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