(Written by Jacob Freeman)

Beside Bethesda, here I lay. 
Upon my mat, a man in sin. 
I cannot move; I watch the pool
And hope to walk again. 
Here, waiting for a miracle, 
For thirty-eight long years I’ve stayed. 
Beside this sometimes-stirring pool,
Lame, impotent, I’ve laid. 

You knew my state. In mercy great,
You came to seek me where I lay. 
A plain and lowly man You were
With such a gentle way. 
“Man, do you wish to be made well?”
You asked me, as I turned around. 
Oh, how I’ve longed to hear those words! 
“I do! No help I’ve found. 

I cannot move although I‘ve tried—
To no avail. And though I’ve seen
The water stir and stir again,
I’ve never active been.”
“Arise, take up your mat and walk”
You speak with such authority!
But even more my legs felt strong:
Your word enlivened me. 

No law and no activity; 
No miracle descending down,
No effort I have made has helped. 
I must be mercy shown. 
Oh, Lord! Your kindness, mercy great,
And richest grace You’ve giv’n to me,
Redeeming me and healing me
By hanging on a tree. 

You made me walk! So now my Lord,
I rise to follow after You. 
I run toward You, my Goal, my Prize—
Your gift of grace in view. 
Now, in Your house, I have a place,
And at Your table I enjoy 
Your All-Inclusive richness, Lord
And rest in Your employ.

Beside Bethesda (Lyrics by Jacob)

by D.C., M.P.

I have loved Your precepts; O Jehovah, enliven me. 
I have not swerved from Your testimonies. Your word is truth (Psa. 119:157-160)
In Your statutes do I take delight; (Psa. 119:16)
In Your precepts do I muse (Psa. 119:15)
In my heart do I treasure Your word
That I might not sin against You (Psa. 119:11)

(Countermelody)
If anyone loves me, he will keep My word (John 14:23)
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth (John 17:17)
Your word became the gladness and joy of my heart (Jer. 15:16)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16)
In my heart do I treasure Your word
That I might not sin against You

https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/ns/731

I Have Loved Your Precepts

Medley of select songs from the 2023 North American College Training: Love Prevails!

Love Prevails Medley

Thank You Lord we love the One whom we need…


Oh how I love You, Dear Lord!
Oh how I love You!
Oh how I need You, Dear Lord!
How I need You today!

	Oh Lord!
	How I love You,
	How I need You,
	How I love You!
	Oh Lord!
	I just need You,
	I just love You,
	I just need You!

I love You today Dear Lord!
I just love You!
I need You today Dear Lord!
How I just need You!

Oh How I Love You, Dear Lord

sober to death cover

Heute hörst Du ein Lied aus dem Jahr 1991, das all jenen gewidmet ist, die in den Tiefen ihres Lebens zu zerbrechen drohen, und das auf einem Vorfall basiert, der sich im Dezember 1991 in Heidelberg ereignete. Die Lokalzeitung berichtete kurz und bündig über eine junge Studentin, die tot im Fahrstuhl eines Studentenwohnheims gefunden wurde - mit einer Spritze im Arm. Ich habe daraufhin dieses Lied geschrieben, das nun auch in einer englischen Version mit dem Titel "Never give in!" erhältlich ist. (Video erstellt mit Unterstützung von canva.com) https://youtu.be/Nj7IpVTL2Ro?si=4i64Q7CID51qOElv - Alles Gute, Gert

Today you are listening to a song from 1991, dedicated to all those who are in danger of breaking down in the depths of their lives, based on an incident that took place in Heidelberg in December 1991. The local newspaper reported briefly and succinctly about a young student who was found dead in the lift of a student hall of residence - with a syringe in her arm. I then wrote this song, which has also been available in an English version entitled "Never give in!" since today: (video created with the support of canva.com) - All the best, Gert

Never Give In
(Lyrics inspired by “Gib niemals auf” – Gert Harald Holle, 1991)

Verse 1
Dreams once alive,
now gone — cold and fading.
Loved with your heart,
but love turned into aching.
Silent you cry,
alone with all your sorrow,
Empty inside,
betrayed too many times.

Chorus
Never give in,
keep fighting for your freedom.
Hold on so tight,
with both your hands, don’t let go.

Verse 2
Felt love before,
in quiet days of longing.
Used and denied,
laughed at, deceived, and haunted.
Fell far below,
lost deep in your illusions,
Hit hard and cold,
no friend to help you through.

Chorus
Never give in,
keep fighting for your freedom.
Stand up again,
and start it all once more.
Bridge / Middle Part
Tried everything,
you’re down and bruised and broken.
Nothing remains,
just scars where hope had spoken.
Instrumental break

Verse 3
Needles so deep,
they pierce your heart and spirit.
Frozen by pain,
forgot what warmth feels like.
Madness inside,
a soul so tired and hollow,
Nowhere called home,
still breathing, almost gone.

Final Chorus
Never give in,
keep fighting for your freedom.
You’re not alone,
a friend will stand beside you.
Never give in,
keep holding on — don’t lose it.
Hold it so tight,
as long as you still breathe.
Hold it so tight,
as long as you still breathe.
Hold it…

(Lyrics & Music by Gert Holle / 1991 – 2025)

"Gib niemals auf"

Träume gehabt,
verflogen – kalter Nebel.
Menschen geliebt,
enttäuscht in dunklen Zeiten.
Sagst nicht ein Wort,
Du quälst Dich –
Depressionen –
Tausendmal leer,
sehr oft, zu oft betrogen.

Gib niemals auf
und kämpfe für Dein Leben.
Halt es ganz fest,
ganz fest mit beiden Händen.

Liebe gefühlt
in manchen stillen Tagen.
Nur ausgenutzt,
verlacht und stets betrogen.
Tief abgestürzt
ins Reich der Illusionen.
Hart aufgeknallt,
kein Freund in dunklen Stunden.

Gib niemals auf
und kämpfe für Dein Leben.
Steh wieder auf,
versuchs noch mal von vorn.

Viel ausprobiert,
verloren, ganz am Boden.
Nichts von gehabt,
geblieben sind nur Wunden.

Zwischenspiel

Stiche so tief –
ins Herz und in die Arme.
Vor Kälte erfrorn,
vergessen jede Wärme.
Wahnsinn gespürt,
kaputt in leerer Seele.
Nirgends zu Haus,
am Leben, doch fast schon tot.

Gib niemals auf
und kämpfe für Dein Leben.
Bist nicht allein,
ein Freund in dunklen Stunden.
Gib niemals auf
und kämpfe für Dein Leben.
Halt es ganz fest,
so lange Du noch lebst.
Halt es ganz fest,
so lange Du noch lebst.
Halt es ...
(Worte & Musik von Gert Harald Holle / Heidelberg 1991)

Never Give In - Gert Holle - 1991 - 2025

Lost eyes wander for years
Blind to all that’s been near

What if all I need was right here all along

Chasing flashier signs
Missing all that was mine

What if all I need was right here all along
What if all I need was right here all along

I lifted up my heavy cross
Until it broke me down
And I woke up inside my mess
Digging in the ground

I lifted up my heavy cross
Until it broke me down
And I woke up inside my mess
Digging in the ground
Digging further down

What if all I need was right here all along
What if all I need was right here all along

What If All I Need Was Right Here All Along

Contacting God

Enjoying the Lord by singing to the Lord with the Brothers

With Sam Chiu, Sven Lee, Titus Ting, and William Jeng

Grace upon Grace

I Want to be Filled (with WJ)

C.                                Am
God wants us to realize 
       F.                                 G
the hidden nature of His working 
       C.                    F.         C
It is not in mighty influences, 
           F
great visions and 
G.       C
revelations. 
      F.     G.         C.           F
As we abide in Him, we realize 
                      G
our God is a quiet God, 
             F.                  G.              C
whose presence is often undetected. 


Chorus 

            F                                C.             Am
Surely You are a God who hides Himself,
     F.               G
O God of Israel.
           C.                      G
God’s surest work is done 
           F.            G.      C
in the secrets of our being. 


Prayer
                         F
Lord, here we are 
                          G.         C
Not trusting in what is seen 
                        F
Lord here we are 
                           G
None outward  expecting 
         Em.                     Am
Continue to gain the secret places in our 
F
hearts 

              C.                   G.      C
For the reality of the Body today

The Hidden Nature of His Working

Thou hast set our iniquities,
Lord, before Thy face;
E’en our secret hidden sins,
Light of Thy countenance traced.
For in Thine o’erflowing wrath
Have our days wholly gone by;
And our years come to an end
Like a whispered sigh.

Oh, the days of all our years are seventy,
Or, if due to strength, they eighty be;
Yet what’s their pride and boast?
Toil and sorrow and woe.
All soon will fade;
And we, too, fly away.

Teach us then to number our days,
Heart of wisdom to obtain.
O Lord, teach us then to number our days,
Heart of wisdom to gain.
Satisfy us, Lord, in the morn
With lovingkindness outpoured,
That a joyful ringing shout may arise
All the days of our life.
Lord, according to all the days
That we afflictions have faced,
And to the years wherein evil we’ve seen,
Make us glad in Thee,
Make us glad in Thee.

The Hidden Nature of His Working

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