May 20, 2010

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.

May 10, 2010

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.