Social media makes it so easy to show our best side, our pretty side- what we want others to see. But sometimes it is the challenges we face- where we don't look so pretty in the midst- that show God's mercy in our lives.
Some friends challenged me to start posting the back story of the songs from "Like a Child." Here goes.
God blessed me with "Wash Me Clean" back in 2005, I believe. Some really confusing things were going on in my life. For a long time, I had been skittish and shy with men, even while trying to put on a tough exterior, and a lot of the experiences I had gone through were reaching a breaking point during the season when God blessed me with this song.
One experience that set the stage was when I entered middle school. I was really sheltered and nieve- desperately wanting to be cool and accepted. Sad to say, I sort of social climbed, making friends and then dropping them for people I thought were cooler. I ended up with a friend who would hang out with these guys on the bleachers during lunch. One of these guys would consistently make comments about my body, put his hands on me, and be explicit in our conversations. Shame on me- I ended up dating him and he became my first kiss. I felt very dirty after my interactions with him, but did not know how to fight him off or have the courage to remove myself from the situation. Since this was one of my formative experiences with the opposite sex, it left some scars.
Back to 2005, when "Wash Me Clean" was written- I was also dealing with some really confusing memories that I could not confirm were true or not. To thicken the plot, I was falling in love. Realizing I was not normal in my fears, anxieties, and defense mechanisms, I cried out to the only One who could heal me. "Wash Me Clean" was born.
"Gently draw back the guilt and shame I hid behind. Know I can trust Your hands so tender, the hands that healed the blind. But will You really cleanse my mind from all the foul things I've seen? And drive the darkness from my heart Wash me clean. Wash me clean
For I am desperate for Your purity, without it can't receive Your love. I've spent my life feeling so dirty, can't outrun what I'm convinced of. I need You please to cleanse my mind from all the foul things I've seen and drive the darkness from my heart. Wash me clean. Wash me clean.
Wash me clean to love another Wash me clean to love myself Jesus, I'm desperate to recover I never will without Your help. I never will without Your help."
I love the way that Jesus treated the women that He encountered. Gentle. Honoring. Respectful. The woman with the issue of blood- she reached out and touched Him. To Jewish culture at that time, she was "unclean". He healed her completely and said, "Your faith have healed You."
I believed in His power to heal and wanted it realized in my life. The Bible says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I wanted to be cleansed both from the things I had done and the things done to me. Since I had repented and asked for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, that meant He would cleanse me. If anyone is in Christ, he/ she is a new creation. Old things have passed away- behold all things have become new!
For me, healing was and is a process, but God can heal any way He chooses to. Although I am still definitely a work in progress- I am no longer who I once was. I have normal relationships with men and am no longer suspicious of everyone. I have a loving and supportive marriage; my husband Matt is truly a gift from God. And I know God loves me so much He sent His Son to die for me.
Wash Me Clean - The Back Story. The Bible says God is no respecter of persons- so if there is ANYTHING you need cleansing from- He can wash you clean through the blood of Christ.
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Sarah Dalton / Blog
Writing
Sometimes writing is not optional- it's the only healthy way I know to survive pain and regret. Thinking about a dear friend that passed away very young....and how I could have been a better friend to her and my friends from high school. Very sad realizing how self-centered I can be. Started writing it through last night, and it went from being about my short comings to remembering how precious Kim was. A strong, brave, beautiful, kind person who I miss but am very thankful for. Thank God the Bible says If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Praying I will be a better friend moving forward and never take the gift of friendship for granted.
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Wash Me Clean Back Story
Social media makes it so easy to show our best side, our pretty side- what we want others to see. But sometimes it is the challenges we face- where we don't look so pretty in the midst- that show God's mercy in our lives.
Some friends challenged me to start posting the back story of the songs from "Like a Child." Here goes.
God blessed me with "Wash Me Clean" back in 2005, I believe. Some really confusing things were going on in my life. For a long time, I had been skittish and shy with men, even while trying to put on a tough exterior, and a lot of the experiences I had gone through were reaching a breaking point during the season when God blessed me with this song.
One experience that set the stage was when I entered middle school. I was really sheltered and nieve- desperately wanting to be cool and accepted. Sad to say, I sort of social climbed, making friends and then dropping them for people I thought were cooler. I ended up with a friend who would hang out with these guys on the bleachers during lunch. One of these guys would consistently make comments about my body, put his hands on me, and be explicit in our conversations. Shame on me- I ended up dating him and he became my first kiss. I felt very dirty after my interactions with him, but did not know how to fight him off or have the courage to remove myself from the situation. Since this was one of my formative experiences with the opposite sex, it left some scars.
Back to 2005, when "Wash Me Clean" was written- I was also dealing with some really confusing memories that I could not confirm were true or not. To thicken the plot, I was falling in love. Realizing I was not normal in my fears, anxieties, and defense mechanisms, I cried out to the only One who could heal me. "Wash Me Clean" was born.
"Gently draw back the guilt and shame I hid behind. Know I can trust Your hands so tender, the hands that healed the blind. But will You really cleanse my mind from all the foul things I've seen? And drive the darkness from my heart Wash me clean. Wash me clean
For I am desperate for Your purity, without it can't receive Your love. I've spent my life feeling so dirty, can't outrun what I'm convinced of. I need You please to cleanse my mind from all the foul things I've seen and drive the darkness from my heart. Wash me clean. Wash me clean.
Wash me clean to love another Wash me clean to love myself Jesus, I'm desperate to recover I never will without Your help. I never will without Your help."
I love the way that Jesus treated the women that He encountered. Gentle. Honoring. Respectful. The woman with the issue of blood- she reached out and touched Him. To Jewish culture at that time, she was "unclean". He healed her completely and said, "Your faith have healed You."
I believed in His power to heal and wanted it realized in my life. The Bible says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I wanted to be cleansed both from the things I had done and the things done to me. Since I had repented and asked for God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ, that meant He would cleanse me. If anyone is in Christ, he/ she is a new creation. Old things have passed away- behold all things have become new!
For me, healing was and is a process, but God can heal any way He chooses to. Although I am still definitely a work in progress- I am no longer who I once was. I have normal relationships with men and am no longer suspicious of everyone. I have a loving and supportive marriage; my husband Matt is truly a gift from God. And I know God loves me so much He sent His Son to die for me.
Wash Me Clean - The Back Story. The Bible says God is no respecter of persons- so if there is ANYTHING you need cleansing from- He can wash you clean through the blood of Christ.
Reply
Open mics again!
I went to a great open mic last night- first since 2019 or 2020! My friend Steve D'Angelo was playing at Andy's Place in Holly, MI. (You can hear his music at https://www.reverbnation.com/stevedangelo) . His excellent 2 hour set was followed by an open mic with a very organized & gracious host. What a joy to hear live musicians again! What a blessing for Matt & I to get to play for a live audience! Some very talented artists & encouraging music lovers were there. I truly enjoyed the evening (+ Andy's place has delicious seasoned fries) Would love to do this more. Please send any leads my way- sarahdaltonmusic.com.
Have a great Sunday everyone!
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New Christmas Single- Now Available- with my Mom!
By God's grace, my Mom, Theresa Dalton, and I got our single "Go Tell it on the Mountain" out in time for Christmas! You can now get our single on multiple digital platforms through: https://sarahdalton.hearnow.com/ Please share!
Torence Carey- on electric guitar Drew Schultz: co-arranger/drums/percussion/piano bass / mix / master / engineer
Thanks for your encouragement & support
#gotellitonthemountain #christmas #christmasmusic
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Tell Me a Story Tuesdays - See YouTube Link for Videos
Tell Me a Story Tuesdays - See YouTube Link for Videos. For the video "It is Well" by Bethany Music, I'm playing at one of my favorite venues, the Well at the Stewart Road Church in Monroe, MI.
I first heard this song at City on a Hill Church in Warren, Michigan. Jessica Yang, an amazing singer, was singing it. Never thought I'd be able to pull it off, but the song really spoke to me, so I decided to learn it.
This song still speaks to me & puts my challenges in perspective. Horatio Spafford wrote to lyrics to "It is Well with My Soul" after losing four daughters to a tragic shipwreck. His song, and the song by Bethany that uses his chorus, reminds me that God is over all and we can trust Him. I often need to be reminded to keep my eyes on Him- but when I lift my eyes to Jesus, I find peace. My soul and my eternity and my present are safe with Him.
Hebrews 6:19- 20 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf.
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Original Song: Our Times
“Our Times” is an original song/video about calling out to God in the midst of desperation, when the things we have trusted in have come up short. The lyrics are even more relevant now in the time we are living in. We need God to come to our rescue in this fallen world. Hope this song provides courage & comfort for you and your family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEr6LL9OTwA
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To Book Sarah Dalton sarahdaltonmusic@gmail.com
Concerts / Opening Act / Praise & Worship / Christmas Concerts
To Book Sarah Dalton: sarahdaltonmusic@gmail.com
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First Concert in over a year!
Looking forward to sharing some new & old songs with you on Saturday, August 7th at the Well, located at Stewart Road Church, 1199 Stewart Road, Monroe, MI 48162.
Tony Ramos will be playing at 7 pm. I will be following with a full set (40-60 minutes) right afterwards. Hoping to encourage and uplift you with some old & new songs. No cover- donations welcome.
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If You Let Me
I wrote "If You Let Me", the video that I just posted, when I was really trying to figure out God's will about something. Before I got married or knew my husband, there was an individual that I had a HUGE crush on. I was at a ministry event with this person ,and I was not sure how to act. I wanted to know if this was the man God had for me and was praying something to that effect and God brought me this really simple melody. "Stand still. Let go. I love you more, more than you know. I see the things that you can't see. I'll make a way if you let me."
Sometimes, it's not about knowing the answer. It's about trusting our heavenly Father even when we have open questions.
In the fullness, of time, God revealed his will. But learning to trust him without knowing what's next....priceless.
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Matt's Guitar
Listening to my husband, Matt, play guitar from our music room. Chords cascading through the house, bouncing off the walls and wood floors. When I hear this man play, it makes me so happy. It amazes me how God has gifted him- he keeps coming up with new music...always different and always interesting. And he plugs in every time! One of the blessings of having a house of our own with no kids yet- he can jam at 10 pm on a Friday night amplified. God bless you my friends.
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