trusting in His promises

Friday, October 12, 2007

YOU Are Not Forgotten

this week, i heard Israel & New Breed's latest album thanks to Sam. and it has been a tremendous blessing. Israel A.K.A Black PaPa(it's an affectionate term for him) has a superb voice. I give this album ONE HUNDRED STARS. :)

the harmonizing is pitch-perfect.
the band is really tight and it's pure awesome-ness listening to them.
the songs are personal.
And Most Importantly, the lyrics mean alot.

it dawned on me how black papa likes to write songs related to identity and self-worth. songs like Friend of God, I Know Who I Am, He Knows My Name and You've Been A Friend. all these songs speak powerfully, and that's why i believe that lyrics in a song are very important, not just how good the band is able to pull off the song.

I think that God has given black papa a very special role in Africa. In this very troubled continent, these songs of identity have a greater meaning. it's amazing how he is able to reach out to the millions in Africa through these songs. if you watch the DVD of Israel & New Breed's Live Worship you will understand what i am talking about.

Well, my favourite song is this acoustic song called You Are Not Forgotten. The guitars are so good in the first part, and the bass is just as good at the end. totally inspiring me to learn how to play... but i guess, we cannot be a jack of all trades yah. HAHA.

this song reminded me of this book i read at the beginning of the year. This book is based on John Burnett's experience in Somalia and his most poignant memory would be that of the child soldiers that he met there. He talks about how authority comes from a loaded gun and how he was held at gunpoint by a child soldier. it's definitely a disturbing book, but worth-reading nevertheless.

and everytime i listen to this song, images of the child soldiers just flash through my mind. today, there are more than a million child soldiers in Africa. believe it or not, these young boys are trained to kill and fight. violence becomes a very integral part of their lives. so i wonder and i question alot.

do they enjoy killing?
do they have any regrets?
do they feel like they are living in a nightmare?
are they scarred for life?
are their hearts hardened already?

people walking by, very seldom they say hi
they don't know how wonderful you are

if they only knew all the things you've been through
if only they could see your heart

i hear you crying for help
please don't blame yourself

You Are Not Forgotten
You Are Not Forgotten

when it's time to go to sleep
and try your best to keep yourself from falling apart

there's no need to fear
because i'm already here
and i'm the one who sees your heart

i hear you crying for help
please don't blame yourself

You Are Not Forgotten
You Are Not Forgotten

Maybe this song will speak to many of us personally too. Hah, cause there are times when our confidence is shaken and there are times when we feel we are not good enough. But we have a God who sees our heart and understands us. and perhaps that is more than enough, to know that He doesn't forget us? :)

i was running and you found me
i was blinded and you gave me sight
you put a song of praise in me
ohohhohhh
i was broken and you healed me
i was dying and you gave me life
Lord you are my identity

i know i know

I know who I Am
I know who I Am
I know who I Am
I Am Yours, I Am Yours

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS 10:42 AM