Your Love Oh LORD

Yesterday, the kids and I were heading home from the Rookery. As we walked down the side of Streatham Common, the sky suddenly grabbed my attention. It just seemed so big; the clouds impossibly huge, stretching up; glowing bright in the evening sun..it was beautiful and it stopped me in my tracks. Maisie was completely focused on playing a game where she was a remote controlled Playmobil figure who'd broken free of the remote's control and now had a life of its own (don't ask) but everything in me wanted to try to wrestle her attention to what I was seeing. 

My words were completely clumsy and flimsy and inadequate - I think I just insisted "look, it's so HUGE, look how BIG God has made it all" a few times, but she wasn't nearly as impressed or awe struck as I wanted her to be. The moment passed, and we headed on our way and continued with our game. But the bigness of that sky and the glory in those clouds stayed with me, reminding me of Psalm 19: The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

This song is based on Psalm 36, which is the Psalm we'll enjoy together on Sunday. It's a reflection on that love, and an exhortation to worship in response to it. How much my heart needs to be reminded of my huge, glorious, faithful God, and how far his love has reached - and keeps reaching - for me - Ashley

Eternal Covenant - Dave Fellingham

Something within all of us wants us to be recognised, loved and valued. Here is a song which helps us sing truth into the lies we believe about ourselves.

David Fellingham’s timeless classic Eternal Covenant is based on the mind-blowing truths of Ephesians 1. The song teaches us about God’s infinite character; it is like a glimpse into the blueprint of his salvation story. God has chosen us. Breathe it in. God has chosen you. Not on a whim, a fleeting desire or a time-bound fad, He chose you before the beginning of time. He has called us out of the miry depths of our life for a purpose. The God who chose to enter time and space to save humanity is drawing the heart of humanity to him. Not the reprogramming of a robot, but drawing the heart, the inner desires - he is enlightening us to what genuine love is. Humanity is drawn into his redemption plan; we are incapable of freeing ourselves from the bondage of sin, so we require someone else to pay the price.

As Christians, we are not just saved from sin, but saved for a new and fuller life with him. In Christ, our sins are paid for, and in Christ, we are risen with him. And because we are united with Christ, God looks on us with the same affection he has for his Son. God has chosen us knowing what we are like and will be like, he has loved us despite our unfaithful attitude to him, and he has valued us as dearly as his own Son causing us to be welcomed as adopted kids into his family. We are eternally secure in his love.

The song is beautifully crafted together with a magnetic international instrumentation and adept harmonisation. The vocals are sung by pop legend David Grant who is from Pop Idol, Fame Academy and has worked alongside the Spice Girls, Take That, S Club and Will Young, just to name a few. Journalist Dave Roberts once described Dave Fellingham as “the modern-day Isaac Watts”, but the current generation may be unaware of his music or influence. Still, they might likely have encountered some of the fruit of his work. Terry Virgo described him as “a wonderful father figure to a number of the young musicians, and has been outstanding in giving them space, encouraging them through helping them hone their gift”. He’s been a spiritual father to many of the creative community within the church working with many now established church musicians such as Stuart Townend, Kate Simmonds, Paul Oakley, Lou Fellingham, Phatfish, Simon Branding, Sam Cox and Mark Edwards. In a Cross Rhythms article, James Attlee wrote “he is rightly tagged as a Renaissance Man, but the renaissance he is involved in does not look back for its inspiration to the art and philosophy of the classical world. Instead, Dave has rediscovered the Biblical mandate for artistic expression and in so doing, hopes to trigger an explosion of creativity that will extend beyond the boundaries of the church, and make a real and positive contribution in twentieth-century culture.” Often after Terry Virgo preached, Dave would compose a song in response. It’s incredible that they sounded like they have been toiled over for years. I think this is partly due to years of working in the highly competitive secular music world, which he, of course, continues to be a part of today.

The song has changed the hearts of many over the decades, being performed before crowds of hundreds of thousands in stadiums in Korea, Brazil, the UK and the US. My prayer is that the truths of the words will also impact your heart as you listen today.

So, smash the play button, turn it up and slip on your dancing shoes. The truths in this song will set your soul alive - Sim

ETERNAL COVENANT of God

Down through time has been declared;

Drawing the heart of man

Into redemption’s plan,

Mercy and grace revealed,

By the blood and Spirit sealed.

All our sins have been forgiven,

Raised from death to heights of heaven.

And we’re living to the praise of His glory,

Eternally secure in His love;

The eyes of our hearts have been opened

To receive the blessing of God.

The Perfect Father

My 2 year old goddaughter (with the help of her father) drew this picture for me. When I look at it, it makes me think of family. I spent the first 8 years of my career teaching children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. I saw firsthand that if a child hadn’t developed secure attachment with their parents in the early years, it had a massive impact. They came into the classroom either numb of emotions or aggressive and disruptive. The impact of the trauma on their brain was seen in their daily interactions with me and their peers.

As we are all aware, the families we are born into have the ability to affect us deeply, even now as adults. Our brains have the capacity to store past memories. They can allow us to experience levels of joy and pain as we subconsciously recall them from time to time. When God invites us into his family, something beautiful occurs. Instead of performing a quick fix on our families, he comes alongside us and sits with us in the memories. He’s the perfect Father who is not limited in his ability to handle our fears, doubts and tears.

Father God says to me and all his children…

1. When the sun is out, smile and truly breathe its beauty. Let it be a reminder that because of Jesus, you are truly free.”

2. The family of God is not defined by human blood, but by the blood of Jesus who invites us to welcome those who are unlike us to be part of our family.

3. “Jesus loves me lots, not a little.” A recent conversation between my goddaughter and her mum. A good daily reminder.

4. When past memories are overwhelming, take a walk with a sister or brother in the church family. When it’s hard to see the goodness of God, we need the faith and light of others.

5. “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.”(Deuteronomy 33:12)

This is what my goddaughter and her sister have taught me. This is what little children can teach you if you learn to train your ears to listen. I’m continuing to learn and it is so good. - Eileen