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Mark Shepard Sings

A Life In Song: 4 Decades of Original Music

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He Is Alive (Song #56)

February 14, 2021 · 2021 MUSIC VIDEOS, A Life In Song, Life In Song 1980's, Spiritual Songs, Videos

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About this song:

About “He Is Alive (Life In Song # 56 | written February 1982 | Recorded January 2021) I wrote this song when I was struggling to decide whether or not to become a Presbyterian minister… I THOUGHT the music was enough… But after all these years perhaps the call to ministry just wasn’t “ripe.” A quote that comes to mind that my mom had stuck on the refrigerator for years was, “God’s delays are not God’s denials…” Not sure who gets credit for that but looking back it seems that the doubts and questions I had were never about my faith in a divine power, they were about the 2000 years of abuse, corruption and bureaucratic ecclesiastical malevolence that had very little to do with the actual teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. So what seems to be “up” for me in 2021 is acknowledging that these stacks of songs that have demanded that I write since 1976 are predominantly songs of faith, songs of Spirit, songs of theological searching and questioning and expression. SOMETHING put us here in the vastness of time and space. There is something SACRED about the miracle of being alive that causes me to want to sing. I hope someday you’ll join me… Peace! – Mark

Lyrics:
He Is Alive
Song #56. | February-March 1982 | recorded January-February 2021
Out under a streetlight
A kerosene dream of constant glory
My God on a chain link fence
Somehow I know he’s waiting for me

Caught densely imperfect
I try to hunker down inside my shadows
But he sees right into me
I can’t escape the fact that he sees me truly

Refrain:
And he is alive
Yes he’s very alive
Oh he is alive
Yes he’s very alive

The street people know him
The poor and the hungry and the miserable
And in nearby suburbia
Where the hairline fractures are visible
Self consciously righteous men (and women)
Walk by without seeing him
And as for the rest of us
We still struggle merely to believe in him

Refrain:

I step out of the shadows
He says “FOLLOW!”
So I go where he goes
The way is not easy
From time to time he turns back
And carries me

Refrain:

He Is Alive Home Page

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Filed Under: 2021 MUSIC VIDEOS, A Life In Song, Life In Song 1980's, Spiritual Songs, Videos

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Some reviews & testimonials

Your lyrics embody everything we hold sacred…

Your lyrics embody everything we hold sacred and dear as a faith community.

Gina Sullivan, Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph

Enjoying your songs so much…

Hello Mark. I am enjoying your songs so much! I’d love to see you play live somewhere.

Marianne

They love (your song) and ask to listen to it, ALWAYS.

My name is Cecile. I teach kindergarten at OMSD. I had the pleasure of using your song Together We Can Change The World to help my students make a difference in this wonderful world! They love it and ask to listen to it, ALWAYS.

Cecile Arvizo

Your song was just perfect to start my day…

Mark, your song ‘Freedom (It’s Been  Long Road)’ was just perfect to start my day. I LOVE IT!  Thank you, Thank you.  Blessings to you and much gratitude for your musical gift.

Judy

Been singing the chorus since the first day I heard it…

I sh*t you not when I say I’ve been singing the chorus to Honest Rock since the first day I heard it. I sing this every single day. Many times a day. Seriously. It’s like a mantra to me. It soothes me:-)

Gene Moore

Never fails to move me…

Your incredible music never fails to move me. Thank you, Mark.

Paula

Just awesome…

Your music is taking over my life and it’s awesome!

Eric

Brilliant!

Brilliant! I LOVE seeing the words to all these beloved songs, thanks!

Mary F.

You write some great songs!

Hi Mark, You write some great songs! I really enjoyed listening to all of them on Spark and Flame. Thank you for all that you do. Keep up the good work! All the best.

Susan

For me these songs are transformational lessons in self-love…

Dear Mark, THANK YOU for sending *Spark & Flame*!!!! This CD certainly is a compilation of Conscious Love Songs! As I listen I am transported to memory after memory past, present and future, fulfilled and unfulfilled. I was flooded with many different emotions. I cried, laughed, held my breath and also breathed deep heart-centered breaths of connection to the Divine. I feel joy, grief, sadness, compassion, love, awe, freedom, kindness, gratitude and appreciation. For me these songs are transformational lessons in self-love, releasing, acceptance for what was, what is and who I am. Knowing that I am enough and that I am Divinely Loved.

J

I loved the song and listened to it 3 times….

Hi Mark, I just had to tell you this. I emailed my 3 granddaughters the song you wrote who are sisters with the youngest being 11 years old, has cerebral palsy and is very smart, is able to talk, very funny, uses a computer, is able to write, now is learning to play drums, emails me ‘Thanks. I do.’ I loved the song and listened to it 3 times.

Gail Russ

I Love listening to all your songs…

Mark, you really are an amazing songwriter! I Love listening to all your songs and sitting in the creative aura they create!

Cheri

You have put a grown man in tears…

Mark, this song and message really hit home for me today. You have put a grown man in tears. Thank You for what you do. Sometimes I think you sound kind of cheesy, and then others, I think you are a genius, and I’m beginning to realize that you actually care about helping people. So hard to “get out of your own way” sometimes…thanks for the reminder.

Jeremy

Love your lyrics!

Love your music! Love your lyrics!

Robin Bridgeford

Total awesomeness!!!

‘Let’s Run’ is MY FAVORITE so far.. I LOVE THIS ONE.. great job.. total awesomeness!!! I thank Jana Stanfield for introducing me to your gifts. I am grateful.

Merril

Love the “Key To Your Cage” album…

Love the “Key To Your Cage” album. I hear so many different influences and styles woven throughout the songs, really keeps it interesting from start to finish!

Dan Z

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