My Lord I did not choose You

This contemporary song by Matthew Smith is based on the classic Lutheran hymn "Lord, 'Tis Not that I did Choose Thee" by Josiah Conder (1789-1855). Became my instant favorite the first time I heard it because of its theological soundness. I'm pretty sure many reformed folks out there would love it, too. The song reminds us of whose choice is it that initiated and eternally secures our Salvation (Jn. 15:16; 1 Jn. 4:19), taking us back to the greatness of God's mercy.

Here's the video with the lyrics below:

My Lord I did not choose You
by: Matthew Smith

I.
My Lord I did not choose You
For that could never be
My heart will still refuse You,
Had You not chosen me

II.
You took the Sin that stained me,
Cleansed me, made me new
Of old, You have ordained me,
That I should live in You

III.
Unless your Grace had called me
And taught my op'ning mind,
The world would have enthralled me
To heav'nly glories blind

IV.
My heart knows none above You,
For Your rich Grace I thirst
I know that if I love You,
You must have loved me first

-Jeph

Is Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) Wordly/Evil?

I was surfing the net when I came across this interesting article by Mike Shaw in which he discussed the typical tactics (or arguments) fundamentalists use against the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). The article was very informative, and so I really had fun reading it through. Here's a snippet:

Often attackers will quote studies that claim that music can have an effect on humans. They overstate the obvious. Music is an incredible gift from God with great power of expression. Who hasn't soared in the proclamations of the Hallelujah Chorus or rested in the soulful arms of It is well with my soul? Who isn't affected by the militaristic beat of Onward, Christian Soldiers, and the proclaiming key of the last verse of Amazing Grace? 

Where these studies (most of questionable sources and methods) go wrong is that they imply a subconscious and irresistable mind control over the listener. Attackers reason that since the world writes songs using these insidious techniques, and since much of Christian music today contains these 'evil sounds', we are unknowingly unleashing the subliminal songs of satan on millions of unsuspencting listeners. Now, I sincerely wish this were the case, not because we'd be releasing 'satan sounds' but because then all we would have to do is write songs with 'Christian sounds' and zing!--instant evangelism! There would be no more revivals, no more missionaries, no more altar calls, no more fundamentalist web pages, and no more lyrics. Instead, we'd have busy recording studios pumping out disc upon disc of 'christian sounds'. People would mysteriously show up for Church. They would be saved in their cars without even knowing it. Forget preachers: "listen to todays sermon, played by organist John Smith...."

 (Source) 

Nailed it. I couldn't have said it better myself. :))

-Jeph

Thank You For Loving Me

Hindi talaga ako nagsasawang pakinggan ang kantang "Thank You For Loving Me" ni Tommy Walker mula noong una ko itong marining hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Una ko itong napakinggan sa isang JIL church sa Calamba (noong bagong mananampalataya pa lang ako), at talaga namang tumagos sa puso ko ang bawat letra ng awiting ito.

Sino at ano lang ba ako sa paningin ng Diyos? Kung ibulid man ako ng Panginoon sa impyerno, makatarungan siyang gawin iyon sapagkat ako'y isang makasalanan. Wala naman siyang obligasyong iligtas ako eh. Gayunpaman, pinili niya ako't tinawag upang maging kanyang sariling anak, hindi dahil sa kung sino ako o anong magagawa ko, kundi ayon lamang sa kanyang habag at biyaya (Efeso 1:4-5, 10-11).

Ang galing diba? Yan ang pinaka nagbibigay sa akin ng dahilan upang patuloy na magpuri at maglingkod sa kanya. At sa tuwing naririnig ko ang awiting "Thank You For Loving Me", hindi ko mapigilang magpasalamat sa kanya nang taos puso. Maraming salamat sa Diyos sa napakagandang awiting ito.

Thank You For Loving Me
by: Tommy Walker

What love the Father has lavished on us
That we should be called His sons and daughters
Precious in His sight
Greater love this world had never seen
When He hung on that tree
O why would He do such a thing
For dirty sinners like you and me?

Chorus:
O God thank You for loving me
When on the cross You made history
Lord You died for me
Forever my praise will go to Thee
O God thank You for choosing me
To be Your child and bear Your name
O Jesus I will never cease to sing Your praise

Verse 2:
Your love is patient and humble and kind
It's greater than all my sin
It always protects and trusts and hopes
And will have no end
It's Your love that lifted me up from the depths
Set my feet on a solid rock
With a firm place to stand
Lord I always will trust in Your loving hand

Bridge:
How wide how long
How high how deep
How endless is Your love for me
How wide how long
How high how deep
How endless is Your love for me