You Can Change the World !

You Can Change the World

It doesn’t require wealth, talent, or a huge investment of time.  Right now, you  with your current limitations and abilities, have tremendous power to impact others and change the world.

Have you ever had a day in which everything you touched went wrong?  When you were at the end of your rope, and someone spoke a kind word, or helped you?  Do you remember how it warmed your heart and perked up your spirit?   Small, loving acts make a profound difference.   Everyone longs to feel noticed, appreciated, supported.

That’s why it means so much when someone surprises us with a simple act of caring.  It assures us that we matter.

Discouraged people are everywhere. They need us.  Don’t overlook opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life. A smile, a note, or a phone call won’t take much effort, but they can make someone’s day.   Not only will your kindness be appreciated by the recipient and rewarded by God, but it will enrich your own life as well.  Many say, “I’m just one person.  I can’t make a difference.”  If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a hug just when it’s needed, you know one person’s concern is powerful.   Do you compare your contribution to a tiny drop of water in the huge ocean?  Mother Theresa’s view was that the ocean would be less without that one drop.  

There could be no mountains, if not for the tiny grains of sand from which the mountains are made.  Little things pack a big punch.  Encouragement takes only a moment to give but it delivers an important message of love and concern to the recipient, and it could last a lifetime.  Your empathy, interest, and encouragement can lessen someone’s load and make their life journey easier.  You can change their world and that makes the whole world better.

 

Confession is Good

Self-Care “Confession Is Good for the Soul – and the Body” When persons are hit by a devastating event, pastors and counselors encourage talking about the feelings. It is believed this is good for a positive recovery. Careful study of the Book of Psalms reveals that it helps people to talk out their angers, hurts, fears and rage. The Psalms are full of cries to God about feelings of depression, sadness, anger, loneliness and rejection. They are written evidence God expects and recommends giving voice to our anguish.

 For examples, look at Psalms 13, 22, 42, 88 and 109. The difference in The Psalms is that the outrage is aimed at God and then given to God and left with God. Then in most of The Psalms healing happens. Change occurs, and the next thing is that the devastated person is praising God. Research in the 20th century confirms the healing power of opening up about trauma. Those who do not disclose were found to have significantly more health problems than those who talk. Even writing about one’s trauma is beneficial to health. Patients who wrote for fifteen minutes on four consecutive days showed short term benefits and long term decreases in health problems.

Confession is good for the soul.  So is lament, crying out to God, and trusted friends.  Shedding our tears and speaking our anguish can relieve us of unhealthy burdens.,

Our Table Devotions

“Table Devotions”

One family tradition we tried to establish was reading the Bible at the evening meal.  This started with Jim(Dad)  reading and as the kids learned they each took a turn.  Each holding their own Bible.

After awhile five of us were taking a turn.  Linda opted out, claiming exhaustion, and Steve, still illiterate, creating his own Bible story. 

We had one New testament named something like “Today’s New Testament” which was modern English but also included a lot of drawings.  There was a drawing, cartoon-like, on almost every page.  That was Steve’s Bible.  Steve would look at the picture and make up a story.  They were thoughtful, creative and somewhat related to the picture, but usually a long way from what the real story was about.  Often they were so far out the rest of us were gagging on our laughter, trying to hold back, while very amused but trying to be reverent..  Steve was quite serious about what he was saying so we did not want to discourage him with laughter.

Those were good positive devotional times that may have done as much good as staying close to the literal word.

Thank Someone This Month

“THANK SOMEONE THIS MONTH”

 "Thanksgiving" cards are great. What an appropriate time to sit down and think of a number of people who have given us something, or contributed to our lives in some way major or minor, and then make a point of a straightforward, unashamed state­ment of appreciation.

The most, meaningful "thank you" would be those sent to friends and relatives who are so close they'd never expect such a card from us. Parents can say "thank you" to their children for "all you have done for us."  We can draw up lists of old experiences from our years at home that have stayed treasured in our memories - and thank dad or mom for them. Most likely there would be a lot of memorieas and events they'd never suspect meant a lot to us, even decades later.

We can think of our spouse--husband or wife and all those things we appre­ciate but are so accustomed to we expect from them. Write down specific items and say "thank you."

 Perhaps there is a neighbor whom you have always appreciated. Not a fantastic person in the spectacular-sense. Just a neighbor who has been what a neighbor "ought to be"- friendly, reliable, cooperative. He won't listen when you tell him straight out how much you're thankful for him. So send him a "thank you" card. Or maybe there's a colleague or a co-worker to whom we should say "thank you".

Stop a few minutes. Trace your steps through an average day, week, year, or your life, 'til now.  How surprising isn't it, how many stand out as people who have made life good, just by being part of our lives. Thank some of them this month, and express gratitude to God for the people in your life.

Spill Interest on Young Ones

Beware of the Infection of Self-Centeredness

As we grow older there is a tendency to drift into preoccupation with ourselves: our health, our physical problems, our sleep, money, trips, grandchildren and more.  The process also may include losing interest in others—their trips, interests, accomplishments, new items.

There is little as pleasant as another person taking interest in our lives.  So it is essential that as we grow older, and the self-centered drift progresses, that we resist it.  It often requires a deliberate decision to move in that direction. Not only does such a choice thrill the ones we show interest in, it is also an antidote against an older-person malady (me-ism) that turns others off.

Becoming a giver may require upgrading our self-concept.  We must believe this truth—“I am a reservoir of blessings”.  We are all full of goodness and must be ready to overflow with nourishment for the souls of younger folks. 

It doesn’t matter who you are, or how healthy, educated, wealthy or attractive.  You have within you words, interest, stories and expressions that can make a wonderful positive difference in the lives of younger men and women.  We are all potential healers. Check that self-centered drift, and spill loving interest on some young ones.  It can be life-giving to them, but it will always be spirit-lifting to us as well.

AS WE GROW OLDER WE MUST DELIBERATELY TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT OFF OURSELVES AND TURN IT ON OTHERS.

       

KOK'S LAW

                                                                KOK’S LAW
“Kok’s Law” came into being as a means of survival in intimidating circumstances. No doubt others have stumbled on its genius, too, but I am the first to state it as a law.

Remember all the times you sat in class as a college student tongue-tied with fear of volunteering the answer you had in mind? Then you melted in hot self-hate as you heard another speak exactly what you had thought, and she received high praise? Recall the many hunches, intuitions, ideas you’ve had but left unspoken or ignored because you lacked the confidence to speak about them or do something with them?  Then you read or heard them stated by someone else and received admiration?   “Kok’s Law” will help.

“Kok’s Law” was born one Saturday morning as I sat in a committee meeting planning a conference program. The chairman was a forceful, confident appearing person who had a load of ideas. He was on his way toward setting up the program all by himself, as the rest of us passively agreed. Then it hit me! I was aware in my heart and in my head that I was experiencing considerable distress and dis-ease. As I listened to my “guts” I heard howls of anger and objections. I didn’t like much of what the chairman was authoritatively hammering into place, I realized, but there I was nodding assent.

Then came the second revelation: If I’m feeling this way I’ll bet at least a couple of these other "yes-men" are, too. Assuming this was true, I thought I should speak up, because I’m sure to get support. So I spoke. Immediately the others joined in! The dominating chairman listened. In a fresh way the program was planned. Everything was  changed for the better.

“Kok’s Law” was born: If I am thinking something, or feeling something, at least half the others in a group or meeting are likely to be having the same thoughts or feelings!

Of course some people don’t need help to take a risk and speak up. Others of us do. We should remember the high probability that support will be present. That may be all some of us need to gain the courage to trust our hunches, ideas, opinions, feelings and step up to the podium, or take action. Kok’s Law used discreetly can give us the nudge many of us need.

Here is another example. Have you ever been in a room with other people when you felt very warm? What do you usually do? You look around and ask “Is it warm in here?” Kok's Law says-If you’re warm at least half the others are warm too – unless you’re getting the ‘flu or catching a cold.

Kok’s Law has become my faithful companion. It has helped me score in numerous situations where my natural self-consciousness used to limit me and hold me back. The thesis underlying Kok’s Law is that I’m a somewhat normative human being with sensitivities and responses similar to those found in at least half of the population, of which I am usually part.

I give you Kok’s Law to use carefully. I guarantee it will work at least half the time.

Bring Heaven to Earth

A Wonderful Possibility

Bringing Heaven to Earth:   Jesus prayer is challenging us with these words: “… your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

What an enormous project that is, to bring the goodness, beauty, love, of heaven to our life on earth. That is  what Christian living is about. We are here to make the world a better place. Life is more about bringing heaven to earth than about waiting to go to heaven. In heaven we will feel good about ourselves, confident, unafraid, loved and valued all the time. We will love everyone and understand life, nature, and history.  We will be bathed in beauty and loveliness, and a lot more. "On earth as it is in heaven" means for us to be working at making life more peaceful, loving, secure, efficient, comfortable, beautiful, just, and interesting.. That is our task as followers of Jesus. What a wonderful assignment! Every small, medium, or large act of kindness, creativity, diligence, and perseverance contributes to the goal.