The prophet Isaiah challenged the people of his time that God was more interested in their works of love for the poor and needy than he was in their worship (see Isaiah 58). This is a message strongly echoed by other prophets (see Amos 5:21-24). Jesus reinforced this strongly in the parable of the sheep … Continue reading God’s Heart for the Poor and the Needy
Learning to Lead Like Jesus
Over the last few days, we've been talking about a biblical philosophy of business. Today, let's talk about learning to lead like Jesus. If you are a business leader, you want to learn and grow so that you can become the very best you can be. There is a plethora of business gurus (e.g. … Continue reading Learning to Lead Like Jesus
A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.5)
Why does business exist? I can hear some of you thinking, "Show me the money!" That's brings us to the fourth purpose of business ... 4. To generate wealth. In exchange for service or a product we receive payment of some sort. This is the principle of "fair exchange". It’s okay to make a profit. … Continue reading A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.5)
A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.4)
Let's continue our discussion as to why business exists. So far we've mentioned that business exists to glorify God and to serve people. Here is the third reason ... 3. To provide an opportunity for meaningful contribution. God has created us with the need for meaningful work. Part of our sense of significance comes from … Continue reading A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.4)
A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.3)
Why does business exist? 2. To Serve People Every business should exist to add ‘value’ – to provide a service or a product that enhances the quality of people's life. Jesus came to serve others rather than to be served (Matthew 20:28) and as his followers we are called to do the same - to … Continue reading A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.3)
A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.2)
The apostle Paul says this, "Whatever your do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:17)." The "whatever" includes business and doing it in "the name of the Lord Jesus" means working in such a way as to honour … Continue reading A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.2)
A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.1)
Today, let's talk about the business world. Most people spend the majority of their working week out in the marketplace and there are numbers of Christians who have their own businesses. Unfortunately, many people have created a division between what is ‘sacred’ and what is ‘secular’. In fact, there has been a certain amount of … Continue reading A Biblical Philosophy of Business (Pt.1)
Mobile Phone vs Bible
A friend sent me this last week. It is thought-provoking ... Mobile Phone (or 'Cell Phone' as they say in the USA) VS the Bible Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our mobile phone? What if we carried it around in our pockets or purses? What if we flipped through … Continue reading Mobile Phone vs Bible
Third Space Conversations (Cont’d)
To follow on from yesterday's post on "Third Space Conversations" ... here are a few reflection questions ... One approach to evangelism is for Christians to invite unchurched people into the ‘first space’. What kind of person is this applicable to? What kind of person may never come straight into a ‘first space’ gathering? What … Continue reading Third Space Conversations (Cont’d)
Third Space Conversations
Slowly read the following record of the Apostle Paul visiting Athens ... "While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the market-place day by day with … Continue reading Third Space Conversations
How the Stock Market Works
Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each. The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest, and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers … Continue reading How the Stock Market Works
Living in a Parallel Universe (Pt.3)
Back in 1986, Christian novelist Frank E Peretti wrote a book called This Present Darkness endeavouring to paint a picture of two worlds interacting in the drama of daily life. Heaven and earth. Light and darkness. The book, which has an engaging multi-layered plot, has not been without its criticism. However, through the power of a story, fictitious … Continue reading Living in a Parallel Universe (Pt.3)
Living in a Parallel Universe (Pt.2)
Hmmnn ... a parallel universe. Sounds a bit like the Matrix, doesn't it! This is what the Christian life is all about ... through faith and repentance we exprerience the living God, in response to his promptings. He sends his Spirit to live inside of us. We experience a conversion - an inner transformation. Two worlds … Continue reading Living in a Parallel Universe (Pt.2)
Living in a Parallel Universe (Pt.1)
If you think about it, we live in what could be called a parallel universe ... There is the natural world that we engage with our five senses - sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste. There is also a spiritual world that is just a real, if not more real, as the natural world, even … Continue reading Living in a Parallel Universe (Pt.1)
The Philadephia Experiment
Talking about conspiracy theories ... Some of you may have heard of the Philadelphia Experiment which was an alleged naval military experiment at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard sometime around October 28th, 1943, in which the U.S. destroyer USS Eldridge was to be rendered invisible to human observers for a brief period (a pretty handy feature during … Continue reading The Philadephia Experiment