God of this City

My friend forwarded me an e-mail from Thailand that is so encouraging that I need to share. It is about a song from a Christian rock band named Bluetree from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The song is called God of this City. This amazing song was written in Pattaya, Thailand.

When you listen to this song, you will feel the power of God surrounding you and experience true worship. Why? The inspiration behind the song is awesome. In November of 2007, Bluetree was invited to play at "Pattaya Praise," an event organized by a missionary group from Belfast. The band did not know anything about Pattaya when they arrived. But Pattaya is a popular beach city in Thailand where prostitution thrives and where Western tourists go to enjoy drinks, dances, and scantily-dressed bar girls in nightclubs. So, needless to say, the band was shocked, depressed, and disgusted to see this horrible, dark place. I know their feelings, I was in Pattaya about five years ago and experienced the same depression. I saw young Thai prostitutes everywhere hanging out with foreigners. For a Christian, it is hell on earth.

The turning point came when a nightclub owner heard about the band and invited them to play at his nightclub! The band (with a heart to serve God) accepted this guy's invitation and courageously went to the nightclub and played worship songs there. In the middle of people drinking and dancing, God inspired them to sing God of this City on stage. The Holy Spirit was with them and poured upon them. So the song came out and they kept singing and playing all night. The lyrics of this song say it all. Despite horrible things that happen in Pattaya, God is above it all. He has a plan for Pattaya and He will help its people. Hallelujah. The band said God is the God of all cities, including where you live. There will be a big change. God's people are making a difference in the world. The gospel will be preached. Lives will be touched.

God can turn the ugliest thing around and transform it to be the most beautiful thing. From the darkest place on earth, God's light shines through. Jesus said, "Behold, I am making all things new." (Revelation 21:5) He is making all things new, indeed.

To listen to God of this City (Chris Tomlin's version), click here .