steve penny

Rubbish Removal

Steve Penny — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:08:10 +0000

On my walk to Mooloolaba this morning I came around the corner past a block of units and was greeted with a very strong pungent smell.
I discovered the smell was coming from a huge line of rubbish bins along the curb in front of the apartments.
I had left for my walk very early before the sun was up and so the rubbish removal truck had not yet been past to empty the bins.
The smell got me thinking about life in the real world.
1. We are created to produce and eliminate rubbish and waste.
2. It is not healthy to hold onto waste as it will pollute and clog the system.
3. There is a proper way and a proper place to dump your waste.
4. Rubbish stored will back up and overflow at the wrong time and place.
5. God has provided us with a rubbish dump called Calvary.
6. There is nothing like the feeling of freedom experienced after a visit to the cross.
7. Practice coming to the cross daily and unloading your burdens at the foot of the cross – and leave free and clean for another day of healthy abundant life.

Schools back

Steve Penny — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:17:19 +0000

It is Monday 23 Jan 2012 and it is the first day of school for a new year.
It is one of my favourite days for the whole year – let me tell you why.
1. The cafes along the waterfront at Mooloolaba return to normal with all the tourists gone and the locals now sitting back in their favourite seats.
2. The sounds of screaming coming from homes all over the suburbs as little creatures face their first encounter with a scary teacher.
3. The sounds of shouting as stressed out mums attempt to get their little creatures dressed in clothes that fitted so easily yesterday – but today refuse to fit.
4. The sounds of singing as Dads leave for work extra early to miss the mayhem.
5.The sounds of sirens as frantic mums speed down backstreets in an attempt to offload their cargo before all hell breaks loose.
6. Most of all the quiet smile of grandparents as they watch their children reaping the harvest of their own childhood tantrums as now their children repay the favour.
Ain’t life so sweet.

Think More

Steve Penny — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:45:50 +0000

Talking to a friend recently who made the comment – If I had more money I would be able to help so many people.
I love the sentiment expressed – but dislike the prevailing attitude.
So many people are waiting until they get more – before they begin being a blessing to others.
The truth is – you have to “think more” continually if you want to live a generous life.
How would you treat your family and friends – if you had more time?
How would you act when it came to paying the bill when out with friends – if you had more money?
How would you respond to those who hurt you – if you had more love?
How would you treat those who are going to hell – if you had more compassion for lost people?
Truth is – we never have enough of anything to live in our world of dreams. We must start by thinking more abundantly – and then act upon such thoughts.
You will find more time! You can pay the bill! You must forgive others! You must include lost people in your world.
You have to start by thinking more – if you want to enjoy the truth – it is more blessed to give to others -than it is to live a self focussed life.
Stop adding to your bucket list – and try pouring some of what you now have out onto others.
Think more – so you can give more and it will come back to you – pressed down, shaken together, and running out all over.

The year of inheritance

Steve Penny — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:40:01 +0000

God woke me up over Xmas and gave me a word – that this is the year for the church to possess its inheritance.
Israel was in captivity in Egypt for four hundred years and still grew to be a mighty nation while under the influence of the world.
It is 400 years since Martin Luther sounded the cry to Let my People go and since that time the church has become a mighty nation.
Now it is time to come out of the world system but go into the nations of people and march toward our Godly inheritance.
God is going to judge the world and increase His church at the same time.
There will be increased judgements of God upon the ungodly systems of the world but the people in the Kingdom of God will be protected by the Blood covenant made by our Saviour Jesus.
However Christians must now come out of the world system and clearly turn toward their promised inheritance.
The beginnings of a new revival of Godliness and Possession are beginning to emerge around the world.
The so called emerging church – which is focussed on convenience and comfort will soon disappear and in its place will emerge a new movement of people committed to possessing ALL their inheritance in Christ.
Our inheritance in Him is souls – souls – souls.
It is time to lift up your eyes and see the Lord now standing over the nations of the world – as His fields of harvest.
We must arise and go forth into the fields of the world – and there we will find our greatest enheritance ever.
I believe we will see great increase and expansion as the church stops trying to impress the world and leaves its system for a better place – Life in Christ. This is what the people of all nations are searching for – Life in Christ.

The year of inheritance

Steve Penny — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 22:39:38 +0000

The Love of God

Steve Penny — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:36:29 +0000

When someone becomes a Christian they are not the same anymore. All the old ways have gone and amazingly everything has become brand new.
2 Corinthians 5:17.
When we receive Christ into our lives, the love of God explodes within us and engineers a complete work of regeneration.
We become brand new by the love of God. From that moment on – God’s love within us, is at work enabling us to love what God loves.
1. We love His word – it becomes our daily bread and is sweet to our taste.
Don’t get into the word? Check your love for God.
2. We love people – God’s love helps us see the good in everyone and forgive the wrong in someone.
3. We love the church – Christ loved the church so much He died for it.
Jesus also said – I will build my church. Struggling to help build His church? Check out your love for God.
4. We love to give – For God so loved He gave His best. One of the clearest indicators of lost love for God, is a loss of generosity in all things.
5. We love life – Jesus came so that we might have life in abundance. If you have lost your ability to dream of more life – then you have lost your love for an awesome God. God’s love turns people into aspirants.
There is something amazing about the love of God within us.
1. It gives you permission to be you.
2. It gives you potential to be more than you can dare imagine.
3. It gives you power to be like Jesus.
Thank God for His amazing love.

Failure isn’t fatal

Steve Penny — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 20:48:01 +0000

Learning to handle failure is the essence of leadership.
No-one who has achieved anything of note has escaped the pain of failure.
Let me tell you why failure is so good for you.
1. Failure reminds us that we are flawed beings needing grace from above
2. Failure identifies our current limits and boundaries
3. Failure reveals our tolerance levels to pressure, pain & stress
4. Failure keeps the door of forgiveness open to others
5. Failure reveals unhealthy mindsets and attitudes
6. Failure reveals your soul strength and bounce back ability
7. Failure takes you ONE STEP closer to – or further away – from your dreams
8. Failure reveals your true friends
9. Failure makes you dependent on others
10. Failure hidden – perpetuates failure – but if acknowledged – increases wisdom
11. Failure reveals the heartlessness of organizations and structures
12. Failure is the ever present companion in an increasing life.

Lifting the lid

Steve Penny — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:33:33 +0000

I watch with great interest the journey of leaders in my field of calling.
It is always interesting to watch younger leaders face the same challenges that I have faced in my journey of faith.
I have resolved that I am called of God to be an influencer of people for good and for God.
To do that I have to lead in both Godliness and good works.
My challenge has always been to keep lifting the lid and going to the next level.
Going to the next level is the greatest challenge of leadership.
Here are my thoughts on lifting the lid.
1. Commit to always go forward.
Make up your mind to keep pursuing your dream.
Don’t make come-backs – make go-forwards.
2. Learn the seven year cycle of life and leadership.
To ignore this rule is disaster.
3. Re-invent yourself every seven years
Deliberately change who you are and what you do. Take time out for reflection and reinvention.
4. Deliberately change the way you think about life.
5. Start acting out of your new way of thinking. Until it becomes habit to you.
6. Find someone ahead of you and shadow them. In other words get close enough to dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. The only shadow God casts is through people.
7. Stay happy through the gain pain.
The stress of change causes many people to fail at change.
Leadership is a journey of faith. It never stops. If you live it well – others will follow you, so stay the journey and stay fresh We need you at the front.

iPhone Addicts

Steve Penny — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:14:03 +0000

I am sitting in my favourite seat at Mooloolaba after my morning walk. There are two men next to me having breakfast. They are dressed ready to go to the office for the day.
One man has been on his IPhone for most of the time I have been here. He has the earpiece in his ear and is talking to people not present. Not only that – he is also flipping through a newspaper on the seat next to him.
The other man is patiently waiting and playing with the remains of his breakfast. Perhaps thinking of how he could spill it into Mr Bigheads lap.
This is absolute rudeness and happens everywhere.
Lessons to be learned.
1. Be present where you are.
2. Engage the people you are with.
3. Value the time you have with friends 4. Don’t let a call from strangers rule your world.
5. You are not as busy or as important as you think.
6. Don’t play games on your phone when with others.
7. Get a life – it’s all about people.

Watch what you say

Steve Penny — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:47:08 +0000

This morning on my walk to Mooloolaba I was startled by a group or cyclists riding past on the road.
They were talking loudly to hear one another above the furious and frenetic sounds of their little legs pumping up and down on their pedals.
I could hear them as clear as day even though they were across the other side of the road.
They were discussing their personal body parts and functions.
It was intrusive and offensive and before I could remonstrate or put a stick in their wheels, they were gone.
Got me thinking about the words we say and who may be listening.
Here are the rules of words.
1. Words create your world
2. Words carry further than you think
3. Words lodge within people
4. Words either build up or break down
5. Words are the clothes you put on your thoughts
6. Words reveal the real you
7. Words are the highest form of love
Make sure you order your words to build the world you dreaming to live in.