Words & Music: Stephen Abraham & Ken Evans 
© 2020 Stephen Abraham & Ken Evans 
Recording © Stephen Abraham 2020
Photo: Artem Podrez 
Used by Permission
https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-woman-doing-heart-shaped-hand-gestures-5108638/

I'd been pondering God's Word; particularly Matthew 22:35-40 where Jesus is asked "which is the greatest commandment?". Jesus answers in part by quoting Deuteronomy 6.5 - what in Jewish tradition is called the "Shema" (in Hebrew "Hear, O Israel" which is the opening word of this section of scripture in verse 4). I found myself fascinated by this and some lyrics and melody followed after meditation. I felt led to draw some of the themes from Deuteronomy 6.4-9 into this song - but it just wasn't "coming together" like I'd hoped!  So I put out a call on a forum for help with it and Canadian worship leader Ken Evans responded. On opposite sides of the globe we worked on this track together. Then we let it go and moved on and what you have here is as far as we got! 
So thanks again Ken. What started as a project, turned into a friendship <3

VERSE 1
We are called to love our God
With our actions and our words
To have to a heart of true devotion
Reflecting His eternal love
We are called to care for others
To love our neighbour as ourselves
To love our friends and love our enemies just the same

PRE-CHORUS 1
"Jesus please answer me
Which of the commandments 
Is the greatest of these" (and He said)

CHORUS
Love the Lord 
With all your heart and soul and spirit
Love each other as you love yourself
All the law and prophets 
Stand on these commandments
Love the Lord 
And love others as yourself

VERSE 2
(So) Write these words upon my heart
 Write them deep inside of me
 May they guide my thoughts and actions
 A shining light for all to see
 Write these words upon my head
 And help me live them each day
 Bringing grace and peace to others 
 Lord in your Name

PRE-CHORUS 2
Jesus  know I am Yours
By Your Holy Spirit
May I live by these words

CHORUS
Love the Lord 
With all your heart and soul and spirit
Love each other as you love yourself
All the law and prophets 
Stand on these commandments
Love the Lord 
And love others as yourself

BRIDGE
May I show the work of your hands
In all that you have given me
Teach me to love as you have loved
And give to those in need

CHORUS

TAG
Love God and love others
My sisters and brothers
These are your commandments
Thank you Lord, Thank you Jesus

Greatest of These

Words and Music: Stephen Abraham © 2021

THANKS ALWAYS TO MY TEAM: Michael (thanks for your ears and honesty), Joash (esp with Final Cut Pro), Alisha with proof-reading, Ben (who makes me sound good!), Thérèse and all my team - Bless you.  I love you guys. The music and visuals could only be here by your gifts of time, talents and inspiration.


ABOUT THIS SONG
This is a song about the day-to-day of grief and loss in the first few months; what it feels like at that basic level when its "the days after" losing someone so dear. The loss of "in jokes", banter, support, understanding and all the precious things verbal and non-verbal interactions so precious to a relationship that just stop dead when someone you love dies. 
It's not about "trying to get over it and move on". I'll never get over what I have lost! It's about trying to live; trying to not "hit the bottle" or self implode or give into despair and the bottomless pit of depression. It's about trying every day to choose to live. It's about trying your best to live without someone who has always been there for you; always been a part of your daily life.
Amongst my tears a school friend told me "when someone dies, they're not gone, they're just in another room that you can't go into yet". That really spoke to me. As a Christian, that makes perfect sense to me. They're influence and love for you remains, its just one-sided for a time before that "door opens" and you are re-united. 
Part of "Trying" for me has been monthly councilling - sometimes with my family. My dear psych/therapist (who with my family held me together in those early days) told me that "grief" is actually "love". If you have a lot of love for someone - you're probably going to have a lot of grief! That sure has been my experience!

This song is dedicated to those who have lost someone dear to them. Those who know grief/love so deeply, but carry it with such grace and honesty.
"Lord Jesus, say Hi to Mum for me. Tell her I'm still making music that she loved - the gift she gave me. I'll be home soon...I just have to wait..."

TRYING - A SONG BY Stephen Abraham

I’m trying every day to move on
But my heart’s stuck in the past with you
I’m doing my very best to adjust
Lord I’m trying
Lord I’m trying

VERSE 2 
I wake up every day - you're not here
And I feel my heart break again
I’m trying to accept that its true 
Lord I’m trying
I’m still trying

CHORUS
You’ve been here my whole life
And now you’re not here
And that doesn’t make sense to my heart
But I’m trying

VERSE 3
So I make it through another day
And I smile, I laugh, I wear my mask
But when I close my eyes to sleep the truth hits so hard
Lord I’m trying
Lord I’m trying

CHORUS
You’ve been here my whole life
And now you’re not here
And that doesn’t make sense to my heart 
But I’m trying

BRIDGE
There was a kindness in your eyes
The big hugs you would give
And I need one right now
Because I miss you so much!

There was a special way we talked
Private jokes we only knew 
And a trust beyond words
An understanding, a love
Is that all lost to time?

INSTRUMENTAL

CHORUS 
You’ve been here my whole life
And now you’re not here
And that doesn’t make sense to my heart
But I’m trying

TAG
I’m trying for my family
I’m trying for my friends
I’m even trying for your sake LATE
God Help me

I know you’re not lost
You’re just in another room
And I’ll meet you there one day
I just have to wait
And keep trying

Trying (single)

Trying

As a kid growing up singing hymns with Dad playing the pipe organ, Samuel Medley's triumphant victory hymn was my favourite at Easter. It was so "major-key-up-beat", so personal, so rousing and for me captures the joy that the Good News of Jesus' resurrection gave to those first disciples. 

So here's my modern take on it, complete with my own chorus to make it even more personal.
(I've registered this with CCLI Song Number: 7128878. Chord chart available - just email me stephen.abraham@me.com)

VERSE 1
I know that my Redeemer lives;
what comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my everliving Head.

VERSE 2
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to help in time of need.

CHORUS
Jesus you, triumphed o’er the grave
Gave your life, a sinful world to save
Lord you are my saviour, your my friend
You live and love me to the end

VERSE 3
He lives and grants me daily breath;
He lives and I shall conquer death;
He lives my mansion to prepare;
He lives to bring me safely there.

VERSE 4
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same.
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives,
"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

CHORUS
Jesus you, triumphed o’er the grave
Gave your life, a sinful world to save
Lord you are my saviour, your my friend
You live and love me to the end

TAG
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives

Original Words: Samuel Medley 1775
Words & Music: Stephen Abraham © 2019
CCLI Song Number: 7128878

Worship

I know that my Redeemer Lives (Love me to the end)

Phew - finally got this here after several months work!

I originally wrote this song in 2002 - and it felt like now was the time to work on it with all I've learnt about music production over the years - and because I found myself singing it as the plane was landing on my last trip OS! 

BIG THANKS TO:
Flutist: Alisha Dutschke (my stellar niece!)
Glyn Lehmann: Production Polisher (l love your heart, wisdom and musicality)
Andy Voigt: Vocal Production Polisher (thanks for your time and your magic <3 )

ABOUT THE SONG:
The words and melody came to me after time away from home as my plane was coming in to land. It struck me that whilst flying you are in limbo - this space between what is past and what lies ahead. I found myself reflecting on where I'd come from and the anxiety I had about what lay ahead. At the time I was School Pastor, Church Planter in mission and a young father. The was a lot riding on me. The chorus was my prayer for help to bear what lay ahead whatever that may be. Ironically this was not long before my permanent spinal injury and all the challenges that that brought with it. In retrospect now - I know this prayer was answered - and with that I know that my prayers now for the future will be too. Whatever happens, good or bad, God will be with me guiding me through till I rest in His arms :)

LANDING (THIS LIFE YOU'VE GIVEN ME)

VERSE 1
So many questions and so many fears
So many issues to face through the years
 So many feelings are flooding through my mind

What am I doing and where have I been?
Fighting my life even though it’s a dream!
Years slipping by like they’re - just a dream
So many feelings are flooding through my mind

PRE-CHORUS 
And I don’t know what’s coming 
or what I’ll have to face   
So give me, give me all 
Of Your grace. 

CHORUS
Help me to be a good father
Help me to be a good man
Give me your strength so that 
I can do the best I can
Help me to be a good husband
Bless the work that I do
Help me to keep my eyes focused on you
In this life you’ve given me.

VERSE 2
Some days I know this is where I should be
Others I’m trapped longing to be free
So many feelings are flooding through my mind

Some Days of laughter and others of pain
Days where your simply caught in the rain!
So many feelings are flooding through my mind

PRE-CHORUS 
Whatever is still coming
The Challenges I’ll face
I’m trusting in your love and your grace
          
CHORUS
Help me to be a good father
Help me to be a good man
Give me your strength so that 
I can do the best I can
Help me to be a good husband
Bless the work that I do
Help me to keep my eyes focused on you
In this life you’ve given me.

BRIDGE
The plane now is landing
The wheels touching the ground
I can’t do this alone
Catch me Lord I’m falling
And now…

CHORUS
Help me to be a good father
Help me to be a good man
Give me your strength so that 
I can do the best I can
Help me to be a good husband
Bless the work that I do
Help me to keep my eyes focused on you
In this life you’ve given me.

Bare

Landing (This Life You've Given Me)

"Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1.24-25

These words came to me as we sat in the veterinary hospital waiting as a family member lay in his last moments of life. This family member had been crucial in my recovery and on-going home care. God used him in a powerful way in all our lives - but mine uniquely as a support, a defender, a comfort.

As I said on social media:
"As we sat, the Bible verse came to me and I mentally prepared a farewell rite with invocation that verse and a careful prayer for our family. I held it together until his his last breaths because I didn’t want his last conscious awareness of us to be me crying. We all had to say really loudly “Your a Good Boy” over and over because he was so deaf! The chorus came in the night and I woke up early and started working on the song and then churned it out - thinking of God's seeing creation as "good", how he uses that creation for His good purposes and how our last words to our pet were "Good boy". The last verse took me about half an hour to record because I kept breaking down over and over again! I know it’s not the best recording and not the best song but I had to limit it because the the grief will swamp me if im not careful." 

This song is in memory of him, and is for all who have (or have lost) non-human members of family whom God uses in a powerful way.

For Neo...

MY FRIEND
VERSE 1
I had a friend, such a good friend. 
As much as a canine ever could ever be.
As a pup, he was scared
And hugged me close for safety

I had a friend, he lived with us
And grew much big bigger than he should have
He loved to eat blood and bone
And some times he left home to explore

CHORUS
And I know that he wasn’t human
Don’t know if I’ll see him in heaven
But I know God loved my friend
Because of three words 

VERSE 2
I had a friend, and he helped me
When I thought that there’d be no tomorrow 
He licked away all my tears 
When I’d cry as I played my piano

I had a friend, and he knew me
When my pain was bad he’d lie close 
And when I got home he would greet me
His feet would barely touch the ground

CHORUS
And I know that he wasn’t human
I hope that I’ll see him in heaven
And I know that God loved my friend
Because of three words 

BRIDGE
Three simple words
As God viewed all creation
Of you and me, and the birds in the trees
And my friend hear these words
“it is good”.

Three simple words
As God viewed all creation
Of you and me, and the birds in the trees
And my friend hear these words...

Three simple words
That echo through all creation
Of you and me, and the birds in the trees
And my friend hear these words
“it is good”.

VERSE 3
And when he got old we were there.
He was part of a family who cared
And when his time came - we gave thanks
And one last time we said
You’re a Good Boy

My Friend

A Box That Made Sound
Words & Music © 2019
Christian Copyright Song Number: 4470275
Free download licensed for personal use only.

This is a song I wrote the day my Grand Piano was sold.
It is kind of a love song to my piano, to the gift it has been from Dad and Mum and God, and a remembrance of it's journey with me through times good and bad. It's also a reflection on the passage of time, about facing up to hard decisions that are the "right call" - but still hurt. 
We spent a long time cleaning it before the sale, and it struck me that a piano is really just a big wooden box - a beautiful box, that at its essence "makes sound". When it left with the removalists, I sat at my electric piano (which suits my disability better) and this song is what came out (dispersed with tears).

As always a huge thanks to my supporters who got me to 100 subscribers, and to my amazing support team that make these videos possible :)

LYRICS
I’m saying goodbye
To something that meant a lot
A gift given 
that means so much

A gift from my Dad
And from my Mum
A box that made sound

(It was a) place of safety
A place I could go
A place where I where I was free
To express my soul

A gift from my Dad
And from my Mum
A box that made sound

String and hammers
And brass pedals
It was  heavy
It carried some weight in my heart
A box that made sound

But Times they change, 
you can’t avoid it
You’ve got to face them
Even if it hurts
 
But times are changing
Every moment
You can’t escape them
You just gotta a trust
That God is with you
And the memories are strong
Of a box that made sound.

A Box that Made Sound

This song is based on Jesus words in Matthew 11:28–30.
￼I was reflecting on these words; how the people that Jesus was speaking to at the time were so burnt out trying to follow the minutia of religious laws￼ as interpreted by the Pharisees (the Talmud records 613!) ￼. They were tired and worn out carrying this impossible burden.
Now maybe we don't have the same burden - but many of us carry heavy emotional, psychological, or medical burdens through life. And maybe that is you too - or someone you know.
I think Jesus’ words speak to all who are burdened and carrying heavy loads whether they be religious laws, burdens of family, life’s hardships, or just pressure of ￼trying to make ends meet.￼￼ For me, my medical condition leaves me incredibly drained and feeling worn out and empty ￼at times with nothing left to give to my loved ones￼.
When Jesus talks about a “yoke” - he’s talking about a farming implement that joins two beasts of burden together so that they can share the workload evenly, often an older more experienced animal with a younger one￼. It appears to be a common analogy of the time where Jewish people would be “yoked” to their Rabbi who would walk beside them, guide and lead them￼￼￼￼￼. 

So as usual for me, I’m having my morning shower (which is where I do my morning meditation) and I'm pondering these verses in my heart (especially The Message version of Matthew 11:28–30 which really encapsulates this well. Look it up - it’s awesome!) and I’m thinking about my burdens and Jesus’ promise to walk with me, guide me and lighten my burden￼. And that’s where this song suddenly appeared in my head...

I envisage this being a song that we sing to each other in worship; speaking Jesus’ words of promise to each other, knowing that He is there with us, waiting to help shoulder our load - and lead us and guide us through times where our burden seems too great to bear.


THANKS TO MY TEAM; especially Anthony, Frank and Tim who guided with some lyrical considerations; Michael, Nath and Percy for their musical and visual input, Alisha for her proof reading and Joash and Thérèse for their help pulling this all together with me. Love ya work :)

Come to me When You're Weary

"Have a Big Heart" explores some ways we think about the word "heart". Jesus had a big heart for people in his earthly ministry.
It was something my mother taught me. 
She also taught me that its your Christian duty to do your best with the tasks God has given you to accomplish; to "put your heart into it".
When we think of "the heart" in Scripture, we mean your inner world, your thoughts/ambitions/will/desires - your essence. The Lord tells Samuel when choosing a new king for Israel from Jesse's sons not to go by the outward appearance because "God looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
The ancient eucharistic prayer urges us before Holy Communion to "lift up your hearts (in worship)". 
I was reminded of all of this when my Mother lay on her death bed with heart failure; her physical cardiology was a problem her whole life but her spiritual cardiology was an inspiration to her whole family.
Her "heart" was for Jesus - and now she is with him.

Have a Big Heart

Radio version of "Wonderful" meditation. Removed the intro and outro, added a basic beat low in the mix. 
For the original video go to YouTube.com/stephenabrahammusic

This track uses a synth pad from my DX7. As a teen I'd put on the headphones, load up this sound and improvise - dreaming of creating music.

Wonderful (radio edit)

Piano rock (occasional hard rock!), electronica & Christian worship music. Handcrafted by a disabled dude who loves Jesus....

For my Christian Meditation resources go to:
https://soundcloud.com/christianmeditation

stephenabraham

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