Been a good week, a very good week.
Yes, went to Llandudno yesterday to see if I could try out a Freshman, in the flesh as it were. Disappointingly, they didn't have a folk body in stock, and they are unlikely to in the near future. The guy I spoke to said something which made sense at the time, but I can only be vague in explaining it; the folk shape on 12-strings is rather weak and he reckons that they couldn't quite get the strength/sound balance right. I did try out it's bigger sister though...and she sounded absolutely gorgeous. It was about £100 more than I wanted to pay, I'm not 100% happy with the machine heads and shape of the body, and it only has a pickup, not an inbuilt tuner as well. SOH (who was set on me buying an Ovation or another Epiphone) said I was mad to walk away for very minor reasons - the sound he said, is all important, and he was impressed. Guy in the shop was very keen to make a sale; offering £50 off of it, or the guitar plus a case for the listed price. Again, SOH said I should have ripped his arm off :-)
I'm thinking it over for at least a week, I think I may try another music shop, but perhaps be not quite so picky on the "model", just be clear in my head what I do want from it. It will be with me, I hope, for a long, long time, I want it to be right.
Practice went very well last night. There are 6 lined up for this week, but we seem to be confident, so one less thing to worry about. Not that I worry about stuff. Oh no. :-)
And another working week ends, sunny, very very hot, but here's to a blessed weekend, wherever you are.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Feel a little guilty...
I played my guitar a bit on Monday, just to check the submissions this week, one questionable one (maybe the key's too low), but I practiced for barely 20 minutes. Didn't practice yesterday, the weather is absolutely glorious today, so maybe not this evening either. Going out on a mission tomorrow (which may or may not include a new guitar), so I'm left with tiny windows in which to practice - tonight after sunset and maybe mid afternoon tomorrow.
After the service on Sunday, the clarinetist had a word from the Lord for me: "You're too hard on yourself" - but I don't want apathy to set in. For the next couple of weeks, there's only 3 of us in the worship group, which may make things easier - or harder, depending on how well those two know the choruses I've picked. Somehow I think having the larger group is easier, especially as I will be missing the flautist for two weeks - her good, strong, melody playing coupled with good rythmn. (Rythmn is my weakness, and I frequently get the melody slightly wrong)
Hand it over to the Lord. Wait. Listen. Hear.
After the service on Sunday, the clarinetist had a word from the Lord for me: "You're too hard on yourself" - but I don't want apathy to set in. For the next couple of weeks, there's only 3 of us in the worship group, which may make things easier - or harder, depending on how well those two know the choruses I've picked. Somehow I think having the larger group is easier, especially as I will be missing the flautist for two weeks - her good, strong, melody playing coupled with good rythmn. (Rythmn is my weakness, and I frequently get the melody slightly wrong)
Hand it over to the Lord. Wait. Listen. Hear.
Monday, 26 September 2011
Worship Central
A little aside today.
HMV are stocking Worship Central's Spirit Break Out, as of today.
It always makes me smile when a Christian track or CD makes it big, and I'm not talking Cliff Richard who built himself a huge fanbase in all age ranges. The last one I vividly remember was "Shackles" and I wondered at the time how many people actually realised that the song, sounding like a Pop Idol submission, but irritatingly catchy, was Christian, as it doesn't actually mention God or Jesus at all.
However, this is oh-so-obviously Christian, and even in this day and age where there is room on the shelves due to the popularity of MP3 downloads, this is quite an achievement. Good for them.
HMV are stocking Worship Central's Spirit Break Out, as of today.
It always makes me smile when a Christian track or CD makes it big, and I'm not talking Cliff Richard who built himself a huge fanbase in all age ranges. The last one I vividly remember was "Shackles" and I wondered at the time how many people actually realised that the song, sounding like a Pop Idol submission, but irritatingly catchy, was Christian, as it doesn't actually mention God or Jesus at all.
However, this is oh-so-obviously Christian, and even in this day and age where there is room on the shelves due to the popularity of MP3 downloads, this is quite an achievement. Good for them.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
"Even the rocks will sing"
Worship this morning:
Come on and Celebrate
Jesus, Hope of the Nations
I will never be the same again
Take us to the river
Jesus, be the Centre
It's going to be difficult to put into words what happened this morning, and there is a lot to say. Maybe I will manage to say it in one post, maybe postpone some until tomorrow, we'll see.
The pivotal hymn was Take Us To The River, and had a very good, nay, anointed, reception for our first time. When I practiced it earlier this week I had that "tingle" which told me that the hymn was right for the week, and the choruses that were picked around it (and this took time to work out) slotted in perfectly. The pastor has requested it for next week too - which may be a problem as all 5 have already been picked. Something is telling me to still go ahead with what we have; there is no hymn next week, so I can shorten the last two choruses.
A couple of months ago, we had visitors from a satellite TV station. The worship was just my predecessor, me, and the pianist. The anointing that fell that night was incredible, so overwhelming I felt privileged to be part of it.
Which was exactly how I felt this morning as the anointing fell early on and built to a crescendo (earlier post, blessings come back at you via God when the congregation praise God during worship).
I needed it; that morning had started badly, and I couldn't help but think of my post yesterday which spoke of the eye of the hurricane. I was prayed for before the service, and the clarinetist prayed that the worship would be so good even the rocks will sing.
The sound coming from the rocks was deafening.
During the last chorus, my fingers locked up as if arthritic or tired. I could have prayed for the strength to return. Instead, I wondered if God was trying to tell me to stop playing. I stopped playing. I sang. Everyone stopped playing, apart from the flute. Just the beautiful woodwind and our voices in harmony. The Spirit flowed like a wind through the congregation. How can I describe it? Overwhelming love.
I noticed, fairly late in the week the pattern that emerged from the choruses this week, without me even realising it:
Come on and Celebrate
Jesus, Hope of the Nations
I will never be the same again
Take us to the river
Jesus, be the Centre
It's going to be difficult to put into words what happened this morning, and there is a lot to say. Maybe I will manage to say it in one post, maybe postpone some until tomorrow, we'll see.
The pivotal hymn was Take Us To The River, and had a very good, nay, anointed, reception for our first time. When I practiced it earlier this week I had that "tingle" which told me that the hymn was right for the week, and the choruses that were picked around it (and this took time to work out) slotted in perfectly. The pastor has requested it for next week too - which may be a problem as all 5 have already been picked. Something is telling me to still go ahead with what we have; there is no hymn next week, so I can shorten the last two choruses.
A couple of months ago, we had visitors from a satellite TV station. The worship was just my predecessor, me, and the pianist. The anointing that fell that night was incredible, so overwhelming I felt privileged to be part of it.
Which was exactly how I felt this morning as the anointing fell early on and built to a crescendo (earlier post, blessings come back at you via God when the congregation praise God during worship).
I needed it; that morning had started badly, and I couldn't help but think of my post yesterday which spoke of the eye of the hurricane. I was prayed for before the service, and the clarinetist prayed that the worship would be so good even the rocks will sing.
The sound coming from the rocks was deafening.
During the last chorus, my fingers locked up as if arthritic or tired. I could have prayed for the strength to return. Instead, I wondered if God was trying to tell me to stop playing. I stopped playing. I sang. Everyone stopped playing, apart from the flute. Just the beautiful woodwind and our voices in harmony. The Spirit flowed like a wind through the congregation. How can I describe it? Overwhelming love.
I noticed, fairly late in the week the pattern that emerged from the choruses this week, without me even realising it:
- The Rock who is Christ
- The Fire of the Spirit
- The Water that cleanses
- The Wind which revives
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Mama told me there'd be days like this
I don't know if I'm passing through the eye of a hurricane, or whether I have just endured one. Whichever - I'm calmer, more focussed in the last couple of days. (Post title is based on Van Morrison song)
The message at last night's Bible Study set off a maelstrom in my brain, and when it settled gave me overwhelming peace. (A joke the pastor likes to share: "The message was terrible - it made me think.")
One of the key points was that we should aim to be like Nathanael, the Israelite in which there is no guile. Or, as an actor once described Humphrey Bogart: "He is 100% of what he is, and that's rich."
Exactly what I should aim to be, up there, under a hot light (not a spotlight), playing a guitar, not acting, just directing the worship into the throne room of God. Ponder that for too long and you could get scared. Put your fear into God's hands and suddenly the meaning of the choruses become real to you.
I'm early with next week's choruses and hymns, and everything did fall into place (like a flick of a switch) - one pivotal hymn and an old chorus that I knew fit perfectly, and what did the pastor also say last night, after I had picked said chorus? We should all act and believe we are part of God's family...the chorus that had been put on my heart so suddenly? Father God I wonder. Just try and tell me God wasn't in on that.
I made a difficult decision today to not take a music exam this autumn, and take it instead in the spring; tutor was fine with that, I'm going to spend the few months strengthening my voice for maybe a higher level.
It seems fitting I will post more about the testimony around this week's choruses tomorrow, and the pattern that emerged without me even realising it. God is good. All the time. All the time, God is good.
The message at last night's Bible Study set off a maelstrom in my brain, and when it settled gave me overwhelming peace. (A joke the pastor likes to share: "The message was terrible - it made me think.")
One of the key points was that we should aim to be like Nathanael, the Israelite in which there is no guile. Or, as an actor once described Humphrey Bogart: "He is 100% of what he is, and that's rich."
Exactly what I should aim to be, up there, under a hot light (not a spotlight), playing a guitar, not acting, just directing the worship into the throne room of God. Ponder that for too long and you could get scared. Put your fear into God's hands and suddenly the meaning of the choruses become real to you.
I'm early with next week's choruses and hymns, and everything did fall into place (like a flick of a switch) - one pivotal hymn and an old chorus that I knew fit perfectly, and what did the pastor also say last night, after I had picked said chorus? We should all act and believe we are part of God's family...the chorus that had been put on my heart so suddenly? Father God I wonder. Just try and tell me God wasn't in on that.
I made a difficult decision today to not take a music exam this autumn, and take it instead in the spring; tutor was fine with that, I'm going to spend the few months strengthening my voice for maybe a higher level.
It seems fitting I will post more about the testimony around this week's choruses tomorrow, and the pattern that emerged without me even realising it. God is good. All the time. All the time, God is good.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Catchup and Pickup
Monday I was worrying about the song choices. I think maybe I'll save that for a later post, because there's quite a testimony behind it. The pivotal hymn is still there, but no less than 3 were dropped from the original lineup.
Anyway, for some time I've been thinking about getting a new guitar. My current one does not have a pickup or tuner, although that isn't a problem for me or PA man, it would be a nice-to-have. And although I do have all sorts of tuning implements, tuning 12 strings can be a pain. Many a time I've sweated 5 minutes before start of play on Sunday trying to get them all sounding nicely in tune.
The current guitar could be converted, be sanded down and repolished, new bridge maybe and definitely new machine heads. But. I am rather emotionally attached to it as it is. It's had a hard 6 months and I want to give it a holiday from being bashed around, doing a task that takes it to the very limit of the intended purpose. For sentimental reasons, I do not want to change the very essence of what it is, and selling it would be unthinkable. There's a lot of history in that guitar, it would be almost like chopping off a part of me - or getting Botox injections :-). I'd lose something of myself if I sold it, or it wouldn't look like I wanted to remember it, even if it looked better - ugh maybe I haven't explained that too well, but I know what I mean.
This one looks a beauty, one fit for purpose and serious. Not too expensive, not too cheap. Tuner and pickup, the latter I will discuss with PA man, who recently installed a new setup. Next Thursday (day off) I'm going to Llandudno to see if I can play one and see how it sounds.
Anyway, for some time I've been thinking about getting a new guitar. My current one does not have a pickup or tuner, although that isn't a problem for me or PA man, it would be a nice-to-have. And although I do have all sorts of tuning implements, tuning 12 strings can be a pain. Many a time I've sweated 5 minutes before start of play on Sunday trying to get them all sounding nicely in tune.
The current guitar could be converted, be sanded down and repolished, new bridge maybe and definitely new machine heads. But. I am rather emotionally attached to it as it is. It's had a hard 6 months and I want to give it a holiday from being bashed around, doing a task that takes it to the very limit of the intended purpose. For sentimental reasons, I do not want to change the very essence of what it is, and selling it would be unthinkable. There's a lot of history in that guitar, it would be almost like chopping off a part of me - or getting Botox injections :-). I'd lose something of myself if I sold it, or it wouldn't look like I wanted to remember it, even if it looked better - ugh maybe I haven't explained that too well, but I know what I mean.
This one looks a beauty, one fit for purpose and serious. Not too expensive, not too cheap. Tuner and pickup, the latter I will discuss with PA man, who recently installed a new setup. Next Thursday (day off) I'm going to Llandudno to see if I can play one and see how it sounds.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Highs and lows
Just to get one thing straight at the beginning: a worship leader at no time should be thinking that it is by their own ability that they are riding a "high", and conversely, to never automatically think that it is by their own failings that they feel like they've crashed underneath a mighty wave.
I thought I could read my predecessor quite well. If she sat down after worship looking like a smug cat, and the congregation were awake and alive, I knew she was feeling good about the day's work, she was riding a high. If she slouched back to her seat after a quick nod to the rest of us to thank us for our input, she'd crashed into a low - the congregation just hadn't responded.
I know how she feels now, exactly how she feels. If you've worked your guts out, or poured your whole soul and spirit it seems like into the week's worship, and the congregation have not responded well to it, it is so so easy to blame yourself and dip into the low.
But I'm learning something. Worship leading isn't a "gig", "performance" or "show" it is a duty and even we forget sometimes. Matt Redman fell into that hole once and wrote "Heart of Worship" as a result. It becomes a testimony, but I don't think I want to experience that one - that said, I hope that the senior people at the church can be honest enough with me to say: "Fiona, this morning showed us your heart is all wrong with God. Stop leading for a few weeks. Get right with God."
So, you're right with God. God anoints the WL, who in turn blesses the congregation, who in turn bless God, who in turn blesses the WL...and so on. 2 Corinthians something in action....7?...8?...can't remember and this particular puta is too slow to go to bible.com. Anyway, you get my meaning.
A minister I knew spoke of those statements in Psalms: "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God". Although, yes, referring to the unbeliever, you could equally say anyone could say that there is no God. Remove the italicised bit. It becomes "No, God. I don't want your blessing. I'm too comfortable as I am." - this person is perhaps the biggest fool, but aren't we all guilty of it, at some time?
Your duty, as WL, is to be right, clean, with God, bestow the blessing through the music and hope that the congregation is receptive to say "Yes, God", because then the blessing comes right back atcha via God. That's when you become the smug cat.
But don't be discouraged if it doesn't come back. Maybe you weren't right for the day? Or just maybe, the congregation weren't. You've done your duty, and maybe the blessing will come later. Endurance, perseverance, patience...do the tasks set to you faithfully and the reward will come, but don't be trying to prethink the motives, or actions, of God.
I thought I could read my predecessor quite well. If she sat down after worship looking like a smug cat, and the congregation were awake and alive, I knew she was feeling good about the day's work, she was riding a high. If she slouched back to her seat after a quick nod to the rest of us to thank us for our input, she'd crashed into a low - the congregation just hadn't responded.
I know how she feels now, exactly how she feels. If you've worked your guts out, or poured your whole soul and spirit it seems like into the week's worship, and the congregation have not responded well to it, it is so so easy to blame yourself and dip into the low.
But I'm learning something. Worship leading isn't a "gig", "performance" or "show" it is a duty and even we forget sometimes. Matt Redman fell into that hole once and wrote "Heart of Worship" as a result. It becomes a testimony, but I don't think I want to experience that one - that said, I hope that the senior people at the church can be honest enough with me to say: "Fiona, this morning showed us your heart is all wrong with God. Stop leading for a few weeks. Get right with God."
So, you're right with God. God anoints the WL, who in turn blesses the congregation, who in turn bless God, who in turn blesses the WL...and so on. 2 Corinthians something in action....7?...8?...can't remember and this particular puta is too slow to go to bible.com. Anyway, you get my meaning.
A minister I knew spoke of those statements in Psalms: "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God". Although, yes, referring to the unbeliever, you could equally say anyone could say that there is no God. Remove the italicised bit. It becomes "No, God. I don't want your blessing. I'm too comfortable as I am." - this person is perhaps the biggest fool, but aren't we all guilty of it, at some time?
Your duty, as WL, is to be right, clean, with God, bestow the blessing through the music and hope that the congregation is receptive to say "Yes, God", because then the blessing comes right back atcha via God. That's when you become the smug cat.
But don't be discouraged if it doesn't come back. Maybe you weren't right for the day? Or just maybe, the congregation weren't. You've done your duty, and maybe the blessing will come later. Endurance, perseverance, patience...do the tasks set to you faithfully and the reward will come, but don't be trying to prethink the motives, or actions, of God.
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