Knowing You, Jesus

Lots of people have asked about the new song we sang on Sunday. It's taken from an old song & some of our amazing songwriters added a bit to it.
Here are the lyrics:

Knowing You, Jesus

verse1:
All I once held dear built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain now I count as loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

chorus:
Knowing you, Jesus
Knowing you
There is no greater aim
In your presence here
My joy is found
There is no higher gain

verse2:
Now my heart's desire is to know you more
To be found in you, and known as yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness

(chorus)

bridge:
Your love is higher
Your glory brighter
My hope is set on you
My greatest longing
Is found in knowing
My hope is set on you

verse3:
Oh to know the power of your risen life
And to know you in your suffering
To become like you in your death my Lord
So with you to live and never die

(chorus)
(bridge)

King of Love

We have a few new songs that we have been singing at church. They are SO good. I'm so thankful for the amazing songwriters that I get to work & sing with each Sunday. I learn so much from them!
Hopefully they will be on our next worship album so that y'all can get your hands on them and worship throughout the week!

I wanted to share one of them with you called, King of Love. It was written from an old hymn and with a new bridge that is so strong to end the song with...here are the lyrics:

The King of love my shepherd is
Whose goodness never faileth
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul He leadeth
From heights above to cavern low
With constant love He feedeth

Corrupt and foolish oft I stray
Yet in His love He sought me
And on His shoulders gently laid
He brought me home rejoicing
In deaths dark vale I fear no ill
With thee dear Lord beside me
Thy rod and staff my comfort still
Thy cross before to guide me

Thou set a table in my sight
Abundant grace bestoweth
All of Thy kindness my delight
From heaven's storehouse floweth
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd may I sing Thy praise 
Within Thy house forever
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never
Good Shepherd may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever

My lips will praise
Oh King of love
Who sealed my heart
For realms above 
In sin and shame
Came mercy's flood
I run to You
Oh King of love

I just love it so much. I love the picture of my Shepherd gently laying me on His shoulders and bringing me home. There have been so many times that He has come after me like this. I stray so easily. So thankful for this good Shepherd.

My Hands Float Up Above Me

In our backyard we have a little shed/house type of thing. I recently decided to turn it into a little art room/music room/quiet time/worship room.
It's been so good for me.
I've spent a lot of time out there and I've been creating a lot. The dreamer in me has come out even more.  I love sitting by myself with a good playlist on.  All of my different colors of paper, different colors of paint, my sharpies, the things that my mom & sisters have created on the walls, I love it. I can sit for hours creating things. Then I turn around & pick up my guitar and sing some songs & write down some lyrics & melodies.  I've even just gotten down on the floor on my face & prayed. I've stood up & twirled around & danced. I've raised my hands in the air crying begging God to change my heart so that it looks more like His. Begging Him for restored relationships. Begging Him for peace & contentment. It's just me & Him & I love it. It has filled me up so much this week.
Tonight I turned the lights down and was spending time singing and worshiping, with my hands up in the air and I looked over at a piece of art that my sister created for me and gave to me.  It was so sweet & I felt like God just gave me a little hug. Here is the piece of art:

Such sweetness.

Not For a Moment (After All)

This song is on repeat. SO good. Not For A Moment (After All) by Meredith Andrews

I absolutely love the vulnerability in these words. I have just worshiped through this song over and over again and I find my heart stirred, my soul broken down, head full of all the stuff going on in my little life...only to be reminded of God's faithfulness and His goodness that He has never left me, He won't ever leave me and He is always there no matter what is going on in me and around me. I have Him. I get Him. He is enough. He will never forsake me. Never.

You were reaching through the storm
Walking on the water
Even when I could not see
In the middle of it all
When I thought You were a thousand miles away
Not for a moment did you forsake me
Not for a moment did you forsake me

After all, You are constant
After all, You are only good
After all, You are sovereign
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

You were singing in the dark
Whispering Your promise
Even when I could not hear
I was held in Your arms
Carried for a thousands miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me
Not for a moment did You forsake me

After all, You are constant
After all, You are only good
After all, You are only good
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

Every step, every breath You are there
Every tear, every cry, every prayer
In my hurt, in my worst, when my world falls down
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

After all, You are constant
After all, You are only good
After all, You are only good
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

Love Came Down

This song has been on repeat the last couple of days. We do this song at the Stone, but I absolutely LOVE this version of it. It's stripped down, slowed down and really makes you think about the words.
My heart is stirred by the thought that Jesus came to rescue me and make me His for all my days.
Listen/watch this and ask the Spirit to stir your heart and love for Jesus. He has set you free. You are His forever.


LOVE CAME DOWN

If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear Your voice
I'll hold on to what is true though I cannot see
If the storms of life they come and the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith
I will believe

I'll remind myself of all that You've done
And the life I have because of Your Son

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours I am forever Yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out remind my soul
That I am Yours I am forever Yours

When my heart is filled with hope
and every promise comes my way
When I feel Your hands of grace rest upon me
Staying desperate for You God
Staying humbled at Your feet
I will lift these hands and praise
I will believe


I'll remind myself of all that You've done
And the life I have because of Your Son

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours I am forever Yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out remind my soul
That I am Yours I am forever Yours

I am Yours
I am Yours
All my days
Jesus, I am Yours


Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours I am forever Yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out remind my soul
That I am Yours I am forever Yours

Praise to the Lord

New favorite song that we just started singing at The Stone called "Praise to the Lord". Love it so much.
This song has connected in a way faster than I've seen, deeper and and more passionate. There is a strong cry that our congregation sings out in this song. It's beautiful.

Here are the lyrics:

We praise You

Our Savior and Friend

Your mercy, it flows like the wind

And I'll walk with You

Through the fire and the rain

You'll carry me

When my hope seems undone

Praise to the Lord, oh my soul

Praise to the Lord, for all that You are

You are the hope of my soul

Praise to the Lord, for all that You are

I'm broken

Yet perfectly sewn

Your story

A masterful tone

And I'll walk with You 

Through the fire and the rain

You'll carry me

When my hope seems undone

Praise to the Lord, oh my soul

Praise to the Lord, for all that You are

You are the hope of my soul

Praise to the Lord, for all that You are

Perfect Jesus, no You won't let me go

Gracious Jesus, no You won't let me go

Love Shines

Such a great day today leading at The Austin Stone. I'm completely humbled that God has allowed me to be part of this church and that He has been so gracious to let me help lead worship.
Today felt different. I felt like my heart connected in a deeper way. I guess that is what happens when you start consistently getting into His word. You start to know more of who He is, and what He's done for you and you can't help but worship Him. He is so good.
We've been singing a song called "Love Shines" some of the guys wrote it and it has been such an anthem for our church.  This song came out of a prayer from the book "The Valley of Vision".
The prayer is called "Love Lustres (Shines) at Calvary" it's beautiful....here it is:

My Father,
Enlarge my heart, warm my affections,
open my lips,
supply words that proclaim 'Love shines at Calvary'.
There grace removes my burdens and heaps them on Your Son,
made a transgressor, a curse, and sin for me;
There Your infinite attributes were magnified,
and infinite atonement was made;
There infinite punishment was due,
and infinite punishment was endured.
Christ was all anguish that I might be brought in,
trodden down as an enemy
that I might be welcomed as a friend,
surrendered to hell's worst
that I might attain heaven's best,
stripped that I might be clothed,
wounded that I might be healed,
thirsty that I might drink,
tormented that I might be comforted,
made a shame that I might inherit glory,
entered darkness that I might have eternal light.
My Savior wept that all tears may be wiped
from my eyes,
groaned that I might have endless song,
endured all pain that I might have unfading health,
bore a thorny crown that I might have a glory-diadem,
bowed his head that I might uplift mine,
experienced reproach that I might receive
welcome,
closed his eyes in death that I might gaze
on unclouded brightness,
expired that I might for ever live.
O Father, who spared not Your only Son that You
might spare me,
All this transfer your love designed and
accomplished;
Help me to adore You by lips and life.
O that my every breath might be ecstatic praise,
Satan baffled, defeated, destroyed,
sin buried in the ocean of reconciling blood,
hell's gates closed, heaven's portal open.
Go forth, O conquering God, and show me 
the cross, mighty to subdue, comfort and save.

The song that came out of this:

Amazing Love that sent His Son

To suffer in my stead.

The sinless King who died for me,
When I deserved His death.
Yes, I deserved His death.

The Savior wept my every tear,
He groaned that I might sing.
My thorny crown upon His head,
My cross, His suffering
My cross, His suffering

Your love shines
Love shines at Calvary, Calvary
Your love shines
Love shines at Calvary, Cavary

Jesus, Glorious Risen One,
No grave could keep Him stayed.
And He who triumphed over death,
Now lives and leads my way.
He lives and leads my way.
He lives and leads my way

Your love shines
Love shines at Calvary, Calvary
And we proclaim, that Jesus reigns
In victory, victory

From the cross from the grave you rose victoriously
Son of God, King of love you reign victoriously

Love this so much.

Austin Stone Live Worship

I wanted to share some exciting news with you all...we have started the process of tracking for a new live worship album at the Austin Stone.  We are so excited and feel that God's hand has been all over this and over the songs that all of the worship leaders have been writing.
I will definitely keep you updated on this, hopefully in the fall we will release our first Austin Stone live worship album!
I wanted to share the lyrics of one of the songs that we have been singing lately, not sure yet whether this will be on the record or not, but we will be singing it on Sunday for our Easter service. It's called God Undefeatable, written by Aaron Ivey, Ross King & Matt Carter.

Behold the King who conquered
And overcame our sin
Behold our Glorious Victor
Whose mercy knows know end
He is true, He is right
Death is broken, He is alive

God undefeatable, Kingdom unshakeable
In majesty and power You reign
Love undeniable, matchless and bountiful
To waken us to life You came

And now our way is certain
Our souls in You secure
Through every pain and struggle
Your victory endures
You are true, You are right
Death is broken, He is alive

The love of God is greater than we dare to hope or dream
The love of God is greater than we dare to hope or dream
The hold of God is stronger than we dare to hope or dream
The hold of God is stronger than we dare to hope or dream

Song on Repeat: Lord, I Need You

So I have a new theme song. Lord, I Need You from the album Passion: Here For You. 
I remember listening to this song back when they were live streaming the Passion conference. I fell in love with it...(along with Waiting Here For You, of course) I had forgotten about it when the album released not too long ago. I think I was just stuck on #3 (waiting here for you).
Until yesterday. I listened to this new theme song of mine and put the repeat on it.
God does this to me...let me just tell you what He does...
I go through seasons of funk. I've talked about it before on this blog (but not for a long time, and that is not saying it has been a long time since the funk, cause it comes often) I have been in it the last couple of weeks and so when I heard this song my heart softened a bit.
There are certain lines that resonate so well with my soul.

"Lord I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart"

"Every hour I need You."

"So teach my song to rise to You
when temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay"

Oh my heart. I cannot help but fall on my face. I have listened to this song over and over again. In my room, in my car, in my backyard, in my dining room. I keep coming back to this: This song isn't changing my life. Jesus is. He is using this song, using these words to stir my heart to Him. That's what worship does, it's not just some songs to make you feel good. It is truly a response to what Jesus is doing. It is a way for us to connect with Him in a way that is like no other. He is good and He will continue to pursue my heart, and I will respond in worship.
Here is a video of this song with the words. I hope that you will listen to it and even sing along. worship. get after it. do it.

Shout Hallelujah, You God-Worshipers

I read this today from the message version of the bible. Take it in...I love it. LOVE it.

Psalm 22:22-31
Here's the story I'll tell my friends when they come to worship, and punctuate it with hallelujahs:
Shout hallelujah, you God-worshipers
Give glory, you sons of Jacob; adore him you daughters of Israel.
He has never let you down, never looked the other way when you were being kicked around.  He has never wandered off to do his own thing; he has been right there, listening.
Here in this great gathering for worship I have discovered this praise-life.
And I'll do what I promised right here in front of the God-worshipers.
Down-and-outers sit at God's table and eat their fill.
Everyone on the hunt for God is here praising him. 
"Live it up, from head to toe. Don't ever quit!"
From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their senses, 
Are running back to God.
Long-lost families are falling on their faces before him.
God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word.
All the power-mongers are before him
--worshiping!
All the poor and powerless, too
--worshiping!
Along with those who never got it together
--worshiping!
Our children and their children will get in on this
As the word is passed along from parent to child
Babies not yet conceived
Will hear the good news --
That God does what he says.

My Hearts Cry

My sweet Jesus, All I am
All I have
Everything is Yours
Everything

With everything
With everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

"My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." - Psalm 84:2

Our hearts they cry
Be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our King with everything
We will shout forth Your praise

My sweet Jesus, All I am
All I have
Everything is Yours

Everything

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Heal me, heal my heart and make me clean
Open up my eyes to see what I can't see 
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break down my heart, break it for everything that breaks Yours
Everything I am, everything I have, all of me is for You and Your glory
Heal me, break me as I walk from this earth into eternity

Our God is a consuming fire
A burning Holy flame with glory and freedom...
Our God is jealous for His own
None could comprehend his love and his mercy...

"Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden.  For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." Deuteronomy 4:23-24


Songs in bold:
With Everything - Hillsong
Hosanna - Hillsong
A Mighty Fortress - Christy Nockels

Worship Him, Moon

So we may not be athletes or in shape…so what.

Ani and I decided to go for a “run” tonight at 9:30 around our neighborhood. It’s 10:00 and we are back home. With a total of maybe 2 minutes of actual running.
Let’s skip past the parts where it’s dark outside, we have headphones blasting our music and the fact that it’s STILL 105 degrees outside and we kind of got lost…I promise…we ARE safe…
We decided to make our way back to the house so we turn back around headed back the way we came…except this time I look up and see a full moon shining at us. It was beautiful. Light.  The sky was clear and it was beautiful. God’s greatness.
I was listening to the new Passion CD, Awakening. The songs that came on at that point had me almost on my face.

For You and You alone
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
For the world You love
Your will be done, let Your will be done in me

And my hands went up.
Your will be done Lord. For You alone. For YOU.

Then came this song:

With everything, with everything
We will shout for your glory
With everything, with everything
We will shout forth Your praise

Our hearts they cry be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our king
With everything we will shout forth Your praise

Again…the hands went up.
Everything I have, all that I am, everything for YOU.
There was a point where there was a big gap in the trees and houses and you could just see sky and moon.
Oh my heart.
I love worship times like this.

Psalm 148:1-5
“Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven! Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you twinkling stars!  Praise him, skies above! Praise him, vapors high above the clouds! Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being.”

Miriam -- A Lead Worshiper

"The book of Exodus tells us about the life of Miriam. We don't know too much about Miriam, but we do know she was a prophetess and one of the leaders of Israel alongside her brother Aaron (they both led under the authority of Moses). She was also a worshiper. In Exodus 15:20-21, after God had parted the Red Sea and the Israelites had escaped the Egyptians, it says, 'Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them: 'Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.'"
--Rise Up and Sing by Lex Buckley

Funky Town part 2

God is funny.
I mean seriously...He makes me smile when He works in ways I don't get.
If y'all read my last post, you know that I have been living in Funky Town for awhile. I'm still visiting...but with different eyes.
I wrote that post on Saturday and I knew that when Sunday came...I would be standing in front of thousands, leading worship. To be completely honest I thought to myself...how in the world am I going to stand up there and lead? I don't even want to get out of bed!
God in His graciousness reminded me to come as I am. Broken. Needy. A mess. Completely helpless. He grabbed my heart and led me to a place on Saturday where I just let go. I surrendered and gave up. Seeing that He still deserves to be worshiped no matter what state I'm in. He meets me where I'm at, He wants me where I'm at, He just wants me...funk and all.
Sunday came and I walked up on that stage praying this as we led worship:

God this is You.
This is not me.
I have nothing to give.
You said to come as I am.
Here I am.
Thank You. Thank You for calling me to this, for calling me in the middle of my heart being a mess, for calling me to come to You and worship You...

...O sovereign God, O matchless King
the saints adore, the angels sing...
And fall before the throne of grace
To you belongs all highest praise...
These sufferings, this passing tide
under your wings I will abide...
And every enemy shall flee
You are my hope and victory...
To the valley for my soul
Thy great descent has made me whole...
Your word my heart has welcomed home
And peace like water ever flows...

Thank you for Your peace.
Thank You for giving me hope and victory.
I praise you Father, praise the Son, praise the Spirit three in one.

....Let mercy fall on me....
Everyone needs forgiveness the kindness of a Savior...
So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Come fill my life again...
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in...
Now I surrender....
....Shine Your light and let the whole world see...
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...

Lord I come to you as I am.
Use me and fill me up so that it is ALL YOU.
I lift my hands in surrender to You.
All my fears.
All my failures.
All of me...take me.
May I shine for You, may these people shine for You Jesus.
Open their hearts and let them shine for Your glory.

...We were once your enemy...
now displayers of your mercy
Called from darkness into light...
...for the hopeless and the weary
For the broken and the needy...
For Your glory, send Your Spirit and let it rise...

God You have called me out of darkness...
given me hope in the light...
to shine for You in the hopeless, weary and broken places...
it's for YOUR glory.

...arrested by your truth and righteousness
Your grace has overwhelmed my brokenness...
convicted by your spirit led by your word...
Your love will never fail
Your love will never fail...
...You loved a people underserving...

I'm covered by Your righteousness and Your grace.
Your love will never leave me.
Your love will never fail me.
I am undeserving...but You loved and You gave.
Thank You.
Thank You.
Thank You.
Thank You.

...filled with wonder, awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your name....

I'm in awe of You Jesus.
In awe.

...I know that You're alive
You came to fix my broken life...
And I'll sing to glorify Your holy name...
Jesus Christ...
...You changed it all You broke down the wall when I spoke and confessed
In You I am blessed now I walk in the light, the victorious sight of You...

The light of You, is the light in me.
This is You.
Not me.
Thank You for picking up my pieces and putting them back together again.
You fix and You heal.
I sing and glorify YOU.
Thank You for singing through me.
You give more than I deserve.
Thank You.

Jeff Mangum gave the message and you should listen to it. It was VERY fitting. By the end of the day I had a smile on my face despite the fact that it was 105 degrees outside and the air conditioning all day wasn't working... I was a hot stinky mess.
I had a smile on my face because God allowed the week that I had. He walked me through a valley that needed to be walked through in order to experience Him the way I did on Sunday. He filled me up and I walked away that night with a confidence in Him. All day long, each service I felt these songs and these prayers being moved by the Spirit. It was so intense. I'm thankful. So thankful.
What I'm not saying is that the funk is miraculously over. It's not. I wish...but it's not. It seems as though I have different eyes in the funk. There are greater purposes here. I'm believing in that.

Songs:
Praise the Father, Praise the Son by Chris Tomlin
Mighty to Save by Hillsong
Rise & Shine by Andy Melvin
To Know Your Name by Hillsong
Revelation Song by Kari Jobe
Fire Fall Down by Hillsong