I wrote this song last year, when our church participated in a "Cross Walk" organized by ten local churches, to celebrate Good Friday by carrying a cross around to different churches, and at each church sharing a brief moment of reflection on the meaning of Good Friday. I am quite confident that when Jesus told us to take up our crosses and follow him, he didn't have this kind of cross carrying in mind, but the question of what he did mean, and what that instruction means for us today is something I still ponder. This song represents part of my attempt to grapple with that.
Monday, March 25, 2024
Our King Walked Among Us, Carrying His Cross
Monday, February 19, 2024
Psalm 130
This isn't really my song, but one someone taught me years ago when I was in college, sometime between 1973 and 1975. I have no idea now who wrote the tune. I wanted to share it with some folks, and so I made a video. The words are pretty much straight King James.
Psalm 130
Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord.
Lord hear my voice
Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
If Thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand
But there is forgiveness with Thee that Thou mayest be feared
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait and in His word do I hope.
My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning
I say more than they that watch for the morning.
Let Israel hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy
And in Him is plenteous redemption
And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities
And He shall redeem Israel from all his sins.
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The Belt of Truth
Something like 28 years ago, a close friend was given a vision in which God gave him the Belt of Truth. I was jealous. "Me too, God. Why don't I get cool visions like that?" And as long as I was praying for the belt of truth, I figured I might as well ask for the rest of the armor of God at the same time.
Why the focus on the belt of truth? Well, partly it was my envy of my friend's vision. But also it is perhaps the aspect of the armor of God that I struggle the most with. It is so easy to shade the truth so that I make myself look better. But that is not the total trust in God that I believe we are called to in this concept of spiritual armor.
I don't make a practice of religiously praying for this armor to be applied to me every day, but I do try to walk in the full meaning of each piece of the armor in all of my life.
At any rate, the subject came up recently, and I realized that I had not shared this particular song on the Internet.
The Belt of Truth
I want to be ready for battle today
Wearing the armor that helps me to pray
Yielded in all that I am to your truth,
Lord, give me the belt of truth
And strip all the lies away
All my defenses, all my pretenses
Let me walk in the light of day
Give me the belt of truth
Only Your righteousness guarding my heart
Faith as my shield against fiery darts
Your gospel of peace as my shoes for my feet
O Lord, make my love complete
And strip all the lies away
All my defenses, all my pretenses
Let me walk in the light of day
Give me the belt of truth
With Your salvation protecting my head
Your Word the manna with which I am fed,
Your Word of life as my sword for the fight
Lord, help me to walk in light
And strip all the lies away
All my defenses, all my pretenses
Let me walk in the light of day,
Sunday, January 21, 2024
The Mercy Seat
I wrote this quite some time ago, but never published it to YouTube. I shared it with a Bible Study group and a friend encouraged me, "Time to get it up."