The
Song of the Father’s Heart.
Phil
Lawson-Johnston
Terra Nova
ISBN 1-901949-32-X
Phil Lawson Johnston is a gifted musician, song writer and worship leader. He co-founded the worship group Cloud and has led worship at Christian events in Britain and other countries.
The Song of the Father’s Heart takes us right into the nature of worship and the music of creation. Through Bible passages and an awareness of all that is around us he introduces us to a ‘creation pregnant with praise. Whether it be the first cry of a new-born baby, the dawn chorus, or the last trumpet call at the Second Coming, there is an eternal song resonating at the core of creation.’ There are many songs in the Father’s heart - songs of truth, mystery, love, agony, anger, deliverance and freedom, victory over Satan, sin and death, new creation and songs of peace, hope and delight.
The author continues to look in depth at why we were made for worship; how we engage with God through our great needs of significance, identity and destiny. He shows us the stumbling blocks and wrong worship patterns preventing our reaching the essential goal of worshipping in spirit and in truth. He looks at the fear of the Lord, the kiss of love and that fearful intimacy which helps us to change and grow and know passion in our pilgrimage.
Having set the foundational truths he shows us God’s presence in worship – that hallowed ground, beholding his face and tasting and seeing. This book helps us to find the balance in our worship between our knowledge of the Truth and our experience of it.
The last third of the book deals with leadership of worship and song writing. He shows the reader examples of reluctant and servant leadership through Bible passages and stories and why the obviously musically talented are not initially, necessarily the best leaders. He gives us much to think about in the various ministries to do with worship and relationship and through his extensive experience of how and how not to lead worship.
‘God wants worshippers and worship – relationship rather than performance. However much care we take to give God of our best, when we put together a meeting or service, relationship is more important.’ For song writers and worship leaders there is a wealth of information and guidance in this book and the author makes the point clearly from the outset that successful leading of worship has to embrace the whole of our Christian life. ‘Worship is the outward flow of our own joyful relationship with our Heavenly Father.’ That message is for us all which is why this book will speak to musicians and non-musicians alike.
Until now I had never thought of the Bible as the essentially massive book of song that it is. I will be buying my own copy of The Song of the Father’s Heart which will not be lent out because I have a lot to learn from it!
Gill Williams