Introvert or Extrovert

Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert? Come on, you can't be undecided - you will be one or the other! If you need a definition of these terms before you make up your mind then go to this link.

Many Extroverts struggle to spend time alone - they need to be in the company of people. Most Introverts delight in time away from the crowds - they come alive when left alone. Andrew Bonar argues that we can grow in grace by spending time alone, in quiet reflection. Read his thoughts and see how you feel about it:

"In order to grow in grace, we must spend a great deal of time in quiet solitude. Contact with others in society is not what causes the soul to grow most vigorously. In fact, one quiet hour of prayer will often yield greater results than many days spent in the company of others. It is in the desert that the dew falls freshest and the air is most pure."

Do you find this to be true? Is this perhaps why Jesus spent so much time alone with his father in prayer?

What do you need to do in order to make "an hour of quiet prayer" possible?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Risk

Most people don't like risk. It scares us. It makes us anxious when we move out of our comfort zones. However, the greatest irony in the area of risk and faith is this:

• When we risk something for God, our faith comes alive!

I seen this so often in my own life, as well as in the lives of others. Faith can become boring if we just go through the motions and get into a rut. Then faith moves dangerously into the territory of 'religion.' When I read the Gospels, and even the book of Acts, I constantly see 'RISK' - it is a complex thing, but being a Christ-follower involves risk.

"We risk for him to the degree that we know we are loved by him." - Brennan Manning

May you risk something for Jesus today.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Alpha 2013

We launched our 2013 Alpha Course last nght and we had such an amazing time - it was a real blessing to be part of this great ministry. If you have never experienced a Alpha course then sign up at your local Church next time they run it - you won't regret it.

The content of the course gives you a wonderful chance to ask questions about life, faith and anything else. The intention of Alpha is not to 'convert' you to a particular denomination, but rather to get people speaking about Christianity. The thing that this course does well is allow space for people to speak about faith, in a relaxed environment. Sharing in a meal is the perfect way to put people at ease and to converse. These are things that we can't always do in a 'usual' church service and that's perhaps why many folk love Alpha.

Perhaps the most debate with Alpha comes later in the course, during the sessions on the Holy Spirt. Although this is hardly controversial - it just gets people to speak about the most neglected person of the Trinity (the Spirit) in a focussed way. In my opinion, we need to understand the person and work of the Spirit more and more - afterall it is the role of the Spirit to change our lives, to bring life and to guide us into all truth.

Anyway, just wanted to give you a little update on the course - God bless you this week.
Know that God loves you and that He has your back!

 “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” - C.S. Lewis

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Bear Gryllis on Christianity

Bear Gryllis is known for his television series, Man versus Wild (Born Survivor) and has written a number of books, detailing his hectic adventure stories (Mud, Sweat and Tears is a great read by the way). What some people don't know is that he is also a committed Christian and is often used as a spokesperson for the Alpha Course.

This is what he has to say about his faith:

"This really is the heart of what I found as a young teenager: Christ comes to make us free, to bring us life in all its fullness. He is there to forgive us where we have messed up (and who hasn’t), and to be the backbone in our being. Faith in Christ has been the great empowering presence in my life, helping me walk strong when so often I feel so weak."

May Christ be an empowering presence in your life today and always.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Reflect and be inspired

Why don't you take a few minutes to reflect on these words and be inspired. Saint Teresa of Avila knew a lot about life, hope, suffering and love. May God bless you as you read these words.

To have courage for whatever comes in life - everything lies in that.

 For prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.

 Pain is never permanent.

May you find God in your situation today. Be still and understand that God is only a prayer away.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Crusades

Every year I teach a few classes on the Crusades, at the Seminary. And every time I share about that dark period in the history of Christianity, I feel more bleak and horrified. That 200 year period reveals the dark-side of our human nature and how easy it is for people to call themselves 'Christians', yet live such godless lives. It kind of forces me to take a deep look at myself and to see if there is anything 'dark' or 'hidden' in my own motives and life. For we all fall short of the glory of God...

Of course, not all of the crusaders were barbaric and ungodly - there were many who sincerely wanted to see Jerusalem won for the Christian community, and they weren't prepared to kill for that ideal. Sadly, they seemed to be a minority voice, calling out among numerous princes, knights, popes and lords, all seeking their own agenda.

I am not sure whether I am comfortable with the first part of this next quote. The second part is good and true, but the first part is contentious. What do you think?

"The triumphs of the Crusades were the triumphs of faith. But faith without wisdom is a dangerous thing." - Sir Steven Runciman

Let me know what's on your mind. God bless.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

A King is born!

It is not often in my lifetime that I have been able to say, "a king is born!" And so it has come to pass that in our time a future king has been born - one who may rule over the British Royal family and all those who love the notion of Royalty. It is incredible to see how the world has been swept up in the birth of this little guy and it is going to be tough for him to live in the public eye all the time. I do pray that he is shielded from the expectations of millions and is allowed to be a child for a while.

By the way, any bets that the new king will be called something traditional or weird? I bet he won't be called "Delme" - any takers?

Of course, as Christians we know that this is not the first time a King has been born. Jesus was born to much less fan-fare yet has gone on to change the world. His life has inspired millions to live to a different drumbeat and to follow the way of Love. And it is true (I believe) that even the new baby, son of William and Kate, will one bow his knee to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

Here is my closing thought:
No king can truly rule with justice, mercy and integrity, unless he is willing to submit to the ultimate King - Jesus.

Living in Grace
D3LM3