The Froome Factor

Every year I spend 21 sleep deprived nights watching the greatest bicycle race on the world pro cycling tour and every year I am left inspired by the extraordinary efforts of elite athletes who push themselves to the limit to achieve their goals. The winner of this year's Tour de France is one such athlete.  

British cyclist Chris Froome from Team Sky demonstrated what it takes to be a champion and three time winner of the TDF.  Despite my own team and country loyalties, it is hard not to be impressed and inspired by the way Froome approached and executed his race.  His teamwork, toughness, tenacity and tactics is what earned him the victor's podium in Paris after three weeks of spectacular racing and the admiration of cycling fans all over the world...

TEAMWORK

Froome is the leader of a strong team that is well resourced, committed to a common goal, and who ride as a single unit to support their leader.

TOUGHNESS

Froome got back up after every crash and pushed on through the pain demonstrating unshakeable physical and mental strength.

TENACITY

Froome abandoned his broken bike after interference from the crowd, running up the hill with sheer determination to hold onto his overall lead.

TACTICS

Froome surprised everyone by his risk taking tactics to attack the peloton on the descent after a tough climb, resulting in him winning the yellow jersey.

Edge Conference 2012 Highlights - 2

At the close of a phenomenal conference I find myself reflecting over the amazing teaching and new friendships gained the past couple of days with a grateful heart.  Once again Holy Spirit spoke directly into our lives giving insightful and timely revelation to our specific leadership and ministry context.  Praise the Lord!!  Below is a final summary of my highlights from the various speakers as recorded in my notes (unfortunately, I missed sessions 5-7 due to study commitments at Tabor College):

Session 8:  Dr Robi Sonderegger

"Through the power of inference people can believe that they are great."
Clinical psychology understands that whatever you focus your attention on you get more of."
"If you are going to succeed you need to have a renewing of the mind."
"In our community it is so easy to focus on the tragedies.  God wants us to be a mirror of Christ to the world so that when they look at the Church they see Jesus.  When they look at the Church they see the solution not the problem."
"If we can unite together as the Church and reflect the heart of God we can make history."
"The Church can be the answer if we will embody and reflect the love of Christ."
"No one ever died from a snake bite.  We don't die from the bite but the poison that remains in us.  Unless we deal with the poison of the past, we cannot change the future."
"Imagine if forgiveness and reconciliation, the heart of the Church, were integrated into the world."
"While we remain focussed on the problem we perpetuate the pain."

Session 9:  Paul De Jong

"We have a need to declare favour.  We have got to stop working for favour and declare it."
"God's provision is based upon his agenda, linked with our wholehearted commitment."
"I need to activate the seed that has already been sown."
"God says, 'If you can trust Me (faith) and I can trust you (works) then supernatural outcomes are the resulting reality."
"Why don't you reduce the revelation you are receiving and apply the energy of faith you already have and you will see momentum (be faithful with the little and God will bless you with more)."
"The more time you spend in God's Word the more your hope will turn into faith."
"Faith (my application of what God puts in front of me) is the substance of things hoped for."
"God's revelation and my application is what God has called me to."
"The global Church is God's primary expression of His Kingdom here on earth."

Session 10:  Geoff Woodward

"Defining moments are when you can only see what's in front of you right now."
"Defining moments don't turn up with signs on them, but turn up in the ordinariness of life as problems."
"Some of the most gifted people have the least impact because it is more about character."
"Who we appoint defines our leadership."
"Do you know what you are called to do or are you spiritual velcro?"

Session 11:  Glyn Barrett

"There is something to be said about tenacity, to hang in there long enough to live a legacy and to leave a legacy."
"God saw the problem before He gave you the promise."
"Through Him we can achieve far more than in our own capacity."
"There is a "yes" in heaven, but an "amen" that needs to be spoken by us.  Agreement releases the promise."
"Hear the "yes" of God and say "amen" so that you will walk through the process to obtain the promise."