Author: Life Focus Ministries

Who are we? Dr Robert McQuillan is recognised as an inspiring encourager, counsellor, mentor to ministries and Bible teacher ministering meaningfully on the prophetic edge. Robert and Maureen, a gifted communicator with an uncanny insight into knowing 'where people are at', delight to bless and encourage God's people and ministries... and touch the hearts of the unchurched in the marketplace. Contact: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com

S.E.P – The Buck Stops Here!

Dr-Robert-&-Maureen-McQuillan_Photo

Robert and Maureen McQuillan recall President Harry S Truman’s famous declaration – and the sign that was prominent on his White House desk.

Passing the buck is the act of attributing to another person or group one’s own responsibility.
Buck Stpos Here
Etymologically the expression is said to have originated from the card game poker, in which a marker or counter called ‘the buck’ was used to indicate the person whose turn it was to deal. If the player did not wish to deal he could pass the responsibility by passing the buck to the next player. (more…)

LEND ME YOUR HEAR!

Ed Delph

Ed Delph shares another thought-provoker…

Recently I had the privilege of speaking at Pure Heart Church in Glendale, Arizona on the subject of communication in marriage.

I’m not the best communicator in marriage – as Becky, my wife of 31 years, will attest. But maybe I can shed some light on this subject that maybe even I will apply.

Knowing is one thing. Doing is another!
All wives would say…Amen! to this. (more…)

LEADERSHIP

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW TO WORK THE CROWD!
Dick Hardy

Dick Hardy, pastoral leadership consultant, writes:
It is important for pastors and church leaders to know how to work a crowd.

Oh my goodness! You now think I have slipped a cog. How in the world can anyone in ministry possibly think about ‘working the crowd’? That is so phoney. Further, it must be as far away from godliness as one can get. What’s up with that? (more…)

THEBUZZ

KIRKUK, IRAQ
Ten elderly escapees describe life under ISIS as Iraqi Christians still held by Islamic State ‘against their will’
Michael IrelandMichael Ireland, Senior Reporter, ASSIST reports:
More news has emerged about the situation of Christians who are still being detained in Islamic State (otherwise known as ISIS), after ten elderly Christians, some with disabilities, managed to escape. World Watch Monitor (WWM – www.worldwatchmonitor.org) says the group, eight men and two women, were ‘expelled’ by IS militants for refusing to convert to Islam. (more…)

HARVESTERS NEEDED

Murray CapillMurray Capill, author and Reformed Theology College’s principal, challenges…

 

There’s nothing new under the sun, and one thing that is definitely not new is the need for gospel workers. Two thousand years ago Jesus identified that as the critical kingdom issue, and things have not really changed. The harvest is still plentiful; the workers are still few (Matt. 9:37). (more…)

CORPORATE WORSHIP

Jim McClureDr Jim McClure, noted theologian, writes:
In my January article I addressed the question, ‘Where is the best place to worship?’

This raises another question, ‘Can we worship God without going to a church?’

My first response to that is, ‘Most certainly!’ As I wrote in my previous article, ‘It is not the place that is important but the attitude of the heart and spirit.’ In fact the worship of God must be understood as our personal response to God in our engagement with him. (more…)

IT’S NOT HOW MUCH WE GIVE – IT’S GENEROSITY THAT COUNTS

Carol Round

 

Carol Round quotes Mother Teresa – ‘It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving’ – as she shares that her new book offers opportunity for adults to teach children about the importance of generous giving.

In a media-saturated world focused on having more, it’s sometimes difficult for adults to teach children about the value of money. Commercials for new toys, video games and other merchandise can distract us from the real meaning of life. (more…)

JESUS LOVES DOUBTERS!

Brian Nixon

Brian Nixon, Special to ASSIST News Service,writes…

In her book Doubt: A History, Jennifer Michael Hecht wrote, ‘Socrates counts among those great minds who actually cultivated doubt in the name of truth.’[1]

This seems like a contradiction: Doubt in the name of truth? If something is true, it is beyond doubt; facts are facts, right? And yet, everyone doubts at some point. But what if that doubt could lead you to discover a greater truth about God? Could doubt and truth have something in common? (more…)

LORD…WHERE ARE YOU?

Geraldine Brandt

 

 

Geraldine Brandt reflects on a so-called weakness and shares encouragingly…

‘Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God … Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me … Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?’

Psalm 42 excerpts – cries from the heart of David, calling on God in the midst of despair. We can picture his state of depression. (more…)