things.

Jadon Lavik just recently released this new praise song that he cowrote with congregational worship in mind. You can see it on the Newsong Cafe at Worshiptogether.com. I don't know how long it'll be up before they switch it out, so this link might be different if you go there more than a few days/weeks from the date of this posting.

I really like the lyrics . . . this is a "heart's cry" sort of a song. "Joyous surrender" is a good description of the life of a Christian. Self is not on the throne of our lives -- Christ is and we're joyously thankful for it. Free to do what we ought rather than be chained to only do what we want. Eventually, as we walk in step with God what we want (i.e. our desires) mature into what we "ought" -- I think John Piper would call that "sanctification's power." I would call it the Holy Spirit shaping our lives.

The bridge lyrics are very cool:

And we live for your glory and we live by your love / And we sing of your glory and we sing of your love

That speaks of life's focus (living to give God glory). It also speaks of life's reality (living by God's love). Lastly, it speaks of what we were made to do: worship Him (sing of His glory & sing of His love) in response to what He's already done.

I also find it a challenging song, because my eyes are not always fixed on him, nor is my heart always full of praise. I appreciate the "lense adjustment" aspect of this song. It reminds me to focus once again. Just like the Lee Ioccocca quote.

Looking to live with the expulsive power of a new affection for Christ daily,

C.

----
^{The song is in ChordPro format, so if you have a ChordPro interpreter, it'll be an easy cut/paste to show the chords above the appropriate lyrics. If you don't have one, you can use this online interpreter.}

{t:Hear Our Song}
{st:Jadon Lavik, Steve Hindalong, Marc Byrd}

Intro: [D(add9)][E][A(add9)][D(add9)][E][A(add9)]
[A(add9)]In joyous surrender
With our [Bm]eyes fixed you
May our [E]lives bring you glory
To serve you in [D(add9)]all that we do

[A(add9)]In joyous surrender
With our [Bm]hearts full of praise
We [E]sing of your mercy
We sing of your [D(add9)]love and your grace

[A(add9)]Father hear our [E]song
A song of [Bm]praise to the worthy [D(add9)]one
[A(add9)]Father we have [E]come
To offer [Bm]our lives to the holy [D(add9)]one

[A(add9)]In joyous surrender
With our [Bm]eyes fixed on you
May our [E]lives bring you glory
To serve you in [D(add9)]all that we do

[A(add9)]Father hear our [E]song
A song of [Bm]praise to the worthy [D(add9)]one
[A(add9)]Father we have [E]come
To offer [Bm]our lives to the holy [D(add9)]one

[D(add9)][Bm][E][Bm][D(add9)][Bm][E][Bm]
And we [D(add9)]live [Bm]for your [E]glory [Bm]and we [D(add9)]live [Bm] by your [D(add9)]love
[Bm]And we [D(add9)]sing [Bm]of your [E]glory [Bm]and we [D(add9)]sing [Bm]of your [D(add9)]love
[Bm]And we [D(add9)]live [Bm]for your [E]glory [Bm]and we [D(add9)]live [Bm]by your [D(add9)]love
[Bm]And we [D(add9)]sing [Bm]of your [E]glory [Bm]and we [D(add9)]sing [Bm]of your [E]love

[A(add9)]Father hear our [E]song
A song of [Bm]praise to the worthy [D(add9)]one
[A(add9)]Father we have [E]come
To offer [Bm]our lives to the holy [D(add9)]one

And we [D(add9)]live [Bm]for your [E]glory [Bm]and we [D(add9)]live [Bm]by your [D(add9)]love
[Bm]And we [D(add9)]sing [Bm]of your [E]glory [Bm]and we [D(add9)]sing [Bm]of your [D(add9)]love

{c:Capo 5 (Key of D) with h/on-h/off}
A(add9) 557755
Bm 757755
E 577655
D(add9) 555785