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.

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.

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

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"

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!

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.

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

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!!