Ruach Breath Of Life

The Mystery of God is accomplished - part(ii)I am making all things new by Ruach Breath of Life

The Mystery Of God Is Accomplished by Ruach Breath of Life

Music by Henry Purcell; words translated from the Latin by John Neale. What a debt we owe to John Neale, a nineteenth century poet, scholar and Anglican priest, who has blessed many by translating many of the really great hymns from the Latin. It is a joy to introduce this powerful hymn to a new generation of believers who have a heart for both Church and nation. The full lyrics of the original hymn highlight the continuity between the glories of the Heavenly city and God’s great power, ability and willingness to help us now. The words we have set it to here, however, are the verses that are most commonly known and sung. Christ is made the sure foundation, Christ, our head and cornerstone, chosen of the Lord and precious, binding all the Church in one; Holy Zion’s help forever and our confidence alone. All that dedicated city, dearly loved by God on high, in exultant jubilation pours perpetual melody – God the One, in Threefold glory, Singing everlastingly. To this temple, where we call you, come, O Go

Aslan's Strength returns by Celia Redgate "O children," said the Lion, "I feel my strength coming back to me. Oh children, catch me if you can!" He stood for a second, his eyes very bright, his limbs quivering, lashing himself with his tail. Then he made a leap high over their heads and landed on the other side of the Table. Laughing, though she didn't know why, Lucy scrambled over it to reach him. Aslan leaped again. A mad chase began. (From The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis.) The whole thrust of the Christian faith depends on and revolves around Christ’s resurrection from the dead. So too in a greatly scaled down ways do we as individuals, communities and even nations go through times of renewed ‘resurrection’ after passing through various ordeals that may have lasted a very long time, emerging from them with renewed hope and strength. In wild winter weather we once held a conference in a remote centre in North Wales. This was at the time when the Iron Curtain was on the point of comi

Aslan's walk to the Stone Table - by Celia Redgate Forward they went again and one of the girls walked on each side of the Lion. But how slowly he walked! And his great, royal head drooped so that his nose nearly touched the grass. (from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis) As Aslan, of his own volition, makes his way to the place where he will be slain, we are reminded of Jesus’ own stumbling journey along the Via Dolorosa, toward the place of His crucifixion. In this, He fulfilled His own words: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down My life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (John 10:17-19) The intense sadness of this piece makes it suitable for us to use as we pray for many other heavy, grievous situations. Musicians: Mike Halliday, Peter Richards, Anthony Thompson, Francis Cummings, Philippa Barton, Christiane Mu

Huw Humphreys, arranged Justin Coldstream But You remain the same, and Your years will never end. (Ps. 102:27 NIV) Everything in life is changing and transitory . . . except the Lord, who is from everlasting to everlasting. This beautiful song is based on verses 18 and 27 of Psalm 102, and celebrates the wonderful truth that before our world came into existence, God was. He is The ‘Ancient of Days’ and He, like His Son Jesus, are the same yesterday, today and forever. May the Lord root this glorious truth deep in our hearts – and let it be written (and sung!) in the generations to come, so that a people not yet created may praise Him. Musicians: Megan Topper, Anthony Thompson, Peter Richards, Justin Coldstream, Francis Cummings, Philippa Barton, Christiane Mueller, Jo Garcia (© Huw Humphries 1990)

Time and again the Lord's sweet presence steals over us, often when we are expecting it the least, or are in greatest need of it. He comes quite unexpectedly, sometimes when we know ourselves to be in great need of receiving a fresh touch from Him. As the melody of this piece passes from one instrument to another, and the strings play a joyful pizzicato, may it release fresh joy into our own hearts. Musicians: Nicola Gerrard, Francis Cummings, Philippa Barton, Christiane Mueller, Jo Garcia How kind the Lord is –and how well He knows what people used to call ‘our mortal frame.’ Life can sometimes bring us so many unexpected challenges and tumbles, with a result that we can end up as it were holding our breath and feeling afraid to laugh in case tomorrow’s trials prove still more sever. But the Lord’s grace is always fresh, and it is good to laugh and not fear sheer joy and pleasure. “Laugh and fear not, creatures,” Aslan urges the newly created talking animals of Narnia. “Now that you are no longer dumb

The Lord has always used the night hours to draw close to His children – but they can also be a time when cares and worries come to the surface. I have written a piece here that seeks to both soothe and reassure, and to welcome His presence with us, all through the night – for, truly, ‘He neither slumbers nor sleeps!’ Thank you so much to Megan Topper, Jo Garcia and Sally Prittie for singing and playing this spiritual lullaby so exquisitely. As the Celtic tradition has it, I am lying down tonight with the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit this night will lie down with me. I will lie down this night with the three of my love, and the three of my love will lie down with me. I will not lie down tonight with sin, nor shall sin or sin’s shadow lie down with me. See https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/tuesday-the-cuthbert-compline/ for an extended version of this prayer, as written and used by the Northumbria community.

Quoniam Tu sanctus by Ruach Breath of Life

Jesus is calling my name by Jane Charlesworth This is a lovely song that draws us deeper into the precious and reassuring reality that Jesus not only calls us by name, but really does know everything about us. From the moment He began to knit us together in the womb, His call has shaped each of our lives in a unique way. It operates both directly and indirectly, and intersects perfectly with His purposes for others too, so that He might bring about the special thing He has had in mind for us to do from before the world began. Vocals - Megan Topper Flute - Nicola Gerrard Clarinet - Mike Halliday Guitar - David Booth Violin - Shirley Richards Cello Jo Garcia Keys - Christiane von Albrecht

An improvisation inspired by Psalm 23 - by Sally Mowbray Come and take a walk with the Lord alongside the springs of life! Vocals and keys - Sally Mowbray Guitar - David Booth

I will pour out My Spirit An improvisation on an extemporé call from the Lord that Grace Nadin brought us from the Lord’s heart at the Symphony of Prayer Conference in Malvern in 1996 The Lord longs that we should see things with His eyes and share the pain He feels about many things too. At the very beginning of one of the Sounds of Heaven recording venues, we invited Nicola, Shirley and Jo to wait on the Lord and to accompany Grace Nadin’s original recording. May we take this inspired message again to heart, and open the pores of our heart to receive all He has in mind for us to see and understand - and to let Him pour out His Spirit upon us afresh. Vocals Grace Nadin (1996) Nicola Gerrard - Flute Shirley Richards - Violin Jo Garcia – Cello Recorded at House of the Open Door 2022

Cum Sancto Spiritu – Come, Holy Spirit From Vivaldi’s Gloria ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ declares the LORD Almighty. (Zech. 4:6). This magnificent piece of music from Vivaldi’s Gloria, reminds us how much we need the Holy Spirit in our lives at all times. He is not an impersonal life force, but an integral part of the Holy Trinity. He empowers our worship and witness, and is our Comforter and Helper, as well as the One who inspires our words. He it is who convicts us of our sin, and who opens our hearts and minds to the things of God. He it is who enables us to bear the many-fold fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22), and who empowers us to discern between different types of spirits, and to grasp the spiritual dynamics that are at work in different situations. He it is, too, who enables us to work miracles, participate in the ministry of healing, and understand and interpret unknown tongues. He is the One who tells us things that we could not possibly have known by any other means. (See 1 C

O Lord our God As we were seeking to hear the particular sound the Lord was laying on our hearts for these recordings, it became apparent how deep is the lament that needs to be aired. This song is another such cry from deep within the heart. May He use it to stir our desire to pray for many who are in urgent need of His touch. Copyright Grace Nadine 1992

Hallelujah and Fare Well At the very end of our recent Sounds of Heaven recording event, we laid all prepared pieces aside and simply worshipped. Given the theme that Megan found as she sang, we originally called this piece Hallelujah, but we have added Fare Well, because all of us surely desire to 'fare well' in our service for God's kingdom and to finish our time on earth as well as we can - confident that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus as we devote ourselves to seeking to do the will of Him who sent us and to finish the work He has given us to do on Earth. (Phil. 1:6. John 4:34, cf 5:36)

O Lord our God by Ruach Breath of Life

Jesus for love of You (Come Closer) by Ruach Breath of Life

A Sound of Hope for Ukraine by Ruach Breath of Life

Of the Father’s love begotten This lovely hymn celebrates the all-encompassing Sonship of Christ. It was penned in the late 4th century by Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, a lawyer, poet and ascetic from Northern Spain. Many centuries later, it was translated into English by JM Neale and HW Baker. While it would normally be sung by a choir or congregation, it is here read over an exquisite rendition of the music recorded for us by Christiane von Albrecht on keyboard, and Shirley Richards on violin.

The Lord upholds the righteous even in the face of wickedness: verses from Psalms 35 and 37 It is always good to declare Scripture, and perhaps especially so in times of crises. We have set these verses to the stately music of a saraband by Handel, and they lead into the first of our prayers for Ukraine.