A Beautiful Christmas

This year Christmas was different,
As we started earlier, 

Because another is living with our family,

And she had to work in the late afternoon.

We did stockings, breakfast, a break, then big gifts.

Though this year was not as big as others,

It was a new and fun dynamic with Ikaiasha here.

She is one of a kind in all the right ways.

It's also a hard Christmas,

Given the continuous pandemic,

And I found out a friend spent it alone.

She would have been invited if I would have known.

All in all, Christmas is a reminder,

That Jesus Christ still reigns. 

Only He could take a pagan holiday,

And make it the big celebration in His name it is today.

She Has Her Opinions

She has her opinions,
And I have mine.

Restoration is not coming

As soon as either of us wants.

The Love He Has For You

When you're living for the love of
A lifetime
You wonder if the waiting will ever end
And the right from the wrong
That you've guarded so long
Is closer that it's ever been
But sometimes a moment of weakness
Can sacrifice the treasure of time
And cause you to miss the miracle
That god longs for you to find

There's a love he has for you
There's a heart that he's been saving
There's a joy beyond all measure
That only comes from waiting
There's a love he has for you
It's more than the hope you're holding to
And you will find the only love that's true
Is the love he has for you

When you're torn between today
And tomorrow
And holding out for something you
Cannot see
There's a strength you can find
Knowing in god's own time
You'll discover what he meant to be
'Cause love like the father intended
Is more than just a state of the heart
So don't give up hope in the holding on
'Cause no matter who you are

There's a love he has for you
There's a heart that he's been saving
There's a joy beyond all measure
That only comes from waiting
There's a love he has for you
It's more than the hope you're holding to
And you will find the only love that's true
Is the love he has for you

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Dave Clark / John Mandeville / John R. Mandeville / Shelley Breen

The Love He Has for You lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

The House That Mercy Built

A light in the distance
Welcomes those wayfaring souls
Come this far
A heart grows tired, faith grows cold
Wandering down the winding road
Just simply knock, the door will open

There is a house that mercy built
There is a place where brokenness is healed
There is a voice saying peace be still
There is a house that mercy built

Mercy will find you
Though you've given up
In the middle of what seems like nowhere
He'll shelter you beneath his wing
His love will cover every need
Just simply seek and you will find

There is a house that mercy built
There is a place where emptiness is filled
There is a voice saying peace be still
There is a house that mercy built

There is a house that mercy built
With blood and tears
We've nothing left to fear
We live in grace
Here in the safe embrace of god
The mercy of god

There is a house that mercy built
There is a place where grace has
Been revealed
There is a voice saying peace be still
There is a house that mercy built
Rest in the hope
Rest in the peace
There is a house that mercy built

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Grant Evan Cunningham / Matthew M. Huesmann

The House That Mercy Built lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Who Am I?

Over time You've healed so much in me,
And I am living proof.
That although my darkest hour had come,
Your light could still shine through.
Though at times it's just enough to cast,
A shadow on the wall.
I am grateful that you've shined your light on me at all.

Who Am I,
That you would love me so gently?
Who Am I,
That you would recognize my name?
Who Am I,
That you would speak to me so softly?
Conversation with the Lord most high.
Who Am I?

Oh Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost,
But now am found.
Was blind,
But now I see.
And the more I sing that sweet old song,
The more I understand.
That I do not comprehend this love that's coming from your hand.

Who Am I,
That you would love me so gently?
Who Am I,
That you would recognize my name?
Who Am I,
That you would speak to me so softly?
Conversation with the Lord most high.
Who Am I?

Grace, grace.
God's grace.
Grace that will pardon, and cleanse within.
Grace, grace.
God's great grace.
Grace that is greater than all my sin.

Who Am I,
That you would love me so gently?
Who Am I,
That you would recognize my name?
Who Am I,
That you would speak to me so softly?
Conversation with the Lord most high.
Who Am I?

Lord, Who Am I?
Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Sam Mizell / Marshall Hall / Terri Fritsch

Who Am I? lyrics © Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Sweater Weather Music, My Refuge Music, Be Essential Songs, Word Music, Llc, Rocketown Music, Llc.

The Story of Baby Yoda

The baby Yoda soft stuffed bodied animal
Seems to be a friend's favorite gift.

But it almost didn't happen.

It was seen by chance in Target,

Out of place and seemingly random.

I almost didn't grab it.

I had just realized I needed to stop spending money,

In one of the slap you in the face ways,

And even thought that as I picked it up.

The feeling that I should get it didn't go away.

At the time, I thought it was for a friend's kid.

Now I know that it was for someone very specific.

It sat in a pile for the friend's kid for all this time,

With it only once really hitting me that maybe it should be for my friend.

But when my brother chose gifts, it was the first one he chose for her.

Tonight he said he had a feeling about it.

I'm so glad he did.

May it be a love song from Him to her.

Why Did I Cry Over That

Why did I cry over that?
A poor memory of mine.

It's real, no matter who believes it or not.

I'm thankful that Someone else saw it too.

But it doesn't take away the pain

That literally no one else knows,

Because no one else was there,

Except for the One who sees everything.

But why do You not take away the pain?

Why do people who hold it in so hard,

That they cannot release it no matter how they try,

Especially when they want to? 

Why do You let these things happen so prevalently in the world?

Not just to me, but to people all over,

Most who have it way worse than me?

Why do people suffer so much?

It travels with people no matter where they are.

I don't know what You want from me.

Just please save all of us who want better. 

Including those who don't know it yet.

Turn Up The Music

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
And have what you want but want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

So go to the ball games and go to the ballet
Go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth, 'cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be ok

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

So give to the needy and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is about to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God, make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end, there's nobody else

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Cindy Morgan

How You Live (Turn Up the Music) lyrics © Lola Max Music, Word Music, Llc

I Have You In My Arms

Woke up 'cause the light poured in (light poured in)
Day two, let the flood begin
Day one left me in my bed (in my bed)
I can barely remember it
Heart shattered in a thousand ways
They tell me pain gonna come in waves (come in waves)
They tell me I'm gonna be okay (be okay)
Still waitin' for the first to break

Why would You give and then take him away?
Suddenly end, could You not let it fade?
What I would give for a couple o' days (couple o' days)
A couple o' days

Is it just across the Jordan
Or a city in the stars?
Are ya singin' with the angels?
Are you happy where you are?
Well, until this show is over
And you've run into my arms
God has you in Heaven
But I have you in my heart

I have you in my heart

I just can't make sense of this (sense of this)
Everything is so dissonant (so dissonant)
Somebody said, "He was meant for this" (meant for this)
But I'm just straight missin' him

I wanna wake up to your laugh at two (laugh at two)
Catch ya when you steal my shoes (steal my shoes)
Say, "Good mornin', afternoon" (afternoon)
Talk ya through those "Alex blues" (Alex blues)

Listen to your latest beats (latest beats)
Talk about what the lyrics mean
Venmo you another loan ('nother loan)
See ya do your second show

You said, "You'd turn, you would turn it around" (turn it around)
Thought that you had time to straighten it out (straighten it out)
Told me that you were my prodigal son
But this isn't home

Is it just across the Jordan
Or a city in the stars?
Are ya singin' with the angels?
Are you happy where you are?
Well, until this show is over
And you've run into my arms
God has you in Heaven
But I have you in my heart

I have you in my heart

Did he see You from a long way off (did he see you?)
Runnin' to him with a father's heart? (Runnin' to him)
Did You wrap him up inside Your arms
And let him know that he's home?

Did he see You from a long way off
Runnin' to him with a father's heart?
Did You wrap him up inside Your arms
And let him know that he's home?

Is it just across the Jordan
Or a city in the stars? (City in the stars)
Are ya singin' with the angels?
Are you happy where you are? (Happy where you are)
Well, until this show is over
And you've run into my arms (run into my arms)
God has you in Heaven

21 years makes a man full-grown
21 years, what a beautiful loan
21 years, I love everyone (love everyone)
Thank you Lord for my beautiful son (beautiful son)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: David Blake Neesmith / Bryan Christopher Fowler / Kevin Michael Mc Keehan

Rescue

You are not hidden
There's never been a moment
You were forgotten
You are not hopeless
Though you have been broken
Your innocence stolen

I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It's true, I will rescue you

There is no distance
That cannot be covered
Over and over
You're not defenseless
I'll be your shelter
I'll be your armor

I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It's true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It's true, I will rescue you

I hear the whisper underneath your breath
I hear you whisper, you have nothing left

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It's true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It's true, I will rescue you

Oh, I will rescue you

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jason David Ingram / Lauren Daigle / Paul Brendon Mabury

Rescue lyrics © Centricsongs, See You At The Pub

The One Who Prepares

The One Who Knows Me Less (not true anymore)

Has played therapist with her husband for a long time.
For a long time I have played therapist with my Smartest Friend,
Who had a good interview today and will be moving soon.

My brother is mad at me, and my parents are too 

(Though my father sounded a lot like my mother.)

I get where I went wrong - I should have prioritized when I was with them;

But I do not regret going out when I did.

My sister and brother-in-law coming was a love song to me,

One that I so cherish even though the timing was not perfect.

That is because I lack discernment.

And like my mom, get excited over things I shouldn't.

From here, I don't know what the future holds.

I just know I need to hold the hand of the One who made me,

The One who has been moving fast for quite some time now,

The One Who Prepares those - who will listen - for everything. <3

My God

All my life You have been with me,
How could I, pretend not to see.
I was walkin on a line,
I was wasting precious time.

All I know is that You love me!
If I call, you will set me free.
It's a promise that You made,
It's the truth that will not change.

Ooh please help me to remember...

(chorus)
My God has never let me down,
My God has turned my world around.
He loves me even though I know I don't deserve him!

My God has never turned away,
He's with me every single day!
He's broken all the chains and set this captive free.

Seems to you, all your hope is gone,
Never found a love that strong!
It's a chance you have to take!
A choice you've got to make.

I hope that you'll remember...

(chorus)

My God will never let you down,
My God can turn your world around!
He loves us even though I know we don't deserve him!

My God will never turn away,
He's with you every single day!
He's broken all the chains and set this captive free, yeaaa!

ahhhhhhh,hhuuuhh

My God will never let you down,
My God can turn your world around!
He loves us even though I know we don't deserve him!

My God will never turn away,
He's with you every single day!
He's broken all the chains and set this captive free, yeaaa!

My God has never let me down,
My God has turned my world around.
He loves me even though I know I don't deserve him!

My God has never turned away,
He's with me every single day!
He's broken all the chains and set this captive free.

(fade out)

by Point of Grace

It's out of my Control

Every anxious thought that steals my breath
It's a heavy weight upon my chest
As I lie awake and wonder what the future will hold
Help me to remember that You're in control

You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night
You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight
You are greater than the battle raging in my mind
I will trust You, Lord, I will fear no more

I will lift my eyes, I will lift my cares
Lay them in Your hands, I'll leave them there
When the wind and waves are coming, You shelter me
Even though I'm in the storm, the storm is not in me

You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night

You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight
You are greater than the battle raging in my mind
I will trust You, Lord, I will fear no more
(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh) I will fear no more
(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh) I will fear no more

No power can come against me 'cause You have overcome
No darkness can overwhelm me 'cause You've already won
No power can come against me 'cause You have overcome
(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh)

No darkness can overwhelm me 'cause You've already won
(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh)

You're my courage when I worry in the dead of night
You're my strength 'cause I'm not strong enough to win this fight
You are greater than the battle raging in my mind
I will trust You, Lord (Trust You, Lord)
I will fear no more (Fear no more)

(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh)
I will fear no more (Fear no more)
(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh) I will fear no more
(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh) I will fear no more

(Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-oh-ohhhh) I will fear no more

-The Afters, Fear No More lyrics

The God Who Saves

The God who saves is always there,
To stand by anyone's prayer.

What Do You See?

What do you see when you look at me?

Just use your imagination
Can you see me on the cover of a magazine?
Like the beautiful models that everyone's seen

Vogue or Chic or Mademoiselle
It's all so glamorous, and I can tell
That on the outside it's as cool as can be
But on the inside I'm still me

I can be anything I want
I can be anything I need
Make believing all day long
But on the inside I'm still me

What do you see when you look at me?
Through the lens of a fashion camera
Striking a pose like a Covergirl
Whose picture is famous all over the world

Donna Karen, Calvin Klein
Fashion fun is so divine
On the outside it's as cool as can be
But on the inside I'm still me

I can be anything I want
I can be anything I need
Make believing all day long
But on the inside I'm still me

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

I can be anything that I want
I can be anything that I need
Whoo!
Make-believing all day long
But on the inside I'm still me

Source: Musixmatch

What Love Really Means

He cries in the corner where nobody sees
He's the kid with the story no one would believe
"Dear God won't you please
Could you send someone here who will love me?"

He prays every night

Who will love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
'Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means

Her office is shrinking a little each day
She's the woman whose husband has run away
She'll go to the gym after working today
Maybe if she was thinner
Then he would've stayed And she says...

Who will love me for me
Not for what I have done or what I will become
Who will love me for me
'Cause nobody has shown me what love
What love really means

He's waiting to die as he sits all alone
He's a man in a cell who regrets what he's done
He utters a cry from the depths of his soul
"Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go home"

Then he heard a voice somewhere deep inside
And it said, "I know you've murdered and I know you've lied
I have watched you suffer all of your life
And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that I..."

I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you I will give you the love
The love that you never knew
Love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: David Heller / Jennifer J Heller

What Love Really Means lyrics © Butter Lid Publishing

The Dream Is Fading

The dream is fading, now I'm staring at the door
I know it's over 'cause my feet have hit the cold floor
Check my reflection, I ain't feelin' what I see
It's no mystery

Whatever happened to a passion I could live for?
What became of the flame that made me feel more
And when did I forget

That I was made to love you, I was made to find you
I was made just for you, made to adore you
I was made to love and be loved by you?

You were here before me, you were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me, never would you leave me
I was made to love and be loved by you
(And be loved by you)

The dream's alive with my eyes opened wide
Back in the ring, you've got me swinging for the grand prize
I feel the hate is spittin' vapors on my dreams
But I still believe

I'm reachin' out, reachin' up, reachin' over
I feel a breeze cover me called Jehovah
And daddy, I'm on my way
'Cause I was made to love

I was made to love you, I was made to find you
I was made just for you, made to adore you
I was made to love and be loved by you

You were here before me, you were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me, never would you leave me
I was made to love and be loved by you
(I was made to love and be loved by you)

I was made to love you
I was made just for you, made to adore you
I was made to love and be loved by you
(I was made to love and be loved by you)

You were here before me, you were waiting on me
And you said you'd keep me, never would you leave me
I was made to love and be loved by you
(I was made to love and be loved by you)

Anything, I would give up for you
Everything, I'd give it all away
Anything, I would give up for you
Everything, I'd give it all away
Anything, I would give up for you
Everything, I'd give it, I'd give it all away, oh yeah

'Cause I was made to love you
(I was made to love you)
Yeah, I was made to love you
(I was made to find you)

'Cause I was made to love you
(I was made to adore you, made just for you)
I was made to love you
(I was made to adore you, made just for you)

'Cause I was made to love you
(I was made to adore you, made just for you)
I was made to love you
(I was made to adore you, yeah, I've been loved by you)
(Yeah, I've been loved by you, yeah, I've been loved by you)

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Phil Everly

Made to Love lyrics © Sony/atv Acuff Rose Music, Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publ., Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Tunes, Songs Of Third Base, Songs Of Essbearre, Lowe Bar Music, Everly And Sons Music, Meadowgreen Music Co., Achtober Songs

If I Were A Butterfly

If I were a butterfly,
I’d thank you, Lord, for giving me wings;
And if I were a robin in a tree,
I’d thank you Lord, that I could sing;
And if I were a fish in the sea,
I’d wiggle my tail and I’d giggle with glee;
But I just Thank You Father, for making me – ME!

’Cause you gave me a heart and
You gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus, and
You made me His Child
And I just Thank You, Father
For making me – ME!

If I were an elephant,
I’d thank you, Lord, by raising my trunk;
And if I were a kangaroo,
I’d hop, hop, hop, right up to you;
And if I were an octopus,
I’d thank you, Lord, for my good looks;
But I just Thank You, Father, for making me – ME!

‘Cause you gave me a heart and
You gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus, and
You made me His Child
And I just Thank You, Father
For making me – ME!

If I were a wiggly worm,
I’d thank you, Lord, that I could squirm;
And if I were a crocodile,
I’d thank you, Lord, for my big smile;
And if I were a fuzzy-wuzzy bear,
I’d thank you, Lord, for my fuzzy-wuzzy hair;
But I just Thank You, Father, for making me – ME!

‘Cause you gave me a heart and
You gave me a smile
You gave me Jesus, and
You made me His Child
And I just Thank You, Father
For making me – ME!

To My Soul

Oh, my soul
Oh, how you worry
Oh, how you're weary, from fearing you lost control
This was the one thing, you didn't see coming
And no one would blame you, though
If you cried in private
If you tried to hide it away, so no one knows
No one will see, if you stop believing

Oh, my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has to face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down
'Cause you're not alone

Here and now
You can be honest
I won't try to promise that someday it all works out
'Cause this is the valley
And even now, He is breathing on your dry bones
And there will be dancing
There will be beauty where beauty was ash and stone
This much I know

Oh, my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has to face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down

I'm not strong enough, I can't take anymore
(You can lay it down, you can lay it down)
And my shipwrecked faith will never get me to shore
(You can lay it down, you can lay it down)
Can He find me here
Can He keep me from going under

Oh, my soul
You're not alone
There's a place where fear has to face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down
'Cause you're not alone
Oh, my soul, you're not alone

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John Mark Hall / Bernie Herms

Oh My Soul lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

There's Another in the Fire

There's a grace when the heart is under fire

Another way when the walls are closing in
And when I look at the space between
Where I used to be and this reckoning
I know I will never be alone

There was another in the fire
Standing next to me
There was another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
Of how I've been set free
There is a cross that bears the burden
Where another died for me
There is another in the fire

All my debt left for dead beneath the waters
I'm no longer a slave to my sin anymore
And should I fall in the space between
What remains of me and this reckoning
Either way I won't bow
To the things of this world
And I know I will never be alone

There is another in the fire
Standing next to me
There is another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
What power set me free
There is a grave that holds no body
And now that power lives in me

There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire

I can see the light in the darkness
As the darkness bows to him
I can hear the roar in the heavens
As the space between wears thin
I can feel the ground shake beneath us
As the prison walls cave in
Nothing stands between us
Nothing stands between us

There is no other name
But the name that is Jesus
He who was and still is
And will be through it all
So come what may in the space between
All the things unseen
And this reckoning
I know I will never be alone

There'll be another in the fire
Standing next to me
There'll be another in the waters
Holding back the seas
And should I ever need reminding
How good You've been to me
I'll count the joy come every battle
'Cause I know that's where You'll be

There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire
There is another in the fire

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Joel Houston / Chris Davenport

Another In The Fire lyrics © Hillsong Music Publishing Australia