Everyone is important

I love this quote.  “In life, you will realize there is a role for everyone you meet.   Some will test you, some will use you, some will love you, and some with teach you.   But the ones who are truly important are the ones who bring out the best in you.  They are the rare and amazing people who remind you why it’s worth it.”

Those who have tested me may have been the hardest to deal with, even though their testing has been a gift – urging me on to bigger and better things.  Or, conversely, trying to make me feel small and inadequate – a lesson in either case. - Clare Myatt

Two Ways To Be HAPPY

There was a young man who constantly complained about everything.  One day, he decided to start over and live a new life.  So he went to the wise king and asked him how to live a successful life.  The king filled a big glass of wine for him and said, "Take this glass and go around the market once and come back.  Then I will tell you the secret to living a successful life.  However, do not spill any of the wine, or else you will be punished!"  The young man took the glass of wine and did as the king said.  When he returned, the king asked, "What did you see on the streets of the market?  What kind of people did you pass?  What kind of sounds did you hear?  The man responded, "Oh king! To obey your command, I could only focus on my glass of wine so that I would not spill it.  I was not able to see or hear anything other than my glass of wine!"  The king answered, "That is the secret to a successful life.  The reason you are not satisfied with your life and always complaining is because you are wasting it.  If you have a purpose and run towards it with passion, you will not have time to complain."

[Extracted from LivingLife ]

Right Attitude

Author Henri Nouwen, in his book The Return Of The Prodigal Son, suggests that all Christians, at some point in their walk of faith, are represented by each of the three main characters. At times we are the wayward child in need of repentance and forgiveness. At other times we are the big brother who wants to hold on to resentment and withhold forgiveness. But as we mature, we become like the father, whose highest desire is to have all his children reconciled.

The church is also a big family, we should not be split into separate parts as 1 Corinthians 1:10 records "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."

1 Corinthians 12:12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Paul encouraged the Corinthians in their trials: "Do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

So what's unseen and eternal that we can focus on? The character of God is an excellence place to focus. He is good (Psalm 25:8), He is just (Isaiah 30:18), He is forgiving (1 John 1:9), and He is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9).

A right attitude with your family begins with a right attitude toward God.

Good or Bad ?

Today as you wake up - how do you feel?

Are you in a good mood or a bad mood? I always choose to be in good mood. Life is all about choices. It's your choice how you will live your life. A cup of water can be half full or half empty, it all depends on you.

So to make sure we benefit from what might seem bad, we must recognise and trust God's 'unfailing love' as recorded in Psalm 13:5-6 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me."

We may not be able to control events, but we can control our attitude toward them.