For the past 10 years, the Morris family has collected Christmas cards for missionaries around the world. Thanks to many of you, we have collected over 24,000 cards (5,000 collected in 2011). The missionaries use the cards for crafts with children in poverty-stricken countries. A lot of the families use the cards as wall art in their homes. This is a great example of one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. What’s even better is that every card given represents a child or adult who is hearing the message of the God who loves them and wants to know them personally. So much so that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for their sin.
One missionary in Nigeria wrote: "I greatly appreciate the large amount of cards you sent me. We (missionaries) are so encouraged when we receive the packages of cards. The cards are so colorful and the children like that."
Our part of this is project is collecting the cards, cutting them and keeping the fronts to be given out as gifts.
If you would like to help, just send me any old cards (Christmas, Birthday, Thank You, etc). If you have the time to cut them, that always helps, but it’s not required to participate. Feel free to let others know about this project. We collect cards throughout the year but our huge emphasis is obviously December - February. Thanks in advance for your help. It’s a simple and great way to make an impact on children and families around the world!
What inhibits us from coming to the assistance of people in need? Having experienced this first hand recently, I have learned that when I rely on my REACTION to something like this, I will fail...just like the people in the video.
A month ago, I came upon a fatal automobile accident. Both vehicles were grossly mangled; one was even upside down. As I exited my vehicle I saw others running to the assistance of two individuals who were ejected from their vehicle. I approached the vehicle that was upside down and saw a hand reaching out a broken window. I got down to assess their condition. Both the driver and passenger, husband and wife, were alert with only minor injuries, just hanging upside down (no one had a knife to cut the seat belt.) Since they were "OK," I defaulted to "Good Samaritan" mode and gave my attention to cleaning debris out of the road and gathering some valuables that were scattered across the road. Once the emergency personnel arrived and I had given them the valuables I had gathered, I left. Then it hit me...
Not once had I made an attempt to comfort this couple. I didn't ask their name. I didn't stay with them until help arrived. I didn't offer to call anyone. I just left...
Why?
I have concluded that I failed in this instance because I wasn't prepared. I relied solely on my REACTION and not a RESPONSE. What's the difference? A response is premeditated. It is planned out in advance. It is having a plan.
This event was a defining moment in my life. I seriously doubt that I'll find myself in a similar situation and react the way I did that afternoon. And if you find yourself in a such a scenario, I hope you'll learn from my mistake and be better prepared than I was.
Brian Davis had a hard conversation with himself on Sunday afternoon. In a playoff situation at the Verizon Heritage PGA Tournament, he held the lead and found himself in a classic battle of good vs evil. You could almost see the little angel on one shoulder and the little devil on the other. In the center of this colossal battle lay a small piece of grass.
As Davis found his ball lying among some rocks, sand, grass and reeds, he knew he had a challenging shot. As he swung his iron through the sand, his ball lifted to the green and stopped a few feet from the pin. By most standards, it was a great shot. This is when the battle began. As soon as he finished his swing, Davis knew he had a decision to make...a decision that no other person would contest...a decision of character. Some define character as "who you are when no one else is looking." This was a defining moment for Brian Davis.
On the takeaway, Davis' club made contact with a blade of grass, or as rule 13.4 calls it, "a loose impediment." It happened so fast, that the only person who knew it was Davis. The consequence for this infraction was one stroke and would cost him the win...his first win. And so, the battle ensued: "Do I confess my mistake or do I keep my mouth shut?" Davis did the right thing and called in a PGA official for a ruling. And doing so he forfeited not only the win, but $411,000.00 (Winning purse was $1,026,000; Davis received $615,000.)
What's the point? Proverbs 22:1 tells us, "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." Years from now most will not remember who won the 2010 Verizon Heritage Tournament. But for weeks and possibly years to come, people will refer to Davis' example as a model for honesty. His name and integrity will be remembered long after his winnings are forgotten.
Are you hiding something that no one knows but you? Do you desire to have a "good name?"
This may sound like a proud dad putting the spotlight on one of his kids...but it's actually not.
I received an email from one of my children's teachers complimenting her work on a recent project. While I appreciate the compliment on her behalf, I gained an even stronger appreciation for a great teacher.
"Mr. Henson", as we know him, not only recognizes the work of his students, but takes it to a whole 'nutha level by framing the work and putting it on the wall of his home. It's a simple principle: What gets rewarded gets repeated.
The good news is that this is not limited to teachers and students, but goes well beyond the classroom. It can penetrate our homes, restaurants, offices and churches. You should try it sometime. The next time someone does something that you really like, appreciate or just want to see done again, go over-board with appreciation and recognition. See if you get the same performance again.
Not only does this practice create good behaviors, it elevates your "stock" to those around you. You'll be one of those people who brighten a room when you walk in, not when you walk out.
Thanks "Mr. Henson" for reminding me of the value of praise!
I don't profess to be the most organized person. I do however, attempt to control my calendar otherwise it will control me. Too often I find that when I fail to do just that, I become slave to the urgent.
Here are some simple tips to help you organize your day:
1) Prioritize Your Agenda: Covey says, "Things that matter most should never come at the expense of things that matter least."
2) Deal with Conflicts: Saying "no" is a simple way to avoid scheduling conflicts. Know your limits, and don't stretch your schedule too far.
3) Use Tools for Organizing Your Day: Sometimes soliciting help is a great way to organize your day. If you just don't have time to get everything done, consider asking someone to help carry the load.
4) Consider using Scheduling Software: If you're concerned about missing appointments or forgetting when that important task is due, use the alarm feature on most desktop calendars and cell phones.
Here are some excerpts from this month's Entrepreneur magazine. The article sheds a little light on how we can be a little more LIKEABLE to people around us. In the context of the article, it's how we relate to our customers and potential customers. In the context of our faith, it's how we relate to those who have yet to "buy in" to a relationship with Jesus Christ and just about everybody else.
The first point is real good in that the five components listed are supported by scripture. (Note, I added the scripture, not the author...)
You will capture your clients attention when you convey:
Confidence...Deuteronomy 31:6
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Intrigue...Philippians 2:3
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
Interest in Others...Philippians 2:4
"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Enthusiasm...Colossians 3:23
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"
Respect...Romans 12:10
"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Here are some more...
"Life is a series of popularity contests."
"If you're well liked, then you're more likely to be better in sales."
"To make choices, we go through a three-step process. First ,we listen to something out of a field of opportunities. Then, we either do or do not believe what we've heard. Finally, we put a value on what we've heard."
"Your potential clients need a reason to deem your message important enough to sit up and listen to it."
"If you're credible, you're much more likely to be believed."
I recently took this photo of a very unsuspecting gentleman as he sat quietly in the chair next to me. While we didn't speak very much, his hands said a lot. These are the hands of a hard-working man who gets up everyday to go to work in order to provide for his family.
As I looked at his hands through the lens of my camera, I was struck by the the thought of how Jesus used His hands in so many ways to provide for others...
-to hold children
-to touch people as he healed them
-to bless people
-to hold Himself up as He hung on the cross
Yet, as I look at this photo, I'm reminded that the hands of Jesus also protects...
John 10:27-29 (New International Version)
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. It sure is good to know that as a followers of Jesus Christ, I am double-covered! And yet, some times, I don't listen to His voice. Far too often I listen to my own voice before listening to His. Thus the inner battle of every person who seeks to follow Jesus Christ. John 3:30 reminds us that, "He must increase, but I must decrease." We need to be filtering our lives through the lenses of what God would have us do in EVERY area of our lives (marriage, work, parenting, church, leading others, etc.) And thus, hear His voice...not our own. And when we do, we can find rest in His hands.
Someone once said the best way to get friends is to be one first. Good words.
A friend of mine, Robin Carlile, shared something with me that is worth sharing with you. It's an evaluation tool to guide you through a stern look at how you perceive the value of friendships and what you look for in a friend. She created this for a Bible study and it's too good not to pass along.
Take a few moments to assign a numerical value to each attribute of a friend below. Use a scale of one (1) to five (5). A "1" indicates that particular attribute is not real necessary for you in a friendship, and a "5" indicates that it is a must for you in a friendship. The Bible verses are for later, but you may want to consider what they say as you make your decisions.
More instructions after you finish this part.
I look for friends who...
Are loyal (Proverbs 8:24b) ____
Are forgiving (Matthew 18:21-22) ____
Will ask tough questions (Proverbs 27:17) ____
Will make sure I do what I say I will do (Matthew 18:15) ____
Will restore me when I mess up (Galatians 6:1) ____
Has a moral character (1 Corinthians 15:33) ____
Are committed to a Holy alliance (1 John 1:7) ____
Are sociable (Proverbs 18:1, Acts 2:46) ____
Are consistent (Proverbs 17:17) ____
Are like-minded (Acts 4:32) ____
Are honest/truthful (Proverbs 27:6; Ephesians 4:15) ____
Are generous (Acts 2:44) ____
Are loving (Leviticus 19:17-18) ____
Are kind (Ephesians 4:32) ____
Are servants (Galatians 4:13) ____
Are selfless/sacrificial (John 15:12-13) ____
Are motivated (Hebrews 10:24) ____
Are considerate (Philippians 2:3-4)
Will pray for me (James 5:16; Galatians 6:2) ____
Now, the fun part. Add up all of your numerical values and see how you fare according to the following scale.
0-39
Your friendship skills are sorely lacking. Your friendships are limited and probably shallow. You generally have some clever rational for why this is. ACTION PLAN: Take the "20 Day Challenge." Each day for the next twenty days, focus on one of the listed friendship attributes. Begin your day by reading the accompanying scripture and praying the following prayer: "Lord, show me where I lack this quality today in a very real and clear way. Lord, I allow you to develop the quality of ( ) in my life today."
40-79
In general you are very friendly but may lack deep committed relationships. People may generally characterize you as the life of the party but you burn bright and fizzle quickly because you do not have the genuine depth to sustain this energy for very long. ACTION PLAN: Look over your individual scores. Highlight those friendship attributes for which your score is 3 or less. Each day chose a “lacking” attribute and begin your day by reading the accompanying scripture and praying the following, "Lord, show me where I lack this quality today in a very real and clear way. Lord, I allow you to develop the quality of ( ) in my life today."
80-100
You are a true and reliable friend whose friendships are characterized as deep and genuine. Friendship, for you, is a two way ever widening street. You pursue close friendships and are fulfilled by supporting those who call you friend and by relying on those who you call friend. ACTION PLAN: You need to be fine tuning your skills. Ask God daily to grow you in the areas He sees fit. Daily look over your list of attributes paying attention to the scores that are somewhat lower than others and go through your day looking for those divine appointments for growth in these areas. At the end of each day make a note about how you saw the Holy Spirit at work and write a prayer of thanksgiving.
How did you do? The key is to be honest enough to acknowledge where you are and determine where you want to go. I've said it before, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you're going to keep getting what you getting." Remember...be a friend if you want to get friends...
As school has begun, I wanted to empower you with something that would help you become a champion parent...
10 Simple Things Every Kid Wants to Hear
Yes
How can I pray for you?
Will you forgive me?
God has a plan for you!
We are excited that you are growing up (entering a new stage of life)!
I know it hurts.
You are more important to me than...(you fill in the blank - report cards, work, sports, etc.).
I am so glad you are in our family.
I love you too much to let you do that.
Try to be patient with me. I've never been the parent of a 10-year-old (or whatever the child's age is) before. (Caution: This only works on the firstborn!)
Be your kid's #1 fan...
Taken from The Parent Adventure by Rodney & Selma Wilson
For the past 10 years, the Morris family has collected Christmas cards for missionaries around the world. Thanks to many of you, we have collected over 24,000 cards (5,000 collected in 2011). The missionaries use the cards for crafts with children in poverty-stricken countries. A lot of the families use the cards as wall art in their homes. This is a great example of one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure. What’s even better is that every card given represents a child or adult who is hearing the message of the God who loves them and wants to know them personally. So much so that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for their sin.
