Another hot button for me is our title phrase, to that you could add, you will never change! Change is one of the few constants every person faces in life. Interestingly enough we fight positive change tooth & nail while when negative changes come our way it's like we are being propelled down a slippery slope wide open & full tilt. Good habits take hard work to create while bad habits come naturally.
In my youth I was known as Gahne Kenny a party looking for a place to happen. I was cross addicted to both alcohol & numerous drugs so partying was a way of life. My life started to change on the day I became born again. When one becomes born again the Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God to you & a marvelous transformation begins to take place. Now I love to party for Jesus by telling anyone who happens across my path why the silly grin on my face, Jesus is the reason! This definitely gets a reaction & opens many an opportunity for sharing my faith & leading others to Christ.
Too often we become so comfortable being who we are that change has no attraction to us. Yet are we really happy in the life & lifestyle we have become accustomed too? Often times fear holds us back from making what we see & know are necessary changes to enhance our lives. Another reason is we may not believe we are capable of making those changes. This was jack hammered into our brains (too often by our parents), teachers or peers with the words "you will never amount to anything," so we are just to be satisfied with whatever life gives you.
It is easy to see that any number of negative handles fit into our title phrase which can just deepen the guilt & shame the people already feel. Drunk, crackhead, sex trade worker, pervert, loser, hippie, weirdo & you fill in the endless blanks________________________!
It's hard enough for anyone to make changes in their life but this becomes almost impossible with others always putting you down.
I would like to go to the scriptures for a beautiful example of what I'm driving at, the good Samaritan & the Jericho Road from Luke 10:25-37. A lawyer had just questioned Jesus on what he should do to inherit eternal life. The lawyers response attempted to direct the Lords focus onto his fulfilling what the lawyer perceived as the higher demands of the law while questioning who the Lord was referring to as our neighbor.
Jesus story talked of how both the Levite & Priest chose to ignore the poor beaten, bloodied soul. In my minds eye I can see them crossing the road or shielding their eyes with blank or fearful looks upon their faces. Remember they did not know if the robbers were close at hand possibly even watching them. Both the Levite & Priest would seem to be a natural to stop & lend a helping hand but they chose not too, interesting.
Now the Samaritan (a foreigner in this area) only saw the need (compassion!) He was not paralyzed by fear for his own well being. He looked beyond the possible faults or differences, whether the man was a local, foreigner or even Samaritan, he just saw & acted upon the need. The fact he paid 2 Denarii (equvilent to24 days stay at the inn) for a total stranger is monumental to say the least of who this man was. You can have a persons first born or their spouse but do not go near their almighty dollar, that is taboo! For many, even some within the church, no-one else is allowed near their wallets, not even God! The beaten man must have been in a sad state to require almost a month to heal & strengthen his battered body. But would you or I have done the same, that is the question?
We buttonhole or stereotype people into classes or marginalize them in one way or another. This can even be by who they associate with, the families they come from or sad to say what we hear from others on them. We can also do this to ourselves by limiting or quenching an inner desire for change, in whatever way within our own lives.
Hopefully I have expanded or enlightened your perspective on our title phrase. I would now like to give you something else to ponder. it's not who you're neighbor is but are you a good neighbor, like the Samaritan? You are who you are, food for thought!
Thursday, 24 November 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
It is what it is
One of the most popular sayings of today is "it is what it is." Here are but a few examples, the weather "it is what it is," there just isn't anything you can do to about it. The economy "is what it is," as far as your being able to change it, forget it! Our finance minister tells us it is the European economy that is seemingly hindering ours, "it is what it is."
Over 50% of marriages end in divorce, so why bother getting married "it is what it is." Families are drifting (or moving) apart due to geological changes necessitated by employment "it is what it is."
Pride is something that has been instilled into us from day one. Proud of our accomplishments, our looks, our heritage, of our bank accounts "it is what it is." One more, I can't help that I am fearful, my mother was the same way before me "it is what it is."
You can fit just about anything you want to into the sentence & complete it with "it is what it is." Newsflash the statement "it is what it is" is a cop-out, a defeatist attitude wrapped up in five little words "it is what it is!"
Now let's look at some of the scenarios I have presented. We may not be able to change the weather but we can change our attitudes towards the weather. Locally we need rain our water level is way down this year due to little rain over the summer so we should be thankful for the rain. During this past hot summer I personally loved it, it brought back wonderful memories of my childhood. Whether hot or cold we should try to find something positive in whatever the weather may be.
Each of us deal with the economy by doing our part. When I was a young buck living in the Niagara Peninsula jobs were a dime a dozen. You could quit a good paying job in the morning & have an equivalent one in the afternoon. Today it just ain't so. I believe many will find their niche in entrepreneurship. If you are a Christian seek God in prayer, take a serious look at your abilities, couple that with discerning the needs that are not being met in the immediate world around you & you now have a job. When people are employed the local economy improves. What is happening in Europe does not necessarily dictate our economy but each of us doing our part does.
Marriages fail to a large degree because one or both of the spouses are not willing to abide by their marriage vows. Another key reason is there is not enough marriage counseling being done before two people step into this lifetime commitment. I have had the privilege to lead numerous couples into holy matrimony but not without at least 12 hours of marriage counseling during which you present the ups & downs that all couples will face in their marriages. Of all those marriages I only know of four that ended in divorce less than 10%. Another unique aspect in those divorce figures are the fact that none of those four couples tied into a local church, one of the best support groups you will ever find.
In regards to the fact our families are spread all over the world in this day & separating one from another. Thanks be to God for Alexander Graham Bell & his invention the telephone (by the way he was home schooled way back in his childhood.) We also now have the internet (like that is what you're reading this food for thought on now.)
For anyone who knows me pride is something I continue to research on a regular basis. Pride is fear based. Prideful people put on a false front for others to see because they are afraid to be found out for who they truly are. Obviously not all pride is bad but when we are good or gifted at something it is always (for a Christian) better to give thanks to God. Humility is a lot easier to handle than pride (what I refer to as spiritual skunk oil.)
To be bound by fear is a horrible thing. Fear paralyzes many who come into contact with it. Fearful people emotionally react by either cowering or by lashing out. Gangs & other forms of terrorism can only function if people allow fear to be in control. You notice the automatic reaction after the destruction of the twin towers was the old eye for an eye. Back in the 60's "The Animals" had a hit song called War, within it was a line that still rings true to this day "War what is it good, for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!" The USA chose to lash out after 911.
Within our Christian faith in 2nd Timothy 1:7 "We have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love & a sound mind. You do not have to be bound by a generational curse but can become an over-comer through prayer & living out the simple truths of Gods Word.
There is one thing that "is what it is" & that is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of God! I know because when Jesus came into my life I was an angry, bitter, miserable man bound by numerous addictions. When we pray in the name of Jesus, the power of God the Holy Spirit goes into action to bring deliverance to pass & bring glory unto God!
This is not a quick fix but a lifelong transformation to become a person who exhibits the character of Jesus Christ (the fruit of the Spirit.) In Romans 12:2 we are told not to be conformed to this world we live in but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (good stuff in bad stuff out) reading the Word of God. Transformation is from the inside out. The Holy Spirit takes up residence within a Christian & our spirit becomes born again. He then initiates the transformation by convicting us of the need of change. As we study the Word of God the Holy Spirit quickens scripture to us & desire rises within us to become more Christlike. This is how 2nd Corinthians 5:17 takes place "old things pass away & all things become new." You become a brand new creation on the face of this earth. Gods Word the same yesterday, today & forever! "It is what it is" food for thought!
May God richly bless you with the salvation of your soul!
Over 50% of marriages end in divorce, so why bother getting married "it is what it is." Families are drifting (or moving) apart due to geological changes necessitated by employment "it is what it is."
Pride is something that has been instilled into us from day one. Proud of our accomplishments, our looks, our heritage, of our bank accounts "it is what it is." One more, I can't help that I am fearful, my mother was the same way before me "it is what it is."
You can fit just about anything you want to into the sentence & complete it with "it is what it is." Newsflash the statement "it is what it is" is a cop-out, a defeatist attitude wrapped up in five little words "it is what it is!"
Now let's look at some of the scenarios I have presented. We may not be able to change the weather but we can change our attitudes towards the weather. Locally we need rain our water level is way down this year due to little rain over the summer so we should be thankful for the rain. During this past hot summer I personally loved it, it brought back wonderful memories of my childhood. Whether hot or cold we should try to find something positive in whatever the weather may be.
Each of us deal with the economy by doing our part. When I was a young buck living in the Niagara Peninsula jobs were a dime a dozen. You could quit a good paying job in the morning & have an equivalent one in the afternoon. Today it just ain't so. I believe many will find their niche in entrepreneurship. If you are a Christian seek God in prayer, take a serious look at your abilities, couple that with discerning the needs that are not being met in the immediate world around you & you now have a job. When people are employed the local economy improves. What is happening in Europe does not necessarily dictate our economy but each of us doing our part does.
Marriages fail to a large degree because one or both of the spouses are not willing to abide by their marriage vows. Another key reason is there is not enough marriage counseling being done before two people step into this lifetime commitment. I have had the privilege to lead numerous couples into holy matrimony but not without at least 12 hours of marriage counseling during which you present the ups & downs that all couples will face in their marriages. Of all those marriages I only know of four that ended in divorce less than 10%. Another unique aspect in those divorce figures are the fact that none of those four couples tied into a local church, one of the best support groups you will ever find.
In regards to the fact our families are spread all over the world in this day & separating one from another. Thanks be to God for Alexander Graham Bell & his invention the telephone (by the way he was home schooled way back in his childhood.) We also now have the internet (like that is what you're reading this food for thought on now.)
For anyone who knows me pride is something I continue to research on a regular basis. Pride is fear based. Prideful people put on a false front for others to see because they are afraid to be found out for who they truly are. Obviously not all pride is bad but when we are good or gifted at something it is always (for a Christian) better to give thanks to God. Humility is a lot easier to handle than pride (what I refer to as spiritual skunk oil.)
To be bound by fear is a horrible thing. Fear paralyzes many who come into contact with it. Fearful people emotionally react by either cowering or by lashing out. Gangs & other forms of terrorism can only function if people allow fear to be in control. You notice the automatic reaction after the destruction of the twin towers was the old eye for an eye. Back in the 60's "The Animals" had a hit song called War, within it was a line that still rings true to this day "War what is it good, for ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!" The USA chose to lash out after 911.
Within our Christian faith in 2nd Timothy 1:7 "We have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love & a sound mind. You do not have to be bound by a generational curse but can become an over-comer through prayer & living out the simple truths of Gods Word.
There is one thing that "is what it is" & that is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of God! I know because when Jesus came into my life I was an angry, bitter, miserable man bound by numerous addictions. When we pray in the name of Jesus, the power of God the Holy Spirit goes into action to bring deliverance to pass & bring glory unto God!
This is not a quick fix but a lifelong transformation to become a person who exhibits the character of Jesus Christ (the fruit of the Spirit.) In Romans 12:2 we are told not to be conformed to this world we live in but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (good stuff in bad stuff out) reading the Word of God. Transformation is from the inside out. The Holy Spirit takes up residence within a Christian & our spirit becomes born again. He then initiates the transformation by convicting us of the need of change. As we study the Word of God the Holy Spirit quickens scripture to us & desire rises within us to become more Christlike. This is how 2nd Corinthians 5:17 takes place "old things pass away & all things become new." You become a brand new creation on the face of this earth. Gods Word the same yesterday, today & forever! "It is what it is" food for thought!
May God richly bless you with the salvation of your soul!
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