I hear myself saying the following phrase a lot these days:
"I'm so busy these days, I am running out of time!"
I believe it's time for me to calibrate my priorities again because I seemed to have wandered off into filling up my time again....
yOOn
Following Only the Father's Commands
by Os Hillman, March 15, 2006
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." - John 5:19
Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.
How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"
"Lord, should I add this Bible study to my schedule? Should I spend an extra night out on this committee this week? Should I take on new business that will take me away from home more? Should my daughter be involved in music lessons?" These are the daily challenges for the world we now live in. We are an activity-based society that often encourages more and more activity, often in the name of Christian virtue.
Our lives will become less cluttered, less stressful, and more fulfilling when we follow the model Jesus provided. It may not always please everyone. Jesus never sought to please everyone. Ask the Lord each day this week how you and He are to spend your time. Yield your schedule to Him. Let Jesus direct your every activity. You may discover that He desires you to cut back some things in order to spend more time alone with Him. He will be faithful to show you. And you will become more fulfilled because you are centered in His will for you.
[Source: TGIF by Marketplace Leaders]
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
What Do YOU See?
A great note for all to read it will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings blessings to everyone who passes it on.
Thankyou.
[From the Internet]
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.
Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.
The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.
As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.
Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.
Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.
The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."
Epilogue:
There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.
"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
The origin of this letter is unknown, but it brings blessings to everyone who passes it on.
Thankyou.
[From the Internet]
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Spiritual Lessons on Victory and Defeat
Hi Team CM,
This marks my last Mid-Week Coffee Break postings to y'all. If you like, I'll be posting to this blog continuously so just swing by whenever you want to.
I just receive this article from a Brother in Christ. Due to lack of time, I basically had given up following the sports ever since we had children and so I had no idea who was playing on Sunday, but this article not only brought me up to speed, but it also touched my heart from Coach Mike Holmgren's testimony of:
I had honestly reached a place where my future was in God's hands.
Thank you all for your dedication for the Children Ministry and may God also bring you to a place of knowing that your future is in God's hands.
in His Love,
yOOn
+ + +
As Seattle played in the NFC Championship game this past Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks coach hoped his team could win and advance to Super Bowl XL. He knows the joy of the NFL's ultimate payoff. As offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, Holmgren grew accustomed to the sweet taste of Super Bowl wins. When Mike Holmgren was head coach of the Green Bay Packers, he took his team to the big dance two consecutive years. But as this peek into the coach's past indicates, Mike Holmgren also knows the heartache of personal struggles and defeat. Here is a Christ-follower who has experienced God at the point of personal need and proved his Heavenly Father faithful.
Spiritual Lessons on Victory and Defeat
by Coach Mike Holmgren as told to Greg Asimakoupoulos
Like many in First Covenant Church in San Francisco, I was raised in a Swedish-American family. We lived in a second-floor flat above my grandfather's bakery where Scandinavian breads and pastries kept us well fed. But on Sundays, all three generations of Holmgrens were found at church where the bread of life was generously dispensed.
As a child, my appetite for spiritual things was not substantial. I was more interested in a pick-up game of touch football.... Raised in the shadows of Kezar Stadium - where the Forty-Niners played - I dreamed of one day wearing a Niner jersey.
When I was 11, Billy Graham held a three-week crusade at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. My parents took my sisters and me almost every night. On the final night, Cliff Barrows led the audience in singing "Just as I Am" I couldn't stay seated and went forward to accept Christ just as I was, grubby tennis shoes and all.
But even as a Christian, I remained determined to make a name for myself on the gridiron. After leading my high school teams to the state championship I was offered a scholarship to play for the highly touted Trojans at the University of Southern California.
Unfortunately, injuries kept me sidelined much of my college career and I didn't play much. I was gratefully surprised when I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970. But four weeks later, I was released. The New York Jets picked me up as a back-up quarterback to "Broadway Joe" Namath, but before the preseason was over, I was cut again. My dream of playing professional football was over before it had ever begun. I was devastated.
A girl I had met at Mission Springs Bible Camp the summer after I became a Christian re-emerged in my life about this time. Although we had corresponded
off and on between summer reunions at camp, our friendship had drifted in recent
years. Kathy had taken her faith much more seriously than I. She went on to a Christian college, became a nurse and was serving as a short-term missionary in Zaire. Her inspiring letters helped me realize how much I needed to trust the Lord in the midst of my disillusionment. As a result, I recommitted my life to Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 became the personal line of scrimmage at which I dug in. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
When Kathy returned from Africa we became engaged. In 1971 we were married. I began my coaching career at the high school from which I graduated. As our family of four daughters grew, so did my professional opportunities. I moved up into the college coaching ranks. But ambition was not the demon in my life it had once been. My wife and kids were a daily reminder of both God's blessing on my life and His priorities. I had honestly reached a place where my future was in God's hands.
Then a job opened up in Utah. Some of our friends questioned our judgment in accepting it. But Kathy and I viewed my position as assistant coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) as a unique opportunity. We wanted to be an evangelical witness to the players, coaches and students on this predominantly Mormon campus. God blessed our motives.
It was during my time at BYU that the San Francisco Forty-niners invited me to join their staff. For six wonderful years I worked with the likes of Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Roger Craig. Together we earned two consecutive Super Bowl Championships. Although I was not a player, God had fulfilled my boyhood dream to be a part of my hometown team. Less than five miles from the Cow Palace where I had responded to Billy Graham's message, Candlestick Park became the stadium where I expressed my faith in God in the course of my job as offensive coordinator.
When the media began to speculate that I would be offered the head coaching position of an NFL team, I prayed diligently. When the offers came, it seemed obvious to us that the needs of our daughters must take precedence over my career. I opted to decline the contracts and stay with the Forty-niners. Sportswriters and colleagues scoffed at my reasoning. They said I'd never be approached again. But God honored our choice. One year later I was hired by the Green Bay Packers to carry the mantle of legendary head coach Vince Lombardi.
My first season with the Packers was beyond my expectations. Despite injuries and a grueling schedule, we nearly made the play-offs with a record 10 wins and six losses. It was the Packers first winning season in more than a decade.
But win or lose I learned a long time ago what really matters. It's not Super Bowl rings, but the crown of eternal life Christ has won for us by His victory on the cross. As the Swedish hymn writer, Lina Sandell, put it: "Though he giveth or he taketh, God his children ne'er forsaketh, his the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy" (Covenant Hymnal: A Worshipbook, No. 87).
This marks my last Mid-Week Coffee Break postings to y'all. If you like, I'll be posting to this blog continuously so just swing by whenever you want to.
I just receive this article from a Brother in Christ. Due to lack of time, I basically had given up following the sports ever since we had children and so I had no idea who was playing on Sunday, but this article not only brought me up to speed, but it also touched my heart from Coach Mike Holmgren's testimony of:
I had honestly reached a place where my future was in God's hands.
Thank you all for your dedication for the Children Ministry and may God also bring you to a place of knowing that your future is in God's hands.
in His Love,
yOOn
As Seattle played in the NFC Championship game this past Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, the Seahawks coach hoped his team could win and advance to Super Bowl XL. He knows the joy of the NFL's ultimate payoff. As offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, Holmgren grew accustomed to the sweet taste of Super Bowl wins. When Mike Holmgren was head coach of the Green Bay Packers, he took his team to the big dance two consecutive years. But as this peek into the coach's past indicates, Mike Holmgren also knows the heartache of personal struggles and defeat. Here is a Christ-follower who has experienced God at the point of personal need and proved his Heavenly Father faithful.
Spiritual Lessons on Victory and Defeat
by Coach Mike Holmgren as told to Greg Asimakoupoulos
Like many in First Covenant Church in San Francisco, I was raised in a Swedish-American family. We lived in a second-floor flat above my grandfather's bakery where Scandinavian breads and pastries kept us well fed. But on Sundays, all three generations of Holmgrens were found at church where the bread of life was generously dispensed.
As a child, my appetite for spiritual things was not substantial. I was more interested in a pick-up game of touch football.... Raised in the shadows of Kezar Stadium - where the Forty-Niners played - I dreamed of one day wearing a Niner jersey.
When I was 11, Billy Graham held a three-week crusade at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. My parents took my sisters and me almost every night. On the final night, Cliff Barrows led the audience in singing "Just as I Am" I couldn't stay seated and went forward to accept Christ just as I was, grubby tennis shoes and all.
But even as a Christian, I remained determined to make a name for myself on the gridiron. After leading my high school teams to the state championship I was offered a scholarship to play for the highly touted Trojans at the University of Southern California.
Unfortunately, injuries kept me sidelined much of my college career and I didn't play much. I was gratefully surprised when I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970. But four weeks later, I was released. The New York Jets picked me up as a back-up quarterback to "Broadway Joe" Namath, but before the preseason was over, I was cut again. My dream of playing professional football was over before it had ever begun. I was devastated.
A girl I had met at Mission Springs Bible Camp the summer after I became a Christian re-emerged in my life about this time. Although we had corresponded
off and on between summer reunions at camp, our friendship had drifted in recent
years. Kathy had taken her faith much more seriously than I. She went on to a Christian college, became a nurse and was serving as a short-term missionary in Zaire. Her inspiring letters helped me realize how much I needed to trust the Lord in the midst of my disillusionment. As a result, I recommitted my life to Christ. Proverbs 3:5-6 became the personal line of scrimmage at which I dug in. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."
When Kathy returned from Africa we became engaged. In 1971 we were married. I began my coaching career at the high school from which I graduated. As our family of four daughters grew, so did my professional opportunities. I moved up into the college coaching ranks. But ambition was not the demon in my life it had once been. My wife and kids were a daily reminder of both God's blessing on my life and His priorities. I had honestly reached a place where my future was in God's hands.
Then a job opened up in Utah. Some of our friends questioned our judgment in accepting it. But Kathy and I viewed my position as assistant coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) as a unique opportunity. We wanted to be an evangelical witness to the players, coaches and students on this predominantly Mormon campus. God blessed our motives.
It was during my time at BYU that the San Francisco Forty-niners invited me to join their staff. For six wonderful years I worked with the likes of Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Roger Craig. Together we earned two consecutive Super Bowl Championships. Although I was not a player, God had fulfilled my boyhood dream to be a part of my hometown team. Less than five miles from the Cow Palace where I had responded to Billy Graham's message, Candlestick Park became the stadium where I expressed my faith in God in the course of my job as offensive coordinator.
When the media began to speculate that I would be offered the head coaching position of an NFL team, I prayed diligently. When the offers came, it seemed obvious to us that the needs of our daughters must take precedence over my career. I opted to decline the contracts and stay with the Forty-niners. Sportswriters and colleagues scoffed at my reasoning. They said I'd never be approached again. But God honored our choice. One year later I was hired by the Green Bay Packers to carry the mantle of legendary head coach Vince Lombardi.
My first season with the Packers was beyond my expectations. Despite injuries and a grueling schedule, we nearly made the play-offs with a record 10 wins and six losses. It was the Packers first winning season in more than a decade.
But win or lose I learned a long time ago what really matters. It's not Super Bowl rings, but the crown of eternal life Christ has won for us by His victory on the cross. As the Swedish hymn writer, Lina Sandell, put it: "Though he giveth or he taketh, God his children ne'er forsaketh, his the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy" (Covenant Hymnal: A Worshipbook, No. 87).
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
In the Mundaneness of Life
Before we set out for some "grand" resolutions for this new year, let's all consider being faithful in the normal & regular daily routines of our lives -- you know, the ones that are too mundane to make the new year's resolutions list.
(The following insightful article is from: http://www.enewhope.org/news/2005/december/30/devos/)
Starting a New Year Resolution
doing devotions with pastor wayne
Note: One of the most exciting moves of God in our times is happening in Hawaii—where one small church discovered the power of doing daily devotions. Today members are reading a portion of their Bible & hearing God speak directly into their lives. And a small cadre of believers has grown to over 12,000 members. It’s also become one of the fastest-growing and most influential churches in the nation.
As we kick off the New Year, let doing daily devotions be one of your greatest goals. Join us!
Here is a page ripped out of Senior Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s own journal:
January 1—Gen. 1, 2; Luke 1
“Now it came about while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
…And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.” (Luke 1:8-11)
When did God appear to the priest, Zacharias? On a whirlwind preaching crusade? On a best-selling book-signing tour? While being interviewed on national TV?
No!
It was during the consistency of his “priestly duties.” That which seems mundane & mediocre to most of us is actually precious in God’s sight. And that’s when God usually shows up!
A Little Background
Zacharias’ division of priests was in charge of performing certain temple services and he was selected to burn the incense. It’s sort of like a pastor who is chosen to wear the emergency pager for the week. Zacharias was carrying on daily duties that seemed so unexciting. Yet it was in the midst of that when God chose him to be father of John the Baptist!
It happened to David – not on a crusade but while feeding sheep when God chose him to be the greatest king Israel had ever seen:
“He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes of suckling lambs He brought them – to shepherd Jacob His people and Israel His inheritance” (Ps. 78:72).
King David was the one who would deliver Israel from the Philistines! He united the Kingdom of Israel. And he became the forefather of the Messiah!
It happened to Moses – not on a high horse, not from notoriety, nor from fame or fortune. No, God appeared to him as he was doing his daily job: shepherding sheep in the wilderness, searching for & returning wandering lambs, and shearing sheep & selling the wool. Not very glamorous! Yet it was in the midst of these chores that God called one of the greatest leaders mankind has ever known.
Take Peter. No, he wasn’t recruited from the University of Jerusalem. Nor was he a Rhodes Scholar. He was doing his daily chores!
“And as Jesus was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Mark 1:16, 17).
And the rest is history: Peter became an apostle and leader of the early Church.
Time would fail me to further list Gideon, Levi (Matthew), Abraham, Nehemiah, and so many more who from the mundane dailyness, God lifted to greatness. Maybe not “into” greatness so much as “from” greatness to a successive assignment; or as He says it, “from glory to glory.”
What is Greatness?
Maybe greatness does not begin where most measure it, with large audiences. Instead, what if it begins where there are no audiences at all? Anyone can feel excited when thousands come to listen, but how is your heart when there are only a few?
Maybe greatness really doesn’t start with loads of money. Maybe it really starts with faithfulness and a stewardship of what you do have.
Like David among the sheepfolds, Peter fishing the open sea, or Zacharias working the night shift, I think God looks for seeds of greatness in the “dailyness” of living. Don’t worry about trying to be like those who wear costumes at a football game to get the attention of the cameras. God is looking, not for costume wearers, but for basin bearers who show up daily.
Prayer: Dear God, show me what would You have me to do daily! And help me to fulfill it the best possible way I can. Amen!
(The following insightful article is from: http://www.enewhope.org/news/2005/december/30/devos/)
Starting a New Year Resolution
doing devotions with pastor wayne
Note: One of the most exciting moves of God in our times is happening in Hawaii—where one small church discovered the power of doing daily devotions. Today members are reading a portion of their Bible & hearing God speak directly into their lives. And a small cadre of believers has grown to over 12,000 members. It’s also become one of the fastest-growing and most influential churches in the nation.
As we kick off the New Year, let doing daily devotions be one of your greatest goals. Join us!
Here is a page ripped out of Senior Pastor Wayne Cordeiro’s own journal:
January 1—Gen. 1, 2; Luke 1
“Now it came about while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division, according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
…And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense.” (Luke 1:8-11)
When did God appear to the priest, Zacharias? On a whirlwind preaching crusade? On a best-selling book-signing tour? While being interviewed on national TV?
No!
It was during the consistency of his “priestly duties.” That which seems mundane & mediocre to most of us is actually precious in God’s sight. And that’s when God usually shows up!
A Little Background
Zacharias’ division of priests was in charge of performing certain temple services and he was selected to burn the incense. It’s sort of like a pastor who is chosen to wear the emergency pager for the week. Zacharias was carrying on daily duties that seemed so unexciting. Yet it was in the midst of that when God chose him to be father of John the Baptist!
It happened to David – not on a crusade but while feeding sheep when God chose him to be the greatest king Israel had ever seen:
“He also chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from the care of the ewes of suckling lambs He brought them – to shepherd Jacob His people and Israel His inheritance” (Ps. 78:72).
King David was the one who would deliver Israel from the Philistines! He united the Kingdom of Israel. And he became the forefather of the Messiah!
It happened to Moses – not on a high horse, not from notoriety, nor from fame or fortune. No, God appeared to him as he was doing his daily job: shepherding sheep in the wilderness, searching for & returning wandering lambs, and shearing sheep & selling the wool. Not very glamorous! Yet it was in the midst of these chores that God called one of the greatest leaders mankind has ever known.
Take Peter. No, he wasn’t recruited from the University of Jerusalem. Nor was he a Rhodes Scholar. He was doing his daily chores!
“And as Jesus was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Mark 1:16, 17).
And the rest is history: Peter became an apostle and leader of the early Church.
Time would fail me to further list Gideon, Levi (Matthew), Abraham, Nehemiah, and so many more who from the mundane dailyness, God lifted to greatness. Maybe not “into” greatness so much as “from” greatness to a successive assignment; or as He says it, “from glory to glory.”
What is Greatness?
Maybe greatness does not begin where most measure it, with large audiences. Instead, what if it begins where there are no audiences at all? Anyone can feel excited when thousands come to listen, but how is your heart when there are only a few?
Maybe greatness really doesn’t start with loads of money. Maybe it really starts with faithfulness and a stewardship of what you do have.
Like David among the sheepfolds, Peter fishing the open sea, or Zacharias working the night shift, I think God looks for seeds of greatness in the “dailyness” of living. Don’t worry about trying to be like those who wear costumes at a football game to get the attention of the cameras. God is looking, not for costume wearers, but for basin bearers who show up daily.
Prayer: Dear God, show me what would You have me to do daily! And help me to fulfill it the best possible way I can. Amen!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
How to Buy Opportunities
Hi CM Team,
Did you ever wonder how you can attain opporunities after opportunities?
God's Word tells in Ephesians 5:16 (Amplified Bible):
Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
Using our time wisely will buy opportunities which will transform into life-giving outcomes in the end. When we feel "we don't have enough time," then we're most likely UNwisely using time, foregoing godly opportunities.
As the New Year of 2006 is just around the corner, this would be a good time for all of us to start identifying areas in our lives where we can prune out dead "times" from our daily routines so we would all make the most of our time in the New Year. If your morning devotion time is being crowded out by other busy-nesses, then that would be a great place to start by trimming out your evening/night activities in order to sleep earlier which in turn will start your morning earlier for a time of devotion with God. Genesis 1:5b (NIV) says the following implying that the day actually starts the night before.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
[Note: This message clip derived from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro's 12/4/05 sermon (http://enewhope.org/sermon/notes.php?action=view&id=251)]
Have a wonderful Christmas and let's all turn to a bright New Year inviting His Spirit to lead us all.
Your Co-worker,
yOOn
Did you ever wonder how you can attain opporunities after opportunities?
God's Word tells in Ephesians 5:16 (Amplified Bible):
Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
Using our time wisely will buy opportunities which will transform into life-giving outcomes in the end. When we feel "we don't have enough time," then we're most likely UNwisely using time, foregoing godly opportunities.
As the New Year of 2006 is just around the corner, this would be a good time for all of us to start identifying areas in our lives where we can prune out dead "times" from our daily routines so we would all make the most of our time in the New Year. If your morning devotion time is being crowded out by other busy-nesses, then that would be a great place to start by trimming out your evening/night activities in order to sleep earlier which in turn will start your morning earlier for a time of devotion with God. Genesis 1:5b (NIV) says the following implying that the day actually starts the night before.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
[Note: This message clip derived from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro's 12/4/05 sermon (http://enewhope.org/sermon/notes.php?action=view&id=251)]
Have a wonderful Christmas and let's all turn to a bright New Year inviting His Spirit to lead us all.
Your Co-worker,
yOOn
Friday, December 16, 2005
Video Games and Your Kids
Hi CM Team,
Personally, I am not too familiar with the video games, and as a parent, I sense that I will soon be left in the dust way behind from my children (and their friends) in this arena. This will not be a good thing because like with many "media" stakeholders, people behind the viedo games industry are aiming at our children's minds and they do it so craftly (why does this remind me of the serpent in Genesis?).
I don't believe there is a single solution to this problem, but I found the following article which at least points us to a good start, especially during this time of getting bombarded with shopping attractions.
If you feel led to share this with your students' parents, please do so.
in HIM,
yOOn
Rated 'A' for 'Assault'
Video Games and Your Kids
December 16, 2005
Earlier this week, Mark Earley told you about the dangers associated with some of most-sought-after items on your kids' Christmas list. If the pornography industry has its way, that state-of-the-art cell phone will be used for more than talking to friends.
And the problems are not limited to presents that our kids can put in their backpacks. Some of the worst stuff may find its way into your living room or your kid's bedroom without you being the wiser. I'm talking, of course, about video games.
Concerns about video games are not new. Such concerns forced the industry to adopt a rating system for its products: rating from "E" for "everyone" to "M" for "mature." The problem is that the outfit doing the rating, the Entertainment Software Review Board (ESRB), is a subsidiary of the video game industry.
Little wonder, then, that the media watchdog group Media Wise gives the ratings an "F" for accuracy and retailers a "D" for their enforcement efforts. Combine that with what the group calls a "widening gap between what kids do and what parents know," and you have a system that is "beyond repair."
This does not mean that you should not let your children play video games, at least in moderation. It does mean that you need to do your homework before you head to the mall. And if the rating system is "beyond repair," where do you turn for information?
Fortunately, groups like Media Wise can at least tell you what to avoid. The group recently issued a Video Game Report which listed twelve games that parents should "keep out of the hands of their children and teenagers."
In one of the dirty dozen, "Stubbs the Zombie," your child assumes the role of a revenge-seeking zombie. And the zombie not only kills anyone who gets in its way, it also cuts open their skulls and eats their brains.
Then there's the "Grand Theft Auto" series. As the title suggests, the game is played from the point of view of a car thief. But the fantasy does not stop there: Money and points are gained by causing as much mayhem as possible, including running people over and murdering city officials.
I agree with Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D) when he calls these games "an assault on the value structure and discipline of our society." Like him, I fear that "much of what we do" as parents to raise good kids is "undercut by the worst of these games."
Neither Sen. Lieberman nor I is saying anything so extreme as playing "Grand Theft Auto" will lead your kid to run people over with the family car. We are merely pointing out the obvious: What we see influences how we think and feel. If this were not true, there would be no advertising industry. And besides, in our media-soaked culture, there is a whole range of alternatives that we can choose instead of these games.
So, before you pull out your credit card, ask yourself how much you know about what you plan on putting under the tree this Christmas: Is it the stuff of wise parenting or an assault on everything you hold dear?
Get links to further information on today's topic
For printer-friendly version, simply visit www.breakpoint.org and click on Today's Commentary. The printer-friendly link is on the left-hand column.
Copyright (c) 2005 Prison Fellowship
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
Personally, I am not too familiar with the video games, and as a parent, I sense that I will soon be left in the dust way behind from my children (and their friends) in this arena. This will not be a good thing because like with many "media" stakeholders, people behind the viedo games industry are aiming at our children's minds and they do it so craftly (why does this remind me of the serpent in Genesis?).
I don't believe there is a single solution to this problem, but I found the following article which at least points us to a good start, especially during this time of getting bombarded with shopping attractions.
If you feel led to share this with your students' parents, please do so.
in HIM,
yOOn
Rated 'A' for 'Assault'
Video Games and Your Kids
December 16, 2005
Earlier this week, Mark Earley told you about the dangers associated with some of most-sought-after items on your kids' Christmas list. If the pornography industry has its way, that state-of-the-art cell phone will be used for more than talking to friends.
And the problems are not limited to presents that our kids can put in their backpacks. Some of the worst stuff may find its way into your living room or your kid's bedroom without you being the wiser. I'm talking, of course, about video games.
Concerns about video games are not new. Such concerns forced the industry to adopt a rating system for its products: rating from "E" for "everyone" to "M" for "mature." The problem is that the outfit doing the rating, the Entertainment Software Review Board (ESRB), is a subsidiary of the video game industry.
Little wonder, then, that the media watchdog group Media Wise gives the ratings an "F" for accuracy and retailers a "D" for their enforcement efforts. Combine that with what the group calls a "widening gap between what kids do and what parents know," and you have a system that is "beyond repair."
This does not mean that you should not let your children play video games, at least in moderation. It does mean that you need to do your homework before you head to the mall. And if the rating system is "beyond repair," where do you turn for information?
Fortunately, groups like Media Wise can at least tell you what to avoid. The group recently issued a Video Game Report which listed twelve games that parents should "keep out of the hands of their children and teenagers."
In one of the dirty dozen, "Stubbs the Zombie," your child assumes the role of a revenge-seeking zombie. And the zombie not only kills anyone who gets in its way, it also cuts open their skulls and eats their brains.
Then there's the "Grand Theft Auto" series. As the title suggests, the game is played from the point of view of a car thief. But the fantasy does not stop there: Money and points are gained by causing as much mayhem as possible, including running people over and murdering city officials.
I agree with Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D) when he calls these games "an assault on the value structure and discipline of our society." Like him, I fear that "much of what we do" as parents to raise good kids is "undercut by the worst of these games."
Neither Sen. Lieberman nor I is saying anything so extreme as playing "Grand Theft Auto" will lead your kid to run people over with the family car. We are merely pointing out the obvious: What we see influences how we think and feel. If this were not true, there would be no advertising industry. And besides, in our media-soaked culture, there is a whole range of alternatives that we can choose instead of these games.
So, before you pull out your credit card, ask yourself how much you know about what you plan on putting under the tree this Christmas: Is it the stuff of wise parenting or an assault on everything you hold dear?
Get links to further information on today's topic
For printer-friendly version, simply visit www.breakpoint.org and click on Today's Commentary. The printer-friendly link is on the left-hand column.
Copyright (c) 2005 Prison Fellowship
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
God's Chosen Few
Dear CM Team,
If you think about it briefly, the core message of Christmas is based on God's miracle. There is no way such a thing can happen within the boundaries of our human strength or even knowledge.
That same God is still capable of doing miracles in our lives. Do you really believe it in your heart, not in your head only? I hope this Christmas, you would experience His miracle and transform into that "one broken person" God will use as referenced in the following article.
With regards,
yOOn
God's Chosen Few
by Os Hillman, December 13, 2005
But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. - Job 36:15
He was born with cerebral palsy in South Africa. He barely survived his birth. He did not walk until he was four years old. One leg was longer than the other and he could not speak well. For most of his life, his hands shook and he had little control over them. Feelings of rejection and bitterness at his plight were common occurrences during his growing-up years. During his school years, he was chastised by kids and generally rejected by society.
At age 17, his father felt led to take his son to a healing service. That night, the young boy's leg divinely grew two inches. He no longer walked with a limp. Bradley met the Savior and began to grow in his intimacy with Him. God began to speak to him and show him things. Prayer became his source of comfort and strength. God gave him insights about people and situations, bringing blessing to all who encountered him. Today, this young man travels around the world as an internationally known intercessor and founder of a school of intercessory prayer. Literally hundreds of hours of knowledge about the way God speaks to His children have been birthed in and through this young man.
One evening Bradley walked forward in a meeting of about 40 workplace believers and handed a note to the leader during a Christian business conference. The note was for someone in the room, but Bradley did not know whom it was for. It was the last day of a 40-day fast for this writer. The message gave a specific description of what I had been experiencing the two years leading up to that night. Nobody would have known such details. I knew it was for me. It was a miraculous "telegram from God" that provided confirmation and encouragement of where God was taking me. God used one broken man to speak to another broken man.
God's ways are not our ways. His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times. His ways are much higher than ours. Trust the God of the universe that He can orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest.
© 2005. TGIF Today God Is FirstTM is a registered trademark of Os Hillman/Marketplace Leaders.
If you think about it briefly, the core message of Christmas is based on God's miracle. There is no way such a thing can happen within the boundaries of our human strength or even knowledge.
That same God is still capable of doing miracles in our lives. Do you really believe it in your heart, not in your head only? I hope this Christmas, you would experience His miracle and transform into that "one broken person" God will use as referenced in the following article.
With regards,
yOOn
God's Chosen Few
by Os Hillman, December 13, 2005
But those who suffer He delivers in their suffering; He speaks to them in their affliction. - Job 36:15
He was born with cerebral palsy in South Africa. He barely survived his birth. He did not walk until he was four years old. One leg was longer than the other and he could not speak well. For most of his life, his hands shook and he had little control over them. Feelings of rejection and bitterness at his plight were common occurrences during his growing-up years. During his school years, he was chastised by kids and generally rejected by society.
At age 17, his father felt led to take his son to a healing service. That night, the young boy's leg divinely grew two inches. He no longer walked with a limp. Bradley met the Savior and began to grow in his intimacy with Him. God began to speak to him and show him things. Prayer became his source of comfort and strength. God gave him insights about people and situations, bringing blessing to all who encountered him. Today, this young man travels around the world as an internationally known intercessor and founder of a school of intercessory prayer. Literally hundreds of hours of knowledge about the way God speaks to His children have been birthed in and through this young man.
One evening Bradley walked forward in a meeting of about 40 workplace believers and handed a note to the leader during a Christian business conference. The note was for someone in the room, but Bradley did not know whom it was for. It was the last day of a 40-day fast for this writer. The message gave a specific description of what I had been experiencing the two years leading up to that night. Nobody would have known such details. I knew it was for me. It was a miraculous "telegram from God" that provided confirmation and encouragement of where God was taking me. God used one broken man to speak to another broken man.
God's ways are not our ways. His preparation of His warriors seems cruel and hurtful at times. His ways are much higher than ours. Trust the God of the universe that He can orchestrate the events of your life when they seem the darkest.
© 2005. TGIF Today God Is FirstTM is a registered trademark of Os Hillman/Marketplace Leaders.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
The Spirit of Competition
Hello Team CM,
We may call this synergy, or building up momentum, but at the core, it's about building up the spirit of unity & collaboration to seek where God is at work and go join Him all together with the single purpose and mind.
I am encouraged to follow Pastor Meyer's example within CM and NCBC as well as at workplace and within other external organizations. And I would like to invite you to join in that journey.
Your co-worker,
yOOn
The Spirit of Competition
by Os Hillman, December 3, 2005
I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. - John 17:23
A story is told about F.B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a century ago. He was pastoring a church and began to notice that attendance was suffering. This continued until he finally asked some members of his congregation one Sunday morning why they thought attendance was down.
A member volunteered, "It is because of this new church down the road. The young preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak."
His name was Charles Spurgeon. Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this, exhorted the entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this "move of God" as he described it to his congregation.
"If this be happening, then God must be at work."
Meyer, even though he was an accomplished preacher and teacher, recognized where God was at work and joined Him in it. [The author heard this on a radio show from Key Life Ministries with Steve Brown, based in Orlando, Florida.]
Can you imagine this story taking place in our competitive world today? Competition has penetrated the Church so much that many churches and Christian organizations approach ministry like a sports event. They view their mission as a business that seeks to gain market share among Christians - donors, members, influence - all under the name of God. I am sure God looks down at us and asks, "Whatever happened to John 17:23?" Sometimes we must remind our fellow servants that we are all on the same team! We should be seeking to impact the Kingdom of God, not increase our own market share.
When Jesus made this statement about unity in John 17:23, it represented the key to bringing salvation to many. He was saying that when His Body is unified, the non-Christian would be able to see who Jesus really is - the Son of God. Are you contributing to unity in the Body of Christ? Or are you contributing to a spirit of competition? Ask God where you can be an instrument of unity in His Body.
We may call this synergy, or building up momentum, but at the core, it's about building up the spirit of unity & collaboration to seek where God is at work and go join Him all together with the single purpose and mind.
I am encouraged to follow Pastor Meyer's example within CM and NCBC as well as at workplace and within other external organizations. And I would like to invite you to join in that journey.
Your co-worker,
yOOn
The Spirit of Competition
by Os Hillman, December 3, 2005
I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me. - John 17:23
A story is told about F.B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a century ago. He was pastoring a church and began to notice that attendance was suffering. This continued until he finally asked some members of his congregation one Sunday morning why they thought attendance was down.
A member volunteered, "It is because of this new church down the road. The young preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak."
His name was Charles Spurgeon. Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this, exhorted the entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this "move of God" as he described it to his congregation.
"If this be happening, then God must be at work."
Meyer, even though he was an accomplished preacher and teacher, recognized where God was at work and joined Him in it. [The author heard this on a radio show from Key Life Ministries with Steve Brown, based in Orlando, Florida.]
Can you imagine this story taking place in our competitive world today? Competition has penetrated the Church so much that many churches and Christian organizations approach ministry like a sports event. They view their mission as a business that seeks to gain market share among Christians - donors, members, influence - all under the name of God. I am sure God looks down at us and asks, "Whatever happened to John 17:23?" Sometimes we must remind our fellow servants that we are all on the same team! We should be seeking to impact the Kingdom of God, not increase our own market share.
When Jesus made this statement about unity in John 17:23, it represented the key to bringing salvation to many. He was saying that when His Body is unified, the non-Christian would be able to see who Jesus really is - the Son of God. Are you contributing to unity in the Body of Christ? Or are you contributing to a spirit of competition? Ask God where you can be an instrument of unity in His Body.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Good Things Versus God-Things
Hey Team CM,
Let's pursue together to be a team led by His Spirit.
<><
yOOn
Good Things Versus God-Things
By Os Hillman
Powered By Marketplace Leaders
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:14
The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is when we can discern the difference between "good things" and "God-things." When the people of Israel journeyed out of Egypt through the desert, the cloud led them by day. They could move only as fast as the cloud. If they went ahead, they went without God's presence. If they lagged behind, they also lost God's presence.
Each of us must have the discernment to know when God is leading in a matter, or if it is simply a good idea. There are so many things in which you and I can be involved, and the more successful you become, the greater the temptations to enter into things where God has not called you. Entrepreneurs are especially prone to see all the opportunities.
I recall one time when I entered into a project that I thought was a great idea. It would help many people. After two years, the project had to be discontinued. It was a great lesson on understanding what projects have God's blessing on them. There are some projects you and I might get involved in that result in little fruit compared to the investment put into them. That is because they may never have been birthed by the Holy Spirit.
As sons of God, we are called to be led by the Spirit. This requires a level of dependence on God in which many of us really do not want to invest. It requires listening, waiting, and moving only when God's Spirit tells us to move. Workplace believers are "action" people. We know how to get things done, but our greatest strength can be our greatest weakness.
Today, ask God to make you a Romans 8:14 man or woman who is led by the Spirit of God. Pray against lagging behind or moving ahead. Ask God to reveal whether the next project you consider is a "good thing" or a "God-thing."
© Copyright 2005. Os Hillman/MarketplaceLeaders.org
Let's pursue together to be a team led by His Spirit.
<><
yOOn
Good Things Versus God-Things
By Os Hillman
Powered By Marketplace Leaders
Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. - Romans 8:14
The greatest sign that you and I are maturing in our walk with God is when we can discern the difference between "good things" and "God-things." When the people of Israel journeyed out of Egypt through the desert, the cloud led them by day. They could move only as fast as the cloud. If they went ahead, they went without God's presence. If they lagged behind, they also lost God's presence.
Each of us must have the discernment to know when God is leading in a matter, or if it is simply a good idea. There are so many things in which you and I can be involved, and the more successful you become, the greater the temptations to enter into things where God has not called you. Entrepreneurs are especially prone to see all the opportunities.
I recall one time when I entered into a project that I thought was a great idea. It would help many people. After two years, the project had to be discontinued. It was a great lesson on understanding what projects have God's blessing on them. There are some projects you and I might get involved in that result in little fruit compared to the investment put into them. That is because they may never have been birthed by the Holy Spirit.
As sons of God, we are called to be led by the Spirit. This requires a level of dependence on God in which many of us really do not want to invest. It requires listening, waiting, and moving only when God's Spirit tells us to move. Workplace believers are "action" people. We know how to get things done, but our greatest strength can be our greatest weakness.
Today, ask God to make you a Romans 8:14 man or woman who is led by the Spirit of God. Pray against lagging behind or moving ahead. Ask God to reveal whether the next project you consider is a "good thing" or a "God-thing."
© Copyright 2005. Os Hillman/MarketplaceLeaders.org
Friday, November 04, 2005
The Skillful Worker
Hello CM Team,
Wanted to share this article with you which reminds us to raise our excellence wherever we are doing whatever we're call to do.
in HIM,
yOOn
THE SKILLFUL WORKER
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29)
The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as workplace ministers were skilled, and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.
‘Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship"’ (Exodus 31:1-5)
Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze to whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14)
Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on - David, Nehemiah, Aquilla and Priscilla.
I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work?
May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
A WORK PRAYER
Lord, please help me, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to be an excellent worker for You. Thank You that this is not a matter of striving, but a matter of giving over to You. I now renew my commitment to serve You as a reliable Christian worker. Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (for small group and individual)
1. Have you encountered excellent work by Christians?
2. Have you encountered inferior work by Christians?
3. How did each case affect your or someone else’s opinion of the Christian’s faith?
DISCUSSION FORUM
Want to discuss this lesson with others? Need a place to express your thoughts and feelings about your work? Post your thoughts or discussion in the My WorkLife Community Forum. Try it!
This WorkLife Lesson was written by Os Hillman. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Os founded Marketplace Leaders (marketplaceleaders.org), and is director of the International Coalition of Workplace Ministries (ICWM.net). Content edited and distributed by HisChurchatWork.org for non-profit educational purposes.
Distributed by HisChurchatWork.org © - used for non profit educational purposes only.
Wanted to share this article with you which reminds us to raise our excellence wherever we are doing whatever we're call to do.
in HIM,
yOOn
THE SKILLFUL WORKER
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. (Proverbs 22:29)
The Lord has called each of us to be excellent in what we do. Those whom God used in the Kingdom as workplace ministers were skilled, and exemplified excellence in their field. Not only were these men skilled, they were filled with God's Spirit.
‘Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship"’ (Exodus 31:1-5)
Consider Huram, the master craftsman of bronze to whom Solomon entrusted much of the temple designs. He was a true master craftsman (see 1 Kings 7:14)
Consider Joseph, whose skill as an administrator was known throughout Egypt and the world. Consider Daniel, who served his king with great skill and integrity. The list could go on - David, Nehemiah, Aquilla and Priscilla.
I recall the first issue of an international publication we began. It was common to hear the comment, "It doesn't even look like a Christian magazine." They were saying the quality and excellence exceeded what they equated to Christian work. What a shame. Has inferior quality become synonymous with Christian work?
May we strive for excellence in all that we do for the Master of the universe.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)
A WORK PRAYER
Lord, please help me, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, to be an excellent worker for You. Thank You that this is not a matter of striving, but a matter of giving over to You. I now renew my commitment to serve You as a reliable Christian worker. Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (for small group and individual)
1. Have you encountered excellent work by Christians?
2. Have you encountered inferior work by Christians?
3. How did each case affect your or someone else’s opinion of the Christian’s faith?
DISCUSSION FORUM
Want to discuss this lesson with others? Need a place to express your thoughts and feelings about your work? Post your thoughts or discussion in the My WorkLife Community Forum. Try it!
This WorkLife Lesson was written by Os Hillman. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Os founded Marketplace Leaders (marketplaceleaders.org), and is director of the International Coalition of Workplace Ministries (ICWM.net). Content edited and distributed by HisChurchatWork.org for non-profit educational purposes.
Distributed by HisChurchatWork.org © - used for non profit educational purposes only.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Starbucks cups go Spiritual
Hi CM Team,
Talk about a perfect topic for a Mid-week Coffee Break .... B^)
In light of our BaCC training on Wednesday nights, I find this news quite
encouraging (although I do not know about whether Starbucks management is
intentionally taking this step toward sending God's message or not -- if
you have more insight on this, please share with us):
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9767531/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9818099
Quick synopsis: Starting in the spring of '06, Starbucks will include a
spiritually-inspired quotation on its coffee cups. The message will come
from the book, The Purpose-driven Life, written by Rev. Rick Warren.
Folks, this is where rubber meets the road, in our every day life, and so
likewise, let's put the message of God on our lives for others to read in
the normal courses of interactions at our workplaces.
in HIM,
yOOn
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
That Old Alarm Clock
Hi Team,
As we are moving into our next phase of the Wednesday night DT, I wanted to share this article with you about how we need to be like children (we should know something about this, huh?) in everything in our lives.
Let's continue to work toward building up a team of awesome saints whose lives are totally relying on God's leadership.
In HIM,
yOOn
Be as Little Children
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
by Os Hillman
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! ~ 1 John 3:1a
"I have an important business meeting in the morning. Would you please set the alarm for 5:30 a.m.?" I said to my wife.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. Just tell the Lord what time you want to wake up. He does it for me all the time," my wife said.
I rolled my eyes in disbelief. "Well, I'd feel more comfortable if we set the alarm."
"Okay, ye of little faith. But just to prove my point I am going to ask the Lord to wake us up just before 5:30."
The next morning I awoke before the alarm went off. I looked at the clock. It read 5:15. I looked at my wife, who had just awakened at the same time with an I-told-you-so smile.
Sometimes we wrongfully view God as someone we go to for only the "big things." The idea of "bothering God" for such a trivial matter seems foolish and presumptuous. However, when you were a child and had to get up in the morning for school, didn't your mom or dad come wake you up? They were your parents, and you could come to them with the most trivial concerns or requests. Why would our heavenly Father be any less approachable? Perhaps our problem is that we simply have not developed a level of intimacy with God so that we feel the freedom to approach Him at these daily, routine levels. We often operate with an unwritten code that says our needs must have a certain degree of importance or crisis before we come to God with them. This is not God's character towards us.
Does the Lord desire this level of intimacy with you and me? The apostle Paul exhorted us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17 KJV). There is never a caution to pray only about matters of greater importance.
Today, go to God with matters that you might view as trivial and would normally avoid bringing to God. Ask God to increase your level of intimacy with Him. You may even be able to get rid of your alarm clock.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
As we are moving into our next phase of the Wednesday night DT, I wanted to share this article with you about how we need to be like children (we should know something about this, huh?) in everything in our lives.
Let's continue to work toward building up a team of awesome saints whose lives are totally relying on God's leadership.
In HIM,
yOOn
Be as Little Children
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
by Os Hillman
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! ~ 1 John 3:1a
"I have an important business meeting in the morning. Would you please set the alarm for 5:30 a.m.?" I said to my wife.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. Just tell the Lord what time you want to wake up. He does it for me all the time," my wife said.
I rolled my eyes in disbelief. "Well, I'd feel more comfortable if we set the alarm."
"Okay, ye of little faith. But just to prove my point I am going to ask the Lord to wake us up just before 5:30."
The next morning I awoke before the alarm went off. I looked at the clock. It read 5:15. I looked at my wife, who had just awakened at the same time with an I-told-you-so smile.
Sometimes we wrongfully view God as someone we go to for only the "big things." The idea of "bothering God" for such a trivial matter seems foolish and presumptuous. However, when you were a child and had to get up in the morning for school, didn't your mom or dad come wake you up? They were your parents, and you could come to them with the most trivial concerns or requests. Why would our heavenly Father be any less approachable? Perhaps our problem is that we simply have not developed a level of intimacy with God so that we feel the freedom to approach Him at these daily, routine levels. We often operate with an unwritten code that says our needs must have a certain degree of importance or crisis before we come to God with them. This is not God's character towards us.
Does the Lord desire this level of intimacy with you and me? The apostle Paul exhorted us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17 KJV). There is never a caution to pray only about matters of greater importance.
Today, go to God with matters that you might view as trivial and would normally avoid bringing to God. Ask God to increase your level of intimacy with Him. You may even be able to get rid of your alarm clock.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Presumption vs. Faith
Hello Team,
The following quote from article below caught my eyes:
"You almost have to hold back your natural gifting to ensure that God is the one who is guiding you. If not, you will not know if it is through your skill versus His hand that you are accomplishing the work."
Walking closely with God is a fine balancing act between utilizing my own skills while hearing God's instructions to use them correctly.
<><
yOOn
Presumption Versus Faith
Friday, July 29, 2005
by Os Hillman
The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. ~ 1 Chronicles 13:10
A life of faith often requires us to leave God's work alone. Responding to a need out of a desire to help move a vision along can be the greatest challenge for a Christian entrepreneur. There is a fine line between presumption and faith.
Uzzah learned that presumption could cost him his life. He was part of the crew that was to move the ark with the help of a team of oxen. When the way became rough, Uzzah responded in a natural way. He grabbed the ark to steady it. When he did, he was immediately struck down. God said it was forbidden to touch the ark. King David mourned the death of his servant and argued with God about this loss.
Walking with God in the workplace requires sensitivity to balancing our God-given talents and operating in the power of the Holy Spirit in and through our work life. A mentor once told me, "You almost have to hold back your natural gifting to ensure that God is the one who is guiding you. If not, you will not know if it is through your skill versus His hand that you are accomplishing the work." I find this the most challenging aspect of a walk with God in the workplace.
You can only grow in your understanding of this balance by being accountable to others in the process. By having other committed Christians walking close to you, they become the safety net to keep you from presumption and the deceit of the heart. God also gives godly spouses to help many in this area.
-- -- --
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
The following quote from article below caught my eyes:
"You almost have to hold back your natural gifting to ensure that God is the one who is guiding you. If not, you will not know if it is through your skill versus His hand that you are accomplishing the work."
Walking closely with God is a fine balancing act between utilizing my own skills while hearing God's instructions to use them correctly.
<><
yOOn
Presumption Versus Faith
Friday, July 29, 2005
by Os Hillman
The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah, and He struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. ~ 1 Chronicles 13:10
A life of faith often requires us to leave God's work alone. Responding to a need out of a desire to help move a vision along can be the greatest challenge for a Christian entrepreneur. There is a fine line between presumption and faith.
Uzzah learned that presumption could cost him his life. He was part of the crew that was to move the ark with the help of a team of oxen. When the way became rough, Uzzah responded in a natural way. He grabbed the ark to steady it. When he did, he was immediately struck down. God said it was forbidden to touch the ark. King David mourned the death of his servant and argued with God about this loss.
Walking with God in the workplace requires sensitivity to balancing our God-given talents and operating in the power of the Holy Spirit in and through our work life. A mentor once told me, "You almost have to hold back your natural gifting to ensure that God is the one who is guiding you. If not, you will not know if it is through your skill versus His hand that you are accomplishing the work." I find this the most challenging aspect of a walk with God in the workplace.
You can only grow in your understanding of this balance by being accountable to others in the process. By having other committed Christians walking close to you, they become the safety net to keep you from presumption and the deceit of the heart. God also gives godly spouses to help many in this area.
-- -- --
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Unlimited Potential
Hello Team!
Do you want to live the FULL potential God intended for your life? It may require your perseverance and hope. If you're experiencing some setbacks in your life, let's be encouraged by the story of Cyrus below and push onward while leaning on God.
<><
yOOn
- * - * -
Unlimited Potential
Monday, July 18, 2005
by Os Hillman
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. ~ Philippians 4:13
What might God want to accomplish through you in your lifetime? As a workplace believer, you may yet have your greatest contribution to society. Such was the case of Cyrus McCormick, born in 1809. Raised on a farm by an inventor father, Cyrus McCormick sought to invent a mechanical reaper to harvest wheat. His father's attempts at inventing a successful machine had failed until Cyrus, at 22, created one that worked. McCormick had to overcome many setbacks including the loss of his patent 14 years after his first invention. This opened up competition. Then, in 1837 he went bankrupt due to the bank panic of 1837. However, these setbacks did not prevent McCormick from achieving his goals.
He expanded his market by trying to sell his machine to European farmers in 1851. A long series of honors compensated for the lack of recognition and praise from his American compatriots. By 1856, he was not only a world figure but his factory produced more than 4,000 reapers a year.
McCormick was a committed believer. He lived during the time of D.L. Moody and gave $10,000 to Moody to start the Chicago YMCA in 1869. That building burned along with his Chicago factory in 1871. By this time, McCormick was over 60 and wealthy enough to retire. Before his death in 1884, he had given $100,000 to help open Moody Bible Institute. His son, Cyrus Jr., was to become the first chairman of the school's board. Cyrus McCormick was a devoted Christian who passed his faith on to his son who later met up with J. Pierpoint Morgan to become the first president of a combined reaper firm, the famed International Harvester Corporation. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 328-331.]
What might God want to accomplish through your life? Surely you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Do you want to live the FULL potential God intended for your life? It may require your perseverance and hope. If you're experiencing some setbacks in your life, let's be encouraged by the story of Cyrus below and push onward while leaning on God.
<><
yOOn
Unlimited Potential
Monday, July 18, 2005
by Os Hillman
I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. ~ Philippians 4:13
What might God want to accomplish through you in your lifetime? As a workplace believer, you may yet have your greatest contribution to society. Such was the case of Cyrus McCormick, born in 1809. Raised on a farm by an inventor father, Cyrus McCormick sought to invent a mechanical reaper to harvest wheat. His father's attempts at inventing a successful machine had failed until Cyrus, at 22, created one that worked. McCormick had to overcome many setbacks including the loss of his patent 14 years after his first invention. This opened up competition. Then, in 1837 he went bankrupt due to the bank panic of 1837. However, these setbacks did not prevent McCormick from achieving his goals.
He expanded his market by trying to sell his machine to European farmers in 1851. A long series of honors compensated for the lack of recognition and praise from his American compatriots. By 1856, he was not only a world figure but his factory produced more than 4,000 reapers a year.
McCormick was a committed believer. He lived during the time of D.L. Moody and gave $10,000 to Moody to start the Chicago YMCA in 1869. That building burned along with his Chicago factory in 1871. By this time, McCormick was over 60 and wealthy enough to retire. Before his death in 1884, he had given $100,000 to help open Moody Bible Institute. His son, Cyrus Jr., was to become the first chairman of the school's board. Cyrus McCormick was a devoted Christian who passed his faith on to his son who later met up with J. Pierpoint Morgan to become the first president of a combined reaper firm, the famed International Harvester Corporation. [John Woodbridge, ed., More Than Conquerors (Chicago, Illinois: Moody Press, 1992), 328-331.]
What might God want to accomplish through your life? Surely you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Our Work versus Our Value
Hello CM Team,
Thank you so much for all of you who stayed in town to "run" the ministry this past Sunday!
My family attended the Saddleback Church and two of my children went through the same format (although the topic was not the Driving Force) because our Driving Force is from that church. They thought it was cool to see the same stuff.
I'm including a short article below for your food for thought & Spirit. Here is an excerpt:
See you tonight then,
yOOn
- * - * -
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
by Os Hillman
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. ~ Genesis 2:15
Man was created to have seven basic needs. Each of us has a need for dignity, authority, blessing and provision, security, purpose and meaning, freedom and boundary, intimate love and companionship. When we go outside God's provision to meet these needs, we get into trouble.
Every man has a need to work and gain satisfaction in caring and seeing something come from his efforts. Many of our basic needs are derived from our work; it was one of the first acts God did for man in the Garden of Eden. He gave him responsibility to care for and work the Garden. God knew man needed to be productive. He needed to gain satisfaction from his work.
The danger of this is when we allow our work to be our complete source of purpose and meaning in life. This leads to a performance-based life. A performance-based life says, "As long as I perform in my work, I am acceptable to myself and others." This is a subtle trap for all of us. It can lead us to become workaholics if we are seeking acceptance through what we do. Sometimes this can be on a subconscious basis.
Our value must be centered in Christ, not in what we do. If we lose our job or our business, this should not devastate us if we are centered in Him. It will certainly create difficulties, but God is the orchestrator of all the events in our lives for His purposes. Even difficult times have purposes.
Today, ask the Lord if you have a proper balance in your work life. Is Christ the central focus? If you work long hours, ask yourself why. You might discover that God may not be the central focus.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Thank you so much for all of you who stayed in town to "run" the ministry this past Sunday!
My family attended the Saddleback Church and two of my children went through the same format (although the topic was not the Driving Force) because our Driving Force is from that church. They thought it was cool to see the same stuff.
I'm including a short article below for your food for thought & Spirit. Here is an excerpt:
The danger of this is when we allow our work to be our complete source of purpose and meaning in life. This leads to a performance-based life. A performance-based life says .... (read below for more)
See you tonight then,
yOOn
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
by Os Hillman
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. ~ Genesis 2:15
Man was created to have seven basic needs. Each of us has a need for dignity, authority, blessing and provision, security, purpose and meaning, freedom and boundary, intimate love and companionship. When we go outside God's provision to meet these needs, we get into trouble.
Every man has a need to work and gain satisfaction in caring and seeing something come from his efforts. Many of our basic needs are derived from our work; it was one of the first acts God did for man in the Garden of Eden. He gave him responsibility to care for and work the Garden. God knew man needed to be productive. He needed to gain satisfaction from his work.
The danger of this is when we allow our work to be our complete source of purpose and meaning in life. This leads to a performance-based life. A performance-based life says, "As long as I perform in my work, I am acceptable to myself and others." This is a subtle trap for all of us. It can lead us to become workaholics if we are seeking acceptance through what we do. Sometimes this can be on a subconscious basis.
Our value must be centered in Christ, not in what we do. If we lose our job or our business, this should not devastate us if we are centered in Him. It will certainly create difficulties, but God is the orchestrator of all the events in our lives for His purposes. Even difficult times have purposes.
Today, ask the Lord if you have a proper balance in your work life. Is Christ the central focus? If you work long hours, ask yourself why. You might discover that God may not be the central focus.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org To contact Os Hillman, click here. To book Os Hillman to speak in your city, click here. To request TGIF reprint permission, click here. Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
'You've got to find what you love,' Jobs says
Hi CM Teachers,
This is a message of someone who's gone through the courses of life thus far and reflecting upon some of the gems he has discovered along the way. I do not know whether Steve Jobs is a believer or not, but there are values we can share because it hits the chord in all of us.
----
This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505
This is a message of someone who's gone through the courses of life thus far and reflecting upon some of the gems he has discovered along the way. I do not know whether Steve Jobs is a believer or not, but there are values we can share because it hits the chord in all of us.
----
This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.
http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2005/june15/jobs-061505
Friday, June 17, 2005
Cinderella Man - A Father's Day Message
Hello Team CM,
I would like to share an excerpt from BreakPoint in light of the Father's Day this Sunday.
* - * - *
Today, our elites are fond of saying that fathers are unnecessary -- even destructive in the lives of their children. Millions of fatherless kids are paying the price for this attitude -- children starving for a fatherÂ’s love and protection. Cinderella Man gives us a tremendous example of what a father ought to be.
As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend, I pray that fathers and fathers-to-be will be inspired by this film to be the kind of man God intends: one who sacrificially puts his love for his family above all else.
Full article is located at:
http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=BreakPoint1&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=16190
I would like to share an excerpt from BreakPoint in light of the Father's Day this Sunday.
Today, our elites are fond of saying that fathers are unnecessary -- even destructive in the lives of their children. Millions of fatherless kids are paying the price for this attitude -- children starving for a fatherÂ’s love and protection. Cinderella Man gives us a tremendous example of what a father ought to be.
As we celebrate Father's Day this weekend, I pray that fathers and fathers-to-be will be inspired by this film to be the kind of man God intends: one who sacrificially puts his love for his family above all else.
Full article is located at:
http://www.pfm.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=BreakPoint1&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=16190
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Living on a Prayer with Your Testimony
Hi CM Teachers,
Try to put yourself in the person's position in the picture below -- desperately just hanging on to that rock in order not to fall down. Have you ever prayed to God with such intensity and focus? Why not take the next 15 seconds and try it by lifting up one of the core needs you have right now?
Also want to pass on this article on living a testimonial life vs. knowledge-filled life.
yOOn
Your Testimony
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
by Os Hillman
I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ~ John 3:11
Over the last several years I have seen two distinct types of Christian workplace believers. One type enthusiastically teaches their Bible knowledge to others. These people, though they may be genuine in their motive, lack one essential ingredient to being effectively used by God - a testimony. The second type of people I have encountered has a genuine testimony of what God is doing and continues to do in their lives. This was the case in the early Church. Men and women were able to give powerful testimony of events and experiences that could only be explained as a work of God.
God desires to build a testimony in each of us. Each of us is one of God's chosen vessels to reflect His power in and through us. When others see this power reflected, they are impacted because they cannot explain that power. God desires to frame your life with experiences designed to reflect the character and nature of Christ. Sometimes these events can be very devastating, but they are designed to reveal His power in and through us.
Every one of us has a testimony. What would others say your testimony is today? Can others see God's work in your life? Is your testimony one of Bible knowledge only? Are things happening in your life that can only be explained as God? These can be problematic questions for each of us. Ask God to build a testimony of His life in and through you today.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
Try to put yourself in the person's position in the picture below -- desperately just hanging on to that rock in order not to fall down. Have you ever prayed to God with such intensity and focus? Why not take the next 15 seconds and try it by lifting up one of the core needs you have right now?
Also want to pass on this article on living a testimonial life vs. knowledge-filled life.
yOOn
Your Testimony
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
by Os Hillman
I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. ~ John 3:11
Over the last several years I have seen two distinct types of Christian workplace believers. One type enthusiastically teaches their Bible knowledge to others. These people, though they may be genuine in their motive, lack one essential ingredient to being effectively used by God - a testimony. The second type of people I have encountered has a genuine testimony of what God is doing and continues to do in their lives. This was the case in the early Church. Men and women were able to give powerful testimony of events and experiences that could only be explained as a work of God.
God desires to build a testimony in each of us. Each of us is one of God's chosen vessels to reflect His power in and through us. When others see this power reflected, they are impacted because they cannot explain that power. God desires to frame your life with experiences designed to reflect the character and nature of Christ. Sometimes these events can be very devastating, but they are designed to reveal His power in and through us.
Every one of us has a testimony. What would others say your testimony is today? Can others see God's work in your life? Is your testimony one of Bible knowledge only? Are things happening in your life that can only be explained as God? These can be problematic questions for each of us. Ask God to build a testimony of His life in and through you today.
Copyright 2005. www.MarketplaceLeaders.org Permission granted to forward this email in it's entirety to others at no cost.
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