Sharing my gift...

Just before Christmas God gave me more than a Christmas present - He gave me a word for this year. The Lord and I have had what I call a "WAY"  (Word A Year) deal for a couple of years now. I'm so happy about this because my heart desire has always been (& always will be) to know the Way of the Lord not just knowing (& benefitting from) His acts (Ps 103:7*)

I'm not saying that God only speaks to me once a year - oh God forbid! He very generously gives me a Word that "guides" & guards me - it's like an anchor that keeps me stable in the waves of the year.

Now back to the Word...

Don't be a Zero

2 months ago, I listened to Bishop TD Jakes' message titled:

"Committment."

One of the things he said that resonated with me is that "zero is the only number that does not add to the total sum." If I may extend that (& I will), when you consider our 5-fold mission from God (see Gen 1:28*), zero does not just "not add" (forgive the double negative) to the sum total of a number, it actual diminishes any number to nothing when it gets into the "multiplier mode." God expects us to live in a multiplier mode as a way of life. 

It's all up to you

Life is full of choices - and not making a decision is a choice in itself. The choices we make or decisions we take (or don't make/take) in life are really all up to us. For instance, as morbid as it may sound, do you know that we all have a choice about how many times we want to die? The options are straightforward:

The Gift of Goodbye

In this gift-giving season, I feel led to give you one...one that you can also give to yourself.

Think about it...

“I've learned that people will forget what you said,

people will forget what you did,

but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

~ Maya Angelou

Before you say or do anything this Christmas and New Year period and always ask yourself:

"How will the people around me feel -

whether or not they are there when you say or do what you say or do?"

This is one of the times when families and friends gather to celebrate and there is a lot of talking. Please think before you talk - because what you think about, you'll likely talk about and when you talk, feelings are "transmitted":

So, "Brothers and sisters, think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] things that are true and honorable and right [just] and pure and beautiful [lovely] and respected [commendable]. If there is anything that is good [morally excellent] and worthy of praise, think about [focus your thoughts on; fill your minds with] these things"* and the people around you will be blessed and glad (not stressed and sad) that they know you...

Wishing you and yours a memorable Christmas and a favourable New Year. God bless,

Sapphire & Beryl

Source:
*Phil 4:8 - Expanded Bible

What's good for the donkey...

...is best for our children - yours, mine and others'.

Culture to cultivate...

Let me start this piece by asking you to kindly excuse the pun.

There are only so many words in English language I could have used as the topic for this. You'll see & hopefully understand why I chose these ones as you read on.