Song of the Week | Casting Crowns 'A Christmas Offering'

One of my favourite Christmas songs. It sums up everything about the festive season, Him.

Merry Christmas

We hope you have an amazing Christmas Day celebrating Jesus' Birthday!

God Bless you, your family, friends & loved ones this day and always!

Merry Christmas!

The Best of the Rest

We've already taken a look at three of the Avengers, Thor, Iron Man and of course Captain America. As our series of 4 blog posts exploring their relation to Christianity and our Lord draws to a close, we're going to round up by taking a quick pit stop with a few other members of the team.

Dr Hank Pym was one of the founding members of the original Avengers, having gone under various identities with varying powers, including the ability to shrink to the size of an insect (Ant Man) and grow the other way too (Giant Man). Whether the size of an ant or the 12 foot tall Giant Man, we can relate Hank Pym to our relationship with Christ. When you're at church, praising the Lord, up close and personal it's fantastic, you feel his love, his warmth, his grace. However even when you are ultra busy, maybe with work, family life, we often seem to struggle, but with the smallest prayer, a few words to Jesus, it makes everything better. We can also look at it with what size you are feeling. People often get depressed saying that they feel really small, down in the dumps. If that's the case, or whether you feel 100 feet tall and elated, God loves you all the same, regardless.

Janet van Dyne, otherwise known as Wasp was also a founding member. She was often looked at as the weak link yet eventually became seen as one of the smartest members. Jesus' mother Mary was also one of the founding members! People called her all sorts of names when they knew she was pregnant, but she was so strong and after everything she went through was able to stand at the foot of the cross and say goodbye to her son.

Hawkeye was the 'world's greatest marksman' but when joining The Avengers he pretty much immediately clashes with Captain America, rebelling against his authority. Eventually they learn to get along, The Cap forgives him and everything is good. The obvious person to relate this to is Judas who betrays Jesus, yet our Lord forgives him for what he has done. Thomas doubts Jesus throughout the Bible and Peter denies that he ever knew him. Sometimes we can take the wrong steps, sometimes we mess up, but with, through and in Jesus we will be saved.

The list is endless, there have been so many characters dip in and out of the Avengers. They have so many characteristics, so many different powers and abilities. As fun and exciting as they are (and as much as I am ridiculously excited about my Steelbook Captain America Blu Ray from my wife for Christmas!) we must remember that they are purely fictional. Jesus is real. He is the light of the world, has the best abilities, and really can save your life. He is the true superhero. There are so many awesome and amazing, colourful and creative fictional superheroes, but remember Jesus - he rose!

Song of the Week | MercyMe 'What Child Is This?'

A fantastic cover of an amazing song! Let MercyMe put a little modern twist on this classic.

The Nativity

Today our friends at house group met up for a 'Christmas Day'. Unfortunately we couldn't make it due to prior commitments but I wanted to share this with them (and you all too!)

It's the Nativity, but a digital version for our modern world. I hope you enjoy it. I particularly like the part where the wise men 'follow' the star :)

The Hammer & The Rock

We're into the third week of our look at The Avengers and Christianity. This week we're taking a look at Thor.

Stan Lee, creator of Thor once asked himself, how do you make someone stronger than the strongest human? His answer, don't make him a human, make him a God. Thor is not immortal, unlike our Lord. Whilst Thor is physically stronger than any human, our Lord Jesus is stronger perhaps not physically but spiritually and mentally. Whilst we could say that he was weak, hanging on a cross, demoralised, beaten, Jesus took the entire world's sin on his shoulders and then returned from the dead. How strong is that!?!

If we look back at Thor's origins, his father Odin decided that his son needed to be taught humility and so placed him in the body of a partially disabled medical student without any memory of his godhood. So in a nutshell, a father placed a son on our earth for a reason. Where have we heard that before?

He eventually found Thor's hammer, the Mjolnir, struck it against a rock and transformed into the thunder God. Thor's hammer is a massive part of the character but what do we see similar in the bible? Well of course we have the hammer than nails Jesus to the cross, that pierces the skin of the limbs of Jesus Christ. On the flip side hammers were also used for good. Remember the man who built his house on the rock rather than the sand, he'd have needed a hammer! Our superhero struck his hammer into a rock to become the thunder God - Jesus is our rock.

He came to break the chains, to free us. Our Lord completely defeated death, his enduring love is stronger than any weapon, any destructive force. How will you use your hammer?

Next time...the rest of 'em!

Song of the Week | Third Day 'Do You Hear What I Hear?'

Less than 2 weeks 'til the day! Celebrate His name!

The Stark Truth

Continuing our look at The Avengers and how they relate to Christianity in our modern world, this week we focus on Iron Man.


Yes, Tony Stark himself. Brilliantly portrayed on the Silver screen by Robert Downey Jr and with bags of origin behind the character! In the first movie we see our hero kidnapped and thrown into a cave by the 'bad guys'. A few days later he emerges and escapes! Haven't we heard something similar somewhere before?


We see Tony Stark as the figure head of a global company, Jesus is the head of the entire world. Tony Stark is a billionaire who makes weapons whilst Jesus is the leader of billions who brings peace. Tony Stark is no stranger to standing up and being heard, nor was Jesus, how many people did he spread the good word to, not just through his voice, but through those of his disciples and more! Later in his story Iron Man can heal, we know the stories of Jesus healing. Tony Stark does though change his ways and try to create a change in the world through Iron man. Our Lord brought the biggest change to our world - his being, his dying for us.

We must explore whether the actions of Iron Man are justified though? We read in the Bible about 'an eye for an eye'. Is that what he is doing? Using weaponry and violence to indeed fight weaponry and violence? Is he correct for trying to right the wrongs of his past and seek redemption? Jesus Christ didn't use violence and look at what he achieved in this world!

Jesus is the real "Iron Man" it says in Revelation 19:15:


A sharp sword comes out of his mouth to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod and crush the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.


Finally, the electro-magnet that Iron Man puts into his chest to keep metal fragments working their way into his heart and ultimately killing him is much like the love of Jesus. The fact that He was nailed to a cross and took away our sins is much like him being that electro-magnet holding back sin from harming us! Amazing ey!?


Next time...Thor.

Song of the Week | Jars of Clay 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen'

It's December, so prepare for some awesome Christmas songs by some of your favourite Christian artists! Let us start with Jars of Clay...

The First Avenger

Note: I wanted to look at popular modern day culture for different examples of our Lord in the world we live in today that I see. I hope you see them too and can take these examples and let the Lord embrace your life!

We've had an awesome year of films. From independent gems to big screen Hollywood blockbusters. One of these was the continuation of the Marvel series of films and during summer they introduced Captain America to the big screen.

Captain America, whilst being called the first Avenger, was not actually part of the original line up. The Team found him in the fourth comic and from there, he became the leader of the team. His name is Steve Rogers, just a normal name, for a normal man. He has no superhuman powers but was turned into a 'perfect human specimen' due to the Super Solider Serum. No longer a frail man he becomes the icon, the leader, the one that is looked up to and leads the way. Not to the pleasing of everyone though, even members of his own team had doubts about him! Sound familiar?

Jesus was born in a simple stable but was destined for massive things from the start. He was and is the son of our God and his purpose in life was to bring people to God, the only way was through him! He is the leader, people follow, people listen to his word. He was frail, he was beaten and nailed to a cross. He was the perfect human specimen without having to go into a lab and be injected with special serums. Jesus wasn't and still isn't believed in by everyone, and even his disciples turned on him!

The Cap was also lost and frozen alive during a war. He was eventually found after years of searching however everything had changed. The same for Jesus, he died, and came back! Everything had changed then too, as he came back, defeating death to save us all from sin, preparing a place in heaven so that we can have eternal life.

Finally, take a look at what Captain America uses to protect the word with, a shield. His iconic shield is made of strong stuff and is indestructible. Jesus' love for us is indestructible and covers us, protects us from all things bad, from sin. He died for us and his sacrifice created a massive shield that we carry with us every day! Captain America's shield even has a massive star in the middle of it! He literally shines like a star just like our Lord. Do the same.

Next time...Iron Man.

Song of the Week | Phatfish 'And Can It Be'

Died He for me who caused His pain - he really did, he died for each and every one of us!

Song of the Week | Kari Jobe 'We Are'

We are the light of the world - shine!

Expand

It's true that quite often your day can turn itself into a decent blog post, he's one for you.

Today I finally cracked on with something that's been waiting to be sorted out since we moved into our house! I got the can of expanding foam out the shed (way at the back of the shed!) and started (without reading the instructions of course) the job at hand of getting rid of the gap under our front door. I am no good at DIY. I'm below average, holding onto the bottom rung of the DIY ladder.

The outcome today looks OK and I'm sure it will help to keep the draft out. The amount that I got on the carpet, and on the door, and on myself, I can vouch that it 'expands more than you think' like it states on the can! Nightmare! Make sure when you are filling your gaps you do it with the help of and for the Lord. Our house is built with bricks and mortar, but the gaps that were letting the cold in, now have been filled with God's protection to keep us warm and dry!

I know that the love of our God can expand even more than that stuff I used today, help it expand!

Song of the Week | Matthew West 'Strong Enough'

Through God, with God, in God - we are all strong enough.

MikesChair Interview

Hello Mike Grayson from MikesChair. How are you doing? How’s 2011 going so far?

2011 has been an amazing year so far! We put out a new record this year and have been traveling all over America.

If people don’t know MikesChair, how would you describe yourself?

We are a group of guys who are passionate about writing music that conveys the heart of God. We don't do what we do to be rock stars, we consider ourselves a ministry. We have a ton of fun and are blessed to get to do what we do.

How was the band & the name of the band created?

It all began one night when Grayson was writing a song with a friend and Jesse Hale, a Tyler, Texas native who lived across the hall, asked if he could bring his violin and join in. The group slowly expanded as Sam Tinnesz heard Hale and Grayson recording a tune they’d written and soon joined in. Tinnesz is an Air Force brat, who had been living in Atlanta before moving to Music City. Grayson, who grew up in Orlando, was the only member who lived on a different floor at Belmont, but he could always be found hanging out, making music in his friend’s room. The guys in the band went out and got a chair for Mike and the rest as they say is history.

You're perhaps most well known recently for the 'Someone Worth Dying For'. What's the story behind the track?

This song was in part inspired by a quote I read from C.S. Lewis that says "Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for, to make them worth it."  There is nothing in us that deserves what Christ did for us, but he established our worth the day he chose to die for us on the cross.  I dont know about you, but I need that reminder almost daily.

If you had to pick your favourite track of your own, which would you pick?

Thats like asking me to pick my favorite child.  I like them all for different reasons otherwise they wouldn't be on the record. :)

What message do you want to give through your music?

Our goal is to hopefully draw people into the presence of God so that they can encounter a very real God who is alive and loves them.

Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?

I started out singing in a boys choir and then by the age of 12 starting playing guitar and writing music. I have always had a passion for music

Where do you find influences?

Everywhere, the Bible, my friends, stories, fans.... etc

How do you write music, how does the process work?

It's different everytime. Sometimes a song starts with a melody while other times it starts with a lyric.  Thats what I love about songwriting, there is no formula

Who would you love to perform with, past or present?

DC Talk love thos guys. Delirious, I would have LOVED to play with them.


What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?

We have loved playing with artists like, Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Britt Nicole, Building 429, Sanctus Real, Fireflight, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North...... man there are so many!

What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?

I am currently listening to the new Coldplay record.

God's Earth is a huge place, where have you most enjoyed visiting, what cultures have you embraced?

I have loved visiting the west coast here in the USA. I have also loved going to Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. We as a band have gone on a mission trip together out of the country for the last 3 years. We love getting to experience different cultures.

Best live performance you’ve played?

One of them was playing at the Dove Awards last year.

What do you miss the most when you’re on the road touring?

My BED!

Any plans to play the UK?

Not yet, but we would love to.

How does it feel to be in a position to inspire so many people, including young people to turn their lives to Christ?

It is such an honour. I never thought I would be in this position and am so humble that God is using me in this way.

If MikesChair was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?

Not sure, I dont really eat Jelly beans haha.

Some quick fire questions:


Tea or coffee?

Tea

Summer or winter?

Summer

Superman or Batman?

Batman

Mac or PC?

MAC!

Bread or Wine?

Bread

Favourite passage from the Bible?

1 Cor. 13

What’s coming up in 2012 and next on the agenda for MikesChair?

We are hitting the road!

And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?

The love of God is unconditional! No matter what you have done, He is there with arms wide open.


Thanks Mike, have a blessed day!

Song of the Week | MikesChair 'Someone Worth Dying For'

Faith is a tricky thing really. It's hard to keep faith constantly, 100% of the time, always. Even the best minister, the clearest of church speakers or the holiest of worship leaders have times where their faith wavers.

If you ever feel down, if you trust in our Lord starts to drop, if you feel worthless, remember, Jesus died for you! Yes, you! You are worth everything.

Past & Present

As we come up to our first year's anniversary of crossreferences.co.uk I thought i'd give you all quick links to the interviews we have conducted over the past 12 months (and what a 12 months it's been!)

As always we are on the look out for more bands and artists to interview for the site so if you are part of a Christian music band, please contact us!

Philippa Hanna
Superhero
Sanctus Real
Roo Walker
Phatfish
Meredith Andrews
Sonicflood
Juan Devevo from Casting Crowns
BeBe Vox
Janne Marie
Rob Halligan
Sidewalk Prophets
Chip Kendall
Above The Golden State
GoldDigger
LifeGiver Band

We hope to bring you lots more over the next 12 months & into our future. Blessings.

Weight of the World

We may often feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders, stressed out beyond belief, with work, household chores, social commitments, being a parent, being a teenager, being a person. We can though, take comfort in being free. We live in this world that has free will. The majority of us we can wander the streets when we want, nip to the shops for a load of bread, do what we like within the law of our land. That is a fortunate position to be in. Imagine not being able to do that?

Imagine being captured, held against your will because of who you are? Having a crown of thorns stuck in your head, being whipped, physically whipped so that you skin splits, being mocked, having your hands and feet pierced with nails which ultimately pin you to a cross, pin you to the place you will die. Torture, beyond any fragment of imagination that we can think of. Now, with all of that, imagine that you are carrying the world's sin, not just your own, not just for today, not just for the years leading up to now, but forever. Now that is the weight of the world.

We are lucky enough to have been forgiven our sin because Jesus died on that cross for us. Appreciate it, thank him for it, he died for all of us, he died for you! When you get stressed at work, when you're ultra-busy, perhaps you are struggling with something personally and it feels so overwhelming and unbearable. Maybe you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, your responsibilities are huge and you aren't sure what to do? Remember Him, remember his pain and suffering. If he can set the world free from sin, imagine what you can do!

Song of the Week | Jamie Grace (ft tobyMac) 'Hold Me'

Join us in a sing song and put some light into this day. Celebrate how he holds you, celebrate the Lord!

Song of the Week | Brandon Heath 'The Light In Me'

An absolutely beautiful song from Brandon Heath is this week's song of the week.
Feel God's love for you.

Courageous

As I did a little research into the band that brought me to Christ, Casting Crowns, I discovered that the first song taken from their new album, entitled 'Courageous' is actually inspired by a movie of the same name.

I hit YouTube & found the trailer and it really spoke to me, to the man I am, the husband I've become & the future father I will hopefully some day be.

It is a story about American police men, they work together as law enforcers but their lives are not complete. A tragedy awakens them to want more from their lives, to step up, to be the men they should be, to raise their children in a God-honouring way.

One of the lines from the trailer is 'I didn't start well, I want to end well' - my children aren't on the scene yet, but when they appear, when we decide the time is right, I want to be there from the start, being the father they deserve. One of the characters is made redundant, I wonder how many people out there in this 'economic climate' can relate to that, but he says that he feels 'like a rich man' because he knows God.

There is also a massive question in the trailer 'I want to know what God expects of me?'. Try to stop that from getting you thinking - I think that's a whole other blog post though.

Men of the world, let me ask you - What will it take for you to be awakened? To answer your calling? To be the head of the family that your family deserves?

Where are you men of courage? I believe that not every father, but every man should step up & answer the call. Join me, do what I've done, and say I will! Yes it will take courage, but we are courageous!

The F Word

I'm sat here watching the amazing Eddie Izzard asking the UK, Didn't We Fix Famine?

We all know about Band Aid & Bob Geldof saying 'never again'. The world thought it would be never again, we never thought we would be in the position once more. But you can see, technology these days allows us to see when a drought is imminent. The world watched a crisis unfold. Why was nothing done about it?

The crisis that is currently happening in Somalia is the first famine in perhaps a generation. Ask children, they probably have never seen these sort of imagery on live news before, I wouldn't want them to see it. Over 30,000 children have died in 3 months. Think of all those eyes, those laughs, those hearts, just because they don;'t have enough food. I sat with tears rolling down my face as a mother had to decide which one of her two children was to be given treatment and which wasn't, so basically she had to make a decision about which child would die. No mother should have to ever make that choice.

We're obsessed with our own image, with going on diets. These kids have no choice but to look thin. Buy what you need, not what you want. I know as well as anybody that our 'economic climate' at the moment is poor, it's not really improving and people are struggling. But the majority of us are still having 3 square meals a day, i'm sat on my netbook! These kids have never seen rain, never mind a computer screen!

Enriched peanut butter (£20 keeps 4 children going on this paste for 4 weeks!) is saving lives. It's not perfect, but this paste is keeping people alive. It's not a perfect ending, but less have died than could have because of aid funding, but children are still dying. Everyone should have the chance to live.

I urge you, just as we do (we sponsor 2 children but we're not perfect, we could probably do more) to give what you can. As always celebrities have put their voices behind this campaign, check out the video below.

Song of the Week | Shawn McDonald 'Rise'

This song really makes me want to worship, praise his name, sings hallelujahs.
Make this the anthem of your week as Shawn McDonald gives you another beautiful song.

Song of the Week | Aaron Shust 'My Hope Is In You'

We've been listening to this track all weekend, let me know what you think of it.

The Apple

On the day where the world lost one of it's most creative individuals in the form of Steve Jobs (RIP), I thought it would be a good opportunity to look at the apple in the bible.

We know the story in Genesis 3, the serpent tempts Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge by telling her she will be more like God if she does. The chapter is even titled The Fall as that is exactly what it is, the fall of man. All because of the devil and the fruit, the apple. It was good, pleasing to the eye, tasted incredible, however it made them realise their nakedness and ultimately they went against God's word.

Other mentions of the apple in the Bible include:

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. - 1 Kings 4, 33


Who is this coming up from the wilderness Leaning on her beloved? Beneath the apple tree I awakened you; There your mother was in labor with you, There she was in labor and gave you birth. - 1 Kings 4:33


The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree--all the trees of the field--are dried up. Surely the joy of mankind is withered away. - Joel 1:12


Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. - Proverbs 25:11


The world sees the the apple in a positive way, it's popular due to it's beauty, fragrance, and ability to produce an abundance of fruit. I see the fruit, the apple as not only an awesome mid morning snack but as each one of us, loads of different shapes, sizes, varieties, but each with a strong core, a core which is the Lord.

I hope that Steve stepping down as chairman of a multi-billion global company a few months ago to concentrate on his fight to get better allowed him time to find God or strengthen his faith with the Lord before he passed (I am unsure if he had a faith or not).

I hope the Apple did not get in the way.

Song of the Week | Switchfoot 'Dark Horses'

This is the first single taken from Switchfoot's new album 'Visa Verses'.

What a song it is! Get involved guys & girls.

The disciples were nobodies...

There's so much pressure out there in this world, to hit targets, make grades, earn cash, be somebody. But if we look at the 12 disciples who Jesus chose to follow him, to spread his word, they were nobodies. People who weren't looked at as high in society, those who were looked down upon, fishermen.

We are all fishermen, disciples. We aren't kings, no one on this earth is better than anybody else regardless of sex, race, anything. Respect one another, don't shoot each other down, offer a hand, a hug.

The only one of the chosen twelve that was looked at a 'worthy' was Judas. And look what happened with him.


But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

Remember, we are all equal, we have nothing above or beyond anyone else, we are all talented, worthy, individual, unique. Don't let anybody speak over you, put you down, walk all over you. Don't boast about worldly goods, about yourself. Everything here is borrowed. It doesn't matter what college course you've done, what car you drive, what house you live in, how much money you have. We all come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing. But there is more than that. Jesus loves you, he picks you to believe in him and enter his kingdom after this world.

Song of the Week | MercyMe 'The Generous Mr Lovewell'

As promised, here's the song by MercyMe that I wanted you to hear, to go out into the world & change it any way you possibly can.

You Are Here...

After just getting back from our Youth weekend away at an awesome venue up in the dales, we're hyped, exhausted but hyped at the presence of God that we felt over the weekend. From canoeing on the lake (soaking each other with sponges!) and a roaring campfire complete with a sing-song to sharing meals together, nighttime walks & competing in archery teams trying to shoot balloons, it was an amazing weekend!

The leaders based the weekend around what you take on a journey, like the things we were doing at the weekend - walking, climbing, other activities. Each leader undertook a session, about 5 minutes which resulted in a card (which all hung on a carabiner) being given out with whatever that leader thought summed up that talk. For instance, the on one side of the card there was a map and the reading from Proverbs 3 v 6: 


'In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.'

On the reverse it asked some questions - Where am I? Where am I going? What's the purpose of my journey? Other cards included a torch, an alarm clock & a helmet before the last card given out during the last few minutes of weekend fellowship was a pair of walking boots & a reading from Matthew 28 v 19:

'Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Lord.'

The last two questions were What will you do with God's word? & How can you change the world?


It got me thinking, as I didn't actually do a five minute talk or anything (purely there on a technical basis) I wondered what I would pick, what I would talk about, what would be on my card? The symbol on the front of my card would be of clothes.

On a journey, as we found out when we all got drenched in the lake, you need a change of clothes. In relation to our journey with God, we need change. Not only an initial change to let God into your life, but to help change other people's lives, to share our knowledge of Jesus & impact the biggest of all changes on this world.

I would also have the song title by a band called MercyMe (I will post this as our song of the week tomorrow) which is about changing, doing little things just to make others feel better about themselves, to change the world one good act at a time. On the reverse of my card I would have put this quote from the film (I'm a big movie geek) Evan Almighty:

God: How do we change the world?
Evan Baxter: One single act of random kindness at a time.
God: [spoken while writing A-R-K on ground with a stick] One Act, of, Random, Kindness. 

So there we are, there's my card. Look forward & make sure you listen to the song of the week tomorrow & as it says in our pack of cards, a couple of readings for reference:

'Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.' - James 4 v 14 


'Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.' - 1 Timothy 4 v 12

Matthew 9 14-17

A little later John's followers approached, asking, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees rigorously discipline body and spirit by fasting, but your followers don't?"

Jesus told them, "When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is Kingdom Come!"

He went on, "No one cuts up a fine silk scarf to patch old work clothes; you want fabrics that match. And you don't put your wine in cracked bottles." Matthew 9.14-17

Song of the Week | Steven Curtis Chapman 'Do Everything'

Steven Curtis Chapman returns with new album Re:Creation. This song is currently dominating in the Christian Billboard charts and you will love it!

LifeGiver Band Interview

Hello LifeGiver Band. How are you doing? Where are you currently?

We are VERY BLESSED, currently In Winston Salem, North Carolina where we reside.

How's 2011 going thus far?

Wonderful we have grown a lot and God has used us to impact many lives !!!

If people don't know LifeGiver Band, how would you describe yourself?

Josh- Epic! We're very unique because we don't stick to one genre of music. From funk to hard rock, LifeGiver is very diverse.

When did you give your life to God and what made your life turn in God's
direction?

Stuart - I accepted Christ when I was 4 years old. I just knew that I loved God, and I wanted to live with Him forever in heaven!

Ben- 2 yrs ago, I was Rock bottom after years of drugs and alcohol, misdiagnosed bi-polar and on all the medication for it. That stuff made me crazy, I wasn't even myself. Then after contemplating suicide, my wife handed me a book, it was about Gods promises and I went to church that Sun and gave my life to God …been playing for his glory ever since.

Josh- I've been raised in a Christian home my entire life. God has just always been a part of my life. There have been times where I've lived knowing God was there, but not really pursuing Him and what He has for me. But now I believe I'm closer to God than I've ever been before.

Will-I've always known I was Gods child for as long as I can remember. However, I had a very real encounter with our God on a Sunday night before my first day of high school. After that my relationship and walk with him has never been the same and without limits.. Our God has no boundaries and his love is eternal!!

You state you are a ministry then a band, care to elaborate?

Ben- We don't go in with the forefront thought of playing “our” show, actually there is no “show” involved, we are all real when we praise, yeah we jump around and play solo's but look at what God has done ya know ?? We abide by the spirit while leading praise and worship. If we are lead to lay hands and pray we do, if we are led to stop the music for silent worship, well then so be it. We want to minister to the lost and not just sell records ….

If you had to pick your favorite track of your own, which would you pick?

Stuart- I would have to say... “My song”.

Ben- Tough call, it will always vary. Whichever one is tearing down walls and breaking folks out of bondage that night is my favorite!!

Will- “the Battle” we are still ironing that one out but I it is my favorite so far.

Josh-“Giving it Back”, Ben's solo in that song gives me goose bumps every time.

What message do you want to give through your music?

GOD LOVES YOU and that Jesus is epic and everyone should live to glorify Him!!!!!

Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?

Ben-I remember as a kid putting on “concerts” along with my brother Will and friends on the back porch for all the adults while they had cookouts during the summer hahaha … I guess some of my earliest memories are music.. But I didn't play an instrument until 6th grade. I took violin then Stuart- My father is a worship leader, so I grew up watching him, and listening to music my whole life!

Josh-I got a drum set when I was 11 years old for Christmas. Haven't stopped playing since.

Will-My Mom bought me a Saturday night live guitar (whatever that is) it looked like a black fender Stratocaster with a white pick guard. I never really played it but I banged around on it for a while.. I don’t even think I ever had it in tune, or cared for that matter.. Then through middle school I started to play a little more because I had an interest in music. I played a few different instruments throughout middle school.. by the time I was in high school I was in the metal scene and played music all the time with friends from school. I was in a few bands that played in basements and small venues around Winston-Salem. I've always known that God was going to use me and my guitar for his glory. I had many confirmations about that as well as the desire to do so before in the past. Here I am with my Family LifeGiver. Again, God is good!!

Where do you find influences?

We just keep our eyes open and watch the world and find inspiration in God’s word.

How do you write music, how does the process work?

Ben – lately It all starts at my desk, in worship or meditation. I will be influenced by recent sounds from artist and just let go and play whatever comes out. I let the Holy Spirit just flow through me in submission. I can sense the new songs/riffs days prior to me sitting down to play it out. Of course I record it, then go back and polish and further arrange it. Upload it to our server and sent out a text that some new stuff is up. Usually April will have been brewing up some lyrics ad 9 times out of 10 they will fit brilliantly. Sometimes she will email me a riff to build on like with our song “changed “ that intro riff is all her, she can speak guitar !! Josh has also been known to do that like in Got to Praise that’s his intro riff I'm playing.

Who would you love to perform with, past or present?

Ben- David Gilmore, Umphreys Mcgee, Duane Allman

Stuart- I would love to play music with Eric Clapton. He has so much passion for music, you can "feel" it in his music!

Josh-   Good question! I'm not sure. There are a lot of bands out there.

Will- Sanctus Real, Third Day, Casting Crowns, David Crowder, As I Lay Dying

What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?

Stuart- A City Under Seige, and Bloodline Severd.

Ben-Im going to have to give that to Young Timothy, A City Under Siege and Bring the Arsenal,
Bloodline Severed. All of them are ALL about God man!!!

Will- A city under siege

Josh-  I haven't played live with LifeGiver long enough to decide.

What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?

Josh- Saturate by LifeGiver.

Ben- Circa Survive and Umphreys Mcgee, Pink Floyd

Stuart- I'm listening to a bunch of different stuff, ranging from Lifegiver all the way to AC/DC

April- Joss Stone

Will- epic metal in general

Who do you think is going to sum up the sound of 2011?

Stuart- I hate to say it, but probably Lady GAGA

Ben- for Christian music honestly here in the US the same ol same ol CCM sound…. But I do see an uprising of kids who are hungry for a “new” sound…but mainstream? Well I don’t listen to mainstream music much….. for me though bands like The Foster People, Black Keys, London Souls and Bright Light Social Hour are way rad and killing it.

Josh- Jesus.

God's Earth is a huge place, where have you most enjoyed visiting, what cultures have you embraced?

Josh-I love Jamaica. I recently got back from a missions trip there.

Stuart-I was in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed in Germany. I went all over, but my favorite city was London, England! It was awesome!

Best live performance you've played?

Ben-Tough to gauge, id say the time 25 or so people got filled with the Holy Ghost and got their prayer language!! There were all types of people being set free that night and we played for over two hours, worshiped for about an hour and a half and never sang the first word. Gods presence was so thick that we didn't have to!!

What do you miss the most when you're on the road touring?

Family.

Any plans to play the UK?

I think that would be pretty sweet, yeah.

How has the Christian music scene changed since you've been part of it?

Josh-I think we are bringing a totally different style of music to Christian music.

Ben- Mainstream, None at all, and that's my frustration….. I never listened to it before cause I found it to pop and U2 sounding, I've looked back and that's been going on here for almost 15yrs here in the U.S !!! It's time for a change man…….

Stuart- It has done a total 180 since I started listening, but I love where it's going!!!

How does it feel to be in a position to inspire so many people, including young people to turn their lives to Christ?

Josh-It feels epic! When playing either at church or with LifeGiver, I love looking out into the crowd and seeing people in the presence of God. It's epic awesome.

Ben-Privileged and Humbling

Stuart-It is a honor, and a priviledge to serve the Lord!

Will-I dont think there is a better feeling, doing what the father has called you to do gives you peace like no other!

If LifeGiver Band was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?

A handful of them, just all mixed together for that sweet, sweet concoction of sugary goodness.

Some quick fire questions:


Tea or coffee?

Coffee for sure.

Summer or winter?

Fall.

Superman or Batman?

Everyone except Stuart says Batman, we’ve tried to show him the error of his but he’s stubborn :/

Mac or PC?

PC

Bread or Wine?

Is this a trick question?

Favorite passage from the Bible?

Anything between Genesis and Revelation…..seriously.

What's coming up in 2011 and next on the agenda for LifeGiver Band?

Big things for us, Were have been asked to play at some local festivals, A showcase for regional acts at the Charlotte Music awards, and get into the studio FINALLY.

And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?

I [Josh] cannot describe how awesome the love of God is. And when I cannot describe something so awesome I use the word epic. God's love is epic, or as Will might say, “legendary epic.”

Ben- Like a hurricane that's never ending.

Stuart-His love never endes, never changes, and most of all, His love is always there! No matter what you've done, doing, or will do, HE STILL LOVES YOU!!!!!!

Thanks LifeGiver Band, keep doing what you're doing! Blessings.

Song of the Week | The Afters 'Lift Me Up'

How true how our Lord lifts us up. In times of trouble, in times of weakness and when we do wrong, we know our God is there to lift us up. Enjoy this official music video from The Afters.

10 years on

Where were you? Everyone who is old enough to remember the visions of those planes smashing into those buildings knows exactly where they were when it happened. It's scary that I was a 15 year old, sorting out the papers for my paper round, watching the events unfold, and I now have 2 nieces that weren't even born, I have the love of my life who I hadn't even met and she's now my wife. Time moves fast, but some things stay with you. That feeling on the day that perhaps changed the world that we know it, that pushed the idea of terrorism into the mainstream.


Of course I am talking about 9/11. Since then yes there has been wars going on, other terror attacks, even films made, but that was perhaps the catalyst of the world we now know. I wanted to, on this landmark anniversary of the attacks, look at what the Bible says about terrorism. Here are some verses:


There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. - Proverbs 6:16-19


Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:19-21

Song of the Week | Soul Survivor 'Our God'

Never a truer word said!

Song of the Week | Casting Crowns 'Courageous'

This is the first single to be taken from the new album by Casting Crowns. 'Come To The Well' is released in October this year and Courageous speaks about just how we should be in this world, His world. Get inspired, sing your heart out!

Moving Forward With God

Yesterday our friends moved house. From the place he first helped her move into 7 years ago, where they got engaged, married and brought not one but two children back from the hospital to. Great memories, but a new chapter of their lives has begun. Granted they are only a few minutes away from the old house, it got me thinking about how our lives do move on, our present becomes past and we head into our future.


God told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you." - Genesis 12:1 (The Message)

God told Abram at the start of Genesis 12 to leave everything he knew for a place that He would guide him to. That's a massive decision to make, to trust in the Lord to show you the way and trust that he will provide. Fair enough, these days we have masses of paperwork, surveys, immense pressure of bidding, packing and moving but often we do not think about the Lord guiding our way.

Our friends always had an open door policy in the old house, a brew would always be on and the cake tin at the ready. I am sure the policy moves on with them (I hope so anyway, the homemade cakes are amazing!) but it's more than that. This house is slightly bigger, with room for a big table in the kitchen where we can have our house group meetings. So even now, in the simplest ways, God does provide. I know God will bless their new home & I hope they make many happy memories there.

Trust God's plans that are guiding you into your future.

Upcoming Interview

Hey everyone.

Just thought I should let you know we've just secured another interview - yey!

This time with LifeGiver Band. Really excited!

Out.

Song of the Week | Sanctus Real 'The Redeemer'

I love this track!

GoldDigger Interview

Hello Mandy & Beth from GoldDigger. How are you doing? Where are you currently?

Hello! :) We're doing great thanks. Currently we're in different places actually. Mandy's in Sheffield spending a last few days in our current offices before we move into our new city centre base for our girls project and Beth is homeless for a little while while she waits for her new house in Sheffield to complete and
is getting married next month! So she's hopping between Manchester and Liverpool. Our band are mainly based in Manchester too so Friday we are all reunited in the same place for our gig at Harvest!

How’s 2011 going thus far?

Mandy: 2011 has been a great year. We always try to plan out our year but it rarely ends up looking anything like the plans that we draw up – and I guess we like it that way. You never know what opportunities will turn up and because our vision is so big there are so many opportunities that mean we can have some big adventures but never have to compromise on what we stand for. We've loved touring with the new album with our awesome live band, being busy in loads of Sheffield schools performing and teaching whole year groups and working with groups of girls on our girls course, presenting teaching material for all the girls
streams on Urban Saints new online discipleship initiative Mimic, visiting lots of new places and meeting new people and now planning for the next phase of our girls project here in Sheffield as we move into our new city centre base to expand our work and to dedicate more time to working with girls at risk of sexual
exploitation. We love the variety of the work we do and that we get to meet so many people and yet really spend time investing in a few really significant lives we can really make a difference in.

If people don’t know GoldDigger, how would you describe yourself?

Beth: Well Golddigger is part of the ministry of Golddigger Trust, which is a charity that Mandy and myself run. Golddigger Trust has been going for around 6 years now. We are a band who tour all over the place, aiming to speak into young people’s lives and problems through the music we write and perform, plus we’re a youth work charity who specialise in self esteem work with young people, and working with girls who are being sexually exploited- it’s quite diverse! Our sound is a mixture of rock and electro and we have a live band of 6 of us (4 of which are boys, but people still insist on calling us a girl band- not sure what that says about them!)

When did you give your life to God and what made your life turn in God’s direction?

Beth: I had the great privilege of growing up in a Christian family, and in a church family who were brilliant, and so I’ve known God my whole life, learning more about him as I got old enough to do so. When I was 11, I responded to a talk on a youth weekend away to definitely nail my colours to the mast, but I’ve been lucky enough to have never really not had a relationship with God. I was baptised when I was 14, another signpost on my journey, and hope I’m still growing and getting to know God better now too!!

Mandy: I made a conscious decision that I believed in God and in what the Bible teaches about who he is when I was about 13. I'd questioned things a lot and was a particularly deep thinker at that age. It was when I was about 16, after a few turbulent years that I decided to give my life to God and let him in properly. I think it was that I'd been scared of giving over control to anyone else but I remember an overwhelming feeling that God had my back and wasn't going to abuse that control over me. I guess that was an experience of his love for me.

You released your debut album 'If Destroyed Still True' in late 2010, how has the response been to it?

Mandy: We've had a really good response. Its always great to read good reviews but even better when fans tell you how much they like it. We always hope to write songs that connect with people in a very real way if they are going through a particular issue. Most of the songs are about relationships or the way we feel about who we are, sometimes how we struggle to make sense of who God but one song 'Hanging On' is about self harm. We heard very recently of someone who had been really struggling with this issue and had been totally amazed that this song seemed to understand completely how she felt. She stayed up the entire night memorising the lyrics and listens to it on repeat! If bits of what we write connect with people and become something to get them through a situation then that is the greatest response we could hope for. Its an amazing feeling to have helped someone so much just with something I sat on my bed writing away 2 years ago when it was just draft 1 of a song that we very nearly threw out and forgot about...and now is changed someone's life who we've never even met.

Where did the name of the album come from?

Mandy: Haha 'If Destroyed Still True' or IDST is that thing that gets scrawled on parks and desks in old skool graffetti...meaning that whatever its written next to stays true even if it gets scribbled out. We'd love to say it has a really deep clever meaning but it doesn't! The name Golddigger is all about digging through the rubbish of media pressure, nasty comments etc people have covering over who they are to find that real value they have and all the songs are written specifically with different meanings but the album name isn't so intentional. We did the photo shoot first in an old abandoned school and the name just seemed to work on a
tatty old school wall.

If you had to pick your favourite track from the album, which would you pick?

Beth: I Can’t Pretend

Mandy: Bad Habit

You've recently made a music video for your single The Princess Song, what's the story behind the song?

Beth: I wrote this song (in its first form) years and years ago after being around at my friend’s house and her little girl was dancing and asked me if she was a princess. I remembered how when we’re little, we have so many dreams for who we want to be, and who we’re going to spend the rest of our lives with, but then we get older and get told to settle on anyone who’ll do. So this song is a challenge to that really, to wait for your prince (or princess) charming, for someone who thinks you’re amazing and who fits you perfectly.

What made you decide upon the location you did for the video?

Mandy: A song called Princess Song just needs a castle really doesn't it? It would have been wrong to go anywhere else! Augill Castle were brilliant and let us use their beautiful rooms and amazing grounds and even kept the energy levels up with home made biscuits and tea!

What message do you want to give through your music?

Beth: For us, we want to write music that had a bit more truth in it than the stuff in the mainstream. We want to talk about relationships and life and the struggles you have in a way that has hope but is also honest, not like the fluffy stuff Rhianna and people churn out- hopefully we provide an alternative voice in all of that rubbish!

As well as GoldDigger Music, you do a lot of work with young people. Tell us about that.

Mandy: Right from the start of Golddigger we also wanted to work and focus our local work in Sheffield around a project with teenage girls. We wrote 'I'm the girl I want to be' an 8 week girls course which we take around youth groups and schools in South Yorkshire. We get to know the girls we work with really well over the course as we spend time looking at our self worth, how we are different, the media and the pressure on us to be and act a certain way, fashion, facebook, relationships, values and sex and dreams and goals we have for the future. We love this work – we just have a great time sitting round discussing these things and sharing stories from our own experiences while we also give the girls space to make up their own minds about how they want to deal with these pressures/ decisions in their own lives. We're excited to be expanding this work from September when we move into a city centre base. We'll be running more of our courses from our own room as well as opening drop in time for girls to come and talk and starting some detached work in the city centre. We are are also going to be spending more time working alongside the Sexual Exploitation Service with girls who are particularly 'at risk' or who have been abused. This horrific problem is huge in our city and we can't think of anything we need to be doing more urgently than working against this happening. As well as this work in Sheffield we also are starting to run the 'I'm the girl I want to be' course as a weekend residential for youth groups across the country so that groups outside of Sheffield can finally go on it! We do also work with boys when we deliver our PSHCE schools days to whole year groups at a time which are a mixture of roadshow style teaching mixed in with a gig and project tasks around the issues of media manipulation and media expectation. There's quite a lot going on!

Back to your roots, how did you first come to music?

Mandy: My dad. I was brought up in a house with an extensive record collection. He had his Vanilla Ice filed right next to his Van Morrison- he was into EVERYTHING. There was constantly music playing so I was surrounded. In long car journeys however, he refused to put any music on so me and my brother would make up songs and sing the whole time. I don't know how my parents didn't go insane- we used to travel a lot- but they tolerated it and are now still tolerating albums and music projects we are both doing. My brother is now a producer.

Beth: I too grew up around lots of music, although it mainly came from the church. My dad was a worship leader and everyone in my family did some kind of music- and my parents realised when I was really little that somehow this tiny little blonde girl had a big voice. I got involved in church worship stuff, singing songs for services and shows and it just grew from there really.

How do you write music, how does the process work?

Mandy: Ooh interesting...I think we tend to start with a vibe. Because we generally plan to gig with songs we think about how it would fit into a set and what kind of vibe we want to create with it and then we make that into a basic chord sequence. This bit normally happens between 3 of us, Beth, our producer Andy and myself...and then Beth or I will take it on from there. We never tend to write together. Beth can quite happily sit working out ideas in our busy office and try out lots of different things so I tend to know how hers are going and have an opinionated input into the process but I really hate writing in front of people. I have to either sit on my bed or go for a drive – something where I'm not going to get distracted and work out ideas – I don't start with words or melody either – they kind of have to arrive at the same time otherwise it feels too contrived. So quite often my verses vary and verse 1 scans a bit differently to verse 2... and that's because I really like the scanning and the phrasing to be genuine so it often is the first phrase that I've written down that I haven't wanted to alter just to fit neatly and I think the message can stand out more clearly when its written ike that. So then when the basic idea is formed and we have a chorus, the verses and whatever bridge sections we want we'll all get back together to do that very vulnerable thing where you have to sing your idea that you've been working hard on and see if the others like it! Then we iron out the structure and tweak any bits in the melody we might need to and decide the key so that we don't sound like men or like chipmunks and then we take it to gig with!

Who would you love to perform with, past or present?

Mandy: Goldfrapp in a really obscure costume.

Beth: I’d say Adele or someone, except they’d sing me out of the room! I’m from Liverpool originally so I’ve got to say the Beatles really!

What artists have you most loved sharing a stage with?

Beth: Mainly our band!! The boys from Band_C are brilliant, and entertain us greatly when they fall over on stage, or do backwards rolls whilst playing! We get the privilege of touring and working alongside loads of great bands- we probably most enjoy when we get to work with our good mates though, so gigging with
Philippa Hanna, Roo Walker, The now disbanded Myspoon, The Gentlemen etc is really good fun. There’s lots of cliques in the Christian music world so it’s always refreshing to be with people who are genuine mates who are really for you.

What are you currently listening to on your mp3 player?

Beth: Natasha Beddingfield’s new American release.

Mandy: Mike Snow

Best live performance you’ve played?

Beth: We’ve done a few great gigs this year alone, stand out ones would be headlining York Minster for a big youth event- that’s an impressive building! And we played our home town of Sheffield at the o2 Academy a few months ago after we did a load of schools work and that was great to see a home crowd of over 700 young people there!

What do you miss the most when you’re on the road touring?

Mandy: I miss my family... my 2 gorgeous children especially :( but we're never on the road for too many days at a time so I get to rush home and still get to make the pack lunches and do the school run in the mornings even after a late one on the road!

Beth: I’m quite lucky really as my soon to be husband is also the drummer in the Golddigger band, so I get to take him on the road with us. I most miss leg room I think :)

How has the Christian music scene changed since you've been part of it?

Beth: The Christian music scene is so difficult to define, and it’s a bit of a weird term anyway- is Christian music songs about God, or songs by people who are Christians, or songs written by Christians… or is it just people who play at Spring Harvest?! I think the scene that we’re in has changed recently with some bands finishing over the last few years, and newer bands coming onto the circuit, which is always great. I find the whole “Christian music scene” thing so confusing as there’s some bands who are at the “front” of the scene who’s songs really don’t have any content, yet there’s others who are very much more in the mainstream venues scene who have a lot more integrity and meaning in their music, but they’re not seen as CCM because they don’t do a gospel preach at the end of their set. I hope the scene will continue changing to value quality and content over hype, but we’ll see if we get there! :)

If GoldDigger was a Jelly Bean, what colour and flavour would you be and why?

Mandy: Well we'd have to be a bit like a half and half pizza – I'd be popcorn. Why? Well I like popcorn...and its exciting to make at home and if I were to go out to buy a new dress it would be that colour too. Everyone has a default item in their wardrobe they accidentally always buy too many of...lots of people have too many blue t shirts – I have too many cream dresses.

Beth: errm, raspberry? Not everyone’s automatic default flavour (strawberry of course) but actually, much nicer and has a lot more depth!

Some quick fire questions:

Tea or coffee?

Mandy: Both?...tea?

Beth: Definitely tea!

Summer or winter?

Mandy: Both... sorry... thats too hard – I love really christmassy cosy winters and I love summer parties and birthdays- really can't choose!

Beth: Summer, in Sheffield there’s too much snow in winter- last year I got stranded at Mandy’s house for 3 days and couldn’t get home!

Superman or Batman?

Beth: BATMAN!

Mandy: Love Batman

Mac or PC?

Both: Mac

Bread or Wine?

Mandy: Errr? Bread??

Beth: Is that a deep theological one or just for dinner… bread with butter, (but not for communion!)

Favourite passage from the Bible?

Mandy: James 3

Beth: 2 Chronicles 7 v14

What’s coming up in 2011 and next on the agenda for GoldDigger?

Mandy: The big move into our city base and a real focus on our girls ministry – we are so excited!

And finally, how would you describe the love of God for all those people who are unsure of their direction and of course those already on their journey with Christ?

Mandy: For anyone unsure of anything I think they need to know that God gets them – completely...and that he has the power of hindsight that we don't have in the situations we are in so sometimes we just have to stick close and listen carefully.

Beth: I think the amazing thing about God is that he knows us completely yet still wants us- there’s something so freeing about acceptance for who we truly are, and not only does he want to know us, he’s also the creator of the whole universe, that makes us pretty loved!

Thanks ladies, have a blessed day!

Song of the Week | MercyMe 'Only You Remain'

This song is amazing, plain & simple. We've had the album on in the car a lot recently and it's one of those tracks you can't help to get engulfed by. Sing along, let those goose-pimples take over your body & Praise Him!

After the riots...

Hello to you all, wherever you are in the world. Maybe you've seen the news this past week of the riots here in the UK? People have been setting fires on property, breaking and entering, looting, causing chaos and destruction to our city streets. They have different reason, some believe they are right to be doing this because of their economic situation, the government, society status, some are just after some free mobile phones & trainers, perhaps a new television set.

Other people, innocent victims have lost homes, possessions & even their lives this week because of this madness. In one case, 3 men were ran over by a one of the looters whilst protecting their mosque. They were Muslim men who died, standing up for their faith. The father of one of the lost stood up the next day, opposed the madness and declared his faith openly. It got me thinking, do we as Christians do this? Would we do this?

Would we have the bravery, the faith if you will to stand up in front of the entire country, news cameras & all and declare our love of God? This man's faith is super-strong, he wasn't angry, upset yes, but not angry. Do you have the faith you should in God? Do you give Him your life every day and let Him guide you, without any worries? Be strong, be that person who wouldn't be afraid, be it for Him.

New Wine 2011

We've got a guest writer for you, a chap who goes to the same church as me & helps lead the youth work. Dave Mason visited New Wine this year...

Well what an experience. I'd never been to any New Wine summer conferences before, so I didn't know what to expect at all. I first applied to be on the Club One team (11-13s) as I lead that sort of age group at the church youth group, however it's very popular and sadly I didn't get on the team. Still there were loads of places on the Stewarding team and I was invited to serve as a Welcome Steward at the Meeting Place. 

The Meeting Place is the main venue at New Wine and working there was one of the most exciting experiences of my life. Simon Guillebaud from All Nations, a mission training college, gave talks every morning that were massively challenging and inspiring. In the evenings there were talks from a variety of different speakers: Nadine Parkinson, Tanya Bright-Cook, Steve Chalke, Jonathan Oloyede, Mike Pilavachi, Gavin Calver and Anthony Delaney. 

For me personally the most touching and relevant talk was from Jonathan. He really challenged the delegates to lead a better prayer life and put Christ first and that really hit home for me as quite often I don't really do either of those things. He suggested we make an effort to set out a particular time each day to pray. He also asked if we could all set an alarm on our mobiles for 12pm each day to remind us to pray the Lord's Prayer each day. I've stuck to that and it's really helped to me to spend more time with him.

Aside from the fantastic speakers it was time for real refreshment, prayer and healing. I don't think I've ever received so much prayer in such a short time! I came from Newark feeling very refreshed and some of the healings that took place there were truly amazing. Just from what I gathered at the Meeting Place alone, a deaf man was healed and two ladies who were restricted to wheelchairs before the event were up on their feet walking with no pain or other problems. That was just from what I had seen and heard in the Meeting Place. I'm more than certain there were further healings in that venue and elsewhere. 

I don't think I've ever been to an event that was so spirit-filled and spirit-driven. Hundreds of people committed or recommitted their lives to Christ and I can't see why you wouldn't when it was so obvious at that event that Jesus is very much alive and working in peoples' lives. I'd recommend being a Welcome Steward or at least on team to anyone. Being able to serve Christ and His people and seeing the Holy Spirit working in their lives: there's nothing like it!


Dave Mason

Song of the Week | Tenth Avenue North 'Healing Begins'

A line from this song gives Tenth Avenue North's latest album it's title. We've had a track from 'The Light Meets The Dark' previously as song of the week and this track is just as fantastic. This recommendation is from my gorgeous wife. Thanks darling!

Living Oasis

It's sad to see a Christian presence, the only real Christian presence on our High Streets enter liquidation.

Living Oasis needs your prayer, the support of your church and ultimately, you to shop there.

In the last four months Living Oasis has shrank from 19 stores, to only 2, with Watford & Harrogate the only ones still trading. I was lucky enough to visit the Harrogate branch today, and with a fantastic sale (I wonder if there would be such a sale if the situation was different) it is difficult to see why the chain has depleted.

Please, have this company, it;s employees & it's mission in your prayers. They are literally selling everything they can as they cannot bring any more stock into the business. Visit the shops today, we bought so much for (really) so little. Without wanting to steal another shop's tagline, every little helps. Evidently there is someone interested in purchasing the chain, let's hope it works out & this fantastic presence can remain on the high streets of the UK!

God's priority

It's really not about us, how we live and our lives, it's about how Christ lives in us.

Check out Luke 10:21 for more.

Song of the Week - Natalie Grant 'Your Great Name'

You may have seen that life is getting in the way of this Blog sometimes. Posting Monday's song of the week on a Thursday isn't the best practise but sometimes life does get in the way. We must bring it back to Him though, bring it back to God.

Song of the Week - Sidewalk Prophets 'You Love Me Anyway'

Song of the Week - Jesus Culture 'Your Love Never Fails'

This was our 'song' of Spree 2011. I think the youth leaders enjoyed it more than the kids! Every word is so true, we are all blessed!

Song of the Week - GoldDigger 'The Princess Song'

Thought this song would make a perfect song of the week as a bit of a preview to an interview we have coming up with Beth & Mandy from GoldDigger. Follow them on twitter @golddiggermusic and make sure you come back for an interview with the girls soon.

Song of the Week | Casting Crowns 'American Dream'

A lot of words from God over the last couple of days.

At church yesterday it was All Age worship and they were discussing the where would you build your house question. On the rock, or on the sand. This made me think about this song and I knew I was going to use it as song of the week this week. Then today, it's the American Independence Day. Happy 4th of July to all our American followers! (I also almost forgot to post the song of the week until we flicked on UCB radio tonight as background music to tidy the house to, and the first song that came on was Casting Crowns.) He really does work in amazing ways!

Enjoy this track

Song of the Week | MercyMe 'Back To You'

The lyrics in this song say so much more than I possibly could...

Songs of Praise

This October, Songs of Praise marks it's 50th Anniversary.


That is 50 years of fantastic viewing, celebrating the Lord, hymns, choirs, new music artists from the UK & beyond, all for one purpose. 


It is the longest running religious show in the world & to celebrate it's 50 years there will be three special programs this Autumn. Aled Jones, Sir Cliff Richard, Diane Louise Jordan & the Children's Choir will all be part of it & 7000 Songs of Praise viewers will be there when the shows culminate at London’s Alexandra Palace, with faith leaders, past presenters & celebrity interviews. 


Let's hope Songs of Praise it's 50 years old, it's 50 years young! Amen.

Song of the Week | Peter Furler 'Reach'

Peter Furler, otherwise known as the former frontman of the Newsboys, has embarked on a solo career since he parted ways with the Christian rockers. This is his first single, taken from his debut solo album 'On Fire' - which hits shelves this week! Apparently some are calling it his best ever work, check it out now.

Psalm 8

Just wanted to share with you one of the readings we had at church today. We didn't have The Message version like what I'm posting but I wanted to swap it out for this text...


God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name.

Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you;
toddlers shout the songs
That drown out enemy talk,
and silence atheist babble.

I look up at your macro-skies, dark and enormous,
your handmade sky-jewelry,
Moon and stars mounted in their settings.
Then I look at my micro-self and wonder,
Why do you bother with us?
Why take a second look our way?

Yet we've so narrowly missed being gods,
bright with Eden's dawn light.
You put us in charge of your handcrafted world,
repeated to us your Genesis-charge,
Made us lords of sheep and cattle,
even animals out in the wild,
Birds flying and fish swimming,
whales singing in the ocean deeps.

God, brilliant Lord,
your name echoes around the world.

Song of the Week | Building 429 'One Foot'

My new favourite band, I wanted to share Building 429 with you once again.

After taking their title track for our song of the week a few weeks back I want you all to hear this song. It's so well written, the lyrics are perfect and discuss each one of our lives. Let me know what you think...

Souper

Whilst Amy's been at Youth group tonight I've started making some soup in our slow cooker. We picked up some lovely parsnips & other bits at the supermarket today and I'm giving parsnip soup a go.

Whilst I was making it I got thinking about how soup can be used as a metaphor for our relationship with Christ.

With soup, you need the ingredients, good ones, the soup will taste better that way. You need to chop them into pieces and then add some stock. Then give it some time in the slow cooker, before wizzing it all up, adding some cream, cooking it again and there you go. You might even add a few chives on the top for serving, that extra special bit.

Our relationship with God should be similar. The ingredients, you and he, both fantastic. Give him segments of you time, chop your day up, be with him, talk to him, listen & pray with him, use your gifts to praise him. You need to give the relationship plenty of time, loads of it, your entire life, every day. Mix it up in every section of your life, from the commute to work, to seeing friends at the pub, hobbies, weekends, dinners. 

The extra special bit is always there though. Your relationship with God is always extra special because it is your relationship with God. And it always tastes good!

It's super. I'll let you know how the parsnips soup goes!

Difficulties & Priorities

It's difficult to put your priorities in order sometimes. I was sat at my desk this morning, starring at the list of things I had to do and not knowing where to start. It's often quite confusing too.

Priorities change as we grow up, even depending on what day of the week it is. Monday through Friday during the day the focus is work. It's what provides (not totally provides because ultimately we know God will provide) but provides nevertheless for our house, paying our bills, putting food on the table and a roof over our heads. Weekends are for family and evenings are for relaxing or seeing friends. There is also a household to run, jobs to do, hobbies to keep up and of course, in this day and age, the internet to peruse.

This blog of mine, yes, what you are reading is a labour of love, but often gets put on the back burner as life gets in the way. This is often quite true in our relationship with our God. Sometimes live does get in the way, things happen and we forget to put that time into the relationship.

We should remember, we should definitely make that effort as it is the most important relationship you will ever have. I can't talk, i'm as bad as the next guy but hopefully you can take some sort of comfort in that. Hopefully you can think about your priorities as I am.

Life is hectic at the moment for me, but I will endeavor to post on a more regular basis. Make sure you are following over on twitter too. Keep safe and God bless :)