A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I wrote the tune to these lyrics. Seriously, 2003 sounds like forever ago, but the reason I am posting this song is that it’s one that never seems to lose its passion. Horatio Bonar, a Scottish minister, penned these words in 1866. They speak of the daily desire he had to glorify his heavenly Father in every detail of his life.
At Grace, we have used this song extensively as a congregational response after the Word has been preached. It’s words are a prayer for the daily practical application of the gospel – that God would grant “a life made up of praise in every part.”
Fill Thou My Life
Fill Thou my life, O Lord, my God, in every part with praise / That my whole being may proclaim Thy being and Thy ways / Not for the lip of praise alone, nor e’en the praising heart / I ask but for a life made up of praise in every part / Praise in the common things of life, its goings out and in / Praise in each duty and each deed, however small and mean / Fill every part of me with praise, let all my being speak / Of Thee and of Thy love, O Lord, poor though I be, and weak / So shalt Thou Lord, from me, e’en me, receive the glory due / And so shall I begin on earth the song forever new / So shall no part of day or night from sacredness be free / But all my life, in every step, be fellowship with Thee.
For this Tuesday, I go back to August of 2008 when my pastor, Scott Patty was taking our church through a study of Exodus. As we worked our way through chapter three and Moses’ meeting with God at the burning bush, I remember pondering the weightiness of God’s holiness. I sat down one day in the office and wrote out many of the words and the melody of this song. Then I called Wendy Wills, a fellow songwriter at Grace, and asked her to listen and suggest any changes. Her suggestions were golden, and the song was finished (except for one later word change) that day.
It has been focused on more of late, but the seriousness of the holiness of God is something that is easy to brush aside in favor of God’s love and grace for us. The fact is that His love and grace cannot be meaningful until we realize how much sin offends a holy God and how much wrath it justly deserves from Him. When I sing this song, I am grateful for the first three words of the chorus: “You have done…” It is finished. His wrath is satisfied, the law is fulfilled in Christ, and I am free.
Your Grace Astounds Me
In the still of this sanctuary / Lord, Your light is more than I can bear / I must come in the way You require / Holy and pure / I am humbled, for I am just mortal / And there’s nothing in me that is good / Yet You cover me with Your perfection / With Your own blood / Chorus: You have done all that Your law demands / With Your outstretched arms / You have stayed Your own hand / So I stand safe on this holy ground / God, Your grace astounds me / God, Your grace astounds me / I am blessed with the greatest of privilege / Justified in the presence of God / If I strived all my days to attain it / I could not (chorus)
Copyright 2008 Manicotti Music / Schparkenmusik. All rights reserved.
After having a very informative conversation with Bill Seaver of Micro Explosion Media, I have decided that I don’t blog enough. You say, “Really? No posts since February, and you got that from a conversation with someone else?” Yes. And he’s a pro, so he got through.
And so, with much excitement, I am launching the first of what will be New Music Tuesdays (I know it’s Wednesday, but I had trouble embedding video correctly yesterday with my limited web experience. Shout out to my programmer Adam Darnell for the fix!). This video is from the comfort of my garage. My little Lucy is 16-months old, and waking her up is not wise. So I went as far away from her room as possible – it’s not fancy, but it’ll do.
This week’s new music is “One True God,” written with James Tealy (it’s not exactly new, but it’s probably new to most). It has been used in many contexts where the truth that there is one God that is above all other gods is not well known. Overseas, missionaries have embraced its message, but so have those on this side of the pond who deal with relativism and the “all roads lead to the same God” mindset. Ephesians 4 is just one passage out of many that remind us that there is “one God and Father of all, who is over all and in all and through all.”
The chart and lead sheet are coming soon to the songs page. Be sure to check back weekly for New Music Tuesdays!
One True God
You’re the God of the falling fire / You’re the God of the coming rain / You’re the God of the gentle whisper / Surely You are / Surely You are / The one true God / Strong yet beautiful, just yet merciful / Proving Yourself to be / The one true God / Never changing but still mysterious / The infinite, yet intimate God / You’re the God of the humble manger / You’re the God of the healing word / You’re the God of the blood and water / Surely You are / Surely You are / (chorus)
Words and Music by James Tealy and Jeff Bourque. Copyright 2005 Universal Music Publishing/Cumberland Belle Music (ASCAP) and Manicotti Music (ASCAP).
I was clicking along through my emails one day when I received a message from a member of our church. In it was a poem he had written with a request that I look it over and consider writing a melody to it. Consider??? I read the lyric, and I was sold.
Taras Mikhailiuk, a Belarusian native to whom English is a second language, had crafted a heart-filled hymn in the style of the classics. I was blown away. A melody immediately came to me as I read it again. So, now it’s a new hymn, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to have collaborated with my talented brother. It’s now available on the “Songs” page.
I am weary, Lord, my God,
Sin hath strayed my pilgrim’s feet;
As I see Thy righteous rod,
Shall my eyes Thy mercies meet?
Shall again Thy Spirit blow
On my heart in struggle parched?
Shall again Thy crimson flow
Wash my lips so long untouched?
Chorus:
“Thou art weary, My dear child,
At the cross come find My rest,
By My blood be reconciled,
In My mercies ever blest.”
“Take My blood thy sins to drown,
Take My Breath to comfort thee.
Thorns I bear—give thee a crown,
My eyes close for thine to see.”
“See My love beyond the rod,
Sovereign grace to bring thee home,
Rest and wrestle; in thy God,
Run the race thy Savior won.”
This song and “I AM” were both written during a retreat that Worship Foundations International held several years ago. The goal of the day was to write as many scripture-based songs as possible with an emphasis on reaching the nations with the gospel of Christ. This song, which Chad Cates and Randy Jackson began that day (they let me add the chorus later) is based on various passages throughout Revelation, but predominantly from chapter five. At the height of John’s vision, he weeps because no one is worthy to open the scroll in God’s hands. Then an elder, whose only action until this point was bowing down and worshiping the Lord, tells him to not weep, for the Lion of Judah has triumphed, and He is able. You just can’t read the 4th and 5th chapter of Revelation without giving praise! It is astounding imagery that invites us to imagine the reality of the Triune God in His rightful, glorious place.
The Lion and the Lamb
Every nation, every tongue,
Come and worship, everyone.
Lift your voice to the Great I AM,
To the Lion and the Lamb.
Come in trembling, come in fear,
But know that you are welcome here,
Children of the Son of Man,
Of the Lion and the Lamb.
Chorus:
Sing alleluia to the Lamb who was slain.
Sing alleluia to the Lion who reigns!
When my time on earth is done,
When the breath in me is gone,
With the angels, I will stand
For the Lion and the Lamb.
O the power, O the grace,
O the glory of His face,
Lift your voice to the Great I AM,
To the Lion and the Lamb.
Head here to download the song and get a chord chart or lead sheet.
It’s easy for me to forget that there is an immeasurable gap between who I am and who God is. Because I don’t see God with my own eyes every day, I minimize what the Bible says about Him – “Immortal. Sovereign. Ruler over all. Omnipotent.” I wrote this song to draw as much contrast as I could between the mortal and the immortal, God’s people and God Himself. If God will grace us with seeing a little more of how big He is, our confidence in Him as “the ever-constant God in an ever-changing world” will grow, and our humility before Him will increase.
We are but weak men,
You are a strong God.
We whisper praises,
You sing a loud song over us.
We offer filthy rags,
You offer riches.
Our love has failed You,
Your love it washes over us,
Over us.
Chorus:
You’re the Rock on which we stand
When the waves about us swirl.
You’re the ever-constant God
In an ever-changing world.
You are always in control
Through the power of Your hand.
You are the Great I AM,
Yes, You are the Great I AM!
We are but small sheep,
You are the Shepherd.
When we’re in danger,
Your voice, it thunders through all the earth.
We fear our enemies,
They are Your footstool.
And when we’re faithless,
You are still faithful to Your own,
To Your own…
You can find a sample mp3, chord chart, and lead sheet here.
