Would you consider yourself as someone who is generous? Do you know many people who are generous? When you her the word generous, what are some of the first few thoughts which come into your mind? I have been reading through the book of Acts and I am blown away by the generosity of these people. Listen to what Acts 2:42-47 says:
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
We live in a culture which embodies the opposite; selfish, it is all about me, only the strong survive, taking care of me and so on and so on. One of the forgotten virtues is generosity. After contemplating these verses and observing the state of our culture, I begin to wonder if we could ever get back to a culture of radical generosity and if so, how would this be accomplished?
It begins with you and it begins with me. If I want to see radical generosity in operation, then it will need to begin when I am generous with my words, my time, my finances and giftings. May the ‘generosity revolution’ begin…
I have been reading a book entitled, “Seizing Your Divine Moment,” by Erwin McManus and I absolutely love it. I was reading earlier today about influence and I found it hard to stop highlighting various statements as there were so many of them. Here are a few of them:
1. “Title, position, and authority may hold power, but influence travels through relationships. And in the end, influence is the fountainhead of power.”
2. “The essence of influence, to win the heart and soul of another person through strength of your own character and personhood.”
3. “Authority can shape what a person does, but influence shapes who a person becomes.”
4. “Have you ever looked at the middle of the word influence? What do you see? It’s hidden right there. F-l-u. That’s right, the flu. People who are influential pass on what they have like the flu.”
5. “Influence is defined as “a power affecting a person, thing, or course of events” – especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort.”
6. “Influence transfers best and moves most quickly whenever respect and trust are present.”
What are you reading right now?
And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].
This below video will take your breath away. Incredible! Please pass share this video! To watch more about the Dove: Real Beauty Scetches, click here.
It’s not everyday you clearly hear God’s voice. Although I believe God is always speaking to us, and desires to direct our lives. The reality is we struggle to hear God because there are a lot of distractions in our lives. We haven’t tuned our heart to hear His voice.
The other day as I was enjoying my quiet time out of the blue, I heard God clearly speak. Now, it wasn’t an audible voice I heard, it was a still, small voice, gently speaking to my heart. It was so refreshing to hear Him speak. I actually find it quite miraculous that the God of the universe actually wants to speak to me. By God speaking to His people should be a sign to each of us of how much He cares for His kids.
Here is what I heard…
“Sean, if I have already given you my very best in Jesus, why wouldn’t I take care of you and your family.”
Wow! Really? Did I just hear that? God knows exactly what we need. His timing is always perfect. It was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment. I have to admit that every time I hear God in such a clear manner it wrecks me. It literally builds my faith! i am forever changed. Over the years I have learned that God speaks to all of us in ways that we will know it is Him. He may speak to you through His word, through creation, through others, through your thoughts, through your circumstances, and to your heart. The reality is He still speaks!
What has He said to you lately?
For the past few months, I have been following CMDR. Chris Hadfield on Twitter as he is stationed aboard the International Space Centre. He shares some incredible photos in his Twitter feed from space. Click here to see some of his photos. Chris Hadfield OOnt MSC CD is a Canadian astronaut who was the first Canadian to walk in space. The other day I came across this video which CMDR. Hadfield explains how he sleeps in space. I thought it was pretty cool, so I thought I would share it. Are you on Twitter? If not, you should be as you can follow CMDR. Hadfield and yours truly. I am sure you will find CMDR Hadfield a little more fascinating than me. Click here to follow me on Twitter.
I have been reading through the Psalms lately. I love how God’s word is alive and speaks to our hearts, especially when we need it the most. Psalm 15 in a very deliberate Psalm. The Psalmist opens it up by asking a question…
O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
Who shall dwell on your holy hill?
and then proceeds to answer his own question…
He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
and speaks truth in his heart;
who does not slander with his tongue
and does no evil to his neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
whose eyes a vile person is despised,
but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
who does not put out his money at interest
and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.
This Psalm is about the character of the individual that God is looking for. What are you reading right now?
Today was a big day in the Sabourin household. Nola, our oldest lost her first tooth. This was huge for her! She had been talking for nearly two years about the excitement she felt for the possibility of loosing her first tooth. Nola was a champ! She was a little nervous at first and then she just let me yank it out. So proud of you Nola!
Do you remember when you lost your first tooth?
I am sure all of us can relate to the title if this post. Whether you are young or old, single or married, with or without, we have all felt the sting of life.
For me personally, life was quite messy for nearly 12 years as I battled a drug addiction. I also associated with many different people who had a messy life. Let’s face it we had a lot in common.
It has been 13 years since I last used, but that doesn’t mean life hasn’t been messy. Whether it has been relationships, vocation, finances, or raising 3 kids, life definitely has its challenges.
Recently, I have changed my vocation. I use to work for an organization which helped individuals overcome their life controlling addictions. Now I Pastor full time at Connect Church in Abbotsford, BC. In both of these fields, I have encountered many people who come from and have messy lives. What is beautiful though is the reality of how God takes our messy lives (if we allow Him) and He turns it into our message.
No matter who you are or where you have been. No matter what you have done or what has been done to you. God desires to make beauty out of your ashes. It is His heart. That is the business He is in. He makes all things new.
