Saturday 23 June 2007

KEITH GREEN

Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and Contemporary Christian Music artist originally from Sheepshead Bay, New York. Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christianity and his unwavering efforts to stir others to the same. Notable songs written by Green and/or his wife, Melody Green, include "Your Love Broke Through", "You Put This Love In My Heart," and "Asleep In The Light", as well as the popular modern hymns "O Lord, You're Beautiful" and "There Is A Redeemer".

Early life
Keith took to music at a young age, beginning with the ukulele at age three, the guitar at five, and the piano at seven years of age.[1] His talents were noted by a major newspaper by the time he was only eight years old. Following a performance of Arthur Laurents' The Time of the Cuckoo, a local review by the Los Angeles Times wrote that "roguish-looking, eight-year-old Keith Green gave a winning [character] portrayal"[2] as "the little Italian street urchin, Mauro";[3] another review commented that he "stole the show". The show was Keith's first appearance in live theater, which was held in Chatsworth, California, in September 1962.[3] According to the LA Times, Keith had already "done a number of television commercials and...made a TV pilot."[3]
At ten years old, Green went on to play "Kurt von Trapp" in a major production of The Sound of Music at the Valley Music Theater in Woodland Hills, California, part of the San Fernando Valley.[4]

Keith Green's first disc release. The other side has the song The Way I Used To Be.
At age eleven in February 1965, with forty original songs already under his belt, Green signed a five-year contract with Decca Records (with his father, Harvey Green [1924-1999], as business manager). The first song released on disc was The Way I Used to Be in May 1965 (produced by Gary Usher),[5] which he had earlier composed and published before signing on with Decca. Upon publication of this song, Green became the youngest person ever to sign with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).[4]
Decca Records planned to make Green a teen idol, regularly getting the young pre-teenager featured in fanzines like Teen Scene and on popular television shows like The Jack Benny Show and Steve Allen's show. When Green was twelve, Time magazine referred to him as "a prepubescent dreamboat".[6] His dreams of stardom were shattered, however, when Donny Osmond stole his short-lived spotlight and Keith's newfound stardom was quickly forgotten by the public.
By his mid-teens, Green became heavily involved in drug use, eastern religion, astrology, and mysticism. After experiencing what Green described as a "bad trip", he abandoned drug use and became bitter towards philosophy and theology in general. Green would later state, however, that in the midst of his skepticism, he felt that God "broke through [his] calloused heart" and he became a born-again Christian. Soon afterward, Keith's then live-in girlfriend Melody Steiner also converted to Christianity, and the pair married on Christmas day 1973. It was during this time that the newlyweds became involved with the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Southern California.

Ministry
In 1975, the Greens began an outreach program in the suburbs of Los Angeles, California, in the San Fernando Valley. Purchasing the home next door to their own and renting an additional five in the same neighborhood, Keith and Melody provided housing and care for prostitutes, drug addicts, and the homeless; much to the consternation of their more conservative neighbors. In 1977, this outreach was officially named Last Days Ministries.[7]

Recording
Green was signed to Contemporary Christian music label Sparrow Records in 1976 and worked on the album Firewind (1976) with Christian artists The 2nd Chapter of Acts, Terry Talbot, John Talbot, and Barry McGuire. His first solo project, For Him Who Has Ears to Hear, was released in 1977 and his second solo release, No Compromise, followed in 1978.
In 1979, after negotiating a release from his contract with Sparrow, Green surprised many in the music industry by refusing to charge money for concerts or albums. Keith and Melody mortgaged their home to privately finance Green's next album, So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt. The album, which featured a guest appearance by Bob Dylan, was offered through mail-order and at concerts for a price determined by the purchaser. As of May 1982, Green had shipped out more than 200,000 units of his album – 61,000 for free. Subsequent albums included The Keith Green Collection (1981) and Songs For The Shepherd (1982).

Last Days Ministries
In 1978, Last Days Ministries began publishing the Last Days Newsletter. Originally printed on a few pages of loose paper, it grew in content to eventually become a "small, colorful magazine", and was renamed in mid-1985 as Last Days Magazine.[8] The magazine featured articles by Keith and Melody as well as contemporary Christian authors David Wilkerson, Leonard Ravenhill, and Winkie Pratney, all of whom lived in the area. The publication also later included the reprinted works of classic Christian authors such as Charles Finney, John Wesley, and William Booth and his wife Catherine. Due to the popularity of the magazine and its articles amongst born-again Christians, most of the articles were reprinted as tracts. At the peak of its popularity, the Last Days Magazine was sent out to over 300,000 people worldwide.
In 1979, the ministry relocated from the San Fernando Valley to a 40-acre plot of land in Garden Valley, Texas,[8] a crossroads community about nine miles west of Lindale, Texas. Within a few years, Last Days purchased additional acreage, bringing the total to one-hundred forty acres.[8]

Plane crash

Gravesite at Garden Valley Cemetery
Keith Green died on July 28, 1982, when the Cessna 414 leased by Last Days Ministries crashed barely after takeoff from the private airstrip located on LDM property. In order to give visiting friends an aerial tour of the LDM property and the surrounding area, the small plane carried eleven passengers and the pilot, Don Burmeister. Green and two of his children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were on board the plane, along with visiting missionaries John and Dede Smalley and their six children. All on-board the seven-seat aircraft were killed.
Among several causes, the NTSB determined that the crash was largely due to pilot error. With eleven passengers on-board, the aircraft was considerably overloaded at nearly 450 pounds (202 kg) overweight. Additionally, the plane's lift-off from the runway was ruled to be premature. The NTSB further determined that Last Days Ministries, as lessee of the aircraft, had not complied with their insurance company's requirement that the pilot attend a Cessna pilot training school before operating the aircraft.
Keith, Josiah, and Bethany Green are interred at Garden Valley Cemetery behind the Garden Valley Baptist Church,[9] less than a half-mile from Last Days Ministries property.[10] He was survived by his wife and two daughters, the youngest of whom was born after Green's death.

Legacy
Two full albums of original Green songs were released posthumously: The Prodigal Son (1983) and Jesus Commands Us to Go! (1984). Another release, I Only Want to See You There (1983) contained mostly previously released material. A complete volume of his work, The Ministry Years, was released in 1987 and 1988, including a few more previously unreleased songs.
The final, unreleased Christian song known to have been recorded by Keith was Born Again, which was finally released seventeen years later in 1999 on the First Love compilation video and CD. Both feature a two-song tribute to Keith by other Christian artists.
A prolific personal journalist, Green's writings were published as excerpts in the books A Cry In The Wilderness (Sparrow, 1993), If You Love the Lord (Harvest House, 2000), and Make My Life a Prayer (Harvest House, 2001).

Tribute Recordings
In 1992, several artists joined together to re-record many of Green's best-known songs for a tribute album called No Compromise: Remembering the Music of Keith Green under the Sparrow Records label. Artists contributing to the recording include Petra, Charlie Peacock, PFR, Susan Ashton, Margaret Becker, Michael Card, GLAD, Rich Mullins, Steven Curtis Chapman and Russ Taff.
In 2001, BEC Records released a second, more modern, tribute record Start Right Here: Remembering the Life of Keith Green. Produced by Derri Daugherty, the album included performances by new contemporary Christian artists MxPx, Joy Electric, among others.
At the twentieth anniversary of Keith's death, Sparrow Records released yet another tribute album, Your Love Broke Through: The Worship Songs of Keith Green. The 2002 album contains re-recordings by Rebecca St. James, Michelle Tumes, Chris Tomlin, Twila Paris, Darlene Zschech, Jason Upton, Martin Smith, Charlie Hall, Joanne Hogg, Matt Redman, Paul Oakley, and Sarah Sadler. The album contains contemporary Christian and mainstream artist Michael W. Smith's version of the song There Is One, an unfinished work by Keith Green. Composition of the song was completed by Smith, along with British songwriter and Christian music artist Martin Smith.

Last Days Ministries

Green Hall dormitory, originally part of LDM property, was named after Keith Green when Teen Mania purchased the property in 1996
The LDM property was sold in 1996 and is now occupied by Teen Mania Ministries.[8] Teen Mania has dedicated one of its dormitories, Green Hall, in memory of Keith. Melody Green continues to operate Last Days Ministries from Oceanside, California, and is a well-known speaker and author. With David Hazard she authored a biography of Keith, No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green (Harvest House Publishers, 1989; revised and expanded in 2000; also on the Compact Disc version of The Ministry Years, Volume Two album).

Honors
On November 27, 2001, Keith Green was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
On April 3, 2006, Green was honored with the ASCAP Crescendo Award at the 28th annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards presentation dinner.[11] His widow, Melody Green, was present to receive the award for her late husband.

Quotes
"It's time to quit playing church and start being the Church (Matt. 18:20)" — Keith Green, as quoted by Melody Green in the introduction to A Cry in the Wilderness, Sparrow Press, 1993.
"I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!" — Keith Green
"You shouldn't go to college unless God has definitely called you to go." — Keith Green, 'Why YOU should go to the mission field', 1982
"No Compromise is what the whole Gospel of Jesus is all about... 'For I tell you...no man can serve two masters...' (Matt. 6:24). In a day when believers seem to be trying to please both the world and the Lord (which is an impossible thing), when people are far more concerned about offending their friends than offending God, there is only one answer...Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him!" — Keith Green, No Compromise album, 1978.
"He, being dead, yet speaketh." — Leonard Ravenhill, Keith's mentor, borrowing from Hebrews 11:4 (KJV) in his 1990 2-page Memories of Keith tribute from a computer file, part of the Enhanced CD version of No Compromise by Melody Green with David Hazard.

Thanks to Wikipedia for their material.

Tuesday 15 May 2007

Because of you

People smile at me and ask me what it is
That makes them want to be just like I am
So I just point to you and tell them, yes it's true
I'm no special one, I'm just one man
It's because of you
People smile at me and say, what a lucky guy
It's because of you
I can raise my hands and reply
And say I'm happy because of you
Now people just can't believe,
that my life used to be
Something that no one had any use for
I'd stay at home each night, never shine the light
And I thank you, it will never be like beforeI
t's because of you
People point at me and say I like what that boys got
And because of you
I confess I don't have a lot
But what I have is because of you
Now people smile at me and ask me what it is
That makes them want to be just like I am
So I just point to you and tell them, yes it's true
I'm no special one, I'm just one man
It's because of you
People smile at me and they say, what a lucky guy
It's because of youI can raise my hands to the sky
And say I'm only happy because of you
Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord
"You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear
But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?
Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them awayAs you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to you door
You've left him out on the streets
Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need,
you hear the cries
So how can you delay
God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?
The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed
Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed
How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
Don't close your eyes
Don't pretend the jobs done
Come away, come away, come away with Me my love,
Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, my love

Sunday 6 May 2007

Altar Call

Altar Call

You know I can't explain to you really how He does it.
but He proved himself to me in such a holy way, such a complete way
that I'd die for that faith, and I'd die for that belief,
because it's more than just a belief
because He lives in my heart, and that's the only proof,
that's the only proof that I can give you, cause He lives in my heart.
Those people who knew me before didn't know
that I could believe something so strong.
The Gospel is simple this, Jesus will forgive all your sins,
if you will come to Him humbly,
lay down at His feet and say, "You're the Lord, and
I'll follow You the rest of my life on Earth, so that I can
have the rest of eternity with You, and the glory of Your Father


Most people don't find out till it's too late,
that someone has to pay the price.
You can pay it yourself (hah) or let someone else,
but who would be that nice,
To pay a debt that isn't his, oh I know someone like that,
and he's your best friend, he really is, he really loves you.
Most people don't find out till their half dead, that they need another life.
You say you've heard everything that's ever been said
about The Way, The Truth, The Life.
You say you've heard lot of preaching all before, so many times,
but did you ever open up your door, give Him a chance to prove Himself?
Well He's real you know!


I hope you find out before it's too late, that there's nobody else
You know it's breaking His heart, the longer you wait,
cause you've only been lying to yourself
Cause no one believes a thing you say - NOT EVEN YOU!
You know you're gonna find out that He's the way,
no matter which way you choose,
But I pray you find out by His love for you.

Some people won't find out till it's too late
Some people won't find out till it's too late
Will you all bow your heads with me........

Don't You Wish You Had The Answers

Don't You Wish You Had The Answers

Look out your window, see the earth.
Where did it come from, who gave it birth.
Where did it come from, where will it go, where will it go?
Don't you wish you had the answers, well, I know.
See how the rain falls, who made the sky?
It's never ending, and you wonder why.
Where did it come from, where will it go, where will it go?
Don't you wish you had the answers, well I know.
Just look out past the stars, look to the one who put them there.
He, He made them all, and He gave them to us to share.
Yes He made them all, and He's gonna take them all back someday.
Don't you just wonder, what lies ahead?
There's peace in knowing, what Jesus said.
Where did you come from? Where will you go, where will you go?
Don't you wish you had the answers?
Don't you wish you had the answers?
Don't you wish you had the answers?
Well, I know.

Rushing Wind

Rushing Wind

Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
I've been born again.
Holy Spirit, I surrender, take me where you want to go,
Plant me by your living water,
Plant me deep so I can grow.
Jesus, you’re the one, who sets my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.
Separate me from this world Lord.
Sanctify my life for you.
Daily change me to your image,
Help me bear good fruit.
Every day you're drawing closer.
Trials come to test my faith.
But when all is said and done Lord,
You know, it was worth the wait.
Jesus, you’re the one, who set my spirit free,
Use me Lord, glorify, your Holy Name through me.
Rushing wind blow through this temple,
Blowing out the dust within,
Come and breathe your breath upon me,
For I've been born again.

Dear John Letter (To The Devil)

Dear John Letter (To The Devil)

Oh, I used to love you, but now that's hard to do,
Cause I got some information about the evil things at night that you do.
Now the whole thing is through, we're through.
Oh, you're such a devil, how'd you get me to believe you were true, oooh.
Oh my momma warned me, and how my daddy cried,
The day I left my home you said you'd always keep me satisfied,
But oh, how you lied, you lied.
Well I should have heard my momma's words,
But then I guess I had too much pride, original sin.
I used to lie away at night and see your face on the ceiling,
Oh, what a bad feeling, I have when I think of how you almost got me,
In the ways of the world, in the ways of the world.
My so called friends say I've misjudged you, my anger's all in vain,
But I'm afraid you got to them before I had the chance to explain,
And it caused me such pain, ouch.
Cause they were such good friends of mine, but now you've got them,
Playing your game, you creep.
Whoa, I used to lie awake at night and see your face on the ceiling,
What a bad feeling I have when I think of how you almost got me
In the ways of the world, in the ways of the world, oh in the ways of the world.
Well, I believe in Jesus, and what He said He's gonna do,
Put and apple in your lying mouth and cook you in a sulfur stew,
Whew, one that will never be through, is it soup yet, no.
Oh but if He hadn't rescued me then I'd be down there cooking too.
Oh, if Jesus hadn't rescued me then I'd be cooking right next to you.
Oooh, I used to lie awake at night and see your face on the ceiling,
Ha, Ha, what a great feeling I have when I think of how you're gonna get yours,
At the end of the world, at the end of the world, oh at the end of the world,
At the end of the world, yes, at the end of the world.

I Can't Wait To Get To Heaven

I Can't Wait To Get To Heaven

You know, I look around at the world and I see all the beauty that God made. I see the forest and the trees and all the things. And says in the Bible that He made them is six days and I don't know if they're a literal six days or not. Scientists would say no, some theologians would say yes. But I know that Jesus Christ has been preparing a home for me and for some of you, for two thousand years. And if the world took six days and that home two thousand years, hey man, this is like living in a garbage can compared to what's going on up there.

Seaside sunset, silver linings round the clouds,
Birds fly, singing, making such a joyful sound.
Thoughts of heaven somehow seem to fill my mind,
But I can't even imagine, what it is I'm gonna find.
I can't wait to get to Heaven, when you'll wipe away all my fears.
In six days you created everything,
but you've been working on Heaven two thousand years.
Deep green forests, mountains reaching for the sky,
Grasslands and deserts, your creation fills my eye.
Thank you, thank you Jesus, though this beauty is just a taste,
Of all your glory I'll see when I pass through those gates.
I can't wait to get to Heaven, when you'll wipe away all my fears.
In six days you created everything,
but you've been working on Heaven two thousand years.
I can't wait to get to Heaven, when you'll wipe away all my fears.
In six days you created all of the world,
But you've been working on Heaven,
You've been working on heaven, Holy Spirit,
You've been working on Heaven, two thousand years.

Here I Am, Send Me

Here I Am, Send Me

Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done.
Oh Lord, so many souls to be won,
Oh Lord, this world is falling apart,
Dying for love from a broken heart.
Here am I, send me, though there's really not that much I can do.
What I have seems so small, but I want to give it all to you.
Oh Lord, you said the harvest was great,
But Lord, looks like the workers are late.
It's getting hard to understand,
How they ignore your great command.
Here am I, send me, though you said the ones who labor are few,
Still my heart hears the call, and I wanna give it all to you.
Oh, to reach the ones nobody does,
Give up my pride and even work in the mud,
I wanna be like those who spilled their blood,
And gave it like water to you.
Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done.
Oh Lord, so many souls to be won,
It seem this world is falling apart,
Lord won't you send me?
Oh Lord, there's just so much to be done.
Oh Lord, so many souls to be won,
Oh Lord, this world is falling apart,
Crying for love from a broken heart.
Here am I, send me, though there's really not that much I can do.
What I have seems so small, but I want to give it all to you.
Here am I, send me,
Though you said the ones you've chosen are few,
Still my heart hears you call,
And I wanna give it all to you.

I Don't Wanna Fall Away From You

I Don't Wanna Fall Away From You

After all the things that you have shown me,
I'd be a fool to let them slip away,
In doing things I know I shouldn't do,
But I don't want to fall away from you, from you.
After all, I've only grieved your spirit,
And then I don't know why you stay with me.
But every time I fall your love comes through,
And I don't want to fall away from you.
When the light is gone, and good times are getting old,
There's no one left to count on, and all my friends are cold,
When I thirst for love oh Lord, you're a fountain to my soul,
My soul, my soul, oh Lord, my soul.
In a way my life is full of burdens,
But in a way you carry them from me, Jesus.
Cause no one understands the way you do,
And you know Lord, I don't want to fall away from you.
Well every day I pray to start anew,
Cause I don't want to fall away from you.
No Lord, I don't wanna fall away from you,
No Lord, I don't wanna fall away from you,
From you…..Lord.

Soften Your Heart

Soften Your Heart

So many times I've tried to tell you,
But I don't think you've been listening.
There's nothing I wanna try and sell you,
Cause his love is free.
You're so proud of saying you're a seeker,
But why are you searching in the dark?
You won't find a thing until you soften your heart.
Lah, lah, lah……
The message is oh so very simple,
You gotta be like a child to see.
Cause Jesus said let the little children,
Come unto me.
You try to make things too complicated,
But you really don't have to be so smart.
You won't learn a thing until you soften your heart.
Lah, lah, lah…..
Well if just this once, I could show you your empty life, I know,
You would follow Him right now.
But I know it sounds just too good to be true,
But if He lives in you, you'll never die, you'll never die,
You'll live forever.
You'll never die, you'll never die, take care of forever, now.
Lah, lah, lah….
You tell everyone to keep on smiling,
Your outlook on life is so positive,
But deep down inside you're look for a reason to live,
Like everyone else you're scared of dying,
But the power of death has been blown apart.
And you'll live forever, if you softer your heart.
Lah, lah, lah….
You'll never die, you'll never die, you'll live forever,
You'll never die, you'll never die, take care of forever now.
Lah, lah, lah….
You'll never die, you'll never die, you'll live forever,
You'll never die!

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

To obey is better than sacrifice,
I don't need your money, I want your life.
And I hear you say that I'm coming back soon,
But you act like I'll never return.
Well you speak of grace and my love so sweet,
How you thrive on milk, but reject my meat,
And I can't help weeping of how it will be,
If you keep on ignoring my words.
Well you pray to prosper and succeed,
But your flesh is something I just can't feed.
To obey is better than sacrifice.
I want more than Sunday and Wednesday nights,
Cause if you can't come to me every day,
Then don't bother coming at all.
Lah, lah,lah….
To obey is better than sacrifice.
I want hearts of fire, not your prayers of ice.
And I'm coming quickly, to give back to you,
According to what you have done,
According to what you have done,
According to what you have done.

I Can't Believe It

I Can't Believe It

There is nothing new, I could give to you,
Just a life that's torn, waiting to be born.
Rivers overflow, friends may come and go,
But you've been by my side, with every tear I've cried.
Oh, I can't believe that you'd give everything for me,
I can't believe it no, I can't believe it no, no.
I know you never lied and so it's just my foolish pride,
That I just won't receive it yeah,
It's so hard to receive it in my heart and make the start with you.
Help me, help me now, I just don't know how,
You know, I've been so alone, please melt this heart of stone.
Lah, lah, lah, lah……..
Oh, I can't believe that you'd give everything for me,
I can't believe it no, I can't believe it no, no.
I know you never lied and so I'm giving up my pride,
So I can receive it yeah,
I just want to receive it in my heart and make the start with you.
Lah, lah, lah……

Dust To Dust

Dust To Dust

Sometimes it's hard to see,
Sometimes it's hard to get through to me,
But I want to do all that you ask me to.
Help me to follow through,
Make every day a devotion to you,
Cause it's dust to dust, until we learn how to trust.
Sometimes I wander away,
And I'm lost in the dark, my faith starts to sway
I don't know what to do, so I cry out to you.
And I reach out in the air,
And I call out Your name and you're always there,
Then you send down your light,
Then you tell me, walk by faith not by sight,
And then you come shining down.
I'm putting Your armor on,
Finding myself so suddenly drawn,
Like a moth a flame, whenever you call my name.
Help me to follow through,
Make every day a devotion to you,
Cause it's dust to dust, until we learn how to trust.
Sometimes I wander away,
And I'm lost in the dark, my faith starts to sway
I don't know what to do, so I cry out to you.
And I reach out in the air,
And I call out Your name and you're always there,
Then you send down your light,
Then you tell me, walk by faith not by sight,
And then you come shining down.
Sometimes it's hard to see,
You know, sometimes it's hard to get through to me,
Sometimes it's hard to see,
You know, sometimes it's hard to get through to me,
But it's dust to dust until we learn how to trust.
Until we learn how to trust.

Trials Turned To Gold

Trials Turned To Gold

He's brought me here, where things are clear, and trials turn to gold.
He shared with me, His victory, He won in days of old.
Oh Lord, I don't deserve, the riches of your word,
But You've changed my filthy rags to linen white as snow.
The view from here is nothing near to what it is for You.
I tried to see Your plan for me, but I only acted like I knew.
Oh Lord forgive the times, I tried to read your mind.
Cause you said if I'd be still, then I would hear your voice.
My Lord, my King, my urge to sing and praise the things above.
No words can say the glorious way you changed me with your love.
He's brought me low, so I could now the way to reach the heights.
To forsake my dreams, my self esteem and give up all my rights.
With each one that I lay down, a jewel's placed in my crown.
Cause His love, the things above, is all we'll ever need.
He's brought me here, where things are clear, and trials turn to gold.

Song To My Parents

Song To My Parents

I need to say these things cause, I love you so,
And I'm sorry you get angry when I say that, you just don't know,
But there's a Heaven waiting for you and me.
I know it seems every time we talk I'm only trying to just make you see.
And it's only that I care, I really only want just to see you there.
Please try and overlook my human side,
I know I'm such a bad example and you know I'm so full of pride.
But Jesus isn't like that, now He's perfect all the way,
I guess that's why we need him, cause by ourselves, there's just no way.
And it's only that I care, I really, really only just want to see you there.
To see you there.
Close the doors, there're just not coming.
We sent the invitations out a long, long, long time ago.
We're still gonna have a wedding feast,
Big enough to beat them all.
The greatest people in the world just wouldn't come,
So now we'll just have to invite the small.
And it's only that I care, I really, really only want just to see you there.
Isn't that Jesus? Isn't it Joseph and Mary's son?
Well didn't he grow up right here? He played with our children.
What, he must be kidding? Thinks he a prophet.
But prophets don't grow up from little boys.
Do they, from little boys? Do they?

My Eyes Are Dry

My Eyes Are Dry

My eyes are dry, my faith is old,
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold,
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to you, and dead to me.
Oh what can be done, for an old heart like mine,
Softer it up, with oil and wine.
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love,
Please wash me anew, in the wine of Your blood.
My eyes are dry, my faith is old,
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold,
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to you, and dead to me.

Pledge My Head To Heaven

Pledge My Head To Heaven

Well, I pledge my head to heaven for the Gospel,
And I ask no man on Earth to fill my needs.
Like the sparrow up above, I am enveloped in His love,
And I trust Him like those little ones, He feeds.
Well I pledge my wife to heaven, for the Gospel,
Though our love each passing day just seems to grow.
As I told her when we wed, I'd surely rather be found dead,
Than to love her more than the one who saved my soul.
I'm your child, and I want to be in your family forever.
I'm your child, and I'm going to follow you,
No matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.
Well I pledge my son to heaven for the gospel.
Though he's kicked and beaten, ridiculed and scorn.
I will teach him to rejoice, and life a thankful praising voice,
And to be like Him who bore the nails and crown of thorns.
I'm your child, and I want to be in your family forever.
I'm your child, and I'm going to follow you,
No matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.
Oh no matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.
Well I've had the chance to gain the world, and to live just like a king,
But without your love, it doesn't mean a thing.
Oh no matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost,
Oh no matter whatever the cost, I'm gonna count all things lost.
Well I pledge my son, I pledge my wife, I pledge my head to heaven,
I pledge my son, I pledge my wife,
I pledge my head to heaven, for the gospel.

The Battle Is Already Won

The Battle Is Already Won

Well, the battle is already won,
And the race has already been run,
It's been done, you just have to claim the victory.
And the future is already made,
The foundation was totally laid,
When he paid the bloody price for you and me.
Oh my friend, have you heard the story,
What my Jesus has done?
We will share His triumphant glory,
For the battle is already won.
When the sign of the end shall appear,
Fill the sky with a message so clear,
All will hear the beloved calling of our Lord.
Every tongue will confess to His Name,
All his children and angels proclaim,
He's the same for now, for now, for now and every more,
He don't change.
Oh my friend won't you join the chorus,
Singing praise to the son.
From the day that he laid his life down for us,
The battle was already won.
Raise your banners high,
Praises fill the sky,
Mountains tremble and fall,
Hallelujah sing, glory to the King,
Lord creator of all.
Well, the battle is already won,
And the race has already be run,
It's all been done, you just gotta claim the victory.
And the future is already made,
The foundation was totally laid,
When he paid the ugly, bloody price for you and me.
Oh my friend, have you heard the story,
What my Jesus has done,
We'll return in triumphant glory,
For the battle, it's already won.

When There's Love

When There's Love

Take some time, make a friend of a stranger,
Touch a hand, just reach out, there's no danger.
When there's love mountains move,
The blind can see and things improve.
Don't be afraid to take the lead,
And be the first to plant a seed,
And then just watch it grow, don't you know?
Take some time, tell someone that you love them,
Make them feel there's a rainbow above them.
When there's love storms will cease,
And those in chains will be released.
There's not a thing that love can't do,
But it's got to start with me and you,
And then just watch it grow, don't you know?
When there's love, you can't lose,
You'll always know which road to choose,
There's not one thing that love can't do,
But it's got to start with me and you.
And then just watch it grow, don't you know?
Take some time, make a friend of a stranger,
When there's love touch a hand,
Just reach out, there's no danger.
When there's love, take some time,
Make a friend of a stranger.
When there's love, touch a hand,
Just reach out, there's no danger.
When there's love, take the time,
Make a friend of a stranger.

Easter Song

Easter Song

Here the bells ringing,
They're singing that you can be born again,
Here the bells ringing,
They're singing Christ is risen from the dead.
The angel up on the tombstone,
Said He has risen, just as He said,
Quickly now, go tell his disciples,
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead.
Joy to the word, He has risen, hallelujah,
He's risen, hallelujah,
He's risen, hallelujah.
Hear the bells ringing,
They're singing that you can be healed right now,
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing,
Christ, He will reveal it now,
The angels, they all surround us,
And they are ministering Jesus' power,
Quickly now, reach out and receive it,
For this could be your glorious hour.
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah,
He's risen, hallelujah,
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah…..
The angel up on the tombstone,
Said He has risen, just as He said,
Quickly now, go tell his disciples,
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead.
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah,
He's risen, hallelujah,
He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah

Make My Life A Prayer To You

Make My Life A Prayer To You

Make my life a prayer to You,
I want to do what you want me to,
No empty words and no white lies,
No token prayers, no compromise,
I want to 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.
Oh, I want to 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,
Oh, you're coming again, coming to take me away,
I want to die, and let you give,
Your life to me, so I might live,
And share the hope you gave to me,
The love that set me free,
I want to tell the world out there,
You're not some fable or fairy tail,
That I made up inside my head,
You're God, The Son, you've risen from the dead.
Oh, I want to 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,
Oh, you're coming again,
Coming to take me away.
I want to die, and let you give,
Your life to me, so I might give,
And share the hope you gave to me,
I want to share the love that set me free.

He'll Take Care Of The Rest

He'll Take Care Of The Rest

You know it ain't no use, banging your head,
up against that cold stone wall,
Cause nobody's perfect, except for the Lord,
and even the best bound to fall,
Remember He is de vine, and you are de branch,
He'd love to get you through it if you'd give Him a chance,
Just keep doing your best,
And pray that it's blessed,
And Jesus takes care of the rest.
Yes the Lord said that He'd take care of the rest, He's gonna do it,
He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it,
He'll take care of the rest, the devil blew it,
He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest.
Just think about Moses, in front of the burning bush, barefoot on the Holy ground,
You know, he must have been thinking, what's an old dude like me,
Gonna tell em all when I go down, go down Moses,
The Lord said, hey Moe, don't you worry about going down south,
I'll be saying every word that comes out of your mouth,
Just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed,
Hey Moe, I'll take care of the rest.
Yes the Lord said that He'd take care of the rest, he's gonna do it,
He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it,
He'll take care of the rest, oh, Pharaoh blew it,
He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest.
Just believe, and you'll receive, that comfort you need,
You just think about all those lonely people you know,
They've got everything they want, but they have empty souls,
Well, He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the,
He'll take care of the, care of the rest.
You just think about Noah, toting his umbrella,
when there wasn't a cloud in the sky,
All his neighbors would laugh at his pet giraffe,
and would snicker as he walked by,
But the Lord said, hey Noah, keep cool, just keep building that boat,
It's just a matter of time till they see who's gonna float,
You just keep doing your best, and pray that it's blessed,
Hey Noah, I'll take care of the rest, I'm the weatherman.
The Lord said that he'll take care of the rest, He's gonna do it,
He'll take care of the rest, He'll see you through it,
He'll take care of the rest, his neighbors blew it,
He'll take care of the rest, He's gonna do it, He's gonna do it,
He'll take care of the rest, only Jesus can see you through it,
He'll take care of the rest, yes, yes, yes,
He'll take care of the, He'll take care of the rest….