Neil's blog

I have at least 2 signature sins, which God has been making me more aware of lately. John Ortberg wrote a great article about how God helps us to grow up in faith.

He writes in the Spring 09 edition of ‘Leadership’, “I'm currently involved with an effort, called Monvee, to help people figure out how to assess their temperament, their spiritual pathway, their learning style, their season of life, their signature sin—and find a concrete way to do life from Monday to Saturday that will help someone wired like them, be connected to God and continue to grow.”

One of my signature sins can be seen on a football field when I’m losing badly and my pride is at stake. They say there are two types of losers, ‘good losers & those who can’t act’, but I’m trying to find a third way. My strong competitive streak can be a strength, but not when it’s combined with an attitude of winning at all costs. Now and again, in weak moments, I fall for the temptation to do exactly that and it’s humbling, even humiliating, when I look at myself and the huge rattle I’ve just thrown out of the pram!

Evidence of God’s Grace at work in this area of my life will be when I can play hard and at the end of a game genuinely congratulate someone for their victory over my team. God’s Grace is truly at work in my life when I look across the river at what great things God is doing in and through other churches.

God, help me to grow up to be like my elder brother! May His signature be seen more and more in my life.

Check the full article referred to above (well worth a read!), at

http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/communitylife/discipleship/spiritualgrowthplan.html

p.s. the photo attached is a mild dose of my competitivism, fighting with Al' over a skipping rope in the bloke's race at Kelburn on Sat'!