Fashion seems to change almost as quikly as technology. In fact, I am now seeing the styles that I wore in my teenage years coming back to life. While the 80′s were a great time to grow up in, I was never really in style. My hair never did lay down the way it should have and my while my car was functional, it was no K.I.T.T.
My son turns 13 this weekend. As I reflect on my first 13 years, I have come to the conclusion that the decsions that I have made will provide my son with a better foundation than the one that I had. As a born-again Christian, my son has the solid foundation of the Word of God. He is learning more everyday. My foundation at 13 was Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica and Dungeons and Dragons. I have come a long way since those days and I m thankful. I too am learning. Oddly enough, you never stop learning. If you choose the path of “I know what I know and that’s all I want to know…” you will suffer from a stagnating soul. Since my son is 13, here are 13 things to remeber in life.
Keep on keeping on….
Moms have a way of asking oddly pertinent questions. My mom used to ask me, “ Are you contemplating your bellybutton?” My reply was usually something smart. Normally mom would ask me this when I was quiet bordering on unusually quiet. What was I doing? (more…)
Kent Austin, coached the Saskatchewan Roughriders for one season. Prior to his departure, he said something to the press about why his players were rising to the challenges of contending for a Grey Cup. Coach Austin stated:
“What’s the point of playing if you don’t believe? There’s a difference in faith and belief. Belief requires action. And if you’re gonna play to win, you need to talk differently, walk differently, act differently, practice differently, prepare differently. And you gotta back it up with your actions . ”
Action is often the missing ingredient in success because people expect that God will do everything for them. In fact, God is waiting for them to act in and on their faith so that the purposeful action they take can yield results. Remeber, James said:
James 1:22-25 NLT
(22) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
(23) For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
(24) You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
(25) But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
TTWWADI is an acronym that I was first introduced to at an educational conference. Dr. Ian Jukes spoke to educators and challenged them to recreate their mindsets about teaching children. The acronym stands for That’s The Way We’ve Always Done It. This is something that the Church as a whole must be cognisant of if and when they plan outreaches and minister to those that God tells them to. Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica:
2 Thessalonians 2:15 (King James Version)
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Interestingly, many people look at that word traditions and immediately think that Church is supposed to be conducted the way it was when Jesus was ministering to the Jews 2000 years ago. Fortunately, most Ministers of the Gospel do not ride in on a donkey. We tend to use cars, trucks, buses and aircraft because we can get to more places in the world in a more timely manner.
That word “traditions” is translated from the Greek as follows:
G3862 παράδοσις paradosis par-ad’-os-is From G3860; transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law: – ordinance, tradition.
Oddly enough, Paul was referring to the precepts that he was teaching us. God’s Principle’s are timeless, but how we live them out so that we can win the lost will change. Case in point, we do use updated modes of travel. Many Ministries and Churches have websites, twitter, podcast, broadcast and more to reach the lost.
I challenge you today. How can you win someone to Christ by doing something just a bit different?
In life, Transition is a circular process that can cause you to rise to new heights or sink to the murky depths. Your choices will always determine how your life unfolds. There are nine stages in a full tranisition. The more you can handle at one time, the faster you will mature as a Christian. These nine stages are:
1.) Crisis Produces Opportunity
2.) Opportunity Produces Ministry
3.) Ministry Produces Favour
4.) Favour Produces Promotion
5.) Promotion Produces Increase
6.) Increase Multiplies Responsibility
7.) Responsibility Produces Rewards
8.) Rewards Attract Attack
9.) Attack Creates Crisis
Do not fear transition. Do not fear change. If you do, you will be boxed in, contained by Satan. Remember, his strategy is undrmine one thing and then let you self-destruct. Fear of change is one of the best targets that he has. If he can keep you contained long enough, your dreams and desires will fade and you will settle for far less than your potential.
