E is for Exhaustion

In addition to the heat exhaustion you may encounter if you don't drink enough, introverts like myself need to guard against the physical exhaustion you encounter from just being in a crowded environment - like the Congress. 

Now, don't get me wrong. I love being in the venue - however I prefer to be there doing a job. I learnt this very early on through volunteering at a number of Army events (Roots, SAFE/enabled, etc) and it fits me well. A little bit of social interaction is fine. Make it too noisy or too intense and I start getting a bit twitchy!

By the time there is a break, or I am at the end of the day, I'm quickly away to recover - some time alone, a good meal and relaxing with a good book or the latest box set. 

Fellowship: Defined

“Fellowship is a place of grace, where mistakes aren't rubbed in but rubbed out. Fellowship happens when mercy wins over justice.” ― Rick Warren

This is a quotation from 'The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?'; a book that members of my Corps fellowship are reading at the moment. Amazing, isn't it? This has really sparked something in me today...

The Greek word used in the New Testament is κοινωνία, usually translated as 'fellowship'. In Christianity it's a term used to describe the relationship of Christians to God and to other Christians. However, the Greek word could also apply to a business partnership, to the marriage relationship, to close bonding between friends, or between members of a community. Incidentally, the word in Latin is communio (from which we get the word 'communion', thus sharing in common).

All this made me took me back many decades; made me think about about the different gatherings of people I have encountered through the years. A huge range of different levels of acceptance and tolerance - some of these are definitely better at 'fellowship' than others! Some of these could do so much better. These are just a few I recalled today; these are in alphabetical order:

Bible Study/House Fellowships
Church/Corps meetings
Church/Corps social gatherings
Committees in the voluntary sector (a variety of these!)
Family get-togethers
Meeting old friends for coffee
SAFE Music and Drama School
Salvation Army Congresses and other large public meetings
Science Fiction club meetings
Science Fiction conventions
Scout camps and events
Social gatherings at work
Street Pastor duties
Theatre 'Friends' group

Much to ponder today.

My Happy Place

Today was a challenge of a day. However, rather than harp on and on about it I thought I would draw a line under it, and concentrate instead on reflecting on some positive feelings.

I tried to visualize myself in places of calm, to times and places where I'd felt most at ease; to experiences that I'd really like to go back to today if I could. Some people may say that I was seeking to find 'my happy place'. Here's the list I drew up this evening...

* Inside the prayer room at one of the Territorial Congress events a few years ago
* Walking the grounds at daybreak at the SAFE Music School
* Sitting inside a practically empty coffee shop (with a wi-fi connection), drinking coffee
* Sitting outside my tent whilst away camping with the family, once again drinking coffee

I wonder what that says about me?

Repentance: More Than Just 'Sorry'

I've been mulling all evening on something that was mentioned in the meeting today - it was a definition of a word that we don't hear much about nowadays. That word is repentance. We are happy to hear about God's forgiveness, the fact that God's love is for each of us, but we get too uncomfortable in our seats when we're called to repentance first. But we need to hear this - and we need to act on it.

Old Testament references to repentance (in Hebrew) were represented by two verbs: שוב shuv (to return) and נחם nicham (to feel sorrow).

New Testament Greek uses the word μετάνοια (metanoia), a compound word of the preposition 'meta' (after, with), and the verb 'noeo' (to perceive, to think, the result of perceiving or observing). These concepts combine to form a word that means: 'to think differently after'. More than just expressing sorrow, metanoeo implies a complete change of direction. This isn't a minor course correction we are talking about; it's "full reverse", a 180 degree change.

When trying to convey this concept to my family, I mention the fact that 'saying sorry' isn't enough. With constant repetition, the word starts to lose its meaning. No, for 'sorry' to mean anything, there has to be a change to go with it. It's not just 'sorry'; it's 'sorry and I'm going to ensure it will never happen again'. A change of conduct, a complete review and rethink to one's life are standard in such a change.

During SAFE Music School this year we looked closely at the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). After coming to his senses, the son was clearly sorry about his predicament - but that wasn't enough. He had to swallow his pride, turn himself completely around and head back to his father. Repenting of his earlier lifestyle choices, he headed home. He was soon greeted by his father, overjoyed by the change and welcoming him back with open arms.

Take Up Your Cross

Mark 8:34-37 (The Message)

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?

(words that I picked up from my week at SAFE this year)

:)

Road Of High Adventure

There’s a road of high adventure,
There’s a Kingdom fair to gain,
There’s a cross to follow bravely,
And a warfare to maintain.
For the splendour of his service
To the youth of every land,
God’s own trumpeters are sounding;
Who will heed the great command?

Chorus
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God’s grace;
By the pathway of duty
Flows the river of God’s grace.
SASB 868, verse one and chorus
(Will J. Brand - verse, Sidney Edward Cox - chorus)

Have you ever had a word that won't go away, that follows you around everywhere you go? I can't explain it, but I know it happens. Some call it coincidence. I know what I would call it. And I've experienced it again this week.

There's a great deal of change happening this week. My children are excited because school is ending, summer has arrived. There's changes in leadership at our Corps, with Graeme and Zoe taking over the reins of our fellowship. The most acute anticipation for me is the planning for the SAFE Music and Drama School next week, because I know God has something quite phenomenal to do with me and for me during that week. The signs are there, they are so evident to me the nearer I get to Saturday... it's awesome!

The word that keeps coming back to me is the word 'adventure'. The word was especially mentioned in the United Churches prayer meeting last night, when we were challenged as to whether we wanted to stay in our comfort zones, or to really step out in faith, to go on an adventure with God. The words were also mentioned in Graeme's most recent blog entry, as he moves out of the Training College into the Corps quarters today. I'm really eager now to embrace what God has in store for me!

An adventure is described as an activity that is perceived to involve risk, dangerous or exciting experiences. Those who know me well will know how much I'm up for this. I'll give this further prayerful consideration as we head into August. I'll be blogging my usual A-Z over the summer break, however I promise you a full report about the excitement after the summer.

Serendipity

ser·en·dip·i·ty (noun) - a word first coined from its possession by the heroes of the Persian fairy tale "The Three Princes of Serendip". It is said to be the phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things that you are not currently looking for. Although the word originates from 'Serendip', the Arabic name for Sri Lanka, the modern usage was coined by Horace Walpole in 1754.

I experienced a remarkable case of serendipity this morning. I was sitting on a train, on the way to work, when someone got into the carriage and sat right next to me. This was someone I needed to contact that very week to discuss an issue related to the SAFE music school at the end of the month. Coincidence? I doubt it...

"When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't." - Sir William Temple

The Fear...

"I don't know what's right and what's real anymore
And I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore
And when do you think it will all become clear?
Cause I'm being taken over by The Fear..."
Lyrics from 'The Fear', written by Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin

I've been looking closely at the words to Lily Allen's 'The Fear' for something I am planning for this year's SAFE School of Music & Drama (more later), and it's become something of a challenge to me to constantly push back my own boundaries - these limits aren't often my own, but are often set by others, telling me what I can't do, what I shouldn't do... even how I should feel about things. No wonder so many people these days echo the words, "I don't know how I meant to feel any more..."

As a Christian I am quite aware of my own failings, but the words that I hear from my Saviour are not telling me what I can't do, but what I can do - or at least I could do with just a little more courage.

2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living Translation)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Heading towards year end

2009 has almost run its course, and this is a time of the year when everybody's thoughts focus on Christmas and New Year. Well, most of us... Where does the time go?

Well, looking back on a busy 2009 I am pleased to report that I have achieved so many of my personal goals for this year. A few major ones have eluded me - but not for the want of trying. However, I am further reminded that the year is not yet over. There is still time... One final push may see us to further victory!

No retreating, Hell defeating, Shoulder to shoulder we stand;
God look down. with glory crown our conquering band.
Victory for me
Through the blood of Christ, my Saviour;
Victory for me
Through the precious blood.
chorus of SASB 702 (Herbert Howard Booth)

Love

1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 (New International Version)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

The imagery of 'moving a mountain' in my own life has been an increasingly regular theme within my devotions lately, and it's now starting to crop up in meetings, so I know this is an important concept for me to grasp. I know that God can do anything, so the movement of mountains within my own life should not be an issue. God can do it, I believe he can. 

I'm taking this thought with me when I go off to SAFE this coming Saturday, stepping out in faith once more, pushing the boundaries of my comfort zone. 

No matter what I do, if I have God's love, I can face anything with certainty.

SAFE!

I'm currently making preparations to attend the SAFE School of Music and Drama, held later this year in Cheltenham. SAFE stands for The Salvation Army Fellowship of Endeavour, which provides help and support for those with disabilities and their carers. SAFE has about 1,000 members countrywide. The annual school of music and drama is a week of fun and fellowship in beautiful and fully accessible surroundings, where delegates and volunteer carers share in singing, brass band playing, drama, sport and craft activities.

I've got some experience in dealing with people with disabilities having spent three years working in the care industry, and feel increasingly drawn to explore this aspect of the Army's ministry as an Escort. From what I've learnt so far at DFL, this could be an important step for me this year.