Walking down the lane, on a summer evening
Thinking about the good things in this life
Thinking about that day and the difference He made
And how I finally came to realize
All that really matters as far as I can see
Forever and ever, it’s Jesus and me

Chorus

As we go down the road together
I know, come whatever, it will always be
Jesus and me
When I feel the warm sunrise
I know He’s by my side
Guiding me all the way home
It’s gonna be, Jesus and me

Talking about this life, talking about His love
What it really means to be a friend
Oh, there’s peace of mind in knowing
Yea, where I’ll be going, when at last I reach the long days’ end
Oh, till I reach that river and His face I see
I will keep on singing, it’s Jesus and me

Repeat Chorus

[mosie lister, joe beck, phil johnson]

So there I was between the displays of shower curtains and bath accessories, fingering through the towels and deciding which one was the softest, when all of a sudden, I heard it. Laced between a mix of radio tunes I was barely aware of, my ears perked up as those opening bars wafting softly from a speaker somewhere above my head.

A smile crept over my face. My eyes grew big. (At least I think they did.)

"They're playing my song!"

I practically giggle with excitement. I'd never heard it anywhere outside of my computer.

"Do you hear that? They're playing my song!"

My mom looks at me with a question mark on her face ("What song?"). Babbling explanations in happy bliss, I grin like a goon through the first verse, and then belt along with the chorus in a key that completely denies harmony, bouncing my way through to the finish.

(Just the chorus, really…the rest pertains to love stuff that I'll leave for appreciation in another 10 years.)

Whenever I look up at the blue sky and feel the sunshine on my face, this is the song playing in my heart. It makes me think of friends and laughter and hugs and sweet things and favorite movie lines. It's the song that makes me want to throw my arms wide open and spin in circles like people do in music videos. The one that makes me smile about today like there's no tomorrow.

'Cause God gave me a life full of lemonade, and it sure is wonderful!

- inside Swasey chapel -

I once again had the privilege to sing as part of the Choral Union for Mt. Vernon Nazarene University's 39th annual performance of Handel's Messiah on December 10th. It's always a magnificent, stirring occasion to participate in, whether you're singing or sitting in the audience; you can't leave without having been touched and moved in some way.

This glorious work leaves no doubt as to the source of it's inspiration or the purpose of it's performance – Christ alone. And though the Christmas season is now past us, may we enter this New Year ever mindful of the gift of our Savior – his birth, his death, our sin, his redemption, our worthlessness and his worthiness – and may our only passion be to glorify and exalt Him!

- as good as they come! our wonderful conductor, Dr. Tocheff -

Lots of video…(I'm visible in the first to clips to the right of the microphone & the very tall tenor.)

:: For Unto Us A Child Is Born

:: Behold The Lamb Of God

:: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

:: Hallelujah!

:: Worthy Is The Lamb

:: Amen/end of performance

This is what's been on my mind and heart with the chilly arrival of December, the approach of Christmas, and what it all means…

He was born in Bethlehem they say,
There was a star to light the path to where He lay.
Rich or poor they came from far and near,
Cause they’d all heard the reason He was here.

He was the Son God sent to one and all.
Put on this earth to hang there on that cross.
Born to die so we could live.
He had the birthday, we got the gift.

They wrapped him up with gentle hands.
God hoped the world would understand.
Eternal life we shall receive.
And all that He asks in return is that we just believe.

He was the Son God sent to one and all.
Put on this earth to hang there on that cross.
Born to die so we could live.
He had the birthday, we got the gift.

There’s no way in this world we could repay
The miracle He gave us on that day.

On our Savior's birthday, we got the gift…

This chorus has been a special comfort to me lately… 

{Eddie Carswell & Babbie Mason}

 On the surface not a ripple
Undercurrent wages war
Quiet in the sanctuary
Sin is crouching at my door

How can I be so prone to wander
So prone to leave You
So prone to die
And how can You be so full of mercy
You race to meet me and bring me back to life

I wake to find my soul in fragments
Given to a thousand loves
But only One will have no rival
Hangs to heal me, spills His blood

Curse-reversing day of Jesus
When You finally seize my soul
Freedom from myself will be
The sweetest rest I've ever known

{Chris Rice}

disclaimer: I do not endorse CCM or Chris Rice's music as a whole. I merely appreciate the content of the lyrics.