The following is a quote from Chapter 22 of "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness, which was part of my holiday reading material...

The story to this point is that Todd believes all women to have died out on his planet, due to a disease which also meant men could read each other's, and animals' thoughts as "noise". Nothing was private because "noise" was everywhere. Todd is due to go through his coming of age process when he discovers things might not be as they seem. The long and short of it is that he ends up running away from his home town with his dog (Manchee), and finds a girl (Viola)... a girl with no "noise".
As we join the story with this quote, Todd has witnessed destruction of newly discovered towns and truths at the hands of the army who are chasing him. He's tired, injured, hungry, and confused, and finds himself staring down at a plain of legions of unknown "creachers", in a herd as far as the eye can see.
The noise coming from this herd is different to what he's heard before:

"World in Union", with lyrics by Charlie Skarbek, is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup that attempts to capture the spirit of international friendship which pervades rugby union culture the world over.
The melody is "Thaxted" — the stately theme from the middle section of "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity", a movement from Gustav Holst’s "The Planets". (from Wikipedia)

There's something special about Rugby. I love it. I'm far more familiar with the international game than club rugby, but I really don't think there is another sport quite like it: the brutality, physicality, fitness, and skill; the passion, ambition, blood, sweat and tears; the inherent respect for the referee, the sight of people working together in such tight units... I could go on!

And then there's the fan culture, more akin to crickets than football, with the conflict staying on the pitch, pints being consumed alongside rival fans, and the love for the game triumphing over anything else.

The other factor that comes into play in the international scene is the pride for country, the tribal dances, and the national anthems.

"World in Union" is a fitting anthem for bringing it all together

"Ruin My Life" - Zara Larsson **

It's interesting what you hear when you first listen to a song, when you don't know what it's called, and you just find yourself singing along to the radio in the car...

That's what happened with this one, and it was one of those "accidental worship" moments, when all of a sudden I'm belting out:

"I want you to rule my life, you to rule my life, you to rule my life, yeah..."

And now that I know they're not the right words, I still can't help but here them...

**  Another "Potty-mouth" warning here... Along with the "Scantily-Clad-Lady" warning

"Next to Me" - Imagine Dragons

Having bought a phone without a headphone input, and not being good enough at charging bluetooth headphones, I've not listened to a hug amount of music of late.

This week I bought a new gadget, in order to try and remedy the situation, and I'm catching up with those random tracks I've "Shazamed" when they've made it on to Radio 2, or when I've been sat in a coffee shop and they've come on.

I've always appreciated the sounds that "Imagine Dragons" put together, but never remember that I like them for very long. I'm listening back over some of their newer and older stuff, and the lyrics are jumping out at me too...

Marc shares:
Crazy Fool - Jack Savoretti

If youve read my post "Black Dog" this week, then you might have just smiled a little. That's ok. I forgive you.

This song was playing in Wilko (other shops are available) when I called in on my snowy walk and I Shazamed it so I would remember.

This is part of the "Rediscovering God" step.

​Listen and read the lyrics below. Let yourself ask the questions Jack asks of God... Maybe, if you're brave enough, you could spend some time in silence listening for a reply...

Shared by Hannah:
A Million Dreams - The Greatest Showman

And here's what Hannah has to say about the song:

Shared by Nicole:
This is me - The Greatest Showman

And here's what it makes Nicole think of...

Paul shares:
Van Morrison and Cliff Richard - Whenever God shines his light

And here's what Paul's got to say: