March 2007

Books bought:

1. Tom Wright, Paul for Everyone: Romans Parts 1 & 2
2. N.T. Wright, Paul: Fresh Perspectives
3. Douglas Moo, The Epistle to the Romans
4. Susanna Gregory, A Conspiracy of Violence
5. Christopher Priest, The Prestige
6. Sam Harris, Letter to a Christian Nation

Books read:

1. Tom Wright, Paul For Everyone: Romans Part 1
2. Susanna Gregory, A Conspiracy of Violence
3. Christopher Priest, The Prestige
4. Alan Wall, The Lightning Cage
5. Al Hsu, The Single Issue
6. Jim A. Talley and Bobbie Reed, Too Close Too Soon
7. Michael and Amy Smalley, Don't Date Naked

My Top 5 Worship Songs

These are the 5 songs I voted for in Narwee's top 10.*

5. Rock of Ages (the only one that got in!)
4. Before the Throne of God Above
3. Faithful and True
2. My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness
1. Oh Lord, Your Love

My number 1 song - it's quite a simple song, but I think it's a beautiful expression of the relationship we have with God. It is amazing - why should he call us his children or his friends? We have received so much from God, and there is nothing we can give in return. Even our relationship with God is all from him.

Oh Lord, I give you all I have
But it seems so little
When you have given me so much
I come to you with empty hands
And a heart that's fragile
You come to me with a wealth of love

And now I sing you songs of praise
But you are beyond me
I know I cannot comprehend
How you, ancient of days
Stoop yourself to call me
To be your son, to be your friends

Oh Lord, your love is new with every morning
Your faithfulness gets me through the night
You bid me come, you know that I am weary
Your yoke is easy, and your burden is light

I remember singing this song at church when I was going through a particularly hard time with depression and anxiety. I ended up crying because I just didn't feel that God's yoke was easy or that his burden was light. But in the end, I got through that dark time, and I know it wasn't on my own strength.

*There are other songs which would have made it into my top 5 (e.g. And Can it Be, and Crown Him With Many Crowns) but in this survey I was limited to the songs that are on the songlist for evening services at Narwee. I think I destroyed any chance of Crown Him With Many Crowns being on the list permanently when I managed to sneak the "Potentate of Time" verse in twice, but I'm not sure what the problem with And Can it Be is...

Top 5 Female Vocalists

My favourite female singers and my current favourite song by each:

1. KT Tunstall - Black Horse and the Cherry Tree


2. Sarah Blasko - Always on this Line


3. Dido - Hunter


4. Kasey Chambers - The Rain (or Surrender - both great songs!)


5. Missy Higgins - The Cactus that Found the Beat


(Brooke Fraser was a very close contender for the list)

1. Indescribable

I'm sure you have all been waiting with bated breath to find out what our number 1 song was this year. Well, for the second year in a row, it was Indescribable by Laura Story and Jesse Reeves.

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colours of autumn to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God

Another song that I like - probably again for the natural theological aspects! If I recall correctly, I did vote for this song last year, but this year it was bumped out of my top 5 by some other great songs.

Indescribable is one of those songs that needs to be played by a great band. I sometimes play it on the piano by myself, and it doesn't sound that exciting. However, with the whole band going, it's quite moving and uplifting. Narwee is blessed in having many extremely talented musicians. I wonder if that's why we tend to have more songs in each service than many other churches?

Does God exist?

Craig has set up a forum (well, a post with comments) for the purpose of discussing this question. I like his rules for the forum:

1. Anyone can contribute
2. You must stay on topic
3. You must use an alias
4. You may play "devil's advocate" if you wish
5. You may use several identities, each arguing a different point if you wish
6. You must not use bad language
7. You must not get annoyed at anyone

10 points for whoever can guess which two comments are mine...

I also like the mathematical proof quoted over at Confessing Evangelical. Reminds me of philosophy of science classes with UNSW's famous atheist philosopher...

2. In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my Light, my strength, my song
This cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest draughts and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strifings cease
My comforter, my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love, and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For every sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

This song, by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, is one of the greatest modern, hymn-like worship songs. It's one of my favourite Christian songs of all time, but I didn't vote for it this year (though I did last year). Why not? I think I'd heard it way too many times. Not just in church - also in my head. A couple of years ago, while I was going through a particularly tough time with anxiety and depression, I adopted it as my calming down song. I'd sing it to myself when I was being kept awake at night by palpitation, and to distract myself from vicious cycles of thought running around in my head. This song is perfect for that purpose - fantastic words, and a slow, steady rhythm.

Even though I've heard it a bit too often lately, I still love this song. If I ever got married, this song would have to be sung during the service. I told that to my mother once, after a wedding featuring rather uninspiring music. She thought it sounded a bit morbid - the part about "from life's first cry to final breath." To me, it's such a beautiful expression of the Christian life - it's all about Christ - and that's exactly what marriage is about too.

(Yes, some girls dream about what their wedding dress might be like if they ever get married. I do that too, from time to time (I'm such a girl), but I also like to plan out all the music for the whole service!)

3. Blessed be the Name

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be your name

I think I first heard/sang this song by Matt Redman at a mission night I went to with Donna (at Turramurra, perhaps? On your birthday one year??) Maybe somewhere else as well, around the same time. The music was available as a free download on a worship music website I used to visit, so I did play it a fair bit before we started singing it at Narwee.

I remember one of the first times we sang this song at church. The man leading the service, Colin, was talking about his wife who had passed away recently, and what this song meant to him in light of that event. It was extremely touching, particularly as I've known Colin and his wife for most of my life. His wife, Vicki, was an amazing woman. Even as she knew she was about to die, she was thinking of other people - writing letters to her children and her Sunday School kids, and planning her funeral so that the people who came would hear the gospel.

This is quite a simple song, really, but I think it has a beautiful message. It's easy to praise God when everything in life is going well, but much harder to continue praising God in the midst of suffering. It's easy to pray that God will give us things, but much harder to pray that he'll take them away, even though that might be better for us in the long run.

To me, this song expresses a great faith in God's promises. No matter what happens to us in this life, God is in control and ultimately his purpose will be fulfilled. And the ideas are reminiscent of some of the most wonderful passages from the Bible, including the following from Romans (my favourite book of the Bible!):

Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through out Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 8:18, 28-30 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us... And we know hat for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 8:31-39 - What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Amen!

4. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind but now I see

'Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fears relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Saviour has ransomed me
And like a flood his mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing Grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine

Over on Donna's blog, Matt wonders why everyone is so keen on Amazing Grace. It's ok, he says, but not the best song ever. Maybe not, but it's still a classic, and it comes with a pretty amazing story (see this site for more details). This version that we now sing at church is a new arrangement by Chris Tomlin - some new lyrics (the "my chains are gone" bit) and a slight more swinging beat. And a different selection of verses to that which is typically sung. I was intrigued to find out that the verse that is usually sung at the end was not written by John Newton:

When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we'd first begun.

More reading, less books?

What a horrible thought!

I've just read a review of the Sony Reader - a handheld device for reading e-books. The author of the review suggests that while the Reader is no more portable than the average paperback,

The Sony Reader has other selling points; above all, its potential to reduce the clutter of books. For me, the perfect advertisement for this device would be a picture of my bedstand without its ever-present leaning tower of literature. More reading, the tagline would say, fewer books.

Further down, he writes

If, today, I threw out all the books in my house that could be uploaded for free onto a Sony Reader, at least one of my bookcases (out of five or six) could be retired. What I'd really like is to keep only as many books as could be squeezed into one or two bookcases.

What on earth for? I love books! I've been thinking about selling some of my novels because I'm running out of space, but I wouldn't want to get rid of many of my books. I have 4 tall Ikea bookshelves stuffed full of books, as well as a smaller bookshelf under my window. I love lying in bed looking at my books, thinking about what I'll read next, or remembering what I enjoyed in each book (the ones that I've read, anyway...) I love the feel of books. I love to run my hands over the covers, particularly if the book has a groovy cover with embossed lettering or the like. Why would anyone want to give that up? And sure, my bookshelves take up nearly all the wallspace in my bedroom, but what would I put there instead? I dream of having a dedicated library in my home, with high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a sliding ladder!

I love this quote from Matthew Barker's Natural Theology (1674):

I have always thought that good Books are the best part of a man's Furniture in his House, and the best Ornaments for Ladies Closets.

Amen, brother!

Thesis violence

I'm glad I have a good relationship with my PhD supervisor. And I'm sure he is glad too. I just hope it all ends well, after reading this article...

5. God of Wonders

Lord of all creation
Of water, earth and sky
The heavens are your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call your name by night

God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares your majesty
You are holy, holy
Lord of heaven and earth

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth

Third Day and Caedmon's Call do a particularly nice version of this song, and I think we do it pretty well at Narwee too. I do like this song a lot. Maybe it's the whole science-y, natural theology, Psalm 19, Romans 1 kind of vibe. Whatever it is, I like it. I didn't vote for it, but I'm glad it got into the top 10!

6. How Great is our God

The splendour of the King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice, let all the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light and darkness tries to hide
Trembles at his voice, trembles at his voice

And age to age he stands and time is in his hands
Beginning and the end, beginning and the end
The Godhead, three in one, Father, Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb, the Lion and the Lamb

How great is our God
Sing with me, how great is our God!
And all will see how great, how great is our God!

You're the name above all names
You are worthy of all praise
My heart will sing, how great is our God!

Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash

I'm fairly indifferent to this song. There's nothing wrong with it, but I'm not all that enthusiastic about it. To me, it doesn't really say much.

We usually sing it with an a capella bit of "How Great Thou Art" at the end, though on Sunday this was left out: allegedly due to time constraints, though I don't think Tim is too keen on having any hymns in church! I'm surprised we're allowed to sing it at all - two "thees", four "thous" and four "arts". It's a wonder people don't run screaming from the church!

7. Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages cleft for me
Hide me now, my refuge be
Let the water and the blood
From your wounded side which flowed
Be for sin the double cure
Cleanse me from its guilt and power

Not the labours of my hands
Can fulfil your law's demands
Could my zeal no respite know
Could my tears forever flow
All for sin could not atone
You must save, and You alone

Nothing in my hand I bring
Simply to your cross I cling
Naked come to you for dress
Helpless look to you for grace
Stained by sin to You I cry
Wash me, Saviour, or I die

While I draw this fleeting breath
When my eyelids close in death
When I soar through realms unknown
Bow before the judgment throne
Hide me then, my refuge be
Rock of ages, cleft for me

Words: A.M. Toplady
Music: Ruth Buchanan

This is the only one of the 5 songs I voted for that made it into the top 10. I love it. I think the words are beautiful, and combined with the music - it gives me goosebumps. According to Tim Mac, though, this song got in by virtue of a bunch of older members of the congregation. Hmm. I was quite happy when we started singing this at church recently, but apparently it only made it on to the song list because a few people had asked for it and the music team were indifferent. Tim says that the melody breaks some musical rules. Surely they're just guidelines, though...

8. You Are God Alone

Hmm. I don't really have much to say about this song either...

You are not a God created by human hands
You are not a God dependent on any mortal man
You are not a God in need of anything we can give
And by your plan that's just the way it is

You're the only God whose power none can contend
You're the only God whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God who's worthy of everything we can give
And by your plan that's just the way it is

Unchangeable, unshakeable
Unstoppable, that's what you are

And you are God alone from before time began
And you are on your throne, and you are God alone
And right now in the good times and bad
You are on your throne and you are God alone

Phillips, Craig and Dean

9. Everyday

What to say, Lord?
It's you who gave me life and
I can't explain just how much you mean to me now
That you have saved me Lord
I give all that I am to you
That everyday I can be a light that shines your name

Everyday Lord, I'll learn to stand upon your word
And I pray that I may come to know you more
That you would guide me in every single step I take
That everyday I can be your light unto the world

Everyday, it's you I'll live for
Everyday, I'll follow after you
Everyday, I'll walk with you my Lord

It's you I'll live for everyday

Typical Hillsong by Joel Houston (related to Brian and Bobbie?). Not much else to say, really...

10. To Live is Christ

When I leave this earth there's nothing I'll take with me
Except for Jesus Christ: the pardon that he bought me
All that is my gain for him I'll count it my loss
And if I ever boast it will be only in the cross

Whether I'm in need or whether I have plenty
Whether I have food or whether I go hungry
If I stand with friends or all around desert me
I have learned to be content in every circumstance

In God and God alone I find my joy and satisfaction
For God and God alone I live or die

For me to live is Christ, to die is gain
Another day upon the earth: one more to shout his name
And if I die, my death won't be in vain
For whether by my life or death, I'll glorify his name.

This song was written by Tim MacBride, the incredibly brilliant and multi-talented associate pastor at Narwee. To be honest, it's not one of my favourite songs by Tim, and I'm a little surprised it made it into the top 10. I think he's got some much better songs. I voted for his song "Faithful and True", which I also blogged about recently.

This song, "To Live is Christ", is based on some passages from Philippians:

1:18-21 - Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

3:7-11 - But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

4:10-13 - I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Great words to live by, but how tough to actually live that way!

I feel as though I'm betraying Tim and my church to say this... but at my brother's church in Canberra, they sing another song based on Philippians, with basically the same ideas as Tim's song, and I like it better...

Narwee's Top 10 Worship Songs

Last night at church we counted down the Top 10 worship songs, as voted for by the congregation. I was rostered on to play piano - lucky me. 10 songs in one service was pretty exhausting, but it was fun, and it went well. We did shortened versions of 5 songs, and full versions of the top 5. And we still managed to finish at a reasonable time (7:15pm, I think), even with a half-hour sermon!

Only one of the songs I voted for made it into the top 10. Oh well.

Oops, I did it again...

It's always good to spread out celebrations. My birthday was three weeks ago, and I was still receiving presents last night. My dear friends Donna and Liz gave me a $50 iTunes Gift Card, along with a very stylish Diana Ferrari handbag. And the very lovely Sue bought me some perfume - Curious, by Britney Spears.

It's a very nice perfume, very cute bottle, and I've always been a bit of a Britney fan. Well, back when she was innocent anyway. Though she never was that innocent...

Oops

Wagons are overrated.

But I'm going to try again. Starting tomorrow.

In the beginning, God created Australia...

...And surf lifesavers. This video is rather amusing!