The old hymns

I'm glad to be home. That seems like a strange statement given that I went home but the paradoxes of my life are exposed. The UK isn't home anymore. It feel distantly familiar and meeting family and friends was good but it isn't home. But here isn't really home either because there is much which isn't familiar and I still don't understand. This perhaps is a new understanding for me of being in and not of the world.

Matt years ago introduced me to Rachel Lampa's voice. Such an intense beautiful tone with good breath control. I hate the loss of old hymns and their deep messages about God. They also lasted for a long time. Modern songs have a very short life span and go missing very fast.

Terry Waite was the Archbishop of Canterbury's representative negotiating the release of hostages around the world until at least he was taken hostage for over 1763 day. I remember hearing his interviews afterwards . He talked about the importance of being able to remember prayers, songs and parts of church services. These helped him survive, they gave him a sense of home.

Ave Verum Corpus

We used to sing this for services etc. I miss those days of a sight-singing choir. Often we would simply rehearse on Friday and sing for real on Sunday. I think this is Mozart at his best. the words mean

Hail the true body, - Born of the Virgin Mary, - Truly suffered, sacrificed - On the Cross for mankind, - Whose pierced side - Flowed with water and blood, Let it be for us, in consideration, - A foretaste of death.

As I head back to the UK for a rest and I can still hear this anthem reminding me of Easter and why I do what I do.

No greater love

I discovered that some of my ex-internationals read this blog. So I'm going to post a little more content about my ministry here in simpler English. Recently in our bible studies we've been thinking about heaven and earth and what heaven is all about. It is not really about place but God's presence. I quite like this Rachel Lampa song - "The beauty of heaven is here in my heart".