"Running Free" CD - Info and Purchase

Thanks for visiting....

You can purchase and preview the songs on iTunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/running-free/id483675587

Or

If you order the CD here we will mail it within two days.

"Running Free" CD is $20 Can... including Shipping/handling

Use PayPal......

Or if you prefer you can send a cheque of money order to:

John Cox, 5100 Tebo Avenue, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 5Y6, Canada...

Email me at johncox@shaw.ca and I'll have it ready :-)

 

The Story...:-)

A year ago in October 2010 Rosie asked me what I did with my songs. "I play some of them from time to time," I replied.

"Well why don't you record them?"

"Because it's expensive, and ... you know, I'm not sure....."

A few days later she returned...." John, I think you should go for it and record, I'll help fund it.... I really believe He wants me to bless you and help this happen...."

Here's the quick story.....

I contacted Michael Hart who kindly agreed to guide the project... we had actually chatted about three years earlier when we spent a day going through some of my material. We met in his studio in Ladner, Vancouver over the next 8 months for a few days each month. A full day was spent with musicians in Jonathan's studio in Langley.... Brett Wade on bass, Brett Ziegler on keyboards, Calum Rees on drums. The rest was worked out with Michael as he played various stringed instruments. Later Sheree Plett joined us for backing vocals and was willing and humble to fill in and make me sound much better.... she has a wonderful voice and should be solo I think :-)  Spencer Capier joined us to add his talents on violin and other stringed instruments.... What impressed me with all the musicians was their talent and encouragement for a very low-key project. Finally Michael pulled it together with mixing and Craig Wadell polished with mastering the final product. So here we are..... I hope you enjoy, and hear something of my heart that was resurrected by 'amazing grace' and God the Father's love.

 

 If you scroll down you will find information about each song, and lyrics.

 

Dancing in Heaven’s Doorway  

This song was written about six years ago as I became increasingly aware of the invitation of  God the Father to live from the resurrection side of the Cross. That place where the Father comes to the older brother in the story of the Prodigal Son and whispers, "All I have is yours." The son was angry at the welcome given his rebellious brother. He resented the generosity, the passion, the music, the feasting, the dancing, and the love displayed.... His Father didn't stop the celebration.... just came out to invite him to join in.

 

We are dancing - in heaven’s doorway, Living - in the light of the Lord

We are heirs of - the king of kings, Running free in the Promised Land –

We’re running free in the Promised Land

 

It’s the humble places God adores. The Father’s heart with love outpours

In the lowest valleys the river flows, And Jesus heals along its shores

 

Bringing hope and joy to the lost and found, Light to a world in darkness drowned

Embracing love without reserve, Sharing grace so undeserved

 

It’s Your Kingdom Lord that’s a mighty throne, Where Jesus rules and reigns alone

Breaking chains that bind us down, So we rise up to live again

 

How can I thank you Lord? 

Navigated a long dark season of depression and brokeness.... As hope slowly re-emerged this song percolated to the surface. Sometimes it's only in hindsight we appreciate God's kindness and long-suffering nature - even though I have plenty of unanswered question that remain :-) This is about grace and mercy of a loving God who never gives up on me/us.

 

 How can I thank you Lord, How can I give you praise enough

For you have loved me from afar, And you have drawn me near

 

You are merciful to me, Giving hope to the poor

You bind up and heal the wounds of those who bleed

Yes you did, you do, you will

 

You are gentle with me, Slow to anger or condemn

You give new life to those dying in despair

Yes you did, you do, you will

            

You are faithful to me, Giving strength to the weak

You give new vision to those who struggle so much to see

Yes you did, you do, you will

 

How can I thank you Lord, How can I give you praise enough

For you have loved me from afar, And you have drawn me near

You are wonderful, So very kind

And you never – never – never will break the bruised reed

 

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Based on Psalm 121.... There are times when we need to know God is faithful despite what our circumstances or emotions are telling us. This was written about 18 years ago when taking a break on Saltspring Island. Lost sight of it for many years but a great joy to rediscover and celebrate its truth!

 

I lift my eyes – unto the hills, The hills for where my help comes

 I lift my eyes – unto the hills, Unto you Lord –  my Lord, my God

 

For you will never slumber nor sleep, And you will always watch over me

And you will never let me fall down, For your hand is my shelter and my shield

 

I lift my eyes….

You will keep me from all harm, Always watching over my life

You will watch as I come and go, Watching now and for evermore

I lift my eyes…..

 

Jerusalem Lament

This is one of my favorite songs about the love and compassion of Jesus... I have stood on the Mount of Olives and looked over Jerusalem. It is an amazing sight which Jesus would have been familiar with on his journeys to and from Jericho, Galilee, or visiting with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. I wrote this song around 1995 when the denomination of which I was part of (Anglican) was falling apart, even denying Jesus and the authority of Scripture. We left amidst great pain and betrayal that is still being worked out to this day....

 

How I weep for my broken body (x2)     Scattered over the land

Wounded and bleeding - Loveless limbs and hardened hearts

 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem

How I longed that you would come to me

Jerusalem, though you called out my name

You stoned the ones who came

And my tears flow over you

 

How I weep for my broken body (x2)    With tears from deep within

Blind children denying -  Believing lies – they crucify

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem

 

How I weep for my broken body  (x2)     Singing Rachel’s lament

For loved one’s now lost - Father forgive them - they know not what they do

                O Jerusalem, Jerusalem

How I longed that you would come to me

Jerusalem, though you called out my name

                 You stoned the ones who came

And my tears flow over you

 

Now I lay my body down – for you

 

Crucifixion

This song is a simple meditation on the crucifixion of Jesus I wrote for a Good Friday service while a student in Oxford around 1980. Placed myself in the heart of Mary or perhaps John, the disciple, and pondered the aweful, wonderful, confusing emotions of that historic day.

 

Evil meets good

Hammered nail on wood

Iron through flesh

Pierced bleeding hand

Men crucify

What they don’t understand

 

Crowds jostle jeer

Laugh, spit, and sneer

Soldiers squat lazy

Throw dice around

Bleeding feet crazy

Figure makes not a sound

 

Mother stands still

Tearfully gazing

Love submits will

Upon the hill

Rain falls and shadows

Sweep over her Son

 

Love hands suspended

On heaven and hell

Father’s departed

Why … long lonely cry

Dying to live

And living to die

 

Evil meets good

Hammered nail on wood

Iron through flesh

Pierced bleeding hand

Men crucify

What they don’t understand

 

Lord I will worship you  

Another song written as I emerged from my seven-year season of darkness. My circumstances were hard and I was reading Habbakuk 3... no matter what happens I will believe that God is good and faithful. I sang this song many times alone to break fear in my spirit and ignite faith to believe for what I did not yet see. The words are true... He is! :-)

 

When the world is cold and hard, And my life breaks torn apart

I will worship you, Lord I will worship you

When my labor seems in vain and hope withers on my vine

I will worship you, Lord I will worship you

 

 When I am lost you search for me

When I am broken you reach out your hand

Before I knew you Father you loved me…..

When I am lost you search for me

When I am broken you reach out your hand

Before I knew you Jesus you loved me

 

When my faith can move a mountain, and my feet they walk on water

I will worship you, Lord I will worship you

When my heart is filled with joy, and my dreams they all come true

I will worship you, Lord I will worship you

 

When the world is cold and hard, and my life breaks torn apart

I will worship you, Lord I will worship you

When my heart is filled with joy, and my dreams they all come true

I will worship you, Lord I will worship you

 

When I am lost you search for me

When I am broken you reach out your hand

Before I knew you Father you loved me…..

When I am lost you search for me

When I am broken you reach out your hand

Before I knew you Jesus you loved me

 

What amazing grace

Amazing grace

What amazing grace

 

The wind's on the water

About five years ago the first phrase for this song popped up, 'The wind's on the water."

I saw in my mind's eye the ripples across the lake and remembered David's words about the rustle of leaves in the trees being a sign of readiness for war (1 Chronicles 14:15). My Spirit responded with a sense of anticipation that God is on the move... if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.... and He is powerful and far from out of control.... so let's pay attention...

 

The wind’s on the water - Blowing through the trees

The rain’s falling down  -  The river’s running strong

The tide’s rising higher -  The earth’s shaking ground

Listen for the sound  -  It’s a hurricane

 

We lift up our voices - Raise empty hands

Open our hearts  - And cry, ‘Yes Lord – Jesus – come!” 

We lift up our voices – Rise up and stand

Open our hearts  - And cry, ‘Yes Lord – Jesus – come!” 

       

Blow – through us -  Let your rain fall down….  

Blow – through us -  Let your Kingdom come…. 

 

A Safe Place to be

The verses for 'A Safe Place' were written 15 years ago. As I re-awakened to the love of the Father I wrote the verse to express the heart of a prodigal returning. I wrote and sang it alone over two weeks and cried every time I got to the chorus... It was amazing as God ministered to me the new reality of His love and healing in my very shattered heart. I hope you can hear that resonance in yours...

 

You O Lord are a safe place to be

You O Lord are a safe place for me

You calm my heart and you take all my fears

You draw me near with your love you draw me near

You draw me near, with your love you draw me near

  

That you should be my Father and I should be your child

Beloved by your side in mercy reconciled

It’s a wonder, it’s a glory it’s a joy to be told

Abiding in your love… in the fullness of your love 

 

You O Lord are a safe place to be

 You O Lord are a safe place for me

 Like a mighty river from your heart to mine

Let your Spirit flow Lord - in your love let it flow…

 

What's God Like?

One of my favorite songs written on Saltspring 20 years ago for children - especially my daughters who were very young at the time... Whenever I sing this song I think of them and it's a prayer over their lives and for the generations to come... through them. That they will know and love Jesus and the Father as someone who is alive, fun , and full of laughter and joy......

 

What’s God like - is he big and tall

Has he always had a long white beard

What’s God like - does he sleep at night

Do you think he ever really gets scared

Does he know everything and see everyone

What’s God like?

God is kind and he’s very very strong

He’s always right and he’s never ever wrong

His hands are big and his heart is open wide

For you and me to snuggle up inside

God is love and he came down from above

                In Jesus he was six foot small

 

What’s God like - does he laugh and cry

Do you think he likes ice-cream

What’s God like - does he work all day

And take time out to play

Does he ever get mad like a real mum and dad

What’s God like

 

What’s God like - does he ever get bored

And wish he had something to do

What’s God like - can he color and draw

Run and jump and whistle in tune

Does he ever feel old, get sick or catch a cold

What’s God like

 

A King is Born

This is a Christmas song/Carol.... celebrating the news of the birth of Jesus which I think I wrote about 15 years ago..... for young and old.....

 

God came down in Bethlehem town

On that wonderful night of his birth

The donkeys ate hay where the son of God lay

In a stable he first touched the earth

 

Hallelujah, heaven’s bells they rang

For a king is born this day

 “Peace on earth and goodwill,” angels sang

Make way, make way

Make way for the Son of Man!

 

In a blazing field of light

The shepherds took fright

When the angels brought them good news

Come and share in our joy at the birth of God’s boy

A king for the Gentiles and Jews

 

Mary gazed in pride with Joseph beside

At her child’s tiny feet and tiny hands

Wondering how can this be helpless babe God and me

‘Tis a mystery I don’t understand….

 

Hallelujah

Heaven’s bells they rang

For a king is born this day

“Peace on earth and goodwill,” angels sang

Make way, make way

Make way for the Son of Man!

 

Make way, make way, make way,

Make way for the Son of Man !

 

The Banquet

Wrote this song maybe 5 years ago... in anticpation of the great banquet we will celebrate in heaven.... for that time when all suffering will cease. It's also an invitation for all humanity to enter into the first fruits of that reality now as we receive Jesus and his kingdom - on earth as in heaven.... We sing of the reality in the invisible and watch it emerge into the visible realm..... it's how the Kingdom works..... Counter-intuitive and very cool.... :-) have some dessert....

 

One day there’ll be a banquet like this world has never seen

When the sound of heavenly trumpets announce the coming of the King

 

There will be a new heaven and there will be a new earth

When the king of kings will meet his bride in the New Jerusalem

Singing holy, holy, holy is the Lamb… (x2)

 

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come now,, drink from the living spring.”

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come now,, let the Banquet begin!”

 

There will be no more dying and there will be no more pain

Every tear will be wiped away all things made new again

 

Singing holy, holy, holy is the Lamb…

Worthy….

 

One day there’ll be a banquet like this world has never seen

When the sound of heavenly trumpets announce the coming of the King

 

And we will dance forever on streets all paved with gold

Singing love songs to Jesus that will never ever grow old!

 

Singing holy, holy, holy is the Lamb

                Worthy….

                Glory…

 

Moses’ Blessing

Based on the blessing of Moses (Numbers 6:22f) it's one of the oldest prayers we have in the world..... Adapted this for our church probably 20 years ago..... Receive it for yourself and may God the Father's face shine upon you...

 

The Lord bless you and keep you

And make his face shine upon you

And be gracious to you

The Lord turn his face toward you

And give you his peace

And give you his peace,

And give you his peace