"Good" Songs

It's been a while since I've posted anything and there are a few reasons for that; one being the fact that my camera died, and with it some of my enthusiasm for posting. So you missed the last picture I snapped before it went: Xavier grabbed body wash instead of shampoo to clean his hair and used about three times as much as I do to clean my whole body. He used this thick substance to form a mohawk all the way from his forehead to the nape of his neck. That was the night I resolved to trim his hair because it stood up a few inches!

Things have been pretty "ordinary" here as of late, but I'm always amazed how the Lord kindly draws me to himself even in the "mundane". One of the ways he's done that lately is through songs that are full of truth. I've loved music as long as I can remember. Several months ago at one of the worship team rehearsals Thom shared a quote from a popular artist; something to the effect of : If ever asked whether I am religious I reply Yes, I'm a Musician. The point of him sharing that was to highlight that we are not primarily musicians - rather we are saved sinners, Christians who happen to be musicians for the glory of God.

Music definitely used to be an idol for me and can be still more than I realize I'm sure. I used to identify myself (and others) by what kind of music I listened to. I thought that should inform how someone dressed, spoke, acted, who they hung out with... What used to define a "good" song in my mind was the bass line, the drums, the singer, did it make me want to dance? There have been so many times that a song from my past will pop into my head and I'll just start singing it unconsiously and the Lord kindly says - You're singing the World's song - and realigns my thoughts toward him. He alone deserves my song! Some of the best CD's I know to help with this are the Red Mountain Church CD's (which I keep borrowing from Keri rather than buying my own - I'm feeling the itch again Keri). Here are some of the lyrics which have been on my lips and in my heart these last few weeks. It's only by God's grace that I now view these as gooood songs!

**Lord dissolve my frozen heart by the beams of love divine, this alone can warmth impart to dissolve a heart like mine. Oh that love how vast it is, vast it seems though known in part, strange indeed if love like this should not melt the frozen heart.**

**Oh when Great God thy light divine hath shown on this dark soul of mine, then I beheld with trembling awe the terrors of thy holy law, the terrors of thy holy law. Should vengeance still my soul pursue, death and destruction are my due, yet mercy can my soul forgive and bid this dying sinner live, Lord bid this dying sinner live. Does not thy sacred word proclaim salvation free in Jesus' name? To him I look and humbly cry, "Lord save a wretch condemned to die, Lord save this wretch condemned to die!"**

**There fastened to the rugged wood by holy loves resistless claim, and life deriving from thy blood, never to wander wide again, there may I bow my suppliant knee and own no other Lord but thee**

**Finished are the types and shadows of the ceremonial law, finished all that guilt had promised, death and hell no more shall awe, It is Finished! It is Finished! Saints from hence your comfort drawn. It is Finished! It is Finished! Saints from hence your comfort drawn**

**A robe is provided their shame now to hide, in which none are clothed but Jesus' bride, though it be costly yet is the robe free and all Zion's mourners shall decked with it be**

**What mighty sum paid all my debt when I a bond man stood, and has my soul at freedom set? Tis Jesus' precious blood. What stream can sweep away my sins just like a flood, nor lets one guilty blemish stay? Tis Jesus' precious blood!**