Songs 2

Music: Songs 1 - Songs 2

His Yoke Is Easy

I met a man who laboured dreadfully under the law, thinking he was doing God service. He was a tormented soul but a very self-righteous one who, while seeking counsel and help, quite believed that he was in a position of counseling and helping instead toward those who were not enslaved by service of the letter as was he. What ironies and contradictions in man!

There are those who worship God

And try to do His will their way

Like a horse which the Master has not broke,

But when finally they see that the means are meant to be,

Then the duty will be done His way.

CHORUS:

His commandments are not hard,

It's delight to do His will;

His yoke is easy and His burden light.

We know that truth will make us free

In Jesus Christ, simplicity,

And the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Substitutions He won't have,

Those are not the things He wants;

We must learn to do exactly as He asks.

We have no wisdom in ourselves to decide the right from wrong;

We must hear Him tell us what and even how.

Chorus repeat.

There is purpose everywhere

In all the smallest things He does

And though our understanding can't see this,

Still to trust Him and obey is the one and only way

And if we do that we just can't miss.

Chorus

Winnipeg, for H. U., Jan. 3, 1981

Look to Him

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A fellow we met had been in a terrible car accident which left terrible consequences on body and mind. While he would put on a brave face, we knew it was a put-on. This song came to confront him with reality and to encourage him to repent and believe. He went away apparently hardened as ever. Again, the mystery of iniquity was something at which to marvel.

Look to Him

When the times are looking grim

Look to Him

Look to Jesus when the light is burning dim

Whenever trouble comes around

And from Heaven there's no sound

Look to Him.

Look to Him

He's the only One Who matters

Look to Him

Look to Jesus when the world beckons you, look to Him

He's the only One that cares, look to Him

There is nothing He can't do

Nothing He won't do for you

Look to Him.

Look to Him

When things are going the way they should

Look to Him

Thanking Jesus for it all, look to Him

He's the One who did it all, look to Him

He'll be glad to get the praise

'Cause you're walking in His ways

Look to Him.

For Chorus, repeat in 3rd key.

Winnipeg for A. G., Jan. 27, 1981

What Will Be Will Be

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How different we discovered the Christian walk to be in comparison to what we had expected or were led to believe it would be! It was lonely, painful of soul, friendless, fraught with enemies on all sides and the greatest enemy was on the inside. How we had to do battle with unbelief, with our carnal desires, ambitions, hopes, dreams, with the lusts of the flesh...lusting mostly for social security, belonging, importance, usefulness.

All must be surrendered or lost; there really is no choice in the matter when the call of God is upon one. He that keeps his life loses it and if he loses it for the Lord's sake, it is still lost, if only for a time, even if replaced with more and better somewhere down the road. The main thing is that one must trust God in it all and let it happen. One must learn and accept that God is in charge of all things, working all for good.

Lord, when You first called out my name,

I knew I couldn't be the same;

I didn't know what I would do...or be;

I thought the future I could see.

For awhile I ran in reckless joy;

I played with You like boy with toy,

And slowly I began to understand

That You are Lord and it's Your hand.

CHORUS:

Right now I know that You're with me

And through these tears it's hard to see

What's going on with You and me

But You've said, "What will be will be."

It's been so hard for me to be so still;

Like fire to ice it's will to will.

You've shown me that I'm the one so cold,

Yet in my ways I've been so bold.

Chorus

Nothing's going the way I thought it would;

It's so different and very strange.

Sometimes I wonder if I've gone astray;

Seems no one's here to come my way.

Chorus repeat 2x.

Winnipeg, Feb. 27, 1981

Growing in Christ Jesus

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Deeper and deeper the Lord took us in Him. Now were we seeing good in evil and evil in good, that is, whereas we once thought we knew the difference, now we began to see more clearly. That which we thought was holy was otherwise, both within and without, and that which we thought was wrong was not always so. Needless to say, such experience brings its own torment but God brought us through and delivered us from evil.

To do or not to do?

That is the question

That's often on my mind

And sometimes gives me torment.

Clouds and smoke may look the same

But they're so very different.

I must not speak in vain

But say what I'm supposed to say.

The Lord is Lord of all;

With that no one can argue.

Unless we look to Him,

We become self-centered.

Then, pointing to ourselves,

We seem to be His servants

But He alone can tell.

What was once the thing to do,

He'll no longer wink at.

What was once so wrong,

Now we grow right into.

Things are always changing

And with no change we die,

But if we change we hurt

And pain is the fruit of growing

Until we come to the fullness

In Christ Jesus our Lord.

Winnipeg, March 2, 1981

There's Lots to Be Thankful For

At a time of uprooting and forsaking all once again, my wife was finding it difficult and this song came then. It held the promise of better things ahead as we had always experienced in similar times before. Encouraged, we plodded on.

Don't ever let your bottom lip hang down;

Don't let it happen when I'm around.

I'd rather see a smile on your face;

A frown on you is so out of place...

CHORUS:

You know there's lots to be thankful for.

You needn't crawl; let your spirit soar.

Before you know it I'll be back for more

Of your smile...of your smile.

We all have troubles that are hard to take;

We have bad habits that are hard to break.

Don't let them get you down for goodness' sake;

You need to know your happiness is at stake...

CHORUS

There's open highway just around the bend;

Morning's almost here for us, my friend.

Then tears and sorrow will be at an end;

It won't be long before for us He'll send...

CHORUS

Lethbridge, Sept. 18, 1983

The Very Best

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Simple and self-explanatory.

All we need to do is ask and He'll grant our petitions.

CHORUS:

The very best that you can ask is just to be with Jesus.

So many things we often want don't satisfy when we get them.

CHORUS

Are you ready to leave all behind, let go of all that holds you?

CHORUS

Don't be surprised if what you get is not what you imagined.

CHORUS

You won't be disappointed if you ask for nothing but the best.

CHORUS 2x

Loving You

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My soul, as are the souls of others, as God chooses, is compelled to love, desire and serve God, no matter what. We falter, we fail, we don't always know what God thinks or feels about us but we press on as if there is no choice. It is an irresistible and unconscious force in spite of everything.

Loving You, loving You,

Loving You is all I can do.

Even when I'm sad or glad,

Whether You think I'm good or bad,

Loving You is all I can do.

Lethbridge, Sept. 24, 1983 (verse 1)

Wanting You, wanting You,

Wanting You is all I can do.

Even when I'm rich or poor,

Whether it seems I'm not so sure,

Wanting You is all I can do.

Serving You, serving You,

Serving You is all I can do.

Even when I'm weak or strong,

Whether they think I'm right or wrong,

Serving You is all I can do.

Bernalillo, N.M., Mar. 1985 (verses 2 & 3)

Flying

Who has not wanted to fly? Why do we have airplanes and stories like Peter Pan? Most of us have dreamt of flying by faith, that is, being airborne, powered by believing we could. Within, we can. God gives us that power in our relationship with Him whereby our spirits soar.

Flying...

For the first time I am flying!

It's what I've always dreamed of...

Freedom...

What I've always longed for!

Now I really have it...

Airborne...

A worm I am in blossom!

Mounting like a pretty

Butterfly, away up high

Up in the sky...

I am now an eagle

In the heights of Heaven

I can soar forever and ever and a day

Away, away...

Flying...

Finally I'm flying...

Yes, I am flying.

Lethbridge, May 1984

The Victory of the Lord

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There exists the notion that victory speaks only of joy, peace, love, rest in their counterfeit forms, the wishy-washy, mushy-gushy kind that has no place in reality. This song expresses the reality. There is war before victory. With war comes bloodshed, hard times, threatenings, loss and destruction, but the victory is there in real terms, earned and established by the Lord.

We wash our feet in the blood of our enemies;

Not in vain have we believed for our victories;

Though the trek has been long and full of miseries,

Still the worth has been there all the time.

CHORUS:

We are crowned with the helmet of His glory,

Our scabbard filled with the power of His Word;

Though the battle is bloody and gory,

His life He gives by the good news which is heard.

Not in vengeance nor in spite do we revel;

We wrestle not with flesh and blood but the devil;

We fill the valleys and the mountains we do level;

Our goal is righteousness and peace in all the earth.

There was a time when on our backs all men did trample,

At times unbearable if only but a sample,

But His grace He gave to us was more than ample;

He is the Captain of the hosts and our Lord.

Let the powers of Hell advance and do their utmost.

Here on earth we will stand guard at our outpost.

Standing for us, all around us is the Lord's host;

There is nothing in this whole world to fear.

Lethbridge, Feb. 12, 1985

You Don't Have To

The world rushes headlong not only toward destruction but is there in destruction while it rushes. Priorities are confounded, based on gain and selfishness. Big is small and small is big. What is important and what is not? Is it not the "little things" that count? And has not the preacher said, "All is vanity" after firsthand experience of them?

Hello, my friend, and where are you off to?

Won't you stay and make a friend you can talk to?

Stop and tell me how you'll find a way to catch the wind...

Believe, you don't have to hurry...

Relax, you don't have to worry...

You're not the one that has to do it all right now...

Look around and people are dying.

They hate to walk; they've got to be flying

But six feet under, their relatives and friends are cry-y-ing...

Take a lesson from the big dinosaur:

He didn't get too very far;

Give an ear and hear the sparrows tell their story to you...

To win a race there are a thousand in a throng

But only one of them is destined to be strong.

Will you tell me nine hundred and ninety-nine are wrong?..

Take a lesson from some of the grasses:

Look and see that they are eaten by asses

But after asses go, the grasses stay behind to grow...

You needn't live to others' expectations;

You'll give your heart too many palpitations.

Do what you can for now and gently put the rest away...

Take it easy, the night has a reason;

For everything there is a time and a season.

You'll never find a tree that bears its fruit all the time...

Easy does it friend, don't be in perplexion.

You never lose because you fail to make connection.

You only lose because connection's so important to you...

Where were you when the world was without you?

Where will you be when it goes on beyond you?

Do let go and everything will be okay,

Do let go and everything will be okay,

Do let go and everything will be okay.

Great Falls, Jan. 1987 (in my sleep)

I'd Give Anything

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"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." At the time I wrote this, I sincerely thought and desired that I would give anything and everything. I haven't changed on that except that the Lord has given me more since then and the more I have, the less possible it seems that I can give all. I now have a son and am much more appreciative of what it cost God to give His Son. We have these sincere thoughts as did Peter on the last night but to perform is terribly difficult and even impossible, I say. Only by the grace of God can we give Him everything and it is not without pain if we have that which is valuable to us to give.

But being a jealous God, we must surrender all to Him and He is faithful, patiently and mercifully enabling us to do His will.

I'd give anything

I'd give anything I own

And I mean anything

I'd only ask that what I give

Would be received by Him

That He'd be pleased to have received

All that I give to Him

Ohhh...

My heart goes out to Him

My soul desires that all my firstfruits

Do return to Him

That there is nothing held from Him

That He would love to have

What sheer delight is it to give to Him

The best of what I have, the very best

The very best...

Yes, I'd give everything

So much do I love Him

That I'd give everything to Him

He's given me all things and even

All my love for Him

I only hope that by His grace

I'd give Him everything

Everything, yes, everything.

Let me not forget to give You everything

Not just the first and best but everything.

Helena, Aug. 26, 1987

The Work of God

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At a time of discouragement I received these words from the Lord in song and at this very moment as I write this introduction years later in 1996 ( the song was written in 1987), I feel down after having spoken to people who do not believe what I say or that the Lord has sent me to them. Yet I have nowhere but onward to go and am persuaded that these words hold true and someday will be fulfilled.

The work of God can be so full of pain and sorrow,

You wonder why you get involved.

Sometimes it gets so hard, you fear to see tomorrow

But all your problems are resolved.

Though blood and tears are shed for those who seem unworthy,

Everlasting strength will make the way

And when you feel your work will only make you dirty,

That's when you take the time to pray.

For all the good you do, most times you're only hated.

You need remember it's okay.

You work both night and day and often get frustrated.

The time will come you'll get your pay.

Some day they'll come from miles around to bless and thank you,

Dandling young ones on their knees.

They'll be doing and speaking right because they want to,

Their holy ways the Lord to please.

Helena, Aug. 17, 1987

Farewell

It seemed we were saying farewell to all things of our past, not just human friends or acquaintances. It also seemed I was prophesying a parting in the future but which would come to an end, never to happen again.

Good-bye, my friends, it's time to go;

It's been so good to share with you.

We've shared our joys, we've share our sorrows;

Praise be to God, we have tomorrows.

CHORUS:

There'll come a day when there's no parting;

We'll be together and with the Lord...

We must go on to higher places,

To better things, to wider spaces.

We mustn't stop and turn around

For our reward to come is bound.

CHORUS

Good-bye my friends, it's time to go;

It's been so good to share with you.

Bernalillo, N.M., Jan. 18, 1984

There Is a Place

On September 24, 1996, Marilyn prophesied that the Lord was taking me, as He did Moses, for trespass, and that He had a ministry in the next world for me even as He had for Moses (as was seen on the mount of transfiguration). There came a resignation on my part, with sadness, and in this circumstance came this song which expresses that God does have a place reserved for saints. It is the destination of every believer, the goal of his spiritual trials and journey.

There is a place not far away

A place for which saints long and pray

And when they go, they're there to stay...

There's little here that we can bring

There is no doubt death has its sting

But what awaits will make us sing...

Goodbye to what has been before

Hello to what is held in store

We cross the sea to a glorious shore...

We must let go of near and dear

He'll wipe away our every tear

In Christ we know we needn't fear...

There is a place not far away

A place for which saints long and pray

And when they go, they're there to stay.

Moon River, Oct. 27, 1996

A New Song

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What a wonderful reality when a workingman is finally done his day. I didn’t earn it; don’t deserve it; He just freely, freely gave. What can I say?

The time has finally come when I can sing to you with joy in all my soul.

Faithfully, my God has surely given me what He promised in His Roll.

When I first began the journey, I naively thought that I might have arrived.

As I went on, disillusionment brought me to think that I was so deprived.

Three times I fell so hard and wondered if I’d ever leave the bloody ground.

And every time, I learned that right is might, and not the other way around.

I sing and shout from a mountaintop, a mountaintop so high it makes me cry.

Joy only comes with victory, and victory comes only when you die.

Yes, the journey was a long one and the battle was a hard one to the last.

Now I rest in perfect confidence that threats and dangers are all in the past.

What a wonderful reality when a workingman is finally done his day.

I didn’t earn it; don’t deserve it; He just freely, freely gave. What can I say?

Moon River, March 14, 2007