Just in time

I’m not exactly the best at getting things done in advance. Usually I get things done just in the nick of time.

It isn’t the best way to do things. It’s better to be prepared way in advance, and to know exactly what you’re going to do when an event comes up.

But even though that way is best, you shouldn’t give up if you haven’t prepared. Things can be done right up until the moment that something starts.

It’s the same with life.

It’s always best to live our lives the best way from the beginning. But even right up until the end, there is chance to change, and a hope for something better.

When are you going to make that choice?

I am who I am

What am I?

I am loved

I am blessed

I am beautifully and wonderfully made

I have a great life ahead of me

There is nothing in this world that I can’t cope with

I am free

So are you.

So you can be, too.

Do you know that you are loved unconditionally?

 

Fortune’s Favour.

I’ve found that I really have Fortune on my side.

I have a house, a job, great friends, and a wonderful church.

 

Why do I have so much? I think part of it is that I don’t see fortune as money I can get for myself. I see fortune as time, people and resources that I can use to help others.

I think that having savings is a good idea. but should it be at the expense of our beliefs?

If you have something you truly believe in, try giving to it.

Reasons I often hear and used to use myself…

I can’t spare the money (and by the way have you seen my new DVD?)

I haven’t got the time (oh yeah, did you see that tv show? I never miss it!)

I can’t find the right charity/church/organisation (but I’m not really looking anyway)

I found that once I dedicated my time, effort and yes, even my money into a cause, that I have been more fortunate than I could have imagined when I used those same reasons not to give.

I have a great spirit from doing what I know is right, I have more energy from using my time effectively, and I have more money left over than before.

I’ve found that in helping others to be more fortunate, I’ve been blessed with fortune myself.

What can you do to be more fortunate?

Even Greater Expectations

We all have great expectations of others, but what about us?

I always expect the best of myself, so that when I see the results of my work, I can judge myself not on how well I did, but how much I’d tried according to my self-expectations.

For example, I did very well in my teaching course. I studied hard, did all my coursework properly and stuck to the schedule I set myself. At the end it didn’t matter what kind of grades I received, because I knew that I’d done all I could to meet my own personal expectations of myself.

On the other hand, When I was at university, I slacked off in my final year, let myself get behind deadlines, and only put in half the effort. At the end of which, although I received my degree, I felt that I had failed myself.

I know enough not to beat myself up over that, but I have also learned enough from that experience to know that I don’t want to go through life like that. Just barely passing by doing the minimal effort.

Making an effort

What do you expect of yourself?

Are you trying to meet your own expectations?

Great Expectations

So many people have high expectations of others.

Parents expect their children to go to university, children expect their parents to be able to solve any problem, and patients expect their doctor to cure them.

These aren’t bad expectations. We should always hope the best for our children, trust in our parents and expect our doctors to try their best.

But how far should we go?

Some women expect their future partner to come riding in on a white horse, some parents expect their children to get perfect in every test and become high level executives, and some people expect others to be infallible.

Is putting that pressure on other people really a good thing?

Most children will lie to their parents at some stage in their life, and a lot of people will try to make themselves sound more important than they actually are. The reason? There is this emotional need to have people approve of them.

What are your expectations of others? Are they high enough to challenge them or so high that they are unattainable?

If I saw you in Heaven

 

Knowing that I’m a Christian, many people are curious to know, will they go to Heaven?

The strange thing is, many people that ask me this question say that they don’t believe in any God.

My response? Why does it matter to you if you don’t believe?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be asked, but if people don’t believe in God, why do they believe in Heaven?

I love living my life, and am not in any rush to end it. But I’m not going to fear what comes after death, because I have something to believe in.

My question to you isn’t “Will you go to heaven?”

It’s
“What do you really want to believe in?”

An Invitation

Easter is coming!

It’s the biggest event of the Christian yearly calender and there is no way you should miss it!

What does it involve?

Chocolate, friends, church and the most inspiring story you’ve ever heard in your life!

If you want to know about what Easter is really about, please click on the link below, and find your nearest Jesus Lifehouse!

And even better news…

If you can’t come, you can watch it on-line!

Whatever you do, don’t miss out on the biggest celebration of the year.

What does Easter mean to you?

What are you talking about?

Conversation is crucial to a good relationship (of any kind).

It doesn’t have to be sparkling, witty or intelligent (though this helps).

However it does have to be honest, communicative and equal!

I’ve never heard a girl say to me,

“I had this great conversation with a guy, he talked all about himself, then he was silent and didn’t talk to me, and what he did say, he lied about! That was fantastic!”

What I have heard on occasion is:

“I had this great conversation with a guy, he really listened to me, and opened up about himself. I felt we really got to know each other.”

This works in any situation, a guy, a girl, a friend, a colleague or even a stranger.

What are you really trying to say?

Perfect Vision

What is your vision type?

There are 3 types of “vision” that I’m aware of.

A personal vision.

This is where you have a goal for yourself. It will help you, make you better skilled, and it’s something you love. And it’s all for you alone.

Others oriented vision.

This is something you want to do for someone else. Either you decided to do it for them, or they requested it of you. It has very little to do with personal vision.

A bigger picture vision.

This is a vision that incorporates your talents, gifts and a love of other people. It is one in which you seek to change yourself for the better, help others and make a difference in the world.

None of the three types of vision are bad, but which one are you aiming for?

What’s your vision?

The Right Balance

I grew up in an amazing family, and no matter what mistakes I made, they loved me. They also loved me enough to tell me off!

A good balance is essential to a good upbringing. Discipline corrects you when you are wrong and love constantly surrounds you.

My surrogate sister here in Japan, She always tells me when I need to change my attitude!

It’s not only the same for raising children, but for any good relationship.

With friends, colleagues, your partner or anyone with whom you have regular contact, we need to be strong enough to tell each other what we feel and what is right, whether it’s “I love you”, “I want to hang out”, “What are you doing after work?” or ( at the other end) “Please don’t gossip”,  “Take it easy”, or “You didn’t send that fax yesterday”.

What attitude do you have?

Is it an attitude of thinking of other people?

Or one of thinking of how you want them to be for your own sake?

This book on having a great attitude is available to buy, click on this link!