Debbie Janelle: Poetry/Songs

Song for Sunday: I Will Cast My Cares

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 01:00:55 GMT

Jesus, I'm frail,

I'm so very weak.

My faithfulness fails,

My courage will flee.

But You are my rock,

My shelter and shade.

When I'm burdened down,

You'll carry the weight.

So I will cast my cares on You.

Yes, I will cast my cares on You.

I will rest within Your ars,

Knowing I am safe from harm.

I will cast my cares on You.

When I'm overwhelmed

And I cannot stand,

You hear every cry

And You lift my head.

I'm desperate for grace

And mercy anew

I must have Your strength,

Oh, I must have You.

~ Stephen Altrogge

Song for Sunday: Bring the Rain

Mon, 07 May 2007 02:27:33 GMT

I can count a million times

People asking me how I can praise You will all that I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on You, oh Lord, my only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the dark clouds that may loom above

Because You are much greater than my pain

You who made a way for me by suffering Your destiny

So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise You

Jesus bring the rain

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

~ MercyMe

Song for Sunday: I'll Fly Away

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 04:09:59 GMT

I'm getting more and more excited all the time for that glad morning. Praise God. To see His face. To worship Him without the tentacles of sin. It will be sweet.

Some glad morning when this life is o'er

I'll fly away

To a home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, O glory

I'll fly away

When I die, hallelujah! by and by

I'll fly away

When the shadows from this life have flown

I'll fly away

Like a bird from these prison walls I'll fly

I'll fly away

O how glad and happy when we meet

I'll fly away

No more cold iron shackels on my feet

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To a land where joy shall never end

I'll fly away

~Unknown

Song for [Easter]: Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 03:37:54 GMT

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia

Sing, ye heavens and earth reply, Alleluia

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia

Where, O death is now thy sting? Alleluia

Once He died, our souls to save, Alleluia

Where's thy victory, O grave Alleluia

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia

~ Charles Wesley

Song for Sunday: For the Cross

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:55:10 GMT

This song, while being fun and upbeat, has some of the most profound lyrics concerning the cross.

I will love You for the cross and I will love You for the cost,

Man of suffering, Bringer of my peace.

You came into a world of shame and paid the price we could not pay:

Death that brought me life, blood that brought me home,

Death that brought me life, blood that brought me home.

And I love You for the cross!

I'm overwhelmed at the mystery.

I love You for the cross;

That Jesus You would do this for me

When You were broken, You were beaten

You were punished, I go free!

When You were wounded and rejected

In Your mercy, I am healed.

Jesus Christ the sinner's friend, does this kindness know no bounds?

With Your precious blood You have purchased me.

O, the mystery of the cross! You were punished, You were crushed,

But that punishment has become my peace.

Yes, that punishment has become my peace.

~ Matt & Beth Redman

Song for Sunday: Unreachable Oasis

Tue, 27 Feb 2007 03:24:14 GMT

Abstract poetry coming your way for this weeks Song for Sunday.

(Note: In case you're wondering why on earth I do this, it's actually more for me than anything. By posting a song on here once a week it challenges me to think more while I sing, especially in church. Therefore, by having this feature I have ended up being more blessed by the words to songs, especially hymns.)

Dry as dust, thirsting to be thirsty

Unreachable oasis found

Chasm stretched, edge is reached

Backward barren, forward fallen

Toe on edge, take the step?

Oasis waiting, bottomless pit

Helpless, Hopeless

Lights flashing, sword clashing

Wings outstretched bring to flight

Fear of dropping, thought of falling

Hold lessened, still suspended

Oasis reached, thirst for thirst wetted

Lucious green, spring springing

Helped, Hopeful

Lifted, filled, healed, satisfied and perfect

View the beauty and the matchless splendor

Stand in awe, jaw dropped down

This is our God, this is our God, this is our God.

~DJ Friesen, Fall 2002

Song for Sunday: It is Well with My Soul

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 21:16:08 GMT

This hymn, probably more than any other hymn and maybe even more than any other song, has stirred my soul to rejoice in the glorious salvation found in Jesus Christ. The hymn does not say that there is no longer any battle within, because we still fight against sin. Rather it rejoices in the knowledge that, no matter what the outward circumstances or the amount of sin committed past, present or future, when we, when I, enter God's presence at the end of my life or the end of this world, it will be well. I will be accepted and welcomed.

When peace like a river attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot Thou has taught me to say

"It is well, it is well with my soul."

It is well with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul!

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought,

My sin, not in part but the whole

Is nailed to His cross and I bear it no more!

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, oh my soul!

Though Satan should buffet and trials should come

Let this blessed assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And has shed His own blood for my soul

And Lord haste the day when my faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll!

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend

Even so, it is well with my soul!

~ Horatio G. Spafford & Philip P. Bliss

Song for Sunday: Beyond

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 06:09:18 GMT

This past week I found this song. It's rooted in the story of God descending in His glory on Mount Sinai. It's a fascinating account. (Exodus 19 and on, especially the end of Exodus 33 and part of 34) But for the purpose of this song: as God's presence was resting on Mount Sinai there was lightning flashing, and thunder and smoke, but rather than running away, like the rest of Israel, Moses begged to see God's glory, meaning God Himself. God replies that no one can see His face and live. But He tells Moses that Moses can stand in a cleft in a rock and God will cover it with His hand and pass in front of Him and then Moses will see His back. This is huge. So huge that I've told it terribly. But I tried to capture a bit of Moses' hunger and intensity for God in this song. It's the kind of desire that inspires desire in me. (note: the curtain in the bridge refers to the curtain in the tabernacle and later the temple that seperated the Holy of Holies, where God's visible presence was, from the Holy Place. This kept people from meeting God on a personal level. They had to go through a priest. When Jesus died on the cross that curtain was torn from top to bottom, opening up access to God for everyone. But I used the curtain as a symbol of going beyond knowing God superficially and knowing Him intimately.)

We come before You Lord

You’re deserving of our praise

Not just for what You’ve done

But because of who You are

Show us Your glory, show us Your glory Lord.

Show us Your glory, show us Your face

No one can see Your face and live

But if we don’t still we are dead

Take us up the mountain

Lead us to Your fiery presence

Lead us beyond the curtain

Lead us to You

Lead us to intimacy

Yahweh, with You

~ DJ Friesen

Song for Sunday: How Can I Keep From Singing

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 04:35:15 GMT

This has been one of my favourite songs lately. What I like about it is not that it is from the overflow of my heart necessarily, but it stirs my heart to sing, to worship; reminds me to praise God.

There is an endless song

Echoes in my soul

I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come

I am holding on

To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise

How can I ever say enough

How amazing is Your love

How can I keep from shouting Your name

I know I am loved by the King

And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes

In the darkest night

For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You

Knowing You'll see me through

And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times

Sing when I win

I can sing when I lose my step

And fall down again

I can sing 'cause You pick me up

Sing 'cause You're there

I can sing 'cause You hear me, Lord

When I call to You in prayer

I can sing with my last breath

Sing for I know

That I'll sing with the angels

And the saints around the throne

~ Traditional, adapted by Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman and Ed Cash

From Chris Tomlin: See the Morning

Song for Sunday: Angels from the Realms of Glory

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 05:51:12 GMT

My dad's sermon this Christmas morning was about why Jesus came: because of how He viewed sin. God sees sin as a serious thing and we're supposed to look at it the same way. I found this Christmas carol to be poignant in light of that.

Angels! from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story,

Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

Come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King.

Shepherds! in the field abiding,

Watching o'er your flocks by night,

God with man is now residing;

Yonder shines the heavenly light:

Come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

Come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King.

Saints! before the altar bending,

Watching long in hope and fear,

Suddenly the Lord, descending,

In His temple shall appear:

Come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

Come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King.

Sinners! wrung with true respentance,

Doomed for guilt to endless pains:

Justice now revokes the sentence,

Mercy calls you, break your chains:

Come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.

Come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King.

~ Thos. Hastings

Song for Sunday: On a Hill Far Away

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 04:48:28 GMT

Christmas is all about Easter. I wrote this song a couple years ago when the meaning of Christmas was coming to me in a fresh way. I think the song speaks for itself.

It's Christmas time in Bethlehem town.

The shepherds awake with angels all around.

"Go to Bethlehem the Baby to see;

He'll save you from your sins, your Redeemer is He.

'Cause on a hill far away He will bleed and die,

The sacrifice for all your sins.

On a hill far away God's plan will be fulfilled

In a perfect way."

It's Easter time. The Son of God is hanging on a tree.

The final cry is heard. In death Christ won the victory!

Don't go to the tomb because He's not there!

He has risen, your sin He can bear.

On a hill far away Jesus bled and died,

The sacrifice for all our sins.

On a hill far away God's plan was fulfilled

In a pefect way.

Now it's today. Sinners let's run to His cross

And nail our sins there,

Count everything else as loss.

When we're at His cross we see His face

And we are purified by Amazing Grace.

'Cause on a hill far away my sins nailed Him there;

I left Him to die alone.

But on a hill far away God reached down in His love

And made the murderer His child.

On a hill far away Jesus bled and died,

The sacrifice for all my sin.

On a hill far away Jesus reaches out in love;

Sinner come to Him.

Jesus, I come

Jesus, I have sinned

I come

~DJ Friesen

Song for Sunday: Joy to the World!

Tue, 05 Dec 2006 04:47:02 GMT

For the December Sundays I'll be posting some of my favourite Christmas songs, or just good ones. This carol became one of my favourites over the last year. I think it's a carol that could be song any time of the year and be appropriate. It's joyously poetic.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders, wonders of His love.

~ Isaac Watts & George F. Handel

Song for Sunday: How Sweet the Name of Jesus

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 04:13:04 GMT

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear!

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, and drives away his fear,

And drives away his fear.

It makes the wounded spirit whole, and calms the troubled breast;

'Tis manna to the hungry soul, and to the weary rest,

And to the weary rest.

Dear name! the rock on which I build, my shield and hiding place;

My never-failing treasury filled with boundless stores of grace,

With boundless stores of grace.

Weak is the effort of my heart, and cold my warmest tho't;

But when I see Thee as Thou art, I'll praise Thee as I ought,

I'll praise Thee as I ought.

Till then I would Thy love proclaim with ev'ry fleeting breath;

And may the music of Thy name refresh my soul in death,

Refresh my soul in death!

~ John Newton & Thomas Hastings

Song for Sunday: My Saviour's Love

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 04:55:39 GMT

From time to time God has grace on me to remind me of what a wretched sinner I am and with it comes the awe and wonder that despite that, He has redeemed me and called me His child.

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:

How marvelous! How wonderful is my Saviour's love for me!

For me it was in the garden He prayed: "Not My will, but Thine;"

He had no tears for His own griefs, but sweatdrops of blood for mine.

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own;

He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see,

'Twill be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me.

~Charles H. Gabriel

Song for Sunday: One Day

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:03:10 GMT

This song speaks of Christ from before He came to earth til He comes back. I love verse one and how it reminds me of what Jesus left to come to earth to rescue me.

One day when heaven was filled with His praises,

One day when sin was as black as could be,

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin---

Dwelt amongst men, my example is He!

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain,

One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected:

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!

One day they left Him alone in the garden,

One day He rested, from suffering free;

Angels came down o'er His tomb to keep vigil;

Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,

One day the stone rolled away from the door;

Then He arose, over death He has conquered;

Now is ascnded, my Lord evermore!

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,

One day the skies with His glories will shine;

Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;

Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;

Buried, he carried my sins far away;

Rising, He justified freely forever;

One day He's coming -- oh, glorious day!

~ J. Wilbur Chapman & Charles H. Marsh

Song for Sunday: Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 21:30:21 GMT

The Bible story I have probably repeated the most for practical application is the story of Peter walking on the water. It is such a strong picture of how when we focus on the problems around us we are overwhelmed but if we look to Jesus they are no longer that important. As I was going through my music this morning to find something to play for prelude in church I found this song, "Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus." Immediately another application came to mind. It's not only problems that tempt us to look away from Jesus, it's also good things. For me this week it's been entertainment. Wholesome entertainment but time consuming. Somehow watching anything on screen is more appealing than reading the Word of God and speaking with the Author. But this short song, or rather chorus of a song, puts it well.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

~ Helen Lemmel

Song for Sunday: Blessed be Your Name

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 00:59:07 GMT

The first time I heard this song it made very little impact on me. I have not lived a life of suffering so it's meaning is still not as deep to me as it is to others. But over the last year or so at different times this song has come up in my mind and out of my mouth. Like when my good friends and band mates from Unquenchable moved on and a new group came in their place. When I was in Africa and saw all the poverty. And now just this week when I've thought about dry times spiritually, where there's little emotion or passion. No matter what the circumstance we can still choose to say "Blessed be the Name of the Lord."

Blessed be Your Name in the land that is plentiful,

where Your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your Name.

Blessed be Your Name when I'm found in the desert place,

Though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your Name.

Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise

and when the darkness closes in, Lord, still I will say...

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, blessed be Your Name

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious Name

Blessed be Your Name when the sun's shining down on me,

when the world's all as it should be, blessed be Your Name.

Blessed be Your Name on the road marked with suffering,

when there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your Name.

You give and take away, You give and take away.

My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be Your Name.

~Matt and Beth Redman

A Colloquy on Rejoicing

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 22:35:28 GMT

(Note~ Colloquy: conversation or written dialog. I didn't know what it was so I'm thinking some of you don't know either!)

In light of my present topic of Joy, I thought this prayer from the Valley of Vision was appropriate.

Remember, O my soul,

It is thy duty and privilege to rejoice in God:

He requires it of thee for all his favours of grace.

Rejoice then in the giver and his goodness,

Be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing but God,

for whatever a man trusts in,

from that he expects happiness.

He who is the ground of thy faith

should be the substance of thy joy.

Whence then come heaviness and dejection,

when joy is sown in thee,

promised by the Father,

bestowed by the Son,

inwrought by the Holy Spirit,

thine by grace,

thy birthright in believing?

Art thou seeking to rejoice in thyself

from an evil motive of pride and self-reputation?

Thou hast nothing of thine own but win,

nothing to move God to be gracious,

or to continue his grace towards thee.

If thou forget this thou wilt lose thy joy.

Art thou grieving under a sense of indwelling sin?

Let godly sorrow work repentance,

as the true spirit which the Lord blesses,

and which creates fullest joy;

Sorrow for self opens rejoicing in God,

Self-loathing draws down divine delights.

Hast thou sought joys in some creature comfort?

Look not below God for happiness;

fall not asleep in Delilah's lap.

Let God be all in all to thee,

and joy in the fountain that is always full.

Song for Sunday: I Wonder

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 20:18:31 GMT

I wonder, often wonder, just how it came to be

That there is up in heaven, a mansion fair for me;

And then do I remember that the dear Son of God

Once shed for rebel sinners His own atoning blood.

Forever at His feet I'll sit, and wonder at the grace

So large and free it found for me in heav'n a dwelling place.

I wonder, often wonder, just why His tender love

Brought down the dear Redeemer from His bright home above;

And then I do remember that on the shameful tree

The Saviour made atonement for tender love of me.

I wonder, often wonder, that He can bear with me,

Enduring all my follies, and yet so gracious be;

And then do I remember His grace is rich and free,

And that He is so patient because He so loves me.

~ Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman & Chas. Edw. Pollock

Song for Sunday: Lost in Wonder

Mon, 25 Sep 2006 03:46:12 GMT

I think I posted this song around Easter time but it's worth reposting, especially since I sang it this morning in church. I don't often get lost in the wonder of the cross. It's easy for me to forget about the cross and try to get on with the 'rest' of Christian living. Partially I think because it's so counter cultural. I thought about that at GIFT last month. What must be going through people's minds when they hear phrases like "Jesus blood" and "the cross"? I don't fully understand it either. Slowly they are becoming to me less clichés and more wonderful truths. And the more I learn about it, the more I understand, the more I realize that there's no 'rest of Christian living' beyond this.

You chose the cross with every breath;

The perfect life, the perfect death.

You chose the cross.

A crown of thorns You wore for us,

And crowned us with eternal life;

You chose the cross.

And though Your sould was overwhelmed with pain,

Obedient to death, You overcame.

I'm lost in wonder, I'm lost in love,

I'm lost in praise forevermore

Because of Jesus' unfailing love

I am forgiven, I am restored

You loosed the cords of sinfulness

And broke the chains of my disgrace.

You chose the cross.

Up from the grave victorious,

You rose again so glorious.

You chose the cross.

The sorrow that surrounded You was mine;

Yet, "Not my will but Yours be done," You cried.

I'm lost in wonder, I'm lost in love,

I'm lost in praise forevermore

Because of Jesus' unfailing love

I am forgiven, I am restored

~ Martyn Layzell

Song for Sunday: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:33:06 GMT

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Oh, how sweet to walk in the pilgrim way,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

Oh how bright the path grows from day to day,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

~ E.A. Hoffman & A.J. Showalter

Songs for Sunday: Jesus, I am Resting

Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:57:11 GMT

Note: New addition: Songs for Sunday ~ Songs that stand out to me in the Sunday morning service, or through the week.

Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art;

I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.

Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,

For by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole.

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art;

And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart;

Satisfies its deepest longings, meets, supplies its every need,

Compasseth me round with blessings: Thine is love indeed!

Ever lift Thy face upon me, as I work and wait for Thee;

Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus, Earth's dark shadows flee.

Brightness of my Father's glory, sunshine of my Father's face,

Keep me ever trusting, resting, fill me with Thy grace.

~ Jean Sophie Pigott & J. Mountain

Lost in Wonder

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 19:03:03 GMT

A song for the Easter season:

You chose the cross with ev'ry breath

The perfect life, the perfect death

You chose the cross

A crown of thorns You wore for us

And crowned us with eternal life

You chose the cross

And though Your soul was overwhelmed with pain

Obedient to death You overcame

I'm lost in wonder, I'm lost in love

I'm lost in praise forevermore

Because of Jesus' unfailing love

I am forgiven, I am restored

You loosed the cords of sinfulness

And broke the chains of my disgrace

You chose the cross

Up from the grave victorious

You rose again so glorious

You chose the cross

The sorrow that surrounded You was mine

Yet not My will but Yours be done You cried

I'm lost in wonder, I'm lost in love

I'm lost in praise forevermore

Because of Jesus' unfailing love

I am forgiven, I am restored

~Martin Layzell

Rock of Ages

Fri, 24 Mar 2006 20:28:22 GMT

(My New Favourite Hymn)

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee;

Let the water and the blood,

From Thy riven side which flowed,

Be of sin the double cure,

Cleanse me from its giult and power.

Not the labors of my hands

Can fulfill Thy law's demands;

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the foutain fly,

Wash me, Savior, or I die!

While I draw this fleeting breath,

When mine eyes shall close in death,

When I soar to worlds unknown,

See Thee on Thy judgment throne,

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in Thee!

~Augustus M. Toplady