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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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This song with Celtic flavor is inspired by the Claddagh (see below) and Samhain, the Celtic New Year and beginning of Winter. We still celebrate this festival as Halloween on October 31.
I gave my friendship gratefully;
It blossomed as you cherished me.
And love came softly to my heart;
We blended from the very start.
My loyalty I promised you
In faithful trust and honest truth.
I thank our Lord and God above
For friendship, loyalty and love.
For only God could ever plan
The joining of our hearts and hands.
With Oneness brought to you and me,
We’re blessed beyond our sweetest dreams.
We live for all eternity
In friendship, love and loyalty.
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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.
Refrain:
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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OOO…
God help me love you like He does.
1. Everything I do should be for you.
Every word I say should light your way.
Every thought I hold should be a comfort to your soul,
‘Cause I want to love you like He does.
Refrain:
2. Falling on my face, He gives me grace.
Bowing on my knees, He hears my pleas.
Crying to our Lord is making all my motives pure,
‘Cause I want to love you like He does.
Refrain:
3. As long as I live, may I forgive.
In seeking may I find He keeps me kind.
And all the love I see, I know it’s not about just me,
‘Cause I want to love you like He does.
Refrain: (Twice)
God help me love you like He does (2x).
Refrain:
Let me love you like He does
And brighten up your day.
May I love you like Jesus
Each step of the way.
[Ya know] we might float through Heaven
Or crawl through Hell,
But let this be the same:
God help me love you like He does.
I remember your name as it rang out so clear,
And your voice nestled deep in my heart through my ears.
I remember your heart as it came to my hands,
And my mind reached for you to fulfill Heaven’s plans.
For the mind only sees and the heart only feels
Precious love from above through the Spirit so real.
You make me laugh and cry like no one can
With smiles and tears to end and start anew.
Your love does free and bind with tender hand
And break down walls to build me up with truth.
*Unfettered now, I hold on tight to you.
You carry me away to bring me home,
And in the dark, you light the winding road.
—
A Chaucerian stanza for Frank’s prompt at dVerse.
Personally I don’t like the sound of 7 lines. Six or 8 feel better. I originally wrote this in 6, without the starred line, then realized it wasn’t true to form. The poem turned out well, but this one simple stanza took a long time to write!
I heard a bird sing out the word:
Hope! Hope! Hope!
A butterfly I saw confide:
Hope! Hope! Hope!
I smelled the flowers pure and sweet
And ate the fruit from giving trees.
I touch the Word; I’m seen and heard:
Hope! Hope! Hope!
—
My nature-inspired Quadrille for De’s prompt at dVerse.
Come Q with us! 🙂
If you received this post by email, click the URL to hear this song.
Proverbs 31:10-13, 20, 25-31 (NIV)
Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.
Virtuous Woman – Lyrics
Refrain:
Lord, make me a virtuous woman,
Hard-working, caring, and kind,
Keeping a home for my family,
And living Your design.
1. Give me the talent to make
All that my hands can supply.
Grant me the Spirit to manage it well
And bring my husband pride.
Refrain:
2. Cooking and planting to grow,
Nurturing children and seeds.
Lord, may I be a good wife to my husband
And gladly meet his needs.
Refrain:
3. May I have extra to share
And be giving and humble and meek.
For in this way I inherit the kingdom
And make my life complete.
Refrain:
Lord, make me a virtuous woman
Who is living Your design!
Mystical Strings 
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