About to go on a trip for work purposes. I am looking forward to it, but I guess I'm suffering from a little melancholia because tonight is normally practice night, and I'm not there.
I did pick up my guitar today, and at one point I was entering a new form of worship - well, new to me. I was thinking about what was said to me a few Sundays ago, a suggestion made which I put into action, but I drifted into it so naturally.
I got so excited about it, thinking about the situations that I could use it in, I forgot that my practice sessions should also be worship - and maybe I missed out on a blessing. Still, I played some old favourites, was touched by one or two and felt...happy.
When I enjoy my practice so much, and think of times when leading worship has been like running through treacle, it makes thoughts of going back difficult. But I realise that playing purely for myself is probably selfish. I really do want a clear answer, but it is going to take some dilligent searching.
Thursday, 28 June 2012
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
Kingsway 26th June
Title: Isaiah 55
First Line: All who thirst come to the waters
Artist: Katie Gustafson
Composer: Katie Gustafson
Album: Introducing Katie Gustafson
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Can't confirm from my usual source, but CCL site says it is
Popular sources: None (Highly likely to be on SOF6, whenever that comes out)
My thoughts: I have a weird form of sexism; there are actually very few female artists I like, perhaps they fall short of a bar that is set somewhat lower for men, or maybe it is a bizarre form of jealousy. I do like Gustafson though, albeit there is something a bit "cutsie" about her voice. I've liked this song since I first heard it last November, when Kingsway last put this on their freebie postings. Also, as alluded to yesterday, the words of this song are particularly comforting for those, like me, who are seeking His presence for healing. I remember it came up quite frequently on my mp3 player (set to permanent random shuffle) and I kept thinking, must introduce this one, then found it was far too new. One day, maybe I'll be a leader in getting new ones into diverse churches, until then, I like them to mature a bit. Besides, I'm enjoying listening to it, before I hear me, or anyone else, "ruin" it. :-)
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 3rd July 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. Although this is free, gratis, without charge etc etc, please bear in mind that all rights are still reserved and you need all the usual permissions, and/or a worship song license to record/project/reproduce in church and quite right too. If I state, in the general information shown above, that it is available on the usual CCL licence, it probably is, but the only One you can fully trust is YAHWEH, so for His sake at least, check out my info as it may be duff. Please don't sue me if I've got it wrong. Thanks.
First Line: All who thirst come to the waters
Artist: Katie Gustafson
Composer: Katie Gustafson
Album: Introducing Katie Gustafson
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Can't confirm from my usual source, but CCL site says it is
Popular sources: None (Highly likely to be on SOF6, whenever that comes out)
My thoughts: I have a weird form of sexism; there are actually very few female artists I like, perhaps they fall short of a bar that is set somewhat lower for men, or maybe it is a bizarre form of jealousy. I do like Gustafson though, albeit there is something a bit "cutsie" about her voice. I've liked this song since I first heard it last November, when Kingsway last put this on their freebie postings. Also, as alluded to yesterday, the words of this song are particularly comforting for those, like me, who are seeking His presence for healing. I remember it came up quite frequently on my mp3 player (set to permanent random shuffle) and I kept thinking, must introduce this one, then found it was far too new. One day, maybe I'll be a leader in getting new ones into diverse churches, until then, I like them to mature a bit. Besides, I'm enjoying listening to it, before I hear me, or anyone else, "ruin" it. :-)
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 3rd July 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. Although this is free, gratis, without charge etc etc, please bear in mind that all rights are still reserved and you need all the usual permissions, and/or a worship song license to record/project/reproduce in church and quite right too. If I state, in the general information shown above, that it is available on the usual CCL licence, it probably is, but the only One you can fully trust is YAHWEH, so for His sake at least, check out my info as it may be duff. Please don't sue me if I've got it wrong. Thanks.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Weary ways...
I wouldn't normally post twice in one day, or maybe I'll just hold over the Kingsway download until tomorrow. I saw what it was before I went to work this morning, it is one that I already have (and has been offered by Kingsway for free last year) - but I didn't mind (again) because it is a good one...and it almost made me cry with how God can make even the little things so poignant.
I heard some desperately sad news last night. Firstly, though, I had received an email from a friend, which in turn reminded me of a chorus I'd been meaning to transcribe to Musescore for some time. Whilst I was copying things over, the news came in and the words suddenly held more meaning. After a walk (it was a beautiful evening - I always find it is when very bad news comes in, it's like God knows you need some earthly comfort) I finished it off, put it onto the words file, I just need to scribble the chords on the words sheet and it will be introduced to the church soon, possibly the first week I'm back.
I don't want to go into what the news was, as I just think it is far too personal, even describing it "generally" - it would hold too many clues of who they are and I don't want to publicise anything. It has thrown my fragile emotions off kilter a little, and I am so glad work is busy and I can throw myself into that, but the quiet times...
Needless to say, the news made me think about relationships, the unfairness of the state of the world, God's perfect justice, faith, and, as yesterday, Romans 8:28-29.
Then the song of hope that Kingsway has posted brought the feelings back again. There are lessons here and I must think about them.
I heard some desperately sad news last night. Firstly, though, I had received an email from a friend, which in turn reminded me of a chorus I'd been meaning to transcribe to Musescore for some time. Whilst I was copying things over, the news came in and the words suddenly held more meaning. After a walk (it was a beautiful evening - I always find it is when very bad news comes in, it's like God knows you need some earthly comfort) I finished it off, put it onto the words file, I just need to scribble the chords on the words sheet and it will be introduced to the church soon, possibly the first week I'm back.
I don't want to go into what the news was, as I just think it is far too personal, even describing it "generally" - it would hold too many clues of who they are and I don't want to publicise anything. It has thrown my fragile emotions off kilter a little, and I am so glad work is busy and I can throw myself into that, but the quiet times...
Needless to say, the news made me think about relationships, the unfairness of the state of the world, God's perfect justice, faith, and, as yesterday, Romans 8:28-29.
Then the song of hope that Kingsway has posted brought the feelings back again. There are lessons here and I must think about them.
Monday, 25 June 2012
..and the sun comes out..
Reading some very inspiring Timothy Keller, a sermon he gave on Romans 8:28-29, an oft misinterpreted piece of scripture.
Re-reading yesterday's post, I realised that I made it sound like I would be back worship leading in 3 weeks; not so, I meant to say I will be missing 3 weeks, so will be back in 4. Well, that's Plan A anyway. The Boss could change it.
It seems like a long time, indeed, it is as good as a month.
I was scribbling some notes down yesterday and I thought that the next few weeks could be an exciting journey of discovery, and after I sent an email to a friend regarding all that had happened since Friday night, I felt much more positive.
I don't really care what happens, as long as God is at the centre of it all, whether they be weary ways or golden days, whether WL continues where and how it is now. The sun is out at the moment - it's a good day.
I've got to understand that there are bad days too, and I haven't seen the last of them. But God will turn them around for good - and usually not in the way I want or expect. But it will be the way I need it to be, and I have to remember this.
Re-reading yesterday's post, I realised that I made it sound like I would be back worship leading in 3 weeks; not so, I meant to say I will be missing 3 weeks, so will be back in 4. Well, that's Plan A anyway. The Boss could change it.
It seems like a long time, indeed, it is as good as a month.
I was scribbling some notes down yesterday and I thought that the next few weeks could be an exciting journey of discovery, and after I sent an email to a friend regarding all that had happened since Friday night, I felt much more positive.
I don't really care what happens, as long as God is at the centre of it all, whether they be weary ways or golden days, whether WL continues where and how it is now. The sun is out at the moment - it's a good day.
I've got to understand that there are bad days too, and I haven't seen the last of them. But God will turn them around for good - and usually not in the way I want or expect. But it will be the way I need it to be, and I have to remember this.
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Coming together...coming apart
On Friday night, I gave a message on the assurance of faith. There was quite an internal fight going on, as right up to the point of me giving the message, I wasn't going to go through with it. Let's just have some fellowship, I thought. No, said God, you are going to give the message. I did, and it went well. This morning, I understood why this was required of me, as faith and trust was central to the worship, what was on the leader's heart, and the message; God set the stage for the entire weekend on Friday night.
Lord, I Come Before Your Throne
When We Walk with the Lord (Trust and Obey)
I Will Offer up my Life (Thankful Heart)
Jesus, Be the Centre
Holy Spirit, How I Love You
Even seeing them together now, I recognise what a powerful set it is; an incredible mix of old and modern. I was blessed by the entire service. We over-ran. We didn't care, God met with us this morning.
I got prayer afterwards from my closest friend in the church - I'm sure that God was fine with me asking for this, and in fact, I feel much much better than I have done in previous days, focussed enough to make some plans on what I am going to do for the next 3 weeks...
...yes, it will be 3 weeks before I lead worship again. I believe I need that length of time. I have officially told them only 2, but if I get no signals from God otherwise, it will be 3.
It won't be a music "fast" like last time. It will be rest, prayer, some worship, some chorus-storming, some searching, some listening, but I want my quiet times to be All God. 100% proof if possible.
I may not get it right. But I'm a little bit broken and I want to be closer to being mended, rather than having cogs and springs popping out of me every so often. The cogs and springs, by the way, are the little irritations that I am allowing to "bug" me, and I need to learn how to be constructive with them.
I may end up just posting on Tuesdays for the next 3 weeks. I hope this doesn't happen, as I wouldn't mind having, at the very least, a vague diary of just what happens next...
What next, God?
Lord, I Come Before Your Throne
When We Walk with the Lord (Trust and Obey)
I Will Offer up my Life (Thankful Heart)
Jesus, Be the Centre
Holy Spirit, How I Love You
Even seeing them together now, I recognise what a powerful set it is; an incredible mix of old and modern. I was blessed by the entire service. We over-ran. We didn't care, God met with us this morning.
I got prayer afterwards from my closest friend in the church - I'm sure that God was fine with me asking for this, and in fact, I feel much much better than I have done in previous days, focussed enough to make some plans on what I am going to do for the next 3 weeks...
...yes, it will be 3 weeks before I lead worship again. I believe I need that length of time. I have officially told them only 2, but if I get no signals from God otherwise, it will be 3.
It won't be a music "fast" like last time. It will be rest, prayer, some worship, some chorus-storming, some searching, some listening, but I want my quiet times to be All God. 100% proof if possible.
I may not get it right. But I'm a little bit broken and I want to be closer to being mended, rather than having cogs and springs popping out of me every so often. The cogs and springs, by the way, are the little irritations that I am allowing to "bug" me, and I need to learn how to be constructive with them.
I may end up just posting on Tuesdays for the next 3 weeks. I hope this doesn't happen, as I wouldn't mind having, at the very least, a vague diary of just what happens next...
What next, God?
Friday, 22 June 2012
Encouragement
It really is a blessing that I'm experiencing success in most things I'm turning my hand to. For instance, today I made a big diagram and laminated it - never done anything like that before and I'm very proud of it. I was never good at such stuff at school, I used to get more glue and paint on my own body than on what I was making.
It's like God is saying - you're doing OK. Just hang in there and acknowledge Me in everything you do. And I am.
When life goes the way it is at the moment, when I've made certain decisions and plans, where the slightest upset can set off a wave of emotion, it is so comforting that God's Word is true - He will make your paths straight if you just acknowledge Him. It makes everything much easier to bear.
Not wavering from a message I'm going to give at Bible study
Not wavering from my resolve to rest and seek Him for a couple of weeks
Seeking Him rather than getting advice for every small issue
Taking my woes to Him rather than relying on my own strengths. Even if I do feel like an ungrateful, spoiled child sometimes.
I mean, the blessings given me are abundant. When I hear and read of other people's lives, it puts my own problems into perspective. But I say, it doesn't make mine any less real. I can pray for those going through it, and some have been going through it for months. I struggle, I fight, I then read books like James and realise that such attitudes can only end up with a literal or metaphorical dislocated hip.
Time to stop struggling, enjoy the next few days before a storm of a week coming, then hopefully peace. MeandGodtime.
It's like God is saying - you're doing OK. Just hang in there and acknowledge Me in everything you do. And I am.
When life goes the way it is at the moment, when I've made certain decisions and plans, where the slightest upset can set off a wave of emotion, it is so comforting that God's Word is true - He will make your paths straight if you just acknowledge Him. It makes everything much easier to bear.
Not wavering from a message I'm going to give at Bible study
Not wavering from my resolve to rest and seek Him for a couple of weeks
Seeking Him rather than getting advice for every small issue
Taking my woes to Him rather than relying on my own strengths. Even if I do feel like an ungrateful, spoiled child sometimes.
I mean, the blessings given me are abundant. When I hear and read of other people's lives, it puts my own problems into perspective. But I say, it doesn't make mine any less real. I can pray for those going through it, and some have been going through it for months. I struggle, I fight, I then read books like James and realise that such attitudes can only end up with a literal or metaphorical dislocated hip.
Time to stop struggling, enjoy the next few days before a storm of a week coming, then hopefully peace. MeandGodtime.
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
Kingsway 19th June
Title: At Your Name
First Line: At Your name
Artist: Tim Hughes
Composer: Tim Hughes, Phil Wickham
Album: Tim Hughes Ultimate Collection
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Another which has been posted by Kingsway before, last time it was for Spirit Break Out from Worship Central, this time to help promote Hughes' new album. I prefer the former, but all the same I think this is a terrific chorus, one of our Tim's best. It has the sort of chorus which makes me want to go to the top of an open top bus (on a sunny day), wait for it to start steaming down one of our long expressways, plug in the mp3 player and stand up and shout "YAHWEH! YAHWEH!"
Or maybe that's just me.
I am a bit biased where Hughes is concerned anyway. Did I say that a couple of weeks ago? Oh. I even have this pending for my church; music, chord sheets, word file, the lot. It really deserves to have some circulation, and could end up being very well known indeed. (Possibly enter the Baptist and Anglican hymnals? Hmm...maybe not...)
Anyway, the studio version is nice and clean sounding, but a bit slow for me; the live SBO version is upbeat and strong. If you haven't heard it before, where have you been, download it now whilst you have the chance, you won't regret it.
As an afterthought: what is the wisdom behind naming albums "Ultimate", "Best of", "Best ever" etc when the shelflife of the artist or genre is by no means expired? What can you call albums after that? Nearly the best ever? Not quite the ultimate, that was the last one? Or, as usual, a different superlative? Just thinking (I should stop doing that)
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 25th June 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. Although this is free, gratis, without charge etc etc, please bear in mind that all rights are still reserved and you need all the usual permissions, and/or a worship song license to record/project/reproduce in church and quite right too. If I state, in the general information shown above, that it is available on the usual CCL licence, it probably is, but the only One you can fully trust is YAHWEH, so for His sake at least, check out my info as it may be duff. Please don't sue me if I've got it wrong. Thanks.
First Line: At Your name
Artist: Tim Hughes
Composer: Tim Hughes, Phil Wickham
Album: Tim Hughes Ultimate Collection
Mp3: Yes
Sheet Music: Yes
CCL: Yes
Popular sources: SOF5
My thoughts: Another which has been posted by Kingsway before, last time it was for Spirit Break Out from Worship Central, this time to help promote Hughes' new album. I prefer the former, but all the same I think this is a terrific chorus, one of our Tim's best. It has the sort of chorus which makes me want to go to the top of an open top bus (on a sunny day), wait for it to start steaming down one of our long expressways, plug in the mp3 player and stand up and shout "YAHWEH! YAHWEH!"
Or maybe that's just me.
I am a bit biased where Hughes is concerned anyway. Did I say that a couple of weeks ago? Oh. I even have this pending for my church; music, chord sheets, word file, the lot. It really deserves to have some circulation, and could end up being very well known indeed. (Possibly enter the Baptist and Anglican hymnals? Hmm...maybe not...)
Anyway, the studio version is nice and clean sounding, but a bit slow for me; the live SBO version is upbeat and strong. If you haven't heard it before, where have you been, download it now whilst you have the chance, you won't regret it.
As an afterthought: what is the wisdom behind naming albums "Ultimate", "Best of", "Best ever" etc when the shelflife of the artist or genre is by no means expired? What can you call albums after that? Nearly the best ever? Not quite the ultimate, that was the last one? Or, as usual, a different superlative? Just thinking (I should stop doing that)
This song is available on Kingsway from today until 25th June 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. Although this is free, gratis, without charge etc etc, please bear in mind that all rights are still reserved and you need all the usual permissions, and/or a worship song license to record/project/reproduce in church and quite right too. If I state, in the general information shown above, that it is available on the usual CCL licence, it probably is, but the only One you can fully trust is YAHWEH, so for His sake at least, check out my info as it may be duff. Please don't sue me if I've got it wrong. Thanks.
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