The Genesis

The desire to sing and make music for the Most High, YHVH, has been been with me for as long as I can remember.  As a 6 year old I highlighted and scrawled in the back of my first bible my favourite verse and song:

Habbakuk 3:...still, I will rejoice in YHVH, I will take joy in the Elohim of my salvation.  

Over 40 years later I am still impacted by the beauty and power of Habbakuk's declaration "...yet will I rejoice in the Lord".  A small child is quite capable of understanding this simple yet profound concept; that no matter what the circumstances of life I can and will choose to sing and rejoice because He never changes and He is eternally good and worthy.  In my childish understanding I knew that when I sang and loved Him He met with me and my thoughts and feelings changed for the better. I have always been, and know that I always will be, amazed that the Maker of heaven and earth would take the time presence Himself with me, a small and insignificant part of His creation, and make Himself known, although this understanding has been sorely tested, as I'm sure it has for every person who can identify with what I'm saying.

So why put my thoughts and musings down in a blog?  Good question and one that I can't properly answer, other than to say that I feel somewhat compelled to put in writing the few things I have experienced and learnt along my journey thus far so that I can chronicle them, as well as share with others who may be looking for a like minded soul.  

I fully understand that worship is not solely about music, however, my thoughts will centre on music for the most part because that is where my focus is at the moment.  I certainly won't be getting all theological and doctrinal, citing chapter and verse to prove viewpoints and stances, although naturally chapter and verse will be referred to.  

I may share some ill-defined musings and vague nebulous concepts that I ponder on occasionally, such as the intertwining of light and sound, the physicality of music and human response or the origins and power of music to create. 

I will most certainly touch on subjects that may bring offence, although not intentionally, and challenge mindsets or beliefs associated with praise and worship structures and styles within the church and world systems.  I do love a good soapbox airing, so will most probably rant and rave a bit on my favourite blood pressure raising subjects too.  One of my favourite rantings that I will probably return to time and again is to do with 'manipulation'.  Yep, that nasty word that invokes all sorts of hostile reactions and accusations.  Mmm, might even throw in a post or two on my other favourite rant - copyright.  I do love a good stoush occasionally!

One thing I won't talk a lot about is skill and talent.  These writings are not intended to separate the talented from the "untalented", the laity from the clergy or the skilfull from the "unskilled". Skill and talent are two separate concepts and both so overrated and talked about that I quite frankly don't want to spend that much time adding to the mountain of words on them.  

However, the primary aim is to bring honour to my Adonai, YHVH, and to encourage those who have a heart to worship in song and music, regardless of talent, skill or position, to do so without restraint, inhibition or guilt.  

As you will note I use His name, YHVH (Yehovah).  The subject of His name is such a wonderful one, one that deserves far greater attention than just a byline in a blog post, suffice to say that YHVH never intended for His name to be hidden, altered and simply used as a cute addition to a current song.  His name is alive, powerful, creative, purposeful and salvation; worthy indeed to be lifted, praised and declared!