Ukrainian song writers

One of the nice comforting things about coming into Church here in Ukraine was that I recognised lots of the songs from their English translations. It also has become very useful for learning Russian of late, although of course they aren't direct translated it can show how ideas are expressed differently. So from that aspect it has been great.

I guess the thing is...where are all the songs coming from Ukraine? There are some, don't get me wrong. However, the most popular and most common seam to be the translated songs. 

Some of these songs really are great, after all we do have a lot of song writers across, America, Australia, Britain and other English speaking countries so it's not surprising that we get some very good songs being produced. However, these songs are written by Western writers writing for a western context (all be it with the same unchanging God).

Of course this isn't just true of Christian music. Most of the popular Music in Ukraine is in English. I just hope that Ukraine will have more of it's own songs, about it's own situations, written by it's own songwriters. Rather than just rip off's. 

James 4: Plans

I've been thinking about creating a study on James for a while. It is one of my favourite books and one that I have read over and over again. I'd love your help.
I'm going to post some questions about different sections and I'd love you to treat it like a bible study. Hopefully in a few months it can be turned into a resource for other people to use. If not then hopefully you'll get something out of it anyway.

This section of James is one that really impacted me when I was doing my CELTA course and considering whether or not to go to Ukraine (or even carry on) It is also one that I've been thinking about recently. Hopefully you'll find it useful too.

1. When you need to make a decision what is your thought process? 
2. What do you think about first? 
3. Where do you get advice? 
4. Do you make plans for the future?

James 4: 13 - 17 [the passage bellow is in white text, highlight it to reveal the verse]

¹³ Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them 

What does this verse tell us about plans? What is different between the two approaches? Which sounds most like you out of these two quotes? 


How does this section fit into the larger passage of verse 4? 


What do you think is the best course of action to take after reading this verse?

My thoughts:
So often I like to have my plans for the next year or two laid out: 

"I will work in this city as an English teacher and try to set up X or Y and hopefully be discipled and disciple someone. If it is God's will" 

Doesn't it sound like the foolish people in the first verses?

Every time I find myself laying out detailed plans like this something comes along and ruins them! 

The amazing difference of putting God's will first and asking him rather that deciding our plans and adding as an after thought "If it is God's will" (which really means, don't get in my way God!) is a completely different way of thinking. How Often do you spend time asking God (before you have a pressing decision to make) show me your will, tell me what to do? I have to confess I frequently try to tune into God's will only when things are going "badly" and by that I mean against my will.

So take some time to ask God "What is your will? Show me what to do, guide me everyday" and then follow. 

Choose yourself

Recently at work I've been having a lot of ideas and starting to do some very exciting projects.

The first is my project of getting my students to use blogs (or at least present them with that option) it has been great to see their reactions and involvement (though they certainly aren't being used to their full potential...yet) In addition I have also started to create a much more present social media profile for the school by

• Creating a facebook group for the conversation club
• Creating a facebook page for the group
• Taking over the old twitter account

And a couple of other ideas I have buzzing around my head. 

In the past I might have had the idea, asked someone and then waited for their reply. And doing this may have lead to things happening. 

However, I didn't do it that way.

Instead, I went full steam ahead and carried out these tasks to show that I could do them and they would ad value to the company (even the blog I set up with out final approval). As such they were approved and used straight away, no one stole my idea and there wasn't a long process of consultation. 

So the result has been that these ideas are being implemented and I haven't had a chance to get bogged down in my worries about doing something. 

Obviously, there are some occasions when you need to wait to be picked, especially if your using someone else's money or it will harm their reputation. However, if it is a no (or insignificantly small) loss then go for it! It is much more likely to happen.

(At this point I'd love to thank Andrew Brims, Nat Gillet and everyone else at The Well for encouraging me to be an aggressive initiator.)

Digging a well

A few years back (it seams very strange to write a few years ago but it has actually been that long) I was involved with a group called "The Well" In Sutton. [I know it sounds very much like one of these hipster christian groups (and maybe it was a bit) but please forgive that.]

I left almost 2 years ago to start teaching English in a foreign country and hopefully continue in the apostolic vibe of the group. Perhaps either setting up a "Well", finding a similar group, or something else.

It was great to see that Nat Gillet put up this picture about the values of the Well and it made me reflect on my time here in Dnipropetrovsk

I was thinking that it is such a shame that I haven't found a group like the well or set one up. But it's not actually true.

I have been translated and told my testimony at events, I have been with groups of people and told my testimony, I have gone to orphanages with other people and played guitar and played with the kids, I've hosted regular meals with people and had unexpected guests stay over, I've prayed: in churches, in my flat, with people and on my own, for God's kingdom in my school and in Dnipropetrovsk. 

I am part of a community of Christians who want to see God's kingdom come. It may not have an official name, website, meeting or even notice sheet (the way you signify that it is an official Christian group of course) but it is a community and it is a well. 

I don't want this to appear as though it is a "look at how great I am." I certainly could have done much more in every area of this chart, but rather just that if we do view the church as the people and not the building then I have been part of a well and not even realised it. 

How do we judge spirituality in the Church?

I heard an interesting quote at church yesterday morning. 

In America they judge someone's spirituality by their education. If you want to be a pastor of a church you have to go to this seminary or that one. In China they judge your spirituality, do you know how? By how much you pray. If you pray a lot you're spiritual. What about Ukraine [some people say a few things] That's right, How many years have you been a believer..."

The pastor then went on to look at Matthew 6: 1-24 and how the Jewish nation judged people by their spirituality and then how Jesus says that these are hypocritical and won't save you. It was an interesting sermon and lead me to wonder.

How do Christians judge spirituality in Britain? 

• I wonder if it's by being paid to do a service?
• Also what about society as a whole?

Sometimes you should take things to the extreme!

One of the ideas I've had for a while is that sometimes it can be a really good idea to take ideas/actions etc to the extreme level.

For example, if you have an issue saying no to things then for a period of time (a week) say no to everything. Or perhaps you think there is a problem with the current model of church. Why not try the extreme opposite?

There are a few reason I think this is a good idea.

1. If we can do the extreme, we certainly can do the more moderate option
2. It can bring to light the advantages or disadvantages that stay hidden from view normally. 
3. It can be easier to implement an extreme version then moderate it rather than introduce moderate changes to make a more extreme version (these moderate changes are usually relapsed on)
4. Lots of people go for the moderate version. By trying the extreme version we set ourselves apart and may: learn something new, meet someone different, gain a unique opportunity that we wouldn't otherwise. 

Here are some personal experiences that I have found made a difference for me.

• Saying yes to every request for a week
• Saying no to every request for a week
• Spending a day completely alone
• Making a mistake on purpose during a talk
• Publishing a blog post once a day
• Publishing a blog post only when I felt like it.
• Taking cold showers for a week

These have all produced interesting results and in almost all cases I have not settled in that extreme but moved back to a happy medium. 

So I encourage you. Try doing something in an extreme way.

eBooks tablets free buying

On Sunday morning I had a very productive time. This was a great juxtaposition on my previous two days of general laziness, games, and great holiday time.

Don't get me wrong I love relaxing and playing games (and I think there is a time and place for both) but I generally relax by doing a side project, and similar. In fact my main project for the weekend was to switch my teaching blog over to a self hosted wordpress platform...something which has cause more problems than I anticipated and has taught me a great lesson in patience. 

Anyway, back to the point!

This morning I managed to actually blits through a load of work I was planning to do and a lot of the reading I had been wanting to do as well. In fact I read a great book on Dogme teaching which I got free online and a book with ideas on being missional in your community which was also free [both of which I recommend. However, the second is the best!] 

What struck me was the difference in my reading habits this year since last year. 

What's different?

This year I bought a HP touchpad with kindle app and PDF reader built in and it has really had an impact on the way I read. Although I read one free ebook last year, this year I have read many and even written a review on one. In addition I've actually found that I've bought more books this year and spent more money on books than I did in previous years. 

What has the impact been?

In fact I have bought more books from people who have given me books than fro people who have never given a book away. So I guess, for me at least, this proves how effective this new style of marketing is. 

Reflective practices in discipleship

This year the way I have grown most as a teacher is via reflective practices. They way this works is

• Teach a lesson
• Record notes on what worked/didn't.
• Look at them again later, compare with previous problems (are they reoccurring)
• Analyse the cause of good things/bad things
• Research solutions to issues
• Test solutions, do things improve?
• Go back to the beginning and begin again.

However, there is a second circle which comes from outside input.

• Discuss issues with other teachers (their issues as well as yours), read a book, watch a video, read a blog etc
• Consider if this applies to you too.
• Act (try the idea out)
• Analyse, did it work why/not?
• Repeat

This process has really helped me with teaching. However, I realise that I don't really use the first aspect to discipleship. Sure I do plenty of reading/ talking about issues and thinking about applying them (and sometimes I even do record how these changes are going. However, it is a rare process.)

So this is my new goal for the month. My experiment.

• Record my experiences of discipleship for the day, 
• What was good/what was bad?
• Analyse,
• Then try and improve.

I'll report back the results at the end of march.

Fans

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When I was young I loved Formula one.

I used to get up early to watch qualifyings and races all over the world, thought I didn't always stay up for the whole event!

Anyway I knew that Damon Hill was the best driver, he probably wasn't actually the best but he was British so that was good enough for me. And one day I met him.





Well I say I met him, I went to the British Moto show and he was there! I remember getting all excited, getting an autograph on a picture of him with his car. I don't think I can remember everything I said to him, as I was very young, but I hope that I encouraged him for the coming season.

Fans are great, they can really encourage you on, give you new ideas, or even point out where you've been going wrong. They are a great remedy for trolls, of whom there are numerous.

In fact there is a great piece of writing advice to work out your writing voice. Imagine the person you're writing for, your fan, and write just for them. Write what they're interested in, what they need to hear, what will change them.

This has been one of the exercises I've been going through recently. Imagining "the fan" I want to write to but I realised...I've actually met some fans.

• When I was writing a political blog I met people and had people contact me who had read my political ramblings writings.
• During the recent conference in Prague I met some people who were familiar with my teaching blog and had even downloaded my handout before I gave my presentation.
• Even from my personal writings I've had friends comment on stories, events, and reflections they've read and enjoyed [the most revealing fact about my writing is how episodic this feedback is. When I read something great on a blog I always try to comment, or speak to the person, it certainly let's you know you're on the right track]

I guess really my dream fan is someone like this

• Doers and not just readers or speakers. In fact they have a wealth of scars from getting things...not quite right
• Sceptical but optimistic, They see potential flaws in plans or arguments but get excited about things anyway
• Creative and expressive, They love to make new things and not just consume things.
• Encouraging, No matter how off track/bad you get they always spur you on. 
• New things Excite them, and yet they know the value of the tried and tested.

I wonder how like you these ideas are? 

Jeff Goins book review

I can't quite remember how I first heard about Jeff Goins but I remember very quickly getting hold of a copy of his E manifesto "The Writer's Manifesto."

It immediately had an impact on me and caused me to take some risks, write for myself more, not publish something, publish others and generally shook me up, pushed me around and left me facing a very different direction.

When Jeff put out a request for people to write a review of his new eBook I jumped at the chance!

Before your first book and Every writer's Dream are two books about getting published and yet they are very different.

Before your first book 

Focuses on the first stages of getting published. Pitching and idea to a magazine or blog.  Having read a lot of Jeff's stuff before and, to some degree or other, thinking that I knew everything about getting published I found this book a great joy and surprise.

It was a very practical, step by step guide that looked at some common errors and mistakes people make when trying to get their first articles published. What's more, it even included some sample pitch letters to pepper publishers with.

I have no doubt that Jeff learned many of these mistakes the hard way and so it is great that we don't have to.

Although I had no extreme desire to have a magazine or guest blog article published prior to reading the book, I've decided to really test Jeff's advice and see what I can get published.

Every Writer's Dream.

I wonder if this book really should be called, Every artist's dream as it really can apply to more than just writer's and I am sure many other creative people could take practical applications from the book.

Every Writer's dream looks at the goal of getting published in full book form. That's not just a blog post, magazine article or chapter in a book but your own book. And best of all, this can all be done without having to make the pitch that takes up the attention of Before your first book.

In all honesty getting published is a thought that I had dwelt on at various times and I even completely failed attempted to write a novel during November last year.

In addition, I have been working on a couple of book ideas for the year and reading through Every writer's dream helped me both gain practical insights into book publishing and in inspiring me to push on with the hard task ahead.

That's not to say it's all good news. Jeff certainly warns about the hard time to come.

All in all both books really gave me a stronger desire to write, encouraged me to push on in hard times and gave me a lot better guidance and direction as to how to go about it.

All in all I would certainly recommend them even if you have no desire to get a piece of writing published but just want to carry on writing you day to day blog. 


They cost $4.99 and you can buy them here.