Your boss has just asked you to give a speech in front of the whole company. There is approximately 300 of your associates in the auditorium. Here's the problem......
You have to give the speech naked.
What is your opening statement?
So noone else steals it first, mine would be...... "Is there a draft in here or is it just me?"
har har har!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
On Compassion pt.2
I could not say this better...so I won't try.
From John Baillie's- A Diary of Private Prayer: A Devotional Classic, 1949
O Father in Heaven, who didst fashion my limbs to serve Thee
and my soul to follow hard after Thee, with sorrow and con-
trition of heart I acknowledge before Thee the faults and fail-
ures of the day that is now past....
My failure to be true even to my own accepted standards:
My self-deception in the face of temptation:
My choosing of the worse when I know the better:
O Lord, forgive.
My failure to apply to myself the standards of conduct I
demand of others:
My blindness to the suffering of others and my slowness
to be taught by my own:
My complacence toward wrongs that do not touch my own
case and my over- sensitiveness to those that do:
My slowness to see the good in my fellows and to see the
evil in myself:
My hardness of heart toward my neighbors' faults and
my readiness to make allowances of my own:
My unwillingness to believe that Thou hast called me to a
small work and my brother to a great one:
O Lord, forgive.
What a powerful and humbling prayer.
From John Baillie's- A Diary of Private Prayer: A Devotional Classic, 1949
O Father in Heaven, who didst fashion my limbs to serve Thee
and my soul to follow hard after Thee, with sorrow and con-
trition of heart I acknowledge before Thee the faults and fail-
ures of the day that is now past....
My failure to be true even to my own accepted standards:
My self-deception in the face of temptation:
My choosing of the worse when I know the better:
O Lord, forgive.
My failure to apply to myself the standards of conduct I
demand of others:
My blindness to the suffering of others and my slowness
to be taught by my own:
My complacence toward wrongs that do not touch my own
case and my over- sensitiveness to those that do:
My slowness to see the good in my fellows and to see the
evil in myself:
My hardness of heart toward my neighbors' faults and
my readiness to make allowances of my own:
My unwillingness to believe that Thou hast called me to a
small work and my brother to a great one:
O Lord, forgive.
What a powerful and humbling prayer.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
On Compassion pt.1
So how do we become more compassionate?
The first step occurs on our knees. I think we must confess our lack of concern.
The promise of 1John 1:9 involves both forgiveness and cleansing: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." We often forget the second part of the verse: "...and purify us from all unrighteousness."
God not only declares us forgiven and justified but also furthers the cleansing work that He began in us.
When we confess that we don't care if our neighbor is going to hell, God pardons and also perfects. He makes us less stained, wrinkled, angry, contemptuous, or self-absorbed.
We might need to tell our heavenly Father, "I don't care about some people the way I should. I have a cold heart. Please make me more like You- caring, compassionate, gracious, and abounding in mercy. Give me as great a longing to see Your work in people around me as I long for it within my own life. I need You to work this out of me, because I cannot manufacture this kind of compassion by myself."
-more later.
The first step occurs on our knees. I think we must confess our lack of concern.
The promise of 1John 1:9 involves both forgiveness and cleansing: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." We often forget the second part of the verse: "...and purify us from all unrighteousness."
God not only declares us forgiven and justified but also furthers the cleansing work that He began in us.
When we confess that we don't care if our neighbor is going to hell, God pardons and also perfects. He makes us less stained, wrinkled, angry, contemptuous, or self-absorbed.
We might need to tell our heavenly Father, "I don't care about some people the way I should. I have a cold heart. Please make me more like You- caring, compassionate, gracious, and abounding in mercy. Give me as great a longing to see Your work in people around me as I long for it within my own life. I need You to work this out of me, because I cannot manufacture this kind of compassion by myself."
-more later.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
How Much More!
We were studying in Luke 12 last night and there was a discussion about how often in God's Word, He promises us "How Much More." Each time, He emphasises our value. He gets into all of this to tell us how much He loves us, so we don't have to worry.
Often, people feel just the opposite. They feel that because they worry, He isn't going to be there because of their lack of faith- or until they get it right. That's alot of pressure.
The point is that you can waste energy on worry if you want, but there is little we can do in these matters, besides trusting God.
We discussed verse 30 and how the pagan nations have needs(desires) and will do whatever to get these needs met.
The flip side of that worldly view is the assurance we, The children of our Father, can trust that He knows and will provide.
One gentleman spoke up and said that this was all good in theory, but how do we put this into practice? To consistently trust and not worry.
I would like to know your thoughts.
Often, people feel just the opposite. They feel that because they worry, He isn't going to be there because of their lack of faith- or until they get it right. That's alot of pressure.
The point is that you can waste energy on worry if you want, but there is little we can do in these matters, besides trusting God.
We discussed verse 30 and how the pagan nations have needs(desires) and will do whatever to get these needs met.
The flip side of that worldly view is the assurance we, The children of our Father, can trust that He knows and will provide.
One gentleman spoke up and said that this was all good in theory, but how do we put this into practice? To consistently trust and not worry.
I would like to know your thoughts.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Fun Friday 4
When you were a kid, did you ever make up another name for yourself? Well today you can pick another name that you would like to have, but just for the day!
Mine would be James Deucelion. The last name sounds like: Doo-say-lee-own. I just think it sounds cool rolling off the tongue.
Have fun!
Mine would be James Deucelion. The last name sounds like: Doo-say-lee-own. I just think it sounds cool rolling off the tongue.
Have fun!
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Like a bad rash!
The next time satan is attacking you in that personal way where he always manages to get under your skin, think of this:
The combined forces of hell cannot equal the supernatural power of a single believer. We have Jesus the Christ living within us- the same Christ who was triumphant on the cross and whose final victory over satan is prophesied in the book of Revelation. Through Him, we can conquer satan and win our unseen battles!
The combined forces of hell cannot equal the supernatural power of a single believer. We have Jesus the Christ living within us- the same Christ who was triumphant on the cross and whose final victory over satan is prophesied in the book of Revelation. Through Him, we can conquer satan and win our unseen battles!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
On Giving Thanks Pt.2
Why would God instruct us to thank Him regardless of our circumstances?
The mere idea defies human logic. But then, of course, the Lord doesn't have to go by our man-made rules.
I know that gratitude is not conventionally considered one of the spiritual disciplines; but I like to think of it as one. Otherwise, why would it be so hard to thank God in those rough times?
I think being thankful reminds us that He is always present, which builds our trust, and in turn, strengthens our witness.
When we realize that thankfulness isn't based on emotions or positive results, we can be grateful, even during trials, because the Lord has promised to work everything for our good. (Romans 8:28) That means He has a purpose for every experience, pleasant or hard.
For most people, any adversity is cause for them to be negative, disheartened, and often, depressed. We, as Christians, can show His light to the world by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us- bolstering us when we don't feel very thankful.
Other people will pay attention. Your coworkers, family, and friends will want that peace that you are showing. So whatever you experience today, defy human logic and Praise God!
The mere idea defies human logic. But then, of course, the Lord doesn't have to go by our man-made rules.
I know that gratitude is not conventionally considered one of the spiritual disciplines; but I like to think of it as one. Otherwise, why would it be so hard to thank God in those rough times?
I think being thankful reminds us that He is always present, which builds our trust, and in turn, strengthens our witness.
When we realize that thankfulness isn't based on emotions or positive results, we can be grateful, even during trials, because the Lord has promised to work everything for our good. (Romans 8:28) That means He has a purpose for every experience, pleasant or hard.
For most people, any adversity is cause for them to be negative, disheartened, and often, depressed. We, as Christians, can show His light to the world by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us- bolstering us when we don't feel very thankful.
Other people will pay attention. Your coworkers, family, and friends will want that peace that you are showing. So whatever you experience today, defy human logic and Praise God!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Fun Friday 3
You have just been informed that you won an all expense paid vacation for yourself and a guest to any destination for one week. The stipulation is that you will never be able to take another trip.... Ever. Where are you going to go and who will you take with you?
Thursday, February 02, 2006
On Giving Thanks
"In ordinary life we hardly realize that we
receive a great deal more than we give, and
that it is only with gratitude that life becomes
rich. It is very easy to overestimate the impor-
tance of our own achievements in comparison
with what we owe others."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
receive a great deal more than we give, and
that it is only with gratitude that life becomes
rich. It is very easy to overestimate the impor-
tance of our own achievements in comparison
with what we owe others."
-Dietrich Bonhoeffer
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