Wednesday, January 28, 2009

God is Watching

If errors were what you watch, Oh Jah, Oh my God, who could stand? Psalms 130:3

People differ by nature.Some are easily ruled by emotions,others are not.
Some are comparatively easy to control themselves,self control posing no problem.
Others have more difficulty.
Yet, remember a struggling person,is not a bad person.Some needs our compassion and understanding.Our happiness is involved as we continue to show mercy to those struggling to increase their display of self control.We can see that from Jesus' words in Mat 5:7 that says, do not misjudge the person who may in some occasion fail to demonstrate a true Christian personality.

How encouraging it is that God who is watching us constantly, do not view us like humans does.
Or else, who could stand?

Saturday, January 03, 2009

The Power of Not Understanding.

Ignorance is bliss?


Several centuries ago, the Pope decreed that all the Jews had to convert to Catholicism or leave Italy . There was a huge outcry from the Jewish community, so the Pope offered a deal. He'd have a religious debate with the leader of the Jewish community. If the Jews won, they could stay in Italy ; if the Pope won, they'd have to convert or leave.

The Jewish people met and picked an aged and wise rabbi to represent them in the debate. However, as the rabbi spoke no Italian, and the Pope spoke no Yiddish, they agreed that it would be a 'silent' debate.

On the chosen day the Pope and rabbi sat opposite each other.

The Pope raised his hand and showed three fingers.

The rabbi looked back and raised one finger.

Next, the Pope waved his finger around his head.

The rabbi pointed to the ground where he sat.

The Pope brought out a communion wafer and a chalice of wine.

The rabbi pulled out an apple.

With that, the Pope stood up and declared himself beaten and said
That the rabbi was too clever. The Jews could stay in Italy !!!

Later the cardinals met with the Pope and asked him what had happened.

The Pope said, 'First I held up three fingers to represent the Trinity. He responded by holding up a single finger to remind me there is still only one God common to both our beliefs.

'Then, I waved my finger around my head to show him that God was all around us. He responded by pointing to the ground to show that God was also right here with us.

'I pulled out the wine and wafer to show that God absolves us of all our sins.
He pulled out an apple to remind me of the original sin.

'He beats me at every move and I could not continue.'


Meanwhile, the Jewish community gathered to ask the rabbi how he'd won.
'I haven't a clue' the rabbi said. 'First, he told me that we had three days to get out of Italy, so I gave him the finger.

'Then he tells me that the whole country would be cleared of Jews and I told him that we were staying right here.'

'And then what?' asked a woman.

'Who knows?' said the rabbi. 'He took out his lunch so I took out mine.'

Friday, January 02, 2009

Speaking thoughtlessly?

There exists the one speaking thoughtlessly,as with the stabs of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise ones is a healing.Proverbs 12:18

Human speech is a secret,it is a divine gift,a miracle.So wrote by a lexicographer, Ludwig Koehler.

Perhaps we take this precious gift of God for granted.But consider how great a treasure is lost when a stroke robs a loveone the ability to utter intelligent speech.

Conversations can cement friendships, heals misunderstanding,uplift the downhearted,strengthen faith and enrich lives- but never automatically.

Being a Jehovah's witness,and servant,I rather choose my conversations to heal and build up,rather than hurt and tear down.

We also desire to use our tongue to praise our God,both in our public ministry and in our public conversations through our conduct.

Are we struggling to control a quick temper?
Are we finding it difficult to guard our tongue?
Do we have have a tendency towards unwholesome entertainments?
Then we have to sort out the answers in the Bible and overcome such weakness.

If you have your Bible with you, please search the following verse;
Proverbs 14:17,Ephesians 4:29,31 and Ephesians 5:3 also Colossians 3:5

Choosing our associations that builds us up is also helpful.

We must maintain our dignity and self respect as true christians by our speech.
And by our pleasing conduct.
It is always rewarding to be cheerful.