Another dimension of Mission is Values. Values answer the question, “Who?” Who are you? What is important to you? What are you building on and what do you hope to outlast you? Jesus had specific values that he was building His kingdom on and he made them very clear to everyone. “You have heard it … Continue reading Life Planning [Day 4]
Life Planning [Day 3]
Effective life planning involves SIX STEPS aimed at helping you to lead and manage your life well. Today we begin with Step 1. STEP 1 - Understand Your Mission The apostle Paul tells us to “understand what the Lord’s will is” (Eph.5:17). What is God's will? What is God’s purpose for your life? How has … Continue reading Life Planning [Day 3]
Life Planning [Day 2]
To begin our life planning process, we’ll make use of a reflection exercise. Reflection is all about pulling aside from the busyness of our life in order to contemplate and think about a specific thing. It is related to the concept of meditation, a common biblical practice which simply means to chew something over and … Continue reading Life Planning [Day 2]
Life Planning [Day 1]
Many people spend more time planning for their holiday than they do planning their life. That’s a sobering thought! Over the next few weeks, I’d like to lead you through a series of daily reflection exercises aimed at helping you to make next year your best year yet. After all, leading your own life is … Continue reading Life Planning [Day 1]
The Power of Encouragement
"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." [Paul - 1 Thess. 5:11] We all thrive on praise and encouragement. It motivates us and brings out the best in us. Encouragement is like oxygen to the soul. We tend to become what the most important people in their … Continue reading The Power of Encouragement
The Art of Reading
The God we serve is a relational God. He communicates with us. He speaks and he listens. He has also created us as relational beings, created to communicate. Through communication we can know God and know each other, as well as the world around us. The Bible is God's primary source of communication to us … Continue reading The Art of Reading
Just Do It!
Some thought-provoking quotes ... "If you love me, you will obey what I command." [Jesus - John 14:15. NIV] "Knowledge doesn't change the world; action does." [John Maxwell] "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Those who listen to the word but do not do what it … Continue reading Just Do It!
How to Say ‘No’ Without Feeling Guilty
Many years ago I read a little booklet called How to Say 'No' Without Feeling Guilty. At the time I was a real people-pleaser who tended to say 'Yes' to everything, even to my own detriment (and my family's!). I learned that 'No' is actually a very positive word. It enables you to say 'Yes' … Continue reading How to Say ‘No’ Without Feeling Guilty