#3 song of the "Year One Church Planters Top 10"

NOT FOR A MOMENT - Meredith Andrews

I remember sitting in Pastor James' office in a "CD Listening Meeting".  This song was the clear favorite of everyone, especially Kathy and James.  Two weeks later Meredith sang this in the Saturday Night service.  To this day, it has been one of the most amazing services I have been to.  People rushing the stage for prayer and people flooding the isles in tears.  To see the Holy Spirit working in people and then to hear the words - "You were reaching in the dark and walking on the water, even when I could not see. In the middle of it all, when I thought you were a thousand miles away, not for a moment did You forsake me - not for a moment did you forsake me." - I was undone!  I needed to get as low as possible, and I did.- God was working and I felt so overwhelmed.  I wasn't sure how much more I could take.  Music has an integral part in our spirit.  I can honestly say I don't get guys who don't sing.  God created us to be worshipers of Him, and singing is one way he loves to hear it.  God has then gifted some writers to put a piece of music together that melts our hearts and gives us a longing for Him.  This is that type of Song for me - Praise the Lord, And every step every breath you are there Every tear every cry every prayer In my hurt at my worst, When my world falls down  - Not for a moment will You forsake me

Abby introduced the song to us at HBC Cambridge during an offering number and we have been singing it regularly.  What an amazing truth - Hebrews 13:5 -" I will never leave you, or forsake you."  Here are the lyrics:
You were reaching through the storm
Walking on the water
Even when I could not see
In the middle of it all
When I thought You were a thousand miles away
Not for a moment did You forsake me
Not for a moment did You forsake me

[Chorus]
After all You are constant
After all You are only good
After all You are sovereign
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Not for a moment will You forsake me

[Verse 2]
You were singing in the dark
Whispering Your promise
Even when I could not hear
I was held in Your arms
Carried for a thousand miles to show
Not for a moment did You forsake me

[Chorus]

And every step every breath you are there
Every tear every cry every prayer
In my hurt at my worst
When my world falls down
Not for a moment will You forsake me
Even in the dark
Even when it's hard
You will never leave me
After all

[Chorus]
Not for a moment will You forsake me

#5 song of the Year One church planters top ten:

"Open Up the Heavens - Meredith Andrews/Vertical Church Band"

That's what its all about right?! While here on earth, as worshipers, we long for nothing more than the glory of God to rend the heavens and come down!  Even writing that give me a stirring in my heart…thinking about God's glory, his transcendence coming an resting in our service and motivating the unmotivated and saving the unsaved and restoring the hope in marriages and hope in hurts being taken away all the while his word is preached and hearts are listening.  Oh, I long for that every week.

I couldn't decide which version I enjoyed more.  The Vertical Church Band's CD version live was stellar…(see video below). I wish I could have been there, but about 2 times a month, I plug in my iPhone to my car port and crank up Meredith Andrews version.  I love the violin/cello action on the chorus of this song. In the car we joke - with a sense of hopefulness - that we could see my mom and dad up there playing along.  I even have mom's motions down as she breaks out her viola…Its the longing of every believers heart - Lord unveil our eyes and show us your glory and power and strength in this place today!

Open up the heavens,
we want to see you,
open up the flood gates,
a mighty river,
flowing from your heart,
filling every part of our praise…

Show us, show us your glory
Show us, Show us your power
Show us, show us your glory LORD!

Lord unveil our eyes!!!
Blessings - Pastor Nate Out