Chris Tomlin Story

Chris Tomlin grew up as a religious young man in Texas, and continued to hold his faith in his heart. He was a worship leader and youth speaker in various church events. He shared his religious experiences by writing songs with a singular goal, to bring people closer to God.

"Building a career is just fine," he said, "but nothing compares to building bridges through music that lead to hope, healing and higher ground." He first nationally released his solo project, "The Noise We Make", in 2001, but even before that, he has dropped three albums.

"I want to write songs that people sing to God. There's nothing wrong with a three-minute pop song, but I want these songs to be special to the church. There's more of a laser focus on that than ever," he explained the faithful path he's taking.

During his years-long career, Chris was very productive in making albums within one or two years, never more than that. He got his first big break in 2004 when his album "Arriving" was certified Platinum. It charted at No. 6 on Billboard Top Christian Albums and No. 39 on Hot 200.

Two years later, he rose higher to No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart and to No. 15 on all-genre album chart with "See in the Morning". The Gold-certified CD was followed by two more chart-busting efforts "Hello Love" (2008) and "Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship" (2009).

A year after marrying Lauren Bricken, Chris once again ruled Christian Albums chart in 2011 with "And If Out God Is for Us..." and peaked at No. 17 on Hot 200. In the same years, he tasted a double glory as he reigned Billboard Hot Christian Songs with its single "I Lift My Hands". He also celebrated the birth of his daughter, Ashlyn Alexandra Tomlin.

He took a break in 2011 in releasing a new album, but managed to offer a compilation CD carrying his most "Essential Collection." After a long hard works, he finally got recognized at the Grammy Awards in 2012 for making the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.

He's preparing to follow up his Grammy win with another critically-acclaimed album "Burning Lights". He said, "I think what we try to do is keep the songs simple. Not try to overdo anything or overproduce anything but keep the songs that need to have some energy to them really fun and keep some of the beauty as well."

 

Story source: aceshowbiz.com

He Is Worthy

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.
- Revelation 4:11

Who is worthy kanino? Nothing nd no one. When we are in the church worshipping Him ano ba yung iniisip natin? Before His throne we are nothing. Unclean. Sinful. Si Isaiah nga eh nakita niya si God ngunit sobrang hiya siya because of the Greatness of God. No one is worthy that's why we most give all the honor and praise to Him. He is worthy of our praise. Praise Him! Before His throne needs to have a pure and clean heart.

Brian Littrell Story (a member of Backstreet Boys)

I really admire this guy because of his faith and dedication to God despite of the success he recieved. He remains faithful. God bless him more.

“I always knew in my heart that I wanted to do Christian music, that's what's always tugged on my heart strings the most.”

—Brian Littrell

Brian Littrell is known for making two types of music: pop hits with the Backstreet Boys and inspirational tunes as a Christian music artist.

 

Born on February 20, 1975, in Lexington, Kentucky, Brian Littrell joined the Backstreet Boys, one of the biggest pop groups ever to hit the charts, at age 18. The popular boy-band singer has also become a successful Christian music artist. Littrell is now married and a dad, and after overcoming heart health issues and surgery, runs a foundation to help families with kids facing heart-related medical conditions.

On February 20, 1975, in Lexington, Kentucky, Harold Baker Littrell II and his wife Jackie added another baby boy to their family, Brian Thomas Littrell. Born with a congenital heart problem, their younger son almost died from an infection because of his weakened heart at age 5. He found solace from his childhood medical challenges through faith and singing, combining both in the church choir. Soon, Littrell was performing in school plays and musicals, as well as weddings. He intended to attend Cincinnati Bible College on a full scholarship and become a music minister. But life had other plans.

In April of 1993, the high school student was unexpectedly invited to audition for a new pop group, the Backstreet Boys, by his cousin Kevin Richardson. The next day he was selected as the quintet's final member alongside Richardson, Nick Carter, AJ McLean and Howie Dorough. After making their mark in Europe, the band unveiled their 1997 debut album stateside. It sold 13 million copies with highlights like "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me."

In between churning out more hits and putting on concerts, Littrell, the conservative, more straitlaced Backstreet Boys member, found time in the studio for the music he longed to create. In 2006, he released his first Christian-music album, Welcome Home. It reached No. 3 on the Christian album chart, No. 1 on the U.S. Christian Inspirational chart and No. 74 on the Billboard 200 chart. Later, Littrell won two Gospel Musical Association (GMA) Dove Awards for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year in 2006 and 2008. He also took home a GMA Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year in 2008.

Littrell's crooning career led him not only to fame but to his future wife too. While shooting the "As Long As You Love Me" music video in 1997, he met model/accessories designer Leighanne Wallace, an extra on set. On September 2, 2002, they wed. Two years later they had son Baylee. The grateful Littrell almost never made it to fatherhood: In 1997, he underwent open-heart surgery to fix a hole in his heart, and doctors found a hidden second one. Littrell said it was a miracle that he survived. His 7-year-old son endured his own scare, overcoming Kawasaki disease (an inflammation of the blood vessels) in 2008. Grateful for his family's health, the pop star now runs Brian Littrell's Healthy Heart Club for Kids, providing information and support to families with children contending with heart conditions.

Story source: http://www.biography.com

Brother and sister

Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
- Matthew 12:50

We've been to many places and apparently attended different churches. We observed and fellowship with them. We were welcomed and they treated us like a sister, sister in Christ. "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother," all believers are our family. We are one. Ano ba dapat yung treatment natin sa kanila? Love, respect. Yun ang napapansin nating kulang sa ibang church that we attended. Hindi magkaka kilala and no pakialam at all. It's not what God wants. Let's chat after every service, kumustahan or have a date with them. Our brothers and sister need that. It's doing the will of the Father.

Good Gifts

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-12

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will Your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!
- Matthew 7:11

Marami na tayong natanggap na gifts simula pagkabata. Mapa material, emotional or spiritual man ito. We thank God for that. Marami din tayong hiniling at pinag pray sa Kanya na binigay Niya, maraming hindi. The world offer many things, opportunities to us. Aren't you tempted to grab it? In the same way good gifts din yun because it'll lead you to success. But is it God's will? Marami na tayong mga opportunities na pinalagpas which we think will lead us to success but it isn't God's will.

Everything we have right now, consider it good gifts from our Father above. He knows what's best for us and looking forward each day for more of His grace. Some of it we never ask but He gave it, His good pleasing and perfect will.

The Alabaster Jar

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
- Matthew 26:11

What a waste Jesus' disciples said. Sayang yung perfume pinanghugas lang ng paa. Ang mahal kaya di ba? Pero sabi ni Jesus as I will paraphrase it, "Ang pera nahahanap lang pero yung oras, tithes ay meron at nakalaan na para lang sa Akin." Ano ba yung pinakamahal na gamit natin? Yung parang alabaster natin na parang sayang kung ibibigay natin kay God. It's not a waste. Walang sayang 'pag ibigay natin kay God. He'll be delighted whatever it is dahil galing sa ating puso..

What's your alabaster? What can you give to God?

Obeying the Lord

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:10-23

.. "Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice.
- 1 Samuel 15:22

Obedience is one of the vital points of following Christ. To be obedient means to be willing enough to sacrifice. That's why obedience is better than sacrifice. Sacrifice isn't essential without the heart, without obeying what's inside. God is not after our sacrifice/offering how big, wonderful or expensive it is. He's after our hearts on the purpose why we do it.

Obeying God isn't an easy path because the devil will always find its way to devour us. But His grace is always there. Kung nasa point ka ng sacrifice and obeying, choose to obey. Don't sacrifice to the things that aren't eternal, don't compromise God for temporary possessions. It's better to obey because He knows what's best.