Happy New Year (a new thing)

So, it's nearly 2014! Another new year! There are always mixed reactions to celebrating New Year, but I’ve really noticed it this year more than ever, due partly to having quite a few friends who have had a really tough time of it in 2013. I can see their view point…there is definitely a lot of expectation put on the one evening of New Year’s Eve, and if 2013 has been a tough year (which I know it has been for many of you) then why indeed would you want to celebrate its passing (at least, with anything more than sheer relief!) My natural optimistic instinct is to just want to give the people concerned a great big hug, tell them that somehow it’s going to be ok, and to want to make everything better for them – I don’t like knowing that people are hurting (it makes me hurt too!) But, it turns out that I can’t just magically make things better with optimism, no matter how hard I try to think of the right things to do or say.

The good news though, is that I can do something much better. Firstly, I can continue to pray for you. And secondly, I can share with you what I know of the hope that is based on solid promises, rather than optimism – and I happen to trust the one who has made those promises (although, I don’t trust Him nearly as much as I want to or know I should – but that’s a whole different blog post!)

Most of you will by now know that Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favourite singer-songwriters (for various reasons, which I won’t go into here). He has written this song called Happy new Year, which is at the end of his latest Christmas album. It ends with hope for the year to come:
“The God who made everything, is remaking everything.
The God who made everything, He says I’m making all things new”.

This ties in amazingly with Bible Gateway’s verse of the day for today (which I get delivered to my inbox every day):
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43: 18-19.

Now this prophecy was written to a people who had really had a tough time of it. They, of all people, would have had a reason to “dwell in the past” and on the “former things”. Yet, they are given this promise to hold onto, to look and see that God is doing a new thing: He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland – i.e. bringing life to places that were formerly only places of death, where anything other than death seemed like an impossibility. Some of 2013 may have looked like a wilderness or a wasteland to you, and you aren't sure how things could ever get better. But, with God, nothing is impossible. I had no idea how I was going to find a job after completing my PhD at the end of last year (or what that job should even be), but God found me one. Then, I had no idea how to find somewhere to live in my new town, this place I didn't know at all - but God found me somewhere. I had no idea how to find a new church family to connect into - but God found me an amazing one(!) You get the picture. (There are still plenty more difficult situations that have yet to be resolved, but I know that my God will somehow make a way!) 

I also think of a passage in another Old Testament book of the Bible:
“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:19-23

God’s compassions are new not just every year, but every day (and actually, also every moment of every day!) The coming of a new year just gives us a good chance to stop and reflect. Yes it is a chance to remember with thanks the good things from 2013. But it is also a chance to remember that however hard 2013 has been, we don’t have to get stuck there and dwell in the things now from our past, but we can move on, with hope and expectation, into all that the future brings – that God is doing a new thing.

Up until fairly recently I found it really hard to think about the future. I suppose it was a result of the (mostly self-imposed) pressure of having to choose “the perfect” subjects for GCSE (then for A-level, then for university, then for a job…the list goes on; I don’t know if anyone else can relate to this?!) I used to look into the future and just get paralysed with fear, so it was easier not to look there at all, and just go with the flow of what was happening right now, but without any goals or direction (because that would involve thinking about the future!) But I have been, and am still being, more and more freed from this paralysing fear, such that I can now look at the future. I still don’t know what’s ahead, and it still scares me a bit, but whatever lies ahead, I know the One who walks beside me  (and I know that he has also placed some amazing people around me, for me to also walk with and encourage/ be encouraged by!) And I know that 2014 will be a good year. I was challenged a few weeks ago to think about what my expectations were for 2014. I didn’t have an answer at the time, but I think I do now (at least partly). What are your expectations for 2014?

So, Happy New Year, and every blessing for the year ahead :)

A few of my favourite things

So my friend Jenny, who is severely ill with ME, wrote a long blog post titled "My Favourite Things" (do go and read her original post - or at least the introduction - for more context) and her friends have been challenged to write similar posts on 1st December, to bring a smile to her face. So, Jenny, this is my attempt.... (And I challenge you, even if you don't know Jenny, can you come up with your own list?!)

I don't like labelling things as my "favourite", as it feels too definite; so instead, I felt it more appropriate to title this "a few of my favourite things" (in deference to The Sound of Music, of course!) I have to say that I have actually found it quite a hard post to write. There are many things that I like, but often in the busyness of life, and in the desire to please others, I always end up pushing down the things that I like, until I've almost forgotten them myself! But I still find a key giveaway sign when I really like something, is that it makes me smile or grin a lot, so, based on that, here we go...

A few favourite TV programmes:
Like Jenny, I also like Chuck (if you don't know it, check it out - it's awesome!) and Doctor Who. Also...

Warehouse 13 - a series that my brother introduced me to

Game shows - too many to name, but I particularly enjoy watching question or word-based games.

The Great British Bake Off - traditionally I've always found cooking shows quite boring, and never really watched them. But I really got hooked on this show last year, and have been watching it since. I love the creativity of the people on the show, and seeing what creations they come up with!

Childhood programmes
The New Adventures of Superman - I am proud to admit to owning all 4 seasons on DVD! I loved this show (helped by the fact I *may* have had a slight crush on Dean Cain).

Ocean Odyssey - About a girl, Neri, who can breathe underwater and speak to whales. Awesome show. I love swimming, and when I was in the sea on holiday I always pretended to be Neri. I think this show is where my love of swimming underwater comes from :)

David the Gnome - very few people seem to have ever seen this programme, but I loved it! (It was on very early on Sunday mornings I think).


A few favourite books:
Gentian Hill (Elizabeth Gouge) - my all-time favourite, which I keep coming back to. She is a great writer, but that's not the real reason I love it so much (I've read other books by her which I don't love so much). I think the real reason that I love it is because I really identify with some of the characters, and have learnt a lot from them.

Chronicles of Narnia (C.S Lewis) - my dad read these to me when I was younger, and I often re-read them to this day. I also have a couple of them on audiobook, and I always listen to them to cheer myself up whenever I'm feeling ill and don't have the brainpower to read an actual book!

Archives of Anthropos (John White) - series of 6 books that my godparents introduced me to. Similar concept to the Narnia books, in that they are an analogy of some of the key passages in scripture.

The Oriel books (Robert Harrison) - "Oriel's diary", "Oriel's travels" and "Oriel in the desert". These are books based on the lives of 3 figures in scripture (Jesus, Paul and Moses), as seen through the eyes of the fictional archangel Oriel. I was introduced to these books by a friend at Bristol uni, and they have really helped me with thinking through these familiar parts of scripture in a new way; I often find that fiction books engage me more than non-fiction and I learn more through stories than documentaries!

The Dark is Rising (Susan Cooper) - a great series of books based on the Arthurian legend. I have read and re-read these books so many times that my copy is falling apart. The only part I don't like is the ending, as it grates on me somewhat (which is why I have stopped reading them of late).

The Ender saga (Orson Scott Card) - very thought provoking books. Don't know how the recent film compares, as I haven't seen it yet.

Agatha Christie's Poirot - I have read pretty much all of the Poirot books ever written.

Sherlock Holmes - similarly, I have the complete Sherlock Holmes, and love his deduction abilities (maybe it appeals to the scientific side of me?!) I prefer the earlier stories though, as the later stories can be a little weird.

Redeeming Love (Francine Rivers) - an incredible romance novel, based on the Biblical book of Hosea.


A few favourite films:
Pride and Prejudice - I do enjoy the most recent film, but the BBC drama is still my favourite. My G'ma enjoyed the BBC drama so much that she wore out her VHS tapes (ah, those were the days!) and I have very fond memories of watching it with her :) I now own both versions on DVD.

The Saint (film with Val Kilmer) - the perfect mix of action and romance.

The Fifth Element - a slightly quirky sci-fi film, which I saw at the cinema when it first came out years ago. It's a great mix of action, romance and comedy, and it's firmly become one of my "films to stick on to cheer me up when I'm ill".

The Holiday - Great romcom; fun to watch, with some good messages. I just have to try not to wonder too hard about how they solve the problem of this transatlantic travel thing!

The Little Mermaid - my favourite Disney film, ever! I haven't watched it for years though, as I banned myself from watching it because I always cried so hard watching it that it gave me a huge headache! (I tend to cry a lot with films - regardless of whether they're happy or sad!)

I should also mention that I'm really enjoying the recent spate of superhero films (e.g. the Avengers and everything associated!)


A few favourite musicals:
I'm a huge fan of musicals, and love Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals (especially Cats and Starlight Express), as well as things like Les Mis, The Sound of Music, and Annie.


Some favourite folk music:
Megson - a great husband and wife duo, with some great song arrangements and wonderful vocal harmonies. I particularly love the songs "The Old Miner" and "The Handloom Weaver", which Glyn and I have played together on occasion.

Eastmountainsouth - these guys only produced one album, sadly, but it's beautiful! Incredible harmonies. I particularly love the song "Show me the River", as it holds some very special memories for me.

Show of Hands - awesome band to see live! They have a lot of stage experience, and I am always in awe of their ability to craft the "ebbs and flows" of their live shows. I have learnt a lot from these guys.

Cara Luft - great musician and song writer, with a big heart. Her shows are always great fun and I enjoy keeping up with her travels via her news updates.

Seth Lakeman - what can I say?! Amazing. I am in awe of his ability to play the fiddle AND sing at the same time. I also greatly admire his tenor guitar! (I want one!) He writes great songs, crafts a great live show, and I think that he has done great things in terms of making folk music popular for a new generation (whatever the more traditionalist folkies may say).

Fidola - this is a group that I saw at Sheffield Folk Festival, when Glyn and I were there to perform. They were really my first introduction to folk tunes, and I still listen to their album to this day - beautifully crafted.

Martyn Joseph - a great showman, with a great heart to bring people hope and to fight for social justice. I particularly enjoy his album "Whoever it was that brought me here will have to take me home".

Soiree - not usually my preferred style of music, but these guys have been good friends to me over the last few years and I always really enjoy seeing/hearing them perform together. Sue has a beautiful voice, Steve is a great guitarist and Hector does a wonderful Elvis impersonation (as well as being a great singer).


Some favourite folk tunes:
Shove the pigs foot a bit further into the fire (great tune and great title!)

Charity Tweed - written by Pip Jopling

The Sloe Gin set - originally performed by Spiers and Boden, but I love the version performed by Glyn Collinson and Andrew Marcus, which never fails to bring a smile to my face when I listen to it.


Some favourite Christian music:
Steven Curtis Chapman - anyone who has known me for a while will probably have heard me speak about this guy! I was privileged to see him perform live in London last year, and his music has been such a source of encouragement for me. He is so open about sharing the ups and downs of his life with his fans, and it is so powerful to see that he really does believe all of the things that he sings about.

Bethany Dillon - a great singer-songwriter.

Switchfoot
Ginny Owens
Nathan Tasker
Kari Jobe
Chris Tomlin
Jeremy Camp

Some favourite Bible verses:
Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Ephesians 3:17-19 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Psalm 139

1John 4:18 "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 2

2Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

John 15:5 " “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."


A few of my favourite things to do:
Music
- I love sessions; when I was first introduced to these through the folk scene, it just felt so right; it's how music should be - a group of people, enjoying playing and sharing music with each other

- I have so many good memories from playing in the band Waterfront, either as a duo with Glyn, as a trio with Glyn and Ben, or also with Pip or Richard.

- I far prefer going to a pub and listening to live music, than going to a club. I owe The New Root a huge amount, for helping me to discover the joys of live music and for also introducing me to Glyn, with whom I played in Waterfront.

- God has given me both a certain amount of musical ability and opportunities to develop that ability, and I love having the opportunity to use this to serve others through being involved in the worship teams at church :)

Landscape photography and spending time in God's creation - I don't do this nearly enough, but spending time in nature always refreshes my soul and photography lets my creative side make an appearance :)

I also love spending time with friends, and playing board games.


Lastly...a few favourite foods:
Roast chicken
Tomatoes
Chocolate cake (mmm....)
Pineapple


Thank you for reading this long post; I hope that it has given you some insight into the world of Ro! :)

Deep Roots!

So, with my birthday coming up fairly soon now, I'm starting to feel my age a bit, being now firmly into my late 20s! Over the last few years my body has been gradually changing - I now need a lot more sleep than I used to (or rather, I am forced to admit this slightly more often than I used to), my joints ache more easily than they used to, and my preferences have changed. One example that I will admit to, is that I'm actually starting to enjoy gardening(!), which I thought would never happen. My parents have always been keen gardeners, but much as I've always loved the end results I could never see the attraction of the process of gardening itself - why would you want to get yourself covered in soil, and crawl around with the creepy crawlys! But, since moving, I have discovered the joys of gardening gloves (cutting out the first problem!) and I have discovered the satisfaction of seeing something that you have planted then spring to life!

But, with the joys of gardening, comes also the hard work. With the weather improving (a bit) of late, our grass has started to grow rapidly! And not only the grass, but the weeds too. So, it is my job this weekend to de-weed our lawn - and it's proving more of a challenge than I first thought! Dandelions sure have deep roots, which I never appreciated before! You can understand why they are so ubiquitous and why they survive in places where other things won't. So, one challenge removing them, is whether to dig out these roots. The temptation is to just remove the surface plant, as the grass will then immediately look better and I won't have to go to all the trouble of removing the roots. But, if I do that, then I know that the weeds will just grow right back again, so actually, doing this surface weeding just creates more work in the long run.

So, decision made - remove the roots. But this job is hard work. The roots run deep, so I therefore have to dig deep to find them. It also creates patches of bare soil in the middle of the lawn, where I've removed the plants, which doesn't immediately make it look better! But, once I have also sown the grass seed that I have bought, in the long run the lawn will be so much healthier, even if it takes that little longer and a bit more work to get there.  

It's like that with my life too. I went on a course called Freedom in Christ at my church in Guildford last year. It was amazing, and uncovered so many issues that I never even realised were holding me back. But, yesterday one of these issues - which I thought had been dealt with - reared its head again, in a different form. I realised that this thing is still affecting me, and that its roots must run deeper than I had initially thought. Now, again, the temptation is to just deal with the surface behaviours (or even worse, to just ignore it!), but that won't deal with the underlying problem which will just allow it to come back again! Removing the roots will be hard work, and perhaps painful, but in the long run I will be healthier for it.

I am reminded of the parable of the sower in the Bible, where Jesus talks about a farmer scattering seed. He says that some of the seed "fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants" (Matthew 13:7), and that the interpretation of this is that  ^"the seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22) (so, having weeds in your life doesn't just look untidy, but it also makes you unfruitful!)

Jesus also says, on another occasion, that "“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:1-2). So, whilst pruning (or weeding?!) may be painful, it is for our good and will help us ultimately to become more fruitful in our lives.

So, is just simply removing the weeds the goal then? No. There is also a parable in Matthew 12, where Jesus talks about how if an evil spirit comes out of a man, if it returns to find the house it left swept clean but unoccupied, it will just come back again (and bring some friends with it!) I suppose that in the same way if we just weed our lives, but then don't fill the space with something else, then the weeds will just grow back, and potentially grow even bigger than before! But if we put something else in its place, then the weeds will have no room to grow.

Steven Curtis Chapman has just released a new album called Deep Roots. It is called such for several reasons: it is very much a return to his roots in terms of music style (which is awesome by the way), the album contains several old hymns which he has rearranged, and it involves his family (who sing and play on many of the tracks) showing his deep family roots. I want to have deep roots too - not by having weeds in my life that are deeply rooted, but by being deeply rooted in God. One of my favourite Bible passages is in Ephesians 3, where Paul is praying for the church in Ephesus. One of the things he mentions is that they would be "rooted and established in love" (Ephesians3:17). When we are deeply rooted and established in love (and God is love, right!) when storms come we will be able to stand fast and not be destroyed. We will be "like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither" (Psalm1:3). I'm certainly not that person yet - as demonstrated by the fact that I have allowed this move to toss me about far more than I should! But, roots take time to grow, and in this culture of ours, which demands everything to be instant, that can be difficult to remember. I am still on a journey, as all of you are too. I just want to make sure that I am going the right way, and that I am someone who is prepared to let God dig deep in my life (because, He loves me as I am, but He loves me too much to leave me that way!)