I’ve been thinking about leadership lately – perhaps not too surprising as on the 14 June I have a book coming out on the topic, Stirrers and Saints lest you are interested, but much more about that in future blogs. There are so many possible answers to the question, “What do leaders do?” but the […]| Brian Harris
Dr Brian Harris is the Principal of Vose Seminary and is Pastor at Large for the Carey Group, a church, school and community centre planting movement based in Perth, Australia, where he also chairs the board.| Brian Harris
If you are a regular reader of this blog you’d know that I like to seize on throw away comments from podcasts I listen to at the gym – most often when I am on the cross trainer, and struggling to control my breathing. You really need something to keep you going through those moments, […] The post Because life’s negatives are singular and its positives are plural appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
The Bible gives us many beautiful insights into God. One of the finest is in Gen 16:13 when a distraught Hagar, having encountered God at a time of deep danger, says simply: “You are the God who sees me…” The God who sees me…. and invites us to see others as well. This Refresh post […] The post Refresh: When we are seen… appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
It’s one of Jesus’ most popular claims, “I am come that you may have life, and life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). The implication is clear. Follow me, and you will find the life that is most truely life. Now given that Jesus was the speaker, we shouldn’t be too quick to assume we […] The post Life – and 7 other L Words… appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
One bad experience often becomes two, three or four, not because it needs to, but because it impacts the way we think about ourself, undermining our confidence and restricting our willingness to try again. This Refresh post from June 2023 explores the hazard of limiting beliefs… Refresh: Liming Beliefs – Things that Hold us Back […] The post Refresh: Limiting Beliefs – Things that Hold us Back appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
It seemed a strange question at the time. “Chef or ingredient. Which are you?” The more I have pondered it, the more I appreciate its relevance. What’s it getting at? I guess behind the question is the probe, “Are you essentially a pawn in someone else’s game – there because in some way you add […]| Brian Harris
This post from May 2022 is one of my favourites. It notes the difference between a full stop and a comma. The one signifies an end, the other, a brief pause. Confusing them can see us giving up prematurely – as I so nearly did with my writing. The post tells the story. BTW, while […] The post Refresh: On Full Stops and Commas appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
Perhaps there is no word in the English language as depressing as “hopeless”. It’s the word we attach to seriously lost causes, or the resigned and despairing verdict we pronounce when a desired dream is clearly not going to eventuate – “It’s hopeless.” We might add, “So let’s give up now. Carrying on only makes […] The post Towards a Theology of Personal Development (7): Guided by Hope appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
What are 5 habits you’d like to change? And 5 you’d like to keep? Because our habits shape so much of what we do, it’s important to check we are cultivating the right ones, as this Refresh post from Jan 2022 reminds us. Hope it’s helpful. Refresh: Because Our Habits Form Us Though I no […] The post Refresh: Because Our Habits Form Us… appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
I always try to discover which parts of my books most resonate with readers. I was intrigued to find that in my latest book, Stirrers and Saints, the chapter on being formed by disappointment and failure has sparked many conversations. The podcast on the topic is also popular. The idea that we are formed by […]| Brian Harris
It’s strange to think of humility as one of the markers of future success, but it is. Without it, we don’t realise how much we still have to learn, and we miss cues which could set us on a better path. I enjoyed re-reading this post from April 2022, and hope you do as well. […] The post Refresh: Conscious Incompetence – On Knowing What We Don’t Know appeared first on Brian Harris.| Brian Harris
A couple of my recent posts have looked at words and the power of words. I thought it would be helpful to supplement these with this Refresh post from June 2022 which looked at the possibility of redeeming gossip. To find the fascinating origin of the word gossip – read on… Refresh: Reclaiming and Redeeming […]| Brian Harris
While I am by no means a Latin expert, there is a Latin phrase I love. Given you’ve seen the title of the post, it won’t come as a surprise that it’s “coram Deo”, which essentially claims that all of life takes place in the sight of God. We live and move and have our […]| Brian Harris
Ever been lost in thought and had someone ask, “A penny for your thoughts”? Ok, realistically anyone under 60 is not likely to express it this way, but they might well ask, “You look lost in thought. What’s on your mind?” It can be a confronting question. After all, our thoughts are private, and even […]| Brian Harris
I recently watched a YouTube talk in which David Brooks discusses his new book How to Know a Person – which explores listening to and seeing others well. It is filled with deep insights, but one especially struck me. Brooks asks if we are essentially illuminators or diminishers in our conversations. Naturally he elaborates. He […]| Brian Harris
It’s a fractious age. Politics has always been divisive, but oh my, that has gone to new levels. Religion has been our second great divide, but even here, the arguments have sharpened and tolerance levels are low. While denominational divides are no longer seen as important, defining the kind of Christian you are is starting […]| Brian Harris
How do you react when someone gives you some negative feedback? Do you swing into self justification? “Well thank you very much, but actually, this is what you don’t understand…” Or perhaps you go in the opposite direction, taking everything said on board, and then amplifying it, making it far more critical than was ever […]| Brian Harris
I enjoyed rereading todays refresh post. Number 5, “Silence releases us from the oppressive bondage of always having to have the last word” resonates with me, and I think it has something to say to us during challenging times. It’s a short post. Hope you enjoy it. Refresh: 10 Reasons why Silence is Golden We […]| Brian Harris
