LIVEtheLIFE Magazine is happy to be corresponding with up-and-coming Filipino-Christian band Thoughts and Notions. Thoughts And Notions is a pop-rock band in the tradition of Jars Of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer.

With a sound that hearkens back to Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer, this band, which started out as a a fund-raising project between friends, now has a debut album out (Thoughts And Notions: In Awe of his Amazing Love, distributed by Praise Music). Cuts from the album include My Love Song and Earthbound Angel.

LTLM: Tell us about how Thoughts and Notions started.
Jasper Tan (chief lyricist): Thoughts And Notions started as a fund-raising project. We actually had no intentions in taking this project seriously except to just record, produce, and sell the album in church and to our friends with the proceeds of the sale going to our church’s youth group. I used to be our church youth group’s worship leader and Thrina (lead vocalist) was one of our music ministry singers. Wilbert Tan, who originally was a big part of the band, also was a part of the music ministry team. After years of playing other people’s songs, we decided to write our own songs and dragged along Thrina to the project. I was the lyricist, Wilbert would provide the musical arrangements. And Thrina would be our vocalist.

When our church mates and peers prodded us to send a copy of the CD to Praise Music. Not long after they offered us a distribution contract. Since by then, we were obliged to bring our music to a live audience, we decided to audition additional members especially since Wilbert would be leaving us for another band. That where the rest of the guys would come in.

LTLM: How do you write your songs? What process do you follow?

Jasper: I always write the lyrics first since I don’t know how to play any instruments. And then I try to surf through my influences and tell Wilbert what my idea of the sound would be (the first album was basically me and Wilbert doing the songwriting chores.) I’m such a lyrics person. I always regard the lyrics as the heart and soul of a song. For the second album, I intend to do the same, except that this time, the rest of the band can also pitch in and write their own songs. I will also try to keep the songwriting partnership with Wilbert going. Maybe one to three songs. The rest would be a collaborative effort between the rest of the band and me, as well as their own compositions. I’m thinking of making it 50-50 contributions.

LTLM: You claim Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer among your influences. How do secular and Christian artists influence your sound? Alvin Carreon (bassist): They inspire us, so, yes, they have an impact on our music.

Thrina (vocalist): We fit our music to (pop and Contemporary Christian music) with our positive message.

Jasper: I’m a fan of Rivermaya, a Filipino pop-rock band. I also enjoy female-fronted Filipino bands, as well as Coldplay and other Brit bands. It is a lot of help in terms of the influence because we more or less know what type of songs are clicking in the market. Since we would want to share God’s good news to a lot of people, we make it a point to write songs that we feel would be catchy enough to warrant attention from Christians and non-Christians. Our type of music is actually so wide that we cannot even put it in a box. We would just like to forcefully call it power pop.

LTLM: What song are you currently servicing to local radio? How are you promoting it?
Alvin: We’re promoting Savior, Earthbound Angel, My Love Song and Brand New Day during our gigs by guesting on radio stations.

Thrina: My Love Song is pretty catchy because of its upbeat and unique tune. Earthbound Angel is the most well-known song from our album so far because of its inspiring love-tinged lyrics and acoustic tune. Brand New Day’s alternative pop sound is nice to listen to. We released Savior to Christian stations because it’s somewhat of a worship song.

LTLM: Two less serious questions. Name a guilty pleasure.

Thrina: I am a computer addict! Shhh…

Jasper: I also write sappy love songs and brokenhearted songs.

LTLM: What flavors of ice cream are you?

Alvin: Chocolate, vanilla and halo-halo.

Tim: Vanilla.

Adonis (Drummer): I’d say Rocky Road because my life is full of obstacles but it’s sweet because God is on my side.

Thrina: Vanilla. Simple but sweet!

LTLM: Tell us about your individual ministries.

Alvin: I try my best to be in the local ministry of our church.

Tim: The Band.

Adonis: Right now, I’m currently playing bass guitar in our church band.

Jasper: I lead a unit in our church’s singles group.

LTLM: What are your favorite Bible verse and why?

Tim: Matthew 6:13a, its prayer to escape temptation and trouble.

Thrina: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers” (1Timothy 4:12) This verse inspires me to do what is right and fight for what I believe in.LTLM: We’re so thrilled to have had this time with you guys. Any last words for our readers?

Alvin: Enjoy what you have now because you never know what the future might bring.

Tim: Please support original Filipino Contemporary Christian music!

Thrina: Always believe in yourself and Support the local Christian bands!

Jasper: I’m asking everyone to support all OPM CCM bands. The CCM genre is already big in other countries, let’s make it as big as theirs here in our country. Do buy our album, not only us, but to every OPM Christian band that you know. We could really need your help to keep our ministry going.

Check out Thoughts and Notions’ interview at The Spirit Radio site (online Christian music radio station) here.
Visit their website here, their blog site here, and email them here.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: LIVEtheLIFE Magazine is thrilled to be talking this week with rising CCM band Chandler. “I Know You’re There,” its debut single, has already topped Christian charts in its native Georgia, and is going nationwide and international very, very soon.

With a very radio-friendly sound and a tenacious reliance on a great and mighty God, expect Chandler to make a huge impact on Contemporary Christian Music in 2007. We sit down with (Chandler members) of Chandler to talk about the rise to stardom, the focus on what truly matters, and how many people ask them if they’re related to Matthew Perry.
LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: In our opinion, “I Know You’re There” is an phenomenal single! It just swells up with emotional vocal delivery and a genuine message of trust and faith. Radio certainly hasn’t had something like this in a while. How did you come up with “I Know You’re There?” What’s your songwriting process like?

Jeff Chandler: I don’t know that we really have a formula for our songwriting…as far as “I Know You’re There” I was driving to work one day and God literally handed it to me. All of a sudden it just came on me. It was really funny. I didn’t want to forget any of it so I was feverishly writing on a McDonalds napkin, singing into my recorder and driving down the road with my knees.

LTLM: Chandler claims its roots in Georgia, which is known for, among other things, its deep gospel tradition, and now, you’ve topped its Christian charts. How has Georgia influenced your sound?

Jon Chandler: Our southern roots have definitely effected our music. Georgia is the birth place of SO much great music. In the gospel music realm came groups such as NewSong, Casting Crowns, Third Day, Aaron Schust, Bebo Norman not to mention the main stream heavy hitters like Ray Charles and Collective Soul.

LTLM: What can we expect from Chandler’s debut album next year?

Joel Chandler: God has really just begun to open our hearts and minds to a new perspective on worship. We believe that worship is a basic element of our existence. All of us were made to worship, and all of us worship something out of our need to worship God. This record is something that is being born out of our relationships with God and our need to express that through our music.

LTLM: Other radio-friendly tracks on your official website, like “Purify” and “Lightning,” are so raw in their delivery and lyric that it is unmistakably Christian. How do you handle the thin line between songs that are both radio-friendly yet deliver the message you want to tell your listeners?

Trey Roth: Truth is universal…and inside everyone knows that there is a void. We know that the void is the absence of God. Our listeners may or may not know that consciously, but they connect with the truth behind the music. Our goal is to make great music that draws the listener and then connect them with the truth behind it. Everyone follows great music. So we are always trying to push the envelope…trying to take our music a step further.

LTLM: Okay, two less serious questions. Has anyone approached you and asked if you took your name from Matthew Perry’s character of “Friends?”

All: YES….if we hear that one more time we will hurt people. (just kidding)

We have…A LOT…

LTLM: Name a guilty pleasure.

Jeff: Double Chocolate cake and my wife’s chocolate chip cookies.
Joel: Eating the Starbucks pastry samples that we are supposed to give to customers.
Tim Elrod: Coca-cola
Trey: Catching shop-lifters
Jon: Spending too much time on PhotoShop.

LTLM: You’ve literally followed God’s direction and put everything into your music – a God-ministry, if ever we’ve heard one – and left your jobs to pursue it. How do you handle the low moments?

Jeff: I have a wife and four children, so taking that step into full time ministry really stretched my faith. The rest of the guys have worked odd jobs and let me support my family from the ministry. There hearts are so pure. For the last couple of years they have done this on more of a volunteer basis, even though the work was definitely full time. Some of us are still working jobs outside the ministry. We CERTAINLY don’t do this for the money (laughing). In the low times we remind one another that the reason we do this is to help others. Keeping the vision in sight.

LTLM: Six degrees of Chandler have found you a few degrees from Joel Engle and Casting Crowns! What’s it like to be on the verge of developing a legitimate name in the industry?

Jeff: Legitimacy in God’s system has nothing to do with the industry. If you are following your God given passion and honestly pursuing His calling on your life to the best of your ability; in God’s eyes your ministry is just as legit as anyone of our “industry leaders” per se.

LTLM: Do you ever see yourselves doing an international tour, perhaps visiting the Philippines?

Tim: We will go wherever God opens the door…

Jon: We would love to come to the Philippines.. (hint, hint)

LTLM: Tell us about your individual ministries.

Jeff: I am on staff at my church as the Worship and Arts pastor. I also have a ministry called “Emerge” that focuses on unifying the churches in our community to put aside denominational differences and come together to address and solve issues that face our locale.

Joel: Tim, Trey, Jon and I often help lead worship at various churches and ministries one of them being Emerge. Our mission when we are playing is to lead people into the presence of God no matter where we play or how many people there are (or sometimes aren’t  ). Numbers don’t matter. Worshiping God for His awesome love, mercy, and compassion does. He deserves our praise and our worship.

LTLM: What are your favorite Bible verse and why?

Jeff: The verse we have adopted as our focus for this ministry is Matthew 5. Matthew 5 tells us that we are to be salt and light. A huge percentage of the believers lose sight of this purpose when it comes to our daily lives. Salt by it’s nature brings about healing and flavor where it is applied. We challenge ourselves and our audience to embrace this truth: Is wherever you are a better place because you are there?

Joel: My favorite Bible verse through my life has been Ps. 91. It promises that God will always be there! No matter what no matter where you are. Even in the middle of trouble He is there. He blesses us and honors us with long life. He promises safety for us: that His angels will take care of us and keep us safe. He promises that if we call on Him he will answer us. It shows not only the mightiness of God but the compassionate fatherly love of God as well.

LTLM: We’re so thrilled to have had this time with you guys. Any last words for your (future) fans in the Philippines?

Jeff: We love you. We believe that you have the power to make the Philippines better tomorrow than it is today. We stand with you in our hearts…we worship with you through our music. We hope to see you soon! God speed.

Visit the official Chandler Myspace page or the official Chandler website.

Click here to request I Know You’re There on any of the Edge radio stations in the Philippines.

As Christmas draws near, it’s a great time to get yourself some great Christian music. Start stocking-stuffing with up-and-coming artists AnthemAvenue and Chandler, coming up this November!

LIVEtheLIFE Magazine is ecstatic to have with us this week CCM superstar JAIME JAMGOCHIAN. Jaime’s latest single, Hear My Worship, off her stellar debut album Reason to Live (Centricity), is red-hot at Christian inspirational radio, spending its 3rd week at #1 now on the Radio & Records Inspo chart and touching thousands of people’s lives across the United States and North America.

Jamie takes some time off to chat with us at LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com in an email interview about her life as Christian and recording star, her ministries, and how many people out of five tend to mispronounce her name.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Jaime, LIVEtheLIFE is truly grateful for the time you’ve set aside to talk awhile with a Christian website from the Philippines, a land of 89 million souls. How does it feel to know that “Hear My Worship” has reached across borders and boundaries to touch the hearts of teens and young adults in the Philippines?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: Well thank you for chatting with me. I must say that I LOVE the Philippines. I have been two times to Manila and Cagayan de Oro. Hear My Worship really was a heart cry that beyond singing songs we would live a LIFE of worship to God. It is very humbling to think that people are hearing it and singing it all over.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: No doubt, you are excited about the growing success of Hear My Worship. It’s been a while since CCM radio has had a heartfelt declaration of worship, especially with a lead female vocal. Can you tell us about how you came to write and record Hear My Worship? What’s it like working with CCM veteran Sam Mizell?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: This song came during a writing season that I was in. We were trying to get as many songs together as possible to then pick the 13 strongest for the album Reason to Live that has just come out. I had kind of gotten burnt out in writing and felt like I was on a treadmill, so to speak, to just get these songs done.
The Lord really grabbed hold of my heart and challenged me with the scripture in John 4:23 where it says The Father is looking for those worshippers who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. This challenged me as I felt like I was just trying to write a catchy worship song and what God wanted was all my heart.
It was an honor to co-write with Sam Mizell; he is a great songwriter and really got the heart of what I was trying to convey!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: What songwriting process do you undertake when you write a song? Who are your influences when it comes to writing a song?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: My favorite worship songwriters and influences are Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman. I love the way they craft a lyric that sets your mind and heart completely on the greatness of God. Most of my songs come out of my personal/private time with the Lord. Whether that be in prayer or at my keyboard, just playing and pouring my heart out to God. I might get a lyric or a melody idea. I then generally take that to a co-writing appointment and work on the entire song. Other times I will just finish the song myself. I am starting to write again and am excited for this new season!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: How many people on average, out of five, have mispronounced your name? What’s the correct pronunciation?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: HAHA, this is funny! I have a hard name to pronounce! My first name confuses people because it is spelled JAIME instead of JAMIE. In French it means “to love.” But I am not French! My last name is a killer to pronounce- I would say 5 out of 5 say it wrong. Hehe. It is Jam-GO-Shen. That is the easiest way to explain it!! But you can just call me Jaime jam if that helps! *smile*

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: You’re marooned alone on a desert island. The only items you have with you on the island are a coconut tree, five cans of soggy Planter’s Cheez Curls cans, some string, and a couple sticks o’ Bubble Yum. What is your first hour like?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: Well I would chew the gum first because I would be nervous and this would keep me occupied. Then I would try and get the coconuts opened up for milk. I would try and dry out the Cheez Curls out in the sun so they were not soggy and I would pray and sing a lot…I do not like to be alone so I would have to make this my quiet time with the Lord.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Tell us how you found Jesus Christ.
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: I came to know the Lord when I was 21 at Berklee College of Music. I did not grow up knowing about having a personal relationship with Christ. I was under the impression that if you were a “good” person and loved God you would go to heaven. I was missing the key part about knowing Jesus!! It was through a Christian classmate at Berklee College of Music that I came to know the Lord. My whole life changed has I sensed true REASON TO LIVE for the first time! I fell in love with worshipping God and started to write worship songs then!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: The story of your family’s coming to Christ is a resounding one that we in the Philippines can definitely relate to. What encouragement can you give to Filipino-Christian teens and adults who are praying for their family’s salvation?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: I would say keep praying!! Something that I learned is that more then the words we speak to others about Christ it is how we live! Demonstrate a life of Faith! Let your love for Christ be contagious!
Let others want what you have!! I think sometimes we need to share the Love of Christ to non-believers by our actions more then what we say. I would also invite friends and family members to church! People can be so touched in worship by the presence of God and the message spoken.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Are there any particular ministries, groups, or organizations that are close to your heart?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: I am a World Vision sponser and feel that it is so important to give to those that are less fortunate.
I also have a heart for teen gals. I have t-shirts that I sell at concerts and on my website that say “MODEST IS HOTTEST.” I feel strongly about walking in Purity and one of these areas is the way we dress! I love fashion and trendy clothes but I also think we need to dress in a modest way!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: What are some of your favorite Bible verses?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: Prov. 3:5 (Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding) is my life verse. I also like Jer. 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future) and John 4:23 (Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks).

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: You’ve been to the Philippines a couple of times. How’d you find it? Could a return visit be somewhere in the near future?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: I would LOVE to come back to the Philippines to lead a radical Worship night!! When I was interning at The City Church in Seattle, WA. I went on two missions trips to Manila! We sang at New Life Church in Manila, Pastor Paul Chase church. I hope to come back someday! Maybe I could do one of my teen girl MODEST IS HOTTEST youth events! I remember on passionately the Filipino people worshipped the Lord, it was awesome.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Thank you so much for your time, Jaime. Any parting words for Christian teens and young adults in the Philippines?
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN: Jesus loves you so much! Keep seeking Him with all your heart! Sometimes we walk through hard times and seasons but we must remember that God is for us and working in and through us! Keep worshipping Jesus! I love you all! Praying for the Philippines!

Visit Jaime Jamgochian’s official website.

Visit Jaime Jamgochian’s MySpace.

Click here to request Hear My Worship on The Edge Radio in Manila, Philippines.

Ooh, check it out! Jaime Jamgochian, whose single Hear My Worship is #1 on the Radio&Records charts in the US, said that the favorite place she’s visited worldwide is the Philippines!

Stick around for our exclusive email interview with Jaime, coming very soon here on LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: LIVEtheLIFE Magazine is humbled to have this week with us up-and-coming CCM star KATIE GIGUERE. Her new single, I Lift Up My Eyes, is setting Christian adult contemporary radio ablaze with its soaring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and universal message. Katie, also a published author whose book, Being the Fat Girl, has touched the lives of countless teenage girls throughout the United States and North America with its message of hope, acceptance, and inspiration, sits down with us to talk about life, love for Jesus, and the joy of children, regardless of whether they’re yours biologically or not.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Katie, we’re honored and we thank God that you’ve found time to chat with us, if even just through email correspondence. How does it feel to know that your music is reaching across thousands of miles to inspire teens and young adults in the Philippines, miles away from where you are?

KATIE GIGUERE: I am just blown away! I’m so excited to be able to share my story with people all over the world. God is so good! I’m also humbled that my music is an inspiration to God’s people. How blessed I feel to have this ministry!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: I Lift Up My Eyes is such a sweet song of hope and love – and we can’t hide our excitement with its growing success. Can you tell us about how you came to record I Lift Up My Eyes?

KATIE GIGUERE: Of course! I was part of a project last year called Sing Unto The Lord: The Psalms of David for Daily Living. I wrote a song for the project called based on Psalm 5 called Just By Your Mercy. The publisher was so excited about the song that they chose to produce a whole new project called Just By Your Mercy: 25 Ageless Psalms for Life’s Journey, based on my song! I was so honored! They asked me to write one more song for that project, and that is how I Lift Up My Eyes came about. My father and I collaborated and wrote the song based on Psalm 121.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: As a rule, do you write your own songs or do you collaborate with songwriters? How does Katie Giguere go about writing a song?

KATIE GIGUERE: As a rule, I collaborate. I do some writing with my dad, or I write the “bones” of a song and he helps me embellish. The only song I have done with absolutely no input from anyone else is Just By Your Mercy. I literally looked at the Scripture and changed as little as possible. I did have to make some changes to make it fit a contemporary melody, but honestly, I just wanted to relay God’s message as He gave it thousands of years ago.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: You wrote a book, Being the Fat Girl, about your struggle with (and eventual triumph) over a variety of issues, including low self-esteem, obesity, and insecurity. Obviously, writing this book would mean having to revisit some of those memories. What kept you going when writing the book?

KATIE GIGUERE: I know God has called me to share my story, and that is what made me do it. I wasn’t that nervous, to be honest. I always say that in my ministry, all I have is the truth. And Being the Fat Girl is my truth…my life. It was definitely emotional, but it was freeing at the same time. It was kind of therapeutic to be able to go back and make peace with all of the painful memories.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Tell us how you found Jesus Christ.

KATIE GIGUERE: My parents were saved on Easter when I was 5 years old. I learned about his Jesus at church for a few months, and I made the decision to ask Jesus to be my Savior in my mom’s car on the way to first grade. It was my 6th birthday.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Are there any particular ministries, groups, or organizations that are close to your heart?

KATIE GIGUERE: Absolutely. I have done some work with teen suicide prevention groups, and that has always touched my heart. I believe that so many suicides in young people could be prevented if we someone was there to share God’s message of hope and self-esteem. I hope I have made a difference in that way.

Also, I am counting down the days until I am able to adopt a child. I have always had a place in my heart for orphans and God was merciful to provide me with a fiancé who has a heart for adoption as well. Definitely in the future, we will explore the different avenues toward adoption, and God willing, we will be able to provide a home for a child who needs love. One great organization that helps with adoptions is www.mapsadopt.org.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: What are some of your favorite Bible verses?

KATIE GIGUERE: Jeremiah 29:11 (For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.) and Ecclesiastes 3:11 (He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.), definitely.
LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Could a visit to the Philippines be somewhere in the near future?

KATIE GIGUERE: I would LOVE to visit the Philippines! If there is any way my ministry could make that happen, I would JUMP at the opportunity!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Thank you so much for your time, Katie. Any parting words for Christian teens and young adults in the Philippines?

KATIE GIGUERE: Thank you so much for having me! It was so much fun! God is faithful. Sometimes trying to succeed can be a struggle, and there might be some tears along the way, but God can make a way! If a “fat girl” can make it in the music industry, then you can achieve your dreams, too! God bless you richly!

Visit Katie Giguere’s official website.

Click here to request I Lift Up My Eyes on The Edge radio in Manila, Philippines.

Are you a Christian?

How’s that for a question? Kinda like a David stone, hurtling straight towards Goliath’s forehead, no? Well, Arnold Gamboa weighs on his thoughts on what defines a Christian. Here’s some food for thought.

Hi everyone,

Here are my two cents on the question, Are you a Christian?
By definition, Christians are those who claim to be part of Christianity as a religion, much like a Muslim is someone who claim to be part of Islam as a religion. On the other hand, there are 3 kinds of Christians. We’re not talking about “Christian” as a sect here. We’re talking about all of Christianity including Catholics, Protestants, Born agains, etc. etc. See if you can identify yourself to either one of these:

1. Cultural Christians — these are people who are born of Christian parents, or in a Christian country, or educated in a Christian school. They call themselves a Christian because they grew up knowing it, seeing it, singing it. You will know if a person is a cultural Christian if you ask them why they are a Christian, their answer is “My parents are Christians, that’s why”, or “Don’t you ask me why I am a Christian, I got 8 years of Christian education”

2. Religious Christians — these are people who call themselves Christians because they are part of a Christian group or church. They are those who go to church regularly and by doing that, adopts the name of that church they go to. For example, if you ask them why they are a Christian, they will answer, “I’m a Christian because I go to a Catholic church every Sunday”, or “… or to a born again church”, and so on.

3. Spiritual Christians — these people may be both cultural Christians and religious Christian. But what set them apart from these groups is the fact that they had what we normally call a “conversion” experience. What is a conversion experience? It is a fact that all of us are born “separated from God”. By that, I mean that we’re all, by natural tendencies, against God. You may be born of a Christian parent or part of a Christian denomination, but you are against God. No one is born worshipping God, but all are born worshipping self. The conversion experience is a realization that you cannot live all your life worshipping yourself and be the boss of your life. Conversion is turning to God and making him the boss of your life because he has all the reasons to be in the driver’s seat. You can be a Catholic or a Protestant or whatever, but have not really come into this part of your life. In the same way, you can be a Catholic or a Protestant or whatever, and become a Spiritual Christian if this realization has come and did the 180 degrees turn by turning over the CEO position of your life from you to God.

Both Cultural and Religious Christianity can end anytime soon, but only Spiritual Christianity lasts forever.

Thanks for reading.

—@—

About the author
Arnold Gamboa is a 30-year-old technology entrepreneur from Mandaluyong City. He enjoys hanging out with his wife joy and playing with his toddler Johann. In five years, he hopes to serve full time for Grace Place, his local church ministry. Visit his blog.

LIVEtheLIFE Magazine is thrilled to be talking this week with up-and-coming CCM star Brandon Heath. With a red-hot single (Our God Reigns) that’s rocketing up the charts, a totally radio-friendly sound, and, hey, let’s face it, he’s not bad-looking either, it’s a fair bet Brandon Heath will be a name on a lot of believers’ lips by the time this year is over.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: “Our God Reigns” is a spectacular single. It’s anthemic, triumphant… a classic in the making. How did you come up with that song?
Brandon Heath: Well, I was about to board a plane from Seattle to Nashville. There was a television in the terminal with a recording of US President Bush talking about going back to war in the Middle East. There was a lot of unrest at that time in the world, and even in my own heart. I decided that at that point, I wouldn’t out my faith in my country, or my president, or the pilot of my plane alone, but in my God who is sovereign over all the earth and all the universe. I sand what is now the chorus of the song in my head all the way home and when I landed in Nashville, I wrote it down so that I wouldn’t forget. I sang it for my church in Nashville and we’ve been singing it ever since.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Your musical roots dig in deep to a wide variety of influences. While your sound is unique in its own way, what kind of sound can we expect on your major label debut album, Don’t Get Comfortable?
Brandon Heath: Well, what I brought to the table with this record was a style influenced by artists like Sting, Imogen Heap, Ryan Adams, Josh Rouse, and Coldplay. I put that together with my producer who has worked with artists like Nick Lache, The Backstreet Boys, and Mercy Me. He brought the Pop Sensibility, I brought the singer-songwriter feel and we blended it together. That’s what you’ll get on this record.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: What’s your favorite song on the album and why?
Brandon Heath: I’m Not Who I Was. It’s a personal song. So personal that I almost didn’t even record it. It’s a song about forgiveness and I think it’s the one that I am most excited for people to hear.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: You’ve claimed song writing is a lifestyle. What’s your songwriting process like?
Brandon Heath: It’s different all the time. I wake up in the morning, when I’m home, and usually have a writing session planned out with someone else. We usually get together around 10am and write until we’ve got something great. We don’t always finish the songs, but some times, it’s magic and the songs just writes itself. That’s always the best feeling. I don’t write much on my own anymore, but my producer says my best songs are the ones that I write myself.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Obviously, your faith shines through in your music. How do you manage the tricky feat of making songs that are both radio-friendly yet deliver the message you want to tell your listeners?
Brandon Heath: I’m a sucker for a good pop song. I love a good hook, and BIG chorus and a great beat. I am a writer first, so if the lyric isn’t there, then the song is no good. The message has to be clear. That’s a goal of mine. As long as all those things are in place, then it’s ready for the studio and possibly the radio.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: You’ve gone on missions to India and Ecuador. What were those trips like? Did it have any impact on the songs on the album?
Brandon Heath: Very much so! Those trips were really what promoted me to write a song called “I Will Lay You Down.” The Lord says, “Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest.” There is a certain element of unrest in the unknown and I found that in places like India. Being among the poor and the needy had a huge impact on me. There was one night when I laid in my bed, my stomach in knots, from being nervous of my surroundings. I’ve heard it referred to as culture shock. It was at that point that I heard God telling me, “Brandon, I brought you this far. There is nothing I can do with you unless you trust me.” That was a pivotal moment for me. I was learning to trust and rest in the Lord in uncomfortable places. Even today, when I’m standing in from of huge audiences, I think of that moment and that message.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: You’ve jammed with Bebo Norman, wrote for Joy Williams, and Dan Muckala (Backstreet Boys, The Afters) produced your album. Big names! What’s it like to be on the verge of developing a legitimate name in the industry?
Brandon Heath: It’s scary and exciting! I’m aware that God has a plan for me. I’m not necessarily aware of the details, but I know He’s got some big plans for me and that is what I am most excited about.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: If you’ve visited India and Ecuador, do you see yourself visiting the Philippines? We’ve heard a Filipino-American played an important role in your spiritual walk. Tell us about that.

Brandon Heath: I would LOVE to come to the Philippines! I found Christ through an organization called Young Life. It’s an outreach to teenagers to tell them about Christ. My leader, Phil Picardo, was integral in putting me in front of Jesus and telling me the truth about who He was and that He loved me. Just so happens that Phil, is a Filipino-American. He would be so embarrassed that I was talking about him right now. He’s a humble guy!

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: Tell us about Young Life.
Brandon Heath: Well, Young Life is actually a world-wide outreach organization. They are committed to reaching every kid, every where, for eternity. I am actually at a Young Life camp right now in Northern Arizona near the Grand Canyon. Kids come to camps like this one, and hear about Jesus. That’s all we preach here, Jesus. Leaders come with their kids here from all over the country and sometimes the world. Probably the greatest part of Young Life is the local clubs that meet once a week in cities across the globe. It works, I’m a living breathing testament to that.

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com: What’s your favorite Bible verse and why?
Brandon Heath: I don’t have one favorite Bible verse. There’s too much great stuff in the bible for me to pick one, but one of my new favorites is 1Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His wonderful light.”

LIVEtheLIFEMagazine: We’re so blessed to have had this time with you, Brandon. Any last words for your (future) fans in the Philippines?
Brandon Heath: All I have to say is, “I can’t believe you listen to me in the Philippines.” Thanks so much! Bless you!

Visit Brandon’s official website or his MySpace page.

Request Our God Reigns on TheEdgeRadio.net!

In the Jeers department, oi vey, look at this. A radio station in California has switched formats, from Christian music, sermons and Bible stories - to Porn Radio - “all sex radio, all the time,” nothing that people under 21 should not be tuned in. Ahem… ashes and sackcloth for folks in Fresno?

We at LIVEtheLIFE are doing our best to help you in your walk with Christ, which means more meaningful material, no exciting features and interviews, and more great things coming your way in August!

More interviews!
If you’re keeping track with the Contemporary Christian Music scene in the USA, you may have heard a fantastic track called Happy by upcoming CCM star Ayiesha Woods. Well, guess what? We have an exclusive interview with Ayiesha Woods! Praise God! Happy is scheduled for airplay adds on the secular stations here starting August, so it’s perfect timing, really. Happy is now#17 on Radio&Records’ Christian National Airplay chart. [You can listen to it in full on Ayiesha's MySpace page.
If you scroll down a little lower, you'll find the only new entry is a track called Our God Reigns by an inspiring young musician named Brandon Heath. Our God Reigns has that anthemic style that's totally off the hook. Well, we're proud to tell you that we have an exclusive interview with Brandon too! Isn't God totally awesome?! Turns out a kababayan of ours played a very important role in his life. More on that in August, we promise! [Swing by Brandon's MySpage page, too, to hear Our God Reigns!]
If that’s not enough to tickle your tailfeathers, we’re also lining up nice email interviews with other Philippine celebrities and musicians, but since those are still in the works, we’re not announcing anything formal just yet.

If you are a Christian and are doing great things for Jesus, we want to know about it! Send us an email through superblessed at gmail.com, and we’ll see what we can do!

More features!

The body of Christ is doing great things to bring the Good News to people like you, all across the nation. So expect more features on what churches are doing, what youth groups are doing, what musicians and artists are doing, all to bring glory to God’s name. So drop by regularly for a great dose of Christian material to help you in your walk.

Help us out?

We’re calling on all Christian bloggers to help out LIVEtheLIFE by adding us to your blogroll (we’ll link you back!). If you can post a positive little entry about us on your blog, we’d also be superblessed by it. And oh, you can also be our friend on Friendster!

It is our prayer at LIVEtheLIFEMagazine.com that you continue to live that life, that best life, that Christ promises you. With His guidance, all things are possible. Believe it.

Your bro, ganns