Easter is a comin'

I'm up too late. Again. I can't really help it. My back started hurting again today and I popped a steroid around 1030 a.m. and it's probably NOT why I'm still up but that's what I'm going to blame it on.

For those of you who don't know . . . I'm a big fan of playlists in iTunes. It's the modern version of a mixed tape and I was big on those back in the day as well. So tonight, I've been putting together a playlist for Easter. Something to listen to throughout the week that will keep my mind fixed on what this week leading up to Good Friday is about. Love and mercy and compassion and forgiveness. Every year it seems to hit me like a sucker punch to the chest and this year is no different.

Just to give you something to ruminate on . . . here are some of my favorite lines from several of the songs on the playlist. Each has an emotional pull to it but most of all, I think they've all got something brilliant to say about what we're set to celebrate next weekend.

As LC.tv will say loud and repeatedly next weekend: He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

(intoxicating by david crowder band)
If I'm out of my mind, it's you, you
'Cause I'm crazy in love with you, you
Inebriated by you, you
'Cause I'm head over heels for you, you

(beautiful the blood by fee)
Never knew death could be so sweet
Never knew surrender could feel so free
Never seen such meekness and majesty
That the blood of Jesus was bled for me
Now I'll sing freedom for all of my days
It's only by the power of the cross I'm raised
The king of glory rescued me . . .

(freedom is here by hillsong united)
The future comes alive
You speak your word and I
I'm running into your hope
'Cause I have seen your light
You bring Your word to life
I'm comin' after your love
I'm not shaken, I'm not letting go

(the power of the cross by chris tomlin/israel houghton)
Son of God, one of us
Bore the shame of all, yet blameless
Innocent, Heaven sent
Bore the sin of all, yet guiltless
And He saw us here, through bloodstained tears
And He said, it was worth it all . . .

(our god by chris tomlin)
Into the darkness You shine
Out of the ashes we rise
There's no one like You
None like You
Our God is greater, our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer, awesome in power
Our God
Our God

(mighty to save by hillsong united)
Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save
Forever, Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

(so great by michael w. smith/israel houghton/christy nockels)
Young and old
Rich and poor
Meek and strong
Everyone
Come and rest
You are safe
In the arms
Of Jesus

(how he loves us by kim walker)
So Heaven meets Earth in a sloppy, wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about
The way. . .
He loves us, oh how He loves us . . .

(til i see you by hillsong united)
The greatest love that anyone could ever know
It overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
Til I see You face to face and grace amazing takes me home
I'll trust in You

(there is power in the blood by . . . danged near everyone)
Would you be free from your burden of sin
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Would you o'er evil a victory win
There's wonderful power in the blood
There is power, power, wonder working power
In the blood, of the Lamb

(sunday's on the way by carman)
On Friday night, they crucified the Lord on Calvary
But He said, don't dread, in three days, I'm gonna live again
You'll see
When problems try to bury you and make it hard to pray
It may seem like Friday night
But Sunday's on the way . . .

(the champion by carman)
Proclaim the news in every tongue
Through endless ages and beyond
Let it be voiced from mountains, loud and strong
Captivity has been set free
Salvation bought for you and me
'Cause Satan is defeated
And Jesus is The Champion!