pastorrudytlc

One of my favorite things to do is to take a popular song from the radio and tweak the lyrics just a bit here and there and then do it in church! I believe God gave us music to speak a message to our hearts and souls that would never get across with just the spoken word. Music has been Heaven’s gift to get me through many a tragic season or a dark day. It has also been the vehicle that I have turned to first when I wanted to celebrate and shout to the entire world to express the joy I feel inside! Music and passion are always in fashion in Pastor Rudy’s world!

So if I may today, I would like to share with you two samples of the ways that I have rewrote the song! Recently I was preaching from the book of James and the subject of humility was jumping off the pages. As I studied to prepare for my message- I kept hearing “Everybody Needs a Humble Heart” over again in my head. Anybody remember a Bruce Springsteen song named “Hungry Heart?” Bingo! Here is my version where my words can be sung to his music! I even included my personal testimony in the second verse!

EVERYBODY NEEDS A HUMBLE HEART… Rewritten words by Pastor Rudy
Had a life I lived still wanting more, Jack- I got down on my knees and I never looked back…
The Holy Spirit came and just went flowing- I let the Lord in and I just kept going…
Everybody needs a humble heart! Everybody needs a humble heart!
Lay down your pride and make a brand new start!
Everybody needs a humble-humble- heart!
I met the Lord out in a parking lot- Looked up to Heaven said my soul was shot!
He took what I was and He made a new man- Bought me a ticket for the Promise Land…
Everybody needs a humble heart! Everybody needs a humble heart!
Lay down your pride and make a brand new start!
Everybody needs a humble-humble- heart!
Everybody wants a love that’s sure- Everybody needs a soul that’s pure…
Don’t make no difference whether big or small- We need the love of God above it all!
Everybody needs a humble heart! Everybody needs a humble heart!
Lay down your pride and make a brand new start!
Everybody needs a humble-humble- heart!

So what did you think? It just all came together and we had some fun singing it in church. And now I am getting ready for Easter Sunday where I always like to throw in a surprise or two! If Jesus rose from the dead- why shouldn’t we be radically excited? So this year I took the Sara Bareilles “Brave” and with some Pastor Rudy magic-it is now called- “Jesus Rose from the Grave!”

JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE… Rewritten words by Pastor Rudy
Jesus is amazing- He can change a life with just one touch from above…
He can take the outcast- Hit em with a big splash-with some everlasting love…
And real life starts showing up…
All the things that hurt you- All the things you’ve been thru- When they settle ‘neath your heart…
Locked up on the inside- no sunlight- You might think the shadow wins…
But I wonder what would happen if you-
Hey- open up your soul- And let new life come out-
Honestly- Jesus rose from the grave…
He has so much to give- So that new life comes out- Honestly- Jesus rose from the grave!
He wants to love you- He just wants to love you- Why not let him love you-
Jesus rose from the grave!
He wants to love you- He just wants to love you- Why not let him love you-
Jesus rose from the grave!
Everybody’s been there- Everybody’s been stared down by the enemy- Fallen for the fear…
And done some disappearing- Give in to anxiety- Don’t run! Just stop hiding your heart!
Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live-
Maybe one of these days you can let the light in
Show me how big your God is
Hey- open up your soul- And let new life come out-
Honestly- Jesus rose from the grave…
He has so much to give- So that new life comes out- Honestly- Jesus rose from the grave!
And since your history of heartbreak- Won’t do you any good- Did you think it would?
Let your words be anything but empty- Why won’t you let in the Truth?

I have always been a fan of Barry Manilow, so it only makes sense that I write the songs- or at the very least- rewrite them! My prayer is that you all would add some music to your day and if you don’t like the lyrics- make them your own! God Bless and keep on singing!