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I DARE YOU     to spend more time reading God’s Word than the daily newspaper.

I DARE YOU     to face your doubts and conquer them.

I DARE YOU     to brave the snickers of your friends and live in the simple style which will enabloe you to spend more time with Christ.

I DARE YOU     to challenege your friends to live up to their professed religion.

I DARE YOU     to take Christ with you into the classroom, office, and workshhop.

I DARE YOU     to tell the truty in love whenever you speak.

I DARE YOU     to live above the average standard of morals and be really virtuous.

I DARE YOU     to be honest with yourself and evaluate the way you spend your leisure time in the light of your love for Christ.

I DARE YOU     to be courageous and willing to accept criticism by trying to start some new form of Christian ministry.

I DARE YOU     to throw your whole soul into the worship of God every time you meet for that purpose.

I DARE YOU     to work half as hard to win people to Christ as you work for your business.

I DARE YOU     to act as if you believe that Jesus is the Christ.

Attend church faithfully

Be careful what you say.

Consider carefully every decision.

do right: Fear to do wrong.

Endure hardships without complaint.

Forsake not your family and friends.

Go no place that would harm your influence.

Hate no one; do good to every person.

Ignore no person; practice hospitality.

Join hands with other righteous people.

Keep your mind pure.

Lie not; always tell the truth.

Minister to the needy.

Never try to appear to be what you are not.

Oppose evil.

Pay your debts promptly.

Question not the motives of others.

Remember all of God’s gifts.

Sacrifice money rather than principle.

Think before you speak.

Use your time wisely.

Value the Bible above all books.

Watch your temper.

X-ray your thoughts.

Yield not to temptation.

Zealously labor for the Lord.

There’s a holy high vocation needing workers everywhere;

Tis the highest form of service – Tis the ministry of prayer.

None need stand idly longing for a place in which to share

Active service for the Master there’s always room in prayer.

In these days of tribulation, wickedness pervades the air;

And the battles we engage in must be won by fervent prayer.

There’s no weapon half so mighty as what the intercessors bear;

Nor a broader field of service than the ministry of prayer.

James Fortune was homeless when he wrote his song, “I Trust You”  God is trying to show you something and develop you.  Listen to what He says and trust Him.”

“Do you see what I’m going through?  God told me to ‘trust me even when you can’t see men, even when it seems I”ve forgotten about you.   Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.

I was thinking that was the worst time in my life.  Now I see that was the best thing that happened to me.  God knew that three years later, people would be going through what I was going through and would need to hear that song.  I see what God was up to.  This son is bringing people hope and encouragement.  He had to get me in that situation to write that song.  I wouldn’t have written it if I was prosperous.”

The answers for what you need lie within and are free.  You have to do the work and take the work.  You have to keep going forward.  Just because you lose your job, shouldn’t mean that you lose your identity.  You did not lose your skills, your talent or your expertise.  What you’ve got to do now is create opportunities where the skills, talent and experience can be transferable.  You have to create your own opportunities.  The good old days ain’t coming back.  Ain’t nothing back there.  After you accept this, make a personal balance sheet where you look at what you’re good at.  Too many times a lot of us let our self-worth and our net worth get confused.  Focus on your self-worth.  Net worth is going to fluctuate.   Self-worth should not.

Stay focused, tough times don’t always last.  We’re going to get through this thing.  When the economy turns, and it will, who will you be?  Will you be the same person with the same values?  Or will you take this time to grow and live a balanced life?

ABOVE IS AN EXCERPT FROM CHRISTOPHER GARDNER’S BOOK START WHERE YOU ARE: LIFE LESSONS IN THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS.

(Proverb 9:1-6 AMP)

Wisdom has built her house…hewn out and set up her seven [perfect number of] pillars. She has killed her beast…mixed her [spiritual] wine…set her table…sent out her maids to cry…”Whoever is simple…turn in here!”…[God's] Wisdom says to him, “Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the [spiritual] wine which I have mixed…[forsake the foolish and simple-minded] and live!…Walk in the way of insight and understanding.”

Ephesians 1:17 – AMP.  You have within you the Spirit of wisdom (Isaiah 11:2)–wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly–Jesus is made unto you wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30) and you are daily growing in it and in revelation (”For I always pray…that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him…”

Wisdom has built her house on seven pillars, and a well-rounded life in Christ comes from embracing each of them.

1.       Walk in the KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (2 Peter 1:2; Philippians 3:3-10). It’s not enough to just know about God…you have to make the effort to get to know Him, and that comes from spending time with Him, communicating with Him on a regular basis, and experiencing a continual manifestation of His presence. God wants to be known, and you can know Him!

2.        Walk in the KNOWLEDGE OF HIS PLANS AND PURPOSES. He made his ACTS known to the children of Israel, but He made His WAYS known to Moses (Psalm 103:7). Learning the ways of God is far superior to simply being aware of His acts!

3.         Walk in the KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCRIPTURES. Study to show yourself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed of his ignorance. Learn to rightly divide the logos Word so that you are able to receive the rhema word (2 Timothy 2:15). Wisdom is found in the written Word!

4.          Walk in the KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE–the kind that only comes by experience–by learning through trial and error…from your own mistakes…and by graduating maturely and soberly from the school of hard knocks. Jesus LEARNED obedience through the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8)…Paul LEARNED how to be abased and how to abound (Philippians 4:11). Each new day is a learning opportunity if you know how to look at it correctly!

5.         Seek to grasp a KNOWLEDGE OF PEOPLE so that you can deal wisely with them. (”But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all men…He Himself knew what was in human nature [He could read men's hearts].” – John 2:24, 25 AMP). Be wise as a serpent/harmless as a dove…be people-smart!

6.          Embrace the KNOWLEDGE OF SELF–the truth that God desires in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6). Find your true self in the revelation of Christ…the more you know Him, the more you’ll know you!

7.           Love PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE–to be, like Moses, “mighty in words and deeds” (Acts 7:22). Remember that knowledge is power!

Bishop Jim Swilley is the founder and senior pastor of Church In The Now, located in Conyers, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. For more information about Bishop Swilley, visit www.churchinthenow.org or his personal blog at www.bloginthenow.blogspot.com.

We would do well to emulate the first African-American Commander In Chief.  The fact that Barack Obama was elected President indicates that he has done a lot of things right.  There are many lessons that can be learned from this extraordinary individual.  Here are a few – 7 to be exact.

LESSON 1 – GET PAST YOUR ANGER

Perhaps America was ready for an African-American President, but not an angry one.  Getting stuck in negative anger is counterproductive.  It is time to pursue forgiveness, which is the antidote for old wounds and anger.

LESSON 2 – MAKE YOUR WIFE YOUR BEST FRIEND

It is refreshing to see an African-American man embrace his family the way President Obama does.  He appears to genuinely love Michelle and he refers to her as his best friend.  Men, honor your wife or girlfriend.  Value her feelings and her unique voice.

LESSON 3 – BE A DEVOTED FATHER

President Obama’s daughters adore him because of who he is, not what he does.  Men, you need to know that you are your child’s hero.  You matter to them, and your presence in their lives can save them from a world of trouble.  The average father spends eight minutes a week with his child.  Spend more time with your child today.  Tell them you love them and speak an encouraging word daily.

LESSON 4 – THINK GLOBALLY

The world is not all Black and it is larger than your street corner, county and city.  President Obama has lived in Hawaii, Indonesia, New York City, Boston, Chicago and now at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.  Travel beyond familiar surroundings.  Interact and cultivate friendships with non-African-Americans.  Eat different ethnic foods.  Learn another language.  Thinking globally allows you to grow personally and to expand your business opportunities.

LESSON 5 – BROADEN YOUR COMMUNICATION SKILLS

As a minority race we have to deal with the unique challenge of living in two cultures – the ‘hood’ and ‘Corporate America.’  Develop your writing skills.  Practice by keeping a journal to record your thoughts and ideas.  Read magazines and books regularly.  It will make you a wiser thinker, stronger writer and richer conversationalist.  Pull your pants up!  Men like President Obama and Tiger Woods realize the value of a belt is more than $40.  Wear one.

LESSON 6 – BE GREAT AT YOUR CRAFT

President Obama is an educated lawyer and politician.  He studied and prepared himself.  During the Democratic primaries, he recognized that he needed to brush up on his debate skills, and he did.  What is your trade or occupation and what do you need to do to be sharper – get that degree, take a course, hire a life coach, attend a conference or read a book in your field?

LESSON 7 – REALIZE THAT IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

Having graduated from Harvard Law School, President Obama could have easily gone to Wall Street and made a lot of money.  Instead he went to Chicago as a community organizer and served poor people.  Invest your life in a worthy cause that is bigger than you and that will outlive you.  Donate your time, money and resources to serve needy people.  Life’s true joy is disovered in helping those who can’t help themselves.

Johnny Parker, Author, Counselor and Certified Life Coach is author of Blueprints for Marriage-Building Love for a Lifetime. www.johnnyparker.com

The economic crisis is taking a toll on many whose coverage is connected to their employment.

There are nearly 47 million people in this country who don’t have health insurance, many of whom lost their medical coverage when they lost their jobs.  According to the U.S. Labor Department and health care officials, if you are among thsoe who no longer have employer-subsidized health insurance, here’s what you can do to continue addressing your medical needs:

1.      If you are married, your first step should be to check with your spouse’s employer to see if you are eligible for health coverage as a family member.  Those group plans are normally most affordable.

2.      Consider COBRA.  The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 requires employers with a minimum of 20 workers to continue coverage for at least 18 months or as long as 36 months for dependents under special circumstances.  If you choose to get coverage under COBRA, you are required to pay the entire premium for the group policy – plus any administrative costs.

3.       Check with any associations or professional organizations that you or your spouse may belong to because they sometimes offer group plans.

4.       After losing your job, if you decide to be self-employed, consider getting a partner or hire an employee.  It takes just two people to be eligible for group coverage, which is usually the most comprehensive and cost-effective coverage option.

5.       Find your own individual insurance policy.  Contrary to popular thought, you can find affordable health insurance on your own, but it takes a lot of owrk and persistence.  If you shop around, you might be surprised by what you find, especially if you’re healthy.  There are many web sites that will allow you to compare prices.

6.       Fiind a local clinic.  If it is not free,k it likely charges based on income, so it probably won’t charge you more than you can spend at the time.  in addition, if you don’t need the services of a hospital or doctor’s office, take advantage of retail clinics at such places as Wal-Mart and chain drugstores like Walgreens and CVS.

7.       Consider a Mini-Med, which is a limited benefit indemnity health insurance plan that can be issued with few restrictions to those up to age 64.  The Mini-Med policy can be presented to any medical provider and is not limited to any specific PPO network.  These are not major medical plans, but they do provide a variety of benefits.  If you are 18 to 64, you won’t be turned down for medical reasons.

8.       Talk to your former primary care physician to see what kind of temporary break he or she can give you.  Some may offer benefits such as heal-price office visits.

9.       Seek assistance from doctors-to-be.  Several medical schools and teaching hospitals offer low-cost or free medical care at the facilities where students train.

10.      See if you are eligible for something free, especially prescription drugs.  Check with drug manufacturers if you qualify for any of hte prescription assistance programs.

11.      Look into state and federal programs.  In most states, you can get coverage in a high-risk pool if you are sick and can’t get individual coverage through a private insurer.  Call your state department of insurance to see if you are eligible.  Medicaid is also a possibility for those who meet federal guidelines.  Contact your state departmenht of social services.

HELPFUL WEB SITES

www.cobrainsurance.com for information on COBRA

WWW.COVERAGEFORALL.ORG for insurance policies and prices.

WWW.DOL.GOV for the U.S. Department of Labor

WWW.HEALTHYWOMEN.ORG for the National Women’s Health Resource Center and the Consumer Health Education Council, which helps individuals get health are coverage, maintain that coverage, and educates the insured on the ways to use coverage effectively.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. 

Out deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others.

The Summit

The mountain before me was enormous.  I began my climb steady and sure.  Soon I ran into obstacles, Some  places I slid back down the mountain almost to my death.  The mountain seemed to be winning.

I could feel the force of the mountain trying to keep me from my goal.  But I fought my way through.  Finally the Summit was in view.

It was then the climb became the most difficult.  The steep loose rocks made the final journey hopeless.  I slid down the rocks.  I was hurt, tired and had lost hope.

Suddenly, I felt a force touching me.  I turned quickly and there I saw him.  It was Jesus!  I grabbed both his hands and knelt at his feet.  He said to me, “Oh my child, I’ve been reaching out to you – your entire journey, but you pushed me away and went your own direction.”  As I cried at my savior’s feet, he lifted me up.  We drifted off the mountain.

Instead of rising to the top of the Summit, we glided down to the base of the mountaiin.  Jesus said to me, “If you say to this mountain be cast iinto the sea and do not doubt in your heart, it shall be done.”  I stood there looking at the mountain.  It was an enormous towering obstacle.  I asked myself, “Did I have enough faith?”  Then I looked at Jesus.  Two eyes looked back and me who had been where I was before.  He had felt fear and loneliness.  He had been hurt and unloved by others.  With my eyes still focused on Jesus, I said in a loud voice, “Mountain be cast into the Sea!”

The earth began to shake furiously.  Rocks and boulders tumbled to my feet.  Something of incredible size and power was happening behind me, but I kept my focus on the Saviour.  I heard water and waves splashing up. 

Then there was a great calm.   I stood there looking in the eyes of Jesus.  Love Joy and Peace cane over me that I could not explain.  I did not have to look back anymore.  I knew God had removed the mountain.