I've got all Philip Yancey's books.
As far as I'm aware there's not a prize for that.
However, I'm trying to communicate that his writing has had a profound impact on my spiritual journey. His books introduced me to the wonders of God's grace and also encourage me to hold strong to my faith in the face of some difficult days.
On Sunday, I became the holder of a signed programme to go along with my book collection.
What does it say?
'To Paul, Missed you in Bristol! Philip Yancey'
I wasn't there. I had the chance to be there with him, but didn't take it.
Somehow, exciting as a signature is, it can't ever be a substitute for actually being in the company of the author.
I overslept this morning because I stayed up to watch the Lost Season 2 finale. As a result, I missed out on the usual time I set aside to talk to God. The brief prayers I shot out as I rushed around provided me with an idea, an autograph, a reminder that God is there, but nothing compared to actually making time to listen and converse.
I had the chance to be there with him, but didn't take it.
Missing out on the company of a favourite author is one thing.
But to miss being in the presence of the author of everything?
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Three Months
I spent the day with my two oldest friends yesterday.
Not so unusual you might think, but explaining that they live in the town I work in everyday, and that I haven't actually seen them for three months might clarify why it was a significant day.
I'm sure the shared despair at the day's football results helped, but we had a great time picking up where we left off three months ago.
As I walked from their house to the train station I mulled over all the things which had conspired to ensure that the days I hadn't seen them became months. Many of them were good things, some not so good.
But I realised that I don't fight hard enough against the modern disease of efficiency and having a full diary. My failure to do this means I can end up distancing myself from the very people who I care most about in the world.
I said sorry to Damon and Phil for being a rubbish friend yesterday. There are some others I need to say the same thing to, so I think I need to make some phone calls and send some letters this week.
Even if I can't beat our obsession for being busy overnight, I can endeavour to take a mini stand everyday and ensure that rather then letting them be drowned out by the noise of the world, I steal time for those I love.
Not so unusual you might think, but explaining that they live in the town I work in everyday, and that I haven't actually seen them for three months might clarify why it was a significant day.
I'm sure the shared despair at the day's football results helped, but we had a great time picking up where we left off three months ago.
As I walked from their house to the train station I mulled over all the things which had conspired to ensure that the days I hadn't seen them became months. Many of them were good things, some not so good.
But I realised that I don't fight hard enough against the modern disease of efficiency and having a full diary. My failure to do this means I can end up distancing myself from the very people who I care most about in the world.
I said sorry to Damon and Phil for being a rubbish friend yesterday. There are some others I need to say the same thing to, so I think I need to make some phone calls and send some letters this week.
Even if I can't beat our obsession for being busy overnight, I can endeavour to take a mini stand everyday and ensure that rather then letting them be drowned out by the noise of the world, I steal time for those I love.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Chris
I couldn't say that Chris was ever a good friend of mine, because I never really got to know him on any kind of deep level. Yet I'd be loathe to describe him as merely an acquaintance.
When I moved back to Andover after my world had seemingly come crashing down around me, I found myself working shifts in a local factory producing exhaust clamps.And that is where I first chatted to Chris. I sat myself in the corner of the canteen during my lunch breaks,with a face like thunder as I continued to dwell on my melancholy thoughts about how unfair life wa and how it was out of my control.
Chris made the effort to come across from the established group of regular workers to chat. He didn't ask me what my problems were, or why I looked down. Instead, we struck up a conversation regarding rock music, and proceeded to while away the break chatting about our favourite Foo Fighters tracks.
I never told him this but that slice of normality was more helpful to me at that particular moment than any of my other friends had been able to provide to me up until that point.
Today I regret not having the courage to make that thought known to him.
When I finished my time at the factory, Chris and I would always talk when I saw him at our local pub. He knew my brother as well and we always had an entertaining time catching up and talking about music as much as possible over the ear splitting volume of the pub sound system. The last time I saw him was the night before he left for his big travelling adventure. We briefly chatted about which destinations his world tour would take in and I remember how elated he was at the prospect of what he was about to embark on, in the way you can only look when you are grabbing hold of your dreams and ambitions tightly with both hands.
I got a text message from my brother yesterday telling me the news that Chris had died.
It goes without saying that Chris will be missed by many people. His close friends will no doubt have many other more appropriate and more entertaining stories to tell by way of a lasting tribute. I don't want to come across as one of those who pretend to know someone well after they have died.
But, like I said, Chris was more help than he'll ever know to me at a tough time in my life. And I never thanked him for it.
So I hope this guilt will remind me to say the important words of love and encouragement that need to be spoken, out loud and right now. I wouldn't want to lose any of the other people who have influenced my life without letting them know how much I have valued their contribution to making me who I am.
Chris, thanks for personally bringing me normality in a storm, and for being a constant entertainer to the rest of those who encountered you.
When I moved back to Andover after my world had seemingly come crashing down around me, I found myself working shifts in a local factory producing exhaust clamps.And that is where I first chatted to Chris. I sat myself in the corner of the canteen during my lunch breaks,with a face like thunder as I continued to dwell on my melancholy thoughts about how unfair life wa and how it was out of my control.
Chris made the effort to come across from the established group of regular workers to chat. He didn't ask me what my problems were, or why I looked down. Instead, we struck up a conversation regarding rock music, and proceeded to while away the break chatting about our favourite Foo Fighters tracks.
I never told him this but that slice of normality was more helpful to me at that particular moment than any of my other friends had been able to provide to me up until that point.
Today I regret not having the courage to make that thought known to him.
When I finished my time at the factory, Chris and I would always talk when I saw him at our local pub. He knew my brother as well and we always had an entertaining time catching up and talking about music as much as possible over the ear splitting volume of the pub sound system. The last time I saw him was the night before he left for his big travelling adventure. We briefly chatted about which destinations his world tour would take in and I remember how elated he was at the prospect of what he was about to embark on, in the way you can only look when you are grabbing hold of your dreams and ambitions tightly with both hands.
I got a text message from my brother yesterday telling me the news that Chris had died.
It goes without saying that Chris will be missed by many people. His close friends will no doubt have many other more appropriate and more entertaining stories to tell by way of a lasting tribute. I don't want to come across as one of those who pretend to know someone well after they have died.
But, like I said, Chris was more help than he'll ever know to me at a tough time in my life. And I never thanked him for it.
So I hope this guilt will remind me to say the important words of love and encouragement that need to be spoken, out loud and right now. I wouldn't want to lose any of the other people who have influenced my life without letting them know how much I have valued their contribution to making me who I am.
Chris, thanks for personally bringing me normality in a storm, and for being a constant entertainer to the rest of those who encountered you.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Restoration In Tree Hill
Time to confess one of my 'guilty pleasures'. I've started to watch One Tree Hill over the past couple of months. I like American TV and it provides a suitable antidote to the onset of the Sunday night blues.
Still, the happy news from tonight's episode was that all the unhappy couples seemed to sort out their differences and ended the episode reunited and restored.
One particular moment that got my attention was Lucas declaring that Brooke's affair with another guy didn't matter and that he was prepared to forgive.
Brooke's response?
'How can you? It's too much. There's too much to forgive. You can't forgive'
Lucas: 'I just did.'
Now, I mused on taking this blog in a number of different directions. I thought of taking the chance to slate sugarsweet endings on TV by shouting that I've been on the end of infidelity and it takes more than a few seconds to work out forgiveness. And how for my relationship there was no happy ending...
But the more profound comment to think about was that the writers of this episode of One Tree Hill seemed to somehow bring in an element of the forgiveness that as a Christian I believe God has for me.
That there have been many occasions, not least in the pain of my failed marriage when I have come before God to declare that there is no possible way that forgiveness can be given for me this time.
That there is too much to forgive. That He can't forgive this particular failing.
But He just did.
Still, the happy news from tonight's episode was that all the unhappy couples seemed to sort out their differences and ended the episode reunited and restored.
One particular moment that got my attention was Lucas declaring that Brooke's affair with another guy didn't matter and that he was prepared to forgive.
Brooke's response?
'How can you? It's too much. There's too much to forgive. You can't forgive'
Lucas: 'I just did.'
Now, I mused on taking this blog in a number of different directions. I thought of taking the chance to slate sugarsweet endings on TV by shouting that I've been on the end of infidelity and it takes more than a few seconds to work out forgiveness. And how for my relationship there was no happy ending...
But the more profound comment to think about was that the writers of this episode of One Tree Hill seemed to somehow bring in an element of the forgiveness that as a Christian I believe God has for me.
That there have been many occasions, not least in the pain of my failed marriage when I have come before God to declare that there is no possible way that forgiveness can be given for me this time.
That there is too much to forgive. That He can't forgive this particular failing.
But He just did.
A Missing Line
'I need your grace to remind me to find my own.'
Lyrics from the album version of 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol. However, you won't hear that line in the radio edit of the song. It's not been watered down, or bleeped out, but rather removed in it's entirity.
So, I went on a mission of internet based research, trawled through message boards and fan sites for a clue as to why said lyric is omitted from the radio version.
Couldn't find one. That doesn't mean there isn't one out there somewhere, it's just I got bored with looking. I'm impatient like that you see.
So I originally thought this blog would be something relating to grace. A point the finger critique aimed at whoever suggested that such a moving lyric be removed to make the song more accessible.
That the world needs to hear of grace, see it's beauty and not have it hidden away.
But then three fingers point right back at me and I feel convicted. As someone who is starting to know, experience and be blown away by God's grace everyday, is that something I am accurately passing on to others?
Can people see a person influenced by God's grace, that His grace reminds me to find my own?
Or am I the radio edit?
Lyrics from the album version of 'Chasing Cars' by Snow Patrol. However, you won't hear that line in the radio edit of the song. It's not been watered down, or bleeped out, but rather removed in it's entirity.
So, I went on a mission of internet based research, trawled through message boards and fan sites for a clue as to why said lyric is omitted from the radio version.
Couldn't find one. That doesn't mean there isn't one out there somewhere, it's just I got bored with looking. I'm impatient like that you see.
So I originally thought this blog would be something relating to grace. A point the finger critique aimed at whoever suggested that such a moving lyric be removed to make the song more accessible.
That the world needs to hear of grace, see it's beauty and not have it hidden away.
But then three fingers point right back at me and I feel convicted. As someone who is starting to know, experience and be blown away by God's grace everyday, is that something I am accurately passing on to others?
Can people see a person influenced by God's grace, that His grace reminds me to find my own?
Or am I the radio edit?
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Awesome Music You Need #1
So, I freely admit to being a music geek. I have a diverse taste, which, I like to think then entitles me to have an opinion about what is good. Some would say that makes me a snob.
But, it's my forum, so we're going with 'opinionated' rather than 'snob' whilst I hold court here.
Anyway, decided in amongst my musings on the universe I should enlighten the globe as to the identity of some of the aural delights I have encountered recently.
So, step up track number one to be knighted with some serious Noycey kudos...
The first awesome music you need track I've picked is called For the Windows In Paradise, for the Fatherless In Ypsilanti by Sufjan Stevens , from the album Greetings From Michigan the Great Lake State.
It's 3 minutes and 59 seconds ofthe most sublime, heartfelt music. There are not many tracks that when I have heard them I immediately skip back to the beginning to hear the song all over again.
This song is one of those.
And when you finally finish listening to it, you recall the world is troubled, as for the duration of the song, everything is alright and you can clearly reminded of those in your life who will 'do anything for you...'
But don't take my word for it. Seek out the music.
But, it's my forum, so we're going with 'opinionated' rather than 'snob' whilst I hold court here.
Anyway, decided in amongst my musings on the universe I should enlighten the globe as to the identity of some of the aural delights I have encountered recently.
So, step up track number one to be knighted with some serious Noycey kudos...
The first awesome music you need track I've picked is called For the Windows In Paradise, for the Fatherless In Ypsilanti by Sufjan Stevens , from the album Greetings From Michigan the Great Lake State.
It's 3 minutes and 59 seconds ofthe most sublime, heartfelt music. There are not many tracks that when I have heard them I immediately skip back to the beginning to hear the song all over again.
This song is one of those.
And when you finally finish listening to it, you recall the world is troubled, as for the duration of the song, everything is alright and you can clearly reminded of those in your life who will 'do anything for you...'
But don't take my word for it. Seek out the music.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Supreme
I recently spent five days away serving at my church's annual camp in the New Forest. One of the worship songs to make the list of sixteen that we took away with us was 'Yesterday, Today and Forever' by Vicky Beeching. It formed a part of several of our worship times, with the thirty of us at the camp raising our voices as high as possible into the open skies above us.
Two days later, I was away with friends to recover from the output given over the days at camp. I attended a church service in Bristol over that weekend and the same song was sung, this time with hundreds of voices cascading the words around the church building.
And the truth of the words hit home.
My hope is in a God who isn't dependant on surroundings, circumstances or time. The declaration of the song that God is unchanging remains true, and in some way that I will never understand, He was equally present in the worship outside in a field in Brockenhurst as at the service in Bristol.
Supreme over all.
God unchanging.
Two days later, I was away with friends to recover from the output given over the days at camp. I attended a church service in Bristol over that weekend and the same song was sung, this time with hundreds of voices cascading the words around the church building.
And the truth of the words hit home.
My hope is in a God who isn't dependant on surroundings, circumstances or time. The declaration of the song that God is unchanging remains true, and in some way that I will never understand, He was equally present in the worship outside in a field in Brockenhurst as at the service in Bristol.
Supreme over all.
God unchanging.
The Good Fight
Hope Of The States split up this week.
Those of you who have noted my favourite bands list on the profile will know why this news is important to me. But, you'll be glad to know there's no hysteria over this from me, just disappointment that another great band didn't get the recognition that they deserved.
But don't just take my word for it. Check out the lyrical genius from Sam Herlihy below:
Can we dance in the rain and fill the streets with parades?
No one's left behind.
We all wait in line.
Defiant I shall be today but I won't forget how much we paid
The voices from above said:
'You're alright to carry on'
So we thanked The Lord
For the second chance we got to try again
And despite it all
We're doing alright
Our friends by our side
We fight a good fight
And all of the pain and all of the strife
Means nothing to us
We fight a good fight.
We'll win in another life.
I know we will.
Tomorrow's another chance
To make the next day better.
Song:The Good Fight
Album: Left
Music: Hope of The States, words: Samuel J Herlihy
Those of you who have noted my favourite bands list on the profile will know why this news is important to me. But, you'll be glad to know there's no hysteria over this from me, just disappointment that another great band didn't get the recognition that they deserved.
But don't just take my word for it. Check out the lyrical genius from Sam Herlihy below:
Can we dance in the rain and fill the streets with parades?
No one's left behind.
We all wait in line.
Defiant I shall be today but I won't forget how much we paid
The voices from above said:
'You're alright to carry on'
So we thanked The Lord
For the second chance we got to try again
And despite it all
We're doing alright
Our friends by our side
We fight a good fight
And all of the pain and all of the strife
Means nothing to us
We fight a good fight.
We'll win in another life.
I know we will.
Tomorrow's another chance
To make the next day better.
Song:The Good Fight
Album: Left
Music: Hope of The States, words: Samuel J Herlihy
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