AN INTERRUPTION OR DIVINE APPOINTMENT
[The Lord said,] "I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the furthest corners of the earth." When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were appointed to eternal life became believers. Acts 13:47-48
Jesus wants us to see that neighbor next door or the people sitting next to us on a plane or in a classroom are not interruptions to our schedule. They are there by divine appointment. Jesus wants you to see their needs, their loneliness, their longings, and he wants to give us the courage to reach out to the them. Rebecca Manley Pippert
Appointed to eternal life
When I read this verse, I am reminded that there are people around us whom God is pursuing. It may be the teenager down the street, a lonely coworker, a weary single parent, or even someone standing next to you in line at the bank. The world is full of men and women who have been crying out to God in the quiet desperation of their hearts or in the darkness of a long night. God has been working in their lives and stirring a desire for him. He wants to use us to be a light to them and bring them the good news of hope in Jesus Christ. Ask that his Spirit would show you those in your neighborhood or workplace who need to be the recipients of your prayers. He will help you to build relationships with them and be a vessel through whom God can share his love.
LORD, show me those in my neighborhood, my circle of friends, and my family that you want me to pray for and build relationships with. They may be the very people you have appointed to eternal life. Equip me to be a light to those who don't know you and to love them for Christ's sake.
SOCIAL CLASSROOM
PUBLIC EDUCATION ON PERSONALITY
What is Our Personality?
Personality is an interesting subject, and not a topic I wanted to cover until I had thoroughly done my research. After-all, even just the word ‘personality’ means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Our personality actually plays a huge part in how we perceive the world and how the world perceives us so I think it is an important subject to cover.
This site is all about living the life you want to live and being who you want to be and I think it’s safe to say that we each view someone’s personality as a large part of what makes them who they are. With that in mind, let’s look at how you can change yours for your own benefit.
I searched around for some definitions of this term and I have to say that my favourite is rather basic: “A set of qualities that make a person distinct from another”. Nice, simple, to the point and the exact definition that I’ve come to think the word means through my 19 years of existence.
On top of that statement, I, like many others, believe that our personality includes our beliefs and values so this is the understanding of the word I’m going to use here. Feel free to substitute your own definition and still go through the process towards the middle of this post.
How It Is Formed
Your current personality, whatever it may be, has been formed in a number of ways. Psychologists have studied human personalities for years and have come to a number of conclusions. First of all, it is believed that certain traits in our character are hereditary, yet things like our values and beliefs are derived from socialization and unique experiences, mostly from childhood.
Based on that statement, it’s likely that the personality of you and anyone you know is based on:
Social experiences (especially from childhood)
Unique experiences that you have had in your lifetime
The environment in which you grew up and how you had to act
While most of this might seem obvious, there is some strong research which suggests that a lot of our current personality is in-fact, genetic. As an example, researchers from the University of Minnesota studied 8,000 twins who had been separated shortly after birth and reunited later in life for whatever reason. They found that even though one of the twins may have lived a completely different live in a different environment, their behaviours were still almost identical.
I don’t think I like the idea that our personality and specifically our behaviours are largely proven to be based around our genetic make-up. That being said, I still believe it is entirely possible to change your personality and literally be whoever you want to be.
Designing your Own Personality
Before continuing with the following steps on designing your own personality, spend a few minutes thinking of the personalities of people in your life. I have some close friends that I know whenever I see them they will cheer me up because they are happy and very positive. On the other hand, I also have friends that are close, but I can always predict how they will react in certain situations and it is usually in a negative manner.
I think all of you can relate to my situation of having friends who you love to be around and other friends who you do care about, but make you feel ‘drained’ when you spend time with them.
The whole point of this post and personality development in general is to develop the characteristics you want to have rather than the ones you’ve been conditioned with. JAMES LUBUS WELCOME YOU TO COMENT ON THIS ARTICLE
ALL THE BEST WWELCOME AGAIN TO THIS ELITE SITE
Friday, 24 April 2009
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Sin and a way out
Though the bad news is devastating—that we are, in our sinful nature, contrary to God's character and out of line with His foundation of wisdom—the good news is that we can change. Wisdom does not remain forever elusive, no matter how firmly we have rejected it in the past.
The wisdom of God will lead us to the cross of Jesus, of course. That is where all of our former futility is redeemed and our rebellion forgiven. A humble bow before the sacrificial Lamb will cleanse us of the muck of this world and put us on a path of discipleship. But once we have passed through that Cross, we must cultivate our love for the eternal. We must pursue wisdom with a passion. We must become enamored with the righteous ways of the world as it was meant to be.
If you are ever lacking in perspective, read the first two and the last two chapters of the Bible. Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22 are pictures of perfection. From paradise to paradise, from the Garden of Eden to the city of God, from the dust of the earth to the bride of Christ, wisdom rules. Take away the huge parentheses on the sin problem—Genesis 3 through Revelation 20— and you'll clearly see the holiness of God and the beauty of His handiwork. It's often hard, in this parenthetical interim, to see such beauty, but it's there. It's our origin and our destiny, all rolled into one.
As you read those four chapters, the eternal bookends on either side of the temporal sin-problem, let your love grow deep for your Creator and Redeemer. As a plant stretches toward the sunlight, let your life grow toward His wisdom. Open up before Him, and let yourself love His ways. In Tanzania alone there are various churches but the only thing we can learn is that doing all that will please God is the main secreat of following Him. Please give comment on this.
Though the bad news is devastating—that we are, in our sinful nature, contrary to God's character and out of line with His foundation of wisdom—the good news is that we can change. Wisdom does not remain forever elusive, no matter how firmly we have rejected it in the past.
The wisdom of God will lead us to the cross of Jesus, of course. That is where all of our former futility is redeemed and our rebellion forgiven. A humble bow before the sacrificial Lamb will cleanse us of the muck of this world and put us on a path of discipleship. But once we have passed through that Cross, we must cultivate our love for the eternal. We must pursue wisdom with a passion. We must become enamored with the righteous ways of the world as it was meant to be.
If you are ever lacking in perspective, read the first two and the last two chapters of the Bible. Genesis 1-2 and Revelation 21-22 are pictures of perfection. From paradise to paradise, from the Garden of Eden to the city of God, from the dust of the earth to the bride of Christ, wisdom rules. Take away the huge parentheses on the sin problem—Genesis 3 through Revelation 20— and you'll clearly see the holiness of God and the beauty of His handiwork. It's often hard, in this parenthetical interim, to see such beauty, but it's there. It's our origin and our destiny, all rolled into one.
As you read those four chapters, the eternal bookends on either side of the temporal sin-problem, let your love grow deep for your Creator and Redeemer. As a plant stretches toward the sunlight, let your life grow toward His wisdom. Open up before Him, and let yourself love His ways. In Tanzania alone there are various churches but the only thing we can learn is that doing all that will please God is the main secreat of following Him. Please give comment on this.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FAMOUS PEOPLE IN AMERICA IN RELATION TO THE GOSPEL COMMENTED BY JAMES LUBUS
The testimony of presidentsThe Bible was clearly important to many American presidents. A few examples:It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. George WashingtonThe whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life. Herbert HooverIn regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it. Abraham LincolnHold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. Ulysses S. Grant
Thursday, April 16, 2009
THE WEBSITE AUTHOR RECALL HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FAMOUS PEOPLE IN AMERICA TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them. I will be their God, and they will be my people! Hebrews 8:10
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21
About this week's promise:
How remarkable that the God of the universe would actually want to communicate with us! We are creatures of a material, physical world to which we relate through our five senses. God is a spiritual being. We in our physical state cannot see him, hear him, or touch him, so how can he communicate with us? Through the Bible. Over several centuries, God inspired a select number of people to write down what he felt we needed to know about him and how he expects us to live. These writings have been collected into this book, called the Holy Bible. In a miraculous way, the Bible speaks to each of us. Its truths apply across generations, across cultures, across all life experience. When it comes to reading the Bible, most of us read just enough to get by. Read God's Word daily so you can thoroughly understand all God wants you to know
About this week's promise:
How remarkable that the God of the universe would actually want to communicate with us! We are creatures of a material, physical world to which we relate through our five senses. God is a spiritual being. We in our physical state cannot see him, hear him, or touch him, so how can he communicate with us? Through the Bible. Over several centuries, God inspired a select number of people to write down what he felt we needed to know about him and how he expects us to live. These writings have been collected into this book, called the Holy Bible. In a miraculous way, the Bible speaks to each of us. Its truths apply across generations, across cultures, across all life experience. When it comes to reading the Bible, most of us read just enough to get by. Read God's Word daily so you can thoroughly understand all God wants you to know
all God wants you to kno auther
The testimony of presidentsThe Bible was clearly important to many American presidents. A few examples:It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. George WashingtonThe whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life. Herbert HooverIn regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it. Abraham LincolnHold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. Ulysses S. Grant
Thursday, April 16, 2009
THE WEBSITE AUTHOR RECALL HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FAMOUS PEOPLE IN AMERICA TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them. I will be their God, and they will be my people! Hebrews 8:10
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21
About this week's promise:
How remarkable that the God of the universe would actually want to communicate with us! We are creatures of a material, physical world to which we relate through our five senses. God is a spiritual being. We in our physical state cannot see him, hear him, or touch him, so how can he communicate with us? Through the Bible. Over several centuries, God inspired a select number of people to write down what he felt we needed to know about him and how he expects us to live. These writings have been collected into this book, called the Holy Bible. In a miraculous way, the Bible speaks to each of us. Its truths apply across generations, across cultures, across all life experience. When it comes to reading the Bible, most of us read just enough to get by. Read God's Word daily so you can thoroughly understand all God wants you to know
About this week's promise:
How remarkable that the God of the universe would actually want to communicate with us! We are creatures of a material, physical world to which we relate through our five senses. God is a spiritual being. We in our physical state cannot see him, hear him, or touch him, so how can he communicate with us? Through the Bible. Over several centuries, God inspired a select number of people to write down what he felt we needed to know about him and how he expects us to live. These writings have been collected into this book, called the Holy Bible. In a miraculous way, the Bible speaks to each of us. Its truths apply across generations, across cultures, across all life experience. When it comes to reading the Bible, most of us read just enough to get by. Read God's Word daily so you can thoroughly understand all God wants you to know
all God wants you to kno auther
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
WHAT GUIDES YOUR LIFE
Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, foot your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:97-105 NLT
No Other Book
I have guided my life by the Bible , and I tell you there is no book like it. It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonder of surprises, a revelation if mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and an unspeakable source of comfort.
Pay no attention to people who discredit it, for I tell you that they speak without knowledge. It is the Word of God itself.
Study it according to its own direction. Live by its principles. Believe its message. Follow its precepts. No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and none is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.
Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, foot your commands are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven't turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:97-105 NLT
No Other Book
I have guided my life by the Bible , and I tell you there is no book like it. It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonder of surprises, a revelation if mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and an unspeakable source of comfort.
Pay no attention to people who discredit it, for I tell you that they speak without knowledge. It is the Word of God itself.
Study it according to its own direction. Live by its principles. Believe its message. Follow its precepts. No man is uneducated who knows the Bible, and none is wise who is ignorant of its teachings.
Monday, 13 April 2009
HAVE YOU EVER WISHED YOU COULD FLEE
Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape—far away from this wild storm of hatred. Psalm 55:6-8
Nothing great was ever done without much enduring. Catherine of Siena
Resist flight
David was a man after God's own heart and a great, anointed king. But in many ways, he was just like us. Psalm 55 is an example. When the pressure was on, David just wanted to run away.All of us have had similar urges. When life gets intense and troubles seem to offer no way out, we just want to get out of the situation. Every Christian who has been prepared by God and stretched to his or her limits can relate: There are times when we would do anything if God would just remove us from our trial. We'll pray for ways of escape, but God often leaves us surrounded until His time is right.
God has no scorn for such feelings. He made us and He knows our frailties. He understands our impulse to flee from whatever difficulties we face. But He also insists on our endurance, because it has spiritual results that nothing else can accomplish. And there is no way to learn endurance other than simply to endure. We can't learn it in principle or in theory; only pain can teach it to us.
The good news for those who go through intense trials and suffering is that once the impulse to flee is broken, God delivers. When endurance is complete, God removes the tribulation we endured. Every fear is followed by blessing (Psalm 55:4-8, 16-18). Our God does not leave us in our troubles. He has put us there to discover His provision; He will not withhold it indefinitely. There will be a day of deliverance.
Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness. How quickly I would escape—far away from this wild storm of hatred. Psalm 55:6-8
Nothing great was ever done without much enduring. Catherine of Siena
Resist flight
David was a man after God's own heart and a great, anointed king. But in many ways, he was just like us. Psalm 55 is an example. When the pressure was on, David just wanted to run away.All of us have had similar urges. When life gets intense and troubles seem to offer no way out, we just want to get out of the situation. Every Christian who has been prepared by God and stretched to his or her limits can relate: There are times when we would do anything if God would just remove us from our trial. We'll pray for ways of escape, but God often leaves us surrounded until His time is right.
God has no scorn for such feelings. He made us and He knows our frailties. He understands our impulse to flee from whatever difficulties we face. But He also insists on our endurance, because it has spiritual results that nothing else can accomplish. And there is no way to learn endurance other than simply to endure. We can't learn it in principle or in theory; only pain can teach it to us.
The good news for those who go through intense trials and suffering is that once the impulse to flee is broken, God delivers. When endurance is complete, God removes the tribulation we endured. Every fear is followed by blessing (Psalm 55:4-8, 16-18). Our God does not leave us in our troubles. He has put us there to discover His provision; He will not withhold it indefinitely. There will be a day of deliverance.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Christ the Lord is Risen Today!But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again. 1 Corinthians 15:20Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia! Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia! Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia! Following our exalted Head, Alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) and othersChrist has won the final victoryThe grave has been "boasting" of its power since Eden. But now it has finally met its match. It wraps Jesus up at the Cross and "forbids him to rise," but our Champion, Jesus Christ, fought and won. Where is your sting now, O Death? Christ has won the final victory.We know that whatever boasting we do is not in ourselves, but in the power of Christ. He has won the victory, and now we're just soaring where Christ has led. We bask in the benefits
Quotes of the Day!
(Who really said it first?)Do not hold everything as gold which shines like gold. (Non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut aurum.) ~Alanus de Insulis, Parabolae, c.1280, later used by Shakespeare and others as "All that glisters is not gold." - now commonly misphrased as "glitters".But when he shall have been taken from sight, he quickly goes also out of mind. ~Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of ChristIt is a tiresome way of speaking, when you should despatch the business, to beat about the bush. ~PlautusOkay, Houston, we've had a problem here. ~John L. Swigert, Jr., Apollo 13 command module pilot, 13 April 1970Two souls with but a single thought,Two hearts that beat as one.~Friedrich Halm (Baron Eligius Franz Joseph von Münch-Bellinghausen
Consider what you think justice requires, and decide accordingly. But never give your reasons; for your judgment will probably be right, but your reasons will certainly be wrong. ~Lord Mansfield
The trivia and quotes are much shorter today due to the longer motivation – I try to skip the longer ones, but today’s story from Chicken Soup for the Soul was a great uplifting story. Today is “Take a Walk in the Park Day”, “Doctor’s Day”, and “I Am in Control Day”. So to get all of this out of the way, I guess you could take control, call your Doctor and ask him to take a walk in the park with you – after which a little red wagon will probably pull up to your house or work to take to you that “happy place”. Hope you had a great weekend. Renslar "Renny" Keagle, President
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) and othersChrist has won the final victoryThe grave has been "boasting" of its power since Eden. But now it has finally met its match. It wraps Jesus up at the Cross and "forbids him to rise," but our Champion, Jesus Christ, fought and won. Where is your sting now, O Death? Christ has won the final victory.We know that whatever boasting we do is not in ourselves, but in the power of Christ. He has won the victory, and now we're just soaring where Christ has led. We bask in the benefits
Quotes of the Day!
(Who really said it first?)Do not hold everything as gold which shines like gold. (Non teneas aurum totum quod splendet ut aurum.) ~Alanus de Insulis, Parabolae, c.1280, later used by Shakespeare and others as "All that glisters is not gold." - now commonly misphrased as "glitters".But when he shall have been taken from sight, he quickly goes also out of mind. ~Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of ChristIt is a tiresome way of speaking, when you should despatch the business, to beat about the bush. ~PlautusOkay, Houston, we've had a problem here. ~John L. Swigert, Jr., Apollo 13 command module pilot, 13 April 1970Two souls with but a single thought,Two hearts that beat as one.~Friedrich Halm (Baron Eligius Franz Joseph von Münch-Bellinghausen
Consider what you think justice requires, and decide accordingly. But never give your reasons; for your judgment will probably be right, but your reasons will certainly be wrong. ~Lord Mansfield
The trivia and quotes are much shorter today due to the longer motivation – I try to skip the longer ones, but today’s story from Chicken Soup for the Soul was a great uplifting story. Today is “Take a Walk in the Park Day”, “Doctor’s Day”, and “I Am in Control Day”. So to get all of this out of the way, I guess you could take control, call your Doctor and ask him to take a walk in the park with you – after which a little red wagon will probably pull up to your house or work to take to you that “happy place”. Hope you had a great weekend. Renslar "Renny" Keagle, President
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