Community: Follow The Light Out Of The Darkness

Earlier on this month I had a short post on walking in the light.  I want to spend some time exploring what I meant by what I wrote.

Depression is real.

I am aware of some well-meaning brothers and sisters who wish to think otherwise.  I know some well meaning saints in Christ who are quick to demonise it and exaggerate it and those who suffer from it.

Thankfully, however much we go over the top or seek to ignore something, it doesn’t exclude its reality.  Having suffered from it on previous occasions, I am sensitive to others who also go through it.  Indeed sometimes when I consider what David recalls in his famous 23rd Psalm about walking through the shadow of death I sometimes think that for people it is going through the stages of depression and the only thing that can help us through it is the guidance of the Great Shepherd Himself.

Recently a number of those dear to me have been involved in some sort of episode to do with depression, either going through it themselves or knowing loved ones of their own who are going through it.

One thing depression reminds me of is an overwhelming thick darkness enshrouding everything.  No matter what the time of day and what activity it just appears as though everything is engulfed in a hopeless and helpless pit.  In such a scenario it is only too easy to remain isolated and sinking further and further in the gloom.

With all the best efforts of psychotherapy, medication and certain techniques, often it is a waiting process and the best thing loved one can do is to patiently wait and surround the person with as much evidence of the light of love as possible.  Understanding what is going on is so important to the process of responding appropriately.  Not falling for any of the stereotypical responses to depression that sadly abounds, but going out of the way to be present and show love is the answer.

So what does this have to do with walking in the light?

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)

What occurred to me as I heard another friend going through the hard times of depression is how often we look to people who appear to have it altogether.  People in positions of responsibility are perceived to be honourable in every way and are meant to handle any difficulty with poise and dignity.  Yet for some such is the pressure of keeping up appearances that it is overwhelming.  Such is the pressure of maintaining control that we actually lose control.

The reason for the relationship with God is that He wishes for us to have a relationship with only pure, holy, light and true loving entity in the universe and as we engage with Him, He brings to light our inadequacies and flaws not for embarrassment but to purify us.  In the light of that we no longer need to hide behind the pressures to have it altogether.  We no longer need to hide behind positions of power to claim an integrity or a lifestyle that is not there.

The most liberating thing of life in Christ is that I do not have to be anything other than who God calls me to be and that requires a great degree of transparency and a desire to know Him who sets me free.  One thing I’ve learnt in 2011 – the hard way – is that this is not an individual exercise.  1 John 1:7 talks about fellowship with each other – light leads to true fellowship.  Light leads to understanding what is there and negotiating any obstacles being clear on who and what the goal is.  There has to be a degree of refreshing honesty where it’s not about titles and positions and dogma, it’s not about ‘how we do church’ and prescribed rituals and formats.  Rather speaking the truth in love it’s about building each other up – by sharing what life is like and how Jesus makes the difference as we seek to follow Him together.

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1, 2)

That kind of community life helps us to walk out of the darkness of whatever situation we’re walking through – whether that’s confessing sin or sharing about difficult dark times we’re going through.  That example of real community life in Christ is an incredible witness to others of what is so different about following God and what is so amazing about His love, His goodness, His kindness and His presence in His Son.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

LJN Audio 01 – Freedom

So as mentioned in previous posts I have been interested in doing audio stuff and with the help of my brother and Audacity, I’ve been messing around with some ideas.

LJN is Life’s Journey Notes and as well as the audio stuff, the devotional type stuff is scheduled to be up and running again very soon.  So LJN has not died, even if it’s been swallowed up by this site.  This is a work in progress so it’s not about sounding as masterful as some of the podcasts already out, but the idea is to work to that point and slowly but surely produce the goods as I reckon I can … eventually.

So the basis behind this was thinking about what freedom is when it has been so easy to get it confused with other things and left to our own devices can end up worse than it makes itself out to be.  So listen to it and feel free to share what your view.  These will also be featured on the Gospel Show: Soul Solutions on Gloucester FM every Sunday from 7-10am.  I recommend you listen to the show anyway, whether I’m on it or not, cos I is a big fan of the presenter/producer of the show, Natasha Moore – she’s good for radio!

So this is the first step – a necessarily small one, but a step all the same, and I need your prayers to remain faithful to the ventures and produce these on a consistent basis.  In the meantime in line with the concept of the audio note, here’s a track that sums it up neatly by the one Stevie Wonder.  Thanks.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Deborah Dryden – Seven Years Old Today

Time waits for no man (OK other than Joshua, but that was a one off.  Alright, so Hezekiah got a bligh as well … but in general it waits for no man).

No sooner am I getting over the introduction to responsible adulthood than I’m inducted in the enjoyment of marital bliss.  No sooner am I engaged in that then I’m informed that my wife is in the family way.

As Deborah Christina Dryden reaches seven years of age it also signifies the end of a cycle of parenting that has seen two other daughters emerge and several traumatic house moves.  Yet in all things God has been exceedingly gracious and Deborah is her father’s delight.  Unlike her two younger siblings, Deborah’s facial features have settled more or less since the first year of her existence.  Yet she she is growing up.  She is got the gift of talking and indeed can talk for her country, the country of her mother, the country of her friends … you get the drift.  She is such a delight and joy as she remains in the positive.

It’s difficult to remember that she’s still just a girl with all the amazing intellectual and physical developments she has made.  The fact remains she is just a girl.  She is making those steps of realisation of the world around her as well as the world inside her.  I so desire for her to enjoy her childhood and to be a recipient of God’s amazing love for her through the friends and family around her and His known presence with and in her.

She is a bright and intelligent girl, for which I’m grateful.  She has a huge laugh and at her best she is a delightfully helpful and considerate person.  It remains one of the hugest privileges of my life to know that God saw it fit to entrust her to someone like me.  She is a treasure that I take pleasure in sharing with the world around her.  I trust that this next cycle will prove to be one of great challenge and internal stimulation that will allow her to transition slowly from the dependency of this childhood to a greater interdependence that prepares her for the world of adulthood.

Please pray for her, her siblings, her parents, her uncles, aunts, cousins other family members and friends.   Pray that Deborah will know God and know that she is loved of Him and can find childlike faith in Him now and joy forevermore.

Thanks.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

DMCD Songs: We Have Come Into This House …

I really love this chorus.  Good lyrics and a fine building movement before settling on the whole point of life, let alone gathering.  Thankfully now the whole ‘we have come into this house’ applies to any structure in which me and a brother or sister meet up, as the whole of life is dedicated to worshiping Him.  Brilliant song and a brilliant rendition of it.  Looking for one that has my favourite verse – He is all my righteousness, I stand complete in Him and Worship Him.  Love that verse.  Love the song.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Abundant Life

I sat around today in a family gathering and people were exchanging gifts.  Don’t know what that was all about.

What it triggered off though was an amazing gift a man, who wasn’t born anywhere near this date, spoke of to some listeners.  The context is important.  He was talking of how a good shepherd looks after his sheep and how they have access to safety through the gate. While He was talking among what he mentioned he referred to a thief that only came to steal, kill and destroy.

A day like today reminds me of the destruction that is taking place across peoples lives in one way or another.  The level of devastation can be as horrific and evident as the bombing of some church buildings in Nigeria.  It can be as subtle as the people who have been intimidated by the pressures of life to conform and so have the external trappings of success with innter grief and lack of peace.

I know of what I speak.  I know what it is to suffer internal heartache whilst the outside world looks great.  I know what it is to be lonely, alienated and an awkward misfit.  That is why the words of the man who was speaking of the thief have become so important to experiencing what the real meaning of life is.  These words regard a gift that is to celebrated every day of life both now and forever.  These words regard now a lifestyle that revolutionises whatever the world has to offer.  These words are still offered to anyone who would accept them as I am overjoyed to accept them one day some time ago.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (Jesus)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

DMCD Songs: All That Thrills My Soul Is Jesus

Hymns. Songs really aren’t they?  Just another word for songs.

Yet when someone says hymns there’s an age expectation on it – it’s gotta be 50 years or older, something like that.

Anyway, back in the day (not 50 years as I’m only 34) hymns were the old style music and as a young person in as much as I appreciated the songs, there was something really … dry about some of the hymns.  Then of course I got older and a tad wiser and learnt to love the classic hymns for their suimplicity and actually how the soaring and emotion is often in the lyrical content.

Take this masterpiece for instance.  Listen to the song and then read those lyrics again – I mean in a world set to throw thrills at you from package holidays to reality TV to promiscuous sex to recreational drugs to the leisure industry, billions of pounds are pumped annually into giving people thrills.  Yet imagine having nothing materially and being thrilled beyond all measure.  You don’t have to imagine that if you are in Christ, because that can be a daily experience that hymns like this can remind you of.  Not cheap, momentary thrills that peak at the emotional, but soul deep thrills that engages the entire being in what someone called joy.

Yeah, those old hymns.  Gotta love them.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Me & My Private Faith

So I was in my room watching gospel videos and truly getting into it. By getting into it I meant shouting and hollering and bawling and whooping and jumping and stomping. Almost as though my football team had won something, except this was something that actually mattered.

In the comfort and privacy of my own home I can carry on that way and get no grief. Now obviously some elements of such exuberant celebration of the Greatest Being of All Creation would be deemed somewhat culturally inappropriate and awkward. In some circles it would not makes sense to operate in such a manner. Yet I am not ashamed to admit that’s how excited I get – sometimes – about Jesus.

To some, however, I should be keeping all this excitement and the related narrative to myself. I should not impose this on others. It is a very British sensibility. Part of the hypocritical stiff upper lip, restrained, ‘it’s just not cricket’ mentality that expects you to just keep plodding on. And apparently this applies to faith as well. God is good, that is nice, we’ll have a quaint get together in our holy huddle at the end of the week, and say no more about it. After all, we wouldn’t want to intrude.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

DMCD Songs: Come Ye Thankful People

Apparently as a song of thanksgiving I’m a bit late posting this song. Balderdash to that!!

I’m right on time.  I believe I’m alive and the ones I love dearly also remain in the land of the living and thus it’s a time of thanksgiving.  This is a superb hymn of thanksgiving especially with the overtones of a time of greater rejoicing and thanksgiving to come at the return of the Lord of the Harvest. Indeed raise the song of harvest home.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

What’s Wrong With A Bit Of Competition?

It seems to be the way we operate.

We ask who is the best and to decide that we set up measuring points of achievement and success.  Implicit in that is the spirit of competition where I see if I am better than you.  If I am, I can take the kudos and the perks that come with that, and I also have the bragging rights.  If I am not then I must endure that feeling of inferiority that will either sadden me or motivate me to beat you.

In some ways there’s nothing wrong with that.  We might never achieved the great things we have achieved without that spirit of competition.  Imagine sports without the spirit of competition … (whoa, that’s some thought right there)

Here’s my problem.

I don’t think the spirit of competition relates well to the spirit of community and the spirit of collaboration.  For example, the goal of competition is to prove you’re the best (no point in competing if you don’t want to win, or at least get as close to winning as possible).  Is that the goal of community?  Or is it to promote serving others to fulfil their potential that in turn will support others in the pursuit of realising theirs – mutual edification.  When you consider the ethos of mutual edification it kind of flies in the face of the spirit of competition.

So what am I saying we desist with all debates, quiz shows, sports and the like? No.

I am suggesting that we have to consider why we do what we do when we do it.  Am I playing a game to substantially beat my opponent, or to improve my own skills in the given area (yes it can be both, but which is more important)?  Am I working to meet targets to be better than my colleagues for the purpose of winning titles and the sort?

As I discover only too often, the only person I’m ever really competing against is myself.  When I applied for jobs I never saw it as going against other applicants.  I viewed it as to whether I met the criteria that the employer looked for.  If I did I’d apply for the job, if I was successful to get an interview that would be the opportunity to show why I am good enough.  If they choose someone else, that’s their loss in missing out on me.

Of course I’ve enjoyed the spirit of competition – of course I love the banter, and of course there’s been a great thrill at letting others know how great I am.  Then I get over myself and realise there are better things to be doing than flaunting the silly bragging rights.  I’m suggesting that as long as the spirit of competition is used to serve the greater needs of collaboration and community (that is to say if it is kept in check BIG TIME) then there is nothing wrong with a bit of competition.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd

… And I’ll Never Do It Again

There’s a bit of bother going on in the football world about racist comments made by players.  In the media attention mention was made of a precedent of a player being charged with a racist statement.

That case was interesting in that the player charged admitted it and made a public apology for his words including a ‘self-imposed’ fine of two weeks wages.  The public apology was interesting, there was no sense of justifying his deeds, he took responsibility for them and said he’d given the apologies to the other player concerned, he appreciated that he let himself and his team mates and his club and the fans down with his behaviour.

The element of his public announcement that made me think, though, and provoked this blog entry was when he stated quite clearly that he could assure everyone that he would never conduct himself in such a fashion ever again.

I am in no way questioning his integrity.  It’s just an interesting assurance to make.  Indeed it’s an assurance quite a number of us make when we apologise for hurt caused or when a mistake has been made.  Going further on the other side of things people do question future conduct – how can we be sure it won’t happen again.

Understandable concerns that lead to understandable assurances.  Yet, just hold the phone for one minute.

When God deals with us, is there a clause in the contract that says when we repent that we state that we will never fall again?  Does He expect us never to sin in the same way ever again?  Really?

Sure the process of repentance acknowledges the wrong and perhaps identifies the reason for the wrong to be able to address underlying factors to provoke such actions.  Perhaps wisdom suggests we work on those areas and factors to help ensure that we reduce the likelihood of sinning in such a way.  But to give such assurances that it will not happen again is somewhat presumptuous, with the greatest intention in the world.

Living by the grace of God and endeavouring to be lead by His Spirit in everyday decision making has to also acknowledge that we are prone to wonder, and liable to sin at times – why else do we ask for forgiveness?  Also some of our weaknesses are persistent and deep-rooted and cannot be covered with brave statements of mind-over-matter that says we will never do that again.  We can certainly hope to God we don’t do it again, we can also look for the ongoing support of others, but we really have to be careful with the statements we make.  It’s one thing to make bold faith statements, it’s another thing to set up the noose on which you’ll hang yourself.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd