Light of the World

It happened to me while I was away on a tour of the USA. I was staying with the leader and his family of the church I was ministering at, which was fun.

It’s quite common to have a spare bedroom in the basement in the States and it was there that I settled in for some well-earned rest after a hectic day of meetings and wall-to-wall people. But around 2:00am I was awakened. There was some movement in the room. 

Startled, I looked up and the rocking chair on the other side of the room was starting to . . . well, rock! As I peered into the darkness, straining my eyes in an effort to see clearly, I noticed some material, a bed sheet or something, moving across the room. To squash the feeling of fear which was quickly rising up in me, I began speaking in tongues out loud. Perhaps this was a poltergeist?!! Maybe this was a deliverance situation?! In the middle of the night, in unfamiliar surroundings, I tried my best to summon up strong and positive feelings in order to be God’s man of faith and power for the hour! 

As the activity around me grew and my intensity level rose to fever pitch, I heard the sound of a lamp stand falling over. Making a quick dash across the room I somehow managed to locate and switch on the light in one movement, ready to confront what I now thought was a legion of demons.  Now that the lights were on, however, I could see, much to my relief, the family’s two pet cats scurrying across the room and quickly disappearing up the stairwell to the main house above. Things look very different when the light is on!

“The Lord is my light and my salvation. . . in Your light, we see light.’ As the Psalmist said.

As we enter this New Year together may we focus on seeing the light that dispels all darkness.

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR 2012!
    If you would like to host your own special "Precious Grace" concert, click here.

Precious Grace

Have you heard the one about the doctor who greets one of his patients on the street
"Hi Ken I haven't seen you lately."  "No," replies Ken "I've been ill!"

Sometimes in our relationship with our Creator we can carry forward that same mentality - you know - afraid only to come to Him when we've really got ourselves together. 

Forsaking an encounter with the only one who really can bring healing to us, Jesus, the wounded healer from Galilee, We try to pull ourselves up by our own boot straps, every method, technique available an in so doing suffocate the essence of grace. 

"Come to me," says Jesus.  "And let me take your burdens”  Come to me even when you feel there is more life in an old Duracell battery then in yourself.   "Come to me and learn the unforced rhythms of my grace" (the Message)...  Yet we still try to find another way .  

At the cross Jesus faced the greatest injustice the world had ever seen and overcame. It was a complete work, my sin was paid for, and now He actively welcomes me into his presence. That's profound!

For many this involves a complete paradigm shift in our thinking and conditioning, but by embracing this truth and applying it to our lives, transformation begins…

No more striving, but receiving!  

Wow! This grace is precious!

Just had this review of Precious Grace posted on the Cross Rhythms site:

STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop
RATING 8 /10
"Recognised as one of the fathers of the British worship movement Dave has written many songs we all know and love such as "I Am A New Creation" and "Abba Father". He has also written a series of books about worship. Dave's sound draws on folk roots and blends this well with the modern worship sound. As expected the songs on 'Precious Grace' are congregationally accessible and could be easily adapted and used by local church congregations in a variety of settings. The album starts off with more up-beat tracks such as "God Is On The Throne" and "Sing It Out" but then slows down to a more mellow and gentle feel which I think works extremely well with Dave's musicality and songwriting. "Son Of God" is a precious song that contains a depth of feeling that is beautifully expressed. "Show Me" has a great rhythm with smooth jazz undertones and turns your heart and mind to God." Reviewed by Matt McChlery

Scroll down for photos of the Album launch, or to purchase the album click on the "shop" tab above.

For those of you that couldn't make it, or for those who did to re-live the fantastic evening we shared  at Holborn City Temple for the launch of my album "Precious Grace", here are a few photos.  If you missed out, you can get a copy of the album from the "shop" section of this website! Thanks to Malachi Kelly and Jon Bilbrough for the excellent photos.

I'm delighted to announce the release of my brand new CD Precious Grace available now as CD and digital download. To co-incide with its release a special London Launch has been arranged on Friday November 4th.  Click here for details.

Many of the songs have been intentionally written for congregational use in Christian gatherings both large and small across the world and to that end chord charts for all the songs can be downloaded from the resources section of this website.

Featuring legendary bass player Dave Markee, who has worked with such musical luminaries as Eric Clapton, Joan Armatrading and Henry Mancini alongside Dave Cooke of Cliff Richard fame on keyboards as well as the excellent Simon Nelson (Joss Stone & others), on guitars with Drums and percussion supplied by none other than Dan and Pat Bilbrough, this album embraces melodic band and acoustic arrangements.

 The scope of  God's grace is amazing!  To help people discover something of that which I've found in my own life is such an exciting thing for me.  I believe there is a momentum growing in the church right now calling us to take a fresh look at the nature of God and what he has done for us through Christ.  The songs I have recorded for this album reflect that and, I hope, help us to verbalise our response.

 Order your copy today from  this website.  Go to the music page for digital download or shop for physical CD. Chord charts for all the songs can be downloaded free from the resources section of this website.

You are Special

"Where are you from?” asked the Turkish sales assistant.  "If I get asked that question one more time I'll knock that persons block off." I thought, smiling, but never said.  "How about a leather jacket, a watch, a shave?"  This bombardment was beginning to get to me; my emotional thermostat was beginning to rise.  Here I was in the middle of the Turkish Bazaar trying to find some souvenir of our family vacation to take home that wasn't just a fake brand name - Armani, Gucci or a Rolex watch -  but a product of the real Turkey.  Then we found it! Opposite the Turkish baths, across the road from the white stained mosque on the corner of the small-town square stood a small cluster of shops.  Away from all the noise and clamour of bartering and hassle we at last found a reason for being here.  Like finding an oasis in the desert, we walked into the first shop and drank in the tranquil atmosphere.  Our eyes were met by a dazzling array of Turkish kilim art.  All manner of bags, shoes and men's waistcoats were on display.  Pat fell in love with t a multicoloured shoulder bag.  It was beautiful and rich in colour, practical in design, just what she was looking for.  The sale was made.

 

In conversation with a courteous salesman we discovered the bags on sale were made in different areas and mountain regions of Turkey.  Each bag or item was an original not a clone.  No two were identical; each was woven with a pattern or symbol that bore a meaning that represented our personal dreams and goals - no two were alike.

 

In the same way God has created each of us to shine in a way that only we can, our lives are a song that only we can sing with a purpose and a destiny that is distinct and tailor made for each one of us.

 

Everybody is an original.  Everybody is important.  The secret of our life in Christ is to be true and honest to that person God has made us to be.  In these days where God wants us to raise the watermark of our giftings and effectiveness let’s be sure we allow God to fulfil his perfect plan and purpose for our lives and not just opt for the safe option of conformity.  As my friend Gerald Coates says “most people start their lives as originals and end up as copies.”  God’s anointing most surely comes to those who are true to themselves and to their calling.