A Simple Life of Contentment

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. - Ecclesiastes 4:6

In Eccl. 4:5 the delicate balance between work and rest is alluded to. It says that he who lacks ambition and a work ethic "ruins himself". On the other hand, the problem with "two handfuls" is that it leads to "chasing after the wind". The person who is motivated by envy will never have enough.

A happy balance is achieved when one holds "one handful with tranquaility". If we live with a spirit of contentment and gratitude, we have an empty hand to lift in praise, to extend to a needy neighbor, or to help lift up a friend. (4:10)

Reverand Dr. Delores Carpenter

Mother's Day Thank You

To all "mother's" in our team for the abundance of love and fortune that you share with your families and the greatness that each one of you bring into this region!

Whether a mother yourself, the leader of a group, a pet owner or simply a daughter/son, today is a day to give thanks for those that brought us to this world!

I hope everyone takes the time to celebrate "the moments"- together with your families.

You may be only ONE PERSON in the world, but you may also be the WORLD to one PERSON!!!

Continue to Be the first in all that you do

Be the first to smile. When there is no reason to smile is when a smile is needed the most.

Be the first to forgive. And forever leave the negativity of the past where it belongs, in the past.

Be the first to take action. The sooner you act, the more you will accomplish.

Be the first to say thank you. A grateful attitude will bring more richness into your life.

Be the first to adapt to new and different situations. When you embrace change, you get it working in your favor.

Don't wait any longer for the best that life can be.

Be the first to move forward, and be the one to make it happen (r.marson).

Pitiful or Powerful?

There was a certain man there who had suffered with a deep-seated and lingering disorder for thirty-eight years. When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? - John 5:5-6

Jesus could ask each of us that question. Do we want to become well? So much happens to us in our lives that can stumble us or hinder us from moving forward. You know what these things are in your life, just as I know what they are in mine.

Self-pity is our enemy, yet it is so easy to become consumed by it. Jesus knew that self-pity would not cure this man, nor will it heal us. Are we trapped in an emotional prison? If so, "Do we want to become well?"

Gaining freedom from all the hurt and emotional bondage locked up inside us is not an easy task. However, we can be freed. Jesus promises, but first we must want this freedom.

Do we want to be a powerful woman? We cannot be powerful and be pitiful at the same time. We must give up one. We must give up self-pity to truly be free.

Being a True Friend

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24

True friends are hard to find and loyalty is at the heart of every good friendship. Some people take pride in having a large number of friends. There was a time when I felt my personal value was seen in how many friends I had. However, when I hit hard times I learned a hard lesson. It is not the quanity of friends you have, rather it is the quality. A few true loyal friends are worth more than a thousand friends in name only. Invest in a few good strong friendships. Select your friends carefully and then stick with them. Be loyal to them and your true friends will be loyal to you.

Friendships are like flowers that grow with nurture and love. Take the time to stop and apprecitate the fragrance of true friendships and appreciate their development. Give them the chance to grow into warm, lifelong relationships. And, as always, remember that true friendships have their foundations laid in Christ.

A Support System

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other--each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other. - Romans 15:5

As we strive to live our life for God, we will need a strong support system. This world tries hard to stray us from our godly path. Hence, we must cultivate relationships with others who understand our godly vision. The only way to do this is to share our visions and godly interests with others. Let them know that we want to live a devoted life. This will help weed out those who would hinder us while at the same time drawing those with a similar vision closer to us. In this way, we develop godly partnerships that will last a lifetime and encourage us as we continue our godly path.

April 25, 2006: First Things First

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding....Then you
will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain
knowledge of God. - Proverbs 2:2,5

When I got up this morning I realized that I had a long list of things
to get done today. Is that what you faced this morning? Sometimes the
list is so long that spending time with God seems like just one more
thing to add to an already long list. Don't feel bad if that is how you
feel some days. We all have them. It is so very easy to lose sight of
the reasons why we want to spend time each day with our Father. How
much time have we spent trying to do things our way? If you are like
me, I have wasted too much time on my own already. If there is one
thing the hard knocks of life have taught me it is that I cannot go
through life on my own. I need Him each and every day. His wisdom has
given me confidence knowing that my decisions are the right ones,
simply because I lean on him to help me make them.

No matter how busy our day is, it will go much smoother once we have
taken the time to inplant God's thoughts in our mind and heart.

April 24, 2006: Why We Must Forgive

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the catives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound. - Isaish 61:1

I believe that most people have been hurt in some form during their lives. It may have come in the form of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse. Often times, hurt leads to feelings of rejection. Wounded emotions can become a prison that locks us into our pain and keeps out those who can assist us. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door to this prison. Are you dwelling in such a prison? How long have you been there? Do you want to be freed?

Remember, Jesus came to open prison doors and to set the captives free. He wants to heal you. Jesus is willing: are you?