Yet Still

I was born in the world
And sin filled my life
The Devil was lord,
Yet still
God sent Christ.

Though His child through Christ’s blood
I clung still to some
Old “pleasures” in sin
Yet still
Christ called, “come.”

Like a sheep I rebelled
From the Shepherd away
Disobedient I wandered
Yet still
Jesus stayed.

All alone in the desert
All my pride disappeared.
I had failed, but forgiven.
Yet still
Christ was there.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 25, 2007
All rights reserved.

What I Can Do in Thee

Who art thou who is afraid;
My child, why fearest Thee?
For even I, the Lord, Thy God,
Is He that comforts Thee,
Is He that comforts Thee.

Ye need not fear a host by night
A mite of harm by day.
For I, the Lord, am Thy Defense
Thy Everlasting Stay,
Thy Everlasting Stay.

I am the God that teachest Thee
In the ways Thou shouldest go.
And if Ye hearken unto me
I’ll wash you white as snow,
I’ll wash you white as snow.

If Thou shalt walk within my ways
And make My plans your choice.
In my righteousness and in My name
Shalt Thou evermore rejoice,
Shalt Thou evermore rejoice.


Opt. tune: While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
Based on Is. 48:17, Is.51:12, Ps. 89:15-16, 18, 20, Ps. 91
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 23, 2007
All rights reserved.

Nothing, no Nothing

I am persuaded, yea, this I know:
Jesus is with me where ever I go.
Since He has washed me in Calv’ry’s flow
I have the vict’ry o’er all of my foes.

Chorus:
Nothing, no nothing, shall separate me
From Jesus Christ and His love full and free.
Safe in His love and secured by His grace.
Through Him, I conquer whatever I face.

I am persuaded, as in Him I hide
Trusting in Jesus to lead me and guide:
Whate’er befall me, still He is beside;
As He in me and I in Him abide.

I am persuaded, this promise I claim
Through the full power of Jesus’ name:
Though still I fail, He is always the same –
Still He forgives me and takes all my shame.

I am persuaded, not depth and not height,
Not tribulations, distress, death or life,
No other creature, no matter the might,
Ever shall hide me from my Savior’s sight.



Opt. tune: Moment by Moment
Based on Rom. 8:35-39
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, March 11, 2007
All rights reserved.

Surely I Come Quickly

Surely I come quickly
The rapture draweth nigh.
My child, are you preparing
To meet me in the sky?

Surely I come quickly,
Are you putting off my grace?
Have you grasped my full salvation
And reserved a heav’nly place?

Surely I come quickly,
Have you given all you hath
So that when in clouds returning
Find I you in narrow paths?

Surely I come quickly.
Are you praying, always, e’er?
Are you giving thanks, rejoicing?
My salvation; will you share?

Surely I come quickly.
Do you from evil abstain,
Yea, from even such appearance?
Are you living without blame?

Surely I come quickly.
Soon the trumpet shall resound.
Will you in ways of wickedness
Or righteousness be found?

Surely I come quickly.
Do you know me as you should?
Do you know that if I chose to come
At noon today I could?

Surely I come quickly.
I, for whom your soul so cared
That I died upon the cross. Child –
Will you be prepared?

Based on I Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-24, I Peter 4:13-18, Rev. 1:3, 22:7, John 3:16
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 11, 2007
All rights reserved.

In the Secret of Thy Presence

In the secret of Thy presence Thou hast hid me.
How great Thy goodness unto me!
In the secret places Thou hast kept me safely
Thou hast heard me when I’ve cried to Thee.
Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant.
Lead and guide me with the Shepherd’s rod.
For in Thee I’ve put my all, my being,
And my trust; I’ve said, “Thou art my God.”

In the secret of Thy presence Thou hast hid me.
I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.
I rejoice, I am glad in all Thy mercies
Of Thy name forever will I sing.
When my heart is overwhelmed within me
Lead me to the Rock higher than I.
Thou hast been my Shelter and my Tower,
My Fortress, to which I quickly fly.

In the secret of Thy presence Thou hast hid me.
In Thy shadow, Lord Almighty, I abide.
I shall not be afraid of tens of thousands
For I know Thou art always by my side.
Thou, the Lord, preserveth me from evil
Encompassing me by night and day.
In the secret of Thy presence Thou hast hid me
Satisfied, forever here I’ll stay.


Based on Psalm 31, 61, 91, 121
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 10, 2007
All rights reserved.
Opt. tune: Day by Day

A Sheep of Yours Needs Carrying

A sheep of Yours needs carrying,
Lord, today was really rough.
The path was bumpy, rocky
Making going forward tough.

A sheep of Yours needs carrying,
Lord, all alone I feel.
Yet all the bruises of the day
I know Your hand can heal.

A sheep of Yours needs carrying.
A wolf, a bear, lurks near.
I struggle with temptation
But my bleating soul You hear.

A sheep of Yours needs carrying.
I have no strength at all.
Shepherd, lift me in Your hands
And nigh unto me draw!

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, February 9, 2007
All rights reserved.

I Pitched My Tent

I pitched my tent toward heaven.
My eyes were on the cross.
My constant prayer was “Lord, refine
My heart from sinful dross.”
I stood against temptation
And sought my Savior’s face.
But something happened then
That has brought me to this place.

I pitched my tent toward “Sodom”
The world my eyes had sought.
I compromised, then tried to pray
Yet, repentance I had naught.
I yielded to temptation
And sought the things of sin.
But something happened then
And I cried to God again.

I pitch my tent toward heaven.
My eyes are on my God.
I’m standing on the mountain top
Instead of sinking sod.
I stand against temptation,
I seek my Lord again.
I will not look back, only flee,
And set my heart on Him.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, January 21, 2007
All rights reserved.

Here I Wait

Here I wait – beneath my Savior’s gaze.
He watches o’er me day and night.
He sheds upon my path His light
And leads me in His ways.

As I wait – I hear Him softly speak:
“Alone in My Sufficientness
And in My love and peace, Child, rest.
For I AM what you seek.”

While I wait – I muse on times now past.
My God was always there.
To Him I yielded every care.
Each burden on Him cast.

Still I wait – I know He is not late.
I lay down my desires, plans,
That I might be His loving hands;
Though working – here I wait.


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, January 15, 2007
All rights reserved.

I Spent Today…

I spent today with Jesus,
And it was a blessed day.
The path grows ever sweeter
While upon the narrow way.

I spent today with Jesus
All my sadness did depart.
And I found myself rejoicing
For Jesus ruled my heart.

I spent today with Jesus
When temptations came my way.
I clung fast to Christ-bought vict’ry
And to Satan answered ‘nay.’

I spent today with Jesus
Looking up into His face.
I felt His smile upon me
Full of mercy, love, and grace.

I spent today with Jesus
Sought to please my Lord alone.
As I joyed in the assurance
That I was His very own.

I spent today with Jesus
His pleasure: my delight.
Praying earnestly each moment
That I would choose the right.

I spent today with Jesus
When others ‘stepped’ on me
I cried to Him for patience
To respond to them kindly.

I spent today with Jesus
When emotions tried to reign
I turned my heart to Jesus
And I cried upon His name.

I spent today with Jesus
And found all that I had sought.
And of all the things I pondered
Jesus was my sweetest thought.

I spent today with Jesus
May my message one day be:
“I spent my life with Jesus,
Now I’ll spend eternity!”

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, November 25, 2006
All rights reserved.

Lonely No Longer

I once walked alone, down roads of this world
I knew not of Christ and His word.
But praise be to Him
He took all my sin
And He filled my heart with His joy.

Chorus:
Lonely, lonely no longer,
For Jesus walks close to my side.
Faithful to the end
My heavenly friend
And He fills my heart with His joy.


I still sought the praise of those that I knew
But friends that are faithful are few.
Yet Jesus was there
I knew that He cared
And He filled my heart with His joy.

I’ve chosen to joy in all of my life
For I have a friend – Jesus Christ.
Though foes may assail
And though friends may fail
Still He fills my heart with His joy.

Opt. Tune: Calvary Covers it All


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 26, 2006
All rights reserved.

He My Mountain

I flee as a bird to my Mountain
I put all my trust in my God.
In low lands the Devil would snare me
To wander and sink in sin’s sod.
But Jesus so lovingly draws me
To places of safety and calm.
In places of rest and assurance
My soul finds an infinite balm.

I flee as a bird to my Mountain
With Jesus how shall my soul fear?
Though Satan would boast the world’s pleasures
The vict’ry is mine with Christ near.
Though others would mock and would try me
I seek my acceptance from Him
Who bought me and freed me on Calv’ry:
My Rock and My Mountain. Amen!


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 24, 2006
All rights reserved.

I Need Jesus

I need Jesus more each day
For my heart would go astray.
That I might all sin abhor
I need Jesus more and more.

Chorus:
Jesus, teach me day by day.
Lead me in Thy Truth and Way.
Vict’ry was at Calv’ry won.
I need Jesus Christ the Son.

I need Jesus, ev’ry hour;
He my Overcoming Power.
With Him I can reach the goal.
I need Jesus in my soul.

I need Jesus through the mire
He alone fills each desire.
Quietly I hear Him call:
“I will be thine All in All.”

I need Jesus ev’ry mile
May I walk beneath His smile,
His approval, not of men.
I need Jesus, still, again.

I need Jesus He my King
Of His worthy name I sing.
And this song of prayer I raise
I need Jesus all my days.”

Opt. tune: Simply Trusting
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 23, 2006
All rights reserved.

Rejoicing in Jesus!

Rejoicing in Jesus!





A close friend moves out of state. You get sick on Christmas. A friend has a miscarriage. You have a bad day where EVERYTHING goes wrong. The kitchen sink is so full of dishes that it is overflowing. And to top it all off, you have three Geometry lessons calling your name.

Although the above scenarios are quite varied in their difficulty, they normally all produce the same response from each one of us. A complaining spirit, a sigh and perhaps even a root of bitterness. If we are wise we turn to the Lord, and he whispers to us a single word: “rejoice.”

Rejoice?! We say. “Lord, I can’t rejoice in…” And yet our loving Father stays firm in His command. “Rejoice.”

How can we rejoice in all, obeying our Lord’s command to “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”? Let me exhort you, my friend, it is possible, by God’s grace. The Lord has been teaching me and leading me in this path of rejoicing, and though I am still learning, I feel as if He would have me pass on the wonderful truths and joys I have found in rejoicing in Jesus.

One day right after my two closest friends had moved away, I got into a conversation with my friend, Mrs. Booth, about it at church. I was discouraged and lonely, yet Mrs. Booth encouraged me to JOY in my Savoir, even though I did not know what He was trying to teach me. Little did I know, that one of the main things that God was trying to teach me was … REJOICING!

Through the past few years, one of the main things I have struggled with is how I could rejoice when I was sad. After a while, I decided to study the words: joy, happiness, rejoicing, etc. as they are used in the Psalms. During this word study I discovered that in America and the English language, we use the words joy and happiness interchangeably, but incorrectly. Happiness is a state of the emotions, easily changed by circumstances and surroundings. Joy is knowing (a state of the mind and will) that God is in control and choosing to believe it. When I am not happy about something does not mean that I cannot rejoice in it, rather that is precisely when I must rejoice. Rejoicing is a choice, yet it is a command. (Philippians 4:4, I Thes. 5:16) Rejoicing is an act of the will, emotions can only follow.

How many times do we pour out all our complaints at the throne of our Heavenly Father, not pausing to listen to His reassuring promises to help us perform all that He commands? If we would only listen and rest in our Lord, we could find true joy. It is there, patiently waiting, but how many of us are wiling to make the effort to reach out and take it? An evangelist that once visited our church made a very true statement. He said: “There is always a way of escape and there is always sufficient grace. When we sin, we are not accessing that grace.” Think about that for a moment.

These principals may seem simple and unimportant to some, but if one person and failed to rejoice, Jesus would have come to ransom him. Someone wise once said: “My only contribution to the plan of salvation was the sin that required it.” Even though I may not be happy about all that has happened or all that is happening right now in my life, I choose to believe that his way is perfect (Ps. 18:30) and rest in the knowledge of His love. Even when I get lonely for my friends who moved away, or when everything seems to go wrong all in one day, I must choose to thank the Lord for EVERYTHING, and JOY in Him.

Satan has a very large stronghold in Christians when we have “bad days”. Jesus Christ has died for us, ransomed us, and is now in heaven, waiting for us. This is exciting, friends! Instead of focusing on the negative, on the things that are going wrong, focus on Jesus and all the rich blessings that He has bestowed upon us all as His children. As Mrs. Booth once told me, “When I am rejoicing in Jesus, I can “throw a party” in the trial.” When Satan tries to steal your joy with a “bad” day or you find yourself in the midst of a trial, rejoice in Him, brethren! “Throw a party” for your God is greater than ANY problem!

Even in the little things, such as washing dishes or working a geometry problem, we are given daily opportunities that our heavenly Father lays before us, to see if we will obey His words and commands, to test our love for Him. Even though it is hard to remember to rejoice at times, the peace that goes hand in hand with choosing to rejoice is well worth it. And He is there to give the strength to press on!

Throughout all our lives as Christians, we must remember two precious words: He knows. Sad? He knows. Lonely? He knows. Depressed? He knows. Multiple temptations? He knows. The future? HE KNOWS! Praise our dear Lord! We can rejoice in all our ways!

The next time you are struggling with anything, big or small, talk to the Lord about it, bringing all in your heart before Him, and purposing to rejoice in your situation. He knows! You may not feel any better about it, but you will know in your heart that you are obeying the Lord and rejoicing in His perfect dealings with you. And in this, there is true joy.

May You be First

May You always be first in my heart.
May I always for You set apart.
May I from sin and from evil depart.
Lord, may You be first.

May You always be first in my soul.
May I yield all of “me” to Your control.
O Lamb of God, whose blood made me whole,
Lord, may You be first.

May Thou always be first in my mind.
Thoughts that are pure, that are just, that are kind,
These thoughts, not evil ones, always be mine.
Lord, may Thou be first.

May You always be first in my life.
Though Satan would tempt me in the battle strife
May others know that I follow Christ.
Lord may You be first.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 2, 2006
All rights reserved.

Teach Me to Cling

Teach me to cling, O Lord, to Thy word
That I might face trials resting assured
Lord, let the promise of sure vict’ry ring.
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling, O Lord to Thy Son.
Help me remember the vict’ry is won
And that I do not have to feel failure’s sting.
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling to Thy promise sweet
When Satan tempts me, I fall at Thy feet.
All my temptations teach me to bring.
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling though Satan would pull.
May I of Christ’s precious likeness be full.
This be my message – Christ is my King!
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!

Teach me to cling, O Lord, this my plea
That I might give all the glory to Thee.
O Lord through my life this song I shall sing:
Teach me to cling!
Teach me to cling!


Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 1, 2006
All rights reserved.

Leaving Me Behind

I planned out my future
And sought not Thy will.
And yet, I found mercy
In Thy eyes still.
You love, everlasting
Though I went astray.
But now, Lord, I leave me,
To follow Thy way.

I did what was right
In my sinful eyes.
And fell as a victim
To the Devil’s lies.
I sought not Thy face,
Sought only my own.
But now, Lord, I leave me
To serve you alone.

I did what I wanted
While farther apart
I moved from Thy Spirit
By my sinful heart.
But praise to Thy name
Thy mercy was mine!
So now, Lord, I leave me,
And myself behind.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, October 1, 2006
All rights reserved.

Alone with my Jesus

I come to my closet, alone with my Jesus
This is a need in my life day by day.
In quiet silence I hear His voice calling:
“Be still, My child, and know ye My way.”

Here in my closet, alone with my Jesus
Talking, engaging, and lending an ear.
Keeping my heart’s eyes on His face and promise
Leaving my doubts and my needs and my fears.

I come to my closet, alone with my Jesus
To be transformed by His mercy and grace.
More like my Jesus, He gives me His likeness,
When I come alone to a still, quiet place.

Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 17, 2006
All rights reserved.

With Songs of Deliverance

With songs of deliv’rance my Savior compasses
My soul round about in His mercy and grace.
My Strength in the battle I shall have the victory
When He is my Rock and my Hiding Place.

With songs of sure vict’ry His Spirit doth strengthen
My heart in the trouble, He hears ev’ry cry.
Though Satan would tempt me, I call unto Jesus
My Tower of Refuge, my Fortress in nigh.

With songs of assurance, my Comfort doth help me.
Why should I fear with my Jesus beside?
I shall not fear what men shall do unto me
Still I will trust Him to lead me and guide.

With songs of forgiveness, my Jesus doth cleanse me,
When I acknowledge my sin unto Him.
He breaks down each stronghold if I would but ask Him,
Renews me to serve Him in truth once again.

With songs of His blessing He teaches me daily
Instructing therein in the paths of His choice.
I trust in His holiness and wait for direction
Glad in His presence, my heart shall rejoice.

With songs of deliv’rance, my Savior compasses
My life round about. He is all that I need.
The vict’ry is sure for it was won on Calvary
In Him I am free, yes free, free, indeed!

Psalm 32: 8
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, September 13, 2006
All rights reserved.

The Cross

The Cross

Quinn Davis and Miriam Rainwater

June – August 2006

A precious promise tried and true

From God a gift for me and you.

On a hill t’was given free –

The tree.

Redemption from the stains of sin,

I’m turned around, I’m changed within.

Since I washed within the flood –

His blood.

I sought salvation full and free

And found it without cost or fee.

The flood engulfed me from above –

His love.

Mercy flickers there

The gift of life their bearer wears

In them shines pain as He cries --

His eyes.

Made of briers and thorny vines

Worn because of sin like mine,

Made to shame and bring Him down –

His crown.

Stripped of the few things He owned.

Yet, hear the ever-loving moan:

“Lord, forgive them, everything!” –

My King.

The Father turns from the Son

He man’s sin must shun

The Lamb faces joy’s thief –

Grief.

Jesus draws in His last breath

And gladly welcomes the Angel of Death.

Glory! He’s paid the price! He’s –

The Ultimate Sacrifice.

As He died the veil was torn.

All my sin and shame He’d borne.

Pierced because of foolish pride –

His side.

Black as night, like stains of sin

The Father could not look on Him.

Because of sinners such as I –

The sky.

She looks in His face and sees pain no more

“After He defies death He’ll reach heaven’s shores.”

She remembers all they meant to each other –

His mother.

The pits of hell echo a terrible scream:

“Jesus has died!” Is it a dream?

Man from the bonds of death is free!

Victory!

In horror I began to see

What had nailed Him to that tree.

In shame I looked away from Him –

My sin.

Realization struck my soul

He suffered that I might be whole.

He died, I began to see –

For me.

I saw Him hanging there;

Ev’ry man’s sin this Man did bear.

He’d die to make man whole, and save

Their souls.

I’ve found the peace

My amazement will never cease.

I’ve found Divine Romance –

A second chance.

Although a King, He had no grave,

He had come the world to save.

A friend took pity, gave Him room –

His tomb.

There’s been a sadness in us all,

Although Christ freed us from the fall.

But Jesus promised He would raise –

Three days.

We went to the tomb,
And only found an empty room.
We left, a hasty path to choose:

Disturbing news.

We did not believe them.
They were lying about Him.
Storms within our souls bouted. We-
Doubted

We felt as if our hearts had died

When our friend was crucified.

If only we could talk to Him

Again.

If only we could hear again

How to live pure within.

It would make our hearts rejoice –

His voice.

To see the gentle look in His eyes,
To look where love and mercy lies.
If only He didn't have this end –

Our Friend.

Thomas doubted His love.
He doubted in power from above.
We considered agreeing with him –

An awful sin.

But there He stood, alive, complete,

We saw the nail marks on His feet.

A moment we in silence froze –

He rose!

To know He lived brought much relief

In shame we saw our unbelief.

Tongue or pen cannot employ –

Our joy.

Before we knew it, He walked with us.

He told of God’s love, free and just.

We asked Him to tell us where He abode –

The Damascus Road.

He told us to preach the gospel to all

To tell how He saves from the fall.

Now all can have joy beyond mention –

His ascension.

Cleansed from sin by Christ’s own blood

Joy and peace within it flood.

I give Him all and yield each part –

My heart.

Nothing so has changed my life

Than the life of Jesus Christ.

Now I’ll proclaim unto the lost –

The cross.

That We Might Rejoice

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
In Thy salvation given free.
Cause us to hear what Thou wilt speak
Set us in the pathway of Thee!

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
Send Thou Thy spirit upon this place.
Keep us from evil, show Thy truth.
Turn back, upon us shine Thy face!

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
Humble our hearts, we for mercy cry.
We look to Thee for righteousness
To our plans of self-gain we die.

Revive us, O Lord, that we might rejoice,
Lord, Thy forgiveness, Thy grace, ‘tis sweet.
O Lord, deliver us from sin!
We humbly bow at Thy feet.


Psalm 85
Copyright Miriam Rainwater, August 20, 2006
All rights reserved.