THANKU BERROW

Just returned from an incredibly enthusiastic crowd who gathered at a 13th Century Anglican Church in Berrow, Somerset. As part of their church celebrations, they invited me with my band to provide an evening of songs and worship. It was wonderful. They listened, sang, laughed and reflected on thoughts of life and God. Thanku to all who came...and made it a memorable evening. They even requested 'Carry The Fire' - a song I haven't sung for well over 10 years..it was very moving as they joined in and seemed to know the tune better than me!!
They were amazed we said yes to a tiny place called Berrow...but I have noticed the appreciation from places that are not saturated with events and concerts to be overwhelmingly wonderful! They really value the visit!

On a different note, the journey home reinforced my dislike of motorway services...after paying a ridiculous amount of money for a hot chocolate...only to be given a cup of hot...still wondering where the chocolate went!

Moving onto the letter N

Well..the time in Geneva and Glasgow went really well. Lots of live music/worship and lots of rehearsing with different musicians...kept me on my toes!! I did the whole trip on Easyjet...and I must confess...the whole system seems to turn people of ALL ages into EASYYOBS...pushing, shoving, queueing....what is it about human beings??? We even gather around the luggage carousal when our luggage isn't coming..blocking everyone else's view!!! I kept wondering how we have all gotten so IMPATIENT.

Today I am off to Nottingham to lead worship at 2 events plus a radio interview, alongside a friend called Liz Babbs, who will provide reflective meditations...

Just heard Annie Lennox is about 2 bring out a new CD...about time!!! She is a very thoughtful lady!!! I like that.

Where Did The Sun Go?

Just returned from leading worship at the Spring Harvest site in France. Beautiful location, great beaches, and a very nice campsite. Had a great team to work alongside...met some good people, helpful teaching, inspiring meetings...wonderful table tennis games......but the only thing missing was the SUN?

Most days we had rain...lots of it....plus it was quite cold! I remember being here last September, the weather was amazing...and so the difference was quite hard to adjust to.

Anyhow...we made the most of it...still went out and explored, spent time reading, eating french pastries..and my friend Steph took these pictures of my fight with the umbrella during a heavy downpour on top of the dunes!!

Day 12/13

The final concert in Kielce was in a school based at a convent of the Sisters of Nazareth. A very new, clean building with around 400 students. We performed concerts all morning to cover the whole school. The older age group was especially attentive,but overall, another great opportunity. The Sister Direktor had her 'Names day' - so it was an extra special occasion for everyone! Lots of sponge cake!

SACRED RHETORIC 1

I was involved in a songwriters consultation this week. We had some great teaching on Psalms and were taken on a journey through the 3 types of Psalms - 'Orientation' (well being, praise), 'Dis-orientation' (lament,confusion,dismay), and 'Re-orientation' (a new perspective).

"The spirituality of the psalms is a spirituality of embrace. An embrace that holds onto God and the world with equal dedication".

Psalms are entrances into another world, portals into reality, revealing God's view of the world. When approaching Psalms we were encouraged to process the following questions. 1.What is our experience? 2. What interpretation does Psalm give to our experience? 3. What is Gods view? 4. What do we need to do to step into new reality?
Sounds very matrix!! But my eyes have been opened. I will write some more later!!

BERLIN SHOUTS

Last Saturday, the Olympic Stadium in Berlin opened its gates to approximately 22,000 people from over 30 nations. Centre stage was not given to the sport of football or the music of rock n roll, but to the Global God who scored the greatest victory through Jesus Christ! Thousands gathered there to worship and pray and make their voices heard within a city that was already crowded with worshippers of a different kind who were simultaneously celebrating at the famous Love Parade.

But what a different sound filled the air above the olympic-ringed temple. Worship leaders, musicians and pastors - known and unknown, german and english, american and hungarian, korean and brazillian - played their part as the programme rolled on throughout the day. They may have been leading the songs which became the prayers of the people; their faces may have been the focus of eyes on the huge video screens, they may have been the industry saints of the contemporary church...but all of that found its rightful place within a much larger symphony.

It was the sound of the people, the street saints of God, encircling the stadium with the passionate notes of salvation that made the ground shake with the promise of Who is to come!

Saturday July 15th 2006 was not really about Saturday July 15th 2006. Most of the faces and features will fade away. But it was a timely moment for people from all over the world to proclaim the ageless message of a Saviour who truly is the only way.

It was great to be a part of it.