Mystery

Way, way back in 2004, I released a simple worship album called Mystery. Below are the audio, lyrics, and liner notes. Listen below, or download the whole album.

Title Play Download
Deserve It All mp3 | lyrics

a brief trip to China left me overwhelmed by the love and power of God–that He would rescue a people devastated by sin, and redeem them as His own. the example of His sacrifice continually inspires me to greatness. when we realize the fullness of His love, the only right response is the fullness of our own.

the more i see of You the more i need You
to be like You is impossible for me
as i know more of Your holy calling
i know that i can do nothing without You
without You
i need You
Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit

You have put this treasure within earthen vessels
that Your glory may be loudly proclaimed
and in my greatest weakness You will show Your strength
that Your grace may be loudly proclaimed

so i surrender to Your Potter’s hands
only You can make me what You have planned

treading water, boxing air
am i getting anywhere?
my best attempts are only vanity

teach me to love and to esteem
to speak the truth in humility
to know the spirit of the law, keep You as center of it all
deny desires of the flesh
to this world reckon myself dead
forsake all else and count as loss all for the treasure of the cross

Psalm 131 mp3 | lyrics

there are times of darkness for each of us as we struggle to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness to God. my confidence in these times is that He forgives and redeems. while reading psalm 131 one day, the idea of fearing Him because of His forgiveness became alive to me. if there was no hope of forgiveness, would there be any love and worship in my heart towards Him? indeed, it is because of His mercy that we find ourselves adoring and revering this Savior of our souls.

from a heart so dark and deceitful only You can fully understand
out of these depths i have cried to You, Lord
let Your ear hear my plea!

Lord, if You should remember all iniquity
could i stand? could i stand?
but with You there is forgiveness that You may be feared
so i will hope in You Lord
for with You there is such mercy
and You have redeemed my life from death
yes, You have given me new life

my soul waits, waits for You, Lord
Your word is my only hope
as those who await the first light of dawn
in my night i watch for You

let us come boldly to the throne of grace–
mercy, such grace

Lead Me mp3 | lyrics

I’ve always been told to not ask the question, “Why?” But when a peer of mine was killed in an accident a couple of years ago, I found myself doing just that. Through tears of agony, despair, and frustration, the peace that passes all understanding finally dawned, and my heart recognized a love it could trust. He knows us, He loves us, and we can trust Him. I’ll not be shaken.

who sustains my life?
none, oh Lord, but You
and in Your hand You hold all of my days
not a thought, not a word escapes Your sight
and if You see a sparrow fall, surely You see me
and when the winds of doubt assail
i still know it’s true
that though a thousand stand against me i can trust in You

lead me to the rock that is higher
show me the path of life
hide me beneath the shadow of Your wing
all my trust is Yours forever, forever

many floods of water cannot quench Your love
not even death can separate me from You
You do not ask me to understand the power of this love
but to follow and to trust the goodness of Your hand
though the fires and storms of life threaten to consume
if i stand they’ll only serve to make me more like You

You are my strength
because of You i am not shaken
those who put their trust in You
will never be forsaken

Enough mp3 | lyrics

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest . . . You will find rest for your souls.” That is our God.

when I am weak You say come
when I am broken You will heal me
when I fear You will lift my head

when I’m alone You are near
when I fall You restore me
when I’m weary You give me rest

Your love is more than enough for me
Your life You’ve given me
Now I am Yours
Your blood washed away my greatest sin
And Your kindness I know every morning
Your kindness I know every morning

Stand in Wonder mp3 | lyrics

there are moments when He sets us safely in a cleft and shows us Himself; it was one of those times when i wrote this. cinder block walls and fluorescent lights in a little practice room at school–but for that moment, there was only the glory of God. and i knew something that doubt could not touch: when we realize the power of the hand that holds us, the strength of the love that keeps us, and the faithfulness of care that leads us, there is utter security.

great is Your faithfulness, King of forever
from the rising of the sun to the end of each day
You who establish mountains
by Your strength and might
You who still the roaring of seas
and the tumult of my heart

i stand in wonder
at the glory of You
immovable, unchanging
the face of eternity
and i stand in silence
i know not how to speak
for the hand of eternity holds me

great is your kindness, Love everlasting
every morning let my life bring Your glory
neither death nor life can keep me from this love
things i see and things to come
You oh Lord know all my days

Psalm 23 mp3 | lyrics

I wrote this when I was 14, more as an exercise in songwriting than anything else. Funny, though, how a passage that always seemed a touch cliche to me has opened up a whole new understanding of the heart of God towards me. His love is woven all through these words, treasured for centuries by those who have known what it is to trust in their Shepherd.

By the gentle streams that You lead me to
In the green pastures that You lead me through
Even in the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no one
I will fear no one
For Thou Oh Lord are with me
Thy rod and staff, they comfort me

You anoint head with oil
My cup, it overflows
You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies
And I find peace

More I See mp3 | lyrics

this song came from the deep frustration of coming face to face with my inability to do anything good. i couldn’t even be loving to people i loved–not even the simple principles was i capable of employing. but such a place of utter weakness is at the same time the place of greatest hope. Paul said that he was content in his weakness, for he understood the plan of God to display His power and grace through a vessel humble enough to confess his need.

the more i see of You the more i need You
to be like You is impossible for me
as i know more of Your holy calling
i know that i can do nothing without You
without You
i need You
Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit

You have put this treasure within earthen vessels
that Your glory may be loudly proclaimed
and in my greatest weakness You will show Your strength
that Your grace may be loudly proclaimed

so i surrender to Your Potter’s hands
only You can make me what You have planned

treading water, boxing air
am i getting anywhere?
my best attempts are only vanity

teach me to love and to esteem
to speak the truth in humility
to know the spirit of the law, keep You as center of it all
deny desires of the flesh
to this world reckon myself dead
forsake all else and count as loss all for the treasure of the cross

Bind My Heart mp3 | lyrics

this song came out of a dry, apathetic season. After weeks of striving for more love, more passion, more intimacy, I finally was broken enough to be honest about my desperation. In turn, God was honest with me: I didn’t need to be rebuked for my lack of passion; rather, I needed to have my eyes opened. For when we see Jesus in all of His worth, beauty, and holiness, our hearts will quickly turn from the distractions of the world and once again cling to Him fully. Don’t ask for more passion. Ask to see Him.

when my heart is far, come find me
when my eyes are dry, moisten them with tears
when my lips fail to sing Your praise
fill my heart again with Your song

there is none so lovely
You have captured my heart fully
there is none so worthy as the Lamb
there is none so holy
here in fear and love i fall
bind my heart secure to You

when my love grows cold, send fire
when my soul is dry, streams of water
when I’ve been seduced by this world
lift my eyes to see a vision of You

Psalm 51 mp3 | lyrics

With the exception of Psalm 23, this is the oldest song in this collection. It was this prayer, set to music, that opened the floodgate through which many more songs have poured. I don’t think it coincidence that it was a broken and sincere expression of repentance which marked the beginning of a closer relationship with the Lord. May we always approach God with the humility of David, for it is to those that God gives grace.

Have mercy upon me, Oh God
According to Your lovingkindness
For I have sinned against You Lord
It is ever before me
You desire truth
And I have walked in darkness

Purge me, and I will be clean
Wash me and I will be whiter than snow
Restore to me joy once again
Hide Your face from all of my sin
Create in me a clean heart
Create in me a clean

I will bring an offering
May it be pleasing to You
A broken spirit, a contrite heart
These You will not despise
Do not take Your spirit from me
And do not cast me away

Rain on Me mp3 | lyrics

(from Hosea 6) We are like the unfaithful wife who continually turns back to her sin; He is the faithful husband who continues to wash and restore. This passage made me weep in repentance as I realized the grace and mercy of His faithfulness to come to me. Would you experience the Lord in a fresh way? We have only to return to Him, and He will come, as surely as the sun.

Come, let us return to the Lord
Let us know
Let us press in to know the Lord

His going forth is as certain as the rising of the sun
He will come to us like a fresh rain
Like a spring rain watering the earth

Rain
On me
Rain
On me

Follow Me mp3 | lyrics

there is a valley of decision each disciple comes to–whether to turn back to the comfort of their nets, or to answer the call to follow. it’s not a light decision, but when He unites our heart to answer, it’s not a hard decision. He is the pearl of greatest price. [special thanks to jim elliot and amy carmichael–traces of their inspiring writings made their way from my journal into this song of dedication.]

“follow Me,” i hear You call
“deny yourself; it’s none or all.
give what you cannot keep for what you cannot lose.”

deep in me, You stir a cry
a longing to find not my will but Thine
yet a war lingers on; a question is raised:
will i die to myself and live for Your praise?

unite my heart to fear Your name
touch me with the coal that will leave me ever changed
heart and soul are desperate for Your touch
but You’re asking how much will i give
i hear You say, how much will i give?

less of me, more of You
sacrifice I will choose
dreams and desires You ask me to yield
that Your purposes for my life may be revealed

deep in me mark Thou Thy cross
and when Thy touch of death lies on a thing most dear
let me recognize the answer to my prayer.

Mystery mp3 | lyrics

my youngest brother, who was born amidst miraculous circumstances, was back in the hospital at the age of 2. the doctors’ prognosis gave us little hope for his recovery, and many an anxious prayer was raised as my siblings and i waited at home day after day. two weeks later, our little man was home, amazingly healed yet again. my heart wept with the goodness of God to us, and i wrote this song. He amazes me with His love time and again. His greatness, and yet His tenderness… it’s a mystery.

a covenant of love You pledge
stands for all of time
You will take my sorrow;
Your victory is mine
This only adds to the mystery of Your greatness

that You for whom the anthem of the angels rings
would open up to me the wealth of heav’nly things
This only adds to the mystery of Your greatness

it’s a mystery
it’s a mystery

that You would condescend to hear my anxious cry
that You would be concerned with a plight such as mine
This only adds to the mystery of Your greatness
that in the Lord of heaven, earth, and sky
I would find the love of a Father’s eye
This only adds to the mystery of Your greatness

it’s a mystery
it’s a mystery
it’s a mystery
it’s a mystery
that You love me
that You know me
that You hear me
that You see me as a child of Your own
that You see me as a child of Your own

the Maker of creation, whose invention was mankind
would set aside His glory to become a friend of mine

assume the form of man and walk among my sin-sick race
allow Your blood to spill, all for love, You took my place
This only adds to the mystery of Your greatness

it’s a mystery…

Only You mp3 | lyrics

if You are the light, shine in my darkness
if You are the truth, clear away the confusion
heal the blinded eyes
that have kept me from seeing eternity
in Your eyes…

if You are the healer, place balm on the pain
living in this world inflicts upon the soul
if You bind the broken, take my heart
defenses melted
by the love
in Your eyes…

there is only You…

2 Comments Mystery

  1. web site

    It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d
    certainly donate to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my
    Google account. I look forward to new updates and will share this website with my
    Facebook group. Chat soon!

    Reply
  2. Marian Jacob

    Hi I am fan of your music (my sister gave me this) I also have your CD.
    I really like The More I See song
    and would like to download the mp3 version
    or if you can put it on youtube
    that would be great.
    Thank you

    Reply

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