Monday, January 31, 2005

Time Mag & the Bible

I just read an issue in Time Mag about "The Science of Happiness." and it gave 8 steps toward a more satisfying life. What the naked eye wouldn't have found is that the steps were based on biblical values.

1. Count your blessings - "...Give thanks in all circumstances." (1 Thessalonian 4:18)

  • Giving thanks helps us see our blessings when we often can't make them out.

2. Practice Acts of Kindness - "...34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' (Matthew 25:34-40)

3. Savor Life's Joys - "16 Rejoice always" (1 Thessalonian 4:16)

4. Thank a Mentor - "...greet all those who rule over you..." (Hebrews 13:24)

5. Learn to Forgive - "And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6:12)

6. Invest Time and Energy in Friends and Family - " Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you" (Proverbs 3:27-28)

7. Take Care for your body - " He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich." (Proverbs 10:4)

8. Develop strategies for Coping with Stress and Hardships. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)

  • Trials produce patience in a believer. I heard a preacher once say that patience is what can get you through any trial. God promises to deliver and all we need to do is be patient and wait for it to come in it's timing.

The Time Mag also mentioned how religious faith help people cope. Very interesting...

Hope this has been enlightening....


Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Advertisers and their Silly Treasures!

Do you remember being a child when it didn’t take much to make you happy? It took little things to feel happy like watching Saturday Morning Cartoons or playing with lego or getting a new toy fire truck or a new Barbie Doll. We treasured such things.

But as you get older it takes bigger treasures to be happy. Sesame Street and Punk Rock Barbie doesn’t cut any more friends. We need new treasures like having a big house or fast car or a beautiful spouse or an exotic vacation or a degree…. I can go on and on but I think you get the point. They are bigger treasures in size and price. So where do we go to get these ‘happy fixes?’ We go to advertisers silly.

The Advertising industry is the one who sets our values and tell us what makes us happy and what we want. There are so many products on the market now. Apple just launched a new version of their IPOD! They will probaly say: “You want this!” “It’ll make you happy” “It might cost you but the cost of not having it is to much!” “Come on get it!” in not so many words. So we end up going and buying it and we think “WOW! This is the greatest thing that has happened to me in months, weeks or even hours.” But than the novelty wears off, we get bored and look for our next fix. Where to we got to get it? Advertisers silly!

Then the Ad industry comes up with a new model. They say, “Oh if you liked the old version you’ll love the new version!” “The old hassles are gone but now the new models have faster conveniences!” “You want it! Your life depends on it! Come and get it! It’ll make you happier than the old version!” So we fall for it and go buy it and our life is seems happy of a couple of weeks, month and even hours until we get bored and turn to the advertisers for the next ‘happy fix’ and the cycle continues on and on and on and on and on and on……….

Have you ever wanted something that will last? Something that will keeps us stimulated and not wear out or make us bored or will not get outdated with the latest version? How about an inexhaustible treasure? Will there is one. Jesus offers it to his followers in Luke 12:32-33:

“…. Your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor (notice it doesn’t say lazzy). Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where not thief comes near and no moths destroys.”

Not also is this treasure inexhaustible, it also has some safety features.

“…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rusts do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:20

I’ll take that treasure and not these silly ones please! I won’t be needing paper or plastic! Thank you!

Monday, January 10, 2005

Lost Potential

There is so much wasted potential in the world. Have you seen what it looks like? It happens when people don’t find out what their gifts and talents are? It’s never found, tap into and used to it’s full potential. Instead it can gets squandered doing the things it wasn't met to do like flipping burgers or something. And those who are gifted at flipping burgers are stuck trying to paint or make music which they are not meant to do or are even good at. Some of us know but don't tell them their potential is squandered.

Then there are cases when we do find out the gifts but don’t use them. All because we believe a lie. Here’s some examples of lies:

“You can’t do that!”
“You’ll never make it?”
“You’re not good enough, smart enough, educated enough or tough enough.”
“You don’t have what it takes.”

Sometimes we waste our potential by focusing on past failures or when we’re traumatized by bad experiences.

What’s the solution? Keep on keeping on! Here are some words from my friend Paul:

“… Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Phil 3:12

What’s another solution? Forget the past!

“….But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what it ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:14

Did it pay off for Paul? Let’s look at his words in 1 Tim 4:7-8:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Then there are times when we need a little help. That’s why I talk to Jesus. He has given us his Spirit but how powerful is the Spirit?

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:11

So go ahead what are you waiting for? Oh don’t just sit there do it! Dream again! Grab hold of that vision that is beyond yourself. I dare you to take Paul at his word? I dare you to get Jesus involved and see how He can help? I challenge you to get empowered by God’s Spirit. What are you waiting for? What do you got to lose? Just do it!

It's All Going to Melt?

“…But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.”
2 Peter 3:7

One day is it all going to melt? The Hummers, weapons of mass destruction, Taj Mahal, diamonds, our houses, nations, bunkers, the earth, the White House and so on. You may know some examples of what can melt. It almost sounds kinda bleak doesn’t it? Everything that we worked for, strived to achieve, protected, defended and produced will all one day melt?

It’s already happening to the polar ice caps, which are shrinking by the way. Big chucks of the ice are breaking off and floating and melting in the ocean. Some are the size or bigger than the Vancouver Island in Canada. The coastlands around the world are also shrinking from being submerged by the melted water produced from these giant Ice Cubes. They need to raise the heights of the dikes along the Thames in a bunch of years to keep it from flooding London. Crazzy huh? But it is happening. But will it all melt?

Have you read the what the Word of God says about this?

“…each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”
1 Corinthians 3:13-15


What will last? Who will be saved? What can we do know to be sure? What’s next? What will last? What do I have to do to have my work last without melting or burning? WHAT? Tune in next time to find out.....

Subuction Zone

Do you know that there are crack all across the earth's surface? These cracks create plates in the earths crust. They bump and grind each other and create huge vibrations called earthquakes. Sometimes these plates end up grinding one on top of the other. One will actually sub duct underneath another. These areas are called sub-duction zones. They are constantly under pressure and every so often chunks of the edges of the plates get knocked off and earthquakes occur.

This is what happened in South Asia. A chunk of one plate got knocked off another sending vibrations creating the Tsunami killing hundreds of thousands. Bodies, cars and fish get washed up the shore. Homes are destroyed, lives are lost, the orphan and widow population increases and funerals are made.

We live in a Sub duction zone here in Western North America. Guess what!!! We are loooong over due for our BIG ONE! A BIG earthquake that is. It can happen now, at the end of you reading this, tomorrow or millions of centuries from now.

I just have one question for you? Are you ready? To meet the Maker if you don't survive? There is just one problem. You are God’s enemy (Romans 5:10) because of a pesky thing called sin. Sin is all the bad and evil we do. The wages of sin is death…. (Romans 6:23) What are you going to do?

Well there is a solution. God paid the price with the death of his son Jesus. The wages of sin are death but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Would you like to accept the payment of your sin with His death? Turn from sin, accept Jesus as your savior and learn what it truly means to live! Get in touch with a Bible Based church and starting drinking the Word of God with other beleivers. You will never regret it. I did it and my life is changed.

Why did Jesus do it? Well because he had to. It was the only solution. He loved you and that’s why.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Saturday, January 08, 2005

Fellowship for What?

"...Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts...."
Acts 2:46 NIV
We can spend our time doing pretty much anything with anyone. The above statement speaks about having fellowship. I've met many lovers of Jesus who do not fellowship on a regular basis. They can spend their time in fellowship with violent video games, unwholesome programs on T.V and degrading movies, immoral sites on the internet, and bad company that corrupts their good behavior.
But can you imagine if these lovers of Jesus would spend time in fellowship with God and each other? Just read around the verses:
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."
Acts 2:42-47 NKJ
Wow! Let's list some of the benefits:
  1. they were filled with awe
  2. wonders and miracles took place
  3. they gave to those in need
  4. they ate together with glad and sincere hearts
  5. they had favor with people
  6. the Lord added to there number daily those who were being saved

What great and marvelous benefits!!! It just seems more practical to fellowship with God and each other than with the 'alternatives."

But you know what? Sometimes we get caught up in this ugly thing called sin and not even know it. Our hearts get harden and we avoid anyone and anything that would challenge our pride and bring correction to our lives? Sometimes we just won't humble ourselves? Here are some responces:

DEFENCIVE:

"Shields up Scotty!"

"But no enemy is attacking? All I see is a dear friend looking out for a buddy."

PRIDE:

"What! Who are you to correct me? I've been in the business longer than you pal and I think I'd know when I'm away from God! Don't correct me?"

What should our responce be? We should correct with love, gentleness and sincerity. If it's done in the fruit of the Spirit, correction will be taken when our pure motive is obvious.

Well dear friends... let's encourage each other with the following advice:

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25 NIV



Longings

We all seem to be longing for something.

We long for a cure for Cancer.
We long for a cure for Aids.
We long for the ansrews.
We long for justice.
We long to have the blind see.
We long for love, joy, peace.

We long to never feel guilt.
We long to never greif over death again.
We long to never have our hearts broken.
We long to never see disease, famine and disaster.
We long to never feel lonely.
We long to never see death.
We long to never feel empty.

In short we long to never see pain!
In short we long for heaven.


"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst,
The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:15-17
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things have passed away,"
Revelation 21:4

God-Shaped Hole

Everyone feels a sense of guilt. A deep sense of filth! But how is it relieved? For some it is through overeating, for others it can be through sex, drugs, or even hours of television. You name it! Everyone tries to fill that God-shaped hole inside. But nothing seems to fit the hole. It's to BIG! It's to specific for a certain kind of shape. What can possibly fill it? What can give everyone meaning and purpose? What are we here for? What will fill the hole whole?

It only comes with Jesus. He fills the void! When everyone truly lives for him and strips off the old self and puts on the new self filled with love, joy, peace. But some of his followers can fall back into there old routine of things. Somehow He is forgotten and going back to filling the void with over eating, movies, drugs etc., takes it's place. It might not even be seen or known until something deep inside just screams to come back to the Master. The conscious can get seared and at times it is drowned until it cannot be heard anymore. Joy, peace and love are lost. Instead it grows cold, hopeless and depressed.

What to do in this situation? Turn back to the Master, Savior, Shepherd, Guardian Jesus! Ask Him for forgiveness, cleansing and restoration. He provides grace and mercy in times of need. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins are cleanse us of all unrighteousness. He will by no means forsakes us? Have you heard about the lost sheep, prodigal son, lost coin?

Go ahead! I dare you to invite him in your life! I dare you to obey him? I challenge you to talk to him. What do you got to loose? Despair? Depression? Lack of direction purpose and meaning? Turn it all in for the Savior. Then fellowship with godly people, pray and read his Word and you life just might start changing before you know it? Love, joy, peace and a life of adventure come with it. Are you willing to fill the hole wholly? Are you? What are you waiting for?


Come to Lord Jesus, COME!


P/S my grammar is very poor, BAD PARALLELISM!

Saturday, January 01, 2005

crazzzy life

What a crazzy life huh... I sit in my home with my running water, 3 course meal, closet full of cloths and snap on the T.V and.... *ZAP!* I'm in another part of the world!!! Tsunami without warning. People lost everything. Food, clothing, shelter, families,

Who do I donate to? Will it reach the unreached? Who can be trusted to bring aid or will my $$$ be spent of 1st class tickets for CEO'S of these relief organizations! WHERE'S THE INTERGRITY!!! Dunno?

Orphans are exploited as cheap labor, prostitution, etc?

I've got some distant reletives in those islands that are apart of India but closer to Indonesia. I've probaly never met them and we haven't heard a thing from them yet. Kerala lost approx. between 100-200 people. None of my family. Also the Island of Sumatra has moved and maps are now being updated.

What a crazzzzzzy life huh?


Self-Pity

Self Pity is such a killer! Oh, you know it! It's those stupid voices that say: "Poor Me...," "I'm the only one...," "Why does this always happen to me..." Everyone has felt it like Spiderman in Spiderman 2 and Chris Cornell and NIN!

But then you put on the T.V and see how people lost everything within a couple of hours. Families have died! Children become orphans! Homes are lost! Disease is rampant. A police inspecter washes his home with purified water while others would give anything just for a single drop of it! What's this world coming to?

These are just some of the signs that the end is close. Then many more signs will come and *BANG*! Our savior will arrive.

He doesn't tolerate injustice!
He will not leave us like orphans but He will come to us.
He sets the lonely in families.
He is our shelter.
He provides grace and mercy in time of need.
He's a father to the fatherless and binds up the broken hearted.

Just look at the life of Joseph. One day he is falsely accused and thrown into prison and the next thing you know it, he's standing before Pharoah and helped out his family who betrayed him. Joseph gave them a hand when they were starving. Joseph's tradegy worked together for good. We will see this in the end as well. Good-bye self pity! Adios Amigos! You have no place here.

THE SAVIOUR IS COMING!!!!!