Its Only Words

This week I am reading a book on Feedback and how to invite feedback from people and critics.

Some of the most successful people and businesses are those who ask for feedback from their peers and customers. 

When I create music or art , my biggest fear is  how it will be received and what feedback I might get from it.  However, when feedback comes, it is usually something I can work on to make it better. 

As an artist everything I do is critiqued , which in turn makes me more critical towards others. Knowing this I try to hold my tongue  before I say anything. (some of you may laugh thinking I actually try to hold my tongue.)

The  book emphasizes that feedback is good and that we should want to improve even if that means hearing what we are doing wrong.

The Bible presents the best feedback of all. Telling us how to live, showing us examples of how others lived, messed up, and changed.  There are so many cases where I look in the bible to see what it says about a situation and find that my thinking on the subject is completely wrong.

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus responds to Satan’s temptation to break His fast by Quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 : Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Yes we need to food to live, But it’s the Words of God that allow us to live forever. The Bible provides great feedback on how we are living and how we should continue to live.   It’s all in love and it’s all to bring us closer to God.  Welcome the feedback of God into your heart and live on the Words He provides.

`adam

Making a List

Lists are all around us. Wish lists, to-do lists, grocery lists, and now the big Christmas lists.

Lists help us organize our thoughts, get things done and to remember.

In the Old Testament , The Israelites  started to forget all of the things God has done to deliver them from slavery and away from the Egyptian army. 

In Deuteronomy 6:12, Moses warns them not to forget.  “But be careful that you don’t forget the Lord. Remember that he brought you out of Egypt. That’s the land where you were slaves. “

Sometimes, we have days that seem to last forever or even seem like horrible nightmares that  never end.

It helps to have a list of all the good things and blessings that you have been given through out the years. “Count your blessings…”

My challenge:

Make a list. Do not forget what the Lord has done for you, there will be times when you feel like you’re in the wilderness, lost, but look at the list and know that God has gotten you through so much and has given your many things to be thankful of.

Always know that God is  in control.

~adam

Starting of a Brand New Day

It’s with great excitement this week, that I become an uncle to a beautiful baby girl.   When new babies arrive a ton of emotion seems to flood our hearts and minds.

I couldn’t help but think about all of the “firsts” the new family is experiencing.

Today,  they are experiencing their first  good morning kisses,  hugs and breakfast …  everything is new.

The baby is having her first morning outside of mommy’s belly, there is no previous mornings to compare it to, no mistakes to dwell on from the past. Today is new.

As we grow older, we may feel that all of our past actions are unforgivable or  that they are something we can’t get away from. Sometimes our bodies remind us of our age and actions. (getting up in the morning is no fun when your body doesn’t want to work.)

We may not have the advantage of being a brand new baby without a past, but with God everyday is a new beginning. God sent His son to die for our sins so that we could have a new life.

2 Corinthians 4:16 brings this subject to focus: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”

Approach today knowing that it’s a brand new day,  Today is your first November 23, 2013. 

Good New Morning,

Adam

In Love

Do you ever question why you do or don’t do something?  Why do I write this blog? Why do I give to charity? Why do I not give to charity? Why do I discipline my kids? Why do I not discipline my kids?   Why should I take on this responsibility at work?  The list could go on for days…

In my reading this week, I was reminded of  a scene in the Michael Jackson movie, “This is It.”  His band was not as together as he wanted so he stops the rehearsal to explain what was wrong or missing. After he explained to the band what they needed to do, he said, “I’m saying this out of love, L.O.VE.   It’s all in Love.” He loved the music, performing and the people around him and wanted to get it right. He wasn’t being hateful about it.

I was so intrigued by his actions that it made me really think about how I approach situations. When I tell my kids “no” they can’t do that, I am not doing it because I am the “superior adult,” I love them and  what they are doing might not be safe.

If I give a donation, food or assist someone in need, I don’t do it for the notoriety,  I want to do it out of love.  Even if I don’t know them, I love God the father who commanded us to Love each other.

In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul writes to the church of Corinth about being a neighbor and loving each other. In This particular chapter, Paul emphasized that no good work is ever wasted and gave us instructions on how to live.

Verse 13-14: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

-Be on your guard for false teachings, your own pride or sin etc.,

-stand firm in the faith in which brings you hope and salvation

-be courageous and strong so that you may deal with problems that arise

(as to say that “the greatest of these is love…” Paul stamps it with…. )

-Do everything in love… if you put love into your actions they’ll have true meaning and purpose.

IF you or I ever need a reminder of how to approach a situation or people, this would be a great addition to the check list.

Have a great Saturday and go In love ~ adam

How Deep is Your Love?

As Thanksgiving and Christmas approach,  charitable giving and helping others  tend to be on our minds a little more.  Time with our family and friends remind us  that others may not be as well off. 

Let us not forget someone who is hurting, lonely or needs a little more than a surface love.  

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ”  1 Peter 4:8-9

Living for God and being a Christian brings a responsibility to Love.   Peter rights about the duties of being a Christian and how we should live in 1 Peter.

I am a Grumbler… If I don’t want to do something,  I will grumble and complain.  Verses like this  help me to refocus on how God wants us to live. By living for Him we must Love others and to love others, we show hospitality without grumbling….

Ok, here it goes. Love Deeper.

~adam