This is Us

1 Peter 2:8-10

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

This is us
Verse 1:
This is it, Here we are
The moment we've been waiting for
Is right here, right here, right now
Don't hold back, Don't look back
To all the things you've done before
Cause' He's here, right here, right now

Pre-chorus:
The time is now, The time is Here
Don't hesitate, Don't be afraid... No more!

Chorus:
This is me, This is you
A chosen generation
Declaring out to the King of Kings & let His name resound,
This is me, This is you
A chosen generation
Advancing forth for His Kingdom's sake & make His name renown,
This is us!

Verse 2:
Look ahead, Look at Him
Guiding you through all these times,
Hear His call, Give your all
Stand tall
Look at me, Look at You
We're called to be in times like this
Right here, right here, right now

(Pre-chorus)

(Chorus)
Bridge:
We'll fear no more, we'll rise in faith
Move ahead and lead the way

(Chorus)

End:
This is it, Here we are
The moment we've been waiting for
Is right here, right here, right now

Read more...

Break Forth in The Anthem of Faith

Can you believe it? It's 2011 in a flash. Ah, a brand new year with greater things in store! I can taste the excitement already :)

I'm not here to type a long thesis about 2010 journey nor my resolutions for 2011. I merely would like to share a song I wrote a couple weeks back, a song which pretty much sums up how I want to be in 2011.

2010 has been a hard ground (ok fine, allow me to share just a wee bit). It's been a year where God did some major "pruning" and "weeding" in the spirit, in my lifestyle, in my character. And no, I didn't like being "pruned" or "weeded" BUT twas' necessary. 

 2010, the Year of Deepening

2011 is the year of growth. I foresee many more challenges, pruning and weeding along the way, but I also see God planting spiritual seed that would bear manifold fruits. My prayer for 2011 is that I would rise up just like Joshua did when he was called to lead the Israelites. Joshua didn't back down from the gargantuan task of leading a nation of approximately 2 million people into the promised land! Instead he rose up in faith, stepped into His grace, trusting that his God will never leave him nor forsake Him.

2011, the Year of Growth.

Time to break forth in the anthem of faith peeps!

The Anthem of Faith

Verse:

Strength and courage, the Lord has given to me

He will never leave me nor forsake me,

Rise up in faith and step into His grace,

The Lord my God will be with me through all my days,

Pre-chorus:

This is the time to put my trust in Him,

Laying down my all to Him,

Surrendering my fears and let my faith arise...

Chorus:

This is the anthem of faith,

Declaring that Jesus reigns,

Bringing down the walls of Jericho,

Lifting up His name,

This is the anthem of faith,

Proclaiming that Jesus saves,

Slaying down the fears I have in me

And let my faith arise

In Christ!

Read more...

One Smooth Stone

I'm a rough edged stone, flawed in so many ways.
Yet, a unique one in His eyes.

God wants to make turn us from a rough edged stone into one smooth stone.
Will you let Him or will you resist?

Title: One Smooth Stone (David & Goliath)
One smooth stone is all I need
To fly straight and true, and not lose speed
If the edges are rough it'll go it's own way
I need one smooth stone today

The task is great, the odds are small
But the righteous aren't always the big and the tall
With God on my side, I am never alone
All I need is one smooth stone

We all have our wills, and we all have our plans
But God gives us more than we understand
If we're willing to go through the storms he commands
And be one smooth stone in his hands

One smooth stone will be plenty today
But at times the wind changes and stones go astray
But God prepares many and calls just a few
So I'll find more than one stone, too.

One smooth stone is what I'll be
So the Lord can do what He wants with me
I'll prepare myself to be worthy to stand
And be one smooth stone in His hands

I'll prepare myself to be worthy to stand
And be one smooth stone in His hands

(From "David & Goliath")

Read more...

What Would I Give?

A clip from Esther & the King

Title: What Would I Give?
I would walk across the desert
I would swim across the sea
I would fight a thousand armies
If that's what God asked of me
I would climb the highest mountain
With my life, I'd gladly pay
But am I willing just to live from day to day?

What would I give to live?
What would I say to save my people?
What would I lose to choose
The good over the evil?
What would I do to prove
That with God, I'm not afraid?
Am I willing to simply fast and pray?
Would I give my food and water for a day?
To ask God that his people here might live-
What would I give?

Just to know that God will hear me
Could such a little thing endear me to him
I would give so much, but I just need to let him touch my life

What would I give to live?
What would I say to save my people?
What would I lose to choose
The good over the evil?
What would I do to prove
That with God, I'm not afraid?
Am I willing to simply fast and pray?
Would I give my food and water for a day?
To ask God that his children here might live-
What would I give?

Read more...

I miss.

I miss character work.
I miss blocking.
I miss digging into different expressions.
I miss interpreting lines and scenes.
I miss recalling and forgetting lines.
I miss putting on different tone of voice.
I miss movement.
I miss improvisation.
I miss being part of a cast.
I miss getting into different costumes and props.
I miss full dress rehearsals.
I miss being backstage getting all nervous.
I miss being on stage.
I miss the process.
I miss the product of the process.
I miss acting.

Read more...

I wanna date Lea.

LEA SALONGA WILL BE PERFORMING IN MALAYSIA!!!!

The last time I really wanted to catch her performance was in Singapore, but it was too pricey then. Now, she's coming to Malaysia!!!!

Sigh. But I still can't go.... :( :( :( Triple sigh.

This multi-award winning musical artist is possibly my favourite stage performer... Her voice is simply captivating. In case you didn't know, she was the singing voice for Jasmine in Aladdin's "A Whole New World". She came into the limelight for her stunning performances in Miss Saigon and Les Miserable. If you haven't heard any of her stuff, go Youtube them. Trust me, it'll worth your time waiting for it to stream.

Sigh.

I really wanna date Lea.

:(

Read more...

Empower me

Verse 1:
Nobody knows how weak I am,
better than You;
Nobody sees all of my needs,
better than You.
And nobody has the power to change me,
from what I was born to be.
Jesus be strong in my weakness,
empower me!

Chorus:
Empower me, like a rushing river flowing to the sea.
Lord, send Your Holy Spirit flowing now through me.
Till I'm living as Your child,
victorious and free,
send the power of Your love,
empower me.

Verse 2:
Nobody's eyes see through my soul,
better than Yours;
Nobody's love can make me whole,
no one but Yours.
And nobody has the power to lift me,
to reach for eternity.
Jesus break through all my defences,
empower me.

Lord, you know...
Empower me I pray.

Read more...

The Sun will Rise.

We all go through some form of trials every single day, big or small, we face them nonetheless. However, (correct me if I'm wrong) there's always a time in our lives when a certain form of trial seemed to be the height of it all, the one that truly tests us in every sense of the word.
Such times are surging forth for some. Recently, a friend shared with me about the trying period in which she/him is going through.
Difficult times are ahead, times when the sun seemed to have shield its warmth from us and when night seemed to have gain a foothold in our lives.

But the assurance is this...

No matter how dark the night may be, at the end of it all, know that dawn will break forth and light will shine its beauty in its most glorious form.

It's like this;
We all know that the sun is always there. Even when night comes, the sun is still there just that we don't see it. Similarly, God is always there even when times of difficulties flood into our lives. God may be overshadowed by the circumstances around us but that doesn't mean He is not there.

Last week, my pastor shared about his experience one early morning in one of the mountain tops of Hawaii, standing there and waiting in the insanely breezy and cold weather just to see the morning sunrise. Nobody in the right mind would stand in a cold weather, what more on top of a mountain early in the morning to see the sunrise unless he is sure that the sun will rise, correct? I thought about it and something spoke out to me.

Many times, we stand at the mountain top when darkness is still looming above us and we fight this wickedly cold weather with all our might. We wait for the sun to arise from its sleep but nothing seems to happen, so what do we do?

We walk off.

Many will walk off the mountain top because the weather is too cold and some will say that's it's not worth the wait...
But only a few will remain there, waiting... believing... trusting that the sun will rise. And the moment the sun breaks the darkness of the sky, that's when the light of His grace embraces them, these few who remained in the cold weather. Are we those few?

During Jesus's final hours on the cross, darkness came over all the land. That was the pinnacle of His trial and yes, it almost seemed as if the sun had totally disappeared from the universe. But what happened on the Sabbath morning?

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week... "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, he has risen.." (Matthew 28)

When the sun appears, something amazing is going to happen!

The simple fact of life is this - we will face difficult times. Period.
Big or small, that's besides the point. There will come a time when night will fall on us.
My encouragement to those who are facing the pitch black darkness of night right now in your own lives is this... remain in Him.
Because He knows, He sees, He hears, He reigns.

He reigns
(Gateway City Church Worship team)

Verse:
You see the fears of my heart,
You know my every need,
You know the pain to these tears,
You hear my every cry,

Pre-Chorus:
I run to You my Lord,
I’m desperate for Your touch,
Fall on my knees I pray,

Chorus:
I surrender my all to You,
I’m placing my trust in You,
You are my strength, my song and my salvation,
I lay it all down to You,
Giving all praise to You,
I’ll remain in my God
My God who reigns
Oh He reigns

Bridge:
Though night will fall on me,
I will trust in Him who sets me free,
The sun will rise up high,
The light of His grace embraces me

"Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."
(Isaiah 12: 2)

Read more...

You were there

Title: You were there
By: Avalon
I wonder how it must have felt
When David stood to face Goliath on a hill
I imagine that he shook with all his might
Until You took his hand, and held on tight

'Cause You were there, You were there
In the midst of danger's snare
You were there, You were there always
You were there when the hardest fight
Seemed so out of reach
Oh, You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So there he stood upon that hill
Abraham with knife in hand was poised to kill
But God in all his sovereignty had bigger plans
And just in time, You brought a lamb

'Cause You were there,
You were there
In the midst of the unclear
You were there, you were there always
You were there when obedience
Seemed to not make sense
You were there, You were always there
You were always there

So haven't I learned that my ways
Aren't as high as Yours are
And You alone keep the universe
From crumbling into dust
You are God and though we would
Not have understood You
There You were

Hanging blameless on a cross
You would rather die than leave us in the dark
Every moment, every planned coincidence
Just all makes sense
With Your last breath

You were there, You were there
During history’s darkest hour
You were there, You were there always
You were the Victor and the King
You were the power in David's swing
You were the calm in Abraham
You are the God who understands
You are the strength when we have none
You are the living, Holy one
You were, You are and You will always be
the Risen Lamb of God

You were, You are and You will always be
The Risen Lamb of God

Read more...

The Harvest Season

This year is by far the year I have been doing the most travelling and it ain't stopping until the any time soon!

As most would know, sometime in May this year, a group of friends and I embarked on our first 'independent' mission trip into the interiors of Pantu, Sarawak. It was truly a learning experience and a time in which we all encountered God in our own special ways. You can read here for further information about that particular trip.

That was in May.

But guess what?
Come August 9th-15th, I'll be going for my second mission trip this year!

Where?
Into the interiors of Sri Aman to the Iban community.... Again! :)
Although it's Sarawak and the Iban community once more, I'm still looking forward to it as I'll be embarking this somewhat familiar journey with a different group of people altogether.
My church mates...!
(Visit our church Blog here and our church website here)

We will be visiting 4 different longhouses in the span of 5 days!
It is a pretty packed up schedule ahead but nonetheless an exciting one.
Personally, the experience so far in terms of preparation and so on has been an enlightening one. It's very different from my previous trips. Even preparation is somewhat different but I'm glad in the process, I've picked up a few new things.

Do pray for my church mates and myself as we go forth on this mission trip.
I'll definitely update about the trip once I get back...
As for now, loads of preparation to be done!

***********************

A simple song in which I was inspired to write in both English and BM. Must be the mission trip bug getting on me :)
Dedicated to the Big Guy!

I worship You (Kau Yesus)
Verse 1
I stand in awe of You
I worship at Your feet
There is no one else like You
You are all that I adore
I worship You

The heaven declares Your name
We Your children give You praise
And we glorify You Lord,
For You are King

Chorus:
Ku sembahMu
Ku b'rikan s'gala puji padaMu
Ku sembahMu
Ku tinggikan namaMu s'lalu
Kaulah yang terindah dalam hidupku
Kaulah yang membebaskanku
Kau Yesus

Read more...

He is renown!

mus
"Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts"

Isaiah 26: 8

Dedicated to my heavenly Father;
the King, the Lord....
the Renown.
Striving to make You renown!

He is Renown!

Verse 1:
The King of Majesty is on the throne,
I worship Him & Him alone,
He is great

He sent His only Son to die for me,
Risen from the dead He set me free,
He is great

Pre-Chorus:
Every tongue will confess, Every tribe will bow down,
All the nations will see that Christ is our King!

Chorus:
He is renown, The Lord is crowned!
The name above all names, Oh Jesus took away my shame
He is renown, The Lord is crowned!
He is the risen King, & everybody sing,
He is renown!

Verse 2:
He is beautiful, He is wonderful,
He is glorious, He is magnificent,
He is Lord
& all the people shout His fame,
Declaring His mighty name,
He is Lord

Bridge:
Worthy, Worthy, Worthy,
Lord I give you praise
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Your banner I will raise!

Read more...

Music

If you're a lover of music, you HAVE to WATCH this movie...

August Rush.

The movie captures the power of music through the storyline of a boy who searches his parents through, what else, music! And obviously the soundtrack and the music score for this movie is sheer genius.
It's a pretty star-studded cast; Freddie Highmore plays the lead like a veteran, amazes me how talented he is. Then there's blue-eyed Jonathan Rhys Meyers (girls, trust me, you'll go ga-ga over him... Er... Not that I went ga-ga over him lar..). Keri Russell's pretty good too and there's Robin Williams! HAH! Good, eh? :)
Apparently, this movie has been liken to that of 'Oliver' and 'Annie', but nonetheless, still a brilliant movie in its own right.

Go watch! It's actually quite an old movie... (Feringi should have. Haha).
Or can pinjam from me :)

"The music is all around us, all you have to do is listen."
(August Rush/Evan Taylor)

Now I feel like being a musician for life!

Read more...

Mashed

Simply awesome. If you're a Taylor Swift and Coldplay fan, this is just the video you'd like to watch.
Whenever I watch videos like this, I curse myself for quitting piano lessons.
Haha.

Read more...

Dare To Live

I chanced upon this song entitled "Dare to live" while I was in gym (yes, of all places).
Been trying to figure out who's the singer and found out (through the means of internet) that it's actually the great Andrea Bocelli himself, featuring Laura Pausini.
Awesome song.

Lyrically, it speaks about making a mark,
Making a difference today and in the future.
The title itself is a challenge,
"Dare to live".
And it's Bocelli, you gotta love Bocelli.



Dare To Live (Andrea Bocelli feat. Laura Pausini)
Try looking at tomorrow not yesterday
And all the things you left behind
All those tender words you did not say
The gentle touch you couldn't find

In these days of nameless faces
There is no one truth but only pieces
My life is all I have to give

Dare to live until the very last
Dare to live forget about the past
Dare to live giving something of yourself to others
Even when it seems there's nothing more left to give

Ma se tu vedessi l'uomo
Davanti al tuo portone
Che dorme avvolto in un cartone,
Se tu ascoltassi il mondo una mattina
Senza il rumore della pioggia,
Tu che puoi creare con la tua voce,
Tu, pensi i pensieri della gente,
Poi, di Dio c'e solo Dio.

Vivere, nessuno mai ce l'ha insegnato,
Vivere, non si può vivere senza passato,
Vivere è bello anche se non l'hai chiesto mai,
Una canzone ci sarà, qualcuno che la canterà

Dare to live searching for the ones you love
(Perché, perché, perché, perché non vivi questa sera?)
Dare to live no one but we all
(Perché, perché, perché, perché non vivi ora?)
Dare to live until the very last
(Perché, perché, perché la vita non è vita)
Your life is all you have to give (Perché)
non l'hai vissuta
Vivere!

Dare to live until the very last
(Perché, perché, perché Ia vita non è vita)
Your life is all you have to give (Perché)
non l'hai vissuta mai

I will say no (I will say yes)
Say dare to live
Dare to live

Read more...

How Great Thou Art

Before Darlene Zschech there was Sandi Patty.
Until this day, listening to her voice and her songs never fail to give me goosebumps all over.
Blessed with a God-gifted voice, kicking out a range of strong soprano, Sandi Patty is truly a legend in her own rights.
Just take a look at her version of "How Great Thou Art".
If it doesn't give you goosebumps, I don't know what will.

Read more...

Duet

One of the best duets in Indon music.
Kris Dayanti is a legend.

Hati Ini Telah Dilukai



Semalaman
Terkenangkan diri mu
Mengalir airmata ku
Membasahi pipi
Mengapa kau
Sanggup meninggalkan diri ku
Sedangkan kau tahu
Perasaan ini

Kau berjanji
Akulah kekasih mu
Sanggup ku singkirkan semua cinta yang lalu
Tidak ku duga ini akan terjadi
Kata perpisahan yang kau pinta

Biarkanlah
Biarkan aku hidup sendirian
Tak ingin ku mengenangkan
Kisah lama
Biarkanlah
Biarkan aku hidup sendirian
Kerana hati ini telah dilukai

Read more...

Amazing Grace

I love the old tunes of hymnals.
The simplicity of its tune hamonized with its beautifully written words never cease to stir something within me.
Call me old-fashioned but it's something I've learnt to appreciate.
Amazing Grace is without a doubt one of the most gripping and most beloved hymnals ever composed in the Christian circle.
The lyrics are soaked with passion and meaning - poetically written.
But it's the story behind those words that makes it all the more powerful, the story of a man named John Newton (Read for more background).

Coincidently, I chanced upon this video on Youtube.

"I believe God wanted that song written just the way it was written just so that we would be reminded that as Christian, whether black or white, free or bond, in His eyes we are all connected,
we are connected,
and we are connected by God's Amazing Grace"
(Wintley Phipps)

Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

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

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.


We are all wretched.
We are lost.
It is only by His grace alone we are saved.

Read more...

Great Invention

To me, music is one of God's greatest invention.
I love music.
And almost everyone can relate to music in one way or another because it IS indeed, as cliche as it may sound, universal.

Those who know me well enough can tell you that I love Indon Christian Songs (Lagu Rohani).
Something I grew fond of through my experiences in the mission trips that I've participated in.

It's beautiful.

What attracts me to it is the language, I think.
Being a Malaysian, the National language has somehow embedded in me through the years of growing up on this soil, eventhough I must regretfully admitt that I don't use it as often as I should.
Nonetheless, there is a sense of attachment and belonging in this language.

Relatively speaking, the English language is way more complicated than the Malay or Indon language (trust me, I majored in English Language *ahem*).
I always felt that the attractiveness of the Indon/Malay language is its ability to translate seemingly complex "adjective" or "nouns" into something less-complex but yet at the same time, keeping the root of its meaning grounded.
Musically, I feel these songs are way much simpler too.
Comparing to the current trend of heavy distortion, electronical effects, and pumped-up loud bass, I personally feel that most Indon Christian songs differ from such trend.
Going against the norm but the message and the essence of worship is brought across through the lyrics, the emotions of the singer and the music.

Currently, I'm plugged into this particular Indon Christian singer name "Dewi Guna".

I doubt any of you have actually heard of her.
Pretty low profile...
But she's really good.
Here's one of my top playlist songs.
I know you guys can't actually listen to the song (I'll try to put it on my blog if I have the time) but check out the lyrics.
Simple yet powerful.
Love it.

Lebih Lama Lagi

Tiada
laut yang terlalu dalam
Tiada
gunung yang terlalu tinggi
Saat
Engkau Bapa menggandeng tanganku
Lewati
laut gunung kehidupan…

Tak’kan
dapat aku bayangkan
Arungi
hidup tanpa-Mu Tuhan
Hatiku
rindu bersama-Mu
Lebih
lama dan lama lagi Tuhan

Read more...

Beautiful Saviour

I'm not a big fan of Planetshakers but this particular song is to me, one of
their most beautifully written song.
It's really a song of praise, worship and declaration.
It's rare to see Christian lyricist using words like "beautiful" into a song
these days.
I'm currently tuning into this song.
Top on my playlist, alongside Chris Tomlin :)

Beautiful Saviour (Planetshakers)

Jesus, Beautiful Saviour,
God of all Majesty,
Risen king,
Lamb of God,
Holy and righteous,
Blessed redeemer,
Bright morning star

All the heavens shout your praise,
All creation bow to worship You

How wonderful, how beautiful,
Name above every name, exalted high
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Jesus your name, name above every name, Jesus

I will sing forever,
Jesus I love you,
Jesus I love you.

Read more...

Healer

With the big hoo-ha that's been circulating around the Christian communities regarding Planetshakers Pastor Michael Guglielmucci's big "fraud", it has without a doubt shaken all of us.
I'm not here to give a big coverage or my 2 cents worth about what has happened, you can google search it yourself.

His song, 'Healer', once touched the lives of many but now has spun around and injected anger, frustration and disappointment.
As I read through the lyrics of this beautiful song, I realize that the truth of the content still stands firm in spite of everything that has happen.
In fact if you think about it, for Mike Guglielmucci, this song is more real now than ever.
Despite of all the lies, the conspiracies and the uncomprehensible reasons behind his actions, the truth of the song cannot be denied.
I know the context in which he said he came up with this song were lies but putting that aside,
the essence of God's supremacy is still intact.

You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease

I trust in You
I trust in You

I believe You're my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You're my Portion
I believe You're more than enough for me
Jesus You're all I need

My Healer, You're my Healer

Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands

For me, the first line of the verse spoke the deepest...

"You hold my every moment..."

Even at the lowest point of our lives, He is still in control.

Read more...