Sometimes the best things you can see will only be shown when you close your eyes

Sometimes the best things you can see will only be shown when you close your eyes

Vision is a great word. For some it is scary. For others uncomfortable and others it is meaningless. But vision from God is both powerful and undeniable.

Vision has the power to sustain you through the hard times and it gives you something to aim for when mediocrity has lost it’s appeal.

Your vision is how you see your destiny. Your faith is how much of your vision you will achieve. The limits of your vision are usually where God starts. Your vision is how God sees your life unfolding. It is your essence and who you are. Vision should be welcomed, feared and pursued with gusto.

Your vision will never be caught as it will always grow faster than you fulfill it. Your vision is beyond you. It is impossible. But it is addictive and full of hope.

Until you have a vision, make getting a vision your vision and in the meantime, whilst dreaming about conquering the world, slaying lions and trampling snakes, let your wife and children have their share of your vision.

It is amazing how something can be a really important for us and yet we don’t do anything about it. Vision should not be a priority that we never act upon.

The Limes Bed and Breakfast, Cumbria, Appleby

The Limes Bed and Breakfast, Cumbria, Appleby is a Bed & Breakfast owned by some friends of mine – more information by looking at the following website (could be worth a visit):

www.orangesatthelimes.co.uk

What happens when you become perfect?

Taken from: http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/

To know and to believe

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.

I don’t know if that ever happens to you? You read something and ask yourself “has that been added to the Bible recently? I am sure that wasn’t there last time I read this bit!” Well, for me – this was one of those Scriptures. I have read it many times but today I read it like I had never seen it before

And it was this part of the verse that jumped out at me. The love that God has for us is to be known AND believed.

It is one thing to “know” to that God loves you…but it is quite another to know the love that God has for you. To “know” doesn’t just mean “a mental knowledge”. The Amplified writes:

16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us.

Sure we have a mental knowledge but Christianity is more than just thinking that God loves you. Look at words used in the Amplified: understand…do you understand the love that God has for you…do you recognize this love? If you do, then that will have massive implications for the way you live your life today.

The word I like the most is “experience”. Whilst I don’t believe for one minute that we should be emotionally led Christians, I do believe, however, that each one of us should experience the love of God in our lives.

That experience may take many different forms and happen at many different times in our lives…but it should happen, and if our walk with God is sure and steadfast – it should happen often. Don’t seek the experience though, seek Him and the experiences will happen.

God is a powerful and loving God who is not afraid to show and demonstrate this love to us. We should be able to “observe” the love God has for us in our lives. We should be able to see it action. We shouldn’t just have a mental knowledge of it.

Of course the key to this experience is also given is this verse: “to believe”.

Many people just stay on the head knowledge that God loves them. But when you get beyond that and believe the love that God has for you, when that belief is so strong that it will cause you to step out and trust Him  and your actions and words are governed by that love…then, my friend, watch out — you are in for a treat that is beyond comparison.

I know my wife loves me. It is not just something that I know in my head – but I have experienced her love to me on a regular basis. I also believe that love to the point that it has changed the way I act and do things. And she has my total trust.

How much more should it be with God? The starting point of faith is the love that God has for you.

And finally there is a subtle difference between knowing that God loves you and knowing and believing that love that God has for you. It is the love that cherishes for us.

EU laws ‘will hit online trade’

I just wish that Europe would stop their interferance…

Starting your own business?

It seems at the moment I am talking to a lot of people who want to set up a new business. Maybe it is the time of year – trying to fulfil those New Year resolutions. Maybe there is something in the water. Whatever the reason – I just seem to be having more of those discussions.

Beyond the usual discussions about cash flow being king and get a good accountant who can advise you on VAT, there are a few other things to think about:

1. You might be really good at what you do, but who will know about it? If you haven’t read it yet – read “The E-Myth” by Michael Gerber. It is such an eye opener of a book, and one that I have found to be true…many people are good at what they do – so want to start it as a business. So the accountant who works for another firm, sets up his own business. But remember – you have to sell your product, and you might be the best accountant in the world, but without sales – no one will use your services. How will you get sales in? Will you do it? You could hire someone? How will you get leads?
2. Don’t wait to sell your product. Microsoft, as far as I know, have never released a piece of software that wasn’t bug free! You don’t have to wait to until your product is perfect (unless it is medicine I guess) before you sell it. In fact, sell the idea of your product. Get a buyer for it before you spend money developing it if you can – it is a much better way.
3. You don’t need a website to sell. I know that I might be shooting myself in the foot by saying this, but a lot of people are now thinking, “right, I am setting up a business, what do I need? Business cards, letter-heads and a website…” Don’t get me wrong, I am happy to create the website for you, but you might not need it to start selling your product!
4. Watch Dragon’s Den. Getting mentored in business is such a great idea. You need help from someone who is experienced in business. Thank God I have some great mentors, people that have a lot more experience in business than me and have given me great help over the years. Don’t ask your mum to be your mentor or listen to their business advice if they haven’t run their own successful business – it might be well meaning but is it what you should be listening to?

Mark 5:23 – Part 5: Faith Talk

Before we move on, there is something else that we can learn here about faith that I think has been misunderstood in modern times – it is all based around the expression you will have whatever you say (Mk 11:23).

I know people that have taken the faith message to extremes. I know people have gone crazy over faith’s confession. I know them because I was one of them! When I first got a hold of this teaching, I went at it with gusto. You couldn’t fault my enthusiasm! I’ll give you a story that will illustrate to you what I mean.

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Happy New Year!

2006 was the best ever year for the Lutroo group of companies — and my hope is that this year – it will be the best ever year for your business too!

I wish you every success in your passions, business and life!