Worship is the adoration of God; putting him first…just as we ought to do in our lives 24/7. How great has the cost been of political mind-games; inflation of self over the greater good of God’s goodness? A work of grace is the key to everything; grace from our Lord in finding who we are (2 Corinthians 10:13 ‘…confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you.’) and then the grace to use our gifts for His glory, instilling others with their own full measure in the process (read on to 2 Corinthians 10:15-16 to back this up). I guess most of us are familiar with the background of Matt Redmond’s song I’m coming back to the heart of worship (if you don’t then look it up) and for me, that is a great testimony of music and worship being correctly and powerfully aligned which has now transcended beyond the original setting and circumstance it was written for.

Whatever our style or worship, the entire spectrum should be focussed on offering a diversity to meet the needs of the worshipping community and to fully engage them into an intimate experience of the Almighty. I was recently a part of a worship weekend and in the final prayer the minister thanked God that we’d experienced ‘an insight into Heaven’ as we had met together. You know, I’d never thought of our worship and what we can personally offer to God as being as grand or as magnified as that. But with fervent prayer and a desire to see the will and work of God being glorified, I received something of a revelation of what our own heart-offering can produce when those facets are fully realised.

Part of that diversity and engagement for worship means choosing songs that will empower and enrich. As I consider my own taste in music, there is a distinct part of me that will always identify best with well-crafted and uplifting songs – no matter when they were written. I guess that my full-time work in Christian music cannot help but be drawn in that regard; but the recognition for quality is one that goes beyond any music training. But what does quality infer? A danger of ‘musical snobbery’? Perhaps – and something that instantly needs guarding against. Quality in this instance for me means that the words and music transcend beyond the ordinary and become something unique and powerful; it means that no matter where and where we are, either physically or spiritually, our spirits are lifted to a higher place.

The Christian church is gifted with many wonderful writers of this type of worship music I am attempting to describe. It would be against the spirit of what I am writing if I were to put more names into the mix here, but suffice to say that we have much to be thankful for; for the gifts of those who have gone before us as well as those who we are still able to put into verse and notation moments of great inspiration and challenge.

I am a firm believer in the power and gift of music and the arts within worship; they bring to life a wonderful portrayal of the prayer we are trying to pray, the challenge we are facing, the praise we want to offer…and the list could go on and on. For those privileged enough to lead worship, a prayer for personal discernment and a powerful sense of corporate God-centred inspiration would be a gracious way to begin preparation. Our worship needs to be of the highest order; its aim to bring praise to the Lord we love and in doing so, to bring others into an uplifting presence of his majesty and great love.

If we are to ‘sing to the Lord a new song’ as the Psalmist proclaims, then let it be from the heart – and let the truth radiate the glory of the One we sing of.

by Dean Jones

so I am mending my nets.

Jesus wants me to go with him,

and become a Fisher of Men.

He said I could spread his words,

by action and by deeds,

but then he said that a

Prophet is never known in his own time.

I am mending my nets,

joining pieces of nothing

to other pieces of nothing.

Jesus said my job with him

would be the same,

going from one person with no faith,

to another,

and tell them about Faith.

Faith in would could be,

Hope in what isn’t,

Jesus said that these things are important,

but I am a Fisherman,

and if I cannot attract Fish to my nets,

how can I attract men to my words?

So, I will mend my nets,

and hope for better fishing tomorrow.

symbol of purity and hope,

because he returned.

But I, the Raven,

Carrion bird, bringer of death,

was the first released into the new world,

after it had been purged for Man’s wrong doing.

A few sins, revisited a thousand times over,

some mischief, repaid by genocide,

the whole world wiped out,

and you see God as being merciful?

You remember the Dove,

because he returned.

Because I chose a new adventure,

rather than returning to what I already knew,

am forgotten.

Those of us who strive for something different,

Who strike out on our own,

Who travel the untrodden path,

Do not make a good story.

We live in the wilderness,

Rather than seeking to escape it,

We are not remembered.

History does not paint us in bright colours.

But because I signify death, you would rather forget me,

And remember the Dove, a symbol of hope and new life.

You did not remember that Lucifer

Carried the light himself,

Until he sought a new life in the wilderness.

No-one remembers the Raven,

But we are the symbol you cannot forget.

For your boy is not gone.

Don’t Cry Mary,

For I am still in your heart,

as you are in mine.

Silence eats noise,

and pain feeds time,

but just for now,

let them starve.

Don’t Cry Mary,

For my life was only short,

But look at what I did,

With my Father’s guiding hand,

And your love.

Don’t Cry Mary,

For I am not in that cave,

I am no longer on that cross,

I am no longer dying,

But I am more alive

Than I have ever been.

Don’t blame Pontius Pilate,

Don’t blame Judas,

For they were simply pawns

In a bigger game.

Don’t Cry Mary,

For things are as they should be,

And never was anything truer

Than my words.

  An idol built of greed

  My life revolved around the lump

  Amassed, just for my need

  I used to guard it carefully

  And watch it ebb and flow

  Was overjoyed to see it come

  But sad to see it go.

  Charity began at home

  My needs were paramount

  The poor and needy had to wait

  Their poverty didn’t count

  But then I had a change of life

  And I asked Jesus in

  But kept my wallet firmly closed

  My wealth was not a sin.

  Bit by bit, my hardened heart

  Was softened by His love

  And off my greedy, grasping hand

  He took the chain mailed glove  

  Now I tithe and sow my seed

  Into the kingdom field

  A cheerful giver, I’ve become

  And heaven is my yield.

When your treads are wearing low

On that narrow road you’ll slide

With the world, you will collide

Get a grip, digest The Word

Then you’ll fly, just like a bird.

If your battery sadly dies

Then your charge will soon subside

You will fail to to glow and spark

Keeping people in the dark

Get a new one, set ablaze

The harvest field, in these last days.

Steering, brakes and shocks they do

Everything to comfort you

On the path you’ll dodge the flak

Stop in time to thwart attack

And you’ll have an easier ride

With Kingdom Tyres, your perfect guide.

It’s certainly foolproof and pays on the nail

It covers the seasons of plenty and strife

It’s backed by the promise of eternal life.

The eternal salesman will knock at your door

By letting Him enter, your prospects will soar

He’ll leave a memento, a guide to your plan

By quoting you happy, he’ll do all He can.

The catch is quite simple, you follow His rules

To keep you apart from a world full of fools

The payout is treasure, put by up above

Safe from destruction, invested in love.

Friend

You are there when I am under the waters

You are there when my heart suffers

You are there when my mind wanders

You are my friend.

You do not lie when I have mucus in my eye.

You patiently listen to my wailing asking “why?”

You do not get fed up or show your dissatisfaction with a sigh

You are a friend.

When I turn left or turn right you are there

When I am beating against your chest, you leave it bare

When I bend my head in shame, such love is in that glare

You are a friend.

Any time, always, you are there for me

No matter what the situation may be

Help her! Help her!! Those eyes see

You are a friend.

written by Davina Onyeama

In my father’s house there are many lovely things

I, as a child have a right to be there

The riches that are there belong to me

Oh! What a lucky child, that’s me.

My father’s house is full of joy

Peace everlasting, singing forever

The love that is there belongs to me

Oh! What a lucky child, that’s me.

In my father’s house there are rules to follow

Love God is one, Love others, follow

Righteousness is a ground rule to follow

Obedience is important, truth pills to swallow

In my father’s house there are many jobs to do

I, as child, will not be idle, not I.

Every work counts, righteously rewarded

When in faith you serve, my brethren you are sorted.

In my father’s house there are many lovely things

I, as a child have a right to be there

The riches that are there belong to me

Oh! What a lucky child, that’s me.

Written by Davina Onyeama,