Audio Adrenaline - Get Down

Lavishly our lives are wasted
Humbleness is left untasted
You can't live your life to please yourself, yeah
That's a tip from my mistakes
Exactly what it doesn't take
To win you've got to come in last place
To live your life you've got to lose it
And all the losers get a crown

CHORUS
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down and He lifts me up
I get down
Every time I'm down the Lord lifts me up

All I need's another day
Where I can't seem to get away
From the many things that drag me down, yeah
I'm sure you've had a day like me
Where nothing seems to set you free
From the burdens you can't carry all alone
In your weakness He is stronger
In Your darkness He shines through
When you're crying He's your comfort
When all alone, He's carrying you

CHORUS

This valley is so deep
I can barely see the sun
I cry out for mercy, Lord
You lift me up again

Behind the Song:
“We wrote this in a van on our way to a camp, kind of a retreat and intense writing weekend at Hume Lake in California. We were just being all silly in the van and me, Mark and our friend Mike were talking about the Beastie Boys and came up with this stupid rap. Then we’re like ‘That’s kind of catchy.’ So we lost all that stupid kind of Beastie Boys stuff and kept the chorus and kept singing it and that song came out pretty quick. We actually wrote ‘Mighty Good Leader’ and ‘Get Down’ up at the Hume Lake, which are songs we still play to this day.” - Will McGinniss (Audio Adrenaline)


Audio Adrenaline may have been silly, but this song is so meaningful! I've seen the days when I was so weak, helpless, hopeless and how God works His way through and shine through me! Thank you, Lord for using me and teaching me to trust in You and knowing that You care and do not let me down.

The Museum - My Help Comes from The Lord

When sorrows come and hope seems gone
You’re the Rock I rest upon
When waters rise and I can’t breathe
You’re the love that rescues me

Out of the darkness
I lift up my eyes
Unto the hills
I feel my faith rise

Chorus

Maker of heaven, giver of life
You are my strength, my song in the night
My refuge, my shelter
Now and forevermore
My help comes from the Lord

When I’m broken, scarred by sin
Death gives way to life again
When I suffer, when I’m bound
In You I’m free, in You I’m found

Out of the darkness
I lift up my eyes
Unto the hills
I feel my faith rise

Chorus

Maker of heaven, giver of life
You are my strength
You’re my refuge
Now and forevermore

Chorus

My help comes from the Lord
My help comes from the Lord

I love CCM because they are always uplifting and positive. Late July, right after my birthday, God gave me a big surprise! It was a promotion which also comes with bigger and heavier responsibility.

No one expected this incident to happen the way it did. Someone left the company with less than 10 days notice and 10 days are definitely not enough time to transfer all the responsibility and knowledge to another person. I am here in Asia and the person in Americas region. In fact, before I get the surprise another team of a few others were doing all the "ground work".

In desperation, the manager was looking for a person to take over as it is a high risk job. So with all that is happening, my name came up as they felt that I am able to do the job and I have some related knowledge that would help the transition.

As I get deeper into the role, I realize that the job will be total opposite of what I was previously doing. It is a bigger business, dealing with more people in a wider network. I know that I cannot do this alone without my colleagues help, and above all God's help. The new job is more demanding. Demands more of my time, more patience to learn and pick up bits and pieces of things that are all scatterred around.

It has been 3 weeks since I take on this new role. First week was the quarter close and I was sick. Somehow God preserved me and I was able to work night shift for 4 or 5 days, and to adjust back to normal routine. It was difficult, but we did it. I knew that if this promotion comes from God, He will guide me through it. He helped me to rely fully on Him and also helped me to have more faith and trust in Him. I know I can count on my Almighty God because He is living, He is real and He loves me.

Thank you, my Sweet Jesus for helping me go through this. I will do my best so that when men see this, they will acknowledge that You are the One who is to be glorified. Help me to work hard not for men, but for You!.

Brandon Heath - Wait and See

I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive

I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right

There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet

I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright

I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth

Chorus

Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something

So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight
I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight

Chorus


Behind the Song:
“Wait and See” is probably the most autobiographical song I’ve ever written. But I think that anybody can relate to this song, and be encouraged to know that God has a plan for us, even if we still feel like a failure at times. If we come to know Jesus as our Savior, He is going to change our hearts and lead us into a greater existence other than for ourselves. For me, the last verse of “Wait and See” is really what my journey is all about, “now’s my time to be a man, follow my heart as far as I can, no telling where I’m ending up tonight.” Most nights, I am in a hotel room and I barely know where I am, but I know that I’m doing what I am supposed to be doing. I just have to wait and see what God is going to do with the rest of the story. I’m encouraged by what He has done already, but I know that the story will continue to unfold and I’ll keep learning more about the purpose of my life.” - Brandon Heath



Making this the theme song for my birthday this year because God is definitely not finished with me yet! My birthday week is really eventful this time. Firstly we have the opportunity to open our house for lovely couple all the way from Switzerland. It's a great feeling to be able to share our home and country with them. Then in my career, God has given me an unexpected opportunity to be promoted. This is messy, but I am confident that I will be able to pull through it because God is the source of my strength and He helped me in the same exact position last year. I really need to give all the credit to God because I know I cannot do this alone without any divine intervention. My God is real! Jesus is real!

I'm sure that in the years to come that God is giving me, my life will be full of adventure with Him. The most precious gift that He has given me is this life that is surrounded with lovely people; my life partner, my family, my friends and my brothers and sisters in Christ!

He's not finished with me yet...He's not finished with me yet!

Josh Wilson - Before The Morning

Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you?
If there's a God who loves you
Where is He now?

Or maybe there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending
Someday, somehow you'll see, you'll see

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you're going
You just don't know how you'll get there
So say a prayer

And hold on
'Cause there's good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time, but you'll see the bigger picture

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

So hold on, you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning

Yeah, yeah, before the morning
Yeah, yeah

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory, yeah

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can't compare to the joy that's coming

Come on, you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the hurt before the healing

Oh, the pain that you've been feeling
It's just the dark before the morning
Yeah, yeah, before the morning
Yeah, yeah, before the morning



Sometimes it takes quite a few plays for me to hear what the song is about. The lines that had me double taking were " 'Cause the pain that you've been feeling can't compare to the joy that's coming".

No one likes to feel pain or hurt, including me. Some people I know have been going through pain and hurt for more than 10 years..maybe more than that too. Do you think that this song would give them any comfort? How long more do they have to go through the rough times before joy comes?

Why does God let us go through difficult roads? If we had life that's like a bed of roses, we may start to think that we don't need God and we can rely on ourselves.

But what if someone who loves God still go through tough times?

Can we trust God when He said that He will not let us be tested beyond our limit?

Josh wrote this song for his friend that went through a difficult time. His friend's baby was having a heart disease and doctors do not think that the baby will make it a few days after being born. How the parent's heart broke when the doctors said that. But the wife told the husband that if they trust God with their lives for the future, why not also start to trust God now.

Such joy it is, the baby is now about 8 years old!

This the the video or a little documentary of this song.

This song definitely helps to encourage people who are facing difficult times.

Dave Barnes - God Gave Me You

I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be

But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
I'll be the flattered fool and I need you

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you

On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo

God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you.
Gave me you.


Have you ever wake up to a nice song that's playing on the radio? I was napping on my desk with KTSY playing on my laptop and suddenly this song woke me up. Such a lovely song that demonstrates one's appreciation to the people that matters to us the most.

I thank God for my family, my husband and all my friends!

You can watch the video here.

Casting Crowns - Lifesong

Empty hands held high
Such small sacrifice
If not joined with my life
I sing in vain tonight

May the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Let my lifesong sing to You
Let my lifesong sing to You
I want to sign Your name to the end of this day
Knowing that my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to You

Lord I give my life
A living sacrifice
To reach a world in need
To be Your hands and feet

So may the words I say
And the things I do
Make my lifesong sing
Bring a smile to You

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You


Behind the Song:
“Worship is so much more than the songs I sing. Instead, worship is in the heart that lifts the song. If you think about it, worship began when I woke up this morning. My life purpose is to give God glory through everything I do. If my life does not worship Him, my songs don’t either.” - Mark Hall (Casting Crowns)


I was chatting with a friend and she asked me which ministry am I serving in church. So I told her that I'm serving in the Sunday School. She asked how's the class and I mentioned that we have more teachers now and we take turns to teach. So in a year, I only have 4 to 6 (or maybe 8?) lessons per year.

Then she posed another question: "Is that enough? Have you ever consider taking up more ministries since you only have so few lessons in a year"? I don't know in what context she is asking, but from the tone of the question it intimidates me a little.

I was pondering over her "challenge" for quite some time. It bothers me a lot. Am I doing enough for God? Why didn't I think of getting involve in more ministries? Will people think that I am anti social? Or will they think that I do not have any talent? Or if I am selfish and do not want to use my time for church ministries?

Why do I care so much of what people think?

What does God want from me?

Thinking back, I taught in Sunday School for about 8 years already and it started out with only 2 teachers, only one class and I was one of them. Back then, I have to prepare for lessons almost every week, and considering that I don't have a lot of free time since I worked till very late every weekday.

And after 8 years, the church grew and we have 5 classes and my class alone now has 5 teachers. Obviously we have more time and teachers can also sit in for sermons more frequently. Before, I remember struggling attending church on Saturday so I can listen to the sermon and Sunday I can spend time with the children. And before the church has only one service, I do not get to listen to the sermon (although there is a recorded version available).

What will make God happy? I don't think that being involved in so many ministry is the only way to please God. I don't want to get burn out just doing the work and not being able to enjoy Him. I think "ministry" goes beyond doing the work only. Talking to people, being a listening ear, being a good company, smiling and appreciating someone is also a ministry.

Well, I am not discouraging anyone from taking up more ministries in church. God sees us with different set of eyes from man's eyes. Jesus knows what we do privately and He'll reward us when we please Him.

Just don't let others pull you down if they belittle your tangible contribution because in the end, it is God that we want to worship and please, not human and there is no point to show to everyone what we do because we do it for His glory and not ours.

Let my lifesong sing to You my God, not to anyone else.

The longest post so far, but I hope it can encourage those who faced this situation too.

4HIM - Fill The Earth

As the ball of sunset fire
Falls into the sea
And the diamond lights start dancing
In the sky of ebony
All that I see before me
Screams out your glory

Chorus:
You fill the earth with beauty
And leave us so amazed
You fill the earth with power
That takes our breath away
Lord we are your people
And for all our days
We long to fill the earth
Fill the earth with Your praise

In the mighty wind and water
That pounds upon the shore
In the rivers when they’re raging
And the thunder when it roars
Creator, Sustainer
It could not be plainer

Chorus

Bridge:
World of wonder around us
How Your works astound us!





April 22nd is marked as Earth Day and here is a song that we can sing to celebrate! When God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was empty. Day by day He fill the earth with light, water, plants, living creatures and mankind. He saw all that He had made and it is all good (Genesis 1).

Many of my friends list travelling as their interest and many have also state that they need to go for a relaxing getaway. So they went and when they are back, they share beautiful photos of them in a nice island, sipping their drink, soaking the sun, looking at the beach, enjoying sunset, going to a zoo or safari, etc.

That made me realise that indeed, God has created this earth with so much for us to enjoy. But lately, there has been many natural disaster happening all around the world. We heard of so many earthquakes, tsunami, volcano eruption, global warming so on and so forth.

God has put mankind to look after His creation, but instead, we have abused it. It's sad, but this is what we have become and I really wonder, will we be able to save this earth? Are the efforts to save the earth from further destruction enough?

Everyone has complained that the weather is getting warmer and warmer. Not sure if it's the El Nino season but the sales of air conditioners have shot up double or triple fold. If more people are using air conditioners, will the temperature rise further?

I'm doing the best that I can to help to reduce the negative impact to planet earth. I bring my own shopping bags for groceries and other stuff I bought, I have a special cabinet to separate my recyclable waste, I have a compost bin for organic waste and I want to do more if I could.

Thank God for creating the earth and us for Him to enjoy, as well as for us to enjoy.

Happy Earth Day!