Thursday 30 October 2008

The Lord is my shepherd....

King David, described the Lord as a shepherd. David had also been a shepherd and no doubt saw God this way because of his own leadership bias. Throughout the Bible we see the term 'shepherd' to illustrate God's character and leadership.

He alone is the one who can lead us over the mountain tops, through valleys, through the difficulties and challenges of life to pastures green.

I am reminded today that he is my provider (v1), it is him who give me rest (v2), He confidently leads (v3), He renews and restore (v3), He guides and restores (v3) He protects (v4) He corrects and comforts (v4), He feeds and anoints (v5), He loves (v6) He offers security and assures goodness and mercy to follow us. I love the end of this Psalm 23 because with this revelation of God in his life David says, 'And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever'. What about you?

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Consider it pure Joy. my brothers, when you face trails of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

We have all got to deal with the inevitable disapointments of life; the trials, the testings, the temptings and the troubles. Although it is often difficult to accept at the time, God says that all these challanges will ultimately serve to be a better person. You have heard it said many times. 'No pain - no gain', you don't get Gold without fire! We are encouraged to see that there something greater going on and working for us in this verse and are encouraged to count it a joy. WOW, that is something I have got to leaarn to take on board. When things seem out of control to us, we need to know that God is always in control and is able to work for good.

When we call on God in heartfelt prayer, we nee to know that God loves us and is ALWAYS with us. We need to trust him - He will answer in his own time and in accordance with his own perfect will. Life is often challanging but we must not be afraid. In times of hardship, he will comfort us; in times of sorrow, he will dry our tears and assure us he is with us. We must build our lives on the rock that can not be shaken: we must trust in God. THEN, I believe we must get on with the hard work of tackling our problems ... because if we don't who will? Or should?

I remember an old Bible school lecturere once saying, 'When tough times arrive, you should work as if everything depended on you and pray as if everything depended on God.' That's good advice!

Martin Luther King JR said, 'The ultimate meaure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience, but where he stands at times of challange and controversy".

Lena Horne said, "The size of your burden is never as important as the way you carry it".

God is committed to us and is refining us to become more like Jesus in character in this world. He wants the whole world to know him!

Depend on Love



Do you need some encouragement today to trust in God in your situation? Listen to this song by Rick Muchow, Saddleback Church that he wrote 20 years ago but is fresh and inspires us to trust in God no matter what!

God is dependable and is committed to taking us through whatever we have to face. We need never to doubt his love for us when we look to the cross. Be at peace today and trust in his love.

Friday 24 October 2008

Standing with Pastor Rick and his family

We all need others in our lives. We have heard it a million times and it is true every time.

Pastor Rick's daughter-in-law Jamie who is married to Rick's son Josh need us to pray. Check out Ricks' video link below for more news.

saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1500

Let's stand together as one family and assure Rick

Tuesday 21 October 2008

Pursuit of happiness

We started a new series on Sunday at MKCC called 'The pursuit of happiness'. Steve Adkins launched the series with a challenge to whether happiness is actually really the goal for us to pursue as it is often illusive (It's like 'trying to grasp a bar of soap'). Is your happiness driven by some kind of feeling or emotion alone and therefore if things don't go well for you your happiness is sabotaged. What is the real source of your happiness? Is there anything that could bring you joy even when things are not going so well?

I once heard someone say, 'Happiness is a by-product of of living a principled centred life, of making good decisions, of seeking good advice, of building good relationships and of course having a quality relationship with God. All this is true but the greatest source of my own person joy and happiness is in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It's in him that we find out who we are and what we are living for. It is all in Christ that we will find true joy, peace and happiness.

Yesterday, Billy and I attended the Thanksgiving service of Vernon Ralphs, a former Lecturer at Mattersey Hall and former pastor. The tributes were excellent and were united in around the theme of vernon's outstanding charater and commitment to serve the Lord with excellence. As I listened to those who spoke, it was evident that this man had found true happiness in placing Jesus Christ and his mission at the centre of his life with his family over and above possessions, power or prestige and there found joy and fulfilment knowing that one day his reward in heaven would be great.

As I listened I was reminded again how my life story is being written one day at a time...and with God's help, that story can be a masterpiece.

What makes you happy? Are you pursuing the right things? What is the centre of your life?

Monday 20 October 2008

Life Groups are suppose to bring life...

Saturday saw six of our Life Group spend the day at one of our members house decorating. I walked into the house and saw the challange before us and thought. 'o no, all this in one day..' And a few extra words ran through my mind (not telling. However, there was a great spirit and everyone was pumped to contribute. Here is our group, not comfortably sitting on my settees at home studying, discussing or praying but ready to put some muscle into their faith and help support someone else.

When your you are trying to rebuild your life after a divorce, you are incredibly stressed and at rock bottom, you live in a different country, you have made a decision to ask Jesus into your life; where do you turn? Is there a helping hand? Good question! I think God has an answer, it's called church. I mean REAL church, not the religious version! Relationship is what matters most in life and we can all offer it to others. However, it will cost you something, your time, your talents and your money. Are you willing to give your life for others?

Experiencing the joy, the happiness, the gratitude and the tears with others as we do life together is sweet. Showing love and grace is so rewarding and very special and I think you encounter God in new ways when you move into the flow and rhythm of Grace. Christians, are all called to help, support, share, speak the truth, love, serve.. etc one another. God knows this true love and expressing itself is a powerful visual in the world today. People have to see love in action to be impacted by it.

Jesus demonstrated his love by dying on a cross, why would we think there is another way?

Let's demonstrate love and friendship today. Let's get intentional about it and impact someones life today.

Monday 13 October 2008

Sunday thoughts...

Today we used the video teaching of Louie Giglio who delivered a powerful message of hope that impacted everyone. It was awesome! I wept in all three services as we were challenged to look to the cross as the anchor that will take us through any trouble we have to face. Jesus told us that trouble will come to all of us at some point and our connection to Christ is crucial to carry us through. They story of Ashely was heart-renching but I believe since giving her life to Christ made a significant impact in people's lives, especially her step dad who isn't a believer. Please pray for Ashley's dad who is searching and is in connect with Louie.

This really fitted in well with our visit last week of Ron Heagy. A man who has found hope in Christ and is committed to choosing the right attitude in life. I will never forget the little smiley face Ron had on his chair. He said it is a reminder to him to always smile and choose the right attitude in life. He said, you can stamp on it, throw it or kick it but it will always be smiling. may God help us to have that kind of spirit.

The music today was great. Peter did a brilliant Job from the keys and all the songs fitted in perfectly.

The Video ran smoothly in all services - well done David and the team. Some great graphics and video clips behind the words.

There we several new faces today. Great to see new people coming in. I want to encourage you all to invite more and more people on Sundays.

We launch a new series next week called the Pursuit of Happiness. I am looking forward to this and know it will be challenging.

Brilliant to have Mike on staff with us as Caretaker and maintenance. I really appreciate him, he has a great spirit, is willing to serve at any level and make things happen. Just brilliant!

May God continue to use us all despite our faults and many weaknesses to bring honour to Jesus. May we lead many people to put their faith in Jesus who can bring hope to all who look to him, despite any trouble we have to face in this life.

Sunday 12 October 2008

WILLOW CREEK LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AT ST ALBANS

A group of leaders from MKCC went to the 2 day Willow Creek Association conference in St Albans hosted by the Vineyard Church. We went expecting to be challenged and inspired by some great leaders from around the world and we not to be disappointed! So many excellent insights were shared that I know will give us plenty of material to think about and work through in the days ahead.

Bill Hybells and the team nailed it yet again and the Leadership summit goes from strength to strength. Thanks Bill and all the Willow Staff who make this happen, you are all a great example to the body of Christ around the world.

Well done to leaders, musicians and volunteers of Vineyard church who did an excellent job in hosting the conference. Brilliant! I appreciate your serving us so all so well.

It was great to have with us Chris and Dana Byers from Lifechurch.tv who are planting a church in London. (Any one interested in getting involved in this should let me know) They fit in really well with our guys and it was a pleasure spending time with them.

One of things I really enjoy about these 2 days is spending time with our team. I love it; they are a fine bunch of leaders, they desire to learn and grow and desperately want God to use them. On Friday evening, I always enjoy our annual trip to the curry house near to the hotel and love to hear the good conversations, fun and laughter they all have together as we eat. It reminds me that creating opportunities like this is very important as we build team.

Well yesterday was learning today needs to be practice, so let's get to it!

Tuesday 7 October 2008

Don't try to fly solo

'Two are better than one...and a threefold chord is not quickly broken'

As much as we admire solo achievement, the truth is that no-one by themselves has done anything of great value. I recently read about the great achievements of a few famous men I will mention but the truth is they didn't do it by themselves. Frontiersman Daniel Boone had companions from the Transylvania Company as he blazed the wilderness road. Sheriff Wyatt Earp had his brothers and Doc Holiday looking out for him. Aviator Charles Linderbergh had the backing of nine businessmen from St Loius and the services of the Ryan Aeronautical Company who built his plane. Scientist Albert Einstein didn't work in a vacuum but had people around him. Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto!

Nothing great is ever achieved alone it really does take a team. History is is marked by the accomplishments of many strong leaders and innovative individuals who took great risks, but these people were always part of a team.

I once read a Chinese proverb that said, 'behind an able man there are always other able men'. The truth is that teamwork is at the heart of great achievements. John Maxwell says that 'one is too small a number to achieve greatness. You can not do anything of real value alone.'

To achieve all that God has for for us here at MKCC, we need teamwork. God wants us all involved in his team and make history together.

Friday 3 October 2008

The Inspirational Testimony of Nick Fujicic





This is amazing - what have you got to complain about today?

I can not wait for Sunday! We have a visiting speaker Ron Heagy with us who is paralysed from the neck down after a surfing accident years ago. Invite all you mates to come and listen to Ron, it's going to be amazing!

Thursday 2 October 2008

what do you see?

This still moves me and inspires me to never settle. The world lost a treasure when Keith Green was killed in a plane crash. His songs were loaded with truth and his passion leaked all over his audiences. Listen to the words again today and let them stir you to reach the lost.

It is well with my soul.....

Love this guy! For many this is a little old school but I have to say this guy nails this hymn and reminds us all there is a sacred place for all of us to connect to God who vcan sustain us through any difficulty we may face in life.