Wednesday, February 23, 2011

mirror

My wife recently got this really pen that you can use to write on glass and mirrors…those sorts of places. It is liquid chalk so wipes off really easy compared to paint I guess.

On one of our mirrors she wrote this…

Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
Habakkuk 1:5
(New International Version, ©2010)

She wrote that a few weeks a go now.
Boy does that have some new meaning for us in the time we live in!
My generation has seen the middle east essentially in the same way it has been for a long time.
Apart from a few Gulf Wars, the nations of that area have stayed pretty much the same. But not anymore!
One after another they seem to be changing.
They are changing dramatically!
Leaders who have been in that role all our generation have gone or are in the process of going.

My encouragement to you is to not take the time we live in for granted. Things are happening.
I firmly believe that God is up to a whole lot in our earth.
Some would definitely say these are the end times…

Let’s not waste a moment, but make the most of every moment.
Let’s look to our God who can change a nation and amaze us...because if He can do that to a nation, He certainly can do it for a person within a nation.

We serve an amazing God.
He is on our side.
And He moving.
Let’s watch together and see what He does…

Something to think about…

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

cars

This is what I think…
“That a good host wants to bless their guests with the best they can.”

I watched today a little disappointed in the extreme reaction to some news in our country.
It is reported that the government recently upgraded the ‘official’ cars that are used for state business.
Cars used for carrying officials and dignitaries from other countries.
Some cite our current economic climate for not upgrading. Others go as far to say that a basic family car is sufficient to transport heads of state…
In my opinion I think we should always be as generous as we can (without being silly) to guests.

In my house we live by that…
I want to look after and even sacrifice for whatever guest I have.
I want to always be generous.
To go beyond their expectations.
To be a blessing.
It actually gives me a huge amount of pleasure to do it…

When I think about God and His character He is the same and obviously better than me!
Think of the planet we live on. It is the best planet in the ‘known’ universe.
God was generous with creation.
God was generous with His Son.
...all just for us!
We are ultimately guests in this world and God goes all the way he can for us. He doesn’t just give us the minimum He can get away with.
Here is a scripture to think about with these thoughts of mine…

2 Corinthians 9:6 (New International Version, ©2010)
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

Something to think about…

Monday, February 14, 2011

v-day

Today is Valentines day...and the craziness has just begun.
So far (I am just getting started) I have left Suze some notes on Facebook.
Which is actually not to far from the original meaning as it turns out...


During the early church times Valentine seemed to be quite a common name. The name became more popular it seems because many were martyred for their faith who had that special name.
One man in particular who lived in Rome stood for his faith against growing opposition and persecution, again his name was Valentine.
Claudius passed a law banning marriage so that the young men would join his army and not be distracted by fiancées or wives. But Valentine believed marriage was in fact a gift from God and something to embraced and celebrated, not run away from. So he would hold secret wedding ceremonies. Couples would meet with him and he would whisper the vows.

Unfortunately one day he was caught and thrown in prison for his activities.
Apparently the jailers daughter would visit him many times. She supported his stand and wanted to learn more from him.
The story goes that on the day Valentine was to die he left this girl a note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. He signed it, “Love from your Valentine”. That note, written on the day Valentine died – February 14th, 269 AD – started the custom of exchanging love notes on St Valentine’s Day.

As you can see, Valentines day is for people in love, but also for people to thank others for their love.
So today, how about showing some love?
Maybe a simple email or text to a loved one or friend?
Thank someone for caring about you...
That is the real Valentines Day!

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

gap

I have found that there always seems to be a gap when someone has an idea or makes a decision...and then follows through with it.
Now some people make a decision and follow through it seems in seconds. And sometimes that back fires. More on that another day.
What I am talking about is the majority of us.
People who have a window of waiting in between idea and action.

Last year I bought a road bike.
It actually sat in my office for over a month before I ever rode it for the first time.
People came and admired my ‘good idea’, even though I had never done anything with it.
It wasn’t until I started to ride that the idea really did become anything good.

So why do we have a gap in the first place?
Fear, apprehension...all sorts of reasons.
But my reason for writing this thought is this…
There is a danger I have found in letting the gap become bigger than the idea in the first place.
If the gap gets too big it covers over the idea and we give up.

Maybe you have been sitting on an idea for a while?
Maybe it is even something you felt God wanted you to do?
My encouragement to you this week is to not let the gap grow and the idea die.
If it was a great idea, then do the great idea.
Don’t wait for life. Create your life.

Something to think about…

Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Phenomenon

There is something I have noticed about riding my bike again...a strange phenomenon.
Isn’t that such a cool word? Phenomenon...
Reminds me off an old Muppets tune…
Anyway back to my simple thought.

I have noticed how different I am depending on the circumstances of my rides.
When I am on my own I ride one way.
When I ride with someone else I ride another way.
What I mean is that I seem to be able to go further and a lot faster when I am with someone else.
It is kind of strange really.
While I am putting in heaps of effort when I am on my own, there is a different dynamic at play when I am with a friend. I can do more than when I am on my own.

The other day I was on my own, but saw someone else on the horizon of the road. Something kicked inside of me and I was determined to catch up and try and pass them. I did it, and again found that someone else had made all the difference to my life.

Maybe that is the point?
Maybe the point is that life with a friend is way more effective than without a friend.
A true friend will ultimately encourage you to do more, try more, hang in there more…
A true friend is your greatest encourager.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says it like this...
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

It is pretty obvious what I am recommending here!

Something to think about…