Only Jesus / Calvary's Love by Steve Green from People Need The Lord

I really like this song's analogies and pictures... it talks about Christ's love like an ark of peace and safety. It reminded me of Noah's story. During those days, the ark was the only way of salvation to escape the Great Deluge. Noah and his family experienced peace and security inside the ark because God was protecting them against the circumstances outside the ark. In the same way, sinner's are lost in this world and they need the Savior's rescuing love... Calvary's love!

Yes, this all happened before we were born... story of Noah, the story of Calvary... but this truth is still going strong. We've seen and heard so many stories about how God's love have changed a person's life, how it turned a person's life 180 degrees. And these stories, these changed lives are the same fire that burns bright to say/show the whole world how great God's love is. And this same love will one day bring us to heaven where we can all enjoy and celebrate God's great love!

Here's the lyrics to the song:

Only Jesus, Only He
Brings redemption, full and free
There's a yearning, in all our lives
That only Jesus satisfies


Calvary's love will sail forever
Bright and shining, strong and free
Like an ark of peace and safety
On the sea of human need


Through the hours of all the ages
Those tired of sailing on their own
Finally rest inside the shadow
Cast by Calvary's love across their souls


Chorus:
Calvary's love, Calvary's love
Priceless gift Christ makes us worthy of
The deepest sin can't rise above
Calvary's love


Calvary's love can heal the Spirit
Life has crushed and cast aside
And redeem til Heaven's promise
Fills with joy once empty eyes
So desire to tell His story
Of a love that loved enough to die
Burns away all other passions
And fed by Calvary's love becomes a fire


Chorus


Calvary's love has never faltered
All its wonders still remain
Souls still take eternal passage
Sins atoned and heaven gained
Sins forgiven and heaven gained

Here is the mp3 version:



Here is the Youtube version:

Let God's love touch you and may you start sharing God's love!

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin from See The Morning

Amazing Grace... this song just reminds me of how undeserving I am of God's grace. What is so amazing about grace? Well for one, it is amazing because it is a gift! A gift is something that someone gives to us. To add to that, it is a gift with a price. I know what you're thinking... it is NOT like a normal gift woth a price tag. What I meant was that the Giver, Our Heavenly Father, paid a price just to be able to give us this gift of grace. Again, I know what you're thinking... that maybe we are somebody that's why God should give us this gift. But I tell you, actually, we are undeserving of this gift because we are sinners and natural enemies of God. But because of God's great love for us despite the sinner that we are, He gave us His only begotten Son to die for us so that we could be reconciled to God. Isn't that great news? What's more is that this same God is willing and waiting for us to come back to him in faith, in love and in service to Him!

Chris Tomlin really delved into Isaac Newton's original hymn. Not only did he add a chorus to this old time favorite, not only did he change it a bit to give it a contemporary feel, but he also picked up the last verse of Isaac Newton's composition that's been said to be lost somewhere. The last verse contains as promise, a claim that God is there forever and that if we are His, then we can enjoy eternity with Him! Truly a marvelous grace!

Here are the lyrics:

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

[2x]
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

Here is the mp3 version:



Here is the official music video of the song:

I say it again, truly amazing grace!

Remember Me This Way by Jordan Hill from Casper OST

Another memorable movie from when I was still a kid... Casper. Who could forget that ever lingering tune... "Casper the friendly ghost..." hehe Not only was it produced as a cartoon but it became a movie hit during 1995 when the film was released. The movie is about frienship between Casper, a ghost, and Kat, a girl. The highlight in the movie, which I can still remember to this day, is when Casper refused the ultimate opportunity to become alive again. He sacrifice this opportunity for the sake of Kat's dad who just died. We can see here how Casper's act of love for Kat speak louder than any human words can say.

Thus we come to the song "Remember Me This Way." If I remember correctly, this song was playing while Casper and Kat were dancing in a Holloween ball. We know that Casper sacrificed his chance, but Kat's mom (in the form of an angel) returned to give Casper a temporary human body so he can dance with Kat. As they danced, both Casper and Kat slowly levitated to the shock of everyone in the party! This is a special song indeed as it tells us to remember those special times with our loved ones - whether they are alive or dead.

Here are the lyrics:

Every now and then
We find a special friend
Who never lets us down
Who understands it all
Reaches out each time you fall
You're the best friend that I've found
I know you can't stay
A part of you will never ever go away
Your heart will stay

* I'll make a wish for you
And hope it will come true
That life would just be kind
To such a gentle mind
If you lose your way
Think back on yesterday
Remember me this way
Remember me this way
Hmm……….. this way

I don't need eyes to see
The love you bring to me
No matter where I go
And I know that you'll be there
Forever more apart of time, you're everywhere
I'll always cares
(Repeat *)

And I'll be right behind your shoulder watching you
I'll be standing by your side and all you do
And I won't ever leave
As long as you believe
You just believe
(Repeat *)

Here is the mp3 version:

Here is the Youtube version:

Here's the movie clip I was talking about!

Hope you remembered someone special!

Blessings by Laura Story from Blessings

How does one define blessings in life? Do we define it by material blessings? emotional blessings? social blessings? Since when in the Bible did God define it only as such?

Laura Story comes out with a good song in "Blessings" both in lyrics and in the music. Her point is what do you consider as blessings in life. What if God sends us problems and trials as a way for us to come to Him, as way to let us rely on Him and Him alone. Just like little flowers needs both sunshine and rain to grow so does God use both blessings and "blessings in disguise" in our lives.

Sadly, our natural response to these tests is doubt and to some even hatred towards God! Some people even bargain with God that they would believe Him only if God would give them a smooth sailing life. We are reminded by this song that God is in control always.

Here are the lyrics to the song:

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching(s) of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise


Here is the mp3 version:

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Here is the live version:

Here is the Youtube version:

Count you blessings in life! 


  

Five Loaves and Two Fishes by Corrinne May from Beautiful Seed

Isn't it funny that people pegged day to day events that happen unexpectedly as coincidence. But I know that things happen for a reason and they happen because Someone is controlling things. I believe that is the case in my song review today...

As I was wandering in Facebook (yes, I check in to see what people have posted), I came across a post by my friend. At first I browse I didn't take any interest to it and continued browsing down...I'm not sure what happened but  the window I was browsing refreshed so I had to start at the top again. When I came to that post again, I played the Youtube that my friend linked and to my surprise it was this same song that was playing. Now, I haven't heard this song my entire life but I fell in love with it as soon as the Youtube ended. I frantically searched sites to download the song (for personal use) so I can share it with you.

Miraculously, the Bible verse where this song was taken is the same verse that our pastor will be speaking to us this morning. (hehe, perks of being the songleader this coming Sunday) I am just amazed at what God is reminding me through the song. The boy, not knowing what would happen that day, not knowing if his 5 loaves and 2 fishes would help, not expecting a miracle, fully surrendered his food to the Lord. There are many things in life that we are not willing to surrender to the Lord... heartaches, burdens, ambitions, etc. We try to do things our way, when He says that His way is better. This is a reminder that no gift is too small when done for the Lord!

Here's the lyrics to the song:


A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
The kindness in His smile
And the boy cried out
With the trust of a child
He said:
"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all to feed them all"

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small
And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all
But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands
And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer

So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small

I trust in you
I trust in you

So take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and my inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
No gift is too small

Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube version:

I pray that we will fully surrender our life to the Lord!

  

Psalm 1 - Growing Deeper Together: Friends For Keeps

Ah, to be able to experience the joy and pain of writing devotionals is simply a memorable task. I remember the first time I wrote a devotional, I had a hard time making them simply because I was afraid of the big responsibility at hand (too bad the file was lost). I was really shaking 'cause I was thinking "Why me? There are definitely better writers among my peers so why me?" And yet God was teaching me something that He wants to imprint in my heart... "Do it for me... I want you to try it and trust in me..." I believe He is right because maybe God's servants (the pastoral staff) saw something in me that I have not seen before - that is to write devotionals for His people.

My English is not too great and sometimes I write with the youth or young professional in mind... but that didn't stop me from writing 'cause I believe that He placed around people who are better in English and who could translate what I wrote to audiences of different ages. Such is the case for this current post (by the way, thanks to Pastor Dorie Li for editing and enhancing this 1-day devotional written for our church's youth fellowship.)

Here's my introduction:

As Christians, it is but natural for us to grow and have a deeper understanding of God and His will for our lives. And yet, most of the time, our growth is affected by our outward circumstances and situations (for example by media, trends, etc.) But the most influential factor, I believe, is still people we come in contact with. People can lead us to or away from the Lord. Psalm 1 provides us with wise teachings that can help us grow deeper in love with the Lord and with other Christians.

Click the link below to get the full pdf version of my devotional material:
Psalm 1 - Growing Deeper Together: Friends for Keeps

  

Opening Theme (Wings) from Lunar Silver Star Story Complete

I love this short song from a game that I played when I was still in elementary called Lunar Silver Star Story Complete (Lunar SSSC). It's the first of the Lunar series so it a very memorable game for me. This is the intro song of the game which showcases the themes of love, hope and youthfulness. I guess even at my age, or any age for that matter, there's a part that remains like a child... or wishing to be a child - careless, free, kind. Ah, this kind of naivety is what I've missed... Remember when we were in kindergarten, we would play with other kids even though we don't know them? Remember when we would share and care for each other? I guess kids nowadays are different, but would it great if we could be more trusting and work together and live together in harmony? 


By the way, as I have been researching about the song, I discovered that there was a recent remake of the game for PSP entitled "Lunar Silver Star Harmony". Here's a short description of the story...

Here's the lyrics to the song:

In your dreams, magical thoughts...

All things are real, unless you dream they're not.

In your dreams, love is the plot carried on wings of hope.

Each of our souls intertwine, when we do.

Instantly we see it the time to grow and be it when everything is pinned on a hope.

Let rise the dreams of your heart, that innocent youth careless and kind.

Free to roam the breeze in love only when two brilliantly shine as one...

Here's the mp3 version:

Here's the Youtube version:

Hmmm... Let's be friends!