Whether or not you've heard this song before or fight tenaciously for the altered/unaltered lyrics of this song in a worship context, the story behind John Mark McMillan's "How He Loves Us" is a powerful one about a un-romanticized, raw depiction of God's love for each and every one of us.
This seemed liked a great video to share following Easter Sunday, I hope you find it a blessing as well.
How He Loves
By: John Mark McMillan
Verse 1:
He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
Pre-Chorus:
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
Chorus 1:
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Verse 2:
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
Chorus 2:
He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
Verse 3:
Well, I thought about You the day Steven died,
And You met me between my breaking.
I know that I still love You, God, despite the agony.
...They want to tell me You're cruel,
But if Stephen could sing, he'd say it's not true, cause...
Chorus 3:
Cause He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves us.
Whoa! how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves us,
Whoa! how He loves.
All right folks, this is what love is: In celebration of my 30th birthday, Taryn and I drove up to The Clam Box in Ipswich, MA and gorged ourselves on delicious, golden-fried seafood (pictures to come in a future post). On the way back, we swung by the only Toys 'R Us near Boston where she picked up something very special for me...
...a Transformers Masterpiece Grimlock. For those not in the know, he's a giant robot that transforms into a Tyrannosaurus Rex. How does that let him hide from the humans you ask? That question is irrelevant to this man-child.
Yes, I'm still a ten-year-old and my wife not only accepts some of these left-over hobbies, but indulges me in them. THANK YOU JESUS for creating her and making her such an important and integral part of my life!
Verse 1
You are good You are good
When there’s nothing good in me
You are love You are love
On display for all to see
You are light You are light
When the darkness closes in
You are hope You are hope
You have covered all my sin
Verse 2
You are peace You are peace
When my fear is crippling
You are true You are true
Even in my wandering
You are joy You are joy
You’re the reason that I sing
You are life You are life
In You death has lost it’s sting
Chorus
Oh I’m running to Your arms
I’m running to Your arms
The riches of Your love
Will always be enough
Nothing compares to Your embrace
Light of the world forever reign
Verse 3
You are more You are more
Than my words will ever say
You are Lord You are Lord
All creation will proclaim
You are here You are here
In Your presence I’m made whole
You are God You are God
Of all else I’m letting go
Bridge
My heart will sing
No other Name
Jesus
Jesus
A few entries back I mentioned this great collaboration between John Mayer and Keith Urban, so I thought the very least I could do was share a clip with everyone. In "Perfectly Lonely", I love the juxtaposition of such a happy sounding song and melody, with what could be some very sad lyrics. It's a toss up between a celebration of singleness versus words I could imagine someone saying to themselves when trying to get through a recent break-up.
Lyrics:
Had a little love but I spread it thin
Falling in her arms and out again
Made a bad name for my game round town
Tore out my heart and shut it down
PRE-CHORUS
Nothing to do, nowhere to be
A simple little a kind of free
Nothing to do, no one but me
That's is all I need
CHORUS
I'm perfectly lonely
I'm perfectly lonely
I'm perfectly lonely, yeah
Cause I don't belong to anyone
Nobody belongs to me
I see my friends around from time to time
When their ladies let em slip away
And when they ask me how I'm doing with mine
This is always what I say ...
PRE-CHORUS
Nothing to do, nowhere to be
A simple little kind of free
Nothing to do, no one to be
Is it really hard to see?
CHORUS
I'm perfectly lonely
I'm perfectly lonely
I'm perfectly lonely, yeah
Cause I don't belong to anyone
Nobody belongs to me
And this is not to say
There never comes a day
I'll take my chances and start again
And when I look behind
On all my younger times
I'll have to thank the wrongs
That led me to a love so strong
CHORUS
I'm perfectly lonely
I'm perfectly lonely
I'm perfectly lonely, yeah
Cause I don't belong to anyone
And nobody belongs --
That's the way, that's the way
That's the way that I want it
That's the way, that's the way
That's the way that I want it
That's the way, that's the way
That's the way that I want it
That's the way, that's the way
That's the way that I want it
This is one of my favorite worship songs since I first heard it back in 2009. My wife and I even included it in our wedding ceremony during the light of the unity candle and honoring of the parents portion of the program.
While I first heard and came to love the Starfield version, this song is originally written by Ben Cantelon. I went and ahead and included his recording of the song below:
Remain
By: Ben Cantelon
Verse 1
Defender of this heart
You loved me from the start
You never change
Through the highs and lows
As seasons come and go
You never fail
Pre-chorus
Day after day
Your love will remain
Faithful and true
You are good
Chorus
You are God with us
You're victorious
You are strong and mighty to save
For Your word stands true
There is none like You
And when all else fades
You remain
Verse 2
When troubles come my way
You guide and You sustain
Lead me, I pray
Forever You will be
The great eternal King
Now and always
Paris (Ooh La La)
By: Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
A fun song, oozing the mojo of 70's-style rock. What's funnier is if you search for any of their older material, its very folksy, singer-songwriter, but still showcases some amazing vocals.
Love Came Down By: Ben Cantelon Though this song has apparently been around since 2006, I only came across it this past Fall. I particularly like the pre-chorus of this song and how it's a simple but powerful declaration during times of worship, whether alone or with your congregation.
For access to free chords and a whole library of contemporary worship songs, check outworshiptogether.com
Verse 1
When I call on Your Name You answer
When I fall You are there by my side
You delivered me out of darkness
Now I stand in the hope of new life
Pre-Chorus
By grace I'm free
You rescued me
All I am is Yours
Chorus
I've found a Love greater than life itself
I've found a Hope stronger and nothing compares
I once was lost now I'm alive in You
Verse 2
You're my God and my firm Foundation
It is You Whom I'll trust at all times
I give glory and praise adoration
To my Savior Who's seated on high
Bridge
(And) Love came down and rescued me
I thank You yes I thank You
I once was blind but now I see
I see You, I see You (Lord)
