Turn on the light!

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to

That presses harsh hope against time.

In the absence of marytrs there's thieves

Who only want to rob you blind.

They steal away any sense of peace.

Tho' I'm a king, I'm a king on my knees.

And I know they are wrong when they say I am strong

As the darkness covers me.

chorus:

So turn on the light and reveal all the glory

I am not afraid

To bear all my weakness, knowing in meekness,

I have a kingdom to gain.

Where there is peace and love in the light

In the light, I am not afraid

To let your light shine bright in my life, in my life.

There are ghosts from my past who've owned more of my soul

Than I thought I had given away

They linger in closets and under my bed

and in pictures less proudly displayed.

A great fool in my life I have been

Have squandered 'til pallid and thin

Hung my head in shame and refused to take blame

For the darkness I know I've let win.

(Chorus)

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me?

Well I've never been much for the bearing of soul

in the presence of any man.

I'd rather keep to myself all safe and secure

In the arms of a sinner I am.

Could it be that my worth should defend

By the crimson stained grace on a hand?

And like a lamp on a hill Lord I pray in your will

To reveal all of you that I can.

(chorus)

There's a place in the darkness that I used to cling to

that presses harsh hope against time.

~Jennifer Knapp - Kansas

I don't want to cling to the darkness anymore!

God! Come turn on the light!

Come free my mind!

From where has this come?

Where has this life come from?
This hope?
This overwhelming hunger?
I'm not satisfied... but increasingly thirsty.
When will i ever get enough?

Where has this confidence come from?
This security?
This amazing sense of rightness?
I know my Father's love for me
How did I ever move into this?

Where has this love come from?
This heart?
This overflowing goodness?
I want to pour into people!
What has come over me?

Where has this power come from?
This ability?
This increasing outpouring of grace?
I am able to hear his voice!
How did I ever get on without this?

Where have my fears gone?
my pain?
my sense of despair and death?
They no longer torment me from the shadows
How have I been able to leave them behind?

God is doing something new in me... behold it is springing forth! He is bringing rivers to my desert and a road through my wilderness! (Isaiah 43:19)

pearls before swine

I give and I give and I give
my precious pearls
I pour out
like water from deep inside me
I bear myself naked and open
I bow and place myself in their path
valuableness I place in their grasp

Slowly, they lift each foot and trample me
grinding my pearls into the dust
my foolish quickness is rewarded in pain
and my vulnerableness is seized
advantage is taken from me
and I'm left bleeding

Each passing moment seems like a life-time
and soon, I have nothing left
but a pitiful pile of broken jewels
I've given it all away
all I care about now is surviving
so I clutch them to me
I will give no more

But he is standing there asking
I nash my teeth, I weep and I groan
I can't give them to him!
How can I trust that he won't crush me?

"Trust me dear heart"

Heart convulsing, body trembling, I release
He stoops to breath into me
and I live once more
my value now rest in his hands
and there it will stay