It's been a few days - but hey...

Yes, it's been a few days since is posted on here. Three are all sorts of reasons (not excuses - although for some they would sound like that). Principally it has been about just finding the headspace to get together a coherent thought that is both helpful (hopefully) and reflective of #40acts. Because, if you are just getting here now, that's what this latest series of posts has been about. A Lent season full of hope, help and generosity.

Another reason writing a post has been a challenge is that this years tasks have frequently been things I do as a matter of course. Nothing wrong in that but it's a bit boring to write 'did what I normally did today'! Not really helpful and not really in the spirit of the season either.

So I have spent quite a bit of time over the last weeks trying to think through, prayer and work through my relationships with other people. I don't mean those I necessarily have a relationship with but with humankind. What is my relationship with humankind really like?

Wow, that's a BIG question!

No real answers yet but a couple of reflections that, unsurprisingly, are echoed in today's task and particularly the short video posted on the website for #40acts

I have tried to focus on others not self.

I have tried to give rather than gain.

I have tried to respond rather than react. (There is a difference - think about it)

I have tried to listen rather than speak.

And none of these is easy for me as an activist / pragmatist.

Something else you need to know: the last few weeks have been incredibly demanding in terms of ministry, leadership and personal life. Things have occurred that I could not have foreseen, I have been under both attack and scrutiny and yet I find myself reflecting on this relationship with others that helps me to focus on God - seeing Him in them. And I do.

It may have been a while - but, from my point of view, it was probably necessary.

http://www.40acts.org.uk/the-challenge/heavy-lifting?utm_source=Stewardship&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5351630_Heavy+lifting+-+01%2f04+-+Act+%2337&utm_content=http%3a%2f%2fwww.40acts.org.uk%2fthe-challenge%2fheavy-lifting&dm_i=P3Z,36PCE,F1LYQY,BEVJM,1

We have it too easy...

Now here's a first: I had done this mornings task before it was issued!

One of the challenges of living in the West, being a church leader in Europe is that we have it very easy. Yes, you might argue there is the challenge of declining numbers, lack of engagement, staid worship. But we are not killed for our belief. We are not persecuted for being followers of Jesus. That's why on a regular basis I pray for the persecuted church. Those who in fear of life and limb, ridicule and exclusion still worship Jesus.

They hide away to do so, they have no books they can turn to for inspiration - least of all a Bible. Yet they remember the words of scripture that are written on their hearts. They repeat them as they occasionally meet in secret places.

They are blessed.

So I remember them in prayer in the comfort of my home knowing that my particular brand of Christianity benefits from public acclaim. I look at the hundreds of books that I frequently neglect - 90% of which are on faith themes, the hymn and music books that are well thumbed on relatively few pages and remember those who have none of these benefits. And I ask forgiveness for myself and my fellow Christians who have allowed our freedom to lead to a cheapening of blessing as we take it for granted.

The very least I can do is pray.

https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/

Hands up who would like to...

When I was a child I was one of those annoying children who was always eager to please. You know the sort, hand up straight away for any task that needed doing in school or in church. "Me Miss, Me Miss, pick me Miss" was the call of my life.

I am sure, at the time, I was really irritating to those around me. Even now the eagerness to please is still there it just comes with fifty years of wisdom to ensure I don't make a Wally of myself too often! 

Volunteering has become very much of our age. We are encouraged to offer an hour, a day, a week or a year to help others. And that's where the difference in my volunteering and the volunteers of today becomes apparent.

My volunteering was about others noticing me whereas real volunteering is about me noticing others - and then doing something to help them.

These days I rarely do any real volunteering - although I do work for a church and charity - but maybe the fact that today's #40acts task is about this means I should look for a long or short term to help others with no direct benefit to myself.

What about you?

Clive and David

#40acts today is about blessing the boss.

So here's my line managers - Clive and David.

Clive is originally from South Africa and has been my ultimate line manager for around two years, David, originally from Blackheath in the West Midlands, I have known for much longer (in fact my in laws were partly responsible for him responding to Gods vocation many years ago), and he is my direct line manager.

They are great guys. They are not perfect - and know it. We do not always agree. 

But they listen to God and strive to be His men - and for that I am grateful.

I pray for them and ask that God will use them and bless them - and I know that when they pray they pray for me and my colleagues. When my father in law went to heaven recently both of them rang within minutes of hearing this news. They hold me accountable and sometimes ask hard questions - they don't mind being asked hard questions in return.

Their ministry is not easy, they carry a heavy burden and I bless God for them.

Can I help?

In the last couple of years I have discovered a strong liking - a passion even for making things from scrap wood. So far I have created a garden table and bench, a tool rack an AV unit for one of our local churches, a tripod lamp, a shelf, three stool and a tea light holder.

There is something very special about doing something practical when it is not your everyday life. My efforts are not highly polished, they are basic and often flawed - but I have loved the moments of creativity and 'sleeves rolled up' attitude hat I need to have.

The pleasure is added to when they are given away.

Doing something for others is a fantastic way of feeling for them while also feeling better for ourselves. In itself it gives us a positive mental attitude as well as often seeing others out of a fix.

Today I am on the lookout for those to help - maybe with a build project or maybe just offering a hand of assistance in the moment (I'm already committed to taking someone to the airport at the end of our Mission Conference ). Maybe if I see you and I can help - then just ask!

Being different

Yep - I can definitely associate with this one!

'Spend time with someone who is very different from you'. I know that there are some people who wind me up and get me down. For me these people are generally negativists - I can cope with an odd sense of humour, I can absorb weird tics in character but people who are negative are like JK Rowlings Dementors in Harry Potter : it's like they suck the life out of me. I just don't want them around me. I consciously choose to avoid them or move away from them.

But today I am challenged to spend time with them...

Maybe my optimistic views are burdensome to them, perhaps my sometimes unrealistic expectations wear them down... Maybe I am weird as well.

I am made aware that we all are different and we are all equal. Spending time with others (and I have plenty of opportunity to do this in the next 48 hours) not only reminds us of how different we are but also how similar we are. Maybe the negativists don't get time to spend with positive people; maybe I should be a bit more realistic. Spending time with others changes our perspective if not our values - but sometimes they may change as well. I guess that's why actively listening to the other person becomes so important - I'm not looking for someone who is just going to agree with me but for an interaction that will shape me - and the other person.

If you are different to me then watch out - I'm looking for a conversation!

"Here’s to the crazy ones. 

The misfits. 

The rebels. 

The troublemakers. 

The round pegs in the square holes. 

The ones who see things differently. 

They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do." (Steve Jobs)

It's a hugging good day...

There's been no blog for a couple of days - apologies for that! If I am honest it has been because I felt a bit overwhelmed with everything. Just life - but overwhelming life at times.

People are at the centre of what I do and when they are in pain I hurt as well. But it is a different type of hurting - it's a hurt that is motivating and challenging. A hurt that spurs me on - but it is still a hurt. That was what was overwhelming me.

I have been trying diligently to carry out my #40acts tasks and with some success and one or two failures but there is something really important with doing something for others - there is immediate payback for the do-er (admittedly it is sometimes an odd look that says 'you're a nutter'!). This receiving as I give is a real force multiplier, a game changer if you will.

When you come to a task like today's which is a hugging challenge it comes natural to me because I am a hugger, I like to reassure people that they are fine and valued by a simple act - and it's so much less British than a handshake. So I'm going out of my way to hug today! 

(Just for noting my hugs will be entirely in accordance with the appropriate safeguarding guidelines !)