8 November 2019

Jesus Saves

Tyler Moon was a keen runner and felt that this would be a great chance to fulfil a dream. He entered the Twin Cities 10 miler in Minneapolis on 6th October 2019.

On his bib, where his name would normally be, Moon decided to put the words ‘Jesus Saves’ in bold as a profession of his faith.

The runner recalls feeling confident for the run. However, just a mile in, Moon’s heart started to beat irregularly and the 25 year old experienced a ventricular tachycardia at the 8 mile mark.

Moon hit the ground hard and doesn’t remember anything after that moment.

However, just behind him was Jesus ‘Jesse’ Bueno, a registered nurse anaesthetist. He watched Moon hit the ground, called for other runners to call 911, as he and another person began CPR and breathing for Moon, ultimately saving his life.

Moon is making a great recovery and is so grateful Jesus was there to save his life.

True story. Just Google it.

16 October 2019

It Makes Me Sad...

... when people are quick to accuse people and organisations of wrongdoing based on minimal information. Because it's easier to pigeonhole than to sort out the truth.
... when people are slow to offer help to people in need. Because they are 'different from us'. Guess what - we're all unique!
... when the people we try and help throw it back in our faces, preferring to continue on a self-destructive path. We can offer help but can't make anyone change.
... when we realise that you couldn't help them no matter what you did...

It makes me want to cry. Sometimes, I do. However, it doesn't  make me want to give up. It makes me want to fight on.
Nevertheless, I'll fight...

"While women weep, as they do now,
I'll fight
While little children go hungry, as they do now,
I'll fight
While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now,
I'll fight
While there is a drunkard left,
While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets,
While there remains one dark soul without the light of God,
I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!" - William Booth

6 October 2019

28 September 2019

Unpredictable is good

Over the last seven days I have been surprised by the way people react.
  • Some people who I thought would understand or be sympathetic about an idea or concept were very dismissive...
  • Some people who I thought would be critical turned out to be incredibly supportive!

Turns out that people can often act quite differently from the way that you think they will be. It's been quite an eye-opener this week. And I mean pleasantly. Because it has inspired this train of thought and therefore this post.

So why do many of us (self included!) worry about how people will react? Chances are, we may be totally wrong!

Life is rarely straight forward. Things change all of the time! Thus, each one of us is always trading off between the choices that have been good to us in the past, and exploring new options. If we never changed, we wouldn't ever try that new brand of cereal, or to eat in a different restaurant. Sometimes changes are imposed on us - your favourite cereal can't be found in the supermarket; that special restaurant closes down...

It's also part of human behaviour to adapt and do something completely different sometimes. It's part of our survival instinct.

2 September 2019

25 August 2019

Z is for Zadok

Zadok the Priest is an anthem, composed by George Frideric Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. The work has been sung prior to the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch since its composition and has become recognised as a British patriotic anthem.

It is based on 1 Kings 1:38–40. Lyrics from the anthem are:

Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet anointed Solomon King.
And all the people rejoiced, and said:
God save the King! Long live the King!
May the King live for ever,
Amen, Alleluia.

(okay, I know that one's not particularly modern. You try and pick one for Z, then...)

24 August 2019

Y is for You Got The Love

Disco star Candi Staton recorded You Got The Love back in the 1980s after she decided to ditch her secular music career and to devote herself to the church. Unfortunately, the gospel song was then featured in a direct-to-video documentary about the world's fattest man... it only became famous when The Source remixed the track in 1991. The remixed track's success prompted Staton to reassess her career.

"It was such an inspirational song it allowed me to rethink," she told The Guardian . "People in church used to tell me secular music was the devil's music - but I realised it wasn't."

The song was written by Anthony B. Stephens, Arnecia Michelle Harris, and John Bellamy.

23 August 2019

X is for eXodus

Exodus: An Oratorio in Three Parts (2008) is the ninth album by William Shatner, produced in 2008. It is a dramatic biblical reading in which Shatner is accompanied by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. It was produced by David Itkin,

In addition to Shatner and the 75 member orchestra, a choral group of 350 singers accompanied the reading of the passages.

22 August 2019

W is for The Wanderer

The Wanderer is yet another scripturally-based song for U2, however it was not sung by Bono (although he did write the lyrics). It was the final track from their 1993 album 'Zooropa'. Instead, it featuring country singer Johnny Cash.

Bono explained: "I wrote the lyric based on the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament, which in some translation is called The Preacher. It's a story of intellectual wanderlust. The preacher wants to find out the meaning of life and so he tries a bit of everything. He tries knowledge, educates himself, reads every book, but that doesn't do it. He tries travel, sees every sight, but that doesn't do it. He tries wine, women and song, that doesn't do it. All, he says, is vanity, vanity of vanities, striving after wind. As you read this book you think, 'I can't wait to hear what does do it!' And the most extraordinary line is: 'There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour.' Love your work. That's what it is. It is good to love what you do. I think there's a lot to that."

21 August 2019

V is for AVenged SeVenfold (Chapter Four)

Chapter Four is a song by Heavy Metal band Avenged Sevenfold. The song’s name and lyrics are based on Genesis chapter 4, where the story of Cain killing Abel is told. The band also took their name from that same story (Genesis 4:24).

20 August 2019

U is for Until The End Of The World

Many of U2's songs have had a spiritual theme, haven' t they?

Until The End Of The World is sung from the perspective of Judas Iscariot in the Garden of Gethsemane, and describe a fictional conversation between Jesus and Judas. The first verse is about the Last Supper; the second about Judas identifying Jesus with a kiss; the final verse is about Judas' suicide after being overwhelmed with guilt and sadness.

It's the fourth track of their 1991 album 'Achtung Baby'. It was composed by U2, with lyrics by Bono.

19 August 2019

T is for Turn, Turn, Turn

Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) was written by Pete Seeger, with lyrics taken from the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1-8). The words were rearranged and paired with Seeger's music to make the song. Seeger included a live version on his 1962 album 'The Bitter And The Sweet' with just voice and guitar.

The Byrds topped the charts with it in 1965 with their version, released as the follow-up to 'Mr Tambourine Man'. The plea for peace and tolerance struck a chord with the American public as the Vietnam War escalated at the time.

18 August 2019

S is for Spirit in the Sky

Spirit In The Sky makes several religious references to Jesus in the lyrics, although Norman Greenbaum (who wrote the song) is Jewish. Of course, so was Jesus...

In a 2006 interview with the New York Times, Greenbaum told a reporter he was inspired to write the song after watching someone singing a gospel song on TV. Greenbaum said: "I thought, 'Yeah, I could do that,' knowing nothing about gospel music, so I sat down and wrote my own gospel song. It came easy. I wrote the words in 15 minutes." The resulting sound was an "oddly compelling" combination of gospel and hard rock music

17 August 2019

R is for Rivers Of Babylon

Rivers of Babylon is based on Psalm 137:1-4, and details the exile of the Jewish people in 586 BC.

The song was written and recorded by Brent Dowe and Trevor McNaughton of the Jamaican reggae group The Melodians in 1970. It was popularised in Europe by a 1978 cover by Boney M, which was one of the top-ten all-time best-selling singles in the UK.

16 August 2019

Q is for Quilt (Coat Of Many Colours)

Coat of Many Colours is a song written and recorded by Dolly Parton. A true story, it tells of how Parton's mother stitched together a coat for her young daughter out of rags given to the family, just like a patchwork quilt. As she sewed, she told her child the biblical story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colours (from the book of Genesis). When Parton wore the coat, the local kids just made fun of her.

Parton composed the song in 1969, recording it in April 1971. It reached number 4 on the U.S. country singles charts. Parton also admits that this is the favourite of the many songs she has written.

15 August 2019

P is for the Prophet's Song

The Prophet’s Song was released by Queen. Guitarist Brian May wrote the song in the 1970s after he had a dream about the Great Flood - depicted in the book of Genesis, as well as in many other ancient manuscripts. May's lyrics even mention the return of the white dove, which was the bird that Noah released to see if the waters had gone down, and which returned after seven days with an olive branch in its beak. The working title was 'People Of The Earth,' a phrase that came to May in his dream and made it into the lyric. At over eight minutes in length, is also Queen's longest song with vocals.

14 August 2019

O is for It's An Open Secret

In 1964, The Joystrings (led by Major Joy Webb) became the first Salvation Army pop group to achieve chart success with It's An Open Secret.

It's an open secret that Jesus is mine,
It's an open secret this gladness divine.
It's an open secret I want you to know,
It's an open secret, I love my Saviour so!


13 August 2019

N is for Life in a Northern Town

Life in a Northern Town is a song by British group The Dream Academy. The song was written by band members Nick Laird-Clowes and Gilbert Gabriel. The song was a global hit during 1985. It depicts a Northern town, with long lines of unemployed people and with shipyards that were closed down. Bleak - and yet there was still hope, with the Army band playing in the background...

"The Salvation Army band played
And the children drunk lemonade
And the morning lasted all day, all day..."

12 August 2019

M is for Millennium Prayer

The Millennium Prayer is a song recorded by Cliff Richard, where the words of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4) were set to the tune of Auld Lang Syne.

It was released as a charity single in November 1999 and reached number one in the UK Singles Chart. The song was written by Paul Field and Stephen Deal.

11 August 2019

L is for My Sweet Lord

The Beatles were never ones to shy away from controversial topics, and George Harrison continued to explore spiritual matters in his solo work. George’s single My Sweet Lord was originally written in praise of the Hindu god Krishna. It reached number one on singles charts globally in 1971.

After his Christian conversion, George told the evangelist who prayed with him that he was re-dedicating the song to Jesus Christ. Following George’s death in November 2001, the song was re-released and topped the charts again in 2002. It became popular again recently through the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 soundtrack...

10 August 2019

K is for Knights Of Cydonia

Knights of Cydonia combines the concept of a terraformed planet Mars with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse mentioned in scripture. The Horsemen appear in Revelation 6: 2-8, and represent God's judgement of people's sin and rebellion, which many believe to be a foretaste of the final judgement to come. The four horsemen are traditionally named Pestilence, War, Famine and Death.

Cydonia is the region on Mars where some believe life has existed. In the video, a terraformed Mars is the backdrop to the song. In the January 2007 issue of Q magazine, songwriter Matt Bellamy is quoted as saying: "I'd definitely be up for a trip to Mars. I'd love to record an album at zero gravity. Or at least go up there and do a vocal take. The area of Cydonia is very interesting. There are parts of it that resemble abandoned civilisations."

9 August 2019

J is for Personal Jesus

Personal Jesus is a song by English band Depeche Mode. Although the song bears the name of the King of Kings, songwriter Martin Gore was also inspired by Priscilla Presley’s book, Elvis And Me, and by her exaltation of her legendary husband.

"It's a song about being a Jesus for somebody else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis Presley was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it?"

I'm not sure that I agree with the final comment - however I do agree that we should strive to show Jesus to everyone we meet. 

8 August 2019

I is for In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

This song was written by Doug Ingle, vocalist and keyboard player for the rock band Iron Butterfly. His father was a church organist. The song title was supposed to be "In The Garden Of Eden", named of course after the birthplace of mankind in the book of Genesis. Someone had written "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" on a demo copy - reportedly because Ingle was drunk on wine when he first performed it...

A record company executive saw it and decided to use it as the title, since it sounded mystical and Eastern spirituality was big at the time (The Beatles were going to India and The Rolling Stones were experimenting with Indian instruments). The album version of the song is over 17 minutes long; the single was edited for radio. It's arguably the first ever Heavy Metal track!

7 August 2019

H is for Hallelujah Chorus

Handel was at his lowest ebb, having had several setbacks and being in debt.  He then set to work to compose a musical with words taken from the Book of Isaiah and The Gospels.

For 24 solid days and nights he worked, hardly eating or sleeping.  The result was "The Messiah."

The most famous movement in this musical is the Hallelujah chorus, which is drawn from three passages in Revelation: Chapter 19 v 6, 11 v 15 and 19 v 16.

6 August 2019

G is for God Gave Rock And Roll To You

God Gave Rock and Roll to You was written by Russ Ballard, and originally recorded in 1973 by the British band Argent.

The version by Kiss (prefaced by a 40-second guitar solo is played by Steve Vai) was featured on the soundtrack to Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey. Most triumphant!

5 August 2019

F is for 40

40, also known as 40 (How Long), is a song by the Irish rock band U2. It is the tenth and final track on their 1983 album, War. In fact, this was the last song written for the album...

The band had already used up an extra week of studio time and desperately needed one more song to complete it. Lead singer Bono opened up his Bible, and read from Psalm 40, just making some minor modifications, and then set the words to music. He tells us that it took them 10 minutes to write it, another 10 to record it, 10 minutes to make the mix and another 10 to listen back to it. U2 then closed most of its Eighties concerts with this song.

4 August 2019

E is for Eighth Day

Eighth Day is a song from Breaking Glass, the film that starred new wave singer Hazel O'Connor. Hazel wrote the song a mere 12 hours before she recorded it. The song is based, of course, on a the book of Genesis, where God made the Earth in six days and rested on the seventh. In this song, Man remakes the Earth in his own image, and, in Hazel's own words "having unleashed elements he cannot control, the Man-made Machine Monster takes over".

Sound familiar?

3 August 2019

D is for Dem Bones

Dem Bones (also called Dry Bones and Dem Dry Bones) is a spiritual song, penned by James Weldon Johnson and his brother, J Rosomond Johnson. The lyrics are based on Ezekiel 37:1-14, where the prophet visits the Valley of Dry Bones and causes them to become alive.

The version of the song by The Four Lads was featured prominently in 'Fall Out', the final episode of the science fiction classic series, The Prisoner.

2 August 2019

C is for Carry On Wayward Son

Carry On Wayward Son was written by Kansas guitarist Kerry Livgren in 1976. According to the songwriter, the song was not written at the time to express anything specifically religious, though it's clearly expresses the concept of spiritual searching.

“It’s an autobiographical song,” Livgren explained in an interview. “Parallel to my musical career I’ve always been on a spiritual sojourn, looking for truth and meaning. It was a song of self-encouragement. I was telling myself to keep on looking and I would find what I sought.”

The searching was certainly successful for Livgren, who became a Christian in 1980.

The song is currently best known as the unofficial theme song of the TV series Supernatural. It is played during the recap before every season finale (with the exception of the first season, where it was played during the recap of the penultimate episode).

1 August 2019

B is for The Banner Man

The Banner Man was a 1971 single by Blue Mink, and the song made it up to number 3 in the United Kingdom charts. It is a fond recollection of a Salvation Army open air meeting, told from the point of view of a young child who followed the band and gathered around the Salvation Army flag.

The song was written by Roger Greenaway, Roger Cook and Herbie Flowers.

"Glory, glory, glory
Listen to the band
Sing that same old story
Ain't it something grand?
To be good as you can
Like a Banner Man"

31 July 2019

A is for All My Trials

All My Trials is a folk song, popular during the Fifties and the Sixties. A traditional ballad from the 19th century, it is full of biblical and religious imagery.

Among the artists to have recorded the song are Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Peter, Paul and Mary. Paul McCartney's version is arguably the best-known having spent 6 weeks in the UK Singles Chart in 1990.

30 July 2019

A-Z: Popular Songs That Are Spiritually Inspired

It's time once again for this blog's Summer break. I wasn't sure if I was going to do this again (I've been blogging quite erratically lately), but a great idea finally struck me as I sat in the corner at the Rock And Roll Cafe at our Corps - why not come up with a list of modern songs that have their roots in things that are spiritual? There are more than you think - the challenge is, can I come up with a list of 26; one for each letter of the alphabet? I guess we'll find out together.

Have a good summer.

6 July 2019

True Friendship

How many real friends do you have? According to a 2014 survey, the average Facebook user has 338 'friends'. And yet, how many of these are true 'friends'? Not that many, I am sure... Do many of your 'friends' truly know you - what makes you 'tick'...

I was pondering this at an Army event today. It followed an incident when I was seemingly 'blanked' by someone who I thought was a friend.  Yes, I know, perhaps they didn't know I would be there. Yes, I know, the venue was very large, and yes, I know, it's always extremely distracting when there are literally dozens of people in the same venue. I went through all of these scenarios in my head. Still, just for an little while, I must admit to feeling a little sorry for myself after the incident.

That didn't last long, I'm pleased to say. I was reminded quite powerfully that I have at least one friend who knows me inside and out and loves me to bits... Do you know Him?

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
...be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

5 July 2019

Getting Older

I recently celebrated another birthday.

I don't know about you, but since then I've become increasingly aware that things are proceeding so differently now then when I was twenty years younger...

And often not for the best... I don't mind the emphasis on technology as it helps so much to gather information to enable you to do your job. No, it's usually the baggage that comes with it.

It culminated this week with a junior member of staff who laughed at me because I regularly consulted a book at the office.  A paper book. How old fashioned of me...

(Sigh)

13 June 2019

Integrity, And How Not To Lose It

I seem to hear a lot of people talking about integrity at the moment. In our lives, in our church, and particularly at the present time in the political arena. Not surprising, I suppose, that it's at the top of my mind today.

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament which is translated as integrity means “the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness.

I want a life that features all of these things. However, there is little point of me trying to be what I am not... I know I am imperfect but I try very hard to be true to my beliefs. "Fake it until you make it" just isn't for me. "I will do my best" is more like it.

However, as a society we are frequently confronted by people who claim to be perfect but are quickly found to be seriously flawed. What is worse, this is usually brought to my attention by the popular press who love to find fault in those in leadership or in the public eye. They dig and dig until they find something, and leap upon it to sell papers or lead the next news bulletin. 

That's a terrific reason not to be famous, and not to run for public office. I figure I can do much more good as an unknown that I could ever do as a 'name'...

Here's a few pointers I picked up from the 'net today, while thinking about blogging about this topic...

I should strive to be the same person in front of a crowd as you are behind the scenes. That's a tough one for me as I personally hate crowds... However, I take the good advice. I should be the same in public as I am in private. However,  if you want to see me at my most comfortable, look behind the scenes. I'll be there.

I should take care not to conform. Yep. See Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I should take frequent opportunity to build my character. Indeed, and this takes time. Endurance builds character (Romans 5:3). And remember, don't seek to compromise your deeply-held values. Anything that is truly a personal value to you should not be compromised just because it's convenient. Which brings us on to the next point..

I should live with honesty and keep your promises. I'd go a step further than that and say 'don't lie to yourself'. Because it's common for altruistic people to go out of your way for others and to neglect themselves. By all means strive to keep your promises, however don't make yourself ill in the process... you are of little use to others if you make yourself ill!

Just my thoughts today.

28 May 2019

Time Is A Construct

(my son's reply to a question about 'having time to do something'. Yep, it got me thinking and eventually led to this blog entry.)

Question: Is "time" an abstract mental construct or does it exist independent of human consciousness?

I do believe that time exists. (Good job, because it's part of the title of this blog!!!) There are even verses in scripture that scholars say tell us that God created time, and that he lives independently of it. I came to that conclusion a while ago, and here's the blog post I wrote about it at the time, here. Star Trek fans will doubtless understand, have a read...

Another popular saying is: "Time doesn't exist, only clocks exist." Aah, now I believe you are on to something. Because it's really the way that we 21st Century humans relate to clocks that cause us so many problems. 

Because it is our clocks who tell us when we need to wake up, when we need to go to work, when it’s time for lunch, when we really should go to sleep. 

And there are so many of us who don’t do those things when we want to, we do them when others have determined they should be done.

Someone asked me an honest question the other day. "How did man ever exist without clocks?" Simple. They got up when it was daylight, and went to bed when it got dark. 

Want to get less stressed? Take that watch off your wrist for a little while...

Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so - Douglas Adams, The Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Patience! You've got all the time in the world - whether a thousand years or a day, it's all the same to you. - Psalm 90:4, The Message translation.

27 May 2019

25 May 2019

I Can't Say No

(with apologies to those people who thought this post was going to be about that song from 'Oklahoma'. That song is actually entitled "I Cain't Say No". Look it up!)

I have previously blogged about struggling with being assertive and with saying no. "You don't have to do that, you know. You can say no..." I've lost count of the number of times that people have said that to me over the years... not sure if this was a genuine concern about my well-being, or if it was something else...

However, I know too well what they mean. Saying no is especially tough for introverts like myself, because I personally hate conflict. It is far easier to "go with the flow" and not to resist. Saying yes is a logical way to keep the peace. Despite the fact that I can often end up worse off at the end of the day - overwhelmed and with low energy.

However, sometimes the main reason why I don't say no - is a strong conviction that I want to - or need to - say YES!
  • YES to helping others, in making this world a better place
  • YES, even though I don't get paid for it
  • YES to standing up and being counted
  • YES, even though there is a risk it may make be ill or overtired (an increasing factor at the moment!)
  • YES to making a difference. 

That's why I can't always say no. 

I've blogged about this today, as there have been a few voluntary jobs I've had to drop off over the past few years as it's just become too much for me. And I suspect that as I get older, there may be one or two more things that will need to go. 

Oh, and by the way - if I do say no - please realise that I've not made the decision lightly. Putting pressure on me to 'change my mind' won't go down too well...

Thanks for listening. 

“In this life we cannot always do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

6 May 2019

Over and over again

Did Einstein really define insanity as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"?

Actually - he may not have done. It's often attributed to him, but there's not any solid proof that he actually said it.

However, I have been thinking about this phrase for quite a while now. Because I sometimes catch myself relaxing into the same old familiar ways, hoping that, just for once, the outcome might be subtlely different this time...

However, not this weekend.

These past few days have seen a complete change of pace. A bold strategy, which requires discipline, wisdom and courage. I'm way outside of my comfort zone, some of you will be pleased to hear... :)

It's a bit scary.

But, so far, different is good.


20 April 2019

Too much or not enough?

This week's post is going to cover a topic that I have been struggling with for a few months. How much is "enough"?

My personal commitments to my church ministry and to the wider mission field (Street Pastors, Cold Weather Shelter) have been made increasingly difficult due to my current health. I've struggled through things over the last six months and managed to keep things going, but it has certainly had a toll on me. Falling over and twisting my ankle in March didn't help...

My family have been telling me to slow down. They think I do too much. That's probably good advice. But I don't want to consider stopping. 

Am I being selfish? I have asked myself that question over and over again. And I think I got the answer last night...

Whilst out on a Street Pastors patrol on Good Friday, I got into a deep conversation with a guy outside one of the venues. He couldn't understand why I wanted to be out at 2am. When I told him I did it so he could feel safe, his attitude changed. Why would I do that for him?

Why did my Lord give His life for me, so many years ago? So that I could show His love, His compassion,  to others.

As much as I can. For as long as I can.

14 April 2019

Three Quotes About Small Talk

“Let’s clear one thing up: Introverts do not hate small talk because we dislike people. We hate small talk because we hate the barrier it creates between people.” ~ Laurie Helgoe

“Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” ~ Plato

“[Introverts] listen more than they talk, think before they speak, and often feel as if they express themselves better in writing than in conversation. They tend to dislike conflict. Many have a horror for small talk, but enjoy deep discussions.” ~ Susan Cain

6 April 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 6th April 2019

I spent a lot of my time looking at blue.
The colour of my room and my mood:
Blue on the walls, blue out of my mouth;
The sort of blue between clouds, when the sun comes out,
The sort of blue in those eyes you get hung up about.

When that feeling of meaninglessness sets in,
Go blowing my mind on God:
The light in the dark, with the neon arms,
The meek He seeks, the beast He calms,
The head of the good soul department.

I see myself suddenly
On the piano, as a melody.
My terrible fear of dying
No longer plays with me,
for now I know that I'm needed
For the symphony.
(lyrics from 'Symphony in Blue' by Kate Bush)

30 March 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 30th March 2019

It's 2:15am as I sit and draft this blog post. It's a quiet night in the Winter Night Shelter, and all the guests are fast asleep. It's my last overnight duty as the Shelter shuts on Sunday.  I have the dulcet tones of Kate Bush on my headphones as I sit in the dark, blogging. I had quite a busy day today at work, however I achieved everything I set out to do. It's my turn to give something back tonight.

I am so full of energy, despite the wierd hours I need to keep because of the shelter.

And I am feeling amazingly content.

I feel really blessed tonight.

23 March 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 23rd March 2019

Psalm 37: 1-6 (NIV)
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

16 March 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 16th March 2019

"I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You're never gonna keep me down..."
(lyrics from 'Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba)

(sigh)
I sprained my ankle on Tuesday. However, it didn't stop me. I got up again, and carried on. I've been through so much over the last few months, so I'm not going to let a little bruising and a little pain get in my way.

So I carry on.

A bit slower than usual, however I am still going.

Bruce Wayne: I wanted to save Gotham. I've failed.
Alfred: Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.
Bruce: You still haven't given up on me?
Alfred: Never.
(dialogue from 'Batman Begins' movie, 2005)

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

9 March 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 9th March 2019

In this, the most stressful time of the year for me, I know that I am blessed. Which is such an improvement on the way I felt this time last week...

Thankfully, I was reminded of this in a series of emails that I received this week. Emails from a well-known Christian writer, and most timely, too... Coincidentally, I didn't have a chance to read the emails until I took the day off on Friday, and had chance to catch up on my own inbox!

The emails reminded me of one of the perils of our modern society - with all the things the 21st Century has given us, we can miss out on time to rest. We're often pushed to the limit, and maxed out on everything. We cram so much in to our busy days.

But that’s not God's way.

God, in his goodness, created rest because He considers it just as important as work. You need to get enough rest if you want to stay healthy. And by healthy, that includes all aspects of your health - your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters”

2 March 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 2nd March 2019

Lord, I'm not feeling at my best this week. To be brutally honest.

I've been trying to keep going, to keep moving, trying to lift my mood where I can. It's been... difficult. I feel that I'm running on empty. I often feel that I've simply been going through the motions.

I've been trying to push myself through the barriers caused by my negative feelings, through the lethargy. My life is quite dark at the moment.

Lord, all I can do is affirm the goodness of life and try to hold on to you until the darkness that I see is replaced by your light and love.

I know that I am loved. Life will be beautiful again. Soon, I will see it once again. Help me to see it.

I need you to be my strength and salvation. I need you to restore me and make me whole.

Fill me with your Word and your Spirit that I might be recreated anew.

Amen.


23 February 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 23rd February 2019

Does it bring you joy?

I'm regularly encouraged to live.. simply. The world outside is increasingly complex, and I simply don't need that in my life any more. I have told that I have everything I need (Psalm 23).

As you may know, we're re-evaluating a number of different things at home, and this year that includes a regular decluttering regime. My son told me about the adage, the simple question noted at the top of this blog entry. It's a simple question, and comes from a book entitled The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up  by a Japanese author, Marie Kondo.

Do I need to keep it, bin it, sell it on, regift it, or recycle it? Far too difficult. Too many options. Too much emotion! So, let's simplify the question. And Marie's initial question in her book is far simpler... popularly known as the KonMari method, there's only one question:

Does it bring you joy?

If you answer yes, you keep it. If you hesitate or say no, you donate it or throw it out.

It's working!

Romans 15:13 (NIV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

16 February 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 16th February 2019

What a difference a week can make!

Doug Putman, the head of Canada’s Sunrise Records, has successfully rescued 100 HMV stores from administration, including (thankfully!) my local branch. Hooray! This teaches me that, although things appeared pretty bleak last week, you should never give up hope. You don't know the whole picture... what is happening behind the scenes; what might happen tomorrow. 

In 2017, Sunrise Records took over 70 Canadian HMV stores after that branch of the chain collapsed. They seem to be doing pretty much the same here in the UK.

Putman says that HMV’s problems were due to them being unable to react quickly enough to the decline of CD and DVD sales. Many people have changed to downloading films and music online, but some of us still prefer to browse the shops for that special, rare find for our collection... and were quite vocal about it. And it seems that this public outcry is having an effect. Which teaches me that the voice of the public can influence decisions made by people in authority...

“Where certain stores have closed, our public have really rallied around and I credit that with some of the landlords coming back to us.” Putman said, in a recent article in The Guardian. “They can see how much support we are getting..."

"We are getting away from the corporate mentality where every store is set up the same – we have to move away from that and let each store have its own personality... I want to unlock the passion and creativity.”

Hmmm - individuality. Passion and creativity. That confirms to me something we all need in our lives. :)

9 February 2019

Saturday Catch-Up - 9th February 2019

No catch up from last week (everything was delayed by the snow!), so I'm trying to comment on the last fortnight now...

  • Maplins
  • Toys 'R' Us UK
  • ... and now HMV Shop

All stores where I used to frequently shop. Regular trips to each store, just to see what was on offer. Loyalty cards, the works. And these are all stores that I can't use any more because the companies have fallen into administration. They've essentially gone bust...

(sigh)

Things aren't the same. They don't feel the same. However, I know that I can't turn the clock back. I mourn, and then I move on.

So, forward we go. Into an increasingly uncertain future. One where the landscape is changing day by day, month by month. Each news bulletin brings a new complication, a new twist to the story. I can't begin to tell you how it's going to end.

Lord,
I don't know what the future holds, but I know only You hold the future. Bring me to a better tomorrow. Help me and my family. Make the days of my life and the life in my days overflow with love, kindness, gratitude, and appreciation.
Amen









2 February 2019