Life is Good (Aiane Karla Original)
So long, goodbye, to days without the sunshine. …even more so now
that the clouds have made way for a shade of blue that’s bluer than the sea
I try to be in a super-cali-fragilistic-expi-alidocious state of mind most of the time
I mean, you gotta do what you gotta do
But if you must know, my strength comes from the One above.
Chorus:
There is no secret to a life full of laughter
but remember there is no such thing as happy ever after
You might as well stop wishing and hoping, it isn’t always greener on the other side
Take it from me, life is good, God is on your side
Should the weather choose to rain on your parade on the best day of your life
You should know to dance in ther ain and sing your heart out to
the One who decided to shower You with love
(Chorus)
His love is higher than your highest hopes and dreams, and much wider than your silly grin (2x)
(Chorus)
Take it from me, life is good; God is on your side. :) :) :)
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Song details. This was the very first song that started my love of songwriting. It was written in 2009 while I was driving eight long hours (solo) from Orlando, FL to Marietta, GA. There had been some light pitter-pat of the rain on the freeway (which I loved…because I love rainy days), but the sun also made its beautiful appearance after being a little bit bashful and hiding behind the clouds. …hence the first few lines of the song. I recorded my ideas on my Palm Centro’s voice memo app. Ahhh…those good ole pre-iPhone days! Life is Good has a special place in my heart; it is, to me, an allegory of the soul’s sunshine-after-the-rain days. This was the music video featured in Single Creek, a documentary on Christian singlehood.
“It isn’t always greener on the other side. Take it from me, life is good, God is on your side!”
Oh, yes, HE IS! :)
I Will Change Your Name by the Nebblett Family. This is one of my new favorite Christian songs. May you be blessed by it. Happy Sabbath!
Song Cover // Shepherd of My Soul (Multitrack)
Shepherd of my soul I give you full control,
Wherever You may lead I will follow.
I have made the choice to listen for Your voice,
Wherever You may lead I will go.
Be it in a quiet pasture or by a gentle stream,
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face a mighty mountain or a valley dark and deep,
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
Shepherd of my soul, oh You have made me whole,
Where’er I hear You call how my tears flow.
How I feel your love how I want to serve
I gladly give my heart to You O Lord.
Be it in the flowing river or in the quiet night,
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face the stormy weather or the dangers of this world.
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
Be it in the flowing river or in the quiet night,
The Shepherd of my soul is by my side.
Should I face the stormy weather or the dangers of this world.
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
The Shepherd of my soul will be my guide.
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Song details:
- Words and music by Martin J. Nystrom
- Rearranged by Aiane Karla
- Arranged and recorded on September 11, 2012
Let the Sonshine In
I’m reminded tonight of a short song my family and I love to sing during morning worship. The song is called Let the Little Sunshine In. Here are the words of the song:
In the morning I see His face, in the evening His form I trace.
In the darkness His voice I know, I see Jesus everywhere I go.
Let the little sunshine in, let the little sunshine in.
Open wide the windows, open wide the door; let the little sunshine in.
In a previous post I wrote: Home is where the heart is, especially when the heart is in God’s hands. I’ve recently been reminded that God delights in being the #1 Resident of our hearts. He loves being at home there…just as much, if not more, than we love being at home in the palm of His hands. If this is the case, and if the heart is indeed a place where God lives, how do we let Him in? How do we invite His light into our hearts? How do we let His loving grace and tender mercies illumine the darkened corners of our hearts’ empty spaces?
I’ve been told waking up to sunlight is the best way to truly awaken the human body. I’ve also read it is the best way to re-orient one’s Circadian rhythm while jet-lagged after a long journey across varying time zones. I have personally found this to be true and effective. The light that enters the retina sends a message to our brain telling it it is daytime. However, is it enough to only see the light? Will simply beholding the light suffice?
Song Cover // Mansion Over the Hilltop (Multitrack)
I’m satisfied with just a cottage below,
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that’s silver lined
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
in that bright land where we will never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely
I’m not discouraged, I am heaven bound
I’m but a pilgrim in search of a city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
in that bright land where we will never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop
in that bright land where we will never grow old
And someday yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold (3x)
Important note. To turn off the background music (that plays on default upon entering my blog), click on the pause button on the audio player at the top of this page.
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Song details:
- Childhood years. I grew up singing this song during morning worship at school back home in the Philippines. My friends and I also sang it for various gatherings.
- The arrangement. If you’re familiar with this song, you’ll remember how much slower the original version is. I first got the idea to do a ukulele arrangement of this song more than a couple months ago. I’m always itching to hear how (normally slow) songs sound when they’re sung/played with a more cheerful tune. I practiced the ukulele chords several times in the car (I usually travel with my ukulele) and finally decided on an arrangement I liked. …but it all had to wait (and stay in my head) for a while due to the tremendously stressful past few weeks. Sunday was a slow-paced day, so I finally decided to finish the preview track I had started weeks ago.
- Message. When our days on earth are dark and dreary, we need only to think of the bright and sunny days that await us in heaven, and that beautiful mansion made especially for you and me! Smile! :)
Originally posted on April 24, 2012.
Well Done | Fountain View Academy
Center of My Joy | Gaither Vocal Band
Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
All that’s good and perfect comes from You
You’re the heart of my contentment; hope for all I do
Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
When I’ve lost my direction, You’re the compass for my way
You’re the fire and light when nights are long and cold
In sadness, You are the laughter that shatters all my fears
When I’m all alone, Your hand is there to hold
Sweet, blessed Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
All that’s good and perfect comes from You
You’re the heart of my contentment, hope for all I do
Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
All that’s good and perfect comes from You
You’re the heart of my contentment; hope for all I do
Jesus, You are the center of my joy (4x)
Jesus, You’re the center of my joy
One of my favorite memories from camp meeting.
Into My Heart | by Aiane Karla and Kevyn. Join me and my youngest sister as we sing this song. [Sorry about the out of tune piano…haven’t had a chance to tune it this year.]
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Into My Heart
Into my heart, into my heart
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus
Come in today, come in to stay
Come into my heart, Lord Jesus
I want to be ready when Jesus comes,
I want to be ready when Jesus comes,
Earth’s pleasures grow dim,
While I’m waiting for Him,
Lord, keep me till Jesus comes.
Jesus Paid it All | by Greg Howlett
Ear Tickler of the day. Jesus paid it all for you and me! Happy Wednesday!
Devotional // 4.25.2012 | “Happy The Home”
Source: Henry Ware, Jr. (Lyrics) and John B. Dykes (Music), SDA Hymnal
Devotional // 4.10.2012 | “Life is Great! So Sing About It”
