Archive for April, 2010

When I was a child, I remember learning about the Golden Rule—do unto others as you would have them do unto you.I recently read a children’s book that put a new twist on that old saying. The premise of the story was that everyone carries an invisible bucket. It’s an emotional bucket, and when your bucket is full, you feel happy, satisfied, and encouraged. When your bucket is empty, you feel down and discouraged.

In this world there are “bucket fillers” and “bucket dippers.” A bucket filler is a person who adds to other people by encouraging them and investing in them with kind words and actions. When bucket fillers pour into others, they find that their own buckets are filled up, too. Bucket dippers, on the other hand, are those who take away from people by using harsh, critical, or negative words. They not only deplete other people’s buckets, but they also diminish the contents of their own.

God intends for us to be bucket fillers. He wants us to use our lives and resources to help people be the very best they can be. I think about Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter was impulsive; he said things he shouldn’t have, and he needed to grow in a lot of areas. In spite of Peter’s personality drawbacks, Jesus referred to him in surprisingly positive terms. He said, “Peter, you are a rock.” Peter’s very name actually meant “pebble,” and I wonder if he felt like a tiny pebble at times, especially after some of his foolish blunders. Nevertheless, Jesus reminded Peter of what he was becoming—a solid, stable rock. He spoke potential and confidence into Peter’s life, and we should follow that example in our relationships.

Today, let’s look for ways to be bucket fillers not bucket dippers. Instead of reminding people of their failures and faults; let’s see the solid rock in them and speak positively about what they are becoming. Let’s pour into others the way God has called us to.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today (Hebrews 3:13, NIV).

by Victoria Osteen

Remain in His Blessings :]

hi guys, its been somewhile since i’ve sent something.. mainly due to work related “bussyness.. ” if that is even a word.. lol.. but yeah, just writting something up for fun.. so, last week, pastor Monica prayed for all of us, n also prayed for a new youth pastor to lead us all.. n i was very touched.. it was a great prayer meeting we had.. pastor even anointed us with oil n blessed us..

im happy to hv known most of you, n honestly, coming to this church has brought me out of the “all c’tians are perfect humans mentality.. ” lol.. but yeah, its been real intersting being here.. i just want to ask all of you guys to please suggest to me atleast what should we do abt trying to meet up for meetings..

honestly guys, i understand.. having another meeting on sunday is just not happening la.. we’ve just finish a full meeting with one hour plus of worship, n sermon and all.. n we are all tired.. the worship team is tired too.. then we have to go up, practice another song before de youth meeting starts.. no time to eat n fellowship.. honestly, how many people wants to come back upstairs after half an hour n start again with another sermon and all.. how many parents would just stay back for the sake of the youth staying for a youth meeting..??

the fact is, we’re just to tired for another meeting.. hence the turn up is not always great.. pls guys, i just want to help Noel out, what do we do?! what can we all do?! i was thinking we have a meeting on another day.. just for de youth meeting.. we’ll be more wanting, n expecting.. ice breakers aint gona be fun if the same people are gona come up with games..

so shoot at me guys.. tell me yes or no.. what do you want.. where do you want.. coz the youth doesnt belong to just a bunch of people.. its all of us!! all of you!!! we can change this guys.. we can hv RnB nights or Rock nights or wat.. it can be like a party.. dress up n come.. stuffs like that..

how to shoot at me?? just click the comment box under this comment n comment.. guys, once again, i just wana say, have a open heart, do not get angry if people were to disagree with your idea or anything like that. its a discussion.. lets chill n be youths..

When our daughter, Alexandra, was just a little baby or maybe a year old, I’d go and get her out of her crib in the morning. When she’d hear me coming, she’d get so excited that she would start jumping up and down. She’d give me a great big hug with her arms and legs and a big kiss. Why was she was so excited? What was the occasion? Was it her birthday? Were we going on vacation? Were we headed to Disneyland? No, it was simply the dawning of a new day. She was excited just to be alive and have another day to enjoy.

That’s the excitement that God has placed on the inside of every one of us. We should never forget how to celebrate each day. But so often as we get older, we allow the challenges of life to push us down and sadden our spirits. We have to stop ourselves and realize that every day is a gift from God. Once today is gone, we can never get it back. If we make the mistake of living it negative, discouraged, grumpy and sour, then that is a day that’s been wasted.

I’ve made up my mind I am not going to waste any of my days. I’m going to celebrate each day as a gift from God.

Remember, happiness is a choice. I like what Abraham Lincoln said, “Most people are as happy as they’ve decided to be.” When you wake up in the morning, you can choose what kind of day you’re going to have. You can choose to be in a good mood, or you can choose to be in a bad mood. You can choose to live this day happy, excited, and expecting God’s goodness; or you can choose to be irritable and sour and just try to make it through. The way you live your life is totally up to you. It’s not dependent on your circumstances. It’s dependent on your choices. Choose to celebrate each and every day and look for the blessings God has in store for you!

By Joel Osteen

Remain in HIS Blessings :]