Category: Christian Living

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Leadership, Mentoring

Rod and Sue at home. Can you spot Lillie?

Sir Isaac Newton, the brilliant physicist and mathematician in a letter written in 1675 to fellow scientist Robert Hooke, wrote “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
He was speaking on how he had been using the understanding gained by major thinkers who had gone before him in order to make intellectual progress.

As I read these words, I paused to reflect on the giants on whose shoulders I have stood. The giants that have impacted me up close in their lifetime of service for Jesus.
I also began to think of significant people …

WORDS THAT HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE (112) “THE LITTLE THINGS”

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Leadership, Mentoring, Mission

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Admiral William McRaven of the United States navy wrote a book, “MAKE YOUR BED…..little things that can change your life and maybe the world.” The book contains ten life lessons learnt from his navy training days with the elite SEAL Teams. He writes, “Make your bed. If you accomplish the first task of the day well, then the rest of the day has a better chance of going well. Do the little things right!” Interestingly, Jesus emphasised this same principle in His teaching. “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” …

WORDS THAT HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE (111) “WE HAVE THE RIGHT NOT TO EXERCISE OUR RIGHTS”

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Leadership, Mentoring

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Martin Luther said, “A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.”
Christian freedom is one of the many paradoxes of the Christian faith. Paul explained it this way,
“You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ – but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ – but not everything is beneficial. Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 11:23-24
Paul further added, “Decide to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and …

WORDS THAT HAVE SHAPED MY LIFE (110) “OTHERS”

Rod Denton in Christian Living, Discipleship, Evangelism, Leadership, Mentoring, Mission

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It was Christmas Eve, 1910. General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army was bedridden and near the end of his life and it was impossible for him to attend the Army’s annual convention. It was suggested that the General send a telegram to be read at the opening of the convention to the many Salvation Army soldiers as an encouragement for their long hours of labour serving others.
Funds were limited, and telegrams were charged by the word. General Booth decided to send a one-word message. It had to be one word that would summarise his life, the mission of the army and encourage the soldiers to continue …