The title of the one and only hit from an obscure pop band called the New Radicals is very true. Generally people expect blessings without putting in the effort but what they end up with is usually what they deserve. This of course is not always the case and at times people get undeserved windfalls or hardships but 99% of the time where you end up is exactly where you were aimed.
In recent times I have been working very diligently on my character defects. Every time I find an issue and start working to resolve it another issue starts becoming more obvious to me. I've been working on accepting authority and being as compliant as possible to those placed above me. It is working and I can see progress in that area. However, I like to think of myself as a thoughtful person but at times I can show a total lack of discretion with my tongue. I offer up my personal opinion on people and situations I have no right to be speaking on. Even after recognizing this earlier this week and realizing my need to change it I found myself doing this over and over again. I don't mean breaking a confidence. When people tell me things, deep personal things, I am very good at keeping that to myself. What I'm talking about is my judging of people I barely know. Using my God given talent of perceiving and wasting it. Tearing others down instead of building them up.
Now I speak positively about others for the most part but not always. So if I only get what I give then I can expect others to be judging me. Seeing a small portion of my personality and mocking it instead of holding back their personal take until they have more fact to base it on. I certainly don't like that prospect so I have to commit to deepening my commitment to hold my tongue. The book of James has many great teachings and in one of them he talks about the tongue....
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12
As you see, this is not a new issue for people. Apparently 2000 years ago people were battling this problem.
I resolve to be a spring of encouragement. Anyone I've ever met has had at least one good quality if I have got to know them good enough. I'm pretty good at getting along with people and finding the positives in people. I just want to focus my energies on those positives and concentrate on those. If someone asks me about somebody else I should only share what is uplifting about that person if I share anything at all. Perception becomes reality so putting positive vibes out their can reap a harvest of positive results.
So that is my task because you really do "get what you give" in life.
So I humbly suggest to you to be quick to listen but slow to speak(James 1:19). Measure your words carefully and thoughtfully. This I am continuing to learn and integrate into my life and I hope it is an encouragement to you also.
Blessings!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Thanksgiving can more than just a day off.
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Thanksgiving can more than just a day off.: In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving day in early October and in the US it is celebrated at the end of November. A lot of people consider it ...
Thanksgiving can be more than just a day off.
In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving day in early October and in the US it is celebrated at the end of November. A lot of people consider it a time to eat and drink and be merry with family and friends. Which it is for a great many of us but it is a lot more than just that for me. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving I do a little reviewing of the previous year and look at where I am now versus a year ago. I set goals, mostly about character improvements but also social and financial goals too. Last year God placed it on my heart to be more content in my circumstances like what Paul talks about in Philippians 4:10-11...
...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I used these verses as a model for me to meditate on and I did for quite some time over the last year. It is easy to grumble when you see others that you deem less deserving with more than you. It is easy to ponder why things are so unfair. It is oh so easy to feel sorry for yourself. It is harder to put that out of your head but with man what seems impossible God makes possible. To judge other people is wrong and I know that. It is good and proper to measure progress by looking into your own life. Where was I, where am I now and where am I trying to get to?
Well, looking back, my life is so much better now than it was. Better than a year ago, much better than 5 years ago, much much better than 10 years ago. I am not in need and not dwelling on what I don't have. I'm building relationships, working hard and saving for the future. I'm content and comfortable with who I am. I make mistakes and don't always do the right thing but I continue to learn and strive for better. The truth is there are no failures but only opportunities for growth.
Now saying I have achieved the goal of contentment would be rather naive but I have attained a level that previously seemed unlikely at best. I will continue to strive for a deeper level but, moving forward, I am turning my major focus on a new goal that God has impressed upon me. Accepting the decisions of authority. It is easy to accept directives when you are in total agreement with them. The fair and just decisions(in my opinion) made by those above me are easy to follow. When decisions are made that I don't agree with is where I find difficulty. It is okay to discuss alternatives with the decision maker but at the end of the day I must accept their decision. Not just accept it but take it without any blustering of childishness. Sometimes people make decisions without much thought of the big picture but it is not my cross to bear. Frankly it is not worth me getting upset over. Other than anything that is immoral or illegal my goal is to be the best servant I can be. I'm not just talking about vocationally but also socially, in my Church, in my Family and in any of my daily affairs. This is what Paul was talking about in many of the letters to the 7 Churches including this from Ephesians 6:5-7 ...
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
So Thanksgiving has come and gone for another year. For me everyday is Thanksgiving, a blessing and an opportunity. In fact Thanksgiving is much more than a day but a way of life. May it be for you also!
God bless you, James
...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I used these verses as a model for me to meditate on and I did for quite some time over the last year. It is easy to grumble when you see others that you deem less deserving with more than you. It is easy to ponder why things are so unfair. It is oh so easy to feel sorry for yourself. It is harder to put that out of your head but with man what seems impossible God makes possible. To judge other people is wrong and I know that. It is good and proper to measure progress by looking into your own life. Where was I, where am I now and where am I trying to get to?
Well, looking back, my life is so much better now than it was. Better than a year ago, much better than 5 years ago, much much better than 10 years ago. I am not in need and not dwelling on what I don't have. I'm building relationships, working hard and saving for the future. I'm content and comfortable with who I am. I make mistakes and don't always do the right thing but I continue to learn and strive for better. The truth is there are no failures but only opportunities for growth.
Now saying I have achieved the goal of contentment would be rather naive but I have attained a level that previously seemed unlikely at best. I will continue to strive for a deeper level but, moving forward, I am turning my major focus on a new goal that God has impressed upon me. Accepting the decisions of authority. It is easy to accept directives when you are in total agreement with them. The fair and just decisions(in my opinion) made by those above me are easy to follow. When decisions are made that I don't agree with is where I find difficulty. It is okay to discuss alternatives with the decision maker but at the end of the day I must accept their decision. Not just accept it but take it without any blustering of childishness. Sometimes people make decisions without much thought of the big picture but it is not my cross to bear. Frankly it is not worth me getting upset over. Other than anything that is immoral or illegal my goal is to be the best servant I can be. I'm not just talking about vocationally but also socially, in my Church, in my Family and in any of my daily affairs. This is what Paul was talking about in many of the letters to the 7 Churches including this from Ephesians 6:5-7 ...
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,
So Thanksgiving has come and gone for another year. For me everyday is Thanksgiving, a blessing and an opportunity. In fact Thanksgiving is much more than a day but a way of life. May it be for you also!
God bless you, James
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Creation vs. evolution
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Creation vs. evolution: As a one time evolutionist (even though I was totally uneducated in my stance) and now being a creationist I have some perspective when it c...
Creation vs. evolution
As a one time evolutionist (even though I was totally uneducated in my stance) and now being a creationist I have some perspective when it comes to this issue.
Darwin in the 1850s took a 5 year voyage on the HMS Beagle. Darwin was a naturalist and geologist. Most of his book "The Origin of Species" his since been disproved. The only thing that remains true is his natural selection thesis. Of course anyone who watches a nature show on the Serengheti would be able to see that. The weak get killed off and the stronger tend to thrive. There is nothing too complicated about that.
This whole notion that we are derived from lesser species is ridiculous. It leads to people acting like animals and thinking that it is okay. We have a conscience and we have the ability to discern right from wrong. We don't always do what is right but at the same time we are conscious of our decisions. A Monkey doesn't lose sleep over the Banana it stole from its fellow Monkey. We may even rationalize our indiscretions and try to legitimize them but again that is something that a lesser creature would not ponder. As much as people can act like animals we are far more than an ape could ever be.
The mysteries of the beginning are still a puzzle that science has pondered and theorized. The big bang theory is just that. A theory totally not proved. So we don't know where it all started. We don't know where it is going. We don't know how it will end.
I could go on and on about it but I tend to end these blogs without a great deal of pomp and circumstance. Since I cannot explain the nature of the universe and science has been of little help to shed any significant light on the subject the conclusion I have come to is that there is a God. He has placed in us a soul which gives us awareness of the world and universe around us. He has given us profound mysteries that we are not able to solve.
Creationist are often portrayed on TV nowadays as idiots. The secular media tends to mock the notion of God speaking the universe into existence but I really don't care. There is an increasing amount of evidence that creation did in fact happen. Scientist have uncovered much evidence that points to a creator down to the single cell level but this has been suppressed by the main stream scientific community. There is a growing number of creation scientists uncovering the real truth of the beginnings.
Often Christians are said to be narrow minded. That's fine by me. If you've discovered the truth you don't need to stray off the road to find what you are looking for. Jesus referred to himself as the narrow gate. Wide is the gate to destruction so I choose the narrow gate.
God bless you in your pursuit of the truth.
Darwin in the 1850s took a 5 year voyage on the HMS Beagle. Darwin was a naturalist and geologist. Most of his book "The Origin of Species" his since been disproved. The only thing that remains true is his natural selection thesis. Of course anyone who watches a nature show on the Serengheti would be able to see that. The weak get killed off and the stronger tend to thrive. There is nothing too complicated about that.
This whole notion that we are derived from lesser species is ridiculous. It leads to people acting like animals and thinking that it is okay. We have a conscience and we have the ability to discern right from wrong. We don't always do what is right but at the same time we are conscious of our decisions. A Monkey doesn't lose sleep over the Banana it stole from its fellow Monkey. We may even rationalize our indiscretions and try to legitimize them but again that is something that a lesser creature would not ponder. As much as people can act like animals we are far more than an ape could ever be.
The mysteries of the beginning are still a puzzle that science has pondered and theorized. The big bang theory is just that. A theory totally not proved. So we don't know where it all started. We don't know where it is going. We don't know how it will end.
I could go on and on about it but I tend to end these blogs without a great deal of pomp and circumstance. Since I cannot explain the nature of the universe and science has been of little help to shed any significant light on the subject the conclusion I have come to is that there is a God. He has placed in us a soul which gives us awareness of the world and universe around us. He has given us profound mysteries that we are not able to solve.
Creationist are often portrayed on TV nowadays as idiots. The secular media tends to mock the notion of God speaking the universe into existence but I really don't care. There is an increasing amount of evidence that creation did in fact happen. Scientist have uncovered much evidence that points to a creator down to the single cell level but this has been suppressed by the main stream scientific community. There is a growing number of creation scientists uncovering the real truth of the beginnings.
Often Christians are said to be narrow minded. That's fine by me. If you've discovered the truth you don't need to stray off the road to find what you are looking for. Jesus referred to himself as the narrow gate. Wide is the gate to destruction so I choose the narrow gate.
God bless you in your pursuit of the truth.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Doing the right thing even when you don't want to
A Christ follower living in a secular world: Doing the right thing even when you don't want to: "There are times when I want to feel sorry for myself. Feelings of bitterness and being slighted beat me up sometimes. Truth is I have a good..."
Doing the right thing even when you don't want to
There are times when I want to feel sorry for myself. Feelings of bitterness and being slighted beat me up sometimes. Truth is I have a good life and what I have to complain about is very minor compared to most people. I have to remind myself of that at times.
Life is a series of choices. You can't control what you are born into but throughout your life you end up exactly where you have chosen to be. Everybody has choices and those choices have consequences. Accepting that is essential to enjoying your life as it is. Not what you wish it was. If you aren't happy with where you are at then you must change your path but be careful what you wish for cause you might just get it.
So I have to choose to make things better for me. I am seeking peace in my life. I am seeking the wisdom of God as to where to go from here. I have to make the right choices to open up the right opportunities. It is as simple as that.
Peace to you today and everyday!!
Life is a series of choices. You can't control what you are born into but throughout your life you end up exactly where you have chosen to be. Everybody has choices and those choices have consequences. Accepting that is essential to enjoying your life as it is. Not what you wish it was. If you aren't happy with where you are at then you must change your path but be careful what you wish for cause you might just get it.
So I have to choose to make things better for me. I am seeking peace in my life. I am seeking the wisdom of God as to where to go from here. I have to make the right choices to open up the right opportunities. It is as simple as that.
Peace to you today and everyday!!
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