Christian "music videos" by Igniter Media

I thought the following Christian "music videos" by Igniter Media are quite moving and amazingly well done. These videos are created by the same organization that produced the meChurch video.

Are You Amazed? Song: Your Grace Still Amazes Me by Phillips, Craig And Dean My faithful Father, enduring Friend Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end It overwhelms me, covers my sin Each time I come into Your presence I stand in wonder once again CHORUS: Your grace still amazes me Your love is still a mystery Each day I fall on my knees Your grace still amazes me ‘Cause Your grace still amazes me Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole You are the Author and the Healer of my soul What can I give You, Lord, what can I say I know there’s no way to repay You Only to offer You my praise It’s deeper, it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher It’s deeper, it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher than anything my eyes can see (P.S. I am well aware that Phillips, Craig And Dean are Oneness Pentecostals.)

I Believe Song: I Believe by Wes King. I believe In six days and a rest God is good I do confess I believe In Adam and Eve In a tree and a garden In a snake and a thief CHORUS: I believe, I believe I believe in the Word of God I believe, I believe 'Cause He made me believe I believe Noah Built an ark of wood 120 years No one understood I believe Elijah never died Called fire from heaven On a mountainside CHORUS It's been passed down through ages of time Written by hands of men Inspired by the Lord His Word will remain to the end I believe Isaiah Was a prophet of old The Lamb was slain Just as he foretold I believe Jesus Was the Word made man And He died for my sins And He rose again

Never Been Unloved Song: Never Been Unloved by Michael W. Smith I have been unfaithful I have been unworthy I have been unrighteous And I have been unmerciful I have been unreachable I have been unteachable I have been unwilling And I've been undesirable And sometimes I have been unwise I've been undone by what I'm unsure of But because of you And all that you went through I know that I have never been unloved I have been unbroken I have been unmended I have been uneasy And I've been unapproachable I've been unemotional I've been unexceptional I've been undecided And I have been unqualified Unaware - I have been unfair I've been unfit for blessings from above But even I can see The sacrifice You made for me To show that I have never been unloved Unaware - I have been unfair I've been unfit for blessings from above But even I can see The sacrifice You made for me To show that I have never been unloved It's because of you And all that you went through I know that I have never been unloved

The Crowd or the Cross Song: The Wonderful Cross by Isaac Watts When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See, from his head, his hands, his feet sorrow and love flow mingled down did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown? O wonderful cross! O the wonderful cross bids me come and die and find that I may truly live. O wonderful cross! O the wonderful cross! All who gather here by grace draw near and bless your name. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offer far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. O wonderful cross! O the wonderful cross bids me come and die and find that I may truly live. O wonderful cross! O the wonderful cross! All who gather here by grace draw near and bless your name. O wonderful cross! O the wonderful cross bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.

“Whatever” Christianity by Marsha West

So, if the Bible isn’t a Christian’s authority, what is? Short answer: Anything he or she wants it to be. You sort of make up your religion as you go along. Does this strike a cord? Christianity has become a blend of religious beliefs. Add a pinch of modern psychology, a dash of Buddhism, a teaspoonful of Catholic mysticism, a cup of New Age spirituality, mix well, and voila! You’ve cooked up a batch of New Age Christianity.
…
Those who practice pragmatic Christianity believe that today’s churches must be relevant. The Church has to adjust to our modern culture. In order to recruit the unsaved, Christianity must rid itself of its antiquated dogma and doctrines. The Church must become “inclusive,” “non-judgmental,” and “tolerant.” To accomplish this, the atmosphere in churches should be warm and inviting and its members must be friendly.

Marsha West has written a two-part commentary titled “Whatever” Christianity that laments the theological relativism commonly seen in many Christians. To these post-modern Christians, even outright heresy becomes acceptable.

In her commentary, West singles out people like Robert Schuller who “is more concerned with people’s “self-esteem” than with their eternal souls” and “bases his theology on what people want to hear rather than on God’s Word”; Rick Warren who welcomes Roman Catholics, Mormons and Jews into his pastor-training programs because he thinks the core essentials of Christianity are non-essentials; C. Peter Wagner who claims that the ministries of the prophets and apostles have been restored; and Brian McLaren who requires a moratorium to determine his stand on sodomy.

In the light of this post-modern theological epidemic that has already crept into the Church, what should be our response? West believes that we “must become skilled at recognizing heresy and false teaching within the Church.” It is our duty as followers of Christ to hold on to His teachings and “remain within the pale of orthodoxy.”

Articles:
"Whatever" Christianity (14/11/2006)
"Whatever" Christianity (Part 2) (18/11/2006)

一切歌颂赞美 (Hokkien version)

This is a somewhat "old" song, which I used to play in my former church's worship team a long time ago. To listen to how it is sung in Mandarin, click here (WMA format, unfortunately) to download the file (not exactly my favorite music arrangement as I prefer something "edgier"). After you have the tune memorized, try singing the song in Hokkien :)

一切歌颂赞美
i chiat ko siong o-lo
都归我主我的神
long kui goa Chu goa e Sin
你是配得歌颂与赞美
I si phoe tek ko siong kap o-lo
我们高声呼喊
lan lang ko sia ho hoah
高举耶稣之名
ko khi Ia-so. e mia
哈利路亚！
ha-li-lu-ia

Chorus:
赞美主 哈利路亚！ 噢
o-lo Chu ha-li-lu-ia o
赞美主 哈利路亚
o-lo Chu ha-li-lu-ia
哈利路亚 (x2)
ha-li-lu-ia

English Translation
Consecrate our praise and adoration to my God
You are worthy of our sacrifice
Shout unto Lord Jesus lift up the name of God

Praise the Lord Hallelujah
Praise the Lord Hallelujah
Hallelujah (x2)

Pinyin (Romanized Mandarin) Translation
yi qie ge song zan mei
dou gui wo zhu wo di shen
ni shi pei de ge song yu zan mei
wo yao gao sheng hu han
gao ju ye su zhi ming
ha li lu ya

zan mei zhu ha li lu ya o
zan mei zhu ha li lu ya
ha li lu ya (x2)

Worship at Bible college

I have never picture myself as a worship/song leader. Right from the outset, I would think of myself primarily as a musician in the music ministry. Pianist? Definitely. Acoustic guitarist? Well maybe. But since entering Bible college, I have been called to lead worship on two occasions. The first time was at a recent spiritual retreat. The second time was during the Christian Spirituality class today.

Having attended children's Sunday school in the 1980s and going through my teens in the 1990s, I do have a certain fondness for many worship songs from that particular period. I remember that as a musician in a charismatic church, I used to have a dislike for hymns. However, I gradually grew to appreciate them over time. Now whenever I attend services where hymns are sung, I would savor the rich and wonderful truths penned by Christian men of old who had a deep reverence for the centrality of the cross, the sovereignty and the grace of God.

This Bible college is rather conservative when it comes to worship. Whenever we have chapel services, the songs are mostly hymns from our college hymnal. If we do incorporate contemporary songs in chapel services, they would be of the slow variety. Personally, I prefer a balanced mix of both fast and slow songs. So when I was asked to lead worship, I wanted to incorporate fast songs. As I do not want to alienate my classmates too much, who come from a wide spectrum of denominations, my criterion for these fast songs is that it must be familiar to my classmates. Needless to say, the songs must also be doctrinally sound.

During the spiritual retreat, I have deliberately chosen worship songs that were popular in the 1980s and the early 1990s. I decided to repeat the same thing today. I avoided songs from Hillsong, which seems to be the rage in churches nowadays. And I do think “Lord I lift Your Name on High” has been done to death everywhere.

All in all, I have chosen eight songs. Children's Sunday school songs like “The Butterfly Song,” “Walking in the light of God,” and “In His Time.” Coincidentally and to my delightful surprise, during the chapel service following the Christian Spirituality class, we sang “With Christ in the vessel,” another Sunday School song.

I have also chose songs like the evergreen “As the Deer,” “How Lovely are Thy Dwelling Places,” and a fast “O Magnify the Lord.” I thought of ending with a fast “My Life is in You” but eventually decided against it during the worship. Of course, the highlight of the worship session would be the amazing hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” which ministered to me, and I believe, and to everyone a lot.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Exams are coming up!

I will be quite busy for the next two weeks or so. However still, I might continue to write if I do have the time. There are many assignments and readings to complete, not forgetting the countless Greek paradigms and vocabulary that I have to memorize. Apparently, Bible college is not as easy as some may think.

To those who read my blog, please pray for me. I need to concentrate on my studies but I do find myself rather affected by some personal issues lately. Time is quite crucial to me right now and I need to effectively manage the way I use my time.