Christ is Risen – Matt Maher

This is really good. I know I say a variation of those words everytime I link to a song, but really – this is good. My friend posted it on Facebook, and I listened to it. I must say, the music was what caught my ear, but that turned out well: because of that, I read the lyrics more carefully, and I was duly encouraged. Enjoy.

Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
But fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to Him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely You’ve bled for us

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave

Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bowed to none but heaven’s will
No scheme of hell, no scoffer’s crown
No burden great can hold You down
In strength You reign
Forever let Your church proclaim

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night

O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
O church, come stand in the light
Our God is not dead
He’s alive! He’s alive!

God’s grace. It really is amazing.

At the Bible study I attend, we’re currently going through a DVD that overviews the history of the doctrines of grace.

You’ve probably guessed that I believe in God’s predestination. However, I’m not here to get into theological debates, because there are countless resources that outline both sides of the predestination/free-will argument. Also, I hardly think that an argument for argument’s sake would be conducive to our mutual Christian encouragement.

But suffice it to say, I’m just blown away by the sheer magnitude of God’s grace to me, an undeserving sinner. I have brokenn all His laws and I totally don’t deserve His love. But God loves me unconditionally; so much so, He chooses to save me through the perfect sacrifice of His Son. Wow.

I’ve also been going through R. C. Sproul’s book, Chosen by God, that outlines the logical Biblical argument for the doctrine of election. It is a most excellent book. Again, the disclaimer in the 2nd paragraph above applies here. But Sproul just shows in a very straightforward and uncomplicated way how it’s only logical (and very Biblical) to believe in God’s sovereign act of choosing sinners to be His.

Arguably, the greatest thing I’ve benefited from at the Bible study is the fellowship I’m having, being able to encourage and be encouraged by those of us who attend. Watching God’s work in their lives is so encouraging. I’m blessed and undeserving to have such friends.

God’s good.

Chording update: Yours to Take

So…yo, sup y’all?

In all seriousness, I got the majority of the chord arrangement done last week. It’s just a basic 4-chord combination. Once I figured out said combo, it was just a case of placing the chords above the appropriate lyrics.

Verse:
G D Em
Am Em Bm E

Chorus:
D Bm G A
Bm D ? A

The chord in the place of the question mark is what’s causing me a bit of trouble. I’ll get it soon enough I guess; if not, then I’ll just post the arrangement up and get the closest sounding chord.

For now, over and out!

Yours to Take – Jimmy Needham

This song was playing on Sydney’s Christian radio channel, Hope 103.2, in a friend’s car coming home from Kick-off 2010 (see previous post). I really liked both the lyrics and the music, so I promptly googled the lyrics at home to get the song title. Listen to the song below, and lyrics are posted after the video (click the “Continue Reading” link).

Yours to Take is the lead single from Jimmy Needham’s new album “Nightlights”, which is planned to be released mid-May.

Word of Life Kick-off!

Word of Life’s annual youth event, Kick-off, happened tonight.

I went as a helper with a church that my good friends attend. Left home at 3 pm, got home at 11:40. it was a hectic day, but SO rewarding. Essentially, what I did was help with a bit of the A/V setup, and run a couple of the games that were there.

There were arcade games, air hockey, foosball (table soccer), a huge inflatable rock-climbing wall, and many other games which I won’t bother explaining. I personally manned the foosball table. It was a bit challenging to say the least, but all up, wonderful!

More soon.

F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

No, not the TV show. The real life, awesome people you hang out with.

For lunch, I hung (gr?)* with a friend who’s starting uni at a campus about 5 minutes for my house. He lives an hour’s drive away. Not entirely practical, no. But anyways, he was here for an information day. We did lunch together, which was quite awesome.

Bible study has resumed. Aaaand…I’m loving it (both the teaching and the truly wonderful fellowship & hospitality). We watched a couple of John Piper’s talks, and had a great discussion afterwards. I could write so much about Piper’s talks, but suffice it to say this: “God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” Piper basically had this as his core message, and everything he said reflected the truths in that statement. We were designed to appreciate beauty outside of ourselves. That’s why we’re drawn to the majesty of the stars, sunsets, and God’s amazing creation, and ultimately to God Himself. He deserves the glory. It is to our benefit that He displays His glory, because we can then truly marvel at it. Man… I can’t recall much else of what Piper said, but it was awesome. No joke yo.

I am joyful and thankful. For friends, fellowship, God’s word, God’s glory revealed, and most of all Jesus.

Superbowl 44

…was SPLENDID!

I watched a recording of the game with a group of friends. The game was played from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm Australian time. Hence the delay in watching it. I couldn’t resist checking the livescores though. So I watched the game with my friends knowing that the Saints had won. Thing is, because I didn’t watch it that morning (I only checked the scores online), I was really able to get into the game and enjoy watching it. Doing things with friends is always more fun. Mostly, anyways.