In Christ Alone, Various Artists

This song is one of my favorites. It has been a constant remind to me over the years that there is onky one place where hope and comfort comes from. There's only one God who can overcome death and keeps us from that very fate. No matter what you're going through, place your trust in Christ alone. He'll help you through each day. He'll give you the strength. He'll give you the hope. He keeps giving you a tomorrow.

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From a life?'s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
'Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand

For the Beauty of the Earth, Various Artists

This year in community choir, we're singing a variation of this song. We sang it a couple of years ago when I was in the regular choir and I didn't like the song at first. However, the more time I've had to reflect on the words, the more I love this song. It's a simple reminder that we need to praise God for all the things that He's given us. It can be from just Him providing us with a blanket to Him giving us a second chance at life.

I hope you all remember this week the great things that God has given you. From your beauty, grace, and talents, I praise God that you are here and that He made you.

For the Beauty of the Earth: Various Artists

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
Pleasures pure and undefiled,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For each perfect gift of thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

For thy Church which evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our grateful hymn of praise.

More, by Matthew West

This song is very precious to me. It is a great reminder about how God loves us more than anything else He created. I often forget that God loved me enough to send His son to die for me. I also forget that He continues to love me throughout everything I've ever done. He's already chosen us and paid the ultimate price for us. We could come from the worst of backgrounds, commit the vilest of sins and He would still love us.

More: Matthew West (Album: Happy)

Take a look at the mountain
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of me

Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am
And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
And tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more

Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to me
And I want you to know
I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
And tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more

Shine for me
Shine for me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for me

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
And tomorrow
I'll say it again and again
I love you more

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine and you shine for me too
I love you
Yesterday
And today
Through the joy
And the pain
I say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more

And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for me

Before the Morning, by Josh Wilson

This song has a lot of good memories attached to it. This past summer, I attended the CleanPlace Moot and we had a talent night. I selected this song to sing. I knew many people hadn't heard this song, but I knew it was one that people there needed to hear. I had one particular person that I wanted to hear this song.

On CleanPlace, there is this one amazing girl. She's a college student who works so hard and does so much for those around her. She has a wonderful heart and a real passion for music. I know that she gets tired and discouraged throughout the year.

There are many obstacles in our lives, but that doesn't mean we no longer have a reason to sing. We still have a reason to dream and hope. The pain that we expereince cannot compare to what god has in store for us. While it's hard to go through each day, we have to hold on to the light. 'Cause when we lose that light, we'll find it more difficult to find out way back toward it.

So Elraen, whenever I play this song, I always think of you. I'm always praying for you and hope that you remember you have a reason. Don't ever give up. :)

Before the Morning: Josh Wilson (Album: Life is Not a Snapshot)

Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Chorus:
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'Cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming
So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you're going,
You just don't know how you get there
So say a prayer.
And hold on, cause there's good who love God,
Life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
But you'll see the bigger picture

Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'Cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming
So hold on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the dark before the morning
yeah, yeah,
before the morning,
yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
All your pain will fade to memory
once you feel the way of glory,
All your pain will fade to memory
memory, memory, yeah

Would dare you, would you dare to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would dare you, would you dare to believe,
That you still have a reason to sing,
'Cause the pain you've been feeling,
Can't compare to the joy that's coming
Come on, you got to wait for the light
Press on, just fight the good fight
Because the pain you've been feeling,
It's just the hurt before the healing

The pain you've been feeling,
Is just the dark before the morning
Before the morning, yeah, yeah
Before the morning

My Help Comes From the Lord, The Museum

I rarely hear this song on the radio, but when I do, I am always in awe of the lyrics, especially in the chorus. It always seems that I hear this song when I need the reminder the most. My help comes from the Lord. God is always there for me and He's always there to help me. He's the one who helps me and never wants to hinder me. He wants the best for me and wants me to succeed. I forget that all too often and I'm grateful for reminders like this to get me through each day.

My Help Comes From the Lord: The Museum (Album: My Help Comes From the Lord)
When sorrows come and hope seems gone
You’re the Rock I rest upon
When waters rise and I can’t breathe
You’re the love that rescues me

Out of the darkness
I lift up my eyes
Unto the hills
I feel my faith rise

Chorus

Maker of heaven, giver of life
You are my strength, my song in the night
My refuge, my shelter
Now and forevermore
My help comes from the Lord

When I’m broken, scarred by sin
Death gives way to life again
When I suffer, when I’m bound
In You I’m free, in You I’m found

Out of the darkness
I lift up my eyes
Unto the hills
I feel my faith rise

Chorus

Maker of heaven, giver of life
You are my strength
You’re my refuge
Now and forevermore

Chorus

My help comes from the Lord
My help comes from the Lord