The Great Exchange

Leave a reply 
In my youth my life was filled with fun and laughter
Even though my Dad was gone when I was five 
It was that year that I met my very best friend
And we'll be friends as long as we're  alive

Winters brought the snow and we adored it
Sledding and snow fights did rule the day
Summers gave us tennis, ponds and kickball
And trees were made to climb up all the way

One of those ponds brought us great excitement 
When I was breaking ice and fell on in
My friend did grab a branch and reached to save me
I owe my life to him for what he did

We separated some in later teen years
Him to Vietnam and me to highs
But at our fun fifth high school reunion
We reestablished all our friendship ties 

He talked a lot about his new friend Jesus
I just took it in with no interest 
But then I went to see him out in Iowa 
I asked the Savior in before I left

I started back to church and words of faith
As I had made the great exchange
All the wayward ways I struggled with
Slowly left my life as my heart changed

I exchanged the drugs for purpose
I exchanged the booze for peace
I exchanged the sorrow for a lot of joy
I exchanged the doubt for faith
I exchanged the hate for love 
I exchanged the anger for life I enjoyed 

My life today is full of faith and family 
A wife, three daughters and 5 lovely Grands
And that dear friend and I talk almost daily
About our Saviors love and His great plans

I don't know where you are on your life's journey
But if your at a point you need a change
Why not ask about this man called Jesus 
And find out all about the great exchange
The Believers Life

Nature’s Praise

2 Replies 
As I wake up in the morning
And the sun is breaking through
I sit in awesome wonder
At the good things that you do

You fill the air with sunshine
You bring the evening rain
You light the stars at night
And then you bring the sun again

You start the birds a chirping
In the early morning light
And as sunset rolls along
You give them sleep into the night

The animals all trust you
To provide their daily care
They go about their daily tasks
And know you’re always there

The trees uplift their branches
In praises unto you
They know their source of life
And they give praise where it’s due

All of His creation
Is a song of simple praise
I think I’ll try to be the same
When I proclaim His name

No more murmuring or whining
No more wishing there was more
No more wondering if He hears me
No more doubting His dear word
No more thinking it is my time
No more sulking in my woes
No more worries in my trials
No more angry at my foes

If nature can just praise Him
For the good things that He gives
Why should I be any different
 In the praise that I uplift

I Praise You Jesus

Leave a reply 
I set my eyes on you this morning
My gaze was looking for the light
The morning came upon me quickly
And now the dawn has taken flight

I rose out of bed and looked up
Toward the heavens high above
Then I stretched my hands above me
And I started shouting out

I praise you Jesus
For this day you’ve given me
I praise you Jesus
Foe the breath inside of me
I praise you Jesus
You have granted me just one more day

I praise you Jesus
My eyes are open wide
I praise you Jesus
You are always by my side
I praise you Jesus
For the gift of life you send my way

There’s nothing that can keep me 
From lifting up your name
No matter what this day brings
You are still the same

My wonderful redeemer
My Savior and my friend
You have my life in your hands
You’ll keep me ‘til the end

I praise you Jesus
For this day you’ve given me
I praise you Jesus
Foe the breath inside of me
I praise you Jesus
You have granted me just one more day

I praise you Jesus
My eyes are open wide
I praise you Jesus
You are always by my side
I praise you Jesus
For the gift of life you send my way

Lonely People

2 Replies 
I walk into the church here in Iowa
Waiting for the choir to begin
I settled into the back as I always do
And an elderly gentleman walks in

I have seen him here before, but it had been a while
His appearance seems to drive some folks away
I was sitting in the pew on the other side
As the congregation starts to sing God's praise

Why are there so many lonely people
In a country where so many claim to know
That Christ came for the Lost
And He paid such a cost
Now our mission is His love to show

As I sang I couldn't help but notice him
Tears were welling up with in his eyes
His feeble voice did lift his praise to Christ the King
I sensed His heart was breaking inside

The worship service came to a mighty end
The sermon was inspiring to all
As the pastor gave an altar call prepared that day
The old man slowly walked down the aisle

Why are there so many lonely people
In a country where so many claim to know
That Christ came for the Lost
And He paid such a cost
Now our mission is His love to show

A sudden urge came over me to join him there
So I went and knelt beside him for a while
He was weeping as he bowed his head in silent prayer
Then he turned and looked at me with a smile

He said “Son, my wife passed on 5 years ago
And I was blaming God that she was gone
But this morning I awoke and felt the Holy Spirit call
And I knew that God had loved me all along

I hadn’t been to church
For all those many years
And when I heard the choir sing, I was so blessed
For God to still love me
When I had turned on Him
Overwhelmed me and brought me to His rest"

We left the church that morning as friends
And vowed that we would keep in touch through time
I thanked the Lord He’d given me this day to realize
That a simple deed can change a person’s life

Let’s all try to look for lonely people
And ask the Lord what he would have us do
His mission is the same
His love will never change
He desire is to reach them through you

Wonderful Savior

Leave a reply 
He took the stripes His blood ran red
A thorny crown was on His head 
Stood Pilate's judgment on that day
Silently gave His life away

He took the cross, that rugged tree 
And on that day He died for me
Bowed down His head, gave up His life
As He became my sacrifice

What a wonderful Savior you are to me
My precious Redeemer you set me free
What a wonderful Savior you are to me, Jesus, oh Jesus

Laid in a tomb, a borrowed grave
Big stone was rolled to seal Him safe
All hope was gone for those He taught
They went to hide, and not get caught.
Three days went past and darkness loomed

Suddenly stirring in the tomb
Then He arose, He arose
With a mighty sound of triumph He arose 
The angels up in heaven were rejoicing on that day
For they knew the Son of God was coming home again to stay
He was building up an army of the saints who took His name
Now I am in that army, and I’ll never be that same!

What a wonderful Savior you are to me
My precious Redeemer you set me free
What a wonderful Savior you are to me, Jesus, oh Jesus


All My Praise

Leave a reply 
Sing His Praise
Shout it out
Let the whole world know
Jesus Christ
Is Lord of all
His story must be told

He's the King
Of all Kings
His glory fills the sky
Lord of Lords 
Emmanuel
With us all the time

Beautiful 
Creator
Lover of all men
Wonderful 
Great Counselor
Savior to the end

He is Holy 
Lord Almighty
Mighty Prince if peace 
Rock of Ages
Lion of Judah
Filling all our needs

I will lift
My voice and sing
Glory to His name
I worship Him
With all ne heart
And give Him all my praise.

All That You Need

Leave a reply 
There is hope for you
In your time of need
Just reach out to Him
And you'll see

There is peace for 
When confusion reigns
Just focus on Him
And you'll gain

There is healing for you
When you feel ill 
Just wait upon God
And be still

All that you need
All that you long for
You'll find in Jesus hand
Just follow His lead
That's found in the word 
And you'll be right in His plan

There is joy for you
When sorrow looms large 
Just lean on the Lord 
He'll take charge

There is grace for you 
When your feeling down
Just fall on your face 
At His throne

There is mercy for you 
When you've failed again
Just ask forgiveness 
You'll gain

All that you need
All that you long for
You'll find in Jesus hand
Just follow His lead
That's found in the word 
And you'll be right in His plan

There is love for you
When you feel alone
Just cry our to Him
And you're home

There is faith for you
When your doubts arise 
Just trust, in the Lord 
You'll survive

All that you need
All that you long for
You'll find in Jesus hand
Just follow His lead
That's found in the word 
And you'll be right in His plan

Effective Prayer

A.S.K.

Leave a reply 

When I've lost my direction 
In this crazy old world
I'm reluctant to ask for some help
I think it's a reflection 
That I'm not self-assured 

And it makes me feel very inept
But I can't have this attitude
In my walk with the Lord
When I find I am losing my way
I will have more gratitude
If i look to His word
And find how He tells me to pray

He says first I must ask Him
When I've come to stray 
Whether knowledge or wisdom I need
And He says that He'll give 
And show me the way
To find the next step in my plea

Next is to seek out 
His will for my life 
In the situation I've fallen in
Then I can figure out
The escape from my strife
And find the path destined to win

Last I must knock
At the door I come to
It shall open to me on its own
The door is unlocked
And it opens to view 
The answer that He will make known

Now all that sounds simple 
And easy to do
But there's one trick you need to remember
The asking and seeking
And knocking you do
Must be done 'til you're led to the answer

He always will lead to the answer
He always will answer your plea
It's the waiting and watching that's hard to do
So ask 'til your heart is set free
And seek 'til you see
And knock "til you reach the door.

His Mercy

Leave a reply 
His mercy is powerful
Reaching down to me
Cleansing all my sin
And setting me free

His mercy is majestic
Soaring 'bove the clouds 
Placing all the stars
So they speak aloud

His mercy is much higher
Than anything I know
It fills up all of heaven
And all of earth below

His mercy is much richer
Than our diamonds or gold
It never runs out
And it never grows old

His mercy is purer
Than mountain streams that flow
It never fails to comfort
And His peace it will bestow

His mercy is enough today
To meet all of my needs
So I will give my praise to Him
Because He first loved me

How Do I Love You, Lord?

Leave a reply 
How do I love you, Lord?
Let me try and count the ways
There are so many things I thank you for
And I give you all my praise

I love you as the creator
He gave us all that we see
You provided a world where we can live
Such a marvelous place to be

I love you as my provider
I have no need that you can meet
You watch out for me and care for me
Every day your grace is so sweet

I love you for you are my healer
When I’m hurt I can trust in you
I never should doubt or fear the result
For I know you will bring me through

I love you for all of the blessings
That flow out to me so many ways
I cannot begin to count all the times
You have touched me day to day

I love you for you are my Savior
You shed your blood to set me free
And you rose again to give eternal life
I’m in awe of your great mercy

There are so many ways I love you
For all the things that you’ve done
My praise will continue for all of my days
Because my victory you’ve won

But above all these things I love you
Just because of who you are
You are Lord of all Lords forever
I am constantly in awe

And I will lift my praises
No matter what life brings
Because you are seated in heaven
And are crowned King of all Kings