Pilgrim Heart

Sneek Preview

OK peeps - here are 2 snippets of the new School of Worship CD: "Destination Zion". They haven't been through the mastering process yet (where they get sprinkled with magic studio dust, or something?!) so they will sound even shinier and happier on the CD!

They reflect opposite ends of the spectrum musically, and yes one of them is in Norwegian!

Download 01_track_1.wma

Download 02_track_2.wma

For the Love of Life

Just heard that doctors have rejected the idea of reducing the abortion age limit [read it here]. Interesting that the debate was provoked by medical advances meaning that very early premature babies now have a better chance of survival, rather than any moral consideration.

Now I believe, like most Christians, that abortion is wrong in principle, but that doesn't mean that a debate over age limits is of no interest to me. I remember hearing Ann Widdicombe during the election campaign: she was challenged by an interviewer that if she was opposed to abortion (which she is) why was the legal limit important to her? Her answer was simple and for me brought a very real human dimension to the debate. She pointed out that by reducing the legal limit by 4 weeks there would be thousands of babies born each year who would  otherwise be denied the opportunity of life.

Think about it, pray about it, say something about it.

Finished!

Well we were only up until 2.30 this morning finishing the mixes for the album - which is pretty good going! Dave is in London this morning for the 10.30am mastering session - well done for getting up Dave!

Now if I can work out how I will put a track or 2 up here this afternoon.

Plug-in

The School of Worship students suggested I plug their new album more gratutiously on my blog rather than making the occassional comment. After careful consideration I thought, why not?

It is called Destination Zion and there are 12 fantastic tracks on it. It will be first available at Without Borders Bible Week this summer priced at a reasonable(ish) £12. I've just left the studio to post this and we have another 36 hours to finish the mix. Dave is riding those faders like a pro! Maybe I'll post some clips of the songs on here tomorrow...

Take a Chants

This month at church our preaching and teaching theme has been the Commission of the Disciple. David Roberts set the scene for us a few weeks ago, and yesterday I had the privilege of sharing from the word.

The apostle Paul tells us that one of the ways we can get the word of God into us is by singing to one another…

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. [Col 3:16]

Well we didn’t exactly sing, but we did chant together to help the word get in and take root in out lives. The passages we looked at were Matt 10, Luke 10, Mark 16 and Acts 1, and here is what we confessed…

I have a commission

My Life is a mission

I don’t need permission

To take my position

Because Christ has risen

I have God’s provision

It’s time for the vision

To come to fruition

Watch out world, here comes the Church!

Fishy Swimming

This is a piece of Theo's artwork - entitled "Fishy Swimming". He thought you might enjoy seeing it. Now all I need is him to knock up a few more, get some interest from Mr Saachi and this time next year we'll be millionaires!

Enjoy…

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [Colossians 3:17]

Whether or not I enjoy life today depends on my attitude. Whatever I am doing I should do it as if it was at the personal request of Jesus! However mundane the task, or onerous the conversation, do it for him.

And give thanks – giving thanks is a powerful thing. When you start to express your thanks to God for things suddenly those things seem to take on a greater meaning and purpose – a greater importance and value. Of course they always were valuable - we just hadn't noticed before!

These attitudes are part of God’s secret to enjoying life! Don’t keep them secret, spread it around!

Great Days

Well life is headspinningly busy at the moment - but just a few words about the last few days...

Sunday morning saw Keri Jones with us at Living Rock Church - it was a great time, a time when you know that the Word of God has come and hit you between the eyes and built something solid under your feet! I love hearing  apostles preach - I can always see bigger and believe bigger afterwards!

Another highlight from the meeting for me was the way the band and singers lead by example - we have quite a number or new, young people in the worship team now, and the sound they made was wonderful and completely about Jesus!

Sunday was a really hot day (a 4 shirter for me!) in these parts and the afternoon was spent with about 30 friends in the garden BBQing - great!

Monday morning was site visit to Staffordshire Showground - the venue for Without Borders 05 in July where I am leading the band: I am really excited by what God is going to say and do among us there!

From there I went and met Ruth and the kids (who had a teacher day) at Kingsbury Water Park where we hired bikes for 2 hours (very sore bottom today!) and cycled around the lakes.

Then a 2-meeting evening: first with our Youth Leaders (smashing bunch!) and them with the elders of Living Rock - 3 men I count it a great privilege to be joined with in the purposes of God!

Today I'm in the studio with Dave adding a few parts to the School of Worship album: sorry I don't have any deep and meaningfuls today, but I really want to say THANK YOU JESUS for a life that is full of great days spent with wonderful people and being part of the amazing purposes of God!

So Long and Thanks for All the Fees...

Just thought you might like to see the fine faces of this year's School of Worship students - some pictures of them looking resplendent in their graduation garb will follow in the next couple of days! Left to right: Israel, Kaja, Toyin and Cat.

We had an excellent time at the graduation in Cardiff this weekend - the students performed 2 of the songs from their album with some fantastic choreography (I taught them all they know!). I know that they are destined to bring the sound of heaven to earth!

It was, of course, also the graduation for School of the Word - 23 fine young men and women who will change the world! All in all a great weekend for the Kingdom of God.

Thank You!

This morning the Worship Students are writing their “Thank You”s for the sleeve notes of this year’s album. It reminded me of something, we should always be giving thanks!

Throughout the NT we are reminded that our attitude and confession should continually be one of thanks to God! Here’s what the Word says…

• Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. [1 Thess 5:18]
• Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. [Eph 5:20]

• And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. [Col 3:17]

• I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. [1 Cor 1:4]

• We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. [Col 1:3]

• We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. [1 Th 1:2]

• I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. [Phm 1:4]

Why not take a few moments now and say “Thank You” again to Jesus!