In Max Lucado's book/film production "You are Special", he renders how each of us are a "dot" or a "star" and we can valued in other's eyes that way based on how many dots or stars we have..
Picture this; God took everyday mud, mixed in a bit of his own expression, and created the most valuable collector's item in the world--you! God thinks of you as a masterpiece, even if other "experts" are skeptical.
Throughout our lives, panels of "experts" judge us. Based on what is of value in the current culture, they check out our quality of expression and subjective beauty, frown over the wear around the edges, and ultimately declare our worth based on dots and stars. Rarely do they want anything to do with our restoration process. Yet from God's perspective, our worth transcends the here and now. His opinion of us does not change based on popularity, performance, position...Priceless!
I mention this because now I am in an office environment and can overhear many a conversation from other cubicles. It's amazing how self worth can both reflective and refractive in day to day interactions.
You are special. I am special, and God doesn't make mistakes!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Monday Morning Mojo
"The way in which we think of ourselves has everything to do with how our world sees us and how we see ourselves successfully acknowledged by the world."
--Arlene Rankin
"Your attitude determines your altitude"
--Zig Ziglar
"If God had a fridge, your picture would be on it"
--Dunno
"God so loved you that He gave His son, just believe and have the best life ever and ever after."
--Jesus
--Arlene Rankin
"Your attitude determines your altitude"
--Zig Ziglar
"If God had a fridge, your picture would be on it"
--Dunno
"God so loved you that He gave His son, just believe and have the best life ever and ever after."
--Jesus
Friday, October 1, 2010
Where to Put Your Trust
Luke 6:47-49 (New International Version)
47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Eastlake church, our home church here in SoCal had a great example based on this verse below is a excerpt-
Author and apologist C.S. Lewis wrote, "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing... you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of... You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself."
With the exception of towns and cities where GM and other maufacturing plants closed down, starting in 2008-10, the zip codes around EastLake Church were ground zero for the mortgage crisis, earning a place in the top ten for U.S. home foreclosures. Even people that didn't own homes were faced with downsizing their American dream. Others in related industries lost jobs they held for decades. Some blamed God, becoming angry with him over their losses. Others turned to him and have been restored in ways they never dreamed- even if their personal residence is long gone.
We are God's workmanship and he loves us. There are many circumstances that "hurt abominably" and don't make sense, but we can still trust him to use these tough times to build a better house. We just have to open the door and let Him in!
47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
Eastlake church, our home church here in SoCal had a great example based on this verse below is a excerpt-
Author and apologist C.S. Lewis wrote, "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing... you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of... You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but he is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself."
With the exception of towns and cities where GM and other maufacturing plants closed down, starting in 2008-10, the zip codes around EastLake Church were ground zero for the mortgage crisis, earning a place in the top ten for U.S. home foreclosures. Even people that didn't own homes were faced with downsizing their American dream. Others in related industries lost jobs they held for decades. Some blamed God, becoming angry with him over their losses. Others turned to him and have been restored in ways they never dreamed- even if their personal residence is long gone.
We are God's workmanship and he loves us. There are many circumstances that "hurt abominably" and don't make sense, but we can still trust him to use these tough times to build a better house. We just have to open the door and let Him in!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
First Day Out in the Field
Psalm 37:24 (New International Version)
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Yesterday was my first day out in the field with my new sales manager tagging along and offering up critique along the way. I have to laugh because he wanted to personally introduce me to four longstanding accounts he thunk he had a great relationship with. All four terminated the relationship; one actually told him (us) to "get the ef" out of here and don't come back! Clunk!
That could have devestated my fragile persona ;). The first thing we know in sales, is that rejection comes with the game. They aren't rejecting me personally, but rather the product, idea, or a presumed lack of need for what is being presented. So, yesterday was a good day in terms of setting sale performance; if my numbers are low, they can initially be attributed to events he knows about firsthand.
In a much larger sense, we stumble and fall in most aspects of life at one time or another. We can choose to take it personally, or get back up and keep moving along. Isn't it good to know that God will not let us fall too hard or too far before he upholds with His hand. which coincidentally is the same one that also spans the universe.
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Yesterday was my first day out in the field with my new sales manager tagging along and offering up critique along the way. I have to laugh because he wanted to personally introduce me to four longstanding accounts he thunk he had a great relationship with. All four terminated the relationship; one actually told him (us) to "get the ef" out of here and don't come back! Clunk!
That could have devestated my fragile persona ;). The first thing we know in sales, is that rejection comes with the game. They aren't rejecting me personally, but rather the product, idea, or a presumed lack of need for what is being presented. So, yesterday was a good day in terms of setting sale performance; if my numbers are low, they can initially be attributed to events he knows about firsthand.
In a much larger sense, we stumble and fall in most aspects of life at one time or another. We can choose to take it personally, or get back up and keep moving along. Isn't it good to know that God will not let us fall too hard or too far before he upholds with His hand. which coincidentally is the same one that also spans the universe.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Navy SEAL's
One of my favorite beaches in San Diego has a Navy SEAL training facility adjacent to it. Often, the SEAL's practice maneuvers which include running a route with 100lb packs on their backs.
Life's path rarely is straight and level, sometimes steep and slippery. I can't think of a time in the past decade that hasn't been a struggle. God tells us to cast our burdens on Him as our frames were not intended to carry 100lbs packs for any extended period oftime or distance. Some? Yes. All the time? No. So why do we continue carrying around all these packs of guilt, anxiety, worry, and stress. When we decide to hand over the pack, finnally, we can stand up sraight and tall, and this life can become much more enjoyable while enhancing our ability to help others by sharing in carrying their load until they realize the need to hand theirs over as well.
I heard a story somewhere, some time ago about a Roman punishment where a dead person was attached to your back. As it rotted, it would affect the tissue of the person carrying the carcass, and eventually kill the carrier as well. I know that's a morbid example, but the most explicit one I could think of when it comes to our worries and doubts.
Life's path rarely is straight and level, sometimes steep and slippery. I can't think of a time in the past decade that hasn't been a struggle. God tells us to cast our burdens on Him as our frames were not intended to carry 100lbs packs for any extended period oftime or distance. Some? Yes. All the time? No. So why do we continue carrying around all these packs of guilt, anxiety, worry, and stress. When we decide to hand over the pack, finnally, we can stand up sraight and tall, and this life can become much more enjoyable while enhancing our ability to help others by sharing in carrying their load until they realize the need to hand theirs over as well.
I heard a story somewhere, some time ago about a Roman punishment where a dead person was attached to your back. As it rotted, it would affect the tissue of the person carrying the carcass, and eventually kill the carrier as well. I know that's a morbid example, but the most explicit one I could think of when it comes to our worries and doubts.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
No Worries
I finished up the last of the chemo treatments, and I am starting to get my energy back. The area seems to be healing up nicely, so no worries right?
I think man is the only one of God's creations to anticipate future events. That's both a blessing and a curse. It is so easy to worry and have anxiety over what will happen tomorrow, yet true faith comes into play in a real way when life throws a curve ball at you. But we know God will never leave us or forsake us!
Hebrews 10:23 (The Message)
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
So, today is a new day; I have my health, I start a new job today, and it's going to be a great day with God as my rudder guiding me through these rough seas.
I think man is the only one of God's creations to anticipate future events. That's both a blessing and a curse. It is so easy to worry and have anxiety over what will happen tomorrow, yet true faith comes into play in a real way when life throws a curve ball at you. But we know God will never leave us or forsake us!
Hebrews 10:23 (The Message)
22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.
So, today is a new day; I have my health, I start a new job today, and it's going to be a great day with God as my rudder guiding me through these rough seas.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Had a little scare this week when I started coughing up blood.
I've been learning some new vocabulary; systemic, membranes, drug interaction, side effects, chemical therapy (chemo). Melanoma Carcinoma. Just the sound of that one sounds scary doesn't it? What I thought was just going to be a routine mole check turned out to be a little something more, as an area not associated with moles was discovered; about the size of a Quarter on the surface, and a lopsided Silver Dollar beneath.
I was scared for a moment, but that passed when I again realized that God is in control, has our days numbered, and knew us while in the womb, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=NIV
The jury is still out as to whether it is sun related or just one more story to tell. I'm leaning toward the latter since my hands, arms, ears, etc are and always have been in the sun yet statistically, skin cancer starts in areas that either are generally covered or have had sunscreen applied. Historically, prior to the 60's, skin cancer was an aberration, but in the 60's, PABA as a sunscreen touted to protect skin from premature aging was introduced. Today chances of getting skin cancer are much higher, now whether there is a correlation between the two remains to be seen. One thing is clear however, that demographic areas that have extended periods where there is lack of sun exposure incur higher rates of skin cancer, diabetes, lack of energy, and depression. More and more research is being conducted on the interaction between the suns rays, calcium, vitamins A and D, and the importance of those for better overall health.
I've been learning some new vocabulary; systemic, membranes, drug interaction, side effects, chemical therapy (chemo). Melanoma Carcinoma. Just the sound of that one sounds scary doesn't it? What I thought was just going to be a routine mole check turned out to be a little something more, as an area not associated with moles was discovered; about the size of a Quarter on the surface, and a lopsided Silver Dollar beneath.
I was scared for a moment, but that passed when I again realized that God is in control, has our days numbered, and knew us while in the womb, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20139&version=NIV
The jury is still out as to whether it is sun related or just one more story to tell. I'm leaning toward the latter since my hands, arms, ears, etc are and always have been in the sun yet statistically, skin cancer starts in areas that either are generally covered or have had sunscreen applied. Historically, prior to the 60's, skin cancer was an aberration, but in the 60's, PABA as a sunscreen touted to protect skin from premature aging was introduced. Today chances of getting skin cancer are much higher, now whether there is a correlation between the two remains to be seen. One thing is clear however, that demographic areas that have extended periods where there is lack of sun exposure incur higher rates of skin cancer, diabetes, lack of energy, and depression. More and more research is being conducted on the interaction between the suns rays, calcium, vitamins A and D, and the importance of those for better overall health.
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