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living in the real world

thehutch — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:39:13 +0000

One of the dangers of the internet world is that we see things in extreme – things are either brilliant or dreadful. We can look at friends facebook profiles and can ponder in jealousy at the amazing lives that people have whilst getting upset that we are unable to match their levels. Problems can then befall and our false assumptions may make us wonder why it ‘always happens to us’but for others life is seemingly a smooth journey of constant rejoicing.

The truth of life is somewhat different – we all face times of difficulty, struggle, pain, triumph and success. Admittedly, they may be in different measure but we all face them, the challenge comes from how we address them.

Chasing the Dream

thehutch — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:21:19 +0000

It is possible to have dreams, get excited about dreams and hope for a better future. However, the dream is fairly meaningless unless action is taken. You may as well stay asleep.
The point of dreaming is that it provokes you to action, changes the norm and makes things different.
Dream dreams but do not remain asleep – move forward and take action.

It’s Not My Age!

thehutch — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 18:59:38 +0000

It’s Not My Age, originally uploaded by thehutch.

One of the most difficult things for older leaders is the ability to allow younger leaders space to grow and develop. I think that this has as much to do with pride as anything.
Hoping that my pride yields to humility more quickly than I have experienced

positive contributions

thehutch — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:39:38 +0000

Sometimes you can come across things that make a positive contribution, can be simple yet so profound. This morning I have been reading about;

Make Lunch, Get lunch

They are brilliant – check out both sites

do leaders listen……?

thehutch — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:24:07 +0000

One view of the church….., originally uploaded by thehutch.

One of the dangers of leadership in this modern digital age is losing the ability to listen in order that we may hear and act.
Over the last few weeks, I have spoken, emailed and txt a leader at a church with information and they were ‘seemingly accepted. Today, I discover that the relevant communications have been ignored/forgotten and so another email trail begins.
In leadership, we need to demonstrate the value of people – a major component is listening, hearing and then acting. If we ignore or forget, we will soon discover that we become a leader with no followers.

Grilled

thehutch — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:34:05 +0000

Grilled, originally uploaded by thehutch.

walking in the sand

thehutch — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:19:52 +0000

written in the sand, originally uploaded by thehutch.

…..the leaving of Liverpool

thehutch — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:22:28 +0000

…..the leaving of Liverpool, originally uploaded by thehutch.

Retreating @yws11

thehutch — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:06:28 +0000

It was a long fifteen years ago that I engaged in a 24hr retreat set up by YFC and led by Mike Yaconelli. It was a turning point moment that challenged my very being to the core. My commitment was to have a retreat like this every year.

The follow up to this is in Manchester 2011, where Mark Yaconelli led a retreat. It was similarly encouraging and challenging. With a much larger group of people it was less intimate but still had some powerful moments. The afternoon was a bit more “touchy feely” which is not my scene but that does not negate its impact.
The challenges and questions that I face are not for sharing here – too personal – but it was a day well spent, a day that encouraged the soul and a day that requires me to take some action.

Big thanks to the youthwork team for setting it up, much appreciated.

who am I?

thehutch — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:57:52 +0000

hoodie, originally uploaded by thehutch.

my age does not prevent me from fighting and looting
my clothes do not determine who I am
the money in my wallet does not make me rich or poor

No, it is….
the choices made
the character I have become
the principles I uphold
all of this founded on the one who rescued me

……there but for the grace of God, go I.