THERE'S JUST SOMETHING IN THE WORDS: PART 2

Words matter. It doesn't matter where you hear, see or read them. They affect us in so many different ways. These days with the negative pull of the world around me, I choose to find those words that breathe life into me, not suck it out of me. I find myself pulling further away from mainstream music and finding more music that lifts me up and gives me pause to think.

Anyone that truly knows me, knows that music isn't just what I talk about, it's who I am. I love everything about it but the thing I love the most is the power of a song, it's ability to stop me in my tracks and hear the message and it's ability to change lives. These days, those kind of songs seem to be a bit harder to find but they're out there if you listen beyond what radio is selling. If you search, you'll find them. The words matter. To me, a song isn't just background noise, it's much more than that.

Here are a few of the songs that made me rethink things, find a new perspective and realize my own strengths, weaknesses and my purpose. These had a part in making me who I am in this moment and these newer ones are helping build me into the person I want to be moving forward. Thank you to the artists and writers for putting the words on paper that connect with hearts and will be here making a difference long after they have left the world.

“God Made Good” - Scotty Inman

Writers: Scotty Inman, Jimmy Yeary

"I thought I was finished

  Surely He'd give up on me

  But It was in those moments

  He showed me what grace really means"

"Less Like Me"  - Zach WilliamsWriters: Zach Williams, Mia Fieldes, Hank Bentley
"A little more like mercyA little more like graceA little more like kindness, goodness, love and faithA little more like patienceA little more like peaceA little more like Jesus, a little less like me"

“Good Morning Mercy” - Jason Crabb & Dylan ScottWriters: Jason Crabb, Jay DeMarcus, Caleb Ward, Jordan Ward
"Good morning mercyYou call me worthyFeels like the sun shining on my faceLiving's good this side of graceI feel it workingGoodbye to the hurtingYou woke me up put me on my wayHallelujah it's a brand new dayGood morning mercy"

Brothers Osborne - "Roller Coaster"

Writers: TJ Osborne, John Osborne, Jamie Hartman, Jordan Lehning

"Where are all the songs for people who don't always get along

When breakin' up and makin' up is somethin' we all do

Couldn't find a lyric to describe this road we're on

So, I found a pen and paper and I wrote this song for you

When I am winter, you are summer

When I am autumn, you are spring

When I'm high and dry, you're my drop of rain

Sometimes fallin', sometimes flyin'

But in spite of everythin'

I could ride this rollercoaster for forever and a day"

Jodee Messina - "That's God"Writer: Jodee Messina
"If you take the time to look around, you'll see it everywhere.It's right here all around us, even when we're not aware.It doesn't have to be a miracle,It might just be the little things,And even those who say they don't believe,They may not know it but everyday they see"

Troy Cartwright - "God is Good"Writers: Troy Cartwright. Billy Montana, Brandon Hood
"Ain't no way of knowing 'bout tomorrowAnd it won't always go the way I wish it wouldI know time's just something that we borrowLord knows I forget more than I shouldGod is good"

Ryan Stevenson featuring Vince Gill & Amy Grant - "When We Fall Apart"Writer: Ryan Stevenson
"It's ok to cryIt's ok to fall apartYou don't have to tryTo be strong when you are notAnd it may take sometime to make sense of all your thoughtsBut don't ever fight your tears'Cause there is freedom in every dropSometimes the only way to heal a broken heart is when we fall apart"

Tony Jackson - "Five Dollar Bible"
Writers: Barry Poole, Wynn Varble, Karen Staley
"In a five dollar bibleSomeone gave to meI read it every night before bedIt's really pretty simpleWe're the ones who make it hardIt's all right there in black and white and redFunny how these modern day solutions just can't seem to rivalThe wisdom of a fivе dollar bible"

Matthew West - "The Last Song"Writers: Matthew West, Jeff Pardo
"As long as I am breathing I will lift a melodyIt's just my way of saying, "Thank You, Lord, for loving me"I could sing a thousand songs about how good to me You've beenSo I'll just keep on singing until the last song ends"

Todd Tilghman - "Long Way Home"Writers: Shane McAnally, Ester Dean, Dustin Christensen, Ryan Donald Innes, Ryan Tedder
"Sometimes dreams get lostSometimes love takes timeBut the greatest things are worth standing in lineAnd it's never a race, as long as you get where you're goingSometimes the heart takes the long way home"

Pryor & Lee - "Good Ol' Dogs and God"Writers: Doug Johnson, Trent Fisher, Elvie Shane, Adam Wood
"Good ol' dogs and GodWon't ever let you downThey listen when you're talkingJust happy you're aroundI don't know why they love usBut they do no matter whatTwo things you can count onGood ol' dogs and God"

Tommy Karlas - "Lessons"Writers: Tommy Karlas, Dave Turnbull, Whitney Duncan
"You can't win 'em allYou can't change the pastDon't take for granted what you've gotDon't always want what you don't haveTake some chancesHave some faithMake the most of every dayCause it could all be over in a second"