1. |
A True Goodbye
02:28
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A True Goodbye by JTR
A true goodbye is never the kind when someone leaves or someone dies
Well in a way someone dies
They change their lives for the worst
And knowing that their fall seems like your fault it makes your heart want to burst
Their old selves are gone and along with their unquenchable thirst for a different life
Drowns in the pool of darkness that they themselves dove into headfirst
Whoever this new you is I want no part of it
I always said I would never give up but this time I’m calling it quits
I loved you from the start and never stopped I hate to admit
I was so blind I didn’t even try to listen to others about your beautiful lies and constant unneeded fits
They say love is patient and kind but I could never tell
Because everything you put me through were a few degrees short of a living hell
Love is forgiving, on my side at least, as far as I could tell
On your side you always remind me of what I did like a prisoner in a cell
This whole mess we’re in has taught me a lesson
Life is more than pretty girls and make out sessions
Life is so much more than longing to be the groom instead of the best man
You taught me that and for that I’m grateful
Now all I have to do is wait for you to stop being so hateful
I know your dad left you, and I know your mom’s not around
That doesn’t mean that you should shut everyone down and glare at them and frown
Wherever the old you is I want her to come back to town
To hear her voice again, how sweet the sound
We both should’ve know n this was never meant to be
But our past clouded our judgment and made it hard to see
Overtime we both tried to wash our hands clean
Of all the lies we tried to hide and things we should have never seen
We never intended for us to work
We did break and we crashed and burned
And it seems like after all we’ve been through there still isn’t much we have learned
But I will never act like this didn’t happen
I will not act like I walked through a puddle in the rain when in reality I sailed through rapids
I’ll never forget that bus ride home where you said in our relationship you felt trapped in
If that never happened we wouldn’t be in this corner that we both are backed in
But I would relive all the pain and suffering caused by you
If it helps me lead someone onto the path of the truth
These words I write are not here to bash you
It’s more to let everyone know I’m still see-through
And now here is out end, with no more time to cry
Here’s what you always wanted, a true goodbye
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2. |
Dead And Alive
03:39
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Lost. Alone. Angry. Dead.
Dark have been the thoughts inside of my head
I was a lost soul full of corruption
The only promised land for me was complete destruction
Until I had this amazing divine interruption
Which blew away all of my recent thoughts and assumptions
I tried to be good but good’s not good enough
What I need is perfection but who has that kind of stuff?
No one does because the flaws in our genetics say that we are not up to snuff
That would mean that for the Almighty’s presence to be seen by mere worms as us should never happen
He should wash his hands clean of this dirty human race so filthy and obscene
We are never going to get to God, with all of our hatred, lies, lusts, and frauds
There is only one way, although the thought is quite odd
We have to drop this “good works” and “have it your way” façade
There needs to be a sacrifice who’s perfect and divine
Who will come down and teach and show us wondrous signs
And with thieves and harlots this sacrifice will dine
Who will stir up dissent in those who think they are religious and so fine
Who will show us love for its true design
And who will put their whole life and perfection on the line
God that for such unworthy creatures
Because in them he saw missionaries and preachers
And kingdom builders, musicians, and even teachers
Who will go out and scream his name in the field and not sit quietly clapping in the bleachers
Look to the cross with perverse eyes and see
And reach out with unclean hands what Love had to do so you can know Him fully and be free
This world were living through is just a road we go on and our bodies are just a shell of what we will truly be
Once we make it into the arms of the Mighty King
And in His glory we will bask and His praises we will sing
Knowing that we are free of fear, pain, doubt, well, everything
And in time everything will sing of the beauty of the scarred and risen King
So for now we will run the race and fix our eyes on the glory that awaits and to be in His embrace is the ultimate prize
We will not stumble because of the beast’s twisted worldviews and lies
He will spray cologne on his words but even though it smells good it didn’t get rid of the flies
There will come a time when that old serpent will run out of tries
And be cast down into flame and never again arise
But until then I will stay the course and take the long and lonely road
With my sweet Savior’s arms carrying me to my final abode
There’s nothing to decipher, translate, correct, or decode
All you need to know is that Jesus paid the enormous debt of sin that my sinful self owed
In return against the principalities of this world I will stand toe to toe
And I won’t even need a car, house, lawn or a zip code
And I’ll live every day like it’s my last so when it is my last I get to hear “Welcome Jared, my faithful servant” rather than “You got some explaining to to Mr. Rhodes”
Lord use everything I’ve got for your glory
Use it to tell your old but simple redemption story
So you can show that Your Son’s last days, although they were quite gory
What He did for the entire world is a treasure that you cannot find in any quarry
For this worthless, disgusting, sinful world God gave his Son
And if you were the only person on earth God would have done it for one
Just so you could have another day in the sun
But don’t sit back and relax, this journey has only begun
Found. Joyful. Content. Alive.
In your embrace, oh Lord, I will survive
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3. |
Nikki
02:56
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Nikki by JTR
Baby girl I see you sitting here
With your eyes full of tears and your heart full of fear
Asking yourself, “What am I to do?
Another boy left me for someone else to screw.”
Let me be the first to tell you, don’t give your heart to some fool
I don’t know why you’re trying
Your heart is of diamonds but quarters is all you get and everyone’s been buying
Sweetie, all of these punks keep lying to your sweet face so you’ll keep crying
Until the tears wash away the pain
Sometimes you think you’re too stupid to even have a brain
I’m here to tell you a different story
You kept all of you bad habits and feelings in an inventory
To make sure no one knows your story
Your story is locked up in a drawer of socks in the back of your mind
And to make sure no one sees behind your transparent mask
You cover it up with duct tape and make up so that the numbness will last
Darling, you say that all you need is a drink
All alcohol does is make you think that you’re superhuman
When sometimes you feel that you’re barely human
You just want someone that you can love
But you base love off on things you should have never been a part of
Love, I know the real thing
It can make you smile and your heart sing of the joy that he will give you
That’s all I want for you
I know that I haven’t been a good example
But don’t let your new faith be trampled
By the demons that want you dead
Putting all of these evil thoughts in your head
Making you feel like you can follow your own lead when in reality you’re alone crying in your bed
I know God wasn’t there when you called
But he will be there the next time you fall
And you said to me, “You show off your God like new clothes at the mall
Well I’ve seen it all. Your God just wants me to fall.”
Girl, you’re in your bed weeping when at this time of night you should be sleeping
And thinking of the days to come
Of your husband and kids, wouldn’t that be fun?
But you wont be happy until you’ve become beautiful in the eyes of the world
Who cares about the world? You’re beautiful now.
Who will love you forever? God loves you now.
All you got to do is change now
Listen I know that we’ve talked since a quarter past eleven
But I’ll do whatever I can for you to be in heaven
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4. |
Maze
02:11
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Maze by JTR
They say God works in mysterious ways
He can work through a trial, problem, high, low or phase
You can see his ways when the world puts you in a haze and when you need to find a quiet place away from the crazy days
He will guide you through this seemingly impossible maze
MY God how will I ever survive this ever changing, twisting and turning maze?
With so many open doors and ways
Im so lost and confused and in a daze
Don’t let my words be full of empty habits and meaningless worship and praise
Wont you reveal yourself, and come and teach me your ways?
“I will teach you and send angels to your side
And keep you safe on life’s incredible but bumpy ride
I know this maze is hard and your tried and tried and lied and lied to get by
Just so you can have a place to hide and feel safe for a time
Well come and take refuge in my arms my love, because I died
To extinguish all your hate, anger and pride
So that going through this maze can be the ride of your lives
Because at the finish line is the ultimate prize.”
So Ill take my chances with the devil’s sick kicks
The best lie he ever told was that there was no way in the universe that we could be fixed
So Jesus Christ came to prove him wrong and to take our well deserved licks
So Ill dust the demons off my back and stand up tall
And not look left or right so I wont stumble and fall
Arms and voice raised giving my all
To my sweet, sweet Savior because for me he would crawl
For me he would fall
For me he would be mauled
For me he gave his last dying breath, the skin on his back, his all and all
Someone so big and perfect gave up so much for someone so broken and small
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5. |
Who We Are
03:35
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All I want is someone to hear my voice
Out of everything else I could go this would be my choice
With a crowd I want to laugh, cry, love, and rejoice
I don’t care if I ever own a big house or drive a Rolls Royce
What I want is to touch people’s hearts
What I want is my words to tear stronghold apart
I don’t want to be on TMZ or be #1 on the charts
What I crave the most is to move people’s souls with my art
I know sometimes it can become more of a habit than a dream
So God forgive me if I ever put out some beautifully written self-fulfilling blasphemy
Turn me away from my pride so that my words will set people free
And with your power I can truly be me
Open the eyes of my ever-changing heart so that I can see
What ails listeners’ souls and how I can show them what they would really be
And how we can turn up the heat without turning off the AC
In God you can be who you are
So I invite you to tear off your self-righteous masks and shine like the brightest of stars
If you want to travel, let your legs take you far
If you know about engines, go work on cars
Remember that these gifts are from God, and he will bless you whether you teach kids, play sports, or play the guitar
God has given you gifts for a reason
Use them for a purpose all of the time instead of just for a season
To do anything less with these gifts would be something between selfishness and treason
Do not conform to this world’s sick design
Always pushing things that will lead to you being bordered with a chalk outline
To conform can be equated to playing Frisbee with a land mine
After you’re done playing you ain’t gonna feel too fine
Standing in front of the full wrath of the Lord, after you flatline
Dear God bring my generation back
Fulfill our needs and restore us of all the things we lack
Like moms and dads to keep us on track
And a little more intelligence to know not to waste cash on alcohol and crack
Find your identity in the arms of God
Don’t look for it in these petty lusts and frauds
Or in pretty girls, big houses or hot rods
Drop it all, the whole thing’s just a façade
To take your eyes off the one true God
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6. |
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A Man, a Tree, and a Friday (Father Forgive Them) by JTR
This story that I am about to say is about a day
A fateful day, a Friday
A where many of us wake up and say “Hooray!”
But this Friday was not one of those days
This day, it seemed that evil had won
The innocent had fallen and a time of darkness had begun
A man’s time under the sun was about to be done
And many of those who followed this man thought he was the One
The One who would break his people’s chains
The One who would bring back the old Empire and get rid of their pain
None of them had foreseen that his people’s captors would be their hero’s bane
The “Son of God” had seemingly died in vain
But this man knew why he would die, so from all types of sin this man would abstain
And die a sinner’s death on a rugged tree so that he could understand physical and emotional pain
All for people who are innately selfish and inane
And as blood dripped from his lips and later spilled from his hip and the sky became black like and eclipse
Three small words escaped from his lips
“Father forgive them” for it was what his captors were supposed to do
He knew that this sacrifice and those three words were ultimately for me and you
“Father forgive them” were the words this man chose to speak
A man who practiced the most radical meaning of turn the other cheek
“Father forgive them” were some of this man’s final words
Oh what heartbreaking words if you and I were there to watch and that’s what we heard
So as this man hung from this cross, and muttered “It is finished” and relinquished his own spirit
The Veil between God and man was torn, and thunder clapped so loud everyone could hear it
And onlookers just witnessed God die for mankind, so that the kingdom of God we would inherit
No one could take Jesus’ life, but he willingly laid it down
So when I am in heaven, I will willingly relinquish my crown
And in my Savior’s loving embrace and grace I will drown
And abide in a place where there is no sorrow, pains, burdens or frowns
Because of His death, we have been set free
Because of His death, we were blind but now we see
Because of his death, we can be who we are supposed to be
Through Your death, Lord Jesus, you have rescued me
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7. |
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Do This For Me Son If You Can by JTR
One day a phone call came and I heard my moms voice and the conversation began
With "I'm gonna read you some lyrics from one of your favorite songs, Simple Man."
I didn't understand, nor another lecture was I willing to stand
But it cut me to the core when she said to be something I would love and understand
Instead of crushing my flowering dreams she poured love out like a watering can
She even skipped over the vocation/avocation speech, probably because I've heard it many times whether at the dinner table or while riding in the van
But the words still ring true in the skynyrd song so vintage and old
That I do not need earthly things and what I have cannot be bought or sold
My mom raised me to never fit any kind of mold
And that life is not all about keeping up with the Joneses and the rich mans gold
She has always told me that I am going to find the one I'm supposed to always love
And whenever she was unsure that the one I was with was the one some of my exes she would get rid of
In all honesty my mother really is a Godsend from above
I always listened closely to what my mom would say
Even though my dad was in the background making me laugh in some kind of way
And no matter how harsh or demanding the things my mom would say, she would always be there for me on a sunny or rainy day
She modeled for me that it's not worth it to live so fast
Because once you leave all you know behind you really feel like you finished last
And that although we can't be burdened by it, we can always learn from our past
It's interesting because a simple kind of man is the last thing I'm known to be
I worry, I fret, I get angry, and when things get too hard to see
My mom holds out her hand to show me where I could go but where I need to be
And when I've done wrong shed show me what's right and lead me down onto my knees
Because of my mother I know there's someone up above, somewhere in the sky
Because it would take an all knowing God to create someone who can take care of this loud, stubborn goofy guy
To teach this guy there is only do, no try and a little faith can make mountains fly
And That wisdom is more beautiful than money, and other words to live and abide by
And I know all she wants from me in return is to make good decisions, do my work, and simply be satisfied
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8. |
Healed to Heal
03:30
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Healed to Heal by JTR
Nothing seems to go her way
Happiness never seems to stay
She is screaming out for attention, some way, any way
For some hero to take her away from this life so meaningless and grey
Every once in a while, she will pray
Shell pray and pray and pray and pray
That when she goes to school she will stop being some cheerleader’s prey
But when she finally musters up the courage to go its just business as usual, just another day
Shell do just about anything for someone to stay
There seems to be no one and she feels alone
She cries out in a defeated tone
“Won't someone melt my heart of stone?
No. Because sometimes it seems that nobody cares
All people like to do is just stare
Maybe it's my clothes, my music, my fearful glares
But when I am alone the quiet moments are when Im really scared
Not many come to save me
Even worse my parents don't even care about their baby
They're the ones that made me?!?
Those crazies?!?
Who drink too much which makes their demeanor crazy
Are the ones who are supposed to take care of me
All I do is smile all the time so no one knows
How much my depression and panic attacks grow
I act cute to keep quiet my tortured soul
So that if anyone asked if I need anything, I say "no"
And at the same time I'm dying to be whole.”
Darling, I know your hurting to be heard
To just spread your wings and fly like a bird away from this place
But instead no one listens and you get chewed up like a cow's curd and get your words spat in your face
Forget those hypocrites whos judgements are blurred
Who they want you to be is just plain absurd
Run to God, and find peace and love in his Word
“His word? Run to God?
You wanna know how long I’ve waited for God
Too long have I wallowed in the muddy waters of my life and too far have I clawed
My way out to where I am, and where was your God?
Oh that’s right. You and your God are nothing but frauds.
So please stop talking about your made up story
If your God is real he must not have too much glory.
Because trust me you don’t want to know my story.”
Baby, listen, I know the truth, and God loves you
When you feel alone remind yourself over and over again
He’ll be by your side and he’ll even carry you
You must realize that He wants you
He also wants you to
Heal others because you know how bad it hurts
Break free of your bonds because his skin was broken first
Bring those you love to His well so they shall never thirst
And believe that his birth
Caused a chain reaction
And didn't change just a mere fraction
But all of you, so go and take action
Live your life to the fullest in his name
Praise the One True God without any shame
Preach the word and lay hands on the sick, blind and lame
And I guarantee you will never be the same
“Ill never be the same? Huh. That’s nice.
Look I know why you continue to persist
But what Ive done is as permanent as these tattoos on my arms and scars on my wrist
I tried to fix myself but my vision is shrouded by a mist that consists of a lot of my story’s turns and twists
While you were raised on open hands I was born with clenched fists
One time I went to one of the services, and the alter call was made, but I wouldn’t budge
Because as soon as I walked in, the way people looked at me I knew I was their new target to judge
So there you have it. That’s why I don’t need your God. That is why I have my grudge.
So you and your hateful religion can get in line. Ive had enough dissapointments for one life.
Its been too harsh of an environment, and too much strife
Too many people whose words cut like a knife
For me to accept this ‘eternal life’”
Darling I know all about this situation you’ve been placed in
All the evil you’ve been facing is a road block of Satan
you’ve been building with the wrong cornerstone and basin
I know youre lifes been full of let downs and frustration
But God will lead you not into temptation
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9. |
My Chains Are Gone
01:56
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My Chains are Gone by JTR
Amazing grace for me was found
When I stumbled and fell to the ground
It was an understatement to say that I was hell bound
But even still It touched my blind eyes and deaf ears, how sweet the sound
Grace came down in the flesh for all to see
That there is something about that man that by ourselves we could never be
And when he died the darkness hidden inside began to flee
He did it all to save a wretch like me
Gone are the chains of lust and hate
Who knew that after making my own choices this would be my fate
I took the nice soft low path instead of the high road that is narrow, rugged, and straight
No one could take away this burden so I will have to wait
For a Savior to cleanse my soul and to build me up and make me whole
To take this cardboard box of religion and put in some air holes
And to make talking to God more like chilling with my best friend than awkward small talk at the punch bowl
He will my shield and potion be however the dice rolls
I’ve been set free of the of the bonds of this life
No longer worrying about this world’s drama or strife
I will fear no man wielding either a gun or a knife
No longer will I worry about what will be my job or who’ll be my wife
And like a flood, He will wash me clean
I am no longer diseased and obscene
I have seen what it really means to give my life to Christ and not just saying a small prayer when you turn 15
His unending love is what ive seen
His amazing grace. On it I lean.
His amazing grace, because of it my hope is secure
This love sick feeling has no cure
So cleanse me oh God let your water pour
Let me see your Gospel beyond the brochure
May your presence grow in size and my pride become miniature
May his amazing grace flow as long as life endures
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10. |
Anthem For The Off-Key
05:31
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This is a song for the broken, an anthem for the off-key
This is a tune to listen to when the answer’s too tough to see
This is a melody for those who were in chains and are finally free
So if you want to be free, take the time to listen to me
Scratch that, don’t listen to me
Tap into what’s behind my words
The truth is there shining through and it’s just waiting to be heard
To those with built-up walls around them and feel so self-assured
I’d like to see your faces when your walls crumble from the power of this unstoppable Word
These words that you hear are not my own
It’s God’s spirit living within my dust-filled bones
My heart humbled and my sins atoned letting me live without any heavy burdens or loans
Most think He is up in space on his celestial throne
But He’s right beside me so I’ll never be alone
So to the intellectuals, to the politicians, kings and scribes
The ones who feed on confusion and disbelief to survive
No longer from the truth will my nation be deprived
We will take the sword to your symbiotic hive of lies
To show that God cannot be dead but is truly alive
Are you all too ignorant and proud to just open your eyes and see it?
Are you too stubborn and is your heart too hard to feel it?
Are there not enough facts to just submit, let go, agree to it?
It’s on the back of your money and in your allegiance and you still don’t believe it.
Some groups are suddenly intolerant because their opinion isn’t the same
You push acceptance and push away the antithesis, saying its outdated and lame
Free religion and being all you can be is why to this country we came
Worship God or whoever and work hard enough to make yourself a name
But today its not politically correct to pray in school but acceptable to cheat your way through this devilish game
Don’t get me wrong, this country is great, but it’s not the same. Things have changed
Its time for us to defame the falsehoods and patriotic chains
And reveal all of the hidden guilt and shame
Oh what a shame.
You sold a broken lie, you ran an unneeded race
We can see right through your political poker face
You can keep your forked tongues behind your mouths because the truth we will embrace
We will stand against you and the unseen principalities face to face
We will fight for our right down on our knees and blow the roof off this place
Singing
So here we stand, off-key anthem resonating through the sky
Worshiping the One True God until the day we die
Never will we stumble and never will we be skittish or shy
How can you lie to yourself when your True master cannot deny
The presence of my Jesus, even he has to comply
So when he rears his ugly head and look him in the eye
And not back down because of who I have as an ally
So the lonely, the broken, the downtrodden, with tears in your eyes
I pray you stand tall with the full armor of God, fist in the air, singing this war cry
Let Freedom Ring
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