Living Wittily

TFTD Oct 7-13 2024: Jesus and the Unexpected Sources of Joy.

Monday

Luke 2.10 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

I know. It’s way too early to anticipate Christmas. Or is it? Why would we only read the greatest announcement of joy to the world, in the bleak midwinter? This is a truth for all people, in all places, at all times. The Christian year was never intended to fence off Christmas, Easter and Pentecost as annual reminders of what matters most in our faith. In a world fractured and dangerous, Christians are called to bear witness now to the coming of God in Christ, to live out the reconciling love that has come amongst us in judgement, mercy, forgiveness, God’s plan to end all enmities.

Tuesday

Matthew 2.10-11 “When they saw the star they were overjoyed. On coming to the house they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him.”   

Behind this too often sentimentalised account of three ancient travellers bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, are Isaiah’s words: “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” There is in Christ the power and the capacity to “draw all people to himself.” The joy in this passage is the joy of anticipation, of hope determined to go on trusting God in a world where so much evidence encourages despair. We pray that nations will come to the light of Christ and the brightness of a new dawn. Is that naïve? Or is it the foolishness of God outshining human wisdom?

Wednesday

Matthew 13.44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

What matters most to you? What is worth giving your life to? The kingdom of God isn’t a hobby, and discipleship doesn’t work as a part time commitment. Following Jesus means living in the ways of the Kingdom of God. The motive for self-giving service to Jesus is the joy of knowing that he is the greatest treasure, and that the Father’s welcoming love is the overflow of God’s mercy. Joy is finding our soul’s true north, discovering in Jesus the reality that makes sense of every other thing in life.

Thursday

Luke 15.7 “I tell you. . .there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.”

You know the story. The good shepherd counts the sheep, knows them by name, and knows when one is missing. The others are left safe, but the shepherd risks life and limb to find the lost sheep. When he finds it, with a great sigh of relief, exhausted as he is, he lifts it and carries it back to the safety of the fold. God’s joy is like that!

Friday

John 15.10-12 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

The logic of joy! God loves Jesus; Jesus loves us; we are to stay put in this circle of love by keeping the new commandment to love one another. The love of Jesus, crucified and risen resides in us, and we in Him. It is His joy that is in us, “our life is hid with Christ in God”, and so joy comes full circle. We are filled full, and fulfilled.

Saturday

John 16.22 “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

Of the six times John writes of joy, five of them are in the Farewell Discourse. In the longest and most intimate conversation with the disciples, overshadowed by menace and looming tragedy, Jesus speaks of joy. Yes there will be grief; yes hope will seem to evaporate; and yes, sorrow is real and hearts really break. But. The presence of Jesus risen, his triumph over hatred, lies, violence and death, is the keynote of joy in the New Testament –and in our own lives. “Lo Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb! Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom.” Joy is the default setting of the community of Christ, deep, durable, defining joy.

Sunday

John 17.13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.”

That circle of encircling love that we call the Triune God of grace, lies at the deep centre of Christian faith, practice and worship. Jesus is in communion with the Father, praying for disciples devastated by a world suddenly hostile. But he has prayed for each of them, and they will find their sorrow turned into dancing, and fear and sorrow must, and will give way, to the joy of Christ let loose on the world and poured into hearts illumined by “the last reality of the universe…Eternal love, bearing sin.”; in the words by my theological hero, James Denney (1856-1917)

The Book of Common Prayer - Reflections and Review.

Just finished reading this - took a bit longer as I've been reading other things. But the slow piece by piece reading has its advantages.

It's an odd but quite effective series, writing the biography of a book. In biblical studies we might call that reception history, or more particularly a history of consequences, that is, the effects and influence of a text over its lifetime.

The lifetime of the Book of Common Prayer is quite long! It was first published in 1549, its architect Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. It has gone through numerous revisions, it has been the rope in some intensely contested liturgical, theological and political tugs of war, along with the King James Bible it has shaped the English language and for centuries English speaking culture. It deserves a biography.

Alan Jacobs writes with narrative verve, and as a scholar and literary critic (who is an Evangelical Anglican), he has considerable sympathy with both the history and the content of the BCP. He has chosen key moments in the life of the book to shine a light on it, and those who have criticised it, defended it, loved it and hated it, argued for its revision, or rejection, or conservation as a classic text.

In a digital age, and so much text now read on screens of one kind or another, there's an elegiac tone near the end of the book. With the decline of the use of the BCP, and the advent of Common Worship and other alternative service books (including ASB), the impetus for quality book production, developments of beautiful type-faces, and commitment to ensuring the availability and accessibility of the Book of Common Prayer (note the word 'Book') - is on the wane. Jacobs' last sentence: "While the Book of Common Prayer lives on in so many ways, its association with the crafts of bookmaking and type design may have effectively come to an end." (Page 200)

I've learned from this book, and remain an admirer of the liturgical masterpiece that is the BCP. The conflicted history of the Book of Common Prayer indicates the religious passion and political ambitions that brought it to birth, and inevitably shaped events over the centuries.

As one who stands in the Nonconformist and Dissenting traditions, I sense what has been missed in not living within the rhythms of a liturgical community. At the same time, my spiritual forebears were persecuted on account of their refusal to have their faith shaped and governed by the State using a book as a religious test of political allegiance, and and as an instrument to impose spiritual authority. All of this, Jacobs weaves through the story of a book to which millions upon millions owe spiritual debts, and which remains a classic, perhaps THE classic of English Christianity. 

Harvest and Hills and Geese and Fields: Provision and Providence.

 

 

 

 

In the far distance is Bennachie, fifteen miles north of Garlogie, and between there and here is Loch Skene, rest point for thousands of migrating geese, some of whom just flew over Garlogie woods, honking to let the world know they had made it safely for another year.

 

These fields are edged with centuries old drystane dykes; the farmers have so far resisted removing them to make bigger fields to bring in bigger machines.

 

And this thirty stone bale of winter Weetabix, glowing in late sunshine, is reason enough for the cows to hold their own harvest thanksgiving, if not now, then maybe January.

 

In Psalm 104 the Lord is praised for His care of creation - including geese and cows!

The birds of the sky nest by the waters;

they sing among the branches.

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;

the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

He makes grass grow for the cattle,

and plants for people to cultivate—

bringing forth food from the earth.

 

TFTD Sep 30-Oct 6: When the default setting of the heart at worship is gladness set to music!

Monday

Psalm 4.7-8 “You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. Therefore I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety.”

Only the Psalm-poet would make that connection between joy and a good night’s sleep! But the truth is, joy is the settled assurance that God is there, and God is here, and God is for us. The old hymn already told us this: “Blessed assurance, all is at rest; I in my Saviour am happy and blest.” If the choice is ever between God without the security of lots of stuff, or lots of stuff without the security of God, then the Psalm-poet’s decision is already made – “You have filled my heart with greater joy. . .”

Tuesday

Psalm 19.8 “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

You can tell a lot about a word by the company it keeps. Joy is closely connected to knowing what God requires, and doing what is right. There is a joy in obedience that comes from knowing we have pleased the God we love, because he first loved us. There is joy in learning what is true and good – God’s precepts are like LED lights that illumine both the path ahead, and our minds and hearts. The commands of the lord are the cat’s eyes on the road, following them we stay safely on the road.

Wednesday

Psalm 28.7 “The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song.”

“The joy of the Lord shall be your strength.” Here it is again, that empowering connection between assurance that God is faithful and to be trusted, and the sheer exuberance of the heart that draws its strength from God. Joy doesn’t mean life has no rough pot holes and dangerous corners. It means that even on the most difficult parts of the journey the Lord is our strength, we trust in him and we are helped. The heart leaps for joy when God is a very present strength and help in time of trouble.

Thursday

Psalm 42.4 “These things I remember as I pour out my soul; how I used to go with the crowds, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.”

This is a Psalm of sorrow and longing for God. The Psalm-poet is cast down, and depressed, he thirsts for God, and is not in a good place. We’ve all been there, that scary place of not knowing how we’re going to get through all this. This is a man giving himself a good talking to. Twice he tells himself: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.” Or as another Psalm has it, “Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Joy may come and go, and just to be clear, that isn’t always our fault! Just as well then, that God is faithful, and his love endures forever, and his grasp is so much stronger than ours!

Friday

Psalm 51.12 “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”

Guilt is a corrosive, it eats away at joy. David’s great sins have broken his relationship to God, and like all of us he can’t edit out what he has done. He can only be cleansed and forgiven, and that demands repentance and a return to God. This short verse describes the inner process of joy restored. God’s grace in Christ initiates a new creation in the heart, and resets the whole direction of our life toward God. By grace we are saved through faith, and even that renewal of trust is the gift of God. In place of corrosive guilt we are reconciled to God in Christ; and the result is restored joy!

Saturday

Psalm 95.1,2 “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

There’s a lot of singing and shouting in the Psalms! Joy requires noisy music. Praise is thanksgiving with the volume turned full up! To understand how or why something works, a good question is: “Where is the head of steam coming from?” When it comes to worship the Psalm-poet has no hesitation. The head of steam, the energy and creativity and togetherness of worship comes from gratitude for who God is, and for what God has done because of who God is! God is a Rock, and worship is when we come before Him with thanksgiving - God rocks, and we make “a joyful noise!”

Sunday

Psalm 100.1-3 “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Joy is the bass beat of creation, the response of all that is to the love of God. To know God is God, and to know God, and be known by God, - that is our calling, and our reason for being. The Psalm-poet uses the most familiar image of his day – we are the sheep of the Lord who is Shepherd. Our technologically calibrated world makes it hard for us to grasp the intimacy of dependence, and the faithful investment of care in that ancient sheep-shepherd relationship. God made us, we are his. That’s reason enough for joy. The default setting of the heart at worship is gladness set to music!   

Why the Arts and Humanities Matter and Why the BBC is an Important Cultural Curator

BBC arts chief hits back at accusations from Dimbleby and Bragg

Suzy Klein defends BBC’s ‘incredibly strong and passionate’ commitment to culture programming

 

For years I have been outspoken about the importance of the arts in education and in human and community formation. I've even presented a paper reflecting theologically on the humanities as an essential and equal tier in primary, secondary and university education.

 

So this discussion, argument, disagreement (I can't quite work out which) between two broadcasting stalwarts and Suzy Klein, the BBC's head or Arts and Music makes for interesting reading.

 

Journalese rhetoric (that's the specific discourse used by journalists to add heat and spice to a headline) doesn't help. I've read this article twice and wouldn't describe Suzy Klein's response as "hits back!" This is a measured, courteous response putting the case from the BBC with evidence and facts. Decades ago, a friend who spent his career servicing University committees mocked the local rag for using the language of physical conflict to describe an exchange of views - words like 'hit back, 'slam', 'floored'.

 

In the article itself Suzy Klein makes several telling points, and studiously avoids 'slamming' anyone. Speaking of the culture wars she asks they key question: "How did we get to a place where we often feel like different communities or sections of society are so angry with one another?" Or again, "We have to lean into the joy and passion of arts and culture, and not constantly feel like it’s a place where we have to beat ourselves up.”

If you're interested in the arts and humanities, and in securing their place in our cultural and community life, this article is worth reading.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/sep/25/bbc-arts-chief-suzy-klein-hits-back-at-accusations-by-dimbleby-and-bragg

TFTD Sep 23-29 - "The Joy of the Lord Shall Be Your Strength."

Monday

Nehemiah 8.10 “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Let there be no sadness, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

This isn’t an instruction never to grieve, feel sad, be low in spirits, or depressed. This is a special day for God’s people Israel. They had just heard the Law being read, and were upset because their lives were out of sync with what God requires of faithful and faith-filled hearts. But if they delight in God, commit their hearts once more in love and faith and hope, they will discover a new joy, the joy of obedience.

Tuesday

Nehemiah 8.10 “Send some to those who have nothing prepared.

For followers of Jesus, celebrations should never be selfish; having plenty, take time to remember those who have nothing. Joy in God can never be all about me, me, me. Joy in God is like that spring of water that wells up inside and pours itself out as love, kindness, and an urge to share what is good in our lives with others. Our own sense of blessing sows seeds of gratitude, which grow into thoughtful generosity to others.

Wednesday

1 Chronicles 16.10&27 “Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice…Splendour and majesty are before him, strength and joy in his holy place.”

In this thanksgiving Psalm of David, joy and gratitude feed each other when we come to God. There are few more energising emotions than thankfulness. Gratitude produces resilience and strength to go on serving God, even when it’s hard. God’s sufficient grace in Christ enables and empowers us. Grace creates gratitude and so thankfulness turns to joy. Our glad obedience to God is the outcome of that cycle of seeking, and asking and knocking and finding the “grace to help us in time of need.” 

Thursday

1 Chronicles 16.32 “Let the sea resound and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant and everything in them. Then the trees of the forest will sing, they will sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.”

Use your imagination! Look at the world and hear and see a symphony performed in colour, motion and sound. The background beat is the sea, the music and movement are fields ripe for harvest waving and dancing in sun and wind. This choral symphony is accompanied by forests of trees, all keeping time with the music of Creation, conducted by the Creator, their song a hymn of grateful praise. Those who sing and play in this orchestra believe God’s justice is coming. Wrong will be made right, God will bring shalom in God’s good time. This is not wishful thinking. This Psalm is music composed in the heart of God, performed in movements, from Creation to Calvary, to the Empty Tomb, and to the Ascension of Christ seated as “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This is the music of redemption, orchestrated by the Triune God of holy love and grace, its finale the coming of Christ “to judge the earth.

Friday

Proverbs 12.20 “There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace.”

This is about what the mind thinks, the heart feels, and the will decides. What gives us joy – other people’s troubles, or finding ways to make other people’s lives better? Another translation reads, “There is joy for those who seek the common good.” Jesus focused on this even more sharply, “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Joy doesn’t just happen – when we promote peace, or seek the common good, there is the joy of knowing that’s exactly the internal bias God approves. Evil boomerangs on those who wish harm upon others; whereas joy is the inevitable by-product for those who work to heal, build, and sustain community as their service to the God of peace.

Saturday

Isaiah 55.12 “You shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and the trees of the field will clap their hands”

This promise is to those who seek the Lord with all their heart. (v6) Of course, life can close in on us, or fall to pieces, or we lose our direction, we long for a life worth living and a purpose that re-energises and motivates us. As the prophet said, “Give ear and come to me, hear me that your soul may live.” (v3) There are times when joy seems to ebb away and we need inner renewal. For those who feel like that, this promise is for you: “Seek the Lord while he may be found.” Joy in God is infinitely more than pleasure, happiness, status or ‘enjoyment of stuff.”  When we live towards God, and seek God’s company and grace, “we shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace!

Sunday

Isaiah 12. 5 “Sing to the Lord for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy people of Zion!”

If ever there was a mission text for the church, this is it! Isaiah is the mission prophet who writes of beautiful feet on the mountains bringing good news! Christian worship is to sing of the glories of the Gospel of Christ. Christian witness is to “let this be known to all the world.” To shine as light, to penetrate and cleanse like salt, to live as communities of the Spirit, and to sing for joy as people who believe and know and trust that “God was in Christ reconciling the world too himself.” Aye, sing for joy!