7 minute read
An accidental publication
Sarah Harding chats to ministers Sam Finlay and Niall Lockhart about how the first lockdown unexpectedly led to them co-authoring a devotional book.
In March 2020, during the first lockdown, ministers Sam Finlay (SF) and Niall Lockhart (NL) began to write daily comments on the book of Psalms to strengthen and encourage members of their congregations in Redrock and Druminnis, and Ballyhenry Presbyterian churches. Initially published separately, on Facebook, Sam and Niall have merged these daily devotionals to provide a pathway through each of the 150 psalms. Volume 1 of Daily Psalms (January-June) was produced in January 2021, with a second volume (JulyDecember) due out later this year.
How did writing the book come about?
SF: Good question! First up, we’d both happily confess that Daily Psalms in book form was a somewhat accidental publication. Last spring, the sudden reality of Covid-19 on our doorstep and the potential of many taking ill and even dying caught me like a rabbit in the headlights. In those early weeks flustering over technology I knew I wanted to bring God’s Word into the lives of our Redrock and Druminnis families in a way that was relevant and spiritually encouraging.
My initial notion was a weekly online post, but after a phone call with Niall (we’ve been friends since studying together at Union College), I was drawn to the idea of beginning a daily journey through the book of Psalms. With so many of our church families using Facebook this was an obvious place to ‘publish’. As time went on we also began to distribute print copies to folks who weren’t online.
Why did you feel drawn to the psalms at this time?
NL: The idea of reading through the psalms on a daily basis is not a new idea. For many Christians, in many places at many times, this has been part of the daily rhythm of what it means to follow Jesus. The psalms describe a world where you really don’t know what you’re getting from day to day. However, at the same time they speak of a God who is faithful, trustworthy, and who wants to be known, one day at a time.
What reaction has the book received in your congregations?
SF: As pastors, we wrote these devotions for our congregations. When they were first published on social media it was, in part, people’s heartfelt appreciation and engagement with what we were posting that was a massive daily spur on to ‘go again’ with each new day and each fresh psalm. Since ‘publishing’ the daily readings in a dated book format it’s been really encouraging to hear folks share their stories of how reading and praying the psalms is becoming part of their daily Christian walk.
How do you intend people to use this resource and what do you hope they’ll get out of it?
NL: The psalms speak to people about God, but they also teach us a language to speak to God. They draw us into a slowly unfolding relationship with God amidst
the hurts, complexities and hazards of daily life. Jesus loved the psalms. Our hope is that Daily Psalms will draw people to him, whether they are new to Bible reading or have been Bible readers for many years.
Did you find that committing to write a devotional piece every day was personally helpful to you at the time?
SF: The way it worked out, Niall was writing his material a week ahead of me. Knowing that a friend and colleague was on this journey too was good for both of us. I was getting up increasingly eager to see where the psalms journey would take me and putting my head on the pillow at night thinking of the next morning’s verses. On a personal level, I realised the rhythm of the task had me meditating on God’s Word day and night! As so often is the case, the ‘work’ I was doing for the good of others was as much a challenge and blessing for my good. God is gracious that way.
Can you give us a flavour of your context for ministry and what that’s been like over the past year?
NL: For the last 13 years home for us has been Ballyhenry (just off the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey). Sam and his family live in County Armagh. Even though our ministry contexts are in that sense different I think the past year has reminded both of us that the privilege of pastoral ministry is sharing God’s Word with people who you know and who know you, confident that his Word brings life and creates community.
What are some of the issues you are facing as you minister in these days?
SF: On a personal level, drained with constant technology, feeling inadequate and worrying and wondering if we’re connecting with people. As I’ve talked to people, I’ve become increasingly aware of daily struggles with work, home schooling, loneliness and lots of worry about the future. I guess that’s where the psalms land so perfectly again. They speak into every life experience and time and again God gives us hope in our troubles rather than lifting us out of them. For me, there’s been this constant surprised/ not surprised experience as I’ve found the psalms taking me to Jesus, the great news of grace and the deep assurance of God with us as we navigate real life.
Has this lockdown felt different? What is your sense of people’s mood at the moment?
NL: Our daughter, Maggie, is nine years old. Earlier today she said, “I wish coronavirus wasn’t here. I want to go back to school, I want to go back to church, and I want to go and see my cousins and give them a hug.” People are finding this tough and yet I do believe that these are times when God is at work even when we don’t feel that or readily see it.
Sam Finlay Niall Lockhart
How have the limitations on meeting together for worship affected individuals and congregations?
SF: That’s been a mixed one. I think many people the first time round embraced the novelty of doing things differently. There were some deeply encouraging moments when a sense of mutual support and encouragement in the body were tangible. On a personal note, I felt it was critical we still saw ourselves as Christ’s people meeting for worship. At the same time, we’ve missed each other badly – especially when we were back in the building for a while but not with a full congregation. Those Sundays have been bittersweet. I recorded this morning again – on a Friday for Sunday, in the study. We’re in Hebrews at the moment and the call to fix our eyes on Jesus couldn’t be more timely.
A number of months back a lady facing cancer surgery said to me, “Sam, cancer’s the small c, Christ is the big C.” I’ve treasured her words ever since and we’ve been adapting that faith-filled sentiment to the current Covid times – Christ is still and always will be the ‘big C’ in our lives despite the many challenges. As my brother-in-law’s congregation in Inverness keep reminding me – whatever we face, life is ‘infinitely fuller’ in Jesus.
Are there positives we can draw from the pandemic or lessons we can learn moving forward?
NL: I answer this cautiously because the past year has been incredibly tough for some people who will be reading this article. However, in so many ways I think life has become very ‘day to day’, with a much greater awareness of the things we do not know. It’s in this ‘not knowing’ that the gospel becomes such good news, as by his Holy Spirit, the Lord Jesus comes to meet us afresh each new day.
How can people get the book?
NL: When we look at Daily Psalms Volume 1 (with its 64,000 words, spread over six months of daily readings) I think we both smile. At no point did producing this feel like work. It has felt like something that ‘just happened’ as we tried to do the jobs given to us. A free PDF version (suitable for reading on a phone/tablet) can be accessed via www.ballyhenry.org We are equally happy for any congregation to print/distribute their own copies if that is something that can be useful and encouraging.
