Some Lyrics That Had an Impact on Me....

[LittlePilgrim]

I went to a concert at my church last night where a man named Timothy Mark was performing. A couple of his songs really had an impact on me. I looked on his website and managed to get the lyrics to these songs. (Removed link from own post pending moderator/administrator approval)

The first song, "The Church Across the Street..." had an impact on me because it shows too clearly the situation of the church today. It describes the kind of person we need to be reaching, but are not...

The Church across the Street
Words and music by Timothy Mark
Copyright 1998 Global Outreach Music/BMI. All rights reserved.

"She put the phone back in its cradle,
and she leaned against the wall
Devastating silence from a long awaited call
“Congratulations” had confirmed her deepest fear
As she gave herself the label
Unwed Mother, 18 years

CHORUS:
And at the church across the street
the band played on
And the choir sang another verse
of another lovely song
But her world was crashing
in apartment thirty-three
And she wondered if she would ever meet
Someone from the church across the street

She left her apartment at a quarter after eight
Drove the mile to the clinic
and walked inside the iron gate
She was greeted warmly
with reassurance in his voice
A simple safe procedure
but had she made the proper choice

CHORUS:
And at the church across the street
the band played on
And the choir sang another verse
of another lovely song
But her world was crashing
as she paid the Doctor’s fee
And she wondered if she would ever meet
Someone from the church across the street

Aching recollections she tries to forget
But the room where she had lived alone
she shares with her regret
She sits by her window
and longs for something more
As she listens to a baby cry
in apartment thirty-four

CHORUS:
And at the church across the street
the band played on
And the choir sang another verse
of another lovely song
But her world was crashing
in apartment thirty-three
And she wondered if she would ever meet
Someone from the church across the street

(INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE)

And she wondered if she would ever meet
Someone who could help her with her need
Maybe someone from the church...
across the street...."

This next song had an impact on me because it is a call, a call that we as Christians ignore far too often. It's a call to reach out and to live what we learn on Sunday during the rest of the week.

What I Believe
Words and music by Timothy Mark.
©2004 Global Outreach Music/BMI. All rights reserved.

"Are you going through the motions?
Is His Spirit really real?
Is it more than mere emotion?
More than a feeling you feel?

In a world full of questions
Searching for the truth
Will they find the answer
In the gospel according to you?

Chorus:
I will give my life for Jesus for he gave his life for me
I will live to tell the story how he paid my penalty
For he lived to die and died so that I might live
What I believe

I will live to share the message with every word or deed
I will be the hand of Jesus reaching out to meet the need
I will live the call to live so that all can see
What I believe

VERSE 2:
This old world is spinning faster
Looking for reality
But if it’s hidden in a steeple
Tell me how will they believe?
Is he just a God of Sundays?
Or is Monday his day too?
Can he answer prayer on Tuesday?
What if the answer was you?

Chorus:
I will give my life for Jesus for he gave his life for me
I will live to tell the story how he paid my penalty
For he lived to die and died so that I might live
What I believe

I will live to share the message with every word or deed
I will be the hand of Jesus reaching out to meet the need
I will live the call to live so that all can see
What I believe

(Repeat)"

I may post other songs on this topic in the future, but for now, these are the two that stuck out to me. They carry a message that I feel is important for all of us. We need to simply stop professing our faith, we need to LIVE our faith, and we as a church need to do more, both in America and around the world, to reach out to those in need. Because I have news for you... If the Church does not reach out to those who need help most... No one will.

[baxley]

We sing this particular song in church now and then and it always brings tears to my eyes. The song is so simple yet so powerful. I don't know the name of it but the lyrics go like this.


Hide me now under Your Wings.
Cover Me within Your might Hands.

(chorus)
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm.
Father, you are King over the flood.
I will be still and know You are God.

Find rest my soul In Christ alone.
Know His power in quietness and trust

(Chorus)


Even now when I even think of this song it brings tears to my eyes.
When my husband's cousin commit suicide I prayed for his wife and family and would sing this song in my prayers.
It was as though I could feel the healing and comfort flowing out of my towards them.
I am so blessed to know that I can always find peace in Jesus Christ. He is so wonderful.

[RKJ]

Knocking, knocking, who is there?
Waiting, waiting, oh, how fair!
’Tis a Pilgrim, strange and kingly,
Never such was seen before,
Ah, my soul, for such a wonder,
Wilt thou not undo the door?

Knocking, knocking! still He’s there:
Waiting, waiting, wondrous fair!
But the door is hard to open
For the weeds and ivy vine,
With their dark and clinging tendrils,
Ever round the hinges twine.

Knocking, knocking—what, still there?
Waiting, waiting, grand and fair!
Yes, the piercèd hand still knocketh,
And beneath the crownèd hair
Beam the patient eyes, so tender,
Of thy Savior waiting there.


This is an old hymn our Grandma taught us.  We used to sing this when we were kids.  Later when I was skimming through the hymn book, I stumbled upon this one.  I rededicated my life to Jesus.

Yes, the Pilgrim is strange and kingly!!  Why would He a king come in search of a wretch like me?  It is indeed a wondrous fair!

[Ruth]

For All the Saints

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
All who by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

You were their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
You, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
You, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may your soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But yet there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(William How 1823-1897)

That has always been one of my family's "songs," but after my dad died, it took on all new meaning. 

----------------------------------------------------

You gave your body to the lonely
They took your clothes
You gave up a wife and a family
You gave your ghost
To be alone with me
You went up on the tree

---

I always knew you
In your mother's arms
I have called you your name
I've an idea placed in your mind
To be better man
I've made a crown for you
Put it in your room
And when the bridegroom comes there will be noise
There will be glad
And a perfect bed
And when you write a poem
I know the words, I know the sounds
Before you write them down
And when you wear your clothes
I wear them too
I wear your shoes, and your jacket, too
I always knew you in your mother's arms
I have called you son
I've made amends between father and son
Or if you haven't one
Rest in my arms, sleep in my bed
There's a design to what I did and said.

---

When he took the three disciples
to the mountainside to pray,
his countenance was modified, his clothing was aflame.
Two men appeared: Moses and Elijah came;
they were at his side.
The prophecy, the legislation spoke of whenever he would die.

Then there came a word
of what he should accomplish on the day.
Then Peter spoke, to make of them a tabernacle place.
A cloud appeared in glory as an accolade.
They fell on the ground.
A voice arrived, the voice of God,
the face of God, covered in a cloud.

What he said to them,
the voice of God: the most beloved son.
Consider what he says to you, consider what's to come.
The prophecy was put to death,
was put to death, and so will the Son.
And keep your word, disguise the vision till the time has come.

Lost in the cloud, a voice: Have no fear! We draw near!
Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Turn your ear!
Lost in the cloud, a voice: Lamb of God! We draw near!
Lost in the cloud, a sign: Son of man! Son of God!

(The last three songs or song snippets were written and performed by Sufjan Stevens)