Jesus My Motivation

Being a follower of Christ is not an automatic daily trek. There are elements of discipline to it and there are routines that help to build healthy habits once they are firmly embedded in life. For all that, though, because this is a journey and an ongoing progress there is always something to challenge us and make us think about where we’re going and how we’re going to get there.

It is another superb Sabbath evening, though it be raining outside, and I’m grateful to God for so many wonderful blessings over another challenging week.

Today I was at the Beacon House of Prayer, a place to which I regularly take a group of people from the YMCA to explore faith in a bit more detail or just to relax and find some peaceful, prayerful, meditative experiences. There is an angel at the Beacon who faithfully every Friday gives me a bag of fruit. Today she gave TWO bags of fruit to me! Ode to joy. Now you may recall, if you’ve read your bible, there’s the episode where the spies go into the promised land to check it out and come back with some large bounty. Well, let me tell you, the grapes in today’s bag of fruit was perhaps as big as the bounty they brought! My goodness they were large grapes for which I am truly grapeful, as are the rest of my people who will share in the bounty!

Anyway, as I sit enjoying the Sabbath evening in the knowledge that my family are likewise chilling in various parts of the home, I’m watching a television adaptation of Pilgrim’s Progress called Dangerous Journey. It looks like it was produced quite a while ago by Yorkshire Television, but it’s a fascinating watch. I’m on about the third episode where Christian meets Formalist and Hypocrisy.

Now I’m aware that one of the standards of a true believer that as well as the Bible, you’re meant to have read Pilgrim’s Progress. Alas I have not read it. I think my dad had a copy at home, but I don’t recall ever picking it up. Indeed I’ve never even picked it up to see if I wanted to read, let alone read it. So although I’ve heard references to it and the like, this is the first time I’ve actually tackled the book, even if it’s a television adaptation, that I’m watching on YouTube (now talk about crossing the media over the years). Now by television adaptation it is one of those illustrated stories with a narrator talking over the pictures. It still makes for good viewing.

Watching it reminds me of some of the challenges I’ve experienced today. In the story so far, what’s apparent is that Christian’s journey only continues when he’s reminded of his motivation – why he is doing what he is doing. I find it really difficult to motivate myself sometimes. Indeed, to be fair, often on my life’s journey self-motivation has been a huge issue. It has not been too encouraging to be reminded of this weakness in none too constructive a manner, which can be the tactic of some. On reflection, however, with no desire to appear to have cracked the subject, there has been clear indication that there have been a number of victories in the department. So as I grapple with the motivation issue, I am reminded of the key to success in these struggles.

That key is simple, remember Christ. Now that in itself is a fairly monumental piece of advice, because it is the equivalent to remember the Encyclopaedia Britannica times infinity. Not just the miraculous birth, the parables, the miracles, the teaching, the agony, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension and promised return, but even more – His very character, His role in the Old Testament, His role in the post apostolic era.

Thinking about Him as my motivation does not get rid of the circumstances that affected me in the first place. Indeed in some cases those circumstances persist and become at times rather more aggravating. What the focus does, however, is remind me of the journey that I am on and the goal that I seek, the One whom I profess to love and devote my life. Sometimes even stopping and engaging in some of the information about who He is can actually make thankful for the trouble in the first place, because it gave such an opportunity to be reminded of such a great Saviour.

I remember seeing some people spoof the acting profession and say a phrase to the director ‘where’s my motivation’. It’s not always apparent in the middle of trying times and difficult decisions, but my motivation remains ever present, always reminding me that He intends to stay that way to the very end. That He is all my sufficiency and as long as I keep my eyes on Him and my mind stayed on Him, then progress will be made for this pilgrim.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Seeking First: Me First vs. Andrews/Aspel

I don’t know if you’ve seen this video before, it doesn’t matter if you have or not I still chuckle at it primarily because it’s funny and also because it’s true. It is tragic that we can go from singing a song like the one linked here to immediately looking at things in a way that suggests that the heart of worship is more about me than it is about Jesus.

It’s not to say thinking about self is wrong – it’s natural, it’s understandable, it’s healthy at times to be aware of the way we’re put together. The natural tendency in one expression or another, however, is where we think Me First. What about me? What about what I want? What about my self-esteem? What about how I feel? How will I come out of this? What’s in it for me?

This is the greatest lie the enemy gave to the first couple back in the garden that they would be like gods and ever since then we’ve done a tremendous job of ascending to the throne of all-importance. We are all there is to know and we’re glad if other people would recognise that as well. We may display it in explicitly selfish ambitious mannerisms or couch it in subtle areas of service done with the hope of recognition and ego feeding. Either way especially with help from a culture and mentality that is implicitly about the deity of humanity Me First has been the predominant culture since time began.

It’s worth sharing the problem with this. The problem is that this approach gets everything horribly wrong. By everything I am of course referring to the concept of nothing being missed in considering what is included. Relationships, health, you name it, it is all ruined by this approach. It’s ruined because we were created as worshipping beings who do not find our fulfilment in self worship, even if that is the default setting of sin expressed through pride and fear.

The irony persists that if we’re really looking to our best interests we’ll need to stop worshipping self and worship the Creator. To get the best for self, requires the death of self. This of course is counter-intuitive, counter-productive in the eyes of many and also counter-cultural. This is not a subtle nudge and wink deal to get back into self-worship, this is a proper full on dying to self to rise again in a new life. That cannot be done by effort of will, but requires outside help from the inside!

Whilst thinking about these issues again I was reminded about one of my favourite programmes growing up This Is Your Life. What I enjoyed about the programme that was in the UK hosted by Eamon Andrews and then Michael Aspel was the format of the host appearing to surprise the special guest and then dedicating the next half-hour to outlining aspects of that guest’s life. No focus on the host, no spotlight on him at all, all focus on the guest.

One of my favourite parts of the programme, though, was at the end when as a special someone was reconnected with the special guest Andrews or Aspel would close the special red book and intone those immortal words following the name of the special guest – ‘This is Your Life’. The theme tune would strike as applause was given and the special guest is prompted by Andrews/Aspel to the front where the special guest takes centre stage and focus of attention as all the other guests who have come to celebrate him/her flock around to continue applauding, in the meantime Andrews/Aspel inauspiciously slips into the background job done and not needing anything in the way of kudos or recognition. It is as if the mere act of highlighting the life of the special guest suffices to give him enough joy. See the end of this clip to see what I mean.

That modus operandi resonated deeply with me for two reasons. One of those two is linked with the following section of scripture

John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:27-30)

Earlier on in this section John’s disciples share their concern that this new upstart baptising all over the shop. John’s response noted here doesn’t quite reflect what the attitude of some of us might be. Let’s look at it this way, you’ve been baptising so regularly you’ve coined a surname after the art. Now someone else appears to muscling in on the territory not only that but he appears to be pulling all the punters. What’s even worse is that you’ve baptised the brother yourself. Now sure he can carry on with the success but where’s your kudos, where’s your royalties, where’s the respect, where’s your time to shine?

Here, however, John appears to be the original Andrews/Aspel. He is not just singing a sweet song and then being selfish (although he’ll have some reservations when he’s banged up). The brother appears to be saying that even his own ‘success’ is heaven-directed. Greater still, John establishes that his role in the larger scheme of things is to rejoice in the presence of the big deal – when you know you’re the warm-up act then you’re in a position to do just that, not seek the main act status. You realise that you’ll be doing well if the audience are prepped and ready for the big deal.

My dad never made a fuss about stuff, he was more than content to do what was asked of him in ensuring the big deal ran smoothly. He lived out the Andrews/Aspel modus operandi never seeking credit but looking to pass anything he got onto the big deal. Never insecure if others got kudos or attention, he just plugged away diligently at his roles and did it with joy. That kind of attitude got its own reward openly in other people noting it especially when he had to move on. He knows however that he does not primarily do it for that, appreciated though it is, his joy is experienced by seeing Jesus alive in others.

So to the second reason why it resonates with me. It resonates because the great challenge in seeking God first is to be aware of my role in the greater scheme of things. We are all called to live in a way that screams, whispers, chuckles, cries and communicates that the big deal is the big deal and This Is His Life. Every success, every failing, every part of our life is not about me at all. From the first step on the journey to our last breathe we point out in whatever way we can we point to the Saviour and Redeemer, Example and Brother, Friend and King – Jesus Christ and take pleasure in whatever opportunity to state – This Is His Life.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Eyes On The Right Prize

So as you may know I’ve been reading and recently finished what must be one of the best football biographies I’ve ever read to date. It’s by Leo McKinstry it’s called Sir Alf about the rise and fall of the only man to win England the World Cup as manager. It is a fascinating tale of a man who went to great lengths to shut out the media and developed the ideal siege mentality and loyalty among his players in order to gain success but was unable to keep changing with the times to accommodate further success. It has been an excellent read and is remarkable for its ability to tell so much about a guy who said so little. This is a read I’d strongly recommend not just for sports fans but for anyone into decent life stories.

I’ve started reading an unauthorised biography of Diana Ross by J. Randy Taraborrelli. I’m not a Ross fan at all. Indeed I was taken up with the negative press about her. Taraborrelli has written two treatments of the lady previous to this one and I have a vague recollection of his last one Call Her Miss Ross which reinforced the unpleasant diva style that put me off her. So why read about her in this updated completely overhauled version? It’s just that I’m into lives at the moment as you can tell with the biographies I’ve read this year. I want to get a better picture of her through this treatment as well uncover human traits that’s replete with gospel connections and perhaps to see whether it was worth having the opinion of her that I had.

So far in the book I’ve reached the point where Diana has made it to Motown with the Supremes formerly known as the Primettes. She has not made it to worldwide fame and is making her way through education. Taraborrelli makes the statement that Ross just has her eyes on the prize. It is already implicit within the narrative that Ross will use whatever means possible to reach those ends. I imagine the full extent of her machinations will be seen as the story moves on, but when I read about her eyes being on the prize it linked nicely to the major outcome of this month’s Audio August.

Now if you don’t know Audio August it’s a concept that came to me recently based on the importance of taking our relationship with God serious enough to listen to Him. So over the month along with other committed followers of Christ there’s been an effort to pay careful attention to what it is to listen to God, how we do that, obstacles preventing that and ways to overcome that. Most importantly the theme has genuinely been about hearing what God has to say to us. I hope to be able to post some findings of this exercise over on the StokeCOG blog in the near future.

For the time being, however, one of the major things to come out of that session was the word focus. You would have seen it knocking about some of the posts since April, but it has intensified in fulfilling the call of God on my life. The issue then links well with keeping your eyes on the prize. The issue is what prize are our eyes on? As worshipful creatures the issue has never been our lack of focus, the issue has been the target of the focus. This is particularly the case when elements of Christian faith are primarily being presented as solving our felt needs. So the focus is on self satisfaction – the prize is a life that’s alright, that’s comfortable that sees me alright. That is the primary focus – I want to be alright. In fact people searched the scriptures as we discovered recently to find eternal life.

Now what’s wrong with that? Seems reasonable enough doesn’t it? I’m hungry, I’m thirsty, I’m naked, I’m lonely, I’m homeless and I’m imprisoned, Matt 25 talks about looking after those needs right? The problem is that this is not God’s priority for the peak of his creation. Indeed the core of Jesus’ ministry was calling people to forget about self-satisfaction, come across self-crucifixion and find true life in Christ. That makes the prize Christ. This is a common theme in New Testament scripture from Jesus’ own ministry through to all who would follow after Him. If the prize is Christ that’s where come across people willing to give up everything to attain the prize.

Unsurprisingly if you present a gospel where the prize is you at your best and all you’ve ever wanted guaranteed then disappointment is bound to follow. What vacuous and empty prizes we are in ourselves because what makes us who we are is bigger than us and beyond us.

This has further implications for the output of this blog over the next month as we shall see …

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

For A Certainty

Check the time. Yeah, odd isn’t it. Most of the blogging is done either first thing in the morning or near the last thing at night so what’s this lunchtime post. Well I had a thought that I was compelled to write down after reading again. So there.

One of the best and worst things to happen to me is being right.

When I was younger, so much younger than today, I didn’t need anybody’s help in anyway. (Is that copyright infringement?) I was diving into reading and did so to accumulate knowledge that would come in handy for those moments when people are looking for that information and I supply it for them. There is also that quiz element where something is in dispute and my grasp on some tidbit that I picked up from some book somewhere allows me to emerge victorious.

It’s a root to pride. It can be a dangerous thing in terms of becoming aloof and somewhat smug and superior when approaching less informed people and trouncing them with the knowledge. Yet thankfully when used in humble means it can just support someone and reinforce or encourage them in a particular pursuit. There is just something good about being right.

It is exactly because I am not always right that I like finding out what it is to be right. Then in the larger context of life that’s where a relationship with God is so crucial because He allows me to pass that responsibility back to Him. After all, being omniscient as He is, He has a handle on what is right, what is to come, what shall be and so because He knows, I don’t have to worry about being in that position. Thus if anyone is in a position to be smug, it would be God. Rather than be smug, the holiness of God and His character of love allows me to see that it’s actually right for others to be built on what is right – which is God.

I was thinking about that supreme level of certainty when I read an area of the Ramsey biography by McKinstry. Now if the country can make a fuss over some blokes dressed in white beating their cousins from Down Under, I can imagine the jubilation that must have been felt when they actually beat the world at a sporting competition. What was even more profound was that Ramsey had said some years earlier that England would win it. McKinstry reveals that at the time Ramsey wasn’t so sure about it after he said it, but as the tournament drew close his belief in the outcome was overwhelming. This was to the extent that even in the pre-tournament training when his coaching staff expected to be off, he assured them that they would be with the team at the final when they won the thing.

Now that level of belief of certainty can be perceived as arrogance sometimes, but when you’re right and just quietly go out and prove it then people have nothing to say except – you’re right.

This isn’t the first time that we come across that level of certainty,

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Matthew 16:21)

So recently I’ve been saying that faith is focus, but what I read here as faith as certainty – not wishful, fingers crossed, pick a lucky charm and gamble for the best. There is that level of this is going to happen. Now when I read the context of the scripture and see how Peter gets a bit upset at what Jesus is talking about, I always wonder if Peter missed the last bit of what Jesus said – the bit about being raised on the third day. I mean in the larger scheme of things in terms of being a winner, how much bigger does it get than coming back from the dead. I mean you’ve been killed and you comeback from that – even death can’t keep you down. That’s big news.

Jesus is saying all this as a fact. As something that will happen. Not only does it state the air of certainty it also gives something to look forward to in the midst of the tricky stuff in between like the suffering, like the rejection, like the misunderstanding, like the sleepless nights, like the tears – when there’s a focus with a prize bigger than the stuff in between it makes it all worthwhile. To put it another way,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

There are tons of other scriptures that give us an assurance that in the same way that Jesus was able to endure because of the certainty of what He was to inherit, similarly there is the hope that we have if we hold out that we will inherit stuff that will make the suffering nothing in comparison. Faith then is in one who speaks and it happens for a certainty.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Food, Focus, Football and Changes

Quite a lot to put out tonight and it’s a job to keep it all in perspective, but I’ll give it me best shot.

First of all there is a saying that in terms of the meals of the day that it’s best to have breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. I’ve never really lived by that ethic at all always looking forward to dinner like a king, lunch like a prince and breakfast like the pauper’s apprentice. Still, today I enjoyed the benefits of such a lifestyle.

Not sure if I’ve told you, but my dearly beloved mother is currently with us here in Stoke-on-Trent. That means she cooks. Authrine has no problem with that at all and doesn’t see it as a slight to her cooking. In fact I get the impression she sees it as a weight off her domestic responsibilities. In any case the mother cooks and of late she has been feeding me as if I needed to be bolstered with the goodness that comes with heaps of food. Seriously two full plates of food are not unusual for meals whilst the rest of the family muddle through their single plate. She loves me, I guess. I’m not complaining.

This has a bearing, though, for Sunday breakfasts because such is the filling nature of those breakfasts that I seriously don’t have to think about eating again for the rest of the day. That was definitely the case yesterday when another one of her beauties had me almost out for the count for the rest of the day. It was bad enough that I had a real long relaxing soak in a bath, to come out of that into the kind of breakfast that I received; I was seriously of no use to anyone until I had a two hour nap!

Anyway, because of that I seriously didn’t need anything to eat for the rest of the day and we came back home from the party rather late as I may have mentioned. So this morning now, Mum wants to make the most of the food that’s been coming in so sets up a breakfast for me. Well you shouldn’t need me to tell you how big that breakfast was. And as a result again I did not require another meal for the rest of the day.

I got some chips from a chip shop and it was meant to be a large portion but it was fairly pathetically small in content for a large portion, but even that didn’t bother me as the morning’s shipment would see me through with that minimal top up.

Moral of the story – if you’re filled up properly in the day it should last you for the rest of the day. That’s not just about the importance of breakfast – that’s about the importance of feasting full of the Spirit to be able to motor through the day because you’ve been filled.

Also as a sub-plot moral – it’s good to have a generous, loving mother on your side and an equally kind and loving wife only too willing to allow the mother to get on with what she does best so that her son can keep on trucking through the day.

Believe or not, that’s not the main reason for blogging this evening.

I had the privilege of watching Liverpool vs. Aston Villa at my mate Matt’s house this evening. Last season we watched the equivalent fixture in a pub in Shelton (a district of Stoke-on-Trent for those who live outside the centre of the known universe). In that match Villa was soundly thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool.

On this occasion Villa deservedly walked away from Anfield with the three points for the first time in about eight years. They won 3-1 and it was no less than their performance merited.

Now you may recall that I’ve resolved to look at my approach to football in the light of looking to honour God in that pursuit, so it’s not about being emotionally distraught at the result of a football match or getting over analytical on what that means for events still to be decided over the next nine months. What it does provide is good entertainment for watching the match with a friend.

Young Matt, you see, is a Villa fan and although he’s relatively young in the Lord, he’s not young in the Villa and as an engrained fan it too everything in him not to gloat at the victory. Although that did not stop him celebrating at the key turning points in the match. It was amusing watching him endeavour to compose himself as we related further just to see if I was still alright and needed anything … like tissues. All good quality fun and a privilege as I said to just watch it with the brother at his crib.

I could go into analysis about why Liverpool lost the match, but there’s a principle in it that has bearings for far more significant issues. I link that, however, to the reading that I was doing as I walked from Matt’s house back to my own. As you may know I love reading and I especially enjoy reading whilst walking if I can manage to do that on a long journey from one place to another. Doing so increases the reading time – which is a good thing, and also drastically cuts down on any transport costs that may have been incurred had I sought a taxi or public transport.

So as I stated in a previous blog I’m reading McKinstry’s bio on Sir Alf Ramsey and it has reached the point where Ramsey has taken a small provincial club like Ipswich and got them promoted up through the Third to the Second to the First Division and now in their first season in the top flight they win the League Championship itself to the surprise of all the pundits. Such a remarkable achievement eventually gets him recognition from the FA who approaches him to become the next England manager back in 1962.

One of the provisos of accepting the post is that he completes the 1962/63 season with Ipswich. It is during that season that the Champions suffer dramatically and the principle to which I’m referring emerges. A critique of Ramsey is that he remains too loyal to the players and the system that won him the Championship. By now other clubs have sussed it out and are taking points off the team. The decline sets in so that the season after he leaves the club gets relegated.

So what is the principle in question? It is this – what gets you somewhere is not necessarily what will keep you somewhere. Different methods are required at different stages to maintain growth otherwise stagnancy sets in and worse still rather than progressing we regress.

McKinstry points out that Ramsey’s loyalty to players and systems would also be at the heart of his downfall as England manager. The link to the Liverpool match is that although Rafa adjusted tactics, he was slow to change them sufficiently sticking to a system that no longer met the need of the time. Such loyalty to such a system when you don’t really have the personnel for it can lead to results like the one tonight.

Likewise every day’s challenges have a specific tactic that will ensure success in that day. That particular tactic, however, is not applicable to the following day, or even the day after that. The overall objective remains – to grow – but the method in which that is done must be relevant to the circumstances.

We have to be sensitive to divine instructions to allow us to know how to approach every day, not by relying on yesterday’s methods alone, but seeing what wisdom there is for today through God’s Word. Otherwise we run the danger of not progressing, but stagnating and regressing.

Its application in my life is that I’m clear that I’m all about glorifying God in body with all I have in me. To do that, I need to focus on the author and finisher of my faith – Jesus Christ. In order to do that, however, I need to be filled by, led by and able to walk in the Spirit that rose JC from the grave. Getting all of that done is to be on the look-out for the daily bread God provides me every day in my YMCA work, in my family life, in my church interactions, in the books I read, football matches I watch, conversations I have, food I eat – especially at breakfast, etc.

Being responsive in this fashion allows me to know when my season is to bring forth fruit and then work in line with the season that I’m in.

Just wanted to share that with you.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

Just Another Late Night Update

Blogging is a bit like talking to an old trusted friend. Who has nothing to say in return. Instead just takes on board what it says and keeps it carefully.

As you’d have read I love putting stuff on here and have been a bit more prolific of late, but in the last few days I haven’t been blogging and you can ask why’s that then Chris? Well go on then. There, and in answer to your question I’ve just been really busy of late. There’s someone staying with us at the moment who was pregnant and has given birth, so that took out Friday and yesterday was a really hectic day as well with hospitality and stuff. As well as that the wife has not been well and I’ve taken some time to look after her – time admittedly that could have been invested in writing, but apparently my wife is more important than blogging. (Shocking, I know, but that’s what the good book says).

Yesterday was actually a good example of what a busy day is all about. Lots of things to do, people to see, stuff to sort through and guests to entertain. By the end for the first time I can recall I actually went to bed and sleep before 10pm! That’s right before 10pm my bed saw me inhabiting it!

It was a surprise to me too, so it was no surprise that this morning I woke up astonishingly early – like just after 5am. It was no time to be up and about blogging or stuff, especially next to me wife. So I managed to make the most of the time texting people and enjoying good company (sure she was asleep, but sometimes that’s the best time to catch her).

Later on I get to go to a party – voluntarily – thankfully I get a good few games of pool in and some fancy grub as well before engaging in a wonderful walk and talk with a precious friend. Hence blogging this so late on. So you may be a bit confuddled at the reference to yesterday as Saturday and not Sunday when you check the date of this post, but when you look at the time like Hercule Poirot you will deduce that the day today was more Sunday than a Monday that has barely just begun.

Lots of stuff going on in general with me life, mostly good at present, but all busy and keeping me occupied. In all that I am still endeavouring to remain focussed on Christ. The reading is trucking along at a good rate as well. I hope to post some reviews especially on the Richard Foster book that I’ve just completed on Streams of Living Waters. I even got something from a Roy of the Rovers special covering the 1980’s which I read in one sitting (or lying-down as I was in the bath at the time). Just started a biography of Sir Alf Ramsey by Leo McKinstry. Fascinating reading so far and I hope to share some of the finding with you over time.

Keep on praying for dmcd with the family and work and other transitions and the like it can be easy to be distracted, but I love Jesus and more importantly am aware that He loves me and has called me to Himself to get His business done. So I want to be getting on with that. Hope to slap on another blog before the end of Monday to maintain a good rate of blogging until then keep on experiencing the shalom offered in relationship with the God of Shalom.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

It's All About The People

I was watching a faithful biblically accurate movie version of the book of Acts. I love the way the producers and filmmakers have turned out something that I can follow in the scripture and see presented. It’s one thing to have an audio version of scripture, but to watch it and follow along gives different perspectives on understanding something so significant.

Previously I had read Acts 7 in context and been fascinated first of all by the charge made against Stephen in the first place. He is charged with the great offense of suggesting the downfall of the temple and change of Moses’ customs by Jesus (Acts 6:13, 14). Maybe one day I’ll be able to memorise the entirety of Stephen’s speech. In the meantime reading it, imagining it and then seeing a version of it dramatised captured my imagination as to what Stephen was really saying. Crucial to note in the off that the accusation made against him was by false witnesses. That is to say, the charge itself was never made by Stephen. The speech by the angelic looking Stephen though, is rich in history and a perspective on the history of Israel and its place in the global narrative of God. One of the key portions of the argument is towards the end,

Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, "'Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Did not my hand make all these things?' (Acts 7:48-50)

This is not an exegesis. This is not a sermon on the verse, what it is however is a springboard for one of the greatest bugbears that’s plagued me ever since I took church attendance almost seriously. For a considerable time I’ve knocked about in church circles where the impression is that the building is it. To keep up with the Joneses, to be ready for ‘church growth’, we need the multi-thousand seat stadia, large facility with offices, crèche, multi-media studios, community resources and the like. Those who do not own a building of their own pour their resources into renting a facility and doing it up just right. It’s all about the venue and in their quest to make things feasible for visitors the location is key.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am in no way suggesting that there is something inherently wrong with a facility and a gathering place to meet as a group. I am not suggesting that at all. Yeah that costs money. Yeah it’s good to have those kind of things in mind for the gathering of the saints. The problem is when the building becomes the focus and in all the fuss of things we become more bothered about the building and a single meeting a week (maybe two, hey maybe three) rather than the real brass knucks of the real building project God is interested in – people. God is interested in people. He is interested in working through people to help other people, serve other people and essentially get it into His creation that He has moved on from the shadow of things to come to actually dwell in His people and then His people will live in Him.

It’s all about relationship and God is all about His glory being revealed through people. Now I’m no expert, but I’ve got a good feeling that if we took this seriously, then investments would be more in people than it would in buildings. If that was the case I’m fairly sure church as we know it and live it would be radically different.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd

The Cost of Focus

You may recall a blog entry I posted around March/April outlining what was a manifesto pledge for what I’m all about. Since then I’ve been busy working that out in various ways and seeing how that works … and doesn’t in some cases. It is still a work in progress and thankfully there have been more good days than bad.

Today I attended the Stoke-on-Trent carnival – Six Towns One City: United Strength Is Stronger. I’m not the world’s greatest party animal and neither does a day out at a carnival strike me as the thing to do. I have, however, committed myself to it and it’s a church initiative more than anything to support the ethos of being a church in the community. As I sat and watched the world go by I met a friend who I hadn’t spoken to in a while. I shared how although I had his phone number I hadn’t called him and so wondered if the number remained the same. He replied that it was the same and he similarly had not called me. He went onto explain how his life at the moment had certain priorities which consumed most of his time and occasions like the carnival were the only ones that reminded him of some friends that he hadn’t kept up with for some time. I could definitely empathise with that position.

As I hinted at with yesterday’s blog entry, sometimes the enemy of the best is the good and the saying is true that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. So as to avoid that it is best to be clear on the path to be taken and stick to that. Such an approach is bound to get people’s back up. I know that as a result of the focus that I have seen certain valued relationships take a hit. There are people who I regard highly that I haven’t been in touch with for months. The point I was making yesterday emerges again. It’s not just about stop doing the negative it is about what you do instead. Conversely if you’re positively chasing the goal that you’ve set yourself some noble things will go by the wayside.

Not long before it was time for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51)

Reading Luke 9:51-62 is a bit like what it costs to be focussed. This section is often read as the cost of discipleship as well. Why I refer to it as the cost of focus though is because of the example of Jesus in it, especially as set in that key verse. The responses to the three wanna-be disciples, talks about what discipleship and life is all about at its best. Some things just are not as important as doing whatever it takes to reach that goal, whether that’s appreciating living difficulties, forsaking family or rebuking an inclination to look behind.

I understand why I don’t hear from certain people who I revere. I appreciate that in a lot of cases it is out of sight – out of mind. In some crucial cases it is just the case that I do not fall within their one-track mind about following life as they see it. This is not a bad thing at all, but something to be encouraged in everyone. Thus the issue becomes what is more important being liked or fulfilling life by making those goals. Jesus focus on Jerusalem and the mission to complete allowed him to let any would-be followers be quite clear on what is required of them. Focus is key. For me as a believer, whatever manifestos I pronounce and job titles I put down, my focus is to be like Jesus. Now if that costs me relationships, opportunities, money, prestige and other things that must be the case. There are a lot of things that Christ will not want from me, but He will see if I’ve been faithful and faithfulness is based on being focussed.

For His Name's Sake

Shalom

dmcd