I really pray that You have bigger plans for me than I had for myself.

"Lament" by Tim Be Told

They say You are jealous
They say You are kind
But the jealous part seems to win all the time
If You're so mighty, why do you break
The weak and the weary, and steal what they make?

They say You're forgiving
That You'll not forsake
But You punched me out when I made a mistake
I try to find beauty in the mess that You made
But You just stayed angry and never forgave

Yes, I know You are great
But is a bad God better than none?
How much more will it take to undo the damage that You have done?
'Cause the wicked and wayward continue to thrive
And the martyrs continue giving their lives
Oh, the faithful never never survive
Oh, the faithful never never survive

You're the almighty, so I am afraid
You crushed me to pieces, and stole what I made
If hopeless delusion is a righteous man's fate
I don't know how much more I can take

Yes, I know You are great
But is a bad God better than none?
How much more will it take to undo the damage that You have done?
'Cause the wicked and wayward continue to thrive
And the martyrs continue giving their lives
Oh, the faithful never never survive
Oh, the faithful never never survive

God are You listening?
Please hear my cry
I don't really believe You're more cruel than You're kind
But I'm getting tired of repeating this line
That the faithful never survive

Yes, I know You are great
That You're a good God, and You are love
How much more can I take to undo the damage that I have done?
Please conquer these demons and the darkness inside
Shine Your light on this poor heart of mine
Maybe my faith will survive
Maybe my faith will survive
Maybe my faith will survive

"Emerging Face of a Nationless World" Campaign

Currently in the works of bringing Stone Forest Ensemble (SFE) to Bryn Mawr on behalf of ASA. The following is a global campaign that Jie-Song, the founder of SFE, is working on and is interested in getting BMC ASA's involved in. Check it out and take a quick look at the video - it's pretty awesome. (It was first featured for the Shanghai World Expo.) I love it when people/artists embrace their culture and combine it with their talents and passions to bring it a step further.

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News : National Geographic World Music

Going Beyond Multiculturalism In The Big Apple

by Tom Pryor

Each week Nat Geo Music scours the far reaches of the internet to bring you the coolest music videos from around the globe.

This week's video comes from Shanghai's current World Expo, via New York City, courtesy of a young violinist and mulitmedia visionary, Jie-Song Zhang, and it's a little different from what we usually offer, but pretty cool nonetheless.

We'll let Jie-Song explain it in his own words:

"Emerging Face of a Nationless World is a film-based project and campaign, created by international artistic director and artist, Jie-Song Zhang, originally in response to an invitation by the USA Pavilion to share American culture with the world at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. His choice was to highlight the part of the American identity that has been shaped from the contribution of a multitude of world cultures, by way of immigration and expression. Since then, the project's concept and aim have evolved dramatically.

The first phase of the project tells the story of artists from across the globe who have come to New York, artists who have chosen as their life's work to share their own cultural heritage in the pursuit of beauty, meaning, and truth, despite the mighty weight of the world's commercial values pressing against their shoulders. In their stories, in their coming together from differing corners of the world to contribute their distinct cultural characteristics to the definition of one place, lies the promise of the possibility of a unified world.

The long term ambition and intention of the Emerging Face of a Nationless World campaign is to form an international grassroots network of cultural communities, organizations, and institutions, towards helping the people of the world transcend the boundaries that divide us of our unity and collective potential."

That said, check it out:

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Tim Be Told's "Humanity" Album

Tim Be Told's new "Humanity" album arrived in my mailbox this afternoon. There's definitely some songs whose lyrics I want to post up, but I don't know where to start. I'm tempted to put up the lyrics for more than half the album. Their music definitely has a deeper message in this album. The title "Humanity" truly expresses the undertone of this album.

Tim Be Told...their music still doesn't fail to amaze me. Their music is a beautiful, genuine mix of their passions, talents, and faith. Still my favorite band.

Currently Listening To:

- Tim Be Told's new "Humanity" album, on repeat

Came up on my iPod today, was reminded of these two pieces by Jimmy Needham:

"The Benediction"


"Not Without Love"

Currently Listening To:

- Little Wonders, Rob Thomas

- Forever and Almost Always, Kate Voegele

- O What Mercy, Tim Be Told
*That reminds me, need to go check my mail to see if Tim Be Told's new "Humanity" album arrived yet :)

asians in the library of the world: a persona poem in the voice of alexa...

Wow, there's such an outpouring of responses to her vblog post. Many of them are mostly just Asians "ranting" back to put it in a nice way. But every now and then there's some Asian artists who find a more refined way to respond.... (Also, see a previous post by Jimmy Wong. I just found that one to be hilarious.)

Rhythm Of Love Cover (by Clara C and Joseph Vincent)

Asians in the Library Song UNCUT UCLA (Alexandra Wallace) Music Video

Nanjing, China this Summer!

After first being listed as an alternate for Haverford's CPGC's international summer internships, I gave up on my plans to go to Nanjing, China this summer. "No way would someone give up their spot for a full-expenses paid trip to China," I thought. However, I found out today that a spot became available, so I'll be going to Nanjing, China this summer to intern with The Amity Foundation, a Chinese Christian NGO. I'll be there to teach English to mentally disabled students, children of migrant workers, and middle school English teachers.

This still feels kind of surreal to me...maybe once the dates and details are set it'll seem less abstract. I'm worried that something's going to come up that'll prevent me from going. (And my mom's worried about the radiation coming from Japan's nuclear plants that's affecting China. >>; ) Not looking forward to the intense heat, but whoo for abroad experiences! :)

These warmer and longer days of sunlight are cheering me up to no end.

Makes me seriously wonder if I have seasonal affective disorder....

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

- Ecclesiastes 3:11

Lord, teach me to trust in You, in Your plans, and in Your timing. Give me the patience to be at peace with only knowing a few steps ahead, to know that this path has its reasons and purpose. To know that at the right time you will reveal Your Will, and that Your design will be perfect. To know that in the end I will be able to confidently step back and praise the beautiful work You have done.

Prayer Requests:

- To be more intentional in building relationships with others, and for the strength and love to do so

- To be kingdom-minded

- For clarity in planning for the future (summer plans, academically, career-wise, church-wise)

- To trust in Him more

- For my family

Currently Listening To:

- Our God, Chris Tomlin

- All My Fountains, Chris Tomlin

- Set Free, Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman

The Places We Should Have Gone

DIRECTOR’S COMMENTARY
The feeling of regret or wishing for another chance is common when a couple separates. Whoever is at fault usually searches for sympathy as they have realized in hindsight their mistakes. In “Places” Becky has returned from a 6 month internship and runs into her exboyfriend. Based on the flashbacks we see that prior to her leaving, she made many efforts to keep him close, but he was not so receptive for whatever reason. While his rejection of her ideas to take trips may not have directly been the reason for their breakup, it’s enough to show his attitude toward the relationship and how much he had come to value it and her. Fast forward to her return from the job, we can see that she is not totally over it. And to her surprise, the ex-boyfriend has come to realize how he mistreated her. Whether or not she gives him another chance is left open, but the ending line is what I wanted to emphasize… When people break up, they usually handle it in one of two ways. They either push themselves to forget about it and move on, or they wallow in depression, holding on. In my opinion, I don’t think it’s good to do either. Trying to forget means getting rid of all the experiences and lessons. Dwelling means not accepting and growing from the same experiences/lessons. When Becky says “I will do neither”, she’s saying, I can move on, while still remembering why.

Hard Partying and Bible Study, at the Fraternity House - NYTimes.com

Hard Partying and Bible Study, at the Fraternity House - NYTimes.com

You can't do it, or you simply won't do it? When you say you can't do something, chances are that that's complete BS. It's not your lack of ability to perform something, but your lack of willpower that stops you. And I won't tolerate the excuses anymore; it's time to become disciplined.