The Story behind the Song

If you enjoyed listening to 'I will rise' which I posted yesterday, you may be interested to hear Chris Tomlin talking about the story behind the song in this 11 minute interview on the New Song Cafe sofa.

I Will Rise

As I was getting the bus this morning, on my way to a funeral, I was listening to one of my new Chris Tomlin CDs and the track 'I will rise' from the 'Hello Love' album started - and I just played it over and over all the way, on the bus, the tube and the 10 minute walk at the other end. It is such a beautiful song, and so totally appropriate for a Christian funeral.

It's a Marathon not a Sprint

This Sunday (26 April) tens of thousands of people will be pounding the streets of London attempting to complete the 26 miles and 385 yards of the London Marathon. Very few will be seriously running to win - most, I guess, are simply aiming to finish.

The Apostle Paul lived in a world heavily influenced by Greek and Roman culture. Athletics was therefore something that he knew about, and at several points in the New Testament he draws out parallels between the life of a top athlete and the Christian life.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24 we are encouraged to run in such a way as to get the prize. Top athletes have to be totally dedicated to their sport if they are going to be the best. They also make sure that they have all the right clothing. Running the marathon dressed like a rhino, may raise awareness and funds - helping to save the rhino - but even Paula Radcliffe wouldn't win in that.

In Hebrews 12:1 we are encouraged to throw off all that will hinder and the sin that so easily entangles. Yet many Christians try to win the race, whilst wearing a thick coat and carrying a heavy rucksack - all kinds of baggage from the past that holds them back.

Running 26.2 miles is hard going, and it would be very easy to give up - if it weren't for the crowd. If you have your name on your vest they will shout your name, and especially encourage those who are walking or stopped. We are in this Christian life together - we are not expected to do it all on our own - that's what the local church is all about. Being with others who can encourage us when we're down, so that we can encourage them when they're having a tough time (Hebrews 10:24-25).

There are many other parallels - maybe you can add some.

Jesus Messiah

I recently received three new CDs for my birthday and over the next few weeks I'll share some of the best songs with you. Today, the song, 'Jesus Messiah' by Chris Tomlin from the album 'Hello Love'.

The album can be purchased from either Wesley Owen or Cross Rhythms.

Enjoy.

Holiday Highlights

Still got a couple of days of holiday left, but here are a few highlights...


A little star at Willows Farm Village.


On Tristan the Tractor


Walking at the Welsh Harp


As I have my boots on I will jump in this puddle


What do you mean, 'I need a licence'?


A food break at Woburn Safari Park


A belated second birthday party.


My holiday games record: Carcassonne - won. Settlers of Catan - lost. Ticket to Ride - Lost.


And our new game - Ingenious - won.

Garden Update 2

As you will see from the photo the raspberries are doing well - although one of the nine plants which were transplanted has apparently died.

Today I finally got around to planting some other seeds - sweet corn, cherry tomotoes and courgettes. I use individual pots made out of strips of old newspaper, so that when ready they can be planted straight into the ground without the need to transplant the little seedlings.

I also bought a variety of lettuces, red onions and carrots - which will all be planted directly in a few weeks time.

Watch this space to see what grows.

Happy Easter

Easter Sunday has arrived - and it makes all the difference. It made all the difference to the disciples who had just lived through the worst hours of their lives, and it can make all the difference to us, two thousand years later. The truth that Jesus is alive makes a world of difference. It means a world where we can know love, forgiveness, peace. It means we live in a world where God is able to transform even the most hopeless of situations. It means we live in a world where even death does not have the final word - we live with the hope and the promise of resurrection. We can know life in all its fullness - now and in the future.

A Message for Good Friday

Made to Worship

Here's a new song that we sang for the first time at church yesterday evening - I may use it next Sunday morning, so if you're planning to be there listen and learn! And if you're not - after listening I'm sure you'll want to learn it anyway.

Travelling in Style

This week we saw some of the most powerful people in the world descend on London for the G20 talks. President Obama arrived at Stanstead airport on his own personal Jumbo jet Air Force One. He was then flown on by Marine One - one of 28 state of the art helicopters dedicated to his personal use. When it came to getting around the city itself he used his personal armoured car/tank - affectionately known as The Beast. This is no ordinary car - it is designed to protect the President from almost any eventuality - one Internet site even said it was designed to survive a meteor strike (presumably that would depend on the size of the meteor). None of the other G20 leaders arrived with so much baggage, but they all arrived amid security and comfort.

If you've ever flown economy class, no doubt you have longed to be upgraded to business or first class - for nothing more than a bit of leg room and the ability to get a good night's rest. The next step is to hire a personal jet for those hops across the Atlantic to do a bit of seasonal shopping. Then the idea is to buy a personal jet.

When we think about power there are all kinds of trappings that automatically come to mind. Nice cars and private jets are just some of them.

Jesus was the most powerful man ever to walk the earth and although personal jets and limos weren't available to him other modes of transport were. Coming to Jerusalem on that first 'Palm Sunday' he was stating his position as king, and so could have come on a white horse, or in a chariot, or maybe carried in some kind of chair affair - instead he borrowed a donkey. Jesus was beginning his final week, a week in which his actions would bewilder almost everyone who knew him. Kings and powerful people behave in certain ways. They don't turn up in a borrowed everyday family car. They don't do the job of a servant and wash their disciples' feet. They certainly don't go to their death if they could have done anything to stop it.

Jesus was the most powerful man to walk the earth and yet he used his power in a different way to everyone else. He didn't look out for his own interests. He didn't put himself first. Instead he was obedient to all that God asked of him, and he loved others - all others - even his enemies.

If we claim to be followers of Jesus this Palm Sunday then we need to follow his example.