A Family's Story of Faith

THE PARABLE OF THE TALENTS

2010-06-09T00:08:00.000-07:00

This famous parable that Jesus used has a lot to teach us about our money if we let it. Below is the parable and a few of my thoughts about it…

Matthew 25:14-30

For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. “To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.

“Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. “In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. “But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

“Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. “The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

“Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.’ “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’

“And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. ‘And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.’ “But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. ‘Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. ‘Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’

“For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Stewards are required to take risks

It is interesting to me how upset the master got with the steward who took no risks. The other two stewards did take risks and reaped the rewards. I often wonder why the parable didn’t contain a steward who lost some of the investment. But either way, I think we are led to believe that the primary frustration of the master was that the steward was lazy and didn’t even try.

He was called a, “wicked and lazy slave.” My take on this is that he was more frustrated with his laziness than his lack of production. The steward didn’t even put the talents in the bank to gain interest. The passage states that the master gave to each of them according to their ability. So, I think we can assume that the steward with one talent did have some ability, or else he wouldn’t have given him any.

If he did indeed have some ability to manage money, even with the smallest amount of ability he would have known that earning small interest at the bank is better than burying it!

I liken this to having a Vet watch your dog for the weekend and not feed it. Most everyone knows that you should feed a dog at least daily, but especially a vet. It is their profession – the thing they are skilled at doing and are entrusted to do.

So, the extreme amount of laziness this steward had to not at least put the talent in the bank, coupled with the fact that he let fear paralyze him from doing what he was expected to do infuriated the master.

The parable is speaking of money, but this can also be applied to the gifts and skills that God has entrusted us with. If I refuse to step out in a gift or skill that God has given me because I am afraid or lazy, I may be behaving the same way as the steward with one talent.

Luke 12:48

“…From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.”

Don’t compare yourself to others

The master in the parable didn’t give each steward the same amount. They all started with different amounts, not much different than this game of life that we are all in. Some people start with a lot, some with a little. But we are all judged based on what we did with what we had, rather than what we ended up with.

The great thing about this is that our success is not based on what people may think about us. God knows what He gave us to work with and He will see what we do with it. So, it doesn’t matter whether other people think you are a success or a failure – God’s definition of success is often quite different than man’s.

The master gave them each “according to their ability.” He knew a bit about their faithfulness and how likely they were to increase their talents. Turns out he delegated wisely.
Our money is not our own
We enter into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing.

One of the first lessons that I learned a few years ago that really changed the way I thought about money was that none of it is mine. It is all God’s. I have the privilege and opportunity to be a steward of what He has given me.

Once I began looking at my money this way, it changed my whole financial outlook and helped me to be more focused on pleasing God with the money entrusted to me.

Even if we spent our lives and ignored our responsibility as stewards, we still can’t take any of it with us. We might as well try to better the lives of those around us and store up treasure in heaven rather than down here.

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TRUSTING IN OUR GOD THROUGH THE RECESSION

2010-06-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

God has promised to supply all of my needs. It doesn’t matter whether it is a bear market, bull market, recession, depression, or anything else. This promise from Philippians 4:19 is not contingent on what the government is doing, the economy, or even our own ability. It is a promise from the only source in the universe that we can rest assured is going to back up what He promised.

Trusting in God is key. It is so easy to look at our checkbooks, credit card statements and get discouraged. But, God isn’t discouraged or even surprised at what is going on. He didn’t promise that we would never have challenges or that there wouldn’t be times when things looked bad. But He did say that He would never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6) and wants us to be encouraged in His faithfulness. My job as a Christian is to continue to trust Him regardless of whether things look good or bad.

It is faith (trust) that pleases God. In fact, the Bible says that without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). Whether I like it or not, the biggest faith tests are rarely when circumstances are going great, but are when things look bad or even impossible. The super-encouraging thing about this is that when I just keep on trusting God when things look bad, I am being very pleasing to Him!

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ARE WE GUILTY OF JEALOUSY?

2010-05-31T03:48:00.000-07:00

What ever happened to the days when people were genuinely happy for each other? You remember...those days when nobody ever wanted something that someone else had.....

Oh wait.....those days never existed.

Jealousy is probably one of the world's oldest emotions. It's been around since the beginning of time. Look at Cain and Abel. Now there's a prime example of jealousy run amok.......

What causes jealousy? Why does it start and how do you overcome it? Here are some common causes:
# Unmet expectations.
# Many times we place unrealistic expectations on ourselves and the people around us. Often times we feel things should come easier and faster to us. Then when things don't happen when we think they should, we ALWAYS run into someone who already has what we want, and all of a sudden, you feel this surge of ugly, green emotion called jealousy.Our sense of entitlement.
# For some reason we have this ingrained attitude that we are entitled to things. Kids leaving the nest for the first time believe their own standard of living should be the same as their parents, who have worked for years and years. Many times people who have financial problems feel "entitled" to buy things on credit, even though they know it's a bad idea. Having the nicest car and the newest toys is more important than getting out of debt.Insecurity.
It is so easy to look at other people and wish we had what they have. And so many times it doesn't stop there. We start berating ourselves internally about why we don't have it, then we believe all that junk, and the next thing you know we develop insecurities in our relationships.

After you read about all the stuff that can cause those feelings of jealousy, you may feel like you're doomed to always feeling like you'll be coming up short in some area of life. But that surely isn't the case. There IS some good news. There are some things you can do to stop the jealousy ball from rolling right over you.
# Stop Comparing yourself to other people.
# You were created as a very unique and special person. God had a plan for you long before you took your first breath. Relish that thought. Love the fact that you're special. What God has in mind for you isn't the same as for someone else. So you don't have to feel bad that you don't have all the qualities, features, money, or anything else that someone else has. Your journey is just that.....YOURS.Stop worrying about YOU all the time.
# Find a way to be a blessing to someone else. When you change your focus away from you, all of a sudden you feel so great about yourself. You get to experience something that only comes when you're a blessing to someone else. Your priorities start changing, and one day you realize that the things that used to make you so jealous and so nuts, don't bother you so much anymore.Stop wanting what other people have if you're not willing to go through what they did to get it.
# When you see a person who is physically fit and looks positively great, it's easy to feel REALLY jealous. But are you willing to work out every day? Are you willing to eat healthy and look for ways to be healthy? If you're not, then there really is no reason to feel jealous, is there?Start focusing on all that's positive in your life.
God has given you so many wonderful gifts that many other people don't have. Focus on using those gifts to help someone else. Since your mind can only consciously think about one thing at a time, doesn't it make sense to make sure that "one thing" is positive and is moving you toward the really great things in life?

Breaking free from jealousy starts with your thoughts. When you change the way you think, you change the way you feel and act. Change your focus to helping others......it will definitely be time well spent....or should I say....thoughts well spent.

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LETTING GOD DEVELOP OUR SELF ESTEEM

2010-05-31T03:32:00.000-07:00

Building self esteem is no different than a contractor building a structure. If the foundation is strong, the building won't fall down. But if the contractor skimps on this part of the process or uses the wrong materials, the building will never last.

Your own self esteem is your foundation. It is the product of many years of both positive and negative words and events in your life that you felt deeply and, more importantly, that you recorded in your mind.

It isn't easy to "undo" the parts of your self image that you view as negative. It's taken more than a day for you to get to where you are, and it will take more than a day to make a change.

But the good news is that it can be done! Here are four things you can start doing right now that will change things for the better.

1. Refuse to let other people fill your mind with nothing but negative stuff. If you're in relationship with people who do nothing but tear others down, it's time to find some new friends. Unfortunately, the old saying, "birds of a feather flock together" definitely applies in this situation. You tend to become like those you associate with.

2. Eliminate all the negative stuff you say to yourself every single day. You certainly shouldn't accept negative stuff from other people, so why should you accept it from yourself? Because your mind accepts everything you say as "truth", it is your brain's job to do everything it can to make sure that reality comes true.

3. Make it a point to look for the positive in every situation. You can't control everything in your life, but you can control how you respond to it. Every time you respond positively, you contribute to building someone else's self esteem, and that can only help build your own as well.

4. Don't ever tear down someone else's self esteem. It is possible to confront people without tearing them down personally. It isn't necessary to judge, criticize, or berate someone if a mistake is made. Just as you are guarding your own self image from negative stuff, make sure you're not responsible for spewing any yourself.

It is especially important to teach your kids about these steps. We all learn starting at birth, and the sooner your kids start thinking right, the sooner they'll act right. Make it their responsibility to make other kids feel good about themselves and tell them they need to be the example of right behavior. What a concept....kids teaching other kids to feel good about themselves. Above all of this make sure you trust God to develop your self esteem by what you fill yourself with. The bible says that from the abundance of our heart our mouth speaks.

LUKE 6: 45
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

DEVELOPING A GODLY PATIENCE

2010-05-31T03:15:00.000-07:00

Define Patience.....the Bible says it's a virtue. Yet people seem to be getting worse and worse at practicing this elusive skill. Why is that?

Perhaps it's the fact that we're all so "busy" with life that we can't consider taking the time to wait for someone else.

Perhaps we value our own time and our own agenda far more than the current needs of someone else.

Or perhaps we've become accustomed to rudeness and impatience as normal behavior. Is that sad or what?

I think most people would like to think they don't fall into one of those categories. In fact, I think most people would rather not think about whether they're patient at all.....after all, they have alot more important things to be thinking about. Or do they?

Learning how to be patient doesn't happen overnight, and it certainly isn't something you can learn in a book. Unfortunately, practicing patience can't be done unless you're in a situation that requires it. That means you're literally taking the test before you've learned the material.

One thing is for sure.....As long as you let other people make you nuts because they're not doing things exactly as you'd like, you're the one that's going to feel the stress and all that goes with it. AND YOU are the one that is going to be miserable because of it.

I used to be one of those people waiting in a check-out line that would be tapping my foot, looking at my watch, and constantly looking around to see if one of the other lines was getting shorter, faster. And it wasn't until I began studying this issue that I realized just what my behavior was doing to the cashier who was trying her best to move things along.

Some cashiers are very good at simply dismissing impatient people. They don't let them have any impact on their work or their attitude. I have to admire those kinds of people very much.

But what about the ones that take it personally? What about the ones who internalize all that negative stuff and let it affect their own self image? Can't you just hear some of the stuff they may be saying to themselves? Things like, "I'll never be good enough." Or "Why can't I do anything right?"

How would you feel if it was your own son or daughter having all that negative stuff dumped into them?

When you truly stop to consider the effects of impatience, perhaps it's a much bigger deal than you initially thought. Perhaps it would be worth some effort on your part to get good at being patient.

So.....how do you get good at being patient? What can you do now, that will help you the next time you find yourself in dire need of patience?

Here are some things that may help:
# Understand and ACCEPT that your agenda is not going to be at the top of everyone else's priority list. Just because you're in a hurry doesn't mean everyone is going to simply bend over backwards to do what you want, when you want it.

# Picture yourself being peaceful, patient, and kind in a stressful, hurried situation. See yourself getting through the situation without losing control. If you see it happen in your mind enough times, it will be alot easier the next time you're actually in the situation.

# Pray and ask God to help you. Trying hard to make changes on your own can often be an exercise in futility. But fortunately, God can step in and let you lean on Him to do what needs to be done. Nothing is too hard for Him so as long as you're willing to work with Him, you're most definitely on the right track.

# Let yourself off the hook. Even though you may want to make changes in this area, know and understand that it isn't going to happen overnight. After all, you've been an impatient person for a long time and you're probably pretty good at it. So becoming patient is going to take some time.

# Be happy about the progress you're making. Be happy every time you show patience. Be glad you've moving forward and treating others with respect and dignity. And mostly, be glad that you're not as bad as you used to be, but knowing you have a way to go.

# If you really want to speed up your progress, go the extra mile and say or do something that REALLY kills that spirit of impatience. Say something nice to the cashier. Be helpful. Go out of your way to be friendly. By the time you're through the line, everyone is going to feel alot better about the whole experience.

Becoming a patient person can be done. But just remember that practice makes patience......

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SPEAKING POSITIVITY OVER OURSELVES MEANS SPEAKING GOD'S WORD OVER OUR LIVES

2010-05-31T03:01:00.000-07:00

Why is it so much easier to have a negative attitude than a positive one? What's inside you that just naturally pulls you to the negative side of things?

You read the books, you attend the seminars, you buy the tapes.....and things seem to go well for awhile. You feel better, your outlook is better, and you're hopeful. That is.....until something happens that sends you reeling all over again.

It doesn't even have to be a major, catastrophic event to send you back to the land of negative thinking. It can be something as simple as someone cutting you off in traffic or pushing ahead of you in the grocery checkout line. What gives those seemingly simple occurrences of every day life so much power to literally throw you into a tizzy all over again?

Negative attitudes come from negative thoughts that come from reactions to negative behavior....and around the cycle goes. And you must know that none of this negative stuff is coming from God. There is nothing negative about the way He thinks or acts.

This never ending cycle continues because the source is never addressed. You "try hard" to be positive, attempting to over-ride how you truly feel. It's work pretending to be positive when inside you know all too well that it won't take long and one of those annoying life issues is going to creep up and dump all over your positive attitude.

So how do you put a stop to all this nonsense? How do you get to a place where your positive attitude is what's natural for you and not the other way around?

I wish I could give you a magic formula that, when applied correctly, would erase your negative attitude in 3 days. Yup, can't you just see the infomercial on a product like that? For just R19.95 you can have all your dreams come true. What a bargain! People would be lining up for this one.

But alas....the real world isn't quite so simple. But the good news is that there are some things you can do to help you transition from the land of negativity to a much more positive place.
# First, focus on what you're thinking about.
Remember when I said you seem stuck because you've never addressed the source of all of this? All your negative actions are coming from your negative thoughts. Your body goes right along with whatever your mind is telling it.

It is possible to control your thoughts, regardless of what you've been led to believe. As soon as a negative thought comes into your mind, purposefully make it a point to replace it with a positive one. At first, this may take some work, because chances are, you will probably have alot more negative thoughts in your head than positive ones. But eventually, that ratio will reverse itself.
# Second, stop letting other people's negative attitudes influence yours.
# This may mean you need to stop hanging around with people who do nothing but spout negative stuff. You can't afford it when your goal is to become more positive. The negative people in your life aren't going to like it when you will no longer participate. Just remember that birds of a feather really do flock together.Third, make a list of all the areas in your life that you want to change.
# List all your negative attitudes too. If you can't really think of things to put on your list, just ask your family. I'll bet they'll help you make it a REALLY LONG list.Fourth, take the time to write strong, life-giving, positive affirmative statements.
# Make a commitment to read those statements out loud every day. Enjoy how great they make you feel. Know in your heart that you're making progress, even if you can't see it just yet. Just keep affirming the positive.Lastly, take the time to pray about this.
You can't change by yourself. But you can spend time with the One who can help. You do what you can, and you let God do the rest. It really IS that simple.

This process will change how you think and that's the real key to changing how you act. Remember.....your body will follow right behind your thoughts. There is no way to separate the two, so you might as well "program in" what you want instead of randomly leaving it to chance.

Just know that God's version of right attitudes don't contain anything negative. And if you want God's best for your life, it starts with right thoughts.....His thoughts to be exact.

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LET GOD HELP YOU MANAGE STRESS

2010-05-31T02:51:00.000-07:00

Being a Christian doesn't insulate you from stress. In fact, finding ways to relieve stress is important for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Because anxiety and stress are pretty much everywhere you look these days, it gets increasingly harder to see what's causing it. Why are people so stressed? Who's putting all this pressure on you?

Amidst all the turmoil, if you're able to step back long enough to answer this question, you will most likely discover that person is you. Yup, you're creating most of your own stress because of your habits, attitudes, and choices.

So why not just change all that stuff? Everything should be great, shouldn't it? Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were just that easy? Unfortunately for those of us who live amongst all the chaos of life, making changes seems to add even more stress. Ugh.

So what are your options? Where do you start?
# Spend Time with God. As a Christian, your first line of defense should always be God's Word. Spending time with God gives you time to relax, reflect, and truly hear what God has to say about everything in your life. Slowly, little by little, God will work with you on areas in your life that need changing so you can relieve the stress.

# Cast your care. Does that mean you don't have to be concerned about what's happening in your life? Not at all. But it does mean that you TRUST GOD enough to let Him do whatever He's going to do, however He's going to do it. Much of your stress comes from your own desire to control everything and everyone. But when you finally come to the place where you are able to give up control, your stress will go down substantially.

# Resist the urge to take the problem back into your own hands. When you turn things over to God, it usually starts out pretty well. You're feeling good, you're confident that God is working and you believe everything is going to turn out just fine.

But then things don't change right away. In fact, sometimes things get worse. And instead of staying focused on letting God take care of things, you rush right back in and take the problem back. You go back to manipulating the situation or the people to try to make things turn out the way you think they should be.

It's as if you had a back-up plan all along, just in case "God doesn't come through" by the time YOU think He should. So instead of relieving stress, you just make it worse.

# Learn the art of patience. In today's hurry-up world, patience is highly under-rated. People have expectations and they want them met right now, without hestitation or excuses. And when they aren't met, they proceed to dump stress, not only on themselves, but on the people responsible for the delay. Learning patience is a particularly tough skill to master because you can't practice it until you actually need it.

There are lots of ways to relieve stress. But, as Christians, wouldn't it make alot more sense to do things God's way in the first place? Of course, that means you actually have to read the book and do what it says! What a concept.....

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ARE CHRISTIANS CALLED TO BE JUDGEMENTAL?

2010-05-31T02:39:00.000-07:00

That pretty much says it, doesn't it? The truth is... everybody uses judgment every day. It just gets more complicated when other people evaluate the "judgment". Whether it was good or bad depends on who you ask.

So how do you know who to listen to? Who gets to decide if you're showing good judgment?

The answer comes when you look to God for answers. Believing and relying on God's word sheds incredible light on the issue. Because God has an amazing plan for you and your life, He does all He can to help you find and attain it. That means when you work with God, He gives you the grace to make right decisions and show good judgment.

Of course, I'm not so sure that extends to that ugly, green shirt you just bought because it was on sale. And it might not cover your decision to shave your head because you lost a bet. I think the consequences of those decisions will ultimately be yours and yours alone!

There is a real danger, though. Just because you're working with God to move forward in your own life, doesn't mean you have the right or responsibility to judge what someone else is doing. It's so easy to "have an opinion" about others because you have no direct responsibility for what other people do or say. But God isn't going to ask about other people when you stand before Him someday, He is going to be concerned about what you said and did.

So how do you get started working with God so you can start making right decisions and showing good judgment?

* Make the decision to let God be God. You'll never make progress in this area as long as you refuse to give up control. It certainly isn't easy, and it certainly doesn't happen overnight, especially if you're a control freak as I once was. It almost drove me completely nuts when I gave up control of things. But it helped immensely when I realized there was somebody more qualified than me in charge of my life.
* Study the Word. The only way you're going to get to know God and His character is to study His word. It won't take long before you're able to judge situations and circumstances with a new view. Decisions are easier because you already know in advance the direction you want your life to go.
* Surround yourself with people who are further along in the journey. There is no reason to learn every lesson yourself when you have a perfectly good example right in front of you. Learn from the mistakes of others so your own learning curve is less. You'll be very glad you don't have to go through every mistake....but trust me, you'll still make plenty on your own.
* Never give up. Be glad about your progress. Let yourself off the hook. You didn't start showing poor judgment overnight and you won't always show good judgement now, just because you want to. Just be happy you're making progress and you're seeing things in your life improve.

Showing good judgment takes time, but once you make the commitment to move forward in this area, you're halfway there. Working with God is continuous, but so worth the effort.

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ARE WE HONESTLY RAISING OUR KIDS GOD'S WAY

2010-05-31T02:22:00.000-07:00

Where is that instruction manual on raising kids? You know, the one the hospital gives you just before you leave with your new baby? Well, you can dream, can't you?

What do you suppose an instruction manual would look like? Can't you just see it? It would contain some great categories like, "How to Stop the Whining", and "How to Get Your Kids to Listen When You Talk".

Unfortunately, Christian parents face just as many obstacles as non-Christians in raising kids. AND when you add all the worldly distractions, Christian parenting becomes more than a challenge.

A huge part of that challenge is passing on your faith to kids whose priorities are more focused on PC games, sporting events, and the latest trends in clothes. But the good news is that there are things you can do to raise Godly kids and even share your faith with them.

First, you must live out your Faith in your own life. It is impossible to give away something you don't have. Kids can spot a phony from a mile away. They're looking for the real deal from their parents.

Living your faith can start with simple things, like showing love, kindness, and generosity. If your kids see you finding ways to "be a blessing", it will become a natural and normal way of life for them too.

Second, start sharing your faith early in the lives of your kids. Being a part of an active Christian church shows your kids that you think spending time with God is important. Make it a point to let them hear you talking about the great things happening in the church. Let them hear how much you've been helped by being in the midst of people with similar beliefs who pray for you and you for them.

Third, show your kids what's in it for them. This is probably one of the most difficult things for a lot of parents. Many people were brought up to believe that faith was some kind of obligation you fulfilled by attending church on Sunday. And let's face it, kids today aren't interested in obligations unless there is some kind of payout at the end.

Here are some GREAT payouts:

* When you give your life to Christ, you secure your place in heaven. What kid do you know that doesn't want something they don't have to earn, but rather is given to them as a gift?

* When God enters your life, you receive unconditional love. What a concept for a young person ... someone who will love and accept them as they are with no strings attached.

* Being a Christian means freedom. As you develop your relationship with Christ, you can be free from worry and anxiety, addictions, and so many other problems that seem to plague young people. When you do things God's way, you receive the benefits of that relationship.

* Having God's favor on your life is like unwrapping a gift every single day. God's favor is an amazing blessing that makes people want to be good to you for no apparent reason. What young person wouldn't want God's blessings in their life?

Of course, it wouldn't be fair to tell your kids about the payouts and not tell them about the responsibilities that come from Christian living. Here are some of those:

* Put God first. This means making the commitment to seek God. This isn't an easy concept for kids. There's alot of competition for first place in the life of a young person. But helping them understand that God wants them to be happy and successful more than they do....what a great thing for a young person to hear. You can help the process by encouraging your kids to spend time with God reading the Word, and make sure they understand the importance of choosing Christian friends that share the same values.

* Find ways to be a blessing. Many kids are very self centered. The concept of "being a blessing" means taking the focus off them and onto someone else. This is best learned if they can see you living it. Include them in the process when you can. You'll be amazed at how good your kids will feel about themselves.

* Act right ON PURPOSE. This means treating people with kindness, respect, and patience....even your parents, brothers and sisters. Right behavior is Christianity in action.

Sharing your faith doesn't have to be complicated. Start by living it in your own life so your kids can see it in action. Demonstrate your commitment and the value you place in an ongoing relationship with God by finding ways to be a blessing. Kids learn best by example and modeling your faith is the best example they will ever see.

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HAVE WE LOST OUR CHRISTIAN PRIORITIES?

2010-05-31T02:10:00.000-07:00

Getting caught up in all the world says, is not important and is probably the biggest hindrance to keeping our Christian priorities at the top of our list. It's so easy to go about our business every day, look out for our own interests, and if someone else is having problems, well, "thank goodness it's not me".

Most of the time we can't see anything important enough to make us stop moving long enough to evaluate where we are, let alone where we're going. And of course, as long as we don't feel an immediate, pressing problem preventing us from moving forward, there's no reason to stop. At least, that's what the world says.

Most of the time it takes some kind of tragedy to stop us in our tracks. Then we look around and wonder why it happened...why me? And that's when the struggle really starts. Sound familiar?

I Can't Look...

There they all are; our priorities all laid out, Christian or not. When we're forced to look at where we are, sometimes we're faced with some really difficult truths. Often it isn't hard to see why we're in the situation we're in, and that is pretty tough to swallow. And yet, our next step is to do absolutely everything we can to reason our way out of our mess. There has to be someone to blame, there has to be something to do; there has to be some way out of this mess.

And so the mess continues until we've absolutely exhausted every remedy we can think of. And, after all else fails, we FINALLY throw up our hands and ask God for help.

God... You Want Me to Do What?

It isn't until we stop trying and start relying that God has a chance to work. Being the perfect gentleman, God won't interfere with what we're trying to do until we stop, step aside, and let God into the situation.

But of course, we expect God to straighten out our mess today. Right now would even be better. It may have taken us weeks, months, or even years to create the mess, but we expect God to clean it up in a day. And when it appears that He's not moving fast enough, we get frustrated. We start whining, complaining, grumbling; and of course, we might even try to take control again, and of course, it just prolongs the answers from coming.

When God does come on the scene, we'll know it. His Word says we will experience peace and the knowledge that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

And let's face it, when we're in the middle of a bad situation, peace can be a very good thing.

We'll be able to rest assured, knowing God is working and no matter what, we're going to be OK.

Get REAL...

But, when God enters the picture, He does expect us to...

* Get honest. That means taking responsibility for the choices we've made that have caused us to be in our current situation. It means stopping the blame game. It's not easy to get real.
* Forgive everyone who's hurt us. OUCH. This is one of the hardest things to do, especially if we're still in the middle of it all, and things are still pretty awful.
* Be open to whatever He wants us to do. Sometimes that can mean doing nothing. Sometimes it can mean apologizing, walking away, or even just accepting things as they are until God has a chance to change things.

God never promised the ride wouldn't be bumpy, but He did promise that He'll sit right beside us the entire way. Things may not get better today or tomorrow, but slowly, little by little, God will make sense out of it all and set us back on the right path. The trick is to stay focused on the right priorities....the ones that lead to peace. Those would be our Christian priorities.

To read my other articles, please scroll up and click on the relevant topic on the right.

SHOULD WE BE COMPLAINERS?

2010-05-31T01:54:00.000-07:00

There is nothing more destructive or paralyzing, but yet you would be very hard pressed to find a handful of people in your own life who do not complain regularly. Why is that?

Where did that overwhelming sense of entitlement come from? Is it because you are blessed beyond comprehension and you won't settle for anything less than the best and most of absolutely everything?

Or is it because your sense of "me first" is so prevalent that complaining just comes as a natural after-effect?

It's easy to complain about your boss or in-laws. After all, those people were put on this earth just to test your patience and fortitude, right?

And it's easy to complain about money. After all, you can only chase so many blue light specials.....

And of course your spouse.....well, talk about Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.......you married one person and somewhere along the line, when you weren't looking, you ended up with another. Now, if ever there was a reason to complain. In fact, you could probably write an entire book filled with complaints on this one.

An oh.....those kids. If only they would make every right choice you know is best for them. In fact, if they would just let you run things for them, you wouldn't have to complain so much. Yeah, that would really go over big, wouldn't it?

When you really think about it, complaining is disrespectful. Your message is that your spouse, your kids, and everyone else you complain about, just don't meet your standards. They fall short of your expectations and somehow, you have a right to demand better. You are the constant judge of their behavior.

How do you think it feels for the people in your life to be on the receiving end of this?

And of course, how disrespectful is complaining to God? Remember what happened to the Israelites? That whole "wandering in the desert for 40 years" episode didn't happen accidently. God seems to think whining and complaining has consequences.

So......what are your options? How do you stop this runaway train?

Stop the Madness.....

Complaining is just like any other really bad habit. Once you do something for a long time, your automatic behavior is to simply keep doing it. But, just like other bad habits, you CAN change your behavior. Here are some things that might help.

* Make it a point to focus on the positive. Deliberately look for positive things in your life, no matter how small, and send up a prayer of gratitude. Because your words reflect whatever goes on in your mind, focusing on the good stuff will definitely limit your time to focus on the not-so-positive stuff.
* Find ways to create the positive. Look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone else. There are open doors all over the place if you take the time to look. After you've done this, see how much better "positive" feels. Knowing you helped someone else is a great feeling. Notice how the irritability, the lack of patience, and the hostility disappear.
* Show your kids and your spouse what "positive" looks like. Find the good in every person in your family and point it out to them. Show them how things can change through your example. I can't think of a better investment in your family.
* Cut yourself some slack. Change won't happen overnight, so don't beat yourself up if you slip back into your old way. Be happy about the progress you're making. Every time you slip, just know there will be many more times when you say and do what's right. As long as your commitment is in tact, just keep moving forward.

Changing your family priority to focusing on the positive can be life changing, not only for your family, but for everyone that comes in contact with them.

You CAN stop complaining. You CAN be more positive. Just change the way you think and you'll automatically change the way you act.

To read more of my articles, scroll up and click on the relevant topic on the right.

ARE WE TRUSTING GOD IN ALL THINGS?

2010-05-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Have you ever spent time with one of your kids where all you did was just "hang out?" If you have grown kids, and you ask them what they remember most about their childhood, I would bet they recall a time where you spent an afternoon participating in some fun activity.

As parents, it sometimes takes a while for us to discover that the thing our kids want most from us is our time. But oh, time always seems to be the thing we find in short supply.

I remember when my son was about 4 years old.

I would play board games with him in the afternoons. I remember he and I would always claim to be "Champion of the World" when one of us would win. Of course, beating a 4 year old isn't exactly something to brag about on my resume, but nonetheless, I always made sure the title passed back and forth... sometimes.

My son and I both fondly recall those days as very special times when we built a relationship. And the truth is... I had a hard time saying no to my son after all that relationship building. I knew my son wasn't hanging out with me just for what he could get me to buy him, but the relationship we built meant that when he did ask for something, my heart was more than willing to consider it.

Why is it so difficult to see that as a parent, God is no different? There are some who see God as a giant Santa Claus. You simply submit your wish list and wake up one morning to find that all is well. They fail to realize that relationship is everything. It's the one thing God wants more than anything else. And it's when we take the time to seek God's face, which is simply that ongoing relationship with Him, that He extends His hand because His heart is open to hear all we have to say.

Relationship is Everything

A few weeks ago I read an amazing book called, "Daily Inspirations for Finding Favor with the King", by Tommey Teney. In this book it talked about the importance and relevance of Christian praise and worship in building a relationship with God. What impressed me was the author's insistence that praise and worship must be directed to God's face and NOT His hand. If your motive is to love God, to spend time with God, to truly want to be in God's presence, then your praise and worship will be met by God with open arms.

If, however, your motive is to try to earn a blessing, or to impress those around you, or even to fulfill some sense of obligation, you've missed the boat....Completely.

So how do you know if your relationship with God is centered around His face or simply His hand? What can you do to make sure your motive is pure as you praise and worship God?

* Spend most of your time with God in praise and worship. Letting God know how much you love and appreciate Him never gets old to God. In fact, praise and worship is the key that opens God's heart.
* Come to God just as you are with an open heart. Letting God see ALL that's in your heart, good or bad, lets God know that you value your relationship enough to let Him see it all and do whatever He needs to do.
* Look for opportunities to offer God praise and worship in things around you. All you need to do is see a beautiful sunset or one of the many other wonders of nature to offer God praise and thanksgiving for that miraculous blessing. God appreciates a grateful heart.
* Don't be afraid to show God how you truly feel as you worship Him. There are those who don't feel comfortable raising their hands or showing any emotion during worship services. Yet those same people can be found at sporting events or concerts whooping, clapping, and hollering as if it really mattered. I'm not saying you have to jump up and down or shout, but simply standing with open hands shows God that your heart is open and you want to feel God's presence. And most importantly...
* Don't judge, look down on, or criticize someone else because they want to show emotions and energy as they worship. Just because you aren't in the same place in your spiritual walk as they are doesn't mean what they're doing is inappropriate or wrong. Concentrate on worshiping God yourself so your focus remains on building your own relationship with God.

Christian praise and worship can be one of the most powerful ways to help you build your relationship with God. There is nothing better than feeling the love, peace, and acceptance that you feel when God's presence is all around you.

But just remember, like a parent, God is looking for that ongoing relationship. When He sees your open heart and your desire to get to know Him for who He is, His heart opens to hear all you have to say.

What a concept......seeking God's face and then feeling the blessings from His hand.

To find out more about our self help programme that enables you to earn a lucrative income whilst pursuing the life you were created to live. Please email me at: raydendhew@gmail.com

ARE WE SHARING OUR LIFE OF FAITH?

2010-05-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

There's nothing worse than somebody trying to preach to you about something going on in your life when all you can think about is finding a way to make it right. At that moment, the last thing you want to see is somebody carrying a Bible, acting like they know exactly what you need and how you feel. And truth be told, when they ask you to read from their Bible, you're thinking you'd rather hit them over the head with it!

This is the very scenario that makes the concept of sharing your faith so intimidating. Most people would like to help others, but knowing what to say and how to say it stops you in your tracks. So how do share your faith without making people run and hide from you?

People can spot a phony from a mile away. The absolute worst thing you can do is say one thing and do another. If you aren't committed to applying Christian principles in your own life, you will not only be ineffective, but will be seen as insincere and phony. People aren't as interested in what you say, as they are in seeing how it's working in YOUR life.

Here are some practical things you can do where you don't have to say much at all:

* 1. One of the best ways to share your faith is to demonstrate the very things you believe by staying positive and having a good attitude even in the middle of a crisis in your own life. Remember the story in the Bible about Peter coming out onto the water when Jesus called to him? He kept walking above the water as long as he stayed focused on Jesus. But once he focused on the storm, he sank. When the people around you see the peace in your life, especially when it seems like you're surrounded by storms, you can bet they'll want to know how to get what you got! On the other hand, if all they see is the top of your head as you sink into the water, there's not a whole lot to ask.
* 2. Treat people with respect and dignity, no matter the circumstances. Whenever you have the opportunity, show how you don't change how you treat people, no matter what. Jesus treated people right, even when they mistreated Him. People around you will wonder how you're able to show this kind of respect for others. You never know, they may even ask.
* 3. Find ways to be a blessing to others. This not only plants amazing seeds for a harvest in your own life, it shows others that you're not a phony. It shows that you live what you believe. Saying you're a Christian is one thing, but living it in tangible ways every day is something else. The Word says "they'll know them by their fruit."
* 4. Don't compromise your beliefs. Situations happen every day where compromise is not only possible, but many times is expected. Show people that your Christianity means living a life of integrity. And oh yes, that means you tell the sales person when she undercharged you for that litre of milk!
* 5. The ability to forgive quickly is a very powerful way to show how Christianity really works. Become a model of forgiveness. Nothing creates division, hostility, and turmoil more than an unwillingness to forgive the people who hurt you. Of course, there will be times when you are absolutely right. But being right doesn't give you a free pass to punish, humiliate, or embarrass someone else. And it most certainly doesn't eliminate your responsibility to forgive.

The best way to share your faith is be an example. People will want to know how you can be peaceful in the storm, why your kids are doing so well, why your marriage is so great, and how you know for sure about your purpose in life. And when they ask, you'll have all kinds of great stuff to share.

To find out more about our self help programme, where we teach you how to earn a lucrative income whilst still achieving all you want to be in life. Please email me at: raydendhew@gmail.com

To read my other articles, please scroll up and click on the desired topic on the right.

FINDING YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE

2010-05-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

While it's true some people seem to find their life purpose easier than others, it's also true that God really does have a plan for every single person, even if it takes a while to see what it is.

Most people think finding your life purpose means doing something you truly love. It's an area that just seems natural to you and things just seem to fall into place.

But what if things aren't so clear for you? What if you're not sure what your gifts are? What if you haven't discovered any particular talent that makes you think it could be your true calling in life? Or what if you're working somewhere and you're good at it, but you just don't feel fulfilled? Is this all there is for you?

Don't panic. You're not alone. There are lots of people in the same boat. Take a look at the Disciples. Now, there's a diverse group. Before Jesus came on the scene, they were fishermen, tax collectors, farmers, etc. They must've been good at what they were doing because they were feeding their families and making a living.

But then they met Jesus, and their true calling came into focus very quickly. What the Disciples didn't know is that God wanted them to be happy MORE than they did. And following God's plan for their lives made them happy inside, where it really matters. What a concept, huh?

Do you suppose it could be true for you too? That God wants you to be truly happy and fulfilled MORE than you do?

And Your Next Step Is...

The next step in finding your life purpose is right in the book. All you have to do is read it. The Bible says Jesus told His disciples they were supposed to love one another as He loved them. And He wasn't kidding. Getting really good at this part of the process is like building the basement of your house. You wouldn't dream of moving forward without a rock solid foundation.

Discovering God's purpose for your life is exactly the same. The foundation of the process means getting really good at being a Christian. Yup, that means being nice to people even when you don't feel like it, forgiving people, and oh yes....loving the unlovable people in the world.

So what does all that stuff have to do with what I'm supposed to be when I grow up? Everything. When you get good at being a Christian, you also get good at hearing from God. He's able to use you. He's able to work through you. And it's through that process that you'll discover your true purpose in life.

But What About Me and My Life?

So if you get really great at being a Christian, or at least, you think you are, and you still haven't found that true purpose...then what?

Getting really good at being a Christian means you stop thinking about you all the time. Take the focus off you and look for ways to be a blessing to someone else. There is no better way to receive help and direction in your own life than to focus on someone else. It seems completely opposite of what the world tells you. After all, if you're not looking out for yourself, then who will? Well, that would be God.

When you focus on someone else's business, God will focus on yours. It's planting seeds in great soil, and now you simply need to wait for God to bring a harvest into your life. And in the meantime...

Step Out and Try It

Working with God to find your life purpose means working as a team. When you take a step, God takes a step.

* Be willing to try some things that interest you. You will know very quickly if you've found the right thing for you. Doors will either open or slam shut. Either way, you'll know where you stand.
* Be Patient. Wanting to know everything right this second is pretty common these days. Learning to trust that God will show you when He's ready; now, that takes patience. God isn't going to show you every piece of the puzzle all at once. If He did, you'd get that "deer in the headlights" look, because you'd be so overwhelmed by it all. Not to mention you'd be overly tempted to come up with a back-up plan "just in case" things didn't work out.
* Don't waste your time on things you KNOW aren't from God. "Get rich quick" schemes never work. Finding a Christian husband or wife won't happen if you're focused on activities and events that don't involve Christians. And participating in things you know are wrong; you're simply prolonging your answers.
* Don't let the people around you talk you into things. Just because it all sounds like a good idea from the world's view doesn't mean it's God's plan for you. Following God's leading sometimes means you have to say no to many well-meaning family members or friends. It comes down to the decision to follow, no matter where it leads.
* Lastly, DON'T ever give up. You may not know your specific purpose today or tomorrow, but as long as you're really great at being a Christian, and your heart is open, you WILL find God and He WILL find you.

To find out more about our self help programme, where you will be inspired to live the life that God created you to live. We show you how you can earn a lucrative salary while attaining your highest calling in the life.

Kindly contact me at raydendhew@gmail .com

HOW DO WE SEE TITHING?

2010-05-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

What is it about the word, "tithing" that makes people nervous? Why does it seem to go against the grain? Why is it so hard to live the lifestyle of a giver?

Many people believe your Christian walk has absolutely nothing to do with giving.....much less your finances. There are those who complain outwardly about all the poverty, the homeless, and the sick in our world. Yet they pass needy people in their own neighborhoods every single day, and don't give them a second thought. It's so much easier to concentrate on your own life and your own circumstances. After all, it's not right to pry into other people's business...

Christian giving is not the thing you begrudgingly do on some Sundays when you attend services. It's a lifestyle that involves every part of who you are as a Christian. Developing a giving lifestyle means you're actively seeking ways to be a blessing. Yes, you certainly pray for people. But you also actively participate in helping meet the physical needs. Every time you do, you're planting a seed in your own life so God can bring a harvest.

Someone who lives as a giver has a mindset that blessings received are blessings to be bestowed. Even though the Bible says you are rewarded for your giving, a true giver genuinely loves receiving more and more from God so they can keep giving more and more. Now, there's a standard to strive for.....

So...What About Tithing?

It is impossible to separate your Christian walk from what you do with your resources. God wants you to let Him be involved in every area of your life, including your time, talent, and finances. What a concept.....

When God talks about tithing in the Old Testament, He is very clear that everything comes from Him, so He wants to be acknowledged first.....and from the best of His blessings. It's not so much to ask, given that He's the distributor of the blessings!

Tithing represents a starting place in a giving lifestyle. Yes, the Bible says 10% is the tithe. But many givers have discovered that it's far better to give whatever God says to give, even if it's more than 10%. The truth is.....if God says to give more and you withhold whatever "more" is, there will be no pleasure in it anymore anyway.

How Do You Start?

So your finances are a mess.....now what? Here are some tips to start living your life as a giver:
# Start where you're at. God never said you have to give a million rand when you can barely pay the rent. But He did say to give what you can. Remember the story of the widow's mite in the Bible? She gave only two coins, but they represented a huge donation because it was literally all she had. God will bless your efforts if you start where you are today.

# Don't let other people determine what you should give. God is the only person you need to ask if you're wondering what or when to give. Trust me.....when you ask this question, God will show you very quickly exactly how and when to give it.

# Start looking for ways to be a blessing. There is tremendous need in every town and every neighborhood. When you make it a point to ask God to show you how you can help, you will start seeing opportunities to practice your "giver" lifestyle almost immediately.

# Don't be afraid that you'll ever give too much. Never compare your giving to someone else. It doesn't matter even the tiniest bit if your friend isn't giving as much as you. And it doesn't even matter if none of your friends are givers, it only matters what you're doing. Someday when you stand before God on judgment day, I'm pretty sure you won't be asked about what your friends gave, but rather, how you lived your life as a giver.

Living a "giver's" lifestyle means you're doing exactly what we're all called to do....be a blessing to someone else. Can you imagine what this world would be like if all the Christians started doing and giving what they say they believe? You wouldn't even recognize it.

To find out more about our selfhelp programme, that enables you to live the life God created you to live and still earn a lucrative income whilst achieving this. Kindly email me at raydendhew@gmail .com

PAPA'S PRAYER FOR SELE'HA MIKHAILA

2010-05-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

I will definitely not be there for your 13th, I am sorry girl, since I know how much you were looking forward to that.
Know that you will always be my little girl. My prayer for you is that you will serve Jesus with the whole of your heart.
That your quiete gentle spirit will become your strong point and that others will see the love of Jesus in you. I was
delighted at your birth and thrilled when I held you in my arms. Granny and I journeyed to see you, as soon as we heard the good news, my only great grand-daughter, I was so proud of you, it was like looking down at your mum again. Those rosy pink, flushed cheeks.
I pray that you will always remember me, your papa, for I will continue to love you very much, alongside your greatgran in our new home in heaven. One fine day when you are old and grey, we will be sure to meet again. Remember when I spoke on Caleb's 13th I said that, I pray God keeps me for your 13th, what I do know is, that his plan is perfect, so do not be sad, for I will be smiling down at you. My scripture for you is from : Isaiah 40: 31

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40: 31

Never, ever lose hope Mikhaila my girl, for our God will never leave you nor forsake you, he has never left me or forsaken me in my many years of knowing him. He will be sure to do the same for you. My following scripture is from Phillipians 4: 13

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4: 13

Remember that in Christ you can do all things.

I know that you will grow into a beautiful young woman who will make me as proud as I have always been of you.

You too are fortunate, in that, I may not be physically present at your party but in spirit I will be there. I have left these words especially for you, with your mum and dad during my last few days on this beautiful earth that God created, for you and me, as I prepare for my journey to my new home, with granny waiting to hug me at the pearly white gates.

Your loving grandpapa

PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITH MY PAPPA

2010-05-28T11:41:00.000-07:00

I sit in my office staring out the window at the rain beating softly against the pane and I am a three years old again, running alongside my grand papa as he closely inspects the fruit trees in our orchard. I gaze up into papa’s eyes and see him knit together his eyebrows as he snaps twigs and branches and runs the soil through his hands checking on things way beyond the understanding of a three year old. My papa is never too busy to gather me into his strong arms and explain what he’s doing for the millionth time. The fresh scent of plums ripening, hanging dewy fresh all purplish red and juicy. Our plums were by far the best, papa would carefully break of a plum that was just right, rubbing it against his shirt to clean it before letting me sink my little teeth into it, sticky plum juice clinging to my cheeks, he would laugh his special throaty chuckle and then wipe my mouth with his crisp white handkerchief that smelled of fresh flowers and lots of love.

Papa was a very busy man who never failed to make time for things that were important to him, like his family. He worked in the police force and was a marvellous lawman and community leader and it seemed that there was always someone at the farm wanting papa’s advice about something or the other. I would peep through the crack of the dining room door and wonder when exactly my papa would be finished with his endless meetings with people at all times of the day or night that my papa was home, it was enough to cause much frustration to my little heart, since I had a list of things that I needed my papa for. What I saw instead was that he seemed to have a little bit of himself to give away to everybody that needed him. Mom would scoop me up and nestle me under her arm as she tucked me in bed and said “bedtime for you my girl, your papa is busy and will come to say goodnight to you as soon as he’s finished.” My gran would pop into the room and offer to tell me a bedtime story, which became way more than one story until my mom called it a night.

Mom and Dad lived together with my grandparents on their beautiful sprawling farm, when mom married dad my grandparents insisted that they stay together as papa loved to have his family close and the arrangement suited my parents fine. Papa and granny led church meetings on their farm and later at the church that was started. Their church meetings which we all attended were of utmost importance to them, where they counselled people and prayed over the various problems that people encountered Their raw faith in a God that never fails carried them through numerous hard times that fell on them through the years. Through it all they never doubted that God was their refuge and strength and that all things do work together for those that love God. I often sat between my darling grandparents at services, birthday parties, weddings or get togethers of some sort that seem to roll around often since my grandparents were invited to all of the functions that their congregants held. They did not wish to offend people by saying that sometimes they would have preferred to relax at home on a Saturday afternoon. No, instead they showed the love of Jesus to those who knew them, selflessly giving of themselves. Papa worked tirelessly, full time at his job as a policeman and then at the running of the farm as well as his ministry work in the evenings with granny beside him offering all her support by accompanying him in his ministry work and keeping the home fires burning.

My daddy is papa’s oldest son, I then have my aunt who is younger than my dad and lastly it is my dad’s baby brother. I am jolted back to the present, by my husband who brings me a steaming cup of much needed coffee as we sit together. He knows my thoughts are of my papa right now, since he is in the hospital slowly losing his battle to live at 83 years old. He is tired of the struggle to live, depressed about losing his right leg and not being able to get around as easily as he used to. Papa was used to still making his long distance visits to relatives over 1200km’s away, driving all by himself. Now in his eighties and the picture of vibrance he started getting a series of sharp pains in his foot and the colour in his foot looked rather bluish grey. Doctors ruled out that the arteries in his foot and calf were’nt working as efficiently as they should have, causing extreme pain in both. I had never seen papa look so drawn the day my husband and our kids together with the rest of the family met at the hospital to discuss if there was anything that could be done for him short of amputating his leg.

The doctor explained that he was too old for surgery and it was a better option to amputate. My husband and I were deadly against papa losing his leg, we so wanted to stand on the promises of God to heal him. To this day I wish we did’nt listen to that doctor because pap was never the same after the amputation. Dark shadows under his eyes were a norm for papa, drastic weight loss, my strong, strappy papa had become a shadow of his former self and it seemed all he wanted, was to go home to the Lord. I tried sitting with him, my husband and I tried to see him more often as he lived at least 80km from us. Often we would spend long hours just talking with him about his life, collecting all the relevant information I needed for the book I was writing on him. My wonderful gran had since passed on 8 years before and papa had’nt quite settled in after her death. He excitedly spoke about how thrilled he would be to see her again and that he was far too tired of waiting, he needed to go on home to the Lord. How I treasure those times I sat there holding hand or stroking his forehead as he spoke of things and times that were special to him or of hard times that befell him and his family, of turbulence in his ministry and yes of his God. He so loved the Lord.

On Tuesday the 17th November 2009 at 17.45pm with both my parents and my cousin beside his bed he went home to be with Jesus. I felt like part of my heart had been ripped out, I so wanted him to live and angrily swallowed down each time somebody said “ at least he had, had a good life, 83 years old.” I knew in my heart that was true and I had promised him I would be strong and never bitter because like he said “God is good” I have since learned that yes indeed our God is good. In my heart a part of me knew that papa could not live for ever, I knew I would see him again but that did’nt heal the ache that formed in my heart. I remember a particular moment with much tenderness as papa said he had something to tell me. I moved closer to him to hear what it was, it was his desire for us to carry on the work of Jesus, and to never let go of the promises of God. He encouraged me to continue to let people meet in our home without counting the cost or sacrifice it took to do that. Papa stressed that we should always remember that our home is God’s home. So close to dying and still his heart was with his congregants, for he cautioned us to never desert the poor and downtrodden, to never have Christmas lunch just as a family, certainly nothing wrong with that. its just been papa’s way to always have someone that was alone or needy have Christmas lunch with us. I cannot remember a time when it was just us as a family at the table for Christmas.

Looking into his bushy grey brows as his searching gaze found mine I wiped away the tears that were streaming down both his and my cheeks as I held his tawny, hardworking hands in mine. Now just skin and bone in mine, I promised him that I would continue to serve my God and oneday when I too am old and grey and lay dying on my bed my grand-daughter will make the same promise to me. Papa you have left a rich heritage to me, in the wonderful family you have left behind, in the love of an amazing father and a wonderful mother that grew to love you like her own father. In the husband who you have grown to love and be so proud of for his love for God, in the good counsel he sought from you, on how he too could lead his family with the zeal that you had, for this God that never failed you, in the spirit of joyfulness of our two kids, in the likeness of my dad’s mannerisms and speech, bathed in the love of the children you left behind. Yes papa, you scolded me and said I have to let you go but what you did’nt realise is that, I have never let you go, for in my heart there’s a place that will forever be reserved for you. As each day rolls into another, I too arise early in the morning for my appointment with my God. You know what papa? You were right, this is certainly a God that never fails.

I have a picture somewhere in my head of two people strolling hand in hand in a beautiful garden, of the wind blowing gently through my grandma’s hair as she leans against the broad shoulders of my once again big strong papa. I know, heaven has two of my biggest supporters, who are rooting for me from their new home, where there is no pain, sickness nor sorrow. Your counsel mean’nt more to me than you both could ever know.

To find out more about our self help programme that enables you to earn a lucrative income whilst still pursuing your dreams and highest calling in God. Kindly email me at raydendhew@gmail.com

To read my other articles, scroll up and click on the relevant topic on the right.

WE HAVE GOD'S WORD ON IT

2010-05-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

More so than ever before, we really do need
to keep awake and be vigilant to guard off
any attack of the enemy.

We have a responsibility to stay alert and
skillfully use the Word of God in prayer.

"Take heed, watch and pray."
-- Jesus Christ

In Mark 13:33-37 Jesus used the word 'watch'
four times.

He wasn't telling us to walk around fearful,
but to stay in touch with God and the
Holy Spirit throughout the day - so we can
get up-to-the-minute instructions to stop
the plan of the enemy. (John 16:13)

When we keep watch and are spiritually awake,
we are in a position to hear instructions
and respond to the leading of God. We are
better able to recognize the tactics of the
enemy.

Then, instead of being on the defense after
the enemy attacks, we can use Jesus' name
to block the enemies plans.

We can defeat any evil plan that comes
against us. Isaiah 54:17 promises us that:

"No weapon that is formed against thee
shall prosper; and every tongue that shall
rise against thee in judgment thou shalt
condemn. This is the heritage of the servants
of the LORD, and their righteousness is of
Me, saith the LORD."

You have God's Word on it! So as you stand
watch... stand on the Word of God and keep
it actively at work in your life!

To find out more about our self help programme that enables you to earn a lucrative income whilst pursuing your highest calling in Christ, Kindly email me at raydendhew@gmail.com

To view my additional articles scroll up and click on the topic desired on the right.

Are you everything you want to be in God?

2010-05-25T23:44:00.000-07:00

I'm not just talking about "having the stuff
you want to have." I mean the person that
you're being each and every day...is that
person the most fulfilled version of you
imaginable?

There's a phrase that goes "Get over
yourself", and while it may have a negative
connotation because it just sounds rude, it's
actually very often the key to realizing the
life you've always dreamed of.
Let me explain what I mean by "getting
over yourself"...

You see, I would venture to say that most
people are not living 100% authentically who
they aspire to be. I can say quite honestly
that there are areas in my life where I'd
like to be authentic and more effective in the
kingdom of God.

So why am I not? What is ANYONE not?

The short answer is "resistance". We have
fear or doubt about playing full out.

But where did that resistance come from? What
can we do about it? What is the real impact
that it's having in our experience of life?

Think about this: if you know for a fact that
there are things in your life that you'd like
to be doing but aren't doing for whatever
reasons, doesn't it follow that there are
areas of abundance that you're missing out
on? Financial, sure - but there's a lot to be
said for an abundance of joy and a sense of
passion in God

And what about health? If your body is filled
with negetive thoughts brought forth from
"holding back", very often these blocks show
up in the form of some kind of disease.

You see, EVERYTHING is going to happen for us
more easily if we can shed this version of
ourselves that is playing small and instead
allow ourselves to cultivate a vision that
truly inspires us into action in Christ.
Knowing that God has empowered us to rise above,
the voice in our heads that say "I CANNOT"
and listen for the small still voice inside
us that says, "I CAN AND THEREFORE I WILL"
and that will enable us to live our life by
design.

WOMEN HAVE BEEN A CLOUD OF WITNESSES

2010-05-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

In the Old Testament, two women stand out. Deborah stands as the only woman in the Old Testament who was elevated to a position of political and spiritual power by the common consent of the people.

She served as a home-maker, and later added to that keeping the tabernacle lamps. This had a deep spiritual impact in shaping Deborah into the spiritual and military warrior that she became. She was to give the light of life to Israel as she led them into a true spiritual awakening.

Not only was Deborah a prophetess, she was also a judge. That is to say, Deborah was a foreshadow of Joel's prophecy in (Joel 2) Deborah was courageous enough to confront Sisera, and together with Barak, defeated him.

The other woman was Esther, a slave in a foreign land. Though pushed into a corner by the odd culture of the ancient kingdom, she managed by prayer and courageous resolve, to save the people of Israel form imminent destruction. Her indirect contribution to their spiritual well being rests in the fact that she mobilized all Israelites to pray and fast for divine intervention. But, more than anybody else's, it was on Esther's lean shoulders that the physical salvation of Israel lay.

Centuries after the early apostles had all passed on, God began to raise new leaders who would champion revival and restore some deep, long-forgotten truths to the body of Christ. It will not be possible to forget the profound impact of the ministries of such patriarchs of faith like the Wesley Brothers and Charles Spurgeon (the prince of preachers), Jonathan Edward, etc.

What many tend to forget or conveniently ignore is that before John and Charles Wesley, there was a certain Susanna Wesley who could rightly and deservedly be referred to as the “Mother of Awakening”.

It was Susanna Wesley that nurtured John and Charles to the level of prominence they attained. One biographer put it thus:

“She was a spiritual giant, a mother of awakening… the mother of Methodism in a religious and moral sense; for her courage, her submissiveness to authority, the high tone of her mind, its independence, and its self-control, the warmth of her devotional feelings and the practical direction given to them, came up and were visibly repeated in the character and conduct of her sons”.

She had eighteen children, but nonetheless was committed in fervent, persistent prayers both for her children and for revival.

If ever there was a pastor's wife who took a stalwart stand with her husband, Susannah Spurgeon filled that role. In the revival that broke out in the context of their shared ministry, she played a most significant part.

Countless number of times, Susannah had to make unimaginable sacrifices in self-denial and heart-felt prayers for the ministry of her husband. Without her, the “prince of preachers” would have been seriously diminished.

Time and space would fail us to go into any details concerning the very significant contributions of Catherine Booth, Amy Carmichael and Ruth Bell Graham. But, it is not out of place to mention two more recent examples of feminine heroic contributions to the church and society.

• Kathryn Kulman had a rough marital experience, but she overcame it to “mentor” Benny Hinn etc Kathryn Kulman was both a prophetess and an evangelist par excellence, stirring up revival and bathing in the revival herself. Her ministry stood out as one solid example of a successful, heaven-ward, God-glorying ministry. Supernatural occurrences that are unprecedented were a common occurrence in her programmes. It is very difficult to find another woman of comparable anointing in the past two centuries.

• Mother Teresa made her mark as a missionary, in India . She abandoned the luxury of a married life, abandoned the beckoning opportunities outside her base, and poured out her life for the downtrodden. Few people can make sure impact as hers on native Indians.

All the honour done to her in her life time she donated to her favourite charity. She exposed herself to very risky environments and situations all in a bid to reach the native people with the love of Christ.

In Nigeria today, several women have distinguished themselves in more ways than one.

• Mrs. Okonjo Iweala: Minister for finance, World Bank Top Gun before her appointment.
• Mrs. Dora Akunyili: NAFDAC Boss, who rejuvenated NAFDAC and achieved breath-taking results, even at the risk of her life.
• Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili: “Madam Due Process”, whose doggedness saves the Federal Government billions of naira every year.
• Mrs. Onyiuke: Stock Market Director General, who had nurtured the stock market to enviable heights!

At the international arena, we cannot easily forget Baronness Margaret Thatcher of Britain or Mrs. Sheriff Johnson of post-war Liberia . We cannot forget Oprah Winfrey, neither can we ignore the co-founder of Hope-Uk, Mrs. Ann Jane Carlile. Elizabeth Sandes, founder of Sandes Soldiers' and Airmen's centres, in Northern Ireland , deserves a special mention for her efforts towards the preservation of lives of soldiers and Air-force officials.

Two other remarkable women during the course of the 19th century that played prominent roles in improving the social and environmental conditions of thousands of ordinary people are Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird and Miss Emma Roberts, who together formed the “Young women's Christian Association” in 1850.

I am greatly inspired by Rev Dada, who is a great woman of God and co pastor of a large church in Nigeria who has brought hundreds of woman to God through her active woman's ministry. It just makes one reflect on the fact that our God will use anyone that is willing to be used. Mrs Dada has been an encouragement to me in our ministry and I greatly recommend her teachings to any woman that thinks she cannot be effective for God.

To find out more about our self help programme that enables you to earn a lucrative income whilst pursuing your highest calling in Christ. Please email me at:

raydendhew@gmail.com

To view my additional articles, please scroll up and click on the particular topic on the right.

WOMAN RISE UP FOR GOD

2010-05-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Don't let yourself down. Get up and get going. Make your mark in the sands of history. If the only contribution you make to life is having children, then you have failed. There is within you potential waiting to be tapped.

You may be a wife but you have a full, independent life to live.
Submission does not imply oppression. Your husband will provide for you all right, but that does not mean that you can't grow up financially.

Your ideas are not inferior: put them to work!
Your body is not inferior: put it to work!
Your dream is not inferior: wake up and pursue it!
There is more to live for!

No other religion gives us (women) as much liberty and power as Christianity – rise up and maximize the moment! We don't need more, when we are using much less than we have.

Life is dull when you are not contributing your quota. Nobody can effectively take your place – fill up the vacuum.

You have no other life to live but this: live it to the full.

I am greatly inspired by Rev Dada who is a wonderful woman of God, co pastor of a large church in Nigeria who has brought hundreds of woman to God through her active woman's ministry. It just makes one reflect on the fact that our God will use anyone that is willing to be used. Mrs Dada has been an encouragement to me in our ministry and I greatly recommend her teachings to any woman that thinks she cannot be effective for God.

To find out more about our self help programme that enables you to earn a lucrative income whilst pursuing your highest calling in Christ. Please email me at:

raydendhew@gmail.com

IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND LET THE WORLD HEAR YOUR VOICE

2010-05-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is time for every woman to stand up. We are not standing to compete with man, but to compliment him. We are not standing out to push man away, we are occupying our rightful position in Christ!

Our rights are secured in the actual interpretation of the Word of God, not the jaundiced interpretation proferred by advocates of patriarchy.

This is not women liberation! This is discovery for women – a discovery of our positions in Christ, a discovery of our strong and unique purpose in God, a discovery of our place in destiny!

It is not “them” vs “us”: it is “us” in God, fulfilling our God – ordained role in the church and society, catalyzing an evolution towards God's ultimate purpose for the family.

The ideal 21st century woman can do all that God's Word says she can do. We will not be limited by patriarchal interpretation of reality. We will not be hampered by organized and cultural practices that subjugate and oppress woman-hood! We are taking what God in Christ Jesus had given unto us!

I am greatly inspired by Rev Dada, co pastor of a large church in Nigeria, a great woman of God who has brought hundreds of woman to God through her active woman's ministry. It just makes one reflect on the fact that our God will use anyone that is willing to be used. Mrs Dada has been an encouragement to me in our ministry and I greatly recommend her teachings to any woman that thinks she cannot be effective for God.

To find out more about our self help programme which enables you to become financially secure whilst reaching for your visions and goals. Please email me at:

raydendhew@gmail.com

How to find the best Christian Home Based Business

2010-05-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

So you've been searching for a Christian home based business opportunity... WHAT should you be looking for?

With the myriad of home business opportunities out there ... each one claiming to be the answer you have been looking for .... how do you know which one is the best Christian based home business for you? And if you've ever wanted to work from home, you know how desperately you want to believe all those promises of untold wealth just flooding into your bank account without you having to do one single thing to make it happen!

Well ...... nice though that would be - it certainly isn't the reality of the situation!! However, there ARE Christian home based businesses out there that are excellent and as we are very clearly called to rise above and out of the world's system, a work from home business opportunity is often an answer to prayer - I know it certainly was for me!

So, what do you look for in a good Christian Home Based Business opportunity?

A good place to start would be prayer. Ask God for guidance, wisdom and direction - make Him your Controlling Business Partner - He will not let you down!

Right - here are 10 top things you should check out when looking for the best Christian home based business:-

1. Is the business legitimate? It really doesn't need to be a Christian home based business as such - but it must be grounded in loyalty and integrity ....... all the way from the inside - out. Therefore, make sure you check it out thoroughly.

2. Are there actual products involved? If it is just passing on the business opportunity / gifting, don't go anywhere near it. These businesses are considered illegal in most states and countries and are popularly known as pyramid schemes. Look for a REAL business - one which you will be proud to tell your friends and family about.

3. Are the products or services offered in demand? Most business cater to a very specific target audience - and thus do not work very well.

4. Are there any hidden costs? Be prepared to pay to join a good Christian based home business - it's unrealistic to expect something for nothing - but do check if there are any hidden costs. Be sure you can afford the ongoing costs. These are not necessarily a bad thing - it costs to set up and run a business - but you need to take a responsible, informed approach.

5. What is your ROI (Return on Investment)? With some companies, the commissions are so tiny that you need to sell truck loads of products to earn anything near a decent income. Pick one where you actually stand to make some money!

6. Try and talk to someone within the business. Most home based businesses are online business opportunities and talking to someone is like trying to talk to the man in the moon!! Is it easy to talk to a real person within the business? What is their attitude? Run like mad if they try and talk you into anything. The primary duty of a company representative or anyone else within the business is to provide you with all the information you need so that you can make an informed decision.

7. Check out the available training and support - there should be tons and tons of this. It really doesn't matter how good the company is - or how good the business is - you will almost certainly fall flat on your face if you do not have excellent training and support - specially in the early stages of your online Christian home based business opportunity journey.

8. Talk to your prospective sponsor. Most online home business opportunities, including Christian based home business opportunities work through you being sponsored into the business. Is your sponsor Christian? What is their primary motivation? (Absolutely nothing wrong with wanting big houses and cars, etc., - but do remember what the Bible says about being un-equally yoked - so check out their motives and try and get a feel for where their heart lies). Is he or she readily available? Do they provide training and support? What safety net is in place should your sponsor be ill, go on holiday, etc?

9. Choose the best sponsor for YOU . What do I mean by that? Well some sponsors advertise huge earnings, which is great .... but how does that help you? Don't always assume they will pass that knowledge on to you - even if they say they will! Do the math - if they are as successful as they say they are, they are attracting many people each week. Do they physically have the time to provide you with the training and support they say they will? Do they have regular training calls where you know you can reach them every day?

10. Choose the best team for you. I have found that sponsors and teams have their own unique personality - find one that suits YOU , has the same values and principles as you and can work at a pace to suit you. Will your sponsor stick with you if you are an internet newbie? Or is the team full of people UNLIKE yourself? The best scenario is when there are a bunch of people of mixed abilities - all happy to work together, helping each other along to a single goal ..... and having fun along the way!

This may sound like a daunting list of do's and don'ts - but let me assure you - find the right Christian home based business and you will be rewarded beyond anything you ever thought possible. I went from working 12 hour days and just getting by, to working in the comfort of my own home and earning more money than I have ever done, simply by applying the above check list! To say that my life has been changed would be the understatement of the year! So do your homework now, ask God to guide you and be prepared to think outside the box. A Christian home based business could be just what you need to be able to join me in saying, "Recession? What recession?!

To find out more about our christian self help business opportunity that involves no selling and empowers you to fund your own projects for Jesus or helps you to generate a good income in order to bless others in furthering the kingdom of God. Please email me at :

raydendhew@gmail.com

Business and Blessings

2010-05-23T11:15:00.000-07:00

You may be wondering what “blessings” have to do with business-- or how there could be any connection between the two. If you have found yourself here, it is likely that you are someone who can truly relate to this concept after just a bit of explanation!

Some of us believe that one of our main purposes in life is to “share ourselves and help others.” You have found a rare new business opportunity, which fully encompasses these values. Not only do you have the chance to build a wonderful degree of success, you can do it alongside of other people who share the very same values as you. I would think that this in itself is a blessing-- and perhaps you will agree!

For many of us, a “blessing” can seem to be a “small miracle.” There are simply so many grand things that happen, exactly at the right time, when they are most needed. While I'm sure that you, also, have heard people express that all such things are usually coincidences, somehow that never really seems to add up-- there must be something more to it.

Many of us believe that blessings come from God--and also that God often works through people as His vessel. If you share this belief, this business venture is the perfect one for you. If you are not certain, perhaps you need to be convinced, as we have been. Everyday, God brings to us those He wants us to know, whether it is business blessings or just ministry to help others with some aspect of their lives. This opportunity has been a perfect opener for blessing others in whatever way God leads us.

How can business and blessings be connected? When you elect to join us, it will not be long before you understand! You will begin to experience bountiful blessings in many forms. There will be brand-new people in your life who truly care about you and will be willing to lend a helping hand for your success. You will see that earning a living no longer means endless, exhausting hours at a job, which you may not have even liked, but work which you will actually enjoy. And it includes the freedom to schedule your work day, so that you can have and enjoy your life as well. You will find that you will no longer have to settle for the kind of tiny salary, which you may be familiar with, and instead will have an income that you can be happy with. For God blesses us with prosperity and will always meet our needs.

If you are one of those skeptical folks who may be tempted to dismiss such business-enhancing, life-enriching examples as being nothing more than coincidental, you may very well need to experience it all for yourself! Certainly good things happen for those who work for them-- sometimes-- but good things happening exactly when they are needed, precisely in the manner that they are needed cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence!

A blessing is not a guarantee that you will instantly become a millionaire, or that your life will immediately be perfect and free of any type of difficulty; a blessing is a beautiful gift that will cause your present moment, and the possibilities for the time ahead, to be better than they were before! And when you begin to receive and share such blessings, you will surely agree that you have found the business that is right for you!

To find out more about our self help programme please email me at:

raydendhew@gmail.com

Who You Are In Christ

2010-05-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

Friends as a christian, to be effective for God we need to know, who we are in Christ. We cannot simply get saved and carry on as if nothing significant happened in our lives. As of that moment we need to embrace a new manner of thinking, one that helps us establish that God has enabled us and empowered us to do great things in our lives. There should be significant changes in how we respond to life and our circumstances in the future.

We should acknowledge, as believers we have the power to change our circumstances and create a higher life based on the what God has for us. I challenge you to read Deuteronomy 28 on the blessings of obedience in blows me away to think that God just asks for our obedience and we need never trudge through a drudgery in our lives instead He promises us every good thing. I want all those good things that loving and obeying God could bring into my life. Friends dont you see? Our God wants us to be prosperous, its when we only focus on prosperity that it brings sin into our lives. Folks yes, God wants us to have creature comforts, He has nothing against those things at all, it just what we do with it that counts. We ask God to bless us with luxury cars and SUV's though we are very reluctant to give folks that do not have transport to church a lift. We ask to be blessed with large fancy homes, and yet we never host men and women of God in our homes. We never invite the needy to share a meal with us. Neither do some of us want to be bothered with assisting other people with finance or help in whatever way they need it. These are the very things God is calling us as his church to.

We're afraid to spoil the fancy decor or mess up the precious carpets. When our hearts are in the right place God will go over and above to reach out and bless us, its only until we learn the concept of being a blessing like Jesus was, then only will you prosper under the hand of God. We need to be a blessing rather than to constantly want to be blessed and in so doing we will experience a flow of every good thing God has stored up for us.

These words were a huge blessing to me when I read them and I just thought I'd share them with you.

Our Thinking versus God's Promises

"It's impossible"
All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

"I'm too tired"
I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

"Nobody really loves me"
I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

"I can't go on"
My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

"I can't figure things out"
I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

"I can't do it"
You can do all things (Phillipians 4:13)

"I'm not able"
I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

"It's not worth it"
It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)

"I can't forgive myself"
I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

"I can't manage"
I will supply all your needs (Phillipians 4:19)

"I'm afraid"
I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

"I'm always worried and frustrated"
Cast all your cares on Me (I Peter 5:7)

"I don't have enough faith"
I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

"I'm not smart enough"
I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

"I feel all alone"
I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

To find out more about our self employed whilst working for Jesus programme, please email me at :

raydendhew@gmail.com

Children of the King

2010-05-23T06:32:00.000-07:00

Every king's citizenry will most definitely reflect its splendour. Just as any king will want his citizens to be happy and prosperous as their happiness and well being reflect on him. The greater the prosperity of a nation, the greater the honor that rests on the king who provides well for his people. With the same token in mind citizens of God's kingdom are supposed to reflect what our king Jesus is like in the way we dress,live, act,walk and talk. Children of God are citizens of God's kingdom and must truely reflect the nature of our God, who is kind, loving,compassionate, gentle,slow to anger and above all righteous. That is why under no circumstances does Heaven ever experience economic crisis or shortage, because God is a man of his word who takes care of his citizens. Since you become a citizen of Heaven when you get saved God will take care of you too.

Psalm 37:17 says

The Lord upholds the righteous. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children beg bread.

To access the riches of heaven it means that we as God's children need to have a clear understanding that God the Father owns everything and we own nothing at all. Also that He in his wisdom may choose to give whatever He wants to whoever He wants.
The kingdom of Heaven promises us the power over all things and all circumstances meaning my friend that we need to recognise that we as believers have been made able to call out our circumstances. We need to choose not to live in situations that are less than what God called us to be. We have to learn to think a new way contrary to the way that we have been taught since we were babies. We need to embrace a higher life and new teachings that allows us to embrace a loving Father who's good pleasure it is to bless you in all areas of your life. To bring healing and victory to you in great measure. Friends we need to embark on a real relationship with Jesus, He wants to know you and I on a deeper level. God will use you greatly if only you will let him. We have made it our mission in life to help every believer achieve their purpose in life for Jesus. You can be anybody you want to be if you will just believe that God created you to be great. That He knows the plans He has for you, plans to bless you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Folks we need to walk in and act act in those blessings. We are a living testimoney of his goodness. My husband and I needed to believe God for what we have now when we could not see it. We needed to believe what the word said about God's plan for us and not what the world said. We needed to die to self and stop being hurt by every little thing that someone said or did. We needed to believe the bible plus nothing and the bible minus nothing. It certainly took toughening up on our part. In order to see God's goodness in our lives we needed to set aside time to know God and soak in his presence. To revel in the fact that we are his and there's no good thing He wont give us when we are obedient to his word. Believe God's word over your situation and see the change that comes over it. However God's word says that He does not delight in someone who wavers in his faith. Someone who's neither here nor there. Friends we got to get serious with God and listen for his voice and know what it is He is calling us as believers to do. Everyone of us is called to specific task but all of us are called to bringing the lost to Jesus. We need to witness for Jesus wherever we are, we should never be ashamed to give someone the good news of Jesus. However it will not always be easy to do this, we must charge forward and accomplish all He has called us to do. Folks do not wait to achieve this dream at a time when you feel you will be ready to do this, for some of us that time sadly does not come. We constantly defer things and look for excuses as to why we cannot accomplish much for Christ. There's a dying world out there some of whom have never heard the name of Jesus. I urge you to link arms for Jesus by joining other believers to bring the gospel of Jesus to a world that does'nt know him. Millions die not knowing God, let us change the world for Christ as believers who embrace our calling while earning to provide for ourselves and see the nation changed.

To find out more about our self help programme, please email me at raydendhew@gmail.com

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade

2010-05-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

how to prosper in this lifetime

Sunday, February 7, 2010
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Welcome to my blog, hope you enjoy reading about our family's belief in a God who never fails.

My name is Denise and I am wife to the most amazing man Ray, stay at home mom and homeschool teacher to my adorable kids Caleb Rahoul 14 and Sele'ha Mikhaila 12. We are an average middle class family that believes in the simple things in life, like an immense love for the country and sea if that makes any sense at all. My friend once said I was strange, she said I either had a love for the country or a love for the sea, but I'm different and I don’t see why I or should I say we could'nt love both, which we do anyway. Well, while Sonya my friend loves the sea her husband loves the mountains. We live across the road from the ocean and try to get away to the country as often as we can. What I love best is to gaze out my bedroom window at the sea, as it thrashes about spitting foamy waves onto the golden sandy beach or watch people happily playing on the shore, or picking seashells.

I often pray whilst I'm standing there and thank God for all he has blessed us with. My family and I are committed Christians, love nothing more than to live a life that is pleasing to God yet adventurous and action filled too. We are passionate about travelling, seeing different places and getting to know different people, bringing the word of God to far away places but I felt like we were living in a bubble as we were limited to achieving only what was within our means. I homeschool so that means just one salary, my husband's and since we would'nt even consider me going back to work it was'nt an option. We had decided a long time ago that I was going to be a stay at home mom, we later opted to homeschool when my son was just 2 and a half years old. He was barely three when I started homeschooling him and we have'nt looked back. My daughter is 2 years ahead of her grade and thriving, they both are currently doing the high school curriculum and loving it. Sure its challenging, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges for both them and I.

Coming back to our family finances, Ray and I seemed to be always looking for ways to earn more money and as always one tends to learn hard lessons from being gullible and blindly buying into scams rather than money spinners like they were supposed to be. Frankly I was tired of trying another venture, however I continued to search on the internet for opportunities to earn extra income. Ray was employed by a company that had been around for a long time and had some 300 odd workers. He is a human resource manager, who loved his job, except those days when he had to fire someone or have disciplinary hearings all day. Those days seemed to sap his energy and desire to do the predictable.

We often discussed that there had to be more to life than a mundane 8 to 5 routine. Ray was always encouraged by a typical day in my life, though it is busy, multi tasking sure is'nt easy, it is a lot of fun doing different things switching roles often to accommodate the many people I am required to be in a day. We were never successful in all the attempts we made to make money, okay maybe we did earn money from these ventures but it was nothing to write home about. We prayed often and asked God to lead us in our decisions for our family and to improve our finances too. We knew that the bible is full of promises from God that said it is His plan to bless us and not harm us and I did believe all of this but I wondered why we seemed to be standing in the same spot all the time.

I felt challenged to read God's word and spend more time in prayer, we would set our alarm for 4.30 am every morning and spent time in God's presence first before getting on with our day. I do believe where we are now came out of all the times we spent in prayer then, because when you sincerely seek God He is faithful to answer. At that time we were focusing on changing our attitude towards our circumstances and I was reading Myles Monroe's book which was my Christmas present from my husband that I just never got around to completing. Well, once I started I could not put it down, I was consumed by changing my mindset and seeing our circumstances moving in a positive direction, just like Paul says in the Bible, we have to renew our minds with the word of God. Leaving our poverty mindset behind and believe me, it has got nothing to do with just positive thinking but everything to do with who you're serving and pretty much standing on the promises of God. However we started to see significant changes in our lives, but we still needed more income for our young family...

One day Ray called me from his office to say he was running late and would be home later than usual, the tone of his voice worried me, though he said there was nothing to worry about, I could'nt help wondering what was going on. Ray has a very gentle nature and never gets upset unnecessarily, but when he walked in the door that evening whilst I was busy preparing our dinner, I knew something was very wrong. From his loving long embrace to the upbeat little speech he gave me about staying positive I knew that things were really, really not sounding good but nothing in the world prepared me for what was coming. The well known company that he worked for was under going liquidation, suddenly I felt like someone had pulled the rug out from under my feet, I felt dizzy and nauseous at the same time. We were into the second week of that month and he was not as much as given his salary for that month, nor his benefits or holiday pay, zilch, nada, nothing.

My first instinct was panic, wondering what on earth we would do with what we had in the bank that month, how far could that possibly take us in terms of monthly payments that we had to make on everything. My stomach did little flip flops all the while I put on this brave front whilst I was falling to pieces inside, then suddenly, in my mind the word the word of God came to me, “ Do not be afraid I will never, never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 a strange calmness came over me and indeed my spirit was reminded to never fear as my God is in control. From that day forward Ray and I have chosen to believe God’s word over the enemy and know that we are so special to our Heavenly Father and He wants to bless us with good things. Life has not been easy, when one has to trust in God’s provision, cause it means trusting without having any physical evidence manifested but what I can say to you dear friend is “Jesus is faithful and sure to be trusted” Every single time we trusted God for provision He never, never failed us, often providing supernaturally for needs. Friends from around the world suddenly send us love gifts without us breathing a single word to them about our circumstances. Despite all these blessings our work situation seemed bleak, nevertheless we continued to stand on the promises of God.

We prayed fervently for answers to the problems we encountered, but more so for a job for Ray. I continued with the little projects we still tried our hands at, everything needed more money to be invested into it and that was money we did’nt have. I asked God to show us what we needed to do, Ray was now in his own consultancy and trusting God for more clients. It seemed that all we ever had to do was make payments on everything, I felt guilty for being ungrateful for what God had blessed us with after all we did have our beautiful home which God was faithfully providing for and the luxury of our cars as well. When things got too tight we got rid of the one car that we did’nt really need anymore as Ray worked from home. One evening after an especially long day, I took an extra long bath and spoke to the Lord whilst in the bath. I remember reminding the Lord of all His promises and asking why things were turning out the way they were. I got out of the bath and retired to bed, whilst Ray worked long into the night.

Lately I had been sleeping like a log and complained to Ray that I had been experiencing much tiredness even after sleeping soundly. However during the early hours of that morning I was awakened by someone calling my name, thinking it was one of the kids, I hastened to their room only to find them sleeping soundly. Sleep long gone from my eyes I watched my husband’s chest rise and fall gently as he slept, so I rolled out of bed and decided to pray and use this time to talk to the Lord. . And coming back to that perfect business that I’ve always wanted it, is slowly becoming a reality every hour of everyday brings new hope to us. I can spend hours working on my projects and still feel fulfilled knowing that what I work for now, will still be providing for me tomorrow.

Did you ever think that residual income would be part of God’s plan for you, I certainly did’nt until God spoke to me out of his word, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8).
I do not believe God considered me a sluggard but He sure spoke to me that day and I realized if I wanted something bad enough I would work for it, although it might mean a few hours in my day to achieve this dream, I knew I could do it and yes our lives have changed so much for the good through the revelation God gave me through his servant. If God could teach the ant to store up for the future, he would definitely teach me and so He is teaching me daily and increasing my wisdom every hour which new fresh ways of creativity in our business. I was blessed immensely by my friend Paulette's email on God’s teachings on finances and how God wants you to be debt free.

I can honestly say that the strong confident woman I have become is due to taking God at his word and trusting him to send me help through his servant and today we have a business that by God’s grace will still be working for us tomorrow even when we are working for Jesus in some far away land, yes it will still be creating an income for us just like the ant that considered his provisions for the winter and praise God we shall never be trusting in the world's system of living again. Be blessed, as you allow me to teach you exactly what we did to earn with this amazing programme.

To learn more about this wonderful opportunity that is making it possible for children of God the world over achieve great things for Jesus, please email me at raydendhew@gmail.com

On Fire for Jesus Programme

2010-05-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

We are in an exciting season of our lives, being blessed by teaching others the principles of giving from our abundance, as Kingdom citizens. We teach believers to walk in all the good things that God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, except the spirit of that man which is in him? In this way, no man knows the things of God, as only the Spirit of God.

We believe that God is speaking to ordinary everyday people like you and me to bring his word to the nations. In Acts 1:8 Jesus speaks about going to the nations to preach his word so that everyone may know of him. Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

We endeavour to train and teach believers to reach their full potential in God by simply being obedient to his word. Encouraging and supporting a diversity of talents and gifts that God has blessed us with. Our main motivation in this programme is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. Therefore we are a body of like minded people who choose to bless others experiencing the hardships of life. We have embarked on the "Give a man a fish and you feed him for the day but teach a man how to fish and you feed him for life" principle. Working among various underprivileged communities in the world has taught us to embark on opportunities that will help our field workers for Jesus to be self supportive as they bring the word of God to the nations in whatever area they feel they are called to.

However we set in place a time period for growth and firm teachings in the word of God from the bible, ensuring that everything taught is from the bible (the bible plus nothing and the bible minus nothing) principle. We believe we as the children of God should being blessing others from our vast abundance. However often believers are not in a position to do this as they themselves are financially unstable. Together we learn what God's word says on that topic. Drawing to our attention what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

All creation was created to function by specific principles and we too are created for a bigger purpose and as believers some of us never discover all that God has for us in terms of his goodness. God desires for us to be financially secure and healthy. We cannot be effective for the kingdom when we experience defeat in these circumstances and Satan uses these very things to cripple us from all that our Father in heaven has for us. We need to discover who we are in Christ and walk in that victory. Many of us are fortunate to belong to good churches that teach us strong biblical principles but dear friend the rest is up to you. One cannot constantly be in a place of lack and unhappiness, the kingdom of God is a prosperous one and we as kingdom children should run with every good thing that He has prepared for us. Many believers believe it is a blessing to be poor, however that is not true, Jesus stretches out his hand to meet at where we are. Your life will definitely reflect change when you reach out and hold onto his hand as He guides you through the storms of life.

You have to have clear understanding of who you are in Christ in order for things to line up in your life. After all you are what you think. If you constantly think negatively then you will experience much negativity on the other hand when you speak positive things into your situation, things will improve and God will guide you through his word. This only happens by spending time with him, worshipping him and loving him with the whole of your heart. Often times people complain that God is unconcerned about them, friends if you will only listen to the voice of God then you too will understand that God is a loving God, not this totally impossible person who will never listen to you. We must understand that He is a holy God and most worthy of our respect Like any good parent God wants your obedience and we as parents know there are also seasons in our lives when we choose to with hold certain things from our children for their own good. Likewise God too knows when we as his children should not be given certain things. trust that God is for you and not against you.

We pray that our programme will be a blessing to you as you seek to experience change in your life just as many lives across the nation have been changed. We pray that God in his wisdom will allow you to remember that we as believers are called to be a blessing. We are called to lend and not to borrow, to help those in need and uplift those who experience sadness and despair pointing them to the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Friends let us help each other to bring Jesus to a dying world by joining hands for Jesus and in so doing empowering ourselves both financially and spiritually to plunder hell and populate heaven. Deuteronomy 28

To find out more about our self help programme, please email me at raydendhew@gmail.com

Our company is based on strong christian morals and seek to uplift you on your journey to spiritual and financial freedom.

Prayer opens God's storehouse of treasures

2010-04-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Right now I feel so excited that the kids are safely in bed for the night, if you thought with them being a little older things would get better, think again. I would'nt want them to hear me saying that, though they're fiercely independant at this age, they still look for mum and dad to assist with numerous tasks, like school work. Since mum homeschools them and enjoys her free time to work on her new businesses, homework is dad's baby. Well I am working with one of my internet mentors Jomar Hilario who is simply wonderful in the way he teaches me. His lessons are down to earth and considering that he's quite patient with me and my limited internet knowledge is a blessing. My goood friend Bo Sanchez recommended him, as he was the guy that took Bo's business to greater heights and thats one of the reasons we went with Jomar, on Bo's recommendation. I trust Bo Sanchez, simply because he is a man of great integrity, we've been fortunate to seek his counsel about doing business in the market place with solid christian principles. God has moved in amazing ways in our lives. Prayer certainly has brought the right programmes into our lives and we have literally been blessed. As if God has opened up his storehouse and poured out an abundance of blessings down on us. We also learned a great deal from other great men and woman of God, that helped mentor us when we were about to give up on ever walking in the good things that God has for us, through showing us how to be obedient to God's word and have unwavering trust in him. Friends, never stop believing God to show you the way. Bo Sanchez has a wonderful ministry also focused on us, as believers helping make this world a better place and shining our light into the darkest corners to where Jesus has called us. When God calls we must be ready to go, we as a family are making sure that we are ever ready to the call of God on our lives. Are you? Life is too short for us to wonder whether we're good enough or at a perfect place in our lives for us to answer the call of God on our lives, instead we must listen for the small still voice that will direct us and point the way. We must prepare ourselves by having a deeper relationship with our Father God and soaking ourselves in his word. This my friends together with linking arms with other believers, will definitely bring many. many lost souls into the kingdom of God.