The Sleeping House (2008)

I looked into the mirror
Didn’t know what I would see
But it was still just me
But it was still just me
With all these different images
Of who they think is me
I don’t know which one to be
And my eyes look like the sea

Oh, what fearful times are these
I know that You don’t promise this, but please
Let me feel you now
Because I know that You are here
Whispering in my ear
And looking in the mirror

She woke up this morning
Didn’t know who she should be
So she turned on the TV
So she could escape for free
And all this time You’ve been right here
But she just couldn’t see
There is more than just a dream
She’s the daughter of a King

Oh, what fearful times are these
I know that You don’t promise this, but please
Let her feel you now
Because I know that You’re there
Hearing every prayer
And returning her stare

I’ve been so many people to so many people
But I just want to be who You want me to be

Oh, what fearful times are these
O, Lord, you don't promise this but please
Let me feel you now
Because I know that You are here
Whispering in my ear
And looking in the mirror

1. 05. The Mirror.mp3

The Sleeping House (2008)

Naked I came with nothing to show
You gave me everything that I call my own
I have nothing to give that wasn’t given me
You’re able to see so much more than I can find in me

You brought me from the womb
You made me trust in You (Psalm 22:9)
You, O God
I need You

When I was in chains, I thought that I was free
But ages before I was even born, you called to me
To turn me loose from all the fear and all the doubt
My heart’s not big enough to hold all of this love,
but you keep pouring out

You brought me from the womb
You made me trust in You
You, O God
I need You

Irresistible, You’re irresistible
Yours are the only hands that can heal me

You brought me from the womb
You made me trust in You
You, O God
I need You
God
I need You

1. 10. The House.mp3

Mark Nicks

The Sleeping House (2008)

If I had a dime for every dollar I’ve wasted trying to be happy
I could retire because I would be miserably wealthy
Then I’d have the time to see that I’d thrown out my life like the paper
And maybe the time by God’s grace to start it all over and

Buy the Truth
Though it costs all you have (Proverbs 4:7)
Buy the truth
Don’t ever sell it out
What good is a tool in the hand of a fool if you don’t buy wisdom?
(Proverbs 17:16)

If I sold You out, I could make enough money to live for a while
Walk in the room and important people would smile
Hold my head proud, and know I had made the best business decision
Wave at the crowds who give me their money like it was religion

Buy the Truth
Though it costs all you have
Buy the truth
Don’t ever sell it out
What good is a tool in the hand of a fool if you don’t buy wisdom?

Please, don’t make yourself at home
Please, don’t make yourself at home
Please, don’t make yourself at home
Please, don’t make yourself at home
The Land of opportunity
And superficiality
Syncretized theology
A compromised reality

God, touch our eyes
Expose the lies
That waste our lives
And block the light
A future hope (Proverbs 24:14)
That we’ll wake up
And see the Truth for what’s it’s worth

Buy the Truth
Though it costs all you have
Buy the truth
Don’t ever sell it out
What good is a tool in the hand of a fool if you don’t buy wisdom?

1. 04. Buy The Truth.mp3

"Buy The Truth" Live at Cornerstone 2008...from their The Sleeping House CD

Mark Nicks

The Sleeping House (2008)

Surrender, a word that we don’t understand
How are we to get ahead when we have empty hands?
We fight for what will fade
We cling to that from which we’re saved
And soon we’ll wake to find
We’ve naught but fists of sand
What good is the whole world
If you’ve no soul? (Mark 8:36)

Cast your bread upon the water’s edge
And you will find the bread of Life (John 6:35)
Cast your bread

Our bread seems small but when it’s broken it will feed
A multitude of thousands, hungry and in need (Mark 6:30-44)
If we want to live
Our life is something we must give (Mark 8:35)
Just like kernels of wheat
die to bare forth seeds (John 12:24)
Lord it’s in your hands now
As it’s always been

Cast your bread upon the water’s edge
And you will find the bread of Life
Break your bread and pass with open hands
And you will find the bread of Life

How are we to get ahead when we have empty hands?

Cast your bread upon the water’s edge
And you will find the bread of Life
Cast your bread
Cast your bread
And you will find
The bread of Life

1. 01. Fast Asleep.mp3
2. 02. Cast Your Bread.mp3

The Sleeping House (2008)

For all the spires this city raised
You’d think this is a holy place
The shadow of a cross descends
But it’s swallowed by the haze
You never sleep do you?
Always pouring smoke into
The atmosphere
What happens here stays with us till the grave

Wisdom cries out in the streets (Proverbs 1:20)

But the sirens are singing us to sleep
They’re so loud that I can’t think
I hear voices but I just can’t tell
And when we’re dead, the city prevails

Countless walk the open streets
With shackles chained around their feet
Wisdom says to fly away
But they cannot see their wings
Water, water everywhere
But not a drop that I would dare
Drink and so we think we’ll go
Imbibe the filthy air

Wisdom cries out in the streets

But the sirens are singing us to sleep
They’re so loud that I can’t think
I hear voices but I just can’t tell
And when we’re dead, the city prevails

Don’t be silent, God
Don’t be silent
Please, don’t be silent (Psalm 83:1)

Or I will fall into the world
I will fall into the world
Don’t be silent
Please, God, don’t be silent
Don’t be silent
Please, God, don’t be silent
Or I will fall into the world
Or I will fall into the world

1. 07. The City Prevails.mp3

The Sleeping House (2008)

All grown up with nowhere to go
How come nothing feels quite like home?
Sometimes it hurts to be awake
What’s the plan when we’ve got no plan?
A costly piece of paper in hand
But that’s not what it takes

Spirit, sing out a little louder
My flesh is so weak
But it screams with all its strength
Spirit grow up, into a flower
My flesh is like a weed
That strangles out the seed
And blocks out the sunlight

You could say we’re living on prayer
Boomerangs that fly in the air
We’re back where we started from

Spirit, sing out a little louder
My flesh is so weak
But it screams with all its strength
Spirit grow up, into a flower
My flesh is like a weed
That strangles out the seed
And blocks out the sunlight

Don’t we need something, need something to live for? It’s You
Don’t we all need something, need something we’d die for? It’s You
That’s all I know to do, so please

Spirit, sing out a little louder
My flesh is so weak
But it screams with all its strength
Spirit grow up, into a flower
My flesh is like a weed
That strangles out the seed
And blocks out the sunlight

1. 08. Spirit Sing.mp3

The Sleeping House (2008)

I got the call at 2am, it awoke me from my sleep
I didn’t recognize the voice, it was nervous and quite deep
He said that she was taken fast, she probably never knew
Maybe he was comforting me, or maybe it was true

The last time that I saw her she was walking out the door
I didn’t think to hug her, it was just a trip to the store
Did I say I love you? Did she know it when she died?
When she had her last glance at me, did I look her in the eye?

Though I don’t see, I still believe
There’s a purpose
You’re the eye of the storm
We fall asleep but we believe
You will wake us
And Your bride will come home

I took her to a restaurant, she spilled her drink on me
In anger I belittled her, I never said I was sorry
And now it’s those memories that haunt me in my sleep
How often we love someone, but we’re just to proud to speak

Though I don’t see, I still believe
There’s a purpose
You’re the eye of the storm
We fall asleep but we believe
You will wake us
And Your bride will come home

When I was at the funeral
I tried hard not to cry
I didn’t want to grieve like the world
As though the lost had died

She’s my sleeping beauty
For now she’s resting in peace
But one day, Redeemer, Redeemer
You’ll wake her from her sleep

I did alright till I went in her room
I buckled under the load
Tomorrow if the rain stops
we’ll put a cross on the side of the road

God is good all the time
Even when little girls die

1. 06.EyeOfTheStorm.mp3

The Sleeping House (2008)

Our lives up to this point have lead to this
A garden in the dark, a deadly kiss (Matthew 36:47-49)
If you want to follow me
We’ll walk into suffering
It’s this act that will distinguish us

My disciples, those I’ve chosen (John 15:16)
Don’t listen to the sirens
Don’t you know that I would never lead you astray
Tie yourself to the mast and cover your ears with wax and
Keep your gaze on me, for God’s sake stay awake

Sometimes you have to close your eyes to see.
Sometimes to walk you have to get down on your knees.
All I ask is that you pray
All I ask is that you stay awake
But your dreams betray me

My disciples, those I’ve chosen
Don’t listen to the sirens
Don’t you know that I would never lead you astray
Tie yourself to the mast and cover your ears with wax and
Keep your gaze on me, for God’s sake stay awake

Wake up.

Are you resting? Are you still asleep?

Wake Up, O Sleeper (Ephesians 5:14)
Wake Up and say a prayer
Wake Up, O Sleeper
Are you my betrayer?
Wake up, O Sleeper
Wake up, O Sleeper
Incomprehensible, Incomprehensible

1. 11. The Incomprehensible Sleep.mp3

"The Incomprehensible Sleep" Live at Cornerstone 2008. from their The Sleeping House CD

The Balancing Act (2007)

I've got to climb to the top
Never stop til I reach it
Til I feel that I'm good and that I'm in control
Of life and my thought
When I'm not I still preach it
Cause they're all gonna see if I start to fall or lose control
I'm losing control of this

I've been balancing on suspended pianos
And trying to appear composed
It makes the loudest noise when they begin to crash
With eyes on me I force a laugh
You come to me and set me free

Cross my arms across my chest
This is not a gift I can accept
But I appreciate the sentiment
I worked too hard for righteousness
To just lay down while You hand me this
And put my faith in something You call grace
From You

I've been lost inside a cave without a lantern
At every sound I start to run
Feel my way around the dark without a pattern
If I would wait You'd come
To rescue me and show the way

Cross my arms across my chest
This is not a gift I can accept
But I appreciate the sentiment
I worked too hard for righteousness
To just lay down while You hand me this
And put my faith in something You call grace
From You

Son, you're trying to earn
What is far beyond you
Son, you're trying to earn
What is freely given

Every time that you try to just reduce
This to a give and take
You spit in my face
And tell Me that this blood was shed in vain

1. 01 The Balancing Act.mp3

"The Balancing Act" Live at The Black Box Theatre Concordia University Ann Arbor September 4th 2006

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

The Balancing Act (2007)

Last night my shadow ran from me
It bowed its head in shame
I can't bear my reflection
I can't even write my name

Sometimes I choose to
Forget about You
Sometimes I choose to
Ignore the truth

Just like the man from chapter three
I tried to hide
From fleeting
Familiar
White light

Sometimes I choose to
Forget about You
Sometimes I choose to
Ignore the truth

How sweet the name
How sweet the face
That I long to touch
With dirty hands

I'm seeing sideways
Because I've fallen down again
And it's so hard to find my way (X4)

1. 07 Sideways.mp3

"Sideways" Live @ Cornerstone IL 2006

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

The Balancing Act (2007)

You've already made too many mistakes
To ever amount to anything great
You're not allowed to dream out loud

You're far too young to even count
You're much to poor without any doubt
And you haven't done nearly enough
To deserve any grace or anyone's love

God, speak true.
To the lies we've believed instead of you

You're in the wrong city for that line of work
And you'll never make it unless you're a jerk
Live for yourself and store up more wealth
We've traded in dreams and youthful ideals
For less noble things of paying the bills
And trying our best to look like the rest
While hiding our fears by the way we all dress

God, speak true
To the paychecks we have trusted instead of you.

Wake Up, O Sleeper (2003)

Let me tell you what he did for me,
with the weight of my worries tearing my sleeve.
I cried to my father the other
night, the end of all hope.
"Show me the rope, which way to go"
As I fell asleep, he took away my worries.
He picked me up put me on his shoulders.

I could see for miles.
He showed me that the mountain I'm climbing,
is not a mountain at all,
but a gentel slope leading home.

There are mountains
towering ahead.
He says to me "These are mine.
Hold my hand, you'll be fine"

I could see for miles.
He showed me that the mountain I'm climbing,
is not a mountain at all,
but a gentle slope leading home.

"The mountains are mine"

1. 02 - One Time.mp3
2. 10 One Time.mp3

"One Time" Live feat. Aaron Roche 05.11.08 Playing at the Treehouse in Lawrenceville, Georgia

Wake Up, O Sleeper (2003)

Stand and lift your head.
Redemption is drawing near.
The armies of heaven,
are riding in the air.

Look into the clouds,
every eye will see,
Christ coming down.
So shall it be.

Like lightining through the sky,
everyone will know,
Jesus is alive,
and reigns forevermore.

Look into the clouds,
every eye will see,
Christ is coming down.
So shall it be.

Christ coming down, so shall it be.

Halleluah (18x)

1. 02 So Shall It Be.mp3
2. 05 - So Shall It Be.mp3

"So Shall It Be" Live @ C-stone IL 2006

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

Wake Up, O Sleeper (2003)

Out here its live and learn,
so you can rush and earn,
a peice of this pie.
Its work today and rest tomorrow,
but it's never tomorrow.
untill we die.

We strive to find contentment,
and so often we miss it,
when it's knocking at the door.
We're too busy to open up,
busy with other stuff,
so we go on as before.

Like a pencil you hold dear,
but you lose behind your ear.
You won't find it 'cause its already here.
You can't see it with those
eyes so tightly closed.
Its right here in front of your nose.

What are we fighting for?
Are the spoils of war,
all they're meant to be?
We strive for 401k,
but we could make a trade,
for eternity.
Put down those papers,
put down that phone.
Put down those fake diamond and imposter cologne.
Yes, theres contentment.
No, its not free.
You have to lay down your anxiety.

If you were trying to end change,
you're wishing for the grave.
This is the flux of things,
in the rain you will get wet.
And there is trouble yet,
this is how we pay our debt.
Running past the things you want,
it was always here.
You just closed your eyes and couldn't see it.
Open your eyes.
You'll see it's still here.
But you can't chase this world and find contentment.

It has a face, it has a name.
Jesus Christ.
What if I told you,
you could live forever,
if you'd lay it all down?
What if I told you,
you could live forever?
Just lay it down.

1. Dreams For Sale.mp3

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

Wake Up, O Sleeper (2003)

My sweet Jesus,
I love you.
And I'm trying so hard.
It's not so easy,
down here anymore.
Everyone just treats me,
like I'm crazy or something.
Sometimes I feel like I am,
because no one seems to understand.

But if I'm a fool, I'm a fool for you.
And if I'm alive, I'm living just for you.
If I sing a song, then I sing for you.
I sing all day long, in everything I do.

My sweet Jesus,
I'm sorry,
that I let you down again.
It's not so easy,
Down here anymore.
Everyone just treats me,
like I'm crazy or something.
And sometimes, I feel like I am.
Because no one seems to understand.

But if I'm a fool, I'm a fool for you.
and if I'm alive, I'm living just for you.
If I sing a song, then I sing for you.
I sing all day long, in everything I do.

I will rejoice in this foolishness.
I will rejoice in this foolishness.

1. 09 - For You.mp3

Wake Up, O Sleeper (2003)

She cannot see the ocean.
For the trees that block the way.
She cannot see forever 'cause,
she cant see past today.
She's driving home so empty.
From another one night stand.
With a guy who doesnt care,
but just wants to feel like a man.
If only falling in love was as easy making it.

But
nobody hugs a rose (3x)
She's all alone 'cause nobody hugs a rose.

She has no ring to speak of.
Save the one her daddy left.
He stepped out of her life,
leaving some jewelry on a shelf.
Seems like every man she loves ends up walking away.

'Cause
nobdy hugs a rose (3x)
She's all alone 'cause nobody hugs rose.

There's never been a prettier soul,
No, theres never been a lovelier rose.
But she can never wipe away all her tears.
She cries herself to sleep and
wakes up to the same old fears.
She only needs someone to hold to her right now.
A man who would wear those thorns like a crown.

She steps into the bedroom,
and falls onto the floor.
She cries out to her savior
that she just cant take no more.
Jesus says "Girl I've been waiting,
for this very day.
When I could pick you up and strip those dirty thorns away."
Nevermore will she think in her old futile ways,

That
nobody hugs a rose (3x)
She's not alone, 'cause somebody loved a rose.

The Fires of Life (2004)

The other night I had a dream
It unfolded to the silver screen
A tragic fire, some tears were shed
I woke to find our hero dead
And wonder, ”What if this was me?”

If my life was cinematic
With a soundtrack so dramatic
You’d be the hero and You would save me
And it would have the sweetest ending

I want to live in such a way
That when I’m gone my friends would say
That if my life was turned to film
I’d be standing on a mountain shouting victory in the end
But in my heart I know it’s only true
If I’m supporting actor and the Oscar goes to You

If my life was cinematic
With a soundtrack so dramatic
You’d be the hero and You would save me
And it would have the sweetest ending

I don’t want to let You down
I want to make you proud
If anyone is watching me
I want to make it count for something

What if it ended here?
What if the credits rolled now?
What would the critics say?
Would it be the biggest let down?

If my life was cinematic
With a soundtrack so dramatic
You’d be the hero and You would save me
And it would have the sweetest ending

미국 Nashville 출신의 크리스찬 밴드.
1998년에 Middle Tennessee State University 에서 펑크락을 하고 있던 Brandon Morgan 과
Jason Hammil 은 Mark Nicks 만나게 되어 밴드를 결성하게 된다. 

앨범들.
Demo Schmemo (Demo) : 1998
...So Far (EP) : 1999
I Fought Against Myself (Independent) : 2001
Wake Up O Sleeper : 2003
The Fires of Life : 2004
The Balancing Act : 2007

1. 04 - Cinematic.mp3
2. 04 Cinematic.mp3

 

"Cinematic" Live

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

The Fires of Life (2004)

I’ve been there
It’s more than just stress
Oh, that you had the wings of a dove
You would fly away and rest (Psalm 55:6)

Weeping may last for the night
The longest night of your life
But I can promise you that
Rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)

Are you broken?
Are you dismayed?
You know you did the best you could do
But it ended up this way (Psalm 73:13…23-26)

Weeping may last for the night
The longest night of your life
But I can promise you that
Rejoicing comes in the morning

You will both lay down in peace, and you will sleep (Psalm 4:8)
Where morning dawns and evening fades God calls forth songs of joy (Psalm 65:8)
He’ll sing to you and quiet you with love (Zephaniah 3:17)

I know you feel
You won’t last another day
But when the fires of life arise
You will walk on through unscathed (Isaiah 43:2)

Weeping may last for the night
The longest night of your life
But I can promise you that
Rejoicing comes in the morning

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

The Fires of Life (2004)

It was a blessed day--
The day that I met you
Though at the time
I didn’t have a clue
As iron sharpens iron so does one man another
And that’s what God intended us to do (Psalm 27:17)

Flowers fall and seasons change (Isaiah 40:8)
And you know how we treat the rain
In times of drought we pray it comes
And when it falls we turn and run
The moon is new, you’ve left your seat (I Samuel 20:18)
The time has come to go in peace (I Samuel 20:42)
With my own hand the bow was strung
The arrow shot now falls beyond (I Samuel 20:36)

I thank my God for every (Philippians 1:3)
Memory of you
The lessons learned and
The way the Spirit moved
I remember hearing “church is more than just a building”
I remember when we proved it true

Flowers fall and seasons change
And you know how we treat the rain
In times of drought we pray it comes
And when it falls we turn and run
The moon is new; you’ve left your seat
The time has come to go in peace
With my own hand the bow was strung
The arrow shot now falls beyond

That day, I could have stared at the ocean forever
With a song for every grain beneath my feet
We were so young and brilliantly naïve
To the joy and the pain and the days that we would see

Everything has changed
But our hope remains the same
I want you to know that I’ll be here
Through a hundred years of rain

Together we run into what we do not know
Trusting our God who made tomorrow

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

The Fires of Life (2004)

Hey, it’s me
I’m sorry it’s so late
I can’t sleep
I knew You’d be awake (Psalm 121:4)
You’re always home
Waiting by the phone
For nights like these
When I’m feeling all alone

I wish it didn’t always
Have to be this way
I wish that I could talk to You
Face to face
But nothing compares to the way
You always listen and know just what to say

Hold my hand
I can’t stand alone
Here I am
Waiting for You to take me home

Oh, I just want to sing
I only wish there was a word
For what You mean to me
I would only say it once
In hushed tones
So it would not grow old
But all I have
Is “I love You”

You’re my Jesus, You’re my hero
Everything I wish that I could be

You’re the one who comforts me
When everyone is gone away
I can’t stand alone
Here I am
Waiting for You to take me home

And I will keep on singing
Because You hear me
And I will keep on smiling
Because You’re near me

I’ll sleep well on a promise tonight.

1. 10 - Rest For The Weary.mp3

"Rest For The Weary" Live at Xhedos Cafe Downtown Detroit Michigan with bernard

Mark Nicks : Vocals/Drums/Keyboards/Piano
Joey Holman : Guitar
Casey McBride : Bass 

이전멤버
Jason Hammil : Guitar (1998-2003)
Chris Susi : Guitar (2004)
Brandon Morgan : Bass (1998-2004)
Philip Smith : Drums (Live) (2006-2008)

The Fires of Life (2004)

We’re like zombies
Like the walking dead
With X’s (excess) in our eyes
And music in our heads
We’ve forgotten
Our first love
And made it pictures

Of crosses and doves

Remember when we were real
Back when we could feel?
Once we were in this
Now we’re of this
Jesus, turn these tables over

We all follow
But we’re standing still
Reciting dead words
With hopeless zeal
We’re all preachers
With our mouths closed
Clothing messages
In sugar coats

Remember when we were real
Back when we could feel?
Once we were in this
Now we’re of this
Jesus, turn these tables over

I wanna hide beneath the pretty paint
I wanna be okay with everything
I wanna be transformed and stay the same
I wanna be dry in the rain

Remember when we were real
Back when we could feel?
Once we were in this
Now we’re of this
Jesus, turn these tables over

Running in this stupid circle
Running in the stupid circle
Our souvenirs won’t be worth a single thing
And Truth will never be “in”