Growth & Development

Overcoming broken dreams

9 Comments / Growth & Development, Overcoming / Tom Stuart

Broken dreams, everybody has them, but sadly most people have trouble resolving them. Picking our way through a field of broken dreams is not easy. The Bible, right from the outset introduces us to the harsh reality of dealing with broken dreams in our lives. Thankfully we can draw wisdom from those who have gone before us. Imagine what Adam and Eve had to go through to cope with their loss of paradise. And of course we all know what happened to the dreamer Joseph’s dreams. He suffered for years before his dreams made sense.

The book of Exodus introduces us to the biggest field of broken dreams anyone can imagine, it’s called the wilderness. First we encounter Moses whose dream of delivering Israel died with the Egyptian he killed. He ended up burying his dream-turned-nightmare in the backside of the wilderness. But the greatest lessons to be learned about overcoming broken dreams is the story of the children of Israel coming out of Egypt and passing through the wilderness into the Promised Land. The wilderness is the is that place we must pass through in the journey from promise to fulfillment. It is here that God teaches us how to pick our way through a field of broken dreams and position ourselves to be overcomers.

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Be careful who you label crazy

6 Comments / Growth & Development, Holy Spirit Aha's / Tom Stuart

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.” Mark 3:19-20 (NIV) If you stop and think about it, this

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In times of trial perspective is everything!

3 Comments / Growth & Development, Overcoming / Tom Stuart

From God’s perspective, our lives are like this tapestry. God uses the threads of our circumstances and choices in life to weave a masterful design that displays His glory. The problem is that often there are times when we do not see His design.

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The Inspector meets Mr. Talent

1 Comment / Growth & Development, Life Balance / Tom Stuart

The inspector waited determinedly as he rang the door bell a third time. He knew someone was home because he could hear the faint sound of one of those noxious courtroom shows on a TV. While standing there it crossed his mind that he should just sit down in one of the white wicker chairs arranged so invitingly on the porch and simply wait the guy out. The home, like all the homes in this newer pastel painted neighborhood, with its neatly manicured landscaping and freshly mown lawn indicated its owner was attentive to all the necessary upkeep.

Suddenly the door opened. The man standing there looked like an everyman, no unusual features. The inspector got right down to business. He introduced himself, flashed his ID and asked “Are you Mr. Talent, Mr. One Talent?” The man nodded his head reluctantly “Yes . . .what do you want?”

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Where is your faith?

2 Comments / Growth & Development, Relationship with God / Tom Stuart

While fear and panic are often a first response to dire circumstances, Jesus’ simple question, “Where is your faith?” has the power to restore a faith-filled perspective.

Jesus asked this question in the context of what His disciples perceived as a life threatening situation. Faith is always tested most severely when the stakes are the highest.

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