For the next couple of days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday until Noon-ish), members of Amherstburg Community Church are praying and fasting.
Many members of our congregation are dealing with physical, financial, or other issues.
Enough is enough.
Thus, we are all fasting and praying for God’s provision to help us through these times.
Will you pray with us?
Blessings on your weekend!
During my personal “being rebuilt one day at a time”, I’m often reminded that how I spend my time is as important as anything else I do.
Being a good father and husband are important. Being home when the kids are here is a blessing.
Spending time in His Word is more important than anything else. Spending time with our Creator is what is getting me through this time.
If you’re struggling, pick up The Bible (sold in bookstores everywhere.)
I need to listen to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers again. I haven’t really listened to his music since the 90s.
When you have a chance, check out Jonathan Pearson’s blog entry on Don’t Stop Believing
I’m waiting to hear if an employment opportunity will come to pass. I was supposed to hear on Monday. It’s Tuesday. Silence can be deafening.
Praying that God’s will be done.
Today was a good day. Scratch that, today was a GREAT day.
Why? I was encouraged by others. That’s what we are supposed to do….lift people up when they need a little (or big) boost.
Was blessed to participate in service this morning, and received some wonderful, heart-felt comments from several people. God Bless each and every one of you.
A reminder: We’re not to go through life solo. Friends, family, and so forth are a good thing.
Blessings to you!
Also praying for word about the latest opportunity for me. I really want it, but only if God wants me to have it.
Please pray for everyone in Haiti. The people that have lost all of their personal belongings, loved ones, their way of life.
Please pray for the relief workers, church leaders, volunteers, EVERYONE that is there to help.
There are so many worthwhile organizations out there that are helping.
One that I believe in is World Vision.
Pray
Ralph de la Vega is the President and CEO of AT&T’s Mobility and Consumer Markets.
Ralph’s book describes how he turned personal adversity into advantages throughout his personal and professional life.
de la Vega describes his chaotic and alarming immigration from his native Cuba to the U.S., and how his family stayed back in Cuba for 4 years.
Imagine being 10 years old, and moving to a foreign land, where you didn’t speak the language, and had to live with people you didn’t really know that well.
I can’t imagine doing that at my current age, much less 10.
Throughout the book, de la Vega provides examples (with useful diagrams) on how to deal with obstacles properly. Instead of being a victim, take the obstacle and find the opportunity that’s buried beneath the obstacle.
Easier said than done, but de la Vega demonstrates how he was able to do this time and time again throughout his career.
If you are looking for a book on how to live by faith, this isn’t the book for you. The book does have a self-reliance slant to it, which is fine for the subject matter that it covers.
A highlight in the book is de la Vega’s analysis of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s leadership style, when it came to Dr. King’s leadership capabilities. That’s a chapter that you will want to revisit time and time again.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
When going through struggles, financial, health, relationships, and so forth, we long for the end. We long for the resolution of the matter.
The Book of Revelation is the ultimate resolution of what will happen to all of us.
But in the here and now, there’s the time of waiting, struggling, hoping, praying (not in that order!)
We wonder “is this the one?” “will they choose me?” “will I be able to dig myself out of this hole?”
When we struggle, we are taking the task/concern/worry and holding it to ourselves.
We’re supposed to cast all our cares at the feet of Jesus. All of them. Not some of them. Not most of them.
ALL OF THEM.
Do it.
There’s something you’re holding on to. We all have something. Lay it down. Hand it over to the Lord our God.
Every production, whether it’s a tv show, radio show, movie, play, etc.. has its “behind the scenes” component.
Projects, volunteer events, churches, ministries also have behind the scenes events and those that influence those events.
The behind the scenes (or BTS as I’ll use for the rest of this blog entry) folks typically are heralded as those that made the difference in making the production/event a success.
However, sometimes there are BTS folks that can cause a negative experience or impact on the project/event. These types want to use their influence to put their personal, selfish spin on things, but do not want to be known that they’re doing this, nor do they want to truly participate in the process.
These types tend to be phony and gutless.
When you experience these types:
1. Pray for them
2. Let God be your avenger (kudos to Joel Osteen for that quote)
3. Forgive them
If you are a leader in your particular project/event, you need to call the individual(s) out when they are doing these things. We need to hold people accountable.
I’m the first to admit that I’ve made mistakes. I’ve hurt others. I’ve also been hurt by others by their mistakes, as well as self serving interests.
I prayed for those individuals, let God handle the situation, and forgave those that hurt me.
I’ve been blessed with discernment. In comic books, it’s also called Spidey-Senses.
This week my Spidey-Senses are tingling.
Stay tuned.
I took down our 2009 kitchen calendar this morning. I know what you’re thinking: it’s still 2009, how on earth could you do such a thing?
That’s how I roll.
My intent is to look through the 2009 kitchen calendar and document anything of importance that wasn’t captured in my electronic calendar.
Will I ever look back at my electronic calendar? Maybe for something in particular, but I don’t look to the past as a constant task. Only to recall a particular event.
Don’t spend too much time looking backwards. It’s done and over with. While there may be current circumstances that were shaped by events in the past, you shouldn’t continue to live in the past.
Tomorrow is day one of a new calendar. A year from now, it will be filled with notes, appointments, etc.
If there are changes you want to make in your life, start now. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Have an accountability partner to help you with the change(s) you want to make.
You’re not alone.
I’ll be praying for you (as I’ve done, and will continue to do.)
Blessings on your 2010. You survived 2009, and praise God for that!
Christmas blessings to you and yours!
Be joyous!
Mike
