Are we stuck in our thinking?

Posted on July 1, 2020July 1, 2020 by stephe

Our worldview has an incredible effect on what we think, feel and act. On the news the other night, there was an interview with an African lady who was fighting for freedom regarding the 200 million women undergoing female genital mutilation. The WHO has been actively seeking to stop the practice for many years but it’s part of the ritual of 30 countries from Africa, Middle East and Asia. There are no benefits only harm, Read more about Are we stuck in our thinking?[…]

What can we learn about self awareness from the Jesuits?

Posted on June 3, 2020June 3, 2020 by stephe

I have just been reading an inspiring book called, ‘Heroic Leadership’ by Chris Lowney, about the Jesuits who have been working as an order or company, as they prefer to call it, for over 450 years. They have obviously been doing something right! The following thoughts are excerpts from a few chapters of the book. Ignatius, who was the founder of the Jesuits with 9 others, wasn’t your classic saint. His background was colourful. He Read more about What can we learn about self awareness from the Jesuits?[…]

What are we learning two months into lockdown?

Posted on May 10, 2020May 26, 2020 by stephe

‘My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.’ James 1 Read more about What are we learning two months into lockdown?[…]

How do you give your very best strawberries?

Posted on March 5, 2020April 5, 2020 by stephe

I read a short quote from our SacredSpace morning devotion a couple of weeks ago that hasn’t left me. I share it with you here: In an essay about the crushing loss of a friendship novelist Jacqueline Mitchard crafted a brilliant phrase. To describe how she had neglected other relationships during the ill-fated friendship, Mitchard wrote that she had given the ‘very best strawberries’ of her personal life only to that one particular friend. I Read more about How do you give your very best strawberries?[…]

114. Have you debriefed your journey this year?

Posted on January 7, 2020February 7, 2020 by stephe

It’s been a habit for years now of taking a day in December to reflect back over the past year, and then look forward with expectation for the new year ahead. I like to mix it up every year and create a different way of reflecting. I think I could call it a spiritual discipline now, as it has become such an important tool, to learn lessons from the past and move into the new Read more about 114. Have you debriefed your journey this year?[…]

111. Do women have an advantage in leadership?

Posted on October 7, 2019February 7, 2020 by stephe

In YWAM we are blessed to have a leader who isn’t afraid of writing a book called – why not women? We are used to hearing teaching on the ‘Father heart of God’, but perhaps less so on the ‘Mother heart of God.’ Right at the beginning of Genesis we read, ‘So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.’ (Gen Read more about 111. Do women have an advantage in leadership?[…]

109. Do you have conversations on purpose?

Posted on September 12, 2019September 26, 2019 by stephe

There are all kinds of statistics given how women talk three times as much as men but actually there is nothing substantial to back them up. The reality is that men & women probably talk as much as each other if they are extrovert and if they are introvert, they don’t talk as much! Talking as an introvert, I am aware that I am economical with my words! But my greatest desire is for Read more about 109. Do you have conversations on purpose?[…]

105. How do you spot leadership potential?

Posted on April 15, 2019September 26, 2019 by stephe

The bible suggests that the state of a nation is influenced strongly by the leaders it puts in place. When Israel installed a good king, the nation was prosperous and flourished. When a bad king took over, the nation went downhill. We see the results of good and bad leaders in our families, teams, bases and ministries right across the world. I know that you can’t just accept the results of surveys, but there does Read more about 105. How do you spot leadership potential?[…]

94. Where are you going?

Posted on April 13, 2018March 11, 2019 by stephe

At the end of every year, we have an evaluation time as a couple. We look at what we have been doing, how effective it was, what fruit was produced, how fulfilling it has been and on the basis of these questions decide what needs to be changed. A couple of years ago, we were aware that we were being spread too thin and were getting tired. The challenge was that the ministry was being Read more about 94. Where are you going?[…]

90. What legacy are you leaving?

Posted on December 13, 2017March 11, 2019 by stephe

Max de Pree, says, ‘I wish that at a younger stage of life leaders would know in their hearts, that what they’re figuratively ready to die for is going to change.’ Rite and I have just completed a two-day process of discernment facilitated by friends of another mission organisation, along with some of our YWAM team members. It has been a pivotal decision-making time and one that I am sure we will look back on, Read more about 90. What legacy are you leaving?[…]