Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
We Are God's Hands
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. ~King David, the Psalmist (NIV)
I once was young, now I'm a graybeard— not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets. Every day he's out giving and lending, his children making him proud.~King David, the Psalmist (The Message)
I have heard this passage of scripture for over 20 years used as an affirmation, positive profession of God's provision in the lives of his children, us the believers. It can and should continue to be bookmarked into every believer's psyche the unrelenting characteristics of God's love, provision and protection for those who believe in him and on him.
In addition to that, we have a responsibility. King David in this passage was not prophesying or making a positive profession. He was remarking on what he had seen with his own eyes. He is saying during the course of his life, from a boy until his more seasoned age, he had not witnessed God forsaking his own or their children. He never witnessed a believer standing outside with a sign reading "Will Beg for Bread".
Why? Because believers were doing their parts to support one another. God uses people, every day, all day to bless others. Bottom line! He gives us preferential standing, called favor, and with it comes provision, protection and opportunities to excel. We are his hands and feet in the Earth. When we see someone that God has placed in our circle of life in need, they should not have to beg. We are vessels of provision for them.
Seasons change in life. There will be seasons of plenty and seasons of lack. We must sow seeds during our seasons of plenty so that when our seasons of lack come, we won't be affected because we will be reaping our harvests from what we have already sown. I'm sure that King David did his part as king, citizen and believer.
Let this scripture not just be an affirmation used to profess God's provision in someone's life or your own. Let it be a call to action, a call to duty. To whom much is given, much is likewise required.
I once was young, now I'm a graybeard— not once have I seen an abandoned believer, or his kids out roaming the streets. Every day he's out giving and lending, his children making him proud.~King David, the Psalmist (The Message)
I have heard this passage of scripture for over 20 years used as an affirmation, positive profession of God's provision in the lives of his children, us the believers. It can and should continue to be bookmarked into every believer's psyche the unrelenting characteristics of God's love, provision and protection for those who believe in him and on him.
In addition to that, we have a responsibility. King David in this passage was not prophesying or making a positive profession. He was remarking on what he had seen with his own eyes. He is saying during the course of his life, from a boy until his more seasoned age, he had not witnessed God forsaking his own or their children. He never witnessed a believer standing outside with a sign reading "Will Beg for Bread".
Why? Because believers were doing their parts to support one another. God uses people, every day, all day to bless others. Bottom line! He gives us preferential standing, called favor, and with it comes provision, protection and opportunities to excel. We are his hands and feet in the Earth. When we see someone that God has placed in our circle of life in need, they should not have to beg. We are vessels of provision for them.
Seasons change in life. There will be seasons of plenty and seasons of lack. We must sow seeds during our seasons of plenty so that when our seasons of lack come, we won't be affected because we will be reaping our harvests from what we have already sown. I'm sure that King David did his part as king, citizen and believer.
Let this scripture not just be an affirmation used to profess God's provision in someone's life or your own. Let it be a call to action, a call to duty. To whom much is given, much is likewise required.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Bill of Rights of Love
"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."--Aristotle
"Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love."--Erich Fromm
One of the most dynamic emotions one will experience in his/her lifetime is love. There are varying experiences and degrees of love but an intimate lifelong love between two souls appears to be the most coveted. At first glance it doesn't seem very hard to achieve in a world full of incredible people. Nonetheless, that type of love is a rare commodity. It cannot be substituted or mistaken.
Love has to go beyond an emotion because we as humans can learn in time how to control our emotions, turn them on and off. Love has to become an atmosphere and environment experienced mind, body and soul. If it is left in the emotional realm then sometimes you will feel it and sometimes you won't. Love isn't schizophrenic and doesn't alter itself due to external stimuli. You're not in love with someone and meet someone the next day and now your love is in question. You're not in love with someone but don't demonstrate it in words, deeds and actions. With this kind of love comes commitment and responsibility. If you aren't giving or receiving both then you really need to step back and re-examine the relationship.
You are a gift from God and you deserve to be treated as such. Different people like different things. You're not a gift to everyone but to that someone special. There is someone's life you fit into perfectly, and you both know it and feel it. If only you feel it, then don't try to make a square peg fit into a circle.
In this phenomenal experience there are things we all have a right to know and feel. Here are a few:
1. You have the right to know you are irreplaceable and that you have an immeasurable value.
2. You have the right to know come hell or hot water you will have someone that has your back.
3. You have a right to know that even if your worst secrets were exposed that someone else's love would cover you.
4. You have a right to know that what you share is consistent and doesn't fluctuate with moods, circumstances and opinions.
5. You have a right to know that in a world full of beautiful people that someone thinks you are the most beautiful, from the inside out.
6. You have a right to know that if you died tomorrow that although life goes on, someone's life would be filled with an emptiness that only you can fill.
7. You have a right to hear the words "I love you" as well as to see them in action.
8. You have a right to feel safe and secure and not threaten or disregarded.
9. You have a right to feel that there are no mountains or valleys that can prevail against your love.
10. You have a right to feel you are respected and admired above all others.
All of the above, are not just for you but also for the other person with whom you are in love. Love is a never-ending ring of reciprocity. If there is no reciprocity then something is broken and it will hinder you from experiencing the entirety of love and its overwhelming benefits.
Almost seems like a tough order to fill. That's where faith and patience come in. Sometimes we settle for less and see what we want to see because of the loneliness and desires in our lives. Sometimes we experience the "it seems to good to be true" moments. When all the infatuation smoke clears then we are left with a substance. This substance can either be broken in time or withstand the tests of time. Only you know the answer...but in whatever road you choose, just remember your love rights.
"Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love."--Erich Fromm
One of the most dynamic emotions one will experience in his/her lifetime is love. There are varying experiences and degrees of love but an intimate lifelong love between two souls appears to be the most coveted. At first glance it doesn't seem very hard to achieve in a world full of incredible people. Nonetheless, that type of love is a rare commodity. It cannot be substituted or mistaken.
Love has to go beyond an emotion because we as humans can learn in time how to control our emotions, turn them on and off. Love has to become an atmosphere and environment experienced mind, body and soul. If it is left in the emotional realm then sometimes you will feel it and sometimes you won't. Love isn't schizophrenic and doesn't alter itself due to external stimuli. You're not in love with someone and meet someone the next day and now your love is in question. You're not in love with someone but don't demonstrate it in words, deeds and actions. With this kind of love comes commitment and responsibility. If you aren't giving or receiving both then you really need to step back and re-examine the relationship.
You are a gift from God and you deserve to be treated as such. Different people like different things. You're not a gift to everyone but to that someone special. There is someone's life you fit into perfectly, and you both know it and feel it. If only you feel it, then don't try to make a square peg fit into a circle.
In this phenomenal experience there are things we all have a right to know and feel. Here are a few:
1. You have the right to know you are irreplaceable and that you have an immeasurable value.
2. You have the right to know come hell or hot water you will have someone that has your back.
3. You have a right to know that even if your worst secrets were exposed that someone else's love would cover you.
4. You have a right to know that what you share is consistent and doesn't fluctuate with moods, circumstances and opinions.
5. You have a right to know that in a world full of beautiful people that someone thinks you are the most beautiful, from the inside out.
6. You have a right to know that if you died tomorrow that although life goes on, someone's life would be filled with an emptiness that only you can fill.
7. You have a right to hear the words "I love you" as well as to see them in action.
8. You have a right to feel safe and secure and not threaten or disregarded.
9. You have a right to feel that there are no mountains or valleys that can prevail against your love.
10. You have a right to feel you are respected and admired above all others.
All of the above, are not just for you but also for the other person with whom you are in love. Love is a never-ending ring of reciprocity. If there is no reciprocity then something is broken and it will hinder you from experiencing the entirety of love and its overwhelming benefits.
Almost seems like a tough order to fill. That's where faith and patience come in. Sometimes we settle for less and see what we want to see because of the loneliness and desires in our lives. Sometimes we experience the "it seems to good to be true" moments. When all the infatuation smoke clears then we are left with a substance. This substance can either be broken in time or withstand the tests of time. Only you know the answer...but in whatever road you choose, just remember your love rights.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Turbulence Before Your Arrival
I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear.~Rosa Parks
FEAR is an acronym in the English language for "False Evidence Appearing Real."~Neale Donald Walsch
Throughout life, we travel to and from various destinations. We methodically plan our itineraries including but no limited to our destinations, departures, arrivals and even our points of interests or attractions.
Just imagine, you have prepared for a well-deserved trip. You've packed. Made it to the airport on time, through security and now safely on your plane. The plane takes off on time and now only time separates you and your destination. Then suddenly without warning the plane starts swaggering and dipping into pockets of air. I don't care how many times you experience this atmospheric phenomenon...it's still a daunting feeling or thought of "what if".
Nonetheless, as we become more seasoned travellers we learn how to calm ourselves and comfort ourselves that we have gone through turbulence before. It's a part of nature and we will make it to our destination safely.
Well the same parallel applies to life. In life, we learn that we are in charge of our paths and final destinations by the choices and decisions we execute. Based on this simple paradigm, we learn to attach plans, expectations and timelines with the accomplishment of these goals. We prepare and open ourselves to the thought that we can have that which we pursue and purpose in our hearts.
Well, just like in air travel, sometimes turbulence comes in our lives. Sometimes mildly and sometimes severely. The thoughts of "what if" begin to occupy a place where expectations mixed with faith reside. We somehow lose focus on the simple fact that "turbulence" is natural. Turbulence is a sign that there is a disturbance in the atmosphere of your life. Why? Because you are getting closer to your destination and the enemy of your faith wants to sidetrack you. You are entering into a place where by all means it seems you don't belong. Chaotic clouds are amassing all around to blur your vision. Get you off focus...fill your faith heart valves with fear. Make you literally lose your mind.
The more you travel, the more turbulence you are likely to experience. The same is true in life. The greater your assignment and purpose the more turbulence you will experience. Fret not. When you are experiencing turbulence at your job, in your relationships, in your health, in your finances, in your self-esteem...remember that you've made it beyond this point before. Remember at the other side of this momentary turbulence is your destination and you will arrive! Not only will you arrive just fine but you will be empowered to go on to even greater destinations!
FEAR is an acronym in the English language for "False Evidence Appearing Real."~Neale Donald Walsch
Throughout life, we travel to and from various destinations. We methodically plan our itineraries including but no limited to our destinations, departures, arrivals and even our points of interests or attractions.
Just imagine, you have prepared for a well-deserved trip. You've packed. Made it to the airport on time, through security and now safely on your plane. The plane takes off on time and now only time separates you and your destination. Then suddenly without warning the plane starts swaggering and dipping into pockets of air. I don't care how many times you experience this atmospheric phenomenon...it's still a daunting feeling or thought of "what if".
Nonetheless, as we become more seasoned travellers we learn how to calm ourselves and comfort ourselves that we have gone through turbulence before. It's a part of nature and we will make it to our destination safely.
Well the same parallel applies to life. In life, we learn that we are in charge of our paths and final destinations by the choices and decisions we execute. Based on this simple paradigm, we learn to attach plans, expectations and timelines with the accomplishment of these goals. We prepare and open ourselves to the thought that we can have that which we pursue and purpose in our hearts.
Well, just like in air travel, sometimes turbulence comes in our lives. Sometimes mildly and sometimes severely. The thoughts of "what if" begin to occupy a place where expectations mixed with faith reside. We somehow lose focus on the simple fact that "turbulence" is natural. Turbulence is a sign that there is a disturbance in the atmosphere of your life. Why? Because you are getting closer to your destination and the enemy of your faith wants to sidetrack you. You are entering into a place where by all means it seems you don't belong. Chaotic clouds are amassing all around to blur your vision. Get you off focus...fill your faith heart valves with fear. Make you literally lose your mind.
The more you travel, the more turbulence you are likely to experience. The same is true in life. The greater your assignment and purpose the more turbulence you will experience. Fret not. When you are experiencing turbulence at your job, in your relationships, in your health, in your finances, in your self-esteem...remember that you've made it beyond this point before. Remember at the other side of this momentary turbulence is your destination and you will arrive! Not only will you arrive just fine but you will be empowered to go on to even greater destinations!
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