Happiness

I saw this this morning on Facebook. It does have a good lesson it for our lives.

Once a group of 50 people was attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started      giving each one a balloon. Each one was asked to write his/her name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were                  collected and put in another room.

Now these delegates were let in that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written, within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.
Now each one was asked to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker began— exactly this is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life.

Gift of Song…

This is one of our many uber talented students that my wife and I have had the pleasure to work with over the years.  We are so proud of all of them. They just make us smile. I hope they will continue to use their talents to serve others and most importantly to serve God.

 

Hang In There

While trolling Twitter this morning I found this blog post, which makes me wonder if I’m at times a lazy Christian.

http://storylineblog.com/2013/11/08/hang-in-there/

First Day of Fall Sunrise (cont)

Here are a few more from my morning shoot of the sunrise. I am always amazed at the beauty of God’s creation.

Without a ND filter

With a ND 8 Filter

With a Red Gradient filter.
I also like the goose flying through the picture.

Rays of Light

For God, who Said, ‘Let there be light in the darkness,’ has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Cor 4:6 NLT

God always shines through, and I want to always be in His light.

I have always enjoyed this song by DC Talk.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=in+the+light&view=detail&mid=AE508F44FC47D0FFE913AE508F44FC47D0FFE913&first=0&FORM=NVPFVR

Pillar of Fire

I am reminded of how God used a pillar of fire to help lead the Israelite nation, while on their journey to the Promise land.

Plugged In (A Sabbath Post)

I once heard someone say they were tired of church because when they went, it seemed that no one was “plugged in.” I’m amazed to say that I have never seen that. Even those who I don’t get along with well are “plugged in” at my church. I am so lucky to be a part of a VERY small church where every member is a part of something. Everyone has friends who they spend time with outside of church who attend the church. Even in a church where there are only about 80 regular members, there are small groups, bible studies, youth activities, and alot of lingering in the foyer after the service making plans about vacation bible school and date nights and play dates. It’s amazing to be in an active church. I love it. It is not always perfect. There are times when there is upheaval and angst and discord but we never leave. Like a good marriage, we stay and work things out and agree to disagree and still interact and live together.

Recently I have visited several other churches. I have been asking questions at these places. Questions to those around me who attend them on a regular basis. I find that they are all feeling like those around them are “not plugged in.” However, the people I have talked to are not involved. Involvement doesn’t necessarily means you are leading the youth group, singing up front or giving the sermon. It might just mean that you have made a conscious effort to become friends with others in the same congregation. It might mean that you are attending something other than the weekly service. It might mean that you are a helper in a department or take up the offering or open the doors in the morning or paint a backdrop or collect items for the kids program or make food for someone who is in need. It can mean any number of things but being plugged in doesn’t mean that you go to church, sit in a pew, listen, sing and then leave. That is not being plugged in. Just because you thought the speaker had something good to say does not mean you are plugged in. Just because you love the band does not mean you are plugged in. I am alarmed at how many people believe this. It amazes me how many people believe they are plugged in when they don’t even say one word (or live one word) of that christian life outside of their church.

So my conclusion is this: make a friend. Just one, who attends the same church as you do on a weekly basis, and see what happens.

image came from the prescott life church.

Pine Cone & Frost

Purple Aster