Crown Laid Down

Bringing glory to God each day—drawing closer to him, and helping others do the same yields eternal rewards that far exceed any earthly entitlements.

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(Verse 1)
My King stepped down from heaven’s throne,
His glory veiled in flesh and bone.
He chose the cross, forsook his crown,
So lost people can be found.

(Chorus)
I lay my rights before your feet,
Count earthly gain as loss complete.
What’s mine to hold, I freely give,
That others might find you and live.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
In my life, O Lord, aligned as one.

(Verse 2)
Though I could assert and claim what’s mine,
I choose instead to step behind.
My comfort traded for other’s peace,
In my silence, may your voice speak.

(Verse 3)
Not every path my freedom takes
Will forge in me your holiness.
Though permissible, I won’t proceed
If chains will bind me or those you freed.

(Verse 4)
I will not leverage grace for gold,
Or sell your truth for things that fold.
I’ve been freely given to freely share
Your salvation and loving care.

(Chorus)
I lay my rights before your feet,
Count earthly gain as loss complete.
What’s mine to hold, I freely give,
That others might find you and live.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
In my life, O Lord, aligned as one.

(Bridge)
Seek first the kingdom of the King,
Trust him to meet your every need.
Don’t break down in doing his will,
All that’s promised, he fulfills.
Your reward in Christ far outweighs
Whatever you renounce today.

(Verse 5)
Make me like you, my great reward,
Your love beyond what mind can hold.
Lift me with you, my risen Lord,
To shine your light, warm and bold.
United with you, my joy abounds,
I gain far more than I lay down.

(Chorus)
I lay my crown before your feet,
Count earthly gain as loss complete.
What’s mine to hold, I freely give,
That others might find you and live.
To become like Christ, God the Son,
Is worth more than all beneath the sun.
Your kingdom come.

Mission Field of Grace

By God’s grace and power those who follow Jesus should view harmful people and difficult circumstances as an opportunity to engage in love and truth as Jesus did, not to shrink back in fear.

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(Verse 1)
The cross that bore our Savior’s weight
Still casts a shadow long and wide.
Don’t be surprised when darkness hates
The light you carry deep inside.

(Verse 2)
When voices rise to curse your name
And lies surround you like a flood
Pray mercy on the ones who blame
Pour blessing where they’ve spilled your blood.

(Chorus)
This is not a battlefield
It’s a mission field of grace.
Every stone the world may wield
Becomes a chance to show God’s face.
Love is stronger than the fight
Truth sets free those who hear.
We are warriors of the light
Called to draw the broken near.

(Verse 3)
When hatred plots behind closed doors
And evil schemes against your soul
Return their violence with open arms
Trade judgment for a love that’s whole.

(Verse 4)
Forgive the ones who strike your back
Pardon those who steal and wrong.
The gentle word turns away wrath
Rely on God, your victory song.

(Bridge)
When weariness has worn you thin
When doubt whispers you’re not enough
Remember—it was never you
God’s power rises in the rough.
Stand up with resurrection strength
Move forward with the Lion’s heart
No trial formed can separate
You from his love that sets you apart.

(Verse 5)
God goes before, he walks beside
No weapon fashioned shall prevail.
In Christ, you overcome and thrive
His perfect love will never fail.

(Chorus)
This is not a battlefield
It’s a mission field of grace.
Every stone the world may wield
Becomes a chance to show God’s face.
Love is stronger than the fight
Truth sets free those who hear.
We are warriors of the light
Called to draw the broken near.

River of Mercy

By faith show mercy to others as God has shown to you. Repay evil with good, trusting God to make things right.

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(Verse 1)
God the Father poured mercy out,
A crimson flood to wash you clean.
Now through your veins his love must flow
To thirsty hearts you’ve yet to meet.

(Chorus)
So let mercy run like rivers wild,
Through these cracked and earthen hands.
Not your strength, but Christ in you—
His grace poured out on broken land.

(Verse 2)
Rejoice with joy, and weep with tears,
Embrace the weight of others’ pain.
For love was nailed upon a tree
To turn your enemies to saints.

(Chorus)
So let mercy run like rivers wild,
Through these cracked and earthen hands.
Not your strength, but Christ in you—
His grace poured out on broken land.

(Verse 3)
Don’t light the torch of vengeful fire—
Let God’s own justice have its day.
Pray for the ones who curse your name,
That they might find the narrow way.

(Bridge)
It cuts against this flesh and bone,
This call to love beyond your strength.
But you’ve been given heaven’s heart—
Power from the King of kings.

(Verse 4)
So open wide the table’s end,
Share bread with stranger, friend, and foe.
In hope rejoice, in trouble stand,
Where evil strikes, let goodness grow.

(Chorus)
Let mercy run like rivers wild,
Through these cracked and earthen hands.
Not your strength, but Christ in you—
His grace poured out on broken land.
Let mercy run like rivers wild,
Through these cracked and earthen hands.
Not your strength, but Christ in you—
His grace poured out on broken land.

Sacred Call

Jesus loves the lost and the hurting and calls them to himself to be saved. Many times he works through his followers to do that.

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(Verse 1)
Your words cut sharp when the wound runs deep,
Lashing out at those who dare come near.
The ache inside won’t let you sleep—
You build your walls with anger and with fear.

(Verse 2)
You push away the ones who stay,
Sabotage the good before it breaks.
Trust feels like a price you cannot pay—
You leave before your heart learns what love takes.

(Chorus)
Through his eyes I see beyond your scars,
Past your armor to who you’re meant to be.
Not the wounded prisoner that you are,
But the beloved child that Christ sets free.
He’s placed you in my life, a sacred call—
To love you with his love that conquers all.

(Verse 3)
You offer pieces of a shattered heart,
But broken glass can’t hold another soul.
You try to love, but fall apart—
What’s hollow inside can’t overflow.

(Verse 4)
You chase the night to forget the day,
Drown the echoes in another glass.
You take a hit to keep ghosts at bay—
But morning comes and nothing’s passed.

(Verse 5)
Lift your weary eyes up from the ground,
There’s healing waiting in the Savior’s hands.
The remedy you’ve sought can now be found—
In grace, that breaks your chains, and understands.

(Bridge)
He meets you in the ashes where you stand,
But loves too much to let you stay and hide.
His mercy pierces through your iron bands—
Unfailing love that bridges your divide.

(Chorus)
Through his eyes I see beyond your scars,
Past your armor to who you’re meant to be.
Not the wounded prisoner that you are,
But the beloved child that Christ sets free.
He’s placed you in my life, a sacred call—
To love you with his love that conquers all.

(Outro)
One day at a time, I pray you’ll grow,
To trust him and his healing bestowed.
My heart rejoices to journey with you,
Drawing close to him as he makes all new.
My heart rejoices to journey with you,
Drawing close to him as he makes all new.
My heart rejoices to journey with you,
Drawing close to him as he makes all new.

Beyond the Ordinary

By faith move beyond the ordinary and discover an extraordinary God in order to unite with him in saving others.

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(Verse 1)
We claim his name but live halfway,
Keep Jesus safe, tucked far away,
A Sunday thought, insurance paid,
While others die who might be saved.

(Chorus)
Rise up, rise up, there’s more for you!
Discover how God is ever new.
He calls us daily to his side—
To die to self, then rise and abide.
Join in his redemption journey
Far beyond what’s ordinary.

(Verse 2)
What holds you back from following close?
What comfort matters to you most?
He asks for all, not just a part—
Your days, your ways, your thoughts and heart.

(Chorus)
Rise up, rise up, there’s more for you!
Discover how God is ever new.
He calls us daily to his side—
To die to self, then rise and abide.
Join in his redemption journey
Far beyond what’s ordinary.

(Verse 3)
Seek first his kingdom, walk his way,
Not pleasure, safety, or delay.
Find what he died for, stand as he fights—
Humbly discern how to live right.

(Bridge)
Forgive us, Lord, for being small
While knowing you who conquered all.
Your Spirit stirs with love and peace,
With joy and power to reach the least.

(Verse 4)
Walk justly through this broken land,
Extend your mercy, take a hand,
Bear kindness, faithfulness, and grace—
Reflect the glory of God’s face.

(Verse 5)
Pour out the gifts God placed in you,
Help wandering souls find what is true,
Guide them to Jesus, show the way—
That they might walk with him each day.

(Chorus)
Rise up, rise up, there’s more to do!
Discover how God is ever new.
He calls us daily to his side—
To die to self, then rise and abide.
Join in his redemption journey
Far beyond what’s ordinary.

Unite My Heart

Love and honor God which includes a reverent fear of his judgment against our sin. Joyful obedience positions us to experience God’s best and to serve others for their best. (Inspired by Psalm 86:11 and Psalm 25:14).

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(Verse 1)
You fashioned us to live with you as one,
To bear your image and walk in your ways,
Created for communion, daughters and sons
Yet our selfish hearts choose to go astray.

(Verse 2)
I do the things I hate, yet fail to do good,
My fractured will cries out for wholeness, Lord,
Discipline me as you, my Father, should—
Yet gently as you can. In your love restore.

(Chorus)
Unite my heart to fear your holy name,
Your fount of life saves me from snares of death,
In reverent love, let joy and awe inflame—
Ignite in me, trust and obedience.

(Verse 3)
Your friendship waits for those who fear you well,
You whisper secrets of your covenant grace,
The measure of my reverence I can tell—
By how I hate the evil I now face.

(Verse 4)
My love for you makes everything else fade,
I rest satisfied, complete in you alone,
For those who follow, this path I lay—
One heart, one way, forever near your throne.

(Chorus)
Unite my heart to fear your holy name,
Your fount of life saves me from snares of death,
In reverent love, let joy and awe inflame—
Ignite in me trust and obedience.

(Bridge)
Come taste the abundant life God holds,
Turn from the sin that steals your joy away,
God’s comfort and his grace unfold—
His power reigns when we obey.
Fear God alone and watch your terror cease,
Fear nothing else when walking in his peace,
The faithful rise to change the world around—
One with God, true life is found.

(Verse 5)
From inside out, God, set my spirit free,
Aligned with your character and call,
No longer slave to what I used to be—
One heart with you, I’m given all in all.

(Chorus)
Unite my heart to fear your holy name,
Your fount of life saves me from snares of death,
In reverent love, let joy and awe inflame—
Ignite in me trust and obedience.

Treasures Over Time

Life’s an adventure of learning to love and be loved.

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(Verse 1)
Wake up to morning’s golden call,
Today’s a gift, unwrap it all.
Set the table, pour the tea,
Life’s sweetest with friends and family.

(Verse 2)
Listen close to what they say,
Put their dreams before your way.
Walk their miles in muddy shoes,
Love means choosing what they’d choose.

(Chorus)
This is the journey, wild and true,
Learning to love and to be loved too.
Building memories, hand in hand,
Painting our story across the land.
Every stumble, every climb,
We’re collecting treasures over time!

(Verse 3)
Dance in rain though you might fall,
Climb that tree, risk it all.
Try the recipe, sing off-key,
Failures teach us how to be.

(Verse 4)
When the storms come rolling through,
Let the hard winds strengthen you.
Every scar tells where you’ve been,
Proof that you got up again.

(Chorus)
This is the journey, wild and true,
Learning to love and to be loved too.
Building memories, hand in hand,
Painting our story across the land.
Every stumble, every climb,
We’re collecting treasures over time!

(Bridge)
Yes, we plant seeds for tomorrow,
Save and build and plan ahead,
But tonight admire the starlight,
Toast the warmth of daily bread.
Count the blessings in your pocket,
Joy lives here in what you hold—
Present moments shine like diamonds,
Worth far more than future gold.

(Verse 5)
Gather ’round the fire’s glow,
Share the stories, let them flow.
Strengthen those who make you strong,
This is where your heart belongs.

(Chorus)
This is the journey, wild and true,
Learning to love and to be loved too.
Building memories, hand in hand,
Painting our story across the land.
Every stumble, every climb,
We’re collecting treasures over time!

(Outro)
So take the leap and hold on tight—
Love’s the greatest adventure of life!

Change Agent

Jesus is calling you to join him to make a difference in the world by reaching the lost as his minister of reconciliation.

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(Verse 1)
The streets are loud with silent cries,
Behind the smiles are broken lives.
A world that spins but can’t find ground,
Still searching for what can’t be found.
But you were lost, and you were found —
Now carry light to darker ground.

(Verse 2)
Something’s stirring deep inside,
You were never meant to hide.
You were made for more than this —
Called to live and called to risk.

(Chorus)
Rise up, change agent, take the fire —
Jesus sends you higher and higher.
The Way, the Truth, the Life in you —
He’s remaking broken into new.
Join the mission, cross the divide,
Bring his hope where hope has died.
The world is waiting, dark and wide —
Let Christ in you be glorified.

(Verse 3)
He didn’t call the polished few,
He calls the cracked, the worn-right-through.
His grace is grit, his love is fierce —
Through every wall his mercy pierces.
Scars you carry, God can use today —
As healing balm to someone in your place.

(Verse 4)
Something’s shifting in the ground,
Ancient hope and modern sound.
You’re not alone — he goes before —
Saving people forevermore.

(Chorus)
Rise up, change agent, take the fire —
Jesus sends you higher and higher.
The Way, the Truth, the Life in you —
He’s remaking broken into new.
Join the mission, cross the divide,
Bring his hope where hope has died.
The world is waiting, dark and wide —
Let Christ in you be glorified.

(Verse 5)
From city blocks to desert plains,
From flooded shores to hurricane rains,
In every tongue, in every tribe —
Restoration on the rise.
Not distant God, but God with skin,
Moving through you, moving in.
Hands and feet of living grace —
Putting broken back in place.

(Bridge)
“This world is not beyond repair.
Every life that feels forgotten —
God has not forgotten them.
Every city in the dark —
He sees it.
And he is sending you.
Not when you’re ready.
Not when you’re perfect.
Now.
Cracked open, surrendered, available —
That’s all he asks.
The same power that rolled back the stone
is living inside of you.
So go.
Go and be the change
you’ve been praying for.”

(Chorus)
Rise up, change agent, take the fire —
Jesus sends you higher and higher.
The Way, the Truth, the Life in you —
He’s remaking broken into new.
Join the mission, cross the divide,
Bring his hope where hope has died.
The world is waiting, dark and wide —
Let Christ in you be glorified!

(Outro)
The streets are loud with silent cries,
But now you know — go be the light.

Steady Hands

A son joyfully cares for his aging father who lovingly raised him. Likewise, we should give back to those who have given to us.

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(Verse 1)
Chrome handlebars gleam in the afternoon light
A father pedals steady, his son perched high.
Through maple-shadowed streets they weave and glide
The delighted boy feels he could fly.

(Verse 2)
Now training wheels spin off on summer grass
Strong hands guide the seat while small legs strain.
Dad runs behind then releases his grasp.
He stops as his boy wavers down the lane.

(Verse 3)
Dad tosses keys to the boy now grown.
Through grinding gears and shaky turns,
Mirrors checked and speeding controlled
The boy listens well and quickly learns.

(Chorus)
There is a joy when circles start anew
When seasons shift and roles exchange their place.
The gift returns like dawn ever true
Each person blessed by extending grace.

(Bridge)
The years accumulate like autumn leaves.
Time reshapes the strong to something frail.
The river flows where no one quite conceives.
Their roles reverse within life’s aging tale.

(Verse 4)
Now younger hands rest steady on the wheel
While dimming eyes watch streets they used to know
The son drives carefully, helps his father feel
The world beyond the places he can go

(Verse 5)
Chrome wheels of different kind now hold dad near.
The son who once gripped handlebars and cheered
Now steers his father through declining years
And speaks the gentle words he used to hear.

(Chorus)
There is a joy when circles start anew
When seasons shift and roles exchange their place.
The gift returns like dawn ever true
And love completes its long and sacred race.
Oh, there is a joy in giving back the grace
To those who gave their everything to you.

Analog Man

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
An analog man feels marginalized in an increasingly digital world, even though his ways offer unique value and should be preserved.

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(Verse 1)
His weathered hands know wood and steel and stone,
While screens glow blue in windows all around.
He mends what breaks while others swipe alone,
Trading their tools for algorithmic sound.

(Verse 2)
They order food from phones but cannot cook,
Watch strangers dance while neighbors pass unseen.
He reads the sky like pages from a book,
While they scroll through a manufactured dream.

(Chorus)
Time was saved but somehow disappeared,
Connections made yet loneliness remains.
All the world’s knowledge volunteered,
But wisdom slips like water down the drain.
He holds the things that automation steals—
The well-worn pride of fixing what was broken,
The weight of work that makes a person real,
The sacred bonds through presence softly spoken.

(Verse 3)
A thousand shows but nothing much being said,
Their eyes avoid the stranger on the street.
He greets the dawn while they sleep through the day,
Lost in their feeds which are filtered and repeat.

(Verse 4)
They cannot fix a faucet, patch a tire,
Or read the weather in the shifting air.
Convenience killed the skills that they require,
Now helpless when the wifi isn’t there.

(Chorus)
Time was saved but somehow disappeared,
Connections made yet loneliness remains.
All the world’s knowledge volunteered,
But wisdom slips like water down the drain.
He holds the things that automation steals—
The well-worn pride of fixing what was broken,
The weight of work that makes a person real,
The sacred bonds through presence softly spoken.

(Bridge)
He wonders if his ways will fade to dust,
If anyone remembers how to be—
Until a child with eyes that shine with trust
Says, “Mister, will you teach these things to me?”

(Verse 5)
Small hands reach out to learn the ancient ways,
To plant a seed, to hammer bent things straight.
Perhaps there’s hope within these hurried days,
That what was lost can still regenerate.

(Verse 6)
So he persists, this keeper of the real,
Teaching those who hunger for the truth—
That progress isn’t found in each new deal,
For value often wears an older suit.

(Chorus)
Time was saved but somehow disappeared,
Connections made yet loneliness remains.
All the world’s knowledge volunteered,
But wisdom slips like water down the drain.
He holds the things that automation steals—
The well-worn pride of fixing what was broken,
The weight of work that makes a person real,
The sacred bonds through presence softly spoken.

(Outro)
One child’s small hand reminds him why he tries—
The future needs what analog man keeps alive.