Day 24: "Cornerstone"

I grew up singing hymns. I love hymns. What I am not a big fan of is when someone wants to "update" and hymn and all they do is add drums or an electric guitar solo or saxophones/trumpets. I personally prefer when we sing hymns as they were written, but I also appreciate it when people update hymns like this. In "Cornerstone", the verses are from "The Solid Rock", but the chorus is new. Instead of updating "The Solid Rock", they expanded on what was already there. It's almost a response to what the original hymn inspired. Because of that truth, we can also sing this chorus. Christ is the only solid and secure thing in our lives most of the time. But we can rest in the fact that He's not changing. He's not going anywhere. When everything around us falls apart, we can still be standing on a solid cornerstone if we have Jesus.

"Cornerstone"

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly trust in Jesus' Name

Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior's love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all

When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior's love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless stand before the throne

Christ alone
Cornerstone
Weak made strong
In the Savior's love
Through the storm
He is Lord
Lord of all

Day 15: "At the Cross"

I have a musical pet peeve. It drives me absolutely nuts when people don't sing their R's. Example: saying 'fo-ev-uh' instead of 'forever'. I know some people have been taught that this "technique" is a good idea, but I wholeheartedly disagree. I want to over-sing my R's to make up for the people who don't. I think this behavior is worse than someone tailgating me or crossing over the striped part of the road to "cut line". I hate it. The only acceptable reason for not singing your R's is if you also do not say them when you're talking. Example: Australian accents. Specific example: Darlene Zschech. I think she's brilliant and lovely and she can sing 'suched' instead of 'searched' because THAT'S HOW SHE TALKS!

Anyway...this song is gorgeous and true. My absolute favorite part is the bridge. Only God could have torn the veil between people and His presence, and He did! When Jesus completed the sacrifice and said "It is finished" on the cross, the veil was torn. God made a way for us to be in close communion with him after we messed it up with sin. He loves us so much that He had a plan to reconcile us to Himself after we willingly chose to give Him up. It's a good song. If you don't know Jesus personally, you should get to know Him. He loves you so much regardless of what you've done or where you are. He wants a relationship with you.

"At the Cross"

Oh Lord You've searched me
You know my way
Even when I fail You
I know You love me

Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You go before me
You shield my way
Your hand upholds me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

You tore the veil
You made a way
When You said that it is done

And when the earth fades
Falls from my eyes
And You stand before me
I know You love me
I know You love me

At the cross I bow my knee
Where Your blood was shed for me
There's no greater love than this
You have overcome the grave
Your glory fills the highest place
What can separate me now

Day 8: "Bones"

Another day. Another Hillsong song. I love these people and Bethel music and the lyrics they write. It's so raw and honest and real and sometimes they pull the words right out of my own heart. I do love the words to this song, but I also love the melody and the beat. I think it's wonderful. It talks about how our life is found in Jesus Christ. His life in us becomes our life source. We can do nothing and we are nothing without Him. He accepts us just as we are, we become free, and then, over time, through a relationship with Him, we are made more like Him. Then, we can love others more fully.

"Bones"

You can take my dry bones
Breathe life into this skin
You called me by name
Raised me to life again

You can calm the oceans
Speak peace into my soul
Take me as I am
Awaken my heart to beat again

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Alive in me

You move in the unseen
You set the captives free
As I stand and sing
You're breaking the chains off me

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Alive in me, alive in me
Alive in me, alive in me
Alive in me, alive in me, alive in me

Breathe in me Your life
I can feel You are close now
I can never hide
You are here and You know me
All I need is You and I love You
I love You, I love You, I love You

Breathe in me Your life
Till Your love overtakes me
Open up my eyes
Let me see You more clearly
Falling on my knees till I love like You love
Like You love me, I love You

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus, oh Jesus
Alive in me