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!

Bridge:
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!

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

Chorus:

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:

Bridge:
Gloria, gloria, gloria, gloria
In excelsis Deo

Instrumental:

Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King
Chorus:

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!

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

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

Chorus:

The Sweetest Dream of All
Words & music by stephen bautista

Colored lights are glowing through the window pane
’tis the night before the 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 wrap 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
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

Bridge
He faithfully sustains us
With his providence and love
And his grace runs like a deep river
Fully washing over us

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

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

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

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

Chorus 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

Chorus I

And I sing hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Safe and warm from the storm
Safe and warm from the storm

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

Bridge
Then one day these thoughts will be replaced
With a real live conversation
While we’re sitting face to face

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

Bridge
Don’t you know that it will never pay
(going solo)
Time to finally call on Jesus name

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

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

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

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

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

Chorus X2

You Never Did
words & music by Stephen Bautista

I never fully understood
why you agreed to save us
when you knew the price you had to pay
was pain beyond endurance
I know if I were in your shoes
I wouldn’t hesitate
to leave this world of fools

Chorus
but you never did
you never budged an inch
you never did
you never even flinched
you could’ve left us all
and wrote us off as a lost cause
but you never did

you freely took that heavy cross
when you could’ve easily left it
you let them pierce your mighty hands
when you had the power to stop them
you could’ve flown at lightning speed
when they challenged you
to come down off that tree

Chorus
but you never did
you never budged an inch
you never did
you never even flinched
you could’ve left us all
and wrote us off as a lost cause
but you never did

Bridge
you stuck through all the pain
and endured our guilt and shame
when you really could have left us
you really could have left us

Chorus
but you never did
you never budged an inch
you never did
you never even flinched
you could’ve left us all
and wrote us off as a lost cause
but you never did

you really could have left us
but you never did

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

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

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

Chorus

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

Chorus

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

Chorus X2

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 hovered 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

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

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
every time 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

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