SONGS OF FAITH

This Blog Is Moving

2010-11-10T12:51:00.000-08:00

Songs Of Faith has moved to:

Lyric Devotions
http://www.lyricdevotions.com

Stepping Stones

2010-10-28T11:24:00.000-07:00

and we can’t see which way to go.
But God always makes a way out

through rocks and rubble on the road.
Don’t let them be a hindrance;

let Jesus help you lift the load.
Just pick up those rocks and move them.
Turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
~

With each valley we come through wiser;
with each trial we overcome,
we’re laying down those stepping stones
that lead to higher ground.
~
If all we see are stumbling blocks

in every trial that comes our way,
then we’re bound to trip and stumble,

on something meant to make us strong.
Don’t look for tribulation,

when there’s a blessing down the road.
Find the good that God is working.
Turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
~

With each valley we come through wiser;
with each trial we overcome,
we’re laying down those stepping stones
that lead to higher ground.
~
The sudden illness of a child;

the loss of everything we own,
or the passing of a loved one,

can leave us feeling so alone.
This life and all it’s troubles can bring us down so very low.
If we stay down on our knees,
we’ll turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
~
With each valley we come through wiser;
with each trial we overcome,
we’re laying down those stepping stones
that lead to higher ground.
~

Let those stepping stones lead you to higher ground.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our youth leader preached a message called Stepping Stones. I’ve since heard others talk about turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones, but at the time it was a new expression to me; one that called out to be a song!
In the months after writing this song, as we continued to have flooding problems in our basement, this song took on a more personal meaning. When we decided to move our house closer to town, we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were following the Lord’s will. Had we not been completely convinced of this, we surely would have questioned our decision many times along the way. As it was, the Lord gave us complete peace throughout the whole ordeal, in spite of a lot of headaches!
He had brought us far enough on this journey that one thing we knew for sure: following God’s will doesn’t always mean that the road he takes us down is going to be the easy one. In fact, it’s often our own detours that make it necessary for the Lord to take us down a more difficult path. But in spite of all our missteps the Lord is always there waiting to lead us on. If only we listen, he’ll show us how to turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones. And oh, what peace we find when we’re once again walking in his light!

1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
Proverbs 3:21b,23 keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.

I Want That Faith

2010-10-16T08:21:00.000-07:00

©Deborah Bolack 2007
Pianist Mrs. Susan Carlson
Soloist Cindy Towle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For years he had watched his son in pain;

torn and tormented and pining away.
He had searched for help, time and again;

holding out hope that his son could be saved.
Even when the disciples failed this man,

he still sought Jesus healing hand.
And through tears he cried out,

“Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.”
~
Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief,
I want that faith that moves mountains.
Lord, I want to believe.
You’re my only hope and strength,
dear Lord, help thou mine unbelief.
~
Twelve years she had suffered and endured;

plagued by an illness without any cure.
She had sought for help; spent all she had,

holding out hope for a healing hand.
When she reached out and touched the Master’s clothes,
she knew Jesus could make her whole.
Jesus said unto her, “Go now in peace.”

She was healed because she believed.
~
Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief,

I want that faith that moves mountains.
Lord, I want to believe.
You’re my only hope and strength,

dear Lord, help thou mine unbelief.
~
Lord, I want that faith; mountain moving faith.
You’re strong when I am weak. Lord, I believe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

During the evening service on July 8, 2007, our Pastor had preached a message called “Marah.” As I recall, the main point of the message was that we should look for something ‘sweet’ when we are in the midst of Marah. I’m sure that some day, I’ll write that song too, but at the time my mind kept coming back to a particular part of the message. Pastor had read the account of the man whose son had a dumb spirit. Even the disciples failed to help this man and his son. It occurred to me that if this man had been like many people, he would have used that as an excuse to turn away from Jesus, but no, he still sought out the Lord. As I reread the different accounts in the gospels, I couldn’t help but think what great faith that man had. Then I realized that this is also where Jesus spoke to his disciples about having faith that can move a mountain. I thought, “Lord, I want that faith that moves mountains!”
Then I decided to look for other examples of that kind of faith. I read about the woman with the issue of blood. She had been to all the doctors, and had spent all of her money trying to find someone who could heal her. Even after twelve years she still held out hope. When she heard about Jesus she knew that if she could just get close enough to touch but his clothes, she would be made whole. That is mountain moving faith! Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!

As much as I believe God’s word to be true, there are still situations when I have to say, “Help thou mine unbelief.” Will I ever come to the point of believing that through faith I can move a mountain? Oh how I want that faith!

Mark 9:17,18,23,24 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
Matthew 17:18-20 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
Mark 5:25-29,34 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of physicians, and spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

I Will Call On You

2010-08-15T07:09:00.000-07:00

(stop at end of song)
©Deborah Bolack 1996

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In joy I will praise you; in peace I will worship you.