Title: Rescuer
First Line: You're mighty and strong to save
Artist: Chris McClarney
Composer: Johnny and Cathy Parks, Nick Herbert
Album: Glimpses of Worship
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 5
My thoughts: The jury is still out with me on this one; I've had a copy of this for a while, but I'm not sure from where - albeit I think I have an original version rather than the live version that this is. It isn't one I want to try out in a hurry anyway, but it sounds like a good one for special worship times that aren't Sunday mornings. Maybe it will grow on me.
This song is available on Kingsway from
today until 17th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register
with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but
they are not serial spammers.
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Monday, 10 September 2012
First Love
I feel so much better after that weekend.
From Friday night through to Sunday evening I felt blessed, I'm seeing a way out, rather than feeling trapped. Something has brought me down to earth a little though...
I was reading my blog posts from September 2011 and I made myself somewhat thoughtful.
Such enthusiasm. Such naivety. Such...innocence of the future and just so excited to learn. Sigh, I sometimes wish I could get that back. But I can, if I just take my own advice from those posts. You know, it's all very well to say "I'm older and wiser" (not much older though!) but there is also the saying "Out of mouths of babes..."
Chorusstorming - This is now second nature. I don't do anything but chorusstorm for Sundays and special days. I no longer seek a theme from those who are speaking; I give it over to the Boss to worry about that.
Sacrificing Fridays - I do miss doing them habitually, but I still do one every couple of months or so. But I realised from these posts I don't practice with the same intensity as I did before, and I'm not introducing newbs as frequently as I did (OK, we were a new group, I'm expecting "downward" exponential change - but the newbs have reduced to practically zero and I tend to only risk them for myself alone)
Merging and Drifting - The one thing I would absolutely love to be second nature, along with Harp and Bow and other techniques
Fighting over the choruses - Now, I'm not saying I want this every week - life's stressful enough. But it is good to have a fight over them once in a while, a good wrestle. I hope I've quit wrestling with God over these, and it is fun trying to make them all fit like a demented jigsaw puzzle
I carried on browsing for a bit, but ended up more thoughtful as I got into the "new guitar" posts...nearly a year since I bought that Freshman. (There was some odd twanging noises coming from it yesterday, I think it needs a change of strings - something like the 3rd or 4th change since I got it!)
Although, yes, I'm more experienced, and yes, I can't live it over again and, thank God, make the same mistakes again, I could approach it with a more innocent nature...
...what are we going to play today, Boss?
From Friday night through to Sunday evening I felt blessed, I'm seeing a way out, rather than feeling trapped. Something has brought me down to earth a little though...
I was reading my blog posts from September 2011 and I made myself somewhat thoughtful.
Such enthusiasm. Such naivety. Such...innocence of the future and just so excited to learn. Sigh, I sometimes wish I could get that back. But I can, if I just take my own advice from those posts. You know, it's all very well to say "I'm older and wiser" (not much older though!) but there is also the saying "Out of mouths of babes..."
Chorusstorming - This is now second nature. I don't do anything but chorusstorm for Sundays and special days. I no longer seek a theme from those who are speaking; I give it over to the Boss to worry about that.
Sacrificing Fridays - I do miss doing them habitually, but I still do one every couple of months or so. But I realised from these posts I don't practice with the same intensity as I did before, and I'm not introducing newbs as frequently as I did (OK, we were a new group, I'm expecting "downward" exponential change - but the newbs have reduced to practically zero and I tend to only risk them for myself alone)
Merging and Drifting - The one thing I would absolutely love to be second nature, along with Harp and Bow and other techniques
Fighting over the choruses - Now, I'm not saying I want this every week - life's stressful enough. But it is good to have a fight over them once in a while, a good wrestle. I hope I've quit wrestling with God over these, and it is fun trying to make them all fit like a demented jigsaw puzzle
I carried on browsing for a bit, but ended up more thoughtful as I got into the "new guitar" posts...nearly a year since I bought that Freshman. (There was some odd twanging noises coming from it yesterday, I think it needs a change of strings - something like the 3rd or 4th change since I got it!)
Although, yes, I'm more experienced, and yes, I can't live it over again and, thank God, make the same mistakes again, I could approach it with a more innocent nature...
...what are we going to play today, Boss?
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Revelation
Someone read out that passage in 1 Corinth this morning - behold I show you a mystery etc. It's odd (or maybe not) that the choruses I'm preparing lately have been on Revelations theme. No, I'm not going to make anything of this, prophetically, but it is good to be reminded of this, where we will ultimately be, and united, despite having brethren missing from the mortal plane...
Worship this morning:
Men of Faith (which the leader loved this morning, awoke something in his spirit)
All I Once Held Dear
Be Thou my Vision
Into Your Hands
Jesus Be the Centre
Almost got carried away with this - it's almost heartbreaking for me to detach myself from it sometimes but I have to - else I'd be a little puddle on the floor. The words are so appropriate to my circumstances at the moment.
It was good to feel fed this morning. As I was yesterday. But I have, potentially, 11 worship sessions this month and into the first week of October, 6 of which will likely be on my own. 2 down, 9 to go. Informed Bossman this morning that I am, effectively, taking October off due to practical, logistical and personal reasons (i.e. I'll probably be at dropping point) but there are plans in October that I haven't told him about....
...I had an email the other day, and you know when you think you know someone really well, and you sense they are not telling you something because they're not sure themselves, but in your spirit you maybe have insight into what decision they're about to make...I may be totally off the mark anyway. We'll see.
Worship this morning:
Men of Faith (which the leader loved this morning, awoke something in his spirit)
All I Once Held Dear
Be Thou my Vision
Into Your Hands
Jesus Be the Centre
Almost got carried away with this - it's almost heartbreaking for me to detach myself from it sometimes but I have to - else I'd be a little puddle on the floor. The words are so appropriate to my circumstances at the moment.
It was good to feel fed this morning. As I was yesterday. But I have, potentially, 11 worship sessions this month and into the first week of October, 6 of which will likely be on my own. 2 down, 9 to go. Informed Bossman this morning that I am, effectively, taking October off due to practical, logistical and personal reasons (i.e. I'll probably be at dropping point) but there are plans in October that I haven't told him about....
...I had an email the other day, and you know when you think you know someone really well, and you sense they are not telling you something because they're not sure themselves, but in your spirit you maybe have insight into what decision they're about to make...I may be totally off the mark anyway. We'll see.
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Changes
I can count on two hands the people I can say, truthfully, I've clashed with in life. I can likely remember every one of their full names.
I take people as they are. Yes, I may draw wrong conclusions about them, doesn't everybody, at some point? Irrational and illogical behaviour may irritate me, but eventually I shrug and come to the conclusion life is too short to make a big deal out of it. I say, after putting the furniture back together that I've thrown around the room...
But - equally - I can count on two hands (but only just - start counting on the second hand that is) the number of people I have actually clicked with. My ally in the church, for instance; someone commented that they are like a sibling to me. Separated at birth? I muse...well, in fact all children in Christ were, if you think about it, we were there at creation, doomed to be parted until He hung on a tree for us to bring hope that we will be eternally united. But, yes, that person is special because we think in the same way, and have similar churchy-type upbringing.
It's a blessing to find someone else to connect with, and I had a long conversation with them last night. We talked about this and that, the person recently widowed and what it's done to them, meetings, conferences, and...
...changes. They're changing church because they know God has told them to. Is this another signpost for me? And which way? They had wise words for me, but I was unwilling to go into the full story - no-one, not my SOH, not my allies, know the full story and I'm not ready to pour it all out. Not even here. Especially not here. I state nothing here that I wouldn't repeat to those I meet. God knows it all though. I've stated my woes verbally and my spirit has groaned with it for months now.
I really hope there is an answer. And soon.
I take people as they are. Yes, I may draw wrong conclusions about them, doesn't everybody, at some point? Irrational and illogical behaviour may irritate me, but eventually I shrug and come to the conclusion life is too short to make a big deal out of it. I say, after putting the furniture back together that I've thrown around the room...
But - equally - I can count on two hands (but only just - start counting on the second hand that is) the number of people I have actually clicked with. My ally in the church, for instance; someone commented that they are like a sibling to me. Separated at birth? I muse...well, in fact all children in Christ were, if you think about it, we were there at creation, doomed to be parted until He hung on a tree for us to bring hope that we will be eternally united. But, yes, that person is special because we think in the same way, and have similar churchy-type upbringing.
It's a blessing to find someone else to connect with, and I had a long conversation with them last night. We talked about this and that, the person recently widowed and what it's done to them, meetings, conferences, and...
...changes. They're changing church because they know God has told them to. Is this another signpost for me? And which way? They had wise words for me, but I was unwilling to go into the full story - no-one, not my SOH, not my allies, know the full story and I'm not ready to pour it all out. Not even here. Especially not here. I state nothing here that I wouldn't repeat to those I meet. God knows it all though. I've stated my woes verbally and my spirit has groaned with it for months now.
I really hope there is an answer. And soon.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Development
God knows exactly how to handle me - generally speaking He corners me so I have to do something other than procrastinate. Well, I am in that situation, although I knew one day I'd buy one, I didn't think I would need one quite as urgently. Ordered at 4pm yesterday, received a little over 24 hours later. (For those of you over 30 - doesn't that still blow your mind how quickly dreams can arrive on your doorstep? I guess I could have got it still quicker than that.)
It has mic as well as instrument input so will come in very handy. Good price too.
With everything else going on - I know I am still being prepared for something. Currently, I'm on a sort of starting block. I'm waiting for the gun to fire. Trouble is, it's in God's own time, not mine. Guess He's teaching me patience, along with everything else.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Kingsway 4th September
Title: Psalm 62
First Line: My soul finds rest in God alone
Artist: Aaron Keyes
Composer: Stuart Townend, Aaron Keyes
Album: Not Guilty Anymore
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 4, Source 4
My thoughts: Ah St. Stuart of Townend - who doesn't love this guy for what he's done for church music - a way of putting scripture so effortlessly into song, and also, if you've grown up CofE (like me) making it sound like you've known it since you were a kid. Only you can't have done because it's only a few years old. I've had a copy of this for a while, but I like seeing hymns like this on Kingsway once in a while. If you don't have a copy of this, here's your chance. Aaron is another singer/songwriter with a big future, still a whippersnapper on his 3rd album (I think). Worth a look is his profile on Kingsway also.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 10th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
First Line: My soul finds rest in God alone
Artist: Aaron Keyes
Composer: Stuart Townend, Aaron Keyes
Album: Not Guilty Anymore
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: Songs of Fellowship 4, Source 4
My thoughts: Ah St. Stuart of Townend - who doesn't love this guy for what he's done for church music - a way of putting scripture so effortlessly into song, and also, if you've grown up CofE (like me) making it sound like you've known it since you were a kid. Only you can't have done because it's only a few years old. I've had a copy of this for a while, but I like seeing hymns like this on Kingsway once in a while. If you don't have a copy of this, here's your chance. Aaron is another singer/songwriter with a big future, still a whippersnapper on his 3rd album (I think). Worth a look is his profile on Kingsway also.
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 10th September inc. To access, you must logon; or register with Kingsway, who in return will add you to their mailing list, but they are not serial spammers.
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Rest
I didn't go to church today, I stayed at home, a couple of chores, breakfast and fellowship with my SOH.
September will be a very busy month. I will be doing at least 7 WL sessions, maybe as many as 9; Friday nights, a Thursday day time, Saturdays and Sundays. I think there's one week when it's all four in a row... It takes my mind off other things and stops the brooding. I keep myself busy researching "new" songs in my SOFs and Source.
I needed the company of other Christians Friday night, just hours after the announcement. Needless to say there were prayers and talk about how miracles still happen and how this should be a celebration and...
...hang on.
Someone started praying for the spouse and I could almost predict, word for word, what they were going to pray. I was almost shaking my head...hackneyed phrases, quoting scripture, saying what you think God needs you to say, trying to behave in the way that the Bible tells you to when someone dies - cry? - you gotta be kidding...
...Jesus wept...He needed to feel that grief, else how could anyone who was ever bereaved ever connect?
We are human, not robots. I get annoyed with ex-church goers who say "I used to go, but I can't believe in a God who took my...(insert relative/friend here)". I get just as annoyed with people who say things like "well s/he's gone to a better place and we should be celebrating.."
...it doesn't help those left behind. In fact, the word tells us to mourn with those who mourn. The full works. Sackcloth and ashes and copious tears if necessary.
You may be thinking, hang on Fi, you're totally contradicting what you said the other day, death isn't an ending yahdeyahdeyahda. No, it isn't, not for the person who dies. It can feel that way for the people close to them and the years of waiting until they can rejoin them...
Let's be real. Mary, in her anguish, said "Lord if You'd have been here, my brother wouldn't have died." She wasn't saying that he'd gone to a better place and talking of peace that passeth all understanding - she was doing the equivalent of screaming at God - "WHY?" and "How can I cope without them?"
The Bible also tells us to help widows in their affliction. I hope that I pray the right things, and if I see them soon, say the right stuff, and above all....be real.
September will be a very busy month. I will be doing at least 7 WL sessions, maybe as many as 9; Friday nights, a Thursday day time, Saturdays and Sundays. I think there's one week when it's all four in a row... It takes my mind off other things and stops the brooding. I keep myself busy researching "new" songs in my SOFs and Source.
I needed the company of other Christians Friday night, just hours after the announcement. Needless to say there were prayers and talk about how miracles still happen and how this should be a celebration and...
...hang on.
Someone started praying for the spouse and I could almost predict, word for word, what they were going to pray. I was almost shaking my head...hackneyed phrases, quoting scripture, saying what you think God needs you to say, trying to behave in the way that the Bible tells you to when someone dies - cry? - you gotta be kidding...
...Jesus wept...He needed to feel that grief, else how could anyone who was ever bereaved ever connect?
We are human, not robots. I get annoyed with ex-church goers who say "I used to go, but I can't believe in a God who took my...(insert relative/friend here)". I get just as annoyed with people who say things like "well s/he's gone to a better place and we should be celebrating.."
...it doesn't help those left behind. In fact, the word tells us to mourn with those who mourn. The full works. Sackcloth and ashes and copious tears if necessary.
You may be thinking, hang on Fi, you're totally contradicting what you said the other day, death isn't an ending yahdeyahdeyahda. No, it isn't, not for the person who dies. It can feel that way for the people close to them and the years of waiting until they can rejoin them...
Let's be real. Mary, in her anguish, said "Lord if You'd have been here, my brother wouldn't have died." She wasn't saying that he'd gone to a better place and talking of peace that passeth all understanding - she was doing the equivalent of screaming at God - "WHY?" and "How can I cope without them?"
The Bible also tells us to help widows in their affliction. I hope that I pray the right things, and if I see them soon, say the right stuff, and above all....be real.
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