GOD I MISS YOU

So full of mercy with a smile that reached your eyes
It let me know that you could see the fear inside
And how I wish you were here by my side
To whisper again,  “It’s gonna be alright”

But I’ve moved on and somehow overcome this pain
Finding peace took time and a whole lot of faith
I know one day I will see you again
Still the nights are long and I’m hanging on……

‘Cause no matter where I go
You are never very far
And down this lonely road
I carry you in my heart……

God I miss you
How I miss your face
Every memory, every dream
Speaks your name

And though this life goes on
It leaves a burning ache
I know my broken heart is slow to heal
‘Cause God I miss your face

At times I thought I could do better on my own
But chasing rainbows could not fill this empty soul
‘Cause I lost sight of the things that matters most
Like the ones I love and God above…..

‘Cause no matter where I go
You are never very far
And down this lonely road
I carry you in my heart……

God I miss you
How I miss your face
Every memory, every dream
Speaks your name

And though this life goes on
It leaves a burning ache
I know my broken heart is slow to heal
‘Cause God I miss your face

(Copyright  Karen J Stevenson 2012)

What's So Sad About That?

I’ve lived long enough

Braved waters that are rough

That would easily sink a ship at sea

So much pain, so much loss

Running tired of the cost

Does anyone out there feel like me?

BRIDGE

'Causel I’m not proud, nor regret

The pain that drove me to my knees

The ache inside, the tears I wept

Forgiveness washing over me

When faith was all I had left

Hope arose inside my chest

In all that I’ve been through

Must be Love that carried me

CHORUS

So what’s so sad about that?

Don’t you cry for me

Every painful wound that broke my heart

And made me bleed

‘Cause this is why I sing

And by His grace I stand

Every senseless trial, the suffering

Made me who I am

So what’s so sad about that?

What’s so sad about that?

It made me who I am

So what’s so sad about that?

Some think it pretty hard

How I made it this far

Say I’m tough as nails, strong as steel

But the Truth I was found,

With my face to the ground

And I surrendered everything

BRIDGE - CHORUS


(Copyright 2011  Karen J Stevenson)

http://soundcloud.com/kj-stevenson/whats-so-sad-about-that-2

My First Love

I will learn to trust and pray

Lean on You in silence wait

‘Til I can hear Your still small voice again

I surrender everything

Draw my heart I’m listening

For in Your word my hope and life depends

You are my first love

I return because

You’re my first love

I will look to You for peace

Still my heart to rest in Thee

And heal these broken places deep inside

Nothing in this life can fill

But Your love and perfect will

In You alone my soul is satisfied

You are my first love

I return because

You’re my first love

You’re my first love

You’re my first love

I will give You thanks and praise

For this thorn which once brought shame

For in my weakness You have made me strong

All these trials, all this pain

Caused my heart to fear Your Name

And know the One to whom I now belong

You are my first love

I return because

You’re my first love

You’re my first love

You’re my first love

You’re my first love

(Copyright 2011  Karen J Stevenson)

Grateful

A song inspired by this week of Thanksgiving and by the book One Thousand Gifts written by 

Ann Voskamp:

I’m grateful for the gentle rain 

That falls to earth from Heaven’s hand

And satisfies this dry and weary land 

I’m thankful for the peaceful winds 

That whisper in the trees above

And echo softly tender words of love

Oh my God…….so grateful for Your love

I’m grateful for my family

Who fill my life with joyful song

Make me laugh, still love me when I’m wrong

I’m thankful for such faithful friends 

Who stand by me through every trial

Share my burden and walk the extra mile 

Oh my God…….so grateful for Your love

I’m grateful for these painful wounds

That pierced my soul and humbled me

Caused my heart to dwell in love and mercy 

I’m thankful for the silent tears

The sleepless nights I cried alone

The hunger deep inside that led me home

Oh my God…….so grateful for Your love

Oh my King…….so grateful for Your love

I’m grateful for the sun-swept skies

That illuminates with clouds of fire

Filling me with wonder and desire

I’m thankful for Your quiet ways 

that still my heart with unseen grace

Calling me to live in Your embrace 

Oh my God…….so grateful for Your love

Oh my King…….so grateful for Your love

Open my eyes, let my heart see

Your loving-kindness all around me 

Oh my God…….so grateful for Your love

(Copyright 2011 Karen J Stevenson)

Ocean Blue

OCEAN BLUE

(Karen J Stevenson 2011)

I’ve heard it said love is blind

Driven by a need for emotional highs

But every day the tide pulls out

I wanna run away from the fear and doubt

But You say love can see

Every way I am, the deepest part of me

Now I’m known, spirit and soul

There isn’t anywhere that love won’t go

Can you see the depths inside?

Will this stand the test of time?

If Love is strong and love is kind

If love won’t leave when I lose my mind

Then I know I am not alone

And if love is real, if love is true

If love is deep as the ocean blue

Then I know I’ve found my home

I’ve heard it said love won’t has eyes

It’ll melt a heart of stone and break the ice 

And anytime I wanna play tough

It finds another way to mess me up

Everyday as I grow old

Love will even stay when my heart turns cold

Even when the seasons change

You never give in to my childish games 

And you see the depths inside

Your love never left my side……

If Love is strong and love is kind

If love won’t leave when I lose my mind

Then I know I am not alone

And if love is real, if love is true

If love is deep as the ocean blue

Then I know I’ve found my home

Psalm 23

The LORD is my Shepherd

I shall not be in need

  He makes me lie down in

 Pastures abounding peace

He leads me beside the

 Still waters and quiet streams

  He gently restores me

 My soul will adore Thee…..

Lord

He guides me on paths of righteousness

   for his Name’s sake, for his Name’s sake

He goes before to prepare a feast

In the presence of my enemies

He anoints my head with oil

My cup overflows with joy

And though I walk through valleys shadowed in death

I will fear no evil for You will protect

Your rod and staff they comfort me

And remind me of Your faithful love

How You will never leave

 Surely goodness and loving-kindness 

Shall follow me all the days of my life

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever, and ever……

Amen


Karen J Stevenson Copyright 2011

Your Name (Jesus Come)

Jesus You are the Lamb of God

Worthy is Your Name

We fall before Your mighty throne

Humbled by Your grace

No other God who loved this world

Who suffered and forgave

Giving up His priceless pearl

That we might bear His name

You are the only Source of life

The only God who saves

No greater love or sacrifice

Your blood has made a way

And though the end of time draws near

And evil will arise

We’ll walk by faith and not by fear

And trust the name of Christ

All you saints of God proclaim

All the angels shout Your praise

Crying Holy, Holy, Worthy is Your Name

A day will come when Christ returns

His judgments will be fierce

And all the nations of the earth

Will mourn the One they pierced

We’ll see the lightening split the sky

Hear the trumpet blast

And riding on the clouds of fire

Jesus come at last

All you saints of God proclaim

All the angels shout Your praise

Crying Holy, Holy, worthy is Your name

All heaven and earth rejoice

And exalt You with one voice

Singing Hallelujah, Glory to Your Name

All who overcome shall rise
And meet Him in the air
But only through the blood of Christ
The chosen will be spared
And in the end we’ll reign with Him
And He shall be our light
In the New Jerusalem
Praise the Name of Christ!

CHORUS

Behold

Behold, He who formed mountains

Creator of the wind

Revealing His thoughts

To the sons of men

 Giver of life

Redeemer of mankind

Declaring His Kingdom

Destroying the lies

Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
Worthy, worthy honor and glory
Power and praise to God's own Son

Every knee shall bow down and

Every tongue confess that

Jesus, Jesus Christ is

Jesus, Jesus is Lord

Every tongue, tribe and nation

Cry out before His throne that

Jesus, Jesus Christ is

Jesus, Jesus is Lord

Behold, the Son of man

Soon to come again
Ruling in all
Power and dominion

Behold, He treads on high
There's fire in His eyes

Coming on the clouds

Lightening fills the sky

Holy, holy Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
Worthy, worthy honor and glory
Power and praise to God's own Son

Every knee shall bow down and

Every tongue will confess that

Jesus, Jesus Christ is

Jesus, Jesus is Lord

Every tongue, tribe and nation

Crying out before His throne that

Jesus, Jesus Christ is

Jesus, Jesus is Lord


He will rule, He will reign
Holy, Holy
Lamb of God that was slain
Worthy, Worthy
He is Lord give Him praise
Glory, Glory
Jesus Christ confess His name

Hope Will Rise Again

Everyday, everytime I wanna try

Leaves me tired and broken, unsatisfied

How long will this soul ache?

Then despair comes knockin’ on my door

With a friend called fear I can’t ignore 

How much can this heart take?

When pain surrounds this broken heart

You shake the ground, I fall apart

With every trial sent my way

It shatters my world  but heals my faith

I don’t know how I’ll make it 

through this storm

Overwhelming waves of sorrow form

Helplessly I wait for the night to end

When everything is swept away

Hope will rise again

Every tear, every loss, I question why

So weary of the cost I wanna cry

How long will this heart bleed?

So buried, so covered I’m sinking down, 

Every thought overwhelms consumed in doubt

How much will I concede?

When pain surrounds this broken heart

You shake the ground, I fall apart

With every trial that comes my way

It shatters my world but heals my faith

I don’t know how I’ll make it 

through this storm

Overwhelming waves of sorrow form

Helplessly I wait for the night to end

When everything is swept away

Hope will rise again 

Copyright 2011  Karen J Stevenson

They Can't Take That Away

For every broken heart, every fallen star

Left alone to die

For every shattered dream, every silent plea

That echoes through the night

For every senseless crime, the victims and maligned

And every friend betrayed

For every hidden shame, the lonely addicts pain

It’s why He came to save

No matter what they say  

No matter how they doubt

When a greater debt is paid

A stronger love wins out

Resting in His grace

A humbled heart is changed

They can’t take that away

For every hungry soul, beggars in the cold

Find comfort in His arms

In every prison cell, the deepest, darkest hell

They’re written on His heart

For everyone alone, rejected by their own  

He knows this bitter fate

With every story told, a heartache will unfold

It’s why He came to save

No matter what we say  

No matter how we doubt

When a greater debt is paid

A stronger love wins out

Resting in His grace

A humbled heart is changed

They can’t take that away

You Carry Me

You are my peace when tempted to doubt

My source, my strength when mine gives out

And when I feel so alone and weary

Barely hangin' on....

You carry me, You carry me

You carry me, You carry me

When all has failed and my eyes can't see

That's when You carry me

You are my help when helpless I feel

My portion in life, my comfort and shield

And when I feel so alone and weary

I can't go on....

You carry me, You carry me

You carry me, You carry me

When all has failed and my eyes can't see

And the road is long and my heart grows weak

I will fall upon Your unfailiing love and mercy

For that's when You carry me

You are my song when I can't sing

My every breath when I can't breathe

And when I feel so alone and weary

I can't go on.....

You carry me, You carry me

You carry me, You carry me

When all has failed and my eyes can't see

Whenthe road is so long and my heart gows weak

I will fall upon Your unfailing love and mercy

For that's when You carry me

That's when You carry me

Karen J Stevenson Copyright 2011

Ushakeable

Our heart goes out to helpless ones

Who’ve lost control

They stumble and faint with fear so desperate

So hungry and cold

You hear their cries for mercy pleading

For a hand to hold

Oh Jesus save them, be their strength

Their light of hope

Yet in their darkest hour

In their time of need……

Oh God glorify Yourself

When they look to the sky for help

And darkness tries to destroy their town

May they see Your face, Your mercy

Your hand of love reaching down

We will not fear in times the earth

Trembles and shakes

When mountains crumble overwhelmed

By surging waves

For God Almighty is our refuge,

Our help and strength

Unshakeable Kingdom O’ rise up

You people of faith

Yet in our darkest hour

In our time of need……

Oh God glorify Yourself

When we look to the sky for help

When the darkness tries to destroy this town

May we see Your face, Your mercy

Your hand of love reaching down

(Copyright 2011 Karen J Stevenson)

 

Your Love

When friends have turned away

And washed their hands of me

They spoke about your love

So convincingly

But where are they now?

So many have come and gone

Who promised to always stay

Like drifting clouds move on

In the wind and rain
Leaving fear and doubt

But Your love, never letting go

When I wander recklessly

And Your love, never turning cold

When the pain is all I see

Your love reaches to my soul

Calling forth the Truth

of who I am and will be

In Your love

I do not understand it

Maybe one day I will

How Your love never changes

Every time I fall, every time I fail

You are a constant presence

My heart will rest secure

When others turn against me

You are standing firm

I can trust in Your word

For Your love, never letting go

When I wander recklessly

And Your love, never turning cold

When the pain is all I see

Your love reaches to my soul

Calling forth the Truth

of who I am and will be

In Your love

( Copyright 2011 Karen J Stevenson )

One Day

One day, my friend

We will walk hand in hand

And forget the days lost in pain

When we could not see God’s plan

One day, my friend

Just around the bend

The tender seeds of yesterday

Will soon blossom in His hand

For on that day we shall overcome

By His Spirit and by His blood

And we shall laugh and sing
We shall rise above

To tell the stories of His Love
On that day......

One day my friend,

Pain and sorrow and sin

Will be wiped away before our eyes

And scattered to the wind

One day my friend

The streams of life within

Will carry us to that place of joy

We so long for in the end

For on that day we shall overcome

By His Spirit and by His blood

And we shall laugh and sing
We shall rise above

To shout the praises of His Love
On that day.....

One day my friend

It will all make perfect sense

How every tear in Heaven’s light

will quickly heal and mend

One day my friend

We’ll forget all that's been

And with wings unfurled we’ll touch the sky.....

Again

(Copyright 2011 Karen J Stevenson)

High Upon A Rock

You set my feet high upon a rock

You pulled me from the mirey clay

To where the skies are blue

You set my feet, high upon a rock

Far below the storms will grow

Yet I am safe in You

So let the winds blow

And the rain fall down

Let the seas roar

And evil surround

I will trust You

And seek higher ground

There I'll praise You

Put a new song in my mouth

You set my feet high upon a rock

You pulled me from the mirey clay

To where the skies are blue

You set my feet, high upon a rock

Far below the storms will grow

Yet I am safe in You

(Copyright 2010 Karen J Stevenson)

Eye of the Storm

"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold...may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
(1Peter1: 6-7)
 

Oh how wide the gap we live between

Life in the Spirit and humanity

Not found in a book nor in a song

His faithfulness revealed

when the trials come

Favored of God to know His pain

To share in His sufferings

Standing in His name

But trials come

And we plead, “Take it away!”

Yet in His wisdom

God‘s purpose will prevail.

The greatest peace I’ve ever known

Is to find myself in the eye of the storm

Unfailing Love will carry me through

I am shattered and torn yet I cling to You

In the eye of the storm

Deep inside I know this must be True

But my flesh cries out

The pain is too cruel

Here is found a place of hope and rest

God’s chosen tool these earthly tests….

Favored of God to know His pain

To share in His sufferings

The glory and the grace

But trials come and we plead,

“Take it away!”

Yet in His mercy

Our weakness turns to strength

The greatest peace I’ve ever known

Is to find myself in the eye of the storm

Unfailing Love will carry me through

I am shattered and torn yet I cling to You

In the eye of the storm

Copyright 2010 Karen J Stevenson

So Beautiful

This is my body broken

Given for you now

This is my blood poured out

That cleanses sin and doubt

No more wandering,

Forsaken and denied

For you belong to me

Come to me my child

So beautiful in my eyes

How I long to see you smile

My song and my desire

This is the love I choose

No greater sacrifice

This is my heart for you

My pure and spotless bride

No more wandering

Lonely in the night

For you belong to me

Come to me my child

So beautiful in my eyes

How I long to see you smile
My joy and my delight

So beautiful in my eyes

You were purchased with my life

I am yours and you are mine

How I love you, how I love you

How I love you my child

So beautiful, So beautiful

So beautiful in my eyes.....


Copyright 2009 Karen J Stevenson

A Thousand Tears

For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Isaiah 57:15

Humbled unto death

Suffered for what's left

Of a lost and dying soul

No one else could know

How You broke down and cried

For the pain I held inside

And The loneliness and fear

How You wept a thousand tears for me

You are not forgotten

Each tear He saves

Are treasured words unspoken

That become a healing rain

A healing rain

High and lifted up

Glorious above

Healer of my soul

No one else could know

How I broke down and cried

When I looked into Your eyes

And the hope of what will be

As you wept a thousand tears for me

You are not forgotten

Each tear He saves

Are treasured words unspoken

That become a healing rain

All heaven rejoices

in healing rain

Pools of blessing come

 in the healing rain

Copyright 2009 Karen J Stevenson

There is a Place

There is a place where we will see

The truth about humility

It's there we'll lay our fear and pride

And all the ways we've learned to hide

There is a place beyond ourselves

Compassion reigns and mercy dwells

It's here we face our desperate need

And yearn to stay at Jesus feet

No other place I'd rather be

Than here at the cross my Savior King

Broken by love poured out for me

A sacred place You humble me....

I surrender

There is a place where we will find

The grace to leave the past behind

The hurt and sin, the chains that bind

We choose to break so love survives

No other place I'd rather be

Than here at the cross my Savior King

Broken by love poured out for me

A sacred place You humble me

A favorite place where I am free

There is a place where sorrow ends

And heavens tears will heal and cleanse

It's there I wait for all to mend

And to see your face again.


Copyright 2009 Karen J Stevenson

Unselfishly

I give you my heart, give you my soul

Lay down this life though it's growing old

Give you my hopes, give you my dreams

Lay it all down every earthly thing

For the sake of the One who loves me

And gave unselfishly

I give you my mind, give you my thoughts

Every desire and every want

I give you my past, give you my pain

Lay it all down every fear and shame

For the sake of the One who loves me

And gave unselfishly

No other way, no other Truth

All of my faith and trust in You

So all that remains is all that You've done
I give away as a gift of love

I give you my strength, give you my will
Lay down this body broken and still
Give you my eyes, give you my breath
Lay it all down even unto death
For the sake of the One who loves me
And gave unselfishly

No other way, no other Truth
All of my faith and trust in You
So all that remains is all that You've done
I give away as a gift of love
For the sake of the One who loves me
For the sake of the One who loves me
For the sake of the One who loves me
And gave unselfishly

Copyright 2009 Karen J Stevenson)