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.

Glory Revealed - By His Wounds

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
And crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed
And by His wounds, by His wounds

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus


This song is sung by Mac Powell (Third Day), Mark Hall (Casting Crowns), Steven Curtis Chapman and Brian Littrell (Backstreet Boys).

Isaiah 53:5 (New International Version)

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

This is what Good Friday is about, Jesus took our place so that we may live!

WL

Casting Crowns - Slow Fade

Be careful little eyes what you see
It’s the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it’s the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It’s a slow fade, it’s a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you’re thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It’s a slow fade when you give yourself away
It’s a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see



I love the songs from Casting Crowns because of their lyrics. First song that I heard from Casting Crowns is "Who am I?" (and because of this song, I bought their debut album). I must say that, their songs are mainly reminders to Christians (and non Christians alike) about how much God love us, about an attempt to save a non-believer ("Here I go again"), about us turning to God more often ("What if His people pray"), about Christians being the salt and light unto the world ("If we are the body") and so on and so forth.

This song, is part of the sound track for the movie "Fireproof". I'm not going to spoil the story if you have not watched it, but Slow Fade definitely serve as a good reminder to all of us, regardless of the situation we are in. It's about the never ending tempatation that we face every day and if we take it lightly, we are actually slowly giving in to the world who will consume us.

Therefore, as Christians, we should always keep our eyes on Jesus and grow deep in Him who loves us so much.

WL