"I Have NOTHING!".

While we were worshipping in Hong Kong I was surprised to see that they had taken the well known love song "Unchained Melody" and turned it into a song of worship. It worked awesomely well and the Spirit of God touched it powerfully. It got me thinking how other songs that were sung in the secular music field could be easily taken and exalted and lifted to God in worship.

Take this one; "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston.



"Must I imagine You there? Don't walk away from me ... I have NOTHING if I don't have You!".

It so expresses my heart at the moment. Must we have to imagine the love of God? Must we? No we don't have to imagine it because the Holy Spirit has been POURED out upon us lavishly and the love of God has been SHED ABROAD in our hearts! That question has been answered and hence God deserves our greatest intimacy and love because He has torn the veil in two and made it possible for us to stand in the centre of His glory and worship at His very feet.

Anything less than that ... is NOTHING!!

A New Song by Julie Morris about the Holy Spirit

I got emailed this beautiful song from my friend Julie and she has kindly give permission for me to make it available here. I can't read it without tears coming to my eyes. What a wonderful Comforter is He! What a wonderful friend! Oh that I might know Him and His Companionship more!

Verse 1:

HOLY SPIRIT I WANT TO KNOW YOU
SHOW ME HOW MUCH I NEED YOU
BRING SWEET REVELATION
OPEN MY EYES TO WHO YOU ARE
COVER THIS FRAGILE FLESH WITH YOUR GLORY

BRIDGE:

JUST LIKE THE WIND, JUST LIKE THE RAIN,
JUST LIKE THE WAVE, JUST LIKE FIRE

CHORUS:

BLOW ON ME, FALL ON ME
WASH OVER ME, CONSUME ME,
CONSUME ME, CONSUME ME

VERSE 2:

HOLY SPIRIT YOU KNOW THE FATHER
TEACH ME TO LISTEN TO YOUR VOICE
YOU'RE ONE WITH JESUS
SHOW ME THE MYSTERIES OF HIS LOVE
UNTIL I AM OVERWHELMED WITH YOUR GLORY

(REPEAT BRIDGE AND CHORUS)

TAG:

HOLY SPIRIT NOW COME
YOU ARE THE PROMISED ONE
HOLY SPIRIT PLEASE COME, COME, COME
YOU ARE THE PROMISED ONE

Jesus Has Sat Down - Hymnody and Theology!!

I was searching through a very old song book that we used to use in my home church and I found this song! It was one that we used to sing frequently and love - it's full of Restoration theology. Enjoy ...

Matt Redman - Blessed be Your Name

I must admit to bucking the trend a bit by not being a sold-out Matt Redman fan. I prefer women worship leaders! However Matt led two sessions at the "Together on a Mission 2007" conference and I fell in love with his sold-out passion for the Lord. He truly is a passionate worshipper. I've sung this song before when I was in SGM but again it was only at TOAM that the full power of it came home to me and I couldn't sing it without tears rolling down my face.

WHATEVER comes our way - whether good or bad - may the Name of the Lord be blessed!!

The Power of Music in Worship!!

I want to present and write an impassioned defence of diversity in music. I have just brought a DVD produced by the All Souls Orchestra - based at All Souls, Langham Place. I went to my first Prom Praise at the Royal Albert Hall during the difficult period when my home church was rapidly becoming functionally cessationist in doctrine and behaviour and the corporate worship was deteriorating into a hymn/prayer sandwhich. This was prior to me even hearing "that the Holy Spirit had been poured out". But at that wonderful celebration I learned that it wasn't only charismatics who could pour passion into their worship of Almighty God. I have never heard songs and hymns sung like we did there.

It has been a while since I re-acquainted myself with the All Souls Orchestra - so seeing this DVD has been a special trip down memory lane! I was especially challenged by something that the conductor - Noel Tredinnick wrote in the DVD sleeve. He said;

"I sense that if there is a risk at this time, it could be of too great a polarisation between the different approaches - to see the Christian family fall into ghettos driven merely on the basis of musical taste is distressing. We are feeling now that one of the most significant contributions that we as an orchestra can offer the church is to be a bridge ... a bridge between the traditionalist and the charismatic; a bridge between the discouraged Christian and a renewed vision of God at work; a bridge between the music-loving seeker and the Gospel".

I will never forget sharing my enthusiasm for the All Souls Orchestra and their ministry with a man I used to respect greatly at Stoneleigh Bible Week 2000 and was shocked to hear him sneer (gently) at it and suggest it wasn't worship. I believe the spirit of worship can be found wherever people's hearts are passionately set on glorifying and enjoying their God. Many of us will be familiar with the traditional "Land of Hope and Glory" set to Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. If you are not - here it is from "Last Night of the Proms".



But consider it sung by thousands of Christians with these wonderful words by Christopher Idle;
"Glory in the highest to the God of heaven!
Peace to all your people through the earth be given!
Mighty God and Father, thanks and praise we bring,
singing Alleluia to our heavenly King;
singing Alleluia to our heavenly King!

Jesus Christ is risen, God the Father's Son!
With the Holy Spirit, you are Lord alone!
Lamb once slain for sinners, all our guilt to bear,
show us now Your mercy, now receive our prayer;
show us now Your mercy, now receive our prayer!

Christ the world's true Saviour, high and holy One!
seated now and reigning from your Father's throne;
Lord and God we praise You! Highest heaven adores;
in the Father's glory, all the praise be yours;
in the Father's glory, all the praise be yours!".

Worship from Session 6 - TOAM 07!

The evening session was led by Kate Simmonds with Simon Brading and Phatfish supporting. It was a particularly anointed time where the Presence of God was heavy - continuing on from the afternoon session led by Rob Rufus.

• (new song by Matt Weedle) I stand redeemed.


• We come in Your Name (You have been lifted).


• Ancient of Days/All the heavens shout Your Name.


• A tongue was brought by Dave Holden and interpreted by Dave Fellingham. Awesome!


• The Power of the Cross.


• A prophecy was given by a man for fathers.


• A prophecy was given by John Langferman.


• Let Your rain fall down.

Worship from Session 3 - TOAM '07!

The evening session worship was led by Kate Simmonds with Simon Brading and Phatfish helping. Kate Simmonds had clearly been very impacted by Rob Rufus's urging for joy in our lives and urged us to be utterly joyful in our worship of God that evening!

• O Happy Day.


• There's no condemnation (Celebration of Your grace).


• (new song) Strength will rise.


• Lou Fellingham brought a spiritual song which was beautiful.


• My Jesus, My Saviour (Shout to the Lord).


• Prophecy by Guy Miller.


• And Can it Be?


• The Stand.


• Prophecy from Julian Adams.

Worship from Session 2 at TOAM '07

Simon Brading led the worship at the second session along with his own band. As I said on Sunday I so grew to appreciate and love the passion for God and the fervour on this man's life. He is a contageous worshipper!

• O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder - with a Simon Brading special beat!


• (new song) Mighty to save.


• I live, I live because He is risen.


• Lord You are an amazing God.


• Dave Holden then brought a prophecy.


• We bow down and confess You are Lord in this place.


• Simon Brading then prayed with the awesome line;

"We don't come to a conference but to a living God".

Worship from Session 1 at TOAM '07

The worship at the first session was led by the wonderful Kate Simmonds with Simon Brading accompanying her along with Phatfish.

• (new song)


• Praise is Rising.


• Famous One.


• Lord you are an amazing God.


• Prophecy from David Stroud.


• Prophecy from Julian Adams.


• Lift up His Name with the sound of singing.


• Terry Virgo - closing prayer.

Getting Ready for Brighton 2007 !!!

It's just 5 little days now until the NewFrontiers Leaders Conference gets under way ! Or to give it its more exciting name, 'Together On A Mission 2007' (with Mobilise).

Dan and I are going down a few days before hand to soak up the Brighton atmosphere, because it really is such a cool city, and a great place to hold the conference.

As this is a worship blog, I thought I'd put a few links to last year's album, just as a reminder. We're expecting BIG things this year, which let's face it, it's gotta be good to beat last year's worship...

Kate Simmonds - Your's Is The Kingdom

Lou Fellingham - You Have Loved Me (Father Me)

Stuart Townend - Even Though I Walk (You Never Let Go)

Kate Simmonds - We've Come To Praise You

Phatfish Help You To Worship !!

"If you're a musician, singer or worship leader in your local church then this CD set is for you! Drawing from their wealth of experience in leading worship at gatherings around the world, Phatfish have put together this unique resource to help church musicians serve their congregations with excellence."

That's how Phatfish's official website put it ! This CD sounds so cool, and a must for those who lead worship in churches. Lets face it, Phatfish know how to lead us all in worship.

You can purchase this double CD from the Phatfish website.

Oh, and this is Phatfish leading worship at a HUGE concert.

Days of Elijah!!

I am so thrilled to have found this video clip because this song is extremely special to me. I first sang it at Spring Harvest 1998 when Robin Mark and Dave Pope were leading worship. My home church was fully functionally cessationist and had abandoned the principles of Restoration preferring a fatalist eschatology. This song gripped me! The hope! The vision! The passion! I think it was at this conference that I began to see the flames beginning to fire Ern Baxter's vision that I had listened to time after time. I know it is a controversial song in some circles - but I LOVE it! Unashamed and unafraid! Jesus Christ truly rules and reigns heaven and earth NOW!

I have posted the lyrics below the video so they can't be missed!



Days of Elijah - Words and Music by Robin Mark Click here to play

These are the days of Elijah Declaring the Word of the Lord
And these are the days of your servant Moses Righteousness being restored
And though these are days of great trials Of famine and darkness and sword
Still we are the voice in the desert crying Prepare ye the way of the Lord!
Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds! Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee! And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

And these are the days of Ezekiel The dry bones becoming as flesh
And these are the days of your servant David Rebuilding a temple of praise
And these are the days of the harvest The fields are as white in the world
And we are the labourers in your vineyard Declaring the word of the Lord!
Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds! Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee! And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

There's no God like Jehovah!
There's no God like Jehovah!
There's no God like Jehovah!
There's no God like Jehovah! (Repeat 3 times)

Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds! Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee! And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!
Behold He comes! Riding on the clouds! Shining like the sun! At the trumpet call Lift your voice! It's the year of Jubilee! And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!
And out of Zion's hill salvation comes!

Hillsongs - Every Day!

I adore this song! At first it seems quite cheesy but I cannot get over the passion and the exuberance of Darlene Zschech and her worshippers that she leads. We can learn so much from that wonderful church in Sydney! Enjoy! And let it stir your passion into blaze! "It's You I live for every day!".

Not just ANOTHER Hillsong clip !

I came across another Hillsong clip, and I have to say that I forgot how much I LOVE this song.
The first time I heard it on a Hillsong DVD, I just welled up; it is such an emotional song (dya remember that Dan? lol) !!!
But it really is a great proclaimation of the love we can have for God if we allow ourselves to, literally "with all our hearts".
Enjoy...

In Christ Alone - Stuart Townend

This video clip is quite amazing with scenes from the "Passion of the Christ". It really brings alive the truth and power of the words and the impact of what happened for us on that fateful day - the crux of history.

Hillsongs - Believe

The passion of these lyrics just gripped me. I first heard this video when we were stuck in a cessationist church which sang hymns devoid of passion. I remember listening to it again and again because it perfectly echoed the scream of my own heart - "Where's the power?!". But what moved me even more was the young people crowded around the platform worshipping God with all their hearts. Oh that more may be passionate worshippers like them!!

Hillsongs - Worthy is the Lamb

This song is absolutely incredible - the theological lyrics mixed with the anointing of the Spirit!

The Deep Bass Note of Worship

My first pastor used to have a mysterious saying regarding corporate worship. He used to say that there was a "deep bass note" running through the worship of God's people that not everyone can hear. But once the Spirit of God has come down upon the worshipper, you know it is there. You may not understand that comment unless you have experienced it.

I am not a worship leader. I'm not a theologian. I am not really a musician (although I used to play the clarinet). But I am striving to be a worshipper. I've been in really bad corporate settings where I could literally sense the fluttering of the wings of the Spirit as He left. But I've also been in really good corporate settings where the air grows heavy with the anointing cloud of the Holy Spirit and I can feel Him settle down and feel His pleasure.

The aim of this blog is simple. I'm not going to write much - I am simply going to use it to host resources, video clips, songs and anything else I can lay my hands on that raise the bar of our expectations of worship so that the people of God start to come into the Church expecting to see the cloud of glory hovering above them again.