Even though we are connected to God, the bigger issue is the response we give to the call or pull of God. The response to the call or pull is the activation, catalyst, spark that sets us in motion on faith and trust because we really do not know what is out there, only that we accept this Phil. 1:6 - I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me. b/c what God ordain, he will maintain as grace and mercy shall cover you, inspite of what you see...But in reality, our response is not always this, specificly, if it is called to the ministry. Our first response is to run like H@#$! because few want the privilege and burden that comes with being a person cloth. And yet, if the truth be told this is our response to most calls or pulls of the godly nature, but ungodly nature we give in...think about!!!! The other popular response is to ignore the call or pull, until we get the money, education, promoted, get our life together, or whatever delay tactics so that we never have to act. Yet, we wonder why we do not have any peace, joy, and love in our life, heart, and being..
Maybe we are still dealing with this 1 Kings 18:21 - And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.....maybe we should respond, try faith and trust like this person will create less chaos, and more blessings...Gensis 6:13-14; 22 - God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before me, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch......Thus Noah did. According to all that God commanded him, so he did....think about it...what will your response be because it determines your today and affects your tommorrow...faith or not faith in God?....yeah??!!?
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Respecting the power of God's logic
Ex. 13:17-18 (NASB)Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt.
The question many ask when reading these verses is – why did God choose to take his children, Israelites, through long way and wilderness? This one is easy, to develop them and for them to see his awesomeness. However, there is another questions that exist here– why did they choose defeat, fear, death (literally and figuratively), loss, rather than life (figuratively and literally), triumph when the power was within their reach?. Yes, we, like them have the power, even if we do not understand because He is making a way for us and grooming us. As Christian we can use it, or go for it; God. We should seek him, follow him, and learn to respect the power of God. Not run, not hide, not be afraid, because there is a blessing even in the wilderness for us, but we miss it. All because we fail to trust God, respect his power, even after he has proven himself to us. We fail to respect his power because it takes work, a process, not a quick fix. It is ironic, we honor the processes man presents, but when it comes to the Father, we block our understanding of the need for the process. Why? It includes challenges with opportunities, we do not see, because it is not easy, we begin comparing, we distort the story until it becomes our truth. Yet, we know growth comes about when we struggle, by stretching, and the uncomfortable, through accepting the challenge before us on faith and trusting in the Lord. However, we would rather not because it is hard. What am I talking about? How many of us know individuals who have lost their life because they would not control a detrimental habit that destroys; not wanting to do the work because it was too hard; the power is in their ownself hands. What about desiring a change in our life? While fighting against the very person or thing which helps us because it pushes us to move out of the comfortable and into the faith realm existence of life; see we cannot have it both ways; the power is in our hands. We cannot say God lead me, and did tell Him, I am not going to follow you, but give me all the benefits of being a part of you; really…But wait a minute, if I am not correct Christian should live by faith not by sight, God logic is not ours, and all that good stuff. So, going through the wilderness is for our good, at least that what we try to convince others and our children, when the complaint comes to us; the power of life or death in the tongue and our mind…Why are we obsessed with the quick fix, the microwave changes, or instant message progress or the twittering increases of love; it is easier. Really…the wilderness or the wasteland it is still inhabitable but read these below verse, and then asked yourself, and see the awesome, wonder of God grace abounding…respect the power of God logic..Eze. 37:1-10 (NASB) -The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones…, "O Lord GOD, You know."Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.' "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life…Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
The question many ask when reading these verses is – why did God choose to take his children, Israelites, through long way and wilderness? This one is easy, to develop them and for them to see his awesomeness. However, there is another questions that exist here– why did they choose defeat, fear, death (literally and figuratively), loss, rather than life (figuratively and literally), triumph when the power was within their reach?. Yes, we, like them have the power, even if we do not understand because He is making a way for us and grooming us. As Christian we can use it, or go for it; God. We should seek him, follow him, and learn to respect the power of God. Not run, not hide, not be afraid, because there is a blessing even in the wilderness for us, but we miss it. All because we fail to trust God, respect his power, even after he has proven himself to us. We fail to respect his power because it takes work, a process, not a quick fix. It is ironic, we honor the processes man presents, but when it comes to the Father, we block our understanding of the need for the process. Why? It includes challenges with opportunities, we do not see, because it is not easy, we begin comparing, we distort the story until it becomes our truth. Yet, we know growth comes about when we struggle, by stretching, and the uncomfortable, through accepting the challenge before us on faith and trusting in the Lord. However, we would rather not because it is hard. What am I talking about? How many of us know individuals who have lost their life because they would not control a detrimental habit that destroys; not wanting to do the work because it was too hard; the power is in their ownself hands. What about desiring a change in our life? While fighting against the very person or thing which helps us because it pushes us to move out of the comfortable and into the faith realm existence of life; see we cannot have it both ways; the power is in our hands. We cannot say God lead me, and did tell Him, I am not going to follow you, but give me all the benefits of being a part of you; really…But wait a minute, if I am not correct Christian should live by faith not by sight, God logic is not ours, and all that good stuff. So, going through the wilderness is for our good, at least that what we try to convince others and our children, when the complaint comes to us; the power of life or death in the tongue and our mind…Why are we obsessed with the quick fix, the microwave changes, or instant message progress or the twittering increases of love; it is easier. Really…the wilderness or the wasteland it is still inhabitable but read these below verse, and then asked yourself, and see the awesome, wonder of God grace abounding…respect the power of God logic..Eze. 37:1-10 (NASB) -The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones…, "O Lord GOD, You know."Again He said to me, "Prophesy over these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.' "Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, 'Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life…Then He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life."'" So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My Ah-ha Moment
As I watched the memorial service of Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy, and listen to the many friends and formidable foes who were dear friends speak about the Senator, I realized something and it settle in my soul. I had an Ah-ha moment. This is it, age, time teaches you what a school book, development theory, or leadership or self-help could never teach. It is not always important to prove you are right, and being disagreeable in disagreements only hurt your future, as you win this momentary victory today. See words, trophies, does not make you a legend, provide longevity or build a legacy, but learning to stand while sitting, speaking while being silent and leading from the behind is. See it is not about winning every round, but learning to find the correct timing to win the match. For life will whisper truths that arguments and debates and anger will never find, and time will caress you, if you allow it, as the weary tempers soothes you into calm peace that is unlike any other strength. Because when you know, what you do is bigger than you, the battle ground shift in geography but not the fighting, and the flexibility allows bending without breaking. So we can see the impossible visualized in the impenetrable; it is God’s logic. Reality reveal itself, if we pay attention, in such a way that we die just as well as we lived our life. Teaching us being right is not what it all about but timing is important so that the opening is present, otherwise stubborn, hard ground will not be move, actually it becomes more difficult to get through. Christ set the mode, the pattern before Plato, Socrates, or Obama as he endured the beating, and the cross – he submitted to a higher call and good. So the next time you find yourself in a twisted place, confusion, madness, and trial, ask yourself – do I desire momentary victory or legacy for the future.
Monday, September 7, 2009
How are you choosing?
Only the real appreciation of the process, the voyage, the journey happens when we have the ability to see with new eyes. Knowing the landscapes seen does not have to change for us to see the beauty that lies before us, or in our past; we just have to be willing to look with transformed and new eyes. When truth appears and we see, what we see changes and we choose differently without the emotional baggage to impeded us. We just have to be willing to sit, stand, and watch the death, both figuratively and literally, of what once occupied the space, the place but hindered true view of what is, was, and always been there. Then we replace our construct of anecdotal foundation of logic and truth, with the one truth, right to the Father’s. Thus, we then can release the bleak, the fear, the dim light, and/or the madness that caused us to struggle, unnecessarily and the emotional upheaval, although not without pain, to receive the cleansing rush where choices are made in sincerity and none held back by our unbelief because we are able to believe. Seeing the Father’s abiding grace in our life, and we are granted free agent status to change, choose. Our state is now frames in this 2 Tim 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (NASB). How you are choosing reflects how you are believing and living your life.
See life is about choices, and we choose every day, sometimes we let man constructs determine our viewpoint or outlook, and then it dictates our state of mind, standpoint and our condition. Same is true when we let the word of God guide us. One enlightens, encourages, enhances, and elevates us to peace in a midst of storms, and the knowing God makes all things beautiful in his time. The other, man’s, does none of the aforementioned things for us, rather it binds, paralyzes, and fills us with insecurity and selfish prospective. All of it we have the ability to decide with our choice – from disposition to success to friends. How are you choosing matters at the end of the day because it is what tells others who you really are at the core. Romans 3:28; 31 - 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law… Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. (NASB).
See life is about choices, and we choose every day, sometimes we let man constructs determine our viewpoint or outlook, and then it dictates our state of mind, standpoint and our condition. Same is true when we let the word of God guide us. One enlightens, encourages, enhances, and elevates us to peace in a midst of storms, and the knowing God makes all things beautiful in his time. The other, man’s, does none of the aforementioned things for us, rather it binds, paralyzes, and fills us with insecurity and selfish prospective. All of it we have the ability to decide with our choice – from disposition to success to friends. How are you choosing matters at the end of the day because it is what tells others who you really are at the core. Romans 3:28; 31 - 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law… Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. (NASB).
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
It is okay to QUIT!!!
Okay, this was sent to me today, and I decided to share it with a few friends, and i decided this would be something great to add to my blog. Am I busy at work, heck yeah, and I also know when things are more important this is….smiling… It seems longer than it is because they are all one liners. I am sending this to you because I thought you, like me, could use a moment to contemplate this message as we move forward in our life. I am not saying, I am there yet, because I am not, but it is worth the read when you have the time. Ironically, the change, the choice, and the action is all in our hands to do, or not to do because we control our disposition and what other see in each of us. No makes you mad, you allow them the control.…things that make you go hMMM!...I found it interesting, and quite empowering, you might not, and that is okay. I only share, I do not require anyone to agree with me, or align their logic with mind….let us all be the change we wish to see in others, because a change we desire is incomplete, if we are not willing to change as well. See, when we learn to priortize according to God, not man, then this list will not only make sense, but empower you to grow beyond your momentary madness or victory, and gain wealth of revelations that creates legacy and longevity in your life, and those who come after you, come in contact with you, because you speak into their lives. In doing so, you are enriched, your light shines brighter, and your confidence increase without the conceit that drags us down, and pushes other away.
"it's ok to Quit....." Motivational Speaker - Veraunda Jackson
1. Quit arguing with people about the same old foolishness! Respect their position and keep it moving! 2. Quit telling people your secrets when you know they are not going to keep them! And if you keep telling them, then quit getting mad when they tell your secrets! 3. Quit trying to pull people on your journey who don't want to travel with you. Either they believe in you and value you...or they don't! 4. Quit complaining about things you can't and won't change! 5. Quit gossiping about other people! Minding our own business should be a full time job! 6. Quit blaming each other for things that in the big picture aren't going to matter three weeks from now! Talk solutions...and then implement them! 7. Quit eating things you know are not good for you! If you can't quit...eat smaller portions! 8. Quit buying things when we know we can't afford them! If you don't have self control, then quit going to the stores! Quit charging things, especially when you don't NEED them! 9. Quit staying in unhealthy relationships! It is not okay for people to verbally or physically abuse you! So quit lying to yourself! It is not okay to stay in the marriage for the children! Ask them and they will tell you that they really would prefer to see you happy and that the misery you and your spouse/partner are living with is affecting them! 10. Quit letting family members rope you into the drama! -Start telling them you don't want to hear it! Quit spreading the drama! Quit calling other relatives and telling them about your cousin or aunt! Go back to #5 minding your own business should be enough to keep you busy! 11. Quit trying to change people! IT DOESN'T WORK! Quit cussing people out when you know that they are just being the miserable and jealous people that they are! 12. Quit the job you hate! Start pursuing your passion. Find the job that fuels your passion BEFORE you quit! 13. Quit volunteering for things that you aren't getting any personal fulfillment from anymore! Quit volunteering for things and then failing to follow through with your commitment! 14. Quit listening to the naysayers! Quit watching the depressing news if you are going to live in the doom and gloom of it all! 15. Quit making excuses about why you are where you are or why you can't do what you want to do! 16. Quit waiting on others to give you the answers...and start finding the answers for yourself! If what you are doing isn't working for you...then quit it! 17. Quit settling and start making your dreams a reality!- Quit being afraid and START LIVING YOUR LIFE! CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT! If you want something different than what you have had in the past....you must quit doing what you have done before and DO something different! JUST QUIT IT ...... and START DOING something to create the experience you want!
Motivational Speaker - Veraunda Jackson
.
"it's ok to Quit....." Motivational Speaker - Veraunda Jackson
1. Quit arguing with people about the same old foolishness! Respect their position and keep it moving! 2. Quit telling people your secrets when you know they are not going to keep them! And if you keep telling them, then quit getting mad when they tell your secrets! 3. Quit trying to pull people on your journey who don't want to travel with you. Either they believe in you and value you...or they don't! 4. Quit complaining about things you can't and won't change! 5. Quit gossiping about other people! Minding our own business should be a full time job! 6. Quit blaming each other for things that in the big picture aren't going to matter three weeks from now! Talk solutions...and then implement them! 7. Quit eating things you know are not good for you! If you can't quit...eat smaller portions! 8. Quit buying things when we know we can't afford them! If you don't have self control, then quit going to the stores! Quit charging things, especially when you don't NEED them! 9. Quit staying in unhealthy relationships! It is not okay for people to verbally or physically abuse you! So quit lying to yourself! It is not okay to stay in the marriage for the children! Ask them and they will tell you that they really would prefer to see you happy and that the misery you and your spouse/partner are living with is affecting them! 10. Quit letting family members rope you into the drama! -Start telling them you don't want to hear it! Quit spreading the drama! Quit calling other relatives and telling them about your cousin or aunt! Go back to #5 minding your own business should be enough to keep you busy! 11. Quit trying to change people! IT DOESN'T WORK! Quit cussing people out when you know that they are just being the miserable and jealous people that they are! 12. Quit the job you hate! Start pursuing your passion. Find the job that fuels your passion BEFORE you quit! 13. Quit volunteering for things that you aren't getting any personal fulfillment from anymore! Quit volunteering for things and then failing to follow through with your commitment! 14. Quit listening to the naysayers! Quit watching the depressing news if you are going to live in the doom and gloom of it all! 15. Quit making excuses about why you are where you are or why you can't do what you want to do! 16. Quit waiting on others to give you the answers...and start finding the answers for yourself! If what you are doing isn't working for you...then quit it! 17. Quit settling and start making your dreams a reality!- Quit being afraid and START LIVING YOUR LIFE! CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT! If you want something different than what you have had in the past....you must quit doing what you have done before and DO something different! JUST QUIT IT ...... and START DOING something to create the experience you want!
Motivational Speaker - Veraunda Jackson
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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
If we were as greedy…
If we were as greedy for understanding across the board in life, as we are for money, we would have less strain in our relationships…If we were as greedy for helping and reconciliation, as we are for fame and celebrity status, we would have less blood stains in our lives, both figuratively and literally…If we were as greedy for true communication, as we are for being heard and seen, we would have less pains, worries, and hurt in our life…If we were as greedy for collaborative expanded benchmarking that rings with authenticity, as we are for selfish gains and victory for the moment, we would have less emptiness in our heart and insecurity in our psyche…If we were as greedy for being present in every moment, as we are for getting ahead at every opportunity and any cost, we would have less tears and losses…If we were as greedy for the growth, the stretching, the realism, as we are for the superficial tangible that clutter our lives, we would have fewer broken hearts and less bridges to bend…If we learn to after the things which cannot be taken and have both longevity and legacy, like mercy tempered justice, waterfall forgiveness, infinite unconditional love, and accept our consequences comes from our actions, then our lives would speak what words could never explain, and we would have peace in midst of all storms…Ecc 9:11; 17-18 - I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all….The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.(NASB)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Conflict Resolutions
Matthew 18:15-17 (HCSB) - "If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he won't listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn't pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you.
These few verses provide a step-by-step process on how to handle conflict with our fellow believers, Christians. The steps seem very straight forward, no ‘ifs,’ ands,’ or ‘buts’ about what to do in a conflict situation amongst Christians. Right? Well let us re-examine it again. The person, who would follow this, does not have an ulterior motive and has put all in God’s hands, not theirs. They are truly letting God lead their steps. See, if you have not done so the next issue to address is difficult to face. Is there anything in these verses that state, the person you are speaking will not have anything to present? No! It says if he listens to you, you have won your brother. This also means you listen to him, resolution is accomplish when we communicate, communications requires listening and talking. See, even though you do not intend to do so, you might have offended or sin against your brother unknowingly; remember we are not perfect and are all accountable to one another. We should be open to the possibly. However, this can only happen, if we go in with God’s understanding, not man logic. Not getting caught up in pettiness or competitive nature of besting one another. Rather, to find the resolution where all parties are granted grace and forgiveness to move forward and onward with their lives are possible. Now, this does not mean you do not have to deal with the natural consequences from your actions. There are some natural consequences of our actions, even if we are granted forgiveness, and few times are we given a ‘get out of jail’ free card.
These few verses provide a step-by-step process on how to handle conflict with our fellow believers, Christians. The steps seem very straight forward, no ‘ifs,’ ands,’ or ‘buts’ about what to do in a conflict situation amongst Christians. Right? Well let us re-examine it again. The person, who would follow this, does not have an ulterior motive and has put all in God’s hands, not theirs. They are truly letting God lead their steps. See, if you have not done so the next issue to address is difficult to face. Is there anything in these verses that state, the person you are speaking will not have anything to present? No! It says if he listens to you, you have won your brother. This also means you listen to him, resolution is accomplish when we communicate, communications requires listening and talking. See, even though you do not intend to do so, you might have offended or sin against your brother unknowingly; remember we are not perfect and are all accountable to one another. We should be open to the possibly. However, this can only happen, if we go in with God’s understanding, not man logic. Not getting caught up in pettiness or competitive nature of besting one another. Rather, to find the resolution where all parties are granted grace and forgiveness to move forward and onward with their lives are possible. Now, this does not mean you do not have to deal with the natural consequences from your actions. There are some natural consequences of our actions, even if we are granted forgiveness, and few times are we given a ‘get out of jail’ free card.
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