breathe

2007-05-11T16:25:00.000+01:00

Recently I've found a new american christian band, they are called Leeland. It's headed up by a young guy who's about 17/18. His lyrics in his songs are really thought provoking. It feels a little like he is telling a story - whilst drawing you in to Jesus. Awesome.
But the reason that I'm writing is to to you about one line in a song, it's called "Carried to the table".
The line that shine out for me and more so now then ever is "and I don't see my brokeness anymore, when I'm seated at the table of the lord"
It is just so true, and I'm finding it really helpful to look past my own brokeness as well as other people's.

You can find leeland on myspace if you're interested.

Peace be with you guys.

2007-04-30T11:07:00.000+01:00

Being a lead worshipper I am lucky enough to lead worship all over the country. A few weeks ago I was leading worship and talking at a conference called celebrate. It's an amazing week packed full of teachings, prayer, worship and fun. The weather was amazing.
We stay at a place called John fowler, and I was staying in an old and slightly damp chalet (like a flat) it was the same one I had been in for the past eight years.
But this year however I picked up a bit of a bug. And from Tuesday evening I lost my voice, I could only manage a mere whisper.
I still had to lead worship for the rest of the week (funny enough one of my talks had mentioned how you don't need to have a voice to lead worship - putting my words to the test)
It came to the next worship session and it was after mass, I'd been praying and drinking so much water in desperation to get some form of voice. But still had nothing, so the worship began and I was struggling, trying to communicate with my band and the people in the worship was tough. Then as it drew to a close the most beautiful thing happened. We were just finishing with a time of silence, and from the back of the room something started to swell, moving forward very quietly.
The people we had just been leading were now leading and ministering to us. The song was rising up and then it just burst open. It nearly blow me off my seat and instead it just filled me with tears - such a beautiful moment.

It proved to me that you don't need a voice or any musical ability - you just have to have a heart to worship and allow God in.

2007-01-29T17:19:00.000Z

I have come across yet another amazing worship resource on the wonderful web - I don't even know how I stumbled across it but it is a true gift.

Its run by Mr.Chris Tomlin - and it is amazing. He goes into detail about songs, goes into worship there is a even a video on technical bits. It's quite a new site so its changing all the time but it is very exciting to watch it grow and also to learn from it.

Please feel top recommend any other sites, or any sites we have featured and bits about them that you find helpful - or even if it is simply a must see.

The link is www.worshipfrequency.com

2007-01-29T16:06:00.000Z

I'm going to share something really very personal, but only because I'm promised God I would. So, picture this I left work late - because I was running behind time for a meeting within my church, I decided not to go to the toilet before hand. Saves time.
Before I know it I have gone past the only petrol station with a toilet and I hit some serious traffic. The desire to go to the toilet wasn't that great at first but it got stronger. Until it reached the point that all I could think about was how much I needed the toliet, the pain was begining to get to me, I had to tense my body to try and dull the pain and the sense that every bump was going to make me wet myself. The worst bit about it was that I found it so funny but couldn't let out a proper laugh for the fear of the consequences. So I sat in pain and asked God where he was in my burning, painful and uncontralable desire to go to the toliet.

The response was so simple which I why I have been telling you the above. The response was your desire to wee was only a drop into the ocean in comparison to my desire to meet with my children. To let them grow in me.

And that was that - I was kind of taken aback for a moment as I partly asked in gest about where he was. Needless to say the moment I reached the loo...it was a great relief. Now imagine how God feels when we whisper those simple words..."Are you there God"

2007-01-25T17:26:00.000Z

Amazing grace...how sweet the sound.

What an amazing song - sung from generation to generation. It was only today that I actually learnt about the author of this amazing classic. It was co written by a man named William Wilberforce and John Newton - too formidable men. Not only were they talented song writers but they fought against slavery within the British Empire. Now there is a film coming out at the end of February - it looks to be really compelling. The theme to the song is sung by Chris Tomlin – truly beautiful.

Have a look at it and find out more at www.amazinggracethemovie.com

If you get the chance to see it I'd love to hear your thoughts too!

2007-01-05T14:20:00.000Z

How many times have you heard the media or anyone for that matter saying Christianity is dead - within 50 years there will be no Christians. I've heard it so many times and not once have I ever believed it - if I did then I would doubt the very being of God, so this tiny little blog (in the words of Jack Black in school of rock) is stick it to the man.
The man being anyone who has ever questioned the ability of Jesus to touch peoples hearts.

On average life span of 70 years 1.5 billion people will take Jesus into their hearts. This works out at 3,000 people every hour somewhere in the world saying yes I believe, breaking it down further 51 people every minute - which works out roughly as 1 person every second opening their hearts and minds to Jesus.

The population of Africa is 800 million (roughly) 410 million are now Christians. In China 4.7 million are baptized each year. The amazing fact is that 400 people each week are baptized.

I could go on - but I think it says enough. Our faith, our beliefs are far from dying - people need to open there eyes to see what is happening. I encourage everyone to pray for the world, be excited that you are part of something big - if you are involved in your church or in any form of ministry then you are adding to building Gods kingdom.

May God bless you all.

2007-01-02T15:21:00.000Z

Whoop, whoop!! The new year has arrived and its the perfect chance for new beginnings. Out with the old and in with whatever this year has to hold. And what better way to start than to plug two events/resources that are either taking place as I type or happening soon.

1# Passion 07 - this is currently taking place in Atlanta America - with loads and loads of young people craving the heart of God, and what a blessing for us they are streaming it online - albeit a little delayed. But still - it gives us the chance to join in with worship, prayer and some great speakers including Chris Tomlin and Mr Matt Redman to name a few. Check it out on at www.268generation.com/passion.

2# Worship Central - Now this is something you can actually attend (and I would recommend it) It happens roughly once every two months in HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton), its a great place to worship, to learn about God and to learn how to lead worship. It's run by Tim Hughes and Al Gordon and each event has a special guest. The next one is 13th January special guests include Ben Cantelon and Mike Pilavachi. Check out the website www.worshipcentral.org.uk.

Hope this year brings you all an amazing and blessed time.

Peace

James

2006-12-18T17:24:00.000Z

Have you ever really, really wanted to be close to God?

My desire to get close to him gets stronger and stronger, but I find myself more and more frustrated in the fact I'm not. I am always trying to do the right thing, to pray, to read the bible and even being a catholic actually recieve Jesus on a sunday. But yet there is still this massive void - what feels like a big, gaping distance between us.

So I've been addressing how can I get closer. Then I was told by more than one person, serve and love people. My reaction was I do love people, to which I was told "No, really, really love them" be in their pain, be a shining light in peoples darkness, to go the extra mile where others wont go - to be in the place of Jesus. By no way is this an easy challenge. But I have thought about it more and I think to start small. Smiling more, taking that extra few minutes to ask how people are really doing and to spare the time to listen.
Also, going the extra mile with regards to serving, simple things like tidying my room on first request, taking my plate through to the kitchen. These things don't come easily for me....

We are called to be the light in the world so lets reflect Gods glory and let the light shine!!

2006-12-14T17:06:00.000Z

I had such an amazing night last night, my niece was in a christmas play. She asked me to come along and see her as a dancing kangeroo. I struggled to see how a kangeroo was in the nativity scene - but as it turned out it was about the true meaning of Christmas and how it is celebrated or not celebrated around the world.

I was really moved when I saw images of children in africa receiving shoe boxes of goodies and the pure joy that was on their faces, I was even more moved when I heard a story about one town who wanted to have a christmas meal but was over run by soldiers preventing them from doing so. I felt so blessed to know that I have a family that I can share the joys of Christmas with, and that people around me in my town have the same choice.

Lets not get too carried away with the receiving and spend some time thinking about the people who are less fortunate than us...
Rejoice in the fact that Jesus was born and have a wonderful christmas. Wherever you may be.

2006-12-13T17:33:00.000Z

"Strength will rise as we wait upon the lord"

I was at the vineyard church on sunday evening for a bit of a breather and some great praise and worship, and we sang the above song. I think it's taken from Chris Tomlins new album. But this line really played round in my head - amongst so many other bits.

As christmas is looming and we are all waiting for the birth of Jesus I think it's really relevant. I'm not totally sure how strength will rise as we wait...but I like the idea. I guess it can help us develop our patience thus making us stronger.

Just an idea that I thought I'd share. As always we'd love to hear what you think - if you are feeling brave perhaps join us in teh forum and we can thrash out some ideas?

2006-11-21T17:24:00.000Z

Well amidst the planning of the next maidenhead breathe, leading worship round the country and learning actually how to lead worship - it's been a busy month.

However, on saturday I was one of 850 people to attend a training day at worship central. It was amazing the teachings are superb - but above all the spirit was the main...man? It was beautiful and amazing to see him moving round touching hearts and inspiring worship. Either from the stillness of silence or the throat aching belting at the top of your voice.

But the bit that I remember so clearly was the prayers for the older generation, the older members of worship. For me it was a really superb thing - I often look at worship as a young thing, always looking for the next yougn leader - and so often in my mind do I disregard the work that the generation before us did....so it was a delight to be able to pray for the older one and may they continue to enrich our worship and give us guidance.

2006-11-09T18:57:00.000Z

I'm not sure if you have heard of him - but there is a priest called father stan fortuna, he's from the bronx in new york, he's a talented musician as well as an amazing speaker. I was just listening to a podcast that he has recorded and this really stood out for me.

Humility isn't thinking little of ourselves, it's thinking of ourselves little.

I often really struggle in finding humilty as I don't deal with praise very well. BUt this little insight has given me an insight into what it is to be humble.

2006-11-06T15:33:00.000Z

I am never one for thinking great things up, but I am however known for hearing things and stealing them, or should I say borrowing them. So my latest revelation is just that. Stolen/Borrowed.

"Worshipping the work of God, not the God of the work"

So, so true. We can become so comsumed by the works of our living God that we forget who is doing them and look to what is happening. Like "the music is really great, powerful". "Look that guy in the wheel chair just got up" etc, etc. But what is actaully amazing is that God is doing it all, loving us and blessing us.

Be wary about worshipping the works of God, and never lose the awe of God. Worship him with your heart, mind and soul.

2006-10-24T18:46:00.000+01:00

"He's a father who loves to parade you..."

I seem to be on a bit of a delirious mission, I can't get enough of their new DVD...And this is a line taken from a song on it. The lyrics for the whole songs are superb - but this line really stood out. It filled me with joy to know that God loves to parade me. All sorts of images came flooding into my head...The pride and joy that God our father has for everyone of us.

In your next moment of prayer sit and think how God loves to parade you, not just you but everyone around you too. I'm sat in my office and the cleaner is making so much noise, breaking things and pictures keep coming flying off the wall. So I looked up as if to say..."Do you mind...I'm trying to write a prayerful blog" and then it came to me. My God loves to parade us all as he is the father to us all....

Take up the challenge, love your brothers and sister - even when they are making lots of noise.

2006-09-22T16:17:00.000+01:00

Fall face down...

I'm not sure if I have ever written a blog on this song or not...But for ages it was my favourite worship song, then it kind of lost its appeal. But I have been listening to it today and it is making my heart beat faster each time!!
The words are superb. The way that it builds up as if your about to explode in the presence of Jesus. I love it.

The words are so simple "I'll fall face down as your glory shines around"

It would be amazing and I can just imagine being thrown to the ground in Gods glory, well that is my initial reaction. But we can be in Gods glory on a daily basis, its just whether we choose to or not.

Have a think about it...Do you want to be in Gods glory everyday? Now is the time you can.

Father I pray that everyone reading this that wants to be in your glory is welcomed by you. Let them see your presence all around them even in the daily things.

2006-09-21T11:22:00.000+01:00

Finally the time has come!!

Worship central - for those of you that don't know it's an event run by Tim Hughes and Al gordon from HTB. It is all about worship - and they cover different aspects and dynamics of worship - its superb, and it's happening this Saturday...you can book to go along here:

If you can't make it then just pray and wait for the review that will follow shortly.

Until then...have a blessed weekend.

2006-09-08T13:27:00.000+01:00

Well today is our ladies birthday - What a lady! Imagine bringing the saviour of the world into this..well world!

I have been lucky enough to meet or listen or work with some very talented people in worship. One of these people has been Mark Beswick - the vocal coach of Take That, Spice girls and lately Jamelia, so I went to a talk by Mark all about singing and vocal coaching. Hopefully I will get time to write the talk up - but while I'm sat here listening to him talking he reminded me of a very special bit...

For you parents out there you may be able to relate to this very well. Others - just try. So Mark said about singing praise to God, no matter how good you are on this earth it is nothing compared to the heavenly choir that God listens to all day.
When we sing praise its a little bit like when a child gives you a painting, you might have to turn it upside down, back to front and move it round and still not quite know what is going on...but its not the actual picture that matters, its the love and attention that has gone into the painting. Its like when a child is in a play...you simply look and say "Arrhhh bless them". That's like what God does with us when we praise. So it doesn't matter about the noise how good we sound - its all about our heart wanting to praise Jesus, to praise God...When I sing, God says "Bless him"...when Tim Hughes sings..."Bless him"

So rest assured God is smiling down on you with Love. So sing your heart out.

2006-08-29T13:14:00.000+01:00

I thought it had been ages since I had last written but it appears otherwise. Which makes me feel slightly better...so its all been very quiet on the breathe front...but its nearly september so say a few prayers - put your ears to the ground or eyes to the sky and listen and watch for what God is going to do with us all...

OK, so my main point of this blog is to get you all to look to the forum. I have had a fair few emails about how to start a breathe, as I am sure you're all aware God vision is for there to be lots of "breathes" so I have/am writing a few bits about how to start it up.

But as always email me with any questions that you have...even if I can't answer them with your permission I'll post them on the forum and see what comes back

2006-08-11T15:25:00.000+01:00

I don't know about you by I always forget how powerful and loving God is? I also always forget that there really are angels.
It says in psalm 91 vs 11 - 12 "God has given his angels orders about you, to guard you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms in case you trip over a stone" - I was sent this as a text message and it brightened my day, but then I heard this story.

A girl was back from uni and was visiting some of her mates, they were just sat around chatting and having a laugh until she realised it was late, so she walked home and as she got so far she began to pray for God's protection, she then reached an alley way and saw a man standing at the end - she again asked for Gods protection and walked down...she walked right past the man. She got home safely, the next day she saw in the local paper that a women had been attacked down the same alley 20 minutes after she had walked down.
She this girl went to the olice station told the police and they got her to point him out in the line up..after she pointed him out the man confessed it all, the only request she had was to ask the man why he hadn't attacked her - his response was the fact that she had two tall men either side of her.

This sent shivvers down my spine and actually made me well up with tears...but how amazing is that. Ask for help and you get angels...superb. So when your feeling scared (and I'm not saying walk down an alley on your own) and God will send his angels!!

2006-07-27T11:41:00.000+01:00

Shane from boyzone...

You may be sat there thinking who is he or why have we posted a picture of him?
Firstly he was in a great boy band called "Boy Zone". But the reason I am writing about him is because last night he taught me an amazing lesson and also inspired me within the moment.

Shane is currently on a reality show called Love Island. Yes, I do watch these kind of funny programmes I find them really interesting - even big brother.
I'm currently working from Leceister and last night I was in my hotel room flicking through the channels. Love Island was on late edition - shane had been picked to go for a romantic walk or something with one of the women. The show had arranged for them to go have have their cards read, so shane went along listened for a little bit and then he challenged the lady in her dark ways, he started talking about how Jesus was his saviour, the women didn't know how to handle him it was so amazing. She then actually asked him to leave so she could talk to the lady - he said sure no worries...but as he left he prayed protection onto her in Jesus' name....What a hero.

It taught me that you really can't tell anything about people by looking at them from the outside, but the important bit was that he wasn't ashamed of his love for Jesus, he also showed he knew the power of God and used it. How many times in my life have I known that Jesus was the answer of protection was needed but I didn't do it because I was worried about how people would view me.

My prayer is for us all to have the faith that shane has showed and to be bold in our views.

2006-07-19T23:25:00.000+01:00

Superman Vs Spiderman

It's the age old arguement, in fact it's one that me a one of my closest friends have all the time. He loves spiderman and I have always loved superman - I used to run around with my pants over my trousers (when I was a boy). But due to his influence I have felt myself moving over to the otehr side....until tonight.

I have just got back from seeing the new superman film and my word it is amazing...
On so many levels - but the reason I feel so complelled to write is because of the similarities to Jesus, I've never noticed it before. I wont go into it too much but the both came to save the world and both keep trying even in the face of adversity, some times people love them and otehr times they are hated...but regardles sof how we treat them - they keep trying to save us.

Perhaps we should try and be more like them...or mainly Jesus and really go that extra mile to show Gods love to his people?

2006-07-03T15:33:00.000+01:00

Songs are such an integral part to worship, although not the only thing that is required. But in this case its about the songs.

I love to learn new songs and hear new songs but sadly I'm not that great at hearing them and even when I have I can never work out the chords or anything. In fact the normal thing is I smile jump about a bit and murmur what I've heard...

But I really want to let people have the chance to share their songs, or their words. I'd love to see the site being used to share music. We can add anything to the music section especially if its songs you have written yourselves.
If your sat there thinking mine isn't good enough then send it anyway - someone else might look at it and play it differently anyway.

If you not a song writer but have lyrics or poems that you'd like to share please feel free to post them in the forum.

Look forward to hearing/ seeing some new songs!

2006-07-03T15:14:00.000+01:00

After getting over the fact that there wasn't going to be a breathe this month I feel I'm ready to write something hopefully inspired. As always with my writing I pray, begin to type and hopefully what comes out is something that God needs in agreement or smiles because I've tried.

This month I feel it's important just to re-iterate what breathe is, it's quite simply a evening run by anyone who has a heart for worship in which everyone is invited. Here endith the lesson?
I've had quite a few people asking me if they could start up more "breathes"...Obviously the answer will always be yes - breathe really is so simple and it's all about worship. Praising God and I suppose as the catch phrase goes - letting you breathe in God and God breathe in you.

Currently there are 8 breathes beginning to take shape round the country, so if you feel complelled to get involved listen to what God says to your heart and go with it.
If your not in this country and still feel like breathe is something your church could do, don't let the boundaries of land get in the way!

It's Gods vision and it's all for his glory. So please keep praying and together we can reach holiness.

2006-07-02T14:20:00.000+01:00

Really sorry to do this at such a last minute but the breathe maidenhead for this month has been cancelled. We shall meet agin in september so watch this space.

As always if you have any questions please email me on breathe@breatheworship.co.uk

2006-06-13T17:41:00.000+01:00

Just a quick note to say that the breathe Southampton has moved...(For this month)

If you require details of the new church please email me at breathe@breatheworship.co.uk

All things will be well.