Philosophically Speaking...

There are a good many worthy Philosophies out there; in fact we are spoilt for choice if we have the presence of mind to better ourselves and to embrace any of them (which we, more often than not, sub- and unconsciously do). And that is a good thing. - We must however be aware that committing to a particular philosophy carries the danger of stagnation...

A philosophy or ideology is a theory or view of ideas formulated through experience and investigation which seeks to explain events by sussing out the laws and causes underlying reality. In effect a critique and/or analysis that makes inquiry into the nature of things based on logical reasoning - in a nutshell, it is the love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means that endeavours to seek mass approval.

One would gather, by its very definition, that a philosophy is not a destination, but rather a BASIS, or foundation. It is a set of ideals or laws we may use to initially start FROM and not necessarily unwaveringly live BY. In fact a 'philosopher' isn't the person or persons that formulated the philosophy - it is the FOLLOWER that is called a philosopher.

To avoid stagnation when becoming a philosopher - whilst living and adhering to the basis of a chosen philosophy - we must constantly and actively be questioning, growing and honing (shaping) that philosophy into an even more beneficial set of ideals for mankind to live by - take note that I am referring to WORTHY philosophies - look up the definition of 'worthy'.

I'm not going to rip into any of the existing 'worthy' philosophies that glaringly seek followers akin to cult-like radicals - although that would indeed give me great pleasure. Those philosophies are the ones that don't develop and produce philosophers; they tend to spit out disciplines and doctrines that call for strict, passionate static devotees - subjects devoid of, or restricted from, free-will and/or freedom of choice - in fact disallowing or frowning on alternate thought.

To get a better grasp as to the frequency of this occurrence; we have but just got to consider that any given country's Constitution is, in effect, a philosophy. Parliamentary Dictates or Acts are philosophies, as are even regional and cultural by-laws, etc - in fact whole the judicial system exhibits this attribution. Religious denominations, sects, cults, and the like, are all part and parcel of the plethora of philosophies pounding at our doors daily - and frighteningly, this includes the doors to our hearts and minds!

I could go on and on; but let me give you a case in point, that is more closer to my own experience and lifestyle I choose to live from and by: Did you know that should I have closed my mind and ONLY followed and adhered to the TEN COMMANDMENTS to the tee, in a blinkered and static manifestation of its ideals, I would never have come to know Jesus Christ as my Saviour? Oh yes, I would live an absolutely good and worthy life, totally in line with GOD's will, but the Ten Commandments on their own would not have taught me to strive and more importantly have the passion to open my spirituality, given its staid philosophical grounding, to also Love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind, nor would I know to Love my neighbour as myself. (Mat. 22:37-40) - I know certain arguments may be raised against this citation - you can take me up on that at another time - but it clarifies the point I am trying to make.

With this in mind, it follows that, the strength and lessons we draw from others must be varied; since nobody is perfect, we require a good few earthly teachers and role-models, who by no means must be geographically nor philosophically clustered - the wisdom must be garnered from all and every contact we meet, or are compelled to interact with - in so doing we learn to balance our passion to change. The gift of free-will or freedom of choice, is nothing, if not the freedom to change and employ reason, so as not to remain in a rut of lament and stagnation. Succumbing to circumstance is illogical for the reasonable man who has been indoctrinated, influenced and molded by maintaining the status-quo; and is tantamount to self-abuse... The rub is to define your circumstance and your current disposition thereof into a journey, and move out of the mindset that calls it 'home'...

In the end, a worthy philosophy is a basis that has got to include compassion and empathy; and allow itself to work in concert with the goodness found in other ideologies - and a good philosopher thereof has got to have the freedom of choice to extend, nurture and grow its worthiness, through change, into eternity - and, funnily enough, isn't that what God's plan for mankind is all about?

Touching silence...

How utterly natural and nourishing silence can be, particularly where there is love. I cannot think of anything less like emptiness than quietly feeling love for another individual. And the joy of seeing someone doesn't always bring the desire to speak. To bask in a loving, shared silence that is shaped only by the mutual breathing-in of another's presence. And to close your eyes, and know completely how substantial is any silence that cradles love - a pure love that remains, long into the quiet after they are gone...

I know her so well...

A Broken Woman by Jodie Michaels

The Author

"She had a sparkle in her eye, that has faded with time. A once happy, vibrant woman, is now merely existing. Her circumstances have changed her. She dreams of getting away, but she is stuck.
I look at her, and it's easy to see the pain in her eyes. It's as if her spirit has already left her. I find her staring into nothingness, and wonder what she is thinking. She smiles, but I can see through it. She feels alone, and thinks no one understands her....but I do.
She is a broken woman, wanting to let go of her demons so badly. Her unhappiness nauseates her, its chipping away at her every single minute of every single day. She wishes to break free and finally find reason to live. To wake each day with a smile across her lips - a REAL smile. She longs for happiness, but doesn't even know where to start, to find it.
All I want for her, is to face each day at peace with herself and her surroundings. She is a strong woman, and she may have forgotten that along the way, but I know in my heart she will be just fine. She may feel like she is grasping at the last threads of her sanity, but this is just a test. Her time will come. She will be happy again. I know this..."

It is a gut-wrenching, from the heart, distasteful and miserable pursuit (much like all worthy things we wish to accomplish) - the journey is a mission of grace. Baring your soul (to another or others) is probably the most uncomfortable experience you will ever have to put yourself through; yet there are people who have survived this ordeal while facing it in the worst of situations, with tremendous pressures and temptation around them to just give up - oh yes, our circumstances are our most formidable enemies, it's our primary excuse to place a condition on being able to liberate ourselves from the hold of abuse and its damage to our being... especially self-abuse that eventually afflicts, diseases and infects everybody who we have any contact with.

There are NO PERFECT AND COMFORTABLE CONDITIONS for facing our demons - just opportunity and self-comittment; and if you can't do it in an environment where the LOVE OF GOD shines through, then seriously, good luck to you wherever else you do...

When will I see you again..?

Have you noticed, that when artists and illustrators dare to envisage GOD, they always depict Him as this old man, with a receding hairline, long locks about shoulder length, sporting an equally long white beard. They go on to dress Him in an unflattering white robe and open-toed strap-sandals. I suppose, given our perception of the effects of time, we haven't really anything more to go on with, than to envisage him as having aged quite considerably since He first started His Creation - our reality. But the attire? For a Supreme Being I think a smart double-breasted, pin-striped, Armani suit with matching shirt and tie and leather brogues would more befit an entity running the whole world - don't you?

I woke this morning, praise God!, with this on my mind - What is the perception we have of those we haven't seen for some time; the ones that have disappeared from our lives or departed this physical world. - In our minds we remember them as we last saw them. No further ageing has occurred over and through the ravages of time. I certainly don't imagine my late father (12 years now) as now having sprouted a beard and draped himself in a flowing robe with sandals. He still looks the same and still wears his shorts, calf-length socks, smart pair of shoes and collared shirt. - How do you recall the now unseen persons from your past? Parents, lovers, spouses, friends and acquaintances?


Perhaps today you should take some time and have another good look at those around you; those who are in your circles, those that affect your daily life. Really study their features. It could easily be the memory you will have of them for the rest of YOUR life! Pray - May God in His mercy bless and protect them all... (",)

MOTHER'S DAY - 12 May 2013

The person who holds this position would claim to have made many mistakes. I think this thing called love makes any errors inconsequential. Someone asked when the job of motherhood was completed. Mothers know it is never finished...

Even now as she looks upon her children, and prays for them - and especially for me - I always told her: "I need the prayers and you need the practice." - At that she still smiles…

Dear mother, you have been given a tear… No, not one… Many. Some for joy, some just because, and yes some to shed in sorrow.

But, you see, your tears are special. They are God's gift to you. No man possess that gift and no man can understand His gift like you. And might this remind you of the many tears you have shed; remember, each had and will have a purpose because you see, God makes your love so strong that it cannot be contained and it is reflected in the tear He has placed on your cheek and in the corner of your eye…

Some for joy, some just because, and yes some to shed in sorrow - for that is the life of a mother dear (like you need me to tell you this! - lol)

Proverbs 31:31 (birth year of my Mom) - “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”

Monopoly on wheelbarrows...

Probably the most capitalistic board game around is ‘Monopoly’. So it was surprising to learn that a Chinese imitation of it is also a popular game in Beijing and Shanghai. There are some minor differences in the Chinese version. All the tokens, for instance, are wheelbarrows - no plutocratic top hats, sports cars and the like. And in the Chinese imitation, you can't pay a fine to get out of jail. Lawbreakers have to serve their time. – I kind of like that aspect… As for trumped-up medical parole – take your wheelbarrow and go and do some community service!

I’ve been thinking and reading about how deep in human nature was the idea of a family, and how false the denial of that idea - as in Plato and in all collective systems - and especially in the present tendency to separate out sensuality and value it apart from procreation, recreation and, yes, even Creation. New beginnings, makeovers, do-overs, fresh starts, children are the everlasting new start; life springing up again, joyous and undefiled. I know that everybody, every idea, every family, and even every child will make every mistake that I have made (well most of them), commit the same sins, be tormented by the same passions, as sure as I know that a green shoot pushing up from the earth must ripen and fall back, dead, on to the same earth; yet this does not take away from the wonder and beauty of new beginnings, fresh starts, children or a new resolution – may God bless and enhance your day in newness! (“,)

Steps to live again...

Over a year has passed since my dear friend, lover and confidante chose, or was reportedly compelled, to break ties with me; and yet every day is still filled with pain. Will I ever be happy again?

My unhappiness is a bottomless cup. I know I must be cheerful, liv­ing in a loving family and having good friends, yet gloom haunts me… Something has to change or I shall be sick. Clearly my situation is not going to change; therefore, I shall have to change. But how?

I have given much thought to my predicament and I have devised a simple set of rules by which I plan to live. I intend this to be a daily exercise. I pray that the plan will some­how deliver me from my dismal swamp of despair. It has to…

I have formulated the following simple strategy, in effect, rules-to-live-by; and will endeavour and resolve to do the following every day:

1. Do something for someone else.

2. Do something for myself.

3. Do something I don't want to do that needs doing.

4. Do a physical exercise.

5. Do a mental exercise.

6. Do an original prayer that al­ways includes counting my blessings.

I lim­ited myself to six rules because I feel that number to be "manage­able." Here are some of the things I have since done, and do, to fulfill my six assignments.

Something for someone else. I would like to think that my messages of inspiration or advice I blog or post on the social networks, quite cover this daily activity; but something is still lacking. My idea, of really doing something for someone else, would be something physical - or at least more tangible and personal for a particular individual. Visiting a sick, or even just lonely, friend makes up for this lack. I also always try and have an item or two available for our local rag-and-scrap guy. Tossing the odd coins to a street-beggar does little to satisfy my need to indulge this assignment… but when I can, I do.

Something for myself. At "doing something for your­self" we all probably can excel. I began with a friend’s idea of bath therapy - A bath should be the ultimate place of relaxation. Gather lemon, mint, laven­der and rose geranium. Steep the dried leaves in boiling water for 15 minutes and strain into the tub. Lie in the bath with your eyes closed, and do not think while soaking. Let the tensions of the day melt away. It is sensational. – The occasional sauna at the gym also does wonders, but is not a pleasure I get to indulge in too often. I started a herb garden of my own with a view to making up herbal sachets for Christmas gifts. In so doing some­thing for myself I can turn it into doing something for someone else. I also really enjoy doing my own laundry – from machine-wash to iron-folded. There is a tremendous joy I derive from wearing a fragrant garment, laundered by myself!

Something I don't want to do. There is no heroism attached to this assignment. It has covered things like vacuuming the bed-bugs from my mattress to detailing the grease off the under-carriage of the car. Some of the worst include tidying up the bathroom ‘airing’ cupboard (very little of its content required airing – more like chucking), cleaning the leaves from the garage roof and gutters to shaving, or at least, trimming my beard… self-manicures and pedicures, hair treatments, eye-brow, ear and nose hair plucking sort of cover a lot of this aspect… lol

Physical exercise. Surprisingly I have taken to walking quite well. I enjoy the walks to the shops, or to familial or friends’ houses for a visit. Most times I walk alone, and the perambulatory solitude leaves much time for meditation and reflection. However, I must endeavour to start a gym programme. I don’t feel too bad though, the odd jobs and help I give to neighbours and family also lends me to quite a bit of physical activity. And yes, taking the on-going chores around my home into account as well, this has become a daily exercise.

Mental exercise. The "mental exercise" was also challenging. I have neglected reading for too long. Bible readings, I decided were more suited for the ‘original prayer’ facet. I decided on poetry. Emily Dickinson’s works sent me into orbit - "I dwell in possibility," wrote Emily. Marvellous words. To blog and post my social network updates on-line, I do quite a bit of reading (book and internet), always with a view to finding some gem of wisdom to share. Biographies, anecdotes and quotations are my favourite sources - if not for onward sharing; then just to ‘feed’ my own soul.

To my surprise, I had trouble with No 6…

Original Prayer did not come as easily as I had presumed. My utterings always felt contrived and empty. I can't concentrate in church, I find myself appraising the people’s outfits. Eventually I discovered a solution: when I sit in solitude on a rock, or rise, overlook­ing God’s natural beauty, I can pray. I ask the Lord to help me bloom where I am planted, and then I count my blessings, always beginning with my family and good friends, with­out whom I would be alone and lost.

We are all involved, actors and victims alike, we all need to become aware that we all fight the battle against darkness. It will prove worthwhile to heed the following wise words: "I alone can take the initiative to escape from 'the sarcophagus of self.” - The sarcophagus of self. Beware not to become buried in your own ego. Sometimes the thing you dread doing is the very thing you should do, just so you can stop thinking about it.

The prayer assignment is the most helpful of all. I strive now to make up a short prayer every day, and I always include some thanksgiving in it. Writing a prayer isn't always easy, but it's a valuable spiritual discipline. I don't always have a meditation rock, but I do have a few special places where I can attend to that inner voice.

I don't worry how well I fulfill the six rules, as long as I do them daily. I will give myself credit for just one letter written, or one drawer cleaned out, and it's surprising how good feelings about a small accomplishment often en­able me to go on and do more.

Can life be lived by a formula? All I know is that since I started to live by those six precepts, I've be­come more involved with others and, hence, less "buried" in myself. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I have adopted the motto: "Bloom where you are planted."

I do not think of the ‘lost’ person that often (what or who she is doing now is too painful to imagine), I think of a lost ‘us’ – what could have been; and in my best moments, ‘what still might be!’

Love you ~ Stafford

Blessings, my friend...

God in heaven, God above,
Please protect the friend I love.
Sent with a smile, sealed with a kiss,
I love my friend who's reading this...

It hurts to love someone when we can’t tell them what we really feel because sometimes we get hurt without them knowing. We get jealous even if we have no right to feel that way. We want their time even if we are not in the position to demand it. Although our hearts are breaking in silence, we still continue to love them because somehow in this hurtful love there is still hope of having simple moments with them even if it means being just a friend...

The nicest place to be is in someone's thoughts,
The safest place to be is in someone's prayers,
But the very best place to be is in their arms...

Much love ~ Stafford

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1

BRUNO departed - a year ago now...

Stafford Sammybear Lakay: BRUNO departs...

The above link says it all...

I know I'll see you again my BabyBrun.. *hugs* - ~SB

Life Divine... with love divine

Thank you, each and everyone for the inspiring
 and blessed 50th Birthday wishes

When you speak from your heart; and say the words your soul has only dared to whisper; that's when miracles happen.

"Even when you think God is long gone, if you can remember to ask for help, you will see that He has been there all along."

I encourage you to believe for things that are so big that they take God’s favour, blessings and divine intervention to make them a reality...


This is what the LORD says, He who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it - the LORD is His name: ‘Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. - Jeremiah 33:2-3

Love Due...

Today is my Mom's 81 st Birthday. - Edna Daphne, born 15 July in the year 1931. I always remember the year because she gave birth to me 31 years later in 1962; for this I shall forever be grateful. She has grown me into someone who strives to love everyone under the guidance of God and, in no small way, herself.





The bond that we share means everything to me. I would be a lost soul if it weren't for all the love you have showered upon me all my life. Happy Birthday, dear Mom!

How did you find the energy, Mom, to do all the things you did, to be teacher, nurse and counselor to me, when I was a kid. How did you do it all, Mom, be a chauffeur, cook and friend, yet find time to be a playmate, I just can’t comprehend. I see now it was love, Mom, that made you come whenever I'd call, you're inexhaustible love, Mom. And I thank you for it all.

Mom, I look at you and see a walking miracle. Your unfailing love without limit, your ability to soothe my every hurt, the way you are on duty, unselfishly, every hour, every day, makes me so grateful that I am yours, and you are mine. With open arms and open heart, with enduring patience and inner strength, you gave so much for me, sometimes at your expense.

Birthstone for July - Ruby ~ meaning Contentment

You are my teacher, my comforter, my encourager, appreciating all, forgiving all. Sometimes I took you for granted, Mom, but I don’t now, and I never will again. I know that everything I am today relates to you and your loving care. I gaze in wonder as I watch you being you - my miracle, my Mother.

Happy Birthday to our dear Mother, it's time for us to celebrate together, to enjoy the company of one another, I'm sure you'll be happy to see us gather. We wish you good health and comforting weather, and not forgetting joy and happiness either. Hope you'll enjoy our get together Again, Happy Birthday dear Mother.

Flower for July - Larkspur, Water Lily

GOD HAS INDEED SHOWN HIS FAVOUR..!

The moment we become grateful, we actually begin to ascend spiritually into the presence of God. The psalmist wrote, "Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing. . . . Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations" (Psalm 100:2, 4-5).

To My Parents - Malcolm and Edna

I finally understand and appreciate the important role that you have played in my life. I guess part of the maturing process is realizing how the discipline and teaching at a young age shape and mould one’s future. Politeness, confidence, respect and love for God, others and myself are treasured gifts I developed primarily because of my upbringing. Each time I see this I thank God for a mother and father who had the foresight and love, and most of all the patience, to instill these ideals in me.

The more independent I become; and the further away I am from you; the more I stumble and forget to remember that guidance; the more I depend upon what you have taught me. The more thankful I am.

This doesn’t mean I know everything. There is so much more I still need to learn; and I don’t think that will ever end.

Instead of constantly receiving, I feel that I want to give something back, and that is the satisfaction of you knowing how successful all your efforts were. To make you proud is just as important as my own success.

I love you. ~ Stafford

The quality of everything we do: our physical actions, our verbal actions, and even our mental actions, depends on our motivation. That's why it's important for us to examine our motivation in our day to day life. If we cultivate respect for others and our motivation is sincere, if we develop a genuine concern for others’ well-being, then all our actions will be positive. - DL

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” -Colossians 4:5-6

Taking Stock...

I’m almost 50 years old. When my mind first dwelled on this, I felt a sense of non-accomplishment. Then I settled down, making peace with the fact that we are, in the words of a well-known poet, “riding on a limited express.” – On a journey, still growing, still learning and incomplete.

Quite by chance I came across an old Scout manual; and read about what to do when you’re lost: Stop. Investigate. Go over everything you know. Continue forward if you’re certain of your route. If you move, leave a note.

This blog is my NOTE… The journey continues (“,)

Lord, I know I’m not the whole person I’m supposed to be; but I Thank You that I’m not the person I used to be ~ Stafford

The following is a collection of insights by Michael Levine; he incidentally arrived at these gems in the same manner I did:

Nothing is as stressful as trying to be a different person from whom you are.

When you stop spending time with real friends, you lose your balance.

Amazingly, people think the things that happen to them happen only to them.

People who don’t work are often more exhausted than people who do.

It is vital to give yourself credit for the agony you have survived throughout life.

The lies we tell ourselves are more pernicious than the lies we tell others: “I’m nothing like my mother”.. . “I’m too busy to exercise” . . . “I don’t want to get married.”

Those who are tentative about making plans are often unsure of their ability to arrive.

If you don’t personally get to know people from other racial, religious or cultural groups, it’s very easy to believe ugly things about them and make them frightening in your mind.

The majority of overweight people I know skip breakfast, and the majority of thin people don’t.

Some men spend more time maintaining their lawns than they do their relationships.

The most absolute dictator’s power is not as great as a typical parent’s power over a child.

I still place emphasis on appearance, even though I’ve run across a few well-dressed idiots.

If you don’t defend your honour, people will assume you have none.

When you make a mistake, write down what you’ve learnt before the week passes. The process of writing it and reading it can help you avoid repeating it.

Three things that children must know; who’s the boss, what the rules are, and who’s going to enforce them.

Some days, for no perceptible reason, I feel scared, lonely and hopeless. After a good night’s sleep or a talk to someone who holds my hand and tells me to keep going, I’m usually just fine.

I believe that people who work 12 hours a day should go home with bigger loaves of bread than people who work eight.

Some ideas are so stupid that only intellectuals could believe them.

Decide early in any situation exactly what your bottom line is, and then stick to it.

As you look at history, it’s apparent that human behaviour is much easier to predict than the weather.

Far more often than poverty breeds crime, crime breeds poverty.

The older I get, the more heartfelt my prayers become.

Day 34 – Thinking like a servant

Service starts in your mind (As does temptation – remember?)

Attitudes count more than achievements. God is always more interested in why we do something than what we do.

+ Servants think more about others than about themselves.

This is what it means to ‘lose your life’ – forgetting yourself in service to others. It’s only when we forget ourselves that we do the things that deserve to be remembered. Unfortunately, we serve to get others to like us, to be admired, or to achieve our own goals – that is manipulation, not ministry. Humility is a daily struggle, a lesson we must relearn over and over. Self-denial is the core of servanthood.

+ Servants think like stewards, not owners.

Servants remember that GOD OWNS IT ALL! Servanthood and stewardship go together, since God expects us to be trustworthy in both. To become a real servant you are going to have to settle the issue of money in your life…You CANNOT serve both God and Money... Living for your ministry and living for money are mutually exclusive goals. Money and materialism has the greatest potential to replace GOD in your life. God uses money to test your faithfulness as a servant. How you manage your money affects how much God can bless your life – use wealth and riches to fund God’s church and its mission in the world. (My tithing philosophy rings clear here; how you further God’s work with your excess funds and goods is a personal choice between donating to an organized body and going out and doing it yourself – I don’t think God minds; as long as you are doing it with the right attitude of heart)

+ Servants think about their work, not what others are doing.

Competition between God’s servants is illogical – we’ve all been given different assignments; and we’re all uniquely shaped. It is not our job to evaluate the Master’s other servants – let the Master handle it. Your service for Christ is never wasted regardless of what others say.

+ Servants base their identity in Christ.

They remember that they are loved and accepted by grace; and accordingly don’t have to prove their worth. If you’re going to be a servant, you must settle your identity in Christ – only secure people can truly serve God. When you base your worth and identity on your relationship to Christ, you are freed from the expectations of others, and that allows you to really serve them best. Servants find status symbols unnecessary, and they don’t measure their worth by their achievements. The closer you get to Jesus, the less you need to promote yourself.

+ Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation.

“Serve the Lord with gladness” the Bible tells us. Because we love the Lord, we’re grateful for His grace, and we know that serving is the highest use of life, and know that God has promised a reward. Jesus promised: “The Father will honour and reward anyone who serves me” – and now we know how…

‘The only really happy people are those who have learned to serve’ – Albert Schweitzer

Gottaluvit..! Much love ~ Stafford

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” -Colossians 3:12

Day 33 – How real servants act

We serve God by serving others

In our self-serving culture with its ‘me-first’ mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. Remember God shaped you for service, not for self-centredness. Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity.

+ Real servants make themselves available to serve.

If you only serve when it’s convenient for you, you’re not a real servant. Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever He needs to. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving.

+ Real servants pay attention to needs.

Always be on the lookout for ways to help others. When God puts someone in need right in front of you, He is giving you the opportunity to grow in servant-hood. You may only get one chance to serve that person, so take advantage of the moment.

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can” – John Wesley

+ Real servants do their best with what they have.

If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. One reason many people never serve is that they fear they are not good enough to serve. It doesn’t have to be perfect for God to use and bless it.

+ Real servants do every task with equal dedication.

The size of the task is irrelevant – God will never exempt you from the menial and mundane. Small tasks often show a big heart. Your servant’s heart is revealed in little acts that others don’t think of doing. No task is beneath you when you have a servant’s heart – before attempting the extraordinary, try serving in ordinary ways. Sometimes you serve upward to those in authority, and sometimes you serve downward to those in need – you develop a servant’s heart when you’re willing to do anything needed.

+ Real servants are faithful to their ministry.

Good servants finish their tasks, fulfill responsibilities, keep promises and complete commitments – they don’t quit when feeling discouraged and are trustworthy and dependable. Faithfulness has always been a rare quality – you need to keep promises, fulfill vows and honour commitments to be a faithful servant – work at it constantly. Imagine what it will feel like when you get to Heaven one day and God says to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…” Faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they’re alive!

+ Real servants maintain a low profile.

“Put on the apron of humility, to serve one another.” When real servants are given recognition for their service, they humbly accept it but don’t allow the acclamation to distract them from their work. Don’t turn helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others – Jesus hated this attitude. Self-promotion and servanthood don’t mix! You won’t find many real servants in the limelight; in truth they avoid it when possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows. [Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you!]

You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. LISTEN: God put you where you are for a purpose! – stay put, He will let you know if He wants you somewhere else – your ministry matters to the Kingdom of God. In Heaven God is going to openly reward some of His most obscure and unknown servants. Knowing this, don’t be discouraged when your service is unnoticed or taken for granted. Keep on serving God. Even the smallest service is noticed by God and will be rewarded.

Let us continue to pray and serve together... Love you ~ Stafford

“It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” -Acts 4:10, 12

A sporting chance...

I believe it is only fair to give ample warning to one's opponents and ill-wishers; when you become aware that they have embarked upon a path, decision or action bound to their ultimate demise. After all, it is the Godly thing to do. The misguided together with the wicked are in the end their own worse enemies and cause their own downfall.

Now why should I not just sit back and relish the plight of such wretched beings?

That is not the way I was brought up. In our home, we were taught to forgive immediately; forgetting was however all up to you. If you felt OK living in fear and dread of what might or maybe repeated by that entity upon you, was a personal matter between your peace (God's grace over you life) and the trappings, ego and arrogant vanity of your lifestyle and troubled mind - the twisted entanglement of misnomers that govern your being and all those it effects through and around you.

It is certainly not the ground my relationship and lifestyle in God teaches me to embrace. I would be remiss in not issuing a warning shot to all parties; direct, peripheral or complicit; busy fervently monitoring, beckoning and promoting the expectation of a fall from grace of another. You are entering a world of uncanny misfortune and endless dilemmas that will haunt you until you fall down, humble yourself, and beg relief. Not from me, or any other mortal; but from our Protector and Saviour.

I am compelled by my convictions to offer you this forbode as you seek to trample on any person.
Let us call this one of my testominies...

All through my almost 50 years on this earth I have been the recipient of divine guidance and miraculous good luck (as secular deviants and scorning scoffers would term it). The guidance was usually in the form of my parents (my late father more specifically) and other unique individuals (Guardian Angels) who inspire and show me the righteous way to do, allow and accept. (Understanding is over-rated, any enlightened true Follower would know that everything has a reason) - even a 'persecution' inflicted on me, has its reason - and I'm elated to say that I rarely understand it; but I know its end result will further my education of its initial absurdity; as well as that of its purpertrators - ironic - and even exciting...

When a Child of God is attacked by slander and his entire being is judged by his moments of unworthy passion and uncharacteristic behaviour, at these times I have noticed how I become the recipient of some real awesome divine favour. I simply hand it over into God's hands and He does the rest - he actually instructs me to sit back and watch.

It is indeed sad that at times I have to allow even those close to my heart to suffer this divine wrath that they have brought on themselves. It pains me to see the turmoil and grief they have to endure and come to terms with as their lives, self-worth, material gains and fickle, inflated status is trampled into the ground like so much dirt. How they begin to fail in all they pursue, how they are made to prosper; only to have that accomplshment and so much more ripped out from under and within - and this also applies to those who championed them on their woeful path and sadly even loved-ones have to bear the brunt of their sinful actions. If you are amongst these you are jointly liable to experience very many hards times - just watch; and I pray you be extremely cognisant of the signs that will manifest very soon.

No one has the power to stop the inflictions that follow - it is ordained. We serve a jealous and almighty God who will not stand idle while His own are accused, ridiculed and mistreated for longer than they can endure. He will and has stepped in - I can relate horror stories (many personal) that bear witness to His promise to love and keep His nearest and dearest in top form as they prepare themselves for an eternity with him. So many stories of how He smites those who overstep their self-imposed earthly duties, clutter themselves with self-importance, and ignore His purposes - (some even feign; and fool themselves into believing that they are doing His will - these are the worst of the lot, for their hearts are black and their souls are dead and primed for damnation)

Be warned of the Divine Favour that exists in these words... You will have only yourself to blame.  I still love you all and implore you to consider very carefully the road and box you deem necessary to open. Lord have mercy ~ Stafford

I often said you didn't exist 

Because my eyes wouldn't see

I may have given up on you Lord

But you never gave up on me 

When troubles happened in my life 

I would hang my head and cry

You let these things happen to me 

And at times I wondered why 

I was quick to say if there was a GOD

He wouldn't let these happen to me 

I may have given up on you Lord 

But you never gave up on Me 

At many times during my life 

When the troubles were hard to bear

I forgot the teachings of my youth

And said you were not there

I've heard your word again dear Lord

And my eyes they finally see

I thank you for every day of my life 

That you never gave up on me .