Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Friday, 24 December 2010
Friday, 17 December 2010
What Do You Got?
A song by Bon Jovi with some very strange grammar, which has been getting quite a bit of airplay on Planet Rock recently. It does, however, make a very true observation of human life. It does not matter who you are, rich, poor, famous, anonymous, or anyone in between, we all need love. We need to love and be loved, we have been programmed that way.
I know some people who have had bad experiences of love may well disagree, but I honestly feel love is what makes the world go round. I am lucky in that I have the love of family and good friends to support me. I also have the love of and for God. Even when earthly love lets us down, God still loves us. As the Bible says God gave his only son, even to death on the cross, so we could have eternal life. We were programed to love God and be loved by him. I know that this is not what the band are singing about, but the point is still true none the less.
Every one needs someone to tell them the truth the song says, and so we do. The truth from God is what we need, and his gentle nudges in the right direction. So what do you got if you aint got love - loneliness. With love - happiness. With God's love - eternal happiness. This does not mean the end of trouble or pain, but the knowledge of spending eternity with God.
Bon Jovi
What Do You Got? lyrics
Everybody wants something, just a little more
We're making a living, and what we're living for
A rich man or a poor man, a pawn or a king
You can live on the street, you can rule the whole world
But it don't mean one damn thing
What do you got, if you aint got love?
Whatever you got, it just aint enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of
If you ain't got someone, you're afraid to lose
Everybody needs just one, someone... to tell them the truth
Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I still believe
I believe in hope, I believe the change can get us up off our knees
What do you got, if you aint got love?
Whatever you got, it just aint enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of
If you ain't got love, it's all just keeping score
If you ain't got love, what the hell we doing it for
I don't wanna have to talk about it,
How many songs you gotta sing about it?
How long you gonna live without it?
Why does someone somewhere have to doubt it?
Someday we'll figure it out
What do you got, if you aint got love?
Whatever you got, it just aint enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of
If you ain't got love, it's all just keeping score
If you ain't got love, what the hell we doing it for
Woahhh, I ain't got, if you ain't got love
Woahhh, What do you got if you ain't got love?
Woahhh, What do you got if you ain't got love?
I know some people who have had bad experiences of love may well disagree, but I honestly feel love is what makes the world go round. I am lucky in that I have the love of family and good friends to support me. I also have the love of and for God. Even when earthly love lets us down, God still loves us. As the Bible says God gave his only son, even to death on the cross, so we could have eternal life. We were programed to love God and be loved by him. I know that this is not what the band are singing about, but the point is still true none the less.
Every one needs someone to tell them the truth the song says, and so we do. The truth from God is what we need, and his gentle nudges in the right direction. So what do you got if you aint got love - loneliness. With love - happiness. With God's love - eternal happiness. This does not mean the end of trouble or pain, but the knowledge of spending eternity with God.
Bon Jovi
What Do You Got? lyrics
Everybody wants something, just a little more
We're making a living, and what we're living for
A rich man or a poor man, a pawn or a king
You can live on the street, you can rule the whole world
But it don't mean one damn thing
What do you got, if you aint got love?
Whatever you got, it just aint enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of
If you ain't got someone, you're afraid to lose
Everybody needs just one, someone... to tell them the truth
Maybe I'm a dreamer, but I still believe
I believe in hope, I believe the change can get us up off our knees
What do you got, if you aint got love?
Whatever you got, it just aint enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of
If you ain't got love, it's all just keeping score
If you ain't got love, what the hell we doing it for
I don't wanna have to talk about it,
How many songs you gotta sing about it?
How long you gonna live without it?
Why does someone somewhere have to doubt it?
Someday we'll figure it out
What do you got, if you aint got love?
Whatever you got, it just aint enough
You walk in the road, but you're going nowhere
You're tryin' to find your way home, but there's no one there
Who do you hold, in the dark of night?
You wanna give up, but it's worth the fight
You have all the things, that you've been dreaming of
If you ain't got love, it's all just keeping score
If you ain't got love, what the hell we doing it for
Woahhh, I ain't got, if you ain't got love
Woahhh, What do you got if you ain't got love?
Woahhh, What do you got if you ain't got love?
Saturday, 4 December 2010
God Gave Rock 'n' Roll To You
On the premise that God created everything and gives good gifts to his children, then yes God did give rock 'n' roll to everyone. It has often been said, that rock music, and in particular the heavy metal genre, is the devil's music. In the same way that man can take good things and turn them evil, chemical weapons for example, then music can be used for both good and bad messages. In the whole though, I feel that rock music, in it's widest sense, can and is used for the good. You can not single out rock music as being "bad", and not also include genres such as gangster rap. In the main the musicians are just putting over a message, some may be slightly darker, but hey some poetry is very dark.
All people were made in the image of God, that includes followers of rock music. God loves us as much as anybody else, and anyone who says otherwise has a slightly odd take on the Gospels.
The Kiss song of this name, uses rock music as a form of escapism from the grind of an ordinary nine to five job, in a mundane existence. That though is what most of us find as a reality in living. Christians have no need to resort to escapism, as they have a relationship with the living God, who can help us to a better life.
God does give rock 'n' roll to us, but he also gives us so much more, if only we would let him.
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone
Do you know what you want? You don't know for sure
You don't feel right, you can't find a cure
And you're gettin' less than what you're lookin' for
You don't have money or a fancy car
And you're tired of wishin' on a falling star
You gotta put your faith in a loud guitar
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Gave rock and roll to everyone (oh yeah)
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone
"Now listen"
If you wanna be a singer, or play guitar
Man, you gotta sweat or you won't get far
Cause it's never too late to work nine-to-five
You can take a stand, or you can compromise
You can work real hard or just fantasize
But you don't start livin' till you realize - "I gotta tell ya!"
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Gave rock and roll to everyone
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in your'e Soul
God gave rock and roll to you (to everyone he gave the song to be sung)
Gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to everyone
God gave rock and roll to you (to everyone he gave the song to be sung)
Gave rock and roll to you, saved rock and roll for everyone
Saved rock and roll
I know life sometimes can get tough! And I know life sometimes can be a drag!
But people, we have been given a gift, we have been given a role
And that roles name is... Rock and Roll!
All people were made in the image of God, that includes followers of rock music. God loves us as much as anybody else, and anyone who says otherwise has a slightly odd take on the Gospels.
The Kiss song of this name, uses rock music as a form of escapism from the grind of an ordinary nine to five job, in a mundane existence. That though is what most of us find as a reality in living. Christians have no need to resort to escapism, as they have a relationship with the living God, who can help us to a better life.
God does give rock 'n' roll to us, but he also gives us so much more, if only we would let him.
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone
Do you know what you want? You don't know for sure
You don't feel right, you can't find a cure
And you're gettin' less than what you're lookin' for
You don't have money or a fancy car
And you're tired of wishin' on a falling star
You gotta put your faith in a loud guitar
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Gave rock and roll to everyone (oh yeah)
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in the soul of everyone
"Now listen"
If you wanna be a singer, or play guitar
Man, you gotta sweat or you won't get far
Cause it's never too late to work nine-to-five
You can take a stand, or you can compromise
You can work real hard or just fantasize
But you don't start livin' till you realize - "I gotta tell ya!"
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Gave rock and roll to everyone
God gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to you
Put it in your'e Soul
God gave rock and roll to you (to everyone he gave the song to be sung)
Gave rock and roll to you, gave rock and roll to everyone
God gave rock and roll to you (to everyone he gave the song to be sung)
Gave rock and roll to you, saved rock and roll for everyone
Saved rock and roll
I know life sometimes can get tough! And I know life sometimes can be a drag!
But people, we have been given a gift, we have been given a role
And that roles name is... Rock and Roll!
Monday, 22 November 2010
Tears Of The Saints
There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures
This is an emergency!
There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home
There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory
This is an emergency!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home
Words & Music by Leeland Dayton Mooring and Jack Anthony Mooring / © 2006 Meaux Mercy (BMI) / Meaux Jeaux (SESAC)
Behind the Song:
Leeland Mooring says it was a Sunday afternoon during a quiet devotional time that he sensed what he calls a presence of God. “I was playing piano, just worshiping, and I asked in prayer, ‘God, just give me your heart for the lost.’” It was a hope to feel the longing God feels for people struggling to find their way. “And then I started crying—it was as if God gave me a little glimpse of his heart,” Leeland continues. “‘Tears of the Saints’ came out, and it’s about how for every person who is out there lost there is probably about five people praying for them.” More, the track illuminates the vision the band has for its ministry. “We want to see kids saved,” the songwriter affirms. “What’s awesome about this song live, is how it touches people,” bassist Jake Holtz adds. “The Lord is just blessing people. You can see change coming across their faces. It’s nothing we’re doing. God’s just working through us with this song.”
Monday, 18 October 2010
Unforgiven
This Metallica song has been in and out of my head for a few years now. From what I can gather, the song charts the memories of an old man, who has regretted being controlled as a child, and conforming as a young man/adult. I suppose to a certain extent, we all try to please others, and sometimes do not show what we really think or know. I know that I have been guilty of this. We do not want to offend, we want to please.
Those who exert unhealthy control or influence over the lives of others, also are in danger of ruining their own lives as well. They will probably be unforgiven by their victims, even though God teaches us to forgive. Forgiving a tormentor can be hard,and maybe humanly impossible. You do read stories though of people who have forgiven some pretty horrendous things that have been done to them. At the end of the day though, it is God who has the power to forgive, and He will forgive anyone who truly turns to Him. This may often go against our perceived sense of fair play, but God is God and we are not.
There is no reason why anyone should remain unforgiven, we all have the chance to enter into a loving relationship with our saving heavenly Father.
This does not take away though, the fact that this is a cracking good song!
New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Those who exert unhealthy control or influence over the lives of others, also are in danger of ruining their own lives as well. They will probably be unforgiven by their victims, even though God teaches us to forgive. Forgiving a tormentor can be hard,and maybe humanly impossible. You do read stories though of people who have forgiven some pretty horrendous things that have been done to them. At the end of the day though, it is God who has the power to forgive, and He will forgive anyone who truly turns to Him. This may often go against our perceived sense of fair play, but God is God and we are not.
There is no reason why anyone should remain unforgiven, we all have the chance to enter into a loving relationship with our saving heavenly Father.
This does not take away though, the fact that this is a cracking good song!
New blood joins this earth
And quickly he's subdued
Through constant pained disgrace
The young boy learns their rules
With time the child draws in
This whipping boy done wrong
Deprived of all his thoughts
The young man struggles on and on he's known
A vow unto his own
That never from this day
His will they'll take away
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
They dedicate their lives
To running all of his
He tries to please them all
This bitter man he is
Throughout his life the same
He's battled constantly
This fight he cannot win
A tired man they see no longer cares
The old man then prepares
To die regretfully
That old man here is me
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never be
Never see
Won't see what might have been
What I've felt
What I've known
Never shined through in what I've shown
Never free
Never me
So I dub thee unforgiven
You labeled me
I'll label you
So I dub thee unforgiven
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Brothers In Arms
This is the title track from the album by Dire Straits. The songs has been going around my head for a few months now. There is no "commentary" on the song that I wish to develop this time. The song,and the album, were however instrumental in helping me through a very hard time in April 1986. I think the reason for the song now being in my head, is the fact that I am now nearly older than my Dad was when he died in that month.
The whole album just seemed to me at the time to fit my mood. This song spoke to me as at the time I felt that I had brothers in arms. One was the person of Jesus Christ, as my faith was strengthened not tested in this difficult period. The other was a very good friend, who was there for me at the time. We shared a lot of time together whilst growing up, some good, some bad, and some ugly! Times change, people change, the bond is still there, maybe not as strong as it once was, but I don't think it will ever be totally broken.
This song goes out to my "brother" in arms.
These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms
Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though we were hurt so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
The whole album just seemed to me at the time to fit my mood. This song spoke to me as at the time I felt that I had brothers in arms. One was the person of Jesus Christ, as my faith was strengthened not tested in this difficult period. The other was a very good friend, who was there for me at the time. We shared a lot of time together whilst growing up, some good, some bad, and some ugly! Times change, people change, the bond is still there, maybe not as strong as it once was, but I don't think it will ever be totally broken.
This song goes out to my "brother" in arms.
These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you'll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you'll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms
Through these fields of destruction
Baptisms of fire
I've witnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though we were hurt so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms
There's so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones
Now the sun's gone to hell
And the moon's riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it's written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We're fools to make war
On our brothers in arms
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Snowdonia (IV)
There is already a link on this blog to the Centre For Alternative Technology, so full information on that can be found there. Had yet another enjoyable and informative visit there.
Meirion Mill is now a retail outlet selling in the main lambswool products, plus the usual touristy stuff. It is reasonably priced and worth a visit.
On our way home we went via Wrexham to visit some friends. On route we called in at Rhug Farm, mainly to use thge toilets, but found a very good farm shop. The strawberry ice lollies contained pieces of fruit. They also have a herd of bison in a field, the young looked really cute.
Our final stop was at Erddig, an National Trust run house and gardens just outside Wrexham. It is somewhere I have been meaning to go for some years, but this was the first time. The house displays both "upstairs" and "downstairs" and has loads to see. We were short for time, so a repeat longer visit is deinately in the offing.
Links:
www.meirionmill.co.uk
www.rhug.co.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Meirion Mill is now a retail outlet selling in the main lambswool products, plus the usual touristy stuff. It is reasonably priced and worth a visit.
On our way home we went via Wrexham to visit some friends. On route we called in at Rhug Farm, mainly to use thge toilets, but found a very good farm shop. The strawberry ice lollies contained pieces of fruit. They also have a herd of bison in a field, the young looked really cute.
Our final stop was at Erddig, an National Trust run house and gardens just outside Wrexham. It is somewhere I have been meaning to go for some years, but this was the first time. The house displays both "upstairs" and "downstairs" and has loads to see. We were short for time, so a repeat longer visit is deinately in the offing.
Links:
www.meirionmill.co.uk
www.rhug.co.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)