SUPPORT LOCAL!

There is something to be said about local music.

Unfortunately, local music is often overlooked when music from foreign bands or artists appear on the scene.  I admit that I have been guilty of leaving local music “on the shelf” in favour of the more trendy, more familiar foreign-owned music.  This trend, I believe, transcends all genres of music – worship music not withstanding.

So I ask myself, why?  Granted, I have come across local music that cannot compare to the richness (in sound and quality) of foreign-produced music.  But, there are many great locally produced worship music albums that have not been given the attention that they deserve.  One of my all-time favourite local worship bands is the Sonic Edge Band (http://www.myspace.com/sonicedgeband) with cutting-edge music, simple yet expressive lyrics and a unique sound.

On a more recent note, the latest local band to release an album (their second, in fact) is HeartDriven.  Their album, Response, features original songs written with an undeniable heart for the lost.  Response has a little something for everyone, from the rock-pop influences in their opening track "Rush Hour", to the very worshipful "In Your Presence" (http://youtu.be/Qi8LmEklqbs).

Looking beyond the surface, there is a clear anointing that encompasses our local music.  While our position as a cosmopolitan city influences our musicians to draw their inspiration from all around the world, it is evident that local worship music has a uniquely Singapore flavour.  Give it more than a listen, punctuate your worship moments with it and you just might discover a deeper love for your own Singapore sound.

Desperation Band, Spending It All

(from L to R: Cory Reynolds, Jared Henderson, Me!, Jon Egan, Daryl Wong)

They were jet-lagged, it was early and for some of them, it was their very first time visiting this part of the world.  But, the Desperation Band certainly lived up to their name - their heart and desperation for all of God was evident throughout their 2-hour breakfast gathering with some of Singapore's worship leaders & pastors.

Jon Egan (DBand's frontman) was eager to share the band's outlook with us and it was (to me, at least), nothing short of inspiring.  Here are a few excerpts...

Jon: 

We take no pleasure in attention but we take much pleasure in being obedient.  We want to be real; there are no gimmicks to our worship.  This is our heart - complete obedience.

Isaiah 58:10, "...if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."  This is a major passage for Desperation Band.

It's never been about the music for us.  Music is just a vehicle that proclaims God.  We must never choose convenience and comfort.  We have to sweat this thing out.  We have to move beyond ourselves because God is in the risky.  Get as low as we possibly can before the Lord and don't be afraid to try things that might not work.

God does not live in the safe, He lives in the dangerous.  We've learnt that as the band spends themselves more and takes the risk there is an explosion in the heavenlies.  We get awakened in our risk when we step outside of our comfort zones.

Let's push forward and spend ourselves together."

Say what?

The Desperation Band promised a night of worship & deliver, they did. It was awesome, powerful & the best thing? God's presence permeated the atmosphere! We'll let these testimonies speak for themselves...

"I never liked Worship Concerts...those 2 words seem oxymoronic. But I had a great time soaking in the presence of God with the Desperation Band. The encounter with my Father's love was evident."
- Cynthia Eng -

"Awesome time of worship with Desperation band."
- Bob Nathaniel -

"‎[Desperation Band] Joy unspeakable that won't go away, and just enough strength to live for today...So I never have to worry what tomorrow will bring, because my faith is on SOLID ROCK, I AM COUNTING ON GOD!"
- Jean Tan -

"I went to the Desperation Band worship concert essentially with an open mind, not knowing what to expect - there wasn't even an expectancy in God - just thought it would be cool to check out the band dynamics and enjoy an evening of good music. But when they came on stage, it changed my mind, especially what lead singer Jon Egan said had an impact on me...I remember him saying something like: "We are not good performers, in fact we are not good at all, we only know how to worship God." Those words were enough to tell me that this band has a heart for our Father and have dedicated their talents, abilities, time, effort to one thing: worshipping the Almighty God. The humility in those words prepared me for a great night of worship, opening my heart to our Father and letting Him work in me.

The band was tight, there was really no room for errors, but seeing as to how they dedicate much of their time practising together, there's no doubt about their musicianship. I was so caught up in the worship, the focus on our Lord. At one point, I was just observing them and I could see on their faces... the joy they have in serving the Lord. This thought came to my mind, it wasn't the "Hey, look at me and how great I look!" but rather "Hey, look at my God and how awesome He is!"

What really touched me was when Jon said the band was going to say a prayer over us... that too was so powerful and I believe it moved the crowd deeply.

There's nothing more one can expect from a great worship band - humility and the joy in serving, keeping God at the centre of it all. "
- Gayle Quah -

Ushering in AWESOME

I used to think that good worship was the same as feel good worship.  But over the years, I've learnt that worshipping "in spirit and truth" (John 4:23) goes beyond just feeling good.  Only one element is key in creating awesome worship - the presence of God, and that cannot in any way be duplicated except by Him.

When the focus is on God and God alone, the worship becomes great.  Take a look at the heart of New Life Worship...

New Life Worship-Weekly Gatherings from New Life Worship on Vimeo.

ALOHA Bob Fitts!

Singapore said 'aloha' to song-writer, worshipper, teacher and legend, Bob Fitts, who was in town (from his hometown in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii) for just 2 days last weekend as part of his round-the-world tour spanning Europe, Israel, Asia and the USA.  As Mr. Fitts himself puts it, he's joining with "worshippers around the globe to bring awareness to the awesome goodness of our God!" 


Alexandria Tan, who experienced this 'awesomeness' at the Bob Fitts worship service shares, "He's really annointed in leading worship....We enjoyed it very much, even our Joshua enjoyed it and clapped his hands and snapped his little fingers along."


Talking about Bob Fitts, always brings us (at Integrity Asia) back to the good old days of our youth.  Remember 

, and?  

These songs never fail to take us back to our beginnings and how far we've come by God's faithfulness alone.

Can you tell that we're big fans? 

Well, we can't wait for Bob Fitts' 25-year compilation, to be released later in the year, as well as a Christmas album planned for release at the end of this year.

So, what was your favourite Bob Fitts song growing up?

Weekend DVD Review: Upside, Letters To God

Upside

I'll come right out and say it: movies like Upside make my job worthwhile. Not that it isn't already great on its own, what with all the great music I have access to 24/7. But once in awhile, a gem like this one is uncovered, causing me to smile to myself and say, "Wow. I've got it good."

But enough about my job and how Upside reminds me I'm truly blessed to have it. The story goes that Solomon "Soli" White (Randall Bentley, Heroes) is a star high school lacrosse player who seems to have his future cut out for him: an impending sports scholarship to Cornell, a blond, seemingly popular girlfriend and basically, the "perfect" life. That is, until he suffers a head injury during a vital lacrosse match that was his chance to impress the talent scout in attendance.

His world is turned upside down, literally — the damage to his brain flips his vision and his lacrosse days are over, until his vision is right side up again and his raging headaches subside without the aid of painkillers. In the meantime, he is issued an ultimatum by his English teacher, Mrs. Buck (theater veteran Taylor St. Clair): write a 5000-word essay with the theme "See The World With New Eyes", or risk losing his scholarship for good.

Unable to play lacrosse and having to constant return home to a controlling mother intent on planning his life for him, Soli sits in on a session for the visually impaired and meets Wren Woods (newcomer Leah Sims), a pretty, independent older girl who was born blind. Their friendship grows and eventually, mutual attraction develops, as the seemingly fearless Wren opens Soli's eyes to faith and God.

At the same time, recognizing his potential in writing, Mrs. Buck enlists the help of an old friend, Craig Parker (Jeremy Harrison), to help Soli in his assignment. Their interaction is refreshing, with Craig widening Soli's perception of writing and encouraging him to take charge of his own life.

The film shows, without preaching, that God works in mysterious ways: love and enlightenment are borne of adversity and Soli can now make difficult decisions he was once unable to. Though its pace may seem slow at times, directer Ken Horstmann manages to make it worth the viewer's while, with rich character and plot development: Soli finds direction and meaning in life, Wren's endearing wit and positivity belie her inner fears as she struggles to deal with them and Craig and Mrs. Buck make changes for the better in their own lives. The wonderful soundtrack helps, too.

Those who watch Upside will be inspired by its underlying themes of faith and reliance on God, as well as its message that, whatever happens, there is always an upside.

Letters To God

Tyler Doherty is a cancer-stricken eight-year-old who, in the midst of his suffering, regularly prays to God in the form of letters addressed to Him, which he leaves in his mailbox for the mailman to deliver.

Sounds cheesy? That's what I thought — until I actually watched it. Based on the true story of writer Patrick Doughtie's late son, Tyler (1995 - 2005), it depicts the life of Doherty (played ingeniously by Tanner Maguire, whose credits include CSI: NY, Desperate Housewives and Without A Trace) as he is recovering from brain tumor surgery and two months of MRIs and radiation. He lives with his widowed mother, Maddy (Robyn Lively, Chicago Hope) and elder brother, Ben (Michael Bolten, Criminal Minds), while his grandmother, Olivia (Days of Our Lives' Maree Cheatham), helps care for the boys when Maddy is at work.

Everyday, Tyler writes a letter to God, praying for himself, his family, his friends and everyone else around him. When the new mailman, an alcoholic by the name of Brady McDaniels (Jeffrey Johnson, Bones) fetches the mail, he sees the letters and, unable to bring himself to shred them, tries to leave them at the local church. The pastor spots him and, believing that the letters wound up in his hands for a reason, persuades him to keep them. Soon, Brady grows close to the Dohertys, feeling a deep sympathy for and affinity to Tyler. He is reminded of his own son, who is temporarily in his ex-wife's custody.

As the film progresses, Tyler's struggles and triumphs are chronicled: the heartening relationship between he and his best friend, Samantha "Sam" Perryfield (the wonderfully precocious Bailee Madison, Bridge to Terabithia), the impact his unfaltering faith and strength has on his family, neighbors and Brady and how his constant determination and positivity allow him to live a full, albeit short, life.

The focus on Jesus and how God listens to every prayer is obvious but not overbearing and it is impossible not to be moved (or even to shed a tear or two) by the end of the film. We can laugh with Tyler and Sam as their sincere interaction and simple innocence brings joy to their lives. We can cry with Maddy as she faces the overwhelming possibility of losing her son. We feel Brady's pain as he risks losing permanent custody of his son. And above all, we see the ripple effect Tyler's life has on everyone around him.

I am not the first person to sing the praises of this film but if you haven't heard the kind of positive critique it has received or simply don't understand the hype, I strongly recommend this DVD, if not for its quality direction and performances, then for its proof of the power of prayer.

Social Justice: A Double Take

The I Heart Revolution: We're All In This Together

We're All In This Together is the second in a three-part project by Hillsong United, entitled The I Heart Revolution, the first being their ninth studio album, With Hearts As One, which was released two years ago. We're All In This Together is basically a documentary on social justice. Predictably, it also provides a good yank on the heartstrings to remind us just how fortunate and blessed we are to have the means to watch DVDs. Their slant? If their entire focus is directed only to what happens on stage, then maybe they have missed the point altogether. Hence their efforts to connect with people in other, non-musical ways.

In the film, the band chronicle their travels and the people they meet along the way: youth from different cultures and backgrounds, the underprivileged (from victims of natural disasters to child prostitutes) and volunteers who are trying to turn things around for the aforementioned people.

There really isn't a whole lot to reveal about the film — no plot twists, no exciting scenes — it is, after all, a documentary. What it does have, however, is excellent editing and the ability to drive home its main point: we are called to be a blessing to others, especially the less fortunate.

From India to Indonesia, the US to the UK, poverty and suffering are showcased in the film, broken up by animated segments telling true stories of social justice, from William Wilberforce's fight against slavery to the birth of the Salvation Army. Famous references are scattered throughout, from Nelson Mandela's speeches to Mother Teresa's quotes. Interviews with social workers, as well as big names in the Christian music world, Martin Smith, Reuben Morgan and Joel Houston, lend added perspective on the human condition and the one thing all of us need: God's unconditional love.

And though Hillsong United is one of the most well-known Christian bands today, the film manages not to be preachy, despite several Christ-centered testimonies and Bible verses. Ultimately, We're All In This Together is an eye-opener that both Christians and non-Christians can watch and be moved by — moved to make a difference, no matter how small.

To Save A Life

Continuing on the theme of social justice, we have To Save A Life, a story involving high school cliques, jocks, geeks and a tragedy that leads to a life-changing epiphany.

Randy Wayne (TV's Numb3rs) stars as Jake Taylor — the blond, blue-eyed star of Pacific High's basketball team, complete with a university scholarship and a blond cheerleader girlfriend in the form of Amy Briggs (Deja Kreutzberg, CSI: Miami, Law & Order). Jake's childhood friend, Roger Dawson (Robert Bailey Jr., Coraline), is the exact opposite: a lonely outcast who walks with a limp, the result of saving Jake from an oncoming car in sixth grade.

The story is simple enough: they grow up and grow apart when Jake becomes popular and eventually, a despised and desperate Roger walks into school one morning, fires a few shots at the ceiling and turns the gun on himself — but not before he looks Jake in the eye and accuses him of not having cared. Almost immediately, Jake embarks on a journey of reflection, realizing there's more to life than grades, popularity and a pretty girlfriend. He meets Chris Vaughn (Joshua Weigel, director of the award-winning The Butterfly Circus), a pastor at a local church, who ministers to him.

Soon, Jake turns to God and the Christian faith, shunning the hard-partying lifestyle of his teammates for Tuesday nights and Sunday mornings in church. Using Roger's MySpace profile, he begins to reach out to young outcasts and even befriends Jonny Garcia (Akeelah & The Bee), a stereotypical "emo" geek with a penchant for art & cutting, eventually saving his life in a sudden plot twist towards the end. After becoming a Christian, Jake begins to seek God for answers — how to deal with his warring parents, his increasingly strained relationship with Amy and life itself.

The film's good points include realistic portrayals of issues many teens today experience: family dysfunction, sex, matters of the heart and cliques, among others. Jake's parents have a shaky marriage, his pre-Christian self engages in drunken sex with Amy and the high school social ladder is examined.

However, every problem seems to be resolved a little too easily and the characters can be a little too stereotypical — the jock, the cheerleader, the geek. Before there is enough time for the viewer to vicariously experience each character's feelings as he / she goes through a crisis, a solution is provided. Yet, somehow, the film also manages to chug along slowly at certain parts.

The film does not shy away from its Christian values and even some Christians may cringe ever so slightly at the prospect. But overall, To Save A Life is good for parents and their teens to watch together. In this cynical world, such a film reminds us that all of us can change and ultimately, save lives, even if we doubt our ability to do so.