I felt like doing another Sacred Spaces, on YouTube.
Sacred Spaces 660 – Tribes
We all long to be part of a tribe.
We may not use the word, tribe.
We probably call it community.
Essentially each person was intended to be in relationship with others. From family, to friendships, love relationships, to a tribe / club or community.
The bible is full of commands and instructions and wisdom about “one another.”
For example: encourage one another, be kind to one another, love one another, help one another…
(There are a lot of them.)
This “one another” thing can’t be done if we’re not in a tribe.
A year ago, I made the brilliant decision to join a running club. I love it!
That is my tribe.
There are people I can chat to. People who push me (when it comes to running.) We even had a Christmas party together.
The other day, on one of our weekly club runs, we did a “charity run.” We had to run with tinned food and other non perishables and en route we dropped our donations off at the local Morrison’s.
On that night, I thought to myself, how that “felt like church.”
Giving to those in need…
What tribe are you part of?
It’s been almost two years now since I stopped formally working for the church.
As a “staff member” of a church I automatically “inherited” the tribe of that church.
Now, that I am a “regular” member…
I am looking for a church, a tribe to belong to.
I still haven’t found what I am looking for… (Sorry, U2 reference there…)
So if you want to pray about that. That would be nice.
I’ve visited a few churches. I’ve just not committed to one, yet.
Sadly, some churches, I have walked into, have not “noticed” me…
And that is probably the same of all tribes, some times, people aren’t noticed or welcomed…
It’s a sad truth…
But we who are searching for that tribe to belong to. Keep persisting.
Keep praying.
Keep talking to Him. He sees you.
Sacred Spaces 659 – Christmas Ready Part 3 – The songs
Again, I am veering away from the usual Christmas songs to point out two that I have liked over the years:
(If you’ve journeyed with us over these three weeks and six songs, thank you for coming along.)
1. While you were sleeping (Casting Crowns)
Oh, little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you’re lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight, tonight
Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man and stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
United States of America, looks like another silent night
As we’re sound asleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we’re laying in the dark
There’s a shout heard ‘cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night
In the night
America, what will we miss while we are sleeping?
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay?
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
– How good are these lyrics? Wow!
– Casting Crowns have always done great “story songs” – there lyrics have a parable nature to them.
– Over 2000 years, there have people who have either had room for the King or not? Whether it be in Bethlehem or USA or UK or South Africa, wherever – people have a choice: To pay attention to the King, born in that stable… or to just ignore it.
– People’s disbelief, ignorance or apathy doesn’t stop the truth.
– TRUTH IS – Jesus was born.
– I wish upon each of you to have a “silent night” where that questions hovers over your soul? What will you do with the Saviour’s birth this year?
2. May you find a light (Josh Garrels)
Lost and weary traveller
Searchin’ for the way to go
Stranger, heavy-hearted
Longin’ for someone to know
May you find a light
May you find a light
May you find a light to guide you home
– There is a melancholy and nostalgia to this song…
– I’ve always liked the contrast of Light and Dark.
– John 1 speaks of it too.
“The light shines in the darkness but that darkness has not overcome (understood) it.”
– Christ’s Light shines on!
– May it shine on so many things of your life.
Sacred Spaces 658 – Christmas Ready Part 2 – the songs
The first song we dive into today is this one:
What Child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Chorus:
This, this is Christ, the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king to own Him.
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
—
This song comes with a question. That hopefully each person at Christmas time, will hear and think about and respond in some way –
“What Child is this?”
Is a similar to question that Jesus asked His disciples?
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16: 15, 16)
I also like Peter’s response here:
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6: 68)
For all the flack that Peter gets from the gospels, this is my favourite line.
He has thought, long and hard about who Jesus is. And this is his beautiful filled with love answer.
HOW ABOUT YOU AND I?
How would we answer? What Child is this?
– Some will ignore the question, and just carry on as usual.
– Some will give a general answer, with no personal weight.
– Some will ponder it seriously and answer filled with love for Him.
I do like the Alanis Morissette version here:
And this version by The Modern Post is good too:
The second song is from Kari Jobe:
This is still one of my all time favs. The joy in the music. The love in the lyrics. Wow!
So this is how it was
A silent night like any other
When heaven sent the one
The one that we will call our savior
And redemption began
In a stable in Bethlehem
So this was truly God
Wrapped in a tattered blanket
Love was finally here
Sleeping while the world awakened
And redemption began
With a baby in Bethlehem
Love the imagery of this song. God wrapped in a tattered blanket speaks volumes to me. Our God who loves us this much, steps into our world. That’s worth celebrating!
Listen here:
Next week, I end this series with two more songs. See you then. Have a good week! Pay attention to the words of the Christmas songs you listen to this week.
Sacred Spaces 657 – Christmas Ready – Part 1: the songs
I’ve always loved Christmas.
Because this year, like the year before and the year before that (etc.) someone else will come to meet Jesus in some way.
Essentially, the meaning of Jesus being born to our world, is that God is revealing Himself to people.
So each year, as we celebrate another Christmas, another year around the sun – we celebrate that someone new, someone else will receive a revelation of who Jesus is.
“God is with us.”
So I always try to make myself “Christmas Ready” – using readings around Advent (Thanks Brian Draper for that ministry of yours), Christmas songs and hymns and the joy and magic and wonder of Christmas.
I can do many things wrong, but one thing, I want to try get right: is not missing the Christ child, at Christmas.
Jesus, light of the world.
One of the “ways” God reaches me, is through lyrics, so each Sunday leading to Christmas I want to share two songs:
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
And drive away the shades of night,
And pierce the clouds and bring us light.
(Oh come Oh come Emmanuel – sometime in the 15th century)
– If anyone has felt “captive” to a destructive habit, an addiction or a thought pattern and has been set free from that, then they get “the rescue” of God.
– Or those who know loneliness all too well, then “lonely exile” strikes a chord.
– A day spring, full of cheer – it just lands so joyfully in our ears and spirits.
– I like the contrast of light and dark in the last two lines. That imagery – metaphorically and physically is so powerful: A small candle flickering in a dark cave, changes the whole atmosphere of that darkness. It pierces and shines through bringing hope. So many people live in perpetual darkness – needing that Divine Light.
Oh holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night
Of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world
In sin and error pining
Till He appeared
and the soul felt it’s worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
Oh, night divine
Oh, night when Christ was born
(O Holy Night – 1847)
– Most of us have had the opportunity to be marvelled by a sky full of stars.
– We probably don’t do it enough – just standing there under the night time sky.
– That “thrill of hope” speaks volumes. I’m certain that most of us, need an injection of hope.
– “soul felt it’s worth.” Wow, that’s potent too. I think a lot of people devalue their worth and their existence. The prayer with this song, and this Christmas that people will genuinely know their worth. Hearing Jesus speak it over them.
-Oh holy night” – The word “holy” has probably been lost in these modern times, this busy era. But may we be arrested by a moment of holiness this Christmas. A feeling we can’t shake. A feeling we can’t explain. But a divine experience that leaves us forever changed by His grace.
Sacred Spaces 656 – Camino Primitivo
(The last Sacred Space I wrote was back in May. It’s been awhile.)
On Friday, I had the morning off and went for a cycle. I stopped at coffee shop for a bap and a mocha.
As I sat there gazing out the window, I thought about the recent time on my Camino. How after a good distance of walking we would have our coffee stop for the day. It was a most welcome break, usually accompanied with a snack. But such a simple pleasure was a great delight and a part of the whole journey / pilgrimage or “the way” – (the many definitions of “Camino.”)
This morning (Sunday), I read this quote:
“Insight doesn’t happen often on the click of a moment, like a lucky snapshot, but comes in its own time and more slowly and from nowhere but within.” (Welty, 1978.)
Here are a few things I want to share about my Camino. Perhaps you can learn something or be reminded of something through my words. (“God, use my words as You see fit. Amen”)
Firstly, in saying “my Camino” – I don’t mean that to come across as “self-centred” at all – but to emphasise that each person has their own Camino: As in the journey they take, the things they think, the lessons they learn, the moments with God, the struggles, their victories – it’s all a part of their own story.
In no particular order, these are some things that come to mind:
– I remember the feeling of being so present to the walking and the sounds and feelings around me. I recall a morning – walking on a rural farm road and hearing the birdsong. They sounded so full of life. I remember on that road too, how I could feel the chill of the morning air and yet the sunshine felt warm on my face.
– The one morning of walking, was a difficult slog. We were soaked to the bone. The rain came down hard. At the café, I recall how good and warming the coffee was. It filled my being. The music on the radio that played was joyful, definitely lifting my (our) spirits.
Lesson – I long for more moments of being fully present. We live in a rushed world – from one thing to another – that we are often “not always here.”
– I remember the tangible joy I felt on two particular moments on the journey>
First was walking up the road from the Salime Dam. The rain was falling a bit harder than a drizzle, but I had found a steady pace and as I walked on in the rain, just taking in the surroundings: the view of the dam and the mountains were incredible. The sheer size of it all! I had a pinch me moment. There I was walking the Camino. I have wanted to do that for the longest time. And finally, I was actually living it! A tangible joy filled my spirit. I just felt so giddy. I loved that feeling.
Secondly, it came again on the last day, when we had to walk in that torrential downfall. Santiago was about 15 – 20km to go. It was a difficult day. We were absolutely drenched! But there was a moment when we walked in a forest section, under the tallness of the trees, I felt so small and yet I marvelled at the beauty of it all. There that giddiness filled me. I chose joy despite the difficult situations. But I remember that tangible feeling, “I am alive.” 🙂
Of course there were lots of moments of joy but those are the two I wanted to highlight.
Lesson – we get to choose joy. We chose our response to our circumstances. And then sometimes, it’s something deeper – it transcends the rational, perhaps. The joy I felt on those two occasions, felt almost spiritual. (That’s the best way I could describe it.)
I HAVE TO tell you about this miraculous moment: On the last day, from start to the end, it rained a lot. Everything was wet. My waterproof covering of backpack could only do so much. There was reprieve in the rain – where the sun came out and we were almost dry again. But then, the last 7km or so, as if to test our resolve – the heavens opened again, and we were fully soaked.
But wait for it… here is the miracle:
On arrival into Santiago, about 2km to go – with the city in our sights: the clouds broke and the sun came out in all it’s brilliance! When we got to the Cathedral, it was basking in the sunshine. Beautiful!
I definitely didn’t miss that. It was a gift from God.
On arrival to the end, standing there in front of the Cathedral – I couldn’t find the words. We had just completed such a great feat! We had a moment to celebrate in the sunshine – and then the rain came again. (On and off for the rest of that day.)
But how is that for an ending – to my Camino? Very Significant!
God blessed my ending, with sunlight. I was moved. I still am, when I think about.
Lesson: So much to get from that. God really does see me. (He sees you too.)
Our journey of thirteen days – had all sorts of weather: extreme heat (up to 40 degrees Celsius), fine rain, harder rain, cloudy skies and some mild warm days. Isn’t our very life journey the same? Full of different seasons.
In landing, here are some other sporadic thoughts:
There was a moment, where all four of us, walked in a square shape along the road. Two on the left and two on the right.
We had met Simon (from Stuttgart) and Juliette (Paris) earlier in the week. So there we were, my cousin, our two new friends and I – walking a stretch in silence. I loved that moment.
All in our own heads.
Sometimes words get in the way…
Lesson: A lot of people are afraid of silence. I also thought of that passage where the disciples are walking to Emmaus and Jesus walks alongside them. He playfully acts ignorant and asks them why they are so downcast…
I’ve always liked the idea that Jesus meets us where we are at.
But also on that road, as those two friends and Jesus walked – I’d like to think they walked in silence too.
I do like how God has set in me a sort of wonder for all things – great and small.
(I am super grateful for that.)
From caterpillars, lizards, butterflies, birds to huge mountain ranges and stunning skylines.
Lesson: As the title of the worship song goes: “Never lose the wonder.”
I didn’t necessarily have massive profound thoughts along my Camino, but I am super chuffed to have completed the whole journey.
I enjoyed the retreat of it. I felt totally relaxed. (It was nice length of time off.)
I did notice that the Camino could become a bit of a “bubble” – where it’s pretty much the same thing: walk, coffee stop, walk, rest in your room, drink a beer or two, supper, sleep and then REPEAT.
Yet, I liked to see it as a “focused” bubble – where the distractions of your usual life are kept at bay, and the whole walking for a long time – allows for a sort of “emptying” of one’s self.
A phrase, I’ve never liked after a holiday is when people say “it’s time to get back to the real world.” Utter nonsense! That’s basically implying that nothing about your trip/holiday/experience was real. Again, that’s rubbish!
—
In closing, I did think of the exchange between Aslan and Lucy in Narnia. There is a lesson here too:
“It isn’t Narnia, you know,” sobbed Lucy. “It’s you. We shan’t meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?”
“But you shall meet me, dear one,” said Aslan.
“Are -are you there too, Sir?” said Edmund.
“I am,” said Aslan. “But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”
(C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader)
Sacred Spaces 655 – Listening to God…
In church today, they spoke about listening to God and I thought I’d add some thoughts of my own:
PART A:
Yes, there are the classic ways:
That God speaks through His scriptures.
He speaks through the still small voice. That inner peace.
He speaks through His creation and through others.
Even through film and music.
We know that. We’ve heard that before.
I guess, I just wanted to break it down further:
We need to listen and pay attention to the things we attend to in our lives.
What I mean is?
1. Why did that part of a certain conversation stand out for you? Is it something you need to deal with. Is God using those words to shape you or remind you?
2. Why did that line from that movie resonate with you? What is the lesson in those words? Could God even use that line.
3. Why in that whole song, are you stuck on a particular set of lyrics? Is God using those words in that song to speak to you?
For me, we need to pay attention to things like that. Because that could just be God.
As the person in church said today.
What is the thing that God has “dropped in your lap?”
We don’t always need to try too hard. Just ask with expectation.
For some, it helps to have worship music – to help them focus.
For others, they set aside a moment of silence.
And God can definitely “rock up” in those times.
But I also like how my one friend said to me two years ago.
“Darrel, you can’t always sit still. Maybe God can actually speak to you when you go running.”
That hit the nail on the head!
Because it’s often so true.
When, I go running, God sometimes “drops something in my lap” to ponder and work through as I run.
(He knows He can get my attention during that run.)
How can God get your attention?
PART B:
Oakwood, the place I worked for, is a Christian Charity. Their foundation is based on a vision from God of what Oakwood Residential was to be.
A lot of the staff are Christians. But not all of them.
In this past week, my boss asked me to pray in front of the other instructors for that’s day activities and for the school that were arriving.
I was honoured to pray.
But I did think:
Why do I feel awkward to pray in front of those staff who aren’t Christian?
I tend to want to not make others feel uncomfortable. (Which is a good motive)
However,
Why do I need to be the apologetic one, as a Christian?
I know that I needed to do that day, in fact (to do all things in my life) with His guidance.
Pray is how I ask.
That’s why I shouldn’t feel ashamed to pray.
I know I need God.
If it makes others uncomfortable. That’s on them…
That’s for them to deal with.
So I share this, because this relates to this SS’s topic on listening.
I am listening to what God wants to deal with in my life:
Sometimes, the thing that weighs a lot on your mind and heart, might be “the voice” or “the topic” that God is using to communicate with you. Are you listening?
—
Now YOU, what is He saying to you at the moment?
Are you listening?
What are hearing?
Sacred Spaces 654 – The hardy plant, the hardy soul.
Hello friends,
It’s been ages since I’ve written a Sacred Space.
How are you? What is the theme of you and God right now? What is He doing in your life? (Drop me a message, if you like)
Last winter, this ‘above’ plant looked like it was on it’s last legs.
It took a beating from the snow we had, the frost.
It looked in disrepair – would it survive, I wondered?
Some of the pot plants from last year, I got rid of.
But I felt that I just needed to hold onto this one a bit longer and see what happens…
Then a few weeks back, I noticed some buds coming through:
How the heck did the plant survive?
Nature is so resilient!
God has made a wonderful world, indeed!
I loved how nature brought me such joy.
(God designed it that way for all of us.)
Getting outside, being in nature brings us peace, perspective and joy!
I was also reminded of that verse about being hard pressed, remember this one:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”
2 Corinthians 4: 8 – 12
You and I can be like that plant.
We take knocks.
Life is hard.
But we do have this treasure in jars of clay (the title of that passage).
But we can blossom, we will blossom.
And you have a beauty about you.
This is not to dispel the chaos and hardships and bad news that people are going through.
Don’t ignore that.
Whatever is on the plate of your life right now, go to God. Cling to Him and wrestle with Him.
Along the way, carry gratitude with you.
Thanks for reading.
Have a wonderful day! More radiant flowers from my garden, below:
Sacred Spaces 653 – Some people still do walk into a church…
I know that the church need to look (and are looking) at new ways and more effective ways to reach people for Jesus. To tell and show the gospel to a lost and hurting world.
I know there are new things already happening, “fresh expressions” and the emerging church.
I know and still so inspired and what the Alpha course has done.
There are lots of ways of reaching people. There are many preaches about how we are supposed to share the gospel with those in our workplace and our context.
(Sadly, a lot of Christians aren’t very good at this. It’s like we’re ashamed of our love for Jesus)
We hide behind lines such as: “my faith is personal.”
Anyway, I digress…
On Easter Sunday, I was at a baptism service at SMB, and heard one of the testimony’s of those being baptised.
She and her husband, knew and sensed they needed something more in their lives and they walked into the church.
I like that.
God stirred something in their hearts.
And thankfully, SMB were ready for them as they walked in.
St Marys Bletchley (SMB) are a super hospitable and welcoming church. (Go visit, you’ll see what I mean.)
But I really like the idea, that people still do walk into church buildings.
(Doesn’t mean, we should “rest on our laurels” though.)
But these beautiful old church buildings with spires poking into the sky…
They are still a light on a hill (Matthew 5: 14 – 16) or in the local community.
The ringing bells, a soundtrack to a holy life with Jesus.
Some people still do walk in a church…
Sacred Spaces 652 – Open
Romans 1: 20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Next week Tuesday is my year anniversary of working at Oakwood.
This past year has been jam packed. Full of learning, fun and growth.
When I worked for the church, I was constantly “surrounded by things of God.”
Prayers and worship before staff meetings, verses, bible study…etc
Now that I am working out of the church, I am still surrounded by things of God.
In the last year, I’ve learn to be OPEN and still see Him.
I see Him in the pair of kites flying overhead
Or the warmth of the sunshine on my arms
Or the fresh chill of the winter morning brush my cheek.
The fox running across the football field
The muntjac tracks in the mud
The flowers popping through the grass
The pretty sunsets
The laughter and banter among colleagues
Praying with my friend at our coffee counter before our CWI assessment
Giving the school kids a verse or a word for the day
Practising kindness and building up young people in the activities that we do.
In welcoming the weekend guests at Oakwood and making sure their stay is comfortable.
In making coffee for the customers climbing centre
To this very evening, I saw a pair of blue tits, flying toward my front door, as if remind me to put more bird feed out. (So glad I didn’t miss that.)
I am OPEN to see what God is doing in my life and workplace.
What is He doing in yours?
How do you see Him?
Prayer:
Lord, I have just mentioned just one aspect of my life – that being my work and how You are in it. Thank you for being present to me. Continue to teach me to be present to You in my work, but also in the rest of my life too.
May I be OPEN to what You are up to in the good times and the difficult times too.
SACRED SPACES 