Bad news made better

Bad news made better

Source: Dr Michael Yousef

Bad news — there are several ways you can react to it. You can get angry and bang your head against the wall and require hospitalization. Or you can get so depressed and stressed out that you develop a bleeding ulcer — which would still require hospitalization! But there is also a godly way of responding — and that is experiencing proper anguish. Proper anguish that drives you to your knees and that makes you look only one way — and that's up. That's when God can really do His best work.

So when walls are crumbling in your life, when walls are crumbling in your business, when walls are crumbling in your family, don't get angry. Don't bang your head against the wall. Or get yourself all up in knots. God wants you to look to Him. Whatever problem you are facing today — whether it's a broken relationship ... a bad report from your doctor ... or a financial crisis — you can tackle it with the strength of God.

In the book of Nehemiah, we read the story of the cupbearer-turned-governor who led the restoration of the city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's life teaches us how to conquer our challenges and live a joyful life — even when we face what seem like impossible situations. Here are some things Nehemiah teaches us about rejoicing through trouble:

Consider God’s Power
When one person — no matter how weak he or she might be — is connected to our all-powerful God, mighty things can happen through that person. When you are facing a daunting task — regardless of how big your problem might be — remember that God is not surprised by it. Seek the Lord's strength and guidance.

Pray without Ceasing
The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV). But in today's impatient world of fast food and quick-fixes, persistence in prayer can be a challenge. Prayer must become a high priority with God's children. Start with self-examination. Once you have your heart in the right place before the Lord, ask Him to give you direction so that His will — not yours — can be accomplished. Ask God how you can be part of the solution. Prayer also involves praising God, acknowledging His absolute authority, repenting of our sins, and committing ourselves to the Lord afresh.

Be Prepared
Don't ever ask God to do something without being prepared in your heart to do something for God. Prayer is not an excuse for doing nothing. Nehemiah asked God for something, but he was also prepared in his heart for surrender. He was prepared for sacrifice. He was prepared for servanthood. You see, prayer is reporting for duty and service. We are God's means and God's methods to accomplish God's will. In prayer, you must be prepared to do what you are asking God to do.

Do you pray with a prepared heart to do what God wants you to do? Perhaps you have said, "Oh Lord, I feel burdened to pray that God would raise missionaries." But what are you prepared to do? Like Isaiah, Nehemiah said, "Lord, here I am. Send me. I'm prepared." You see, prayer makes it possible for us to obey and to surrender. It is not enough to pray for your friends and family members to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. You must also tell them what Jesus means to you.

Finish Well
Many people have a good start — but a terrible finish. You know why? Because they stop trusting and believing in God. As problems begin to creep in, they begin to rely on their intellect, their judgment, and their wisdom. They start thinking of their own solutions, reading books for direction, and getting advice from the wrong people. And they think that the start is dependent on God, but not the finish. But it's imperative to remember that the start, the middle, and the finish all have to be dependent on God in order to fulfill His plan.

Romans 8:31 reads, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV). If God has called you, be confident. Don't let your fears get the best of you. It is God who called you, and He is going to see you through. He is going to give you the power, and He is going to give you the strength. He is going to hold you together when your knees start shaking.

You might be a person who knows what God is calling you to do and you've been running away. God has a special call on your life — but you're enjoying the comfort of familiarity, and you don't want change. You don't want to go where God is calling you to go. Will you say the following? "Lord, I surrender all. I surrender to You today. I obey Your voice today. I will do what You ask me to do." Whatever God has said to you, whatever the Spirit has convicted you to do, will you do it today?



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Stress-free holidays

Stress-free holidays
Source: Dwayne Hastings - Baptist Press

By mid-December, you may be grimacing when you hear Andy Williams croon, "It's the most wonderful time of all," in the local shopping centre. By then you might be yearning to hear the strains of "Auld Lang Syne."

But before the Christmas whirlwind begins: Take a deep breath and pray for peace and hope to fill your heart.

Most of us have problems with stress sometime during the year, but the Christmas season seems to bring out the worst in all of us.


One-third of westerners live with extreme stress year-round and nearly half (48 percent) believe that their stress has increased over the past five years, according to a survey released by the American Psychological Association in October. Most of those surveyed (75 percent) tagged money and work as the contributing factors to the tension in their lives.

Richard Swenson, a physician and author of several books on stress, including "Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives," says, "Stress is such a common term that we might tend to trivialize it, assuming it's a convenient fiction for the weak who do not wish to do their best. Such an attitude would be a mistake. Stress is real, it is increasing and it can be highly pathogenic." Swenson is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations.

With the Christmas shopping season nearly upon us, it is wise to plan ahead to minimize the anxiety and maximize the joy that often comes with the season. Experts might call this managing stress.

To avoid the build-up of stress knocking you down during the Christmas holiday, consider these tips:

* Be reasonable in your expectations of the holidays.

* Focus on the first Christmas. Involve your family in a ministry to the less fortunate in your community.

* Be realistic in your spending plans. Set a realistic budget and don't budge from it.

* Avoid impulse shopping. Make sure you save your receipts in order to return merchandise once you've gone home and surveyed all your purchases.

* Take advantage of special sales, but refuse to consider bargains once you've finished your shopping list.

* Plan ahead and take advantage of sales to buy gifts year around, but make sure you keep good track of your "good deals." A toy you bought on clearance for your preschool son doesn't have quite the same value it originally did when you discover it in the attic, still in the bag, when he is in 6th grade.

* Make it a family-centred Christmas. Recall the favourite Christmas memories of your youth and seek to recreate them, eg make cookies and sweets from scratch as a family. Craft garlands of paper loops to decorate your tree. Set aside time to drive through town to see the Christmas lights. Visit a live nativity if one is held in your community.

* A big build-up to Christmas day leads to a big let-down the day after Christmas. Keep the Christmas spirit alive by planning family events during the week after Christmas and throughout January.

* Listen to Christmas carols

* Make Jesus the focus. Celebrate the Christ - His birth, His life, His death and resurrection - this season. Rejoice in the new, victorious life you have in Him.

Give a gift of good health to your family this Christmas - don't let the stress of the season sour your spirit and muddle your family's merriment.

Giving as Good as You Get

Giving as Good as You Get
by David Bach

While many of us are making plans with our families and putting the final touches on our Thanksgiving menus, there are millions of Americans -- approximately 33 million, actually -- who don't know where or when they're going to get their next meal.

Did you know that more than 8 million Americans regularly go hungry? Or that 3.5 million have no permanent place to live?

Reflect and Be Thankful

On a global basis, the situation is even bleaker. Roughly one out of every five people -- more than 840 million -- is malnourished. Upward of 153 million of them are children under the age of 5.

I refer to these statistics not to depress you, but rather as a call to action. As we head into the holiday season, I'm asking each person who reads this to take a few moments to reflect and recognize all that you have to be thankful for.

Once you do, decide how you can make your life more meaningful while also helping to make the world a better place. The best way I know how to do this is to give.

Give to Get Rich

One incredible truth has stood the test of time: The more you give, the more you receive. This notion -- that the more we give back to others, the more comes back into our lives -- is practically a law of nature.

Over the years, I've seen firsthand that the "have mores" give more. I don't think this is a coincidence. People who give to help others in need -- by donating money, time, energy, or expertise -- live longer, happier, and wealthier lives.

But while money makes life easier, it can't always bring happiness. Real happiness comes from living a life of meaning. Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we earn, but we make a life by what we give." I truly believe that.

Finishing rich is an important and worthy goal, but having a purpose bigger than money is critical to long-term happiness, joy, and personal fulfillment. Having nice stuff is great, but living a life of meaning is even better. With that in mind, consider the possibility that your life is meant to be lived with a purpose higher than simply accruing wealth -- and that purpose is to use your wealth to make a difference.

Finding a Worthy Cause

Find a charity that's important to you and make a donation this Thanksgiving. Ideally, you could aim to commit a percentage -- even if it's only 1 percent -- of your income on a regular basis. You can even make it automatic by having it deducted from your paycheck or checking account and transferred to a reputable charity of your choice. And remember, donating your time and talent counts as well. Volunteering is just as important as giving money. Everyone can afford to give in some capacity.

When deciding who and what to contribute to, it's important to choose an organization that doesn't use up your contribution on administrative expenses, but that actually spends the bulk of the money it collects on the people or causes it's supposed to be helping. Most experts agree that a charity should pass along at least 70 to 75 percent of what it raises -- meaning its administrative expenses should never exceed 25 percent. (I personally never give money to any charity until I've looked at their financial records.)

There are some excellent online resources that can help you figure out what groups deserve your support. Some of the ones I recommend include GuideStar, JustGive, and the Better Business Bureau's Give.org. Some additional sites that can help you get started to volunteer your time to help others include the Network for Good, VolunteerMatch, and Volunteer Solutions.

Housing Generosity

One of the many charitable organizations that's near and dear to my heart is Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to providing decent and affordable housing to those in need.

As a board member, I had the pleasure of co-chairing and hosting the Habitat for Humanity gala in New York City. The event raised over $1 million for Habitat New York City. (You can check out some photos from the event on my blog.)

I opened the event with a powerful, life-changing poem long attributed to Mother Teresa, but actually written by Kent Keith. Called "The Paradoxical Commandments" (or sometimes "Anyway"), it's a beautiful, thought-provoking piece that complements what I've emphasized here.

With that in mind, I wish you and your family a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving.

FAITH AT WORK

FAITH AT WORK

It's one thing to goof. But it's another thing to do it in front of a
stadium full of people! In their book Oops (The Rutledge Press, 1981),
authors Richard Smith and Edward Decter tell of such slip-ups. One
occurred during a soccer match between two Brazilian teams. (To
protect the player involved, I won't name the teams.) The first goal
was scored within three seconds after kickoff. What made the score
particularly hard for the team's fans to take was the fact that it was
made while their goalie was still on one knee with head bowed in
prayer.

There is certainly a time for prayer, but this poor man learned the
hard way that there is also a time for action. In fact, both are
necessary in a well-lived life. As Gandhi once said, "I have so much
to accomplish today, I will have to meditate two hours instead of
one."

Often, however, the best spirituality begins with the prayer of the
heart, and then moves to that prayer which is lived throughout the
rest of the day.

Several years ago a bomb was detonated outside the huge oak doors of a
Greek Catholic church in Jerusalem. The heavy doors were blown inward
so that they careened up to the front of the sanctuary and destroyed
the chancel area. Windows were blown out, pews were destroyed, and the
balcony collapsed.

Dr. Ken Bailey, a Presbyterian missionary scholar and friend of the
priest of the Greek Church, stopped by to assess the damage. It took
little time to determine that the priest was in shock and unable to
make necessary decisions. So Dr. Bailey took it upon himself to ask
seminary administrators at the school where he taught to close
classes, and he invited students to join him in helping the priest.
They cleaned the church and boarded the windows to prevent looting.

The next day, Bailey again called on his friend. The maid confided in
him that the priest did not cry at the bomb's destruction. However,
she added, "He did cry when you and your friends helped clean up the
mess it made."

Dr. Bailey has since remarked, "I did not teach any theology that
afternoon - or did I?" If theology is about love in action, he held
one of his best classes that day.

The truth is...faith is never so beautiful as when it has its working
clothes on.

-- Steve Goodier


--
"It's all about Jesus"

More than a Feeling

More than a Feeling
Source: Joyce Meyer

When most people think about passion, what comes to mind are bursts of emotion stirred by circumstances - they come and they go. Like a roller coaster, up and down, they perceive passion as unstable, unnecessary and possibly even a hindrance to a “balanced” life. As a result they tend to respond to feelings of passion or enthusiasm like this: Let’s not get worked up about this… Let’s just take one day at a time and see what happens… I don’t let things get to me one way or another.

As Christians, when we talk about passion, many of us will think of the passion plays we’ve seen at Easter and, of course, the 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, which depicts the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life on earth. But the passion I’m talking about is not a feeling that comes and goes or a mood you wait to stumble into before you act on something. Neither is it something we just need to help us through times of great trial—it’s a way of life.

Consider how passion applies to God. He does everything with a sense of enthusiastic, passionate, purpose—not halfheartedly. He loves us passionately and His Word exhorts us to love Him in return, with our whole heart—enthusiastically and passionately. No halfhearted effort on our part will ever please God or produce true joy or satisfaction in our lives.

It’s human nature to move forward, to reach for goals that seem unreachable. We need to have things that we are striving to achieve or see happen in our lives. If we want to reach the goals and desires that are deep inside us, we must pursue them with passion. Some of these hopes and dreams are lying just below the surface, but some have been deeply buried for so long that we need God’s help over time to dig them out.

Let’s face it—many times we simply need a reason to get out of bed in the morning. And I mean a reason greater than merely surviving through another day. I believe we all have a deep desire to be daring, to live life “out of the box” and take the risks necessary to achieve our dreams. Few people rise to the challenge of following their heart to embrace the excitement of “life on the edge,” seeing the things they hope for become a reality.

Truth be told, you’re probably just like me. I spent many years being miserable. I was always wishing things were different or that I had something I didn’t have yet… I thank God I finally learned life is more about the journey than the destination and that He helped me make the decision to enjoy it all. When I realized that He would stick by me no matter what, I could take the risks to move ahead and face life boldly, doing whatever I needed to with Him by my side with joy. I know that God has a plan and a purpose for my life and I have decided to live out my days wholeheartedly, passionately and enthusiastically!

Jesus was passionate… His passion could be seen through intense emotional moments, such as becoming angry when He saw people selling their wares in the temple or weeping when He witnessed their unbelief. It motivated Him in His concern for the sick, the poor, and those who were treated unjustly. In His prayer life He prayed so fervently that His sweat turned to blood! I believe it was His passionate love for His heavenly Father and His purpose that enabled Him to endure while hanging on the cross.

If you want to see God’s purpose come to pass in your life, live with zeal the way Jesus did. If you want to endure in times of trial, you will need to make some decisions along the way. That kind of life doesn’t just “happen” automatically. Your approach to life, your attitude, how you spend your time, and much more may need to change, but I can promise you the rewards of living life passionately will be well worth it.

I challenge you to make the necessary choices to change your way of life—to get up every morning with a sense of purpose and live passionately and wholeheartedly! Live the kind of life that leaves you with a sense of fulfillment at the end of the day. I have decided that, for me, living out each day passionately is a reward in itself. How about you?

For more on this topic, you may order Joyce’s new book I Dare You. You may order by calling 1-800-727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org.

Author/teacher Joyce Meyer has been helping people overcome life’s problems through biblical keys to practical Christian living since 1976. Her radio and television programs are broadcast throughout the United States and much of the world. For additional information, you may contact Joyce Meyer Ministries at P.O. Box 655, Fenton, Missouri 63026.




Useful link: www.joycemeyer.org

How Christmas can impact the culture

How Christmas can impact the culture

Source: Phil Cooke - ASSIST News Service

Today, we often worry that the Christmas spirit has become routine. In fact, many communities across the country have settled for mere "holiday" celebrations, and focused on the secular side of the season. It seems that our culture is rapidly becoming illiterate about the real purpose of the holiday.

One of the reasons is the media, and it's constant focus on the commercial side of the holiday. In fact, it doesn't take much to see that the media's influence in our lives is pervasive, and today, education, business, religion, leisure, science, even family life, are all measured against that influence.

So this Christmas, how do we effectively express our faith in a media-dominated culture? How do we tell our story alongside the maddening swirl of media "clutter" - TV, radio, computer, digital music player, Internet, mobile phone, and other technologies competing for our attention? How do we get the message of the church heard through the massive and growing wave of media static out there?

In my recent book: "Branding Faith: Why Some Churches and Non-Profits Impact the Culture and Others Don't”, I share the keys to cutting through the overwhelming media clutter, and sharing your faith through casual conversations, the pulpit, and even through the media itself. Essentially, it's about getting your message heard. It's about telling your story, and making that story connect with your audience.

Although the true reason for Christmas has taken a beating, it's far from gone, and this year, we have the opportunity once again to remind the culture what Christmas is all about. Here are some tips:

1. Don't be afraid to express your faith in the community or public square. Because of recent court rulings regarding church and state, too many Christians shy away from anything remotely religious at Christmastime - especially in public. But your personal faith is something you have the right to express, and when you decorate your yard, go carolling, or send out cards, use those times as an opportunity to show people the real story of the season. If you have questions about staging a major event on public property, ask a Christian attorney for advice, or contact the American Centre for Law and Justice (www.aclj.org) for information.

2. Be gracious about your witness. Too many Christians become bullies when it comes to expressing their faith. Stop arguing with people, and begin developing a relationship of compassion and trust. Growing up in the 50's and 60's in the South, I didn't know anyone of another faith. But today I don't have to go far to meet people with a multitude of different religious beliefs. If I'm going to be an effective witness in today's world, I have to begin with a gracious relationship and act out of genuine love.

3. Be confident but courteous at your office or school about expressing your faith. The fine legal line about expressions of religious belief at our workplace and at public schools is often difficult to navigate, but in many cases, people who crossed the line, did it without asking for advice or counsel. Talk to the school principal or choir director and ask their policy on singing Christmas carols at the school play. Or ask your boss if you can set a nativity scene or other religious object on your desk. I've discovered that when we approach people in a spirit of love, God often works in those situations for our good. And even if your request is rejected, how you handle that rejection can sometimes be a greater witness than what you hoped to accomplish in the first place.

4. Finally, it's not Santa's fault. Too many Christians blame Santa for distracting people from the story of the incarnation. Obviously Santa Claus isn't the reason for the season, but don't rob your children from the joy of giving and experiencing the wonder and excitement of the big guy in the red suit. Plus, giving gifts is a fantastic common ground to begin a discussion with a non-Christian about God's ultimate gift. Let's lighten up and enjoy the North Pole, the reindeer, and the anticipation of the sound of hooves on the roof at midnight. But never forget to teach your children and grandchildren the story of how God gave us the greatest gift of all.

Advice to a young leader

Advice to a young leader
Source: J. Lee Grady - Charisma Online

It seems that everywhere you look churches and ministries are crumbling because of pride, greed and hidden sin. Here are 10 principles that can help bring stability during this tumultuous season.


Kevin, a 31-year-old pastor from Minnesota, asked me an honest question this week. He’s been reading about all the scandals that have rocked the Christian world, beginning with Ted Haggard’s moral failure late last year and continuing with the recent divorces among prominent church leaders and the allegations of financial mismanagement made against leaders at Oral Roberts University.

Kevin wrote this: “I am guessing that none of these people started off with the goal of having this be their story. If you were someone in my stage of ministry, what would you do to prevent this from being your lot?” I shared these simple truths with him, and I’ll pass them along to a wider audience - hoping that they will strengthen our foundations while everything around us is shaking.


1. Live a humble, transparent life. Just because you are a leader doesn’t mean you don’t have issues. You are a flawed, broken individual who has experienced the miracle of God’s mercy. Resist the temptation to live in denial about your weaknesses. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Stay in close relationship with mature mentors and trusted peers who know your temptations, insecurities and any past addictions. Confess your sins to God and to your inner circle regularly.

2. Stay open to correction. Many of those whose ministries are imploding today either worked in isolation or they surrounded themselves with yes men. As your ministry grows, increase the number of people who speak into your life. If your colleagues are rubber-stamping everything you do, consider that a warning sign. If they tell you they can’t correct you because you are either authoritarian or subtly controlling, take a sabbatical and get counselling immediately.

3. Audit your actions regularly. God watches the way we handle the little things. Are you telling the truth? Are you mishandling ministry finances? Are you “fudging” in any area of sexual purity? Do you have checks and balances set in place so that you always comply with the law? God sees every Web site you visit, every personal expense you charge to your ministry account and every exaggeration (i.e., lie) you put in your newsletter.

4. Stay in touch with the real world. Ministry is about loving people. (Duh!) But you will never develop compassion unless you are close enough to the grass roots to smell the poverty, lay hands on the sickness and cry with those who are in pain. The days are over when preachers can arrive in limousines to announce salvation. The Lord is requiring all His servants to come down to earth.

5. Don’t allow people to make you a celebrity. Before Jesus began His ministry, the devil showed Him the kingdoms of the world and offered Him fame and fortune. The enemy of your soul will try to cut you a similar deal. Resist every urge to become a star. Don’t let people put you on a pedestal. If the spirit of entitlement is seducing you, humble yourself and wash some feet. That is what true ministry is about.

6. Make family a priority. We have crusaded against abortion and gay marriage, yet at the same time many in our movement have neglected their spouses and children. People need to know that what we preach works at home. The Bible makes it plain: “But if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?” (1 Tim. 3:5, NASB). If we enforced this one biblical principle today, most of the shenanigans happening in charismatic leadership would end overnight.

7. Live modestly and give extravagantly. In a few more years the selfish, money-focused doctrines that tainted charismatic churches in the 1980s and 1990s will be gone. God is bringing balance and correction to a message that has encouraged greed. I do not know Texas pastor Robert Morris personally, but he has become a long-distance mentor to me in the financial area. His book The Blessed Life has redefined how we charismatics should view money. Bottom line: We don’t give to get, even though we know God blesses generosity. We give to give.

8. Don’t build your own kingdom. In the previous season leaders got away with naming their ministries after themselves. That will not work today. The one-man show is over. Leadership today is about building a team. Those who think they can “do it all”—and take all the credit—will end up with meagre results when their work is tested by God’s fire.

9. Develop keen discernment. The devil is on the prowl, and we can’t afford to be ignorant of his schemes. Leaders must develop an early warning system if we expect to survive. You must develop a team of watchful intercessors who are committed to praying for you. Those whose ministries are crashing and burning today most likely ignored prophetic counsel from people who saw disaster coming.

10. Maintain your spiritual passion. People who experience moral failure almost always lose their spiritual passion first. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not just a one-time encounter. Because we “leak,” we need to be refilled and recharged regularly. We will burn out quickly if we don’t stay plugged into the Source. The man who led me to Christ, Barry St. Clair, taught me to have a daily appointment with God. I try to guard my time in prayer and Bible study because I know I can’t give what I don’t have. The more I read His Word, the deeper and stronger it grows inside me, providing daily revelation of the Saviour—and giving me more and more reasons to make Him my magnificent obsession