2 Corinthians 1:3-7 are verses that have been like a mission statement for me. This passage talks about the God of all comfort. In our suffering we receive comfort and so we in turn can offer this comfort and encouragement to others who are experiencing pain - what a privilege! One channel through which we can offer comfort and encouragement is through worship (in song). Worship in a corporate setting is primarily to bring praise to God but also to edify the church. There is an amazing mystery in the fact that as we gather together and worship God we experience a sense of God's presence which helps us place our pain in perspective and hopefully reminds us that we have a God who knows every ounce of what is going on in our hearts.
On Sunday, after hearing some painful news I found myself frustrated and unsettled. I wanted to connect with God because it felt like that might be the only safe place I could find. My initial thoughts were to sit in my room and listen to a few worship songs that have been very helpful to me in my own pain and then just sit at the piano and sing whatever came to me. This is my way of connecting and communicating something of my pain to God. I couldn't find the exact words I needed but singing simple words of praise to God seemed to release a little of the hurt and frustration I was experiencing. From time to time I am confident that when we worship there are things happening in the spiritual realms that we cannot see or begin to comprehend. I can't say this is a fact but for now I would like to believe it. Worship seems to have changed things in my own life so I want to believe that this can still happen and that God will change things for others as I worship.
What we do in 'worship' must be really important! We need to facilitate people who need comfort and some kind of expression to release the pain they are feeling inside. Writing honest, genuine words (true to our experience) and painting these with the perfect melody, chords and sounds will bring healing, release, life, joy, peace, comfort...........
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
Friday, 20 April 2007
Translate His Wonders into Music
Hallelujah!
Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
Translate his wonders into music!
Honour his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God.
Since reading Psalm 105 I feel like my own devotion to the Lord has been stirred. I have been challenged to stir myself to praise Him and reconsider the great works He has done in my life. Every part of the work of grace on my life and soul is a miracle of which I am free to express in worship back to God.
I have had experiences in my life which I never thought I'd come through. I have had amazing blessing poured out on my life over and over again. I have had awesome opportunities presented to me which I could never have dreamed up. Every one was grace. When I couldn't see any way out or any good reason why I might be experiencing so much pain - God was changing me.
As I look back on my journey as a 'worship leader' I realise that it was birthed from an extremely painful time in my life. I had no desire to lead anyone in worship to God (in the way we understand worship leading). As I came to terms with events in my life that I had no control of, God put people in my life who loved to worship Him. This changed my life. Having this channel to cry out to God did something in me that I cannot begin to articulate. Suddenly I realised I had a purpose - I was made to worship. I had been reading Job as I journeyed this pain (not exactly uplifting stuff) and to be honest he seemed to be my closest and most empathic friend.
So, what has this got to do with translating His wonders into music?
I am considering this in a very personal light for now. I want to be able to sing out in worship to God and express something of the wonders that He has done in my life. I also want to be able to write songs that will communicate something of these experiences in order to help others communicate with God in the middle of the circumstances they face.
I'd love to hear your story.
Thank God! Pray to him by name!
Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
Translate his wonders into music!
Honour his holy name with Hallelujahs,
you who seek God.
Since reading Psalm 105 I feel like my own devotion to the Lord has been stirred. I have been challenged to stir myself to praise Him and reconsider the great works He has done in my life. Every part of the work of grace on my life and soul is a miracle of which I am free to express in worship back to God.
I have had experiences in my life which I never thought I'd come through. I have had amazing blessing poured out on my life over and over again. I have had awesome opportunities presented to me which I could never have dreamed up. Every one was grace. When I couldn't see any way out or any good reason why I might be experiencing so much pain - God was changing me.
As I look back on my journey as a 'worship leader' I realise that it was birthed from an extremely painful time in my life. I had no desire to lead anyone in worship to God (in the way we understand worship leading). As I came to terms with events in my life that I had no control of, God put people in my life who loved to worship Him. This changed my life. Having this channel to cry out to God did something in me that I cannot begin to articulate. Suddenly I realised I had a purpose - I was made to worship. I had been reading Job as I journeyed this pain (not exactly uplifting stuff) and to be honest he seemed to be my closest and most empathic friend.
So, what has this got to do with translating His wonders into music?
I am considering this in a very personal light for now. I want to be able to sing out in worship to God and express something of the wonders that He has done in my life. I also want to be able to write songs that will communicate something of these experiences in order to help others communicate with God in the middle of the circumstances they face.
I'd love to hear your story.
Sunday, 15 April 2007
Reflection CFC - April
CFC - 15th April - 3rd Service
It has been a few weeks since the band have played together so it was fantastic to see everyone again and great to get playing. We had the opportunity to air a new song tonight - 'Lord of all the earth'. I absolutely love this song so I can't wait for you to hear it and find something of the depth of worship I have found. Over the past number of weeks I have been listening to this song and it has allowed me or led me to a place of genuine worship before God. I can't even explain or adequately articulate how deep this place is but I really pray that people find the depth of connection and intimacy that I have found in using this to worship. It has this beautiful minor tonality for the most part which in itself creates a haunting and emotive atmosphere.
We opened the service with "All who are thirsty' and I had a real excitement in my spirit about this song so I hope it really ministered to people and created a space for people to cry out to God from a place of pain and brokeness. Life can be really hard at times and we can feel really fragile as we work through painful situations but there is such beauty in the worship we bring to God in the midst of all this stuff. I've put some thoughts together re. this subject with reference to my own journey so I will consider posting this over the next few days.
It has been a few weeks since the band have played together so it was fantastic to see everyone again and great to get playing. We had the opportunity to air a new song tonight - 'Lord of all the earth'. I absolutely love this song so I can't wait for you to hear it and find something of the depth of worship I have found. Over the past number of weeks I have been listening to this song and it has allowed me or led me to a place of genuine worship before God. I can't even explain or adequately articulate how deep this place is but I really pray that people find the depth of connection and intimacy that I have found in using this to worship. It has this beautiful minor tonality for the most part which in itself creates a haunting and emotive atmosphere.
We opened the service with "All who are thirsty' and I had a real excitement in my spirit about this song so I hope it really ministered to people and created a space for people to cry out to God from a place of pain and brokeness. Life can be really hard at times and we can feel really fragile as we work through painful situations but there is such beauty in the worship we bring to God in the midst of all this stuff. I've put some thoughts together re. this subject with reference to my own journey so I will consider posting this over the next few days.
Friday, 13 April 2007
Studio Stuff
David, Johnny and I headed into the studio to record some demos last night. It was great fun and I really hope that you get to hear the beautiful story about Victoria coming to the Lord (as told by JP) which Ricky very kindly recorded. (I hope it finds it's way onto the album).
It has been a while since I have been in the studio and it can be a little daunting at the start. The best way forward is to just have a laugh and relax into it. I also think that recording at night time is 100% better - I might investigate whether night shifts are an option when it comes to the album. Your voice is warmed up and ready to go plus you go a tad mental in your state of tiredness which sometimes allows you the confidence to do things (and say things!) you might not otherwise do. It was a really productive night - one of our most productive to be honest. David's guitar sounds were delicious, Johnny's voice was sounding full and fantastic and I got to play a very yummy piano sound as well as sing some (what I think are) nice harmonies. There are some moments of fragile singing which you don't normally get in worship - I'd like to explore this further.
We only had time to put down 4 songs but it is really encouraging to hear that they are 4 really strong songs (in my humble opinion). I can't wait to hear how they develop further in terms of production on the album. There are a few more songs in the pipeline which we need to get working on. The next few weeks are going to be exciting and busy. We are hoping to begin recording at the start of July after our dates at Summer Madness. It proves to be a busy and God-willing creative and productive couple of months and we'd really value your encouragement and support as we approach the recording. If you can get out to hear the band sometime soon we'd love to see you and hear your feedback. We're playing this Sunday evening in CFC - 7pm.
It has been a while since I have been in the studio and it can be a little daunting at the start. The best way forward is to just have a laugh and relax into it. I also think that recording at night time is 100% better - I might investigate whether night shifts are an option when it comes to the album. Your voice is warmed up and ready to go plus you go a tad mental in your state of tiredness which sometimes allows you the confidence to do things (and say things!) you might not otherwise do. It was a really productive night - one of our most productive to be honest. David's guitar sounds were delicious, Johnny's voice was sounding full and fantastic and I got to play a very yummy piano sound as well as sing some (what I think are) nice harmonies. There are some moments of fragile singing which you don't normally get in worship - I'd like to explore this further.
We only had time to put down 4 songs but it is really encouraging to hear that they are 4 really strong songs (in my humble opinion). I can't wait to hear how they develop further in terms of production on the album. There are a few more songs in the pipeline which we need to get working on. The next few weeks are going to be exciting and busy. We are hoping to begin recording at the start of July after our dates at Summer Madness. It proves to be a busy and God-willing creative and productive couple of months and we'd really value your encouragement and support as we approach the recording. If you can get out to hear the band sometime soon we'd love to see you and hear your feedback. We're playing this Sunday evening in CFC - 7pm.
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