You Don't Have To Roll The Old Chariot Along

I had one of those trains of thought lately that you don’t ignore because it gets you thinking about something that you often take for granted. OK, you may not being the ever observant, considered and thoughtful person you are, but until I grow up to be just like you, I’m left with these occurrences.

Who was the writer who put together the song Roll The Old Chariot Along? (We sang it differently, but then that’s to be expected, we’re always different we are.) I’d like to know what on earth was going on in his head. I know my parents’ era loved that kind of song. I can still see it now in a typical service where people get all emotional and high on the song, obviously with the appropriate beat and musical accompaniment. Given the right atmosphere some people may get all carried away ‘in the Spirit’ with the thought of rolling it over him.

Has anyone checked the lyrics to that song, though? I mean really, what on earth is the old chariot? Why can’t we look behind? Who wants to roll an old chariot along? What’s in the chariot that makes it so special? Where is the liberty given to use the vehicle as a weapon of demonic aggression?

What do you expect to do in rolling it over the devil? You ever noticed how Jesus engaged with demons by expelling them from whomever they were inhabiting, but you’ll notice he doesn’t destroy them. You’ll also notice the complete removal and destruction of the forces of evil is scheduled for the end of time. Our engagement and encounter with the aforementioned forces of evil is one in which by the power of the name of Jesus we are able to overcome evil with good and victory is enjoyed when we do that good and then the enemy is obligated under spiritual protocol to do a runner having met his match with the Creator of the known and unknown universe. You’ll notice that the running over of those opposed to the venture of discipleship with an aged chariot is nowhere prescribed.

That would be bad enough, but then to go as far as to promote the use of such vehicular violence on people opposed to your forward progression is surely irresponsible and may be a subliminal support to the enjoyment of games such as Grand Theft Auto.

Here the new generation could give new lyrics to the traditional favourite. Here it is the case of speed the latest pimped up ride to the location of choice and rather than rolling it over the opposition proceed to use souped up weaponry to dispose of any who are likely to prevent that progressive propulsion.

Of course with the local law enforcement officers in hot pursuit the advice to never look behind may indeed prove to be ill-chosen if the constabulary happen to be right on the rear and about to exercise their duties in placing you under arrest.

The song may have worked for the militant civil-rights, establishing our place on the planet strongly generation, but those of us who actually want to be peace-makers and realise that the only violence required for that is to forcefully enter the Kingdom then such as song really is unnecessary and actually pointless.

If you’ve read this and you’re wondering with that quizzical look if this guy’s for real welcome to one of my regular trains of thought that takes you to destinations you don’t know through some stations that make sense and some that do not. There’s enough to be getting on with, so make of it what you will.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Thomas Teaches Me Lessons for Life

So God has only gone and done it again. You may recall my whole bit on Balamory where God taught some valuable lessons by getting me engrossed in the weird aspects of the television my daughters watch. (You got to remember PC Plum, Suzie Sweet, Josie Jump and the rest, don’t forget that wonderful opening.) Well recently He did it again.

Now I’d retired to my bedroom after 2:30am so I was more than prepared to have to slowly drowsily get out of bed some six hours later and then get my carcass to get washed and the other stuff in preparation to make my way to work possibly getting here well past 10am in line with the recent state of events. However in the morning the wife got me out of slumbers a lot quicker than scheduled to get me to get the bin out ready for collection. If I was really still that asleep it would have been a grouchy experience, but for some reason I was just of a determined mind to just get the bin out and then get myself ready for work already. Much to my surprise it was only 8am so I’d barely had five hours sleep! Who would have thought?

In any case I get the personal hygiene stuff sorted and am just about to set off. The daughters had also rose and shone pretty early and had made their way downstairs to watch the television. In the absence of proper channels they were stuck with Channel Five. (God must love us to show us something even through Channel Five.) There was a bubbly black female presenter on, so that caught my attention straight away, what with the Josie Jump character and the Floella Benjamin standard it’s as though black female children’s presenters only come in one type. So after she did her spot – and let’s face it you have to be on something to present like that at that hour of the day – she led into a golden oldie.

Now at that time I could have still left and gone to work, but as usual something got my attention. I loved Thomas the Tank Engine. Not a huge favourite back in the day but a distinct favourite all the same. I would sit through an episode in waiting for the programme I wanted to watch afterwards back in the day. As with a lot of programmes from back in the day, one of the attractive, memorable features of the programme was the theme tune – a jaunty melancholy and upbeat track at the same time. That seemed to fit the whole Ringo narrating bit to a tee.

When I caught this latest manifestation of the programme what should hit my ears but a new theme. Now you know I’m getting old when I make a big deal of a new theme. What’s in a new theme – it’s for a new audience, Abigail and Deborah have absolutely no idea about Thomas from the old days and they are not bothered either. Oh but it bothers me, so I give the new theme a hearing heavily critical of the fact that they’ve besmirched me programme with a frivolity of a new track. (Geddit? Thomas the Tank Engine? New track? New track, eh? Geddit?)

I eventually gave the new theme a pass – it was not a gross transgression of human rights, what didn’t help though was the fact that the feel of the programme was the same as the old especially in retaining Ringo as the narrator. That was a minor issue, however, as I stuck around to catch what was going on with Thomas and Friends on this occasion.

Percy (the green one for those who know … and for those who don’t know), was getting late and got a berating from his driver for being late far too often. On returning to the shed where he rests he overheard his driver and the Fat Controller having a chat and hear FC mention the fact that the next day he’d be sending Percy to the scrap heap. Hearing this sent Percy into a state of heightened anxiety and a sleepless night. No word of assurance from Thomas in the morning could help.

So with renewed haste, Percy tackled the new day looking to hurry to get things done. As a result of his haste he was in too much of a hurry to ensure some pipes were secured to his carriages and at the speed he was travelling they fell off and onto other rail tracks unbeknownst to him. Then he had to transport some hot sticky tar and although he was told to take care in transporting it, his rush caused him to go far to quickly ending up with him colliding the tar slap bang into Gordon (the tubbier blue one for those who know … and for those who don’t know) spilling the contents all over the brother. Obviously not best pleased Gordon said that FC would hear about this which sent the already anxious Percy over the top and so he did a runner. (I wonder the rail equivalent is of a runner?)

As FC on Thomas came looking for Percy after being informed by Gordon of the accident, Thom informs FC that Percy might be making an effort because of hearing what he had to say about the scrap heap. FC immediately asks all the trains to go on the look out for Percy as there had been a terrible misunderstanding. Having done a runner, however, the trains had a difficult time tracking him down. (Geddit? Thomas the Tank Engine? Tracking him down? Tracking him, eh? Geddit? Hold on have we been here before? Don’t suppose there’s any chance of me back-tracking? Geddit? etc.) Then because the programme’s named after him, Thomas has a bright idea of where Percy might be hiding and so goes to the secret location – alright it’s hardly that secret if someone else knows about it, but you get me, the hiding place.

Once at the hiding place where they see a fretting Percy awaiting his fate, FC gives Percy the fuller picture that in actuality he understood that the reason for Percy’s lateness was because he was working too hard. So all he’d said about the scrap bit was to get some stuff down there, then after doing that he could chill and just do the mail run for the rest of the week and relax. Having received this glad tidings and being relieved of the worry of being scrapped, Percy goes about his business (or leisure, if you like) resolving never to get caught up in following silly stories, especially ones made up by himself.

God’s grace says that it’s not because of anything we have done or that we can do that earns us favour with God. Indeed our best efforts at the right thing fall way short of His standards. Paul has that graphic way of conveying the sentiment with filthy rags, which apparently if we read the Greek wasn’t referring to the messy dish-cloths in the kitchen but something else, that women dispose themselves of on a cyclical basis. So our relationship with God is all grace – we are who we are because of grace, so there’s no need to struggle under the weight of legalism, perfectionism and the demands of others be it society, peer-group, media, church, work or whatever. Jesus’ invitation to come to Him and experience rest as we learn of Him is one in which we truly discover what it is to work, rest and play without the weight of the world on our shoulders.

What particularly gripped me though was how the episode reminded me of a particular theme I’m on in personal application on context, content, concept and conclusion. Percy’s actions (or conclusions) were based on a faulty understanding (concept). Not taking the time out to take on board Thom’s assurance which gave the wider context in which his actions were to be viewed, Percy chose to act on those wrong conclusions and thus ended up in a sticky situation. (By the way if you’re looking for an article without puns, I’m sure you’d have gathered by now you’re on the wrong track. Geddit? etc.)

A lot of us are coping, dealing, enduring, living with bad conclusions because of the inability to follow the principle of getting the context, content and concept right so we can get the right conclusion. One of those is me. This is why crucial decisions for the future have to be made wisely because in this season of emerging from the shadows it will call for applying that process in new ways that stretch my faith but does make it clear that my intentions are to follow Jesus Christ in the call in which He has called me, rather than being a man-pleaser.

Whilst reflecting on this truth on the journey walking to work it struck me again in the light of the story of the Prodigal Father how both sons had blatantly got their dad all wrong based on either licentiousness or legalism – wrong concepts leading to wrong conclusions and thus how it is important for us to reflect again consciously the context of the relationship with God. It’s initiated by God for the glory of God founded on reflecting His image on the earth those key characteristics of holiness and love to rightly manage that which He has entrusted to us. There’s no pressure as it were to produce.

The initial plan was for it to be a delight to produce and the fullest expression of humanity, but there’s nothing like rebellion to get in the way of that spoiling everything and never allowing us to get a grip on the content and concepts of that which we live. So we’re messing up conclusions all over the shop. We see wrong conclusions with God from atheism and secularism to idolatry and false religions; we see wrong conclusions with others – in abusive relationships of all hues and colours; we see wrong conclusions about our world – manifest in exploitation, manipulation, corruption, pollution and devastation of ecosystems and resources given to replenish the earth.

On the one hand it’s so obvious and on the other it is such an impossible cycle to break especially from the understanding that our rebellion against God is in our system – it is a part of our Adamic nature. That’s what makes this old story in the Bible so compelling – it’s the bigger picture issues – where we’re coming from – what is the context. The bigger picture helps us to make sense of the smaller picture – that’s why context is so important in reading our Bible and reading our lives and the lives of those around us. That context is not about doom and gloom alone it is one of hope, restoration, reconciliation and joy in new life in Christ that sees us re-establishing union with God in Christ.

We are then journeying towards the great day of the culmination of all things and the resplendent manifestation of the eternal kingdom wherein all is right with the world made new. That impacts how we do what we do in all of life now.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
dmcd

You Ever Get Those Times When ...

You ever get those times when with the best will in the world you want to do something. Your mind’s made up and you won’t turn back. You’re set. It’s going to happen. Let’s get this thing going.

Well such spirit led enthusiasm bubbled up within me as the month of June dawned and I was set to blog every day of the month in a bid to get me writing discipline together and to finally share that fasting series that I’ve been meaning to do since April!

So there I am with the best will in the world and what happens? Well doesn’t the router at home just go all coco-pops leaving me with the only net access at work. Then the work access is a bit mixed up. Then work actually picks up to the stage that there’s no open opportunity to actually post the many thoughts and the like online. Still I have endeavoured to write some notes and so this blog entry will serve as a bit of an outlet for some of the thoughts etc. that’s been crack-a-lacking with me over the time since the start of the month til now. It will involve links to other things as well, so by all means go ahead and check those. But this is a sharply edited version of that which you would have received had circumstances not conspired to thwart the BEST WILL IN THE WORLD.

So here we go.

June 3 - So I was reflecting today on the things about life and thinking about pleasing God in everything. This is part of a deeper reflection and contemplation on the Beatitudes and the kind of characteristic that Jesus says is part of His deal in being Kingdom people. Reminded of the part about being meek and the natural follow on in terms of hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Now Proverbs 16:7 informs me that when a man’s ways please the Lord he makes even his enemies at peace with him. Then in Proverbs 3:5, 6 I’m also told trust God with all my heart and acknowledge Him in all my ways. There’s got to be a link there somewhere and that’s got to be related to the concept of God wanting all of us so that all our ways are pleasing to Him which requires all of my ways being committed to Him. That means my family way, my church way, my work way, my leisure way, my toilet way, all of my ways – all of the routes of life I choose to take as time goes on, all of it needs to be committed to God and following that I can then be assured that even those who oppose will not have an issue with me because the way as directed by God will only be right – that is right by God.

June 4 - Psalm 146

June 5 - Now I don’t agree with everything Rob Bell does or says. Anyone who’s been around me long enough will know that I’m at least wary of his take on Christianity as potentially a cop out to liberalism by another means. What I cannot deny however is that this homey is a Jesus-lover which will do me. Now check this clip out and really take on board what the brother is saying. Then as you take it on you may be in a prayer meeting like I was and after a night like I had last night where I was really wrangling with God about the reality that I want to love the things He loves and hate the things He hates. And in this prayer meeting this connection of living in the light of who God is and living by the Spirit means having a passion for the things He has means taking seriously the fact that EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL. Paul goes onto say that even in the basic activity of eating that it should be done to the glory of God – i.e. it’s a spiritual act. Then he’ll go onto challenge us to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable – this activity, i.e. ensuring everything is put to God is our reasonable profession of worship. Wowsers – that means everything is spiritual. That means the magazine I read, the television programmes I watch, the web-sites I visit, the hobbies I have, the conversations I engage with, the thoughts I dwell on, the money I spend, the music I listen to, the time I spend … there is no part of my life that is exempt from God’s analysis of whether it’s pleasing to Him or not. Now that’s not meant to be a burden or a horror, because if you’re living by the Spirit the Christ-consciousness that follows surely makes it a stimulating challenge to overcome what we want to do by sinful nature to do what God would want in our Christ-nature. When we get into it and really enjoy the ride of being in the Presence constantly, acknowledging Him in everything, experiencing fullness of joy and being lead along paths of righteousness for His Name’s Sake then we realise there’s no better way to live – as in if we live the Beatitudes we’ll realise there is no better way to live. And that means our mentality all the time has to be – EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL.

June 6 – As the songs were playing it focussed me on the centrality of Christ in what we do – how what we do is based solely on Jesus’ blood and righteousness. The first song that played was the Gaither Homecoming version of Worthy Is The Lamb which sent me to Revelations 5 which covers the event and when read with chapter 4 before it, this text becomes even more encouraging as we see the new song made in praise and adoration of the Lamb who slain. It makes a mockery of the term ‘slain in the Spirit’ when we consider what it was for the Lamb to be slain and as a result it’s reasonable that we give Christ everything. So the list reflected a lot about Christ is the priority of what we do – how He is the prize, the goal, the motivator, the source of strength and the power that lives within that enables us to do all we can to magnify His name and proclaim for others to share in the same experience of just how great He is and how our souls were filled with joy after He touched us and made us whole.

June 8 - So yeah, again, God is using the timeless truths in the lyrics of songs I recall from my childhood to draw me closer to Him again, proving the benefit of growing up on healthy songs. That’s the reason why I’d be a bit concerned if all the daughters were getting in the system was Iggle-Piggle and Makka-Pakka. I’ll surround them with more good stuff that I had growing up and indeed when they grow old they will not depart from it.

June 10 - 117 Dumb Statements: God helps those who help themselves. What a load of baloney I mean when you check the first beatitude you’re stuffed right there. God is evidently rewarding those who are in no position to help themselves due to their abject poverty in being able to do so in the first place.

June 11 - Good quote on the importance of doctrine and theology.

June 13 - Inspirational YouTube link for the day – the longer I serve Him the sweeter He goes.

June 17 - Trust me as a teacher my heart’s desire is to be a good teacher for God and be able to put together ministries with opportunities like John Piper’s at Desiring God – this looks exciting and gets to the heart of the issue of loving God, loving His Word and loving seeing people connect with all that.

This project might be interesting especially in the light of someone else we know doing a series on Psalms as well. Oh ho good stuff for da man cd! Linked to that it’s worthwhile checking what’s going at the blog project itself.

I wanna get this – it’s really good stuff.

Indeed let’s get it on UFC style with Jacob and Esau

Kirk Franklin Song Chains – in terms of the ministry of seeing people who are captive set free, this is a more than appropriate songs!

Now for all that there is no guarantee that there will be more on the way, but at least you have an idea of some of the things that is going on in the head of ur man cd.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Update on the life of Da Man CD

Oh February! Where did January go? What is this with all the YouTube posts this isn’t Among Friends is it? Where is all the original writing from me? Fear not I am committed to doing even more original thoughts and views from the head of da man cd. January was such an odd month, so many good intentions as 2008 began. However, I’m not so much into New Year’s Resolutions as I am into new day’s resolutions. I figure that really looking to be something for the rest of my life or for the rest of the year or whenever is a bit ambitious on my part so I’d better deal with something a bit more manageable, like a day.

Having said that, there are some decisions I’ve made that will have an impact on this blog. For example, you may have noted that I’ve used this blog to post some of my Daily Thoughts. For more information about what that’s all about you can click here. It’s a blessing to be able to put these thoughts together and publish them. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that this blog is really the place for extended thought that’s as original and personal as possible even if it’s just links to other materials. As a result I’ll only post links perhaps to the odd special DT entry from time to time. Daily Thoughts is primarily an outlet of my work for the YMCA, so it makes sense that you can read it on the YMCA web-site. DT, though, is also circulated by e-mail, in fact that’s how it started off, so if you’d like to receive the thoughts by e-mail send me an e-mail (wow, that word three times in a sentence, really slack n it?) and I’ll happily add you to the list.

As a personal blog it’s perhaps helpful to know a bit about me from time to time. This be one of those times, so appreciate it! I’m enjoying and enduring the challenges of me job at YMCA (I would tell you what I do, but why do that when you can find out here?) The reality of a wise saying keeps me going, that being ‘the job will kill you, the calling will fulfil you’. As yet despite the pressure at times I’m not dead and actually there have been a number of things that’s happened that’s really been fulfilling in more ways than one. It is not all a bed of roses, but there are enough bright moments that makes the job worthwhile.

Church is interesting at the moment. I would say we’re in a transition stage, but then I get the impression we’re always in a transition stage. This particular stage is somewhat conflicting. In the sense that there is a clear direction of where we’re going and how we’re growing and in principle overall I’m fine with that. Then we get to some of the detail and nuances and that’s where in some cases I’m somewhat reserved. That’s all down to me personality though, so I acknowledge the issue with that and we’ll just have to see how God allows me to navigate those areas. The fellowship is growing even in terms of visitors, activities and the such like. We’re busier than ever and the pace is about to pick up so by all means check here for more details, or check the Facebook group.

I teach my daughters to pray and as a result Deborah is more than apt at praying for anything and everything. Apparently at one point she prayed not only for the fart, but for the pardon me as well, which is a clear sign of God’s goodness to me. Today it’s the fart, tomorrow it’s praying for people suffering across the world. So as the teaching bit is straightforward I think its worthwhile giving God thanks.

“Dear Lord, thank you for food. Thank you that I am a vegan. Thank you for Linda McCartney. Thank you for her contribution to the non-meat eating community. Thank you that her husband wasn’t the only blessing to the world. Thank you for her country pies. Thank you that they taste awesome. Dear Lord. Help me to be more grateful for the great food that you give me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”

Take care of yourself, get to know Christ more and I’ll write back soon.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

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

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 - 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