Never alone

Pick Yourself Up

My life is full of jazzy tunes lately ;)

My best days are ahead of me =)

Guess what, Danny Gokey released his album just in time on my birthday =D. Really like this song, which gave me inspiration and motivation to see forward. Though he decided to make a secular album, I still think that he can still promote Christian values there as well =). Hands down my favourite American Idol ever.

Anyway, the song is nice and the lyrics is also very encouraging.

My Best Days are Ahead of Me

Blowing out the candles
on another birthday cake
Old enough to look back and laugh at my mistakes
Young enough to look at the future and like what I see
My best days are ahead of me

Life hasn't always been a party
but mostly it's been good
There's only one or two things that I'd change if I could
I don't get lost in the past or get stuck in some sad memory
My best days are ahead of me

Age is nothing but a number
Sometimes I have to wonder
What does it really mean
But I'm still putting it together
I keep getting better
if I keep getting better
I can be whatever I want to be
My best days are ahead of me

I've got sunsets to witness
dreams to dance with
beaches to walk on
and lovers to kiss
there's a whole lot of world out there
that I can't wait to see
My best days are ahead of me
My best days are ahead of me

Official video clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtWLedrjOcs&feature=related

Better sound quality:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMoS2tb4R7s&feature=related

Let there be light! =)

Mighty To Save

I'm hearing this song a lot these days. It is a treat to my ears and my heart, easy song to sing along as well. Nice. =)

Mighty To Save
Hillsong Australia

Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.

Chorus:
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.

So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.

Bridge:
Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)

---

Three versions that I heard: Original from Hillsong, one from Michael W Smith, another from Don Moen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-08YZF87OBQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZQ6KN13jU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJUn7M7wUKM

American Idol Season 9 Round-Up

So, this is the context of the story: I follow American Idol, but I totally forgot that it starts on January and when I realized around end of last month I had a lot to catch up. So I waited until the top 24 is announced (which is last week) and do quick catch up. And...

I'm not impressed =.='

True, the level of the people are quite good and around the same, but there are no real stand-outs among them, unlike last season's Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey

Oh well, that should do for now. Anyway, I am hoping to see some exciting competition this year at least... Don't make it a repeat of season 6 pleaaassseeee.... That was so b.o.r.i.n.g (well, actually that season had one bright side: Melinda Doolittle)

Anyway, I was listening to last year finals' song "No Boundaries", one by Kris Allen, one by Adam Lambert, then I just realized that DioGuardi is the writer of the song when I saw her version in youtube. The originals was better IMHO. See it yourself.

Kara DioGuardi's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDng1zxoLd4

Kris Allen's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au78ra4HsUo

Adam Lambert's: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nvCwvX57a8

Yeah. This post is so American Idol. At least that's my favorite show other than House M.D. ;)

Just a song I want to share =)

A little boy of thirteen was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom, even the kids could understand

The hours passed so quickly, the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do, there were thousands to be fed

I think you know what this is about. Even with the contextualization made inside the story. This was taken from Corinne May's song, "Five loaves and two fishes". I've been listening to her CDs lately (especially her Christmas album, 'The Gift'. Turn on music and air-con, it's early Christmas. Haha) and this is one song that catched my attention. Well, we know how things turns out but let's just go on with the song anyway =)

But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus

The kindness in His smile

And the boy cried out

With the trust of a child

He said: "Take my five loaves and two fishes

Do with it as you will

I surrender

Take my fears and my inhibitions

All my burdens, my ambitions

You can use it all to feed them all"

Well maybe that's not exactly what happened there in the feeding of the five thousands, but she made an interesting remarks in her lyrics though. It was the willingness of the boy to give what he had, no matter how inadequate it was, fully to the hand of Christ. I have to admit it that the song was touching. But more than just that, it told the story in a different point of view. I posted the story in Andrew's and Philip's point of view when I made the entry for "The twelve" before, and this is another point of view that I found pretty interesting.

I often think about that boy when I'm feeling small

And I worry that the work I do means nothing at all
But every single tear I cry is a diamond in His hands

And every door that slams in my face, I will offer up in prayer
So I'll give you every breath that I have

Oh Lord, you can work miracles

All that you need is my "Amen"

Now, I know that some of you might found the idea of creating a study based on a contemporary Christian song to be a little strange or hard to accept, but you can made the same interpretation when you study John 6 as well. And to some of you who knew how to do IBS (Inductive Bible Study), you should have crossed about this if you ever had done IBS on the passage =)

Anyway, there she was, sharing her thoughts when she read about the story, and how she relate the story to her life. And I think, it was the same to our lives as well. True, we may not be someone big or someone powerful or famous enough to do God's work in earth, to disciple all nations under the Lordship of Christ. But He calls us to do so anyway. He wants us to work with Him even though He always knew who we are. In fact, He usually calls common people, and to tell you the truth, no one is good enough to do His work. He just want us to do His will and surrender our life into His everlasting arms.

I read about a lot of people in the 2000 years history of Christianity lately, and I can only say no matter how small we are, no matter how weak we are, God can use us, and it is precious in His eyes. Even when you are only a student, a office worker, or in my case, a software engineer. =)

So take my five loaves and two fishes

Do with it as you willI surrender

Take my fears and my inhibitions

All my burdens, my ambitions

You can use it all

I hope it's not too small
(No gift is too small)

Two Videos

These two days I watched two videos that really made my day. One is the video of my friend who's contesting for PINDOL (NTUers.. do vote for them). The other is the video of remarkable figures of Indonesia, the sons and daughters of Nusantara, singing Ismail Marzuki's classic song (credit to Alison for showing this video in his wall). I put the two of them in this post. Hope you will enjoy them =)

He helps me find my wing =)

Today (4th of July) is my father's birthday. Well, we never do anything special in our family to celebrate birthdays - just dinner, nothing else. Usually I always have the opportunity to celebrate it with him since it's on the holiday, but I have to be contended with saying happy birthday over the phone this year since I can't go back.

When I play through my song list I found one interesting song though. Somehow it reminds me of him so much. The song was titled "Find your wings" by Mark Harris. It is about the prayer of a father when he watched his son/daughter grew up and 'fly'. I can't help to smile when I hear this song, and I remembered how he has guarded me to become who I am right now, especially after my mother passed away in '96.. He helped me find my wing; he helped me and teaches me how to stand on my own. The two of us may have our own differences sometimes - I can be quite rebellious, he can be very strict and demanding. But those were nothing compared to the love that he gave me over 22 years of my life.

So... I want to share this song with all of you, and dedicate this song to my father. It's a shame he don't have a FB account though.. haha.. Happy 55th B'day pah.. ^^~

---

Find Your Wings

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray for all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know you're walking in the truth
And if I never told you, I want you to know as I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings, so let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind that leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong; guide you on your way
May there be many moments that make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings, so let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off, but I'll cheer as you fly

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage to dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings, so let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

Who am I?

Lately, I have been trying to brighten up my days with songs of praise. They said that after uni, it will be harder to maintain our spiritual life since there will be less time for us to spend in a fellowship or ministry, and I started to understand why... That's why I tell myself that I need to work harder in my spiritual discipline.

This song has been a constant reminder for me. It was not our work, not who we are that enables us to call God our Father. It was Christ. It was what he had done in that old rugged cross. We are merely a withering flower, here today and gone tomorrow. A vapor in the wind, insignificant and swept away with ease. But behold, He still faithfully carry that cross to the hill, died for our transgression. Let's remind ourselves daily about His sacrifice, about His love that has brought peace to this world.

------

Who am I?

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way, for my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean, A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am:
I am yours. I am yours.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain and calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am:
I am yours.

Not because of who I am, but because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done, but because of who you are.

I am a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling, Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am:
I am yours. I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?
I am yours.. ('cause) I am yours..


(I took a cute video since most of you should have heard this song before =P)

Be it unto me

Be it unto me, according to your Word.
According to your promises, I can stand secure.
Carve upon my heart, the truth that sets me free.
According to your Word O Lord, be it unto me.

- Don Moen, Be it unto me

Blog post written in melancholy

Over an anxious heart who want to rush answers and solution,

When God says the otherwise.

A song remembered in the middle of selfishness,

Reminding me who is God,

And who we are.

Be it unto me.

Kristo's Christian Song Book 2

One of my favourites. Sung by Avalon, got an Indonesian version as well. It made me remamber always about His sacrifice on that old rugged cross to give us a reason to live, peace, hope and salvation. I present to you, "We are the reason".

We are the reason

As little children we would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys we knew we’d find
But we never realized a baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives

*We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

As the years went by we learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves and what that means
On a dark and cloudy day a man hung crying in the rain
All because of love 
All because of love

*We were the reason that He gave His life
We were the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live

I finally found the reason for living
It’s in giving every part of my heart to Him (every part to Him)
And all that I do every word that I say (you know I’ll be saying)
I’ll be giving my all just for Him, for Him (every thing for Him)

We are the reason that He gave His life
We are the reason that He suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave all He could give (all that he could give all)
To show us the reason to live

#He is the reason to live
(don’t you know do you know the reason
that he came, oh he came to save us
when he gave his life for us) he suffered and died
To a world that was lost He gave everything (everything that He had He gave)
To show us the reason to live

*chorus + # together
Don’t know how I could thank Jesus all that he had all..
*chorus + # together

Kristo's Christian Song Book 1

Another one of my favourite song, I first heard this song in a Prayer Meeting of my campus fellowship on my freshmen years, only once and never heard them afterwards until yesterday my friend posted it on my mailing list. Even though I only hear this song once, but I always remember how this song has been a blessing to me and how I am touched by His grace.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Trust his heart
Cynthya Clawson

all things work for our good
though sometimes we can't see how they could
struggles that break our hearts in two
sometimes blind us to the truth
our Father knows what's best for us
His ways are not our own
so when your pathway grows dim
and you just can't see Him
remember you're never alone

God is too wise, to be mistaken
God is too good, to be unkind
so when you don't understand...
when you don't see His plan...
when you can't trace His hand...
Trust His Heart

He sees the masterplan
He holds the future in His hands
so don't live as those who have no hope
all our hope is found in Him
we see the present clearly
but He sees the first and the last
and like a tapestry He's weaving you and me
to someday be just like Him

God is too wise, to be mistaken
God is too good, to be unkind
so when you don't understand...
when you don't see His plan...
when you can't trace His hand...
Trust His Heart

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

so when you don't understand...
when you don't see His plan...
when you can't trace His hand...
Trust His Heart!

Kristo's Indonesian Song Book 1

This is one of my favourite song of all times. Sung by Ruth Sahanaya and Katon Bagaskara, telling a beautiful story of friendship, that nurture and encourage each other

Usah Kau Lara Sendiri
Katon Bagaskara & Ruth Sahanaya

Kulihat mendung menghalangi pancaran wajahmu
tak terbiasa kudapati terdiam mendura
Apa gerangan bergemuruh di ruang benakmu
sekilas galau mata ingin berbagi cerita

Kudatang sahabat, bagi jiwa
saat batin merintih
usah kau lara sendiri
masih ada asa tersisa

Letakkanlah tanganmu di atas bahuku
biar terbagi beban itu
dan tegar dirimu

Di depan sana cah'ya kecil tuk memandu
tak hilang arah kita berjalan
menghadapinya

Sekali sempat kau mengeluh, kuatkah bertahan?
satu persatu jalinan kawan beranjak menjauh

Kudatang sahabat, bagi jiwa
saat batin merintih
usah kau lara sendiri
masih ada asa tersisa

Letakkanlah tanganmu di atas bahuku
biar terbagi beban itu
dan tegar dirimu

Di depan sana cah'ya kecil tuk memandu
tak hilang arah kita berjalan
menghadapinya

Letakkanlah tanganmu di atas bahuku
biar terbagi beban itu
dan tegar dirimu

Di depan sana cah'ya kecil tuk memandu
tak hilang arah kita berjalan
menghadapinya

tak hilang arah kita berjalan
menghadapinya