Prem Mandir (Gujurat, India)

I honestly can't remember if I've shared this video with you before or not.  But, I just watched it again and thought that I wanted to be sure it was something that you were aware of.  I don't endorse the Prem Mandir (featured in this video) in its entirety.  However, I deeply appreciate their use of contextual art forms, architecture, music and dance from Gujurat.  I find it stirring and would love to visit the Prem Mandir some day.

By the way, the Prem Mandir is a part of the Roman Catholic Rajkot Diocese and is located in Gujurat, India.  The images that you see are mosaics of Christ, some of which I have made use here.

Highlights from 2011 Bhutanese-Nepali Christmas Celebration (Wheaton)

I hope your Christmas was a great blessing as you celebrated the birth of the Lord Jesus!  For my family, we spent most of the day with the local Bhutanese-Nepali community enjoying the Prabhu Sri Yeshuko Janmadinum Utsav (Birth of Lord Jesus Festival).  Folks from Chicago, Aurora, and the Wheaton area gathered together for the celebration hosted by TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali.  Here are a few of the highlights (for more videos from the celebration check out my wife's YouTube channel):


(Here's my favorite Nepali Christmas Song. It tells of the Magi who came to Bethlehem to give offerings to Jesus)


(Here's our very cool children's presentation of the Christmas story. You may recognize the narrator.)


(An original Nepali poem about the life of Jesus by Nar Thapa, member of TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali)


(Sitam Magar shared this song as a special guest from Agape Church, Wheaton)


(Here's an example of a dance that was shared by our guests from Chicago)

Be sure to check out all the videos from our program here.

Timi Mero Sathi

Here's a nice video of my friend, Peter, singing a lovely and touching Nepali song "Timi Mero Sathi" (You are my friend).  If you like Peter's singing -- or the novelty of an American singing Nepali songs -- check out his YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/copperhead165

Paolo Sings -- Jesus Died on the Cross

This makes me smile every time I watch it.  Enjoy my son's improvised worship song:



If you need the lyrics ...

Jesus died on the cross (repeat with humming)
Touch on the foot and he says, "Yeah"
TRUTH!

Reformed Rap

I've recently become aware that there is developing a small group of hip-hop and rap artists who are seeking to write theologically profound songs filled with reformed doctrine.  I've checked out a few of these and am quite impressed with their musical quality and theological depth.  My favorite so far is a song by Shai Linne called "Mission Accomplished."  For those of you that couldn't imagine a rap which clearly expresses the doctrine of particular redemption (a.k.a "limited atonement") and doesn't sound stupid, give this a listen:

He Came Alive Again!

Happy Easter everybody!  A few minutes before Monday and my day is just winding down.  It has been good, but I will not wax on today.  Just wanted to share a funny video from our neighborhood Easter/Good Friday party the other day.  My kids wrote the words to the song in the video.  I taught it to the kids and they helped me to perform it.  Hope you enjoy!



By the way.  That's . . .

He came alive again.
He talked to people some more.
All of them were so excited.
He came alive again.

And we say, "Yay!" (repeat many times)

Namaste Sate' - A new Hindi music video from Aradhana

Listen and watch! A beautiful song from Aradhana:

Sanskrit Bhajan: Sat Guru Yeshu Namo Namaha

Today, I'd like to share another song.  This one is in Hindi/Sanskrit and is so simple yet it provides a profound meditation upon the person and work of God's unique Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  The lyrics, translation, and chords follow.




Romanized Sanskrit:
Jeevanadata Yeshuji, namana karu main sat sat baar
Muktipradata Yeshuji, namana karu main sat sat baar
Shantipradata Yeshuji, namana karu main sat sat baar
Jeevan Jyothi Yeshuji, namana karu main sat sat baar
Iswar Sat Prabhu Yeshuji, namana karu main sat sat baar
Mrythujaya Prabhu Yeshuji, namana karu main sat sat baar

English translation:
Jesus the life giver, we reverently bow again and again
Jesus the savior, we reverently bow again and again
Jesus the peace giver, we reverently bow again and again
Jesus the light of life, we reverently bow again and again
Jesus, God the true Lord, we reverently bow again and again
Jesus, conqueror of death, we reverently bow again and again

The chord progression is simple: Em, C, D, C - I uses a capo on the first fret in this version

From the Rising of the Sun (Nepali)

Per the request of a friend who is trying to launch their first Christocentric Satsang among Nepalis and Bhutanese in another city, I have recorded this Nepali version of "From the Rising of the Sun".  Below the video, you will find some lyrics and translation along with the chords.  Native Nepali singers will be able to do a much better job than me, but this is my humble attempt.



Lyrics in Romanized Nepali:
Suryaadayadekhi suryaastasamma prabhuko prashansaa hunuparchha (2X)
Prashansaa gara unkaa sabai sewakharu ho
Unko naumko prashansaa, unko naum dhanyako hos
Ahiledekhi sadasarwadaa.

English Translation:
From the sunrise to the sunset, the Lord's name must be praised.
All his servants, praise him.
Praise to his name, blessed is his name.
From now on and forever.

Chords:

E                         Esus     E                         Esus

Suryaadayadekhi          suryaastasamma        

A                Bsus             E

prabhuko prashansaa hunuparchha (2X)

A                                                 Bsus

Prashansaa gara unkaa sabai sewakharu ho

                          A                                        Bsus                

Unko naumko prashansaa, unko naum dhanyako hos

C#m      A

Ahiledekhi (3X)

                E

sadasarwadaa.

Several More Videos from TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali's Christmas Program

Found several videos online and thought I'd just post them all here in one, with some comments.



The above video is from the Christ-centered worship portion of the program.  These are some of the young adults and youth from TriEak Parmeshwar Mandali singing a worship song.  The audio isn't very clear, but they did a great job.



This was one of the best performances of the night.  These three ladies are (I think) from the Bhutanese community in Aurora.  They perform here a traditional folk-style dance.  So nice!



Finally, this is Narayan Gajmer from Chicago performing a song with the aspiring young Nepali rock band.  Yes, that's a harmonica!

The Real 12 Days of Christmas

Today is the 2nd (of 12) day of Christmas and in our home, our annual tradition of moving the wise men towards the manger has begun.  We like this little way of extending the Christmas season and centering it more on Christ -- and our kids love it.  As usual, we're making use of a really great picture book called The Real 12 Days of Christmas by Helen Haidle.  The book combines great, colorful pictures with an explanation behind the Christ-centered symbolism of the famous "12 Days of Christmas" song. Today, for example, we read about the two turtledoves which remind us of the sacrifice that Mary and Joseph presented at the temple after Christ's birth in accordance with the Law of Moses.

So, you may want to pick up your copy of the book.  If not, still plan to use these "days of Christmas" as an opportunity to meditate on the incarnation with your family.

Silly Christmas Greetings to You! (En Francais!)

Merry Christmas everyone! This is just a silly video our family made a few years ago. Enjoy.

Christocentric Satsang: Baj Pawaantam (Bhajan)

"Bhaj Paawantam" by Anil Dev

Here is a demonstration of how to play and sing the Hindi-langugage bhajan (devotional song) called "Bhaj Paawantam".  This is a song written by Anil Dev and frequently performed by the musical group Aradhana.  I play and sing it in a way that is simpler than Aradhana's version and have used it in worship with Hindi and Nepali speakers of Hindu backgrounds. Though it is in Hindi, the Hindi is simple enough to be readily understood by Nepalis.

This particular recording is intended for demonstrative purposes for those seeking to learn how to lead contextualized Christocentric satsangs (worship gatherings) among Hindu peoples. I’ve included an example of how changing the tempo mid-song can be used; however most will want to just sing the whole song slowly. Also, I’ve not sung all the verses.  I've also provided here a version by the Adhyathma Vatika that is a bit more classical in flavor.

Lyrics and Chords (my chords): Em Bhaj paawantam Yeshu naam, Cadd9         D     Cadd9    Em Yeshu naam, jay Yeshu naam Em Yeshu naam, mangal naam (2X) Cadd9         D        Cadd9    Em Yeshu naam, jay Yeshu naam [Yeshu naam paawan naam Yeshu naam meetaa naam Yeshu naam pyaaraa naam Yeshu naam sundar naam] (capo 2)

English Translation: (Chorus) Let’s meditate upon the name of Jesus Jesus’ name, victorious name (Verses) Jesus’ name, wonderful (mangal) name Jesus’ name, victorious name. (Other verses: paawaana=great, pyaara=lovely, meetaa=sweet, sundar=beautiful)

“I’d like to say a special word of thanks to anil yesudas and his organization, Adhyathma Vatika, for the teaching, mentoring and encouragement that I have received in my own pursuit of contextualization and walk with the Lord Jesus.  So many of the resources that we utilize in our Christocentric Satsangs are things that I learned from Anilji.  His tireless and faithful work as a devotee of the Lord Sri Jesus Christ in the Indian cultural context is a true inspiration and excellent example for anyone who desires to imitate the incarnation of our great God and Savior.  I strongly and unhesitatingly recommend the work of Brother Yesudas and encourage all to visit his website.” Here is Anil's version of this song. Rev. Cody C. Lorance

Christocentric Satsang: Aradhana Prabhu, Aradhana (Bhajan)

Here is a video clip from the Christocentric Satsang in Chicago.  This Hindi bhajan is a simple song of worship to the Lord Sri Jesus Christ. The chorus simply means "worship the Lord".  I hope you enjoy. Unfortunately, our tabla player came in a bit late. Hopefully we'll get a video up in the future that has percussion.  Also, we welcome you to join us for our weekly satsang in Chicago.  For location and time click here.

Aradhana Prabhu Aradhana

(Progression: em      d           em

c           d                  c           em)

Aradhana Prabhu, aradhana

Aradhana Yeshu, aradhana

(Worship the Lord, worship

Worship Jesus, worship)

Jevan jal teri, aradhana

Jevan roti, aradhana

(Worship the living water,

Worship the bread of life)

Mangalkari, aradhana

Jagat hithakari, aradhana

(Worship the auspicious one,

Worship the well-wisher of the world)

Mukti pradata, aradhana

Jevandata, aradhana

(Worship the salvation-giver,

Worship the life-giver)

Mariyam nandan, aradhana

Jevankari, aradhana

(Worship the son of Mary,

Worship the living one)

Iswhar sat prabhu, aradhana

Jevan dayi, aradhana

(Worship God the True Lord,

Worship the fountain of life)