Thank you for listening to ‘Stories and Songs’! The recording began during an evening of live testimony and songs at my church. I hope it encourages you!
The video mentioned in the recording can be found here.
Below you can read the lyrics of the songs. In some of the lyrics, I’ve tried to express what I think God might say. I’ve tried to base my words around Scripture but my words are just my words, so please don’t take them as Scripture! I hope you are blessed by them!
Finally Found Home
I’ve found a safe place;
Found open arms,
Where I can rest,
Where I’m safe from harm,
In this place of surrender,
Where I gave up to start again,
I find the arms that embrace me
Where Christ’s blood made me clean.
Chorus
In the arms of Abba Father,
I can lay my burdens down.
Jesus gave His blood to wash me.
It’s all been forgiven now.
He’s been seeking me all along
And in His arms the ache is gone.
Abba Father’s arms are where I belong.
My heart has finally found home.
Healing is here.
Here I find peace.
There’s joy for the tears;
In His love, release.
And deep fears find peace now.
His love drives them away.
All the stains washed clean now.
I’ve been loved every day.
Chorus
In the arms of Abba Father,
I can lay my burdens down.
Jesus gave His blood to wash me.
It’s all been forgiven now.
He’s been seeking me all along
And in His arms the ache is gone.
Abba Father’s arms are where I belong.
My heart has finally found home.
And He calls to you,
“Won’t you come to My arms now?
Come and be washed.
Turn from wrong. Let mercy meet you.
Find forgiveness at the cross.
Through the blood of Jesus,
Your broken heart can be made whole.
The lifelong search is over.
You’ve found where you belong.
“In My arms”, calls Abba Father
“Come and lay your burdens down.
At the cross, I wait to wash you.
Come and find forgiveness now.
I’ve been waiting here all along
And in My arms you’ll find your home.
Abba Father’s arms are where you belong
And I wait to bring you home.”
Here is Love
(lyrics: Caroline Abblitt, Jennifer Petrie, Wendy Green)
Here is where life starts.
Here is where it all begins.
This was the moment when God gave His life
And people are born forever.
Here you kneel in your stains.
Here is the end of pretense.
Here rebels fall dressed in tatters and rags
And they rise as white as snow.
As they find…
This is the place of victory.
This is where chains fall.
Here, in the weakness of wood and nails,
Here is the heart of it all.
This was the moment God took the shame
As love willingly bore the cost.
Here are the arms of your Father.
Here is love at the cross.
Here is where things change.
Here is where you start again.
Here you fall at the end of yourself.
He lifts you up; makes you a child of God.
As you find…
Bridge
Won’t you come and kneel?
Come bow down.
Come and surrender.
Come and adore.
Come find hope.
Come find life.
Come find forgiveness.
Come find Christ (your life)
As you find…
The Father’s Love
You’ve searched me out with Your love.
By One so great, I am known fully.
Pursuing around, above,
Your hand is laid over me
And, here in the place,
Endless love waits.
Your heart is yearning over me.
I’ve searched for so long,
Thirsting for home
And finally I begin to see
The Father’s love.
You’ve been waiting here for me.
The Father’s love.
Gave Your Son to wash me clean.
With arms wide open, You welcome me home
Surrendering now I come
To The Father I’ve longed for all along.
You spoke this world all awake:
Every bird’s bright song, nature’s joy-filled ways.
I was so tenderly made.
You care for me so faithfully
And, when I look up,
I find pure love,
Surprised by Your grace that aches for me.
I never dreamed
Of such mercy for me,
And thirsty I come now to receive.
The Father’s love
You’ve been waiting here for me..
The Father’s love,
Gave Your Son to wash me clean.
With arms wide open, You welcome me home.
Surrendering now I come
To The Father I’ve longed for all along.
And there on the cross,
Love took my place.
I broke Your heart,
But You gave Your best
And, by the blood of Your Beloved
Son, I come.
The barrier’s gone
The curtain’s been torn.
You offer forgiveness by the blood.
I turn back to home,
Ashamed and undone.
I look up to see my Father run.
The Father’s love.
You’ve been waiting here for me.
The Father’s love,
Gave Your Son to wash me clean
With arms wide open, You welcome me home,
Surrendering now, I come
To The Father I’ve longed for all along.
I’m yours now. Everything’s changed.
I’ve been born again, adopted, by love claimed.
And now I have been remade.
You’ve chosen me. You’ve called my name
And there’ll be a day,
This hope lights my way,
When I’ll meet my Saviour face to face.
Each tear wiped away,
Our Bridegroom will reign.
We will be caught up in Your embrace.
The Father’s love.
You are waiting there for me.
The Father’s love,
Gave Your Son to wash me clean.
With arms wide open, You’ll welcome me home.
At last I’ll be where I belong,
With the Father I’ve longed for all along.
The Father’s love.
You’ve been waiting here for me.
The Father’s love,
Gave Your Son to wash me clean.
With arms wide open, You welcome me home.
Surrendering now I come
To The Father I’ve longed for all along.
Here I’m home.
You’re the Father I’ve longed for all along.
My Jesus
(With adaptation of ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus’, Joseph Scriven and Charles Crozat Converse, public domain)
I was just a little girl
When I fell in love.
I encountered love so strong and true.
You wooed me to Your cross of grace,
Where my heart and stains I gave.
You washed me clean in Your blood
And now I’m Yours.
You gave me the gift of salvation forever;
Took this little girl in Your arms of love.
You taught me the answer is always to trust in You,
And my Jesus is the Best Friend in the world, I know.
Oh, what a Friend I have in Jesus.
And every day, all the way…
Chorus
You’re there for me through everything,
With love beyond my wildest dreams.
You’re mine for now and You’re mine forever.
You’re my joy eternally.
And, as I grew, I came to find
You are the rock beneath my feet.
This messy girl knew where her heart could hide.
Through childhood ways, through schoolgirl days,
Lord You were always there,
Forgiving my sins, hearing my prayers,
And, through all the mess and confusion of growing,
Yours were the arms that never let me go.
You always answered me; counselled me,
Never let me down,
And my Jesus is the best Friend in the world, I know.
Oh what a Friend I have in Jesus.
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
And I am living for the day when I will see Your face.
You’ll meet me and You’ll wipe my tears away.
You will be the joy of joys.
You are the love we’ve craved.
Forevermore, Your people will be Yours.
And all of the sky will split open with glory
As You come to reign and to take home your bride.
You’ll be the joy of Your people forever.
You will be our light; the delight of our eyes.
Yes, Jesus is the Love of our lives.
You’re there for me through everything,
With love beyond my wildest dreams.
You’re mine for now and You’re mine forever.
You’re my joy eternally.
Satisfied
Written by Caroline Abblitt
Father, Creator of all,
The sky shouts loud of Your glory so bright
So powerful, so holy,
You reign in radiant light.
And I know that You knit me together
By Your Spirit, You gave me life.
You love me so tenderly.
In You I am satisfied.
Yes, my heart is satisfied.
Chorus
And in Jesus Christ is my life.
My hope is in You.
My joy is in You.
And in Jesus Christ is my life
And my heart is satisfied.
Jesus, You hung on a cross,
Your blood poured out for guilt that was mine.
My slate washed clean, forgiven,
Because of Jesus Christ.
And I know that You are my salvation.
With Your blood, You saved my life
Jesus, You are everything:
My Saviour Who satisfies,
Yes, my heart is satisfied.
All I am is Yours now:
Your Kingdom first. I’ve been bought with a price.
Lord, this is my surrender.
For me to live is Christ.
And I know that I am Yours. You’ve called me
To reach out, to lay down my life.
To tell the lost of Jesus:
To tell them of hope in Christ,
And Your Name will be glorified.
You’re there to help me through.
You carry me through storms, through the fire
You lead me through the valley. You’re always by my side.
And I know that I am Yours forever,
My one Hope, my Treasure, my Prize.
You’ll be my joy in Heaven,
My Saviour Who satisfies.
Eternally satisfied.
Father, Please Hold me Close
Here and now I come.
Lord, I know I need You.
Bringing all my failure,
At the cross, wash me again.
Surrounded by Your love,
I hear Your still small whisper:
“Rise up My beloved
one and come away.”
Can I be like Adam was:
Walking with You, God,
In the cool of the day?
Cos You are my Father.
Your love is Enough.
You are the water
I’ve been thirsting for.
You are my First love
And, here in Your arms, I’m home.
Father, please hold me close.
Lord I come to talk.
Here is where my peace is.
Abba Father, I’m weighed down.
Your arms are my relief.
I bring my cares to You.
Father, take my burdens.
You hold me and You comfort
As You pour out Your love.
Light shone from Moses’ face,
From that holy place where
He met with God.
Cos You are my Father.
Your love is Enough,
You are the water
I’ve been thirsting for.
You are my First love
And, here in Your arms, I’m home.
Father, please hold me close
You’re waiting for me.
You watch over me.
Even when I can’t see,
You’re here loving me.
Brought near by the blood,
Held close by my God.
All around, above
Is my Father’s love.
Can I be like Enoch was,
Walking with You God,
Each and every day?
Cos You are my Father.
Your love is Enough.
You are the water
I’ve been thirsting for.
You are my First love
And, here in Your arms, I’m home.
Father, please hold me close.
Over My Fear
When I am anxious, there is a place of refuge and comfort in the strong arms of God. I’ve tried to capture something of that. My words aren’t Scripture, although I’ve tried to base them around Scripture, but I hope they bless you.
I am Safe in the shadow of the Almighty,
In the shelter of His wings;
I am tucked like a lamb close to His heart strings,
And, over my fears, it’s like my Father sings,
“You have My strong protection
When you’re walking close to Me.
My right hand will hold you.
My love sets you free.”
The Lord will carry me
Everywhere I go.
His love will comfort me.
In Abba’s arms, I know
There is no fear, no fear,
There is no fear in love.
“You are My treasure;
My beloved.
Kept as the apple of My eye;
Child, and My plans for you are so abundant.
I watch over you, for you are Mine.
So be strong. I will help you.
I am with you all the time.
My love will be your anchor.
I’ll never leave your side.”
The Lord will carry me
Everywhere I go
His love will comfort me.
In Abba’s arms, I know
There is no fear, no fear,
There is no fear in love.
“You are My child,
You are My child
And I watch over you.
Hidden in My Son,
You’re washed in Christ’s blood.
I know My plans for you.
As your Shepherd, I will lead you,
As your Father, I’ll provide.
I’ve already gone before you.
In Me you can hide.”
The Lord will carry me
Everywhere I go.
His love will comfort me.
In Abba’s arms, I know
There is no fear, no fear,
There is no fear in love.
The LORD is Peace
I find that the Lord’s promises are so precious in times of fear and anxiety!
Here in my fear,
Father, You’re with me.
In darkness deep,
You’re speaking peace
And, even when I fail,
In Jesus there’s forgiveness.
Shalom. The LORD is peace.
And you say, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed.”
Father, You’re right here with me.
Your touch strengthens me. You are here to help me.
Shalom. The LORD is peace.
Your love lights the way.
Through darkness, the light breaks.
Your love drives fear away.
Your love brings relief.
All along this narrow way,
You carry me so tenderly.
Shalom. The LORD is peace.
And you say, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed.”
Father, You’re right here with me.
Your touch strengthens me. You are here to help me.
Shalom. The LORD is peace.
Peace I leave with you.
My peace I give to you.
Peace be to you.
The LORD is peace.
There is life for me:
Bright hope for eternity.
Beyond all these tears,
Sweetest intimacy
With the One Who waits for me.
And forevermore Your bride we’ll be.
Shalom. The LORD is peace.
And you say, “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed.”
Father, You’re right here with me.
Your touch strengthens me. You are here to help me.
Shalom. The LORD is peace.
I Trust You (I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus)
Some lyrics adapted from Frances Ridley Havergal (public domain)
I am trusting You Lord Jesus,
Trusting only Thee,
Trusting You for full salvation,
Great and free.
I am trusting You for pardon
At Your feet I bow
For Your grace and tender mercy,
Trusting now.
All of Your promises are true.
My heart can rest secure in You.
I choose to say, “I believe.
Help my unbelief.”
Jesus, I trust You.
I am trusting You to wash me
In the crimson flood,
Trusting You to make me holy
By Your blood.
I am trusting You to guide me
Jesus, will You lead?
Every day and hour You give me
All I need.
All of Your promises are true.
My heart can rest secure in You.
Your mercy has set me free.
You have made me clean.
Jesus I trust You.
Holy and pure,
Steadfast and sure,
All of Your words are true.
Your truth is my light,
My unfailing guide.
Jesus, I trust You.
I am trusting You to bring me
Safe to Glory’s shore,
Where You’ll be our great Bridegroom,
Our joy forevermore.
I am trusting You, Lord Jesus.
Never let me fall.
I am trusting You forever
And for all.
All of Your promises are true.
My heart can rest secure in You.
There may be a price to pay
But I choose to say
“Jesus, I trust You.”
You’re faithful in every way
So I choose to say,
“Jesus, I trust You.”
Only Jesus Satisfies
How precious to come away from this weary world and meet with Him!
Lord, You are our heart’s desire.
We thirst to eat and drink with You,
To meet with You and hear Your voice.
Your presence gives us deepest joy.
You are the One Who satisfies.
You meet us with Your words of grace.
We thirst until You come to us.
We come again to seek Your Face.
Jesus our treasure,
Jesus our prize,
We are thirsting, aching. You’re our meaning,
Our joy and our delight.
Jesus our righteousness,
Jesus our life.
All the other wells of this world run dry.
Only Jesus satisfies.
We’re bruised and weary from this world.
We carry tears and battle scars.
We come for comfort to Your arms
Where love is waiting all around,
And from our guilt You give release.
The blood of Calvary makes us clean
And every burden You receive
And, Lord, in You we find our peace.
Jesus our treasure,
Jesus our prize.
We are thirsting, aching. You’re our meaning,
Our joy and our delight.
Jesus our righteousness,
Jesus our life.
Through the pain and longing of our lives,
Only Jesus satisfies.
Bridge
Haste the day we’ll see You.
Heaven will fill with praise.
You’ll be our heavenly Bridegroom.
You’ll wipe our tears away
When morning finally breaks through
And night turns to day.
Quickly come, Lord Jesus.
We long to meet You face to face.
Jesus our treasure,
Jesus our prize.
We are thirsting, aching. You’re our meaning,
Our joy and our delight.
Jesus our righteousness,
Jesus our life.
Oh, Lord Jesus, come. Take us as Your bride.
Only Jesus satisfies.
And when we meet with You again, we find
Only Jesus satisfies.
All in All
As I walk through this trial,
Lead me through the fire,
For You said that the flames won’t touch me.
I can walk through this Red Sea
And I’ll know Your victory
Cos I choose to trust You, Lord.
Lord, the battle is raging
And my courage fading,
But You said that You’d be with me
And I know You’re faithful
And I know You’re able
So I choose to trust You, Lord.
Cos You’re here and…
Chorus
Lord, through the storm,
I find Your loving arms.
You are holding me close
As You make my heart whole.
You’re a faithful Father.
You’re enough, Lord, You’re All in All.
Lord, You told me You’re with me.
You told me You’re for me.
You said, “Don’t be afraid or dismayed.”
Lord, You hold me. You carry
Me through the valley,
So I choose to trust You, Lord.
As I go through this valley,
You still can use me.
I can serve as I sow through tears of pain,
For there will be a harvest.
Your Kingdom advances
And I choose to trust You, Lord.
In You, my future is awesome.
You’ll lead me to Heaven,
Where You’ll wipe all my tears
Away from me.
Your plans are amazing.
My hope is unfading
So I choose to trust You, Lord.
Come and Tell Me
For the little girl I met in a market in the Philippines, who was trying to sell me carrier bags.
She was walking the streets when I saw her,
Holding carrier bags in her hands,
Searching and pleading for someone to buy her wares
And I guess bleeding from all the hurt deep inside
And she spoke to me with this sweet, pleading tone,
Asking me to buy so she could eat
And I don’t know what she told me. I don’t speak her tongue,
But she told me by the hunger in her eyes.
I can’t cry in your ear.
I can’t scream so you can hear.
I can’t tell you how much I’m hurting.
I can’t tell you of the hunger deep within
But hear my cry in the night
As it reaches you in your nice life:
Come and tell me
Come and tell me about your God.
And they’re passing through this world in darkness,
Carrying their guilt upon their backs,
All ready and waiting to plunge right into Hell
With nobody to tell them the way out.
And, if none of us will tell them, then they will never know,
Cos messages can’t get there by themselves.
Can you listen in the darkness?
Can you hear the waiting world?
Cos still they don’t know
That Jesus saves…
(The video mentioned on the recording can be found here).
Let Them Live
Written by Caroline Abblitt
Over 2 billion people still wait to hear the Name of Jesus even once. This is a prayer for them.
We pray for the nations, Lord
We pray for those who have not heard:
For the billions who haven’t heard of Jesus
Oh, Lord, we lift them to You
Billions are waiting
The moments speeding
The nations need to hear
Chorus
Send Your labourers out into the harvest
Send Your workers to bring in the sheaves
God of mercy, God of compassion
Oh, Lord, let them live
Send the message out into the darkness
Send the Good News far across the seas
God of mercy, God of compassion
Oh, Lord, please let them live.
We pray for the nations, Lord
We pray for those who need the light
For the young and old
For every tribe and people still waiting in the night
Billions are waiting
The moments speeding
The nations need to hear.
Though it cost us dear,
Through our blood and tears,
Even if it costs our lives,
Still they need to hear.So send Your labourers…
Jesus is our Shepherd
With ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’, Francis Rous, W. Whittington, tune Crimond, Jessie Seymour Irvine (public domain). Some lyrics adapted from Hugh Stowell (public domain).
The Lord’s my Shepherd. I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie.
In pastures green, He leadeth me,
The quiet waters by.
Jesus is our Shepherd,
Wiping every tear.
Held close to His heartbeat,
We don’t need to fear
Only let us follow
Wherever He leads:
Through the thirsty desert
Or by the quiet streams.
Yes the Lord is our Shepherd:
Our delight, our joy,
And, in His love, He is leading us
To our home forevermore.
Jesus is our Shepherd.
For the sheep He bled.
Every lamb is sprinkled
With the blood He shed.
Then on each He places
His own secret sign.
Those who have His Spirit,
They belong to Christ.
Yes the Lord is our Shepherd:
Our delight, our joy,
And, in His love, He is leading us
To our home forevermore.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I’ll not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
With oil He anoints my head
And meets my every need.
And, when I walk through valleys dark,
Lord, You stay so close to me.
I don’t need to fear
For You are here with me.
Yes the Lord is our Shepherd:
Our delight, our joy,
And, in His love, He is leading us
To our home forevermore.
Jesus is our Shepherd.
He will lead the way
Through each tear and trial,
Help us through each day.
And, chasing us with mercy,
He will lead us on
To joy forever after
In His glorious Home.
The Lord is my Shepherd. I’ll not want.
He makes me lie in pastures green.
With oil He anoints my head
And meets my every need.
And, when I walk through valleys dark,
Lord, You stay so close to me.
I don’t need to fear
For You are here with me.
Yes the Lord is our Shepherd:
Our delight, our joy,
And, in His love, He is leading us
To our home forevermore.
Thank you so much for listening!
Thank you to all of you who helped to make this possible, especially my friends at Coach House Church who helped in various ways!
Some minor changes have been made to the recording to update and improve it.
Songs written by Caroline Abblitt. Scripture quotes/allusions in lyrics, where applicable, are covered by public domain versions.
Caroline Abblitt 