kindness

Ours are the hands through which he works
Ours are the feet on which he moves
Ours are the voices through which he speaks
To this world with kindness

Written by Brian McLaren
Performed by Steve Bell

advent day 8: rest in thee

Come Thou long expected Jesus

Born to set Thy people free

From our fears and sins release us

Let us find our rest in Thee

Israel’s strength and consolation

Hope of all the earth Thou art

Dear desire of every nation

Joy of every loving heart

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Music by Rowland H. Pritchard / Lyric by Charles Wesley

Sung by Steve Bell, The Feast of the Seasons

***

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.

Matthew 11:28 The Message

advent day 9: light of the world

Mine is the home that is poor and is barren
Mine is the stable of cold and stone
Break the light to each corner
Of doubt and of darkness
Now the Word is made flesh
For the birth of me
Ready My Heart  - Lyrics by Lois Shuford
Sung by Steve Bell, The Feast of the Seasons


***



Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.
John 8:12 New Living Translation

may

May the Lord bless and keep you

May His face shine upon you

May His graciousness be like an endless stream

May the Lord show His favour

To your house and your neighbor

Until last remaining strains of striving cease

For the Journey – Music and Lyric by Steve Bell

thousand

God our protector

Keep us in mind

Always give strength to Your people

For if we could be with You

One day in time

It is better than a thousand without You

God Our Protector – Music and Lyric by Steve Bell. Adapted from Psalm 84.

when

When your heart is in despair

He will know

When you feel beyond repair

He will know

When your day is filled with tears

He will hear

When your night is filled with fear

He is near

When this world leaves you behind

He will know

When it all seems so unkind

He will know

He Will Know – Music and Lyric by Byron O’Donnell and Brian Wakelin. Sung by Steve Bell.

circle

Be above me, as high as the noonday sun

Be below me, the rock I set my feet upon

Be beside me, the wind on my left and right

Be behind me, oh circle me with Your truth and light

The Lorica Music and Lyric by Gayle Salmond. Sung by Steve Bell

reaching

Dark are the branches

Reaching for light

High is the path of

The hawk in its flight

Turning and gliding

Greeting the night

Why do we hunger

For beauty so right

Why do we hunger for beauty

Music and Lyric by Jim Croegaert, Why Do We Hunger for Beauty, sung by Steve Bell

green

Fresh and green we will remain

Bearing fruit to a ripe old age

Happy to tell about Your name

A blessed endeavour

The righteous flourish like the palm

And grow like the cedars of Lebanon

Planted in the courts of God

Forever and ever

Fresh and Green, Music and Lyric by Steve Bell, adapted from Psalm 92

embrace

Behold what you are

Become what you receive

Take up the bread and wine

Embrace the mystery

Music and Lyric by Gord Johnson

Sung by Steve Bell, Devotion

tower

And here by the water

I’ll build an altar to praise Him

Out of the stones that I’ve found here

I’ll set them down here

Rough as they are

Knowing You can make them holy

Music and Lyric by Jim Croegaert, recorded by Steve Bell