The Friday Fix

Author: inertus

  • ‘Kingdom of Rust’ – Doves

    Tom writes:

    “The lyrics are about what’s going on these days. Everything is crumbling apart but this is trying to keep a bit of faith.”

    So said Doves’ guitarist, Jez Williams, about the track ‘Kingdom of Rust’ in an NME interview at the release of the same-named album in 2009. I don’t know about you, but I sure feel like that quote could have been uttered yesterday! Maybe that’s why great music is timeless.

    It has always been one of my discomforts with the language of faith that we seem so easily to slip from the language of trust into the language of knowledge. We ask people whether they know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, we sing that we know our Redeemer lives, we declare our understandings of scripture and human behaviour and divine nature as self-evident fact.

    This year is the 1700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, which produced the earliest edition of what we now refer to as the Nicene Creed. Given the way some Christians speak, you’d be forgiven for thinking that such a creed was a series of knowledge statements, and yet it isn’t. The phrase we Christians repeat time and time again as they recite the ancient statement is “I believe…” Creeds are statements of belief, of faith, of trust. God, as Creator, is ineffable, unknowable, to the creation and its creatures – including us. Indeed, an argument for the incarnation is that if God the Creator desires us to know the divine then it needs to be done on our terms, as part of the creation, because creatures cannot know anything beyond the universe within which we live. And so God comes to us as a human being, a creature subject to time and place – thereby experiencing the limitations that we are subject to while also enabling us to know what God is like in a tangible manner.

    Yet even in the context of the incarnation we face the challenge that as human-beings subject to time and space we cannot know Jesus in the same way that his mother, disciples, and others present in 1st Century Judea knew him. We must rely on the writings of the generation that followed, the wisdom of saints both ancient and modern, and what we take to be the moving of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And note, I say “what we take to be”. I cannot prove the existence of the Holy Spirit. Yet I very happily declare in the creeds that I believe in it. I have faith in it. I trust in it.

    When I look at the world today, I wish I knew, in empirical, factual terms, what God was up to, that somehow or other I could prove that the evil at work today was on a losing trajectory, that undertaking certain actions would guarantee the lifting up of the lowly, the feeding of the hungry, the healing of the sick, and the freeing of the oppressed. But that isn’t the case. Instead, this poor creature that I am is required to have faith, to believe, to trust. And so that’s what I do, even when it takes every fibre of my being to offer up even a single drop of the faith I know I need…

    “…I know it takes an ocean of trust
    In the kingdom of rust”

    Find out more about Doves at: https://dovesofficial.com/

  • ‘You Need to Calm Down’ – Taylor Swift

    Gill writes:

    I’ve just had to switch the radio off. I was listening to two people being interviewed who had opposing views and one person in particular is getting louder, more agitated which meant, to be honest, their argument was becoming less coherent. Rather than defending their standpoint, they were beginning to attack the other person’s and I just couldn’t listen to what was no longer a conversation between adults.

    As someone who works for a peacemaking charity, heated conversations and conflicts are part of my weekly, if not daily, world. Despite all the knowledge and experience that I have as a trainer and mediator, I still begin to feel my blood boil and my exasperation increase when one person is not listening to another.

    One of the ‘Ways of Working’ that we have at Place for Hope is that we seek to understand rather than agree. I’m always reminding people that the world would be very, very boring if we all agreed with each other. It is through exploring our differences and perspectives that we can grow into compassionate human beings. Of course, understanding each other involves recognising that we each have things to learn, and that means acknowledging that sometimes we (yes, me) might be wrong about something.

    Disagreements and disputes tend to be a bit easier to navigate in the real world. If, like me, you also live some of your life on social media, discord and differing opinions can have a much nastier and detrimental effect. One unusual thing about the social media world is that you can find yourself embroiled in heated conversations with people you don’t even know.

    This song from Taylor Swift starts with that very situation. That somebody is having a go at you and they don’t even know you. More than that, she’s insinuating that somehow the anonymity that the digital world offers gives them the confidence to say what they wouldn’t say in the street, or pub, or workplace, or school, or home.

    You are somebody that I don’t know
    But you’re taking shots at me like it’s Patrón
    And I’m just like “Damn, it’s 7:00 a.m.”
    Say it in the street, that’s a knock-out
    But you say it in a tweet, that’s a cop-out

    Recent weeks seem to have been filled more than ever with nasty, harmful and inciteful comments made by privileged, powerful rich men that feed division and hatred within our communities. And when somebody questions their intentions and behaviour, or tries to encourage them to show grace and mercy to those less fortunate than them, rather than sitting down to talk and listen like grown-ups would do, they prefer to take to the keyboard with their angry and bitter responses.

    You just need to take several seats and then try to restore the peace
    And control your urges to scream about all the people you hate

    Knowing how to respond to abuse and bullying on social media is something that is on ongoing learning experience for us. It’s still quite a new encounter to be on the receiving end of hateful, angry comments from people who have absolutely no idea who we are.

    I’m not actually sure that Taylor’s response to tell the other person to calm down is helpful. In my experience, telling someone to calm down may wind them up a little bit more. Telling yourself to calm down might be a better way forward.

    Probably the best way to respond is to be an adult. By that I mean that if we are going to reply, we do so in a calm, assertive, and measured way that avoids getting further caught up in the argument. Another adult response would also reflect on what this might be all about and, most likely, step away and not respond. That way you’re not adding fuel to the fire and getting caught up in a debate that you didn’t even intend to get caught up in.

    I like to believe that the Jesus who I follow would lead by example. That he would respond like an adult, and I can try to be like that too. Take a step back and calm (yourself) down. Take yourself to a quiet place or space. Be insightful, not inciteful.

    If you want to know more about Taylor Swift, take a visit to her website at https://www.taylorswift.com/

  • Needing To Stock Up

    Would you like to help us build up our Friday Fix reflections stock? It’s currently looking empty!

    Is there a pop song that is helping you through the long month of January? Is there a rock song that resonates for you at the moment? Is there a soul song that has become your prayer?

    We’d love to hear from you if you do have a song – just email your thoughts to us at fridayfixmail@gmail.com and we’ll do the rest.

  • ‘Perfect Me’ – Blossoms

    Gill writes:

    It’s probably no surprise to those who know me that one of my favourite books and films is ‘Bridget Jones‘s Diary’. I realise that nearly 30 years on from when it first appeared, there are some problematic elements to the story but I think there are still some valuable lessons and observations that are just as relevant today such as standing up for yourself and recognising and walking away from toxic relationships.

    Most of all, and most importantly, I think there’s an underlying message of learning to accept yourself. In fact, one of my favourite scenes from the film really drives home the message. If you’ve never watched the film or read the book, Bridget (in a scene resembling Darcy‘s proposal in Pride and Prejudice) is told “I like you very much. Just as you are”

    It seems to be a thing that many of us find difficult – to accept ourselves just as we are in the way we were fearfully and wonderfully made. This song from the Stockport band, Blossoms, delves into the idea that we can pull the wool over our eyes (and the eyes of others) by pretending to be ‘perfect me.’ The thing about pretending is that it takes up a lot of energy. It’s exhausting. And when you think about it, it diverts us from living life in all its fullness.

    Mid-January is the time when many of those New Year’s Resolutions start to fall apart at the seams. Those promises we made to ourselves to regularly get a good night’s sleep, to look our best, to show our friends empathy, and to be more intentional about our time with family might have seemed a good idea on New Year’s Day, but now in the cold, murky, foggy light of January we might be finding these promises, these resolutions, more difficult to carry out than we thought.

    We’re only human. We can only do so much. Striving to be perfect – perfectionism – is not all it’s cracked up to be and I’m not sure it’s what God is really after for us humans. In the book The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron challenges us with the idea that ‘Perfectionism is not a quest for the best. It is a pursuit of the worst in ourselves, the part that tells us that nothing we do will ever be good enough—that we should try again.’

    To be true and direct
    It’s as hard as you’d suspect
    Is that cynicism I detect?
    Or my lyricism I detest?
    Wait, I’ve three more things to say
    You’ve got to learn from your mistakes
    Over time you will change
    No one leaves here unscathed

    Being a better human is not the same as being a perfect human. And that’s what this song reminds us about – we should learn from our mistakes and that, over time, we will change – for the better hopefully. It also reminds us that we’ve got to come to our senses and recognise that life isn’t easy. It does keep you guessing, so most of all – just keep breathing.

    I’ve come to my senses
    Life’s not easy
    It leaves you guessing
    Just keep breathing

    So if you’re one of those who is beating yourself up that you haven’t achieved what you might have set out to do at the beginning of this month, ‘tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it yet’ (the wise words of Anne of Green Gables) and that God loves you just as you are.

    Find out more about Blossoms at https://www.blossomsband.co.uk/

  • ‘Promises I Can’t Keep’ – Mike Shinoda

    Marc writes:

    I came across this song today when I was thinking about an upcoming youth Covenant Service in my church. I often like to make references to things that are already out there and may (or may not) be familiar to people.

    For my Covenant Service I’m going to be using the modern version, and we’ll do all the official bits. The passage I’ve picked to reflect on for the “sermon” bit is Joshua 24:1, 14-26, drawing out that covenants encourage us to:

    Remember, recognise and revere;

    unReservedly Recommit;

    And to do so Reflectively (personally) and Relationally (collectively).

    In order to encourage people to think about the covenant we’re making and not make it lightly I’m also going to use the clip from “The Hobbit” where Bilbo reads through the contract he’s asked to sign with the dwarves before departing on their unexpected journey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivlhe9ALt3o).

    I’m still undecided as to whether or not I’m going to use this song in the service, but here are the questions I’m pondering:

    Does this song (and particularly the first verse) fit with where I’m often at in wanting to live out the covenant I profess but regularly not seemingly able to fulfil on all of it?

    Am I somewhere between “I can” and “I want to”?

    Is “I want to” and living that way enough?

    Can I make the promises of the covenant from that place?

    Is what makes me still human and able to fail the gift of grace and forgiveness in God’s side of the covenant?

    To that end, and without answers, I offer verse one of “Promises I can’t keep” by Mike Shinoda alongside the Methodist Covenant Prayer:

    “Promises I Can’t Keep”

    What’s the difference between a man and a monster
    Is it somewhere between “I can” and “I want to”
    Is it somewhere between the promises I made
    And the fact I couldn’t see something getting in the way
    I used to think that I know what I want
    Never saw it coming unglued
    I used to think that I know what I want
    Now it’s time to see if it’s true

    Covenant Prayer:
    I am no longer my own but yours.
    Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
    wherever you may place me,
    in all that I do
    and in all that I may endure;
    when there is work for me
    and when there is none;
    when I am troubled
    and when I am at peace.
    Your will be done
    when I am valued
    and when I am disregarded;
    when I find fulfilment
    and when it is lacking;
    when I have all things,
    and when I have nothing.
    I willingly offer
    all I have and am
    to serve you,
    as and where you choose.

    Glorious and blessèd God,
    Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
    you are mine and I am yours.
    May it be so for ever.

    Find out more about Mike Shinoda at https://www.mikeshinoda.com/

  • ‘New Year’s Day’ – U2

    Sally writes:

    This week’s Friday Fix song is ‘New Years Day’ by U2. It is a song which was written in the early 1980’s and according to Wiki was originally a love song but it was adapted to fit with the Solidarity movement in Poland.

    Listening to it for New Year in 2025, when the world has become increasingly polarized, it has a very strong meaning for us now I believe.

    The words I want to particularly focus on are:

    “And we can break through
    Though torn in two, we can be one
    I, I will begin again
    I, I will begin again
    I will be with you again.”

    It does feel that we have been ripped apart as a society both in this country and elsewhere, with the rise of populism and people being pitted against one another rather than against the forces of oppression which are increasing inequality between those who have and those who have not.

    As a Christian, populism is something I believe we need to stand against, not to condemn people, but in order to offer an alternative. Christianity, in its purest form, is based upon love and based on hope – not fear – and solidarity – rather than competition or control.

    And New Year is all about hope and the chance to start again. Even if we feel like in 2024 we messed up, we can say sorry and begin again. Beginning again with a fresh slate – a chance to move on from all the mistakes of last year and into a place of hope and sincere desire for things to be different.

    Of course this year we will still mess up from time to time, but if we are intentional we can choose this year to live in a way which is about breaking through into a different way of being and unified in community rather than divided by difference.

    So I wish you a peaceful and hopeful 2025 based on love rather than hate; hope rather than fear as we all begin again.

    Find out more about U2 at https://www.u2.com/

  • Friday Fix 2024 Playlist

    It’s our annual Friday of rest, but fear not because it’s also the day that we share the playlist of most of the songs that appeared on the Friday Fix during 2024.

    Happy Christmas and enjoy listening:

    https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5Jz6pJRogfbaiv099wrJPV?si=h3M3S9B3TFmN5-ZCzbzriQ&pi=e-6ixnhJUvR6uy

  • ‘I Love You All The Time’ – Eagles of Death Metal

    Tom writes:

    This piece was going to be very different, and based on a very different piece of music, but such is life. As I sat and thought about the theme of love, that great Advent and Christmas theme, and wondered what I might write, I paused the song I was going to write about and searched my many, many playlists to see if anything else stood out. And it was Eagles of Death Metal’s (EODM) ‘I Love You All The Time’ that jumped out at me.

    Now, I am the first to acknowledge that this band and this song is not necessarily the most obvious choice to reflect on the love encountered at Christmas – although it should be noted that EODM don’t actually play death metal, they play good ol’ heavy-blues-inspired rock. But even with that, “I love you all the time” is inescapably a love song in the standard type of that genre – a reflection on unrequired romantic love.

     Yet, it is what this song represents that I think caused it to jump out at me and say, “This, this is the song that works for this theme”. If you’re not aware, EODM were playing to a sold-out crowd at the Bataclan Theatre, Paris, on the night of 13th November 2015 when Islamist terrorists entered the building and killed about 90 people in the crowd as part of a co-ordinated attack targeting numerous sites that evening.

    As part of their response, the band encouraged other artists to cover this particular track, and that all royalties generated would be given to Josh Homme’s (a founding band member) charity, Sweet Stuff Foundation, which in turn would pass the monies to victims of the attack.

     

    In the song, the lyrics include the lines:

     

    I can tell by that look in your eye

    You’re looking and all you see is another guy

    I can tell you’re gonna take your love away

    I can tell by that look in your eye

    You’re looking and all you see is another guy

    I would beg you if I thought it would make you stay

     I wonder whether this is how God sometimes feels when looking at humanity. God loves us more than we can possibly imagine, and yet our propensity is not to return that love but to cast our eye around for other objects to love – whether people, power, money, and other things beside. Yet God does not beg for our love. No. Instead, God comes to us as one of us, born a tiny child and laid in a manger, growing up to walk the earth as one of us, before dying a brutal and ugly death on a cross prior to revealing the love that will not ever die in the resurrection. From the his first breath to his last, Jesus is God’s saying to us, “I love you all the time”.

     The responses to the Play It Forward campaign, as it became known, are gathered together on a playlist (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2m1wKfQbPfHxDypBycFyUo?si=e29efced718c4e67) that currently contains 68 versions of the song – produced by everyone from the legend that is Sir Elton John to the choir of St Lawrence Primary School, plus artists covering every genre from rock through electro-pop to folk. That’s quite some response. One song, representing the way in which love will always overcome hate, that however small and inconsequential love can feel in the face seemingly all-powerful, all-encompassing, all-destroying hate, love will find a way to speak out, to reveal itself as unvanquished – whether in the singing of a song, or in the cry of a baby.

     So as we journey towards Christmas in a world that so often seems challenging, let us rejoice that God loves us – All. The. Time!

  • ‘Joy’ – Gay Dad

    Jane writes:

    A few years ago I asked a friend, who really loves music, to recommend a track that would offer some energy in the early mornings of a busy work weekend. They responded with this track as a suggestion (saying they liked it and it might be the kind of thing I was looking for).

    I liked it from the start as it’s one of those tracks that builds through to an exuberant chorus time after time. I’ve danced around the kitchen to it. I’ve bounced along in the car to it. I’ve recommended it to, and shared it, with others. I’ve sung it at the top of my voice and it has indeed brought me great ‘Joy Joy’ – real Joy.

    I have though, a sneaking suspicion that the joy this band sing of is somewhat artificially induced. Maybe chemically. Maybe money. I could be overthinking the lyrical content but it seems likely that, despite the question “Is what you want exactly what you need?” – the search is on to reach oblivion.

    Joy at all costs.

    In this Advent season though, as we prepare to welcome the Christ child again into our midst, we have an opportunity to experience real joy of a different deeper kind. The kind that reminds of a long-standing truth – God meeting humanity in the person of Christ. God showing us the way to live and inspiring all we do. God with us Emmanuel. God eternal and life-giving. This is a joy that bubbles up as these revelations once again seem more real. That is deep-seated and never leaves us.

    I’m not immune to the fact that Joy at Christmas can be artificially manufactured too. Gifts, nights out, endless jingly tunes in shops, TV ads, church fêtes, Christmas specials I could go on…..

    So I hope and pray this year the deep-seated Joy Joy – real Joy – comes to you in a quiet or unexpected moment and that it lasts you an eternity.