HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG SIS!!!!

Morning all, its such a beautiful day today don't you agree? This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. With a new day comes new beginnings, another chance to start fresh and do it right.

Today is also my beautiful elder sister Rhonda's birthday. You know growing up we were close so close that if anything happened to her I would cry. Then in our teens we grew apart this was a very sad period in my life, even our father's death did not mend our relationship. Not having an elder sister to confide in or guide me was devastating since my other sister, Sherma already left home and I felt all alone (at least so I thought, Jesus was always there).

Rhonda migrated to the US back in January 1998 to pursue her studies and we hashed it out before she left and that move was the beginning of mending our relationship. She visited 'home' two weeks ago and I was so very excited to see her because although she visited on numerous occasions before I actually felt that we reconnected and rekindled that love we once shared long ago.

So when I saw her, her hubby, my niece and my twin nieces (identical) I was so ecstatic it did not matter that the girls 3yrs and 16mths tore my office to bits, LOL all that mattered was that my sister was here and that we were alright.

So Sherma's 2nd son turned 8yrs on September 24th and my brother's (Timothy) daughter was going to be 1yr the day after and his s step daughter's birthday was the 23rd so we had a family day to celebrate. It was so wonderful, its been years since all of us were together like that I was just so very very happy.

Everyone was there except Sherwin, he's the oldest and lives in Maryland he migrated since before I knew myself, LOL. He was sorely missed. So there we were Mummy, Sherma, Rhonda, myself (Tricia), Timothy, Chrystal and Josiah. Siblings reunited after how long? Oh and don't forget our own families. It made me realise how blessed we truly are. September 24th 2007 will be a day forever etched in my memory (I wish Rhonda would hurry up and send the pics already, LOL).

And that is why I am dedicating this day to my beautiful sister Rhonda and to the rest of the family. God Bless

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG SIS, I LOVE YOU!!!!

How to Win in a Lost Argument

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."1

Let's face it, some people can be very difficult to live with and/or get along with. Some are impossible. However, here's an interesting tip giving one way to resolve a quarrel:

According to Ludwig Bemelmans in The Best of Bits & Pieces, "A book issued by the Army years ago gave all manner of advice to noncommissioned officers. It even tells how to make men who have quarreled become friends again. The men are put to washing the same window, one outside, the other inside. Looking at each other, they soon have to laugh and all is forgotten. It works; I have tried it. "

So the next time you have a quarrel with your spouse, try washing the windows! Admittedly, this would be easier said than done. It is extremely rare for Joy and me to argue over anything but when we do have a difference, neither one of us can rest until we get together, talk it over, apologize where we have been wrong, and put things right.

In a quarrel always aim for a "win-win" outcome.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, whenever I am in an argument please help me to know what to say and what not to say. When I am in the wrong, help me to be humble enough to admit it, apologize, and make things right. And if perchance, I am not in the wrong, help me to be humble enough not to rub in 'my rightness,' and gracious enough to forgive the one who has hurt me as you so freely forgive me whenever I sin and do wrong. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Romans 12: 18 (NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

On Being Heavenly Minded

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."1

Jesus, of course, was talking about coming back to get his followers to take them to be with him in Heaven.

Jesus' first coming is an indisputable fact of history. His second coming is just as certain. What isn't certain is the date of his coming. Over the years many have tried to predict that date and have fallen flat on their face. Only God knows that day.

Others have accused us Christians of being so heavenly minded we are of no earthly use. True, some people are this way, but that is when they use their religion as an escape from or defense against facing their own reality.

I appreciate what David Shibley wrote: "Remember a 'heavenly minded' Wilberforce whose passion for human dignity helped eradicate the slave trade throughout the British empire. Go to the inner city of Chicago and watch the tireless workers at the Pacific Garden Mission as they tell inquiring street people how to get to heaven while providing them food and shelter on the way. Scan the world and look at the thousands of hospitals, shelters, leprosariums, children's homes and colleges that have been built in heaven's honor. The point is obvious. Those who truly set their sights on another world are often the most active for constructive change in this one.

As C.S. Lewis suggested it is when we cease to think of the other world (Heaven) we become ineffective in this one.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, as Jesus taught us to pray, may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And help me, while here on earth, to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: If you are not sure that you are going to Heaven, be sure to get your "Passort for Heaven" at: http://tinyurl.com/dm472. Whatever you do, don't leave earth without it.
1. Jesus (John 14:1-3, NIV).



Credit: Daily Encounter

On Being Heavenly Minded

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."1

Jesus, of course, was talking about coming back to get his followers to take them to be with him in Heaven.

Jesus' first coming is an indisputable fact of history. His second coming is just as certain. What isn't certain is the date of his coming. Over the years many have tried to predict that date and have fallen flat on their face. Only God knows that day.

Others have accused us Christians of being so heavenly minded we are of no earthly use. True, some people are this way, but that is when they use their religion as an escape from or defense against facing their own reality.

I appreciate what David Shibley wrote: "Remember a 'heavenly minded' Wilberforce whose passion for human dignity helped eradicate the slave trade throughout the British empire. Go to the inner city of Chicago and watch the tireless workers at the Pacific Garden Mission as they tell inquiring street people how to get to heaven while providing them food and shelter on the way. Scan the world and look at the thousands of hospitals, shelters, leprosariums, children's homes and colleges that have been built in heaven's honor. The point is obvious. Those who truly set their sights on another world are often the most active for constructive change in this one.

As C.S. Lewis suggested it is when we cease to think of the other world (Heaven) we become ineffective in this one.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, as Jesus taught us to pray, may your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And help me, while here on earth, to be a part of your plans and what you are doing in the world today. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: If you are not sure that you are going to Heaven, be sure to get your "Passort for Heaven" at: http://tinyurl.com/dm472. Whatever you do, don't leave earth without it.
1. Jesus (John 14:1-3, NIV).

Credit: Daily Encounter

Show Me – Don't Tell Me

"And then he [Jesus] told them, 'You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'"1


I have often felt that much of my education taught me how to make a living and do a lot of good things, but it didn't teach me how to live or make a life. That I have had to learn the hard way—and am still learning how to do that.


Nevertheless, my education did teach me many valuable lessons. One that I have never forgotten was from my journalism professor. Time and again in bright red he would write on my papers, "Show me. Don't tell me!"


I took it to mean that in my writing I needed to illustrate important points with stories, which was the way that Jesus taught in his many parables.2


I like to apply the "show me—don't tell me" principle not only in my writing, but also in my teaching and especially in my witness for Christ. In other words, one of the greatest ways we can teach others and witness for Christ is to model true Christianity. Until we do this, our words won't carry much weight.


Like Mother Theresa wisely said in words to this effect: "Witness at every opportunity. Use words when necessary." And as another wisely said, "The living truth I long to see, I cannot live on what used to be, so close your Bible and show me how the Christ you talk about is living now."


In other words, "To win some we need to be winsome."


Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live the Christian life that others, seeing what you have done in my life, will want you in their lives as well. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."


1. Jesus (Mark 16:15, TLB).2. See Matthew 13:35.

Show Me – Don't Tell Me

"And then he [Jesus] told them, 'You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.'"1

I have often felt that much of my education taught me how to make a living and do a lot of good things, but it didn't teach me how to live or make a life. That I have had to learn the hard way—and am still learning how to do that.

Nevertheless, my education did teach me many valuable lessons. One that I have never forgotten was from my journalism professor. Time and again in bright red he would write on my papers, "Show me. Don't tell me!"

I took it to mean that in my writing I needed to illustrate important points with stories, which was the way that Jesus taught in his many parables.2

I like to apply the "show me—don't tell me" principle not only in my writing, but also in my teaching and especially in my witness for Christ. In other words, one of the greatest ways we can teach others and witness for Christ is to model true Christianity. Until we do this, our words won't carry much weight.

Like Mother Theresa wisely said in words to this effect: "Witness at every opportunity. Use words when necessary." And as another wisely said, "The living truth I long to see, I cannot live on what used to be, so close your Bible and show me how the Christ you talk about is living now."

In other words, "To win some we need to be winsome."

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live the Christian life that others, seeing what you have done in my life, will want you in their lives as well. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Jesus (Mark 16:15, TLB).2. See Matthew 13:35.

Seize the Day

"Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross over the Jordan River, you, and all these people, to the land which I am giving to you.... Every place where you set your foot, that I have given to you."1

When God told Joshua and the ancient Israelites that he had given them the Promised Land, he didn't hand it to them on a silver platter. To claim God's promise, they had to battle every inch of the way. They still had to go, conquer, and possess it.
The reality is, however, that had God not given the Promised Land to them, they never would have been able to conquer and possess it.

God also has a work for you and me to do. He will give us opportunities every day to serve him but it's up to us to take advantage of every one of these as they will come to pass—not to pause!
With God's help, let us "seize the day" and take advantage of every one of these opportunities, and claim every promise he has for us.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be ready to 'seize' every opportunity you give me to serve you and claim every promise you have made to me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."


1. God to Joshua in the Bible (Joshua 1:2-3).