Living It

Just read this on an insert page in my bible, written by a 16 year old boy - awesome!

Living It

Living it is knowing you have a purpose.
Living it is knowing there is a God who loves you
And knowing you're perfect in His eyes.
Living it is waking up every day having faith
And knowing anything is possible.
Living it is knowing that He sent His only Son
So you can have eternal life.
Living it is knowing that through Him you can share it with others.
Living it is knowing your eternity is in good hands in the end.

'Living It' written by Jordan Blackson, aged 16
(c) Jordan Blackson

Wayne Rooney & King Herod

Having just returned from the 3 - 0 win at Old Trafford this evening I couldn't help but notice the way in which Wayne Rooney left the pitch after being sub'd midway through the 2nd half! His entire world seemed to end, sure he was the only goal scorer at this point so perhaps he had a point! It did remind me of a somewhat famous Christmas time king though. King Herod, the guy who discovered that a king was being born, a king which the prophets had predicted would be far superior to any other king that had gone before, including Herod. Did he like the sound of someone else taking his place? I think not, would you? He even spoke to three magi who were travelling to see this new, more superior king to get his exact location so Herod could put 'the king' in his place. I think from time to time it's something we all struggle with, it's human nature to think (even just for a moment) that we're the best people at what we do, but most of the time the truth is, as in Wayne's case there's normally someone just around the corner who's that little bit better.

So my thought to sow is whether that's healthy, and my immediate response is 'no', continually looking over your shoulder to make sure that no-one else is coming to fill your shoes! What a quick fire way to get yourself replaced in whatever sphere you're in. It would also breed fear and an overwhelming sense of failure. Perhaps the road to take on this one is face up to the fact there are others better, find them, learn from them, and keep looking forward.

You can only take a business, your own life, a relationship, a ministry forward if that's the way you're facing.

Think that's it for now, night.
E.t.J.

M!;"


- Posted from my iPhone

The Con Is On

The short term gain of...
deceit can be incredibly rewarding!

I'm absolutely in love with 'Hustle' a BBC TV programme, it's amazing, I've never missed an episode thanks to the genius that is iPlayer. Since the very first series I was hooked. But why? What is about the show that gets me and so many others drawn in week after week? The craftsmanship, the production, the thought process, the attention to detail, the characters, the marks... possible and likely but most of all I think it's the thought of getting away with it! 

I've been prepping for an assembly at one of our local high schools today where the theme is 'Bible Baddies', with a specific focus on Jacob. To read the story click here. 


The guy is a professional grifter, waiting to cease what he wants from the person who owns it at their weakest point. The truth is, and so I went on to sharing in the assembly, (after pulling a few short cons and earning myself £60, which was my money to start with distributed before the assembly) was one of moral values. Sure short term gain can seem rewarding; the house, the car, more money, a better reputation, a new friend, trust... but is it worth the weight of the baggage from that moment on until: 1. You get caught, 2. You die, 3. You give up? Maybe it is and your answer is 'yes'. Perhaps it might be worth taking a step back for a moment and think about the wider effects. 


Our world is in need of people who are willing to stand for integrity! Politicians, professionals, family men, husbands, friends, brothers. Each and everyone of us needs to live a life grasped with integrity. I trust the politician who tells me the truth, I buy from people who are honest, I can dine in a family home with good moral values, I long to be a husband riddled with the incurable 'I', I truly love my friends who are riddled with it to.


It takes 21 days to form a habit, integrity: what a habit!


Thought over; for now!


M!

Undefined

As we are currently pursuing a new venue for our church I've found myself on occasions wondering about finance, time and resource. You see our new building will demand more of each of these elements that so often define our lives and are all, 'in the world', valuable commodities that always seem to be short. The amazing thing is though our new building isn't about these three items, it's not about having a huge bank balance, unlimited resources and time, it's primary focus isn't the world, it's primary focus is the Creator of Heaven and earth who holds these commodities in His hand; my God! Our eyes are going to be fixed on Him as we continue to pursue amazing things in our community and continue to be the city on a hill for our town to see. One of the phenomenal parts of this simple, Kingdom focussed verse, is that Paul clearly tells us that these three attributes last forever. I find myself so pleased that it doesn't say "Three things will last forever - finance, time, and resource..." but 'faith, hope, and love', will, as Paul says, 'last forever'.

To which I've drawn the conclusion as we pursue our new premises that will help us to be that beacon of light to the world, the building won't be the light, it will have lights but won't be 'the light', nor will it be defined by finance, time and resource. Our venue and our lives as Christians, who've said yes to Jesus and are walking daily with Him, aren't restricted by worldly commodities. We're living a life, (and I'm pleased to say I'm part of a church) that's building with faith, hope, and love. No empty bank balance, full diary or lack can stop our building material. My mind needs no longer to be distracted by lack, but released because of the grace of God, that I can build my life with His tools.

To which I can confidently say... I love my God, I love my life which has been given to me by Him, and I love my church in which He has planted me to build with never-ending tools.

Keep building

M.

Lessons of Leadership

So often I hear it said and so many times I feel like I've learnt the lesson but yet there's always a curveball!

Leadership is not what you want to do, it's what you need to do!


Normality was paving the way the other day and we made a call, that in hindsight was the WRONG one, but mistakes are made so that we can learn from them and grow! There's been a few so by now you'd think I was a giant. Anyway - it wasn't the bad call that re-sowed the thought it was dealing with call the day after. If you're in any level of leadership you have (or should have) someone who holds you accountable for your actions and thank God they're there! Because of the bad call made from an insular view the clean up was making that transition of inward to outward looking. A transition that I believe we have to make every day in almost every situation. Imagine deciding one day after showering that you weren't going to wear any clothes for the day (an inward looking decision) you get outside, start the car, drive to work, open the door on the car park and say hi to another member of staff from accounts! I don't need to finish the example, stupid extremes I know but if it helps you understand the amount of outward looking choices we have to make. In fact there's that many that it's easier to live a life that's outwardly focussed.
We got caught up in the knock on effects for us the other day and what it would mean to us, why we couldn't do it... and you know we had to step out of that, turnaround and look outwardly once again. This time it wasn't easy to do, we'd buried our heads so far into our insular 'butt', that it was a slightly painful process of removing it! Smelly as well! There was nothing we could do to rectify the decision that moment had past but what we could do was step up to the mark once again, admit our mistake and move on.
There's a great parable in the Bible called 'The Good Samaritan', a great example of an outward looking life. That's the challenge - live outwardly. It's not about what we want to do (sometimes I don't want to live outwardly because I can't see myself or my situation) but it's leadership and it's what we have to do.

Live Outwardly... AGAIN!

Mikey