The Shepherd
It's not a compliment- sheep are dumb and dirtyThey are so helpless- dead not even knowing
Sheep are simple minded, skittish, anxious creatures
They just can't help themselves - it's in their nature
The wolves wait patiently they are so smart and cunning
Their one and only hope is in a shepherd's coming
Raise your hands for His plan - willingly He bled and died
Praise His name for the way - bearer of anguish and keeper of sorrows
Rend your hearts for His love - Almighty Shepherd, justice is satisfied
The Shepherd is our God- He is our friend and Father
Our souls are satisfied in Him the living water
He leads us faithfully to safe and greener pastures
The Shepherd intercedeth forever after
Come you little lambs -watch you older sheep - let your eyes not sleep
Bow wind, earth and sea - He is returning
Meaning
I wrote this song thinking about John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." I read an article my wife kept on sheep and their personality characteristics. I think it is a beautiful picture of who we are as human beings (the sheep) with the Lord as our Shepherd.________________________________________________________________
Liars Anthem
My pants on fire it appears I am the liarAs this tongue sings praises to You
My mouth took off how it loves to feel the fast lane
But my heart is stuck there by the roadside
How I am weak and wrong
You are strong and good
You made my mouth to sing aloud
And I will sing this song
This melody how it keeps repeating
I pray it sticks to me like glue
My life and song are not in my abilities
It sounds much better when it's played by You
You hear the songs I sing aloud
I box them up and You recieve them
You take that box, across it You stamp Your name
And I receive it free of charge
Meaning
Someone once told me, "we never lie to God so much as when we sing to Him." Many times I feel as if my songs and life are just lip service to God - especially when I am unable to love Him as I should. Thankfully I understand Grace and what Jesus accomplished for me. I offer my life and song to God - petty and wretched as they are - as an offering. He hears the words, knows my thoughts and sees my life. Even though the "song" is tainted with sin - it is cancelled out by God's absolute act of kindness - the death of His Son, Jesus, in my place. Therefore, because I have and know Him I receive His righteousness and my song is sweet to the Lord. "He made Him who knew no sin to become sin on our behalf that we might have the righteousness of God" 2 Corinthians 5:21_________________________________________________________________
River Buffalo
Fishing poles and swimming holesI was eight years old down by the river
My dad would take me in his red beetle bug
And we'd skip rocks down by the river
Flow river. Flow. River Buffalo.
Fireflies in Ozark skies
They were perfect nights - that Buffalo River
Wild-men we were - best of friends for sure
Camping on the bend of that Buffalo River
That sun arrived on time
It lit up the bluffs of lime above the Bufflo River
She had her hand in mine
We were doing more than fine, because...
She said "yes" beside the Bufflo River
I was Thirty when
I had me a big ole grin
A brown round hat with a brim
I'm having so much fun
Got me a badge and gun
I'm a Park Ranger on the Buffalo River
Meaning
This is a reflection of the many memories of where I grew up - a stones throw away from the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas. My earliest memories are going there with my dad. In my early 20's, during summer breaks from college I would return to the Buffalo as a wilderness guide with Kanakuk Kamps (K-Wild). Those summers were formidable years - living with five other guys in tents along the Buffalo, leading wilderness trips - we became close friends. I asked Cortney to marry me in a special place on the Buffalo, a cross overlook during a morning sunrise. My first park as a National Park Ranger was the Buffalo National River. So many monumental life events happened there for me._________________________________________________________________
My Soul Abide
Say my soul what will you singSay my life wherever you will be
Say my heart what will you beat for
My soul shall abide in Thee
"You make me know the paths of life
In Your presence is fullness of joy
In Your right hand, pleasures forever more"
Meaning
One of my favorite verses in the bible is Psalm 16:11. True life and joy are found in God - in a personal relationship with Him. My life prayer is that I would be satisfied with and in Him more than all other things.___________________________________________________________________________________
Faithful To One
Some say that there's a five year itchThat comes again in seven years and ten
Some say the honeymoon is over
After four months, and certianly a year
Some say that love is overrated
You only loose what you find
I say that love is a committment
And darling, you make it easy to do
I don't need a perfect package or size four jeans
You don't have to always entertain me
I'm content with silence, just looking in your eyes
From bad to the worse times darlin' I'll be by your side
They say that there'll be kids to come
And then our love will have to rearrange
We just found out that a little ones coming
A generation of our flame
Little boys and girls need our love now
But I tell you mostly what they need
Is when a husband loves his wife so dearly
And he does it faithfully
Now they can watch me come home to the better job I do
Doing those dishes, honey, and giving my love to you
I'll be holding your hand when smiles fade away
Right by your side, honey, baby, brown hair to grey
I won't be caught saying "sorry" for saying "I do"
There's no such thing when I'm living every day and night with you
Only one thing matters when I'm dead and gone
A life worth living is being faithful to one
And you will be the answer to God up above
How well I did with those he gave me to serve and to love
Meaning
After we found out we were having our first child I wrote this song for Cortney. I realized that soon we would be entering into a new stage of life and that the dynamics of our relationship with eachother would change forever with a child, and hopefully children, in the future. As excited as we both were about our coming child I wanted Cortney to know that she would always be first place in my life. The song is about love - love in the small things. Love is committment and sometimes it is not easy. It is a choice and it is a job. This job I take seriously. Ultimately the best gift a husband and wife can give their children is Christ centered, committed love and devotion to each other._________________________________________________________________
Fathers Lullaby (Riley's Song)
I knew your name before you were born I know the very hairs on your head
You'll never be alone in this world
And you are beautiful, always
Did you know that you were fearfully
Did you know that you were wonderfully made
And though you fall a thousand times
I've made a way to carry all of your shame
Hallelujah, you are perfect like all that I've made
You'll never see Me but you will believe and know the sound of My name
You've got a mommy and daddy who love me
And they depend on me for all that they do
They are a part of your story but I'll get the glory
I'm your Father and I love you
You were born with human hands
But you'll be born again, that's my plan
I've got a purpose for you here
But I can't wait to bring you home
Meaning
I wrote this song two days after our daughter, Riley, was born. I thought about the things I would want Riley to know if I couldn't be there in her life. I wanted her to know that she is created, loved and cared for by God. Her mother and I love her with inexpressible love... but our trust is in God because we understand that Riley is ultimately His. We are so privledged to have her, love her, teach her and watch her grow. As parents we depend on God to enable us in all we do for her and guide us to love her well."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." (Jeremiah 1:5)
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Your Word Is Home
Your Word is homeCome on in and stay awhile
Wash my hands and dirty clothes
Your Word is home
Clean the mud off of my skin
Unpack the weight of my sin
Sort my burdens on the floor
Your Word is home
Dress the wounds upon my feet
And get me something good to eat
Put on a robe to keep me warm
Your Word is home
Your Word is home
I come in to gaurd my soul
I lock the door before I go
Your Word is home
Meaning
This is where it all started for me with writing music again and making an acoustic album. I was on the Appalachian Trail with my wife for six months. We hiked from Georgia to Maine, roughly 2180 miles, in order to share the Gospel and minister to "thru-hikers" from all over the world. It was a great experience and a life goal for me personally.It wasn't easy. Many days were hard physically, mentally and emotionally. As we hiked, many times I would long for the creature comforts of home. Cortney and I would read scripture to eachother at night time and as we took breaks during the day. The Word of God brought much comfort and restored us continually, much like home.
One day while hiking in Vermont I came up with the first verse. The lyrics kept repeating in my head over and over. The verse sustained me from Vermont to Maine. As you read the lyrics you can see that this song has the imagery of a filthy backpacker who is tired and needs a place to rest, get clean, heel up and eat. The Word of God does that for our souls as we endure the "trail" of life on earth.
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Change Is Coming
Turn the knob and walk out the doorWhere will we be headed never been before
A place of vulnerability
I'll be there with you, you'll be there with me
And I know yes I know change is coming soon
Pull us tighter stretch out our faith
When you learn to trust it's easy to obey
Quit fighting trying to understand
Believe me it is better lifting up your hands
And I know yes I know change is coming soon
So pull those laces tie up your shoes
We got nothing here you can't afford to loose
And I know yes I know change is coming soon
And I know yes I know that God has got us here
Meaning
This song is about allowing yourself to be vulnerable in times of change. It's also about being open to go, do and be anything - or being willing to go anywhere the Lord might place you. Being vulnerable is good because through uncertainty and even healthy fear we learn to trust God. I wrote this for my wife and I as we prepared to move across the country to California.___________________________________________________________________
Too Intricate
See the moon shining silverBringing romance to the night
To alter its perfect alignment
Is to bring death and waters high
Look around and understand
All of this is too intricate for chance
The skies are tall with wonder
They are layered upon high
Protecting us from toxic particles that fly
Every painting has an artist brushing colored lines
Every building that we see is an architect's design
Big airplanes, computers, our man-made best
A simple cell, an earthworm is more complex
Meaning
"For since the beginning of time God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made so that men are without exuse" Romans 1:20This song is about the material universe and how obvious it is that there is a Creator behind it all. Everything in our material existence has a designer- from childrens toys to cars and computers. Certainly anything that is complex has a designer. The universe is very complex, very systematic, and very ordered. Those things don't happen by chance. Something never comes from nothing.
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Ugly Jesus
How could I not sing when You were silent How could I not play when they nailed Your hands
How could I not walk to You when You fell on Your knees
How could I not live for You when You died
Ugly Jesus, how pathetic, so embarassing
Ugly Jesus, You're disgusting for all to see
Ugly Jesus, weak and lonely, You're a shameful thing
Ugly Jesus, Ugly. Pretty, pretty me
How could I not bring the broken and the hungry
How could I not give with Your money
Now that I have been found in Your favor
How could I only live for myself
Ugly Jesus, You're a dirty and a dreadful thing
Ugly Jesus, come not close You are a gross disease
Ugly Jesus, You're a monster for all to see
Ugly Jesus, Ugly. Pretty, Pretty me
He became sin to cover our condition
The ugliness of man was lost in the petition
Of His blood for you and me
How could I not sing?
Ugly Jesus, perfect substitute for a world in need
Ugly Jesus, picture perfect You're exactly me
Ugly Jesus, crushed and broken for humanity
Ugly Jesus, Ugly. Pretty, pretty me
Meaning
My fear in writing this song was that people would only hear the chorus and be repulsed or not understand it. I intentionally wrote the song to give a vivid picture of what it looked like for Christ to take on sin for humanity. You see, it's not Jesus who is actually ugly. It's me. He became those things (my ugliness, my grossness, because of my sin) for me as a substitute. God's wrath was poured out on His own Son for me and all of humanity that we would be justified before God - so long as we recognize our sin and recieve the awesome gift of Christ's death for us. We do this by believing in Jesus and surrendering our life to Him. "For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23
"He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf that we might have the righteousness of God" 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Now that I am justified before God - or *pretty* - how could I not live for Him when He paid such a great price.
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I'll Be The Racer
Your love is more like a wildernessThat's never been mentioned or found
The whole world would run to be the first one
To tell of it's riches unfound
You keep on changing
Rearrange yourself, I don't mind
I'll keep on chasing you
I'll be the racer, you are the prize
Your love is more like an ocean
It gets deeper with time
I'm diving right in but I'm just beginning
We've got the rest of our lives
Only a fool would believe that change is something new
Our greatest prize comes when men lay their lives down and pursue her
She's alive and she'll breathe and she'll open her wings to reveal
More than you could dream of
Meaning
This is an admonition to men to pursue their wives with fierce devotion. I wrote this song after being frustrated hearing men speak about their glory days prior to marriage. Divorce often comes because men feel tied down, bored and un-alive in there "love." They wan't change and that change comes in the way of new and exciting "love" in another woman. This is a lie! The truth is that our wives are always changing. Our job as husbands is to explore who our wives are becoming -to bolster and encourage them in every way. This is an exciting adventure and what love is suppose to be._________________________________________________________________
Goodbye America
She built her children on principleWith dusty pants held by suspenders of truth
Taught not to want or take for granted
A steady heart and outreached arms
Goodbye America.
You're charting a course that's leading you to nowhere
Goodbye virtue, and sound words, and absolutes
Leaving us meaningless
Re-define love it's obsessive self expression
No committment just beggars of greed and self consumption
Relationships suffer at the price of success
There's no need work when you can have it all for less
Goodbye America.
You're so afraid of offenses now you can't stand for anything
Goodbye dignity, as we whore for a dollar, forced to be tolerant
And lust to have it all
Goodbye America
You said in your prosperity "we shall never be moved"
Goodbye mountain that stands strong, God holds up the mountain
If He hides His face we will be dismayed
Meaning
This song reflects my heartbreak over our nations ethics, politics and world-view. If our foundation is on anything but the word of God - we will crumble._________________________________________________________________
Hymn For The Potter
If you are the Potter than I am the clayMake my life to be so much more than words on a page
If You are the Potter
If You are the Father than I am the child
Take my hand in Your hand
Pick me up and carry me cause I cannot stand
If You are the Father
If you are the Planter than I am the seed
Nourish me, care for me
Keep me from perils that hinder my growth
If You are the planter
If You are the Savior than I am redeemed
Take my heart, purify it so I will be clean
And show me the way
Yeah - You are the Potter
Meaning
After a time of being defeated by personal temptation and sin I wrote this to God as a prayer. It's an honest plea to God -that He would guide and direct me because I am unable to do what is right on my own accord._____________________________________________________________________________________