Cosmetic surgery has become very popular lately. People go to cosmetic surgeons wanting to look younger, older, wiser.......or like their favorite movie stars. Sadly, they sometimes come out looking like an altogether different person!
We all like the idea of changing, of becoming something different than what we presently are.
Starting over again . . . .
Reinventing ourselves . . . .
Experiencing a new beginning . . .
Certainly, our culture is obsessed with change and self-improvement.
I heard about a woman named Shirley who was from Beverly Hills. One day, she had a heart attack and was taken to Cedars_Sinai Hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near-death experience. She saw God and asked, "Is this it? Is my life over?"
God said, "No, don't worry. You have another 40 years to live."
Shirley figured that since she had another 40 years, she might as well make the most of it. Upon her recovery, she decided to stay in the hospital and have collagen shots, cheek implants, a facelift and liposuction—the works! She then had someone dye her hair.
When she walked out of the lobby at Cedars_Sinai, however, an ambulance speeding up to the hospital killed her. She arrived in front of God and said, "I thought you said I had another 40 years?"
God replied, "Shirley! I'm so sorry, but I didn't RECOGNIZE YOU!"
Here’s the problem: We recognize the need for change, but we work on the wrong part. We want to change the outside when the problem that needs changed exists on the inside.
Plastic surgery and new hair styles and clothing might make us feel good for awhile, but it doesn’t last. So what we really need to do is figure out what needs fixed and fix that.
It’s not our hair that needs fixed, it’s our hearts. He Bible tells us, "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9) Sounds bleak, doesn’t it?
New clothes, hair, makeup, jewelry, toys or surgery isn’t going to fix the heart. Only God can do that. And guess what? That’s exactly what He wants to do! Check out what the Bible says in Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you."
Here’s the best part.......God wants to do this for you and it won’t cost you a thing! All you need to do is ask.
Let me encourage you to do just that; ask God for a new heart. We’re drawing closer to Christmas - a time of giving gifts. God wants to give you a great gift as well. It’s the kind of change that every man, woman, boy and girl needs.......and it’s available to all!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Your Sphere of Influence
Have you ever stopped to consider your sphere of influence? Perhaps you think you don’t really influence anyone, but that is simply not true. Everyone influences someone. If you are married, you influence your spouse. If you are a parent, you influence your kids. If you go to church, you influence the people there. If you live in a neighborhood, your influence extends to your neighbors. If you go to a workplace each day, then you influence the people at work. Never underestimate the truth that others are watching you. When you think about it that way, you are an individual of great influence!
It is difficult to realize that our influence can be increased through adversity, yet many times that is part of God’s plan to bring about good through all circumstances. We see how three men from the Bible demonstrate this consistently.
In the Bible, Joseph faced numerous adversities, yet rose to be the second in command of all of Egypt. His story reminds us that we are never out of God’s reach and we are never without hope. If God is with us, no one and nothing can stand against us.
In the Bible, Daniel was constantly "taking the high road" and choosing to do what was right rather than what was convenient. Every time he did he gained more of the king’s favor.
I could list many more - both Biblical characters and non-Biblical characters - individuals who faced adversity and overcame with God’s help. I wish I could tell you that you’ll never face adversity. I’d be lying to you if I did. Jesus Himself said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
You say, "Nope! That’s not me. No adversity here." Great, but somewhere, sometime you’ll face some. And if you are facing difficulties right now, well, don’t lose hope! Not only can God help you through the adversity if you ask Him, but He can use the adversity in your life to influence others.
My high school shop teacher had a sign over the door. It read "Getting up after you’ve fallen down strengthens your muscles." I want to encourage you today: If you’ve been knocked down, get back up. If you’re facing adversity, don’t face it alone. Ask God to help you......and He will!
Once you’ve come through it, help others who may be facing similar situations. In doing so, you’ll have more influence on others than you know!
It is difficult to realize that our influence can be increased through adversity, yet many times that is part of God’s plan to bring about good through all circumstances. We see how three men from the Bible demonstrate this consistently.
In the Bible, Joseph faced numerous adversities, yet rose to be the second in command of all of Egypt. His story reminds us that we are never out of God’s reach and we are never without hope. If God is with us, no one and nothing can stand against us.
In the Bible, Daniel was constantly "taking the high road" and choosing to do what was right rather than what was convenient. Every time he did he gained more of the king’s favor.
I could list many more - both Biblical characters and non-Biblical characters - individuals who faced adversity and overcame with God’s help. I wish I could tell you that you’ll never face adversity. I’d be lying to you if I did. Jesus Himself said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
You say, "Nope! That’s not me. No adversity here." Great, but somewhere, sometime you’ll face some. And if you are facing difficulties right now, well, don’t lose hope! Not only can God help you through the adversity if you ask Him, but He can use the adversity in your life to influence others.
My high school shop teacher had a sign over the door. It read "Getting up after you’ve fallen down strengthens your muscles." I want to encourage you today: If you’ve been knocked down, get back up. If you’re facing adversity, don’t face it alone. Ask God to help you......and He will!
Once you’ve come through it, help others who may be facing similar situations. In doing so, you’ll have more influence on others than you know!
Friends
Friends.
How does one define a friend? We all have friends, some closer than others. Me? I am blessed with an abundance of friends.....including you! I won’t pretend that I personally know everyone who gets this e-mail, but I know many of you and I consider you to be my friends.
Oscar Wilde wrote of George Bernard Shaw, "Shaw hasn't an enemy in the world. And none of his friends like him." Author Jeremy Thorpe, tongue in cheek, misquoted a Biblical concept when he wrote, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his friends for his life." Unfortunately, there are some folks who actually abide by that fractured command. Someone else said, "A friend in need....is a pest!" Ah, but a real friend! Now we're talking!
We all have many acquaintances whom we appreciate and enjoy. A friend is another dimension. A friend is someone who has been at your side through the proverbial "thick and thin" for years. That friend knows you on your good days and the bad ones, yet never varies in his or her appreciation of you. You can probably count the number of those friends on your fingers, especially if the duration of that friendship has been for decades. I have several such friends, and I’m sure you do as well.
The best friend you have, of course, is Jesus Who has promised never to leave you, never to forsake you. Unlike Thorpe's misquote, Jesus laid down His life for His friend!
Let me encourage you today to be a great friend. It’s impossible to be a close friend to every person you know, but we can certainly be friendly to everyone we know and to everyone we meet.
Sometimes all it takes is a smile and a "hello" to brighten someone’s day. Life is so crazy busy that we sometimes fail in that. But today, I encourage you to slow down just a bit.....and be a friend.
The Bible says this: Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly........(Romans 12:16)
How does one define a friend? We all have friends, some closer than others. Me? I am blessed with an abundance of friends.....including you! I won’t pretend that I personally know everyone who gets this e-mail, but I know many of you and I consider you to be my friends.
Oscar Wilde wrote of George Bernard Shaw, "Shaw hasn't an enemy in the world. And none of his friends like him." Author Jeremy Thorpe, tongue in cheek, misquoted a Biblical concept when he wrote, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his friends for his life." Unfortunately, there are some folks who actually abide by that fractured command. Someone else said, "A friend in need....is a pest!" Ah, but a real friend! Now we're talking!
We all have many acquaintances whom we appreciate and enjoy. A friend is another dimension. A friend is someone who has been at your side through the proverbial "thick and thin" for years. That friend knows you on your good days and the bad ones, yet never varies in his or her appreciation of you. You can probably count the number of those friends on your fingers, especially if the duration of that friendship has been for decades. I have several such friends, and I’m sure you do as well.
The best friend you have, of course, is Jesus Who has promised never to leave you, never to forsake you. Unlike Thorpe's misquote, Jesus laid down His life for His friend!
Let me encourage you today to be a great friend. It’s impossible to be a close friend to every person you know, but we can certainly be friendly to everyone we know and to everyone we meet.
Sometimes all it takes is a smile and a "hello" to brighten someone’s day. Life is so crazy busy that we sometimes fail in that. But today, I encourage you to slow down just a bit.....and be a friend.
The Bible says this: Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be arrogant, but be friendly........(Romans 12:16)
What's a Person Worth?
A few years ago there was a true story about a man in New York City who was kidnaped. His kidnappers called his wife and asked for $100,000 ransom. She talked them down to $30,000.
The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But, don't you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount? Calvin Trillin was the writer of this story. He imagined out loud what the negotiations must have been like: "$100,000 for that old guy? You have got to be crazy. Just look at him! Look at that gut! You want $100,000 for that? You've got to be kidding. He’s balding and I don’t know how many good years he has left. Cut me a break here. $30,000 is my top offer."
I’m guessing that there are many of you who can identify with the wife in that story, but for some reason I find myself identifying with the husband. Yeah, I fit the “old, gut, balding scenario, but it goes beyond that. I'd like to think if I were in a similar situation, there would be people who would spare no expense to get me back. I’d like to think that they wouldn't haggle over the price....they wouldn't say, 'Well, let me think about it.' I like to think that they would say, 'We'll do anything for you.'"
Now, many of you who receive this e-mail are dear friends who would say just that. Others of you, I’ve never met. My point, however, is bigger than you and I being acquaintances. My point has to do with the value of a human being. I know we’re all worth about $5 in mineral value, but what are people worth in “people value”? Why do we sometimes treat others rudely or even with mean attitudes?
I recently sat at a football game, surrounded by families with small children. Up the aisle comes a man screaming profanities at the top of his lungs. I asked him to please watch his mouth. He replied, “You watch YOUR mouth, Maynard!” I didn’t reply. 30 seconds later he said, “You got a problem with my language?” I replied, “The children do.” He immediately apologized and left our area.
I don’t have to agree with someone’s opinion or action to be nice to them. I could have shot back a few choice verbal shots at this guy, but I chose not to. Why? Because somewhere along life’s way this guy has been hurt by someone and now he’s taking it out on everyone. What he needs isn’t another smart mouth shooting verbal bullets at him, he needs someone to show him that he has value.
After all, isn’t that what God does for us? Scripture says that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. He could just condemn us, but instead He offers hope against all of the hurt in our lives.
I encourage you to look at people through different lenses this week. You know the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” What a crock! Broken bones heal, broken spirits need hope. You have the power to offer it to others........I encourage you to do so!
The story had a happy ending: the man returned home unharmed, the money was recovered, and the kidnappers were caught and sent to jail. But, don't you wonder what happened when the man got home and found that his wife got him back for a discount? Calvin Trillin was the writer of this story. He imagined out loud what the negotiations must have been like: "$100,000 for that old guy? You have got to be crazy. Just look at him! Look at that gut! You want $100,000 for that? You've got to be kidding. He’s balding and I don’t know how many good years he has left. Cut me a break here. $30,000 is my top offer."
I’m guessing that there are many of you who can identify with the wife in that story, but for some reason I find myself identifying with the husband. Yeah, I fit the “old, gut, balding scenario, but it goes beyond that. I'd like to think if I were in a similar situation, there would be people who would spare no expense to get me back. I’d like to think that they wouldn't haggle over the price....they wouldn't say, 'Well, let me think about it.' I like to think that they would say, 'We'll do anything for you.'"
Now, many of you who receive this e-mail are dear friends who would say just that. Others of you, I’ve never met. My point, however, is bigger than you and I being acquaintances. My point has to do with the value of a human being. I know we’re all worth about $5 in mineral value, but what are people worth in “people value”? Why do we sometimes treat others rudely or even with mean attitudes?
I recently sat at a football game, surrounded by families with small children. Up the aisle comes a man screaming profanities at the top of his lungs. I asked him to please watch his mouth. He replied, “You watch YOUR mouth, Maynard!” I didn’t reply. 30 seconds later he said, “You got a problem with my language?” I replied, “The children do.” He immediately apologized and left our area.
I don’t have to agree with someone’s opinion or action to be nice to them. I could have shot back a few choice verbal shots at this guy, but I chose not to. Why? Because somewhere along life’s way this guy has been hurt by someone and now he’s taking it out on everyone. What he needs isn’t another smart mouth shooting verbal bullets at him, he needs someone to show him that he has value.
After all, isn’t that what God does for us? Scripture says that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. He could just condemn us, but instead He offers hope against all of the hurt in our lives.
I encourage you to look at people through different lenses this week. You know the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” What a crock! Broken bones heal, broken spirits need hope. You have the power to offer it to others........I encourage you to do so!
Motivations
People tend to base decisions on one of four motivations in life:
1. Circumstances
That’s where whatever the circumstances are dictates our behavior, our decisions, our actions.
2. Conveniences
We all like convenient things, don’t we? We love microwave ovens, television remote controls and dry cleaners. Why? Because they make life easier for us. But is convenience the best basis for decision making?
3. Criticisms
As much as we all like convenience, we all hate criticism. Many decisions are made either in response to criticism, or simply to avoid it.
4. Convictions.
This is the only one that really works. Only decisions that are based on your convictions will last and leave a lasting legacy.
The people who have made the greatest impact on this world, for good or bad, are those who had the deepest convictions. They weren’t necessarily the smartest people, the brightest people, the most educated, the wealthiest, or even the most famous. But they were people of conviction.
If you’re going to build convictions, you need to build them on something that’s going to last. But how do you do that when it seems that everything changes? Fads change, fashions change. Psychology changes. Even science textbooks change. We keep learning more and more. So if you’re going to build convictions you have to build them on something solid; something absolute.
There’s only one thing that never changes. That is the truth of God.
If it was true a thousand years ago, it will be true today and it will be true a thousand years from tomorrow because truth does not change.
The Bible says this in Isaiah 40:8 (NLT), “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever.” What was that last word? How long? And just how long is forever?
The Word of God doesn’t change. It is absolute.
My encouragement to you today is simple: Build your life on absolutes. The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Sounds pretty absolute to me!
1. Circumstances
That’s where whatever the circumstances are dictates our behavior, our decisions, our actions.
2. Conveniences
We all like convenient things, don’t we? We love microwave ovens, television remote controls and dry cleaners. Why? Because they make life easier for us. But is convenience the best basis for decision making?
3. Criticisms
As much as we all like convenience, we all hate criticism. Many decisions are made either in response to criticism, or simply to avoid it.
4. Convictions.
This is the only one that really works. Only decisions that are based on your convictions will last and leave a lasting legacy.
The people who have made the greatest impact on this world, for good or bad, are those who had the deepest convictions. They weren’t necessarily the smartest people, the brightest people, the most educated, the wealthiest, or even the most famous. But they were people of conviction.
If you’re going to build convictions, you need to build them on something that’s going to last. But how do you do that when it seems that everything changes? Fads change, fashions change. Psychology changes. Even science textbooks change. We keep learning more and more. So if you’re going to build convictions you have to build them on something solid; something absolute.
There’s only one thing that never changes. That is the truth of God.
If it was true a thousand years ago, it will be true today and it will be true a thousand years from tomorrow because truth does not change.
The Bible says this in Isaiah 40:8 (NLT), “The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the Word of our God stands forever.” What was that last word? How long? And just how long is forever?
The Word of God doesn’t change. It is absolute.
My encouragement to you today is simple: Build your life on absolutes. The Bible says that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Sounds pretty absolute to me!
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