Learning To Receive

It was on Christmas eve, and I was traveling on a bus to my apartment in Cavite--quite sleepy. As the bus was departing a man boarded  and starting singing a Christmas song, it was actually done quite well under the circumstances. He sang solo accompanied by an a egg shaker. After his rendition he passed out some envelops soliciting passengers a donation for the “less fortunate”. After giving a short talk about sharing the blessings with “less fortunate”  saying that those who are fortunate should share with those who have so little, he then walked back down the isle collecting the envelops.  As he was about to step off the bus, he turned around and gave a Thank You, and ended by saying, “It's better to give than to receive” and because of the giving “you will receive blessings.” 

Next Level

Whenever I get a chance, I would play some challenging & mind-teasing games on my ipod . Many of them give me hints about making my next move, guiding me to more advanced levels of play. Often, however, I allow my independent spirit to take over, and I ignore these hints, trying to master the game with my own moves. As a consequence, my progress is much slower — or I fail completely and have to start over. But when I take advantage of the built-in help features, I improve my skills and move on to more difficult challenges.

Point a finger

Did you know that as a leader, God will hold you accountable for the spiritual condition of the people you lead? You are a steward of the leadership responsibilities and the people He has entrusted to you (1 Peter 5:2, 3) and you and I will someday give an account to Him (Matthew 25:19; see vv. 14-30 for the entire parable).

In Hosea 4, God held the spiritual leaders accountable for the spiritual condition of the people. 

"Don't point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! Look, you priests, my complaint is with you!" (Hosea 4:4, NLT). 

If you're a leader, don't point fingers at the people you're leading. Look in the mirror first. God's complaint may be with you!

Whenever I Forget Google Exists!

If I ever have a problem with my computer I can usually find a solution through Google. I just have to type my problem into the search engine and there is bound to be a website that explains what I need to do. The only problem I have is that I always forget to go to Google when the problem first arises. I seem to do everything else possible before searching the internet. To begin with I'll try to fix the problem myself by searching through the menus for guidance; I might ask a friend if they've had the same problem and see if they know what to do; or I'll restart the computer in the hope that it will just correct itself in the process. It's not until I told my friend Toni(a gadget geek) that I have a problem that he will say to me, 'Just Google it.' It's then that I remember that that's where I've found answers before and so I quickly start searching the internet. When I find the solution I need I kick myself for not going to the search engine at the very beginning.

Acquainted with God

It's always interesting going to someone's house for the very first time. You ring the door bell and wait for someone to invite you in, you offer to take your shoes off at the door, you use your best manners and you are often seated in the nice lounge room with a comfortable sofa. Even though your new friend might say, "Make yourself at home", you still stay on your best behaviour. On the other hand, when you go to a long-time friend's house it is a totally different situation. You'll enter via the back door, just walk straight in after knocking on the door, help yourself to a glass of juice and sit around in the family room. While it's great to make new friends it's always nice to be totally comfortable in someone else's home.