A Little Late for Mother's Day (from May 2010 Reflections on Eternity)

To all my readers that are moms, Happy Belated Mother's Day! It is so hard to know what to get for mom or what to say that can adequately capture the depth of feeling you have for your mother. Mother is our first nurturer and teacher, the one who we learn about the world from. Mother is the first person who meets our every need and responds to our cries. I am thankful for my mother.

I know that not everyone feels this way, and it is sad that this is the case. But whatever the current circumstance, at some point, you had a mother. And even if all she did for you was bring you into the world, that was still a great sacrifice on her part.

This year I was particularly touched by the thought of life without my mother as I witnessed the mixture of joy and pain experienced by some of my friends whose mothers have gone - Hallelujah! - to heaven. There is a feeling of joy that the suffering of this world is done, and yet a sadness that her comfort and care are no longer a phone call or drive down the road away.

I want to encourage each of you to remember the good things about your mother and be sensitive to those missing theirs. And if you are a mother, please let your joyful experiences color your attitude toward your children instead of letting the negatives take control.

For God never promised us that every day of motherhood would be easy; he only entrusted us to be caretakers of his creation and to nurture lives that he ordained. This is a great responsibility but one that he knew you could handle. And if you have not been a mother in the natural sense of the word, I would encourage you to look for someone who has been placed in your life for nurturing. There are naturally and spiritually motherless people all around us. Some of them rejected their mother's counsel and advice and are now seeing its value for the first time.

Pray for them, and for me. My mom said to me on Mother's Day that I was not a hard child to raise. That's not the way I remember it, but it really did something to my spirit for her to say that. For a long time I felt guilty about things I had done that I know caused my mom unnecessary pain (such as getting pregnant at 13, skipping school, fighting, and much more). Not to mention that fact that she had five other children (including my child) to be concerned about while I was in my wild phase.

For her to bless me like she did, and to say to me that I turned out to be a good mother and that my daughter is being a good mother to her children, is tremendous. I will always remember that. And as I shared with my friends who have been sharing memories of their mothers, now resting in the arms of Christ and viewing the Holy City they lived to see, "I remember Mama in a happy way." Thanks, Pastor Shirley Cesar, I couldn't have said it better.

A little late, but somehow, I believe, right on time.

Can I Get a Witness?

No Matter What (from May 2010 Reflections on Eternity)

One of the things people start thinking about during the spring and right before summer is gardening. I have seen many people going all out, adding color to their landscaping, sprucing up and fertilizing their lawns, and generally enjoying the rebirth of nature. It got me to thinking about the kingdom of God. Because in his kingdom, we are planted, rooted, grounded, and nurtured. And no matter what, we're gonna get cut.

Scripture bears this out:

John 15:1-8 (KJV)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Notice the power in Christ's words. He teaches his disciples using an analogy that is familiar to all of the Jewish people: a vineyard. The people of God were likened to a vineyard in various places throught the Old Testament. But here the Lord reveals that HE is the true vine and that we, as his people, are merely branches. Then he gives a startling truth: no matter what, we're gonna get cut.

I don't know how this fits into the theology of those that believe that as Christians we should never experience pain. I don't know what they do with Jesus' teaching. But what he says is clear, and it works in natural gardening as well. Every plant must be cut, but the cutting is not always for the same purpose.

Those that do not bear fruit are cut completely away - some scholars say in the positive sense of being lifted up to a place where they can receive greater light, air, and water, bringing them to a state where they may be able to bear fruit.

Those that fruitful already are also cut, to the end that they may bear more fruit. This cutting entails thinning out the branches and leaves, scraping away fungus and parasites, insects and invaders, so that the fruitful branch is not sucked dry of all of its ability.

Wow! No matter what, you're gonna get cut. It is important for us to understand that not every painful experience is because we are unfruitful. Some things happen because we are bearing fruit. Why would a parasite latch on to something already dead? It attaches itself, rather, where it may receive life. And the Father, that divine vinedresser, cuts it away.

I want to encourage you to take a look at what is happening to you. Are you being cut, or is the Father cutting away something that is stealing life from you? If you are being cut away, look for the opening that offers the opportunity for you to be nourished back to health and fruitfulness. And if leeches and other hindrances are being cut away, trust the Lord to be able to distinguish good attachments from bad ones in your life. He is able to do it.

Our job is to abide in him during the process. To trust him and to immerse ourselves in the word of God. For it is the ointment that can be applied to every wound - the word can heal every place that we are cut. It is a powerful sedative that takes the pain out of every one of life's cutting moments. Jesus promised that if we abide in him, and his words abide in us, we can ask what we will. I believe that is because our will conforms to his will to the extent that we abide in his word. And he will not deny himself.

Just a thought on being a part of God's garden - the beauty that he looks at each day - the blooms that he inspects and displays with joy. It's a privileged position to be in, but it is not without pain.

Remember, no matter what - you're gonna get cut!
Can I Get a Witness?

Atheists Lose Suit Against 'God' in Presidential Oath - http://ping.fm/csQ7G

"Today I have time to do everything I need to do today." - Cec Murphey. Check out Mr. Murphey's info found at http://ping.fm/tov4C

"Let the weak say, 'I am strong'." Joel 3:10. What you speak about, you bring about! Be careful what you say.

No Phone Zones & A Start on A New Career

I am not a fan of Oprah, but I am passing on something I received that might be what you need to get started on your next career! I have several FabJob guides and they have given me tremendous insight into fields I have interest in. Getting one free is a treat. Here is the email I received the other day:

How you (and the people you care about) can get a free FabJob guide simply by agreeing to drive safely.

As a valued reader of the FabJob® Newsletter or member of the FabJob community of friends, we have a rewarding offer for you that includes a free FabJob e-book of your choice - if you act now.

Your free gift is your choice of any one FabJob® e-book! FabJob guides show readers how to start getting paid to do what they love NOW - without a degree, and regardless of bank account size. It's like having a good friend - who happens to be an expert in the career or business you want to break into - tell you their insider advice so you don't have to spend years struggling to get started.

Whether you want to be a Boutique Owner, Cake Decorator, Coffee House Owner, Event Planner, Fashion Designer, Florist, Home Stager, Image Consultant, Interior Decorator, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Personal Concierge, Personal Shopper, Pet Business Owner, Professional Organizer, Published Writer, Virtual Assistant, Wedding Planner or break into any of the more than 120 other dream careers at FabJob.com, you can have the FabJob e-book that will help you achieve your dream (up to $29.97 value, yours free!)

Now, here's how you can get your complimentary FabJob e-book... for doing one simple thing today....

We (Tag and Catherine Goulet, co-founders of FabJob.com), are joining forces to support Oprah Winfrey in making our roads safer and taking a stand against distracted driving by making cars a No Phone Zone! Oprah recently announced the first National "No Phone Zone" day, which will take place on Friday, April 30th. We would like to support this movement and encourage others to take a stand as well.

So, we're giving away free FabJob e-books to do just that. We have never done anything like this before, but safe driving is a cause we feel strongly about.

Each person that signs the "No Phone Zone" pledge and submits their signed copy to FabJob now (before April 30, 2010) will receive a complimentary FabJob e-book (electronic book).

How's that for a win-win? PLUS, we all win when our roads are safer!

So sign the "No Phone Zone" pledge today and send it to us and we'll send you the complimentary FabJob e-book of your choice!

All you have to do to get your free FabJob e-book is follow the simple steps below:

Go to www.FabJob.com to decide which guide you would like to receive for free.


Click on the link below and print a copy of Oprah's "No Phone Zone" pledge:

http://static.oprah.com/images/tows/nophone/no-phone-zone-pledge.pdf


Sign and date the "No Phone Zone" pledge AND write your email address and FabJob guide selection (in legible printing) anywhere on the white portion of the "No Phone Zone" pledge.


Either fax or email FabJob a signed copy of the "No Phone Zone" pledge (make sure you include your FabJob guide selection together with your email address on the signed "No Phone Zone" pledge) by Friday, April 30th, as follows:
If sending your "No Phone Zone" pledge by fax, please fax it to 1-(403) 201-7088

OR

If sending your "No Phone Zone" pledge by email, please scan the signed "No Phone Zone" pledge and then email it to NoPhoneZone@FabJob.com

After we receive your signed "No Phone Zone" pledge we will send you the complimentary FabJob e-book of your choice. Remember to include your e-book selection and email address on the white portion of your "No Phone Zone" pledge and make sure to send it in by Friday, April 30, 2010!!

We feel so strongly in supporting Oprah in this movement that we want you to pass this offer on to all of your friends, family and colleagues. Feel free to write about this free FabJob e-book offer in blogs or newsletters, on your Facebook or Myspace page, in your tweets, etc. Remember that the offer ends on Friday, April 30th though so you will have to act now!

Remember the way to get the free FabJob e-book of your choice is to sign the "No Phone Zone" pledge and get it sent over to us at FabJob (either by fax sent to (403) 201-7088 or by email sent to NoPhoneZone@FabJob.com) as soon as possible but no later than FRIDAY, APRIL 30th!

Join us now in supporting the movement towards safer driving!

Tag and Catherine Goulet
www.FabJob.com

P.S. Act now to receive your complimentary e-book of choice from www.FabJob.com!

P.P.S. The link to print your copy of the "No Phone Zone" pledge is:
http://static.oprah.com/images/tows/nophone/no-phone-zone-pledge.pdf

P.P.P.S. Remember to get as many of your friends and family involved as possible. Don't forget to tell your friends, partner, siblings, parents, grown children, and other loved ones about this offer and more importantly about the "No Phone Zone" pledge. Our goal is to get at least 1,000 people to sign and send us the "No Phone Zone" pledge and we will happily pass these on to Oprah and her staff. We appreciate you being part of the movement to make our roads safer.

Please forward this email offer to anyone else you think may enjoy it!

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