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Always a song by Tim Hughes

This blog by Tim Hughes needs to be read by all worshippers.

I was struck recently by the story of John Denley, who was martyred in England in 1555 on account of his faith. He was to be burnt at the stake. When they lit the wood beneath him, Denley began to cheerfully sing a Psalm. One tormentor, hoping to silence Denley, threw a piece of wood at him, hitting him in the face. Denley paused for a moment and responded to his tormentor saying, “Truly you have spoiled a good old song!” He then continued singing until he died. I love this overwhelming  joy that cannot be contained, the full assurance of salvation that meant in the throws of death there’s a great sense of excitement and anticipation. I’m inspired by John Denley’s confidence that to live is Christ and to die is gain. Here’s a man, who grasps the true meaning of that phrase ‘sorrowful yet always rejoicing.’ It’s a challenge to us to be a worshipping people in all trials that come our way. To call to mind daily the many things we can be thankful for. Psalm 126:3, ‘The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.’ As followers of Jesus, as a people who have been rescued from darkness into light, there is always a song!

Found at http://www.worshipcentral.org

Truly there is never a reason for us to stop worshipping, keep a song in your hearts and praise on your lips!!!!

Eyes on The Father by Graydon Scholtz

Recently I led worship at St. Martins Anglican Church in Durban North and something really dawned on me. Being at St. Agnes and having to handle the administrative work (which is important) I realized that I had lost the focus of the ministry I was in. Worship is created by the Father, for the Father and it should be aimed at the Father. It is when we keep our eyes fully on Him that we will see His kingdom break through, we cannot see God move when we have our eyes on other things. Leading worship away from ‘home’ helped me realize that I had been too caught up in the technicalities and I had missed the whole purpose of the worship ministry; to Glorify God. This is what God is calling all of us to do, to lay down our entire lives in worship to Him, the Savior of our souls and the Eternal Redeemer of this world. Now when I think of worship in these terms  I can confidently say that I find it difficult to take my eyes off the Father and the administration of ministry is no longer a  burden or a distraction.

Without the Father there exists no reason to take part in the worship ministry because He is the only intended target to which we should aim our worship.

Worship without the Father is pointless…