I was inspired to write this song as a plea and prayer for God’s church to work together to accomplish the mission Christ has set out for us. Too often we get in the way of the unity we all long for. Allow this to be a prayer for you and the congregation you are worshiping with. The future is…
For me one of the strongest metaphors in scripture is the contrast of light and darkness. The Gospel of John compares the life of Christ with light and stating that the darkness could not comprehend it (John 1:1-5). The life of Christ was the light for all mankind. God gave us the gift of His Son: who is light, life,…
I wrote this song which was inspired by an advent theme I had chosen to preach on in 2012. My thoughts would led to the idea that love became tangible. We often search for love and yet the one who made us, bought us by dying for us arrived to sow us God’s love. “For God so loved the world”…
All throughout history people have loved their spouses, children, and good friends. The scriptures are full of statements that say God’s love is everlasting. However, until love became tangible in the person of Jesus it may not have seemed so real. When the Father gave the gift of His Son Jesus to live among us, teach us, and even die…
I was preaching on 1 Corinthians 13 and felt it would be great to have a song that emphasised and summarized my sermon. Debbie Stephenson wrote this out for me. Not many pastors have a secretary who is as gifted as Debbie and is able to write out a song. This song has a wonderful challenge for each of us. …
Put yourself in the place of the disciples. Or better yet, in the place of the women who went to the tomb to finish embalming Jesus. The shock and the surprise when they see the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on top of it. I’m glad none of them had a serious heart condition. To discover the one…
Inspiration can come from some unreal places. While looking for pictures for a powerpoint for a sermon. I ran across the statement, “It Wasn’t the Nails.” I’m sure it was for another preacher’s sermon. The phrase caught my attention and I began thinking of how true it was. The nails couldn’t forcibly hold Jesus on the cross. He was there…
It all started a long time ago in a little town called Albany, OR. I was a minister of music and youth and from time to time I would try to write a song. Looking through the Psalms I found a verse that seemed to answer my lyric problem. Also, its great advice for each of us each day to…
I wrote this song not long after a VBS at our church in Oceanside, CA. The Church was called “Del Oro Hills Community Church.” A Church I pastored for 16 years. Over the years I had noticed so many who had shared their lives through ministry. I could see Jesus working in them to bless others. To me it became…
I wrote the lyrics of this song on a flight home from Phoenix, AZ. After a difficult Pastoral transition my wife and I began attending a new church as layman. I never anticipated the emotional feelings that would happen in my heart by going through such an ending of my pastoral career. I discovered just how much I needed my…
This song was inspired by Jesus’ words to Peter at the Last Supper in Luke 22:31-38. As I was thinking about being there. Being with Jesus in the final hours and to have Him say, “Satan has requested to sift you like wheat. But, I have prayed for you.” In fact the NASB says, “Satan has demanded to sift you…
While preparing a sermon on Mark 9:14-29 I was moved by the desperateness of the father and the helplessness of the disciples. When the father asks Jesus to heal his son he says, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Many of us believe in God’s ability to heal and perform miracles. Yet, in the back of our minds there remains…
Back in 1994 I was ending my tenure as a Youth and Music minister and entering my first Senior Pastorate. At the time I had two young sons who needed to hold my hand crossing the street and walking through parking lots. Often I would think of needing the heavenly Father to hold my hand as I made huge life…
Over the years I’ve experimented with newer forms of chord structures. My son, Zack, had been interested in an old Rock and Roll song called “Free Bird” by Ronnie Van Zant. We’re talking an old 70’s tune. I analyzed it and found I really liked the chord pattern. At the time I was interested in updated our old Church of…
Sometimes I feel the desire to be able to crawl up into the Father’s lap and just be held. The feeling of security, love, and comfort all in one experience. As Christians we understand God’s power to comfort and to heal through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. There are days though I just want to run into the throneroom of…
Writing this song was once again my imagination working overtime. The thought that Joseph could set by and say nothing seemed counterintuitive. The Bible narrative doesn’t say if Joseph said anything during the arguing over Jesus. Yet, I can’t help but feel that Joseph would have said something. This is my expression of what he might have said. Music Sheet:…
I wrote this song to celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. I wanted to capture the excitement of that day. When working on the Arimathean I felt this was just perfect to use for that scene. I still visualize the throng of people and the children dancing and jumping up and down with excitement. The King has arrived!…
One of my favorite sources for Christmas drama is “The Skit Guys.” They speak God’s truth in both funny ways and very moving emotional ways. I was inspired to write this song after seeing a video they did called “He Came To Get Messy.” The thought that Jesus left heaven to be born in a stable. A stable with other…
I enjoy thinking about God’s power through creation. Current scientific thought is that our universe was born out of a great expanse. (I guess the word explosion just doesn’t quick cut it.) Genesis says that God spoke and the universe came into being. It is my firm belief that God created all things out of love. God spoke love. Light…
I know for myself that I can remember jingles off TV for decades where remembering a scripture verse can be a challenge days latter. I wrote this song with the jingle idea in mind. To help my congregation at Holladay Park Church of God, Portland, OR to remember the fruit of the Spirit. The verse I added in was to…