O God beyond all praising

This hymn has been resounding in my head since we sang it at church this morning.

O God beyond all praising is sung to Thaxted, a stirring adaptation of the main theme of the Jupiter movement of Gustav Holst‘s The Planets, which is one of my all-time favourite orchestral compositions.  (You’ll also recognise the tune from the British patriotic hymn I vow to thee, my country and, more recently, from the World in union theme song of Rugby World Cups since 1991.)

But while the tune is stirring, it is the words which speak loudest: “O God beyond all praising” – for how can our words ever repay Him for the great salvation He bought by His own blood, for the infinite riches of Christ?  We sing of “love amazing that songs cannot repay”; He bids us “make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.”

Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His Name.  (Hebrews 13v15, ESV)

Chronicle Number Next 2007/8

Welcome to the latest instalment of the chronically late Chronicle: a year or two in review. Lately it’s increasingly weighed on me that two years have already passed since the previous Chronicle. So much has happened in this time, but here’s the highlights package.

Chronicle Number Next 2003

Well, Easter is with us: the time for remembering God’s grace, love, and purpose for us

Today is also special to me because it was one year ago that I moved to Stellenbosch. The past year has been one one of major challenges, questions and choices; but also one of the greatest excitement, discovery, growth, joy and purpose. Let me remember with you some of the highlights of this past year. For those of you whom I’ve been fortunate to see recently, I hope you’ll pardon the remiss repetition; for those further afield, I do miss you and you are always in mind!