The End of Me

Hello God...it's me again...could You send some change my way?
I need a change of attitude in what I do and say
My mind is focused on the clutter that blocks the total view
I've got my eyes on circumstances, instead of seeing You

Rescue me from negative thoughts, for they make my spirit weak
They trickle down and make an exit into the words I speak
Renew my mind...transform my life...change the way I think
Your living waters will quench my thirst...but I must choose to drink

Hello God...I'm slipping here...could You make a change in me?
I need a change inside my heart so I can be set free
Help me reach the "end of me"...so You can take control
I know it's in the breaking Lord, that You will make me whole

For often times I get off course in the things that I pursue
I need Your gentle hand of peace to guide me back to You
When I "react" I make decisions based on how I "feel"
So help me to "respond" instead...and stay within Your will

Whatever needs to change in me...I yield it all to You
And give You all authority to do the work You need to do
When I am in Your refining fire, help me see You in the flames
And trust You'll regulate the heat...by the power of Your name

Fill me with compassion Father, for the struggles others face
I haven't walked inside their shoes and I've not been in their place
Line my "talk" up with my "walk"...for they must go hand in hand
My witness has to be for real...if it's ever going to stand

I believe I finally get it Lord...I think I finally see
My circumstances may not change...till a change occurs in me
Your steadfast love is all I need to stand on solid ground
And wait for Your amazing grace to change my life around

Merissa Lee Kelley
February 4, 2007

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12:2

The Sweetest Name You Know

Have you ever been so overwhelmed, you can't find the words to pray?
With a drowning feeling in your soul, like you're being swept away?
You want to run away and hide; to escape the constant stress,
And it seems as if your entire world...is one big jumbled mess?

Your heart says "trust"...your eyes ask "why?"...your brain is "out to
lunch"
The problems aren't in singular form, they're coming by the bunch!
Your heart says "hope"...your eyes ask "when"...your brain is in "reverse"
Your joy gets "zapped", so your strength does too, which only makes things
worse

When you're on the verge of giving up and your "towel is almost tossed"
When the only math that you are doing...is counting what you've lost
Stop.........be still.........be very quiet.........and let the Spirit flow
Peace will come, when you call out...the sweetest name you know

I, for one, have been through times when words cannot convey
The depth of pain that leaves you breathless with nothing left to say
A "majestic prayer" is not an option, when your spirit gets so low
So just speak the name of Jesus Christ...the sweetest name you know

Just the sound of his sweet name is enough to calm your fears
Just the whisper of his name is enough to dry your tears
It's a one word prayer, so full of power, it's all you need to say
For the sweetest name above all names...is still as strong today

The name of Jesus shines a light that darkness can't put out
So speak it as a shield of faith, to repel any thoughts of doubt
Sing his name in praise and worship; the melody is so sweet
Shout it as you stand your ground...to show you won't retreat

"Jesus loves me this I know" is a basic, simple song
But the truth behind those precious words, will last your whole life long
So when you face a "winter season" where nothing seems to grow
Just keep on planting, don't look back and say the sweetest name you know.

Merissa Lee Kelley
November 2, 2003

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given
to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

The Party by Merissa Lee Kelley

Here comes Mr. Circumstance…he’s bearing down on me
Trying to steal my joy and peace…and take my liberty
I can hear him yelling out “You can run, but you can’t hide!”
I guess he doesn’t realize, just WHO is by my side

For if he did…he’d take his gloom and head the other way
Cause I am headed to a party…I get an invite everyday
It truly is a celebration…where I can just chill out
And know that mercy flows anew to erase my fear and doubt

Oh, come on Mr. Circumstance…you ought to know by now
That even in the midst of you…I’ll see the Son somehow
And if I stumble just a bit…from the darkness of your clouds
I’ll find my way to the party…where the praise is rockin’ loud!

Cause Jesus changes everything; takes the natural in his hand
Steps it up to supernatural and gives me strength to stand
And even when I feel surrounded by questions running wild
I can go to a Kingdom party, because I am His child

Really, Mr. Circumstance…you may seek to rob my hope
And make it seem that all is lost…with my back against the ropes
But all it takes is pushing back…in prayer with all my might
And we both know through Jesus Christ…just who will win this fight

Mr. Circumstance, your invitation was lost somewhere it seems
It must be rough to only glimpse the party of your dreams
If you’ll excuse me…I see the Son…and I think I heard him call
“Come on in…you’re all invited…to the greatest party of all!!!!”

August 3, 2015
Inspired by Pastor Matt Roger’s sermon on August 2, 2015
All Generations Church
 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
 © 2015 Merissa Lee Kelley