Carry On with the Call

by Mark Greenelsh ©1992, 2024
“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NIV).

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
We have a blessed call, the greatest joy of life:
To love our God with all we are,
Our minds, our strength, our hearts.
So draw close to him, and carry on.

(Verse 2)
We have a sacred call, reached only through the Son:
To be holy as the Father is,
Set apart as only His.
Let him live through you, and carry on.

(Chorus)
Fight the good fight, stand firm in the faith.
Rely on Christ and overcome.
The battle to save he’s already won.
So heed His call, and carry on.

(Verse 3)
We have a precious call; the Lord speaks to our hearts:
To love our neighbor as ourselves,
To empty our lives, our time, our wealth.
Let him keep filling you, then carry on.

(Verse 4)
We have a priestly call to daily intercede
For the lost and those whose acts God hates,
To rescue them from a hellbound state.
So seek out, extend mercy, and carry on.

(Chorus)

(Outro)
We have a mission call; Christ sends us to the world:
He says, “Go, disciple, and teach all men,
And I’ll be with you till the end.”
So proclaim his truth in love, and carry on.

Raising My Hands

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
Lift your hands and your heart to God in loving praise, trust, and submission, for he alone is worthy of all glory.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Like flowers opening to morning light,
My hands unfold before your sight,
Vulnerable, bare, with nothing to hide,
Trusting you to be my guide.

(Verse 2)
As autumn leaves fall to the ground,
My pride dissolves without a sound.
Empty hands raised, I’m quiet and still
Surrendered fully to your will.

(Chorus)
These hands reveal my heart’s desire
To become like you, I aspire.
Fill me and use me in this world
To share your love and spread your word.

(Verse 3)
Like banners raised in victory,
My hands declare your majesty.
Every finger points to heaven’s King,
In all creation may your anthem ring.

(Verse 4)
As children reach for father’s arms,
My spirit longs to be with you.
Lifting hands to receive your grace,
Forever your child, in your embrace.

(Bridge)
In your presence, Lord, I stand.
My heart joins my lifted hands.
Joyfully with you I dwell.
I give all I am, nothing withheld.

(Chorus)

Dandelion Dreams

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
A bored child with nothing to do indoors, discovers adventure outdoors with a simple dandelion.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Young Timothy sat with a frown on his face,
No games could entice, no toys had appeal.
His mother said, “Dear, go play in the yard,
The fresh air and sunshine will help a great deal.”

(Verse 2)
With dragging feet, Tim ventured outside,
Where dandelions dotted the emerald grass.
He plucked one up, its stem milky white,
And blew on the fluff with a half-hearted pass.

(Verse 3)
As the seeds took flight, change stirred the air,
They sparkled and shimmered like magical dust.
Tim watched in awe as they danced on the breeze,
Surprised and amazed, his boredom rebuffed.

(Verse 4)
He imagined himself on a seed taking flight,
Soaring high in the sky, through cottony clouds.
The wind in his hair, the world down below,
He felt like a king, although no one bowed.

(Verse 5)
Over mountains he glided, past valleys so green,
A waterfall’s mist cooled his sun-warmed cheek.
The parachute seed floated gently along,
Carrying him to adventures unique.

(Verse 6)
At last he descended to a woodland so fair,
Where gnomes bustled about with hammers and saws.
Their industry and cheer fostered community
As he passed they kindly waved from their lawns.

(Verse 7)
He wandered past farms with thatched roofs aglow,
Through meadows of flowers in rainbow hues.
A quaint village beckoned with cobblestone streets,
Where every sight filled him with wonder anew.

(Verse 8)
But hark! From afar, his mother’s voice called,
“Time to come in and help with the chores!”
Reality beckoned, adventure must end,
Tim sighed as he left his new found world.

(Outro)
Yet as he turned back for one final glance,
More dandelions caught his eye in the yard.
A smile spread wide across Timothy’s face,
For adventures await just outside, not far.

Flower in the Rain

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
Don’t be afraid to do hard things. It forges your character, strengthens your relationships, and prepares you for future challenges.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Staring down the barrel of a daunting task.
Fear can grip your heart, like a relentless vice.
But deep within, let a virgin flame burn.
May it fuel your desire to grow and learn.

(Verse 2)
In the face of adversity, you rise.
Embracing challenges, reaching for the sky.
Through the sweat and tears, you persevere.
Building resilience, conquering your fears.

(Chorus)
Do hard things, push beyond your limits.
Climb the mountains, cross the raging rivers.
Take the leap, venture into the unknown.
By steps of faith, you’ll reap what you’ve sown.

(Verse 3)
Whispers of doubt, will try to hold you back.
Drive through what’s paved, pursue a rugged track.
Resilience blooms, like a flower in the rain.
Character and growth, your noble gain.

(Bridge)
The path less traveled, it’s where you’ll find.
The greatest rewards, for your heart and mind.
Embrace the hardships, let them mold you.
A life well-lived, with a purpose true.

(Chorus)

More Than Enough

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
Discover by faith that God is more than enough to meet your deepest needs, even though Satan tries to convince you otherwise.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
At the dawn of time a tale began,
A venomous lie that breeds doubt and sin.
Saying God is not real, just an illusion,
For your needs, he has no solution.

(Chorus)
Oh, the truth is as clear as a sunny day,
God is more than sufficient in every way.
He saves, he heals, he is your source,
Satan destroys, God almighty supports.

He’s kind and good, more than enough,
In his hands, he holds you when times are tough.
He always speaks truth, Satan spews lies.
God is ever faithful, on him rely.

(Verse 2)
When hope departs and suicide calls your name,
Or lies whisper addiction’s your fate.
When divorce seems right or you feel disowned.
When you’re confused, worried, trapped, or alone.

(Verse 3)
Find freedom and peace in God above.
He crafted you to live with him in love.
He mends broken hearts, brings good from the past,
Stands by your side, offering joy that lasts.

(Bridge)
Trust in the Lord and put him to the test,
He’s more than capable to fulfill your best.
He is the remedy, the strength in your strife,
Only with God will you find true life.

(Chorus)

(Outro)
Oh, the truth is as clear as a sunny day,
God is more than sufficient in every way.

Meditation of My Heart

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
God is worthy of all glory for his love and salvation. I joyfully desire to love him back by trusting and obeying him. (Based on Psalm 19).

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
The heavens declare your glory, Lord,
The skies proclaim the work of your hands.
I come to you in humble prayer,
Longing to honor your commands.

(Chorus)
O God, my heart’s desire is you,
Not my will, but yours I’ll pursue.
Your perfect law, your statutes true,
Refresh my soul and make me new.

(Verse 2)
Your precepts, Lord, are right and just,
Bringing joy to the contrite heart.
Your radiant commands, a shining light,
Guiding my steps, giving me sight.

(Bridge)
May my words and deeds, my thoughts within
Be pleasing to you, my Savior and King.
For you are my Rock, my sole Redeemer.
To you alone, my praises I bring.

(Chorus)
O God, my heart’s desire is you,
Not my will, but yours I’ll pursue.
Your perfect law, your statutes true,
Refresh my soul and make me new.

(Outro)
May my words and deeds, my thoughts within
Be pleasing to you, my Savior and King.
For you are my Rock, my sole Redeemer.
To you alone, my praises I bring.

Close the Gap

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
It is important to eliminate any dissonance between knowing something and doing something about it, first in your relationship with God then with others. Ask for God’s wisdom to see life and relationships through his eyes. Then follow through with what he shows you to do.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
Deep within, a truth takes hold.
A knowledge that warms, but leaves us cold.
We know what’s right, but fail to do
Letting dissonance reign, a silent coup.

(Verse 2)
Hearing is noble, but listening is king.
Growth leverages learning, gives it wings.
Wisdom takes knowledge, and applies to excel.
Don’t just have a friend, but be one as well.

(Verse 3)
In the words I speak, can you find the truth?
Don’t just learn, but put it to use.
Opportunities will follow, and you will grow.
Life is better if you act on what you know.

(Chorus)
Look to the cross, where heaven meets earth.
Jesus died and rose to give new birth.
God’s amazing grace, our utmost need.
By faith close the gap. In Jesus be freed.

(Bridge)
Let the truth of God’s love and presence
Move from head to heart, then to your hands
Change from the inside out, a work divine
Surrender to God, to him align.

(Chorus)
Look to the cross, where heaven meets earth.
Jesus died and rose to give new birth.
God’s amazing grace, our utmost need.
By faith close the gap. In Jesus be freed.

(Outro)
The gap is bridged, the cross has called.
Lay down your life, once and for all.
Know him not just of him, and you will see.
He’ll impart his life, abundant and free.

Crossing the Stage

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
As children grow up, hopefully they don’t grow distant.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
The days have gone by, oh how time has flown.
It seems like yesterday, you were my little boy at home.
We’d wash the car together on summer days.
Try on my suit for size, learn to fasten a tie.
Backpacking trips in the mountains we’d go.
Laugh, tell tales, and roast smores in the fire’s glow.

(Chorus)
Children are a blessing, a gift from above.
Never enough time together, to share all our love.
As you cross that stage today, a grown man you’ve become.
Know that I’m so proud of you, son.
Even as our time draws to a close.
My love for you forever grows.

(Verse 2)
Teaching you to ride your first bike.
Playing disc golf from dawn ’til night.
Gazing at sunsets on the beach.
Talking ’bout life and love out of reach.
Those precious moments I’ll always hold near,
The laughs, the lessons, the joys and tears.

(Chorus)

(Bridge)
So go spread your wings and fly.
Chase your dreams, reach for the sky.
But always remember, you can come back home
No matter how far you may roam.

(Chorus)

(Outro)
My son, I love you, more than words can say.
I’ll be right here cheering you on, each and every day.

Not Yet

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
Trust God’s unsurpassed plan and perfect timing. He is always working for your best even in unseen ways.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
You’re yearning for a love so deep,
Yet God will provide, just who you need
Work on yourself, let your soul grow,
Pour into others, let your light show.

(Verse 2)
Seeking a new path, a fresh start,
Trust God’s plan, He knows your heart.
Absorb and thrive where you stand today,
Contribute your best, God’s glory display.

(Chorus)
Trust in God’s will, listen and obey,
Never rushed or delayed, He’ll pave the way.
When the answer is not yet, accept and believe,
Something greater is coming, just wait and receive.

(Verse 3)
Through the pain, healing takes time,
Develop your strength, your character refine.
Empathize with others, comfort those in need,
In the process, you’ll find yourself freed.

(Bridge)
When you pray and there’s no change it seems
Persevere, God’s working in ways unseen
He turns all things for good, for those who love
Trust in His plan, His timing from above.

(Chorus)
Trust in God’s will, listen and obey,
Never rushed or delayed, He’ll pave the way.
When the answer is not yet, accept and believe,
Something greater is coming, just wait and receive.
When the answer is not yet, accept and believe,
Something greater is coming, just wait and receive.

Harmony

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
When your relationships are strained align with God first and let him help you straighten everything else out.

___________________________________

(Verse 1)
It’s been quite awhile, since we’ve been in tune.
You’re the rising sun, I’m the waning moon.
Our rhythms are clashing, like a discordant song
Where notes are broken and tacets are long.

(Verse 2)
In the same space, yet we’re worlds apart
Our minds are scattered, like leaves in the park.
I yearn for kinship, your engaging grace
But the quiet consumes us, in this lonely place.

(Verse 3)
You have your goals, and I have my dreams.
Once woven together we’re splitting at the seams.
I miss walking hand-in-hand down life’s road.
Now we’re just going through motions, playing our roles.

(Bridge)
What can we do, to find our way home?
Aligned as one, not estranged and alone.
Life may steer us off course, but my heart’s forever here
I’ll fight for our love, for you are so dear.

(Chorus)
Though we’re out of sync, and the journey is long
I’ll love through the struggle, to rebuild our union.
I want to be your partner, your kindred spirit again
For there’s more to our story, chapters yet to be written.

I believe in you and I am committed to us.
I’ll work to meet your needs, to lift you up.
Today take my hand, one with God let’s be.
Trusting in him to compose our symphony.