Ruach Breath of Life

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. (Ps. 63:7) What a blessing it is when, having been caught up in challenging trials and tribulations, there come times of deep such peace and settledness, when we sense the Lord as it were spreading His wings over us. As our friend, the poet Laurie Klein writes, we live in the shadow of God’s ‘wingdom.’ I love that thought! I wonder what...

Many of us will be in the habit of drawing up checklists before setting out on major trips. On a spiritual plane, it is worth checking, too, just what is it that our hearts are a-thirst for. Is it for the Lord’s presence and purposes, or for something more self-centred? May we continue to thirst, long and even pine for the Lord in the way that David speaks of in Psalm 63 – even in those times when...

When life is hanging by a thread (The Wilderness of Failure ) It is easy to put Biblical characters (or certain high-profile believers) on pedestals as we consider their great exploits and compare them with our own. But, as James reminds us concerning Elijah, they are people ‘just like us' (Jas. 5:17) - and the Bible is so honest about showing us their faults and foibles. Like many of us, David pa...

It is not until the last three verses of Psalm 63 that David hints at what he has really been up against, and all that he has to overcome. It is a powerful testimony of faith – as well as a sobering reminder of the fate that awaited those who were seeking his life. The music is from Robert Weston’s ‘Evin Suite,’ and a piece he wrote for cor anglais called ‘The Song of the Stranger in a Strange Lan...

Finding ourselves in a wilderness of one sort or another can leave us inclined to look back nostalgically to those times when we have seen the Lord so clearly in His sanctuary, and known Him move so powerfully. We long to be back into that place where we delighted in the sense of His presence, and His ready provision that satisfies our needs. Whatever the origin of the wildernesses – yes, even tho...

The music that accompanies this outpouring of devotion to God is an instrumental version of a truly exquisite ancient Easter hymn in the Gregorian tradition, O Sons and Daughters of the King. (O filii et filiae).

In a ‘dry and weary land’ David faced many dangers. In this track he reflects on his own physical and emotional exhaustion as a result of being ousted from Jerusalem as the result of his son Absalom’s revolt. For us, too, weariness may often come in waves: when the tide flows in we feel invigorated and motivated – but when it goes again, our energy dissipates, and we struggle to retain our hope. T...

For so many people, the night, with its thoughts and longings, can be a time when fears and concerns bombard the mind. But the darkness is as light to the Lord, and darkness cannot remain where the Lord Himself is – and as David discovered the wakeful, ‘dread-full’ hours are precisely those we can spend with Him, and thereby avoid giving way to fears and dark thoughts. Moonlight sonata

Everything in life is changing and transitory . . . except the Lord, who is from everlasting to everlasting. He remains the same, and His years will never end. (Ps. 102:27 NIV). This beautiful and powerful song is based on verses 18 and 27 of Psalm 102, and celebrates the wonderful truth that before our world came into existence, God already was. He is the ‘Ancient of Days’ and He, like His Son Je...

We have no idea how long David spent in the desert on this occasion. How many nights did he spend out in the wilderness, at risk from animals and his foes alike? Yet, David found ways to strengthen himself in the Lord, even under the onslaught of devastating betrayal and attack. In his youth it had been from King Saul, and it had been from raiders at Ziklag, when even his own people were speaking...

We love it when the water of life is flowing freely through us,’ when praise flows and prayer is just a sheer joy. But how do we cope when, for either a short or a long time, our ‘water levels’ seem to recede and, like David, we find ourselves in a dry and waterless place; when seeking the Lord feels dull, and our circumstances so cramping and constricting that it feels as though all the life is b...

It is night. David is sitting in the doorway of the improvised tent he has pitched in the Judean wilderness, looking out at what lies in front of him. The moon and the stars are illuminating a sweeping expanse of bare sand and rock, a drear, dry and waterless place, as different as can be from the green pastures and still waters of the sheepfolds of his youth. David was a poet at heart, and he see...

We are used to thinking of God as the All-mighty King. What a precious theme that is to ponder on! I have been reflecting recently on that word ‘all’, and the ‘allness’ – the completeness and totality – of God. John has such rich things to say about the all-encompassing intimacy and perfect love that exists between the Father, Son and Spirit, and the completeness of their plan in bringing Creation...

Music: Mystery Improvisation Musicians: Christiane von Albrecht on piano and Shirley Richards on violin Vivaldi, Cum Sancto Spiritu, from his Gloria in D Musicians: Nicola, Megan, Mike, Peter, Anthony, Francis, Philippa, Christiane M, Jo.

Featuring uplifting music for harp by the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, that is wonderfully played for us by Fontane Liang, the title of the piece, La Vida Breve, reminds us that life is short – and that we are to respond to the Lord’s invitation to come and take the free gift of the water of life. Music Manuel de Falla: Vida Breve Performed by Fontane Liang Father, at this time, when many peo...

The theme of the Lord’s invitation to us continues, this time accompanied by the lapping waters of the River Vltava, (which means ‘Wild Water,’ and is widely known by its German name, the Moldau) as depicted by the Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. Exquisitely performed for us by Fontane Liang, the music beautifully captures the sound of the river as it gathers strength and momentum from its source...

Water, and rivers, play a vital part in the history of humankind and it is good to celebrate them, but it is even more important to respond to the Lord’s invitation to come to Him and drink of the eternal water of life. In this second part of Smetana’s depiction of the Moldau river, you will love the rippling effects of the water that Fontane captures so beautifully. May you be refreshed in the de...

The Scriptures speak of a wonderful river of life in Heaven that is brim full of vitality and healing. This is an invitation to contemplate the river, and to picture it in our minds and spirits. It is set to beautiful music from Torelli’s Etienne Concerto, and the improvisation that follows it. Music Torelli: Trumpet Concerto in D - ‘Etienne’ 2nd movt Musicians: Philippa Barton, Helen Rees, Julian...

Set to gentle music by Linda Entwistle, here is an opportunity to ponder the river of God, and the spiritual flow we bring to others, even as rivers bring so many vital nutrients to the regions they pass through, and serve as vital hubs of communication. Where might the river of God’s Spirit be leading you? Music: Linda Louisa: Just Passing Through The more profoundly rooted we are in Jesus, the m...

Jane Horsfall’s exuberant piece, Adonai Elohai, provides the setting for this delightful opportunity to reflect on how God increases the flow and significance of His ‘river’ in our hearts, and the ways in which He distributes His gifts to us, and then enables us in turn to share what He has given us with others. Music: Jane Horsfall: Adonai Elohai Musicians: Jane and James Horsfall, Helen Rees, Ph...

In our labours to extend the Kingdom of God, there are challenging times when it appears as though our best efforts are bearing little or no fruit, while others seem to spring up before our eyes and bear a mighty harvest. It is a wonderful and reassuring thought that, at any time, the Lord can intervene to water the seeds we sow and bring about a great blessing and release. Let us not give up on s...

As we invite the Lord into the deep places of our heart in this meditation, we are accompanied by a traditional tune called ‘To danton me.’ ‘Danton’ (or daunton or daunten) is an old Scots word meaning ‘to frighten, subdue, discourage or cast down in spirit.’ How blessed we are to be able to ask for the waters that Jesus gives us, for they spring up to eternal life, whatever our inward temperament...

We have set this concluding track of our 'Transfiguration' album to a powerful piece of improvised music that members of Wellspring played some years ago, as part of their release: 'The Return.' We are grateful for permission to use the music here. Lord, you dwell in the heights, but also with those who are humble at heart. keep us walking humbly in Your way. let Your glory touch our hearts our ho...

Transfiguration - track 1 - The Father reveals His Glory Flute music (Dave Hart) Track 1 Rise up and see (Linda Entwistle) “Peter, who do people say that I am? And who do you say that I am?” “Lord, you are the Christ, the Son of God.” “‘Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah; for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood but by my Father in heaven. Now the Son of man must make His way to Jerus...

Transfiguration - track 2 -Jesus - Life-bringer, Trail-blazer The Blessing (Dave Hart) Celtic music Jesus told the disciples to keep quiet about what they had seen – but they were confused. None of them had understood what He meant when He told them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be killed, but that on the third day He would be raised to life. As friends so often do, they tried to...