How will we spend the new year?
You know.....we....us.....we may be the only "Jesus" they will ever see!
so.....who are these "they"?
They....are your unbelieving friends and family and aquiantances...
"they" are people you see in the mall.....
"We" are, in a manner of speaking " the fifth Gospel"
There are 4 gospels in God's word, the Bible....
and for those who never read this most beautiful book....well they only see "us"
They see if we are honest and remind the "check out chick"....that she forgot to notice something in the trolley....
They watch to see if we are patiently waiting for our turn to be served, even if some one else pushes in......
They see when we are not patient and make a mental note......as to maybe "how rude we are?"
I have a friend who is not a Christian....when I ask her where she believes she is going when she dies.....
she says...."I am going where ever you are going!"
I sure hope and pray she does, but.....
Have you ever noticed that at funerals.....every body automatically assumes the deceased has gone to heaven?
Even if he/she died an alcoholic....Not that I am saying that, that is not possible...it is......but...hey!
I hope and pray that my Lord and Saviour....the precious Son of God...Jesus....
will not be disappointed in me in the coming new year!
I pray that He will be proud of me......and encourage me to do even more for His Kingdom.
I would accept it as a privilige and an honour!
I hope and pray you will do the same!
Blessings...
Yaddy
Friday, December 30, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Breaking those walls.....
Have you ever had someone in your life that you didn't quite click with?
Someone who is perhaps in your family.......
or within your circle of friends, which life is going to continually keep bringing to you, and things just never really hit it off as you would like.
You both feel awkward, when together, or perhaps there are mixed messages being sent and misunderstood, and no matter how hard you try to explain your intentions....
it just does not seem to work out the way you’d hoped!
So, you think, that, maybe if you just back away from this person......
it would make things better.
Cut off communication all together.....
let them come to you if they want something.
Or....... you do the opposite...... and get right up in their face.....
But still nothing....
still there is this awkward tense feeling between you.......
that seems to be an invisible force field that shuts both of you out.
Perhaps you are really good at explaining to everyone else why things don't work between you and if only they understood you better things would be ok.
Maybe you don't really know why you don't get along......
its not like you have done anything wrong......
its not like you have mistreated them or said hurtful things.....
maybe its just easier if you assume there is something wrong with them and they have a problem with you....
rather then you being able to do anything about it at all!
This situation can drag on for years......
because you are both avoiding each other, and this invisible force field that keeps you apart seems to get stronger as time goes by.
And don't believe for a second it isn't bothering you .....it is!
And don't believe for a second it isn't taking up valuable space in your heart.....it is!
Don't you dare kid yourself that it isn't affecting the other person either......
if you are feeling it.......they are feeling it...... and perhaps even more so then you.
I learned only just recently that I was affecting someone close to me,
and I could easily say "yes" to all of the things above.
I was plodding along in life feeling as though I was doing everything within my power to be the right person in this situation, (as though that meant there was a wrong person.)
We get so caught up being right or being wrong that we forget how to reach out to each other and meet in the middle.
It wasn't enough for me to be able to tick all the boxes towards my right or wrong actions.....
because right or wrong had nothing to do with it.
What finally dawned on me was that by doing nothing......
I was doing something.
Often we sit ourselves in a righteous place and look down at all the things going wrong in our circle of friends or family, and cast that judgement on others, purely because we think that taking ourselves out of the picture....... also takes out the responsibility to be a part of the problem.
Sometimes all we need to do is offer a hand of pure love into the mix.......
something that will encourage a relationship from a place of compassion and a place of friendship without the idea that something needs to be fixed......and this in turn will begin to take down the wall that was created.
I realized this year with someone very close to my heart, that while I was standing back watching a wall being built and taking no responsibility......
that this was the same as handing over the bricks.
Rather then standing there watching the wall go up......
I made a decision to help bring it back down.
Not by way of judgement and not by way of - 'you need my help'
but with a mindset of love and compassion for the person whom I did not
want to shut out of my life.
My life is more enriched by having that one person in it,
then having a wall in my way forever.
Don't think that letting people build up walls for themselves....
doesn't fence you in.
Maybe you are the one who needs to reach out with forgiveness, kindness and compassion.
Remember.....everything starts with a thought......
So choose your thoughts from a loving place!
Holiday seasons are a great time to bring down walls together......
remind yourselves that we are all in this together......
keep your families close to your heart and visualize them with loving kindness and glowing smiles even if there is distance between you.
They will feel it, and you will in turn be bringing down the walls that stop us from loving each other, and you will shorten the distance, not further it!
When I think of my family and friends I always do it with a smile on my face no matter what has happened between us, because I want them
to know that it is all about wishing them love and happiness, not about past differences.... which can't be changed anyway! The past is the past!
Whose day can you brighten today just by smiling for them?
Have a wonderful Christmas weekend in whatever way you celebrate, and make sure you start everyday thinking good thoughts about all those you love for 2012.
Happy thoughts to day my friends, happy smiling thoughts to you all..
Charlie G Hunter
bless you Charlie....
Yaddy
Someone who is perhaps in your family.......
or within your circle of friends, which life is going to continually keep bringing to you, and things just never really hit it off as you would like.
You both feel awkward, when together, or perhaps there are mixed messages being sent and misunderstood, and no matter how hard you try to explain your intentions....
it just does not seem to work out the way you’d hoped!
So, you think, that, maybe if you just back away from this person......
it would make things better.
Cut off communication all together.....
let them come to you if they want something.
Or....... you do the opposite...... and get right up in their face.....
But still nothing....
still there is this awkward tense feeling between you.......
that seems to be an invisible force field that shuts both of you out.
Perhaps you are really good at explaining to everyone else why things don't work between you and if only they understood you better things would be ok.
Maybe you don't really know why you don't get along......
its not like you have done anything wrong......
its not like you have mistreated them or said hurtful things.....
maybe its just easier if you assume there is something wrong with them and they have a problem with you....
rather then you being able to do anything about it at all!
This situation can drag on for years......
because you are both avoiding each other, and this invisible force field that keeps you apart seems to get stronger as time goes by.
And don't believe for a second it isn't bothering you .....it is!
And don't believe for a second it isn't taking up valuable space in your heart.....it is!
Don't you dare kid yourself that it isn't affecting the other person either......
if you are feeling it.......they are feeling it...... and perhaps even more so then you.
I learned only just recently that I was affecting someone close to me,
and I could easily say "yes" to all of the things above.
I was plodding along in life feeling as though I was doing everything within my power to be the right person in this situation, (as though that meant there was a wrong person.)
We get so caught up being right or being wrong that we forget how to reach out to each other and meet in the middle.
It wasn't enough for me to be able to tick all the boxes towards my right or wrong actions.....
because right or wrong had nothing to do with it.
What finally dawned on me was that by doing nothing......
I was doing something.
Often we sit ourselves in a righteous place and look down at all the things going wrong in our circle of friends or family, and cast that judgement on others, purely because we think that taking ourselves out of the picture....... also takes out the responsibility to be a part of the problem.
Sometimes all we need to do is offer a hand of pure love into the mix.......
something that will encourage a relationship from a place of compassion and a place of friendship without the idea that something needs to be fixed......and this in turn will begin to take down the wall that was created.
I realized this year with someone very close to my heart, that while I was standing back watching a wall being built and taking no responsibility......
that this was the same as handing over the bricks.
Rather then standing there watching the wall go up......
I made a decision to help bring it back down.
Not by way of judgement and not by way of - 'you need my help'
but with a mindset of love and compassion for the person whom I did not
want to shut out of my life.
My life is more enriched by having that one person in it,
then having a wall in my way forever.
Don't think that letting people build up walls for themselves....
doesn't fence you in.
Maybe you are the one who needs to reach out with forgiveness, kindness and compassion.
Remember.....everything starts with a thought......
So choose your thoughts from a loving place!
Holiday seasons are a great time to bring down walls together......
remind yourselves that we are all in this together......
keep your families close to your heart and visualize them with loving kindness and glowing smiles even if there is distance between you.
They will feel it, and you will in turn be bringing down the walls that stop us from loving each other, and you will shorten the distance, not further it!
When I think of my family and friends I always do it with a smile on my face no matter what has happened between us, because I want them
to know that it is all about wishing them love and happiness, not about past differences.... which can't be changed anyway! The past is the past!
Whose day can you brighten today just by smiling for them?
Have a wonderful Christmas weekend in whatever way you celebrate, and make sure you start everyday thinking good thoughts about all those you love for 2012.
Happy thoughts to day my friends, happy smiling thoughts to you all..
Charlie G Hunter
bless you Charlie....
Yaddy
Monday, December 5, 2011
What will you get for Christmas?
I John 2:28, "… abide in Him, what when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed”
Revelation 22:20, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
__________
Donald Grey Barnhouse told of a story he read in a London newspaper about a divorce case heard in the courts of that city.
A wealthy young man had gone away to war soon after he was married. His new bride wrote him of the demanding schedule she had to keep as a nurse in a certain hospital. Apologizing for her infrequent writing, she explained that she was spending a great deal of time with the wounded.
Several months later when the man was scheduled for leave, a friend suggested, “Don’t announce your coming. Slip in quietly.”
Arriving in London, the young man went directly to the hospital, but his wife was not there.
He then went to their house, where he was told by the servants, “Oh, she will probably be at the tea dance at the Ritz.” Going there, he found her in the company of another man.
How shocked and ashamed she was at her husband’s appearing! In the above text Jesus said, “I am coming quickly.” My brethren, when our Lord returns, we don’t want to be found flirting and preoccupied with the things of this world. Jesus told His disciples that God had not given them specific information about “times or seasons” (Acts 1:7). He wanted them, as He wants us, to live in an attitude of expectation. The apostle Paul echoed this when he spoke of Christ’s return as “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
Christ came as a babe He gave His life for you and me!
What will you get for Christmas?
Do you live expectantly for His return?
"How"..... do we live expectantly for His return?
Jesus instructed the disciples to be witnesses to all the world Acts 1:8. Paul said, “Watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and love other believers (vv. 12-15). John urged us to walk in close fellowship with Jesus (1 John 2:28-3:3), and to purify ourselves so that we will “not be ashamed before Him at His coming” 1 John 2:28.
The Lord’s any-moment return is no cause for date-setting but for watchful expectation.
I submit to you if we want to receive our Lord’s approval at His return, we must always be ready.
Jesus didn’t tell us to “get ready,” but rather to “be ready” (Matthew 24:44). We are to live constantly in a state of spiritual preparedness, anticipating the moment when He will appear and ask us to give an account of our stewardship of what He entrusted into our care. What if He came for us today? Would you be ready for His return?”
May I live so that I shall be ready
With joy my Saviour to meet,
And feel no alarm at His coming,
But hasten His heralds to greet - Anon
__________
Jesus could come at any time – so be ready all the time!
Mikey
Blessings,
Yaddy
Revelation 22:20, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
__________
Donald Grey Barnhouse told of a story he read in a London newspaper about a divorce case heard in the courts of that city.
A wealthy young man had gone away to war soon after he was married. His new bride wrote him of the demanding schedule she had to keep as a nurse in a certain hospital. Apologizing for her infrequent writing, she explained that she was spending a great deal of time with the wounded.
Several months later when the man was scheduled for leave, a friend suggested, “Don’t announce your coming. Slip in quietly.”
Arriving in London, the young man went directly to the hospital, but his wife was not there.
He then went to their house, where he was told by the servants, “Oh, she will probably be at the tea dance at the Ritz.” Going there, he found her in the company of another man.
How shocked and ashamed she was at her husband’s appearing! In the above text Jesus said, “I am coming quickly.” My brethren, when our Lord returns, we don’t want to be found flirting and preoccupied with the things of this world. Jesus told His disciples that God had not given them specific information about “times or seasons” (Acts 1:7). He wanted them, as He wants us, to live in an attitude of expectation. The apostle Paul echoed this when he spoke of Christ’s return as “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
Christ came as a babe He gave His life for you and me!
What will you get for Christmas?
Do you live expectantly for His return?
"How"..... do we live expectantly for His return?
Jesus instructed the disciples to be witnesses to all the world Acts 1:8. Paul said, “Watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and love other believers (vv. 12-15). John urged us to walk in close fellowship with Jesus (1 John 2:28-3:3), and to purify ourselves so that we will “not be ashamed before Him at His coming” 1 John 2:28.
The Lord’s any-moment return is no cause for date-setting but for watchful expectation.
I submit to you if we want to receive our Lord’s approval at His return, we must always be ready.
Jesus didn’t tell us to “get ready,” but rather to “be ready” (Matthew 24:44). We are to live constantly in a state of spiritual preparedness, anticipating the moment when He will appear and ask us to give an account of our stewardship of what He entrusted into our care. What if He came for us today? Would you be ready for His return?”
May I live so that I shall be ready
With joy my Saviour to meet,
And feel no alarm at His coming,
But hasten His heralds to greet - Anon
__________
Jesus could come at any time – so be ready all the time!
Mikey
Blessings,
Yaddy
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Something GOD never says to us.....
One of the first things you often hear, when you start something new is...
"Who are you...to think you can do that?"
Whether it's a new job, or a new ministry, or simply just a new conversation with your neighbour, somewhere along the line this question can and might pop up!
A friend will say it.....
a family member will say it....
some one well intentioned and close to you, will say it.....
and......eventually.....after hearing....
"WHO ARE YOU....?"
or
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE...?"
enough times.....you'll start hearing it inside too!
Then, you'll start to ask yourself those questions too....
and maybe even think that GOD is asking those questions too!
When things start to happen....when the trip you planned didn't go as planned....doubt will come!
You'll think....."Maybe..... just maybe I made the wrong decision....
Maybe it's GOD who is asking me...."Who are you...to think you can write a novel...or go on that trip.....or....
BUT IT'S NOT!
I think that, should we ask GOD, -in the middle of all that doubt- if it was
coming from Him, He would say...."One thing I would never say to you is....
"WHO ARE YOU?"
I KNOW who you are....I knew you before the foundations of the earth, I knit you in your mother's womb, you are my child,my work of art! If you ever hear the condemnation of...."who are you, to take this adventure..." then you'll know it's not Me, because I already "know" the answer to that question. I created the answer to that question, so I never need to answer that one!
Now, knowing that...( that GOD already knows)does not magically take away the doubt...so expect it anyway!
Just understand that, at times,the doubt of feeling not capable, for whatever it is God is calling you to do, will always be there....but...
The voice asking...."Who do you think you are....?" inside you.....filled with doubt....is not GOD!
As I said....He already knows....and more than anything all He wants to do is tell you the answer Himself....
He loves you that much!
Blessings
Yaddy
"Who are you...to think you can do that?"
Whether it's a new job, or a new ministry, or simply just a new conversation with your neighbour, somewhere along the line this question can and might pop up!
A friend will say it.....
a family member will say it....
some one well intentioned and close to you, will say it.....
and......eventually.....after hearing....
"WHO ARE YOU....?"
or
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE...?"
enough times.....you'll start hearing it inside too!
Then, you'll start to ask yourself those questions too....
and maybe even think that GOD is asking those questions too!
When things start to happen....when the trip you planned didn't go as planned....doubt will come!
You'll think....."Maybe..... just maybe I made the wrong decision....
Maybe it's GOD who is asking me...."Who are you...to think you can write a novel...or go on that trip.....or....
BUT IT'S NOT!
I think that, should we ask GOD, -in the middle of all that doubt- if it was
coming from Him, He would say...."One thing I would never say to you is....
"WHO ARE YOU?"
I KNOW who you are....I knew you before the foundations of the earth, I knit you in your mother's womb, you are my child,my work of art! If you ever hear the condemnation of...."who are you, to take this adventure..." then you'll know it's not Me, because I already "know" the answer to that question. I created the answer to that question, so I never need to answer that one!
Now, knowing that...( that GOD already knows)does not magically take away the doubt...so expect it anyway!
Just understand that, at times,the doubt of feeling not capable, for whatever it is God is calling you to do, will always be there....but...
The voice asking...."Who do you think you are....?" inside you.....filled with doubt....is not GOD!
As I said....He already knows....and more than anything all He wants to do is tell you the answer Himself....
He loves you that much!
Blessings
Yaddy
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Isaiah 26:3-4, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal”
Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass”
__________
There are times when life seems so unbearable especially when storms come in our life. Physical pain, hard decisions, financial hardships, death of a loved one, and shattered dreams threaten to engulf us; not to mention the news headlines regarding unemployment, foreclosures, budget cuts, and homelessness. It’s one thing to hear the despairing news but another to have it affect you. We then become perplexed! Plagued by doubts that creep in we find it most difficult to coup with the stress. However, those who know the Lord through personal faith in Jesus Christ have in Him a calm retreat in the storms of life. We can experience peace of mind and calmness of spirit even when the howling winds of adversity are sweeping over us. Richard Fuller a 19th-century Baptist preacher, told of an old seaman who said, “In fierce storms, we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Fuller then said that is what a believer in Christ must do when reason cannot help. Past experiences give no light and only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may; wind, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers, no matter what, you must hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. Do you feel overwhelmed by the storms in your life? If so, trust Jesus Christ and let Him give you peace in your storm (Philippians 4:6-7).
Closing thoughts:
We are to cast our burden on the Lord and leave it with Him. While many people know about casting their burden on the Lord, very few really do it for very long. It is our tendency to pray about the problem, give it to the Lord, so to speak, and then take it back as soon as we say, “Amen.” We let the Lord see our burden, but our tendency is to never really leave it with Him, and my brethren, that formula never produces peace. When we’re battered and burdened by the storms of life, we may be tempted to give in to feelings of hopelessness. But if we look to our sovereign Captain and commit our way to Him (Psalm 37:5), we will find peace even in the midst of turmoil. We can trust Him to bring us through the storm. As recorded in Isaiah 26:3, when our eyes are stayed on the Lord, we are making a conscious decision that the physical trials that we see will not control us, but will be controlled by the invisible God in whom we believe and trust. Remember we will be in perfect peace not because we are focused on the problem, but rather because we are focused on the Great I AM. Encourage yourself in this promise and if you need to, refocus your eyes and keep them stayed on the Lord because only in Him is there Perfect Peace in the storms of life for your spirit, soul and mind (Hebrews 11:3; Exodus 3:13-14; Psalm 46:1-5). Peace, real peace, is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The question that remains is, Have you found that peace?
__________
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. - Jesus
Thank you Mikey
Blessings
Yaddy
Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass”
__________
There are times when life seems so unbearable especially when storms come in our life. Physical pain, hard decisions, financial hardships, death of a loved one, and shattered dreams threaten to engulf us; not to mention the news headlines regarding unemployment, foreclosures, budget cuts, and homelessness. It’s one thing to hear the despairing news but another to have it affect you. We then become perplexed! Plagued by doubts that creep in we find it most difficult to coup with the stress. However, those who know the Lord through personal faith in Jesus Christ have in Him a calm retreat in the storms of life. We can experience peace of mind and calmness of spirit even when the howling winds of adversity are sweeping over us. Richard Fuller a 19th-century Baptist preacher, told of an old seaman who said, “In fierce storms, we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Fuller then said that is what a believer in Christ must do when reason cannot help. Past experiences give no light and only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may; wind, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers, no matter what, you must hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. Do you feel overwhelmed by the storms in your life? If so, trust Jesus Christ and let Him give you peace in your storm (Philippians 4:6-7).
Closing thoughts:
We are to cast our burden on the Lord and leave it with Him. While many people know about casting their burden on the Lord, very few really do it for very long. It is our tendency to pray about the problem, give it to the Lord, so to speak, and then take it back as soon as we say, “Amen.” We let the Lord see our burden, but our tendency is to never really leave it with Him, and my brethren, that formula never produces peace. When we’re battered and burdened by the storms of life, we may be tempted to give in to feelings of hopelessness. But if we look to our sovereign Captain and commit our way to Him (Psalm 37:5), we will find peace even in the midst of turmoil. We can trust Him to bring us through the storm. As recorded in Isaiah 26:3, when our eyes are stayed on the Lord, we are making a conscious decision that the physical trials that we see will not control us, but will be controlled by the invisible God in whom we believe and trust. Remember we will be in perfect peace not because we are focused on the problem, but rather because we are focused on the Great I AM. Encourage yourself in this promise and if you need to, refocus your eyes and keep them stayed on the Lord because only in Him is there Perfect Peace in the storms of life for your spirit, soul and mind (Hebrews 11:3; Exodus 3:13-14; Psalm 46:1-5). Peace, real peace, is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The question that remains is, Have you found that peace?
__________
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. - Jesus
Thank you Mikey
Blessings
Yaddy
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