Monthly Archives: February 2012

Soul singer: Shivon Bailey

28 Tuesday Feb 2012

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Beautiful, fresh and colourful are just three words I would use to describe soul performer Shivon Bailey.

She would be more modest in describing herself, and this is precisely why the 23-year-old from South East London is worth writing about.

Her EP entitled ‘The Presentation’ gives just a glimpse of her soulful tones, energy and songwriting abilities. Working closely with talented artists and producers SLR and GEMS, who creatively used samples from the old school, Shivon has presented a ‘good vibe’ with this EP that had my head bouncing.

What I like about Shivon goes beyond her music though. As captured well in tracks like Be Yourself and Good Times, she seeks to stir something in the listener that provokes thought and stimulates change.

This is just one reason why she will no doubt inspire a generation of young women seeking to determine their identity and find their place in the world.

The Presentation is available for download here and you can follow Shivon on Twitter at @shivonbailey.

Scared of heights?

20 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by in Faith, Leadership & Management, Personal Development

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We all have to live with fear.

Its influence though varies from one to the next, as for each of us we respond to it in one of two ways – we embrace it, or we succumb to it.

I recently abseiled for the first time during a weekend away with our church youth group. As I climbed to the ladders top I grew increasingly more aware of both the height I was climbing and of how my fear was escalating.

As I reached the top and looked out across the skyline into the distance, the scale of the challenge – the impending descent – befell me.

“What an amazing view.” I said boldly. Yet I was afraid!

It was in that moment, as I made eye contact with the instructor responsible for harnessing me before I leapt, that I made a choice.

Though admittedly my decision was hugely influenced by pride – as there was a 14-year-old girl challenging me to a race – I did choose to acknowledge my fear and continue.

All of us have to live with fear. And equally, we all know that it’s our fear that can be the barrier preventing us from realising our dreams.

So when faced with our next challenge, whether that be descending from a 12 metre high wall, asking for a pay rise, or taking a step of faith towards pursuing a life-long goal, the choice is ours.

We either choose to acknowledge our fear and continue, or stop what we’re doing in response to it.

Get the most from reading the Bible

13 Monday Feb 2012

Posted by in Faith, Personal Development

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Reading and getting the most from scripture is the heart desire of all who have come to know Jesus as Lord. But equally true is the challenge we so often face in approaching it consistently for growth towards maturity.

J. C. Ryle, in his book Practical Religion gives some helpful tips.

1. Begin reading your Bible this very day.

Simply put, Ryle says the most profitable approach is to just do it! Start. Don’t wait. Take the holy book and resolve to read it. Today. And then everyday.

2. Read the Bible with an earnest desire to understand it.

Rather than it becoming a daily ‘task’ to cross off our tick list, Ryle says that when reading the Bible, the most important thing is gaining understanding. Quality of understanding, as opposed to quantity of reading, is key.

3. Read the Bible with child-like faith and humility.

Approaching the Bible with a determination to believe it ‘as is’, as opposed to questioning its content with cynicism or doubt shaped by our own prejudices, is most essential when reading the Bible.

4. Read the Bible in a spirit of obedience and self-application.

To give consideration to how each verse applies to our daily lives – our attitudes, choices and behaviour – along with a willingness to put into practice that which is brought to our understanding, should be the intent of every reader of God’s word.

5. Read the Bible daily.

Fresh revelation, insight, knowledge and provocation from God’s word comes to readers who resolve to search out God’s wisdom daily, with diligence, consistency and care.

6. Read all of the Bible — and read it in an orderly way.

Reading scripture systematically, and in its entirety, gives us a right and complete perspective of God. With this comes an understanding of his word, its meanings, and how we are to rightly apply it.

7. Read the Bible fairly and honestly.

Accepting the word of God ‘as is’, without being subject to either our own views, or the forced interpretations of others, should be our approach to determining what each verse means.

8. Read the Bible with Christ continually in view.

In all our reading, seek to identify how Jesus Christ is revealed. And I would add, allow fresh revelation from God’s word to compel you to worship the saviour!

Read Erik Kowalker’s full post for more from these tips from J. C. Ryle.

I’m not a badman, I just walk with a limp!

03 Friday Feb 2012

Posted by in Just thoughts, Personal Development, Relationships

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If you see me walking along the streets of South East London today, please don’t confuse my bounce* with being intent on intimidating passers-by, contemplating snatching a handbag, or robbing a convenience store.

My bounce (or limp), is in fact the unfortunate result of pulling my calf muscle whilst on an early morning run.

To state the obvious, we all too easily form judgements based on outward appearances – which sadly results in not taking the time or effort to understand others.

In relationships, our priority should always be to understand before being understood. Yet the challenge we face is that to know the ‘other’ requires self-denial, commitment and consistency.

But most importantly, it requires a willingness to identify and acknowledge our prejudices, to lay aside our own agendas, and a genuine heart to accomplish our goal of embracing and celebrating difference.

So next time you see someone limping, refrain from making a judgement based on your own experiences, what you’ve watched on TV, or from the formed opinions of others, as these are the filters through which we see the world and those in it, and they’re often unhelpful.

Instead, step towards them, bridge the gap, ask them about the cause of their limp, and you may be surprised to discover that in reality they actually have a spring in their step.

*For those unfamiliar with the term ‘bounce’, or ‘bouncing’, it can be defined as a manner of walking often associated with a ‘badman’ – one involved in criminal activities.