Things That Make More Sense The Older I Get (includes – the best way to say NO I ever heard)

Photo by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash

Whenever I heard that Gordon MacDonald was visiting the UK, I’d go to hear him, take Zoe, and take notes. I have workbooks galore filled with his wisdom. Much of it was instantly applicable, but as the decades roll on now rather than just years when and if I find some of those notes I review them and want to underline them again, and look to whether I applied them. Do you ever do that? I look forward to the two of us talking about them again (we will soon), and when I get chance I’ll share some too whether to those I coach or on here. Some of these you will resonate immediately, others need to marinade – but this LIST I found today just makes more and more sense in my sixties than ever before (I think he’d just turned 80 when he shared this with us, and I was in my forties).  THE LIST – GORDON MACDONALD Good hey? There’s more… but now, SELAH… pause and calmly reflect… Digging deeper (this from the Question Time) Which comes […]

Sharpen the Saw, Save Your Soul.

It doesn’t happen overnight. It’s what sneaks up on you when you try to lead fast on an empty tank, putting your foot down just makes it worse! When you rely more on your natural gift than on God’s supernatural grace. When the engine of your ministry keeps running, but that warning light has been flashing red for miles…

How To Avoid Winning At The Wrong Game -Put First Things F.I.R.S.T.

Put first things FIRST:
F – Finances: Is God first in how I handle money?
I – Interests: Are my hobbies and habits helping or hindering my devotion?
R – Relationships: Are the people I’m closest to seeing Jesus in me more?
S – Schedule: Is my time aligned with my values or just my to-do list?
T – Troubles: Am I turning to God in prayer first when life hits hard?

The Commitments You Make, Make You.

Why Commitment Matters The word “commit” means to pledge, dedicate, and give oneself fully to a purpose. Yet, we live in a world that resists commitment. Many fear making commitments, worried they might miss out on something better. Ironically, the opposite is true—by avoiding commitment, we miss out on the greatest opportunities life has to offer. As I approach my 6th decade soon, I see looking back that everything that’s great in my life came on the other side of a commitment I have made and kept. The Bible reminds us: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways and should not think he will receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:8). History and experience show that those who accomplish great things do so because they fully commit. Nobody ever went out for a walk and found themselves at the top of Everest. You don’t accidentally achieve greatness; it requires intentional dedication. The Impact of Commitment in Ministry I write this blog with church leaders in mind – and hopefully you know that commitment is key to a thriving […]

Running your Race: Lessons on Spiritual Growth from Parkrun and Paul

In Christianity spiritual growth is not meant to be a solo endeavour – though there have definitely been times I wish it was because people are hard to love and I can be heard to live with!

New ‘Future Church Podcast’ Episode – Ness Wilson (Pioneer)- Unleashing the Word and Spirit through the church

It’s been a little while since I did a podcast but I have a few great new ones lined up so hit subscribe if you’ve not already done so. Ness is a great friend so full of wisdom I always enjoy meeting with her and I think that comes across as we talk. I’m so excited that she will be joining us again at LAUNCH this year, I made the mistake one year of not having her Keynote and trying to have her do a seminar instead and so many tried to cram in there I’ll not make the same mistake again this year! Book here now before the early bird misses the worm! Listen to the podcast here – or on your favourite streaming platform search for Future Church with Anthony Delaney

Church Without Walls – How To Build Missional-Attractional Church That Transforms Communities

The poor, the lost, the hurting, and the broken are not problems to be solved or burdens to be borne; they are gifts to us, because they help us experience God’s grace afresh as we meet Jesus in their faces