Risen

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Out of love Jesus died to pay for our sin and rose again to give us victory over sin and death. Anyone who trusts him to save them receives his abundant, everlasting life as a child of God’s royal family.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Dawn breaks on the garden stone.
Light pierces where darkness reigned.
Death’s chains shattered, overthrown.
Glory where our hope was slain.

(Verse 2)
Broken hearts with selfish pride
Wandering souls in endless night.
For our sin, the Savior died
Bearing wrath that was our right.

(Verse 3)
Crimson blood on rugged wood
Perfect love for broken souls
Standing where no other could
His payment covered all we owe.

(Chorus)
From the grave He rose victorious!
Death defeated, life restored!
Sin condemned, His grace so glorious
Jesus reigns forevermore!

(Verse 4)
Empty tomb proclaims the truth.
Death has lost its bitter sting
Heaven’s gates swing wide for you
Children of the risen King.

(Bridge)
We were lost in our rebellion
Captive to our sin and shame
But His mercy breaks our prison
When we call upon His name!
He has conquered! He has conquered!
He has conquered grave and sin!

(Chorus)
From the grave He rose victorious!
Death defeated, life restored!
Sin condemned, His grace so glorious
Jesus reigns forevermore!

(Outro)
Now we stand in resurrection
Clothed in life that never ends.
Heaven’s family, His reflection
Glory that will never dim.

Catching Up

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
A father and estranged son bond during difficult teenage years by purposely playing catch together like they used to.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Dusty bleachers, summer haze
Father and son, on Saturdays
Cheering crowds and crack of bats
Local heroes in baseball caps

(Verse 2)
Little League dreams in the son’s eyes
Dad’s lessons helpful and wise.
How to throw and catch, hit and slide
Twilight practice, the two abide.

(Chorus)
Just a ball and two old gloves
A sacred time for them to bond.
Stitching hearts with every throw
Priceless moments to behold.

(Verse 3)
Time slipped by, interests changed.
Work and life left them estranged.
Silence grew within their home.
Two ships passing, both alone.

(Bridge)
Then one day, a mother’s plea
“Remember how things used to be?
Take this ball and step outside
Let joy together be your guide.”

(Verse 4)
Hesitant throws, uncertain start
Slowly opening each guarded heart.
But soon they laugh, and share stories
Love rekindled, newfound glory.

(Chorus)
Just a ball and two old gloves
A sacred time for them to bond.
Stitching hearts with every throw
Priceless moments to behold.

(Outro)
Not just catch, but healing too
Father and son, bonding anew.
In their backyard, day by day
Finding words they need to say.

Unwrap Today

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Make the most of the present time you’re given. Prioritize relationship-building, which is the most important aspect of life.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Chasing distant horizons, we often forget
The beauty that surrounds us, in moments unmet.
Step back from your tasks, delay your dreams
The present’s filled with people, longing to be seen.

(Verse 2)
Plant your seeds of kindness in the here and now.
Watch them bloom and grow, from what you sow.
Serve with open hands, love with all your soul.
Every life you touch becomes more whole.

(Chorus)
Life’s not waiting for the next big thing
It’s the laughter and the love we bring.
Don’t miss what makes others’ hearts beat
Gain the most of now, engage those you meet.

(Verse 3)
Tune into the rhythm of another’s heart.
Ask questions and listen, what sets them apart.
Spark the flame of passion, fan it ever higher.
Challenge and inspire, set the world on fire.

(Bridge)
Don’t let life slip by while making other plans.
The present is a gift, unwrap it while you can.
Every soul’s a story waiting to unfold.
Step onto the stage, share in what’s told.

(Verse 4)
Value each person, whoever they are
Discover their treasure, what makes them a star.
May all who come to you, in some way leave better.
Put people first and find great pleasure.

(Chorus)

(Outro)
Make the most of now, don’t let life slip away.
Every moment counts, seize each precious day.

Splendor

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
A call to join all of heaven, all people groups, and all of creation to praise and worship God for he is majestic and holy and his salvation on our behalf is marvelous (Inspired by Psalm 96).

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Heavens rejoice, stars dance with light.
Earth be glad, trees rise in delight.
Mountains sing, rivers rush with glee.
All creation proclaims God’s majesty.

(Chorus)
Join the song, every tribe and tongue.
Lift your voice, let praise be sung.
Declare God’s grace and glory.
He saves the lost and exalts the lowly.

(Verse 2)
He is faithful, like morning dew
Perfectly loves, makes all things new.
Sovereign King, yet invites us nigh
To share his splendor and by faith rely.

(Chorus)
Join the song, every tribe and tongue.
Lift your voice, let praise be sung.
Declare God’s grace and glory.
He saves the lost and exalts the lowly.

(Verse 3)
Sing his goodness, shout his might
Tell his story, day and night.
Marvelous deeds, for all to see
He’ll make all things right, as decreed.

(Bridge)
In humble faith, we bow our knee
Serving the One who set us free.
Our lives a song, a living praise
To the holy God, maker of days.

(Chorus)
Join the song, every tribe and tongue.
Lift your voice, let praise be sung.
Declare God’s grace and glory.
He saves the lost and exalts the lowly.

Like a Child

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Jesus taught that the glorious joy and blessing of knowing God and living in the realm of his loving reign requires a childlike faith.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Castles built on shifting sand
Empires crumble in my hand.
All my efforts, are in vain
To reach a heavenly domain.

(Verse 2)
Chasing fame and gathering gold
Leave my spirit poor and cold.
Knowledge, wealth, and earthly praise
Cannot fill my empty days.

(Chorus)
Like a child, I must become
Arms wide open, heart undone.
In this simple trust I’ll find
God’s love, boundless and divine.

(Verse 3)
The proud and self-seeking fail
But those who rely on God prevail.
Humble, trusting, secure, and free
Adopted by him I want to be.

(Bridge)
Sick from sin, my soul I can’t save.
It’s God who raises me from my grave.
Jesus atoned for me by grace.
In his love, I’ll abide by faith.

(Verse 4)
In his kingdom, now I thrive
Joyful, hopeful, carefree, alive.
Innocent and full of light
In his presence, all is right.

(Chorus)

(Outro)
Like a child, I dance and sing
In the courts of heaven’s King.
All I longed for, now I see.
In his arms, eternally.

More Like Jesus

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Jesus humbly came to serve and not be served. He gave his life as a ransom for many. As I follow him I want to become more like him by his grace and power.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
King of kings, yet you wash feet.
Almighty God in human form, so meek.
Persecuted, yet your love remains.
Innocent lamb, for our sins you were slain.

(Verse 2)
You fed the thousands with fish and bread.
Forgave the woman others would have stoned dead.
Taught on hillsides, calmed the raging sea.
Sought out the lost, set the captives free.

(Chorus)
You came to serve, not to be served.
Laid down your life, to save the world.
I praise you for who you are and what you do.
Lord, teach me to be more like you.

(Verse 3)
Healing touch for the blind and lame.
Praying for enemies, bearing our shame.
You intervened for the weak and poor.
Your selfless love opens heaven’s door.

(Bridge)
Raised in glory for your obedience
Your love and power bring deliverance.
Exalted through your humility
None like you in all eternity.
Righteous, good, and forever true
Jesus, there is no one else like you.
There is no one else like you.

(Chorus)

(Outro)
I praise you for who you are and what you do.
Lord, teach me, shape me, make me like you.

A Good Father

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
A young father humbly prays for God’s help to love and raise faithful kids along with his wife.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
On a park bench, I sit and gaze,
Watching my children’s carefree ways.
Their laughter carries on the breeze,
May they also find joy in difficulty.

(Verse 2)
Evenings dim as our hearth glows bright,
Kids are safe, sheltered from the night.
Give me strength to stand in harm’s way,
A shield to keep life’s wolves at bay.

(Chorus)
God, help me be a father like you,
Loving and kind, full of grace and truth.
Your blessings given I’ll pass along
So my kids may come to sing your song.

(Verse 3)
Alongside my wife we work to provide
What our family needs to grow and thrive.
Yet all that’s good, comes from you.
Thank you, God for all you do.

(Verse 4)
Finishing their chores, a chance to teach.
We read and pray and brush our teeth.
In their questions, learning unfolds,
Insight and skills for maturing roles.

(Bridge)
God, empower me each day anew.
Grant wisdom and grace in all pursuits.
Help me lead our home with love
So we become more like you above.

(Verse 5)
Twilight whispers as the kids dream.
I thank you for our blessed team.
Work through me as I serve to impart
A faith in you that guides their hearts.

(Chorus)

Let Love Shine

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Let God’s glorious truth and love expressed in Jesus move you to grow in love for him and others.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Golden memories, wrapped in light
Love’s embrace, warm and bright
Jesus, God’s heart beating true
Divine love, made human for you.

(Verse 2)
Born from love’s eternal spring
Your heart made to soar and sing.
Love because He loved you first.
Let His love quench your thirst.

(Chorus)
Let His glory move your soul.
His truth and love make you whole.
Grow in love for Him each day.
Let it shine and light the way.

(Verse 3)
Mirror of heaven, reflect His face
Your purpose found in His grace.
Lose yourself to find your all.
In His love, bow humble, stand tall.

(Bridge)
God meets you in valleys low
Plants seeds of love that will grow
Faith’s response, a tender shoot
Reaching high with deepening root

(Chorus)
Let His glory move your soul.
His truth and love make you whole.
Grow in love for Him each day.
Let it shine and light the way.

(Outro)
Let love’s current change your course.
Dive deep into its pure source.
Find yourself in His embrace
Then pour out love’s endless grace.

Streetlight

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Two boys in an urban neighborhood grow to choose what their life on the streets will be like.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
In alleys of concrete and brick
Malcolm and Damon as boys would play
Kick the can and hide and seek
Dreaming of a brighter day.

(Verse 2)
Summer days, they’d shoot hoops in the heat.
Winter brought snowball fights and laughter.
Pranks and mischief made their days complete
Not knowing what would come after.

(Chorus)
Oh, the way we walk, the paths we take
Shape the people we become.
Right over wrong, the choice to make
In cities and streets where we’re from.

(Verse 3)
As they grew, their roads split apart
Damon chose the gang life’s lure.
Malcolm cleaned streets in a trash truck
Seeking a better life to secure.

(Chorus)
Oh, the way we walk, the paths we take
Shape the people we become.
Right over wrong, the choice to make
In cities and streets where we’re from.

(Bridge)
One dreadful day in an alley dim
Malcolm found Damon badly beaten.
Into the truck Malcolm lifted him
Unsure of what might now come.

(Verse 4)
Headed for help, Malcolm made his plea.
“Leave the gang, they’re not your fate.”
“If you don’t you’ll die. Can’t you see?”
“Come work with me, get things straight.”

(Verse 5)
The truck stopped short, his gang in sight.
Malcolm could see Damon’s despair.
“Don’t go. Stay and build a better life.”
Damon’s decision hung in the air.

(Chorus)
Oh, the way we walk, the paths we take
Shape the people we become.
Right over wrong, the choice to make
In cities and streets where we’re from.

Heaven Meets Earth

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Mountains, where heaven meets earth, point us to Jesus our only way to God. Key moments in Jesus’ ministry on earth took place on mountains. Reflect on them and place your trust in Jesus to be saved and transformed.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
I climb this mountain, seeking your face.
Struggling below, but here I find grace.
Memories flood of encounters divine
Where earth touches heaven, your presence sublime.

(Verse 2)
On temptation’s peak, you stood so strong
Rejecting world’s glory, where we went wrong.
Your perfect obedience lights up our way
Teaching reliance on God each day.
Worshiping God, serving him solely.
His word, our bread sustaining each day.

(Chorus)
Like mountains, heaven meets earth in you.
Jesus, you show us the Father so true.
Lift me above, set apart for your call.
Transform me like you, so others follow.

(Verse 3)
Transfigured in glory, your nature revealed
Moses and Elijah, covenants fulfilled.
Divine and human, in you reconciled
Drawing us closer, no longer exiled.

(Verse 4)
Calvary’s hill, where love paid the price
To bear our sin you gave up your life.
Redeeming our world, the way to God
You adopt as your own, all who respond.

(Chorus)
Like mountains, heaven meets earth in you.
Jesus, you show us the Father so true.
Lift me above, set apart for your call.
Transform me like you, so others follow.

(Verse 5)
Mount of Olives, in prayer you did kneel
Surrendered to God’s will, our souls to heal.
Ascending to heaven, but promising return
Your Spirit empowers, for you we yearn.

(Bridge)
Mount Zion calls, God’s dwelling place
Jerusalem above, eternal embrace.
Where all believers will rejoice one day
In new heaven and earth, with you we’ll stay.

(Chorus)
Like mountains, heaven meets earth in you.
Jesus, you show us the Father so true.
Lift me above, set apart for your call.
Transform me like you, so others follow.

(Outro)
As mountains rise, so lift my soul
To be like you, my highest goal.