tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58016962457077796322024-03-04T21:22:19.110-08:00Nathanael Wood | Life & LeadershipUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-75299417244350936262011-11-23T00:45:00.001-08:002011-11-28T22:16:14.483-08:00The Quest For Fulfilment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-size: large; font-style: italic;">The payoff for meekness, and the fear of God is plenty and honour and a satisfying life. Proverbs 22:4 [MSG]</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The starting gun fires! Life gets underway, as does the soul’s early and intuitive search for significance, the pursuit of pleasure and ultimately, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Quest For Fulfilment</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Our generation is engaged in a physically challenging; mentally demanding; emotionally charged; and adrenalin pumping; intense roller coaster ride, that we’re often surprised by and unprepared for, as we anxiously and genuinely attempt to find fulfilment in our life!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYwAFRBNz36MddoEk2DZAG_gqce6fHav6w5lclOatdCsTSBDfqEzWE828cACPpSvMTvFA4NgIPmj98TbCyJZNes_onCUVc9t54OrImP8WZIRSMeYqtdkw8Xy0WWJlNPP4ZayqZIseP1g/s1600/TQFF_Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYwAFRBNz36MddoEk2DZAG_gqce6fHav6w5lclOatdCsTSBDfqEzWE828cACPpSvMTvFA4NgIPmj98TbCyJZNes_onCUVc9t54OrImP8WZIRSMeYqtdkw8Xy0WWJlNPP4ZayqZIseP1g/s1600/TQFF_Pic.jpg" /></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fulfilment is, as we perceive it to be. As someone aptly reflected, W</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">hat a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realised it sooner. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fulfilment is very much the willful demeanor and disposition of the soul; which specifically describes a sense of satisfaction; pleasure; contentment and happiness.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People strive to achieve these common objectives in a multitude of ways. Despite the simplicity or complexity of your personality or lifestyle, you wouldn’t be alone if it was your underlying desire to seek out such outcomes in life.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is an innate desire to pursue fulfilling your God-given purpose, destiny or calling, and to achieve something great with your life - to live happily ever after! </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What makes your soul happy? - Life is filled with highs and lows, and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">fulfilment</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in life can be fleeting. There are special occasions like weddings; a graduation; a promotion; or a grand final victory that are filled with positive emotion, giving us good reason to be happy! However we can’t rely on events and circumstances as a primary source of fulfilment, as they don’t normally present themselves on a daily basis.</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">though a little pessimistic, this quote is nonetheless insightful;</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> you need to learn to be happy by nature, because you'll seldom have the chance to be happy by circumstance. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, may these happy circumstances be more frequent in your life! Though we have more control over our happiness than we sometimes realise, as someone once said, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In other words, the grass will be greener where you water it!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">People, knowingly or unknowingly are genuinely looking and longing for <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">happiness</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in a plethora of places. Happiness for many is either a mirage or a memory – it’s either out there or back there! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enduring fulfilment in <i>l</i><i>ife and leadership</i> ironically seems to elude those who are desperately or diligently in search of it, sentiment highlighted in this quote; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> </span></span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Recently a journalist was interviewing Warren </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Buffett</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, America’s well-known billionaire businessman, seeking to understand his unusual and modest lifestyle choices. He was asked why he still lived in the same five-bedroom family home since 1957, and hadn’t </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">upsized</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and upgraded. To which he replied, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I thought a bigger house would make me happier I’d buy it. Just because I have the money to do it doesn’t mean it’s smart to do it.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Reinforcing the mantra that, money can’t buy you happiness </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">–but mind you, happiness can’t pay the bills! </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">His response reminded me of one of Benjamin Franklin’s quotes; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Content makes poor men rich, discontent make’s rich men poor.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Bible says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You’re addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">You could argue that power; popularity; prestige and pleasure inherently fail to satisfy the soul long-term. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Again we quickly realise the soul’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">insatiable</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> potential, when experimenting with such finite and often disappointing remedies. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> So despite all admirable achievements and acquisitions along the way, all misguided and tenuous personal quests for fulfilment will over time all but leave you feeling internally empty, and having to manage an insolvent soul.</span></span></span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Apostle Paul shares his own </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">recipe <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">for being happy</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. He says; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything with the One who makes me who I am.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My purpose</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, Jesus says</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, is to give them a rich and satisfying life. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A full schedule; a full crowd; a full portfolio; a full resume; a full stomach; or a full trophy cabinet doesn’t necessarily mean a full life, and neither does the absence of these, point to an unfulfilled one. The Bible says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A pretentious showy life is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fulfilment need not be a pipe dream, elusive or a vague ethereal concept! We can experience-enduring fulfilment in life beyond any contextual catalyst. We need to look beyond the temporary and the transitory, to find lasting fulfilment in our soul.</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There's an evident disconnect in society between the timeless </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Beatitudes</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> profoundly taught by Jesus, and the dubious philosophies and questionable ideals espoused and advocated by our world today. Jesus says, Y</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">ou’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are-no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> On the contrary it's been observed, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The world is full of people looking for spectacular happiness while they snub contentment. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This could be because contentment is poorly misunderstood or misrepresented; it’s as if you’re handing your resignation in, and rejecting all that life has to offer! This couldn’t be further from the truth! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After all in the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parable of the Talents,</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Jesus directed praise to those who showed initiative, and who were innovative and productive with the opportunity they had.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Contentment empowers you to stop to appreciate life as it is; to enjoy who you are and what you have. It's been said that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it. </span></i></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Consider the quote, </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is not in the pursuit of happiness that we find fulfilment it is in the happiness of pursuit. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Contentment effectively </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">calibrates</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> the pursuit and conquest of the soul.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> We begin to pursue achievement, accomplishment and acquisition having already conquered, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Quest For Fulfilment</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-91152396416846232362011-10-19T15:49:00.000-07:002011-10-19T15:57:05.866-07:00The Waiting Room [Part 2]<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Times-Roman;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the vision is yet for an appointed
time and it hastens to the end [fulfilment]; it will not deceive or disappoint.
Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will
not be behindhand on its appointed day.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> - </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Habakkuk 2:3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Waiting Room</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> can
be a confronting and precarious time, and when we're left feeling suspended in
time, unjustly or not; it can motivate a vain and creative attempt to usurp
God’s rightful place; it also leaves us more likely to engage in emotionally charged
decisions, both of which manifest in undesirable ways.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 16pt;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh4-S_-T8sYbxVRhRGgUDNxAAi7R520WLgVnAK7UIZ1f69bgBQ30yYZqecoZrRVspboqeig95SHnto51YOtfyuLUh3Br_xMOd6uD7kTWDV34Wpn9UTSJV14Qy9wv1g8ClSrYVT1B26pQ/s1600/clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfh4-S_-T8sYbxVRhRGgUDNxAAi7R520WLgVnAK7UIZ1f69bgBQ30yYZqecoZrRVspboqeig95SHnto51YOtfyuLUh3Br_xMOd6uD7kTWDV34Wpn9UTSJV14Qy9wv1g8ClSrYVT1B26pQ/s200/clock.jpg" width="162" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many things test our patience but delay, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">as we see
it</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, strikes at the heart of our hopes, beliefs and
aspirations. As a result we contend with an emotional cocktail of
discouragement; frustration; disappointment; and disillusionment.</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We become anxious that somehow we’ve been left behind or been
overlooked. Though Charles Swindoll says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">true patience is waiting without
worrying. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s been appropriately said that, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">it is
tribulation that we make an experiment of our own sincerity.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Proverbs cautions the hopeful saying; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hope deferred makes the heart
sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The
trouble is when it comes to things like dreams being fulfilled </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">we’re in a
hurry, but God isn’t! </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And it’s in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Waiting
Room; </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">as we await answers to prayer; desired breakthrough;
or the realisation of a dream, that we need the endurance, wisdom and composure
that patience affords.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Waiting patiently in God’s economy is not synonymous
with inactivity, neither is it a convenient excuse for laziness. Patience pays
off, procrastination rarely does! An excerpt from </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Daily Bread</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> says;</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> God wants us to see results as we work for Him, but His first
concern is our growth. That’s why He often withholds success until we have
learned patience. The Lord teaches us the needed lesson through the blessed
discipline of delay</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Paul uses a pregnancy
metaphor in Romans to encourage us; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of
course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we
become, and the more joyful our expectancy.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile,
the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping
us along.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jesus’ brother James encourages us that challenges,
tests and pressures aren’t pointless, and says; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">so don't try to get out of
anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and
well-developed, not deficient in any way</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.
However it’s generally with the benefit of hindsight that we fully appreciate
what </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Waiting Room</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> achieves and acquires.
Really, we should thank God for </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">delay</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
because without it we would lack what it takes, and be seriously unqualified
and unprepared for what lie ahead. Waiting is never a waste of time when you’re
becoming </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">someone</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> in the meantime. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We must confidently know that</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The Waiting Room</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> has extensive purpose; faith is resolved; attitudes are tested; motives
are refined; trust is gained; doubts are dealt with; identity is questioned
(and shaped); humility is developed; faithfulness is learnt; priorities are
established; and strengths are fortified.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Daily Bread</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> also
says;</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Many a man called of God to a work in which he is pouring out his
life, is convinced that the Lord means to bring his efforts to a successful
conclusion. Nevertheless, even such a confident worker grows discouraged at
times and worries because results do not come as rapidly as he would desire.
But growth and strength in waiting are results often greater than the end so
impatiently longed for…</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The composure and steadfast nature of a person who
exhibits the discipline of patience, whether in life or leadership, has an
arguable advantage over those who lack this seemingly archaic character
quality; they endure, outlasting adversity despite the challenges;
complications; or inconveniences; they are less likely to be tempted with, or
persuaded by inferior alternatives; and they also appreciate the importance of
prudence and due-diligence in wise decision-making. Patient people rightly
understand and take into consideration their own fallibility, which impatience
too often highlights!</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let’s carefully consider what the Apostle Paul said; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So
let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time (in due
season) we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Therefore it's important to deal promptly and decisively with the
distraction of options, and be determined to allow God’s preparation and
process to go full term in our lives. God is orchestrating His perfect
will, that will unfold and eventuate in His good and perfect time. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_477714460"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Check out, </span></span></a><a href="http://tinyurl.com/69xc3gy"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Waiting Room [Part 1]</span></span></i></a></span></div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-34485781013868604722011-09-28T23:56:00.000-07:002011-10-18T22:49:07.905-07:00The Waiting Room [Part 1]<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Patience </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">adj</span></span></i></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1: </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">bearing pains or trials calmly or
without complaint</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2:
manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3:
not hasty or impetuous </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4:
steadfast despite opposition, difficulty, or adversity </span></span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One
pertinent, ironic motto for more recent generations could be;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> I want
patience - and I want it now</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">! Whether it’s online download speed, waiting in line for your morning
takeaway coffee, or waiting for that elusive car parking space – </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">waiting</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> evidently drives us crazy! </span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ_PD6Td0M2NZ8PwCw3jaXMHVgKb8iw1z2rmxlZG4pu4HRFdmkGQAyQLP9bmvH7cRG6H3Yjfe75IzeuMEDKdGzlcy70wzk-xo308S2Z-EuxXm8IlkxgH_N5VqFA3HS0LvvaGGyyV4mZY/s1600/91307_2509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZ_PD6Td0M2NZ8PwCw3jaXMHVgKb8iw1z2rmxlZG4pu4HRFdmkGQAyQLP9bmvH7cRG6H3Yjfe75IzeuMEDKdGzlcy70wzk-xo308S2Z-EuxXm8IlkxgH_N5VqFA3HS0LvvaGGyyV4mZY/s200/91307_2509.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We have
become accustom to the upside of modern conveniences, which have dramatically
reduced waiting times, and effectively fashioned our expectations.
Consequently, society has become more demanding and less patient – </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but when
it comes to what really matters have we lost the art of waiting?</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Technology
has speed up many things; air travel gets us to our destination in hours, not
weeks; a computer via the internet delivers electronic mail faster than it
would take to place a stamp on an envelope; a digital camera lets you see your
picture instantly, where previously you would need to first finish the film before getting it developed; and a microwave oven accelerates the heating process
- </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but are we able to speed up the timing of God?</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The
Waiting Room</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> is an
unspecified time of waiting, and often endured in suspense! We all could
identify in some way with the emotional experience of the Bible's Abraham and
Sarah as they endured </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Waiting Room</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. Their faith was being challenged, as ours is
from time to time. Time after all, is an effective revealer and shaper of
character, and the following sequence of events is an ideal example of what
impact patience (or impatience in this case) can have on our decisions and the
fulfillment of our dreams.</span></span><span style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A
vulnerable time, a flawed conclusion followed by an impulsive and fraught
approach lead to a serious error of judgment in a moment of justifiable
despair. Years had slowly passed since God deposited vision into the heart of
Abraham about blessing and influence, and becoming the father of many nations -
but as yet the father of none!</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Isn’t it true that at times there is a great disconnect between the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">grand</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> vision, and the reality of your
present situation! And in a sensitive moment of the month, like many others I
guess, Abraham and Sarah desperately wrestled with their doubts, and assisted
by rational explanation convinced themselves that they had no other option but
to implement an alternative plan. Obviously misinterpreting the following quote
that; </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">the secret of patience is doing something else in the mean time!</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Abraham
regrettably fathered his wife’s maidservant’s child, but it wasn’t long after
this as the book of Hebrews records, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then Abraham waited patiently, and he
received what God had promised</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. No matter the impossibility or timeframe, let’s not jump the gun on
God! As He promises, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He who calls you is faithful, who also will do
it. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span></i></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Patience
in contemporary times may well be a rare character quality, but for those who
desire to see a measure of success in life, it’s one worth developing, and as
the Psalmist says;</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God, the one and only - I'll wait as long as He says.
Everything I hope for comes from Him, so why not?</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stay Posted for</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The Waiting Room Continued... </span></span></div>
</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-81657556146706450422011-09-19T00:44:00.000-07:002011-09-28T23:22:53.725-07:00Is it too good to be true...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="Body1" style="mso-pagination: none;">
</div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Authentic. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">adj. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">true to one's own personality, spirit, or character.</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is it </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">too good to be true... If so, i</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">t's easy to start explaining away, or justifying people's apparent </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">goodness,
</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and concluding that it's simply a case of</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">convenience; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They have a positive attitude because they have no
real challenges; they are generous because they can afford to be; they’re
willing because they have the time; they’re always grateful because they’re
blessed. It’s obvious the reason they are the way they are is because of
their fortunate position in life. However if that wasn’t their life experience,
I’m sure it would be a different story! </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Assumptions like these can prove to be glib and
misguided, as the following account of Job's intense character probe reveals.<span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHD2aR-yZbdpd1coBwTn5dR-7t4fU0LdhCbur0PcSOQuA5sAZ-PviEy3nb7gqUgNJLIUizurbLPppALRBkA9uFdcrf7WFdpDrr8Dw66kTDVvQZWssCFGODhABLGVGPCkAkSKZNOsPB1Q/s1600/Blog_Art_Job.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHD2aR-yZbdpd1coBwTn5dR-7t4fU0LdhCbur0PcSOQuA5sAZ-PviEy3nb7gqUgNJLIUizurbLPppALRBkA9uFdcrf7WFdpDrr8Dw66kTDVvQZWssCFGODhABLGVGPCkAkSKZNOsPB1Q/s320/Blog_Art_Job.jpg" width="212" /></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many would be
familiar with the adversity that beset Job, and that tragically
unfold in his life. Literally, all hell breaks loose on this reputable man!
This is a classic case where bad things happened to a good person. It all started
with this assertion; that Job had </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">good reason to fear God.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> The arguable reasons behind why were due directly to God’s </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">wall
of protection around him, his home and his property, </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and that (God)</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> made him prosper in everything.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God spoke very
highly of Job saying; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is the finest man in all the earth</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is blameless – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and
stays away from evil.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> As you can see Job was a
prime candidate for the blessing of God, and as a result </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">was the greatest </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and richest </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">of all the people. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Job
was the real deal but his authenticity and motive in question, as it seemed </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">too
good to be true</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">God, confident in
the character of Job, said to His adversary with strict conditions;</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> All right, you may test him. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Job subsequently was on the
intense end of a strategic assault on his personal assets; his
family; and then on his health, in an attempt to expose him as being
superficial and insincere. However through these relentless attacks, severe
setbacks and devastating events, it says he </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">did not sin by blaming God</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">;</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> said nothing wrong; </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">maintained his integrity</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Billy Graham is aptly quoted saying; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost,
something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Job may have lost his wealth and his health, but he said; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'll
not deny my integrity even if it costs me my life. I'm holding fast to my
integrity…and believe me, I'll never regret it.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Its
been said that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">tribulation is a test tube</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">nothing
is proven until it is tested, </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and Job inadvertently
proved many things as he endured tribulation with integrity and dignity. </span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unlike the example
of Job, human nature tends to blame and critique God, questioning His character
in tough and challenging times (more quickly than we attribute good to Him.) We
desperately and understandably seek answers to tragedy, crisis and unexplained
events. We overanalyse and ask rhetorical questions; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">what have I done (or
not done) to deserve this,</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> only serving to confuse
and self-condemn. In Job’s case though, he was blameless. Someone once said; </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The
true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave
when we don't know what to do. </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Job’s honorable
example graciously instructs us in the art of prudent responses. Despite the
well-meaning yet perverse counsel he received by those closest to him, he was well guided by
the high standards of his own convictions. </span></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Throughout the
trial, Job had a real and robust personal encounter with God. Coming out the
other end, Job testifies, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had only heard about you (God) before, but now I
have seen you with my eyes.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> How we view God in our
circumstance is critical, and does determine whether anything good arises from
the ashes. Job’s testimony is as follows, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Lord restored Job. The Lord
blessed the later days of Job's more than the beginning.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="mso-pagination: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As Job experienced,
there are many things we don’t have control over. Circumstances change, context
continually shift, and many times unpredictably and without our consent. One
thing that we do have control over is our character. There are times you have
no control over what happens to you (or said about you), but you do have control over how you
choose to respond to it. When circumstances are beyond your control, take
courage that your character is not. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">Other related reading; </span>Character Calibration, Stand Your Ground</span></i></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-27306970688812679532011-09-06T22:48:00.000-07:002011-09-07T01:22:09.144-07:00Stand Your Ground<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stand. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">v.tr.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To resist successfully; withstan</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">d.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many opportunities in life to wisely, honourably
and courageously S</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tand Your Ground</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. However this doesn’t always seem advantageous -
whether it’s in the playground or the boardroom! Public opinion, peer or </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">su-peer-ior
</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">pressure is a confronting social science.
Going along with the crowd is easier and more risk-averse, but doesn’t always
prove beneficial. Many find uniformity comfortable, using social camouflages to
blend in, effectively concealing any distinctions – or unique characteristics.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4_fILZ5G-Sgs32Rq9Yfaep_fBS36KRc1lOT35aOHDCJ3qptmERe6uovx27uxQiXAp5wDbJolmOSe-R06U4rBB69oFwtJ94xmeJ7xuG2wLXF_HqG_co1Luoi2Ue_TA2DE7eo7L-Qv8d8/s1600/Three_Men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4_fILZ5G-Sgs32Rq9Yfaep_fBS36KRc1lOT35aOHDCJ3qptmERe6uovx27uxQiXAp5wDbJolmOSe-R06U4rBB69oFwtJ94xmeJ7xuG2wLXF_HqG_co1Luoi2Ue_TA2DE7eo7L-Qv8d8/s200/Three_Men.jpg" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We read in the book of Daniel about three young men,
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, who when confronted with a life and death
ultimatum, forsook what was popular and protected, to do what was right in
their heart, and in the sight of their God. In a courageous act of defiance, as
everybody else conformed and fell to their knees to worship the gold image,
they remained standing. With the consequences of a burning fiery furnace
clearly outlined, and given the second opportunity to comply, they stood by
their convictions and shunned compromise at any cost. Demonstrating that, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He
who kneels before God can stand before anyone.</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
They boldly stared down their intimidators, and with resolve in their heart
declared; …</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we have no need to answer you in this matter...our God who
we serve is able to deliver us…But if not, let it be known to you.. that we
do not serve your gods, nor will
we worship the gold image...</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This showing,
that character makes statements not deals! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We live in an ever-increasing politically correct and secularised world. The
culture of the world is subtle in its attempt to bring
you to your knees, metaphorically speaking. As Romans 12 says,</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Don’t become so well-adjusted to your
culture that you fit into it without even thinking</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> …</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the culture around you, always dragging you down...</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The crowd shouted out to Jesus as He was being
crucified on the cross; </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you are the Son of God come down... </span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It took strength and character for Jesus to stay
up on that cross, obedient to His Father’s will. Likewise these three young men were
not prepared to lower themselves to the level of the crowd, succumbing to the
non-values of the compliant majority. It’s been said; </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The enemies you
make by taking a stand generally have more respect for you than the friends you
make by being on the fence.</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Unless the
crowd is pursuing God, don’t follow it! </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These three young men cannot be accused
of faltering between two opinions or flirting with alternate lifestyles. One thing their peers and
superiors accused them of, was that they had not paid </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">due regard</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to the king’s wishes. Divided-loyalty is an oxymoron. Jesus says in Matthew 6:24; </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No
one can serve two masters;</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and in Matthew
12:25 He states; </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to
desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.</span></span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let us develop a character like these men,
who avoided duplicity, defied the king’s worship agenda,
disregarded public pressure, survived the fiery furnace, and by doing so
influenced the spiritual allegiance of the king and that of the people. Be determined in life to wisely, honourably and courageously </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">S</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tand Your Ground</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">no
matter the cost, knowing that, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a man or woman with God is always a majority.</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Reference: Daniel 3:1-30</i></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-53729957454611251582011-08-25T21:22:00.000-07:002011-09-08T16:09:34.243-07:00A Soul in Surplus<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sur·plus </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">adj.</span></span></i></b></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Being more than or in excess of what is needed or required.</span></span></b></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Is your </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Soul in Surplus</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">? There are seasons in life that demand heart and soul; decisions and determination; pursuit and poise; challenge and change; focus and fight. Life can also take us completely by surprise; the unintended; the unexpected; the uninvited or the unforeseen! Whoever you are and no matter what you do, it is to your advantage in life to live with a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Soul in Surplus.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefxmS6wXzPU_Aas-zw6Fi_xbdFNeHi7TooB4LQvgMBEQQUn4SpXp5IhRFEkwPu7R4vdadAeMTltz50vDsZwZDIyIvjGhjwCkTUzBQOQ4vQFjtb8KyVi5itvaT7knA47pOreEe7_oxKBI/s1600/SIS_Blog_Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefxmS6wXzPU_Aas-zw6Fi_xbdFNeHi7TooB4LQvgMBEQQUn4SpXp5IhRFEkwPu7R4vdadAeMTltz50vDsZwZDIyIvjGhjwCkTUzBQOQ4vQFjtb8KyVi5itvaT7knA47pOreEe7_oxKBI/s200/SIS_Blog_Image.jpg" width="132" /></span></a><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The apostle John prayed …</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health just as your soul prospers. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your soul is referred to in the Bible as your </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">core being, </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and elsewhere,</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> a person’s total self</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. C.S Lewis profoundly stated </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You don’t have a soul. You are a soul and you have a body. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Your soul consists of your mind, will and emotions. These are the most influential and interconnected elements of your life – and neglecting them, can have negative consequences on your health and quality of life. Proverbs says, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Keep vigilant watch over your [heart]; that’s where life starts.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It’s important therefore that we learn to diligently manage these key elements in order to prosper in all things.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many people’s perspective in life can be black or white, but what I’m talking about is life experienced in black or red! Let me explain. As you may know, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the red</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the black</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> are accounting terms. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the red means a negative value or below zero, </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the black</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">positive value</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> - and prudently recommended! Therefore across the balance of your life, your soul is either in the black or in the red. We need discretion in this regard, the ability to be sensitive and responsive. Pre-empting the need to make the necessary adjustments in our life. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Life doesn’t discriminate. Hard times are inevitable but with foresight we need not be unprepared or incapable. Emotional bankruptcy is responsible for many bad decisions with ranging consequences. Struggling to get by with a soul that is either at risk of, or already </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the red </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is debilitating. The indicators are clear; a soul i</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">n the red</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> or in deficit </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is paralysed by problems</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. They feel anxious and powerless to effect change or take action. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lways have something to prove</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Achievement is always on display. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is filled with negativity</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and has a defeated outlook on life. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is consumed with self </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but focuses on what other’s have. This soul often </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">overlooks their own blessing</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> but notices and resents other people’s and is cynical of their success. They constantly and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">unwisely compete and compare themselves</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. A soul in deficit </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is overcome by need</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. They have a scarcity mindset, often ruled by lack. A soul in deficit </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">is starved of freeing truth</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, or healthy mindsets. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is dominated by discontent</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. It is insatiable; </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">always needing more and impossible to satisfy</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. Benjamin Franklin said; </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Discontent makes rich men poor, contentment makes poor men rich. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Consider the following things that I believe replenish and restore the soul; </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anchor your soul with prayer.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I find that my relationship with God is a source of great peace, strength and confidence. It effectively deals with my anxieties and puts into perspective my challenges. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Take time to meditate on the right things.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The Bible is full of life principles and timeless truths that graciously instruct us to live well. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Discover and fulfill your purpose in life.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Your soul needs identity resolve. This is who I am, and what I am on earth for. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Look out for the interests of others and</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">find ways to be generous.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Proverbs says, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The generous soul will be made rich, and He who waters will also be watered himself.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rest your soul.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Take time out for recreational activity that refreshes you. Finally, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">make your peace with people, and with your Maker.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Reconciliation is very important to the health of your soul. Forgive and be forgiven. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Soul in Surplus</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> is a prosperous soul with enlarged capacity. Whether it’s vision you’re pursuing, temptation you’re resisting, adversity your overcoming or relationships you’re building, a soul in surplus has what it takes - and some! The mind is powerful, emotions are compelling and the will influential. When these elements are healthy, people have the potential to be so resilient in life. Fortitude is one characteristic of a soul in surplus. It’s defined as </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fortitude however, is afforded to those who build emotional capacity and develop healthy mindsets and positive attitudes. This gives them the rare capacity to withstand, persevere and overcome - and prosper in all things.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-84898571579915485662011-08-02T22:43:00.000-07:002011-09-07T03:23:12.845-07:00Character Calibration<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">tr.v.</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">cal·i·brate</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To check, adjust, or determine by comparison with a standard</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character is not that sexy a subject – </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">unless it’s a public figure caught in a compromising position by a journalist! </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many love reading and learning about keys to prosperity, steps to success and or principles of leadership etc. In an ambitious attempt to get ahead in life, we can underestimate the importance of things like character, cutting corners and taking short cuts, which sadly lead to destiny detours, delays and dead ends. But I strongly believe that a good character under girds and gives rise to promotion; longevity; prosperity; success; opportunity and much more. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsmSaHepBbWMd4KqjDA5B3cTCSNj_3xsJ8k6ffhsv2wkeiEWMPtTfRhwB2yRGsuaNtWptDZoJiHTcVqrE8XhORHTtzCyaT2FUKvIubLeCe5wXtOiRJWDNMAAVf6AeicELMjyh0LNGgq8/s1600/3220311-detail-closeup-compass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsmSaHepBbWMd4KqjDA5B3cTCSNj_3xsJ8k6ffhsv2wkeiEWMPtTfRhwB2yRGsuaNtWptDZoJiHTcVqrE8XhORHTtzCyaT2FUKvIubLeCe5wXtOiRJWDNMAAVf6AeicELMjyh0LNGgq8/s200/3220311-detail-closeup-compass.jpg" width="200" /></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s been said that '</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character is like a diamond, which scratches every other stone.' </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In other words, character has a significant impact on every area of your life – business; career; ministry; marriage; family; finances; friendship etc. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character has been defined this way; '</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character is the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life, which determine his or her response regardless of circumstance</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.' Another defines it this way,</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> '</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is the guiding force embraced with an unshakable set of principles that forge the way in the midst of confusion and disarray…' </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character is a predetermined resolve to respond honourably in any predicament despite the consequence. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.' //</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Proverbs 10:9</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A lack of good character tragically stamps an expiry date, limiting the long-term sustainability of success, and the lifespan of blessing in our lives. '</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is impossible to be our best at the supreme moment if character is corroded and eaten into by daily inconsistency, unfaithfulness, and besetting sin.'</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Are you becoming the person you want to be, or are happy with? Character is developed daily, and credibility gained gradually, but can be lost suddenly. '</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character may be manifested in great moments but it is made in the small ones.' </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s fashioned by personal choices and private company.</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is developed by conviction not convenience, by design not by default. Scripture says, '</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unless you are faithful in the small matters, you won’t be faithful in the large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.'</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Therefore it’s in the everyday moments of our life, both in the seen and unseen, that we prepare ourselves for the greater ones. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.' </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">// Psalm 105.19</span></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Genesis 39, we read about Joseph, a young man with bold dreams who passes a series of character tests. He received a promotion and was given the opportunity to oversee all of his boss’ affairs. Joseph was confronted with his own </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">supreme moments</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, one of those being the intense and consistent sexual advancements from his boss’ wife - and despite the seductive nature of the temptation he refused emphatically. Joseph’s moral compass, based on his fear of the Lord, very effectively overrode his own natural inclinations and urges. Vulnerable moments like these are more character testing, than they are character building. Remember, '</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Character is not made in a crisis it is only exhibited.' </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are all susceptible to compromise, especially in weak areas of our life, but we are less likely to bow, fall or comply when our convictions are clear and commissioned. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Society rises and falls on the quality of its collective character. It’s reliant on the responsibility and reliability of its people. Embedded in the soul of society are aspirational qualities such as humility; honour; integrity and loyalty. The world often, and rightly so, reminds those who profess to be Christian how they should live. They can easily identify the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">un</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-characteristics of godly conduct. Our character is on display for all to see, and more widely publicised and broadcast these days with social media etc. If we set the bar, or believe in the standards that the bar represents, it is only right that we ourselves comfortably clear it and humbly admit when we miss the mark in doing so. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Therefore wisdom beckons your attention, and graciously says to you concerning character, dismiss it and it will be to your own demise - develop it and it will distinguish you. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-17409881606372599202011-07-26T21:59:00.000-07:002011-08-04T21:48:33.263-07:00An Eternal Compliment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is a profound and provocative account of a poor widow, who unknowingly became the inspiring subject of a principled lesson by Jesus, on relative and comparative generosity. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I can’t help but read this in a modern day context – I’m left imagining how today’s news and current affairs programs would have reported this story!)</span></span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” //</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mark 12:41-44 NKJV</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The New Living Translation finishes this story this way; </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Message Translation says;</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This generous soul had every reason to be outside the temple begging but instead was inside the temple giving. According to Jesus, she, based on her capacity or lack of, gave proportionately more than the lot of them!</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We know that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">God doesn’t see as man sees</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and it’s evident from this story that He doesn’t evaluate the way we’re inclined to. Many of us possibly would have been impressed, inspired even, by the amounts of money given by the rich. And you would also be forgiven for possibly overlooking or discounting the poor widow and what she gave. Not Jesus though - He noticed the poor widow and surprisingly credited her with outgiving the rich! I have heard it said many times over, and it should never become cliché - </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it’s not equal giving but equal sacrifice.</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Maybe you can identify with the poor widow’s life experience, struggling to make ends meet, or maybe for you, her selfless example challenges your level of generosity relative to your own capacity. It’s been profoundly stated, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">True generosity is not evident in how much a giver gives but in how much they have left over. </span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I don’t think Jesus was making this about being rich or poor. The encouraging point of this story though, is despite your socio-economic position, no one is disqualified from being generous, and in relative terms, the rich in this story could have been equally as generous and impressive. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Selah</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Apostle Paul challenges the attitudes of the well-to-do, and highlights the unique opportunity they have to be a blessing</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">; Tell those rich in this world's wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they'll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life. //1 Timothy 6:17-19 Message</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins. A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, "Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar's need. Why give him gold?" Alexander responded in royal fashion, "Copper coins would suit the beggar's need, but gold coins suit Alexander's giving."</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alexander the Great knew this about generosity - that it reflected him.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This poor widow takes her place in history, having received an eternal compliment, making it into the cannon of scripture. She would have never imagined, that what she was about to do that day would be noticed, let alone seized upon by Jesus, and subsequently recorded as a demonstration of extravagant generosity for the benefit of future generations. </span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-88448385820819485482011-07-18T19:04:00.000-07:002011-07-18T19:04:06.485-07:00Life doesn't come with a mute button!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAfGGvtNPoxf_6Zb8bHOodLtuTwaLrWrgeLAB7D7y8xehASwB5HTLorHpxSDV6vUhh7dJuc3KDSzu6s8S4j1knz94MRAi3ejjeT_Lq1KWg8nOWdm_6QEkmBd6T_3nEShwNGMSb83vqnw/s1600/Healthy_Soul_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAfGGvtNPoxf_6Zb8bHOodLtuTwaLrWrgeLAB7D7y8xehASwB5HTLorHpxSDV6vUhh7dJuc3KDSzu6s8S4j1knz94MRAi3ejjeT_Lq1KWg8nOWdm_6QEkmBd6T_3nEShwNGMSb83vqnw/s400/Healthy_Soul_Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>As we know life doesn’t come with a mute button!</b> Therefore a healthy soul is reliant upon discerning and dealing with <i>noise</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> in your life. Noise can be the various sounds, and the many voices that surround us – TV advertisements; the neighbours barking dog; the ringing mobile phone; the power tools from the worksite across the road; the questions and requests of the kids (or other people’s kids!); or the ‘duff-duff’ of a passing car’s sound system! Noise hijacks your mind, disrupting thought and meditation. Most of the time you strive to hear yourself think, and there’s a lot of truth to the thought, </span><i>silence is the secret to sanity</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> - as it is also the key to clarity, strength and a </span><i>healthy soul</i><span style="font-style: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Noise is a marketing term; it refers to <i>anything that gets in the way of a recipient receiving the entire message that a company is trying to convey.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> This is not only true in the marketplace but in our relationship with God. God desires to speak to us, through the Holy Spirit and His Word, and noise in our life has a way of interfering, or interrupting the important things that God has to say to us. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus sought uninterrupted time and space from His daily ministry agenda. <b>Mark 1:35 says, </b><i><b>very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place to be alone with God and pray.</b></i><span style="font-style: normal;"> It’s been said that </span><i>when all the noise is gone, there is only God.</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> Like Jesus, we all need a good discipline of ‘quiet time’ in our life - preferably daily. You can conclude that Jesus understood that noise in His life had an impact on His soul, and the ability to hear His Father. According to Jesus’ prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, this time and space was where He humbly realigned His will with God’s. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No matter what you do in life, you may relate in some way to the noise in Jesus’ life. Consider for a moment; the questions and concerns of disciples- students in leadership and ministry development; the criticisms and complaints of the religious leaders; the many diverse needs and demands of the multitudes requiring help and healing; the cynical commentary of the governing authorities; His adversary the devil not to mention the voice of His family and His own thoughts and emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Jesus demonstrates the importance of prayer and meditation, taking some time to escape the hustle and bustle, eliminating the noise that life and activity naturally emanates to maintain a healthy soul.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-64709935371203672532011-07-11T23:57:00.000-07:002011-07-12T02:00:41.728-07:00A Culture of Honour<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TZuQywMd_hlBJeFxcpPBwCgSZhBqc9lm_d08ABE4yK1sGIRa0kwCvM-cuKedTqfOBtOT3BeNmDgmYWTVkXOtTRoYO7uFHV-jVSfuHTFdGI9-XFzwv_RHFoTTw07WpNNEb_1qsZQuJCg/s1600/Honour_Culture_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TZuQywMd_hlBJeFxcpPBwCgSZhBqc9lm_d08ABE4yK1sGIRa0kwCvM-cuKedTqfOBtOT3BeNmDgmYWTVkXOtTRoYO7uFHV-jVSfuHTFdGI9-XFzwv_RHFoTTw07WpNNEb_1qsZQuJCg/s400/Honour_Culture_Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">John concludes his gospel that for every story recorded about Jesus there are countless that weren’t. This only highlights the importance of each and every story that did make it into the canon of scripture. Including one of the most intriguing, and tragic stories of missed opportunity for those in Jesus' own hometown. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Bible says, that Jesus' fame was widespread. Though it would seem that the people of Nazareth rarely experienced prominence or accolades of this kind. Highlighting this was when Nathanael said to Phillip concerning Jesus', </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">what good can come out of Nazareth?</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> We get an insight into the quality of the people from Jesus’ hometown, as we learn the reception that He received when returning home to minister in the local synagogue. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, that He departed from there. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Man</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> get this wisdom and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">these</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> mighty works? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 6px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Simon, and Judas?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Man</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> get all these things?” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. //Matthew 13:53-58 NKJV</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Shortly after ministering, over-familiar family friends frivolously started to question Jesus authenticity. Jesus’ life evidently challenged the core of those who attempted to apply scrutiny, which only highlighted their insecurities and threatened their own small existence and validity. They were initially very complimentary, maybe even affectionately surprised by Jesus’ wisdom and demonstration of the miraculous. It seems however that they couldn’t reconcile the natural with the spiritual. Who they knew in the flesh got in the way of the gift and call of God on Jesus’ life. This </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hostile indifference</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, as The Message puts it, curiously and tragically undermined the miraculous! Consider for a moment those living in the town desperate for Jesus’ ministry who missed out, let alone the difference that Jesus also could have made in the lives of those who lacked faith, humility, and the character to honour. Often it‘s those closest to us, who know us the most who have trouble honouring the gift and call of God on our life. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s been said, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the key to wisdom is knowing all the right questions to ask.</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> The first question - </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? -</span></i><span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> could have led to a life-changing God encounter, instead it led to further rhetorical questions that only opened the door to offence. Instead a right question asked with a small and suspicious spirit, and an impoverished soul is sure to lead to a wrong outcome. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jesus felt no compulsion to prove those closest to him wrong by turning up the number of miracles. Instead He just moved on to where He was received with honour and humility. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don’t allow people to hold you back, and don’t allow yourself to be in the position to limit what God wants to do through those closest to you. Everybody benefits when we honour the gift and the call of God on people’s lives.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-13788431623766975902011-06-14T05:39:00.000-07:002011-09-07T01:05:08.941-07:00The Goal is Longevity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0jVFLma9wFzNTNCgqI4wNgYyFwtEPiz7B3VbjGxeGzXdvWZZYBMV4Iu7ZD1dvkPbZZbv2oSRIemSBeH9WJkFQkamNooFVhf4d7aPo6GkWLHEUnnyxWMtx-BydvAYHdieDlCMjOdqdxM/s1600/Longevity_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffbzNCFUnIbX7ITfspJPbiBgxxwoDybSdKWq9EC5GqwCWVHUDcpZEyUGWemnu5tH9V4lw17KG0mZfBVJHSooTCaqcHvPGFEmTW1dwo7H4YpXf-wPRm3M2a94ikIgQ46Q7PvBwFTivH8g/s1600/Longevity_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffbzNCFUnIbX7ITfspJPbiBgxxwoDybSdKWq9EC5GqwCWVHUDcpZEyUGWemnu5tH9V4lw17KG0mZfBVJHSooTCaqcHvPGFEmTW1dwo7H4YpXf-wPRm3M2a94ikIgQ46Q7PvBwFTivH8g/s400/Longevity_Art.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I recently enjoyed a relaxing and rare weekend away with my family. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Over the weekend I found myself meditating on longevity and how, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">when longevity is your goal your priority is the health of your soul!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">– Here are some of my thoughts about longevity…</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">lon·gev·i·ty </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">noun</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. a long duration of individual life</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. long continuance: permanence, durability</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Longevity is afforded to those resilient in spirit, and reliant on God. Moses, at the age of 120 gave a series of departing messages as Israel's leader addressed to those who had survived the forty-year wilderness experience - the new generation destined to possess the Promised Land. In his stately instructions, he included this about God; </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He is your life and the length of your days.</span></b></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> To understand this about life - is to understand a major key to longevity.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love hearing about married couples celebrating 50-year wedding anniversaries, or churches marking two decades of reaching their community, along with a number of those church members who can remember the first service all those years ago. Experiencing longevity is an admirable quality, an inspiring life achievement, as well as a noble vision for life. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was said of Abraham that after living to 175 years that he died </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in a good old age, an old man and full of years </span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Genesis 25:7-8)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. The same was said of his son Isaac </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Genesis 35:28-29)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> who surpassed his father’s age, demonstrating that longevity, not only in terms of age but in all aspects of life can be a legacy for future generations to reach for and aspire to.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jesus’ brother James comments that life is </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(James 4:13-16)</span></span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, and Moses prayed, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Teach us Lord to realise the brevity of life, so we may grow in wisdom </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(Psalm 90:12)</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> A man 90 years old was asked what he attributed his longevity. I reckon he said, with a twinkle in his eye, it’s because most nights I went to bed and slept when I should have sat up and worried. Jesus says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Don’t worry about your life…can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"</span></i></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> A major factor determining longevity in life however – whether in marriage, ministry or business etc - is wisdom. Godly wisdom under girds longevity, where worldly ‘wisdom’ tragically undermines it. Jesus illustrates this point in the parable about the wise and foolish builders and their respective foundations for life. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards." - </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Matthew 7:24-27</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></b></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(MSG)</span></span></span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Clearly Jesus is speaking about two Christians – as I don’t know many non-Christian people doing bible studies! He is contrasting a Christian who works His words into their life and the Christian who does not. Notice that neither was spared from the assault of the storm but the one who built his life on the foundational words of Jesus was spared its devastating affects. Longevity develops character and builds credibility, and gives insight not only into what you stand for in life but what you stand on. Longevity is in the eye of the wise builder –whose long-term thinking determined the quality of the foundation he sought to build his life on. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Good friend, don't forget all that I taught you; take to heart my commands. They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.</span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> - Proverbs 3:1-2</span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-70247532178894112972011-05-31T06:07:00.000-07:002011-09-07T01:03:34.745-07:00Not Unusual - but Un-Usual!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;"><div class="s" style="max-width: 42em;">
<div>
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuwlmWILZdCY0WPoZE4UeUgdCw2BF5fJyVR5OIM_RwY4o-03IVb12bDIHFrcyFZ9VEks1LNhspju3LzBEGF4IKsFsr5hw1ih1YG-IjRYONbAK6YTlUFizAXiuqoA_4Y2IHpSmEpfc2OU/s1600/UNusual_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuwlmWILZdCY0WPoZE4UeUgdCw2BF5fJyVR5OIM_RwY4o-03IVb12bDIHFrcyFZ9VEks1LNhspju3LzBEGF4IKsFsr5hw1ih1YG-IjRYONbAK6YTlUFizAXiuqoA_4Y2IHpSmEpfc2OU/s400/UNusual_Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">un·u·su·al</span></span></span></i></span><span style="font: normal normal normal smaller/normal 'Doulos SIL', Gentum, 'TITUS Cyberbit Basic', Junicode, 'Aborigonal Serif', 'Arial Unicode MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Chrysanthi Unicode'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">/</span></span></i></span></span><span class="f" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.7em; margin-right: 0.7em; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Adj</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;"><div class="s" style="max-width: 42em;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.</span></span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Remarkable or interesting because different from or better than others: "a man of </span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">unusual</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">talent".</span></span></i></span></div>
</div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christianity can be considered </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">un</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">-usual. (I'm sure we’ve all met some ‘unusual’ Christians in our time but this is not what I’m advocating!) The wisdom of God, or the ways of God can seem un-usual against the backdrop of the world’s deeds and creeds. In the economy of God, things seem back to front or upside down - get is give; up is down; high is low; great is serve; revenge is forgive; wide is narrow and find is lose. The Bible makes a clear distinction between worldly wisdom and the wisdom of God. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Don't fool yourself. Don't think that you can be wise merely by being up-to-date with the times. Be God's fool—that's the path to true wisdom. </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What the world calls smart, God calls stupid.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">” It's written in Scripture, He exposes the chicanery of the chic. The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 Corinthians 3:18-19, The Message</span></span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Unconvinced Christians are likely to be uncomfortable with being un-usual and living un-usually. Often intimidated or tempted by what’s usual, they sadly compromise, becoming compliant, conforming to the deeds and creeds of the world. The blessed man in Psalm 1, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">walked not in the counsel of the ungodly and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">prospered in whatever he did</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Christians who courageously live by Godly convictions and according to Godly counsel, boldly establish lives that challenge and confound the brand of usual - building un-usual marriages, un-usual families, un-usual businesses and careers and so on and so forth.</span></span></i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Romans 12:2 [MSG]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jesus unashamedly challenged the cultural conventions and religious orthodoxy of the day. Proposing that we turn the other cheek instead of retaliating, exceed requirement and move beyond obligation by going the second mile and love our enemies and pray for those who go out of their way to hurt us! This is a remarkably generous and gracious way to live out your life! Take courage and differentiate yourself from the world by making a choice to be un-usual - </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not unusual</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> but un-usual! </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Other scripture references: Isaiah 55:8-9, Matthew 5:38-48, 7:24-27, [MSG]</span></i></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div>
</span></b></div>
</div>
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-54494849095818263952011-05-24T20:55:00.000-07:002011-06-15T21:42:14.891-07:00Strategically Gifted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHDca3emUozLQakbd6ZcQQ1dtJJXBQJ0mUrGn5OutiLDklb2ocinlHkkboge14uptE_Tu2nuigXdj9Pe-JM_MgdE2s746b3OhewB8wvThwm1zy4OermhwUA-C5VN0JAq1DOa50smOKxA/s1600/SG_Graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHDca3emUozLQakbd6ZcQQ1dtJJXBQJ0mUrGn5OutiLDklb2ocinlHkkboge14uptE_Tu2nuigXdj9Pe-JM_MgdE2s746b3OhewB8wvThwm1zy4OermhwUA-C5VN0JAq1DOa50smOKxA/s400/SG_Graphic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You have been uniquely constructed and Strategically Gifted by God</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. He gives gifts, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">special God-empowered abilities for serving Him</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> that are given to believers. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You’re not born with them and you can’t earn them - they’re a gift. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The world, (and some believers even) question if God really exists, why does He allow poverty, injustice and suffering in the world. He could ask us the same question! The truth is that God’s heart is to speak and act, and He has empowered the Church to do so. What is the Church? The Church is described as the 'Body of Christ'. The human body is used as an illustration to explain the workings of the Church, with Christ as the head, the Church His body and believers making up the members. The ‘head’ describes a position of authority, and Christ seeks to direct His body to do His will. By doing this, we become the active expression, and presence of Christ in our world. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </i></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"</span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence."</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Ephesians 1:23</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There’s a human body fact that says, it takes 72 different muscles to produce human speech. Likewise, God desires to use you and I, different people who have been strategically gifted to work together to make a difference in our world. The mobilised Church, and an activated believer points to the existence of God! </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </i></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Matthew 5:16 </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There’s no greater use of your God-given gifts than to use them for the purpose, and in the service of the one who gifted them.</span></span></div></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-59202810191467770262011-05-01T16:32:00.000-07:002011-09-07T00:59:25.086-07:00Unlikely People Achieve the Unexpected<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xCDj1Yua6zV4DERhufV2qfJzMLmAOq7sC_jmA6a-aR3COR-jUKBAEjvgbmjLX8kMAEDG6oGJ4IMUJJOimSnrAVO41u0jzH1yPNJ-G874nUWbCzQahOKYM8WndQ0xuQRzjus7r1_bHso/s1600/Unlikely_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xCDj1Yua6zV4DERhufV2qfJzMLmAOq7sC_jmA6a-aR3COR-jUKBAEjvgbmjLX8kMAEDG6oGJ4IMUJJOimSnrAVO41u0jzH1yPNJ-G874nUWbCzQahOKYM8WndQ0xuQRzjus7r1_bHso/s320/Unlikely_Art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">History is full of unlikely stories - the bible itself is filled from cover to cover with unlikely stories of men and women who achieved the unexpected! </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Moses an unlikely orator and deliverer; Sarah & Abraham unlikely parents; David an unlikely King; Esther an unlikely Queen; Gideon an unlikely warrior; Peter an unlikely disciple; Jesus an unlikely Messiah and Saul a very unlikely church builder! </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our natural tendency is to head-hunt those with impressive resumes, be-friend the popular and associate with the successful. However, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“God does not see as man sees.”</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Feeling unqualified; incapable; inexperienced; insecure; inadequate; unworthy or fearful seemed to be the odd pre-requisites to be used mightily by God. These attributes don’t disqualify you from His service, but it could be said that it makes you a strong candidate for His power & purpose. When the unlikely happens or when the unlikely achieves the unexpected God’s fingerprints are all over it - and that’s exactly His intention! </span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">God works in unlikely ways, with unlikely people and through unlikely circumstances.</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> It should be a source of great encouragement to us all that with God, the unlikely achieve the unexpected.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-82978461800248363982011-02-08T17:30:00.000-08:002011-06-15T21:43:52.696-07:00God Ordained Authority<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_ms2uwKK548jDfG8lgRUFJrcnQrBXWNPq6o4_pIkuWQB2_rqHnLL7zQpyAb0wAfkHUcDtzFhvWEK75C1T7MjThm93jl9_-OeCzgJqjhwOWdXIHoPPSZoamVbA-fXvC818GBmF5O_M04/s1600/GOA_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_ms2uwKK548jDfG8lgRUFJrcnQrBXWNPq6o4_pIkuWQB2_rqHnLL7zQpyAb0wAfkHUcDtzFhvWEK75C1T7MjThm93jl9_-OeCzgJqjhwOWdXIHoPPSZoamVbA-fXvC818GBmF5O_M04/s400/GOA_Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Bible has a lot of personally beneficial and insightful things to say about God Ordained Authority, and we learn that God’s richest blessing follows when our life is shaped and structured by these empowering truths. God has placed people in our life for our own benefit and blessing. Sure, authority has the potential to be abused and misused, and the power and influence derived from authority can corrupt. However it’s important not to formulate a mindset based on fear or cynicism, around a negative experience or upon a stylish disregard for authority. Instead, we should with all humility approach God Ordained Authority with God’s will and intention at heart. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The key to walking in power and authority is by making a choice to live under God Ordained Authority.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> This is powerfully demonstrated by the life of Jesus. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">(John 8:28-29, John 14:10-11, John 7:28-29)</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> The evident power to Jesus’ life was His choice to live under His Father‘s authority, and in doing so walked in authority Himself. The crowd recognised it when they heard Him teach, the disciples were surprised by it when He commanded the wind and the waves to be still and the demon possessed man experienced it when even the demons obeyed Him. Jesus lived a commanding life, and the key to living such a powerful life is by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">walking in and under God ordained authority. </span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“God raised Him from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe, everything from galaxies to governments, no name and no power exempt from His rule. And not just for the time being, but forever. He is in charge of it all, has the final word on everything. ” </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ephesians 1:20 (The Message)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5801696245707779632.post-47191286807362394942010-12-03T10:25:00.000-08:002011-09-07T01:00:25.758-07:00The Power of a Step<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4jwLx7g1ew_J6Ws1wi35ckUl-B0-ikjxuBc5IgOwn9k-mzsyEpn07K-_Jk07Sqq1FIOCbARhgbh0-6_Hwal__NLb1PyupFi1OKo1zxa7ohrpG86HSEOGNqKrWt-6v5YZ1RM8LyPde5A/s1600/Steps_Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4jwLx7g1ew_J6Ws1wi35ckUl-B0-ikjxuBc5IgOwn9k-mzsyEpn07K-_Jk07Sqq1FIOCbARhgbh0-6_Hwal__NLb1PyupFi1OKo1zxa7ohrpG86HSEOGNqKrWt-6v5YZ1RM8LyPde5A/s400/Steps_Art.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Are your steps taking you in the right direction?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Proverbs 16:7, says </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“the road of right living bypasses evil, watch your step. Save your life.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Wisdom encourages us to give due consideration to every step. Proverbs 14:12 says that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“the prudent considers well his steps”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and Proverbs 14:16 says, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">“the wise watch their steps.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Each Proverb challenges us not to underestimate the importance of each and every step.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our steps both figuratively and literally have the potential to bring about such blessing and breakthroughs but can also result in much pain and heartache. King David is a great example of this. His steps as a young man directed him to courageously defeat Goliath, but a little later in life his steps resulted in an adulterous affair with Bathsheba. If he had wisely considered his steps that day, he may not have gone to ‘visit’ her, and prevented the series of tragedies that followed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Psalm 25:15</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's highly beneficial to our future to understand the significance of each and every step, because life consequently and simply is the result of a series of steps. Steps in the right direction lead to fulfilling the perfect will of God for your life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">"Christ, leaving us an example that you should follow in His footsteps"</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> 1 Peter 2:21</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 30px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">[Download this podcast episode on STEPS. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/ygh8uoc">http://tinyurl.com/ygh8uoc</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">]</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0