Prayer and Faith

Every single day, I know somebody is out there praying. It doesn't matter what the time is, or the language. It could be about world politics, a family member with cancer, a couple wanting a baby or even just a guy praying for right questions in his exams, even if he doesn't believe in God. But how much faith do we actually have that these prayers will be answered?

I know sometimes I don't. It's always frustrating when you know somebody, probably that girl who goes to church, who always has amazing stories about how God answers her prayers. She isn't there to brag or boast, but it feels like it. So we start to feel jealousy, maybe even resentment. Why does God favour her, but not me?

Well my reply to you is this: When was the last time that you honestly trusted that God would hear and answer you? Somebody once told me, "Expectancy is the catalyst for prayers." When we pray and act as though what we're praying will/has happened, we are stepping out in faith that God will answer.

It doesn't have to be a big thing. What you pray doesn't have to change. But your attitude to what your pray does matter. Only you can make that active choice to believe in the words that you pray.

I know it can be a struggle sometimes. I know having faith in the impossible to happen is difficult. And I know how exposed a person can feel. And I know how much it hurts when things don't happen the way you prayed for them to happen. But in the end, I know it was worth it.

The "Called" and the "Chosen"

"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14 (KJV)

What does it mean to be called, and what does it mean to be chosen? And if many are called, why are only a few chosen? And if I am called, how do I become chosen? These were just a few of the questions running through my mind when I first encountered this passage, during my high school years. Similarly to many people I knew, I didn't really understand it too well...

Recently, I went to a Jesus Culture conference in London with a few friends, and God's presence was really tangelable. The air was so thick. The guy speaking at the conference was called Banning, and he unpacked it really well.

"Many are called, but few are chosen." What was it about certain people that God not only called them, but also chose them? And surely everyone that is called should be chosen? To understand this, we should read it again, in the context of the passage.

The rest of passage is about a king, who sends out many invitations to friends to a wedding, however all of them reply that they are busy. After receiving the replies, the king then sends out another batch of invitations to others. Most of them say no, but a few say yes. And in effect, that's the king saying I choose you. So can it really be as simple as saying "yes"?

Well actually, yes! As illustrated in the story, many were called, but none were chosen as they had said no. In reality, I believe God has called each and every single one of you, to do a job that nobody else can ever do. The question is, are you willing to saying yes? I'm not talking about "yes, but..." or "yes, if only..." but a yes without a get out clause. Living in your real identity, that God has called you to be.

So do you want to be chosen, or just called? I'll let you decide.

Album review: Church Music - David Crowder Band

"There tends to be a sparseness of production. There are only four or five elements that make up a track. That encourages it to be a disposable thing. Your ear can understand and get to the bottom of what’s happening really quickly, so the thing gets chewed up and spit out... So [the composers] started thinking, 'What’s going to be fun to discover on the 4th or 5th listen?' That’s what we tried to do. We did a lot of layering, and hopefully things can be discovered on repeated listens." - David Crowder

And that's exactly what they did. Musically, this record pushes the boundaries and goes further than much modern worship music. The title track Church Music, is in fact a dance track! Not only that, there is a wide range of styles, from rock, dance, electronic and pop and many fused together. You wouldn't for example, expect an electric guitar solo in an electronic dance track. But that's what we have here!

When listened to all through this album feels like a journey; it plays continuously from start to finish with all 17 songs linking into the next. The journey takes you through a wide range of themes including God's awesomeness as portrayed brilliantly in the powerful rocker God Almighty, None Compares; trusting God through dark and painful times, in Shadows; and crying out to God for greater intimacy with Him in the beautiful SMS (Shine). We also have wonderful renditions of John Mark McMillan's How He Loves, and Flyleaf's All Around Me, full of rich emotion, connecting with the secret place of intimacy with God. The final track , In The End (O Resplendent Light!) is a fantastic 6 minute finale, looking forward to the future fulfilment of God's Kingdom in all its perfection, joy and peace. The track ends with a period of eclectic electronic music experimentation which is all quite surreal. There is a rich depth and feel to all of the songs, each having its own charm, from the warm friendliness of Alleluia Sing to the perkiness of Birmingham (We Are Safe).

Lyrically, this record soars high. It's even clear from the song titles that this album is a wonderful collection of beautifully crafted poetry. The lyrics are infused with life and passion which connect deep into a person's life. From the honesty of Shadows: "Oh the joy and oh the sorrow", the unusual (and ironic) dance track lyrics of Church Music:

"Dance if you're wounded
Dance if you're torn into
Dance broken open
Dance with nothing to lose"

and the poetic We Are Loved,:

"Velvet black night
Pierced with white
Stars waiting quiet
Wide listening sky"

the lyrics on this album rise far above much of what is written about God, us and His world.

I fully recommend! 10/10