The iPhone pic below certainly doesn’t do it justice, but the moon was beautiful tonight. It looked just like its description in one of my favorite old lyrics by Rich Mullins:
Well, the moon was a sliver of silver
Like a shaving that fell on the floor of a carpenter’s shop
I know it’s a little over the top, but I loved it and it taught me a lot about simile…I’m a songwriting nerd, I can’t help it!!
Jesus told us that where two or three are gathered in His name He would be there. The problem is, most of the time we make Him sit in the back while we do our thing. This is a prayer that He would “stand up among us.”
That we would sit before Him while He reveals His power, His grace, His love, Himself.
Much thanks to my father-in-law, Keith Curlee, for teaching me this!
Download here. Play here:[audio:https://benwardmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/Stand-Up-Among-Us.mp3|titles=Stand Up Among Us|artists=Ben Ward]
Stand Up Among Us
We’re dry inside these walls of pride
Without You we’re empty
We’re thirsty from our vain pursuits
We long to drink of You
The weight of our sin presses down upon us
Driving us to our knees
We call out to You our God, Redeemer
Blessed is He who brings us peace
Stand up among us
Make Your presence known
Rise up within us
Set Your people free
In Your presence is where we need to be
To the fatherless be a Father, Lord
Show Your compassion
To the prisoner and the captive
Bring Your release
To those who cry out for Your mercy
That always seems out of reach
Holy Spirit come in power
Ignite our passion to believe
Stand up among us
Make Your presence known
Rise up within us
Set Your people free
In Your presence is where we want to be
The Lord is clothed in beauty and power
No one is like Him, He is great
Stand up among us
Make Your presence known
Rise up within us
Set Your people free
In Your presence is where we’re going to be
In Your presence is where I will be
Sometimes life can get pretty lonely. It can feel like you’re the only person in the world — the only one who’s going through what you’re going through. But then there’s the truth that God knows me. He knows everything that’s going on in my life and He knows what I feel. I am known…
Download here. Play here:[audio:https://benwardmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/I-Am-Known.mp3|titles=I Am Known|artists=Ben Ward]
I Am Known
I’m a stranger in the world
Does anyone really know me?
I’m on the outside looking in
I just need You to show me
That what I believe is true
That You really care
Then quietly I hear Your voice
And I know You’re there
CHORUS:
I am known, I am celebrated
I am recognized, so familiar
You call me by my name
I am known, I am loved and accepted
And as I seek Your face
You wash me with Your grace
And promise me I’ll never be alone
I am known
That the God of all the universe
Even thinks of me at all
I’m like a tiny little leaf
But He sees when I fall
And He picks me up and sings a song
A song of mercy and kindness
No one else around, I know His heart
He knows mine and I am blessed
CHORUS
Better than I know myself
More than I could dream
But I don’t have to run and hide
His forgiveness covers me
Sets me free
I wrote this lyric after an amazing time of worship. I had just read Psalm 17:8 where David says, “Keep me as the apple of your eye…” It’s an incredible thing to know that, no matter what, God loves us beyond anything we have ever known. As it declares in Ephesians, “…to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Download or play: https://benwardmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/You-Love-Me.mp3
You Love Me
CHORUS:
I’m the apple of Your eye
You love me
I’m the object of Your desire
I’m lovely
So when I feel ashamed
Full of doubt and blame
I’ll remember You don’t change
You love me
I tend to feel unwanted
I tend to hurt sometimes
Overwhelmed by darkened clouds
With tarnish on the silver lining
CHORUS
I like to play the victim
Hide behind the pain
Slight manipulation
Smiling on my face
CHORUS
Kicking, screaming
Or frozen, unbending
You look beyond my tantrums
Meet my questions
With one answer
This week, I’ve got a wonderful worship song that I hope you’ll enjoy. I love doing it in this slow, contemplative way. I could sing it for hours! (thanks Harold Greene). It was written by Kathryn Scott from the Vineyard in Ireland (we’re getting intenational here).
Download here. Play here:[audio:https://benwardmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/Hungry.mp3|titles=Hungry|artists=Ben Ward]
New song this week written with one of my favorite people in the world, Anje Dowler, and Katie Dean. It’s got a “James Taylor Moment” in the middle where the key goes up and I have to move the capo in a split second. Watch for it 🙂
You’re the cigarette I’m not smoking
You’re the whiskey I’m not pouring
Anymore….Why can’t I close the door
You’re the hit I’m not taking
You’re the judgment I’m not making
It’s not over yet…Too hard to forget
CHORUS:
I’ve got more needs
Than the comfort you bring
You hold my hand
But you’re not holding on to me
I’ve got some doubts
But I’m feeling my way out
In the end I believe
There’s still a fight in me
Maybe I fall too quickly
Maybe I’m my own worst enemy
It’s so easy…You never leave me
CHORUS
I’ll overcome where I’ve come from
Undo the damage I’ve done