UNSHAMED: This is about hiding emotional pain caused by shame due to past experience, yet, of course, with a sure hope. By the time you get to the end choruses, you hear the One who tells us that even our most inward and awful shame has been ultimately and eternally destroyed.  We truly are offered a freedom from the bondage of the "woe-is-me" syndrome, as well as our common "sin-secrecies" ...

It’s time for a change – are you within the sound of my voice?  Have you ever carried sweet lies deep within the cell of your heart, and thought, “Nobody knows what I’ve got here, and nobody knows what I hide from the Light.” 
How we try to distance ourselves from the Light and the horrors within.  We try, O, so many times, many times we try!, and maybe some opium will win … O, won’t you take me away to the place where the shame has no sway from the Truth, which never lies.  Yeah, we’ll walk from death to life.  We’re parting the Sea, we walk in between - we'll come to the shores of our life and we're home again!  
The mirror man, he says, “Hello, I’ve got some more poison for you.  Come, and listen to what I say; I won’t take you too far away from the Truth, which never lies; yeah, we’ll walk through death disguised.  Come on, just you and me (no one will see).  We’ll walk to the place where the shame dies … for a while.”  
Open your eyes - see how your shame has been killed alive and left in the Tomb.  See the Son rise, see how your pain has been borne in His side and left in the Tomb for your life … for your life!  
Yeah, the Truth, he never lies.  He’s walked through death unto life.  He’s walked through the Sea (death’s harmony), and He stands on the shores and says, “This is why I died!  To free you from your shame deep inside!  When you come unto Me, your burdens relieved, you come to the shores of My Light and you’re Home again …”  
It’s time for a change.  Are you within the sound of my voice?

TO GOD:  A prayer/question filled with wonder of what it must have been like for the Perfect to take on imperfection, the Pure to take on the impure, the Beautifil to take on the sleazy ... Truly, "it must have been sleazy" for the purest to know intimately - far more than I am aware - of the darkness and sin of my own heart.  I know my secret thoughts, even those which lead me in the "wrong direction". as it were.  Pealing back the layer of one's secrets can be frightening, for sure.

What was it like to hold a song in Your hand?  What was it like to be a real Man? 
I know it wasn’t easy to get me down here on my knees for Him.  
And what was it like to make the world with Your hands? And then what was it like to be a dead Man?  
I know it wasn’t so easy to save a wretch like me for Him. 
The Son will rise and that’s the end of my sin.  For once I’m in there’s no going back there again.  For once it’s finished “It is finished,” amen!  And now I know there’s no going back there again.  No. 
What was it like to hang there upon the Tree?  What was it like to bear the heart of me?  
I know it must have been sleazy to feel what crawls here inside of me.  But I know it was to redeem me; and so I want to know you more in Him. 
The Son will rise and that’s the end of my sin.  For once I’m in there’s no going back there again.  For once it’s finished “it is finished,’ amen! 
And now I know there’s no going back there again.  Amen.

NEEDS:  This song alludes to "the prodigal son" story (see The Gospel of Luke 15:11-31), however, it's my own personal sililoque: one which might represent us all if we are honest ... it's about me taking flight on the magic carpet of my own desires, only to realize the frustration, shame, and vanity of the life in which I've created ... the only robe of glory is not made by human hands.

Am I getting better waiting here for You?  I’ll write another letter, or I’ll sing a song to You.  With clipped wings I try, though it seems so vain to fly.  
And I can be lazy, and lay around this zoo.  And my eyes, they'll grow hazy when there’s nothing left to do.
O, I need something more to free me!  But no more, please, not these chains here to deceive me!  
Didn’t I always speak the truth?  Concerned for everyone, everyone but You; and looked so polished to everyone I’d meet.  “Yeah, I’m the King’s son here (living on the street).”  
And I can be lazy and lay around this zoo.  And my eyes, they’ll grow hazy, when there’s nothing left to do.  O, I need something more to free me.  But, no more, please, not these chains here to deceive me!
With open arms You say, “Come to Me!  For in My Father’s house is everything you need.”  But, from my hands I’ve removed Your ring – betrothed to everyone and every little thing;
just so I can feel a little bit stronger.  Hmm?  Maybe live a bit longer; be a little bit higher, while I’m on fire.  
O, I need Someone more to free me, ‘cause I can’t break free from these chains that have deceived me.  Three nails to kill Thee – three nails to set me free!  Three nails to kill Thee – here nails to set me free.
Look to the mountain tops and being out your best robe.  Run out to meet Your son, for he’s returned home …

ANGRY:  It's basically a shot at the popular assumption that our anger issues are due to circumstances, the people we live with, or even because something happened to us when we were young.  The truth is, we get angry because anger lives within us - we vent our anger, not because someone "made me" angry", but rather the circumstance invited our sin to come out of us - did we need to vent it?  Adn when we're in a relationship and can't "get our own way", what's teh response?  "Now, I'm angry at you."  Well, whoopie do.

What makes the colors red?  What makes me out of my head?  Something that you said about my heart.  I only want to fill my desire and feed the insatiable fire, but then you want to come along and take away all I want. 
When all I want is lollipops and sunshine – all of the day and all of the time.  But then you tell me I can’t have my way?  Now I’m angry. 
Was it something my daddy did? (nanny boo) Or, something my teachers said? (coming after you) – all I know is I blame everyone for how I am.  So, you won’t have to guess why my face wears such a scowl.
Because all I wanted was lollipops and sunshine all the day and all of the time.  But then you tell me that I can’t have my way!  Now I am angry – I’m angry at you.  
Well, someone would like to shine the light on my heart?  Don’t you knw that is the worst place to start?  But when chocolates, roses, and “sorry” just don’t cut it anymore, what you need to do is forget yourself and climb aboard – then I’ll feel adored!  Then we would never have to argue again; and the whole world would work according to my plan.  Oh, yes – if I was God, I’d surely have my way … I’d even make the work-week only three days.  But, it’s not my world.  
If you just get out of my way, then I could be God for a day, and everything in my life would be a-o-k.  
But, you don’t like my lollipops and sunshine.  Ah, you’re just a pain in my eye.  And soon you’ll come and tell me that I can’t have me way.  You look out! ‘Cause, I’m … I’m … I’m angry.  Oh, I’m angry at you.  
Whoa, whoa, whoa is we ….

SOMETHING TO SEE:  Inspired by the book, "A Pligrim's Progress" (and Daniel's prophecy), it's sort of a vignet of my life life - I remember how important the revealed Word of God is, especially when confronted with the very things in life that cause me to stray.  It is a light to my feet, as it shows me exactly where I stand before Him in the world; it's a lamp to my path as it illuminates the correct road upon which I need to travel and to not stray off to the left or right, where the Light does not shine - Oh!, but the sideshows along the road: that circus of fleshy indulgences!  What rest they claim to offer!  What fulfillment and satisfaction they sell to me!  Unlike the satiations, God's Word endures forever.

Your Word is a Light and a Lamp to my feet.  It shows me who I am, where I need to go, what I need to be. 
You say, “Come on, boy, there’s something to see – when I get you down here on your knees …” 
When I walk down that highway, O, it’s just you I need.  But, the sideshows of the world, they tell me how much they’re in love with me. 
You say, “Come on, boy, there’s more here to see when I get you down here on your knees, to shed all your pride and believe …” 
There’s a Heaven for me; I’m gonna’ shed all my pride ‘til I’m self-denied and I’m free! 
O, I saw there a vision I the night a statue of me where I died and died and I died – crushed by a Rock far greater than me.  
I was swept away by the Sea, until Your Word breathed deep in me and built me higher and higher and higher (build me!) higher and higher and higher …. 
Your Word is a Light and a Lamp to my feet.  O, it shows me who I am and where I need to go, what I need to be. 
You say, “Come on, boy, there’s more here to see – when I get you down here on your knees … to shed all your pride and believe …” 
There’s a Heaven for me!  I’m gonna’ shed all my pride ‘til I’m self-denied and I’m free, yea; there’s a heaven for me! 
I’ve seen the end of Your Word and I know, it (indeed) endures.  
Build me higher and higher and higher (build me!) higher and higher and higher (Oh) higher and higher and higher.

HIDE ME:  A simple prayer to be hidden from myself.  The Bible uses the metaphor of God being a "high tower", a "place of refuge".  The reality of such themes is that when in trouble, we need not go running up some "hill of personal struggle" to our "high tower" - that's because we are already in Him.  The Christian is in Christ, which means that he/she is no longer outside of His grace and love.  For me, having a hightened awareness of my own sin (an awareness I often wish I did not have), I tend to "drown" such awrenesses away - only increasing the misery of my own temporal hell.  So then, I pray to and communicate with my Creator, who rescues me from myself.  When I ask Him to "hide me", I'm asking Him to hide me from myself in Him.

Pray for me tonight, I’m alone in the world without a fight.  And I need an Intercessor to take away the fears I possess so well. 
Hide me, O Lord.  Hide me.  
And all the material things I long to hide myself within.  Six-feet under I live as I take a refuge in my destruction.  And I think it’s swell living here in my own hell, but, my God, there’s got to be a better place for me to dwell!  
O Lord, hide me.  O Lord, hide me. 
Like a child I hide behind my hands as I wonder, “Does anybody see me here?” 
And how I need a Friend who’s been to the places I have been – who knows what it’s like to suffer without and within.  Yet, One without sin, who help me begin again, and stop me before I go running out of that door again. 
I pray, Hide me, O Lord, hide me. 
And like a child I hide behind my hands as I wonder, “Does anybody see me here?” 
Although alone I fear, I wait for You. 
O, pray for me tonight; I’m alone in this world without a fight.
And I need that Intercessor to take away the fears I posses so well.

ENVY:  Inspired by Pslam 73, it's a frustration to watch the ungodly succeed and prosper through wikcedness and self-indulgence - particularly in vocations or lifestyles that are so desireable even for the godly (sometimes, even more so for the godly as the "do not touch, do not handle" sign hangs before us).  Although there's a sense of envy, like the psalm, the writer remembers the full end, the eternal end of the ungodly ...

I’ve seen your wryly smile, your pursed out lips, so versatile.  You’re just the epitome of style. 
O, you’re a superstar, you take life just too far, and no consequence befalls you! 
Why can’t I be like you, doing all the things you like to do? I could envy all your ways, but then I remember the end of your days.  
You strut around like a lion, exalting all your pride – it’s the necklace that you wear.  
“How can God know?” you say.  “It doesn’t matter anyway, because everyone is bowing down to me!” 
Why can’t I be like you, doing all the things you like to do?  I could envy all your ways, but then I remember the end of your days. 
Up, down, and all around, the devil delights in you.  
Shallow fears and deafened ears, there’s nothing left to harm you.  
Pierced lips, so shaggy-hip.  Your tattoos only murder you. 
And you don’t know the things I know about you.  Oh, you, Mr. Hair-do, your glory won’t last forever.  
But, you’re a superstar in your big blue car – open bar, spoiled caviar. 
And me?  I know the end of your days – do you? 
Well, I’ve heard the song you sing – how you’re the exalted king.  Aren’t you just the god of your own world! 
Well, take a look at the street there crumbling beneath your feet.  The whole world is about to swallow you.  
Why can’t I be like you, doing all the things you like to do?  Well, I could envy all your ways, then I remember the end of your days. 
Up, down, and all around – the devil delights in you. 
Shallow fears and deafened ears, there’s nothing left to harm you. 
Pierced lips, so shaggy-hip.  Your tattoos only murder you. 
And you, you don’t know how long I’ve wished to tell you, that your end, my friend, is coming like lightning. 
But, you’re a superstar in your big blue car – open bar, spoiled caviar. 
And me?  I know the end of your days – do you?  
In the end, my spoiled friend, did you ever really like caviar? 
You, Mr. Tattoos: you know they won’t last forever. 
But look into the sky and see: 
He’s coming for you.  
Oh, He … 
... your Maker knows your name.

LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACE:  In short, it's a message to those who either expect to find perfection and god-like attributes in their spouse, or those who have been sadly "surprised" to discover that the person they married isn't "all that and a bag of chips" ... but rather, more like "a little of 'that' and a sack of potatoes that still needs to be peeled and cooked."  Basically, if you're looking for God in your spouse, you're looking in the wrong place ...

To those who try to find a god in-love: I’m here to tell you, my friend, a hard truth. 
It’s like trying to find light in darkness where even a shadow is too bright for you.
That's my message to you. 
All by yourself, you’d go and paint your whole room blue. 
But forget it not, love – it’s over now for you.  
To those who try to find life in death, well, I’m here to tell you, my friend, a hard, hard truth.  It’s like beating your head against a wall and waiting for it to respond to you.  
And that’s my message to you.  
And all by yourself, you’d go and paint your whole room blue. 
But forget it not, love, that it’s over now – it’s over now for you.  
To those who try to find a god in their spouse, well, 
I’m here to tell you, my friend, only doom.  
And the reason it hurts and hates and frustrates is because you’re joined to someone  ... you’re joined to someone like you!  
All by yourself, you’d go and paint your whole room blue.  
Well, forget it not, love, that it’s over now, yeah, it’s over now for you.

THE SONG I SING:  A short "story" of some very familiar people ... a hodge-podge type song.  And although I say in jest that not everything in life needs to be put to song, this song is a sort of tribute to Johnny Cash - a man wholived life in every aspect and certainly sang about it  ...

There was a boy who thought he was fancy – thought he’d go out and take some chances and see the world without seeing God.  
The only thing he could see was a life so obscene and all of his ugly dreams came to an end.  
There was a girl who thought she sung well.  She thought she’d go out and sing and tell about the things that live inside her heart.  
But the only thing she could sing from the wicked heart she’d bring was indicative of her life and if her death.  
I’ve seen some things here in my life.  And, I’ve done some things I know I’ll never sing about.  
But, the one thing I would sing – to the glory of my King – is how he saved me from my sins before the end.  
A boy and a girl started romancing - they thought they’d go out and do some “dancing” when they forgot just who their God was.  
Then the next thing that they seen was a little baby scream – and they figured they should repent before the end. 
Well, I’ve seen some things here in my life (Oh, that’s for sure!),  and I’ve done some of those things, and I know I’ll never sing about’em.  
But, the one thing I would sing 0 to the glory of my King – is how He saved me from my sins – yeah, He rescued me from death!  
And, He gave HIs own life up for me before the end! 

That’s the shamma-lamma –ding-dong-bing-dang. (I'm not quite sure what that was about ...)