New Songs by Two Amatuers

Lord, I'm Following You

Lord, I'm following You.
I can't find the path through the rain.
I know I'll make it through because I 'm Following You

Lord, I'm following You. I'm following You.

I don't know where I'm going
Though I can't see the light of day,
I know everything is gonna be okay because
Lord, I'm following You,
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

It's not the world that gives me peace,
But the One who leads me through it because
I'm following You, Lord.
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

I never have to cry in fear
Because, Lord, You're always near.
If there is darkness all around me
Still a light would fill my soul because
Lord, I'm following You. I'm following You.

There is a joy that passes all understanding
Because the One who holds tomorrow
Is holding my hand.
Lord, I'm following You.
Oh, Lord, I'm following You.

Friends may leave my side.
The devil may have lied.
I might not understand,
But, Lord, my life is in Your hand.
Lord, I'm following You.

And no matter what happens,
Lord, I will follow You.

by Abigail Little (age 12 years)  11-10-11


Come, Lord

Come, Lord. I am trusting in Your Presence.
Come, Lord.  You will help me find the way,
       Though the path is often slippery
       And the journey hard to follow.
Come, Lord.  I am trusting You today.

Speak, Lord.  I am listening to Your Wisdom.
Speak, Lord.  You will help me know Your ways,
       Though the path is often slippery
       And the journey hard to follow.
Speak, Lord.  I am trusting You today.

by Julie Dunlap   11-15-2011

My niece, Abigail, came to visit recently and sang me a song she had written a few days before her visit.  A few days later I came up with a tune one morning and asked my husband how he liked it.  He said it had potential, so while he milked the cow, I added words to the tune and sang it for him when he came in.  This is the first song I have written.  My husband has a whole notebook of songs he has written, so I am happy to finally have been able to write a song.  I thank the Lord for helping us along the path of life and for bringing music to our home.

All Saints

Behold the saints of old,
Mere men like you and I.
Yet noble knights unfold -
Such deep devotion lifted high.

Dying to self''s demands;
Faithful to God's commands

Like a farmer's windswept field -
Bowing stalks of wheat - God's plan.
Abundant harvest they yield;
Grace and goodness guiding humble man.

Dying to self''s demands;
Faithful to God's commands

Hallowed heads are bowed in humility;
Stalwart hearts are raised in worship.
Loyal lives respond to  God's mercy;
Noble deaths reveal God's Kingship.

by Julie Dunlap  11-9-2011

November 1st is All Saints Day, a day to remember the noble company of Saints who have faithfully lived their lives and passed on the Faith to us. 

Meditation on Top of a Cleft Rock

Sitting on a cushion of crisp leaves
In the company of barren trees,
Fresh, clean air filling my lungs,
Seeps to every capillary of my being.

Reaching inward, I find pools of water,
A mixture of tears and morning dew.
Water creeps thru the multitudes of cracks,
Rinses over smudges of hurt and shame
Embedded in the walls of my cavern,
Traces of a cleansing within.

I am ready for Christ's light to enter and
Struggle to disassemble the locks I had secured
To foolishly hide my shame in darkness.
The door creaks open slowly.

The sun bursts in;
Warmth flows to every corner,
Transforming my home to a palace
Where Christ can light His eternal fire
To shine on all the world.

Set before me is the task
To faithfully kindle this fire
So it may consume my entire self
And fill my depths with His gift
Of living water.

by Julie St. John    fall of 1986

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesu, hear me.
Within Thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malicious enemy, defend me.
In the hour of my death, call me
And bid me, come to Thee,
That with Thy holy saints, I may praise Thee
Forever and ever.  Amen.

Author unknown - an eighth century prayer from Ireland

A West Virginia Memory

The hills are the basis of life in that land,
  Both as life given - and taken.

A harsh land with soft people,
  Yet, and also, a soft land with harsh people.

The land of my birth,
   With paths through the blackberry and greenbrier.
   Kind winds blowing gently of a song forgotten.

A greenness everywhere on her rugged slopes,
  And she gives forth her inner blackness
  As if a painful abortion of her babe within.
  All left to flow are her tears of acid.

The nights of West Virginia
  Mellow sharp lines and soaring peaks
  And the shadows embrace every living thing
  In her grasp till the dawn.

So much time I have spent in those hills,
  In games, thoughtful solitude,
  In the questions of life.

West Virginia is not bound by rivers and streams,
  For we all come from a land
  That calls from within us,
  To find greenness once again.

by Thomas Chapman

I thank you, Thomas and Brenda, that we have been able to share our lives, even if it is from a distance.  We appreciate your friendship.    

At Mountain Sunrise

I see the mountains

I see the sunrise

I feel the wind

And I see Your eyes.

Beautiful are they

That shine upon

This quiet and peaceful land.

Wondrous is Thy grace at dawn

Held in the palm of Your hand.

I see Your creation

I see Your care

I feel the change

And I see the pair.

Walking forth both

Hand in hand

Singing out a brand new song.

Gazing deep into their eyes,

You see the love that does belong.

You see Your creation

You see Your love

You feel our thanks

And you send the Dove.

Beautiful It settles

Down upon

Our quiet and waiting spirits.

Wondrous is Its grace at dawn;

We have no need to fear It.

I see the mountains

I see the sunrise

I feel the wind

And I see Your eyes.

Beautiful are they

That shine upon

This quiet and peaceful land.

Wondrous is Thy grace at dawn

Held in the palm of Your hand.

by Nathan Dunlap  2-6-1989

Lasting Peace

Peace, like a rock rollicking down a river,
   Flowing with the current,
   Tossing and turning
   In the churning waters,
   Pulled only one direction,
   Steadily moving forward
   Evermore.

Peace cometh by surrender.
   I place all I have
   Into Your loving hands
   To do as You will
   Knowing I am safe
   To trust Your love
   Forever.

by Julie Dunlap  8-15-2011