The life and times of Peter Russell

Brand New: The Evolving Logo of the Future

2007-06-05T15:32:00.000Z

Yesterday, amidst much publicity, the 2012 Olympic Committee unveiled the new London 2012 brand. The "dynamic" and "vibrant" new emblem is designed to work on both static and dynamic media and is set to "evolve" over the years up to 2012.

Apparently "it will define the venues we build and the Games we hold and act as a reminder of our promise to use the Olympic spirit to inspire everyone and reach out to young people around the world. It is an invitation to take part and be involved."

My first reaction to the gaudy disjointed Tangram-like logo was not favourable. I had enjoyed the bid logo with the Olympic ribbons echoing the course of the Thames as they weaved through London. However, I do appreciate that the traditional static logo with a clichéd image of a national icon is no longer enough in these media savvy days. So Wolff Ollins have played a wild card with this brand.

The public hate it. There are already a mass of material on the internet criticising the design. Blogs and news sites alike have loved to take a swipe at the new brand (which, incidentally, cost £400,000 to design).

Now, there is something about the media's response to new branding of quasi-public bodies that drives me mad - you see the same old comments each time the BBC creates a set of new idents. For some reason there is nothing that the press enjoy more than criticising any attempts to rebrand such organisations as the BBC or Royal Mail (remember Consignia?). Now some attempts are indeed a total waste of public money (Consignia) but others are, in my opinion, perfectly justifiable. These public bodies frequently need to compete and appeal as much as any private companies.

There is also something very appealing about not playing it safe. London enjoys an international reputation as a centre for arts and design. It would be sad to see a logo for the Blandsville 2012 Olympics which is perhaps what the public would prefer.

So, what of the new logo? Well, having said all of the above, I still don't like it. It attempts to engage young people by speaking a brand language which it is believed they will recognise. I think what is achieved is the equivalent of your dad dancing at your disco. Aesthetically it jars - now I know that this edgy look is the intended effect - but since it will be reproduced on countless T-shirts and baseball caps, a design more pleasing on the eye would be wiser.

The curious lowercase 'London' is painfully trendy and the Olympic rings sit in the middle of the "0" with little connecting them to the whole design. Sadly, over all I think it is a mess.

What I would love to see is a logo that really satisfies the design brief - a logo that is inclusive and dynamic, that engages young people and excites without alienating those who are actually paying for the Games. So, back to the drawing board guys!

PS. If you shuffle the blocks around you can make a footballer and a loose map of GB!

Waxing Lyrical, continued...

2007-05-21T11:31:00.000Z

Further to my last post; here are the words for another 2 recent songs:

No Other Way

Verse
No other way for me to come
And stand before You.
Nothing that I could ever say or do.
No righteous thoughts, no promises
No holiness in me.
All of my efforts shown as rags;
Lord, come and clothe me:

Pre-chorus
In Your grace I stand.
Covered by Your hand.

Chorus
Amazing grace! So wonderful for me.
That You, my King, would come
Set this sinner free.
Amazing grace! Making my heart sing.
I will come, worship the King,
I will come, worship the King.

Tag
Confidently I will come,
Bring my praises to the One
(Repeat)
Who saves, saves me.

© Copyright 2007 Peter Russell

The Light of Your Face

Verse 1
The brightest light I've ever seen.
Purity unparalleled.
The greatest warmth I've ever felt
Most beautiful thing I've beheld:

It's the light of Your face.
The light of Your face as You shine on me.
(Repeat)

Verse 2
The radiance of Your righteousness;
Holiness of God displays.
Exposing all my sinfulness
Transforming me in every way:

By the light of Your face.
The light of Your face as You shine on me.
(Repeat)

Chorus
Shine on me, Jesus shine on me.
Shine on me, Jesus shine, Jesus shine.
Shine on me, will You shine on me.
Shine Your refining light on me.

Verse 3
Living as a child of light;
Finding all that pleases You.
Lifted up and clothed in white
Reflecting You in all I do:

By the light...

© Copyright 2007 Peter Russell

Waxing Lyrical

2007-05-18T15:59:00.000Z

As I have alluded to in my previous blog, I have recently been writing worship songs.

I have written songs in the past; in fact I wrote a batch of songs in my teens; however, they were harmonically driven with words that were, at best, non-heretical. They were songs for songs' sake.

I was again drawn to song writing whilst at University. During this time I had 'discovered' worship in a new and deeper way and was eager to produce something convincingly worshipful. However, I think I lacked the spiritual maturity to write in any depth. The lyrics were lifted from passages of Scripture, picked almost at random and shoehorned into a less than convincing melodic structure.

In January I felt God telling me a number of things. One of these was that I should focus on my broader worship ministry (beyond merely worship leading). During the period of fasting at PBC I used my lunchtimes to pray into the worship-life of the church and to write songs on alternate days.

The results were interesting and varied. Some truth about what the Lord was requiring of us as a church in worship came in visions and through Bible passages. As I prayed into these with Leon Bailey it seemed clear to me that God was calling us to recognise who He was afresh, to honour the name of Jesus and to come in reverence to honour Him. This was accompanied by a promise that we would experience more of the glory of the Lord in return. That challenge and promise is affecting my worship leading. I am very excited about where were are heading as a church.

The time spent songwriting proved to be remarkably fruitful. I have now written 4 decent songs. These have generally come from Words given to me in the times that I have met with Jonathan Blackwell for discipleship and, as a result, reflect in an acutely personal way, what God is doing in me. Musically they are more melody-driven and as a result are far more accessible.

Now, I'm not saying that the songs are all amazing, but they have blessed and encouraged me. They are a start and I hope that the Lord will take me forward in it all.

Below are the words of the first of the songs. If I muster up the courage, I may even lead worship with it soon.

Never let me go

Verse 1
There is a hope that is secure,
An anchor for the soul.
There is a promise that is sure.
A God who won't let go.

Verse 2
There is a place where you can stand
On Jesus and His blood;
There on the rock, not on the sand;
Safe in the Saviour's love.

Bridge
You'll never let me go,
Never let my foot fall.
You'll never let me go;
I'm safe in You, safe in You.
(Repeat)
Jesus

Chorus
You're all I need;
In You I am strong.
You are my hope
And You are my song.
(Repeat)
Ever faithful God
To You I belong.

Verse 3
There is a Rock in whom is found
Salvation full and free.
He is the only solid ground;
The only One for me.

© Copyright 2007 Peter Russell

Definitions of me

2007-05-11T13:56:00.000Z

I have always liked to be busy; to have a finger in every pie; to cram into one afternoon what would take others a whole day. Over time I have allowed myself to be defined by my busyness, or perhaps more accurately, I have allowed my ‘busyness’ to define me.

I say ‘more accurately’ because in many ways my busyness and activity have taken on their own persona; a projection of myself that I have fostered and allowed to develop. A projection that is more capable, more able and less fragile than me. A projection where my flaws are minimised and my talents exaggerated. A projection where I can lead worship at every service, event or gathering; design websites and publicity materials; run groups; achieve academically, disciple friends and do all this before breakfast whilst maintaining a perfectly tidy room.

Perhaps it is no surprise that cracks have started to show. In various ways God has been showing me that I have been relying on me, well, super-me. My confidence has been in my ability to do things, and to do more things than other people. In my discipleship with Jonathan Blackwell it soon became apparent that something had to give. That something was my pride.

Over a very painful weekend in February the Lord challenged me to stand in Him. To put to death super-me and to define myself in Him. It is challenging since it requires real humility and a complete change in my attitude towards myself. Yet it brings great freedom.

I am changing, though it is a slow process. I have recently done what I could only describe as a ‘life audit’ where I have considered all the things that I do, and enquired of whether the Lord wants me to do them. I have put a red line through a number of jobs that I really enjoy.

Curiously; however, the Lord seems to be leading me into new things. I am finding great refreshing in worship leading and in my songwriting and am leading a mission trip to Poland in the autumn. In the end I want to be obedient in serving where I am led. It is an exciting time and I believe that in doing it in His way it will finally bear lasting fruit.

My Facebook Holiday

2007-05-08T12:27:00.000Z

Perhaps the title “My Facebook Vacation” would have been more appropriate, given the fact that Facebook is born and bred in the States. In any event I am now on holiday. Away from the pressures of Facebook. Away from the endless overbearing interactivity breeding mindless and shallow communication. Free.

It is not that I have completely fallen out of love with Facebook; I recognise its ability to pull people together, to enable the disconnected and disenfranchised to have a voice, to give a sense of value to clusters and groups in society and to encourage dialogue; I would say that we are just having a trial separation. Time apart will be healthy for us both, I’m sure.

Facebook is a world in which you are forever connected with anyone and everyone that you have ever met. In the old world of letters, cards, postcards (even emails) you would have limited contacts but at least you would communicate with them. Facebook offers a world where you are in contact with everyone, yet communicate with no-one. I have come to the conclusion that I am simply incapable of having meaningful friendships with all 180 (or however many of them there now are) of my Facebook friends – and as a result I lose the ability to communicate with the friends I once had.

When I first decided to blog (back in the heady autumn of 06) I wondered whether blogging was rather too self-obsessive and introspective. Curiously I have found Facebook to be far worse in this regard. Photos are interesting if you are in them. Conversations are interesting if they concern you. The rest of Facebook is a mere superfluity. Thus Facebook is reduced to the equivalent of self-googling (and, yes, you do know what that is).

I had not intended this blog to be an all-out assault of Facebook or indeed the plethora of online communication networks (for which I coin the name: “MySpacebookReubebo”) What I really wanted to say was that for a period (maybe a week, maybe a month, maybe forever) I am on a Facebook holiday and I am really looking forward to meaningfully communicating with people again.

The Primary Activities of Peter Russell

2007-01-11T17:00:00.000Z

At present my life involves three activities; sleeping, going to work and refurbishing my house. The first of those activities is rapidly being marginalised by the last and work has become a curious sanctuary. The strangest thing is that I'm really enjoying myself.

It was Sunday that I noticed that the house was resembling a TV property development series. There is wood everywhere. Workmen are coming and going and there's nowhere to sit down any more. B&Q is now feeling like a second home.

People regularly ask when I'm moving in (to the house, not B&Q!) I have decided that I will move in some time in February (though I am not telling anyone which year that will be in.)

What is exciting is that I can picture it now; the house when it's finished. I can see the wallpaper I am yet to put up, the carpet yet to be chosen, the furniture that we are yet to find. It looks beautiful, elegant, warm, homely. The realisation of that picture seems a long way off, but I can see it all the same.

The Unambitious Resolutions of Boots

2007-01-02T13:59:00.000Z

The posters encouraging you to "change one th!ng" have now appeared in Boots (http://www.bootschangeonething.com) You can't blame them for cashing in on the fact that people want to be healthier, fitter and more attractive. Boots have recognised that people set themselves unrealistic targets when deciding upon new year's resolutions (the statistics on gym attendance in February speak for themselves); therefore, Boots encourage us to keep our aspirations fettered and our expectations low by suggesting that we change just one thing.

I have never made a new year's resolution. It's not that I don't think that there worthwhile. It is just that I know that I, like millions before me, will fail. I will start with great earnestness on January the 1st, wane by about the 15th and give up before the month is out. For me, resolutions smack of failure and disappointment.

However, this year I have made my first resolution (of sorts). It is simply that I resolve to get to know God better. In many ways it barely involves me - what I will do is make myself available in reading the Bible, praying and waiting; the rest is down to the Lord. It is more than simply changing one thing, trying a little harder to be a little better - it is laying my life before God afresh and asking Him to transform me to be increasingly more like Jesus.

Redressing the Balance

2006-12-21T09:40:00.000Z

I'm now officially down-with-the-kids.

Perhaps it's symptomatic of a mid-twenties-crisis, but I have joined Facebook [http://www.facebook.com]. Having safely circumnavigated myspace, I have now joined the online social chattering classes and am now trying to figure out how the thing works...

Facebook appears to be a fusion of MSN Messanger, MySpace and Friends Reunited. You can join groups and add friends. A nice feature is that you can see what your other friends are posting, joining or updating from your homepage. I imagine that there is some wonderful point to it all, though I haven't stumbled upon it yet.

One thing I have noticed is that there is a dearth of people my age or older (with the exception of Becca Thwaites.) I feel a little like a granddad trying to use an iPod, but never mind! Well, it's a brave new world - I just hope I can get the hang of it before the next big thing comes along...

Growing pains

2006-12-20T13:09:00.000Z

There I was, minding my own business, when suddenly, out of nowhere it happened. I grew up.

I have a job, I drive a car, I own a house (albeit jointly) and have a huge mortgage. I have to wonder how it all happened. We got the keys for the house on Monday (which is, coincidentally, the same day that the Coulsdon bypass finally opened). The surreality of the situation left me pleasantly relaxed. It was only the following morning, when I considered how much work is to be done on the house before I can live in it, how I will miss my 'home' and the cup of tea my Mum makes me in the morning, and how large my debts are now, that I realised the full magnitude of what I had done.

Don't get me wrong, the house is fantastic and I'm really looking forward to living there and doing it up with Richard; however, what I hadn't fully appreciated were the implications on my life. I'm no longer a 'young person' but more a 'young adult'. I suppose that the transition was, undoubtedly, going to happen at some point; though I expected a little more warning...

So here I am, facing a new stage of my life. It's good (it always is with God), though more than a little daunting.

Jehovah Jireh

2006-12-13T15:39:00.000Z

Jehovah Jireh means "God who provides". (Sadly this knowledge has more to do with the disturbingly catchy 1970s song than me reading exegeses of the names of God in the Old Testament or studying Hebrew, oh well...) That aside, it really is true.

For those reading this who either (a) don't know me or (b) do know me but haven't spoken to me in ages; I am currently buying a house with Richard Curran. This is not just a house - this is an Edwardian, 2 bedroomed, well positioned, end-of-terrace house (have clearly seen one too many M&S adverts). A real blessing in itself given the state of the property market. Anyhow, I explained to Richard at the outset that I wanted a property that was not attached on both sides. Partly because I find mid-terraced properties claustrophobic, but mainly because I wanted a 'piano friendly' house (that is to say that I need to be able to play the piano without annoying too many neighbours).

Well, we are buying a piano-friendly house; however, I quite remarkably overlooked the fact that I do not own a piano. This struck me some time ago, and I pondered and worried about it (the prospect of life without a proper piano being almost unthinkable).

Last Sunday I received a call from a close family friend who said that she would like to give me her piano (bought for her husband Dave, who died while I was at University.) Overjoyed! It was such a kind and generous gift. Not least for the fact that it will undoubtedly be hard for her to part with it, but also because she has offered to have the stool recovered for me and to pay for the removal.

What an amazing blessing and testament to the Lord's provision. Though to many people it would seem like an unnecessary luxury, to me it is a big deal. The Lord is extravagant too - it's an amazing piano, far better that I could have ever afforded at this stage in my life.

Peter Russell in da hood...

2006-11-28T12:50:00.000Z

For a brief moment last Sunday evening, quite unexpectedly, I became 'cool'. I had just finished chastising Josh Chalke for failing to come round to the Foxley Hatch after the Ministry (evening service) when it happened. I shook his hand and then, without thinking, found myself undertaking the 'in-da-hood-style' handshake with an unnerving level of ease and dexterity.

Maybe it was merely second-hand cool, but I'd like to think that, for a brief moment, I became one of the cool kids. Perhaps I should set up a MySpace site before the feeling wears off...

The Expeditions of a Wandering Worship Leader

2006-11-27T13:34:00.000Z

I spent last weekend at Woodmansterne Baptist Church, leading worship as part of their 70th birthday celebrations. I was asked to do it months ago, was rather flattered and said yes. As ever, it was only as the weekend approached that I realised how little time I had to sort it all out and wondered if I was the best person for the job.

I was to lead at two meetings; a worship/testimony evening on Saturday and the Sunday morning service. Bill, their minister, helpfully provided me with a list of songs that they knew. He was also very flexible and gave me free reign to lead as I felt led. This is always so helpful, as it can be hard to come in to a very structured meeting.

I had arranged a small band from Purley Baptist (Graham Jones - Bass, Gosia Kamrad - vocals, Nathanael Jones - drums and me on keys and vocals) and wondered how it would all go. Would they cope with the mix of songs I had chosen? Were they free or conservative? Would people share testimony? Would they like the style of music we produced?

I really should worry less and pray more. God was faithful as ever. We had a very warm reception from the guys at Woodmansterne. The Saturday evening meeting had a very nice, relaxed feel to it. People entered into the worship and sharing with enthusiasm and I felt the presence and guiding of the Holy Spirit. The Sunday meeting went pretty well too. It seems a church where people are genuinely seeking the Lord and all that He has for them. There also seemed an openness towards the work and empowering of the Holy Spirit.

What struck me most over the weekend was the unity that we have with other Christians; far more than a common interest or a shared belief-system, but a sense that I was amongst friends, family even. It was also challenging to see a small(ish) church with limited resources, knowing how well resourced PBC is. I have to wonder whether we can do more to share resources...

Apparently, they would like me to go back sometime. That's an offer I can't refuse.

Wishing you all a 'Happy Holidays'..?

2006-11-21T14:54:00.000Z

WARNING: This post may contain statements better suited to the editorials of the Daily Mail.

This year NEXT proudly wishes us all "Happy Holidays", which is very kind of them, no doubt. Now, aside from the fact that the word holidays has mysteriously transformed itself into a proper noun, this statement bothers me...

In a desperate bid to be more inclusive, they are totally ignoring the fact that the holiday period was created to enable people to celebrate Christmas. I realise that Hanukkah is also in mid December and Diwali normally in November, but it seems ridiculous to divorce the winter holiday from Christmas. It's nearly as bad as the 'Winterval' celebrations hosted by Birmingham City Council last year. The rewriting of British history bothers me; as does the 'censuring' of all things Christian in the public domain. The fact that it is a Americanism, only serves to make the matter worse.

Next thing you know I'll be handing out leaflets in the street with "no to the Euro" on. Yikes!

Now you see it...

2006-11-21T13:49:00.000Z

I find this image fascinating. It's called "rotating snakes". As you look at the picture the circles start to rotate; however, it is an illusion. It is a static image. The effect is called the "peripheral drift illusion". You may notice that if you focus on a particular circle, it will not rotate, whereas the surrounding circles rotate.

So there you go, things are not always as they appear... [feel free to imagine your own analogous deep and meaningful statement]

Quite a geeky post, but, hey ho.

58:12 - Putting the hobbits back into Purley

2006-11-15T15:49:00.000Z

Purley Baptist Church, which I attend, have pretty amazing redevelopment plans. The hope is to put the heart back into Purley; providing community facilities as well as new facilities for the church. 58:12 is the company set up by the church to deal with the redevelopment. (From Isaiah 58:12) There are a few details on the, now woefully out-of date, website which I designed as a quick fix over 2 years ago!! www.58-12.co.uk.

Anyway, the plans are in at Croydon Council and they have been amended to include some artistic impressions of the building. Not sure why they are all pictures at night? It's pretty radical, which is great as Jamie Dunn and I had fears that it would be a giant mock-mock-mock-Tudor monstrosity. (That is to say, it would be a copy of the 'Sunrise' Retirement-home carbuncle which is mock-mock-Tudor, itself a copy of the early 1900's buildings in Purley which are mock-Tudor, loosely modelled on Tudor buildings... apparently.) You can see the cause for our concern.

Well, the architects have certainly avoided mock-Tudor. It has glass, Swiss-Re-style curved sides and a grass roof incorporating a hobbit/TellyTubby-home-remeniscent porthole. Fantastic stuff!

Full plans can been seen on Croydon Council's planning website. Enjoy!

Lights, music, action!

2006-11-15T12:08:00.000Z

Had a fantastic evening with my friends Amber and Tim Light yesterday. Had a really relaxed time, catching up. Tim is a worship leader and songwriter. He's written some fantastic songs (the album "Our God Reigns" had amazing breadth in both style and content) and he played me some of his recent songs. "Precious" was particularly beautiful. He's a seriously gifted guy - look out for him!

It was lovely to spend time with them as a couple and see how well they complement each other. Also good to share life, talk shop (worship music), eat good food and pray together. We talked about our plans for the future and where we feel God's leading.

Following my trip to Poland in October I felt a strong sense of God commissioning me into new areas of ministry, though I'm yet to discover what they are, or indeed, where they will take place. Exciting stuff... Though at present I am very settled in Purley. In fact, I am currently buying a house in Coulsdon with my friend Richard Curran, so won't be going anywhere too fast!!

Memoirs of a Worship Leader

2006-11-13T13:39:00.000Z

Had a fantastic service at Purley Baptist Church last night. It was the monthly Upper Room service - I felt God speaking to me very clearly.

Worship leading at the Upper Room is fantastic. People come anticipating meeting with God and with a desire to worship Him. This makes my part wonderfully simple. It was a great time of praise as we all drew closer to God and sensed the Holy Spirit with us.

I had planned the songs unusually well in advance, as I had a lot on at the weekend. When I looked at them again on Saturday morning I started to question whether they were the right ones. I couldn't remember exactly why I had chosen them and, over all, it looked slightly disjointed. By the time we reached the service I felt more peaceful about the songs, and it turned out to be a beautiful time of worship, though it got me thinking about how I exercise my ministry...

It's funny how worship leaders agonise over song choices. When I first started to lead worship I was at Southampton University Christian Union. It was at a time where I was becoming increasingly open to the work of the Holy Spirit and, at the time, felt that being 'Spirit led' and being spontaneous were pretty much the same thing. I would pray about the meeting and choose loads of songs (often 14 or 15) and then just use the ones that I felt would be helpful as the meeting progressed. I was also rebelling from a relatively conservative background where songs seemed to be used as the 'commercial breaks' between the important parts of the service (namely, the notices, the offering and the sermon!) I therefore tended to largely ignore the theme of the evening, considering that corporate worship deserved as much prominence as the talk.

Funny really; I still aim to be 'Spirit led' and consider that corporate worship should have prominence when Christians meet together; however, I feel that the Lord's matured me in many ways. Moving back to PBC I found that my way of worship leading would need to be altered. Curiously, I came back thinking I was pretty good at what I did. I soon realised that I was just in my infancy.

I have discovered the joy of considering what will be preached on, and praying about the direction of the service. I find that it enables me to choose songs that complement what God is doing. I've also found the Spirit's leading in preparation, though it's still wonderful when a song is introduced in the meeting which serves as a wonderful vehicle for our praise, worship and adoration of God.

Anyway, I know that I am a mere toddler in worship-leading terms. I'm still a little rebellious and I still can get worked up about the mechanics of choosing songs and rehearsing bands; though I'm growing, bit by bit, and I hope that God continues to bring the work in me to completion.

Falling off the bandwagon

2006-11-13T13:23:00.000Z

I have been contemplating setting up a blog for a while. It seemed very self indulgent setting one up. I found the notion that people would actually be interested in reading my ramblings rather strange. There was also the fact that simply everybody was blogging and there's nothing worse than joining the bandwagon late.

So, why have I decided to blog? Well, blogging is all rather passé these days, so I don't feel like I'm joining the cultural bandwagon. In fact, if I really had my finger on the pulse I would have a "my space" site instead. (Or whatever has superseded that...) Perhaps it is still self indulgent; though I hope you find it interesting and even encouraging...