ARE YOU TRUSTWORTHY?

“To be trusted is a greater compliment than being loved.” - George MacDonald

Trust

Plato said, “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” To trust, and be trusted, there’s always ‘our part’ to be played, in every relationship. Play your part well, then leave the other person to do theirs.

In his little book Illustrations of Bible Truth, H.A. Ironside pointed out the folly of judging others. He related an incident in the life of a man called Bishop Potter. "He was sailing for Europe on one of the great transatlantic ocean liners. When he went on board, he found that another passenger was to share the cabin with him. After going to see the accommodations, he came up to the purser's desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship's safe. He explained that ordinarily he never availed

ARE YOU LINCOLN?

"Anger is energizing. The opposite of anger is depression, which is anger turned inward." - Gloria Steinem

Many years ago a young Midwestern lawyer suffered from such deep depression that his friends thought it best to keep all knives and razors out of his reach. He questioned his life's calling and the prudence of even attempting to follow it through. During this time he wrote, "I am now the most miserable man living. Whether I shall ever be better, I cannot tell. I awfully forebode I shall not." But somehow, from somewhere, Abraham Lincoln received the encouragement he needed, and the achievements of his life thoroughly vindicated his bout with discouragement.

Could it be that you have turned your anger inward, and hence have become discouraged, depressed and downcast as a result of unmet targets, expectations or desires because of a mistake you think you made? Maybe you let a job opportunity or contract

ARE YOU GRIMALDI?

"You largely constructed your depression. It wasn't given to you. Therefore, you can deconstruct it." - Albert Ellis

When we fall ill, we’re quick to employ the services of medical personnel. And we take our vehicles when they malfunction to the mechanic. Everything seems to have a ‘fixer.’ But what happens when that ‘fixer’ himself needs to be fixed?

In 1835 a man visited a doctor in Florence, Italy. He was filled with anxiety and exhausted from lack of sleep. He couldn't eat, and he avoided his friends. The doctor examined him and found that he was in prime physical condition. Concluding that his patient needed to have a good time, the physician told him about a circus in town and its star performer, a clown named Grimaldi. Night after night he had the people rolling in the aisles. "You must go and see him," the doctor advised. "Grimaldi is the world's funniest clown. He'll make you laugh and cure your sadness." "No," replied the despairing man, "he can't help me, you see, I am Grimaldi!"

Have you suddenly become Grimaldi? Has the load of care over your life become so huge that it seems you’re alone? It’s the second month in the New Year, but you seem to be

ALLEN GARDINER

"Sometimes when we get overwhelmed, we forget how big God is." - Unknown

 

Allyson Felix said, "The most important lesson that I have learned is to trust God in every circumstance. Lots of times we go through different trials and following God's plan seems like it doesn't make any sense at all. God is always in control and he will never leave us." This is deep. Read the story below...

One of God’s faithful missionaries, Allen Gardiner, experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service to the Saviour. Despite his troubles, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton

ALL IS WELL

"Faith is trusting God, even when you don't understand His plan." - Unknown

All is WELL!

It's not a wish or a prayer, if you live long enough, you'll be caught up in life's storm. At such times, what would you do? Unfortunately, at such times of desperation we run everywhere thinkable for shelter or safety. In truth, at such times we can't get help from everywhere.

A story is told of a vessel caught in a storm off a rocky coast, threatening to drive it and its passengers to destruction. In the midst of the terror, one daring man, contrary to orders, went to the deck, made a dangerous passage to the pilot house and saw the steerman, at his post holding the wheel unwaveringly, and inch by inch, turning the ship out, once more, to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled. Then, the daring passenger went below and gave out a note of cheer: "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."

Have you seen the face of the pilot in that storm you're in? It's a dangerous thing to

PETER, OR THE ELEVEN

"Failure is an event, not a person. Yesterday ended last night." - Zig Ziglar

Which?

Someone said, "Fall seven times, stand up eight." Do you know that failing, is not ALWAYS failure, because failure is not the opposite of success, it's a part of success. You'll never know what possibilities lie in front of you, until you try - step out in faith - not minding the possibility of failing.

The decision to succeed involves a choice between risk and comfort. To be a follower of Jesus, we must chose to renounce comfort as the ultimate value of our lives: we’re built to enjoy comfort. Truth is, water walkers master failure. Failure is not an event, but a judgment about an event. It's not something that happens to us, or a label we attach to things. It is a way we think about outcomes. Do you think Peter failed? In a way he did. His doubts were stronger than his faith. 'He saw the wind.' He took his eyes off of where they should have been. He sank. He failed.

In actual fact, there were eleven bigger failures sitting in the boat who failed quietly and privately. Their failure went unnoticed, unobserved, and uncriticized. Only Peter knew the shame of the public failure, and only he knew, the glory of walking on water. Or what

THERE'S POWER IN THERE!

"In that blood, dwelt the soul of the holy Son of God." - Andrew Murray 

Power

It should be assumed that anyone with a loaded shotgun, against an enemy - especially an unarmed one - would be a priceless weapon. However, its ironic that majority of us walk around with a deadly weapon, yet we're losing the battles of life, being consumed and defeated by our enemy.

When evangelist John Wesley was returning home from a service one night, he was robbed. The thief, however, found his victim to have only a little money and some Christian literature. As the bandit was leaving, Wesley called out, "Stop! I have something more to give you." The surprised robber paused. "My friend," said Wesley, "you may live to regret this sort of life. If you ever do, here's something to remember: 'The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!'" The thief hurried away, and Wesley prayed that his words might bear fruit. Years later, Wesley was greeting people after a Sunday service when he was approached by a stranger. What a surprise to learn that this visitor, now a believer in Christ as a successful businessman, was the one who had robbed him years before! "I owe it all to you," said the transformed man.

BLAME – THE EASIEST ROUTE

"People who are out to find fault seldom find anything else." – Unknown

Grow UP

When you blame others, you give up your power to change, because until blame transfer stops, character building doesn’t start. It's always easier to pass the buck - you know, blame someone else for the mistake, and absolve ourselves completely. It’s the easiest thing to do in a tough situation.

In Discipleship Journal, Don McCullough wrote: "John Killinger tells about the manager of a minor league baseball team who was so disgusted with his center fielder's performance that he ordered him to the dugout and assumed the position himself. The first ball that came into center field took a bad hop and hit the manager in the mouth. The next one

A GRUDGE - IT'S POISON II

"No matter how long you nurse a grudge, it won't get better." - Traditional

John Underhill narrates this story. Mr. Russell had arranged for the minister from Fourth Memorial church to have his wedding. The day came, but the minister didn't. The minister sent a replacement. The man was upset, and never forgot the incident. 30 years later, Carolyn had a garage sale. My mother was there helping. A neighbour came over and they introduced themselves. He said, "Underhill, are you related to a minister?"
"Yes, my husband is one."
"Well, I could tell you a thing or two."
Mom said, "Go ahead, I've heard it all."
"30 years ago he was supposed to marry..." and he told his story. Mom asked, "How long ago was that?" "30 years" he said. "Well, it couldn't have been my husband. We only