Hope that is strong and trustworthy

There is not a lot in our world that one can call, 'strong and trustworthy.' In fact, displays of power and strength are usually more abusive than trustworthy. However, when I read through the book of Hebrews, I was captivated by verse 19 in chapter 6. 

Hebrews 6:18-19 - So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. ¹⁹ This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Holding onto a Hope that is strong and Trustworthy seems like something that is worth holding onto. 

"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships." - Stephen Covey

Living in grace

D3LM3

Live life in Crescendo

 

Crescendo! 

What is a crescendo? In musical terms it is described as "a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music", while the dictionary says that it simply means: the loudest point reached in a gradually increasing sound.

The late, Dr Stephen Covey, had a motto that he lived by - Live Life in Crescendo. I love his thinking and it is inspiring to contemplate living our lives so that we hope to get better and better (or to have more influence). 

The subtext of the Crescendo is that the music (life) is not yet over! We have more to live for and we get ask God to take us further and higher, for his sake.

What does this word stir up in you?

"He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” - 1 Chronicles 4:10

Living in Grace

D3LM3

The Bigger YES

"You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically to say 'no' to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside." - Stephen Covey

As I read today's quote I am struck by how Jesus applied this principle in his life and work. He knew what he had been called to do and what his father wanted from him. Nothing was going to take him away from the path that lay before him, even if some of his followers were well meaning in their suggestions and remarks.

Matthew 16:23 - Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

What is your bigger YES? 

How difficult is it for you to remain focused on your goals?

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Making a decision

John Maxwell once said: "Life is a matter of choices - and every choice you make makes you."

What do you do when you are invited to 2 parties on the same day? Tough call to decide which is going to be the best to attend? In the case of Solomon the Hosts are key in his decision-making process. When he understands what the Host has in store for him, that is what defines his choice.

Wisdom invites him a feast, but so does 'Folly.' They both make their parties sound amazing, but in the end, Solomon knows that one of them is going to be very bad for him - it is actually lead him to experience hell on earth, while Wisdom's celebration will bring him LIFE. 

The foolish woman is loud;
    she is ignorant and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the high places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
    who are going straight on their way,
16 “You who are simple, turn in here!”
    And to those without sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
    and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But they do not know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are in the depths of Sheol." - Proverbs 9:13-18

Making tough choices can be a stressful exercise, but thankfully God gives us lots of direction.

"But until a person can say deeply and honestly, "I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday," that person cannot say, "I choose otherwise.” - Stephen R. Covey

Living in Grace
D3LM3