Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Moving and Remaining

I think I’ve made it quite clear that moving sucks. Today has seen the majority of heavy goods moved from the old to the new. By today I include this late hour at which there’s still some bedding and drawer material to come.

Something happened in the moving process this evening that reminded me of so much of what makes moving what it is. There’s this huge box that we’re precariously carrying upstairs on the orders of the lady of the house and one false move means that the CD cabinet that was perched at the top of the box came tumbling down and with it came the clattering smash of tens of CD’s and the end of some CD cases. I couldn’t be bothered to check on the status of the CD collection – at this hour of night methodical precise note taking is not high up on the priority list. Thankfully I had long since done without CD’s anyway choosing just to download the tracks straight onto the hard-drive of the computer and listen to them from there. Yet it was still sad looking at the shattered pieces and broken cases that represented serious cash investments in their contents.

I looked on and thought to myself imagine all that money spent on something that could so easily be wiped away in an accident. All that effort, all those memories gone just like that. Then it got me thinking that life similarly is that precious and that fragile, so that however robust it may appear and durable there is an appointed time when one minute it’s there and the next it returns to the dust from which it came. So what’s the point, I thought. Well, the point of it all is to remind me of investing in things of eternal value. That doesn’t of course mean stop buying music CD’s. (Although funnily enough I haven’t bought a CD in years!) It does mean that whatever attachment and devotion is given to whatever we purchase or invest in has to be seriously considered in the light of eternity. If it is just a cheap, simple thing of little worth, then there is little point in investing in it. Yet if it is of value, if it is worth its weight in something far more costly than gold, then surely it is worth our pursuit, it is worth treasuring and holding dear.

In some cases such is its worth that careful attention to it will see that it has the capacity to last the test of time – and by test, I really do mean test. Further diligent attention will go on to show that not only will it last but it will continue to give more and more worth to ourselves and joy. Then from there other investments pale into insignificance in the light of that which is of eternal value.

I remember the time when I thought I’d lost almost ten years of hard work when my computer broke down with a possibly irreparable hard-drive. I remember the feeling of almost despair I had and then remembering Jesus. I recall a steady growing determination that said that actually knowing Jesus despite that significant loss, was of greater importance that made the loss shown in a different light. I have had times when I’ve almost lost my family, I’ve lost my job (on more than one occasion), I’ve lost my possibility of completing academic assignments, I’ve almost lost my life. In all this that which is of eternal value – Jesus Christ Himself – has remained ever present, ever loving, ever caring, ever gracious, ever patient, ever encouraging. It thus makes sense to have that desire to know Him more and find contentment, peace, identity, joy and stability in Him – even in trying times of transition.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
dmcd

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Trusting God's Plan for Your Life

I came across Shawn Boonstra and the It Is Written ministry whilst in Jamaica. It is one of the few beautiful things that came from the time over there. I had finally succumbed to watching television after a number of days being above it all and focussing on going through my reading material. With the range of channels on offer through the cable package that was present I came across a plethora of trash. Among that were almost a dozen Christian channels again of varying levels of mediocrity. There were at least two from the Adventist stream, 3ABN and another one that escapes me. On one of them Shawn Boonstra came on and confidently presented an aspect of faith and the gospel in a clear and compelling manner. The whole ministry was fascinating and I was suitably impressed by the quality of material both in presentation and content.

To see that he has a web-presence on YouTube was a delight and I look to his format as a guide and model to shape what kind of stuff I would look to develop in line with a number of ideas that are buzzing around me head at present.

In the meantime check out the stuff for yourself and see how he weaves in history, contemporary issues, global and personal affairs all intertwined with the words of Daniel. Quality stuff – enjoy.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
dmcd

The Not So Little Hobo Keeps Moving On

Memories of television programmes are a blessing and a curse. It’s a curse in the sense that surely I should be able to remember something that was worth something to someone. It’s a blessing in the sense that I’m able to remember something was worth something to me. I’ve got to find out whatever happened to Terry Bush. He’s the fella responsible for the classic theme tune to The Littlest Hobo. That theme along with the Lonely Man theme linked to television series The Incredible Hulk, has really bugged me for at least the ten years.

So anyway I had some days of vacation outstanding before the end of the year (April to March) so I was excited to take a couple of days last week and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the week just gone to spend some quality time getting things straight in my head about what I wanted to get done in life. Tragically the two days were spent overcoming illness and then these three days have been spend helping my wife get over illness as well as preparing for a move. So not at all as I’d hoped, but that’s typical dmcd – make a plan, get excited about plan, plan no work out, and get to learn new stuff about God whilst grumbling about plan not working in
classic Muttley fashion.

I’ve
talked about moving before, but just to reiterate I hate moving. I like being settled in one place for an extended period of time. I’m sure you could psychoanalyse it from the trauma of moving from the first home of Minerva Way to Albert Road and going from sun shining days at the back to grim days along Mill Road. Whatever you want to put it down to there’s a distinct element of ‘oh no I have to pack up all the stuff and lug them into a suitable transport and then unpack them’ syndrome. Although my Dad showed me the ‘just-in-case’ mentality that ensures I don’t leave the house without at least a notepad and pen or a book of some sort to keep me occupied, he also showed me the concept of travelling lightly. I’m sure when they were packing to resettle in Jamaica it would have taken my Mum a day or so and it would have taken Dad half an hour. With all the moving I’ve been doing in the last ten years I often wish that I could be in Dad’s position.

So what’s the reason for this the umpteenth move? First it’s worth reminding yourself of my feelings on
moving which also gives a history of the travails of dmcd. So here I am settled in Stoke (the area called Stoke, not the city in general which is referred to as Stoke-on-Trent) for nearly two years. I haven’t resided in the same location for two years since leaving home, so it was looking to be a time of celebration, perhaps I had settled. Perhaps this was it. We were comfortable with where we were, it was convenient for Deborah’s school, the location provided outlets for community engagement and it was brisk stroll to wherever I needed to get to. It was almost ideal in every way and so I was looking forward to finally settling in a property to bring up children in a settled environment and set my roots in a place. If you’ve been keeping up with my life, though, you’ll know that just when you think it’s safe to settle up pops another issue. So up it popped and having popped the only response was to take advantage of the new opportunity that arose and that called for moving! So before April begins we’ll be resettled in the tenth move I’ve made since moving up to Stoke-on-Trent almost ten years ago.

Again it’s a great opportunity to swallow stuff and reaffirm that I am only ever settled in my relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Through all the changing issues of life, changes in relationships, changes in social circumstances, changes in style and weight, I am only ever content in knowing Christ and being known by Him.

I am as ever in desperate need of your prayers (or positive thoughts if you cannot stretch that far). This is a good move for us in a number of ways despite the sadness of leaving this locality. I’m trusting to carry across some of the lessons learnt from the 20 months we’ve spent here in the area. With every move there’s been improvement in community engagement and I want that to continue where we go next. I also want our family to settle well in the area and to be a beacon to our area of the ups and downs, joys and challenges of family life in Christ. You should get the impression that if it was left up to me we would be moving to stay for at least five years so we can try this thing called laying down roots as our children blossom and we look for some sort of stability. Yet in as much as that’s the desire of my heart I don’t want to allow that to cloud my judgement and desire to please God first and foremost.

Maybe tomorrow I’ll try to settle down, until tomorrow
I’ll just keep moving on.

For His Name's Sake
Shalom
dmcd

Friday, March 27, 2009

Never Shall Forget - John P. Kee

It’s just been one of those nights where I’ve come across so many classic tunes it’s been an effort to keep track of them. Almost as though they’ve started popping up all over YouTube. I am not complaining at all as they have been a great support for me during this prayer season and I’m grateful to God for them. This is a fun track featuring JPK and it’s cool getting this as if there are JPK analysts they would agree this sums up a lot of the styles and techniques that he employs in his choir set-up and good for him to apply the adage if it’s not bust no need to fix it. Enjoy.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd

The Lord Is Able - John P. Kee

Some of the classic hymns we hold dear to our hearts were lambasted out of the church because of their familiarity to pub classics. Ever since that bygone time Christian musicians have asked the question why should the devil have all the best music. Some folks go as far as to say there’s no such divide as Christian and secular music but it’s all an expression of the immense creativity of God. Quite a lot to consider right there, eh? I don’t necessarily buy it all I’d find some expressions of music difficult to reconcile with the God who makes Himself known in Scripture and by His Spirit. What is cool to get a hold of though is to see music redeemed to glorify God and this is a great example of that. Then whilst you’re digging the James Brown tribute he goes all classic churchy on us! Gotta love JPK! Enjoy.

For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd