2016 – what a year! I’ve had the great privilege of speaking to people on the street, in various churches and simply in the workplace. I’ve been blessed to work with great mentors at Resound Media who are helping me further along the musical path that the Lord has set me on – and will have more of that to look forward to in 2017! Organising a fabulous fundraising gig in support of Open Doors and performing with Out of the Ashes was a treat in March and most recently working with some talented musicians to form a new band for gigs lined up in 2017. Much to be excited about and greatly thankful for.

But one of the overall things I remember this year is the conversation with so many precious people about their 2016 experiences leaving them hopeless, discouraged or just bemused by the things happening around the world.

I encouraged people with the assurance that when someone loves us as much as God does, then we have nothing to fear. No need to be anxious about all these happenings. Jesus knew we would need His strength during the crazy times that we live in, because He encouraged us through Peter to “cast all your care on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)

We can have peace in the midst of increasing pressures, peace that comes from knowing He has it all in hand, when we don’t have a clue how it’s going to work out. Sounds good – but what does it mean in reality?

If you’ve been in anguish over the EU referendum, burdened with the tragedy of the refugees fleeing Syria, in despair about the increasing terrorist attacks or simply don’t know how you will meet the Christmas bills this month then you qualify for the peace of God. Simply ask Him to take care of all these issues and thank Him for the peace in your heart and mind that you need. The good news is that we don’t have to understand how these things are going to be resolved. Once we’ve handed it over the God it’s His responsibility to fulfil whatever is needed. So this Christmas, ask Jesus for the gift of peace and then “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”

Merry Christmas and I hope to see you at a gig sometime in 2017!

Since I last penned anything I’ve been quite busy with meeting lots of wonderful new friends in local C of E, Elim and Methodist fellowships. Having the opportunity to share and sing with them has been incredible and a very different experience in every place – each of us is so unique! Thank  you for inviting me to share in your services and meet God together!

Last month I ventured into the studio again to record 4 new songs with Andy Baker and the Resound Media team at their new studios in Gloucestershire. Situated on the estate of a beautiful family who open up their house for artists to stay and enjoy their family life – complete with feeding the cat (a beautiful Coon Maine cat called Marcus!) and mucking in with doing the dishes and preparing the veggies for dinner! Andy (Production, arrangement, guitar, piano and all round music wizz) and Aron (amazing sound technician and drummer) made the songs sound incredible and added another dimension to the sound. We had a really productive 2 days and I can’t wait to hear the first mixes due in July!

So the new EP titled ‘Like and Eagle’ should be available late August – in time for some solo gigs I’m planning later in the year.

More news on dates for that as they happen!