Music by Thomas Helmore, 1854.
Public domain.
Arrangement: Stephanie Staples-Rostad

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lowly exile here
Until the Son of God appears

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From the depths of hell Thy people save
And give them vict’ry o’er the grave.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
All peoples in one heart and mind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

I wrote this song in England on one of our days off. It’s for anyone who struggles at any time with depression.

Waiting for Sunrise
October 28, 2011
Stephanie Staples-Rostad

I’m waiting for sunrise
when will it come
It came and it went and
This darkness is strong

Sometimes these moments turns to days

Your life in me, breathing
The beat of your heart
Light of your friendship, my hope in the dark

When the moments turn to days

I can stand in the fire
Hold on to power
Jesus is king of the flood
He’s got power to save me
Love to keep me
Safe through the storm

When the moments turn to days

When winter has fallen
When spring hasn’t sprung
I’ll wait here, just resting
I know it will come

He’ll stand with me through fire
Fill me with power
He is the king of the flood
And his power will raise me
Love will sustain me
Joy will be my light

(c) 2011 Stephanie Staples-Rostad International Music

I wrote this song in England on one of our days off. It’s a song about dealing with chronic issues—for me, physical. God doesn’t view his broken ones as anything but whole in him.

Broken & Complete
October 29, 2011
Stephanie Staples-Rostad

Scars from wounded hearts are mended
Only by the surgeons knife
Hardened after years of healing
Often pain is the result

I’d love to know the reason for this

Heal my heart
Send a remedy
Fix me till what’s broken is whole again

Uncertain of the cause
I falter at the weight of this old cross
I’d give anything to be like everyone else
But some things are out of our control

Heal my heart
Send a remedy
Fix me till what’s broken is whole again

Heal my heart
Be my remedy
Fix me, I am broken, I’m yours, complete

I’d love to know the reason for this
I’d love to just explain it all away and be accepted

Here’s my heart
Jesus, you’re my remedy
Though broken, I am yours, safely held, complete

Here’s my heart
Savior, remedy
You’ve fixed me, though still broken, I’m yours, complete

There may just be a reason for this
As long as you are with me I can stand up to this

(c) 2011 Stephanie Staples-Rostad International Music

Actually, I wrote two today. So refreshing! Life has been so crazy with packing up to move and getting ready for our month in the UK, I haven’t actually sat down to write in quite a while.

Here are the lyrics to one… nothing terribly profound, just what was on my mind after reading a bit of “Lilith” by George MacDonald this morning. I’m discovering the simplicity of trust and realizing that eternal life doesn’t begin someday (Eternal life is . . . eternal. It has no beginning or end. t just “is” and has always been.). Eternal life is in Christ. “He who has the Son has the life” 1 John 5:12.

Precipice

Heavens calling me today
The Eternal, not a place
There’s an ache inside my soul

Such a mystery, the love
The simplicity to trust
For this mind, it’s enough

I am standing on a precipice
I hear him knocking at the door

Stretch my hand out, turn the knob
It must open, that’s my job
He’s waiting for my move

The eternal, three in one
Shepherd, healer, king of love
His presence is enough for me

Oh I am standing on a precipice
Where I must make up my own mind
The way out, not in is where my future lies, I’m sure
It’s behind the door, behind the door
Waiting for me

Oh I am standing on a precipice
Where I must make up my own mind
The way out, not in is where the future lies, I’m sure
It’s behind the door, behind that door
He’s behind the door, waiting for me

Heaven is calling, the future is bright
Eternity lives in my soul

“Precipice”
(c) Stephanie Staples–Rostad

I believe songs can move the heart of God, just like prayer. In fact, some songs ARE prayer (read the Psalms). If that is the case even the simple, humble songs written in the privacy of our own home can touch heaven and can move God to touch earth —just like prayers that are prayed in “the secret closet.”

Below are lyrics to a tune that came to me a few days ago… it was definitely a time of prayer. I wanted to pass them along so you could pray this with me. It was inspired by the words of Jesus, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you.” There are so many people who do not have a “place.” Consider the Jews having no homeland and being considered “outcasts” for thousands of years (even in recent years). There are children all over the world who are refugees . . . they have no “safe place.” The words of Jesus mean so much more when we remember that…. what an amazing joy to know that He has a place for us.

This was also inspired by one of my dreams—tears were streaming down my face as I heard a huge crowd of people singing, “He has made a place for us.” I woke up, remembered the words of Jesus, thought about it for a day or so, then prayed this song.

January 7, 2011
Your Kingdom

Healer of the nations, to you the people cry
Longing for salvation from the ruler of the night

How long must we wait for your kingdom
We yearn for that moment in time
When the light of your face overcomes, illuminates
And the waters of life run wide (we drink of the waters of life)

Maker of the heavens, please don’t hide yourself anymore
Prophesy, reveal your light
Awaken us, awaken us
Awaken our souls tonight

Oh Father of light, draw us close to you
Let us hear the beat of your heart
You suffered and died, you were broken, despised
You rose to give us life

How long must we wait for your kingdom
We yearn for that moment in time
When the light of your face overcomes, illuminates
And we drink of the waters of life

Healer of the nations, to you the people cry

Words and Music: Stephanie Staples

I was looking through one of my old song notebooks this morning and stumbled across this song/prayer I wrote over two years ago. It’s nothing spectacular but I wanted to work on it again, get a quick one-take garage band recording (focusing on the prayer, not the sound), and send it to two friends of mine who are facing incredible trial. Thought I’d share it with my Stephologie friends, too… he’s our shelter & our strength.

Shelter & Strengthn

Shelter & Strength
Words and Music: Stephanie Staples
Originally written on March 19, 2008
Adapted on November 16, 2010

When I come into your presence I find peace
When I look into your eyes I know that all is well
When I cling to you for my security
All my fears vanish with the stormy winds

When I stop the second guessing and I look to you
When my heart is finally quiet I find rest
When I lean upon your promises, refuse to waver in fear
All my confusion fades and your glory appears

And you hold me, you hide me
In the shelter of your wings
And you speak to me like a child who needs her daddy’s love

When the darkness tries to steal my confidence
When the doubts and unbelief draw near to reign
I will lift my eyes to Jesus, in him the light of day
Breaks through the darkest night, and holds me in faith

And you hold me, you hide me
In the shelter of your wings
And you speak to me like a child who needs her daddy’s love
You hold me, you hide me
You’re my shelter and my strength
Father, speak to me, I’m a child who needs her daddy’s love

So I come into your presence to find peace
I look your eyes, hoping that all will be well
I am clinging; you are my security
May all these fears vanish, let your glory appear

©2008 & 2010 Stephanie Staples

More Than Enough

Stephanie & Erik playing “More Than Enough” for the communion portion of a worship service in Midtown Atlanta.

Piano & Vocals: Stephanie Staples-Rostad
Violin: Erik Rostad

This is one of our favorite worship songs—musically & lyrically. It was a joy to play it together!

I was invited to lead a group of wonderful group of women in song during a special ministry night called, “Lasting Beauty.” Unfortunately, I somehow contracted severe laryngitis a few days before the event, so I was unable to sing strongly. The women were amazing—I asked them to sing louder than me, to sing & bless my heart while I played the piano, and just sang a few words here & there. What precious moments I had hearing them sing this song! Really touched my soul! True communion & community. Thank you, First Pres Augusta!

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision O lord of my heart
Nought be all else to me, save Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father and I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise
Thou mine inheritance now and always
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, thy victory one,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision O Ruler of all

Public Domain

I Exalt Thee

From worship Sunday morning @ St. Paul’s in Midtown, Atlanta.

Acoustic and Main Vocals: Stephanie Staples
Piano & Background Vocals: Pamela Rayside
Drums: Jeff Hawkins
Bass: Danni Chung
Electric Guitar: Steven Searcy

I Exalt Thee
Lyrics & Music: Peter Sanchez Jr.

For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods

I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord

© 1977 Pete Sanchez, Jr. (Admin. by Gabriel Music, Inc.)

Rushing Wind

Here’s a rough from part of last week’s afternoon service worship. One of my favorite songs. The video didn’t quite pick up all the audio but Pamela Rayside did a fabulous job on the piano.

Rushing Wind
Lyrics & Music: Keith Green & Melody Green

Rushing wind, blow through this temple
Blowing out the dust within
Come and breathe your breath upon me
For I’ve been born again

Holy Spirit, I surrender
Take me where you want to go
Plant me by your living water
Plant me deep so I can grow

Jesus, you’re the one who sets my spirit free
Use me, Lord, glorify your holy name through me

Separate me from this world, Lord
Sanctify my life for you
Daily change me into your image
Help me bear good fruit

Everyday you’re drawing closer
Trials come to test my faith
But when all is said and done, Lord
You know, it’s been worth the wait

Jesus, you’re the one who sets my spirit free
Use me, Lord, glorify your holy name through me

Rushing wind, blow through this temple
Blowing out the dust within
Come and breathe your breath upon me
For I’ve been born again

(c)1977 (renewed 2005) EMI APRIL MUSIC, INC.