Happy Holidays

YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE

2009-01-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

by Stan C. Countz

Through all the smiles and tears
Through all my trials and fears
Through all the miles and years
You were always there

Through all my frets and cares
Through all the traps and snares
Through all my unasked prayers
You were always there

You picked me up when I would fall
You answered when the spirit called
How can I give less than my best
When you always gave your all?

Through all my ups and downs
My crosses and my crowns
How can I give you less than my absolute best
When you always stuck around?

You were always there
To bear my heavy burdens
And hear my unasked prayer
I know for certain
Whether I’m happy or hurtin’
You’ll throw back the curtain
For I know that you are always there

Say Goodbye to 2008 and Face 2009

2009-01-01T10:12:00.000-08:00

by Stan C. Countz

It was great; it was fine
But I can't wait to shut the gate
On two thousand eight
And mark the date for two thousand nine

So don't complain
Don't moan and whine
Just use your brain
And I'll use mine

Just face the pain
And take the time
To praise His name
And walk the line

Take your aim and wait for a sign
One day the sun again will shine
We'll leave the days of rain behind
Say goodbye to two thousand eight
It's time to face two thousand nine

DOCTOR JEKYLL AND MRS. HYDE

2008-12-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

by Stan C. Countz

ONE MINUTE SHE’S BREE
THE NEXT SHE’S EDIE
ONE MINUTE SHE’LL FOLLOW ME
THE NEXT SHE’S LEADING

SHE’S SUZY HOMEMAKER
AND SHE TAKES IT ALL IN STRIDE
NO ONE CAN RATTLE OR SHAKE HER
OR TAKE HER FOR A RIDE

NO ONE CAN SADDLE
OR BREAK HER RAGE
SHE ‘S DOCTOR JEKYLL
AND MRS. HYDE

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE
AND WE’RE ALL MERELY PLAYERS
LIFE IS LIKE AN ONION
SO PEEL BACK THE LAYERS

SHE’S DOCTOR JEKYLL
AND SHE’S MRS. HYDE
SHE CAN TAKE YOU
ON A ROLLER COASTER RIDE

ONE DAY SHE’S PEDAL TO THE METAL
THE NEXT SHE’S TALKIN’ SUICIDE
ONE DAY SHE’S WILLING TO SETTLE
THE NEXT DAY SHE SAYS SHE LIED

NO NEED TO BE AFRAID
PAY NO HEED TO THE NAYSAYERS
JUST COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
AND KEEP SAYIN’ YOUR PRAYERS

SHE CAN NEVER MAKE THE GRADE
HER BEST JUST AIN’T GOOD ENOUGH
BUT IF SHE’LL TRUST HIS LOVE AND GRACE
SHE CAN REST ASSURED SHE’S CURED
AND HER SIN HAS BEEN ERASED

HIS PLAN AND PURPOSE

2008-12-23T10:14:00.000-08:00

My dreams had all been shattered
Take heed if you stand, lest you fall
Ain’t nothin’ sadder than climbing a ladder
That’s leanin’ against the wrong wall

Why does it matter what we do or believe?
If we seek truth or practice to deceive?
Yes it’s true our values shape our beliefs
And what we believe shapes our destiny

When we’re out of balance and out of integrity
We’re blown about like the Autumn leaves
Mired in the muck of mindless routine
Caught up in the stuff that this life brings

But when we affirm our values and our purpose
Our heart starts to sing and our spirit takes wing
Our lives are inspired and we’re prepared for service
We’re no longer tired and we dare to do great things

So don’t be scared or nervous
Just be happy to be of service
Take His hand and join His band
And rejoice in His plan and purpose

BLACK FRIDAY / WE DON'T SELL THAT HERE

2008-12-01T00:28:00.000-08:00

by Stan C. Countz

VERSE 1
Gotta roll out of the sack; can't miss the bargains and sales
The merchandise is tagged and tidy; the cash registers are ringing
We’re finally in the black; paid attention to the slightest details
Can’t look back: it’s Black Friday and our accountants are singing

VERSE 2
We’ve watched the game and eaten our turkey dinner
Now we’re looking over the Thursday paper
Our tummys are full and we’re cheering on the winner
Our Christmas money will disappear in a vapor

CHORUS
Pushin’ and shovin’ for a microwave oven
They’ve waited all year for that fishin’ gear
What they really need is some good lovin’
But we don’t sell that here
All they think they need is a DVD player
A video game or the latest, greatest cell
What they need can only be found in prayer
It’s hard to tell, but we don’t sell that here

BRIDGE
The merchandise is tagged and tidy and the cash registers are ringing
Retailers Paradise: it’s Black Friday and our accountants are singing
Been workin’ hard on our displays; been stocking all our shelves
Workin’ hard all year to pay our taxes; now we can pay ourselves

INSTRUMENTAL

VERSE 3
All they think they need is an MP3 player
And we just so happen to have it all on sale
What they need can only be found in prayer
God’s love is the only thing that never fails
But we don’t sell that here…No we don’t sell that here…

OUTRO
That Ipod you just can’t live without is just too complicated
The latest computer sittin’ on the shelf will soon be an antique
That HD TV you’ve heard so much about Is slightly over-rated
It don’t matter if it’s slim and sleek ‘cuz it’ll be outdated in a week
That MP3 player sittin’ on the shelf will soon be an antique
So love your neighbor as you love yourself and His kingdom seek

CHORUS

A CARPENTER’S SON

2008-11-29T11:56:00.000-08:00

Lyrics by Stan C. Countz

VERSE 1
He was no jet setter; he was no globe trotter
Never wrote a letter or had a son or daughter
Spent most of His time in His own hometown
Buildin’ tables and chairs or just putzin’ around

VERSE 2
Between healin’ the sick and feedin’ the starvin’
He spent most of His time just buildin’ and carvin’
Between jobs, He walked on water and raised the dead
"He had a way with His hands," His friends always said

CHORUS
After all, He was just a carpenter’s son
He wasn’t white, he was blue collar
Livin’ like a gypsy, always on the run
Workin’ hard to make an honest dollar
He was a gentleman and a scholar

VERSE 3
Hung around with a few young fishermen
And a no-good tax collector
Some of His followers were makin’ tents
And one was a defector

VERSE 4
His CFO acted like he cared
Always on-the-go, he dropped his hands and stared
Said he couldn't bear to see Him treated like this
Once they paid him, he betrayed Him with a kiss

CHORUS

BRIDGE
In His own hometown the people wouldn’t even listen
He was dishonored, disowned and disrespected
A man of ambition or a decent politician
or at least a good magician was what they all expected
But He was too busy fishin’ to ever get elected
He was the stone the builders rejected

VERSE 5
He was never much good at seeking glory or glamour
He healed the sick and lame and raised the dead
But He was always good with wood and a hammer
He walked on water and fed ‘em fish and bread
So we put a crown of thorns upon His head

VERSE 6
He spread out hands made for tools, nails and chisels
We crowned his head with cruel thorns and thistles
He suffered and died and paid the ultimate cost
We nailed carpenter's hands to an ol’ wooden cross

OUTRO
After all, He was just a carpenter’s son
Fixin’ tables and chairs and such
Livin’ like a gypsy, always on the run
No one expected very much
From a carpenter’s son

TO SAVE US HE FORGAVE US

2008-11-29T11:52:00.000-08:00

Original lyrics by Stan C. Countz

Long before He made us
He knew He’d need to save us
When we were still in sin
He forgave us

Long before the fall
He knew we’d drop the ball
So He gave His all
To save us

CHORUS
Long before the manger
He knew we were in danger
He never knew a stranger
So He became our Savior

Long before the cross
He counted the cost
and He paid the price
To save us

Long before we were born
He shaped and formed us
He gave himself for us
And He forgave us

Long before He made us
He knew He’d need to save us
When we were still in sin
He forgave us

We turned our back on Him
Thought we could never win
When we were still in sin
He died to save us

We’ve been born again
So we could live in Him
And we could die to sin
And He forgave us

CHORUS
Long before the manger
He knew we were in danger
He never knew a stranger
So He became our Savior