Oh Lord, You're Beautiful

Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful
By: Keith Green

Oh Lord, You're beautiful
Your face is all I see
For when Your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clean
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear

I want to take Your Word and shine it all around
But first help me just to live it, Lord
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to You

Slow Fade

These lyrics are from a song that I really like, called “Slow Fade” by Casting Crowns. I find this song to be a really good reminder/warning about temptation and the affects that compromising and giving in to temptation bring to our lives as it takes the form of sin.

Slow Fade

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

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to grey
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 ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

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

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 grey
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 eyes what you see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Make My Life A Prayer To You

Keith Green has always been one of my favourite musicians because so many of his songs have such beautiful lyrics. This song is an absolute favourite of mine:

Make My Life A Prayer To You
By: Keith Green

Make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what You want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise

I wanna shine the light You gave
Through Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You're really there

Well I wanna thank You now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me

I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what You say
You're coming again
Coming to take me away

I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave me
The love that set me free

I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the Son and You've risen from the dead

Never Alone

The following are lyrics to a song that I’ve come to really appreciate, called “Never Alone,” by Barlow Girl. It’s a good reminder that even when we feel that we are alone, we never are – which is a truth revealed in two of my favourite Scripture verses:
Matthew 28:20: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age and Psalm 73:23(-26): Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand…

Never Alone

I waited for you today
But You didn't show
I needed You today
So where did you go?

You told me to call
you 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 can not 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

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

Amen, Amen

Happy new year to all!! I wanted to start this year off with a post of lyrics to one of my favourite songs. It is called "Amen, Amen" - found on Sojourn's album entitled Advent Songs - and is a great, yet simple, song of praise. :)

Amen, Amen

Let every creature rise and bring
Their grateful praises to our King
Angels descend with songs again
And earth repeats a loud “Amen”

Amen, Amen
Amen, Amen
I found my life
I found my life in Him
Amen, Amen

Peace like a river from His throne
Will flow to nations yet unknown
His Word a light where all hope is dim
And all tribes unite to cry “Amen”

And in this Child we’ll find our rest
And all the meek and lowly blessed
An infant tongue could sing the hymn
Of Hallelujah and Amen

O Holy Night

This following song is probably my absolute favourite Christmas song…

O Holy Night (Placide Cappeau, 1847)

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the 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 soul 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, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!

He knows our need—to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

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! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

Last week in church we sang one of my favourite hymns, and I'd like to post the words of it here today. It was written by Nikolaus L. von Zin­zen­dorf in 1739...

Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress;
’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,
With joy shall I lift up my head.

Bold shall I stand in Thy great day;
For who aught to my charge shall lay?
Fully absolved through these I am
From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb,
Who from the Father’s bosom came,
Who died for me, e’en me to atone,
Now for my Lord and God I own.

Lord, I believe Thy precious blood,
Which, at the mercy seat of God,
Forever doth for sinners plead,
For me, e’en for my soul, was shed.

Lord, I believe were sinners more
Than sands upon the ocean shore,
Thou hast for all a ransom paid,
For all a full atonement made.

When from the dust of death I rise
To claim my mansion in the skies,
Ev’n then this shall be all my plea,
Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.

This spotless robe the same appears,
When ruined nature sinks in years;
No age can change its glorious hue,
The robe of Christ is ever new.

Jesus, the endless praise to Thee,
Whose boundless mercy hath for me—
For me a full atonement made,
An everlasting ransom paid.

O let the dead now hear Thy voice;
Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice;
Their beauty this, their glorious dress,
Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.

Wish

This has always been one of my favourite Joy Williams songs...

Wish

For just a moment I wish I could have been there

To see Your first step, hear Your very first word

Tell me, did You ever fall and scrape Your knee?

Did You know Your wounds would one day heal the world?

For just one moment I wish I could have seen You growing

Learning the way of a carpenter’s son

Just a little boy gazing at the stars

Did You remember creating every one?

If You passed by, would I have seen a child or a King?

Or would I have known?

I wish I could have been there

My only wish is to see You face to face

I wish I could have been there

Just to see You, Jesus, face to face

For just a moment I wish I could have been there

When You left Your footprints upon the waves

To walk along beside You, never look away

Just Your whisper and the wind and sea obey

To see You feed the people

To feel the healing in Your touch

I wish I could have been there

My only wish is to see You face to face

I wish I could have been there

Just to see You, Jesus, face to face

To hear You pray in the garden alone

Laying down Your will with each tear

To see You walk that lonely road

Willing to die for me

And in that moment I know I should have been there

You took my cross and gave Your life
But You live again!

I wish I could have been there

I wish I could have seen You rise again!

I wish I could have been there

My only wish is to see You face to face

Someday I’ll be there, I’m gonna be there

I’ll see Your face, Your mercy and grace

Someday, someday

Someday I’ll see You, my Jesus

Face to face

Faithful One

Here is a very simple, but beautiful song...

Faithful One (by Brian Doerksen)

Faithful One so unchanging

Ageless One You're my rock of peace

Lord of all I depend on You

I call out to You, again and again

I call out to You, again and again

You are my rock in times of trouble

You lift me up when I fall down

All through the storm Your love is the anchor

My hope is in You alone

I Stand In Awe

Below is an older song by Sovereign Grace music, from the album with the same title I Stand In Awe...

I Stand In Awe (by Mark Altrogge)

You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvellous for words
Too wonderful for comprehension
Like nothing ever seen hor heard

Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?
Who can fathom the depth of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty, enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of You
I stand, I stand in awe of You
Holy God, to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of You

You are beautiful beyond description
Yet God crushed You for my sin
In agony and deep affliction
Cutt off that I might enter in

Who can grasp such tender compassion?
Who can fathom this mercy so free?
You are beautiful beyond description
Lamb of God who died for me

Worthy Is The Lamb

I used to hear about Hillsong's music and think that it was all just a bit too "showy" - big concerts, people screaming... I thought the musicians and singers were just being idolized. It wasn't until I actually watched a video that I realized their music is so God-centered, and that although there's lots of cheering and everything, it's more that they're cheering for God rather than for the "group." Since then, I regularly listen to their music and pop on their DVDs... it makes for a great time of singing/worship! I was very wrong about Hillsong with my first impression. There are countless songs that are SO lyrically beautiful, and I want to post just a few of my favourite parts of some of my favourite songs. :)

You saw me when You took a crown of thorns,

And Your blood washed over me.

You loved me through the nails that You bore,

And Your blood washes over me.

~~*~~

I have nothing more than all You offer me;
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me.
And I love You Lord –
You rescued me.
You are all that I want,
You are all I need.

~~*~~

All to You, God, for all You are to me.
There is nothing like Your love.

~~*~~

Beholding Your beauty is all that I long for.
To worship You, Jesus, is my soul’s desire.
For this very heart you have shaped for your pleasure –
The purpose to lift Your name high.

~~*~~

Worthy is the Lamb, seated on the throne;
Crown You now with many crowns –
You reign victorious!
High and lifted up –
Jesus, Son of God.
The Darling of heaven crucified.
Worthy is the Lamb.

Pearly Gates

Well, I've finished posting on Real Christianity! Those 7 posts took us through the whole book and all of my favourite quotes/excerpts. :) I figured I'd start this week off with yet another post of lyrics from Red Mountain Music. This one is from their Heaven E.P. and is yet another favourite of mine:

Pearly Gates

Love divine – so great and wondrous,
Deep and mighty, pure, sublime;
Coming from the heart of Jesus
Just the same through tests of time.

He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For he purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.

Like a dove when hunted, frightened,
As a wounded fawn was I;
Broken hearted, yet he healed me,
He will heed the sinner’s cry.

Love divine – so great and wondrous,
All my sins he then forgave!
I will sing his praise forever,
For his blood, his pow’r to save.

In life’s eventide, at twilight
At his door I’ll knock and wait;
By the precious love of Jesus

I shall enter heaven’s gate.

He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For he purchased my redemption

And forgave me all my sin.

Lord of Lords

This song is from Hillsong's Saviour King... it's absolutely beautiful. :)

Lord of Lords

Beholding your beauty is all that I long for

To worship You Jesus is my soul's desire

For this very heart You have shaped for Your pleasure

The purpose: to lift Your name high

Here in surrender, in pure adoration

I enter Your courts with an offering of praise

I am Your servant come to bring You glory

As is fit for the work of Your hands

Now unto the Lamb who sits on the throne

Be glory and honor and praise

All of creation resounds with the song

Worship and praise Him, the Lord of Lords

The Spirit now living and dwelling within me

Keep my eyes fixed ever on Jesus' face

Let not the things of this world ever sway me

I'll run 'till I finish the race

Singing unto the Lamb who sits on the throne

Be glory and honor and praise

All of creation resounds with the song

Worship and praise the Lord

Now unto the Lamb who sits on the throne

Be glory and honor and praise

All of eternity echoes the song

Worship and praise Him, the Lord of Lords

Holy Lord -

You are Holy

Jesus Christ is the Lord

Now unto the Lamb who sits on the throne

Be glory and honor and praise

Call all the saints to join in the song

Worship and praise Him, the Lord of Lords

In Your Freedom

Today I have some lyrics to post again... another song from Hillsong's CD Saviour King:

In Your Freedom

I search for You God of strength
I bow to You in my brokenness
And no other King could have so humbly come
To save my soul and heal my heart

I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that's of worth to me

And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You're all that I need

I pray to You God of peace
I rest in You my cares released

I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that's of worth to me

And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You're all that I need

In Your freedom I will live
I offer devotion, I offer devotion

It Was Your Grace

My post for today is yet another song. It is from a group of musicians I've talked about before - Sovereign Grace - and the song is from the album Valley of Vision. This CD is full of songs inspired by the classic book of Puritan prayers of the same title. This particular song is called "It Was Your Grace" and is based on the Valley of Vision prayer "Grace in Trials."

It Was Your Grace

It was Your grace that drew me to the cross
It was Your grace that gave me faith
It was Your grace that reconciled me to Yourself
Though I had sinned in every way
You disarmed me of everything that I would lean on
So I would lean on You
And You stripped me of everything I would depend on
So I’d depend on You

In You alone my strength is found
In You alone my hope abounds
In You alone my strength is found
My life is bound up in You

And in my weakness give me still more grace
Grace to cast myself on You
In every trial let me find Your peace and joy
And grace to humbly walk with You
O disarm me of everything that I would lean on
So I will lean on You
Jesus, strip me of everything I would depend on
So I’ll depend on You

Give me more grace
Give me more grace
And new mercies every morning
Give me new mercies

Every Day

A few months ago a friend of mine got me a CD by Sovereign Grace Music. Though I had never heard of Sovereign Grace, it sure didn't take long for the album - Come Weary Saints - to become a favourite. From the very first listen I knew I had a new favourite song: "Every Day." It speaks of trials and things we go through that we don't understand - but it reminds us that God ordains all things and we can thank Him even when times are hard; and also reminds us that ultimately everything is for God's praise. So, continuing with thoughts of trials and praising God through the storms, I want to share these lyrics...

Every Day

In Your grace, You know where I walk
You know when I fall
You know all my ways
In Your love, I know You allow
What I cannot grasp
To bring You praise

Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

Your great power is shown when I’m weak
You help me to see
Your love in this place
Perfect peace is filling my mind
And drawing my heart
To praise You again

Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

In my uncertainty, Your Word is all I need
To know You’re with me every day

Lead Me To The Cross

Here is one of my favourite songs by Hillsong, called Lead Me To The Cross...

Saviour 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 loss

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
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

...Lead me to your heart

Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer

I am always coming across such inspiring and encouraging things as I read my daily devotions, listen to music, read various books, etc. So my goal with this journal is to simply share these writings, lyrics, poems & quotes with anyone who wants to read them. They will basically all be centered around themes of surrender, praise, and love towards Christ - things that are applicable to the lives of God's children as they strive to grow in Him. This first entry is to share the lyrics of a beautiful song called Jesus, Draw Me Ever Nearer (written by Kristyn & Keith Getty):


Jesus, draw me ever nearer
As I labour through the storm;
You have called me to this passage,
And I’ll follow, though I’m worn.

(Refrain)
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart’s testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.

Jesus guide me through the tempest
Keep my spirit staid and sure;
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.

Let the treasures of the trial
Form within me as I go –
And at the end of this long passage,
Let me leave them at Your throne