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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Valuable Lesson

Author: Unknown


"A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the crowded room of more than 200, he asked, ""Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started to go up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple up the dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were  up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind  it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you all have just learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what i did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happen or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him."







Friday, June 8, 2012

Hope

Hope is the encouragement that gets you out of bed when all you really want to do is burrow under the blanket instead

Hope sees positive Change when the situation looks despairingly bleak; When needed most it provides strength when you are weak.

Hope is seen in a child's eyes, it's 'wonder of the possible' --- that takes the naysayers by surprise.

Hope is leaders who pursue progressive responsible change, not defending an ineffective status quo; Going beyond complacency towards new frontiers of opportunity where many dared not go.

Hope is common sense solutions to challenges facing the nation: Deficit; Energy; and Education.

For we are not a people that do wail as victims of circumstances nor do we quit; We live our destiny; rising up and putting on our strength which is responsibility.

When a crippling financial crisis ravished the land, Hope's cry resonated from businesses and individuals saying , "Yes, We Can!"

For out of many, we are one. We are Democrats and Republicans; Conservatives and Liberals; Christians, Moslems, and Atheists too. We are the United States of America.

Hope is You.








The Hallmark of Excellence

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect... but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus... Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." --- Phillipians 3:12-13; 4:8


 

It's not about achieving a goal. The scriptures records numerous examples concerning the importance of not just whether there is a completed work altogether, but the quality of the work. It's not about mediocrity but excellence i.e. presenting the best 'fruit of your labors' unto the Lord God. The scriptures , specifically Psalm 8, rcords 'the name of the Lord God is excellent'. The scripture, Colassians 3:17 records that everything that man does in word or deed should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Practically speaking, everything done in word or deed should meet the approval of/be in accordance with the Lord Jesus Christ, the expressed character of God. Understand. If a man does or says something in the name of the President of the United States, their words and actions would meet the approval of or be in accordance with the character (the way things are done) of the President of the United States.

The name of the Lord Jesus Christ is excellent i.e.e above all things; above the President of the United states. therefore, as ambassadors of Christ (II Corinthians 5:20) man should be committed to do everything in word or deed in the name of His Excellency; in accordance with His character/meeting His approval, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Almighty God.

"Now unto him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us." --- Ephesians 3:20

Some people may be able to produce 30-fold, 60-fold, or 100-fold. The question is, 'are we willing to work to the best of our God-given abilities or do we settle for less than our potential?' Remember, medicrity just happens, but excellence requires diligence and effort.


Further Consideration


Paul Tsongas --- "America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor."


In the Glass

The Guy in the Glass

by Dale Wimbrow, (c) 1934



When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you King for a day,
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that guy has to say.

For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife,
Who judgement upon you must pass.
The feller whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the guy staring back from the glass.

He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest,
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years,
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.


Further Review

Related Blog:  Part 3 ---  Move From the 'Hood





Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Pre-Approved for a Blessing

Numbers 23:8, 20 --- How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?...Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it."


************

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph had intimacy with his father
Israel, his father loved Joseph

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph received coat from his father
Joseph received dreams from God

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph was rebuked by his brethren
Joseph was rebuked by his father

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph's brethren sought to destroy him
Joseph's brethren cast him into pit
Joseph's brethren sold him for profit
Joseph was brought to Egypt

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph's brethren lied to father about actions

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph became servant of Egyptian
Joseph was prosperous
Joseph became overseer over master's house

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph resisted and fled seduction
Joseph's character was impugned
Joseph was cast in prison

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph obtained favor in sight of prison keeper
Joseph prospered in his actions

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph received understanding to interpret dreams
Joseph received understanding to prophesy
Joseph was remembered
Joseph acknowledged  God for receipt of understanding

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph received promotion; authority
Joseph received wife; begat two sons

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph help Egyptians, brethren in time of need
Joseph fogave brethren, had fellowship with them
Joseph restored fellowship with his father

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph's progeny was blessed
Joseph's brethren was blessed
Joseph was blessed

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Joseph was preserved
May meant it for evil; God designed it for good
God is in control; It's a set-up for a blessing, a miracle.

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

The vision is for an appointed time

It may seem improbable, impossible
It may cause heartache, misunderstandings
It may cause scorn, rebuke
It may cause rejection, betrayal (deception)
It may cause malevolence, imprisonment
It may cause the impugning of character

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

You may not see the vision, though it's clearly evident
It may seem slow in manifestation
Yet it shall be be manifested

You cannot curse what God hath blessed!
You cannot curse what God hath blessed!
You cannot curse what God hath blessed!

Selah.

 

Further Reading

Romans 8:28 --- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." 


II Timothy 2:15 --- "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Music Video --- All Things Work Together