inspired by a true story……..
Posts tagged Steven Curtis Chapman
Heaven Is The Face
Aug 31st
There are really no words for me to write as I post this song. I cannot get my head around the pain of losing a child. The only peace I can find is knowing that one day, Steven Curtis Chapman will indeed see Heaven in the face of his little girl.
An Anchor
Nov 23rd
For several days now I have tried to wrap my head and words around those times and questions that we have for a God that created this universe. I have wrestled with anger, frustration, sadness, pain and as odd as it sounds, hope. I end each thought process at a place where I find myself searching for an anchor and something we can grab hold of. I get so tangled up in trying to understand how a loving God allows the unthinkable to happen. Yet the very next breathe is thanking a loving God for conquering the grave and the hope of eternal life.
For days I have tried to put this all into some words of encouragement for anyone and everyone that is a part of the journey with our dear friend. While trying to do this for this blog and anyone that reads it, I guess I am looking for the answers myself too. Friends, I don’t have them. The only wisdom and encouragement that I can offer comes in two very simple things that I have learned in my 38 years.
1. God is God.
2. It’s never how we draw it up
Steven Curtis Chapman so perfectly captured the simplistic thought that says that “God is God and I am not”. Our finite minds wrestle with trying to understand an infinite God. Our understanding of today prevents us from seeing the entire picture. We are only getting a glimpse of a masterpiece that God is creating. How many of us can connect the dots of our past to see that a much larger story was taking place? God is God.
So often I think I’ve got a perfect plan as to how my life should go. In my mind, it seems to make perfect sense. Yet when I stop long enough to reflect on the past I see how my plan would have gone radically different. In almost each case, it would have been a mess. Gods grace, mercy and perfect plan have saved me from myself more times then I can count. His wisdom and knowledge are to be trusted. I say, with a thankful heart, that it is never how we draw it up.
So what is our anchor? What is our hope? What are the words that make situations and circumstances beyond our understanding seem to make sense? Friends, this side of heaven, I am not sure we have those answers. I know I don’t. I know that God is God and I am not. I know that God is still on his throne. I know that the creator of this universe is in complete control. I know that his ways are perfect. I know that he has a plan far greater than my understanding. I know that he makes all things beautiful in his time. I know that he can restore what was once broken. I know that he can provide comfort to the hurting and peace in the storm.
Max Lucado once wrote that “God doesn’t always still the storm, but he will calm the sailor“. That’s my anchor and what I am grabbing hold of.
“God is God” by Steven Curtis Chapman
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/scgod.mp3]
"Yours"
Jul 19th
While I was checking the RSS feeds tonight I read something I just had to share. All of this is credit to the guys at StereoTruth.net. They posted the news tonight that Steven Curtis Chapman will be touring with Michael W. Smith this fall. While that is incredible, it was the next part of their post that struck me tonight. According to their post, Steven has added an additional verse to his new song “Yours” (Coming August 1st to radio). You can read the entire story on the StereoTruth.net site.
When I first heard SCC’s new CD, I was captured by two songs. The first was obviously “Cinderella”. The second was the song “Yours”. There was something in the lyrics about claiming that everywhere and everything belongs to God that hit home with me. Which brings me to their post and the additional lyrics that Steven has added.
I’ve walked the valley of death’s shadow
So deep and dark that I could barely breathe
I’ve had to let go of more than I could bear
And questioned everything that I believe
But still even here
in this great darkness
A comfort and hope come breaking through
As I can say in life or death
God we belong to you.
Knowing what we know, I am not sure how I can read that and not be moved. To say that “the streets of London” or “every child in Africa is yours” seems easy. But to face what Steven and his family have faced and say “it’s yours” is beyond a testimony. It’s beyond my understanding and leaves me evaluating each and everything I count as “mine”.
Lord grant me your grace. I ask your patience as I release anything and everything as yours.
[ht/stereotruth.net]
"Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman
Nov 6th
I have been waiting and waiting for the last 2 weeks for a good opportunity to post this song. My buddy Clay gave me one tonight. You see, tonight at 6:30, Clay and his wife Christine entered a whole new dimension. They welcomed a little daughter into this world. This isn’t their first child, but it is their first little girl. Now it starts. Now songs like this one from Steven Curtis Chapman take on a whole new meaning. Congratulations Clay and Christine. Get your dancin’ shoes on. Here’s your long distance dedication!
“Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman from the CD “This Moment”
[audio http://leftfield8.com/audio/scccinderella.mp3]
Sneek Preview – "Cinderella"
Oct 20th
This doesn’t come out until Tuesday, but this will be a MUST BUY for any father with daughters. It’s a beautiful song which will appear on the blog soon. While we wait, here are the lyrics from “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman from the upcoming release of “This Moment”. You can also hear it at Steven’s Myspace page. Dad’s hold onto your heart strings…and your daughters while you listen to this one.
“Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
and I’m sitting here wearin’ the weight of the world
on my shoulders
It’s been a long day and there’s still work to do
she’s pullin’ at me saying “dad I need you”
There’s a ball at the castle and I’ve been invited
And I need to practice my dancin’
Oh please daddy please.
So I dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I dance with Cinderella
I don’t want to miss even one song
Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone.
She says he’s a nice guy and I’ll be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin’
Oh please Daddy please
So I dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something that prince never knew
Oh I dance with Cinderella
I don’t want to miss even one song
Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone.
She came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowin’ and tellin’ us all they had planned
She says “Dad the wedding’s just 6 months away”
and I need to practice my dancin’
Oh please daddy please.
So I dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something that prince never knew
Oh I dance with Cinderella
I don’t want to miss even one song
Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone.
