself
You’re the only one who can undo
What I’ve become

I focused on the score, but I could never win
Trying to ignore, a life of hiding my sin
To label me a hypocrite would be
Only scratching the surface of who I’ve been known to be

Chorus

Make every step lead me back to
The sovereign way that You

Chorus

Mercy Me – Bring the Rain
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26106356&artid=1694330&profid=394635518&plid=

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there’ll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what’s a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

ZOEgirl – Dead Serious
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=7864776&artid=15459154&profid=394635518&plid=

Who’s that girl with the Bible in her hands
The smile on her face, she doesn’t get it, I don’t understand
The way she walks with her head in the clouds
She doesn’t care who laughs, walks right through the crowd

That’s right, that’s me, I don’t care what you think
People talk all day, I don’t care what they say

You think I’m delirious, a typical reaction
Aren’t you curious about my satisfaction
Maybe you’re envious, a little curious
You can laugh, but I’m dead serious

Watch her as she goes, there’s something different and she knows it
Ask her why, and she’ll flash that silly smile
She says she’s got a purpose and she’s done with all the games
Jesus saved her soul and she’ll never be the same

That’s right that’s me, I don’t care what you think
You can talk all day, I don’t care what you say

Eternity won’t wait for me
I’ve made my choice, it’s where I want to be
All I want to be seen is the light of God shining in me
I may be young, but I am free
You can’t change what I believe

That’s right, that’s me, I don’t care what you think
You can talk all day, I’m okay anyway

Serious, I’m serious
You can laugh but I’m dead serious

Disciple — After the World
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28401387&artid=5580959&profid=394635518&plid=

You break the glass, try to hide your face
Recorded lines that just will not erase
And buried in your loss of innocence
You wonder if you’ll find it again

Was I there for the worst of all your pain?
And was I there when your blue skies ran away?
Was I there when the rains were flooding you off your feet?
Those were My tears falling down for you, falling down for you

I’m the One that you’ve been looking for
I’m the One that you’ve been waiting for
I’ve had My eyes on you ever since you were born
I will love you after the rain falls down
I will love you after the sun goes out
I’ll have My eyes on you after the world is no more

Did I arrange the light of your first day?
Did I create the rhythm your heart makes?
Could you believe when your candle starts to fade?
I want to be the One that you believe
Could take it all away, take your heart away

Isn’t My life a clear sign since I have crossed over this chasm
To fill the space between Me and you?
And I will do it all over again
Just look for Me, just wait for Me

The One you’ve been looking for
The One you’ve been waiting for
You won’t have to look anymore

Toby Mac – Burn for You
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=2327330&artid=12812960&profid=394635518&plid=

I’m a brand new man, I’m a conscious man
I’m a man who’s burnin’ for You
The mistakes I’ve made have been chased away to the bottom of the ocean blue
I’m a brand new man in a foreign land, I’m a man who’s feelin’ that fire
And it’s all so clear when I’m standing here at the peak of my desire

So won’t You move me like You used to
I want the world to know I burn for You

I feel revived again, I am alive again
(Burnin’ for You) You got me lifted and lifted You lift me up
I feel revived again, I’m energized again
(Burnin’ for You) You got me lifted and lifted You lift me up

Woke up in a sweat, those ghosts in my head
Had a grip, but I slipped on by
It’s a whole new day as the darkness fades
And the sun’s climbing in the sky
I concede, my love, that I need Your love
I’m before You, a broken man
And it’s only You, no substitutes who can renew this soul again

You got me higher than Kilimanjaro
Got me believin’ I can “save the day”
I’m up and running like their ain’t no tomorrow
I’d rather burn for You than fade away
I’d rather burn for You than go my way

I’m a whole new guy with a whole new vibe
Changed inside – more flame in the fire
Can’t stop, won’t stop praying for desire
Like the bunny on the screen feel so energized
Old shell gone without a trace, new face
No more shortness of breath, new pace
Live life now without the taste of fear
TOBYMAC, Double Dutch now let the smoke clear

Toby Mac – Made to Love
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=1082015&artid=8523234&profid=394635518&plid=

Verse 1
The dream is fading, now I’m staring at the door
I know its over cause my feet have hit the cold floor
Check my reflection, I ain’t feelin what I see
It’s no mystery
Whatever happened to a passion I could live for
What became of the flame that made me feel more
And when did I forget that…

Chorus
I was made to love you
I was made to find you
I was made just for you
Made to adore you
I was made to love
And be loved by you
You were here before me
You were waiting on me
And you said you’d keep me
Never would you leave me

I was made to love
and be loved by you

Verse 2
The dream’s alive with my eyes opened wide
Back in the ring you’ve got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the hate is spittin’ vapors on my dreams
But I still believe
I’m reachin’ out, reachin’ up, reachin’ over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
And Daddy I’m on my way
Cause I was made to love…

Chorus

Bridge
Anything I would give up for you
Everything, I’d give it all away
(Repeat 3x)

I was made to love you
I was made to adore you, made just for you
(Repeat 3x)

Sanctus Real – Don’t Give Up

Well I heard you say you would love for a lifetime
And now you complain a lifetime just doesn’t feel right for you
Another casualty of casual love
Another soul out of place, a heart that gave up

Why do we break the promises we make?
Are we living for ourselves?

Don’t give up on love and throw it all away
Don’t give up on love and let it fall away
When did it become so easy to run from your pain?
Don’t give up on love and throw it all away
Don’t give up on love

Well I heard you say you can’t change a stubborn heart
Yea I can relate ‘cause that’s how I feel when I talk with you

Why should it take losing everything,
To realize it might be time to change?

Don’t give up on love and throw it all away
Don’t give up on love and let it fall away
When did it become, so easy to run from your pain?
Don’t give up on love and throw it all away

Your restless heart won’t win ‘cause you take but you don’t give
And you’ll keep moving on until you learn what love is

Don’t give up on love and throw it all away
Don’t give up on love and let it fall away
Don’t give up on love…(echo)
Don’t give up on love…(echo)

Yea Your restless heart won’t win ‘cause you take but you don’t give
And you’ll keep moving on until you learn what love is

Don’t throw it all away…

Group 1 Crew – Can’t Go On
http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.13396478&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false

I can’t do it without You
I’ve tried so many times, and I’ve failed

Lord I really need You in my life,
Fall every time that You’re not in sight,
Can’t go on without Your love, I can’t go on…

Every time You arrive let my heart be open
Cause its You I put my hope in
You give me love, give me strength, and You give me courage
Even though I don’t deserve it
I can’t go on without You
I don’t believe that I’d even want to
All I really wanna see is me becoming more and more like You

Chorus:
Lord I really need You in my life
Fall every time that You’re not in sight
Can’t go on without your love, I can’t go on…
And I don’t wanna face this world alone
I don’t wanna do this on my own
Can’t go on without Your love, I can’t go on…

I see the need in my, life and I can’t deny
That You’re the reason I’m breathing I need You in my life
I’m on a new level and never will I be coming down
Lift me up when I’m feeling drowned inside the shame I found
And I believe what You said and You promised me
Now I constantly look for You to keep on watching me
I can’t go on without You, I don’t believe I’d ever want to
Never beyond You all I wanna see is me becoming like You

Lord I realize, can’t do it on my own
I need You close so You can help me make it through the storm
And when I fall I know, You’re there to pick me up
Brush me off and then You’re quick to bring me back inside Your love

I don’t know where to go now
I’m lost in this emotion
I’m giving You control now
Pull me up from the bottom of the ocean
I don’t know where to go now
I’m lost in this emotion
I’m giving You control now
You pull me up, pull me up when I’m going down

Yo, I could never let anything get between You and me
At times I’ve tried to drive solo, but I finished on “E”
My own anxiety blinded me that I just couldn’t see
That You were always there and not once did You every leave me
I learned the hard way but I’m glad I can now say I’m free
Through all the turmoil You have opened my eyes to see
The greater love that You give, and never ask a fee
Now I can say I can’t go on with out your love in me x2, chorus

Casting Crowns – East to West

Here I am Lord,
And I’m drowning
In your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where you found me
And it echoes in my mind,
Keeps me awake tonight

I know you cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before you now
As though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me
Just how far the east is from the west
Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest,
Cause you know just how far the East is from the West
From one scarred hand to the other.

I start the day the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again your truth is drowned out
By the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away,
From you leaving me this way

Jesus can you show me,
Just how far the East is from the West
Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
’cause you know
Just how far the East is form the West
From one scarred hand to the other.

I know you’ve washed me white,
Turned my darkness into light
I need your peace to get me through,
To get me through this night
Can’t live by what I feel
But by the Truth your work reveals,
I’m not holding on to you
But you’re holding on to me,
You’re holding on to me

Jesus you know
Just how far the East is from the West
I don’t have to see the man I’ve been,
Come rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
’cause you know just how far the East is from the West,
From one scarred hand to the other.

Just how far
The east is from the west

From one scarred hand to the other

Downhere – A Better Way

I’m not alone, I really believe
You never go, You never leave
Here and now, You always stay
“I love you” could not be said a better way

It’s everything You’ve promised
There’s no greater love than this
From prophets until today
A man laying down His life for His friends
Your sacrifice has spoken, You gave everything
And “I love you” could not be said
A better way

I am forgiven, I clearly see
It’s why You came to do all you did for me
Trading earth with heaven, You took my place
“I love you” could not be said
A better way

Because You redeem, I know what’s to come
Everything I could lose here, You’ve already won
So You have my surrender, with passion obey
“I love you” could not be said
A better way

Barlow Girl – I Need You to Love Me
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26612228&artid=7780907&profid=394635518&plid=

Why? Why are you still here with me?
Didn’t you see what I’ve done?
In my shame I want to run,
And hide myself.
Yeah, but it’s here I see the truth,
I don’t deserve you.

But I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing you away from me.
I just never saw how you
Could cherish me.

‘Cause you’re a God who has all things,
And still you want me.

And I need you to love me,
And I, I won’t keep my heart from you this time.
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
Yeah, ye-ea-eah

Your love makes me forget what I have been.
Your love makes me see who I really am.
Your love makes me forget what I have been, oh-oh.

And I need you to love me, yeah
I need you to love me, ye-ea-eah!
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can,
Somehow deserve what I already have
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need you to love me, yeah
I need you to…
oh oh oh oh eo (x4)
Love me, love me, yah

SUPERCHICK — Stand In The Rain
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=3678358&artid=8488322&profid=394635518&plid=

She never slows down.
She doesn’t know why but she knows that when she’s all alone, feels like its all coming down
She won’t turn around
The shadows are long and she fears if she cries that first tear, the tears will not stop raining down

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it’s all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won’t drown
And one day, what’s lost can be found
You stand in the rain

She won’t make a sound
Alone in this fight with herself and the fears whispering if she stands she’ll fall down
She wants to be found
The only way out is through everything she’s running from wants to give up and lie down.

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it’s all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won’t drown
And one day, what’s lost can be found
You stand in the rain

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it’s all crashing down
Stand through the pain
You won’t drown
And one day, what’s lost can be found

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it’s all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won’t drown
And one day, what’s lost can be found
You stand in the rain

“Only Grace” by Matthew West
From the album “History”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26432796&artid=2236231&profid=394635518&plid=

There is no guilt here
There is no shame
No pointing fingers
There is no blame
What happened yesterday…has disappeared
The dirt has washed away
And now it’s clear

There’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there’s nothing left now
There’s only grace

You’re starting over now
Under the sun
You’re stepping forward now
A new life has begun
Your new life has begun

An’ there’s only grace
There’s only love
There’s only mercy and believe me…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there’s nothing left now
There’s only grace…

And if you should fall again
Get back up, get back up
Reach out and take my hand
Get back up, get back up
Get back up again
Ohh…get…back…up…again…

There’s only grace…
There’s only love…
There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there’s nothing left now
There’s only…there’s only…grace…

There’s only mercy and believe me it’s enough…it’s enough
Your sins are gone
Without a trace
And there’s nothing left now
There’s only…grace……
So get back up…get back up again…
Get back up again.

“Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns

Oh, what I would do
To have the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I’m in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he’s holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
“Boy, you’ll never win,
you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
and the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand

But the giant’s calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
“Boy you’ll never win,
you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
and the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

but the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don’t seem so high
from on top of them looking down
i will soar with the wings of eagles
when i stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says do not be afraid
And the voice of truth says this is for my glory
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the voice of truth
I will listen and believe
‘Cause Jesus you are the voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you……..

“The Real Me” by Natalie Grant
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=24187984&artid=2481037&profid=394635518&plid=

Foolish heart, looks like we’re here again.
Same old game of plastic smile,
Don’t let anybody in.
Hiding my heartache,
Will this glass house break?
How much will it take before I’m empty?
Do I let it show?
Does anybody know?

CHORUS:
But You see the real me.
Hiding in my skin, broken from within.
Unveil me completely.
I’m loosening my grasp,
There’s no need to mask my frailty
Cause You see the real me.

Painted on, life is behind a mask,
Self-inflicted circus clown.
I’m tired of the song and dance,
Living a charade, always on parade.
What a mess I’ve made of my existence.
But You love me even now
And still I see somehow…

CHORUS

Wonderful, beautiful is what you see
When You look at me.
You’re turning the tattered fabric of my life
Into a perfect tapestry.
Oh, I just wanna be me,
I wanna be me.

CHORUS

and you love me just as i am.
wonderful, beautiful is what you see
when you look at me.

“I’m Not Who I Was” by Brandon Heath
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26764678&artid=13129018&profid=394635518&plid=

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I’m not who I was
I used to be mad at you
A little on the hurt side too
But I’m not who I was

I found my way around
To forgiving you
Some time ago
But I never got to tell you so

I found us in a photograph
I saw me and I had to laugh
You know, I’m not who I was
You were there, you were right above me
And I wonder if you ever loved me
Just for who I was

When the pain came back again
Like a bitter friend
It was all that I could do
To keep myself from blaming you

I reckon it’s a funny thing
I figured out I can sing
Now I’m not who I was
I write about love and such
Maybe ’cause I want it so much
I’m not who I was

I was thinking maybe I
I should let you know
I am not the same
But I never did forget your name
Hello

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that’s what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I’m not who I was

“What I Hear” by Jessie Daniels
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26525427&artid=6412917&profid=394635518&plid=

I’ve tried to tune it out
But everyone’s talking about you
And I like the sound
Of what I’ve been hearing
But I need proof

Don’t wanna leave it up to my imagination
Everybody’s got their own interpretation

Maybe I don’t deserve an explanation
I can’t tell

Is it real is it true
What I hear about you
That you love me , love me
That’s what everybody’s saying
Can it be that you see
Something beautiful in me
Well it sounds too good to be true
What I hear about you

I tell myself
Their only just rumors
Don’t buy in
Oh but I can’t help
Hoping that I’m wrong
In the end

I don’t know what to think under these conditions
Never really been here in this position
All I know for sure is there’s no dismissing
The way I feel

CHORUS

Is sounding so amazing
Cause I’ve been waiting
Hoping you would find me
Even though you said it
I still don’t get it
How can it be true

“Your Love Never Changes” by Paul Wright
http://www.last.fm/music/Paul+Wright/_/Your+Love+Never+Changes

Verse 1
I’m tired of falling on my face Lord
Get up tell myself (woah woah)
I’m tired of singing the same songs
Na na na na (ha! woah woah)

I’m so high, I’m so low
I’m so hot, I’m so cold
I’m so young but I’m feeling so old
I’m at peace, I’m at war
I want less, I want more
I want it all but I don’t know what it’s for

Pre-Chorus
And all that I am is all that you see
When nobody is looking at me
I fall to my knees you’re calling my name

Chorus
And you love me just the same (Whoa)
Cuz your love it never changes (No)
Yea you love me just the same (Whoa)
Cuz your love it never changes (No)

Verse 2
I’m back on the right track again (You know I’m back)
I’m back hanging with the right friends (You know I’m back)
I’m back on my feet again
Kicking back (ha) just laughing

I’m so high, I’m so low
I’m so hot, I’m so cold
I’m so young but I’m feeling so old
I’m at peace, I’m at war
I want less, I want more
I want it all but I don’t know what it’s for

Pre-Chorus

Chorus

Bridge
Yea you love me just the same (come let’s kick it kick it want to live it live it)
Yesterday today tomorrow everyday (loves the ticket so you gotta love it love it)
Yea you love me just the same (come let’s kick it kick it want to live it live it)
Yesterday today tomorrow everyday (love the ticket so you gotta love it love it)

Chorus

Bridge

Nate Sallie – Lone Ranger
From the album Ruined For Ordinary

I used to walk around and be the Lone Ranger
Never needed love from a stranger
Always walked away from the danger of losing a friend
Then I stumbled into you and my senses
I needed you to melt my defences
You’re the sum of all I’ve been missing
For so long,
let me say to you

Chorus:
I don’t ever want to be alone again
Now that I have found a love that never ends
Everything You are is all I hope to be
You’re the best that’s happened to me
You know, that I’ll go
Anywhere You take my hand
I don’t ever want to be alone again

You never ever meant for my to fly solo
A renegade that’s headed for who knows
Never knew it’d leave me so hollow
Until you filled me in
Then I broke down the preconceived notion
That letting go would by my demotion
You’re the muse of all my devotion
All the time, Now that I, Have seen the light
Let me say to you

Chorus:

It took me falling to the ground
To understand I could be found
I came to you in broken condition
I didn’t even need an audition
You’re the sum of all I’ve been missing
For so long

“Be Still” by Storyside:b
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=6139301&artid=7103234&profid=394635518&plid=

I remember all the times
the good times and the bad
I’m still holding on to you
some days I wanna run
and times I come undone
but I still belong to you
that’s how I know that

when I feel like caving in
my heart my soul is wearing thin
I just want to give up
nothing seems at all to add up
can you hear me Lord?
my face is down upon the floor
its then you whisper in my ear
be still and know I’m here

I see a side of you my friend
the same struggles that I have
my heart goes out to you
I know its hard to feel alone
and this world’s so unforgiving
I’ve been feeling that way too
but I can tell you

Is that you?
Is this me
It’s sometimes hard to believe that
I am not alone

its not just you
and not just me
we all need to believe that
we are not alone

“Call On Jesus” by Nicole C. Mullen
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=29895563&artid=2445585&profid=394635518&plid=

Verse 1:
I’m so very ordinary, nothing special on my own.
Oh, I have never walked on water,
And I have never calmed a storm.
Sometimes I’m hiding away from the madness around me
Like a child who’s afraid of the dark

Chorus:
But when I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call

La la la la la, la la la la la

Verse 2:
Weary brother, broken daughter,
widowed mother, you’re not alone
If you’re tired and scared of the madness around you
If you can’t find the strength to carry on

Chorus:
When you call on Jesus,
All things are possible
You can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When you call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue you when you–

Bridge:
Call Him in the mornin’, in the afternoon time
Late in the evenin’ He’ll be there
When your heart is broken,
And you feel discouraged,
You can just remember that He said
He’ll be there

Chorus (2x):
When I call on Jesus,
All things are possible
I can mount on wings like eagles’ and soar
When I call on Jesus,
Mountains are gonna fall
‘Cause He’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me (back to top first time, 2nd time finish with “when I call”)

La la la la la, la la la la la, la la la la la-a-a

“Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns
words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28450882&artid=1476415&profid=394635518&plid=

I was sure by now, God, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it’s still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I’ll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can’t find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

“Here’s My Life” by Barlow Girl
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26607918&artid=7780907&profid=394635518&plid=

once again I said my goodbyes
to those I love most
my heart feels that familiar pain
as I long for hope
cause this road is hard
when I feel so far

Chorus:
And God I’m crying out tonight
cause I’ve given you my life
but I’m tired and I’m missing what’s behind
so once more here’s my life

on the day that you called my name
all that I knew changed
I found when I said yes
that I
would never be the same
though the call is hard
you are worth it all

Chorus
and God I’m crying out tonight
cause I’ve given you my life
but I’m tired and I’m missing what’s behind
so once more….

even when the tears are falling
when I find I fear the calling you
remind me, (yeah)
words you’ve spoken over my life
promises I’ve yet to see
you comfort me. (yeah yeah)

(you comfort me) (yeah) (you comfort me)

Chorus (X2)

“You Are Loved” by Rebecca St. James
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=6787826&artid=9489236&profid=394635518&plid=

We were younger then, you and me, full of dreams, weren’t we?
I went my way, you went yours, where did you go, dear?
Someone said you had left the life we lived together then
This is my way of reaching out ‘cause I remember…
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to speak to your heart
You are loved
More than you could ever know
This is what I want to say to you
If I had one chance to tell you something
You are loved
More than you can imagine
Imagine
If I told you would you believe, the narrow road, I did not leave
If I told you would you understand that I’ve found truth
Are you jaded? Are you hurting now? How I wish that I could tell
Where your heart’s at…can you see? Mine has found – home
Not sure if I’ve, made it clear enough
It’s not my love I sing about
Everybody asks, “Is God good?”
I believe, He is
In fact I know, He is

“In Better Hands” by Natalie Grant
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26470229&artid=4988469&profid=394635518&plid=

It’s hard to stand on shifting sand
It’s hard to shine in the shadows of the night
You can’t be free if you don’t reach for help
You cant love if you don’t love yourself

There is hope when my faith runs out
Cause I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now

I am strong all because of you
I stand in awe of every mountain that you move
Oh I am changed, yesterday is gone
I am safe from this moment on

There’s no fear when the night comes ’round
I’m in better hands now
It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now

It’s like the sun is shining when the rain is pouring down
It’s like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground
Its like the world is silent though I know it isn’t true
Its like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room

So take this heart of mine there’s no doubt
I’m in better hands now
I’m in better hands now

“Brave” by Nichole Nordeman
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=576166&artid=10569079&profid=394635518&plid=

The gate is wide
The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You’re safe and sound and
Until now it’s where I’ve been

‘Cause it’s been fear that ties me down to everything
But it’s been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I am small
And I speak when I’m spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I’m ready to jump
Even ready to fall…

Why did I take this vow of compromise?
Why did I try to keep it all inside?

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

I’ve never known a fire that didn’t begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything
So long, I’m gone

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
I wanna be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave
Brave, brave

“Held” by Natalie Grant
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26487663&artid=4988469&profid=394635518&plid=

Two months is too little.
They let him go.
They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we’d be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We’re asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It’s unfair.

Chorus:
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

Bridge:
If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

(Chorus)
This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we’d be held.

Music of My Heart — Nicole C. Mullen
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=29522757&artid=2445585&profid=394635518&plid=

I’m not ashamed to tell the whole world, oh
Without you, I’m nothing at all
That I have strings in need of mending
I’m out of tune in certain parts
So strum the chords of mercy
Restore my soul completely
Lay your hand upon me
And this instrument will breathe

‘Cause you’re the music of my heart
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
The melody within my soul
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
The song that holds me in the dark
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
The fire that warms me when I’m cold
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
The symphony that calms my fear
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
The lyric that I long to hear
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
The masterpiece, the work of art
Complete before I start
The music of my heart

Yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah

Creator of all that is lovely, oh
Write a tune upon my heart
And when you finish will you play me
Like a beautiful guitar?
Strum the chords of mercy
Restore my soul completely
Breathe life into me
And this instrument will sing

Of my heart
I’m captivated
(Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Heart)
Of my heart
My soul’s elated
(Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha-Heart)
Of my heart
Because
Every single line’s full of love divine
Write me like a valentine

Yeah, the music of my heart
Of my heart
The music of my heart
Of my heart
The music of my heart

Redeemer by Nicole C. Mullen

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
and Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
and Who showed the moon where to hide ’til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives:
All of creation testifies
This life within me cry
I know my Redeemer lives, yeah.

The very same God that spins things in orbit
runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

Now I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within we cry
I know my Redeemer, He lives

To take away my shame
And He lives forever, I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive and
There’s an empty grave.

And I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry

I know my Redeemer,

I know my Redeemer
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know that I know that I know that I know that I know my redeemer lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
I know I know
He lives He lives yeah, yeah I spoke with him this morning
He lives He lives, the tomb is empty,
He lives I gotta tell everybody

Nichole Nordeman “What If”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=27565758&artid=3688897&profid=394635518&plid=

What if you’re right
And He was just another nice guy
What if you’re right
What if it’s true
They say the cross will only make a fool of you
And what if it’s true

What if He takes His place in history
With all the prophets and the kings
Who taught us love and came in peace
But then the story ends
What then

(Chorus)
But what if you’re wrong
What if there’s more
What if there’s hope you never dreamed of hoping for
What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He’s more than enough
What if it’s love

What if you dig (what if you dig)
Way down deeper than your simple-minded friends
What if you dig
And what if you find (what if you find)
A thousand more unanswered questions down inside (what if you find)
That’s all you find

What if you pick apart the logic
And begin to poke the holes
What if the crown of thorns is no more than folklore that must be told
And retold

(Chorus)

You’ve been running as fast as you can
And you’ve been looking for a place you can land
For so long
But what if you’re wrong

What if you jump
Just close your eyes
What if the arms that catch you, catch you by surprise
What if He’s more than enough
What if it’s love

What if it’s love

CASTING CROWNS “Life song”

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my life song sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my life song sing to You
Let my life song sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my life song sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my life song sing
Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my life song sing to You

Steven Curtis Chapman — Miracle of the Moment
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26871359&artid=15096391&profid=394635518&plid=

It’s time for letting go
All of our “if onlies”
Cause we don’t have a time machine

And even if we did
Would we really want to use it
Would we really want to go change everything

Cause we are who and where and what we are for now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

There’s only One who knows
What’s really out there waiting
And all the moments yet to be
And all we need to know
Is He’s out there waiting
To Him the future’s history

And He has given us a treasure called right now
And this is the only moment we can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

And if it brings you tears
Then taste them as they fall
Let them soften your heart

And if it brings you laughter
Then throw your head back
And let it go
Let it go, yeah
You gotta let it go

And listen to your heartbeat

And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle of the moment

And breathe it in and breathe it out
And listen to your heartbeat
There’s a wonder in the here and now (here and now)
It’s right there in front of you
And I don’t want you to miss the miracle
Of the moment

Leaving 99 — Audio Adrenaline
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=8363733&artid=386374&profid=394635518&plid=

I’m lost and broken all alone on this road
The wheels keep turning but the feeling is gone
when I fear I’m on my own
You remind me I am not alone

when You say..

I’d leave ninety-nine
Leave them all behind
To find you
(For you alone) I’d leave ninety-nine
Leave them all behind
To find you

It’s dark and lonely and the path is unclear
Can’t move my feet because I’m frozen with fear
then you say, my child, my child
i am always here, I’m at your side

I’d leave ninety-nine
Leave them all behind
To find you
(For you alone) I’d leave ninety-nine
Leave them all behind
To find you

you’re never too far down
I promise you’ll be found,
I’ll reach into the mud,
the miry clay
pursue you to the end,
like a faithful friend,
nothing in this world,
can keep me away,

I’d leave ninety-nine
Leave them all behind
To find you
(For you alone) I’d leave ninety-nine
Leave them all behind
To find you…
to find you…

Brandon Heath — Don’t Get Comfortable
http://www.imeem.com/people/uxEhM6/music/wUiKKiJI/brandon_heath_dont_get_comfortable/

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Comfortable, don’t get comfortable.
I am gonna move this mountain then I’m gonna move you in.

Yesterday, this is not yesterday.
You were standing on my shoulders now; you’re standing on the edge.
You’ve been looking for a sign all this time.

I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna love like you’ve never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

So afraid but you don’t have to be afraid
Even if you make mistakes
You know that I’ll remain
You’ve been looking for a sign all this time.
If you seek you’ll find me every time.

So I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna’ love like you’ve never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
THIS IS YOUR NEW SONG

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah
NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Can you feel the call of love?
Is it moving you to be a child of God of love?
Is it reaching you?
It’s everywhere the call of love.

I just want to show you what I mean
I just want to love like you’ve never seen
Do you want to live like you used to dream?
Then I’ve got a song for you

Cuz I am gonna show you what I mean
I am gonna’ love like you’ve never seen
You are gonna live like you used to dream
This is your new song

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

You’ve got a NEW SONG

NA na na na na na na na nanaaah

Britt Nicole – Set the World on Fire
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26449206&artid=8678877&profid=394635518&plid=

I wanna set the world on fire
Until it’s burning bright for You
It’s everything that I desire
Can I be the one You use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to
Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with You
There’s nothing I can not do
Nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the Father’s hands

My hands my feet
My everything
My life, my love
Lord, use me

I wanna set the world on fire
I wanna set the world on fire, yeah

I’m gonna set the world on fire
Set the world on fire

Sara Groves – You Are the Sun
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28428195&artid=1335855&profid=394635518&plid=

You are the sun shining down on everyone
Light of the world giving light to everything I see
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
And everywhere You are is warmth and light

And I am the moon with no light of my own
Still You have made me to shine
And as I glow in this cold dark night
I know I can’t be a light unless I turn my face to You

You are the sun shining down on everyone
Light of the world giving light to everything I see
Beauty so brilliant I can hardly take it in
And everywhere You are is warmth and light

And I am the moon with no light of my own
Still You have made me to shine
And as I glow in this cold dark night
I know I can’t be a light unless I turn my face to You

Shine on me with Your light
Without You I’m a cold dark stone
Shine on me I have no light of my own
You are the sun, You are the sun, You are the sun
And I am the moon

Sara Groves – Loving a Person

Loving a person just the way they are, it’s no small thing
It takes some time to see things through
Sometimes things change, sometimes we’re waiting
We need grace either way

Hold on to me
I’ll hold on to you
Let’s find out the beauty of seeing things through

There’s a lot of pain in reaching out and trying
It’s a vulnerable place to be
Love and pride can’t occupy the same spaces, baby
Only one makes you free

Hold on to me
I’ll hold on to you
Let’s find out the beauty of seeing things through

If we go looking for offence
We’re going to find it
If we go looking for real love
We’re going to find it

Phil Wickham – After Your Heart
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28404673&artid=450765&profid=394635518&plid=

Can I have your attention
What are we starting here
Just look around you the answer is clear
Listen, listen
and hear the coming sound
All of the children are singing it loud

Let’s be the revolution
That lives for hold nothing back, nothing back

Chorus
We’re after Your heart, after Your heart
All of the walls now are breaking apart
Live like we see it love like we mean it
This is the start we’re after Your heart

Start the ascension
Begin the holy climb
Up to where heaven and the earth collide
Bring your affection
All that you have inside
Enter the kingdom and become alive

Love with no condition
It lives for holding nothing back, nothing back

Chorus

Oh lets go higher and higher
Hear the song of the free
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Lift your soul join with the choir
Sing the song, let it ring
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

We’re after Your heart never going to stop until we reach You

Krystal Meyers – The Way to Begin
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28311373&artid=12724574&profid=394635518&plid=

Dear God
It’s me again down here
Don’t wanna sound insincere
I’m lost
Sometimes you’re so unclear
What can I do?
I’m feeling so far from you
Frustrated
Irritated
Disconnected from it all
The weight of the world
Has pushed me to the wall
I surrender
To you I’m giving in
Come take me
Save me
I want to start again
I’ll open my broken heart
‘Cause I’ve reached the end and
You are the way to begin
I’ve seen a million empty smiles
Living in denial
I don’t wanna live like that
When nothing’s real
I hate how it is to feel
Frustrated
Irritated
Disconnected from it all
I’m breaking
I’m aching for something beautiful
All the riches in this world
Couldn’t fill this great big hole
It takes something so much more
Only you can take me
You can make me whole

Ruth – “You Are”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=33858578&artid=15100711&profid=394635518&plid=

Burning everything I’m learning,
Light a match,
‘Cause I don’t get it yet.
Shake out the mistakes that I’ve made,
Swallow them down.
Is it more than I can take,

When you call my name,
To walk on water.

‘Cause you are the waves that
I feel when I’m sinking in,
And you are the storms that
I feel when I’m dying.
And you are God,
You are God,
And
I know, I know, I know, I know
That
You are God,
You are God,
And
I know, I know.

I see you there,
Standing on the shoreline,
Watching me out here,
As I’m taking on the storm,
That I want you,
And I need you,
And do you hear me?

Because I hear You,
When call my name,
To walk on water.

‘Cause you are the waves that
I feel when I’m sinking in,
And you are the storms that
I feel when I’m dying.
And you are God,
You are God,
And
I know, I know, I know, I know
That
You are God,
You are God,
And
I know, I know.

I feel you touching me.
I feel you touching me.
I feel you touching me.
Is there anything else to believe?
I feel you touching me.
I feel you touching me.
I feel you touching me.
I feel you touching me.

‘Cause you are the waves that
I feel when I’m sinking in,
And you are the storms that
I feel when I’m dying.
And you are God,
You are God,
And
I know, I know, I know, I know
You are God,
You are God,
And
I know.

‘Cause you are the waves that
I feel when I’m sinking in,
And you are the storms that
I feel when I’m dying.
And you are God,
You are God,
And
I know, I know, I know, I know
That
You are God,
You are God

Barlow Girl “Enough”

http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=21015450&artid=5701963&profid=394635518&plid=

All of You is more than enough for
All of me for every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with Your love
And all I have in You
Is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

You’re my sacrifice of greatest price
Still more awesome than I know
You’re my coming King You’re everything
Still more awesome than I know

Barlow Girl — Never Alone
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=30836429&artid=7780907&profid=394635518&plid=

I waited for You today
But you didn’t show
No no no
I needed You today
So where did You go?
You told me to call
Said You’d be there
And though I haven’t seen You
Are You still there?

I cried out with no reply
And I can’t feel You by my side
So I’ll hold tight to what I know
You’re here and I’m never alone

And though I cannot see You
And I can’t explain why
Such a deep, deep reassurance
You’ve placed in my life

We cannot separate
‘Cause You’re part of me
And though You’re invisible
I’ll trust the unseen

We cannot separate
You’re part of me
And though You’re invisible
I’ll trust the unseen

Toby Mac — Diverse City
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=2546513&artid=7858530&profid=394635518&plid=

They call us Diverse City
we’re colored for good
It’s like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
cause this freak show is leaving the ground

Up, up and away, baby we don’t play, maybe you thought you was done for the day
He said, she said, I said this, that you can’t get away from your moment of bliss
Stirring, we’ll lure you in and we’ll make room for the shade of skin
Short ones, tall ones, skinny ones, bigger. Love is the gun and we pullin’ that trigger
so you send me and I’ll send you hope in the form of a new tattoo
Mine is the shiny city on a hill and yours, of course, is the colors that fill it
We’ll take you high, we’ll take you higher

They call us Diverse City
we’re colored for good
It’s like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you wanna pray you can come on down
cause this freak show is leaving the ground

Now come to the city where you can praise,
if you’re black, if you’re white, if you’re yellow or gray
In the morning, in the night, anytime of day
What’s that place-Diverse City
With curls in your hair and braids on the side
Straight shake’em loose, just come on and ride
We’re a body with parts, like you and me
Together we make diversity
We’ll take you high, take you higher

Welcome to Diverse City, we’re colored for good
It’s like a freak show in your neighborhood
So, if you want to praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show’s leaving the ground

Said we’re Diverse City, we’re colored for good
It’s just a state of mind, we’re gonna shine the way that we should, baby
So, if you wanna praise you can come on down
Cause this freak show’s leaving the ground

You bring the heart, I’ll bring the soul
I’ll bring the flag, you bring the pole
We’ll fly it high so the whole world knows
The dream of a king ’bout to unfold

We ’bout to do this thing for real
Diverse city got mass appeal
So put your hand in the hand of mine
And we’ll spread this love like dandelions

Joy Williams – Hide

To anyone who hides behind a smile
To anyone who holds their pain inside
To anyone who thinks they’re not good enough
To anyone who feels unworthy of love
To anyone who ever closed the door
Closed their eyes and locked themselves away

You don’t have to hide
You don’t have to hide anymore
You don’t have to face this on your own
You don’t have to hide anymore

So come out, come out, come out wherever you are
To anyone who’s tryin’ to cover up their scars
To anyone who’s ever made a big mistake
We’ve all been there, so don’t be ashamed
Come out, come out and join the rest of us
You’ve been alone for way too long

And if you feel like no one understands
Come to the One with scars on His hands
‘Cause He knows where you are, where you’ve been
His scars will heal you if you let Him

John Waller — Still Calls Me Son

I drug his name through godless places
And I’ve known shame that no child of His should know
I’ve seen pain on broken faces
Beyond all thought of hope
I was just too far from home
Still I always wondered when I closed my eyes

After all I’ve done
Could He run to me?
Would He kiss my face?
Could He even look at me?
After where I’ve been
should He take me back?
I would understand
I’ve disgraced Him
But it would be amazing
If he still calls me son

With nothing left for me to bring Him
I left my pride and turned my heart toward home
I saw my home on the horizon
And from a distance
I saw my Father
Watching for His own with forgiving eyes

After all I’d done
He just ran to me
Then He kissed my face
He would not let go of me
After where I’d been
He just welcomed me
I didn’t understand
But He put his robe on me
It was so amazing
That He still called me son

One day as I breathe my last
And I know my days on earth have ended
When every hour is spent
I will close my eyes in amazement
And I’ll hear angels
They’ll be singing

Amazing Grace
‘Cause He will run to me
And He will kiss my face
He will not let go of me
After where I’ve been
He will welcome me
I won’t understand
How He’ll put his robe on me
It will be amazing
That He’ll still call me son

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
When He calls me son
I once was lost but now I’m found
Cause He calls me son

“If This World” by Jaci Velasquez
Michelle Tumes, Tyler Hayes, Erik Sundin & Mark Meimermann
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=8875&artid=791&profid=394635518&plid=

Do you feel you’ve been disowned
Left outside in the cold
And without a home?
Do you think that no one cares
That you’re lost and alone
And without a prayer?

Don’t give in to the lie
That there’s no one you can turn to
Don’t lose heart, there is hope
There is someone who will never desert you

CHORUS:
If this world is a lonely place for you
Fall into the arms of love
If this world is a lonely place for you
There’s a God who you can trust
Who’ll comfort you and lift you up

Are you looking for a friend
Who will stand by your side
To the very end?
Someone who is always true
To his word, be assured
He won’t turn from you

Put your faith in the One
Who will never let you down
He has proven His love
Open up to all He has for you now

CHORUS

He hears your cry, He sees your tears
He knows your pain and all your fears
He waits for you with open arms
He longs to live inside your heart
You’ll never be alone again

CHORUS

MercyMe — “God With Us”

Who are we
That You would be mindful of us
What do You see
That’s worth looking our way

We are free
In ways that we never should be
Sweet release
From the grip of these chains

Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing

Chorus
All that is within me cries
For You alone be glorified
Emmanuel
God with us

My heart sings a brand new song
The debt is paid these chains are gone
Emmanuel
God with us

Lord You know
Our hearts don’t deserve Your glory
Still You show
A love we cannot afford

Like hinges straining from the weight
My heart no longer can keep from singing

Chorus

Bridge
Such a tiny offering compared to Calvary
Nevertheless we lay it at Your feet

Chorus

Everyday Sunday — Wake Up! Wake Up!
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=27081245&artid=11524989&profid=394635518&plid=

Feels like I’m going through the motions in the dark
In a world that leaves me with an uninspired heart

All I know is I’m so tired
Living life I barely feel
Give me hope, give me fire
Give me something real

Cause I don’t wanna keep sleepwalkin’ through
Endless days I’ve had enough of
Going nowhere, God I want to
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!

It’s now or never come and pull me from this dream
Where everything is colorless and nothing’s what it seems

I believe only You
Can make me come alive
Help me be so consumed
Open up my eyes

Half asleep
I’m so bored
Counting sheep

Newsboys — God Is Not a Secret

You don’t understand
this is not what you think it is
You don’t get it, man
you want to boil it down to show biz
Your in depth research shows:
drop the God, emphasize the beat
I’ve heard that positive pop you dig–
I’d rather be buried in wet concrete
Take back your free advice
I don’t accept
I will not play those games
God is not a secret to be kept
God is not a secret to be kept

You don’t understand
I’m not talking multiple choice
You don’t get it, man
if the cross offends you, find another voice
I am not running for office here
I won’t keep it purposefully vague
I’ve heard New Age Life-force trip
I’d rather be dipped in bubonic plague

Take back your free advice
I don’t accept
I will not play those games
God is not a secret to be kept
God is not a secret to be kept

Faith ain’t easy to understand
When a bird in the bush beats two in the hand
The truth ain’t nothin’ you taste and hide
You gotta get up, put up, get off your backside
x2

If we keep silent
If we mass defect
These very rocks will scream
God is not a secret to be kept
God is not a secret to be kept

And would I wash my hands again?
Would I deny my savior when
he hung inside the public square?
Did not my silence put him there?

Toby Mac – Irene
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=5836777&artid=6486001&profid=394635518&plid=

Hush little baby baby don’t you cry
Daddy’s gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything’s gonna be alright
The Lord’s gonna answer your prayer tonight
Hush little baby don’t you cry
Daddy’s gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything’s gonna be alright
The Lord’s gonna answer your prayer

Last night I had a dream you was the homecoming queen
Today you’re 18, happy birthday Irene
Quit school you had to drop out to raise your little child
Doesn’t seem to be anyone around
You got to reach up to touch rock bottom
The powers that be keep you downtrodden
Daughter of Zion, I heard your prayer
Just cast your cares and please beware of snakes
They come in all shapes and sizes
Tempt you, put scales on your eyelids
Don’t waste your sorrows
They’ll give you strength … tomorrow
Your Calvary’s about to come so
Keep your head up, don’t you ever let up
This storm will pass you be ready for the next one

Hey little girl with the pressures of the world on your shoulders
Don’t say that it’s over
I heard your prayers, just cast your cares
And I’ll be there so don’t you fear

Irene I carried you when you was too weak to walk
I took to you when you gave your heart to God
Faithful and true, that’s what I’ll always be to you
Believe in you, believe in Me and these mountains have to move
You have dreams and aspirations
I knew you before creation
Your foundation’s solid
I will give you a palace, restore your soul
You’ll be up for any challenge
Many storms are on the way better sharpen your faith
Count the cost, take up your cross
And wear it every day
Rest in Me and I will give you strength
Blessed is she, Irene who seeks my face

Father I’m stronger than when I first believed

Nichole Nordeman \ Holy

How many roads did I travel
Before I walked down one that led me to You?
How many dream did unravel
Before I believed in a hope that was true?
How long? How far?
What was meant to fulfill only emptied me still
And all You ever wanted…

Only me on my knees
Singing holy, holy
And somehow
All that matters now is
You are holy, holy

How many deaths did I die
Before I was awakened to new life again?
How many half truths did I bear witness to
‘Til the proof was disproved in the end?
How long? How far?
What was meant to illuminate shadowed me still

And all You ever wanted…
All I have is gratitude to offer You

Apologetix — Meshach

Hey, there’s three real famous guys in the Bible you know
And the in-between guy’s name is Meeeee-shach!
Meshach, yeah, yeah

I read about them in Daniel one day
Look in chapter 1:7 babe
And then you can go get their names
They got treated harsh by the king of the world (go get their names)
When they didn’t bow down to his gold statue (go get their names)
They got in a crisis and just about perished from burnin’ up
Hey, king, your joke’s not funny

Well-a Meshach was an Israelite faced with
Mean King Neb’chadnezzar
Meshach, baby — ah, Meshach, baby
Meshach, baby, Shadrach, Meshach, baby, Shadrach
Ah, babe, Abednego’s last

Simon says, kneel and pray fools
You must do as the law says!
Well, sittin’ way back in the middle of a field
There’s a 90-foot statue; ya gotta pray to that
Glitter on the statue didn’t make the guys pray
Even if they got scorched, they would trust in Yahweh

Well-a Meshach was an Israelite faced with
Mean King Neb’chadnezzar
Meshach, baby — Meshach, baby
Meshach — Neb’chadnezzar’s mad
Meshach — no scaredy cat

Huffin’ and hissin’ guess he wasn’t bluffin’
Nebuchadnezzar shoved ’em in one of the hottest ovens
But hold on kiddies
‘Cause everybody’s movin’ around and around and around and around
Nebby got confused and said, “I thought we threw them in with
Ropes tied ’em up — now guys how’d they get out?
There’s four bodies movin’ — there’s another dude in there and
Come here, Meshach — we want you to come back!”

Often a crisis looks as big as a whale and you’re about to get nailed
But God isn’t far, He sees you now buddy
So come on and pray — you’re cool, stop running

Well-a Meshach was an Israelite faced with
Mean King Neb’chadnezzar
Meshach, baby — ah, Meshach, baby
Meshach, baby, Shadrach, Meshach, baby, Shadrach
Ah, babe, Abednego’s last

Wait, wait, wait on the Lord, baby! Talk a little louder soldier
Wait, wait, wait on the Lord, baby! I can’t hear you!
Wait, wait! On the Lord, baby! Wait, wait! On the Lord!
Wait, wait! On the Lord, baby! Batman!
Girls, what?!! Same tune… trust me

Meshach, baby, Shadrach (Ah, baby, trustworthy chaps, yeah)
Meshach, baby, Shadrach (Ah, baby, trustworthy chaps)
(Hope you learned a lesson standin’ in the oven with a-Meshach)

Switchfoot “Head Over Heels (In This Life)”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28433087&artid=14026084&profid=394635518&plid=

Head over here and take me
Head over heels and aching
When I told you I was Yours
I was Yours

In this life, You’re the one place I call home
In this life, You’re the feeling I belong
In this life, You’re the flower and the thorn
You’re everything that’s fair in love and war

I’m coming down like a gunshot
In all these battles I’ve fought
You’re the mark I’m aiming for
I was Yours

Head over heels

In this life I’m stubborn to the core
In this life I’ve been burning after more
We both know what these open arms are for
You’re everything that’s fair

In this life, You’re my only one

Grey Holiday “Let Go”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28217163&artid=14040666&profid=394635518&plid=

I’ve been holding on
To things like dreams that never seem to die
And I’m not so strong to lay them down
And say my goodbyes
How do you say goodbye?

If there’s a remedy
A break from all my vanity
Then I’m gonna need Your help
If there’s hope for me
Pull me down to my knees
Where I’m begging for Your help
To let go

It’s so unnatural
To let all that I’ve planned just slip away
But I would be a fool
To tighten up my hands and be afraid
What I need is faith

I’m walking right up to the edge
I’m bringing everything that’s left of me
I throw my self into Your love
You’ll be the one to lift me up again
As I let go

Kutless – Strong Tower

When I wander through the desert
And I’m longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I’m stranded in the valley
And I’m tired and all alone
It seems like I’ve lost my way

I go running to Your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I’m weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You’re my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder’s all I hear
You speak softly to my soul

Bless the Broken Road – Selah
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=25099518&artid=7561444&profid=394635518&plid=

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love, along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn’t see how every sign, pointed straight to You
Every long lost dream led me to where You are
Others who broke my heart, they were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into Your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to You

I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I’d like to take the time I lost, and give it back to You

But You just smile and take my hand
You’ve been there, You understand
It’s all part of His grander plan, that is coming true

Every long lost dream, led me to where You are
Others who broke my heart, they were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into Your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to You

Now I’m just rolling home
Into Your loving arms
This much I know, is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to You
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight
to You

Who? by Newsboys
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=34524028&artid=15106631&profid=394635518&plid=

How you gonna reckon with a God like this?
When you gonna face what you can’t dismiss?
Whatcha gonna say to the … soul kiss that is my God?
Fearsome like the sag in a fat man’s chair?
Sweeter than a patch of Rogaine hair?
How do you define what you can’t compare?
This is … my God
And there’s no use explaining what can’t be contained
I’m not following a God I can lead around
I can’t tame this Deity
That’s why Jesus is the final answer
To who I want my God to be
He’s who (I want my God to be)

How you gonna reckon with a God this great?
Why you wanna measure what you can’t equate?
Whatcha gonna say to the … check mate that is my God?
Stronger than the burn of an aftershave?
Tender as a burger in your microwave?
Rarer than the air in an empty grave?
This is … my God
And there’s no use explaining what can’t be contained

How we gonna work this out?
To fabricate a God like this no doubt
We’d end up worshipping a Christ of our own design
But Jesus doesn’t fit that profile
His ways aren’t mine

I’m not following a God that’s imagined
Can’t invent this deity
That’s why Jesus is the final answer
To who I want my God to be
He’s who I want my God to be

Matthew West – You Are Everything

I’m the one with two left feet
Standing on a lonely street
I can’t even walk a straight line
And every time you look at me
I’m spinning like an autumn leaf
Bound to hit bottom sometime

Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won’t let me fall
You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart

I’m the one with big mistakes
Big regrets and bigger breaks
Than I ever care to confess
Oh but, You’re the one who looks at me
And sees what I was meant to be
More than just a beautiful mess

Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won’t let me fall
You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in

Breathe again

Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart
You’re everything good in my life
Everything honest and true
And all of those stars hanging up in the sky
Could never shine brighter than You
are everything that I live for
Everything that I can’t believe is happening
You’re standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
You are everything that I believe for
And I can’t help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart
You are
You are
Jesus, You are

You are everything

Waverly – Praise and Adore (Some Live Without It)
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28451078&artid=14109641&profid=394635518&plid=

What I have to say is obvious
and knowledge free,
for all of us are
Your Word leaves us with no excuse
the paths we choose make us who we are

There’s a breeze blowing through
here tonight

So I praise and adore You
lay it all down before You
in every way You’re beautiful
from my heart
I praise and adore You
made the world beautiful
and I cannot sit and deny You created life
and some live without it

Wake up morning sunrise in my eyes
at night the moon lights all the skies
the sound of hope that’s in the air
and everything that’s everywhere

There’s a breeze blowing through
here tonight

So I praise and adore You
lay it all down before You
in every way You’re beautiful
from my heart
I praise and adore You
made the world beautiful
and I cannot stand and deny You created life
and some live without it

And it’s true
it’s all You

So I praise and adore You
lay it all down before You
in every way You’re beautiful
from my heart
and every breath I take
there’s no way
accident created this place

praise and adore You
lay it all down before You
in every way You’re beautiful
from my heart
I praise and adore You
made the world so beautiful
I cannot stand and deny You created life
and some live without it
and some live without it

Casting Crowns — If We Are the Body

It’s crowded in worship today
As she slips in
Trying to fade into the faces
The girls’ teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren’t His arms reaching
Why aren’t His hands healing
Why aren’t His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren’t His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
There is a way

A traveller is far away from home
He sheds his coat
And quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances tells him that his chances
Are better out on the road

CHORUS
But if we are the Body
Why aren’t His arms reaching
Why aren’t His hands healing
Why aren’t His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren’t His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

Chorus (2x)
If we are the body
Why aren’t His arms reaching
Why aren’t His hands healing
Why aren’t His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way

Third Day – Mountain of God

Thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

And I didn’t even know
That I had lost my way
But You were there with me
Yes, You were there with me

‘Til You opened up my eyes
I never knew
That I couldn’t ever make it
Without You

Even though the journey’s long
And I know the road is hard
Well, the One who’s gone before me
He will help me carry on
After all that I’ve been through
Now I realize the truth
That I must go through the valley
To stand upon the mountain of God

As I travel on the road
That You have led me down
You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me
I have need for nothing more
Oh, now that I have found
That You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me

I confess from time to time
I lose my way
But You are always there
To bring me back again

Sometimes I think of where it is I’ve come from
And the things I’ve left behind
But of all I’ve had, what I possessed
Nothing can quite compare
With what’s in front of me
With what’s in front of me

(After final Chorus)
I thought that I was all alone
Broken and afraid
But, You are here with me
Yes, You are here with me.

Matthew West – History

Its been a bad day, you’ve been looking back
And all you can see is everything you wish you could take back
All your mistakes, a world of regrets
All of those moments you would rather forget
I know it’s hard to believe
Let me refresh your memory

Chorus:
Yesterday is history
And history is miles away
So leave it all behind you
Let it always remind you of the day
The day that love made history

You know you can’t stay right where you fell
The hardest part is forgiving yourself
But let’s take a walk into today
And don’t let your past get in the way

Repeat chorus

Yeah Yeah

Would you believe that you are history
In the making, in the making
Every choice that you are making
Every step that you are taking
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
Every word that you are saying
Every prayer that you are praying
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
History is in the making
History is in the making

Repeat chorus

Yeah yeah
Oh history is in the making

Every word that you are saying
Every prayer that you are praying
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
History is in the making
History is in the making

The Afters – You
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28427368&artid=5002603&profid=394635518&plid=

My heart is as frail as a dove
And my spirit is as weak as a rose
See my sorrow, feel my pain
You’re my refuge, You’re my reason
My strength in this beautiful place
That’s where I find God
That’s where I find God

~Chorus~
You’re in my heart, You’re in my soul
You are my heaven, You’re my home
You’re my best friend, You’re my true love
You are my treasure, You’re my God

I watch as the mountains fall down
And the rivers part at your feet
Your creation sings Your praise
Even winds obey and angels bow down
At Your beautiful voice
That’s where I find God

~Chorus~
You’re in my heart, You’re in my soul
You are my heaven, You’re my home
You’re my best friend, You’re my true love
You are my treasure, You’re my God
You’re my God

You’re in my heart, You’re in my soul
You are my heaven, You’re my home
You’re my best friend, You’re my true love
You are my treasure, You’re my hope
You are my peace, You are my joy
You are my Savior, You’re my God
You’re my God.

Hillsong – Point of Difference

the tide is turning
this is redemption’s hour
in the midst of a world lost for love
You are all we have now
the lost returning
salvation is all around
in the midst of the world broken down
You are all we have now
for You are God and this hope is ours
so Father open the skies
flood the earth with Your light
this is love
to break the world indifferent

our hearts are burning
a fire that won’t burn out
in the midst of a world that’s grown cold
You are all we have now
the earth resounding
the anthem of your renown
as we lift up our eyes
and look to Your glory

call us out
let the world see
You are God
and this hope is ours
so call us out
let the world see
You are God, as we sing

so Father open the skies
flood the earth with Your light
this is love
to break the world indifferent
as we lift up our eyes
fill our hearts with Your fire
in a world of sin
we’ll be different, the difference

our eyes are open
every chain now broken
in this world
we are different
let Your love become us
as we live to make You famous
in this world
we are different
so call us out
let the world see
You are God, as we sing

so call us out
let the world see
You are God
one and only
in this world
You are all we have now

BRIAN LITTRELL — “Over My Head”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=25978582&artid=3120605&profid=394635518&plid=

I tried to figure it out
Time and time again and time again
I guess there’s just some things I’ll never understand
‘Cause Your ways aren’t our ways
But deep down in my soul, down in my soul
There is one thing I know that I know

I’m in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I’m so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I’m in over my head

I’ve been holding on
Now I’m letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don’t know where I’m going
But I’m surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You

I’m in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I’m so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I’m in over my head

You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me

“Nothing Left To Lose” Mat Kearney
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28419038&artid=4892133&profid=394635518&plid=

Something’s in the air tonight
The sky’s alive with a burning light
You can mark my words something’s about to break

And I found myself in a bitter fight
While I’ve held Your hand through the darkest night
Don’t know where You’re coming from but You’re coming soon

To a kid from Oregon by way of California
All of this is more than I’ve ever known or seen

Come on and we’ll sing, like we were free
Push the pedal down watch the world around fly by us
Come on and we’ll try, one last time
I’m off the floor one more time to find You
And here we go there’s nothing left to choose
And here we go there’s nothing left to lose

So I packed my car and I headed east
Where I felt Your fire and a sweet release
There’s a fire in these hills that’s coming down
And I don’t know much but I found You here
And I can not wait another year
Don’t know where You’re coming from but You’re coming soon

I can still hear the trains out my window
From Hobart Street to here in Nashville
I can still smell the pomegranates grow
And I don’t know how hard this wind will blow
Or where we’ll go

Newsboys – Take Me To Your Leader
http://www.last.fm/music/Newsboys/_/Take+Me+To+Your+Leader

Isabelle is a belly dancer with a kleptomaniac’s restraint
tried stealing Helena’s hand basket,
made a fast getaway, but McQueen she ain’t
at the courtroom Joshua judges her ruthlessly
on account of Ruth walking out on him
in the Big House Isabelle is a-telling all to
the chaplain who’s become her friend
she says: I don’t know why you care
I don’t know what’s out there
I don’t know where or how
just take me to your leader now
take me to your leader now

Justin is adjustin’ to the odor from
Theodore’s Evergreen Incense
but aroma therapy don’t make him any
younger than Oliver’s All Liver Supplements
his late mate Merrilee merrily said
immortality can’t be bought in a jar
this just in: Justin’s had enough of cure-alls,
gonna quiz the neighbor kid with the fish on his car

he says: I don’t know why you care
I don’t know what’s out there
I don’t know how it’s done
just take me to your leader, son

I see you’ve got the joy
I’ve seen you live it, boy
It’s real, it’s free, it’s fun,
so take me to your leader , son

They don’t know why we care
They don’t know what’s out there
They don’t know how it’s done
Let’s Take `Em To Our Leader’s Son

They see we’ve got the joy
They see us live it, oi
it’s real, it’s free, it’s fun,
Let’s Take `Em To Our Leader’s Son

Every Season — Nichole Nordeman
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=10023162&artid=8389025&profid=394635518&plid=

Every evening sky, an invitation
To trace the patterned stars
And early in July, a celebration
For freedom that is ours
And I notice You
In children’s games
In those who watch them from the shade
Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder
You are summer

And even when the trees have just surrendered
To the harvest time
Forfeiting their leaves in late September
And sending us inside
Still I notice You when change begins
And I am braced for colder winds
I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come
You are autumn

And everything in time and under heaven
Finally falls asleep
Wrapped in blankets white, all creation
Shivers underneath
And still I notice you
When branches crack
And in my breath on frosted glass
Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter
You are winter

And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced
Teaching us to breathe
What was frozen through is newly purposed
Turning all things green
So it is with You
And how You make me new
With every season’s change
And so it will be
As You are re-creating me
Summer, autumn, winter, spring

THE AFTERS – Never Going Back To OK
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26766102&artid=5002603&profid=394635518&plid=

It’s not the end but it feels like it is
I’m waking up like I’m back from the dead
I’m stepping out and it feels so free
But as long as I’m moving it’s alright
I feel alive and it hurts for a change
I’m looking back its hard to believe
That I was cool with the days that I wasted
Complacent and tasteless and bored
But that was yesterday
Chorus
We’re never going back to ok
We’re never going back to easy
We’re never going back to the way it was
We’re never going back to ok
This discontent, like a slap in the face
A mediocre I’ve had enough of this place
This party’s over and I’m moving away
From the frills of your Beverly Hills
That was yesterday
Chorus
We’re never going back to ok
We’re never going back to easy
We’re never going back to the way it was
We’re never going back to ok
We’re here to stay
This is our time
My only life
Our chance to live

RED – Breathe Into Me
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28401380&artid=13129023&profid=394635518&plid=

And this how it feels when I
Ignore the words you spoke to me
And this is where I lose myself
When I keep running away from you
And this who I am when I
Don’t know myself anymore
And this what I choose when
It’s all left up to me

Breathe your life into me
I can feel you
I’m falling, falling faster
Breathe your life into me
I still need you
I’m falling, falling
Breathe into me

And this how it looks when
I am standing on the edge
And this how I break apart
When I finally hit the ground
And this how it hurts when I
Pretend I don’t feel any pain
And this how I disappear
When I throw myself away

Hillsong United – Lead Me to the Cross

Savior I come
Quiet my soul / remember
Redemption’s hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you’re risen

To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

Sara Groves – Why It Matters

Sit with me and tell me once again
Of the story that’s been told us
Of the power that will hold us
Of the beauty, of the beauty
Why it matters

Speak to me until I understand
Why our thinking and creating
Why our efforts of narrating
About the beauty, of the beauty
And why it matters

Like the statue in the park
Of this war torn town
And it’s protest of the darkness
And the chaos all around
With its beauty, how it matters
How it matters

Show me the love that never fails
The compassion and attention
Midst confusion and dissention
Like small ramparts for the soul
How it matters

Like a single cup of water
How it matters

Ginny Owens “If You Want Me To”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=15415741&artid=5593206&profid=394635518&plid=

The pathway is broken
And the signs are unclear
And I don’t know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I’m gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
‘Cause I’m not who I was
When I took my first step
And I’m clinging to the promise You’re not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that’s not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I’d never go alone

ya oh oh no

So when the whole world turns against me
And I’m all by myself
And I can’t hear You answer my cries for help
I’ll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the darkness if You want me to

When I cross over Jordan, I’m gonna sing, gonna shout
Gonna look into Your eyes and see You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that leads me home to You
And I will walk through the valley if You want me to

Yes, I will walk through the valley if You want me to

Stellar Kart “Me And Jesus”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=30795778&artid=3497837&profid=394635518&plid=

When there’s nowhere else to turn
All your bridges have been burned
Feels like you’ve hit rock bottom
Don’t give up it’s not the end
Open up your heart again
When you feel like no one
Understands where you are

Someone loves you even when you don’t think so
don’t you know
you got me and Jesus
by your side through the fight
you will never be alone on your own
you got me and Jesus

After all that we’ve been through
By now you know I’ve doubted too
But every time my head was in my
Hands you said to me (chorus)

Hold on to what we got
This is worth any cost so
Make the most of life
That’s borrowed
Love like there’s no tomorrow

D.C. Talk “Say the Words”

Solomon once wrote:
Better is open rebuke, than hidden love
So say the words…

Silence is golden but these are the words
That the world needs to hear

Terms of compassion will cause a reaction
As love drives them near

But still we choose to hide behind the face of pride
Pretending we are blind to the calling
This is my point and case, if hate can be erased
With such a simple phrase, why are we stalling?

(chorus)
Say the words, say the words, say I love you
Say the words I long to hear
Say the words, say the words, say I love you
Say the words I long to hear

Ya gotta say it, ya gotta say it, say it
Ya gotta say it, ya gotta say it

Some just assume we already know
Of the love that they feel

Some have a heartfelt emotion
But never the words to reveal

I think we all relate, so why are we afraid
To let our hearts convey what we’re feeling?
There is a world in need with hungry souls to feed
And love can intercede if we’re willing, so…

(repeat chorus)

Ya gotta say it, ya gotta say it, say it
Ya gotta say it, ya gotta say it

The word love, well it was once overused
Back in the 70s the word was abused
But I refuse to let love be diluted
We can’t allow physical lust to intrude it
Or pollute it ’cause there ain’t no excuse
For the greatest gift of all to be abused
So choose to lose the pride that may tug at you
Don’t be afraid of the words I love you

(repeat chorus)

Choose to lose the pride that may tug at you
Don’t be afraid of the words I love you

Won’t you say the words
Say the words
Say the words I love you

Say the words
Say the words
Say them over and over

Choose to lose the pride that may tug at you
Don’t be afraid of the words I love you

Johnny Lang “My Love Remains”

Put on that smile, it’s time to face another day
Tell everybody everything’s o.k.
How much longer can you play this game?
Tell Me, how much more can you take?
I see the broken heart you try so hard to hide
I see the tears you hold back in your eyes
I sing the song that you might realize
You’re not alone and I’ll be there

Like the sun that continues to shine
Just beyond all the clouds in the sky
And if ever I seem to be so far away
Remember My love remains

I see the fear and doubt that paralyzes you
Could live your dreams but you never follow through
Open the door, I’ll come in if you want Me to
You’re not alone, and I’ll be there

Like the sun that continues to shine
Just beyond all the clouds in the sky
And if ever I seem to be so far away
Remember My love remains
Our love remains

Before there were mountains, seas or any stars above
You were loved
Know that when all of these cease to be
What will remain is you and Me
Forever, ever and ever
You’re not alone and I’ll be there

Like the sun that continues to shine
Just beyond all the clouds in the sky
And if trouble comes into your life
And even your best friends leave your side
And you can’t find the strength to fight
Well please keep this one thing in mind
And whenever it feels like I’m so far away
Remember My love remains
Never get by without your love
Whenever you need me, just call My name
My love remains

Mark Harris – “Find Your Wings”

It’s only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I’ll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I’ll want to know
You’re walking in the truth
And if I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

Chorus:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I’m here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories (Chorus)

It’s not living if you don’t reach for the sky
I’ll have tears as you take off
But I’ll cheer as you fly (Chorus)

“The Only Thing Good in Me” – Michael English

I heard someone say the other day
They’d seen in me true love displayed
Blessed by something I had done for them
No sooner did they speak those words
I found myself somehow disturbed
Uneasy as I took their compliment
‘Cause I know the heart inside this man
I know the truth of who I am

The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus
The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus
I’ve lived long enough to know
No matter what this life may show
The only thing that’s good in me is Jesus

If you could walk the hallways of my heart
And see things as they really are
I wonder if you might be surprised
Seeing faded walls of pride and fear
Rooms I’ve filled with faithless tears
And corners where I’ve stood in compromise
But you’d see the work His grace has done
You’d know just how far I’ve come

In a thousand years
When the dust of this world clears
And I look back on my life
And see in perfect light

“Gotta Serve Somebody” – Bob Dylan

You may be an ambassador to England or France,
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance,
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world,
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You might be a rock ‘n’ roll addict prancing on the stage,
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage,
You may be a business man or some high degree thief,
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk,
You may be the head of some big TV network,
You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame,
You may be living in another country under another name

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a construction worker working on a home,
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome,
You might own guns and you might even own tanks,
You might be somebody’s landlord, you might even own banks

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride,
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side,
You may be workin’ in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair,
You may be somebody’s mistress, may be somebody’s heir

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk,
Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk,
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread,
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody,
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy,
You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy,
You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray,
You may call me anything but no matter what you say

You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody.
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.

Everyday Sunday — Tell Me You’ll Be There
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=12466080&artid=4739883&profid=394635518&plid=

Here we go, on this road
And we’re not looking back, just looking ahead
I could see why You’d think
I’d want to be like You
And You know that it’s hard
But I’ve never fallen too far
To escape to a place from Your love

So tell me You’ll be there
Tell me You’re the cure
And tell me You’ll be waiting
When my face is on the floor
So when it rains
When it floods
When my face is in the mud
Will You be there
Tell me You’ll be there

Now it’s dark, but the sky
Has never seemed so bright
Come and save me from this field
Of uncertainty

Won’t You tell me now
Won’t You tell me now

David Crowder — You Never Let Go
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26639911&artid=2600511&profid=394635518&plid=

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul
Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills hope
Perfect love that never lets go

Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, what love, oh, what love
In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You’re the same
Oh, You never let go

The Afters – Keeping Me Alive
From the album Never Going Back To OK
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28308311&artid=5002603&profid=394635518&plid=

It’s like I never lived
Before my life with You
So much was missing here
I never even knew
I still picture the place we were
When I fell into Your world

Chorus

My heart is in You
Where You go You carry me
I bleed
If You bleed
Your heart beats
Inside of me
You’re keeping me alive

I don’t know why I feel this way
But something’s right
You’re like the morning air
Before the light arrives
No more lonely and
No more night
No more secrets to hide

Chorus

Bridge

I’ll hold You near
Together, we’ll never die
Your love is keeping me alive

Chorus

Brandon Heath – Give Me Your Eyes
From the album What If We
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28217911&artid=13129018&profid=394635518&plid=

Look down from a broken sky
Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight

Touch down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see

Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what’s underneath
There’s a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He’s out of work, He’s buying time

Chorus

I’ve been here a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just move and pass me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
I need a second glance
Give me a second chance
To see the way you’ve seen the people all along

Chorus

“Whatever You’re Doing” Sanctus Real
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=34457276&artid=15104421&profid=394635518&plid=

It’s time for healing time to move on
It’s time to fix what’s been broken too long
Time make right what has been wrong
It’s time to find my way to where I belong
There’s a wave that’s crashing over me
All I can do is surrender

(Chorus)
Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos somehow there’s peace
It’s hard to surrender to what I can’t see
but I’m giving in to something heavenly

Time for a milestone
Time to begin again
Revaluate who I really am
Am I doing everything to follow your will
or just climbing aimlessly over these hills
So show me what it is you want from me
I give everything I surrender…
To…

(Chorus)

Time to face up
Clean this old house
Time to breathe in and let everything out
That I’ve wanted to say for so many years
Time to release all my held back tears

Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but I believe
You’re up to something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly

Whatever you’re doing inside of me
It feels like chaos but now I can see
This something bigger than me
Larger than life something heavenly
Something heavenly

It’s time to face up
Clean this old house
Time breathe in and let everything out

Casting Crowns – Slow Fade
From the album The Altar And The Door
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28404852&artid=1476415&profid=394635518&plid=
(altered lyrics slightly)

Be careful little mind what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little mind where you go
For it’s the little minds behind you that are sure to follow

Chorus
It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little mind what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little mind what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

Chorus

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little mind what see
Oh be careful little mind what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little mind what you see
Label: Reunion Records

Chris Sligh – Empty Me
From the album Running Back To You

I’ve had just enough
Of the spotlight when it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
I’ve tasted my share
Of the sweet life and the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Chorus:
Empty me of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord, empty me of me so I can be filled with You

I’ve seen just enough
Of the quick buys of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away
I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Chorus:

‘Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to You, compared to You
‘Cause everything is a lesser thing
Compared to You, so I surrender all

Chorus:

Natalie Grant – I Will Not Be Moved
From the album Relentless
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26469835&artid=4988469&profid=394635518&plid=

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They’re bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won’t let me go
And is the reason why…

Chorus:
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It’s grace I’m standing on

Chorus

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I’ve worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Chorus
Label: Curb Records

Phil Wickham – Divine Romance
From the album Phil Wickham
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28579675&artid=450765&profid=394635518&plid=

The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty’s all I see
The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I’m completely satisfied

Chorus:
For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it’s filling up the room
Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I’m completely satisfied

Chorus (Repeats)

Third Day – Call My Name
From the album Revelation
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26586133&artid=13430232&profid=394635518&plid=

It’s been so long since
You felt like you were loved
So what went wrong
But do you know
There’s a place where you belong
Here in My Arms

Chorus:
When you feel like you’re alone in your sadness
It seems like no one else in this whole world cares
And you want to get away from the madness
You just call My name and I’ll be there
You just call My name and I’ll be there

The pain inside
Has erased your hope for love
Soon you will find
That I’ll give you all
That your heart could ever want
And so much more

Chorus:

You just call My name
You just call My name
Call My name say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive
Call My name say it now
I want you to never doubt
The love I have for you is so alive

You just call My name
You just call My name
You just call My name

The love I have for you is so alive
The love I have for you is so alive
You just call My name
You just call My name
You just call My name
Label: Essential Records

ZOEgirl – You Get Me
From the album Different Kind Of Free
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26570991&artid=998001&profid=394635518&plid=

Wonderful,
Is what I perceived,
This life would be:
Pain and problem free.
But over time,
I found reality,
And through it all I see,
That you’re the only one,
Who gets me.
(chorus)
I may be misunderstood,
Cuz I wouldn’t ever fake it;
You’re the only one who understands my pain.
Cuz you get me.
Doesn’t matter what they do,
What the think,
What they say,
At the end of the day,
I’m okay anyways.
Cuz you get me.
No more tears,
It’s a silent ride.
You’ve broken down all fears,
Cuz you’ve invaded all of me.
You know me better,
Than I know myself.
The key to my security,
Cuz there is no one else,
Who gets me.
(chorus)
I don’t care what the world may say,
I hear you calling my name,
And I reach for you,
Reach for you.
There is nothing that I’d rather do,
Than to worship you Lord,
I wanna worship you,
Worship you.
I’m Okay, I’m Okay, I’m Okay, I’m Okay.
(chorus)

Above The Golden State – Sound Of Your Name
From the album Above The Golden State
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=25846531&artid=9915894&profid=394635518&plid=

I tried and tried
A thousand times I tried to get to You
But I could never move
I had to lie
I’d fall behind and blame it all on You
‘Cause I still hate to lose

Oh … Oh … Oh
Oh … Oh … Oh

Chorus:
Towers fall and kingdoms crumble
Mountains bow and the earth will tremble
At the sound of Your name
The sound of Your name
The strong man falls to Him who humbles
The plans he made were bound to stumble
And only You remain
Only You remain

I cried and cried
A thousands tears I cried because of You
I lost my one excuse
I had to die
Along with everything inside of me removed
But now I live with You

Chorus:

So man can reach the sky
If he builds his own device
But still he’s far away from You
He’s underneath Your eyes
As he plans his own demise
What’s new to him is old to You

His kingdom fell and his heart was troubled
I feel the same, I feel the same
The strong man falls to Him who humbles
He demands a man who won’t stumble
And that’s why He came
And that’s why He came
Label: Sparrow Records

Plumb – In My Arms
From the album Blink
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=3063698&artid=9700709&profid=394635518&plid=

Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your curly cues
Your contagious smile
And as I watch
You start to grow up
All I can do
Is hold you tight
Knowing…

Chorus:
Clouds will rage and
Storms will race in
But you will be safe
In my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash around
But you will be safe
In my arms

Storybooks
Are full of fairytales
Of Kings and Queens
And the bluest skies
But my heart is torn
Just in knowing
You’ll someday see
The truth from lies
When the…

Chorus:

Bridge
Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
But you are never all alone
Cause I will always
Always love you
Label: Curb Records

Stay Strong – Newsboys
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=4246347&artid=10675185&profid=394635518&plid=

You’re in the moment now
A bitter root
A wandering eye and then
The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin

You’re in the moment now
When all you’ve been blessed with
Is not enough
Here’s where the ground gets loose
Here’s where the devils call your bluff

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There’s a new dawn to light our day, our day
You’ve gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We’ve come too far to lose our way, our way

We’ve seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls
The saints with feet of clay
Here’s where sin becomes cliché’

We’ve come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day
The burning sky into dawn
Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you’re on?

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There’s a new dawn to light our day, our day
We’ve gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We’ve come too far to lose our way, our way

Get up, there’s further to go
Get up, there’s more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won

We’ve gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father’s dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There’ll be no letting go today, no way

Come on, and stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We’ve come too far to lose our way, our way

Phil Wickham – True Love

Come close listen to the story
About a love more faithful than the morning
The Father gave his only son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
All creation felt the Father’s broken heart
Tears were filling heaven’s eyes
The day that true love died, the day that true love died
When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

Search your heart, you know you can’t deny it
Come on, lose your life just so you can find it
The Father gave his only son just to save us

The earth was shaking in the dark
All creation felt the father’s broken heart
Tears were filling heaven’s eyes
The day that true love died, the day that true love died
When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

Now Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
Jesus is alive
oh He is alive
He rose again

When blood and water hit the ground
Walls we couldn’t move came crashing down
We were free and made alive
The day that true love died, the day that true love died

Come close listen to the story

Sara Groves — Just Showed Up for My Own Life
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28428194&artid=1335855&profid=394635518&plid=

Spending my time sleep walking
Moving my mouth but not saying a thing
Hoping the changes would take by working their way from the outside in
I was in love with an idea
Preoccupied with how a life should appear
Spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I’m standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

I’m going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that’s honest and real until I’m truly amazed
I’m going to feel all my emotions
I’m going to look you in the eyes
I’m going to listen and hear until it’s finally clear and it changes our lives

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I’m standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I’m standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

Sara Groves — Something Changed
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28428199&artid=1335855&profid=394635518&plid=

Something changed inside me broke wide open all spilled out
Till I had no doubt that something changed

Never would have believed it till I felt it in my own heart
In the deepest part the healing came

And I cannot make it
And I cannot fake it
And I can’t afford it
But it’s mine

Something so amazing in a heart so dark and dim
When a wall falls down and the light comes in

And I cannot make it
And I cannot fake it
And I can’t afford it
But it’s mine

Tenth Avenue North — By Your Side
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28649704&artid=14067549&profid=394635518&plid=

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don’t turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I’m not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I’ll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don’t fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world’s sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

(Chorus 2x)

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I’ll never let you go

(Chorus 2x)

Addison Road — Hope Now
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=26656796&artid=4926274&profid=394635518&plid=

If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I’m Yours

(PRE-CHORUS)
I’m not my own
I’ve been carried by You
All my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I’ll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

(CHORUS 2)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
You’ve become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

“Your Love Is Strong” Jon Foreman
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=1195822&artid=15477233&profid=394635518&plid=

Plays even if it’s raining…

http://play.rhapsody.com/jon-foreman/spring/your-love-is-strong?didAutoplayBounce=true

Heavenly Father
You always amaze me
Let Your kingdom come in my world
And in my life

Give me the food I need to live through today
And forgive me as I forgive the people that wrong me

Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place

I walk to the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why should I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need!
You know what I need!

Your love is strong

The Kingdom of the Heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town

The Kingdom of the Heavens
Is buried treasure
Would you sell yourself
To buy the one you’ve found?

Two things You told me
That You are strong
And You love me,
Yes You love me

Your love is strong

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us, today, our daily bread
Forgive us weary sinners
Keep us far from our vices and
Deliver us from these prisons

Some seasonal music. I love how he sings “Shall I play for you?” the last two times.

“Little Drummer Boy” Mercy Me
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=28300257&artid=1694330&profid=394635518&plid=

Plays even if it’s raining:

http://www.rhapsody.com/mercyme/the-christmas-sessions/little-drummer-boy/lyrics.html

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A newborn King to see
Pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
So to honor Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come

Little Baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That’s fit to give the King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for You?
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum

Shall I play for You?
Shall I play for You?
Mary looked at me and nodded
The ox and lamb kept time
Oh I played my drum for Him
Oh I played my best for Christ

Then He smiled at me

Barlow Girls “O Holy Night”
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=8635567&artid=243623&profid=394635518&plid=

Oh holy night,
the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of
our dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world
in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared
and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope,
the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!

Truly He taught us
to love one another;
His law is love and
His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break
for the slave is our brother
And in His name
all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in
grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us
praise His holy name!
Christ is the Lord,
Oh praise His name forever,
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim
His pow’r and glory
evermore proclaim.

Fall on your knees,
O hear the angel voices!
O night divine,
O night when Christ was born!
O night divine, O night,
O night divine!

Casting Crowns “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.23351348&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play
And mild and sweet their songs repeat
Of peace on earth good will to men

And the bells are ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
In my heart I hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
There is no peace on earth I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men

But the bells are ringing
Like a choir singing
Does anybody hear them?
Peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor doth He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

Then ringing singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good will to men

And the bells they’re ringing
Like a choir they’re singing
And with our hearts we’ll hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Do you hear the bells they’re ringing?
The life the angels singing
Open up your heart and hear them
Peace on earth, good will to men

Peace on earth, Peace on earth
Peace on earth, Good will to men

Casting Pearls – Whole World In His Hands
http://music.myspace.com/Modules/MusicV2/Pages/PopUpPlayer.aspx?songid=34554502&artid=15481202&profid=394635518&plid=

When all around is fading
Nothing seems to last
When this day is filled with sorrow
Still I know with all my heart
(Chorus)
He’s got the whole world in his hands (2x’s)
I fear no evil for You are with me
Strong to deliver mighty to save
He’s got the whole world in His hands

When I walk through fire
I will not be burned
When the waves come crashing round me
Still I know with all my heart
(Chorus)
I fear no evil for You are with me
Strong to deliver mighty to save
He’s got the whole world in His hands

“Shadowfeet” by Brooke Fraser
http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=track&id=tra.20767244&remote=false&page=&pageregion=&guid=&from=&hasrhapx=false

Walking, stumbling on these shadow feet
toward home, a land that I’ve never seen
I am changing: less and less asleep
made of different stuff than when I began
and I have sensed it all along
fast approaching is the day

when the world has fallen out from under me
I’ll be found in You, still standing
when the sky rolls up and mountains fall on their knees
when time and space are through
I’ll be found in You

There’s distraction buzzing in my head
saying in the shadows it’s easier to stay
but I’ve heard rumors of true reality
whispers of a well-lit way

You make all things new

When the world has fallen out from under me
I’ll be found in You, still standing
Every fear and accusation under my feet
when time and space are through
I’ll be found in You

In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel (redone by a girl, don’t know who, but Mr. Gabriel of course takes the cake)

Love I get so lost, sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place You are

all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in Your eyes
the light the heat
in Your eyes
I am complete
in Your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in Your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in Your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in Your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in Your eyes

Love, I don’t like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for our survival
I look to the time with You to keep me awake and alive

and all my instincts, they return
and the grand facade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside

in Your eyes
the light the heat
in Your eyes
I am complete
in Your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in Your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in Your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in Your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light,
the heat I see in Your eyes
in Your eyes in Your eyes
in Your eyes in Your eyes
in Your eyes in Your eyes

Sanctus Real – I’m Not Alright

http://www.last.fm/music/Sanctus+Real/_/I’m+Not+Alright+(The+Face+Of+Love+)

If weakness is a wound
That no one wants to speak of
Then “cool” is just how far we have to fall

I am not immune
I only want to be loved
But I feel safe behind the firewall

Can I lose my need to impress?
If you want the truth, I need to confess

(chorus)
I’m not alright
I’m broken inside
broken inside
And all I go through
It leads me to You
it leads me to You

Burn away the pride
Bring me to my weakness
‘Til everything I hide behind is gone

And when I’m open wide
With nothing left to cling to
Only You are there to lead me on

‘Cause honestly, I’m not that strong

(chorus)

And I move closer to You

I’m not alright I’m broken inside, broken inside, broken inside
And all I go through leads me to You, leads me to You
I’m not alright, I’m not alright
I’m not alright…that’s why I need You

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