Embers or Branches

Rely on Jesus to make a difference in people’s lives eternally, even if it is difficult or costly. Apart from him you can do nothing that truly matters.

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(Verse 1)
We’re chasing towers built from sand along the shore,
Collecting trophies which tarnish upon the shelf,
We polish golden names while orphaned hearts cry out,
And wonder why success feels hollow at the core.

(Chorus)
Instead rely — like branches in the vine,
Let God’s love run through your veins like holy wine,
Pour your life like water out for thirsty souls,
Bear the fruit that lasts beyond the end of time!
Remain in Christ — don’t wither on the ground,
Let the roots go deep where living hope is found,
Love the way he loved — lay everything aside,
This is where our joy will overflow and never run dry!

(Verse 2)
We scroll through endless highlight reels till midnight fades,
While flesh-and-blood companions sit across the room,
But what if dinner tables turned to sacred ground,
And every buried talent was given a chance to bloom?

(Verse 3)
The teacher works to enlarge his students’ dreams.
The neighbor drops a meal off at the widow’s step,
These moments never trend, or make the evening news,
But small, obedient love is never spent in vain.

(Bridge)
Apart from God we’re embers growing cold and grey,
Apart from him our striving turns to ash and smoke,
But rooted in his Word, obeying his commands,
We ask and we receive. Our deepest prayers awake!
Our greatest fear is never that we’ll fall and fail —
It’s standing at the end with crowns that rust and fade,
Succeeding at the things that never really mattered
While people near us die, and not a hand was raised.

(Verse 4)
So take the trip to mend the bridge before it burns,
Give your finest hours, not what scraps are left,
Let us be the branches bearing salvation’s fruit,
Disciples of the Vine who glorify his name.

(Chorus)
Humbly rely — like branches in the vine,
Let God’s love run through your veins like holy wine,
Pour your life like water out for thirsty souls,
Bear the fruit that lasts beyond the end of time!
Remain in Christ — don’t wither on the ground,
Let the roots go deep where living hope is found,
Love the way he loved — lay everything aside,
This is where our joy will overflow and never run dry!

(Outro)
Abide in Christ…and your joy will overflow.
Abide in Christ…and the world will finally know.

Closer Than Our Breath

Praise God for his loving power. He created everything and transcends all we know. Yet he still chooses to deeply love us, intimately relate to us, and graciously save us.

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(Verse 1)
Before the stars ignited heaven’s throne,
Before the void knew light or time or space,
You dwelt in glory, sovereign and alone,
The Ancient triune One, complete in endless grace.

(Verse 2)
You spoke and galaxies burst into flame,
You breathed and oceans filled their waiting beds,
Creation trembles at your holy name,
The mountains bow before you, where you tread.

(Chorus)
Almighty God, your love surrounds us still,
Beyond our minds, yet closer than our breath,
You chase us down with tender, patient will,
And conquer all our darkness, sin, and death.

(Verse 3)
Your living Word transforms our hearts of stone,
It breaks through walls we built to keep you out,
You call the wanderer to bring them home,
And turn our anxious whispers to joyful shouts.

(Verse 4)
The Son of God put on our flesh and bone,
He walked our roads and wept our bitter tears,
Upon the cross He bled and died alone,
Then rose in power, destroying all our fears.

(Bridge)
Who can measure the depths of your great love?
Who can fathom the reaches of your grace?
You lift the broken to your throne above,
And let the lost behold your radiant face.
All who trust and follow find life overflowing,
Abounding joy in your embrace, always growing.

(Outro)
Eternal King, your love will never fade,
You always were and always will be.
In you our wayward hearts are remade,
Forever yours, we live for your glory.

Curse or Crown

Your words can wound or they can heal. Use them to build people up.

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(Verse 1)
Every syllable a seed we sow,
Every sentence cuts or makes things grow,
You can build a bridge or burn it down,
From your heart let blessing abound.
Truth can be a lantern in the dark,
A steady flame, an honest spark—
But lies are poison in the well,
They twist the light and weave a spell.

(Chorus)
Words strike like bombs, or soothe like balm,
They can shatter souls or foster calm,
Choose the builder’s hand, not the blade,
Speak life and love in order to save.
Oh, your tongue can curse or it can crown,
Will you raise others up or tear them down?

(Verse 2)
Gossip sneaks through town without a sound,
It drags a victim along the ground.
Slander lights a fire beneath a name,
It burns too fast to stop the flame.
Contempt strips someone’s worth,
It mocks their value on this earth.
Flattery wears a charming face,
But trades your trust for empty praise.

(Chorus)
Words strike like bombs, or soothe like balm,
They can shatter souls or foster calm,
Choose the builder’s hand, not the blade,
Speak life and love in order to save.
Oh, your tongue can curse or it can crown,
Will you raise others up or tear them down?

(Bridge)
Wisdom lights the path through darkest night,
It leads the lost back toward the light—
But hatred sets the world ablaze,
It turns tomorrow into graves.
Hope renews the will to try,
Affirmation lifts them high.
Confession lays bare the wrong we hide
Forgiveness heals the great divide.

(Chorus)
Words strike like bombs, or soothe like balm,
They can shatter souls or foster calm,
Choose the builder’s hand, not the blade,
Speak life and love in order to save.
Oh, your tongue can curse or it can crown,
Will you raise others up or tear them down?

(Outro)
Every word’s a match or medicine,
Wielded to break or mend.
So before your words take flight,
Look to love,… to heal,… and to delight.

Wings of Faith

The migration of various animals testify to God’s care for them, but more importantly it points us to how much greater he guides and cares for all who trust him.

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(Verse 1)
The monarch butterfly on wings so paper-thin
Will journey a thousand miles through storms and fading light.
The arctic tern will cross the world and back again
And God who made them guides them through the coldest night.

(Chorus)
So lift your eyes and see his faithful hand.
The One who leads each creature knows your name.
He holds the sparrow, charts where eagles land.
You are his child, cherished and reclaimed.
He escorts the songbird through the night.
He’ll carry you from death to new life.

(Verse 2)
The salmon finds its river through the endless sea.
The whale will sing its ancient song across the deep.
The swallow knows the pathway home to Galilee.
And God who draws them closer, guards you while you sleep.

(Chorus)
So lift your eyes and see his faithful hand.
The One who leads each creature knows your name.
He holds the sparrow, charts where eagles land.
You are his child, cherished and reclaimed.
He escorts the songbird through the night.
He’ll carry you from death to new life.

(Verse 3)
The birds don’t plant or harvest, yet the Father feeds.
The wildflowers wear a glory Solomon never knew.
If he adorns the meadow, meets creation’s needs
How much more, beloved one, will he take care of you?

(Bridge)
Why do you worry? Why do you fear?
The King of all creation holds you near.
He gave his Son to bring you to his side
To make you like him, be his holy bride.
Forever family, forever free
This is your destiny—come and see!

(Verse 4)
This world was never meant to be your final home.
You’re royal born, just passing through to brighter days.
So lay your burdens down, you’ll never walk alone.
Jesus came to save you, came to light your way.

(Chorus)
So lift your eyes and celebrate his hand.
The One who guides the wandering bird knows your name.
He charted out your life before time began.
And proved his love—the cross declares his claim.
Oh, trust the Savior, bright and morning star.
He’s bringing you home—it isn’t far!

Petals Falling

A teenage girl walks home after school trying to cope with the uncertainty of whether a boy she has a crush on likes her.

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(Verse 1)
Walking down Maple Street, backpack on my shoulder
September sun is warm but I’ve never felt colder.
There’s a daisy by the fence, I reach down and take it.
My lovesick heart can’t help but pick it.
He likes me, he likes me not
Spinning in circles with every thought.
Tuesday he smiled at me in the hall.
Wednesday he didn’t look at me at all.

(Chorus)
Petals falling, falling, one by one
Like the hours ’til the day is done.
My heart’s a coin flip, heads or tails
A story that my mind retells.
He likes me, he likes me not
This little flower knows a lot
Or maybe it knows nothing at all
Just petals that fall.

(Verse 2)
He likes me—remember when he saved me a seat?
Pushed his books aside, made a little room for me.
He likes me not—today he laughed with Sarah Chen
And I became invisible again.
Another petal hits the ground
I’m half hoping, half breaking down.
He touched my hand when we both reached for the door
But that was three weeks ago, maybe more.

(Chorus)
Petals falling, falling, one by one
Like the hours ’til the day is done.
My heart’s a coin flip, heads or tails
A story that my mind retells.
He likes me, he likes me not
This little flower knows a lot
Or maybe it knows nothing at all
Just petals that fall.

(Bridge)
He likes me—no, he likes me not
I’m counting petals in a parking lot.
One left, and I don’t want to know
(soft whisper) Please say yes, please don’t say no…

(Verse 3)
Then I hear my name across the street
And suddenly my heart forgets to beat.
“Hey, can I walk with you?” he says.
I can’t find my voice, but I nod yes.
The daisy slips between my fingers
Lands softly where the sunlight lingers.
Don’t need to know what petals say
When he’s right here, not at bay.

(Outro)
No more petals falling, falling
This is real, and he is calling.
My name sounds different in his voice.
Maybe flowers don’t get a choice
But you know, I do. So does he
And he’s walking home with me.

Thundering Grace

When you become quiet, God becomes wonderfully loud.

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(Verse 1)
You cannot go with God and stay right here,
So lay your restless striving at the door.
His grace rebuilds what’s broken, drawing near—
Release the wheel and trust him evermore.

(Chorus)
Be still, be still, and know that he is God.
When you become quiet, heaven becomes loud.
His voice commands your sea, his hand shakes your ground
A thundering grace to turn your life around.
Be still, be still, and hear him calling now.

(Verse 2)
Step back from all the sirens of the day,
The scrolling lights, the never-ending hum.
Let silence clear a holy, open way
Where heaven’s gentle whisper overcomes.

(Verse 3)
Now open up the Bible, God’s living word,
Let divine truth strike flint against your soul.
His spark ignites refining fire in your heart,
A light that burns through lies and makes you whole.

(Chorus)
Be still, be still, and know that he is God.
When you become quiet, heaven becomes loud.
His voice commands your sea, his hand shakes your ground
A thundering grace to turn your life around.
Be still, be still, and hear him calling now.

(Bridge)
Come sit with him, pour out what burdens you,
Your tangled fears, your questions scrawled in ink.
Confess your sin, receive his cleansing flood;
His pardon lifts you from your hell bound brink.
Write down the doubt, the grief, the war inside,
And place the page before his throne of grace.
The Holy Spirit mends what you confide,
Delivering you through a strengthened faith.

(Verse 4)
Humbly rely, for he is faithful, wise, and strong,
His Spirit moves where broken lives are found.
You are the canvas under his artistic hand—
Rest quietly, and see his masterpiece unfold.

(Chorus)
Be still, be still, and know that he is God.
When you become quiet, heaven becomes loud.
His voice commands your sea, his hand shakes your ground
A thundering grace to turn your life around.
Be still, be still. Let go, and hear him out.

(Outro)
When you become quiet, God becomes wonderfully loud.
Oh, when you become quiet, God becomes wonderfully loud.

Before the Words Come

When you don’t know what to pray, still come before God, for he lovingly meets you where you are. He is all you need.

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(Verse 1)
I’ve been sitting here a while now
Staring at the ceiling, looking at the floor.
Got a heart so full of something
I don’t know what to call it anymore.
The silence feels like failure
Like I should have more to bring,
But you are all I’ll ever need,
So I am listening.

(Pre-chorus)
I don’t have the words.
I don’t have the strength.
I don’t even know
What it is I need.

(Chorus)
But you already know me
Before the words come.
You already see me
Before I’m even done.
Every broken sentence
Every half-formed prayer
You’re leaning in to hear me
Before the words come.

(Verse 2)
Here is all my brokenness before you
Every failure, every fear I cannot name.
Here is every unanswered question
Every storm I do not know how to tame.
Search me, Lord, and fill me with your wisdom.
Let your light illumine what I cannot see.
I praise you for the peace that passes knowing
That you’ll work out all in time so perfectly.

(Pre-chorus)
I don’t have the words.
I don’t have the strength.
I don’t even know
What it is I need.

(Chorus)
But you already know me
Before the words come.
You already see me
Before I’m even done.
Every broken sentence
Every half-formed prayer
You’re leaning in to hear me
Before the words come.

(Bridge)
Your Spirit speaks what I cannot say
Carries every sigh and every aching day.
I am not alone in this holy place
I am held, I am heard, I am covered by your grace.

(Chorus)
Oh, you already know me
Before the words come.
You already see me
Before I’m even done.
Every broken sentence
Every half-formed prayer
You’re leaning in to hear me.
You’re leaning in to hold me.
You’re leaning in to love me
Before the words come.

(Outro)
Before the words come
You are here.
Before the words come
You are here.

All at His Feet

When I am king of my life, I lose everything. But when I make God king of my life, I gain everything.

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(Verse 1)
I built my throne from selfish gain,
I wore a crown of rust and pride,
I ruled a kingdom cold and vain
Where every dream I chased just died.
My scepter bent beneath the weight
Of promises I made myself,
I sat behind a golden gate
With nothing but an empty wealth.

(Chorus)
A thousand crowns I lay them down,
All at the feet of Christ my King,
When I am king, all turns to dust,
But crowning him, I gain everything.

(Verse 2)
The idols that I forged from fear
Were silver-tongued but blind and mute,
I gave them every wasted year
Satisfied to eat their waning fruit.
I trusted what could never breathe,
What never bled or spoke my name,
I bent my knee to lifeless things
And grew as hollow, cold, and lame.

(Chorus)
A thousand crowns I lay them down,
All at the feet of Christ my King,
When I am king, all turns to dust,
But crowning him, I gain everything.

(Verse 3)
He is the Living God who stands
Beyond the reach of rust and grave,
The Everlasting King whose hands
Hold every soul he died to save.
His love is endless, fierce and free,
Unconditional and sublime.
A fortress firm, a guarantee,
When I bow, his best is mine.

(Bridge)
O my friend, trust the Lord today!
The small, the great, he’ll bless them all,
Surrender every crown of clay
And watch the lesser kingdoms fall.
For I have governed my own way
And found my palace made of air,
But kneeling where his mercies stay,
I found a Kingdom beyond compare.

(Chorus)
A thousand crowns I lay them down,
All at the feet of Christ my King,
When I am king, all turns to dust,
But crowning him, I gain everything.
A thousand crowns I lay them down,
All at the feet of Christ my King,
When I am king, all turns to dust,
But crowning him, I gain everything.

Vision and Seed

Those who trust in Jesus are blessed with both his grand vision and his focused service in order to reach others with God’s love and salvation.

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(Verse 1)
To walk with purpose you must learn to see—
The sweeping sky and every grain of sand,
The grand design, the blueprint, and the plan,
The calloused hands that build what vision fans.
For paradigms and trends reveal the way,
But only humble hands can seize the day.

(Verse 2)
Christ left the divine courts of endless light
And wrapped himself in dust and blood and bone.
The unknowable made known in human sight,
The Word made flesh, God’s heart in human tone.
He spoke the Father’s truth, counted all a loss,
He healed the lame, and saved the world through the cross.

(Chorus)
So lift your eyes to heaven’s royal throne,
Then press your knees into the broken earth.
God gives us eyes to see beyond the known
And steady hands to work for other’s worth.
Tomorrow’s dream, today’s faithful deed—
In Christ alone, the vision and the seed.

(Verse 3)
Those who trust him are sheep among the wolves,
Be shrewd as serpents, gentle as the dove.
Like salt you flavor, preserve what sin corrupts,
Like light you pierce the night with heaven’s love.
Dark powers prowl through realms beyond our eyes,
Yet Christ has crushed them all—in him you rise.

(Bridge)
Open our eyes, Lord, to sin’s relentless sting,
The devil’s snare, the fractures running deep.
Then show us the restoration you will bring—
Seeking the lost, speaking truth, healing the weak.
Teach us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly,
So your love and grace bless all we meet.

(Verse 4)
You’re in this world but not of it, you’re free—
A citizen of heaven, with earthly feet.
Seek first his kingdom, trust him faithfully,
He’ll meet your every need on every street.
Lay down your life so he can save through you.
Love God, love others—your greatest work to do.

(Chorus)
So lift your eyes to heaven’s royal throne,
Then press your knees into the broken earth.
God gives us eyes to see beyond the known
And steady hands to work for other’s worth.
Tomorrow’s dream, today’s faithful deed—
In Christ alone, the vision and the seed.

Beyond What Eyes Can See

Blessed are those who trust in Jesus, the risen Son of God, even though they did not personally witness his resurrection.

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(Verse 1)
The tomb stood empty, stone rolled away,
Grave clothes folded where he lay.
Five hundred saw him, touched his hands—
Death itself could not withstand.

(Chorus)
He died and rose again for you,
The Son of God, forever true.
Sin and death he has overcome—
Believe in him, salvation’s won.
His abundant life is yours today,
Everlasting, come what may.

(Verse 2)
The witnesses refused to run.
They died proclaiming what he’d done.
No one dies to uphold a lie;
They changed, because Jesus is alive.

(Verse 3)
We trust the wind though eyes can’t see,
Believe in love’s reality.
We count on gravity’s sure hold—
So receive Christ, whom prophets foretold.

(Chorus)
He died and rose again for you,
The Son of God, forever true.
Sin and death he has overcome—
Believe in him, salvation’s won.
His abundant life is yours today,
Everlasting, come what may.

(Verse 4)
We breathe the air we cannot see,
Accept the past through history.
We trust tomorrow’s coming light—
Why doubt Christ’s resurrection bright?

(Verse 5)
The persecutor Saul was changed,
His whole life rearranged.
What power turns hate to love’s flame?
The risen Jesus, no other name.

(Bridge)
“Unless I see,” said Thomas bold,
“The nail-scarred hands I won’t be sold.”
Then Jesus came through locked doors, near:
“Touch my wounds, let go your fear.
Place your fingers in my side,
See the proof I’m glorified.”
Blessed are those who trust, believe
Given all that God has revealed.

(Chorus)
He died and rose again for you,
The Son of God, forever true.
Sin and death he has overcome—
Believe in him, salvation’s won.
His abundant life is yours today,
Everlasting, come what may.

(Outro)
All you face he has overcome—
Through faith in Christ, the victory’s won.
His abundant life transforms your days,
Everlasting hope, eternal praise!