Mark Williamson's Blog, page 2

Beware – Manipulators In This Area

You go about your life, and suddenly you realise – someone has entered your space, put a hand in your pocket or purse unnoticed, or you come home and find the door forced open and your possessions gone. How can this be? You have not realised it at all and now you stand there, muffled, shocked, robbed – manipulated.

I recently bumped into a friend who had been robbed of her possessions in the middle of the day at the middle of a busy airport with security cameras everywhere. The perpetrator wa...

Beware – Manipulators Operate In This Area

You go about your life, and suddenly you realise – someone has entered your space, put a hand in your pocket or purse unnoticed, or you come home and find the door forced open and your possessions gone. How can this be? You have not realised it at all and now you stand there, muffled, shocked, robbed – manipulated.

I recently bumped into a friend who had been robbed of her possessions in the middle of the day at the middle of a busy airport with security cameras everywhere. The perpetrator wa...

Best Spiritual Formation Books of 2017

Here are the three best spiritual formation books I read in 2017. All of them heartily recommended to help you in following Jesus more closely in 2018.

 

Dirty Glory

This is the latest book from Pete Greig that charts the continued growth of the 24-7 Prayer movement, and acts as a form of sequel to God on Mute. That book detailed Pete’s struggles with unanswered prayer, and what to do when God seems distant or silent. This by book contrast updates the 24-7 narrative with more stories of answe...

Best Leadership Books of 2017

Here’s my list of the best leadership books that I read in 2017. Last year I went through 11 books aimed at helping people grow in their leadership skills and understanding. Normally I pick a top three, but this year I’ve decided to turn that into a top four.

What Would Google Do?

I loved this book. Very challenging and creative thinking on how you should break out of traditional thinking, and explore how the internet allows you to revolutionise whatever product or industry you’re in business...

Most Popular Posts of 2017

Here are the most popular posts of 2017 from the articles published on the One Rock blog. We published 30 posts over the course of the year. These were the most read, so worth you checking them out if you missed them first time.

 

George Mueller: Inspiring Quotes

A series of inspirational quotes from George Mueller, who famously lived by faith and looked after thousands of orphans in 19th century Bristol.

 

Batman Leadership Lessons

Ever wondered what leadership lessons we can pick up from th...

Best Leadership Biographies of 2017

Here are the best leadership biographies of the 14 that I read in 2017. Remember these were not necessarily published in 2017 (though some were); it’s just that I got around to reading them in 2017.

 

iCon: Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs is endlessly studied as an example of a leader who created a series of outstanding products, and for good reason. Despite his obvious flaws, there is still so much we can learn from his creativity, attention to detail, and refusal to compromise on quality when deliver...

Definition of Teamwork

What’s the definition of teamwork? Here’s one that I’m enjoying using at the moment. Effective teamwork is:

Helping people do something they love and are good at doing, With a group of people they enjoy being with, In the pursuit of a cause they believe in.

 

If a group of people are doing this, surely this is the very definition of teamwork. And if you can create an environment where a group of people feel this way, then in some ways surely that is the definition of leadership.

I’ve been i...

Billy Graham: Inspiring Quotes

To continue our inspiring quotes series, here are some great sentences of wisdom and challenge from Billy Graham:

“A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip.”

“My one purpose in life is to help people find a relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Jesus Christ.”

“Give me five minutes with a person’s checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.”

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.”

“My hom...

Importance of Faith

Faith is the virtue that God seems to prize most in human beings. When I read through the bible it’s impossible to ignore the importance that’s placed on faith, on trusting in God.

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Jesus is constantly encouraging faith in his ministry, and one of the things that frustrates him most is lack of faith:

Daughter, your faith has...

Two Consistent Calls

In all the wondering and discerning about God’s will for our lives, there are two consistent calls that always apply to all of us:

“Come, follow me.” Jesus says this call regularly throughout the Gospels. It’s a call to all people; to fisherman and tax collectors, rich young rulers and poor, demon-possessed outcasts, insiders and outsiders, religious and non-religious. We are all always called to follow Jesus. “Go, make disciples.” Jesus also regularly gives the call to go and talk about him...