What Can I Do? - A New Year's Resolution

I usually stay away from making new year's resolutions, primarily because like a great many of us, myself included, within the first few months of the new year, those resolutions go out the window! If the Lord allows the world to stand and my life to continue, I am making a resolution; my resolution is based on the question: What can I do? This year I am going to endeavor to make and keep my resolution; because you see, it is not about me but about doing the will of my Father. Notice I said Father, not father.

As I was reading an article in The Gospel Minutes (http://www.gospelminutes.org/) entitled "What Can I Do?" I realized with great sadness that I am not doing all that I can for the Lord. For one, I don't invite people to the Lord's service. Sure, I don't have many friends where I live, but I know enough people until I should be able to invite someone to service. That would include my family members as well. Take an example from the Bible where Andrew invited his brother Simon to meet Jesus; and looked what happened, they became close friends: Jesus and Simon (commonly known as Peter) John 1:40-42  I (we) can't save the world and shouldn't try, however, I (we) can start with one person!

I also don't pray enough, and I should-we should! We need to pray for ourselves and others. Prayer keeps us alert, prayer heals us, prayer takes the focus off us. Prayer is our intimate, ultimate, conversation with God. Colossians 4:2-4 Our prayers should be continuous, there should be no part of our world that we don't invite God in through prayer.

I need to love more and that love has to be unconditional. I have to love those that don't love me. I have to constantly show love and get over myself! And I need to learn not to complain about anything or anyone. Everything I do has to be done with a love that does not look for anything in return. After all, Jesus loved us unconditionally; so much so until he gave his life for us without a second thought, and we absolutely were/are not worth it! 1 Peter 4:7-9; 1 John 4:9-11

I also realize the gifts that God has given to me. I am good with planning and orchestrating events for the ladies at my congregation. I am also a good cook. I don't "need" to use these gifts, I "have" to use them! God gave them to me, and I need to be willing to use them to spread the Gospel to the best of my ability. If I can bring my Christian sisters together for fellowship by spearheading a program; if I can show non-members what a glorious thing it is to be part of the Body of Christ; if I can bring women together to showcase their individual talents, then that is what I should do! 1 Peter 4:10-11; Ephesians 4:15-16

So exactly what is my new year's resolution? To do all I can to promote the Gospel of Christ, and I resolve to do this by

• Creating a personal atmosphere that will so engage me with others that they will be receptive to my initiations to hear the Word;
• Pray more for myself and especially others without selfishness or hypocrisy;
• To love more and unconditionally; and,
• To use the gifts God has given me to bless others through support, creativity, leadership and always being ready to do service for the Lord, regardless of what it is.

 Can I challenge you to do the same? Remember it is not, never has been and never will be about you. Don't wait until January 1st - start today!

Why God Gave Us Friends

God knew that everyone needs companionship and cheer,

He knew that people need someone whose thoughts are always near.
He knew they would need someone kind, to lend a helping hand;
someone to gladly take the time to care and understand.
God knew that we all need someone to share each happy day,
to be a source of courage when trouble comes our way.
Someone to be true to us, whether near or far apart,
someone whose love we'll always hold and treasure in our hearts;
that is why God gave us friends!

Symptoms of Inner Peace

A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than on fears based on past experiences.
An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.
A loss of interest in judging other people.
A loss of interest in judging self.
A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.
A loss of interest in conflict.
A loss of ability to worry (this is a serious symptom).

Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.
Contented feelings of connectedness with others and nature.
Frequent attacks of smiling.
An increasing tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.
An increased susceptibility to the love extended by others as well as the uncontrollable urge to extend it.

Lessons on Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most gorgeous thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when its winter, you will miss the promise of spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come sometime or later.

What You Will Be

As I gazed up at the mountains, I was awed by their majesty.
I bowed my head and asked myself, "why should He care for me? I am not great like the mountains that tower so high above. What is there about me that God can find to love?"

"Father, I am not strong like the wind that makes your tall trees sway; I cannot sing sweetly like your birds. Will you love me anyway? But most of all, I am simply me, and often have cause to fear. In spite of my weaknesses, do you promise to be near?"

With eyes closed tight against my tears, I wished He could hear me pray. Then I felt His Spirit tell me, "Child, look up, I have something to say. You are simply you, the spirit that I love, a part of my great plan. I put you here to learn of this life and to return to me again."

"You are more beautiful to me than the loveliest mountain I made, and your strength exceeds that of that of the wind's, so not be afraid. I love you not for what you are, but for what I know you will be. I am always beside you, watching you grow, you are very special to me."

A smile touched my lips - I knew it to be true. My Father has always been there; giving me comfort and blessings and love and my own special talents to share. So I do my best to make Him proud. I am not afraid, for you see, He loves me not for what I am, but for what He knows I will be.

God is Always Near

 One thing that can always cheer me, when I'm feeling sad and low

when I am tired of daily trials that I must undergo
when those who should seem closest, seem like people I don't know
one thing can always cheer me, I know God is near me.

One thing can always cheer me when I do not understand
how pain and sadness in our live can get so out of hand
when the best of human efforts doesn't meet the days demands
one thing can always cheer me, I know that God is always near me.

One thing can always cheer me more than anything I've known
and show me I will never have to struggle on my own
for no matter what might happen I will never be alone
the thing that will always cheer me is just knowing God is near me.

Our lives are in God's loving hands in everything we do
He is with us constantly, He always sees us through
and if our faith is strong enough we'll never walk alone
for with His great and perfect love, He takes care of His own!

The Awakening

Please read to the end!

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!
Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change...or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you...and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of what you are...and that's okay. They are entitled to their own views and opinions. And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself...and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself...and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging others and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties...and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained in your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe you parents, family and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with...and in the process you learn to go with your own instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for you next fix. You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing. You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn to that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you lean about love.

How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them to be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes. And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK...and that it is your right to want things and ask for things you want...and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands. You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less.

And you learn that your body really is a temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise. You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear and uncertainty so you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels the soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen. Most importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that its okay to ask for help.

You learn the only thing you must fear is the robber baron of all: FEAR itself! You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometime bad things happen to good people. On these occasions, you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers. Life is just happening. And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you. You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls. You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself, by yourself and you make yourself a promise never to betray yourself and never ever settle for less than your heart's desire. And you hang a wind chime outside your window so that you can listen to the wind.

And you make a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

Spiritual Bargain Hunting

We all like a good bargain when we can get one, and some of us will shop until we drop to find the best deal. Then there are some who don't know what a real bargain is. They'll buy a dozen of the organic eggs they prefer at their usual grocery store on sale for $3.49, when the regular price for the same eggs are $2.99 at the competitor's store.

It is a well known fact that some stores raise prices before putting the same items on sale for the regular price! Then there are those cheap 'same-like' products that turn out to not be a bargain because they are just not the real thing. Cheap substitutes are not bargains! Unfortunately, people looking for a church home let their desire for a discount drive their search.  Therefore, in that desperate search we allow ourselves to be exploited, made merchandise of.(2 Peter 2:1-3)

The quest for "a" church, instead of "the" church leads us to buy into a religion that accepts anyone because it is cheap; it's a bargain. Here is what the bargain offers: no challenges-you're always right no matter what you do; salvation is offered to everyone whether or not they obey the Scriptures; and.....you don't have to reform your life (according to the Scriptures), you can be saved just the way you are! Wow...that is a bargain! An awfully "scary" one!

You can join the church of your choice; one church is as good as another. You don't have to really attend services, not really....just send in your contribution. You don't even have to go to church at all! Actually, if you don't like organized religion, you don't have to be a part of anything - live a morally good life, treat people right, give, and you'll sail on up there to be with God and His Heavenly Host! Really? Keep it convenient for yourself. What a deal! You don't need to bother searching for the truth to see if "your church" is the true church that Jesus instituted. You just go ahead and opt for the one your family has been attending forever, or the one closes to home. Don't bother to examine it. Don't bother to ask questions. Don't bother to study it....Hmmm, don't believe your soul is in danger....Really? How sad!

There are thousands of denominations, all competing for membership. -For one thing-where is the scripture for denominations in the Bible?- Just choose the church of your choice. But, who are you? The truth of the matter is, when we are given more one than one choice, we will more than likely make the wrong choice. Anyway, where in the Scriptures where you given a choice? So instead of choosing the church of your choice, why not simply choose the church of God's choice:
          Jesus said He would build His church (singular, as in one) Matthew 16:18
          Saved people are "added" to His church - the Lord's church Acts:247
          He (Jesus) is the head of 'the' (one) church Colossians 1:18
          One one church was purchased with His blood (when He-Jesus died on the cross) Acts 20:18
          He saves one church Ephesians 5:23
          There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, 
          one faith, one baptism,One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
          you all.Ephesians 4:4-6 - How much clearer can it be?

James 4:12-17 *People are shopping around for a church home, but the reality of it is God has already provided a church family for us, you don't need to shop because there is absolutely no bargain hunting with the Lord. His terms are the only one; God does not offer bargains for salvation. He didn't offer Naaman a bargain. 2 Kings 5:8-14 and he is not going to give us one 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

Religion is not a place to go looking for bargains. Our eternal salvation depends on what we choose. How unfortunate for us when we reject our Lord and Savior because we thought we could cut corners!

The Man and The Snake

A long time ago, a Man was walking along the road. As he walked, he saw a Snake that was caught beneath a large rock that had fallen on him. "Pleassssse help me," said the Snake."This rock has fallen on me. I cannot move. The heat of the sun is killing me. If you don't help me, I will die."

The Man looked at the Snake and said, "If I remove the rock, you will bite me. Then, I will die instead of you." "Why would I harm the Man who has saved me?" asked the Snake. "Besides, I am so weak, I only have enough energy to crawl back to my home to recover from this terrible event."

The Man was a kind Man and did not like to see anyone suffer, even a Snake. So, he lifted the stone off the Snake. As soon as the stone was removed from his back, the Snake raised his head high in the air, and he bared his long fangs. "Prepare to be bitten," said the Snake.

"This is not right," said the Man, "you promised not to bite me if I helped you." "You knew I was a Snake when you saw me. You knew that Snakes bite. You even said I would bite you when I was freed. You are right. Prepare to be bitten."

"Wait," said the Man. "This is not fair."

"Who is to say what is fair," said the Snake.

"Please," said the Man. "At least let me ask another creature to see if it is fair for you to bite me."

"Very well," said the Snake, "because, I know other creatures will agree with me!"

First they went to the Hyena. The Man asked the Hyena. "Is it fair for the Snake to bite me after I saved his life by lifting a stone off his back?"

The Hyena said, "Man has never been fair to me! So why should the Snake be fair to you?" Besides the Hyena thought he would be able to feed off the Man's body after the Snake bit and killed him.

The Snake raised his head to strike, but the Man said, "Wait! Let's ask yet another creature."

They went and met Rabbit. The Snake stared at Rabbit and said, "Is it fair for me to bite the Man after he lifted a rock off my back?" The Snake looked deep into the Rabbit's eyes.

The Rabbit knew the Snake would eat him if he favored the Man over the Snake. So he said, "Man has never helped me before, so why should I help him? It is fair for you to bite the Man."

The Snake again raised his head and prepared to bite the Man.

"Wait," said the Man. "Please let us talk to one more animal before you bite me." Just then, the Jackal walked by. The Man said to the Jackal, "Is it right for Snake to want to bite me, after I saved his life by lifting a stone off his back?"

The Jackal replied, "I do not believe that Snake could be caught under a stone so that he couldn't get away. Unless I saw it with my two eyes, I would not believe it. Show me the place where you say it happened so I can see it."

When they arrived at the place where the Snake had been under the rock, Jackal said, "Snake like down, and let me see how the rock sat on you." The Snake laid down and the Man covered him with the stone.

The Jackal said, "Is this how you were when the Man found you?"

"Yes," said the Man and the Snake at the same time. Then the Man started to take the rock off the Snake once again. The Jackal stopped him. "Do not lift the stone off the Snake. He wanted to bite you before. If you lift the rock, he will do it again."

Then they both went away and left Snake under the stone.

You know what a snake does? It bites! It is mean and hateful and sneaky and demonic...Proverbs 23:32; Ecclesiastes 10:11; 1 Peter 5:8. Don't remove the stone from it's back, but more important, don't take on its characteristics. How do you treat people? Are you guilty of being a snake?! Think about it.......

UPLIFTING THINGS TO DO TODAY!

 

 Smile at a stranger
          Drop a coin where a child can find it
Learn something new and teach it to someone
         Tell someone you love them
Hug someone
        Forgive someone who has wronged you
Try saying "I'm sorry" when you ought to
       Tell a child how great they are
Sing a song about Jesus to yourself
       Keep a promise
Call someone just to say hello
      Try listening more than talking
Stand up for what you believe in
     Thank God for His beautiful creation
Encourage someone is is feeling down
     Cherish today as if it were your last one
Tell someone about Jesus!

The Boxes

I have in my hand two boxes, which God gave me to hold.
He said, "put all your sorrows in the black, and all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes, both my joys and sorrows I store.
But though the gold became heavier each day, the black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black; I wanted to find out why.
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud, "I wonder where my sorrows could be?"
He smiled a gentle smile at me; "My child, they're all here with me."
I asked, "God, why give me the boxes?"
"Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings; the black is for you to let go!"

THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT!

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hours before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got him the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentlemen told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back the tears as he left. I had goosebumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along the way!

A STORY TO MAKE US THINK

This really is a story to make us think about how we treat others...

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hour on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside his window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn't seem fair.

At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment an soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - that thought, and only that thought, now controlled his life.

Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing. Now there was only silence-deathly silence.

The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body on the man by the window, she saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled hid deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside the window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue.........

You can interpret the story in any way you like. But one moral stands out: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.