Lifehouse - Everything Dance

Once in a while you see something that shakes you to the core. This video is one such thing. I am 52 years old and have been a Christian minister since 1987 and a Christian since 1975. I thought I understood the cross, and as an evangelist I have preached on it on many occasions and witnessed the wonder of many becoming Christians. I know Jesus died for me. I know that my sins are forgiven. I know that I have home reserved for me in heaven. I know that while I am not fully perfect yet God has begun a work in me that will last for eternity. I am saved, past tense, I am being saved, present tense, and I am being saved, future tense. I can discuss substitution, adoption, forgiveness, and on and on... I live it, I feel it, I experience what it is to be loved and rescued by an amazingly wonderful God.

But this video showed me something I had not seen before. God, in action.

If you haven't watched it yet then please do so now so I do not spoil it. The dance begins with God dancing with a teenage girl with all before her, he shows her the wonder of creation and the warmth of his love, she face the challenges and distractions of a boy friend, money, alcohol, body image, self harm and suicide, all the time God is trying to pull her back and she fights to get back to him and fails. But just as she gets to a finger tip distance she is pulled away and God intervenes. Getting between the crowd and the girl and he holds them back. This view of God is now seen to be Jesus as he holds back an angry crowd so she is free to pray, Jesus is beaten down and just when it seems he is defeated he stands up strong and wins and the girl's relationship with God is restored.

It was the fighting back of the crowd, a crowd made up of the girl's mistakes plus the world's temptations that are out to destroy that touched me. God is right now holding back the horrors of mine, yours and the world's mistakes so that I/we can have the true freedom to live and pray. God is right now holding it all back, this is no past tense action on the cross, but a living thing that is happening now as I write and you read. Now how amazing is that?

This is the best dance on the cross I have ever seen and I urge you buy the track from Lifehouse because this track is literally everything!

Best Documentary 2009

Last year with help of Andrew Colmer I produced a DVD called "Respect: Make Mischief Night A Thing Of The Past!" I am delighted to say that on 14th October 2009 it won best documentary of the year at the IOV2009 Awards.

Real Radio and the St Stephen's Centre May 2009

Please excuse this post but I have just had some exciting news and I can’t help but share it with you, the Centre attached to St Stephen’s, the church I work at, has reached the final of a local competition.

Real Radio (105.4 fm) and Foundation (a climate fund for the north west) have been running a competition looking for a community project that needs a new lease of life and out of the 150 centres looked at the St Stephen’s Centre, Gateacre has been chosen as one of the three finalists and the only one from Liverpool.

Voting for the overall winner began today and continues until 21st May (my birthday!!!) with winner to be announced on Friday 22nd May.

The judging panel were looking for projects that would benefit as many people in the community as possible, and of course it was also important that the projects were committed to a low carbon future. They say it was a tough process but they now have 3 finalists, so it’s over to you to vote for your favourite!

PLEASE, please, please will you go online and vote for us at:
http://promo.gmgradio.com/3327/ (or just click this link)

The winner will receive £16,000 worth of work.

The finalists are The Royal Oak Community Centre in Wythenshaw, Manchester; St Anthony’s Annexe in Fulwood, Preston and ourselves, St Stephen’s Parish Centre in Gateacre, Liverpool.

I know I am being cheeky but I can’t help asking!

Guerrilla Worship

It was my privilege to be part of a team from the Liverpool Dream Network to capture on Saturday 4/4 (the week before Easter) at 4pm in the new Liverpool ONE shopping mall, Dream's first 'Guerrilla Worship' gathering. It was kind of a Dream worship 'flash mob'!

It began scattered among the shoppers. At the signal, worshippers all stopped and took off their shoes ... an ancient sign that you are on "holy ground". God lives in Liverpool One shopping malls as well as churches! They then made their way to the park at the centre of the mall where they sat together to form a cross ... and prayed silently for a few minutes. It was very special as Easter and the cross was remembered. Prayers were offered for the current economic situation ... for those who have lost jobs ... and for God's blessing on our city ... and prays for hope.

The event was professional videographed by my Phil Janvier Digital Video Productions' crew and friends. We used a high locked off camera in a new apartment on the 13th floor over looking the park, and the other cameras were operated by myself, Jay Erving, Beth Chan and Rob Sykes (a member of the Dream team). Richard White was the man with the umbrella.

Please enjoy this video it records a very special day of God's blessing on Liverpool!

The Empty Photograph price drop!

The 2007 IOV award winning "The Empty Photograph" DVD has now been reduced to £9.99 plus p&p, further details are available from http://the-empty-photograph.blogspot.com/.

This award winning movie is available for resale, if you are interested then please contact me via this or the http://the-empty-photograph.blogspot.com/ blogsite.

The Empty Photograph was filmed entirely on location in Liverpool using a very talented local cast and crew. “Liverpool is a fantastic location to film in, it was a privilege to shoot in front of its historic waterfront and in its parks and gardens,” stated Phil, “the cast and crew where incredibly hard working and dedicated to the task in hand, I am particularly grateful as they all gave their time and talents freely to benefit the St Stephen’s Centre in its outreach to the local community. The movie is a conspiracy thriller involving all elements of the genre, including suspense, kidnap, espionage, gunfight and car chase!


Photograph (c) Alma Masters 17th October 2007
Speaking about the IOV award Phil commented, “I was absolutely delighted to be awarded a Highly Commended place in the IOV’s Best Short Film category especially against such extremely tough competition. To have the award presented by meteorologist and ITV weather presenter, Sian Lloyd, in an Oscar-style ceremony was fantastic. To see my movie trailer played in front of the industry’s best professionals knowing that The Empty Photograph was one of only five short-listed titles within the Short Film category – which is a significant achievement in itself, was humbling. I was delighted to be in such company knowing that the judges were not only looking for exceptional video production standards, but also originality and creative flair.”

You are my Rock! - CD lyrics

You are my Rock!
7 New Songs of Worship based on the book of Psalms

1. Holy Spirit come to us*

Holy Spirit come to us
Holy Spirit come to us
Holy Spirit come to us we pray
Holy Spirit come to us
Holy Spirit come to us
Holy Spirit come to us we pray

Gathered in the name of Jesus
At the Father’s command
Waiting for the promised Spirit
We are standing on holy ground.

2. God of glory **

God of glory
God of grace
God of mercy fill this place
Love falls down on me now
Love falls down on me now
Undeserved love freely given
Undeserved love falling on me
I worship at your feet ‘cause
though I’m weak and heavy laden
here you are with me Lord
it’s here you chose to be Lord.

3. You are my rock *

You are my rock
you are my mountain
You are my hiding place
My Saviour, Lord and King
I’m astounded by the wonders that I’ve seen
and I’m amazed that you have made me your child

4. In the darkness you are there **

In the darkness you are there
In the darkness you are with me
A constant light through every danger
Guiding me when I can’t even see the way
or feel my way or sense my way
In the darkness you there
Hear my prayer
let me know your presence
Hear my prayer
I must approach your throne with reverence
To my Holy God, my loving Lord
The shinning light who guides me
In the darkness where I dwell you are there

5. The Lord is my light*

The LORD is my light and my salvation
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my Life
of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing I ask of the LORD,
may I dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe
he will hide me away
One thing I ask of the LORD,
may I dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe
he will hide me away
and set me high upon a rock
and set me high upon a rock.

I sacrifice with shouts of joy
I’ll sing and make music to the LORD.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart.

6. Take me to the rock that is higher than I*

Take me to the rock that is higher than I
(higher than I)
Take me to the rock that is higher than I
(higher than I)
Take me to the rock that is my hiding place
my place of shelter
Take me to the rock that is my hiding place
my one foundation
Take me to the rock , O Lord,
……………Take me to the rock

You are my God you are my refuge
When storms abound you are my haven
When-the-tide is pulling me so far away,
You walk beside me,
(walk beside me)
You walk beside me,
(walk beside me)

7. Our God is a rock ***

Our God is great
Our God is strong
Our God’s a rock
Powerful and mighty,
loving and holy...
Our God is great
Our God is strong
Our God’s a rock
Powerful and mighty,
loving and Holy One

Just and true our God is a rock,
our God’s a rock
Faithful One our God is a rock,
our God’s a rock
Saviour friend our God is a rock,
our God’s a rock
Almighty God
our God is a rock, our God’s a rock

Jacob’s Ladder:
Ian Driver - Keyboard and Vocals
Heather Dykins - VocalsHelen Green - Drums, Percussion and Vocals
Alan Henderson - Drums and Percussion
Derek Hinton - Bass and Vocals
Phil Janvier - Guitar and Vocals
Paula Jones - Sax, Flute and Vocals

All songs written by * Phil Janvier, ** Ian Driver and *** Phil Janvier & Derek Hinton

Recorded by Phil Janvier with additional assistance by Jay Erving at St Stephen's Church, Gateacre, October and November 2008 Photograph and Duplicating Assistant - Beth Chan
Produced and published by Phil Janvier Digital Video Productions

You are my Rock! CD © Phil Janvier5th November 2008
Song Copyright © * Phil Janvier, ** Ian Driver and *** Phil Janvier & Derek Hinton 5th November 2008
Originally produced for “On Eagles’ Wings” - 16th November 2008
Recommended Retail Price: £5

Jacob's Ladder began playing together in 1990 and have continued playing music since then, musical styles have varied with the years but always the the band has tried to bridge the gap between secular and religious music, by playing contempary worship material, classic rock/jazz/pop cover versions and writting and performing our own material.

On Eagles' Wings - Special 16th November 2008

On Eagles' Wings returns for a one of new music special on the 16th November 2008 at St Stephen's Parish Church, Jacob's Ladder are producing a 7 track CD which they are giving away free to everyone who comes to the event. Put it in your diary, pray for us and even better come and support us the night!

Respect: Make Mischief Night A Thing of the Past!

This year I was asked to produce a DVD video to be released in the South Liverpool senior schools, following the tragic death of Daniel Baxendale last year on 30th October - the night referred to as 'mischief night' - Daniel's family and friends wanted to do something to try and prevent what happened to Daniel from happening again.

I was asked by the Reverend Andrew Colmer, the Vicar of the All Souls Church on Mather Avenue near to where Daniel was killed and incidentially my home sending church, to put this together, so with Andrew's help we filmed Inspector Ian Mason from Merseyside Police, Megan, one of Daniel's friends and his mother Dianne, I produced this video, warning of the dangers and consequences of a bit of fun on mischief night. The message is to 'lay mischief night to rest' - out of respect not only for the loss suffered by the Baxendale family, but also for those who have been victims of damage and anti-social behaviour in previous years.

At the point of writing this the video has been watched 636 times on YouTube, originally placed on by Merseyside Police via their own website (not quite what I was expecting!), and another 113 times on linked websites. We produced nearly 400 DVDs and following the Police involvement seen at nearly every school in Liverpool and viewed by thousands of children and teenagers. I was grateful to Steven Abrams for commercially duplicating the DVD at short notice while I was away on holiday. I am also grateful to Calumet and Holden's for lending me the green screen equipment I needed for this project.

I am told that the statistics for Liverpool showed a massive decrease of incidents on Mischief Night, so it looks if the DVD and other actions have made a significant difference this year!

Finally I am so grateful for the support I have received from Andrew Lancel, a cast member of "The Bill", in the making of this project, he was truly amazing and a charming guy!

Copies of the DVD can be obtained by contacting me direct.

God bless, Phil

Sorry I have been busy

This year has certainly flown by, building work and new opportunities have taken their toll, so I apologise that I haven't posted for a while. Preproduction is continuing on "The Arrow that Flies" and I took the opportunity to film stock footage of HMS Ark Royal when she visited Liverpool this weekend.

The Empty Photograph has now been reduced to £9.99 (post free to the UK mainland), so it's well work a look if you haven't seen it yet.

Please watch this space there is more to come!

The Empty Photograph is now available to buy online

Due to recent demand the DVD of "The Empty Photograph" is now available for purchasing online using the PayPal system. The DVD is priced at £11.99 plus postage and packaging (only £1.50 for sales within the United Kingdom). If you would like a copy please post a comment to this blog or email me on phil.janvier@virgin.net and I will arrange an invoice to be emailed to you.