Shape Me

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
A prayer for God to help me grow more faithful, available, and teachable like Jesus was and like other believers who have gone before me.

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(Verse 1)
Like Abraham on the mountain high,
With trembling hands and faithful eye,
Make me willing to sacrifice
What I hold dear at any price.

(Verse 2)
Like Ruth who walked through foreign lands,
Gathering hope with weathered hands,
Help me follow where you lead,
Even when my heart may bleed.

(Chorus)
Shape me, Lord, by their example.
Mold my heart to be like yours.
Transform me through their stories
Till your purpose in me matures.
Help me be faithful and available.
Make me teachable, I pray.
Use my life to tell your story
As I follow in your way.

(Verse 3)
Like Daniel in the lion’s den,
Unwavering in the face of men,
Grant me courage to stand true,
When the world stands against you.

(Verse 4)
Like Isaiah’s willing heart,
“Send me, Lord,” his eager start,
May my answer always be,
“Here I am, Lord, send me.”

(Verse 5)
Like Paul whose wisdom turned to dust,
When blinded by your holiness,
Help me set aside my pride,
Let your truth be my guide.

(Bridge)
Jesus knelt to wash their feet,
The Master serving humbly, sweet
Available at every hour,
Surrendered to the Father’s power
Faithful to His final breath,
Obedient even unto death
Teachable in human frame,
May I learn to do the same.

(Verse 6)
Like Mary at the Savior’s feet,
Drinking wisdom, pure and sweet,
Let me listen, let me learn,
For your presence may I yearn.

(Chorus)
Shape me, Lord, by their example.
Mold my heart to be like yours.
Transform me through their stories
Till your purpose in me matures.
Help me be faithful and available.
Make me teachable, I pray.
Use my life to tell your story
As I follow in your way.

Gone Fishing

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
There is simple yet profound joy in reuniting with a friend, sharing each other’s burdens, and doing something outdoors that you both enjoy.

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(Verse 1)
Dawn breaks gold on mirrored lake
Mist rising like a prayer.
Two souls with rods and quiet hope
Seek peace in alpine air.

(Verse 2)
Old tackle box, familiar weight.
“It’s been too long,” we say.
Our hair now fading to gray.
Sunlight starts to paint the day.

(Chorus)
We cast our lines across the deep
For more than scales that shine.
The biggest catch on days like this
Is what we find inside.

(Verse 3)
Pine scent mingles with coffee steam.
Birds call from branch to branch.
Your voice breaks when you speak of work.
I listen with my heart.

(Verse 4)
I tell you how I miss her still
The empty side of bed.
You nod and watch your bobber dance.
Some things need not be said.

(Bridge)
In this cathedral made of trees
Where time flows like the stream
Two broken men find healing balm
In simply being seen.

(Verse 5)
We laugh at jokes we’ve heard before.
The fish ignore our lures
But friendship bites with stronger pull
Than any catch ensures.

(Chorus)
We cast our lines across the deep
For more than scales that shine.
The biggest catch on days like this
Is what we find inside.

(Outro)
The trail leads home as day grows long.
Fish caught, is our story just in part.
We hiked in bearing separate loads
We leave with bonded hearts.

Fleeing Escape

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Our souls need rest that cannot be found in this world, but is only found by faith in God.

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(Verse 1)
In endless scrolls and flashing lights,
My weary soul seeks brief respite,
Numbed by brief and hollow fun,
Yet emptier when day is done.

(Verse 2)
This world sells rest that isn’t real,
A vapor that I cannot feel,
An escapism dressed as peace,
A prison with no true release.

(Verse 3)
Like desert sands beneath my feet,
The pleasures fade in summer heat,
My parched soul cries for living streams,
Beyond these fleeting, fading dreams.

(Chorus)
True rest is not escape from life,
But dwelling in divine embrace,
Where truth and beauty intertwine,
And God’s reality brings grace.

(Verse 4)
Rest is to walk with God each day,
To feel His presence light my way,
In gratitude for gifts bestowed,
And faith through trials on the road.

(Verse 5)
The past released through mercy’s touch,
Forgiveness and healing of all wounds,
The present freed from selfish chains,
As God’s pure love within me reigns!

(Bridge)
Between two paths we all must choose:
Life with our God or all to lose,
Reality or dark escape,
Choose rest in God, your soul to save.

(Verse 6)
Life blooms in beauty, rich and true,
When I surrender all to God,
Releasing what would hold me back,
Receiving all that I once lacked.

(Outro)
My future brightens as I see,
Christ’s image forming deep in me,
Hope blossoms like the morning dew,
As I become forever new!

Breathing in the Now

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
With God’s help make the most of now rather than regretting the past, wishing for what could have been, or worrying about the future.

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(Verse 1)
Chains of yesterday rattle in the wind
But I’m not bound to where I’ve been.
My scars can teach without defining me
The path of the past is not my destiny.

(Chorus)
I’m standing in this moment, breathing in the now,
Not what could have been or might be somehow.
Every choice I make in the light of today
Shapes who I become as I follow God’s way.

(Verse 2)
Storms may gather strength across my sky
But I’ll face the rain with my head held high.
Each struggle etches wisdom in my soul
Through broken places, I become whole.

(Chorus)
I’m standing in this moment, breathing in the now,
Not what could have been or might be somehow.
Every choice I make in the light of today
Shapes who I become as I follow God’s way.

(Verse 3)
In the present I hold what matters
Not running from shadows or reaching for stars.
The sunlight on my face, friends by my side
Thanking God each day, as he provides.

(Verse 4)
Tomorrow is a canvas yet unpainted.
I’ll sketch my dreams but won’t be tainted
By worries of what I cannot control.
Fear of the future won’t consume my soul.

(Bridge)
I surrender my journey to God who’s higher
Trusting his love amidst the fire.
Even darkness transforms in his hands
As he works for good in ways I can’t understand.

(Chorus)
I’m standing in this moment, breathing in the now,
Not what could have been or might be somehow.
Every choice I make in the light of today
Shapes who I become as I follow God’s way.
As I follow God’s way.

Mended Sails

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
Like a ship getting off-course and headed for danger, friendships can start to deteriorate. Both can be saved by addressing difficulties when they arise.

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(Verse 1)
Sun-dappled waters, laughter in the air
Two souls in rhythm, without a care
Trading secrets under starlit skies
A friendship sailing smooth, faithful allies

(Verse 2)
Then clouds gathered, we didn’t see them form
Silent tensions brewing into storm
Words like lightning striking without aim
Our vessel trembling, nothing quite the same

(Chorus)
We’re off course now, drifting toward the rocks
The hull is creaking, water through the cracks
Can we turn this ship around before we sink?
The lighthouse calls us back from the brink

(Bridge)
It takes two hands to hold the wheel steady
It takes humble hearts to avoid what’s petty
We must choose to weather this together
Patch these broken boards with something better

(Verse 3)
Sacrifice the cargo of our pride
Forge forgiveness on the rising tide
By kindness like stars we chart our course
Renewed trust is our current’s force

(Verse 4)
This vessel scarred but stronger than before
Sailing farther than we dared explore
What nearly broke us made our friendship true
These mended sails will carry me and you

(Outro)
We turned course now, steering from the rocks
Sealed the leaks and reinforced the cracks
Smooth waters ahead and a sky so blue
I’m blessed to journey this life with you.

Kite

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
Although it can be hard, take time to reflect on the blessed people who have helped you grow stronger and fly higher.

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(Verse 1)
Walking through the park on a spring day so bright.
Birds singing sweetly, jasmine on the breeze light.
Kids laughing on the swings, dad playing catch with his boy.
Reminds me of building kites with you, a cherished joy.

(Verse 2)
Wood and paper in our hands, crafting with great care.
You taught me precision and balance, skills to prepare.
For a life that would challenge like the winds so wild.
To bend not break. Standing strong, yet gracious and kind.

(Chorus)
Thanks for carrying me through good times and bad.
In so many small ways I still miss you, Dad.
I wish we could launch our kite, let out the line.
Dance in the breeze together, just one more time.

(Verse 3)
We watched the kite soar, you told me to chase my dreams.
No matter how strong the headwinds may seem.
Seek out true friends who help you fly high.
Like a kite’s tail, they steady your flight.

(Bridge)
I’m struggling. No longer a kid, but not yet a man.
Thrown by life’s gusts, I’m unsure where to stand.
Will my line break from mounting responsibility.
Often I feel stuck like a kite in the trees.

(Chorus)
Thanks for carrying me through good times and bad.
In so many small ways I still miss you, Dad.
I wish we could launch our kite, let out the line.
Dance in the breeze together, just one more time.

(Outro)
Oh, Dad, I want to fly our diamond in the sky.
I still need you, I’m not ready to say goodbye.

Paper Crown

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
By faith serve God and others before yourself as you love like Jesus in this fallen world of broken people.

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(Verse 1)
In a world that’s cracked and shattered wide,
Our vision flipped, our values upside down,
We chase the gilded treasures that won’t abide.
Hearts made for glory, settle for paper crowns.

(Verse 2)
God values people, but we use them for gain,
While clinging tight to trinkets of dust.
To build our kingdoms we wax and wane,
Instead of bending knees to God in trust.

(Chorus)
Find noble pleasure in pleasing God.
For it’s worth any cost to live by faith.
Serve God and others before your own cause
Loving like Jesus with majestic grace.

(Verse 3)
How easily we welcome sinful ways,
Arms open wide to ominous harm.
Yet holiness rewards those who obey,
As they forsake this world’s deadly charms.

(Bridge)
On the throne of your heart only one can reign,
Is it you or God who controls that seat?
Your shadow only fades in light’s domain.
Allow God to increase, as you decrease.

(Verse 4)
Claiming your own crown leads you astray
From the throne of glory, God made you to know,
Your rebel rule has built a barren kingdom
Between your soul and where life’s riches flow.

(Verse 5)
But Jesus has crossed your province of pride
Offering robes to those weary of sin.
Humbly let His royal wisdom guide,
Attend his court and be renewed within.

(Chorus)
Find noble pleasure in pleasing God.
For it’s worth any cost to live by faith.
Serve God and others before your own cause
Loving like Jesus with majestic grace.

How Great the Tale

Music edition by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
Lyrics: Gaelic prayer translated by E. Hull (first published 1631). Choral Public Domain License.

Find your rest in Jesus. Fulfilled in him, give your utmost for God’s highest as he enables you. 

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(Verse 1)
How great the tale, that there should be
In God’s Son’s heart, a place for me!
That on a sinner’s lips like mine
The Cross of Jesus Christ should shine.

(Verse 2)
Christ Jesus, bend me to Thy Will:
My feet to urge, my griefs to still;
That even my flesh and blood may be
A temple sanctified to Thee.

(Verse 3)
No rest, no calm, my soul may win
Because my body craves to sin
Till Thou, dear Lord, Thyself impart
Peace to my head, light to my heart.

(Verse 4)
May consecration come from far,
Soft shining like the evening star!
My toilsome path make plain to me
Until I come to rest in Thee.

Gardens from Dust

by Mark Greenelsh ©2025
God made us to share in his love and the beauty of his holy nature. Therefore our hearts are restless until they rest and find fulfillment in him.

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(Verse 1)
Empty vessels, hollow praise
Lost in self-made labyrinths of pride
Reaching for stars with muddy hands
Restless souls with nowhere to hide.

(Verse 2)
Rebellion blooms like desert thorns
Choking life with empty promises.
Sin’s wages paid in shadowed coin.
Death the only fruit that flourishes.

(Chorus)
God made us to share His love
And the beauty of His holy face.
Our hearts beat with divine design
Restless ’til they find His grace.

(Verse 3)
From heaven’s height, tender mercy flows
God’s own Son, the bridge across our shame.
Jesus walked the path we could not tread
Bearing cross and crown, and cruel blame.

(Verse 4)
On the cross, Jesus paid our ransom.
In his tomb, our sentence laid to rest.
From his grave, our freedom fully born.
In his rising, our souls forever blessed!

(Chorus)
God made us to share His love
And the beauty of His holy face.
Our hearts beat with divine design
Restless ’til they find His grace.

(Bridge)
We are free to choose God’s better way
By faith alive in Jesus’ name.
What once controlled now holds no sway.
Grace has set the captive heart aflame!

(Verse 5)
Through Christ alone, our weakness turns
To strength beyond what we could know.
Rivers flowing from a desert soul
Gardens where just dust used to grow.

(Outro)
So let us die to self each day
And rise in Him, our best design.
Bringing healing to a fractured world
As troubled hearts find rest divine.

Rivers in Wasteland

by Mark Greenelsh ©2024
For anyone suffering or in waiting, know that God is faithful to love, nurture, sustain, deliver, and restore those who seek him even if they have done wrong and been unfaithful.

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(Verse 1)
Altars to our idols rise
Success and comfort blind our eyes.
Like others, we’ve gone astray
Traded truth for attractive lies.

(Verse 2)
We silence repeated warning calls.
Build kingdoms destined to fall.
Our hands that should lift others up
Instead hold power’s empty cup.

(Chorus)
Yet God is faithful. he heals our souls.
When we seek him, he makes us whole.
When we repent, he fills our void.
His love restores what sin destroyed.

(Verse 3)
We forge our treaties with the world
Our flags of compromise unfurled.
While whispers of God’s holy way
Fade like sunset at close of day.

(Verse 4)
Now exiled from our dreams of peace
In barren lands of our defeat.
The harvest of our wandering souls—
Broken hearts we can’t make whole.

(Chorus)
Yet God is faithful. he heals our souls.
When we seek him, he makes us whole.
When we repent, he fills our void.
His love restores what sin destroyed.

(Bridge)
In the waiting, in our breaking
In the silence, God is making
Rivers in our wasteland flow
Seeds of blessing within us grow.
Not in comfort, but in remorse
Not defiance, but in changing course
Here redemption is revealed.
Here our broken hearts are healed.

(Chorus)
Oh, how God is faithful. he heals our souls.
When we seek him, he makes us whole.
When we repent, he fills our void.
His love restores what sin destroyed.
His love restores what sin destroyed.