Fabulous quote from ‘Holiness’ by JC Ryle

It is a melancholy fact, that constant temporal prosperity, as a general rule, is injurious to a believer’s soul. We cannot stand it. Sicknesses and losses and crosses and anxieties and disappointments seem absolutely needful to keep us humble, watchful and spiritual-minded. They are as needful as the pruning-knife to the vine, and the refiner’s furnace to the gold. They are not pleasant to the flesh and blood. We do not like them, and often do not see their meaning. ‘No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness‘ (Heb. 12:11). We shall find that all worked for our good when we reach heaven. Let these thoughts abide in our minds, if we love growth in grace. When days of darkness come upon us, let us not count it a strange thing. Rather let us remember that lessons are learned on such days, which would never have been learned in sunshine. Let us say to ourselves, ‘This also is for my profit, that I may be a partaker of God’s holiness. It is sent in love. I am in God’s best school. Correction is instruction. This is meant to make me grow.’

Live album due out in early July….

Live album coming out at the beginning of July with some tracks from the London Men’s Convention at the Albert Hall in May!

 

Music Ministry London Conference 2011

Bookings now open for London Music Ministry Conference 2011.

TIME & DATE: 21st May, 2011…10AM – 4.30PM

More information and booking details via the new website (www.music-ministry.org)

Look forward to seeing you all there with your music teams and PA teams.

Memory Verses to music…

I have a love hate relationship with such songs in that, the music is using straining the syntax of the verse, but I love the fact that I can now remember numerous verses that I have either learnt this way as a child or have had to endure as my boys have requested Colin Buchanan again on the car CD player! The clip above seems like a good example of a new era of bible verses to music, however annoying at times, however inane the grins on the faces in these clips – this is a great thing to do and to sing in our churches.

 

Just to put a smile on your face in January!

Happy New Year! Hope this makes you smile?

 

Happy Christmas…

Great carol; unusual but cracking vocal arrangement – enjoy!

 

Northumbrian Pipes…

Probably my favourite instrument of all time, ranking alongside the soprano sax and piccolo snare drum! Well the link below is a great song, but the first minute is a wonderful example of the pipes.

Nothing to say about this except – enjoy!

O Church Arise – Tim Hughes style

I was sent Keith and Krystyn Getty’s Christmas newsletter a couple of days ago, as I guess many of you reading this were (available from www.gettymusic.com). In the e-newsletter this month there was a link to the great song/hymn ‘O Church Arise’, strange I thought because I was expecting a new song and ‘O Church Arise’ is widely sung and very well known already? Then I noticed who arranged the version….Tim Hughes!

Copy and paste the link below in your web browser and see what you think…

http://gettymusic.com/fb/O%20Church%20Arise.mp3

Some thoughts from me…

1. The arrangement makes it more song than hymn, which for certain demographics is fantastic, especially given those people will be singing great meaty theology as a result.

2. The song is great to listen to, but to sing it is nearly impossible. Any bloke attempting singing this in F (originally in D) should be warned, ‘your vocal chords will be damaged in the process’!

This begs the question, ‘should artists with squeaky high voices’ record in keys that few can sing along to? Of course men can sing along but at some point they will resign themselves to that embarrassing ‘drop an octave’ moment, after already straining every stomach muscle and vocal chord to reach the ‘oooh oooh’s’ of the bridge! I thought songs like this were written to build up the church, to encourage them to ‘sing Psalms hymns and spiritual songs in your heart to the Lord’ (Eph  5:19). Perhaps the ‘in your heart’ of Eph 5 is consider literal by some artists and therefore it doesn’t matter what key they record in because as you listen to the track in the car, you can sing along ‘in your heart’ without making a noise!

Perhaps also another question emerges regarding recordings and its role in the church – should recording artists always record in keys that are singable or can they choose whatever key suits their voice best?

Something to consider…if they can raise the key from D to F (as in Tim Hughes’ version above) does that suggest that many recording artists consider that listening is as good for the church of God as singing? Is that right and does that show itself in different constituencies and in what ways? Would love to hear your thoughts?

In the Bleak midwinter – FREE DOWNLOAD!

I’m such a big fan of Christmas Carols, whether sung by ruffle wearing choristers or my current preference is the revamped versions, by some awesomely talented jazz and folk favorites of mine. One came to my attention last night and its FREE to download via iTunes so I thought I ought to share it with you. I guess none of us can replicate the hauntingly brilliant piano licks and breathtaking vocals at our local church carol services. But as the old ladies of your congregations reach for those descant notes and fail miserably, just recall how it should be done from this gifted women singing this classic carol.

Get free download halfway down the page - www.jessiekol.com

Most importantly, remember the music matters, but the what that old lady is singing, however shrill, if she sings the last verse of ‘In the bleak midwinter’ with the heart felt praise that the lyrics deserve, then its a far more beautiful sound to God. So sing it this Christmas with all the musicality that God has gifted you with, but with the heart that can say with all sincerity and affection…

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

Give my heart…

Top 5 songs

Following some friends in Australia (see link below) I thought I would see what others are learning or playing frequently at the moment in their local churches.

http://www.garagehymnal.com/resources/component/option,com_mojo/Itemid,45/cat,9/

1. My Soul finds rest in God Alone

2. We rest on thee

I’ve put this one down, simply because I think it is one of the best written hymns ever, the words are awesome but the music is stirring to the core. The clip below is just an instrumental but I think you will understand the ‘stirring-ness’ of this Sibelius classic when you listen.

3. My Jesus I love thee

I’ve not done this one at church yet, but it certainly is in my top 5 ‘songs to die to’!

4. See what a morning

Been doing this recently at the pace in the clip, it gives it a real a real energy and the words are crackalacking!

5. Nothing but the blood of Jesus

This is going to be introduced at the two churches I work at over the next few weeks, without the dancing middle aged, over-enthusiastic bloke (see clip below and you will understand – he is great really!).