What if instead of asking:
“What will I do when I retire?”
We ask: “What hill country is God still calling me to take?”
That’s the question Caleb wanted to figure out at 85. It should challenge and shape our faith today.
Great talk this morning at Ivy Church by Mary Thomason! This post adapted from my notes… What does Romans 12 teach us? Key Takeaways The Journey to Romans 12 Before Paul calls us to holy living in Romans 12, he takes us on a theological journey. He explains why we need a Saviour, who will be saved, and how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. Only then does he tell us what our response should be. This is the culmination of everything that comes before it. Your Body as Living Sacrifice “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Romans 12:1-2 The Power of “Therefore” Notice that word: therefore. It’s not just a transition – it’s a hinge. This “therefore” points back to everything Paul has […]
Christian growth is not automatically produced by information, imitation, or religious effort. Drawing on 30 years of church leadership, this guide explores how to grow as a Christian through the rhythm of Knowing, Growing, and Going – shaping faith that is rooted, resilient, and lived out in everyday life.
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.
A simple Christingle talk for families, rooted in John 1:1–5, exploring light, life and love at Christmas. Free to use in churches and schools.
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.
As I studied John 1 again, I noticed a pattern — a progression, that mirrors how someone comes to know God, grow in His love, and go out to make a difference. And I’m not saying this is like The Bible Code to start some conspiracy, but…
It matches perfectly with Ivy’s Discipleship Pathway!
DISCOVER → DELIVER → DEVOTE → DEVELOP → DEPLOY
Let’s walk through the passage and see how this unfolds.