Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jesus is the reason for the season!

Christmas is a very special time for most of us, being with family and friends, and doing many other wonderful things together, like shopping for gifts, going to Christmas parties and singing Christmas carols.

However, what really makes this time most special, at least for me, is the true joy, the hope, and the peace that comes from knowing and having the best Gift of all in my life, Jesus Christ. 

I never cease to wonder at God's amazing love in leaving His glorious throne in heaven above to be born into our sin-sick world, become a man, and be born is poverty in a dirty stable in an obscure place and in an obscure family.

Not only that, but He came to live among us and be one of us, serving us, healing us, and showing us His way. 

Then, making us His children through His suffering on the bitter cross. 

Oh, but the wonder still continues....

He rose from the dead to give us eternal life and give us eternal hope...to make us BORN AGAIN! 

What a perfect, holy way!

What a Salvation! 

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

via Pinterest

So, remember to seek Him this Christmas!

May you be abundantly blessed this Christmas and may you have a wonderful and happy New Year in Him.

Come on, ring those bells!

Jesus is the King born for you and me!

sung by Evie Tornquist-Karlsson

God Bless, 

Worthy of Praise and Glory

This week I'd like to share with you a lovely Latin doxology that has blessed me greatly. I love the old hymns of the early Church centuries. There is something about them that is not matched in later Church music, most especially in our time. These old Church chants and hymns, including, for example, the Gregorian chants, were simple but so deep and profound all at the same time. Their melodies are so deep, they touch the heart and soul. They are so reverent and truly worthy of the greatness of our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Many of them were also sung by the martyrs in the early centuries - that's how early they are. Yet they are still just as new for us now.

The one I'm sharing today is 'Gloria in Excelsis Deo'. It is sung by the choir, Libera. The melody is based on Saint-Saens's Organ Symphony. 

Here is a short history of this hymn: 

The Gloria is an ancient hymn of praise to the Trinity that has been in use in the Church since the second century. The opening line of the hymn is taken from Scripture (Lk 2:14), where the angels announce the birth of Christ to the shepherds. The hymn was composed in Greek some time in the second century and can be found recommended as a daily morning prayer in book VII of the Apostolic Constitutions (3rd/4th century). It was introduced to the west by St. Hilary of Poitiers (d 368), who was the first to introduce hymns into the Western Church. 

St Hillary was an uncompromising foe of Arianism, a heresy which denied the divinity of Christ and was condemned at the Council of Nicea in 325. St. Hilary's opposition to Arianism earned himself the title of "Malleus Arianorum", the Hammer of the Arians, along with the ire of the Arian Emperor Constantius, who exiled him to Phrygia in 356. While St. Hilary was in Phrygia, he was exposed to the hymns in use amongst the eastern Christians of the time. Upon his return home he began to introduce hymns into the western liturgy, borrowing the Gloria from the east, as well as composing some of his own. The Latin translation of the Gloria below, which has been used since the late 4th century, is likely his.

Quoted from: http://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Trinitas/Gloria.html 

Here is a close translation of the Latin Lyrics (as best as I could make them out): 


Chorus: 
Glory to God in the Highest
And on earth peace to men
We bless Thee, we praise Thee
We worship Thee, we glorify Thee


1. Thanks we give to Thee
Because of Thy great glory


For Thou alone art Holy, 
Thou Lord alone, Most High


Chorus: Gloria in excelsis deo....


2. Who take away the sin of the world, 
Have mercy on us
Who sits at the right hand of the Father, 
Have mercy on us


Father God, Almighty 
Lamb of God
King of Heaven, Father God


Chorus: Gloria in excelsis deo... 
___________________________________
Here are the original lyrics of the hymn and the translation:

GLORIA in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.	GLORY to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will.
LAUDAMUS te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.	WE praise Thee, we bless Thee, we adore Thee, we glorify Thee, we give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
DOMINE Fili unigenite, Iesu Christe, Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.	O Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Thou who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; Thou who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou who sittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
QUONIAM tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Iesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris. Amen	FOR Thou alone art the Holy One, Thou alone art the Lord, Thou alone art the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Taken from: http://www.preces-latinae.org/thesaurus/Trinitas/Gloria.html

God bless, 

This Day in History: Lest We Forget

They shall not grow old,

as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, 

nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun 

and in the morning

We Will Remember Them. 

The Ode

Lest We Forget.

Today is ANZAC day. It's a day when we remember the landings in 1915 of Australian and New Zealand troops on the beaches of Gallipoli. We also remember the sacrifices of all the troops who fought to defend our freedom in the many conflicts since that day. It's also a time to remember our troops who are still serving overseas and their families. They're willingly putting their lives daily on the lines for us to be safe and free. Yes, there is no greater love than a friend lay down his life for his friends (see John 15:13). 

Find out more of the history of the ANZACs in WWI from the Australian War Memorial website 

Simpson and his donkey
Read the story behind this sculpture

At this time we can also remember the greatest sacrifice in the world that was done for us - how our Saviour gave His life to purchase our eternal freedom from sin and hell and gave us the gift of eternal life with Him. Thank you Lord Jesus for this sacrifice...Your love teaches us what love and sacrifice really are. 

There is one hymn I'd like to share with you today: 'Abide with me' 

This hymn became a great comfort to many during WWI both to our troops on the battlefields and to those back home. 

sung by Hayley Westenra

God Bless, 

Christ is Risen! Risen Indeed!

Was it a Morning Like This?

By Sandi Patty

Was it a morning like this
When the Son still hid from Jerusalem?
And Mary rose from her bed
To tend the Lord She thought was dead

What is a morning like this,
When Mary walked down from Jerusalem? 
And two angels stood at the tomb,
Bearers of news she would hear soon.

Did the grass sing?
Did the earth rejoice
To feel you again?
Over and over like a 
Trumpet underground,
Did the earth seem to pound:
“He is risen”

over and over
in a never ending round
“He is risen, alleluia, alleluia!”

Was it an morning like this,
When Peter and John from Jerusalem?
And as they raced for the tomb,
Beneath their feet was there a tune?

Was it a morning like this,
When my Lord looked out 
On Jerusalem?
He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.

Via Dolorosa

Be blessed by this lovely song about the passion of our Saviour. Sung by Sandi Patti. It is one of my favourite Easter songs. Sometimes I think, it would feel like Passion Week or Good Friday without hearing it.

VERSE 1:
Down the Vía Dolorosa in Jerusalem that day
The soldiers tried to clear the narrow street
But the crowd pressed in to see
The Man condemned to die on Calvary

VERSE 2:
He was bleeding from a beating, there were stripes upon His back
And He wore a crown of thorns upon His head
And He bore with every step
The scorn of those who cried out for His death

CHORUS:
Down the Vía Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King,
But He chose to walk that road out of
His love for you and me.
Down the Via Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

VERSE 1 (Spanish):
Por la Vía Dolorosa, triste día en Jerusalén
Los soldados le abrían paso a Jesús.
Más la gente se acercaba,
Para ver al que llevaba aquella cruz.

CHORUS (Spanish):
Por la Vía Dolorosa, que es la via del dolor
Como oveja vino Cristo, Rey y Señor,
Y fue Él quien quiso ir por su amor por ti y por mí.
Por la Vía Dolorosa al Calvario y a morir.

BRIDGE:
The blood that would cleanse the souls of all men
Made its way through the heart of Jerusalem.

CHORUS:
Down the Vía Dolorosa called the way of suffering
Like a lamb came the Messiah, Christ the King
But He chose to walk that road out of His love for you and me
Down the Vía Dolorosa, all the way to Calvary.

God bless, 

Faith

When you think your heart is broken, 

And your very soul seems crushed, 

When the darkness closes 'round you, 

And the voice of God seems hushed, 

Lift your eyes toward the heavens, 

Toward the vastness that is there, 

Tell your troubles to your Maker, 

He will understand and care. 

Others sick have drowned their sorrow, 

Struggled onward to success, 

There's a chance with each tomorrow, 

Face about, He'll do the rest. 

Elizabeth Greer Waite 

(Quoted from the book I Serve the God of Miracles: 80 years of the Miraculous by Edith Ward Heflin)

God bless, 

Crowned With Goodness - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all in our Lord Jesus! 

I can't believe that 2011 has just ended. It's been an amazing year to be sure. A LOT has happened, many changes, many sorrows, and also many joys. Floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, revolutions, revolts, victories and defeats, death and destruction, and also revival and joy! These are just the amazing paradoxes of this year. In it all we can say: 'Eben-ezer...Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' (1 Samuel 7:12b). It is really exciting and humbling to think that we live in days when history is being made. It is days in which our God and our Heavenly Father is working mighty things that we at times do not know or understand. But we can be sure, as His children, that they are always good and full of infinite wisdom. Personally I can declare that He has been faithful. 'Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and they paths drop fatness.' (Psalm 65:11). Amen! Jesus is very good!

Now a new year is before us - 2012! A new beginning and full of new opportunities to experience God's goodness and faithfulness! It is a time of making new resolutions....unfortunately, I'm very bad at keeping them! We need His grace always. My prayer for this new year, it to know the Lord Jesus more. To lose myself and find Him more. It is not always easy, but this is true life and yes, true joy. I want to spend time with Him more. I want to rely and trust Him more fully. I want to see Jesus lifted high in my life, my family, in the Church, and around the world. 

At this moment, let us also remember our brothers and sisters  in the Lord around the world who are suffering and are persecuted. I have in mind the sad bombings of Churches in Nigeria this past Christmas. May the Lord strengthen them and comfort them. 

Tonight is also the 1st anniversary of the bombings of the Church in Alexandria, Egypt where many died and many others were injured. 12 months later, Egypt has undergone unbelievable change. The Church in Egypt has suffered a lot and yet in the midst of that darkness, the Lord Jesus shines in His people. That is a comfort for all His people everywhere. I believe that next year will bring many more changes both on the personal level and on the more general, worldwide level, some perhaps may not be what we would like to have. But through it all, He will be with us and we will see Him, if we just look up to Him and call on His name! 

The following video clip has gone viral on the internet. Though you will most probably never see it on the normal media. It happened a few weeks ago in Cairo, Egypt in the Moukatam Cave Church, during a long 'Night of Prayer and Return to God' meeting in which at least 70,000 people attended. Earlier this year, some members of this Church experienced martyrdom during one of the many attacks on Christians this year. See what the Lord is doing.

'And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Acts 2:21) 

'The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.' (Proverbs 18:10)

Thousands in Egypt shout JESUS for 10 consecutive minutes. It was also totally spontaneous! 

The song "Hail, Jesus, Your my King!' in Arabic while the congregation shouts JESUS!

Amen! May the Lord give us more of this worldwide in this coming new year! 

Before ending, I just want say thank you to all my friends for encouraging me. This year I started blogging. It has been an amazing experience. I look forward to being blessed by all of you again this new year! 

God Bless,

Libera - Inspirational Music

Hello again, my dear reader friends! It's been a while since my last post and Christmas is almost upon us! I believe it is an amazing season...not because of all the silliness that goes on around in the world during that time, but because of the amazing thing that we remember at this special time every year. How the Great God of Heaven and Earth and all that is in them, the Great God of the Universe, our Great Creator, should love us so much that He would give us His most precious Son to redeem us from sin and death and give us eternal life to all who believe and receive His salvation. I never ever cease to wonder at this. This greatness that choose to be a small helpless baby, born in a very poor home, and in a poor, dirty manger. To grow and become a Man and die on a horrible cross...all for us! It is beyond our understanding! But we can accept it with humility and thanksgiving and give our lives to Him as an offering. Thank you, Lord! 

This is the GOSPEL:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His 

        Only begotten 

        Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not 

        Perish, but have 

        Everlasting 

        Life" 

John 3: 16

Amen!

We do not want to celebrate this season in the way the world celebrates...just gifts and material things...but it is a time to worship our Redeemer.

***************** 

Recently, I discovered an amazing boys choir based in London, called Libera. They mainly sing classical sacred music and they are just amazing and so heavenly. You've probably already noticed the music video I put on the top of the blog for the Carol of the Bells...I think this is the best version I've found for it so far. Here is some more for you to be blessed by this Christmas time:

Be Blessed. 

I Love You, Lord

Here is another one of my favourite songs, 'I love You, Lord'. It is sung by Barry McGuire as the Apostle Peter on another of Jimmy and Carol Owen's lovely musicals - The Witness. 

'So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs....' (John 21: 15)


Hear it here (audio only) and be blessed: 

I LOVE YOU, LORD

by Carol Owens

Peter:

I love You, Lord,
And You know I always meant to do things right.
I love You, Lord,
When I think of how I've failed You I could cry.
And when I hear You calling me
I want to run and hide,
Yet You know I love You so.

I Love You, Lord,
Although I know my heart may not seem true.
I love You, Lord,
And I've prayed for one more chance to prove I do.
I want to leave the past behind
and feel Your smile again,
Oh Lord, You know I love You so, I love You so.

So if You find it in Your heart
to let me start again,
I'll be your witness, Lord, Your witness, Lord,
Your witness to the end of my life.
Let me make it right,
Let me try again,
I'll be your witness to the end.

So if You find it in Your heart
to let me start again,
I'll be Your witness, Lord, Your witness, Lord,
Your witness to the end of my life.
Let me make it right,
Let me try again,
I'll be Your witness to the end, to the end.

********************************* 
Amen! May this be our prayer, too, when we feel that we've failed our Lord. 


God Bless

He is Alive!

Well, it is a long way from Easter (or Resurrection Day) still. However, I can't hold myself back from posting this song today! It has really touched and encouraged me. After all, for Christians, everyday of the year is Resurrection Day! He is our Passover and our Resurrection! He is Alive! It is so easy to forget this or take it for granted during the year. But that shouldn't happen. 

This is an older song by Don Francisco, from Jimmy and Carol Owens' (the ones who wrote 'Freely, Freely') album The Victor! - a beautiful Musical. 

It recounts the Resurrection Morn from Peter's perspective. I love songs that tell a story. 

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down,
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound.
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breaking through
To drag us all away.

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall.
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call.
I hurried to the window,
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers' feet.

There was no one there but Mary,
So I went down to let her in,
And John stood there beside me
As she told us where she'd been.
She said, "They've moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where.
The stone's been rolled away
And now His body isn't there."

We both ran toward the garden,
Then John ran on ahead.
We found the stone and the empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said.
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they'd taken Him
Was more than I could tell.

Well something strange had happened there,
Just what I did not know....
John believed a miracle, but
I just turned to go.
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't life me very high,
'Cause I'd seen them crucify Him...
Then I saw Him die.

And back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came.
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame.
When at last it came to choices,
I'd denied I know His name.
And even if He was alive
It wouldn't be the same.

Suddenly the air was filled
With strange and sweet perfume.
Light that came from everywhere
Drove shadows from the room.
Jesus stood before me
With His arms held open wide.
And I fell down on my knees,
And just clung to Him and cried.

He raised me to my feet,
And as I looked into His eyes
Love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies.
My guilt and my confusion
Disappeared in sweet release.
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace.

(Chorus)

He's alive! He's Alive!
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide!

(Repeat)

He's alive! He's alive! He's alive!

****************************

Amen! May it bless you today as it has blessed me. 

Peace in the Midst of Darkness and Turmoil - 9/11

I just can't let that date pass without posting something about it. Its significance in history is undeniable and its cold horror still resonates within us even a decade later. My heart still goes out to those who have suffered so much on that day. In some way I'd like this post to be a sort of a tribute to them all.

I remember vividly where I was when we heard the news. I've always taken notice of God's care and comfort in the circumstances in which I first heard it. 

Beit el Salam (House of Peace)
The Back of the Church Building
This building has seen
many conversions occurring in it over
the years. God be praised!
Click here for more pictures

We were still in Egypt at the time. (We moved to Australia only a couple of months later) I was with my family at a missions conference in a lovely Christian Conference/Retreat facility, which is called in Arabic Beit el Salam or House of Peace. It is about an hours' away from the city of Alexandria in Egypt, right by the beautiful Meditteranean Sea. One of my favourite places in Egypt, in fact. The moment you enter the place, you can sense God's peace filling the place. I find it amazing that we were there at the moment when the world turned upside down.

Being a missions conference, there were a lot of people present from different countries around the world, many of whom were Americans. The morning service was amazing. There was a lovely time of praise and worship and a hilarious but powerful testimony from one of the missionaries. There was a lot of joy, laughter, and thanksgiving to the Lord for doing marvellous things. 

The next meeting was going to be the last service of the conference, at about 5.00 p.m. if I remember correctly. After lunch, it was still free time and people were milling around with different activities. We were in the gardens outside the Canteen and the small bookshop, having a last snack. Mum was in the bookshop. Around 4 p.m. (Egypt time) we heard a commotion and Mum came running out telling us that news was coming on the radio that America has been hit. We knew nothing. There were no  televisions in that place. We had very little details but it was obvious that it was something serious. 

Everyone immediately gathered for the evening service and it turned into a powerful meeting. This time a prayer meeting for America. We prayed and cried together. Love was overflowing.  Then came what I immediately believed to be an amazing part of that night where God's sovereign and foreknowledge lovingly prepared a comfort for all us weeks and perhaps months before that dreadful day.

The Egyptian branch of King's Kids (a children's band) had prepared two songs for performance - Shout to the Lord and a beautiful Arabic Christian Song called 'Peace, Peace to God's People Everywhere'. Isn't it amazing?! So appropriate! We were hearing a song reminding us with God's peace, while worshipping in the House of Peace! Everyone present was very, very touched by God's love and care. He is a merciful and loving God. We all left that conference sheltered in His peace in a world disturbed by pain, hate, and storm. 

In closing, I would like to give a close translation of this Peace song. I believe it is as relevant today as ever. When the King's Kids performed it then, everyone asked for an encore!! 

Your peace has passed our understandings

It is in us and will never cease 

No matter what the enemy says 

You fill our lives with peace

Chorus: 

Peace, Peace (Salam, Salam) to God's people everywhere. (2x)

Even if our feet lost their way

Your Spirit is in us and around us 

Restores our souls and guides us 

And fills our hearts with peace

(Repeat Chorus)

God's peace You've left for us

Not as the world gives do You give us

As long as Your Spirit lives in us 

Your people will always be at peace.

(Repeat Chorus twice)

You can find another translation here which is more singable with the tune of the original Arabic version. If you'rr interested to know what the melody is like you may like to hear the Arabic Version here (it is an old clip, but it is being sung by Egypt's most well-known Christian worship band, The Better Life Team, and filmed mainly in Beit el Salam). 

Amen! May He continue to give us His peace in a world still reeling with turmoil. 

God Bless

  

Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me

Here is a beautiful Hymn by Edward Hooper (1818-1888) that tells of God's Sovereign care and guidance of His children. Be Blessed!

Ship tossed by the tempestuous waves, but guided by the
light breaking through the dark ominous clouds.

1. 
   
2. 
   

   Jesus, Saviour, pilot me
   Over life’s tempestuous sea;
   Unknown waves before me roll,
   Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
   Chart and compass come from Thee;
   Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

   
   

   
   

   While th’Apostles’ fragile bark
   Struggled with the billows dark,
   On the stormy Galilee,
   Thou didst walk upon the sea;
   And when they beheld Thy form,
   Safe they glided through the storm.

   
   

   
   

   Though the sea be smooth and bright,
   Sparkling with the stars of night,
   And my ship’s path be ablaze
   With the light of halcyon days,
   Still I know my need of Thee;
   Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

   
   

   
   

   When the darkling heavens frown,
   And the wrathful winds come down,
   And the fierce waves, tossed on high,
   Lash themselves against the sky,
   Jesus, Saviour, pilot me,
   Over life’s tempestuous sea.

   
   

   
   

   As a mother stills her child,
   Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
   Boisterous waves obey Thy will,
   When Thou sayest to them, “Be still!”
   Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
   Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.

   
   

   
   

   When at last I near the shore,
   And the fearful breakers roar
   ’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
   Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
   May I hear Thee say to me,
   “Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

   
   
   Edward Hooper, 1871

   
   

   Hear it, too, right here:

   
   

   
   

   God Bless,