I was raised a believer, on my daddy's knee
He would tell me stories, of so many things
Stories of life, faith, truth, and mysteries

I was raised a believer --- I still believe

Life is filled with pressure, it's a struggle to survive
Sometimes I'm not sure, how to deal with the jive
Only by the grace of God, one thing remains for me

I was raised a believer --- I still believe

On my daddy's knee, I learned right from wrong
On my daddy's knee, I learned how to get along
On my daddy's knee, a young boy became strong

I was raised a believer --- I still believe

I believe in the Father, I believe in His Son
I believe in salvation, by the shedding of His blood
I believe in the Spirit, He, that dwells in me

I was raised a believer --- I still believe
I was raised a believer --- on my daddy's knee

He dwelt among them - over two thousand years ago
A larger than life man - today, everyone knows

Jesus, born in a stable, in the town of Bethlehem
A babe, wrapped in swaddling close, the Son of Man
His stepfather Joseph, and his mother, the Virgin Mary
Behold, the infant Jesus, sent to set the captives free

Just an innocent babe - a sign of contradiction
From very beginning - on the road to the crucifixion

At the prime of his life, a young man 33 years old
This man of division, of whom the prophets foretold
He walked among them; he walks with us this day
A message of love, truth, and mercy, paves the way

Just a young man - he suffered much affliction
Continuing his journey - on the road to crucifixion

Betrayed by one of his fold, for thirty pieces of silver
He was handed over, his soul, soon to be delivered
Convicted, beaten, scourged, and forced to carry a tree
He carried his cross, up the hill, on the road to Calvary

He dwelt among them - fulfilling the wise man's prediction
He, the Shepherd of Israel - on the road to the crucifixion

Thrown down, they drove nails through his hands and feet
Lifted him up, there to die between two convicted thieves
His precious blood dripped, till his mission was completed
Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do

He dwelt among them - he walks with us today
The Savior of the world - did rise on third day

Still today, he continues to be a sign of contradiction
Still today, Christians, walk the blues of the crucifixion

A rich man, well dressed, living in luxury
A poor man asked him, for something to eat
He laughed, and said, "Get away from me"
The poor man, continued, down the street

Time passed, they moved on to the other side
The poor man, at once, entered paradise
The rich man, however, was not found there
He never took time, to prepare, he never cared

In Paradise, titles won't matter anymore
In Paradise, is the love we are longing for
In Paradise, fulfilled with our every need
In Paradise, in Paradise, free for eternity

Why choose to suffer, in the bowels of hell
Kingdom of evil, where revolting angels fell
Crying out for mercy, unceasingly, aloud
Home of the hateful, unjust, and proud

On the road to Paradise, on the road to recovery
It's the highway to the sky, paved for you and me
On the road to Paradise, ride of a lifetime for free
To Paradise, to paradise, road to eternity

Rich man, poor man, and all in between
Road to love and mercy, healing scenery
One way direction, about face from hell
Road of compassion, where sinners dwell

In Paradise, titles won't matter anymore
In Paradise, is the love we are longing for
In Paradise, fulfilled with our every need
In Paradise, in Paradise, free for eternity

God sent forth Gabriel, to a virgin,
She was to Joseph, his wife to be
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
"Be not afraid - favored daughter of God."

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb,
And bear a son, and shall call him, "Jesus"
He will reign over Jacob's house forever,
Of his kingdom, there will be no end."

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
"Be not afraid - favored daughter of God."

"How shall this be, how can I conceive?"
Troubled, with tears in her eyes.
"Fear not, highly favored, of the Most High,
The Holy Spirit will overshadow you."

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
"Mary, be not afraid - be not afraid,
The child to be born, Is the Son of God."

"For with the Lord, all things are possible,
He holds the gift of life in his hands,
Elizabeth your kinswomen, called barren,
Conceived a son, life is in God’s hands."

"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord,
Let it be done to me according to your word."
"For with God, all things are possible."
And the angel Gabriel departed from her.

"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee!
"Mary, be not afraid - be not afraid,
The child to be born, Is the Son of God."

A sign of discipline
Love for countryman
A culture deeply rooted
In the nation of Japan

Disaster, unthinkable
Suffering, unspeakable
Despair, everywhere
Earth shaken to its core

Power plants melting down
Radiation abounds
Life turned upside down
In the nation of Japan

A Tsunami rages in
Swallowing the land
Lives must begin again
In the nation of Japan

We see the misery
Grief, pain, suffering
Compassion and dignity
In the nation of Japan

What will tomorrow bring
Will flowers bloom in spring
Will nature begin flourishing
Mother earth stop shaking

From all this turmoil
Affected water, air, soil
Pain, suffering and toil
Life will begin anew

A sign from this ancient land
Held in the palm of God's hand
Wounded, in need of healing
Pray - for the nation of Japan