for outward things
we all need cages
for we are half-defined
by what confines us
but inward things
cannot be defined
because the cage
is what destroys them
Even as the face
needs ears and eyes
and nose to hold it in
and so define it
so then the soul
claims the face as anchor
a launching point—foundation
and not an outward line
Few people know where I have gone
But they may see it when they look on sea
Or when the clouds come misty down
upon the open green
But the ocean portal doesn’t always open
And the fog sometimes oppresses
instead of setting free
It’s a window, not a doorway
into the place I love to be
But I can go when e’er I want
Just lay my heart aside
Spread wide my arms and I am lifted
To a place beyond eternity
I hear some people talk of heaven
like the gulls that cry on shore
They believe they know the water
but the dark eyed fish knows more
You never know what you’re gonna get
Don’t get me wrong
It’s not always bad
But if you see it comin
Don’t hold your breath
You never know what you’re gonna get
It’s like a slow fire
burnin’ you down
Just when you think you’re flyin
You’re fallin here comes the ground!
You never know what you’re gonna get
so please quit your sighin
Throw your worries away
Grab onto your kitestring
And let the sun make the day
You never know what you’re–gonna get
So lay down your dice
Set your soul on the move
How you think you’re gonna win
if you got nothin to lose?
I saw Mercy coming in
Standing at the door
She smiled at me
She said
“I’m so glad I found you
I know someone who’s been
Looking for you.”
Your kindness is everlasting
Your faithfulness never fails
Your heart of grace shines like the sun
Lifting me up to gaze on You
Like the lilies of the field wait for the morning
And all I want is to be to You
Like the moon is to the sun
Shining Your light onto the earth
In a place where there is darkness…
‘Cause Your love never fails
Your mercy is like water to me
Your tenderness restores my soul
Your living love falls like rain
Causing my soul to be made new
Like the streams transform the desert
And all I want is to be to You
Like the seas are to the ocean
Where one begins—and the other ends
No man could ever tell…
‘Cause Your love—never fails
* * *
Righteousness and peace have kissed
I saw it in the morning
The beauty of the Lord has come
I saw it in the middle of the day
The judgements of the Lord are good
I learned it in the evening
I cannot wait for You to come again
For what will You bring at midnight?
‘Cause your love—never fails
Every time I’ve almost won
Something comes and conquers me
It almost seems as if I’m fighting
An enemy inside of me
Now I’ve found the answer
I have seen it in His eyes
My freedom doesn’t come from fighting
But from being one with Christ
There is something in the name of Jesus
That washes every doubt.
Watching all my fears and troubles fading
As His Spirit turns me inside out.
There is beauty in the pow’r of Jesus
As He changes old to new
Victory is found in giving
All my troubles to Divine View
I know that I’ll be found in You
Resting in your care
When all of my life has faded
And I place my feet on Jacob’s stair
you build me right
by waterspouts and diamonds
My root goes down.
The crooked way, it breaks me
as I bend ’round my borders.
But soon I will have straightened them
by the strength that you have given me
I have seen the water’s edge
and know that I am not forsaken
He who makes the sun to rise
has spread His banner over me
I know I will see the spring
And bear my fruit in season
For I have been planted by a sure hand
Whose seasons waver not.
Your sons You build like mighty trees
You daughters like marble colonnade
Who has seen the beauty of Your children
Like the temple builder?
I separated myself from you
Like East is far from West
But You rose up and ran after me
On the wings of the dawn
I ran till my breath was raw
And smiling You came after me
Surely by nightfall He will capture me. . .
I can’t wait that long.
I will turn my head
To hear the voice of a Lover
I will turn my heart
To feel the heartbeat of Another
I will turn around
Stand stockstill in my place
I will lift my hands
In pure surrender.
Till You come rushing over me!
Till You have captured me!
Till my eyes are wet with tears!
Till my mouth is worn from kisses!
I found something
That can change old to new
I found something
That can restore and redo
You’ve captured, covered, cleansed, and redefined
You’ve healed what I did not know was broken
You straightened what I did not know was lame
Washing away all my sins
Like water on a clean slate
Nothing in my life stays the same with You, Lord
You’ll change black to white if I’ll but let you
You’ll change night to day
Washing away all my sins
Like water on a clean slate
Can a leopard change his spots?
Can a tiger change his stripes?
I can’t change my ways, oh Lord,
But You can change my life!
Wahin’ away my sins
Like water on a clean slate
neumatikos 