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Advent 2017 week 3.
Refrain:
[So] turn the Christmas key;
Unlock your mind and heart.
Open up the doors,
And let love fill every part.
Use your Christmas key
To touch another soul,
‘Cause love’s the only key
That makes everybody whole.
1. Love is born to save,
To comfort and forgive.
It lights the path of grace,
So each one of us may live.
Refrain:
2. Love is born to care,
An undeserved embrace,
And we are here to share
The beauty of His face.
Refrain:
3. Love isn’t just a Child
Born many years ago.
He is the living Christ,
Releasing every soul.
Refrain:
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Be an instrument of love.
1. When love has waited for so long,
The world can drown its hopeful song.
But when it’s right it sings along,
For love makes music of its own.
Refrain:
2. When two hearts join in harmony,
They trust each other and believe.
They beat as one through everything,
The rhythm of a love so sweet.
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3. In whispers soft and music low,
Love calms the mind and soothes the soul.
Caressing with a gentle flow,
A song is born before we know.
So
Refrain: (2x)
Refrain:
Heart, heart, beat your drum.
Voice, voice, sing your song.
OOO mind, mind, give it up,
And be an instrument of love.
Be an instrument of love.
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For Freddy and all veterans, and everyone who offers their selfless service to make this world a much better, brighter, and safer place. May God bless you; thank you for your service!
1. There are raging battles, in the world and in your mind.
And sometimes all you want to do is hunker down and cry.
But you stand and take it, ’cause you know you’re gonna make it.
You might win, or you might lose, but still you fight.
Refrain:
‘Cause you don’t sherk your duty.
You don’t lurk with your bootie
On the dock, waitin’ for a ship to come in.
You just keep it going
And give it all you got while knowing
The God you serve on earth is heaven’s king.
And as long as you live,
Your service means everything.
2. You might be a hero in a uniform.
Or maybe you’re an anchor, giving comfort in the storm.
And you stand and take it, ’cause you know you’re gonna make it.
Oh it hurts, but still you work to keep them warm.
Refrain:
3. We can make the peace in a world that cannot see.
We’re the keepers of the kingdom; in our hearts we hold the key.
So we stand and take it, ’cause we know we’re gonna make it.
God above sent his son to set us free.
So we don’t sherk our duty.
We don’t lurk with our bootie
On the dock, waitin’ for a ship to come in.
We just keep it going
And give it all we got while knowing
The God we serve on earth is heaven’s king.
And as long as we live,
Our service means everything.
As long as you live,
Your service means everything (2x).
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1. Why are your feelings so strong?
How do you know what’s right or wrong?
What keeps you together;
What makes you fall apart?
Living by your sweet heart.
Refrain:
2. Why do you lend a helping hand?
How do you choose to take a stand?
What creates your endings;
What drives you from the start?
Living by your sweet heart.
Refrain:
3. ‘Cause you know that love lives in you.
So all you really gotta do
Is let it make your choice
And be your greatest part
Living by your sweet, sweet heart.
Refrain:
You got a sweet heart;
There’s just no way to change it.
And it’s your best part,
So let your mind embrace your
Sweet heart (4x).
Refrain:
God made your sweet heart,
And there’s no way to change it.
He gave your best part,
So let your mind embrace it.
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Behind the Song
For the past 7 weeks, I’ve been suffering after a muscular injury. I pulled my right arm so much that it still affects my back, neck, shoulder, arm, hand, and especially the fingers on that side. In fact, this is the first week I’ve been able to type more than a few words at a time. My faith, patience, and ability to do simple things have been tested beyond what I thought I could handle. And for a few weeks, I seriously questioned whether I would ever play an instrument or write a song again.
I have written 3 songs since this happened, when I usually write at least one every week. Recording and posting them was delayed, but at that point, rather delayed than not at all. Those songs are Centered in the Storm, Love You Like He Does,
and this one, which is truly a testomony and praise song for me. As the song says, “I am not my own.” I belong to the Lord of All, who has plans for us that we often don’t understand, and sometimes do not enjoy. 🙂
However, earlier in the year, during Lent, I wrote extra songs. This is also unusual. I’ve posted some of those in the past few weeks: Think of Me, It Took You,
and Virtuous Woman.
Until now, extra songs have been just that–extra. I was glad to have them, but they didn’t count toward my weekly commitment to write one new song. I.e. extra ones don’t mean I’m off the hook and don’t have to write one next week. 🙂 But the Lord knew more than I did, of course. I believe He gave me those songs to fulfill my commitment to music, even when I couldn’t play.
I’m sure my explanation falls short… But I pray you can understand the divine plan, the hope, love, faith, and healing in this experience. And I pray it helps someone else. I couldn’t share this song without sharing the experience, so may it be an encouragement to you!
Pray with Me
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your everlasting love. Thank you for your presence that is everywhere all at once. In everything I experience, you are there. Nothing happens without your consent, and I am never alone. Thank you for bringing me through this and showing me again what an awesome, wonderful God you are.
I pray that all those going through hard times today and any day, may know your strength and peace that passes all human understanding. I pray you give them comfort during hardship, faith through uncertainty, and love even during loss.
My heart fills with gratitude for those who show us your love, support, and encouragement each day. Thank you for Freddy, who has been strong when I couldn’t be, prayed without ceasing, and shown me your light when I could only find darkness. I pray you send such a spiritual support and inspiration to everyone going through a difficult time. Darkness cannot last forever, and you always send us light when we need it most. For this and each breath you give me to praise you, I am truly grateful.
Bless all your children, dear Lord, and may each one realize we are truly safe in your care. May your will be done in every life, so that we may give you all glory and praise.
In your service, through Christ I pray.
Amen.
Give back to You – Lyrics
1. You gave me my hands
To do your will
And the talents I have,
Your purpose to fulfill.
So when I cannot work,
When I’m feeling hurt,
I brush off the dirt,
Remember their worth,
And I give my hands back to you.
Refrain:
2. You gave me my heart
To sing your song
And the love that I have
To pass along.
So when I hear no sound,
When I’m feeling down,
My heart is found
In your love that knows no bounds,
And I give my heart back to you.
Refrain:
3. You gave me my mind
To think of you
And the knowledge I have
To share your truth.
So when I cannot see,
When I’ve lost the dream,
I reach deep in me,
Where you never leave,
And I give my mind back to you.
Refrain:
Lord, I give my hands,
My heart and my mind back to you.
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For I am not my own.
I am yours to shape and mold,
To have and to hold,
It is true.
You are my strength,
And I give my thanks,
And my hands, my heart,
And my mind all back to you.
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Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence.
–2 Corinthians 5:17 (GWT)
Lyrics
I am changed and all because of you.
1. Every happiness I found was fleeting at its best.
But now I have a joy complete that keeps me feeling blessed.
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2. Piece by piece my peace of mind just crumbled like a wall.
But deep within I nestle in the greatest peace of all.
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3. Love was all I asked for, but no answer fit the bill.
My question heard the truth in you, and every need fulfilled.
Refrain: (Twice)
I am changed and all because of you (2x).
Refrain:
Oh you have changed my world
In every shape and form.
You took all the old and made it new.
You have changed my life,
Turned the darkness into light,
And you washed all the lies away with truth.
I am changed and all because of you.
If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.
1. You are my ray of sunshine
In all the storms of life.
You are the silver lining
In each cloud passing by.
You are the bless’ed rainbow,
The promise that will heal.
You are the love that conquers because
You are the real deal.
Refrain:
2. You are my inspiration
When thoughts are running dry.
You are the peace and comfort
That hold me when I cry.
You are the sweetest blessing
This world cannot supply.
You are the love that’s giving because
You are the real deal.
Refrain:
3. You are the best of lyrics
And music that I sing.
You are the breath within me,
My All and Everything.
You are the Summer, Autumn,
The Winter and the Spring.
You are the love eternal because
You are the real deal.
Refrain: (Twice)
You are the real deal (2x).
Refrain:
You are the real deal,
The spark of love inside, no matter what I think or feel.
You’re the light that brightens every deep and dark ordeal, ’cause
You are the real deal.
Download Mp3
Right click this link and choose “Save target as…” or similar to download and save. The Real Deal Mp3.
If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.
And now abide faith, hope, and love, these three. But the greatest of these is love.*
1. Faith is the stuff of things that you want,
But right now you cannot see.
And faith is the seed that lets you believe
When you ask you will receive.
But whoever would say you only need faith
Is just giving you part of the deal.
Refrain:
The angels rejoice at hearing the voice
Of our Father ever near.
Our God above is a God of love,
Because love alone is real.
2. Hope is the spark that lights up the dark
As it kindles in your soul.
And hope is the thing with feathers that sings,**
And it never stops at all.**
But whoever would say that hope is the Way
Is just giving you part of the deal.
Refrain:
3. Love isn’t blind. It chooses to find
What is good and leave the rest.
And love isn’t dumb. It lets you become
All you could to be your best.
And whoever would say that love’s a cliche
Is just giving you part of the deal.
Refrain: (Twice)
Mystical Strings 