Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Reflections on Everyday Living by Roy Lessin
Ever wonder what you'll say to your daughter before her wedding day? Ever consider the words of wisdom you want to share with your son when he leaves home for college? Ever think about the reflections on life you want to give to your grandchildren?
Here are a few observations and thoughts about life that you may want to add to your collection. If you don't have a collection of heart reflections gathered yet, perhaps this list will stir you to begin the process. Some thoughts are practical, some are simple, some are fun, but all are meant to make life richer and more rewarding.
* When you greet people, look them in the eye. When they speak, give them your attention.
* When someone speaks to you in anger, let your response be a soft answer.
* Learn how to receive a compliment.
* You can't always be on the giving end. When others give to you, receive it with as much grace and kindness as is being extended.
* Learn to laugh more - it's great medicine.
* Never need "a little more" in order to be content.
* Three things to remember about people: their names, their birthdays, a few of their favorite things.
* Find a place away from city lights and gaze into the heavens on a clear night.
* Call or send a card for no reason.
* If you don't need it, do without it if it means going into debt.
* Tithe - you can never out-give God.
* Let people know you appreciate them for who they are and not just what they do.
* Sing around the house. Church isn't the only place to praise the Lord.
* Fix a special meal, served on special china, for no special reason.
* The best time to treat anything that needs maintenance is "right now."
* Never allow what you possess to possess you.
* Return the thing you borrow in better condition than you receive it.
* Don't ever forget to return the things you borrow, fix the things you break, pay the bills you owe, take care of the things you own.
* If you are not sure what to do in a given situation, ask, "What is the loving thing to do?"
* Take a class in music appreciation.
* Do something new with an old friend.
* Guard trust in any relationship.
* Don't ever lose heart - God will never give up on you.
* Never let your heart run out of thankfulness.
* One place to “be like Jesus” is behind the wheel of your car.
* Don't feel inferior to anyone. God made only one of you.
* When you do something, put everything you have into it.
* Don't carry around worry, fear or anxiety. They are the thieves of peace.
* Hold things with an open palm.
* Guard the company you keep. It will impact your behavior.
* Never quit giving the gift of your smile.
Here are a few observations and thoughts about life that you may want to add to your collection. If you don't have a collection of heart reflections gathered yet, perhaps this list will stir you to begin the process. Some thoughts are practical, some are simple, some are fun, but all are meant to make life richer and more rewarding.
* When you greet people, look them in the eye. When they speak, give them your attention.
* When someone speaks to you in anger, let your response be a soft answer.
* Learn how to receive a compliment.
* You can't always be on the giving end. When others give to you, receive it with as much grace and kindness as is being extended.
* Learn to laugh more - it's great medicine.
* Never need "a little more" in order to be content.
* Three things to remember about people: their names, their birthdays, a few of their favorite things.
* Find a place away from city lights and gaze into the heavens on a clear night.
* Call or send a card for no reason.
* If you don't need it, do without it if it means going into debt.
* Tithe - you can never out-give God.
* Let people know you appreciate them for who they are and not just what they do.
* Sing around the house. Church isn't the only place to praise the Lord.
* Fix a special meal, served on special china, for no special reason.
* The best time to treat anything that needs maintenance is "right now."
* Never allow what you possess to possess you.
* Return the thing you borrow in better condition than you receive it.
* Don't ever forget to return the things you borrow, fix the things you break, pay the bills you owe, take care of the things you own.
* If you are not sure what to do in a given situation, ask, "What is the loving thing to do?"
* Take a class in music appreciation.
* Do something new with an old friend.
* Guard trust in any relationship.
* Don't ever lose heart - God will never give up on you.
* Never let your heart run out of thankfulness.
* One place to “be like Jesus” is behind the wheel of your car.
* Don't feel inferior to anyone. God made only one of you.
* When you do something, put everything you have into it.
* Don't carry around worry, fear or anxiety. They are the thieves of peace.
* Hold things with an open palm.
* Guard the company you keep. It will impact your behavior.
* Never quit giving the gift of your smile.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Think It Over by Charles R. Swindoll
Here are several very personal questions to help you know how severe we need to be with ourselves in order to "abstain from wickedness." Answer each one honestly.
• Are you regularly with a person of the opposite sex in inappropriate situations?
• Are you completely above reproach in all your financial dealings, including your taxes?
• Do you expose yourself to explicit sexual material?
• If you have a family, do you invest sufficient time with them?
• Do you tell the truth? How often do you lie (don't forget to count the little white ones)?
• How quickly do you say "I am wrong; I am genuinely sorry" when you have said or done something that hurts another?
• Do you hold grudges?
• Are you knowingly compromising in some area of your life, refusing to acknowledge the consequences that you will surely have to face?
• Have you formed a habit that is detrimental to your health or your job or your walk with Christ?
• Are you proud, selfish, arrogant?
• Have you taken credit for something that someone else did and should have been rewarded for?
• Do you return things you borrow?
• Have you failed to confess something to someone who should know of your wrongdoing?
• Are you abusing your mate or your children---physically or emotionally?
• Do you allow abuse to happen without seeking help?
• Do you regularly spend time in prayer and in the Scriptures?
Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
• Are you regularly with a person of the opposite sex in inappropriate situations?
• Are you completely above reproach in all your financial dealings, including your taxes?
• Do you expose yourself to explicit sexual material?
• If you have a family, do you invest sufficient time with them?
• Do you tell the truth? How often do you lie (don't forget to count the little white ones)?
• How quickly do you say "I am wrong; I am genuinely sorry" when you have said or done something that hurts another?
• Do you hold grudges?
• Are you knowingly compromising in some area of your life, refusing to acknowledge the consequences that you will surely have to face?
• Have you formed a habit that is detrimental to your health or your job or your walk with Christ?
• Are you proud, selfish, arrogant?
• Have you taken credit for something that someone else did and should have been rewarded for?
• Do you return things you borrow?
• Have you failed to confess something to someone who should know of your wrongdoing?
• Are you abusing your mate or your children---physically or emotionally?
• Do you allow abuse to happen without seeking help?
• Do you regularly spend time in prayer and in the Scriptures?
Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Saints with Arms?
I had awesome conversations during the period of the last crisis in Jos – one first hand and the other narrated.
During the crisis, I was talking with my neighbours who are Christians and one of them said “we Christians will not be able to fight like the other fellows do because the next time we are in Church our pastors will preach to us to embrace peace and love while the other folks are being strategically positioned to be alert to fight for their god.
A friend, who teaches at a Christian secondary school in Jos discovered during the first week of resumption of school after the crisis that there was a daily increase in students’ attendance but plunged dramatically on Friday. He asked the students what could be responsible for the remarkable drop in attendance, the students responded “when Christians go to their services they come out pious and armless while the others go and strategise on how to foment uproar so as to deal with non-adherents of their faith.
What immediately came to me after the second discussion was that are Christians suppose to come out of their meetings and services weak and jelly-like? Should we also include in our order of service issues of arms and attack? Are we supposed to sit back and be content with defending ourselves when this kind of event happened? Is there not a way we can also launch an attack at certain times and situation?
I answered in my thoughts, if Elijah had strategized on a physical note, would he have escaped the siege of the Assyrians? If it was just the regular meetings, would Elijah have been able to give accurate intelligence report to the king of Israel about the plan of the Assyrian army? Did David win the battle against Goliath in the flesh? Didn’t he take the advantage of Goliath taking the battle to the Spirit?
It is sad to say that the meetings we have in most churches are so weightless, laced with uneducated enthusiasm, open-ended celebration, story-telling that have no bearing on equipping the saints.
Saints are to come out meetings, services, conventions, conferences strong, armed and dangerous that the enemies will not be able to handle. Is it impossible for us to pick up the slightest signals in the spirit before the crisis and alert the relevant authorities? Are we not supposed to be trained to have unequivocal aptitude to engage the ministering spirits in all of these issues? Why have forgotten so soon that angels are still at work?
Isa 1:11 "Why this frenzy of sacrifices?" GOD's asking. "Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don't you think I've had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
Isa 1:12 When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that-- all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
Isa 1:13 "Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings-- meetings, meetings, meetings--I can't stand one more!
Isa 1:14 Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning.
Isa 1:15 When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
What Elijah did was not Old Testament it is a walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. The greatest danger facing the 21st century saint is that tendency to take everything on a physical note.
The fact remains that the curfew has affected our meetings and strategic sessions to equip the saints. The days of baseless prayers are over. It does not make sense to be encumbered with our needs all the time when God has promised to meet them in His sovereignty. We should be concerned with principality and powers, rulers of darkness in heavenly places.
The battle for the soul of Jos City is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit. The fact remains that if we flow with spirit, the might and the power to execute judgement and engage principalities will definitely come.
This is a challenge for me and all the saints in the city of Jos.
During the crisis, I was talking with my neighbours who are Christians and one of them said “we Christians will not be able to fight like the other fellows do because the next time we are in Church our pastors will preach to us to embrace peace and love while the other folks are being strategically positioned to be alert to fight for their god.
A friend, who teaches at a Christian secondary school in Jos discovered during the first week of resumption of school after the crisis that there was a daily increase in students’ attendance but plunged dramatically on Friday. He asked the students what could be responsible for the remarkable drop in attendance, the students responded “when Christians go to their services they come out pious and armless while the others go and strategise on how to foment uproar so as to deal with non-adherents of their faith.
What immediately came to me after the second discussion was that are Christians suppose to come out of their meetings and services weak and jelly-like? Should we also include in our order of service issues of arms and attack? Are we supposed to sit back and be content with defending ourselves when this kind of event happened? Is there not a way we can also launch an attack at certain times and situation?
I answered in my thoughts, if Elijah had strategized on a physical note, would he have escaped the siege of the Assyrians? If it was just the regular meetings, would Elijah have been able to give accurate intelligence report to the king of Israel about the plan of the Assyrian army? Did David win the battle against Goliath in the flesh? Didn’t he take the advantage of Goliath taking the battle to the Spirit?
It is sad to say that the meetings we have in most churches are so weightless, laced with uneducated enthusiasm, open-ended celebration, story-telling that have no bearing on equipping the saints.
Saints are to come out meetings, services, conventions, conferences strong, armed and dangerous that the enemies will not be able to handle. Is it impossible for us to pick up the slightest signals in the spirit before the crisis and alert the relevant authorities? Are we not supposed to be trained to have unequivocal aptitude to engage the ministering spirits in all of these issues? Why have forgotten so soon that angels are still at work?
Isa 1:11 "Why this frenzy of sacrifices?" GOD's asking. "Don't you think I've had my fill of burnt sacrifices, rams and plump grain-fed calves? Don't you think I've had my fill of blood from bulls, lambs, and goats?
Isa 1:12 When you come before me, who ever gave you the idea of acting like this, Running here and there, doing this and that-- all this sheer commotion in the place provided for worship?
Isa 1:13 "Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings-- meetings, meetings, meetings--I can't stand one more!
Isa 1:14 Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning.
Isa 1:15 When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
What Elijah did was not Old Testament it is a walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:25 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. The greatest danger facing the 21st century saint is that tendency to take everything on a physical note.
The fact remains that the curfew has affected our meetings and strategic sessions to equip the saints. The days of baseless prayers are over. It does not make sense to be encumbered with our needs all the time when God has promised to meet them in His sovereignty. We should be concerned with principality and powers, rulers of darkness in heavenly places.
The battle for the soul of Jos City is not by might nor by power but by the Spirit. The fact remains that if we flow with spirit, the might and the power to execute judgement and engage principalities will definitely come.
This is a challenge for me and all the saints in the city of Jos.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Jos Crisis – the salient Issue
Why will a dispute over a building project throw the whole city into predicament? Why would a difference of opinion in a section of the city grossly affect the entire Jos city? What would make neighbours and friends suddenly become enemies?
A simple disagreement claimed over 300 lives, destroyed hundreds of houses, cars and various properties.
These are issues I kept thinking about during this present mayhem in Jos City. I keep thinking why there is such a tensed atmosphere in this city. Trust seems elusive.
There must be more than meet the eye in this crisis. I strongly believe that the crisis in Jos is more spiritual than physical. Consider this: this crisis makes people sad unnecessarily, heightens blood pressure, creates hatred that eats into people’s emotion, brings about insomnia (sleeplessness), lack of appetite for those that have food and acute hunger for those that are caught off guard, loss of business(a friend of mine lost all of business equipments- I don’t how he is going to start again), economic loss due to sit-at-home situation,
Could this be mere fighting and claiming of rights?
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way--never have and never will.
The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
I think we should see beyond the fighting and religious disharmony? This crisis is meant to erode our sense of judgement and sensitivity to the flow of the spirit.
Consider Christians wishing that the Muslim community be evacuated to Toro in Bauchi state, calling those created in the image of God goats (am guilty of that, but am repenting right now), burning neighbours’ houses on the grounds of retaliating what has been done to some other Christians in some other parts of the city, leaving the city with no consideration for the will of God or express instructions from him.
I cannot be convinced otherwise that it can’t be the Holy Spirit that well up such hatred, violence, disorientation, fear and lack of compassion for fellow man.
We need to sit back and think deeply about the kind of spirit that is fuelling our reaction to the present situation. Our actions, reaction and non-action must be rooted in the Spirit of God.
A simple disagreement claimed over 300 lives, destroyed hundreds of houses, cars and various properties.
These are issues I kept thinking about during this present mayhem in Jos City. I keep thinking why there is such a tensed atmosphere in this city. Trust seems elusive.
There must be more than meet the eye in this crisis. I strongly believe that the crisis in Jos is more spiritual than physical. Consider this: this crisis makes people sad unnecessarily, heightens blood pressure, creates hatred that eats into people’s emotion, brings about insomnia (sleeplessness), lack of appetite for those that have food and acute hunger for those that are caught off guard, loss of business(a friend of mine lost all of business equipments- I don’t how he is going to start again), economic loss due to sit-at-home situation,
Could this be mere fighting and claiming of rights?
The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way--never have and never will.
The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
I think we should see beyond the fighting and religious disharmony? This crisis is meant to erode our sense of judgement and sensitivity to the flow of the spirit.
Consider Christians wishing that the Muslim community be evacuated to Toro in Bauchi state, calling those created in the image of God goats (am guilty of that, but am repenting right now), burning neighbours’ houses on the grounds of retaliating what has been done to some other Christians in some other parts of the city, leaving the city with no consideration for the will of God or express instructions from him.
I cannot be convinced otherwise that it can’t be the Holy Spirit that well up such hatred, violence, disorientation, fear and lack of compassion for fellow man.
We need to sit back and think deeply about the kind of spirit that is fuelling our reaction to the present situation. Our actions, reaction and non-action must be rooted in the Spirit of God.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Children's Requests to their Pastors
Dear Pastor,
I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister.
Yours sincerely,
Arnold
Age 8, Nashville
Dear Pastor,
Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson.
Sincerely,
Pete
Age 9, Phoenix
Dear Pastor,
My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.
Robert
Age 11, Anderson
Dear Pastor,
I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance?
Love,
Patty
Age 10, New Haven
Dear Pastor,
I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there.
Stephen
Age 8, Chicago
Dear Pastor,
I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.
Loreen
Age 9, Tacoma
Dear Pastor,
Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow.
Laurie
Age 10, New York City
Dear Pastor,
Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher.
Thank you.
Alexander
Age 10, Raleigh
Dear Pastor,
My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.
Joshua
Age 10, South Pasadena
Dear Pastor,
Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.
Carla
Age 10, Salina
Dear Pastor,
I like your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.
Ralph
Age 11, Akron
Dear Pastor,
How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers?
Sincerely,
Marie
Age 9, Lewiston
I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister.
Yours sincerely,
Arnold
Age 8, Nashville
Dear Pastor,
Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson.
Sincerely,
Pete
Age 9, Phoenix
Dear Pastor,
My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.
Robert
Age 11, Anderson
Dear Pastor,
I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance?
Love,
Patty
Age 10, New Haven
Dear Pastor,
I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there.
Stephen
Age 8, Chicago
Dear Pastor,
I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.
Loreen
Age 9, Tacoma
Dear Pastor,
Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow.
Laurie
Age 10, New York City
Dear Pastor,
Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher.
Thank you.
Alexander
Age 10, Raleigh
Dear Pastor,
My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.
Joshua
Age 10, South Pasadena
Dear Pastor,
Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.
Carla
Age 10, Salina
Dear Pastor,
I like your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.
Ralph
Age 11, Akron
Dear Pastor,
How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers?
Sincerely,
Marie
Age 9, Lewiston
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
How Do You Serve Your Spouse?
"I make the bed every morning, and fix dinner once a week. It's not Mother Teresa stuff, but you gotta start somewhere."
—John Ortberg, pastor and author,
married to Nancy for 22 years
"Jesus served his followers by washing their feet. In his culture that was the job of a servant. I asked my wife and she had no desire for me to wash her feet, but she had a lot of other good ideas, such as: take out the garbage, vacuum the floors, wash the dishes, dust the blinds, and keep the lawn looking nice. I followed Jesus' example, and I live with a happy woman."
—Gary D. Chapman, marriage and family expert,
married to Karolyn for 43 years
"It may seem a small thing, but Dianna and I have gotten into the habit of always asking the other if we need anything when we're up. Just grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge or putting a dish in the sink is an act of servanthood that allows 'preferring others over yourself' to begin at home."
—Jerry B. Jenkins, best-selling novelist,
married to Dianna for 34 years
"Be slow to speak and quick to listen. Really listen. Rick is a methodical thinker and speaks only when he believes he has something worth saying; I, on the other hand, jump from thought to thought and talk all the time. For years I equated verbose communication (i.e., my ways) with greater wisdom and, yes, being right. I learned the hard way over the course of years that I was wrong. My husband has much to say if I'll only give him the time to do so and humble myself and listen."
—Julie Ann Barnhill, author and speaker,
married to Rick for 18 years
"One of the greatest ways a husband can serve in marriage is to lovingly touch his wife—in a non-sexual manner and without wanting sex. In my marriage, my wife loves having her scalp massaged. Many nights she falls asleep with me reading, holding my book with one hand and massaging her head with the other. She knows I'm not trying to manipulate her into 'something more,' and I know it's something she truly loves and feels served by—in spite of the shoulder pains or my arm falling asleep!"
—Tim Gardner, director, The Marriage Institute,
married to Amy for 16 years
"To really serve my mate, I need to 'go to school' and study her as if in pursuit of a Ph.D. In my case, it's 'Beckology,' and I have to know her like no other on the planet. I have to tune in to her feelings, her fears, and her dreams. Only then can I serve her as Christ served the church."
—H. Dale Burke, pastor and author,
married to Becky for 30 years
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