I was out with my friend this afternoon, she is at my age group, we were talking about working life, she mentioned that in few years time, we can retire already..... It strike me very much, because I have never taught of retirement... just look at my daddy, he is going to be 80 next year, he is still working now, he is his own boss, I am working with him, how can I retire while my daddy still working? I don't mean that I must work till I die, but at least while I still healthy and able, I should carry on what I am doing.....
I am not rich, and not consider poor either, I have a roof over my head, and have money to pay all the bills, have food to eat, and I believed that God knows what I need, and He always provide, He is my provider, my protector and my Saviour.. As long as I am with Him, everything is possible...
God Our Father, Grant us Joy, Peace and Love...
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Staying Focused On Your Path
So you've decided, it's time to do something about your life -
you need to be more disciplined,
you need to take care of your health,
you want to adopt a more positive attitude,
you need to save enough money for retirement,
you want to be a better partner, a better son, a better mother.
You've had enough of being directionless in life and are looking forward to achieving the goals you've set for yourself.
But wait, what's lurking on the sidelines that can derail you from your path?
Those well-meaning friends and relatives who, with all good intention, pass along clutter from their house to yours?
- "this would look great on you", or "I can't use this but maybe you can".
What about the people around you who seem to dwell on the negative or tell stories about how unfair life is?
Friends who invite you to have "just a bite", "just one more cigarette can't hurt!"
or encourage you to stay out "just a little longer"?
What about relatives and friends who shy away from your new found honesty and assertiveness?
They probably don't mean any harm but they may DO you harm if they steer you away from the goals you've set for yourself.
So how do you put yourself first and get selfish, so to speak, when others are tempting you to stray?
First of all, be very clear yourself about the goals you're eyeing.
If you're unsteady in your commitment, that will show, and make it all the easier for them to lead you astray.
Demonstrate your dedication by living by example.
Don't preach.
Just like you weren't ready to take on healthy goals at other times in your life, those you love or care about may not be ready now.
Also, plan ahead. Think of how you will say no, prepare alternatives or plan an "escape route".
Do what you have to do to take care of yourself.
Be honest. Talk about your goals and what they mean to you.
And choose who to spend time with.
You may choose to spend less time with someone who has unhealthy habits.
And more time with people who make you feel good about yourself, support your efforts, or are themselves models of positivity and self-care.
As time goes by and your daily practices become more of a habit, you'll be able to focus on your path towards your goals without even thinking about it.
you need to be more disciplined,
you need to take care of your health,
you want to adopt a more positive attitude,
you need to save enough money for retirement,
you want to be a better partner, a better son, a better mother.
You've had enough of being directionless in life and are looking forward to achieving the goals you've set for yourself.
But wait, what's lurking on the sidelines that can derail you from your path?
Those well-meaning friends and relatives who, with all good intention, pass along clutter from their house to yours?
- "this would look great on you", or "I can't use this but maybe you can".
What about the people around you who seem to dwell on the negative or tell stories about how unfair life is?
Friends who invite you to have "just a bite", "just one more cigarette can't hurt!"
or encourage you to stay out "just a little longer"?
What about relatives and friends who shy away from your new found honesty and assertiveness?
They probably don't mean any harm but they may DO you harm if they steer you away from the goals you've set for yourself.
So how do you put yourself first and get selfish, so to speak, when others are tempting you to stray?
First of all, be very clear yourself about the goals you're eyeing.
If you're unsteady in your commitment, that will show, and make it all the easier for them to lead you astray.
Demonstrate your dedication by living by example.
Don't preach.
Just like you weren't ready to take on healthy goals at other times in your life, those you love or care about may not be ready now.
Also, plan ahead. Think of how you will say no, prepare alternatives or plan an "escape route".
Do what you have to do to take care of yourself.
Be honest. Talk about your goals and what they mean to you.
And choose who to spend time with.
You may choose to spend less time with someone who has unhealthy habits.
And more time with people who make you feel good about yourself, support your efforts, or are themselves models of positivity and self-care.
As time goes by and your daily practices become more of a habit, you'll be able to focus on your path towards your goals without even thinking about it.
God's word Today
We all have different fears in our lives: some are serious and debilitating of dying of present illness, while others are small yet persistent e.g. accidents while driving.
We fail to recognize that God is constantly present in all our daily experiences, including our fears.
How often have we prayed to Him for strength and peace when we experience fear?
Do our fears decrease or disappear when we pray?
We fail to recognize that God is constantly present in all our daily experiences, including our fears.
How often have we prayed to Him for strength and peace when we experience fear?
Do our fears decrease or disappear when we pray?
Sunday, August 14, 2005
A Prayer for You
I said a prayer for you today,
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He'd be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although He spoke no word.
I didn't ask for wealth or fame,
I knew you wouldn't mind.
I asked Him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind.
I asked that He'd be near you
At the start of each new day,
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way.
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small,
But it was for His loving care
I prayed the most of all.
Meditation
Jesus,
right now I place my life in your hands.
In sickness, in financial difficulty,
and in the midst of wounded relationships,
I offer myself to you.
Come and lift me up
from the stormy waters,
and place my feet on the rock
of faith in you.
right now I place my life in your hands.
In sickness, in financial difficulty,
and in the midst of wounded relationships,
I offer myself to you.
Come and lift me up
from the stormy waters,
and place my feet on the rock
of faith in you.
Don't Quit
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit…
Rest if you must—but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he’d stuck it out.
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems afar.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It's when things go wrong
That you mustn't quit.
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit…
Rest if you must—but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won if he’d stuck it out.
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are.
It may be near when it seems afar.
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It's when things go wrong
That you mustn't quit.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Handling Confrontation (2)
He who hates strong words is foolish.
Proverbs 12:1
Christ-like confrontation involves risking rejection. It calls for putting the other person's need for character above your own need for comfort.
"How can I do that?"
(1) Be sure!
Be sure there's a good reason to confront. Confrontation should be a rare event, not an everyday occurrence. You shouldn't relish the experience. If you do, stop and examine your motives.
Are you feeling superior?
Are you directing your anger over some other issue against this person?
Are you lifting yourself up by putting them down?
(2) Be specific!
Don't leave this to speculation. Being vague leads to an uncertain out come, no matter how tactful and gracious your words. Make sure you know the reason for the confrontation, then make that reason clear to the other person.
(3) Be sensitive!
Every situation is different. An extended season of soul-searching and prayer should precede any face-to-face encounter. Without that you're setting yourself up for problems. Furthermore, the person you're confronting will sense uncertainty and uneasiness in your words. Don't run that risk. If you haven't taken the time to pray and seek Godly counsel on the matter, don't proceed. Don't push yourself into this on your own. We've all seen that type of "Clint Eastwood go-ahead-make-my-day" approach. Without fail it leaves a bloody trail of wounded souls. Make sure your words and your tone fit the person you're dealing with. Keep your own personal agenda in check. None of this is about you!
Pay careful attention to timing.Choose your words carefully, and for sure, pray fervently. That kind of Christ-like confrontation brings the right result every time.
Proverbs 12:1
Christ-like confrontation involves risking rejection. It calls for putting the other person's need for character above your own need for comfort.
"How can I do that?"
(1) Be sure!
Be sure there's a good reason to confront. Confrontation should be a rare event, not an everyday occurrence. You shouldn't relish the experience. If you do, stop and examine your motives.
Are you feeling superior?
Are you directing your anger over some other issue against this person?
Are you lifting yourself up by putting them down?
(2) Be specific!
Don't leave this to speculation. Being vague leads to an uncertain out come, no matter how tactful and gracious your words. Make sure you know the reason for the confrontation, then make that reason clear to the other person.
(3) Be sensitive!
Every situation is different. An extended season of soul-searching and prayer should precede any face-to-face encounter. Without that you're setting yourself up for problems. Furthermore, the person you're confronting will sense uncertainty and uneasiness in your words. Don't run that risk. If you haven't taken the time to pray and seek Godly counsel on the matter, don't proceed. Don't push yourself into this on your own. We've all seen that type of "Clint Eastwood go-ahead-make-my-day" approach. Without fail it leaves a bloody trail of wounded souls. Make sure your words and your tone fit the person you're dealing with. Keep your own personal agenda in check. None of this is about you!
Pay careful attention to timing.Choose your words carefully, and for sure, pray fervently. That kind of Christ-like confrontation brings the right result every time.
Handling Confrontation (1)
He who listens when strong words are spoken will be honoured.
Proverbs 13:18
Nobody enjoys confrontation, but it's impossible to grow without it. Confrontation is speaking the truth in a personal, face-to-face encounter with those we value. God lovingly confronts us in areas where we need to grow, and He expects us to do the same with others. Is it easy?
No!
Is it stressful?
Absolutely!
Here are 4 guiding principles tohelp you:
(1) Don't talk about them, talk to them.
Confrontation is rarely done indirectly and seldom done publicly. There must be clear, thoughtful communication delivered firmly but graciously.
(2) Provide examples - without exaggeration, spiritual hype or a lot of emotion. Give specific examples. Don't hide behind "I believe the Lord has shown me that you're wrong. " When Nathan confronted King David abou this sin with Bathsheba he was specific. Be careful to keep your emotions in check. Allow enough time between the offence and the confrontation for a prayerful defusing of any anger you may feel.
(3) Show them a better way. Don't leave them to stew without clear direction on how to improve. That's not fair and it's certainly not constructive. Actually, it can lead to more intense issues and unwanted complications. The best approach is simply to identify the problem then calmly suggest ways it can be corrected. Your goal should be to help them, not guilt-trip them.
(4) Show compassion and understanding. Don't miss this part! If you do, you'll find yourself accusing rather than confronting. Be honest, hasn't your own journey to success been through multiple failures? So approach them with love and genuine concern.
Proverbs 13:18
Nobody enjoys confrontation, but it's impossible to grow without it. Confrontation is speaking the truth in a personal, face-to-face encounter with those we value. God lovingly confronts us in areas where we need to grow, and He expects us to do the same with others. Is it easy?
No!
Is it stressful?
Absolutely!
Here are 4 guiding principles tohelp you:
(1) Don't talk about them, talk to them.
Confrontation is rarely done indirectly and seldom done publicly. There must be clear, thoughtful communication delivered firmly but graciously.
(2) Provide examples - without exaggeration, spiritual hype or a lot of emotion. Give specific examples. Don't hide behind "I believe the Lord has shown me that you're wrong. " When Nathan confronted King David abou this sin with Bathsheba he was specific. Be careful to keep your emotions in check. Allow enough time between the offence and the confrontation for a prayerful defusing of any anger you may feel.
(3) Show them a better way. Don't leave them to stew without clear direction on how to improve. That's not fair and it's certainly not constructive. Actually, it can lead to more intense issues and unwanted complications. The best approach is simply to identify the problem then calmly suggest ways it can be corrected. Your goal should be to help them, not guilt-trip them.
(4) Show compassion and understanding. Don't miss this part! If you do, you'll find yourself accusing rather than confronting. Be honest, hasn't your own journey to success been through multiple failures? So approach them with love and genuine concern.
Starting Again
He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3
Are you recovering from a broken relationship? If so, don't rush into another one. Take your time. Unhealthy people make unhealthy choices.
Some wounds take longer to heal than others, but you can count on this:
"He heals the broken-hearted."
All God asks is that you give Him a chance.
Begin by taking time to search
His Word and find out how He feels about you.
His opinion is the only reliable basis upon which to base yourself-worth.
If a perfect God can love you with full knowledge of your struggles and imperfections, then the message is
- lighten up onyourself!
You can love and be loved again, but only with the same wholeness with which you love yourself.
Next time make sure your choices are healthy ones, not predicated on need or the fear of being alone.
And be careful;
when you don't value yourself you tend to attract people who do the same, including those who use you and belittle you.
You deserve better so hold out for it.
Remember, you train others to treat you by how you treat yourself.
Actually, as you become healthier you'll start seeing how unhealthy some of your choices have been.
If some people walk away, so be it.
Sometimes you have to give up less in order to have more.
God's got wonderful relationships in store for you, but He's waiting until your values and your perceptions line up with His.
So take it step-by-step, one day at a time.
And don't forget to rejoice; your best days are ahead.
Psalm 147:3
Are you recovering from a broken relationship? If so, don't rush into another one. Take your time. Unhealthy people make unhealthy choices.
Some wounds take longer to heal than others, but you can count on this:
"He heals the broken-hearted."
All God asks is that you give Him a chance.
Begin by taking time to search
His Word and find out how He feels about you.
His opinion is the only reliable basis upon which to base yourself-worth.
If a perfect God can love you with full knowledge of your struggles and imperfections, then the message is
- lighten up onyourself!
You can love and be loved again, but only with the same wholeness with which you love yourself.
Next time make sure your choices are healthy ones, not predicated on need or the fear of being alone.
And be careful;
when you don't value yourself you tend to attract people who do the same, including those who use you and belittle you.
You deserve better so hold out for it.
Remember, you train others to treat you by how you treat yourself.
Actually, as you become healthier you'll start seeing how unhealthy some of your choices have been.
If some people walk away, so be it.
Sometimes you have to give up less in order to have more.
God's got wonderful relationships in store for you, but He's waiting until your values and your perceptions line up with His.
So take it step-by-step, one day at a time.
And don't forget to rejoice; your best days are ahead.
Thought of the Day
When we put our cares in
God's hands,
He puts
His peace
in our heart.
In a world
of constant change,
you can trust
God's unchanging Word.
God's hands,
He puts
His peace
in our heart.
In a world
of constant change,
you can trust
God's unchanging Word.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The Healing Of Memory
This one thing I do, forgetting.
Philippians 3:13
Are you struggling to forget what was done to you - or by you? Here's some good news. Contained in every promise God makes to you, is the power to fulfil it. Paul chose to forget - and you can too! Read the following promises and personalise them:
"Fear not Francesca...do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach...you will remember no more" ( Isaiah 54:4 ).
"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? [God has something new in mind for you - don't miss it]. I will even make aroadway in the wilderness [and] rivers in the desert" ( Isaiah 43:18-19).
"The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind Francesca...be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create" ( Isaiah 65:17-18 ).
Notice the word 'create'. God can bring order out of your chaos and beauty out of your ashes. Will the healing of your memories be instantor easy? No. You'll do a lot of growing and a lot of stretching and alot of forgiving in the process.
"But aren't all those promises from the Old Testament?"
Yes, but listen:"He always does exactly what He says. He carries out and fulfils all of God's promises, no matter how many of them there are"
( 2 Corinthians1:19-20 ).
Today God stands ready to heal you. His grace is greater than your past. So, come to Him!
Philippians 3:13
Are you struggling to forget what was done to you - or by you? Here's some good news. Contained in every promise God makes to you, is the power to fulfil it. Paul chose to forget - and you can too! Read the following promises and personalise them:
"Fear not Francesca...do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; but you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach...you will remember no more" ( Isaiah 54:4 ).
"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? [God has something new in mind for you - don't miss it]. I will even make aroadway in the wilderness [and] rivers in the desert" ( Isaiah 43:18-19).
"The former things shall not be remembered or come into mind Francesca...be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create" ( Isaiah 65:17-18 ).
Notice the word 'create'. God can bring order out of your chaos and beauty out of your ashes. Will the healing of your memories be instantor easy? No. You'll do a lot of growing and a lot of stretching and alot of forgiving in the process.
"But aren't all those promises from the Old Testament?"
Yes, but listen:"He always does exactly what He says. He carries out and fulfils all of God's promises, no matter how many of them there are"
( 2 Corinthians1:19-20 ).
Today God stands ready to heal you. His grace is greater than your past. So, come to Him!
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Understanding Worry
Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen.
Matthew 6:34
Jesus said: "If you decide for God...it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at meal times or whether the clothes in your cupboard are in fashion...Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God.
And you count far more to Him than birds. Has anyone, by fussing in front of the mirror, ever grown taller by so much as an inch?
All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference?
Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wild flowers...
The ten best-dressed men and women in the country looks habby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wild flowers...don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
People who don't know God...fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works...
Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes" ( Matthew 6:26-34 ).
Matthew 6:34
Jesus said: "If you decide for God...it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at meal times or whether the clothes in your cupboard are in fashion...Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God.
And you count far more to Him than birds. Has anyone, by fussing in front of the mirror, ever grown taller by so much as an inch?
All this time and money wasted on fashion - do you think it makes that much difference?
Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wild flowers...
The ten best-dressed men and women in the country looks habby alongside them.
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wild flowers...don't you think He'll attend to you, take pride in you, do His best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.
People who don't know God...fuss over these things, but you know both God and how He works...
Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.
God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes" ( Matthew 6:26-34 ).
Your Daily Devotions
Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2
It's not what we do occasionally that makes the difference; it's what we do daily.
So each day, find a place where you can be alone with God. If you have to, drive to a quiet spot or go for a walk. You're worth it. And try to read each day's devotion twice. You'll be amazed at what you get the second time that you didn't see the first time. If something jumps off the page and speaks to you personally, underline it. It's your book; you can do what you like with it. When you're finished reading,take a few moments and pray about what you've read.
Don't be "religious"- just talk to God like you would to a trusted friend. Don't try to handle all your character defects at once or you'll get overwhelmed and quit.
Just deal with one thing at a time as God reveals it to you.
Don't worry about whether you can or can't do it.
The truth is, by yourself you can't! God ordained it that way so you'd learn to lean more on Him and less on yourself.
That's why Paul wrote about his affliction, "Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
Each time He said,'My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me"
( 2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
Remember, we don't determine our future - our daily habits do!
It's not what we do occasionally that makes the difference; it's what we do daily.
So each day, find a place where you can be alone with God. If you have to, drive to a quiet spot or go for a walk. You're worth it. And try to read each day's devotion twice. You'll be amazed at what you get the second time that you didn't see the first time. If something jumps off the page and speaks to you personally, underline it. It's your book; you can do what you like with it. When you're finished reading,take a few moments and pray about what you've read.
Don't be "religious"- just talk to God like you would to a trusted friend. Don't try to handle all your character defects at once or you'll get overwhelmed and quit.
Just deal with one thing at a time as God reveals it to you.
Don't worry about whether you can or can't do it.
The truth is, by yourself you can't! God ordained it that way so you'd learn to lean more on Him and less on yourself.
That's why Paul wrote about his affliction, "Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.
Each time He said,'My gracious favour is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me"
( 2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
Remember, we don't determine our future - our daily habits do!
For Parents
Obey His laws...that things will go well for you and your children. Deuteronomy 4:40
Spiritual values are more "caught" than taught. As a parent, you're constantly transmitting your values to your children. So:
Teach them to pray.
Help your child to understand that prayer is how we build a life-long friendship with God. And they'll need His friendship,especially when you're not around to help them. Let them know that God is on "speed-dial," that He's available 24-7.
Don't tell them - show them.
You form your child's concept of God.Whether you're loving and protective or distant and cold, your children grow up seeing God through the experiences they have with you. For example, God's never too busy to be interrupted, He constantly says He loves us, and He's never abusive. Getting the idea?
Teach them to see God in others.
Once your children see God at work in their own lives, they'll begin to see Him at work in the lives of others too. When that happens they'll value and respect others, and be valued and respected by them - that'll make them secure!
Don't send them - take them.
Your children need to believe - and belong! Teach them that just as an organ disconnected from a body dies, they'll die spiritually unless they're connected to a local church. "Belonging"means they'll always have a place to go! The Bible says, "Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it" ( Proverbs 22:6 ). Showing them the right path is the greatest thing you can do!
Spiritual values are more "caught" than taught. As a parent, you're constantly transmitting your values to your children. So:
Teach them to pray.
Help your child to understand that prayer is how we build a life-long friendship with God. And they'll need His friendship,especially when you're not around to help them. Let them know that God is on "speed-dial," that He's available 24-7.
Don't tell them - show them.
You form your child's concept of God.Whether you're loving and protective or distant and cold, your children grow up seeing God through the experiences they have with you. For example, God's never too busy to be interrupted, He constantly says He loves us, and He's never abusive. Getting the idea?
Teach them to see God in others.
Once your children see God at work in their own lives, they'll begin to see Him at work in the lives of others too. When that happens they'll value and respect others, and be valued and respected by them - that'll make them secure!
Don't send them - take them.
Your children need to believe - and belong! Teach them that just as an organ disconnected from a body dies, they'll die spiritually unless they're connected to a local church. "Belonging"means they'll always have a place to go! The Bible says, "Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it" ( Proverbs 22:6 ). Showing them the right path is the greatest thing you can do!
Look Carefully!
Looking carefully...lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble. Hebrews 12:15
Harbouring bitterness won't change the other person, but it'll sure change you - and not for the better! The heaviest thing you'll ever carry is a grudge. It'll make you sour and miserable to be around because your only desire will be to see the guilty party punished;especially when you or someone you love is the perceived victim.
What happens is this: Satan enters the picture and convinces you it's okay to harbour resentment. After all, you're only "protecting yourself"from getting hurt again, right? When that happens you dig in, justify your position and get comfortable living with resentment. That is -until it destroys you! The reason God says, "look carefully," is because our bitterness has many sources: like an absentee or abusive parent we can't forgive; a nasty divorce we keep reliving; the careless words of afriend who's not even aware of their effect; the boss who passed us up for a promotion. By harbouring grudges we let bitterness live rent-freein our head!
What's the answer? Forgive - before the problem becomes embedded in your emotions and starts feeding off your memories. Rehearsing old hurts drives them deeper until they take root and resist all attempts to weed them out. Paul said, "Make a clean break...Forgive one another as quickly...as...Christ forgave you" ( 4:31-32 ). And the sooner you do it the better! Remember, there's no emotion so deeply rooted that God's grace can't reach down and remove it. The question today is - are you ready to let Him?
Harbouring bitterness won't change the other person, but it'll sure change you - and not for the better! The heaviest thing you'll ever carry is a grudge. It'll make you sour and miserable to be around because your only desire will be to see the guilty party punished;especially when you or someone you love is the perceived victim.
What happens is this: Satan enters the picture and convinces you it's okay to harbour resentment. After all, you're only "protecting yourself"from getting hurt again, right? When that happens you dig in, justify your position and get comfortable living with resentment. That is -until it destroys you! The reason God says, "look carefully," is because our bitterness has many sources: like an absentee or abusive parent we can't forgive; a nasty divorce we keep reliving; the careless words of afriend who's not even aware of their effect; the boss who passed us up for a promotion. By harbouring grudges we let bitterness live rent-freein our head!
What's the answer? Forgive - before the problem becomes embedded in your emotions and starts feeding off your memories. Rehearsing old hurts drives them deeper until they take root and resist all attempts to weed them out. Paul said, "Make a clean break...Forgive one another as quickly...as...Christ forgave you" ( 4:31-32 ). And the sooner you do it the better! Remember, there's no emotion so deeply rooted that God's grace can't reach down and remove it. The question today is - are you ready to let Him?
Let go Banana
Bananas.
Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives aninstant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.
No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.
It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert..
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives,
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and,with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs.
The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium Banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.
It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives aninstant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.
No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit.
It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert..
Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives,
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and,with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs.
The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.
Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium Banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.
It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"
A Special Picture
Look at the lines the artist used to draw this picture of Christ.. It is of scenes from Christ's life .
Who God Uses
God, grant me the Serenity t o accept the people I cannot change, the Courage to change the one I can, and the Wisdom to know it's me.
The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a day dreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidalIsaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...AND
Lazarus was dead!
No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.
1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's me.
3. Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is optional.
4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
5. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.
6. Do the math. .. count your blessings.
7. Faith is the ability to not panic.
8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.
9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.
10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.
11. Blessed are the flexible for t hey shall not be bent out of shape.
12. The most important things in your house are the people.
13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
14. A grudge is a heavy t! hing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever.
May God Always Bless You and Your Loved Ones
"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" - Hebs 12:1
Lord, help me know from day to day the good I should pursue;
And grant me wisdom to discern the things I should not do.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through
GOD didn't promise Days without pain
Laughter without sorrow
Sun without rain but HE did promise
Strength for the day
Comfort for the tears, and
Light for the way.
Laughter without sorrow
Sun without rain but HE did promise
Strength for the day
Comfort for the tears, and
Light for the way.
PEBBLE IN THE WATER
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. No matter how good or bad your day may be, smile and thank the Lord for all that you have. I know it is not always easy to be thankful when things seem to be going wrong, but in spite of that, show your faith strong and let the Lord know you will trust and believe that He has your best interest in mind.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 declares "In every thing givethanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
This is a great poem that reminded me to always be mindful of my words and actions toward others because the moment I let them go, they will have an effect on someone else either good or bad. I hope you will be blessed by this poem and remember to be mindful of the pebbles that you drop in the water of life.
PEBBLE IN THE WATER
Drop a pebble in the water,
just a splash, and it’s gone;
But there's half a hundred
ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center,
flowing on out to sea.
And there is no way of telling
where the end is going to be
Drop a pebble in the water;
in a minute you will forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing
and there's ripples circling yet,
And those little waves
a-flowing to a great big
wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river
just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind or careless word:
in a minute it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples
circling on and on and on,
They keep spreading, spreading,
spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them,
once you've started the flow.
Drop an unkind or careless word:
in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing,
and there's ripples circling yet.
And perhaps in some sad heart
a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life that was happy
where you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness:
just a flash and it is gone;
But there is half a hundred ripples
circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort
on each splashing, dashing wave,
Till you wouldn't believe the volume
of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness:
in a minute you will forget;
But there's gladness still a–swelling,
and there's joy circling yet.
And you've rolled a wave of comfort
whose sweet music can be heard,
Over miles and miles of water
just by dropping one kind word.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 declares "In every thing givethanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
This is a great poem that reminded me to always be mindful of my words and actions toward others because the moment I let them go, they will have an effect on someone else either good or bad. I hope you will be blessed by this poem and remember to be mindful of the pebbles that you drop in the water of life.
PEBBLE IN THE WATER
Drop a pebble in the water,
just a splash, and it’s gone;
But there's half a hundred
ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center,
flowing on out to sea.
And there is no way of telling
where the end is going to be
Drop a pebble in the water;
in a minute you will forget,
But there's little waves a-flowing
and there's ripples circling yet,
And those little waves
a-flowing to a great big
wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river
just by dropping in a stone.
Drop an unkind or careless word:
in a minute it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples
circling on and on and on,
They keep spreading, spreading,
spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them,
once you've started the flow.
Drop an unkind or careless word:
in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing,
and there's ripples circling yet.
And perhaps in some sad heart
a mighty wave of tears you've stirred,
And disturbed a life that was happy
where you dropped that unkind word.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness:
just a flash and it is gone;
But there is half a hundred ripples
circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort
on each splashing, dashing wave,
Till you wouldn't believe the volume
of the one kind word you gave.
Drop a word of cheer and kindness:
in a minute you will forget;
But there's gladness still a–swelling,
and there's joy circling yet.
And you've rolled a wave of comfort
whose sweet music can be heard,
Over miles and miles of water
just by dropping one kind word.
Monday, August 01, 2005
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