Click on a song title to read the Lyrics and the story behind the song
1. OH JESUS
OH JESUS
By Cal Zastrow
Jesus, I surrender all
Jesus, I answer your call
Your my healer, my Savior
My deliverer, my friend
You forgave me, You saved me
You’ll preserve me to the end
Oh Jesus, Oh Jesus
Jesus, lover of my soul
Jesus, You have made me whole
Jesus, my life is set apart
Jesus, here take all my heart
Jesus, I count all things loss
Jesus, I carry the cross
Jesus, fear and worry cease
Jesus, You are my peace
Jesus, I worship You in chains
Jesus, I praise you in my pain
Jesus, You I want to see
Jesus, in prison You made me free
Vocals: Cal Zastrow/Eva Darlene
Piano/Guitar: Eva Darlene
Cello: Mercy Potter
2. WELL DONE
WELL DONE
by Eva Darlene
The pathway is narrow
But the track is clear
I’m following Jesus now
No turning back from here
Steep and stony
The way gets rough
Sometimes it’s lonely Lord
But I know that your enough
Help me run
Hard after you
I want to run
With my eyes fixed on Jesus
Joy in the journey
Peace for the way
You’ve promised
You’re with me LORD
So I am not afraid
Will I hear you say
Just want to hear you say
Will I hear you say “Well done”
Will I hear you say
Just want to hear you say
“Well done my good and faithful one.”
Vocals/Piano/Guitar: Eva Darlene
Ukraine 2022
“Help me run” was the cry of my heart after taking several trips into war-torn Ukraine. Misha and Lena welcomed us into their home with open arms! Misha was beaming as he shared his testimony with us… “This apartment used to be filled with weapons, drugs and violence. Look! Now it’s filled with Bibles and God’s workers.” I saw him running after God wholeheartedly.
He wasn’t holding back from the work God had placed before him. He was faithfully preaching at the train station to the frightened masses, on the buses, in the highways and byways. The nation was under attack and the urgency of the Gospel felt tangible.
“Sometimes it’s lonely, Lord, but I know that You’re enough.”. Most missionaries and pastors fled Ukraine, leaving many who stayed feeling abandoned. Folks who had little to no leadership experience started rising up to serve! It was clear that the Lord had not forsake our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.
“Joy in the Journey… Peace for the way.” There is no greater joy than knowing Jesus and following Him. I had the amazing blessing of full assurance that no harm would come to me or the team while we were in Ukraine. I am not a particularly brave person , or immune to fear, but I truly can say that I was not afraid, even when the missiles were falling and there was constant rumbling of artillery through the night. He is able to keep in perfect peace he whose mind is stayed on Him!
What in this world is truly worth chasing after? Jesus Is! Can you imagine Him saying “well done”? It will be worth it all just to see him face to face. I want to lay aside every weight and all sin which so easily besets and run wholehearted after Christ.
3. PSALM 93
PSALM 93
Words by King David
Music by David Zastrow
The LORD reigneth,
he is clothed with majesty;
the LORD is clothed with strength,
wherewith he hath girded himself:
the world also is stablished,
that it cannot be moved.
Thy throne is established of old:
thou [art] from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their waves.
The LORD on high is mightier
than the noise of many waters,
yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.
Thy testimonies are very sure:
holiness becometh thine house,
Thy testimonies are very sure:
holiness becometh thine house,
O LORD, forever.
Vocals: David Zastrow/Eva Darlene
Piano/Guitar: Eva Darlene
My brother David has a real passion for God’s Word. When he was in highschool, he wrote music to several Psalms for memorization purposes. This one was by far his best, and our family has often sung it together through the years.
There is such comfort in declaring who God is! “The floods have lifted up, oh Lord.” The psalmist acknowledges the problems around him and declares, “The Lord on high, He is mightier than the noise of many waters.”
It’s a song we have sung in good times and bad. The Lord reigns, Hallelujah!
4. HIS LOVE
HIS LOVE
By Heather Idoni
A fierce storm rages all about
No time for fear no room for doubt
But only trust my Savior’s arm
He quiets my heart with His love
His love His love
He quiets my heart with His love
My heart in perfect peace restored
I thank and praise my risen Lord
And all the while His steady Gaze
Will quiet my heart in his love
His love His love
Will quiet my heart in His love
When every where I seem to find
Hurting souls the lost and blind
I cannot give you silver or gold
But he’ll quiet your heart with His love
His love His love
He’ll quiet your heart with His love
His love His love
He quiets my heart with His love
Vocals/Guitar: Eva Darlene
This scripture, Zephaniah 3:17, was written in a beautiful card that was sent to me shortly after my first federal indictment. My crime? Peacefully and prayerfully placing my body “in the way” of mothers who were coming to kill their babies at abortion clinics. Eventually I was told I could be facing over 50 years in federal prison. It may be hard to believe, but I had more peace during that whole time of waiting than ever before in my life!
“He quiets your heart with His love”. Some Bible versions read differently, but this was the message I heard from the Lord. When I would say aloud to the Lord, “You quiet my heart in Your love”, this amazing peace would wash over me! This little miracle worked again and again during my time of waiting for court trials. Right through my 2nd and 3rd indictments. It was a sure and easy way to connect to that “peace that passes all understanding”. Jesus Himself became Peace to me constantly. His peace continually washed over me and held me. My heart was constantly quieted.
One day while I was in jail and basking in the Lord’s presence (which never left me!), I thought it would be good to memorialize this time of my life with a song. I thought perhaps others could connect with God’s peace, too, through the truth of scripture. I called Eva with the words the Lord had given me, and she set the song to music.
I have been so blessed that my story and song have been shared among the churches who were praying for me during the 17 months I was imprisoned. A simple song, but with profound power. Glory to God!
-Heather Idoni
5. JESUS BID ME COME
Jesus Bid Me Come
By Eva Darlene
Oh Jesus bid me come to Thee
Let not the troubled seas
Bring a doubt of Thee
Oh Jesus bid me come to Thee
I want to share your joy’s
And your suffering
I bid you come take up your cross
I bid you come counting all things but loss
I bid you come deny yourself
And follow Me
Come follow Me
Oh Jesus bid me come to Thee
And when the storms arise
Let me not turn my eyes
And if I falter on the waves
I simply need to cry out Your name
Your hand will uphold me
You will save
Oh Jesus bid me come
Oh Jesus bid me come to Thee
I’ll take up my cross
Daily to die with Thee
Vocals/Piano: Eva Darlene
Cello: Mercy Potter
In the Spring of 2020 the pot shops, liquor stores, and abortion clinics stayed open, while most of the churches closed. Our church, sadly, was one of those that stopped meeting. Folks started calling my Dad, asking if they could come have home church with us. When we outgrew our living room, we started meeting at the State park, and Dad began preaching a sermon series on fear.
When we got to the story of Peter walking on the water, it struck me for the first time that Peter cried out “Bid me come to Thee”. Jesus did; He said “Come to Me.” I want to follow Jesus and have the kind of faith that knows if He calls, it’s possible. Fear is a liar! Peter saw the wind and waves. Instead of the trust and faith that made him ask in the first place, he suddenly was unsure and began to sink. Yet even in his floundering he called out for help and was saved!
So while my Dad’s sermon carried on, I was busily scratching the lyrics to this song in my note book. I want to dream big and ask Jesus to “Bid Me Come.” Unlike Peter, we know where He was heading; to the cross. He has called us to lay down our life, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.
The third verse was inspired by Pastor Andrew Brunson, who wrote the song “Worthy of My All” while imprisoned in Turkey. Here are a few lines from his song: “You are worthy, worthy of my all. My tears and pain I lift up as an offering. Teach me to share in the fellowship of Your suffering; Jesus, You, You are worthy of my all.”
Jesus, bid me come, I want to share Your joys and Your suffering. Is asking to share in His suffering like Peter asking to walk on the water, a great idea until you get out there and it hurts and threatens to drown you? Yet I believe God is more than able to sustain His children when they pass through difficult times. And I want to be willing! I want to be in fellowship with Christ, to know Him more and to learn (maybe through hardship) to treasure His suffering on my behalf.
Like the man seeking healing for his daughter, saying “Lord I believe; help my unbelief”, this song is my prayer that God would call me to Himself and grant me the faith to keep my eyes on Him when the waters threaten to overwhelm me. He has called, will we answer? When we can choose to stay in the boat, will we go the extra mile and ask Him to call us out onto the water? When we lose sight of Him and falter will we, like Peter, be quick to call on His name for deliverance?
6. THE LORD WILL PROVIDE
The Lord Will Provide
Lyrics John Newton
Additional lyrics and music by Eva Darlene
Though troubles assail,
And dangers affright;
Though friends should all fail,
And foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us,
Whatever betide:
The Scripture assures us,
“The Lord will provide.”
The birds, without barn
Or storehouse, are fed;
From them let us learn
To trust for our bread;
His saints what is fitting
Shall ne’er be denied,
So long as ’tis written,
“The Lord will provide.”
Trust and obey
His grace is sufficient for today
No need for worry or restlessness
Just hold on to Christ and don’t look back
His call we obey,
Like Abram of old,
Not knowing our way,
But faith makes us bold;
For though we are strangers,
We have a sure Guide;
And strength in all dangers:
“The Lord will provide.”
No strength of our own,
Nor goodness we claim;
But since we have know
The Saviors great name.
In this our strong tower
For refuge we hide;
Almighty His power,
“The Lord will provide.”
Have you ever been in a difficult situation where you couldn’t see how God was going to work it out? While living in China I encountered great difficulties and sorrow. I was watching over a house full of children, each with special needs and uncertain legal footing. But I had full and absolute confidence that I was right where God wanted me. Before beginning my trip, I had downloaded a hymnal app. I found great joy in reading through a new song every day. One day I came across this beautiful hymn by John Newton.
There were times of uncertainty in China when I gave in to worry and fear, only to look back later and see God’s hand had perfectly held and guided me. Hence the addition of a chorus. “Trust and Obey, His grace is sufficient for today. No need for worry or restlessness; just hold on to Christ and don’t look back.” Worry gets you nowhere, while trusting the Lord and walking in obedience is where true joy and fulfillment are found. These were the truths that God was writing on my heart at the time.
I dearly missed my guitar and piano during those days. I don’t remember if I even prayed about it, but one day I found a sweet little cafe with a guitar for public use. The next week I found a piano studio! So while the helpers rested and the children napped, I would slip out and go rent a piano for an hour to just play and sing my heart out to God. It was such a lifeline to me at that time and just one more way in which I saw the Lord providing for me. The internet was so slow that when I tried to look up the hymn to learn the tune, I couldn’t find it! So I wrote my own and the chorus just somehow came out on one of those afternoon getaways to the piano studio.
After visiting the shop with the guitar a couple of times, I found it empty with just one lady on shift. So I built up my courage and asked to play it. Not only did she say yes, but I felt a connection with her. As I played and sang worship songs in English, it felt like she listened intently. With my little bit of Chinese and her English, I discovered that she was also a follower of Jesus! There is no safer place than the center of God’s will. When He calls, He provides!
7. MY HIDING PLACE
My Hiding Place
Words by R. Hutchinson
Arranged by Eva Darlene
Thou art, O Lord, my Hiding Place;
My soul beneath Thy care
May fold its wings in perfect peace,
And fear no danger there.
Thou art, O Lord, my Hiding Place
From storm and tempest wild;
For naught can harm the humblest one
Whom Thou hast made Thy child.
My Hiding Place, my Hiding Place,
When stormy billows roll;
My Rock, my Hope, my sure Defense,
The Anchor of my soul.
Thou art, O Lord, my Hiding Place
From strong temptation’s pow’r;
For Thou hast promised by Thy grace
To keep me hour by hour.
Thou art, O Lord, my Hiding Place:
My life is hid with Thee;
Lord, Thou art mine, and I am Thine,
Thro’ all eternity.
Vocals/Piano: Eva Darlene
Cello: Mercy Potter
My Hiding Place The lyrics to this song were discovered while I was in China. This was such an unsure and turbulent time, but I took great comfort in every word of this song. I truly had found Jesus to be my rock, my hope, my sure defense, and the anchor of my soul!
Once again I didn’t know the original tune, but as I sat there at the piano studio, the melody just flowed out. That is how I learned these beautiful words by heart.
8. JESUS YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
Jesus You Are Beautiful
By Cal Zastrow
My King reigns over heaven and earth
His name is Jesus
He is Holy, just, and beautiful
His Name is Jesus
Jesus
Jesus
You are beautiful
Jesus
Jesus
You are beautiful
Oh You are
Yes You are
Jesus You are Beautiful
Vocals: Trish Zastrow/Eva Darlene
Piano: Eva Darlene
Cello: Mercy Potter
If Paul and Silas could sing praises to Jesus while in bonds in prison, then so can we. This song was written and sung in Yellowstone County Jail while I was unjustly imprisoned for the Gospel (2012).
Psalm 13:6 “I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
-Cal Zastrow
9. TEACH ME LORD
Teach Me Lord
By Eva Darlene
Teach me Lord to know Thee
Reveal yourself to me
Fill me up with your Spirit
Flow living water in me
Teach me Lord to love like Thee
Painful though it may be
Empty me of selfishness
That I might live unto Thee
For all my days are in your hand
Your plans for me are good
Such knowledge is too wonderful
I cannot comprehend
Teach me Lord to wait on Thee
Patient through every trial
Holy fire consume my dross
Cleanse me to purity
Teach me Lord to trust in Thee
Ne’r again to doubt
That when storm and tempest howl
Secure I’ll rest in Thee
My debt was paid! My pardon was fully purchased by His blood. I cannot add anything to my salvation. Yet this love that God has lavishly poured out upon me makes me long to know this lover of my soul. It makes me long to please Him and to learn how to follow in His steps.
This song came during a season of grief. The Lord had called me to serve at a foster home for children with special needs in China. Those children captured my heart in a way that is difficult to describe. During that season, I was on a short term visa, so I often had to make trips out of China. On one of those trips back to the States I found myself asking God to release me from loving these children. I was afraid of what could happen. I was afraid of being totally broken if the government made good on their threats to remove the children from the safe home they were in. What a selfish and shallow thing to pray!
Then the Lord brought a stranger who was on a layover in Shanghai. He wanted to talk about spiritual things. He was searching for happiness and had a shallow mantra about “living for love”. Suddenly I found myself (introvert that I am) preaching the Gospel and talking about how perfect, true love looks like Jesus. Love isn’t just a good feeling or momentary infatuation; love looks like Jesus as He poured out every drop of His blood. Love looks like sacrifice. Love looks like laying down your rights, laying down your life for another. Love is costly, beautiful, and painful. Later on my own words to this lost young man came ringing back in my ears as the Lord convicted me of my selfish, shallow heart, that just wanted to avoid pain.
In December of 2019 the threats became reality and the children I loved so dearly where snatched away from a loving home and placed back in the Chinese Orphanage.
Six months later, while I was overseas, I received news that a girl back home had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. It hit me hard. Naomi and I grew up in the same area. We were the same age. Our brothers were really close friends and we just tagged along. Both of our brothers moved away and we didn’t really see each other anymore. I purposed in my heart to go see her as soon as I got home. That visit was the spark to ignite a quickly deepening friendship. Once again I found myself deeply caring about someone in a precarious situation, and I once again wanted out. I saw grief coming and I didn’t want to walk through that. My selfish heart wanted to protect itself and pull away so that maybe the pain would be easier to bear. The Lord is long suffering and gracious. He was calling me to love Naomi.
“Teach me Lord to love like thee, painful though it may be. Empty me of selfishness that I might live unto thee.” This song came from my heart as a prayer and a reminder to my own soul that there is truth bigger than the feelings that would at times overwhelm me. “All my days are in your hand your plans for me are good.” It’s wonderful and beyond my comprehension. Even when all of my emotions and physical senses tell me to avoid pain and run the other way, there is this lasting and unshaken truth that God sees and knows. That He is doing what it takes to mold and shape us into fitting vessels for His service. Rather than resist, I want to stay fully surrendered. I want to pray in all sincerity, “Teach me Lord to know Thee, to trust Thee, to love like Thee, to wait on Thee.” I am banking my life on the fact that Your plans are good, better than any I could come up with. Even though I don’t fully understand, I am claiming it and believing that what You say is true.
I rejoice that God didn’t answer my self-centered prayers to be released from loving the Chinese children or Naomi. I suppose in loving them He was showing me, more clearly than I ever could have imagined, Himself.
10. EVEN IN THE VALLEY
EVEN IN THE VALLEY
By Eva Darlene
My view so often dim
This heart grows faint within
Broken, hurting Lord I come
My strength is all but gone
Oh Lord you are my song
With me here in this valley
My faith I’ve placed in You
I know You’ll see me through
Come what may help me say
You give and take away
Blessed, blessed be your name
Even in the midst of pain
I’ll lift my voice to proclaim
Blessed, blessed be your name
Even in the valley
Even in the presence of my enemies
Where You are Lord (where You are)
Is ten thousand time
Ten thousand times
Ten thousand times better
Than anywhere
Anywhere without you
Vocals/Piano/Guitar: Eva Darlene
Have you experienced dark and difficult times? Times when it all seems to pile on and you feel like you’re sinking? I was already there when, on top of everything, a dear friend betrayed the Lord, and me in the process. Sometimes in the darkest storm the lightning flashes, and for a moment it’s all clear. My friend took what looked like the easy way out, but in the process she sold her soul.
In that moment the light flashed. Even if it means walking through difficult trials, I would rather follow Jesus and know the power of His presence than to take the easy way out and lose His blessing on my life. In many ways I was focused on my own pain, numb in grief and loss. That’s where the Lord met me, again reminding me that He is better than anything this world could ever offer. He is beyond worthy of my trust and wholehearted surrender.
This song wasn’t written in a painstaking process, but rather it poured forth from my soul as a declaration to the Lord. Lord, right here in my pain and loss I choose to bless Your name! I choose to stake my life on Jesus! I choose to believe that all His promises are Yes and Amen in Jesus. I choose to believe that walking with Him, even through the most challenging valley, is ten thousand times ten thousand times better than anywhere without Him.
11. ONLY JESUS FEELS & KNOWS
ONLY JESUS FEELS & KNOWS
Lyrics by Fanny Crosby
Music by Eva Darlene
Only Jesus feels and knows
All the weight of human woes;
Full and free His mercy flows,
Blessed, blessed Jesus!
Oh, that name we love to hear,
Name above all others dear!
How it calms our every fear!
Blessed, blessed Jesus!
Only Jesus looks within,
Sees our hearts and all our sin;
Only He can make us clean;
Blessed, blessed Jesus!
Only Jesus answers prayer,
Lighter makes the cross we bear,
Bids us cast on Him our care;
Blessed, blessed Jesus!
Safe in Him our souls abide,
Safe His hand our steps will guide,
Till we sing beyond the tide,
Blessed, blessed Jesus!
Vocals/Piano: Eva Darlene
Cello: Mercy Potter
Loss, grief, pain… We don’t sorrow as those who have no hope. Jesus is closer than a brother. He knows and has walked the path before us. These words were of special comfort when the dreaded event occurred.
One of the sweet children I cared for in China was snatched away. The Lord was present in our grief. His name is sweet and dear. He is merciful even though He sees the true state of our hearts. He answers prayer even when things don’t turn out like we wish they would.
I felt the Lord’s comfort in those difficult times. He sustained and enabled me to carry on with loving and serving, even with this huge hole in the home and in my heart. “Oh that name we love to hear; name above all others dear; how it calms our every fear; blessed, blessed Jesus.”
12. FAIREST LORD JESUS
Fairest Lord Jesus
Author Unknow
Schönster Herr Jesu,
Herrscher aller Enden,
Gottes und Marien Sohn!
Dich will ich lieben,
dich will ich ehren,
du meiner Seelen Freud und Kron.
Fairest Lord Jesus,
ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
Fair are the meadows,
fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.
Fair is the sunshine,
fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.
Beautiful Savior!
Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.
Vocals: Greg Rowen/ Eva Darlene
Piano: Greg Rowen
Cello: Mercy Potter
Once upon a time there was a little girl who didn’t know all that much about God. But she loved Him and gave Him her heart. As a child, she endured unspeakable hardship in a communist death camp. Often she would hole herself up in her little corner and sing this song to God.
One night she learned, through overheard whispers, that her father had died, but she told no one. With her wounded heart she went and sang to her Jesus.
That little girl grew up and continued to love Jesus, and she has inspired me in so many ways! I have included this song in honor of Oma Eva Edl who still worships Jesus with all her heart, no matter what is going on in her life or circumstances. The first verse is sung in Danube Swabian, a dialect of German, Eva’s native tongue.
Eva was involved in the federal cases against the rescuers. After being convicted and sentenced to probation, she received a presidential pardon on January 23rd 2025.
If you would like to learn more about Eva’s story, watch the video bellow, check out her biography, She Looks Like My Little Girl, or listen to this two part interview by Stifled Cry.