Rejected No More
By Herbert Poole
Because of rejection
She never learned how to say no
She wanted
Others to like her, so
She figured
If she just went along
Danced to their song
Smiled and acted like
There was nothing wrong
They'd befriend her
Even try to defend her
And when she'd given her last
Have money to lend her
She made excuses
When they hurt and abused her
Told herself
They would never misuse her
But, what she didn't realize
Is that they preyed upon the weak
Those that they felt
Had no voice to speak
Those who had been scarred
And made to feel inferior
Left to be victimized
By those who felt superior
Wake up, precious soul
To the beauty within
For your worth far transcends
The depths of your skin
You have more to offer
Than what others can take
A heart pure and true
No mere human can make
You too deserve
Peace, love and joy
Not to be bartered
Or treated like a toy
Your feelings and opinions
Also matter
And are no reason for someone
To assault and batter
You, God's magnificent creation
Because, yes, your life too
Is worth celebration
So, let the stain of rejection
Now, be washed clean
And the wealth of your worth
Be clearly seen
Friday, April 17, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Live Like No One Else - Dave Ramsey's Story
Several years ago my wife and I were in debt over our heads. We were both making an above average income, but still living paycheck to paycheck. We found ourselves robbing Peter to pay Paul, afraid to answer the telephone, due to harassing phone calls from our creditors.
Scripture clearly states that the borrower is slave to the lender. There was no doubt, we were in bondage. Scripture also says, if any man lacks wisdom, let ask God, who gives liberally without finding fault.
We had began to make changes in our spending and knew there was a better way. But, what revolutionized our lives was Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU), offered by our church. There was finally a light at the end of the tunnel and it wasn't a train.
Today, we have paid off all of our debt except our home and actually have money in the bank for unexpected situations. This can be your story too. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Scripture clearly states that the borrower is slave to the lender. There was no doubt, we were in bondage. Scripture also says, if any man lacks wisdom, let ask God, who gives liberally without finding fault.
We had began to make changes in our spending and knew there was a better way. But, what revolutionized our lives was Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU), offered by our church. There was finally a light at the end of the tunnel and it wasn't a train.
Today, we have paid off all of our debt except our home and actually have money in the bank for unexpected situations. This can be your story too. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Is A Cadmean Victory Really What You Want?
A Cadmean Victory is defined as "a victory obtained only at great or ruinous cost to the victor."
I recently heard of this and thought this was very profound. It made me reflect upon my family and my interaction with them over the years.
My wife and I have been married for more than 22 years now. We've also raised three children together. I wish I could say they have been 22 years of bliss and happiness. But, I would be lying.
I believe one of the greatest needs that a man has is the respect of his wife and children. However, in many men's quest to gain this respect, they often lose their wife and children along the way. Very sad, but true.
This quest often becomes a battle, waged against the very ones that he is called to love, protect and serve. I've heard of men who have declared that it did not matter to them if their family loved them, but they would respect them.
I, myself, can reflect back over many instances where I have withheld affection from my wife and children, due to the lack of respect that I felt that I was being shown. This only led to a vicious cycle of unhealthy behaviors that, in turn, caused things to spiral even further downward.
Scripture tell us that whoever would be greatest among you should be servant of all. It also goes on to tell us that love is not rude, self-seeking, does not demand it's own way and is not easily angered. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. And we, as fathers, are called to model the love of our Heavenly Father to our and children.
Scripture tells us that we love God because He first loved us. He says, it is with loving kindness that He draws us. And Jesus declares that if we love Him, we will keep his commandments. It is through an intimate loving relationship that we come to know, trust, love and desire to follow Him.
Our families may come to fear us, in an unhealthy way, if we demand their respect at all costs. Is this what we want? What have we gained if we lose them along the way to trying to gain the respect we feel that we deserve?
The truth is, we have failed in our role as a husband and a father, when we fail to show them the love and respect that they deserve and need from us. Who is the real winner when our families fall apart?
I recently heard of this and thought this was very profound. It made me reflect upon my family and my interaction with them over the years.
My wife and I have been married for more than 22 years now. We've also raised three children together. I wish I could say they have been 22 years of bliss and happiness. But, I would be lying.
I believe one of the greatest needs that a man has is the respect of his wife and children. However, in many men's quest to gain this respect, they often lose their wife and children along the way. Very sad, but true.
This quest often becomes a battle, waged against the very ones that he is called to love, protect and serve. I've heard of men who have declared that it did not matter to them if their family loved them, but they would respect them.
I, myself, can reflect back over many instances where I have withheld affection from my wife and children, due to the lack of respect that I felt that I was being shown. This only led to a vicious cycle of unhealthy behaviors that, in turn, caused things to spiral even further downward.
Scripture tell us that whoever would be greatest among you should be servant of all. It also goes on to tell us that love is not rude, self-seeking, does not demand it's own way and is not easily angered. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. And we, as fathers, are called to model the love of our Heavenly Father to our and children.
Scripture tells us that we love God because He first loved us. He says, it is with loving kindness that He draws us. And Jesus declares that if we love Him, we will keep his commandments. It is through an intimate loving relationship that we come to know, trust, love and desire to follow Him.
Our families may come to fear us, in an unhealthy way, if we demand their respect at all costs. Is this what we want? What have we gained if we lose them along the way to trying to gain the respect we feel that we deserve?
The truth is, we have failed in our role as a husband and a father, when we fail to show them the love and respect that they deserve and need from us. Who is the real winner when our families fall apart?
Monday, January 5, 2015
Loosing the Chains of Poverty
Are you ready for deliverance from a life of poverty? Well, my friend, this most often begins with a change in our mindsets and behavior.
Deliverance from poverty is not living beyond our means to give the appearance that we have more than we actually possess. In fact, it is just the opposite. Please, don't get me wrong! I don't believe there is anything wrong with being able to afford something nice for yourself. But, the key here is, "being able to afford."
We often look at those who have more and wonder why they continue to prosper, while those who have much less don't seem to be able to get ahead. However, I suspect that this could have a lot to do with a spiritual principle that Jesus referred to in the parable of the talents.
Matthew 25:14-30 (NKJV)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Many might wonder, why would the Lord take from the one that had less and give it to the one who had more? Yet, Scripture goes on to tell us, in 2 Corinthians 9:10, that God gives seed to the sower. As we can clearly see here, it was the steward that was faithful with what he had been given and increased what had been entrusted to him that was given more.
We must learn to properly discern our needs from our greed. We must learn to be wise stewards with what has been entrusted to us. We must also begin to change our focus to gain a broader focus and perspective. We must live for a cause greater than ourselves. It is those that are about building His kingdom and not our own, that will find themselves as paymasters in the kingdom of God.
Deliverance from poverty is not living beyond our means to give the appearance that we have more than we actually possess. In fact, it is just the opposite. Please, don't get me wrong! I don't believe there is anything wrong with being able to afford something nice for yourself. But, the key here is, "being able to afford."
We often look at those who have more and wonder why they continue to prosper, while those who have much less don't seem to be able to get ahead. However, I suspect that this could have a lot to do with a spiritual principle that Jesus referred to in the parable of the talents.
Matthew 25:14-30 (NKJV)
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Many might wonder, why would the Lord take from the one that had less and give it to the one who had more? Yet, Scripture goes on to tell us, in 2 Corinthians 9:10, that God gives seed to the sower. As we can clearly see here, it was the steward that was faithful with what he had been given and increased what had been entrusted to him that was given more.
We must learn to properly discern our needs from our greed. We must learn to be wise stewards with what has been entrusted to us. We must also begin to change our focus to gain a broader focus and perspective. We must live for a cause greater than ourselves. It is those that are about building His kingdom and not our own, that will find themselves as paymasters in the kingdom of God.
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