Lyrics

  • I’m Home
  • A Wondrous Journey
  • He Provides
  • A Childlike Faith
  • Abandon
I’m Home

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

A Wondrous Journey

A Wondrous Journey

words & music by Stephen Bautista


Little sleeping babe

Lying in a bed of hay

Amidst the sounds of a mother’s lullaby

But there’s more to this sweet scene

Than most mere mortal eyes could glean

To know this was no ordinary child


Chorus:

This little baby had traveled so far

From glories out beyond yonder star

Trading his crown for the lowliest birth

To become the one true hope on earth

Sent here to set the captives free

This babe was on a wondrous journey


True god, king of kings

The mighty one who made all things

Took on flesh as a little humble babe

It was all part of his great plan

To save the souls of fallen man

And win for us the victory o’r the grave


Chorus:

This little baby had traveled so far

From glories out beyond yonder star

Trading his crown for the lowliest birth

To become the one true hope on earth

Sent here to set the captives free

This babe was on a wondrous journey



Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel


Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!


Oh, come O Root of Jesse free,

Your own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of hell your people save;

And bring them in vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!


Oh, come, Oh come Emmanuel

Oh, come Emmanuel

Oh, come Emmanuel


Oh, come, O Key of David, come,

And open wide our heav’nly home;

Make safe the way that leads to thee

And close the path to misery.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to you, O Israel!


Oh, come, Oh come Emmanuel

Oh, come Emmanuel

Oh, come Emmanuel

Oh, come Emmanuel



What A Night That Must Have Been

words & music by Stephen Bautista


A peaceful night and starry skies

Were all we saw from earthly eyes

The night you came into our midst

But I wonder what that night was like

On the other side of heaven’s light

When you embarked for your visit


I’d imagine giving up your throne

Wasn’t just business as usual

Or another ordinary day

Did you have a grand send-off by chance

Complete with pomp and circumstance

Where all the souls of heaven came?


Chorus:

When you laid your crown down on your throne

Did you walk out on the streets of gold

Where the angels lined up to bid farewell?

Did they cheer as you went through the gate

To reverse the course of mankind’s fate?

Were they solemn as you began your earthly dwell

From the annals of what goes on in heaven?

What a night that must of been


In the moments before you arrived

Did your kingdom really come alive

With a flurry of activity?

Were the final orders then conveyed

To initiate the plans you made

At the dawning of all history?


Chorus


Were the patriarchs all gathered there

Intently watching you prepare

To bare the task that they foretold?

Did they stand in awe and contemplate

That you’d leave behind your royal place

To save a world of fallen souls?



Angels We Have Heard on High


Angels we have heard on high

Sweetly singing o’er the plain

And the mountains in reply

Echoing their joyous strain


Chorus:

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!

Gloria, in excelsis Deo!


Shepherds, why this jubilee?

Why your joyous strains prolong?

What the gladsome tidings be?

Which inspire your heavenly songs?


Chorus:


Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria

In excelsis Deo


Come to Bethlehem and see

Christ Whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee,

Christ, the Lord, the newborn King


Chorus:


Solo:

Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria

In excelsis Deo



Who Would’ve Thought

words & music by Stephen Bautista


Who would’ve thought that this tiny babe

So fine and delicate and humbly made

Would one day be called to suffer for all?

Who would’ve thought that our Savior would be so small?


Who would’ve thought an infant so pure

A babe born of innocence would one day endure

The darkness and depth of our guilt and shame?

Who would’ve thought this sweet baby would take the blame?


And who would’ve thought this precious child

Would one day be scorned and so reviled?

Who would’ve thought he’d bare such misery?


Who would’ve thought from this quiet night

A newly born baby so filled up with life

Would one day be pierced and nailed to a tree?

Who would’ve thought that this baby would die for me?


Who would’ve thought as peaceful, he lay

He’d be cradled again by his mother someday

Then lifeless and cold, he’d be laid in a tomb

So far away from the warmth of his dear mother’s womb?


And who would’ve thought he’d rise again

And conquer death and wash all sin?

Who would’ve thought this babe would set up free?


Who would’ve that this humble babe

Would fulfill the promise the father has made?

Who would’ve thought a child so small

Would be the Redeemer and Savior of all?

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen


God rest ye merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay,

Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day;

To save us all from Satan’s power 

when we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy!


From God our heavenly Father a blessed angel came;

And unto certain shepherds brought tiding of the same;

How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name.

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy!


”Fear not, then,” said the angel, “Let nothing you affright;

This day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright,

To free all those who trust in him from Satan’s power and might. “

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,

O tidings of comfort and joy!


Joy joy joy comfort and joy joy joy…

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen


Oh glad tidings of great joy

good tidings of comfort and joy


Now to the Lord sing praises, all you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas doth bring redeeming grace

O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy, joy, joy

Tidings of comfort and joy


Joy joy joy comfort and joy joy joy…

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen



Silent Night


Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace


Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing “Alleluia”!

Christ, the Savior is born

Christ, the Savior is born


Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love’s pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth



It Must Be Christmas

words & music by Stephen Bautista


The neighbors are creating

A magical winter scene

With sparkling lights on the eaves

It must be Christmas


They’re getting that festive mood

Playing old Christmas tunes

Indulging in party foods

It must be Christmas


Chorus

But how can it be Christmas

With no mention of jesus

And how he was heaven sent

That holy night

How can it be Christmas

When we just focus on us

How can it be Christmas

Without Christ


I see the black friday sales

Offering smokin’ deals

With prices below wholesale

It must be Christmas


The kids in the crowded mall

Are waiting for santa claus

To tell him just what they want

It must be Christmas


Chorus

But how can it be Christmas

With no mention of jesus

And how he was heaven sent

That holy night

How can it be Christmas

When we just focus on us

How can it be Christmas

Without Christ


Instrumental


Chorus 


Can it still be Christmas

Without Christ



Ha La Lelujah

words & music by Stephen Bautista


From heav’n God looked down

And saw our broken lives shattered on the ground

Then he answered the call

To pick up the pieces from our great fall

He came in humbled state

A little below the angels he made

To a place dark and cold

To fulfill the promise made long ago


Chorus:

And we sing hallelujah to the newborn king

The bright star of heav’n, the hope of the redeemed

Lift up your voice and let it ring

Singing hallelujah to the newborn king

Ha la la la la la lelujah

Ha la la la la la lelujah


Shepherds gathered there

Underneath a bright star shone in the air

Wise men bearing gifts

Stood in awe and wonder gazing at him

They saw the tiny hands

That one day would be pierced for the sins of man

They looked at little feet

That someday he’d stand on in sweet victory


Chorus:


Now we’re safe and secure

Spared from the harsh fate we all deserve

Because God surely came

On a cold, starry night as a tiny babe



The Sweetest Dream of All

words & music by Stephen Bautista


Colored lights are glowing through the window pane

’Tis the night before that most wonderful day

Lay your head and slumber, let the sandman come

Soon when you awake it will be Christmas morn’


Chorus:

Close your eyes and let those dreams dance inside your head

And take you out beneath the brightest star

Where you can gaze upon a child in a manger bed

And dream the sweetest dream of all


Dream of how a baby lying peacefully

Humble though he looked was God the Almighty

Dream of how he came here to our fallen world

To become the savior for the undeserved


Chorus:


‘Though this night may find you giddy and wide-eyed

Wondering what awaits beneath the bows and twine

I pray you will know this baby in your dreams

Is the greatest gift you ever could receive

 

Chorus:


Dream the sweetest dream of all

He Provides

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

A Childlike Faith

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

Abandon

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

discography

About Stephen Bautista Music

Stephen Bautista Music is a Christian music ministry that seeks to enlighten the lost and encourage the found with original, Christ-centered music. Listeners enthusiastically describe their music as very relatable, moving, thought-provoking, and with a clear Gospel message.

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