Grace Abundant
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Introduction
Many of you who know me personally will think this is a different Simon writing (and singing!), but let me assure you, it's still the same Simon Yau whom you meet everyday in person. If you don't believe me, just check out the pictures!
Grace Abundant is a small holiday project that I did with Hoong Ern (one of the most talented fellas I know!) in August 2007. Though I wished we had more time to work on this 'album', I must say that I'm quite satisfied with what we managed to do in this short period of time. However, this album couldn't have been completed (couldn't have even started, in fact) if it weren't for the abounding, never-ending, ever-sufficient grace of God. And God's grace is the reason why we did this album.
God's grace has been so real to me especially this year, when I (finally) begun to understand the meaning of God's grace. Many times I have heard these words 'grace', 'grace of God', 'God's grace', and though I knew what they meant, I never fully understood it. However, through the events and activities of this year, I've begun to be able to get a taste of what God's grace means. Every breath I take, everything I do and am able to do, is only because of God's grace. The results I obtain each examination, is only because of God's grace. The talents and special skills I have, only because of God's grace. In fact, I will have nothing but eternal condemnation if it wasn't for God's grace, shown on the cross about 2,000 years ago when God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins, and even till today, God's grace is renewed continually as I live each day of my life. These songs that we have recorded actually reflect God's grace in my life, before the day I was born and even after the day that I die (humanly at least). Sending His very own son to die on the cross for me, making a way through my troubles even though there seems to be no way, giving me strength for each day, being my shield. I can only stand in awe of God's grace, and even till today, His grace still amazes me. It is for Him only that I live, and it is my desire to follow Him all the days of my life. Truly, it is in Christ alone that I can find my glory.
-- Simon Yau
I too wish that we had more time to spend on this album, for there is a lot to improve, however, it reminds me that we are far from perfect, that we are still 'work in progress' which will only come to completion on the day of Jesus Christ (see Philippians 1:6)
God has blessed us with the ability to distinguish mere noise from music, and it is through this wonderful medium that many praises have been made about God (just look at the book of Psalms for some examples!). I am thankful for the opportunity that God has given me to be able to do this small project, along with my good and talented friend, Simon Yau, this summer break, August 2007. I wish for this collection of various hymns & songs to be a prayer and meditation on the goodness of God, the amount of grace that he has shown me in the past years of my life. So many times I have been a broken person, and have done many things for which I deserve anything but love from God. But God has shown me Abundant Grace through his one and only son, Jesus Christ.
"He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord" ~ Psalm 40:2-3 (NIV)
It is my prayer that my life will be a living sacrifice to God, beyond this album. It is useless for me to be able to create all this music, if my life does not reflect God's commandments.
I can truly say that by grace, God has lifted me out of the slimy pit, and there is nothing I can do to repay what he has done. I just want to make this my prayer to thank God for what he has done, sing a new song to Him, and to praise Him!
-- Hoong Ern
"And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us." ~ 1 John 3:23-24
The Music
Here you can find direct links to download the music. However, please do take the time to read the rest below if you are able to =)
Files are in Mp3 format, to download them, right-click them and press 'save link as' or 'save target as' or your browser's equivalent.
To download the whole album as high-quality VBR Mp3 files zipped, click HERE [80MB].
01. Medley - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus - In Moments Like These
02. God Will Make a Way
03. We Are The Reason
04. Medley - How Great Thou Art - O Mighty Cross
05. Medley - Thank You For The Cross - In Christ Alone
06. Beautiful Saviour
07. As The Deer
08. This is my desire
09. Medley - I worship You - There is none like You
10. Great is the Lord
11. I can only Imagine
12. Your Grace Still Amazes Me
13. Finale Medley - He is Exalted - Indescribable
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If you have comments for the both of us, please send them to album-comment [A@T] graceabundant (d.ot) (co.m)
NOTICE: All recordings are for PERSONAL use only, and are not being used to make money, and are not being used for any commercial purposes.
Please do not link these files directly from any other sites (Just not the separate files - You CAN link to this
page)
If you want to use these recordings, please ask me first! Thank you!
Thoughts and Lyrics
As about half of the songs are instrumental, here are the lyrics, and some thoughts on the songs as well.
Medley - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (by Helen H. Lemmel) - In Moments Like These (by David Graham)
Guitar - Hoong Ern
Trombone - Hoong Ern
Begin by quieting our hearts, and just forgetting the things of the world as we focus our eyes on our savior, Jesus Christ. And in those moments, sing out a new song unto Him, for the grace that He has shown.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
In moments like these I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to Jesus.
In moments like these I sing out a song,
I sing out a love song to the Lord....
Singing I love you Lord
Singing I love you Lord
Singing I love you Lord
I love you.
Lord, I have turned away from you, I have sinned against you, may I turn back to you and may my eyes continue to always be focused on you, as I sing out a love song to you.
God Will Make a Way (by Don Moen)
God will truly make a way, even when there seems to be a way. No matter how far we have gone, no matter how hard things seem to be, he will make a way. Let him do something new for you today!
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.
By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.
We Are The Reason (composer: David Meece)
Sequence backing - Hoong Ern
Saxophone - Simon Yau
Guitar - Hoong Ern & Simon Yau
Electric Guitars - Hoong Ern
God did not have any other reason to die on the cross, except one: His love for us, and for that reason alone, He sent His only Son to die on the cross for us. We are the reason Jesus died on the cross, though we deserved nothing.
As little children
We would dream of Christmas morn
Of all the gifts and toys
We knew we'd find
But we never realized
A baby born one blessed night
Gave us the greatest gift of our lives
We are the reason
That He gave His life
We are the reason
That He suffered and died
To a world that was lost
He gave all He could give
To show us the reason to live
As the years went by
We learned more about gifts
The giving of ourselves
And what that means
On a dark and cloudy day
A man hung dying in the rain
All because of love, all because of love
I've finally found the reason for living
It's in giving every part of my heart to Him
In all that I do every word that I say
I'll be giving my all just for Him, for Him
He is my reason to live
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." ~ John 3:16-17
Medley - How Great Thou Art - O Mighty Cross (by David Baroni, John Chisum)
Saxophone - Simon Yau
Trombone - Hoong Ern
Guitar - Hoong Ern
Sound FX (Thunderstorm) - Provided by God, recorded in Malaysia by Hoong Ern =D
Written by Mr. Carl Gustaf after witnessing a thunderstorm, 'How Great Thou Art' exclaims the wonders which God has done on earth, whether the awesome power of the thunderstorm down to birds singing sweetly in the tree, and the amazing grace that God has shown us by sending Jesus down to die for our sins. Let us make the mighty cross a tree of life to us.
O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"
"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." ~ Galatians 6:14 (ESV)
O Mighty Cross Love lifted high
The Lord of Life raised there to die
His Sacrifice on Calvary has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me
O Mighty Cross what Throne of Grace
He knew no sin yet took my place
His Sacrifice on Calvary has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me
O Mighty Cross O Christ so pure
Love held Him there such shame endured
His Sacrifice on Calvary has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me
O Mighty Cross my soul's release!
The stripes He bore have brought me peace
His Sacrifice on Calvary has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me
Medley - Thank you for the cross (by Mark Altrogge) - In Christ Alone (by Shawn Craig, Don Koch)
Piano - Hoong Ern
As the song states, take the time to just thank God for everything he has done for us, for without him we would be nothing. Life is fragile, and can be taken away at any moment, so just thank God that he indeed saved us at such a cost, that we will never understand.
Thank You for the cross, the mighty cross,
That God Himself should die for such as us,
And everyday we're changed
Into Your image more and more,
Yes, by the cross we've truly been transformed.
And we're so amazed, and we give You praise
That You would save us at such a cost.
We're so amazed, and we give You praise
For the power of the cross,
For the power of the cross.
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself in battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone I'll overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But those trophies could not equal
To the grace by which I stand
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace I am redeemed
For only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness to my need
And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." ~ Psalm 62:5
Beautiful Savior (by Henry Seeley)
Piano - Simon Yau
Guitar - Hoong Ern
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." ~ Philippians 2:9-11
So often we take the name of Jesus Christ - the name above every name - in vain, especially when we call ourselves CHRISTian yet not living lives worthy of Christ. Let us live lives worthy of Christ, our Beautiful Saviour, who has redeemed us from eternal condemnation.
Jesus, Beautiful Saviour,
God of all Majesty,
Risen king,
Lamb of God,
Holy and righteous,
Blessed redeemer,
Bright morning star
All the heavens shout your praise,
All creation bow to worship You
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Name above every name, exalted high
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Jesus your name, name above every name, Jesus
Isn't it amazing that all creation bows to worship God? Indeed, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" ~ Matthew 8:27b
As The Deer (by Martin J. Nystrom)
Sometimes, our souls are so thirsty and dehydrated, yet we are unaware of it. If we die just after a few days without water, how much more we should be longing after God to fill our souls until we overflow!
As the deer panteth for the water,
So my soul longeth after you.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield.
To you alone may my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you.
You're my friend, and You are my brother
Even though You are a King.
and I love You more than any other
So much more than anything.
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God" ~ Psalm 42:1
This is my Desire (by Reuben Morgan)
Trombone - Hoong Ern
Guitars - Hoong Ern
This is my prayer, O Lord, that I will do my best to honour your commandments, to love you with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind.
This is my desire, to honour You,
Lord with all my heart,
I worship You,
All I have within me, I give You praise,
All that I adore, is in You,
Lord I give You my heart,
I give You my soul,
I live for You alone,
Every breath that I take,
Every moment I'm awake,
Lord have Your way in me.
Medley - I worship You (by Sondra Corbett) - There is none like You (by Lenny LeBlanc)
Piano - Hoong Ern
This piece was chosen just as a song of worship, to the things God has done unlike any other, and there is indeed none like Him. God is indeed worthy of our praise and worship.
I worship You, Almighty GodL
There is none like You
I worship You, O Prince of Peace
That is what I want to do
I give You praise
For You are my righteousness
I worship You, Almighty God
There is none like You.
There is none like You
No one else can touch my heart like you do
I could search for all eternity long and find
There is none like You
Your mercy flows like a river wide
And healing comes from Your hands
Suffering children are safe in Your arms
There is none like You
Great is the Lord (by Steve McEwan)
Sequence backing - Hoong Ern
Guitar - Simon Yau
Great is the Lord most worthy of praise
In the city of our God, the holy place
The joy of the whole earth
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory
He aids us against the enemies
We bow down on our knees
And Lord we want to lift Your name on high
And Lord we want to thank You
For the works You've done in our lives
And Lord we trust in Your unfailing love
For You alone are God eternal
Throughout earth and heaven above
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain." ~ Psalm 48:1
I Can Only Imagine (by Bart Millard)
Who can imagine God's awesomeness? We, limited by our imagination, will only know when we meet him face to face.
I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus,
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence,
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing Halelluja,
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
Your Grace Still Amazes Me (by Shawn Craig, Connie Harrington)
Sequence backing - Hoong Ern
At the end of all things, it is still only because of God's grace that we are able to do anything, to worship him, to be saved by Jesus Christ, or to be who we are this day. It is amazing grace, in abundance, which has set us free. Grace which is deeper, wider, stronger, and higher than anything we will ever see.
My faithful Father, enduring Friend
Your tender mercy's like a river with no end
It overwhelms me, covers my sin
Each time I come into Your presence
I stand in wonder once again
Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
Your grace still amazes me
'Cause Your grace still amazes me
Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole
You are the Author and the Healer of my soul
What can I give You, Lord, what can I say
I know there's no way to repay You
Only to offer You my praise
It's deeper, it's wider
It's stronger, it's higher
It's deeper it's wider
It's stronger, it's higher
than anything my eyes can see
Everyday we live by the grace of God, whether we know it or not. For some of us, we have tasted God's grace, but even so, His grace still amazes us day after day after day.
Finale - Medley - He is Exalted (by Twila Paris), Indescribable (by Lora Story)
Saxophone - Simon Yau
Guitar - Hoong Ern
Electric Guitars - Hoong Ern
Let us then continue to exalt His mighty name, every day, for the indescribable and uncontainable things He has done! Amen.
He is exalted
The King is exalted on high
I will praise him
He is exalted forever exalted
And I will praise His name
He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth rejoice in His Holy name
He is exalted
The King exalted on high
From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom
Pictures
Other than the ones earlier (which you can click on to display larger versions), here are a couple more. Again, you can click on them to display larger versions! Pictures (except 7&8) courtesy my good friend Timothy Cheng!
