If in 6 months time I ask…

…”does my iPhone automaticly do the daylight savings thing?” Please, please, please tell me it does. It would save me a rather restless night of constantly checking my phone against my watch (and dreaming of getting it wrong!)

On the plus side it did make me think about how God’s unchanging-ness should bring us peace rather than anxiety. Read my thoughts here.

Give us a smile

I’ve been Reading this book for my course, it’s called ‘What is an Evangelical?’

The cover (below) is of the author, Dr Lloyd Jones. It got me thinking, “Have I ever seen a photo of him with a smile?”
A quick google image search led me to believe that such a photo does not exist.

Cheers Lazzoo

for the heads up on this quality video.

Enjoy

A musical heads up

I know, I know. We all have different tastes. That’s why I can with full confidence say that you will definitely like the following album (which is free!)

I got a quick heads up from Pastor JT about it, I think he’d had the heads up from Pipe Cleaner.

The album is I Am Living Vol.1 from Come and Live Music. You can get it from here.

The album is actually a compilation album of 16 different bands that have signed to this Come and Live label. They are extremely diverse (musically) and similar (lyrically and theologically). I dare anyone to listen and not like a least 2 tracks.

I think that the idea is for the bands to then release some free download albums too. Great. (Better than re:sound already)

Going to bed…

…WEST in the morning

One Week left! Arrrgggghhh!?!?!

That’s right, depending on how you count days, I have one week left before I become a full time student at WEST.

It’s very exciting, a bit scary and very mysterious. I say mysterious because I really don’t know what to expect. I’ve no idea if I’ll take back to learning (I graduated 3 years ago) and I’m not sure exactly how much teaching time/reading time/writing time it’s going to entail.

Anyway, it’s coming, fast and I’d appreciate prayer from anyone. I’d also appreciate prayer for ALL the guys who are on the course. We’ve all been called to train as pastors and in my book that means we should be prayed for.

No doubt I’ll blog about the experience/what I’ll be learning either here or on theproGnosis. In fact I’ve already started by blogging my notes on the fantastic Knowing God by J. I. Packer.

That’s it. Let’s see what happens. God, it’s over to You!

Autumn Season Singing

An Autumnal Coloured Guitar

I’ve just emailed everyone who takes part in our Sunday Morning Worship Bands. The subject of the email is new songs for the Autumn season.

The next few months are going to be dominated by JT’s series in Colossians, Completely Complete. (The sample trailer for which I’ve previously posted.)

So the ‘new songs’ for the term have been planned with this in mind.

The first new song is the Page CXVI reworking of Townends In Christ Alone. I love the new version. Char and I both think it’s a more natural tune some how. The only obstacle to overcome is people’s memories of the original tune which we still sing regularly (except when I’m leading, it’s far too low vocally for me to lead).

We’ve chosen the song because it sums Colossians up well. It’s all about Christ!

The second song is Completely Done. It’s off the new Sovereign Grace album, Sons & Daughters. There’s a free download of the track available here. The song once again sums up the general feeling of Colossians, that is in Christ it is finished!

I’m excited about the series (although secretly gutted Jon wont let me preach any Colossians  I’ll see how he measures up to the sermon I preached not to long ago on chapter 1), I’m excited about the songs…

I’m excited to knowing more and more that in Christ alone it is completely done!

Phil Wickham

My attention today has been drawn to a freely downloadable album by the above named artist.

I didn’t need much convincing, I’ve enjoyed listening to him on youtube for a while. Particular highlights for me are his version of Nothing But The Blood and re-imaging of the classic Hallelujah (but I’m sure some will find it horrific!?)

Anyway, go download this free album, it’s top draw. And for your enjoyment, his amazing version of Nothing but the Blood:

HT: Lazzo

Colossians Trailer

Soon in church we’ll be doing a lengthy series in Colossians. The title will be Completely Complete.

I worked on this intro for the series a few weeks ago and probably need to go back to it soon.

Thoughts and suggestions in the comments section please!

Sermonising Psalm 51

This coming Sunday I have the privilege of preaching Psalm 51 to an eager audience, my church.

This afternoon, post lawn mowing, I have been doing some preliminary studying on my patio in the sunshine (which has just turned to the liquid form hence my coming inside to blog).

It’s a supposedly about David repenting after his sin with Bathsheba. What’s mental is that it’s more about God than David. I wrote a list of things David says or implies about God in the 19 short verses:

1. His love is unfailing
2. His compassion is great
3. He speaks
4. He judges
5. He washes away iniquity
6. He cleanses sin
7. He is merciful
8. He ‘blots out’ transgressions
9. He is the offended party
10. He is right
11. He is righteous
12. He is justified
13. He desires truth
14. He teaches wisdom
15. He crushes bones
16. He re/creates hearts
17. He renews spirits
18. He decides who is near Him
19. He gives joy
20. He is Saviour
21. He gives life
22. He is Saviour
23. He gives words and praise
24. He is Saviour
25. He is choosy
26. He is emotional
27. He provides prosperity
28. He has an Altar

Now it’s not a definitive list and some of the language is my own, but seriously, 19 verses of a psalm about a persons sin gives us all that  about God? I think there’s at least a small lesson in there about our repentance and it’s focus!