There is an old song called STONEY made famous by a guy named LOBO. When it was released it was a big hit with people of my generation! You know good old songs have a knack of bringing back happy memories of the past.
For instance I grew up in the country and I remember that my teenage years were wonderful and happy.
I bicycled all over in the country-side and chased the wind; caught “fighting spiders” and flew kites; went fishing even when I didn’t catch any and spend much of my leisure on my stamp collection and would you believe it, writing to pen-pals all over the world.
As I grew up and fell in love, memories like the time of our first date, our first kiss; the strolls we took in the park, the little crabs we dug up on the beach, and all the silly things we did, they all keep coming back. And you feel good as you recall your past.
How true is the saying (attributed to Nikita Ivanovich Panin), “In youth the days are short and the years are long; and now in old age the years are short and the days long?”
Victor Hugo was reputed to have said, “Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age.” I wish it were so.
I would like to think that age is all in the mind. Someone did say that one is as old as one’s heart is and not on how one looks, didn't he?
Isn’t it true that no matter how old we are, we are always the same age inside?
However, I would like to think that old age is at least 15 years older than what I really am.
Nonetheless for most of us I think with age comes wisdom and wealth, well at least a good measure of each.
I hope by the time we have money to burn, our fire inside would not have burnt out.
As Mark Twain had put it a long time ago, “Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of eighty and gradually approach eighteen.” What an ingenious thought! Think on it.
I will close with this quip, “A woman is as old as she looks, but a man is old when he stops looking.” Believe it or not is up to you.
Cheers!
Here’s the song STONEY from a music-video courtesy of “kingduplicate”. If you will, sing along with it in karaoke fashion. Hope you like it too.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A happy life is a healthy life
There is a saying which carries a lot of truth and I think we should all be constantly reminded of it.
Simply put it is this: “If you don’t want to be ill, do not live life sad.”
Good humor, Laughter, Rest, and Happiness. Lest we forget, these are the very things that replenish health and bring about long life.
The happy person has the gift to improve the environment wherever he lives. Happiness is health by itself and a sure therapy for long life isn’t it?
The beautiful thing is that happiness can be contagious since it is an attitude, a frame of mind, a choice. Not only can you catch it, you can spread it too!
You know it has been said that when you smile the whole world smiles with you but when you cry, you will probably cry alone.
Haven’t you heard that good humor saves us from the hands of the doctor? Indeed, there is an old Irish proverb which says, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” And isn’t that true?
So my friends if you don’t want to be ill live life happy!
However if sadness should come your way for one reason or another, don’t ever let it linger or fill you for too long. The advice is let it go and be done with it if you don’t want to be ill.
“Cheerfulness is what greases the axles of the world. Don't go through life creaking”. That’s what H.W. Byles advised a long time ago.
And Joseph Addison had said, “Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are (1) something to do, (2) something to love, and (3) something to hope for”.
If that’s going to make us happy, why... let’s get on with it. There’s nothing to stop us from doing all three. And even when everything else fails, there is always hope.
In closing let me quote Hazelmarie Elliott (Mattie) who wrote these delightful words:
“Every now and then,
when the world sits just right,
a gentle breath of heaven
fills my soul with delight...”
So let’s pray for that gentle “breath of heaven” to fill us as often as possible.
My wish for all of us is this: All the days of our lives, may we stay happy and healthy.
God bless.
Here's a beautiful song from Neil Diamond entitled "The Story of My Life". Thanks to Brando0307 for sharing it with us. Enjoy.
Simply put it is this: “If you don’t want to be ill, do not live life sad.”
Good humor, Laughter, Rest, and Happiness. Lest we forget, these are the very things that replenish health and bring about long life.
The happy person has the gift to improve the environment wherever he lives. Happiness is health by itself and a sure therapy for long life isn’t it?
The beautiful thing is that happiness can be contagious since it is an attitude, a frame of mind, a choice. Not only can you catch it, you can spread it too!
You know it has been said that when you smile the whole world smiles with you but when you cry, you will probably cry alone.
Haven’t you heard that good humor saves us from the hands of the doctor? Indeed, there is an old Irish proverb which says, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” And isn’t that true?
So my friends if you don’t want to be ill live life happy!
However if sadness should come your way for one reason or another, don’t ever let it linger or fill you for too long. The advice is let it go and be done with it if you don’t want to be ill.
“Cheerfulness is what greases the axles of the world. Don't go through life creaking”. That’s what H.W. Byles advised a long time ago.
And Joseph Addison had said, “Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are (1) something to do, (2) something to love, and (3) something to hope for”.
If that’s going to make us happy, why... let’s get on with it. There’s nothing to stop us from doing all three. And even when everything else fails, there is always hope.
In closing let me quote Hazelmarie Elliott (Mattie) who wrote these delightful words:
“Every now and then,
when the world sits just right,
a gentle breath of heaven
fills my soul with delight...”
So let’s pray for that gentle “breath of heaven” to fill us as often as possible.
My wish for all of us is this: All the days of our lives, may we stay happy and healthy.
God bless.
Here's a beautiful song from Neil Diamond entitled "The Story of My Life". Thanks to Brando0307 for sharing it with us. Enjoy.
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Discernment of Abigail
Again it’s my turn to lead in Bible Study in my cell group and I have cooked up this message for delivery this Friday, 19th March 2010.
Lesson for tonight: The Discernment of Abigail (1 Samuel Chapter 25).
First a quick recap of what we did last week.
At last Friday’s home fellowship meeting, we learnt a little about what “character” is.
I think we can agree on this: Regardless who we are or where we come from, “a man or a woman of character” would truly stand out in our midst and command much respect.
There are many great men and women in the Bible as well as outside of it whose character really stood out.
To name a few: William Wilberforce, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and perhaps not forgetting Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Esther, Daniel and his 3 friends also. They stood tall in our history because they all had outstanding character.
How about one modern day contemporary nearer home?
Ralph Waldo Emerson had said, “Character is higher than intellect.” Indeed, I think it is.
And as we have heard, “Talent or intellect will get you to the top but its character which will help you stay there.” (Heard the Tiger Woods story?)
Often in public life we all wear a mask, but our real character is revealed in our private life, when none of our friends or business associates is there watching. Question therefore that we should ask often is this: Do we like what we see, the real you or the real me?
The good thing is that we can go from our failings to rebuild or re-shape our character if we truly want to. The choice is really ours to make, yours or mine.
Who says that we cannot change? We can but only if we truly want to. Remember, God allows U-turns.
I have a magnetic tag on my fridge that says, “The Will of God will never lead you...where the Grace of God cannot keep you.” That’s a comforting thought and I believe one that’s true.
As Christians we are repeatedly told to display “biblical character” in everything we say or do.
The challenge is don’t just be a nominal Christian, try to be a good, authentic Christian.
The Bible is certainly not short of role models which we could follow or emulate. Jesus is the perfect example.
Tonight we have the story of Abigail. It’s found in the Bible, the Book of 1 Samuel Chapter 25.
Let me start by telling you this story.
In the time when David (the man who would be king over all Israel) was a renegade and as you know he was on the run from King Saul who had wanted his head; living with his ragtag band of followers of about 600 fighting men in the wilderness of Paran, there lived not far off a woman called Abigail.
She was a beautiful woman and wise too but was married to a bad guy named Nabal, a wealthy farmer no doubt (he had a vast herd of sheep and many servants) but a man who had a character which was very much the opposite of his wife’s.
He was selfish, greedy, angry, stingy, not a kind man at all and not very smart too. Even his servants considered him to be evil and worthless.
So you can just imagine what kind of a life, his wife Abigail had with such a guy. Tough, isn’t it? Pretty much like Cinderella waiting for a prince to ride in and rescue her from a life of drudgery and unhappiness.
The story goes on like so...
Living on the run for their lives, David and his men began policing the area they settled in, protecting the farmers and their flock in the hopes of being able to scratch out a living.
At shearing time the farmers would gather the sheep to shave off their profits. The farmers would also share food and profits with the sort of volunteer police that David and his men were, to pay them for their services.
When the time came, Nabal being the selfish and greedy man he was, refused to pay.
Nabal’s stubborn refusal hit David’s short fuse of frustration (remember here he was dirty, hungry, tired and definitely not living the kingly life he imagined he would when Samuel appointed him king over Israel).
David felt like being snubbed terribly and Nabal’s throwing of insults at his men was too much for him to take.
Revenge was on David’s mind so he rode out with his men with a burning desire to kill Nabal and all his males. In those days when you took revenge by yourself that was the norm to take.
Have you ever felt like that in your life, when you did well (or do good) to somebody but were paid back with evil?
Now Abigail, the good wife had heard from a loyal servant about Nabal’s foolish action and the impending disaster.
Without hesitation (it was said in verse 18, Abigail lost no time) she made plans to defuse the situation. It was a decision that altered the course of history.
She had to confront David and to intercede on behalf of her husband before the situation got out of hand. With courage and faith she rode out to meet David. You can read about all this in Verses 20-31.
She got what she wanted, didn’t she? Indeed, here’s a brave woman and a successful mission accomplished; and because of what she did, a near massacre was averted; innocent lives were spared.
David’s anger was appeased and there was no bloodshed on that day. Praise the Lord.
David said to Abigail in verse 33, “May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.”
The rest of the story well I guess you know how it ended, much like a fairy tale!
Abigail’s story is a story about “discernment”. Not just about discernment but I think to some extent of courage, faith and of the grace of God as well. One could say she was a peace-maker, and a successful one at that.
Because of the faith, courage and the timely discernment of this woman, David (who was in his early kingship) was saved from making a huge and terrible mistake.
By the grace of God, the bad guy Nabal (Abigail’s husband at the time) was dealt with severely. It was said that when he heard what his wife had done, his heart failed him. Why do you think his heart failed him?
Probably the cost of what his wife gave to David and his men in the form of 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 dressed sheep, 5 seahs of roasted grain, 100 cakes of raisins and 200 cakes of pressed figs were too much for him to take!
As we were told, the confrontation between David and Nabal never took place. Aren’t David and Abigail glad that vengeance was the Lord’s and not theirs to take? So it should be.
When you are angry or mad with someone I think it’s good to remember, “Vengeance is mine, said the Lord” and not yours to take.
The story is quite romantic too; Abigail was widowed soon after her action in preventing a clash between David and her wicked husband.
In a twist of fate, call it God’s grace if you will; the story ends with Abigail becoming David’s wife!
And did you know that Abigail bore David a son (Kileab, 2 Sam 3:2) and she lived happily ever after presumably with David in Hebron.
There’s no word recorded about mother and son after this unfortunately.
Now what’s so special of Abigail?
Other than being born pretty, Abigail had a discerning heart; one could say a good heart or a heart of gold. She showed qualities of diplomacy, tact, courage and her faith in God was extremely strong.
That’s why I am not surprised that she literally occupied a whole chapter in the Bible (more than 42 verses, 1 Sam 25 where she is remembered). It was enough, relatively speaking.
Now in contrast, how many great women of the Bible can you think of? Not many; names like Rahab, Ruth and Esther come to mind and some don’t even have names to go by.
Interestingly, only 4 women were included and mentioned by Matthew in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:2-17), can you name them?
It has been said that Abigail may be one of Scripture’s lesser light but without her actions one of Scripture’s greater light, David may be dimmed forever.
Now what lessons can be gleaned from the story of Abigail?
Abigail is best remembered by the character trait called “discernment”.
It will make better sense if we understand what its real meaning is.
So if you will, can anyone define “discernment”?
To me, “discernment” is a combination of many things in a person such as (1) intuition, (2) gut feeling and (3) a sense of urgency to put things right.
“Nip the problem in the bud” is a common expression and often I think a wise decision to take. What is your opinion?
In simplest terms, discernment is the ability to read people and situations and then to act according to what’s best.
In short it is an ability to show good judgment. A close synonym would be “wisdom”.
Although people (men & women) who achieved greatness seem to a lot of people to be lucky, the achievers tell us it was not luck.
It is creating your own "luck" as a result of discernment. Mostly they tell us it’s 10 % inspiration, 90 % perspiration! How lucky can one get without working hard for it, whatever that maybe?
The lessons that could be gleaned from Abigail’s story are these:
1. Discernment can avert a disaster.
2. The advice is to “Nip the problem in the bud”. Don’t allow it to build up steam.
3. Revenge is not always as sweet as the world thinks.
4. Leave vengeance to the Lord.
5. In confrontations or difficult relationships, resist the use of force.
6. A soft (diplomatic) approach is always better.
Often a soft approach (a tactful one) can move mountains.
7. A soft approach will definitely soothe pent-up anger.
Remember, nothing good can spin off from human anger.
8. Faith and trust in God will bring relief /blessings from above.
Let’s pray. May God bless you all.
Lesson for tonight: The Discernment of Abigail (1 Samuel Chapter 25).
First a quick recap of what we did last week.
At last Friday’s home fellowship meeting, we learnt a little about what “character” is.
I think we can agree on this: Regardless who we are or where we come from, “a man or a woman of character” would truly stand out in our midst and command much respect.
There are many great men and women in the Bible as well as outside of it whose character really stood out.
To name a few: William Wilberforce, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Teresa and perhaps not forgetting Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Esther, Daniel and his 3 friends also. They stood tall in our history because they all had outstanding character.
How about one modern day contemporary nearer home?
Ralph Waldo Emerson had said, “Character is higher than intellect.” Indeed, I think it is.
And as we have heard, “Talent or intellect will get you to the top but its character which will help you stay there.” (Heard the Tiger Woods story?)
Often in public life we all wear a mask, but our real character is revealed in our private life, when none of our friends or business associates is there watching. Question therefore that we should ask often is this: Do we like what we see, the real you or the real me?
The good thing is that we can go from our failings to rebuild or re-shape our character if we truly want to. The choice is really ours to make, yours or mine.
Who says that we cannot change? We can but only if we truly want to. Remember, God allows U-turns.
I have a magnetic tag on my fridge that says, “The Will of God will never lead you...where the Grace of God cannot keep you.” That’s a comforting thought and I believe one that’s true.
As Christians we are repeatedly told to display “biblical character” in everything we say or do.
The challenge is don’t just be a nominal Christian, try to be a good, authentic Christian.
The Bible is certainly not short of role models which we could follow or emulate. Jesus is the perfect example.
Tonight we have the story of Abigail. It’s found in the Bible, the Book of 1 Samuel Chapter 25.
Let me start by telling you this story.
In the time when David (the man who would be king over all Israel) was a renegade and as you know he was on the run from King Saul who had wanted his head; living with his ragtag band of followers of about 600 fighting men in the wilderness of Paran, there lived not far off a woman called Abigail.
She was a beautiful woman and wise too but was married to a bad guy named Nabal, a wealthy farmer no doubt (he had a vast herd of sheep and many servants) but a man who had a character which was very much the opposite of his wife’s.
He was selfish, greedy, angry, stingy, not a kind man at all and not very smart too. Even his servants considered him to be evil and worthless.
So you can just imagine what kind of a life, his wife Abigail had with such a guy. Tough, isn’t it? Pretty much like Cinderella waiting for a prince to ride in and rescue her from a life of drudgery and unhappiness.
The story goes on like so...
Living on the run for their lives, David and his men began policing the area they settled in, protecting the farmers and their flock in the hopes of being able to scratch out a living.
At shearing time the farmers would gather the sheep to shave off their profits. The farmers would also share food and profits with the sort of volunteer police that David and his men were, to pay them for their services.
When the time came, Nabal being the selfish and greedy man he was, refused to pay.
Nabal’s stubborn refusal hit David’s short fuse of frustration (remember here he was dirty, hungry, tired and definitely not living the kingly life he imagined he would when Samuel appointed him king over Israel).
David felt like being snubbed terribly and Nabal’s throwing of insults at his men was too much for him to take.
Revenge was on David’s mind so he rode out with his men with a burning desire to kill Nabal and all his males. In those days when you took revenge by yourself that was the norm to take.
Have you ever felt like that in your life, when you did well (or do good) to somebody but were paid back with evil?
Now Abigail, the good wife had heard from a loyal servant about Nabal’s foolish action and the impending disaster.
Without hesitation (it was said in verse 18, Abigail lost no time) she made plans to defuse the situation. It was a decision that altered the course of history.
She had to confront David and to intercede on behalf of her husband before the situation got out of hand. With courage and faith she rode out to meet David. You can read about all this in Verses 20-31.
She got what she wanted, didn’t she? Indeed, here’s a brave woman and a successful mission accomplished; and because of what she did, a near massacre was averted; innocent lives were spared.
David’s anger was appeased and there was no bloodshed on that day. Praise the Lord.
David said to Abigail in verse 33, “May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands.”
The rest of the story well I guess you know how it ended, much like a fairy tale!
Abigail’s story is a story about “discernment”. Not just about discernment but I think to some extent of courage, faith and of the grace of God as well. One could say she was a peace-maker, and a successful one at that.
Because of the faith, courage and the timely discernment of this woman, David (who was in his early kingship) was saved from making a huge and terrible mistake.
By the grace of God, the bad guy Nabal (Abigail’s husband at the time) was dealt with severely. It was said that when he heard what his wife had done, his heart failed him. Why do you think his heart failed him?
Probably the cost of what his wife gave to David and his men in the form of 200 loaves of bread, 2 skins of wine, 5 dressed sheep, 5 seahs of roasted grain, 100 cakes of raisins and 200 cakes of pressed figs were too much for him to take!
As we were told, the confrontation between David and Nabal never took place. Aren’t David and Abigail glad that vengeance was the Lord’s and not theirs to take? So it should be.
When you are angry or mad with someone I think it’s good to remember, “Vengeance is mine, said the Lord” and not yours to take.
The story is quite romantic too; Abigail was widowed soon after her action in preventing a clash between David and her wicked husband.
In a twist of fate, call it God’s grace if you will; the story ends with Abigail becoming David’s wife!
And did you know that Abigail bore David a son (Kileab, 2 Sam 3:2) and she lived happily ever after presumably with David in Hebron.
There’s no word recorded about mother and son after this unfortunately.
Now what’s so special of Abigail?
Other than being born pretty, Abigail had a discerning heart; one could say a good heart or a heart of gold. She showed qualities of diplomacy, tact, courage and her faith in God was extremely strong.
That’s why I am not surprised that she literally occupied a whole chapter in the Bible (more than 42 verses, 1 Sam 25 where she is remembered). It was enough, relatively speaking.
Now in contrast, how many great women of the Bible can you think of? Not many; names like Rahab, Ruth and Esther come to mind and some don’t even have names to go by.
Interestingly, only 4 women were included and mentioned by Matthew in the genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:2-17), can you name them?
It has been said that Abigail may be one of Scripture’s lesser light but without her actions one of Scripture’s greater light, David may be dimmed forever.
Now what lessons can be gleaned from the story of Abigail?
Abigail is best remembered by the character trait called “discernment”.
It will make better sense if we understand what its real meaning is.
So if you will, can anyone define “discernment”?
To me, “discernment” is a combination of many things in a person such as (1) intuition, (2) gut feeling and (3) a sense of urgency to put things right.
“Nip the problem in the bud” is a common expression and often I think a wise decision to take. What is your opinion?
In simplest terms, discernment is the ability to read people and situations and then to act according to what’s best.
In short it is an ability to show good judgment. A close synonym would be “wisdom”.
Although people (men & women) who achieved greatness seem to a lot of people to be lucky, the achievers tell us it was not luck.
It is creating your own "luck" as a result of discernment. Mostly they tell us it’s 10 % inspiration, 90 % perspiration! How lucky can one get without working hard for it, whatever that maybe?
The lessons that could be gleaned from Abigail’s story are these:
1. Discernment can avert a disaster.
2. The advice is to “Nip the problem in the bud”. Don’t allow it to build up steam.
3. Revenge is not always as sweet as the world thinks.
4. Leave vengeance to the Lord.
5. In confrontations or difficult relationships, resist the use of force.
6. A soft (diplomatic) approach is always better.
Often a soft approach (a tactful one) can move mountains.
7. A soft approach will definitely soothe pent-up anger.
Remember, nothing good can spin off from human anger.
8. Faith and trust in God will bring relief /blessings from above.
Let’s pray. May God bless you all.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
The Will and Grace of God
I have a magnetic tag stuck on my fridge which has these words on it:
“The will of God will never lead you…where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
The words are comforting and I would run to it in times of trouble to find the comfort that only God can give.
Funny how this simple “truth” when absorbed can lighten one’s burden and bring about a peace that’s beyond human understanding! It’s like a balm that takes the hurt or pain away.
If we live life with a lot of guilt (of sins past and present) we will never be happy. You know, it has been said, “Real happiness comes from inside, nobody can give it to you.”
Always remember that we are all but human beings, we make mistakes and nobody’s perfect. I guess God made us this way so that we can turn to him whenever we are down for the peace and happiness which we seek but in our living find they so often elude us.
Let me give you another of Reba McEntire’s songs and this one is one of my favorites. It’s entitled, “One promise too late”. There is so much fire in her voice, and the lyrics wow so much meaning. See her live (performing), she is awesome!
Let the streaming finishes in full then replay to appreciate this beautiful song. Thanks to “SinginPrincessLaura” for bringing it to us. Enjoy.
“The will of God will never lead you…where the grace of God cannot keep you.”
The words are comforting and I would run to it in times of trouble to find the comfort that only God can give.
Funny how this simple “truth” when absorbed can lighten one’s burden and bring about a peace that’s beyond human understanding! It’s like a balm that takes the hurt or pain away.
If we live life with a lot of guilt (of sins past and present) we will never be happy. You know, it has been said, “Real happiness comes from inside, nobody can give it to you.”
Always remember that we are all but human beings, we make mistakes and nobody’s perfect. I guess God made us this way so that we can turn to him whenever we are down for the peace and happiness which we seek but in our living find they so often elude us.
Let me give you another of Reba McEntire’s songs and this one is one of my favorites. It’s entitled, “One promise too late”. There is so much fire in her voice, and the lyrics wow so much meaning. See her live (performing), she is awesome!
Let the streaming finishes in full then replay to appreciate this beautiful song. Thanks to “SinginPrincessLaura” for bringing it to us. Enjoy.
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