In Spirit And In Truth

N:Vision

2007-06-15T12:51:00.000+01:00

Adore

A worship event for young people

with Matt Redman & Andy Flannagan

Date: Sunday 24th June 2007

Time: 5pm - 8pm

Tickets: £6 in advance £8 on the door

Venue: Olympos Haywards Heath, The Dolphin Leasure Centre.

For ticket booking and information e-mail: info@nvision.uk.net, click on the link opposite or call 07757076209

Worship Insights # 4 - Carl Smith

2007-05-02T10:01:00.000+01:00

Keeping Worship Fresh

A very wise worship leader once gave me some great advice that I will never forget. He encouraged me to think, every time before I was due to lead worship; ‘what one fresh thing can I bring to the worship this week.’ Since then I’ve tried really hard to make sure that something about the way I lead changes each week. Whether it’s a new song, a longer block of worship, getting another worship leader in, having complete silence, or no music at all throughout the whole service, I want something fresh each week. This freshness brings blessing too. It’s far too easy for people to ‘get used’ to worship and for the power and intimacy to be stripped away. Keeping worship fresh is important for preventing this from happening. So may you challenge yourself each week to think 'what one fresh thing can I bring to the worship this week?' and may God bless the fresh worship you lead.

Worship Insights # 3 - Jess Blatchley

2007-04-10T10:38:00.000+01:00

Girlie Worship
I think leading worship presents a huge number of challenges for both men and women. Personally at the moment I feel the main one for me is dealing with fluctuating feelings of inadequacy e.g. “I can’t play the guitar as well as Dave, Bob, Andy etc…”; or “I can hear an audible sigh from the congregation when they see me up there on a Sunday instead of Dave, Bob, Andy etc…”; or even “I’m just RUBBISH at this!” (That last one is usually accompanied by lots of sobbing and possibly a bit of foot stamping.) In the week leading up to a Sunday when I’m the designated leader I feel like this almost every day. I can usually manage to talk myself through it. Failing that, my husband declares somewhat bewilderedly that I am completely bonkers and spouting a load of nonsense which generally breaks the cycle of self-loathing! I’ve found it to be part of the process that the Lord lets me go through until I finally remember that it’s supposed to be about HIM (oh yes, that’s right….!)

I guess the practical challenges are there too. The most random is the fact that I can pitch a song in exactly the same key as the male worship leaders (in our church most of them have tenor voices) yet find the congregation completely unable to sing them in that exact same key when I’m leading. I’ve often had comments like “that song was just too high for us Jess” or even “that song was too high for YOU Jess”. What’s that all about? The fact is my voice sometimes SOUNDS too high for the congregation to reach; so I usually have to take songs down a semi tone or two to counteract this problem. The other practical challenge is how to deliver the more “aggressive” or “driven” songs that the men seem to do with such ease. I do find myself having to do a “rock chick” impersonation (i.e. stretching my voice to “belt” level) and find myself somewhat exhausted by the end of it! I breathe a sigh of relief when I finally reach the “intimate worship” phase….that feels like home to me…(or maybe it’s just old age settling in?)
Anyhow, that’s how I’m feeling about leading worship today. I’ll probably feel completely different about it tomorrow!

New album from Tim Hughes

2007-03-26T15:06:00.000+01:00

Tim Hughes, worship pastor of Holy Trinity Brompton, probably best known for the song 'here I am to worship' has released his third studio album. Holding Nothing Back is an album that speaks of a life devoted to God "You gave everything to me, so I give everything to you." With anointed songs used at Soul Survivor Festivals that have blessed many, such as 'Everything' and 'God of Justice' and some collaborations with great artists including Martin Smith, Nick Herbert and Rachel Hughes, this album is set to be another success for Tim. 'Holding Nothing Back' also comes with a DVD which includes: Songwriting thoughts, an interviews with Tim and a video diary of the album recording.

Holding Nothing Back is available now from http://www.survivor.co.uk/ and from April 1st in Wesley Owen stores.

As well as being worship pastor for HTB Tim is also one of the leaders of Worship Central - a movement that seeks to: Encounter God//Equip the worshipper//Empower the Church (click on link to find out more)

Also Available from Tim Hughes:

Stop The Traffik

2007-03-23T12:30:00.000Z

Sunday March 25th marks the 200 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. 200 years ago William Wilberforce, driven by his Christian faith, dedicated his life to see the slave trade made an illegal act. He succeded, but the sad fact is that slavery happens even more today than it did then. As a result Stop The Traffik have made March 25th 'Freedom Day' a day to look back on the champions of the past and to look to make a difference now and in the future. In order to raise awareness STT have asked all of God's worshippers to unite in prayer on that day, to stand up and be counted, to speak for those who can't speak for themselves and to see slavery abolished - this time for good!

There a lots of things happening around the country from Saturday night through to Sunday and beyond. For more information visit www.stopthetraffik.org and to find out what events are happening in your area visit www.stopthetraffik.24-7prayer.com Also please take time to sign the declaration on the Stop The Traffik website.

This is a chance for us to unite together and pray for a really important cause. These are not just statistics - these are people. People shouldn't be bought or sold.

Worship Insights # 2 - Martyn Layzell

2007-03-08T10:52:00.000Z

Intimacy - a lost language?
Recently I was in a meeting where someone was asking me about my prayer life and spiritual journey with God. I began (proudly) to tell them that I was part of a church that had a vision to see intercessory prayer explode across the nations and worked closely alongside the prayer pastor to organize prayer nights, daily prayer meetings and accountability groups. I also regularly led worship, fasted & try hard to 'connect' with God through His word daily. At the end of my little speech this kind person said to me,"Gosh, sounds like you are doing too much intercessory prayer! You just need to have a cup of tea with the Lord."
At first I thought, "Oh bless... doesn't she realize I'm a worship pastor in a busy church with a busy programme and a busy life to boot. Three kids under 5, a wife, a mortgage etc etc. But then I realized that what she said was actually quite profound.
The next day I was reading Matthew 7:7. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. My prayer life and worship had become a combination of 'shopping list' requests and statements telling God how great he is.
I realized that my wife wouldn't be very happy if all I said to her was "YOU LOOK GREAT TODAY! I LOVE THE WAY YOU COOKED DINNER! I LOVE THE WAY YOU DRESS! Although she initially might be flattered after a while I think I would just annoy her. What she's looking for is intimacy, a connection of heart and tenderness.
Too often in my worship I have sought to lead people so strongly that I have not modelled an intimate relationship with the father. Matthew 7:9 says "Which of you, if his son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if heasks for a fish will give him a snake? If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him"
Our requests in prayer need to be rooted in relationship with Abba Father. He knows what we need already but loves the dialogue as it build relationship. Being a father of 3 small blonde boys I can understand that a little bit. So often I know what they need - a drink, snack, TV on etc. I could preempt all their requests with action but that would mean we would hardly speak. How much nicer when they come and pull on my shirt tails for my attention!
Matthew 7:21 goes on to say "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Verse 23: "I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you'. The question is Do we know God? Is our relationship with him going deeper? I realize too often that I become his servant/worker rather then his friend and co-worker. Jesus says in John "I no longer call you servants, I call you friends".
I believe in a time where there is an explosion of prayer and worship we are in danger of losing the language of intimacy. What does it really mean to 'come towards to kiss'. Psalm 2 says "Kiss the Son lest he be angry". That's pretty strong!
God Bless,
Martyn

Worship Insights # 1 - Stuart Barbour

2007-02-20T14:11:00.000Z

What happens when we worship ?

Psalm 22 verse 3 says “God inhabits the praises of His people”, therefore when we enter in to worship, the presence of God comes.
What is the one thing that can’t happen in the presence of God ? Nothing ! God is sovereign. What is the one thing that always happens in the presence of God ? the enemy flees, he hates it when we worship.
Ephesians 6 v 12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”
Worship is warfare and we are clearly in a battle, and we need to enter in this battle. Lets ask ourselves - are there areas in our lives that the enemy has been given a stronghold ?, ask God to reveal this to us, then ask for His forgiveness and worship Him.
Psalm 129 verse 3 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts., See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Who do you live to please?

2007-02-05T13:01:00.000Z

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." - Galatians 1:10

Here Paul gives us a real challenge to think - who do you live for. In the previous verses he is reminding the church of Galatia that there is only one true gospel, only one truth, only one Jesus Christ - and this one God is who we serve, who we love, who we live for. It should be His approval and His approval alone we should be working for.

Obviously it is a blessing to receive encouragement from our bothers and sisters but if we live for that then we are only setting ourselves up for a fall. Everything we live to do should begin and end with our relationship with God. Seek to please God by serving Him with wholeheartedness and excellence.

See also Matthew 25:31-46

Bible Bit # 4

2007-01-22T09:28:00.000Z

Psalm 113

I'm simply going to let this Psalm speak for itself

"Praise the Lord.
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
His glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
the one who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes,
with the princes of their people.
He settles the barren women in her home
as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord"

The Amazing this about this psalm is that its an acrostic poem. That means that for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet the writer was able to come of with something to praise God for. Try it. Write the alphabet down and come up with something to praise God for for each letter . He is worthy of all Praise.

Bible Bit # 3

2007-01-18T10:01:00.000Z

Jude vs 24-25
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who seems to be really trying to make you doubt your faith? Someone who believes so strongly that there's no God that they think you are crazy for thinking any different?
Jude is a letter that calls us to perservere when conversations like that come our way. There will be people who try to divide the church, or try and seperate you from God but we are called to stand firm in these times.
Right at the end of his letter Jude reminds the people exactly who it is that we Do believe and who it us that we Do live to worship whether other people believe it or not or accept it or not.
"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..." its incrediable to think that although we are sinners, God sees us as clean and without fault - through the blood of Jesus - a hope that we can be certain of "to the ONLY GOD our saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen" This is the God we believe in. This is the God we worship - in all that we do. This is the ONLY GOD our saviour! Hold firm to that truth.

Beautiful News

2007-01-08T14:14:00.000Z

Matt Redman returns with another annointed album. With tracks that we know from New Wine and Soul Survivor such as 'You never let go' and 'All over the world' and many new Spirit filled tracks, this album has once again proved that Matt is lead worshipper who is devoted to His God and longs to see others encounter that same God in worship and to be encouraged and blessed by Him but more importantly to give Him all the glory in thier worship of Him. This album also has a large focus on telling others of the good news of Jesus and living a life that honours Him. 'Beautiful News' also has some great collaborations with Martin Smith, Paul Baloche and Matt's wife Beth. This is certainly a worship album worth having.

Meanind behind the carols #3

2006-12-20T11:56:00.000Z

The First Noel (Nowell)
This French (or English) Carol is one of the oldest that we still sing, dating back to the 13th or 14th century when 'miracle plays' were a popular way to spread the gospel. The carol no doubt changed quite a bit as the years went by since it was not published until 1833 in a collection by William Sandys. "Noel" is the French word for Christmas, derived from the Latin word for birthday so it reminds us that Christmas is the first birthday of Jesus. With the 6 verses telling as much of the story as is possible to fit into one carol it's a classic for Christmas day.

Meaning behind the carols #2

2006-12-14T10:55:00.000Z

O little town of Bethlehem
Philip Brooks was the writter and creater of this song. He was an Episcopal Priest, and he made this song while he was on a journey to the Holy Land in 1865. On Christmas Eve, while he was heading to Jerusalemfrom Bethleham, he stopped at an open field, to watch the dusk envelop the town. After that, he attended a 5 hour church service at the Church of Nativity. For 3 long years, he kept his memories to himself, and then he was motivated to share his memories with a Church gathering. And what he did, was write a 5 stanza poem, and he gave it to the Church organist, Lewis Redner, who gave the poem its musical background. And this song was first heard on December 27th, 1868; then later appeared in the Episcopal Hymnals, and soon enough becoming one the favorite Christmas Carols.

Meaning behind the carols #1

2006-12-08T13:04:00.000Z

12 Days of Christmas
If like me you thought this wasn't really about anything other than presents, you'd be wrong. This song was orginally written for young people to learn and sing about their faith in code in order to be safe from persecution. Here is the true meaning:

Each of the items in the song represents something of religious significance. The hidden meaning of each gift was designed to help young Christians learn their faith. The song goes, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..."
The "true love" represents God and the "me" who receives these presents is the Christian. Here you go:

The "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God.
The "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments - another gift from God.
The "three French hens" were faith, hope and love - the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (I Corinthians 13).
The "four calling birds" were the four Gospels which sing the song of salvation through Jesus Christ.
The "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible also called the "Books of Moses".

The "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation.
The "seven swans a swimming" were the "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit". (I Corinthians 12:8-11; Romans 12, Ephesians 4; I Peter 4:10-11).
The "eight maids a milking" were the eight beatitudes.
The "nine ladies dancing" were nine fruits of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22 & 23)
The "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments.
The "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples.
The "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of the Apostles' Creed.

So, the next time you hear "The 12 Days of Christmas", consider how this otherwise non-religious sounding song had its origins in the Christian faith.

Tabernacle Worship - Looking Back

2006-11-21T09:36:00.000Z

48 Hours of non-stop God Glorifying worship was the aim and that’s exactly what it was. I have to say it was possibly the most awesome event I have ever had the privilege to be involved in. When I first had the vision over 3 years ago I had no idea of exactly what God would do with it. Since the beginning of the planning I’ve been so amazed at God’s constant presence and guidance and renewing strength.

At the beginning of the event I thought 48 hours would feel like a long time but that time just didn’t seem enough by the end. Over the time, I believe God really met with a lot of people and that His heart for the lost was passed on to many of His children. This was summed up right at the end of the day by a picture someone had of some dry sponges on a beach and the tide coming in and soaking them up.

In all we had about 300 different worshippers come through the doors and a faithful few who stayed for the whole thing – but this event was not about the numbers – it was about God being worshipped non-stop for 48 hours whether anyone was there or not. Even in moments when bands didn’t turn up God was really faithful and provided people to step in and lead last minute so that the worship didn’t stop.

I’m really thankful for all the lead worshippers who gave up their time to lead an hour or two, especially those who travelled from much further a-field. Every single leader seemed to slot right into the vision of the event and it was great to see many different churches working together to keep the worship going.

I hope and pray that those who came really met with God and encountered Him in a new and deeper way than ever before. I also pray that everyone left the tabernacle with God’s heart for the lost and the desire to seek Him more and more day by day.
If you have any feedback from your experience of the event or if you received any words, pictures or visions then please do e-mail them to me on: carl@tabernacleworship.co.uk.

Also if you would like to be involved in Tabernacle WORSHIP II then please get in touch with me on the above e-mail address or call 07860 897001.

- Carl Smith – November 2006

Tabernacle Worship - The Final Countdown

2006-11-01T09:18:00.000Z

It's hard to believe that after a year of planning, Tabernacle Worship is only 8 days away. Please, please do pray about this event as much as you can over the next few days and if you can make it to City Coast Church in Portslade, Brighton, any time over the 48 hour period it would be great to see you there - no need to sign up, simply turn up. More details can be found by following the Tabenacle Worship Link.

Turn My Face

2006-10-20T10:16:00.000+01:00

Martyn Layzell follows up his debut album 'Lost in Wonder' with another album of really spirit filled congregational worship songs. With an amazing focus on the cross, and songs such as 'Turn my face again' and 'I stand in awe' this album is a blessing to the body of Christ and all it's members. It is great for use in church and in small groups and also personal worship. 'Turn my face' is available now from Survivor.co.uk (link opposite).

Chris Tomlin Does it again

2006-10-18T10:28:00.000+01:00

Once again, Chris Tomlin has released an amazingly worshipful album with completely God focused songs that will enrich your heart but more importantly give incredible glory to God. There are a number of songs that you can imagine are going to be used a great deal in churches and at conferences across the globe in the coming year. This is a man with an obvious gift from God and it's great that God is blessing so many people with it. 'See the morning' is certainly an album worth having and using in personal and small/cell/house group worship.

Happy Birthday Wesley Owen

2006-10-11T09:49:00.000+01:00

Wesley Owen Brighton is celebrating it's 1st Birthday with events and special offers in store from 14th - 21st October:

Saturday 14th - Local Band 'Seeker' playing in store 11am

Monday 16th - Children's story time 10:30am & 3pm (with free goodie bag)

Thursday 19th & Friday 20th - Late Night shopping open until 7:30pm

Friday 21st - Psalm Drummers playing from 1pm & Local Artist Olwen Rose will be singing songs from her new album from 3pm.

For more information or for flyers: visit the store or call 01273 719375

Tabernacle Worship Update 2

2006-10-10T14:51:00.000+01:00

This exciting event is getting ever closer - just 4 weeks to go! We are really excited, nearly all of the hours have been filled now and it is so great that so many people have got behind this opportunity to see God glorified non-stop for 48 hours.

We really hope to see you there. Please feel free to come and go as often as you like, no need to book a time, just come as you are before our God and worship Him.

For details and to check out the vision behind this event please make use of the Tabernacle Worship link. Please also pray for this event.

Proskuneo

2006-10-02T11:56:00.000+01:00

Sometimes it's really good to look at Greek words and to understand thier meaning. This word has got to be one of the most intimate words for our word 'worship.' The word worship we have seems to have become so empty, people use it for so many things outside of the worship of God, but what does the word truely mean. Well when you look at this Greek word you get the sense of intimacy, closness & relationship. The actual translation is 'to bow down and kiss the feet of...' Could you get more intimate but yet more reverent than bowing down and kissing someone's feet? So when Jesus says a time will come when you will 'worship' in spirit and in truth, he is saying a time will come when you will reverently bow down and kiss the feet of Jesus, in spirit and in truth. We see a beautiful example of this intimacy when Mary washes Jesus feet in Luke 7:36-38.
May you Proskueno, May you bow down and kiss the feet of Jesus everyday.

Adore

2006-09-29T13:09:00.000+01:00

Sunday 8th October 2006. 5pm-8pm (doors open at 4:15pm) @ K2 Leisure Centre Crawley.
Guest Speaker: Andy Hickford.
Worship Lead by: Matt Redman
Supported by: Shortfall

Tickets £6 if purcahsed before 6th October or £8 on the door. See N:vision website for more details.

Nooma

2006-09-25T09:02:00.000+01:00

I Can't really believe it's taken me this long to review these amazing resources, and I'm sure that it's taken so long that nearly everyone has heard of them by now but just in case you haven't...

Nooma is a great series of DVD talks on major issues faced by young people today. The first 13 that are currently available have been led by Rob Bell (author of Velvet Elvis) and have all been very inspirational.

Although they are marketed to be used for youth small groups etc I strongly believe that they are just as relevant and powerful when used in adult settings. I know one church leader has been using them in his main church meetings as part of the worship and that they have been a blessing to the whole church.

All Nooma DVDs are available at all good Christian book shops or from the Nooma website (link opposite)

Worship central update

2006-09-20T10:20:00.000+01:00

And I've just discovered that if you can't make it to one of the days or weekends then worship central also provide excellent podcasts with great teaching and some really annointed new songs.
The link below should take you straight to where you need to go...

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=163031572

Worship Central

2006-09-14T12:04:00.000+01:00

"Welcome to worshipcentral a new school of worship to train and equip worship leaders, musicians and worshippers."

I Have just come across this initiative and I am really encouraged by the prospect of it.

It seems like such a great idea and useful to all worship leaders and musicians.

Worship Central is run by Tim Hughes of Holy Trinity Brompton and is in partnership with Soul Survivor. They run day conferences where they train up and equip lead worshippers through seminars and main sessions with sound teaching. As well as this they also have worship retreat weekends, all of which seem really worth while. I'm certainly going to aim to go soon.

For more info click on the link opposite.

Useful Resource #3

2006-09-13T11:32:00.000+01:00

Want to discover your Spiritual gifts? Want to know how and where to use them to further God's kingdom? Want to know how the church as a whole could reach it's potential?

With in depth studies of what the Spiritual gifts are and practical tests to provide a snap-shot of what your current gifts are, this book by German Theologian Christian A. Schwarz could be the book for you.

Christian causes you to think about your focus and challenges you to discover your gifts and to make sure that you use them to further God's Kingdom.

This book is just one part of an important ministry called Natural Church Development (NCD) which is all about releasing the potential that God has already implanted in His church-rather than trying to make the church grow in our strength.

For more information log on to: www.ncd-international.org

The Father Heart of God

2006-09-06T09:51:00.000+01:00

15th - 17th September 2006

(Friday 15th - 8pm
Saturday 16th - 9:30am-1:00pm
Sunday 17th - 10:30am & 6:30pm services.)

@ St Luke's Prestonville, Old Shoreham Road, Brighton, Guy Chevreau will be running a weekend conference on 'The Father Heart of God.'
Everyone is welcome to come to some or all of the weekend. There is no charge although an offering will be taken to cover costs.
If you are interested in coming or would like more information please phone St Luke's Church office on 01273 557772 so that we can have an idea of numbers.

What a Book!

2006-08-31T12:06:00.000+01:00

Ok, this is really hard to put into words but I am going to try my best.

This has got to be one of the best, most helpful, most enlightening, most encouraging and exciting books I have ever read (obviously appart from the bible, which is unbeatable).

Those of you who have not come across Rob Bell Yet he is a pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in America, and is also well known for the series of short DVD talks called Nooma (which are also really worth owning).

This particulat book, however, is simply incredable. He writes so clearly and yet so powerfully. There is a great deal of knowledge and life experience in this book and he does cover some very important issues in a very open way and challenges you to even challenge the book if you disagree with anything he says, which is a great and humble outlook to have.

Honestly, I really can't recommend this enough. It is called 'Velvet Elvis' and is published by Zondervan. The covers may vary but they all contain the same book. It is also available on Audio CD narrated by the author himself. Please Buy it, read it and be blessed by it.

Bible Bit # 2 - In Spirit and In Truth

2006-08-31T11:54:00.000+01:00

"...a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans woship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshippers must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

Just let that resinate in your heart for a moment... "in spirit and in truth." Are you worshipping God day by day with all of your heart, with your whole being, your whole life. Are yo worshipping Him in truth, with no false prestenses, or in order to 'look' like a good Christian. God wants and indeed deserves all our worship, all we can give Him which is, all of out hearts and lives. He is an awesome God and is worthy of all our praise - in spirit and in truth!

Tabernacle Worship Update

2006-07-18T14:10:00.000+01:00

Tabernacle WORSHIP is rapidly getting closer which is really exciting but we still have 7 hours left to fill. So are you a worship leader? could you spare an hour in the early hours of the morning on either the 10th or 11th November 2006 to lead others in worship? If so then please contact me as soon as possible on 07860 897001 or e-mail on info@tabernacleworship.co.uk

Useful Resources #1

2006-06-28T16:22:00.000+01:00

Worshipping Trinity by Robin Parry is an amazing resource whether you are a lead worshipper or simply a worshipper this book will challage and inspire you to re-shape your worship. In writing songs, choosing songs, preaching, praying and every day worship Robin reminds us we need to bring back out focus of the godhead three in one.

Father, Spirit, Son are equally worhty of our praise and this resource wil help to make that so in our worship.

I can't commend it enough so please just take my word for it and buy a copy.

Much Less of me Much More of You

2006-06-28T15:57:00.000+01:00

Great, it seems as though we are finally getting the message that we really need to focus less on ourselves and much much more on our maker, the God who is worthy of all praise, whom the stars and the sky and the trees and sea exist to glorify!
Don't get me wrong there is a place for intmate, personal worship songs - but God only 'meets with us,' 'blesses us,' and 'teaches us' by his GRACE.
So we need to continue to shift our focus and remember that God is the one we should be singing about. Father, Spirit and Son!

Useful Resources #2

2006-06-28T12:25:00.000+01:00

There are a number of resources that are great for shifting our focus. For example I am not but I know I AM by Louis Giglio is a great and inspiring book by a great author, but what I really want to recommend is Arriving by Chris Tomlin. His song writing has recently really shifted to focus much more on God and much less on us.

Awesome God

2006-06-27T12:26:00.000+01:00

One thing I can really recommend, as a worshipper, is to look into the universe maybe a bit more broadly than you normally would (assuming, like me you are not an astronomer). The Christian astronomers that I have spoken to have many times said that looking at other planets, solar systems and nebulas etc, can be incredibly awe inspiring. I’ve discovered that you don’t need to know all there is to know about space, which is nice. All you really need to do is to get hold of some pictures and you will be awestruck. The wider creation teaches us a great deal about God’s intricacy. Any closer to the sun we’d burn up, any further away and we would freeze – just one example of how perfect our God is.

Tabernacle Worship

2006-06-27T11:41:00.000+01:00

Tabernacle WORSHIP
48 Hours non-stop, God glorifying worship.
This is a vision I had about 2 years ago when reading 'Audience of One' by Jeremy & Connie Sinnott. I beleive it to be an exciting opportunity to worship God non-stop, to give Him the glory and to seek His face. I strongly beleive that this will give people God's heart for the lost as they seek His will - letting worship be the fuel for missions flame.

I am praying that this will be just a tiny taste of heaven on earth where people are welcome to come and worship as often as they like and for as long as they like.
More information with dates, times, and venue can be found on www.tabernacleworship.co.uk

Bible Bit # 1 - True Worship

2006-06-23T16:02:00.000+01:00

"Therefore I urge your brothers in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship." - Romans 12:1