Another aspect of Mission is Vision. Vision answers the question, “Where?” Where are you going in the next period of time (3-5 years)? What is on the horizon and which way are you heading? Leaders are called by God to communicate a preferred picture of the future that motivates people with passion to give their lives to make it … Continue reading Planning for the New Year (Pt.5)
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 said that … but … Continue reading Planning for the New Year (Pt.4)
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 Planning for the New Year (Pt.3)
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 Planning for the New Year (Pt.2)
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day [Re-light the three purple candles and the pink candle] We Celebrate the Birth of Christ In the season of Advent we have used the Advent wreath and its candles to help us get ready for this great celebration of the birth of Christ. When we lit the first purple candle, … Continue reading Advent: Lighting the Fourth Candle – Our Waiting is Over!
Many people spend more time planning for their holiday than they do planning their life. That’s a sobering thought. Over the next two 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 Planning for the New Year (Pt.1)
The Fourth Sunday of Advent (or thereabouts) [Re-light two purple candles and the pink candle.] We Remember the Meaning of Advent Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit.” In the Christian season of Advent, we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things: • We remember Israel’s hope for the … Continue reading Advent: Lighting the Christ Candle – Waiting for the Son
Autobiography in Five Short Chapters 1) I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost . . . I am hopeless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. 2) I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole … Continue reading Creative Mind Renewal
Confession time. I love books! Yes, there is a certain joy in buying a new book and just putting it on your shelf ... even if you haven't yet read the last ten books you bought. Fellow addicts would understand. Others don't. So, if you are looking for a book to read, check out Christianity … Continue reading 2014 Christianity Today Book Awards
The Third Sunday of Advent (or thereabouts) [Re-light the first two purple candles] We Remember the Meaning of Advent Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things: • We remember Israel’s hope for the … Continue reading Advent: Lighting the Third Candle – Waiting for Joy
Facebook, Instrgram, Twitter and Snapchat. Welcome to the exploding world of Social Media. Where will it all go and what trends are trending into 2014? Ryan Holmes, the CEO of HootSuite, a social relationship platform, recently wrote for Fortune magazine outlining five trends that could be poised to shake up the industry and the way we use … Continue reading The Future of Social Media
The Second Sunday of Advent (or thereabouts) [Re-light the first purple candle.] We Remember the Meaning of Advent Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit.” In the Christian season of Advent we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. Our preparation includes many things: • We remember Israel’s hope for the coming … Continue reading Advent: Lighting the Second Candle – Waiting for Forgiveness
Nelson Mandela passed away yesterday at the age of 95. He was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, politican and philanthropist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative election. His government focused on dismantling the … Continue reading Nelson Mandela
Let me tell you the story of Irena Sendler. It’s a name that I didn’t even know until a few weeks ago, but once I heard her story, I will never forget her. Irena was born in 1910 just outside of Warsaw. By 1940 she had become an administrator in Warsaw’s welfare department as Hitler … Continue reading Unsung Hero: Irena Sendler
The First Sunday of Advent (or thereabouts) We Remember the Meaning of Advent [Note: Someone can read or paraphrase the following. Or you might want to discuss the meaning of Advent together.] Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. In the Christian season of Advent, we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at … Continue reading Advent: Lighting the First Candle – Waiting for the Shepherd
