Thank God!
Our month-long AMAZING GRACE SPORTS FEST 2010 has just ended. As a matter of fact, it was yesterday that we had our awarding ceremony. It was a huge success!
We had so much fun during the month-long event especially during the awarding day. It was tiring though. Nevertheless, it is still a privilege that we are able to serve God even in small ways. We don't do this to anybody else but to God's glory alone.
I will be posting the Amazing Grace Sport fest documentary soon. I still have to wait for all the photos to be gathered. For the meantime, let me show you our production number which was only rehearsed for 3 hours I think, a day before the awarding . It wasn't perfect but I think everyone did their best...Alright, I must admit...I love to dance!yay!
CFYF Core Group performers: (Starting from left to right; front row first)
Gem Ruth Anj
Hannah Jaina John Roxanne
Erwin Ivy James
CFYF Core Group and our adviser Kuya Yok...it was a blast! Everything turned out so fine...this won't be made possible w/o your hard work and commitment. God bless us..^_^
To God be the glory!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Block Logic By Os Hillman
"For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Houses, fields and vineyards will again be bought in this land" (Jer. 32:15).
In the scriptures we discover a difference in the way the Hebrew mind viewed things compared to the way many Westerners relate to God. Hebrews used something called Block Logic. That is, concepts were expressed in self-contained units or blocks of thought. These blocks did not necessarily fit together in any obvious rational or harmonious pattern.
Greek logic, which has influenced the Western world, was different. The Greeks often used tightly contained step logic which reason a premise to a conclusion, each step linked tightly to the next in coherent, rational, logical fashion.
This is why some Bible stories don't make sense to the western mind. It is particularly difficult for Westerners - those whose thought-patterns have been influenced more by the Greeks and Romans than by the Hebrews - to piece together the block logic of Scripture.
Consider Jeremiah and God's instruction to purchase land in a seemingly inopportune time. If I asked you to purchase some land when you knew that the country you were living in was about to be invaded and you were sure to be placed under arrest, how wise do you believe such an investment would be? Do you believe God would lead you to make such an investment? That is exactly what God told Jeremiah to do. However, God had a good reason for having Jeremiah make such a purchase. It was to be a testimony and a promise that God was going to restore the Jews to their land.
Hebrews made decisions based on obedience. Greeks (and Westerners) often made decisions on logic and reason. If the early church made decisions based on a pro and con method of decision-making, there would be no miracles in the Bible. i.e., such as getting the coin from the fish's mouth, walking around the walls of Jericho to take the city, Peter walking on water, etc.
We are not to question God's instructions. We are simply to obey.
Source: Block Logic
In the scriptures we discover a difference in the way the Hebrew mind viewed things compared to the way many Westerners relate to God. Hebrews used something called Block Logic. That is, concepts were expressed in self-contained units or blocks of thought. These blocks did not necessarily fit together in any obvious rational or harmonious pattern.
Greek logic, which has influenced the Western world, was different. The Greeks often used tightly contained step logic which reason a premise to a conclusion, each step linked tightly to the next in coherent, rational, logical fashion.
This is why some Bible stories don't make sense to the western mind. It is particularly difficult for Westerners - those whose thought-patterns have been influenced more by the Greeks and Romans than by the Hebrews - to piece together the block logic of Scripture.
Consider Jeremiah and God's instruction to purchase land in a seemingly inopportune time. If I asked you to purchase some land when you knew that the country you were living in was about to be invaded and you were sure to be placed under arrest, how wise do you believe such an investment would be? Do you believe God would lead you to make such an investment? That is exactly what God told Jeremiah to do. However, God had a good reason for having Jeremiah make such a purchase. It was to be a testimony and a promise that God was going to restore the Jews to their land.
Hebrews made decisions based on obedience. Greeks (and Westerners) often made decisions on logic and reason. If the early church made decisions based on a pro and con method of decision-making, there would be no miracles in the Bible. i.e., such as getting the coin from the fish's mouth, walking around the walls of Jericho to take the city, Peter walking on water, etc.
We are not to question God's instructions. We are simply to obey.
Source: Block Logic
Friday, May 28, 2010
You Need Power By Os Hillman
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
D.L. Moody was a shoe salesman until God moved him into a full-time preaching ministry, often in the streets of Chicago. There came a point in his journey with God that he realized he needed more in his life than what he was experiencing. "At the close of the Sabbath evening services I remember two holy women they would say to me, 'We have been praying for you.' I said, 'Why don't you pray for the people?' They answered, 'You need power.'
'I need power?' I said to myself. Why, I thought I had power. I had a large Sabbath school and the largest congregation in Chicago. I was in a sense satisfied. But then came these two godly women who prayed for me, and their earnest talk about "the anointing for special service" set me thinking. I asked them to come and talk with me, and we got down on our knees. They poured out their hearts, that I might receive the anointing of the Holy Ghost. And there came a great hunger into my soul. I knew not what it was. I began to cry as I never did before. The hunger increased. I really felt that I did no want to live any longer if I could not have this power for service. I kept on crying all the time that God would fill me with His Spirit. Well, one day, in the city of New York - Oh, what a day! I cannot describe it; I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to me. Paul had an experience that he never spoke for fourteen years. I can only say, God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to say His hand.
I went to preaching again. The sermons were no different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted. I would not be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you would gave me all Glasgow.*
Source: You Need Power
The 'MARK' of My Life
It's been a decade now since I first saw this gorgeous guy in this video:
He really caught my attention from then on...Thus inspired me to write my own poems for him. Today is a very special day for this guy and though I've written these poems a decade ago as well, just want to post it here. I may not be the same fan as before...for almost 6 yrs. of solid support to him and the rest of the lads, truly, he will always be the Mark of my life. ^_^
Happy 30th Birthday Mark Michael Patrick Feehily!!!
I'm just sad on what's happening in your life right now. But I still pray that God will intervene in your life to get you on the right track. Nevertheless, long life and abundant blessings are just few of my wishes to you.
I've already written a poem or two
For you and all because of you
Here again, another one
Which I always wish this won't be gone
Yes, I'm still your admirer
Since then, hoping this will be forever
You know that I really like you
Like some other girls feel for you
Oftentimes i really wonder why
You're a type of person who's quiet and shy
A person who's out of place
Not just today but in some other days
For me you have the best voice
If I would compare you with the other 'boys'
You can put your feelings to songs you sing
Which for me is always a great thing
Everytime I see your handsome face
With those rosy cheeks that give me a trace
It's one of the reasons of admiring you
Which I feel for you and always do
Though you and the other lads are already on top
You have the fame, don't know when it'll stop
Don't forget to pray to God above
The One that gives you His greatest love
And if these feelings to you will fade away
And the day it will end I cannot say
You'll still be a part of my life
For you are the one who is "the mark" of my life
**Date written: Nov. 30, 2000 Thursday started 4:00 PM
finished 5:15 PM
*********************************************
M-any people admire him true
And i'm one of them too
A very handsome and talented guy
Although sometimes he's very shy
R-eally, I want him to know
That Jesus loves him so
K-eep my love for him in my heart
So in my dream we'll never be apart
The song might be too early for everybody..I love his rendition though >blush<
***************************************
M-y heart says I'm in love with you
And I can say it's true
I want you to know I like your voice
Whenever you sing with the other boys
A-nd when I saw you on screen one time
I have this feeling I can't define
Don't you know you make my day complete
Esp. during my downs and defeat
R-eally good and handsome face you have
Are some of the things to you I love
But I tell you there's still more
I love you as a whole with the other four
K-eep these all in your heart
Eventhough we're apart
But I promise from the very start
You'll stay forever in my heart.
**Date written: October 28, 2000, Saturday
All Rights Reserved
He really caught my attention from then on...Thus inspired me to write my own poems for him. Today is a very special day for this guy and though I've written these poems a decade ago as well, just want to post it here. I may not be the same fan as before...for almost 6 yrs. of solid support to him and the rest of the lads, truly, he will always be the Mark of my life. ^_^
Happy 30th Birthday Mark Michael Patrick Feehily!!!
I'm just sad on what's happening in your life right now. But I still pray that God will intervene in your life to get you on the right track. Nevertheless, long life and abundant blessings are just few of my wishes to you.
The MARK of My life
by Ruth Ubaldo-Feehily =p
by Ruth Ubaldo-Feehily =p
I've already written a poem or two
For you and all because of you
Here again, another one
Which I always wish this won't be gone
Yes, I'm still your admirer
Since then, hoping this will be forever
You know that I really like you
Like some other girls feel for you
Oftentimes i really wonder why
You're a type of person who's quiet and shy
A person who's out of place
Not just today but in some other days
If I would compare you with the other 'boys'
You can put your feelings to songs you sing
Which for me is always a great thing
Everytime I see your handsome face
With those rosy cheeks that give me a trace
It's one of the reasons of admiring you
Which I feel for you and always do
Though you and the other lads are already on top
You have the fame, don't know when it'll stop
Don't forget to pray to God above
The One that gives you His greatest love
And if these feelings to you will fade away
And the day it will end I cannot say
You'll still be a part of my life
For you are the one who is "the mark" of my life
**Date written: Nov. 30, 2000 Thursday started 4:00 PM
finished 5:15 PM
*********************************************
M-any people admire him true
And i'm one of them too
A very handsome and talented guy
Although sometimes he's very shy
R-eally, I want him to know
That Jesus loves him so
K-eep my love for him in my heart
So in my dream we'll never be apart
The song might be too early for everybody..I love his rendition though >blush<
***************************************
M-y heart says I'm in love with you
And I can say it's true
I want you to know I like your voice
Whenever you sing with the other boys
A-nd when I saw you on screen one time
I have this feeling I can't define
Don't you know you make my day complete
Esp. during my downs and defeat
R-eally good and handsome face you have
Are some of the things to you I love
But I tell you there's still more
I love you as a whole with the other four
K-eep these all in your heart
Eventhough we're apart
But I promise from the very start
You'll stay forever in my heart.
**Date written: October 28, 2000, Saturday
All Rights Reserved
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Mother Teresa By Os Hillman
"For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me"(Matt 25:42-43).
Mother Theresa gave her life to a service to the needs of the poor in Calcutta, India. She reveals in the following what she believers every believer in Jesus is called to do: "It is not enough for us to say: "I love God," but I also have to love my neighbor. St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God and you don't love your neighbor. How can you love God whom you do not see, if you do not love your neighbor whom you see, whom you touch, with whom you live? And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is not true love in me and I bring injustice, not peace, to those around me."
It hurt Jesus to love us. We have been created in His image for greater things, to love and to be loved. We must "put on Christ" as Scripture tells us. And so, we have been created to love as He loves us. Jesus makes Himself the hungry one, the naked one, the homeless one, the unwanted one, and He says, "You did it to Me." On the last day He will say to those on His right, "whatever you did to the least of these, you did to Me, and He will also say to those on His left, whatever you neglected to do for the least of these, you neglected to do it for Me."
When He was dying on the Cross, Jesus said, "I thirst." Jesus is thirsting for our love, and this is the thirst of everyone, poor and rich alike. We all thirst for the love of others that they go out of their way to avoid harming us and to do good to us. This is the meaning of true love, to give until it hurts."
How might her words encourage you to do things differently?
Source: Mother Theresa
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tamaan ang Dapat Tamaan: The BLOG Version (Yeah Boy, I'm talking to you)
Sa loob ng dalawampu't apat na taon ko nang pamamalagi at nabubuhay sa mundong ito, maramirami na rin akong nakasalamuha at nakilala na mga iba't ibang uri ng tao. May mga taong akala mo hinog na, yun pala bubot pa; mga taong hinog na sa pisikal, yun pala sa isip at pang-unawa ay sanggol pa; may mga iba naman, tao nga sa pisikal ngunit asal hayop pala. Ngunit mayroon din namang aba! hulog ng langit! Hindi ko alam, baka pinagbawal na siya dun kaya bumaba dito sa lupa...biro lang (peace!)...ang totoo nyan, may mga taong sadyang may mabuti at busilak na kalooban. Pero sa ngayon, pagtutuunan ko muna ng pansin ang mga bagay bagay tungkol sa pag-ibig; dala na rin marahil sa mga hindi kaaya-ayang karanasan ng karamihan, tulad ng aking mga kakilala, kaibigan, kakosa, ka-FB, ka-FS, ka-chat, katawanan at hagikgikan, ka-youtube, kapwa ko kabataan, ka-church, at kung sinu-sino pa...at oo nga pala, isa rin akong biktima.
Ewan ko ba, bakit ang dami dami na ng lahi nila. Hindi ko alam kung sadyang nakakahawa o talagang dahil nasa dugo o lahi na nila. Sa una, mukhang magandang tingnan, kaaya-aya sa pandinig, pero wag ka, baka sa isang iglap ay naging biktima ka na rin nila.
Akin nang sisimulan ang mga banat na dapat noon ko pa pala ginawa...
Marahil ay may mga nakakakilala sa mga taong ganito ang mga bukang-bibig o ugali sa buhay: hindi naman siguro pinaglihi sa asukal pero matamis; hindi rin naman siguro lumaki sa hardin para matutong magsalita ng "mabubulaklak" na salita; at higit sa lahat, hindi naman mukhang keso, lalo namang hindi mukhang bola, pero bakit parang pasko palagi sa kanila kaya nagmumukha na silang keso de bola. Wala naman sigurong problema kung paminsan minsan, at higit sa lahat, taos sa puso ang sinasambit ng bibig. Ang hindi ko lang talaga maintindihan, bakit kailangan pang gawing kapani-paniwala o magpanggap sa mga bagay na eksaherado lang naman dahil sa kagagawan nila. At kami naman, in fairness (aminin!), napapaniwala. Mayroong paliwanag dyan ayon sa isang kakilala ko at ayon na rin sa napag-aralan ko sa kursong sikolohiya. Ang kahinaan ng mga kalalakihan ay ang mata/paningin samantalang ang mga kababaihan ay sa tenga/pandinig. Kaya nga, hindi kataka-taka na sa ilang segundo, ang lalaki ay nahuhulog na agad ang loob sa isang magandang dilag (dilag nga ba?) at ang babae naman ay napapaikot at napapaniwala sa matatamis at makesong salita. Tsk tsk!
Bago ko nga pala makalimutan, ang aking ilalahad ay isang daan at isang bahagdang subhektibo (translation: 101 percent subjective in nature). Hindi ko alam kung sa umpisa pa lang ay mayroon nang tinatamaan. pero kung mayroon man, wagi!!!Oo, ikaw nga ang aking pinatatamaan. Ngiti ka na lang. Page ko ito...Para sa iyo talaga ito. Bawian lang yan...gawa ka rin ng version mo kung gusto mo....
Mga halimbawa nga lang:
DUH!
Talaga lang?
O sige, alagaan mo hangga't gusto mo..sagot mo pag-aaral nyan ha,
pati gatas, diapers, vaccination, travel...
E kung i-knock out kaya kita dyan? si Mishka the Husky lang ang
kering keri sa pagsasabi ng "I love you" =P
sige, try mo lang, walang bawian ha....
korek, walang ka-future future..obsessed?
uy, ang keso na talaga..parang totoo lang
nako kuya, walang napapala ang tumititig lang sa test paper pero
alang sagot. ganyan din makukuha mo sa girl, no answer...
ang korni, anu ba yan!
Wow, akalain mo nga naman..ang sarap pakinggan...pero bakit ganun? May mga pagkakataong ganito:
Honestly, nachi-cheapan din ako sa ganyan, ayaw talaga
ng commitment tapos parang mag-asawa na ang turingan?
Ayan, ayan na nga ba sinasabi ko eh!tsk tsk!nagpapaniwala
kasi sa mga kakeso-kesong bagay....hayyy...
inaamin ko, naging biktima rin ako nyan
inaamin ko, naging biktima rin ako nyan
Nako, malingat ka nga lang iba na ka-text/ka-chat eh!minsan harap-harapan pa nga.
Salungat na salungat sa sinabi niyang "Kung dalawa ang maging puso ko,
ikaw ang mamahalin nilang pareho."ewwww!!!
Ha ha ha!!!Iba't iba ang paraan,
pare-pareho lang naman ang ibig sabihin
Pero malalim ang nilalaman...
pare-pareho lang naman ang ibig sabihin
Pero malalim ang nilalaman...
One week kasi may bago na naman siyang kinahuhumalingan eh,
ganun lang talaga kadaling magsawa...
at pambihira!bakit pinariringgan ako?sinong mataba?ako?
M.U.-Mukhang Unggoy!pwede!
Hindi naman pinaglalaruan ang emosyon...
Ano?tinatamaan ka na ba?wag ka muna mag-react, malay mo, bago matapos ito, may maganda kang mabasa...o manhid ka pa rin? Pero sa mga susunod, baka mabasag ka na?sana....
Ha ha!!tama!walang mangyayari kung puro patama lang,
diretsuhin na kasi..at wag sa text at sa chat,
hindi makikita ang sinseridad ng tao sa ganyang paraan.
Ok, sinabi na lahat..tumpak!ganyan dapat ang sagot!
ha ha ha ha!!!tawa na lang o!
sana nga nabasag...
Nako, marami nyan sa Sugarland...Laganap na nga ang ganyan eh...
Nako, marami na akong na-encounter na mga ganito...
assuming..at higit sa lahat, FEELING!
Well, noon yon..hindi na ngayon!bwahahahaha!!!!
Isang Halimbawa ng "assuming" at "feeling"
O di ba, may mga taong ganyan talaga. Isa't kalahating keso de bola, minsan asukal, etc. Pero maiba na muna. Ang mga sumusunod ay para naman sa mga dakilang emotero at emoterang tulad ko, na minsan na ring nasaktan..ay hindi pala minsan...palaging nasasaktan...manhid na nga eh!
May ilan ngang ganyan, sana sa umpisa pa lang napagtanto mo na
para hindi ka na nagsayang pa...
at ibinaling na lang sa talagang karapat-dapat
Tama! Wag na kasing ipilit eh...
korekted by...well said...
Right!
waaaahhh!!!!opo...alam ko naman po yun eh..he he
Kaya nga sa Pag-ibig, hindi dapat naka-base sa pakiramdam.
Ang pagmamahal ay isang desisyon, hindi lamang dahil sa emosyon; nang sa gayon, mawala man ang emosyon, andun pa rin ang desisyon na magmahal habang-buhay...
Tunay nga na may mga pagkakataong hindi mo inaasahan: umibig, masaktan, maniwala sa kasinungalingan, at marami pang iba. Ngunit, datapwat, subalit (he he!), hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Ang mga hindi kaaya-ayang pangyayari sa buhay ng isang tao ay hindi para sumuko bagkus ay para matuto sa mga pagkakamaling iyon. Sabi nga, "history repeats itself". Kaya nangyayari pa rin ang nakaraan ay dahil sa hindi pa rin matuto-tuto sa mga kamalian noon. Buti na lang, may mga kataga at kaisipan na maaaring magamit para hindi na maulit pa ang mapait na nakaraan:
Dapat ay sikaping maging isang natatanging indibidwal
na hindi kayang balewalain ng karamihan lalong lalo na
ng "special someone"
Mabibilang na lang ata sa daliri ang mga taong ganito.
Gayun pa man, naniniwala akong dadami rin sila..he he!
Sorry!puro na lang sorry!
Awww....
Tama! Hindi bale, may ganyan pa rin naman...
madalang nga lang...
Ang tunay na pagmamahal kasi ay hindi rin nakabase sa pisikal na kaanyuan...
nasa sa puso at ugali yan
Napaisip lang ako...may ganito pa kayang lalaki ngayon?
pero sa totoo lang, panalo ang linya nya ha...
Katulad nga ng sinabi ko na sa una, marami na akong narinig hinggil sa mga hindi kaaya-ayang karanasan ng ilan...isama ko na rin ang sarili ko. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko ikinatutuwa ang mga bagay na iyon. Marami kasi, akala nila, lahat na lang sa amin pare-pareho; madaling makuha, madaling mauto, madaling mapaniwala, madaling paikutin sa pamamagitan ng pagpapanggap-sa salita man yan o sa gawa. Pero sana maisip nila, hindi lahat ganon. May ilan pa rin naman na karespe-respeto, na hindi nakukuha o napapaniwala nang basta basta na lang. Ang kailangan namin ay ang taong igagalang kami at may busilak na kalooban.
Ayoko sanang madala. Dahil pag dumating ang puntong iyon, parang sinabi ko na rin na wala nang pag-asa. Yun nga lang, kailangan ko ring maging maingat, kailangan din ng mga kapwa ko ang maging maingat..matuto na sana; nang sa gayon, mapatunayan sa mga dumadami nilang populasyon na iba ako, iba kami. Sa ngayon, ang kailangan ko lang gawin na maaari ko ring maisangguni sa kapwa ko, habang hinihintay ang pagdating ng nag-iisang taong nakalaan para sa akin at sa iyo/kanya, nararapat lamang na maging handa ang sarili. Samahan pa ng dasal na may pag-asang kaakibat...na darating ang takdang panahon na darating ang taong tulad nito:
Sa puntong ito, ayoko na matapos ito na maging "Tamaan ang dapat tamaan: bato bato sa langit, tawa na lang.." Wala ito sa kung sino ang tinamaan, tinalbugan lang, o nag-mamaang-maangan. Nasa sa pagtanggap lamang yan at pagdedesisyon na magbago habang hindi pa huli ang lahat.
The Place of Nothingness By Os Hillman
"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) .
Do you find yourself in a place of nothingness? There is a time and place in our walk with God in which He sets us in a place of isolation and waiting. It is a place in which all past experiences are of no value. It is a time of such stillness that it can disturb the most faithful if we do not understand that He is the one who has brought us to this place for only a season. It is as if God has placed a wall around us. No new opportunities - simply inactivity.
During these times, God is calling us aside to fashion something new in us. It is a place of nothingness designed to call us to deeper roots of prayer and faith. It is not a comfortable place, especially for a task-driven workplace believer. Our nature cries out, "You must do something" while God is saying, "Be still and know that I am God." You know the signs that you have been brought into this place when He has removed many things from your life and you can't seem to change anything. Perhaps you are unemployed. Perhaps you are laid up with an illness.
Many people live a very planned and orchestrated life where they know almost everything that will happen. But for people in whom God is performing a deeper work, He brings them into a time of quietness that seems almost eerie. They cannot see what God is doing. They just know that He is doing a work that cannot be explained to themselves or to others.
Has God brought you to a place of nothingness? Be still and know that He really is God. When this happens, your nothingness will be turned into something you will value for the rest of your life.
Source: The Place of Nothingness
Monday, May 24, 2010
Fostering the Right Environment By Os Hillman
"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herd" (Prov 27:23).
Janice was a high level executive who required excellence and exceptional performance from those under her leadership. She was the general manager of a credit card unit when five of her 2,000 employees were found to have deliberately hidden $24 million in losses that she was accountable for. Her "no failure" policy brought great pressure upon her employees and she failed to recognize how this leadership style affected others. It discouraged employees from bringing problems to her. She was an intense perfectionist whom others saw as intimidating and confrontational. She was extremely opinionated. Her subordinates were fearful of reporting any bad news so they lied about it.
Do you feel like what you accomplish is never quite good enough? Do projects have to be just right? Do you feel you must give more than 100 percent on everything you do or else you will be mediocre or even a failure?
Perfectionism refers to a set of self-defeating thoughts and behaviors aimed at reaching excessively high unrealistic goals. Perfectionism is often mistakenly seen in our society as desirable or even necessary for success. However, studies show that perfectionist attitudes actually interfere with success. The desire to be perfect can both rob you of a sense of personal satisfaction and cause you and others to fail to achieve as much as people who have more realistic strivings. Janice lost her job over this situation but was later offered another chance to salvage one of the company's smaller businesses. She realized that she needed to be much more understanding of people around her. She learned from her experience and succeeded in her next assignment with the company. The solution to becoming a transparent person is to get feedback from those around us. This is the only way we will avoid perfectionism. We must ask for the feedback and be willing to respond to input.
What would others say about your management style? Do you foster dialogue and encourage others to bring issues to your attention? Are you willing to work with your team to solve problems together?
Source: Fostering the Right Environment
Friday, May 21, 2010
Seeing God's Power in the Clothing Industry By Os Hillman
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Cor 2:3-5).
I learned a principle years ago of withholding our natural gifting to insure that God is in whatever we are doing.
Crystal is a businesswoman involved in the manufacture of designer clothing. Her designs are known for their elaborate detail and accessories sewn into the clothing. She had a contract with a major retail chain that agreed to carry here clothing. A call came from the retailer requesting that four designs be sent to them for consideration for the next season's clothing line. She had known that meeting this particular deadline was going to be very difficult due to other circumstances that were going on in her life.
Finally the deadline came and she had not completed the two of the pieces of clothing she wanted them to consider. The elaborate detail and finish work she was known for had not been completed on two of the four pieces they were asking for. She called the retailer and said she had two pieces ready to ship but the other two still needed to be completed. The retailer argued with her and said, "Send the others to us anyway."
Crystal is a perfectionist and the idea of sending her designs to the retailer without the finished detail, creativity, and quality made her very uncomfortable. Then, she recalled my teaching on this principle. She decided to do something in total opposition to her natural inclinations. She sent the two pieces of clothing to the retailer along with the other two "finished" pieces. To her shock and amazement the retailer chose the two pieces of clothing that had not been "finished" and declined the other two.
Crystal realized that God was demonstrating His power through this principle of withholding her natural gifting to show her that it was by His hand that she was being successful in her business. This did not take away her need to be creative or skillful, but there was now a new understanding to move in a dimension that placed greater dependence upon obedience rather than just her natural skill.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Trained for War By Os Hillman
"Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle" (Psalm 144:1)
You'll never experience God in powerful ways by acquiring Bible knowledge alone. It is only when that knowledge is used in the heat of battle that you will know the reality of what you've learned intellectually. Otherwise, it remains only an exercise in spiritual gymnastics that yields little fruit.
David became a great warrior and leader of a nation at an early age. His training ground was his job as a shepherd in the open fields. When bears and lions sought to take his sheep, he personally fought them. This was his early preparation for future battles. Goliath was the real competition amongst a discerning audience to reveal how well his training prepared him.
Today, our local churches often look more like luxury cruise liners designed to tickle the ears, entertain its members and make them feel good instead of a battleship designed to train an army for war. The average member still watches from the sideline.
In sports you discover how well you handle pressure by competing. You can practice all you want but never know how you will do until you enter the game and test what you've learned and practiced when there is pressure added to the equation. In battle you discover how well you are trained by what you actually do on the battlefield.
Have you ever prayed with someone in public? Have you ever personally led someone to Christ? Have you ever served others for the sake of the Gospel? Have you ever taught a Bible study? If you said no to these questions, you are not engaged in the game. Today, why not ask God to give you the grace to step onto the battlefield.
Source:http:Trained for War
Insight:
Having a personal relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior ,is never a joke. Once you commit yourself to Him, it means you're preparing yourself to fight the battle with Him and for Him. Yes, Christianity (I'm referring to the relationship, not religion) is not boring, as a matter of fact, one can experience true joy in spending time with God and fellow believers. On the other hand, our relationship with Him is not always a smooth-sailing thing. Just like Jesus' suffering, we're not exempted to trials and tribulations that life may bring. Hence, as Christ's ambassadors of faith, we must not deny the fact of spiritual warfare which happens all the time. As we lead people to Christ, it is a must to let them experience the joy of being God's children at the same time train them for spiritual battle. It has never been a less important matter in Christianity.
As for me, leading this people to a deeper level of spirituality must be emphasized, even though they are still young in the relationship (new Christians). May be not in an instant, but gradually and eventually realize the true meaning of being Christ's follower/believer. Let's go back to the basic. Let's go back to our first love-Jesus Christ. Let's love His Word. Let's speak to Him in prayer. We can never win the battle unless we don't fill ourselves of godly thoughts and fulfill our commitments to Him.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
TO A SPECIAL WOMAN~Happy CHRISTIAN WOMEN WEEK
TO A SPECIAL WOMAN
Be Blessed Be a Blessing |
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