Laughter is a great stress reducer. If you have never read Norman Cousins’ account of his experience of self-healing as described in Anatomy of an Illness, I encourage you to do so. When diagnosed with an incurable illness, he brought a movie projector into his hospital room and watched reel after reel of old classic comedy movies, laughing himself into hysterics. He found he could relieve his otherwise significant pain on a consistent basis through laughter. That practice, along with some other novel therapies, resulted in his healing. He left his prestigious journalistic career and taught on the faculty of a major medical school about the power of the mind and emotions in healing the body of disease.
Next to love, laughter has been described as the second-most powerful emotion we can express. It has been said that laughter is like internal jogging—it stimulates the respiratory system, oxygenates the body, relaxes tense muscles, and releases pleasure-producing chemicals in the brain. You cannot laugh and be mad, laugh and be tense, laugh and be stressed. Laughter is low-calorie, caffeine-free, and has no salt, preservatives, or additives. It’s 100 percent natural and one size fits all.
Laughter is truly God’s gift to humankind. You can get high on laughter but never overdose. Laughter is contagious—once it starts little can be done to stop it. Laughter never felt bad, committed a crime, started a war or broke up a relationship. Laughter is shared by the giver and the receiver. Laughter costs nothing and it’s non-taxable. Laughter is a trend-setter. If we can find ways to laugh first thing in the morning, it may in fact set the trend for the rest of the day.
Let me close by telling you the most important use of laughter I have ever discovered: The ability to laugh at ourselves. I stopped taking myself too seriously years ago and it was the best decision I ever made. Don’t get me wrong—I’m still serious about what I do. But not so serious that I can’t be the first one to laugh when I mess up (which happens all too often—it’s why I spend so much time laughing!). When you’re the first person to laugh at yourself, you leave little room for others to laugh at you.
This is adapted from Zig’s book Better than Good.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Obedience-Based Decisions by Os Hillman
Acts 5:32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
So often we as a society equate numbers with success. The larger the conference, the more successful we deem it. The larger a church, the more we believe that God is blessing. And so on. I recall planning a conference one time. Registrations were not where I felt they needed to be a few weeks before the date of the event. It wasn't long before I began to get "under the pile" about the level of attendance. My friend, who was organizing this conference with me, called and asked how I was doing. I had to confess where I was. He immediately reminded me of my own teaching in this area. We are all called to be led by the Spirit, not by outcomes. "If God called us to put on this conference, then the outcome is up to Him if we have done our part." He went on to explain how he learned this lesson in a similar way a few years earlier.
He and a friend were led to host a Bible study group. His friend was to speak. It was nine o'clock and they were the only two people there. His friend was discouraged and was ready to leave.
"No," said my friend. "We have done what the Holy Spirit directed." He then stood up and began to welcome people as though there were many in the room. (No one was in the room.) He introduced his friend and they began the meeting. A few minutes later, people began to straggle in. By the time the meeting was over, ten had shown up, and one man in particular was impacted by the meeting.
Being led by the Spirit often means we must not use the world's standard for success as our measuring stick. You never know what an act of obedience will yield at the time. We must leave results to God. Our role is to obey. His role is to bring results from our obedience.
Do you make decisions based on the potential outcome or by the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you overly evaluate the pros and cons without consideration to what the Holy Spirit might be saying deep inside? We are all prone to make decisions based on reasoning alone. Ask God to give you a willingness and ability to hear the Holy Spirit and to obey His promptings.
So often we as a society equate numbers with success. The larger the conference, the more successful we deem it. The larger a church, the more we believe that God is blessing. And so on. I recall planning a conference one time. Registrations were not where I felt they needed to be a few weeks before the date of the event. It wasn't long before I began to get "under the pile" about the level of attendance. My friend, who was organizing this conference with me, called and asked how I was doing. I had to confess where I was. He immediately reminded me of my own teaching in this area. We are all called to be led by the Spirit, not by outcomes. "If God called us to put on this conference, then the outcome is up to Him if we have done our part." He went on to explain how he learned this lesson in a similar way a few years earlier.
He and a friend were led to host a Bible study group. His friend was to speak. It was nine o'clock and they were the only two people there. His friend was discouraged and was ready to leave.
"No," said my friend. "We have done what the Holy Spirit directed." He then stood up and began to welcome people as though there were many in the room. (No one was in the room.) He introduced his friend and they began the meeting. A few minutes later, people began to straggle in. By the time the meeting was over, ten had shown up, and one man in particular was impacted by the meeting.
Being led by the Spirit often means we must not use the world's standard for success as our measuring stick. You never know what an act of obedience will yield at the time. We must leave results to God. Our role is to obey. His role is to bring results from our obedience.
Do you make decisions based on the potential outcome or by the direction of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you overly evaluate the pros and cons without consideration to what the Holy Spirit might be saying deep inside? We are all prone to make decisions based on reasoning alone. Ask God to give you a willingness and ability to hear the Holy Spirit and to obey His promptings.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Labor That Works Miracles by Jim Rohn
Two thousand years ago on April 15th one of Jesus' disciples came to him and said it was time to pay taxes (that's how I know it was around April 15th), but they had no money. In response to his disciple's statement Jesus said "no problem". Now why could he say "no problem"? Well, word had it that Jesus was a miracle worker. If you hand a problem to a miracle worker what they are inclined to say is "no problem". You've got to hang out with people like that.
I belong to a small group and we do business around the world. These guys are all miracle workers. What an incredible group. If you hand any of them a problem guess what they say, "no problem". How many books will they read to solve a problem? As many as it takes. If they need to consult - how much consulting will they do? As much as it takes. How early will they get up? As early as it takes. "No problem"... you got to hang out with people like that. You cannot believe the thrill of being associated with miracle workers, people who will do whatever it takes to get the job done and perform miracles.
When asked about paying the taxes Jesus said it was "no problem". In fact, he said it was going to be easy - he told the disciple to just go fishing. Now it couldn't have been any easier than that, especially for this disciple whose name was Peter, because Peter was a fisherman. Now if you can fish and you should fish and you don't fish - then that is why you do not get a miracle. But Jesus told his disciple to go fishing and the first fish that he caught to look in its mouth. Peter, who was used to strange things happening, agreed. Well, the first fish Peter catches, he looks in its mouth and finds coins. Peter then adds up the coins and they are exactly enough to pay his and Jesus' taxes.
"Wow!", you might say, "That is a miracle!" Here is why we call it a miracle - simply because we don't quite understand how it works. That's all. Doesn't mean it doesn't work, it just means we don't quite understand how it works. Which is true of all miracles. In fact, for most of us – our whole life is a miracle.
How about this miracle... God says if you plant the seed I will make the tree. Wow, you can't have a better arrangement than that. First, it gives God the tough end of the deal. What if you had to make a tree? That would keep you up late at night trying to figure out how to make a tree. God says, "No, leave the miracle part to me. I've got the seed, the soil, the sunshine, the rain and the seasons. I'm God and all this miracles stuff is easy for me. I have reserved something very special for you and that is to plant the seed."
I have found in life that if you want a miracle you first need to do whatever it is you can do - if that's to plant, then plant; if it is to read, then read; if it is to change, then change; if it is to study, then study; if it is to work, then work; whatever you have to do. And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles.
To Your Success,Jim Rohn
I belong to a small group and we do business around the world. These guys are all miracle workers. What an incredible group. If you hand any of them a problem guess what they say, "no problem". How many books will they read to solve a problem? As many as it takes. If they need to consult - how much consulting will they do? As much as it takes. How early will they get up? As early as it takes. "No problem"... you got to hang out with people like that. You cannot believe the thrill of being associated with miracle workers, people who will do whatever it takes to get the job done and perform miracles.
When asked about paying the taxes Jesus said it was "no problem". In fact, he said it was going to be easy - he told the disciple to just go fishing. Now it couldn't have been any easier than that, especially for this disciple whose name was Peter, because Peter was a fisherman. Now if you can fish and you should fish and you don't fish - then that is why you do not get a miracle. But Jesus told his disciple to go fishing and the first fish that he caught to look in its mouth. Peter, who was used to strange things happening, agreed. Well, the first fish Peter catches, he looks in its mouth and finds coins. Peter then adds up the coins and they are exactly enough to pay his and Jesus' taxes.
"Wow!", you might say, "That is a miracle!" Here is why we call it a miracle - simply because we don't quite understand how it works. That's all. Doesn't mean it doesn't work, it just means we don't quite understand how it works. Which is true of all miracles. In fact, for most of us – our whole life is a miracle.
How about this miracle... God says if you plant the seed I will make the tree. Wow, you can't have a better arrangement than that. First, it gives God the tough end of the deal. What if you had to make a tree? That would keep you up late at night trying to figure out how to make a tree. God says, "No, leave the miracle part to me. I've got the seed, the soil, the sunshine, the rain and the seasons. I'm God and all this miracles stuff is easy for me. I have reserved something very special for you and that is to plant the seed."
I have found in life that if you want a miracle you first need to do whatever it is you can do - if that's to plant, then plant; if it is to read, then read; if it is to change, then change; if it is to study, then study; if it is to work, then work; whatever you have to do. And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles.
To Your Success,Jim Rohn
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Consistency
Recently, I just pondered upon the fact that our walk with God can sometimes be one turbulent affair.. Sometimes, we can be so on fire for God, then at other times, we can get tired and don't feel like worshipping God.. But God is merciful and His grace is sufficient for us to seek His forgiveness... and we can get back to His presence once again..
My question during this time is: How can we stay consistent, and constantly on fire for God.. to hunger for Him, to know Him more and more, to want to experience Him everyday of our lives, so much so that we can't live a day without Him...??
The answer came to light as I was having a chat with Pastor Mark before he left for Haggai Institute on a leadership training program.. He says to surround ourselves with excited people all out to seek God.. His youths were what kept him and Aye Lan going.. And from there, i understood the point he's making..
I have learnt that before, but somehow discouragement sets in from time to time and I have to constantly remind myself to stay focused on God.. Then i realised i have been trying to do it on my own.. To a certain extent, I am able to control my thoughts to put a godly perspective to negative situations and circumstances in my life.. but i guess in the long run.. i might burn out.. So to keep myself always pumped up.. I have to surround myself with excited godly people who are on fire for God.. and wants to see more of God in their lives...
Excitement feeds on excitement... Enthusiasm feeds on enthusiasm... and i know that the most important step right now is to commit my ways to Him, and then work on improving myself one step at a time.. to make it a habit to guard my heart and my thoughts by focusing on the positive.. to dwell on the holy, the noble things of God.. (Phil 4:8).. and i know that by doing so, i can bring excitement to the cell group.. and from there they get fed by this enthusiasm.. and we keep one another motivated to run the race for Him!
i truly desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled.. the salvation of more people.. that i can serve alongside more disciples for His Kingdom.. that we are strengthened in the knowledge of the Word of God.. and filled with His Holy Spirit.. that we live an abundant life in Christ Jesus!
So thank You O God for this renewal of heart.. may this body of mine be used for the glorification of Your Name.. as I devote my life to stay consistent and be hungry to seek You everyday.. that You grant me strength so that I can soar on wings like an eagle.. and most important of all, that more people can experience Your great love for them.. Amen!
My question during this time is: How can we stay consistent, and constantly on fire for God.. to hunger for Him, to know Him more and more, to want to experience Him everyday of our lives, so much so that we can't live a day without Him...??
The answer came to light as I was having a chat with Pastor Mark before he left for Haggai Institute on a leadership training program.. He says to surround ourselves with excited people all out to seek God.. His youths were what kept him and Aye Lan going.. And from there, i understood the point he's making..
I have learnt that before, but somehow discouragement sets in from time to time and I have to constantly remind myself to stay focused on God.. Then i realised i have been trying to do it on my own.. To a certain extent, I am able to control my thoughts to put a godly perspective to negative situations and circumstances in my life.. but i guess in the long run.. i might burn out.. So to keep myself always pumped up.. I have to surround myself with excited godly people who are on fire for God.. and wants to see more of God in their lives...
Excitement feeds on excitement... Enthusiasm feeds on enthusiasm... and i know that the most important step right now is to commit my ways to Him, and then work on improving myself one step at a time.. to make it a habit to guard my heart and my thoughts by focusing on the positive.. to dwell on the holy, the noble things of God.. (Phil 4:8).. and i know that by doing so, i can bring excitement to the cell group.. and from there they get fed by this enthusiasm.. and we keep one another motivated to run the race for Him!
i truly desire to see the Great Commission fulfilled.. the salvation of more people.. that i can serve alongside more disciples for His Kingdom.. that we are strengthened in the knowledge of the Word of God.. and filled with His Holy Spirit.. that we live an abundant life in Christ Jesus!
So thank You O God for this renewal of heart.. may this body of mine be used for the glorification of Your Name.. as I devote my life to stay consistent and be hungry to seek You everyday.. that You grant me strength so that I can soar on wings like an eagle.. and most important of all, that more people can experience Your great love for them.. Amen!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
As A Deer by Joe Stowell
Wow.. This is one great article that opened up my mind why King David chose a deer to identify his hunger and thirst for God...
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." Psalm 42:1
Several years ago my wife Martie and I had the unique experience of going on a camel safari in the desert of the United Arab Emirates. We rocked back and forth on top of those ugly beasts for an hour as we perused the quiet of the desert. In the course of describing the attributes of camels, our guide mentioned that they could live for 3 months without water. They are obviously built for the desert.
What a contrast to the sleek, “type A” gazelle the writer had in mind in Psalm 42. Bounding through the meadows and the forests, the deer is satisfied and sustained on a regular basis by water. He needs it and yearns for it in his fast-paced existence.
How easy it is in the midst of our abundance to be far more like the camel than the deer. Rarely sensing a need for God, some people can go for months without desiring Him. For some of us, life has been a long stretch of religious and secular activity without any sense of utter dependence on Him or sincere desire to know Him. The problem is that we weren’t built for life in a spiritual desert. We were built—redeemed, in fact—for regular, satisfying access to the refreshing presence of God in our souls.
So what is it that keeps us from really longing for and seeking Him? Of all the things that make us like the camel, none is so glaring as the sin of self-sufficiency. We have relegated Jesus to the sidelines, while we go about our business. Cultivating him as our soul mate and supreme necessity for life has somehow escaped us. But it hasn’t escaped Him. He still knocks at our heart’s door to offer the sweet fellowship that only He can bring (Revelation 3:20).
Let’s drink deeply, living in Jesus more like a deer and less like a camel.
YOUR JOURNEY…
Am I more like the camel or the deer? Why?
*A deer, I can't live without God.
Do I spend time in the Word daily? If yes, what have I been learning? If no, why have I been neglecting this time with God?
*Yes.. daily! This past week, I have been praying about the great commission given by Lord Jesus: church growth, cell group growth, personal growth.. I think this is our number 1 purpose in life.. and that's why I focus myself to look into my personal mission statement - to make disciples of all nations, help us all grow strong in God's Word, to be full of Holy Spirit's fire, that we can live an abundant life in Christ!
What have I just learned about my self-sufficiency? How has God’s Spirit and Word refreshed me today?
* There were times i want to feel like a camel, to be self-sufficient in terms of finance, but I realised if I put my focus on You O God, and seek Your Kingdom first, You have always blessed me with more than enough. So dear Lord, may You reign in my life, even as I grow in wealth, help me to remember that it is You who has given me the ability to create wealth.. that i apply the parable of talents correctly, to be a good steward of all that You have given me.. to do good, to honor dear2, to honor parents, to bless Your church, to bless others, to remember the poor.. that we can all live an abundant life where You are glorified beyond measure. Praise You O God! Amen!
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