Where is my faith? Where is my trust? If America was suddenly taken over by a Government that said, "You will die if you continue to follow HIm." How would we react? Would we complain, would we waver, or would we stand strong for Him even if it meant our children would also die with us?
Thinking of those who have stayed true to who they are..who have influenced me to want to know God more in a "deep intimate way." One being GA Mangun, he fought in the front line..prayed desperately for revival and lived in the realm of faith. He and Vesta have been such phenom pillars but God decided to take another soldier home so GA is now in heaven enjoying his one on one time with the Lord.
JT Pugh was called home about 8 weeks ago, and Charles MaHaney was called home about 2 years ago. My aunt Priscilla not long ago too entered from this life to HIS life. My great grandparents were the first missionaries to Japan ever that is where my heritage began. They gave their up their comfort zone for HIM and went far away to another world so that they could take the gospel to a land where not many had ever heard of Jesus. So many have gone home who didn't waver but were sold out, anchored and knew what sacrifice was all about for it was a part of their everyday life. We all have those who are and have been in our lives who have influenced us to stay the course, to not give up no matter how difficult the challenges may be.
I look at my parents who have also given their lives for HIM and HIS Kingdom...I know it hasn't always been an easy path, but their faith and trust in HIM along with following HIS purpose and will have kept them strong and on the right path.
I received a text from mother this morning, they are leaving for Scotland to preach a conference but were in New York over the weekend speaking. Her text went something like this, "The entire service was in the Puerto Rican language but they interpreted for dad when he preached; Their worship humbled me and "I was in awe." She said. "They were such a beautiful, humble and sweet people; We were in a building above a Mcdonalds where the subway was above us so it was loud but we continued to worship. There was no air conditioning in the building and it was 90 degrees but it didnt stop the people from having church." She went on to tell me that she wept and was deeply humbled, moved and thankful. She is convinced that there are so many people in America who still need to know HIM.
I look at my parents and see two people who are and have been willing to walk through doors that HE opens whether it be 25 thousand people or 100 people that they just want to help others and do HIS will. Of course she and dad would probably not want me to post this about them for they always say, "Their reward is in heaven." I look at my parents and my husbands parents who have been following Him for so many years no matter how tough it gets they just keep going for they realized a long time ago that its "all" for Him. Asbel read Luke 6:36 this morning..The message goes like this..."There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular." Our elders knew this and lived by it!
I was and still am very moved, touched and determined to change my attitude to think more like the Roman Wrestlers, Manguns, Freemans, my parents, and husbands parents and so many others who weren't afraid to be different who held on even when the going got tough....Who are you really following today?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Who am I really following? part 1
This morning I read out of my mother's Devotional book, "Diamonds for Dusty roads." One of the stories in today's devotion totally got me and put a big lump in my throat and then the tears started coming.....
The following story goes like this:
One of the more heroic stories ever told about standing right was in the days of the Roman Emperor Nero. There lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the "Emperor's Wrestlers." Fine, stalwart men, picked from the best and the bravest of the land. In the great amphitheater they stood before each contest, before the emperor's throne and sang, "We the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victor's crown." When the great Roman army was sent to fight in faraway Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many Roman soldiers had accepted the christian faith. Therefore the decree was dispatched to the centurion Vespasian. "If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Chrisitan, they must die!" The decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian read the emperor's message. He called the soldiers together and asked the question, "Is there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward." Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted and stood at attention. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said, "The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice and I shall leave you to the mercy of the elements. " The forty wrestlers were stipped and then, falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake. As they marched, they broke into the chant of the arena, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Through the long hours of the night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came to him fainter and fainter the wrestler's song. As the morning drew near, one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; he had renounced his Lord. Faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: "Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire, then took off his helmet and clothing and sprang upon the ice, crying, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee, the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown."
Wow is right! They gave up their lives for HIM. And by their example their "Head Chief" gave up his life and followed their Lord because he was so moved by their faith and trust in their God, Jesus Christ!
The following story goes like this:
One of the more heroic stories ever told about standing right was in the days of the Roman Emperor Nero. There lived and served him a band of soldiers known as the "Emperor's Wrestlers." Fine, stalwart men, picked from the best and the bravest of the land. In the great amphitheater they stood before each contest, before the emperor's throne and sang, "We the wrestlers, wrestling for thee, O Emperor, to win for thee the victory and from thee, the victor's crown." When the great Roman army was sent to fight in faraway Gaul, no soldiers were braver or more loyal than this band of wrestlers led by their centurion Vespasian. But news reached Nero that many Roman soldiers had accepted the christian faith. Therefore the decree was dispatched to the centurion Vespasian. "If there be any among your soldiers who cling to the faith of the Chrisitan, they must die!" The decree was received in the dead of winter. The soldiers were camped on the shore of a frozen lake. It was with sinking heart that Vespasian read the emperor's message. He called the soldiers together and asked the question, "Is there any among you who cling to the faith of the Christian? If so, let him step forward." Forty wrestlers instantly stepped forward two paces, respectfully saluted and stood at attention. Vespasian pleaded with them long and earnestly without prevailing upon a single man to deny his Lord. Finally he said, "The decree of the emperor must be obeyed, but I am not willing that your comrades should shed your blood. I am going to order that you march out upon the lake of ice and I shall leave you to the mercy of the elements. " The forty wrestlers were stipped and then, falling into columns of four, marched toward the center of the lake. As they marched, they broke into the chant of the arena, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Through the long hours of the night Vespasian stood by his campfire and watched. As he waited through the long night, there came to him fainter and fainter the wrestler's song. As the morning drew near, one figure, overcome by exposure, crept quietly toward the fire; he had renounced his Lord. Faintly but clearly from the darkness came the song: "Thirty-nine wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for thee the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown!" Vespasian looked at the figure drawing close to the fire, then took off his helmet and clothing and sprang upon the ice, crying, "Forty wrestlers, wrestling for Thee, O Christ, to win for Thee, the victory and from Thee, the victor's crown."
Wow is right! They gave up their lives for HIM. And by their example their "Head Chief" gave up his life and followed their Lord because he was so moved by their faith and trust in their God, Jesus Christ!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
No Problems, No Profit! (By Asbel Montes)
No Problems, No Profit!
What does that mean? If that statement is true, do we need to redesign our thinking on how we view problems?
How do you view problems that you encounter daily? Do you tend to get frustrated with your employees or yourself when problems occur? Do you immediately look for someone to blame?
Dr. Henry Cloud in the book Integrity makes the following statement regarding problems: “The individuals who succeed in life are the ones who realize that life is largely about solving problems. The ones who can get with that find much success, and the ones who can’t, don’t.”
So if life is largely about solving problems, as a leader are you equipping yourself daily with the resources to resolve these problems efficiently, expediently and effectively? Understanding that life is about problems is only the first step, a leader must equip themselves to deal with and resolve these problems. A person’s character will determine if they are successful or unsuccessful.
As a leader, if you are not constantly facing problems and providing resolutions your department or company is declining. Notice that you must provide resolutions to these problems if your department or business unit is to be successful and profitable. Merely facing and understanding a problem is not enough. A leader must provide resolutions and lead their staff. Each problem is viewed as an opportunity to make things better.
The next time you encounter a problem, take ownership of the results and do not try to excuse or blame someone else. Blame is the parking brake for improvement! – Dr. Henry Cloud
Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric from 1981 - 2001, sums it up best with regards to his view of problems and mistakes. He would listen to other people, obtain more data and figure it out. He stated that “it is not useful to beat other people up when they make mistakes. To the contrary that’s the time to coach, encourage them, and help them regain their confidence.”
(Asbel is Executive VP of Client Services for Acadian)
What does that mean? If that statement is true, do we need to redesign our thinking on how we view problems?
How do you view problems that you encounter daily? Do you tend to get frustrated with your employees or yourself when problems occur? Do you immediately look for someone to blame?
Dr. Henry Cloud in the book Integrity makes the following statement regarding problems: “The individuals who succeed in life are the ones who realize that life is largely about solving problems. The ones who can get with that find much success, and the ones who can’t, don’t.”
So if life is largely about solving problems, as a leader are you equipping yourself daily with the resources to resolve these problems efficiently, expediently and effectively? Understanding that life is about problems is only the first step, a leader must equip themselves to deal with and resolve these problems. A person’s character will determine if they are successful or unsuccessful.
As a leader, if you are not constantly facing problems and providing resolutions your department or company is declining. Notice that you must provide resolutions to these problems if your department or business unit is to be successful and profitable. Merely facing and understanding a problem is not enough. A leader must provide resolutions and lead their staff. Each problem is viewed as an opportunity to make things better.
The next time you encounter a problem, take ownership of the results and do not try to excuse or blame someone else. Blame is the parking brake for improvement! – Dr. Henry Cloud
Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric from 1981 - 2001, sums it up best with regards to his view of problems and mistakes. He would listen to other people, obtain more data and figure it out. He stated that “it is not useful to beat other people up when they make mistakes. To the contrary that’s the time to coach, encourage them, and help them regain their confidence.”
(Asbel is Executive VP of Client Services for Acadian)
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