Several years after I began following the Lord, having had a taste of present-day Christianity from various and sundry stripes and flavors, a cry was birthed in my heart that wouldn’t be silenced.
That cry was the provocation of why I began writing the books I’ve penned. And it’s what led me into the ministry (service) to the body of Christ that I have today.
This same heart-cry is shared by many (if not most) of the people who read my books and a fair number who read this blog.
This song gives voice to that cry.
Here are the lyrics, but listen to the song as well:
Lord, I groan. Lord, I kneel. I’m crying out for something real.
‘Cause I know deep in my soul there must be more . . .
Lord, I’m tired. Yes, I’m weak. I need your power to work in me.
But I can’t let go. I keep hanging’ on ’cause there must be more . . .
There must be more . . .
The song is by David Ruis. Listen to it . . . just reading the lyrics doesn’t communicate the pathos.
Sorry this is a couple of days late, I did want to share these anyway. There are several songs off of an album by Daniel Bashta named Worship in motion,that really stir me, the whole album (only 8 songs) is very good. When I first discovered him a couple of years ago, he was giving away the album, you can still get it for free, but you will have to search for it. My personal favorite song on the album is called “Potters Wheel”, here are some of the lyrics.
Make me, shape me, into everything that you want me to be
so place me on the potter wheel, spin me until there’s nothing left but you in my life
Cause brokenness is what I want, to do a work here in my heart
so when you look at me, you see your reflection.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdP72hSLFuc&w=640&h=480%5D
Another song on the album (Milt R’s. favorite I think) is one called “Christ in me”. Sorry,I could not find a video link to it.
I also wanted to mention that a couple of years ago when you created the Jesus Manifesto website, you had a video from Jeremy Camp, called “Give me Jesus”, that song truly inspired me, and I wanted to thank you for including it on that website. Frank, thanks for all you do. John Morris.
I felt the same cry birthed inside my heart in my early thirties. After a lifetime of church, a lifetime of learning memory verses, of viewing being a Christian as the most rational choice any person could make, I started asking questions.
Is it worth it?
Why do we work so hard in church?
What’s the point?
Are our lives any different than any one else’s?
The questions scared me.
Walking away from the church, from my perception of faith, scared me because no matter how shallow my experience with God was, I knew he was real.
There had to be more.
I turned to the Word, desperate to find more.
I prayed and wrote down my prayers.
There is more. There is always more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tHcb45-yc8
Monty G remix of ‘watch me burn’ is a song that has provoked much thought for me. I get the sense of why all the internal squabbling while people are perishing. When Jesus said they will know you by your love for each other yet the opposite is often more visible to the world. That hurts.
We sang Tom Petty’s song “DON’T BACK DOWN” because the teaching was on courage in CHrist to spread the gospel and take risks when God asks you to step out of the boat..
Also we have sang U2’s dong “THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME” concerning heaven…
Here is a song written by Rob Rogers that is on the MOVE cd..
IT ROCKS
CHRIST IN ME (Rob Rogers Music and Moon & Musky Music)
With You I am able…and without You I am lost…Cause freedom isn’t paid without a cost…
Your the strong and mighty tower…a refuge for the weak…You’re the love that conquers all of me…
Christ in me the Hope of Glory, Rise, Rise… Christ in me the Hope of Glory..Rise, Rise
Speak to me in trials….and fill me with Your word…You’re voice is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard…..Lead me in Your promise..Establish me in Truth…Jesus take me deeper with you….Arise…Arise…Arise…Arise..
Our worship Pastor wrote a song called “More” . Our worship Pastor’s name is Jonathan Allen. Both he and his wife write great songs. It is on Grace Chapel worship CD called Grace Chapel Worship/ MORE.
Frank- I will send you a copy if you would like it is great!
MORE (written by Jonathan Allen @ Tall People Music)
You have healed my broken heart- Your perfect love defeats my fear- You have freed me from all shame..Now I rejoice as You draw near…
And I want more…more of your goodness….More, More of Your presence…More, More of Your Glory Lord- I want More, More of Your fullness…More, more of you nearness..More, more then I’ve known before…I want More.
To see the beauty of Your face..as you restore the stolen years…This has become my great desire, So I rejoice as You draw near.
I want more…more of Your freedom..More More of Your Kingdom..More then I’ve known before….I WANT MORE…
Until The Whole World Hears – Casting Crowns
Worth it All – Rita Springer
There are those moments when God moves in the heart and it fills to overflowing. The song you shared gave me that, so thank you. It was what I needed in this moment.
I Am Yours
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjdlivX6AoA&feature=youtube_gdata_player
…My heart is aching for my Father,
My eyes they long to see my God
This world has nothing I desire,
You are what I’m looking for
Hide me underneath your shelter,
Cover me and I will say:
‘I am yours, surely I am yours.’
“Pioneer”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwZaz5AVoNY&feature=share
He’s alive and I’m forgiven – heaven’s gates are opened wide…
Wonderful song by Don Francisco called He’s Alive. Just a great reminder that Jesus is alive and has forgiven us and overcome death.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIndrry40Ks
Hello Frank,
Three songs did it for me over this last year, all by Jason Gray.
– More like falling in Love
– I am new
– Remind me who I am (the official video on youtube for this one is particularly good)
Beyond these shores by Iona
It speaks of moving out across the unknown but knowing without fail that no matter what happens God is there and already gone before us.
Beyond these shores
Into the darkness
Beyond these shores
This boat may sail
And if this is the way
Then there will be
A path across this sea
And if I sail beyond
The farthest ocean
Or lose myself in depths below
Wherever I may go
Your love surrounds me
For you have been before
Beyond these shores
It has taken me on many an adventure with God and got me out of my comfort zones.
Cathy, I’m with you on that: ‘Give Me Jesus’ by Frank Ortega. I heard it when I was alone in a hotel room and longing for Him. I’ve never forgotten that moment.
I really like NEEDTOBREATHE’s song “The Outsiders” and also their song “Signature of Divinge (Yahweh). I especially love the opening lyrics:
Cathedrals have tried in vain, To show the image of your face.
But we are, by your design, The signature of divine.
Many secular songs have spoken to me in my spirit. Metallica’s Enter Sandman reminds me of who keeps me through this Earthly journey; Pink’s “Don’t Let Me Get Me” is the voice of the lost searching to be themselves yet different, a “new creature.” Sting’s “I’ll Be Watching You” reminds me that I am never out of God’s sight, in a good way 🙂 I do enjoy blatant “Christian” music as well, lol!
This song sung by Rita Springer on her album entitled “Rise Up” has been resonating in my heart for the past 2 years or more.
In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
Thank You my Glorious Lord!
I have always liked and been inspired to keep my mind “stayed on Him” with a song by Dion Dimucci, titled “He’s In You” from “The Kingdom in the Streets” album. That has been my cry, to become acutely aware of His indwelling presence.
Can’t find it on YouTube but the first several verses are:
He’s in you, He’s risen from the dead.
He’s in you, alive just like He said.
It’s over, the battle has been won the price is paid
Darkness now has faded, into His light.
He’s in you, the promise has come true.
He’s in you, there’s nothing left to do.
It’s over, His kingdom now has come into your heart,
Just let the Master start, His work in you.
He’s in you, the mystery’s been revealed,
He’s in you, by His Spirit you’ve been sealed.
It’s over, new life has begun now in the Son,
The old is passed away, nailed to His cross.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTnspbSjKVc
This song, by Don McLean, captures my heart’s cry for Christ to be expressed through local gatherings of people all over our nation. It speaks, to me, of a deep potential and a longing for more.
May those who hear it, be edified.
Some years ago when I had not yet recognized my need in the sea of Good Works and Religiosity I heard ‘Give me Jesus’ by Fernando Ortega. It broke through to that place in my heart that was parched and quietly waiting for He who alone could fill that place. Music did for me what I couldn’t do for myself…..powerful!
Thank you Frank for your relentless leadership back to the Source. You are a steady voice crying in the wilderness pointing the way out of the noise and confusion.
Cathy
Over the Rhine – All my favorite people
King’s X – Pray for me and We are finding who we are
Unforgiven – I hear the Call
there are more but these are definitely near the top
http://youtu.be/-zqYJj5ucG8
It has to be this. It’s called “Love Song” by Third Day.
Throughout the song, it’s difficult to tell for sure whether it’s meant to be Jesus speaking to His church or us speaking to him or both at the same time.
As far as I can tell It’s all about Christ pouring out his life for us and us in turn giving up our lives for Him. All for one reason….. “Just to be with you”.
For me this is the true purpose of the Christian life, to let go of our own life and to live it fully in conjuction with our wonderful, beautiful Lord.
“The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns.
“There’s gotta be more” was my rallying cry for a few years, and I have definitely come to find many who share this cry.
But I have to admit, it’s hard to constantly live in “there’s gotta be more” when the “more” seems distant and those who share this conviction are on blogs and in books, and out of my immediate reach.
To the point, it’s tough to push for more when it’s so easy to settle into the lack which surrounds.
Indeed, there must be more, thanks for sharing this song, a great way to begin the day and the week!
Later,
Paul
aka The Mayor 🙂