Henry Chung Esquire

Sometimes when a song hits you, it hits you! There's no rhyme or reason about it. I've had some reflections lately about humanity and religion and existence. It's very Woody Allen-esque indeed. I've come to realize there are still people out there who misunderstand Christians and Christianity. And there are Christians amongst the Christian circle who miss the point about Christianity. And there's a simple answer to all this - we're all human, and we don't know it all.

Some people are turned off by Christians because they think we, Christians, often impose our moral standards on those who are non-believers. We put certain values up high and we criticize those who can't follow. We label others as we label those amongst ourselves. It's all true! That comes down to the basic human condition that we'd like to play God. Of course, it's much easier to judge people than to look into our hearts and see the dirt inside.

So why should we divide between Christians and non-Christians and Gospel and secular songs? What's the point? A good song is a good song, no matter Gospel or not, no matter what kind of message it delivers. Why do people often judge our songs from a religious/secular perspective and not look at it from an artistic point of view? Is the music arrangement good? Is there something in the song that touches you?

Andrae Crouch is my idol in that although he does Gospel songs, he does it in a secular, artful, tasteful way so that his messages do not only circulate amongst the Christian circle, but is spread to every corner of the society. He performs in the Billy Graham crusade but he's also in the background supporting Michael Jackson's strong message behind "Man in the Mirror." He's just oh-so versatile, soft, cuddly, and most of all, true to himself. He's the reason why the Gospel movement boomed in the 70's of USA.

When we look at the situation in HK, it's still in the sad state of affairs.But we never give up, we look to Andrae for his exemplary legacy and follow his footsteps!

This song, "Through it All," is a fine example of a universal praise song. It's got tears and joy, and so much soul! You'll like this and would like to sing along with it! The lyrics are deep and touching, and most of all, all of us have been through it:-

"but In My Lonely Hours,
yes, Those Precious Lonely Hours,
jesus Lets Me Know That I Was His Own"

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i've Had Many Tears And Sorrows,
i've Had Questions For Tomorrow,
there's Been Times I Didn't Know Right From Wrong.
but In Every Situation,
god Gave Me Blessed Consulation,
that My Trials Come To Only Make Me Strong.

through It All,
through It All,
i've Learned To Trust In Jesus,
i've Learned To Trust In God.

through It All,
through It All,
i've Learned To Depend Upon His Word.

i've Been To Lots Of Places,
i've Seen A Lot Of Faces,
there's Been Times I Felt So All Alone.
but In My Lonely Hours,
yes, Those Precious Lonely Hours,
jesus Lets Me Know That I Was His Own

chorus

i Thank God For The Mountains,
and I Thank Him For The Valleys,
i Thank Him For The Storms He Brought Me Through.
for If I'd Never Had A Problem,
i Wouldn't Know God Could Solve Them,
i'd Never Know What Faith In God Could Do

Labels: Andrae Crouch, Gospel, Through It All

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