Ruth Dryden - How Times Have Changed

So September is a big indicator that the end of the year is nigh. After this month we enter the last quarter of the year and things definitely start winding down in preparation for that much-loved hibernation season known as the winter. In the run up to that great time of year the Dryden family runs into a glut of birthdays, first is my Dad – but you know that already. In October my brother has a month all to himself for a birthday. In November I celebrate my love for life and the good things God has given me. I used to be the last Dryden with a birthday in the calendar. Then on 29^th December 2004 Deborah popped along to crock a snook at anyone thinking they could muscle in on things. Her birthday is ideally located between the excitement of the festivities and the excitement of the New Year activities.

A crucial birthday in among all that took place yesterday as my sister Ruth by the glorious grace of God made it to 33. Reflecting on her reaching this landmark allows me to reflect on just what an achievement it is and how far we’ve come. There are those who like to think that they have pretty much remained the same. No major change has taken place in their character even though they’ve experienced so much. I’m fairly confident in saying quite a lot has happened for both of us that have changed our characters.

Without going into detail the story of my sister’s life over the last five years or so would leave some people with their mouths agape at just how good God has been and how resilient and brave Ruth has been in it all. You cannot go through all of that experience and not have your character moulded somewhat. It would be easy for my sister to adapt a more cynical spirit in the light of some of the things she has endured and yet there burns within her a hope in God strengthened more than ever before.

On the one hand it would be fair to say that we’ve grown apart in those five years. Not to say we’re no longer in each other’s lives, on the contrary her place in the annals of the history of Christopher Dryden is already assured. She remains an incredibly strong and considered character. Her insight into things and capacity for equanimity is quite remarkable, she’s able to insist on something without being too imposing. Yet it is clear who the boss is in any given situation and I continue to pray for her husband in that regard!

You know the Bible talks about when you leave your mum and dad and cleave to your wife stating quite clearly that a separation takes place on marriage. There’s nothing said about the dynamic between brother and sister but I can say that there has been a definite shift in priorities where my wife is now the best friend and Ruth is focussed on her own issues. I’ve changed in that respect, but I still love having my sister around and being able to ask her for advice in given situations.

I see aspects of my sister’s character especially in my younger daughter Abigail – that clear minded thing about her that says it’s her way that will be the case and no one will say anything otherwise. Despite being the younger, Abigail has no problems being the bully when the mood takes her and I sometimes chuckle at what she can do to get her own way from the straightforward blunt approach to a more psychological factor. That’s Ruth all over, who now knows that she will get her way without saying a word. For all that though, Ruth is a tremendously loyal and caring woman. She takes it on board to be a conduit for all family manners and will keep in touch for all major personal milestones – anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

In so many ways Ruth and I have changed and yet there remains that huge admiration for all she is and all that she has overcome in my life. I pray that God will give her more grace to go on and achieve what God has in store for her.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Thanks Father For My Dad

You may have noticed yesterday that the entry mentioned my mother. I may have mentioned before, family is very important to me, especially the immediate family in which I was brought up. I was brought up in an isolated background so my siblings and parents meant a great deal to me. Mum and Dad recently celebrated 34 years since their wedding. It is quite a feat to make it to that number and now with their three children all producing grandchildren for them it is such a significant time to rejoice in their marital union.

More significant still, however, is yesterday was my dad celebrate his 76^th year on the planet. I don’t blog that much about my dad. I’ll blog about my mum and my brother in particular, but not really about my sister and rarer still about my dad. This is not deliberate; it’s just the way the thoughts and notes have come about.

The measure of manhood for me was started off by my dad. For the changes that have taken place in my life and the various male figures who have been role models it all starts and ends with my dad. He was no big shot. Never really headed for the front or taking the limelight, my dad is the epitome of understated. It is easy to overlook the contribution that my dad would make to anything, but his absence would definitely be noticed. He never needed to say much at all and so when he did speak more often than not it was always worth paying careful attention.

Up until my married life my dad remained something of a mystery in terms of who he was. He was not one to reveal himself and get all autobiographical. He was not into physical displays of affection, but his presence and unstinting loyalty meant more than anything. It really appeared as if nothing would phase him. That didn’t mean he was averse to quirks. The most endearing quality are the little oddities that will incur his wrath – wearing shoes in the house when we had slippers for example.

So as my dad goes from strength to strength enjoying the fruit of his labours back at his home in Jamaica I have to give God thanks for the life of my dad.

Thanks Father for my dad’s consistency – the unwavering way in which he persisted in his home responsibilities without complaint.

Thanks Father for my dad’s patience – refusing to allow situations to stress him out and looking to keep a calm composure in every situation. Indeed thanks that dad was the guy that kept his head while others were losing theirs.

Thanks Father for my dad’s sense of perspective – whether in success or failure he knew in Whom he believed and that there was nothing more important than realising that everything was in Your hands.

Thanks Father for my dad’s sense of justice – regardless of whatever anyone thought, thanks that he looked to act fairly in all his dealings and his integrity would not be questioned by anyone.

Thanks Father for my dad’s sense of humour – living up to his surname always with a wry sense of humour fit for the occasion and easy on the laughing.

Thanks Father for my dad’s persistence – despite not being academically inclined his dedication to learning to develop reading every night would significantly impact his children.

Thanks Father for my dad’s simplicity – as others chase the futility of material gain my dad showed the real value of those things of an eternal nature – Christ-like humility and following Him always.

Thanks Father for my dad’s worshipful vulnerability – whenever he was abandoned to Your presence in praise and adoration he and you would share in ways that we may not have seen in him otherwise.

Thanks Father for my dad – his good bits, his bad bits, the way he has garnered so much appreciation from those who know and love him. Thanks that his legacy is seen in the positive qualities of his children and those that whom he would befriend.

I used to say that if I was half the man that my dad was then I’d be doing well, but I’ve grown to appreciate that my dad has done what he could in his life to put down the markers for his children to go further than he has gone. I don’t know if I’ll ever make it, but I do know that the faith of my father in the Father rests in me and I will like him endeavour to do all that God calls me to do. Hopefully one day dad and I will share all our life’s pursuit in eternal praise of the Father who makes it possible. In the meantime this is a small token of the great appreciation, love and affection I have for my dad and our Father in heaven who has made this relationship what it is.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

500 Up, 500 Down

Farewell August and hello September.

When I was at university I was introduced to radio and b that I mean actually having a go on radio. I had never considered it before although I did enjoy listening to radio growing up at home. I remember especially Saturday nights with the radio on and listening to smooth tunes in the night. I also remember listening to Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman’s Pick of the Pops.

I am so grateful for Lloyd Clarke. He was the first person I met at university and I knocked around with him quite a bit in the first year. He took me to the university radio station as he had a show on it getting to play the tunes that he was so obsessed about at the time as well as develop his love for music. I went along with him and eventually was allowed to talk on it to provide a few links from one track to another.

Before I knew it I was really into the whole radio thing. Not so much the music side, although that was a great education, but the production values and creative opportunities radio provided. I absolutely loved it – all that preparation, research and thinking on your feet involved with it. I eventually got to produce and present my own programme on a weekly basis and I think I had a daily show as well. Absolutely loved it – what should go in it, what regular features, what thing to say in between, who to have on it, what creative pieces to include in terms of sound effects and the like.

I don’t pretend to be any great radio genius although with a name like Chris and the success of Chris Morris, Chris Evans and Chris Moyles I’m sure I was supposed to be good! I liked the whole concept of ensuring there was enough to keep a programme going keeping people informed and the like without ever lagging or becoming boring. Never got brilliant at it, but loved practising it. So much so that it’s still a desire today to be doing radio shows – not music based but with music in it.

All that to say that sometimes when I consider blogging, it’s the nearest I get textually to a radio show – again like the radio, not that I’m brilliant at it, but I like the challenge of putting something together, maybe on one subject maybe on more than one that will at least keep the reader interested.

This is poignant as this is the 500^th post that I’ve blogged on this my first ever blog. Now when I say it’s the 500^th that doesn’t mean there’s only been 500 that I’ve ever posted, it means that there’s been 500 that’s made it online. There have been a fair few drafts that stayed in draft mode and eventually got deleted and a couple of posts that stayed for a bit but eventually got deleted. For all of that I am so grateful to make it to such a significant landmark. I mean if you would have told me back when I wrote that first post in 2005 that I’d stick at it over the next four years and 500 posts I would have been mildly surprised. Yet here we are having covered personal, spiritual and whimsical issues covering the ups and downs of life as well as the issues that have been pestering me. Sure, I’d like to have been more consistent over that time and perhaps would have hit this landmark earlier, but I’m sure you’d agree that this year in particular business has picked up in terms of regularity and I’m hoping to hit the big 200 posts for the year before the end of the month which can be seen as progress.

What matters, though, is not just hitting targets, but being committed to doing what that radio experience was all about so long ago. That is having ideas, exercising the passion for words and communicating ideas and thoughts for people to consider. Not is it an issue of doing that, but doing it to the glory of God from whatever angle and concerning whatever issue.

Thanks for reading this blog – whether new or old. I hope it has made some impression on the thoughts running through your head wherever you are in life. In the meantime my heart’s desire is to get better at this blogging gig, and hopefully a bit more consistent. Here’s to 500 down and who’s to say there’ll be 500 more at a quicker rate? Only time …

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Celebrating Success Together

I don’t usually endeavour to be ambitious in a blog entry, my process is to write it in a word document and try to keep it to a page. Sometimes I go over, sometimes I go way over, but often I stick to the target. In this case though I am deliberately trying something audacious in combining the following – breakfast, the national identity of my daughters, Usain Bolt’s World Record breaking victory, Paul and Barnabas, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, the reconciling work of Jesus Christ and my approach to supporting Liverpool this season. Reckon I can do it? Let’s have a go.

So today has been fascinating. I got to spend some time with my children. I educated them in the ways of appreciating Match of the Day even if it is on a Sunday morning. We then enjoyed another of my mother’s sumptuous breakfasts. Seriously people, my mum is feeding me up food and proper I cannot complain – let me just paint the picture for you in words – fried dumplings and fried plantain on one plate, beans and callaloo on another. These are not small plates either, so you know that once I was fed I was sorted for the rest of the day! Authrine and I spent some quality time with our precious daughters taking them out to Hanley and then to the park around the corner. There was just enough time to enjoy a bit of a break at home before Authrine and I were out again for a marvellous afternoon/evening’s session at church.

Our story begins in earnest though with the events of what took place on our arrival back home. Our precious daughters greeted the returning parents with their usual glee and enthusiasm and we entered the living room to see the television showing Usain Bolt’s celebrations at clinching the gold at the World Championships at a world record time.

Now imagine the scene, Authrine: Jamaican; Patsy: Jamaican; My Mother: Jamaican all full grown women technically all making a whole heap of noise at their countryman’s achievements as well as Asaph Powell’s bronze finish. So as that celebration kicks off Abigail and Deborah (both born in England to a self-confessed Englishman … that’s me) started joining in with the celebrations in similar mood to the technically grown up people. To this scene my mother rejoiced and proclaimed that indeed my children were Jamaicans. You can imagine my joy at that news.

There is something to celebrating together, though. There is something to being united in the achievements of others almost as though you achieved it yourself and when we are together and united by a shared bond your success is my success and vice-versa. So it’s a real shame when things happen to prevent us from celebrating success together. For example I am currently reading a memoir on the time a journalist spent with Brian Clough. (Provided You Don’t Kiss Me: 20 Years With Brian Clough by Duncan Hamilton.)

The success of Clough – getting two provincial sides completely unfancied to English and, in Nottingham Forest’s case, European glory – was down to his partnership with Peter Taylor. They learnt to celebrate success together because they stuck at it together, recognising what each contributed to the other. Underneath there were issues that led to the sad demise of the relationship n and just goes to show what happens when our focus is taken off together and is more self-inclined.

Just because we see that in ‘the world’ don’t think even heroes of the Bible are immune. When reading of Clough and Taylor I was reminded of Paul and Barnabas. If you read the book you’ll see that Taylor was at first seen as the senior figure of the partnership because of his age and experience, but soon enough the younger guy comes to the fore. Not that dissimilar to how Barney and Saul were before it became apparent that the partnership was more Paul and Barney. For all their successes together and sticking at it together their missionary partnership came to an end in acrimonious circumstances. To read it is so sad again to see how stubborn people can be especially in their opinions of others.

When I talk about those relationships I mean it in the same way that our Creator made us so we can celebrate success together. When you read of how the pinnacle of creation – man meets women in the garden made for them – you are reading something with God saying that is very good – that’s success and sin coming ruins everything – that self-inclination again. We are no longer able to celebrate success together, that’s what makes Jesus’ sacrifice so amazing and so relieving, because now that brings us back together – man and man as well as more importantly man and God – and it puts everything else in context.

Like seeing your daughters celebrate the victory of the fastest man in the world.

Or football.

Now if you know me, you know I love me football and I’m a Liverpool fan. Yet as the season starts I find myself in a funny position. I want them to win the League, I think they can and hope they will. First game of the season wasn’t the best start, but I remain hopeful. For all that, though, I find myself actually weaning off the devotion I used to have for the club. I want to glorify God more in my enjoyment of football and in as much as that calls for enjoying footie and supporting a side, that support doesn’t have to become so precious, so much a part of me that my moods are affected by it and my relationships are affected one way or another. Indeed win, lose or draw the bigger picture can allow me to enjoy football for its positive qualities of bringing people to celebrate success together.

More importantly as we enjoy it, this can be the basis on which links can be made to something even better of eternal value that’s worth celebrating together forever.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

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: 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

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

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