Grace Expressions

I’m sure I’ve written about grace before. I think it was back in the early days of blogging when it more splurging than any sense of continuity in writing. I know I’ve read the book by Philip Yancey wondering what’s so amazing about it, but I don’t remember much about the book. Might have to re-read it when time allows.

Today once more I was reminded about grace in a conversation with my boss. I was thinking of grace expressions and how for people who may not be aware of how that works or how it expresses itself there are the stories that abound about what it looks like. Going through the Compassion 2009 series at church and looking at some of Jesus’ parables they are replete with expressions of grace. Expressions that I had neglected in knowing what I was reading and being able to explain in good terms as if I knew what it was saying, when actually I had not even begun to get to grips with it. Here are some grace expressions that I have witnessed.

Steve had shirked his responsibilities. He had not paid his rent as he’d promised and the pressure was on to get it paid or he would be out on his ear. Those that worked close with him knew he wasn’t engaging with what was outlined for him and he remained an elusive figure in as much as people tried to get close to him, he appeared to have a perpetual chip on his shoulder. All avenues appeared exhausted and there was nowhere else for him to go except for the streets. As the countdown emerged the angel of the Lord arrived and anonymously ensured the rent was paid and that Steve was given the loving support needed to make progress to the next point.

Anne’s behaviour was out of order; by all accounts she deserved to be arrested for what she did. To assault a member of staff like that and expect to get away with it was just not going to happen. Her track record haunted her like the ghost of Christmas Past and doors opened to others were slammed in her face. Still she failed to recognise her role in her downfall. It was always someone else’s fault. If they did not rile her up then she wouldn’t explode. This was not good enough for someone of her age. By now she should have known better. By now her previous fall-outs should have given her the impression she needed. Now there appeared to be no way out for her – all doors were shut and even the way back to her natural family was no longer tenable because of that behaviour. The angel of the Lord appeared and provided a loving church community willing to go all out to serve her, house her, enable her to gain the tools to build her life on surer foundation and perhaps learn those valuable lessons.

Luke had ruined his marriage and ruined the early days for his firstborn. His self-centred decisions had jeopardised everything that ever meant anything to him. Friends were nowhere to be found, the church was busy sorting its own wounds to offer any salve. As he lurched from one debased low to another intoxicating material that only reinforced the pit he found myself in, he went to sleep empty and hollow. Yet his stubborn will would not yield. That was until the angel of the Lord sent him a text that sent his whole world into tailspin. From the midst of his despair he cried out to God and He restored to Luke his wife and firstborn and blessed him further with a second child who likewise brought great joy. When he looks at them they are living proof of the amazing grace of God. Despite his behaviour he is tremendously blessed by the two children who show that God’s grace is greater and faith in that, faith in Him allows him to rejoice in the truth that he is a continued beneficiary of good things when he has done nothing to earn them.

Key ingredients in these expressions is the fact that not only had nothing been done to deserve what was received, but on the contrary the behaviour, thoughts and words merited something on the contrary to what I actually got. The fact that slip ups are not a slight more than it is a highlight of the generous, forgiving and loving nature of God. I can look back on my life and the lives of others and hear what they have to say about a given event and see God’s grace-prints all over it.

It reminds me of that basis for action seen in Jon Gibson’s track ‘You’ve Gotta Love Somebody’. The propulsion to do anything is purely because someone else long before we cared reached down in their heart to give me a start and so sooner or later I’d have to love someone. Extending grace to others is unnatural but spiritually it is such a reinvigorating exercise that it really feels as if Jesus Himself is working through my character and ability to bring this about. The people do not deserve it and their behaviour, thoughts and words would indicate the opposite. As with these grace expressions, though my initiative is not based on responding or reacting, but on love. A love poured into my heart by God Himself.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Have You Checked Yourself Recently

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong-- then guide me on the road to eternal life. (Psalm 139:23, 24 MSG)

Have you had a good look at yourself lately? I mean really? Recently I was reminded of the power and importance of praise. Praise allows me to start any conversation from a perspective beyond myself. I do not claim to have divine insight, but what I do have is acknowledgement of the divine as the basis for my behaviour. Linking praise with fasting is natural because as we’ve seen fasting is desperately seeking God and one way to express that desperation is reminding yourself of who He is as revealed in His Word. This reminds us that despite our best efforts we are always scratching the surface of knowing the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, eternal and loving One. That desire though is ultimately fulfilling as nothing else can be as we engage with the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

The splendour of engaging in relationship with God and learning more about Him is how He highlights issues about us. The nature of these revelations is not for shame and embarrassment but for realisation of some very real things about us and out complete dependency on God to define us. Sometimes for as much as I love God He desires holiness in me and so uses opportunity after opportunity to uncover some real dark issues about my character. That goes back to the question of whether you’ve checked yourself lately.

You know I used to console myself that although there were one or two faults I wasn’t that bad. Jesus loved me and that’s all that mattered. The issue of holiness puts things in a different light. Even recently I saw just how my character is in desperate need of God’s love. My capacity for being judgemental and having a proud approach to situations and people is disgusting but acceptable because it’s done in a sophisticated style. It’s done through sarcasm or biting quips and one-liners. It’s done through behaving in a way that gives others the impression that they are stupid or of little value. It’s done by believing when I get angry and annoyed that people no longer have the worth they did. It’s especially expressed when I feel hard done by. I can sympathise with Paul who expressed how wretched he was because of the struggle that goes on inside.

The best example in which the uglier aspects of my character are seen is in the issue of forgiveness. When I feel as though someone has slighted me that’s something that I can get over, but when someone offends me the hardest thing in the world is to forgive them. It is so easy to remember the wrong they did, the immaturity they showed, the carelessness, the stupidity, the hurt and pain, loss and at times perceived personal devastation. That sense of betrayal hits at the core of my being. In that very transaction I become everything that I loathe the most to justify my feeling of injustice.

I am good at recounting all the evidence in my favour and against the guilty party and how that then makes it only fitting that they pay for the greatest crime of all – hurting me to such an effect. As I get wrapped up in myself room for the character of grace and mercy is scant and that means little room for God. Little room for God is every room for the other guy and before you know it things get ugly and whenever I think of the person and the incident the vile, bile upsurges from the gut. Now that would be bad enough but it also disfigures my personality.

And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. (Luke 23:33, 34)

This is where the character of God comes into His own and the deliverance aspect of His personality comes to the rescue. This is where the cross becomes all important. In the cross I am reminded I have no right to be offended. Now of course just because I don’t have the right doesn’t mean I cannot do it, it just means I do not have the right. I do not have the right, because when the one Man who would have every right to be offended had His opportunity to be offended His response spoke of forgiveness. His response spoke of mercy. His response spoke of reconciliation proving once and for all that love conquers all. I am a recipient of that love because if anyone has the right to be offended He does every time I betray Him in sinning. Every time I hurt the relationship in the betrayal of sin and self-seeking rather than honouring the relationship we have. He has the right to be offended, but He continues to express those same traits of mercy, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Not only does He express it, but then He enables me to be able to express that to those who have wronged me. Despite my efforts at justifying holding a grudge and staying offended, despite me having the file that shows how right I am and how wrong they are, in the name of love I have to destroy that file and rather look to retrieve whatever I can from the relationship. What is more important my sense of being right or my sense of restoring relationship?

This is not about excusing wrong or failing to challenge dangerous behaviour. What it is about is choosing moments to help people grow and doing it from a position of mercy and grace rather than the heavy-high-handed position of piety that it’s easy to take especially when I’ve been bruised and hurt.

Now this takes time, the hurts are real, the pain is great, but God’s grace and forgiveness of me is greater. There is nothing that any individual could do to me that the accumulated sins of humanity could do to the Son of God and what I do in sinning. Releasing them in forgiveness works in a smaller way to the effect Jesus gives all the time in being true to His promise that if I confess He is faithful to forgive and cleanse. Now even if the wounding party is oblivious to their position, it is my responsibility to follow the Way of the Master.

It is a responsibility I am able to exercise only because the Son has given His Spirit and as I am filled with Him, I am able to exercise His gifts and produce His fruit of which are qualities that give no room for such bitter, negative things as keeping offense. That is thus the prayer I have as God shines His light in my character and replaces the dross with His Son’s righteousness and takes me along the paths of character formation that reflects His own.

In all this the truth is, Jesus loves me and that’s all that matters.

(See also Matthew 18:21-35)

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Da World Of Sport With Da Man CD

Dear Liverpool – Please Relieve Rafa of his Responsibilities

That’s just about it. Liverpool dumped out of the Cup at home by a team with the worst away record in the Championship. Once upon a time a result like that would cost a manager his job eventually. It’s not as though it’s his first season and he doesn’t know the game. It’s not as though he doesn’t have the players. It’s not as though he doesn’t have the team. I really think some of the supporters who are having a go at the owners are missing the point big time. Pitch performances have nothing to do with the owners, it’s down to the players and the management. It has been evident for a number of months as well as over his tenure that Mr. Benitez has not quite grasped what it takes to make a successful football team in the English Premiership. He cannot complain about lack of funds or support. He is being churlish to expect support after the boardroom issues this season.

It has been rather similar to Chelsea’s traumas last season which helped Jose Mourinho on his way out. The difference here is at least Chelsea stayed in contention and remained competitive. This Liverpool side have looked pathetic for quite some time and the Barnsley result is not surprising. I’m not bothered about the Champions League, I hope we’re beat there as well so that the best thing for the club can take place and to ensure some level of stability we sack Benitez perhaps in the summer (although his position is untenable if we’re knocked out now). The issue isn’t the owners, I don’t care if it’s DIC, Hicks/Gillett, Mothercare or the Gang From Why Don’t You – the issue is management.

A bit like the Houllier syndrome we like to give the brother a go and see what he can achieve. Four seasons, a Champions League, an FA Cup, some other irrelevant trinkets, league places – 5th, 3rd and 3rd and this season is a struggle to finish in the top four. Not once in his time at the club has there been a serious challenge for the Premiership and even Arsenal have afforded the odd season out of contention to come back in again the following one. There’s just been no excuse for what at the end of the day has been a lack of progress in the club. I don’t buy the concept that the brother needs more time having bought new players in to see them grow, cos you need to see them grow in a team capable of challenging for the trophies. That he has not created such a scenario in the four seasons of his time there is an indictment on his time at the club which must be appropriately dealt with.

Who to succeed him? Dunno. It’s not patently obvious, but whoever does succeed will need to be given the three seasons to establish his mark on the team. At the end of the day on paper we have a squad of players that should be doing a lot better than it is, if we get the right guy and he knows the Premiership score (i.e. not another ‘he did well in the French/Spanish/Italian/Iranian league surely he can do a job here!’) there’s no reason why we cannot put in a good effort next season and build on some of the positive stuff Rafa has done. Of course that’s what we should do. What we will do is probably give Mr. Benitez more rope with which to hang himself and the club and if he does quit rather than get sacked we’ll be more attracted by the lustre of another top continental coach or worse an unproven former national coach and perpetuate the folly of false horizons we’ve endured over the last eight seasons or so.

Dear Athletics Community – Get A Grip And Learn To Forgive

From a wrong that needs to be righted to another situation of patently wrong treatment. In my mini-God-chat segment at the latest awesome comedy workshop we have here on Thursday afternoons I mentioned the Dwain Chambers scenario. The media coverage of it and the sentiments that have been coming from the athletics community has been rather sanctimonious. Don’t get me wrong, Chambers evidently is not portraying himself in the best light either, but he doesn’t have much choice as he has been condemned already. If I have this right a guy is caught bang to rights using banned substances to gain an unfair advantage in a sport. A punishment is handed down for a sentence he must serve. He completes the sentence and returns to the sport but is treated like a pariah based on comments made in May 2007 about the place drugs has in the sport and an apparent flippant attitude to the issue. Not only that but because of the disrepute it puts on the sport it is seen almost as if it’s the unforgivable sin – to err is human to cheat is blasphemy.

Reading this article also gave an interesting perspective on the attitude that others take on the issue. What was really insightful was the guy who basically said he used to think that people deserved a second chance but has since changed his mind. It’s a similar stigma that’s attached to convicts looking for a job it is as if they are forever tagged and labelled for the crime. You were a thief, there’s no way I could ever trust you to be reformed and able to be a faithful banker. You were locked up for violence, there’s no way I could ever trust you to be reformed and able to work in security. Now from a worldly perspective this is the idea of being just, after all a leopard never changes its spots – once a criminal always a criminal. To an extent from a theological perspective it can be an attitude we have to non-believers – once a sinner, always a sinner. Thus they can never be trusted to do anything of any merit and should be shunned.

The problem with this attitude if taken to its natural conclusion is that we’ll never trust anyone. Tell me Dame Kelly Holmes, to pick a critic from the pack, has not made a serious mistake. Well why hasn’t she been black-listed from participating in any relational event as a result? What makes ‘the sport’ so sacred, hallowed and different to the rest of life? It’s more or less a professional industry now isn’t it? The reality is that it’s prone to people looking to do what it takes to cash in on what’s available by whatever means necessary and if you can get away with it …

I think it’s exactly this kind of sanctimonious, holier than thou attitude that Jesus addresses in Matthew 7:1. A key aspect of Christian ethos, for me, is to believe the best in a person (rejoicing in God’s image) and address any faults with the desire to build someone by bringing them to Christ, not knock them by banging on about how their faults disqualifies them. That means rather than condemning and writing off someone as a no-hoper, by the grace of God we discern the best course of action to restore someone to the fullness of what they’re called to be. We are not quick to shun someone from community on the basis of a fault but do what we can for the integrity of the community to find routes to restoration of the individual and the collective. If one part hurts we all hurt and look to address the hurt rather than alienate and ostracise someone. Of course there are times where for the health of the community and integrity of the mission someone will have to be excommunicated – but that comes after a thorough-going process of appealing to the party in question to repent and be restored. In other words the attitude truly has to be one of arrogance and rebellion for it to merit that final step of separation.

That blatantly is not the case with this scenario concerning Chambers which only highlights how different a Christian response to the incident should be than the self-righteous stance of the athletics community. Not to say that this Christian response is the reality, but it’s what I read in my Bible and I get the impression it’s at the heart of what a loving Christ-like community is all about – correcting, rebuking, disciplining for the sake of restoration, reconciliation and wholeness.

Now if you think there’s a disparity between my take on the Chambers issue and the Benitez catastrophe I hope it’s clear where the difference is. We’re called to make judgements every day and those have to be based on principles of what’s the best in every situation. I think it’s been right to give Rafa four seasons to see if he can bring the club closer to the Premiership. I think it’s evident that he’s unable to do so and there are no signs of promise that ‘given more time’ he’ll crack it and allow the captain from Anfield to parade the trophy before the long-suffering faithful. So it’s in the best interests of the Liverpool Football Club community to relieve the brother of the responsibility and give someone else a go. With Chambers, you’ve given the brother a punishment for a crime, he’s done his time and the brother is not even given a chance to prove himself which is patently wrong.

Oh by the way, for the sake of my mate, Ray Feeney, I congratulate the Potters on their current good run of form that sees them at the top of the Championship. I live in Stoke City (actually in Stoke itself, so there) and can see some benefits in the team doing well. I don’t necessarily subscribe to the hyper-materialist approach of financial and economic prosperity as a sign of God’s blessing, but I rejoice nonetheless with my mate in the side’s current success.

Anyhow, it’s not often I get to blog at this length so I’ll savour the moment and wish you well.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Daily Thoughts - I Know A Man Who Can

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. (Luke 23:24)

It’s easy to say forgive people and even pray for your enemies, but it’s harder to do it. Many of us have suffered because our inhumanity to each other – abuse, neglect, prejudice, and discrimination to various degrees makes it hard for us to love, let alone forgive. Jesus however is in the prime position to promote forgiveness, because He experienced all of these and more even to the point of death by the cruellest method possible. Yet even as he suffered in agony, His concern was to express this amazing grace to those who put Him through such misery. So as we learn to forgive and go through the process of forgiveness, in all its difficulty we’re given an opportunity to do it because, like those AA adverts, we know a Man who can. Like the motor vehicle service, when we breakdown due to hurts, betrayal and abuse He is able to take it on for us and allow us to recover so we can make progress in life without carrying the heavy weight of unforgiveness in our hearts.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

More About Me & Worship Yesterday and Today

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."-- 1Jo_1:8-9.

This particular scripture means a whole heap to me after the year I’ve endured. It’s not always easy to accept this, especially when you feel you’ve messed up worst than anything, but it’s the truth and gives me the courage to get on with life. Not only that, it allows me to stop before giving someone else a hard time for whatever messes they’ve caused. It’s a word I seriously need in life.

So it’s the second entry and I’m still at this writing caper. Oh what a life.

Thinking about this blog business and the whole business of writing and expressing and such like, I believe it’s important for people to get an idea of the context of the writing. So I shall endeavour to give you some idea of the person who’s writing, where I come from, etc. etc.

As you may have noted the wife has seen this blog so if I had any ideas of world domination without her knowing – that’s out of the way now. (Drats and double drats as on D. Dastardly once put it.)

The wife and I have just finished watching Liverpool play in the World Club Championship in Japan. It’s the semi-final and the Reds won comfortably – 3-0, establishing a new clean sheet record of I believe 10 games. I’m a Liverpool supporter and have been for years now, so it was most delightful to see the Mighty Reds cruise into the final with such a smooth and truly professional performance. I love football and indeed at one point I used to worship the game with posters on the wall and accumulating magazines and football comics by the heap. Then I had an encounter with Jesus Christ that changed my life priorities completely, so thankfully I have a better perspective on life. That of course doesn’t mean I stop with the football but I don’t worship it, which is more than can be said for the fanatics. Brief research found that the trip to watch Liverpool play at the International Stadium would have cost something in the region of £1500 that includes ticket price, hotel, travel, etc.

Now I love football but do you think I’m going to spend £1500 just to watch a couple of football matches? Yet there you go for being a true fan – all you love is the team, all you worship is the team, you’ll put yourself in debt just to support the cause. What’s it all worth though? Is it worth getting that much into debt and your family suffering for that? Sometimes reading the cost for watching football matches and the other things that come with being a fan I wonder if it really is worth it? It’s questions like that which got me interested in philosophy and also got me really involved in those big dark looming questions like WHY ARE WE HERE? And WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE? And the real chestnut WHY HAS NO ONE BANNED CHEESE? At the end of the day though some questions just cannot be answered – like that last one. Yet when I see people invest so much money in those things football, music, clothes, clubbing and that – remember it’s not just the money you invest, the time, the commitment, the mental energy, the physical input. When I see all that, it’s evident that people were created to worship. It just seems inevitable to me. As Mastercard put it

Flight to Japan - £500

Accommodation - £250

Match Tickets - £50

Half-time Grub - £15

Liverpool winning comfortably and watching it with friends – PRICELESS

(NOTE: Divorce, loan repayments, separation from children, increased stress, sad life may also be included in the price.)

That should do it for now. If there are any other insights I receive, I’ll let you know.

l8r

da man cd