I was introduced to John Piper during the last Winter Retreat. He is a wonderful speaker. I found out later that he has been a main guest speaker for Passion. You can read his famous book, Desiring God online and download the study guide. Go HERE to download.
I have heard that my free program for the worship leader, Access Praise!, was not working properly for some reason for a few people. I repackaged the install program with the latest Microsoft Access Runtime in Office 2007 environment. I hope this will help some of you who love the program but was not able to use in Vista or the latest office environment. Also, hopefully this version has addressed some bugs that I was not even aware of.
Please download the Access Praise! 2009 HERE, the older version, Access Praise! 2008, HERE. Again, for the instructions on how to use the program, please go HERE.
Andrew who?, you might say. Do you know a song "Complete" by Parachute Band some years ago? This song touched hearts of many Christians and brought Parachute Band on the main stage. I remember attending a local concert by Parachute Band and heard this song live sung by Andrew Ulugia and very much impressed by his music and electric guitar playing. 2 weeks ago, I led this song in our congregation and a couple of people approached me with their story for this song and shared their memories. I sensed that seeing "beyond my Calvery" has many different meaning for different people.
So I was thinking where is Andrew Ulugia now? My research did not go much further but only left with this song. I am very curious to see if he is still writing and singing. Andrew, if you are reading this, I thank you for the song and please let me know what you up to. I would love to hear any of your new songs.
Complete by Andrew Ulugia
Here I am oh God, I bring this sacrifice My open heart I offer up my life I look to You, Lord, Your love that never ends Restores me again
So I lift my eyes to You, Lord, In Your strength will I break through, Lord, Touch me now, let Your love fall down on me, I know Your love dispels all my fears, Through the storm I will hold on, Lord, And by faith I will walk on,Lord, Then I'll see beyond my Calvary one day, And I will be complete in You.
I look to You, Lord, Your love that never ends Restores me again
So I lift my eyes to You, Lord In Your strength will I break through, Lord, Touch me now, let Your love fall down on me, I know Your love dispels all my fears, Through the storm I will hold on, Lord, And by faith I will walk on,Lord, Then I'll see beyond my Calvary one day, And I will be complete in, I will be complete in I will be complete in You.
I finally caught up with compiling all the set list for year 2010. I updated the set lists for 2010 here. (I know. I was little behind, sorry.) Here are the most sung songs in year 2010 at our church. It was year of Ben Cantelon, Tim Hughes, and Brenton Brown. No surprises.
Here is a new song that caught my attention from album "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman and I actually introduced to our congregation last week. According to Matt Redman, this song was born out of transition leaving America and going back to England praising God's faithfulness. I am curious to know the story behind the word "scars". He does not really get into explaining the meaning behind it but I imagine it could mean two things; scars from sptirtual battle, more in physical sense, or emotional ones caused by broken relationships. Here is the story behind the song. Whichever it means, this song powerfully ilustarates God's faithfulness and makes me to sing about it more.
Verse 1 Standing on this mountaintop Looking just how far we've come Knowing that for every step You were with us
Verse 2 Kneeling on this battle ground Seeing just how much You've done Knowing every victory Is Your power in us
Pre-Chorus Scars and struggles on the way But with joy our hearts can say Yes, our hearts can say
Chorus 1 Never once did we ever walk alone Never once did you leave us on our own You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Repeat Verse 2 Repeat Pre-Chorus
Chorus 2 Never once did we ever walk alone Never once did you leave us on our own You are faithful, God, You are faithful You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Bridge Scars and struggles on the way But with joy our hearts can say Never once did we ever walk alone Carried by Your constant grace Held within Your perfect peace Never once, no, we never walk alone
Ending Chorus Never once did we ever walk alone Never once did you leave us on our own You are faithful, God, You are faithful
Every step we are breathing in Your grace Evermore we'll be breathing out Your prase You are faithful, God, You are faithful You are faithful, God, You are faithful You are faithful, God, You are faithful
