Dwell by Garage Hymnal

I'm thankful for my loving, gracious and merciful God who doesn't treat me as my sins deserve.

I spent time away from you,
Turned my back away from you,
But you drew me near to you, you drew me near.

I hold you at a distance, but you wait so patiently,
Gently whisper, gently tell me what I need to hear,
You tell me what I need to hear.

You say my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing only,
Because my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing to you.

You spent time pursuing me,
You sent your Son to die for me,
You sang songs of life to me,
You sang songs.

You say my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing only,
Because my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing,
Yes, I will sing,
Lord, I will sing only to you.

Lord, you hear my selfish cries,
Lord, you read my darkest thoughts,
Lord, you see my foolish ways,
Lord, you sense my deepest fears,
Lord, you know my doubting heart,
And still you long, you long for me.
I hold you at a distance,
But you wait so patiently.

Because my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing.


Lyrics from here

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts

My reminder to myself to refocus...
 

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, 
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Lyrics from here.

I Am Australian by The Seekers

I thought it was appropriate to post these lyrics on Australia Day.  I love my amazing country and the diversity of the people who call it home.

We are one, but we are many,
And from all the lands on earth we come.
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian.

Lyrics from here.

Jehovah Jireh by Don Moen

We have a nanny!  She starts next Tuesday!

I am so relieved and thankful to God.

Jehovah Jireh, 
My provider.
His grace is sufficient,
For me, for me, for me.

Jehovah Jireh, 
My provider.
His grace is sufficient,
For me.

My God shall supply all my needs,
According to His riches in glory.
He will give His angels,
Charge over me.

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me.
Jehovah Jireh cares for me.
 

Lyrics from here.

If I Only Had a Brain from The Wizard of Oz

This is what sleep deprivation does to me...

I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers,
Consultin' with the rain.
And my head I'd be scratchin' while my thoughts were busy hatchin',
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le,
In trouble or in pain.
With the thoughts I'd be thinkin',
I could be another Lincoln,
If I only had a brain.
Oh, I could tell you why the ocean's near the shore,
I could think of things I'd never thunk before,
And then I'd sit, and think some more. 
I would not just be a nuffin', my head all full of stuffin',
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.

Lyrics from here.

Just Be Held by Casting Crowns

I couldn't find more appropriate lyrics for how I feel right now:

Hold it all together, 

Everybody needs you strong,

But life hits you out of nowhere,

And barely leaves you hanging on.

And when you're tired of fighting,

Chained by your control,

There's freedom in surrender,

Lay it down and let it go.

So, when you're on your knees,

And answers seem so far away,

You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held.

Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place.

I'm on the throne, stop holding on, and just be held.

Just be held.

Just be held.

If your eyes are on the storm,

You'll wonder if I love you still,

But if your eyes are on the cross,

You'll know I always have, and always will.

And not a tear is wasted,

In time you'll understand,

I'm painting beauty with the ashes,

Your life is in My hands.

Lift your hands, lift your eyes,

In the storm is where you'll find Me,

And where you are, I'll hold your heart,

I'll hold your heart.

Come to Me, find your rest,

In the arms of the God who won't let go.

Lyrics from here

So Young by The Corrs

Ah the energy that comes from youth.  This is what it felt like back in the day.

We are taking it easy,
Bright and breezy, yeah.
We are living it up,
Just fine and dandy, yeah.

We are chasing the moon, 
Just running wild and free. 
We are following through,
Every dream and every need.

And it really doesn't matter that we don't eat,
And it really doesn't matter if we get no sleep.
No, it really doesn't matter, really doesn't matter at all.

'Cos we are so young now, we are so young, so young now.
And when tomorrow comes we can do it all again.

Lyrics from here.

New Song in My Heart by Rob Smith

My prayer at the moment...

Put a new song in my heart,
Let me hear the praises start,
Dispel the night,
And give me light again.

Put a new thought in my mind,
Help me leave the past behind,
And break these chains,
That I might live again.

Lift my fallen face,
And help me to stand,
Flood me with the grace,
That comes from Your hand,
Cleanse me from my sin,
Lord, forgive me again,
That I might be Yours alone.

Put a new fire in my soul,
Make this wounded spirit whole,
And help me see,
That I am free again.

Let these broken bones,
Rise up and rejoice,
Bring this captive home,
And lift up my voice,
Help my spirit sing,
Now to Jesus my king,
For He has forgiven me.

Lyrics from here.

Not Pretty Enough by Kasey Chambers

Since it was Valentine's Day yesterday, I thought these lyrics were appropriate.  I asked these questions of myself a lot when I was single, and I bet I'm not alone in this.

Am I not pretty enough?
Is my heart too broken?
Do I cry too much?
Am I too outspoken?

Don't I make you laugh?
Should I try it harder?
Why do you see right through me?

I live, I breathe, I let it rain on me.
I sleep, I wake, I try hard not to break.
I crave, I love, I've waited long enough.
I try as hard as I can.

I laugh, I feel, I make believe it's real.
I fall, I freeze, I pray down on my knees.
I hope, I stand, I take it like a man.
I try as hard as I can.

Lyrics from here.

Sick and Tired by Anastacia

Just a few lyrics from this song have become my anthem over the past four months.

I'm sick and tired,
Of always being sick and tired.

Lyrics from here.

Against the Wind by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

Sometimes life really does feel like I'm running against the wind. I could really relate to these lyrics during that lost feeling I had during my first year of uni...until Jesus found me.

And the years rolled slowly past,

And I found myself alone,

Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends,

I found myself further and further from my home.

And I guess I lost my way,

There were oh so many roads.

Against the wind,

I'm still running against the wind.

I'm older now, but still running against the wind.

Well, I'm older now, but still running against the wind.

Lyrics from here

Try Again by Aaliyah

If at first you don't succeed,
Dust yourself off and try again,
You can dust it off and try again.
If at first you don't succeed,
You can dust it off and try again,
Dust yourself off and try again.

Lyrics from here

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

We started singing this song at my church last year. We have so many reasons to praise the Lord.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning.
It's time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger,
Your name is great and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing.
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come,
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending,
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul.
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before,
O my soul.
I'll worship Your holy name.

Yes, I will worship Your name.
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name.

Lyrics from here.

I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash

Today is the two year anniversary of the day I went to hospital.  Two years since I hit the bottom of the pit and began the long and painful process of recovering from the grips of postnatal depression.

Perhaps I shouldn't be remembering this date, but it's kind of hard to forget, especially since it's also a good friend's birthday.

This song reminds me of how far God has brought me since that time. I praise His name that I can see again, that He has cast the darkness and the fog away.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sun-shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone.
All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sun-shiny day.

Lyrics sourced from here.

Create In Me a Clean Heart by Keith Green

This is sung regularly at my church.  I love it!  It's my prayer for myself this year (and beyond):

 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit in me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord,
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.

Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Quindon Tarver

Hands up who remembers this song?  Well, it's more dialogue set to music, really.  I was in Year 9 when it was included in the Triple J Hottest 100.  Man, that seems like yonks ago now.

I don't agree with everything in this song, so I've just included the lyrics that I do like.  Some great advice to start the new year.

Ladies and gentleman of the class of 1997, wear sunscreen.
If I could only offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable,
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh never mind,
You will never understand the power and beauty of your youth,
Until they've faded,
But trust me, in twenty years,
You will look back at photos of yourself,
And recall in a way you can't grasp now,
How much possibility lay before you,
And how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future,
Know that worrying is as effective
As trying to solve an algebra equation
By chewing bubblegum.

Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch

Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room.
Read the directions even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are your best link to your past,
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,
But a precious few who should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle.
For as the older you get, the more you need the people
You knew when you were young.

Accept certain inalienable truths.
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old,
And when you do, you'll fantasise that when you were young,
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble,
And children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.
Don't mess too much with your hair,
Or by the time that you're forty,
It will look eighty five.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
But be patient with those who supply it.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Lyrics sourced from here.

Waking Up Tired by the Hoodoo Gurus

Harvest is tiring me out as much as it is Duncan. Even if Rory doesn't wake me, the summer weather and light is. Urgh!

Oh, the nights are long,

And I'm so tired of waking up tired,

Man, they just drag on and on,

And I'm so tired of waking up tired.

The company I'm keeping won't let me get my sleep in.

Oh, I hate the light,

And I'm so tired of waking up tired.

The morning sun is getting way too bright,

And I'm so tired of waking up tired.

If I was worth a fortune I'd never leave my bedroom,

I just wanna stay right here, safe and sound.

Oh, I have to go,

But I'm so tired of waking up tired.

Lyrics sourced from here.

Press On Mums by Colin Buchanan

I've mentioned before that Colin Buchanan is a regular feature in my car now (the man knows how to settle grizzly babies, I can tell you!)

Karen and Meredith recommended I get Colin's CD, Real Hope which has the following song.

It's the middle of harvest here and, boy, now I know why mums with small children on farms detest seeding and harvest so much!  It's hard on the men, but it's hard on the women as well.  I feel like a single parent some days as Duncan's gone before Rory gets up and not home until he's in bed again.

I take my hat off to you, single mums!  You are amazing!

Thank you, Colin for this song!  May it encourage all of the mums out there.  I can't wait to buy this CD!

Press on, Mums, in all the chaos,
Look to Jesus through the tears,
God will guide you
Through those precious, tender years.
And in all you do, do it for Jesus,
Who won you life and free forgiveness.
Yesterday, today, He is the same,
All you do, do it in Jesus' name.
And when all your human energy is gone,
Look towards your Jesus and press on.

Lyrics sourced from here.

Remember the Lord by Colin Buchanan

I came close to chucking in my faith last week.  I'm not sure what prompted these feelings.  I just feel so dry, Bible reading is a drag, I often get angry at God for the way things have panned out this year, and every little thing that goes wrong often results in a near panic attack.  That's when I started allowing myself to believe Satan's lies - you're not good enough, you haven't repented enough, God doesn't want someone who keeps getting angry at Him or ignoring Him.

Praise the Lord it's not about me.  It's about the love, grace and mercy He has shown to me in Christ.

I bought Rory a Colin Buchanan CD a few weeks ago.  It has been more of an encouragement to me than I could have known and has brought me real perspective when I've started wandering away.  The lyrics are so simple, aimed at children....yet relevant for each of us when we are tempted to allow the circumstances of life to overshadow God and His promises.

If you stub your toe when you get out of bed,
And you slip in the shower and knock your head.
If you miss your breaky and your bike tyre's flat,
If the dog eats your lunch and you step on the cat.

If you're hitting the skids and you're up the creek,
If you're down-and-out and things look bleak.
If you're in the pits and you're out for a duck,
If you're long in the tooth and short of a buck.

Remember the Lord, Oh-oh!
Remember that He is in control.
Remember the Lord, Oh-oh!
He's watching His children,
He cares, Oh-oh!

Lyrics sourced from here.

Where Else Have We To Go? by Nicky Chiswell

I'm clinging to God and His promises.  There is no life or hope apart from Him.

We have come to see,
To know and understand,
Things the very angels long to see.
God, who owed us nothing,
Has spoken to us all.
Christ the Word of God Himself has been.

Where else have we to go,
When You alone have words of eternal life?
Where else have we to go,
When You alone have words of eternal life?

Words of truth passed down,
To those entrusted few,
Who witnessed and proclaimed Him,
'Christ the Lord'.
We are their descendants,
On us the light has dawned,
Standing in the gospel we first heard.

Come all you who labour,
You who are weighed down,
You who thirst and hunger for the right.
There is truth and meaning,
Mercy, rest and hope.
True salvation comes through Jesus Christ.

Lyrics sourced from here.

This is one of my favourite Christian CDs