steve penny » Convictions

Summer days

Steve Penny — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 21:12:19 +0000

Sitting at Mooloolaba having a skinny latte as the sun comes up for another new day filled with great expectations.
The sun was shining directly into my eyes so I asked for the shade umbrella to be moved to protect my delicate skin.
The waitress obliged and in no time had it positioned to do its job.
Then as she walked away she left me with a profound statement. “There – problem solved, and I didn’t even have to tilt the earth to make it happen.
How often do we expect God to move heaven and earth just for us when all we have to do is to move our chair or raise the umbrella.
I could not count the number of times I have been asked to pray for God to do a miracle, when so often a change of diet and a fitness program would solve the problem. What about the number of people who ask for God to move heaven and earth and do a miracle in their marriage, instead of just forgiving and moving a little toward one another.
If you have a huge challenge in your life right now then do the following.
1. Move just a little by doing whatever you can, to take some of the heat out of the issue.
2. Do not give up on everything – and don’t walk out on anything.
3. Stir up hope – tomorrow always brings fresh mercies from God and fresh grace for you to overcome.
4. Write down your dream life again – write it down in detail and find promises in God’s word to stand on.
5. Get your emotions under control. They either respond to your circumstances or to your convictions.
You choose which.
6. Show love to those who do life with you. Don’t blame them for your woes or take out your angst on them. Do something together to declare that life is a wonderful gift from God and no circumstance will ever change that.
7. Keep your prayer life strong. Communion with God is the source of our all our strength.
And finally having done all you can – then expect God to move heaven and earth on your behalf.
He loves you so much – he might just do it.

THE CALL TO ARMS

Steve Penny — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:20:55 +0000

Having just spent a few weeks in the UK and Europe and listening to the speeches made at the Opposition Conference, I stayed up last night to listen to the speech delivered by the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Having also endured a listless and leaderless National election in Australia, I was greatly hearted by the speech delivered by David Cameron to his party.

At last we have a leader who is not ruled by public opinion and political correctness.

It was sickening to watch the two leadership candidates in our recent Australian elections, tip toe around the media in fear of putting a foot wrong or a word out of place. Plastic, well rehearsed speeches full of political correctness and devoid of any visionary substance.

Therefore last nights speech by David Cameron ought to be essential viewing by every leader in Australia. At last England has a leader with a moral compass. A grand vision for the future of his country, the political savvy to unite two parties, and the courage of his convictions to dare to believe for a better tomorrow.

I have returned from the UK greatly heartened that this once great nation can again play an important role on the world stage.

We desperately need a nation with a strong moral compass to rise up and give leadership to the nations of the world. The fight will be immense but the fruit of victory and progress will be sweet to the people of that nation.

Time will tell how much of David Cameron’s grand plan can be implemented. But at least we have a leader who is willing to stand by his convictions and then with courage call his nation to arms, to work together for a great tomorrow.

I for one will be watching with great interest the re-emergence of the United Kingdom and their future role in world affairs.

DREAMS CREATE CONVICTIONS

Steve Penny — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:14:07 +0000

DREAMS CREATE CONVICTIONS

Convictions are the eternal foundations laid within your spirit (your inner core), upon which you build the house of your dreams.

The stronger your convictions in life, the stronger the foundations of your life!

Convictions are the core beliefs you have allowed to embed within your spirit, which; as you grow, form the foundation of your world view and behaviour.

These convictions form in your life in three ways;

1. CULTURE People and values you are exposed to as you grow – form our convictions within.

2. CRISIS Circumstances can impact a person to such a degree that convictions are formed or changed.

3. CONCEPTION Conceiving of a dream or desire within your spirit will create a conviction which then ignites the fires of passion.

Without convictions your house of dreams has no invisible or eternal foundations.

DREAMS ARE BORN IN YOUR SPIRIT

Steve Penny — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:05:18 +0000

DREAMS ARE BORN IN YOUR SPIRIT

Every human being has a dream capacity.

It is your God given link with the invisible world.

Dreams are conceived in your spirit and then grow within you.

While a thought is still in your mind, it is simply a good idea, but when it strikes in your spirit – a dream is born.

Conception must take place before a DREAM CONVICTION is born, so keep thinking on that creative thought until it strikes in your spirit.

Once it strikes inside you, conviction is born.

Convictions then produce passion: and from passion comes your enthusiasm or life energy.

Whatever you are passionate about – you will pursue.

Dreams are born in the eternal realm of your spirit, and then produce inspired thoughts and ideas, which in turn produce action and behaviour.

The Power of Culture

Steve Penny — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:33:19 +0000

Organizations and collectives of people of any size function to the expectations of their common culture.
Every family, tribe, or group of people of any size has an agreed culture even if they have not directly identified and clarified it.
Some rules of culture.
1. What a culture is – a culture grows.
2. He who creates the culture – rules the house.
3. Cultures attract after their kind – and repel those of a different spirit.
4.Cultures are the result of commonly held convictions.
5. Cultures must be carried by all members of the group.
6. Cultures can be copied through style and structure – but can only be carried through same spirit.
7. Culture is seen best when things are at their worst or leadership is away.

A Culture will only be strong
1. Where convictions are made clear.
2. Where excuses are never accepted
3. Where fruitfulness is always expected – not just faithfulness.
4. Where leadership is publicly honoured
5. Where creative experimentation is encouraged.
6. Where success is always rewarded
7. Where the growth of the group is clearly the priority and focus.

Culture must be intentionally created and carried.
The primary leaders of the group must live the culture as examples to the group.
It must be consistently reinforced in all gatherings of the group.
The role of all key team is to be culture carriers first and then gift function second.
All new people into a group must be intentionally culturised with the convictions of the group.
Do not ever assume people know your culture. Do not promote people on gifting – but on ability to carry culture.
Remember – what a culture is – a culture grows.

Segways – the cool transition

Steve Penny — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:24:06 +0000

I am sitting here at Sun City in Sth Africa watching people get from one point to another on these cool machines called Segways.
You can hire them here to take a ride along the wonderful bush paths.
They have become somewhat of an icon with new sayings being adopted using the word Segway.
That was a nice Segway now means – that was a nice transition from one point to another.
If you deftly change the subject it would be considered a smooth segway.
The truth is that we need to learn how to make smooth transitions in life.
So many people leave one place or one issue in life quite badly under the false impression that the new place will make all things new.
Wherever you go – you take you with you. The transition vehicle can be as cool as a Segway – but you are still the driver. When you leave a position or place in life make sure you attend to the following matters.
1. Pay your debts
Pay back any Debts whether of time, money, resource etc.
The world is a small place now and your indebtedness will follow you.
2. Ask for forgiveness
You will at some time have offended, disappointed or straight out hurt others so genuinely ask for forgiveness.
3. Strengthen friendships
New friends are never as good as old friends. They may appear to be the best friends ever but that is because they dont know you well.
Get all details so you can stay connected to your old friends and make sure it happens.
4. Keep your family happy
The next move may be good for you but make sure the rest of the team that do life with you are excited as well.
5. Don’t leave for a new world – expand the world you are in.
Just enlarge your sphere of connectedness. People who burn their bridges end up living on an island.
6. Don’t change your values for new opportunities.
You must learn to culturise your convictions into whatever context you find yourself in. Values have no boundaries. Who you are doesn’t change.
7. Above all leave slowly
Take time to say goodbye. Don’t just disappear. Stay connected and committed until you leave. Allow people the opportunity to express their thanks for all you mean to them.
And then wave royally as you go with both feelings of sadness and joy mixed together.

TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE

Steve Penny — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:38:02 +0000

HELP! MY DOG IS DESTROYING MY GARDEN

Some time ago my second eldest son decided to buy a cute little puppy dog.

The cute little bundle turned out to be a Staffy.

My son decided to leave it at our place, as he couldn’t keep it where he was staying at the time.

It wasn’t long before this cute little bundle grew into a large, strong, house destruction unit. We lost two lounges, many pairs of shoes and clothing, and my back lawn became a burial place for favourite bones etc.

I would often sit in the middle of this chaos, and ponder how such a destructive season could enter my life without any real warning.

Let me suggest that such things can often happen to us in many areas of life, if we do not take the right action;

we should never allow people to just dump things on us in life.
we should always make sure that new things add value to our life.
we should make others responsible for their own actions.
We should show kindness to all but keep our own convictions strong.
We should always value what we have, and teach others to value it as well.
We should know where we are going in life and be strong enough to say No to things not helping you on the journey.

There were times when I would just sit and wonder if my life would ever return to normal.

Someone suggested I get rid of the dog.

I did and it worked wonders.

Steve Penny

Confidence

Steve Penny — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:06:58 +0000

Psalm 4:3 -