Alan and Being There

There's nothing like sickness, bankruptcy, or a tragedy to help us discover who our real friends are. While eating out at Max last night with my high school buddy, Alan, I discovered how he is really there for me as a friend. He offered kindness, nurturing, and a listening ear. Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times." Life is richer, horizon is brighter, and the road shorter when travelled with faithful friends like Alan.

Choose: Laugh in a Tent or Cry in A Palace?

Recently I came across this perceptive line from Bill Jensen: "I'd rather laugh in a tent than cry in a palace." I began to think of those who are too busy working they hardly have time for what's really important in life. They're so busy building a career or empire they forgot to build a home. I'm reminded of Andrew, a successful insurance man who spent the last 20 years of his life "searching for diamonds." Eighteen months ago, he went back home. But by then his house was empty. His wife of 23 years took their two teenage children and moved thousands of miles away. Andrew remarked, "I have absolutely everything. All is paid for. But I've never been so empty. I didn't know what I had, until it was gone." Suicidal and desperate, Andrew fell to his knees and prayed, asking Jesus to change him. Andrew thought he was giving his family or kids everything they needed. He realized what they really needed was him.

"Lord, thanks for all!"

"Lord Jesus, thanks for everything. I may had made mistakes but I know nothing is too much for your love and grace. I'm so happy to know that! Amen."

Dad's Letters to Christine, Paul, and Angel (2)

My Dear Christine, Paul, and Angel,

Soon, I hope to buy and present you with three bonsai trees. One for each of you. Maybe years from now in some far-off place you'll be able to look at a bonsai tree and remember Dad.

These days, I've been thinking of the stuff I'll leave behind with you. I realize I can preach to you with words. But, whether I like it or not, the lessons in life you'll truly learn will come from the life Daddy lives.

Daddy is so much different today from before the severe trial that happened to us. In a real way, my children, God allowed the tragedy so I could die to myself. In this, I came to the end of Angelo Subida. As a result, Daddy became stronger in Him for you. There is forgiveness, there is love, there is no compromise of God's Word.

I pray that the bonsai will speak of character to you, my children. Of faithfulness. Of perseverance. Of true love. Of real friendship. Of truth. Of obedience to God. Of strength in Christ.

I wish the bonsai to be a small reminder for you of what really matters in life. I hope it will remind you that, although Dad had his share of weaknesses and mistakes, he still grew faithful, strong, and obedient to God.

Under the loving hand of the Master, I pray you'd also grow strong and faithful in Christ till the end of your lives. Remember the reminder of the bonsai.

Love,

Daddy

Keeping Doing The Right Thing

It is always difficult. Someone dealt unethically or cheated you. And the temptation is to take revenge. Make the other person suffer too. But we have to force ourself always to do the right thing. Scripture says, "Never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for God's wrath" (Romans 12:19 AMP). This means we must not try to get even. Instead, we must turn the person and the whole matter to God. Count on God to make it up to us. Either we do it God's way, or we do it our way. If we do it our way, that will prevent God from avenging us His way. For God to bring true justice to our life, we need to totally turn the matter over to Him.

John Osteen: "Beauty For His Ashes"

Do you know John Osteen? I'm inspired by his testimony as a Christian and pastor.

He's the founder and pastor for 40 years of one of America's largest churches today, Lakewood Church, that is now pastored by his son Joel Osteen (www.joelosteen.com) after his death at age 77 in 1999.

In the book "Your Best Life Now," his son Joel told of an earlier tragedy that happened to him. Here are excerpts and spiritual lessons we can learn from pastor John Osteen's experience of "beauty out of the ashes."



"Daddy went through a tragedy early in life. He married ... and unfortunately that wasn't one of his better choices. Sadly, the marriage didn't work out, and he went through a divorce. Daddy was heartbroken. His dreams were shattered, and he didn't think he would ever preach again. It was one of the darkest hours of Daddy's life. He was tempted to hold on to the hurt and pain, continually blaming himself. He could have easily allowed his disappointment and disiilusionment to keep him from moving forward and fulfilling his God-given destiny. But Daddy quit mourning over what he had lost; he had to learn how to receive God's mercy, and to start believing God for something better... Daddy made a decision to receive God's mercy for his mistakes and failures. And little by little God began to restore Daddy's life and his ministry. Daddy began to minister again, but he never dreamed he'd get married again and have another family. Then one day he met a nurse working at one of the hospitals where he visited some of his church members when they were sick. For my Dad, it was love at first sight. He started looking for any reason he could find to stop by that hospital ...He was there so much, my mother told one of her friends, 'That minister has the sickest congregation I've ever seen!' She didn't realize at that time that Daddy was there to see her. To make a long story short, they fell in love and got married. God gave Daddy beauty for his ashes, and Daddy went on to touch the world."

John Osteen pastored Lakewood Church (now numbering 42,000) for more than 40 years. Today, all of his children by his second marriage are working in the ministry. God took what the enemy meant for evil, and He turned it around and used it for good. And it happened because pastor John did not stay trapped in the past, focused on his sadness and disappointments. He learned to receive God's love, forgiveness, mercy, and victory for his life.

Discovering Israel's Dead Sea

Let me share with you some amazing things I discovered about the DEAD SEA.



The curative properties of the Dead Sea have been recognized since the days of Herod the Great over 2000 years ago.



The Dead Sea is 80 kilometres (50 miles) long, approximately 14 kilometres (9 miles) wide. The northern and larger part is very deep, reaching at one point a depth of 430m (1320 feet). The southern bay is, on the contrary, very shallow, averaging hardly a depth of 4m (13 feet).



Because of its extremely high content of salt and other minerals, the Dead Sea is devoid of plant and animal life. The water level of the Dead Sea is dropping by about a 30cm (1 foot) per year. It is being diverted by Israel and Jordan for industry, agriculture and household use. Scientists predict that the sea may be dried up by the year 2050. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the Dead Sea area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar.

Because of its extremely high content of salt and other minerals, the Dead Sea is devoid of plant and animal life. he water level of the Dead Sea is dropping by about a 30cm (1 foot) per year. It is being diverted by Israel and Jordan for industry, agriculture and household use. Scientists predict that the sea may be dried up by the year 2050. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the Dead Sea area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar.

Are You Pleasing God or Man?

I believe that these expressions can be familiar to you: "You made me do it!" "I have to do it!" "I've got to do it!" These are "excuses" if you take a close look at them when what is actually meant is, "I choose to, because I don't want to pay the consequences of what I did." The fact is nobody can make you do anything without your consent. You either live to please God or live to please people with your decisions and actions. Jesus knew whom He was trying to please. It was a settled issue with Him. In John 15:30, Jesus says: "By Myself, I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear and My judgment is just, for I seek not to please Myself, but Him who sent Me." The principle is: Know whom you're trying to please. "If you seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all the other necessary things of life will be added unto me" (Matthew 6:33). This means that if we focus on pleasing God, we will always be doing what is right and good regardless of what other people think or do.

If You Feel Like

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember: Noah was a drunkard. Jacob was a liar. Leah was ugly. Peter denied Christ. Abraham was too old. Isaac was a daydreamer. Joseph was abused. Gideon was afraid. Elijah was suicidal. Jonah ran from God. Job went bankrupt. Jeremiah was a crybaby. Jesus' disciples fell asleep while He was praying. And Lazarus was dead! So, no more excuses! God can use you to your full potential if you turn to Him.