Going on outreaches not only blesses those we go to, it also helps us to grow. I’ve found it to be true that it is a greater blessing to bless (reach out) than to receive a blessing (be reached out to).
Greetings from Uganda
I have attended two of the Four12 conferences hosted in South Africa, and I must confess after attending them my spiritual life has not remained the same
You are God and I am Not
Along with the incredibly key messages shared at this year’s Four12 Conference in South Africa, there were also wonderful times of worship, including the singing of this song ‘You Are God and We Are Not’
Landing in a Sea of Skyscrapers
It’s a different world: 175 000 people in Stellenbosch compared to 23 455 000 in Sao Paulo. São Paulo is enormous! You get around by jumping on the metro or taking an Uber.
The Art of Hospitality in the Age of Isolation
Our churches and homes are not to be walled castles keeping people out, but welcoming households drawing people in.
God Is on the Move in Bloem
We have had a lot of people from Four12 partnering churches come and visit us. Some people drove more than 8 hours on just to support us on a Sunday morning.
Not a One Man Show
To have partners means a sharing of ideas and thoughts, feedback on ministry and how it is really going. It means encouraging each other in the face of difficulties, companionship and sharing of the highs and lows.
Marijuana Legalisation and the Church
Andrew Selley shares with us some important keys and wisdom in light of the news of new laws regarding marijuana use in South Africa.
The Reach Beyond a Pulpit
Before Christianity is a philosophy, or a theology, or a moral way of living – Christianity is news. And not just any kind of news – it is a good news message.
How to Protect Your Husband
A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. How can we act to love and protect our husbands, even in moments of conflict or stress?
For This Child We Prayed
In the quest to become parents, if there was something to be done, we did it, and at times at great personal or financial cost.
A Book Review: You and Me Forever
Marriage is great, but it’s not forever. It’s until death do us part. Then come eternal rewards or regrets depending on how we spent our lives.
Don’t Get Stuck Spectating
We can come to meetings on a Sunday, raise our hands as the music team plays, attend a community group in the middle of the week and even profess to be a Christian; and not actually be a disciple of Jesus.
Just Not Our Money
The morning after booking our travel tickets the feeling of “what are we doing spending all our money like this?” hit me. It felt so unwise for all three of us to go overseas right then.
An Unforgettable Outreach
One lady who had cervical cancer went to the hospital after being prayed for and the doctors were astounded that the cancer had disappeared.
The Parable of Barry
There was much that we experienced and shared together during the week in Harare, but one testimony has stood out as a reminder of how personally the Father calls us to Himself.
Wild Shrubs, Honey and Locusts
I believed that the prophetic was a gift exercised by an elite unit of divinely identified and isolated individuals whose daily diet consisted of…
Moms, It’s Not That Obvious
Both Jo and I both have large families (we each have four kiddies) and so it has always seemed obvious that it’s just not the ‘season’ in which we could do this.
Passionate About Parenting
This life is imperfect and you cannot shield them from the pain of living in a fallen world. Your children learn more about your faith during the bad times than they do during the good times.
Bringing Church Into Our Homes
Many churches today spend a lot of time creating the “perfect” Sunday meeting but they neglect the importance of a culture where believers meet daily in one another’s homes.
Nothing Hidden
How do we know the condition of our hearts? We cannot hide the condition of our hearts for long, eventually our mouths will betray us.
What Have You Really Got to Lose?
For me, it wasn’t only the first kiss we had shared, but the very first kiss I’d ever shared with any guy. Did I have any regrets that day?
Blown Away by Richards Bay
We truly were blown away by the overwhelming love, joy and warmth of welcome into the lives, homes, fridges and hearts of our Four12 family in Richards Bay.
Learning the Feminine Arts?
The essence of femininity is “surrender”, “yieldedness” to God first and then flowing out of that to our husbands, church leaders. This is not possible outside of a change of heart.
I Am No Saint
“Four12 is more than just a conference and name tags. It is a global, regional and local partnership of saints advancing the kingdom of God.”
The Real Thing
If you need to call attention to the fact that you are Christian, something is wrong!
Mothers, High and Holy Calling
The greatest disservice you can do your child is to lead them to believe that they are the centre of the universe.
It Shouts Go, Go, Go!
Don’t let your fear being uncomfortable keep you from growing in character (for the Kingdom’s sake even more than your own). It’s just not worth it.
La La Love
What values are subtly shaping our thinking in pop culture today?
Building with Blessings or Bricks
God has included us in his plan to build his kingdom. Here is what he has in mind.
Furiously Trying to Tick Boxes
He didn’t deliver His Word and then leave us to get on with trying to get it right. The Bible without the Spirit is death…
Bringing Fun and Laughter
When someone knows God’s love, they can’t help but see what God sees in others. ‘JoshGen’ is a church full of people who love and value their brothers and sisters.
Momentum
Ryan unpacks what it is going to take for the church to be the unstoppable force which Christ has made us to be.
Candy, Costumes and Evil
But aren’t the costumes all just harmless fun for children? And if grown-ups want to dress as a sexy witch or dapper vampire, what’s wrong with that?
Hold the Phone
What does a servant of Jesus do with the sheer amount of content available to us, which is able to literally fill every waking hour?
Why Do We Lay Hands?
Some think the laying on of hands are one of those new charismatic practices. But in fact, it’s as old as the Bible itself and part of the ABC’s of orthodox Christian faith.
The Work We Never Rest From
I’ve often struggled to rest well on my day off. At times, I have seen friends (in ministry specifically) ‘burn out’ because they have not rested properly. In my fear of burn-out, I’ve sometimes avoided doing good and loving people in my holiday time, or my day off.
RSA Conference: The Best of Day 2
Best accent: Euan MacRae, hands down. The debonair Isle of Manner could read through the terms and conditions of an iTunes update, and I’d be captivated all the way through.