Wednesday, December 14, 2005
the chronicles of narnia
Are you interested in the new movie called "The Narnia Story" then you might find this website interesting. http://www.narniastory.com/
a $10,000 offer
Check out this test to see if you can win the $10,000. www.tenthousanddollaroffer.com/
lust
Here's an interesting website setup so that people looking for pornography are confronted instead by the words of Jesus. http://www.lustadultery.com/
the main thing
Here's an interesting article about the simplicity of being a follower of Jesus. http://www.spiritled.com.au/files/The%20Main%20Thing.pdf
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
wait ... a journey to discovering the heart of God by Russell Kelfer
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried; Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate and the Master go gently said, " Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!" Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance, and tell me to Wait?" I'm needing a 'yes' a go-ahead sign. Or even a 'no' to which I'll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, we need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, and grumbled to God,
"So, I'm waiting.... for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine and He tenderly said I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run. I could give you all you seek and pleased you would be. You'd be have what you want, but you wouldn't know me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair; you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the joy of resting in Me when darkness and silence are all you can see. You'd never experience the fullness of love when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. The glow of My comfort late into the night, the faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask from an infinite God who makes what you have last. You'd never know should your pain quickly flee, what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, but, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
So, be silent, my child and in time you will see that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, my most precious answer of all is still ... "Wait"
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate and the Master go gently said, " Wait."
"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply. "Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!" Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard? By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word. My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance, and tell me to Wait?" I'm needing a 'yes' a go-ahead sign. Or even a 'no' to which I'll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe, we need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry: I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate, as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut, and grumbled to God,
"So, I'm waiting.... for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine and He tenderly said I could give you a sign. I could shake the heavens and darken the sun. I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run. I could give you all you seek and pleased you would be. You'd be have what you want, but you wouldn't know me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint. You'd not know the power that I give to the faint. You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair; you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there. You'd not know the joy of resting in Me when darkness and silence are all you can see. You'd never experience the fullness of love when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove. You would know that I give, and I save, for a start, but you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart. The glow of My comfort late into the night, the faith that I give when you walk without sight. The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask from an infinite God who makes what you have last. You'd never know should your pain quickly flee, what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true, but, oh, the loss, if you missed what I'm doing in you.
So, be silent, my child and in time you will see that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me. And though oft My answers seem terribly late, my most precious answer of all is still ... "Wait"
Thursday, December 08, 2005
templates for lots of business stuff
This page is worth checking out for free management and training templates, resources and tools. http://www.businessballs.com/freeonlineresources.htm
spiritual gifts
If you want to grow in effectiveness and serve God joyfully it's really handy to know how God has gifted you to serve him. This spiritual gift inventory found at http://buildingchurch.net/g2s.htm is a useful tool in discovering your spiritual gifts.
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
the cost
In my view one of the greatest dangers to a genuine faith is when someone makes a decision to follow Jesus based on the idea that Jesus will then make them happy by fixing up their problems, or that Jesus will make them prosperous.
Don't get me wrong, there is a peace and a joy that comes when we are in right relationship with God, but the peace that Jesus promises is a 'peace in the midst of difficulty', not 'peace because of lack of difficulty'.
The reason to follow Jesus is because we recognise that we have fallen short of God's standard and that we cry out to God to give us forgiveness based upon the sacrafice that Jesus made on the cross.
Jesus when praying for his disciples in John 16:33 says "In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world." later he says in John 17:13 "... so that they have the full measure of my joy within them."
Jesus in praying for his disciples promises that those that follow him will know peace in spite of the fact that the world hates those that genuinely follow Jesus.
Are you ready to face difficulty for the sake of Jesus? A genuine follower of Jesus is able to say, perhaps with trembling knees, "YES, I will follow my Lord and God no matter the cost, even if the cost is my life, my comfort or my possessions!"
Don't get me wrong, there is a peace and a joy that comes when we are in right relationship with God, but the peace that Jesus promises is a 'peace in the midst of difficulty', not 'peace because of lack of difficulty'.
The reason to follow Jesus is because we recognise that we have fallen short of God's standard and that we cry out to God to give us forgiveness based upon the sacrafice that Jesus made on the cross.
Jesus when praying for his disciples in John 16:33 says "In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world." later he says in John 17:13 "... so that they have the full measure of my joy within them."
Jesus in praying for his disciples promises that those that follow him will know peace in spite of the fact that the world hates those that genuinely follow Jesus.
Are you ready to face difficulty for the sake of Jesus? A genuine follower of Jesus is able to say, perhaps with trembling knees, "YES, I will follow my Lord and God no matter the cost, even if the cost is my life, my comfort or my possessions!"
baptism
Here's a study guide I just created about baptism. Go to www.cmponline.net then select "exploring Christianity" then select "baptism". It's a made up from a couple of other resources which are referenced appropriately.
Friday, December 02, 2005
is bias wrong
I think it's true to say that everyone has a bias, I have a bias and so do you. Is bias wrong? Well, I think it's a reality so the problem comes not in that we have a bias, it comes when we don't recognise our bias.
Another way of saying bias is to use the term agenda, as in what is my agenda?
My personal agenda is to try to convey as accurately as possible the teachings of the bible.
However, at this point something else comes into play. My agenda might be to convey the bible but my agenda is influenced by my experiences, and because my experiences are necessarily limited, then my agenda will be somewhat narrow.
So even if my agenda is good and noble, my experiences might influence my agenda such that it is not accurate.
Do we give up then? No, but we must constantly seek to be open about our bias/agenda and hold our personal views firmly but not without a willingness to modify them, that is we must always be open to learn from the views of others, recognising of course that they too have a bias/agenda that is somewhat narrow because of their experiences.
Another way of saying bias is to use the term agenda, as in what is my agenda?
My personal agenda is to try to convey as accurately as possible the teachings of the bible.
However, at this point something else comes into play. My agenda might be to convey the bible but my agenda is influenced by my experiences, and because my experiences are necessarily limited, then my agenda will be somewhat narrow.
So even if my agenda is good and noble, my experiences might influence my agenda such that it is not accurate.
Do we give up then? No, but we must constantly seek to be open about our bias/agenda and hold our personal views firmly but not without a willingness to modify them, that is we must always be open to learn from the views of others, recognising of course that they too have a bias/agenda that is somewhat narrow because of their experiences.
media bias
Does media coverage reflect the views of society? Well if surveys of Journalists in America is any guide then you have to be very wary of media reports. (see http://www.mediaresearch.org/biasbasics/biasbasics.asp & http://www.theihs.org/libertyguide/article.php/744.html)
Consider the current debate on the death penalty. If you went by the views of the media you would believe virtually everyone is against the death penalty. But studies show that the split in Austalia is actually about 53/47, almost an even split.
Now popular opinion doesn't make something right, but surely the media should more fairly represent the views of the society.
Interestingly enough the views of journalists as a group are more liberal than the population, that is they more highly agree with abortion, more highly believe adultery is morally okay, more highly believe in homosexuality as a life choice, more highly believe that the death penalty is wrong.
So when you read your paper or listen to the news broadcast you are hearing the views of people who are almost diametrically opposed to the teachings of the bible on most topics, so we each need to heed the biblical mandate to 'judge carefully' the things we hear.
Consider the current debate on the death penalty. If you went by the views of the media you would believe virtually everyone is against the death penalty. But studies show that the split in Austalia is actually about 53/47, almost an even split.
Now popular opinion doesn't make something right, but surely the media should more fairly represent the views of the society.
Interestingly enough the views of journalists as a group are more liberal than the population, that is they more highly agree with abortion, more highly believe adultery is morally okay, more highly believe in homosexuality as a life choice, more highly believe that the death penalty is wrong.
So when you read your paper or listen to the news broadcast you are hearing the views of people who are almost diametrically opposed to the teachings of the bible on most topics, so we each need to heed the biblical mandate to 'judge carefully' the things we hear.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
who I've learned the most from
I find life pretty strange at times. Over the last five years I've really grown and changed and the people who have influenced me more than anyone are the people whom I would most disagree with about certain issues. I've discovered that I can respect, appreciate, learn from and love people whom I disagree with. Thanks Paul and Louise for your graciousness, your kindness and your willingness to live out your faith, you are a real inspiration to me.
amnesty
Just because my previous blog discusses an unpopular view of the death penalty, it doesn't mean I don't respect and appreciate the work of Amnesty. I would encourage you to check out there site and support their work. I obviously hold some contrary views but it doesn't stop me being a supporter of the tremendous work that they do and to financially support them. http://www.amnesty.org.au/
In particular I'd like to give a great big thanks to two people who I know do tremendous work for Amnesty. Helen and Louise are two great ladies who are doing brilliant and important work for Amnesty, so 'go girls' as I'm continuing to thank God for the important work you are doing.
In particular I'd like to give a great big thanks to two people who I know do tremendous work for Amnesty. Helen and Louise are two great ladies who are doing brilliant and important work for Amnesty, so 'go girls' as I'm continuing to thank God for the important work you are doing.
death penalty
I've been thinking about the imminent death of Nguyen Tuong Van and the whole debate around it. It seems that I'm in the minority in that I actually believe in the death penalty. (Please read to the end to see my unexpected conclusion to this arguement.) Now before you crucify me for the uncommon belief let me make an arguement.
I believe that the bible teaches that the penalty for sin is death. In the story of the women caught in adultery (found in John 8) Jesus does not dispute the fact that the women was rightfully condemned to death as it is the law of the bible. (see Leviticus 20:10).
So if someone is caught in sin, in Nguyen case drug trafficing I cannot argue that the death penalty is not valid.
Now you say in the case of the women caught in adultery Jesus saved the women, surely that means he was against the death penalty?
Well to argue the point let me give an analogy.
If someone were to kill someones child then I believe that the parent has the right to insist on the death penalty for the biblical punishment for murder is to be killed.
However, as a Christian and a believer in grace, I would hope that if it was my child that I would extend grace and mercy and not insist on the death penalty.
So let me summarise. I believe the death penalty is valid, but if I had the option of imposing the death penalty then I wouldn't, not because it wasn't valid, but because God's grace extended to me means that I need to extend that grace to others.
In the eyes of God I'm guilty and deserve to be condemned, but he has by grace extended to me forgiveness, his giving forgiveness does not mean the death penalty for sin is wrong, it just means it has not been exercised.
I'm not sure I've made the greatest arguement, but there it is anyway, my vent on the whole debate.
I'm of course willing to have my mind changed, but to change my mind requires me to be convinced that my understanding of God's teaching is wrong. In the end I'm accountable to uphold the truth of God not the current trend of human teaching.
I believe that the bible teaches that the penalty for sin is death. In the story of the women caught in adultery (found in John 8) Jesus does not dispute the fact that the women was rightfully condemned to death as it is the law of the bible. (see Leviticus 20:10).
So if someone is caught in sin, in Nguyen case drug trafficing I cannot argue that the death penalty is not valid.
Now you say in the case of the women caught in adultery Jesus saved the women, surely that means he was against the death penalty?
Well to argue the point let me give an analogy.
If someone were to kill someones child then I believe that the parent has the right to insist on the death penalty for the biblical punishment for murder is to be killed.
However, as a Christian and a believer in grace, I would hope that if it was my child that I would extend grace and mercy and not insist on the death penalty.
So let me summarise. I believe the death penalty is valid, but if I had the option of imposing the death penalty then I wouldn't, not because it wasn't valid, but because God's grace extended to me means that I need to extend that grace to others.
In the eyes of God I'm guilty and deserve to be condemned, but he has by grace extended to me forgiveness, his giving forgiveness does not mean the death penalty for sin is wrong, it just means it has not been exercised.
I'm not sure I've made the greatest arguement, but there it is anyway, my vent on the whole debate.
I'm of course willing to have my mind changed, but to change my mind requires me to be convinced that my understanding of God's teaching is wrong. In the end I'm accountable to uphold the truth of God not the current trend of human teaching.
Friday, November 25, 2005
be still
Did you realise that when the bible says "be still" that the words being translated could also be translated "let go of your grip".
Being still and knowing God is letting go of our tight grip on life and relaxing into God. Instead of working everything out and putting everything into boxes, we let God be God and realise we don't and can't work him all out.
Letting go of our tight grip means we don't have to know what's coming next. Letting go means realising that we don't have to be busy all the time. Letting go means that we don't have to be in control because he is the one who is ultimately in control. Letting go means we can be silent in his presence rather than busy praying or reading the bible.
Have you ever experienced being held by someone you love and not a word is being said? That's what we need to do with God more often, allow him to hold us in silence.
Being still and knowing God is letting go of our tight grip on life and relaxing into God. Instead of working everything out and putting everything into boxes, we let God be God and realise we don't and can't work him all out.
Letting go of our tight grip means we don't have to know what's coming next. Letting go means realising that we don't have to be busy all the time. Letting go means that we don't have to be in control because he is the one who is ultimately in control. Letting go means we can be silent in his presence rather than busy praying or reading the bible.
Have you ever experienced being held by someone you love and not a word is being said? That's what we need to do with God more often, allow him to hold us in silence.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
touch
"Women often feel unloved because their emotional needs aren't being met, and in the same way, men often feel ignored because their physical needs aren't being met. Men aren't as sensitive to physical touch as women are. In other words, it takes more physical touch to meet a man's physical needs. In the same way that a woman has twice the daily word count, a man has twice the need for physical stimulation." - Gary Smalley
dating advice
In the past I've given dating advice and apparently been misunderstood. Here's my advice in black & white.
It is my view that the purpose of dating is to ascertain whether or not the person you are dating could become your future husband or wife. If you at anytime come to the conclusion that you don't want to marry that person, then you shouldn't be dating. This doesn't mean that you only date the person you think you will marry, it just means that you shouldn't continue to date someone you don't believe you will marry.
My view is based on the biblical text found in 1 Cor 7:36-38.
It is my view that the purpose of dating is to ascertain whether or not the person you are dating could become your future husband or wife. If you at anytime come to the conclusion that you don't want to marry that person, then you shouldn't be dating. This doesn't mean that you only date the person you think you will marry, it just means that you shouldn't continue to date someone you don't believe you will marry.
My view is based on the biblical text found in 1 Cor 7:36-38.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
growing your passion for jesus
If you have a passion for the extension of the gospel of Jesus, then you need to check out this website to take your passion even further. http://www.gpn.tv/
strong words
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5, NLT).
Dear friends: One day I was talking to a young man who was somewhat of a prodigal. I said to him, "Do you believe in Jesus? "Yes." "Do you believe He died for your sins?" "Yes." He had grown up in the church and even gone to Christian schools, but he had turned his back on the Lord. I replied, "What is gong to happen to you when you die?" He said, "I'll go to heaven." I said, "Are you sure?" "Absolutely sure." And I said, "Are you willing to do God's will and surrender your own will to His will?" Quite bluntly, he answered, "No." I had to be totally honest with him, and replied, "Then you are not a Christian." He said, "That's your opinion against mine." I said, "No, that is what God's word says." I explained to him that if anyone is not willing to do God's will, he had better take inventory because the Scripture clearly teaches: "And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did" (1John 2:3-6, TLB). That was strong language, but that is the holy, inspired word of God. If you are not able to make the Bible the basis of your standards, what are the alternatives? Don't get me wrong. I believe more strongly than most people that salvation is a free gift of God by grace through faith alone, not a result of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). And only God truly knows who are His and who are not. But the Scriptures give us strong words that we can use for self-examination. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test" (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NIV). This does not mean that every time we fail God, we lose our salvation. Far from it. But it does mean we should stay on our spiritual toes to please, obey and serve God. Our good works confirm our salvation but do not contribute to our salvation. Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns, Bill Bright
Dear friends: One day I was talking to a young man who was somewhat of a prodigal. I said to him, "Do you believe in Jesus? "Yes." "Do you believe He died for your sins?" "Yes." He had grown up in the church and even gone to Christian schools, but he had turned his back on the Lord. I replied, "What is gong to happen to you when you die?" He said, "I'll go to heaven." I said, "Are you sure?" "Absolutely sure." And I said, "Are you willing to do God's will and surrender your own will to His will?" Quite bluntly, he answered, "No." I had to be totally honest with him, and replied, "Then you are not a Christian." He said, "That's your opinion against mine." I said, "No, that is what God's word says." I explained to him that if anyone is not willing to do God's will, he had better take inventory because the Scripture clearly teaches: "And how can we be sure that we belong to him? By looking within ourselves: are we really trying to do what he wants us to? Someone may say, 'I am a Christian; I am on my way to heaven; I belong to Christ.' But if he doesn't do what Christ tells him to, he is a liar. But those who do what Christ tells them to will learn to love God more and more. That is the way to know whether or not you are a Christian. Anyone who says he is a Christian should live as Christ did" (1John 2:3-6, TLB). That was strong language, but that is the holy, inspired word of God. If you are not able to make the Bible the basis of your standards, what are the alternatives? Don't get me wrong. I believe more strongly than most people that salvation is a free gift of God by grace through faith alone, not a result of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). And only God truly knows who are His and who are not. But the Scriptures give us strong words that we can use for self-examination. "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you -- unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test" (2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NIV). This does not mean that every time we fail God, we lose our salvation. Far from it. But it does mean we should stay on our spiritual toes to please, obey and serve God. Our good works confirm our salvation but do not contribute to our salvation. Yours for helping to fulfill the Great Commission each year until our Lord returns, Bill Bright
natural church development
If you're a church leader then check out Natural Church Development (NCD) at http://ncd-australia.org.au/welcome/
In my opinion the process of doing an ongoing NCD assessment is one of the best ways you can spend your time and effort.
In my opinion the process of doing an ongoing NCD assessment is one of the best ways you can spend your time and effort.
harry potter movie review
Personally I'm a Harry Potter fan but its always good to be open to arguements from the other side. This review of the latest Harry Potter movie makes some points worth considering.Review by Lise Rice
If your friends and co-workers have bloodshot eyes this month, perhaps their children have kept them up during the night with “Harry Potter” nightmares. It might go something like this: “Daddy, help me. I keep dreaming about that scary skeleton in the sky with a giant snake coming out of its mouth.” Or, “Mommy, I need to sleep in bed with you. I had a dream about that Dark Lord zombie stealing a bone from a grave, mixing it with Harry Potter’s blood and coming back from the dead to torture people.”
For those addicted to “Harry Potter” books, no doubt they will see “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” But perhaps this fourth movie, adapted from the popular series written by J.K. Rowling, will be the one that compels us to ask why we would put this material into our children’s heads. As I looked around the theater and saw dozens of little children dressed as wizards and sorcerers, watching one horror after another on the big screen, my heart broke for the sheer lack of parental discernment.
Certainly the storytelling is compelling. “The Goblet of Fire” is set in Harry’s fourth year at the Hogwarts School. This time, Harry’s name has been mysteriously drawn by the Goblet of Fire as one of two students who will represent his school in the TriWizard Tournament. In this competition, the champions will be tested on three levels in hopes of winning the Cup and attaining eternal glory. This is no ordinary test, either. It involves dragon slaying and a hideous maze that has the potential to kill the children who don’t make it through. Of the contests, it is said, “These tasks are designed to test you in the most brutal way … almost cruel.” To complicate matters, Voldemort's Death Eaters are gaining strength and giving evidence that the Dark Lord is ready to rise again. In fact, Harry Potter has been having nightmares and visions that could possibly be the key to overcoming the Dark Lord, but he wonders who can help him decipher the dreams. As Harry faces the challenge of his life, he hones his skills and tries to figure out whom he can trust, including his classmates, competitors, and even the new teacher who is mentoring him. Unfortunately, it’s not just a game, and it’s not optional. It’s a matter of life and death.The screenplay is intriguing writing. And if you haven’t read the book, you will likely be confused for a while about the characters and story line. But that didn’t seem to be a problem for our packed-out preview audience, most of which was already up to speed on plotlines. The movie is complicated – and long – but amazingly, it holds the audience’s attention for over 2-1/2 hours. The special effects are also masterful, especially the dome, the flying, the dragons, the maze, and the magic of the spells.The "Harry Potter" franchise boils down to one issue for parents. Witchcraft, wizardry, magic, spells, and other supernatural “powers” can pull on the strings of our souls, tapping into the natural, God-given desire in us to perform great spiritual exploits. Children, too, have these interests in the supernatural, but often lack the discernment necessary to make wise choices in their selection of entertainment.So why not teach our children the real deal so that the counterfeit will no longer be appealing? Why not teach them about the School of the Holy Spirit, where ordinary children can be transformed into sword-wielding champions in a real Kingdom of good and evil? It is definitely something worth pondering. As I left the theater, I asked the father of two small children if he thought his kids would have nightmares after seeing the movie. He replied, “Oh, no. Trust me, they’ve seen way worse than this.” Oh no is right. God, help us.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
power in sharing our faith
Have you tried sharing your faith in Jesus and haven't seen any positive response? Check out what Bill Bright says at http://www.greatcom.org/english/spirit.htm
Saturday, November 12, 2005
powerful verse
Mark 7:9 ... "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!"
Jesus here was pretty fired up and he was all guns blazing at the Pharisees who were missing the point.
I wonder what he would say to a church that has the scriptures that say ...
Acts 2:37-38 "Brothers, what shall we do [to be saved]?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised ..."
But instead we follow a tradition begun a couple hundreds years later of baptising children instead of baptising a person making a decision to follow Jesus.
Interesting!
Jesus here was pretty fired up and he was all guns blazing at the Pharisees who were missing the point.
I wonder what he would say to a church that has the scriptures that say ...
Acts 2:37-38 "Brothers, what shall we do [to be saved]?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptised ..."
But instead we follow a tradition begun a couple hundreds years later of baptising children instead of baptising a person making a decision to follow Jesus.
Interesting!
inspiration
Who inspires you?
I find inspiration in all sorts of places, but recently I've been most inspired by my 11 year old daughter.
Not long ago she was in my office and looking through my books and asked to borrow some. She borrowed "How to win friends and influence people", "Strategy for Living" and some other self-development books.
Now if that isn't amazing enough, she's read them all and is putting the stuff into practice. She's proving she's not just a learner, she's a doer as well, and frankly that inspires me to keep growing.
Cassie you inspire me, go girl!
I find inspiration in all sorts of places, but recently I've been most inspired by my 11 year old daughter.
Not long ago she was in my office and looking through my books and asked to borrow some. She borrowed "How to win friends and influence people", "Strategy for Living" and some other self-development books.
Now if that isn't amazing enough, she's read them all and is putting the stuff into practice. She's proving she's not just a learner, she's a doer as well, and frankly that inspires me to keep growing.
Cassie you inspire me, go girl!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
don't judge a book by its cover
"In the year 1884, a young man from America died while on a visit to Europe. His middle-aged grieving parents returned with the body. They were heartbroken. After the funeral, they began to discuss some kind of a memorial to his memory, not a tombstone or an ornate grave, but a living memorial, something that would help other young men like their son. They decided that something in the field of education would be most appropriate. It would be a kind of memorial that would go on year after year helping to educate young people.
"They arranged for an appointment with Dr. Charles Eliot, then the president of Harvard University. He received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do for them. They told him about the death of their son and apologized for taking up his valuable time. They explained that they wanted to establish a memorial to his memory -- something that would help other young men like their son get an education. Dr. Eliot looked at the couple with some impatience and a certain suggestion of aristocratic disdain. "Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship?" "No," said the woman in her mild manner belying the quickness and sharpness of her mind. "We were thinking of something more substantial than that -- perhaps a new building or so. . ." "I must explain to you," said Eliot with what seemed a patronizing air, "That which you suggest costs a great deal of money. Buildings are very expensive." Obviously, Eliot did not think that from their appearance they were capable of that kind of donation.
"There was a pause, then the lady rose slowly and asked, 'Dr. Eliot, what has this entire university cost?' Eliot shrugged and, muttering, stated a figure that amounted to several millions of dollars in that 1884 deflationary economy. 'Oh, we can do better than that,' said the lady, who now seemed to have made up her mind about the entire thing. 'Come, dear,' she motioned to her husband, 'I have an idea.' Then they left.
"The following year, President Eliot of Harvard learned that the plain, unpretentious couple had contributed $30 million for a memorial to their son. The memorial is known as Stanford University, named after their son Leland Stanford, Jr.
"God forgive you and me if we let His potential, His gifts, His spiritual gifts slip through our fingers like that." (John A. Huffman, Jr., "Thanksgiving Comes Early This Year")
"They arranged for an appointment with Dr. Charles Eliot, then the president of Harvard University. He received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do for them. They told him about the death of their son and apologized for taking up his valuable time. They explained that they wanted to establish a memorial to his memory -- something that would help other young men like their son get an education. Dr. Eliot looked at the couple with some impatience and a certain suggestion of aristocratic disdain. "Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship?" "No," said the woman in her mild manner belying the quickness and sharpness of her mind. "We were thinking of something more substantial than that -- perhaps a new building or so. . ." "I must explain to you," said Eliot with what seemed a patronizing air, "That which you suggest costs a great deal of money. Buildings are very expensive." Obviously, Eliot did not think that from their appearance they were capable of that kind of donation.
"There was a pause, then the lady rose slowly and asked, 'Dr. Eliot, what has this entire university cost?' Eliot shrugged and, muttering, stated a figure that amounted to several millions of dollars in that 1884 deflationary economy. 'Oh, we can do better than that,' said the lady, who now seemed to have made up her mind about the entire thing. 'Come, dear,' she motioned to her husband, 'I have an idea.' Then they left.
"The following year, President Eliot of Harvard learned that the plain, unpretentious couple had contributed $30 million for a memorial to their son. The memorial is known as Stanford University, named after their son Leland Stanford, Jr.
"God forgive you and me if we let His potential, His gifts, His spiritual gifts slip through our fingers like that." (John A. Huffman, Jr., "Thanksgiving Comes Early This Year")
Saturday, November 05, 2005
8 = 6+2
8 = 6+2
Most people cannot distinguish between: 6+2 = 8. 8 = 6+2. The difference can be rather important. The addition of 6 and 2 cannot produce any answer other than 8. But 8 can be made up of combinations other than 6 and 2 (5+3, 4+4, 7+1). Why is this important? Because people start to believe that if you have a 'right' answer there is no need to think further because you can never be more than right. Having the right answer means you do not have to listen to other answers because they can never be 'more than right'. The result is a severe limitation on thinking.
(From http://www.edwarddebono.com/WeeklyMessage.php)
Most people cannot distinguish between: 6+2 = 8. 8 = 6+2. The difference can be rather important. The addition of 6 and 2 cannot produce any answer other than 8. But 8 can be made up of combinations other than 6 and 2 (5+3, 4+4, 7+1). Why is this important? Because people start to believe that if you have a 'right' answer there is no need to think further because you can never be more than right. Having the right answer means you do not have to listen to other answers because they can never be 'more than right'. The result is a severe limitation on thinking.
(From http://www.edwarddebono.com/WeeklyMessage.php)
increasing your thinking skills
Here are some websites to check out in regard to increasing your thinking skills. These are some of my favourite authors and thinkers in this regard.
A free course in thinking at http://www.schoolofthinking.org
Edward De Bono, one of the leaders in the area of Lateral Thinking. http://www.edwarddebono.com
Tony Buzan, a leader in the idea of Mind Maps. http://www.mind-map.com
Howard Gardner, leader in the concept of multiple intelligences. http://www.howardgardner.com
A free course in thinking at http://www.schoolofthinking.org
Edward De Bono, one of the leaders in the area of Lateral Thinking. http://www.edwarddebono.com
Tony Buzan, a leader in the idea of Mind Maps. http://www.mind-map.com
Howard Gardner, leader in the concept of multiple intelligences. http://www.howardgardner.com
Thursday, November 03, 2005
goal setting by bill bright
I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step (1 Corinthians 9:26, NLT).
Dear friends: Some critics have said that Campus Crusade for Christ has not always met its very ambitious goals in the past.
That may be true, but I believe it is always good to set goals. If you shoot at nothing, you are certain to hit it. If you don't have any goals, you're not going to achieve anything worthwhile for the glory of God.
We have always been a goal-setting movement, and I have always believed in big plans, because small plans do not influence the minds and hearts of men and women. Also, God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8), and I know that it is God who works in me to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
We have not always seen our goals fulfilled, however. For example, we set a goal of attracting 100,000 people to EXPLO '72 in Dallas. "Only" 85,000 showed up, which still made it the biggest event of its kind in history. Actually, more than 200,000 attended a special musical event on the last day. Approximately ten times more people participated in EXPLO '72 than in any other similar Christian training event. Yet some of the newspapers said it was a failure because we didn't achieve our goal!
Friends have cautioned me against goal-setting because they think falling short of announced targets makes me look stupid. I am not worried about what people think. I want to please the Lord, so I do what He tells me to do. And God has led us to set many goals and prayer targets from the beginning of this ministry.
There is no doubt in my mind that our goals, whether we achieve them or not, have helped bring additional millions of people to Christ. So I am happy to undertake great and ambitious things for God even at the risk of failure and being criticized by others.
Goal setting involves aiming. You have to have a target at which to aim. The opposite of aiming is aimlessness. Paul said, "Aim for perfection" (2 Corinthians 13:11, NIV). Let us aim for perfection in all that we do for the Lord and He will take care of the results.
I do not believe our Lord will rebuke me for aiming at 100,000 at EXPLO '72 and only getting 85,000. But He might not be pleased if we only aimed and planned for 50,000 and missed those extra 35,000 He wanted to reach.
Dear friends: Some critics have said that Campus Crusade for Christ has not always met its very ambitious goals in the past.
That may be true, but I believe it is always good to set goals. If you shoot at nothing, you are certain to hit it. If you don't have any goals, you're not going to achieve anything worthwhile for the glory of God.
We have always been a goal-setting movement, and I have always believed in big plans, because small plans do not influence the minds and hearts of men and women. Also, God is glorified when we bear much fruit (John 15:8), and I know that it is God who works in me to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).
We have not always seen our goals fulfilled, however. For example, we set a goal of attracting 100,000 people to EXPLO '72 in Dallas. "Only" 85,000 showed up, which still made it the biggest event of its kind in history. Actually, more than 200,000 attended a special musical event on the last day. Approximately ten times more people participated in EXPLO '72 than in any other similar Christian training event. Yet some of the newspapers said it was a failure because we didn't achieve our goal!
Friends have cautioned me against goal-setting because they think falling short of announced targets makes me look stupid. I am not worried about what people think. I want to please the Lord, so I do what He tells me to do. And God has led us to set many goals and prayer targets from the beginning of this ministry.
There is no doubt in my mind that our goals, whether we achieve them or not, have helped bring additional millions of people to Christ. So I am happy to undertake great and ambitious things for God even at the risk of failure and being criticized by others.
Goal setting involves aiming. You have to have a target at which to aim. The opposite of aiming is aimlessness. Paul said, "Aim for perfection" (2 Corinthians 13:11, NIV). Let us aim for perfection in all that we do for the Lord and He will take care of the results.
I do not believe our Lord will rebuke me for aiming at 100,000 at EXPLO '72 and only getting 85,000. But He might not be pleased if we only aimed and planned for 50,000 and missed those extra 35,000 He wanted to reach.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
values 101
When the legendary John Wooden was coaching basketball at UCLA, he seldom made home visits to prospective players. He did make an occasional exception, however, like the time he went to see an extremely talented prospect who had great potential to help his team.
Wooden had every intention of offering the player a scholarship that night. In fact, all the necessary paperwork was ready and waiting in the pocket of his suit coat. But when he left the player's house later that evening, the scholarship was still in his pocket.
What changed Wooden's mind? His decision had nothing to do with basketball, that's for sure. Rather, as Wooden watched the player interact with his mother, he was troubled by what he saw as a decided lack of respect. He surmised that a young man who spoke disrespectfully to his mom probably wouldn't respect his coach, either. That was enough to keep Wooden from offering him a spot on the team.
When Wooden shared this story with me, he noted that he had often passed on exceptional talent if the player lacked good values. "What I have found is, just because the talent and the giftedness is there doesn't mean you're going to be able, as a coach, to bring it out of them," he said. "But if their values are there — the right ones — you can bring the best out of them every time."
This story is a great illustration of an important teamwork concept: Values — those guiding principles that influence and guide behavior — determine the foundation of the team. When the members of a team are guided by respect, integrity, excellence and other positive attributes, their footing as a group is strong. Their shared values provide stability for their organization to build upon.
That's not all a strong set of values will do for a group of people working together, of course. Let me illustrate with a few word pictures.
• Values are like glue. They hold an organization together.
• Values are like a ruler. They set the standard for a team's performance.
• Values are like a compass. They give direction and guidance.
• Values are like a magnet. They attract like-minded people.
• Values provide identity. They define and identify the team.
It's easy to talk about values in a generic sense. It takes a bit more effort to identify the specific principles that your company or team lives by, and even more discipline to communicate those values effectively to each person you hire. Sharp new employees will be able to ascertain much of what your organization believes in by watching your team in action. But it's always helpful when you reinforce those nonverbal messages with some kind of structured presentation that explains who you are and what you believe in as a company.
I did this very thing several years ago when I moved my company to Atlanta from San Diego. We hired quite a few people when we moved, and to bring them up to speed on where we had come from organizationally, I gave them a formal overview of who we were and what was important to us.
In this talk, I articulated the following values to my team:
1. Personal growth.It is the responsibility of each individual to grow personally, but it's the leader's responsibility to help facilitate that process. You can grow your organization only as much as you grow your people.
2. Making a significant contribution. I believe every person ought to do something that he or she truly believes is making a difference.
3. Living and working with passion. I don't know about you, but I want everyone around me to love what they do as much as I do. I have no desire to motivate people the people I work with to get passionate about life. I would rather beg them to find another job!
4. Commitment to excellence. As I've written in this column before, I believe each of us should set the bar higher for ourselves than anybody else will.
5. Team leadership.The only way to build a successful organization is by developing a great team around you.
6. Living a life of integrity. Without this, everything else is meaningless.
Finally, the best way to ensure that everyone on your team is guided by similar principles is to examine each prospective employee through the lens of your organization's values and hire only those individuals who share those same values. If their values already match yours, they'll fit in much more quickly and start being productive a lot sooner than they would if you had to help them adapt to your company's mindset.
Wooden had every intention of offering the player a scholarship that night. In fact, all the necessary paperwork was ready and waiting in the pocket of his suit coat. But when he left the player's house later that evening, the scholarship was still in his pocket.
What changed Wooden's mind? His decision had nothing to do with basketball, that's for sure. Rather, as Wooden watched the player interact with his mother, he was troubled by what he saw as a decided lack of respect. He surmised that a young man who spoke disrespectfully to his mom probably wouldn't respect his coach, either. That was enough to keep Wooden from offering him a spot on the team.
When Wooden shared this story with me, he noted that he had often passed on exceptional talent if the player lacked good values. "What I have found is, just because the talent and the giftedness is there doesn't mean you're going to be able, as a coach, to bring it out of them," he said. "But if their values are there — the right ones — you can bring the best out of them every time."
This story is a great illustration of an important teamwork concept: Values — those guiding principles that influence and guide behavior — determine the foundation of the team. When the members of a team are guided by respect, integrity, excellence and other positive attributes, their footing as a group is strong. Their shared values provide stability for their organization to build upon.
That's not all a strong set of values will do for a group of people working together, of course. Let me illustrate with a few word pictures.
• Values are like glue. They hold an organization together.
• Values are like a ruler. They set the standard for a team's performance.
• Values are like a compass. They give direction and guidance.
• Values are like a magnet. They attract like-minded people.
• Values provide identity. They define and identify the team.
It's easy to talk about values in a generic sense. It takes a bit more effort to identify the specific principles that your company or team lives by, and even more discipline to communicate those values effectively to each person you hire. Sharp new employees will be able to ascertain much of what your organization believes in by watching your team in action. But it's always helpful when you reinforce those nonverbal messages with some kind of structured presentation that explains who you are and what you believe in as a company.
I did this very thing several years ago when I moved my company to Atlanta from San Diego. We hired quite a few people when we moved, and to bring them up to speed on where we had come from organizationally, I gave them a formal overview of who we were and what was important to us.
In this talk, I articulated the following values to my team:
1. Personal growth.It is the responsibility of each individual to grow personally, but it's the leader's responsibility to help facilitate that process. You can grow your organization only as much as you grow your people.
2. Making a significant contribution. I believe every person ought to do something that he or she truly believes is making a difference.
3. Living and working with passion. I don't know about you, but I want everyone around me to love what they do as much as I do. I have no desire to motivate people the people I work with to get passionate about life. I would rather beg them to find another job!
4. Commitment to excellence. As I've written in this column before, I believe each of us should set the bar higher for ourselves than anybody else will.
5. Team leadership.The only way to build a successful organization is by developing a great team around you.
6. Living a life of integrity. Without this, everything else is meaningless.
Finally, the best way to ensure that everyone on your team is guided by similar principles is to examine each prospective employee through the lens of your organization's values and hire only those individuals who share those same values. If their values already match yours, they'll fit in much more quickly and start being productive a lot sooner than they would if you had to help them adapt to your company's mindset.
the abc's of trust
These five practices build trust with staff.
#1: Promote accountability among workers.
#2: Build up one another.
#3: Communicate consistently and effectively.
#4: Celebrate your people's accomplishments.
#5: Give clear and firm direction.
(Christian Management Rport, June 200, P.14)
#1: Promote accountability among workers.
#2: Build up one another.
#3: Communicate consistently and effectively.
#4: Celebrate your people's accomplishments.
#5: Give clear and firm direction.
(Christian Management Rport, June 200, P.14)
what's most important to your employees
These are the results of a survey of Christian workplaces about what is most important to you as an employee:
#01: There's a high level of trust between senior management and employees.
#02: Management seeks and acts on the suggestions of employees.
#03: Our leaders behave with fairness and integrity.
#04: My organisation is well managed.
#05: My organisation conducts its activities openly and honestly.
#06: I'm very satisfied with our level of Christian fellowship and spirituality.
#07: I'm satisfied wit hthe recognition I receive for doing a good job.
#08: I'd rate my organisation as a superior place to work.
#09: Our leaders demonstrate compassion for people at all levels.
#10: We're encouraged to experiment and be innovative.
#11: Our leaders exhibit the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.
#12: Management explains the reasons behind major decisions.
#13: I'd recommend my organisation to others as a good place to work.
#14: People are held accountable for doing what they say they'll do.
(Christian Management Report, June 2005, p.10)
#01: There's a high level of trust between senior management and employees.
#02: Management seeks and acts on the suggestions of employees.
#03: Our leaders behave with fairness and integrity.
#04: My organisation is well managed.
#05: My organisation conducts its activities openly and honestly.
#06: I'm very satisfied with our level of Christian fellowship and spirituality.
#07: I'm satisfied wit hthe recognition I receive for doing a good job.
#08: I'd rate my organisation as a superior place to work.
#09: Our leaders demonstrate compassion for people at all levels.
#10: We're encouraged to experiment and be innovative.
#11: Our leaders exhibit the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, kindness, etc.
#12: Management explains the reasons behind major decisions.
#13: I'd recommend my organisation to others as a good place to work.
#14: People are held accountable for doing what they say they'll do.
(Christian Management Report, June 2005, p.10)
where goals fit in
Think of the following hierarchy to demystify vision, strategy, and tactics:
(1) Core Values: Enduring tenets—guiding principles—to adhere to no matter what mountain you climb. These never change.
(2) Core Purpose: The underlying “why” you climb mountains at all.
(3) BHAG: The specific mountain you are currently trying to climb.
Strategy: The route you intend to take and the general methods you intend to use to reach the top of that specific mountain.
(4) Base Camps: Intermediate objectives to the top of the mountain. If you have a ten- to thirty-year BHAG, these would be three- to five-year intermediate goals on the way up the mountain.
(5) Tactics: Specific methods for climbing the sections of rock and ice that confront you right now. These would be analogous to detailed annual plans for getting things done this year on the way to the five-year goal.
(1) Core Values: Enduring tenets—guiding principles—to adhere to no matter what mountain you climb. These never change.
(2) Core Purpose: The underlying “why” you climb mountains at all.
(3) BHAG: The specific mountain you are currently trying to climb.
Strategy: The route you intend to take and the general methods you intend to use to reach the top of that specific mountain.
(4) Base Camps: Intermediate objectives to the top of the mountain. If you have a ten- to thirty-year BHAG, these would be three- to five-year intermediate goals on the way up the mountain.
(5) Tactics: Specific methods for climbing the sections of rock and ice that confront you right now. These would be analogous to detailed annual plans for getting things done this year on the way to the five-year goal.
A BHAG
Every graduate of Harvard is apparently asked what their BHAG is. BHAG is Big Hairy Audacious Goal. What is yours?
A good BHAG has Five criteria of a good BHAG: (1) Are set with understanding, not bravado. (2) Fit squarely in the three circles of your Hedgehog Concept. (3) Have a long time frame—10 to 30 years. Are clear, compelling and easy to grasp. (4) Directly reflect your core values and core purpose.
(From http://www.jimcollins.com/lab/buildingVision/p3.html)
A good BHAG has Five criteria of a good BHAG: (1) Are set with understanding, not bravado. (2) Fit squarely in the three circles of your Hedgehog Concept. (3) Have a long time frame—10 to 30 years. Are clear, compelling and easy to grasp. (4) Directly reflect your core values and core purpose.
(From http://www.jimcollins.com/lab/buildingVision/p3.html)
4 important life questions
Q1: What would I try to do if I thought that I might succeed?
Q2: What goals would I set for my life if I knew I could not fail?
Q3: What price am I will to pay?
Q4: What sacrafices am I willing to make?
(From sermon by Jerry Falwell, The Mission of the Church, 2 Feb 2003, http://crossroadschurch.com)
Q2: What goals would I set for my life if I knew I could not fail?
Q3: What price am I will to pay?
Q4: What sacrafices am I willing to make?
(From sermon by Jerry Falwell, The Mission of the Church, 2 Feb 2003, http://crossroadschurch.com)
church leader resources
Here are some church leader resources
- Bible studies http://ministryblue.com/studies/Studies.html
- Christian statements of faith http://ministryblue.com/belief/index.html
- Chruch Growth Australia http://ministryblue.com/growth.html
- Game Ideas http://www.ministryblue.com/studies/resources.html
- Youth Leadership http://ministryblue.com/studies/ym.html
- Movie ideas http://ministryblue.com/movies.html
- Worship Resources http://ministryblue.com/studies/w-index.html
- Bible studies http://ministryblue.com/studies/Studies.html
- Christian statements of faith http://ministryblue.com/belief/index.html
- Chruch Growth Australia http://ministryblue.com/growth.html
- Game Ideas http://www.ministryblue.com/studies/resources.html
- Youth Leadership http://ministryblue.com/studies/ym.html
- Movie ideas http://ministryblue.com/movies.html
- Worship Resources http://ministryblue.com/studies/w-index.html
homosexual perspective
Check out this site for some useful resources in dealing with homosexuality. http://www.ministryblue.com/gay.html
placing employees
Take the prospective employees you are trying to place and put them in a room with only a table and two chairs. Leave them alone for two hours, without any instruction. At the end of that time, go back and see what they are doing.
If they have taken the table apart, put them in Engineering.
If they are counting the ceiling tiles, assign them to Finance.
If they are waving their arms and talking out loud, send them to Consulting.
If they are talking to the chairs, Personnel is a good spot for them.
If they are wearing green sunglasses and need a haircut, Computer Information Systems is their niche.
If they mention what a good price we got for the table and chairs, put them into Purchasing.
If they mention that hardwood furniture DOES NOT come from rain forests, Public Relations would suit them well.
If they are writing up the experience, send them to the Technical Documents team.
If they don't even look up when you enter the room, assign them to Security.
If they try to tell you it's not as bad as it looks, send them to Marketing.
If they are sleeping, they are Management material.
(from The Good, Clean Funnies List)
If they have taken the table apart, put them in Engineering.
If they are counting the ceiling tiles, assign them to Finance.
If they are waving their arms and talking out loud, send them to Consulting.
If they are talking to the chairs, Personnel is a good spot for them.
If they are wearing green sunglasses and need a haircut, Computer Information Systems is their niche.
If they mention what a good price we got for the table and chairs, put them into Purchasing.
If they mention that hardwood furniture DOES NOT come from rain forests, Public Relations would suit them well.
If they are writing up the experience, send them to the Technical Documents team.
If they don't even look up when you enter the room, assign them to Security.
If they try to tell you it's not as bad as it looks, send them to Marketing.
If they are sleeping, they are Management material.
(from The Good, Clean Funnies List)
is there a cook?
"Sometimes when I'm faced with an unbeliever, an atheist, I am tempted to invite him to the greatest gourmet dinner that one could ever serve, and when we finished eating that magnificent dinner, to ask him if he believes there's a cook." (Ronald Reagan)
(From www.preaching.com)
(From www.preaching.com)
preaching resource
Some websites are valuable enough that we need to be reminded of them. The Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) is provided through the courtesy of volunteers at Calvin College. The CCEL is an electronic library featuring thousands of books and other works, ranging from the early church fathers to Puritan sermons to 20th century works by G.K. Chesterton. This is one of those sites that should be bookmarked on every preacher's computer:
www.ccel.org
www.ccel.org
oh yeah, the value of small groups
In a recent sermon, John Huffman shares this: "The September 12, 2005, issue of The New Yorker has a profoundly observant article about Saddleback Church and how Rick Warren's congregation grew. It's titled, 'The Cellular Church.' After describing the phenomenon of Rick Warren's ministry, the success of his book, The Purpose-Driven Life, and the huge mega-church he's built here in South Orange County, the author, Malcolm Gladwell, becomes quite philosophical. He notes that vibrant churches hold one thing in common, no matter how small or large they are. They basically are made up of 'small groups' of committed people who know each other and are united in a common commitment. He quotes philosopher Dick Westley, who writes:
As I see it, one of the most unfortunate misunderstandings of our time has been to think of small intentional communities as groups "within" the church. When are we going to have the courage to publicly proclaim what everyone with any experience with small groups has known all along: they are not organizations "within" the church; they are church.
The article goes on to note the church in the United States is becoming increasingly active in producing volunteers who are bringing change to our environment. Princeton sociologist Robert Wuthnow, who has studied the phenomenon closely, says:
Small groups are networks . . . They create bonds among people. Expose people to needs, provide opportunities for volunteering, and put people in harm's way of being asked to volunteer. That's not to say that being there for worship is not important. But, even in earlier research, I was finding that if people say all the right things about being a believer but aren't involved in some kind of physical social setting that generates interaction, they are just not as likely to volunteer."
(From e-news, www.preaching.com)
As I see it, one of the most unfortunate misunderstandings of our time has been to think of small intentional communities as groups "within" the church. When are we going to have the courage to publicly proclaim what everyone with any experience with small groups has known all along: they are not organizations "within" the church; they are church.
The article goes on to note the church in the United States is becoming increasingly active in producing volunteers who are bringing change to our environment. Princeton sociologist Robert Wuthnow, who has studied the phenomenon closely, says:
Small groups are networks . . . They create bonds among people. Expose people to needs, provide opportunities for volunteering, and put people in harm's way of being asked to volunteer. That's not to say that being there for worship is not important. But, even in earlier research, I was finding that if people say all the right things about being a believer but aren't involved in some kind of physical social setting that generates interaction, they are just not as likely to volunteer."
(From e-news, www.preaching.com)
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
does it work?
A while ago I decided to try and get my head around the world of philosophy. I've been reading books and listening to CD's and my current conclusion is that there is really only one final criteria for establishing truth, here is my go.
- Can what you believe be lived?
- The person who says that everything is a dream still looks both ways before crossing the road.
- The person who says the are no absolutes is absolutely sure that this is true.
- The person who says we are merely products of time + chance still tells his wife he loves her and means something more than just a biological upheaval is happening.
- The person who says there is no right or wrong still gets upset when I steal her wallet.
In the end I've come to this conclusion. The worldview of the bible is the worldview that makes most sense of the world in which I live, and I find I can live consistently with it. The biblical worldview acknowledges there is evil in the world, it speaks of the reality of truth and emotion, it speaks of the value of hope, and it gives a solution to the problem of sin.
If someone were to show me a worldview that makes more sense of real life then I would seriously consider it, for now I'm more committed to being a follower of Jesus Christ than ever.
mates blogs
A mate of mine has joined the blog bandwagon, here are the sites of his two blogs. http://rocksnob.blog.com andhttp://christianityorbust.blog.com
christian guys seeking christian girls
A common question I get asked is where can I Christian guy meet a Christian girl, well here is a recommended website, from someone who it worked for. www.christianconnection.com.au
best writer
In my humble opinion I reckon Tom Peters is the best business writer I've come across. Just reading his book "Leadership" which is part of his essentials series. Every time I read Tom Peters I get inspired and provoked. His books are some of the few that I re-read. If you want to operate at a different level then pick up his books and be prepared to have your current reality challenged. He might annoy the heck out of you and you might vermently disagree with some of his ideas, but you will be made to think - think about that!
Monday, October 24, 2005
volunteer resources
Here's a website with some good resources working with volunteers. http://www.energizeinc.com/
useful resources
Need good quality photo's at a reasonable price? Check out http://www.istockphoto.com/
Need a program that will screen capture what you want and not the whole screen? Check out www.snagit.com
Need a program that will screen capture what you want and not the whole screen? Check out www.snagit.com
Sunday, October 23, 2005
giving stories
Check out this website for some excellent stories on giving. http://www.epm.org/articles/givingstories.html
generosity steps
(This is somewhat American but has some excellent ideas about the stages of giving.)
The Stages of Giving by Kenneth N. Dayton from “The Stages of Giving,” Independent Sector, 1999.
Dayton identifies nine stages of giving, based on his personal experiences with philanthropy:
1. Minimal Response: Giving because we were asked and only because we were asked.
2. Involvement and Interest: You believe in the cause and you want to make it better. It becomes meaningful and purposeful.
3. As Much As Possible: A major transformational breakthrough that requires thinking, a budget and priorities.
4. Maximum Allowable: The IRS five-year carry-forward provision gave us an opportunity to plan and to think creatively about our philanthropy. It meant we could initiate projects.
5. Beyond the Max: We ignored the IRS maximum and began to give what we wanted to give. The second breakthrough, we decided we would no longer let the IRS tell us how much (or how little) we could give.
6. Percent of Wealth: If one no longer measures giving against income or income tax deductibility, logic soon leads to using total wealth as a measure. Until we started to measure our giving against our wealth, we did not fully realize how much we could give away and still live very comfortably.
7. Capping Wealth: How wealthy do we want to be? This means setting a limit on your wealth and giving away everything you earn beyond that figure.
8. Reducing the Cap: We are not there yet. Whether we will ever have the courage and fortitude and intelligence to lower the cap as we get older we cannot say. But, we are comfortable discussing the subject.
9. Bequests: Long ago we decided we had transferred enough of our assets to our heirs. Accordingly, we are able to leave almost all of our assets to the nonprofit organizations we have selected.
The Stages of Giving by Kenneth N. Dayton from “The Stages of Giving,” Independent Sector, 1999.
Dayton identifies nine stages of giving, based on his personal experiences with philanthropy:
1. Minimal Response: Giving because we were asked and only because we were asked.
2. Involvement and Interest: You believe in the cause and you want to make it better. It becomes meaningful and purposeful.
3. As Much As Possible: A major transformational breakthrough that requires thinking, a budget and priorities.
4. Maximum Allowable: The IRS five-year carry-forward provision gave us an opportunity to plan and to think creatively about our philanthropy. It meant we could initiate projects.
5. Beyond the Max: We ignored the IRS maximum and began to give what we wanted to give. The second breakthrough, we decided we would no longer let the IRS tell us how much (or how little) we could give.
6. Percent of Wealth: If one no longer measures giving against income or income tax deductibility, logic soon leads to using total wealth as a measure. Until we started to measure our giving against our wealth, we did not fully realize how much we could give away and still live very comfortably.
7. Capping Wealth: How wealthy do we want to be? This means setting a limit on your wealth and giving away everything you earn beyond that figure.
8. Reducing the Cap: We are not there yet. Whether we will ever have the courage and fortitude and intelligence to lower the cap as we get older we cannot say. But, we are comfortable discussing the subject.
9. Bequests: Long ago we decided we had transferred enough of our assets to our heirs. Accordingly, we are able to leave almost all of our assets to the nonprofit organizations we have selected.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
christian book summaries
If you would like to keep up to date with good recent Christian books this is a useful website. http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/
so what are we aiming at?
Sitting here and it's 11.30pm and I'm just conjugating. (Is that a word?)
I've been reading "Leadership" by Tom Peters and I've been challenged, provoked, pushed, shoved into thinking about my core ministry value/goal.
I ask myself the question about what is it that I'm aiming for?
I ask myself that if I was allowed only one goal what would it be?
I ask myself what is it I want on my tombstone in regard to my ministry?
Here it is, this is my heartbeat, this is my passion, this is what I'm prepared to give my life for.
"To create small group communities of 5 Jesus followers who gather weekly for the express purpose of loving God and each other and who are committed to do whatever is needed to grow to 10 Jesus followers within the next 12 months, then multiply and do it again."
In my opinion this is the most important important and most transforming thing the church can do. If this is all the church did it would please God.
I've been reading "Leadership" by Tom Peters and I've been challenged, provoked, pushed, shoved into thinking about my core ministry value/goal.
I ask myself the question about what is it that I'm aiming for?
I ask myself that if I was allowed only one goal what would it be?
I ask myself what is it I want on my tombstone in regard to my ministry?
Here it is, this is my heartbeat, this is my passion, this is what I'm prepared to give my life for.
"To create small group communities of 5 Jesus followers who gather weekly for the express purpose of loving God and each other and who are committed to do whatever is needed to grow to 10 Jesus followers within the next 12 months, then multiply and do it again."
In my opinion this is the most important important and most transforming thing the church can do. If this is all the church did it would please God.
leadership
"A leader is a dealer in hope." - Napolean
"The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive." - John Gardner
"The first task of a leader is to keep hope alive." - John Gardner
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
spiritual maturity
In The Final Quest, Rick Joyner writes, "Spiritual maturity is always dictated by our willingness to sacrafice our own desires for the desires of others or for the interests of the kingdom."
(Every Man's Battle, P.183)
(Every Man's Battle, P.183)
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
it takes discipline
No horse ever gets anywhere until he is harnessed. No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, disciplined.— Harry Emerson Fosdick
I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. … I firmly believe that any man's finest hour—this greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear—is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle victorious.— Vince Lombardi
Life is tons of discipline.— Robert Frost
I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. … I firmly believe that any man's finest hour—this greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear—is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle victorious.— Vince Lombardi
Life is tons of discipline.— Robert Frost
the most challenging verse
God has time and time brought me back to John 15:7 which says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
More and more I'm realising the depth and meaning of the word "if" and the words "remain in me". The promise of answered prayer is conditional on my part. I'm coming to the conclusion that the powerlessness of most prayer (including my own) is simple because I/we have not discovered what it really means to remain in Jesus.
"Lord help me today make choices and take steps of obedience that ensure that I remain in you more and more."
More and more I'm realising the depth and meaning of the word "if" and the words "remain in me". The promise of answered prayer is conditional on my part. I'm coming to the conclusion that the powerlessness of most prayer (including my own) is simple because I/we have not discovered what it really means to remain in Jesus.
"Lord help me today make choices and take steps of obedience that ensure that I remain in you more and more."
holiness
[As a follower of Jesus Christ] holiness is not some nebulous thing. It's a series of right choices. You needn't wait for some holy cloud to form around you. You'll be holy when you choose not to sin. You're already free from the power of sexual immorality; you are not yet free from the habit of sexual immorality, until you choose to be - until you say, "That's enough! I'm choosing to live purely."
(Every Man's Battle, P.92)
(Every Man's Battle, P.92)
man or sissy?
When it comes down to it, God's definition of real manhood is pretty simple: It means hearing His Word and doing it. That's God's only definition of manhood - a doer of the Word. And God's definition of a sissy is someone who hears the Word of God and doesn't do it.
(Every Man's Batte, P.77)
(Every Man's Batte, P.77)
a book every man should read
There is a book every man should read called "Every Man's Battle" by Stephen Arterburn & Fred Stoeker.
From the television to the internet, print media to videos, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations ... but, thankfully, not impossible to rise above them.
Shattering the perception that men are unable to control their thought lives and roving eyes, Every Man's Battle shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual purity - perfect for men who have fallen in the past, those who want to remain strong today, and all who want to overcome temptation in the future.
From the television to the internet, print media to videos, men are constantly faced with the assault of sensual images. It is impossible to avoid such temptations ... but, thankfully, not impossible to rise above them.
Shattering the perception that men are unable to control their thought lives and roving eyes, Every Man's Battle shares the stories of dozens who have escaped the trap of sexual immorality and presents a practical, detailed plan for any man who desires sexual purity - perfect for men who have fallen in the past, those who want to remain strong today, and all who want to overcome temptation in the future.
Monday, October 17, 2005
in my view (23 oct 2005)
In my view the final test of what we do here at CMP is whether people are coming to know, love and obey Jesus as a result of what we do.
We’ve been using the theme connect@cmp ... with God ... with Self ... with Other to describe this idea and I would ask that you spend time praying on a regular basis for us as a congregation that we would be used by God to achieve these three things.
Imagine a time in the life of CMP when on a weekly basis we have people testifying that they have come to know Jesus for the first time through the ministry of CMP.
Imagine a time when on a daily basis we hear stories of people’s lives being transformed as they walk in deeper obedience out of a deep sense of love for God.
Imagine a time when the community in which we live talks about CMP as the place where people truly love one another and so is a beacon for the love and grace of God.
The truth is, some of this is already happening, but as we continue to reach out to others, this will become a greater and greater reality in the life of our congregation.
May this week we be a blessing to the world in which we live.
We’ve been using the theme connect@cmp ... with God ... with Self ... with Other to describe this idea and I would ask that you spend time praying on a regular basis for us as a congregation that we would be used by God to achieve these three things.
Imagine a time in the life of CMP when on a weekly basis we have people testifying that they have come to know Jesus for the first time through the ministry of CMP.
Imagine a time when on a daily basis we hear stories of people’s lives being transformed as they walk in deeper obedience out of a deep sense of love for God.
Imagine a time when the community in which we live talks about CMP as the place where people truly love one another and so is a beacon for the love and grace of God.
The truth is, some of this is already happening, but as we continue to reach out to others, this will become a greater and greater reality in the life of our congregation.
May this week we be a blessing to the world in which we live.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
bible resource
Here's an excellent bible resource. Particularly interesting is "The Theology Program" which has video clip answers to many questions, check it out.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
create your own ring tones
I was looking a ring tones and decided that rather than pay for new ones it would be better to make my own. Here is how I did it. (Assuming you can connect your phone to your computer - mine is an O2.)
(1) Grab some freeware audio files such as available at http://simplythebest.net/sounds/MP3/sound_effects_MP3/index.html
(2) Download the file into an mp3 maker programme such as MAGIX mp3 maker.
(3) Convert the file to an mp3 file and save it to a place that you can find the file.
(4) Connect your phone to your computer and then transfer the file into the appropriate folder on your phone. (For me this was: My Pocket PC/Windows/Rings)
(5) Select the ring tone on your phone. (For O2: Settings/Sounds & Notifications/Notifications/1. Select an event/ Phone: Incoming call ... and then select file in the "Ring Tone" drop down menu.)
(6) Have fun with your new ringtones.
(1) Grab some freeware audio files such as available at http://simplythebest.net/sounds/MP3/sound_effects_MP3/index.html
(2) Download the file into an mp3 maker programme such as MAGIX mp3 maker.
(3) Convert the file to an mp3 file and save it to a place that you can find the file.
(4) Connect your phone to your computer and then transfer the file into the appropriate folder on your phone. (For me this was: My Pocket PC/Windows/Rings)
(5) Select the ring tone on your phone. (For O2: Settings/Sounds & Notifications/Notifications/1. Select an event/ Phone: Incoming call ... and then select file in the "Ring Tone" drop down menu.)
(6) Have fun with your new ringtones.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
porn troubles
This is an email I recently received:
Hey Pete, Do you know of any good (international) programs for men struggling with pornography that you know of. I have a friend here, her fiance is he has just admitted he has a problem. She is hoping to help him get into a program but not sure where to start.
Here's my reply:
There is and excellent and free courses available through http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/. (Go to online courses and look for the “Sexual Purity” course. This is a 60 day online teaching and accountability course.)
An excellent and very cheap computer filter is “safeeyes”. (One off fee of US$49.95.) This is the one I use and have found it extremely helpful. http://www.safeeyes.com/safe_eyes/products.htm
Another website worth checking out is www.xxxchurch.com. The name is radical but they are a useful resource.
If someone wants to deal with the issue then the really need to do the course and get the software filter.
If they want to talk then give them my email and I’m happy to chat with them.
Hey Pete, Do you know of any good (international) programs for men struggling with pornography that you know of. I have a friend here, her fiance is he has just admitted he has a problem. She is hoping to help him get into a program but not sure where to start.
Here's my reply:
There is and excellent and free courses available through http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/. (Go to online courses and look for the “Sexual Purity” course. This is a 60 day online teaching and accountability course.)
An excellent and very cheap computer filter is “safeeyes”. (One off fee of US$49.95.) This is the one I use and have found it extremely helpful. http://www.safeeyes.com/safe_eyes/products.htm
Another website worth checking out is www.xxxchurch.com. The name is radical but they are a useful resource.
If someone wants to deal with the issue then the really need to do the course and get the software filter.
If they want to talk then give them my email and I’m happy to chat with them.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
stewardship
Tony Campolo was invited to address a women's conference where the participants were being challenged to raise several thousand dollars for a mission project goal. While Campolo was sitting on the dais, the chairperson turned to him and asked him if he would pray for God's blessing as they considered their individual responses to the goal. Campolo stood and -- to the utter amazement of everyone present -- graciously said "no."
He approached the microphone and said, "You already have all the resources necessary to complete this mission project right here within this room. It would be inappropriate to ask for God's blessing, when in fact God has already blessed you with the abundance and the means to achieve this goal. The necessary gifts are in your hands. As soon as we take the offering and underwrite this mission project, we will thank God for freeing us to be the generous, responsible and accountable stewards that we're called to be as Christian disciples." And they did.
(PreachingNow email: see www.preaching.com)
He approached the microphone and said, "You already have all the resources necessary to complete this mission project right here within this room. It would be inappropriate to ask for God's blessing, when in fact God has already blessed you with the abundance and the means to achieve this goal. The necessary gifts are in your hands. As soon as we take the offering and underwrite this mission project, we will thank God for freeing us to be the generous, responsible and accountable stewards that we're called to be as Christian disciples." And they did.
(PreachingNow email: see www.preaching.com)
reasons I quit attending football / church
Twelve reasons I quit attending football games -- or did I mean church?
1. Every time I went, they asked me for money.
2. The people sitting next to me didn't seem very friendly.
3. The seats were too hard.
4. The coach (Pastor) never came to call on me.
5. The referee (Deacons) made a decision I disagreed with.
6. I was sitting with hypocrites -- they came only to see what others were wearing.
7. Some of the games/services went into overtime and I was late getting home.
8. The band (Choir) did songs I didn't like.
9. The games/services were scheduled when I wanted to do other things.
10. My parents took me to too many games/churches when I was growing up.
11. Since I read a book about football (religion), I know more than the coaches (pastors) do anyhow.
12. I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport (religion) they like best.
(Adapted From otchurch@aol.com by Sermon Fodder; to subscribe go to http://www.sermonfodder.com)
1. Every time I went, they asked me for money.
2. The people sitting next to me didn't seem very friendly.
3. The seats were too hard.
4. The coach (Pastor) never came to call on me.
5. The referee (Deacons) made a decision I disagreed with.
6. I was sitting with hypocrites -- they came only to see what others were wearing.
7. Some of the games/services went into overtime and I was late getting home.
8. The band (Choir) did songs I didn't like.
9. The games/services were scheduled when I wanted to do other things.
10. My parents took me to too many games/churches when I was growing up.
11. Since I read a book about football (religion), I know more than the coaches (pastors) do anyhow.
12. I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport (religion) they like best.
(Adapted From otchurch@aol.com by Sermon Fodder; to subscribe go to http://www.sermonfodder.com)
Monday, October 03, 2005
fiji
Recently 16 people from our church travelled to Fiji to help build a home for a widowed lady and her adopted daughter. For six years they had been living under a small makeshift shack. The conditions were so bad I wouldn't put my dog in it, and yet she lived that way for six years.
It was a real honour to be able to build her a new home. The building is just basis, (5 metre by 7 metre room), but it is solid and provides warmth and shelter. The week we spent building is one of the most worthwhile things I ever been involved in. One of our team members has put some photo's up at http://spaces.msn.com/members/micshots/
It was a real honour to be able to build her a new home. The building is just basis, (5 metre by 7 metre room), but it is solid and provides warmth and shelter. The week we spent building is one of the most worthwhile things I ever been involved in. One of our team members has put some photo's up at http://spaces.msn.com/members/micshots/
new addition
We finally bit the bullet and got the dog we've been promising the kids for a while. His name is Woody (with my daughter Alex) and he is a 2 year old Golden Retriever that we picked up from the pound. It's amazing how quickly life changes when you add someone or something to the family.Monday, August 29, 2005
chronic fatigue syndrome
Leigh’s story will bring comfort to all those suffering with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and will show others how to accept, love and support anyone who is wrestling with this ‘multi-headed beast’.
http://notcrazy.net/
http://notcrazy.net/
in my view 29/08/05
In my view one of the most important and beautifully distinctive features of Christianity is the concept of grace. The reality of grace is an amazing thing to experience. When someone treats me not as I deserve but as God would, then I know I have experienced something truly divine. I am lucky enough to have received grace filled forgiveness a number of times in my personal and ministry life and it is one thing that helps me cling to God when times get tough and rough.
Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if CMP was known as a place where grace is practiced in large measure? Wouldn’t it be a magnificent testimony to God if we became known as a people who don’t take offence easily, who forgive quickly and completely, and who choose to view the good and not the bad in each other.
I know that to be the minister at CMP in the years ahead I will require your gracious acts of grace, mercy and forgiveness as I make mistakes. I hope and pray that together we might walk a journey that proclaims loudly and proudly that we are Christians and that it is evident because of our love for each other.
This kind of thing can only happen as we are lovingly honest and upfront with each other, so please don’t hesitate to talk with me if there is something I have done that you’ve been offended by. We may not always agree but I hope that we can learn to love and appreciate each other more as we walk through and not around the difficulties that will inevitably arise.
(Church in the Market Place Newsletter, 04/09/05)
Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing if CMP was known as a place where grace is practiced in large measure? Wouldn’t it be a magnificent testimony to God if we became known as a people who don’t take offence easily, who forgive quickly and completely, and who choose to view the good and not the bad in each other.
I know that to be the minister at CMP in the years ahead I will require your gracious acts of grace, mercy and forgiveness as I make mistakes. I hope and pray that together we might walk a journey that proclaims loudly and proudly that we are Christians and that it is evident because of our love for each other.
This kind of thing can only happen as we are lovingly honest and upfront with each other, so please don’t hesitate to talk with me if there is something I have done that you’ve been offended by. We may not always agree but I hope that we can learn to love and appreciate each other more as we walk through and not around the difficulties that will inevitably arise.
(Church in the Market Place Newsletter, 04/09/05)
Friday, August 19, 2005
interesting
"If deliberate strategizing is ineffective, then what matters is an abundance of diverse new initiatives from which the environment can select the best. Hannan & Freeman (1988) 'population ecology' perspective suggests that overall effeciency can best be secured by ensuring a steady stream of new entrants into any organizational population, from which the relatively ill-adapted are ruthlessly selected out."
This line from my reading on Strategic Management hit me like a ton of bricks. Think about its implication for organisational life. The key thought is not that we have to hit upon the 'right answer', but that by allowing lots of new initiatives we increase the likelihood of good ideas happening, as long as we protect resources by 'ruthlessly getting rid of ill-adapted initiatives.
This line from my reading on Strategic Management hit me like a ton of bricks. Think about its implication for organisational life. The key thought is not that we have to hit upon the 'right answer', but that by allowing lots of new initiatives we increase the likelihood of good ideas happening, as long as we protect resources by 'ruthlessly getting rid of ill-adapted initiatives.
Monday, August 15, 2005
a tongues experiment
Today I sought advice from a true man of God. I was asking how to experience God more deeply and his advice was ridiculously simple. His advice to me was to spend 10 minutes a day worshipping God aloud in tongues. I have committed myself to do this for the next month and see how it impacts my life. If there is one thing I've discovered its this, if someone is further on than me then I will listen and obey their advice no matter how simple or strange it may seem.
provoking thoughts
LIFE TODAY WITH JAMES ROBISON>>>>>>Last Tuesday we taped 2 episodes of "Life Today" with James Robison and his wife Betty. We hopped on the plane Tuesday morning and headed out to Dallas, TX. Usually we don't like to do Christian television but this time we had a very specific plan. Also, James Robison is darn good guy. He may not be everyone's style but he is the real deal and supports what we are doing at XXXchurch. Well our plan was simply this. The first episode talk about our ministry. Blah. Blah. Blah. But the second episode we brought our friend Trinity who currently works in the porn industry. We are trying to provide ways for Trinity and girls like her to leave the industry. Many times it comes down to the basics. Jobs, education, figuring out how to pay bills, and day care. Well, We are trying to put together plans for people in the porn industry to finally get out and we need the help of people everywhere. We are calling it the "Trinity Project" after our friend Trinity who is currently doing porn but would like to get out.
The Life Today show broadcasts around the world into 100 million homes and it made sense for us to share this new part of our ministry with these folks and see if they would step up to the plate. Us church folks do a pretty good job whining and complaining about the porn industry but never do anything to really help solve the problem. This is a very practical way people can help. If you don't like someone's job, then find them another. In the book of James it says "Faith without works is dead." Don't you think it is time for all of us to get to work and help girls who need help?
(From xxxchurch.com newsletter.)
The Life Today show broadcasts around the world into 100 million homes and it made sense for us to share this new part of our ministry with these folks and see if they would step up to the plate. Us church folks do a pretty good job whining and complaining about the porn industry but never do anything to really help solve the problem. This is a very practical way people can help. If you don't like someone's job, then find them another. In the book of James it says "Faith without works is dead." Don't you think it is time for all of us to get to work and help girls who need help?
(From xxxchurch.com newsletter.)
Monday, August 08, 2005
priorities
"The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world. " - C. S. Lewis
the mind
In my view imagination is a powerful tool for good or evil. Those things that dominate our thinking and our imagination come into reality with amazing regularity. So if our mind is dominated by anger, malice, dishonesty, or selfishness then our outward lives tend to reflect that. Paul says in Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
I wonder what incredible power would be released if we individually and corporately were to set our mind to imagining CMP as a place where on a weekly basis people come to know Jesus for the first time and are then encouraged, equipped and empowered to grow into mature disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ.
I wonder what dreams we will dream, what plans we will plan and what actions we will take, if we set our minds towards imagining this as an increasingly present reality.
I encourage you to set you mind on the plans of God for this place. Lets together grow “in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)
From "In My View by Pastor Peter" for CMP's newsheet. (14/08/05)
I wonder what incredible power would be released if we individually and corporately were to set our mind to imagining CMP as a place where on a weekly basis people come to know Jesus for the first time and are then encouraged, equipped and empowered to grow into mature disciples (followers) of Jesus Christ.
I wonder what dreams we will dream, what plans we will plan and what actions we will take, if we set our minds towards imagining this as an increasingly present reality.
I encourage you to set you mind on the plans of God for this place. Lets together grow “in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)
From "In My View by Pastor Peter" for CMP's newsheet. (14/08/05)
prayer
One of my favourite poems is a prayer by Mother Theresa.
Ever sustained by a profound faith.
Nourished by unceasing prayer.
Fearless in unshakeable hope.
Deeply in love with God.
This for me is not only a prayer but a goal towards which I strive.
Ever sustained by a profound faith.
Nourished by unceasing prayer.
Fearless in unshakeable hope.
Deeply in love with God.
This for me is not only a prayer but a goal towards which I strive.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
effective public speaking
Here are 35 tips for being an effective public speaking. http://www.mackay.com/howhelp/35alive.html
conformity
Soren Kierkegaard once suggested that, "the majority of people are not so afraid of holding a wrong opinion, as they are of holding an opinion alone."
Schultze observes, "In other words, we human beings are social creatures who tend to go along with what other people believe rather than venture courageously in an unpopular direction. We are more fearful of being thought crazy than wrong, as long as we have the comfort of being mistaken with others. Ignorance loves company. We are creatures of fashionable, even if sometimes foolish, ideas." (The Journal of Communication and Religion, March 2005)
Schultze observes, "In other words, we human beings are social creatures who tend to go along with what other people believe rather than venture courageously in an unpopular direction. We are more fearful of being thought crazy than wrong, as long as we have the comfort of being mistaken with others. Ignorance loves company. We are creatures of fashionable, even if sometimes foolish, ideas." (The Journal of Communication and Religion, March 2005)
small choices
Yesterday I finally went out and bought some new clothes. Was walking out the door of the shop thinking the price I paid was very low so I checked the docket. I discovered the shop assistant had neglected to charge me for an item. It was her mistake so does that mean I had gotten a bargain. My conscience got the better of me and so I went back and paid the extra $99.
Today I had a decision to make about a more important matter, having made the right choice yesterday made making the right choice today much easier.
Small choices create a disposition toward good or evil. Win the victory in the small things and the big battles will be won.
Today I had a decision to make about a more important matter, having made the right choice yesterday made making the right choice today much easier.
Small choices create a disposition toward good or evil. Win the victory in the small things and the big battles will be won.
joy in the process
Am I getting old or wise, neither or both?
What's brought this self reflection on? Well its this. I was coming into work this morning and had the blinding realisation that joy is in the process not in the end.
Often I'm really looking forward to doing something, when it arrives I enjoy it, but then very quickly its over and I feel a bit let down. For some reason I was expecting the joy of achievement to last longer.
On reflection its often in the planning and moving toward the goal whereby the most joy is found, that is in the process and not in the end.
As a Pastor I have to remember to enjoy the process of working with people, not just being focused on the end towards which we are working.
Hope this makes sense as I think its an important insight for me.
What's brought this self reflection on? Well its this. I was coming into work this morning and had the blinding realisation that joy is in the process not in the end.
Often I'm really looking forward to doing something, when it arrives I enjoy it, but then very quickly its over and I feel a bit let down. For some reason I was expecting the joy of achievement to last longer.
On reflection its often in the planning and moving toward the goal whereby the most joy is found, that is in the process and not in the end.
As a Pastor I have to remember to enjoy the process of working with people, not just being focused on the end towards which we are working.
Hope this makes sense as I think its an important insight for me.
safe on the net
For anyone who struggles with net content then here are two sites that are essential for your spiritual wellbeing.
www.safeeyes.com is a filter that is brilliant. It's a very inexpensive one off cost to get the software, and then it stops you going to inappropriate sites. (Note: To ensure it works create a logon password you can't remember and give it to someone else to look after. This will stop you turning the filter off!)
http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/ is a site that has various free online courses to help deal with the roots of addiction.
www.safeeyes.com is a filter that is brilliant. It's a very inexpensive one off cost to get the software, and then it stops you going to inappropriate sites. (Note: To ensure it works create a logon password you can't remember and give it to someone else to look after. This will stop you turning the filter off!)
http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com/home/ is a site that has various free online courses to help deal with the roots of addiction.
Monday, August 01, 2005
the dancing song
One evening Jesus walked with his disciples. Soon they came upon young women dancing. Seeing him they stopped, but he spoke to them.Dance on, he said, I would not kill your joy. Then he began to sing and they began to dance again.
(from Tuesday, June 21, 2005, http://thusspeaksjesus.blogspot.com/)
(from Tuesday, June 21, 2005, http://thusspeaksjesus.blogspot.com/)
atheist joke
'God's only excuse is that he does not exist.'
(P.34, Why I Am So Wise, Friedrich Nietzsche, Penguin Books)
Actually I think this joke is quite funny, and one of just a few scattered redeeming features of this very interesting diatrade.
Another good quote is. 'One repays a teacher badly if one remains only a pupil.' (P.7)
But the book despite its self proclaimed brilliance really is a tough and predominantly pointless read. But perhaps when I read what others say it means I might uncover its supposed brilliance.
(P.34, Why I Am So Wise, Friedrich Nietzsche, Penguin Books)
Actually I think this joke is quite funny, and one of just a few scattered redeeming features of this very interesting diatrade.
Another good quote is. 'One repays a teacher badly if one remains only a pupil.' (P.7)
But the book despite its self proclaimed brilliance really is a tough and predominantly pointless read. But perhaps when I read what others say it means I might uncover its supposed brilliance.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
philosophy of knowledge
How do we know if the fridge light has turned off when we close the door?
It depends on your philosophy of knowledge. The rationalists would claim we could reason that the light was off by knowing certain aspects of functioning fridges that involve door switches and light circuits. Empiricists, who claim that all knowledge come though our senses, would say they don't know if the light is off since you can't percieve it when the door is closed. Going further along these lines, the empiricist philospher George Berkeley would say that the light, whether on or off, would cease to exit because to be is to be perceived. Mind you, for him, the food and beer in the fridge would cease to exist as well. So either you can know or can't know if the light is off, depending on the presuppositions you approach your fridge with.
(From "Big Questions", P.4, Spectrum, Sydney Morning Herald, July 30-31 2005)
It depends on your philosophy of knowledge. The rationalists would claim we could reason that the light was off by knowing certain aspects of functioning fridges that involve door switches and light circuits. Empiricists, who claim that all knowledge come though our senses, would say they don't know if the light is off since you can't percieve it when the door is closed. Going further along these lines, the empiricist philospher George Berkeley would say that the light, whether on or off, would cease to exit because to be is to be perceived. Mind you, for him, the food and beer in the fridge would cease to exist as well. So either you can know or can't know if the light is off, depending on the presuppositions you approach your fridge with.
(From "Big Questions", P.4, Spectrum, Sydney Morning Herald, July 30-31 2005)
Friday, July 29, 2005
augustine
"The thought of you stirs him so deeply that he cannot be content unless he praises you, because you made us for yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in you." - Augustine "Confessions of a Sinner."
Thursday, July 28, 2005
cool philosophy
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates"God is dead." - Nietzsche.
"Nietzsche is dead." - God.
"I think, therefore I am." - Rene Descartes
"I am, therefore I should think." - Me
"I drink coffee, therefore I am/" - unknown
"Even when laws have been written down, they ought not always to remain unaltered." - Aristotle
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - Voltaire
bravery
One dark night outside a small town in Minnesota, a fire started inside the local chemical plant, and in a blink of an eye it exploded into massive flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around.
When the volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fire chief and said, "All of our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out intact."
Despite the prize, the roaring flames held the firefighters off. Soon more fire departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As more firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now $100,000 to the fire department who could bring out the company's secret files. Still no takers.
From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby rural township volunteer fire company composed mainly of Norwegians over the age of 65. They had fled Europe after WW II, and established their own town.
To everyone's amazement, the little run-down fire engine, operated by these old Norwegians, passed all the newer sleek engines parked outside the plant . . . . and drove straight into the middle of the inferno! Outside, the other firemen watched as the Norwegian old-timers jumped off and began to fight the fire with a performance and effort never seen before. Within a short time, the Norsemen had extinguished the fire and saved the secret formulas.
The grateful chemical company president joyfully announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000, and walked over to personally thank each of the brave, though elderly, Norse firefighters. The local TV news reporters rushed in after capturing the event on film and asked, "What are you going to do with all that money?"
"Vell," said Olee Larsen, the 70-year-old fire chief, "Da furst ting vee doo is fix da brakes on dat truck!" (Mikey's Funnies)
When the volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the chemical company president rushed to the fire chief and said, "All of our secret formulas are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved. I will give $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out intact."
Despite the prize, the roaring flames held the firefighters off. Soon more fire departments had to be called in as the situation became desperate. As more firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer was now $100,000 to the fire department who could bring out the company's secret files. Still no takers.
From the distance, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the nearby rural township volunteer fire company composed mainly of Norwegians over the age of 65. They had fled Europe after WW II, and established their own town.
To everyone's amazement, the little run-down fire engine, operated by these old Norwegians, passed all the newer sleek engines parked outside the plant . . . . and drove straight into the middle of the inferno! Outside, the other firemen watched as the Norwegian old-timers jumped off and began to fight the fire with a performance and effort never seen before. Within a short time, the Norsemen had extinguished the fire and saved the secret formulas.
The grateful chemical company president joyfully announced that for such a superhuman feat he was upping the reward to $200,000, and walked over to personally thank each of the brave, though elderly, Norse firefighters. The local TV news reporters rushed in after capturing the event on film and asked, "What are you going to do with all that money?"
"Vell," said Olee Larsen, the 70-year-old fire chief, "Da furst ting vee doo is fix da brakes on dat truck!" (Mikey's Funnies)
lausanne
The website of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization contains a variety of occasional papers which deal with important topics concerning missions and apologetics. The papers are available in .pdf format (so you will need Adobe reader). You'll find a listing of the papers at this site:
http://community.gospelcom.net/Brix?pageID=13890
One particular paper you may enjoy is entitled "The Uniqueness of Christ in a Postmodern World and the Challenge of World Religions." As pastors deal more and more with the challenge of ministry in a pluralistic culture, this kind of resource is helpful to prepare us for effective engagement with other religions. You'll find this paper at: http://community.gospelcom.net/lcwe/assets/LOP31_IG2.pdf
(Free Adobe Acrobat reader required, available at www.adobe.com.)
Here's a brief excerpt from the section of the paper that deals with the Christian's approach to Hindus: "The most important point of entry for the Hindu to the Christian faith is, first of all, less the reflected permeation of Christian dogma, but, rather, spiritual experience. For it is the "bhakti", that is, the love of God and God's exalted nature, which, along with the way of conduct, placed even before all knowledge, according to Hindu understanding, is considered the most important way to salvation. Asceticism, meditation, and spiritual exercises play a predominant role. Hindu spiritual guidance by gurus is less interested in theological insights than it is in psychological sensitivity. Akhilananda says in his lecture on "The Hindu View of Christ": "Indians have cultivated all throughout the centuries the technique of religious exercises and have developed a comprehensive psychology of the highest order, based on all the functions of the human mind whether they are unconscious, conscious, or metaconscious". Typically, it is, in fact, in the rational and overly rationalized West today that a new longing for spiritual experience has appeared, which opens many people up for East Asian religiosity. Therefore, we must discover and develop anew from the New Testament, what it means to "Be in Christ",which plays such a central role in Paul's letters. Without a convincing profound dimension of the relationship to Christ and lived out practice of faith, Christianity will always appear to Hindus as cold, superficial, and empty. . . .
"If one looks for famous Christians who have had a very attractive and convincing influence on Hindus, one will run across the names of Sadhu Sundar Singh, the ascetic and itinerant preacher, and Charles Freer Andrews, missionary and theology professor, who made a name for himself as "Gandhi's brother" and "friend of our country", as well as the American missionary Stanley Jones. What all have in common is the distinctively consistent imitation of Christ. They were transparent "epistles of Christ" pointing to Christ and they differed in their ethical behaviour from the mere socially acceptable existence of other representatives of the West.
"A story is told of Stanley Jones (1884-1973), which underscores in an excellent way the Christological difference in the meeting between Christians and Hindus. After one of his missionary sermons in a small Indian town, a Hindu scholar come up to Stanley Jones and explained to him: "What the white missionaries can tell us is really nothing new, because we Hindus have a culture several thousand years old. Everything can be found already in our venerable Sanskrit writings. Therefore, I ask you to give me the opportunity, after your next speech, to clarify this fact to the audience." Stanley Jones agreed to the suggestion. He preached the gospel as he always did in which he presented Jesus as the crucified one to the people. The Hindu scholar was then called up to the front to present his criticism. He appeared unsure of himself and quite confused, until he finally just uttered one sentence: "We don'thave such a person!" (in Hinduism). He then walked off the stage quickly. This statement confirms the admission that, while profound human wisdom lies in the Hindu writings, this truth still cannot comprehend the unique form of an unmistakable man from Nazareth, who revealed Himself on the cross as the Saviour sent by God for all mankind."
http://community.gospelcom.net/Brix?pageID=13890
One particular paper you may enjoy is entitled "The Uniqueness of Christ in a Postmodern World and the Challenge of World Religions." As pastors deal more and more with the challenge of ministry in a pluralistic culture, this kind of resource is helpful to prepare us for effective engagement with other religions. You'll find this paper at: http://community.gospelcom.net/lcwe/assets/LOP31_IG2.pdf
(Free Adobe Acrobat reader required, available at www.adobe.com.)
Here's a brief excerpt from the section of the paper that deals with the Christian's approach to Hindus: "The most important point of entry for the Hindu to the Christian faith is, first of all, less the reflected permeation of Christian dogma, but, rather, spiritual experience. For it is the "bhakti", that is, the love of God and God's exalted nature, which, along with the way of conduct, placed even before all knowledge, according to Hindu understanding, is considered the most important way to salvation. Asceticism, meditation, and spiritual exercises play a predominant role. Hindu spiritual guidance by gurus is less interested in theological insights than it is in psychological sensitivity. Akhilananda says in his lecture on "The Hindu View of Christ": "Indians have cultivated all throughout the centuries the technique of religious exercises and have developed a comprehensive psychology of the highest order, based on all the functions of the human mind whether they are unconscious, conscious, or metaconscious". Typically, it is, in fact, in the rational and overly rationalized West today that a new longing for spiritual experience has appeared, which opens many people up for East Asian religiosity. Therefore, we must discover and develop anew from the New Testament, what it means to "Be in Christ",which plays such a central role in Paul's letters. Without a convincing profound dimension of the relationship to Christ and lived out practice of faith, Christianity will always appear to Hindus as cold, superficial, and empty. . . .
"If one looks for famous Christians who have had a very attractive and convincing influence on Hindus, one will run across the names of Sadhu Sundar Singh, the ascetic and itinerant preacher, and Charles Freer Andrews, missionary and theology professor, who made a name for himself as "Gandhi's brother" and "friend of our country", as well as the American missionary Stanley Jones. What all have in common is the distinctively consistent imitation of Christ. They were transparent "epistles of Christ" pointing to Christ and they differed in their ethical behaviour from the mere socially acceptable existence of other representatives of the West.
"A story is told of Stanley Jones (1884-1973), which underscores in an excellent way the Christological difference in the meeting between Christians and Hindus. After one of his missionary sermons in a small Indian town, a Hindu scholar come up to Stanley Jones and explained to him: "What the white missionaries can tell us is really nothing new, because we Hindus have a culture several thousand years old. Everything can be found already in our venerable Sanskrit writings. Therefore, I ask you to give me the opportunity, after your next speech, to clarify this fact to the audience." Stanley Jones agreed to the suggestion. He preached the gospel as he always did in which he presented Jesus as the crucified one to the people. The Hindu scholar was then called up to the front to present his criticism. He appeared unsure of himself and quite confused, until he finally just uttered one sentence: "We don'thave such a person!" (in Hinduism). He then walked off the stage quickly. This statement confirms the admission that, while profound human wisdom lies in the Hindu writings, this truth still cannot comprehend the unique form of an unmistakable man from Nazareth, who revealed Himself on the cross as the Saviour sent by God for all mankind."
sin - consequences of
In his Turning Point Daily Devotional for June 21, 2005, David Jeremiah points out that sin always has unintended consequences. Take the Seattle man, for example, who tried to steal gasoline from a motor home. Attaching a siphoning hose to the vehicle, he started to work; but police found him shortly afterward writhing in agony in the street. Seems he had attached the hose, not to the gasoline tank, but to the motor home's sewage tank! The owner declined to press charges; he was too busy laughing. (http://www.globe-rider.com/bull1e.html accessed on February 20, 2005.)
Facing the consequences of our sins, however, is no laughing matter. Colossians 3:25 says, "He who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done" (NASV). Some people think when they confess their sins to God, He dismisses the consequences; but that's not always the case. He does forgive the guilt, and He forgives freely; but sometimes the consequences remain. When we sin, it's important to confess it and accept God's pardon. But better to avoid sin in the first place.
It's impossible to get away with sin; but it's also impossible to get away from God's love. Remain close to Him, trust His forgiveness, and keep the sewage of sin out of your soul.
Facing the consequences of our sins, however, is no laughing matter. Colossians 3:25 says, "He who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done" (NASV). Some people think when they confess their sins to God, He dismisses the consequences; but that's not always the case. He does forgive the guilt, and He forgives freely; but sometimes the consequences remain. When we sin, it's important to confess it and accept God's pardon. But better to avoid sin in the first place.
It's impossible to get away with sin; but it's also impossible to get away from God's love. Remain close to Him, trust His forgiveness, and keep the sewage of sin out of your soul.
a great life
Plan for great days -- and a great life
In his TIPS newsletter of June 26, Philip Humbert shared this: "I love the quote from Annie Dillard, 'How we live our days is how we live our lives.' If our days are stressed, chaotic, unfocused and unsatisfying, at the end of the year (and at the end of life) we tend to look back and wonder, 'What happened?' On the other hand, if we make sure each day contains some joy, some gratitude, a bit of organization and purpose, some honest work and a bit of fun, I'm convinced our lives will be the same.
I've often joked that while I may not know how to live a great life, I can (usually) create a good day, and if I just put a few thousand good days back to back, that may come close enough to a great life. So the question is not how to have a great life over 80 years, but how to have a few thousand good-enough days, back to back. Here are a few suggestions:
1. First, plan each day. After coaching hundreds of high achievers, I am convinced most of us do not put nearly enough time into deciding exactly how we want to live each day. We don't choose our priorities, affirm our values, and make hard choices about how we will -- and will not -- use our time. I use a 3x5 card to list my priorities each morning. I think it helps.
2. Second, surround yourself with great people. There's an old proverb that says, 'Show me the five people you spend the most time with, and I'll show you your future.' To some degree, of course, we are all surrounded by people we did not choose. But we also have the responsibility to choose our friends and to associate with the best, most inspiring people we can find. Choose wisely.
3. Third, write your biography in advance. We tend to live our lives in accordance with a myth or story we tell ourselves, so why not tell yourself a GREAT story? Write the 'script' for your own life, and read it often. Think about it and re-read it daily. Where are you going? What will your legacy be? Too often we get caught in the busy-ness of daily living and it pays to review and affirm your dreams every single day.
4. Fourth, read and learn from the great people in history. It may be true that 'experience is the best teacher' but I've noticed that it also charges the highest tuition. Life is short and we simply don't have time to make (and recover from) all the mistakes in life, so learn from smart people who have gone ahead and left a trail for us to follow.
Personally, this has been one of the greatest inspirations I've ever found. In the past year, I've read biographies of Lindbergh, Churchill, Amelia Earhart, Benjamin Franklin, and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, to name just a few. They were all flawed and none of them are perfect models, but they were smart people who achieved quite a bit, and I can learn from them.
5. Fifth, share the dream. Tell your loved ones, your best friends and trusted associates where you're going in life so they can support you. We all need cheerleaders in life, and the people around you will usually (not always -- choose wisely!) offer help and encouragement if they know what you're trying to accomplish. FDR had his 'brain trust.' Most successful people have had a 'master-mind group.' Every sports team has cheerleaders and so should you.
In the end, we get what we think about most of the time. Over time, our lives pretty much look like our days and if you want to predict your future, look at your daily activities. If there are things you need to change, change them! If you need a coach, get one! If you need to set better boundaries, re-affirm your values or assert your priorities, do so! In life, we usually end up pretty much where we are headed. Choose wisely, and day by day, do the 'little things' that make a great life. (Copyright © 2005, all rights reserved. You may contact Philip E. Humbert at: www.philiphumbert.com or email: Coach@philiphumbert.com.)
In his TIPS newsletter of June 26, Philip Humbert shared this: "I love the quote from Annie Dillard, 'How we live our days is how we live our lives.' If our days are stressed, chaotic, unfocused and unsatisfying, at the end of the year (and at the end of life) we tend to look back and wonder, 'What happened?' On the other hand, if we make sure each day contains some joy, some gratitude, a bit of organization and purpose, some honest work and a bit of fun, I'm convinced our lives will be the same.
I've often joked that while I may not know how to live a great life, I can (usually) create a good day, and if I just put a few thousand good days back to back, that may come close enough to a great life. So the question is not how to have a great life over 80 years, but how to have a few thousand good-enough days, back to back. Here are a few suggestions:
1. First, plan each day. After coaching hundreds of high achievers, I am convinced most of us do not put nearly enough time into deciding exactly how we want to live each day. We don't choose our priorities, affirm our values, and make hard choices about how we will -- and will not -- use our time. I use a 3x5 card to list my priorities each morning. I think it helps.
2. Second, surround yourself with great people. There's an old proverb that says, 'Show me the five people you spend the most time with, and I'll show you your future.' To some degree, of course, we are all surrounded by people we did not choose. But we also have the responsibility to choose our friends and to associate with the best, most inspiring people we can find. Choose wisely.
3. Third, write your biography in advance. We tend to live our lives in accordance with a myth or story we tell ourselves, so why not tell yourself a GREAT story? Write the 'script' for your own life, and read it often. Think about it and re-read it daily. Where are you going? What will your legacy be? Too often we get caught in the busy-ness of daily living and it pays to review and affirm your dreams every single day.
4. Fourth, read and learn from the great people in history. It may be true that 'experience is the best teacher' but I've noticed that it also charges the highest tuition. Life is short and we simply don't have time to make (and recover from) all the mistakes in life, so learn from smart people who have gone ahead and left a trail for us to follow.
Personally, this has been one of the greatest inspirations I've ever found. In the past year, I've read biographies of Lindbergh, Churchill, Amelia Earhart, Benjamin Franklin, and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, to name just a few. They were all flawed and none of them are perfect models, but they were smart people who achieved quite a bit, and I can learn from them.
5. Fifth, share the dream. Tell your loved ones, your best friends and trusted associates where you're going in life so they can support you. We all need cheerleaders in life, and the people around you will usually (not always -- choose wisely!) offer help and encouragement if they know what you're trying to accomplish. FDR had his 'brain trust.' Most successful people have had a 'master-mind group.' Every sports team has cheerleaders and so should you.
In the end, we get what we think about most of the time. Over time, our lives pretty much look like our days and if you want to predict your future, look at your daily activities. If there are things you need to change, change them! If you need a coach, get one! If you need to set better boundaries, re-affirm your values or assert your priorities, do so! In life, we usually end up pretty much where we are headed. Choose wisely, and day by day, do the 'little things' that make a great life. (Copyright © 2005, all rights reserved. You may contact Philip E. Humbert at: www.philiphumbert.com or email: Coach@philiphumbert.com.)
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
vision@cmp
It seems to me that many churches do vision badly primarily because they make it too complicated with too many words. What we are beginning to do here at Church in the Market Place (CMP) is to develop a simple slogan that encapsulates the heart of what we are seeking to do for God. So far it really seems to be connecting with people and I'm beginning to hear this phrase and the idea of connection throughout the congregation.
To reinforce this we have now started at series of 7 messages which give greated content and meaning to what it means to "connect @ cmp ... with God ... with Self ... with Others." So far we have looked at .connect@cmp being about ENGAGING WITH GOD. Then we looked at .connect@cmp being about EXPOSING OTHER TO JESUS. This week we will look at .connect@cmp being about ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER. The following weeks we will look at EQUIPPING, EMPOWERING, ENLARGING AND EXCELLING.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
makepovertyhistory
Every single day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty. This year, 2005, we do have the resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. Check out www.makepovertyhistory.com.au and see how you can be involved.
Monday, July 25, 2005
dominores
Last spring I met the man who led my father to the Lord. My father lost both his parents in Auschwitz, but became a believer in Jesus through the witness of Andrew Forbat, a Jewish believer from Hungary. A few years ago, when Jesus for Jesus published by father's testimony, Andrew, who has spent his life as a doctor in the United States, reconnected with us. He and his wife had retired to North Carolina, where I was speaking in March, and it was truly a joy to meet them. I learned that Andrew had come to faith through the witness of a Gentile believer who shared his faith on train commutes. His simple act of explaining the gospel to a young Jewish man in London had more of an impact that he could ever know. Andrew went on to share his faith with many. He and his wife were missionaries to India for years. And, of course, Andrew witnessed to my father, who also became active in sharing his faith wherever he lived - in the UK, Switzerland, Barbados and Africa. His sister became a very evangelistic believer, and ultimately my brother, a few cousins and I became believers in Jesus, too. Now I work as a full-time missionary to my people. I am amazed at how God has worked out - and continues working out - His plan in the lives of so many people, beginning with that one Christian who started the "domino effect" by sharing his faith with a Jewish man as they rode the train to work. Maybe as you ride the train or bus each day, you will look for others to share with, who may just end up taking the Gospel around the world with them, too. Thanks Andrew.
Jonathan Bernd of Jews for Jesus wrote this piece for the July 2005 newsletter.
Jonathan Bernd of Jews for Jesus wrote this piece for the July 2005 newsletter.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
phil 1:2a grace & peace
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:2)
In the term 'grace and peace' we have a summary of the whole message of the good news of Jesus Christ. Grace is the beginning and peace is the end.
Grace means 'undeserved favour' and refers to the idea that we enter an intimate relationship with God not because we are worthy of it, but in spite of our unworthiness. It is like the judge who after sentencing the guilty person then comes down from the bench of judgment and pulls out his checkbook and pays the fine. In this the right sentence is pronounced, but grace pays the price.
Peace is the end of faith because the result of being made right with God is that we are promised a relationship of peace with God and thus can travel through life assured that we have nothing to fear. Peace brings us joy in sorrow and an underlying sense of the supporting arms of God in the middle of strife.
Do you know Grace and Peace? Don't go further into Philippians without assuring yourself of this fact by crying out to him and asking for God's forgiveness found through the sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection of Jesus.
In the term 'grace and peace' we have a summary of the whole message of the good news of Jesus Christ. Grace is the beginning and peace is the end.
Grace means 'undeserved favour' and refers to the idea that we enter an intimate relationship with God not because we are worthy of it, but in spite of our unworthiness. It is like the judge who after sentencing the guilty person then comes down from the bench of judgment and pulls out his checkbook and pays the fine. In this the right sentence is pronounced, but grace pays the price.
Peace is the end of faith because the result of being made right with God is that we are promised a relationship of peace with God and thus can travel through life assured that we have nothing to fear. Peace brings us joy in sorrow and an underlying sense of the supporting arms of God in the middle of strife.
Do you know Grace and Peace? Don't go further into Philippians without assuring yourself of this fact by crying out to him and asking for God's forgiveness found through the sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection of Jesus.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
question 6.2
6.2 DREAM/PURPOSE: What can I do to make the most significant difference for God in my lifetime? Why am I on the earth? What is the best organisational context for my dream?
(from "Asking to Win", Bob Biehl)
(from "Asking to Win", Bob Biehl)
phil 1:1b you are a saint
"To all the saints in Christ Jesus ..." (Phil 1:1b (NIV))
If you had to define what a saint is, how would you do it? Would it be a special person, a person who had miracles ascribed to them, an especially good person, or a person to whom you pray?
In the bible the word 'saint' is used to describe people who are followers of Jesus. If you follow Jesus you are a saint.
The word translated saint means 'holy' or 'seperated from'. It means that the person who is described as a saint is a person whom God has made holy.
The point is not that you are good enough to be saint, but that God ascribes to you the characteristics of a saint, and now our task is to live according to who we are.
Imagine you are tied to another person by a giant rubber band. They are stronger and faster than you so that when they go in front of you, you fall behind and so the rubber band is stretched. What happens now? Because they are stronger than you, you are propelled toward them.
God has made us a saint, and that characteristic of our being is stronger and faster than we are, it moves ahead of our current behaviour, but it propels us forward so that over time we act more and more in accordance with who God has already made us.
If you had to define what a saint is, how would you do it? Would it be a special person, a person who had miracles ascribed to them, an especially good person, or a person to whom you pray?
In the bible the word 'saint' is used to describe people who are followers of Jesus. If you follow Jesus you are a saint.
The word translated saint means 'holy' or 'seperated from'. It means that the person who is described as a saint is a person whom God has made holy.
The point is not that you are good enough to be saint, but that God ascribes to you the characteristics of a saint, and now our task is to live according to who we are.
Imagine you are tied to another person by a giant rubber band. They are stronger and faster than you so that when they go in front of you, you fall behind and so the rubber band is stretched. What happens now? Because they are stronger than you, you are propelled toward them.
God has made us a saint, and that characteristic of our being is stronger and faster than we are, it moves ahead of our current behaviour, but it propels us forward so that over time we act more and more in accordance with who God has already made us.
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