Harmony

It was an odd type of concert to be going to - Eskimo Joe teaming up with the WA Symphony Orchestra.  The result? A night of absolutely amazing music at the Perth Concert Hall last month.

There were two types of people in the audience - those (like my friend Sarah and I) who would go to see Eskimo Joe and those who would see WASO. I think everyone would have come away appreciating both types of music.

Dwell by Garage Hymnal

I'm thankful for my loving, gracious and merciful God who doesn't treat me as my sins deserve.

I spent time away from you,
Turned my back away from you,
But you drew me near to you, you drew me near.

I hold you at a distance, but you wait so patiently,
Gently whisper, gently tell me what I need to hear,
You tell me what I need to hear.

You say my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing only,
Because my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing to you.

You spent time pursuing me,
You sent your Son to die for me,
You sang songs of life to me,
You sang songs.

You say my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing only,
Because my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing,
Yes, I will sing,
Lord, I will sing only to you.

Lord, you hear my selfish cries,
Lord, you read my darkest thoughts,
Lord, you see my foolish ways,
Lord, you sense my deepest fears,
Lord, you know my doubting heart,
And still you long, you long for me.
I hold you at a distance,
But you wait so patiently.

Because my soul dwells in the hope of tomorrow,
I will trust you, and I will sing.


Lyrics from here

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross by Isaac Watts

My reminder to myself to refocus...
 

When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, 
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Lyrics from here.

I Am Australian by The Seekers

I thought it was appropriate to post these lyrics on Australia Day.  I love my amazing country and the diversity of the people who call it home.

We are one, but we are many,
And from all the lands on earth we come.
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian.

Lyrics from here.

Jehovah Jireh by Don Moen

We have a nanny!  She starts next Tuesday!

I am so relieved and thankful to God.

Jehovah Jireh, 
My provider.
His grace is sufficient,
For me, for me, for me.

Jehovah Jireh, 
My provider.
His grace is sufficient,
For me.

My God shall supply all my needs,
According to His riches in glory.
He will give His angels,
Charge over me.

Jehovah Jireh cares for me, for me, for me.
Jehovah Jireh cares for me.
 

Lyrics from here.

The Fifth Member of The Seekers

I went to see the musical Georgy Girl in Perth with my dear friend Emma back in July for our annual childless and husbandless musical theatre date.  It's a biographical story of The Seekers rise to fame and their successful career.  Of course, it features all of their best-loved songs.

Here am I with their cardboard cutouts:

If I Only Had a Brain from The Wizard of Oz

This is what sleep deprivation does to me...

I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers,
Consultin' with the rain.
And my head I'd be scratchin' while my thoughts were busy hatchin',
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le,
In trouble or in pain.
With the thoughts I'd be thinkin',
I could be another Lincoln,
If I only had a brain.
Oh, I could tell you why the ocean's near the shore,
I could think of things I'd never thunk before,
And then I'd sit, and think some more. 
I would not just be a nuffin', my head all full of stuffin',
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.

Lyrics from here.

Just Be Held by Casting Crowns

I couldn't find more appropriate lyrics for how I feel right now:

Hold it all together, 

Everybody needs you strong,

But life hits you out of nowhere,

And barely leaves you hanging on.

And when you're tired of fighting,

Chained by your control,

There's freedom in surrender,

Lay it down and let it go.

So, when you're on your knees,

And answers seem so far away,

You're not alone, stop holding on and just be held.

Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place.

I'm on the throne, stop holding on, and just be held.

Just be held.

Just be held.

If your eyes are on the storm,

You'll wonder if I love you still,

But if your eyes are on the cross,

You'll know I always have, and always will.

And not a tear is wasted,

In time you'll understand,

I'm painting beauty with the ashes,

Your life is in My hands.

Lift your hands, lift your eyes,

In the storm is where you'll find Me,

And where you are, I'll hold your heart,

I'll hold your heart.

Come to Me, find your rest,

In the arms of the God who won't let go.

Lyrics from here

So Young by The Corrs

Ah the energy that comes from youth.  This is what it felt like back in the day.

We are taking it easy,
Bright and breezy, yeah.
We are living it up,
Just fine and dandy, yeah.

We are chasing the moon, 
Just running wild and free. 
We are following through,
Every dream and every need.

And it really doesn't matter that we don't eat,
And it really doesn't matter if we get no sleep.
No, it really doesn't matter, really doesn't matter at all.

'Cos we are so young now, we are so young, so young now.
And when tomorrow comes we can do it all again.

Lyrics from here.

New Song in My Heart by Rob Smith

My prayer at the moment...

Put a new song in my heart,
Let me hear the praises start,
Dispel the night,
And give me light again.

Put a new thought in my mind,
Help me leave the past behind,
And break these chains,
That I might live again.

Lift my fallen face,
And help me to stand,
Flood me with the grace,
That comes from Your hand,
Cleanse me from my sin,
Lord, forgive me again,
That I might be Yours alone.

Put a new fire in my soul,
Make this wounded spirit whole,
And help me see,
That I am free again.

Let these broken bones,
Rise up and rejoice,
Bring this captive home,
And lift up my voice,
Help my spirit sing,
Now to Jesus my king,
For He has forgiven me.

Lyrics from here.

Not Pretty Enough by Kasey Chambers

Since it was Valentine's Day yesterday, I thought these lyrics were appropriate.  I asked these questions of myself a lot when I was single, and I bet I'm not alone in this.

Am I not pretty enough?
Is my heart too broken?
Do I cry too much?
Am I too outspoken?

Don't I make you laugh?
Should I try it harder?
Why do you see right through me?

I live, I breathe, I let it rain on me.
I sleep, I wake, I try hard not to break.
I crave, I love, I've waited long enough.
I try as hard as I can.

I laugh, I feel, I make believe it's real.
I fall, I freeze, I pray down on my knees.
I hope, I stand, I take it like a man.
I try as hard as I can.

Lyrics from here.

5 Favourite Wendy Matthews Songs

Another one of my favourite artists I enjoy listening to while on roadtrips (alone, of course, otherwise Duncan complains haha).

1. Ten Miles of Timber

2. Standing Strong

3. The Day You Went Away

4. Let's Kiss (Like Angels Do)

5. Beloved

5 Favourite Bruce Springsteen Songs

I love road trips by myself. They don't happen very often, so I really appreciate the time to listen to music I want to listen to (there is only so much of The Wiggles I can stand). I can listen to my Bruce Springsteen Greatest Hits CD without Duncan rolling his eyes at me (I think I was born in the wrong decade).

Here are my five favourites:

1. Brilliant Disguise
2. Dancing in the Dark
3. Streets of Philadelphia
4. Born to Run
5. Hungry Heart

Which are yours?

Sick and Tired by Anastacia

Just a few lyrics from this song have become my anthem over the past four months.

I'm sick and tired,
Of always being sick and tired.

Lyrics from here.

Against the Wind by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

Sometimes life really does feel like I'm running against the wind. I could really relate to these lyrics during that lost feeling I had during my first year of uni...until Jesus found me.

And the years rolled slowly past,

And I found myself alone,

Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends,

I found myself further and further from my home.

And I guess I lost my way,

There were oh so many roads.

Against the wind,

I'm still running against the wind.

I'm older now, but still running against the wind.

Well, I'm older now, but still running against the wind.

Lyrics from here

Walk On

This was the next on my list of Christian biographies to read this year....

U2 have always been controversial among Christians.  Some see them as inspiring, revolutionary and an encouragement to live out the message of Jesus, particularly among the world's poor.  Others see them as frauds and immoral.

Walk On tells of U2's spiritual and musical journey through the decades, from their hometown of Dublin to becoming one of the world's biggest rock bands.  It explores the thought processes and experiences which inspired some of the greatest songs out there today.  At times it is a bit tedious going through almost every song and album over the past few decades, but interesting to know how these well-known lyrics came about.

As an aspiring artist, I've always been encouraged by U2's example of spreading the gospel through music.  I share their desire to break free of the Christian arts subculture.  It seems that when people find out you're an artist who's a Christian, they want you to create FOR Christians.  No, I want to create for those outside the church.  There is more than enough stuff out there for Christians already.

Are U2 Christians?  That's not for me to judge, only God knows people's hearts.  But, from this book, I'd say 'yes', all but one of the band's members follow Jesus.  I don't agree with all of their convictions (smoking, swearing etc.) or their decision to shun the traditional church at times (although I kind of get where they're coming from as well), but this book encouraged me to think long and hard about how I live out my faith practically and how I deal with the tension of wanting to be a Christian, yet break into mainstream arts.

Try Again by Aaliyah

If at first you don't succeed,
Dust yourself off and try again,
You can dust it off and try again.
If at first you don't succeed,
You can dust it off and try again,
Dust yourself off and try again.

Lyrics from here

10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

We started singing this song at my church last year. We have so many reasons to praise the Lord.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning.
It's time to sing Your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me,
Let me be singing when the evening comes.

You're rich in love and You're slow to anger,
Your name is great and Your heart is kind.
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing.
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

And on that day when my strength is failing,
The end draws near and my time has come,
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending,
Ten thousand years and then forevermore.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
O my soul.
Worship His holy name.
Sing like never before,
O my soul.
I'll worship Your holy name.

Yes, I will worship Your name.
Lord, I'll worship Your holy name.

Lyrics from here.

I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash

Today is the two year anniversary of the day I went to hospital.  Two years since I hit the bottom of the pit and began the long and painful process of recovering from the grips of postnatal depression.

Perhaps I shouldn't be remembering this date, but it's kind of hard to forget, especially since it's also a good friend's birthday.

This song reminds me of how far God has brought me since that time. I praise His name that I can see again, that He has cast the darkness and the fog away.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.
I can see all obstacles in my way.
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sun-shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone.
All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for.
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright) sun-shiny day.

Lyrics sourced from here.

Create In Me a Clean Heart by Keith Green

This is sung regularly at my church.  I love it!  It's my prayer for myself this year (and beyond):

 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a right spirit in me.

Cast me not away from Thy presence, O Lord,
Take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,
And renew a right spirit within me.