For This I Was Born

Over the Christmas holidays, I was able to spend some time reading. Reading is one of my favourite pastimes... one that I (unfortunately) don't get to do as much of anymore these days! 

I read Brian Houston's book, For This I Was Born. Brian Houston is the founder of Hillsong. Wow! What a great read it was. It is especially relevant because of the church planting work that God has led hubby and I (and our kids!) to be involved with at the start of 2008. 

When we joined The Sanctuary Pickering one year ago, we fully embraced the vision of this church becoming a "church planting church". We envisioned ourselves planting our first daughter church in three years. Well, God had other things in mind. He always does... something bigger than us! He put in place The Sanctuary Network's newest "seed" in North York, launching at the end of this month --- in two weeks! And... we have already been presented with several opportunities to help this newest "seed". God is surely going full steam ahead... like I've said before, this is one wild ride we're on! 

So, back to Brian Houston's book... several things made real sense to and jumped out at me. Here they are:

~ We have to build the kind of church that releases people into their God-given potential.

~ Your life can impact the future. How do you want future generations to remember you?

~ The truth is that our calling is not found in the ethereal; it is found in the here and now.

~ The secret of living a life of purpose is living for something bigger than you are.

~ Your life is not meant to be a to-do list of competing priorities. We all have got one life to live, the God-life. It has God at the center and all the other aspects of your life flow from and hinge on Him.

~ God will use time to grow, enlarge, and increase your capacity, so do not ever dismiss the value of time.

"... for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." ---II Timothy 1:12 (KJV)