S is for Serenity

serenity (noun) : a state of peacefulness and calm; tranquillity; unruffled repose or quiet.

In a biblical context, this refers to a profound inner peace and tranquillity rooted in faith, surrender, and trust in God's sovereignty. It indicates a calmness of spirit that transcends human understanding, even in the midst of life's challenges.

In a science fiction context, it's the name of the spacecraft that appears in Joss Whedon's Firefly TV series and related works.

If you want an interesting discussion, ask me which one of these three I most need in my life.

G is for Growlery

growlery (noun): a place of refuge or retreat when one is out of sorts or in ill-humour.

Charles Dickens referred to such a location in 'Bleak House' (1853). In the novel, his character John Jarndyce famously retires to his "growlery" whenever he is in a bad mood or needs to escape the chaos of the household. I think we've all been there ...

It's quite an old term, as we tend to refer to such a room as a den, a shed or perhaps even the home office—a small, personal sanctuary reserved strictly for a bit of peace and quiet.

Peacemakers

Matthew 5:9 New International Version

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Crazy

Overflowing ...

"You prepare a table before me

    in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

    my cup overflows."

Psalm 23:5

(New International Version)

 

Q is for Quiet

We all need a little space to ourselves so we can recharge. This ensures we can function at our best and enjoy time with others. 

It's just that introverts like myself need more of it. For introverts, time alone is as essential as sleeping or eating. If we don't get enough alone time we get... cranky!

That's why I tended to scoot off quickly at the end of the Congress session while so many others were milling around. And why I was often alone in the Congress marketplace well before I needed to be. 

Peace and Quiet! Bliss!

A Prayer...

Calm Me ...

 

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.

God Has It All Figured Out

I'm reminded today of the words of Colossians 3:15, which says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

When we have that peace in our hearts, then naturally we’ll be at peace with other people. Which in my case is just as well. Things have a habit of going a little bit crazy in my life at the moment, it's hard to figure out quite what is going on.

But God has it all figured out. I need to trust Him.

We all need to trust Him.

If we don’t trust Him, then we'll always be anxious; always striving to manipulate others, to control them, to get what we want out of life. That's not a good way to live, is it?

So, give in to God. This means learning to say “Thy will be done” instead of “Me first.”

When you say this, that is when the peace process starts.

Peace, Love, and Understanding

"As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh
What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding..."
(Lyrics: Nick Lowe)

It's interesting to see how often this world seems to shy away from loving other people - and yet our society's popular songs mention it regularly.

I read today about a man called Chad Swiatowicz who did the study about love songs for his master's thesis in sociology at the University of Florida. He analyzed the lyrics of the year's 10 most popular songs listed in Billboard's online archives for two eras, 2002-2005 and 1968-1971.

He found that 24 of the 40 songs in the modern era (60%) and half the songs of the classic era were devoted to the subject of love and relationships.

I find that - interesting. 

Oh So Quiet

It's oh so quiet
Shh shh
It's oh so still
Shh shh
You're all alone
Shh shh
And so peaceful until....
(Lyrics from "It's Oh So Quiet" by Hans Lang and Bert Reisfeld. Shared during a wonderful hour during the night, whilst helping at the Winter Night Shelter. Bliss!)

...enjoy it while it lasts!

All Is Calm

It's just after 4 in the morning as I write this. I'm up all night tonight, doing some voluntary work at the local winter night shelter. The night shift.

It's very quiet.

And I've found this evening has been particularly useful.

I've done a full set of minutes for a recent business meeting; prepared detailed notes for a church meeting that I'm leading next month; reorganised a set of photos on my laptop; and listened to a sermon, a podcast and two whole episodes of the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy.

I feel good. :)

Slowing Down

Life seems to be one long succession of deadlines and crises. A whole load of complications and unexpected difficulties all coming together. You know what I mean. Suddenly, it's all kicking off.

And here I am in the midst, trying desperately to stay focused, stay anchored; let's face it, to stay sane...

All is changing by the minute. It can be a full-time job just keeping up. And yet, the most important question for me right now is:

Can I hear God’s voice above all the noise?

I need to be still. To find that little niche of calm, of reflection on what has proved to be another chaotic day. I'm trying to slow down, but find my mind still racing...

I need to wait upon the Lord. To seek Him in silence and solitude, to hear His voice.

Regretfully, there's not much quiet on the 1627 to Dartford, this evening. (sigh)

Help me find that calm, Lord.

Help me find you tonight.

Help me to slow down.

Peace

Matthew 11:25-30 (NIV)

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Philippians 4:7(NIV)
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Still

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Irritability

I'm usually okay - but sometimes I am not. I get tetchy, irritable. It's probably because I'm tired.

It's usually after a particularly demanding day. There's been lots of people to talk to. Now that's all over, I just want to be left alone to recharge. It's nothing personal; I know what I need.

A half-hour might be enough. It might be longer.

Just leave me be. I will be fine.

Divergent: What Makes You Different, Makes You Dangerous

One movie this year has contained themes that have continued to make me think, long after the film was over. This was 'Divergent', based on the book by Veronica Roth. Although opening to mixed reviews from the press, there's something in the storyline that has appealed to me.

As the story opens, we discover that society in post-apocalyptic Chicago has been fragmented into five factions, each based on a particular virtue:

• Abnegation (the selfless)
• Amity (the peaceful)
• Candor (the honest)
• Dauntless (the brave)
• Erudite (the intelligent). 

We follow Beatrice, who is born into the Abnegation faction, but never really feels that she completely fits in. However, there's a big choice coming up. At the age of 16, all young people are tested to see which faction suits them best. And you can choose - you can stay in your faction, or switch factions. The problem? Switch, and there’s no switching back. Also, once you switch, you leave your family and friends behind.

The test changes everything for Beatrice. She's told that she ranks for three virtues, not just one. She’s a Divergent - and therefore dangerous. Hiding her true nature, she quickly chooses to switch to Dauntless, renaming herself Tris. She soon begins to unravel a mystifying plot to bring down the whole society.

The author has written three books in the series - I'm currently getting hold of the trilogy and will be working my way through them soon. I suspect these will be well worth a read!

Are you a Divergent?

Peace And Quiet

I managed to find the chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of the office for a little while at 12 o'clock.

A quiet spot in the City of London is difficult to find at the best of times.  Somewhere that didn't have stacks of people; ideally somewhere with a sight of the Thames.

I rose above it - and found my solution. A covered walkway across the road that led to a balcony. A perfect, elevated view of the river. Nobody for fifty yards in every direction. Bliss!

Empty Handed

I was awake at well before 6am this morning, so I was quickly up and dressed and waiting for my breakfast.

I was away from home on business, so couldn't eat until the restaurant opened, so I took the time to walk in the grounds of the hotel, listening to the birdsong. I love the peace of the countryside and the stillness of the dawn, and so wanted the most of this experience.

At that time of the morning I was totally alone. Just me... and God. I felt myself relax, releasing all of my tensions, my burdens, till I was totally empty-handed before my Lord.

And the words suddenly came - straight from Stuart K Hine's terrific hymn...

"When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze...

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to thee...

How Great Thou Art."

It was terrific this morning. An unbeatable start to the day.

More, please. :)