These words from Dr.Moorehead mirror my thoughts too and I suspect many people. It probably is something most people realize in some way or the other, but then remain trapped in it all. Because if we're honestly going to do those 'things that really matter' things that he lists at the end of the article, on any kind of regular basis, it means making some life changing decisions and most people consider that an'impossibility'. Thank God we serve a God who makes the impossible possible.

Remember

By Dr Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember; say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember; give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember; say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember; hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

This was written by one of my new myspace friends Steven Andrew. I think it's really cool and witty.

RECALL
Body: The Maker of all human beings is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and
central component of the heart. This is due to a malfunction in the
original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the
reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.


This defect has been technically termed 'Subsequential Internal
Non-Morality,' or more commonly known as S.I.N, as it is primarily expressed.

Some other symptoms include:

1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect,
is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to
correct this SIN defect. The Repair Technician, Jesus, has most generously
offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these
repairs. There is no additional fee required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.

Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE
procedure.

Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus,
into the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it
with:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers'
Instructions Before Leaving Earth)
For further details on the use of these fixes......

WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction
voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and
problems too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being
permanently impounded.

Yay!! I have time to say something on me blog again...

A few days ago the leadership team at The Vine (my home church) got together for dinner and we were all asked to share one brief tip on leadership, and I was thrilled that almost all suggestions pointed towards servant leadership. I can't tell you how awesome an experience it is when you serve with a group of leaders who have an attitude like this. This is the kind of atmosphere that nurtures real and genuine friendships and honestly I am all for that.



Anyway, that was a tangent...a nice tangent : ), but what I really want to write about is the comment I ended up making on leadership. I said something to the effect that we should use encouragement rather than discouragement to motivate and lead our team.

Now these days, more and more, when I say something sensible like that : ), I tend to recall it during my private times with Jesus and give Him credit for it. So I was doing that this morning and He smiled and took that statement a bit further saying, 'use encouragement you mean rather than discouragement you don't mean'.

It's true isn't it?

Encouragement that ends up being just nice words someone is saying has a way of falling flat and failing miserably in the long run doesn't it?
On the other hand being nastier than you actually are or losing it when things are not being done the right way, or your way is just as tasteless, and then you end up regretting what you said and if you end up being too embarrassed or proud to apologise, the thing follows you everywhere you go like a bad smell.

I sometimes think we're so afraid to use grace and encouragement rather than a stern school principal kind of approach because the fact is, we live in a world where many times this kind of attitude gets people to walk all over us, but you know what?... I find that Jesus has been doing that for 2000 years, knocking on doors that won't open and some that open and then get slammed in His face again, and I find that...we (mankind) are still here, still being allowed to do that. Gosh! if Jesus was anything like me, His patience would have run out in the first 10 years and He would have let wrath take over (forget the lamb, just be the lion) and with God that means wipe out the world. Aren't we all glad Jesus is not like me : ).

I sure would like to be like Him though...you know why? because there came a day in my life when I connected with His grace, and my life never was the same again. You see, even though Jesus was my God ever since I can remember, I had never met Him and as a result connected with His throne of grace. Not until that day, when I was sitting in my room feeling miserable and unloved, and He spoke to me Spirit to spirit, and said, "Cheryl, I love you so much, I gave my life for you." Now before that, I always considered myself a fairly decent person. I was obedient to God's laws to the best of my ability, and all in all did not feel like too much of a sinner. When I heard Jesus say that however, the first thing I realized was how I don't deserve that...gosh! who does? how good can you be to deserve God dying for you? I realized that not only can no one deserve it, I was far from being someone who came anywhere close, even if...and yet He didn't seem to mind at all. He just kept pouring out His love and it broke me, like no whip or law ever could, and ever since then something of the old me that doesn't please God keeps dying, and something new comes to life in it's place, and today I obey God not because I am scared of Him, but because I love Him back so much I can't help it. Everytime I struggle with obedience, I allow God to love me and I still get surprised by how powerful that is to transform some of my greatest feelings of anger, frustration, worry, pain, hurt...whatever, and it's the only reason I want to preach the gospel, to give people the incredible life that comes to anyone who connects with the throne of Grace. It's an all powerful, all conquering treasure and in challenging moments, when I'm all tempted to lose my cool and put my claws out...when I take a few moments and sometimes a couple of days : ) to turn to God and allow grace to flow through me instead, the outcome is always mind blowingly blessed. It really changes the way you look at life and people. It's addictive really...use grace instead of anger once and have a blessed outcome, and it's hard to not want to do it that way again.

I'll end with Pastor Tony's leadership tip. "Don't criticise what someone is wearing, until you have tried on their shoes." LOVE that one! It's a good way to avoid harshness and put on grace.

oh! my gosh!

MUSIC IS FROM GOD, ABOUT GOD AND IS FOR GOD!!! IT ABSOLUTELY IS!!!

I never thought I'd ever appreciate Opera, I don't understand a word this guy is singing but I had goose bumps big time! And I bet you will too. I don't know what others will call it, but in both these videos, I'm absolutely convinced it's God's Spirit in each one.

Do remember to pause my song player at the top of this page before you watch these videos yeah? Enjoy!!!

I have been AWOL from blogger for a lil while, he!he! It's myspace's fault. Guess I like myspace :)
I've been making some nice new friends there and LOOK!!!! I got meself a fancy blogsite music player. I figured it all out by lil ol meself. I so smart!!! I've downloaded some of my favourite songs and hope you enjoy the music as you hang around here.

I might take a lil while to post another blog but in the mean time come visit me at myspace okay? okay.

Just click on zis thing.Cheryl’s Space

I have a myspace account!!!!

Cheryl’s Space


why? ... I'm still figuring that one out.

So far it's been great fun browsing around myspace and checking out that world - gosh! some of it is totally alien, yet... some of it is remarkably familiar. For the moment each time I visit, it's a fascinating ride, so I'm taking it a step at a time.

Other than that, I have some kind of weird throat infection that has caused me to lose my voice. I sound so strange and in the mornings it's quite funny, because all I can do is whisper. It began on Sunday and this is funny... Mark came by as I was musing over my sore throat and I said in my crackling, 'poor me' voice, "I've lost my voice Mark" and he says, " Shhh! don't speak then".

Aaaaahhh!!! I want my mom!!! : (.

Well, actually I'm not such a whiny baby when I get sick.

Oh! something exciting ...or freaky depending on your view of such things. We have two new additions to our mini zoo at home. We've got two lizards...Frodo and Sam.






This is Sam




Frodo is semi exotic and was bought from the pet shop. Sam is his plain and common cousin, who was caught in our garden. I am happy to report that they are both currently enjoying their new home. Will try and post some pics of Frodo soon.

My friend sent me this. It has a distinct HK flavour to it that is rather amusing, but hey! you've gotta like it : )