I’ve Seen Fire and I’ve Seen Rain

More True Songs of Love

with Loving words of God

This is a song Fire and Rain I was given to wake up to

This is a song I was given to wake up to, and it will be the opening to an article I’m writing about this beautiful gift from God, a love song and a love story, and how pains are turned into gains, all to the glory of God and the Love of God. I invited God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to join me in my sleep, to receive gentle clarity and meaningful gifts. They know I hold onto songs, and as I transitioned back into a good morning and a good day, this is the song that stayed with me, very clear, very true. There is nothing in it that doesn’t sing from my heart. It carries my story of pain transformed into purpose, and it reminds me how I can find a love story and a love song in every beautiful piece of music I hear. In it, I hear clarity. In it, I hear Love. And in it, I feel God.

And a love song never ends with just one song, it becomes love songs.

As soon as that song finished, another one arrived, a perfect fit for a beautiful new day: I Can See Clearly Now. A reminder that all storms, all disruptions, all lies, and all the bad things in the way, they too shall pass to the glory of God. I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all the obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunny day. These words became part of the same story I’m singing today.

I can find a love song in every song and a love story in every story, because in every pain there is a lesson learned, and those lessons become the gains, all to the glory of God. I feel a strong and powerful day of Love ahead, bright sunny days on the horizon and here with nothing to fear. It’s a good morning. And it’s a good day.

Almost all the bad characters I think about now, I see as people who were fooled and tricked, just like I once was, only to different depths of falling into those traps. Some don’t realize they’ve been deceived because they have a vested interest in convincing themselves they’re not that foolish. So instead of being angry, I choose to be sad, because I can see people suffering inside their own mistakes. And that only makes me want to help them more. I truly believe that everyone who has made foolish choices, everyone who was tricked by Satan and fell into a bottomless darkness, can still escape through the Light of Love and God. This is the best part of all these stories: Love is the winner. I think back to some of these people from the beginning, and I remember that I loved them. They were fooled. So was I. At what point would my love for them turn into hate? It wouldn’t, because that would make us all fools. My love remains love. My love can also see foolish mistakes, and I recognize them because I’ve made them too. Satan is the father of lies. The first lie was told in the garden, and those lies passed on to all of us. The wage of sin is death, but rebirth into Love, into Jesus Christ, and into the grace of God is the victory. And that victory is already won, through the Lamb of God, through the blood of Jesus Christ.

James Taylor wrote the iconic 1970 hit “Fire and Rain” to process deeply personal tragedies, including the suicide of a friend, his own struggle with heroin addiction, and the dissolution of his band. The song details his emotional journey, featuring lyrics about Suzanne Schnerr’s death, time in a hospital institution, and the pain of early fame.

“Fire and Rain” (1970): This song marked Taylor’s breakthrough, peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.

“You’ve Got a Friend” (1971): This song served as a direct, comforting response to the loneliness expressed in Taylor’s “Fire and Rain”. It was released on Taylor’s 1971 album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon and became his only No. 1 single.

In 1970, Neil Diamond was considered for the lead role in a biopic about controversial comedian Lenny Bruce. While preparing for the audition, which included performing stand-up comedy at The Bitter End West, Diamond felt deeply uncomfortable with the role’s risqué material and emotional intensity, which prompted him to start therapy. The experience led to a period of intense introspection, resulting in the creation of his 1971 hit song, “I Am… I Said”. Upon release in 1971, “I Am… I Said” reached number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and was a top 10 hit in the UK.

I was born April 10 1971 too and I love the attachments to what I find also with timeless connections.

“I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash is about overcoming hardship, seeing past the “rain” (problems/struggles) to a brighter future, and finding clarity, hope, and optimism through a change in perspective, often interpreted as a spiritual or personal breakthrough after dark times and in me with the win in Jesus and strength in Love and Faith of God and in God. The lyrics, with imagery of removing clouds and seeing the sun, symbolize leaving behind confusion and negativity for understanding and joy.

Many love stories and love songs I pray to Jesus you all find the Love of God as God is Love. 

Fire and Rain

Just yesterday mornin’, they let me know you were gone
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song
I just can’t remember who to send it to
I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again
Won’t you look down upon me, Jesus?
You’ve got to help me make a stand
You’ve just got to see me through another day
My body’s aching and my time is at hand
And I won’t make it any other way
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you again
Been walking my mind to an easy time
My back turned towards the sun
Lord knows, when the cold wind blows
It’ll turn your head around
Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line
To talk about things to come
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground
Oh, I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I’d see you, baby
One more time again, now
Thought I’d see you one more time again
There’s just a few things coming my way this time around, now
Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you, fire and rain, now

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Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Psalm 71:1-3
In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.

Job 19:10
He tears me down on every side till I am gone;
he uproots my hope like a tree.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

John 3:16–21
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Ephesians 5:8–14
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

1 John 4:7–8
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:11-12
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

John 16:20
Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Romans 5:3-5
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

James 1:2–4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

2 Corinthians 4:6–10
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

1 Peter 5:8–10
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:4
For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Revelation 21:4–5
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

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I Can See Clearly Now, the Rain is Gone

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day
I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day
Look all around, there’s nothin’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin’ but blue skies
I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day
Gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day
Oh, what a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-shiny day

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You’ve Got a Friend

Song by Carole King ‧ 1971

When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you’ve got to do is call
And I’ll be there, ye, ye, ye
You’ve got a friend
If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep you head together
And call my name out loud now
Soon you’ll hear me knocking at you door
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yes I will, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall, ye
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, ye, ye, yeah
Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold
They’ll hurt you, and desert you
And take your soul if you let them, oh yeah, don’t you let ’em now
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again, oh baby, don’t you know
Winter, spring, summer or fall
Hey now, all you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yes I will
You’ve got a friend
You’ve got a friend, yeah
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend
Oh, ye yeah, you’ve got a friend

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I Am… I Said

Song by Neil Diamond ‧ 1971

L.A.’s fine, the sun shines most the time
And the feeling is “lay back”
Palm trees grow and rents are low
But you know I keep thinkin’ about
Making my way back
Well I’m New York City born and raised
But nowadays
I’m lost between two shores
L.A.’s fine, but it ain’t home
New York’s home
But it ain’t mine no more
“I am”… I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I am”… I cried
“I am”… said I
And I am lost and I can’t
Even say why
Leavin’ me lonely still
Did you ever read about a frog
Who dreamed of bein’ a king
And then became one
Well except for the names
And a few other changes
If you talk about me
The story is the same one
But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I’ve tried
But it won’t let me go
And I’m not a man who likes to swear
But I never cared
For the sound of being alone
“I am”… I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I am”… I cried
“I am”… said I
And I am lost and I can’t
Even say why
“I am”… I said
“I am”… I cried
“I am”