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/
Monday, August 29, 2005
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.
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