An acoustic version of Matthew West's song about relying on God's strength and not on my own.

STRONG ENOUGH
Matthew West
Cover by Chito de Castro

You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us

Well, maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Cause I'm broken
Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God
and you are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Oh, yeah

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
Strong enough 

Strong Enough (Matthew West cover)

An acoustic version of Kari Jobe's song about the love of Jesus and how it rescues me in the midst of challenges.

LOVE CAME DOWN
Kari Jobe
Cover by Chito de Castro

If my heart is overwhelmed
And I cannot hear Your voice
I hold on to what is true
Though I cannot see

If the storms of life they come
And the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith
I will believe

I'll remind myself
Of all that You've done
And the life I have
Because of Your son

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours
Lord I'm forever Yours
Mountains high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am Yours
I am forever Yours

When my heart is filled with hope
Every promise comes my way
When I feel Your hands of grace
Rest upon me

Staying desperate for You, God
Staying humble at Your feet
I will lift these hands in praise
I will believe

I'll remind myself
Of all that You've done
And the life I have
Because of Your son

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours
I am forever Yours
Mountains high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am Yours
I am forever Yours

I am Yours
I am Yours
All my days
Jesus, I am Yours
[x2]

Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am Yours
I am forever Your's
Mountains high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am Yours
I am forever Yours
[x2]

Yeah, I am yours, I'm yours, I am yours
Jesus I am yours

Love Came Down (Kari Jobe cover)

The first time I heard this song, I immediately knew that I had to sing it myself. The song is so peppy, happy, and full of love. :) Here's my take on Walk The Moon's song.

Shut Up And Dance
Walk The Moon
Cover by Chito de Castro

"Oh don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me."
I said, "You're holding back,"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"
This woman is my destiny
She said, "Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance with me

We were victims of the night,
The chemical, physical, kryptonite
Helpless to the bass and faded light
Oh, we were bound to get together,
Bound to get together.

She took my arm,
I don't know how it happened.
We took the floor and she said,

"Oh, don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me."
I said, "You're holding back,"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"
This woman is my destiny
She said, "Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance with me."

A backless dress and some beat up sneaks,
My discothèque, Juliet teenage dream.
I felt it in my chest as she looked at me.
I knew we were bound to be together,
Bound to be together

She took my arm,
I don't know how it happened.
We took the floor and she said,

"Oh, don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me."
I said, "You're holding back,"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"
This woman is my destiny
She said, "Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance with me."

Deep in her eyes,
I think i see the future.
I realize this is my last chance.

She took my arm,
I don't know how it happened.
We took the floor and she said,

"Oh, don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me."
I said, "You're holding back,"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"
This woman is my destiny
She said, "Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance!
Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance!
Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance!"

"Oh, don't you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me."
I said, "You're holding back,"
She said, "Shut up and dance with me!"
This woman is my destiny
She said, "Oh, oh, oh,
Shut up and dance with me."

Oh, oh, oh, shut up dance with me [2x]

Shut Up And Dance (Walk The Moon Acoustic Cover)

Here's an ultra-raw vocal-only excerpt of a song that I'm writing. I thought of sharing this even in its rough form, because the message is very rich with God's promise...

AS I

As I lay still in the quietness, I praise You
As I listen to the beating of my heart, I praise You

In all seasons, You are faithful
And I hear You say,
"My child, I'm here
Cast your cares and fears all on Me
No one is as beautiful, no one is as glorious
No one is as powerful, no one is as faithful
As I"

As I (original / vocals sample)

Recorded during the Worship Night at Victory Davao last July 2, 2015. We were so soaked in God's presence that we couldn't help but sing about His love.

Higher Wider Deeper (Citipointe Live Cover For Worship Night)

Here's my acoustic (and much more melancholic) take on "One Last Time" by Ariana Grande, set on a male perspective.

The message of this song isn't really applicable to my life, but I just thought of singing it because of its infectious melody and raw emotion.

ONE LAST TIME
Ariana Grande

I was a liar
I gave in to the fire
I know I should've fought it
At least I'm being honest
Feel like a failure
'Cause I know that I failed you
I should've done you better
'Cause you don't want a liar

And I know, and I know, and I know
He gives you everything,
But, girl, I couldn't give it to you
And I know, and I know, and I know
That you got everything,
But I got nothing here without you

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
One more time
I promise, after that, I'll let you go
Baby, I don't care if you got him in your heart
All I really care is you wake up in my arms
One last time
I need to be the one who takes you home

I don't deserve it
I know I don't deserve it,
But stay with me a minute
I swear I'll make it worth it
Can't you forgive me?
At least just temporarily
I know that this is my fault
I should've been more careful

And I know, and I know, and I know
He gives you everything,
But, girl, I couldn't give it to you
And I know, and I know, and I know
That you got everything,
But I got nothing here without you

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
One more time
I promise, after that I'll let you go
Baby, I don't care if you got him in your heart
All I really care is you wake up in my arms
One last time
I need to be the one who takes you home

I know I should've fought it
At least I'm being honest
But stay with me a minute
I swear I'll make it worth it
'Cause I don't wanna be without you

So one last time
I need to be the one who takes you home
One more time
I promise, after that I'll let you go
Baby, I don't care if you got him in your heart
All I really care is you wake up in my arms
One last time
I need to be the one who takes you home

One last time
I need to be the one who takes you home 

One Last Time (Ariana Grande Acoustic Cover)

I wrote this song yesterday, after reading Psalm 47. This chapter needs to be sung! This is just a snippet of the entire song, which I will release in the next few days.

"Clap your hands, all you nations
Shout to God with joyful hearts
Lift Him up
The Great King over all the earth"

Psalm 47 (Sample of Original song)

I wrote this song to describe the magnitude of God, that nothing and no one can compare to Him.

"As I" is told on two viewpoints:
- The first is a person who chooses to praise God as he lives his life on Earth.
- The chorus is God assuring the person that His comforting presence is within reach.

I hope you find the song meaningful to your life. God bless you!

-------------------------

AS I
Original music by Chito de Castro

As I lay still in the quietness
I praise You
As I listen to the beating of my heart
I praise You

As I move out of my sinfulness
I praise You
As I endure all the suffering and hurt

Prechorus:
In all seasons, You are faithful
And I hear You say

Chorus:
“My child, I’m here
Cast your cares and fears all on Me
No one is as beautiful
No one is as glorious
No one is as powerful
No one is as faithful
As I

As I lay still in the quietness
I praise You
As I listen to the beating of my heart
I praise You

As I go out and proclaim Your name
I praise You
And I’m alive by the power of Your love
I praise You

(Prechorus)
(Chorus)
(Instrumental)

Bridge:
In all seasons, You are faithful
And You never fail
(3x)
(Prechorus)
(Chorus except last line)

No one is as beautiful
No one is as glorious
No one is as powerful
No one is as faithful
As I

As I (original Song)

Here's my acoustic take on "Nobody Like You" by Planetshakers, from their latest album #LetsGo.

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DriU39CkYAI

Nobody Like You (Planetshakers Acoustic Cover)

This song came out of nowhere, but I realized that this was what my heart was screaming out. "More Of You" is based on two verses in the Bible:

Psalm 27:13 - "I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

It's this confidence in God that makes me want more of Him.

(Also available on YouTube -- https://youtu.be/zDp4tKWhKP4)

LYRICS:

More of You, God
More of You, God
More of You, God
More of You, God

I've never been as sure
I've never been as certain as now
That even when it's hopeless
I will see Your goodness

More Of You (Original Song)

Here's my acoustic cover of "Falling" by Every Nation. This beautiful song speaks about surrendering my life to God and falling into His waves of love.

Also available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/_v6ICOhKZHY
Original song from Every Nation here: http://everynationmusic.org/song/falling/

Falling (Acoustic Cover)

Here's my acoustic take on "Unchanging God" by Victory Worship, mashed up with "Unchanging God" by Elevation Worship.

Hebrews 13:8 -- "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

CHORD CHART:
(Key of B)
Intro: F# G#m B/D# E
Verse: B/D# E F# G#m
Prechorus: F# G#m E
Bridge: G#m B/D# F# E

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Music recording: iPad Garageband
Vocal recording: Huawei nova2i Recorder
Audio editing: NCH WavePad Sound Editor and REAPER

LYRICS:

[Verse 1]
Your word is true, it will never fail
Our soul's secure, that You will carry us through

[Verse 2]
Seasons will change, the sun and moon will fade away
But our hope is sure, that forever You reign

[Pre-Chorus]
Let it be as You have said

[Chorus]
Your ways are higher, You've gone ahead of us
Now we will trust in our unchanging God
Your word unshaken, Your truth will be our light
Now we will trust in our unfailing God

(Verse 2)
(Pre-Chorus)
(Chorus)

[Bridge]
Oceans will rise, kingdoms will fall
But the word of the Lord stands forever
Death will try to come, but perfect love has won
Cause the word of the Lord stands forever
Cause the word of the Lord stands forever

(Chorus)

Unchanging God (Victory Worship & Elevation Worship Cover Mashup)

Our church's music team did a cover of "Maghari" by Victory Worship. I'm blessed to be a part of this!

Chito de Castro

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