About two months ago, I was walking back to my sister's place with Ern Ying, immersed in a conversation about life and God. I suddenly thought of a good question to ask her..
"What do you think the LAST thing God would ever ask you to do is?"
Very dangerous question if you know what God's sense of humour is like. Haha.
She gave her answer and left me pondering mine. I considered the gifts that I already knew were over my life and the calling that has been spoken over me multiple times now, and thought of a really good one.
"Produce a music album."
I was 100% genuinely serious when I said that, because I thought that the path over my life had already been dictated and the gifts already laid out. Music was NEVER something I thought would be a huge part of my life.
But it's just SO Him to do this and laugh at my sincerity, because about two nights later, I found myself unable to sleep. There was a stirring in my heart that knew I had to get up and write. Lyrics were flooding my mind and they would not let me go to bed until I got it penned down.
That night, I wrote two songs. And since then, I have written about twelve altogether. It's not that I try very hard at all, but rather that I find myself stuck on a phrase and again, that sense that I have to write. I told a couple of people, that it was as if God held my hand each time I wrote a song. I still believe in that very much. My sister commented in amazement once that even real song writers take longer to come up with new songs. I loved that she said that, because it just means that this really was a completely God-breathed project and not at all by my own strength.
Everything began as a personal project, writing them out and playing them on the keyboard that has somehow found residence in my room for God's purposes. I sent the early drafts to a few friends with hopes to inspire, and the more positive feedback I received regarding the lyrics, the more I felt God lay on my heart to make videos and share them to more people.
It may be quite obvious from the video that I'm not much of a performer and camera shy.. which I knew, obviously, and therefore why I hesitated to obey. But then, God gave me this:
"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put in under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."
- Matthew 5:14-16
That night, I told Him OK.
That night, I promised Him to go through with this.. so I hope you catch the heart behind this project instead of focusing on the weaknesses in it, as I am sure there are many.
Later, I asked a few friends for help, and we came up with this. We smashed it out in two days and recorded five songs in the end, and right now, James is slowly going through them one by one. As he finishes them, I am happy to share them with you! Feedback (and encouragement) is much appreciated. :)
...
Lastly, I have to say my
thank you's!
Biggest thank You goes to Papa God, who I believe, put me up to this because for that moment, I believed that He was done blessing my life and surprising me with gifts. It's almost a humorous punishment for my lack of faith. Still, I am amazed that He has probably dreamt this for a while too, and took into account every time I led worship in Urban Life or sang my heart out lost in His presence at church/home and molded me in the process, unknowingly. Love You. :)
Next, would be the incredible team that came to help out that day and make this project happen. I owe a huge amount of thanks to James for the amount of work he has sowed into this (and is still sowing) and the spirit of excellence that he carries. I asked him for help because he had a better camera than mine, and a tripod stand. He ended up bringing an insane amount of equipment to my house and yea.. you can see what happened. :) Megan, Kels, James and Ron, thank you guys for putting up with my lack of musical chord knowledge, and my bad habits while singing, and spending hours and hours figuring out what my interpretation of D-A-G-A actually meant. Haha I know now, it's Am not A, and I also learnt that Ebm is a thing. Mindblown. Thanks to Luthie for coming and helping us out for half the songs in between too, and Tonia for doing miscellanous things like arranging the fairy lights and holding lyrics. Thank you to each of you for accompanying me on this journey and standing beside me and '
pai seh shy' with me in front of the camera. Note: I apologize for only myself when I talk about how I fall short in so many areas of this project, because these guys are truly champions and each extremely talented and annointed.You guys are absolutely incredible, with amazing hearts and it really was a complete honour to do this with you all.
Last but not least, a huge thank you to everyone who was bombarded with the drafts of these songs recorded with my phone on the keyboard, with my stuffy nose no less and encouraged me in return to pursue it further, particularly both my sisters, Tonia, Bryan and Gladys who were the earliest to hear the recordings. I treasure each of you very mega-ly much, but a MASSIVE extra dose of gratitude goes to three people who really stood out to me in this time, constantly cheering me on and believing in the dreams and vision of this project. To Grace Che, Tonia and Kels, I couldn't have done it without you guys. :)
OH, and not forgetting, thank you to everyone who ever taught me to play the keyboard, from my parents sending me to piano classes as a child, to my sisters, Luth, Pearly Sam, Wei Xiong, Megan, Sam Tho, Kels and.. I think that's it. AND Megan for teaching me how to sing better, though I know I know, there is still much work to be done. :P
This first one is Beautiful. I hope you enjoy it, and are blessed by it. :)
Love,
Dice
