A man answered a challenge to ride a remote control bull. He got on and started to ride. He thought he was doing pretty well, getting jolted this way and that. It had twelve levels so he was a bit shocked to learn that he had only managed to navigate level one! The operator had … Continue reading Stay centred
priorities
Jim Carrey’s wish
Recently my wife Laura came across a quote by actor Jim Carrey: “I think everyone should get rich and famous and do everything they dreamed of so they can see that it is not the answer.” Imagine that scenario playing out. Everyone gets rich. Then they get famous. They do whatever they want. They assume … Continue reading Jim Carrey’s wish
Autumn: the first step back to good
Yesterday was the first day of autumn. There’s something new about a new season. I’m not just talking about cooler temperatures, pumpkins, or pirouetting, multi-coloured leaves. A new season can be a great opportunity for a mental re-set. Have you been consumed by emotional fog? Have you been distracted by lesser distractions? Have you been … Continue reading Autumn: the first step back to good
Death bed perspective
I’ve had the privilege of talking with many people in their last days on earth. As people look back on their life, there are moments of reflection. Do you want to know what people never say? They never say, “I wish I had earned more money. I wish I had worked more. I wish I … Continue reading Death bed perspective
A distracted lifestyle vs focus
Someone told me they had a squirrel’s attention span, meaning that their focus ping-ponged from this to that, regardless of what this or that was. Unfortunately, distraction is the air we breathe these days. It’s hard to avoid. We are continually interrupted, bombarded with information and advertising, or the next shiny new thing. Alan Noble … Continue reading A distracted lifestyle vs focus
Make a plan
At first you establish your habits, and then your habits establish you. Let me explain what I mean by that and why it matters. If you do something consistently over a long period of time it becomes a habit. Some habits are good and others are bad. Smoking is a bad habit. Eating well is … Continue reading Make a plan
A few of our favourite things?
My friend and colleague Jeff Loach told a story about Ray Stedman, a pastor from the 20th century. It’s one of those stories that helps us gain some perspective about priorities. Stedman flew to a town for a speaking engagement but the airline lost his luggage. Those were the days when preachers didn’t speak without … Continue reading A few of our favourite things?
The best thing first
What unites us as God’s church? I think it’s a productive thing to think about—not only for my or your local church, but for the church as it stretches all over the globe. Is it a certain political cause? What about a social justice issue? What about events which are designed to have people smiling … Continue reading The best thing first
Choked by pleasure
Choking is a very powerful and disturbing metaphor. Imagine strong, angry hands wrapped around your neck. With that in mind, listen to how Jesus describes a group of people in Luke 8:14. They hear God’s word, “but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do … Continue reading Choked by pleasure
What do you need the most?
In an impoverished village in India, a missionary and his co-workers were trying to improve the living conditions of the locals, including securing clean drinking water. Through an interpreter he asked a young girl a question: “What do you need the most?” She was about nine or ten years old, covered in dirt, and didn’t … Continue reading What do you need the most?
