The Puzzle of Life

Reading: Luke 11:33-44

Aim: To encourage the congregation to face life’s problems by becoming open-minded, ready to give as well as receive, in order to help others, whoever they are.

Resources: A complex puzzle, e.g. Rubik’s Cube

What do we have to do to solve a complicated puzzle?

A very good way to tackle a puzzle is to do it in reverse. Then we can understand how it works. The trouble with that is we might get distracted along the way and forget where we got to. So now we’ve not only got the original puzzle, but, also, lots of new problems that we’ve created by getting lost.

What we need to do is fragment the puzzle into ‘bite-sized’ solutions which give us time to reflect on what we have achieved and how to continue to make progress. So with perseverance, we will solve the puzzle . . . . . . . we hope!!!

Many problems in life can be like a puzzle with no obvious solution; we can try as hard as we like to make things better, but we only end up getting in a bigger mess. Does that sound familiar?

How many of us have been fed with so many half truths that we become confused with who we are and we feel as though we have no identity? People claim how wonderful we are, then, in the next breath they condemn us.

How many of us feel as though we are on an emotional rollercoaster: one moment ecstatically happy; the next plunged into the depths of despair? Then nobody wants to know us because we are so inconsistent.

How many of us have risen to face a busy day and rushed around from morning to night only to become so worn out that there is no energy left for family and friends? Perhaps you’re suffering, or have suffered from some kind of illness. Whether it’s a cold or cancer, we still feel as though no one understands our pain.

How many of us feel an aching in our hearts. Maybe we feel as though we’ve let God down; or, even, God has let us down!!!!

What a tangled confused mess we must be!

The problems and tangles of our lives are an outward sign of what the bible calls sin. And as we struggle to sort out our own little mess, we very often forget that everyone else is in the same boat.

Jesus’ main concern was people: whoever they were or whatever their circumstance. Rich or poor, good or bad; Jesus loved them. He loved the Pharisees as much as he loved his disciples. He loved Judas Iscariot as much as he loved his own mother. But most importantly he loved those alienated from God by sin, as much as he loves his chosen servants. Where ever Jesus spoke he gave people hope. He didn’t preach at them as though they were objects. He understood their hopes and fears.

Luke quotes Jesus saying, “When your eyes are good, your whole body is also full of light, but when they are bad, your body is also full of darkness.” It seems our eyes are like the windows in our houses. At night the light from our room spreads into the darkness, illuminating a small area outside. Yet in the daytime we don’t need our puny light bulbs because the greater light from the sun floods through our windows, filling our room with a greater light. However, if we chose to close our curtains, none of our light can reach out into the darkness at night, nor can the sun penetrate the shutters into our private little world. If we try to see the whole picture, instead of being blinkered by appearances or social status, maybe we’ll see past the mask of protection that protects us from being hurt. Prejudice is a crime we all suffer from. Offering a listening ear to some one who we are afraid to talk to or don’t want to associate with may help us realise that they are just as confused as we are, just with different priorities. Then by opening our eyes, we may be able to shine a little goodness to a world that certainly needs it. Who know, we may even smooth off a few of the rough edges of our own puzzle of life. But if we shut our eyes from what we see, we’ll soon be back to square one; but this time the selfish ‘I don’t’ want to know’ attitude will add a new set of even more complicated problems. Soon they will snowball out of control and start to roll in the wrong direction.

If we think of people as being like the bowl described in the reading from Luke, we begin to understand how important it is to not only receive God’s grace, but, also, to give grace to others. When Jesus hung on the cross, he was sentenced to a villain’s death and would have looked as vile and wretched as the thieves either side of him. Though Jesus made his message graphically clear in the manner which he lived and died, he never chose to glorify himself. Even as the most monumentally important person to have ever walked this earth, he had the humility to wash his followers’ feet. He recognised our need and knew what the solution was. To discover God for ourselves!

All of us are the dish that Luke recalls. We cover our innermost feelings and put on a brave face, when deep inside we want to cry out, “It’s me! I’m here! I have needs too!” If we are to begin to tackle our own problems we’ve got to see Jesus for who he really is and what he stands for. We need to see past the hardened exterior of people to discover their hidden needs. Let’s remember that everyone is a fellow human being regardless of race, colour, creed or political persuasion. It’s our job to treat them the same we as we would like to be treated. We should reach out to those around us; not only within our families and friends, but also within the church and the greater community in which we live. The church is hungry for this kind of fellowship. The church as a body of people should aim to become the heartbeat and conscience of our community. How else can we perpetuate this great commission?

Do we talk to God? Do we share our innermost thoughts, needs and actions with him? Regular communication with our creator will help us to know his desire for us. By daily reading and studying his word and constant prayer we will draw closer to God. When was the last time you rejoiced with God when sharing good news. When was the last time you cried before him because your heart was broken at the loss of a loved one? By having a humble heart we too can become transmitters of life as well as receivers. Only then can we start to nourish others with all the good inside us.

The overwhelming puzzle of life may seem impossible to solve, but as long as we keep chipping away at it and learn from our mistakes, we will be able to draw closer to God.

Are we prepared to share ourselves with others?

If we revealed the contents of our lives through our eyes, would we like what we saw?

Do we harbour love or bitterness in our hearts?

Do we get so wrapped up in our own problems that we shut out people who need our special talents?

When life gets tough and the problem seems to have no solution, why not consider this statement:

Has God forgotten me, or have I forgotten God?

Whose Side Are You On?

Readings:  Joshua 5:13-6:5
                  Romans 8:28-39

Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s it all for?”?

“Why does everything I hope for never happen?”

“Why do I have to make so many compromises to my dreams, always experiencing second best?”

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do I bother?”?

Why bother being kind when the overwhelming response is contempt and hatred? Nobody likes a busy body…….. do they???

People who show a complete disregard for others lives and toss them aside like a used sweet wrapper. How angry does that make you feel?

Pictures in the media show an emancipated child with xylophone ribs holding out an empty bowl, while our world leaders are literally throwing away grain for economic reasons. Does that distress you?

Have you ever asked yourself, “What’s it all for?”?

Have you ever questioned the reality of an immortal invisible God?

I have!!!

In the face of life’s misfortunes and calamities do call out in anguish and despair, “Whose side are you on?”

Do you long to see an end to heartache, injustice, poverty, hatred, war. . . . .

I do!

So what is God’s reply?

How does he answer our plea?

Does he hear or ignore; act or do nothing?

Or are we expecting God to mop up our mess because we don’t know how to deal with it?

We have all either had, are going through, or know we will face, unfaceable problems for which there seems no painless solution. Still we sometimes blame God and say, “He has turned his face against us!” when the truth is, IT IS US WHO HAVE TURNED AGAINST GOD!

Whose side are WE on?

As a teacher I sometimes get problems brought to me. Some may be trivial, others quite serious, but all are important because to that student it’s a matter of life and death!! Hearing the problem is the easy part. It soon becomes complicated when it’s obvious the student wants me to take sides against another student, or even a fellow teacher. Now what should I do?

Let’s briefly consider this story of Joshua on the verge of attacking Jericho. So far everything was going well. They’d won many battles, crossed the River Jordan and had tasted the land of ‘milk and honey’ for the first time; but ahead loomed the mighty walls of Jericho. How could Joshua defeat such a stronghold?

One day Joshua was probably reviewing the situation when he saw a warrior. So he asked them the famous question, “Friend or Foe?” and the curious answer was, “Neither!”

How is it possible to be on neither side?  Why does the commander of God’s army choose to take neither side? Is God really impartial when his people need him?

This brings me back to my pupil . . . . .
Whose side should I take; the victim or the accused?
Who is right? Who is wrong?
The answer in Joshua’s case was that God favoured neither side because both sides are his creation, as we too are God’s creation and he loved both sides, just as he loves us all. BUT HE HAS EXPECTATIONS!

We must love him above all else and love each other equally.

Jericho’s problem was they didn’t love God, they worshipped idols, so the walls of doubt and apostasy must come tumbling down so that God’s true nature could be seen.

The warrior was on God’s side. He didn’t place one principality over another. He served no kingdom gained by human endeavour. He served the living God.
As the story of Joshua unfolds we see how when Joshua sought to be on God’s side he defeated many stumbling blocks that stood in the way of God’s kingdom on earth. But when he turned away from God the wall began to raise once more.

We too have to break down or push aside the stumbling blocks in our lives. We have to defeat the stumbling blocks of doubt, hat, deceit, falsehood, greed, selfishness, envy and any such vices that would block out God’s will for us. How are we expected to see God’s promised land, if there is a mountain of confusion obscuring our view?

Let me give you an illustration of what I mean . . . .

Some years ago Tamara and I bought a house. It was a new house. We watched it being built. Decorated it, furnished it and everything looked good until you ventured into the back garden. Or should I say jungle! So I hacked it down, raked it over, sowed the grass seed, watered it and waited . . . .
Then at last some green shoots emerged. They grew strong and vibrant and before you knew it . . . . I was hacking the jungle down again. Not a blade of grass in sight!

Was it the seed that was bad or was it the soil?

The seed was guaranteed, it said so on the packet, and surely if weeds could grow with such vigour then the soil must be fertile. All things considered the seed should have grown.

So what had I done wrong?

You’ve got it! The reason the weeds came back is because I never dug them up in the first place. So when the shoots of good seed sprung up the were starved and choked by the well established weeds.

I hadn’t prepared the soil properly!

How true this is of our lives. We don’t prepare the fabric of our lives properly. We don’t always dig out the weeds that would choke us. We often cling on to the very things that drag us down and cause us to cry out to God, “Whose side are you on?”

So let’s concentrate on preparing the soil of our lives thoroughly. We need to dig out the weeds that cause us to stumble and obscure our view so that we can achieve our full potential as servants of God’s kingdom. Don’t be deterred.

Talk to God; share your life with Him. Don’t just request things when they are needed. Tell Him about everything. When you’re happy or sad, excited or dejected. Be grateful for all He is and has done and will do. Choose to be on God’s side and things will gradually fall into perspective.

Read about God in the Bible. Learn about how others discovered the nature of our Creator and share in the life He gives today. Rediscover Jesus again and cherish Him in your heart. How can we even begin to know the reality of God if we only peer through the letter box? Open the door of life and experience the tangible God. Reach out and touch Him. Let His love enfold you and know the truth of the words of Paul that . . .
Neither death nor life,
Neither angels nor demons
Neither present nor future, nor any powers,
Neither height nor depth,
Nor anything else in all creation
Shall separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Though the complexities of our life may seem unfathomable, hold on to those words, “Nothing shall separate us from the love of God.

Make ready the soil of your lives and it will allow the seed of God’s unfathomable love to bear fruit the like of which you have never seen or dreamt of.
“What’s it all about?”
“Why do I bother?”

We can defeat such sayings when we are on God’s side. If we act in the will of God we are more than conquerors because any problem will seem as nothing when compared to the joy of knowing that God will never leave us nor will anything ever take God’s love for us away.

Choose to follow God with all your strength
And he will make sense of this crazy world.

Choose to follow Jesus to become more like Him
And the person you become will draw people to you.

Choose to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you through life
And you will never be alone.

Let’s make a difference in this hurting world by sharing Jesus in al we are. Offer life to everyone.

Snow Days

This week I had Four Snow Days!!!! From November into the beginning of December we had enough snow and ice to close over 150 schools in sunny Lincolnshire. Our school was one of them, which had many implications for the music life of our school. Sadly I had to postpone, possibly cancel, our Christmas Praise event . Anither project that was threatened was the William Lovell Project recording its second project - The Skeggi Stomp. Fortunately I managed to rescue all the main recording gear from the schools studio just before the chaos hit.

So as well as getting some real quality snowballing time with Jack, I also got to spend some time in the Pots n Pans recording studio once more (my kitchen). Its been a while since I recorded in this prestigious studio - the last was the recording of Design for Life (available on iTunes - hint hint). This time I had an iMac with Logic Pro 9 on it and some un-interupted time. So I set about finishing the project. After a few hours the finishing touches were made and The Skeggi Stomp will receive its public debut next week, weather permitting, on Wednesday 8 December 2010 at the Embassy Theatre Skegness. 

Skeggi done and dusted the recording equipment was looking at me and longing to be explored some more. By now I'd gained a lot of knowledge a little bit of experience and an amazing desire to record one of my songs that has never had the attention. I spent approximately thirty seconds deciding which song, It took longer deciding that I needed to choose a song than actually deciding the song. A Cradle For The King is a song that I wrote back in 1999 whilst I was teaching at Spilsby High School (King Edward VI Humanities College). It was written in response to my musings on an interesting concept which I'm sure has crossed the thoughts of many people through the years. If the first Christmas happened this year where would Jesus be born. Would he be born in a squat or maybe he'd be born in private healthcare. That's a whole other debate. So I began recording.

The main guitar lick was the acoustic riff I figured out when I performed the songs a few Christmases ago and I decide to stick with it. The rest just fell into place. The only thing missing was a bridge. Originally I had two choruses to the song so I used the lyrics for the alternative chorus and edited them slightly. I figured the main purpose of the song was faith, belief and trust and the concept of a humble shepherd leaving behind his or her livelihood to see a baby boy who was the creator of the universe was a pretty mighty thought. So I stuck with that. 

The song took about 8 hours record in total with a further 3 hours fine tuning and mastering. I'm really pleased with the end result and invite you to come and listen. Here's the link - A Cradle For The King Enjoy! Don't forget to let me know what you think.

J. Brian Hill - UK 2010

J Brian Hill and I met on myspace back in 2005. At that time who would have thought that Brian would become one of my closest friends even though he lives 1000s of miles away. It's become an almost annual occasion over the past 4 years of either me going to Chicago (2006) or, more often, Brian coming to the UK. His visit is much anticipated by our whole family each time he arrives. So this year brings both excitement and joy in his return. 

This year he will be once again working with my BTEC students at William Lovell CE School, Stickney. The project is really quite fascinating. The suggestion came from over the pond that we should look at giving the students a real project raising money for a charity close to our students hearts. What better charity than Children in Need. Little did I know that it would turn rapidly into a monster project. 

We had a song-writing contest to write a song to raise awareness and money for Children in Need. Four excellent songs were entered and the winning  song "Let the world know" by Hayleigh Garrett was chosen. The next step was to frantically create a backing track for the song. Brian will be working with Hayleigh to help edit the lyrics and work on vocal arrangement. Ashley and Phil Wilson will be helping to record the song and the whole BTEC group will be recording the vocals. It is hoped that the song will be performed at the Embassy Skegness on Children in Need night 17 November. It's public debut will take place in Brian's worship concert at Holy Trinity 24 October. Shortly after the CD will be produced.

Not only is Brian leading this workshop, but also, he will be performing at Holy Trinity, Boston on Sunday 24 October at 6:30pm. The evening will include a collection of Brian's songs including his US Christian Radio hit "Blessed by love". His sensitivity and passion for God is evident whenever he performs. I heartily recommend this concert to everyone and anyone what ever your walk of life.

Having a clear out!

Sometimes a little job can become mammoth. Yes admit it - you've experienced that feeling too. I decided to sort out my home work space today. School starts again next week and it's time I buckled down to some serious preparation. I tried working on the sofa in a chilled kinda way, but Jack playing with his toys sounded to me like a steam train belting through the room. I sought solace at the kitchen table, but the sun was so bright I thought my screen might melt. So there was only one thing left. Return to my office!!!! 

It's been called many things but the office seems to be the name that sticks. It's my music room, my office space, my library. The place where I go to work. The only problem is it's also the box room. Have you ever tried focusing on paperwork when all around you is clutter. I find that I can't even begin to concentrate if my mind is cluttered. It's funny how we allow stuff through the day to block our thoughts and cloud our judgments. This is how the room makes me feel. So today I began the declutter.

What a bad idea. Step 1; take all the boxes out. I didn't think that would take long, but where do you put them? I know the bedroom on our bed. So the bed is now covered with boxes. Step 2; tidy up the room. I'm sure I had a bin in there the last time I looked. It seems that I'd been using the carpet as a make shift refuse collection zone. So now I've got a bed covered in boxes and a floor that looks like the aftermath of a hurricane. So much for an easy job. I finally found the carpet which led me to step 3. Sort out the boxes. I figured that if I outed most of the stuff in the boxes then I could reduce how many boxes there were in the room. Good logic - less boxes, less clutter, more concentration. 6 hours later I'd only managed to dispose of 1 box.

By now I'm getting a little tired and incredibly irritable. The end didn't seem anywhere in sight. This is where simple words cut through the chaos. "Can you clear the bed I need a lie down" Tamara was also getting tired and it was getting late, so woefully I set about rebuilding my cluttered box room. However, strangely everything seemed to begin to piece together. It was as if all the extra time I'd spent attending to the little details which seemed to go nowhere suddenly saved time in buckets. The one less box made all the difference in the world. I'd managed to empty the biggest box which meant that all the other boxes pieced together like a jigsaw and took up half the space. A nice throw over them and all of a sudden I had an office again.

I learnt a lot from my very frustrating day today. Working hard and being patient with the little things led to great reward. Very much like all the little things in life that make us who we are may be as nothing to us, but who knows how each little thing may impact on a loved one or someone you meet. 

Time for a change

I've been listening to John Mayer a lot lately. Noticeably the John Mayer Trio and have been more than inspired. I was taken by many things. Obviously his outstanding gift as a musician with ann unbelievable mastery of the guitar. But also little things. Riffs. Melodies. Confidence. And I was surprised that his vocal range was "ordinary", I mean that in a nice way. So many singers sing so high and to emulate them is virtually impossible without tight trousers! It got me thinking.

I've always loved the blues and always wanted to play bass in a blues band. Somehow I never quite made it into one. I played in 60's - 90's band and touched on the blues, but never played get down and dirty blues. I love the sound of the crunch guitar; clean and yet edgy. So I thought I wonder if any of my songs would benefit from a remake in a blues style. The prime choice has been Jesus Calls You because I reworked it a couple of years ago to make it more funky. The chorus and prechorus were the biggest changes along with a funky riff. I even performed the version at a couple of my acoustic gigs, but it didn't sound quite right. So with help of Ash Wilson I had another look at it. 

Well I spent about 2 hours practicing the revised version then set about recording it. The only problem I ended up with a monster blister so the guitar playing is a bit ropey. However, I decided to post the song on the website only in DEMO form just to gauge peoples reaction to the concept even though the guitar needs re-recording. Click here to go to the page and if you feel inspired please post a comment here.

Summer update

I hadn't realised just how much I'd been neglecting my website until today. I guess life has been busy. Well that's an excuse we all use, but in actual fact it has been. It seems that most of my life is consumed with work these days, which is in many ways a good thing, but, equally, it's worrying to think that I'm racing through life often missing the important bits. I find it difficult to have the energy to spend with Tamara and Jack, I know I can be irritable, I often feel weary. It's at limes like this that I should be slowing down and looking for a break. Instead I'm always planning the next step.

One of the most amazing things that Tamara does is to read me like a book. She knows when I've pushed myself too far and when she spots a burnout stage she "tells me off". Well to be fair she tries many other more subtle ways of dropping hints before the full blown - STOP! Summer holidays is one of those times when she insists on at least one week of NO WORK. I'm not even allowed to think about it. So this year we went to Haven's Thorpe Park in Humberston. What a fantastic break. We played at holiday makers every day and night and had a thoroughly excellent time. I admit I was a bit sick of seeing Bradley BEar and Rory the Tiger by the end of it, but to see the delight on Jacks face made up for any negative thoughts.

So holiday over and it's back to reality - or is it. This holiday seems to be gently stretching before us and is still very relaxed, and most enjoyable. I built a gate for the fence I recently made - and it works!!!! We've been to the cinema twice in a week. Been shopping, spent time with family, helped out at a Christening and it's still only half way through. Coming up soon is a visit to my mum, which will be another welcome break. Along the way the way there will be other trips too.

Very soon it will be all over, but for now I'm enjoying the ride. I guess I'll do some planning pretty soon too. We have some big things coming up, not least a visit from my good friend J. Brian Hill, but that's another story. So for now I'll sign off. TTFN

Happy New Year

I hope the new year finds you happy with what God has placed before you and eager to face the challenges that lie ahead. My year has started with a few unexpected surprises, not least the snow and family seasonal illness that comes with it.

2009 brought with it many challenges both with my ministry and my job. I have many wonderful memories of a year that the press considers a bad year. Highlights for me have been the opportunities I've had to work with some fabulous musicians in my ministry performances at Lincoln Trinity URC, Boston Trinity CE and my school William Lovell CE. I would like to thank everyone who attended and I truly hope that you were blessed and inspired as much as I have been.

Something of note that I have very much kept under my hat as well. Over the last year I have been in communication with a ministry development agency called IncubatorOnline. In November 2009 I decided to put myself through the audition process. I'm still not really sure what my motivation was and I can tell you I was more than impressed with Incubator, however after much thought and prayer I withdrew from the process just as I entered stage 5.

I firmly believe that God has a purpose for the music I write and perform and I can honestly say that Incubator have equipped me with more confidence in that purpose and for that I am grateful. In addition I was overjoyed to be able to welcome Lisa Coe into my music performances last year I hope that we can continue to develop the partnership with more appearances through 2010. Lisa is a graduate from the same music college I attended and is a fine pianist with a real heart for serving God.
I think that's about all for now. Thank you for showing an interest in my music ministry.

Abundant blessings
Steve

Christmas Cheer Event

Come and join Steve in this community event of Christmas songs and seasonal refreshments (mulled wine & apple juice and mince pies etc. and Starbucks kindly provided coffee and hot chocolate). There will be an opportunity to mingle, sing carols and buy some home-made Christmas gifts.

Saturday 28th November 2009, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
All welcome. Steve is singing at 5:00pm

No place like home

I used to love going away for a trip. To visit relatives or just to get a break from the norm. Strangely, these days I love to be at home. If I get a minute spare I want to be at home. If I had the choice to visit the place of my dreams .... I'd choose home. I sound like a right old soppy pants I know. So what's made the difference...... simple. Not only my wonderful wife, but also our fantastic little man, Jack. I often sit and think about his mum and how very proud she would be of what a marvellous boy he's become. Every night he says goodnight to her and he gets so excited when he sees a star blinking back down at him. I secretly think he enjoys the autumn and winter because he gets to see the stars more often.

Monday was a special day. 18 years since Tamara and I tied the knot. I haven't regretted a day. I remember how much I loved her on the day we were married and I never would have guessed that I could continue to love her more and more. She is so much part of me I can't even function without her. I only hope she understands just how much I love her.

So getting back to no place like home. It's obvious why I prefer to be home because home is where my two wonderful people are. Home is our haven. Everytime I think of Steph my heart cries but it also is so very grateful that she gave me and Tamar the opportunity to care for and love her son.

I could travel the world but I only want to be here with my two special people. Here at home.

On the road again

Great songs, life stories and hope for the future. What more could you ask for in an evenings entertainment. Don’t miss Steve performing in his home church. Featuring music from Design for Life amongst some new songs.

Songs from my heart

Enjoy a relaxing evening of song and anecodotes with Steve Lowndes, Christian singer songwriter. Steve will be joined by Lyndsey Evans and, hopefully, Nigel Halliday for this rare opportunity to share in Steve's songs, featuring the Design For Life album amongst the latest songs that he has penned.

Be sure not to miss this fantastic opportunity.

Admission FREE - no tickets required
Doors open at 7:00pm

Worship Concert at William Lovell CE School

An exciting opportunity to see Steve perform at his own school. Steve will perform his blend of acoustic music on guitar and piano in this enchanting rural setting. All welcome. Admission FREE