Archives by: Gary Hoag

Deep in the heart of a man
There are battles that we fight within ourselves
We question the surest of things
We keep secrets in our hearts we never tell
And we say that we rely on You
that we will seek Your way
But to give You all and nothing less
Do we really have the faith?

Can we give it all away, give it all away, give it all to You
When we give You just a little, we give You nothing at all
Can we give it all way, give it all away, give it all to You
When the only thing that matters, is the hardest thing to do

Why would a man give up his soul
To gain a world that has no just reward
We’re lead to believe in ourselves
But without You there’s nothing to look toward
You can remove the veil of darkness
That has covered up our face
And take us from this wretched land into Your holy place

And we say that we rely on You
That we will seek Your way
But the hardest of all questions
Do we really have the faith?

John Elefante: Give It All Away. YouTube music video:

I searched the world for a song that I could sing
Praise to my King A gift that I could bring
But no music I found could compare to you
Not one could do Justice to your glory
What are my songs compared to yours

You speak with thunder and lightning
Your voice shakes the mountains
The foundations of the earth
All I can offer is this fragile breath
With each one I’ll praise You
With each one I’ll praise You more

I searched the world for a poem I could read
A rhyme that would bring Glory to my King
But no writing I found was worthy of
This God high above All other gods
What are my words compared to yours

You speak with thunder and lightning
Your voice shakes the mountains
The foundations of the earth
All I can offer is this fragile breath
With each one I’ll praise You
With each one I’ll praise You more

Speak to me, speak to me please
Won’t You speak to me

You speak with thunder and lightning
Your voice shakes the mountains
The foundations of the earth
All I can offer is this fragile breath
With each one I’ll praise You
With each one I’ll praise You more

Todd Agnew: This Fragile Breath. YouTube music video:

I’ve been holding on so tight. Look at these knuckles
They’ve gone white. I’m fighting for who I wanna be
I’m just trying to find security

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one’s who lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it’s then I’ll find my soul
You say let it go.

Well it’s hard enough to hear, harder still, to move beyond this fear
We know there’s nothing I can bring, so tell me what do you want from me?

But You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one’s who lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it’s then I’ll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

What do I love? What do I hate? What will I lose? What will I gain?
How do I save my soul?
What if I bend? What if I break? What will it cost? What will it take?
For you to save my soul.

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one’s who lose control
You say You will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it’s then I’ll find my soul

You say let it go, You say let it go
You say life is waiting for the one’s who lose control
You say you will be, everything I need
You said if I lose my life it’s then I’ll find my soul
You say let it go, You say let it go

Tenth Avenue North: Let it go! YouTube Music Video:

Three in the morning, and I’m still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page, and I started writing,
Just what I’d say, if we were face to face,
I’d tell you just what you mean to me, I’d tell you these simple truths:

Be strong in the Lord and, never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things, I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so, don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget, but don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray, these are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke, you said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart, I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying, Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I’ve already been there, so please hear these simple truths:

Be strong in the Lord and, never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things, I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so, don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget, but don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray, these are the words I would say:

From one simple life to another, I will say,
Come find peace in the Father.

Be strong in the Lord and, never give up hope,
You’re going to do great things, I already know,
God’s got His hand on you so, don’t live life in fear,
Forgive and forget, but don’t forget why you’re here,
Take your time and pray, thank God for each day,
His love will find a way, these are the words I would say

Sidewalk Prophets: The Words I Would Say. YouTube music video:

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours

I can walk across the world and never find the answer
I could search the sky above and never get any closer
You made it all and I will have to fall
At the feet of the One Who fell for me

You gave your life for mine to have me by your side
I won’t look back anymore, Now that I, I am yours
You’ll never say goodbye, You are the reason why
I won’t look back anymore, now that I, I am yours

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours

All the rest can disappear without any traces
I have nothing left to fear as long as Your face is
All I can see, You are all I need
Every breath, every step, You’re here with me

You gave your life for mine to have me by your side
I won’t look back anymore, Now that I, I am yours
You’ll never say goodbye, You are the reason why
I won’t look back anymore, Now that I, I am yours

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours

I belong to you, You and you alone
I belong to you, You and you alone
I belong to you, You and you alone

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, You’re here with me

You gave your life for mine to have me by your side
I won’t look back anymore now that I, I am yours
You’ll never say goodbye, You are the reason why
I won’t look back anymore, Now that I, I am yours

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours

I can walk across the world, I can search the sky above
You made it all, and I am Yours

The Afters: I Am Yours. YouTube music video:

This Kevin Fagan comic appeared on 7 September 2005. Since we need more laughter in our lives, it’s the second, of hopefully many more comics somehow tied to generosity. This one makes me think: Do I give to impress people? Will I listen to the right voice next time?

All this reminds me of Matthew 6:1-4: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

“I care more about where the individual is at spiritually than what he can do financially.”

Chi-Chung Keung as quoted by Thomas Jeavons and Rebekah Burch Basinger in Growing Givers Hearts: Treating Fundraising as Ministry (San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2000) 141.

“Stewardship is God’s way of raising people, not man’s way of raising money.”

Wesley K. Willmer in God & Your Stuff (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2003) 9.

“There are three conversions necessary to every man: the head, the heart and the purse.”

Martin Luther’s famous quote is the basis for R. Scott Rodin’s new must-read book, The Third Conversion (Colbert, WA: Kingdom Life, 2011) 81.

“Stewardship is the act of organizing your life so that God can spend you.

Lynn Miller as cited by Eric Rees in Only You Can Be You: 21 Days to Making Your Life Count (New York: Howard Books, 2009) 92.