Words can hurt - often more than you realize.

I've lived a little over 4 decades. I've seen quite a bit in those years. One thing that keeps amazing me is the amount of time and effort that people put into tearing others down. Back biting, hurtful language, telling of half truths, sowing discord....it takes a lot of energy to do that. Imagine for a minute if people actually took that effort and turned it into something good. Instead of tearing people down, build them up. Instead of telling half truths, tell the whole truth. Instead of sowing discord, actually try to work together toward a common good.

And often - it is the "mature" people that are the cause of all this discord. Kids and teens - they don't know any better (no offense teens). But truthfully, they are just following the lead of their adult examples. Here are a couple tools to help you if you find yourself being negative, backbiting and hurtful:

1) If you have a problem with a man/woman - be an adult, go to them and talk about it. It may just be a simple misunderstanding that can be sorted out before the rumour mill gets wound up.

2) Make sure that you are not hurting someone just for the simple reason that someone has hurt you.

3) Sowing discord between friends is nothing more than evil. 

4) A half truth mingles truth and falsehood in order to deliberately deceive. (a half truth is a full lie)

5) Instead of being critical - ask how you can help, then follow through.

6) And if you are a man/woman of faith - remember what is said in Proverbs 6:16-19 -

 ¹⁶ There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests:
 ¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent,
 ¹⁸ a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong,
 ¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

And lastly - never forget - "be kind today - you never know what another person is going through."

Have a great day friends !

Sleepless nights, humid days - and it is still officially Spring!

Well friends, if you are living within 150kms where I am living, you know that weather we've been having the last few nights. Severe thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, hail, tornado warnings, thunder, torrential rains, humidex values in the low 40's and loss of power. 3 nights running, this is what we've been living through.

Am I complaining - no. I am sharing what I have been living - that is life.

One thing I would like to share though is this - But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. Psalm 73:28 

You see, even through these uncertain times, I know that the LORD is looking after me and my family. I have the security that He is looking out for us and protecting us. And that is what keeps me going. I know that the external events that are happening around me are just that - external. All these weather factors happen to everyone - friend/enemy, family/stranger, religious/non-religious....everyone is effected. Jesus even said in His teaching of loving you enemies - “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! ⁴⁵ In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. ⁴⁶ If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. ⁴⁷ If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. (Matthew 5:43-47) 

Today, if you are a Christian - Show Christ's love. If you are not a Christian and you are reading this - please know this - He loves you dearly. 

Not all storms are like the external events that I talked about in the first paragraph - the worse storms, the most hurtful, occur deep in your mind. They make you feel lost, tired, and hopeless. You wonder when they are going to end. Unfortunately, you can't look on the radar and see how long it is going to last. You can ask Jesus to be in the boat with you, as you weather the storm. His peace can calm the internal storms of your life.

Blessings friends !

Is it really worth it? A fictional story.

The storm of life

Have you ever wondered - Is it really worth it? Have you ever been in a situation that is hard to get out of, and know matter what you try or have tried...nothing seems to work? You try, and fall - so you get back up...and out comes the rug from under the feet...again. What do you do, put a smile on your face, put your shoulders back and try to move forward. Smiling on the outside...hurting, demoralized and tired on the inside. But don't show any weakness!!! Absolutely not ! If you do, beware. People will say that you are not trying hard enough, or that you need to refocus and try again - give it the old college try! 

You may have to start at the beginning, because the work experience you have isn't enough. After 20 years in the work force, you're forced to work a job that pays minimum wage because the company you worked for decided to close down...not because they weren't making a profit, but because they were not making enough of a profit. The difference now is that you have a family to support - you aren't a student with just yourself to support and you can move back in with your parents. Now add to that, family sicknesses, disability's and health issues.

Let's not forget about things like this are being said to you "Maybe things in your life are not working out because you are not praying hard enough...or maybe, just maybe there is secret sin in your life and because of that, your prayers aren't being answered."

You know the encouraging Bible verses....You know the "self help" cheers....You know the positive thinking... You also know that bitterness, and anger are not productive.

Oh well, every day you wake on the top side of the ground is another chance at a new beginning. Keep looking up friends :)

It's never too late to start over.

The higher you fly, the smaller your problems become

I like to look at Biblical history and then make a life application from it. Today I want to look at a figure that has intrigued since I was a child. The man called Samson. It can be found in the Bible - Judges chapters 13 through 16. 

If any of my pastoral friends want to use these points, feel free - I think that this will preach :)

Instead of putting the 4 chapters in my Blog, I invite you to read them at home. Here is the link in a very easy to read version - New Living Translation - of the Bible. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=judges%2013%20-%2016&version=NLT As you are reading, look for these points below. Then you can expound on them and create your own dynamics.

What can we learn from Samson's life?

1. Great strength in one area of life does not make up for great weaknesses in other areas.

2. God's presence does not overwhelm a person's will

3. God can use a person of faith in spite of his or her mistakes.

4. Sampson's story teaches us that it is never too late to start over.

5. No matter what we have done in the past, today is not too late for us to put our complete trust in God.

Have a great day friends!

My son and the Special Olympics

Hundreds of athletes !

As many of you know, my son was diagnosed a few years ago with autism. He's a special kid to me. He struggles with communicating, he struggles with comprehension...he does very well in athletics. He's is funny, humorous, and sometimes a little trying on my patience...that's OK though – all kids have that effect on parents.

Today I had the pleasure of seeing my son compete in the Special Olympics. I had never seen an event like this. This was different, this was fun. You see, I was very competitive in every sport I participated in. I had a goal, to win. I would train, I would focus, I would get in the zone...then my goal was to deliver – most times I did. And when I didn't, I felt bad. I felt as if I failed both myself and my team members. Today, watching my son – I was so proud.

When we got to the track, there were several hundred athletes, and several hundred helpers. The goal was to compete...and to have fun. I looked around, and tears came to my eyes. Fortunately for me I had my sun glasses on. I didn't want to be a spectacle. As I looked around I saw children hugging, cheering each other on, and a ton of smiling faces....they were actually having fun.

My son and his helper for the day.

I looked all over for my son...hundreds of people walking around and I had to find my son. He was going to compete in a few minutes and I didn't want to miss it. Then I saw him, walking with his helper about 75 meters away. I walked his way and waved, then he saw me. The joy I had as he ran over to give me a hug - `Daddy, daddy, you came to see me!` he shouted. He gave me a hug and then ran back to his helper, he had to get ready for the softball throw.

I positioned myself at the end of the throwing area. I needed to get a nice picture of him. Finally it was his turn.

My son throwing

He wound up and let the ball go – All I remember thinking was,”nice throw buddy” After about 10 minutes, it was time to announce the ribbons. My son did well - 1^st place. He ran over and gave me another hug. 

The thing was, I couldn't care if he got first, or finished last...he did his best. Yep, I'm proud of my son – and of all the other athletes that demonstrated sportsmanship in a way that I've never seen before. We could all learn from their example.