We were seated in a semi circle enjoying the summer breeze in the evening. The conversation got round to what happens when the children grow up and have lifestyles that go against the values with which they were brought up. It was fascinating listening to the various views on what we do when our hearts […]
Read More A Reflection On The Prodigal Son: Bungee JumpingI believe it’s rare to find anything as intimate as hearing someone speak to you. I am not talking about phone calls. Useful though they are. It’s being in the company of someone expressing their heart in the words they say. Some experts suggest the actual words used are not as memorable as other communication […]
Read More God In Creation: The God Who SpeaksSome people can’t seem to catch a break. They make a mistake, they are heavily chastised for that mistake. They work hard at keeping themselves out of trouble. In a moment of temptation, when under great pressure they slip up again. The grief they face for it makes the previous chastened experience appear tame in […]
Read More Getting Your Act Together Still Takes TimeThe importance of order cannot be underestimated. Disorder and chaos are not the best environments in which we thrive. Likewise there is nothing wrong with routine in and of itself. Indeed some find great safety in the familiar. Risk.is reduced, the likelihood of things going out of control are minimised. This is comforting and a […]
Read More Gatekeepers: Overcoming Potential Challenges In Church DevelopmentThere is a difference between being submissive and being a walk over. It’s a pity in a day and age that scoffs at anything less than being forward, confident and fully assured that taking a back step, being submissive and seeking to understand others is considered weak. It’s a pity because time after time it […]
Read More Gaining Favour Increases Influence By Being CompliantIt will come as little surprise to discover, I am not the most sociable of people. Some people thrive on social settings. They love nothing better than being in the middle of all the hub of activities. They feed off the buzz of interactions. It works for them. Fine. My make up is not that […]
Read More Gatherings: The Joy Of Sharing Quality TimeWhen I look at what worked really well over the brief course of my life, I find a lot of it is down to the power of group work. There is something brilliant about three or more people gathering and committing to work together on a joint cause. I get the impression church is meant […]
Read More Groups: A Whole Greater Than An IndividualMy Dad is my example in presenting a calm, considered response to situations. I have no recollection of my Dad having a fierce temper. I have little recall of him raising his voice or needing to shout. I’m not saying these things didn’t happen, I’m saying I can’t remember him doing these things. My memories […]
Read More Gentle Replies Defuse Explosive Situations Creating OpportunitiesWisdom is such a precious commodity. The more I see expressions of church life, the more I understand why wisdom is so essential in ensuring God is glorified. The church is a glorious expression of how God wants His children to grow together. That expression is to be a beacon to a world divided of […]
Read More Guidance In Negotiating The Individual And CollectiveRecently a few of us were reflecting on God as Father. It was stunning to read Genesis 1 and Luke 3 noticing that in as much as to the rest of creation God is Creator, when God made Adam His relationship to Him was that of a loving Father. It is unfortunate that there are […]
Read More Gaining Great Wisdom From Flawed Father Figures
Life With CD 