This is a comment posted by James Macpherson in response to my Lessons from the Lions Dressing Room. Made me laugh. At least he can salvage something worthwhile from that dismal football team he insists on supporting!
James writes: My beloved North Melbourne Kangaroos song provides insights into why, unlike Brisbane, we are NOT playing finals this September.
“OUT WE COME, OUT WE COME, OUT WE COME TO PLAY …”
Losers are always talking about what they are going to do rather than actually doing it. I wish they’d stop threatening and actually play!
“JUST FOR RECREATIONS SAKE TO PASS THE TIME AWAY …”
Just for what??!!
Losers fail to appreciate the significance of opportunities that come their way. It was said of the British that they liked to take weekends in the country whilst Hitler liked to take countries in the weekend.
“LOTS OF FUN, HEAPS OF FUN, ENJOY YOURSELVES TODAY …”
Losers enjoy losing. If you’re having fun losing, there’s no incentive to win.
“NORTH MELBOURNE BOYS ARE HARD TO BEAT WHEN THEY COME OUT TO PLAY SO …”
Well they might be hard to beat if they came out to play, but they’re still back in the sheds singing “out we come, out we come … ”
North Melbourne are coming and so is Christmas.
“JOIN IN THE CHORUS AND SING IT ONE AND ALL …”
Losers are leading choruses when they are meant to be smashing the opposition. Why is my footy team singing when they should be nailing the opposition.
“JOIN IN THE CHORUS NORTH MELBOURNE’S ON THE BALL …”
And there’s our problem. We’re on the ball when we are supposed to be kicking the wretched thing. Stop falling over fellas and try moving the piece of leather with some fluency through the middle of the ground toward the goals.
Losers miss the main point of the game and become preoccupied with silly games.
Losers boast about being on the ball whilst winners are kicking the thing through the goals.
“GOOD OLD NORTH MELBOURNE, WE’RE CHAMPIONS YOU’LL AGREE …”
Margaret Thatcher reckoned that “if you have to tell people you’re a lady, you’re probably not!”
Say no more.
“NORTH MELBOURNE WILL BE PREIMERS, JUST YOU WAIT AND SEE.”
And we continue to wait …
Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago at 3:24 pm. Add a comment
The Brisbane Lions’ team song is ringing loud and clear across the night sky tonight! What an amazing come-back (again) victory over Carlton in the elimination final! It culminated in one of the most passionate renditions of a team song in the dressing rooms I have ever seen!
I wonder if there’s anything we can learn from the statements of a champion team’s victory song…
1. We are the pride of Brisbane town – Champions learn to carry a very real sense of confidence in who they are and who they represent. Arrogance sounds like confidence but is actually very different. Arrogance is based on an insecure ego, whereas confidence is based on trust in the foundation that has been prepared (through training; experience; delegated authority; sense of call, purpose and mission).
2. We wear maroon, blue and gold – Champions wear the team colours proudly and as excellent representatives. As the Relentless Creed says, “He will have no problem recognizing me, for my colours will be clear!”
3. We will always fight for victory – Champions never, never, never give up. They get knocked down, but they get up again! The Lions have the best win-from-behind record in the league. Again tonight they fought back from being more than 20 points down at least twice. My dad taught me a valuable life lesson when I was playing a lot of sport in my teens: Champions don’t drop their head and give up when things go against them.
4. Like Fitzroy and Bears of old – Champions know where they’ve come from so they can honour the past and learn from its mistakes…but they don’t live there. Imagine if Jonathan Brown ran on to the ground in an old Fitzroy jersey, or tried to sing the old Brisbane Bears song in the dressing room! Yet so often people try to keep living in the successes and/or failures of the past and keep singing the songs of a previous era. Champions keep moving forward – they know their best days are yet to come.
5. All for one, one for all – Champions know the power of team. Lions coach Michael Voss roasted his team after one of their victories earlier in the season (unusual for a team to be in trouble after a win!). What stirred his displeasure? The lack of team work in that particular game. Oh there were some champion individual performances, but he was looking to shape a champion team – because that’s how Premierships are won. Champions back-up their team-mates, and focus on a common purpose instead of fighting battles in the dressing room.
6. We will answer to the call – Champions have learnt the powerful principle of “Yes is the answer…now what is the question?” In other words, they’ve settled the issue of whether or not they will put everything on the line and step up to the mark. They don’t need to waste time debating whether or not they will join the fray – “that’s a done deal, I’ve joined the cause, now what do I need to do?” Whatever the coach wants is what I will do.
7. Go Lions, Brisbane Lions, we’ll kick the winning score – Champions are encouragers. They know how to cheer each other on and stir belief in the hearts of those around them
8. You’ll hear the mighty roar – Champions learn how to carry the shout of triumph and victory in their life. You can hear it in their words, see it in the way they respond to the ups and downs of life.
They were battered, bleeding, bandaged and bruised – but at the end of the night a champion team roared their song together. Bring on the Doggies next weekend!
Posted 10 months, 4 weeks ago at 11:26 pm. 2 comments
There are now 10 mp3 messages available for download at artieshepherd.com, plus two free mp3′s.
Messages include:
Convictions of Steel – what are the basic building blocks of your life? Do you need to change them?
Power of Forgiveness – “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” ends up with no-one being able to see or smile anymore! Forgiveness will set you free to live the life you were created for.
Woe. Lo. Go. – three encounters you need to have for a significant life.
He Wants/She Wants – the always popular series by Artie & Alana on what men and women want in a relationship. Perfect for anyone who is married, dating or would one day like to be!
The i61 Revolution sample – Because. Anointed. To. Three simple words which will catapault you into your destiny.
Posted 11 months, 1 week ago at 1:36 pm. Add a comment
This weekend I’m off again to preach for the weekend at Boyne Tannum Christian Church. Howard James is building a community-influencing church in this beautiful part of Queensland. I’m looking forward to speaking at their Fruitful Vine conference, as well as Sunday AM church and Sunday PM youth.
The youth ministry is led by Anthony & Jess Corbett – a great young couple full of passion and belief that they can make a difference in their region. Their young people are awesome – we met some of them at i61 Conference this year. Whole families have been changed since their encounter with God that week, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what has been happening!
On the home front, James Macpherson from Calvary Christian Church in Townsville will be preaching at Kings One on Friday night, concluding the Reasons For God series. James is one of the best preachers you will ever hear! And Steve Penny will be back from LA for the Sunday 9AM service at Kings Buderim, continuing his BU (Be You) Series which everyone has been raving about in the offices this week.
Feels like another great weekend on the way!
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago at 11:48 pm. 2 comments
Because. Anointed. To. That’s the i61 Revolution.
Three powerful words from Isaiah 61:1.
Still wondering what your life purpose is? This message could set your life on a collision course with destiny!
Already living your life purpose? This message will stir you to take it to a new level!
Here’s a 12 minute sampler of one of my signature messages. I’d love to hear what you think of it!
You can download it at http://artieshepherd.com/free-stuff
Enjoy!
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago at 11:15 pm. Add a comment
I just received this email from Claire Ashton, youth leader at Vine Christian Centre in South Wales, UK. It’s always nice to hear good reports after ministering somewhere, and it’s especially encouraging that God was at work!
“Hi Artie,
I was really impressed with your teaching and your words have made such an impact on me. I know this is true of many of our young people so I asked them to write a few words down to express how God had touched them during your meetings.
- I made quite a few notes when listening to you and these are the things that particularly struck me: When you talk to people speak in a language they understand and relate to. It will make a difference…I need to use the gifts God has given me more and not hide them. I don’t want to be easily shaken and hide my Christianity. The choices I make will make a big difference in my life. ATTITUDE MEANS EVERYTHING. I don’t’ want to take shortcuts any longer. Ashleigh 16
- …God instilled in me such a relentless spirit this week. One that will never back down, never give up and never turn my back on Jesus. Thank you for explaining these things in such an easy way to listen and to understand. You have really encouraged our youth group. Chloe 16
- This week I feel God’s been challenging me as a worship leader and on the choices I make in my life. The sessions you did in Xstream were refreshing, interesting and funny and the filtering process you spoke about is being used already and is helping a lot. I really enjoyed your teaching and really hope to hear you speak again soon. Tim 21
- This week I feel like God is confirming a few things in my life and that he is going to build me up and use me. Through Artie I felt a bigger passion for God and to be relentless in my journey with God and that my life is his. Hannah 17
- This week I felt doubtful and indecisive of where I am going and what I should do in my life, which direction to take. I found that Artie’s 8 W’s (“How to Make Right Decisions”) really helped me to make a choice and find which direction to take. Kirsty 19
- Every year at camp there are a few speakers that stand out to you. You were one for me this year. Thank you for being so encouraging, funny and challenging. You’ve stirred up one relentless spirit in me. Lydia 15
- This year was my first faith camp and I have thoroughly enjoyed the week. One of my most enjoyable experiences was when you spoke to us. I felt that through your sermon God really spoke to me about being more bold and confident in my attitude towards being a Christian and becoming relentless. Forence 15
- This was only my second faith camp so the whole experience is still new to me. Through your sermon I felt as though I could truly be resolute for God. You made the sermon fun, lively and exciting for every person present in the Move tent. I would love to hear you speak again next faith camp. Thank you for your truly awesome sermon. Kim 16″
I am constantly in awe that God would see fit to use me to help make a difference in the lives of people even on the other side of the world!
Posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago at 1:52 pm. Add a comment
In our staff meeting yesterday Ps Steve Penny shared some great principles on the Five Commitments for Lasting Fruit from John 15:1-8.
I’ve taken the liberty of modifying this slightly in a way that my simple mind can handle!
Every team member must make personal decisions that will enable them to be a fruitful member of the team – and not just fruitful, but fruitfully producing lasting fruit which in turn produces more fruit!
There are 5 Qualities and 5 Decisions which will help to produce this result:
Quality #1 FUNCTION. Decision #1 CONTRIBUTING
The first step is to identify your gifts and start contributing to the team and vision by functioning in them.
Quality #2 FAITHFUL. Decision #2 COMMITTED
You must faithfully serve in whatever opportunity is presented, with a commitment to commitment.
Quality #3 FRIENDLY. Decision #3 CONNECTED
Now you need to work hard at being a valued part of the team beyond your area of service. Everything works best through relationship. This is about developing your Social IQ.
Quality #4 FIT. Decision #4 CONTENT
Now you’ve passed from being a servant to a steward and you get to find where you really fit best. What gives you the most joy? For the sake of the bigger picture you may still need to work in an area which is not your dream, but the joy of the Lord should be your strength.
Quality #5 FRUITFUL. Decision #5 CHARACTER
Now you decide to continue serving with the right spirit through the continual shaping of your character so that you can produce fruit which remains. A wrong spirit will produce fruit as well – but it will have the wrong taste. You can tell when a department is led by the wrong spirit – it just doesn’t taste right.
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago at 11:54 am. Add a comment
Craig Groeschel and his team at LifeChurch.tv are some of the most innovative and creative guys around! They are paving a new path for the church especially in the effective use of technology for influencing as many people in as many places as possible.
They have just created a new web-based Google application called BabelWith.me which translates instant messaging conversations in real-time in 45 different languages. So…you could invite a group of people you’re trying to reach out to in another nation or cultural group to join in a conversation with no language barrier.
Quoted in the Leadership Network Advance e-news, LifeChurch.tv innovation leader and pastor Bobby Gruenwald said, “In our increasingly global society, language barriers have remained major hurdles to bringing people together. Our hope is that BabelWith.me will set conversation free by empowering communication between different cultures and creating new opportunities for important discussions.”
Check out www.babelwith.me – Pretty cool!
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago at 10:59 am. Add a comment
Love these thoughts adapted from JD Greear on the Mystery of the Gospel:
- The First Mystery of the Gospel (what angels are “amazed” by) is not why some aren’t saved, but why any are saved! The cross is foolishness…
- The Second Mystery of the Gospel is not why some aren’t saved, but how those who are saved fail to give their lives for those who aren’t.
Ouch.
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago at 1:02 am. 1 comment
I love living life fast and full! We have just crammed well over 40,000kms of travel into the last 17 days. That’s a lot of time sitting in planes, trains, cars…and the London tube for one short, scary trip! But, thank you Jesus for a fruitful, effective and safe trip! Let’s hope this jet-lag fades fast!
There is a stirring across Europe of visionary leaders with a spirit of advancement, and churches which are seeing new levels of influence and favour and soul winning in their cities. We were so impressed by the people we met and engaged with!
I preached 12 times in 5 cities and saw over 150 people say Yes to Jesus – many for the very first time ever!
We were so blessed to be able to connect with old friends and forge new friendships for the future. In fact, these connection moments were some of the greatest highlights of the trip for us – and God really spoke to us out of them.
Thanks to:
Steve & Charlotte Gambill,
Kris & Kalleigh Mikkelson,
Rich & Jules Martin,
Matt & Amanda Stephens,
Steve & Nicky Sutherland,
Brendan White,
Clive & Jane Urquhart,
Colin & Caroline Urquhart,
Paul & Liz Gutteridge,
Glyn & Sophie Barrett,
Phil Dooley,
Zibi & Magda Marzek,
Jason & Kim Gowland,
Stuart Keir,
Dave & Helen Belfield,
Dave & Bek Cadman,
and so many more!
After all the frenetic pace of the past few weeks it is so good to be home! There’s not much that compares to the buzz of being reunited with your children after such a long time away! The hugs, squeezes, kisses, excitement, laughter, sharing of presents and catching up on the wonder of our kids lives is just amazing! We are truly blessed people!
Posted 11 months, 3 weeks ago at 5:35 am. 1 comment
