Ruach Breath of Life

My love is like a red, red rose by Ruach Breath of Life

Good people all who seek the Lord Consider well and bear in mind What our great God has done for us In sending His beloved son With all the saints we love to pray To God Most High who comes to us. In Bethlehem upon that morn The bless’d Messiah was born for us, Near Bethlehem the shepherds kept Their nightly watch o’er lambs and sheep When suddenly appeared a host: mighty angels praising the Lord...

Many radio stations and apps offer the chance to ‘relax and unwind’ with peace-inducing music and sounds – and such things definitely have their place, including within the Ruach Breath of Life Ministries. But many situations require us to ‘vent’ and cry out to the Lord for His power to break through. And for that, what we want are not smooth and soothing pieces, but those that are decidedly sharp...

'The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.' (Jn. 1:5) In the opening movement of Vivaldi's powerful Winter concerto* we hear the sharp and strident sounds of a storm, prompting us to cry out to the Lord both for protection and for His justice to prevail in many challenging situations. This second movement offers a different perspective of winter. A lovely and lyrical v...

Never has there been an angel bringing better or more important news to humankind! Celebrate the Christmas story in this lovely rendition of this folk-Basque Carol, which itself was based on an ancient Latin hymn. It is lovely - and thank you so much, dear musicians: Julia and Thomas Herzog (woodwind), Susanne Herzog, Anne Seidel, Shirley Richards, Gabriele Kröhnert, Alex Koderisch (Strings) and P...

In 1752 the Moravian preacher and minister John Cennick wrote a hymn called 'Lo he comes with countless trumpets' based on Revelation 1:7, referring to Jesus coming with the clouds in such a way that every eye will see Him. Six years later in 1758, Charles Wesley, the prolific composer of over 6500 hymns, substantially revised the piece to make it what it remains to this day: one of the best loved...

A few years ago we released a beautiful sung version of the 9th century hymn by the Frankish Benedictine poet-theologian-abbot, Rabanus Maurus, who became archbishop of Mainz. The tune is a great example of Gregorian chant, and dates from a few decades later about 1000. It is sure to bless you! * Recently, I have found myself reflecting on the saintly life of Giuseppe Sarto, the barefooted country...

Come Holy Spirit, Come fill our hearts Come flood this day with light and love. Healing and releasing, Cleansing and dispelling, Come Holy Spirit, come fill our hearts. Ruach Hadesh, Holy Spirit, Come into the midst of our trials Hold us. Deliver us o Lord Restorer, Empowerer, keep my soul in peace. Lifter of my head Come Holy Spirit. Harmony Greenwood (vocals), Megan Mellamphey (flute) Nick Evans...

The Last Rose by Ruach Breath of Life

Out of the depths - Psalm 130 by Ruach Breath of Life

I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you. After Laurie Klein recited soothing and reassuring words from Psalms 62 and 63 and Isaiah 41:3, the musicians struck up brief but moving improvisations, in this live recording from the Symphony of Worship Conference in Malvern in 2000. As the first of these improvisations unfold, this is an oppo...

Charpentier by Ruach Breath of Life

On the penal colony of Patmos for his faith, John and could easily have allowed himself to feel deeply discouraged, and even resentful at being ‘stuck’ in such a dreadful place. No wonder we find him speaking of himself as being ‘our brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus! (Rev. 1:9) How grateful we and countless millions are that John resol...

As I listened to this powerful piece of music by my first music teacher, Philip Spratley, it seems a poignantly perfect backcloth to help us pray heartfelt prayers for Ukraine at this time when it is under such intense pressure in so many directions. Please do take time out to sit in the Lord's presence, and to pour your heart out to Him and see how He leads you. The people of Ukraine need the Lor...

Many of you will be familiar with the hymn 'Blessed be the tie', a very deep affirmation of the strength that comes when believers truly love each other. As so often there is a story behind the words. In the mid-eighteenth century, John Fawcett was a young Baptist preacher in poverty-stricken Wainsgate near Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, when he received an invitation to come to a large and influenti...

No matter how experienced we may be in terms of prayer and ministry, it is always a great source of joy when God moves in unmistakable ways. There is nothing quite like the sense of awe and astonishment we get when He comes in His beauty! Last Sunday, I was due to give a talk at church based around 2 Corinthians 10. I had worked hard to prepare it and focused particularly on the theme of demolishi...

I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all others seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 2:20-21) As much as these verses express a great commendation of his protégé, Timothy, they are also a sad indictment of others in Paul’s immediate entourage. It can be a distressing realisation to discover that people are more calculating and concerne...

Inspired by the words 'Your Kingdom come' in the Lord's Prayer, this is a worshipful improvisation that Sally sung, accompanied by David Booth on guitar. It expresses our longing for more of God and His Heavenly Kingdom as we soak in His presence and seek His face - both for ourselves and for the many situations that we bring Him.

Many years ago, at the gates of the nursery that both Ruth and Tim attended, we enjoyed many precious moments of fellowship with a special group of parents. (We are still in touch with them all!) Amongst them was Sue Harris, who I was delighted to invite to record this poem-prayer that celebrates the "sacrament of the present moment": a lovely concept which Jean Pierre Caussade coined as a phrase...

Lord, you say, “This is the resting place. Let the weary rest. This is the place to be refreshed.” (Is 28:12 EHV) We are longing just to come and be refreshed. The Lord: Come aside a while and ponder My sovereignty. So far from being a distant or highfaluting concept, this is manna to your soul and truth to bring repose to weary hearts and minds. I am sovereign: this is the bedrock of everything i...

The believer Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, for Your steadfast loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness. (Ps. 115:1 AMPC) We are the inheritors of Your kingdom, and we live and move in Your glory, in the peace and security that comes from following the Prince of Peace. Voice: The Lord The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride broug...

2 Tim 2:19 Though you see many things that might make you despair, when you indulge your woes and listen to your fears, and when your faults and failings shout aloud from the roof tops, and your senses are inclined to shrink in the face of all these discouragements, never forfeit the godly foundations I have procured for You: My arms beneath and My throne above undergirds all. There can no more be...

Comment by the photographer - Some time ago while I was walking along Calle Larios in Malaga, I was struck by the skill of this craftsman who, there in the middle of the street in a completely artisanal way (the lathe was a wheel that he rotated with his hands) of a shapeless piece of clay was used to make vessels and other useful and beautiful pieces. The believer You are the Alpha and the Omega,...

Seated on high You yet stoop so low to meet us as and where we are. No matter that may sometimes feel like worker bees, gathering but a fraction of a teaspoonful of honey in our lifetimes, yet we are doing and seek to do all that you have commissioned us to do as we look above and not at the things of life. You are our refuge and our fortress, O God, in whom we trust (Psalm 91:2). You are fully co...

My compassion is not dependent on what you do. Neither does My justice depend on human will or exertion. My compassion and mercy spring from My mercy seat. (Rom. 9:15-16) Seek My mercy on behalf of erring souls and nations, streets and towns and regions, careers and professions. My Sovereignty is not blunted or diminished by your failures. I can yet rearrange the strands of your lives, and ordain...