Be of Good Courage

I looked for these lyrics when this song came in my heart. I remember in high school how we used to sing along this song from the famous 'hymn book'. I actually knew the lyrics well. Back then it was protocol to sing along. It had to be done every morning when we habitually assembled.


It wasn't until now that the lyrics pierced through my heart, with their meaning and context ringing loud in my head.


We need courage in this life. There are enough things around us to make us coil back in fear. But God says, 'BE COURAGEOUS' 'BE OF GOOD COURAGE'. {Joshua1:6-9 }. Its interesting that the Lord put it forth as a command. It wasn't a request. He specifically said "Good Courage". Suffice it to say, there is bad courage. The kind that leads us into doing stupid things where consequences follow us. The Lord is not talking about showing how strong you are, in might or deed. I tend to think that He was talking about not being intimidated by anything, knowing well that He {The Lord}, is always on our side. There fore our courage solely rests upon the assurance that the Lord is on our side. And its a command.



Its actually a sin to be cowardly.


 {Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”}


How can sexual immorality and cowardice be mentioned in the same breath? Did you know that the devil is a coward? Cowardly people are not obedient to God. They choose the easy way out. It takes courage to obey God. You have to go out of your way and choose obedience, even when there are much simpler options, if we look at it from a worldly perspective. Its easier to give a bribe, for example, than to face the law. Its also cowardly. And cowardice and sexual immorality, to God, are one and the same: Both are sin.


Is there trouble in your life: Be of good courage, for the Lord is on your side. 


Do not be scared of lack.
Do not be scared of disease.
Do not be scared of war.
Do not be scared of death.
Do not be scared of men. 


Be of "Good Courage".


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,

Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right,
Trust no party, sect or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,


Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,

Trust in God and do the right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Background

I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


It's evident you run the show, so let me back down
You take the leading role, and I'll play the background
I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines
I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs
I don't need my name in lights, I don't need a starring role
Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul
And my ways ain't purified, don't live according to Your Word
I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard
So word to every dance, a foe, a pop star
'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar
Yeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right
Praying the whole world will start embracing stage fright
So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions
'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessing
That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact
I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


I had a dream that I was captain of my soul
I was master of my fate, lost control. and then I sank
So I don't want to take the lead, 'cause I'm prone to make mistakes
All the folks who follow me, going end up in the wrong place
So let me just shadow you, let me trace your lines
Matter of fact, just take my pen, here, you create my rhymes
'Cause if I do this by myself, I'm scared that I'll succeed
And no longer trust in you, 'cause I only trust in me
And see, that's how you end up headed to destruction
Paving a road to nowhere, pour your life out for nothing
You pulled my card, I'm bluffing, You know what's in my hand
Me, I'm just going to trust you, You cause the dice to land
I'm in control of nothing, follow you at any cost
Some call it sovereign will, all I know is you the boss
Man, I'm so at ease, I'm so content
I'll play the background, like it's an instrument


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


I know I'm safest when I'm in Your will, and trust Your Word
I know I'm dangerous when I trust myself, my vision blurred
And I ain't got no time to play life's foolish games
Got plenty aims, but do they really Glorify Your name
And it's a shame, the way I want to do these things for You
Don't even cling to you, take time to sit and gleam from You
Seems You were patient in my ignorance
If ignorance is bliss, it's 'cause she never heard of this


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead


I could play the background
I could play the background
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
So won't You take the lead, lead, lead?
And I could play the background, background
And you could take the lead. 

The Lord is His Name

How magnificent is grace! How malignant is guilt! How sweet are the promises! How sour is the past! How Precious and broad is God's love! How petty and narrow are man's limitations! How refreshing is the Lord!


Holy Father in heaven, your power provides us with hope - hope to start afresh, even though we have failed; hope to walk in moral purity, even though we are weak.


How the Lord cares for his sheep! How he loves and rescues us! How often He lifts us when we are low and supports us when we are weak!

Only One person can step into life and give it happiness when health fails - and give it peace even when possessions fade - and give it security when savings fly away.

When I say I'm a Christian

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I was lost!"
That is why I chose this Way."

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I don’t speak of it with pride.

I’m confessing that I stumble,

And need Christ to be my guide.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I’m not trying to be strong.

I’m professing that I’m weak,

And need His strength to carry on.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I’m not bragging of success.

I’m admitting I have failed,

And need God to clean my mess.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I’m not claiming to be perfect,

My flaws are far too visible,

But God believes I’m worth it.

When I say “I’m a Christian”,

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches,

So I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian",
I do not wish to judge.
For I have no authority,
I only know I'm loved.

Carol S. Wimmer

Where the Echoes Stop

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Far past where sound has abandoned thought.

Where silence reigns over redundancy.

Where once well said is more than enough.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where words must be born to be heard.

Where speech is a gift and not a curse.

Where there is more of the unique and less of the mundane.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where meaning is rescued from noise…

Where conviction replaces thoughtless repetition…

Where what everyone is saying surrenders to what needs to be said.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where the shouting of the masses falls silent to the whisper of the one…

Where the voice of the majority submits to the voice of reason…

Where “they” do not exist; but “we” do.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where substance overthrows the superficial…

Where courage conquers compliance and conformity…

Where words do not travel farther than the person who speaks them.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Where I only say what I believe.

Where I only repeat what changes me.

Where empty words finally rest in peace.

I want to stand where the echoes stop.

Erwin Raphael McManus

“Be still and know that I am God…” -Psalm 46:10a

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

Be careful little eyes what you see

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Casting Crowns

There is a time when life sucks!

There is a time in life when you’re just exhausted.

There is a time you want to lock yourself out of the world.

There is a time you are afraid.

There is a time you fail. And again. And again.

There is a time you want to give up.

There is a time you want to throw in the towel.

There is a time you cannot take it anymore.

There is a time when the world crumbles all around you.

There is a time you want to be quiet.

There is a time you want silence.

There is a time you can hear yourself breath.

There is a time when time stops.

There is a time when you feel numb.

There is a time when anger rules you.

There is a time when you hurt the ones you love.

There is a time you feel lost.

There is a time when meaning fades.

There is a time when life ceases to make sense.

There is a time when you want to scream.

There is a time when people are a nuisance.

There is a time when frustrations overwhelm you.

There is a time when you wonder if tomorrow will come.

There is a time you want to be enveloped in darkness.

There is a time you feel like going backwards.

There is a time when you feel stagnant

There is a time you wish you were a child.

There is a time when you get desperate.

There is a time when words cease.

Tears drop.

There is a time when you need God more than ever.

There is a time He seems farther than ever.

There is a time it feels like forever.

There is a time you say whatever!

There is a time you trust, however.

There is a time you hold on.

There is a time you pray long.

There is a time you pray none.

There is a time you hear nothing.

There is a time that God is with you.

There is a time He will come through.

All the time!

Alter and the Door

Careless, I am reckless
I'm a wrong-way-travelin'-slowly-unraveling shell of a man
Burnt out, I'm so numb now
That the fire's just an ember way down in the corner of my cold, cold heart

Lord, this time I'll make it right, here at the altar I lay my life
Your kingdom come but my will was done, my heart is broken as I...

Cry, like so many times before
But my eyes are dry before I leave the floor, oh Lord
I try but this time, Jesus, how can I be sure I will not lose my follow through
Between the altar and the door

Here at the altar, oh my world so black and white
How could I ever falter
What You've shown me to be right

I'm trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me
Jesus, I'm trying so hard to stop trying so hard
Just let You be who You are
Lord, who You are in me

Casting Crowns

Somewhere in the middle

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You're making me
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Fearless warriors in a picket fence, reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves

Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle

Casting Crowns