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

O Worship the King

I rewrote this Robert Grant/William Kethe hymn (1833/1562) back in 2002, but last Sunday we played a bit mellower and I rewrote the turn around portion to fit. We really enjoyed it so I thought I would share it. ...............................................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Rebekah Osborn Electric guitar: Nathan Partain Acoustic guitar: Rebekah Osborn Bass: Rob Meyer Drums: Joe Lamusga

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O Worship the King       (listen)          (chords)

O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing his pow’r and his love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might, O sing of his grace, Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space; His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, Dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

O measureless might!  Ineffable love! While angels delight to hymn thee above, The humbler creation, though feeble their lays, With true adoration shall all sing thy praise.

O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing his pow’r and his love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

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.

Sweet Hour of Prayer

I rewrote this William Walford hymn (1845) last month. I have been working on this hymn for a while and have a number of mediocre versions of it. Something keeps drawing me back to these lyrics. When I first turned my whole heart to Jesus in 1997, my relationship with God was defined by constant intimate prayer. Lying face down on my bed in prayer to talk to my Lord was like coming home to the only place I wanted to be in the whole world....at the feet of Jesus. This hymn reminds me of the sweetness that I have known and that I still taste each day as I walk in relationship with God. ........................................................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Rebekah Osborn Cello: Chad Davis Viola: Ashley Overley Violin: Laura Davis

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Sweet Hour of Prayer       (listen)     (chords)

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me out from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne, To make all of my wants and my wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempter’s snare, By thy return!

Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! All the joys I feel, O the bliss I share, Those anxious hearts whose spirits burn, With the strongest desires for thy return! With such I would, run to the place, Where God my Savior shows His face, And gladly take my station there, and wait for thee Oh how I long to be with you where you are. Oh how I long to be with you...

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! How thy wings shall all my petition bear Unto Him whose truth and whose faithfulness, Shall engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He has bid me seek His face, Believe His Word and to trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee Oh how I long to be with you where you are. Oh how I long to be with you where….

You are always listening so intently, You are always calling out, in deep of deep You are always whispering so gently, You are always tending to all I need. You are always offering your love for me, You are always intricately governing. You are always closer than I’d dare to dream, You are always there waiting.

 Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! How I long to remain and be with you where you are.

Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me

This Paul Gerhardt hymn (1653) has been sitting in my folder of lyrics that I have enjoyed and want to rewrite. This past week we mourned the loss of a man in our community and I was longing for a hymn that spoke of our whole hearted devotion and trust in Jesus our savior. When I found this hymn I immediately started making music. We recorded it this past Sunday during worship. .........................................................................

vocals: Nathan Partain guitar: Nathan Partain viola: Ashley Overley, Ellen Davis violin: Laura Davis, Leila Vanest, Sarah Kamer bass: Melodi Miller drums: Joe Lamusga

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Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me      (listen)      (chords)

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me, No thought can reach, no tongue declare; Unite my thankful heart with Thee, And reign without a rival there. To Thee alone, dear Lord, I live; Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give. Myself to Thee, dear Lord, I give.

O, grant that nothing in my soul, May dwell but Thy pure love alone! Oh, may Thy love possess me whole, My joy, my treasure, and my crown! All coldness from my heart remove; My every act, word, thought, be love. My every act, word, thought, be love.

This love unwearied I pursue, And dauntlessly to Thee aspire. Oh, may Thy love my hope renew, Burn in my soul like heavenly fire! And day and night be all my care, To guard this sacred treasure there. To guard this sacred treasure there.

O that I, as a little child, May follow Thee, and never rest, Till sweetly Thou hast breathed Thy mild, And lowly mind into my breast! Nor ever may we parted be, Till I become as one with Thee. Till I become as one with Thee.

In suffering be Thy love my peace, In weakness be Thy love my power; And when the storms of life shall cease, Jesus, in that important hour, In death as life be Thou my guide, And save me, Who for me hast died. And save me, Who for me hast died.

Jesus is Mine (live)

Recorded this last Sunday. It is a rewrite I did back in 2003 of a Jane C. Bonar (1843) hymn. It is on The Parlor Sessions record but I really enjoyed worshiping through this song with our community this past Sunday so I thought I would share the live recording. James says that "friendship with the world is hatred towards God". This song reminds me that I do not need the world, that it's promises are empty and that Jesus is all I want. I am his and he is mine. ....................................

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Kyle Ragsdale, Bethany Hodge Guitar: Nathan Partain Banjo: Kyle Edgell Fiddle: Kipp Normand Bass: Joel Chodakowski Bass Drum & Cymbal: Brail Allee

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Jesus is Mine         (listen)      (chords)

Fade, fade, each earthly joy: Jesus is mine! Break every tender tie: Jesus is mine! Dark is this wilderness, Earth has no resting place, Jesus alone can bless: Jesus is mine!

Tempt not my soul away: Jesus is mine! Here would I ever stay: Jesus is mine! Perishing things of clay, Born for but one brief day, Pass from my heart away: Jesus is mine!

Farewell, ye dreams of night: Jesus is mine! Lost in this dawning bright: Jesus is mine! All that my soul has tried Left but a dismal void; Jesus has satisfied: Jesus is mine!

Farewell, mortality: Jesus is mine! Welcome, eternity: Jesus is mine! Welcome, O loved and blest, Welcome sweet scenes of rest, Welcome, my Savior’s breast: Jesus is mine!

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.

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!

Good Friday: Just as I am

So I normally try to steer clear of rewriting classic hymns that people know and love. However, I really like these lyrics (Charlotte Elliot, 1835) and have wanted to write something new to them for a while so for Good Friday I did a rewrite. My focus was really just the first phrase of the song, that I am to come to our Father as I am, without pretense, hiding, self-covering or any of my own goodness.  Not only that, but I am to come free of fear and inhibition, trusting completely in the finished work of Jesus on my behalf.

Vocals: Nathan Partain, Kyle Ragsdale, Bethany Hodge Acoustic guitar: Nathan Partain Harmonica: Jeremy Grimmer Washboard: Elyce Elder Bass drum: Brian Allee Junk: Kipp Normand Bass: Joel Chodakowski

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Just as I am    (listen)      (chord chart)    

Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb I come. Just as I am, and waiting not, To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about, Confused, conflicted, full of doubts, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb I come. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all in Thee I need to find, O Lamb I come.

Just as I am I come, Receiving all you’ve done. And covered in your blood, I’m held within your love.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown, Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine and Thine alone, O Lamb I come. Just as I am, Thou will receive, Will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb I come. 

 Just as I am I come, Receiving all you’ve done. And covered in your blood, I’m held within your love.

You won for me full forgiveness, Just as I am O Lamb I come Set free from fear, I can confess, Just as I am O Lamb I come I leave my rags of righteousness, Just as I am O Lamb I come For now I wear your Holiness, Just as I am O Lamb I come 

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.

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.

Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness

Here is a recent hymn rewrite of Nikolaus L. Von Zinzendorf's (1739) hymn. Because the lyrics were translated from German, some of the phrases are somewhat convoluted but I have been continually drawn in by the first two phrases of the hymn and the way that the hymn stays persistent in these verses with the analogy of being clothed in Christ. I also really love the verse that is punctuated with "the robe of Christ, it is ever new". We record this live during worship last week. Enjoy! On another note, I realized the other day that I have posted a few live recordings here and I unintentionally forgot to credit the players in the recordings. I will try to be more consistent with this in the future.

Rebekah Osborn (vocals) :: Kyle Ragsdale (vocals) :: Nathan Partain (vocals, acoustic guitar) :: Wolfy Johnson (piano, mixed recording) Jeremy Grimmer (harmonica) :: Brian Allee (percussion) :: Joe Manley (Upright bass)

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Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness (listen) (chords)

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, My beauty are, my glorious dress; ’Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, With joy shall I lift up my head.

Bold shall I stand in Thy great day; For who aught to my charge shall lay? Fully absolved through these I am, From sin and fear, from guilt and shame.

This spotless robe the same appears, When ruined nature sinks in years; No age can change its glorious hue, The robe of Christ is ever new.

O let the dead now hear Thy voice; Now bid Thy banished ones rejoice; Their beauty this, their glorious dress, Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness.

Give to the Wind Thy Fears

Down in Nashville this week for a big Presbyterian meeting and I have been hoping to get a chance to record two or three hymns that I have rewritten. So yesterday I skipped out on the meetings and utilized my daddy-Kenny’s studio stuff to record onto my laptop. My wife joined in and sang harmony with me and Kenny jumped in on bass. Bruce Benedict sent a shout out for other versions of this song (words: Paul Gerhardt, translated: John Wesley) about a month or so ago and I looked at it and got inspired to do a rewrite. I finished it that week but it has been difficult to find time to record it.

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Give to the Wind Thy Fears (listen) (chord chart)

Give to the winds thy fears, Hope and be undismayed. God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears, God will lift up thy head God will lift up thy head

Leave to His sovereign sway To choose and to command; Then shalt thou, wandering, own His way, How wise, how strong His hand. How wise, how strong His hand.

Far, far above thy thought, His counsel shall appear When fully He the work hath wrought That caused thy needless fear That caused thy needless fear

Through waves and clouds and storms, He gently clears the way; Wait thou His time; so shall this night Soon end in joyous day. Soon end in joyous day.

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.

Sinners Jesus does Receive

It has been a few months since my last post. My daughter was born mid-February and with Easter and Holy Week I have been trying to catch up.Anyway, here is an Erdman Neumeister hymn (1718) that I rewrote a while back but never got a recording of it until early this year. As usual, it is recorded live during our worship service and Wolfy mixed it for me.

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Sinners Jesus does Receive (listen) (chord chart)

"Sinners, Jesus does receive:" Word of surest consolation; Word all sorrow to relieve, Word of pardon, peace, salvation! Nothing else can comfort give: "Sinners, Jesus does receive." Nothing else can comfort give.

On God's grace we have no claim, Yet to us his pledge is given; He hath sworn by his own Name, Open are the gates of heaven. Take to heart this word and live: "Sinners, Jesus does receive." "Sinners, Jesus does receive."  Take to heart this word and live

I was helpless and astray, After me, the Shepherd, pressing Thro' each dark and dang'rous way, Brought me back, his own possessing. O, how blest it is to know: Were as scarlet my transgression, It shall be as white as snow By thy blood and bitter passion;

Now my conscience is at peace, From the Law I stand acquitted; Christ hath purchased my release, And my ev'ry sin remitted. O believe, my soul believe. "Sinners, Jesus does receive." "Sinners, Jesus does receive." O believe, my soul believe

It is Finished

I have been doing on the job training with a part time seminary class here in Indy. It has been really great and right now I am going through a course called Sonship. It is all about laying down my efforts and self defense and receiving the gospel to every corner of my soul. It is great because it is not about cognitive understanding but it is about how it affects my everyday reactions. At the end of one of the chapters was the last verse of this James Proctor hymn and I immediately went to find the rest of the hymn. It is so hard to spend each moment of the day receiving Christ's work on my behalf and not picking up my own efforts to make myself right before him or to fight to be right in front of others. This song was recorded live a couple of weeks ago during our worship at Redeemer.

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It is Finished (listen) (chart)

Nothing, either great or small—Nothing, sinner, no; Jesus died and paid it all, a long, long time ago.

“It is finished!” yes, indeed, Finished, ev’ry jot; Sinner, this is all you need, Tell me, is it not?

When He, from His lofty throne, Stooped to do and die, Ev’rything was fully done; Hearken to His cry!

“It is finished!” yes, indeed, Finished, ev’ry jot; Sinner, this is all you need, Tell me, is it not?

Weary, working, burdened one, How come you toil so? Cease your doing; all was done, a long, long time ago.

“It is finished!” yes, indeed, Finished, ev’ry jot; Sinner, this is all you need, Tell me, is it not?

Till to Jesus’ work you cling by a simple faith, “Doing” is a deadly thing—“Doing” ends in death.

“It is finished!” yes, indeed, Finished, ev’ry jot; Sinner, this is all you need, Tell me, is it not?

Trade toil and slavery, rest and freedom, Trade law and judgement, for life and pardon, Trade fear and scrutiny, for joy and gladness, Trade cold rejection, for loving kindness

Cast your deadly “doing” down—Down at Jesus’ feet; Stand in Him, in Him alone, Gloriously complete.

“It is finished!” yes, indeed, Finished, ev’ry jot; Sinner, this is all you need, Tell me, is it not?

I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

A little late for Christmas but I meant to post this song and totally forgot.It was recorded live on December 27th during communion. This Henry Longfellow hymn (1864) is a dangerous one to rewrite because so many people are familiar with the old tune. I usually try to steer away from rewriting well known beloved hymns as to not "ruin the song". However, I wasn't familiar with it so I didn't know what I was messing with until I started playing it for our congregation in 2008. It has an especially dark tone as it was written during the Civil War. You can check out the lesser known verses here if you are interested. I  adjusted the lyrics a touch to make them more about the internal world. Sorry if I butchered it too much for you. Never the less, I thought I would share it late or not. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day   (listen)   (chart)

I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the news of Christ repeats.

I thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled around the world with unbroken song. 

Of Peace on earth, good will toward man My Savior is born in Bethlehem The herald swells, throughout the realms of hell and heav’n, Of peace on earth, good will toward man

But in despair I bowed my head “There is no peace in me,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the holy songs”

Then out from the Accusers cursed mouth My secret evils thundered out, And with the cruel sound the carols drowned

Of Peace on earth, good will toward man, The Savior is born in Bethlehem The herald swells, throughout the realms of hell and heav’n, Of peace on earth, good will toward man.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “Jesus has died and ris’n a King; The wrong shall fail, the Lamb of God prevail.

I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the news of Christ repeats.

Of Peace on earth, good will toward man, The Savior is born in Bethlehem The herald swells, throughout the realms of hell and heav’n, Of peace on earth, good will toward man.

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.