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.