Things to Remember
  • The web-site of Peter M Parr
  • Books
    • You are loved
    • The Kindness of Presence
    • Encounters
    • Escape to Redemption
    • Answering that of God
  • Spiritual Accompaniment
  • Blog
  • Free resources
  • Quotations
  • Contact form
  • A prayer

Things to Remember

Top of the (spiritual) pops

29/12/2020

0 Comments

 
At this time of year, it's traditional for radio stations to count-down the top 10 Christmas carols, or the top 100 hits of all time. In that spirit (and in no particular order) I'd like to share this play-list of hymns, chants, and uplifting contemporary songs with a focus on oneness or universal love.
  • Ubi Caritas   A Taizé chant which translates as, "Where charity and love are, there God is".
  • This Little Light of Mine - Odetta   Jesus is recorded to have said, "I am the Light of the world". We all have the Light in us, but are we going to hide it under a bushel or, as this gospel song puts it, will we let it shine?
  • Stand By Me   I remember Ben E King's version of this song from my childhood days. The link is to the Songs Around the World cover produced by Playing for Change, an organization which promotes peace through music.
  • The Christ In You - Waterboys   The Waterboys are probably best known for their hit single The Whole of the Moon, but they also performed this song about seeing the Christ in one another, or 'looking with the eyes of Love'.
  • Lord of the Dance    I recently rediscovered this hymn, which I remember singing in primary school. I struggle to sing the lyrics of many Christian worship songs, but the words of Lord of the Dance resonate with me: "'I am the life that'll never never die; And I'll live in you if you'll live in me. I am the Lord of the dance,' said he."
  • Providence - Lisa Mitchell   I'm not sure of the story behind this beautiful song by the talented Lisa Mitchell, but for me it's about living in the moment and, as Quakers might put it, 'waiting on God'. It gives me goose bumps whenever I listen to it. 
  • Love Shine A Light - Katrina and the Waves   A winning Eurovision song contest entry from Great Britain. "Love shine a light, in every corner of my dreams. Let the love light carry. Let the love light carry. Like the mighty river, flowing from the stream. Let our love shine a light, in every corner of my dreams." Amen to that! 
  • The River is Flowing   While on the subject of rivers!... I've sung this as a round at Young Quaker gatherings a couple of times.
  • Lord of All Hopefulness   Another hymn from my primary school days which I'd love to sing with other people again.
  • Caravan of Love   "We'll be living in a world of peace. And the day when everyone is free. We'll bring the young and the old. Won't you let your love flow, from your heart..." Why don't they sing this in churches? (Or maybe they do?)
  • Hymn - Vangelis   No words in this one, just beautiful instrumental music which recalls my mind to peace. (Could be played at weddings or funerals alike.)
  • Where Is The Love? - Black Eyed Peas and U2   I hesitated before including this one, but it's a relevant message and a great tune, so why not?

Bonus track. Here's a piece of piano music (including rain sounds and binaural beats) which I find works well in place of a mantra at the start of a period of meditation. For the last few weeks I've been listening to it for 10-15 minutes a day, and - whatever the science - it certainly seems to put a smile on my face.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Peter Parr: Quaker, writer and former member of the British minigolf team. (Actually those are all just roles I play. Words can't describe who any of us really are.)

    RSS Feed

    Picture
    Picture
    Follow on Facebook

      Sign up to hear when new books by Peter M Parr are published.

    Subscribe to newsletter (up to four emails per year maximum)
    Visionary Fiction Alliance logo


    Archives

    February 2025
    October 2024
    July 2024
    December 2022
    November 2022
    June 2022
    September 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    May 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    July 2015
    June 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All
    ACIM Lessons
    A Course In Miracles
    Addiction
    Being Present
    Bible
    Depression
    Ego
    Encounters With A Course In Miracles
    Forgiveness
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    God
    Inspiring Quotations
    Jesus
    John's Gospel
    Joy
    Kindness
    Lesson 136
    Listening
    Lord's Prayer
    Love
    Mindfulness
    Picture Quotes
    Prayer
    Prodigal Son
    Purpose
    Quaker Meeting For Worship
    Quaker Quotes
    Self-worth
    Sickness
    Silence
    That Of God
    Thomas Kelly
    True Self
    Truth
    Visionary Fiction
    Who We Are
    Writing

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos from NatCau2016, Pascal Volk, ell brown, Alan Cleaver, alant79, Nick Kenrick.(mostly off until February.. India )
  • The web-site of Peter M Parr
  • Books
    • You are loved
    • The Kindness of Presence
    • Encounters
    • Escape to Redemption
    • Answering that of God
  • Spiritual Accompaniment
  • Blog
  • Free resources
  • Quotations
  • Contact form
  • A prayer