I must admit I'm in a dilemma this morning. I'm not sure if I'm ecstatic about the support being shown for Christchurch or embarrassed by it. Now please hear my heart everyone who is actively involved in supporting the relief effort in Christchurch is simply amazing. Right now I send out my blessings and respect to you all - you are doing something so special and loving it is awesome!
But I'm just not so sure about who is getting involved and who is not. If I was to put out a survey now through my Facebook or put an add in the newspaper asking for feedback on who is actively involved in the Christchurch relief effort, what would the response be?
Is everyone in New Zealand giving money or sending food or involved in any one of the amazing charitable projects out there supporting Christchurch. There are so many creative ways people are doing to raise support. Surely there is something for everyone.
But we cannot know who is supporting and who is not. Is it 10% of New Zealanders or 50%?
On TV One news this morning the reporter said that although the media publicity was huge about this event, many people were still not getting the message about what to do.
What we can do is make sure each one of us is doing our bit to help.
I'm making today "National Ask around the Office Day!"
Why not ask your boss if you can make a quick announcement or go round the office asking if everyone is aware of the opportunities to support the Christchurch relief effort. If you know of some worthy causes then promote them today.
If nothing comes to mind then at least ask people to contribute to this relief fund:
http://www.indiegogo.com/Christchurch-Earthquake-relief-fund?c=activity
The proceeds will be shared between the Salvation Army fund and the Mayoral fund.
Make today the day you take some action in your workplace to get everyone involved in supporting Christchurch.
And have an awesome day.
Cheers
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
I'm not a fan of fatalistic Christianity in Business....
I was talking with some business guys yesterday about having a vision/dream from God for a business and we got talking about "timing" of the vision. How do we know when to move ahead with a vision from God and commit to it? Many people would say pray and ask God - which of course is vital, but many Christians pray and wait until they die without having made any progress on their God given vision/passion.
Now I'm a "action" type of guy so sitting around and waiting is not my strength. But rushing on with the project trying to make the vision happen is equally unwise.
I'm a door pushing type of person and that's how God seems to work with me. So I'm not looking for a bolt of lightening (although that would be nice sometimes!) but I am listening for and looking for God to guide me with small steps. Sometimes it a new connection from out of left field that opens a new door. Other times it is a "Word" from a friend or colleague that brings "peace" about a direction I'm taking.
We are called to co-labour with God. So sometimes He is labouring for me and other times I have to do some of the work. Then there are times when nothing seems to be happening so I have to rest in God and trust that He is doing something or positioning someone before we can make more progress.
I'm not a fan of what I call fatalistic Christianity however. The old song "Que Sers Sera, whatever will be will be" just doesn't cut it with the nature and character of God. Teenagers I know might say "whatever" but I don't believe He is the God of "whatever!"
If it is a genuine dream or vision or passion of God then there will be a plan and timing from God at some point as well. There will be signs along the way to lead us towards that goal.
We should not sit back with the attitude "that vision from God was cool" and then let God do all the work. Quite frankly that will get you no where and God will probably look for someone else to complete the task if you won"t engage Him, co-labour with Him.
One final thought about visions and completing them with God. Kevin Dedmon said at a resent conference I attended, "God doesn't reward success, He rewards risk." I feel he was saying don't focus on the end result but on the journey. God wants to work with us and play with His children. It is the playing and co-labouring that God enjoys - not just the result. This is a Grace filled point that may bring freedom to encourage you to get active with what God has put on your heart without the pressure that YOU MUST complete it. That is up to God but whether you participate with God is up to you.
Now I'm a "action" type of guy so sitting around and waiting is not my strength. But rushing on with the project trying to make the vision happen is equally unwise.
I'm a door pushing type of person and that's how God seems to work with me. So I'm not looking for a bolt of lightening (although that would be nice sometimes!) but I am listening for and looking for God to guide me with small steps. Sometimes it a new connection from out of left field that opens a new door. Other times it is a "Word" from a friend or colleague that brings "peace" about a direction I'm taking.
We are called to co-labour with God. So sometimes He is labouring for me and other times I have to do some of the work. Then there are times when nothing seems to be happening so I have to rest in God and trust that He is doing something or positioning someone before we can make more progress.
I'm not a fan of what I call fatalistic Christianity however. The old song "Que Sers Sera, whatever will be will be" just doesn't cut it with the nature and character of God. Teenagers I know might say "whatever" but I don't believe He is the God of "whatever!"
If it is a genuine dream or vision or passion of God then there will be a plan and timing from God at some point as well. There will be signs along the way to lead us towards that goal.
We should not sit back with the attitude "that vision from God was cool" and then let God do all the work. Quite frankly that will get you no where and God will probably look for someone else to complete the task if you won"t engage Him, co-labour with Him.
One final thought about visions and completing them with God. Kevin Dedmon said at a resent conference I attended, "God doesn't reward success, He rewards risk." I feel he was saying don't focus on the end result but on the journey. God wants to work with us and play with His children. It is the playing and co-labouring that God enjoys - not just the result. This is a Grace filled point that may bring freedom to encourage you to get active with what God has put on your heart without the pressure that YOU MUST complete it. That is up to God but whether you participate with God is up to you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Networking, relationships, partnering, encouraging.......
I am constantly astounded with the willingness of strangers to help a good cause. We have sen it every day in the reporting of the "love and encouragement" being given by so many to those in need in Christchurch.
One of the joys of this journey with "I'm a WorldChanger" is the total strangers who initially responded for a call for help or perspective who are now becoming encouragers of my projects and I feel one day friends.
God is so good at bringing together and forming "family" in everything we do. So why not bring family to the workplace or to the people working together on common passions like WorldChangers. God is so over function in the church and in his believers. Not that we function in the body, no that is vital, but how we find our value and purpose in function rather than our position as sons and daughters of God. When we become focused on function we can become performance driven, legalistic and combative. When our goal is family there is always grace. We function out of love and serve willingly.
This next two weeks is very exciting for me as several of my initiatives are taking shape. I'm meeting with several key people for my "Dreaming with Purpose" conference in August. The website and promotional material start being worked on this week. Today I have the first full strategic planning meeting for the IFF project.
And yet as I meet all these wonderful, skilled people I will keep one thing in mind always. These people are firstly and for-mostly my family in the Lord. My relationships and friendships with them will last into eternity but these projects will not.
So "chill out" Kim! You hanging out with some awesome people this week. Enjoy it and maybe, just maybe God might bless it and get the job done!
One of the joys of this journey with "I'm a WorldChanger" is the total strangers who initially responded for a call for help or perspective who are now becoming encouragers of my projects and I feel one day friends.
God is so good at bringing together and forming "family" in everything we do. So why not bring family to the workplace or to the people working together on common passions like WorldChangers. God is so over function in the church and in his believers. Not that we function in the body, no that is vital, but how we find our value and purpose in function rather than our position as sons and daughters of God. When we become focused on function we can become performance driven, legalistic and combative. When our goal is family there is always grace. We function out of love and serve willingly.
This next two weeks is very exciting for me as several of my initiatives are taking shape. I'm meeting with several key people for my "Dreaming with Purpose" conference in August. The website and promotional material start being worked on this week. Today I have the first full strategic planning meeting for the IFF project.
And yet as I meet all these wonderful, skilled people I will keep one thing in mind always. These people are firstly and for-mostly my family in the Lord. My relationships and friendships with them will last into eternity but these projects will not.
So "chill out" Kim! You hanging out with some awesome people this week. Enjoy it and maybe, just maybe God might bless it and get the job done!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)