Ruach Breath Of Life

Vivaldi Two Flutes, second movement The flautists are Nicola Gerard, Sarah, the violinists Shirley Richards and Helen Rees, the viola is played by Julian Chan, with Jo Garcia on cello and Peter Richards on harpsichord.

This wonderful piece of music is an instrumental version of Monteverdi’s setting of Psalm 127, one of the Songs of Ascent. Isn’t it beautiful to think that the season of Advent that we are just entering, is actually the season when we celebrate Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself and descended to Earth in human form? We are so grateful to the musicians who worked so hard to record this for us: Violins: Jonathan Lee, Shirley Richards, Rob Bilson, Amanda Bilson; Viola: Cathie Muncey, Christiane Max Cellos: Corinne Frost, Natalie Halliday, Rebecca Whettam; Woodwind: Julia Herzog (recorder); Mike Halliday (clarinet / sax); Trumpets: Anthony Thompson, Kevin Ashman. The players were directed by Andrew Whettam. The piece was recorded at Regents Bible College, Malvern, in 2018

Jesus, found in appearance as a man, humbled, obedient, dying . . . And so God exalted You to the highest place, gave You the name above all names. Every knee – in heaven and on earth and under the earth – every knee shall bow to You. Every tongue will confess that You are Lord And God our Father will be glorified. We are so grateful to the musicians who worked so hard to record this for us: Violins: Jonathan Lee, Shirley Richards, Rob Bilson, Amanda Bilson; Viola: Cathie Muncey, Christiane Max Cellos: Corinne Frost, Natalie Halliday, Rebecca Whettam; Woodwind: Julia Herzog (recorder); Mike Halliday (clarinet / sax); Trumpets: Anthony Thompson, Kevin Ashman. The players were directed by Andrew Whettam. The piece was recorded at Regents Bible College, Malvern, in 2018

One evening recently the Lord spoke these words very clearly to me: ‘All that we do is nothing worth unless God bless the deed.’ The words are taken from a really great hymn, God is working His purpose out as year succeeds to year. The theme is based on the verse in Habakkuk about the Earth being filled with the knowledge (yada) of the glory (kavod) of God as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14)(1) Almost everyone I have shared this hymn with in the last couple of days has commented on how it has aroused distant echoes of what it means to them when they sang it at primary school. Well, the words will mean a great deal more to you now – but aren’t we blessed to have this repository of great hymns lodged deep down inside us? The tune (Benson) is a great one too. It is sad to think that the present generation will not have this precious and godly heritage to draw on in later years. Today's songs may be better packaged and highly attractive but I very much doubt that they will impact the heart and memory i

The Spirit and the Bride say "Come" I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before His face. Thousands upon thousands attended Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. Lord Jesus, This vision of You in Your glory takes me far beyond the trite and shallow, Your voice is like the sound of rushing waters, and Your fa

Music by Linda Louisa Come up higher to seek My face; it is not chance that has brought you to this place, and I am waiting to meet You here. High and mighty one, You place Your hand on us and call us secret warriors. You pour out anointing oil from Your flask, and appoint us for a season to specific tasks. It is here in your courts that I see how You hold all things together by Your sovereignty – and the profound and perfect interconnectedness of Your plans and purposes. And just as You move the seasons forward, so Your guidance comes successively as and when we need to know it. Lord Your Word reminds us that all things are ours (1 Cor 3:21) whatever we do or do not own; Establish in us the balance between simple spontaneity and profound inner order. Place us in teams and trysting places where we can develop the strategies that will best direct and envelop our days, and cause the Spirit of prayer to draw near . When condemnation snags my soul, restrain my fears and lift me to a higher

One Thing I ask by Francis Cummings The Lord’s angels are closer than we think, strong to deliver God's help those who are on the brink May our spirits be still and pure enough to catch glimpses of them in action and to follow any commands they direct our way. Lord, we speak in Shetland of hamefaring, when thousands with links to the islands make their way home for a poignant and joyful reunion; and we too are hamefaring; making our way to Heaven where innumerable saints are pouring out their praise to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And we, by grace, dwell in the company of this great cloud of witnesses whose prayers live on – for He is the God of the living, and not the dead, and we by grace share communion with this heavenly throng. Teach us what it means to enter this sacred sanctuary, as Your Spirit shows us more of what it means to live with the nearness of the Host of Heaven. One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of

Lord of my Life Words and Music by Carol Sampson My Master, my Friend, my Brother Saviour, Redeemer and Lord My father, my King, my High Priest in Him my Peace and Refuge in the storm My Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer My Shield, my Salvation, my Strength My Shepherd, my Healer, my Joy and my Peace My Hope and the Light of my Life You are the Lord of my life and in You I'm alive and I set my gaze on You trust only in You hide Your Word in my heart. Lord of my life

Music by Linda Louisa This is a prayer for those who are going through times of near intolerable pressure. If the Lord is moving the stage sets of our lives around, it is only because He is changing the scenery – and by His mercy the new scenarios will be good. By His grace may we let Him do whatever it takes to keep us moving forward. To those who are feeling overwrought and pummelled, and only just keeping going, the Lord says, Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. "What are you, O mighty mountain? You will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of `God bless it! Grace to it!’ “Don’t despise the day of small beginnings!” My children, many have come and many have gone without finding the place of inner release. There are reasons for the blocks that keep them from standing on the Rock. Some plans miscarry through failing to seek My plans and purposes; and insufficient tarrying in My presence. So come, My child, over the shards, throug

Celtic 1 by Francis Cummings Lord Jesus by Your birth You earthed eternal love and sparked something new in each heart that You touched. The heart of the downcast disciples burned within them as You joined them on the road to Emmaus. Just so do You shepherd our souls, exalting the humble but leaving the proud to stumble; for nine times out of ten the essence of judgement lies less in some external act than in the silent shrivelling of the soul. Not knowing all You can do in the hearts of excluded ones, the teachers of the law browbeat those they regarded as scum; but You exalted them to be the salt and light of the world. Since You delight to evoke some higher way of seeing help us to tease out hidden gifts and talents in the hearts of valiant souls. It is the way of love, and its deepest pain, that one partner often loves more than the other – and this is still more true for You, Lord. Help me play my part to requite, at least in part, this love that never shrinks from pouring out so much in return f

Music by Linda Louisa Lord Jesus, as surely You saved the wedding from disaster, You’re never short of plans for leading us on, so help us to look less at circumstances that oppress, and our own lack of resources, and more at the assurance of Your presence. With what authority You sent Your disciples out, demonstrating that one plus You is still a majority. Show us where we have under performed by being too slow to act on what You have bestowed. Time and again You reproved Your disciples for their profound unbelief. May we make it our absolute priority to stretch out Your rod of authority, so You may never have to chide us for failing to move in the power You provide. When we know not what to pray, may Your Spirit point the way, bidding us ask, seek and knock; to bind and release, in order that Heaven may have the increase. Spirit of prayer, saturate our hearts with joy and fervour, so that whether we are giving birth through hardened earth or dancing for the sheer romance of loving You, our p

Mozart oboe quartet slow movement In the beginning, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain the same, and Your years will never end. Lord, You never change, but I would not be the poet and prophet that I am were every day to be just as yesterday. On dank drab winter’s days, when the sunlight lies hidden in the haze, keep me from the myth of the ‘but what if’s’, and the lonely ‘if only’s’. Lift me afresh upon your shoulders, to behold Your power over all these boulders. Intervene in my daily routine whenever I am straying towards the ravine and whisper, ‘this is not the way.’ Thank You for the many ways you convey Your pleasure when I overcome self doubt and push the boat right out. May I never become so entrenched that I quench Your Spirit's fire or treat true prophecy with contempt. Give me the wisdom not just to hold on to what is true but to press through and appropriate that which comes from You. High and mighty one, so

Celtic 2 by Francis Cummings "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?" (James) "A patient man calms a quarrel, but starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam." (Proverbs) "The Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful but patient with difficult people." (2 Timothy 2) Paul reminds us that it is no longer we that live but Christ who lives in us. Since we are no longer our own, Christ’s interests should be our concern, and we should be willing to lay down the things that lead to quarrels and division. Father, Your word says, Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker. You sent the Lord Jesus full of grace and truth, veering now in the direction of grace and now more towards truth, as wisdom required. Grant us more of this divine authenticity that moves in great simplicity more one way and then the other as wisdom requires, reconciling souls with their Maker. Give us courage to conten

Marcello 3rd movement oboe concerto in D minor Lord, I cannot put this too strongly: I want to declare it to the deep places of my heart: I am not in charge! For every time I begin to act as though everything depends on me, I end up making mistaken demands: Forgive me every time I miss vital warning signs. and cross these hidden boundary lines. My desire to follow Your will gives me no right to reproach or encroach for when I judge outward deeds and dealings it only serves to trigger unwise judgements that polarise matters still more; and though I see people’s faults so clearly, I often miss their inward humility. Lord, You allow the most irksome things to come my way to reveal my tendency to fix. Help me move beyond the outward need for conflicts and to realise that what You actually want is for me to relinquish all control. I pray for that quality of grace that refrains from running down and gives to others far more space, honouring them to receive Your crown. When everything inside is screaming th

Music by by Francis Cummings Lord, drop Your still dews of quietness, till all our strivings cease; take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of Your peace. Lord, I’ve often sung those words, but since dew never falls on stormy nights let my heart be still enough to receive the whispers of Your love. Sometimes, Lord, Your silence is as eloquent as words, for You know what You are planning to do, as surely as You stilled the hunger of the crowds who followed You up the hill. You want us to trust You beyond all immediate signs of comfort. Fishermen catch no fish until they cast their net, and since I will know no peace of mind until I place my burdens into Your powerful hands I cast all variety of anxiety upon You now, undeterred Shepherd of my soul. King David said, “I delight to do Your will”; let his words be also true of me. If You had let me follow the devices and desires of my heart, I would never have reached the places You had in mind. So You have

Music by Linda Louisa Father, it is as natural for You to give of Your fullness as it is for us to breathe, for You are the very image of plentifulness, and when it comes to serving You, help us to put first things first, and last things last, lest anything become an idol or a snare; for You are from everlasting to everlasting, and Your years will never end. Since You make use of even the trials and residues of life You declared: “Let nothing be wasted,” (John 6:12) – and the baskets were filled with the loaves that remained. You remind us to launch out into the deep and to let down our nets for the catch. (Luke 5:4) It isn’t skill alone that will catch these fish but obedience to Your voice; so where would you have us cast our nets today, Lord? It sometimes feels as though my giving to the poor and needy, and even to your Kingdom warriors, is but a drop in the ocean, yet even the Pacific is made up of so many drops, and Your word tells us to give and it will be given back to us: everything added bec

The Lord's my Shepherd by Francis Cummings Come to Me, My child; rest awhile from all the wild perplexing things that are robbing you of peace. Rest awhile, for My sake as well as yours, for even when you’re feeling really down you will not drown; I am still your Guide and Counsellor, who provides my child with all she needs. Lord, You know all that has happened, what I have done, and what others have done to me; the profound hurts that have tossed my life this way and that. I know these sufferings will not thwart Your final plan, but right now I need to give expression to my pain. Selah Lord, You’ve brought me to this place where I need your healing embrace; Let Your refining love console me when I am feeling out of control, and struggling to define my role. When I feel exposed, and hanging by a thread You want to see me fight – but I can’t go on unless You send gold threads to stitch my rended heart. So as we seek Your face, Refresh us with Your grace

Celtic 3 by Francis Cummings When we are under extreme pressure, the Lord is our ever present help and refuge – but that does not mean that we will necessarily find it easy to feel His presence. May the pressures not hold us back from seeking Him – and from sharing what we are going through with at least one other person. The prophet said, ‘In the shadow of His hand He hid me. He made me into a polished arrow, and concealed me in His quiver.’ (Is. 49:2) Lord Jesus, we shelter beneath the refuge of Your Almighty hand – and find such sweetness there, but sometimes it is hard to stand, because it is so dark beneath Your hand. Forgive us when we fail to understand that You are using this narrowed time to prepare a polished arrow for Your very special plans. When the ability to sense Your presence fades, help us proclaim that You are still the same, for even if it is dark beneath Your wing, You still want us to sing; and all that we have known of You still applies when You come in seeming disguise.

Arise my Love Words and Music by Carol Sampson Arise, my love My beautiful one, come with me. See the winter, the winter has passed. The rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth. The season of singing has come, has come. You are, you are my love. You are the apple of my eye. Oh my beauty - my beautiful one - How I delight in you. Nothing can change what I say. My love is holding you safe. Arise, my beautiful one. Come away and be with me. Show me your face so lovely. Arise, my beautiful one. Lift your voice and sing to me so i can hear your voice so sweetly. Cos I, I love you. I do. Flowers appear on the earth. The season of singing has come. Arise, my beautiful one. Come away and be with me. Show me your face so lovely. Arise, my beautiful one. Lift your voice and sing to me so i can hear your voice so sweet. Because I, I love you. I do.

Music by Linda Louisa This is an opportunity to bless specific people who you care for deeply using various Scriptures as your starting point. May these prayers and meditations inspire you to turn many other verses in the Psalms, Proverbs, Prophets and New Testament into living prayer. May the Lord, who has begun a good work in you, help you to work out your salvation with fear and trembling and bring His work to completion in Christ Jesus. (Phil:1:6, 2:12) As you pass through the rushing waters may they not overwhelm you. May the Lord keep you from being burned in the fire (Isaiah 43:2) May the troubles you go through achieve an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, as you keep your eyes fixed not on what is seen but on what is unseen. (2 Cor. 4:17-18) As you wait on the Lord, may your strength be renewed, so that you can mount up on eagle’s wings, run and not grow weary walk and not grow faint. (Is. 40:31) May your heart be discerning and acquire knowledge. (Pvbs 18:15) May the Lord keep you f