_It's coming down to the final month of the year, and at this time last year I wouldn't have pictured myself in England in a completely new lifestyle, taking in all these amazing lectures here at the Leadership Academy of Abundant Life Church. It feels great to be rooted and planted where I know God has destined me to be for right now! (More on that later.)

Here's another blog in the series on favourite quotes taken from lectures throughout the week. Keep in mind, these are taken out of context of the lecture itself, but still have a great impact on me, which is why I want to share them with you. Also check out previous weeks:
weeks 10 and 11, week 9,  week 8, weeks 5 and 6, weeks 3 and 4, and weeks 1 and 2

Week 12

“That’s what God does: when you think you’re going to quit, God gives you a larger vision.” — Simon Hammond (Monday, November 28)

 “You will have devastated friends. You just do not what to say sometimes. Word are inappropriate. All you can do is just be there. Your presence is enough.” — Stephen Matthew (Tuesday, December 6)

“God asks of Job over 50 questions about life, the universe and nature, to which Job has no answer.” — Stephen Matthew (Tuesday, December 6)

“Every generation of God’s people, including yours, must look back to God’s Word and build the way you act on the model of God’s Word rather than the generation before you did.” — David Matthew (Tuesday, December 6)

_“Don’t just be a history student. Be a history maker!” — David Matthew (Tuesday, December 6)

“Emotions are  a bit of a mystery to us. One of the reasons is that we don’t teach much about it in the Christian church. We often talk about your spirit, and your behaviour, but we don’t often talk about your soul.” — Matt Hooper (Wednesday, December 7)

“You don’t feel your way into good behaviour, you behave your way into good feelings.” – Freedom in Christ

“So why can’t we be honest with God — because we’re afraid that He can’t handle our dysfunction?” — Matt Hooper (Wednesday, December 7)

_“Having a broad awareness of the Psalms really enriches your devotional life and your ability to communicate with God.” —Stephen Matthew (Wednesday, December 7)

Re: Proverbs, “Wisdom is more than a character attribute; wisdom is a person. The more you read, you begin to form an understanding that the wise one who is calling you is very familiar: Jesus!” — Stephen Matthew (Wednesday, December 7)

Re: Ecclesiastes, “It’s the book that helps you get your head around the question, “What is life all about?” It confronts you with the reality that life is completely and utterly meaningless.” — Stephen Matthew (Wednesday, December 7)

Re: Song of Songs, “The religious scholars of old didn’t know what to do with it, so for centuries, Jewish rabbis tried to de-literalize it.” — Stephen Matthew (Wednesday, December 7)

“There has always been a close link between what God is doing and the music that is written in the day.” — Tim Staples (Thursday, December 8)

_“The times when God has moved has been when people would sacrifice the norm and do something different.” — Tim Staples (Thursday, December 8)

“I don’t think you need to have a heart to lead kids in worship, you need to have a heart to worship.” — Esther Nixon (Thursday, December 8)

“When you’re a worship leader, or playing in the team, people know when it’s an act or when it’s not genuine” — Jock James (Thursday, Dec 8)

“Music is neutral. It can be harnassed to promote all sorts of emotion.” — Jock James (Thursday, Dec 8)

“You have to manage money; it’s in your life, whether you like it or not.” — Stephen Matthew (Friday, Dec 9)

“Money is a terrible master. If you serve it, you will be ultimately destroyed. Even those who have stacks of it, aggressively pursue it. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income.” — Stephen Matthew (Friday, Dec 9)

Give secretly. It demonstrates you’re secure, at peace, and you know that God sees it, and that’s all that matters.” — Stephen Matthew (Friday, Dec 9)

_Check out previous quotes from Academy Lectures:
weeks 10 and 11, week 9,  week 8, weeks 5 and 6, weeks 3 and 4, and weeks 1 and 2