John Grummitt, Mary Elizabeth Byrne, Eleanor Henrietta Hull
I was singing this hymn devotionally one day when I simply carried on into a chorus because I felt a need to follow up a devotional verse with a chorus that committed me to practical application. I went with it, and this is what I came up with. I subsequently used it at church the following Sunday and it went down very well. Now I just need Chris Tomlin to cover it, and I can retire. In the meantime, you could use it!
I wrote this song a few years ago when I was learning about my identity in Christ as well as at the time, really feeling like I was struggling to hear from Him. I wanted to convey a message of it doesn't matter what's happening around us, that God is for us and He loves us in and through our circumstances.
This song puts us in the place of looking ahead at Heaven and the joy ahead. Using the image from the parable of the prodigal son, where the father runs to his son from afar, welcoming him home. In that place there will be eternal worship. A song like this may not be seen often, and I hope that this comforts and blesses you.
'He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”'
Inspired by Psalm 46:10 this song describes what that 'being still' looks like for me in every day life. It serves as an affirmation before God that, though I struggle with it, I will seek to be obedient. It also serves as a reminder to myself that not only is this something I should do, but that ultimately it is for my benefit.
I'm very grateful to Andy Biggs for giving his time to help improve the sound of the very rough recording I sent him. Both using his production skills to get the best out of the recording I sent, and adding in additional instrumentation to give it a richer overall sound.
'Mary chose what is better,' Jesus said. She sat at His feet and listened. I want to be like that. But I can’t. I tried and tried, but just don't seem to be able to sit down and stay there. I wrestle with that. But I found out that I might not be able to sit down and listen the way Mary did, but I can at least give what I have, even if it is only a minute of focussed attention. And I can ask God to help me to listen longer and better.
This is a reminder of why we come together to worship, bringing all of ourselves and offering whatever we can, but remembering that we're also sustained and supported when we're scattered within our communities. It has worked well to bring congregations to a more receptive place of encounter, particularly after a spell of high praise.
This is a song about longing for and experiencing the Holy Spirit but knowing the truth that He lives inside us.
John 7 v 37-39 "On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’"
Jesus promised that streams of Living Water would flow from within us - Living Water flow!!
Wonderfully arranged and produced by Mike Sandeman and with backing vocals from my daughter, Bekah Vickers-Patel.
This song works really well with just guitar and vocal, particularly with the refrain "Living Water Flow".