This is not so much a review, as a recommendation.

I recently ordered a copy of a brand new album by Chris Haines, entitled But God. From the moment I started listening I was repeatedly surprised by just how good this album is. The music is outstanding, the lyrics deeply scriptural, the overall impact uplifting and edifying.

This was all the more surprising because Chris is a friend, and I had no idea he was this good. We went to school together, and I recall the days of chastising him for his language (now thoroughly sanctified). I also remember this slightly chubby child strumming away at his electric guitar in music classes, little knowing his skills would develop to this extent.

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O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name.

This morning as I sat at the piano for a short devotional time I picked up the hymn book and on turning a few pages in was once again drawn to read the following words of John Wesley as he lays out his Directions on Singing.

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Following on from a previous post about Authentic Worship, I recently watched this really helpful video short featuring Bob Kauflin of Sovereign Grace Ministries talking about and encouraging the use of our bodies in our worship as we respond to Christ.

How would you personally respond to the question that Bob posed to Mark Dever and then further extends to you?

“They that pray in the family do well; they that pray and read the Scriptures do better; but they that pray, and read, and sing do best of all.” Matthew Henry

Mr Cow - Julia Plaut

With so many little ones being born and on the way at the Chapel, I just wanted to take a few words to recommend a resource that new and young families might want to use with their tots for times of family worship.

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“When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.”
1 Corinthians 14:26

In the run up to Christmas we often find that our diaries get booked out with parties. Like myself, I am sure when you are invited around to a friend’s house party you might ask “Is there anything I can bring?”, as you want to play your part in making the celebration one to be remembered.

I’m equally sure you’d recognise the usual responses to that question might include “No problem we have everything covered, just bring yourself!” or “Thanks for asking, could you possibly bring….(fill in the blank)”

Likewise, and as Paul exhorts the believers in 1 Cor 14:26, when we gather together each week for the corporate expression of our worship in response to the divine invitation to “Taste and see that the LORD is good” we each have something to bring, an important part to play. This cannot be separated from the very health and life of the church.

With this in mind, I want to stir you with three short thoughts that might help you to prepare to join in the corporate celebration each week and that I believe could see our times of corporate worship come all the more alive with the voice and “suddenly” of God.

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