A Song a Day #10: Peace Be Still

Hello all, welcome to day 10 of our journey. Today I want to share possibly my favorite songs the Lord has given me, it's called Peace Be Still . This is my "had a bad day" songs that I sing to myself. I hope you enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

You said, “Come follow me” and I came
Promised not for calm but shelter from the rain
So though the storm may rage
Though the wind may blow
And I can’t see an end to it all
This is know, Lord you’re there
My soul’s at peace be still for you are God

Chorus: So my heart will not be troubled by circumstances
            For your healing and your presence is greater than it all
            My soul’s at peace be still for you are God

I will praise you, you are holy
I will praise you, You are worthy
I will praise you, You are able
And you’ve proven yourself faithful, merciful and strong
My soul’s at peace be still for you are God

Chorus

You put me here for a good reason
I shall not fear, it’s for a season
My soul’s at peace be still
One touch from you, it’s still
My soul’s at peace be still for you are God

A Song a Day#9: My Special Friend

Hello all, today's song of the day is called "My Special Friend". It basically describes how awesome God is and what he means to me.....Enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

I look back on my life, all the mistakes that I have made

Seemed like my world was about to crumble and I was afraid

I had no one left to turn to seemed like hope was all gone

Then someone told me about a heavenly father

And the sacrifice of His only Son

Chorus: You came into my life

            Opened my eyes to all of your wonders

            Gave me faith when courage died

            Showered me with hope when hope was lost

            Time and time again, You forgave me of my sins

            I’ve come to realize, You’re not just my father

            But Lord, you’re my special friend

Your love for me can’t be measured

All your miracles can’t be seen

I can put my trust in you, know you’ll be faithful

After all these times I’ve sinned, Your love never did bend

I want to thank You for being my father and my special friend

            Chorus

You’ve counseled me every time I was lost

You’ve brought me through every danger

Saved my life even though Yours was the cost

            Chorus

A Song a Day#8: Seek Your Face

Today's featured song is simple but so true! It's called "Seek Your Face" Enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

Who am I but dust formed in your hands?

Who am I but plans that you have planned?

And who am I, just a recipient of grace?

All I am is in you

What can I do but seek your face

Chrous: Seek you face oh my creator

            Seek your face oh my redeemer

            Seek your face I’m yours forever

            What can I do, but seek your face?

A Song a Day#7: Wherever You Lead

Happy Sunday and day 7 of the "song a day" journey. The featured song is called "Wherever You Lead"... This is just a reminder that you can't go wrong whenever you follow God. He has set a path before you, sometimes it gets bumpy but that's when you cling even tighter to His hand. Remember, He promised that He would never leave nor forsake you, that you can count on. Enjoy!   ~~Jackie~~

I’m gonna fix my gaze on you my Lord

Gonna bend my ear to Your Word

I will walk down the path your prepared for me

I will follow wherever you lead

Chorus: Wherever You lead Lord, I will follow

            I will follow wherever you lead

            I’ve learned to trust and believe in your will

            That you know best for me

I’m gonna hide under your wing my Lord

Leave my burdens in your hands

Understand you supply for all my needs

I will follow wherever you lead

                        Chorus

A Song a Day #6: Complete

The song of the day is called 'Complete'. It's pretty self-explanatory. Enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

It’s in you that I find that love that fills the void deep inside of me

It’s in you that I find the joy that sets me free

And it is in you that I find the answers to all my questions

It’s in you you’ve made my life complete

Chorus:  I find my hope I find my strength

            I find my everlasting life in you

            You took me from my sinful ways

            You cleansed my heart and set me free

            And now I find my soul’s renewed

            You’ve made my life complete

Broken heart, wounded soul no strength left within me, nowhere left to go

But it’s in you that I find the joy that sets me free

Holy Spirit you touched me and took away my defeat

It’s in you, you’ve made my life complete                                    *Repeat Chorus*

I find your love I find your grace

            I find that peace within while seeking your face

            I find that you’re the rock under my feet

            I love you Lord, you’ve made my life complete    

             I love you Lord, you’ve made my life complete

            With you oh Lord my life is now complete

A Song a Day #5: You are the only one

Today's song is You are the Only One. It's basically just exclaiming to Jesus all the things He is and has done that no one else in the world could possibly do. I also sing this as a reminder as to why He alone is worthy of my praise and to set me straight when I act otherwise : )  .....Enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

Jesus you are the only one who could take the pain away

Jesus you are the only one who saw through my games

Jesus you are the only one who can break through my chains

Jesus you are the only one

Jesus you are the way, the truth, and the life

Jesus you are the only one whose love’s truly blind

Jesus you are the only one who saw each tear I cried

Jesus you are the only one

Chorus: That’s why I praise you, that’s why I worship you oh Lord

            That’s why I lift my hands I lift my voice I lift my heart

            Bow down and present every part of me

                        Go to top

Jesus you are the only one who supplies for all of my needs

Jesus you are the only one who bore my sins on Calvary

You are the only one who could’ve paid that price for me

Jesus you are the only one

                        Chorus

Jesus you are the only one

A Song a Day #4: What Words

So the featured song of the day is "What Words". The basic concept is that I can't, as a human, explain God's actions or motives and there is no way that we can earn what He has so freely given us. Enjoy!  ~~Jackie~~

No one else showed mercy, none extended grace

But You who least deserved it, died and took my place

That’s not the end of the story; You’re not in that grave

You who took the nails for me, raised

And now reign in glory

Chorus: What words can express, what things can I do

            To repay what You’ve done, to say I love you

            I’d be a fool if I try, to justify Your sacrifice

            When all You ask of me is to believe and live for You

You saw me in my grave, didn’t turn away

Instead in your love, sacrificed your only son

On that cross you died bearing all my sins

Behind that stone you laid, the price for me was paid

You ascended to the sky now I have life eternal;

With that sacrifice, You’re satisfied, I’m justified, You raised and gave me life

Chorus

I was lost but now I’m found, was weighted down with chains

But I’m no longer bound, because Lord you took the blame

No words to express, nothing I can do

I’d be a fool if I try to justify Your sacrifice

But Lord I believe and live for You

A Song a Day: Day 3 'Until Then"

Helllooo there ladies and gentlemen. Today's featured song is called "Until Then". It's about the expectation of getting to heaven and what to do while we are still here. I wrote this in high school, and found myself daydreaming about what heaven would be like, trying to think of the most magnificent things I could imagine. I could spend hours on this subject, and then I thought to myself, well what do I do until I get there? Surely, I can't spend all my days just sitting around, there is this process of sanctification going on and a harvest we are called to work alongside Jesus to bring in. Enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

You’ll call your children by name

Inviting them into the mansions that you’ve made

While walking through the streets of gold

Seeing the lamb lay down with the lion

It is then I’ll see your truths unfold, but

Chorus: Until then I will follow your word
             And your voice in my life will be heard

            Until then, I will cling to Your promise

            And share that blessed assurance of everlasting life

I count the days till I see You face to face

And I get to ever sing your praise

No more heavy burdens

No more tears or pain

Just basking in your presence

Magnify your name

Chorus

It’s gonna be a glorious day

But I don’t have to wait till then

To sing you praise, to see Your face

For You’ve given me Your Spirit

Poured out your love and grace

Halleluiah, Halleluiah

Outro: Until then I cling to your promise

             I cling to your promise

            Share that blessed assurance

            Of everlasting life

A Song a Day: Day 2

As I will be leaving early in the morning, I wanted to be sure to post this so as to not disappoint anyone out there actually invested in this journey with me. How lame would it be to default on this plan on the second day ; ) So without further to do, today's song is called "His Name is Jesus". I wrote this years ago in response to people commenting on their views of Christianity, about a damning God that sits loftily out of reach from humanity. I wanted to show people the Jesus that I serve. So enjoy! ~~Jackie~~

I have a friend, closer than a brother

Who takes care of me, loves me like no other

I was lost, He found me where I was

I was broken, He healed me just because

He loved me, had mercy, He’s the forgiver of my sins

He changed my life from the moment I let Him in

Chorus: His name is Jesus, you’ve heard of Him before

            Some call Him Master, Savior or simply call Him Lord

            His name is Jesus, you’ve heard of Him before

            Some call Him Abba Father, Friend of the weak, the poor

            No matter how you put it

            He saved me, gave me life brand new

            And what He’s done for me, He’s sure to do for you

He came in the form of man, yet still remained God

And because it was His father’s plan

He died to pay the debt that none of us could’ve ever met

In three days He raised, sealed a covenant that’s new

He’s the way to life eternal; I want to share Him with you

So let Him in, ask Him in

No pride, don’t hide, there’s no shame

I promise, you’ll never be the same

            Chorus

Jesus, Master, Savior, Abba

Friend, of the weak, the poor

Let Him, and you’ll find He’s that and more

A Song A Day: Part 1

Today begins my journey of sharing with you guys songs I have written over the years. In the past I have been kind of shy about sharing them because they were to me like entries in a diary; personal and a look into what I was going through. I began posting them on my previous blog and would like to continue. There might be some repeats, so those of you who followed my previous blog, you are forewarned. For me this has been a fun experience because I have come across songs that I haven't thought about in years and re-reading them just reminds me of what the Lord has done for me and what he has brought me through. So I hope you guys enjoy! I will start this off with "You Alone are God" ~~Jackie~~

 

Chorus: I will worship you, for you alone are God

            No one can compare to who you are

            What you’ve done, the price you paid

            The life you laid down at the cross

            I will worship you, for you oh Lord are God

I will have no idols before me, what good do they do?

Have eyes but cannot see

Nor do I look at stars for answers, to men in all their might

For I serve you God, who made men from dust, gave the stars their light

                        Chorus

Great things you have done, how worthy you are

How merciful you’ve been, took me from the mess I was in

Cleansed me of my inequities; all I want to do is worship you

For you alone are God

                        Chorus

Ending: No one can compare, neither can they share

            In the praises that I give, the life that I live as onto you

            I will worship you, for you alone are God

            For you alone are God, you alone are God

            I will worship you, you oh Lord are God

Fresh start

    It serves me right for not posting for so long but I could not sign on to my blog and after hours of troubleshooting, I decided to just create a new one. What sparked an interest in re-dedicating my time to posting was in reading my old writings and papers. I wanted to share them with people and perhaps spark someone reflection. I came across today a short paper I wrote for my tribal religion class on clowns and thought it brought up some great points that we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, can take away. These include: what do you hold sacred and what do you worship. Read and enjoy!! ~~Jackie

Western thought on clowns is very different from the way tribal cultures view them. We hear that word and visions of Bozo, red-honking noses, balloon animals, fluffy red hair, crazy antics and painted on faces race across our mind. While we think of silly days at the circus or fair, clowns represent something much more deep and significant for the Indians. Clowns play a very important role in their religion. They are up there on the level of shamans, and one can venture to say that clowns surpass shamans in their duty. To be a clown is to be the mouthpiece of the ‘Thunder Being’, an awesome and awful task. It is the highest calling a man can have bestowed on him, but it also a calling to a hard life because of all the antics that separate him from Indian society. Clowns have several purposes. One of their goals is to get people to laugh, which open them up to the immediate experience. Another goal is to get people to see the ‘sacred’ in another light. A clown’s actions reveal much about the nature of God- spirits such as the Thunder Being- as the tribal culture understands it.

            It is not peculiar for a clown in the tribal culture to perform outrageous acts. Clowns will ride a horse backwards, wear winter clothes in summer weather, play out sexually vulgar acts and even mock a shaman during a religious ceremony. In fact, a lot of a clown’s antics occur during traditional and religious ceremonies. One reasoning behind this is that the clown will get the participants to laugh. To get someone to laugh ensures that they are fully present and engaged in the here and now. Performing or taking part in a ceremony means nothing if one is not focusing on the immediate experience; going through the motions on autopilot is not honoring the spirits for which one is doing the ceremony. If a clown can get someone to laugh, that person is opening himself or herself up to the experience. This should not be misconstrued to think a clown’s mission is to spread laughter and good cheer to all; that would a tragic misinterpretation of their very important role in religion. The happiness and jolly feeling one gets from laughing at the clown opens them up and makes them vulnerable enough for the spirits’ power to come into them. A clown’s role is very important in preparing the people to participate in religious and traditional ceremonies.

            In tribal culture clowns do things that mock what is considered sacred. They will follow shamans while mocking them, making profane gestures, or even become violent. A clown’s main enemy is religion, the idolatry and misplacement of reverence and awe. They want for people to question what they consider sacred and why certain things are held on a pedestal. In belittling a shaman, sacred tools, and defying tradition, they are pointing out that these are NOT the spirits to which honor should be given. Yes, tradition and ceremony are important but they are not what should be worshiped. The point of sacred items and traditions is to point to the spirits; the spirits are what are divine, not earthly things. The reason traditions, ceremonies, shaman, and certain items hold power and significance is because the spirits give them that importance. What is sacred about these things is that the spirits- the true divine beings- spoke their importance. Clowns point this out to people and keep them focused on what is truly to be worshiped and held in high regard. Never mistake what is put in place to help you worship and honor the spirits for the spirits themselves. This would be like Christians worshiping a prophet or the communion elements instead of God. That would be considered blasphemous, idolatrous, and not in the spirit in which God sent these things to the people. This is what clowns are trying to do when they perform such ‘irreverent’ acts. They cause people to step back, examine their actions and reconsider what they hold sacred.

            The roles of a clown reveals much about the nature of the spirits -including the Thunder Being- as the Indian culture understands it. A clown performs many irreverent, seemingly disrespectful acts that show no regard for the sacred. It should be noted, however, clowns with all of their ‘sacrilegious’ behavior are not considered to be ‘sinning’ when they mock the sacred. It is not considered evil to do what clowns do; unlike in Western culture where mocking or doing anything contrary to religious beliefs is evil and wrong in the eyes of God. In fact, the reason the clowns do such backwards things is that a god of theirs, the Thunder Being, instructs them to do so. The Thunder Being, being the source of such behavior, reveals much about its nature. The Thunder Being is not concerned so much with the traditional acts but in the spirit of which things are done. One could be sitting alone thinking about how generous and wonderful the spirits have been and be honoring them more than a shaman performing a religious ceremony with no regard to the meaning behind such a sacred act. Acting religious or going through the appropriate actions is not what the Thunder Being is pleased with but with the spirit in which things are done. Clowns play a key role in dethroning the sacred that are sometimes placed above or equal to the truly divine. 

What plays the role of 'clown' in your life?