Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.
- Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Goal Setting
Today 25 January 2007, our agency having goal setting session at Orchid Country Club, CAD head gave us a talk..he mentioned 3 things:
1) what is your purpose of staying in this business?
2) Discipline
3) perseverance
After the session, I think it through and I make a decision, I want to make FYC1 $38000 in 2008 by 1 st week of December 2008!
God our Father, I leave this plan in Your hand, please help me to fulfil my goal and let your will be done on me.
Amen!
1) what is your purpose of staying in this business?
2) Discipline
3) perseverance
After the session, I think it through and I make a decision, I want to make FYC1 $38000 in 2008 by 1 st week of December 2008!
God our Father, I leave this plan in Your hand, please help me to fulfil my goal and let your will be done on me.
Amen!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Makes you think
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,
"Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In themiddle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'
It is simple' said the Lord, 'it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'
"Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In themiddle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'
It is simple' said the Lord, 'it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'
Showing consideration
We must bear the 'burden' of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.
Romans 15:2
In every group there's at least one difficult person. Usually these individuals have emotional hang-ups, deep insecurities, irritating mannerisms and poor social skills.
God brings them into our lives for their benefit - and ours.
Yes, they're an opportunity to grow in grace.
Will we love them as brothers and sisters and treat them with dignity?
In a real family acceptance isn't based on how smart, beautiful or talented you are; it's based on the fact that you belong to each other.
"Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect" (Romans 12:10).
We all have quirks and annoying traits. Yes, you too! But love is not based on compatibility. The basis for our fellowship is our relationship to God; we're family!
The key is to try and understand where people are coming from. When you know what they've been through you'll be more understanding. Instead of talking about how far they still have to go, you'll realise how far they've come in spite of their hurts.
Another part of showing consideration is not downplaying other people's doubts. Just because you don't fear something doesn't make it an invalid feeling!
People need a safe place to share their struggles - without being judged. And they have a right to expect confidentiality! Only in the safe environment of acceptance will people open up and share their deepest needs.
Confidentiality doesn't mean keeping silent. It just means that what's shared in your group needs to stay in your group, and that your group needs to deal with it, not go out and blab about it to others.
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Romans 15:2
In every group there's at least one difficult person. Usually these individuals have emotional hang-ups, deep insecurities, irritating mannerisms and poor social skills.
God brings them into our lives for their benefit - and ours.
Yes, they're an opportunity to grow in grace.
Will we love them as brothers and sisters and treat them with dignity?
In a real family acceptance isn't based on how smart, beautiful or talented you are; it's based on the fact that you belong to each other.
"Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect" (Romans 12:10).
We all have quirks and annoying traits. Yes, you too! But love is not based on compatibility. The basis for our fellowship is our relationship to God; we're family!
The key is to try and understand where people are coming from. When you know what they've been through you'll be more understanding. Instead of talking about how far they still have to go, you'll realise how far they've come in spite of their hurts.
Another part of showing consideration is not downplaying other people's doubts. Just because you don't fear something doesn't make it an invalid feeling!
People need a safe place to share their struggles - without being judged. And they have a right to expect confidentiality! Only in the safe environment of acceptance will people open up and share their deepest needs.
Confidentiality doesn't mean keeping silent. It just means that what's shared in your group needs to stay in your group, and that your group needs to deal with it, not go out and blab about it to others.
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Focus on your future
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:18-19
Realise that it's not God who's bringing up your past!
His Word says, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions… and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25 ).
If Satan is dragging up your past - it's because he has nothing new to attack you with.
All he can do is resurrect old memories and rearrange old pictures in an attempt to discourage you.
Don't let him!
Focusing on tomorrow will help you move away from today.
God's Word says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way" (Isaiah 43:18-19 ).
God is going to make a way for you!
As surely as Pharaoh and Herod tried to wipe out every baby boy in order to get at Moses and Jesus, so Satan will do whatever it takes to keep you from reaching your destiny.
The battle is always over your future!
No matter what your past is like, your future is worth fighting for - so rise up and fight!
"Where do I begin?" you ask.
Talk to God: ask Him to show you a ministry that can come from the misery you're going through right now.
He can bring healing to others through the pain you're experiencing.
So examine the things you're going through, then ask Him what you're being qualified for. It's the broken who become masters at mending!
Start looking at "the joy set before [you]" (Hebrews 12:2) and you'll be able to endure the present circumstances!
http://www.thevine.co.nz/
Isaiah 43:18-19
Realise that it's not God who's bringing up your past!
His Word says, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions… and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25 ).
If Satan is dragging up your past - it's because he has nothing new to attack you with.
All he can do is resurrect old memories and rearrange old pictures in an attempt to discourage you.
Don't let him!
Focusing on tomorrow will help you move away from today.
God's Word says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way" (Isaiah 43:18-19 ).
God is going to make a way for you!
As surely as Pharaoh and Herod tried to wipe out every baby boy in order to get at Moses and Jesus, so Satan will do whatever it takes to keep you from reaching your destiny.
The battle is always over your future!
No matter what your past is like, your future is worth fighting for - so rise up and fight!
"Where do I begin?" you ask.
Talk to God: ask Him to show you a ministry that can come from the misery you're going through right now.
He can bring healing to others through the pain you're experiencing.
So examine the things you're going through, then ask Him what you're being qualified for. It's the broken who become masters at mending!
Start looking at "the joy set before [you]" (Hebrews 12:2) and you'll be able to endure the present circumstances!
http://www.thevine.co.nz/
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Three Questions
The Lord gave him success in everything he did.
Genesis 39:3
Sit down, have a cup of coffee (or tea), and ask yourself these three questions:
(1) Am I happy with the way things are in my life right now?
If you're not, take responsibility. Quit blame-placing and excuse-making! The only one who can stop you from becoming the person God intended you to be - is you.
(2) Am I afraid of success?
Afraid of the cost and commitment required? Leadership is lonely; maybe you'd rather be with the crowd. Or perhaps you've been knocked down and you're afraid to get up again.
When Thomas Edison was asked why he was successful he replied, "I start where other men leave off!"
When world heavyweight champion Jim Corbett was asked what it took to win the title he replied, "Just fight one more round."
Paul wrote, "We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going" (2 Corinthians 4:9 ).
(3) Do I believe people can't be successful and Spiritual at the same time?
Out of a confused (and abused) theology we've equated humility with poverty and assumed that successful people can't be humble.
Not so.
"As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper" (2 Chronicles 26:5).
Does this give you the right to strut, or look down on others?
No, but when successful people speak other people listen.
Examine the lives of Bible characters like Joseph and Daniel. They influenced nations for God! We have a message of hope that others need to hear, but if we're not in a position to tell them how will they hear it?
If you have been settling for less, ask God for a greater faith and a greater focus, then start aiming higher!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Genesis 39:3
Sit down, have a cup of coffee (or tea), and ask yourself these three questions:
(1) Am I happy with the way things are in my life right now?
If you're not, take responsibility. Quit blame-placing and excuse-making! The only one who can stop you from becoming the person God intended you to be - is you.
(2) Am I afraid of success?
Afraid of the cost and commitment required? Leadership is lonely; maybe you'd rather be with the crowd. Or perhaps you've been knocked down and you're afraid to get up again.
When Thomas Edison was asked why he was successful he replied, "I start where other men leave off!"
When world heavyweight champion Jim Corbett was asked what it took to win the title he replied, "Just fight one more round."
Paul wrote, "We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going" (2 Corinthians 4:9 ).
(3) Do I believe people can't be successful and Spiritual at the same time?
Out of a confused (and abused) theology we've equated humility with poverty and assumed that successful people can't be humble.
Not so.
"As long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper" (2 Chronicles 26:5).
Does this give you the right to strut, or look down on others?
No, but when successful people speak other people listen.
Examine the lives of Bible characters like Joseph and Daniel. They influenced nations for God! We have a message of hope that others need to hear, but if we're not in a position to tell them how will they hear it?
If you have been settling for less, ask God for a greater faith and a greater focus, then start aiming higher!
http://www.thevine.co.nz
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Baptism of the Lord
Today our church celebrate the feast of the baptism of our Lord, at the same time is the commisioning of the Catechist and the RCIA facilitator.
Catechist's Prayer
Loving Father, you have called me and I have responded, here I am, Lord!
You invite me to a personal relationship with you
that I may share the Good news of your son, Juseus Christ,
with those you have entrusted to me.
My mind and will are yours.
Through the Holy Spirit, enlighted me with your wisdom,
set my heart on fire with your love,
strengthen me and guide me so that my life faithfully echoes the Gospel.
Grant that, having deepened my understanding and appreciation
of the treasure that is the Catholic faith,
I may share it fullly with others.
May I find in the parish community the wisdom,
support, and inspiration that I need to serve you
in this essential ministry of the church.
Amen.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Prayer for Family
Dear Lord, bless our family.
Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace and mutual love
that you found in your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
St Joseph bless the head of our family.
Obtain for him the strength, the wisdom and the prudence
he needs to support and direct those under his care.
Mother Mary, bless the mother of our family.
Help her to be pure and kind,
Gentle and self-sacrificing.
For the more she resembles you,
the better will be our family be.
Lord Jesus, bless the children of our family.
Help them to be obedient and devoted to their parents.
Make them more and more like You.
Let them grow, as You did in wisdom and age
and grace before God and man.
Holy family of Nazareth,
make our family and home more and more like Yours
until we are all one family, happy and
at peace in our true home
with you.
Amen
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Happy New Year 2008
Mary, the Mother of God
Mother of God
Father,source of light in every age,
who is called Wonderful God,
Prince of Peace.
May her prayer,the gift of a mother's love,
be your people's joythrough all ages.
May her response,born of a humble heart,
draw your Spirit to reston your people.
Grant this throughChrist our Lord.
Amen.
http://www.franciscancards.com
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