from around the web….

Posted on 27 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, fun, theology

Technology and trends, spiritual metrics for transformation, rethinking how we present the gospel by Frank Viola, Productivity tips from Justin Wise, Seth Godin about the absence of applause, how grace motivates us, books and ownership, Viv Thomas’s leadership file, sadly-true values of a church in decline, Andrew Petersons – the silence of God, the most frustrating thing a leader can do, thoughts on handling ‘gray’ topics on-stage, Thomas Merton – perhaps stronger?, speaking to social-media addiction…., stop obsessing with be relevant, Greg Boyd on protecting us from Jesus followers!!, Reasons for the city, life and ministry there, reasons for pastor leadership to embrace social media, David’s Platts talk on fuel for death-defying mission inc transcript, Dan Allender on gratitude.

Pauls thorn-in-the-flesh explored, questions you should as your team that you’re leading, Giles Frazer – on why presence does not have a preloaded agenda other than a commitment to living out your core beliefs, internet addiction?, Everyone is beautiful by Jean Vanier, things you might want to do when tired in church!!, streetbank – community-sharing goodness, five questions about that dream writing project you’re thinking of from Mary DeMuth, Jodie’s thoughts on people-of-the-book, what productivity type are you?, harmless fun pranks!, church size counts in small amounts, Ruth Bell Grahams stirring gravestone inscription, Church of England intriguing stats and facts, David Platt on whats superstitous and unhealthy, De Botton on wanting to believe, advice for primary church leaders, what keeps pastors from prayer-revolutions, John Cleese creative best, Jon Acuff on remaining present, I love this Goyte tune, and exceeding fun with theology and Ryan Gosling!

 

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always hope….

Posted on 26 April, 2012 by in discipleship, faith, fun, leadership, theology

Donald Sutherland, as President Snow, tells his head gamemaker in Hunger Games, that ‘Hope…is the only thing stronger than fear…A little hope is effective; a lot of hope is dangerous.’
Love it!

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a word

Posted on 25 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, theology

from the closing of our APCM….
“Now go forward!

Go forward in the knowledge of the full forgiveness of sins and my limitless grace.
Go forward into the large place I have prepared for you.
Go forward in the full liberty of the Holy Spirit.
Go forward in the fulness of joy, the joy of your salvation.

Be expansive, resting in my omnipotence. Feel the fresh breeze of my Spirit blowing in your hair; relax, change into top gear, lengthen your stride and watch with wonder at what I am going to do.

The buds of the trees look dead, but they are about to burst forth into full luxurient growth. They are filled with the potential of the new life in the root, stem and branches. There is every blessing in my Name!”

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web goodness

Posted on 24 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, fun, leadership, random, theology

Boom to these great apologetics….from Einstein, this worship track is beautiful: Riddle & Bethel, Amazing spiritually healthy spirituality resources here from Pete Scazzero’s church, attentive listening to the spirit of the living God, the dangerous beautiful calling as Pastors, Dr MLJones wisdom….., why church hurts, Spiritual warfare by John Ortberg, a former-pastors regret, Together for the Gospel: teaching resources, Frank Viola’s writing on womens ministry, Let treasure resurrection life and new births: Mars Hill baptisms, Hyatt on rebuilding trust, Nothing & over-reacting are two things we’re far too good at!? Chloe’s excellent article on losing the right battles!, church leadership rythmn strategies, McKnight & McClaren on ‘being a heretic’?!, Matthew Paul Turners honesty about tiredness about God,  resurrected Christianity?, Peoples’ sexual identities should never be theological weapons, Jesus is more than girlfriend material: CVM challenges, ways to remember the info you read!, Marks of empowered discipleship, Gungor’s Beautiful Things, Hyatt’s ways to know that you’re a leader, a (curate esp) ministry review tool?! Bible-books & baby-names?!, Andrew Browns – Are evangelicals on another planet?, and church bathroom funny?!

“Out of the cross comes the resurrection. Out of weakness comes real strength. Out of repentance and admitting you are weak comes real power. Out of giving away and serving others comes real strength. Out of generosity and giving your money away comes real wealth. That’s the gospel story line.” Tim Keller

 

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don’t quit…

Posted on 23 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, leadership, theology

or Galatians 6 v 9
,…don’t grow weary in doing good!
don’t give up….

don’t stop…..doing good.

“It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled or how the doer of deeds might have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred with sweat and dust and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause. Who, if he wins, knows the triumph of high achievement, and who, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” Teddy Roosevelt

 

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STW 22.iv.2012

Posted on 22 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, fun, leadership, personal

Churches don’t have to have it all, to be about something special. A privilege to serve again at Wilmington.
Further confirmation that, I really have no desire to run a marathon…..life’s enough of one right?!
‘……the darling of heaven was crucified’…..worthy is the lamb!
This boy is stumbling towards the flowers, he makes it three steps onto the platform….everyone else is mostly lost in the activity of sung worship. His disablity means his movements are uncomfortable, clumsy and sincere. Smell and touch of this tall, fragile array of flowers feels almost precarious but utterly in pause, as though out of time. For this almost-13 year old boy, he has been loved into a flourishing life, much beyond natural expectation. It’s miraculous and his movement so authentic. Tommy is his name. His response, his enjoyment is pure worship……or that’s the way I saw it through the haze of tears.
2 Timothy 1v12 is a ripper of a verse: Paul’s words are for our confidence,
I want to give my life afresh to knowing Jesus….. No pretense, nothing less than the best pursuit of Jesus in my lifetime. All else is foolishness!
It’s wonderful when guests become attenders and start to wrestle with Gods place in their enquiring hearts!
…… I do love these scenes……..our nation is stirring….

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Eastertide prayer…..

Posted on 21 April, 2012 by in discipleship, faith, leadership, personal, theology

God Almighty,
The world is infused with the power of Christ’s resurrection.
The seed that was sown is now blooming.
The bulb that was buried is now blossoming.
All of creation is transfixed by the beauty of new life.
The tiniest of birds sings the mightiest of songs
as the morning sun rises.
Come everyone, meet the dawn of all creation!
Be warmed by the comforting light of Christ.
Amen

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a Jesus-prayer

Posted on 19 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, theology

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

from a Jesuit prayer book, 1963

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choose Him, and then choose Him again…

Posted on 17 April, 2012 by in discipleship, faith, personal, theology

So many times, and in so many ways we make it difficult…….

When the first disciples chose to follow Jesus, they didn’t understand all the implications of their decision. They simply responded to Jesus’ invitation. That’s all you need to get started: Decide to become a disciple.
Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you choose to make. Your commitments can develop you or they can destroy you, but either way they will define you. Tell me what you are committed to, and I’ll tell you what you will be in twenty years. We become whatever we are committed to!
Eugene Peterson was spot on,…..it’s a long obedience in the same direction….
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following…..

Posted on 16 April, 2012 by in church life, discipleship, faith, theology

Dallas Willard once said something on a podcast that cuts against the grain of a popular understanding of what Christianity is all about. He said this:

Jesus didn’t go to the cross so we wouldn’t have to. He went to the cross so we could join him there.

Following Jesus isn’t a matter of escaping punishment or deferred eternal goodness! It’s a matter of dying and being raised to a completely new kind of life. But we don’t experience that resurrection until we join Jesus on the cross and die to the old life.
May we learn to die well, daily and consistently,….long after Easter fades to our memory….

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