You Loved Me

I stand in awe, surrounded by Your love,

Of which to earn I could never do enough,

The price You paid, the life You gave, 

To rescue me and draw me to Your heart above.

You loved me when I was unlovely,

You cared for me when I didn't care,

And although at times my heart starts to wander away,

You prove Your love is always there.

So great a gift has been bestowed on me,

Unworthy, though, to receive Your offering,

But now compelled Your love to tell,

Lord, use my life and help me point lost souls to Thee.

You loved me when I was unlovely,

You cared for me when I didn't care,

And although at times my heart starts to wander away,

You prove Your love is always there.

Help me, Lord, to see the lost as only You can see,

Give me grace to love just as You have loved me.

You loved me when I was unlovely,

You cared for me when I didn't care,

And although at times my heart starts to wander away,

You prove Your love is always there.

You always prove Your love is there.

Be Still

Decisions of life abound,

And foes beset us around,

But while the tempest surrounds,

My Saviour whispers to me;

Be still and know that I am God,

And rest your heart in my care,

Though weary, restless, and full of despair,

Be still and know that I am God.

So dark may be the night,

And toilsome is the fight,

The dawn not yet in sight,

My hand is hard to see;

Be still and know that I am God,

And rest your heart in my care,

Though weary, restless, and full of despair,

Be still and know that I am God.

That I am God, Who cares for your soul.

I am God; I am still in control.

Be still and know that I am God,

And rest your heart in my care,

Though weary, restless, and full of despair,

Be still and know that I am God.

Bring Us Back

Sometimes Your passion grows dim

And burning fires start to fade,

Forgetting what we once had been,

Our prayers are words that we say.

The hidden treasures of Your Word

Lay as gems uncovered by our eyes.

We've wondered far from Your arms, dear Lord,

And given up on the prize.

Bring us back, dear Lord, 

To seek Your face.

Bring us back into Your embrace.

And once again, draw us close to home

'Till Your heartbeat becomes our own.

So blessed we are because of You,

Yet, distracted oft' we be,

Encumbered with all we do,

But loosing sight of Thee.

We boast in service to our King,

Yet our hearts have drifted from Your love.

Restore in us Your song to sing

And turn our eyes above.

Bring us back, dear Lord, 

To seek Your face.

Bring us back into Your embrace.

And once again, draw us close to home

'Till Your heartbeat becomes our own.

My Simple Sacrifice

The rows of rich and wealthy

Flowed gaily past the stand,

Bestowing gifts of treasure

Of gold and silver grand.

Then, hidden in the great parade,

A lowly woman came,

In quietness and simple faith

She smiled as she gave.

Take my two mites, my simple sacrifice.

Tis all that I have to offer Thee.

With all of my heart, I give you every part,

For that is what You really want of me.

The multitudes had gathered 

On the hillside by the sea,

Seeking for the Savior 

Who had come from Galilee.

But as the day was far spent

A little boy arose,

Not willing just to here the Word,

He brought his little loaves.

I'll give to Christ my simple sacrifice,

Tis all that I have to offer Thee.

With all of my heart, I give you every part,

For that is what You really want of me.

You ask not for great riches,

Nor for feasts from the stall,

Neither great, astounding talent;

You want my very all.

I'll give to Christ my simple sacrifice,

Tis all that I have to offer Thee.

With all of my heart, I give you every part,

For that is what You really want of me.

The Family Table

The memories flood my mind when I think of yesterday;

My sisters and my brothers at our play,

The tree forts and the kites,

The baseballs and the bikes,

And doing all our chores the right way.

But when the day was done,

And inside we all had come,

The very best of memories was made--

'Round the family table, where the Word of God was read,

We learned of His salvation over beans and cornbread,

Each question was welcome there,

Each heart was shown God's love and care

When we all gathered 'round the family table.

I think back on the times I learned life's greatest things,

About how I could glorify our King.

The pulpit stirred my soul,

Pointed me to the goal,

As I worshipped God beside the redeemed.

But the truths I most remember

Were shared in ways so tender,

When each Sunday afternoon we'd all sing,

And 'round the family table, where the Word of God was read,

We learned of His salvation over beans and cornbread,

Each question was welcome there,

Each heart was shown God's love and care

When we all gathered 'round the family table.

And through the years I find 

That table still in mind 

With echoes coming back to me 

Of laughter and tears 

Of shared joys and fears

It was more to us than bread and meat,

We wanted to be 

Round the family table, where the Word of God was read,

We learned of His salvation over beans and cornbread,

Each question was welcome there,

Each heart was shown God's love and care

When we all gathered 'round the family table.

Father, Hold My Hand

As a Child I had no need to fear

For I knew my father was near,

When some troubling woe would come my way

I would run to him and say,

“Father, here’s my hand, I offer you my hand.

I can’t see, but I know you have a plan.

This life is too big for me to handle on my own,

So, father, hold my hand.

Time is pressing on and life still brings fears

And my way is often unclear,

But my Father in Heaven holds night and day

And I run to Him and say,

“Father, here’s my hand, I offer You my hand.

I can’t see, but I know You have a plan.

This life is too big for me to handle on my own,

So, Father, hold my hand.

I empty myself of my plans and dreams,

Placing them at Your feet,

For Your ways and thoughts are far above mine,

I’m trusting only in Thee.

“Father, here’s my hand, I offer you my hand.

I can’t see, but I know you have a plan.

This life is too big for me to handle on my own,

So, father, hold my hand.

Little One

Little one, little one, I held you in my womb,

Little one, little one, for you my heart has room.

Firstfruits of my only love,

Sweetest gift from God above,

Little one, my darling babe, you are my treasure.

Little one, little one, with smallest hands and toes,

Little one, little one, with tiny ears and nose,

God, He fashioned every part,

For Him keep a tender heart,

Little one, my darling babe, you are my treasure.

Little one, little one, I laugh to see you play,

Little one, little one, oh learn to work and pray.

As you’re growing, I’ll grow too,

As you learn I’ll learn with you,

Little one, my darling babe, you are my treasure.

Little one, little one, the days are hast’ning on,

Little one, little one, soon you’ll be grown and gone.

take to heart the words I teach,

In your life the Gospel preach,

You’ll always be my darling babe; you are my treasure.

Mommy, Are Your Watching Me

Playing in the floor was my little baby boy,

Gently cooing fondly o’re his toy,

Then I heard his struggling effort 

And I glanced up just in time

To see my boy roll over, 

Then his tiny eyes met mine;

“Mommy, are you watching me?

I rolled over, did you see?

I know there are much bigger things

That could capture your attention,

But, Mommy, are you watching me?”

The months passed by, and then, one ordinary day,

My baby boy slowly made his way

Across the room and then with care

He stood and walked a baby mile,

And as he reached the end he met me

With his biggest smile.

“Mommy, are you watching me?

I can walk now, did you see?

I know there are much bigger things 

That could capture your attention,

But, Mommy, are you watching me?”

The years passed swiftly by, and soon my little man could

Ride a bike and whittle on some would.

Then, one day, I heard a shout

And peering through the window,

My young man drove into the lane,

He wanted me to know;

“Mommy, are you watching me?

I can drive now, did you see?

I know there are so many other things

that could capture your attention,

But, Mommy, are you watching me?”

Then one day I saw my boy become a man

As he proudly made his vows and held her hand.

I watched their love abound 

And in not to long at all,

I smiled as I took the phone,

Received his happy call;

“Mommy, are you watching me?

I’m a daddy, did you see?

You’ve always made me feel that I was

Worth all of your attention,

Still, Mommy, are you watching me?

Mommy, are you watching me?

I’m a man, don’t you see?

From your eyes I find the courage

And the strength to be strong.

Oh, Mommy, are you watching me?”

He Who Can See

A face of stone with empty eyes arose from sodden clay,

Carved by works of humankind with chisel sharp and grey,

It’s hands required foreign touch to form its hardened span,

Then kneeling to the idol came the fervent prayer of man;

“Oh, thou whose eyes that I have formed,

Please see my broken heart.

Thou whose hands that I arranged,

Please, grace and love impart,

O’re my sin-sick soul I plead

Great words of life so dear,

Ears I fashioned with my hand

Please hear my deepest prayer.”

The sullen silence trembled on, how vast and great the loss!

The god created out of stone was nothing more than dross.

In desperation and despair, when hope was nearly gone,

Man reached into his stricken heart, cried to himself alone;

“Oh eyes I see reflecting back,

Please see my broken heart.

Hands that I have labored with,

Please give me one more start.

From my sin-sick soul I plead 

New words of life so dear.”

But the ears that I had spoken to

Refused to hear my prayer.

Then in the bleakness of the night came rustling o’re the hills,

At first a whisper, then a shout, that pierced my soul with thrills.

A cross arose, a tomb stood bare, the clouds began to roll,

His voice so tender, yet so strong engulfed my very soul.

“He whose eyes you cannot see

Can see your broken heart. 

He whose hands you cannot touch

Will grace and love impart,

From the mouth hidden from view

Flow Words of Life so dear,

The ears not fashioned by men’s hands

Can hear your deepest prayer.”

Hand in hand with Jesus we’ll run this earthly race,

‘Till, one day, we shall see Him and look upon His face.

For Jesus Christ God’s only Son

Can mend our broken hearts,

His pierced hands are reaching out

To give a brand new start,

His mouth speaks mercy through His blood,

His arms will draw you near,

The ears of God Almighty 

Will hear your deepest prayer.

A Girl’s Prayer

There are many maidens searching

For what can make them beautiful

They spend their days concerning

Whether not they’ve reached their goal.

Some choose the way of worldly fame

And popularity,

My prayer is that my heart would aim

To glorify my King.

Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips, 

and a singing heart,

Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips,

and a singing heart,

May Your joy dwell in me that all who see

Would be drawn to the warmth of Your love,

May my life point others to the Father above.

To be beautiful some would say

One must wear the fancy clothes,

Or set ones hair in fair array,

And adorn one’s self with gold,

Your Word says favor is deceitful

And outward beauty’s vain,

But a quiet spirit with meekness full

Bring honor to Your name.

Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips, 

and a singing heart,

Give me sparkling eyes, smiling lips,

and a singing heart,

May Your joy dwell in me that all who see

Would be drawn to the warmth of Your love,

May my life point others to the Father above.

What Matters Most

With scrub brush in hand and soaps for to clean,

The vacuum right ready to conquer my dream.

I vividly pictured a sparkling tub,

Ultra-wiped mirrors and floors without mud.

The sound of the washer would soon hum away,

Yup! I’d have a clean house by the end of the day.

But, no sooner had I put the soap to my rag

I heard a small cry from my babe down for nap.

I looked at my rag and glanced at the dirt,

And sighed but a moment for my task would be hurt.

But no more than a moment, for the summon was great

And I ran to my baby whose tears did await.

I picked him right up, and his soft blankie too,

I gently smiled and gave him a coo.

Then as I rocked him and softly sang,

I saw in his eyes that he called my name.

“Mommy,” he said, “I and growing so fast.

Turn once and blink twice, my youth will not last.

When I am bigger I’ll help with the chores,

I’ll wash all the dishes and help you mop floors.

But, for now, Mommy, please just listen to me,

Your love and your care is my greatest of needs.”

A housewife I’ll be all the days of my life,

But a mommy of babes I can never be twice.

What If...

What if my house was always spotless,

What if my floors were clean,

What if my laundry was washed and folded,

What if my mirrors gleamed,

What if I had the time to do

Whatever I so chose,

What if my days were free to go

However I supposed,

What if the merchant shops could see

My face each Saturday,

What if my friends could meet for lunch

On every other day,

What if my nights always allowed

A snuggle with my man,

What if my sleep was never short,

My hours weren't on demand,

What if my clothes were always class

Instead of Mother-proved,

What if...what if my little babe

Was suddenly removed...

What if I never heard him cry

Or saw his trusting eyes,

What if I never held again

My precious little prize,

What if I never felt his tiny

Fingers clutching mine,

What if I never knew the awe

Of Sovereign Design,

What if I never saw his smile

Or heard his little laugh,

What if the gentle coos I heard

Was nothing but my half,

What if I never saw the world

Through a little child's view,

What if I never had the chance

To see a future new,

What if I had accomplishment

Yet never time to ponder

The miracle of life through

The mind of a child's wonder,

What if I had perfection

But never knew the joy

Of what it is to love and be loved

By a bouncing baby boy?

The Vow

Wherever you may go,

Wherever you may lodge,

Your people shall be mine,

Your God shall be my God.

This I vow to you,

To you I will be true,

In sickness and in health,

Poverty or wealth,

Always only loving you.

This day I hold your hand,

(So tenderly your hand)

And give you all my heart,

(The deepest of my heart)

And as a golden flame

(A candle's golden flame)

We shall never part.

(No, never part)

Side by side we'll go

(By your side I'll go)

And journey on life's way,

(Toward Heaven's Day)

Thru' the darkest night,

Beneath starry light,

Even to a brighter day.

And we will write our sorrows in the sand,

And all our blessings we will write in stone,

From this day forward we'll go hand in hand,

Until death us part you'll never walk alone.

I promise I'll be true,

With loyalty to you,

All that was once my own

I now do share with you.

Before our God above,

We now are made as one.

I take you as my own,

Together we will grow,

Until this our journey's done.

This I vow to you,

Promise I will do,

Until this our journey's done.

The Picture

I held it with fondness, beholding each trace

Such feelings of love made my heart skip inside,

I wanted to guard it, I wanted to keep it,

For this was a picture of my groom and I.

I treasured its meaning, I cherished its glow,

Jealousy surged as protectiveness grew;

I wanted to show it for the whole world to see,

I wanted to keep it quite hidden from view.

How special it was! Like gold to my heart,

Nothing portrayed our affection as this.

It displayed our loyalty, tenderness, care,

The strength of our love and the joy of our bliss.

Then, quick as a flash, a thought came to me,

I saw as my portrait was ripped in my face.

The anguish of sorrow! the grief striking deep!

The anger that throbbed for what can’t be replaced!

And quick as the last, I pondered again,

And saw yet more closely the heart of our Lord.

Oh, how He must treasure His picture divine,

A picture of love that the world can’t afford.

So many questions invaded my mind,

Is God brought to tears  when His picture is marred?

Does His heart throb when society takes

His picture of marriage and tramples it hard?

When that which was made to portray deepest love

Is twisted and mocked, and battered with hate,

Does sorrow and anguish fill even God’s heart

As He watches His picture desentigrate?

Then, softly, I heard the voice of my Lord,

“Such sorrow I feel, yet how much more the pain

When those who portray my picture are filled 

With selfishness, pride, and casting the blame.

My love for my Church and My people is great

And from those who are lost I didn’t want to hide,

So I designed marriage—one man and one wife,

To be such a picture of My Bride and I.

Mommy of My Babe

I gazed at my wee lad, my baby was he,

And felt so unworthy his mother to be.

Each silky-soft hair, his tiny round nose—

So perfectly formed from his head to his toes.

My heart filled with wonder beholding my child,

A radiant glow filled his spirit so mild.

Yet, while so enthralled with his tender repose,

I struggled with feelings I could not disclose.

This innocent baby, with character untouched,

This gift straight from Heaven that I loved so much,

To me he was given to raise up and train,

To guide and instruct, and to make God’s way plain.

But what did perplex me and drive me to tears?

That I’d be complacent, was my biggest fear.

I sat face to face with my life’s greatest mission,

The moment had come that I’d hoped for with vision.

Yet, instead of a feeling of spiritual zeal

And swelling with passion and courage like steel,

Instead of a thrill like to climbing the steep,

I felt rather empty and inwardly weak.

I gazed at my babe while tears streamed down my face,

And cried to my Father beseeching His grace.

Then., just as the dawn would pierce through night’s dim,

My baby, though sleeping, broke forth with a grin.

His lips, small and rosy, framed such a dear smile

That would melt icy hearts, make the lame run a mile.

As if God had whispered in his tiny ear,

He sent me a message I needed to hear;

“Oh, Mommy, I am but a small, helpless babe,

But please do not cry, for I’m sure we relate.

Great spiritual zeal from victories won,

And courage astounding—of these I have none.

High aspirations I have not yet known,

For how can I reap what has not yet been sown?

I don’t need the feelings of passionate pride,

I just need loving arms, open and wide.

I don’t need eloquence, just whispers of love,

Words that will tell me of Jesus above.

I don’t need and orator, and actor, or queen,

I just need a mommy who’ll rock me to sleep.

I need but a caring ear to hear when I cry,

I need warm and tender hands to draw me so nigh.

So, Mommy, don’t weep for prestige or for pride,

Just hold to my little hand—in your love I will thrive.

Leave Their Souls To Me

In suit and tie with evil eye

Rose Hitler to the stand,

He spoke with ease that would appease

All those of Daniel's Band.

Polished pews and pulpits screwed,

He promised with a gleam,

They could preach, yet with a breach,

Full Liberty it seemed.

They wouldn't hurt, he said with kirt,

If they stayed within their walls,

He'd separate the Church and State

So religion wouldn't fall.

But one young man who'd sat at hand,

Had heard enough smooth say,

This preacher boy had seen the ploy

And forward made his way.

Eye to eye with courage high,

To Hitler thus he told,

"We don't need our buildings freed,

We want our Country's souls!"

Then, like he dwelt an infidel,

His friends became his foe,

Those he thought had with with him wrought;

The words were his alone.

They got him out so quick and stout

As Hitler smiled to see,

"The steeple's yours," he said in course,

"Just leave the souls to me."

So, buffing pews, butchering Jews,

He made a hell in heaven,

While preachers swayed the other way,

Continued in fair livi'n.

But not yet told of Hitler old

Is horror's endless feat,

Six million snuffed was not enough

For Hitler's hungry teeth.

In bloodthirsty rage a slaughter has waged

As the innocent are plucked from their homes,

We cover our eyes at the screams and the cries,

Then hurry on to live lives of our own.

A hell has been made on heaven's domain,

The Hiding Place has been betrayed,

That which had been the safest for men

Has into a Death Camp been made.

Sometimes we teach and solemnly preach,

"It's not right! It should not be this way!"

But the Hitlers just smile through their teeth and their wiles

As they stealthily whisper to say,

"Go polish your shoes and straighten your pews,

And preach to your walls' population;

The steeple is yours but the people are ours,

Yes, ours are the souls of the nation."

Oh, where are the men who will stand up to sin

And fight to save innocent lives?

Where are the women who'll take what God's given

And defeat the Feminist lies?

Are we to go on living dreams of our own

While the lions devour our babes?

Or will we arise and speak up for their cries

And demand for their souls to be saved?