"More than anything else in life, we need to find the right path. Many assume the path they're on must be the only choice…Some simply don't want to bother thinking about it. Down inside they all sense that something is wrong, and they yearn for something better." Billy Graham A while ago I took a foot-in-the-door position to get hired (even if it was a demotion) and worked my way up. Two years later after being promoted to a higher position, I accepted another demotion...in position and salary. My co-workers advised against it, but I was following the door that opened in response to prayer. When I took the first demotion, the foot-in-the-door decision, I was going from a supervisor position in a company that was closing its office in California, to a secretary position in a company that was headquartered in California. My choice was intentional; I wanted to be in a company with many locations and positions locally so I could grow with the company. This change was solely on my own (or so I thought). I found the job, I applied, I got the job, and I grew quickly in the new company in both position and salary. It was all "I," "I," "I." I didn't ask for God's help. But as I progressed in my career I could see God's fingerprints all over my accomplishments and recognition. So when I considered the second job change (the demotion my co-workers shunned) it was harder to take the first step because this time I would be relying on God. I would be transferring from an exempt position as a trainer in an IT department, to a non-exempt position as a trainer in a Training department. Putting it all into God's hands, I prayed, He opened the position, He helped me with the interview (since I had never done web-based-training), and He closed the deal. The job was mine. This time it was all, "He," "He," "He." I had seen how God had worked in the past so I was trusting that if He opened the door, He would see me through. The lesson learned through all this was that God is not just a Sunday morning God. He could actually help me at work, also. God was faithful again, and my faith was growing. They say hindsight is 20/20. Looking back at both job changes I now see just how faithful God was. Both open doors led to better jobs and a brighter future. But more importantly, they grew my faith that God would not lead me down a path that was not good for me. In both jobs I enjoyed my work, in both I learned skills that were also useful in ministry, and both jobs helped me learn how to better face change...trusting God for the outcome. However, bigger faith requires bigger steps into the unknown. So now I'm faced with yet another change (that will likely mean a salary adjustment). Although it's not easy, it's easier knowing that God has in the past proven Himself faithful. I wait expectantly to see where this change will take me, with the full realization that money is not always how God rewards a step of faith.
Caterina Fake once said, “So often people are working hard at the wrong thing. Working on the right thing is probably more important than working hard.” Are you on the right path? Do you fear changing paths because of too many unknowns? How can you grow your faith in God to truly believe He has your best interests at heart? Lord, help me to continue to trust in You with no expectations on how You will honor my faithfulness. Amen “We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place…” 2 Peter 1:19 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: William Franklin “Billy” Graham (1918- ), an American evangelical Christian evangelist best known for leading over 400 crusades. He has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) has also shared Christ through radio and television programs, magazines, newspaper columns, online discipleship program, and over 130 movies. Billy Graham retired in 2005 at the age of 87. Note: Caterina Fake (1969- ), an American entrepreneur and businesswoman, and a wildly successful ‘.Com’ designer. She co-founded Flickr which was bought-out by Yahoo, and Hunch which was bought-out by eBay.
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"Don’t be sad that it’s over. Smile because it happened." Vin Scully Children's Sunday School classroom overcrowding left our church at risk to be shut down by the Fire Marshall. The decision of the elders was to discontinue adult classes so parents would not have their children in class for more than one service. This had a disastrous effect on the singles class and eventually on the singles ministry altogether. The day of the announcement Willard Black, elder and liaison to the singles ministry, came to our classroom (held in rented space at a nearby college) to discuss our options, but first he had to address the backlash of emotion. I remember what he said as if it was yesterday. “Life is stewardship, not possession.” Or, in today’s vernacular, “Change Happens.” He went on to say that when change occurs which you have no control over, it can be frustrating. Our only real option is to decide how we will handle the change. Willard said that we will always have the friendships. And then he added, “No one can take away the memories of your time together.” Not surprisingly, it’s been many years since that Sunday morning and there are still many of us who stay in touch. We see each other at weddings and exchange Christmas cards despite the fact that time has separated some of us by hundreds of miles. Occasionally a larger group gathers for mini-reunions and we greet each other as if no time has passed at all. Have you had change imposed on you that you don’t agree with? Are you having a hard time dealing with the change? What can you do to begin changing your frustration to appreciation, and your frowns to smiles so you can move on? Lord, continue to teach me to be a good steward of time with friends and family, making memories whenever possible. Amen “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Philippians 1:3-4 What are your thoughts? Libby
Note: Willard Black founded Institute for Christian Resources in 1975 to provide a network to facilitate the distribution of resources in Eastern Europe; Open Door Libraries opened its first library in Prague in 1999.
“How do we put love into action? Serve one another…We are to encourage and build up our brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray for one another. What a privilege to come before the Lord on another’s behalf.” Billy GrahamSeveral of the attendees at the conference could have taught the workshops or even been the keynote speaker. So why were they there? Their personal accomplishments were many and impressive. Just seeing them take part was an encouragement to me. The ‘hallway conversations’ I had with some were equally as informative and uplifting as the workshops themselves. Then it dawned on me. They were there to encourage others and to be encouraged themselves. I have learned that many writers suffer, to one degree or another, from the complete solitude required to do our work. We often comment on the value of getting face-to-face with other writers in critique groups or reading groups. Clearly, no matter how accomplished a writer might be, there is still a need for networking—meeting new people to encourage, and rubbing shoulder with old friends that in turn encourage us. Have you been encouraged lately? Did you appreciate the time it took for that person to go out of their way to encourage you or pray with you? Who will you make a point to encourage, or pray with, today? Lord, thank You for sending me your ‘angels’ that deliver tidbits of encouragement which keep me going; may I in turn be an encouragement to others. Amen
“Since God loved us, we also ought to love one another…if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.” I John 4:11-12 What are your thoughts? Libby Note: William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr. (1918- ), an American evangelical Christian evangelist best known for leading over 400 crusades. He has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity. The Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) has also shared Christ through radio and television programs, magazines, newspaper columns, online discipleship program, and over 130 movies. Billy Graham retired in 2005 at the age of 87. “Of course it’s not possible to experience constant euphoria, but if you’re grateful you can find happiness in everything.” Pharrell Williams The Oroville dam’s main spillway was severely damaged. It could not release water as fast as rivers poured in. When the dam was full the emergency spillway failed after only a few hours causing five towns to be evacuated in case the dam might also fail. People took the shortest route to higher ground. Roads were packed. Families were separated. Parents had to trust that schools and daycare workers were getting their children to safety. I cried listening to the evening news, hearing mothers’ pleas to re-connect with their children. Days later after the water level was lowered and people were allowed to return, my friend posted a picture of an amazing rainbow—the biblical reminder to look at the bigger picture, that God is still in control. After the damage was surveyed, Oroville’s mayor was on the news with encouraging news. So much earth had been washed downstream they were preparing for a veritable gold rush—Oroville is Spanish for ‘city of gold.’ The very next report on the news was that the ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada Mountains expect to stay open until July 4th. For resorts that suffered so much during the drought years, this is exceptional. For me, Pharrell’s comment doesn’t dismiss the tragedies, instead it causes me to look for the silver lining in the storm clouds. It reminds me to turn away from the constant temptation to worry and look for something to be grateful for. As Francis Anfuso said, “Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its problems, worry empties today of its peace.”
So when the next storm comes—and it will come—illness, financial, children, loss, change, or weather; I will remember the rainbow and look for something to be grateful for, rather than be tempted to worry. Is there a storm cloud in your life that's stealing your peace and Happy-ness? Are you worrying about a cloud on the horizon? What concern is tempting you to worry today, and how will you avoid collapsing under the pressure of the temptation? Lord, thank You for rainbows that remind me to focus on the bigger picture, be grateful, and enjoy the Happy-ness. Amen “When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Genesis 9:16a, John 16:33b |
WelcomeI love the wisdom of the ages gleaned from relevant quotes. In them there is a connection to the human experience that crosses all borders. Join me as I relate my personal experiences, and link the wisdom of the quote to the Source of all wisdom: God's Word, the Bible. Enjoy, Libby Categories
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