the stories behind the songs!

A Million Moments

I wrote "A Million Moments" as a response to how God desires to hear our praise. I had been reading the Bible in Psalms 96:1 where it says, “sing to the Lord a new song”. Now I don’t think that’s meant to advocate towards contemporary worship and not hymns…lol. But, I DO think that God wants us to HAVE SOMETHING new each day to sing ABOUT! And that hit me hard. I’m guilty of living off old experiences and not daily seeking new “God moments” as often as I should for real spiritual growth. Satan’s crafty about making sure you see that pile of laundry JUST when you were going to sit down with your Bible and a cup of coffee. Oh sure, I talk to God throughout the day; but let’s get real. That’s like texting your Mom a quick hello versus talking to her for 30 minutes. Equally good, but different in what you get out of it. Well, reading Psalm 96:1 really made me think about all the new “songs” that God wanted to open for me. Whether we’re talking about an actual musical number or some tangible action that God is pressing upon us. He wants us to have things to sing about! 

LYRICS: There are a million songs unwritten, like stars up in the sky just waiting to come shine. There are a thousand songs still unsung that lay within our hearts, just waiting for the start. You want to hear these songs of praise in a hundred thousand ways. So we gladly lift our voice in worship. We sing a new song of Your praise, You are worthy all our days. A million moments aren’t enough to worship. A million moments aren’t enough. There are a million voices silent, like praises paused in time, You long to hear them rise. There are a thousand reasons to sing. We’ll lift your praises high, we’ll shout them to the sky. You want to hear these songs of praise in a hundred thousand ways. So we gladly lift our voice in worship. We sing a new song of Your praise, You are worthy all our days. A million moments aren’t enough to worship. A million moments aren’t enough. So we will worship You. Lord, we will worship. We will worship You. We will worship You. 'Cause You want to hear these songs of praise in a hundred thousand ways. So we gladly lift our voice in worship. We sing a new song of Your praise. You are worthy all our days. A million moments aren’t enough. You want to hear these songs of praise in a hundred thousand ways. So we gladly lift our voice in worship. We sing a new song of Your praise. You are worthy all our days. A million moments aren’t enough to worship. A million moments aren’t enough.  

Battle Cry

I wrote this song because I can struggle to keep my eyes on Jesus. There’s a war going on for our attention, our devotion, and what we make as a priority in our lives. I am encouraged by 1 Timothy 6:12, which says, "Fight the good fight of faith". God is constant, but our walk with Him can change daily. This is why the Bible also says to “Daily renew our minds” and to “daily put on the armor of God”. For me, fighting the good fight of faith is about making a choice – a choice to pursue God's will daily and to live a life of faith every day. No matter what you’re dealing with, I hope you know that you are not alone in this fight. Come join the Battle Cry with me! We are stronger together!

LYRICS: We have chosen who we’re fighting for. We’re the army of the Lord. The Devils raging so we’re declaring war. We’re declaring war… And this is the cry of our heart. Our battle cry. We serve the living God, the Lord most high. This army’s ready to march. God’s on our side. Come join the battle cry. The fight is coming; we see it drawing near. But we won’t give into fear. Cause God is for us; we’ll be victorious here. We’ll be victorious here. This is the cry of our heart, our battle cry. We serve the living God, the Lord most high. This army’s ready to march. God’s on our side. Come join the battle cry. Hard times are coming, but we won’t be running, we’ll hold our ground. We won’t go quiet, we will not be silent, we won’t back down. Hard times are coming, but we won’t be running, we’ll hold our ground. We won’t go quiet, we will not be silent, we won’t back down. This is the cry of our heart, our battle cry. We serve the living God, the Lord most high. This army’s ready to march. God’s on our side. Come join the battle cry. This is the cry of our heart, our battle cry. We serve the living God. The Lord most high. This army’s ready to march. God’s on our side. Come join the battle cry. Come join the battle cry. Come join the battle cry. 

Those words

 I wrote “Those Words” because of something my momma used to say when I was little. If I was ever speaking ugly, she would say, “Amanda, you need to watch your words. Because once you say it out loud those words grow feet.” That wisdom stuck with me my whole life and helped me see the power of the spoken word. So, this song is in honor of my mother’s wisdom and the life applications that it set in motion for me. Love you mom!

LYRICS: Mama used to tell me to watch my words. 'Cause I may never know how much they’ll hurt,  till it’s too late they’re off and gone. And they come back one by one. 'Cause those words keep on walking long after they’ve been spoken out loud, remember, Those words, they have power. Ev’n  in a muted whisper they’ll find you. Remember those words. Daddy used to tell me to read the good book. Seek and you will find, just take a look. The words in red bring living hope. Read the book and you will know. That those words keep on walking long after they’ve been spoken out loud, remember. Those words, they have power. Ev’n  in a muted whisper they’ll find you, remember... You can change the whole world with just a simple word. So take a moment and choose what will be heard. 'Cause those words keep on walking long after they’ve been spoken out loud, remember. Those words, they have power. Ev’n  in a muted whisper  they’ll find you, remember. Those words keep on walking long after they’ve been spoken out loud, remember. Those words, they have power. Ev’n  in a muted whisper they’ll find you. Remember those words. Those words. 

Running to the Light

This song was hard to write because it’s a transparent window into my soul and makes me feel vulnerable. I was sitting at the piano one day, thinking that I’ve still got a lot to learn, and I’ve made mistakes. Even after being a Christian for 34 years, there are still areas in my life that need cleaned up. Some bad habits and choices can feel like chains, dragging me down and away from God. And the truth is, some of those chains I personally created. Not a fun conversation to have with yourself! It occurred to me that every day I have a choice to make. To run towards God or to stand still. We’re either moving forward and growing; or standing still and slowly dying from lack of life-giving oxygen. And some of us are dying so slowly that we don’t even realize we’re in danger. It’s a slow fade that we get used to. In that moment at the piano, I realized that if I’m not actively running toward the light then I’m choosing to stay in some degree of darkness. And the simple truth is that sometimes I’m too lazy to move forward. It takes intent and energy. And if I get spiritually out of shape, then it becomes even more difficult to do. I didn’t want that for myself. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will”. A good reminder that I need DAILY renewal! So this song is an encouragement to myself and anyone else who wants to live like Jesus Christ. No one ever said it would be easy. But it’s definitely worth it!!!

LYRICS: I’ve got a lot to learn, I’ve made my own mistakes. And I don’t want to show what holds me captive. I am more confident when I can hide myself, why is it easier to live in shadows. You love me where I am, but don’t want me to stay bound up in all these chains that I have fashioned. I know I must break free but pride is in my way, I need to turnaround, but I am frightened. Oh , But here I go! Lord I’m coming. I’m running from the dark, facing toward the light. Leaving all the chains I’ve been holding tight. I’m running to the light. Here I come, Oh Lord I’m running. You see who I am, all I’ve ever done. You know how to change all that I’ve become. I’m running to the light. Here I come, Oh Lord I’m running. Ashamed of what I know, afraid of what I’ll find when all Your light reveals what hides inside me. I know it’s what I want; To live like Jesus Christ. And no one ever said it would be easy. Oh , But here I go! Lord I’m coming. I’m running from the dark, facing toward the light. Leaving all the chains I’ve been holding tight. I’m running to the light. Here I come, Oh Lord I’m running. You see who I am, all I’ve ever done. You know how to change all that I’ve become. I’m running to the light. Here I come, Oh Lord I’m running. Oh, Here I go! Lord I’m coming. Oh, Here I go! I’m coming. I’m running from the dark, facing toward the light. Leaving all the chains I’ve been holding tight. I’m running to the light. Here I come, Oh Lord I’m running. You see who I am, all I’ve ever done. You know how to change all that I’ve become. I’m running to the light. Here I come, Oh Lord I’m running.

made anew

I wrote “Made Anew” after contemplating how amazing it is that the Savior of the world left everything for me. I’m in awe of that! And knowing Him makes me want to be more like him. This will be a life-long project for me. But the more I’m around Jesus, the more He rubs off on me and I grow in my spiritual walk of faith. With Jesus I become made anew. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

LYRICS: Every part of me just stands in wonder. That you , the king of all, left your splendor for me. Left it all for me. The life you gave for me was oh so priceless. Just the thought of what you did is precious to me. Precious to me. And You make me wanna be just like you. That part of me that grows each day that I’m with you. ‘Cause I’ve been made anew. I’m in awe of that gift so gracious. The love you have is simply endless for me. Endless for me. Being near you just leaves me breathless. Your presence here is completely glorious to me. Glorious to me. And You make me wanna be just like you. That part of me that grows each day that I’m with you. ‘Cause I’ve been made anew. From the first breath as your child I came alive. In that moment you began to change my life. ’Cause You make me wanna be just like you that part of me that grows each day that I’m with you, ’Cause I’ve been made… You make me wanna be just like you. That part of me that grows each day that I’m with you. 'Cause I’ve been made anew. I’ve been made anew.                      
 

Good Memories

I wrote Good Memories because I was really missing my family: my dad in-particular that day. We all talk on the phone, but I don’t get to see them very often because they live in Canada. Well, that day my husband tossed me some orange GOJO hand cleaner and says “Hey hun, Look what I got for you”. (The previous week he got the lemon scent, and it was just weird because my Dad always used the orange scent.) I remember smiling as I catch the bottle; then taking a big whiff and just burst into tears as the smell transported me back in time to when I was little and “helping” Dad in his mechanic shop. We would always clean up with orange GOJO hand cleaner before heading back to the house. After I boo hoo’d for a bit about those good memories I had to call Dad, just to hear his voice for a little while. Turns out that experience was my hook and the chorus for a great song. I still can’t sing it in concert without getting a tad choked up – funny how music does that to a person! I know we each have our own triggers that bring up memories. I hope you will use this song as reminder to spend time with your loved ones while you can. To make every moment count. A reminder that “just 10 minutes on the phone isn’t difficult to do – and I need it, cuz the future isn’t known”!

 LYRICS: It was just the other day when the smallest thing brought you to my mind. There I was down memory lane, thinking thoughts of you. How I love you. It took my breath away. And I smiled, and I cried, and I called to say Hi. Just to hear your voice for a little while. And even though we’re apart, love will bridge where we are. Oh, the one thing that always will be ours is good memories. I know time will never slow. Our worlds are busy but that’s no excuse. Just ten minutes on the phone isn’t difficult to do, and I need it cause the future isn’t known. So I’ll smile, and I’ll cry, and I call to say hi. Just to hear your voice for a little while. And even though we’re a part 
love will bridge where we are. Oh, the one thing that always will be ours is good memories. Words can never say enough. How much I need you in my life. No matter how the times have changed - there is one thing that stays the same. That I’ll smile, and I’ll cry, and I’ll call to say hi. Just to hear your voice for a little while. And even though we’re a part love will bridge where we are. Oh, the one thing that always will be ours is good memories, good memories.

Old-Time Believer

I had been talking to our kids about the importance of sharing their faith daily - and not just bringing it out for Sundays. About how we have such good news to share we MUST share it! Then we talked about being Missionaries in our own backyard and what that would look like. Because of that conversation I wrote the country story/style that became Old-Time Believer. The kids loved it so much is was their requested good-night song for a solid year!! :)

LYRICS: There’s a preacher preaching by the railroad tracks and he ain’t trying to hold nothing back. Got a holy Bible in his hand. He’s just trying to help you understand. God so loved the world, He sent his son have ya heard. That Jesus paid the price for every sinner. This is the gospel truth, confess and believe that’s what you do. Take it from that old-time believer. In the crowds of people who passed on by, well there was one who heard the cry. He stopped and prayed and he was saved. All because he heard the preacher say. God so loved the world. He sent his son have ya heard. That Jesus paid the price for every sinner. This is the gospel truth, confess and believe that’s what you do. Take it from that old-time believer. Gotta spread the news far and wide. Come join in on the preacher’s cry. Gotta tell the world about the light. Tell the people to your left and right. Gotta spread the news far and wide. Come join in on the preacher’s cry. Gotta tell the world about the light. Tell the people to your left and right. God so loved the world, He sent his son have ya heard. That Jesus paid the price for every sinner. This is the gospel truth, confess and believe that’s what you do. Take it from that old-time believer. Let me hear ya say, God so loved the world. He sent his son have ya heard. That Jesus paid the price for every sinner. This is the gospel truth, confess and believe that’s what you do. Take it from that old-time believer. Take it from that old-time believer. Take it from that old-time believer. 

i am overwhelmed

I wrote “I am Overwhelmed” after literally being overwhelmed by all that Jesus has done for us. Just thinking about coming into His holy presence brings me to my knees. His love confounds me, but yet I accept it and am so grateful for it. Those thoughts made me so overwhelmed with joy of salvation that I just had to write about it. 

LYRICS: Who am I to come before You, the King above all Kings. I offer you my best Lord, my heart is what I bring. 
Even though I’m so unworthy, I hear you call me in. Your grace removes the mark on me and makes me pure within. Lord you astound me, your love confounds me, Your peace surrounds me until I feel… This joy that overflows my soul, It’s rising to a swell. I feel it rushing through my heart and I am overwhelmed. I am still so far from perfect, and yet you call my name. You wait with arms wide open and I’ll never be the same. Lord you hold me in your mercy, and I tremble at your touch. That you could even love me, it all just seems too much. This joy that overflows my soul, it’s rising to a swell. I feel it rushing through my heart and I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed. Lord you astound me, your love confounds me, Your peace surrounds me until I feel - until I feel. This joy that overflows my soul, it’s rising to a swell. I feel it rushing through my heart and I am overwhelmed. This joy that overflows my soul, it’s rising to a swell. I feel it rushing through my heart and I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed. 

i will follow him

I wrote "I Will Follow Him" as my testimony to a changed heart and the jubilation that followed my salvation decision. Simply put: this song is my life put to music. It turned out to be a fun jazzy /gospel soul number that makes you want to tap your toes and praise the Lord! Which is good, because sometimes you just have to bask in the joy of the Lord and the newness of HIS life-giving grace!

LYRICS:  I was once in sin. I couldn’t see it then, I was dead inside I wasn’t really living. Then Jesus touched my heart, I felt a holy spark. I started praying, then confessing. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Jesus. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow. Jesus changed my life, my heart has come alive. No greater feeling than this salvation. Wherever He may go, there I’ll find my home. My heart is singing this revelation. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Jesus. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow. There’ll never be a better day, there’ll never be a better time for me to shout, Jesus saved my life. There’ll never be a better day, there’ll never be a better time, for me to shout it. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Jesus. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow. There’ll never be a better day, there’ll never be a better time for me to shout, Jesus saved my life. There’ll never be a better day, there’ll never be a better time for me to shout it. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Jesus. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow Him. I will follow. There’ll never be a better day, there’ll never be a better time for me to shout, Jesus saved my life. There’ll never be a better day, there’ll never be a better time for me to shout it. Jesus saved my life. Jesus saved my life