Cup of tea?

I probably drink between eight and ten cups of tea or coffee each day.

The first is always while I have my devotional time first thing in the morning, frequently the coffee is finished long before the prayers are. 

The second is a cup of tea with my wife while she wakes up. I have made her a dink every morning of our married life and taken it to her in bed. I wouldn't want it any other way.

The third is normally as I arrive in the office and, again, it accompanies the prayers that are shared with the team.

Thereafter I take a drink as required sometimes because I'm thirsty, sometimes because someone asks for a meeting and I know it will flow better with drink in hand, and sometimes it is a 'thinking' drink, normally taken while looking out of my office window towards the hills in the distance.

Every drink refreshes but also fulfils a separate purpose.

While today's challenge is to share a cup of tea or coffee (and make it myself) with someone I don't normally, in one sense it won't be difficult - as I am at a residential retreat with a number of people I know but don't spend a huge amount of time with - the spirit of the task could be lost. 

So today I will not only make and share a drink but will ensure that I spend the full time drinking fully engaged in the other persons life and hopes.

More tea vicar?

Reflect

Today is technically a 'rest' day in Lent.

For those fulfilling #40acts of generosity it is a good day to reflect or catch up, or make up your own generosity acts.

First some reflection for me.

Ok, I always look rough in the morning... Sorry not that sort of reflection.

Yesterday was a 'no screen, turn it off' day.

There was something of the revision about it: remember that day early in Lent when we had to really listen and engage with the people we met? What about the one where we had to really appreciate others? And then, of course, there was this week when we intentionally spoke to strangers. These were all wrapped up in yesterday. I ended up having some lovely conversations with people I had not met before. I also had some beautiful conversation with one of my sons and an ongoing one with my wife, Catherine. 

I felt there was a connection with people yesterday because I didn't even have my phone with me and so couldn't look at it and I could be totally present for them. Maybe it's all sinking in now.

Jesus never had a phone, or a tablet, or a PC, but he did spend time with people at a previously unknown depth - he spoke to people about their lives and set them out in a new way.

Maybe the 'no screen' thing should happen more often... 

(The fact you're reading this is ironic though don't you think?)

Turn it off

Today, no screens, no keyboards, no texting or further social media. Just real people. Tomorrow - reflection.

Somebody prayed for me

Our Father...

O God!!!

Lord have mercy...

Every morning I start my day with prayer - well that's the intention. Most days I manage it. Some days the Lotd speaks directly to me and I spend the time just listening to what he has to share with me, about the world, about the day, about my life. Some days I can't stop talking to Him. The words tumble out of my mouth and the emotions flow from my heart.

The days that I oversleep and miss the most important conversation of the day - man do I know it by the middle of the morning! It seems as if the balance of the day is all wrong. What I'm saying is that prayer is essential to me because my relationship with God is the most important relationship I have.

Sometimes I pray for people I know and sometimes for people I don't know - sometimes I get to know the outcome of my prayers and sometimes..., well there are some things I have spoken to God about that I am still looking for His response.

Today will be the same in terms of my prayer pattern - those specific times I will come to God in prayer:  early morning, 9.00am, last thing at night. No doubt there will be other times I have a quick chat with God just to check things out with Him.

The difference today is that if I'm praying for someone I'm going to let them know. No anonymous prayers today. 

If I can pray for you today please let me know: you can direct message me on Facebook,  Twitter or email Russell.wyles@salvationarmy.org.uk . I'd live to share this journey with you.

Talking to strangers

Obviously we tell our children not to speak with strangers. A message I clearly endorse so please don't misunderstand what I am about to say.

Talk to strangers.

For every one of our friends at some point was a stranger. We're were not born preprogrammed with friendship and knowledge of certain specified others. We were also strangers to them at the same time.

I do make the effort to talk to strangers - I may be the only person who asks the person serving me whether they are having a good day. I may be the only one to ask the person n the queue how they are doing today. Or maybe I won't, but I would rather have a brief conversation with someone I don't know and interact with them on a personal level than get to the end of the day having deprived myself and others of the possibility of new experiences.

Today I will do the same - asking strangers open questions that may enrich their lives as well as mine.

Hey, Mr Postman!

I keep telling myself I will write letters - beautifully scripted messages of ink on quality paper to people who have meant much to me over the years, people who we send Christmas cards to but with whom that is our only contact. People that the most I see of is a thumbnail image and a status update. Today I have been prompted from my intention into action.

To write letters.

Not only to those who I have known and loved but also to those I do not know, the faceless people of my life, those that live three and four doors away, three or four streets away, or three or four cities away. People with whom I will have no other contact but may need to know that they are loved that they are more than an online inbox.

I imagine that after an initial flurry of activity this may be one of those things that gradually peters off - but if just a handful of people are encouraged it will be worth it.

I think this may be possibly the most challenging task yet - and I will never know the outcome.

Thanks #40acts for keeping the pressure on.

Ask for a donkey...

The story of Jesus' preparing to enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is one I have always loved. I love the spontaneous action of the crowd and the fact that if the people didn't shout the stones would have done! I love the part where Jesus tells His disciples to go and get a donkey - and they find it exactly where He said it would be. They use the exact words He tells them to. And then walk away with the donkey on a rope so Jesus has got the most appropriate form of transport: the one He said would be right.

It's a great story of humility and majesty, of knowledge and obedience.

How many of us would go and do something similar because "The Lord has need of it"?

As a challenge today I need to ask others if they would support one of my favoured charities... In other words "Can I have your donkey please? The Lord has need of it."

If you should see me today and would like to support a cause I'd love you to say "I have a donkey for you" and then see what happens!

Read this... Please.

This shouldn't be too difficult for me: be polite to everyone.

I am genuinely and generally a friendly person, I talk to people in queues, I start conversations with strangers, I say 'thank you' and 'please' and 'have a good day' etc (honestly sometimes to the point it embarrasses my family!), so to be polite to everyone if frankly a cinch.

Or is it?

For today's #40acts to mean something I have to think deliberately about my interaction with others, it's not just words or passing the time of day, it's treating people well because of their worth as people. They are all valuable, they are all worth caring for and interacting with in a positive way. So here's the real challenge for me today: really thinking about what would be best for the person I'm interacting with? Maybe they don't want to talk, or maybe they are so busy they would like to go ahead of me in the queue, or just maybe they would love someone to say hello to them, or hold a door open.

So, for me, today is about being extra aware of those around me and showing them some consideration to make their day better.

Anything for you cupcake!

As the above advert tag line suggests the expression of a pet name and a commitment to do 'anything' are easily linked together - they epitomise love!

Here's the ad http://youtu.be/U_b9r6Q2Ifc

It seems, at first thought, a quantum leap from a hotel advert to the deep theological truth behind Easter. But the truth is this: Jesus said he would do the ultimate thing for us because he loves us. That's the truth.

He would do the ultimate, for us His beloved.

#40acts challenge today is to make cupcakes and give them away. I'm happy to do that. It won't take long and they might even be edible! But am I prepared to do anything for those I care about: the least, the last and the lost?

As I bake today, as I consider the deep message here, I'll re-evaluate whether I really am prepared...

This is the task...

Regular readers of this blog will know that at around 7:00 each morning I post online.

Today is no different.

Today, however, I am not writing or reflecting about #40acts - this is the act itself: to be an ambassador for causes that are close to my heart.

1: The. Salvation Army. Obviously! Our work is diverse and life changing. A visit to mine of our Corps' or Lifehouses is an eye opening experience to see the depth and breadth of programme with the motivation to be the love of God to those around. I had the very great pleasure to be an ambassador for the Salvation Army yesterday during a conversation with restaurant staff. They were enlightened and now one of them is going to offer assistance at a Foodbank. http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/

2: The Bible Society. I love reading God's word and I love other to be able to do the same in a translation that is most accessible for them. Find them here: http://www.biblesociety.org.uk/ 

3: Habitat for Humanity. Most of us in the west live in homes that are at least wind and watertight. Habitat for Humanity provides the practical help to local communities to give them a roof over their heads by taking teams from the UK to build alongside local families. Find them here: http://habitatforhumanity.org.uk/volunteer-teams

Throughout today I will be posting about these three organisations - please consider helping them in one way or another, giving, volunteering, praying, sharing.

Shhh: a confession

Giving - it has much to say about the giver as well as the receiver. I honestly like to give gifts, I love to give things away. Only the other day I gave away a book to someone I don't know in order to help them on their spiritual journey. I possibly won't ever meet them as it was given via someone else. If I can I make charitable donations to children's, cancer and bible distribution charities. 

But here is the truth about my giving - and it's painful to admit - much of my giving is on the basis of how I will feel as a result. How selfish is that? How arrogant is that? I feel quite ashamed admitting it. 

There is now a challenge for me: keep giving or stop giving? Both would be a selfish act.

The Bible teaches really clearly that our giving and good deeds should be done in secret, anonymously if possible. Obviously I am failing on this count.

Today - and from now on - I will be anonymising any gift I make wherever possible. The recipient doesn't need to know who the gift came from they just need to know that their need has been met.

My need is to have less of 'me' going on and more of Jesus.

For obvious reasons I won't be updating on my progress in this issue.

Think Local

Anyone who hears me speak will know that I do not originate from Glasgow, or even Scotland - although my sister recently described me as having English blood and a Scottish heart (a description that I was flattered to read). So I am clearly not a 'local' person. Having lived in 6 major UK cities as well as a couple of suburban and rural areas my local has always been shifting.

What I have discovered as we've moved around the country for the last nearly 28 years is that to learn what an area is really like you have to go local. The local, green grocer, baker, coffee shop etc

Before anyone that knows me comments on this I am fully aware that we get the majority of our shopping from a major supermarket and I am a sucker for Starbucks but as a family we always try to support local business in some way or other.

Our local coffee shop, Delricos on the  Cumbernauld Road, Stepps! serves first class coffee, excellent sandwiches, wraps and rolls and delicious cakes and tray bakes. The staff are very friendly. They also have an excellent artistic wall made from thousands of very small bits of wood.

But

I couldn't even tell you the name of the staff.

So I set myself an additional challenge within #40acts : to visit the shop today, learn the names and tell them they are appreciated as a local community hub. The visit wasn't already part of my plan for today - but it is now! I might even visit some of the other local shops as well!

Don't filter... just live

What if we lived without thinking of the consequences?

Oh man, we'd be in trouble big time!

We'd say what we really meant, go to places we really wanted to, make friends with people we wouldn't normally make friends with, learn things we didn't know we needed to know. 

We probably wouldn't live that long either, as we poked our fingers into electricity sockets or didn't turn around when we had swam too far out from the shore.

Obviously we have to think about consequences - but not as much as we do as adults. Before we speak we filter our words according to our setting, the people who are there. In the nano seconds it takes for a thought to travel from our brains to our mouths we have self edited and refined the words so that we don't offend (or conversely we REALLY offend!), we don't lose capital with one person while gaining it with another person and so on.

In other words we speak and act like adults. And life stops being the fun that it could and should be.

As a challenge today through #40acts I'm asked to remove the filter of 'respectability' that I place on my life as an adult and be more childlike: expressing appreciation and joy at those things that please me, challenging things that I don't fully understand or find offensive, and finding time to have fun. I might even take notes using a crayon!

http://youtu.be/BDR6YWKu8T4

Feeling a bit green

Argh! I just knew that was coming when I saw the title of todays #40acts activity.

Be a bit more green.

Don't use plastic bags, plant some flowers, pick up litter. Do something 'green'.

I already earnestly try to be Eco friendly in how I live. Eco light bulbs, recycling very intentionally, not using plastic bags.

However when I consider the motivation it is not to protect and preserve God's good creation it is from purely personal, and even vain, motives.

Eco light bulbs reduce my electricity bill, recycling prevents a fine from the local authority, and I wouldn't be seen dead carrying something in a plastic bag because it's a plastic bag! 

Perhaps today should be, for me, about motivation and shifting my thinking. Then I may well be more friendly towards creation and even discover new ways of showing my friendliness.

Lights under a bushel

Today's task for #40acts is to share your hidden talents.

Initially there is a temptation to look back to day two or three where my gifts and skills are listed. What I didn't list were the hidden things I have dubious skills in. So after a small amount of soul searching I believe I have two hidden talents:

Soap making

Footstool making

Yes, not that impressive are they! However in the interests of making lent a time of doing rather than not doing; of sharing rather than keeping myself to myself I offer the following:

The first person to contact me via personal message on Facebook or Twitter (@russellwyles) I will make a footstool for - dimensions from yourself, I can have a conversation with you regarding finishes etc in due course. 

I will also share my soap making recipe and method with the first four people who request it by the methods above.

Both will require me a little effort, commitment and focus - it is a season of giving out not just giving up.

Why would I make work for myself? principally because I am reminded that Easter - to which Lent points - was the greatest work ever done. My own physical labour will provide me opportunity to reflect on this great work.

(You can see some of my footstools by searching for me on Pinterest).

Listen, just listen

As I write a programme is on TV in the hotel in which I am staying. It's called "The Real Housewives of New Jersey". Repeatedly this programme features heated confrontation - often over very minor issues - with lots of raised voices and animated gesticulation.

On this day of listening it seems a bit weird to have this programme on - but also a reminder of the proportionality of listening and speaking: when God created us he gave us two ears and one mouth. Use them in proportion to their distribution.

Because I have been travelling for most of today the opportunity for listening has been limited... Or has it? Spending brief moments this morning with my team I tried very deliberately to 'hear' everything they were saying. Travelling with Catherine, my wife, enabled me to listen carefully to what she was saying. Most precious of all were moments of prayer this morning that were listening moments. The confidence of God's presence was tangible from these earliest moments of the day - I've tried to keep listening to Him throughout today - and it's not finished yet...

I'm listening...

Knock, knock

A day of visiting people pastorally gave me a couple of opportunities for generosity... Of time and of space particularly. Waiting for the visited to fill the space instead of me leaping in and sharing opinion. While becoming more aware of others I became aware of myself. How often I open my mouth without really there being a need for me to.

I think of the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery when he stopped and drew in the sand, or the occasion when he asked the blind beggar 'what do you want me to do for you?' Jesus allowed others to fill the space and then in his own way, because he was there initially used the space in order to bring about healing and wholeness.

When I knock on someone else's door there is an opportunity for generosity on so many levels. When I pick up the phone it's the same. It's about making a personal connection.

Generosity and extravagance have got much more to do with quality of every day living than they have with possessions or gifts - much as it is very nice to be able to bestow these on others - they are about reinforcing the positives in ones life and creating enough space for Christ to fill.

There is an act of extravagance to come - but it's not to shout about!

Give until you feel it

A moments of confession: I didn't complete yesterday's task! I didn't phone someone up out of the blue, I didn't reconnect with someone that I hadn't see for a long time. Did I fail? I'm not really sure - because, weirdly, so far all of the tasks have been very much in character for me so it's not unusual for me to just call someone out of the blue - in fact I did it just three days ago and seriously the joy that you get and that you potentially bring to others is epic. But I will call someone today... Promise.

Today's task for #40acts is to be overly generous, to someone, probably that you have little to do with. The commentator, Steve Legg, recounts buying iced buns for a shop assistant for instance. 

I'm out and about today so I'll have to look for an opportunity to give time, money, gift in excess.

Why do this though? I think pretty much it comes down to reflecting the generosity of Jesus. He didn't just make people feel better, he made them better people: he didn't just feed them he fed them with more than enough: he didn't just produce wine he produced the best for the wedding party.

For too long I have settled for not doing what Jesus wouldn't do instead of doing what he would.

I want to be extravagant today in all ways - I'll reflect fully on this tomorrow.

Hanging on the telephone

The telephone has been an intrinsic part of my life. When I left school I worked for a telecoms company and fitted them in people homes and workplaces. I have made and received tens of thousands of calls over the years. 

I recall the tricks of the trade: of being able to usage a phone when the dial was broken, or ring a number and walk away only for it to ring back a few moments later as some unsuspecting friend or family member was near the instrument, oh the hilarity when they picked the phone for there to be no on eat the other end! You can imagine...

These days I make relatively few phone calls. I make possibly one or two a day. Total. I average eighty emails and probably a dozen or so texts, but talk on the phone? It just doesn't happen that often today.

I am challenged today to call someone I haven't spoken to for a long time. I think I know who it will be but I may just call two people...

The physical action of calling and receiving phone calls involves many electronic and data connections but it also connects hearts and minds. I want to live as a generous person whom people know will spend time with them, either on the phone or in person, in order that we can really connect.

Now where's my phone book...?

Reach out

Thinking about 'reach' today.

Not in the boxing sense - although making an impact is really at the heart of this #40acts task. 

We're being prompted to think of those individuals and groups we have influence on and give them a positive message...

The groups I've come up with so far and, in brackets, whether I think I have much influence over them or not. I know as well that I may have a not very good influence on some of these:

Old school friends (very little influence)

Office colleagues ( much influence)

Divisional colleagues ( much influence )

Fellow divisional leaders ( some influence)

Former youth from West Midlands days ( a little influence)

Family (some influence)

Friends (some influence).

The more I think about this the more I am concerned that I have no influence. Not that I want to tell people what to do but that I want to model what Jesus would have done.

I really have to think about this carefully while I try to encourage others to think about their influence.

Thank you, no, thank you ...

"Thank you". 

Because I was brought up well I use these two words many times every day. I thank my secretary for the cup of coffee as I arrive in the office. In thank the person I chat with on the phone for their time. I thank the shop assistant, the bank clerk and the call centre worker. I thank my wife for brilliant ideas, i thank my children when they fulfil tasks.

"Thank you".

But do I really mean it? I say it so often perhaps it loses it's power. Maybe if I stopped and thought for a moment I would say more than "thank you" - or possibly less. Perhaps I have made it just a convenient way of ending a conversation...

Today is about gratitude with #40acts .

I have already, at the start of today written a thank you note (well, email) and very sincere it was too. I should have many opportunities to say "Thank you" today so I am going to go a step further. I am setting myself the challenge to add something. Whenever I say those two words I will add "...for..." . That will ensure that I really think about my reason for thanking.

Thank you for reading!

A Day Off? But I don't want a day off!

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that today is a #40acts day off! Apparently if you really fast for Lent then you don't observe the Sunday Fast, so fair enough #40acts you're being orthodox and that's fine with me. It does give me some moments to reflect of course: on this week, on my relationship with Christ on so many things.

Yesterday was about connecting with people, really connecting, on a personal level. If was also the day of my birthday celebration with my family. Plenty of opportunity to connect: the girls that work in the Climbzone, the people that were climbing with me, the waiting staff at the restaurant, the person that served me in a shop. What a day! I did try to connect personally with all of these people, we had conversations and I learned one or two names, there were smiles - the Climbzone girls looked as if it was the first time anyone had thanked them personally!

The best connection, however, was with Derek, the barista in Costa. While preparing a large order for me and my family we got into conversation (note to self: if you want to really connect with coffee shop staff order 7 coffees - they can't go anywhere and you won't go anywhere!). Enquiries about whether today was good were met positively, his colleague chipped in hers was a good day too, another colleague joined the conversation. We talked not of the weather but of the activities they were involved in today. I tried to hear what was going on in their lives. I tried not to talk about myself (a fault I know I can be guilty of). Did we have deep theological discussion? Was I able to take these folk forward in their faith? No. Were there three people who looked and sounded affirmed because they were recognised as people rather than service providers? I believe so! Was there one person who had discovered the joy of connecting? Definitely ! There may have been others as well!

(Incidentally, thanks to my wife for a fantastic day!)

Making connections.

Yesterday was about using the tools in my toolbox, accessing the god given gifts and skills at my disposal. I guess I do this everyday to a large degree - as we all do - without really thinking about it and just getting on with life.

I think what yesterday was really about was the intentionality of being. That when we have time to give to someone we do so in a thoughtful manner, when we donate to charity we do so recognising the human impact that gift will have, when we speak to someone on a customer service helpline, essentially with a complaint, we do so without aggression but excercising grace in  our speech and requirements. 

I'm going to think about that a bit more in the coming days - I think that may be at least one purpose of #40acts : to be more thoughtful and reflective.

Well today is about making human connections, knowing my neighbours, my barber, the person who works in the corner shop etc. I wonder what I will learn about them by learning their names.....?

Toolbox Time

Today I'm encouraged by #40acts to look in my toolbox, which is funny because I have increased my set of tools recently by the purchase of a new saw - but that's a different story! What they mean is the things that I have at my own personal disposal. List them, and specifically use one or more to bring a blessing to someone, to help them.

So in my devotional time this morning I spent time with The Lord thinking this through. Unsurprisingly he revealed a couple of things to me about myself that I have to list in the toolbox of my life. He showed me through looking at the words of the prophet Isaiah that it is not just using the tools but using them for specific tasks.

It's no use using a screwdriver to hammer a nail (although we all know that if the handle of the screwdriver were big enough it could be done!)

What God is saying to me is this 'you have all of these things at your disposal and you must use them to feed the poor, clothe the naked, free the captives'.

So what does this toolbox of mine contain? 

Optimism

Money

Patience

Co-operation

Time

Willingness

There might be a few more things that occur to me through the day - but I am a blessed person. Today I will deliberately try to bless others. I try anyway, but today I will try harder.

Chocolate and obedience

Having produced a 'Generosity Jar' that would do credit to a 7 year old I set about this second day of lent. Within minutes of my planned day things had gone wrong, a missed turning meant I was already running late. My plan had been to buy a bar of chocolate and give it to someone - ashamed of my pathetic jar I felt I had to carry out a deliberate act of kindness. Unfortunately now running behind time I  felt I didn't have time to stop to get the chocolate - but that would surely be OK, it was only a bar of chocolate anyway.

Spending time with someone that needed to talk was refreshing for me and, I believe, helpful for them. At the end of what had been, at times, an emotional conversation blessed with prayer, I made to leave only to hear my friend say 'I just need some chocolate now...'.

My reaction was to go and do what I should have done right at the beginning of the day... 

Even something as simple as a bar of chocolate can make a difference when given in the right spirit.

Thanks and bless you...

Prompted by #40acts to journalise thanks and a list of those I want to bless during Lent here is my list:

Thankful for: Catherine, the boys, all family, very special friends, health, the outdoors, books, coffee.

Those I want to be a blessing to: all at DHQ, Catherine, my neighbours, people who serve me in shops etc.

Not much more to say but it will be interesting to look back on this in 40 days!

Follow my blog on this journey please 

Fruitful Ash Wednesday

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. (Ecclesiastes 3:20 NIV)

So today was Ash Wednesday. The wearing of ash on the forehead during today as a reminder of our mortality. A reminder of Ecclesiastes 3:20. 

What happens between the ashes? After we are born and before we die what do we contribute to life? How fruitful are we?

Today I bought fruit for my friends at work - I hope they enjoy it over the next couple of days! More than that I hope that our friendships are fruitful. That we bring taste and colour into the lives of others.

#40acts

Lean into Lent

I joined a mailing list on shrove Tuesday (www.40acts.org.uk) - no pancake for me as I was travelling.

A mailing list that promoted forty days of action throughout this traditional season of abstinence. 

Of course the world has forgotten the purpose of the forty days of fasting from the rush and the sweet: that we should focus on the spiritual, not the physical, for this season, and, securing the benefits, we approach Easter Day better people to receive the grace of forgiveness and new life through Christ.

These days the Lenten fast seems to be more about wallowing in our own virtue ("how will I manage without chocolate for 40 days" answer: quite easily if you stopped thinking about yourself), rather than focussing inwardly and become deeper indiviuals as a result.

So this 'do something' 'fast' is really an antidote to the self indulgence of the literal fast: do something everyday for the next forty days that is not required of you but is an act from a generous spirit and see how that has a lasting impact.

Finally, these are not random acts of kindness, they are deliberate, intentional acts of generosity. Rake a few moments at the conclusion of each day to consider if you gave brought light into someone else's life.

Join me, please, on this journey towards Easter by leaning into Lent.