What Jesus Expects of You and Me

Sometimes it is hard to know where to start even if you know what your talents are. Jesus has something to say about what we can do and what he expects us to do. Until you can find the specific purpose God has for you there is still work we can do.

In Matthew 25:31-46 we find Jesus giving His disciples a discourse on what to expect when He comes back. (Also read Matthew 25: 14 ? 30 Parable of the Talents). Jesus will judge us by a criteria that may be a surprise to some of us.

Jesus is giving us a preview of what the test at judgment will look like. When He returns the test will be whether we provided food, water, shelter, clothing, visited the sick and the imprisoned. These acts of ministry can be performed by anyone. Ministry to others in the name of the Lord is what a Christian's life is all about. As Christians, we were created for goods works. Ephesians 2: 10, reads "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." The purpose for which God created us is "GOOD WORKS".

Ministering or serving others is what Jesus did while He was on earth. (Matthew 20:28). A Christian is an extension of the ministry of Jesus. You and I are created anew in Christ to continue His service so that men would see our good works and glorify God. (Matthew 5:16). It all points back to Him.

There is a joy and freedom in ministering to others! There is a fulfillment of working because we are saved and we want others to experience salvation also. Ministry is where conversion starts.

God has placed it on my heart to encourage you and admonish you that Jesus expects us to do His work. If you have not, repent and start fresh. God will forgive you. Pray for guidance and strength and courage to reach out like Jesus did. For great is your reward in heaven.

Glenda M. Thomas, Editor of Sister 2 Sister Newsletter

Finding God in the Clouds

It was a cool August night during the Summer before my Junior year in high school. I was just getting off work on what seemed to be the worst day of my life. I was having a mental break-down, nothing was going right, and every negative thing in my life seemed to hit me at once.

The clock in my truck read 2:13am as I pulled into my high school parking lot that I do so often to take time to think. I laid in the back of the truck and look up at the beautiful stars and clouds. What seemed like forever, I was just talking and praying. I was praying that my life would get better and I kept asking God why He was doing this with my life. I am a Christian, I should have a great life, but it seemed to me, that He wasn't listening. I screamed, "God where are you?"

My eyes began to focus on different cloud formations. First I saw what looked like music notes and then I saw what looked like two people hugging. Then the last formation that I saw I will never forget, my eyes fixed on a formation of Jesus praying. Just then, my ears focused on the song that had been playing on the tape player. The song called "Sometimes He Comes In The Clouds" by Steven Curtis Chapman. The lyrics that I heard at that moment were;

"Sometimes He comes in the clouds, sometimes His face cannot be found, sometimes the sky is dark and gray, but some things can only be known, and sometimes our faith can only grow, where we can't see, so, sometimes He comes in the clouds."

"Sometimes He comes in the rain, and we question the pain. And wonder why God can seem so far away, but time will show us, He was right there with us..."

That was the greatest moment in my life, and I will never forget it. I have such a love for life and I find such a joy in helping others enjoy life. Those clouds that night, were the spirit of God teaching me how to walk by faith, they reminded me that God is there. It is the greatest feeling in the world to know that God is with you always, even though it may seem like He is far away. Since then, I have never seen a cloud, without thinking about Him or that cool August night.

Chad J.

The Greatest Love and Self-image

The Greek language had three words for "Love"  First there was "eros," from which we get "erotic..  This was, of course a purely selfish love.  Then there was "Phileo" (Philadelphia), or "brotherly love"  This is the love of one family member for another.  But the Bible added a new one--"agape"   "Agape is a giving love, entirely unselfish. 

By way of both illustration and practical application, let me quote the following note from  Mary Ellen Grisham, publisher of "Eternal Link:"
After counseling young couples for years, a minister I know suggested that "love is what you do."  Young couples frequently have adjustments to make to the differences in romantic courtship and the realities of day-to-day living with the rigorous requirements of work, children, house and yard keeping, and all the many tasks required to maintain a good home and marriage.

Young wives in particular, experiencing the stress of many new responsibilities, worried that their feelings for their husbands were not always so tender and romantic as they had been during dating.  Even with a basis of sincere love, rushed schedules and economic necessities dimmed the glamour of marriage. 

With the advice that "love is what you do," the women could concentrate less on romantic feelings and more on positive doing--showing their love in practical and effective ways.  The active elements of good will and faith helped the marriages to retain the "zip and spice" of a well-balanced interaction in the homes--what old-time couples used to call "give and take."

That selfless love called agape that causes each of us to focus on the needs of others with no thought of return for ourselves is a high ideal of Christian love.  While it takes all kinds of love and loving to make a good home and marriage, the common element of "what you do" runs through all the forms that love takes.  From romantic love to brotherly and family love, the outer evidence shows in "what you do."

This last Greek word, agape,  is the word used to describe the love God has for us. As the song' "The Love of God" says:

O love of God, how rich, how pure,
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure
The saints and angels' song

And were with ink the oceans filled
And were the skies of parchment made
And every blade of grass a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love
of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky.

We are of great value both because of our creation and also because of the price paid for our redemption.  There is an old story which illustrates this perfectly.
A Young boy made a beautiful toy sailboat and took it to a lake to sail, but a gust of wind blew the boat out into the lake. The boat was lost. Several weeks later, the boy saw his sailboat in the window of a toy store. When he asked for his boat, the store owner said, "I own the sailboat now. If you want it you will have to buy it back."

The boy sold all he had to buy back his boat. After paying the store owner, the boy took his boat to his heart and said, "Little boat, you are twice mine, I made you, and now I brought you." Like that little boat, we are twice the Lord's - He made us, and Christ bought us back by paying the price for our sin with his own blood. It is the desire of my heart that you would know how great God's love is for you, and that you would receive His unspeakable gift by asking Him to be your Savior and Lord.

The Bible says in Romans 5:8 that "God commended His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us."  And in John 3:16, Jesus says "for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes on Him might not perish but have everlasting life."  That's life which begins here and now, and is also what He referred to in the 10th chapter of John as "life more abundant."  Once we accept God's great gift of salvation through His Son, He accepts us and we become His dear children (John 1:12). That should do something for the old self image.  Think of it--to be a son of the Most High God.  And this is where the road to real success begins.  (To find out more, write me at:inspirasucestips@aol.com with the word "life" in the subject.)

But it doesn't mean that our self image will then automatically be right or that non-Christians cannot have a decent self-image.  Other steps in developing a proper self image are as follows:

2) Understand the source of your self-image The image you have today exists because of the experiences of the past. The experiences of the past have not made you the way you are, but have made you believe you are the way you are and it is the believing that made you indeed the way you are.  (By 14 years old most of us have a well developed sense of inferiority.

3) Believe your self image can be changed.  You are not locked in.

4) Decide what kind of person you want to be and write it down.  Here are 3 ways to decide:
   a)Observe and emulate the characteristics of people
     you admire. Observe and avoid characteristics that
     are not attractive to you.
   b)Look at the virtues of great people of the past
     and make those characteristics part of your life.
   c)Study the life of Jesus.  How did He react in
      certain situations?  What was His attitude?

5)Write out a description of the kind of person you want to be in present positive statements.

6)Invest time with the person you want to be every day. (Read the description over and over again.)a

7)Be patient with yourself. (You did not become like you are overnight.)

By following these 7 steps we should begin to see a steady improvement in our self image.

Article written by James M. Becher, Bible teacher, author of "OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM, A Novel of Biblical Times,"

What about the 4400?

Murders are so frequent in our country that a single homicide seldom grabs national attention unless the perpetrator or the victim is already a celebrity. Even a double murder is not national news. It takes multiple murders to make the headlines, CNN, and the network evening news.

The Oklahoma bombing of April 19, 1995, which monopolized the news for days, claimed 167 lives and wounded nearly 500. The TWA flight 800 disaster of July 19, 1996 snuffed out the lives of 212 passengers and 17 crew members. Of course, there's also the 3000-plus people who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

When a disaster of this magnitude happens, the entire nation focuses attention on the families of the dead and the hurting. Nothing seems more important than to discover why this occurred and what can be done to stop it from happening again.

Disasters elsewhere in the world can also claim our attention for a few days, provided enough people have suffered death or injury. The Bhopal, India, disaster (Dec. 3, 1984) killed over 4000 and injured thousands more. The Pan Am Flight 103 explosion over Lockerbie, Scotland (Dec. 21, 1988), killed over 200, including 35 U.S. college students. And of course, most recently, there are the hundreds of thousands of victims of the tsunami of December 26, 2004. We hear of such disasters in shocked disbelief. We sympathize, we even weep, we pray for the victims' families.

Yet on each succeeding day in the U.S. alone, 4400 human lives are ended by abortion. Yesterday 4400 died, today another 4400, and tomorrow 4400 more. Any disaster anywhere in the world claiming that many lives in one day would command the center of the media spotlight. It would launch congressional investigations, shut down whole industries for a safety inspection, or prompt relief organizations to launch a massive fund-raising campaign. None of this happens for today's 4400. No one notices, few seem to care.

For each one of the 4400 there is a hurting mother, father, and grandparents. Doctors, nurses, health workers, and others are affected by the tragedy. A host of people are either grieving or becoming calloused to the hurt.

God has commissioned His saints to care for the weak and helpless, to defend those who have no other defender (Ps. 82:3-4; Ezek. 34:4; Acts 20:35). What are we doing for today's 4400? Are we concerned for their families? Does it matter to us what has happened? Tomorrow another 4400 will be killed. What of them?

Copyright ©2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

About The Spiritual World of Madonna

Pop singer Madonna came this week to Tel Aviv to take part in a congress of Kabbala studies. According to press releases, she is going to stay in Israel until Sunday night and will have on the last day of her visit, the opportunity to visit the graves of Jewish Tzaddikim (righteous holy people) near Safed, a small town in northern Israel.

Why Safed? What does Kabbala mean? (Literally it means "Receiving" in Hebrew).

I am not so sure the press has given the correct answers to these and other questions related to the background of this visit. Here is my humble contribution.

Safed , one of the four "holy cities" in Israel, together with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias, is actually a small mountain town (27,000 residents). As opposed to other historical cities in Israel, it is not even mentioned in the Bible.

Its golden era was during the Middle Ages, when it functioned as a Crusaders fortress and a Moslem administrative centre. But it was only in the 16th century that Safed was a city of international importance, as well as a Jewish cultural Capital.

What made Safed so special is linked to what Maddona is looking in Israel for.

The Jewish congregation of Safed is the oldest in Israel. It has been there for the last 800 years. But during the Crusaders time it was very small, because the Christian knights did everything they could to massacre Jews (and Moslems).

The turning point was the conquest of the area by the Turkish Sultanate. This Moslem empire gave shelter to the Spanish Jews during their mass expulsion in the end of the 15th century. The Turks, who were great warriors and administrators, did not master commerce, industry and science. They understood the great potential of Spanish Jews who were experts in these fields, and gave them asylum.

Some of those Jews, a few thousands, came to Safed and settled down there. Safed attracted them for two main reasons: The good water sources and the closeness to the grave site of the founder of the Kabbala, the Jewish mysticism, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.

The water was needed for establishing a wool manufacturing centre which became one of the biggest in the world, and made Safed a flourishing city. The grave of Bar yochai, and an ancient tradition according to which the Messiah will first come out Safed, attracted some of the greatest Jewish religious scholars of Spain, most of them Kabbalists.

In Safed of the 16th century settled down Rabbi Yosef Karo, of Toledo, the greatest Jewish Law expert of the new era, who wrote the codification book "Shulkhan Arukh", the third most important Jewish book, after the Bible and the Talmud.

Another great Kabbalist was Shlomo Alkabetz, who is known today more for his religious poetry. His most famous liturgical poem is called "Lecha Dodi". It is used in every Synagogue to receive Sabbath. His brother in law was Rabbi Moshe Kordoveiro, a student of Rabbi Karo, who wrote the first book which explains the Kabbala methodically.

The greatest student or Rabbi Kordoveiro was Rabbi Yizhak Luria, who is more known as HaAri Hakadosh. Luria Died when he was only 38 years old. Only two and a half years he spent in Safed. But it was in that short period of time that he created a Kabbalist theoretical movement that has had an immense influence on the life of almost every Jew since then.

What does Kabbala mean? If you have time and patience just go to a site called http://kabbalaonline.org/ and start reading. It will take you a few days. Otherwise, here is a somewhat simplified explanation.

According to the Talmud, the world of Torah (the knowledge of Judaism) is based on four layers: Pshat (Literal meaning, in Hebrew), Remez (Implication), Drash (Interpretation) and Sod (Secrecy). Every one of these layers is a different way of weighing the same words of the Torah. The deepest layer is the Secrecy. The Secrecy doctrine, which includes the Kabbala, is so mysterious, deep, and special, that not everyone can understand it. Therefore, it is recommended by Jewish scholars to start studying it only at the age of 40. A younger person does not have the spiritual maturity needed to cope with its depths.

The Secrecy doctrine exists since the 2nd century, but did not appear in any book until the end of the 14th century, when a Spanish Jewish scholar named Rabbi Moshe de Leon rewrote and edited it in a book called "Seffer Hazohar" (The book of Glow, in Hebrew). The contents of the book is attributed to the Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai (mentioned above) who had lived 1300 years before the time of de Leon. Believers claim that Bar Yochai wrote the book, but Kabbala researchers say that the text was written much later, in the middle ages.

"Seffer Hazohar" is not a text book. It is a collection of ideas and Torah material. Only in the end of the 15th century, another Spanish Rabbi, Moshe Cordoveiro, who later moved to Safed, wrote structured lessons which enabled a systematic studying of Kabbala.

As opposed to the other three layers of Torah world, dealing primarily with the Jewish religious laws, the Secrecy doctrine deals with the philosophical side of Judaism: For example, the eternal question of "Why do righteous people suffer in our world, and why are wicked people so successful?"

The Kabbala, developed in Safed by a genius nicknamed "HaAri Hakadosh" in the 16th century, uses abstract concepts which are incomprehensible to outsiders: "Elohut" (Divinity) and "Tzimtzum" (Reduction), for instance. The Divinity filled in the past the whole universe. It was later reduced to make room for the present world. Following this Reduction, the lights of Divinity were accumulated into "Sefirot", the vessels which contain the immense Divine lights. The three upper "Sefirot" did their job. But the lower six broke into many pieces and scattered. This is called in Hebrew: "Shevirat Hakelim" (Breaking of Vessels). Because of this breaking of vessels, good and evil were mixed with each other in the whole universe. The splinters of the divine lights, called "Nitzotzot" (sparks), fell into the depths of "Clippot", the evil powers of impurity. The broken "Divinity" went into exile among the "Clippot". According to Kabbala, the fate of the Jewish people is similar to that of the "Divinity". The Jews are still in exile amongst the nations. The salvation depends on every person. If people succeed in collecting all the "Nitzotzot", the salvation of humanity will come. The collection of "Nitzotzot" will be done by good deeds, such as obeying the Jewish religious rules. When someone does so, he collects "Nitzotzot" and puts them back in place. He then deals with "Tikun Olam", correction of the world.

The Kabbala has a great influence on Judaism, especially on the Hasidim movement. Kabbalic concepts, developed mainly in 16th century Safed, have penetrated the Jewish liturgy. One of them is the "Holy matching". Philosophically, this concept has another meaning, but in the popular cognition it is perceived as a holy marriage treaty between God and the Jewish people.

For example, the "Shavuot" holiday, in which the Holy Torah was given by way of a pact between God and the Jews, has been compared to such a holy marriage. Also the customs of "Kabbalat Shabbat", (receiving Sabbath), were changed following the Safed notion of "Holy matching". The Kabbala followers in Safed started in the 16th century the custom of going Friday before sunset out of town, wearing white clothes, to receive the bride, Shabbat. Friday night was the link between God (the king) and Shabbat (the queen). Following the mystical marriage, souls of righteous people were born. This custom of going out of town Fridays was abolished after the fall of the Safed centre in the beginning of the 17th century, but its influence is felt until today the Alkabetz poem "Lecha Dodi", mentioned above.

HaAri Hakadosh said that "the Shechinah (the presence of God) rests above Safed". You can feel it even today. Its clear air and serenity helps visitors to contemplate about the philosophical subjects I have just mentioned, and others. It is worth visiting this place even if you do not have the faintest idea what you are going to do there.

The Author is a freelance journalist and a tour guide in Israel

Popping the Balloon of Belief

I'm really excited. I just got a bigger soapbox, and I wanted to invite the rest of you to get up here on it with me.

You may remember I was recently talking about how beliefs are at the core of our conflicts, yet those beliefs are built upon less-than-complete information. What is known is not all there is ? there's always something more. Yet we try to explain what we think we know by constructing complex belief systems around them, and fight to defend them against those who believe another way. Our egos are so fragile that we'd rather fight than consider that the foundations of our thought and society might be built upon shifting sands.

Maybe this seems farfetched. But let's look at the Middle East. The interplay of beliefs give us a prime example.

One set involves religion, where ideological descendants of a common ancestor have fought for centuries under the guise of righting a perceived assault upon their God. Each fights to eradicate the other side, and hopefully the differing beliefs they hold. Superimpose upon this age-old fight an internal Muslim war between sects, along with a regional struggle between clerics and secularists, and the complexities grow immense. But that's far from all.

Let's also not forget that most in the area live deprived of what many believe are basic human rights, often repressed by brutal regimes that crush dissent to maintain power and the status quo. All this while their citizens are awakening to an inner call to explore their own potential, fueled by worldwide communications that show what others already enjoy. Many are crying out to end this. Some even resort to terrorism, further complicating the mix.

Now add in geopolitical struggles for money and power which are impacted by the area's crucial location over large deposits of oil. This lifeblood fuels mankind's technological march into the future, and allows us to enjoy a standard of living not even dreamed of in centuries past. Instability of any kind triggers fears our way of life may be impaired or lost altogether.

Whew, it makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

We've given the existing institutions of government and religion a chance, and look what they've done with it. They've showed us the answer is not in diplomacy. And it certainly isn't in war. Or in greater religious fervor. Or in any of the tools at their disposal.

So let me suggest another way. What if everyone asked themselves, "Why do we believe this stuff anyway?" It couldn't hurt to just consider the possibilities.

What if people found a way to connect to God and find meaning without religions that inherently pitted them against each other, whether intended or not? Not to replace one religion with another, but to find an inner spirituality that didn't need the institutions or structure? Where we all knew and felt connected to our source, so that all religions could go quietly into the night?

What if people accepted that others who were different could live among them, and that this diversity both honored and accentuated the best characteristics of each? And that diversity was accepted as a gift to better know themselves, rather than an irritant to be tolerated?

What if there were no struggles to govern among groups or sects because each truly enjoyed the ability to be itself without having to worry about either defending its differences or imposing them on others?

What if governments were not run by either despots or leaders that curried popular favor by castigating opponents and fomenting social discord? Rather, their peoples were guided by an inner force (not an outer one inflamed by religion or politics) that allowed them, and their leaders, to find the seeds of peace within every conflict?

What if people everywhere knew and trusted that their needs would be met as they arose, and that they could explore meaningful pursuits without bumping up against the efforts of others?

This may be a dream, but it is certainly one that is within our reach. You know it as well as I do. But to make it happen, we each have to first hold out a vision of what can be. And then to commit ourselves to make it happen.

Sure, there will be many objections and roadblocks. Religious institutions and governments will fight hard against it. Fear will bring resistance and maybe even greater strife in the short run. Patience and persistent effort will be needed to see it through. But who says the best things come easy?

Isn't it time we stopped leaving the evolution of humanity up to chance, or at least quit pretending it's out of our hands? We're at a point now where people worldwide can share ideas and visions. So why not work toward those that go beyond predatory commerce, politics, and religion? Why not believe that which serves us and our ideals, and promotes the common good, rather than sows the seeds of conflict and destruction?

If this is a world where people go to war over beliefs, isn't belief there's a better way worth fighting for? I sure think so. What about you?

Copyright 2004 by John Dennison

Here?s Help for the ?I Can?t Say ?No? Blues?

I hear it all the time.  Cries from Christian women who want desperately to serve the Lord, but who feel overwhelmed.  "I almost dread going to PTO meetings or church services anymore because I just know somebody else is going to ask me to help with something," they say. "Don't get me wrong.  I want to help, but there are only so many hours in my day.  I feel like I'm just going to explode if I don't get some relief."

What usually follow these statements are apologies.  "I'm sorry.  I don't mean to complain.  I've been blessed with so much that I have no choice but to give back.  And I really am glad to do it. Anyway, as a Christian, I'm obligated to say 'yes' when called on to help.  Plus, if I don't do it, it simply won't get done."

Does any of that sound familiar to you?  Have you found those same statements coming from your own mouth?  Do you rush around all throughout your days doing for others whether you have time to do it or not?  Do you cringe whenever the phone rings and the voice on the other end starts with, "Let me ask you something"?  Do you have too much stress, not enough time, and a boatload of guilt for feeling the way you do?  Then you most likely suffer from "I Can't Say 'No'" Syndrome.

The Bible Says It's OK To Say No

While your intentions are probably good, the effects of your actions often turn out to be horrendous.  Your husband fusses that you're running yourself ragged.  Your children complain that you have no time for them.  You gripe under your breath about everything because you're so sensitive.

Are you aware that it's all right to say "no"?  In fact, the Bible says it is OK to say "no."  Jesus, himself, clearly took time to rest as can be seen in Mark 4:38 among other passages.  Even the son of God (in human form) knew His human body, mind, spirit, and soul needed a break from time-to-time.  You, too, are expected to rest and take care of yourself.  How else can you make your body a living sacrifice? a temple? as the Bible instructs?

Feeling Guilty Is Biblically WRONG!

This is a real shocker to most people.  In cases like these, Satan, not God, uses guilt to sway our actions.  Psalm 69:5, Isaiah 6:7, Isaiah 27:9, and countless other passages of scriptures refer to the sin of guilt.  Jesus died for our sins.  That means, when we repent of our sin, it is wiped clean.  There is no guilt.

Satan often uses the ploy of false guilt to overwhelm us.  Don't let him work his tricks on you. This is nothing more than an attempt to keep you trapped and feeling depressed about not spending every minute of every day doing something for someone else.

God doesn't want you run down and tired all the time.  How can you effectively serve Him if you barely have enough energy to get out of bed?  Why would He want someone "praising" Him who is disgusted and cranky?  Walking the tightrope of "I Can't Say 'No'" is not God's idea of a fruitful life.

There Is A Better Way

Take time for yourself.  Have you ever been on an airplane?  Do you remember the spiel the flight attendant gave before take off?  It went something like this: "In the event of a decrease in pressure, an oxygen mask will fall from the panel above your head. If you're traveling with an older person or child, please secure YOUR OWN mask first so that you may better assist your travel partner."  Even the airlines know you have to take care of yourself before you can effectively take care of anyone else.

Pray about the things people ask you to do.  Actually wait for an answer from God before you give an answer to the committee chairman, the scout troop leader, or whoever else is asking for your help.  Others will respect you when you tell them you'll pray about their request? especially if you really do it!

You are not trapped.  There is a way to overcome "I Can't Say 'No'" Syndrome.  The first step is admitting you need help.  Once you do that, you're open to living a freeing and more peaceful life than you ever thought possible.

© 2004 Kimberly Chastain
About the Author
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in helping Christian women make the most of their lives. She is the author of the on-line course, "I Can't Say No" and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms, a free e-book. If you suffer from "I Can't Say 'No" Syndrome, visit Kimberly's site today for the details on an exciting email course that's sure to set you free! http://www.christianworkingmom.com/online.htm.

Your Mission Field At Work

One point many Christian Working Moms who have been interviewed have made is that they are a shining light in their work place.  Whether or not you can speak openly about your faith at work, your co-workers are watching. Are they seeing Jesus in you? Do they see you handle ethical issues in a different manner than other co-workers? Do they see a peace in you amidst all of the stress of the job? Do they see your priorities are in order? Although, we are to be workers worthy of our hire we are first and foremost followers of Christ. Do your co-workers see you participating in the office gossip or do they see you leaving when those discussions come up? Do your co-workers see you building up or tearing down? Do they see compassion in you that is often woefully missing in this get ahead world we live in?

I know as a Christian Working Mom often it is very difficult to get time alone with God. Are you taking your work struggles to him? Are you asking for his direction in a difficult situation? Are you praying for your co-workers to come to know Him? Are you praying that your co-workers who are Christians to grow in their knowledge of Him?

I hope these questions make you think. They are convicting to me, when I read over them. Just in the last few months, I have been more attuned to God's leading in my therapy sessions. Often I will sense God is leading me in a certain direction that I would not go on my own. When I follow his lead, I often see many changes in my clients that would not happen with just my knowledge. I strongly believe God gives us wisdom and the knowledge to do our jobs. I also believe there are many times we need to ask God for wisdom and direction in the everyday tasks in our jobs. May everything we do glorify God.

My prayer is you will be a shining light in your workplace.  "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

© 2004 Kimberly Chastain
About the Author
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in helping Christian women make the most of their lives. She is the author of the on-line course, "I Can't Say No" and Pearls of Encouragement for Christian Working Moms, a free e-book. If you suffer from "I Can't Say 'No" Syndrome, visit Kimberly's site today for the details on an exciting email course that's sure to set you free! http://www.christianworkingmom.com/online.htm.

Meaning and Marketing - The Will

You are now inside one of the top theological schools in the world and you are sitting in Dr. John Hobbs' Class on Theology with first year Freshman students. The seminary is reformed, protestant, Christian and is located in the south of the USA.

Do you know where you are now? Do you like being here? If not, you know what to do.

Dr. Hobbs is a phenomenon in himself. You don't have to know the fear of the Lord in his classroom because you are afraid already.

Dr. Hobbs surveys the back seats in the classroom and makes an announcement. "I notice that some of you were not in class last week. If you don't think I'll flunk you, just check the archives of this seminary."

Dr. Hobbs does not tolerate nonsense in any way and he is unsympathetic when it comes to grades and excuses.

He is in his fifties and has bad arthritis. His skin is very white and pale and you wonder how the man is even living. He speaks with a deep southern accent, but his voice is crystal clear.

Somehow we are on the subject of Creation:

"Why did God create the world?" intones Dr. Hobbs, and he doesn't wait for an answer. "Because He willed to create it."

"Why does the world continue to exist?" "Because He Wills for it to continue to exist."

As for the WILL, most of the students in the Classroom don't even know what that is and probably could care less. They just want to get out of Class in a hurry because they already have what counts - luv, joy, peace, etc. They got Jesus in their hearts. They know that, or some of them do, and that's all that matters.

"Jesus, Jesus! You know how much we luv you. But whatever you do, please, please, please - don't ask us to think." Is that why we are here?

The top Marketers, the biggest money makers, are always ready to remind us of two things:

(1) You would if you could...

(2) You can if you will...

And they are absolutely right. If you think about it- Dr. Hobbs and the Marketers are saying exactly the same thing, but for a different end and a different reason.

The WESTMINSTER CATECHISM: "What is the chief end of Man?" (Assume "Women" are included)

Now listen, not to the Classical Answer, but to Dr. Hobbs' paraphrase or his own rendition of the answer - "The Glory of God is a human being FULLY ALIVE!"

What does it mean for you to be FULLY ALIVE?

Go ahead... Fill in the blank and answer the question:_________________________

How do you like your answer? Does it fit you like a suit? If not, do you want to change it? Go ahead and change it, if you want to.

Have you got your answer now? If not, you are making excuses. Go ahead and just tell yourself what would it mean for you to be FULLY ALIVE and write your answer down on a sheet of paper.

Even if you don't know your answer, go ahead and venture a hunch or a guess. There is nothing wrong with that. No venture, no gain.

The Creator Himself/Herself/Itself - I AM - He/She/It loves answers that are shortsighted because it is better to be shortsighted than to have no sight at all. The Creator - the Great I AM - will honor your courage as you attempt to define for yourself, what it would mean for you to be Fully Alive, what it would mean for you to be YOU.

It is better to want something, even if it falls short, than to want nothing at all, and you end up doing nothing and learning nothing. It's even better to sell yourself short than to not sell yourself at all. At least you are trying and doing your best and sometimes your worst, but your Creator - I AM - will honor your efforts and commend you for them no matter what the results.

The Creator has placed in you the WILL to be and when you exercise that Will as an artist, a scientist, a designer, or as a Marketer - you are being a Co-Creator with I AM and there is nothing better, nothing more fulfilling on earth.

Okay! You have now defined yourself and stated for yourself what it would mean for you to be fully alive, truly fulfilled, what it would mean for you to be YOU.

Great! Congratulations!

Now, how do you get to that? How do you become that?

I AM wants you to be Fully Alive. So do I. So do you. Now let's get the job done. Can if be done, can it get done? Yes, it can, if you want to.

Do you want to? If Yes, then let's get moving.

And you know how much power you have, don't you? If not, you can go back and read Meaning and Marketing: The Eye of the Storm. How much Power did Patricia Smith have and how did I AM use that power?

She had the Power to give birth to a Brand New Universe and She became ONE with her Creator in the process. Charlie now has a new playground, if he wants to. He will soon find himself dancing among the stars.

Do you believe all this? You can if you want to. Do you want to? Do you want to dare to wish upon a star? If so, our next step is to find a way:

How to access that Power, how to tap into that inexhaustible supply of sheer energy, that is the fuel we seek in order to become FULLY ALIVE, which is to get and to receive what we really want and what we really deserve.

In the next Lesson - Meaning and Marketing - The Links! - I will show you a way to access that POWER, that ENERGY that will allow you to reach for your true DESTINY.

I AM is waiting for You. What are You waiting for?

Answer to Test Question in Meaning and Marketing - The Eye of the Storm:

How much power does the Spider now have and what is She going to do with it?

Answer: The Spider has as much power as you want her to have. Use her as one of your links in Meaning and Marketing - The Links. Give her a name if you want to. "Charlotte" will do. When you are feeling low, experiencing a lack of energy or inspiration, remember Charlotte. She will empower you. She now has the Lightning Bug inside of her and I AM is light. This is no ordinary lightning bug. She survived the fall Equinox before she met her destiny inside Charlotte.

What is Charlotte going to do with her power? Continue to spin her webs, eat other insects, and spread her fertility to the winds. Hopefully, She and her kind will also ward off Black Widows.

Go for it, Charlotte! And don't get in my way or I'll knock your web down.

Resources:

Charlotte's Web E. B. White, Garth Williams (Illustrator)

The Parable of the Ten Pounds The Bible, The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 19:11-27

An Introduction to the Reformed Tradition: A way of Being the Christian Community John H. Leith

The Courage to Create Rollo May

The Road Less Traveled, 25th Anniversary Edition M. Scott Peck

Paul Snell lives with his wife, Jean, and younger Son, Steven, and their dog Blackie, in Lexington, NC.  He is a former Presbyterian USA minister and has been in Network Marketing full time since 2002.  Paul, at the age of 61, has recently been diagnosed as Bi-Polor with A.D.D as a minor component. He, with the encouragement of his great Mentors at the PowerShift Loop, is an Advocate for the treatment of mental illnesses - all kinds.

Harry Potter To Christians: Its Not Good To Hear Voices

That is the popular and, thank God (if you'll pardon the use of the G name) the politically correct feeling among most Christians today. You will recall that in the second book of the Potter series, The Chamber Of Secrets, Harry Potter alone heard the voice of the basilisk. When he confided in his two friends about it, one told him that even in the wizarding world, hearing voices is not a good thing. Like art imitating reality, can't we say that even in our non-wizarding world, it's not a good thing to be hearing voices. Whether those voices be God's or someone else's voice.

Most of us would agree that hearing voices in your head, voices that aren't there, this is indeed a bad thing. In fact it used to be a sign of being crazy. But what if the person claims to be hearing God's voice? How can we know if God is speaking to this guy such that we can't immediately lock him up in the looney bin?

The obvious answer is that we, the non-Harry Potter-hearing-voices-people, have to recall the eleven different ways that God speaks to mankind. Some of those ways are observable and objectively verifiable. Others are not observable but they can be verified. Examples in the first category are the times that God spoke to Moses out loud and all the other Israelites could hear their conversation. Or when God the Father spoke to Jesus during his baptism, and the others gathered around heard that talk. Or when the wayward prophet Balaam had a talking to by his donkey. Makes you wonder who the dumb animal was at that time, doesn't it?

Only daring men and women choose to hear God's voice today. Many christians don't hear God because they don't know what exercises to do that would enable them to hear his voice. While other christians choose not to hear God out of fear of what their friends will say about them. They will likely be considered to be crazy, religious fanatics, and attempting to glorify themselves. Worst yet, those christians will be imposing their morality on the rest of us because they claim to have heard God. Right?

The value of hearing God is that it saves lives. I recall the time that God told me to pray for a certain Dee Jay (Strawberry Jan) that used to be on KEZY 1190 AM. He told me that she was in danger and I was to pray for her often. So I did, even though I didn't know her, and knew nothing of her personal or professional life. Six years later she was nearly killed by a drunk driver on the freeway. Finally about 15 years later I met Strawberry Jan in person. I am certain that my prayers were central to God's plan to save her life in that accident, prevent certain injuries and lessen others during the years.

If you are courageous and want to hear God, then contact me toll free at (877) 230-0100 or by email at sgtrepo@comcast.net

Mark B. Replogle is an Attorney at Law in private practice in California. He is also the author of the book Saviour Clinton: An Evil American King. Last year he served with the Marine Central Comand's Staff Judge Advocate in Bahrain before and during the war in Iraq.

We Must Be Ready. But How?

Revelation 19:7 states, "Let us rejoice and give honor unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."

Our salvation is not accomplished by anything we can do, or be. Our redemption is through the blood of the Lamb, shed for our sins. Our only responsibility in regard to our salvation is to admit our own sinfulness, realize our total lack of any ability to change ourselves, and accept His gift of salvation by faith. Jesus Christ procured salvation for us. We cannot earn it. We must repent of sin, and then accept salvation as a gift.

So what does John mean by stating the Lamb's betrothed wife has "made herself ready"? John is not referring to salvation, which is our justification before God, but rather to the fact that Jesus has sanctified us -- set us apart in holiness unto Himself, and that we have a responsibility to daily live in a manner that brings glory to Him. Using another analogy, once a vessel is taken out of the mud and is cleaned up, it must not be placed back into the mud. As vessels made pure by the blood of the Lamb, we therefore do not place ourselves back into the mud of this sinful world. Our role in regard to being set-apart is to keep ourselves from being spotted or tarnished by the world. Once we are made clean, we choose to continue to walk in purity.

Although we live in this world, we belong to another Kingdom. The Bride represents the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. While still in this world, she is an ambassador of His Kingdom! Are we proud representatives, or would we rather others did not find out who we are? Do we represent the Kingdom of God in a positive, pure manner, or would we rather try to become like the world around us? Do we seek to "fit-in," or do we reflect Christ to the world?

When we love someone, we are not only willing to do what the one we love asks of us, but we look for ways to show our love. In other words, we act in a manner that shows our devotion and commitment. In fact, our priorities change, because we drop all attitudes and activities that could get in the way of our relationship with the one we love. A betrothed bride is no longer available, but has been chosen, separated to a place of honor. This places an onus on us. We have a responsibility to conduct ourselves so as to maintain an honorable reputation, both for ourselves and for the one we love.

The Bride constantly asks the question, "What would Jesus do?" She wants to stand for all He stands for! She seeks to do what He would do, to the best of her ability and resources.

She also does not willingly, or knowingly, place herself in compromising situations. Why? She does not want to give reason for others to question her integrity. Many Christians do not place enough emphasis on living lives that reveal the fact they are set-apart. They want to fit-in. Unfortunately, if we get too close to the dirt of this world, we become soiled and wrinkled, and we begin to act and look no different from those who are ungodly. If we appear no different than everyone else, where is our strong testimony? How will others see there is a better way? Jesus said we are not to hide our light, but shine brightly so others can see the light. We are to stand out, so that others can see the difference.

The Bride learns to evaluate rightly. She is lovingly dogmatic when it comes to standing up for what is good and right. She chooses to not participate in anything which is dishonorable to Christ, to herself, or to those around her. She does not give-in to negative peer pressure, or to societies morals. Rather, she lives according to God's morals and principles. God's morals and principles for living are not just an alternative life-philosophy. They are the eternal principles of righteousness.

So where do we find these principles for living? Have we been given a clear set of instructions? Yes! We have the Bridegroom's love letter to us, the Bible! Does it address every situation we face in our lives? Yes! In fact, it gives us these principles in such a clear manner, we are able to see their application. Some folk feel the Bible is a book that is not easily understood, so they approach it defensively. They feel it contains ideals that are too lofty to attain. In our own strength, and by ourselves, we can never live up to all the principles of Scripture. But we are not alone, and we have a source of strength. The Holy Spirit is able to teach us, strengthen us, and assist us. In fact, the Bride must listen to the Holy Spirit, because He is one of two Friends of the Bridegroom. He has been sent to specifically assist us in our preparations so we are ready to stand in purity before Christ.

So how do we listen to this Mentor? Read the Bible, pray, and pay attention when we are prompted. The Bible gives us the instructions. Prayer keeps us in active interaction with Christ -- helping us share with Him, providing an avenue to "talk things over." The prompting of the Holy Spirit guides us in how to apply Scriptural principles in a practical manner. Also, the Holy Spirit is always cheering us on in our relationship with Christ. That is His role in regard to the Bride! He is there to do everything possible to make sure we know the Bridegroom loves us, and to assist us in living lives worthy of Christ.

The Bride must love the LORD first and foremost, wholeheartedly, with mind, soul, and body. How do we love Him? Spend time with Him, especially alone in personal interaction. Any betrothed couple in love wants to spend time with each other! Share our lives with Him. Talk everything over with Him. Make Him our conscious companion wherever we go, and in whatever we do. Christianity is not merely a religious belief system. It is a living relationship with Jesus Christ! Jesus does not want an arm's length relationship with us. Since he has chosen us to be His Bride, He desires a close relationship! The Bride knows her Bridegroom intimately because she has a living, ongoing, loving, interactive relationship with her Betrothed!

Jesus said some interesting things which tell us how we are to live. Love one another. Do nice things for one another. Be helpful when others need assistance, or cannot provide for themselves. Be generous with what we have in order to meet other's needs. He even told us to love our enemies! Be kind to those who are unkind to us! Why? That shows His love through us, and actually draws them up short! Why would anyone treat them kindly when they are going out of their way to be unkind or mean? It makes them think! As much as possible, be peacemakers. Avoid unnecessary, unproductive arguments. Interaction is good so long as the one we are sharing with is at least willing to discuss, even if they hold an opposing opinion. But arguments never accomplish anything except animosities and hard feelings. Seek to treat others the way we want to be treated ? with respect. Stand firmly for truth and justice even if no one else does. But at the same time show mercy, grace, and extend forgiveness. Hold people accountable, but also raise the standard. Do not be a push-over or a door-mat. Stand, lovingly, but firmly for what is true and proper. Do not take unfair advantage of others. Never seek revenge. The LORD will ultimately mete out His judgment on the ungodly and disobedient. Obey the laws of the land, because they are in place to protect us from harm. Pray for wisdom, discernment, and strength. Do not entertain evil. Do not adopt alternate philosophies of men, or involve ourselves in occult practices. These are just a few directives we find in Scripture.

Where in Scripture do we find a specific set of guidelines for the Bride? Read Jesus' messages to the Seven Churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. They are very revealing! Then follow His advice by listening to the Holy Spirit guiding us in how to put these requirements into practice.

If we actively apply the LORD's revealed principles of love to our lives, we will qualify to be His Bride, ready for our heavenly wedding. John continues in the passage in Revelation 19, verse 8."And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints." She qualifies to be given her wedding dress! She has "made herself ready."

Submitted by: Maureen Metcalf