I sometimes find that I stop myself when I’m praying, because I think that whatever it is I’m praying about is too small or unimportant to bother God about. However, as I’m reminded in the following quote, God doesn’t just care about the big things in our life, he care about everything, big or small. […]

Pray about everything

Exodus 13:15

‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the LORD; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death.

I think you will agree that it is very hard nowadays for those working that it is very hard to avoid working on the Sabbath, because lets face it not only has the transport network to keep moving on that day but even factories, The police, ambulance, fire service and hospitals etc have been operational with shift workers and in recent years supermarkets and shops have opened on the Sabbath as well.

As Christians whether we have to work on the Sabbath or not we must always remember to take time each day and spend time with him with our daily readings and prayers

Many flock to a building weekly saying their going to church, where they are hearers of the word and not doers of it. I can’t tell you how many times years ago I would go to a service and afterward watch a few lifting a bottle of alcohol in their vehicles or those standing next […]

The difference between religion and faith

John Stainer (1840–1901) was an English composer and organist. His music, although rarely performed today, was quite popular during his lifetime. Let me share some key points about him:

1. Early Years:

   • Born in Southwark, London, in 1840, Stainer was the eighth of nine children.
   • He became a chorister at St. Paul’s Cathedral at the age of ten.
   • His exceptional musical abilities led him to sing in the first English performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
   • Stainer received a solid education at St. Paul’s Cathedral, where he excelled in various subjects.

2. Career Highlights:

   • Stainer served as an organist at Magdalen College, Oxford, and later at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
   • His work as a choir trainer and organist set standards for Anglican church music that continue to influence the field.
   • Notably, his composition “The Crucifixion” is still heard during Passiontide in some Anglican churches.

3. Legacy:

   • Stainer’s contributions extended beyond music. He became the Heather Professor of Music at Oxford University.
   • Unfortunately, he passed away unexpectedly while on holiday in Italy in 1901.

Despite the relative obscurity of his music today, Stainer’s impact on Anglican church music remains significant1. If you’d like to explore more, you can visit the John Stainer Wikipedia page or learn about his hymns on Hymnary.org