2nd Cut - ‘Holy Spirit, Purify Me’

Worked with Mano on ‘Holy Spirit, Purify Me’ today.

First, we reworked the arrangement of the lyrics to bring down the monotony a bit (though this happens to be a chant actually).

Then we continued the percussion line in the intro into the verses also, this gave the continuity between intro and verse, which I felt was somehow missing (my wife, Irene had the same feedback) in the first cut.

Mano had already replaced the electric violin outro with the intro and enhanced it with some Indian flute work.

Now it sounds the way I want it to, leaving only guitar parts to be added.

2nd Cut - ‘All Hail Yahweh’

‘All Hail Yahweh’ with guitars sounds even better now. Bruce has played a cool guitar solo before the bridge on a very unique scale bordering on carnatic notes - not something usually heard in worship music; it does add a different colour to the song.

The changes to the bridge part are also done reducing intensity and then building it up into the chorus, which enhances the worship effectively.

The percussions still need to be heard a bit more - should be taken care of in the final mix I guess.

Reforming the Performing

At some point or the other, people active in on-stage ministries like preaching or worship struggle with the performance spirit.

On stage, with the spotlight on, with all the excitement, songs, music, people clapping & cheering etc. it’s so easy to get carried away and turn the session into a musical concert riding on people’s emotions. That’s when the session doesn’t anoint but annoys.

Signs of having yielded to the performance spirit:

- I want to be doing the worship leading all the time and do whatever I can to ensure other worship leaders do not get opportunities.

- I forget compliments are just a way of confirming my calling and instead look forward to compliments only to feed my ego.

- I feign humility when receiving compliments while gloating on the inside.

- I want only my songs to be used in the worship session.

- I monopolize the stage as much as possible.

- I can’t stand it when another worship leader is complimented.

- I dislike small crowds and enjoy only big crowds and big programs.

- I wear flashy, attention-grabbing clothes or accessories.

- I make exaggerated gyrations and movements when playing my musical instrument (guitarists are particularly susceptible to this!)

- I need all kinds of trappings like multicolored strobe lights, smoke bombs etc. to get into that “worship” groove.

- I manipulate people and their emotions to create feel-good “worship.”

A few tips that have helped me and continue to help me:

- I have an honest spiritual guide who gives frank feedback on my sessions. I also choose a few more sincere people who know my ministry, from whom I can expect straightforward feedback and opinions.

- Always have a time of personal worship at least a day before a worship session.

- Pray against pride and pray for the Lord to increase.

- Work with my worship team closely, mentor them and share the stage as much as possible with them even if it means ‘my time’ is reduced.

- Remember worship is all about the Lord and His people, NOT about me.

- Learn to enjoy all crowds, big or small: this keeps my heart in its proper place.

- Never forget that God is the real audience.

- Never run after an opportunity to lead worship. Trust God and joyfully take whatever He provides.

- Remember, we can probably attract people with the flashy, but cannot keep them without integrity.

In short, worship should always be awe-filled not awful. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” – John 3:30

3rd Cut - ‘Song of Christ’

Robert finally made it to Chennai to complete the vocal recording for ‘Song of Christ’ today. His classy singing + Bruce’s guitar work well with the rest of the music to bring out the exact overall feel I had in mind when I wrote this song.

Must say it’s very satisfying to listen to this version!

1st Cut - ‘Holy Spirit, Purify Me’

First cut of ‘Holy Spirit, Purify Me’ reached me today.

This has a lot more Indian/Ethnic sound to it - starting with a simple ethnic stringed instrument intro, the music builds up with a brief flute line leading into the verse, then space for some guitar interlude with percussion provided by an Indian Tabla.

Since this song is more of a chant, we repeat the verse, then another interlude and then verse again leading into an electric violin outro.

Felt the percussion in the intro should continue in the verses also apart from rearranging the lyrics and replacing the electric violin outro with the intro supplemented with Indian flute.

2nd Cut - ‘Awake O My Soul’

Percussions and Bruce’s guitar work added, now it sounds absolutely awesome!

The tone of the electric guitar from the second verse onwards is one of the most pleasant sounds I’ve ever heard. Great fills and a special emotive solo, all in all, high quality electric guitar work.

Mano’s trademark flute and electric sitar all add up to make ‘Awake O My Soul’ very special.

Handling Temptation

I recently spoke on this subject in my prayer group...since all of us struggle with some temptation or the other, I thought of blogging my talk's notes, hope they help you in come way!

IT’S SOURCE

Temptation comes from the enemy and myself, James 1:14, “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.”

It arouses and manipulates the senses (sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste) and urges us to give in to the flesh.

Temptation challenges our morals and weaknesses; and by gradually drawing us into habitual sins, it aims to enslave and lead us away from God.

Biblical example: the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

WHAT IT IS NOT

It is not the same as testing, which comes from God, confronts us to renounce the flesh & walk in the spirit, and challenges our fruits & our walk with God. It aims to strengthen us and lead us closer to God.

Biblical example: God asking Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

Secondly, temptation is NOT sin...getting tempted is not a sin by itself - it is our response to the temptation that determines whether we are in sin or not.

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION - THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES

1. Resist and it will flee (James 4:7), resist = not wanting it AT ALL! We succumb because deep down we enjoy it, take pleasure from it, we want it. If that desire does not go, no amount of praying can defeat it.

Remember and trust in God’s promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

So no one can say 'I can't resist it', else the Bible is lying.

2. Pray - Jesus taught us in Luke 22:40 and again in 46 "...he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." Use the gifts, I especially pray in tongues when I am tempted.

3. Know the Word of God - "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Psalms 119:11) that’s how Jesus overcame temptation - Jesus was physically starving during the temptations, but spiritually overflowing - that is the power of grace through prayer and the Word.

4. Do not hide it - the enemy loves darkness and he cannot stand the light, bring it out into the open and it will lose its power over us e.g. talking about it in confession or to a spiritual director or a prayer partner.

5. Avoid compromising situations - e.g. if you are constantly tempted to visit a porn site while browsing the internet, keep the computer in the hall or keep the door open while browsing.

6. Change our attitude - instead of looking at temptation as a trap/snare, look at it positively as an opportunity to do what's right.

7. Detachment - When God asks you to give something up, we should be able to not just obey, but obey cheerfully. See Abraham or Tobit or better still Job, nothing could shake their trust in God – they simply obeyed. God does only what’s best – if job/house/money/people go, that’s what God wants in my life at that point, which means it’s best for me in God's eyes – this is real detachment.

No temptation or testing can overcome me if I am detached. What I have, I can use and enjoy, but if it is taken away, no worries – remember Job’s principle: ‘God gives and God takes away.’ When God is really first, attachments will disappear.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12

1st Cut - ‘Awake O My Soul’

First cut itself blew me away!

This time, the intro is a simple piano riff leading into the first verse, chorus, interlude and going full-on with drums into the second verse, then space for a guitar solo, reducing intensity for the chorus, then slowly building up again into another repetition of the chorus and then the outro.

Just wish for some light percussion work from the beginning, which Mano agreed to add.

This is probably the most melodic song on the album, wonder what Bruce’s guitar would do to this one.