For His Own Sake

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There are some songs that you get pregnant with and you can't help but finally just to let it out. This is one of those songs. Whether through my own life or through the deep suffering of dear friends, I have been working through this aspect of our walk with Jesus. What does it mean to love the almighty God when he allows calamity? What should we expect in this life? After spending much time in the word and prayer, after trying to teach these truths to myself and those around me, this song comes and it sums up one of the largest truths that has emerged during this season. That I do not love God for what he does for me. I love him for who he is alone. That is what it means to really love. He is worthy of my love, my strength, my devotion and honor. And it is not just that I am obliged to give my everything to him. I want to. In fact, there is nothing I want more than to give my all to my God. This song was recorded live in worship on Palm Sunday. ......................................................................................................................................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Katherine Green, Kyle Ragsdale Guitar: Nathan Partain Violin: Wes Lackey Accordion: Corinn Gove Bass: Joe Wheeler Percussion: Brian Allee

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For His Own Sake            (Listen/Download)      (Chord Chart)

I have seen the bright birth of the morning, I have worked through the sweat of the day. I have laughed as the summer rains poured down from heaven, and I've harvested oceans of grain.

I have worked and I've worked and had nothing, I have prayed and I’ve prayed but no rain, I have lost to the fire, storm and locust, And woke up to find all my land left in shame.

Still each morning and noon and in evening, I will trust my Lord and bless his name. Never seeking the gain but the Giver, So I love him for nothing but for his own sake.

I have made the mistake that my blessing, Means the favor of God on my ways, And thought every hardship, his anger against me, And cried out in darkness for grace.

Now I know that his kindness is steadfast, He has anchored my soul in his peace, So that suffering is now just the pangs of my hunger, to know the embrace of my King.

Still each morning and noon and in evening, I will trust my Lord and bless his name. Never seeking the gain but the Giver, So I love him for nothing but for his own sake.

I have learned that this world is not truest, There’s a hope held securely beyond, And since Jesus has suffered through my own destruction, I entrust my all to my God.

I have seen deepest loss bring rejoicing, Seen a mother with her stillborn sing praise, I have seen those abused and those ravaged by sickness, Through tears and in anguish give thanks.

Still each morning and noon and in evening, I will trust my Lord and bless his name. Never seeking the gain but the Giver, So I love him for nothing but for his own sake.

Glory to God in the Highest

This song was a gift of God to me. I had written about eight mediocre ideas during the month of December and was not excited about any of them. Then one afternoon in the midst of writing I had the beginning of a concept that I thought could actually go somewhere. I thought I wrote it down or recorded it before I had to move to the next thing but apparently i did not because the next day when I went back to work on it, I couldn't find it...anywhere. It took a while but I finally let it go and tried to keep writing. However, I still didn't like anything I was doing. Finally, under the pressures of my work at the church, Christmas services and my own downward spiraling I found myself on my face before the Lord in frustration and failure. God was gracious with me and took all of my thrashing. When I had prayed all that I had left I felt like he had heard and that it was time to lay down my wrestling and go home. Then the next morning while I was making my lunch the concept that I had lost started coming back to me. The song began to just fall into place in my head as I was getting ready for work. Before long I found myself in the shower weeping with joy and thanksgiving in the way that the Lord was providing for me, tending to my heart and helping me tell of his beauties. Anyway, this song is a reminder to me of how God blesses me so that I can proclaim the glories of his Name. .......................................................................................................................................

vocals: Nathan Partain, Rebekah Osborn, Kyle Ragsdale guitar: Nathan Partain fiddle: Kipp Normand viola: Ashley Overley upright bass: Joel Chodakowski percussion: Brian Allee djembe: Wes Homoya

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Glory to God in the Highest      (listen)     (chords)

There was a boy, went for a walk, down by the stream, picked out some rocks, and stepped out on, the battle field, no shield or sword, for him to wield. The giant jeered, and boasted loud, the little boy, just held his ground, and pulled a stone, out of his pouch, and raised his sling, and slung it round singing…

"Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to God! Glory to God!"

A coward man, was hiding low, an angel called, told him to go, and lead his kin, to overthrow, the burdens of their wicked foes. His troop was small, three hundred men. The foe too vast, to count, like sand. Still they around, the foe that night, raised up their horns, and jars of light singing…

"Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to God! Glory to God!"

A pilgrim folk, in desert sun, were told to take, a fortress town. No siege ramps built, no batter ram, the word of God, would be their plan. Six days they marched, around its sides, the seventh day, the seventh time, the trumpets made, a victor’s sound. The people raised, a mighty shout singing…

"Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to God! Glory to God!"

A virgin aches, in labor pains.  She’s giving birth, to “Him who Saves”. There in the barn, the humble means, the filthy rags, the trough unclean. The rock now strikes, the giants face. The jars now break, the light dismays. Jerricho’s walls, are tumbling down, for Christ is born! Angels are singing…

"Glory to God in the Highest! Glory to God! Glory to God!"

New Compilation: Songs for the Supper

I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. -- Jesus [John 6:53]

I got the privilege to get a couple of songs (Gathered Round your Table / Lord Jesus Christ be Present Now) on a new compilation by Cardiphonia called Songs for the Supper. It is one of the many projects instigated by Bruce Benedict who runs Cardiphonia and who himself is a great song writer, pastor and worship leader. There are a number of other great song writers involved from around the country. The compilation includes 30 new songs built around helping us understand, with greater depth, what the Lord Supper means to us as children of God. Check it out, name your price and enjoy!

Hymns of Faith: Songs for the Apostles Creed

Thanks to Bruce Benedict, the Hymns of Faith project was just finished and put up on his Cardiphonia Bandcamp page. I got to be involved in writing one of the hymns. The project was for 14 song writers to rewrite 12 hymns based on the Apostles Creed.  I'll let you all read more about it there. Definitely worth checking out all of the music there. Pay what you want for downloads.

Live: Nothing but the Blood

Here is some live music from Sunday, Novembery 1st. Nothing but the Blood is relatively traditional but I thought I would share it. I am so blessed to play with these musicians: a string quintet, drums and dissonant arhythmic piano playing.....gives me a big grateful smile. Nothing but the Blood (live)

Chord Chart: I am One of Those

Somehow I forgot to add the chord chart link for the I am One of Those post. Sorry about that. I have updated the post and this will also get you the chart if you are looking for it.

Chord Charts

There was some interest in the chord charts for all the songs on the 11:43am record so here they are. I will try to record and post a new song this week. 

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1. He Alone
2. Psalm 124
3. Song of Adoption
4. The Gospel is All I Have
5. Peace Be Still
6. I Belong to Jesus
7. Justice is Coming
8. James 4
9. Beyond my Reach
10. I will Believe the Lord
11. Hour of the Christ
12. What our God has Done

11:43am is on iTunes

Just a quick note for some of you who asked. 11:43am is now on iTunes.