Artist of the week: Steve James

Steve James is a Christian artist my family have known for a number of years from back when we moved to the Wirral, near Liverpool and Steve was pastor at one of the local churches. He has a very easy to listen to style, and writes with often very poignant lyrics. Some songs are more congregational hymns, while others are clear reflections on God's character, often with reference to biblical events.

Personal favourites are Lazarus I (Rise again) & Lazarus II (Rise & Live), Christ your glory and May your words.

Lazarus I & Lazarus II, as well as his first 3 albums (now out of production) are available in mp3 format for free here.

Happy listening!

TheWeeScottie---------------------------------------------------------------weird is just your own personal brand of normal

Burn for you

New song written in reflection of a comment Mike Reeves (UCCF) made on how our hearts often feel so cold, (even so soon after burning so passionately for the Lord while reading his word or talking to someone else about him) and how that is the Spirit showing us the coldness of our own hearts. I'm amazed at how gracious God is in showing us how cold our hearts are, and in allowing the Spirit to show us this, realisation dawns that it God's that's enabling us to see this. He is working.

In realising how cold our hearts can be, I wonder how often our response is not to despair, but to take heart that God has been so gracious as to reveal this to us, and to turn to God for a rekindled fire.

Burn for you

Burn for you.mp3 (Click on the 'Download file' button)

V1

My heart feels cold within me

like a flame that's guttering

why does the spark seem so small?

and even when I've met with you

spent time in your presence

my heart feels so cold

Ch1

But this block of ice beating within me

is warmed by your beautiful grace

and your light of your righteousness burns away

all the dark in me

as your light burns more brightly, illuminate

those things I hide

Though cold to the touch

your Spirit is warming my heart to burn for you

V2

Reading your word is often painful,

yet brings, with the aching, your balm

that reminds of the grace that you offered

wresting me from the devil's palm.

but then away from your word I can feel it,

this icyness cooling my joy.

Ch2

And this block of ice beating within me

is warmed by your beautiful grace

and your light of your righteousness burns away

all the dark in me

as your light burns more brightly, illuminate

those things I hide

Though cold to the touch

your Spirit is warming my heart to burn for you

Br

And this simple recognition

that this heart of mine doesn't burn

is a surefire sign that your Spirit

is opening wide my eyes to see the truth

Ch3

That this block of ice beating within me

is warmed by your beautiful grace

and your light of your righteousness burns away

all the dark in me

as your light burns more brightly, illuminate

those things I hide

Though cold to the touch

your Spirit is warming my heart to burn for you

TheWeeScottie---------------------------------------------------------------weird is just your own personal brand of normal