“Rejoice” – Worship Conference and New Song

Hello all,

I wanted to invite you to this year’s worship leader conference entitled “Rejoice”. We hosted one of these conferences a few years back in LA, then it was in DC, and last year Chicago. This year we’ll be in Rhode Island, and we’ll be coming together for worship on Sunday with the New England churches who will be there the same weekend for the New England Conference and 30-year anniversary of the great Boston Church of Christ.

It is an amazing, amazing time being with singers, musician and other people of the arts who are passionate about worshipping God. Being in the audience, I have a hard time singing my part — I’m usually too choked up to emit much sound because it is just so moving hearing the voices all around me (and if I am on stage I have to really try to hold it together).

I wanted to share this year’s theme song, entitled “Rejoice,” and some thoughts that went into writing the music and lyrics for it.*

In what some consider the oldest book in the Bible, God tells Job that the angels and the morning stars sang and shouted together as the cornerstone of earth’s foundation was being laid. From the dawn of time, the instant of God’s creation — the song of praise was there!

When God entered his creation as a human being, the night of his birth, the sky was filled with angels singing “Glory to God, peace on earth.” (I love that the audience was some ordinary hillside shepherds.) The song of praise continued.

And then when Jesus entered Jerusalem the final week of his ministry, on his way to make atonement for all sin for all time, his followers were overcome with the moment, and the song of praise continued…

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 
 
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
      
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
Luke 19:37-40

As a singer, and song writer, minister and musician, I love the fact that praise is part of the creation. Creation itself sings praise to God (see Psalm 148). The song of praise to God is very old, and as we join in, we sing along with a mighty throng of those not only on earth but in heaven who sing praises to God even now. As performers, we can sometimes think of ourselves more highly than we ought or desire personal glory — imagining our name in lights or on the lips of screaming fans. But as Christ-followers, we really are nothing but a voice in an enormous choir singing praise to God. As worship leaders we exist to point people to him. And his praise will continue for all eternity. I love this picture of the heavenly realm, revealed to the apostle John:

 Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
      
to receive power and riches
   
and wisdom and strength
      
and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
      
belong to the one sitting on the throne
      
and to the Lamb forever and ever.”
Revelation 5:11-13 (NLT)

Here is a video of me sharing some thoughts, and a recording of the new song for you. I pray to see you at the conference, “Rejoice” this summer, August 28-30.

*My friend and fellow minister / worship leader Jay Minor helped to write the bridge section of this song. I love what we’ve come to call the “whoa whoa” part he came up with.

Here is a video of Jay’s ministry, Turning Point LA, introducing the song to their congregation.

Here are the lyrics of the song:

REJOICE

The cornerstone of earth’s beginning
The morning stars and angels singing
In joyful music as the world began
And still the song is ever-flowing
The choir of voices keeps on growing
Eternal praises of the great I AM

Rejoice, rejoice
I will lift my voice
and join the song
Creation is singing
Sing and shout
Even stones cry out
I must rejoice
For you are my King

Reign over me, O King of glory
All of my heart will sing the story
Of how your grace has saved a wretch like me
How sweet the sound we all are singing
The celebration’s just beginning
We’ll sing your praises for eternity

One day every knee will bow
But I give all to crown you now
One day we’ll see face to face
Till then I will run this race
Oh, oh…

Click here to get a detailed chart that Jay put together. Here is a simple text chord chart below…

REJOICE

Chorus
Bb / F/A / gmin / Eb
(repeating)

Verse
Bb / Bbsus / Bb / Bbsus
gmin / Eb/G / F / F

Bridge
cmin / cmin / Bb/D / Bb/D
Ab / Ab / Eb / Eb
(repeat)
F / gmin7 / F/A / Bb
cmin7 / Bb/D / Eb / Eb
(repeat)
F/Eb…

Be with Me, Lord

It will be 10 years this summer since this song was published in the church song book “Songs of the Kingdom”, by DPI (I had written it a couple years earlier). “Be with Me, Lord” has definitely become the most popular of songs I’ve written. Maybe it’s because of the infectious repetitive chorus. Maybe because so many can relate to the sentiment of the lyrics. Honestly, I’ve got to give credit for this song to Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

How I remember it, I had been listening this great album, “Graceland,” by Paul Simon, in particular this song called “Diamonds on the Souls of Her Shoes.” On that song the choral group Ladymith Black Mambazo (these cool African guys) close out the song going “Ta na na na na, Ta na na na na” over and over again. I remember humming the tune while taking a shower and somehow that repeating phrase became “Be with me, lord; be with me, lord” –over and over, and OVER. The next few days I kept mumbling it and my wife was like, “can you stop that, please?!” I went on a prayer walk at a park near my house, and the melody and lyric of the three verses just came to me. So many of my prayers seem to be filled with the content of those verses:

“I need to know that you are there, God.”

“I know you promised I wouldn’t be tested more than I could bear… so help me!”

“Help me to be bold. Help me to make a difference. Help me know you’re with me.”

I wrote out the parts and taught it to some singers in my local church, and then it just gradually started catching on in churches around our fellowship. It was cool last year to get to go both to Mexico and hear them singing it in Spanish, and to Ukraine and hear them singing it in Russian. Here is a video of the Keiv Ukraine experience. There was this awesome band of musicians that I jumped in with. We couldn’t even communicate with each other except through music, smiles, and hugs. We had about 5 minutes to throw it together. On stage was a group of singers in Russian, and a group of Americans singing in English. The audience was filled with about five thousand people, mostly singing in Russian. It was really cool. On the video you can hear the second verse being sung in Russian.

Also this past year my church did a special worship service where they appointed me a “Minister of Music and Media” and the kids surprised me by singing the song. My young friend Daniel Plymell played guitar and all these kids filled the stage to sing. I love that my own kids hold this as their #2 all-time favorite song (#1 of course is “Blue Skies and Rainbows” – which my middle child referred to for the longest time as “Blue Guys and Rainbows”). I think these are great words to have rolling around in their brain. Here’s the video (my oldest son is the one in blue the camera zooms in on during the first verse):

I put out a CD a few years ago called “Be with Me, Lord.” Here is the version of the song that appeared on that album.
Be With Me, Lord

Here is an earlier version of the song. I couldn’t decide which recording I liked better for the album, so at the time the CD was being released I put it out to vote and the one above was chosen. I still like this version too, though.
Be With Me, Lord (prerelease)

Finally, here is a version that appeared on an album put out by members of a church in Berlin, Germany — a total surprise and a lot of fun to hear it when a friend gave me a copy.
Be With Me Lord – IGC Berlin

Chord Chart – here is how I normally play it
(by the way, this was a purely a capella song for a long time. But then a friend Tammy Fleming asked me to play guitar with it for a women’s event and I’ve been doing it with guitar ever since)

1st two verses: E / A B
D …
Last verse: G / C D

For All Generations

Today is Memorial Day, and my kids are out of school ( I have three great kids, ages 10, 7, and 4).  My wife had a bible study with one of my daughter’s friend’s mom, so I took the rest of the family out to have a quiet time together.  We walked along the rocky shoreline looking in tide pools for interesting creatures, collecting rocks and shells, talking about how cool God’s design is, and praying together.  It is always so amazing to hear their little prayers and conversations about God, and I was reminded of how significant a responsibility I have to pass along my faith to them.  It makes me so thankful for the faith that was passed on to me by my incredible parents (my dad is an elder for the NY Church), and lessons learned from other great men and women of faith God has put in my life through the years. It made me think about this song, “For All Generations.”

It was the theme song for a great conference we had here in LA a couple years ago with leaders of churches from all over the world.  I share it below, in hopes its message encourages you. We are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves. So many have gone before us. And prayerfully we will pass along to so many others the great truths of God’s revealed Word and the Lordship of Christ. Praise God that we can belong to a kingdom that is “For All Generations!”

{This video is from another great conference we had last summer. I think it is the video feed from what was shown on the big screen — too bad you can’t see/hear the great choir and hear the audience more. Also we blended this song straight into “Go and Make Disciples” – so the end seems a little weird.]

You can get sheet music by clicking on the link below:
For All Generations

For All Generations

Sons and daughters prophesied
The spirit poured in streams
Vision opened young men’s eyes
The old men dreamed God’s dreams

For all generations
The truth is passed along
For all generations
The kingdom marches on

Countless voices sang, in turn
We learned of grace and truth
Miracles we’ve seen and heard
We sing the songs to you

Knowing that with every test
We’re purified, refined
This is something worth our best
Our blood and tears, our time

Gates of death can’t overcome
In future as in past
From beginning to the end
His kingdom’s built to last

Bride of Christ is dressed in white
The wedding day has come
All those chosen rise in flight
The final battle’s won

FOR ALL GENERATIONS

D A/c# / bm7 / G / Asus A
D A/c# / bm7 / G / Asus A
D A/c# / bm7 A / G bmin / Asus A
D A/c# / bm7 A / G A / D

Last two verses:
E B/d# / c#m7 / A / Bsus B
E B/d# / c#m7 / A / Bsus B
E B/d# / c#m7 B / A c#m / Bsus B
E B/d# / c#m7 B / A B / E

Old Treasures as Well As New

There is a verse where Jesus is talking about a teacher of the law who is instructed about the kingdom. He says such a man is like a homeowner who pulls out of storage “new treasures as well as old” (Matt 13:52).  Today I want to turn that around and talk about “old treasures as well as new.”  I’m a songwriter, so I love new songs.   I’m always talking about the importance of new songs in the church.  But you know what?  There are some great old songs that I love, too –old jewels that are heart-moving and theologically deep.  Some of these old hymns that were written 100 years ago have got some great lyrics and melodies.  Sometimes just a little bit of arranging can make them fresh and new again.

Here are several scratch recordings of songs I’ve made in preparation for worship services over the last several months. Often we’ll use a song like this particularly if it fits a theme well we are focusing on in the service. A note about these recordings –these were quick “Garage Band” recordings made for the purpose of teaching the songs to our singers and band –they aren’t CD release quality, by any means, not intended for mass distribution.  I share them with you just because you might be interested in singing one of them in your worship.

Here’s to the “old treasures as well as new!”

How Firm a Foundation

Just As I Am

My Hope is Built

Take My Life and Let It Be

There is a Place of Quiet Rest

We Praise Thee O God

When My Love to Christ Grows Weak

Why Did My Savior Come to Earth

[Just right-click and do a "save as" to download the files above. If you just double click, you're browser will probably play the mp3, if you prefer to just stream the audio.]  To get chords for these check out the “Chord Charts” page on the upper right  section of this blog –I’m getting everything posted and will have all of these up there soon.  Or if you need something right away just add a comment below.

Ask Again

I took a long drive today, down to San Diego to pick up my guitar which was having some repair work done (at Taylor – I got to take a tour – really cool place). The drive took several hours, and I got a chance to listen to the whole book of Hebrews on CD and spend a lot of time praying. It was good for my soul. I realized it had been too long since I really spent a good chunk of time in prayer.

Sure, I get some time with God every day. But I was convinced today that I am not consistently asking God enough to move in specific ways. I too often “play it safe” spiritually. That means I miss out on the faith-building experience of watching God answer –that “on-the-edge” feeling that makes Christianity come alive. With Jesus’ stories of the persistent widow, the dude who wakes up his neighbor in the middle of the night with a bold request, his continued encouragement to his followers to ask “in his name,” it is clear Jesus wanted us to ASK!

I want to do something different with this post. I want to ask something of you. Anyone reading this, if you have a moment, add a comment with any specific prayer request. It can be something deep and profound or something seemingly mundane. Let’s pray for each other and see what God does. (Just type something where it says “Leave a Reply” below.)

This is a song I wrote for my last CD, Remain in Me called “Ask Again”. (This seems to be one of people’s favorites from that project, by the way.) Also you can download the CD version for free here.

Ask Again
Luke 11:5-13, Matt 7:7-27

The man awoke to the sound of a knock on the door
It’s after midnight, but his friend gets just what he’s asking for
Even earthly fathers give their children what they really need
It will be done for you if you believe

Ask again, give it time
Seek and then you will find
If you knock, the door will open for you
Ask again, give it time
‘Cause your father and mine
hears your silent prayer
He knows and he cares
Ask again

The gate is small, the road’s narrow that leads to life
And there are only a few souls who will find
You must watch out for those wolves who are posing as sheep
You will know them by the fruit of the tree

As you hear my word, you must decide what you will do
You can go on your way or believe that what I say is true
And if you claim to follow me you must obey these words that I say
Your house built on the rock will stand through the wind and rain

drums – Pete Wade
bass – Malcolm Turner
lead guitar – Makoto Otsuka and JBC
piano, keyboards, guitars, vocals – JBC

When the Morning Comes

Happy Monday morning, everyone!

My friends Geoff Fawcett (writer of Hallelujah, Be Strong, O Rock of Ages) and Sherwin Mackintosh (Men Who Dream, I Hear God Singing to Me, Upside Down the musical) formed a company a few years ago for the purpose of compiling and distributing new music written by members of our churches for use in congregational singing. One of my favorite new songs that has come out of the project is one Geoff wrote called When the Morning Comes.

sunrise at my prayer spot

I love that metaphor – “when the morning comes”. Why did God create us to have mornings? Right there in the beginning of creation, “there was evening, and there was morning”. [And by the way, why do we spend a third of our life sleeping? Couldn't God have created us to not need sleep? I read an interesting article in Newsweek recently about what your brain does while you are sleeping. I plan to write more about that later, particularly to how it relates to songwriting.] Aside from physical needs of our body, I think God knew we need fresh starts, and lots of them. God knew we needed mornings. And the ultimate new beginning, of course, will be some day in heaven, “when the morning comes” as Geoff’s song helps us to remember. I love the words of this song:

When the morning comes I will be flying with the angels
“Free at last!” I’ll cry as o’er the mountain tops we sail
Tears of joy will flow as I hear music from the heavens
‘Cross the bridge and see the Lord when the morning comes

When the morning comes I’ll hear the thunder in the valley
Calling me to rise and join Him in the banquet hall
Laughing with the Kin our earthly pains all fade from mem’ry
Night is past and life has dawned when the morning comes

When the morning comes the shining train is in the station
Ringing “all aboard” we wave goodbye and pull away
All my worldly things I leave them sitting on the platform
No more need for dust and gold when the morning comes

When the morning comes I’ll sail across the crystal ocean
Saints from ev’ry age will greet me on the gilded shore
There in fields of gold, the Lord is dancing with His children
No more tears, we’re home to stay when the morning comes

You can get the sheet music for this new hymn by clicking here

Here is a recording of my interpretation. I’ve added my own little guitar riff for the beginning and in between verses.

When the Morning Comes – Geoff Fawcett

Here is also the old hymn of the same name (often also referred to by the first line, “Trials Dark”). This fun version appeared towards the end of my 2005 worship album, “Be with Me Lord”.

When the Morning Comes (Trials Dark)

Rocks and Trees

For since the creation of the world 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 excuse.   - Romans 1:20


God’s creation is amazing. My oldest son and I were having a conversation about this yesterday and he said, “I mean, how could anyone not believe in God –like, this doesn’t all just happen by itself! Everything God made is just like so amazing!” Well-said, I thought.

I was at one of my favorite prayer spots this morning, about a five or ten minute drive from my house, up on the coastal cliffs… here’s a photo I took with my phone:

As I was spending time with God I had one of those tingly, kind-of other-dimensional worshipful moments of just marveling at all God has made. There is so much we take for granted. There are so many things we consider “ordinary” that are really so amazing.

I remember years ago, when I was living in Denver, this preacher came through town (Gordon Ferguson) and preached a sermon called “Glory in the Ordinary”. It really resonated with me. I am by nature a negative, melancholy, glass-is-half-empty kind of person (maybe like most artists?). His challenge to just pause and see glory in the “ordinary things” we take for granted really inspired me. I wrote a song about it called “Glory in the Ordinary”.

A starry sky
A shady tree
A look in your eyes
Love between you and me
A friend’s embrace
A stranger’s hello
The look I see on your face
That tells me I’ll never have to go

Glory in the ordinary
Rocks and trees and birds and bees
Are all gifts of love
Glory in the ordinary
Grateful eyes don’t see only skies
But a home above

Summer rain
A nap in the sun
Watching children together playing
And remembering when I was one
Having someone who cares
And watching lives change
Knowing someday we’ll share
Forever on a higher plain

Glory in the ordinary
Rocks and trees and birds and bees
Are all gifts of love
Glory in the ordinary
Grateful eyes don’t see only skies
But a home above

A phrase in the song, “rocks and trees,” became the title for an album I put out a few years back containing that song along with 14 others. I painted a picture for the CD album cover that was of my oldest son (two years old at the time) and representative of some of the stuff in that song:

Here is a recording of the song that is on the CD, Rocks and Trees.

Glory in the Ordinary

There is also an old hymn (100 years old) I used to sing growing up that says something about “rocks and trees.”   It’s called “This is My Father’s World.”  I think it was probably in my mind when I wrote the chorus of the song above.  I love the words of this hymn about God’s creation.

This is My Father’s World

This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,
declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world:
the battle is not done;

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and heav’n be one.

I made a quick video of a medley of these two songs together. Welcome your comments!

New Song – New Day

Last night was a beautiful night after a long weekend (it’s been really warm here in LA –OK, no, it’s been really HOT!), and after the kids went to to bed I got to sit out on my back porch for an hour or two and just play my guitar for no reason. No event to plan, no worship service to put together, just pure therapeutic strumming. Can’t remember the last time I did that. I ended up with about 3 or 4 new song ideas. I haven’t written many new songs lately. Just been too busy with life, I think.

Then this morning I woke up and –boom, a whole new song in its entirety. It’s called “New Day”.  I realized I need new songs. They are good for my soul somehow. I love the creative process and the burst of inspiration of a new song (even if later I end up thinking it’s actually not that great a song). The Bible has something to say about new songs too…

Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Psalm 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalm 96:1
Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Psalm 98:1
[ A psalm. ] Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.

Psalm 144:9
I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you

Psalm 149:1
Praise the LORD. Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

Isaiah 42:10
[ Song of Praise to the Lord ] Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 14:3
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

I think we all need new songs. They commemorate new changes, mourn heartache, or  chronicle what has happened and where we’ve been.  They celebrate new chapters.  For me, new songs are always about new places God is taking me. That’s what this new song is about, actually.  Check it out below. (Note: some of you may recognize a nod to the Foo Fighters in the bridge of the song.)

NEW DAY

Hear me as I pray
Too much left to say
Though I’m growing older
I can stay forever young
When I’m with you

Tears of yesterday
Quickly fade away
Every turn of shoreline
Brings a bay that’s even more
Beautiful

Every day’s a new day
Every song I sing
I can say that with you
Every day’s a new day
Ever long I stay close to you
Every day is new

Still I feel afraid
Even though you say
Perfect love will
Drive all fear away
Remind me now
No matter what

Every day’s a new day
Every song I sing
I can say that with you
Every day’s a new day
Ever long I stay close to you

Ever long I waited for you
Seemed so far away
Too dead to ever breathe again
Ever long you searched for me
You brought me to a home beside you
Never let me down
I surrender to you now

Every day’s a new day
Every song I sing
I can say that with you
Every day’s a new day
Ever long I stay close to you
Every day is new

Free from the Grave

HAPPY EASTER!

We had a great worship service yesterday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To be honest, we don’t normally have any enormous production for Easter like some churches do. We did have the kids from my small group sing (including my three kids) — it was really cute.  They sang “Jesus is Well and ALIVE Today” (otherwise known as “Blue Skies and Rainbows”).

Actually, celebrating the resurrection is the reason Christians have come together not just on Easter but every Sunday for two thousand years.  Sunday was often called “The Lord’s Day” in early Christian writing.  Consider these quotes:

“But every Lord’s Day, gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving…” Didache (c. 80-140 AD)

“No longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord’s Day.” Ignatius (c. 105 AD)

“And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together… Jesus Christ our savior rose from the dead on that same day.” Justin Martyr (c. 160 AD)

“A person keeps the Lord’s Day when he abandons an evil disposition and assumes the disposition of the spiritual man, glorifying the Lord’s resurrection in himself.” Clement of Alexandria (c. 195 AD) 

Even though we celebrate the risen Lord every “Lord’s Day”, I still love Easter.  I wrote a song for Easter quite a while back called “Free from the Grave” that was sung from the perspective of Jesus to his followers following his resurrection.  A couple years ago I used that song, plus a few others to put together a whole album of songs all from Jesus’ perspective to us, organized chronologically through his ministry, betrayal, death, resurrection, and ascension.  It was so good for me spiritually to immerse myself in these final weeks of Jesus’ life and ministry.  Here are the songs and the scriptural references.

The Truth Will Set You Free
Luke 4:17-21, John 8:12-36

Ask Again
Luke 11:5-13, Matt 7:7-27

The Prodigal
Luke 15:11-24

The Wedding Banquet
Matt 22:1-14

My Father’s House
John 14:2

Prepare a Place for You
John 14:2-3

Remain in Me
John 14:23-15:17

We’re Family
John 15:15

Strong As Death
Matt 26:38-39, Song of Songs 8:6

Why Have You Forsaken Me
Psalm 22

Free from the Grave
Mark 16:14

You’re Not Alone
Matthew 28:20

Let Me Understand
Hebrews 4:15, I John 2:1

If you haven’t picked up the CD yet, I think it would minister to you.  It’s called “Remain in Me” and it is available on iTunes or at www.cdbaby.com/jbc3

Here is a free download of “Free from the Grave” from the album, lyrics and chord chart.

Right click “save as” to download  Free from the Grave  (album version, Remain in Me)

or stream the song here

drums – Pete Wade
bass – Malcolm Turner
piano, keyboards, guitars, percussion, vocals – JBC

FREE FROM THE GRAVE

Do you believe in what I say
Can your blind eyes see today
Death has been driven away
And I’m free from the grave

And in the blood that marked my pain
A burning universe has been bathed
to quench it’s flame
But I’m free from the grave

I’m free from the grave
It wasn’t my debt I had to pay
My love has overcome pain
And now I’m free from the grave
And it’s a brand new day
‘Cause I have opened up the way
My blood has cleansed the stain
And now I’m free from the grave

Life cannot be lived your way
The emptiness and dark dismay
won’t go away
‘till you’re free from the grave
Self will leave your soul enslaved
and when the fire’s gone what will remain
Why don’t you throw it away
and be free from the grave

Can you imagine the brightest day
No darkness, death, no fear or pain
Forever to stay
when we’re free from the grave
As the moon turns to blood
we’ll fly away
And one by one he’ll call our name
And after forever and a day
we will never remember the grave

We’ll be free from the grave
It was our debt he freely paid
His love has overcome pain
And now we’re free from the grave
And it’s a brand new day
‘Cause he has opened up the way
His blood has cleansed the stain
And made us free from the grave

FREE FROM THE GRAVE

Verse:
E / E / c#min / c#min
A / B / E / E

Chorus :
A / B / E / A
f#min / B / E / E
A / B / E / A
f#min / B / E / E

Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Our good friends and partners in the ministry are Marco and Michelle Pellizzeri. Michelle’s mom had never been positive about church or studying the Bible.

Joy baptized in the hospital

But as she was dying in the hospital, she surrendered her life, studying the Bible while on life support, and was baptized. Marco and Michelle thought she would pass on right away, but God gave her another 14 months of life to live as a committed Christian. Michelle’s mom, Joy, passed away this last week.

Marco and Michelle had asked me over the week before to celebrate Joy’s birthday with them and sing some songs. (Joy had moved in with the Pellizzeri’s because she knew she was in her final moments.) Her birthday was a special time of sharing and music. After we had sung for a while, Joy requested one final song, the old tune, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.” It was very moving singing the words of that song with a sister in Christ who knew she only had a few more days as a wanderer here before going home to be with God.

In our worship service yesterday Marco shared Joy’s story. I encourage you to listen to it. It was very powerful. It is posted below:

Story of Joy

Following the story, we all sang the song, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger.” We were reminded that we are all like Joy –with only a few moments on this earth before we reach our final destination. The words of the song had new meaning for us all after hearing Joy’s story.

We did the arrangement that Sherwin Mackintosh put together for the DPI songbook (song #710). I love the harmony parts in his arrangement. If you don’t use this song I encourage you to try it out.  A recording from our worship service is below.  (As you’ll hear, our timing wasn’t great, but we were all pretty emotional after hearing Marco share Joy’s story.)

Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Here are the chord changes from Sherwin’s arrangement.

dmin amin / dmin
gmin / A
dmin amin / dmin
Bb gmin amin / dmin
Bb / F
Bb gmin / A
dmin amin / Bb
gmin amin / dmin

And the lyrics to the song:

POOR WAYFARING STRANGER

I am a poor wayfaring stranger,

While traveling through this world of woe.

Yet there’s no sickness, toil nor danger

In that bright world to which I go.

I’m going there to see my Father;
I’m going there no more to roam.
I’m only going over Jordan,

I’m only going over home.

I know dark clouds will gather round me;

I know my way is rough and steep.

But golden fields lie out before me

Where God’s redeemed shall ever sleep.

I’m going there to see God’s children,

I know they’ll meet me when I come.
I’m only going over Jordan,

I’m only going over home.

I’ll soon be free from every trial,

My body sleep beneath the ground;

I’ll drop the cross of self denial

And enter on my great reward.

I’m going there to see my Savior,

To sing His praise forevermore.
I’m only going over Jordan,

I’m only going over home.