worship
New Zealanders who return from living overseas often comment on how insular we are. The first place where this is noticed is with the media, which tends to set the agenda for conversation and empathy. During these covidian times we’ve tended to be wrapped up so much in ourselves. My hunch is that the peoples…
READ MOREAfter creating ‘lyrics for living’ to be the occasional equivalent of an archaeological dig into the world of ancient hymnody, for the second time in two months, I am reaching for a song written in 2021. What is happening to my world? Is lockdown getting to me? This time last week I was expanding my…
READ MORELyrics for Living has been more about resuscitating hymns — oldies, but goodies — than it has been about providing further exposure to contemporary songs. However, as my French teacher used to say, “always expect an exception”… and that exception has arrived: Phil Wickham’s Hymn of Heaven. Let’s start by having another listen to…
READ MOREWinter. Spring. Summer. Autumn. I do enjoy the beauty in each season. Whether it be these familiar four, or tropical twosomes like Wet and Dry, Hot and Less-Hot — there is always beauty to be discerned in each season. Yes, it is even true with those Hot and the Dry climates. Over the years I’ve…
READ MORESomeone, somewhere recommended this book to me. Whoever you are, wherever you are — thank-you! Not only did Alan Kreider’s The Patient Ferment of the Early Church push a few buttons for me, it polished them — four of them, in particular. 1. Patience One of the first impressions for me in returning to New Zealand…
READ MOREWith this hymn, it was love at first sound. I’ve never stopped loving it. I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto me and rest; Lay down, O weary one, lay down Your head upon my breast.” I came to Jesus as I was, So weary, worn, and sad; I found in him a…
READ MORE
We arrived a little late to the party, but it was worth the wait. The Blessing Aotearoa New Zealand is exquisite as an expression of worship. Beautiful though it is as worship, I was even more stirred by its possibilities for mission. Not only was I stunned to see it on the news at the…
READ MOREIt is good to be home again in New Zealand. I enjoy being able to pop across to my mother’s home on Sunday evenings and watch the BBC’s Songs of Praise with her. But not today, as we are in covidian lockdown – again! With Songs of Praise I am not so keen on the choirs, the organs and…
READ MOREThere are times when worship can be a bit of a worry. Here is one example that came to mind this week, for reasons I’ll explain later. There are two songs ‘out there’ with the same first line: Jesus, lover of my soul. One, written in 1993, starts like this: Jesus, lover of my soul; Jesus, I…
READ MORE
Television can provide such a window onto the soul of a nation. Whenever I’m travelling in unfamiliar countries, I like having a TV to watch. The content. The style. The advertisements. The agenda. The people. The popular. It goes on and on… It is a window that fascinates me. Over the past seven years, when…
READ MOREAbout Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.