Half Time

Hey,
If you are a sports fan then you will know all about Half Time. No game is won or lost by the time the teams trudge into the break - no one gets any prizes for being ahead at the half time whistle. We all know that any game can turn on its head before the final whistle. How many times have we watched our own teams throw a game by losing the plot just b4 the end. My sincere prayer and hope is that I will continue my Christian journey until Full-Time. That is how I am trying the play the game - I am pacing myself, walking alongside the Lord. Part of that process is taking time out from time to time and that's what I am doing right now. In fact, I am at the half way point in my holiday. I am still feeling pretty tired, but I pray that the Lord will refresh me and give me passion for the remainder of 2008. The Best is yet to Be! If you are interested in ready on the subject of Halftime, read Bob Buford and Gordon Macdonald - they have both written excellent books on this topic.
Stay close to the King!
Living in Grace,
Delme

Dead Leader Running!

I remember watching a talk entitled 'Dead Leader Running' a while ago (I think it was on one of the Willow Creek Leadership Summits). Anyway, the title of that talk couldn't be more appropriate - That is me, right now - a dead leader running. If I was a motor car, you'd have to push me to the petrol station, cos I am out of gas! Tomorrow's leave can not come fast enough.

The one thing that struck me about the leadership talk was how many of us minister out of places of tiredness. I wonder how much more effective our ministries would be if we genuinely rested and took a sabbath? I know that in my life, the most powerful and focused sermons I have preached, have come out of times of rest. It is in these times that the Lord really restores my soul and speaks new 'words' into my spirit.
Life gets the better of us and before we know it we need to pull over for a while - the rest and recharging is vital for our lives.

As I spend a few days on leave, I pray that my "soul would catch up with my body" and that I would be revitalised for the final months of 2008. They are going to be huge months, filled with many awesome and challenging events. Lord I place myself into your hands.

God Bless. Living in Grace,
Delme

What's Important?

This afternoon I have to lead a memorial service for a middle-aged father who ended his life prematurely! Like most ministers/pastors I do not find this kind of thing easy to do. It always brings up so many questions in my own mind. On a slightly positive angle it certainly shakes me up enough to force me look at my own life and to re-evaluate what is important. Kim and the boys certainly get bigger hugs on days like today. Life is a precious gift - it is here today, but can vanish in a breath.
"Over and over again, we lose sight of what is important and what isn't" - Epictetus
Make today count, my friends.
Living in Grace,
Delme

How big is my view of God?

I have been preparing for the service on Sunday and I have been reading about a guy called Jehoshaphat. He is an awesome guy - check out 2 Chronicles 20 for an idea of how much he trusted in the Lord. Even though he was facing a huge obstacle, he trusted that God would pull through for him and the people of God. I found this quote which I am using alongside the sermon - it blew me away.
“Lord, I crawled across the barrenness to You with my empty cup. Uncertain, in asking any small drop of refreshment. If only I had known You better, I’d have come running with a bucket.” – Nancy Spiegelberg
Think about that!
Be Blessed,
Living in Grace,
Delme

Back on track

Yes, I know! I have neglected my blog, but I hope that will soon be a thing of the past - I am back on track! This reminds me of my relationship with God - there are days when I seem to lose my way and forget to communicate effectively with Him. I go on my own mission and He patiently waits for me to return to Him. I am just totally awestruck by His grace. Living in the light of His grace is indeed a gift. I certainly don't deserve all the chances Jesus gives me, but I rely on His Grace.
May you have a blessed day.
Living in Grace,
Delme

Walking on Water

Hey there! It's been a while since I last posted anything and that is purely down to having a hectic Easter period and being involved in a Youth Camp over the Easter holidays. Being part of the camp experience again was totally awesome and even though I felt "old" sometimes, I appreciated the immense value in investing in the spiritual lives of the young teens. I have just started reading a great book by John Ortberg, 'If you want to walk on water you've got to get out of the boat.' Wow, this book is really challenging and I find that it is speaking to me on a whole number of different levels. I will have to share some of these insights with you in the weeks to come. First thought though - Why is it that we so seldom take risks? Is it because of our personality types? Is it because we are afraid of the "F" word - failure! Or is it that we are just far to comfortable with where we are in our spiritual lives and in our relationships with others. I'm not sure about you, but I want to be person who is willing to "walk on water" or at least to say I have tried it. We usually reflect back on the incident where Simon Peter starts to walk on water and then realises that he is hectically out of his comfort zone and starts to sink. We focus on Jesus' words "You of little faith. Why did you doubt?" However, we miss what Jesus could have said to him, but which is not recorded in Scripture. Perhaps, Jesus said, "Well done dude, at least you tried!" or "Hey bud, at least there are two of us who can say we have walked on water!" Im sure that Jesus was chuffed that Peter at least got out of the boat. The other 11 guys were so afraid they were literally clinging onto each other and praying that they would survive the storm. From that day on Peter had bragging rights that the other disciples never had - "I got out the boat and I walked on water...even if it was only for a short time."
Let's try and live in the moment and take worthy risks. Enjoy walking on water!
Have a great day.
BDT.

Learner Dad

Hi there fellow bloggers. Just starting out on my blogging adventure and have to admit I feel a little intimidated. Posting my thoughts on the internet is almost as scary as having a child.I have two boys and if I can 'live the adventure' with them, then blogging should be a breeze! Anyway, I look forward to linking up with fellow dads and sharing thoughts on raising kids in the 21st century.

I remember going for my driving test, as if it were yesterday (and believe me it was many years ago). Taking the big "L" off the back of my car window was such an awesome feeling. It was as if I was walking ten feet tall. I drove around imagining that everyone was staring at me and commenting on what an awesome driver I was. However, soon my bubble burst and I realised that no one actually cared that I was on the road (well, that excludes my mom, who was probably praying furiously the whole time.) So, what does driving have to do with being a dad? Nothing, really, except that everyday I wake up feeling like I am a "learner dad." I think to myself, "well, I learnt so much yesterday, what will I learn today?" The reality of being a "learner dad" is that I 'm not sure I will ever shake off the big "L" that all new dads wear. I don't know what you think, but I realise that I'm in this life-long-learning experience called 'fatherhood.' Somedays I feel that I've arrived and that I am the world's best dad, but as soon as I reach those dizzy heights I plummit to the pit of reality and realise that I am a real "shocking" dad. What a roller-coaster ride! Anyway, being a dad is still the most awesome blessing in the world and I am willing to plough through the frustrating moments as long as I can continue to experience the privilege of hearing the words "I love you dad!"
Live the moment.
BDT