lyrics
You might wonder why lyrics are included in a study like this.
We believe lyrics,
or poetry put to music,
as well as the accompanying music,
have always been used by the Most High to impact our hearts and minds –
either by our part in its creative process –
or through our participation in its expression –
or through our pleasure, as a recipient of its sensory benefits.
Clicking on the song titles will take you to another page to listen and watch a music video of each song. The lyrics and questions that appear below will also appear under each video.
The lyrics may not always be spiritual in their original context – but much can still be gained from applying them to how they describe and point to the Most High God. Please return to this page to enter your Comments.
I Saw the Lord
Lyrics and music by Dallas Holm
The place was white as snow and pure as finest gold.
It had the look of new, yet had the look of old.
I felt like I was home, but felt so far away,
In fear I thought to leave, but felt the urge to stay.
And then a silence fell like none I’d ever known.
I stood among the millions, I stood there all alone.
His face was like the sun, His eyes were like the sea,
His voice was like the thunder rolling through eternity.
And… I saw the Lord
He was high and lifted up
and rightfully adored
And… I saw the Lord
and He saw me
And then from sleep awakened, I looked into the night.
The darkness overtaken, by a bright and shining light.
I couldn’t understand it, I couldn’t reason how,
And then my eyes beheld Him, I wasn’t dreaming now
And… I saw the Lord
He was high and lifted up
And rightfully adored,
And… I saw the Lord
c. 1981 by J.T. Benson Publishing Company
What does it mean to you to lift up and adore someone?
What kind of person would you lift up and adore?
How would you do it?
Out of Time
Lyrics and music by Matthew West and Helen Darling
So, you’re hungry for a taste of the other side,
Where the grass is thick and green,
But your feet are on familiar ground, Frozen and afraid of what you might lack,
Oh, if that’s all that’s holding you back
[Chorus]Come on, step out of time, Fall out of line
Leave a mark they can’t erase, Find your heart and lose your mind
Watch the journey unwind
And let it be a new day - Out of time
How’s your story gonna read
When they call your name and it’s all there in black and white? Will you follow?
Or will you lead? Will you quietly disappear?
Or is this whole world gonna know that you were here?
It’s time to be free, It’s time just to live what you believe
What you gonna do with the life you’re living?
What you gonna make of the time you’re given?
When you are free, you have been forgiven
Now come on and step out of time
Once you go you’re gone forever
Don’t you know it’s now or never
But I can feel a change in weather
Now come on and step out of time
c. 2004 by Word Music
Behind the Song: Matthew 4:18-20
“I love the story of Jesus calling out to Peter and Andrew while they were fishing in their boats. He said, “Come, be my disciples, and I will make you fishers of men!” Now, Jesus wasn’t just calling them to go to lunch together, or maybe a weekend trip. He was calling them to a totally different way of life – a new path – and for some of them it was a complete u-turn! And when he called them, their reply was simple: “They left their nets at once and went with Him.”
Sometimes God calls us away from the comfort we create in our own little worlds. This song is a call to ditch the usual and to step into the unknown. Nobody ever makes history by staying where it’s comfortable. I don’t remember reading stories in my high school history books about boring people who never took chances. Now is your chance to follow your heart and leave your mark on this world. How’s your story gonna read?” – Matthew West
What one thing do you need to step out of right now?
What new thing would that allow you to step into?
What is stopping you?
What A Wonderful World
Performed by Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua
Written by Bob Thiele (as George Douglas) and George David Weiss
I see trees that are green, red roses too,
I watch them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow.
They’ll learn much more, than I’ll ever know.
And I think to myself, ooh what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of the people passing by.
I see friends shaking hands, saying, “How do you do?”
But they’re really saying, “I love you”.
I see trees that are green, and red roses too,
I watch them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself, ooh what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky,
Are also on the faces of the people passing by.
I see friends shaking hands, saying, “How do you do?”,
But they’re really saying, “I love you”.
I see trees of green, and red roses too.
I watch them bloom for me and you.
And I think to myself, ooh what a wonderful world.
I think to myself, ooh what a wonderful world.
c. 1968 by Memory Lane Music Group, Carlin Music Corp, and Bug Music, Inc.
Intended as an antidote for the increasingly racially and politically charged climate of everyday life in the United States in 1968, this song has a hopeful, optimistic tone with regard to the future. After Tony Bennett turned it down, it was offered to Louis Armstrong, who sold over one million copies in 1969. The song has become somewhat of a cliché in film and television because of its frequent use in an ironic way playing over a montage of bombings and other violence as in such films as Good Morning Vietnam, and Dr. Strangelove.
It’s popularity is further illustrated by the many superstars who have recorded their own versions, including Celine Dion, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross, LeAnn Rimes, Michael Bublé, Sarah Brightman, Rod Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, Joey Ramone, Coldplay, Anne Murray, and B.B. King.
Before we can see, we have to look…..what keeps you from looking?
List some wonderful things.
How could appreciation of these things change you?
COMMENT: (In the PDF, your journal, or the Comment section of this post)
Please share your answers to the questions following each song as comments. Make sure to complete all the prior Journey Elements since we will soon be at the end of this Journey. Complete references for each song are available in the Credits section of the PDF. The next post will be Highest Honors: 14: Journal 1.6 – Glimpses of the Most High.
I was really moved by Matthew West’s song. I have been speaking and talking a lot about people getting out of their comfort zones and taking risks to become that person that they want to be as well as taking risks to better this world. We were all put on this planet by God with a unique makeup to achieve and further his purposes during our time. Some of us need to think really hard if we are just getting through the day on autopilot or are we taking that risk to that God wants us to take.
One of the risks I am taking right now is that I have “stepped out” of the dating pool for 6 months until July 1 so that I can hear from God on the type of woman he wants me to marry. There has been a lot of “noise” these past few years on the dating pool and I am really ready to settle down. It’s a risk for me as it is sometimes lonely not really being able to date however it has really given me some clarity. I think it will allow me to find that special someone very soon after I come out of this dating “fast.” And there actually may already be someone however we have to put dating on hold until July 1…which is a good exercise and really allowing us to be friends first.
I enjoyed hearing and watching the version of “What a Wonderful World.” It was a pretty arrangement. Earlier I took a walk around the neighborhood because it was so warm and sunny. Spring is definitely around the corner. Daffodils and other bulbs have flowered, trees are beginning to bloom, and everything seems to be coming alive.
So wonderful things…..
spring
warmer weather
an extra hour of sunlight
gardening
Spring Break is almost here!!!
weekends
relationships with friends and loved ones
air to breathe another day
What a challenge to think about how I would lift up and adore someone……the words adore and adorable to me initially brought to mind a response to a cute, engaging person, action or thing that brings happiness or that I desire to see, have, or participate in. Phrases like “I just adore that purse.” or “Your puppy just did the most adorable thing” or “I adore skiing” use a word that originally meant something much different and bring it into slang culture. The dumbed down adore denotes fondness to the extent of idolization in some cases.
The truer meaning of adore is to love intensely with one’s entire heart and soul – almost an extravagant and foolish loving that might seem excessive and over the top to most. From the French and Latin – it originally meant to speak or to pray. Other synonyms include, cherish, honor, esteem, or admire. It originally was used in terms or worshipping God, and includes the concept of regarding with deep respect and affection.
My adoration of someone would include complete trust and loyalty, desire to be with them and to do anything I could for them – almost a doting on them – doing things for them they don’t need or blessing them with whatever I can to make them happy. They would be beautiful to me, engaging, compelling, true, captivating, motivating……they would capture my heart, be all I think about.
A little over a year ago I stepped out of a 34 year relationship with a church. When we left we did not know where we were going, we just knew we needed to go. It took almost 2 years to make the decision and then almost a year to move on after the leaving. The farther away from the moment of leaving we get the easier it is to remember the good times and the good friends we still have there.
I think sometimes we are afraid to step out of something because it might rock the boat, we might upset people, people might think badly of us, or get might get their feelings hurt. But we have discovered that are true friends are still our friends….and the others…..well sometimes out of sight is out of mind. Oftentimes, we want to know all the ramifications of every option before we make a choice. At least what we have going on we know, we are familiar with it, we have developed coping skills. New is hard work, its like starting over at a new school, or at a new job……
That new thing waiting for me will always require some risk to discover, I will have to take a chance, struggle, wait, listen, watch…..Sometimes we feel like we are giving up, we don’t have all the answers, we don’t know where to go next…..we just know we need to go. We will never see what’s on the other side of the door if we don’t open the door and then walk through it.
Things that keep me from looking….laziness, fear, preoccupation, disinterest, pride.
Some wonderful things: sunsets, babies, flowers, the ocean, cruise ships, fresh bread, my husband, my children, warm summer nights, art, puppies, Jesus, vineyards, wine and cheese, and chocolate and peanut butter.