that song i told you about : [There is Life]

i sort of can't believe i'm posting this right now... just as much as i can't believe i actually got up and did it in the first place. this morning i shared a song that i wrote. i shared it with the women in my Bible study. it was the last day we would meet together, so they called it "sharing day" and lots of brave and beautiful women stood up and shared what God had done in their lives through the last nine months, as we all studied "Breaking Free" on our own and together. i ended the sharing time by sitting down to the piano and playing for them.  i was nervous and emotional, after all the testimonies i'd just heard, but i was also confident that God would use me. after all, His Word does not return empty, and most of the song is based on Isaiah 61. also, i know He asked me to do this, and He gave me every note and every word of the song in the first place, so i wasn't really thinking about anything but being obedient to His calling. the peace that comes from "submission to a trustworthy authority" is literally invigorating. like a river. [the quoted part is Beth Moore. i know you're surprised :) ] 

okay, i think i fixed the "private" issue, but if not, you can also click here to watch it at Youtube

and the audio is really not great at all, so i'll give you the words below. also, my friend Holly who was taking the video, was trying to stay out of everyone's way so it starts out shaky and then she settles at a funny angle. you might just listen instead of watch, and follow along with the lyrics below? that's what i would do... and, last but not least, please don't mind my very elementary [elementary? rudimentary? not professional is what i'm trying to say] piano playing skills! i mess up a few times, and at other times it just sounds like i'm banging out nonsense :) i know i need to practice a lot more, in general, if i plan to keep playing in front of real people. anyway, here goes:

"There is Life"

a broken vessel

shattered dreams

a closet full of ashes

and chains that can't be loosed

always thirsty

never filled

desperate for a rescuer

who can pull me from this pit

there is hope

that brings lasting peace

there is life

found in nail-scarred hands

He came to heal the broken hearted

to bring beauty from the ashes

gladness for mourning

and praise for despair

He sets the captives free

to a life of liberty

for this He was sent

my burden lifted

the pain is eased

a love that knows no limits

and peace abundantly

He is the answer

more of Him

drink the living water

taste and see that He is good

there is joy 

in the presence of the Lord

there is life 

found in nail-scarred hands

He came to heal the broken hearted

to bring beauty from the ashes

gladness for mourning

and praise for despair

He sets the captives free

to a life of liberty

for this He was sent

we will be called Oaks of Righteousness

a planting of the Lord

for the display of His splendor

for His glory we were made

then we will know and believe Him

be satisfied in only Him

have peace just like a river

His very presence we'll enjoy

He came to heal the broken hearted

to bring beauty from the ashes

gladness for mourning

and praise for despair

He set this captive free

to a life of liberty

for this He was sent

["There is Life": words & music by Alyson Allen, ©2011]