I love contemporary Christian worship songs. I listen to them, I sing along with them at church and at home, I ‘make music’ with them and I used them when I was leading worship. My eyes and my heart are open when I worship God. I could feel the presence of Holy Spirit surround and comfort me.  Last December, my friend shared with me a link of “Louder Than Life” album which an old songs sang again by Sidney Mohede, a pastor from Oxygen Youth JPPC and a leader of True Worshippers. I downloaded the album and as I listened to them, the lyrics express the depth and significance of a particular facet of God’s glory. I love the choirs of  ”Tiada SepertiMu”. On such song has had a grip on my heart ever since I heard it days ago. “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” dates back from 1707 and it was written by Isaac Watts and Sidney Mohede again sang it on his own album. Other Christian singers had sang it before such as Crystal Lewis, Chris Tomlin and Mat Redmantt. 

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

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?

His dying crimson, like a robe,

Spreads o’er His body on the tree;

Then I am dead to all the globe,

And all the globe is dead to me.

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.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Written by Anne Barbour

verse 1:

I built my house here, along side this mountain

This rugged mountain that stands so tall

I’ve had a good life above the lowlands

It’s more than I’d asked for, but less than I dreamed

I’ve often heard a voice call down to me,

“If you’d climb higher you’d find wond’rous things to see

But the way is steep and a storm may come… “

chorus:

For such a time as this

Isn’t it much to great a risk?

I’ve never flown from the edge of a cliff

Never walked on the water

But if I turned away

How would I know what I have missed?

Have I waited all of my life

For such a time as this

verse 2:

I’ve been content to not ask those questions

That stir the rivers and move the waves

The windless waters are so much more peaceful

They calm my spirit in silent song

I’ve often wondered what’s eluding me

The yearning meant to free me from complacency

But the way is steep and a storm my come…

bridge:

Sometimes the thrill of soaring

Has to begin with the fear of falling…