Welcome to Christmas Eve! It’s a special time. After the presents have been bought, we gather to sing carols and ponder the significance of Christ’s birth. [If you’re close to Barrie and are looking for somewhere to worship tonight check out the links below.] But we live in a world of skepticism. Many people ask … Continue reading Your life and legacy
impact
Your impact can last
Being a person of your word—a person of integrity who does their best to do what they say they’re going to do—has a positive impact that can literally last for generations. Skeptical? Think of someone from your past who had a really positive impact on you—someone who was a person of their word, someone who … Continue reading Your impact can last
What if YOU were the giant?
You and I are standing on the shoulders of giants. But have you ever considered that future giants may also be standing on yours?
Why we’re sponges
If you put a sponge in murky water for three minutes, and then take it out and squeeze it, what is going to come out? Murky water. And if you put another sponge in pure, clear water for three minutes, and then take it out and squeeze it, what is going to come out? Pure, clear water. … Continue reading Why we’re sponges
I want to do something small…
Albert Schweitzer had a more “impressive” life than I ever will. He was a writer and influential theologian; he was an amazing and accomplished organ player; and he became a medical missionary and doctor to French Equatorial Africa. He was also awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. A biography by James Bentley reveals a … Continue reading I want to do something small…
Just one person
On Sunday a man in my congregation, Jeff Walther, delivered a sermon about making a difference in someone’s life. As a part of that, he told a story about a man walking along a beach. He saw someone moving in the distance, almost like they were dancing. As he got closer he realized that it … Continue reading Just one person
Loved people love people
I was watching an interview with someone who worked with at-risk youth. He said, “Hurt people hurt people.” He meant that if someone has been deeply hurt in their past, they often hurt other people simply because it’s what they know. Is that always the case? No. But in his experience it was often true. … Continue reading Loved people love people
Never underestimate your impact
Yesterday was the 3-year anniversary of the death of my dad, Eric. He was 64. As I look back, I think about the kind of dad he was. He was a great dad. But to be honest, he probably wouldn’t have won a dad-of-the-year award. He was more low-key than that. Plus, he wasn’t perfect. Just as … Continue reading Never underestimate your impact
Leaving a legacy of wealth
This week we’re probing the idea of how to be wealthy (without any money). In 1 Timothy 6:18 Paul writes, “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” Connected to this, on Wednesday we talked about having a real relationship with God. And on … Continue reading Leaving a legacy of wealth
The first person you have to change
There's someone in your life who really needs to change something, right? Here's another way to look at things that is more productive, helpful and positive.
The Up Devotional 