Coaching 4 Life Ltd

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How do we develop a positive mindset in a negative culture?
Recent times have revealed many people now struggle to accept traditional structures of trust.
Banks - Doctors - News Media - Politicians - Government - News outlets - Investments - Social Media...and the list goes on.

We shouldn't be surprised by this as many of us have been caught up in the worldwide chaos and power wrangling over the past 5 years; and its not over! But for a person of faith; surely our options are to be trusted?

Positive thinking is far better than thinking negatively, but there is a barb in that ideology; and it can lead us down a very broad path.

Paul commanded the Thessalonians to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21), and so we should, but the key is what lens do we use for our examination?
1. The lens of a world view?
2. The lens of public opinion?
3. The lens of politics?
4. The lens of popular ideology
5. The lens of self-belief
6. The lens of scripture?

We will all choose one lens or another, and it is that choice which affirms our perspective.
Our key response should be "to examine things carefully", but how do we know how to examine carefully when there are so many opinions?

We must examine all things against the standard of truth, and that requires Gods wisdom, Gods word, Gods will.

Here are THREE influencing factors:

The Role of Scripture in Testing
The Bible serves as the ultimate standard for testing all things. Regular engagement with Scripture equips believers to discern truth from falsehood.

The Influence of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit aids believers in the process of discernment, providing wisdom and understanding beyond human capability.

Community and Accountability
Engaging with a community of believers provides support and accountability in the process of testing and holding fast to what is good.

𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 — 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝘀

Moses had a stutter, a temper, and a past.

He was a prince who became a fugitive, a man whose resume began with murder and ended in shepherding someone else’s sheep.
When God lit a bush and called him by name, Moses didn’t step forward with pride. He stammered. He stalled. He said, “Who am I that I should go?”
And God answered not with a pep talk, but with a promise: “I will be with you.”

That’s it. No motivational speech.
No reminder of Moses’ hidden potential.
Just His presence. Just I AM.
Because God doesn’t send strong men; He strengthens weak ones. He doesn’t look for the eloquent; He speaks through the stumbling. He doesn’t need you to be enough. He just needs you to know that He is.
The gospel doesn’t begin with “you can do it.” It begins with “you can’t.” But Christ did.
The Great I AM took on flesh, stood in our place, and walked the path we could never walk. When we say “Who am I?” Jesus says, “You are mine.”
That’s enough. Because He is.

What's in a book? Well, depends on what you are reading, but for me:
It provides transportation to another place.
It provides history
It provides comfort
It provides escape
It provides solitude
It provides information
It provides alternative views
It provides education on life
It provides experiences
It provides wisdom
It provides life experiences
It provides friends I will never meet
It provides opportunities
It provides shelter from external noise
But most of all, It provides me with hope and assurance that being alone with a book is one of the greatest ways to relax and remove oneself from society, without the need to hide.

Power of a good name

The power of a good name.

Names have incredible power; in fact more power than we realise. The naming of a child has a tremendous capacity to illicit thoughts, feeling, emotions, and memories. All of us are affected in one way or another when we hear a name. In fact some names arouse fear on hearing them, others evoke anger and hatred.

The most common reason for those emotions is an associated memory which is engrained in our psyche through an unforgettable occurrence in life. They have left a bad taste in our mouth. On the contrary, a good name evokes feeling and emotions of happiness, thankfulness, kindness, honesty and dependability.

Such names are not only related to individuals, they are also places, cities, countries, groups, companies, associations, races, religions, organization's, political parties, and many more. Indeed; a name is a powerful reminder of times past, experiences held and decisions made or not made.

Proverbs 22:1 ESV A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 ESV A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV For we aim at what is honourable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.

When we think of building a reputation, it’s impossible to do so without associating the name that goes with it. It’s what marketers call “branding.”
However; a name that has taken a lifetime to build, can be destroyed in seconds. One simple post online, one hurried email, one carelessly voiced opinion, one message from the pulpit; are all subjected to scrutiny by the masses.

When credibility is lost, the name is tarnished. Sometimes that name is sullied or tarnished for generations to come. Even changing the name is no guarantee that the reputation will change. Yes indeed; The power of a good name is far more important than we give credit for.

In years gone by; guarding the family name, a company, or organisation; meant something. Our business and personal behaviour was conditioned by what impact our actions would have upon it. Not so much these days in my opinion.

As a younger man, I had a friend whose father sold his house and assets to pay his creditors. I vividly recall his voice when he was asked; “why not go into receivership, and let the banks sort it out?” His response was. “My name is more important.” I wonder how many today would suffer personally to safeguard their character.

Reputation is what man thinks of you, but character is what God knows of you.

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The power of a good name.

Names have incredible power; in fact more power than we realise. The naming of a child has a tremendous capacity to illicit thoughts, feeling, emotions, and memories. All of us are affected in one way or another when we hear a name. In fact some names arouse fear on hearing them, others evoke anger and hatred.

The most common reason for those emotions is an associated memory which is engrained in our psyche through an unforgettable occurrence in life. They have left a bad taste in our mouth. On the contrary, a good name evokes feeling and emotions of happiness, thankfulness, kindness, honesty and dependability.

Such names are not only related to individuals, they are also places, cities, countries, groups, companies, associations, races, religions, organization's, political parties, and many more. Indeed; a name is a powerful reminder of times past, experiences held and decisions made or not made.

Proverbs 22:1 ESV A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 ESV A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth.

2 Corinthians 8:21 ESV For we aim at what is honourable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man.

When we think of building a reputation, it’s impossible to do so without associating the name that goes with it. It’s what marketers call “branding.”
However; a name that has taken a lifetime to build, can be destroyed in seconds. One simple post online, one hurried email, one carelessly voiced opinion, one message from the pulpit; are all subjected to scrutiny by the masses.

When credibility is lost, the name is tarnished. Sometimes that name is sullied or tarnished for generations to come. Even changing the name is no guarantee that the reputation will change. Yes indeed; The power of a good name is far more important than we give credit for.

In years gone by; guarding the family name, a company, or organisation; meant something. Our business and personal behaviour was conditioned by what impact our actions would have upon it. Not so much these days in my opinion.

As a younger man, I had a friend whose father sold his house and assets to pay his creditors. I vividly recall his voice when he was asked; “why not go into receivership, and let the banks sort it out?” His response was. “My name is more important.” I wonder how many today would suffer personally to safeguard their character.

Reputation is what man thinks of you, but character is what God knows of you.

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Fixing the nets.

Time and opportunity (and their investment), are significant tools in the hands of a wise student.

Time is a limited resource and its availability and storage is out of the control of us all. Opportunity however is available to us all, yet only the wise understand that and use them to their full advantage.

The perceived values of those realities are only applicable to those who by self-discipline have mastered their investment. With the advent of social media, internet technologies, smart phones, on demand viewing and lifestyle choices; working from home etc., we have (to a greater degree) lost control of how and where we invest our time; missing out on numerous unrecognized opportunities.

When the fascination for the trappings of the world’s system, dull our perception of a greater kingdom purpose; we lose focus on the reality that the greater and eternal purpose has become secondary.

J.C. Ryle in his sermon’s spoke consistently of the conflict between desires of the heart and the affective will of God.

“The true Christian is called to be a soldier and must behave as such from the day of his conversion to the day of his death. He is not meant to live a life of religious ease, indolence and security. He must never imagine for a moment that he can sleep and doze along the way to heaven, like one traveling in an easy carriage”.

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

The two most important tools in navigating through life are Time and Opportunity.

Time is meant to be redeemed, bought back, used effectively and invested in situations of greatest reward.
Opportunities are to be prioritized, evaluated, and pursued above those which merely consume us, occupy us, and eventually exhaust us, leaving us unable to prepare for the season to come.

Mark 8:36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his soul?

So during the seasons of stormy weather, or times of ease, fix the nets.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

1. Trust in The Lord
The Hebrew word for "trust" is "batach," which conveys a sense of security and confidence. In an Eastern context it
refers to a refuge or stronghold where safety is guaranteed. The word infers an active not passive response. To be reminded
of Gods faithfulness is key to trusting in Him. Consider His wins in your life.

2. With all your heart
The Hebrew term for "heart" is "lev," which is not just emotions but the mind, will, and inner being. Biblically, the heart is central to our being. "With all your heart" implies total commitment and devotion, leaving no room for divided loyalties. Trust centralizes our devotion. "Who or what" is getting our devotion?

3. And lean not (Do not depend on your own reasoning)
The word "lean" in Hebrew is "sha'an," meaning to support oneself or rely on something. Being your own boss, solving your own problems, doing it "my way". The picture invokes a person propped up on crutches, self reliant, independent. What are we leaning on this year?

4. On your own understanding -
"Understanding" in Hebrew is "binah," which refers to insight, discernment, or intelligence. Human understanding is a gift from God, BUT it is limited and fallible.
This verse cautions us against worldly wisdom versus divine revelation in Gods word.
Godly Wisdom is our first port of call for answers.
Who and what is our source of understanding today?
News media? Political narratives? Social media?

5. In all our ways, -bring Him into our equation
The Hebrew word for "ways" is "derek," which means a road, journey, or manner. Every aspect of our lives should be under scrutiny and guidance.
Historically, the Israelites understood life as a journey in which they were taught to invite God into every aspect of it. Do we honestly invite God into every aspect of our life?
Our work skills, our health needs, our spending, our leisure time; even our church life?

6. Acknowledge Him
The Hebrew word for "acknowledge" is "yada," which means to know deeply or intimately. Not just intellectual, but a total recognition and relationship with God.
In the Hebrew context, acknowledgement involved worship, obedience, and trust. For Christians, this means living in a way that reflects a deep, personal relationship with God, in prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience towards Gods commands.

6. And He will make your paths strait -
The right Direction AND Path is key! The Hebrew verb "yashar" means to make straight, smooth, or right. It implies that God actively participates in the lives of those who trust Him, aligning their paths with His will.
The imagery of "paths" being made "straight" suggests clarity, direction, and purpose.
In the ancient world, a straight path was a safe and efficient route, free from obstacles and dangers. Taking a strait path
is dependent on Gods choice of direction and our willingness to follow it.
Many a person has gone off the right path onto the wrong path, or taken the easy route, only to be ambushed, never to get back on the strait path.

So this year, who or what will direct your life?
Who will garner your trust?
What will you lean on?

It will all centre around our trust. Trust in The Lord!

Here is some sage advice in a very clever way.

Oil and water.

I remember as a high school student taking a science class to define a colloidal dispersion. I don’t recall many such events, but this one with stayed with me through my career and in life.

Put simply; it’s a mixture of an insoluble substance microscopically dispersed throughout another substance. Oil and water!

In this dispersion, neither properties change their specific structure. Left to their own devices they will ultimately return back to their original components through an event called separation. I often applied this principle as a chef, when making salad dressings of oil and vinegar, egg mayonnaise, hollandaise and béarnaise sauces.

This practical application is no less true in life.

The only thing that keeps society together is a stabilizing force. Remove that and the components revert back to their original state. Oil and water!

As a Christian; what holds us together is the love of Christ. As society breaks down all around us, the only thing that keeps us together as believers is the stabilizing force of God’s love expressed and revealed through His Son, His Word, and His Spirit. Ignore those components and society goes the way of one of my aforementioned sauces – it curdles, separates and splits!

Jesus mission on earth was ultimately the stabilizing force which God chose to bring a split society back together. Those that follow the method will be unified together as a cohesive dispersion. The common denominator or stabilizer is Christ!

Believers in Christ are unified as a body of evidence, suspended in a split society. We cannot redeem society, but society can choose to become part of the stabilizing force. The redeemed body of Christ. Ephesians 3:17-19 John 17:23-26.

It’s like being awake in an insane world.

Light and dark don’t mix.
Truth and Lie are distinct differences.
Life and death are polar opposites,
And the world we live in, is distinct from the Kingdom we are born again into.

Colossians 1:13 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son,

John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 8:23, Isaiah 9:6-7

Whilst we are suspended as a colloidal dispersion in this world, we are distinct from it, yet a part of it. The greater sum of our components is different from those around us. Not superior or better than, but definitely unique from them. Romans 12:1-2

There is an appointed time when the final separation will take place, and all those united in him will be removed for ever from the elements which will not bind. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Until then, we are suspended in what appears like an insane world, as a shining example and beacon of hope.

John 15:19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Seek Him.

Welcome to 2025

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.

There is a world of difference between being told, and being shown. In every sphere of life, the key to effective learning is taking the learner alongside the teacher. Assuming the teacher understands the tools necessary to learn, are key to learning.

The old apprenticeship system is fundamental to the skills of learning. The "seasoned teacher" instructing the student in all the aspects of learning is paramount to student growth, not the subject matter alone.

Grasping the totality of the students growth is just as important as the skill or trade being learned. To ignore this is like putting a shotgun in their hands without teaching the responsibility and consequences of firing it.

Discipleship is not about being able to parrot phrase the learning, but having the well-rounded character development by which we live out the learning.
Talent may open the door to us, but character will take us through it.

Many an individual start off well; but few finish well.

I recall an ex student of mine saying, "I can make friends easily; but I just can't keep them".
Any long term benefit, is sustained by the characteristic of commitment. Whether its a job, a relationship, a business, a faith; they all require commitment to the end.

Good and faithful are themselves the reward.

In 2025, many a promise has been made already, a gym membership paid, a learning programme entered, but "involvement" is the real challenge.