Worship this morning...

So, yesterday, I got to spend time with my buddy Eddie Baker, who is awaiting lab results from a biopsy done last week on a tumor in his brain. It was an incredible blessing to hear Eddie's heart as he shared what he's been learning during his journey through the fire. (aside: for more on Eddie's situation go to this blog)

Then, this morning in church, we sang a couple of my all-time favorite songs. Both were written during challenging times in the lives of the writers. The first is "Heaven" performed by Bob Carlisle. To get the proper groove, this is a slow song best sung by an incredible tenor with great range, like, well, Bob Carlisle...or Dr. Brett Valentine who sang it at Temple. The second is "Days of Elijah" which is much more upbeat & grooving, as performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir...or the Temple Baptist choir with a very soulful female singer like our Jennie Bounds.
If I check out before you and you come to my funeral, plan on hearing "Heaven"...(but let's hope that's not any time right away...)

Enjoy!
beachbum

Heaven

There are moments in this life
When it's hard to carry on
When I think about my father
And all the loved ones that are gone
Friends and close relations
Somewhere on the other side
They've passed into forever
But the love has never died

Sometimes this tired old world
Starts bringing my heart down
But you've got to bear the cross
If you want to wear the crown
I often get impatient
As the time keeps dragging on
I've waited through the darkness
Now I'm ready for the dawn
I'm ready for the dawn

(Chorus)
I want to see Heaven
Where the faithful carry on
I want to see Heaven, Oh Lord
I want to see Heaven
Where the pain of sin is gone
In Heaven, Oh Lord
I want to see Heaven

So if I'm living every moment
As if this day was my last
I'll put my treasure where my heart is
And forget about the past
And if Jesus comes tomorrow
I'll be ready to depart
As He leads me to my mansion
I'll be following my heart
Following my heart

(Repeat Chorus)

Well, I try to go the distance
But it's more than I can bear
They say there's no more crying
And no more dying there
I've held on to the promise
Whosoever will believe
Would have life that's never ending
I believe...I believe

(Repeat Chorus)

(Wipe tears from eyes & swallow deeply to remove lump from throat...)

Days Of Elijah

These are the days of Elijah,
Declaring the word of the Lord:
And these are the days of Your servant Moses,
Righteousness being restored.
And though these are days of great trial,
Of famine and darkness and sword,
Still, we are the voice in the desert crying
'Prepare ye the way of the Lord!'

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

These are the days of Ezekiel,
The dry bones becoming as flesh;
And these are the days of Your servant David,
Rebuilding a temple of praise.
These are the days of the harvest,
The fields are as white in Your world,
And we are the laborers in Your vineyard,
Declaring the word of the Lord!

Behold He comes riding on the clouds,
Shining like the sun at the trumpet call;
Lift your voice, it's the year of jubilee,
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes.

There's no God like Jehovah.
There's no God like Jehovah!