Dear Friends
We had fun at morning prayer earlier today, for when reading the familiar passage from Philippians, we read:
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
However our reader, was on automatic pilot, and instead read out “every knee shall bow”! – an understandable mistake as clearly the hymn that these verses influenced and shaped, was on her mind.
We reflected together, how hymns continue to be a means by which we can remember scripture, and hold on to precious truths concerning our God. I think I have shared before my childhood memories of my mum singing hymns whilst at the washing up sink. But it’s not just the old hymns that inspire, inform or offer comfort. A new song, 'New Wine', which has been introduced to Brunswick recently, clearly speaks to many regarding hard situations we might currently find ourselves in. Drawing from a number of images found in scripture it offers hope – so much so, that it is going to be used in a while in the funeral we are soon to hold in church of one taken tragically young.
As a choirboy - we used to use a hymnbook entitled 'Hymn’s Ancient and Modern', though most of its contents would now fall in the earlier category! However, may we continue to be blessed with hymns both old and new, allowing God through them to minister to us, whilst seeking to praise Him in return.
In the crushing
In the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil
I now surrender
You are breaking new ground
So I yield to You into Your careful hand
When I trust You I don't need to understand
Make me Your vessel
Make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing
But all You have given me
Jesus bring new wine out of me
'Cause where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
And the Kingdom is here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon
We had fun at morning prayer earlier today, for when reading the familiar passage from Philippians, we read:
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
However our reader, was on automatic pilot, and instead read out “every knee shall bow”! – an understandable mistake as clearly the hymn that these verses influenced and shaped, was on her mind.
We reflected together, how hymns continue to be a means by which we can remember scripture, and hold on to precious truths concerning our God. I think I have shared before my childhood memories of my mum singing hymns whilst at the washing up sink. But it’s not just the old hymns that inspire, inform or offer comfort. A new song, 'New Wine', which has been introduced to Brunswick recently, clearly speaks to many regarding hard situations we might currently find ourselves in. Drawing from a number of images found in scripture it offers hope – so much so, that it is going to be used in a while in the funeral we are soon to hold in church of one taken tragically young.
As a choirboy - we used to use a hymnbook entitled 'Hymn’s Ancient and Modern', though most of its contents would now fall in the earlier category! However, may we continue to be blessed with hymns both old and new, allowing God through them to minister to us, whilst seeking to praise Him in return.
In the crushing
In the pressing
You are making new wine
In the soil
I now surrender
You are breaking new ground
So I yield to You into Your careful hand
When I trust You I don't need to understand
Make me Your vessel
Make me an offering
Make me whatever You want me to be
I came here with nothing
But all You have given me
Jesus bring new wine out of me
'Cause where there is new wine
There is new power
There is new freedom
And the Kingdom is here
I lay down my old flames
To carry Your new fire today
Keep safe
Keep in touch
Keep the faith.
Simon