I love taking walks where I’ve never been before. It doesn’t have to be palm-branch-waving-ocean-braving-mountain-ranging scenery. The newness of the undiscovered is enough to intrigue me. I love how the horizon reveals itself, layer by layer; never quite giving itself away as another bend in the road, another clearing of the trees reveals yet more … More The Journey of Creativity
I wrote this song a couple of years ago, but it might be more relevant now than ever. As it was, for quite some time I’ve had footage lying around of me playing and singing ‘Still Small Voice’, so could have released this video at any point; but, well, now seems timely. ‘Where the air … More A Song For Times Of Fear – new music video released for ‘Still Small Voice’
It’s been seven years since I co-wrote a song with Graham Kendrick, and it has been a wonderful experience to see how far-reaching this song has become. It has been heard in places I haven’t visited and sung in languages I don’t know. I will always be grateful to God for this. It has also … More Lyric video for Holy Overshadowing with brand new artwork
[Read Part 1 here] [Read Part 2 here] Sometimes, when it’s night time and I just need to think, I’ll leave the lights off in the lab. Let the glow of the emergency exit sign guide me; the corridor light that spills through the window, the 60Hz pulse of the computer monitors, the night light … More What Became of Cylandria, a short story – Part 3 (conclusion)
[Read Part 1 here] Sophia took me out for drinks and backgammon one evening shortly before her stint with me came to an end just under a year ago. “We have had another letter from the Centre of Scientific Enquiry,” she began, raising her eyebrows. (She said ‘of’ but I knew she meant ‘for’; her … More What Became of Cylandria, a short story – Part 2
Or, how to create a world in ~44,000 hours I made a world last month. Or, more accurately, following >44,000 hours in the lab, I concluded my final experiment last month. 44,000 hours ought to be enough to achieve something as great as planetary creation. I seem to have become a little distant from some … More What Became of Cylandria, a short story – Part 1
My friends at Resound Worship have just released a new book. Joel Payne and Sam Hargreaves host the wonderful Resound Worship Songwriting Podcast which every month offers thoughts on the songwriting process, interviews and other content including my favourite segment, ‘dissect a classic’ – which is pretty much what it says on the tin. There’s … More New Book for Worship Songwriters
“I like lists”, one prominent worship songwriter once told me in passing after glancing over my shoulder during a songwriting conference. (I’ll leave you to guess who.) Lists are great. Lists are options. Lists are brain dumps. Lists are low investment, high return. You can have a list for everything. I don’t just mean your … More Songwriting: The secret power of lists
Darkened sky,Barren hill –Bloody field,Deathly still.Circling cryRings the sky,High aboveThe scarecrow. Hanging head,Flapping wind,Tortured mouth –Weight of sin.All who passLaugh at him,Passing byThe scarecrow. Limp in limb.Heavy eyesDrooping, seeAll that lies.Not a word,Not a sound –MercifulThe scarecrow.
So, ironically, I’m beginning to draft this blog post at 6am after having been lying awake for a while unable to sleep. But, as it turns out, that’s a good thing. This TED talk all about sleep explains why – at the end of it, the advice given to someone who is lying in bed … More 4 ways I’ve learned to sleep better
