Rain Down (WindMash)

Has anyone ever told you, when you're at the edge of giving up, remember the reason you started it. Recalling that initial driving force probably reminds us something important that we've forgotten. 'Rain Down' by Planetshakers is a song that I really loved even before I started serving in the worship band.

Still remember during Semester 1 back in Nilai College (before I have anything to do with Christianity), Carl brought me to Planetshakers' worship conference, I joined because it's free. It was my first time witnessing so many people worshiping with arms lifted high (of course I have no idea what are they doing back then). While they play the song Rain Down, I was totally amazed not only by the band but it's really soul-striking.

After spending some time (it's already 2 semesters) to settle down in the UK, I guess it's time to get back to some recording. I did a twin mash of this song with Cry Holy also by Planetshakers. Another song that I really loved to listen and surprisingly not many heard of it.

I found that both songs are very similar in terms of chord progression and song structure, good ingredients. Besides, both songs are my favourite Worship songs of that time. Mash up is not really something new for me, but the software is, not too used to the equalizing and mixing, gonna try harder next time. Oh ya~ Seraphina sang the bridge together, she caught me doing recording in the kitchen :P

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
-Isaiah 40:29-

Everytime the thought of giving up pay a visit, Lord help us to endure the temptation and find strength in You. I pray that we who earnestly serve You would find our purpose and gift so that we can focus on it. Remind us whenever we're down again, through Your words, and also the people that You placed in our lives, Amen.

This Is How We Overcome

I can still remember this is the first song that I played on the keyboard for CF in Nilai UC. It's also one of my favourite jamming song, Audri just love to do the drum for it. I believe this is a pretty common song among youth praise session as well.

There are actually Hillsong and Planetshakers version of this song. Both are pretty similar in flow and style, but Hillsong released it in By Your Side album in 1999, a little earlier than Planetshakers that did this in When The Planet Rocked album in 2000.

This time, I'm not mashing too much, just using the song arrangement of Tik Tok, Blah Blah Blah and Your Love is My Drug by Kesha to fit into the melody, something like my Above All and Amazing Grace. Besides that, I sorta modified the first verse of the Tik Tok, fitting in Philippians 4:13 to bring out the meaning more.

Wake up in the morning feeling tired and weary,
All the problems dashing in, how am I gonna face this whole week?
Close my eyes, recalling Philippians four thirteen,
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

"Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love."
-Psalms 4:6-

Think back, it's been a long way since I first joined the worship team and have been playing with so many different people for the Glory of the LORD. I appreciate every opportunity to work with different people, and all the mess during the process and practices, I'm just glad that we overcame everything, by the strength that He has provided, Amen.

Oh Happy Day (WindMash)

This is an arrangement that I did back in April for Easter presentation at Pantai Baptist Church. Just like Amazing Grace, which I did the recording after we did it at church.

Oh Happy Day is originally an 18th century hymn, after recorded by Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969. I first knew this song from the movie Sister Act 2, and had the sweet opportunity to play this song back in Nilai College for an event.

The 2nd song that I've included in this mash is Nothing But The Blood, written by Robert Lowry in 1876. Both lyrics have high similarities in reflecting Hebrew 9:22, "without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin." Thus, I think it's kinda appropriate for Easter setting.

The only problem is that I'm not too comfortable with hymns (natural genre clash). Since I've been into blues lately, I'm adding some blues into gospel music. I'm using the arrangement of Oh Happy Day in Sister Act 2, which consists of key change from C# to Bb, then G and to Ab. Doing vocal for such sing is challenging >_< but still manage to complete vocal recording in 2 hours (last night 1am - 3am).

"How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone on my head and by his light I walked through darkness!"
-Job 29:2~3-

It's been 2 months since summer break started, things are going really really slow. Though research is merely progressing, still praying that things would be fine, and God will open the path, and deliver His people. Amen.

Your Heart

This is a song that Sarah and I wrote during our ConneXion retreat. It was a sharing session where in the end most of us forked out our challenges and sorrows. Well, Sarah kinda took note of what I said, and wrote it into lyrics (in just an hour =.=), where verse 1 was about her, and mine at the verse 2. Just nice, we have an upright piano at the place, and there we go for a night of song composing.

The above story happened in February, through all the busy-ness in CF, ConneXion and PostGrad... I finally get my own sweet time to record it (4 months later). I seriously thought I'm done with recording (again), it's been so long since I do a song *skills and vocal get rusty too*.

It was originally a piano and guitar song (that's we have at that time), but I'm giving a try to make it a full band song. I just realized that it's been super long since I wrote an original song, was playing with arrangements and mash ups lately. The reason is just that I can never write a nice lyrics, but at least I got a taste of the movie Music & Lyrics minus the romance part.

Your Heart
Lyrics: Sarah Yang (杨美燕)
Music: Adam Jong (杨旭忠)

Verse 1:
Jesus, You are my home
where I belong
I can be weak
because You are strong

When life pulls me down
when I'm tossed in the storm
I look to You
Only on You, only You

Climb:
Will You come and hold this heart
Feels like this pain will break me apart

Chorus:
I don't understand, I can't see the reason
What's going on, why are You so hidden
I know You are still on the throne
Jesus, help me to trust
Trust, in Your heart (love) alone

Verse 2:
God, I am blessed
With all that I owned
But why, do You take away
What I loved

I know You are God
Your plans are not my plans
I want to let go
All that I cared about
Into Your hands

Bridge:
You are God alone, my life is not my own
So give me strength, though I'm weak on my own
But strong, in Your arms alone

Well, it's been 4 months since that sharing session, I wonder how's everyone dealing with the problems that we raised, or some might even forgotten what they say. I... sorta see some clues in the mist. I hope, giving some time and more faith, would reveal the path.

"They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed. But I prayed, Now strengthen my hands."
-Ezra 6:9-

Though we are all scattered at different places, God I pray that You bless all the CF and ConneXion members in their respective ministries, and when they return, would be a brighter light, and saltier salt. If this is Your purpose in us, please keep this passion burning. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

A Thousand Miles (WindMash)

After the previous mash ups, I sorta got a hang on it I guess. This is another one that I made, this time using 7 songs in it. I took most of my time planning the song in terms of arrangements and lyrics mash, what I learnt from my failure.

1. A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton (2002)
2. It's My Life - Bon Jovi (2000)
3. Have A Nice Day - Bon Jovi (2005)
4. The Scientist - Coldplay (2002)
5. Zombie - The Cranberries (1994)
6. Just A Dream - Nelly (2010)
7. Love The Way You Lie - Rihanna/Eminem (2010)

I've always wanted to do the famous vi-IV-I-V progression mash up since so many pop songs are using it (a very mashable progression). The idea comes when I was learning this solo intro of A Thousand Miles which captured me in one random night. Never thought of the chorus with such different progression could fit in too.

I also experiment different styles of mashing, now I've included line mash in the first mash for A Thousand Miles and Have A Nice Day with It's My Life as supporter. For Love The Way You Lie and Just A Dream, it's a full mash of left and right panning. Lastly, a part mash with A Thousand Miles as core and the others as supporter.

Doing the music took me 1 week plus, could be done faster but due to the busy schedules lately... haiz. The recording is done within one night, 1am-5am. I just felt like I need to finish it up in one go. With so many songs together, the layering is just crazy X_X

"He brought into the temple of the LORD the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated."
-1 Kings 15:15-

Eventhough work and study is getting tougher and tougher, I pray that together we can do all things in Christ, and overcome this challenge. Also pray that we would be able to balance our time to work and time for ourselves too, that we will not grow weary but be refreshed for a further challenge. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I'm Yours (WindMash)

The original idea is to mash up I'm Yours by Jason Mraz with The Show by Lenka, this idea dwelt in my mind for so long. Well, I went on youtube recently and found that a lot of people already did this cover (what do I expect? Both songs have exactly the same chords progression and they're released almost the same time).

So, to top it on that, I gonna do something more. Seriously, emulating guitar strumming is NOT FUN AT ALL! Besides, both songs have the swing/beguine feel (need to use triplets), it's not the ordinary rock/pop timing, but I'll implement the rock-ish beat in it, another challenge.

A lot a lot of these:

I should spend more time on the planning and arrangement before I start. I was stuck at some point, and spent whole night to think of the arrangement. Trust me, last minute preparation never turn out to be good, I hate my initial arrangement after recording it over night (last night 1 am - 4 am)*EPIC FAIL*

Woke up kinda late today (12 noon) and start recording it again at 1 pm til 4 pm (again...) This time, decided to use something more simple, like I bet the problem was it's too complicated. It's still not good, at least better than the first one.

"David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people."
- 2 Samuel 8:15-

For the talent that The Lord have gave us, pray that we could use it wisely and for only the purpose of giving him the glory. Trust that it's by faith, that our talents and gifts will as well grow with it, as provided by The Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Hark The Herald Angel Sing

First of all, merry Christmas to everybody! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas although I kinda had a tough day. Anyway, I really was working with this Christmas project for my playlist, hoping I will be able to complete it by Christmas day itself.

Hark the Herald Angel Sing, a very common song for Christmas. For those who don't know the song, you'll probably go "Oh!!!! This song!!!" after listening to the first line. The lyrics is written by Charles Wesley as a poem in 1739 (Gosh... the Amazing Grace era). The music is later compose by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.

Oh ya, let's have a slight introduction here. Charles Wesley is the brother of Methodist church founder, John Wesley. He actually wrote more than 6000 hymns. Felix Mendelssohn is a German composer, pianist, organist, conductor during early Romantic period.

Charles Wesley and Felix Mendelssohn:

A link for:
Biblical info about the song
Charles Wesley
Felix Mendelssohn

I actually took 3.5 days for the music, and another 1.5 days for the vocal. This time, it's totally pianoless (not using piano voice in the song at all).It's kinda like 80's 90's rock and I rearranged the song for some different taste (as usual). Oh ya, there's a little mashing in this song, but I won't consider this a WindMash, since I'm playing more on rearranging the song.

It's actually due to recent research of some guitar chords, that I finally understand the concept of power chords. I think I extensively abuse electric guitar power chords in this song, but I seriously like that Bon Jovi rocking style XD

"He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes."
-1 Sammuel 3:18-

Thank You Lord once again for giving Your only son to die for us on the cross. Although we are unworthy, but still You forgive the sins that we bear. Pray that it would be a marvelous year ahead of us as we march into a new chapter of life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Just The Way You Are (WindMash)

I guess Bruno Mars' most popular love song Just The Way You Are is hitting the world hard recently, in a good way. I've seen a lot of facebook status update showing "Coz you're amazing, just the way you are" or any other lines in that song.

I salute songs that captivate people with easy lines and chords progression. Not doing fancy styles to amaze the musical category, but by simple stuffs that catch every human's heart, pure composing talent. I haven't come across anyone who don't like this song yet.

On the other hand, there are some songs that are also super famous, but couldn't win the crowd's respect. For example, Baby by Justin Bieber. For me, I don't hate that song (and found it actually quite fun to sing).

From some people who shared about it, they basically have prejudice on the artist. But c'mon guyz, it's your opinion on the artist, that's nothing wrong with that song. I wonder what will you all think if it's Bruno Mars that did that song, I bet no one will hate it like the way it is now. By the way, I think Justin is kinda cool, just the way he is.

Anyway, I was walking home in the rain one afternoon, I don't know how it relates but I feel like making another WindMash. It's a mashed of 3 songs, and I worked on the music for 3 days (3 nights in precise).

Finally, I got my peaceful Saturday with no schedule to do anything, that's the best day for me to do recording. However, things never goes on smooth, I woke up at 11:30 and feeling something's funny with my throat. Thanks God that it wasn't so bad for the day, but not I'm speaking like an octave lower (sore throat).

This time, harmonizing the baritone sure takes up more time than I thought (I'm bad at uhhh, ahh and ohhh~). The songs that I used had pretty different original keys, I find it so hard to keep my pitch in range. Equalizing also becomes so difficult when too many layers are involved. This recording just isn't good.

"How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?"
-Joshua 18:3-

There seems to be more people getting sick recently, pray that we will recover soon to continue on our daily routine. Also, I pray for our preparations and practices for the campus Christmas event that we're working hard. Grant us unity and mutual understanding, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Every Move I Make (WindMash)

I seriously thought I'm done with music editing for good after stopping for more than a year. Somehow, a song posted on my facebook profile by Ivan Mak made me itchy again.

This idea of mashing up Every Move I Make by David Ruis and Lord I Lift Your Name On High by Rick Founds has already linger in my head for so many years. I first noticed the potential while realizing the high similarities of chord progression (almost the same).

I'm playing with line picking and matching (my own terminology). Just mixing around and make it sounds more like a mash up instead of song linking. This is my first recorded mash up~ and I'm calling my mashes "WindMash".

Surprisingly, I managed to complete this song in just 2 days. Even for a line of verse, I used to redo it for 4-6 times, now almost can do it one shot. Harmonizing also becomes more natural, last time even need to fine tune on my keyboard. However, my equalizing skills got worse... lack of practice on the software =.=

Also, in this song I add in a sort-of-rap line, just some random ideas mixing together~ After all, I'm just having some fun. Oh ya, I found a new music hosting website (The Music Hutch), this looks better than iLike.

Lord I L.I.F.T your name on high
lift Y.O.U.R name on high
lift your N.A.M.E on high
lift your name on H.I.G.H high!



"Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess"
-Deuteronomy 11:8-

The campus is turning into a more happening environment, new semester is starting to get lively. Pray that ConneXion and CF will both grow and able to make a change in the students' life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

John Newton, born in London July 24, 1725 is the writer of the famous hymn Amazing Grace. His father was the commander of a merchant ship while his mother educate him spiritual knowledge and guide him in Christianity. However, she passed away when John was 6 and followed his father on sailing.

John Newton:

It was then he strayed away from Christ, even saying that he don't believe in salvation. Being captured and turn into a common seaman, and finally a servant for a slave-trader, John was brutally abused. Wretch was what he claimed to be as.

Wretch: A miserable, unfortunate or unhappy person.

During a violent storm while he was steering the ship, he knew there's no way getting through it, the ship would surely sink. This was his "great deliverance", he shouted "Lord, has mercy on us", and the storm was calmed.

He retired from sailing and slave-trading in 1755 after a serious illness. He decided to become a minister and was ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln. John preached not only in Olney but also around Buckinghamshire. Besides weekly church service, he held a series of prayer meeting and soon came up with the words for Amazing Grace to remind his congregation about the great mercy of God.

Chris Tomlin who later added the chorus My Chains Are Gone for this hymn was greatly amazed by John Newton's encounters as he research about the song. Chris expressed that everyone is born to be the slave of sin or any earthly things that bound us down, that's why Jesus died on the cross to break the chain, and set us free.

Reference:
Chris Tomlin sharing about My Chains Are Gone
John Newton's story
Story of Amazing Grace (Youtube)

My version of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) is of course inspired by my greatest worship experience so far in ConneXion Conference 09. I'm just a beginner in blue piano, but trying to expand. Well, if Chris Tomlin added a chorus for this song, me as well added a bridge. Just trying some arrangement tricks.

Anyway, this song was supposingly done in the summer, but it dragged for 3 months. I could blame it all on the busy schedules, but I know it's mainly the issue of G.U (it's the initial, guess yourself).

Well, it was a stressful week of projects. I just can't do anything but find cure in The Lord. Wandering in front of my laptop, I opened this half-done song and completed the song in 1 night. Resting for a day, and started vocal recording yesterday night, and it lasts til 5:00 a.m. The quality is not that good as a lot of things are stirring in me. What to do... this is all I have.

"I have not lost a single one of those you gave me"
-John 18:9-

Lord, I pray that You will reveal our respective paths that can fulfill our purpose on Earth. Make us strong in what we should do and barrier us from the misleading. Yes, I am a wretch, Your amazing grace once lifted me and I thank You Lord, for all that You've done, and will do. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

敲门 (Demo)

This is the first song I composed since I entered Nilai UC (it's like 2 years ago). A break through for this song is, it's my first time writing lyrics in my life.

Here's how the story goes, it was my first semester in Nilai UC where I don't know much people yet. Most of the time after class, I'll just play games on my laptop in my room. Besides, study load wasn't that much by then, it's just my first semester.

Life was so boring that I hope somebody would buzz me on the door. Oh ya, by the way I'm staying in campus single room (HD 106). Coz I'm not familiar with anything around yet, I often open my door when I heard a little sound outside thought it was someone looking for me (most of the time, I'm just hearing things). Maybe I'm really bored~

The first time I see my room, taken with my 1.3 Mega pixel handphone.

So... I decided to write this feeling out into melody, with lyrics. Looking around my room, what I see is what I wrote (noob lyricist). Seriously, writing lyrics is so much harder than composing... You can laugh or criticize the lyrics since it's a first attempt.

One thing I remembered, this isn't how the song suppose to go. I was composing on my MIDI software, but I just got stuck on the chorus, the verse doesn't sound natural to me at all. I got so frustrated and stop to clean my room. When I swept til the electric switch part of my laptop, I accidentally turned it off, and I didn't save it...

Argh... how could I. Nevermind, after cleaning my room, I sat down and rest for a while, refreshing my mind. Looking at my lyrics again, then started to fantasize with it. Suddenly, a sweet melody flow in me. It's very unusual for me to compose a song without using my "sad prince" theme. Anyway, it's something special from me.

Another way to interpret this song is, I'm waiting someone important to knock at my life, someone who will change me inside out. So, did that "someone" comes?

词: Adam Jong
曲: Adam Jong

Verse 1:
在摆满家饰 的房间里
太阳光线 照射着墙壁
我看着书 桌上的铅笔
拿起来 绘画心中的风景

Verse 2:
现在只有 我一个人而已
不知道是 否应该去找你
想着怎么 制造巧合来遇见你
但这一切 都是假想甜蜜

Climb:
想要勇敢踏向门口
开出我的第一步
但是且在开门时候
犹疑不住

我想要放弃这个念头
忘掉这一种模糊
当在这灰心地带游走
有人敲了门

Chorus:
到底是谁 和我心灵相通
会不会是 已注定在命中
心情好 比触电不停跳动
神秘的敲门 是爱的迷宫

飞奔开门 迎接到访的人
这种接触 感觉五彩缤纷
希望和 失望交叉和战争
期待听见的 是你(爱)的敲门

"People will stagger everywhere from sea to sea, searching for the word of the LORD, running here and going there."

Pray that LORD will lay His healing hands upon nations, when diseases are spreading wide. Also pray that God will bless the travelers. Finally, pray that You will continue knocking on people's life so that they will know Your grace. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Draw Me Close

"Draw Me Close" is a famous worship song. The lyrics are simple yet meaningful, the chords are easy yet beautiful. Of course, I strongly encourange those who never listen to this song to check out the original version on youtube, the one that Michael W.Smith did is quite good.

The composer of this song is Kelly Carpenter (don't be fooled by the name, he's a guy). The instinct of composing this song is when he realized he put his ministry in front of his relationship with God. This often happen to those always-busy-for-church kids, where we were seeking fun or too busy handling church events, and forgot what our true objective is.

Kelly Carpenter

After a sunday service in late Jan 1994, Kelly's heart is heavy where he knew God doesn't want this from him. A prayer just came to him and it sounds like this, "I lay it all down again, just to hear You say that I'm Your friend". Within 20 minutes, the song just spilled off.

This song is actually a very personal song that he did, and he rarely plays it in church. Until he met Canadian worship leaders Andy Park and Brian Doerkson. Cut the long story short, Andy heard the song and invited Kelly to lead it on a live record in Jun 1994. Later being recorded by The Katinas, and became more popular after Michael W.Smith, which has sold over a million copies in just about a year.

Being one of my favourite worship song, I re-arranged it into my style (from a sentimental and hopeful song into my "sad prince" theme). It took me 5 days to complete this demo, where I'm having headset for more than 5 hours per day =.=", ear pain. It is said that when we are wearing earphone for 1 hour, the amount of bacteria/germs in our ear increases 700 times! Anyway, I don't care as long as I complete my song.

Although I re-designed the verse and chords, most of the effort are put into the last 2 choruses, which remixed 17 songs including Draw Me Close. Listen it yourself, and if you think this idea is a disaster, I have nothing to say as well.

"The men finish up their drinking bouts and off they go to find some prostitutes. Their love for shame is greater than their love for honor. So a mighty wind will sweep them away."
-Hosea 4:18-19-

Pray that God will continue to walk with me in whatever situations that come ahead. Also pray that You let us realize the importance to lay down all earthly things and befriended Your eternal love. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

眷恋 (Demo)

This is another song that I composed and lyrics writen by my ex-classmate Jeremy Anderson Siaw. To me, it's much easier to compose a song with the lyrics first, so that I can illustrate the scene and emotion more accurately (or you can say I sucks without lyrics).

Well, this Jeremy is one of the person that I respect the most in high-school life. Being one of the constant top achiever (1st in whole class), yet good in both guitar and piano. He stopped taking chinese after primary 6 but still able to write lyrics, sometimes his chinese is even better than me~ By the way, he's studying pharmacy in Melborne, Austrailia now.

The song title 眷恋 (juàn liàn)means to miss/to long for/to remember with longing/yearning. It's actually about his first love in Austrailia (that he never takes any action), but he's clever enough to control himself cause he knew he's not ready for a relationship.

However, the way I feel the lyrics may not be 100% as how the writer wanted it to be. Since he gave me his lyrics, I think he trusted me in converting his feelings into a song. It was around early 2008, when Jeremy sent me the lyrics, and it was the period I was about to gave up composing... I was just so sick of composing songs to no one and no reason, but somehow with my limited skills and ability I just wanna do it for him.

The first demo took me whole night (1a.m til 5a.m) but it turned out to be a disaster, so I decided to make a 2nd one, near exam time while I have 5 modules... Another update, this is now the 3rd module with new equipment and software, after years of practices, recording becomes faster, just took me 2 hours for the vocal.

词：Jeremy Anderson Siaw
曲：Adam Jong

Verse 1:
床上的娃娃 让我想起你的脸颊
思念和牵挂 一直在内心交叉

也许这时候 该把一切都放下
最美的回忆 编织了一幅画

Verse 2:
灼伤的一页 需要时间冲淡一切
对爱的信念 已渐渐开始凋谢

我的难过 却没有人能体会
仿佛关锁在 一个人的世界

Chorus:
我对你的眷恋 在这冬季搁浅
对你说的诺言 再也无法实践
眼泪淹没了脸 在嘲笑着从前
幸福的兑换券 因分手而不见

我对你的眷恋 在这冬季搁浅
对你说的诺言 再也无法实践
眼泪淹没了脸 在嘲笑着从前
幸福的兑换券 因分手而不见

我对你的眷恋 在这冬季搁浅
这一切的亏欠 没有人能理解
在你离开之前 我才渐渐发现
受过创伤的心 无法挽回从前
消失不见

Ezekeil 27:33-34 "The merchandise you traded satisfied the needs of many nations. Kings at the ends of the earth were enriched by your trade. Now you are a wrecked ship, broken at the bottom of the sea. All your merchandise and your crew have passed away with you." Glory and fame obtained from Earth is not everlastsing, when the faith is gone, it fades. Only by Him the grace endures forever. Pray that God bless Nilai Sunday Service and Cheras Baptist Church in their upcoming annual camp, although I can't participate in either one. Also pray that LORD give us the wisdom to overcome this final exam. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Above All

Well, as an introduction of the song "Above All", it's a Christian worship wrote by Paul Baloche and Lenny LeBlanc, both are very blessed songwriters and of course I LONGED to be like them. Somehow it's a very meaningful song with powerful lyrics and most Christian knows this song. This song is also recorded by Hillsongs, Rebecca St.James, Micheal W.Smith and others which are also great musicians that serve THE LORD. I suggest you take some time to check the song on youtube (I prefer Paul Baloche's version).

Paul Baloche's Story

It was a Tuesday morning where Paul was in his church, alone with the piano worshiping THE LORD. The thoughts of God is above all just came to his mind, and a voice spoke in him, "Lord, You are above all kingdoms, above all thrones, above all wonders the world has ever known...". Then, he fix in some simple melody for the verse, and it sounds good, but over the years, Paul was figuring for the chorus but he just can't get "the one" that he thinks it'll be the right one.

One day, Paul and Lenny sat together to write songs. Paul played 20 over songs for Lenny to listen, but only "Above All", a song with an incomplete chorus caught his attention. Lenny started to work on the chorus. Again, the words just came "Crucified... laid behine the stone... like a rose... trampled on the ground...".

"Whoa", Paul was impressed, "What a contrast, what a picture... that's Jesus! The One who is and always will be above all, was willing to be crucified and rejected, just to demostrate His love to an unappreciative world."

By the time they reach "You took the fall, and thought of me... above all." Both Paul and Lenny were in tears. The revelation hit them and broke their heart, that made them realize how worthy He really is, that He truly deserves our worship.

Lenny LeBlanc's Story

"When Paul Baloche and I finished writing "Above All," I somehow knew in my heart that it would touch millions of people." It all started when Paul and Lenny got together to write songs for Lenny's soon to be recorded project for Integrity Music.

Paul played him the verse of "Above All", and something in it really touched Lenny and he told Paul that it was a great idea. Paul also shared that he had written several different choruses for the song but wasn't happy with any of the version he written himself.

Early the next morning before Paul woke up, Lenny played around with some choruses idea and got a right one. Instead of bringing it great like any other ordinary chorus, they'll bring this low and soft. "Crucified... laid behind a stone...", and Paul really liked it. So they begun fine-tunning the song and then it's completed.

Lenny thinks that the reason "Above All" has impacted the world so powerfully is becuse it's such a beautiful picture of how a God that is above everything, would become like a rose, trampled on the ground, take the fall and think of us... above all.

Adam Jong's Story

Well, of course Adam Jong is nothing like the above mentioned musicians but just a noob keyboardist that only have 2 years of experience. It all started since I accepted Christ as my personal savior at 28th Jan 2007. Just don't know what happened and this guy is included in the worship team at the 2nd week of being a christian.

Greatful that Carl's one of the default worship leader at that time, that always wanted to try different songs (which are all new songs to me), and also Ruth and May that helped and encouraged me so much at my early spiritual life. Thanks for the worship team that patiently bare with a new learner to be in the team, who sometimes (or most of the time) mess up a lot. Thanks God for putting these people in my life (Thanks Cheryl for leaving to UK too, or else there won't be a chance :P ~kiddin).

So... Carl is the one that showed me this song, as one of the songs he did in one of the Sundays. Somehow, I wasn't aware about the song but just trying hard to get the chords right. But as I grow spiritually, now I understand that, how great musicians are made. We don't need to be piano diploma holder or any music competition winners, just the heart for the Lord, and He will open the way.

Being one of my most familiar worship songs, I used this in my very first worship leading session in Nottingham Bible Study Group. This is also one of the main songs that I played on Eve (my Yamaha keyboard) during my hard time. I have the habit of unleashing my emotional unbalance through playing keyboard.

And now... I'd come to this stage, where I used my own arrangement to remake "Above All", an "Above All" that somehow describe my feeling. Don't ask me what feeling it is, you decide from the song. It took me 6 days to complete this song, which means I slowed down in writing songs, or maybe I'm just afraid of something again...

Isaiah 64:5-6, "You welcome those who cheerfully do good, who follow godly ways. But we are not godly. We are constant sinners, so Your anger is heavy on us. How can people like us be saved? We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away."

Sin is the breaker between us and God, desires and temptations are always there. But because of God's unfailing love to us, Jesus paid the price, by dying on the cross, to be the bridge that connects us to The LORD, that washed away all of our sins, eventhough He is above all things... yet, He loved us so much. LORD, I pray for Colin who is worship leading in Nilai Sunday Service for the next 2 weeks, hope that You'll be with him. Also for the Nottingham students, who just started our new semester. Pray that this semester will be spiritually and academicly enriching. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

旧伤 (Demo)

Finally, I made up my mind to post this. It's the main reason that I wanted to start a blog, but am never brave enough to do it (no guts). After wandering around for 18 years in my life without a target, I found one. One that takes a lot to realize, one that has nothing to do with my life, or rather "out" of my life stream. That's why it's called "dream".

OK, stop the crap. Anyway, I wrote this song <旧伤> in Jan 2007. I don't have the right word to translate it into English, somehow it means hurt/wound/injury that happened long time ago. Actually I do have one on my shoulder, because of playing badminton. It's one of my song that I did both music and lyrics myself.

So, where did I get the inspiration to write this song? Long time ago even before I wrote this song, I promised myself, I won't tell this to anyone, and I'm not telling here neither. It is a period of my life where I experienced a great downfall, so far it's the worst feeling I ever had in my life, far more worse than this exam (exam is only stress and nervous). Besides, I don't want to turn this blog into those kind of "emo" blog. I tried so long and so hard to change my personality, so just let me keep it for myself.

I don't care anyone out there who wants to criticize me, in another hand, you're welcome to give me a bomb! I'm used to it, I admit my literature, vocal and piano sucks. Oh ya, I seriously need a lyricist, I'm bad in language.

曲：Adam Jong
词：Adam Jong

Verse:
一直都是这样 一直都好不起来
长久以来的伤 习惯了也哭不出来
回想当时情况 为何会这样失败
都说了别逞强 却不停地往下踩

Climb:
还以为时间能够冲淡一切
教训自己可要小心一些
但是人总对待自己不体贴
最后旧伤口破裂

Chorus:
能不能就爱自己多一点
不要再给自己放暗箭
不是不够时间
是没有给自己空间

能不能尝试让自己改变
不要再让自己有危险
人总要自我赦免
才是旧伤痊愈的关键

Bridge:
别 别再戴着固执的面具
心情不会永远都下雨
旧伤不久之后就会痊愈

"Rap":
我能不能 就爱自己那么多一点
我不明白 为何人总喜欢犯贱
等到明天 到后天 多少天 多少年
也不是一样把自己逼 得没有空间

我受不了 想要的都不可能实现
我要改变 也许放弃才是最后句点
一直紧紧捉着只会再伤一遍
忘了这 一切就 当作对 自己的 赦免

Chorus:
能不能就爱自己多一点
不要再给自己放暗箭
不是不够时间
是没有给自己空间

我已经学着让自己改变
不会再让自己有危险
只要抛开从前
我的旧伤就快要复原

In Isaiah 50:7. "Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be dismayed. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will. And I know that I will triumph." LORD, thinking back of the hard time, thanks for being with me. I pray that You show me my purpose, and if the hint is already in front of me, please let me see it. If it is Your calling that tell me to do so, I will go for it, with all of my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.