Ruach Breath of Life
Religion & Spirituality
About
Podcast by Ruach Breath of Life
Episodes
- Still and until
David Booth has recently recorded a really special piece for Flamenco guitar. We called it 'Tender Flamenco!' I recorded this lament to accompany his beautiful guitar piece. It is inspired in part by the Lord's moving words in Jeremiah 2 a…
- Angels from realms of glory
With politics so much to the fore in people's thinking at this time, I was reminded of this quote by the 17th century Anglican theologian Richard Hooker that ‘He that goes about to persuade a multitude that they are not so well governed as…
- Tre Scarabocchia
James Horsfall performs three piano improvisations on Ruach Breath of Life. The pieces were initially improvised and recorded by the host, transcribed by Justin Coldstream, and then performed by Horsfall.
- Spring Song
This episode features recordings of two original clarinet pieces intended to evoke the feeling of burgeoning spring. The content delves into Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem about the vibrancy of nature in spring, exploring themes of renewal, i…
- Signs Of Spring (ii)
The episode "Signs Of Spring (ii)" on Ruach Breath of Life discusses the natural rebirth of spring and connects it to spiritual flourishing. It uses the example of birds to illustrate trust and freedom, encouraging listeners to embrace int…
- Father, my Father
The episode features the devotional song "Father, my Father, I love You" by Huw Humphreys, a composer and wordsmith. The song was frequently used in worship during student meetings in the 1980s.
- Eternal Light - May we be light-bearers for You, Lord! (Part Two)
This is the second part of the 'Eternal Light' episode from Ruach Breath of Life, focusing on the theme of being light-bearers for the Lord.
- We acknowledge You, Lord Jesus, as our King
Through the grace of God, the power of His Spirit and the hard work of those who have laboured to make Christ known, the gospel has spead from one community to another all around the world. You and I are invited into the Kingdom of the Kin…
- In dulci Jubilo
In dulci Jubilo by Ruach Breath of Life
- Bird song
Bird song by Ruach Breath of Life
- My love is like a red, red rose
My love is like a red, red rose by Ruach Breath of Life
- Wexford Carol
Good people all who seek the Lord Consider well and bear in mind What our great God has done for us In sending His beloved son With all the saints we love to pray To God Most High who comes to us. In Bethlehem upon that morn The bless’d Me…
- Vivaldi Winter
Many radio stations and apps offer the chance to ‘relax and unwind’ with peace-inducing music and sounds – and such things definitely have their place, including within the Ruach Breath of Life Ministries. But many situations require us to…
- Vivaldi Winter Largo
'The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.' (Jn. 1:5) In the opening movement of Vivaldi's powerful Winter concerto* we hear the sharp and strident sounds of a storm, prompting us to cry out to the Lord both fo…
- The angel Gabriel
Never has there been an angel bringing better or more important news to humankind! Celebrate the Christmas story in this lovely rendition of this folk-Basque Carol, which itself was based on an ancient Latin hymn. It is lovely - and thank…
- Lo He Comes
In 1752 the Moravian preacher and minister John Cennick wrote a hymn called 'Lo he comes with countless trumpets' based on Revelation 1:7, referring to Jesus coming with the clouds in such a way that every eye will see Him. Six years later…
- Veni Creator
A few years ago we released a beautiful sung version of the 9th century hymn by the Frankish Benedictine poet-theologian-abbot, Rabanus Maurus, who became archbishop of Mainz. The tune is a great example of Gregorian chant, and dates from…
- Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit, Come fill our hearts Come flood this day with light and love. Healing and releasing, Cleansing and dispelling, Come Holy Spirit, come fill our hearts. Ruach Hadesh, Holy Spirit, Come into the midst of our trials Hold us.…
- The Last Rose
The Last Rose by Ruach Breath of Life
- Out of the depths - Psalm 130
Out of the depths - Psalm 130 by Ruach Breath of Life
- Do not fear - I will help you
I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear: I will help you. After Laurie Klein recited soothing and reassuring words from Psalms 62 and 63 and Isaiah 41:3, the musicians struck up brief but movin…
- Charpentier
Charpentier by Ruach Breath of Life
- Overcoming the plaguing ‘if onlys,’ and keeping our hearts open
On the penal colony of Patmos for his faith, John and could easily have allowed himself to feel deeply discouraged, and even resentful at being ‘stuck’ in such a dreadful place. No wonder we find him speaking of himself as being ‘our broth…
- Prayer for Ukraine
As I listened to this powerful piece of music by my first music teacher, Philip Spratley, it seems a poignantly perfect backcloth to help us pray heartfelt prayers for Ukraine at this time when it is under such intense pressure in so many…
- Blessed be
Many of you will be familiar with the hymn 'Blessed be the tie', a very deep affirmation of the strength that comes when believers truly love each other. As so often there is a story behind the words. In the mid-eighteenth century, John Fa…
- Unexpected Encounters
No matter how experienced we may be in terms of prayer and ministry, it is always a great source of joy when God moves in unmistakable ways. There is nothing quite like the sense of awe and astonishment we get when He comes in His beauty!…
- Looking Out for The Lord's Interests (I have no-one else like him)
I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all others seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Phil. 2:20-21) As much as these verses express a great commendation of his protégé, Timothy, they…
- Let Your Kingdom Come
Inspired by the words 'Your Kingdom come' in the Lord's Prayer, this is a worshipful improvisation that Sally sung, accompanied by David Booth on guitar. It expresses our longing for more of God and His Heavenly Kingdom as we soak in His p…
- Purer than a lily: The sacrament of the present moment
Many years ago, at the gates of the nursery that both Ruth and Tim attended, we enjoyed many precious moments of fellowship with a special group of parents. (We are still in touch with them all!) Amongst them was Sue Harris, who I was deli…
- Resting Place - Track 1
Lord, you say, “This is the resting place. Let the weary rest. This is the place to be refreshed.” (Is 28:12 EHV) We are longing just to come and be refreshed. The Lord: Come aside a while and ponder My sovereignty. So far from being a dis…
- Resting Place - Track 2
The believer Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory, for Your steadfast loving-kindness and for the sake of Your truth and faithfulness. (Ps. 115:1 AMPC) We are the inheritors of Your kingdom, and we live and move in Yo…
- Resting Place - Track 3
2 Tim 2:19 Though you see many things that might make you despair, when you indulge your woes and listen to your fears, and when your faults and failings shout aloud from the roof tops, and your senses are inclined to shrink in the face of…
- Resting Place Track 4
Comment by the photographer - Some time ago while I was walking along Calle Larios in Malaga, I was struck by the skill of this craftsman who, there in the middle of the street in a completely artisanal way (the lathe was a wheel that he r…
- Resting Place - Track 5
Seated on high You yet stoop so low to meet us as and where we are. No matter that may sometimes feel like worker bees, gathering but a fraction of a teaspoonful of honey in our lifetimes, yet we are doing and seek to do all that you have…
- Resting Place - Track 6
My compassion is not dependent on what you do. Neither does My justice depend on human will or exertion. My compassion and mercy spring from My mercy seat. (Rom. 9:15-16) Seek My mercy on behalf of erring souls and nations, streets and tow…
- Miserere mei
Miserere mei, Deus (‘Have mercy upon me, O God) Disaster! With one fell swoop, the second king of Israel broke three of the commandments God had given to help His people live in the light of His holiness. The enormity of what David had don…
- Lament and Light: Seeing with God's eyes
Throughout this Mashal, we are thinking about how we can turn what we see into prayer. A while ago, I took a walk around the streets where I live, and took the opportunity to see – with my spirit as well as my eyes – the people I passed. M…
- Eternal Triumph
Eternal Triumph by Ruach Breath of Life
- Trust in the Lord for ever
Set to moving music from Monteverdi's brilliant vespers of 1610, with Anthony Thompson and Kevin Ashman leading on the trumpets, join Robert and Elizabeth in this rendering of Isaiah 26, and Psalms 18 and 17:14-15. Biblical Hebrew does not…
- Shade and Shelter from the Storm
O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago._ With these words, Isaiah falls in worship before the Lord. You have been a refuge for the…
- In Christ’s Triumphal Procession 2 Cor. 2:12-3:6 (MEC 9th March 2025)
What a gem Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is, with his unsurpassed eulogy to love, his seminal teaching about spiritual gifts and the functioning of the Body of Christ, crowned with his deep understanding concerning the glory we wi…
- Do not fear, I will help you
Do not fear, I will help you by Ruach Breath of Life
- Prayer for Kazakhstan
Just a few days ago, I knew next to nothing about this huge country that is the size of Western Europe, but whilst preparing to lead the prayer meeting I had been asked to lead for it, I soon ‘discovered’ the country (the last of the forme…
- Deploy Your Forces, Lord
We pray for all who are shocked and shaken by items in the news, and by the state of the world. Renew the focus of our hearts and our flow of prayer, that it may be neither the swathed in sentimentality, nor swayed by prejudice, but founde…
- In the Church
As we pray for the mission of each church and movement that You've raised up, and that's truly reaching out for You, we pray that You will guard them from the shame of sordid squabbles and senseless splits. Guide them through and beyond ea…
- Creation itself will be restored
Your love Lord reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, Your justice like the great deep, Lord. You preserve both people and animals; Your unfailing love is priceless! So man…
- In Uncertain Times
This is the sketchiest of sketches, musically speaking, but I was looking for something that would reflect and speak into the unsettledness of our times. Obvious examples spring to mind, such as the grim situation on the battlefront in Ukr…
- I bind unto myself this day hésuchazó and charmolupē (Stillness and Joy-Grief)
When I wrote this piece, Stillness and Joy, I ‘bookended’ it with the theme from that wonderful hymn, 'I bind unto myself this day’ – the great ‘Breastplate’ prayer for protection that is widely accredited to St Patrick.* The Greek words I…
- The Rock of Eternity and the Age that is to come
Nebuchadnezzar's empire was as secure and far-reaching as any great world power in the ancient world, but in himself, the king was not at rest. Night after night, disconcerting dreams swirled round his head, robbing him of peace and well-b…
- The principle of Suffer-reign
The principle of Suffer-reign. In his first epistle, Peter frequently links the concept of suffering with glory. That's why I have coined the word 'suffer-reign' to describe this. In this far-reaching talk I am unpacking this precious and…