PASSION FOR LIFE

Songwriting has always been my passion. In high school, we had songwriting contests and music projects. I was also playing in a band at that time. While trying to come up with a fresh song in my room with my keyboard, my mother suddenly knocked, and had this urge to say, “Why don’t you write songs for God?” She then stepped out of my room and left me with a question that still rings clearly inside my head, up to this very day. I wasn’t in YFC yet at that time. But somehow, God started to reveal his plan for the gift He has blessed me.
When I joined the YFC youth camp in 1995, I fell in love with God’s music. I delightedly suffered a LSS (Last Song Syndrome) of “Sure Foundation” that lasted for a whole two weeks. I always looked forward to every opportunity to worship, and hoping, just hoping, that one of the songs would be Sure Foundation. At the strum of that familiar guitar intro, I just knew it was my favorite worship song playing. I jumped for joy like a little child, excited to see his father. Right there, I then said to myself, “I am going to sing songs of praise ‘til the day I die.”
In 2003, I became very close with this guy who’s “over blessed” with the wonders that he could do with a piece of wood with six strings…Mike Serapio. Besides being a guitar genius, he manifested a passion for music that I’ve never seen from anyone. More than that, he had the undeniable desire to evangelize, to testify his life’s journey with God, through song. Through him, my high school passion of songwriting got reignited, and the haunting words of my Mom visited me once again, “Why don’t you write songs for God?”
Being missionaries in Manila and away from family who were in province, there were times that our faithfulness and dependence on God was tested. There were situations when we were out of money, but God always provided for us through the generous people whom He sends. There were moments when we felt lonely and depressed, missing our loved ones, but by just opening the Bible, God’s unfailing love comforted us. There were instances that confusions beset us, tough choices had to be made, but God always lit our paths and led us to the right direction. Reflecting on His goodness, Mike and I concluded, “God is Enough.” Thus, our first song was born.
Composing songs for the Lord is a result of an overflow of love for Him. It is an expression of thoughts and emotions wrapped in heavenly melody for God’s pleasure. It is a thirst for His presence, inviting the Lord to satisfy us with the peace and joy He pours into our hearts. A song for God is an eternal reminder of His promise, and our faithful response to His Word.
Is there a sweet melody gently playing in your head? Is there a strong force stirring in your heart compelling you to share God’s message? Get a pen and paper, and start to write. You need not know how to strum a guitar or even know how to carry a tune. All you need is love for the Christ, Jesus our Savior.
Psalm 96:1
Sing to the Lord a new song;sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Download Lyrics and Chords of I GIVE MY ALL

Download the Lyrics and Chords of Send Me

Download Lyrics and Chords of God is Enough.

Do you have anything to say? What is it that you feel? The answers to these questions can be communicated by speech or better yet, by SONG! St. Augustine once said, “Singing is twice praying.” Music is such a potent tool to communicate and express our innermost thoughts and feelings.On the blank below, write down a key message that you want to deliver. It can be a word or a phrase. (ex. love for God, expressing a romantic feeling, etc.)_____________________________
List down five(5) topics related to your key message. (ex. love for God: forgiveness, peace, joy, etc.)
1.___________________________
2.___________________________
3.___________________________
4.___________________________
5.___________________________

Next, write down how you feel about each topic. (ex. forgiveness: freedom)1.___________________________
2.___________________________
3.___________________________
4.___________________________
5.___________________________
With these information, you can now proceed to write a draft composition. What is vital is that you have a clear message and that you can visualize the emotions that will match to the tune you will be creating.

A basic requirement for song writing is CONFIDENCE. If you won’t believe in yourself, then most of the time others won’t. Stephen Covey suggests in his Seven Habits of Effective People, “Begin with the end in mind.” Believe 100% that you can be an excellent song writer. Stick with that goal, and you will see how fast your skills develop.State three(3) reasons why you can be an excellent song writer.
1.___________________________
2.___________________________
3.___________________________

Can you state three(3) reasons why writing songs is important? State your reasons.
1.___________________________
2.___________________________
3.___________________________
The question above aims to let you realize that songwriting can affect lives. It may be a hobby or a skill you want to harness, but best of all it is something of worth and importance. Answering the “whys” will bring out your passion for songwriting. When time comes that you feel lost and tired in writing songs, the “whys” will bring you back on track.

“A musician with great passion and few skills always outperforms a musician with great skills and no passion.” How many times have we seen someone so gifted in an instrument but never dared to write or even finish a song he has started? I know I have. Dozens of them. Passion always creates possibilities. Passion drives us to learn more each day until we become the best. Having a passion for songwriting will ignite endless possibilities to creating a musical masterpiece.