Ruach Breath Of Life

Celebrating Truth In A Post Truth Era by Ruach Breath of Life

Music: A beautiful piece that Richard Williamson originally improvised, followed by further improvisations Musicians: Julian Chang (viola soloist) Julia Herzog, Shirley Richards, Suzanne Herzog, (strings), James Horsfall (keyboard) Forgive us, Lord, that we are the generation that believes in our disbelief. There is no limit to the depravity that we have fallen into, Lord, or to the cynicism we have embraced. Are You not right when You decree your judgement against a land that has enthroned ways contrary to Your laws? Yet just as we have experienced Your mercy in our own lives, so we dare to pray that You will look with favour, even now, on our land. Be not a passing stranger or an unwelcome guest, but come as the Bright Morning Star, as the ruler and leader of Your people, and the Saviour of the Land. High King of Heaven Remember not what we have done, Nor all we deserve, But for Your own name’s sake Renew and restore Your people. Send a fresh wave of Your Spirit, And raise up Your co-workers to reb

Music: Minor Muse by Colin Owen Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and put upon us the armour of light. Lord, You alone know our inmost thoughts and the true condition of our heart. Overcome our reluctance to seek You and deepen our trust in Your dealings with us, Lord. For where we are tempted to see only difficulties You see a whole range of possibilities. Strengthen our will to serve You, that we may give no foothold to the watching powers of darkness. Stir up a worshipping warrior spirit within us. Where we have difficult choices to make and tasks to attempt, guide us in our decision-making and keep us diligent in seeking You. Grant me the strength to await Your timing, for if I insist on doing things my way, it’s much harder for You to be able to do them Your way. Help us to recognise when evil forces are at work, in our own hearts and situations, in our churches, and amongst the nations of the world. Help us to turn and face You, Lord, for even when evil does str

When I hesitate, I give ground to the enemy. Help me not to falter or to hesitate with what You have given me to do. Free me from trying to carry responsibilities that are not mine to carry, and from avoiding those which are. Lord, free us from judgmental thoughts and assumptions, that trap us and others in unhelpful patterns of behaviour. Keep us from the pitfalls of pride and peer-group pressure. Confront our selfishness and purify our motives. Thank You that you can put right that which is wrong, and bring good out of every situation, especially those matters that we bring to You now . . . Forgive the hard thoughts we harbour against those who do not readily think well of us; especially those who are in a position of authority or influence over us. Judge of all men, Fountain of Forgiveness, we lay down our prejudices and our judgemental criticisms. May the grace of the Holy Spirit set us free from ingrained responses which harden our attitudes. Break open such relationships as have become impr

Music: The Second movement of Torelli’s trumpet Concerto in D (Etienne), plus an improvisation on the theme. Musicians: Philippa Barton, Helen Rees, Julian Chan, Jo Garcia, (strings) James Horsfall (keyboard) Solzhenitsyn wrote, ‘The line dividing good and evil cuts through the hearts of every human being, and which of us is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?’ Make us willing to face the things we need to face. Help us to overcome evil not just by avoiding infringing specific laws, but by being diligent in seeking You. May no pressures from within or without blunt our zeal for You. Lord, deliver us from evil. Confound confusion and scatter all the powers that are arrayed against us. Increase the flow of trust and the spirit of prayer within our hearts. “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord. When I see someone who is so much

As we turn to You now, Lord, we praise You that Your presence is close at hand and the way to Your heaven wide open for us. We throw open the doors of our hearts and celebrate the love that has called us to Your service. May the grace of Christ light our paths; our journeys and encounters, our hopes and our plans. We offer them, Lord, to You; direct them for Your glory. The Music: Lauda 1, written and performed by Bill Klein When Ros and I met Bill and Laurie Klein in Spokane in 1995, we knew that the Lord was forming a special bond between us. It is lovely to share this beautiful piece of music that featured on the original recording, and which Bill Klein both wrote and performed on the harp. I long to meet with You today, Lord. In the stillness draw near, that my spirit may be refreshed in You. Renew my love, Lord Jesus; be the joy in my heart, the moment of my waking, and the power behind the day, Bless to me, Lord, the work of my hands. Bless to me, Lord, the ways of my mi

Lord, You have much for us to hear and do but our hearts must be very still and quiet to listen, like Mary, who chose the better part. Draw our souls to silence, that we may sit at Your feet and gain strength and direction. The Music: Largo from Vivaldi’s Concerto for piccolo and strings When I was a student, I watched a moving French film called L’Enfant Sauvage, about the real-life story of a boy who spent the first ten years of his life living on his own in a forest. The music touched me deeply and I prayed to find out what it was. One day, walking through the streets of Oxford, I heard someone playing the piece through an open window in St John’s College. I dashed up the staircase and discovered what it was. It has been a firm favourite ever since! Musicians: Nicola Gerard (flute), Shirley Richards, Teresa Brasier, Nick Evans-Pugh and Jo Garcia (strings) Lord, You have much for us to hear and do but our hearts must be very still and quiet to listen – like Mary, who chose the better part. Draw

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what You have prepared for those who love You, Lord, but You have revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Music: Gabrielli’s Canzone primi toni The end of the 16th century found Giovanni Gabrieli combining the roles of organist and principal composer at St Mark’s Cathedral, where he was able to take full advantage of the superb acoustics in that majestic building. One commentator described his dialogues between different instruments as being the 16th-century equivalent to ‘surround sound.’ This simple canzona perfectly offsets the theme of this short piece. Musicians: Julia Herzog, Jo Foote (recorders), Lizzie Attwood, Elizabeth Long (flutes), Francis Cummings, Claire Lewis Lim, Chian Lewis Lim and Suzanne Herzog, Jo Garcia, Matthew Deakin (strings) No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what You have prepared for those who love You, Lord, but You have revealed it to us by his Spirit. Lord, I’m eager to do Your will. Lead me to suc

The Music: Vitality – an improvisation, and an Extract from Brahms’s St Anthony Chorale (which itself was based on a theme by Haydn) Musicians: Vitality: Nicola Gerard, Megan Topley, Shirley Richards, Jane Horsfall, Nick Evans Pugh, Christiane von Albrecht St. Anthony Chorale: Amy Roberts (oboe), Nicola Gerard (flute), Beth Davies (bassoon) On all my many travels, Lord, be my travelling companion. In all my hours of working, Spirit guide the way, In all my times of study, Lord, anoint my mind. In all my times of waiting Help me to reach out to You. When sharp frustrations come my way, make me phlegmatic as I need to be, but still full of faith. In every time of change, keep us alert and ready. At every crossroads on the way, be my sign-post, guide and Comforter. For if You had come before the midnight hour, all the virgins would have been ready; It was the long delay which exposed their foolish short-sightedness. Make my heart a garden, Lord, of pleasure, not of pain

Back in the 1960s, Dad produced a beautiful Son et Lumière for a church in Nottinghamshire. As part of that presentation, the choir of Southwell Minister kindly agreed to sing some anthems which he recorded, including this exquisite one.

“Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.” (George Eliot) The Music: A Theme for Oboe by Corelli, arranged by Jane Mortimore Musicians: Thomas Herzog, (oboe) Suzanne Herzog, Shirley Richards, Helen Rees, Julian Chang, Jo Garcia (strings) A look, a glance - I can tell at once When something’s on your mind – grant me the grace to handle it aright. I’m hurting, Lord today, I’m afraid to be noticed, I need to be noticed, Help me to share my needs and hurts appropriately. Thank You for friends who can lift the load and set me free again. Lord, we bless You for those You have used to draw us closer to Yourself. We bless You for their kindness and their care of us. Make us

This is a prayer to pray for a special friend. The Music: Resting by David Booth; Reverent Whispers by Robert Weston Musicians for Resting: Jane Horsfall, (Celtic harp) Shirley Richards and Nick Evans Pugh, (strings) James Horsfall, (keyboard) Megan Topley (flute) Julia Herzog, (recorder) David Booth (guitar) Reverent Whispers: Fontane Liang This is a prayer to pray for a special friend: Lord, protect and instruct her heart. Let Your Spirit minister to the depths of her spirit, Keep her from all beguilements and distractions. Watch over every detail of her life and relationships. Lead her, use her, guide her, protect her – at home, at work, at night, in prayer. Let Your anointing compensate for her weaknesses, Your comfort make up for her inadequacies, and Your power be at work from this day forward in her life. Sustain her in her moments of frailty, and strengthen her longing to serve You. Scatter foolish thoughts and vain regrets; inspire her with Your purposes. Direct her to the peopl

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised. The Lord made the heavens; splendour and majesty are before Him; strength and joy fill His dwelling! (Adapted from 1 Chronicles 1: 25-27) The Music: The first movement of Torelli’s beautiful Trumpet Concerto in D (Etienne) Musicians: Anthony Thompson, (trumpet) Shirley Richards, Helen Rees, Julian Chang, Jo Garcia (strings), James Horsfall (keyboard) Lord, thank You that genuine fun and simple pleasures are a powerful antidote against all gloom and despondency. Thank You that even a smile can make such a difference. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Thank You, Lord, that a joyful church is a brilliant witness to outsiders. Grant us deep contentment, Lord, in simple things – and help us to remember the good things You send our way, every day. May the joy of the Lord be our strength.

Music: Schubert Impromptu This is a wonderful word of reassurance by Suzie Hunt; a love song from the Lord to us. With so many of us inclined to struggle with negative thoughts of one kind or another, this powerful poem by Suzie Hunt is a poignant and poetic reminder of Paul’s oft quoted statement that, ‘There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus.’ (Rom. 8:1 GNT) You ARE beautiful my child but it has nothing to do with you. You are beautiful because you are in Me. I know! We both see the you that makes you hide in shame, but it’s no matter to Me. It’s you who seeks to maim. I see you beautiful; in you My plan fulfilled. I see you changing. In you my heart is thrilled. I have chosen you. Do you not see? I don’t make mistakes. Your life is here in Me. I know you are distracted now while upon the earth. You sin. You take your eyes off Me, yet still I see your worth and I repeat, “You are beautiful.” And your repentant tears melt my heart to a tidal wave of love. You cannot know

Continuing the theme of coming to the waters, Fontaine Liang continues to play Smetana’s striking piece The Moldau, reflecting the beauties of the Czech countryside that the river flows through. If you missed the first in this series of reflections, I think you will appreciate it. Manuel de Falla's dramatic harp music is again played for us by Fontane Liang. May the river of the water of life flow freely in our hearts this and every day.

It is a joy to send you Part 2 in our series on ‘Come to the Waters.’ Britannica tells us that the sparkling music that accompanies both these pieces ‘evokes the flow of the Vltava River, from its source in the mountains of the Bohemian Forest, through the Czech countryside, and right into the capital city of Prague.’ You may well know this piece as ‘The Moldau’ – which is the German name for the Vltava river. You will love its rippling effects that Fontane Liang plays so beautifully for us. Smetana’s love of his homeland shines through; as we celebrate our love of our eternal homeland - and the flow of His Holy Spirit in our lives.

All creation here below Connections Track 21 All creation here below sings the glories of the heavens above and the One who hymns creation into being. By day, Your leading is clear by night it assumes more subtle shades, but both alike are open to Your Spirit, and so we can trust You, for just as we are wonderfully and fearfully made so You are fitting together the full span of Your purposes for our lives. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.

I am going to My Father Connections Track 20 My children, I am going to my Father, and to your Father, to prepare the way for you. A little while and you will see me yet, and then another little while and you will not. Will you let me go? Do not be afraid; your love will survive the parting, for though you will not see Me often you will find it best that I return whence I came, to My Father and to your Father. Practice living with an open hand, not holding on too tight, but offering everything back to Me, so that when your work is done, and you are on the homeward run, you will have the grace to pass the baton on. Therefore since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Connections Track 19 Prayer for Israel. You yearn for the land you set your heart upon as for a first-born child. Lord we declare your glory among the nations Your marvellous deeds among all peoples, for You take especial care all Your hand has formed. We give you now the land You first set Your heart upon, whose soul Jesus quite reshaped, and for whom You yearn as for a first born son. We pray for its people, so long the despised among the nations, who all but wandered from their Messianic expectations; and Jerusalem, that You set in the midst of the nations with hostile countries all around. We give You now its immediate future, its texture, soil and infrastructure. The outreach of Your people there, and the nation’s response to them, Pour out upon these mountains the longed for springs and fountains that the prophet Jeremiah foresaw concerning the promised Messiah, and whatever direction and protection will prove the key to bring the nation to its knees. Whatever You desire the enemy opposes, and so we

Connections track 18 Kyrie Eleison Lord have mercy Christe Eleison Christ have mercy Kyrie Eleison At the turning of the season; In the victory of your heart Over commonsense and reason. In the raking up of leaves; And the turning of life’s pages; In a whispered humble prayer Or our broken hearted rages. Kyrie Eleison Lord have mercy Christe Eleison Christ have mercy Kyrie Eleison In the way we make our choices; On that lonely, broken road Through the cries in children’s voices. In the beating of the rain; Or the burning of the stubble; In the perished, frightened eyes And the mists of tears and struggle. Kyrie Eleison Lord have mercy Christe Eleison Christ have mercy Kyrie Eleison In the breaking and the ending The washing of all sorrows The healing and the mending The fading of the heartache And the lifting of the shadows The hope upon the mountains The comfort in the meadows Kyrie Eleison Lord have mercy Christe Eleison Christ have mercy Pour out your healing balms