When God Ran by Phillips, Craig and Dean from Restoration

This year, I've decided to take voice lessons from a professional voice teacher and one of her assignments to me is this song. When we we're rehearsing this song, I was dubious of myself. I was thinking if I could really sing out this song as the song requires a big vocal range due to the low notes at the beginning and high notes in the chorus. I didn't really focus on the lyrics till I got home and reviewed the song.

The song is about the story of the prodigal son based on Luke 15:11-32. (I actually wrote a devotional based on the same passage which I will post next time.) But more than the focus on the son, the song focused on the father (God) and how he received his returning son (us) with anticipation, excitement and open arms.

Did you know that it was not customary for men to run in those days? But here is a father, not minding the customs, not minding the eyes of his peers, who is eagerly waiting for his son and ran when he saw his son from afar. This is true love.

Here are the lyrics:

Verse 1

Almighty God, the Great I AM,

Immovabe Rock, Omnipotent, Powerful, Awesome Lord,

Victorious Warrior, Commanding King of Kings,

Mighty Conqueror, and the only time,

The only time I ever saw Him run

Chrous

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, He said,

"Son, do you know I still love you?"

He caught me by surprise when God ran.

Verse 2

The day I left home, I knew I'd broken His heart

And I wondered then if things could ever be the same

Then one night, I remembered His love for me.

And down the dusty road, ahead I could see

It was the only time - it was the only time I ever saw Him run.

Chorus

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, He said,

"Son, do you know I still love you?"

He caught me by surprise as He brought me to my knees

When God ran - I saw Him run to me

Bridge

I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away.

But now I know He's been waiting for this day.

Chorus

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, I felt His love for me again

He ran to me, He took me in His arms,

Held my head to His chest, said "My son's come home again",

Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes

With forgiveness in His voice, He said, "Son", He called me Son

He said, "Son do you know I still love you?"

He ran to me and then I ran to Him

When God ran

Here's the mp3 version:

Here's the Youtube version:

I hope this reminds you to also forgive others.

禱告 by 讚美之泉 from 單單只為你

Christian Chinese songs really touch my heart and what a way to start the year (Jan. 1 being a Sunday) to spend time in the Lord's house. Usually, we tend to be overly and eagerly happy because it is New Year. I am one of those who was expecting big song numbers and happy songs, but instead the worship leader chose this to be the first song. At that moment, I wasn't sure if it fit the theme, but looking back, I think it was perfect.

New year. New challenges and problems. New trials. New beginnings and blessings. New endings (at least for me). Everything is unpredictable. Only God knows and He wants us to daily commune with him through prayers and supplications.

I really like the verse because it depicts the attitude of how we should come before our Lord... with humbleness, humility and reverence. I know we can't see God, but He still deserves utmost respect. I also love the promise of God being with us despite the tears flowing out and that His grace is sufficient for our needs. He supplies His daily grace to us when we come to Him.

Here's the Chinese and English lyrics: (both for singing)

禱告，因為我渺小；(I pray, for I am nothing)
禱告，因為我知道我需要 (I pray, for I clearly know I need)
明暸，你心意對我重要。(To seek Your will as it's shown to me)
禱告，已假裝不了；(I pray, for I am searching)
禱告，因為你的愛我需要；(I pray, for Your love is what I need)
你關懷，我走過的你都明白。(On my knees, through the valleys, You walk with me)

有些事我只想要對你說，(Some things I only wanna let You know)
因你比任何人都愛我；('Cause no one loves me like You, my Lord)
痛苦從眼中流下，(Though tears of pain may fall out)
我知道你為我擦。(You're with me I have no doubt)
在早晨我也要來對你說，(As day breaks, Lord I wanna cry to You)
主耶穌今天我為你活；('Cause you so love me, You'll pull me through)
所需要的力量你天天賜給我，(The strength that I need I receive every morning)
你恩典夠我用。(Your grace is all I need)

Here's the mp3 version:



Here's the Youtube version:

Pray to God this start of the year... why pray everyday. Remember, God doesn't need our prayers, it is us who need it more badly.

Dominion: The Battle For Your Heart

What: United Evangelical Church of Malabon 10th Winter Camp


When: December 26 - 30, 2011


Where: Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, Baguio City, Philippines


Theme: Dominion: The Battle For Your Heart

Who has dominion in your hearts? What / Who has taken a hold in your heart? This question is very important because what is inside your heart will naturally flow out in your life. If worldly things have taken up space in your heart then your focus will definitely not be on God. The Bible says we cannot serve two masters.

These other things are what we call our "idols". The definition of "idols" have changed over the years. In the days of Moses, these things refer to crafted images that were used in pagan worship. But in this age, "idols" refer to something / someone that has your priority and value. In short, these "idols" have taken up most of our time, effort, money, life to the extent that, sometimes, we sin to get it or we sin if we do not get it.

The bottom line is: Because our heart is sinful and deceitful, we cannot trust it. The mind says it is wrong, but the heart tells the mind that we should get what we want. But when we accepted Christ into our life, He gives us a renewed heart - a heart that desires after God. He also gave us the Holy Spirit and His Word to guide us in living a life that is pleasing to God.

Theme verse: James 4: 7-8 

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Theme song: Lord I Will Bow To You

Lord, I will bow to You
To no other god, but You alone.
Lord, I will worship You
Nothing hands have made, but You alone.

I will lay down my idols,
Thrones I have made,
All that has taken my heart.

Lord, I will bow to You
To no other god, but You alone.

Some pictures from the camp:

Me... giving the opening remarks

My counselling group

All of the campers, officers, counselors and speakers

My Wacky officers

Hope this inspires you to evaluate your life as well!

Some references:

UECM webite: http://uecmalabon.org/

PBTS website: http://www.pbts.net.ph/