Having recently joined a different church due to various family committments I had decided to lay low for a while. The minister supported the idea. Then came the shock! Thursday I received an email from him asking if I'd like to sing a song and talk about my work at this Sunday's meeting. A flood of thoughts and emotions came all at once. Aren't I supposed to be laying low? Wow I feel honoured. Are things on the move again? Am I ready for this? What should I sing? Should I sing?
Eventually I decided after everything Ian (my minister) had said I ought to try it and trust his judgement. Then came the readings and theme of the service. Now I realised I had a new problem. I neither had any of my own songs, or knew any other songs that complimented the theme. So as usual God intervened. It took about an hour this time but the original idea came in seconds. I applied a little song-craft and wrote every note down to make sure it stuck in my head. So here's the finished result.
Written on my heart
Steve Lowndes 20th July 2007
Here I stand with arms held wide
Nothing left for me to hide
Nothing hidden in my heart
You know my name
Here I stand and bow my head
Weeping at the words you’ve said
Weeping ‘cause of all I’ve done
You know my pain.
And you called me by name
To be a shining light in the dark
Lead me on and I will follow
Show me things I’ve never seen
Melt my heart to feel compassion
For a world of broken dreams
Lead me on and I will follow
By your Spirit make me shine
Showing Jesus’ love is written on my heart.
Prophets said the time would come
God would send a chosen one
Born to heal the broken hearts
And set them free.
Here You stand with arms held wide
Nail pierced hands and bleeding side
Washing all my sin away
Renewing me
And you called me by name
To be a shining light in the dark
Lead me on and I will follow
Show me things I’ve never seen
Melt my heart to feel compassion
For a world of broken dreams
Lead me on and I will follow
By your Spirit make me shine
Showing Jesus’ love is written on my heart.
Lead me on and I will follow
To a world of broken dreams
Who need Jesus’ love is written on their hearts.
Inspired by Nehemiah 8:1-12
and Luke 4:14-21
This mornings service was a blessing in so many ways. Apart from feeling useful, I felt God was able to use everyone in the service ina very real way. The reader read so well I thought he was an actor. The pianist was annointed. The minister spoke with authority guiding the congregation to Jesus. The congregation were receptive and open to hear God speak. I'm not saying it was a perfect service but it certainly was a blessing to everyone. I thank God for his grace in providing us mere mortals with the words that draw people to Himself.
Sunday 21 January 2007
Monday 15 January 2007
New Year - New Hopes and Aspirations
If I were to say good riddance to 2006 it would be a bit harsh, but the truth is there are so many painful memories to leave behind from last year. Equally there were some real high points. Radio exposure on local radio and Rimmerama leading upto my visit to Chicago amongst the highs. The loss of our dear sister Stephanie to cancer leaving her little boy Jack without a mother and my wife without her dearest friend her little sister was definitely the lowest point.
Jack now lives with us which is a true blessing and 2007 brings hope that we can continue to forge an already strong relationship with him and help him to remember his mummy in a positive and edifying manner. We will always miss her dearly but know she is now with Jesus and no longer suffering. We long for the day when we shall meet again.
Professionally 2007 holds much hope for me personally too. December 2006 marked the end of a particularly difficult period of my career as a teacher of music. That now left behind I have so much to strive towards. New buildings, renewed vigour in delivering my subject and a new supportive head.
Faith issues include a move to Skegness Methodist church. I feel drawn to concentrate on a more low key approach to ministry at the moment, considering our emotional state it's probably a good thing. My main ministry right now is that of helping my family to grieve and heal. I shall of course continue to write and record whenever I feel called, but there is no urgency to release any further projects. I can wait God's time.
So farewell 2006 and welcome 2007 and all you have to offer. I await the new challenges you bring.
Jack now lives with us which is a true blessing and 2007 brings hope that we can continue to forge an already strong relationship with him and help him to remember his mummy in a positive and edifying manner. We will always miss her dearly but know she is now with Jesus and no longer suffering. We long for the day when we shall meet again.
Professionally 2007 holds much hope for me personally too. December 2006 marked the end of a particularly difficult period of my career as a teacher of music. That now left behind I have so much to strive towards. New buildings, renewed vigour in delivering my subject and a new supportive head.
Faith issues include a move to Skegness Methodist church. I feel drawn to concentrate on a more low key approach to ministry at the moment, considering our emotional state it's probably a good thing. My main ministry right now is that of helping my family to grieve and heal. I shall of course continue to write and record whenever I feel called, but there is no urgency to release any further projects. I can wait God's time.
So farewell 2006 and welcome 2007 and all you have to offer. I await the new challenges you bring.
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