Life Is Too Short (Nana’s Song)

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In loving memory of Nana, who knew all about flowers–and about life.

Refrain:
[‘Cause] life is too short
Not to smell the wildflowers.
And it’s too short
Not to do a little dance.
Life is too short
Not to cherish every hour.
And it’s too short
Not to love when God gives you the chance.

1. Life is for the living,
No matter who you are.
So smell the fragrant flowers,
And let the living start.
Refrain:

2. Life is for the dancing,
Like breezes through the trees.
So dance a little rhythm,
And set your Spirit free.
Refrain:

3. Life is for the loving,
The greatest gift of all.
So open up your heart,
And never be afraid to fall.
Refrain:

Life is too short
Not to love when God gives you the chance.
Life is too short,
So love when God gives you the chance.

Related

God Is All There Is

Smilemaker

Dance!

Minute of Life

Trick Candle

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

(Capo 1)

1. I got a funny candle.
You blow it out and then,
It comes to life, you blow it out,
And sparks play tricks again.
Refrain:

2. This candle is a lesson.
It’s so simple, true and pure.
We travel through the darkness
With light forevermore.
Refrain:

3. The darkness of this world,
It may seem to take our light.
But just when we’re despairing,
It blazes strong and bright.
Refrain: (Twice)

Refrain:
Thank God, thank God
That our light is a trick candle!
It sparks and sparks again
With every fire He helps us handle.
Thank God, thank God
That our light is a trick, trick candle!

Related

A Candle

Bring the Light

Light

Let there Be Light!

A Candle

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

I wrote this song in about 2003. It was written on an electronic keyboard with synthetic instruments. Now here it is on acoustic guitar.

(Capo 3)

1. I have a flaming candle;
It is a special one.
The brightest light in darkness,
It’s there for everyone.
Refrain:

2. We share a special love,
And it is a candle too.
It waits and hopes and lasts long,
And it shines for me and you.
Refrain:

Repeat from beginning.
Refrain:

Refrain:
O love is the bright candle
That never burns away.
It shines throughout the world,
Through the night and through the day.

Rainbow Blues

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

A song of opening awareness, expanding consciousness, and gratitude. Love is always with us! But to recognize it, we must be open to it. On guitar, with my right pinkie and ring finger feeling much better. 🙂

1. I remember my life without You (2x).
The raging storm and clouds of hopeless blue.

2. Through the darkness came a single ray of sun.
Through all that darkness came a single ray of sun.
Your strong and tender Presence gave me one.

3. And all Your Love came pouring down on me.
All Your Love just came pouring down on me.
You paint my heart a rainbow pure and sweet.

4. OOO the rainbow of Your Love is all I see.
That precious rainbow of Your Love is all I see.
And saddest blue, it’s got no place with me.

‘Cause that precious rainbow of Your Love is all I see.
And saddest blue, it’s got no place with me.

Related

You Bring Me Back

Tender Touch

Rainbow Blessing

Wake Up!

Salty Tears

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

I’ll have a guitar tune next week, if my fingers are well enough. Meanwhile, I’ve been so grateful for being able to play at all, and for wonderful ukulele songs these past few weeks. The show must go on, and so it does, only by God’s grace!

(Capo 2)

1. With a lump in my throat,
I think I’ll never speak again.
It hurts to lose a loved one,
But relationships must end.
It tears my heart to pieces,
And it happens every time.
My heart is soft to offer comfort
When another cries.
Refrain:

2. Here I stand, on the edge,
But I don’t know which way to go.
If I turn around, I’m staying;
If I jump, I fall below.
It tears my mind to pieces,
And it happens more and more.
My mind sees burning bridges
Where my God sees open doors.
Refrain:

3. I wonder if His recipe
Is miracles and love,
‘Cause they are all that get us through
When times are dark and tough.
It lights my heart with gladness
And my mind with peace and cheer,
As every day in touching ways,
God uses salty tears.
Refrain:

Use our salty tears.

Refrain:
Our salty tears add flavor
To this banquet we call life.
We’ve got to taste the bitter
For the sweetness to arise.
We don’t savor all the courses,
Like the loss and pain and fears.
But God’s the master chef,
And He can use our salty tears.

Related

Spice of Life

Midnight Song – Reprise

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

This was originally a
poem.
The last verse and ending line are new. Written as a Nocturn, or night song, it’s natural this would be set to music.

1. It’s midnight as the hours turn.
The clock is ticking; candles burn.
As I embrace the dark that churns,
It’s midnight as the hours turn.

2. It’s midnight as the world spins.
The time is passing; hear the din.
I reach for moonlight deep within;
It’s midnight as the world spins.

3. It’s midnight as the mind repairs.
The time is healing, easing cares.
I rest content to be in prayer;
It’s midnight as the mind repairs.

4. It’s midnight as the soul awakes.
Forget the clock of time and space.
As Spirit lights the dreamland scape,
It’s midnight as the soul awakes.

5. It’s midnight as the hours turn.
My life is ticking; fire burns.
As I embrace the dark and learn,
It’s midnight as the hours turn.

The darkest hours always turn.

Related

Nightfall

Evening Blessing

Starspun

The Father’s Child

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

Today is Father’s Day in the United States. My prayer is that every man knows the Father of the Universe in some way, as the great Father-Creator He is. Enjoy a happy and blessed Father’s Day!

1. The Father sends each precious child
To do a work so great.
He wraps his love in flesh and blood
To bring us to his gate.
The happy, sad, the good and bad
Are nothing in his light.
The Father doesn’t make mistakes;
He sends each precious child.

2. The Father helps his children grow
From long before our birth.
He wraps his love in flesh and blood
To do his will on earth.
The happy, sad, the good and bad
Remind us so we know
The Father doesn’t make mistakes;
He helps his children grow.

3. The Father is alive and well
Each moment that we live.
He wraps his love in flesh and blood
Because we are a gift.
The happy, sad, the good and bad,
And don’t forget to tell
The Father doesn’t make mistakes;
In us, alive and well.

4. The Father sent you as his child
To do a work so great.
He wraps* his love in flesh and blood
To bring you to his gate.
The happy, sad, the good and bad,
Are nothing in his light.
The Father doesn’t make mistakes;
He sent you as his child.

The Father doesn’t make mistakes;
You are his precious child.
You are the Father’s child.

*In the recording I sang “wrapped.” Recording this once was enough, with 2 strumming fingers still wrapped (no pun intended!) together.

Related

Father in this World

God Bless this Human Mess

The Work He Performs in Me

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

This is a testimony of God’s work! Concentration was in very short supply this week, and I have a full-blown Summer cold. On top of that, my right (strumming hand) pinkie is splinted, and the hand is very bruised. But God’s work is always completed, regardless of our outward circumstances. So no matter what you are going through, whether just this week or more ongoing, take heart! Be encouraged! And enjoy this song.

1. I painted by the numbers,
Picturing a picture of success.
I colored in the lines,
Thinking what I thought would be best.
But
Refrain:

2. I ordered from the menu,
Choosing only choices to be safe.
I checked the little boxes,
Just to score a score I could make.
But
Refrain:

3. I acted and pretended,
Speaking all my speeches from a page.
But God gives me a passion
And directs my direction on His stage.
‘Cause
Refrain: (Twice)

There is one thing that is sure,
It’s the Power of the Lord,
And the work He performs in me.

Refrain:
Good enough is not what I needed,
And predictible is not what I should be.
My fear of failure is defeated
By the one thing that is sure,
The Power of the Lord,
And the work He performs in me.

Related

Cutting Edge

The Truth We Tell

You Bring Me Back

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
–Joshua 1:5 (NKJV)

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
–Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
–Luke 15:4-7 (NKJV)

You Bring Me Back – Lyrics

You bring me back to Yourself.

1. This world distracts,
Convincing me it has something I lack.
But You bring me back to Yourself.

2. This world confides,
Inviting me into the darkness inside.
But You bring me back to Yourself.
Refrain:

3. This world is frail.
It’s strong from a distance, and close up it fails.
But You bring me back to Yourself.

4. This world is Yours.
You make each illusion a lesson and more.
And You bring me back to Yourself.
Refrain:

You bring me back to Yourself.

Refrain:
You bring me back
And remind me that You never leave me.
You bring me back to Yourself.

Related

The Trail Inside

Only a Whisper will Do

Leave Them where You Left Them

If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.

Refrain:
Leave them, leave them,
Leave them where you left them.
(2x).

1. Lay your burdens
At the feet of Christ, for He will
Not return them.
Jesus paid the price. So you can
Refrain:

2. When you’re worried,
Give Him every fear. Let all the
Stress and hurry
Gently disappear. He’ll help you
Refrain:

3. When you’re hurting,
Let Him take the pain. He’s gonna
Keep you working
Through another day. So you can
Refrain:

4. When you’re yearning
For a better way. Go on and
Keep returning
To Him when you pray. He’ll help you
Refrain:

Repeat 1.

Leave them, leave them, leave them all.
Leave them.