500

My 500th post.
It's hard to believe I've had this blog for about 5 years.
It was going to die in 2010, but I decided to just keep posting. Even if it was a random thought, or a picture of a cloud.
Diligence pays off! I'm still not sure what this blog is... it goes through phases.
In 2008 it was my sole social network, 2010-2011 my teenage, faux-tumblr.
In 2012 a RANT WEBSITE. Sorry guys.
Now? I just post things I like. And this is one of them.

I have been weeding through my 200 choral pieces given to me at the VWC sacred music conference.
My "keep" section is about 20 pieces. The rest either rubbed me the wrong way musically, or the text wasn't fit for worship. I saved some of them for the "maybe" section because parts in the music struck me as interesting. I feel like a sponge now, always listening and analyzing.  This is just phase one of my future as a composer!

So friends, enjoy this brilliant piece by Phillip Stopford, it was just published this year.  (It's definitely in my "keep" section.)

1. O Thou who camest from above,
 the pure celestial fire to impart
 kindle a flame of sacred love
 upon the mean altar of my heart.

2. There let it for thy glory burn
 with inextinguishable blaze,
 and trembling to its source return,
 in humble prayer and fervent praise.

3. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
 to work and speak and think for thee;
 still let me guard the holy fire,
 and still stir up thy gift in me.

4. Ready for all thy perfect will,
 my acts of faith and love repeat,
 till death thy endless mercies seal,
 and make my sacrifice complete.