Daily Thoughts – Celebrate Jesus: What A Relief

And when he saw their faith, he said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." (Luke 5:20)

Often with festivities it is a chance to reconcile with those who we have hurt or may have hurt us. The guilt and heaviness of ruined relationships or harbouring resentment for the hurt that’s been caused can weigh us down. Celebrating Christ at this time involves remembering Him in how He reconciled the human family into a right relationship with God and each other. Those powerful words ‘your sins are forgiven’ can mean so much for those weighted down for so long, and the relief it can cause is a more than a justifiable reason to celebrate.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate Jesus: Good News Expressed

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18, 19)

Celebrating the greatest gift of all – Jesus Christ – is about what that baby ‘in a manger’ would grow to fulfil. This good news had particular impact in a society of bad news with oppression and depression on every side from without and within. With broken promises and false hope a part of life’s experiences it would be understandable to be somewhat sceptical or cynical at the offer. This, though, was not just spin to get people onside. These were words with effect – as seen millions of lives since He spoke these words – all the more reason to celebrate.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate Jesus: Fatherly Seal Of Approval

The Holy Spirit came down upon him in the form of a dove. A voice from heaven said, "You are my own dear Son, and I am pleased with you." (Luke 2:22)

The Son that we celebrate at this time of year may have been born of the Virgin Mary, but was also gifted from a loving Father. He starts His mission with a blessing from His Father. As we celebrate the Son we are also invited to relationship with Him and the Father who offers acceptance and inclusion in His family. As children we don’t do anything to earn His love but as an expectant parent He longs to welcome us back into His loving arms and hear Him say the same words He showered on His beloved Son.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate Jesus: Believing Before Seeing

He took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation (Luke 2:28-30)

Imagine the scene – a baby brought in according to the law’s customs; then someone lifts the child and celebrates the greatness of … a baby! We don’t always live to see the benefits of the investments we make in people’s lives. Yet sometimes it is just by using the gift of faith and vision to imagine the joy of that which will take place even before it happens that is worth celebrating. In a day and age of seeing before believing this episode highlights just how exhilarating it can be to rejoice in believing before seeing.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate Jesus: Good News From The Beginning

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

At this time of year many remember the birth of the Messiah and the reasons for such celebration. This celebration also remembers His amazing life that inspired others to live a similar life of love for others. It commemorates His birth, purpose, death and miraculous resurrection that would allow others to experience new life to the full. Over two millennia later, and two billion people in the world celebrate this good news. It is just as exciting now as it was then, and this glorious gift of the good news of Jesus is freely available to all people at anytime.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: Little Wonders

And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. (Luke 17:6)

The longest journey begins with the first step. The greatest empires begin with an idea. The beauty of complex creation came from divine thought. In a world often obsessed with size and quantity it is refreshing to stop and celebrate little things. That one liner that made you chuckle. That cup of water that quenched your thirst. That word of encouragement that spurred you on when no one else believed. For all our great schemes and dreams they are only ever realised through those little wonders of life even as God’s wonderful kingdom is realised in mustard seed faith.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: New Hope

Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. (1 Peter 1:3)

There is a fatal approach to life that says this is all there is; it’s pretty miserable and it won’t get better so the best we can do is make ourselves as happy as we can until we die. Indeed if that is all there is life is pretty miserable. The claim of Christianity is that Jesus lived, beat death and lives on as an Example. That gives us an enduring hope that says there is more to life than what we see. This is cause for continual joy and celebration to the Father that makes it all happen.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: New Mercies

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22, 23)

In hard times when it’s difficult to smile let alone celebrate there’s something worth remembering. Like a beam of sunshine on a rainy day and the glowing ember in a fire there is something irresistible about the never-ending love of God. That love is expressed in mercy – not feeling the full brunt of life’s miseries. For bad though things may appear things could be worse – whether missing that accident, seeing a smile instead of a frown, eating rather than starving, having a friend and not being lonely, life and not death. Every day new mercies are offered for our celebration.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: A New Day

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)

There are two ways to approach the day, first the ‘Oh no, another day where … [cue list of negative experiences expected]’, or the approach that the writer of this Psalm takes. This approach is not an idealistic view that ignores life’s real challenges. It is however a focus not on the circumstances that may or may not occur in the day, but the Father of Love who has not only laid the day out for us, but even promised to walk with us through it in all its highs and lows. That assurance in itself is worth celebrating.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: Family

Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him.". (Matthew 3:17)

From the beginning the idea of family was at the heart of everything that was important. We all came from someone and what this verse highlights is that Someone is actually a Creator who looks on His child and as He looks He is pleased. Perhaps rather than pointing out faults with family members it’s time to celebrate our own flesh and blood for whom the love of the Father expresses even before we do anything that He is pleased with us. For those for whom family brings hurt and pain there is the offer of our Father who cares.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

So Where Have I Been?

[Man it took the best part of two days to get round to finishing this post and eventually posting it with pictures and all. Heaven help me when I actually start writing for real.]

So where on earth have I been? One day posting enough posts in a month to keep everyone and my mother happy for a while, then last month other than a few entries that was about it from me.

Well November was a fascinating month. As part of the month I had the great pleasure of working with the man Andy Kind – one of the UK’s top up and coming comedians and a quality guy to boot. He took a group of the YMCA guys to the Frog and Bucket in Manchester for an amateur comedy night – apparently the best in the city. There were some painfully awful moments in the night but the benefits far outweighed the pain as it gave the guys a chance for a night away from the hostel and enjoy themselves in a club atmosphere.

It also gave an opportunity for Andy to get further embedded in YMCA life which will be great in looking at our joint goal of bringing people closer to God. Then the brother also conducted a workshop that I witnessed and it was really amazing seeing some customers who are more used to hiding in their jackets coming out with some tremendous comments and some excellent contributions to the day. It was a privilege to be there for that session.

I also got myself involved in the YMCA World Week of Prayer with a few local events at our crib including a prayer session that went fairly well in terms of addressing ourselves as children when it comes to God and needing the same things all the way throughout childhood – love expressed in guidance, provision, correction, etc. Had an interesting visit to Leicester YMCA seeing various sides of the regional YMCA work in action.

Engaged in some awesome prayer meetings over the month as well that had some huge benefits for me in regard to direction for various aspects of life – personal, vocational all aspiring to just be everything God would want me to be. Some positive things coming out of the Facebook phase although I’d be interested to see if it persists into next year.

Then obviously came the highlight of the month for me … taking part in the REACH meeting of 23 November. It made me chuckle seeing different aspects of the social action group in dealing with the issues from the charismatic ‘The Lord Will Make A Way … supernaturally’ approach to the liberal ‘Sure He’ll Make A Way, But We Are The Way So We Need To Work With Authorities And Existing Agencies And Ensure Everything Is Done In Partnership’ approach.

Oh yeah I turned 30 during the month. I attended the Mission Shaped Ministry training on the day and my dear friend and colleague Gordon Crowther, organiser of the training (pictured), shares the same birthday so he got the singing treatment. I thought I’d sneak out of it hoping no one would know it was my birthday only for good ol’ Graham Harrison to check his Facebook and be aware of it and so exposing the whole sham and getting the crew to repeat the song on my behalf.

There’s quite a bit to be said about reaching 30 and how it impacts me, but I’m hoping it comes out over the year in various blog entries and other outlets, but I am so grateful to God for giving me the grace to make it this far. I feel like I’ve done so much on one hand and yet on the other it feels like there is still so much to come for me.

So these are just a few of the things that have been going on in November and the activities are not slowing down as we head into December. It’s always been a funny time of year for me, but I’m looking forward to seeing how to make the most of the time.

I’m grateful that Deborah celebrates her third birthday this month so it gives me something to look forward to and it’s no surprise that hers is the last Dryden birthday of the calendar.

So much to say, so little time. Just continue to remember me in your prayers in terms of keeping focussed on what I’m meant to be doing and carrying it out with all my might.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: Intimates

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. (John 2:2)

Jesus’ first miracle took place at a wedding party. It is as if He wanted people to keep on celebrating one of the most precious moments in life. The idea of keeping the wine flowing may seem shocking to the prudish, but when you consider two becoming one was the first human relational contact recorded at creation, it’s no surprise that the One who created it would want us to celebrate it. Even beyond marital union sharing a love for each other that brings a sense of oneness – community in all its splendour – is something worth celebrating.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: Connections

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself (Ephesians 4:25)

Sometimes in reflecting on those bigger life issue, when you look a little closer it was those small connections that made the difference. Maybe the time where check-out person cheerfully helped pack your bags with such an effect that helped relieve the stress on a busy day. Perhaps that occasion with the stranger kept the door open for you with a free smile. The beauty of humanity is that we’re all so interconnected that one act of kindness can have a ripple effect that blesses others. Celebrate the wonder of those little connections. In life – we’re in this together.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts – Celebrate: Friends

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

You do not choose your family, but you do choose your friends. These choices do not always work out, yet there are those who stand through thick and thin. Not only in faithfulness but in terms of sharing life together, being willing to be vulnerable and share issues of the heart and mind. Where sometimes forces may look to separate people from meaningful relationships through money, technology, work and anxieties, celebrate those people who are more valuable than that. Also endeavour to remember those for whom such relationships have never been possible and perhaps reach out that hand of friendship.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Celebrate

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! (Psalm 100:1)

Celebrate – making a big deal about something that brings joy and happiness to life. It’s not always easy to celebrate; sometimes life’s circumstances appear to highlight negative things. So in this season for a few moments reflect on that which is worth making a joyful noise about. From the air we breathe to that major breakthrough achieved – birth, new job, helping one in need. It’s more than just a quiet nod of assent in gratitude to the little things. It’s taking time out to express in word and action, song and thought how these ‘little things’ brighten up daily living.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Paul Washer Mix

Worth considering

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Creflo Dollar on Larry King Live

No judgements - just watch and converse.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Rushing Wind - Keith Green

Ain't No Need To Worry

On this Saturday morning there's nothing like putting on a track from the old days that speaks so much truth and assurance in the larger scale of things.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Come to Jesus

I just like watching this - check it for yourself

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

You Are So Beautiful To Me pt.1

Big thanks to me colleague and appreciated co-late night labourer, Frantastic Lawton for this one.

What on earth is this?

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

State of the Pulpit - Theology of Suffering

More good stuff to get us thinking.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Mark Driscoll on Humility

This is tough stuff. I wonder how many preachers/pastors would be this blunt and straightforward? I wonder if I can be this blunt and honest? Help us Lord.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Feed The Children

The LORD blesses everyone who freely gives food to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)

A healthy baby is born in the maternity ward of the local general in Guildford. A malnourished baby is born in a make-shift covering in the harsh winds of south-east Angola. Where’s the justice in that? One baby is expected to live well into his 70’s, where the other may never see 40. It seems so unfair. There are no easy, glib answers that can be made for the injustice. What can be done is to support efforts made by those seeking to make a difference and give a chance to those children by feeding the hungry.

(Stats from infoplease.com.)

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Why You Matter To God

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:13, 14)

It’s fascinating looking at a baby at various stages of development – spotting the head shape, finding the gender, the fingers, etc. The intricate design and ongoing developments in their own small and glorious way get people all mushy. Yet if we look with wonder can you imagine the joy of the Creator who put us together? Now why would He put so much into something that didn’t matter? Sure we’re not as thin/fat/tanned/toned as we’d like, but it was only after man and woman (i.e. you) were created that God looked at it all and said it was very good.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Why Do You Matter

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. (Psalm 127:3)

This marks a new series of thoughts for the Month of November. From 11-17 November The World YMCA and YWCA celebrates it’s annual Week of Prayer this year’s theme is Children First. From this, November’s theme for daily thoughts will be reflecting on You(th) Matter. With that in mind whether young or not as young…

Why
Do
You
Matter?

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Thank God For October

I give God thanks for the month of October. Apparently this is the 45th blog entry of the month, (OK or the first of the next month cos of the timing) my most prolific month for entries since I started this caper almost two years ago. Really glad about that. Could go into a lot about what’s happened this month. Undoubtedly the discovery of the month, however, was good ol’ Photobucket. So it is appropriate that in this last blog of the month I should use the opportunity to highlight indisputably the most important relational event of my life.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Celebrate Freedom: It's Good News

The Lord's Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, (Luke 4:18)

The theme of October’s Daily Thoughts has been around Freedom and Slavery. The mission of Christ was based around giving people freedom. Since then millions of lives have been set free by getting to know and follow Him. Far from being an easy time, this has caused people to suffer greatly both from internal and external opposition. Yet one thing that remains the same for all those who have taken the journey is their story of the great inner liberty they experienced when they received this good news. Perhaps it’s time to consider the power of this good news today.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Learning The Path To Freedom

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17, 18)

Learning something new can be fun with thanksgiving. Freedom does not come naturally, neither is it something that is natural. Old habits die hard and have a … habit … of emerging under pressuring times. Yet as we remember the One who sets us free we can be motivated through thanksgiving and a new heart to follow the road to freedom. It is a path of discipline, but also a path of liberty and expression previously unknown. The standard of teaching is one based on following and accepting the Way, the Truth and the Life that is Christ.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Beware The Dodgy Freedom Salesman

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:19)

‘I couldn’t help it’.

You may remember the initial question of whether you were a slave or not. As you chose to carry on with your daily activities with the choices open to you in so many areas, the answer to this issue would appear to be that we were all free. Yet whether it’s nicotine addiction, temper challenges or a critical attitude there are things that overcome us leaving us with these four pitiful words.

Be careful of some who may promote freedom only to find out that they too are confined by similar corrupting elements.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Weekend Extended Edition - Light on Identity

But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. (1 Peter 2:9)

On Thursday a group from the YMCA went to view the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool. This was part of the Christian Spiritual Development (CSD) month on the theme of slavery and freedom.

An interesting exhibit was on the strategy of the slave owners to destabilise the African slaves they had recruited by separating them from family and treating them little better than their own cattle. Hundreds of years later young people from an African-Caribbean background still struggle with a sense of identity – not just what it means to be black, or African, or Caribbean but even what it is to be a man or a woman.

The strategy of destabilising people by robbing them of their identity is not a new tactic, neither is it one that only those of African descent suffer from. The effects of the slavery of sin leave humanity itself deluded by a false notion of who they are. This has been brilliantly masked in the whole drive of ‘self-esteem’ where the focus is to look at the self first and get a good feeling about yourself before engaging with others. The problem here is the same problem that is seen in asking a broken pot to fix itself – though it may recognise it’s brokenness it evidently doesn’t have the resources to fix itself, however the pieces are readjusted. What is patently needed is the Master Potter who knows how to mould these pots as they ought to be. So when the focus is on the Potter, rather than ourselves, the healing process is likely to be substantial, meaningful and whole, rather than a shallow cover job.

Realising the great job that has been done in our lives in being brought from darkness into light, realising who we are as a result of this great transaction we are thus free to share with others what’s been done in our lives and who others can look to in hope of experiencing real enlightenment. The identity crisis is really over in the light of who God is in Christ and who we are in the light of His love.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Liverpool Trip - 25-10-07

On Thursday a group of us from the YMCA went on a trip to Liverpool - on the Albert Docks. The full report should be up on the North Staffs YMCA web-site soon, hopefully by tomorrow, but don't hold me to that. In the meantime following the success of a photo try-out on the other blog here's a really creative way to get some pictorial insight into how the trip went.

Look out for the report coming soon.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Free From Slavery - Free To Be A Slave

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16)

Doulos. It is not frequently used as it is an old Greek word. It means slave and this is the word that is translated as servant. Effectively we are free to become slaves. All that grief of slavery; the hassle to be released only to be a slave again? Yet freedom in Christ shows how we always serve something or someone. We are only as free as serving Someone who releases us to be the good we were created to be. This is why this freedom is no excuse for evil but to reflect the nature of the Master Liberator.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Will Facebook Destroy My Wife?

So I be here checking through some songs on YouTube again ranging from The Isley Brothers’ Harvest For The World to the Fugees’ version of Wonder’s classic Blame It On The Sun. Earlier on I was having a look through Facebook and was just wondering about fads and trends that are hot flavour of the month things one minute and are gone before too long.

Not saying Facebook is one of those, hey the blogging buzz is still going strong after quite a few years. Just to say once more like some other things it’s a rush to get into takes up a bit of your time setting up stuff for what? Don’t get me wrong not saying Facebook is a waste of time, but don’t be surprised if you find me spending tons of time talking about it especially online. You know it’s something though when the wife gets herself on the thing with tons of people already there waiting for her to go online. It’s good to find old friends and see who’s on it and the like.

Still, just hoping the thing and the fame my wife gets won’t go to her head and destroy her!

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Free From Slavery - Free To Serve

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

Some debate over whether freedom is positive or negative. Whether we are free to do whatever we want, or free from a nanny state telling us what to do. (What’s the difference?) God’s version of freedom is not about an anything-goes, do-what-you-like attitude, neither is it a jump from one strait-jacket of condemning rules to another. Rather responsible freedom leads to being a servant to others. Just to ensure that this serving in freedom is genuine it is done out of love – a (super)natural overflow from a connection with the Son of love.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Stevie Wonder - Tuesday Heartbreak

When I was at university back in 1996 it was the first time away from home and I was in me own room in a block of student digs.

With all the newness of having money to waste I took the opportunity to attain a fair quantity of CD's. My man then and my man now is Stevie Wonder and this song did more than anything to turn me onto him big time. The tune itself was already getting me but when you listen from 1:31 to 1:32 the instrument's wah-wah sequence had me going loopy. I repeated the tune for ages just to hear that bit again.

An absolute gem of a song scandalously underrated.

Get The Punchline

You know I’ve had this image on the desktop for the longest time with the aim of putting a blog entry online about it. So now I’ve got the chance and I don’t know exactly what to say, so here’s a ramble. I tell you what have you ever read an e-mail that seemed to thump you right in the face? I reckon an image like this is more than appropriate. Got one today from someone and after I read it, felt like being socked in the face with a huge thump. That didn’t even begin to tell the beating I was going to take when I actually met the person who e-mailed it, still just to remind you to be careful when checking stuff online because it’s not all the time you want to get the punch-line.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Set Free - Stay Free

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. (Galatians 5:1)

Door is opened. Walk out. Look back just once. See the bars. Grey room. Misery written all over. Never going back. Keep walking. Keep remembering. Never going back. The pain. The loneliness. Never going back. Drugs, alcohol, abusive relationship, financial mistake. Never going back.

Kept walking. Kept remembering. Adding stuff to avoid going back. Work hard. Make the marriage work. Must make the bills. Must keep the family secure. It’s too much. You stop. Look around. Surroundings are familiar. Right back where you started.

The freedom gained in Christ is precious and is maintained only through focus on Him.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Whom Nelson Sets Free?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)

All being well Nelson Mandela will celebrate his 90th birthday on 18 July 2008. His struggle in South Africa led to the amazing transformation of a country crippled in the degrading system of apartheid to one now known as the Rainbow nation. Rightly commended for being a freedom fighter, even Nelson could not offer the key to freedom that remains elusive in economic, social, political, educational programs. This is why the Son – He who knows the deepest part of ourselves – can offer us the chance to be free indeed.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

(Look out for a book review on Mandela’s autobiography ‘Long Walk To Freedom’ coming to a blog near you soon.)

Stone Cold Sista

Yeah, so the ol' don't try this at home business really is not working out is it? You know it's bad when a little girl is informing you of Austin 3:16 which would happen to be the bottom line cos li'l sis Stone Cold said so.

da man cd

About Yesterday's Phrase - What No Image?

I wanted to post an image on yesterday’s blog entry but the blogger was playing silly … bloggers (?) That won’t translate well unless people are aware of the silly beggars bit. In any case, so I posted something without an image – shock of all shocks. Well to amend that I’ve surely got a suitable image from the wonderful weekend with friends and on the understanding that eventually I’ll do a Bubble Share type photo album of the event eventually, then wait for that with eager anticipation. For the benefit of the exercise from left to right - Charles, Katie and Lloyd LIVE in the Black Country Living Museum.

Still too busy though

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Slaves To Sin

"Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)

Apparently we live in a country where we are free to say or do almost whatever we want. It would be almost absurd to call us slaves. Jesus’ critique was to a people who thought that they weren’t slaves because of their ancestry. We can feel we’re not slaves because of the political and social liberties we have cherished for years. Jesus’ point though is that there is something deep inside everyone that enslaves us, preventing us from enjoying all that the Father has made this house – earth – for. We need someone to set us free.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

And The Phrase For The Day Is ...

You may have noticed that there hasn’t been the same spurt of non-Daily Thought entries as there were earlier in the month. Simple reason for that – far too busy. Too busy preparing for upcoming events. Too busy warding various irritants who seek to distract me from what I’m meant to be doing. Too busy doing what I’m meant to be doing and too busy finding some crumbs and bakewell tarts of comfort in the whole thing.

Anyway, in the too busyness I caught my mate’s blog who reminded me of the cool weekend I had catching up with them. Wish I could give you my full thoughts, but hey, guess what …

Too busy.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Consolation of Freedom

"If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:31, 32)

The truth that frees us is not always comfortable. The challenge and commitment involved can lead to tough areas where our characters are severely tested and they may even upset us from time to time. The words of Jesus, however, strike to the heart of that which his audience needed most. Just the thought of being released from the chains of oppression not to an outer rule, but the rule within – whether it’s the chain of the past, negative habits and attitudes, or feelings of guilt, shame and fear. This consoling thought makes the cost for freedom worth paying.

For His Name Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Commitment to Freedom

"If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:31, 32)

People like Gandhi, Luther King, Mandela and Mother Theresa are known for their lifelong commitment to freedom from harsh situations political, economic, racial, social or physical. What they highlight is that freedom cannot be taken for granted. What Jesus challenges His followers to do is to remain free by committing themselves to following His way – sticking with living what He tells us. What Jesus presents us with is committing to something even greater than political, racial, social or physical. He looks for us to commit to whole life freedom.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Challenge Of Freedom

"If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” (John 8:31, 32)

There are many definitions of freedom some more appealing than others. Jesus’ words to those who believe Him are attractive and challenging. The appeal is in the promise to be set free, the challenge is His exclusive claim to hold the truth that sets us free. Where many other sources offer freedom –successful living of the rich and famous, or excessive living, or even moral codes based on other walks of life – Jesus’ challenge provokes commitment to living by His word. The challenge today is will His word be followed for others to experience that freedom in truth?

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Gratitude For Deliverance From Slavery

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)

There are few more appropriate words of thanks for the Lord delivering from slavery than the words a former slave-owner penned in the light of God’s awe-inspiring work.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see
(John Newton)

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

An Experiment For My Family Album

I am a man of text more than anything else. After all that’s why you’ll notice there are more words on this blog than images by a sizeable margin. Having typed that though, I want to make it clear that I’m appreciating more and more the power of images and importance of the visual as well as textual. It was with this in mind that I was really excited to come across this neat web-site that helped with photos and the like. To give credit where it’s due, I’ve really got to thank Said at Southern for the link to an article by some hombre that I’d never heard of before called Alan Knox on whether elders should get paid. Fascinating article that it was I linked it to the dozens of other blogs I’ve favourited for what it’s worth. I then perused his profile and came across his family blog – interesting concept, don’t think I’ll take it up meself, but that’s all good. On coming across his site I found it had a series of photo slide shows. I was fascinated by that as it’s a concept we were hoping to install on the North Staffs YMCA and I thought it would be neat to have it on me own blog.

Hence this little experiment. Apparently I’ve got somewhere in the region of 2950 photos and videos of a personal nature to do with my jazz, my life, my stuff, you feel me. So this is in no way meant to be THE definitive photo collection of the life of Da Man CD, but it’s a good first go. I hope you’ll enjoy taking a photo-journey through the wonderful world of Da Man CD.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Christian Shopping Network

Oh my days - at last the channel I've been waiting for all my life with just the right products to support my marriage. There must be a God somewhere as K. Franklin once wrote for song.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Reap and Sow

This is a hilarious perspective on evangelism - I especially enjoy the updated version of the eunuch's baptism. Might try it myself when I learn to swim.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - The Journey Out

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)

Changes in life suggest some sort of journey. Various incidents on the journey reflect a need to get out of a situation – getting out of the comfort of parental coddling, getting out of the immaturity of adolescence, getting out of the boring monotony of meaningless work, getting out of painful relationships, getting out of debt, getting out of the prison of life’s harsh pressing demands. God does not guarantee a harmless passage out of life’s challenges, but He is available to lead you out of that place of pain and incarceration, to a place of real, whole freedom.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

What Is Idolatry?

Here is a wonderful definition

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Journey From The House Of Slavery

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)

You don’t have to imagine being in dehumanising slavery for 400 years to understand how difficult it is to live free from it. It is one thing to be set free and another thing to get used to freedom. Living in freedom and enjoying it takes time. It is not unusual for the slave mentality to affect people in freedom. The key to freedom is continued focus on the Deliverer who not only sets us free but is present with us on the journey from the house of slavery.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Charlie Rich - The most beautiful girl 1974

Ahh the golden oldies remain just that - golden!

da man cd

Friends: Here And Gone

I appreciate the fact that work can be unrelenting at times. I’m just here to intrude and ask if you can make some time for a little respite, please check this blog entry to remember the value of our near and dear ones. Some may have passed on, but others are still here whom you may have overlooked in the relentless pressure of life. And there is still One who sticks closer than a brother.

Just a few minutes, check the link and reflect on those key relationships … then you can go back to work if you want.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - Out Of The House Of Slavery

I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)

Sometimes the Ten Commandments are scorned for just being a set of rules of do’s and don’ts. It is a negative rather than a positive. This does not take into consideration God’s heart for freedom expressed in these words. Egypt for Israel was a time of darkness, misery and oppressive slavery. They had cried out for deliverance for some 400 years. God’s words are not those of a harsh dictatorial slave-master. These are the words of a strong compassionate Liberator with words that can set free those in slavery just as much today as He did all those years ago.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd