Making the charts and unexpected blessings

http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/nzalbums

We had a wonderful album release at St Columba’s last Sunday. We had two wonderful services, sharing some of the songs, and a great chance to talk about the depth and breadth of worship – the rich and living conversation God calls us and frees us to share with him.

It was beautiful. People connected. We gave the songs we’d been given, and people responded. They bought albums and took the songs home so they could become a part of the fabric of their lives. We went away exhausted yet joyful, mindful that we were in the midst of God’s love affair with his beloved.

Over the next few days, Ness and I stayed up late packaging and sending out the albums to the wonderful friends who’d backed the album before it existed. It’s an amazing kind of love and trust that says, ‘I know you, I trust what you’re going to come out with and I want to help it happen.’ These guys didn’t wait to hear favourable reviews, they jumped on board before there was even an album to get hold of, when it was just a whisper. We were again filled with gratitude as we wrote addresses and wrapped albums and signed inlays.

Then, as an after thought, I thought I’d see what the process was to log album sales. I wasn’t even sure you could do it on your own behalf. So I rang the people behind the NZ music charts, and they were super helpful. I had to do some hasty paper work, and some people at their end did some overtime for me (which I will not forget in a hurry). The end result was this – WE MADE THE TOP 20 NZ ALBUM CHARTS! And not just the top 20!

#6! God is so excessive in the way he loves us. He doesn’t do ‘just enough’. There is something inherently gratuitous  about hundreds of litres of wine at a wedding, about feeding thousands in the wilderness, about giving everything to people until you’re saying, ‘this bread is my body, and this wine is my blood – it’s all I have left, and its yours too.’

I didn’t need this. But it’s happened. That speaks to me of God’s over-the-top love. He ‘loves to give his children good gifts’ and this one is awesome!

Thanks to all of you who were part of this amazing week, and the work behind the scenes to bring the album to fruition. I feel deeply humbled, richly loved and truly blessed.

To celebrate, the album is now available online (and soon in your nearest Manna Christian store)