Walking on Water (WoW!)

The Strangest Secret...

2012-02-10T14:12:00.006-07:00

I got this excerpt of "The Strangest Secret" by Earl Nightingale* last year. It's a rather lengthy piece so I'll share it in five "manageable" bits...
as usual, italics, comments in green font and pictures are mine:

Some years ago, the late Nobel prize-winning Dr. Albert Schweitzer was asked by a reporter, "Doctor, what's wrong with men today?" The great doctor was silent a moment, and then he said, "Men simply don't think!"

It's about this that I want to talk with you. We live today in a golden age. This is an era that humanity has looked forward to, dreamed of, and worked toward for thousands of years.

We live in the richest era that ever existed on the face of the earth ... a land of abundant opportunity for everyone. However, if you take 100 individuals who start even at the age of 25, do you have any idea what will happen to those men and women by the time they're 65? These 100 people believe they're going to be successful. They are eager toward life, there is a certain sparkle in their eye, an erectness to their carriage, and life seems like a pretty interesting adventure to them.

But by the time they're 65, only one will be rich, four will be financially independent, five will still be working, and 54 will be broke — depending on others for life's necessities. Only five out of 100 make the grade! Why do so many fail? What has happened to the sparkle that was there when they were 25? What has become of the dreams, the hopes, the plans ... and why is there such a large disparity between what these people intended to do and what they actually accomplished?

THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS
First, we have to define success and here is the best definition I've ever been able to find:

"Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."

A success is the school teacher who is teaching because that's what he or she wants to do. A success is the entrepreneur who starts his own company because that was his dream — that's what he wanted to do. A success is the salesperson who wants to become the best salesperson in his or her company and sets forth on the pursuit of that goal.

A success is anyone who is realizing a worthy predetermined ideal, because that's what he or she decided to do ... deliberately. But only one out of 20 does that! The rest are "failures."

Rollo May, the distinguished psychiatrist, wrote a wonderful book called Man's Search for Himself, and in this book he says: "The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice ... it is conformity." And there you have the reason for so many failures. Conformity - people acting like everyone else, without knowing why or where they are going. How sad that people try to be like others or be what others want them to be and never become what God designed them to be - what a sad life!

We learn to read by the time we're seven. We learn to make a living by the time we're 30. Often by that time we're not only making a living, we're supporting a family. And yet by the time we're 65, we haven't learned how to become financially independent in the richest land that has ever been known. Why? We conform! Most of us are acting like the wrong percentage group — the 95 who don't succeed.

To be continued...

Reference:
*According to Wikipedia: Earl Nightingale (March 12, 1921 – March 28, 1989) was an American motivational speaker and author, known as the "Dean of Personal Development." Nightingale was the author of The Strangest Secret, which economist Terry Savage has called “…One of the great motivational books of all time.”

4 words you must never forget...

2012-02-07T19:25:00.003-07:00

I remember a story I heard from my husband: A man went to church and all the preacher kept saying as he read some of the verses in Genesis chapter 5 was:

"And the man died..."

Sitting in the congregation, the man tried his best to but just couldn't understand why the preacher had nothing ("better") to say other than: "And the man died."

When he got home, the phrase kept ringing in his mind - he couldn't sleep, nothing could erase the phrase from his mind. He eventually gave his life to Christ...and then had peace.

God is amazing in how He makes His word come alive to us as individuals - that man couldn't have been the only one in church that day. Let's think about it, reading Genesis 5 can sound like a broken record....however, I believe (and know for a certainty) that God put all that information in there so we can all remember that irrespective of what we achieve or don't achieve on earth, one day "the man" will die...and after that judgement. It clearly says so in Hebrews 9:27: "We die only once, and then we are judged" (CEV) - an undebateable fact.

As final (and maybe fearful) this sounds, the good thing is that God has given us what I carefully call "room to maneuver" because He does not want anyone to perish (2 Pet 3: 9). He is not happy when a person dies a sinner (Ezekiel 18:32) because once the person dies, that's their judgement day. In essence, "we should judge ourselves. Then we would not be found guilty" (1 Cor 11:31). What that says to me is I need to take the time to do a thorough self-assessment and make the necessary amendments – there is no opportunity for such “amendments” after death. What a "blank cheque" of opportunity to decide where you want to spend eternity...a decision that only you can take for yourself and only while alive.

What a wonderful God we have - He always provides us with a way of "escape" because He wants us to be with Him forever. Whatever your aspirations and accomplishments on earth, plan for your eternal destination. Never forget: "and the man died"...after that judgement.

Tick-tock

2012-02-02T14:02:00.020-07:00

Tick Tock, Time is moving faster on the clock...

Watch, and hear the knock at the door,

and we are going to soar on wings, as the angels sing…

Pay attention, and watch, as the clock ticks another tock…

As the door opens, the wind blows with a shout,

and it’s time to wake up, and never doubt…

Tick tock goes the clock,

and it’s time to walk with the Lord our rock…

Watching for King Jesus Christ

as the clock cries out tick tock,

and the Lord arrives for his faithful flock,

and those left behind shall be in a state of shock…

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/31112688/Tick-Tock-Time-Poem

What do you desire?

2012-01-30T23:30:00.001-07:00

We all have many desires in life - well, I do. Sometimes, I ask myself how much do I desire a particular thing. In assessing myself I ask myself if my actions line up with my heart desires.

There are so many of us who "sit around" desiring things and do nothing about it. Desires and dreams don't come through or true on their own. You have to do something about them yourself for yourself. You may solicit help or guidance but you must do the soliciting. Backing down at every challenge or obstacle just takes you some steps backward.

"Wanting something is not enough. You must hunger for it.

Your motivation must be absolutely compelling in order to overcome the obstacles that will invariably come your way." ~ Les Brown

In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.

~ Bill Cosby

The starting point of all achievement is desire. ~ Napoleon Hill

The proof of desire is pursuit. ~ Mike Murdoch

Psalm 27:4 says "One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple." (NKJV)

What you desire, you pursue/seek. Jesus promised us in Matthew 7:7 that if we seek, we will find - once it is according to God's will. Psalm 37:4 encourages us: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart."(Amplified)

So are you clear on what you desire?

John Hagee said "What you pursue, you possess." So, what are you pursuing - now?
If the answer is "Nothing," then I'd say you also have the same answer to my first question.

Take a basic example: my husband "pursued" me as proof of his desire (according to God's will). And guess what? Of course - he got me. This year is still fresh - 30 days gone with 336 to go. What do you desire? What are you pursuing? Get up and go for it - as led by the Lord.

Sandpaper person

2012-01-21T06:32:00.002-07:00

When I heard Joyce Meyer say: "God plants some sandpaper people in yout life for a reason" it got me thinking - and now writing.

Indeed, it is not everyone is easy to get on with - I know some of such people who I refer to as sandpaper people. If you realize that God commanded us to love everyone, not necessarily like them, you will be in a better position to get the best out of those sandpaper people around you. There are also some sandpaper people that you like, love and hold dear because you know that they are in your life to help you stay on the "straight and narrow" - such as spouses, parents, children, friends and so on - not as if you really had a choice :)

Beyond being rough, sandpaper has to come in close contact with an object in order to improve it and make that object "fit" for its purpose. There are some of us that love our personal space so much that we don't want anyone in our face or space. You are not an island and cannot live like one if you intend to improve and achieve great things in life.

Talking about coming in close contact with others, I was amused when a lady told me that she has been known to step out of elevators because they were crowded. Think about it, stepping out of an elevator on it's way up, or even down, means 3 things:

You've cut short your trip into or out of something in your life
It will take you longer to get to your "destination"
You've missed an opportunity to meet people who may "help" you in your life journey

While I'm not saying that you should go around looking for sandpaper people - I wouldn't - I definitely encourage you to "embrace" the sandpaper people around you - they are there for a reason, sometimes a season ore even a lifetime.* According to Mary Southerland: "Sandpaper people are not only a reality of life, but opportunities from the heart of God. The world is watching, as is every sandpaper person in our lives, pushing every limit to see how we will respond. It is through these difficult relationships that we grow and mature in Christ. The rough edges fall away as we welcome the lessons sandpaper people bring."** (italics mine)

Her perspective will help me as I consciously assess, access and accept the sandpaper people that come my way - that won't be easy but improving isn't easy so I'll give it my best shot...

You know, looking at this differently, you and I can learn from the sandpaper people around us and become better quality sandpaper people - for and to others. Forget it, not everyone will "like" you but let them be able to look back and thank God for your impact in their lives.

Go for it...God bless.

References:
*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/05/reason-season-or-lifetime.html
**http://enchantingella.multiply.com/journal/item/81/Sandpaper_People_How_to_Love_Abrasive_Souls_Gods_Way?&show_interstitial=1&u=%2Fjournal%2Fitem#

Who or what you follow...

2012-01-16T16:16:00.054-07:00

...determines what (& even who) follows you.

Jesus encouraged some people to follow Him at different points & others just followed Him of their own accord - one thing was common: everyone who followed Him was blessed in one way or the other. The Bible also tells us that signs follow those who preached His word: "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."

(Mark 16: 17 & 20 - KJV)

In addition to following the Lord and signs following the Word, the Bible encourages us to:

"Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." (1 Tim 6:11b-KJV)

"Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace,

with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Tim 2:22-KJV)

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14 -KJV)

It's even interesting that God has made last one easy for us because: "when a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Pr 16:7 - NKJV) So to follow peace with all men, all we need to do is follow God & live in a way that pleases Him.

On the flip side, the Bible tells of things that will definitely follow us - the most familiar one:
"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life..." (Psalms 23:6 - NIV)
Proverbs 21:21 even links what we follow to what will follow us: "He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor." (NKJV)

The Bible doesn't stop there...if we continue to follow and obey the Lord, many more blessings will catch up with and then overtake us according to Deuteronomy 28: 2 - 14.

Unfortunately there are too many people seeking/pursuing/following goodness, mercies, blessings and those great things in life but expect peace, righteousness and other fruits of the Spirit to to follow them. When they don't, they wonder what's wrong.

The answer is simple...they have put the cart before the horse and there is no way they will progress that way.
I encourage us to follow God and also follow all He has asked us to - we'll be amazed at the great and mighty confirmations of His Word that will follow us...

The Obstacle course....of life

2012-01-11T12:21:00.002-07:00

Obstacles are an inevitable part of life...no matter how good you are, you can't pray them away - they are a promise fulfilled...the best way to get over them is to get over them.

"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." ~Michael Jordan

3 prerequisites: To overcome any obstacle, you need:

God,
You &
the Obstacle(s)

Our reliance on God makes us resilient and relish obstacles...

Obstacles are an opportunity to show the world Who is in charge.

Challenges are an opportunity to showcase your God to the world

Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle. ~ Christian D. Larson

One thing I've found out about challenges and obstacles is you need to know when you need someone else's help - you always need God's help and sometimes He sends additional help your way. At such times, all you need to do stretch out your hand and be helped...

All the best on your "obstacle course."

Whatever comes your way, remember that victory is sure - with God on your side.

So remain on God's side.

Health or Wealth?

2012-01-09T14:48:00.017-07:00

Does it sound like a strange set of options? Actually, I hope it sounds strange especially to Christians who should know that we have a "right" to both. Jesus said: My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10b - NLT). Sadly, that's one promise many people never get into the fullness of due to wrong priorities which is why I'd like to share these:

So many people spend their health gaining wealth,

and then have to spend their wealth to regain their health.

~A.J. Reb Materi, Our Family

The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil

When growing up, I remember adults saying: "Health is Wealth." It is so true because all wealth is useless without health and like we've seen, no amount of wealth can regain a person's health without God's intervention. Back to the options...if I had to choose, I'd definitely choose health over wealth any day. I thank God, we don't have to choose. We just need to be wise & take good care of ourselves, so we'd have the health to enjoy our wealth -

this year and for life.

From the lips to the hips

2012-01-06T22:33:00.066-07:00

I didn't realize how true that simple phrase was until I was practically having to take a deep breath to get into some of my clothes. I never believed I'll see the day because I was known for teasing others - when we were at events and they are avoiding stuff, I'd be saying "bring it on - will it help me add weight?" And surely and truly, it added more to me than I desired.

Another story that brings a smile to my face happened several months ago. A child was selling chocolates & they were really nice chocolates - yes, I had more than I should have.

Well, the story is not about me - I guess the "fruits" of those choco-seeds will show up soon - as I was saying, a lady wanted to nibble some more and her husband very gently and firmly said "no" then went on to explain that if he didn't do that in a few days or so, his wife will wear something and ask him to "try harder" to get the zipper up - you know what I mean.

The other part to it is that some people eat more when they are sad or stressed. What do you do when you are stressed? I know some of us are "too blessed to be stressed" however, this picture indeed amused me and resonated when I remember stories about overweight people and how some of them got that way...

I guess, I have learned the "hard" way that indeed it's from the lips to the hips and if I want to avoid "hissing" each time something no longer fits as it used to or when I see an outfit I like but can't fit into, I need to watch what goes through my lips - health-wise & weight-wise. Proverbs 4:23 advises: "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (NLT) We also need to guard what goes into bodies through our lips for it determines the quality of our lives. Indeed it does...

Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1862) put it this way:

Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are.

Ultimately, the impact of what we eat is beyond what goes to our waistline or hips, it's more about our overall quality of life. Maria Robinson said "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." This is a fresh year and we all have been blessed with a fresh opportunity improve the quality of our lives...take it.

Truck talk...

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

God is interested in the very details of our lives. If (and when) we take a moment to look around us, we'll hear and see God speaking to us in any and every situation we're in. Sometimes it is obvious & at other times we can miss the message due to the subtle medium.

So I don't miss out on God speaking to me, over time I've learned to "look and listen" - I've added "read and remember" in the mix too.

Some months ago, I read the writing on the side of a truck:

"Our best is the least we can do."

I then started thinking about myself and wondered if I could say the same thing confidently. I was curious about the source of that phrase and found out that there is a real company with that as it's slogan - so it was not an old truck that hadn't been repainted in a long time. Although I cannot say anything about their track record or if they deliver on that promise - I just wondered to myself: "How can I make that my personal way of living or my brand?"

Like me, you may have also noticed other energizing slogans like that one. Each time I read another one, I try to internalize it - try to come up with a plan on living up to the words in deed because words are just worthless if not backed up with works.

Needless to say, this has definitely added one more thing to my "to dos" list for this year -

and for the rest of my life...so help me God!

Welcome to this great year - let the least you do be your best!

Teaming up with God

2011-12-31T12:34:00.009-07:00

I read a very interesting book. Beside the fact that one of my colleagues had talked about it and my husband talked me into reading it, the comment from James H. Amos Jr about the book got me reading it.

He said it is: "A gripping analysis of what makes teams work effectively. This fine work is a must-read for any leader that has to come to grips with the fact that no one makes progress - much less succeeds - alone."

The last part of his comment resonated with me:

No one makes progress - much less succeeds - alone.

We must need someone else to help us progress and of course succeed. Even if you claim to be a loner, without God you can only go so far. The 5 dysfunctions mentioned in the book even apply to our relationship with God...please come with me as we discuss them in detail:

1. Absence of Trust.

A lot of us say with our mouths that we trust God but our own actions "say" the opposite. How can you expect God to work with you for you if you do not truly and totally trust Him?

2. Fear of Conflict.

The other thing is some of us prefer to please men than obey God - we fear conflict with men. John 12:42-43 gives us examples of such people - one thing is sure, pleasing man instead of pleasing God leads to pressure in life. You're always better off "conflicting" with man in order to conquer with God - when you do, God will make your enemies be at peace with you.

3. Lack of Committment.

Some of us want God to be totally committed to us and want to be committed to Him only when it is convenient. In any team relationship, committment must be reciprocal.

4. Avoidance of Accountability.

Transposing this to teaming up with God is tricky...so please bear with me as I try. Accountability is about taking a step beyond committment. It is one thing to "say" you're committed to God and to doing things God's way and then turn around to blame everybody else including God if things don't turn out the way you expected. Accountability is about taking responsibility for the way things turn out and being willing to make sure we learn from successes and failures alike.

5. Inattention to Results.

This dysfunction shows up in our lack of gratitude. Some of us spend more time and attention on the things that we are expecting from God rather than paying attention to God's results and blessings in our lives.

For those who have read the book you may be wondering where all this is coming from - so did I. This is my interpretation on how I can guard against having a dysfunctional relationship with God because I tried to infer what these meant between God and I. For those who haven't read the book, I highly recommend that you do - it's an enjoyable book to read; of course applying what you learn is a different kettle of fish but very possible once you identify the root causes for dysfunctions. It gives you a good platform to assess and improve your relationship with God so you are really teaming up with Him next year...

... and for the rest of your life.

Think on this...

2011-12-29T12:29:00.008-07:00

"I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me.

With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end.

So what is there to worry about."

Henry Ford

What a great combination of:
Isaiah 40: 13-14
- Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?*

Romans 8: 28
- We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.**

1 Peter 5:7
- Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.**

Sources:
*NLT
**Amplified

"Why did you do that?"

2011-12-27T12:27:00.023-07:00

Response: "Because that's what they/she/he did to me."

Have you ever heard (or been part of) such an exchange? I know how it is. Even between my children it's funny to see one not clean up because he feels that his sibling got away without cleaning up or helping out at home. Recently, I saw a "Respect the next user" sign; the question in my mind was: "Did the previous user respect me?" then this topic hit home.

It may be a difficult pill to swallow but a lot of us are retaliatory in the way we live - consciously or subconsciously. I see that in my life & try to curb it but it's not easy.

Think about it, everyone wants to be treated nicely - with respect. The challenge comes when someone wants to be treated with respect but doesn't care enough to treat others with respect...and the excuse is: "that's how I am." I mean, the fact that your parents didn't raise you with the appropriate ettiquette e.g. teach you how to say "Please" and "Thank you" doesn't mean that you cannot teach yourself to be a better person - you can if you want to.

Luke 6:31 says "Treat others just as you want to be treated." (Contemporary English). Note it doesn't guarantee that the people you treat well will reciprocate but guarantees someone will surely treat you well if you treat others well. It's the basic law of sowing & reaping - which applies to every aspect of our lives. Indeed, everything revolves around that law...

When I look back at my life, I see instances where I've been very well treated because my parents treated others well and I can recount examples where I have treated others well because their parents were good to me. I am aware that some people do not want to be treated nicely...how sad. How can anyone want to be unkind to themselves? The fact is they don't know better so we should help them - no matter how "mean" they may mean to be (pun intended) respond nicely - don't react. I pray that the next time somebody asks you:
"Why did you do that?" your response will be: "Because it's the nice (& right) thing to do."

Spending tips...

2011-12-23T12:23:00.003-07:00

There so many things out there to be spent - money, time, ourselves etc. I came across 2 quotes that put "Spending tips" I've always known very succinctly. So you don't think these quotes are 2-legged stools i.e. the originator's idea and mine, I've also added the third and most important stool leg - the Word of God which is unshakeable and forever settled.

1. Don't spend your time - invest it.* ~ Waylon Bailey

This is exactly what the Bible says:

Teach us to use wisely all the time we have. (Ps 90:12 - CEV)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
(Eph 5: 15-17 - NLT)

2. In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time.

~Author Unknown

The best way to bring children up is not with valuable things but with valuable time. If you must spend time, spend it in a worthwhile manner - in a way that it becomes an investment. Spending time with your children in an investment with many earthly and eternal rewards. Investing your time in your children is the best and only way you can and will obey God. The reward of this investment is they'll be prepared for a great life that will also benefit you:

As long as you live, you and your descendants are to honor the Lord your God and obey all his laws that I am giving you, so that you may live in that land a long time. Listen to them, people of Israel, and obey them! Then all will go well with you, and you will become a mighty nation and live in that rich and fertile land, just as the Lord, the God of our ancestors, has promised. Israel, remember this! The Lord and the Lord alone is our God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working. (Deut 6: 2-7 - GNT, italics mine)

Abraham's blessings are ours...only if we did what he did then we'll receive God's promise:

For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and the sons of his house after him to keep the way of the Lord and to do what is just and righteous, so that the Lord may bring Abraham what He has promised him. (Gen 18: 19 - Amplified)

If you must spend anything, spend wisely...

but it's always better to invest and invest wisely.

Wishing you a well-spent Christmas with great memories in return for time "invested"...

Further reading
*http://waylonbailey.com/2011/07/dont-spend-time-invest-it/

Watch what they wear...

2011-12-20T16:12:00.018-07:00

A few days we talked about watching what our children watch. Trust me, that's not the only thing we need to watch. I've mentioned before that I like people-watching and I also look at what people wear - especially children. I never used to pay that much attention to it but over time my attention span in that area has increased because I simply cannot believe the kinds of things and brands they sell these days. I went looking - here are a few examples:

Personally, it's frightening to believe that some Christian parents actually buy things like these for their children and some even give such as gifts? Do you realise that everytime someone reads what is on your child's T-shirt, he/she is prophesying into your child's life?

I remember seeing a child's T-shirt some years ago and walking up to his mother ...before I completed my sentence, she said: "I know why you've come to me...it's about his T-shirt." She went on to say: "I thought about it this morning when I gave it to him to wear to church." What?! I couldn't believe my ears & even eyes - she actually thought about it and proceeded? Can you believe that? Her excuse was that it was a gift or something like that - huh? Well, there was no more to be said...

I know I have said this before and will continue to: we must learn to say "No" (thank you) without feeling guilty. If you cannot nicely return an inappropriate gift - which is I believe is the better option so you and the giver learn - then don't use the gift. Now if the giver asks why they haven't noticed the gift on your child (I wonder why they would even be monitoring you) then you should be truthful enough to say why.

I remember returning one such gift - it was better than trashing it. I needed to make a point to the giver as to what my children will not wear. The giver acknowledged that no attention was paid to the "writing," wasn't surprised I returned it and offered to replace it.

Now this is only one part of the story: the other part of watching what our children wear relates to general clothing. Did you just squirm? Well, I'll go on...some of the clothes our daughters put on are definitely not "appealing." We've talked about whether the way we dress is appealing or appalling* - the same applies to our children. And what's with those sagging trousers/pants (for males) & low waist trousers/pants (for females) - not a good sight. The Bible is clear:
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Prov 22:6 - NIV) Whatever we teach them by example, will stick with them for life.

Examples of bad clothing abound... I could start a list but I won't - I'm sure we know what I mean when you see it. Can you imagine any child (not yours, I hope) wearing a T-shirt that says either of these?

I decree:
"My children, grandchildren and generations unborn will NEVER wear any such clothing.

It is my prayer that after reading this you will check to ensure none of such "live" with you... and that you'll watch out for the items of clothing to avoid going forward =>

I'm publishing this today as a tribute to my mother. She was so good at watching what we wore that to this day there are some things I cannot wear - they simply don't appeal to me.

References:

* http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/11/appealing-or-appalling.html

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/11/look-good-for-god.html

Watch what they watch...

2011-12-16T12:16:00.064-07:00

With how busy some of us have become, it is so easy to let the TV be our "live-in" nanny. Some parents just plop their children in front of the TV or computer screen just so they can be quiet and give them time to do "stuff." The danger of this is beyond words which is why I cannot but encourage us to "watch what they watch." This phrase means 2 things to me:

First, we need to take time out of our busy schedules to watch TV with them...yes. It's not about making them watch what you want to watch - which is good too; it's about watching what they would like to watch. When you do, you may see or hear things you believe they shouldn't see or hear & you'll be there to "protect" them.

The other part is being watchful i.e. being aware of the kinds of things you let them watch. You may not necessarily watch such things in advance (you really don't need to) but you should know the kinds of things you do not want your children watching - an example that comes to mind is Harry Potter. I am not aware of any positive influence derivable from those books or movies so it is a definite "No-No" in my home. There are also some demonic cartoons not to mention those with subtle messages on disobedience and destructiveness. I mean what's the point in setting up your children for nightmares and then asking others to join you in prayer for your children's deliverance when all you should have done was to switch off the TV? Now, if you are not current and think TV is as "clean" as it was when you were a child, think again. Like with the first reason to watch what they watch, here a stitch in time saves nine too.

Besides those 2 reasons, watching TV together is a good way to spend quality family time. In my home, many teachable moments have come into our home through the TV e.g. my children wanted to know if they will need to consult e-Harmony or Christian Mingle when they are ready to get married. I'm sure you know the answer but for those who may in doubt, we told them that they can start now to pray about the person they will get married to and when it is time they will hear God speak to them directly. The only Person they need to consult for such important life-changing decisions is God.

It is also a time to build positive vocabulary. I've heard some parents say in horror: "Where did you hear that?" My answer under my breath is: "Where did you leave him/her/them?"

We are busy people, to avoid becoming busy with avoidable things, do your best to

watch what they watch...

Oracle or Receptacle?

2011-12-11T12:11:00.014-07:00

The Bible tells us:
"If anyone speaks, [his speech should be] like the oracles of God;
if anyone serves, [his service should be] from the strength God provides, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11 - Holman Christian Standard Bible)

I've noticed a lot of people desire and pray to speak as the "oracles of God" especially when they are preaching. There is nothing wrong with that prayer - once you realise that the key to speaking as an oracle is in first being a receptacle of God's word.

The other thing about being an oracle is to be careful that you are not just an orator - there is a sharp difference between them. Apollos is an example of an orator. Acts 18: 24-26 puts it this way: "At that time a Jew named Apollos, who had been born in Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker and had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and with great enthusiasm he proclaimed and taught correctly the facts about Jesus. However, he knew only the baptism of John.He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home with them and explained to him more correctly the Way of God." (GNT)

The flip side to that is: God can use any creature* as his oracle...yes, there is precedent.

Numbers 22: 28-31: Then the Lord gave the donkey the ability to speak. “What have I done to you that deserves your beating me three times?” it asked Balaam. “You have made me look like a fool!” Balaam shouted. “If I had a sword with me, I would kill you!” “But I am the same donkey you have ridden all your life,” the donkey answered. “Have I ever done anything like this before?” “No,” Balaam admitted. Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the roadway with a drawn sword in his hand. Balaam bowed his head and fell face down on the ground before him." (NLT)

Note that the donkey didn't just blabber - it had a very intelligent conversation with Balaam. So if a donkey can speak so sensibly, we must never think too highly of ourselves as oracles of God. As one of my senior pastor's said: "Check yourself because even an ass can speak."

Tea-talk

2011-12-06T12:06:00.000-07:00

What crossed your mind when you read the title? I heard this phrase from a colleague. First, I was amused then saddened when told what it really stands for in a particular office culture.

When I first heard the phrase, I thought about my "cuppa catch-up/connection" meetings - which are times when I catch-up with people I know preferably away from their desks or just connect with people I don't and/or would like to know better - for their sakes & mine.

I enjoy my Cuppa Catch-up/Connection meetings - and it's not half as much about ingesting caffeine as it is spending what I consider quality time - time spent getting to know someone and sometimes yourself (better). So you can imagine how unhappy I was to me hear that "Tea-talk" was a way of saying: "Let's meet to talk about someone or some people."
What an unproductive and wasteful use of a valuable and irreplaceable resource - your life!

Eleanor Roosevelt said: Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. Which one of these are you? This is a good time to bring the Bible in...
Proverbs 10:18a tells us that: "Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool."* So what do you think that make the person who listens to gossip? You said it...so what should you do not to be a fool? David - the man after God's heart** was so clear on this: "I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors."*** Another word for Gossips (yes, there is no word like "Gossiper") and Slanderers is Backbiters. My husband usually says that Backbiters are always (and will remain) at the back - well that's the only place they can "bite" from. By extension, spending time behind people's backs to "bite" them drains strength and focus from moving forward.

Ok, I'm not saying that you should look at anyone who goes for tea or coffee suspisciously. The point is: What do you do or discuss when you are having your tea or coffee break? Now, it's a time for introspection. While I can't do it for you, I pray that any of us who spend time talking about others with or without "tea" will stop. I also pray that any of us who have "eager ears" for gossip will be courageous to tell the Gossips to stop or stop having "tea" with them but keep praying they see the light as I pray you have. If you must talk about others, talk to God - and He will give you the wisdom and grace to deal with them. I can confidently tell you that that's definitely a more productive use of your time and life.

Sources:
* Good News Translation
**Psalm101:5a - NLT

Team - work

2011-12-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

It's usual to see those 2 words as a compound word so when I saw them separate (& next to each other), it brought this to mind: Irrespective of the great things people say and we have experienced about teamwork, its benefits cannot be realised except the team actually works.

The realization that "teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success"* more likely than not led to the popular TEAM acroynm => "Together Everyone Achieves More!"*
Wow - how apt and creative of the unknown author - it couldn't be put better if you ask me.

Like I have, you may have noticed that a lot of people really like and "preach" that acroynm - I like and use it quite a bit myself. So it just amazes, and sometimes amuses then annoys me when some of those people don't walk their talk. Don't know about you but I've been in situations where a team has been set up but only a few members or sometimes only one person in the team is doing any work and then when the "team of one" succeeds, everyone shares in the success. Indeed "success has many friends."*

When faced with a challenge or task, some people start off by asking: "What do you think we should do about such and such?" or "How do you suggest we tackle this and that?" Then IDEAS (Intentions, Decisions, Ambitions & Strategies) start rolling in and the session ends with tasks assigned to a few people or worse still, to one person. What's that all about?

Talking about teamwork, the Bible says: "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Eph 4:16 - NLT, italics mine) Putting it differently, we all have a part to play, something to supply.

Have you noticed that no letter is repeated in the word "teamwork"? Each of us brings something unique to our teams - let's bring and use it.

“Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”** We need to realise that teams cannot work without team members working - and of course towards the same goal. I know that this may sound like a play of words but the fact is: "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision. The ability to direct individual accomplishment toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results."***

God has used so many different things around us to demonstrate the potential and power in teamwork. I like these quotes:

"A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together!"*

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”****

When team members work, fragile as a snowflake or clear as a drop of water, things work. In your teams, always remember and abide by these 2 words:

Team->work.

Sources:

* Author Unknown

**Vince Lombardi

***Andrew Carnegie

****Ryunosuke Satoro

Is it written down?

2011-11-29T16:20:00.066-07:00

My husband tells the story of a military couple who were promised that they will not be sent to the war-front only to get posting letters some months after they had signed up. The host of the show also invited a Military lawyer to "help" this couple out of their quagmire.

The lawyer asked the couple to restate what they had been promised then asked them a simple question: "Was it written down?" To this they answered: "No" - and that's when everything fell apart. The lawyer proceeded to inform them that they were fighting a losing battle. The bottom line of all he said was that they could not go forward with a verbal promise from the recruiting officer...to be tenable and fulfilled, it had to have been written.

The flip side to this is that so many of us don't even know what is written and what we have "legal" claim to. Psalm 119:89 says that God's word is forever settled and 2 Cor. 1:20 says: "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God." (NIV) So in effect, all God's promises to us are really signed, sealed and delivered...it's up to us accept His package.

Going back to where we started, you have complete claim to all of God's promises - because they are written down. What do you believe you need in order to have a fulfilling/fulfilled life? Is it written down? I can assure you that if your need is written down in God's word, you can expect it from God's storehouse because "this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."*

Now it's up to you - read the written word, then request & receive all His promises to you.

Source:
*Phil 4:19 - NLT

What's your job?

2011-11-26T11:26:00.048-07:00

I watched a comedy where a wife and mother was talking about their family and said to her husband: “My job is to protect you so you don’t fall on your faces.” Her husband’s response was: “Your job is to pick us up when we do.” Who do you think was correct?

If you ask me, the husband was correct. As much as we do not like falling on our faces, it is a part of growing up. Yes, who can say that while they were learning to walk they never fell? Well, just as I thought – no one can and that’s my point exactly.

Even the Bible tells us that a righteous man may fall seven times* - that is not to say that if you fall/falter/fail eight times you stop being righteous. The point is that "falling" is not the issue – though you shouldn’t make a habit of it - rising is more important and that is what you should make a habit of. You cannot refuse to try because you think you will fail. We’ve talked about this about this before...and it relates to various aspects of life.

As protective as we may want to be of our children or of our spouses, sometimes we need to give them (& ourselves) space to learn from a fall or a failure - count the cost though. I'm not aware of any toddler who learnt how to walk without tripping even if only once - are you?

Ralph Waldo Emerson put it well when he said: "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
Now that is something that we should not plan but also not forget - not today, not ever!

Let's lovingly support those around us - whether they are standing or stumbling. Failing/faltering/falling is not fatal once we remain anchored in the word of God.

Source:
*Prov 24:16a - Even if godly people fall down seven times, they always get up. (NIRV)

Answer when they ask...

2011-11-22T00:21:00.125-07:00

An excerpt of Deut 6: 20 -21 says: The next time your child asks you...tell your child...

So we don't take it out of context, the excerpt is from Deuteronomy 6 which talked about how to respond to our children's questions on why we obey the word of God.
The principle shared here applies to every aspect of life - Christianity is not a religion

- it is a distinguished lifestyle.

Just 2 days ago, we talked "briefly" about Chicken, Ostrich and Penguin-type parents. As parents, we all have to take care of our children and some of us are "ostrich-like" parents who don't have the wisdom required to do that. Though common sense is not common, believe me, it takes a lot more than common sense to raise a child right. God has graciously gone beyond common sense and made wisdom freely available - all we need to do is ask:

"But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you;

because God gives generously and graciously to all." (James 1:5 - GNT)

It's a great relief to know that: "He will not rebuke you for asking." (James 1:5b - NLT)

Talking about the relevance of wisdom when it comes to raising children, have you ever been in a situation where a child - yours or another person's - says something or asks a question and you wonder: "where did he/she get that from?" Like our parents would likely have said when we were young and came up with such "advanced" topics, "the world has changed." Children are getting smarter - simply because they are exposed to more things in this technologically advancing world. We must advance too...to be one step ahead of them.

We need all the wisdom we can get to answer their questions truthfully - for instance, bees and butterflies tale doesn't fly because it is a lie and should never be told by a Christian parent. If we do not take the time to answer our children when they ask, you can be sure that they will go to other people for the answer - which we will very likely not be pleased with. If you're caught off guard when they ask those "where do babies come from?" type questions, rather than wave it off, sit down at that time, if possible, or later to explain. Lying or ignoring them is wrong - the truth they know will set them free especially from giving in to ungodly peer pressure.

When children ask, answer them - those are teachable moments we must never miss...

Are you a Chicken, Ostrich or Penguin?

2011-11-20T11:20:00.032-07:00

There are so many books on Parenting - I've even read some myself. A few months ago, I listened to an interesting message titled "Motherhood and Fatherhood incorporated" by Pastor Nike Adeyemi (Daystar Christian Centre) that hit the nail on the head of my current pain in the trend I'm seeing in parenting. I've seen 3 types of parents...

Chicken, Ostrich, Penguins.

The Bible talks about the first 2 types:

When talking in Matthew 23:37b Jesus wanted to "be like a hen who gathers her chicks under her wings." (NIRV) For those of us who know that chicken doesn't come from the stores, we may have been opportuned to see how protective the hen is of her eggs and chicks. My husband tells the story of how many years ago he had a pet hen. They got along well until the day she saw him taking one of her recently laid eggs. After that, every time she saw him, she chased him. She definitely had a reason to be upset...I'd do same.

It goes without saying that hens are not only protective of their eggs, they are also protective of their chicks. I've noticed that there are number of such parents, especially mothers. And there are some parents, especially fathers, that are like the cock who don't know (or even care) what incubating the eggs or caring for the chicks entails. Sometimes were so protective of our children that it can be destructive - to ourselves, our marriages, our children and their own homes. For instance, some mothers make it seem like if they are not home, her husband who is the father of the children is not important or competent enough to take care of the children.

Let's move on.
Job 39: 13-18 - "The ostrich flaps her wings futilely - all those beautiful feathers, but useless! She lays her eggs on the hard ground, leaves them there in the dirt, exposed to the weather, Not caring that they might get stepped on and cracked or trampled by some wild animal. She's negligent with her young, as if they weren't even hers. She cares nothing about anything. She wasn't created very smart, that's for sure, wasn't given her share of good sense. But when she runs, oh, how she runs, laughing, leaving horse and rider in the dust." (The Message)

Can you believe that? She takes the time to lay the eggs and then leaves them - to get on with her life. I wonder where the father of the chicks-to-be is in this? I've noticed that there are some of us that are so plugged into excelling in our careers - out running the horse and the rider - that we leave our children to the dust of the world. That is so sad isn't it? We need to be more attentive of your children by our presence not our presents. We must be there with and for our children...both father and mother. I know the Bible says: "To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child." (Prov 29:15) but it Proverbs started with "My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction." (Prov 1:8 -NLT) Both parents!

Now on to the Penguin parents. My first appreciation of how penguins parent was when we watched the film: "Happy Feet." My entire family had a great laugh all through the film especially since we all knew our own "Happy Feet." He's such a blessing - with the music in his bones, his happy feet & all. Let's keep moving...

For this posting, I did some more research...see my sources below

Obviously the female penguin lays the eggs but the Mommy & Daddy penguins - except the Emperor specie* - take turns to keep the egg warm until it hatches while the other penguin parent goes to get food. If the egg hatches while Mommy penguin is away, Daddy penguin is able to feed the chick though he would have been fasting for weeks - amazing isn't it?

Both penguin parents are actively involved in caring and raising their chicks. In Happy Feet, when the chick started expressing his uniqueness, Daddy penguin was quick to take responsibility for letting the egg roll. We are jointly responsible for our children - it's not a matter of "see your what your child is doing." Prov 6:20 is clear that mothers can only build on what fathers have said: "My son, keep your father's [God-given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught you]." (Amplified) God expects both parents to: direct their children onto the right path, (by their examples) and when they are older, they will not leave it. (Prov 22:6 - NLT paraphrased)

Additionally, penguins live in the cold region so they have to huddle together to keep warm. Talk about the benefits of a family being together. There is nothing like spending quality family time - another thing we should learn from the penguins. The world is cold.

The other thing is: "Parents are able to identify their chick by its distinctive call."**

For me it is sad when I see a mother rush to say the nursery when she hears her child's voice and the father doesn't even notice that a child cried out or even if he does turns over to his wife and asks her to check on their child. It's plain wrong. I was so proud when one of my brother's stopped his wife from going to check on their crying child and went to attend to their child - he got one of my gold stars for that.

Penguin parenting is one sure way of getting things right in the world today. Like Confucius said: "To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." Ultimately: We must have the right priorities and live by the right principles.

Now it's time for me to say: Congratulations for reading this...you each get one of my gold stars for coming all the way. It is my prayer that as we celebrate International Children's Day, we'll agree with the UN Secretary-General that: "We were all children once. And we all share the desire for the well-being of our children, which has always been and will continue to be the most universally cherished aspiration of humankind."*** Then go beyond that and play our part in raising them right to God's glory.

Sources:

*http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/penguins/hatching.html

**http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/penguin/hatching-&-care.htm

***http://www.un.org/en/events/childrenday/

Other sources:

http://seewingchan.tripod.com/penguins/work.html

http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4567617_penguins-keep-their-eggs-warm.html

http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/penguin.htm

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/penguins/emperor/

Do our children know?

2011-11-16T16:11:00.001-07:00

2 Chronicles 6:3-4, 10a

Then the king turned around and blessed the whole assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. And he said: “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth to my father David, saying...So the LORD has fulfilled His word which He spoke (NKJV)

Then the king turned around to the entire community of Israel standing before him and gave this blessing: “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has kept the promise he made to my father, David. For he told my father...And now the Lord has fulfilled the promise he made... (NLT)

When I read this passage one morning - and it wasn't my first time of ever reading it - these sections jumped out at me. I asked myself - and now you:

Do my/your children know what God has promised me/you and them?

Impressive, won't you say, that a king over a vast kingdom, had and took the time to tell his son about God's promises to him. Likewise, in our own "king-homes" we should do the same.

There is absolutely NO doubt when it comes to God and His promises:
"He will keep his covenant forever. He will keep his promise for all time to come."

(1 Chron 16:15 - NIRV).

It's just us that doubt - we doubt God, we doubt ourselves and never think about doubting the doubt. Maybe that's why we don't tell our children the great and magnificient things He has promised to us and even them by extension. I will never tire of saying if your dreams are bigger than you - they are likely from God once they line up with the His word. Take time to know then take Him at His word.Our God is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow and for all time so we have no reason to doubt His promises to us. If He's said it, He will do it.

Joshua attested that: "Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true." (Jos 21:45 - NLT)

He is faithful so "let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." (Heb 10:23 - NLT)

I really like the way Deuteronomy 6 encapsulates all we've been talking about.
I've chosen a few verses and encourage you to read the whole chapter - sooner than later...

Verse 3:
Listen obediently, Israel. Do what you're told so that you'll have a good life, a life of abundance and bounty, just as God promised, in a land abounding in milk and honey.

(The Message)

Verse 7:
You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. (Amplified)

Verse 20-24:
The next time your child asks you, "What do these requirements and regulations and rules that God, our God, has commanded mean?" tell your child, "We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt and God powerfully intervened and got us out of that country. We stood there and watched as God delivered miracle-signs, great wonders, and evil-visitations on Egypt, on Pharaoh and his household. He pulled us out of there so he could bring us here and give us the land he so solemnly promised to our ancestors. That's why God commanded us to follow all these rules, so that we would live reverently before God, our God, as he gives us this good life, keeping us alive for a long time to come. (The Message)

God expects us to have answers to our children's questions and take the time to answer them - now that's another day's topic...watch out for that one.

2 Cor 1:20 tells us "God has made a great many promises. They are all "Yes" because of what Christ has done. So through Christ we say "Amen." We want God to receive glory." (NIRV)

Promises with out a "Possessor" remain unfulfilled...and unenjoyed -
who knows what you're missing out of because you have not believed and possessed God's promises to you and yours.

As we close, let me share with you two of God's very personal promises to me:
Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. (Is 8:18a - KJV)

Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed. (Ps 112: 1-2 - NLT)

These are 2 of mine and I'm willing to share them too. Beyond sharing, I encourage to go and look for yours and share them with your family - it will shape their lives for good.

Read the Handbook

2011-11-13T12:06:00.109-07:00

Have you read the Employee Handbook for the company you work in? Ok - did I go too far? How many of you have even ever seen it? Ok one more step back - do you know whether or not your company has one?

It is so funny that a lot of people want to get some benefits or shall I say "privileges" from their employers and don't realize that sometimes with they are even short-changing themselves - because what they are asking for has already been offered to them in the Handbook. I remember someone telling me that people in a particular company miss out on some privileges (and even their rights) because they do not take the time to find out what the company has to offer them - and sometimes some of those "offers" extend benefits to their families. What a "loss!"

Doesn't that sound so familiar? Well it does to me. There are a lot of Christians who are not living the abundant life* or the life of abundance** - they are simply losing out of a fulfilling and fulfilled life due to their "ignorance." The Bible is our Life Handbook. The Bible tells us about our "rights" and privileges are - for instance, God loads us with benefits every day.***

If you don't read this Handbook, you will not know which benefits accrue to you.

Hosea 14:2a says we should take words with us to the Lord....and that is also the way we get some benefits from our employers. When you know what is due to you by name - because it is written, it is easier to ask for and receive it - and you will know what you have received.

Read the Handbook - you'll be glad you did.

References:

*John 10:10 - The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (Amplified)

**Eph 1:3 - All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. (New Living Translation)

2 Pet 1:3 - God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity. (God's Word Translation)

Phil 4:19 - And with all his abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all your needs. (Good News Translation)

***Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah (New King James Version)

11-11-11

2011-11-11T11:11:00.006-07:00

Today has a very unique date - one that is witnessed only once in a hundred years. We are indeed blessed to be part of the generation that sees such dates - some people are born and die before one of these dates. We thank God for life & must never take it for granted.

For some nations, this is also a day of remembrance - when we remember all the fallen soldiers - those who gave their lives so we can live in freedom. They paid the ultimate price. We trust God will continue to comfort and strengthen their families.

As we remember those who gave their lives, we should also remember the One who also gave His life so we may have life in abundance even to eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from God which we only receive when we accept Jesus Christ. If you are not yet born-again, today can go beyond being a unique date to becoming a unique day for you. Just do ABC:

Accept that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

Believe in the Lord Jesus and turn your life over to Him.

Commit yourself to learning more about Jesus - read the Bible: start from the book of John.

Give your life to Jesus Christ, the Risen Saviour, and this will be a day you will never forget.

Does Fasting follow Feasting...

2011-11-09T09:11:00.047-07:00

or should Feasting follow Fasting?

Sounds like a trick question doesn't it? Well it isn't. Two years ago, someone asked me:

"What does it mean to live a fasted life?"

When cleaning out my mailbox, I saw our email exchange - so let's start this piece there:

My response:
For me, living a fasted life is one where we constantly and continuously put our flesh under control and submit to the desires of the God as laid on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Considering that the whole essence of a "physical fast" as we know it is to deny ourselves food so as to subject our bodies to the control of our spirit. A fasted life takes it further i.e. outside the realm of food to ensure that "whatever we do, we do it to the glory of God" i.e. God in total control not food, TV, making money, pleasure or any other such "distraction." What does a fasted life mean to you?

Some interesting things I found on the internet:
http://www.theanswer.org/pastor/fasting.htm
http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/fasting/danielfast.php

Response: I agree with you completely. In addition, a fasted life includes laying down what you as an individual feel that you can't do without. That thing that you think that you must have & that has control over you. It may not necessarily be sinful. For some people, it may be coffee, a particular TV program, Sports whatever tends to becloud your vision of God.

Now that is where feasting comes in...some of us are so attached to to food that we have found a way around fasting. There are people I see who are basically feasting when they claim to be fasting. I remember a funny but sad incident when someone said to me:

"We need to load ourselves since we are fasting."

I was too much in shock to respond. So what does fasting mean to you? Do you think fasting is a one-off thing or can we live self-controlled, or shall I say fasted, lives where we make sure that it is our spirit working with the Holy Spirit that is always in control over the desires of our flesh? In Isaiah 58, God is clear on what fasting should represent...kindness to others in addition to staying away from food. Of course feasting comes in from time to time as He's promised in verse 11: "And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not." (Amplified)

Ultimately as Christians, we must realize that fasting is an important part of our walk with God - the spiritual and health benefits* abound. Spiritual and physical detoxification top the list - fasting helps you get rid of toxic things in your body including habits and lifestyles.

*http://www.squidoo.com/fasting-health-benefits

"Look good for God"

2011-11-07T19:11:00.051-07:00

When getting ready for our evening Communion service, one of my sons told the other: "You have to put on your tie" (which he had worn to church that morning).
The response: "I don't want to wear it." Insisting, the first brother said:

"You need to look good for God."

I smiled as I overhead their conversation which cast my mind back to the "Appealing or Appalling"* piece and realised God had let me overhear this conversation to take our "discussion" one step further...

"Look good for God" - what a reason and motivation to be appealing in the way we dress!

Now ignoring man for a moment, God does care how we dress and does His part to help us. When Adam and Eve sinned, God himself clothed them - I believe this covering was both physical and spiritual. Gen 3:21 tells us: "The Lord God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and dressed them." (God's Word Translation) The next time God was associated with clothing was when God created the priesthood office. There, He was clear on their dress code and the purpose of their clothes and even said why twice in Exodus 28:

"And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother,

for glory and for beauty." (verse 2 -NKJV)

and

"For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics, and you shall make sashes for them. And you shall make hats for them, for glory and beauty." (verse 40-NKJV)

So putting both phrases together, we all need to

"look good for God for glory and beauty."

The way we dress must first radiate the glory of God and then His beauty** which must first shine from within***. Guess what? This applies to every Christian because we are all priests to God - and that was repeated more than once in different parts of the Bible.****

I'm not sure why I do this - sometimes when I buy a new outfit especially if I believe it cost me a bit, I do my best to wear it to church first. Not sure whether I'm doing this as a way of "dedicating" my outfit to God or if it's "since this is nice, I want God to "see" it first" - as if He didn't already see it when I bought it. Or maybe it's a spin-off of my upbringing where we had "church clothes" as distinct from everyday clothes not to mention "bottom-of-the-box" clothes. Thinking about it now - as I type, I guess that explains why when shopping especially for corporate clothes, I subconsciously ask myself: "Can I wear this to church?"

The bottom line, like my son said, is we should all always "look good for God..." in all places.

Sources
*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/11/appealing-or-appalling.html

** Psalm 90:17 - "And let the beauty and delightfulness and favor of the Lord our God be upon us; confirm and establish the work of our hands--yes, the work of our hands, confirm and establish it." (Amplified)

*** 1 Peter 3: 3-5 - "Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands." (NLT)

**** Exodus 19: 5-6 - "Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession and treasure from among and above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, a holy nation [consecrated, set apart to the worship of God]. These are the words you shall speak to the Israelites." (Amplified)

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (NKJV)

Revelation 1:6 - "And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it)." (Amplified)

Revelation 5:10 - "Then you made them a Kingdom, Priests for our God, Priest-kings to rule over the earth." (The Message)

Must you...

2011-11-05T09:29:00.061-06:00

...handle it or can you hand it over? I'm amazed and appalled when I meet people who think and believe that they have to be in a certain place - work, church or wherever - for some things to happen. For instance, they never fully go on vacation because they need to do sometime and feel that noone else can quite do it. I do not dispute that there are times that it's easier or just more efficient for you to do some things yourself however, the point is if you are that good, you should be willing to help others become "as good" or even better than you.

We must all realize that "being a part of success is more important than being personally indispensable."* Even beyond that: "Success without a successor is a failure." If you are so territorial that you do not want anyone to learn from you, then you really are not that good or even competent. Let's call a spade a spade - I agree this truth may sound harsh to some people. I also know that the truth is sometimes a bitter pill to swallow...and when swallowed (i.e. acted upon) will make you a better person. Let's think about it: those who are truly competent are confident and confident people are willing to share what they know with others. Have you realized that when you teach someone something, you get more than lose anything.

In Exodus 18, Moses was trying to do everything himself; his father inlaw noticed.
Verse 18: Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can't do this alone.***

Verse 22: They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also."***

When we train or equip others to share the load with us, at home, in church or at work, chances are that you will not be burnt-out. For any and everything that is taking a lot of your time, ask yourself:

"Must I handle this myself or can I hand it over to someone else?"

When you know the difference between both, it will make a difference in your life.

Sources:
*Pat Riley
**Richard Roberts
***The Message

Appealing or Appalling?

2011-11-03T10:31:00.001-06:00

I have mentioned before that I like watching people and of course watching myself (and the beam in my eye). One of the things I watch/observe is the way a lot of people, especially females, dress during different seasons of the year and in different places or for events. On occassion, I actually walk up to some of those ladies whose dressing (and comportment), in my opinion, are "appealing" and compliment/commend them. When I notice what I would consider "appalling" dressing - especially in church or similar settings, I also approach the person, within my limits, and comment - I do my best not to condemn them.

Before I go on with this posting, I'd like to make 2 things clear - possibly stating the obvious:
1. I'm not a fashion "expert" and have no intention to become one either.
2. I realize that I may be stepping into murky waters with this topic because what is appalling to one person may be appealing to another and vice versa.

With those cards on the table, the question for me is: "How much self-respect do we display with the way we dress?" I know some people would rather overlook this than tackle it head on - I cannot disagree more, so I'll continue - I hope you'll continue reading too...

I mean if you look around, you'll notice that most ladies in places of high responsibility and reputation are well dressed and it has nothing to do with the cost of their outfits. The way I see it, only things on sale are displayed - I mean if it's not on "sale" please do not display it.

The fact is when some ladies dress in what I call revealing clothes, it tells on all of us because some people will paint ladies with that same brush. Apart from the distraction it causes especially in corporate and christian settings, it actually causes distress to a lot of people not to mention some marriages and homes it has destroyed - and that is not appealing.

The other part to this is that I've noticed a number of women who dress in appropriately appealing ways and whose daughters' dressing is appalling. Now that is something I can't understand. Maybe someone can explain that to me. Which path of dressing do such ladies want their daughters to take? Such daughters - and many others - may be confused too.

A very wise person once said:

"Dress the way you want to be addressed."

I know it is easy to go to the other extreme and that is not the intention and if you ask me, the litmus test is easy. Just before you leave the house, look in your mirror and ask yourself, "how will I be addressed if the only thing that mattered is the way I'm dressed?" Someone could say: "I'm comfortable in my clothes" - my response would then be: "why do I see some ladies pulling parts of their clothes as if it just shrunk on them?"

Well enough said - I'm sure we all get the point. We are created to display the glory of God and that includes being discreet about areas of our bodies that only our husbands should see. I'm sure not going to come up with a dress code for you...because I'm sure you can figure out what is appealing and what is appalling by yourself - if you are not sure, ask the Holy Spirit and I'm sure He'll be more than happy to help you - so you radiate God's glory.

Today...

2011-10-31T05:32:00.001-06:00

Today, I'm writing one of my spur-of-the-moment posts.

I woke up this morning and realized that with how much my spirit and eyes have been harrassed in recent weeks just because of this day that I needed to speak up.

If you live in the Western World, you may already know that today is Halloween.

So much has been written about the origins and rebranding of this day. I'm not going to rehash it - the bottom line is this is from the pit of hell if you ask me. One of my son's when asked why he doesn't participate in Halloween said: "It's the devil's birthday." Well put.

I am pleased that people are waking up to the depth of evil unleashed on this day - especially at night. Last week on the news, they were discussing the costumes and said schools are banning scary outfits and encouraging people to wear caring outfits. Even worse, I've heard that a Christian once said, my child will dress like an angel...how sad. Maybe that parent didn't know that the Bible tells us that the devil even has the "angel of light"* costume. The bottom line is changing the form does not change the foundation.

Someone was suggesting that churches have programmes today so our children do not feel that they are missing something. That is definitely the wrong "solution." We must know how to, and also teach our children by example how to, say "No" to the pleasures of sin.** We do not do things to "fit in" or make others happy - we do things to fit into God's will and bring Him pleasure. You'll notice that I've decided not to defile this gift from God with pictures.

Now, I've taken the first step to tell you where I stand on this day - I pray this will encourage you to be courageous enough to take the right stand which I pray includes not taking some things e.g halloween candy, into your home and heart... God bless you today and always.

References:
*2 Cor 11:14a - Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (NLT)
**Heb 11:25

Course, Source or both?

2011-10-28T20:30:00.044-06:00

One brain-challenging game I like is, unscrambling words or forming words from another one. So when this topic dropped in my spirit I was amused because you can form either word from the other...try it and see...

Ok back to the topic...

The full string of questions is: "Does God determine your course (of life)?" or "Is He your Source and does He determine the course of your life?" or "Is He only your source?" Do you have any answers? Here's what I think...

In a message* I listened to, Creflo Dollar said, God is not a source - He is our ONLY Source. When you think of it from that perspective, it means that with God as our only Source, He shouldn't be only our Source, He should also be the only One determining our course.

Psalms 37:23-24 tells us: "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." (NLT) God can only delight in every aspect of our lives if we let Him; He doesn't stop there - He also upholds us if and when we stumble. What a wonderful prospect...

Proverbs 16:9 - "We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go." (CEV)

It is so important to agree with God and follow His directions because Proverbs 16:25 tells us that: "Sometimes what seems right is really a road to death." (CEV). Like Bishop Oyedepo says, only God's plans will take us to a fruitful future because that's what He promised us in Jeremiah 29:11 - "I know the plans I have for you," announces the Lord. "I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. I will give you hope for the years to come." (NiRV)

To get the best that God has in store for us, we must acknowledge Him as our Source and should align ourselves to the course He has charted for us. One thing is sure, you cannot know the course He has charted for you if you do not even know Him - which is why we must start at the beginning to truly know Him. Daniel 11:32b promises that "the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits." (NKJV). Conversely, the people who donot know their God shall be weak and be greatly exploited.

So it's up to you -

know and align yourself to God as your ONLY Source and follow His course or

get ready for an unfulfilled life.

I pray you choose the former...

Reference:
*http://viewers.multicastmedia.com/viewer/viewerframes_parent.asp?b=&p=&WMP=1&WMPv=7&RPIE=1&sp=&networkID=3000219&gid=0&MsoID=7&CategoryID=1000160&rnd=705&odcid=6389044

Do you have “staying power”?

2011-10-25T10:15:00.008-06:00

Some weeks ago, while waiting for my plane an older couple came and sat next to me. Within 5 minutes of their being there I couldn’t imagine how they could have stayed married so long. I mean, the man sounded so mean and his wife responded so sweetly almost meekly.

She went to get some food to eat, he said she was an eating machine – then ate off her plate.

A little later, he asked her to scratch his back in a way that almost sounded romantic.

Then about an hour later when she was giving him his medication and making suggestions he responded like a school principal and she responded like she was his kindergarten teacher – nice match I’d say.

I know every marriage is different – this one was so very different from anything I’ve ever seen. I just kept saying to myself: “If he’s like this in the public...can’t imagine how he is in private.” I practically got goose bumps and almost the hiccups thinking about it - so I didn't let my imagination continue on that path.

One thing I learned from my endurance test of sitting beside them for about 2 hours or so was how confidently a gentle answer turns away anger*. I thought I was “good” – now I met “better”. I mean, my husband is not anything like this man – may he never be too – but the vibes that I was receiving were just scary and almost scarring. By the time they left for their flight, they had left a definite impression in my mind - of who I don't want to ever be...

The other thing I learned and purpose to keep doing is being respectful to my husband at home. If I remain respectful to my husband at home, being respectful outside will not need me to get into a costume because it will already be my custom.

Lastly, I was reminded that marriage is all about staying power. Ok I may be the only one that this happens to but I’ll let you decide for yourself. Sometimes, things happen in my home that upset me. It’s not a time to look for honey or let out the vinegar that is so eager to be released** sometimes I feel that the jar just needs to be out of the cupboard altogether.

When I remember all the promises God made and has continued to fulfill, I know without a doubt that I’ve got the power on my side to stay married. If you prayed before you got married and married the person God asked you to – you have all the power on your side. Even if you didn’t and you are (now) a Christian, you’ve got the power – God has given us the power to be His children and one sign is we are able stay married - because noone (including you) is allowed to separate you from your spouse - since God has put you together.***

May God bless & keep you - happily married for life.

Reference:

* Prov 15:1 A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up. (GNT)

** http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/09/2-jars.html

***And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together." (Mark 10:9 - CEV)

Stick with it!

2011-10-21T09:23:00.001-06:00

I saw a great quote that set me thinking. First the quote then my thoughts...

Consider the postage stamp:

its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.

~Josh Billings

Those who know me know that I like starting things...I just get a thrill thinking about how to kick off something God places in my heart - just ask my husband about that. Indeed, I'm an infectiously Self-motivated, Enthusiastic, Lively and Fun person to be around. I enjoy being my "SELF-self". I'm also good at getting others to want to or even actually join the "train" or support the move into the "new". My challenge has been with staying on the train to the "end..."

So when I found this quote, I took it personally because at this time in my life I've been asking myself, how long I intend to stick with blogging for. I mean, what will I do if or shall I say, when the "excitement" wanes? I mean, how do I know that I'm not "wasting" my time? The Holy Spirit keeps assuring me that I'm investing my time in what He has called me to and that there will always be something to write about. So I intend to hold Him to that promise...

He also led me to look for a picture of a postage stamp for this posting and guess what I found? Obviously I found many stamps... including one of Ethel Payne who was honoured by being put on a US postage stamp.
In spite of challenges she faced & criticism she received, which goes without saying, she stuck with one thing - journalism - right to the end.

Now that is a second reason why I've decided to stick with blogging - and everything else God puts on my plate. No - not to be put on a postage stamp...stamps only go so far or last so long. I want to leave a legacy... I want to be an example and inspiration for generations to come. Ultimately, I want to go "up" in history as someone stuck with their assignment to God's glory.

"I beg your pardon..."

2011-10-19T07:42:00.000-06:00

"What did you just say?"

"Please repeat what you just said."

"I didn't get that." and so on...

These are all very useful phrases - however more than once I have been reluctant to use any of them. It finally occurred to me that it may be a sign of pride. Keep reading as I explain...

Though some people may think differently, whether you agree with me or not, everyone has an accent. Yes, we all do...we go around the world with our accent only to find that the people at the other end of the world have their own accents too. So it amuses me when someone says, "where is your accent from?" I usually hold myself back from saying "from the same place as I am from" - knowing that my accent cannot go anywhere without me.

Ok, back to the topic.

We all have our accents and so there are times when someone says something which we either do not hear or cannot decipher or even understand what has just been said. Sometimes it's their accent, style of speaking (e.g. under their breath) or the use of slangs or words that are not part of our usual vocabulary. Sound familiar? Well, it does to me...

When people use slangs or big words (which they may not even know the meaning of), I am sometimes reluctant to ask them to "break it down" so I don't look like the less-educated/ less-exposed person. Now you see why I said the lack of use of those phrases is related to pride. One day it struck me that when I nod in agreement and say "yes-yes," with a smile, I do not know what I have just "accepted" or agreed with - that's not what educated people do.

Now, I'm not saying that you should carry a dictionary around with you and flip through it whenever a big word comes your way - that will look ridiculous. I'm just saying be courageous enough to ask the person to kindly repeat what he/she said. When you hear and understand what the person said, you are in a better position to know what to do/say or not to do/say.

Imagine someone says something that is not particularly flattering about you and you respond with a nod, smile and "yes-yes" - how do you think the person will perceive you? I can tell you right now that the person will not think very highly of you and may even treat you likewise...Knowing what people have said to you is so important so you can reject anything that doesn't line up with God's promises to you. "Being polite" and accepting negative words won't cut it - that's the first reason to use those phrases.

Another reason why it is good to reconfirm your understanding especially of big words is so you know what you have committed to. You definitely don't want to be in a situation where someone above you is using big words to give you an assignment and you go away and do it all wrong or not at all because you didn't understand a word of what was said. Or even worse, you took on more than you know or could actually do. I won't like that either.

The third reason is possibly to help that other person too. Sometimes people say things or use words they don't understand themselves. Hearing them out will put you in a position to help them better understand the implication of things said and possibly the meaning and/or appropriate use of words - now that's what educated people to.

Did you just say :"I beg your pardon"?

Are you a signpost?

2011-10-16T13:10:00.000-06:00

I'm sure we all know what signposts are; they are a very useful part of our everyday lives. Whenever I go to a new city or a part of the city I live in that I'm famililar with or not so familiar with, I take time to look at the signposts around - to know where I am, where I'm going and/or even know where I should avoid. I can bet that you use signposts the same way or maybe in more ways than I do. However, as useful as they are, have you noticed that signposts never go anywhere? And that has nothing to do with their age, size, or relevance.

This simple fact came to mind when I heard this "attractive" ad on the radio. In advertising for school bus drivers, the catch phrase was: "come & transport children to the future." When I heard it, I started asking myself how many of the people who have been transporting children to their (children's)future are still living in their past. I mean, that's exactly what a signpost does - it shows you where to go but doesn't go anywhere itself. I'm referring especially to parents. I've seen more mothers who put their lives on hold because they have children - that's not God's plan for you!

The fact about putting your life on hold is that anyone who is not progressing is regressing. Sydney J. Harris said: "The greatest enemy of progress is not stagnation, but false progress." Indeed, the only thing worse than outright stagnation is thinking you're progressing when you're just going round in circles. As you invest in your children to prepare/support them to become all God intended for them, be sure to also invest in yourself. "Transporting" our children to and from school can sometimes be like going round in circles. While there is nothing wrong with being a school bus driver - there is everything wrong with being a signpost-bus driver - transporting children to their future and not advancing into yours.

“The trouble with our age is that it is all signpost and no destination.” (Louis Kronenberger) Whatever you do, don't be part of the trouble of our age - be headed to your destiny in God.

Who do you think you are?

2011-10-11T10:11:00.098-06:00

That's an interesting question especially when followed by the question: "Who are you?"

My family and I stumbled on a portion of that show a few months ago. An actress went on a journey to discover who her ancestors were. At the end when she shared her findings with her mother, she was happy for her and made a statement worth pondering and acting on:

"The most important thing about our history is what we learn from it."

So who do you think or, better still, know you are?

A lot of us may not be able to relate with that actress who didn't know who her ancestors or or even by those who do not know who their parents are or who one of their parents were. I remember watching an almost frightening movie several years ago - can't even remember the title. Well, the gist of the movie was that two women had their babies in the same remote hospital and the hospital staff unintentionally switched the babies. (The title of the movie may have been as obvious as "Switched at Birth" - not 100% sure.) Well, one family was really wealthy and the other wasn't, so you can only imagine how the not so wealthy family's child turned out to be sickly and very unlike their other children.

The couple were simply puzzled - where did those genes, or even that child come from? They ran tests and found out that they were not related at all. Then it all made sense and they went out to search for their child... I'll stop there on this movie for two reasons -

Not to spoil it for you by telling you the end in case you want to watch it; and
So we can continue on the point of this posting.

Like that couple, I wonder whether there are times when the way we conduct ourselves or the words we speak make God Himself wonder: "Where did those genes or that child come from?" The Bible tells us that we were created in God's image and it was His idea not ours - simply because He wants us to have a five -dimensional life. God's first command to us was for us to do 5 things:

"And God blessed them and said to them,

Be fruitful,
multiply, and
fill the earth (or replenish it i.e. leave it better than you met it), and
subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and
have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth." (Gen 1:28 - Amplified, italics mine)

So when we are not doing any or all of these - if I were God, I'd also wonder...which mus be why He's asked me to ask you:

"Who do you think you are?"

More importantly, "Who are you?"

Just like our earthly fathers who like to be proud of our accomplishments say- especially when they have been successful themselves: "Live up to your father's or family's name." They also advise: "Whatever you do, do not bring the family name to disrepute."

Permit me to give you the same advice...if you're not sure Who your Father is and you are born-again, dig in and find out from His Word, who you really are and live up to His name. On the other hand, if my Almighty Father isn't yours too, now is a great time to ask for forgiveness and accept Him as your Father - His arms are always wide open. When you do, you'll have greatness waiting for you because you'll be empowered* to live up to His name.

*John 1:12: But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name. (Amplified, italics mine)

Know your "wow"...

2011-10-07T19:10:00.003-06:00

Everyone is unique - that's how God created us - so we're useful as we fill the spot He created us to fill. In being unique, we all need to realize that what works for one person may not work for another person. So we each need to know our weapons of warfare ("wow" aka areas of strength) and of course our weaknesses. Let's learn from 3 people:

Moses needed only God and the rod in his hand to accomplish great things before Pharaoh and before the Israelites. Note that he already had the rod before he met the Lord. It was only transformed into a "wow" with God's wonder power. Don't look down on things you have.

In Judges 15: 15 -19, Samson only needed God and the jawbone of a donkey to defeat 1,000 Philistines. The most unlikely thing around him - the jawbone of a donkey - was his wow. We must be careful not to look down on the things around us...some have value within them.

In David's case, he needed only God and the sling and 5 smooth stones, not Saul's armour, to defeat Goliath. He wisely turned down Saul's offer of a "bigger", more contemporary and definitely more sophisticated weapon.

Likewise, we need to identify and stick with the weapon(s) God has given us realizing that it may be conventional or unusual and could be:

something we already have -with or within us
something around us - possibly lying idle
something we need to look for

Most importantly, God is the only constant. Our wows will vary depending on the circumstance - God never changes and cannot fail, simply because He doesn't know how to.

Realign yourself to move forward...

2011-10-04T11:10:00.057-06:00

Sometime ago, my husband & I were talking about our friendships. When he said: "we need to realign ourselves to move forward," it struck a resounding cord with me. It is so true...

Have you ever driven a car that is out of alignment? It can be so frustrating - especially if you're learning to drive. There you are trying to keep the steering wheel straight and the car seems to be going off the road - as if it has a mind of its own.

I like what Brian Tracy said: "Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance." Very well put...

Cars are useful for going from point to point but it is pointless if it's a struggle or frustration. Our Thoughts, Attitudes, Responses, Goals, Emotions, Tenets & Succeses (TARGETS) all have to be in balance to avoid struggle and frustration in life and this balance is somewhat dependent on the relationships - friendships and "fellowships" - you have.

Let's take Tenets for example. If you have friends who do not believe in the same things as you do or don't even have the same faith (in God) as you, there is a high likelihood that your thoughts, attitudes, emotions and responses to your life goals may never result in the successes you desire. While I strongly believe that we have a part to play in any and everything that happens to us, having the right friendships and fellowships help. We all know the age-old saying: Show me your friend and I'll tell you who you are. Well, I found an even better one by Stephen Grover Cleaveland (US President from 1885–1889): "A man is known by the company he keeps, and also by the company from which he is kept out."*

Indeed, those you "hang out" with as well as those you leave out is a very important part of your future. If you ask me, now is a good time to take a moment to look around you. If you notice you've been stagnant, regressing or progressing but not in the direction you want, I'd say that confirms that now is the best time to: "realign yourself to move forward."

Source:
*Presidential Quotes — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/presquotes1.html#ixzz1Xv40Ycsy

Don't wait for the weather...

2011-09-30T23:30:00.007-06:00

...tomorrow may not be better.

I had an interesting experience while on a business trip. A colleague and I wanted to go out for dinner but decided that we shouldn't since the skies were grey (as they usually are in this city). We agreed that we should go out the next evening when the weather may be better.

Then the next day came and the weather forecast promised more than "grey" it proposed rain. So we were chatting about it and I said:

"I guess we've learned not to wait for the weather."

Hence the topic of this post; now you know where I'm coming from, let's move on...

One thing we must all realize about any and every area of life is:

"He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow,

and he who regards the clouds will not reap." (Ecc 11:4 - Amplified)

It is only the sluggard (a habitually lazy person) that relies on the weather as an excuse not to do what he has to be done - and he has a reward waiting for him as Prov 20:4 tell us: "The sluggard does not plow when winter sets in; therefore he begs in harvest and has nothing." (Amplified, italics mine)

The best way to live is to sieze the moment. "In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hands, for you know not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether both alike will be good." (Ecc 11:6 - Amplified). I know that there are times when we need to wait before we act and times when waiting is a waste of time - we need the wisdom of God to distinguish the times and to know what to do while we "wait".

Taking it beyond that, too many of us keep waiting till everything is just right - and sadly watch our lives roll away with all the opportunities (sometimes dressed as problems) that come our way. It's sad but true that some people are still unmarried today because they looked at the "clouds" around a particular person not knowing that the heavens will be open over that person in the future. Now young ladies, please beware of gentlemen who are just sowing seeds of proposals everywhere and in every season - that's wrong unkind and totally unscriptural. All I'm saying is do not use the person's "status" today to assume his future will be just as "grey and cloudy." If he is a believer - which he must be for you to even consider praying about it - the Bible has promised that: "the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]. (Prov 4:18 - Amp). The reason is simple:
He Who alone knows the future has great plans for all His children.

See what He's promised in Jer 29:11* & 1 Cor 2:9**

Back to where we started, the "weather" should not ever stop us from doing what we need to. As we step into the last quarter of this wonderful year, remember that God has promised to abundantly bless what we lay our hands to do according to His will. So if you lay your hands on nothing, you will have a multiplied harvest of much more "nothing"...I agree with you -

God forbid!

References:

*Jer 29:11 - "I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for." (Good News Translation)

"I will bless you with a future filled with hope--a future of success, not of suffering." (CEV)

**1 Cor 2:9 - But it is just as the Scriptures say, "What God has planned for people who love him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds!"

(CEV)

However, as the scripture says, What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him.

(Good News Translation)

Where do you stand?

2011-09-27T11:37:00.016-06:00

Every individual is important and influential. The impact of others on your life all depends on where you “stand.” Let’s use 2 words: UNITE and UNTIE to expantiate on this.

From experience, when “I” move a bit in any relationship, I find that I’m either on the “unite” path or the “untie” path and both are important paths that I must be cognizant of. For marriage you must remain on the “unite path” with your spouse and the “untie path” from people, things and thoughts that want to pull you apart. Putting these words into a phrase, I'd say in marriage it's "United we thrive, untied (from each other) we fail." For every other relationship you need to know when to step right into the middle of it and “unite” or step aside and “untie” yourself from that connection.

Sadly, a lot of people just hang around others “just because” and that’s exactly why you shouldn’t. You need to know where you stand in every relationship you are in. It doesn’t stop there you have to stand in the right spot so you are not:

united to someone that will untie you from your destiny in life or
untied from someone who will unite you with your destiny.

Now who said this is easy – definitely not if you try to go it on your own – which is why we must be alert to the Only one Who knows what’s best for us. Some of you may know – I had more than one suitor. I’ve shared how I had to have courage to leave* i.e. untie myself from someone years ago. The devil tried again and just before my husband proposed, someone else did. Had I let myself be manipulated into the “the Lord said I’m getting married this year" talk, one thing is sure: I would not be where or who I am today - enough said, you get the point. Beyond marriage, the same is true about the friends (and acquaintances) you currently have and if you think about it, it’s true about some of your former friends.

Sometime ago, I was talking to a bride-to-be and had to tell her to get ready for a change in friends. I know this is not an easy thing especially for us ladies but is a fact of life and we need to accept it. There is always a tug whether to "unite" or "untie"...so you need to know where you stand in every relationship (friendship/acquaintance-ship) you find yourself in.

“I” do – do you?

Reference:

*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2009/11/secret-3-courage-7-courage-to-leave.html

BEAR Hug

2011-09-25T09:25:00.008-06:00

I've previously written about how much of a "hugger" I am.*I love to give and receive hugs...and without pushing it, I encourage those around me to show me the same courtesy.

When you think about it, there is just something so heart-touching about hugs. Of course there is - since you get to "touch" the other person's heart with a hug that's from your heart.

A recent email prompted this...so I looked up quotes and pictures to buttress my point.

Have you noticed that more often than not people refer to "Bear Hugs"? Have you ever wondered why? Can't say I know for sure...to my mind it must be because God expects all of us to BE A Ready Hug - got it?

A hug is a handshake from the heart.

~Author Unknown

You can't give a hug without getting a hug.

~Author Unknown

A hug is worth a thousand words. ~Author Unknown

My favourite quote:
A hug is a great gift - one size fits all, and it's easy to exchange. ~Author Unknown

You know, "Author unknown" must have been quite a Hugger.

Indeed, a hug is a gift for any and all occassions and can be given any and everywhere to anyone. It's also a gift that is easy to pass on, hand out or even return to the giver.

Go ahead and BE A R(eady) Hug everywhere you go...that's one way of being a blessing that we're all expected to be as we go where God sends us to -> Gen 12:1-2 - Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father's house, to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]**.

References:

*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2009/11/gift-of-giving.html
**Amplified Version

I also found this nice collection (don't know anything about the owner of the site though):

http://www.gagirl.com/hugs/hug.html

Children have rights too...

2011-09-23T09:23:00.008-06:00

Yes, like us they have many rights. For now, let's focus on each letter of the word "Children":

Character: Good, honest, hardheaded character is a function of the home. If the proper seed is sown there and properly nourished for a few years, it will not be easy for that plant to be uprooted. ~George A. Dorsey
Home: Home is the place where boys and girls first learn how to limit their wishes, abide by rules, and consider the rights and needs of others. ~ Sidonie Gruenberg
Inheritance: "A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children..." (Proverbs 13:22a - Amplified)
Love: Kids spell love T-I-M-E. ~John Crudele
Discipline: Discipline doesn't break a child's spirit half as often as the lack of it breaks a parents heart. ~ Anonymous
Responsibility: If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders. ~Abigail Van Buren
Example: “A good example has twice the value of good advice ~ Anonymous
Needs: Your children need your presence more than your presents. ~Jesse Jackson

Like C. Everett Koop said: "Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation." It is our responsibility to meet our children's rights.

"I know my rights!"

2011-09-20T09:15:00.002-06:00

I’m sure you may have heard that phrase more than once. Each time I hear it, I’m tempted to respond with a simple question: “Do you know your responsibilities?”

Irrespective of whatever you may have heard or want to believe, rights are not FOC (i.e. free of charge). To truly enjoy your rights you must know, accept and fulfill the related responsibilities. Too many people focus only on their rights and totally ignore their rights. The UK riots in August are a good example. People were saying that the government failed the young people – that they had rights to better lives. What about the young people’s responsibilities and not to mention their parents’ responsibilities to raise their children properly - that’s every child’s right. Why would they ever think that destroying things is a right? Doing the wrong thing is never right nor is it a right - period.

Let’s turn to other aspects of living in any country. Irrespective of whatever your rights are, we all have various responsibilities. Fulfilled responsibilities are the currency used to pay for our rights. For instance, paying your taxes provide the government with money to fulfill their own responsibility to deliver your rights to you. Similarly, paying your tithe to God bestows the right to open heavens – see Malachi 3:10-12 (italics mine):

"I am the LORD All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing. I will also stop locusts from destroying your crops and keeping your vineyards from producing. Everyone of every nation will talk about how I have blessed you and about your wonderful land. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken!" (CEV)

Now this is one "right" I intend to fulfill my responsibilty for - by bringing the enitre tenth of my income. When people start the talk about should it be based on gross or net pay - my answer is simple: "it depends - on if you want gross or net blessings." Note that this is not the only promise we have a right to. If you look closely at each of the other promises - and they are very many - you’ll see your responsibilities. So every time you say or even think: “I know my rights” ask yourself: “What are my responsibilities and am I fulfilling them?” Fulfilled responsibilities are one key step to "earning" your rights...so start there.

2 jars

2011-09-15T09:15:00.001-06:00

I got this from someone who got it from Daily Encourager* (comments and pictures mine)

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart"

"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained.

Then he upset one of the jars and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other jar, and vinegar spilled out.

"When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike.

The difference was within, and could not be seen.

When they were upset, their contents were revealed.

Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for "out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks' ( Luke 6:45)"

What if someone tipped you over today?? What would flow out??

Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm??

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins"

(1 Peter 4:8)

Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking for...

...some honey.

Author Unknown

I'm sure we all have our "honey" and "vinegar" moments but we need to choose one or the other and stick with it. Having honey and vinegar in the same jar is a waste of space because it results in a distaste. I've shared how verse 26 of Proverbs 31** always challenges me. Then James 3: 8-12 continues: "But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. Does a fountain send forth [simultaneously] from the same opening fresh water and bitter? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can a salt spring furnish fresh water." Based on these verses, there are 3 things we need to note and then act on:

1. What we say is based on what we have within - Matt 12:34b "For out of the fullness (the overflow, the superabundance) of the heart the mouth speaks." (Amplified)

2. We must protect our hearts: "Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life." (Prov 4:23 - Amplified)

3. We must have honeyful hearts...the best way to get honey within is to consume the Word of God (the spirit, not the paper). Take a cue from the experiences of David & Ezekiel:

"Your words are very sweet to my taste! They are sweeter than honey to me."

(Ps 119:103-NIRV)

"“Fill your stomach with this,” he said.

And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth." (Ezekiel 3:3 - NLT)

You have precious treasure with you. Go forth and spread your honey -

before, during and after you're upset.

References:

*To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager

** "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. (NLT)

Who asked you?

2011-09-10T09:10:00.001-06:00

Projected conversation:

Lady 1: I like your outfit

Lady 2: Really?

Lady 1: Yes - it's so unique and suits you

Lady 2: It's old...
Lady 1: It doesn't look it
Lady 2: Really? Infact I got it at a bargain...

Have you ever heard or been part of such conversations? Whenever I witness such, actively or passively, the first question that pops in my mind is: "Who asked you?"

Let's think about it...
Why does it matter if what you have is "old," inexpensive (that's the nicer word) or whatever? Even at interviews I've seen people put themselves down - what's that all about?

At the risk of being immodest (which I'd never recommend), we should learn to accept compliments gracefully and gratefully. I'm not saying you should blow your own trumpet - though sometimes you need to - I'm just saying don't devalue yourself - there's nothing virtuous about that; rather it is a vicious way of life. You shouldn't live life expecting others to "value" you if you don't value yourself. You must treat yourself with respect.

A great example just popped into my heart. At the well, when Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for water, she went off on a tangent - who asked her? Well, the exemplary part of that passage that relates to our topic is when Jesus said to her: "If only you knew Who was talking to..." We know the rest of the story - for those who don't this is a great time to get your (or a) Bible and read the Gospel of John - won't tell you which chapter...look it up.

Interesting that as I was writing this piece I noticed an email I received a few days ago & hadn't read...until now. The subject was "Do You Know Your Value?" The first part of the verse shared ties in nicely with this piece. Eph 2:10a "For we are God’s masterpiece."* Those 5 words are powerful - if we only key in to them and live the words out.

To be clear, I'm not saying that your should live in denial of any areas of improvement you may have. We all have areas of improvement that we must recognize & work on. If you must know, some of us also have "dated" (nicer word than "old") and inexpensive items but that's no reason to include it in your "elevator speech" or conversations. No need to say things you were not asked - no value in putting yourself down. You are God's masterpiece!

A masterpiece stands out and makes a positive statement wherever it is seen...

...go and do likewise.

Reference:
*NLT

The Bright Side...

2011-09-07T09:09:00.001-06:00

I heard this on the radio: "No one ever went blind looking at the bright side of life." (I have no idea who it is attributed to - suffice it to say that this is divine wisdom speaking).

It's so paradoxically true. Think about Saul who became Paul - he was blinded by a bright light (see Acts 9: 1 - 19) and regained his sight with the prospect of a very bright life ahead.

Prov 4: 18 says: "But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]."

That's the key to the brighter side of life - being righteous. Only the righteous - those who are in right-standing with Jesus Christ Who is the light of the world and in Whom is the light of life. He came and gave His life so we can see and live in the brighter side of life.

Like Paul, accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour grants you access to the brighter side of life. Your life can definitely be better and brighter than it is now. Do something for yourself - align yourself to the Light of men: Jesus. Remember: "No one ever went blind looking at the bright side of life."

The Voice...

2011-09-05T09:05:00.001-06:00

In the busy-ness of the world, we need to contend with a multitude of voices - every single day. We all need to be extremely careful which voice we hear and heed to. Isaiah 30:21 tells us that 'you will hear your Teacher's voice behind you. You will hear it whether you turn to the right or the left. It will say, "Here is the path I want you to take. So walk on it."' (NIRV)

So God is ready to lead us if we are willing to hear and heed - He promised us more than we can asked starting in Deut 28:1-2 - "IF YOU will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God." (Amplified)

The promises that come with hearing and heeding to God's voice are all over the Bible. Psalm 23: 2 - He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. (Amplified) God sometimes leads us into troubled waters and when we're there, we can be sure that He is in the boat with us and expects us to rest through it - like He did in Luke 8:22 - 25. One day Jesus and his disciples boarded a boat. He said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set sail. While they were sailing, he fell asleep. Gale-force winds swept down on the lake. The boat was filling up with water and they were in danger. So they went and woke Jesus, shouting “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” But he got up and gave orders to the wind and the violent waves. The storm died down and it was calm. He said to his disciples, “Where is your faith?” Filled with awe and wonder, they said to each other, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!” (Common English Bible). Note that the disciples heard Jesus' voice and heeded - so He was there to help them out. There's another promise in Isaiah 43:2 - "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." (NLT)

The reason why is clear. See Is 48:17 - Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way that you should go.

(Amplified)

When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. (John 10: 4-5 - Amplified)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 - GNT)

You must be able to distinguish "The Voice of Life" from all the other voices. Only then will you live a fruitful and fulfilling life. Every other voice will give you a futile life - avoid them.

No need to "spin"

2011-09-02T11:29:00.002-06:00

Did you know that the earth spins/rotates on its axis as it rotates around the sun - each day? Now that's what I call a double spin and yet we don't spin. Amazing isn't it? I was discussing this with another lady who just found this out and we were talking about the sheer awesomeness of God.

We went on to say that it's only because God is in control and stable that we don't spin as the earth spins - then this scripture dropped in my heart:
Psalm 125: 1-2 "Everyone who trusts the LORD is like Mount Zion that cannot be shaken and will stand forever. Just as Jerusalem is protected by mountains on every side, the LORD protects his people by holding them in his arms now and forever." (CEV) God's plan is that we do not spin even if things are spinning (i.e. not going as preferred) around us...once we remain in His arms.

I looked up some other related scriptures to demonstrate that God does not want us to spin - we're only secure and stable in Him...if/when we're in Him. When we are in Him, we will be able to confidently say like David did: "I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved" (Psalm 16:8 - Amplified, italics mine)

We must also know and say with certainty that: "God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas, Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling and tumult. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early [at the dawn of the morning]. (Psalm 46: 1-5 - Amplified, italics mine)

If you do not want to be moved in spinning circumstances, "cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). (Psalm 55:22 - Amplified)

As the earth continues to spin, as it definitely will, my prayer is that we will all be partakers of the above and following verses:

¹PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. ²His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed. ³Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. ⁴Light arises in the darkness for the upright, gracious, compassionate, and just [who are in right standing with God]. ⁵It is well with the man who deals generously and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. ⁶He will not be moved forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance.

(Psalm 112: 1- 6 - Amplified, italics mine)

I invite you to join me in my plan not to spin:

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]--From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber."

(Psalm 121: 1- 3 - Amplified, italics mine)

No need to spin - let's stay in the stable Hands of He Who spins the world and we'll be just fine.

Appreciate your wife...

2011-08-28T08:28:00.001-06:00

...this is one of the few times I direct a posting to our husbands.

(Ladies, sometimes we need to blow our own trumpets and this is one of such times.)

Dear Husbands, a good wife brings balance to your life.

Therefore....

P.S. No idea who came up with the idea for the first picture but I'm sure we get the message.

You may also want to read:
http://mythought-filledjourney.blogspot.com/2011/06/husbands-love-your-wives-part-2.html

Watch his back...

2011-08-27T08:27:00.010-06:00

There is no better "Life encyclopædia" than the Bible.

Definition time: according to Wikipedia which is one too, "An encyclopedia (also spelled encyclopaedia or encyclopædia) is a type of reference work, a compendium holding a summary of information from either all branches of knowledge or a particular branch of knowledge."

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encyclopedia)

The best part about our "Life encyclopædia" is that it never requires updating because it is current from generation to generation afterall it even tells us that: "History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new." (Ecc 1:9 - NLT)

So what does all this have to do with the topic...well, wise people know and learn from history...

Not sure if we've discussed it before but it's worthy of remphasis. As wives, we need to watch our husbands' back and help them cover it - not just for them but for ourselves too. Too many families are made up of individuals doing their own thing - now that is not necessarily a bad thing if they are all in sync (remember the piece on "Living in the same house"*?)

Our Life encyclopædia has examples of what happened to wives who didn't care enough or take time to watch their husbands' back...let's learn from them and not repeat that history.

I like these 3 quotes:

History is the sum total of the things that could have been avoided. ~Konrad Adenauer

History is philosophy teaching by examples. ~Thucydides

History is the open Bible: we historians are not priests to expound it infallibly:

our function is to teach people to read it and to reflect upon it for themselves.

~George Macaulay Trevelyan

The last one inadvertently encourages us to read our Bibles - great advice if you ask me.

So let's start with the examples I mentioned:

Example 1: Numbers 16: 1 - 3 - The Message version puts this in contemporary language:
Getting on his high horse one day, Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, along with a few Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—rebelled against Moses. He had with him 250 leaders of the congregation of Israel, prominent men with positions in the Council. They came as a group and confronted Moses and Aaron, saying, "You've overstepped yourself. This entire community is holy and God is in their midst. So why do you act like you're running the whole show?" Can you imagine the effrontery?

Then what happened after Moses and Aaron went to God? The incredible...their wives & children went for it too - "...the ground under them split apart and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community." (v 31b-33; NIV)

Example 2: In Daniel 6:24, the wives and children of those that ganged up against Daniel had a similar experience - "At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones." (NIV)

Example 3: In Acts 5:2, 9 -10, Sapphira put her foot in it by conspiring with her husband - "And with his wife's knowledge and connivance he kept back and wrongfully appropriated some of the proceeds, bringing only a part and putting it at the feet of the apostles." A few hours later, "...Peter said to her, How could you two have agreed and conspired together to try to deceive the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [also]. And instantly she fell down at his feet and died; and the young men entering found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband." (Amp)

I wonder if any of these wives said anything to stop their husbands or at least make them reconsider the path they were going down on.

Ladies, obviously in the interest of self-preservation and even for your husband and family, you need to prayerfully watch your husband's back. Now whatever you do, please do not spy on or suspect your husband - that is not what this is about.

Please pray for him and partner with him so you both progress in your marriage and ministry.

Remember:

God's mandate - you are a helpmeet; and

Your marriage vows - which are (not were) essentially to be there for each other...

Don't worry, you're covered...

...God is watching your back as He's promised in Psalm 139:5.**

References:
*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/07/living-in-same-house.html
** "You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." (NLT)

Can you say "No"...

2011-08-25T05:50:00.085-06:00

...to yourself - without feeling guilty? Have you ever said "no" to yourself?

I know we've talked about saying "No" without feeling guilty...in relation to others. Without a doubt, it is an indispensible quality we should all have and also apply to ourselves. I mean, what is the value of being able to say "No" to others without feeling guilty and not thinking about or ever saying "No" to yourself? Or of saying "No" then eating or "beating" yourself up?

In Ecc 2:10a, King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived, said:
"Everything I wanted I took—I never said no to myself. I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing." (The Message)

I also like the NIRV rendition of the verse: "I gave myself everything my eyes wanted. There wasn't any pleasure that I refused to give myself." (NIRV)

Can you imagine that kind of life? The worst kind of life ever is one where "everything goes"...

Think about it, do you realize that the garbage can/trash bin (depending on what you call it) is one place where everything goes? These days, even garbage cans are "selective" on what should be put in them (according to Waste Management bodies).

If garbage cans can say "no" to particular types of items, why shouldn't we do better? Not every "pleasure" is pleasing to God - some of them are outright sins. There also some pleasures that are not sins which we don't need - whether or not we can afford them.

We are not garbage cans and must not treat ourselves as such. We must all learn to say "No" to ourselves and actually say "No" to even "good" things as appropriate...

...that is a virtue and legacy worth passing on.

It's a basic principle...

2011-08-22T20:22:00.046-06:00

Recently, my husband said: "Seedtime and Harvest will never cease"

...and the religious person in me said: "Amen."

Thank God for the Holy Spirit, Who tapped me and asked: "Why did you say 'Amen'? There was no need to." Indeed there was no need to say "Amen" to that basic principle of life...

Genesis 8:22 is clear:
"As long as the world exists, there will be a time for planting and a time for harvest. There will always be cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night." (Good News Translation)

"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night shall not cease." (NKJV)

Galatians 6: 7-10 takes it even further and starts with a warning: "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (The Message)

The great thing about the Word of God is there are aspects that you may need to pray for grace to obey & others where all you need to do is - do all it asks you to. These passages fall into the latter group. I could go on & on - as you know; however, this will be a short piece.

You must identify your seed and sow it at the right time, in the right place and the right way. Of course a good seed wrongly planted will not produce a (good) harvest and a bad seed rightly planted will thrive. In most cases, you are the seed...your thoughts, attitudes, words, actions, relationships always determine what you get back.

So take time to consider your seed and as you sow you will have a harvest. I pray you never eat up your whole harvest because the seed is always within the harvest. May God help us all to recognize the seed in the harvest. Now, you can join me to say:

Fit better or just fatter?

2011-08-18T20:18:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago, when I looked at myself in the mirror* I noticed that the blouse I was wearing seemed to fit better than the last time I wore it.

So I wondered what had happened...

I knew the blouse couldn't have shrunk - it was cotton; so that ruled out that option or shall I say "excuse." Then without any flashing lights it was obvious that I had "grown to fit - I mean 'fill' - the blouse" - that's actually a nice way of putting it. Well, I should be gentle to myself and everyone - who knows were this posting is headed?

So excuses, explanations and embellishments aside, it was obvious that getting a new wardrobe was not an option - period. I know people who use any excuse possible to buy new clothes - now don't get me started on that. Ok, since we're here let me talk a bit about that. I understand that sometimes you go into a store see something that would go better with something you have or just received - I don't necessarily agree with that. However, what I cannot understand or even stand is accumulation. Now before I start on that I'll be upfront to say that there are some things that I've had for so long and I'm not willing to let go of - more because of sentimental value and they still fit me. I've heard of people who hoard things hoping that one day - one day in the future - they will be their size again.

Ladies, we know that if you don't decide & do something about (&, more importantly, for) yourself, that day will never come. So why don't you free yourself from that bondage and give out what you no longer need - once they are still in good condition? The other alternative is to help yourself "grow (back) into" those outfits. You know when thinking about whether my blouse fit better or if I was just fatter, I also asked myself:

"If the answer is the latter (which we know it was) am I fit?"

Here comes the twist in this piece. I was amused when I was talking to colleague (who's trying to diet and remain fit) - she told me about a show she watched where a slim (ok skinny) lady and a bigger - you may want to say "fatter" - lady were being compared. After the assessment, the bigger lady was determined to be more fit (in better physical "shape" & health) than the slim one. The slim lady had so much more fat in her body than the bigger one. The bigger one engaged in regular exercise. Now, I'm not saying you should go and get fat in order to be "fit". You can be fit whatever size you are. So when your clothes seem to "fit better" remember to ask yourself the same question I asked at the beginning - "Fit better or just fatter?" & then ask yourself: "Am I fit?" When you get the answers from yourself, do what you need to - shopping for new clothes excluded except you are willing to give out what you have or just need a few new outfits e.g. when pregnant - like 2 of my friends are.

*For the record, I look at myself in the mirror everyday - whether or not I want to.

The Bible

2011-08-14T20:14:00.003-06:00

The Bible:

Know it in your head,

Stow it in your heart,

Show it in your life,

Sow it in the world.

~ ODB

I like this quote because it simply reminds us all that there is no value in having our bible under our pillow.

Determine to know, stow, show and sow it -

remember, it is our daily bread.

Let's be clear: There's nothing wrong with reading it on your bed. It's just more benefical for you to sleep with the Word in your heart not under your head.

The Amplified version of Psalm 19:7 - 11 puts it this way:

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the [whole] person;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

⁸The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright, enlightening the eyes.

⁹The [reverent] fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, even than much fine gold;
they are sweeter also than honey and drippings from the honeycomb.

¹¹Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed);
and in keeping them there is great reward.

Read, live and share the Word to get the reward.

222

2011-08-11T11:08:00.003-06:00

Wow - did you know that today is the 222nd day of this year? It struck me during an office fellowship where we were talking about intentions vs. actions & how far this year has come - I quickly calculated the number of days.

We were sharing on the Prodigal son - so much has been said about that story. It's always great to listen to different perspectives - clear evidence that God's word is ever relevant.

Let's read a few verses of his-story together:
Luke 15: 15 - 21 (NLT) - He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ “So he returned home to his father.

And the rest of his-story is history...

The great thing about this story is how "progressive" his thinking and doing were. When he realized that he was not where he should be (due to his own missteps), he decided to take a step to get back on track and actually took the step. The question then for each of us is: "How many things did we decide (or resolve) that we would do (or accomplish) in this year and how close (or far) are we from that goal?"

With 222 days gone and 143 to go, are you planning to carry-over all your goals too? Without a doubt, you cannot rewrite your past (simply because it is "past" forever) but you can definitely make your future right and bright - remember like my husband says:

The future starts today!

What have you planned "to say", "to do," "to be"? What are all the "to"-"to"-"to"s in your life? (Pun re "222" intended) It's about time to start doing something to get past the "to"s to "do"s. Like I know we've said more than once on this blog, today is a great day to DECIDE & DO. The sooner you get started on your "To do list," "2011 resolutions" or even prior year resolutions, the sooner you'd get past them unto higher and better things. You can do it! Let's all learn from the prodigal son who moved from futility to FULFILMENT and so same.

God bless

The Comment

2011-08-08T08:08:00.013-06:00

I don't know if like me you're "comment-prone". Well, it's not just me...in fact, I call one of my children "Commentator" because he's so quick to make remarks or express his opinion whether or not it is sought.

As relational beings, we want to know what others think about us or about what we're doing/want to do. Sometimes we want comments that support what we are doing while at other times, we desire objectivity.

On the flip side, some of us, rightly or wrongly, feel we have an "obligation" to comment on whatever we see happening around us. It doesn't matter to us whether or not our opinions are solicited...we just comment.

One of the questions I ask myself when I "feel" I need to comment is: "Will my comment be a commendation or condemnation?" You know, while I will not commend everything I'm asked to make a comment about, there is a way to express my opinion without condemning those involved. Proverbs 31: 26 (NLT) says "When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness" - that's exactly how I want my comments to come across.

Notice that the verse does not say "if she speaks" - possibly because there is a certainty that she will speak...whether or not she's asked to. My prayer is: "Lord, when we open our mouths to comment, may Proverbs 31:26 be an exact description of how our comments to come across...with kindness."

- and it will definitely be so if we T.H.I.N.K before we speak.*

*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/06/think-before-you-speak.html

Are you photogenic?

2011-08-03T20:03:00.089-06:00

A few months ago, I saw an ad that caught my eye - the header was:

"Are you the picture of health?"

The corollary question that popped in my mind immediately was:

"Are you photogenic?"

You know pictures can be deceptive. As if that is not bad enough, they can be manipulated - I mean, I've seen pictures that make people look absolutely heavenly. With Photoshop and other software there are so many things people do to their pictures - you may have heard of or even seen examples. Let's not forget that having a professional photographer also "helps."

So as I was saying, when I saw the ad header I started asking myself the same question they asked and went further. You know, it's one thing to be a picture of health and another thing is to be in possesion of the "health" you project or even profess. I know we have a multitude of promises and prospects of health in the Bible. For instance, 3 John 2 is crystal clear:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers. (Amp)

I'm sure we all know people that are extremely "healthy" and vibrant in their spirit and soul. The question I ask is: "How healthy and vibrant is the "vehicle" for your spirit and soul?"

At a recent convention, one of our senior pastors was appealing to women to "take care" of themselves. He sighted examples of how some women were selfless in taking care of everyone around them totally ignoring themselves and they paid a high price for that - they passed on before their time. I really don't want to imagine what God would have said to them. Maybe He'd say: "Good and faithful servant - I needed you out there longer."

I know we have talked about how "self-first is not selfishness"* - just need to stress it again:

Self-first is not selfishness

When was the last time you went for a full physical/medical check up? I know that divine health is mine and yours if you believe however, there are times when we don't feel so good. For times like that, it is wise to direct your prayers - if you don't know what is "not right" with you how can you deal with the issue from its root? Misdirected prayers is a waste of breath while trial and error (prayers and even treatment) is a waste of resources -

and, if you ask me, both are a waste of time. As we know, time wasted is life wasted...

So back to where we started - "Are you a picture of health or just photogenic?" We all have so much to do here on earth and some of those things are best done while we're still on earth. Don't leave a negative legacy of being a person who cared for everyone besides herself and hence died before her time. Like me, you may know a few people who after their death, people said: "Oh - he/she looked so healthy - what happened?" Take it upon yourself to take care of yourself so that you will truly possess that "picture of health" you project.

Please don't be a "photo trick."

Reference:

*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/05/self-first-is-not-selfishness.html

Living in the same house...

2011-07-29T19:29:00.051-06:00

...but not living the same life.

I stumbled on this phrase on one of these, shall I say, "reality TV shows." When commenting about another family, the lady said: "they are all living in the same house but not living the same life." What a statement to make...indeed I was aghast and watched in irritation how right she was. I've never seen such a disjointed family - then my introspection started...

Living in the same house and not living in sync... Now I'm not saying that everyone under the same roof needs to live a "uniform" life - uniformity is not unity. However, it is important that in discovering and expressing our uniqueness that we remain united and in sync. That's what families are for...to support each other as they each discover & do what they need to to attain their God given destinies.

It's so unfortunate that some nuclear families are even worse than Margaret Mead described: "Nobody has ever before asked the nuclear family to live all by itself in a box the way we do. With no relatives, no support, we've put it in an impossible situation." It's ridiculous that individual members in one family actually box themselves in - and sometimes it's all due to parents' shortcomings. Sadly, some parents are so busy that they give their children so many boxes to keep them engaged such that between the TV, video games, DS, Xbox & all the other boxes, "family time" is becoming an "endangered specie."

Letty Cottin Pogrebin said: "If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable - each segment distinct." Yes we are all distinct but we must never forget that the segments together make for a better orange...

Matthew 12:25 tells us that: "Jesus knew what they were thinking, and so he said to them...any town or family that divides itself into groups which fight each other will fall apart." (Good News Version).
On the flip side, Psalm 68:6a says: "God places the lonely in families..." (NLT). Obviously God doesn't want us to be lonely or out of sync i.e. be divided. Families are God's idea.

Desmond Tutu put it so well: "You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." I encourage us to take a moment and revive "family time/life" starting with your nuclear family and then your extended family. I'm available to give you some suggestions - if you contact me. Please don't turn away or discard God's gifts to you...

Bottom line: A family in harmony will prosper in everything (Chinese Proverb).

Everyone needs at least these 3 "F"s in life

2011-07-25T19:25:00.087-06:00

Did you say "I reject that when you say this" when you saw the title? Careful what you reject...read before you reject.

I understand why you'd say that though. If a child or any adult comes and says to me:

"I got 3 Fs" - the first thing I'd say is "And you're proud of that?"

Too many times we are stereotyped unconsciously...

There are 3 Fs every Christian (in fact, everyone) should have, cherish and preserve:

Faith in God

Faith is putting all your eggs in God's basket,

then counting your blessings before they hatch. ~Ramona C. Carroll

To accept on faith is the basic requirement for getting on with life. ~ Robert Brault

Faith enables persons to be persons because it lets God be God. ~Carter Lindberg

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown

Faith makes things possible, not easy. ~Author Unknown As you know, with God nothing shall be impossible and with Him all things are possible. (Mark 10:27 para)

Life without faith in something is too narrow a space to live. ~George Lancaster Spalding

Family

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.

~Joyce Brothers

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future. ~Alex Haley

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there. ~Barbara Bush

Family is the most important thing on earth.

~Princess Diana

Friends and family can set us right. And help guide us back to the light. ~Sera Christann

And the last "F" is...

Friends

Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose. ~Tennessee Williams

A friend is a hand that is always holding yours, no matter how close or far apart you may be. A friend is someone who is always there and will always, always care. A friend is a feeling of forever in the heart. ~Collin McCarty

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down. ~Arnold H. Glasow

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walk out. ~Walter Winchell

A friend is someone who knows who you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you become, and still gently invites you to grow.

~William Shakespeare

The best part of these 3 "F"s is that they are all intertwined - if you start with Faith in God. You gain a new family in addition to your natural family and true friends come as a bonus.

It’s about why you were born...

2011-07-21T11:21:00.003-06:00

...not how you were born or your childhood.

I read an article titled “Born to Race”* that was both heart-warming and heart-wrenching at the same time. It was an interview with Anne Wafula-Strike whose autobiography is titled “In my dreams I dance.”

Now Anne is like Nick in some ways and yet they are different. Remember Nick? We talked about him last year - see: http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2010/08/whats-your-dream.html and http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2010/08/you-are-gift.html.

Anne had so much to say about her life and ambition. Talking about “how” she was as a child, she said: “Life was very difficult for me as a child with polio, the more so because I’m also female. However, I never let my disability stop me from achieving my goals in life...”* Now this is someone who was not born this way and yet she didn’t let that get in her way.

I’ve heard people blame their lack of achievement to “how” or even “where” they were born. In fact, when they are not throwing a “pity party”, they are blaming everyone else but themselves for everything that seems to go wrong in their lives. That is definitely the wrong way to make the most of your life and a sure way of making the worst of your life. No thanks!

You were born for more than you currently are...I know that that is a tall order for some. When you think about it to reach higher and further you literally need to be “taller” – excuse the pun. You have to have you eyes and heart focussed on higher and better purposes beyond your past and even your present. My husband usually says that your future is better and greater than your past and present combined - and that's so true.

Just look at Anne. When she got married, she was told that she would not be able to have children...then one year after their marriage, she had their son. To deal with “Mummy Tummy” (like some of us need to) and other bounties of pregnancy, she started training in a wheelchair. Now her eyes, heart and mind are set on the 2012 Paralymic Games. Can you beat that?

She has used every “brick” thrown at her to build the steps to her goals in life. That’s definitely a principle we must all adopt. So it’s up to you and I to discover why we were born and use all the bricks that get thrown at us to build our way to our God-given destiny. There is obviously not stopping Anne - because of all the steps she's taking (excuse the pun again).

Like they say: “if life gives you lemons, make lemonade” - and I’ll add “and share it with those around you.” You can always make something sweet and meaningful out of your life and you’ll even have something to share. Have a progressive party – not a pity party. You were born to be better and greater than who you are today – get “taller” and reach higher. Take the bricks, build the steps and step up... Remember it's all about "WHY" you were born.

Reference:
*msafiri - July/August 2011, page 22 (Edition 76).

Rejoice when you have problems...

2011-07-17T19:17:00.005-06:00

...and trials. I'm sure this is not the first time you have heard this statement and, I know, it won't be the last time because it comes from the world's best-selling & best-telling book.

Romans 5: 3 - 5 tell us why we should "rejoice when we have problems (italics mine):
"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." (NLT)

Let's amplify the verses: "Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." (Amplified)

Can't speak for you but I know that there are "some troubles I've seen" and the last thing on my mind is thanksgiving. I mean, what is there to thank God about when things are not going as planned or not going at all? The fact of life is that life will be dull and devoid of excitement without challenges. In fact, there are many things we will not (and possibly do not) appreciate if they just got handed to us without an effort (even a small one) on our part. Let's think of a simple everyday example: Air. How many of us take the time to thank God that we do not need to make an effort or require "assistance" to breathe? Too many people take that for granted. I pray you never have problems or trials related to breathing

- in Jesus Name.

So back to our topic, when you read what others say about trials, it is obvious that they saw and/or experienced the blessings and benefits of having problems or trials. Let's look at a few of such quotes (my comments are in purple font):

God brings men into deep waters, not to drown them, but to cleanse them. ~John Aughey This may have been inspired by Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you."(Amp) Again, note the use of the word "when" not "if". This is a sure promise that you can only claim and enjoy when you have problems - now how "sweet" is that?

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. ~ Napolean Hill So there is a seed of greatest buried in every problem...

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ~ Helen Keller Not much more to be said here...we may already have heard of Helen Keller. She was the first deaf & blind person to earn a university degree.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~Author Unknown It takes courage to take that bend which depends on what you "see" &/or hope for.

Trials are medicine which our gracious and wise physician prescribes, because we need them and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires, let us trust in his skill and thank him for his prescription. ~ John Newton This brings us back to thanksgiving and rejoicing...that we have trials to "cure our case." Join me in this prayer: Lord, thank You for my problems and trials because they will not kill me rather they will raise me. I receive grace to see the seed of greatness in my problems and trials. I know that as I overcome them, You will take me higher and closer to Your purpose for my life.

Amen

Light vs. Heat

2011-07-11T19:11:00.121-06:00

A few weeks ago - or was it months ago - I heard something I'd always know about fire:

Fire provides light and heat...and as we all know, heat can be positive or negative.

I'm sure that is why Jesus said:

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven." (Amplified Bible)

I started thinking about myself and how I'm doing against this verse - and as I write this, the song that comes to my heart is one that many of us have sung one time or the other in our lives or like me still sing:

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine. (4x)
Let it shine, let it shine.

I wonder how things will have been if Jesus had said "We are the fire of the world." Walk with me as I imagine how the world might have been...

There would most likely have been more "destruction" than construction because some of us are so "forceful" that in "letting our light shine" that we burn, hurt, break and crush people more than we build or cultivate them. Too many people erroneously believe that a "holier than thou" attitude is the right way to let our light shine. The bible warns us not to think of ourselves as better than we really are* and that those who think they stand strong should be careful** because pride definitely leads to a fall.***

While the word of God must burn in your heart and make impact wherever you share it****, we must live the Word and let God do His work through and with us. Our assignment is not to save people - but be a light that show them the way back to the Father. When they go to Him, they receive their salvation - if they believe.

All God needs and has asked us to do is "let our light shine" and...

God will make His Word "burn in their hearts."

Just focus on being a light...

References:
*Rom 12:3 - Because of the privilege and authorityGod has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. (NLT)
**1 Cor 10:12 - Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. (Amplified)

***Prov 16:18 - First pride, then the crash - the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. (Message)
****Jer 20:9 - If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer]. (Amplified)
Jer 23:29 - "My message is like fire," announces the Lord. "It is like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces. (NIRV)

Check your windows...

2011-07-07T19:07:00.001-06:00

I got this piece 2 years ago...

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean," she said. "She doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

"Look, she has learned how to wash correctly.

I wonder who taught her this?"

The husband said, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

It was interesting that I stumbled on this piece. A few weeks ago something happened and I was saying to my husband that when the Bible advises us not to judge others, it's really for our good when we don't because we could very well have "faulty vision" like the lady in the story and beyond that, what goes around comes around...

It's so easy to "see" and comment on how people are not doing things right or not doing the right things or even not doing the right things right and amazing how easily we "excuse" ourselves if/when we do or don't do the same things.

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves. For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you. Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother's eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye? You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother's eye. (Matt 7:1 - 5 - AMP)

In fact it didn't occur to me until now one "reason" the following verses are together:

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6: 37 - 38 - NLT)

The bottom line is:
The quantity, and even quality, of your "gift" of judgment, condemnation and/or forgiveness detemines what you will receive - and what you receive will be "pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap."

- Please beware.

The other thing is: if you cannot help someone become better - don't talk about them.
The flip side is:
The fact that you help others become better doesn't mean you should talk about it or them.

Rules of the Roof...

2011-07-05T19:05:00.016-06:00

Recently my colleagues and I were discussing eating habits. One of my colleagues who is trying to lose weight in every way possible was telling us about how much she dislikes vegetables and is looking for palatable presentations of vegetables - because she knows (and appreciates) why she just has to have veggies. She jokingly said her dislike for veggies was all because she was forced to eat veggies as a child. So parents/caregivers, please listen up...

I shared how it works in our home. My hub and I have "waiting power" - we can wait our children out to finish the veggies/food in their plate. The other option they have is to refrigerate what they don't want to eat (at that time) and eat it for their next meal - for as long as it hasn't gone bad and we make sure it doesn't go bad.

When other children visit, they understand and, to the surprise of their parents, comply with the "rules of the roof" they are under at the time. Likewise, when we visit others, we respect & comply to their rules except we're asked to take an unhealthy or sinful bend.

Is your home one where everything goes? I hope your answer is "No." When you think about it, "No" is a very valuable word - especially when we say "No" to things that do not help us up but rather pull us down. I know it takes courage to say "No" without feeling guilty - now that is another topic by itself that cuts across all spheres of life.

The bottom line is:
The "Rules of the Roof" need to be clear - there are things that are acceptable in our home and others that may be permitted and some that are not even condoned. What are yours?

Deal-icious or Death-icious?

2011-07-01T07:01:00.006-06:00

Welcome to the "tomorrow" we referred to yesterday...A few yesterdays ago, my eyes caught an ad for a sandwich - part of its caption said it is "Deal-icious." After looking at the content - egg, bacon, cheese etc. - I asked do they really mean "death-icious"?

There are so many catchy ads and phrases that draw people to food and many other things. The question I suggest you ask your self when the item on display is: "Is this really deal-icious" or "death-icious"? Let's think of one obvious example, eating the sandwich with egg, bacon, cheese and more. How can that be a "deal" when it is adding to your cholesterol level?

You know, it's not everything that looks or is yummy that's good for your tummy let alone other parts of your body. I know a number of us are "blessed" with what some people refer to as "Mummy tummy" and some others know (& live) the really meaning of "from the lips to the hips." The question I ask myself (& now you) is how much of that "excess" is evidence of "success"? Some excesses are simply unhealthy and tending towards deadly especially in this age where the politically correct term for fat people is "obese" - now don't get me started on what I think about that. Can you believe that some of us are raising a generation that has a disease (diabetes) that their grandparents and ours never had - all because we let them go and grow with the "yummy" stuff? The flip side: "What do your children see you eat?"

This is not the first, not will it be the last time, that we'll say:

"It takes a conscientious decision and a conscious effort to eat right."

If you eat right...it will flow to your family. A lot of the money "donated" to gyms can be saved or donated to other causes if we all eat right. Exercise is good and important but it's a vicious cycle if you don't eat right and then go to the gym to try to get your weight right.

The virtuous cycle - which we should all strive for - is to Eat Right (e.g. the sandwich on the right) & Exercise Regularly. If you live by these "ERs" you will likely never be rushed into the "ER" (Emergency Room) with a heart condition.

February was our "Heart month" - feel free to search the blog for those and other pieces - under the "Healthy Living" section - which are guaranteed to bless you. You may start with:

http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2011/02/you-are-what-you-eat.html

One more thing...today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday
...today is a good day to make life-saving changes in your life.

May God send you help and support as you take the first step. AMEN

Tomorrow...

2011-06-30T23:56:00.002-06:00

Just want to share a few quotes as we step into the 2nd half of this year and prepare for another tomorrow...

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

~Author Unknown

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.

~Leo Buscaglia

To worry about tomorrow is to be unhappy today.

~Author Unknown

Purpose to make the most of today so that tomorrow you're not regretting yesterday...and you're in place to continue progressing tomorrow...

Psalm for the season (5)

2011-06-30T06:30:00.066-06:00

As we close this series, I'd like to focus on the last few verses. I like these 2 renditions of Psalm 92: 12-15 (italics mine)

Amplified:

The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]. Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God. [Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment]. [They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

Contemporary English Version:

Good people will prosper like palm trees, and they will grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. They will take root in your house, LORD God, and they will do well. They will be like trees that stay healthy and fruitful, even when they are old. And they will say about you, "The LORD always does right! God is our mighty rock."

If I had only one desire in life, it will be to prosper like a palm tree. Have you noticed that palm trees always look beautiful - in the sunrise or the sunset, in the desert or at the beach. As if that is not enough, palm trees are able to withstand storms, rather than break, they bend. Likewise, it is my desire that the beauty and glory of God are seen in my life in every situation of life. For me, the A & Z of Ps 92 are that: Praising God - as my way of life - will make me a daily testimony of God's goodness and righteousness because "Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place." (Ps 23:6 - Amplified)

How beautiful and glorious - join me in this lifestyle.

What do you see, sense and support?

2011-06-28T18:28:00.019-06:00

This morning, during my QT, I read some verses of Hebrews 11. Verse 23 struck me as if I'd never seen or even read it before - has that ever happened to you? Let's read the verse together - in 2 versions... pay attention to the words that jumped out to me (italics mine)

Hebrews 11:23
By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. (NIV)

It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. (NLT)

This verse reminded me of something I keep doing - like Mary did in Luke 2:19 & 51:

v. 19
"But Mary was keeping within herself all these things (sayings), weighing and pondering them in her heart."*
v.51
"...and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart."*

In addtion to the fact that the angel had told her, Mary paid close attention to what others said about her son - our Saviour as well as what He did and said. Interesting that verse 52 says: "And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man."* obviously because He "was [habitually] obedient to them."* Before I go off on a tangent, let me reel myself back in...

Lady Bird Johnson said: "Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." Now that sounds like a stern warning - Be careful what you think/believe of your children.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who wasn't her son and who I don't think was even related to her, said: "All kids need is a little help, a little hope, and someone who believes in them."

From Heb 11:23, it's obvious that Moses' parents noticed that their son was unusual, unique and did what they could to "protect" him so he was alive to fulfill his God-given purpose. Now time for introspection: "What have I seen in and/or heard about my children?" "How do I hide my children from dream killers and preserve them for their God-given purpose?"

That's a challenge I encourage us all to take. Begin to take notice and ponder, be careful to "see" and constantly speak only positive things into our children's lives. Infact. I intend to do a little more than that because, "if a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in." (Rachel Carson) Plan to be that adult for your children - you're their best option!

*Amplified

"Multi-tasking is...

2011-06-26T18:26:00.002-06:00

...tasking." I know that phrase seems likes a play on words so let's dig into it some more. Like many other women I know, I "pride" myself in being able to multi-task. In recent times, I've heard quite a bit about multi-tasking. At a conference, the presenter said she has taken the word "mulit-task" out of her vocabulary and life - she just doesn't do it any more. When I heard that I immediately thought: "You don't multi-task?" I couldn't help but wonder how much she really gets done in a day - I was almost empathizing with (actually pitying) her.

Then on a webinar about managing virtual meetings, the presenter asked us to guess the percentage of people who multi-task during virtual meetings. Considering that I was multi-tasking while listening, I guessed 50%. I was almost comforted by the answer - 70% - knowing that I even multi-task during face-to-face meetings so doing that during virtual meetings seemed "easy". Well guess what? At the end of that day, I realized that I made mistakes on something I was working on...due partly to the fact that I was multi-tasking when doing it and listening to the webinar.

The amount of time I needed to fix the mistakes made me start thinking about the real benefits of multi-tasking. Multi-tasking is "running number of programs simultaneously: the simultaneous management of two or more tasks by a computer or a person."*

The first thing that struck me was that multi-tasking is first related to computers and then humans. Hmmm! For me, multi-tasking is about doing "more with less" - more things within the same or in even less time. However, I've come to find out that if you do not carefully consider the compatibility between the tasks, you may find out that you've done: "more with more stress" or worse - "less with more stress."

There are some things that we can comfortably multi-task with e.g. if you have your dishwasher and washing machine going at the same time you are cooking. Personally, I've found that working and cooking do not go well together (so not sure how the lady in our picture is coping). While I have not reached the point of "deleting" the word "multi-tasking" from my vocabulary and life, I'm at a point where I have decided to reduce how much I task myself. I'm giving myself permission to do (& properly finish) one thing at a time...

Like I said at the beginning: "Multi-tasking is tasking." If you want to do more with less stress, like I'm planning do, do the same thing I'm planning to do which is: take my advice and multi-task less. I can almost bet that you'll find out you'll be less exhausted (spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically) and more fulfilled at the end of day.

One more tip: Praising and thanking God is compatible with many tasks...

Sources:

*http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?lextype=3&search=multitasking

Psalm for the season (4)

2011-06-24T06:24:00.121-06:00

I recently listened to a message by Bishop David Oyedepo.* He had a lot to say about Ps. 92.
Here are some of the lessons he shared (some are verbatim). He said that Thanksgiving...

...grants us access to God's presence...and His presence makes all the difference. Ps 100:4 says: "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!" (Amplified). God's presence is the only cure for all pressures; Ps 16:11 - "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (NKJV)
...grants us access to supernatural strength. You cannot be grateful without being joyful - the grateful will be joyful. Neh 8:10b says: "The joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold." (Amplified) Joy is a booster of strength. Access to God's presence moves us from strength to strength. According to Ps 84:7: 7 says - "They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion." (Amplified)
...makes us fresh - we shall be anointed with fresh oil. God is always looking for thanksgivers so He can anoint them with fresh oil. In Ps 89: 20 God says: "I have found My servant David; With My holy oil I have anointed him," (NKJV)
...leads to flourishing - Ps 92:12: "The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]." (Amplified) Did you know the palm tree is one tree that every part of it is useful?
...leads to fearful blessings. Ps 67: 5-8: "Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him." (NKJV)

The bottom line is "You are deprived of God's presence and strength, and all they bring to us, without the attitude of gratitude." Live the Psalm 92 life...it is good to praise the Lord!

Source:

*Day 1 of the 30 Anniversary Service - http://www.davidoyedepoministries.org/worship#

Psalm for the season (3)

2011-06-21T18:24:00.003-06:00

Let's move on...

Verses 4 - 5 of Psalm 92 give us a few reasons why we need to praise God. Too many times we're all about what we don't have rather than focussing on God's goodness and all He has blessed us with. We truly get more than we desereve form God - at least I know I do. We all should be able to and actually say this:

"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts." (NLT)

Indeed the depth of His thoughts are articulated in this promise:

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,

thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

(Jer 29:11 - NKJV)

So, comparing ourselves to others or even worse, envying them stems from deep-seated ingratitude. Ps 92: 6 & 7 go on to describe such people is non-complimentary words:
Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this: Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever. (NLT)

Like Bishop David Oyedepo says, "If you can think, you can thank." Things may not be exactly as you prefer or want...sometimes they are not. However, if you take time to think about how good God has been to you (& yours), you'll realise that it is good to praise and give thanks to God. When you learn to - and live to - praise and worship God, sooner than later the rest of Psalm 92 will be manifested in your life. AMEN!

To be continued...

Fathers, you're important...

2011-06-19T06:19:00.249-06:00

Fathers are so important that the whole world celebrates them on the same day!

I found some quotes that are pretty precise...

The greatest gift I ever had came from God; I call him Dad!

~Author Unknown

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.

~ Jim Valvano

When I was a kid, my father told me every day, 'You're the most wonderful boy in the world, and you can do anything you want to.'

~ Jan Hutchins

I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.

~ Sigmund Freud

The Bible is so clear on how critical this protection is:

Prov 1:8a - My child, listen when your father corrects you.*

Prov 4:1 - My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment.*

Prov 3:12 -
For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.*

Prov 6:20 - 23 - My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you. For their command is a lamp and their instruction a light; their corrective discipline is the way to life.*

Prov 13:1 - A WISE son heeds [and is the fruit of] his father's instruction and correction, but a scoffer listens not to rebuke.**

The common thing in these verses is Fathers have to be visible...and beyond that, instruct and correct their children - notice the word "when" not "if". God even likens the way He disciplines us to how earthly fathers (are expected to) behave.

Indeed, Euripides was right when he said: "Noble fathers have noble children."

Fathers even have a warning: Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.** (Eph 6:4)

A father's words are like a thermostat that sets the temperature in the house. ~ Paul Lewis

The words that a father speaks to his children in the privacy of home are not heard by the world, but, as in whispering-galleries, they are clearly heard at the end and by posterity.

~Jean Paul Richter

Every father should remember that one day

his son will follow his example

instead of his advice.

~ Author unknown

The bottom line is: Fathers cannot afford to be slient and/or standby and let their wives raise the children all by themselves. It takes 2 people to "make" a child and molding that child is always better done by 2 people: Father & Mother - that's the way God ordained it. Fathers, you are very important...your presence is more valuable than your presents...

Fathers, you need to be available to bond with your children - it always makes for a better rounded child.

As fierce lions are known to be, they make out time to have "nose-contact" with their cubs. It's a wonderful feeling -

try it out.

Happy Father's Day!!!

Sources:

*New Living Translation

**Amplified Bible

Psalm for the season (2)

2011-06-15T08:15:00.006-06:00

"Let's start at the very beginning...a very good place to start" - how many of us remember The Sound of Music? God sure has a way of tying these things together...

In the first part of this post series, I mentioned that part of Psalm 92 has practically become a church anthem...when the song is raised, you need to give people time to sing, take it in and worship God - it catches on like wildfire. The verses that make up the song are the 1st 2:

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening. (Ps 92: 1-2 - NLT)

This song was written by Lenny Leblanc in 1989 - Wow! Just thinking about that and taking care not to derail, I had a significant loss in my life that year - I lost my mother. As I write, tears well up in my eyes but I'm so grateful to God that I can look back from today and sing:

It is good to praise the Lord

It is good to gaze upon His majesty

To proclaim His love in the morning

And His faithfulness at night

Oh it is good...to worship and praise the Lord

Let's dig into the chapter: verse 1 is not a request - it is a statement of fact and an affirmative one too: "it is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord," (Ps 92: 1a - Amplified)

The flip side is: It is bad not to give thanks or praise the Lord. It's not just bad, it essentially means that you are malfunctioning. We were created for God's praise and to praise God. Our lives and lips must give God praise...Not praising God = Human malfunction and there is no way you can ever be fulfilled if you do not do what you were created to.

Verse 2 also stresses that: "It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening," (NLT) When you liken "day" to when things are going on as planned or even better, it is usually "easier" to talk about how we are loved by God.

The challenge comes in the "evening" or "night" experiences - like my example above. At times like that, if we can think we will be able to tell of God's faithfulness because we know He has promised that: "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Ps 30:5b - NLT) When you are able to see God's hand in your situation at all times...you can praise and thank Him knowing that: "...God causes everything to work togetherfor the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Rom 8:28)

Indeed it is good to praise the Lord...and it is so fulfilling too. There is joy in functioning. It actually pays "dividends" to praise and worship the Lord...I know from personal experience.

To be continued...

Marriage matters

2011-06-10T18:10:00.018-06:00

I cannot thank God enough for this privilege and as I celebrate my anniversary today, I cannot help but agree with Barnett R. Brickner: "Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate."
I've said this many times too because I know from personal experience that it takes a consciousness and conscientiousness to become and remain the right mate.

As I write this, I recall a joke shared by a pastor on the "definition" of complete and finished in the context of marriage. He said:

When a you're married to the right person, you are complete.

If you're married to the wrong person, you are finished.

If married to the wrong person from the wrong family, the person is completely finished.

I pray that all those who think they are married to the wrong person, make an attempt to "become and remain" the right mate - and you'll see postive changes in your marriage.

Someone wisely said: when you get to the heart of the matter, you'll find out it was all a matter of the heart. Marriage is God's idea, please do what you can so your heart is right with Him and you'll see it will be right in every other area of your life. If you haven't already done so, give your heart to God...you'll be completely complete* when you do. God bless

Reference:
*"...You also are complete through your union with Christ." (Col 2:10a - NLT)

So true...

2011-06-10T06:10:00.002-06:00

I couldn't resist sharing when I found this quote in an email:

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in God

that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.' ~ Max Lucado

I cannot say, stress or even shout this enough.

The quote reminds me of when I had to leave a relationship decades ago (I wrote about it too => http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2009/11/secret-3-courage-7-courage-to-leave.html). I had no choice but to change my mind about the young man since he changed his mind about Christ. I thank God that I never looked back...I'm sure I would have had a very unhappy marriage or maybe a broken one if I had looked back.

Indeed, it's a glorious thing when you are found by someone wise enough to seek Christ...ask happily married Christian couples...

...you can ask me...

In fact today, we rejoice and gratefully celebrate our anniversary of being happily married

- all to God's glory.

Wise men still seek Him...and such men are blessed by God because:
"The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord."

(Prov 18:22 - NLT)

"... a wise, understanding, and prudent wife is from the Lord" (Prov 19:14b - Amplified)

Ladies-in-wating...as you wait for Mr Right*, hide yourself in the Lord...you'll be blessed without a shadow of doubt because God Himself will look out for you**.

Further reading:
*http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.com/2010/06/dont-wait-for-mr-right.html
** Zech 2:8 - For thus said the LORD of hosts...for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye. (English Std Version)

Psalm for the season...

2011-06-06T06:06:00.001-06:00

I believe this also happens to you...it happens to me often. If you're preceptive, you'll notice that God sometimes gives us an "all-season" word in high doses within a short period of time. God, in His wisdom, ensures that the same word/message is repeated over and over again. My husband repeatedly says that "repitition brings reinforcement" and that is so true.

I know that while God wants us to obey His every word, there are some that He wants to be hard-wired into our lifestyle. I believe that's what God has been doing with me and a couple of other people in the past couple of months. Interestingly, this is not a "new" word - it's just one God needs us to ruminate upon and properly digest so it benefits us - for life.

For the past 4 months or even longer, we've been focussing on "Praise." Different people have shared on the various aspects of praise and I've learned a lot. We even had times when we had a "Psalm-singing" service going from one Psalm to the other. One Psalm that has reoccurred several times - and even has a song that has quickly become a church anthem of sorts, is Psalms 92. For me, it's the Psalm for the season - for a good reason & for my lifetime.

You'll see why I say so as we discuss this. We'll do that in more than one posting...so we have time to ruminate on it - a bite at a time. So let's start with the whole Psalm first:

Verse 1

IT IS a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises [with musical accompaniment] to Your name, O Most High,

Verse 2

To show forth Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night,

Verse 3

With an instrument of ten strings and with the lute, with a solemn sound upon the lyre.

Verse 4

For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; at the deeds of Your hands I joyfully sing.

Verse 5

How great are Your doings, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep.

Verse 6

A man in his rude and uncultivated state knows not, neither does a [self-confident] fool understand this:

Verse 7

That though the wicked spring up like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to be destroyed forever.

Verse 8

But You, Lord, are on high forever.

Verse 9

For behold, Your adversaries, O Lord, for behold, Your enemies shall perish; all the evildoers shall be scattered.

Verse 10

But my horn (emblem of excessive strength and stately grace) You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil.

Verse 11

My eye looks upon those who lie in wait for me; my ears hear the evildoers that rise up against me.

Verse 12

The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].

Verse 13

Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Verse 14

[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].

Verse 15

[They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.*

To be continued...

Source:
Amplified Bible

T.H.I.N.K. before you speak

2011-06-02T14:06:00.002-06:00

Someone blessed me with this by email...so I decided to be a blessing too.

Alan Redpath once formed a "mutual encouragement" fellowship at a time of stress in one of his pastorates. The members subscribed to a simple formula applied before speaking of any person or subject that was perhaps controversial.

T - Is it True?
H - Is it Helpful?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - Is it Kind?

Paul wrote, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8 - NIV)

I like this rendition: And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8 - NLT).

Thinking before we speak takes conscious effort. It means we need to think about what we want to say, how we will say what we want to say and then reconsider if we even need to say it at all. I liken it to engaging your gear before pressing on the accelerator in your car. We need to engage our brains before letting out tongues "go". Who knows if that's shy God put our brains at the top of our bodies? I wonder how different things would have been if our brains were in our heels.

Each time you are about to speak, think then ask yourself:

"Has what I want to say passed the T.H.I.N.K. test?"

May this acronym guide our thinking and speaking...Amen.