Popular culture fans?

The twenty million people who buy a Britney Spears’ record aren’t music fans they’re popular culture fans.- before the music dies

BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES is an unsettling and inspiring look at today’s popular music industry. This documentary is so challenging for me when I examine the trends in worship music. What is happening out front in our churches and services?

The quality and especially musicianship and creativity is now so low. What is happening? I think the critical analysis of this 2006 documentary should be applied to popular worship music. I am saddened by the lack and commercialism and loss of real meaning in worship. We have become fans of popular Christian culture rather than being moved by music. What has happened are people who understand how music can move people are missing.

Open the eyes

I haven't posted recently here in this blog and I realize it's important for me. Sophie in Korea really encouraged me today. Because life can be really tough for me - I do find things a struggle to keep going. I really thank God for her message,

You always open your hands to us. Today I went your blog your world. I can feel a little bit relaxing and joy in your world. We all gone through hard time this year and we are going to face that over and over. But it's ok. we are stronger enough to overcome all different difficulties in Jesus. aren't we?

We really need to see the world through different eyes constantly different eyes... River Tribe are an Australian Band I came across accidently just buying their CD in a sale for 3 dollars and later found them to be Christian.

I will lift my eyes

I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121

This psalm is very precious to me as it was a commissioning Psalm as I left my home churches to move continents.Two churches unknown to each other used the same verse. Last sunday I had to learn this song by Bebo Norman for a service.



I will lift my eyes to the Maker - Of the mountains I can’t climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer - Of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer - Of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

Taize and musicality

I've been remembering and thinking about my experiences with Taize and the European Pilgrimages in London and Paris. Thousands sitting on the floor in churches and cathedrals for 2-3 hours truly worshipping in a way sensitive to aesthetics, to beauty of form. In the end it is an encounter with the living God and this kindles a hunger for that encounter.

Gospel, gospel

There is something special about gospel music. Somehow it never really feels like performance because we're drawn to it and into it. I have to often contrast that with some church situations where everything seems to be like watching a concert. What can I say about Mahalia Jackson? Except listen.

I can sing in the troubled times

I can sing in the troubled times, Sing when I win - I can sing when I lose my step, And fall down again - I can sing 'cause You pick me up - Sing 'cause You're there. Chris Tomlin

My emotions do go up and down. perhaps more frequently than others but I have a problem the old hymn is darker more a struggle than Chris Tomlin?Matt Redman. However neither should be sung as a happy sweet song. I want songs that reflect how real sadness can be. Listen to Enya's original haunting song with its depth.




What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth;What though the darkness gather round! Songs in the night He giveth: No storm can shake my inmost calm While to that refuge clinging; Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth, How can I keep from singing? Robert Lowry

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.

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".

if you had a vineyard

Oh that my eyes were a fountain of tears That I might weep for my poor people

I suppose this year's unfortunately blandness the emotions of Sinead's songs from her album Theology still touches me. One of my International students said recently Music is universal (it doesn't require language.)

After The Fire

Greenbelt was a Christian rock arts festival which I went almost every summer for 10 years. I saw U2 there and many great bands. After The Fire was one of those great 1980's bands. This clip (click here) is classic ATF and perhaps a demonstration of the great use of the instrumental break.