Teaming up with God

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:

Think on this...

"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?"

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.

Spending tips...

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...

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:

Watch what they watch...

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:

Oracle or Receptacle?

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)

Tea-talk

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.

Team - work

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.

Is it written down?

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.

What's your job?

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?

Answer when they ask...

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.

Are you a Chicken, Ostrich or Penguin?

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:

Do our children know?

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?

Read the Handbook

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

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...

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: 

"Look good for God"

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...

Must you...

...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.

Appealing or Appalling?

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...

Today...

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?

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...

Do you have “staying power”?

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.

Stick with it!

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

"I beg your pardon..."

"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.

Are you a signpost?

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.

Who do you think you are?

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.

Know your "wow"...

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:

Realign yourself to move forward...

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...

...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...

Where do you stand?

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.

BEAR Hug

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.

Children have rights too...

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!"

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.

2 jars

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.

Who asked you?

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?

The Bright Side...

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...

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"

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.

Appreciate your wife...

...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.

Watch his back...

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...

Can you say "No"...

...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?

It's a basic principle...

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...

Fit better or just fatter?

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?

The Bible

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

 

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 Comment

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?

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...

...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...

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

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:

It’s about why you were born...

...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.

Rejoice when you have problems...

...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):

Light vs. Heat

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:

Check your windows...

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.

Rules of the Roof...

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...

Deal-icious or Death-icious?

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?

Tomorrow...

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)

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?

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:

"Multi-tasking is...

...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