Words Of Life!

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life.
Words of life and beauty,
Teach me faith and duty.
Beautiful words! Wonderful words!
Wonderful words of life!
SASB 258 (Philip Paul Bliss)

Just Before The Dawn

Psalm 112 (NIV)
1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.
6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever.
7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honour.

10 The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Interesting, this psalm. It's an acrostic poem, where each verse begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostics can be used as a memory-joggers, like Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain helps us to remember the colours of the rainbow.

I am growing very fond of the Psalms - they help me when I lack the words to express my emotions at the moment. They help to jog my memory as to the right things to say, to do, to think. Like today - which proved to be a very dark day, one certainly to forget. I'm encouraged by this psalm to look for the dawn, to seek the light in the darkness. I'm eagerly awaiting the dawn - but am quick to realise that it can get pretty dark before it gets light again.

Hold On Tight!

I've had one of those days today. You know what I mean. I can only describe it as 'hopeless' - in the sense that I was unable to find any aspect of my working day when I could find any hope. Having been strangely calm and positive for a few days, I was quite taken aback with such a change today. Taking stock of my working hours on the way home, I often spend some time to be quiet and share time with God. Tonight, He spoke to me - through the words of ELO's song, played on Radio 2 when I got off the train tonight.

Hold on tight to your dream
Hold on tight to your dream
When you see your ship go sailing
When you feel your heart is breaking
Hold tight to your dream.

When you get so down that you can't get up
And you want so much but you're all out of luck
When you're so downhearted and misunderstood
Just over & over & over you could

Hold on tight to your dream
Hold on tight to your dream
When you see the shadows falling
When you hear that cold wind calling
Hold on tight to your dream.

Click here for full lyrics

John 15:7 (NIV)
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."

I'm holding on to my dream. Thank you Lord!

Who Watches The Watchmen?

This weekend sees the premiere of one of the most eagerly-awaited comic book adaptations into a Hollywood blockbuster. And it's definitely not for kids. 'Watchmen' is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colourist John Higgins. Originally published by DC Comics during 1986-87, it has achieved more lasting fame subsequently as a graphic novel. The story takes place in the Eighties, but this is a world where President Nixon has been in office for multiple terms; where the United States are on the brink of nuclear war with the Soviet Union; where costumed vigilantes exist but have been outlawed. Most of these 'superheroes' are either in retirement or working for the government. The murder of one of these 'heroes' sparks off our story...

The graphic novel has become highly acclaimed by both comics fans and mainstream SF followers alike. The story was thought by many to be 'unfilmable' for over a decade, however Zack Snyder's movie version seems to be getting pretty good reviews so far, remaining true to the original material. It's violent and not an easy story to follow... but it's certainly thought-provoking.

Most modern film versions of the superhero genre set out to explore their source material whilst aiming to depict what life as a hero would be like 'in the real world'. It's not necessary to adapt 'Watchmen' - it's all here. In essence, Moore's original story is about power and its potential for abuse. The title of the series refers to the phrase "Who watches the watchmen?", the English translation of "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?", the question posed by the Roman satirist Juvenal. The so-called heroes in this story are unpleasant, racist, out of control. They are without compassion, without an accurate 'moral compass'.

A good conversation-starter, this one.

St Teresa

Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee
All things are passing;
God never changeth;
Patient endurance
Attaineth to all things;
Who God possesseth
In nothing is wanting;
Alone God sufficeth.
Saint Teresa (1515-1582), translated by H. W. Longfellow

This little verse, often used at our Corps as a benediction, speaks volumes to me at the moment. I've decided that I need to read up about St Teresa; what I've just read about her in Wikipedia has just peaked my interest.

If you want to get ahead in the workplace... get angry

An interesting follow-up to my blog from last week on employment came from a report in the Daily Mail today. The article stated that those employees who let their anger out rather than bottling it up can actually help advance their career. Psychiatrists at Harvard Medical School in the States measured how the careers of 824 individuals had progressed over the past 44 years, while assessing their personalities and coping tactics. Those who tended to repress their frustrations were at least three times more likely to admit they had hit a glass ceiling in their careers. They also admitted to having more disappointing personal lives.

Professor George Vaillant said "People think of anger as a terribly dangerous emotion and are encouraged to practise 'positive thinking', but we find that approach is self-defeating and ultimately a damaging denial of dreadful reality. We all feel anger, but individuals who learn how to express their anger while avoiding the explosive and self-destructive consequences of unbridled fury have achieved something incredibly powerful in terms of overall emotional growth and mental health."

Dr Howard Kassinove wrote a study which concluded that over 55% of subjects said that an angry episode produced a positive outcome. "People who are targets of anger in these studies will say things like 'I really understand the other person much better now - I guess I wasn't listening before'," he said. "While assertive expression is always preferable to angry expression, anger may serve an important alerting function that leads to deeper understanding of the other person and the problem."

Having blogged on Bitterness for a while last year, I get warning bells in the back of my head when I read this. How can any good come from such a dangerously negative emotion like anger? Trust me from one who knows - anger shouldn't be expressed or repressed - it needs to be dealt with.

Self-Praise Is No Recommendation - part two

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nobody likes job-hunting. One job agency sent me an email to tell me this recently. We do it because we are motivated to do it. We want to achieve our full potential - although for some this may be expressed in terms of maximised salary & benefits rather than in terms of maximised skills. Updating the CV is a bit of a chore, but it's so necessary as it represents your 'shop window' - how you represent yourself to the world.

Job hunting is also a pain for employers, who are often inundated with CVs which they then have to sift through. With the job market as it is, employers are turning to a variety of methods to assist them in their final choice of the right candidate. These range from practical tests of computer skills to interviewing panels. Some firms even use Psychometric Testing to give them a further insight into the kinds of people that want to work for them.

Not everyone is looking for another job, of course. However, even those who are remaining with their current employer may be dissatisfied. The TUC announced on Friday that millions of British workers are putting in over seven extra hours of unpaid overtime every week, because they are concerned about losing their jobs.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, at this stage in my life and following what I experienced at DFL I've had to review my own CV. I am staggered to realise what a variety of diverse skills I have picked up over a series of jobs, both paid and voluntary, over a twenty-five year period. Even within my own Salvation Army Corps I've had about half a dozen different roles. I say this, dear reader, not because I want to pat myself on the back, not for 'self-praise'. I'm simply looking back in order to better see where I'm headed - I want to see where my next challenge might be.

I gave up the rat race myself in the mid-Nineties, coming to the conclusion that working just to maximise my own salary was foolish. Probably the most fulfilling job I have ever had was the one that earned me the least money. I'd probably still be working there today if it wasn't for the fact that I was made redundant.

It's clear to me now that God has something else for me to do - I hope this year will see this made clear to me. So where is the path headed? Clearly not for fame and fortune. And not for self-praise and congratulation, either. What I would like (God willing) is summed up by the song, "I want to serve the purpose of God in my Generation." (Mark Altrogge)

Job satisfaction? Well, we all need some sort of assurance in our lives. Do you need constant reassurance from others that you are doing things well, or are you trapped in a world where you never get any praise? Personally, I am far happier working behind the scenes than 'in the limelight'. Jesus himself points out that we should be seeking praise from God not from men (John 5:31-32). And so I'm seeking God's way, and looking for Him to make clear to me my path.

"What is on Your heart?
Tell me what to do
Let me know Your will
And I will follow You"

Self-Praise Is No Recommendation - part one

When writing your CV or resume you are often instructed to present yourself in the best light possible. Some folk, I am told, actually lie when it comes to their CV, inventing aspects of their past in order to better secure that elusive job. And the right job seems most elusive at times.

Perhaps I am a little different when reviewing my working life, but in the back of my mind I always seem to hear the words 'Self Praise Is No Recommendation'. It was something told to me by a good friend years ago, and I think they are sound words indeed. When I am preparing my CV I find myself cutting things out all of the time, rather than inventing things to go in! That's because the ideal CV is, I am told, no longer than two sides of A4 paper. Any shorter and they think you haven't tried. Any longer and they won't read it at all. I'm also told that an average job vacancy will produce 100 enquiries, so that's a pile of 100 or so CVs for someone to read through! If I think of the many different things I have been involved with in my working life, I can easily fill four or five sides! But what to cut...

As part of the DFL experience (see earlier blogs) my wife and I have had to take a look back at our lives, in order to better see a way forward. Which is kind of like preparing a CV of your life - only everything stays in, because everything may be relevant. In looking back through the tough times (the bits you wouldn't necessarily put in your CV) you may more easily see God's supporting hand. And we are assured by scripture:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

More later.

Traffic Lights!

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

God will make a way, Where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see, He will make a way for me,

He will be my guide, Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way.
(Words and music by Don Moen)

The words of this song were used in our Sunday worship yesterday, and I've used them in my blog before (back in October 2008). Since then, God has definitely moved within my life and I am sure that I have a way forward in front of me. Kind of easy to see, really, as there is only one clear path, one road to take. Where the road leads me I am still unsure, but I'm following the road faithfully.

But I'm stuck at traffic lights. You know the sort, those temporary ones that spring up at road junctions all the time in my town, the sort where you sit in your car and wait. And sit. And wait.

Distractions come in all aspects of my life, and some of them are relentless. That's part of the reason I blogged recently about 'drawing a line in the sand', to ensure I didn't slip backwards - or in terms of a motor vehicle trip, that I didn't do a U-turn and try and find another way around 'the lights'. Whilst at 'the lights' I find I'm being challenged to search for a degree of 'mystical understanding' into my spiritual life, and it's all getting a bit interesting.

And The Award Goes To...

By now, the stars and the paparazzi will be making final arrangements for all of the glitz and glamour of the Oscars this Sunday - but some the best of this weekend's awards will be announced tonight. Yes, it's the Razzies!

I first started following the Razzies about a dozen years ago, when I was hunting for news material for the science fiction newsletter that I used to help edit. Four times a year I submitted twenty or thirty pages of copy related to science fiction and fantasy productions in film and TV. Oscar season gave me little to work with, but the website run by the Golden Raspberry Awards team gave me plenty of material. You see, they give out awards for the worst in the field - worst film, worst actor, etc.

If you have been following my own 90% rule reasoning, you'll realise that there's so much more material to work with! Particularly with some SF 'masterpieces', some of which are often quite awful. The most memorable of the Razzies' awards ceremonies was when Halle Berry won Worst Actress for her portrayal of Catwoman (2004). Bless her, she proudly turned up to personally accept her award.

Further details on this year's awards can be found at

http://www.razzies.com/