Imagine being born without arms. No arms to wrap around a friend; no hands to hold the ones you love; no fingers to experience touch; no way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you were living without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No ability to dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. What would you do? How would that affect your everyday life?
- Nick Vujicic, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fudiR31Gx4

Nick will be visiting Manila, Philippines to share this hope, positivity and joy to many Filipinos, this May 18 & 20, 2013 at a Pastor’s conference. Conference details haven’t been posted yet. You can check out BeccaMusic for more details.

Citichurch Cebu will be doing a series of “Life Coaching – A Christ Centered Approach” starting this Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the Citichurch Center. If you are interested in finding purpose in life or guidance how to go, this might just be what you needed. For more details, you can reach them at 032 231 2715.

Before you close your eyes and sleep tonight, remember God’s invitation to give you rest. Whatever burdens and cares, worries and fears you have, God is willing to take them away, just give them up and lay them all down before Him.

If there’s one thing in this world that never changes, it’s the Word of God. And His promise, will never be broken, because He said it. If there’s someone who never lies, it’s God. You don’t have to waste your time building foundations on sinking sand – come to Jesus, the Cornerstone of our faith, and He will give you rest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0B2ybZpDeM

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken – Psalm 62:1-2

When I listened to the first track, Center of It, I thought “this is probably going to be my favorite track”. But I found myself saying the same thing after every track. Lol. Probably this is just my favorite genre. But there’s something brilliant with the way this guy makes music. The lyrics are like the usual, conventional delivery of the Christian message. Well it’s the same message we are preaching, anyway. But it’s contemporary, not the praise and worship type, the type you sing at church doing corporate worship. Or maybe. I find this album, or his music, in general, the type of music you can’t just leave on your desk computer or your music player but you save on your iPod and play to death (Yes I was exaggerating).

My favorites: (It was hard to pick my top three) Center of It, The Upside of Down, Let There Be Light.

So, I’ll probably just write a little about my top 3 tracks:

Center of It – Ah, first time I heard it, I was already singing it (well at least the second time the chorus played). A light-hearted song, melody-wise, but the same truth lies on the lyrics. Jesus is the Center of it, whatever we go through, or whatever we think. Nothing changes that fact.

The Upside of Down – The title track. This is a fun song. The playful combination of words and the addictive beat just got me.

Let There Be Light – I love the message of this song very much. You gotta listen to it, to know what I’m talking about.

The rest of the tracks are still really good, brilliant masterpieces.

PS: I first saw this album on Amazon’s top list, and when I listened to the preview of all the songs, I immediately fell in love with it. <3 Keep making more music Mr. August! Thank God for an artist like you!

This event, which will take place on November 30, 2012, will have Christians coming from all over Cebu Province converging at the Qimonda I.T. Center for a grand parade, which will commence at 2PM. The parade, to be led by a marching band, will be interspersed with hip hop and tambourine dances and decorative floats for a lively and colorful worship march.

At 7PM, the day’s celebration will then culminate in a spectacular display of praise through an outdoor concert, The Paglaum: Awit sa Kadaugan, is to be led by an all Visayan cast of performers, dancing and singing to original Visayan compositions and familiar worship songs. Other highlights of the evening will be a firework display and a voice choir, participated by members of different churches in Cebu.

Prepare to be awed as the presence of God is manifested amongst a unified body of Christ exalting His Name altogether.

A little background (credits to wikipedia) - The Shelter is described as a collection of songs about community, the title of which was taken from the old Irish Proverb “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” Shelter features appearances from 15 artists including Amy Grant, Derek Webb, Mac Powell, Leigh Nash, Sara Groves, David Crowder, Toby Mac, and Audrey Assad. 

This 11-track CD might just be Jars of Clay’s best release so far. Them people are extraordinaire.

It’s an all-star cast with stellar production. You would know these guys have been here for quite awhile now. They know who they are and what music they make. So I’ll go through each track. Read the reviews below and enjoy their music!

Track #1 Small Rebellions (feat. Brandon Heath) – Upbeat. The usual Jars Of Clay music. The first time I heard it, my head was going up and down. But after that I already forgot the melody. It’s not the easiest song to remember but it’s a good listen. It doesn’t stray too far from The Long Fall Back to Earth – which was a really good album too.

Track #2 Call My Name (feat. Thad Cockrell, Audrey Assad) – This song stands out. I love the arrangement. The lyrics display classic worship. The chimes and keyboards on this song just add up to the invigorating music. And it’s the first time I’ve heard Audrey Assad. Oh her and Thad just complete this song.

Track #3 We Will Follow (feat. Michael Gungor) – Ah this is a brilliant song. I’m wonderstruck. Sounds like a praise march with the familiar beat and rhythm. Nostalgic. I first heard it played after a church service and I was running to the sound of the beating of this song. It has a really familiar chorus. Classic. One of my favorites.

Track #4 Eyes Wide Open (feat. Mac Powell, Derek Webb, Burlap to Cashmere) – Sounds country + folk. This song is produced with diverse voices, extravagant guitar playing, claps and beats, perpetual lyrics, powerful chorus. This is my favorite track. Can you tell?

Track #5 Shelter (featuring Brandon Heath, Audrey Assad, and Toby Mac) – Taken from the old Irish Proverb “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.” That’s how the chorus goes. I read from the online comments, a youth group sings this song together whenever they go out to mission. There is power unity which is clearly displayed in this song. It shows a penetrating spiritual truth about the church or how the church should be. Great is an understatement. I don’t have a word that could better describe this song. Just. Listen.

Track #6 Out Of My Hands (feat. Leigh Nash, Mike Donehey) – This song talks about the Christian walk. The familiar story of what everyone has gone through. Talks about just giving our hearts away to God, surrendering everything (And Leigh Nash has a really relaxing voice, making the song sound gentle). While the rest of the songs (or majority of them) on this album talk about Christians, in general, or the church as a whole – this track is personal one. Which is really cool. Can use it for personal devotions.

Track #7 No Greater Love - the first and the last song on this album that is purely Jars Of Clay. No featured artists on this one. But that doesn’t make it less beautiful than the rest. It’s the classic.

Track #8 Run In The Night (feat. Thad Cockrell) – Another version of Psalm 27. A unique one. They made it sound conventional but the message remains exactly the same. How do these guys do this? They are blessed. This is a good one too.

Track #9 Lay It Down (feat. David Crowder, Dawn Michele) – This is for the rock fans. I was excited for this one because of David Crowder lol. And I wasn’t disappointed. Electric guitar, drums, synthesizers and David Crowder + Fireflight.

Track #10 Love Will Find Us All (featuring Sara Groves, Matt Maher) – This slow paced one is packed with powerful lyrics. I love the tone of this and the melody. And I also love Matt Maher.

Track #11 Benediction (featuring Amy Grant) – Like the title says it, this is a blessing song. A tender song that carries a powerful message of what we Christians were tasked to do.

Really refreshing to hear Jars. They have this unique take on Christian contemporary. And I just can’t get enough. I want their next album now!

We have a Generation systematically under attack.
*ONE million teenagers commit suicide every year (15-24 years old).
*It is the 3rd leading cause of death in ALL COUNTRIES.
*It outnumbers the cause of death due to armed conflicts.

Note from Mutya Torres:

JREV: “FIRESTORM!” A Special Gathering on Oct 22, Monday, 4-7pm, VCF Greenhills, 4/F ViraMall. Re-ignite and fuel your passion for the revolution. You know you need to come. Pastor Jerome is requesting ALL NT graduates to come along with your friends and churchmates. It will be a major push to consolidate Jesus revolutionaries.  All are welcome. Please help spread the word. Thanks!

Being on fire for God is not literally being burnt and consumed by fire but being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit is in you and you are obedient to what He says, revival is easy. ON FIRE is never letting the Holy Spirit grieve and quenched by staying in a sinful lifestyle but wearing God’s righteousness through Jesus and glorifying Him in our lives.

The Challenge:

UNITED FOR CHRIST, was derived and inspired from the prayer of Jesus not just for His disciples but to all believers. In John 17:21, He prayed “that they all may be one, as You, Father are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me”. If we really are followers of Christ, no denomination and religion considered, but our faith in our One Father, One Son, and One Spirit; MOF is challenging every believer, every leader, and every church to be UNITED FOR CHRIST as ONE BODY. We are the BODY OF CHRIST; Yes, we have different gifts, different theologies, different doctrines, different ways of expressing our love but as His bride, let’s all be UNITED for CHRIST in GENUINE WORSHIP so that the world may believe. Yes, it’s difficult but it is possible; thinking less of ourselves and doctrines and having more of Him. Let’s all HIS CHURCH, HIS BODY & HIS BRIDE.

Join SUNOG – Musicians on Fire!

Date: October 6, 2012
Time: 1PM-5PM
Venue: Amoranto Theater
Location: Gate 4 – Don Alejandro Roces Avenue, Quezon city, Philippines.
Cost: Php 50.00

Image from merecslewis.blogspot.com

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Oh how great His love is for us! Displayed fully on the Cross. When Jesus’ arms were stretched out, willing to be nailed and be crucified; willing to shed His blood for this dying specie called mankind. The most beautiful exchange the earth has ever witnessed.

2000 years ago, a blameless Lamb was slaughtered. 2000 years after, that Lamb’s blood is still alive and is what we use at our doorposts. It’s the only blood, the most precious blood that saves His people from death that never ends. This blood that takes away the sin of the world, comes from the ultimate form of love. The love of God.It’s amazing to just, close your eyes and remember the first day you opened your eyes to the truth that set you free from the world’s binding power. It’s like everytime we learn about this Love, pieces of a puzzle gradually forms the main picture.

If today was my last day on earth, the words I will say again and again are the same Words that brought me to life. The love of God never fails, the Blood of Jesus never fails.