Tag Archives: isolation

Difficult to Put into Practice

01 Tuesday Jun 2021

Posted by in Psalm 133, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 133
A song of ascents. Of David.
How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore (NIV).*

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Seeing the forest with the trees — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Short, but powerful and evocative—that’s my description of Psalm 133. I might also add, easily read, but difficult to put into practice. Unity among the people of God is that great elusive goal that seems to always disappear around the next bend in the road just as we approach it. But there God has commanded His blessing, if we could only reach that blessed state.

The psalmist uses two metaphors to portray this good and pleasant state of affairs. The first may appear to be rather messy and wasteful. Who wants oil running down their beard and onto their clothing? But in the Old Testament, prophets, priests and kings were anointed in just this way. It symbolized the release of divine authority and power into an individual’s life. The Spirit of God was coming upon them for public service. This concept forms an effective bridge to the coming of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts. When the waiting disciples were of one accord, the Holy Spirit was poured upon them; the anointing came. See Acts 2.

The second metaphor signifies rejuvenation. The dew of the morning is new each day. It refreshes and revives. When our social interactions are positive and enriching, the outcome is spiritual renewal and a deep sense of belonging. Recent studies have shown that social isolation may be a greater risk factor among the elderly than smoking or heart disease. Lack of meaningful interaction with others also has a negative impact on mental health. Pandemic induced isolation has brought this problem to the fore.

The person who continually self-isolates is committing a slow form of suicide, both physically and spiritually. Satan loves the isolated believer—feasts on the mind of the isolated believer.

Simply put, we need each other. We need to be surrounded by loving caring relationships, at home, at work and in the church. On every level, unity of purpose coupled with unselfish love, refreshes and revives the weary soul. We all want God’s blessing. Well, here’s the key to God’s blessing. The LORD commands a blessing when God’s people live together in unity!

Response: Father God, help me sow words of love and unity. Open my eyes to see where I can bring a word of encouragement and affirmation to those around me. Make me an instrument of peace, love and unity today. Amen.

Your Turn: How can you avoid sowing seeds of discord? What can you do today to build unity or break out of self-isolation?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

Volume II of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is available now. For a closer look at Volumes I and II click here.

Taking men’s ministry to the next level

27 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by in News Reports, Psalms

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Next Level

Sydney Missionary Bible College (Flickr CC).

“Without spiritually-intentional friends we drift into spiritual stagnation.”

David Kitz
Special to Spur Ottawa

For three years, Jesus ran the most effective men’s ministry group ever. It went on to change the world. In terms of small group men’s ministry, Jesus set the gold standard.

This begs the question: How effective and life changing is men’s ministry in your church or fellowship circle?

If your answer is not effective or minimally effective, you are likely not alone.

Since January 2000, Lyle Johnson of Nextlevel Ministries has been trying to change that situation for men in the Ottawa region, and now Nextlevel is growing beyond its Ottawa base.

“Many men are languishing in relational isolation,” Johnson states. “They’re paying a big price, and that’s particularly true for Christian men.”

The rationale for his ministry is quite straightforward.

“A follower of Jesus Christ who navigates ‘The Way’ alone will not fare well. Without a few spiritually-intentional friends, serving as a social anchor, he will drift into spiritual stagnation or moral temptation.”

Johnson sees intentionality and accountability as keys to growth.

Nextlevel’s mission is “to provide men with the opportunity to experience life-transforming spiritual friendships with other men.”

“Growth doesn’t happen by accident,” Johnson explains. “We don’t grow spiritually unless we intend to grow. It happens best when we are connected and accountable in true friendship. It’s a friendship that goes deeper than just talking about last night’s hockey game.”

Currently, 35 Nextlevel covenant groups meet weekly to open the scriptures and their lives to one another. As a result, 250 men are experiencing deep spiritual friendships as they commit to encourage each other as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

In 2015 Nextlevel started groups in three new cities: Cornwall, Kingston, and Napanee.

Later this month Lyle Johnson is flying to Vancouver to train group leaders there. He admits that while that’s exciting, there is still so much to do in Ottawa.

“Here in Ottawa, we probably have 5000 to 10,000 Christian men who need to be connected into lifelong friendship groups, centred on Jesus.”

“We believe a man needs ‘friends for life’ to share all the trials and joys of his life, for all the years of his life.”

Andrew Nicholls has been involved in one of Johnson’s covenant groups for more than ten years. After a time he also began leading his own group.

“Being part of two different Nextlevel groups has given me what I have desired for a long time: close friendships with men who are always there for me,” he explains. “It is a safe place to share my darkest thoughts and experiences, as well as mountain top moments in my walk of faith.”

Nicholls goes on to say, “The biggest take away for me is drawing closer to Jesus through my relationship with my brothers in the group. I know God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit better, due to my walk with these brothers.”

Jesus might agree that small groups of men like these can change the world.