Song for Palm Sunday: We long for You

 Hosanna

by Paul Baloche

Praise is rising, eyes are turning to You, we turn to You

Hope is stirring, hearts are yearning for You, we long for You

'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day

In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, Hosanna

You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises

Hosanna, Hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Hear the sound of hearts returning to You, we turn to You

In Your Kingdom broken lives are made new, You make us new

'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day

In Your Presence all our fears are washed away, washed away

Hosanna, Hosanna

You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises

Hosanna, Hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

'Cause when we see You, we find strength to face the day

In Your Presence all our fears are washed away

Hosanna, Hosanna

You are the God Who saves us, worthy of all our praises

Hosanna, Hosanna

Come have Your way among us

We welcome You here, Lord Jesus

Song for Sunday: But we'll stay...

This isn't a really profound choice.  It's just a fun love song, and I love my husband.  Getting away to the mountains really did make "everything look perfect from far away."  Now that we've come back to life (back to reality...  Does anyone else randomly start singing En Vogue?  No?  Just me, huh? Oh well.)  things are definitely not perfect.  But we're home.  Together.  And even if we had to come down from the mountains, that's how we'll stay.

Such Great Heights

By Iron & Wine, or The Postal Service, or Ben Folds (see Youtube video below)...

I am thinking it's a sign
that the freckles in our eyes
are mirror images
and when we kiss they're perfectly aligned. 

And I have to speculate
that God Himself did make
us into corresponding shapes
like puzzle pieces from the clay. 

And true it may seem like a stretch
but it's thoughts like this that catch
my troubled head when you're away
and when I am missing you to death. 

And when you are out there on the road
for several weeks of shows
and when you scan the radio
I hope this song will guide you home. 

they will see us waving from such great heights
"come down now" they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away
"come down now" but we'll stay 

I tried my best to leave
this all on your machine
but the persistent beat
it sounded thin upon the sending. 

and that frankly will not fly
you'll hear the shrillest highs
and lowest lows with the windows down
and this is guiding you home. 

they will see us waving from such great heights
"come down now" they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away
"come down now" but we'll stay 

they will see us waving from such great heights
"come down now" they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away
"come down now" but we'll stay 

they will see us waving from such great heights
"come down now" they'll say
but everything looks perfect from far away
"come down now" but we'll stay

Isn't that a great version?  Is it okay to end a post about how much I love my husband by admitting I have the teensiest crush on Ben Folds? No? Okay.  I won't do that... 

Song for Sunday: a holy flame that burns

All To Us
Chris Tomlin

Precious cornerstone, sure foundation
You are faithful to the end
We are waiting, on You, Jesus
We believe You're all to us

Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the Church
Let the righteousness of God be a holy flame that burns
Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives
We believe You're all to us

Only Son of God sent from Heaven
Hope and mercy at the cross
You are everything, You're the Promise
Jesus, You are all to us

You're all to us

When this passing world is over
We will see You face to face
And forever we will worship
Jesus, You are all to us

Song for Sunday: Cute Sing-along

The girls are at the kitchen table, immersed in a Strawberry Shortcake coloring book. I'm at the counter, making PB&J for lunch. Big Sister is humming the Strawberry Shortcake theme song.

Me: (singing) She's cool, she's... er...

Big Sister: (helpin' a momma out) ... fun. She'll lead the way.

Both: (together, loudly) Straw-ba-ba-ba-ba-berry --

Little Sister: (out of nowhere, right on time, and on pitch) STRAWBERRY CORTCAKE!

Song for Sunday: As the years roll along on their way

I love Christmas music, and my tastes vary from classic to cheesy to obscure. But my absolute favorite Christmas Album is Rosemary Clooney's Songs from White Christmas and Yuletide Favorites. This song is a relatively unknown Christmas song from the album. I had to search around to find the lyrics, and I ended up reading them in this amazing old LIFE magazine (the lyrics start on page 49). I'm pretty sure this is the only real Christmas song Rodgers and Hammerstein ever wrote. You can listen to a bit of it here. Or, just get Rosie's album. You won't be sorry...

Happy Christmas, Little Friend
Words by Oscar Hammerstein, 2nd
Music by Richard Rodgers

The soft morning light of a pale winter sun
Is tracing the trees on the snow,
Leap up little friend, and fly down the stairs,
For Christmas is waiting below.
There’s a tree in the room running over with stars
That twinkle and sing to your eyes,
And under the tree there are presents that say
“Unwrap me and get a surprise.”

Happy Christmas, little friend,
May your heart be laughing all day.
May your joy be a dream you’ll remember
As the years roll along on their way,

As the years roll along on their way,
You’ll be showing your own kid a tree.
Then at last, my friend, you’ll know
How happy a Christmas can be.

Like a lamp on a hill...

Martyrs and Thieves
by Jennifer Knapp


There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to
That presses harsh hope against time
In the absence of martyrs there's a presence of thieves
Who only want to rob you blind.
They steal away any sense of peace.
Though I'm a king, I'm a king on my knees
And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong
As the darkness covers me.

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory
I am not afraid.
To bear all my weakness, knowing in meekness,
I have a kingdom to gain
Where there is peace and love in the light
In the light , I am not afraid
To let your light shine bright in my life, in my life.

There are ghosts from my past who've owned more of my soul
Than I thought I had given away.
They linger in closets and under my bed
And in pictures less proudly displayed.
A great fool in my life I have been
Have squandered 'til pallid and thin.
Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame
For the darkness I know I've let win.

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory
I am not afraid.
To bear all my weakness, knowing in meekness,
I have a kingdom to gain.
Where there is peace and love in the light
In the light , I am not afraid
To let your light shine bright in my life, in my life

Can you hear me?

I've never been much for the bearing of soul
In the presence of any man.
I'd rather keep to myself all safe and secure
In the arms of a sinner I am.
Could it be that my worth should defend
By the crimson stained grace on a hand?
And like a lamp on a hill Lord I pray in your will
To reveal all of you that I can.

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory.
I am not afraid.
To bear all my weakness, knowing in meekness,
I have a kingdom to gain.
Where there is peace and love in the light
In the light , I am not afraid
To let your light shine bright in my life, in my life

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to
That presses harsh hope against time.

Happy Halloween

... from our family

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

and Shaq... just because his head fit in the Mummy face. And really, just because.

If you want to watch last year's Monster Mash instead, click here.

Song for Sunday: my light, my strength

This morning's early service at church reminded me of "favorite hymn night"growing up. In fact, I was sad that I didn't meet up with my mom & grandma (who have been in town this weekend) before the second service so I could stand next to mom and hear her singing the alto parts to "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" and "Standing on the Promises." To be honest, I'm glad I don't normally sing these songs every week (anymore), but it was nice (and worshipful) to sing them again. The song I enjoyed most from the service, though, was this more recent one. I'm a sucker for songs that have a celtic-ish chord structure. And these words are pretty amazing...

In Christ Alone
Written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Song for Sunday: unashamed to call me your own

I am Your Beloved
words & music by Brent Helming, Vineyard Music

Lord it was You,
You created the heavens.
And Lord, it was Your hands
That put the stars in their place.
Lord, it was Your voice
That commands the morning.
Even oceans and their waves bow at your feet.

Lord, who am I compared to Your glory? O, Lord.
Lord, who am I compared to Your majesty?

I am your beloved, your creation,
And You love me as I am.
You have called me chosen for Your kingdom,
Unashamed to call me your own.
I am your beloved.

I sang this in our services today. Thanks, Chad, for requesting it/introducing it to me.

Song for Sunday: I cry out

I will lift my eyes
by Bebo Norman

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near, calm my fear
And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy sing
Her melody over me
And God, right here all I bring
Is all of me

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever
The Lover I need to save me
'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God
So hold me now

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, I cry out:
Your beloved needs You now...

Song for Sunday: I'll tell you why

One night after VBS, Big Sister sang this from the time we picked her up, got all of our stuff together, loaded into the car and got carseats buckled, got back out of the car and ran back in to the bathrooms, got back into the car and drove home, until it was time for bed.

It's like the Jesus version of "The Song That Never Ends."

But it is sweet. And true. And it goes like this:

I am so H-A-P-P-Y
and I will tell you why
I know that my God loves me
'Cause He shows me all the time.

And repeat.

Song for Sunday: Everything

A couple of things before you read these awesome lyrics. 1) If liking Steven Curtis Chapman means I'm old, so be it. I'd be hard-pressed to find an SCC song I don't like. Even the old cheesy stuff reminds me of some amazing times. 2) The word "yours" looks weird when you read it over and over and over. Just an observation. Try to get past it, this is a pretty amazing song.

Yours
by Steven Curtis Chapman

I walk the streets of London
And notice in the faces passing by
Somthing that makes me stop and listen
My heart grows heavy with the cry

Where is the hope for London?
You whisper and my heart begins to soar
As I'm reminded
That every street in London in Yours
Oh, yes it is

I walk the dirt roads of Uganda
I see the scars that war has left behind
Hope like the sun is fading
They're waiting for a cure no one can find

And I hear children's voices singing
Of a God who heals and rescues and restores
And I'm reminded
That every child in Africa is Yours

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything
It's all Yours

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville
Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai
I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man
And everywhere I look I realize
That just like the streets of London
For every man and woman, boy and girl
All of creation
This is our Father's world

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything

I've walked the valley of death's shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I've had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.

It's all Yours, God

The glory is Yours, God
All the honor is Yours, God
The power is Yours, God
The glory is Yours, God
You're the King of Kings
And Lord of Lords

And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
From the stars in the sky
To the depths of the ocean floor
And its all Yours, God, Yours, God
Everything is Yours
All the greatness and power, the glory and splendor and majesty
Everything is Yours
Yeah, it's all Yours
We are Yours
The glory and honor is Yours, everything is Yours

It's all Yours, God
My life is Yours, my heart is Yours
My hands and my feet are Yours
Every song that I sing
It's all Yours, all is Yours
All belongs to You
Our gifts are Yours, God
All our dreams are Yours, God
All our plans are Yours, God
The whole earth is Yours, God
Everything is Yours

Song for Sunday: Three things I pray

Day by Day
from Godspell
Composed by Stephen Schwartz

Day by day,
Day by day
Oh, dear Lord,
Three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day.

Song for Sunday: The seventh breaks the shore...

46664 (Long Road to Freedom)
written by Strummer, Bono & Dave Stewart

It's a long walk, long walk to freedom
It's a long walk, long walk to freedom

Freedom rises from the killing floor
No lock of iron or rivet can restrain the door
And no kind of army can hope to win a war
It's like trying to stop the rain or still the lion's roar

Long walk, long walk to freedom
It's a long walk, long walk to freedom

It's like trying to stop the whirlwind scattering seeds and spores
Like trying to stop the tin cans rapping out jailhouse semaphore
They know when your hands are manacled its your spirit that gets raw
It's not the small little patch of sky you see, as if your visions soar

Long walk, long walk to freedom
It's a long walk, long walk to freedom

When freedom arise from the killing floor
No lock of iron can restrain the door
Can't stop the rain nor lions that roar
No time for bad a-wind, scatter seeds and spore
Small part of sky, more visions are soar
First six waves come, seventh break shore
Where the rock is heavy, come the purest core
Like a-looking at the future, what is in store

In the standards of the colors don't forget the human core
In townships of humanity there would be no poor
From where the rock is heavy comes the purest ore
The first six waves might break in the bay, the seventh breaks on the shore

It's a long road to freedom
It's a long road to freedom
It's a long road to freedom
It's a long road to freedom

4-6-6 6-4

These are lyrics from a song performed by Bono & The Edge at a 46664 concert in Capetown in 2003. 46664 is Nelson Mandela's campaign for HIV/Aids awareness and prevention. The number was his prisoner number for his 27-year incarceration in South Africa and is meant to be a reminder than no one should be reduced to simply a number. Find out more at 46664.com

Song for Sunday:

If you haven't seen it yet, you're missing out. It was fast paced, funny, and touching. Both Big and Little Sisters sat enthralled through the entire movie. It's by far the best Toy Story movie of them all!

You've Got a Friend in Me
By Randy Newman

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
Just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you've got a friend in me

You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, well I've got 'em too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Some other folks might be
A little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too
Maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you
And as the years go by
Boys, our friendship will never die
You're gonna see
It's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me

Song for Sunday: about a night light...

There is no fancy reason for choosing this song. I've just always liked it a lot, even before I knew what the heck they were singing about. It used to be my ringtone before my old phone bit the dust.

And yeah, it is about a bluebird nightlight.

Birdhouse in your Soul
by They Might Be Giants

I'm your only friend
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I have a secret to tell
From my electrical well
It's a simple message and
I'm leaving out the whistles and bells
So the room must listen to me
Filibuster vigilantly
My name is blue canary
One note, spelled L-I-T-E
My story's infinite
Like the Longines Symphonette
It doesn't rest

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I'm your only friend
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am

There's a picture opposite me
Of my primitive ancestry
Which stood on rocky shores
And kept the beaches shipwreck-free
Though I respect that a lot
I'd be fired if that were my job
After killing Jason off
And countless screaming Argonauts
Bluebird of friendliness
Like guardian angels it's
Always near

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

While you're at it
Leave the nightlight on
Inside the birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

(Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch) While you're at it
(Who watches over you) Leave the nightlight on
(Make a little birdhouse in your soul) Inside the birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Song for Sunday: for my second child

Song for a Fifth Child
by Ruth Hulburt Hamilton

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth
empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
hang out the washing and butter the bread,
sew on a button and make up a bed.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.

Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo).
The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo.
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue?
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

Song for Sunday

You are Holy
By The Martins
(and me, along with two fabulous ladies, in church today)

Lord, our eyes are weak and we're blinded
To the truth of who we are
Every time we look, we're reminded 
Of the things that stain our hearts

For you are holy, holy
Holy are you, Lord
And you are worthy, worthy
Worthy are you, Lord

Why does your mercy come
Like the morning
And your light to spell my dark?
Lord, I don't deserve
The love that restores me
And I'm humbled by your heart

For you are holy, holy
Holy are you, Lord
And you are worthy, worthy
Worthy are you, Lord

Oh, you reign in majesty
And we fall on a bended knee
To praise your name, 
all of our days
May the story of our lives
Be worship in your eyes
Let our hearts shout of your glory! 

You are holy, holy
Holy are you, Lord
You are worthy, worthy
Holy are you, Lord

Song for Sunday: maybe...

“Faithful”

by Brooke Fraser

There’s distance in the air and I cannot make it leave
I wave my arms’ round about me and blow with all my might
I cannot sense you close, though I know you’re always here
But the comfort of you near is what I long for

When I can’t feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can’t hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray
And I want you more than I want to live another day
And as I wait for you maybe I’m made more faithful

All the folly of the past, though I know it is undone
I still feel the guilty one, still trying to make it right
So I whisper soft your name, let it roll around my tongue,
knowing you’re the only one who knows me
You know me

When I can’t feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can’t hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray
And I want you more than I want to live another day
And as I wait for you maybe I’m made more faithful

Show me how I should live this
Show me where I should walk
I count this world as loss to me
You are all I want
You are all I want

When I can’t feel you, I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can’t hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray
And I want you more than I want to live another day
And as I wait for you maybe I’m made more faithful

Song for Sunday: All I can say is thank you, Mom

A Mother's Day
by Jim Brickman

Mom and Dad were reading in the den
Mom said, 'I'm gonna go to bed, it's late.'
She went to the kitchen to make three
School lunches another night in a mother's day.
Put the cereal bowls out for breakfast,
Set the coffee maker for 6:00am;
Sewed a loose button on brother's shirt for him;

Checked sister's math homework, sent a note to the teacher,
Added eggs to the grocery list;
Started a load of wash, made sure the doors were locked,
Put water in the puppy's dish;
Wrote a check to the children's piano teacher,
Turn the dishwasher on;
And Dad called out, 'Honey what's takin' you so long?'

Have I ever thanked you for everything you've done?
Now all that I can say is, 'I love you Mom.'

Hung some art on the refrigerator door and
Headed up the stairs;
Kissed all the children and helped Sister comb her
Wavy golden hair.
Washed her make-up off and turned on the bath;
Lay down in the moon soft light
And kissed dad goodnight.

Have I ever thanked you for everything you've done?
Now all that I can say is, 'I love you Mom.'

Thank you for nursing me through all those colds and fevers;
Thank you for believin' in me when they were no other believers.

And it's never too late to say, 'I love you Mom.'

I DO love you, Mom! (and my "other mothers" too!) I'm late as usual getting something in the mail to you, but it doesn't mean I'm not thinking of and missing you today!