A series of devotional reflections on a selection of Psalms. It might be a good idea to get your Bible out and read through said chapter before you listen to each episode ;-)
Scott doesn't shrink back from reflecting on this raw and emotional Psalm: Psalm 137 - NRSV - Lament over the Destruction of Jerusalem 1 By the rivers of Babylon— there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our harps. 3 For there our captors asked us for songs, and our tormentors asked for mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How could we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither! 6 Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem above my highest joy. 7 Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem's fall, how they said, “Tear it down! Tear it down! Down to its foundations!” 8 O daughter Babylon, you devastator! Happy shall they be who pay you back what you have done to us! 9 Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock! Scott's commentary.... Some of my favourite Psalms are Psalms that are overlooked or deliberately ignored by good, religious people. I like them because they are raw and emotional. They are vulnerable and honest. They don't dress up their feelings in religious language or pack away their questions in neat little boxes. Instead, they take their anger and their fury and their prejudice and their sadness and their hopelessness and, instead of hiding it or denying it, they sing it at the top of their lungs. I can only imagine how cathartic and liberating it must have been for them to sing their hearts out. And how challenging it probably was for other people to listen to them. That's especially true of this Psalm. It's not a joyful one. It's bitter and it's brutal. It's written by Israelites who watched their city and country burn before they were dragged off into exile as prisoner and servants. You can imagine them sitting on the banks of the river, singing through their tears, crying out to God, ‘Don't let us forget who we used to be! Don't let us lose the memory of who you called us to be!' They are angry at their captors. They're probably angry at God. And they're definitely angry at themselves because the reason they went into exile is that they forgot who God had called them to be. They allowed greed and selfishness to direct their lives. They allowed injustice to thrive in their cities and inequality to run riot in their communities. They're angry. And this anger is a toxic thing. We all feel it. It's like a drug — like an energy all of its own. It's powerful and its destructive. Or at least it has the potential to be. The final line of this Psalm is disgusting: ‘Happy shall they be who take your little ones and dash them against the rock.' What a horrible and inexcusable thing to say, let alone to include in a song of lament to God. And yet, this is how they're feeling. There is a courage in expressing it. Once we have expressed it, God can transform it. He can take our rage and turn it towards redemption. He can take our bitterness and make something beautiful from it. But he needs us to express it. To own it. So sing it out — whatever it is that you are feeling.
Rev Adrian McCarthey is the Rector of Belvoir Parish in Belfast. He has pioneered many fresh expressions of church and discipleship models in the past three decades and has carried out almost every role and job at Summer Madness, from mainstage speaker to cook! He was the founder of StreetReach and continues to explore new ways of engaging with community need to share the love and power of Jesus.
How to fail well.... “Failure is not a disgrace unless you make it the last chapter of your book.” Jack Hyles
Beth is from sunny California originally but has lived in Belfast for the last 17 years. She helps lead 24-7 Prayer Ireland.
Esther works for IJM, fighting against modern slavery in the name of Jesus.
Stu Armstrong works at Shankill Parish where he coordinates youth ministry and contemporary services. He also works at Summer Madness and coordinates the seminar programme. He's married to Janine, has 2 amazing and annoying kids, loves bass guitar, milkshakes and brutally heavy music.
What do you do when you feel like it's all gone a bit wrong? When you don't have the answer to solve the problem? Maybe you've taken on one too many things or it feels like the circumstance is spiralling out of control?
John Mark Mullan is married to Deborah and dad to Caleb, Elijah and Junia. He is part of the staff team at Mountsandel Christian Fellowship in Coleraine, focusing on Bible teaching and discipleship. His passion is helping people discover how to read the Bible for spiritual transformation, and not just information.
Helen is the Principal of Belfast Bible College and part of the leadership team at her local church. She loves Northern Ireland and believes watching films is time well spent. Helen lives in East Belfast, sharing her house with her wee dog Mollie; a Bichon Cavalier cross who loves everyone and could play fetch all day long.
Drew is the Pastor at Gilnahirk Baptist Church in East Belfast. He's married to Kat and they have a two year old son and 7 1/2 year old springer spaniel. Drew has been involved in ‘full-time' youth and church ministry for over 10 years. He loves getting into the fresh air, enjoying a cup of good coffee or a gripping crime box sett
Lesley lives in the metropolis of Tandragee with her husband Wilson and two boys Caleb (10) and Jude (5). As well as spending time with her family, her other joy is learning and laughing alongside her friends and church family in Emmanuel Portadown. She is the Programme Officer for Girls' Brigade Northern Ireland where she is passionate about resourcing and equipping the leaders to disciple their girls to Seek, Serve and Follow Christ.
David currently serves as pastor at Windsor Baptist Church, and has done so for 11 years. He's married to Glenys, and they have three daughters (Shannon, Caragh & Kristen), a son-in-law (Ben) and a dog (Lola)! He enjoys good coffee, supports Chelsea (and has done since he was 3!), likes to listen music (especially Toto??), attempts to run/gym regularly and recognises the importance of guarding your heart.
Tré Sheppard is the Teaching Pastor at Causeway Coast Vineyard Church, one of the UK's largest congregations. For over a decade, Tré was the frontman of the band 100 Hours, and he remains deeply involved in the music industry as a producer and a songwriter, and as an in demand speaker and worship leader at events around the world. He and his family live in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Lynne is the youth pastor at Belfast City Vineyard and oversees youth ministry for “Vineyard Churches in Ireland”. She lives with her husband Paul, a cat called Maggie and 142 pairs of shoes. She loves building Lego. Her greatest achievement in life is building the 3 biggest Legos available to buy.
Rick Hill is married to Sarah and Dad to their 2 sons, Noah and Micah. He is a leader in Carnmoney Church and works for the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. Rick loves all things sport-related and in his spare time he enjoys running and endures supporting Spurs.
Jonny, 30, lives with his wife Naomi in either 'the Braniel' or 'the Castlereagh Hills' depending on who's asking. He leads Alpha Northern Ireland for the Alpha UK team and is at Orangefield Presbyterian. He is enjoying watching the greatest Liverpool team of his lifetime and in the Alpha world he is widely considered a fashion icon. He recommends this Jeremy Riddle version of Ps23 for a fresh musical cover of these treasured verses.
After retiring as Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in May 2019, Ken took on a building project in a house in Moira and he has loved being hands-on on-site for eight months. He and his wife, Mary, moved into the house in January and are loving the refreshing change of pace. Life now includes more visits to their three adult children in London, Nottingham and Wicklow.
One of the things I absolutely love about the Psalms is the total honesty we find in them. Feelings are expressed. Doubts are articulated and really big questions are asked. That's how this Psalm, Psalm 2 begins… 1. Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2. The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3. “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
Alain is husband to Rachel and Dad to Annie, Erin and Finn. Living and loving in Lurgan. Have the privilege to lead in Emmanuel church and 24-7prayer Ireland. Excited about seeing a ‘new thing' happening in the nation of Ireland in these days. Other things I am passionate about are reading, hanging out with friends, most sports and the mighty Liverpool!
Rev Adrian McCarthey is the Rector of Belvoir Parish in Belfast. He has pioneered many fresh expressions of church and discipleship models in the past three decades and has carried out almost every role and job at Summer Madness, from mainstage speaker to cook! He was the founder of StreetReach and continues to explore new ways of engaging with community need to share the love and power of Jesus.
Stephen is married to Nik and they have 3 children aged between 14 and 22. They live in Carrickfergus, although Stephen travels regularly, overseeing the Bible translation and publishing work of Biblica. He's incredibly excited that Liverpool may be about to win the Premier League and his remaining ambition is to live long enough to watch his kids try to parent teenagers.
“Katie is a young leader at Belfast City Vineyard and currently leads in both Youth and Intercession ministry. She is in sixth year at Lagan College - her pet peeve are slow walkers and she loves eating ravioli and bullet journalling”
Grew up in Ayrshire. Paid his musical dues playing guitar in a touring band with singer Dave Pope in 1979. Did Divinity degree at Aberdeen 81-84 with thoughts of becoming a pastor, but the affirmation locally of the quality of his Psalms project led to recordings and a 25 year international touring career. Presently runs The Inspiration Orchestra..based in Perth Scotland.. a teaching and performing programme for people with disabilities. www.theinspirationorchestra.com Married to Carol for 40 years and has two boys, Taylor 27 and Harrison 24.
Barry is a university chaplain at ‘The Hub Belfast', serving God on campuses across the city of Belfast on behalf of the Church of Ireland and Methodist Church. He is on the Board of Summer Madness and is thankful for its role in shaping his own life and discipleship – both as a teenager, and now as the father of teenagers! He loves Jesus, Claire, his kids and Liverpool and sometimes gets the order of these mixed up.
Jools brings us some helpful insights from Psalm 145
Bishop Pat shares some thoughts and insights into her favourite Psalm
Matt looks at this Psalm which forms the charter for so much youth ministry across the country
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