WALK don't run

We see this sign almost every day. Why would they want to slow us down, are these people trying to hold us back?

What about our success, our vision, momentum, our moment of breakthrough … are you serious, you want me to walk, not run?

As a Dad I hear myself saying all too often to my boys, “slow down, walk”. The why, is easier to understand as you get a little older and hopefully smarter.  Mistakes happen when we run too fast. We burn out quicker; we expend a heap of energy and maybe even fail to finish what it is we started.

Galatians 5:16, 25

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Why walk?

You get into the rhythm of Grace that holds you to your convictions. When you walk you can go the distance. Anyone can start well but are you going to be there a year from now?

One of the greatest legacy's we can leave is the resilience to keep moving forward.

Almost anyone can run, but it is the ability to just keep stepping it out day after day.

Don't simply aim to be inspirational, aim to actually be there.

Maybe, instead of looking how quickly you can retire rich, work at staying employed, saving money and having enough to not just meet your needs but someone else’s.

More than being the Father of the year - be a Dad who is present.

Greater than posting a blog on relationships each month, enjoy a date night each week, so you are still married next year.

So each day, every day, day in and day out …. WALK, don’t run.

How can I help you?

What if transformation for me begins not with a decision I make but rather a question I ask of someone else?

Not a complicated question?

This question used to be part of the everyday, but somehow we lost it and now just tend to view everyone with an agenda.

Assumptions will still the voice that asks the question.

As simple as THE QUESTION is I tend to shy away from it, no sooner is it out in the open I know it could cost ME.

But I know the power of this QUESTION. I have watched lives be transformed when some brave soul took up the challenge and asked THE QUESTION.

Mark 10:51

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

What if I changed all of my encounters to start with THE QUESTION, more than an assumption, or an expectation?

HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

This simple question changes everything starting with our focus right through to our outcomes. Perhaps, you are one of those brave souls who will endeavor to put this to the test and see what transformation happens in your world when you simply touch someone else’s world.

It’s a thought!

Fasting, or just hungry?

One of the lesser known disciplines of a Christian is that of ‘Fasting’ which is not practised as often now days and even less understood. I think we have, by in large, gotten pretty slick and polished and along with that we have systems, strategies, plans & a plethora of resource to equip us for almost any endeavour we could imagine.

But, there is still that ache for some, deep inside, to be closer; to be more connected. To know that the clarity you see is not just from good planning but from practised surrender. So for some, we embrace the call to Fast.

It is important to note that when we fast we all experience different things. For some, the moment they start a Fast the Heaven's open, Angels sing, the Word leaps from the pages, the Devil runs & hides and great mysteries are revealed ... for others; they get really hungry & it seems God is busy with those always sharing the new revelation they got directly from the Throne room.

Fasting is not about what you feel, and not really even about what you get out of it, because that is subjective. When you fast, you seek God, you plant seed, and you position yourself. God will hear and God will move. How and when is up to Him, but never doubt the power of the choice you have made.

Our desire must be to seek His face more than just seeking His hand. This goes way beyond the clever cliché. I find it so easy to seek God for what I NEED, and the pressing concerns of the day, but when you Fast, things do tend to slow down a little. You make more time to reflect, meditate, think a little deeper, and even ask God … what He wants.

So, are you Fasting or simply getting hungry?

It’s FINE, don’t worry about it.

I love swimming in the ocean, out past the breakers, past the heavy swell, just moving in tune to the currents and stretching out my stride. 

Then pausing, floating back and enjoying the moment … but then I start to think about what is under me.

How far out am I?

How deep is this water?

Was that a dark shadow just over there?

Next minute I am looking around, sure I am not alone; replaying scenes from the Jaws movie I probably should not have just watched and trying to remember Psalm 8 where I am sure it says I have authority over what is in the sea … that I can’t see.

Anxiety moments come to us all, but the Bible tells us not to be anxious. Okay, don’t be anxious … there may be a shark under me about to eat me … but don’t be anxious …. 

ARE YOU KIDDING? How?

Philippians 4:6 says PRAY. Take it to God, with a heart reflecting on what you can be thankful about. It is amazing when we settle back into the right place with God … peace floods in and worry has to find a new address.

Don’t complicate it, keep it simple … your feet will follow your focus. It’s fine.

Thoughts from Isaiah 54

Isaiah 54:2, 3 (AMP)
I very rarely do this but this passage of Scripture has been in my heart since COC National conference in September.  

There are some key things we can reflect on as we head towards 2013.

Enlarge the place of your tent,

You need to make space for the place. Stop shrinking back, there has been a time of consolidation but now is a time to enlarge.

and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;

Too many people getting stressed instead of getting stretched. You can't stretch if you are not green, not dry & hard. Not proud but humble. As we stretch out we create a place of covering. We extend our place of covering.

spare not;

This is a time of generosity. Gather containers & not just a few. Like the woman in the Bible told by the Prophet. The oil only stopped because she had run out of containers.

lengthen your cords and strengthen your  stakes,

You need to go deeper if you want to go higher. We are only as strong as the weakest link. We know that often it is first natural then the spiritual. Maybe you need to pray more / lengthen your cords. Maybe you need to be in the Word of God more / strengthen your stakes.

For you will spread abroad to the right hand and to the left;

And The Lord added DAILY / multiplication. Increase by multiplication is a lot more exciting than addition. Be it in your walk with God, your business or your area of ministry.

and your offspring will possess the nations and make the desolate
cities to be inhabited.

This is generational. Not just to occupy but to POSSES.  A place that had no life now supports life. We are to bring that life. And MAKE a place of habitation. God inhabits the praises of His people.

STOP!

        As we come closer towards the end of another year I try and evaluate what has “crept in’’ over the course of the last twelve months. So many extra things can get added to what we had set out to do, and often these are the very things that can tip us over the edge and cause us to then feel tired, worn out, and lacking in passion as we settle in for the home stretch to Christmas.

I don’t want to grow weary so there are some things I need to stop – maybe you could stop a few things also.

10 Things You Need To STOP Doing… Right Now!

    I.        Stop placing your job above your family.

  II.        Stop doubting yourself.

III.        Stop believing the lies.

IV.        Stop settling for second best.

   V.        Stop procrastinating.

VI.        Stop making excuses.

VII.        Stop standing in awe of the success of others.

VIII.        Stop tippy-toeing on that line of sin.

IX.        Stop being consumed with what other people think.

   X.        Stop saying “I Can’t!” – Remember: can’t never could!

When Boys become Men

I'll never forget a conversation I had with my Granddad when I was just a young boy. Like most boys I was intrigued by war stories, of heroes and overcoming impossible odds.

One thing he said that hung in the air as he said it and has stayed with me since. He said, “We went over as boys and came back as men. “

So what does it take for a BOY to become a MAN - does he need to go war for this to happen? Surely not!

Most of us have heard the words BE A MAN. Maybe your own Dad spoke it over you, or perhaps you have said it to yourself or a friend has challenged you in a time of need to BE A MAN.

But often two really important things are missing?

•         A clear, grounded, intentional & Biblical definition of Manhood.

•         A well-defined process that challenges the Boy to embrace the clear definition.

We need men to rise up and know who they are.

Not boys in bigger clothes, not trying to still prove themselves against undefined set of scales that fail to inspire or equip.

So, what is it about a man that makes him a man?

1 Corinthians 15 – Two men who serve as a snapshot of manhood.

Adam and Jesus Christ.

Paul refers to them as the first and last Adams.

1 Corinthians 15:45

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Every man will end up drawing his masculinity from the Adam of Genesis or from Jesus Christ. This is a great passage of Scripture to work your way through and meditate on.

A man is someone who rejects passivity, accepts responsibility, leads courageously and expects a greater reward.

Robert Lewis.

Our society needs men who will take a stand for moral absolutes – but where are these men?

Jesus was more of a man in the manger than Adam ever was in the garden! – He laid aside all his ‘rights’ and gave ALL for what He stood for.

Adam, when faced with his moment to shine and protect and cover his wife, just stood by and watched the serpent unfold his plan.

Real manhood begins with a decision to reject social & spiritual passivity when it almost seems natural and effortless to simply follow the crowd.

Leadership demands that men have the COURAGE to master their passions and emotions and arm themselves with Biblical truth.

The courage to lead with truth rather than surrender to feelings always separates the men from the boys.

A boy, a good boy knows how to follow.

A man, a real man, knows how to lead.