15″And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” -Mark 11:15-17
As a staff, we were encouraged by our Senior Pastor to follow along in the Bible through the Passion Week. I could not help but notice that early on in the Passion Week, Jesus’ indictment against the religious leaders of the day appeared to reveal God’s call to the nations. Continue reading →
I added a worship page to share some worship songs I wrote recently and from years back. Hopefully, I can update the page with new content as it comes. Check it out by clicking on the “Worship” button above!
I was fortunate enough to hear Tim Be Told at a benefit concert this past Saturday. Lead man Tim Ouyang looks like an ordinary Chinese guy (ironically enough, he has a song called Ordinary), but behind the common face lies an extraordinary voice. Still, we know of the many youtube phenomenas of ordinary people doing amazing things but the special thing about Tim is the honest heart revealed in his music and the genuine faith he lives out each day.
One of his songs I’ve had on repeat is “Just Another Man” on his new “Humanity” album.
she’s only twelve and sells for thirty dollars, and that man is old enough to be her father. he holds her down while darkness takes her over and he steals her soul. on a concrete floor she lays her head — she doesn’t dream cause she’s already dead. while the queens and kings in their feather beds sleep so soundly, all the world’s a hole and i am falling, too deaf to hear her calling. i wish that i could set her free but i’m just another man, there’s nothing i can do.
he’s only five; a child and a soldier. they will make him kill his people when he’s older. and late at night he calls out for his mother, but he took her life. he’s pretending to be brave instead, but his family’s already dead. i cover up my ears and turn my head while he screams so loudly. my heart is open but my hands are hiding, afraid i’ll feel you dying. i wish that i could touch your soul, but i’m just another man. there’s nothing i can do.
Father, hear our broken cries from a world so fallen. help us see that in one man, our hope will never die and his people call him Savior Jesus, love abounding. give me strength to do all that i can…
…i am not just another man
Maybe it’s because of the burden God has given me for human trafficking and our church’s endeavors into Thailand, but the first verse was a haunting reminder of what is happening in our world today. And as Tim writes, we are prone to just turn a deaf ear and believe the lie that we are just ordinary people who can’t make much change.
But I appreciate Tim’s resolve to do all he can to make a difference in the world through Jesus who strengthens him. Because it’s easy to get paralyzed by the overwhelming needs of the world but the worse thing we can do is to feel bad and simply do nothing.
It’s fresh music and profound lyrics like this that make Tim not just another man.
Another song that I have enjoyed recently that speaks of putting music into action is Albertine by Brooke Fraser.
Fraser’s songs are better known from Hillsong United with some of my favorites such as Hosanna, Lead me to the Cross and Desert Song. Her songs are rich in content, unique in sound and clearly anointed by the Spirit. For more on worship, check out Ian Nagata’s blog.
In this song, Fraser speaks of her responsibility to tell the world about what she has seen in Rwanda, particularly about a girl named Albertine. Fraser shares about the meaning behind the song:
Albertine was a girl in Rwanda that I met on my first trip there in 2005. It was also the time when my music and passion for aid work collided. So I met Albertine and the man who rescued her in the genocide of 1994 who was a friend of mine. Before he introduced me to her he just said, “You have to go back to your people and write a song and tell them about us here in Rwanda”. And he almost commissioned me to write the song Albertine and so I came home to Sydney and knew that I had to write that song. I’ve never been able to just sit down and write a song about whatever I choose but fortunately the Lord came to my aid and that song came out.
Today I heard the song “Follow You” by Leeland and was moved by the lyrics as it spoke of following God to the poor and the broken. I am always encouraged by Christian bands that realize it isn’t enough to give God mere lip service. Our acts of worship must overflow into the spread of His Kingdom. May this song be a reminder that missions is really another act of worship to God.
And I’ll, I’ll follow You into the homes of the broken
I’ll follow You into the world
I’ll meet the needs for the poor and the needy God
I’ll follow You into the world …
Leeland and Brandon Heath were able to go to Cambodia for a week and put their music into action:
*Remember to keep Megan Wong in your prayers as she continues to serve in Cambodia through the month of July.
