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X Marks The Spot (Devotional and Song)

Song: X Marks the Spot Duet

Devotional: X Marks the Spot

Scripture: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

There are moments in life when we find ourselves in places we never intended to be—trapped, burdened, lost in a cycle of guilt and regret. We look around and wonder, How did I get here? The weight of our past, the choices we’ve made, and the wounds we carry feel inescapable.

But God is not a distant observer. He sees the struggle, the self-condemnation, the fear that we are beyond redemption. And yet, He whispers truth into our restless souls: You are not forgotten. You are not too far gone. My grace is greater than your failures.

“X marks the spot.” The place of your greatest pain can become the place of your greatest redemption. When we stop running, stop hiding, and lay it all down at the foot of the cross, transformation begins. Jesus is not waiting for us to clean ourselves up first—He is calling us to surrender, to dig deep, and to uncover the treasure of His mercy hidden beneath our shame.

No more running. No more hiding. This is where life begins.

Prayer:

Lord, I come to You weary and burdened by my past. I lay my brokenness before You, trusting that Your love is greater than my failures. Help me to surrender fully, to stop hiding, and to receive the grace You freely offer. Redeem my story, transform my heart, and let me walk in the freedom and purpose You have for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I find myself in a place I don’t want to be
How did I get here
In this place where I am not free

Awkward
…Discomfort

Trapped
…Caged
…Bound

Judged
…Damned
…As worthless…and rotten…who should be condemned?

Who should it be?
…Is it you?
…Is it me?
…Or is this just the way the world works?

X marks the spot…
…and so I shall dig into the discomfort to uncover why I feel damned

I can’t blame another
For the failings that are mine
I’m the one who must take responsibility
For who I define

Mea culpa (Latin: through my fault)
I will no longer deny
The damage that I have done
And the life that is a lie

X marks the spot…
…and so I shall dig into the denial to uncover what I don’t want to see

It’s time to turn this around
To become the person I want to be
To live a life of freedom
And receive all that God wants for me

For God has made me special
Unique in every way
To live a life for His glory
And get the most of every day

X marks the spot…
…and so I shall dig to reveal the bounty which God has stored up for me

Song: X Marks the Spot

[Verse]

I’ve been running, restless soul,

Every road still left me cold.

Lost in doubt, caught in the fight,

Till You spoke and gave me light.

[Chorus]

X marks the spot where I lay it all down,

The weight of my past at the foot of Your crown.

I tried to escape, but Your love pulled me in,

Now I stand in surrender—this is where life begins.

[Verse]

All my footsteps left me lost,

Every choice came with a cost.

But Your mercy called my name,

Now I’ll never be the same.

[Chorus]

X marks the spot where I lay it all down,

The weight of my past at the foot of Your crown.

I tried to escape, but Your love pulled me in,

Now I stand in surrender—this is where life begins.

[1st Outro]

No more running, no more hiding,

Here I stand, Lord, I am Yours.

Grace has found me, love surrounds me,

I am lost in You once more.

[Verse]

All the maps I made were torn,

But You led me to be reborn.

Through the valleys, through the night,

You have turned my dark to light.

[Chorus]

X marks the spot where I lay it all down,

The weight of my past at the foot of Your crown.

I tried to escape, but Your love pulled me in,

Now I stand in surrender—this is where life begins.

[Outro]

No more running, no more hiding,

Here I stand, Lord, I am Yours.

Grace has found me, love surrounds me,

I am lost in You once more.

One Note (Devotional and Song)

One Opus – A Cappella Chorus

One Opus – Female Instrumental

St. Petersburg College (SPC Gibbs Campus) Music Arts Center, St. Petersburg, FL

Two Steinways, 4 Pianists Recital, January 9, 2015

Drawing by Kenneth Neifeld, MD

Here is a devotional based on unity in the church:

One Body, One Spirit

Scripture:
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” — Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

Devotional Thought

The church is meant to be one—unified, not uniform. Just as a pianist plays many notes to create a masterpiece, God has created each of us uniquely, with different gifts, personalities, and callings. And yet, in His divine plan, He calls us to be one body, working together in harmony.

Alone, a single note can be beautiful, but when played in concert with others, it becomes part of a greater symphony. Likewise, we as believers can accomplish much on our own, but our true strength and purpose are revealed when we work together in the unity of Christ.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4 that we share the same Spirit, the same faith, and the same Lord. Our unity does not come from being identical, but from being aligned in purpose—glorifying God and sharing His love with the world. Just as a pianist must listen to the other musicians, adjusting and blending to create harmony, we must also be willing to listen to one another, bear with one another, and work together for God’s kingdom.

When we embrace unity, we reflect the beauty of God’s design for His church. Together, we become more than just individual notes—we become His masterpiece.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for calling us into Your family as one body in Christ. Help us to embrace our unique gifts while working together in unity. Give us patience and love for one another so that we may reflect Your glory in the world. May we be like notes in Your divine composition, creating a symphony of grace, truth, and love. Let our unity be a testimony to those who do not yet know You, drawing them closer to Your heart. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Writing:

I am one…I am one of many…
Yet different from every other…See me?
There I am…
No not there…one over…
Yes…that’s me…Even though I may look the same as many others…
I am very unique, as one of many…

I have an endless number of characteristics…
I can be loud…
I can be soft…
I can be restrained…
I can be sustained…

As One…
I can stand alone…
But that’s not where I do my best work…
For alone, even with all of my endless characteristics…
I am but One Note…

But in the masters hands…
One…and another one…and another…and another…
Together, each with our own endless number of characteristics…
Combined…
Blended…
At the right time…
With the right tempo…
With the right mood…
We become…
One Opus…

Song: One Opus (We Are One)

(Verse 1)

I am one, yet not alone,

A single note, a whispered tone.

A voice that longs to rise and sing,

A melody for Christ my King.

(Chorus)

One voice! (One voice!) One song! (One song!)

One heart where we belong.

One Spirit moves,

One faith, one hope, one love.

(Verse 2)

Hearts united, hand in hand,

Anchored strong in love that stands.

Different voices, yet one sound,

Grace sustains, and hope is found.

(Chorus)

One voice! (One voice!) One song! (One song!)

One heart where we belong.

One Spirit moves,

One faith, one hope, one love.

(Verse 3)

Like the notes upon the keys,

Each one plays a melody.

Every thread and every line,

Woven in His grand design.

(Bridge – A Cappella Friendly)

Oh, we rise, our voices soar,

Bound in love forevermore.

Every sorrow, every praise,

All in Christ, one song we raise.

(Chorus – Repeat)

One voice! (One voice!) One song! (One song!)

One heart where we belong.

One Spirit moves,

One faith, one hope, one love.

(Outro)

One Father’s hands, one love divine,

In Christ forever intertwined.

One people rise, one kingdom strong,

Forever singing—one voice, one song.

Copyright © 2025 by SkylerThomas

References:

About the Two-Piano, Eight-Hand Extravaganza at SPC 1/9/2015

2015 Rebecca Penneys’ Piano Festival

Your Dictionary: Opus

Urban Dictionary: Opus

What is an Opus Number?

The Heart of Glass (Devotional and Song)

Genuine Fenton art glass, blown by Chuck Boux of Sigma Glass, St. Petersburg, FL

Mold My Heart – Female Vocal

Mold My Heart – Male Vocal

Devotional: “The Heart of Glass”

Scripture
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
— Ezekiel 36:26

Reflection
This poem beautifully captures the human desire to protect and perfect our hearts. We search for strength and resilience in many forms—like glass, clay, and granite—seeking a heart that can endure life’s trials without breaking. Yet, time and experience teach us an important truth: it’s not the hardness or durability of our hearts that matters most but their openness to love, vulnerability, and God’s shaping hand.

A heart of glass, though fragile, reflects beauty and light in a way that no stone can. When we attempt to make our hearts impenetrable, like granite, we may succeed in avoiding hurt, but we also close ourselves off from love and connection. A cold, hard heart isolates us, leaving us lonely and distant from others. On the other hand, a heart too brittle—like one made of clay—may crumble under pressure, leaving us feeling useless or defeated.

The lesson here is not about finding the perfect material for our hearts but about trusting the right Artist. The Master Craftsman, our Creator, forms each of us with love, care, and purpose. He knows the balance between beauty and strength, between fragility and endurance. He shapes our hearts not to be invulnerable but to reflect His character—tender, compassionate, and full of grace.

A glass heart, though it may seem fragile, carries a unique kind of strength. It requires humility to handle it carefully, acknowledging that we cannot protect it alone. When we entrust our hearts to God, we don’t have to fear breaking. Even if our hearts do shatter under life’s pressures, God, in His mercy, gathers the pieces and creates something even more beautiful. His closeness to the brokenhearted ensures that no wound is beyond His ability to heal.

This devotional reminds us that our hearts are best shared with humility, not pride. They are not meant to be displayed as trophies for all the world to see but to be vessels of love and light, handled with care and offered to God and others. When we allow God to shape and guide our hearts, we find the balance between vulnerability and resilience, discovering a beauty that comes only from Him.

Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the Master Craftsman of my heart. You know its every detail, its strengths, its weaknesses, and its capacity for love. Forgive me when I try to harden my heart to protect myself or when I let my pride display it carelessly, leaving it vulnerable to harm.

Teach me to trust You fully with my heart, knowing that even in its fragility, Your strength is sufficient. Help me to handle my heart with humility, recognizing that it is a reflection of Your love and grace. May I share it with others in ways that glorify You, shining Your light through its transparency. And when life’s pressures cause my heart to break, remind me that You are near, ready to restore and renew me with Your loving hands.

Shape me into the person You’ve called me to be, Lord. May my heart always reflect Your beauty, compassion, and purpose.
Amen.

Writing

The glassblower formed the molten glow
His skill refined and keen
With the care of an artist creating perfection
It was the prettiest heart I’d ever seen

I took my heart and showed it with pride
For all the world to see
But it was too fragile, this heart of glass
And a broken heart’s of no use to me

I searched far and wide for the best potter
To make a heart that was stronger
It wasn’t as pretty, this heart of clay
But I knew it would last longer

I took my heart and showed it with pride
For all the world to see
It too was fragile and it crumbled
And a broken heart’s of no use to me

To the best sculptor money could buy
I found my heart of granite
It was heavy and hard, not very pretty
This strongest heart on the planet

I took my heart and showed it with pride
For all the world to see
It didn’t break, but it was too cold
And all those around left me

The glassblower formed the molten glow
His skill refined and keen
With the care of an artist creating perfection
It was the prettiest heart I’d ever seen

I took my heart, handling it with care
For some of the world to see
This heart of glass, fragile in its beauty
Is best shared with humility

Mold My Heart

Verse 1
Open my heart, Lord, shape it anew,
Fill it with love that flows from You.
Teach me to see through others’ pain,
And show me how to love again.

Verse 2
Break down my pride, Lord, soften my soul,
Help me to see where love makes whole.
Guide me to serve, to give, to share,
And show Your kindness everywhere.

Chorus
Mold my heart, O Lord, to follow Your way,
Shape me with love, teach me how to obey.
Help me to love, forgive, and believe,
To offer Your hope to those in need.
Strengthen my steps, make my purpose clear,
Let me reflect that You are near.

Verse 3
Fill me with grace, Lord, let it shine,
A heart that beats with love divine.
Lead me to those who need Your care,
And teach me compassion everywhere.

Bridge
Tear down my walls, Lord, set me free,
Make me the person You want me to be.
Fill me with grace, Your Spirit within,
Transform my heart, let Your work begin.
Restore the hurting, lift up the weak,
Through every moment, Your will I seek.

Verse 4
Plant seeds of love within my heart,
Help me to live and do my part.
Let every act and every word,
Reflect Your truth, let it be heard.

Outro
Mold my heart, Lord, refine it still,
Align my life with Your perfect will.
Let love flow out in all that I do,
A living reflection of only You.
In every word, in every song,
Let my heart declare where I belong.

Special thanks to Chuck Boux at the Sigma Glass Studio in St. Petersburg, FL

The glass heart above was made from Fenton Art Glass. Fenton was sold in 2011 and is no longer supplying sought-after colored glass beads to artists.

Found this heart of clay at the Paradise Grille, 900 Gulf Way, Pass-a-Grille Beach, FL 33706

The Rose (Song)

St. Augustine, FL. Copyright © 2014 by SkylerThomas
Composition and production of song by Kenn Mann.

Dedicated to the love my life, my bride.

From the fertile soil
In the Master’s care
Your leaves spring forth
A Rose to bare

This gift of beauty
For all the world to see
Your tenderness, your fragrance
Is meant to be

The symbol of your love
A witness to us all
Of His gift to those
Who will hear His call

For we’re not persuaded
By force or might
But we are drawn
To the Rose’s light

It is your compassion
Your gentleness, your care
That brings rest to the weary
While their burden you share

And in the gentle whisper
That your love does impart
Those near you are drawn
To the Savior’s heart

In the Master’s great plan
There’s none like the Rose
For it is through your beauty
His love He shows

And when this life is over
When you’ve shed your last tear
God has a special place
Forever and ever for you to be near

My Swamp (Devotional and Song)

Song: I Will Rise – Duet

Devotional: Leaving the Swamp Behind

Scripture:
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” — Deuteronomy 30:19

There are moments in life when we realize we’ve built a false sanctuary—a place where we have learned to survive but not truly live. Maybe it’s a mindset we’ve adopted, a habit we’ve clung to, or a defense mechanism we’ve crafted over time. Like the swamp in this reflection, it becomes familiar, even comfortable, but at its core, it is a trap.

God never intended for us to stay in places of spiritual stagnation. He created us to thrive, to walk in His light, to be renewed and transformed. But we must make the choice. We can remain in the toxic environments—whether external or internal—that we’ve adapted to, or we can step into the fullness of life that Christ offers.

The decision is ours. Do we cling to the shadows of what is familiar, or do we trust God to lead us into a land of promise, even if it means vulnerability, growth, and change?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I recognize that I have built walls, adapted to struggles, and settled in places You never intended for me to stay. Give me the courage to step out of my swamp, to leave behind what keeps me trapped, and to walk boldly into the abundant life You have for me. Lead me, Lord, and renew my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Writing:

THIS is my swamp…

My skin is thick and tough…
… so that I no longer have to be vulnerable to the pain that surrounds me.

My fighting skills are honed and advanced…
… so that I can aggressively and fiercely shred any foe that attacks me.

I can submerge and hide for long periods of time…
… to avoid uncomfortable confrontation.

I can adapt to my surroundings here in my swamp…
…so that I can be…
…unaffected
…unmoved
…unshaken
…un-convicted

…of what might otherwise appear to be a…
…murky
…dirty
…polluted environment.

This is MY swamp…

It is my sanctuary. It is my cocoon.

It is…
…my death trap.

I did not always live in my swamp.
In fact, I was not made to be able to survive in my swamp.

I had to become…
…to adapt
…to adjust
…to evolve

…into what I have become in order to survive the toxic conditions that exist in my swamp.

This is my SWAMP…

And only I can make the decision to continue dying here…
…or to choose life outside of my swamp.

What’s it going to be?

Song:

[Verse 1]

I built these walls, I learned to fight,

Kept my heart locked up so tight.

Hid my fear behind a smile,

But I’ve been sinking all the while.

[Pre-Chorus]

I hear You calling through the night,

A voice so strong, yet full of light.

You pull me close, You draw me higher,

Out of the swamp, into the fire.

[Chorus]

I won’t stay where shadows grow,

Where my heart turns cold, where the dark winds blow,

I’m stepping out, I’m choosing life,

Leaving the swamp for the morning light.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

[Verse 2]

I made a home in sinking ground,

Afraid to leave, afraid to drown.

But chains aren’t homes, and wounds don’t heal

When I resist the love you reveal

The fear, the shame, the weight I’ve known,

You call me out, You lead me home.

[Pre-Chorus]

I hear You calling through the night,

A voice so strong, yet full of light.

You pull me close, You draw me higher,

Out of the swamp, into the fire.

[Chorus]

I won’t stay where shadows grow,

Where my heart turns cold, where the dark winds blow,

I’m stepping out, I’m choosing life,

Leaving the swamp for the morning light.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

[Bridge]

I see the road, I see the dawn,

And though I shake, I’ll carry on.

No more hiding, no more chains,

Your grace is stronger than my pain!

[Final Chorus]

I won’t stay where shadows grow,

Where my heart turns cold, where the dark winds blow,

I’m stepping out, I’m choosing life,

Leaving the swamp for the morning light.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.

[Outro]

No turning back, I’m walking free,

The past is gone, Your love in me.

Oh, I will rise… I will rise.