I’m reading a great book by Eugene Peterson, The Jesus Way. Peterson is a wordsmith and in his usual poetic style explores what following Jesus looks like by studying a number of characters in the old testament.

I’ve just finished reading his chapter on David. One of the key themes is looking at imperfection. The fact that we live imperfect lives. So often we try to counter imperfection with perfectionism. The idea that we should strive to be perfect. Peterson using the life of David suggests that this isn’t the solution. He points out the high points of David’s life and the low points of David’s life and talks about how this looks in the Christian life.

One of the most interesting things about David is that alongside these accounts of his life, there is also a record of his inner-life through the psalms. Through looking at the psalms, particularly the penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) Peterson explores a different response.

Psalm 32 particularly shows the problem of unacknowledged sin. When we fail to admit sin it eats away at us. Vs 3 and 4….

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long. For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

And what is the solutions? Vs 5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD “—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

The solution is to choose to deal with God. God’s forgiveness is the only answer to sin. Peterson points out that if we choose not to go to God then we end up trying to deal with sin through punishment, education, moral strategy or denial. The answer isn’t resolve; “that’s the last time, I won’t do it again”. We need to confess, we need God’s forgiveness. I’ve realised that I need to get into a better ‘habit’ of confession and receiving forgiveness. I need to learn this response, confession, not the resolve and relying on myself.

Talking about psalm 38 Peterson tells us:

The Psalmist certainly takes the responsibility for the personal consequences of his or her sin.  But the social dimensions are also very much involved: no illusions that if I just get “right with God” everything is going to be fine, no fantasies that if I can just convert or conquer and so get rid of my detractors I will be home and free.  God is the one with whom I must deal.  My inside world is not, nor will it ever be perfect.  The outside world is not, nor will it ever be perfect.  In all matters of sin, my business, first and foremost, is God: “make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation” (v.22).

I am unable to totally deal with my sin.  I’m unable to be perfect, therefore I have to rely more heavily on the Lord.  I have to put friends around me who will remind me to confess my sin and receive God’s forgiveness.

I really like things that remind us to think of Jesus during the ‘normal day’; things like setting our alarms on our phones to midday to remind us to pray the Lord’s prayer.  I also really like Mother Teresa’s saying “we can do no great thing, just small things with great love.”  I know I always get stuck in this desire to do great things and forget about the day-to-day.

This week has been fairly quiet, and so a good opportunity to do some things I don’t normal have time for.  One such thing was to take the opportunity to spend the morning on the Besom van.  The Besom project receives furniture, appliances, clothes, games etc. which are in good condition from people who don’t want them any more, and hands them on to people who do.  I was on the van for a couple of deliveries.  It was a real privilege to be part of this small gesture of love towards a couple of people who really needed it.

This morning I was reading Richard Foster’s book, Prayer, and was challenged by another lady, Therese of Lisieux and her prayer-filler approach to life, the little way.

The little way… is deceptively simple.  It is, in short, to seek out the menial job, to welcome unjust criticisms, to befriend those who annoy us, to help those who are ungrateful.

He goes on to say that the great thing about the little way is how accessible it is to everyone.  It’s not some holy ritual, doesn’t require a special book, or special people, it’s just an attitude in everyday life, but one which changes us profoundly.

I think many people talk about a similar way of living, but it’s often as an evangelistic tool.  If I love people it will lead them to Jesus, or it will allow me opportunities to talk about Jesus.  Actually I think the key thing about the little way is it challenges our natural selfishness, it means that it really is about loving the other person, not that they might change, but that I might change.

My Top Five Books of the year (that I’ve read this year) ….

1) Christ Plays in 10,000 places – Eugene Peterson
without a doubt my favourite book – deep and thoughtful yet easy to read and enjoy

2) Good News for the Poor – Tim Chester
Challenging and provocative, yet sensitive and with good scriptural basis

3) Spirit of the Disciplines – Dallas Willard
Very good, clear and thoughtful.  A great accompaniment to a celebration of discipline by Richard Foster. 

4) Irresistible Revolution – Shane Claibourne
An enjoyable story of Christian community and a heart for the poor

5) God on Mute – Pete Greig
Thinking deeply about the problem of unanswered prayer from his own experience

Top Five Albums of the year (ok this isn’t Christian but I thought I’d share what I’m listening to!):

1) Editors: The Back Room
2) Radiohead: In Rainbows
3) Gomez: Bring it on (an oldy but a goody!)
4) Passion: Hymns Ancient and Modern (ok so this is Christian)
5) Snow Patrol: Eyes Open
( 6) Tree 63:Double Worship Album)

I could carry on with top fives, perhaps Top Five friends… maybe that’s a bit personal, but please feel free to leave your own top five, particularly if you want to comment on good Christian books……