Saturday, February 28, 2009

Still By: Reuban Morgan ~ sung by Hillsong

Explanation in the post below.

Still ~ Reuban Morgan



The scriptural base for it is Psalm 46
v2Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the sea, though it's waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with the surging.

v10 Be still and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the nations
I will be exalted in the heavens.

How wonderful that our God surrounds us with his wings of love.
Like the little ducklings or chicks return to their mother and she protects them, cuddles then warm and safe in her soft feathers, so we too can turn to God knowing he will be there for us.

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise
and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Thankyou Lord that you are there for us. That you wrap your loving arms around us. Loving arms that once wrapped the whole world in love as you hung on the cross.
Lord we pray that we will feel you near to us as we face challenges in our lives.
Amen

Friday, February 27, 2009

Just Let Me Say ~ Geoff Bullock

explanation in the post below

Just let me say ~ Geoff Bullock

Just let me say how much I Love you
My saviour, my Lord and Friend.

But let me not only say it to you Lord, but to anyone who I am given the chance to share it with.

Just think for one moment how terrible it would be for a friend to turn around to you and say

"But you never told me ... you never shared these things with me, the things that God gives to you, the things that God is to you:
the finest whisper as he gently call my name,
His power and his glory, his spirit's flame,
when he is with you in your deserts (hard times) turning those times into joys,
to know what it is to be completely surrendered to him.
The passion of knowing the endless love you have found in him.
His Grace
His forgivness, to be called his child
And to be able to call him your saviour, your Lord and your Friend.

Father God, give us the courage to speak out, to share you with others, to be prepared for ridicule, for you went through so much more than that for us. let our lives be worthy of you. let others see you in us. Give us courage and opportunity. Amen

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Everlasting God - Chris Tomlin

explanation in the post below

Everlasting God

This is a song that expresses the never failing love of God.

The scriptural basis for the song is Isiah 40 v 28 - 31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

What a terrific verses, full of promises for us his children.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Jesus is the name we honour. ~ Philip Lawson-Johnston

explanation in the post below

Jesus is the name we honour

Jesus is the name we honour

To honor means literally to give respect and deserved praise, and so what more fitting person can the term apply to than Jesus, Jesus who sacrificed his perfect self on the cross for us.

We will glorify
We will lift him high
we will give him honour and praise

Because there is no other that is more deserving than him.

Jesus is the name we worship

Like Honour, worship means to recognise the worth.

Jesus is the name we trust.

For he will never let us down (I will never leave you or forsake you)

Jesus is the Fathers Splendour
Jesus is the Fathers Joy

At the baptism of Jesus, heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God decending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said "THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE; WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.. (matthew 3 v 17)

He will return to reign in majesty
and every eye at last shall see
that Jesus is our God.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. " (matt 24 v 42)

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Jesus, All For Jesus ~ Robin Mark

Jesus all for Jesus, a song that talks about committing every area of our lives into his keeping.

All that I am Lord ~ Northumbria Community Trust

All that I am Lord
I place into your hands
All that I do Lord
I place into your hands
Everything I work for
I place into your hands
Everything I hope for
I place into your hands
The troubles that weary me
I place into your hands
The thoughts that disturb me
I place into your hands
Each that I pray for
I place into your hands
Each that I care for
I place into your hands.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Arise My Love ~ Newsong

expalnation below

Arise My Love ~ Newsong

This amazing song starts so slowly but then unfurls the mystery and amazingness of the reserection of Jesus.

Gods words to his beloved son...

Arise my love, Arise my love,
The grave no longer has a hold on you.
No more deaths sting,
No more suffering arise, Arise

It's the same words that God speaks to each of us when we give ourselves to him.
The fact that Jesus endured so much pain and suffering on the cross for us means that we can rise with him.

Sin, where are your shackles?

Death, where is your sting?

Hell; has been defeated.

The grave could not hold the king.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Purify My Heart ~ Refiners Fire ~ Brian Doerksen

explanation in the post below

Purify My heart ~ Brian Doerksen

The song purify my heart has been around for several years. The song talks about making my heart clean and making me like pure gold and precious silver.

God can take me, a scruffy lump of metal and place me into a fire and make me into a beautiful object. Fire can be very destructive. We only have to think about the Australian bush fires that so recently ravaged Australia and took lives, homes and livlihoods. But Gods fire is not destructive. It is a fire that produces in us qualities that can be harnessed for him.

The process of turning a log into a beautiful sculpture has the same sort of process. Lumps are chisseled of it is scrapped and then sanded until it is smooth and beautiful.
When we give our lives to God then we too will go through this processing. There are areas in our lives that require chisseling off and sanding. May God challenge us to allow him to sand and chissel those areas of our lives off,so that we can become beautiful objects.


Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold

Refiner’s Fire
My heart’s one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my master
Ready to do Your will

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within

Refiner’s Fire
My heart’s one desire is to be holy
Set apart for You Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You my master
Ready to do Your will


Friday, February 20, 2009

Footprints in the Sand - Leona Lewis

explanation in the post below

Footprints in the sand ~ Leona Lewis

To many many people, both Christian and non christian, Footprints in the sand is a well know poem. It has graced many a poster, bookmark and card. The words it speaks are comforting as they speak about our walk though life with God. At times when we are coping there are two sets of footprints, ours and Gods, but at times where we go though struggles there is one set. That set belongs to God. That's when he picks us up in his arms and carries us through the tough times.
For many years no one knew the author, although many people tried to claim ownership. In the end the writer was proved to be Mary Stevenson (Zangare).

as a young girl, mary had hand written copies of the poem to give to friends when they were going through tough times in their lives;

It was sometime after this that friends of Mary saw it in print and wondered why she wasn't given credit for writing it. Solicitors told her that it would be very hard to prove her the author since it had been used by many publishers of religious materials and greeting cards. Mary wrote 'Footprints' in 1936 when she was very young and knew nothing of copyrighting. She didn't follow up her claims until in 1984 when clearing out her garage, she found an original copy and with carbon dating and other tests, Mary was officially recognised as the writer.

Leona Lewis' version changes the word slightly, but doesn't detract from the meaning.

You walked with me
Footprints in the sand
And helped me understand
Where I'm going
You walked with me
When I was all alone
With so much I no along the way
Then I heard you say

I promise you
I'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life
Flash across the sky
So many times have I
Been so afraid
And just when I
Have thought I've lost my way
You give me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say

Chorus

When I'm weary
Well I no you'll be there
And I can feel you
When you say

I promise youI'm always there
When your heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you
When you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

As encouraging today as when it was written in 1936!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Give thanks to the Lord ~ His love endures forever ~ Chris Tomlin

explanation in post below

Give thanks to the lord ~ Chris Tomlin

Psalm 136

Give Thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of Gods.
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the Lord of Lords.
His love endures forever.
To him who does great wonders.
His love endures forever.
Who by his understandin made the heavens
His love endures forever
Who spread out the earth upon the waters
His love endures forever
He who made the great lights
His love endures forever
The sun to govern the day
His love endures forever
The moon and stars to govern the night
His love endures forever.

This Psalm goes on to speak about the history of God saving his people, of leading the Hebrews from slavery and caring for them as they wondered through the desert.
The Psalm was written as a responsive Psalm with a leader leading and then the people responding with that wonderful declaration "His love endures forever"

Endures means to stick with, to sustain, and is a very powerful word. God sticks with his people whatever they go through. His is faithful.

Chris Tomlins song is based on this Psalm and the fact that God is Faithful, strong and with us.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Thy Word ~ sung by Amy Grant

Explanation in post below

Thy Word

Thy word is a song that is based on Psalm 119 v 105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path"
Basically a song that tell us the importance of the bible. The fact that all the answers to our many questions are there. That when we fear our path in life, Jesus is right there beside us. I have nothing to fear because he is always there.
the second verse of the song says
I will not forget your love for me. (I know you love me and know what's best for me)
And yet, my heart forever is wondering ... (but I have doubts and walk from your shadow)
Jesus be my guide and hold me to your side (teach me your ways and correct me when I go wrong)


Thy Word
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet
And a light unto my path.
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,
Think I've lost my way,
Still You're there, right beside me.
Nothing will I fear,
As long as You are near.
Please, be near me to the end

Chorus

I will not forget
Your love for me and yet,
My heart forever is wandering.
Jesus be my guide,
And hold me to Your side,
And I'll love You to the end.

Friday, February 13, 2009

In Christ Alone ~ Stuart Townend and Keith Getty

Beautiful celtic version of the song.

Explanation in the post below

In Christ Alone ~ Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

One of the joys of being a worship leader in our church is that I get to choose the music!
This is one of my personal favourites and in my opinion one of the greatest songs of the last 10 years. The hymn like structure and honest truths of the lyrics mean that it will be around for many many years to come.

The lyrics can be used in place of the creed.
Christ has died,
Christ has risen
Christ will come again.

The words are so comforting and powerful.

In Christ Alone, my hope is found,
he is my light, my stregnth, my song. (he is everything I need)

He is Firm through the fiercest drough and storm (I don't need to fear anything that comes my way because he is there with me.)

For every sin on him was laid,
here in the death of Christ I live. (He died for me)

And as he stands in victory
sin's curse has lost it's grip on me.
For I am his and he is mine
Bought by the precious blood of Christ (his sacrifice made me forgiven and paid for me)

No guilt in life, no fear in death (he has given me salvation ~ the promise of a future with him)

From Life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny. (I belong to him)

No power of hell, no scheme of man
can ever pluck me from his hand
till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand (What ever comes my way, I belong to Christ and I will be with him forever)

What a truely powerful song.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

I Surrender All ~ judson W Va de Venter

originally written in 1896,

explantion in the following post

All to Jesus I surrender

This is a modern adaption of the traditional evangelical hymn which was originally written in 1896 by an American evangelist, although at the time the hymn was written the writer was in the process of coming to the descission whether he should become and evangelist. The lyrics are his prayer to Jesus. I give you everything and ask that you show me and equip me for the way ahead.
This song is as relevant today in our own busy and hectic lives. May we take the time to surrender all our good times and bad times, all the times when we don't know which way to go or what decission to make, to the Lord and trust in him.

All to Jesus, I surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all,
I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

chorus

All to Jesus, I surrender
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine.

Chorus

All to Jesus, I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

Chorus

All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
O the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to His Name!

Chorus

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

I will offer up my life ~ Matt Redman

The post below explains the song.

I will offer up my life ~ Matt Redman

This song was written by worship leader Matt Redman.
A song that simply explains the realisation that we are not worthy to receive the love of Christ, but that he loves us unconditionally and with open arms and heart.

That by "offer(ing) up my life" and by taking my choices in a way that would, that by "pouring out the oil of love" being Christ to those we meet and those around us, that we can receive Gods love.

The lyric "in surrender I must give my every part" means that I can't hide attitudes and thoughts from him. I can't hate, dislike or mistreat people. I can't keep areas of my life and myself living in the dark. If I profess to be a christian and a recipient of his love, then every part of me must be turned over to him and his ways. Boy that takes some work!!

The second verse speaks very much about why God deserves everything we can give to him. It speaks of "the great cost" that Jesus paid when he took "all my sin and shame, there defeated my sin, opened up the gates of heaven and has beckoned me in". Jesus' sacrifice on the cross paid the way for me to enter into heaven. With out his sacrifice and his love ofr us that wouldn't have been possible.

Hallelujah Joy ~ an introduction

Hallelujah Joy is a new blog started in response to an article about the reluctance of Christians to openly admit to their faith for fear of being misunderstood, or in the words of Tony Blair (ex UK prime minister "labelled as a nutter".

I really love the Christian worship music that is around today. I really feel that Non-christians are missing out on being able to appreciate it and hear the message within the music. hallelujah joy is going to feature a worship video and then follow it up with the thought s and message behind the music.

I am a member of the music group at my local church. I sing, how I wish I could play the piano, guitar, violin, clarinet or even the drums, but sadly I can't.