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.