Your Beloved is Ready

Here is a song I wrote for Advent last month. I wrote it in an effort to depict the church as she really is in Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I wanted to describe the beauty of her holiness and the intimacy of her love and relationship with her God. It was meant to entice and draw the Lord himself toward the one he died for, as if he needed someone to remind him of his beloved, his delight and joy. It was meant to be a vision for us, to remember who we are as the church and what it looks like to shine like stars in the depraved generation so that we might also yearn to be this beautiful for our Savior. It was also meant to be another sung-prayer added to the thousands of years of prayers that the church has cried out, "Come, Lord Jesus!" It was recorded live during worship on December 8th. ............................................................................................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Kyle Ragsdale, Andrea Homoya Guitar: Nathan Partain Fiddle: Kipp Normand Mandolin: Shawn Collins Banjo: Kyle Edgell Washboard: Elyce Elder Bass: Rob Meyer Percussion: Brian Allee

Photograph: Jamie MacGregor

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Your Beloved is Ready     (listen/download)     (chords)

She has saved her whole heart for you Lord, She has kept her eyes pure for you Lord. She has waited and waited, while her hungers were raging, To taste only the love of her Lord.

She has set her delight in you Lord, She has stayed all her thoughts on you Lord. She has stilled her desires, all her tossing and straying, She has put all her hope in you Lord.

You have washed her for the day of her wedding, Promised yourself, by your Spirit abiding. In the earthquakes and war, Lord, can you hear her singing, Her arms are raised high, she is radiant, she is holy, Your beloved is ready.

She has shut out the greed of her soul, Scoffs at scarcity, rotting and mold. She has given so freely, to the mean and unworthy, She’s so loved that she cannot withhold.

She surrendered her fight for control, She has waived every right that she holds. She wiped out all the debts that she’d demanded from others, Cause she knew that she’d owed so much more.

You have washed her for the day of her wedding, Promised yourself, by your Spirit abiding. In the earthquakes and war, Lord, can you hear her singing, Her arms are raised high, she is radiant, she is holy, Your beloved is ready.

She has torn up her murderous laws, Her comparing and searching for flaws. But you’ve made her so humble, holding others so highly, That her joy has been filled to the full.

She took off her pretense for you Lord, She confessed all her shame to you Lord. She came out of her hiding, to be know so profoundly, She's so free she can dance for you Lord.

You have washed her for the day of her wedding, Promised yourself, by your Spirit abiding. In the earthquakes and war, Lord, can you hear her singing, Her arms are raised high, she is holy, she is radiant, Your beloved is ready.

The Lord will Provide

Here is a John Newton hymn (1775) that I rewrote a while back. While I was writing the tune and especially the refrain, I had a picture in my mind of the people of God going through hard times. I saw them traveling from one place to another on pilgrimage or on the run, weary and in need and I wanted to put a song in their mouths for their encouragement. I also wrote it with a call and response type refrain in mind so that the worshiping community would be repeating to themselves the promise of God's help rooted in his action of purchasing us through the death of his son. I recorded it in my office and Rebekah Osborn joined in with harmony.

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The Lord will Provide       (listen/download)     (chord chart)

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed; From them let us learn to trust God for our bread. His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied Just as long as it’s written, “The Lord will provide.”

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite, Just one thing secures us, whatever betide, His Spirit assures us, “The Lord will provide.”

Leader: And this promise remains, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Through all ages unchanged, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: In all our want, in our pain, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Faithful through all of our days.

When Satan assails us to stop up our path, And courage all fails us, we stand but by faith. He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, This heart glad’ning gospel, “The Lord will provide.”

We’re told we are weak, and our hope is in vain, The good that we seek we never shall obtain, But when such suggestions, our graces have tried, This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”

Leader: And this promise remains, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Through all ages unchanged, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: In all our want, in our pain, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Faithful through all of our days.

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim; Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name, We run to this strong tow’r and for safety we hide: For the Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”

When life sinks apace, and death is in view, The word of His grace shall comfort us through, Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side, We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”

Leader: And this promise remains, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Through all ages unchanged, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: In all our want, in our pain, People: Our Lord has redeemed us, Our Lord will provide Leader: Faithful through all of our days.

Love is a Gift but It's not Free

This is a song I wrote for an offertory during worship in late March. It came out of a season where, as a community, we were dwelling on the immense cost of real relationship, what the overused-misunderstood word "love" means and what was spent for God to "love" us through his son. Most of our relationships are surface. Unfortunately, even some of our relationships that are supposed to be our closest, relationships we think are deep, can remain somewhat surface for our whole life. To really know someone, to see their true beauty and their irreparably deep brokennes, to accept them even when they cannot love you well in return or even when to love them is to endure pain, this is completely amazing. It is almost nonexistent among humanity (although we get glimpses of it from time to time) but this is what the word "love" means. This kind of love can never be earned, it must only be received but it is never free. It comes at immense cost to the giver. I recorded this in my office last month.

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Love is a Gift but It's not Free       (listen/download)      (chord chart)

Love is a gift, but it's not free. Love gives and gives until it bleeds. Love doesn't try to even keep it's dignity, Love is a gift, but it's not free.

Love is so simple, but it's not easy. Love is forgiveness before apology. Love, bruised and beaten, moves toward its enemy. Love is so simple, but it's not easy.

Love, I need you. Love, desperately. Love, I cannot reach you. Love, come for me.

Love is so gentle but its not weak, Love crushed the head of Depravity. Love marches steadfast in the flood of entropy. Love is so gentle but its not weak.

Love, I need you. Love, desperately. Love, I cannot reach you. Love, come for me.

Love is a savior, Christ Jesus my King. Love took my judgment on the tree. Love traded splendor for my vulgarity. Love is a savior, Jesus my King

Love, I need you. Love, desperately. Love, I cannot reach you. Love, come for me.

Emmanuel, Part II

So this song is harder for me to post and requires a bit more explanation. It draws from the second half of the Beatitudes in the gospel according to Luke where Jesus gives not just the "Blessed be" but also the "Woe" (Luke 6:24-26). Jesus is saying that in his kingdom everything will be different. The poor will be rich and the rich will be poor. The cast out will be brought in and those who are now accepted will be cast out. The hungry will be satisfied and the fat will waste away. But the other scary thing about this is that the woes in this sermon are for the religious. He is warning the Pharisees and the Sadducees, the sanhedrin, the chief priests. This song was originally written for Palm Sunday in 2012. Its seed was the image of the children who were calling out to Jesus, "Save us!", as he rode into Jerusalem. They were begging for relief from the rule of the Romans who taxed and raped and split apart families. And Jesus' silent answer to them was, "No. Not yet.". He instead came to save them from Satan and from their sin so that they would be safe no matter what the Romans did. In fact he also wanted to save them from the righteous reformers (the Pharisees) as well. He wanted them to have a relationship with God as their Father. Not just a reciprocal business transaction. He wanted to give them a relationship of love, not one driven by fear or threat. He was going to save them from hypocrisy and adopt them into his family. He was going to die for them, rise for them, reign for them, intercede for them, prepare a place for them and then come again to deal, once and for all, with the Romans and the Pharisees.

And he is coming back.

He is not going to leave the abusers in this world forever unchecked. And when he comes, Emmanuel - God with us, the whole mechanism of the world with its fear and danger, with its molesting and trickery, with its false prophets and self-righteous, he is going to bring the whole thing down in judgement into a chest high river of blood until all the earth is still and the new heavens and the new earth come to their fruition with the beautification of all things in Christ. And those little children crying "Save us!" will be shouting "Hallelujah!"

And there will be peace forever.

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Emmanuel, Part II       (listen/download)      (chord chart)

He comes to raise the meek and make them reign, While the arrogant drown in a river of their own blood. He comes to set the lowly on their thrones, While the proud strewn out naked in the dust.

He comes to bring the whole machine to an end, To suddenly spill the over-brimming glass, With the cries of his children still ringing in his ears, He turns their foes to ash. The hour of favor is closing, soon breaks the day of wrath.

He comes to make Peace a city where his people dwell, While bloodthirsty scoffers are eaten by their very own words. He comes to bring the orphans into his home, While the rich and fat and greedy lie covered with flies.

He comes to bring the whole machine to an end, To suddenly spill the over-brimming glass, With the cries of his children still ringing in his ears, He turns their foes to ash. The hour of favor is closing, soon breaks the day of wrath.

Today is the day the Christ Jesus awaits, Though his eyes never close over all the depraved. For a sentence has fallen on all he has made, Built for love but instead cannot help but to hate. Now this season of harvest is starting to fade, While the impartial arm of God’s judgment is raised, Hear His plea echo out into every place, “Come take my life for yours, turn to me, receive grace!”

He comes to wash the sinners with his blood, While the righteous in anguish are clawing at the walls outside. He gathers all his adopted in his arms, And throws their infected garments into the fire.

He comes to bring the whole machine to an end, To suddenly spill the over-brimming glass, With the cries of his children still ringing in his ears, He turns their foes to ash. The hour of favor is closing, soon breaks the day of wrath.

Emmanuel, Part I

This is a song that I wrote for Advent this year and finally got a chance to record it last week in my office.  This song focuses on the incarnation and what it means for Jesus to come and live as one of us and how that changes our lives with a new calling to extend his life on earth.

Next week I will post Emmanuel, Part II which I wrote for Palm Sunday.

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Emmanuel, Part I      (listen/download)     (chord chart)

He comes to be the Word that all words are judged by.
He comes to be the Light that all lights are seen by.
He comes to be the Blood that all debts are paid by.
He comes to be the Word that all words are judged by.

Emmanuel

He comes to bring some rest to the heavy laden.
He comes to gut the one who abused his children.
He comes to burn all memories of Satan.
He comes to bring some rest to the heavy laden.

Emmanuel

We beheld him, we have seen God’s face.
We have touched him, God with us remained.
We received him, we believed
In his name,
In his name,
In his name.

He comes to lift our heads to proclaim his witness,
He comes to dwell in us to reflect his radiance,
He comes to send us out, his incarnate presence,
He comes to lift our heads to proclaim his witness.

Emmanuel

When he comes again then we will be always with him.

I have so Little Faith

This is an offertory I wrote back in December for worship during advent. Each year I struggle to try to understand and express the incarnation of God: how unthinkable and appalling it is, how strange it is, how I wish I could have known Jesus on earth and how I long to see him in his glorified body and how I have a hard time believing. So why am I posting this Advent song so close to Easter? (other than the fact that I am just running behind in life) We are about to celebrate as a global church, Jesus dying a real death, not just a spiritual one, for our sake and Jesus rising in his physical body from death. Jesus was intimate with us, walked through our pollution, got it in his lungs and on his face and hands, and then redeemed it on the cross to make all things new. He know reigns in his physical human body in the heavenly realms. He did not just save us and shed his flesh. He continues to share humanity with us as he lives to intercede for us. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I have so Little Faith       (listen/download)       (chord chart)

Lord can I touch you, I want to feel your embrace. I want to hear you, say just about anything I long with Moses and Elijah, to see your Day But I have so little faith.

I want to ask, there’s so much I need explained. I want to fall down with weeping and kiss your feet. I long to lean on and let you hold all of my weight. I have so little faith.

O God, now man, you give me hope, You breathe my breath and touch my sores. You hear me call, “I am unclean!” Yet here you are, with me.

I want to love you, O God, you know the truth, How I have hated and traded my Lord for filth. I have not wanted to wait here for you in my pain. I have so little faith. I have so little faith

O God, now man, you give me hope, You breathe my breath and touch my sores. You hear me call, “I am unclean!” Yet here you are, with me.

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.

The Hour of the Christ

I had the privilege of playing a benefit last weekend with some friends and this song off of the 11:43am record was in the set. Afterward, I was encouraged by Adam Nevins, who put on the benefit, to post this on my blog. So here it is with a little background. As a recovering church cynic, I have always struggled to get something out of the traditional Christmas carols (and the Christmas season in general). They seem to be built more around the sentimental fictional nativity scene and not so much set in the reality of what the gospels hold (although, there are certainly some exceptions and I have been introduced in recent years to quite a few that have greater depth).

In fact,  the point of the gospel accounts is not to paint a quaint rural scene but to confirm prophecies like Isaiah 53, that from the very beginning, the Savior of the world would suffer. The birth of Jesus takes place in a context of real poverty (giving birth in a dirty animal shelter) and oppressive captivity (being forced by the occupying government to travel out of town to file a census). On top of that, the only people that get the immensity of who this child is, are some Gentile seers and Herod. Of course the angels do appear to some shepherds (read: truck drivers) who end up being the only eye witnesses to the baby in the food trough.

The interesting thing is that Herod does get it. He doesn't get the whole picture but when the travelers from the east show up and talk about the star, he understands that something big is happening. So much so, that he kills every baby two years old and under in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas trying to keep himself safe from the threat of this newborn king.

So why am I writing all of this? When we see Jesus in the manger we need to see him as a revolutionary, an antagonist, someone who is dangerous and will totally turn upside down every system of this world. That baby in the manger is the one who will say, "I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." 

So...there you are...Merry Christmas! Jesus is Lord!

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The Hour of the Christ      (listen)      (chords)

There’s a rumor on the breeze, Midnight cold upon the grass, Above the tents of darkened kings, A star appears of golden glass. What it is and what it means, Sends a chill among their camp, Like chariots at the opening sea, It’s a message from the great “I AM”

Herod cannot sleep tonight, Terror sings outside his door, He can hear the angels tell, “The Christ is born who is the Lord!” Who he is and what he brings, Is justice to the weak and poor, Those who wait their Light will see, And He himself will end the war

Kingdom’s coming like a storm, Kingdom’s coming like a storm, Kingdom’s coming like a storm. Can you hear the Lord?  Can you hear him call?

Burst the gates and shout for joy! The Savior mighty sets you free! Run to him and don’t look back, For in Him you have all good things. Jesus after all was done, Took his seat at God’s right hand, Said he soon would come again, And put his sword within our hand!

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.

All Your Love

So I started writing this song in December to be an Advent song and I didn't get it finished until after the New Year. The main idea of the song came from thinking about how much God condescended to show his mercy during Advent. It really sank in, that my whole life with him is typified by condescending mercy. This simple truth fills my heart with thanksgiving every time I think about it. This is our God. The God who regularly humbles himself to reach his enemies and pursue the weak in faith, the low and the humble. We played it during worship but the recording did not come out that well so I decided to record it in my office. As you can see, it has taken me quite some time to get it finished but here it is. My wife even stopped by one morning to record some harmonies. Awesome! It's my post Advent song, released post Easter.

p.s. Apparently, since Sarah listened to it so much in the car in to prepare for recording, both of my children learned it too! Sarah captured it on her handheld device here.

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All Your Love       (listen)       (chords)

All my life, Is your life. Since you came, Light of Light.

And all your love I'd never know, Unless you came to me. And all your love I'd never know, Unless you remade me.

And now I cry, Praise the Savior! Your peace is mine, I'm yours forever.

And all your love I'd never know,  Unless you saved me. And all your love I'd never know, Unless you bound and bathed me.

Jesus has come that he should call us, If we are his, he will not lose us, And if he calls us, then he'll complete it, If he lives in us, then we shall se him. We don't deserve how he repays us, We did not work that he should owe us, We had not grace that he was drawn to, We had not worth until he made us new.

And I'm so grateful that you came.

The Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Last Sunday while my family was out of town I decided to stay up way too late to write and record a version of this hymn by Haldor Lillenas, 1918. I only had my laptop with me so I used the built in mic to record everything. I had my classical guitar, our upright piano and my children's percussion toys, including my sons toy drum set. I had a blast as you can imagine. (I did go back today to record a bass part because I thought it needed some more low end.) We played it this past Sunday during worship and I was able to get some of the musicians to shout along with me for the refrain. I rewrote the refrain because I thought that verses were really striking and I wanted to keep that tone throughout the song. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Wonderful Grace of Jesus       (listen)       (chords)       

The wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin; How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin? Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free; The wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

The wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching a mighty host, By it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost, Chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty; The wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

More patient than my fight, more faithful than my doubt, Persistent though I run, O how his grace abounds! Broader than my sin, deeper than my shame, Stronger than my evil, O praise Jesus name!

The wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled, By its transforming power, making him God’s dear child, Purchasing peace and heaven, for all eternity; The wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

More patient than my fight, more faithful than my doubt, Persistent though I run, O how his grace abounds! Broader than my sin, deeper than my shame, Stronger than my evil, O praise Jesus name!

The wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin; How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin?

Easter: His Word will Never Die

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.-- Hebrews 1:1-2

This is another song that came as an assignment from one of my LAMP seminary classes. It is on the doctrine of the Word. Jesus said that heaven and earth may pass away but his words would never pass away. Further, on Easter we celebrate the Word made flesh; resurrected and forever alive. The living Word of God, (through whom the cosmos was created, about whom it testifies and by whom it is held together) the Son of God, can never die.

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Kyle Ragsdale Acoustic guitar: Nathan Partain Fiddle: Kipp Normand Washboard: Elyce Elder Shaker: Brian Allee Banjo: Kyle Edgell Harmonica: Jeremy Grimmer Bass: Joel Chodakowski Djembe: Wes Homoya

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His Word will Never Die     (listen)     (chord chart)

From the first of creation, The Lord God of heaven, Has stood out in broadest daylight. So that all of his creatures, Should know of his nature, And worship their Author of Life. Yet though all his wisdom, Cries out at each corner, All the day and all through the night. The whole of mankind, Has not wanted to find, Any god who would challenge their pride.

See our God is not silent at all, He has spoken in so many ways, That his children would come to his call, To believe and be saved. Though the sun go dark, And the land lost to sea, Though the stars fall out of the sky, His word never will die!

So out of compassion, Pursuing all nations, He called a small people his own, That walking in mercy, They’d make the world holy, As their fountain of grace overflowed. Then He sent and inspired, The words of the prophets, Who called out with blessings and woes. Their words being written, That all who received them, The unchanging God they would know.

See our God is not silent at all, He has spoken in so many ways, For in Jesus his words are complete, And his promises they are yay. Though evil should stand, And pervade every land, Though his children be pressed on all sides, His word will never die!

At just the right moment, The Lord God infinite, Was born into the world he had made. Incarnate and holy, He explained the great mystery, Hidden before every age. But those who weren’t looking, To yield to any king, Rejected and killed him in hate. Not knowing the plan, That the Word became man, All to die and to rise and to save.

 See our God is not silent at all, He has spoken in so many ways, That in Christ are the doors opened wide, Unto all who’d receive his grace. Though all of human pride, In their denial strive, To disprove that our God is alive, His Word never will die!

Though false hood confuse every mind, With deceptions like angels of light, Though the faithful are nowhere in sight, Any hope is hard to find, Let the dead be raised, Let them cry out with  praise. All God said is in Jesus Christ, His word never will die!

A Son of God

So I'm really behind in posts and have had little to no time to write over the past few months but I am hopefully getting back into the groove. Actually, I was hoping to keep up with writing/posting at least one song per month as my 2011 New Years resolution. However, it is already February and I am behind. I have part of my January song recorded but it kind of stalled out. Anyway, this song was actually part of an assignment for me to finish one of my LAMP courses. I went through Sonship last year and this song was written to express all that I learned during that time. Understanding what it means to be a son of God has really had an affect on me, the way I see myself before God and the way that I more confidently stand on God's promises in the moment. This was recorded live during worship on Sunday, February 13th.

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Kyle Ragsdale, Rebekah Osborn Guitar: Nathan Partain Fiddle: Kipp Normand Mandolin: Kyle Edgell Washboard and other noises: Brian Allee, Elyce Elder Bass: Joel Chodakowski Djembe: Wes Homoya

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A Son of God       (listen) (chord chart)

I lie down and rest, Cause I work no longer. I breathe in, refreshed no more soiled in disgrace. I look up at him to whom I am kneeling, And I see delight there in my Father’s face.

I’m a son of God, and love is my freedom. I can ask anything of my Father the King. I’m an heir, I’m adopted and my brother is Jesus. I’m a son of God and my soul is at peace.

I am last and low, Cause I fight no longer, To be right, or good or to prove my own worth. I’m not driven or pushed or weighed down with duty. I am filled with release that Christ did all for me.

I’m a son of God, and love is my freedom. I can ask anything of my Father the King. I’m an heir, I’m adopted and my brother is Jesus. I’m a son of God and my soul is at peace.

I stand up in faith, Cause I fear no longer, And I pray and wait for God to provide. I lean all of my weight on him who is able, And I set aside every effort of mine.

I’m a son of God, and love is my freedom. I can ask anything of my Father the King. I’m an heir, I’m adopted and my brother is Jesus. I’m a son of God and my soul is at peace.

I know now, I’m safe, Cause nothing can harm me, Or break in and take what’s stored up for me. I need not to cling to dead helpless idols, They no longer can hold any comfort for me.

I’m a son of God, and love is my freedom. I can ask anything of my Father the King. I’m an heir, I’m adopted and my brother is Jesus. I’m a son of God and my soul is at peace.

The Lord is my Joy

Here is a song that I wrote back in 2008 when I was in Seattle on vacation. I came back and finished it and we played it a few weeks later at Redeemer. One of the things that is sweet to me about this song is that Wolfy, Ben Flack and I sang it together and Wofly and Ben added their harmony parts. This was during a time when Ben was doing an internship with Redeemer and it always brings sweet memories back to me. Ben came back to lead worship with me and Wolfy about a month ago and we played this song again and were able to record it. This is also one of my attempts at a song of adoration. I have been trying to write songs of adoration. Adoring God is all I want to do most of the time when I pray or sing and yet writing songs that are simple and honest and adore God is difficult for me. In Acts 8:32 it is written, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" This verse has been the reminder that I have needed over the past few years as to why I should continue to trust my Father in heaven. I am prone to doubt when I cannot perceive how God is at work, especially when horrible things happen in my life or in the lives of those close to me. If I believe in Jesus at all, I must believe that God loves me more than I can comprehend.

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The Lord is my Joy (listen) (chord chart)

The Lord is my Joy, the Lord is my Joy When all that I have is lost, The Lord is my Joy.

The Lord is my strength, the Lord is my strength, When I am too weak to go on I find, The Lord is my strength.

My all in all is he, My healing King My Master tends to me, For him my soul shall sing.

The Lord is my rock, the Lord is my rock, When all I have faith in fails, The Lord is my rock.

The Lord is my delight,  the Lord is my delight, Above all the joys of life, The Lord is my delight.

My all in all is he, my breath, my song. In him I have everything, To him my soul belongs

I wait, and wait upon you, To come for me in rescue. Give strength,  my heart is failing, Yet still, my lips will praise you.

And with his wings he covers me, He keeps his watch when I’m asleep, I offer all my thoughts and dreams, I give my savior everything.

You who gave your only son, I dare not doubt your steadfast love. Come, I beg you take my life, if am yours then all is right.

My all in all is he, my closest friend. I put my trust in him, On him my soul depends.

O Light that Knew No Dawn

This hymn by Gregory of Nazianzus (325-390; tr. John Brownlie, 1900) was one that I wrote music for back in 2004 at Greenlake (Seattle) and never got recorded. My good friend (and magnificent violinist) Jonathan Marzinke requested a recording of this song a few weeks ago. I hope it is a blessing to you. [I included a capo chart in D because I usually play capo II open on the low E string.]

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O Light that Knew No Dawn (listen) (chords) (capo chart)

O Light that knew no dawn, That shines to endless day, All things in earth and heav’n Are lustered by thy ray; Nor mind thy brightness comprehend, No eye can to thy throne ascend, Nor mind thy brightness comprehend.

Thy grace, O Father, give, That I might serve in fear; Above all hopes, I pray, Grant me thy voice to hear; From sin thy child in mercy free, O let me dwell in light with thee. From sin thy child in mercy free. O let me dwell in light with thee.

Lord, you are my God, my only Lord, you have been so gracious to me, And I would give you everything.

That, cleansed from stain of sin, I may true homage give; And pure in heart, behold Thy beauty while I live; And thee, O Christ my Savior, praise. Clean hands in holy worship raise, And thee, O Christ my Savior, praise.

Lord, you are my God, my only Lord, you have been so gracious to me, And I would give you everything.

Thy grace, O Father, give, I humbly thee implore; And let thy mercy bless Thy servant more and more. From age to age eternally. All grace and glory be to thee, From age to age eternally.

Lord, you are my God, my only Lord, you have been so gracious to me, And I would give you everything. All I've worked for, everything, All I run from, everything, All I've loved, everything.

Come Back

The end of the book of Revelation has always resonated with me. In the finale of this great and terrible vision, Jesus says, "Behold I am coming soon" and the Spirit of God says "Come" and the Bride (that is, the church) says "Come". We are definitely like those who were waiting for Jesus to be born. We are supposed to be looking and watching on the edge of our seat for Christ to come in the sky. I don't live there most of the time but I want to have that awareness more and more. I want to sing about it with my spiritual family as well and not just because life here is dangerous and full of sorrow but because we long to be with Jesus whom we love with our very guts.

I wrote this Advent song last year springing from that desire. We recorded this a couple weeks back during worship.

Thanks always to Wolfy for mixing these live songs.

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Come Back (listen) (chord chart)

Another morning, another shadow of the Day, I’m here and waiting, and yet I plan for the years ahead. I lose my senses; I doubt that you are even there. I lose my memory, sometimes my lamp it grows ever dim.

Come Back, Come Back, Come Back, Come Back.

I miss the moments, when you first called me out from death, You took me further, than I could have imagined then, Now one more mile, I walk and hope that you are near. I watch for morning; I need you Jesus to be here.

Come Back, Come Back, Come Back, Come Back.

And when you come, when you come, when you come, I will, I will still be a virgin. And when you come, when you come, when you come, I will, be the fairest of maidens. And when you come, when you come, when you come, I will, I will have still kept my garden And when you come, when you come, until you come, I will wait, I will wait.

I have this feeling, that I am not singing alone. The angels thunder; the earth let’s out another groan. I hear my family, the ones who now are at your throne. My heart is fettered, and all I want is to be home.

Come Back, Come Back, Come Back, Come Back.

Mercy on the Dead

Here is a Christmas song I wrote my first Christmas at Redeemer, Indianapolis in December 2007. I recorded it in our upper room when it was still a home studio (now its a bedroom for one of our students) and Sarah joined in to give it some harmony. Hope this gets you in the Christmas spirit. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Mercy on the Dead (listen) (chord chart)

Weary from the hardened roads and rejected as a stranger, No room to deliver Life for the mother of our savior, Lonely, not but just a prayer to have strength to bear our Maker, Struggling in the pains of birth hoping God would show his favor.

Oh have mercy on the dead! Oh come breathe your breath out on this cold ground. And where you find nothing left, Raise up your children!

Dull ears and a broken cup was the people that you came to, Thieves hiding inside your house where the dark could not perceive you, No life and a withered branch was the garden that you came to, Hail, coals and the cup of wrath, that you bore to make all things new.

Oh have mercy on the dead! Oh come breathe your breath out on this cold ground. And where you find nothing left, Raise up your children!

The Holy One bends down to dust, He speaks our name, He calls to us, “Come out, My Child!  You’re mine forever!”

Oh have mercy on the dead! Oh come breathe your breath out on this cold ground. And where you find nothing left, Raise up your children!

Come Jesus, Come

I wrote this song back in 2006 and I wanted to post it for a couple of reasons. First of all, it is advent and I love sharing songs about God becoming man and God coming back (this one focusing on the later). We played it a couple of Sundays ago and it was just Wolfy on the organ and me on the guitar; very simple. Secondly, I have been thinking of our friends the Brodines whose son was born about 12 weeks premature a couple of weeks ago. My son was born at about the same time and I remember writing this song and working on it as I rode the elevators at the hospital, drove to work-to hospital-to food-to hospital and then getting home late at night just to go to sleep. So this song goes out to the Brodines living at the hospital and their beautiful little son.

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Come Jesus, Come (listen) (chord chart)

When everything has been lost and we cry out from our soul, Finding at the foot of the cross, there’s a dawning of hope. Come,  Come Jesus Come. Come,  Come Jesus Come.

Praise Father and Son and Holy Ghost, and Holy Ghost! Our weakness; his strength’s our only boast, our only boast. Join as the elders and angel host, the angel host call, "Come Jesus, Come!"

And the grace of God dwells by his Spirit in us, His mercies ever-new still refresh what the curse would have crushed. Come,  Come Jesus Come. Come,  Come Jesus Come.

Praise Father and Son and Holy Ghost, and Holy Ghost! Our weakness; his strength’s our only boast, our only boast. Join as the elders and angel host, the angel host call, "Come Jesus, Come!"

Every glimpse that we get is like a view of our home, Where we’ll be face to face; in the arms of our God, Still as creation groans, we’ll bear witness to Light, And we’ll watch as the morning grows bright.

Though we don’t see him now, everyday there’s enough. Still we have a longing to see when he appears from above. Come,  Come Jesus Come. Come,  Come Jesus Come.

Praise Father and Son and Holy Ghost, and Holy Ghost! Our weakness; his strength’s our only boast, our only boast. Join as the elders and angel host, the angel host call, "Come Jesus, Come!"

Be Reconciled

I found this 1902 hymn by E. Taylor Cassel last week and reworked the music for this past Sunday. I am always shaken by the real purpose of our lives here. (2 Cor. 5:20) That God has chosen to make his appeal to the world through us. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Be Reconciled (demo) (live) (chord chart) (capo chart)

I am a stranger here, within a foreign land; My home is far away, upon a golden strand; Ambassador to be of realms beyond the sea, I’m just an angel for the business of my King.

This is my King’s command: that all men, everywhere, Repent and turn away from sin’s destructive snare; That all who will receive him shall then be forgiv’n,

This is the business of my King. This is the message that I bring, To all of Jesus’ enemies:

“Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled. Oh be reconciled.”

My home is brighter far than Sharon’s rosy plain, Eternal life and joy throughout its vast domain; My Sovereign bids me tell how mortals there may dwell,

This is the business of my King. This is the message that I bring, To all of Jesus’ enemies:

“Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.” “Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.” “Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.” “Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.”

Today is the hour of his favor, today is the hour of his grace. Today is the day he is calling, today is the choice you must face. Today is the season of his presence, today is the reign of Jesus’ name. Today we are closer forever, today is the day, today is the day.

I am a stranger here, within a foreign land; My home is far away, upon a golden strand.

“Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.” “Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.” “Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.” “Oh, be reconciled to God, be reconciled.”