All posts tagged: Purpose

Do ‘big’ dreams make a difference?

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“All things are possible to him who believes!” (Mark 9:23 ESV) Does believing for big things make a difference in our walk with God? Well, a recent survey conducted by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) has concluded that thinking big makes a difference when it comes to church planting and church growth, Christian Post reports. The ECFA conducted a survey of new church plants in order to determine the best strategies for growth. Many of these involved plants by larger multi-site churches and other denominations. One aspect that the survey uncovered is that the group’s vision of success does seem to make a difference in how successful the church will ultimately be. The study came to this conclusion after comparing the end results of those groups who expected their church would multiply by ten times in five years, with those who did not believe their church would multiply in five years. The survey found that those who had big dreams grew ten times faster than those who didn’t While the big-vision churches reported …

Three words revealed God’s purpose and plan for this man’s life

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God has a plan and purpose for every person and I saw an example of this in a heartwarming story involving Doug Provenzano who coaches football in the West Valley Army Youth football in Litchfield Park, Arizona. Faithit writes that Provenzano has coached hundreds of kids (5 to 14 years of age) over the years, but in a post on Facebook, he wrote of one young boy that God sent into his life. God had a plan and a purpose for Provenzano. In 2016, a young third-grader named Marquise showed up with a tattered shirt, one sock, and a “hair cut that was 5 months past due.” Marquise asked if Provenzano could teach him how to play football. Provenzano said he could, but added that the program was expensive, and he needed to know where Marquise’s parents were. The young boy said: “My mom died and I don’t know where dad is, but my Auntie takes care of me.” As he heard that story, God immediately spoke three words to Provenzano, revealing the unique purpose …

One sign that you may have chosen the wrong path

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When it comes to the choices we make, particularly as women, many of us don’t realize how our ‘yes’ and ‘no’ is often attached to people-pleasing.  As a woman, whose life was dominated for years by people-pleasing, I can tell you that it does not end well for anyone trying to gain the approval and attention of others, especially of those you feel hold more significance than you. As women, we spend too much time worrying about what others think we should be doing, rather than focussing on what God wants us to do. And it is time, we start checking in with ourselves before we say ‘yes’ or no’ to our involvement in the lives of others, even if their request is a good thing. This requires us to be honest about what we are really feeling about the choices we are presented with.  Why are we doing this? Are we doing it to gain another person’s approval? Are we doing it out of guilt? We need to start trusting our thoughts and feelings, as …

Do you see apples or do you see pies?

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I was reading an interesting story on Charisma News about an interview with Barry Maracle, a pastor, author and prophet, who is convinced that God has a purpose for your life. Maracle shared a story about his Native American grandfather who was a pastor with the Assemblies of God. His grandfather would bring out a white board and put a small apple seed on it and ask his students what they saw. Immediately they all focussed their attention on the board. But gradually their eyes would shift to the tiny apple seed, and they would describe it. As his grandfather pushed them on what else they saw, some would speak of the giant tree that would spring from that tiny seed. But for his grandfather, even this wasn’t enough, they needed to see beyond that. “My grandpa would say, ‘No, you see bakeries.’ ‘You see apple pie.’ ‘You see everything that produces after its own kind,” said Maracle. Like that tree, we all have a greater purpose in life beyond growing and living. And for …

Burning Cities: Why are we doing this?

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There is an old saying, “People who believe nothing will believe anything.” A man named G.K. Chesterton said that or something similar, and I know it is true. We all believe, we are incurably religious, and if we don’t have truth, we will attach our belief to something false. If life has no meaning, we will find a purpose; and some purposes are bad for us. When I was a boy, my family went to church. Every adult in my life was strict, and apparently, following their rules was the way to God. I didn’t always believe them, but I learned early that it was important not to get caught. I grew up in the days of beatings, and at school the principal had a regulation strap issued by the school board. I only got one regulation punishment, around the age of eight, and that was enough for me. I didn’t want more of that pain, so I carefully stayed out of trouble, and avoided anyone who could punish me. My parents were also generous …

Is it time to step into your dream?

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I am a fairly optimistic person and at times ideas flood my mind and I have said to myself and others “anything is possible.” I feel a dream rising in me like a bubble and I can’t stop it! It’s just there! When these thoughts overtake me, I find myself incredibly happy!  The ideas and the possibilities are endless. This is what energizes me and propels me forward.  Over the years dreams and desires have stirred within me only to be overtaken by work, family, health etc. But, the Bible tells us: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.” Hebrews 6:19 Hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness. Although my desires and dreams have been dampened and squashed at times, over the years they continually resurfaced and reminded me that they haven’t gone away. I believe these desires and dreams, that refuse to leave, are often put there by God. It’s …

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Six Sigma and Jesus

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If you are a Christian, are you also on the shelf? And is it comfortable? I am writing this in January, which is a good time to think about the new year we are in and about an hour ago I saw something that made me sad. I was waiting for a friend at a Tim Hortons and a young family came in; mother, father and two little boys. They were ragged and poor, but polite to everyone. Their order was a large coffee, probably for the parents to share, and a very small box of Timbits donut holes. That was their family break time. I guess they were probably Christians, and I know people come to Alberta, where I live, to find work. One nickname for this province is “tomorrow’s country” and I see struggling start-ups all the time. My parents did that. Today, I wish I had moved faster to buy cookies for the kids in that little family, but they walked away too fast into the cold and the snow, probably back …

God has a specific destiny and path for each one of us. Photo: Dave Soldano/Flickr/Creative Commons

Study: A sense of purpose adds years to your life

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A study produced by researchers Patrick Hill from Canada’s Carleton University and Nicholas Turiano from the University of Rochester’s Medical Center concluded that having a purpose adds years to a person’s life. The two researchers tracked 6,000 people over a 14-year period who had been part of the Midlife in the United States study. Elements of the comprehensive survey delved into such areas as determining if a person felt they had a purpose. Among other things they were asked to respond to such statements as “some people wander aimlessly in life, but I am not one of them.” Over their study period, the research team determined that 9% (569) of these people had died. After analyzing the data, they found that across all age groups those who had a higher sense of purpose consistently lived longer. Lead author Patrick Hill stated: “These findings suggest that there’s something unique about finding a purpose that seems to be leading to greater longevity.” The two added in their report published in Psychological Science that other studies have come …

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The open door that was there all the time

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Recently, I read an article with a great analogy regarding personal breakthrough in our lives. The author had been exploring an old abandoned house and heard a frantic buzzing sound coming from the living room. He entered the room to witness a frustrated fly banging its tiny body against the living room window again and again determined to get to  the other side. Its perseverance was admirable.  The  fly could clearly see what it wanted through the window — green grass, flowers and sunshine. The frustration of being trapped inside the house fueled its endless attempts to get out. In an effort to free the fly from its prison the writer opened the front door to let it out. The frantic insect remained unaware of the golden opportunity just a few feet away and the efforts being made to redirect its attention to the open door. There is a very simple truth here. I am sure that I am not the only one who has been so intent on one thing or one way to …