Shiver

 

I had just turned off the shower one day, and was getting ready for my day when the first verse of this song just came into my head and out of my mouth.  It probably took 15 minutes or so to get three verses and chorus together.  After I had it written down I asked Cody to drop what he was doing and help me get a rough recording so I wouldn't forget the melody.  I never did come up with chords for it.  It started out acapella, and when we recorded it again I simply formed one chord and tapped the pick guard on my guitar to create the droning sound in the background.  I would like to add harmonies to the chorus, but other than that I intend to keep this one simple.  I did change the wording at the end of the third verse after I had listened to the first draft several times, but other than that it is just the thoughts that were given to me in that short period of time on Saturday morning, January 21, 2012.

Your Love Is Unconditional

I am so inadequate and unworthy, and I mess up so often, but God's love is not based on what I am or what I do, it is based on His own loving character.  He provided for my deepest need when He sent His own Son to the cross to pay for my sin.  I don't deserve His love, but I receive it because of His grace and mercy.  The scripture used in this song is Psalm 103:11-14... 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

  As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
 for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust. 

When I fall down He shows compassion and picks me up time and time again.  I praise God for His complete provision and abundant love!  I thank Him for this song to help me remember. 

Castles In The Sand

This song came out of a time when I was feeling discouraged, and began to realize that it was because I had been misplacing my hope.  My priorities had gotten mixed up, and I was disappointed because I was dreaming of temporary things instead of eternal ones.  It is based on Matthew 7:24-27   “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”  God used this song to help me refocus; to remember that it is ok to dream, but I need to be dreaming God's dreams, because they are the ones that matter.

Waiting For The Rain

This is the first song I ever "wrote" that has stayed with me. I use the word "wrote" loosely because I don't feel like I write songs at all, but that God gives them to me as an answer to my prayers.  At the time that this song came about I was struggling with disappointment or discouragement of some kind.  I confess that three years later I don't remember the exact circumstances or situation, but I remember the song that came out of them.  I've had a dream of music since I was a little girl.  The dream dimmed as I got married and began having children.  I thought my dream had changed, but soon it was burning bright again as the kids were growing and I continued serving with the worship team.  I was learning, through volunteering and taking classes with Child Evangelism Fellowship, how to share my faith and lead people to Christ.  I wanted to be able to take the message of God's love and salvation to more people through music, and I seemed to be growing in ministry, but then something happened that caused me to doubt.  As I said, I don't remember the details of what it was, but the Lord encouraged me through this song.  This is my reminder that God made me to think the way I think, and dream the way I dream, and that if he gave me a dream, then I need to trust in Him to bring it to fruition in His time and for His glory.  I was inspired by a story I heard, which is in this movie clip from Facing The Giants, about a farmer that prepared his fields while he prayed and waited.  He was contrasted with a farmer who prayed but did nothing.  The question was raised as to which farmer had faith.  It encouraged me to continue doing what I could do while I wait for God to do what only He can do.  I decided to practice playing the guitar, and continue singing, and wait to see what God will do.  He gave me this song which motivated me to keep working and dreaming.  I don't know what His plan is, but I have to keep believing in it while I continue to prepare.