{Songs to Sing}: I Shall Not Want

Audrey's last two albums have been on repeat everywhere I go for the last 3 weeks; in the car, getting ready in the morning, at my desk. I might highlight another song of hers in the near future but this was the first to really reach down in me, stirring up a sweet need.

A lot of us would say to God, "Please deliver me from [a grievous sin]" but how often do you pray for God to save you from the need to be understood or right? Goodness, that has been a long-time prayer of mine; this girl has long loved getting her way (though much work has been done in me here).

I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad

From the love of my own comfort
From the fear of having nothing
From a life of worldly passions
Deliver me, O God

From the need to be understood
From the need to be accepted
From the fear of being lonely
Deliver me, O God
Deliver me, O God

And I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want

From the fear of serving others
From the fear of death or trial
From the fear of humility
Deliver me, O God
Deliver me, O God

And I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want

No, I shall not want, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want
When I taste Your goodness, I shall not want

*You can also check out some of Audrey's music on Noisetrade and of course, Amazon. It's all so good!

{Songs to Sing}: The Prodigal

The Prodigal by Sovereign Grace Music
Written by Meghan Baird & Ryan Baird

You held out Your arms, I walked away
Insolent, I spurned Your face
Squandering the gifts You gave to me
Holding close forbidden things
Destitute, a rebel still, a fool in all my pride
The world I once enjoyed is death to me
No joy, no hope, no life

Where now are the friends that I had bought
Gone with every penny lost
What hope could there be for such as I
Sold out to a world of lies
Oh to see Your face again, it seems so distant now
Could it be that You would take me back
A servant in Your house

You held out Your arms, I see them still
You never left, You never will
Running to embrace me, now I know
Your cords of love will always hold
Mercy’s robe, a ring of grace
Such favor undeserved
You sing over me and celebrate
The rebel now Your child

{Songs to Sing}: My All In Thee

My All In Thee by Young Oceans

When gracious Lord, when shall it be
That earth will find her all in Thee?
The fullness of Thy promise, prove
Seal me with Thy eternal love

Thee only Thee I’m fain to find
I cast the world and sin behind
O my Redeemer, hear this plea
And let me find my all in Thee

Show me Your Way, my love, my Lord
Draw me to grace, so strong and sure
I run to Your mercy, where I am free
Let me find my all in Thee


Lord I am blind, be Thou my sight
Lord I am weak, be Thou my might
A helper of the helpless be
And let me find my all in Thee

Please mend my soul, my frame, my life
A contrite heart, Thou won’t despise
Take now this pain and misery
And let me find my all in Thee

*Check out Young Oceans via their website, BandCamp, iTunes, or Amazon.

{Songs to Sing}: Into The Glorious

Into the Glorious
by Christy Nockels

I was made for more than this world could offer me
My heart to hold true mystery
And my voice was made to fall on holy ears
My life to collide with majesty

Out from the ordinary into extraordinary

This is a heart-cry for my life
To say I love you, Lord, I love you
So take me deeper, Oh
I can hear You calling, inviting me in
Into the glorious

I was made for rest in a world that's striving
To lie down in the fields of green, oh
To set my feet upon this holy ground
To build my life on the things unseen

Out from the ordinary into extraordinary

This is a heart-cry for my life
To say I love you, Lord, I love you
So take me deeper, Oh
I can hear You calling, inviting me in
Into the glorious

Out from the ordinary into extraordinary
You're calling me, You're calling me
And God it's a breakthrough
Now I can see You inviting me, inviting me

And this is a heart-cry for my life
To say I love you, God, I love you
So take me deeper, oh
I can hear You calling, inviting me in
Into the glorious

{Songs to Sing}: In Feast or Fallow

*This song is on repeat in my head, in my car, in my earbuds at work...you get the picture. Whether it's feasting time or we are stumbling over fallow ground, may we rest in Jesus Christ - our lot, our cup, our portion, our only chance to endure.

In Feast or Fallow
By Sandra McCracken

When the fields are dry, and the winter is long
Blessed are the meek, the hungry, the poor
When my soul is downcast, and my voice has no song
For mercy, for comfort, I wait on the Lord

In the harvest feast or the fallow ground,
My certain hope is in Jesus found
My lot, my cup, my portion sure
Whatever comes, we shall endure
Whatever comes, we shall endure

On a cross of wood, His blood was outpoured
He Rose from the ground, like a bird to the sky
Bringing peace to our violence, and crushing death’s door
Our Maker incarnate, our God who provides

In the harvest feast or the fallow ground,
My certain hope is in Jesus found
My lot, my cup, my portion sure
Whatever comes, we shall endure
Whatever comes, we shall endure

When the earth beneath me crumbles and quakes
Not a sparrow falls, nor a hair from my head
Without His hand to guide me, my shield and my strength
In joy or in sorrow, in life or in death

In the harvest feast or the fallow ground,
My certain hope is in Jesus found
My lot, my cup, my portion sure
Whatever comes, we shall endure
Whatever comes, we shall endure

{Songs to Sing}: Sins Are Stones

*I highly recommend every bit of music by this guy that you can get your hands on. Medicine and Economy are both deep, rich, beautiful albums. 

Sins Are Stones by John Mark McMillan

All our sins are stones
At the bottom of your oceans
And all our filthy stains
Have been washed away

By the blood of a son
I have overcome the grave
By the blood of a son
I have overcome the grave
The grave

Recompense is made for
The guilty and the shamed
For eternity is gained
In the arms of the slain

By the blood of a son
I have overcome the grave
By the blood of a son
I have overcome the grave
The grave

Oh my soul
Praise him
Oh my soul

By the blood of a son
I have overcome the grave
By the blood of a son
I have overcome the grave
The grave
Oh my soul
Praise him
Oh my soul

{Songs to Sing}: Never Once

Never Once

by Matt Redman (performed), Jason Ingram & Tim Wanstall

Standing on this mountaintop 

Looking just how far we've come 

Knowing that for every step 

You were with us 

Kneeling on this battle ground 

Seeing just how much You've done 

Knowing every victory 

Is Your power in us 

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Yes, our hearts can say 

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Kneeling on this battle ground 

Seeing just how much You've done 

Knowing every victory 

Is Your power in us 

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Yes, our hearts can say 

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Scars and struggles on the way 

But with joy our hearts can say 

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Carried by Your constant grace 

Held within Your perfect peace 

Never once, no, we never walk alone 

Never once did we ever walk alone 

Never once did You leave us on our own 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

Every step we are breathing in Your grace 

Evermore we'll be breathing out Your praise 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful 

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

{Songs to Sing}: How He Loves

I NEVER GET TIRED OF HEARING AND SINGING THIS SONG. It takes my breath away most times and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

How He Loves by John Mark McMillan
(also performed by David Crowder Band)
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us so.

Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves!
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves!

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way...

That He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves!
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves!

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh

Well, I thought about You the day Stephen died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
...They want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...

Cause He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us!
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves!

{Songs to Sing}: Dress Us Up

Dress Us Up by John Mark McMillan

Dress us up in your righteousness
Bring us in with a ring and a kiss
When you walk into the room you know I can't resist
Every bottle of perfume always ends up on the floor in a mess

You make us sparkle and you make us shine
Like the stars who sing on your chorus line
Through space and time we'll harmonize
Where deep meets deep like the ocean meets the sky

The sun and the moon
They come out of their grave just for you
The dead man and the cynical too
They're coming out of their grave
And it's just for you

Cause the love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
Than the power of death

Cause the love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
Than the power of death

Dress us up in the blood of a son
Who opened up his veins so that we could overcome
Hell and the grave in the power of his love
After three dark days he showed us how it's done
And he still does

You make us sparkle and you make us shine
Like the stars who sing on your chorus line
Through space and time we'll harmonize
Where deep meets deep like the ocean meets the sky
Yeah

The sun and the moon
They come out of their grave just for you
The dead man and the cynical too
They're coming out of their grave
And it's just for you

Cause the love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
Than the power of death

The love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
The love of God is stronger
Than the power of death

His love is stronger, stronger, his love is stronger, stronger
His love is stronger, stronger, his love is stronger, stronger

Listen to John Mark McMillan's music on MySpace, specifically his album Medicine.

{Songs to Sing}: Background

Background by LeCrae featuring C-Lite

CHORUS
I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won’t You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead

It’s evident You run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I’ll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I’m sticking to Your script, and I’m reading all Your signs
I don’t need my name in lights, I don’t need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I’m just going lose my soul?
And my ways ain’t purified, don’t live according to Your Word
I can’t endure this life without Your wisdom being heard

So word to every dance, a foe, a pop star
‘Cause we all play the background, but mine’s a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I’ll be stage right
Praying the whole world will start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
‘Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessing
That I’m not that impressive, matter of fact
I’m who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

CHORUS

I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All these folks who follow me gonna end up in the wrong place
So just let me shadow You, just let me trace Your lines
Matter fact just take my pen, here - You create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in You 'cause I only trust in me

And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving the road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothing
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing, You know what's in my hand
Me, I just roll and trust You, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control in nothing, follow You at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is You the boss
And man I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I play the background like it's an instrument

CHORUS

I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will and trust Your word
And I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims but do they really glorify Your name
And it's a shame the way I wanna do these things for You, yeah
Don't even cling to You, take time to sit and glean from You
And it seems that You are patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss then it's 'cause she never heard of this

CHORUS 2x

{Songs to Sing}: Pride (Won't Get Us Where We're Going)

Pride (Won't Get Us Where We're Going)
by Thad Cockrell

See me by the river
Praying Lord restore
Cuz it's hard to let go of the things I think I need

When i lose my vision
May i use your eyes
To see just where it is I need to be

Oh pride won't get us where we're going
It's made a life of standing in the way
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
Oh pride won't get us where we're going
Oh pride won't get us where we're going

Truth will keep on shining
Like a morning sun
Brighter than troubled winds can blow

If you lose your vision
You can use my eyes
To see just where it is you need to go

Oh pride won't get us where we're going
It's made a life of standing in the way
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
Oh pride won't get us where we're going
Oh pride won't get us where we're going

And oh we're finally free
To know the gravity
Of we can overcome
We can overcome
We can overcome
We can overcome

Oh pride won't get us where we're going
It's made a life of standing in the way
Of all the beauty this world has worth knowing
Oh pride won't get us where we're going
Oh pride won't get us where we're going

*You can listen to this song on Thad Cockrell's MySpace page, as well as the rest of his wonderful music.

{Songs to Sing}: A Mighty Fortress

A Mighty Fortress
by Christy Nockels

Our God is a consuming fire,
A burning holy Flame, with glory and freedom
Our God is, the only righteous judge,
Ruling over us with kindness and wisdom

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You

A mighty fortress is our God
A sacred refuge is Your Name
Your Kingdom is unshakable
With You forever we will reign

Our God is jealous for His own
None could comprehend, His love and His mercy
Our God is exalted on His throne
High above the heavens
Forever He's worthy

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You

A mighty fortress is our God
A sacred refuge is Your Name
Your Kingdom is unshakable
With You forever we will reign

We will keep our eyes on You
We will keep our eyes on You
So we can set our hearts on You
Lord we will set our hearts on You!

A mighty fortress is our God
A sacred refuge is Your Name
Your Kingdom is unshakable
With You forever we will reign

Here's a link to the song on Amazon.com: A Mighty Fortress by Christy Nockels

{Songs to Sing}: To The God of Victory

To the God of Victory
By Michael Bleecker & Patrick Ryan Clark

O God have mercy, reveal to me my sin,
The guilt the shame the darkness, innate within
The blood of Jesus washes and makes me clean
Condemned now I’m pardoned, once bound now I’m free, now I’m free

To the God of victory
All glory be to One Who’s conquered all
Every tongue will sing
To the Risen King oh the wonder of it all
Just to think that You love me a wretch like me
Aloud I will rejoice!

O Father of my spirit, O King of all my days
Lead me to repentance, By Your amazing grace
O may my sin be bitter, so Christ will be sweet
I trust in your promise, life eternally ... life eternally

To the God of victory
All glory be to One Who’s conquered all
Every tongue will sing
To the Risen King oh the wonder of it all
Just to think that You love me a wretch like me
Aloud I will rejoice! Aloud I will rejoice!

Sing it loud, shout it out, rejoice, rejoice
Jesus, is King, victorious
(Repeat 3x)

To the God of victory
All glory be to One Who’s conquered all
Every tongue will sing
To the Risen King oh the wonder of it all
Just to think that You love me a wretch like me
Aloud I will rejoice!
(Repeat 1x)

Aloud I will rejoice! Aloud I will rejoice!
(Repeat 1x)

Sing it loud, shout it out, rejoice, rejoice
Jesus, is King, victorious
(Repeat 1x)

*Use this link to download this song for free, sung at The Village Church.

{Songs to Sing}: Joy

*I have to first write about how much I have been blessed by the music made by Page CXVI. I think I found out about Page CXVI through Justin Taylor just as they were allowing free downloads of 5/7ths of their EP. I traveled to their website, downloaded the five tracks and began listening to them over and over and over again. To this day, I do not know who the people are behind the music but I am so very grateful for them. Christ is using them to breathe new life into some classic hymns and as a result, my soul is restored time after time when I listen to any of their songs. My favorite is Joy (below) but Solid Rock or Nothing But The Blood are very beautiful as well. There is no other artist or EP I would recommend today beside Page CXVI's. Go to their website and order the full song list. Read about where the name "Page CXVI" came from (it's fantastic!). Follow them on Twitter. Trust me, you won't be sorry.

**This is NOT your typical "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart" that you sang at VBS or Sunday School. Buy it pronto and listen for yourself.

Joy by Page CXVI
Written by George Willis Cooke
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart

And I'm so happy
So happy
So very happy
And I'm so happy
So happy
So very happy

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart
Down in my heart

And I'm so happy
So happy
So very happy
And I'm so happy
So happy
So very happy

And I can't understand
And I can't pretend
That this will be all right in the end
So I'll try my best
And lift up my chest
To sing about this
JOY
JOY
JOY

When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul

***Update: The peeps at Page CXVI are incredibly generous. The 5-track giveaway that I mentioned above is still active on their website. Go here, enter your information and download the same tracks that I have, including Joy. Be blessed! Thanks Page CXVI!!

{Songs to Sing}: Desert Song

Desert Song by Hillsong & Hillsong United
(I prefer the version by HS, sung by Brooke Fraser)
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness, or trial, or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conquerer and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life in every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
(Repeat 3x)

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
(Repeat 1x)

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I must sow

{Songs to Sing}: You Are Able

You Are Able by Christy Nockels
Jehovah, provider
The joy of man’s desire it’s You...always You
Keeper of history, glorious Mystery
It’s You...always You.

Fulfillment of every longing of man
It’s You - our God it’s You!

You are Able, higher is our God
Than anything that comes our way
Come what may
You alone forever stay,
You’re able, higher is our God
Than anything that comes our way
Come what may
You alone forever stay....
You are Able, You are Able

Abba our Father
We run to our Protector
You...always You
Healer of all things
We trust no other Name but You
Always You...

Fulfillment of every longing of man
It’s You - our God it’s You!

You are Able, higher is our God
Than anything that comes our way
Come what may
You alone forever stay,
You’re able, higher is our God
Than anything that comes our way
Come what may
You alone forever stay....
You are Able, You are Able

Keeper of History, glorious Mystery
We trust no other name
Our hope is in You
Our hope is in You

You are Able, higher is our God
Than anything that comes our way
Come what may
You alone forever stay,
You’re able, higher is our God
Than anything that comes our way
Come what may
You alone forever stay....
You are Able, You are Able
You are Able, You are Able

{Songs to Sing}: What Matters More

What Matters More by Derek Webb
You say always treat people like you'd like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
About what you believe
Make you sound like a freak

'Cause if you really believed
What you say you believe
You wouldn't be so damned reckless
With the words you speak
You wouldn't silently consent
When the liars speak
Denying all the dying of the remedy

Tell me, brother what matters more to you
Tell me, sister what matters more to you

If I can see what's in your heart
By what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight
Is all it's about
It looks like being hated
For all the wrong things
Like chasing the wind
While the pendulum swings

'Cause we can talk and debate
Till we're blue in the face
About the language and tradition
That He's coming to save
And meanwhile we sit
Just like we don't give a shit 'bout
Fifty thousand people who are dying today

Tell me, brother what matters more to you
Tell me, sister what matters more to you

{Songs to Sing}: In The Shadow of The Glorious Cross

In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross 
by Brooks Ritter & Rebecca Bales

In the shadow of the glorious cross
Compelled by grace to cast my lot
I'll discard the loss and bear Your name
Forsaking all for Your own fame

Your hymn of grace sung over me
Abounding forth in glorious streams
My thirst is quenched by You my Lord
Sustained am I redeemed restored
Sustained am I redeemed restored

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

When death's dark shadow's at my feet
When I am plagued by unbelief
You place my hands into Your side
By precious blood identified
By precious blood identified

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

These crowns I've clenched with fisted hands
I cast them down before the throne
Of Christ my God the Worthy Lamb
Christ crucified the great I AM
Christ crucified the great I AM
Christ crucified the great I AM

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! (4x)

*Use this link to download this song for free, sung by Sojourn Music.

{Songs to Sing}: Lead Us Back

Lead Us Back by Bobby Gilles & Brooks Ritter
Falling down upon our knees,
Sharing now in common shame,
We have sought security,
Not the cross that bears Your name.
Fences guard our hearts and homes --
Comfort sings a siren tune.
We're a valley of dry bones;
Lead us back to life in You.

Lord we fall upon our knees,
We have shunned the weak and poor,
Worshipped beauty, courted kings
And the things their gold affords,
Prayed for those we'd like to know --
Favor sings a siren tune.
We've become a talent show;
Lead us back to life in You.

You have caused the blind to see,
We have blinded him again
With our man-made laws and creeds,
Eager, ready to condemn.
Now we plead before Your throne --
Power sings a siren tune.
We've been throwing heavy stones;
Lead us back to life in You.

We're a valley of dry bones
Lead us back to life in You.
We've become a talent show
Lead us back to life in You.
We've been throwing heavy stones
Lead us back to life in You

*Use this link to download this song for free, sung by Sojourn Music.

{Songs to Sing}: Faithful

Faithful by Mike Cosper
In the desert
In the dry and worn-out land.
Is where my soul seems to be.

My body weak
With the weight of my own sin.
Sick with guilt once again.

Won't You rescue me?
Won't You hear my call?
God of grace renew me.
With Your unfailing love.

You are faithful,
You are faithful to your children.
When they call upon Your name.
You heal their sickness.
You redeem their souls from hell.
When they call upon Your name.

In the desert.
In the dry and worn-out land.
Is where I am redeemed.

You have rescued me
You have heard my call
Oh God of peace you fill me
With unfailing love.

You are faithful,
You are faithful to your children.
When they call upon Your name.
You heal their sickness.
You redeem their souls from hell.
When they call upon Your name.

You are faithful,
You are faithful to your children.
When they call upon Your name.
You heal their sickness.
You redeem their souls from hell.
When they call upon Your name. 

*Use this link to download this song for free, sung by Sojourn Music.