[8 years on...] This is my pledge O my Lord, my Love and my Friend...

What Time is it Now?

It's spring time! as I suddenly awake to this realisation...

I do not particularly label the season I'm in all the time, but recently, while I was spending time with God at home, I was impressed that I'm in spring time! I broke down in tears, as I thanked God for the sweetness of His presence that this season brings, and also vividly remembering how He walked with me through the season of winter some years ago...

Spring is the season of disclosure. God is near. His presence is sweet and it's enjoyable to just do anything - even when it is tough, laborious and stressful; winter reminds me of the bittersweet experience - though outwardly wasting away, inwardly renewed and sustained by our loving God. Pain is often our friend- in a way that makes us all the more appreciate the important things/people/God! around us. It is a stepping stone to reach out, to cry out, to press in and taste and see that God is good. For when is He not?

What caused me to be more amazed by God, is that in His loving grace, He opened the eyes of my heart to realise that in both seasons, though strikingly different as they are, there was a commonality through it all. There was a familiar presence of God that I experienced in both seasons. I can't find the words to express it. It could be what the bible calls 'pure joy' - joy of the Lord, joy from the Lord, despite the circumstances..

James 1: 2-4 ~"... count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

Spring is an intermediate seasonal phase in between winter and summer. Spring signifies the emergence of new life. Times of spring are the blossoming seasons that bring meaningful growth and rejuvenation in its wake.

Verses I am claiming:

1) To move along with God in what He is doing in and through my life, for His kingdom come

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

Behold, I will do a new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert."

2) To speak forth His word with clarity and boldness and intercede in agreement with His word and promises.

Isaiah 22:22

The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.

A New Song from my heart -- my pledge to You

This song came while I was worshipping God on a Sunday. The song was completed two days later with a bridge. This is my pledge to You O Lord, my Love, my Friend... 8 years on... only You can keep my heart burning... only You can keep my heart ever pure and devoted to You..

I'm not quite sure what the road ahead lies for me, whether I will do well in keeping the fire going, both in my heart and in the House... But one thing I desire, this is one thing I seek... to dwell in the House of the Lord... to gaze upon Your beauty... to inquire You...O God, all the days of my life...

I POUR MY LOVE OVER YOU

[28 August 2011]

Verse 1:

I pour my love over You

My Beloved and my Friend

I pour my love over You

My Joy, my Reward

Chorus:

Like Mary who took the alabaster jar

And broke it at Your feet

Like Mary who wasted her life

Loving You

I'll pour out my love over You

For You first poured out Your love over me

Loving You, is what I'll do

All my days...

Bridge

No matter what the world may say

I'll waste my life on You, seek Your face

No matter what the world may say

I wana be found at Your feet, loving You

Ending chorus:

Like Mary who chose the good part

And worshipped at Your feet

Loving You, is what I wana do

All my days...

Writing Songs to Him...

It's such a wonderful experience to be able to write songs that express your heart to God. I've had many 'accidental' encounters when I was just practising on my guitar and the songs would just come... and I'll quickly reach out to my handphone and start recording.

I would get so addicted to such encounters that I would pester God to give me more.. especially melodies from heaven. I would listen out to Him constantly and be an eager beaver to pick up any new melody that He would put in my thirsty heart.

I recently played my latest song to my guitar coach and asked him for feedback and possible areas of improvement. He said the song was ok and suggested a chord change which made the song sound more right (I actually played a chord but sang in another pitch! haha). He also showed me how he would sing a certain portion of the song. Gosh, with his vocal power, he could pull off the song in a different dimension. I also want!! So much to learn!!

He also said that if it's a song for personal devotion, the song I wrote is ok. But if it's for others to sing along, say in worship, or slated to be a recording on a CD, songs generally will have to be improved / packaged quite differently.

Then he said, usually people would write about ten songs or so, and then a good one may come out of them. As in it's a 10:1 hit. Then I started counting the number of new songs I've written... and it's about 10! Most are closet songs, some are not quite 'there' yet and some I just can't pull it off with my vocals. I especially like the latest one on "Be magnified", as it aptly expresses what's on my heart. I'm sure God likes it too. Quite sure. ^_^ I like to sing it till I'm lost in love and I'll play those mysterious chords that I don't even know what they are, but they sound (quite) ok.

Oh God, may You keep my heart ever pure and simple in devotion towards You... even as I seek to improve my vocals and guitar skills... may I not become so 'sophisticated' that I forget that it's all about You... You are all that I want... You are all I seek to worship and please... And I'll sing to You, from my heart to Yours..