Blog@GraceJunction

Music, they say, can bind you or liberate you. Which (if true) lays so much onus on the one who delivers such a music. What’s more, it gets tempting if the music world beckons you with the so-called “commercial success”.

For Dayanidhi Rao as well, the choice was tough. Several times, did this world beckon (read: lure) him too. “There were times when I wanted to quit, and accept offers to join big bands that offered me lots of fame and money. Then there were internal hurts, and criticism too that I had to battle. But the still small voice within kept telling me….hang in there!” says Rao, who is better known as Daya.

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In the Bible, one of the earliest and the most manifest presence of God experienced by mankind was when God appeared to Moses in a ‘Burning Bush’ on Mt. Sinai. And what better way to be known as a dedicated group of musicians and singers that stand and minister before the Lord in worship than ‘The Burning Bush’.

As one of the many ministerial wings of the Bangalore-based Face2Face Foundation, The Burning Bush, led by Ray Williams, seeks to lead the Body of Christ into the ‘throne’ room of worship. They follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in the direction of worship. Their style is modern worship music; diverse electric and acoustic sounds with emphasis on prophetic worship. The skilled musicians and worshipers bring together a creative mix of contemporary and original praise and worship songs.

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A life without God, how would it be, like? Boundless freedom, no coercion to act in a particular way, fly where you want to, think as you want to, do as you desire to. Joy unlimited, Pleasure unrestrained. Tired of religions incessant demands, numerous false and illogical religious concoctions being thrust down our throats. We cry freedom, we want to throw it all out, to walk without anything, to walk on just pure air. The body soul and spirit seems to enjoy the fresh breath of a world without God. (more…)

“Pyaar toh andha hai woh dekh nahi sakta, pyaar toh behra hai woh sun nahi sakta, pyaar toh goonga hai woh kuch bol nahi paata, pyaar toh paagal hai kuch samajh nahi sakta.  Jab do premi mil jaaye, toh duniya bhaadh mein jaaye, aur unke prem ki koi samajh nahi. Us prem se kahin zyada hai mera Jeevandaata Jisne mere liye Apni jaan bhi di…(Love is blind it cannot see, love is deaf it cannot hear, love is mute it cannot speak, love is crazy it doesn’t understand. When two lovers come together the world is lost, and their love is past understanding. Much greater than this love is my Saviour Who even gave His very life for me…)”

The above lyrics in the recent past have made inroads among many a youth (Christian and otherwise). To come to think of it, it is still continuing to break newer barriers.  And why not!  They come from a 24-year-young musician – Sheldon Bangera - who has been raised up in the “amusing” city of Mumbai where life is beautifully contrasted with ironies. (more…)

Hi Priyanka,

It is nice to know that you have started the new academic year at college and things are beginning to settle down especially with the new friends, teachers and the new hostel facilities. And we are pleased to know that the new laptop that we bought you is coming handy as you can keep working on it beyond the usual college library hours.

But since you are now working on this new laptop it has also begun to show up in the number of updates that I get from your facebook account. Ever since you went to college we were so much concerned for you because you have never been away from us for such a long time. But never realised that Facebook helps us to feel so much closer to you and we can also cherish the good things happening in your life. (more…)

From a leading worship in a Mumbai-based church to becoming the second best Hindi Band in the country, this Christian rock band has come a long way.

In a world of music, especially rock music, marred with hopelessness, depression and drug abuse, Yeshua Band’s music is themed around youth revival, and concentrates on conveying to the youth that it is impossible to live in this world without God and that putting God first is not “un-cool”.

Probably this is why the band chose to deliver the message of love of God through one of the most contemporary media – rock music. And their decision to play gospel rock has brought them accolades from both the Christian and secular circles. Needless to say, Yeshua came in second in Radio City’s hunt for India’s best Hindi band in early 2008. (more…)

One of the biggest challenges any music band can face is… sticking to its name. Yet, Hyderabad-based Sounds of the Nations (SOTN) took up the challenge.

So what began as a brainchild of its founder Dan McCollam’s vision to raise worshipers and leaders across the globe in 2003 has now become one of the leading Christian rock bands of the country. So much so that by now, SOTN has toured and performed extensively in and out of home, and shared stage with various celebrated artists such as Delirious?, Hillsong’s Peter Wilson and Reuben Morgan, Derek Joseph from Isaiah 6, Planet Shakers, and Tim Hughes, among others. (more…)