Bible verses that sting me (part 1) May 1, 2013
Posted by thehutch in personal, ponderings.Tags: bible, dreams, faith, hope, jesus, life, lifestyle, living, service, truth
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As a Christian, I seek to listen to and understand what the Bible is teaching and make attempts, though not always successful, at putting its truth into practice. There are some verses that trouble me because they challenge me. Two such verses are;
“if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18)
Those verses hit me right between the eyes! Imagine that, sharing my possessions with people in need. Using the things I possess to help and support others. How willing am I to do this type of thing? It is not something that is easy, in fact it is probably something that I should be more willing to do, but my selfish nature does not allow it.
There have been some occasions in my life where I have been good, on one occasion insuring my car for a time so that a neighbour had transport when her car was unusable. It was right to do but the surprise for me was that it was members of the church who had the greatest objection. They were horrified that, as the Youth Minister, I would be so free with my possessions and not more protective. We obviously had not shared enough from 1John in our church!
What about our money? What about our homes? Our computers? Our mobile phones? Our treasures are in heaven, not on earth, where moth, rust and decay settle in, yet we can be so hesitant. God’s gifts are given to be used in His service, not for us to hoard and control for our own ends only. A truth that is far easier to hold in theory than in practice. I have all the excuses, all the reasons why I should keep hold of things for myself but justifying them is more difficult.
I long to live out these things in a better way, thankfully it is a journey and Gods grace is sufficient to help me through my failings, meanwhile, these verses continue to challenge me to the core.
Fighting to stay afloat April 28, 2013
Posted by thehutch in thoughts.Tags: battle, canoe, life
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Watching the GB selection races at Lee Valley is a visible and physical demonstration of life….the currents twist and turn and attempt to push you off track but with skill and determination, it is possible to direct a pathway through these things and come out the end rejoicing.
I am full of admiration for these competitors and in watching them, learned a valuable lesson in life.
The world is different now April 9, 2013
Posted by thehutch in thoughts.Tags: change, life
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Have you ever experienced one of those moments when everything changes? There is no going back, things will never be the same, life will be different now.
Life is full of moments like this but some of them are easier to take in our stride than others. Do not mourn the past, enjoy it and build upon it. The past is the foundation for today whilst today is the building blocks for tomorrow.
Balancing Act April 4, 2013
Posted by thehutch in doodle, ponderings.Tags: balance, doodle, life, work
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There are times in life when things can seem like quite a balancing act. For some people, faith can be like that too!
In truth, the fruit of our faith is not about being a balancing act, rather, it is an extension of who we are. Take the pressure off yourself, be you! After all, you are the only one who can.
Serving? May 22, 2012
Posted by thehutch in thoughts.Tags: life, servanthood, serving
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How easy is it to serve with no agenda? Is it possible?
Service is regularly bound by preset agendas, it is unavoidable. The question is whether we are serving on behalf of others best interests or whether we are seeking to serve our own.
Quote Frenzy March 30, 2012
Posted by thehutch in quotes.Tags: boss, fear, leader, leadership, life, philosophy, quotes
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To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do, rather than what they say.” Descartes
“Just because you are the boss doesn’t mean you are the source of all knowledge.” J. Welch
“Fear-based repentance makes us hate ourselves. Joy-based repentance makes us hate the sin.” Timothy Keller
“True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leaders.” R. Townsend
Quote Day Bonanza March 9, 2012
Posted by thehutch in quotes.Tags: disraeli, kung fu panda, life, opportunity, preparation, prepare, quotes, success, wise turtle, wooden
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“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time, when it comes” B.Disraeli
“When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare” J.Wooden
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That is why it is called the present” Wise Turtle in Kung Fu Panda
living in the real world January 30, 2012
Posted by thehutch in ponderings, Uncategorized.Tags: challenge, failure, life, success, triumph
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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.
surfs up November 29, 2011
Posted by thehutch in church, question, thoughts.Tags: advent, church, life, season, surf, wait, waiting, waves
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ever get one of those days when you are ready to surf but the waves are just not there?
It can be most frustrating….the waiting. That is the advent season…..a time of waiting.
Be patient, the waves will come!
ministry “over management” September 20, 2011
Posted by thehutch in brueggemann, personal, theology, thoughts.Tags: faith, God, life, management, ministry, stifle
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One of the dangers in any work is “over management”. So often, there are attempts at controlling work, maximising revenues and increasing efficiencies, that we draw things closer and manage things tightly. This may inhibit creativity, work flow and the general excitement of team growth, more importantly, it may strangle faith.
In ministry “over management” can be stifling. We see in the Old Testament that the people of Israel, when arriving at the borders of the promised land, were warned to remember their God, the God who sustains, the God who provides, the God who is faithful. However, as they settled in the land, they forgot their God, relied on the land to sustain them and thereby forfeited those things that had been so longed for. Why was this?
The land was given as a gift, not as a possession. The land was owned by the creator and therefore the people needed to manage the land in a way that recognised ownership – instead they “over managed” the land as if it was their personal possession. It came to a point where they lost the land and were driven into exile.
What does this mean for ministry? It causes us to stop and remember that our ministry does not belong to us – it belongs to God. Remember who the rightful owner is – manage it appropriately, to enhance and not possess. Honour the owner of the work – remember faith is integral to all that we do. This is a challenge but it enables us to honour the Creator God – management is important but not to the point were we stifle those good things that need space to grow.
Easier said than done…..but I will keep trying!
