Saturday, November 26, 2005
Toxic Relationships!
When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch.
Matthew 15:14
Your development, and in some cases your healing, can only take place when you walk with the right people! Remember the story of the scorpion that asked a frog to carry him across the river because he couldn't swim?
"How do I know you won't sting me?" the frog asked.
"If I do,we'll both drown," he replied.
So the scorpion hopped on. Half way across the river the scorpion stung him. As they were drowning the frog said, "You promised you wouldn't. Why did you sting me?"
The scorpion replied, "I can't help it, it's my nature to sting."
Learn to recognise toxic relationships and walk away from them before they take you down with them. A toxic relationship is like a body part with gangrene; if you don't amputate, the infection will spread. Unless you've the courage to cut off what won't heal, you'll end up losing much more.
You can't partner successfully with someone who doesn't share your goals. When you feel passionately about something but they don't, it's like trying to dance the fox trot with someone who only wants to waltz.You picked the wrong dance partner. Don't get tied up with someone who doesn't share your God-given purpose. Some issues can be corrected through teaching and leadership, but you can't teach somebody to care.And if they don't care, they'll infect your environment, ruin your productivity, and break your rhythm with constant complaints.
So ask God, "Who belongs in my life?"
Matthew 15:14
Your development, and in some cases your healing, can only take place when you walk with the right people! Remember the story of the scorpion that asked a frog to carry him across the river because he couldn't swim?
"How do I know you won't sting me?" the frog asked.
"If I do,we'll both drown," he replied.
So the scorpion hopped on. Half way across the river the scorpion stung him. As they were drowning the frog said, "You promised you wouldn't. Why did you sting me?"
The scorpion replied, "I can't help it, it's my nature to sting."
Learn to recognise toxic relationships and walk away from them before they take you down with them. A toxic relationship is like a body part with gangrene; if you don't amputate, the infection will spread. Unless you've the courage to cut off what won't heal, you'll end up losing much more.
You can't partner successfully with someone who doesn't share your goals. When you feel passionately about something but they don't, it's like trying to dance the fox trot with someone who only wants to waltz.You picked the wrong dance partner. Don't get tied up with someone who doesn't share your God-given purpose. Some issues can be corrected through teaching and leadership, but you can't teach somebody to care.And if they don't care, they'll infect your environment, ruin your productivity, and break your rhythm with constant complaints.
So ask God, "Who belongs in my life?"
Monday, November 21, 2005
Who Tells You The Truth?
In the end people appreciate frankness more than flattery.
Proverbs 28:23
Having less information doesn't make you a lesser person. Life's aschool and every new acquaintance a teacher. Whatever others know, they haven't always known it. The greatest indictment against not knowing is not learning, so seize every opportunity. But make sure you pick the right people, those who've earned the right to come along side. When appropriate, they ask the hard questions, bring perspective and keep youon track. When God sends such people, here are four principles that will help you to treat them correctly:
(1) Show appreciation. An attitude of "I don't expect it so I don't give it" will hurt you and close doors to your future. Never take others for granted and never forget to say thank you.
(2) Carry your own weight. Don't be self-serving and opportunistic.Always look for ways to make your presence an asset, not a liability. Life owes you nothing except an opportunity to grow.
(3) Be open and direct about what you want. Rambling speeches and ulterior motives assume that the other person is somehow less intelligent than you. That can be fatal.
(4) Understand the boundaries. Because others know somebody well enough to call him or her by their first name doesn't mean you should. If somebody says, "Hello, my name is Charles," don't reply with "What's up Charlie!" Show respect. Don't try to change the protocol to suit the environment you're used to. Observe boundaries, respect others and you'll always have people in your life who can help get you to where you need to go.
Proverbs 28:23
Having less information doesn't make you a lesser person. Life's aschool and every new acquaintance a teacher. Whatever others know, they haven't always known it. The greatest indictment against not knowing is not learning, so seize every opportunity. But make sure you pick the right people, those who've earned the right to come along side. When appropriate, they ask the hard questions, bring perspective and keep youon track. When God sends such people, here are four principles that will help you to treat them correctly:
(1) Show appreciation. An attitude of "I don't expect it so I don't give it" will hurt you and close doors to your future. Never take others for granted and never forget to say thank you.
(2) Carry your own weight. Don't be self-serving and opportunistic.Always look for ways to make your presence an asset, not a liability. Life owes you nothing except an opportunity to grow.
(3) Be open and direct about what you want. Rambling speeches and ulterior motives assume that the other person is somehow less intelligent than you. That can be fatal.
(4) Understand the boundaries. Because others know somebody well enough to call him or her by their first name doesn't mean you should. If somebody says, "Hello, my name is Charles," don't reply with "What's up Charlie!" Show respect. Don't try to change the protocol to suit the environment you're used to. Observe boundaries, respect others and you'll always have people in your life who can help get you to where you need to go.
Working In A Difficult Environment
God...put him in the garden...to tend and keep it.
Genesis 2:15
Work well done is its own reward. It gives us a sense of value. Without purpose we tend to get depressed. Don't fall for the media hype that says successful people don't need to work. We were all created to fulfil a purpose regardless of how much money is in our bank account.
Perhaps you've heard it preached that work resulted from the fall. No! While it's true that work took on a different meaning, it's a mistake to believe that our first parents were without purpose prior to this. From the time Adam and Eve were created it's been clear that God intended usto be like our Creator - productive, fruitful and invested in tasks that contribute to His purposes. Adam and Eve were given reign over the garden and enjoyed a maximum level of fulfilment in their jobs before their selfish decision to disobey. Listen: "God took the man and put him in the Garden... to tend and keep it ... Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name" (Ge 2:15 & 19 ).
The first job description included naming and overseeing - the ultimate manager's position!
Similarly, Eve was created to share in these endeavours as Adam's helper. A man who isn't busy doesn't need a helper! So you need to look no further than your Bible to realise that productive work is God's plan for your life.
Genesis 2:15
Work well done is its own reward. It gives us a sense of value. Without purpose we tend to get depressed. Don't fall for the media hype that says successful people don't need to work. We were all created to fulfil a purpose regardless of how much money is in our bank account.
Perhaps you've heard it preached that work resulted from the fall. No! While it's true that work took on a different meaning, it's a mistake to believe that our first parents were without purpose prior to this. From the time Adam and Eve were created it's been clear that God intended usto be like our Creator - productive, fruitful and invested in tasks that contribute to His purposes. Adam and Eve were given reign over the garden and enjoyed a maximum level of fulfilment in their jobs before their selfish decision to disobey. Listen: "God took the man and put him in the Garden... to tend and keep it ... Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name" (Ge 2:15 & 19 ).
The first job description included naming and overseeing - the ultimate manager's position!
Similarly, Eve was created to share in these endeavours as Adam's helper. A man who isn't busy doesn't need a helper! So you need to look no further than your Bible to realise that productive work is God's plan for your life.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Treasure and Cherish your friends
Never take someone for granted
Hold every person close to your heart
because you might wake up one day
and realise that you've lost a diamond
while you were too busy collecting stones.......
Let it go
If you want something badly, let it go.
If it's comes back to you,
then it's going to be yours forever.
If it doesn't then it's never going to be yours..........
Thursday, November 17, 2005
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps.
Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.
2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call the Ambulance immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify.
Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
1. *Ask the individual to SMILE.
2. *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
3. *Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call the Ambulance immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
A Wise Donkey
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well.
The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally he decided that is was not worth retrieving the donkey as the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway.
He invited his neighbours to come over and help him.
They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's amazement, it quietened.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.
As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. It would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, it would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off to everyone's amazement!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you...all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of a hole is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.
We can get out of the deepest holes just by never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up!
The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally he decided that is was not worth retrieving the donkey as the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway.
He invited his neighbours to come over and help him.
They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone's amazement, it quietened.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.
As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. It would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer's neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, it would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off to everyone's amazement!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you...all kinds of dirt.
The trick to getting out of a hole is to shake it off and take a step up.
Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.
We can get out of the deepest holes just by never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up!
Reflection
Carpe Diem”: in Latin, this means, to live the day to the full.
How do you generally spend your time each day?
If you look back on the weeks, months and years, how much of your time and money was wasted on useless things and activities,
and how much was spent on Christ-centred activities?
How do you generally spend your time each day?
If you look back on the weeks, months and years, how much of your time and money was wasted on useless things and activities,
and how much was spent on Christ-centred activities?
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Count down.....
I am counting my day ... looking forward for longest holiday in my life..almost 25 days...including almost 36 hours in the air...
I can visualise it will be a lovely time, for almost 20 years, I have not travel with Sharon together (I mean only she and me), and we are going to touch snow together this time... The last time I touched snow was some 23 years ago without Sharon... and we are going to do alots of thing together.
Dear Lord God Our Father, bless our trip..
I can visualise it will be a lovely time, for almost 20 years, I have not travel with Sharon together (I mean only she and me), and we are going to touch snow together this time... The last time I touched snow was some 23 years ago without Sharon... and we are going to do alots of thing together.
Dear Lord God Our Father, bless our trip..
The Spirit-filled Life
Be filled with the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18
God's indwelling Spirit does three wonderful things for each of us:
(1) He seals us!
Listen: "You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" ( Ephesians 1:13 ). To protect a letter you seal theenvelope. To keep air out of the jar you seal its mouth with a rubber-ringed lid. To seal a deal, you not arise the contract. A seal declares importance, value and ownership. Are you getting the idea?
2) He protects us!
Peter says we are "shielded by God's power" ( 1Peter 1:5 ). Do you have any idea how many times God has steppedbetween you and the enemy, protecting you from harm? Deep within each of us God's Spirit whispers, "You are mine, and what I own I protect and are for."
(3) He makes sure our prayers are heard!
Listen: "The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. We do not even know how we ought to pray, but through our in articulate groans the Spirit himself is pleading for us,and God who searches our inmost being knows what the Spirit means,because He pleads for God's own people, in God's own way" ( Romans8:26-27 ). Notice: "the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness."Weak bodies, weak wills, weak faith. How good to know that it's not upto us.
"The Spirit Himself is pleading for us."
None of us pray as much as we should - but we all pray more than we think - because the Holy Spirit turns our very sighs into petitions and makes sure that we getheard.
Sealed!
Protected!
Heard!
Spirit-filled living - refuse to settle for less.
Ephesians 5:18
God's indwelling Spirit does three wonderful things for each of us:
(1) He seals us!
Listen: "You were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" ( Ephesians 1:13 ). To protect a letter you seal theenvelope. To keep air out of the jar you seal its mouth with a rubber-ringed lid. To seal a deal, you not arise the contract. A seal declares importance, value and ownership. Are you getting the idea?
2) He protects us!
Peter says we are "shielded by God's power" ( 1Peter 1:5 ). Do you have any idea how many times God has steppedbetween you and the enemy, protecting you from harm? Deep within each of us God's Spirit whispers, "You are mine, and what I own I protect and are for."
(3) He makes sure our prayers are heard!
Listen: "The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness. We do not even know how we ought to pray, but through our in articulate groans the Spirit himself is pleading for us,and God who searches our inmost being knows what the Spirit means,because He pleads for God's own people, in God's own way" ( Romans8:26-27 ). Notice: "the Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness."Weak bodies, weak wills, weak faith. How good to know that it's not upto us.
"The Spirit Himself is pleading for us."
None of us pray as much as we should - but we all pray more than we think - because the Holy Spirit turns our very sighs into petitions and makes sure that we getheard.
Sealed!
Protected!
Heard!
Spirit-filled living - refuse to settle for less.
Talking to God with a Deck of Cards
A young soldier was alone in his bunk house one Sunday morning over in Afghanistan. It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't made a noise.
He knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he sat there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.
Just then an army sergeant came in and said, "Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?"
The soldier replied, "I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord."
The sergeant said, "Looks like you're going to play cards."
The soldier said, "No sir, you see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards."
The sergeant asked in disbelief, "How will you do that?"
"You see the Ace, sergeant, it reminds that there is only one God.
The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.
The Three represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The Five is for the five virgins, there were ten, but only five of them were glorified.
The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.
The Seven is for the day God rested after working the six days.
The Eight is for the family of Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. God saved these eight people from the flood that destroyed the earth for the first time.
The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.
The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.
The Jack is a reminder of Satan. One of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal lake of fire.
The Queen stands for the bride of Christ, which is called His church, or body of believers that wait for his return.
The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.
When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year [???].
There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week, 52 weeks in a year.
The four suits represent the four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter.
Each suit has thirteen cards; there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.
So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for."
The sergeant just stood there and after a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, "Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?"
"If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:14
He knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he sat there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.
Just then an army sergeant came in and said, "Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?"
The soldier replied, "I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord."
The sergeant said, "Looks like you're going to play cards."
The soldier said, "No sir, you see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards."
The sergeant asked in disbelief, "How will you do that?"
"You see the Ace, sergeant, it reminds that there is only one God.
The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments.
The Three represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The Five is for the five virgins, there were ten, but only five of them were glorified.
The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.
The Seven is for the day God rested after working the six days.
The Eight is for the family of Noah, his wife, their three sons and their wives. God saved these eight people from the flood that destroyed the earth for the first time.
The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.
The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.
The Jack is a reminder of Satan. One of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal lake of fire.
The Queen stands for the bride of Christ, which is called His church, or body of believers that wait for his return.
The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.
When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year [???].
There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week, 52 weeks in a year.
The four suits represent the four seasons: spring, summer, fall and winter.
Each suit has thirteen cards; there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.
So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for."
The sergeant just stood there and after a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, "Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?"
"If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
II Chronicles 7:14
Monday, November 07, 2005
For Worrywarts!
His peace will guard your hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:7
Jesus said, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Of course not" ( Matthew 6:27 ).
Worry doesn't change anything.
When's the last time you solved a problem by worrying about it?
Imagine somebody saying, "I got behind on my bills so I decided to worry my wayout of debt. And you know, it worked! A few sleepless nights and a day of hand wringing; I yelled at the children and took some pills, and -glory to worry - money appeared in my account." You don't add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying; but you can age prematurely and die quickly.
Listen to these two Scriptures: "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever" ( Psalm 125:1);
and "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,because he trusts in You" ( Isaiah 26:3 ).
We don't intentionally doubt God, yet when we worry we do. Can you imagine a child asking Michelangelo, "Are you sure you know what to do with that chunk of rock?" Paul writes, "His peace will guard your hearts and minds." Paul employs a military metaphor here. The Philippians lived under Roman occupation and were accustomed to the Centurions guarding their town.What security! Before an enemy could get to them they first had to get past the guards.
And you know what?
God gives you the same guarantee! Nothing can get to you without first coming through Him.
When you know that, His peace fills your heart.
Philippians 4:7
Jesus said, "Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Of course not" ( Matthew 6:27 ).
Worry doesn't change anything.
When's the last time you solved a problem by worrying about it?
Imagine somebody saying, "I got behind on my bills so I decided to worry my wayout of debt. And you know, it worked! A few sleepless nights and a day of hand wringing; I yelled at the children and took some pills, and -glory to worry - money appeared in my account." You don't add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying; but you can age prematurely and die quickly.
Listen to these two Scriptures: "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever" ( Psalm 125:1);
and "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,because he trusts in You" ( Isaiah 26:3 ).
We don't intentionally doubt God, yet when we worry we do. Can you imagine a child asking Michelangelo, "Are you sure you know what to do with that chunk of rock?" Paul writes, "His peace will guard your hearts and minds." Paul employs a military metaphor here. The Philippians lived under Roman occupation and were accustomed to the Centurions guarding their town.What security! Before an enemy could get to them they first had to get past the guards.
And you know what?
God gives you the same guarantee! Nothing can get to you without first coming through Him.
When you know that, His peace fills your heart.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Loking Forward for 3 weeks Holiday
Everyday is a Gift from God, I must live everyday as though it is my last... meaning I must do all the neccessary thing, no procrastination...
But again, I have to plan for our (sharon & I) holiday from 16th Dec 05 till 9th Jan 06...hahaha...our trip last for two years, from 2005 to 2006..wonderful...
Before going for holiday, I have to fulfill my production quota, which I have only about 35 days left and need to get about 3 k commision, and I believed that God Our Father will not abandon me, He will send Angel around to help me , Good Lord, I need your help....
Everything is possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23
So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead. James 2:17
Faith becomes effective when it becomes actives.Take it out of the talking and thinking stage and put it to work practically,quickly and prayerfully.
Action! Action! Action!
But again, I have to plan for our (sharon & I) holiday from 16th Dec 05 till 9th Jan 06...hahaha...our trip last for two years, from 2005 to 2006..wonderful...
Before going for holiday, I have to fulfill my production quota, which I have only about 35 days left and need to get about 3 k commision, and I believed that God Our Father will not abandon me, He will send Angel around to help me , Good Lord, I need your help....
Everything is possible for him who believes. Mark 9:23
So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead. James 2:17
Faith becomes effective when it becomes actives.Take it out of the talking and thinking stage and put it to work practically,quickly and prayerfully.
Action! Action! Action!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
