As the year opens, John 15 reminds us that vines grow through seasons, not constant progress. Pruning can feel brutal, tough soil can feel like the wrong place, and winter can feel empty – but the Father is the vinedresser. Hard ground doesn’t mean you’re misplaced -it may be preparing you for fruit still to come.
If disappointment isn’t dealt with at the end of the year, it doesn’t disappear – it comes with us. Here’s a biblical way to close one chapter before opening the next.
Some say AI will destroy the future of work.
Paul says ministry was never a job to begin with – it was a grace to steward.
AI can do admin.
It can’t administer God’s grace.
That distinction will matter – more than ever.
Something is stirring in our culture for those with eyes to see it. It’s an answer to prayer. It’s not a loud movement or a headline-grabbing revival, but a quiet turning of hearts. We are seeing people who would never call themselves religious asking deeper questions, reading the Bible, and finding themselves drawn toward Jesus. The story of the Magi reminds us that this kind of searching is not new. Long before they were imagined to be riding camels on Christmas cards and in carols, ancient seekers followed a faint light in the darkness, trusting there was more to life than what they could see. Their journey helps us understand why curious moderns today are finding God in remarkably similar ways.
The questions is not, ‘Do we run systems?’ We all will. Even chaos is a system!
The question is ‘Are the systems healthy?’
Delegation and empowering others is a vital aspect of effective leadership that can prevent burnout and promote a thriving ministry.
Leadership development is a journey that requires intention, planning, and a willingness to invest in others.
Fear tells you tomorrow is something to panic about.
Fear whispers that God won’t come through.
But Jesus says: “Do not be afraid, little flock.”
“It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
That means:
Nothing you face tomorrow surprises Him
Nothing comes without grace attached
No trial lacks the provision to overcome it
No need will find Him unprepared
Thought I’d throw out my recent sermon about why Advent is about more than waiting for Christmas – it’s about watching for Christ. Are you ready for Christmas?Probably not. Join the club. Are you ready for CHRIST?I hope so. From Bethlehem to the Beginning We all know the first Christmas happened at Bethlehem, but the truth is it was promised from the very beginning. Before the foundation of the world, God – who has good plans and purposes for us – knew we would need a Saviour. All of the Old Testament is the story of how He prepared the world for Jesus’ first coming. But Advent doesn’t begin at a manger.It begins with a message: He will come again. Every year at Ivy we like to do things a little differently, so we will talk about the second coming of Jesus before we rush to the Nativity, because we need to remember where the story is going: forward, not back. Knowing who Christmas is about helps us avoid going mad at Christmas. No need to plunge into the December debt spiral. Rein it in […]
One way or another one day you will be leaving. Nothing you can do will stop the onward march of time and each moment takes us nearer the point when we will no longer be part of life here. Since there’s nothing we can do to stop that process it would be wise to give at least some thought to preparing for the event when it occurs.
I believe Eric was the finest preacher to reach ordinary people that the nation has produced in his generation. He was also my spiritual Dad, and not just by his message but his mentoring, prayer and support.
I loved his laugh, and shared many of his heartfelt tears too as he prayed for the people. He was incredibly open as a Pastor to care deeply for people