All Lyrics © Jeff Kepple 2004

1. I LOVE THE RAIN
       
Everybody starts to pout and groan
When they see the clouds about
The weatherman is looking blue
As he tells about the rainy news
So I look into the restless sky
And see giant pillows floating by
I feel the air begin to move
And I know a storm is just about to brew
And I hope and pray
It will come shake the skies
And block the sun
Make the creeks and rivers rise
A sight for my sore eyes

‘ cause I love the rain
I love the rain

Steam is rising from the dusty road
I feel drops are falling on my ears and nose
That musty smell that makes me feel alive,
Come on let’s go and take a rainy drive
With windshield wipers moving fast
My hand starts tapping on the dash
A million drops in rhythm beat
They’re dancing in the street
Lightning, thunder, fill the sky
But I know where to go
To my front porch where you and I
Can drink hot chocolate
While we’re watching the show

You can try to make a puddle splash,
Go on make your favorite somebody laugh
Catch a raindrop out on your tongue,
Break loose take your doggy out on a run,
Turn umbrellas upside down
Twirl them as you skip around
Until you’re wet from head to toe
Shouting as you go

Call my friends and play some mud football
Come home and watch
The robins hoppin’ on my lawn
You know the desert ain’t the place for me.
Oh, no, in Seattle I would rather be
Nothing like a stormy rainy day,
But then I’ll bet you Noah felt a different way

But I love the rain

2. I CAN’T BELIEVE MY EYES
       
Sometimes I walk
Just to see what I can see.
A red-tailed hawk
Diving on the crescent moon.
The brilliant orange
Of a monarch on milkweed
Oh I can’t believe my eyes.
One day last year
In the middle of the winter,
A hundred swans
Came circling round my home.
Then all a once
As a snowy cloud descending
They swept down and sent a rush
Into my spine and through my bones.

Oh the bright blue sky, the cleansing rain.
The blood that’s flowin’ in my veins.
The tumbling beauty seasons bring.
I can’t believe my eyes.

Some say there’s a reason all behind it.
Some say there’s no reason there at all.
Some say it’s a complicated story,
it’s a complicated story.

The rocky ridge
At the North end of the valley
Is crowned in white
By the first of winter snow.
The evening sun comes
To set the ridge on fire.
Oh, I can’t believe my eyes.

The morning mist in the field
Is cold and low.
The barn appears to be drifting
In the dew.
Then beams of light come
And sweep the mist away.
And something stirs in my heart
And tells me God is on the move.

And when I look up to the stars,
I can’t imagine how big You are.
But I feel You knowing me,
And all the thoughts I conceive,
All the longings of my heart.

Some say there’s a reason all behind it.
Some say there’s no reason there at all.
Some day I can’t wait to hear the story,
I can’t wait to hear the story, I can’t wait.

3. HIS HEART WAS WELL
       
So many mixed emotions
Now that you are gone.
Searching through the reasons
You suffered for so long.
Your loved ones now are grieving.
You’re not here to embrace
But firmly we’re believing
You’re in a better place.
And I can hear your laugh,
Though your body ached and swelled.
But reaching out your crippled hand,
You would show your heart was well.

It is well.

Hal was afflicted with rheumatic disease,
Worst case all of his doctors had seen.
So many pills just to keep him sustained,
But daily he lived with the weakness and pain.

But he didn’t say, Why God me?
What have I done to deserve this disease?
He kept his eyes on
The things that were good.
The love of his wife was enough
And the hope of the life yet to come.

It is well.

Strong, independent in his younger days.
Facing the world like his hero John Wayne.
Any endeavor he’d always succeed,
Until his own flesh took him
down to his knees.
His knees. Oh, dear God.
A suffering that is breaking a man
Who understands this strange design,
But through it God made him more strong
Of heart and mind,
More brave and kind. Severe mercy.

4. FAIREST OF ALL
       
Some stones are true
Some stones are just make believe
Some tell of tragedy
Some tell of everyone’s dream
But I never wanted
A life just like old fairy tales.
And I’m glad I’m here
And one thing I know very well

My hearts growing nearer to yours
There’s no question of who I love
In every mirror I see your reflection
Cause you are the fairest of all.

Some songs are so simple
Some songs are confusing to me
Some make me cry
When I breath in the sweet melody.
But I never wanted to find my love
Only in songs
Now we’re together
It seems like we’ve always belonged

5. GOD IN A BOX
       
Some people seem to act as if
They’ve seen the Lord
Like Moses did
But I know, they don’t glow at all
They’re full of special revelations
They can fool a congregation
Until they stumble and they fall
Oh we must be so very careful
To keep ourselves down off a pedestal
Be quick to hear and slow to speak

‘ Cause He is strong and we are very weak
And when you’ve got it figured out
That’s just the time to really doubt yourself
‘ Cause you can’t put God in a box
He ain’t got no limits
Can’t put God in a box
He’s way too big
Can’t put God in a box
It won’t last one minute
Can’t put God in a box
‘ Cause He just won’t fit

Well, some people study diligently
To know the truth to set them free
And that’s good as long as love isn’t lost
But when their own theology
Means more to them than anything
Well, that’s bad - they’ll become a noisy gong
‘ Cause Jesus said to follow him
And not your own denomination
Listen closely to the Spirit
Many people never hear it
And when you’ve got it figured out
That’s just the time to really doubt yourself

His ways are higher ways than our ways
His love is greater love than our love
He made the galaxies and He made me

Well, I know I do the same thing too
Fit the Lord into my view
And then I can’t see anything
Until I finally realize
Like Job did after many trials
His ways are too wonderful for me
Are you attempting to make God
Look more like you?
We must be so very careful
Humble hearted always prayerful
And when you’ve got it figured out
That’s just the time to really doubt yourself
Yeah, when I’ve got it figured out
That’s just the time
To put my hand over my mouth

6. ASLAN IS ON THE MOVE
       
(Inspired by “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C. S. Lewis)
Through an old wardrobe full of musty clothes
To a snowy wood with a dingy light,
Stood an old lamppost planted long ago
By an angry queen in a reckless fight

I wonder should I go or should I stay?
There’s something so appealing
In this strange place.
I wonder why.

Well I must beware as the creatures stare.
Who to trust and when to turn the eye.
Cuz the lady prowls with her spies about
And she seems to know my weakest side.
I wonder what is stirring in this land.
I ask a talking beaver, does he understand?
He smiles and softly whispers

Aslan’s on the move.
There’s a crack of ice,
there’s a warming wind,
there’s a mighty distant thunder.
Aslan’s on the move.
Like a blazing sun,
now the King has come
and the wicked witch is running scared.

Well, I can’t be late, mustn’t hesitate
Or I might get caught up in the spell.
Gotta do my part with a lion’s heart
To restore the throne Cair Paravel.
I wonder will I live or will I die.
I’m so afraid, but there’s something
Growin’ inside my life.
Cuz I can feel that.....

I remember when He cried
Those shining tears
Shed just for me
When I was in such pain.
He filled me with His courage,
Took away my fears
A lion’s eyes seeing through my heart.
Now even when he seems so far away,
I won’t forget that....

7. RANCHO MILAGRO
       
Out of east Ensenada
On the backroads of Mexico
There’s a Rancho Milagro
For children who have no home
They are wounded and broken
Little ones born in sorrow’s nest
‘ Til some kind eyes of mercy
Looked upon them with tenderness
How content they seem,
Such simple cheer
I can hear them sing
As they smile ear to ear

Christo me ama. bien lo se
y su palabra. me hace ver
que los ninos son de aquel
quien es nuestro amigo fiel

Down at Rancho Milagro
Children laugh in the afternoon
Playing games in the dirt
They pretend and they dream like you
There is food on their plate,
There is love passed around
So they bow to give thanks
For the blessings they’ve found
How content they seem,
such simple cheer
I can hear them sing
as they smile ear to ear

No mother to hold when she cries,
To wipe all her tears
No father to run to at night
When he is afraid
Oh blessed Father who comforts the poor
In Your embrace they belong
Abiding in El Señor, the weak will be strong
Abiding in El Señor, the weak will be strong
Out of east Ensenada
On the backroads of Mexico...

8. SHADOWLAND
       
I’m grieving in this shadowland
I don’t understand the meaning at all
Time heals, I’ve heard that before
But my wounds are sore and bleeding
At times I’ve been wishing
I’d never been born
With no way to feel or lose what I love
So all I can do is fall on my knees
And pray, dear Jesus - Help me

Hold me close to Your heart
My days are dark, I’m feeling alone
No one has words to confide
I want to hide but where Lord?

You never promised there wouldn’t be pain
But I never knew life could hurt in this way
I know You’re supposed to be all that I need
Oh I want to, I long to
God help me believe

Let not your heart be troubled, my child
I’ll never leave you alone
The grief that you bear
Is a grief that I’ve known
I’ll take the heaviest load
And I will carry you through
From this shadowland to mercy and grace
Someday soon you’ll lift up your eyes
The light of the dawn will rise
And I will carry you through
From this shadowland to mercy and grace
Someday soon you’ll lift up your eyes
The light of the dawn will shine

9. AT THE BACK OF THE NORTHWIND
       
I quiver when she blows
Through the cracks and the holes
Chilling waker of souls in my room.
I try to close my eyes, cover up and hide.
Still she finds her way
Inside my room, my room.
I can hear her calling...

Come fly with me now
through uncertainty,
To eternity, just beyond.
Come ride with me now
through canyons, hills,
over rocks and fields,
Sing my song.

Whisper a lullaby
Push the ocean waves
Sweep across the northern sky
Calling souls to wake.

I hear you calling me
But you are hard to see
My bed is warm and safe.
Why do I need to wake?

Finally I take hold
She draws me up real close
And I am not a bit cold with the wind
She takes me there and here
Very far and near
And I am thinking more clear with the wind
Softly now she’s calling...

I want to come with you
And I know you’re beautiful.
Oh song of sorrow sweet
Please help my unbelief.

10. HOLY HOLY HOLY
       
Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
Lord of creation
Lord of my heart
Alpha Omega, the great I Am
Once walked among us
With life to impart
Then suffered and died as a lamb
“ Father forgive them” He cried from the tree
While bearing our guilt and our shame
No greater love could be shown by Thee
When Jesus for sinners was slain
0 holy
Holy, holy, holy

11. O’CREATOR
       
Pouring rain over cracking soil,
Quenching the thirst underneath.
Drops of beauty in river chorus
Hastening their way to the sea
Failing snow over winter meadows.
A blanket of chill spreading round.
Frozen diamonds in quiet splendor
Adorning the geese on the pond.

And I cry with sorrow, but gladness
As this song awakens my soul.
Oh Creator of all this music
Your symphony rings with hope.

Blooming flower in your brilliant colors
Displaying the painter’s design.
Intricate patterns on delicate petals
Revealing a glimpse of His mind.

Blowing wind bringing clouds of thunder
Rocking the trees with your power.
Come sweep away
Anxious thoughts and burdens.
Lift up my spirit this hour.

Echoing chorus, so sweet and so clear.
Whispering voices tell me You are near.
Ageless Father singing your children to sleep.

Setting sun over distant mountains
Igniting the sky with your fire,
Warms my heart, mysterious longings
Welcome this evening delight.

Rising moon casting subtle shadows
Beguiling the night with your shine.
Hooting owl, lonesome coyote
Piercing the still with his howl.

Hear my cry of sorrow, but gladness,
As this song awakens my soul.
Oh Creator of all this music,
Oh great Wise Maker of this melody
I hear Thee.

12. PRAYER ON THE DAWN TREADER
       
Father of light, come to the dark
Cast out the fear, rise in my heart
Open my eyes, open my ears
‘ Til I am sure You’re present here
Calming the raging sea
Reaching Your hand for me
Through tempest nights Your love is true
Help me believe my refuge is You
I will be found safe in Your arms
Waking to view the breaking dawn
Sailing the shining sea
Moved by the breath of Thee
Open my eyes, open my ears
‘ Til I observe Your glory here

With all my heart, with all my mind,
with all my strength, I love You
With all my life, with all my breath,
with all my words
I worship You Lord
Every sin I now confess
and You will make me clean
Holy wind of lion’s breath,
lifting me into Your peace
I worship Thee