I was looking through some music this afternoon, when I came across a tune that I had forgotten about. We (Launceston) used to play it as the brass arrangement was written by one of our own.
I remembered the words to the chorus, but was stopped in my tracks by the lyrics of the first line of the first verse.
Today at Preston, we had an excellent church service with the Melbourne Staff Songsters leading us in a great time of worship.
The music was excellent and the the worship experience (for me anyway) was fantastic.
The Band played a new arrangement of Abide With Me (Creamer). The group did an exceptional job and the comments after the meeting were very encouraging.
I suppose the issue of "what do I do it for", was raised (again) in my head. I have Blogged before that I know that it's not all about me and that our efforts on Sunday's or in a concert setting are for His glory - NOT mine.
So whilst I believe we (Preston Brass) did an exceptional job today and many people commented - I believe that we are all on the same page and we are in it for God's glory and His alone.
Lord I long to see You glorified
In ev'rything I do.
All my heartfelt dreams I put aside
To see Your Spirit move with power in my life.
Jesus, Lord of all eternity,
Your children rise in faith.
All earth displays Your glory,
And each word You speak,
Brings life to all who hear.
Lord of all,
All of creation
Sings Your praise
In heaven and earth.
Lord we stand,
Hearts open wide.
Be exalted!
Today's Prayer:
I'm your child,
I give my life to you,
Wholly available,
Faithful and true.
And in my life,
Let your light be seen,
So that the world may know,
I am your child.
Take me, Lord,
I am your child,
Send me, Lord,
Set my heart on fire.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Tasty ?
Psalm 34:8.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your faith in Him brings.
This was sent to me the other day. I believe the story to be fictional, but I thought the reading from Psalm 34 was a good one for today.
Each year at the University of Chicago Divinity School they have what is called 'Baptist Day.' On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every 'Baptist Day' the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.
One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours, proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.
After about 30 seconds, an old, dark-skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly, white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. 'Docta Tillich, I got one question,' he said as all eyes turned toward him.
He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. 'Docta Tillich. (CRUNCH, MUNCH) My question is a simple question.
(CRUNCH, MUNCH...) Now, I ain't never read them books you read (CRUNCH, MUNCH), and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...)
He finished the apple. 'All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate... Was it bitter or sweet?'
Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: 'I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple.'
The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, 'Neither have you tasted my Jesus.'
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers.
Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.
Have you tasted Jesus?
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your faith in Him brings.
This was sent to me the other day. I believe the story to be fictional, but I thought the reading from Psalm 34 was a good one for today.
Each year at the University of Chicago Divinity School they have what is called 'Baptist Day.' On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every 'Baptist Day' the school would invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.
One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and one-half hours, proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact, never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.
After about 30 seconds, an old, dark-skinned preacher with a head of short-cropped, woolly, white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium. 'Docta Tillich, I got one question,' he said as all eyes turned toward him.
He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating it. 'Docta Tillich. (CRUNCH, MUNCH) My question is a simple question.
(CRUNCH, MUNCH...) Now, I ain't never read them books you read (CRUNCH, MUNCH), and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...) I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger. (CRUNCH, MUNCH...)
He finished the apple. 'All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate... Was it bitter or sweet?'
Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: 'I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple.'
The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, 'Neither have you tasted my Jesus.'
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers.
Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.
Have you tasted Jesus?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Heart To God And A Hand To Man
In darkest England 1865,
a dismal slum of poverty.
A band of believers rescued from the night,
played songs of hope and offered light.
If a man is hungry,
give him food to eat.
If a stranger's thirsty,
give him drink.
If a woman's battered, if a child's abandoned,
bring them in,
give them what they need.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man.
Like an army marching as to war,
come to set the captives free.
The bread of life for the poorest of poor,
hear their cries, bringing relief.
If a man is hungry,
give him food to eat.
If a stranger's thirsty,
give him drink.
If a woman's battered, if a child's abandoned,
bring them in,
give them what they need.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man.
While women weep as they do now,
while children are hungry,
while hope can be found.
While one soul remains without light,
I will fight on, fight on,
I'll fight to the very end.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man.
Singing a heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
Singing a heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Salvation Army band.
Geoff Moore
a dismal slum of poverty.
A band of believers rescued from the night,
played songs of hope and offered light.
If a man is hungry,
give him food to eat.
If a stranger's thirsty,
give him drink.
If a woman's battered, if a child's abandoned,
bring them in,
give them what they need.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man.
Like an army marching as to war,
come to set the captives free.
The bread of life for the poorest of poor,
hear their cries, bringing relief.
If a man is hungry,
give him food to eat.
If a stranger's thirsty,
give him drink.
If a woman's battered, if a child's abandoned,
bring them in,
give them what they need.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man.
While women weep as they do now,
while children are hungry,
while hope can be found.
While one soul remains without light,
I will fight on, fight on,
I'll fight to the very end.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
A heart to God and a hand to man.
Singing a heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Hallelujah band.
Singing a heart to God and a hand to man,
here begins the healing of our land.
A heart to God and a hand to man,
I can still hear the Salvation Army band.
Geoff Moore
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Conference Call
Luke 19:45-48 (The Message).
Going into the Temple he began to throw out everyone who had set up shop, selling everything and anything. He said, “It’s written in Scripture, My house is a house of prayer; You have turned it into a religious bazaar.” From then on he taught each day in the Temple. The high priests, religion scholars, and the leaders of the people were trying their best to find a way to get rid of him. But with the people hanging on every word he spoke, they couldn’t come up with anything.
Over the past two weeks I have been involved in three conferences. Two for work and one for music.
In all three conferences the message was clear:
If you don't have the passion for what you do (or what you are required to do) on a day to day basis, and are not passionate about the organisation's mission and values, why are you doing it ?
It was stated;
If you don't believe it, or your hearts not in it - Why are you doing it ?
The conferences highlighted, again, that I believe I'm in the right place at the moment, and I believe that God has his hand on my (and my families) life.
Why wouldn't a Christian (Salvationist) want to work for an organisation that he/she believes in.
Yes there are "politics", but on the whole, this organisations beliefs and values are one that I support 100%.
And guess what ? So do many people in "public land", and whilst PR is an awesome role, it comes with great responsibility.
I was reminded again by Stuart in our band devotions at Preston on Tuesday night about what we hold as a priority in our life and what is important - Certainly God, Family, Employment, "Others", Sport are - but in what order...
I think I've used this song before, but it's my prayer (again) for today.
Give me a passion for You, Lord,
I want to know You more.
Give me a heart that is true, Lord,
To seek You like never before.
Renew my mind,
Renew my spirit,
To walk in Your holiness.
Open my eyes, I want to see,
Visions of You living through me.
Open my heart, cause me to love,
For I want to follow You,
Follow You with all my heart.
Give me a passion to serve You,
I want to follow on.
Give me the power to choose You,
When all of the feelings are gone.
Renew my will,
For I am determined
To walk with You every day.
Going into the Temple he began to throw out everyone who had set up shop, selling everything and anything. He said, “It’s written in Scripture, My house is a house of prayer; You have turned it into a religious bazaar.” From then on he taught each day in the Temple. The high priests, religion scholars, and the leaders of the people were trying their best to find a way to get rid of him. But with the people hanging on every word he spoke, they couldn’t come up with anything.
Over the past two weeks I have been involved in three conferences. Two for work and one for music.
In all three conferences the message was clear:
If you don't have the passion for what you do (or what you are required to do) on a day to day basis, and are not passionate about the organisation's mission and values, why are you doing it ?
It was stated;
If you don't believe it, or your hearts not in it - Why are you doing it ?
The conferences highlighted, again, that I believe I'm in the right place at the moment, and I believe that God has his hand on my (and my families) life.
Why wouldn't a Christian (Salvationist) want to work for an organisation that he/she believes in.
Yes there are "politics", but on the whole, this organisations beliefs and values are one that I support 100%.
And guess what ? So do many people in "public land", and whilst PR is an awesome role, it comes with great responsibility.
I was reminded again by Stuart in our band devotions at Preston on Tuesday night about what we hold as a priority in our life and what is important - Certainly God, Family, Employment, "Others", Sport are - but in what order...
I think I've used this song before, but it's my prayer (again) for today.
Give me a passion for You, Lord,
I want to know You more.
Give me a heart that is true, Lord,
To seek You like never before.
Renew my mind,
Renew my spirit,
To walk in Your holiness.
Open my eyes, I want to see,
Visions of You living through me.
Open my heart, cause me to love,
For I want to follow You,
Follow You with all my heart.
Give me a passion to serve You,
I want to follow on.
Give me the power to choose You,
When all of the feelings are gone.
Renew my will,
For I am determined
To walk with You every day.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Seekers Of Your Heart
Acts 17:26-28a (The Message).
26 Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living 27 so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. 28 We live and move in him, can’t get away from him!
I was listening to my music again the other day when a song that is new to me played - out of the blue. I had to get Nat to listen to it as I thought I needed to share it with someone - fast!!
I don't have much else to say today (I know that's hard to believe) but the lyrics are great and the melody was "haunting" enough to stop me in my tracks.
It was a "gentle" reminder to me that I must continue to give God - FIRST place.
I need constant renewing and refilling - I struggle as to know why?
Am I the only one that feels this way?
I question, again and again, if I'm doing something wrong - but in this prayer I acknowledge that I DO need God to be ever present in this journey and I can gain nothing without his presence in my life.
Until we give You first place,
Until we let You begin
To fill us with your spirit,
Renew us from within.
Nothing matters,
Nothing's gained.
Without your Holy presence,
Our lives are lived in vain.
Chorus
Lord we want to know You,
Live our lives to show You,
All the love we owe You,
We're seekers of your heart.
Because your heart was broken,
Because You saw the need,
Because You gave so freely,
Because of Calvary,
We can now be,
Called your own,
Complete creations,
Filled with You alone,
Lord we want to know You,
Live our lives to show You,
All the love we owe You,
We're seekers of your heart.
My prayer:
Lord I want to know you.
I want to live my life to show you more and more.
My you be the centre of everything I do.
Amen.
26 Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living 27 so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. 28 We live and move in him, can’t get away from him!
I was listening to my music again the other day when a song that is new to me played - out of the blue. I had to get Nat to listen to it as I thought I needed to share it with someone - fast!!
I don't have much else to say today (I know that's hard to believe) but the lyrics are great and the melody was "haunting" enough to stop me in my tracks.
It was a "gentle" reminder to me that I must continue to give God - FIRST place.
I need constant renewing and refilling - I struggle as to know why?
Am I the only one that feels this way?
I question, again and again, if I'm doing something wrong - but in this prayer I acknowledge that I DO need God to be ever present in this journey and I can gain nothing without his presence in my life.
Until we give You first place,
Until we let You begin
To fill us with your spirit,
Renew us from within.
Nothing matters,
Nothing's gained.
Without your Holy presence,
Our lives are lived in vain.
Chorus
Lord we want to know You,
Live our lives to show You,
All the love we owe You,
We're seekers of your heart.
Because your heart was broken,
Because You saw the need,
Because You gave so freely,
Because of Calvary,
We can now be,
Called your own,
Complete creations,
Filled with You alone,
Lord we want to know You,
Live our lives to show You,
All the love we owe You,
We're seekers of your heart.
My prayer:
Lord I want to know you.
I want to live my life to show you more and more.
My you be the centre of everything I do.
Amen.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Just As You Are.
Psalm 139 (The Message).
15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.
Before the world began,
You were on His mind,
And every tear you cry,
Is precious in His eyes.
Because of His great love,
He gave His only Son.
Everything was done
So you would come.
Nothing you can do
Could make Him love you more.
And nothing that you've done
Could make Him close the door.
Because of His great love,
He gave His only Son.
Everything was done
So you would come.
Come to the Father,
Though your gift is small.
Broken hearts, broken lives,
He will take them all.
The power of the Word,
The power of His blood.
Everything was done
So you would come.
John 3:16 (The Message).
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
Come just as you are,
Hear the spirit call.
Come just as you are,
Come and see,
Come receive,
Come and live, forever.
Life everlasting.
Strength for today.
Taste the living water,
And never thirst again.
Come and see,
Come receive,
Come and live forever.
Come just as you are,
Don't you hear the spirit call.
Come just as you are,
Come and see,
Christ my King,
Come and live, forevermore.
After reading these verses and the lyrics to these songs, I feel we still need to physically do something about this word "Come".
To sing "Come just as you are" or "Come to the Father", I had the overwhelming sense that this is Jesus pleading, through the words of the songs, for us to get up and get moving - towards Him and His way. To move ourselves out of negativity, sadness, struggles and complications (or even complacency?) and into His freedom, love and grace.
Maybe that means spending time (physically) on our knees, or making our way to a place of grace (not disgrace).
To borrow a phrase.... Sometimes we just need to "Let Go and Let God!"
By letting go says to me that we are holding on too tight. If we let go - does that mean we will fall ? What better place to fall but into the arms of a Saviour that loves us.
My prayer;
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.
Psalm 139:23-24 (The Message).
Amen.
15 You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
16 Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.
Before the world began,
You were on His mind,
And every tear you cry,
Is precious in His eyes.
Because of His great love,
He gave His only Son.
Everything was done
So you would come.
Nothing you can do
Could make Him love you more.
And nothing that you've done
Could make Him close the door.
Because of His great love,
He gave His only Son.
Everything was done
So you would come.
Come to the Father,
Though your gift is small.
Broken hearts, broken lives,
He will take them all.
The power of the Word,
The power of His blood.
Everything was done
So you would come.
John 3:16 (The Message).
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
Come just as you are,
Hear the spirit call.
Come just as you are,
Come and see,
Come receive,
Come and live, forever.
Life everlasting.
Strength for today.
Taste the living water,
And never thirst again.
Come and see,
Come receive,
Come and live forever.
Come just as you are,
Don't you hear the spirit call.
Come just as you are,
Come and see,
Christ my King,
Come and live, forevermore.
After reading these verses and the lyrics to these songs, I feel we still need to physically do something about this word "Come".
To sing "Come just as you are" or "Come to the Father", I had the overwhelming sense that this is Jesus pleading, through the words of the songs, for us to get up and get moving - towards Him and His way. To move ourselves out of negativity, sadness, struggles and complications (or even complacency?) and into His freedom, love and grace.
Maybe that means spending time (physically) on our knees, or making our way to a place of grace (not disgrace).
To borrow a phrase.... Sometimes we just need to "Let Go and Let God!"
By letting go says to me that we are holding on too tight. If we let go - does that mean we will fall ? What better place to fall but into the arms of a Saviour that loves us.
My prayer;
Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about;
See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.
Psalm 139:23-24 (The Message).
Amen.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Fading Beauty
1 Peter. 3:3 (NLT).
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
SACB 77
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine,
All my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
During the last few weeks I have had 2 occasions where children have asked me if I was a Policeman. There was a time I wanted to be one, but I think it's probably a little too late.
On both occasions the parents have said to the children - "No, he belongs to The Salvation Army, he helps people".
I suppose The Army is seen to be a helping hand to those in crisis, especially with the flooding and cyclone in the not so distant past. So when you wear the uniform, you are automatically one of "those ones" who help people, whether you are on the "front line" or even in PR.
Does what we wear maketh the person?
Am I a "better" Christian because I wear The Salvation Army uniform?
Can the beauty of Jesus seen in me?
Does my outward appearance and actions mirror that of Christ?
What about when we don't wear our uniform? Does the beauty of Jesus radiate through us ? At work? At the shops? In the home?
It's not easy - I know. Prior to my commencement with The Salvation Army, the workplace was not the easiest place to show Jesus in any way, shape or form, and even when I stood by my beleifs, it didn't seem to make much difference to anybody else. People were just too interested in themselves.
Moving into another year and continuing on in this journey of life, my prayer for today is:
Come, beautiful Christ,
Radiate thy beauty in me.
'Tis thee I adore,
What can I ask more
Than to live for thee, beautiful Christ.
SACB 61
Footnote: The above words were written specifically for women, but It was the first verse that appeared when I searched for the phrase "beauty of Jesus" - I thinks there's something in it for all of us, don't you?
Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.
SACB 77
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All his wonderful passion and purity,
O thou Spirit divine,
All my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
During the last few weeks I have had 2 occasions where children have asked me if I was a Policeman. There was a time I wanted to be one, but I think it's probably a little too late.
On both occasions the parents have said to the children - "No, he belongs to The Salvation Army, he helps people".
I suppose The Army is seen to be a helping hand to those in crisis, especially with the flooding and cyclone in the not so distant past. So when you wear the uniform, you are automatically one of "those ones" who help people, whether you are on the "front line" or even in PR.
Does what we wear maketh the person?
Am I a "better" Christian because I wear The Salvation Army uniform?
Can the beauty of Jesus seen in me?
Does my outward appearance and actions mirror that of Christ?
What about when we don't wear our uniform? Does the beauty of Jesus radiate through us ? At work? At the shops? In the home?
It's not easy - I know. Prior to my commencement with The Salvation Army, the workplace was not the easiest place to show Jesus in any way, shape or form, and even when I stood by my beleifs, it didn't seem to make much difference to anybody else. People were just too interested in themselves.
Moving into another year and continuing on in this journey of life, my prayer for today is:
Come, beautiful Christ,
Radiate thy beauty in me.
'Tis thee I adore,
What can I ask more
Than to live for thee, beautiful Christ.
SACB 61
Footnote: The above words were written specifically for women, but It was the first verse that appeared when I searched for the phrase "beauty of Jesus" - I thinks there's something in it for all of us, don't you?
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