Hungry (Falling On My Knees)

Just got "We Still Believe" by Kathryn Scott and the last track in the album happened to be an old song - Hungry. Listened to it once, and though the song has already been around for so many years it still felt so new and fresh. Haha so I decided to try it out on the piano... cos I think it's just such a beautiful song :)



Btw, missed out the second verse >.< haha was quite hastily done... but still I hope you will encounter God through the lyrics.

God is Able

I trust in You with all I am
Cos I know You have the master plan
So I'll throw my life into Your hands
For Your glory
For Your glory

What a beautiful bridge!

Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North

This really spoke to me, I and hope it will to you as well :)

Please stop and listen to Stop and Listen

Sharing with all an amazing song from my current-favourite CCM artist, Bethany Dillon. I've always loved Bethany Dillon's music... it's more than her soothing voice that makes me listen over and over... I think it's the lyrics too, which is deep and meaningful. Hope you will like this :)

Remember, take some time out of your busy life to stop and listen to the voice of God!



I wake up
Start the rush and pour some coffee
Things to do pile up
Oh so quickly
Too many days I feel like
I run on empty
Does anyone else out there feel like me?

But I’d be a fool to forfeit
The chance to take a moment

For You to rise like the dawn
Over my cold, tired heart
What I thought I had lost
Finds me when I stop
Stop and listen

It’s the same slowing down lesson we all learn
But I don’t pay much attention
Till I crash and burn

So all together
Let’s stop and sit at His feet
My sisters and brothers

Paul Baloche - Glorious

Just wanna share this video with everyone. Worship leader Paul Baloche talks about his new album, Glorious.



I have heard a couple of tracks, and so far it's nothing but AWESOME!

It's really the kind of album which inspires you to get closer to God. The songs are perfect for both corporate and personal worship. I particularly love the song "To The Cross" and "How Great Is The Love"... simple and emotional worship songs.

If you like Paul's songs, you gotta hear this album. Great stuff as always!

Amazed

Sang this song today during worship. Especially love the first verse. If you're wondering where in the Bible it came from, it's from Zephaniah 3:17.

"The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

You dance over me
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
Lord, I'm amazed by You
How You love me

How wide
How deep
How great is Your love for me

Being a homesick Christian

Over the past months I've been listening to more CCM (Christian contemporary music), and this song really got me thinking.



You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for You
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with You

I close my eyes and I see Your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand Your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if You showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see Your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbyes
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see Your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't You give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't You give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

-----------------------------------------------

You know the lyrics to this song are so deep and meaningful, and it really spoke to me. It took a few listens to really get what it meant, but if you were to read carefully, the term 'homesick' here is actually referring not to any physical home on earth, but our spiritual home in heaven.

Thus this song is all about longing to be with God in heaven, and spending eternity with Him. Our stay on earth is temporal, and our ultimate home is actually somewhere invisible in heaven. You know, a home is a place where you are accepted for who you are, where you feel belonged and loved. And heaven is exactly about all these, and so much more. It is a perfect place!

And as I pondered over the lyrics, it also occurred to me that we should be living our lives on earth as homesick Christians. We should live each day longing to be united with Christ in heaven. There should be a strong desire in our hearts to enter this eternal home.  We should be doing the things that will grant us entrance to home.  That to me, is what being a homesick Christian is about.

My prayer is that we will all become homesick Christians from 2010 till we meet Him.

Hope you enjoyed the song!

Like A Fire (Cover)

I LOVE THIS SONG SO MUCH, ESPECIALLY THE BRIDGE!!

Come like a flood
And saturate me now
You're all I want
Come like the wind
And sweep throughout this place
You're all we want

A thought on Christian music

I love praise and worship songs. I love contemporary Christian music. I particularly enjoy Hillsong, United, Planetshakers, Chris Tomlin and other similar bands. My iPod almost contains only Christian music. I don't listen to mainstream english pop/rock songs, or Chinese pop music for that matter.

The point I am trying to make is that as Christians, we should have a greater appetite for the music of God. We should hunger more for these music which glorify God than that which the world promotes. I don't like listening to worldly songs simply because they are meaningless. The songs of the world glorify men, not God. The songs of the world deal with unholy issues, where God is out of the equation. Many times the lyrics used are unwholesome too.

However, listening to Christian music enriches our soul. It allows us to quietly worship God wherever we are, be it during a commute, walking down the street and so forth. Many times the words speak to me and comfort me after a bad day. They provide me an assurance of the greatness and goodness of my God. Such is the power of Christian music. It is a means by which we connect to God, in a personal way.

This being said, I must always stress that listening to Christian music is NEVER a replacement for reading the bible. It should be done in addition to reading God's word. And always remember, we are glorifying God and not that awesome Christian band or singer!

Feeling more settled

I feel more settled after talking to Mr Tang yesterday. It's funny how I've gone full circle and finally settled on nature photog. I have to promise myself that I shall not change it anymore and get down to work, fast. I should be on overdrive mode now, making full use of my time. At least I'm doing something that I like, something that I'm confident I can do. Praise God! He hears and answers :)

On a lighter note, I have just discovered a new Christian band that I really like! It is Big Daddy Weave! Love their album entitled 'What Life Would Be Like'. Their style is more contemporary and less praise and worship (think Barlow Girl and Superchick instead of Hillsong and Planetshakers). Simply amazing songs!

What Life Would Be Like - Big Daddy Weave

The Wonder Of Your Love - Hillsong 09

AWESOME SONG! From their upcoming album Faith+Hope+Love!



Verse 1:
You inhabit the praises of Your people
You delight in the glory of Your son
In the love of the Father we will worship
In the kingdom of God we find our hope

Bridge:
The wonder of Your love will break the chains that bind us
The power of Your touch releases us to worship

Chorus:
Sing out to God
Sing hallelujah
WIth all we are we will worship You
Holy is Your name
Holy is Your name oh God

Verse 2:
And together we lift the name of Jesus
And together we'll sing of Your great love
We will join with the angels to praise You
Let our voices be pleasing to You God

Fusion 2009 with Planetshakers

Fusion 2009 was a blast!!! There were many many people coming for worship with Planetshakers... and here is a little snippet that I videoed with my LX3:



We jumped and sang and shouted and sweated (haha the auditorium was HOT man)... the worship was awesome, atmosphere was great, and the message by Pastor Matt Fielder was funny, relevant and powerful!

The passage that he taught was John 12:1-8, about Mary using pure nard (an expensive perfume) to pour on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. From this passage, Pastor Matt made 5 points about passionate people:

1) Passionate people give of themselves.
2) Passionate people worship radically.
3) Passionate people bring a sweet smell into the place.
4) Passionate people expose religious hearts.
5) Passionate people prepare the way for a resurrected King.

I Will Rise - Chris Tomlin

There's an anchor for my soul
I can say, it is well.

You Are Here (The Same Power) - Hillsong London

A simply amazing amazing track from Hillsong London's latest release, "Hail To The King". This is the full version of the song including the verse and chorus - the version on "This Is Our God" contains just the bridge.

Everyone knows Hillsong (Australia), but Hillsong London is a group that definitely shouldn't be neglected too, because of such songs like this. It has very very powerful lyrics that speak directly to the heart... but most of all, it is inspired from the word of God, which says that the same power that conquered the grave lives in our very being, and with that nothing is impossible through God.



I was crazy enough to get the lyrics and figured out the chords... the key is in C:


I want to get this soon!

Sing To The Lord - Hillsong 08

Another awesome worship song from 'This Is Our God'! (Figured out the chords myself.)

You Are Here (The Same Power)

Video of me strumming 'You Are Here (The Same Power)', a new track on Hillsong's latest release 'This Is Our God'. I figured out the chords by myself. Enjoy!



Not perfect I'm aware, but worship doesn't need to be perfect as long as it's true. (:

This Is Our God: Thoughts

Finally I have my hands on Hillsong's newest release, This Is Our God, their 17th live praise and worship album! According to Wikipedia, it was recorded live at the Acer Arena on 9 March 2008 by the Hillsong Live team with a crowd of over 10,000 worshippers.

There are a total of 16 tracks, and honestly speaking, I absolutely love EVERY single one of them. Special mention goes to 'You Are Here (The Same Power)', which is a wonderful, wonderful, simple and short song; it spoke volumes to me when I first heard it.

The lyrics goes like this:

The same power that conquered the grave
Lives in me
Lives in me
Your love that rescued the earth
Lives in me
Lives in me

To me, this song is a form of encouragement that every problem that I face in life can be conquered, simply because the mighty power of God that conquered the grave lives in me. It is a humbling thought that left me awe-struck... and gives me the assurance in every circumstance I'm in.

Other songs that particularly left a deep impression on me were 'Healer' and 'Stronger'. Absolutely touching songs which proclaim God's truths. I haven't heard the entire album, but I can say confidently that this is definitely THE worship album this year which will bring me closer to God.

This Is Our God - Desert Song (Testimony)

Verse 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

Verse 2:
This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

Chorus:
I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

Verse 3:
This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Verse 4:
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow

'Desert Song' from the new release 'This Is Our God' is sung by Brooke Fraser and Jill McCloghry. This is one extremely powerful song, especially the bridge, but watching the Youtube video above showed me the shocking background behind this song.

About a week and a half before the recording, Jill McCloghry gave birthed to her premature son. And on that night, he died because he was too small. But even under this saddening circumstance she never questioned God's existence, and continued to worship and sing unto Him. It is encouraging how her faith wasn't shaken, and I'm so touched by her testimony, however short.

To me, this song tells me to never stop giving praise no matter what, because in every season, all of my life, God will always be that same God, no matter whatever happens. And because of that, we have a reason to sing. So always tell yourself in the most dire of situations, that 'I will bring praise, I will bring praise..."

Stronger - Hillsong 2008

Did a bit of singing and strumming today and recorded a Christian song that I love! 'Stronger' is a new song in Hillsong's latest album 'This Is Our God', which will be released in July. Apologies for my less-than-perfect singing, but I really enjoyed creating this!



Here are the chords that I figured out by myself:

United Comes to Singapore

Hillsong United is coming to S'pore on the 24th May!

I heard it will be held at Expo. It is organised by New Creation Church, and I want to go!

Oh, and I just purchased my copy of With Hearts As One.  Recording quality is less than impressive honestly, I have most of the songs already, but what drew me to spend that 20+ bucks is that the live worship was simply fantastic.  A recommended buy!