Good morning! It’s another Good Song Sunday Sunday. That’s fun.

If you love the song and want it in your permanent music collection or you want to put it on a mix tape for your friends, you can get it here.

As Long As It Takes

I built a fire while you lay asleep
tangled and restless in a mess of sheets.
You feel betrayed, left behind
by all you’ve worked for and all that you trust.

But I love you, and I will stay as long as it takes.

There’s nothing peaceful about the sadness you keep
wearing your bleeding heart on your sleeve.
There’s nothing left for me to give
except for some silence.

I love you, and I will stay as long as it takes.

I built a fire while you lay asleep.
I watched the ashes rise.

Welcome to the next installment of Good Song Sunday!

Remember how I once said that, for some reason, many of my big spiritual moments happen at Wal-Mart? More specifically, in the parking lot of Wal-Mart? Well, this is the song that came out of the first of those, which you can read about here. But don’t read that without reading Part 2, which recounts the answers to all these questions. It’s the best part, in my opinion.

Incidentally, I will say that the third verse refers to a dream I had about 9 years ago, in which God, who I had crammed out of my life for a season, was trying to pry open my bedroom window–though at the same time I was holding it closed with all my might, screaming at him to “come in, just come in.” I woke up knowing exactly what that dream meant: he was coming after me, loving me, and fighting for me all the while.

Speak to Me
these are vulnerable times
the tears are always in my eyes
i’m more delicate than i like

i’m so easily torn apart
and i’m scared to ask, knowing who you are
why love me lord?  why look for me so hard?

will you speak to me of beauty
will you speak to me of love
will you sing to me like honey
and let my lips taste that you’re good

it’s true you’ve stolen my heart
but i’ve lost your footsteps in the dark
are you close to me? could you be right outside my window?

Speak to Me, by Laura Elizabeth Thornton copyright Bricklayer Music Publishing (ASCAP) 2009, registered with CCLI

If you’re like me, you think the old hymns are fabulous.  I think they’re so fabulous, that I led several of them for some women this weekend at a women’s retreat in Estes Park. I love to think of the many generations that have sung these songs; it brings me comfort and speaks to the constant companionship of the Father and about his history of goodness and restoration.

So, here is one for you: Great is Thy Faithfulness. I hear my mother’s lovely voice every time I hear or sing this hymn.

This is probably one of my favorite songs we’ve ever written. Usually the worship songs we write are inspired by a psalm or come out of our own personal worship time, but this one came out of a really moving picture the Father gave me while Tim and I were leading worship at a fellowship in Boulder, Colorado.

My kids–well, Ellie–insisted on being a part of this one, so we put her on a chair and let her dance and be a kid. And, you know, since it’s a mommy blog and all, I figured you’d probably like it that way.

I hope you enjoy it. As always, feel free to share it on Twitter or Facebook or whatever and spread the love. Happy Good Song Sunday, my favorite day of the week!

If you like this song and want to listen to it all the time, you can download it here for free. Yep, for free.

Mud Song

Isn’t it just like you to invite me in to a warm bed
Isn’t it just like you to stroke my hair as I fall asleep

Father you made me yours
Found my orphan heart, brought it home
And I’m safe here and I sing

Isn’t it just like you to make a slave into your daughter
Isn’t it just like you to make wine out of dirty water

I used to live in chains
My wounds bled to the ground
My bed was out in the rain
My hair in knots and soaked in mud
But you took my hand
And you led me in
You combed my hair
And you kissed my skin
You gave me food
And you made me yours

Mud Song by Laura Elizabeth Thornton, Timothy Floyd Thornton copyright Bricklayer Music Publishing (ASCAP) 2009, registered with CCLI

Welcome back, me.

Sorry I’ve been noticeably absent . . . that’s what sick kids and a bunch of traveling, house guests, and concerts will do to a blogger. But here we are again–you the reader, and me the writer. We need each other. And I’m remembering that this blog is one of my favorite things to do.

This Good Song Sunday song is written by Aaron Strumpel. If you don’t have his music already, you’re crazy and you need to go buy everything he’s ever done. I’m totally serious. You can do that here: www.aaronstrumpel.com

Oh, and I’m going to tell you, too, that you can block off your calendars for June 25-27 for Worship@8500 in Divide, CO where Aaron, Tim and I, and many of our other music-playing, worship-loving friends will be having fun worshiping the Father together with you in the Colorado sun.

Twenty-Three

Arise O Lord lift up your eyes don’t forget I’m helpless

O you lead me to waters and pastures so green

O you pour out your oil and choose goodness and mercy for me

No I will not be in want

You’re with me. I will not fear. You comfort me. I will not fear.