Below: "In the Beginning", "Back Door", "Mountain State Academy Alma Mater" .
"Don't Be Blinded" . "Ancient of Days" . "Throne of Love" . "Are You Discouraged?"
BACK DOOR
I was smarter than you
When I was watchin’
When I was watchin’ you
Go in and out
I learned your habits,
Got to know you
When you didn’t know
What I was about.
I stayed one step ahead
You didn’t catch a trace
I left no fingerprints
You didn’t know there was a chase.
My footprints covered,
My camera was well hidden
I had a thing for you
Even doin’ what you shouldn’t.
I was at your back door
I was at your back door
I was at your back door
All the time.
I got to hopin’
My cover would be blown
My heart was achin’
To be known.
I was sendin’ angels
Trumpet blasts from Sinai
Sendin’ prophets, priests and kings
With bread and wine.
I was tellin’ stories
Sendin’ Valentines through Paul
I kept a stone face
Through it all.
Only a few close friends
Knew what I was goin’ through.
They knew my hear was dyin’ over you.
I watched you watchin’
Out your front window
For your Prince Charming
He took a thousand forms
Riches, power, fame
I was just a poor boy
Hangin’ naked
Would you turn your head around?
Would I really give my life, just for you?
I was at your back door
I was at your back door
I was at your back door
All the time.
===============
DON’T BE BLINDED
Are you a butcher or a baker, or a candlestick maker?
Are you a doctor or a lawyer, or are you just a faker?
Are you on your way to glory, or are you going your own way?
I hope you find just who you are and find the narrow way.
Don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded.
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
Oh don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
You know the kingdom of heaven is like a massive feast
To which all have been invited, from the greatest to the least
But there were some who thought they had some things which were much more important
So as they’re increasing in their wealth their eternal life is being shortened.
Now someday they’ll get you out, seekin’ for a job
And they’ll want you to clothe yourself in some mighty fancy garb
When they ask you will you tell them what your true identity is?
Will you tell them about Jesus, and the kingdom which is His?
Don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded.
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
Oh don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
Have you ever worried that your life would go astray?
Have you ever worried that yhou wouldn’t know what to say?
Are you plannin’ for the future? Or just livin’ for today?
Do you think you have the courage to give your life away?
Don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded.
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
Oh don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
They’re gonna tell you what to think, tell you what to do.
Fill your mind with lies, fill it through and through.
Will you listen when they tell you that one plus three is two?
And when the dust has settled will you know who’ really you?
Don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded.
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
Oh don’t be blinded, oh don’t be blinded
Don’t be blinded, to who you are.
May 15, 1986
============
IN THE BEGINNING
In the beginning before anything was formed
The universe by God’s unchanging love was warmed.
Before there was an earth, there was in Heaven above
A sweet-scented perfume it was God’s unchanging love.
Before there were mountains or e’er the earth revolved
The problems to arise had in God’s love been resolved
Before there was worry, or anger or remorse
It was love, only love, which set the universe on course
Then God in a garden married Adam and Eve
Intending that in one flesh forever they would cleave.
A joy then crescendoed through all the universe
When in love they took their vows, for better or for worse.
This garden, this marriage, was lovely to behold
It was never God’s intention for this love to grow old.
So hear His instruction, bear with His quiet scold
Never, oh never, let your first love grow cold.
So when conflicts arise you can know this one thing for sure.
The problems to arise will find in love their only cure.
So be kind to one another, be true and pure
And in the hands of God, your love will be secure
And in the hands of God, your love will be secure.
MOUNTAIN STATE ACADEMY ALMA MATER
Mountain State Academy
Where Mountaineers are free
Though I ‘ll soon be leaving you
You’ll always be with me.
By the bend in the River Hughes
Near the sound of the gospel news
‘til the wild and wonderful reunion
Be ‘til then our Muse.
Mountain State Academy
The memories we share
The friends, the hills, the Bible sessions
The gentle country air.
By the bend in the River Hughes
Where I first wore the gospel shoes
‘til the wild and wonderful reunion
Help to mold our views.
Mountain State Academy
To you I sing this poem
Helping on the upward journey
A home until we’re Home.
By the bend in the River Hughes
When I first learned His name to choose.
What a mighty difference you’ve made
With a small, committed few.
April 4, 1992
THRONE OF LOVE
From unseen mountains
Flows a crystal stream
With unseen waters
That sparkle and gleam
All of these waters
Flow into the sea of men
And after dew and drizzle
They flow back again
These unseen waters
Never stop, never tire
They flow from a throne of love
They flow from a throne of fire
Waters of Fire
Waters from Above
That burn the hearts of men
With the fiery heart of love.
WHEN WILL THESE RIVERS CEAST TO FLOW
WILL THE DAY COME SOON WHEN THEY’LL HAVE NO PLACE TO GO?
I want these rivers
To flow inside of me
I want these rivers, don’t you?
To set me free.
Pennsboro, WV
March 4, 1992
ARE YOU DISCOURAGED?
Are you discouraged or feelin’ down?
Do you feel like you don’t have a friend around?
You need to look to God and to His word
Yes look to Jesus you’ll be reassured.
Ooh! He will see you through
Ooh! He will see you through
Ooh! He will see you through
Our God is big enough to see you through.
Do you feel like quittin’ or givin’ up?
Do you feel your life is a bitter cup?
Before you throw the towel in and shed a tear
You need to look to Jesus – you will persevere.
Ooh! He will see you through
Ooh! He will see you through
Ooh! He will see you through
Our God is big enough to see you through.
When you can’t see the rainbow and all seems dark
When you know your life is missin’ that special spark
You need to look to God and what He can do
And if you’re honest with yourself you know He’ll see you through!
Ooh! He will see you through
Ooh! He will see you through
Ooh! He will see you through
Our God is big enough to see you through.