I Need Jesus

Here is a song that I wrote back in November. It is a meditation on how we never graduate from our utter dependence on Jesus and how sanctification actually drives us deeper into that need. I hope it is an encouragement. .............................................................................................................................................................

vocals: Nathan Partain, Andrea Priest guitar: Nathan Partain

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I Need Jesus       (listen/download)    (chord chart)

Well, I was lost inside confusion and a nightmare of a dream, I did not know which god to turn to or if it were up to me, Until some simple words were spoken that I gratefully received, And just one prayer sprang up within me and I started whispering, I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus. I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus.

But soon I found that sweet salvation just uncovered all my need. That sin and me, like blood and ink, were all mixed up inseparably, And that it’s not my deeds or branches but the roots of my whole tree, That are so rotten full of hatred, that for me to merely breath, I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus. I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus.

See, I had thought, one day, more holy or mature that I would be, That I’d lead others on to righteousness and teach the blind to see. Instead, I’ve found each day I'm frightened just how evil I can be, And now I feel the most at home with all the perverts and unclean 'cause I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus. I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus.

I keep on looking for some reason I should raise my self-esteem, 'Cause all my gifts and all my efforts must sure add up to something, But then again, again with tears of joy, I’m brought down to my knees, Here at the foot of him who died for me I’m stripped of everything and, I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus. I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus.

Now I say, "Glory! Hallelujah!", I'm so glad to be redeemed! To be so desperate for Jesus and so gloriously weak, I do not ever want to stray from the Community of Need, O may I never leave dependence or forsake my Food and Drink, I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus. I need Jesus. Oh, I need Jesus.

Our Lover

This is a song I wrote back in 2000. It actually came after having a very shameful dream. I woke up and found myself before the Lord needing to be covered and in the intimacy, vulnerability and safety of that moment with him this song flowed out. It has been a while since I have sung it at church but recently Jason Dorsey has been preaching on what Godly sexuality is and it felt appropriate to sing it again. I wanted to bring a slightly different musical mood to the song so I so that I might own it freshly so I remixed it a little and put it in a different key to force the melody into a slightly different space. .................................................................................................................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Rebekah Osborn Guitar: Nathan Partain Banjo: Kyle Edgell Harmonica: Jeremy Grimmer Viola: Ashley Overley Bass: Joel Chodakowski Percussion: Brian Allee

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Our Lover      (listen)    (chords)

O my God, lead me to a rainbow, O my God, your sunlight through dark rains, O my God, tell me of your promise, O my God, I will not be afraid.

For you O God, rescued us from danger,      For you O God, let us your sweetness taste,      For you O God, have led us like a lover,      And O my God, I will seek your face

O my God, lead me to the river, O my God, wash away the stains, O my God, fill my heart with music, O my God, before you I will play.

 For you O God, I will sing with trembling,      For you O God, close to your fearful strength,      For you O God, have called me to your presence,      And O my God, I will know your Name.

O my God, you lift me like a bridegroom, O my God, hide me in your train, O my God, hold me close forever, O my God, cover up my shame

For you O God, took off all your glory,      For you O God, to clothe me in your grace,      For you O God, with tender hands you heal me,      And O my God, I on your beauty gaze

I have Found a Hidden Fountain

I wrote this song a couple of weeks ago. I actually originally wrote the music to "O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus". I have always liked the tune of that hymn but I have also felt that those lyrics could be heard differently and maybe even some of the lyrical imagery blossom more if put to something a little less like a Russian submarine song. However, after practicing Thursday night for Sunday morning it became apparent that I could not mess with this classic hymn without being a complete distraction for most of the people that heard it. So, after being encouraged by my friends Elyce and Kipp, I went back and wrote new lyrics to go with the music that I had written. I was actually glad that I had to go back to the drawing board because it led me to spend time with the Lord and thinking of the way that he works in my life. ........................................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Kyle Ragsdale Banjo: Kyle Edgell Washboard: Elyce Elder Fiddle: Kipp Normand Harmonica: Jeremy Grimmer Bass: Joel Chodakowski Bass Drum/Percussion: Brian Allee

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I have Found a Hidden Fountain       (listen)     (chords) 

I have found a hidden fountain, that is running o’er with peace, And it satisfies my thirsting, and it brings me to my knees. Now at last, I’ve known refreshing; now I’ve drunk my fill of Truth. He is sweet and good and loving, and He makes me all brand new.

I have found a flooding river, it has cut a path so deep. It has washed out all my boundaries, and uprooted all my trees. No, I cannot fight its current, it never fails and never yields He keeps pushing, bending, breaking until all my soul is healed.

I have found a fearsome mountain, will not move and cannot fall, In its strength I am so fragile, in its shadow I’m so small. I have laid in cracks and caverns, touched his hands and felt his side. All that power, rent to save me, Oh, I give him all my life.

Psalm 19

This is an adaptation of Psalm 19 that I wrote back in 2004 but I had yet to get a recording of it until last year and then forgot that I had it until recently. We used this song as the gathering song for about a month during the season after Easter Sunday 2010. .......................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Andrea Priest Guitar: Nathan Partain Piano: Wolfy Johnson Bass: Aaron Homoya Drums: Doug Enas 

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Psalm 19 (listen) (chart)

The heavens declare the glory of God; What he has done the skies proclaim. Day after day they pour forth speech; Night after night his knowledge display.

There is no language and no tongue, No place their preaching is not heard, Their voice goes out through all the world; Their word, the reaches of the earth.

Let us return our hearts to him, The One our longing points us toward. Let us bow down and lean on him, And rest our souls forever more.

The Lord’s the true unchanging God; His sovereignty cannot be bound. Let us sing out with thanks to him; Let all the earth his praise resound.

The heavens declare the glory of God; What he has done the skies proclaim. Day after day they pour forth speech; Night after night his knowledge display.