A Mighty Fortress is Our God July 21, 2009
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I did not realise that it’s been half-a-year since I last posted here. I really should write more.
I’m currently reading this book called 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck – it briefly describes the stories behind the writings of 101 classical hymns. The first song that Osbeck put in his book is “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, written by Martin Luther, who was the father of Reformation.
1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevaling. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. 2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle. 3. And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us. The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure; one little word shall fell him. 4. That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth; the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever.
According to Osbeck, one of the important significance of the Reformation was the discovery of congregational singing. Luther expressed his beliefs in the importance of hymns in many statements including this, ” If any man despises music, as all fanatics do, for him I have no liking; for music is a gift and grace of god, not an invention of men.” and “I wish to compose sacred hymns so that the Word of God may dwell among the people also by means of songs.”
This song itself was based on Psalm 46, and has become a great source of strength especially during Reformation time, for those people who were suffering for their convictions in Christ. The song was based on Luther’s own hardships, having confronted the corruption of the church at the time. He constantly lived in struggles, being marked as an outlaw, and at the time – going against the church meant death. However, despite all the fears, despite all the hardships, Luther survived it all and continued to stand firm. He confided not in his own strength but in God’s.
Living in the world that is going against us more and more each day, Christians are faced with the burden of having to stand firm. There are and will be days when we feel weak, where we no longer have the strength to stand. But let us constantly be reminded that the source of our strength is not from ourselves, but from Him who has risen from the dead.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.- Psalm 46:1-3
Last Flight Out January 2, 2009
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I’m still trying to revise my new year’s resolution list so while I’m doing that (and while I’m deciding whether to put it up here) here’s a song that I liked a lot…I went through a lot of searching on the Internet before I finally was able to find the song because I didn’t know the title of the song and even the one who sang it! All I remembered were a few lines which I was not even sure were right (and it was proved later, that indeed some of them were wrong).
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Last Flight Out
by. Plus One
I’m so scared that you will see
All the weakness inside of me
I’m so scared of letting go
That the pain I’ve hid will show
I know you want to hear me speak
But I’m afraid that if I start to
I’ll never stop
[c h o r u s]
I want you to know
You belong in my life
I love the hope
I see in your eyes
For you I would fly
At least I would try
For you I’ll take
The last flight out
I’m afraid that
You will leave
As my secrets
Have been revealed
In my dreams
You’ll always stay
Every breathing moment from now
I know you want to hear me speak
But I’m afraid that if I start to
I’ll never stop
[c h o r u s]
I cannot hold back
The truth no more
I let you wait too long
Although it’s hard and scares me so
A life without you scares me more
[c h o r u s]
No Air November 23, 2008
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My favourite song at the moment. I don’t know why but I just like it, the song keeps resonating in my head often these days. And I love the video clip as well so I’m putting it up.
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No Air
by Jordin Sparks (feat. Chris Brown)
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
(Jordin)
If I should die before I wake
It’s ’cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living in a world with no air
Oh
(Chris)
I’m here alone, didn’t wanna leave
My heart won’t move, it’s incomplete
Wish there was a way that I can make you understand
(Jordin)
But how do you expect me
To live alone with just me
‘Cause my world revolves around you
It’s so hard for me to breathe
[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
(Chris)
I walked, I ran, I jumped, I flew
Right off the ground to float to you
There’s no gravity to hold me down for real
(Jordin)
But somehow I’m still alive inside
You took my breath, but I survived
I don’t know how, but I don’t even care
(Both)
So how do you expect me
To live alone with just me
‘Cause my world revolves around you
It’s so hard for me to breathe
[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No more
There’s no air, no air
Ooohhhhh…
[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air
[Chorus]
Tell me how I’m supposed to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t breathe with no air
That’s how I feel whenever you ain’t there
There’s no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gon’ be without me
If you ain’t here, I just can’t breathe
There’s no air, no air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
Every Day I Love You November 8, 2008
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I was just dropping by a friend’s house today and when I was there his computer was playing songs from my high school times, music such as Boyzone’s and Westlife’s. I miss that time.
This song was my favourite song from Boyzone. I saw it on TV long time ago but never knew the title until 2-3 years ago. I really love the lyrics. I even thought before, that one day I want my husband-to-be (well..still a looooonnng time in the future) to play this song when he proposed or something. Haha…that was like my high school imagination.
‘Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don’t you know that I do)
And you’ll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.
__________________________________________________________________________
Everyday I Love You
by Boyzone
I don’t know, but I believe
That some things are meant to be
And that you’ll make a better me
Everyday I love you
I never thought that dreams came true
But you showed me that they do
You know that I learn something new
Everyday I love you
‘Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don’t you know that I do)
And you’ll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul.
It’s a touch when I feel bad
It’s a smile when I get mad
All the little things I am
Everyday I love you
Everyday I love you more
Everyday I love you
‘Cos I believe that destiny
Is out of our control (don’t you know that I do)
And you’ll never live until you love
With all your heart and soul
If I asked would you say yes?
Together we’re the very best
I know that I am truly blessed
Everyday I love you
And I’ll give you my best
Everyday I love you
Emotions October 27, 2008
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This wasn’t originally sung by Destiny’s Child, but I like their version better. There are three sentences in the lyrics that kind of fit my feelings last week so I think it’s worth putting here LOL
You never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
it’s just emotion taking me over
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Emotions
by. Destiny’s Child
It’s over and done
but the heartache lives on inside
And who’s the one you’re clinging to
instead of me tonight?
And where are you now, now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow wherever you go
I’ll cry me a river that leads to your ocean
You never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
it’s just emotion taking me over
Caught up in sorrow
lost in the song
but if you don’t come back
Come home to me, darling
don’t you know there’s nobody left in this world tohold me tight
nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight
I’m there at your side,
I’m part of all the things you are
But you’ve got a part of someone else
You’ve got to find your shining star
And where are you now, now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow wherever you go
I’ll cry me a river that leads to your ocean
You never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
it’s just emotion taking me over
Caught up in sorrow
lost in the song
but if you don’t come back
Come home to me, darling
don’t you know there’s nobody left in this world tohold me tight
nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight
And where are you now, now that I need you?
Tears on my pillow wherever you go
I’ll cry me a river that leads to your ocean
You never see me fall apart
In the words of a broken heart
it’s just emotion taking me over
Caught up in sorrow
lost in the song
but if you don’t come back
Come home to me, darling
don’t you know there’s nobody left in this world tohold me tight
nobody left in this world to kiss goodnight
Goodnight, goodnight
Beautiful October 8, 2008
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I haven’t been writing for quite long, but I will start doing that again probably next week – so many works to do this week. For now, just putting up this lyrics up…I happened to have the song from someone and I just love it…especially the first three lines of the song.
All goodbyes disappeared,
when I first set my eyes on you,
I found a world so pure and blue.
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Beautiful
by Alex Lloyd
All goodbyes disappeared,
when I first set my eyes on you,
I found a world so pure and blue.
Today, I vow to you,
that every little piece you see,
is coming from the heart of me.
You are so beautiful,
and you’re filling up my day,
with the things I can’t explain.
You are so beautiful,
and I’m holding on today,
yeah, we’re holding on,
we’re holding on.
Among the broke glass,
a road we’ve all been down before,
but this time there’s an open door.
A code so set a sealed,
where nothing is unbreakable,
to find strength of iron will.
Today, I vow to you,
that every little piece of me,
is coming from the heart of me.
You are so beautiful,
and you’re filling up my day,
with the things I can’t explain.
You are so beautiful,
and I’m holding on today,
yeah, we’re holding on,
we’re holding on.
Sweetest Goodbye September 16, 2008
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I always love Maroon 5’s songs, I haven’t listen to much of them but most of those that I’ve heard I love. And here’s one of them. The first two sentences kinda describe how I’m feeling (I know, I know, I’m a melancholy).
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Sweetest Goodbye
by Maroon 5
Where you are seems to be
As far as an eternity
Outstretched arms open hearts
And if it never ends then when do we start?
I’ll never leave you behind
Or treat you unkind
I know you understand
And with a tear in my eye
Give me the sweetest goodbye
That I ever did receive
Pushing forward and arching back
Bring me closer to heart attack
Say goodbye and just fly away
When you comeback
I have some things to say
How does it feel to know you never have to be alone
When you get home?
There must be someplace here that only you and I could go
So I can show you how I
Dream away everyday
Try so hard to disregard
The rhythm of the rain that drops
And coincides with the beating of my heart
I’ll never leave you behind
Or treat you unkind
I know you understand
And with a tear in my eye
Give me the sweetest goodbye
That I ever, ever, ever did receive
[x2]
How does it feel to know you never have to be alone
When you get home?
There must be someplace here that only you and I could go
So I can show you how I feel
If It Ain’t You September 10, 2008
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I know that is not the title of the song, but that part of the song is currently stuck in my mind for some reasons that I won’t be putting up here.
I don’t really listen to Alicia Keys but my best friend is a big fan of her. And I personally love this song of hers up till now.
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If I Ain’t Got You
by Alicia Keys
Some people live for the fortune
Some people live just for the fame
Some people live for the power, yeah
Some people live just to play the game
Some people think that the physical things
Define what’s within
And I’ve been there before
But that life’s a bore
So full of the superficial
[Chorus:]
Some people want it all
But I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain’t you baby
If I ain’t got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you, Yeah
Some people search for a fountain
That promises forever young
Some people need three dozen roses
And that’s the only way to prove you love them
Hand me the world on a silver platter
And what good would it be
With no one to share
With no one who truly cares for me
[Chorus:]
Some people want it all
But I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain’t you baby
If I ain’t got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you, you, you
Some people want it all
But I don’t want nothing at all
If it ain’t you baby
If I ain’t got you baby
Some people want diamond rings
Some just want everything
But everything means nothing
If I ain’t got you, yeah
[Outro:]
If I ain’t got you with me baby
So nothing in this whole wide world don’t mean a thing
If I ain’t got you with me baby
The Heart of Worship August 22, 2008
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You’re my Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in You
I trust in You
I believe You’re my Healer
I believe You are all I need
I believe You’re my Portion
I believe You’re more than enough for me
Jesus You’re all I need
My Healer, You’re my Healer
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
Nothing is impossible for You
You hold my world in Your hands
Last Sunday service at my church, we were singing this song “Healer” written by Michael Guglielmucci. A beautiful song, the worship leader gave us a bit of background of Mike G. He was diagnosed with a deadly cancer, he was told that he won’t make it for more than 6 months. But he trusted in God, he refused to surrender to the disease, he wrote the song to express his trust in God. Up till today, 2 years after the diagnosis, he still live.
What a beautiful testimony, at least up until this news came up just few days ago. It was all lies. Michael Guglielmucci has never been diagnosed with cancer.
I got the news from our church mailing list and the Worship Ministry has mentioned that we no longer will be singing this song at our church because it was written on lies. Then just today I got the news again from one of my best friends. I told her that I have heard of the news, and that our church worship ministry won’t be singing the song again. But then she question me why because still that the song itself is beautiful and is meaningful.
I have to agree with her. The song is indeed beautiful (although one sentence in it is not applicable to everyone, I think). I have no rights to judge Mike, I believe that all of us can do just as he did, in fact I believe all of us do it to a certain extent – the difference is just that our lies are not exposed as his was. However, I also have to agree with my church worship ministry’s decision to not sing the song again – because it is based on lies.
Yes, the song has a beautiful lyrics. Yes, the song has a beautiful melody. But we have to remember what is the true meaning of worship. Worship is more than a beautiful melody. It is more that a sequence of beautifully woven sentences. We worship God through our lives, we live our worship by living it. In the case of Mike, who is being humiliated more? Him? Hillsong/Planetshakers? No. It is God. It is as if all the sentences were lies just because he who wrote it lied, it’s as if God who heals is not really there. And I’m saddened by the fact that many would be discouraged and would be put off Him because of one man’s mistake. Again, I’m not judging Mike; we ought to pray for him and his families, and moreover to everyone who are affected badly by this news (those that are discouraged).
One lesson that we, Christians should learn from this kind of event is this: everything we do is being observed by the world; and for us to have called ourself “Christians”: the followers of Christ, we should be aware that everything we do will be seen in accordance to Christ. So, we should really pay attention to every single thing we make, be extra careful, and don’t humiliate Him because of what we do.
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:1-2
Another thing is that God is still God who heals, and whatever a man does won’t change the fact. Long time before Michael Guglielmucci wrote the song, a man called David had written these verses:
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,- Psalms 103:1-3
Note that “disease” here shouldn’t be translated directly as “physical sickness”, however I’m not going to talk about that. My point is one: God’s attributes is not something that would change because of what we do. And so even though the song was written on lies, but remember that the lyrics is not fully wrong – another man, David, and I believe others too, Christians, would have felt it in God.
Below is a song that I think kind of summarizes what worship really is about. I highlighted some sentences that I think are important.
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The Heart of Worship
by Michael W. Smith
Verse 1:
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart
Bridge:
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart
Chorus:
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
When it’s all about You,
It’s all about You, Jesus
Verse 2:
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
Don’t Write Me Off August 21, 2008
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The song is from the movie “Music and Lyrics” starred by Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. I like the other song, the more famous one as well, “Way Back Into Love”, but this one song is so sweet as well it gave a smile on my face while I was watching the movie.
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Don’t Write Me Off
by. Hugh Grant
It’s never been easy for me
To find words to go along, with a melody
But this time there’s actually something, on my mind
So please forgive these few brief awkward lines
Since I’ve met you, my whole life has changed
It’s not just my furniture, you’ve rearranged
I was living in the past, but somehow you’ve brought me back
And I haven’t felt like this since before Frankie said relax
And while I know, based on my track record
I might not seem like the safest bet
All I’m asking you, is don’t write me off, just yet
For years I’ve been telling myself, the same old story
That I’m happy to live off my so called, former glories
But you’ve given me a reason, to take another chance
Now I need you, despite the fact, that you’ve killed all my plants
And though I know, I’ve already blown more chances
Than anyone should ever get
All I’m asking you, is don’t write me off, just yet
Don’t write me off just yet
