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"Dancing On Water" by Mary Oz: When grief has no power over Hope

(by Jasper Tan) I have always been a huge admirer of Mary Oz's music. Since the moment I discovered her songs, without fail, I've always made it a point to add them to my playlists. If there was one CCM artist from the Philippines who deserves to be heard on a global scale, then my vote belongs to Mary.  Her latest single, "Dancing On Water" (which is a part of her forthcoming album), is a pure acoustic folk/rock song that talks about breakthroughs from grief. As Mary shares, "Grief can swallow you whole, but it's not a life sentence. The morning will come, and with it, Joy." This is a very empowering statement that seeks to inspire her listeners to take courage, rejoice, leave the sadness behind, and just conquer their fears.  What I love about Mary's songwriting is her deep metaphorical lyricism that makes her songs stand out among the clutter of songs in this age of digital music. You'll definitely know that her songs are very well thought of...

"Joy Of The Lord" by Marcus & Jalyn McGill: Giving God honor with a grateful heart

(by Jasper Tan) Marcus & Jalyn McGill's new single "Joy of The Lord" offers an upbeat and energetic sound to a worship song that is rooted in gratitude and the power of praise. Written during a SongLab retreat last January, it is a song that speaks about healing, breakthrough, and being moved by the Spirit as we give thanks to the Lord. It features a very driving groove that brings excitement and energy as we worship the Lord. You could definitely feel the joy of Marcus and Jalyn when they wrote and performed this song. The chorus is a simple statement of giving honor to the Lord, as his happiness is the one that gives us strength, and which will eventually bring joy to our lives. It might be an understatement to some, but there's really nothing truer than to make our life a living testament of God's love and grace. Make it a part of our prayer for God to give us strength as we live our daily life, where his life can also be reflected in the way that we live. ...

"Holy (In The Valley)" by Caleb Andrew: Finding His Greatness in the Valley

What if worship wasn't just for mountaintop moments? Caleb Andrew's debut single, "Holy (In The Valley)," addresses this very question. Caleb shared that this song has been in the making for 10 years. What started as a chorus and bridge written during an intense encounter with God's presence has since grown into an anthem for his life.  God's holiness doesn't fade when our life grows heavy! In other words, our God not only meets us in triumph, He also walks with us through uncertainty. The lyrics declare, "You are holy // In the valley // You are holy," turning our gaze from circumstance to Him, our Lord. When Caleb sings, "There in my weakness // You see greatness," he captures the heart of persevering faith. This song empowers you to choose to worship Him, even before a breakthrough. The lyrics have become Caleb's daily reminder: "will you let trials silence your song, or will you sing anyway?" The bridge commands cour...

"beauty & love" by HOMECOMING: God's Inescapable Presence

(by Jasper Tan) Looking for a chill worship song to accompany you when you are in the mood to just chill and relax? Then "beauty & love" by Homecoming might just be the song for you. As shared by the group, "beauty & love is a psalm-like prayer rooted in Scripture and marked by honest, reverent worship. The song reflects on the nearness of God, declaring that He is closer than we often realize and present in every season through His Spirit. With imagery drawn from breath, mercy, and daily pursuit, it affirms a God whose love chases us through both joy and sorrow, meeting them at every step with grace." HOMECOMING delivers a testimony of God's ever always present presence if we learn to acknowledge it in our daily living.  Homecoming poses a question: "can we ever escape God's love for us?" More often than not, we tend to neglect his love because when times are good, we feel like we are on top of our own world, self-absorbed by our own abi...

"Good Are You" by whispering HOPE: When Seasons Shift, He Stands

What does it mean to worship when nothing around you feels stable? whispering HOPE tackles this question head-on in "Good Are You," a declaration rooted in scripture and fresh conviction.  The song opens with morning light and immediate recognition: God's mercy meets us exactly where we are. "When the morning breaks again // And I lift my eyes to see // Your mercy meets me where I am // You meet me faithfully." Instead of demanding that we first clean up ourselves / our lives, He meets us just as we are. In other words, His presence doesn't depend on our performance, and He loves us and is ready to guide us forward. The lyrics remind us that "When the world weighs on my heart // And I cannot find my way," His love stands unshaken -  "firm and sure," and His "grace remains secure." I love how the chorus reminds us of a simple and unshakeable truth, "Good are You, good are You // Faithful, kind, and true." No theolog...

"The Fisherman’s Offer" by David Bollmann: Laying It Down to Follow

(by Jasper Tan) Are we ready to take on the Fisherman's offer? That's the big question that David Bollmann asks in "The Fisherman's Offer." The moment I hit the play button, the jangly guitars immediately caught my attention and captivated me. Being a huge fan of the CCM band Jars of Clay, I could immediately tell that David Bollmann's latest single is something pretty much sounded like it was influenced by such CCM bands from the late 90's to mid 2000's. It's just the kind of CCM that I am into. David shares that "The Fisherman's Offer" is a reflective, cinematic indie praise song that was inspired by Jesus' simple but life-changing invitation: "Follow Me." The song draws from the book of John, chapter 15, and the calling of the disciples by the sea. The song explores the idea of being pursued by sacrificial love and responding by laying everything down. "The Fisherman's Offer" opens with driving guitars ...

"Stand In Awe (Live)" by Perimeter Worship: Grace Upon the Cross

(by Jasper Tan) If you are looking for a very beautiful praise and worship song this month, then look no further than listening to Perimeter Worship's song "Stand In Awe." From the get-go, you'll feel the chills and the calming presence of the Holy Spirit as the opening notes are played. And the song gets right to it when the opening lines "Christ alone be lifted high, Christ alone be glorified" immediately glorify God. As Perimeter Worship shares, "'Stand in Awe' is a declaration of worship centering our hearts on Christ, reminding us of His finished work on the cross, and thanking Him for the grace He lavishly poured out for us. We worship with both humility and confidence, ascribing all majesty, power, and authority to Christ alone (Psalm 96:7–8)." The song is a through-and-through worship song that is tailor-fit to be sung at churches. It's a call to worship with humility and confidence, ascribing all majesty, power, and authority ...