It is just 800 miles. That is just about the distance from the Sabine River on the Texas-Louisiana state line to the West Texas town of El Paso. You can travel the marsh flat Texas Gulf Coast along Interstate 10 and watch the scenery change from lush green rice fields to rugged mesquite scrubs in just about a day’s drive. All along the way you see a land that is blessed and prosperous.
It is roughly 800 miles south-east of Miami. The Island of Hispaniola is divided between two nations. The eastern two thirds of the island is the Spanish speaking Dominican Republic. The western third is the French speaking nation of Haiti. Haiti is slightly smaller than the state of Maryland and is home to nearly nine million people. It is also the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. The average annual per capita income is $1300. Nearly 65% of her citizens live in absolute poverty. Eroding natural resources, HIV AIDS, and political turmoil affects the lives of millions of Haitians. There is now ay to accurately describe what life is like in Haiti. From people I know personally, they have told me that one would have to experience it to fully understand the magnitude of it all.
Tuesday January 12, 2010 an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale centered smack dab in the middle of Haiti. The earthquake unleashed massive devastation. Though the people of Haiti are accustomed to hardship and turmoil, there was nothing to prepare them for this cataclysmic event. Shanty homes that were barely livable collapsed into rubble. Hospitals, schools, government buildings crumbled as the earth heaved and shook trapping hundreds beneath them. Basic necessities that we Americans take for granted such as water and lights were off line. And when the shaking stopped and the dust settled tens of thousands were dead and hundreds more unaccounted for. This was a horrific event, but it isn’t over.
Two controversial people have made comments that should not have been made. Rush Limbaugh believes the current US Presidential Administration is using this disaster for political gain. Pat Robertson claims that Haiti is cursed by the devil and this is earthquake is proof of that. The statements are ridiculous and bring no resolution to the immediate problem. This is not the time to get caught up in any debate that takes the focus off of the needy and the hurting.
Haiti needs help. Volunteers are needed to help in the search and rescue of survivors. Medical professionals are needed to provide treatment to the injured. And, contributions need to be given. This is the time when we, the blessed, share with those who need to be blessed. This is the time to focus on the need and seek to fulfill it.
Haitians look different and speak differently than most Americans. They have customs and beliefs that we do not share. Their way of life is completely foreign to us. But, they are not a world away. They are just 800 miles south of us. The same distance between The Sabine River in East Texas to El Paso. Find a charitable organization and donate. Help make a difference in the lives of those who are closer than you think.
“ I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:35-40 New king James Version
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Five Touches To A Better Me
Five Touches To a Better Me
New Year provides us with an opportunity to make a start fresh start and to set our lives in order. It is estimated that 48% of Americans will make some Sort of New Year resolution. Of those resolutions made, 92% will not be kept. In fact, 45% will fail before the end of January. Only 8% will reach their goal. That is a sad commentary. Many see the need for improvement in their lives, yet when it comes to actually doing something about it they fail miserably. Why?
The key to achieving any goal or fulfilling any New Year resolutions is having an effective strategy (action plan) in accomplishing them. Most people are overwhelmed by the effort that is involved to their goals and give up. Some will set un-realistic goals, like trying to lose 50lbs in 30 days. While others set their goals too low and thus become bored and quit. And, most just ain’t got a plan on how to make it happen.
People need something simple, something easy to remember. They need something that helps them to prioritize their goals and life accordingly.
I have come up with something I want to share with you. I call it five touches to a Better Me: These are five things I can do every day that will impact my future in a positive and life changing way.
1. Touch God—Psalm 63.1 “O God, you are my God; Early will I seek you…” Make touching God your number 1 priority every day. Praying/devotion is not something you have to do, it is something that you get to do. Every day you can touch the creator of the universe and seek His counsel and direction for your life. James 1.5—“if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him.” That is a powerful promise. If I lack wisdom—understanding-direction, I can ask God and He WILL give it to me! Touching God everyday is an opportunity to invite the divine supernatural presence of God into my life. To guide and order my steps. Make it the first thing you do every day. Pray and spend time in God’s word.
2. Touch my family—Outside of my relationship with God there is no other relationship more important that my family. First to my wife, then to my children. Ephesians 5. 25—“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.” The love that a husband has for his wife is to mirror the love Christ has for the Church. That is a selfless sacrificial love. A love completely devoted to serving the other. Colossians 3.18—“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord.” Some like to use this verse as a means to subjugate women. But, that isn’t what it is talking about. Just as the man is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, the wife is to love-honor-respect her husband as unto the Lord. This is an act of worship.
The way we treat our children is even spelled out for us in Ephesians 6.4—“And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Be an example to your kids. Do not live a life that provokes (motivates) them to evil. Set a good example.
3. Touch My Future—Proverbs 13.22: “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” I will touch things that will live beyond me. God has lain on my heart to start projects that will touch the lives of people and make them better. You may want to start a business, write a book, and start a ministry for the needy. Whatever it is that you want to touch that lives beyond you invest in it every day.
2 Timothy 2.15—“study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” –READ-LEARN-STUDY! The world and technology is changing at neck breaking speed. You must keep up with it and embrace it. Fill your head with knowledge. Life is about learning. Learn as much as you can. Enroll in classes; attend seminars and read, read, read. It will keep you sharp and will keep you young. Proverbs 19.2—“Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge.”
Touching your future also involves your health and fitness. There is only one of you. Take care of yourself by eating right and exercise—1 Corinthians 6.19, your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Take care of it.
4. Touch My Finances—Set aside money each week for God, business, savings and household. Proverbs 22.7—tells us that the borrower is servant to the lender. So try to pay cash as much as possible. Manage your money or your debt will enslave you! Money is not good or evil. It is simply a tool. A hammer in the hands of a carpenter can construct a fine home. The same hammer in the hand of a psychopath can kill someone. Use the money you are blessed with wisely.
5. Touch My Friends—Ecclesiastes 4.12: “…a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The friends you hang out with speak volumes about you. Good solid relationship will keep you safe. Surround yourself with good friends. People who celebrate you. People will build you up instead of tearing you down. Touch a friend every day. Proverbs 27.17: “As Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
Make this year the best year of your life. Take time to prioritize what is important to you. Write those goals and dreams down. Ask yourself how these goals will help you and those you love most. And, just make five touches every day. It will help to keep you on track.
New Year provides us with an opportunity to make a start fresh start and to set our lives in order. It is estimated that 48% of Americans will make some Sort of New Year resolution. Of those resolutions made, 92% will not be kept. In fact, 45% will fail before the end of January. Only 8% will reach their goal. That is a sad commentary. Many see the need for improvement in their lives, yet when it comes to actually doing something about it they fail miserably. Why?
The key to achieving any goal or fulfilling any New Year resolutions is having an effective strategy (action plan) in accomplishing them. Most people are overwhelmed by the effort that is involved to their goals and give up. Some will set un-realistic goals, like trying to lose 50lbs in 30 days. While others set their goals too low and thus become bored and quit. And, most just ain’t got a plan on how to make it happen.
People need something simple, something easy to remember. They need something that helps them to prioritize their goals and life accordingly.
I have come up with something I want to share with you. I call it five touches to a Better Me: These are five things I can do every day that will impact my future in a positive and life changing way.
1. Touch God—Psalm 63.1 “O God, you are my God; Early will I seek you…” Make touching God your number 1 priority every day. Praying/devotion is not something you have to do, it is something that you get to do. Every day you can touch the creator of the universe and seek His counsel and direction for your life. James 1.5—“if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally and without reproach and it will be given to him.” That is a powerful promise. If I lack wisdom—understanding-direction, I can ask God and He WILL give it to me! Touching God everyday is an opportunity to invite the divine supernatural presence of God into my life. To guide and order my steps. Make it the first thing you do every day. Pray and spend time in God’s word.
2. Touch my family—Outside of my relationship with God there is no other relationship more important that my family. First to my wife, then to my children. Ephesians 5. 25—“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it.” The love that a husband has for his wife is to mirror the love Christ has for the Church. That is a selfless sacrificial love. A love completely devoted to serving the other. Colossians 3.18—“Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as is fit in the Lord.” Some like to use this verse as a means to subjugate women. But, that isn’t what it is talking about. Just as the man is to love his wife as Christ loves the Church, the wife is to love-honor-respect her husband as unto the Lord. This is an act of worship.
The way we treat our children is even spelled out for us in Ephesians 6.4—“And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Be an example to your kids. Do not live a life that provokes (motivates) them to evil. Set a good example.
3. Touch My Future—Proverbs 13.22: “a good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” I will touch things that will live beyond me. God has lain on my heart to start projects that will touch the lives of people and make them better. You may want to start a business, write a book, and start a ministry for the needy. Whatever it is that you want to touch that lives beyond you invest in it every day.
2 Timothy 2.15—“study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” –READ-LEARN-STUDY! The world and technology is changing at neck breaking speed. You must keep up with it and embrace it. Fill your head with knowledge. Life is about learning. Learn as much as you can. Enroll in classes; attend seminars and read, read, read. It will keep you sharp and will keep you young. Proverbs 19.2—“Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge.”
Touching your future also involves your health and fitness. There is only one of you. Take care of yourself by eating right and exercise—1 Corinthians 6.19, your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Take care of it.
4. Touch My Finances—Set aside money each week for God, business, savings and household. Proverbs 22.7—tells us that the borrower is servant to the lender. So try to pay cash as much as possible. Manage your money or your debt will enslave you! Money is not good or evil. It is simply a tool. A hammer in the hands of a carpenter can construct a fine home. The same hammer in the hand of a psychopath can kill someone. Use the money you are blessed with wisely.
5. Touch My Friends—Ecclesiastes 4.12: “…a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” The friends you hang out with speak volumes about you. Good solid relationship will keep you safe. Surround yourself with good friends. People who celebrate you. People will build you up instead of tearing you down. Touch a friend every day. Proverbs 27.17: “As Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
Make this year the best year of your life. Take time to prioritize what is important to you. Write those goals and dreams down. Ask yourself how these goals will help you and those you love most. And, just make five touches every day. It will help to keep you on track.
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