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This past Sunday, we sang the song “Be Lifted High”, written by Leeland Mooring and made popular by Michael W. Smith on his CD entitled “Stand.” We actually closed our service with this arrangement but during the sermon, our guest Pastor, made a reference to the song lyrics stating that it was about “sin personified” which I found to be an intelligent observation. The lyrics are included below:
Be Lifted High – by Leeland Mooring
Sin and its ways grow old;
All of my heart turns to stone,
And I’m left with no strength to arise,
I need to be lifted high.
Sin and its ways lead to pain;
Left here with hurt and with shame.
So no longer will I leave your side;
Jesus, you be lifted high.
You be lifted high,
You be lifted high,
You be lifted high in my life,
Oh God.
And I fall to my knees,
So it’s you that they see,
Not I.
Jesus, you be lifted high.
And even now that I’m inside your hands;
Help me not to grow prideful again.
Don’t let me forsake sacrifice,
Jesus you be lifted high.
And if I’m blessed with the riches of kings,
How could I ever feel that it was me?
For you brought me from darkness to light,
Jesus, you be lifted high.
You be lifted high,
You be lifted high,
You be lifted high in my life,
Oh God.
And I fall to my knees,
So it’s you that they see,
Not I.
Jesus, you be lifted high.
Oh Jesus, you be lifted high,
Oh you be lifted high,
Oh you be lifted high in my life,
Oh God.
And I fall to my knees,
So it’s you that they see,
Not I.
Jesus, you be lifted high
Copyright (C) 2006 Meaux Mercy, CCLI # 4831442
Leeland Mooring is also an accomplished musician. He leads a band known as “Leeland” (he’s the red headed kid in the center of the picture). The following comments are from the song writer himself on what the song means to him:
Everywhere we look there’s something that is trying to steal our devotion and attention. Whether good or bad there’s so many things that if we aren’t careful, can rob us of our hunger and passion to know the Lord. Everything in this world will always be temporary. Even the love we have for other people isn’t eternal. The only place we’ll ever be truly satisfied is in the presence of the Lord. The presence of the Lord is where we find hope, vision for our lives, healing, love, restoration from past hurts, and honor in the eyes of Jesus.
In Psalm 62 vs 1 David says ” My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.” Later on in verses 7&8 David continues to say ” My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, mighty refuge. Trust in Him at all times, Oh people pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” David not only said our honor depends on God, but he went as far as to say our salvation depends on God! Then he urges the people to pour out their hearts to God.
I believe God’s love for the world is very much eternal and so is His salvation, but I also believe that we can be so hardened to God sometimes that without even knowing it we can walk away from Him. No one is perfect and the great part about that is that God knows it. He knows that we fail and we fall sometimes in our walk with Him, but the most important thing to remember is that when we get back up, it brings honor to the Lord. So don’t be discouraged in your faith. Just make the effort every day that you live and in the way that you live, to lift Jesus up and make Him the center of everything.
Ancient Words
August 21, 2008 at 10:39 pm · Filed under Michael W Smith ·Tagged Ancient Words, Casting Crowns, Lynn DeShazo, Micahel W. Smith
Ancient Words
One of the things that I like to do with music is to take a pause in the singing, then play softly as the Pastor recites some pertinent statements over the music. I think that this has a powerful effect on the congregation. Here is an example using the song “Ancient Words” by Lynn DeShazo, made popular by Michael W. Smith, and using some additional lyrics from a song by the Casting Crowns.
Verse 1 (sung by the Congregation):
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world;
They resound with God’s own heart,
O, let the ancient words impart;
Words of life, words of hope,
Give us strength, help us cope;
In this world where’er we roam,
Ancient words will guide us home.
Chorus (sung by the Congregation):
Ancient words, ever true,
Changing me, changing you;
We have come with open hearts,
O, let the ancient words impart.
First Reading by Pastor (as the music plays softly in the background):
So what is it about the Bible that causes people to give their lives for it, causes oppressors to try to destroy it, and so infuriates the cultural elite today? Clearly, the Bible is unique. Over the centuries many great books have been written, including those by Aristotle, Plato, Shakespeare, Cervantes, and on and on; they have had an influence, of course. But no book has ever caused the controversy aroused by the Bible or invited such severe resistance or inspired its followers to such extraordinary actions.
The reason is what the Bible claims for itself. Although it is in many respects a book like many others, a collection of ancient writings that includes a variety of genres from historical narrative to introspective philosophy, it is much more; it purports to be the Word of God itself. Through this book God speaks, giving us an understanding of reality that transcends anything that can be envisioned by the human mind alone (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Verse 2 (sung by the Congregation):
Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age,
Came to us through sacrifice;
O, heed the faithful words of Christ;
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world;
They resound with God’s own heart;
O, let the ancient words impart.
Chorus (sung by the Congregation):
Ancient words, ever true,
Changing me, changing you;
We have come with open hearts,
O, let the ancient words impart.
Second Reading by Pastor (as the music plays softly in the background):
The Word is alive.
With a message of life to the hopeless;
Breathing life into all who believe;
Yes, the Word is alive.
The world and its glories will fade;
But His truth; will not pass away;
It remains yesterday and forever the same;
Indeed, the Word is alive.
Eternity’s secrets revealed; carried on from age-to-age.
It speaks Truth to us even still;
As the rain falls from Heaven, and feeds the earth before it returns;
Lord, let Your Word fall on us and bring forth the fruit which You deserve.
With eyes wide open, let us see.
(from the song “The Word is Alive” – by the Casting Crowns)
REPEAT CHORUS
(TAG)
We have come with open hearts
O let the ancient words impart
Copyright 2001 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI # 2986399, Lynn DeShazo
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