Picking, grinning, and slackin

After a good couple of hours of studying I decided to ditch the books and pick up my guitar for the first time in probably two or three weeks. It was so nice to have the apartment to myself and just play and sing - to pour my heart out to God in song.. it's something that I immensely enjoy when I am alone with the Lord, especially when I have things weighing on my heart.

I also got to finally finish a song that I started shortly after arriving at seminary last year. I was confronted with the realization of how little I shared the good news of the Gospel with people who are lost. At first I tried reasoning my way out of my conviction, saying that evangelism just wasn't my gift, that my lifestyle should say enough about what I believed, etc etc etc. However, God began to show me that while Unbelievers must see consistency with what I believe and how I live (I find this challenging enough by itself), I must also express what makes a relationship with a living God different from just living a good and moral life as well as share with that person the life-giving and life-changing news of the Gospel.

Anyway, God used some very honest and caring friends, Scripture, and many challenging conversations with Unbelievers to show me how much more rewarding it is to lay down my life for the sake of Christ. Am I ashamed of speaking about Him who saved me from a life of death and hopelessness? I shouldn't be, though there are still times when I am hesitant or resist the prompting of the Spirit to speak when I should. I am thankful for His severe mercy and loving discipline to help me become more like Him.

SO, with that said, here is the song "No More." Please feel free to leave comments, suggestions, and questions... I am not above contructive criticism (emphasis on "constructive"). Hope this encourages you to also say "no more" to fear of proclaiming the amazing story of how God has saved you from sin and now you walk in newness of eternal life.

No More

(Chorus)
No more will I walk in fear or reservation
And no more will I speak Your name with hesitation
From mountaintops to dark alleyways
My lips will never cease to praise
The Lord Almighty, Loving God who reigns
Lord, grant me strength to stand and proclaim Your name

(Verse 1)
I'm so tired of feeling like I need to apologize
That Christ has set me free - it's hard for me to disguise
See, I was once a lot like you: hurting and confused
I was blinded by my own desires,
The world left me battered and bruised
No matter how hard I tried
I could never be satisfied
My heart was blackened by my sin
What could I do but lie down and give in?
But even though I had no strength to stand in me
Almighty God still had a plan to set me free, so...
(Chorus)

(Verse 2)
In that hour that I believed that I was beyond all help
I remembered what a friend said to me,
And I pulled the Scriptures from the shelf
I read about the wrath of God toward evil in our hearts
That I would be forever cursed and condemned,
God and I forever apart.
But through His mercy and His grace
He sent His perfect Son to take my place
Jesus came and said, "Believe in me,
I've come to break the chains of sin and set you free!"
As I read it seemed too good to be true
I didn't grasp then what His love had lead Him to to, but...
(Chorus)

(Bridge)
Jesus, You came to live, You came to die
Through You the wrath of God was satisfied
I deserved death, but You took my place
The weight of my sin could not over come Your grace
And even now You reign on high
You rose from the dead and one day so will I
Hear Him now - He calls to you
Will You believe and worship the one true God who did this for you? So

(Chorus/Ending)
No more will you walk in fear or reservation
And no more will you speak His name with hesitation
From mountaintops to dark alleyways
Our lips will never cease to praise
The Lord Almighty, Loving GOd who reigns
Lord, grant us strength to stand and proclaim You name!