Sunday, August 23, 2009

England regain the Ashes!

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posted by Gavin White @ 10:31 pm 0 comments

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Usain Bolt - 9.58


.I've just watched Usain Bolt win the 100m in the World Championships in Berlin - what a race and what a runner! Usain broke the world record (again) for this race and recorded an astonishing time of 9.58 seconds. The other interesting fact was that the first five runners to finish the race also broke the 10.00 second barrier and finished the race with times under the 10.00 second barrier. This was the first time this has ever happened in a major championship final.

Tonight reminded me of another historic moment in Athletics. Roger Bannister broke the record for running a mile in under 4 minutes in 1954. In the months and years leading up to this, numerous runners had tried to achieve this goal and had gotten close but never quite broken through the elusive 4 minute barrier.

What I find fascintating about the events tonight and in 1954 is that once someone had broken through a barrier or limit, it opened the way for others to make breakthroughs and reach new heights. In 1954, as soon as Roger Bannister had run under 4 minutes, his rival John Landy went and ran 3 minutes 58 seconds just a few weeks later. Bannister broke through and his example paved for the way for others to follow. The current fastest mile record is held by Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj, who ran a time of 3 minutes 43.13 seconds in Rome, Italy, on 7 July 1999.

Both Usain Bolt and Roger Bannister can be described as pioneers. They have broken through barriers & limits which people in their time said couldn't be broken. They refused to accept this and reached for new heights and new goals anyway.

Whatever you are reaching for, whether that be in your own life, ministry or church, be aware that your breakthrough could open the door for others to follow. There are somtimes glass ceilings in all our lives that are just waiting to be smashed so that you and others can reach higher, further and longer.

As a Christian who is a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, I want to pioneer in my generation, city and nation. I want to breakthrough into new areas of life and ministry so that others in my time, and others in the generations to follow can also reach new heights and achieve their God given goals and destiny.

What's next now for Usain Bolt? - running the 100m in under 9.00 secs?

As per my recent blog post, there are no limits to the extension of the Kingdom!

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posted by Gavin White @ 10:11 pm 0 comments

Friday, August 14, 2009

A City to Dwell In


"Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in"
Psalms 107:4-7 (ESV)

I've been reading Psalms 107 quite a bit this week. The verses above have really caught hold of me. Have you ever been on a long journey on the way to a city? On the way, it can sometimes feels as if you've never going to get there! But when you finally arrive - it's a really great feeling.

One of the descriptions of the church as the people of God in the Bible is the 'City of God'. The church is the city where the presence of God can be experienced and enjoyed. It is a place of security, salvation, freedom, joy, peace, healing, power and purpose. I was speaking to a lady today who became a christian with us here in the church in Manchester in June this year. She was telling me about the changes in her life since she came to the church and began her relationship with Jesus Christ. She says that her whole life has changed since finding Jesus - Praise God!

There are many all around us every day who are still wandering and lost in their lives. They are spiriturally (and somtimes literally) hungry & thirsty. God not only wants to deliver them, he also wants to direct them. He wants to take them to the capital city of the Kingdom of God - it is called the church - it's the place where they can find a home to dwell in because the 'Lord is There' - (Ezekiel 48:35)

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posted by Gavin White @ 7:50 pm 4 comments

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

No Limit in the Spirit

Well, it's nearly two months since I last blogged so I thought I would bring the blog out of retirement and get something published again!

I do have a few reasons/excuses for the lack of blogging! Since my last blog, we've moved house, been to Bible Week and I've joined the world of twitter so 'micro blogging' has taken over a little. However, twitter only allows you 140 characters which can be a bit limiting!

"For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit" - John 3:34 (NIV)

This verse has really impacted me in recent days. God is such a generous God. He knows no limits in the life of the Holy Spirit that He has always destined for the church to enjoy and partake of. God cannot be contained. He cannot be limited. The Holy Spirit knows no limits in the Kingdom purpose, power and plans He wants to bring us into.

I love spending time with people who are healthily unlimited in their thinking and dreaming. They have sought God, they know His word but they also allow the flow of the Holy Spirit, who has been given without measure or limit, to infiltrate and permeate all that they say, all that they do and all that they live according to.

"Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end" - Isaiah 9:7 (NIV)

There is no limit in the Spirit. The church is part of a Kingdom that will know no end. There is incredible increase for God's people to step into and take hold of in our generation.

If we look at Jesus, I belive we see the perfect example of someone who lived life in this way. He lived according to the parameters of heaven, not the limits of earth. He lived a life full of the Holy Spirit - that took the limits of man off. In the way he used His time, treasure and talents - the Holy Spirit defined and directed His actions.

This challenges and inspires me in my life today - I want to live my life in the Spirit where there is no limit!

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posted by Gavin White @ 8:49 pm 1 comments

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