This week bore my firsts in CWO Meme. I met new bloggers from different memes and I am so glad to participate today in one of the memes that may just be closest to my heart. Not that the others are less enjoyable to do, but that as a professional musician and an active worship minister, sharing my meditation on the songs I love is something I need to do. Sharing makes one rehearse her lessons by heart, and so here is my first entry: THROUGH IT ALL by Hillsong. Please click the title to view the video.

THROUGH IT ALL

You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You, And I wait on You

I will sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
I'm carried in everlasting arms
You'll never let me go
Through it all

Hallelujah, hallelujah

The first time this song was introduced in our church, I was not on stage with the Praise and Worship team. Usually, when I am assigned to serve on stage, I rehearse and perform with focus on the technicalities so as not to get too emotional which is detrimental to having a good vocal performance. It has been my rule to do the meditation part at home, and click on the performance mode when I step on the stage. If you are a singer, a speaker or someone appointed by God to stand before a crowd, you sure do understand it when I say it is just difficult to deliver the message with stuffy nose, blurry eyes, and constricted throat.

Going back to the day when I first heard this song, I was really thankful then that I was not on the spotlight to lead the people in worshiping Him. The melodies turned stringy out of my emotional well, and I just had a trance, like I was transported before the holy presence of God in the heavenlies. There I stood with shaking knees, telling God how grateful I am for my salvation; for giving me the grace to even say "You are forever in my life"; for seeing me through all the seasons in my life; for clothing me with His righteousness that I may stand worthy of all His riches which I do not deserve. I tried opening my eyes to see more of the lyrics displayed at the screen by the leftmost corner of the stage, but the tears get in the way. And so I opted to shut my physical vision, open my spiritual eyes and return to my solace state before His throne. My voice muscles buckled, and so I let my heart soar along with the chorus line. That was the release part of the song. Flashbacks of the moments when I prayed vigorously out of brokenness and remorse came to me. Each picture was like a tablow in a book page, and in every turn His loving image vividly appeared holding my hand, walking beside me, carrying me, laughing with me... and in every turn, I was in awe.

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:35-37

Thank you, Abba, for your sweet promises. I am forever yours. Your love will NEVER let me go... through it all.

The vocal arrangement of the backup singers moved me as well. I sang the Alto part, but with my inner voice which sounds better, I suppose, after breaking down in tears. It did not matter because the song became my prayer of praise to God. I chose to sing silently, and think through my life, if it really echoed the truths of this song.

Do they see my life experiencing God?
Will they say God saw me through all the seasons of my life?
Can they see the hand of God working in me unto righteousness?
Am I really focused in looking up to Him for everything?
Will God say I really waited on Him?

The band segued to the next song, but I was left thinking and singing with my heart, dwelling on the words "...I'm carried in everlasting arms, You'll never let me go through it all". Yes, I know that truth. I just have to let it go deep down my heart, to renew me daily, to empower me in doing my everyday assignments... He is the Omni-present God. He is with me 24/7. He will never fail.

If you want to join this meme hosted by Amy Wyatt, sign up at her blog site SIGNS, MIRACLES AND WONDERS. Her Friday post is "Canine Assistants Graduation song".

"Kulintang" is the singer gong set of the whole Kulintang ensemble composed of five other gongs [Gandingan, a set of four and Agong the father gong] led by a drum called "Dabakan". Everytime I and my bandmates play these beauties during the Praise and Worship celebration, we can't help but rejoice in the Lord with dancing. It livens up our ethnicity which truly longs to be identified in the Living God. Indeed, if the breathing creatures cease to worship Him, the Lord can make these inanimate objects sing for Him. May we not forget from whence all help comes. May we not cease to praise our Creator God! PRAISE YE THE LORD!CH

WELCOME TO CLAY IN THE POTTER'S HAND! This is my new Christian blog which I lovingly constructed for the purpose of glorifying my Creator-Master through sharing my faith-thoughts, challenges as a woman after His own heart, praises and thanksgiving, and anything that I feel convicted to blog about His love-letter to us, the Bible. Join me as I discover and rediscover treasures from my jars of clay, and others' too, that would hopefully encourage, empower and edify us in pleasing our Abba Father.





THEME SONG:


Verse:
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Saviour
I know for sure, all of my days are held in your hands,
Crafted into your perfect plan
You gently call me into your presence guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live all of my life through Your eyes
I'm captured by Your holy calling
Set me apart, I know You're drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord I pray

Chorus:
Take me, mould me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hand
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand

You gently call me into Your presence
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit
Teach me dear Lord to live through Your eyes
I'm captured by You holy calling
Set me apart, I know Your drawing me to Yourself
Lead me Lord, I pray...




*STATEMENT OF FAITH:


I believe that the Bible is God's Word, that it was written and uniquely inspired, that it is absolutely trustworthy and [the] supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice.

I believe in God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, perfect in holiness, infinite in wisdom, measureless in power. I rejoice that He concerns Himself in the affairs of men. He hears and answers prayer and that He saves from sin and death all those who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, sinless in life, making atonement for the sin of the world by His death on the cross. We believe in His highly priestly intercession for His people and visible pre-millenial return to the world according to His promise.

I believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from God to convince the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and comfort those who believe in Jesus Christ.

I believe that all men by nature and by choice are sinners, but that "God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." I believe therefore, those who accept Christ as Lord and Savior will rejoice forever in God's presence and those who refuse to accept Him as Lord and Savior will be forever separated from God.

I believe in the Church as a living spiritual body by which Christ is the Head and of which all regenerated people are members. I believe that the local Church is a company of believers in Jesus Christ, buried with Him in baptism and associated for worship, work and fellowship. I believe that the visible churches are committed, for observance "till He comes" the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper; and that God has laid upon those the task of persuading a lost world to accept Christ as Savior and to enthrone Him Lord and Master. I believe human betterment and social improvement are essential products of the Gospel.

I believe that every human being is responsible to God alone in all matters of faith.
*Based on Conservative Baptist of the Philippines Statement of Faith