Tag Archives: Time

Uncategorized

Laying My Smart Phone Aside!

ImageAnyone that knows me, knows that I love my gadgets, so for me to decide to separate myself from one of them, will come as a great shock.  But it is something that I feel like I need to at least experiment with.

It occurred to me the other day, that I waste way too much time on my cell phone.  I have to have it near me at all times, like some kind of security blanket.  I am not so sure if this is for my benefit or for the benefit of those that I think want to get in touch with me.  I am going to try during the month of January to leave it in one location – truck or desk, so that I will have to go and check it.  Why would I do such a thing?

1.  People deserve my undivided attention!  I think that it is totally disrespectful to be in a conversation with someone and in the middle of the conversation to take a call from someone else.  If the call is important, the person calling can leave a message and I will return the call as soon as possible and this actually shows respect to both parties.  Relationships are important, in fact they are vital in this life and if someone is willing to give me face time, then I need to give them my very best and uninterrupted face.

2.  I need to stay focused on the task at hand!  So many times, I am working on a project, get a call and then drop the project to tend to what may or may not be more important.  This often leaves a lot of unresolved projects at the end of the day, which leads to my being frustrated and not my best for anyone.  Also the temptation to pull out my smart phone and check social media often gets in the way of my getting started on projects that need my attention.

3.  I can do better, want to do better and need to do better!  While the phone is often helpful, it also can be a major distraction, especially to my accomplishing the tasks that I was created for.  Bottom line:  I want my phone to be a help, not a hindrance.  I know that this will not be easy for me or for those trying to get in touch with me, but it is a small baby step that I feel like I need to take to be a better and more effective servant to others.

So, here I go into 2014 with the first of many challenges that I believe will make my life and the lives of those around me better.  And that is a good thing, because I believe that life is all about learning to live blessed!

Uncategorized

Sit Quietly!

When I was a little boy in primary school, my teachers after growing tired of hearing me talk would say:  “I bet you can sit there for one minute and be quiet!”  I knew I was giving them what they wanted, but I still had to prove that I could do it!  The truth:  Sitting quietly is a good thing, if we will learn to use the time wisely!

Learning to sit quietly in the presence of our Creator is one of the most difficult things that we can try to do in this noise filled and ultra busy world that we live in.  But just because it is difficult, does not mean that we should not try.  In fact, because it is difficult, should be all the more motivation to try.

When we sit quietly, it is a demonstration of trust.  It is our way of saying:  “I don’t have to do anything to try to fix things, because I trust that my Creator knows best.”  “I will sit in His presence and listen for His voice and then at His direction, I will do whatever He says.”

You may be thinking that you have so much to do and that you do not have time to sit in His presence.  In the New Testament, Martha had that same challenge and Jesus told her that Mary had chosen the better part.  Simply lay your “to do” list to the side and take a few moments to enjoy the presence of the One who created you and sustains you, so that you might keep living.

Do not worry about anything, but learn to trust Him in everything.  This is sacred time that strengthens and prepares you to face and deal with whatever may come your way.  Sitting still and quiet in His presence is action of a far greater power than anything that the flesh can manifest.  It is the action of faith which allows trust to grow strong, so that when you stand you can stand against whatever the world may try to bring against you.

Take some time today to sit in the presence of your Creator and you will discover how to live the life you were created for, you will discover how to live blessed!

Uncategorized

Filled Up!

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”  Romans 5:3-5

Image
Fillerup!

No one likes trials and troubles, but everyone has them and while we don’t like them, it helps to know that when we do, there is a purpose.  The Scripture teaches us that we can rejoice and be happy when we face the challenges of life, because the challenges are helping us to develop and grow endurance.

Endurance is the ability to remain active and productive even when facing adverse conditions.  It is the picture of something that lasts, regardless of time.  As we face trials and troubles, God is using the problems to develop endurance in our lives.  We can rejoice because this endurance develops character.

Character is the moral and ethical traits that make you uniquely who you are.  Someone has said that character is who you are when no one else is looking.  As we endure trials, we develop character. And our character as it grows and develops produces hope.

Hope is a feeling that things are going to be better.  Our hope is in our salvation and the relationship that it makes possible with our Creator.  This relationship is based in the love of a Creator for His creation.  This love is grown in the relationship of trust, which is strengthened in hope of an even brighter tomorrow.  This day and every day after this, is possible, because of our relationship with, to and through the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with the amazing and blessed love of our most awesome friend and Creator…

Take some time today, even in the midst of challenges to let Him fill you up with His Spirit!