Lessons learned about encouragement

Whilst speaking at Horam Chapel last Sunday I had a few people asking about my employment situation. This made me feel good (even though the answer I had to give them wasn't the one we all hoped for). Just people checking in with something that is very much alive in our life was uplifting for me. This made me think of ways we can uplift and affirm one another. Here are just a few:

Speaking. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are .. sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” The number of ways we can encourage one another through our speech is almost limitless. One way is to recognise verbally the positive qualities in others’ lives.

Writing. The New Testament epistles are proof of the power of written communication. Sometimes a short note to someone who’s discouraged can mean so much. Think creatively. For example, include a note in lunch boxes.

Being present. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,” says Psalm 34:18. Sometimes God asks us simply to be with others in person on his behalf. We don’t have to speak much; our presence itself can be a deeply encouraging gift. I felt I had to go see a friend once who had just lost his best friend. When he opened the front door all I could say was 'the Bible tells me to mourn with those who mourn, I do not know what that means, but I am here" He welcomed me in and we just sat in his kitchen for a while.

Touching. Jesus often touched people. Scientists are just starting to document the positive effects of touch, which God has known about all along. From a light touch on the shoulder to a tight hug, these gestures encourage others wordlessly.

Praying. “You help us by your prayers,” Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:11. This ministry everyone can have. Combine this with the written if you have something special to share. Why not use text messages. Be creative.

Showing hospitality. “Practice hospitality,” says Romans 12:13. The Greek word for hospitality is more like a brotherly love of strangers. Practicing biblical hospitality means reaching out to them what need to experience the heartfelt compassion that comes with the extra plate on the table.

Giving. “A generous man will himself be blessed,” says Proverbs 22:9. God wants us to share our lives with others - our time, our money, our possessions. Any of these can be used creatively to encourage others.

Helping. Common jobs and chores - from housework, gardening, mending, shoveling snow, baby-sitting, can all become holy in the ministry of encouragement. “Whatever you do,” says Colossians 3:23, “work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

How will you encourage someone ?

Lesson learned from friends

So here I am, updating my daily 'now that's what I call worship' Facebook profile, when there is a sudden influx of replies on the one stating a wide variety of ways to worship (as posted by our pastor). Upon re-reading it I was puzzled by the depth of reply and this in turn caused me to rethink what I (in a glance) had agreed to. The words which riled a few people was 'shout at God' and me stating 'now that's what I call worship'. A little research into the use of the language behind shouting/yelling/screaming at and/or to did not satisfy me in any way. It really looks (to me) that I have to decide for myself where I'm at on this one. I better state the context in which our pastor made the statement: 

the church are all praying hard for you guys...personally I'm excited, by what Gods got in store for you all this new season...you are all loved and worth it... that's why we are committing this month to be praying for you all...

BE INVOLVED IN ANY WAY YOU KNOW HOW...

use the shed, write a letter, read the Bible, argue with a leader, shout at God, Laugh, Cry, write a song, Paint a picture, listen to music, sit in silence, Talk, listen...I guarantee you that God will say something.

And when he does...SHARE IT WITH US...you are part of us, 

YOU ARE HEREBY INVITED TO JOIN THE DANCE.

I loved the 'be involved in any way you know how' and to be fair, some of us only know how to shout when we're at odds with the Father (or maybe we shout because we feel far away) - but shouting is a biblical principal, my limited understanding of the English language does not differentiate between the shouting to and at. Some say it's about the feeling and emotion behind it - well, that's what I call worship (using God given emotions).

My Facebook posts about worship are all made within a relational context of me and Daddy. So I am not merely having a rant and rave kinda shout at Him - I seek resolving, resolution and restoration when I am finding myself shouting at. (not sure if this is within the English language context, but I get away with it as a foreigner).

So I learned from friends, to watch what I copy and try and understand what I agree with - in this case, I have decided to continue to worship Him in (and through) everything, as learning from friends - is what I call worship too.

Lessons learned as September progressed

My previous post eluded to the unknown that the month of September would bring. Well it lived up to it's expectation. Who would ever have thought that signing on / off and back on again would be so much hassle, who would've thought how busy life can be when you do not have a (paid) job -  the wife said just the other day "You're to busy to have find a job now" and who would ever have thought that I would fly off to Canada for over a week, all expenses paid for by my sister and her husband - I certainly wouldn't have.

During my week away at the Catch the Fire Conference in Toronto I found myself updating my facebook status with some good stuff that's happening and ending it with - now that's what I call worship. Reading back over todays' post I found myself replacing those words with - for these I thank You. Reading all the previous posts I certainly found myself to be a very blessed person indeed in my first month of being 'unemployed'. So here is to October, let's see what is waiting for us there. 

If you are not of Facebook (or missed my updates) here are the 'now that's what I call worship' posts - try replacing those words with 'for these I thank you' thus thanking the Provider on my behalf - now that's what I call worship. (entrees below are from most recent to first one posted)

FEELING the warmth of the sun, HEARING my son just jabber away at his computer, TASTING homemade upside down pineapple cake - now that's what I call worship

HEARING children laugh at school today, FEELING the slight wind in my face and SMELLING flowers on my path - now that's what I call worship

the smell of toast, fellowship and prayers with a friend and seeing photos appreciated - now that's what I call worship

the smell of morning coffee, the sound of the rain on the window and seeing my photos of Niagara falls - Now that's what i call worship (using the senses)

spotting a rainbow over the lush Sussex country side whilst enjoying a Boar burger with friend and pastor, listening to some random Bach whilst they sort out my benefit claims, smelling the dinner that's being cooked by my gorgeous wife - now that's what I call worship

The sound of a baby giggling on the plane, a friend being there to pick me up, the sound of the rain on the car. Now that's what I call worship

Listening and watching the power of Niagara falls, being reminded of do much this week, now that's what I call worship.

Fire tunnels, tooth surgery, dancing, screaming, music, people crawling and fainting, jumping, laughter, hands waving, shofars blowing .. now that's what I call worship

Your love never fails, It never gives up, It never runs out on me. x 1000

Now that's what I call worship

Sing a new song, write in your journal, do a dance, make new noises, read scripture, now that's what I call worship

Shofar, flags, painter on stage, people looking like having a sleep, wild dancing, jumping ... now that's what I call worship

Lessons learned from September.

No, thanks I do not want to take part in your survey, nor do I want to claim PPI, nor would I wish you to sort out and improve the performance of my communications systems (which of course we do not even have in our house) and no, new windows are not on our wish list for now (nor will they be for some time to come) - I just want you to leave me and my phone alone. Just because I am at home, hoping and praying for a new job, doesn't mean I want to be bombarded with all your junk - leave me alone.

This is the second September that I lost a job. Last year I stopped teaching and was somehow very down as I miss them little blighters. I missed their faces, their sarky comments, their wit and their wisdom (and oh, so often lack of it). This year I also stopped going into schools doing clubs, assemblies and assist in lessons. 

My Facebook and Twitter friends are throwing oil on hot water (or whatever the phrase is) by posting about their kids starting school, so many starting a new part of their journey, 'good luck Johnny' .. 'oh, doesn't she look nice in her new school uniform' .. 'aren't they growing up so quick' and 'so nervous yet excited' .. was I really like that with our kids? It wasn't until I read those words - nervous yet excited - that I realised I am one of them. 

This September I am finding myself to be nervous yet excited. No job, not even a glimmer of one (yet), nonetheless I feel an excitement as a new start is (hopefully soon) to be upon us. Nervous as well, not knowing what, where and when, but excited. Searching for the meaning of this word I came across one stating it as: stimulated to activity. I hope I can learn to use this time of excitedly, nervously waiting, to stimulate me to lots of new activity.

Here is to yet another September.

Lessons from a group of Dutch young people

They came, they saw they conquered. 

We had a group of 12 amazing people visiting us from Holland to serve our community. This was part of their tour of the South East of England where they visited churches and through the church would meet people on estates and kids in schools and youth groups. They served in old people homes and met in a Cathedral - an impressive tour.

The last day and a half they spend with us here in Eastbourne. I had some big jobs lined up for them, thinking this would look good for them and for us as a community church, to DO stuff for those who are struggling to do things themselves (or at least get things done faster as there are 12 of them). I was focused on works, on having a result at the end of the day - be it a stripped room, a cleared garden, a school visited or several trips to the dump with our trailer. Nothing wrong with that - or so I thought.

What I had not planned or even given any thought to was the fact that these young people touched lives, beyond the work they did. Now that they have left us people are no longer talking about the jobs they did, they are talking about how lovely they are, how servant hearted, how fun, how easy going. These are all about character. they gave others hope, because of who they ARE. They served out of their character, they mingled, they left a legacy, because of who they ARE, not so much because of what they DID. (although the families that had the pleasure of them helping them are ever grateful)

The lesson I learned? Work on your character, what you do will be ok - but your character, who you are, is far more important. As the Bible tells me, Character produces HOPE and HOPE does not put us to shame ... go forth and build, grow and show character.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bridge2England/380750071978236

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg5febR7-7o

Lessons from a baptism ...

Yesterday (18/03) we had another glorious baptism occasion where three people made their faith very public by taking a massive bath (don't worry, they were all dressed). One of them is a guy who works as a green keeper at a golf course. Whilst he was being dunked, I got this picture of an immaculate golf course, properly trimmed, luscious green fairways, fine combed bunkers, it had it all. Next thing I know, loads of golfers come and walk all over the immaculate greens, all dressed in their own silly ways. The caddies struggling with the load of clubs - all making their way from tee-off to tee-off. Whilst playing their game, some hacked into the lawns (by accident or out of sheer frustration) others trod with slightly spiked footwear. What a waste of all that hard work to make it look so amazingly green, luscious and appealing to the eye.

Upon further thought, I realised that these club wielding people were, one way or another, enjoying themselves. The occasional cheer, the frequent waving of the club in one hand, the sporadic jump of joy, all indicated to me that these golfers did to the lawn what they did, because they loved being there, doing what they did.

Often in life, I find myself more concerned with the hard work I have put into something/someone - that I become more fixated with the input than with the enjoyment others receive through that hard work. Often I moan (to myself) that all the hours of creativity, labour and occasional sweat is all for nothing as others just 'trash' that work. But now I might just have to see it as the greens, the fairways and even the landscaped rough areas and bunkers - all for the enjoyment of others. Maybe it doesn't mean a thing to you, but I learned something here.