F is for 40

40, also known as 40 (How Long), is a song by the Irish rock band U2. It is the tenth and final track on their 1983 album, War. In fact, this was the last song written for the album...

The band had already used up an extra week of studio time and desperately needed one more song to complete it. Lead singer Bono opened up his Bible, and read from Psalm 40, just making some minor modifications, and then set the words to music. He tells us that it took them 10 minutes to write it, another 10 to record it, 10 minutes to make the mix and another 10 to listen back to it. U2 then closed most of its Eighties concerts with this song.

E is for Eighth Day

Eighth Day is a song from Breaking Glass, the film that starred new wave singer Hazel O'Connor. Hazel wrote the song a mere 12 hours before she recorded it. The song is based, of course, on a the book of Genesis, where God made the Earth in six days and rested on the seventh. In this song, Man remakes the Earth in his own image, and, in Hazel's own words "having unleashed elements he cannot control, the Man-made Machine Monster takes over".

Sound familiar?

D is for Dem Bones

Dem Bones (also called Dry Bones and Dem Dry Bones) is a spiritual song, penned by James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J Rosomond Johnson. The lyrics are based on Ezekiel 37:1-14, where the prophet visits the Valley of Dry Bones and causes them to become alive.

The version of the song by The Four Lads was featured prominently in 'Fall Out', the final episode of the science fiction classic series, The Prisoner.

C is for Carry On Wayward Son

Carry On Wayward Son was written by Kansas guitarist Kerry Livgren in 1976. According to the songwriter, the song was not written at the time to express anything specifically religious, though it's clearly expresses the concept of spiritual searching.

“It’s an autobiographical song,” Livgren explained in an interview. “Parallel to my musical career I’ve always been on a spiritual sojourn, looking for truth and meaning. It was a song of self-encouragement. I was telling myself to keep on looking and I would find what I sought.”

The searching was certainly successful for Livgren, who became a Christian in 1980.

The song is currently best known as the unofficial theme song of the TV series Supernatural. It is played during the recap before every season finale (with the exception of the first season, where it was played during the recap of the penultimate episode).

B is for The Banner Man

The Banner Man was a 1971 single by Blue Mink, and the song made it up to number 3 in the United Kingdom charts. It is a fond recollection of a Salvation Army open air meeting, told from the point of view of a young child who followed the band and gathered around the Salvation Army flag.

The song was written by Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook and Herbie Flowers.

"Glory, glory, glory
Listen to the band
Sing that same old story
Ain't it something grand?
To be good as you can
Like a Banner Man"

A is for All My Trials

All My Trials is a folk song, popular during the Fifties and the Sixties. A traditional ballad from the 19th century, it is full of biblical and religious imagery.

Among the artists to have recorded the song are Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Paul McCartney's version is arguably the best-known having spent 6 weeks in the UK Singles Chart in 1990.

A-Z: Popular Songs That Are Spiritually Inspired

It's time once again for this blog's Summer break. I wasn't sure if I was going to do this again (I've been blogging quite erratically lately), but a great idea finally struck me as I sat in the corner at the Rock And Roll Cafe at our Corps - why not come up with a list of modern songs that have their roots in things that are spiritual? There are more than you think - the challenge is, can I come up with a list of 26; one for each letter of the alphabet? I guess we'll find out together.

Have a good summer.

True Friendship

How many real friends do you have? According to a 2014 survey, the average Facebook user has 338 'friends'. And yet, how many of these are true 'friends'? Not that many, I am sure... Do many of your 'friends' truly know you - what makes you 'tick'...

I was pondering this at an Army event today. It followed an incident when I was seemingly 'blanked' by someone who I thought was a friend.  Yes, I know, perhaps they didn't know I would be there. Yes, I know, the venue was very large, and yes, I know, it's always extremely distracting when there are literally dozens of people in the same venue. I went through all of these scenarios in my head. Still, just for an little while, I must admit to feeling a little sorry for myself after the incident.

That didn't last long, I'm pleased to say. I was reminded quite powerfully that I have at least one friend who knows me inside and out and loves me to bits... Do you know Him?

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
...be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Getting Older

I recently celebrated another birthday.

I don't know about you, but since then I've become increasingly aware that things are proceeding so differently now then when I was twenty years younger...

And often not for the best... I don't mind the emphasis on technology as it helps so much to gather information to enable you to do your job. No, it's usually the baggage that comes with it.

It culminated this week with a junior member of staff who laughed at me because I regularly consulted a book at the office.  A paper book. How old fashioned of me...

(Sigh)

Integrity, And How Not To Lose It

I seem to hear a lot of people talking about integrity at the moment. In our lives, in our church, and particularly at the present time in the political arena. Not surprising, I suppose, that it's at the top of my mind today.

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament which is translated as integrity means “the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness.”

I want a life that features all of these things. However, there is little point of me trying to be what I am not... I know I am imperfect but I try very hard to be true to my beliefs. "Fake it until you make it" just isn't for me. "I will do my best" is more like it.

However, as a society we are frequently confronted by people who claim to be perfect but are quickly found to be seriously flawed. What is worse, this is usually brought to my attention by the popular press who love to find fault in those in leadership or in the public eye. They dig and dig until they find something, and leap upon it to sell papers or lead the next news bulletin. 

That's a terrific reason not to be famous, and not to run for public office. I figure I can do much more good as an unknown that I could ever do as a 'name'...

Here's a few pointers I picked up from the 'net today, while thinking about blogging about this topic...

I should strive to be the same person in front of a crowd as you are behind the scenes. That's a tough one for me as I personally hate crowds... However, I take the good advice. I should be the same in public as I am in private. However,  if you want to see me at my most comfortable, look behind the scenes. I'll be there.

I should take care not to conform. Yep. See Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I should take frequent opportunity to build my character. Indeed, and this takes time. Endurance builds character (Romans 5:3). And remember, don't seek to compromise your deeply-held values. Anything that is truly a personal value to you should not be compromised just because it's convenient. Which brings us on to the next point..

I should live with honesty and keep your promises. I'd go a step further than that and say 'don't lie to yourself'. Because it's common for altruistic people to go out of your way for others and to neglect themselves. By all means strive to keep your promises, however don't make yourself ill in the process... you are of little use to others if you make yourself ill!

Just my thoughts today.