JEALOUS LOVER

Today I am posting a song I started writing on my wedding anniversary a few weeks ago, but just finished last night before I went to bed. It explores the journey of my sometimes reluctant relationship with Jesus and the power of his relentless pursuit of my heart and life. Sometimes I know I should run to Him, but in my pride and self-reliance, I end up running away. Over the years His constant and steadfast love for me have made my wanderings fewer and not as far away.  Ultimately it has ended in surrender and devotion to my King. He has always pursued me, but now I feel that I am finally chasing after him just as hard. I hope this song helps you if you are wrestling with God.

Verse 1:

I have felt the waves of life crash over the beach of me,

But there's a hand that guides me that I can't see.

I have felt the fire of desire to claim my life as my own,

But there's a Spirit living inside me that is making itself known.

What is it about Your love that just won't leave me alone?

Chorus:

When all my usual distractions

That keep me from interacting with You fail me

Oh, what am I to do?

But like a jealous lover,

You blow my cover

Every time I run from You.

Relentless Pursuer of My Soul

Come save me...Come take control.

Deliver me from all that's evil,

And the one that steals my affections from You.

Verse 2:

For too long I have traveled through life playing a fool,

But I knew all the while what to do, to make things right with You.

So now I abandon my crumbling fortress for the safety of Yours,

Because I can't stand another minute outside Your doors.

What is it about Your love that I can no longer ignore?

Chorus:

When all my usual distractions

That keep me from interacting with You fail me

Oh, what am I to do?

But like a jealous lover,

You blow my cover

Every time I run from You.

Relentless Pursuer of My Soul

Come save me...Come take control.

Deliver me from all that's evil,

And the one that steals my affections from You.

Bridge:

Now that I understand Your grace,

It's like a kick in the face.

A sudden blast of air rushing over me.

Now that I really get You now,

I just don't see how I missed it for so long...

A sudden inspiration is sweeping over me.

Chorus:

When all my usual distractions

That keep me from interacting with You fail me

Oh, what am I to do?

But like a jealous lover, 

You blow my cover

Every time I run from You.

Relentless Pursuer of My Soul

Come save me...Come take control.

Deliver me from all that's evil,

And the one that steals my affections from You.

Prayer For Rain

Tonight I wanted to post a song that I wrote in the Fall of 2007 called Prayer For Rain (appropriate for the weather tonight, right?). I wrote it right after I finished reading a biography about the famous English slave trader turned hymn writer, preacher, and abolitionist - John Newton (writer of Amazing Grace).

This song was written out of a hunger to understand the mystery of the grace that has saved me. My prayer is that it will spark a thirst in you to be drenched in God's amazing grace.

PRAYER FOR RAIN

Words by Stephen Verner - Wed., November 7, 2007 (1^st 2 lines of 1^st verse & all of the chorus)

Tues., November 13, 2007 – about 12:45pm at home (the rest of the song)

Verse 1:

I am just a wondering soul in a land of Wonder;

Where thirsty souls pray for rain, but only hear the thunder.

I am just a pilgrim in search of the Promised Land;

Where hungry bellies groan for food, but leave with pockets of sand.

Why does the truth seem so elusive to those who are seeking?

Why is it so exclusive, while member's boat's are leaking?

Chorus:

So I pray and I seek and I hope that you see me.

So I pray and I seek and I hope that you see me,

And hear my prayer for Rain.

Verse 2:

I am just a gold digger in a land of plenty;

Where risky players bet it all, but leave without a penny.

I am just a sinner in search of a savior;

Whose tasty words have a flavor, but are never ever savored.

Why does the truth seem so obtrusive to those who are hurting?

It pokes and prods and even nods before the final curtain.

Bridge:

And where it goes no one knows for certain,

But I'm going to keep on searching...

Chorus:

So I pray and I seek and I hope that you see me.

So I pray and I seek and I hope that you see me,

And heard my prayer for Rain.

Make Yourself Known

I wrote this song last month during a time of fasting at our church. For me, it really captured the fact that God's grace and mercy toward humanity is still wrapped in a bit of wonder and mystery that I don't think I will ever fully grasp this side of heaven. I hope the words capture you, too, and set your mind and heart to wandering about the wonder of His grace and mercy towards us all.

MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN

Chorus: (written Sunday 1-18-09 - 7:10pm)

You gave Your life, and I gave you mine.

You laid down Your rights, and I gave up the fight.

No more running, no more hiding,

No more lying, no more trying,

To live this life as if it were my own.

Jesus come make Yourself known,

Jesus come make my heart Your home.

Verse 1: (written Sunday 1-25-09 - 12:50pm)

Your hands measured out the heavens,

Still I can't understand it;

But that's how You planned it - to show Your glory.

Your hands, they measured my salvation,

Still I can't comprehend it;

But that's how You planned it - to tell Your story.

Chorus: (written Sunday 1-18-09 - 7:10pm)

You gave Your life, and I gave you mine.

You laid down Your rights, and I gave up the fight.

No more running, no more hiding,

No more lying, no more trying,

To live this life as if it were my own.

Jesus come make Yourself known,

Jesus come make my heart Your home.

Verse 2: (written Sunday 1-25-09)

Your love stretched out for all to see,

Still I can't take it in,

But that was Your plan - to save humanity.

Your grace given so freely to everyone,

Still I can't grasp it,

But that was how You fashioned it - life from Your Son.

Chorus: (written Sunday 1-18-09 - 7:10pm)

You gave Your life, and I gave you mine.

You laid down Your rights, and I gave up the fight.

No more running, no more hiding,

No more lying, no more trying,

To live this life as if it were my own.

Jesus come make Yourself known,

Jesus come make my heart Your home.

In Pursuit of God

Written Friday 7/28/06 at home in Monroe, GA about 11pm during a period of unemployment.

In all my wanderings, in all my sins, in all my piousness, in all my pride, in all my weakness and humility, in all my joys, in all my sorrows, disappointments, fears, doubt and unbelief……….YOU WERE THERE.

I expected a parade and a speech, loud music and excitement; but somewhere in all my disillusionment you quietly slipped in the backdoor of my life. Unnoticed, you sat on the last pew.

You waited and waited and waited some more. Until I had spent my last effort, last dollar, last fear, last word, last breath. Without much ado, you knelt beside my lifeless body; enveloping me in a grasp that brought security and hope, and restored my faith and strength.

Ironically in all my efforts to find you, you found me. And so where I thought the journey ended, I found that I had just begun….MY PURSUIT OF GOD.