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Here is a video of You Never Let Go written by Matt Redman.  The chords I use are posted here.

[youtube url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LopFPxjWLvw]

Direct Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LopFPxjWLvw

Lyrics
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You

We finally managed to purchase a Wii.  We got word last week that Wal-mart had some in stock and would be selling them this morning.  Liz and her sister Miriam got up real early (4.30am) and stood in line at (opened at 6am).  They got the last one.

Oh yeah, I bought a lawn mower last week too.  It’s still in the box.

This is a special guest appearance by my Mum and Dad.  I’m trying to encourage them to get on the YouTube bandwagon.  They recorded this inside of an hour of going to the airport to catch the plane home to Northern Ireland.  I don’t know much about this song at all, so if you know the author or composer details, let me know.

[youtube url=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dni1UZcDFlQ] 

Direct Link: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Dni1UZcDFlQ

Lyrics
He wasn’t born in a palace, a mansion was not his home
He never had riches of this world to own
But he died a shameful death; the soldiers gambled for his clothes
But on the third day not a peasant but a saviour arose

I serve a risen saviour not a peasant in a grave
And he did me a favour when my soul he chose to save
Now I’ll live forever, with Jesus I shall reign
Because the blood of the living lamb now flows in my veins

Some believe he never rose from the tomb where he was laid
Others say that his body was stolen from the grave
Oh but I am a witness of that resurrection day
For when he came forth he defeated Satan’s bondage over me

I serve a risen saviour not a peasant in a grave
And he did me a favour when my soul he chose to save
Now I’ll live forever, with Jesus I shall reign
Because the blood of the living lamb now flows in my veins

I serve a risen saviour not a peasant in a grave
And he did me a favour when my soul he chose to save
Now I’ll live forever, with Jesus I shall reign
Because the blood of the living lamb now flows in my veins
Because the blood of the living lamb now flows in my veins

I attended my first worship band rehearsal on Wednesday night.  I was nervous as I walked into a whole new enviroment.  I arrived around 2 minutes to 8pm and quickened my steps as I realized everyone was on stage already.  I’m used to being the first one at church to open and set up the stage.  I knew things were going to be completely different.

Gary got me quickly set up and introduced me first to the gear.  Everyone in the band wears wireless in-ear monitors.  The feed is controlled by (aviom) personal mixers that allow each of us to customize what we hear.  Can anyone recommend a good set of in-ear headphones?

Next Gary introduced me to the band.   They were really welcoming (thanks guys!) and are complete professionals.  I felt small.

We’re expected to familiarize ourselves with the songs on Planning Center Online before rehearsal.  When I first checked my account a few weeks back there was no list of scheduled events, so I assumed the song list/downloads were not available unless you were actually scheduled for a service.  How wrong was I?

Trying to harmonize when you’re used to singing melody is one thing, but trying to harmonize to songs you haven’t even heard before is another thing entirely.  One of the other singers (Yvette) was concerned enough to ask me had I heard the songs before!  That made me laugh! 

The idea is for me to hang about rehearsals for a few weeks until I’m comfortable with the new environment and how things work.  Next time I will at least know how the song sounds and have my part figured out. 

My mum and dad are over visiting us at the moment.  It’s their first time in the States, so I’m trying to show them all the good parts.  We’re just back from Myrtle Beach and had a real good time.

We stayed at Paradise Resort in a two bedroom room.  The room was excellent and very clean, with plenty of room for all of us.

The best part for me was going to see Dixie Stampede!  It was much better done than I thought it would be.  The show was excellent fun.  My two year daughter sat still for the whole duration - jaw ajar.  That was well worth the admission ticket alone! 
We also went to Alligator Adventure down at Barefoot Landing.  I was expecting one or two alligators, but there was loads of them.  They also had turtles, tortoises, snakes and other reptiles.  Another great day out for all.

We spent a good bit of time at Broadway At The Beach, and I took my two boys to RideMakerz where you pick and build a custom car.  They really enjoyed picking their car shell, wheels, tyres, engine hoods, etc. and then building it up in the shop itself.

Oh yeah, and we walked up the beach once.

Guys, just thought I’d let you know that New Horizon Church have now started their own YouTube channel with worship clips from Sunday services.

Other exciting news is that I’ve met with the Worship & Creative Arts pastor, Gary Humble recently and I’m happy to tell you that I will be joining the worship team over the next couple of weeks.

I can’t wait to work with this team!  I need to start working on my harmonizing skills! 
[youtube url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dais8zuI_AU]

I found this book while browsing in a bookshop last night - What Can Be Found in LOST?: Insights on God and the Meaning of Life from the Popular TV Series.

What do you think of books like this? I can understand those written about The Chronicles Of Narnia, or even at a stretch, Lord Of The Rings…. but LOST?

However, I know one man that might buy it.
I’ve been avoiding Conner’s blog for weeks now as Liz and I have missed the last few episodes!  It’s time for a catch-up evening very soon.

An Irishman went to a pet shop and asked how many budgies were in stock.

“We have 99″ replied the shop owner

“Give us the lot” said the Irish man, paid for them and left.

He went to a tailors shop and had 99 pockets sewn into a jacket, put a budgie in each pocket, went up to the Post Office Tower and jumped off.

He hit the ground with an almighty smack and lay there groaning until a passer-by 
came and asked him what had happened.

“I don’t know sur” he replied “but that’s the last time I try that budgie jumping”

I was sent this at work today.

Paddy was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place.   Looking up to heaven he said, ‘Lord take pity on me.   If you find me a parking place I will go to Mass every Sunday for the rest of me life and give up me Irish Whiskey!’

Miraculously, a parking place appeared. Paddy looked up again
and said, ‘Never mind, I found one.’

Have you ever done that?

I was never really keen on I Can Only Imagine, but I love God With Us by MercyMe.

• Chords here.
• Video here.