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Posted: Sunday, February 19, 2012
An excerpt from
May You Be Blessed
by Kate Nowak |
It happened a few days after my father's death, in that mind-numbing period of adjustment after someone we love leaves us. Having gone shopping for necessities for my trip back to my own home, I was standing in an otherwise empty aisle of a large chain store when suddenly I sneezed, the last vestiges of an allergy attack I'd fought earlier in the week.
Almost instantly, from the next aisle over I heard a voice call out, "Bless you," and then another, and another, and yet another. All in all, in the span of only a few seconds, I counted eleven different voices coming from every possible direction in the store, some saying "God bless you," others using the word "gezundheit," but all blessing me, all calling good down upon me.
At first I thought little of it. After all the idea of blessing someone when they sneeze is rooted in superstition, an archaic belief that in the act of sneezing the soul is thrown from the body, and a blessing is needed for spiritual protection.
Today, it is usually offered as no more than a courtesy, a polite response that has come to be socially accepted and expected. But on that particular day, in the first few moments following all those blessings being called out to me, I began to notice a difference in myself: A slight shift in perception that left me feeling more connected and empowered than I had in days. It also left me, for the first time since my father's passing, more confident that everything would be all right.
Driving back to my father's house that day, I continued periodic "feelings" checks, marveling at how much stronger I felt. Later, sitting in my parent's kitchen for what would be one of the last times, I recounted the story to my stepmother. "Do you think any of them realized what they were saying?" she asked. "Or was it just out of habit?"
"Just habit," I answered with a shrug, thinking about what a shame it was that people could give such a needed gift as a blessing and not even be aware of what they had done. "It should be a habit, this business of blessing others," I said a moment later. "But it would be nice if people actually knew they could and were making a difference."
A seed was planted that day and two years later it sprouted, awakening me one morning to a gentle soul-whisper that poured forth as the words of a special blessing. Feeling compelled to take pen and paper from my nightstand, I prodded myself into full wakefulness and then sat on the edge of the bed, like a secretary poised for dictation, pen ready to capture each syllable as the inspired words flowed into my awareness.
Because of the power of the internet, those words have since been sent across the planet and read by millions, and as a result, I have received thousands of letters from people telling me how May You Be Blessed has impacted their lives. And in each and every instance I have found myself blessed in return.
I have often wondered since if my newfound work as a dispatcher of blessings is the result of a serendipitous accident that placed me in a crowded store on a day when I was both prone to sneeze, and to listen to subtle nudges from the heart. Or was it, perhaps, that my father's gentle spirit was present that day, inspiring others to offer blessings so that I might be lifted up?
Of course, it is a question I cannot answer, but I do know that since that time my life has changed remarkably. Each day is now entirely centered on the act of blessing and I have come to recognize it not only as one of the most powerful and practical ways we have for reconnecting with each other, our world and Life itself, but also the most phenomenal way possible to lead us to happiness and success. It is a discovery I now endeavor daily to share with all.
A blessing, I have come to realize, is a sweet release from pain; a sacred reminder that we are made of love and light and goodness and, as such, part of a greater and most wondrous whole. It is an ancient key to a successful and fulfilling life.
Today, whenever I share with others this phenomenal key, explaining how, as we each develop the habit of blessing others we are blessing our own lives, as well, I feel as if I have been given a wonderful gift. I realize once again how truly blessed I am. It is my hope that as you read this book and allow the words of this blessing to enter your heart, you will be blessed in return. I could not ask for anything sweeter to my soul than that. |
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Posted: Friday, February 17, 2012
 Today's the day to become "the change you wish to see in the world." It's Random Acts of Kindness Day.
So, do something nice for someone else today. Start with passing along this 3-minute movie about The Power of Kindness to friends, family and co-workers.
Together, we can create a ripple that will change the world. Click here to watch.
Posted: Sunday, February 5, 2012
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by Mac Anderson Life can be complicated, but happiness...is simple. Of course, we try our best to make it complicated, but if we look closely, it's really very simple. And that's what this little book is all about...Simple Secrets to a Happy Life!
My goal is to have you sit down in a quiet place, and to slowly soak up every simple page. Don't hurry, just take a deep breath, read each thought, and reflect on how it might apply to your life. Think about what is...and what could be, if your mind and heart is open to change.
But here is the real key to making this book all it can be...keep it close, and read it often. Because in a perfect world we read something once, record it in our brain, and never need to read it again.
Well, I don't know about you, but my world is far from perfect. I have doubts, fears and disappointments in my life, and I need doses of inspiration to bring me back to where I should be...to re-direct me to what's really important in life.
And this little book, if you'll let it, can be that source of inspiration! In just a few minutes it can put a smile on your face, and in your heart when you need it most.
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Posted: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
 A Cup of Cold Water
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Give what you have. To someone it may be better than you dare to think. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a deciple, verily I say unto, he shall in no wise lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42 KJV).
The bearers of Jesus' word receive a final word of promise for their work. They are now Christ's fellow-workers, and will be like Him in all things. Thus they are to meet those to whom they are sent as if they were Christ Himself.
When they are welcomed into a house, Christ enters with them. They are bearers of his presence. They bring with them the most precious gift in the world, the gift of Jesus Christ. And with Him they bring God the Father, and that means indeed forgiveness and salvation, life and bliss. That is the reward and fruit of their toil and suffering.
Every service we render then is service to Christ Himself. This means grace for the church and grace for the deciple in equal measure. The church will be readier to give them its service and honor, for with them the Lord Himself had entered into their midst. But the deciples are given to understand that when they enter into a house they do not enter in vain. They bring with them an incompatible gift.
It is a law of the kingdom of God that every person shall participate in the gift which we receive as a gift from God. The man who receives a prophet and knows what he is doing will participate in the prophet's cause, his gift, and his reward. He who receives a righteous man will receive the rewards of a righteous man, for he has become a partner in His righteousness. He who offers a cup of cold water to the weakest and poorest who bears no honorable name has mininsered to Christ Himself, and Jesus Christ will be His reward.
Thus the deciples are bidden lastly to think, not about their own way, their own suffering, and their own reward, but of the goal of their labors, which is the salvation of the church.
Give, and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. -Luke 6:38 NV
God gives us two hands--one to receive with and one to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing. -Billy Graham
Posted: Sunday, January 1, 2012
The First Fruit of the Spirit
Dwight L. Moody
"True Christianity is love in action. - David O. McKay
The fruit of the Spirit is love. What a heavenly grace love is! It has its center in the heart, but its circumference sweeps, like omnipresence, around everything. Love is a grace of boundless scope. We love God. It is the only way in which we can embrace Him fully. We love His dear Son as He is. We love the ever-blessed Spirit as He is.
Following upon this, for God's sake we love the creatures He has made. Every tiny fly is sacred to our souls as God's creature. Our love climbs to heaven, sits among the angels and bows among them in lowliest attitude, but in due time our love scoops to earth, visits the haunts of depravity, cheers the garrets of poverty, and sanctifies the dens of blasphemy, for it loves the lost. Love knows no outcast; it has cast out none.It talks not of the "lapsed masses," for none have lapsed from its regard. Love hopes good for all, and plans good for all. While it can soar to glory it can descend to sorrow.
Love is a grace connected to eternity, for we shall never cease to love Him who first loved us. But love has also to do with this present world, for it is at home in feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, nursing the sick, and liberating the slave. Love delights in visiting the fatherless and the widows, and thus it earns the encomium, "I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye came unto me" (Mathew 25:35).
Love has to do with friends and family.How fondly it nestles in the parental bosom! How sweetly it smiles from a mother's eye! How closely it walks along the ways of life, leaning on the arm of friendship! But love is not content with this. She embraces her enemy; she heaps coals of fire upon her adversary's head; she prays for them that despitefully use her and persecute her. Is not this a precious jewel indeed? What earthly thing can be compared to it?
In the list of the fruit of the Spirit, love is the first. It is the first because in some respect it is best. First, because it leads the way. First, because it becomes the motive and stimulant of every other grace and virtue.
Love fulfills the whole law. You cannot say that of any other virtue. Yet, while it fulfills the law, it is not legalistic.
Love, moreover, is Godlike, for God is love. Love prepares us for heaven, where everything is love. Come, sweet Spirit, and rest upon us till our nature is transformed into the divine nature by our burning flames of love.Oh, that it were so with us this very day!
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:34-35 NIV
These Christians love each other even before they are acquainted. -Saint Celsus
Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Loving People I Don't Like
Jerry White/ Transcribed by: Chaplain Jerry Dumont
"The difference between duty and love is that the first represents Sinai and the second represents Calvary." - Richard Braunstien
A part of living under the lordship of Christ is allowing unlovable people into our lives, people who we would never choose on our own. They enter our lives, often like a storm, disturbing our tranquility and testing our patience.
Paul gives some guidelines for dealing with these people: "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:1-2,7 NAS).
The first requisite for loving the unlovable is to realize how Christ accepted you. Where would you be today without Him? What if His acceptance had been conditional? Realize that right now Christ fully accepts you as you are, full of imperfections and problems, all of which He knows completely.
The second emerges from a basic decision to accept everyone God brings across your path. In God's plan there are no accidental meetings. In each encounter God has a purpose for both the needy person and you. You may be the one who can really help and counsel the person.
Determine to be an encouragement to everyone whom God brings across your path. It cost little to say a kind word and to communicate a sense of support. But like the girl who doesn't want to encourage a suitor, we fear that the kind words will lead to further demands. Such is the risk.
[I need to remember that] through the years others have so graciously put up with my pestering personality. During my early days of [ministry], I knew I was abrasive and demanding. Many of my friends graciously ignored these signs, helping me to grow. Even today, I know I can irritate people of a particular personality type, yet they accept me.
I appreciate the instruction of Hebrews 13: "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13: 1-3 NIV).
We never know where a kindness will lead, because only God can see the potential of the man or woman in our presence. *
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. - 1 Peter 1:22 NIV
God's love for poor sinners is very wonderful, but God's patience with ill-natured saints is a deeper mystery. - Henry Drummond
Posted: Friday, August 5, 2011
Purple Heart Riders are “pro-active” in the way they ride. In other words, they take the initiative in being safe on the highways. Each rider must have confidence in their skills to control the bike in any situation. Bikers can find themselves in difficult circumstances on the road; a slick spot on the road, a hole in the road, crazy pedestrians taking cell phones while driving and the like. There was a time when I rode in fear. Now I trust in Christ to protect me when riding; to remove the “ruts in the road” from dumping me. I ride in confidence and peace knowing I can trust in Him to warn me of oncoming danger!
It is the same in life. Combat was hell on earth. Many of us developed “foxhole religion”. We turned to chaplains for our confidence to live through it. I remember, I leaned on every word he said just before hearing those dreaded words, “Lock and Load.” I learned that didn’t work every time. The fear remained and terrible things happened. Since, I have learned the chaplain only spoke from his understanding. I needed to hear from God!
We must take the initiative to trust Christ. ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). The Psalmist is emphatic about his declaration, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass" (Psalms 35:3, 5). Consider this key advice given to us. The writers speak of utilizing pro-active measures, such as trusting God, doing good works, committing to Him, dwelling in His land, acknowledging, feeding, or leaning on Him, in our faith walk with God. In addition, they speak of the results of these pro-active measures, bringing it to pass or directing our paths. Did you notice the concepts of the writers blend perfectly? My point is this. The successful life of a believer is dependent upon these variables: trust in and commitment to God, acknowledgment of His care for us, and our surrender to His sovereignty in our life. “He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:6 actually translates, “He will make smooth or straight your path.” That means God will take the harmful effects of the “ruts in life” from you. God can be trusted while riding down the road on your bike or traveling through life. Be pro-active in your belief in Him. Your life can be a living testimony to God’s providential care of His people. “If you want favor with both God and man, and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust in the Lord completely; don’t ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success" (Proverbs 3:5, 6 TLB).
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