2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
And always remember....when life hands you Lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!
Good friends are like stars........ You don't always see them, But you know they are always there.
"Whenever God Closes One Door He Always Opens Another, Even Though Sometimes It's Hell in the Hallway"
I would rather have one rose and a kind word from a friend while I'm here than a whole truck load when I'm gone.
I just got one of those forwarded emails we all get from an Old Friend of Mine, Phil Duchscher. I was feeling sorry for myself tonite. After praying for a long time to what seemed to be a brass heaven I called my brother and complained to him about how I feel like I'm on the shelf, not making a difference, not doing what I'm called to do and ready to make some changes if nothing happens. Then I get this. Phil, I needed this, thanks. I seldom post these Email things except God knew I needed encouragement and this was his way of doing so.
So, he heard me. My Brother and God.
3 comments:
In the first century it was hard to find anything more important to living than salt. Indeed, salt was so valuable you could even buy stuff with salt. Salt then would be like gasoline to the people fleeing the hurricanes in the gulf coast. Why? Because it was essential for survival.
In a hot, dry desert world where there was no refrigeration, no ice, and no airtight packaging, salt was considered a necessity of life. Salt kept things from going bad. Salt kept things from spoiling. It was a preservative, a purifier, it added taste, it cleansed wounds, it killed germs, it promoted healing.
Everybody that day on the mountain understood what Jesus meant when he said to his disciples “You are the salt of the earth” (Mt 5:13). He was referring to that which was essential for the world, necessary for the world, absolutely irreplaceable for the world. He was referring to the “element” that would preserve the world from decay, literally the very ingredient that would save the world.
They heard that point loud and clear. But one word would have really tripped them up. Because I am sure that if not with a finger, then with a unequivocal, unwavering gaze, Jesus would have made clear what Matthew’s Greek text shows. The emphasis is on YOU. You, yourselves, the Greek text says, and no one else (it implies) are the VERY salt of the earth. You, yourselves, are absolutely the most important element in the world. You.
You spiritually bankrupt, meek and insignificant, righteous starved rabble that has responded to my invitation. You. Not the Pharisees, not the super intellectual religious teachers, not the Roman Government leaders. Not the wealthy landowners, not the politically connected, not any of those whom we would assume are crucial to the world. If they are not of the Kingdom, then they are not nearly as important, as necessary, as crucial, as you. “You are the salt of the earth.” The world’s preservation depends on you.
Now, if that wasn’t hard enough for them to swallow that day, then the second metaphor he used could choke the life right out of them.
“You are the light of the world,” Jesus says, “A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” You are not only necessary to the world, but you are going to be noticed. God is going to put your life on display to all of his dark and decaying creation.
What was Jesus saying here? God is putting our lives on display? God is using us? I can see them looking at each other, “Did you hear that?” Light is always a metaphor for the presence of God. To shine the light is to glorify God and to do so is to reveal his presence and character to the whole world.
For the Jews their most pious teachers, their holiest of sages, the most righteous ones of Israel were considered the light of the world. Jesus is saying: "Not them—you!" With two connected images he is telling his new followers: You are essential to the world because through you, believe it or not, God is revealed.
Qne this, is also the point that you and I need to take out of Matthew 5:13-16. You and I, just as we are, are called to enter Jesus' Kingdom in order to be salt and light—that which is essential to the world and that which reveals God to the world.
And, frankly, friends, if we don’t do that, we are as useless as unsalty salt. We are like a light that is covered with a dark bucket. But how? How do we make a difference?
And the answer is not an easy one: By being different. By being distinctive. By being different and distinctive, publicly. Or to put it another way: If we ARE salt, then we will BE light.
You ARE a champion in Christ! Don't let the devil steal your JOY!
Every moment we are alive is full of reasons to sing out in joyful gratitude to God. Every breath we are given is a reminder that the glory of God is at hand. In the people we love, in the beauty of nature, in the golden sun that rises each morning - there are miracles everywhere.
You are special my dear brother.
Do not be discouraged, press on!
Gene,
Every life of every true believer is his/her ministry. Ministry may include the public aspect of Pastor/Teacher, or it may not. Either way it is no less a ministry.
The sole purpose of every believer's life is God's honor and glory alone.
No believer is ever "on the shelf" except he/she takes that place.
Post a Comment