What I Want You to Know

What I want you to know

They say sometimes we wait too long

And that we should be reminded 

That we should never forget to say what matters most

So here’s a couple things

A few important notes

What I want you to know

Is you are deeply loved

Not just by friends or your family

But by a Heavenly Father above

The arms of heavenly grace

Holding you firm, holding you secure

God’s gentle embrace,

Keeping you near

What I want you to know

Is every passing moment has a price

A cost and an opportunity 

and that every earthly treasure we acquire

pales in the light of eternity.

So keep your mind set above

Not on these fading things

What I want you to know

Is times won’t always be good

There are times of great darkness

You’ll be tested more than you ever thought you could

And when you cross that bridge 

where the waters seem so deep

I pray you’ll remember the nail scarred hands 

that hold your soul safely in their keep.

What I want you to know

Is that I am often proud

Of who you’re growing to be

And pray you always stand on solid ground

Remember that you never walk alone

Our precious holy God and son,

Never leave you on your own.

There’s so much I’d like to say

If I could find the words,

The grandness of the savior’s story

And his love laid down for you

This - this above all is what I want you to know

Definitions

“Definitions”

Faithful- there’s no one faithful like you.  You’re the God who ever chases, who always pursues.  You never fail, all your promises come true.  You never give up on your plan, your rescue. From Adam to David to Jesus to Paul, its your covenant work, your efforts alone that rescued them all.  You’re faithful - God you are faithful.

In all things, in all ways you define what is true

You are the standard all things measure by

So help me make less of me and much more of you

So God I want everything I do to be defined by you

Holy - there’s no one Holy like you.  Perfect in power, perfect in virtue.  Worthy of worship, worthy of praise, you are worthy.  On earth, in heaven there is no one like you.  In all things you’re righteous, heaven’s pure light.  Judging justly and truly, all your judgements are right.  You’re Holy, God you are holy.

In all things, in all ways you define what is true

You are the standard all things measure by

So help me make less of me and much more of you

So God I want everything I do to be defined by you

Mighty - there’s no one mighty like you.  You make and sustain more than our eyes can see.  You’re a strong fortress that cannot be overcome.  The wind and the waves bow to your will.  Those purchased by your blood can’t be plucked from your hand.  By your power the darkness is undone.  You’re mighty - God you are mighty.

In all things, in all ways you define what is true

You are the standard all things measure by

So help me make less of me and much more of you

So God I want everything I do to be defined by you

Outside this Window

Outside this window there’s a depot

A hub where people come and go

Here and there they wander – to missions unknown

Some filled with purpose, some wandering astray

Seeking direction – trying to find their way

 

And you remain standing – unshaken and still

A lighthouse of direction in seas that can run rough

A beacon reminding that you love us,

And that love is enough.

 

Outside this window there’s a steeple,

A cross covered in the rain

The clouds have rolled in and still it remains

A steady symbol of hope, the attentive can’t ignore,

There is the one - who still calms our storms

 

You remain standing – unshaken and still

A lighthouse of direction in seas that can run rough

A beacon reminding that you love us,

And that love is enough.

 

Outside this window there’s a world

A wealth of experience and need.

A meager shadow puppet of what it was supposed to be.

A shell and a frame purposed for so much more

Longing for a carpenter to rebuild and restore.

 

And you remain standing – unshaken and still

A lighthouse of direction in seas that can run rough

A beacon reminding that you love us,

And that love is enough.

 

Outside this life there is a heaven,

A place of wonder and relief

A work begun and completed by a savior’s mercy.

In that place there’s a people, God himself has rescued

Where there’s a new name waiting for me and for you.

 

Hallelujah, Our God makes all things new

Hallelujah, The Lord will see us through

There's lots of worship songs out there now.  Some of them are very good (See Andrew Peterson's "Is He Worthy?" as a great example).  Others, well...sometimes they seem...incomplete.  There's one out there that ever since I heard it, I can't help but feel that it is missing a large chunk of everything.  So with apologies to the original author, I've made some additions.  If you know the original song, I may be off on the number of repeats, these numbers are for demonstration purposes only.

Original Version

This is how I fight my battles (x20)

It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you. (x10)

Bk’s Expanded Version

In this world there is struggle

In this world there is pain

Times when we don’t understand a thing

We fight for meaning

We long to break through

 

And as worries and doubts try to creep in…

It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you

This is how I fight my battles

                (Finding truth in your word)

This is how I fight my battles

                (Waiting for you to Move)

This is how I fight my battles

                (With my knees bent to you)

This is how I fight my battles

                (Surrendering to your will)

 

There are times when darkness seems so deep

There are times when this world makes it hard to sleep

When conflict runs so long and so deep

When we need to push back and find some peace.

 

And as that darkness closes in…

It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you

This is how I fight my battles

                (You light up the dark)

This is how I fight my battles

                (Holding the hand of my savior)

This is how I fight my battles

                (Your strength pulls me through)

This is how I fight my battles

                (Trusting in your promises Lord)

 

When I’m tempted to forget,

That you know my name

When guilt and shame play their games,

The accuser stands ready,

To point out our sin and coat us with blame.

 

And as the enemy builds his case…

It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you.

 

This is how I fight my battles

                (Redeemed by your blood)        

This is how I fight my battles

                (Holding to the risen son)

This is how I fight my battles

                (Leaning on the grace you give)

This is how I fight my battles

(Trusting in the work you’ve done)