2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (New International Version, ©2010)
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Are you a Poser?
I'd like to share an interesting article with you from Youth Worker Journal..
POSERS?
Apple released its new iPhone 4 this summer and, along with its much-touted slimmer design and faster processing, the gizmo also came with an interesting little innovation: a second camera lens that faces the user, as well as the lens that faces away from the user. This reverse lens might seem innocuous—even strangely pointless—to some; but for a generation immersed in digital media and social networking, the added feature made perfect sense: It makes it that much easier to take pictures of ourselves.
Once upon a time, back when cameras used film, folks posed for pictures only during family vacations and special occasions. People today are almost always in view of a lens: Camcorders record us for YouTube, and security cameras document our every move. If we're not posing for pictures for our friends, we're taking them ourselves.
"People are so much more attuned to adjusting how they look in front of a camera," said Keith Gould, founder of Daily Mugshot, a Website that allows users to upload pictures of themselves every day. "Now they make precise decisions about every part of their face and angle of their head."Source: The New York Times
It's a good thing we take this sort of care, too. We live in the age of Facebook, where sometimes we meet people through our online profiles and pictures before we ever see them face-to-face.
"People are really putting their best foot forward, for complete strangers," Sam Yagan, founder of the site OkCupid.com, told The New York Times. "It's pretty remarkable."
Oddly, all that familiarity with the camera seems to have made us more comfortable with ourselves. Although 10 years ago people would work hard to look their best for the camera, today's self-shots are less self-conscious. "(A)s it becomes a part of your life, you just embrace your crazy hair," says Gould. "Or you notice you're still wearing the same shirt from yesterday and you don't care."
We all make snap judgments about those we see in pictures, but some experts believe the casual shots we take of ourselves sometimes can leave the best impression. Those telltale signs of imperfection convey more honesty, which makes us more likable.
What the Bible Says:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
"For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin" (Ps. 36:2).
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit" (Prov. 15:13).
POSERS?
Apple released its new iPhone 4 this summer and, along with its much-touted slimmer design and faster processing, the gizmo also came with an interesting little innovation: a second camera lens that faces the user, as well as the lens that faces away from the user. This reverse lens might seem innocuous—even strangely pointless—to some; but for a generation immersed in digital media and social networking, the added feature made perfect sense: It makes it that much easier to take pictures of ourselves.
Once upon a time, back when cameras used film, folks posed for pictures only during family vacations and special occasions. People today are almost always in view of a lens: Camcorders record us for YouTube, and security cameras document our every move. If we're not posing for pictures for our friends, we're taking them ourselves.
"People are so much more attuned to adjusting how they look in front of a camera," said Keith Gould, founder of Daily Mugshot, a Website that allows users to upload pictures of themselves every day. "Now they make precise decisions about every part of their face and angle of their head."Source: The New York Times
It's a good thing we take this sort of care, too. We live in the age of Facebook, where sometimes we meet people through our online profiles and pictures before we ever see them face-to-face.
"People are really putting their best foot forward, for complete strangers," Sam Yagan, founder of the site OkCupid.com, told The New York Times. "It's pretty remarkable."
Oddly, all that familiarity with the camera seems to have made us more comfortable with ourselves. Although 10 years ago people would work hard to look their best for the camera, today's self-shots are less self-conscious. "(A)s it becomes a part of your life, you just embrace your crazy hair," says Gould. "Or you notice you're still wearing the same shirt from yesterday and you don't care."
We all make snap judgments about those we see in pictures, but some experts believe the casual shots we take of ourselves sometimes can leave the best impression. Those telltale signs of imperfection convey more honesty, which makes us more likable.
What the Bible Says:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" (1 Pet. 3:3-4).
"For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin" (Ps. 36:2).
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit" (Prov. 15:13).
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year 2011!
Common New Year’s resolutions are: to quit smoking, to stop drinking, to manage money better, and spend more time with family. By far the most common New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, in conjunction with exercising more and eating healthier. These are all good goals to set. However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions: to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?
Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make?
Here are some suggestions:
(1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make;
(2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you;
(3) Rely on God’s strength to help you;
(4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you;
(5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further;
(6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory.
Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Many Christians make New Year’s resolutions: to pray more, to read the Bible every day, and to attend church more regularly. These are fantastic goals. However, these New Year’s resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions, because there is no power in a New Year’s resolution. Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually, or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?
Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
If God is the center of your New Year’s resolution, it has chance for success, depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word, we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution.
So, what sort of New Year’s resolution should a Christian make?
Here are some suggestions:
(1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make;
(2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you;
(3) Rely on God’s strength to help you;
(4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you;
(5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures; instead allow them to motivate you further;
(6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory.
Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Be Gracious
Attitude of Gratitude
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with good health you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of persecution, harassment, arrest, torture, or death... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare, even in the United States.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Author Unknown
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the worlds wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with good health you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle unfolding all around you, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of persecution, harassment, arrest, torture, or death... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If your parents are still alive and still married...you are very rare, even in the United States.
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Merry Christmas Friends!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
To the Family and Friends of the Brown House:
Dear Two Legged Friends & Family of the Brown House,
My family seems to be doing well. They began feeding me this past March and I have managed to con the girl into letting me sleep in the house at night. I sleep in the guest bedroom where I stay warm and cozy. Recently, I have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping under the sparkling Christmas tree.
I have been given several names--the first and foremost which was given because of my propensity to show up and immediately begin demanding food with a sense of entitlement. For this reason, the largest creature in the family began calling me “Demo-cat.”
The largest creature in the house greets me first on most mornings and then conveniently pushes me outside. The girl in the house loves on me and gives me my medicine when I am sick. She took me to the Animal Clinic a couple weeks ago. She was scared of the snakes and ferrets in the waiting room. I thought it was really funny.
When I am hungry or thirsty, the smallest creature in the house makes sure my tummy is full. The loudest creature in the house scares me because he chases me and throws small footballs at me. This family is strange. All the boys in the family apparently want a girl in the family. Until recently, they would talk to me like I was a little baby girl. They treated me like a girl for a while until I was taken to the Animal Clinic. To the girl’s surprise, she discovered that I was a neutered male. I don’t think they know anything about animals.
This summer I almost starved to death because no one fed me for three different weeks. I was really sad that they didn’t take me to see Mickey & Minnie Mouse. I’d love to have gotten a hold of Minnie Mouse. The two biggest creatures had fun with their family at St. Matthews Baptist Church on their mission trips to Arizona and Costa Rica. Their road trip to Passport Camp in North Carolina proved to be winner too. The two smallest creatures wanted to take me with them to stay a couple of weeks at their grandparent’s house but that never happened. Bummer!
I don’t believe the girl in the house currently has a full-time job but she is always on the move. She still enjoys her cycling from her Ride To Victory. She also enjoyed hosting some of her high school friends this year. She walks around the house and asks herself, “Why can’t anyone in this house pick up after themselves?” It’s funny. I believe she plans to begin a CPE Chaplain Internship with Norton Hospital in January.
The boys love their sports. They enjoyed their soccer season and they are looking forward to their basketball season. The little guy also enjoys being a Cub Scout.
Do you remember me telling you about the loudest creature in the house? Yeah, he scares me even more when he practices his saxophone. He has improved greatly since August. When he first starting playing, it sounded like a car continuously honking its horn. Annoying. But now, I enjoy laying under the Christmas tree while listening to him play “Jingle Bells.”
Merry Christmas from all of us! El Gato (that’s my official name)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Character Sketch of Esther
I just finished my third week of Beth Moore's Bible Study on Esther. It is indeed tough being a woman but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world! God has blessed me with 9 other beautiful women with whom I study the book of Esther every Sunday evening for two hours. The character sketch of Esther that we created last week has stuck in my mind. Of all the characteristics Esther possessed, I am most impressed by her wisdom.
Esther was WISE.
1 Corinthians 1:30 - It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Remember that Esther was orphaned and she was brought up by her male cousin. Can you imagine not having a mom or dad? I am sure she thought that it was tough being a woman but she relied on the wisdom God gave her to be the Queen God desired her to be. I wonder if she ever asked herself "am I being a good role model?" Or I wonder if she ever thought, "it's hard just trying to be a young lady."
I hope we as women allow God to truly be "wisdom" for us!
Esther was WISE.
1 Corinthians 1:30 - It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Remember that Esther was orphaned and she was brought up by her male cousin. Can you imagine not having a mom or dad? I am sure she thought that it was tough being a woman but she relied on the wisdom God gave her to be the Queen God desired her to be. I wonder if she ever asked herself "am I being a good role model?" Or I wonder if she ever thought, "it's hard just trying to be a young lady."
I hope we as women allow God to truly be "wisdom" for us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)