You'll Come

I have decided, I have resolved
To wait upon You, Lord
My Rock and Redeemer, shield and reward
I'll wait upon You, Lord

As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
As certain as the dawn appears

You'll come, let Your glory fall
As You respond to us
Spirit, rain, flood into our thirsty hearts again
You'll come, You'll come....

We are not shaken, we are not moved
We wait upon You, Lord
Mighty Deliverer, Triumph and Truth
We wait upon You, Lord

As surely as the sun will rise
You'll come to us
Certain as Your word endures

Chains be broken
Lives be healed
Eyes be opened
Christ is revealed

Words and Music by Brooke Fraser (inspired by Hosea 6) © Hillsong 2007

When Tears Fall

I've had questions, without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I'll cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true

In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me, and sustain me
My defender, forever more

When hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
When pain surrounds, I'll call You Healer
When silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart

I will praise You, I will praise You
When the tears fall, still I will sing to You
I will praise You, Jesus praise You
Through the suffering, still I will sing

Jesus Answers Your Fears

By Jon Walker

“Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people.” (Romans 12:16 CEV)

When we’re in Christian community, we do a lot of things right, but we still have a lot to learn about being “friendly with everyone.” (Romans 12:16) Many of us, particularly the guys, are not very good at developing deep, deep friendships.

But that shouldn’t discourage us – because we “can do all things through Christ.” As believers, we can be eternal optimists, and our relationship with Christ provides us with tremendous potential for developing authentic, transparent friendships.

The fear in all this is that, in order to truly know other people, I must be willing to be known, allowing others to get close enough to see the real me. And that sounds a little scary, doesn’t it? What if there are parts of me that I’m not proud of or need a lot of work?

These fears are common to anyone, but Jesus is the answer to your fears. Did you hear that? Jesus doesn’t just provide the answers for your fears – Jesus is the answer to your fears.

Whether these deeper relationships are with other believers who strengthen us in our faith, or with unchurched people God wants to love through you, keep two things in mind:

First, Jesus invites you to know him intimately. Jesus isn’t afraid of deep relationships. In fact, he went to the cross to ensure you could be “accepted in the Beloved” (Eph. 1:6), no matter what you’ve done or no matter how far you need to come.

Second, your intimate friendship with Jesus will help others see that it’s not so scary to know and be known. A godly community emerges when we observe, practice, and model transparent, authentic, no-strings-attached relationships.

So what?

· You have to take a risk – “Being known” by others means risk. Every time you reach out to another person in friendship, you risk being rejected or misunderstood. The risk may be even higher with non-believers because of the difference in worldviews and values.

· You can’t do it alone – Your friendship with Jesus gives you the strength you need to risk building friendships with others. For that matter, your friends need Jesus’ strength to develop a deep relationship with you!

· You need to start now – If we wait until our lives are cleaned up before we develop deep Christian friendships, then it will never happen. Growing up in Christ, and maturing as a believer, are lifelong pursuits and require a deeply loving, committed community.

· Think about it – Are there barriers that keep you from building deeper friendships? Who are the people God wants you to reach out to in friendship?

Taken from Purpose Driven Life dated 25 May 2007.

Christians

By Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean living.'"
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!

My Offering

For months, I have struggled to focus on Jesus Christ alone. I've had numerous debates inside my head about faith, judgement, hope, etc. Eventually, He made me realize that the key to overcoming every mind-boggling thought or situation is to trust what's in your heart and not your brain. Because that's where He actually knocks and feeds us with true wisdom.

I've always tried to make a Christian song out of every song I listen to. Here's one (Makita Kang Muli by Sugarfree):

Bawat sandali ng aking buhay
Pagmamahal Mo ang aking taglay
San man mapadpad ng hangin
Hindi magbabago aking pagtingin
Pangako natin sa Maykapal
Na tayo lamang sa habang buhay
Maghintay

Puso’y nagdurusa nangungulila
Iniisip Ka ‘pag nag-iisa
Inaalala mga sandali
Nang tayo ay magkapiling
Ikaw ang Gabay sa aking tuwina
Ang aking Ilaw sa gabing mapanglaw
Tanging Ikaw

Ipaglalaban ko ang ating pag-ibig
Maghintay Ka lamang, ako’y darating
Pagka’t sa isang Taong mahal mo ng buong puso
Lahat ay gagawin makita Kang muli,
Makita Kang muli

At first, I was a bit hesitant to indulge on the words. That's when I realized how attached I still am on the thought of romantic love. Thanks to my best friend, who helped me look at it at a different angle. I never thought the person referred to in the song could actually be Jesus Christ, and God the Father as 'Maykapal'.

I've always tried to be cautious getting myself back into daydreaming, a world where we fantasize about things we have no control of. This usually leads me to impatience, which eventually turns to losing my focus on Him. That's why I always remind myself to trust in God, and I will never go wrong.

If Kids Wrote to God

Anything is possible through the eyes of a child. -Anonymous-

What would you ask God if you could write to Him?

Count Your Blessings

Friendly smiles
Labors of love
Thoughtful gestures
Answered prayers
Wonderful memories
Fun surprises
Hearty conversations
Good advice
Sincere apologies
Inspirational music
Words of wisdom

... just a few of the many, many things to be thankful for.

Wonderful Maker

You spread out the skies over empty space
Said, let there be light to a dark and formless world
Your light was born

You spread out your arms over empty hearts
Said, let there be light to a dark and hopeless world
Your son was born

No eye has fully seen how beautiful the cross
And we have only heard the faintest whispers
Of how great You are

You made the world and saw that it was good
You sent Your only son, for You are good

What a wonderful maker
What a wonderful savior
How majestic Your whispers
And how humble Your love
With a strength like no other
And the heart of a father
How majestic Your whispers
What a wonderful God

I Need You To Love Me

Why, why are You still here with me
Didn't You see what I've done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it's here I see the truth
I don't deserve You

But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me

I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
'Cause You're a God who has all things
And still You want me

Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ocean Size Love

I know what I'm doing may be dumb
I know I should not be staring at the sun
But the thought of it leads me to temptation
It's the same whatever side we're on
Separated, we are delicate and small
And the space between leads my retention
I see it right in front of me, as close as you can get
And the greater you will lead, as a daydream gets

I don't have to worry anymore
If I really need You, I'll go to the shore
And the thought of You there is my protection
I see it right in front of me, a vision in my head
And I know this is as real, as a daydream gets

And it might seem much too far, to get back to where You are
But it's close enough, with an ocean size love
So if You can't reach out to me, send a sign across the sea
And I'll pick it up, with an ocean size love

You make no sound, but I can hear You in the wind
I can see this never ends, like the sea, like You for me

Untitled Hymn

Check my current Soundtrip entry. I hope you experience the same feeling I had upon hearing this song.... God bless, everyone :D

Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
O, raise your head, for love is passing by
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live

Now your burden's lifted
And carried far away
And precious blood has washed away the stain, so
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live

And like a newborn baby
Don't be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes we fall...so
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live

Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live

O, and when the love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can't contain your joy inside, then
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live

And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live....

Beautiful One

Wonderful, so wonderful
Is your unfailing love
Your cross has spoken mercy over me
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No heart could fully know
How glorious, how beautiful you are.

Powerful so powerful
Your glory fills the skies
Your mighty works displayed for all to see (beautiful)
The beauty of your majesty
Awakes my heart to see
How marvelous how wonderful you are.

You opened my eyes to your wonders anew
You captured my heart with this love
Because nothing on Earth is as beautiful as you.

Beautiful one I love you
Beautiful one I adore
Beautiful one my soul must sing

I Still Believe

I've been recently introduced to a new artist, Jeremy Camp. At first, I thought I heard Chad Kroeger of Nickelback singing. My best friend had been talking about him for weeks. I didn't understand if it was just about his hunky physique, or his husky voice. But when I heard one of his songs, plus the story behind it, I was deeply moved. How, I cannot explain, but it gave me goosebumps, then later, ease.

I am still in the process of internalizing every word in his song -- so pure, coming straight from the heart. It might even take a while before everything is finally taken in, but it's a start.

Music has always been a part of my life. And I feel it's such a blessing that I'm starting to really appreciate songs about God. I guess I just needed to pick a genre that would fit my taste. But the message is still the same, may it be country, r&b, rock or even rap. Sometimes, we just need to explore to express what is in our hearts.

Here are the words of the song I have just uploaded in my Soundtrip section, "I Still Believe". He wrote it right after his wife of 2 years died. Instead of expressing hate and frustration towards God, his faith was strengthened even more.

Scattered words and empty thoughts
Seem to pour from my heart
I've never felt so torn before
Seems I don't know where to start
But its now that I feel your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

Though the questions still fog up my mind
With promises I still seem to bear
Even when answers slowly unwind
It's my heart I see you prepare
But its now, that I feel, your grace fall like rain
From every fingertip washing away my pain

Well the only place I can go is into your arms
Where I throw to you my feeble prayers well in brokeness
I can see that this was your will for me
Help me to know that you are near

I still believe in your faithfulness
I still believe in your truth
I still believe in your holy word
Even when I don't see, I still believe
I still believe

Sing. Internalize. Believe.