More than Writers

Have you encountered a YouTube video described as The UK Blessing? If you haven’t, I would urge you to watch it. It may not be your kind of music but do try and listen to it all the way through, so you catch the gathering excitement of the song. It has, in my opinion, been a marvel of the lockdown. As far as I can tell the song was launched just ahead of the lockdown. In early March a video called ‘The Blessing’ appeared on YouTube by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes of Elevation Worship, Ballantyne (which I take to be Ballantyne in North Carolina). By the time of writing this (21st July), that video had attracted more than 21 million viewings. And more than that, it had given rise to an amazing number of ‘split screen’ performances of the song where singers recorded from their own homes or in a remote location of their choice. Then the individual singers’ and musicians’ offerings were cleverly spliced together to make impressive complete videos.  The UK version involves more t...

In the final weeks of our course on personal spiritual development, we were encouraged to attempt a 'retreat in daily life'.  Week six guided us to pray for the grace, ' that I may recognise him in all aspects of my life'. 'Great', thought I – in ignorance.  My mind went into sensory overdrive. Yes!  I would take time out, surrounded by butterfly hopping sun drenched flowers, aromatic herbs, chattering birds, trickling streams ..... somewhere in the fabulous Yorkshire Dales ........ steaming mug of fresh coffee in hand ...... That was before I actually read the four set Bible passages and reflected on the dramatic newspaper headlines those ancient events and teachings might generate today: 'Toe-Rag tax collector pays back huge dividends.' 'Meal for one feeds 5,000.' 'Ten lepers claim magic cure.' 'Crank preacher says sell all now and gamble on the hereafter.' Not exactly accurate reporting, but the news got distorted...