What do you see emptiness or possibility? Sometimes we are so overwhelmed by what we don’t see or have, we become blind to the actual possibilities right in front of us. There are times in our lives when we need to strip things back so we can actually build the right things up. There are seasons where we may feel we have less but maybe it’s because God doesn’t want to add to what needs to be removed. Old wine...
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I grew up in the same church all my life. I had to do a lot of changing in-front of a lot of people. Church can feel like a communal changing room at times. It’s awkward and uncomfortable as you feel so exposed, people seeing you at your most vulnerable as you work through challenges and change in areas. Therefore we need to apply some changing room rules so more people can stay and make the changes they need to,...
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In a world where we are told to do and be many things, we need to remind ourselves often what are the main things. Too many times we act, speak, move, decide and leave kind behind. Yet Kindness is king. It changes everything and we can all BE KIND. Raising our kids this is the main thing I want them to remember. Being kind will serve them better than being ambitious, striving for success, being gifted, having popularity. Because the...
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We often spend more time lost than we need to, more time searching than necessary and more time struggling than makes sense. The reason we can prolong our situation is because we have lost the art of asking. We feel to ask is somehow embarrassing. Our pride tells us to persevere on our own, our struggle says no one will want to help. Yet asking is an essential part to growing. At school asking was encouraged in order to learn...
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This capture was from a few weeks ago as we sat and watched our team honour and celebrate one another. I remember sitting in this moment, aware of the much larger journey it represented. Every year we choose as a family to name our year, to take a moment when we think about what we want to call and welcome into our future. This picture represents a year of seeing the fulfilment of what we called out. We set out...
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It is a responsibility and privilege when people look to you in any area for advice and help. They are leaning into what you have learnt. Whether that be in the role of parent, mentor, friend, leader. The ask that comes, honours the wisdom that has been gained. Yet, if we get carried away with dispensing advice, we can forget the most important element of this transaction. That lessons taught are authenticated by lessons learnt. The moment we as a...
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Stretch or Snap? Where are you snappy? We all have snapping points. Those places where our patience runs out, temper flares, faith fails. Snapping points are when you get to the end of you and find you have nothing left in reserve. We can emotionally snap. Becoming moody, short with people and weary. We can mentally snap. We can’t get beyond our problem and fail to comprehend any way of change ever happening. We can have a vision snap. We just...
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What happens to you and what flows through you have two different sources. Have you ever been on the receiving end of someone's unkindness, thoughtlessness. Where you have been treated in a way that's mean, words spoken or even unspoken that carry more poison than purpose. Those moments happen to us all (and we can be all be responsible for those moments too) The source of meanness when it does attack us is external, the person who is unkind, excludes,...
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Recently I felt God speak strongly to my heart from Isaiah 52; to get ready for a season of enlargement. While I was excited about the thought of what that could look like, I was instantly sobered and aware of the commitment and work that would also bring. Enlargement requires our engagement. It calls for a willingness to work and a humility to serve and surrender. Every time we seek enlargement we have to find a place where we get...
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Life often demands us to respond to things around us. Yet intentionality allows you and I to choose our response before things happen to us. We can all become more intentional in our speech, actions, asks. Intentionality makes decisions in the present, that go ahead and help shape the future. When we are more intentional about the people we listen to, invest in, places we go or don't go, We remove the derailing power of reactive living, which can throw...
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Together what does that mean? One, what does that look like? Maybe we need to think more about our actions if we truly want to demonstrate the act of togetherness and being One. The church needs to work on this more than most. We need to get our act together to be an example of together, the more we divide, the more we dilute this message. Together is not supporting everything that says follow me, it's supporting the actions that...
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Sometimes the first thing we need to check are the words we have been speaking, before we get frustrated at what we are seeing. We need to be more mindful of both the outbursts we have and the things we have spoken quietly even whispered silently. The words we are speaking are consistently affecting the way we see. Every confession will either clarify or confuse the lens of your life. Each declaration will add depth or distortion. We tend to...
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Sometimes I have to be honest and realise the reason I am fighting change is because it is asking something from me I am not willing to give up. Change brings outward alterations but it's true cost is the inward changes it demands. Change in a job, family, ministry, circumstance, will cause you to have to adjust, grow, release, surrender. It will ask you to be patient, mindful, willing and humble. If we want to always be in control, then...
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I walked past this sign and wanted to share it with whoever needs to know the truth it holds. Often our insecurity, fear and desire for comfort and control, turns a place where we should pass through, into a place we park up our lives. The enemy loves to create parking bays in times of struggle, testing and disappointment. He wants you to park up and give up, in the place God is saying pass through and progress on. Be...
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Discipline is a word we love to hate. We want the results but the routine, well that can get boring, monotonous. Yet our approach to the hard work that brings the best results, either makes the discipline just bearable or enjoyable. I have had to change my perspective on many occasions when it comes to the daily commitments that discipline demands. So whatever discipline you are struggling to embrace. Be it exercise, diet, prayer, chores, study, music, commitments. Today think...
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Here’s the thing about dreaming…dreaming is the easy part. We can all dream but can we all commit to the work those dreams will demand? All big dreams need to be placed inside our bigger God. I find every time I bring my dreams to His word, He lovingly shows me that the greatest work that has to be done is within me, before I scale the next mountain around me. Dreams are our passion feeders and discipline is our perseverance...
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Just whilst I was on my phone the other day, I caught a picture of a lightbulb very much like this one, and it spoke to me. Our potential is amazing but finding our purpose is better. This light bulb has great potential to illuminate places and yet without being used for the purpose it was designed it not only offers no light, but it is fragile and susceptible to being broken. This light needs to attach itself to the...
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2017 will see many things happen. Changes in circumstances and relationships. Good and bad times will be navigated. Times when you will dig deep and climb high. Though the terrain ahead can be hard at times to predict and difficult to prepare for, there is one thing we can commit and give our time to this year that is guaranteed to bring great reward to you and your world. Your plan to work on you. Take time at the start of...
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Often we pray for stress to be removed when we are the sole Creator of its source. We want less drama but can't help putting on the act. So today be honest and take a moment to address the stress and increase the peace. Maybe you can take some time to remind yourself first, who God is and then be still in his presence. Trusting his words and ways, over your own plans and agendas. Today where can you live from...
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It's officially here, the last month of the year. So here's what I am thinking. What can you do to make this December one to remember? Amongst all the Christmas preparations take a moment and think about this month. It represents the end pages on your 2016 chapter. Sometimes we allow what needed to be said in one year, roll into next years story. We allow loose ends to be left untied, when with a little time some could be taken...
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Think about this for a moment; God is on your side, He is working on your behalf. He is your very present help, right now He is with you. If we really believe and comprehend those truths then maybe we could let go of some of the lies that we so often carry around, causing our hearts to be heavy and mind to worry. We can so easily over exaggerate the stance of others and under play the incredible promises of...
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Just because you can carry it, doesn't mean you should. Sometimes we add things to our life that don't really fit. Though we may find a way to strap those commitments, relationships, and opportunities on, it doesn't mean they are going to be able to stay on. If what we attach was placed there through our insecurity or anxiety, striving or people pleasing, it will only take a little adverse weather for what was holding it in place to lose...
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You may have heard it said many times before, but it's worth remembering. Elevators provide a quick and effortless ride to the next level. They even allow you to skip levels in between. The stairs however require effort and patience. You feel the strain the higher you climb. The staircase makes you work muscles and builds strength and in life we often ask for elevators. We pray for elevator opportunities and look for the elevator possibilities. Yet so often God...
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Trust takes a step where the path of familiar ends. So often we follow the familiar as it’s here and we don't have to test our trust. Trust, however, is something that can only deepen when it's allowed to travel further. It's felt when we start to trust our kids to have more independence and watch how this creates for them, new roads and new adventures. It's seen in the space that trust will clear, so a team can express...
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We all have problems to navigate. But the question is, what do you see in the midst of the trial? When God had his people circle Jericho, it wasn't to tease them but to teach them. Jericho was a problem but they had to circle it until they could see the promise. The promise that: the walls would fall, they would conquer the enemy and it would be not by their power but more through their patience. We all have those...
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I have always struggled with the statement 'fake it til you make it'. Surely we don't need any more fake in our lives. The enemy loves it when we pretend to be something we are not. He will take your fake forgiveness, fake freedom any day. He knows while you live with fake you will never attain real. At Cherish conf this year I preached a message called 'the great pretender!' We have all done it, been it. We all have...
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As you head out into another week, what are you choosing to listen to? What's the playlist in your ears? We all get to choose. The noise that surrounds us, will never have as much power as the noise within us. When stress is playing over the sound system around you, you can choose to play your own soundtrack of peace. When the volume is turned up with negativity, you can adjust your own levels and listen to something with...
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It's not always easy. Often we just want to say what we feel needs saying without taking a moment to think about it. The urgency in a moment to react or the burning desire to share the news. All this, partnered with the frustration that festers asking you to give it airspace. You see conversations are good, sharing can be healthy and voicing concerns or questions is part of the journey. But here's a little tip that keeps what we...
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At times we can all feel misunderstood. We get frustrated by a wrong judgment, annoyed by a decision that is based on wrong information. Yet often, It's these moments that are some of our most defining, not because of what was said but because of our response. When Jesus was wrongly accused he didn't waste words in worthless arguments. When his disciples were rejected he told them to stay silent and move on. Jesus was teaching them how to save...
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Offence, hurt, misunderstanding, they happen to us all but they can actually be used to grow and improve each one of us in our call. At each difficult crossroads we have to decide what we allow to lead us into the future. Our feelings will grab the steering wheel and try to redirect our path. Hurt will ask you to make haste and run, offence will say retaliate and misunderstanding will manipulate. Often, what began as a small problem is...
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Everyday as you awaken, so does possibility. It lingers in the atmosphere. What could you do? What can you change? You see possibility is ready to enlarge your heart and explode with potential and suggestions for how to reach further and live greater. Possibility is aware of your God, who is above it all and makes all things possible to those who believe. Yet at the side of possibility is the anxious and attention seeking “limitation”. Limitation waits for you...
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Passion is often the first thing to die when problems or pressure emerges. Yet it is the fire within us that has the ability to consume the opposition and the distractions around us. Remember to tend the fire of your soul today. When doubts want to dampen your spirit throw more coals on the fire of your faith. Add more conversations and confessions that feed the fire and stoke your spirit. With fire raging in our hearts, our hope will...
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Sometimes we place too much effort in the wrong direction. This can result in our life slowing down and adding a drag effect to our progress. Instead of focus and clarity, we can end up having drama and diversions. When those we thought were committed become complacent then the weight we are carrying becomes unequally distributed. As a result you can become overwhelmed and disappointed as now where you agreed to share the load, you have personal overload. When you set out in...
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This weekend we hung a tree swing for our kids (& all our big kid friends) We selected the largest and strongest tree in our back yard as the place where it would be hung. As we cleared the ground beneath the tree, we saw just how incredible this trees root system was. Its roots were so deep and impressive, developed over hundreds of years that tree was going nowhere. That's why we had chosen it to bear the weight of...
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We all have to learn how to discern between feelings and facts in any given situation. Too often our feelings want to be heard, demonstrate their displeasure, make known their objection or approval. Feelings want to find friends who affirm them and join conversations that justify them. However feelings can often overwhelm and avoid the facts. Facts don't get involved in the emotion as they are more focused on the right outcome. Facts are clear, even when it is hard to face...
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The art of still is something we learn over time. Being still means to find that depth of trust and steadiness, that no matter what the storm, the still within holds fast. In life many things want to knock you off balance. Relationships, reactions, attitudes, circumstances they are the invaders and thieves of stillness. Stillness is not being apathetic or ignoring the issues. Rather, it is making a choice that even when the adversity approaches, you will stay committed to...
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What drives you? It's a question we must regularly ask ourselves. For what is behind the wheel, will determine not only where we end up, but how we get there. I have found too many times people allow ambition to take the wheel of their life. Ambition is a terrible driver. It cares nothing for the passengers onboard, only that it gets to it’s desired destination first. It drives with little awareness of the other vehicles around it. Cutting in...
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All day, all week I am going to be giving thanks for so many things God has done over the last few days at Cherish Conference. Let's build something that radiates his beauty. Let's not look for the glory, let's not use one another to advance our own cause. Let us be the ones who set one another up to win. Let the radiance of His light overwhelm the darkness. For in Him and through Him we SHINE. Light to the...
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Often we can feel like we have no options. Circumstances or people around us can seem to be more in control of our future than we feel we are. It's at those moments when we start to believe a lie. The lie being 'you have no choice, so just accept it, put up with it, deal with it!' But that's far from the truth and it's what I want to remind you of today. You see, you may not have chosen the...
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Who can you inspire today and what will you inspire? Inspire someone to go a little further, smile a little brighter. Inspire another to love deeper and sing louder. Inspire with words and without words. Inspire through actions and through stillness. We all get to be an inspiration today. We all get to choose the way which we enter a room and what happens to the atmosphere in that room because we are there. Today - remember you can be an inspiration,...
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We are all preaching something with our everyday lives. The way we conduct ourselves when no one is watching, the way we speak when we don't know people are listening. The way we stay disciplined when no one is checking on us. The way we love when no one is loving us back. The power of a great message is not only found in its delivery but in its authenticity. Let's live out a far better message everyday, than in saying...
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What is it that makes you excited? What sort of days or events make you ‘lean in’ to what the future holds for you? It's always good to remember that while attributes like consistency, discipline, hard work, commitment, loyalty, truth, persistence may not appear exciting; these are the very qualities that make the exciting possible. No great adventure happens without greater preparation. No incredible parties take place without incredible planning and commitment. No amazing mountain top view is achieved without the...
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At this, the start of a new season, I think we need to realign our focus and decide what we spend our time on. “Dream Big, Work Hard, Stay Focused and Surround Yourself with Good People” Yep...
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When a pilot is preparing for a flight, they have a checklist of elements which all need to work together before take off in order for the flight to be successful and not stressful. They need a flight plan but also need the correct fuel. They need a trained and committed crew, the right amount of passengers and to ensure the weather conditions will not impede the flight. Today maybe you’re not flying as high or as fast as you want...
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Today my son asked me, 'why do we call good Friday good, when something so bad took place?' He understood the act of the cross but didn't like the name of the day, didn’t find it fitting. When Jesus endured the most cruel and undeserved death, it was hard for him to say that it was a good day. Yet when we take on heaven’s perspective we can see things differently, for that day was not random or unexpected. It...
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Here's a little challenging thought for you today! Sometimes you need to start your day with a deliberate choice! SO, I choose today not to dwell on the hours of hard work but on the privilege and honor of the call. It's my choice: Self pity or grateful heart. Worship or worry. Prayer of panic. Complaint or calling. Exhausted or excited. Your throughts drive your engine! Choose your fuel well today and you will find the day is a joy,...
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God is faithful so don't be fearful. Remind yourself today in the gap between where you are and where you want to be that God knows exactly where you need to be. Speak to your soul, tell it to sing in the silence. Tell your lips to confess 'You are faithful, Lord'. Read scriptures about His faithfulness. Words like: "But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." 2 Thess. 3:3. Focus on what's...
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Stretch marks! Maybe it's something you don't want in the natural, but I believe it is something you most definitely should not hide in the spiritual. As a leader in any area of life, in your home, family, work place we will all have times of incredible stretching. The stretch of feeling ill equipped for the task ahead. The stretch of learning new skills for a new environment. The stretch of following your dream and absorbing its expenses. Stretch marks...
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When I think of HOME I start with the front door, the initial welcome that anyone who comes to visit will find. Our world needs to know they are welcome and in a time when many are being told there is no place they can call HOME, surely the church must rise as never before and open wide it's hearts and doors. Let's build a life that says 'we were expecting you'. Let's have an entrance way that is fragrant...
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Here’s a thought for you today! Just in case you are tempted to spend this year looking for the short cut or the elevator to get you to where your heart desires; can I save you some time and suggest you take the stairs. Stairs are your friend in 2016, each step you take builds more strength into your story. The staircase will teach you the value of journey and the lessons in your progress....
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Where you allow compromise, you welcome confusion. Here’s the thing, any parent can tell you once you start negotiating and compromising values, bed times, responsibilities with your kids you will open the gates for lots of confusion manipulation and therefore misinterpretation. The same happens in all areas of our life. Being flexible and willing to change is CRUCIAL but that is very different from compromising. The enemy wants you to compromise, which means to give up ground. He would like you...
Read MoreOk, let's be honest here. I woke up with a flu and no voice and after just unpacking, I really don't feel like packing again to leave in the morning. But here's the truth. If I follow my feelings they would say: "Don't get up, don't go to work, don't bother doing what you have planned to do. They would tell me to feel sorry for myself, you can't do this, it doesn't matter anyway. Feelings are liars. They shout at...
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Expansion is something we can all seek. We want to increase our effectiveness, expand our future. We may pray for more opportunity, to take new ground. God wants to give us increase. Yet like every good parent he wants the growth you gain to be the growth you keep. He wants his kids to grow in strength not just height. He wants our lives to increase not just in opportunity but more importantly in maturity. Whenever growth and expansion comes...
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Focus leads to effectiveness. Decisions fuel our determination. Sometimes we simply need to clarify our commitment before we get confused by all the chaos any given day can bring. So today try answer these simple questions. What do you want to build? Your marriage, friendship, business, ministry? If so then make sure you do something that builds, be specific and use words that build, actions that build, build that person, marriage, area up today. Who can you help? A colleague,...
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So here is a thought for you today! As my 9yr old son is away with school rock climbing and caving today. And my 12yr old has gone sailing and high rope climbing. I am reminded again at 42 that we need to constantly be willing to 'Be Brave'. Both my kids were nervous about the activities they would be doing this week, but both got over their nerves and in so doing learnt new skills and are having the best...
Read Morehttps://vimeo.com/129880265 Wow so much to be thankful for. And so much to look forward to! You can recap pictures, highlights and memories on instagram, facebook and twitter. Here you can watch the highlight video from Cherish 2015! But hey, we are already planning 2016. So let's get booked in, girls! Thousands already on board and a few more weeks until the special offer ends. Wow wow wow friends from all over the world coming, guest speakers and even more to be...
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Hey friend don't ever forget you are called to live a BIG life. A life that reflects your creator, your GREAT God. A life that embraces the sunrise with a sense of hope and faith. And watches the sunset with a sense of peace and trust in the one who is for you, and has the days yet to come already planned and in his hands. Don't allow distraction and disappointment, Set backs and failures to lie to you that...
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Often we waste time complaining about the very things we could be changing. We use all our energy getting frustrated when we could take the same energy and make progress. We fail to end some conversations, begin some changes, draw a line on the negative and move our focus to the positive. If you don't like the job your in, the company your keeping, your overspending, over eating, over stressing. Then YOU have to decide to deal with it or...
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Sometimes the reason we are sinking is because we are trying to do Gods job instead of ours. We are all called to navigate our journey, steer the ship of our lives, direct the course of our heart and harness the power of our tongue. We are to encourage those in the water with us to keep rowing and keep moving forward, we can set a course as a leader and give instruction to those around us. Yet we can't...
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On the lead up to Easter I am overwhelmed again at what Christ did for you and I. He took his last breath on an agonizing cross, so we could take our first breath of freedom. Gods love knows no limits, he stopped at nothing to give us everything. The gift of Jesus and the surrender of his life is too amazing to fully comprehend. So for the next few days I recommend you take some time to breathe in...
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Honesty is one of the most disarming and beautiful qualities in a life. It's the power to be real that allows others to see the real power of God. It's our honesty at what we are not that shows all He is. It's our honesty that allows others to feel at home. Honesty removes leverage from the enemy, he can not hide in the darkness that honesty lights. Honest friends help you, honest parenting covers inadequacy. Honest conversations help bring...
Read MoreWhen King David was told he would not be the one to build the temple of God I imagine he was at first devastated. His dream, the plans he had held for years, the peace he had fought for so he could build, was now going to be passed to another. God handed the task of building the temple to Solomon. At that point David would have to make a choice, in reaction to his redundancy he could either slam...
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