I’m Home

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Most of the time I feel like I don’t fit in

So often sensing I don’t belong

When you made me your child through grace and forgiveness

You said that this world is not my home

So here I am waiting and yearning

Knowing that while I’m still here

Chorus:

I’m home in your grace

I’m home in your love

Though I’m still in a place

Where I don’t belong

In your grace I’m home

Sometimes I wish you would speed up the timing

To the day when you’ll take us from here

But you’ve got your own time for when you’re arriving

With the assurance the day draws near

So here I’ll wait, trusting your wisdom

Knowing that until you come

Chorus:

Bridge:

We are just strangers here

We are not part of this world

But you said, “have no fear”

And you will always be with us

Until then end

So I’m home

I’m home

There

words & music by Stephen Bautista

How I love to gaze up to the heavens

Hope, wonder, and imagine

Painting images in my mind

Of the wondrous things that we”ll find

Beyond the gates

When we’re there

I can see a place where pain and suffering

Have all vanished and mean nothing

Words like tired, sick, and weary

Aren’t in our vocabulary

And we’re all whole

When we’re there

Chorus:

When we’re there we finally will know

The many wonders of our Heavn’ly Father’s home

When we’re there in that picture perfect place

We’ve been invited to by his mercy and his grace

It’s bound to be much more than we imagined

Beyond our dreams it will all be revealed when

We are there

I can see world where calm and stillness

Are the norm of our existence

No discord or clashing world views

Tense debates or points to argue

Only harmony

When we’re there

I see perfect love that never falters

Hate will have been fully conquered

No more wars or fruitless battles

Foolish fights or scores to settle

Only endless peace

When we’re there

Chorus:

Bridge:

And the first thing we will see

Is the holy throne of our God and King

And the first thing we will do

Is bow down to Him, worship

and sing

“Great is the “Lamb,” “Worthy is He”

When we’re there

To The Cross And Back

words & music by Stephen Bautista

So you think you’re just a face in the crowd

And no one notices when you wear that frown

You wonder if the Lord above sees the little guy

And if you even have a chance to catch his eye

Chorus:

He knows your heart

Every care you have

And he’s there for you

As a matter of fact

He loves you, yes he loves you,

He loves you to the cross and back

So you think your just one voice crying out

Amidst a billion pleas from a billion mouths

You wonder if through all the noise God can ever hear

Just enough of your small voice to bend his ear

Chorus:

Instrumental:

Bridge:

There’s no grief he doesn’t know

No pain he hasn’t felt

Cause he bore the anguish of the world

When he took our nails

A God-Shaped Hole

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Here we are wandering just beyond the garden

Unaware that we still thirst for the nectar we’ve forgotten

We can sense a nagging void somewhere deep within us

And wrestle with the mystery of how or why we feel this

So here we crave and here we thirst

Chorus:

Cause there’s a God-shaped hole

In our broken souls

There’s a missing part

From our failing hearts

We try to fill it up

With the things we love

Still there’s a God-shaped hole

There’s a God-shaped hole

So we try to fill our cups in hopes to quell the craving

Even though we drink it up our thirst is not abating

Then we presume the answers must lie somewhere deep within us

But all we ever seem to find is a void that’s undiminished

So here we crave and here we thirst

Chorus:

Bridge:

Since the Garden we have tried everything we could

But Jesus is the only way to fill that void

And in the shape of a cross

Chorus:

He fills the God-shaped hole

In our broken souls

He’s the missing part

From our failing hearts

He pours into us

His redeeming love

And fills the God-shaped hole

The God-shaped hole

Jesus fills the

God-shaped hole

Taste and See

words & music by Stephen Bautista

You’ve held that bitter cup

Inside for far too long

And too often drink it up

Now joy is all but gone

But God’s holding out to you

A sweet remedy

And beckons you come taste and see

You’re drowning in the wrongs

Your past has poured on you

Your spirit’s so weighed down

You find it hard to move

But God says come be refreshed

In his healing spring

And beckons you come taste and see

Chorus:

Taste and see that the Lord is good

Taste and see what he’s promised you

New life with joy overflowing

Taste and see

Come taste the peace of mind

Come taste amazing grace

Come taste the sweetest life

That’s found in Jesus name

Drink from the loving hands

That heal and redeem

Come to him, taste and see

Chorus:

Bridge:

Taste and see that the Lord is good

Yes, the Lord is good

Sweet relief

Blessed are those who take refuge in him

So take that bitter cup

And leave it at the cross

Let Jesus fill you up

With his unfailing love

One Day Closer

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Every time I’m greeted by the morning sun

I can’t help but praise you for the new day that’s just begun

And one thing I have to smile about

With the advent of a new day

Is that the hands of time keep winding down

And you’ll soon be heading our way

Chorus:

It’s a sunrise closer to heaven

A sunset closer to you

And when the clock chimes up at the midnight hour

And says this day is through

It will be one day closer

Another day to look up, gaze at the blue

As I watch the sun move across it, I dream it’s you

But when the sun goes down in a colorful blaze

And gives way to a starry sky

I’ll still rest assured in the promise you made

That your return is drawing nigh

Chorus:

Bridge:

One day closer

Every day we’re one day closer

And one thing I have to smile about

With the advent of a new day

Is that the hands of time keep winding down

And you’ll soon be heading our way

Beauty Refined

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I saw you glance in the mirror today

The expression you made was quite clear

And I know you wonder if I still see

The same you as in those first years

So here from my heart is the truth you should know

There are things I can see now I couldn’t before

Chorus:

The lines upon your face trace our years together

The silver in your hair show the storms we’ve weathered

And each year I’m so blessed to see with my eyes

A perfect example of beauty being refined

When I look at you now I see so much more

After all of the many years we’ve shared

I see the memories etched in over time

From the smiles and the tears we have shed

And even if I could roll back time somehow

I wouldn’t change anything from how you look now

Chorus:

Instrumental:

So here from my heart is the truth you should know

There are things I can see now I couldn’t before

Chorus:

And each year I’m so blessed to see with my eyes

A perfect example of beauty being refined

Trusting in Your Higher Ways

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Lord if I could ask a favor of you

To help alleviate my apprehensive point of view

Cause there’s so much that I don’t understand

within the grand unfolding of your mystifying plan

So I’m asking

Just one thing

That would help tremendously

Chorus:

Your ways are higher than the stars that shine above

Beyond the reach of anything I could think of

So Lord I’m praying for a faith that’s strong enough

That no matter if it’s crystal clear or shades of gray

I’m trusting in your higher ways

Part of me wants you to just plainly

Illuminate your plans and spell them out from A to Z

But there’s so little I would comprehend

And much of what you’d say would fly way out over my head

So I confess

You know best

But I still have one request

Chorus:

Bridge:

Teach me to trust you

With a faith strong enough to

Completely embrace

your higher ways

Instrumental

I confess

You know best

But I still have one request

Surrender

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Sometimes I’m finding myself asking why you

Allow the many painful things we go through

Although it seems to be a bold inquiry

When I am questioning what you do

I’ve got a lot of nerve when I think I can

Second guess the rationale of your plans

Who am I to say, I’ve got a better way

When I’m the one who’s made by your hands

Chorus:

I am the clay you are the potter

Your higher ways are so much higher

You’d think by now that I should know better

Surrender, surrender

I am the clay you are the potter

Your higher ways are so much higher

You’d think by now that I should know better

Surrender, surrender

Now I’ll admit sometimes it’s hard to swallow

But when you’re in the lead and I just follow

You keep me right on track, always got my back

And with me everywhere that I go

You’re plans were made before the earth’s foundation

To win for me the hope of my salvation

So what I need to do is fully trust in you

Without any reservation

Chorus:

Bridge:

…it all (surrender it all) to the one (surrender)

Who made me, saved me, gave me his all

I surrender it all

He Provides

words & music by Stephen Bautista

they were wondering how they'd feed

the multitude gathering

as it swelled into five thousand

Jesus told them to pass

around what little food they had

and to their surprise they had enough to go around

Chorus

he provides everything we need

he provides a blessed offering

he knows exactly what we need in life

and our gracious God provides

I have wondered myself

if all my needs would be met

while I wrestle with my own doubt

but Jesus said never fear

'cause he will always be here

and to my surprise it always seems to work out

Chorus

he provides everything we need

he provides a blessed offering

he knows exactly what we need in life

and our gracious God provides

Bridge

he faithfully sustains us

with his providence and love

and his grace runs like a deep river

fully washing over us

Chorus X2

he provides everything we need

he provides a blessed offering

he knows exactly what we need in life

and our gracious God provides

Your Sanctuary

words & music by Stephen Bautista

you lost your love today

taken from you in a senseless way

and your heart ache runs so deep

you don't know if you can bare the pain

and I have no words

that can begin to lessen your hurt

but you should know there is...

Chorus

someone to run to

someone who'll hold you

someone who knows the pain

that's burning inside

someone who loves you

never forsakes you

when you desperately

need a safe place to hide

let Jesus be your sanctuary

people say that you'll get through

and that only time can heal your wounds

but there's no comfort in those words

they won't fill that empty space in you

but hope is not lost

there is someone who'll carry your cross

and in him you will find...

Chorus

Bridge

let him bring hope

let him bring grace

let him be the source of your strength

let him bring love

let him bring peace

oh just let him be...

Chorus

someone you run to

someone who'll hold you

someone who knows the pain

that's burning inside

someone who loves you

never forsakes you

when you desperately

need a safe place to hide

let Jesus be your sanctuary

A Wise Man Came

words & music by Stephen Bautista

here I am wading through

another mess I've made

it feels like dejavu

with all the same mistakes

as often as I falter

it's not so absurd

to think I get just what I deserve

Chorus

fools never learn

they make the same mistakes

who in this world

could ever save the day

through space and time

from heaven's reign

a wise man came

all of the plans devised

and nothing has been solved

all of the schemes I've tried

and I'm no better off

after every resolution

has all been said and done

I'm right back where I started from

Chorus

fools never learn

they make the same mistakes

who in this world

could ever save the day

through space and time

from heaven's reign

a wise man came

Jesus came to save

a foolish world from it's mistakes

there is no other name

wise enough to save the day

You Thought of Me

words & music by Stephen Bautista

when you made the universe

formed the heavens and the earth

when you planned eternity

did you really think of me?

when you breathed that living breath

made us into your likeness

when you said that you were pleased

did you really think of me?

and on the day

that we rebelled

was I in your thoughts

as your tears fell

when you left your mighty throne

to fix the damage we had done

when you became the least of these

did you really think of me?

when you were betrayed by a kiss

and felt the nails go through your wrist

when you suffered agony

did you really think of me?

and the moment when

you left the grave

was I on your mind

as the debt was paid

you wrote your word upon my heart

to say you knew me from the start

and that you planned out everything

all because you thought of me

His Kind of Love

words & music by Stephen Bautista

it’s not the kind of love affected by a

sudden whim or changing mood

it doesn’t ride on a wave of swelled emotions

that crash and break a heart in two

the love of Christ is faithful and true

Chorus

His kind of love

never fails or fades away

His kind of love

last forever and a day

His kind of love

never fails or fades away

His kind of love

last forever and a day

it’s not a love that spends one moment dwelling

on the countless faults I have

it doesn’t come with a fix-it list or any

conditional demands

Jesus loves me just as I am

Chorus

His kind of love

never fails or fades away

His kind of love

last forever and a day

His kind of love

never fails or fades away

His kind of love

last forever and a day

Bridge

and there’s no greater love

than to lay down one’s life for a friend

it’s as wide as the hands he had stretched

as far as the east from the west

it’s as deep as the tomb where he lay

as high as when he rose again

Saved

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Weary, worn, and tattered

Tossed about and battered

Like a boat out on the raging sea

Gone a drift and helpless

Broken down, in distress

Then the Lord stretched out his arms to me

Now I'll be

Refrain I

Safe and warm from the storm

Kept from harm in his arms

When the tempest hits me

I'm sheltered by his mercy

Safe and warm from the storm

Just when I had floundered

Quickly going under

Jesus pulled me from the crashing waves

Now that I have been kept

From sinking to a great depth

I rejoice and praise his holy name

Cause I've been saved

Refrain I

Safe and warm from the storm

Kept from harm in his arms

When the tempest hits me

I'm sheltered by his mercy

Safe and warm from the storm

Refrain II

And I sing Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Safe and warm from the storm

Safe and warm from the storm

Refrain II

ANd I sing Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

I sing Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Hallelujah

Safe and warm from the storm

Let My Imagination Run

words & music by Stephen Bautista

Lord if I may be so bold

to ask you how long it will be

but only you know the mysteries of time

so I will just wait patiently

Chorus

and let my imagination run

dream about my heavenly home

contemplate, reflect, and muse

on how someday I will be there with you

until that day finally comes

I'll let my imagination run

how I wish you would make your way back

and gather your people today

but my plans are never quite yours

so I will just patiently wait

Chorus

and let my imagination run

dream about my heavenly home

contemplate, reflect, and muse

on how someday I will be there with you

until that day finally comes

I'll let my imagination run

Bridge

then one day these thoughts will be replaced

with a real live conversation

while we're sitting face to face

Instrumental

Chorus

I'll let my imagination run

dream about my heavenly home

contemplate, reflect, and muse

how someday I will be there with you

until that day finally comes

I'll let my imagination run

Going Solo

words & music by Stephen Bautista

now you're at it again

fighting battles you will never win

enlisting an army of one

convinced you'll be standing when it's said and done

so self-assured, and undeterred

to go without a savior

Chorus

you can fight the fight

give it all your might

but it's a vain attempt if you go it alone

you'll never win

going solo

you fail to understand

that it won't turn out the way you plan

the one way you'll hold the line

is with the savior standing by your side

to take the fall, conquer all

give you strength to be strong

Chorus

you can fight the fight

give it all your might

but it's a vain attempt if you go it alone

you'll never win

going solo

Bridge

don't you know that it will never pay

(going solo)

time to finally call on Jesus name

Instrumental

Chorus X2

you can fight the fight

give it all your might

but it's a vain attempt if you go it alone

you'll never win

going solo

A Heart Like Yours

words & music by Stephen Bautista

you said go out into a hurting world

but am I really going out the way you would

do I try to understand what they go through

in the same way you do

Chorus

with a heart

that feels the pain of others

when their heart

has been cut to the core

I need to take their hand

and show I understand

with a heart like yours

I'll admit sometimes it's hard for me

to express myself with words of empathy

I haven't shown compassion when I should

or offered hope like I could

Chorus

with a heart

that feels the pain of others

when their heart

has been cut to the core

I need to take their hand

and show I understand

with a heart like yours

Bridge

help me speak my words like they were from your lips

help me have a tender touch like your hands did

and in the same way you showed mercy

help me reach out to them

Chorus

with a heart

that feels the pain of others

when their heart

has been cut to the core

I need to take their hand

and show I understand

with a heart like yours

You Bless Me

words & music by Stephen Bautista

have you noticed most of my prayers

are flush with material cares

I keep asking for all of these things

like you're some sort of vending machine

instead of focusing on a half empty glass

I should give you thanks for what I already have

Chorus

you bless me in so many ways

I could go on counting 'til the end of my days

the list just continues to grow

you fill my cup until it overflows

it's not hard to see

how you bless me

sometimes I get caught in the trap

of thinking I need this and that

so sure that the prize of the day

will make everything a-ok

funny how I think my glass ain't full enough

when I always have more than I could ever drink up

Chorus

you bless me in so many ways

I could go on counting 'til the end of my days

the list just continues to grow

you fill my cup until it overflows

it's not hard to see

how you bless me

bridge

a beautiful wife, a house full of kids

food in my belly, a roof over my head

every single thing in life that I really need

and the best thing of all

is that you bless my soul

Chorus

you bless me in so many ways

I could go on counting 'til the end of my days

the list just continues to grow

you fill my cup until it overflows

you bless me in so many ways

I could go on counting 'til the end of my days

the list just continues to grow

you fill my cup until it overflows

it's not hard to see

how you bless me

On My Knees

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I thought if I tried to give you my best

Climb up so high above all the rest

To a lofty perch

Somehow I'd deserve

To finally see you there

I pulled myself up stood on my pride

To get high enough expecting that I

Would see your face

From my lofty place

But there was just thin air

Chorus

Now I'm on my knees

And I'm off my perch

With my head out of the clouds

Looking through the eyes of humility

I finally see you now

Here on my knees

Bridge

I tried to stand up tall enough to set myself apart

But you desire a broken spirit and a contrite heart

So here I am

Lord here I am...

Chorus

...On my knees

And off my perch

With my head out of the clouds

Looking through the eyes of humility

I finally see you now

I clearly see you now

You are with me now

Here on my knees

I Must Sing

words & music by Stephen Bautista

trying to live by example

do what's right, help those in need

hoping a world of lost poeple

would see the difference in me

but often serving in silence

keeping the truth locked inside

its not enough to just show compassion

without the words that lead them to life

Chorus

I must sing share his song

I must sing to the hurting ones

with a voice that rises to lift up Christ

I once thought that I could move mountains

just let my hands do all the work

thinking that all of my actions

would speak louder than words

but these hands have limitations

they're too weak to carry the load

only words can tell of redemption

if no one hears how will they know

Chorus

I must sing share his song

I must sing to the hurting ones

with a voice that rises to lift up Christ

I must sing a verse of hope

I must sing the one chorus

that will tell them of his sacrifice

Bridge

and boldly proclaim the truth to all the world

sharing the Gospel of Christ 'til every ear has heard

Chorus

A Childlike Faith

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I love the way my little one

Gets that boyish grin when he hears "let's go bye-bye"

Without knowing where or why

With an innocent exuberance

And without fear or any hesitation

He rushes to my side

And then gazes up with those trusting eyes

And stretches his little arm to me

Chorus

And walks hand in hand with his father

Unafraid of the unknowns he may face

He takes every step without questioning

And goes with a childlike faith

How I long for that innocence

When it comes down to trusting in my Lord

And going where he goes

I wanna take a lesson from my son

And follow God without the doubts that come

As I get older

I want to gaze up with those trusting eyes

And stretch out my little arm to him

Chorus

And walk hand in hand with my Father

Unafraid of the unknowns I may face

And take every step without questioning

And go with a childlike faith

Bridge

Jesus said

That we must humble ourselves

Just like a little child

Believe just like a child

Chorus

And walk hand in hand with our Father

Unafraid of the unknowns we may face

And take every step without questioning

And go with a childlike faith

Live with a childlike faith

Flowers Are Dancing

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I stress, worry, and wonder

about the day that lies ahead

I feel like crawlin' back under

the covers when I look up instead

and see creation telling me

that God takes care of everything

Chorus

flowers are dancing

like nothing could be wrong

birds are singing

a carefree song

clouds are content

to go where the wind blows

sun smiles down with

a cheerful glow

some days I'm more inclined

to forget about the lily and sparrow

my fears, render me blind

to the promises that God has bestowed

but one look through the window pane

reminds me just to trust again

Chorus

flowers are dancing

like nothing could be wrong

birds are singing

a carefree song

clouds are content

to go where the wind blows

sun smiles down with

a cheerful glow

Instrumental

I see creation telling me

that God takes care of everything

Who Will Tell Them (leave it at the cross)

words and music by Stephen Bautista

there's an old man dying in his bed

just barely hangin' on

aware he's nearing his last breath

he's so scared and all alone

who will be there

to help him calm his fear

who will take his hand and whisper in his ear

Chorus

leave it at the cross

who will tell him

leave it at the cross

there's a young girl who had run away

to escape her discontent

now she sells her body on the street

so that she can pay the rent

who will recognize her pain

without judgement or blame

who will gently lead her by the hand and say

Chorus

leave it at the cross

who will tell her

leave it at the cross

Bridge

too many people

who are living in despair

sadly have never heard

a message meant to share

Chorus

leave it at the cross

who will tell them

leave it at the cross

Praise You

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I could sit here all day

and marvel at the wonders you've made

and when the day slips into night

I'll gaze up at the stars in the sky

touched by the splendor

it sparks a joy I cannot hide

moved by the mystery

it stirs emotions deep inside

Chorus

and I praise you

it's what creation compels me to do

caught up and captured

and irresistibly driven to

praise you

fully enchanted and mesmerized

I watch the earth and heavens testify

of how their brilliant elaborate dance

was designed and then created at your hands

touched by the splendor

it sparks a joy I cannot hide

moved by the mystery

it stirs emotions deep inside

Chorus

Instrumental

Chorus

I could sit here all day

and marvel at the wonders you've made

His Love Will Lead You Home

words & music by Stephen Bautista

you're a million miles away

and you've been gone far too long

from the place that you belong

it's where you are meant to be

but you'll never find your way

'til you call on Jesus' name

Chorus

his love will lead you home

and light the darkened path

and be your truest guide

'til you're home at last

you've been out on your own

and lost your way

but his love will lead you home

you've been wandering here and there

fully guided by the pride

from your solitary life

you may think you know the way

but hiding just beyond the bend

is another dead end

Chorus

his love will lead you home

and light the darkened path

and be your truest guide

'til you're home at last

you've been out on your own

and lost your way

but his love will lead you home

Bridge

you weren't made to go your separate way

you were born to live under God's grace

and now you find you're hopelessly lost

so take the hand of Jesus

What If

words & music by Stephen Bautista

it's easy to talk about hindsight

when you can clearly see

the path of history

but it's hard when you look from the blindside

and where to go from here

is a little more unclear

unsure of just what you should do

the fear of failure

can weigh on you

Chorus

what if you could know

every moment waiting down that road

what if you could take

every step in life with no mistakes

if all your questions were left behind

and all the answers were in plain sight

where would that leave faith

in Christ

consoled by his constant forgiveness

and the untold worth

of a lesson learned

but haunted by moments of weakness

and the shadows of regret

that try to second guess

afraid of being caught off guard

with another choice

that seems way too hard

Chorus

what if you could know

every moment waiting down that road

what if you could take

every step in life with no mistakes

if all your questions were left behind

and all the answers were in plain sight

where would that leave faith

in Christ

Bridge

'cause faith brings hope

through the unknown

More Of You

words & music by Stephen Bautista

you'd think it'd be real obvious

that you are in my life

and everyone would see your face

when they looked at mine

but just one glance into the mirror

it's so plain to see

instead of it reflecting you

I'm just staring back at me

Chorus

I wanna change my ways

I wanna be renewed

I wanna get transformed

through and through

from the top of my head to my feet

I want there to be less of me

and more of you

where's the evidence of faith

beaming from my soul

I've been too wrapped up in myself

for your light to show

it should always shine much brighter

than the brightest star

and constantly illuminate

the wondrous savior that you are

Chorus

I wanna change my ways

I wanna be renewed

I wanna get transformed

through and through

from the top of my head to my feet

I want there to be less of me

and more of you

Bridge

fill my empty hands

move my idle feet

place your words upon my lips

use everything

A Gentle Word

words & music by Stephen Bautista

people everywhere are leery of the fold

jaded by the constant ringing of judgmental overtones

you can almost see them cringe when you try to share the truth

bracing in anticipation for another stern rebuke

'cause what they often hear

sounds like an angry preacher shouting that the end is near

Chorus

speak to them in love

let compassion run

through their walls of hurt

and as you try to make it through

their hardened point of view

nothing else can break the barriers down

like a gentle word

they say keep it to yourself they've heard it all before

and then they label you a Jesus freak as they slam the door

their bitter words can sting and cut just like a knife

but just as words can hurt they also can bring life

and pierce their walls of stone

and fill them with the promise that's found in Christ alone

Chorus

speak to them in love

let compassion run

through their walls of hurt

and as you try to make it through

their hardened point of view

nothing else can break the barriers down

like a gentle word

You Came To Live In Me

words & music by Stephen Bautista

silently i sit and stare

at a loss for words i ponder that you're here

in this old tattered heart

when you could be most anywhere

the wondrous places you could go

the destinations way out beyond the great unknown

but here you are

in this tired worn out soul

in every way

i am humbled by your company

but may i say

that i'm struck by this great irony

chorus

you've dwelled upon the mountains

you've hoovered o'er the seas

you've sailed beyond the distant stars

that no one's ever seen

with a million different places that you could always be

I'm so amazed

that you came to live in me

there was nothing left inside

just an empty space with echos of my pride

but you filled me up

when you moved into my life

but the question still remains

why the Lord of all would come to this dark place

when you could bask in the light

of the heavens that you made

and i've been blessed

by the presence of your company

but nonetheless

i'm still struck by this great irony

chorus

bridge

when i consider all those places you could be

i can't get past the question of

why you are mindful of me

Abandon

words and music by Stephen Bautista

i've followed you

but mostly when convenient for me

rarely stepping out of my day to day routine

and living a life that's safe and ordinary

i've done my best

to straddle every line that you have drawn

with each foot in the best of both worlds for way too long

and losing track of which side i should be on

chorus

i must abandon

what i'm accustomed to

i must abandon

a worldly point of view

and then step out on

that small narrow limb and follow you

with abandon

afraid to leave

this familiar place that i have come to know

and push out through the boundaries of my comfort zone

and venture down a road i've never traveled

chorus

bridge

you know my fears

and every limitation that i have

but weakness has no power

when i'm completely surrendered

into your hands

The Most Beautiful Thing

words & music by Stephen Bautista

The warm subtle hues of a delicate bloom

And a song bird that greets the new morning

A cascading stream flowing through fields of green

And the mountains that rise up before them

In oh so many ways

The beauty of life has shined on my face

And yet I know of one thing

That surpasses by far the beauty I've seen

Chorus

The most beautiful thing I know

Is the cross with a Savior who died for us all

And the blood that flowed

From His hands and feet

And the wounds He bore

So that we'd be redeemed

This is the most beautiful thing

I've stood on the edge of a grand precipice

Overwhelmed by the span of creation

Then sat teary eyed while the sun paints the sky

As it settles beyond the horizon

And I'm still so amazed

At the beauty that life has shined on my face

But one thing stands alone

Unrivaled and incomparable

Chorus

And I'm still so amazed

At the beauty that life has shined on my face

But one thing stands alone

Unrivaled and incomparable

Forged In The Fire

words & music by Stephen Bautista

the trials of life ignite and fan the flames

that purify and purge my selfish ways

melted down like broken shards of steel

i'm molded back into the father's will

chorus

forged in the fire

refined for the father's desire

then by grace cooled by the waters of his love

forged in the fire

by troubles that help to shape me into the one

i know that He wants me to become

the fire burns with fierce intensity

to soften any hardness left in me

then the hammer bends and reshapes every line

'till I'm closer to the original design

chorus

bridge:

consumed completely by the flames

he surrounds me with his soothing grace

and teaches me to trust his higher ways

Grace Beyond My Need

words & music by Stephen Bautista

i've been redeemed

completely clean

of every sin from first to last

but i still struggle with

the temporal consequence

of my transgressions from the past

sometimes it's more than i can take

when i suffer the thorn of all my mistakes

but when i pray this thorn be removed

he answers "my grace is sufficient for you"

chorus

he's the source of my hope and rest

the fount of all my relief

and though i live with this thorn in my flesh

he has given

grace beyond my need

sometimes i seek

my own remedy

in hopes to cure what ails this fool

but the end result

is just like pouring salt

on all my self-inflicted wounds

then i fall down on my knees

and turn to my lord and cry for relief

 that's when i know that this thorn remains

to remind me to trust and lean on his grace

chorus

i know that this thorn remains

to teach me to trust and lean on his grace

The Man Who Drove The Nail

words & music by Stephen Bautista

if I were there

standing by Jesus' side

would I be bold enough

to go against the bitter tide

would I speak out

willingly plead his case

defend him to the end

from the angry crowds he faced

chorus I

would I run to his rescue

would I come to save the day

would I run out in his defense

and stand in the crowds way

would I hold to my convictions

even if I was assailed

or am I really that much different at all

than the man who drove the nail

so here I am

standing by Jesus' side

will I be bold enough

to go against the bitter tide

will I speak out

willingly plead his case

defend him to the end

from the angry crowds I'll face

chorus II

will I run to his rescue

will I come to save the day

will I run out in his defense

and stand in the crowds way

will I hold to my convictions

even if I am assailed

or am I really that much different at all

than the man who drove the nail

bridge

everytime I stand in silence

and fail to come to his defense

it's as if mine were the very hands that

drove the nails through him

chorus III

that's why he ran to my rescue

and came to save the day

Suddenly

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I recall

from the lessons of the past

the story of the prodigal

and the plight he had

and here i am

with a life that's much the same

I’ve wandered off and squandered all my father gave

alone, i cry to him for mercy

expecting just some meager crumbs

Chorus

suddenly he wraps his arms around me

joyously proclaiming that his son is home

suddenly his forgiving love surrounds me

and now i'm not alone

you'd think i'd learn

from the message of this song

that being by my father is where i belong

but once again

I wandered far away

thinking that i'm better off when i'm living my own way

alone i cry to him for mercy

expecting just some meager crumbs

Chorus

Bridge

lured by the quest to chase the world's desires

I strike out on my own

but by his grace he leads me back to home

I Finally Know Who You Are

words & music by Stephen Bautista

I used to think that you were nothing more

Than a mythical deity

Or a distant god that lived so far away

Wanting nothing to do with me

Caught up in the world's point of view

Perpetually blind and confused

And constantly questioning

Just who you are

Then I saw the light and there you were

Standing right here in front of me

Revealing all the wonders that you are

That I once could never see

You gave me a whole new insight

That opened my mind so that I

Am no longer questioning

Just who you are

Chorus:

You are the creator

Who's big enough to hold every star

You are the savior

Who's small enough to live in my heart

The friend of a sinner

Who hung upon a cross

And healed the deepest of scars

Now I have no doubt

I finally know who you are

You gave me a whole new insight

That opened my mind so that I

Am no longer questioning

Just who you are

Trying To Catch The Wind

words & music by Stephen Bautista

my thoughts race on 

through a never ending maze

trying to get mind around

all your wondrous ways

but struggling to figure out

the mysteries of your plans

and finding that i can't grasp

what's firmly in your hands

Chorus

i'm out of my element

i'm way out of my league

when i try in vain to comprehend

the things i can't conceive

it's too much to fit in this little mind

i wouldn't know where to begin

trying to understand

your wondrous ways is like

trying to catch the wind

my mind takes off

on an intellectual whim

intent on reasoning through

how i was saved from sin

the cross the blood the death

and how it makes me new

but lost in my feeble thoughts

i'm left to trust in you

A Brand New Day

words & music by Stephen Bautista

it's 6 AM I stumble out of bed

a cup of joe to help me clear my head

then I'm off and soon I'll be back to the daily grind

but I won't fret no I won't complain

despite this rat race I run everyday

cause Jesus lives God's in control and it's good to be alive

Chorus

rejoice the sun is a shinin'

rejoice my spirit is flyin'

rejoice cause I have been given

a brand new day

the kids are sick the house is a mess

the yard has weeds clear up to my chest

the list goes on and sometimes I get a little overwhelmed

but I won't fret no I won't be annoyed

I'll live my life reflecting the joy

that comes from sailing through everyday with my savior at the helm

Chorus

Bridge

the light of dawn brings with it a fresh new ray of hope

and twenty four new opportunities that I can serve my Lord