Another Man's Arms

Weddings make me cry...sometimes. Mine didn't. I was too young to have a clue. After nearly 3 decades of wedded bliss, I'm starting to piece together some of the concepts of this deal I agreed to as an almost-adult. When I said "I do", I didn't realize what I had done. The twists and turns, the highs and lows, the joy and sorrow, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat...sounds like a sports commercial.

Then come the milestones we pass along the way- the birth of a child, first day of school, Christmas mornings, inaugural bike ride without training wheels, white-knuckled driving lessons, graduations, goodbyes, playing ukulele for tips in Central Park...Wait! These are all about the kids! Well, there's plenty that center around just Patty and me, like.....umm........thinking.... I'll cover those in another post.

I digress- back to weddings. Tori and Grayson just celebrated their "married one/tenth as long as our folks" anniversary, and Patty and I just returned from my nephew's wedding in Detroit. I wrote a song for both of those occasions, so it seems right to share the one I wrote  for a totally different wedding- my niece's. (Why certain things make sense in my head, I don't know.) Told by Daddy on his daughter's wedding day.

ANOTHER MAN'S ARMS
v
I cried as I held you in my arms
Seems I'd waited for so long
Now a baby girl had come to stay

Through times of joy and times of fear
Daddy's arms would hold you near
But something will change today
c
Like the rising and the setting of the sun
I always knew this day would finally come
When my little girl would find another hand to hold, not mine
She would give away her heart
And I will give her into another man's arms
v
We laughed as I'd swing you in my arms
I'd always catch you when you'd fall
My love for you will never fail

You're still my little girl right now
Dressed in your wedding gown
Like the princess in a fairy tale
c
Like the rising and the setting of the sun
I always prayed a special man would come
To be a shelter for her soul
Their love will build a happy home
She would give away her heart
And I will give her into another man's arms
Bridge
They will love each other as they should
And they'll have all the good things they deserve
I'm trusting God to hold them in His arms
c
Like the rising and the setting of the sun
I always knew this special day would come
When my little girl would find another hand to hold, not mine
She would give away her heart
And I will give her...Today I will give her
Daddy will give her into her husband's arms

Written by: John MacManamy
Copyright: jmacmusic

Sarah and Brad- I'm proud of you both . And Halee and Darrell and Ella!

A Jealous Love

TO VIEW THE VIDEO OF THIS SONG GO TO:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Su3y1KEmKo

The pilot's voice sounded unsure, and his announcement was cryptic: "The Company thinks there's a problem so we'll be landing shortly". When you're miles above the ocean the last thing you want to hear is "...there's a problem...". The Company? How does The Company know that something is wrong with the plane I'm on?

Banking into the new heading, and after what seemed like an eternity, we touched down in Dublin. The full flight included our little American contingent returning home from a prayer conference in Moscow. Yesterday, I celebrated my 42nd birthday across the street from the Kremlin. Earlier today I settled in as the plane reached altitude on September 11, 2001. Now, I was one of hundreds of bewildered passengers, dragging luggage through and out of the airport, herded toward buses waiting to whisk us all to points unclear. The flow of travellers lurched obediently along under a shroud of some impending doom. Vague comments from cell phone users told of attacks, casualties, and terror.

Then, through the open door of an airport bar, we saw it. A suspended large screen TV displayed the video images that the world would soon be flooded with. Just hours after the attack, the endless loop had begun.

The next four days were spent in Ireland, while folks stateside looked for ways to get us back home. As we visited around the city, I was truly touched by the sympathy and outrage expressed by the Irish over the destructive acts of cowardice. Their desire to console and stand with us as brothers was genuine and overwhelming. Even in that dark day, goodness rose up in the most unexpected places and times.

This song was written shortly after returning from that trip. God said He is jealous about His relationship with us. It literally means He is impassioned about it. God goes so far as to say His name is Jealous. And He desires to be impassioned like that for WhoSoEver will call on Him. The juxtaposition of man's cruelty and God's mercy should never deceive us to believe His judgement precedes His salvation. God's saving grace is always extended and we are forever safe in the Father's arms.

A JEALOUS LOVE

When Dreams of Men Come Crashing Down
A Strong Tower of Hope Can Still be Found
God of Power God of Endless Might
Always Watching With a Father's Eyes

When Terror Strikes the Heart of Men
A Saving God is Close at Hand
God Will Save Who So Ever Will Call His Name
The Shelter of His Love Brings Sweet Escape

Every Nation Will Assemble
Evil Men Will Bow and Tremble
Before the Throne of God
My Father

Every Nation Will Assemble
Every Man Will Bow and Tremble
Before the Throne of God

As Night Surrenders to the Day
The Kingdom of Light Will Sweep the Dark Away
God Avenges God Defends the Just
Like a Father Who Guards With a Jealous Love

He's a Father Who Guards With a Jealous Love
And His Children are Safe in the Arms of His Love

Written by: John MacManamy
Copyright: jmacmusic