Funny Thoughts About Hate

People can hate you in various funny reasons:

-you're fat,
-you're slim,
-you wear red or pink lipstick (because she wears orange?),
-you're a really good singer,
-you only play instruments,
-you can sing and play an instrument/s,
-you're pretty/handsome,
-you're gullible,
-you're too smart,
-you're too quiet,
-you're too loud,
-you're always in social networks,
-you're inactive in social networks,
-you walk differently,
-you speak differently,
-you're too friendly,
-you're too shy,
-you post NIV in your social media accounts,
-you post KJV only because the rest of the versions are evil,
-you're an immigrant,
-you're a local,
-you're a newbie,
-you've been there for a long time,
-you're too Christian,
-you're too worldly,
-you're clingy,
-you're distant,
-you coloured your hair,
-your hair is too straight or too curly,
-you wear make-up,
-you don't wear make-up,
-you're too girly,
-you're too manly,


The list goes on. It's awesome that God see things way too differently from us. He is LOVE. <3

On Being Generous

The Self Introduction

So here we go. I think it’s been a long time since I contributed for an organisation. This reminds me of myself in a college paper and a local church newsletter only that this will be published online. I am the wife of Pastor Teddy, a mum to Vianca and a friend to many. I work as an Administrative and Communications Officer. Writing for me is like a passage of my thoughts, and occasionally, my way to reflect on God’s love in the mundane of life. I hope my contribution will certainly edify and will not create any whirlpool of gossips or whatsoever. Yes, I write candidly but honestly from the bottom of my heart. You might find yourself laughing and crying a little surprisingly by a simple soul. Also, I aspire to edify the Church in obtaining the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Please feel free to leave your comments. Any expression of gratitude is welcomed but a violent feedback may take some weeks for me to reply. To the leadership and staff of RJC Church, thank you for this opportunity.

A Generous Church

I’d like to share something obvious to where the direction of our church is heading. (Click here for the rest of the story at RJC Website).

The Church meets Social Media

No one was prepared before it all became too accessible to everyone. I remember, having an internet at home was a social symbol and renting a computer with a dial-up costed a fortune way back then. We used nicknames to keep our identities safe and one professor advised us to at least give one little lie in our information to keep our identities safe and so no one will determine that it is really us. It does make sense before because now we give every accurate information. We honestly even tell how we feel and what we ate. Now the battle is not to give too much information.

The Church inevitably are using these social media since it is becoming too accessible, too inexpensive, and nowadays, it is frequently used by the 20th century generation. We use the social media effectively for our organisation, businesses and some just use it primarily to stay connected with their family and friends. (I would like to say that the aforementioned are my purposes.)

Now on the other side, some use it inappropriately and simply to vent out. So immature.

Here are some thoughts I gathered from the humble people who studied Communications and have been in the Communication Field, including myself, for quite some time:



(This image is taken from here.)

1) Communication is a Process. The elements includes the Source, the Receiver, the Message, the Channel and the Feedback. So you are the Source and you use the Social Media as the Channel to send Messages and information to your Receivers which are your friends. Your Receivers decodes your message. This is why most of us Communication experts believe that what you tweet or post is who you are. Yes. We judge you by your tweets and posts. Yes. Investigators and Detectives use your social media contents to prove a crime. Yes. There are numerous studies about behaviours based on what you tweet and post.

2) The Social Media provided ways for us to communicate privately by using the Direct or Personal Messaging. Please use it more often to communicate both your gratitude and your anger. Yes. It helps you to be away from the spotlight and intrigue.

3) Back to the Communication Process, Feedback is also an element. So whether you like the feedback or not, it is a feedback. Swallow it down to your immature thought. You can not control it. Those who keep quoting, "Do not judge or you too will be judged" are most of the time are the guilty ones. They are too afraid to be judged so they quote that verse right away to be free from judging. Funny because the book was 'read' that's why it was judged.

4) No Feedback means no Communication. Not all messages gets a feedback. It is either good or bad but it is safe. Actually, there is wisdom in not sending a feedback straight away. The Bible talks about Self-Control and Taming the Tongue. However, positive and well-thought delayed feedback is better than no feedback at all because like I said, in order to complete a Process, all elements must be intact.

5) Imagine yourself on a stage or in television whenever you use a Social Media. Well, if you have 50 to 5000 friends or followers, that's a crowd. So that's why some people use the Social Media for important announcements- you got engaged, married, pregnant, baptised, etc.

BOOM!

Look, I am not saying as a church we are not allowed to be 'real' and pretend to be happy all the time. There are just some instances that we can vent out our hurts, frustrations, disappointments and disgust in a private way. (I am hoping we all know how to cope up because that can be another topic.)

Humility Check

Two things can happen after you've started shining:

1. PRIDEFUL - You became a self-absorbed shining star consumed by your own flares. You keep posting or bragging about your accomplishments and if there are anything new about yourself which is almost everything. For example, your new looks, new guitar, new nail polish or even your new pen or toothbrush . The intervals of your posts are only 30 minutes or less. You flood the news feed like crazy. If anyone gives you a negative comment, you pretend you didn't hear (or read) them. You ignore corrections. You always think you are right. You always find a way to put your name and accomplishments in every topic.

2. HUMBLE - You acknowledge other people's gifts and talents. You brag your friends' accomplishments and never use that to lift you on a higher position. You mention who gave your new gadgets and stuff. You basically give others a chance to shine in the news feed. You share your own knowledge to pass on what you have learned. You accept comments and check yourself if it is true. In the process of checking, even if it was said in a bad or nice way, you try to change. You are willing to learn and improve from those corrections. You ask other people's opinion and that includes the other team's side. Most importantly, you know that winning isn’t everything and you don’t have to win.

There is a thin line between Humility and False Humility. One author said, "False humility is pride in disguise. I know because I’m a prideful jerk who sometimes likes to pretend he’s humble. Humility is an interesting thing. We are to be striving for it, yet, the only time we can be sure we’ve attained it, is when we stop looking at ourselves…when we don’t know that we’ve attained it. As soon as you realize(start to think) you are humble, you stop being humble."

In Hebrews 12:1-2, it says, "Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Therefore, focusing on Jesus, instead of ourselves, is true Humility. No one does like Jesus Christ. No one shines brighter than what He did, is doing or will do. Jesus Christ is the only reason why we shine like stars. All glory and praises about us belongs to the reflection of a Christ-centered life.

Try to look at yourself and see if Jesus Christ is alive in you. That is the true test of a humble heart.

You Are Pleasing to God!

For those people who wants TRUE PEACE, this is for all of you! God bless! Shalom!

You Are Pleasing to God!

Today's Scripture

"Before you were ever formed in your mother's womb, God saw you and He approved you." (Jeremiah 1:5)

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

You are approved by Almighty God! You are created in His image and you're the apple of His eye. You did not choose God, but He chose you and He is pleased with you–His most precious creation.

Notice that verse doesn't say that God approves you as long as you don't have any faults, or as long as you don't make any mistakes. No, God approves you unconditionally. No matter how many weaknesses you may think you have today, no matter how many times you fall in your walk with the Lord, you've got to get right back up again and hold your head up high. Don't allow the enemy to bring strife into your life by deceiving you into thinking that you are not "good enough" for the plan of God. Stand strong in your thoughts about yourself knowing that not only have you been chosen, but you are approved by Almighty God.

A Prayer for Today

God, remind me that no matter how many times I fail or fall short of Your expectations, You have already given me Your eternal "stamp of approval." I was made in Your image. Help me to have a healthy, positive self image so I can face the world with confidence. In Jesus' name – Amen.

James Parmis Ministries - www.JamesParmis.com

Quest for Character

by Charles R. Swindoll

When you are fully convinced, a new dimension of your character will take shape. And as that occurs, two things will happen: (1) Your strings will be cut, (2) You'll be free, indeed! And surpirse! You'll find that lonely hitchhiker you left miles back sitting in the passenger seat right beside you.. smiling every mile of the way.

I fully recommend this book. I got this from our shelves in school where I teach Languages. My prayer is that you will see only Jesus Chirst as mentor of your character not other people, including me. I suggest that you should understand the meaning of your ministry as God's advocate to disciple others and NOT to flaunt your explicit knowledge of Christianity. There are many differences. No camps and leadership trainings that offer the Most Holy and Righteous Servanthood but through Jesus alone. May you be enlighted and find peace in Jesus. May you be filled of the Holy Spirit and be cleansed from any SINS and be healed from any PAIN that others have caused you, including me.

Counselling from other people is helpful but to really release your pain to God, you will be completely healed and be made whole again. I pray God will empower your ministry whether in campuses, at church or at the market place. Remember that a minister CAN NOT give what she/he is lacking. Your cup should be full first before ministering. You CAN NOT disciple if you are not fully armed yourself.

Above all, Mercy and Grace are available at the seat of God. Be beautiful both outside and inside. Forget about your diet, your colored contact lens and your outfit if it goes with your short hair. If you haven't changed your perception about life which God gave you and other people around you, maybe including me, your faith is as dull as dry hair.