Sunday Turns
Worship. It's not just for Sunday morning anymore. I've often wrestled with song selection for my next record... Should I write corporate worship songs for Sunday morning because I'm a worship leader... Or should I write personal worship songs for every day because I'm a worshipper? I think the answer is YES. A line in one of these songs has inspired me to write a record called “Sunday Turns”… Here are some of the songs I’ve written to this point. I’d love some feedback. Most of these are new since arriving in Georgia but I will likely want to revamp a couple of oldies. *These demos were recorded…one take, one mic, one guitar and one voice...into our church’s sound board.
Our God Our Glory
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Funny story about this one. When I moved from TX to GA I got myself into a crippling writer's block. Fortunately for me, upon arriving in GA I found myself in the midst of a very deep-spirited community of Vineyard Worship Leaders in the SE Region. Though separated by distance, we maintain contact through our Online Forum. Everyone was contributing songs and I was silent. To be honest I don't even know how it happened but one day I started writing random "song pieces..." I call them pieces because that's all they were...pieces of songs. I decided to have my friends on the forum help me climb out of my rut so I posted this "song piece" called "Our God Our Glory." I couldn't finish it so I asked for some help. Long story short... I never "finished" it. Later that year, I began hearing about several of the other Vineyards doing this song of mine called "Our God Our Glory" and how well it was being recieved. Much to my surprise...as not even I had ever led it. In fact I forgot about it...since it was just a frangment of a song...or so I thought. This month I decided to "finish it," adding a second verse and tweaking the chorus. This is it. Maybe I'll even use it in worship now!
LYRICS
Here the wretched are restored / Here the fugitive made friend / We can’t escape the fact of your faithfulness / Or the reach of your redeeming love / For there is none quite like You / So we confess our wandering from You /// Our God Our Glory - To You we will return / Our God Our Glory - To You we will return / For the years that we have spent / For the wandering we repent / God our Glory /// You’re our Rock and our Reward / You’re our Center and our Song / We can’t escape the light of your loveliness / Or the reign of your returning one
Posted by Chad Nichols at 6:10 PM | 2 comments
Thursday, Nov 08, 2007You Hold
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I wrote this one shortly after moving to GA. I had a great support system in Houston, not to mention my family in College Station. I had deep roots in my community in TX. Now I had moved our family to GA to pursue better health for our kids who have CF. Though our new family in GA had welcomed us with open arms I felt as though the person I had been was slipping away the new me was not cutting it. One day I sat on the back porch and started crying out to God. Get me out of here...or change me...fast! I'm dying. The words to an old gospel song came to mind... "The anchor holds, in spite of the storm." I picked up my guitar and just started to pray over music. "You Hold" was written in about 6 minutes.
LYRICS
Stepping out from under the shade I had known so long / I tried to ignore the thunder telling me I was alone… / But the winds came and they brought with them a fear that I had reached the end /// But I will hold to You / We’ve been to this place before / I will hold to You / My Anchor in times of storm / Even though the sails are torn… / You hold – You hold / You hold – You hold /// Crashing waves of protest telling me to run away / Covering up my eyes and ears I thought I would be OK
Posted by Chad Nichols at 2:08 PM | 2 comments
Thursday, Nov 08, 2007One26
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Very little explanation needed... This one is written out of one of my favorite Psalms...Psalm 126. I can admit that life sucks sometimes...but I can also admit that I DO believe that God will redeem the tears. REJOICE!
LYRICS
When You have led us out – And You will lead us out / The nations will take note / That You have done great things – And You have done great things / And we shall be restored / Though we’ve sown in tears we shall reap in joy /// We’ll rejoice – For You have done great things / Our Redeemer – Releasing hopes and dreams / Our mouths are filled with laughter and our hearts with songs of joy / We’ll rejoice – For You have done great things /// Our momentary troubles – Are momentary troubles / This one thing we know / Your glory will outshine – Your glory far outshines / And we shall be restored
Posted by Chad Nichols at 2:04 PM | MAKE A COMMENT
Thursday, Nov 08, 2007On Which We Stand
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(Got a new title idea for this one?)
I wrote this one immediately following a Men's Breakfast I had attended. The topic of discussion was life post-911. They were all talking about the fear they experienced. They went on to talk about the rerouting it had enforced on many of their dreams. I began to feel like everyone was giving up on the hope that God would overcome the threats of the enemy, whether they be unrest, financial failure or terror. In a brief moment of spiritual swagger, I wanted to shout, "I will NOT build my future upon the sand of these threats. I will build my future upon the Rock of God's promises...which WILL endure...forever." I didn't stand up and shout...but I DID go write this song.
LYRICS
The Earth was made by You - Days and seasons, too / And it is in You that we live and breathe and move / Wars will rage it’s true – this is nothing new / And even though the nations rage – we will hold to You /// For your promise will endure / And your Kingdom will not falter / Salvation comes from you alone / So we will hold to You / For your promise will endure / And your Kingdom will not falter / The Hope of Glory – Jesus Christ our Rock / On which we stand /// So we will carry our fears about tomorrow and lay them at Your feet / And we will stake our lives on nothing less than You
Posted by Chad Nichols at 1:55 PM | 1 comments
Thursday, Nov 08, 2007Hands Above My Head
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In the midst of a VERY trying couple of months I joked about writing a song called "Prayer for Floatation"...as I felt like I was sinking fast.
I was frustrated by the way I had responded to the trials of this season... I acted as if I deserved better...and hosted a pitty party when I don't get it.
Instead I was led to write a song placing myself back under the lordship of Christ...regardless of whether I floated or sank. He has called me to follow him...to walk by faith and not by sight. In light of that, I felt the need to say, "I may not have the most graceful gait, but I CAN follow you one step at a time...and I WILL worship all along the way. I will say YES...again."
LYRICS
I’m more like me than I ought to be / Take a look in side my head / The stuff in me yields to fantasy / But with all that being said /// As long as You’ll be leading / Then I will still be led / With one foot then the other foot / And my hands above my head /// ‘Til vanity turns to poverty / And I open up my hands / ‘TIL SUNDAY TURNS TO EVERYDAY / And my praises mix with sand /// As long as You’ll be leading / Then I will still be led / With one foot then the other foot / And my hands above my head /// Take me – overtake me / Make me – remake me / Break me – unbreak me // When all around seems like stumbling ground / I can’t overcome my will / I’ll lift my eyes and be satisfied / You are with me even still
Posted by Chad Nichols at 1:52 PM | MAKE A COMMENT
Thursday, Nov 08, 2007Centerpiece
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Some of the most heart-felt songs are songs of worship for what God has done for us. One day I was thinking about how dependant my worship had become on the "what have you don't for me lately" condition I place on my worship. God is the Centerpiece of all creation... He IS, therefore He deserves to be worshipped. Not because He DOES.
LYRICS
Had you never called my name / You would still be worthy of all praise / If the stars were never made / You would still be worthy for who You are / (And You are)… /// The Centerpiece of all creation / Uncreated crowned in light / The Centerpiece of all creation / All consuming, glorified / You are glorified /// (You are) Beautiful, wonderful, Merciful - yes you are
Posted by Chad Nichols at 1:39 PM | 3 comments
Monday, Nov 05, 2007Our Father
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Not much of a story here. Reese was preaching through the Lord's Prayer so I thought I would add the masses of "Lord's Prayer songs"...
LYRICS
Our Father in Heaven hallowed be Your name / Our Father in Heaven hallowed be Your name / Let Your Kingdom come – Let Your will be done / On Earth as it is with You / / Let Your Kingdom come – Let Your will be done / On Earth as it is with You / Give us today our daily bread / Give us today our daily bread / Forgive our debts as we forgive / And deliver us from sin / Forgive our debts as we forgive / And deliver us from sin /// For yours is the power / Yours is the glory / Forever Your kingdom shall reign /// You reign! You reign!
You reign! You reign!
Posted by Chad Nichols at 4:25 PM | MAKE A COMMENT
