The Lord Will Restore

1993 COPYRIGHT
BY PETER CHRISTOPHER RAYMOND
(FOR VAN TRAN & VAN DINH)

I FEEL THIS JOYOUS PERIOD ENDING
YOU'RE FAR FROM THE ARMS I'M EXTENDING
NOW I WANT TO ENGROSS MYSELF IN MY STUDIES
THOUGH MY TIME TO FACE THE FELLOWSHIP'S IMPENDING
I HAVE TO COME BACK WITH MY HEART AND SHARE
THOUGH YOU'VE TOLD ME YOU'VE FALLEN AWAY
AND WHEN I COME TO CHURCH YOU WON'T BE THERE
I CAN'T HARDEN MY HEART IN DESPAIR
YOU LAID ME IN WATER AND HELPED ME EMERGE
BUT NOW YOU'VE RETURNED TO THE WORLDLY DIRGE
YOU PERSERVERED TOWARD THE KINGDOM OF GOD
BUT SOMEHOW YOU'VE LOST THE URGE
IN THE MEDIA WE WERE SCORNED AND HARASSED
WE WERE OUTSIDE THE CITY AT PEACE ON THE GRASS
I WAS YOUNG IN THE LORD OUT IN HIS LAKE AND FOREST
NOW MY INNOCENSE IS IN THE PAST

GOD IS NOT GOING TO ACCEPT DEFEAT
THOUGH AMIDST THE XCITEMENT OF PLANNING THE RETREAT
I'M SOMETIMES ALONE IN MY PAIN
WITH SORROWFUL EMOTIONS I'VE KEPT DISCREET
WERE YOU NOT GRATEFUL FAITHFUL AND HUMBLE
WHAT MADE STABLE FOUNDATIONS CRUMBLE
I'M WATCHING FERTILE FIELDS OF DISCIPLES WILT
HAVING BEEN BEATEN INTO THE EARTH BY GUILT
OUR GOD IS IMMORTAL AND MERCIFUL
BUT WE'RE DRAGGED UNDERGROUND BY THE DEMON'S PULL
AND WE FADE AND DEGRADE IN THE CENTURY'S SIGH
AND FORGET OUR PROMISED SALVATION IN THE SKY
WE CAN REPENT AND REPLENISH OUR SHIELDS
WE CAN RETURN AND RECOVER OUR ZEAL
WE KNOW OF THE LAWS AND OF WHAT IS FORBIDDEN
BUT SIN DOES NOT DOOM US FOR WE CAN BE FORGIVEN

INTO DARK DOMINIONS YOUR HEART HAS STRAYED
AND SHADOWS OVERCOME THE SUN AND YOUR GLOW MAY FADE
DON'T CLOTH YOURSELF IN THE IGNORANT VALUES THAT OBSCURE
A SOUL THAT'S BEEN SAVED AND WIPED SINLESS AND PURE
VAN...DON'T TURN AND SAY GOODBYE
DON'T FORGET WHAT YOU'VE PROMISED
FOR I CAN'T HELP REMEMBERING DORIS
WHO CHOSE TO TURN AWAY
AND WHO INHABITS THE DREAMS THAT BOOKEND EACH DAY
VAN...DON'T LET YOUR FAITH DIE
YOU KNOW THERE'S A WAY TO GO ON AND AGAIN BE STRONG
FOR HEAVEN IS YOURS AS MUCH AS IT HAS BEEN BEFORE
DON'T STUMBLE INTO THE PIT AND WILLFULLY FORFEIT THAT
I DON'T SEE A CHRISTIAN SLAIN WHO WILL NOT RISE AGAIN
AND I PLEAD WITH YOU TO OPEN UP AND TALK
FOR NO MATTER WHAT YOU'VE DONE THE GATE IS NOT LOCKED
YOU HAVE A WEARY HEART TO BE NURSED
AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO LOSE FAITH IN YOU AND DISPERSE