Jordan Mentz

You told me that you wanted me to love the poor
So I asked you how can I love them because they aren’t like me
Has there been any other excuse for the ages
Then you told me to me to love my enemies
I wanted to believe you and apply what you say
But it seemed too tall a task, and I turned the other way
How is this supposed to look in my life
You told me that there were so many things the world doesn’t bother to apply
People living and people dying, and in the midst there is all this lying
Haven’t wanted to accept your words of forgiveness, when you offered me your life
You told me that my grace is sufficient for you, and you should turn and do the same.
I saw someone who was hurting, and turned and walked away
Only to discover the person that was in pain was driving me insane
The person on in the inside, turned out to be an image of myself
Struggling to find you, and desperate for the truth
Hungry and trying to figure out what was going on
In my confused and shattered world, only to find you were the only one who mattered
I had been away for so long, that I seemed to lost the desire to look for you,
but as I was away, I realized that God didn’t stop looking for me and wouldn’t stop til He found me
He never pushes his way into anyone’s way of life, but patiently waits as He gently summons me to come.

I want to sing and dance because I know who I am in Christ
Finding my life, my love, my joy, my identity in the son
I want to be your son, which I know I already am
A sinner, once living in sin, but now nothing is held against me
Redeemed by the message of the cross, seems to me that others should know this joy
If this is how it always was meant to be, then why did I waste so much living in hiding
I want to come out, of my shell and reveal my secrets to my heart

Dancing in the fields, singing while I am in the valley
I want to be your bride, dancing with the bridegroom
On the streets of gold, just you and me
No more being fake, no more being secretive
no more living a lie, but I will trust you to help me live in the truth.

Walking through this life I came to a cross roads
I saw two doors before me, and one led to me living behind a mask this door, people didn’t have to know I was hurting
The other door would open to the room of grace, but in order to enter I just had to open up my heart
The world’s view of being broken has left so many people feeling shattered, because it is the opposite of what is true
I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw others crying because I had been living the illusion I was the only one hurting
I looked around and masks were no where to be found, because the people in this room, understood that they just had to come open and willing
I took my mask off and didn’t recognize the man God created, because I had been hiding my real self for so long
It felt different, but I knew I was in the right room, because others were healing, but I was hurting still and wanted what they had
I knew I didn’t have to hide in my false reality any longer because I wanted to be stronger, so I opened up and felt true healing
Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, a shimmer of hope in the darkness, because I didn’t have to be someone else

Inspired by John Lynch’s True Faced.

I wanted for someone to embrace me
to love me regardless of my past
I wanted to feel the warmth
but all I could end up finding was the cold shoulder
Can’t seem to muster the grace
Can’t seem to understand what it means to seek your face
I longed for someone who would accept me
A savior who would offer me life
Thirsty for something, drinking of filthy water
I don’t want to give my heart away,
No not yet, not to someone who would hurt me
haven’t been loved by someone before like you love me
Trying to think of something that will ease my pain away
Then you told me that my life mattered enough that it didn’t have to end that way
I thought you were crazy, and I turned my ears away not wanting the truth
But all this for nothing, because none of it was true
I was believing the lie that was whispered to me
The lie you are worthless, and you should be rejected
So I have decided to not live my life dejected because the lion is hungry
Waiting for someone who he can devour, so in my darkest hour I will choose to be free
Free of the bondage of the sin I keep in my closet

I wanted someone to hold me while I was crying
A voice to whisper I love you child
I wanted to hold the hand of a father
My little hands tried to grab your finger
Laying on your lap, looking into your eyes
Trying to fall asleep, but my mind wouldn’t let me
I was tired but I knew your peace would calm me
Daddy, its been so long since I let you hold me
my broken heart pieced back together with in your love
For a long time, stumbling through the darkness
not knowing where I was going, but I wanted to look into your eyes
I couldn’t see the hand that held me, or the voice that was telling me
you’re my child, I love you
I didn’t want to let you know I was crying
I wanted to hide from you the reason that I was hurting
As I looked into your eyes I realized you knew the answers
I saw an understanding that spoke to my heart
A tear that told me you knew why I was hurting
A simple drop of water, falling to the ground
you held me when no one was around
Tears of compassion you soaked me with your grace
It is then I realized what it meant to be loved and long for your embrace
I looked up and I saw is your face filled with mercy.

I have trusted in the things that have hurt me
Put my hope in things that offer no fulfillment
Wandered out on my own with my heart breaking
I thought I knew what I wanted and in the process I hid from you
I didn’t mean to squander the soul you gave to me, but with my heart before you now
I want to come back, and I know it has been a long time but I know you will accept me

I tried to live life on my own and ignore the love you have shown
Eating with the pigs, yearning for the day when I was with you
I come running back running back to your grace
Within your arms of mercy you accepted the darkest part of me
You told me that you were crying for me to return home but waiting
in anticipation for the day I finally listened to your whisper

I heard a voice never audible before when I was so far away
while I was in the field wandering wanting nothing to do with my lover
You carried my life as an infant in your palm, and told me to come home forever
You accepted me again and I wanted to be your servant, yet you called me son
I accept the grace you offer to receive the mercy you have given
I offer you my hand, for you to lead me because I long to be with you my Dad.

As I look around the waves remind me
of your unfailing love and your faithfulness
With each wave another moment, to rest in your arms
A cold refreshing breeze with sand between my toes
the towel on the beach with the sun shining down

Sleeping on the warm shore as my mind was constantly thinking
how my soul has been refreshed by the relaxation of my heart
It all must come to an end, but then I remember what it means to make time for you
I have been so busy, my brain gets so cluttered so easily I forget what it means to rest in your arms
I don’t understand the majestic whisper of your voice, speaking as gently as the waves

When I take a leap of faith into the lake of the unknown
Help me to trust you, to show me the next step
regardless of the past, and hopeful of the future
Keeping my focus on you, the author of my life
Help me not become distracted with the things that keep me from you

Inspired by my trip to Michigan, while laying looking over the water

Take me to the edge the edge of myself Where I can experience the unknown The kind of faith it takes to believe that there is something greater As I step out of my comfort zone there are so many excuses That keep me from stepping out in fiath

By the hand you lead me Take me by the hand so I won’t wander With your heart for me help me to listen I want you to take me by the hand and lead me In the way you want me to go

I don’t know what it means to trust completely but if you take me by the hand I will follow Even through the valleys even through the pain I will trust your hand to guide me as you take me by the hand

Crying out for mercy, reaching for forgiveness
As I write words on paper may they express your heart
As I discover the meaning of truly living
I want to bring you all of my being because you are everything
Words come up short, and a thousand breaths wouldn’t be enough
to describe your majesty, your splendor and your heart for the world

I am asking for you to teach me a new way of crying
A joy that fills my soul when I wirte these thoughts on paper
A heart for the nations that beats with compassion
Let them see grace through the empty space
A longing for the lost teaching them what the gospel is
I can’t grab a hold of everything, but I grasp your hand

A way to express emotion, a way to show my love and devotion
A mercy so rich and full that no mind can comprehend
A love so vibrant with your heart, no one can describe
I keep writing because you are working
I have come so far because you have carried me
A bridge of mercy has led me to you.

Inspired by a conversation that Matt Riley and I had about my passion for lyrics, and expressing my heart on paper.

How many times do we look around and forget to look up and give praise to God we get so caught up in the creation we often forget about the creator. Worship comes from my heart, and I want my heart to touch yours. When we look up you get bigger and we get smaller. Every moment I seem to lose track of the things that are important. You alone deserve everything I give and you are worthy of what I have to offer. I know my life is yours so I yearn to bring you the glory, with my every breath may I speak what is on your heart. I want you more than the ways of this world, I realize I need to let go of my pride and let you have full control of my mind. Every time I say your name my heart springs to life. At your command I was created. Your breath gave me life even when I had to offer you was a broken shattered heart. You gave me something to live for