LOOK DEEPER (credit to Denis Scott)

“Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment”. John 7:24 NIV

 A military parade was proceeding down a Main Street watched, as one would expect, by a huge patriotic crowd. When the flag of the Country went by, everyone stood to attention and saluted the flag in the appropriate manner. Well, everyone except one frail young man who stood motionless on the kerb.
A beefy, red-faced man standing behind him was so incensed that he pushed the young man into the gutter violently. ‘Damn it!’ he cried. ‘What do you mean by not saluting our flag?’ When the silent young man turned everyone nearby saw that he wore on his chest a Combat Medal decoration… and that he had no arms!

 It is so easy for us to rush to judgment isn’t it? Long before we know the facts that cause people to behave in certain ways of which society disapproves, we tend to make up our own minds and formulate opinions about them which soon harden into our own version of the truth. But when it happens to us we feel hurt and aggrieved.

Years ago, Alfred Hitchcock directed a most moving film about an attractive and capable woman who stole things. On the surface, she was a thief. But the things she stole were always given to her mother as gifts because she so desperately wanted her mother’s love and approval which all her life had been denied her.
When she was a child she had unintentionally killed a man who was violently assaulting, beating and raping her mother. The legal authorities held the mother responsible and the mother had been sentenced to a term in jail. The woman, as a child, was sent to a children’s detention centre and had a miserable time of it. Her mother was incapable of forgiving her daughter, who grew into adulthood; a much damaged and emotionally deprived person.

Some people’s wounds and torments are all on the inside, invisible to all except those who take the trouble to care. It would be so easy for society to condemn that woman as a thief. But is that what she really was? Without excusing her breaking of the law, I don’t think so.

We need to know more, to look deeper. And when we do, we might find that far from being wicked, she was only a wounded soldier, without arms.

Every man is a volume if you know how to read him ~ SB

Day 036 – Made for a Mission

You were made for a mission.

God wants you to have both a ministry in the Body of Christ and a mission in the world. Ministry is your service to believers. Your Mission is your service to non-believers – and it is unique to you.

That mission is introducing people to God!

God wants to redeem human beings from Satan and reconcile them to Himself. We are the messengers of God’s love and purposes to the world – ambassadors at large.

THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR MISSION

+ Your mission is a continuation of Jesus’ mission on earth.

In the GREAT COMMISSION Jesus said,

 “Go to the people of all nations and make them my Disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you.”

This is your commission from Jesus, and it is not optional. You may be unaware that God holds you responsible for the unbelievers who live around you – your mission is to share Jesus with them.

+ Your mission is a wonderful privilege.

It is an incredible honour to be used by God – working with Him and representing Him. Jesus has secured our salvation, put us in His family, given us the Spirit, and made us His agents in the world.

+ Telling others how to gain eternal life is the greatest thing you can do for them.

We have the greatest news in the world, and sharing it is the greatest kindness you can show to anyone. (This is an amazing mindset to adopt!)

We must remember that no matter how contented or successful people may appear to be, without Christ they are hopelessly lost and headed for eternal separation from God.

+ Your mission has eternal significance.

The consequences of your mission will last forever – that being, helping people establish an eternal relationship with God.

We have all of eternity to celebrate bringing people to God; but we have only our lifetime in which to reach them! (So there is no time for delay; there is actually urgency!)

No need to change your current job or move elsewhere; share the Good News where you are. Continually look for people God places in your path with whom you can share the gospel.

+ Your mission gives your life meaning.

‘The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it.’ – William James

Live Purpose Driven lives committed to worship, fellowship, spiritual growth, ministry, and fulfilling your mission on earth.

There are people on this planet that only YOU will be able to reach. If just one person will be in Heaven because of you, your life will have made a difference for eternity. (Caution: this does not afford you any guarantee of a place in Heaven!)

+ God’s timetable for history’s conclusion is connected to the completion of our commission.

Speculating on the exact timing of Christ’s return is futile. JESUS said, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in Heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (The end of the world – The end of days – “…likes a thief in the night…”

If you want Jesus to come back sooner - focus on fulfilling your mission.

It is easy to get distracted and sidelined from your mission because Satan would rather have you do anything besides sharing your faith – even all kinds of good things as long as you don’t take anyone to Heaven with you.

WHAT IT COSTS TO FULFILL YOUR MISSION

To fulfill your mission will require that you abandon your agenda and accept God’s agenda for your life. If you will commit to fulfilling your mission in life no matter what it costs, you will experience the blessing of God. There is almost nothing God won’t do for those who are committed to serving the Kingdom of God. (You will want for nothing)

ONE MORE FOR JESUS

If you want to be used by God, you must care about what God cares about - the redemption of the people He made.

May you always be on the lookout to reach ‘one more for Jesus’ so that when you stand before God one day (will there still be ‘days’?), you can say, ‘Mission accomplished, Lord!’

Can’t wait to see you there… Love you ~ SB

Friends will be friends

Another red letter day,
So the pound has dropped and the children are creating,
The other half ran away,
Taking all the cash and leaving you with the lumber,
Got a pain in the chest,
Doctors on strike what you need is a rest
It's not easy love, but you've got friends you can trust,

Friends will be friends,
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention,
Friends will be friends,
When you're through with life and all hope is lost,
Hold out your hand 'cos friends will be friends, right till the end

Now it's a beautiful day,
The postman delivered a letter from your lover,
Only a phone call away,
You tried to track him down but somebody stole his number,
As a matter of fact,
You're getting used to life without him in your way
It's so easy now, cos you got friends you can trust,

Friends will be friends,
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention,
Friends will be friends,
When you're through with life and all hope is lost,
Hold out your hand 'cos friends will be friends (right till the end)

Connect with people who understand your destiny, people that celebrate your uniqueness. They can help you and you can help them!

Love is putting up with someone's bad qualities because they somehow complete you.

Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be. Don't stay because you think "it will get better". You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better. You cannot change behavior. Change comes from within.

Relationships are very simple. There are only two things that can happen. You either get married or your break up. Life is for having fun. Don't be stupid and waste it on some guy/girl who is gonna act like he/she hates you tomorrow. Never waste it on some one who doesn't want their friends to know they're in love with you. Don't give that person the rest of your tears or a month or a year of your life when he/she treats you badly and doesn't mind making you cry.

Every person deserves some one who wants to brag about them. Every person deserves some one who makes them smile and laugh at their worst moments.

We all deserve at least that.

Violence begets... but sometimes, really!

Fond as we are of our loved ones, there comes at times during their absence an unexplainable peace. - Anne Shaw

Jesus said love one another. He didn't say love the whole world. - Mother Teresa

CanYou Feel It?

"Soften your heart to the one in front of you
by seeing that he is doing all that he can, just like you,
to follow his heart and bring God’s Love into the world."

I Feel You, BK ~ SB

Day 035 – God’s power in your weakness

God loves to use weak people.

We are all flawed and imperfect - baggaged with physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, financial and relational limiting weaknesses.

Usually we deny our weaknesses, defend them, excuse them, hide them, and resent them. We think that God only wants to use our strengths; but He also wants to use our weaknesses for His glory.

God loves to use imperfect, ordinary people to do the extraordinary things in spite of their frailties or any other inherited limitations; or that which they are powerless to change – God is never limited by our limitations!

+ Admit your weaknesses.

Instead of living in denial or making excuses, take the time to identify your personal weaknesses – make a list. You are only human; surely you can admit your shortcomings to yourself?

+ Be content with your weaknesses.

Being content with weakness doesn’t seem to make sense – don’t you think?

But this contentment is an expression of faith in the goodness of God. Whenever you feel weak, God is reminding you to depend on Him – weaknesses prevent arrogance, keep us humble, keep our egos in check and govern us from going too fast and running ahead of God – He deliberately allows them in your life for the purpose of demonstrating His power through you.

Furthermore; our weaknesses encourage fellowship between believers and increase our capacity for sympathy and ministry.

Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts – the things you’re most embarrassed about, most ashamed of, and most reluctant to share – the very tools God can use most powerfully to heal others.

+ Honestly share your weaknesses. (Saw this one coming, eh?)

The more you let down your guard, take off your mask, and share your struggles, the more God will be able to use you in serving others.

When you do reveal your failures, feelings, frustrations and fears; you risk rejection – but the benefits are worth the risk.

Humility is not putting yourself down or denying your strengths; rather it is being honest about your weaknesses. Pretentiousness repels but authenticity attracts, and the vulnerability is the pathway to intimacy.

Our strengths create competition, but our weaknesses create community.

You can impress people from a distance, but you must get close to influence them – the most essential quality for leadership is not perfection, but credibility.

+ Glory in your weaknesses.

Instead of posing as self-confident and invincible, see yourself as a trophy of grace – fill your heart with praise for Jesus, who understands every weakness and for the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our weakness.

If you want God to bless you and use you greatly, you must be willing to ‘walk with a limp’ for the rest of your life, because God uses weak people; and none of us can be perfect!

Come share in my imperfection… Love you ~ SB

One Hundred Ways

"There is no difference between love and healing.
They are one and the same.
They are each accomplished by having the other in the mind."

Compliment what she does
Send her roses just because
If it's violins she loves let them play
Dedicate her fav'rite song and hold
Her closer all night long

Love her today

Find one hundred ways

Don't forget there could be

An old lover in her memory

If you need her so much more
Why don't you say
Maybe she has it in her mind
That she's just wasting her time
Ask her to stay
Find one hundred ways

Being cool won't help you keep a love warm
You'll just blow your chance
Take the time to open up your heart
That's the secret of romance
Sacrifice if you care
Buy her some moonlight to wear
If there's one more star she wants
Go all the way
In your arms tonight
She'll reflect that she owes you
The sweetest of debts if she wants to pay
Find one hundred ways

In your arms tonight
She'll reflect that she owes you
The sweetest of debts if she wants to pay
Find one hundred ways
Ya gotta believe it whoa
Love her today
Find one hundred ways...

Or more... ! SB

Forgettable - THE DISPENSABLE MYTH

You’ve probably heard this saying or portent very often:

 ‘Nobody is indispensable.’ Or ‘Everybody is Dispensable.’

It is a line bandied about often in these times; with employment positions at a premium and corporations wanting to unload a part of their workforce they reckon they could get by without; thereby boosting the profit margins. (I wonder how many companies’ largest overhead is still their staff wage-bill. – only government I guess!)

So they ‘threaten’ slackers or staff working short-time with dread by commenting that ‘nobody is indispensable’; we can replace you tomorrow if the need arises. This applies to almost any type of association or group. (Well, I guess, it would be challenged that the Pope, or leaders of his ilk, would be difficult to replace at the drop of a ‘mitre’ – but you know what I mean…

We’ve recently seen a host of foreign governments topple and being replaced. Many business giants are also being ousted or ‘set aside’ or are in the throes of being asked to ‘step down’; for many varied reasons. (Company image, bad personal behaviour, corruption, mismanagement, etc)

They are all dispensable…

But: ‘Nobody Is Indispensable’ or ‘Everybody Is Dispensable’ is utter rot!

I don’t know about you; but The Love of My Life (my Babykin) is indispensable to me.

My reliance on divine mercies, faithfulness and goodness make GOD indispensable to me.

The love, companionship and unconditional loyalty I get from my pets are indispensable to me. (Com’n they are individuals to me)

The support, understanding and tolerance I unthinkingly get from my immediate family (not neccessarily blood) is indispensable to me.

The love, sharing and immeasurable joy I feel from my Babykin is indispensable to me.

I can go on…

Never think of yourself as dispensable; somewhere there is somebody who thinks (or will get to learn to believe) that you are the greatest person in the world! And their lives will remain incomplete without you being in it. You are of worth and totally indispensable!

Learning to love yourself is a great love – without it you may as well be that dispensable myth…

I love you… ~ SB

Day 034 – 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.

(Makes me think about our manual labourers at work; always checking and squabbling about who’s doing a greater share of the workload {reckon it’s because the daily pay rate is the same} – can’t blame them, I guess – still find it amusing…)

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. (Love this)

“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

I love you ~ SB