| IF HE`D DIED SOONER ,HE WOULD HAVE LIVED LONGER….. Let me get this straight as an opener:I am NOT talking about the deceit and dangerous nonsense of so called holy martyrdom with its spurious and phony promises about celestial bliss ;nor am I writing of suicide in any form . What a terrible waste and how enormously sad ! This is an internal matter . An issue of the heart . The place where ego is king and I am the center and circumference of my world . It manifests in selfishness ,self (ego) preservation ,little or no concern for others ,and lack of 'human affection.'It looks like anger ,pride ,superiority,perfectionism ,judgments ,lust,vanity and violence . This title was given to me by a Pastor friend in UK who heard it from another preacher . So I cannot claim originality ! It`s in the context of Samson –one of the leaders in old Israel who spent his life in vanity ,lust and self centeredness. He also did outstanding feats that enhanced his reputation . In every crisis he faced ,his first reaction was to look after number one and to hell with the consequences . Finally ,blinded ,humiliated and with his once so impressive hair shaved off ,he called on the Lord ( as the hair began to grow again !) and gave up all hope of self preservation as he deliberately chose to please God first ,without regard to the outcome . He achieved more in last act than in the whole of his previous life according to the scriptures . The mystery is this:you 'lose'your life ,you find it . In 'dying to self',we gain freedom from the tyrannies that so dominate us . To be able to truly say:'Not my will ,but Yours be done ',is freedom ! If you`re the biggest part of your world ,your world is too small . Ego is too demanding and will take you down . This is part of what Paul says:'I identified myself completely with Christ . Indeed I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central . It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion and I am no longer driven to impress God . Christ live in me…..'That`s a much better and much bigger world to live in .. SO…FEET IN THE WATER …. Yesterday ,Bec and Dave together with Emma ,Gabriella and Ben ,flew away to begin a new life . That may sound far fetched ,but it`s true . Dave resigned the US Air Force as a Major with life long benefits ,to help us inaugurate our first g42 Leadership School in Mijas ,Malaga Spain . After a few days with Dave`s family in New Jersey ,they will land in Spain next Thursday afternoon . We are expecting our first Kitchen Table style class to begin in March . Check it out on the link on the right . This has been a long time coming . The next huge step in a dream ( A Part of God`s Dream ,we believe) to see a Generation move into Kingdom Inheritance . We long to raise and release Church Planters ,Mercy Homes Builders as well as encouraging a new generation of entrepreneurs to use their Gifts ,Passion and Life for the cause of Christ . We bless our Bec and Dave as they set off ,trusting the Lord with their young family on the next stage of Life`s Journey . Please pray for them . If you can support them ,please do . We miss them already . The house is quiet . Ben recovered from a broken leg (the result of a fall on the kitchen tiles ) in less than 4 weeks and the hospital removed the body brace a day before they left ! They`re crossing their Jordan –feet wet ,waiting for dry land to appear . It will ! You can`t beat the rush of stepping out into what is Unknown Territory . For those who have glimpsed The Far Country ,there is no alternative . Don`t be afraid to obey ,today ..No risk ,no adventure… LOOKING AHEAD… Here we are again ! Another one down and 2009 starting in just over 24 hours . Certainly wish and pray for a blessed and happy New Year for all our readers and friends. Change ,as ever ,is in the wind . Bec and Dave and the girls leave for Spain in 12 days . They will help us establish a g42 Leadership Training Center near Malaga in the South of Spain . We commence ,deo volente ,2 March . I`m anticipating being there the majority of my time . If you know of people who are sold out but need and want further discipleship and mentoring ,please get in touch . We plan and await God`s suddenlies and surprises ! And either way ,we`re fine ! The World Race continues to grow quickly and a generation is stirring.. As always ,we don`t know what the year will bring . Economically ,politically and socially we have to say that our World is well and truly messed up . Systems are broken and bankrupt and people are very scared . I do believe that this is a great opportunity for the Kingdom of God on the planet ,if we will rise up ,demonstrate integrity ,declare a viable alternative ,remind each other of true values and walk humbly before our God . As nearly all foundations are shaken and many smashed ,there is a palpable hunger for security and purpose . What`s it all about Alfie? On the day that we remembered 20 years in USA (16 Dec),one of my daily readings
was:“Now ,go lead the people to the place I spoke of..”( Exodus 32:34) This was spoken to Moses by God in circumstances that can only be described as dire and abjectly disappointing amid open rebellion and idolatry . Point is ,advancing and moving on is absolutely necessary and not an option ,despite what your eyes are seeing and you heart may be feeling . On my birthday (19 Dec) my reading was:'Increase &possess the land…”( Deut 8:1) No mention of circumstances ,resources ,obstacles or feelings . What was the catch ?? Only this:remember that God is God ,and obey what He says . Simple ,right ? I have my marching orders for 2009 . Lead what I have been given by the Lord to lead ;and move into greater inheritance and harvest ,as we increase and possess. For you Dear Friend:do not let any circumstance dictate the course of your decisions and actions this year ,find your courage and move forward . I mean ,if you can`t do anything else ,at least fall forward ! Don`t sit and die !
And as you trust God and obey Him ,move from surviving to thriving . Do what He`s asked you to do . Your giants are bread for you… ”There probably is no God…..”A Christmas reflection.. I was in UK a couple of weeks ago and saw a news item concerning an advertising campaign by ,I think ,an atheist or agnostic group . I only saw it in the distance and did not hear the commentary . But this is what the advert said emblazoned on the side of one of London`s famous red double deck buses:
“There probably is no God ,so stop worrying and enjoy yourself.” Before I go any further ,just think about your reaction as you read that ! I had two immediate reactions:Firstly ,let`s turn it around and say:“There probably is a God ,so stop worrying and enjoy yourself .” Secondly:Why is it that people who say they don`t believe as well as the average non church goer ,have the impression that God is bound to make you worry and wants to stop you enjoying yourself ?? That`s where the rub comes ,doesn`t it ? So much of 'The Church 'gives a pretty distorted view of The Father ,The Son and The Comforter Spirit . Somebody gave them that impression . Too often we hear angry dismissal ,intolerant judgments ,and threats of retribution when you don`t score enough brownie points . No loving hands or words of forgiveness . Or else we have a church that doesn`t know what it believes and wonders,say,how relevant the Bible is . No conviction ,no mountains worth dying on ,nothing much to follow ,so eat drink and be merry . So here`s what the Good Old Bible says about the season we call Christmas:”Hey!
I`m here with great news ,the best news ,really good news for you . Today ,a Savior has arrived who will show you the way ,forgive your sins and give you the best possible life . His Name is Christ the Lord! Follow Him to the Far Country with all your heart !”( My paraphrase edition.) ”For God didn`t send His Son into the world to condemn the world ,but to save the world through Him.”“For God so loved the world..” As Christ followers ,let`s reflect that to a confused and empty ,but searching world . People need the Lord . They need us to be God with skin on . There probably is a God….. 20 Years…. For those of you who are regular readers ,my apologies for the long gap since the last post . Life has been v hectic the last 3 weeks and I have also often been away from good on-line connections . Should do a lot better now ,at least for a few weeks . I`m home for the holidays and looking forward to catching up and maybe a bit of routine ! Tuesday ,just past ,16 Dec was the completion of twenty years for Mo and me and the family living in the USA. Tomorrow is my birthday . It has something to do with the old rock and roll song:'will you still need me ,will you feed me ,when I`m …?!!'Well ,will you …….? No worries ! I mention it ,because of the Word of the Lord that came to us as we were leaving UK which was about a period of twenty years . To do with the life of Jacob ,but prophetically put into the context of our lives . The word was confirmed to us after 14 years ,and word for word by 2 different Men of God 6000 miles apart . My Dad was also kept alive to see this day ,again part of the promise ,and he is 92 (!) . I am encouraged ,therefore ,yet again ,to believe that God does not lie and that every Word He speaks to us ,we can stake our life on it. NO better way to live than staking our lives on the Word God speaks to us. If you`re doing it ,you know ! To do with 'The Far Country 'and its strong allurement to our souls . Some ,of you ,are carrying an 'old'Word –been a long time ,maybe thinking about letting it go . Don`t ! You will reap ,if you do not faint . NO word that the Lord speaks will ever fall to the ground . HE is watching over it …and you ! ONE LINERS (PART 2) Continuing from the last blog…more words of wisdom:
“The more like Christ I am the more like ________ I am.”
“The devil has no weapons. The devil only has words,arguments and pretentions.”
“Are we really going to get the resources to build the house,or are we going to stay in Egypt making bricks?”
“You will either die,or be killed. Choose to die.”
“Hollywood's lie is to make you think you could have a life of adventure without risk.”
“It takes rocket fuel to go against gravity. You can live a long time on diesel,coasting through life or you can really LIVE.”
“You only learn when you don't know.”
“If you're always going to think through the same knowledge pattern,you'll never learn anything new.”
“If you're dead you can't be killed.”
“You have to be dead to be free,you have to be free to choose to be a slave.”
“Fear causes men's hearts to fail them.”
“Commit your whole life to the journey. Walk off the map into uncertainty.”
“Your better off a sinner being made righteous then remaining innocent.”
“There is no Plan B.–We are the best plan God ever had.”
“Don't compromise when God has spoken to you.”
“Well….to hell with the devil !”
“Three cheers for Jesus Christ…hip hip….” ONE LINERS (PART 1) Just finished an amazing Thanksgiving with family and friends and I am jetting off to Milton Keynes,England today. But I ran across these “one-liners”that Tara Bruce collected from me over the past months and days. Tara and Josh Bruce are two of this fantastic generation that we've been discovering and building over the past year during The World Race . They're also going to be attending an upcoming term at the G42 Leadership Academy in Mijas,Spain.
Here's the first half of the quotes:
“Deliverance comes in going forward. You just have to flat out decide. If you have a bad attitude change it. If you need to love someone just love them.”
“If you have already got to “thank you”don't go back to please.”
“You have been as holy and loving today as you decided to be”
“Shutup,get up and go!”
“You need a red hot heart,an ice cold brain,fire in your belly and steel in your backbone.”
“Take responsibility for the impression you give. Take responsibility for the impression they take.”
“Put Christ on. Choose until it becomes a habit and you become who you ARE! A lifetime of good habits will keep you alive.”
“Rise up man/woman of God!”
“There is a man/woman sent by God and his/her name is _______”
“My name is ________ and I am God's voice on planet earth and I have something to say and I am going to say it.”
“God's word in your mouth is the same as God's word in his mouth so speak it out.”
“You have chain breaking,mountain moving,prison door opening,deliverance bringing,death to life words in your mouth.”
“You have the power of life and death on your tongue. Speak Life.”
“If you are not under authority you have no authority.”
“We win this thing!”
“Don't worry about doing. BE. It is all about being. If you are living as you were created,God with skin on,your life would be brilliant.”
“Be done with yourself!”
“You need to get to the place where you don't want to go anywhere else then with God.”
“Gotta work it. No more easy pickings. Move the obstacles out of the way. Kill some giants and be self sufficient in Christ.”
“You were created to turn chaos into Eden.”
“This is not whistling Dixie.”
“You deserve what you tolerate. Do something about it.”
“You can't sin enough to make God stop loving you.”
“The number one reason you are on planet earth is to BE LOVED by God.”
“Some of you have been so busy chasing God that you forgot that God is chasing you.”
“This is about the house. Whose is the house?”
“Heaven is not the destination. You've already got heaven,the eternal DNA of God living inside of you. You are a daughter/son of the living God. The destination is the King of the Kingdom of the living God.”
“I am the keeper of God's dream.”  TRANSITION… Yesterday ,I had the privilege of serving my friend Michael Hindes and Cross Current Church in Port Huron MI as he handed the headship of the Church to a son and daughter in the Lord . I have participated in a number of these and I am always thrilled . It`s one of the main reasons we do what we do . Next generation . Increased inheritance . Fresh ,bold ideas and the energy of youth . Honoring the ones passing the baton . Marvelous ! Ministry truly is about reproducing disciples for Christ who can be trusted with the inheritance . Multiplication not addition ! What a transition . In the morning Mo and I leave very early for Thailand . We`ll join with the Barnes and the Hindes as we graduate the next squad of World Racers as they finish their 11 month odyssey of adventure . We`ll continue working with them as they plan the next steps in their life . Some will feel that they are members of this tribe ,some will return home to Men of God who can get them to where they desire to go and some will still be waiting on the Lord . Our prayer ,as for all Racers,is that they make the most of their gifts and skill set to advance God`s Kingdom on earth with a Christlike character and attitude . They will certainly be in transition. Being available for and unresistant to transition is a key for those who have 'set their heart on pilgrimage.'( Ps 84) It`s never too late . You may feel as though your opportunity has come and gone . Nothing of the sort ! Don`t forget the #1 regret of older guys and gals is that 'wished they had risked more.'I was speaking with a 55 yr old friend yesterday . He told me that he had just shared with his good wife that it`s time to sell up and set off ! Think about it . You might just turn the valley of weeping into a place of living water and go from strength to strength –same Psalm . Say again ,it`s never too late .. 
You can view also view this at G42Global.org. TAKING RESPONSIBILITY… My friends and I are working a great deal with the generation of Twenty somethings . They are ,on the whole ,brilliant . Don`t seem as materialistic as we Boomers ,more community oriented ,wanting to experience and not just learn about and wanting to be mentored and not just lectured . Willing to be wrecked for the ordinary . They have some difficulty with decision making and long term commitment . This is part of our challenge as 'fathers'in the faith . The lack of these two latter characteristics is something I continually think about . And ,of course ,how to help remedy it . Just one thought ,then ,today . Take responsibility . This can mean a lot of different things to different people ! I`m thinking of it like this ,these days . Take responsibility ,by having at least one other human being on planet earth looking to you as life source . I know ,I know ,the Lord Himself is our complete Life Source ,but I think you know what I mean ! Somebody needing you to be strong ,constant ,having words of Life and encouragement to share ,living filled with hope to lift the despairing ,acts of kindness and selflessness –a life source . But to a real person ,with a Name ,day in ,day out ,night in ,night out. That`s responsibility and will demand decisiveness and commitment ! God`s life ,flowing through you ,helping to bring dead things alive and turning barrenness into Eden`s beautiful bounty . A list starts with ONE name –I read the other day:Lasting change starts in first gear ,not overdrive . Who`s on your list? |
