From This Day On

Lyrics by Steven S. Sparks In collaboration with Larry M. Megason 

 I worked on this for my Christian Worship Class at Covenant Theologicial Seminary

This is a song of personal prayer and response to the Father for receiving Christ through the Holy Spirit. The idea was to reflect the Trinity and mirror the first time we ask for forgiveness, seek redemption and understand we need to be transformed. It’s a personal acknowledgement that we need to be continually transformed and we need Jesus to be in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

During a recent meeting of my men’s Bible study, someone was struggling with a specific sin. I expressed my personal challenges with the same types of issues. I then talked about how, when I am struggling, my prayer is for a change of heart. This song is a personal prayer not only for others to sing, and to respond to Him but also a song for me to respond to Him.

One day I was listening to one of the Worship class lectures (I believe #10) where Dr. Dalbey started talking about the options for a Hymn Paper.  He offered the option of writing the lyrics and/or music for a Hymn rather than a paper on a modern post-1980 hymn.  Having previously written some lyrics for a friend’s band I was excited and intrigued. I started to think about a possible song. It was about 30 minutes into the lecture that I had the thought on some words and an idea about a melody.

It just so happened that night was my men’s Bible study. That group includes my friend Larry Megason who is also the Worship director for my church. After a little rehearsal with my wife and some encouragement I decided I would ask Larry if he could help me set the song to some music.  Later that evening I sang the song the Larry and we started talking about some ideas for music.  Larry had some thoughts on the music, and suggested some minor changes to the wording mostly so it would flow better with the music. We met and worked out the details.

From This Day On (MP3)  

VERSE ONE

jesus is one for me
the only one that I need
to find my glory in heaven above

holy spirit
i need him
I’m praying for that change within
holy spirit
be with me from
this day on

VERSE TWO

jesus is one for me
the only one that I need
to find my glory in my father

holy spirit
i need him
I’m praying for that change within
holy spirit
be with me from
this day on

CHORUS

thank you father for all you give
thank you for this life you’ve saved
thank you for the love you show to me

this and every single day

VERSE THREE

jesus, he is with me now
teaching me how to love
showing me who he was…
the flesh of God

holy spirit
you’ve come to me
holy spirit
you’ve changed me
holy spirit
you’ve saved me
i’ve found the love

VERSE FOUR

jesus, he is with me now
teaching me how to love
guiding me in all the ways
of heaven above

holy spirit
you’ve come to me
holy spirit
you’ve changed me
holy spirit
you’ve saved me
i trust in you

CHORUS

thank you father for all you give
thank you for this life you’ve saved
thank you for the love you show to me

this and every single day

VERSE FIVE

holy spirit
transform me
you’ve revealed the mystery
holy spirit
i need you
to change me more and more

jesus is one for me
the only one that I need

holy spirit
be with me from this day on

Musical Arrangement by Larry M. Megason in collaboration with Steven. S. Sparks

Intro: G    //    C/G    //    G    //    C/G