4 open doors when others slam shut

Posted on by Ken Newton

All of us face times in life when something in which we had invested comes to an end. It could be financial, vocational or relational. Whether the door slams shut suddenly or even closes gradually, what do we do next?

Stepping up to the open doorImage wwwistockphoto.com
Stepping up to the open door
Image © http://www.istockphoto.com

I spoke to a research scientist yesterday who was recently made redundant after his project funding stopped. In another conversation, a contact in vocational ministry told me how a longstanding annual event of which he was on the leadership team has been cancelled.

I can relate to both, having taken a hit in business just over four years ago when the credit crunch bit sharply. I regrouped very quickly and didn’t let the experience get me down. But I did need to open some new doors, or walk further beyond those already open.

Here are some of the doors that have helped me in recent years (and may prompt you in finding yours):

Door of community

Both of the above conversations took place in a church community where support and encouragement can be found in times of change. When you suddenly find yourself outside your familiar workplace or project ‘circle,’ life can be harder if you don’t have a core community on which you can depend.

Door of creativity

While I’m deeply committed to my business interests, I don’t invest every ounce of my identity in them. So my sense of worth does not fluctuate with the highs and lows of business performance. Which doors can you open to balance out the over-emphasis we can all place on validation by work? One big passion for me is writing and playing songs. You also have a creative capacity which is ripe for exploring.

Door of technology

Many businesses and ministries are adapting well to the opportunities offered by online media. And some high profile retailers have recently paid the price for adapting too slowly to competition from e-tailing. How can you turn the handle on the door of technology to your advantage? My wife and I met an old friend yesterday who was looking for a new church and had been attracted in after the church website showed up on google.

On an individual level: how could the combination of face-to-face contact and an online presence – or up-skilling in technology – help you reach your full potential for touching people’s lives?

The door

The above are just some of the doors we can walk through during times of change. But there is one door that, when we walk in close relationship with him, will guide us through all the right doors for us. Jesus said:

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

He meant more than eternal salvation here. Pasture is also God’s kingdom reality of peace, provision, protection and guidance to which we can turn in the here and now. No matter the ins and outs of life.

Which doors do you need to open – or venture further beyond – this week? Are there any doors you need to close?

5-a-day and the fruit of what we say

Posted on by Ken Newton

What’s in our hearts influences what we say and our spoken words in turn influence the fruit we’ll bear in life.

Fruitful talk refreshes livesImage istockphoto.com
Fruitful talk refreshes lives
Image © istockphoto.com

It’s well known that the fruit we take in through our mouths can be good for our health. Less prevalent is the idea that what we say – the fruit that comes out – can affect lives for good or ill.

There’s a proverb that goes: ‘From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things, as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.’¹ And Jesus revealed that man’s heart is the source of this fruit, teaching: ‘For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.’²

Back in the 90s, I handled the UK media work for one of the first national announcements of the health benefits of eating ‘5-a-day’ portions of fruit and veg. If I were to create a campaign today promoting 5 daily portions of spoken fruit, here are some memory joggers I’d recommend:

1. Gratitude fruit

A few moments taken to say thank you helps build relationships and co-operation. Several years ago a staff member told me how unusual it was for an employer to thank them for their work as they left for the evening. I know it made things easier when it came to asking them occasionally to start earlier to clear an urgent job.

2. Affirmation fruit

We may sing about not heeding ‘man’s empty praise.’ But we still need to give and receive wholehearted praise, as long as our main motive isn’t to pursue people’s plaudits. Being specific helps. Even better than “you did a good job,” is: “I appreciated the creativity and attention to detail you put into that design in the tight timescale.”

3. Response fruit

The ‘fruit of our fingertips’ also matters – what we ‘say’ through our various electronic devices. Fast response to email messages – even if you can’t give the full answer right away – is good fruit. Quick acknowledgment of twitter follows and mentions or LinkedIn endorsements also helps. Engage well with others and they’ll give your messages a better hearing.

4. Feedback fruit

Giving and receiving feedback well is an art in itself. Keys to giving constructive criticism include: a) exercise the first two fruits regularly, b) keep your cool, c) if possible, open and close with something positive, and d) don’t leave it so long that the matter festers or the feedback is untimely.

5. Declaration fruit

There is power in speaking out life by faith into your own and others’ situations. Igniting Hope Ministries offer some great examples of this kind of declaration.

Glasgow’s motto is in fact a Christian declaration inspired by its 6th Century founder, St Mungo:

Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Thy word and the praising of Thy name

I came across a Glasgow church recently where the whole congregation speaks blessings together over the city during Sunday worship. Their declaration starts with Proverbs 11:11 – ‘By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted’ – and closes with the city motto.

Could ‘5-a-day’ become the new motto for speaking out good fruit? Then again, it’s the speaking from the heart and not the frequency that counts.

¹ Proverbs 12:14 NIV     ² Luke 6:45b NIV

 

5 keys to re-focus your vision for this year

Posted on by Ken Newton

Whether you’re raring to go at the start of this New Year, wrestling with difficult issues, or both, now is a good time to sharpen your vision.

Vision Pay Binoculars
For a clearer vision, turn to God
Image © istockphoto.com

Over the past five years, along with many highpoints, I’ve experienced several setbacks. I’ve taken hits with family health, with finances and in business. Some dreams were put on hold, but I’m seeing the turnarounds.

What motivates me is the certain knowledge that God will sustain me in all circumstances and, with my co-operation, enable what he has placed and will place on my heart.

How do you and I rekindle the fire of past visions or ignite new ones? ‘Having sorrow’ in his heart and feeling distant from God as he faces one of his hardest trials, King David pleads for revelation:

Consider and hear me, O Lord my God;
Enlighten my eyes.

Knowing well the solution to his plight, he goes on:

But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.¹

Here are five keys, unpacked from these lines and my own experience, for overcoming trials and re-vitalising the vision:

1.  Revelation – look upwards

I am clear about my God-given vision, and am sure that he will supply me with everything I need to see it happen. I also know that he will meet my every need today – not just the big picture stuff.

In asking ‘enlighten my eyes,’ I don’t believe David was looking for more head knowledge, but for his eyes to be opened supernaturally by revelation directly from the Holy Spirit.

For a clearer vision, turn to God – in business, in ministry, in family life, community or finances. He will reveal it to you in ways you don’t always expect.

2.  Remembrance – look back in gratitude

Whether you aim to reach a particular goal or overcome an obstacle this year, recall with gratitude the times when God brought you through a major impasse or favoured you. When he ‘dealt bountifully with you.’

I recall having a hunch after a lean spell in business several years ago to call a former local authority client I hadn’t spoken to for a year or so. As she took my call she was astonished: “That’s really weird! I was just about to phone you today.” That call led to a major contract that would then be replicated by three other Scottish local authorities. I thank God for my hunch – and the four contracts. If he did it before, he’ll do it again.

3.  Reliance – look to and trust God

There’s a strand of popular culture which encourages people to be wholly self-reliant and proclaims the mantra: ‘I can have it all.’ That’s fine for a time, when the job’s going well, you’re in rude health and the new car is in the driveway. But where do you turn when the wheels come off through reduced income, redundancy, workplace pressures, conflicts or illness? Christian culture encourages God-reliance and declares truths such as: ‘We are more than a conquerors though him who loved us’² and ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’³ Not literally anything, but those things he intends for us personally and equips us for.

4.  Rejoicing – look forward in expectation

Just because your dream has perhaps been deferred, don’t defer the hope that will help you to see it realised. Thank God in advance for the breakthroughs that you want to see in your life, your business, your ministry, your family and community; praise him now for the coming fulfilment of the vision he has ‘enlightened your eyes’ with.

5. Reconnection – look to the Life within you

At the heart of new covenant faith is living life in connection with the living God – within us. The apostle Paul describes this ‘once hidden mystery’ as:

Christ in you, the hope of glory† (emphasis mine)

The secret of Christian living is the glorious life and hope of Jesus himself within you. That truth in itself – the Truth himself – keeps my flame burning. May your flame burn brightly in the year ahead too.

Question: what has been put on hold in your life that you feel can now be re-activated and what’s your next step?

¹ Psalm 13:3,4-6 NKJV    ² Romans 8:37 NIV

³ Philippians 4:13 NKJV   † Colossians 1:27 NIV

Focus with flexibility

Posted on by Ken Newton

I’d just been reading about how an international speaker made time to go horse riding with his student daughter hours before heading off to the UK for a speaking tour.

SAMSUNG
Time to walk away from the schedule to the walkway?

Moment’s later, my daughter – also a student – came into my study and said, “Dad, I wish we could go shopping.” She was referring to the fact that my wife had taken my older son to the sales in Glasgow today.

I’d had other, work-related plans for the afternoon but decided to down tools and spend some quality time with her and my other son instead.

No, we didn’t go shopping, but went for a late lunch in a local café followed by a drive into the Clyde Valley and a wander along the Clyde Walkway in the light rain and unseasonably mild temperatures.

Unique ability

Her Sketchers walking shoes were more suited to retail therapy than rural therapy, so when we came to a path-turned-stream leading down to the riverside walkway, I scooped her up in my arms and carried her to dry land. That was the first time I’d picked her up since she was a little girl – a spontaneous and special moment.

On the way back to the car my son spotted a couple of dippers – of the feathered rather than becostumed variety – feeding where the Mashock Burn meets the river. According to the RSPB website, dippers are ‘unique in the songbirds, for their ability to wade, swim and dive in running water’ – unlike my daughter in her footwear.

This afternoon reminded me that, while it’s good to have a plan, it’s important not to be so focused as to be inflexible and miss your real priorities in life – and family is one of our greatest priorities of all. I returned home refreshed and relaxed after taking some time out with my family, and still managed to do the other things I’d set out to do today.

I’m reminded of the lines from the old hymn, For the Beauty of the Earth:

‘For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child…Lord of all to Thee we raise, This our grateful hymn of praise.’

Do you need to pull back from your schedule for a time and make space for the people who matter most in your life – just to hang out together with no agenda? I’m grateful I did.

Get up and go: the edge of the early riser

Posted on by Ken Newton

Research studies point to early birds having an edge over night owls in several areas of personal effectiveness. Is it possible – or even desirable – for midnight oil burners to change?

Image courtesy of www. istockphoto.com
Image © www. istockphoto.com

Although genetic factors may influence our leanings, it is possible to bring our day forward. And there are benefits to be had.

Early birds are inclined to:

  • be more proactive
  • focus better on long term goals
  • anticipate and minimise problems
  • perform better and get ahead at work

During my student days and earlier in my career, I was definitely in the night owl camp. These days, I’m more of an intermediate (I can’t think of a type of bird for that) – able to get up early when it’s important and less inclined to stay up late.

How do we change our routine and get off to an earlier start? Here are some suggested steps:

Pray about it

At the start, commit your intention to get up earlier to God and ask for His help. Reflect on scripture references to rising early (good examples are Psalm 5:3, Psalm 63:1 and Mark 1:35).

Change the label

Check how you label yourself. Chances are, if you keep saying: “I’m a night owl and I’ll never change,” this will remain true. Rewrite your ‘script’ along the lines of: “I’m used to staying up late, but I can and will take steps to change this.”

Earlier to bed

Everyone needs a certain amount of sleep – normally seven or eight hours. I may be stating the blindingly obvious, but if you want to get up at 6.30am, and you know you need seven and a half hours sleep, this means being in bed and asleep by 11pm.

Evening cool down

Adjust your evening routine so that you’re not over-stimulating your brain after mid-evening. As a keyboard player, for example, I try to avoid playing too much up tempo music as the evening wears on as I know it psyches me up.

Curb the caffeine

A big contributor to getting off to sleep late is excessive caffeine. If you drink a lot of caffeinated drinks throughout the day, try switching to decaf tea of coffee after lunchtime and you’ll see a difference.

Morning quiet time

If you don’t already do so, build a quite time with God into your early morning routine. For more tips on this, see my recent post ‘The best time investment you could ever make.’

If at first you don’t succeed…

If you do feel the need to make the switch to being an earlier bird and you don’t quite catch the worm first time, don’t give up. With persistence and by the power of God, you can make the change.

Question: what steps have worked best for you if you have made some positive moves in bringing forward your daily routine?

8 marks of the abundance mindset

Posted on by Ken Newton

‘Abundance is having enough resources to be able to fulfil your destiny,’ leader and speaker Andy Hall once said. I agree.

Abundance: access to God’s limitless resources
Image by courtesy of www.istockphoto.com/Elenathewise

A healthy mindset of abundance, rather than being mainly about wealth generation, is in my view an attitude of plenty we choose to possess in the heart.

Wealth creation is a positive thing. It can do much good when allied to the right motives and channelled in the right way. But when it becomes an end in itself, it may ironically be linked to an underlying poverty of spirit.

Abundance mindset – or a lack it – has a strong bearing on how we direct our time and resources. It also affects our outcomes and how we influence others.

I recall a former marketing supremo telling me how his chief executive once declared: “I’ve put my life on hold – that’s the sacrifice you have to make in this job.”

Hard work and sacrifice also are positive provided they are wedded to purpose. But if work and life become or seem mutually exclusive, perhaps it’s time to assess how your endeavours fit with your purpose or to consider how an abundance mindset could re-energise your work.

Here are eight marks of the spirit of abundance, contrasted with poverty thinking (I’m obviously not criticising people in literal poverty here, but contrasting two opposing mindset tendencies which could apply in the same circumstances):

Abundance –

1.  keeps it eyes on the vision and outcome; poverty mindset  may find it hard to see beyond the limits of present circumstances

2. recognises the value of connection to and contribution to/by others; poverty thinking may tend to want to go it alone without advice or support

3. has high expectations of seeing progress and transformation; poverty harbours the view that, if we don’t expect much, we’ll be surprised in the unlikely event that something good happens

4. makes the most of what we have now, even if it appears to be little; poverty focuses on what we lack

5. stresses what we can do; poverty emphasises the things we can’t do

6. is connected to longer term purposes and eternal values;  decisions to play it safe or take the short-term view – though wise in some situations – may be driven by poverty thinking

7. values innovation and informed risk-taking; poverty may over-emphasise ‘the way things have always been done around here’ and resist change

8. recognises above all that we have access to the resources of a limitless God; poverty places faith only in what it can already see.

Jesus says: “ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”¹ By ‘they,’ he means you and I. Don’t let poverty spirit cheat you out of your God-given dreams for a moment longer. Partner instead with the promise of living life more abundantly.

Question: As the season of goal setting and self-examination for the year ahead begins, how can we factor in a healthy sense of abundance, and what adjustments might that mean?

¹   John 10:10 NKJV