Thursday, January 29, 2015

Life Experience Reflection: How People Treat You!

Life Experience Reflection: "You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop and what you reinforce." -Tony Gaskins

I have often learned the truths contained in the quote the hard way. Whether your young or old, we tend to condition ourselves and others regarding how they can treat us. You have to set clear boundaries and you are not here on earth to be a doormat for those who have wrong intentions, big egos, are only looking out for their own gain, are trying to compensate for their own inadequacies, are trying to appear more important than they really are those who constantly mistreat you or tear you down or simply are uncaring and unloving to you!

You don't have to take it and you don't have to be a jerk in response but you can with respect (something some people just don't have) and even love you can let others know what you will allow going forward, what you are putting a stop to now and then constantly reinforcing that. Sometimes you have to be out of your comfort zone and step it up a notch and clearly and sometimes strongly communicate these things to those who continually cross boundaries.

At this point in my life, I'm not an expert at this but I purpose to learn from my past lessons/mistakes and have a deeper resolve to clearly communicate how I should be treated by what I allow, stop and reinforce. I hope you do the same too.

Now, for those who may get their feathers ruffled and may try to jump all over me and say but "wait a minute... "Jesus was a peace  loving pacifist, a compassionate and peace loving person, etc etc." "He would just simply pray things got better and be a peace loving doormat for people". Um, Well, Yes He was and is the Prince of peace, and He does love us even when we screw up royally, but if you read your Bible - you'll also see that in Love He also put some in their place too. He wasn't some pacifist or peace loving hippie that some may try to paint a picture of Him. Don't get me wrong, you have to insert wisdom here and sometimes you have to choose to not speak or address it at that moment but I guarantee you, if you continue to just be quiet all the time, it will never get better for you or the other party! 


Just remember, we're all in this together and YOU are an important part of that "together" too!  
#lifeexperiencereflection

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Majesty and Power of God!


Having a crazy day? 

Need a reminder of God's power and majesty? 

Pause for a moment and take a look at this amazing glimpse of God's creation from my home state then sing and pray lifting praises to your King of Kings and Lord of Lords! 

The Oregon Coast: A Winter Odyssey: Video Link: https://vimeo.com/117670644


#godisgood

Friday, January 23, 2015

Rain




Some days or weeks when things are stressful and crazy (especially at work and other parts of life like overall ministry in life, etc.)...

I find myself looking outside, (like today) when it's pouring down rain...and for a brief moment I wish I could literally run out in the rain during the hard deluge and let it wash over me and wash away the junk I've been going through... 

...But that's not how life works...You have to work through things in different ways. 

I am however glad I know the One who I can cast all my cares and anxiety upon because He cares for and loves me. I'm also glad I have family and a few friends that love me and are there for me and besides the Lord....they do help "wash" the troubles away. :-)

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:27

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Tuesday, January 06, 2015

9 Reasons why people aren't singing in worship

Some of you in the church may sadly blow this off as it doesn't fit into your philosophy, or as harsh as this sounds...maybe you don't care, or something else but I've observed and experience over the years many of things the author outlines.

I wonder if in the current state of church affairs (Specifically the church in US) if some of the "modern" worship leaders will be courageous enough to #1 read the below linked post (even if you don't agree), then #2 honestly pray and seek God about this, dare I say...#3 actually listen to the wisdom in your congregations, and #4 then adjust where necessary to steer the congregations back to genuine worship? 

This isn't really a matter of style or traditional vs. modern worship rather it's a matter of the heart and leadership/shepherding as well as everyone who attends desire to worship God in song genuinely and completely. Worship in Song is very important part of the life of the church so we ought to honestly and continually "check and adjust" to make sure we're on course.