Still God

Good debate going on at That Hideous Man - check it out.

In the last month we have been mourning the deaths of three members of our church in their 50s or very early 60s and I have attended two funerals within a week of one another.
When singing at the funerals I was reflecting on how we use some of the great "hymns of the faith" on these sad occasions - to lift our eyes up towards God, our helper at these difficult times. But there is good news in the worship tradition - those great anthems of faith are still being written today by some.

I study the words particularly carefully at funerals as often the songs chosen tell you so much about the individual, the family, their hopes and beliefs (which is why I struggle at humanist funerals - I just cannot not sing "Imagine" by John Lennon)

One of the men who died recently asked that we sing "Still God" by Godfrey Birtill. We have used this song in our church services and I find it one of the most stirring songs to sing. Not one to sing lightly! And of course I wept through most of it at his funeral - the words are so true and so very apt. The thoughts, feelings and emotions in this song used to mourn hi passing were truly his in his life.
This blog posting is in honour of those now with Jesus from our church family - you have inspired me in the race!

Where O where's your presence o God?
In this dry and weary land
So many people drifting away
How we need to understand
You're still God
Even when we're unbelieving
Still God
When we're desperate for our healing
Still God, still God
you're still God
Even when our friends desert us
Still God
Even through the things that hurt us
Still God, still God
So I will be still and know you are God

Where o where's your kingdom o God
We have let holiness go
So many idols litter our land
We've got to let this nation know
You're still God
When the government has no answers
Still God
When the media lowers the standard
Still God, still God, still God
You're still God
When the plans we make are worthless
Still God
When we lose our sense of purpose
Still God, still God
So I will be still and know you are God

When will Jesus really be seen
Through the church that bears his name?
Agents of his kingdom, his peace
In the world for which he came
You're still God
Even though you were rejected
Still God
Though you were ridiculed, deserted
Still God, still God, still God
You're still God
Though you suffered execution
Still God
You're alive and Christ our champion
Still God, still God
So I will be still and know you are God.
(Godfrey & Gill Birtill, Geraldine Latty & Tim Lomax, 2004 (c) Thankyou Music)

On the CD "God Help Us!" available from www.godfreyb.com