Faithful

I wrote this song on 17 Sept 2008 for the musical presentation “I Will Sing Of His Goodness”. These were the words the Lord spoke into my heart as I prepared to step out by faith into fulltime ministry … “Have I not shown you I am faithful?” Reflecting upon these lyrics again, I am truly say, “Yes, my God is faithful!”

Have I not shown you I am faithful
And if you should lose your way
I’ll be there for you
And if you should falter, my hand will hold you
Shadows may turn but you will learn
That I am faithful

He has spoken I have heard
And now it’s left to me
If I’ll take Him at His word
Or trust in things I see
How is it my heart believes
My mind thinks otherwise?
Why the doubt if I’m to walk by faith?

Even when I’m faithless, He is faithful
And if I should lose my way
His love will find me
And if I should stumble, His hand upholds me
Seasons may change, He stays the same
For He is faithful

He has never let me down
Nor left me on my own
Mercies new each day I’ve found
His Faithfulness I’ve known
Yet I trip and I still fall
As if I’m slow to learn
Will His grace be there enough for me?

But my Abba Father, how He knows me
And each time I break His heart
Yet He forgives me
Even when I fail Him, still He believes in me
Though I run wild, I’m still His child
And He is faithful

Seasons may change, He still remains
Shadows may turn, this I have learnt
My God is faithful

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Rainbows Over Davao City

Beautiful sign of God's presence with us in Davao.

I was resting in my hotel room when Karen knocked on the door to let us know there was a double rainbow in the sky.  I drew the curtains and there it was … a beautiful sight to behold!  In our hearts, we knew it was God’s way of telling us that He was with us in Davao, and will continue to be with us through the entire ministry trip.

This is our second trip to Davao: 9-14 Nov 2011.  I was invited by Ps Joel again to speak at this year’s Young Adults Conference.  Except for Cam Yew and Edward, the rest of the team came with me.  Karen was the only first-timer on this trip … and she was the first to spot the rainbow, on her birthday 🙂  Isn’t God good?!

The team at Terminal 2 all ready for battle!

Outside CAP Auditorium with Rev Dave Walker and Rev Yoel Sukardi.

I am so thankful to be able to minister alongside my friend from TCA, Rev Yoel Sukardi.  We had good fun catching up and reminiscing about the good old days, fellowshipping and singing in the Students Lounge.  I also had the privilege to meet his friend, Rev Dave Walker, an American with a big heart for missions.  It was such a blessing for me to learn from these two men of God, hearing missionary stories and of how God is so faithful in each and every situation.

Sis Linda and Sis Gret sharing a song item with David on keyboards.

Another song item by Sis Linda, with David on electric guitar.

Once again, the energy and passion of the young adults there never fails to inspire me.  They have such hunger and desire to serve the Lord and to make a difference in their communities.  Each time, when they respond to the altar call, I can sense their deep cry for God to transform and use them for His glory.  What a mighty army that will be raised for Jesus!  I firmly believe that many of these will be used powerfully by the Lord in the days ahead.

The highest point for me was when Bro Nor Rai-Rai took to the stage and ministered in song.  It was an awesome moment for me as this dear brother, born with a disability, shared and sang.  You can read about this in a separate post, A Song Just For Me.

Praying for all who responded to the altar call.

With Pastor Joel Acaso after the morning worship services.

On Sunday, I spoke at both morning services at Holy Ground Family Fellowship.  As usual, I enjoyed the time of praise and worship, led by Ps Rowena and the HGFF Worship Team.  There is lots our own worship team can learn from our Filipino brothers and sisters.  When they sing and play, they really give their all and very best to the Lord!  It was high energy all the way from the depths of their hearts.  I had to restrain myself from singing and shouting so my voice is preserved for preaching 🙂

Children's Community Outreach and Feeding Programme.

That afternoon, we headed out to a village for a Children’s Community Outreach and Feeding Programme, organised by the Young Adults Network, a loose co-operative amongst Young Adults Ministries in Davao.  The weather was fine and the activities moved seamlessly with the children participating enthusiastically!  Our Singapore team contributed a short skit through which each showcased their creative acting and dancing talents 🙂

Surely this deserves an Oscar! From left: Sis Karen, Sis Linda, Sis Gret, Bro David, Sis Elsie.

David should be very used to this, playing big brother to little sisters.

On the final morning, prior to checking out, our team came together for a time of sharing and reflection.  Although we were there to give and to serve, everyone agreed that we received a lot more from the Lord and the people of Philippines.  God’s goodness and faithfulness was experienced in new and fresh dimensions, as was His love and grace.  We praise and thank God for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of what He is doing in Davao, Mindanao, Philippines.

From left: Rev Dave Walker, Rev Felix Carsano, myself & Rev Yoel Sukardi.

On Radio

It’s been a l-o-n-g time since I stepped into a recording studio.  Back in my youth and working days, I really enjoyed those times in the studio – recording, directing, producing, mixing.  It was really fun, at times tiring, often working into the wee hours of the morning, getting the sounds and mix just right.  Sure miss those days.

Testing, testing, 1-2-3.

This week, on Tuesday 11 Oct, I had the opportunity once again to step into a small studio at Oops!Asia, a ministry offshoot of Far East Broadcasting Assocation (FEBA).  At the invitation of Roslyn, I was asked to share a little about marriage and family.  The whole session took about an hour to record sufficient material for four 4-min segments.  They will also be playing “Yes You Are” in support of local Christian songwriters.

From left: Caleb (sound engineer), Alarice and Roslyn (the hosts).

It sure brought back memories as I put on the headsets and experienced the deafening silence of a well-padded studio.  And I still cringe when I hear my own voice through the cans 🙂  But I’m sure Caleb, the sound engineer, will do his best to make me sound great – haha!

You can catch the Heart Tunes broadcast on Monday, 17 Oct, and Wednesday, 19 Oct, at 9 – 10pm on Hope 106.5FM.  Or you can download the programme from their website the day after the broadcast.

Holding On

I didn’t intend to write a song that afternoon.  It was just me with my guitar, strumming and worshipping on my own.  Then, without realising it, I began singing a line, “You see me, in a quiet place, crying out to You.”  Then I went on, “You see me, tears upon my face, crying out to You.”  Before I forgot the tune, I whipped out my phone and recorded these lines.  From that day on, the melody and the words haunted me.  Over the next weeks, in between extremely heavy and demanding family and ministry schedules, this song was written, with Isaiah 40:8 as the key verse, “The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Yesterday, on 11 Sept 2011, I had the opportunity to share it with our congregation at Covenant Vision Christian Church.  How apt to share it on a day when the world remembers the tragic bombing of the twin towers in New York 10 years ago.  Truly, especially when we don’t understand why things happen as they do, we can only hold on to Jesus.  Special thanks to the CVCC Worship Team who helped me bring the song to life.

No matter how dire a situation may be, how tough a challenge you are going through, how alone you may be feeling, remember to always hold on to Jesus and His Word, right to the very end.  May you be blessed and encouraged as you listen to this song.

You see me, in a quiet place
Crying out to You
You see me, tears upon my face
Crying out to You
Pain in a heart that is broken
Yet to the words You have spoken

Chorus:
I am holding on, I’ll cling;
I am never letting go
I will worship and I’ll sing;
Deep inside me this I know
The flowers will fade, the world pass away
Your Word, Your truth, Your love remains
I am holding on to You, Jesus
Right to the very end

You see me, when I’m on my own
Crying out to You
You see me, lost and all alone
Crying out to You
Still in my heart, I am certain
You’re always with me, I’m not forsaken

Bridge:
Yesterday, today, forever; Jesus, You’re the same
Send Your Word that brings salvation; Healing in Your Name

Yes You Are: InDeep Worship 6

This is the rendition of “Yes You Are” at InDeep Worship 6, held at Cornerstone Community Church on 23 June 2011 with Caleb Garcia as the Worship Leader.  My prayer is that other churches will be blessed by this song and begin to sing it in their services and meetings to the glory of Yeshua!

You are the Way, the Truth, the Life
In You I find my hope
You are the Rock I’m standing on
In You I find my strength
You are the Light that shines the way
The Joy that turns my night to day
You are the One, Yeshua, Yes You are!

Yes You are Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God
Yes You are Prince of Peace, the everlasting Father
Yes You are King of kings, Lord of lords, Awesome God
Yes You are, Yeshua, yes You are!

You are the bright and Morning Star
In You I find my rest
You are the Voice that calms the storm
In You I find my peace
You are the Song that I will sing
The Love that fills me deep within!
You are the One, Yeshua, yes You are!

Yes You Are

In January, I received an email from Rev Barnabas asking me to submit my song to the InDeep Worship Selection Committee.  It came as a pleasant surprise.  He had heard us present the song at “The Glory School” almost a year ago and still remembered it.  So I scrambled to find the nicest recording of the song, one recorded back in 2008 when we did it as my musical presentation … yes, that long ago!

When I returned from church camp last week, I received another pleasant surprise – the song has been selected and will be introduced at the next InDeep Worship on 23 June at Cornerstone Community Church!  Martin Smith (with Delirious) will be the guest speaker.  Wow!  What a privilege and an honour to be one of the six songs that will be played that night.

Here is the recording we did at church service yesterday … to the glory of YESHUA 🙂

The Lord Is My Keeper

This is a song I wrote 4 years ago, on 5 Feb 2007.  The words of Psalm 121 encouraged and assured me.  Yesterday, in response to the post “Praying for Sarah:Letter to Prayer Partners“, a sister commented by quoting the same psalm.  Interestingly,  it was Sarah who sang this song when we shared it at Deborah Hope’s 1st birthday in 2008.

Last night, before we prayed together, Sarah and I read Psalm 121.  And then, I declared the words over her.  The Lord is Sarah’s keeper, her shade at her right hand.  The Lord shall preserve her from all evil.  And as she waits for the help that comes from the Lord, enduring the pain and itch, He will also not allow her foot to be moved.

The Lord is My Keeper

I lift up my eyes to the hills
From where does my help come?
From the Lord
Who made heaven and earth
Heaven and earth

I take my stand on solid ground
My feet will not be moved
For my God
Never slumbers or sleeps
Slumbers or sleeps

Chorus:
The Lord is my Keeper
My Shade at my right hand
By day and by night
I’m kept from all harm
The Lord is my Keeper
My Shield and my Shelter
No evil can hurt me
I’m safe and secure in His arms

Bridge:
The Lord shall preserve
My going out, my coming in
Today and tomorrow
For now and forever

Words & Music by Henson Lim
5 February 2007