A night of hope with Joel Osteen

Regardless of all the controversy surrounding Joel Osteen, I think everyone who has been watching and listening to his messages can agree on one thing,  which is that through his ministry millions of people have been changed, delivered, restored and are given hope.

This past weekend I had the privilege to attend "A night of hope with Joel Osteen" in Los Angeles. So, I thought I would share with you whatever I was able to jot down on my notebook.  

For those of you who don’t know who Joel Osteen is, I will give you a little bit of background. Joel Osteen is a 49-year-old Texan pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston –a church that under his leadership has grown into the largest and fastest-growing congregation in the country; according to Church Growth Today more than 30,000 people attend Lakewood Church each weekend. For those who can’t make it to his church on Sundays, Lakewood broadcasts its services in dozens of television markets, reaching 95 percent of American households with cable, as well as seven million broadcast viewers in 100 countries. Last year, the program gained the number one spot in Nielsen’s ratings of inspirational television shows. Also, he has been featured one of  ABC News "10 most influential people in 2006" and one of the most influential Christians" by The Church Report.

 10 Messages from “A night of hope”

1)      How you set the day will determine what kind of day you are going to have. Start the day with great expectations. Even before you check your phone in the morning make a time to count your blessing and thank god for all of his gifts. “God is good to all people who are looking for his goodness”

2)      If you want to live a victories life you got to know what to ignore. Make sure you are not getting into a battle you are not supposed to fight. “No person can keep you from your destiny”

3)      Don’t bring baggage from yesterday to today. If you know how to let go of the old, God will give you many new blessings.

4)      Forgive everyone and yourself for everything. So you can be free to receive God’s blessing.

5)      God is not only a God of good people, but he is also a God of sinners. That is why he doesn’t only call himself only a "God of Abraham and Isaac", but he also calls himself "a God of Jacob". God uses ordinary people to help extraordinary people.

6)      God can do all things people can’t do. Store up the word of god in your heart by reading his word every day. Never leave your house without carrying the word of God.

7)      God is in control of the storm. He doesn’t allow difficulty in your life without a plan to get you out of the storm. When the wind starts blowing you, remember that is exactly where you need to be. Let the storm take you to where ever you need to go.

8)      Always look at the good in people. Call out the seeds of greatness in the people God put in your life. Praise always precedes victory. When you refresh others you will be refreshed. If you are disagreeing with people always remember it is not about who is right but what is right. Never regret your investment in people.

9)      See yourself as a masterpiece of God's work. God went through great lengths to make you the way you are. You are not ordinary. You have been painted by the most talented painter. Understand your value. People see you the way you see yourself. You have the breath of an Almighty god on you and you are his greatest possession.

10)   God did not leave anybody out. When you see another person who is extraordinary remember you are also extraordinary in a different way. You have something other people don’t have. We are all unique and equally created in the image of God.

"God said “let us make man in our image according to our likeness; so god created a man on his own image; In the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26-27"

"And the lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and a man become a living being. Genesis 2: 7"

 “Now let's go a head and be the master piece God crated us to be”

Visible love through shopping: Part 3

What if you go to the Mall to buy some gifts and you see two stores you like next to each other. The store on the right has a big sign that says “For every item your purchase,  we will feed one child in need for one month.” The store on the left has a big sign as well,  but it says  “All the profit goes to our pocket and only our pocket.”  Which store would you go to?  I believe the average person would say they would go to the store on the right. If you think about it, we are faced with that same decision every time we go shopping either for ourselves or others. It is up to us to decide where our money is spent.  So, why not make that decision now and start shopping with companies that will benefit others besides themselves?  

Common threadz is a nonprofit company that helps orphans, vulnerable children and rural villages in the developing world through community program that empowers the kids, their community, and the local grass roots organization that supports them. If you are in search for t-shirts with cool designs and a vintage feel that are designed by orphans, Common threadz is going to be your favorite online store. They also have other charity t-shirts, bracelets, and apparel for men, women and children.  With each t-shirts or other items you buy they will give a school uniform to an orphan in Africa so they can go to school, or a one month meal.

http://www.commonthreadz.org/shop/index.html

Noon Day Collection: Did any of your friends or family request for a beautiful handmade scarf, hat or Arm warmers? Well this company has all of that and more.  Noonday collection is a company that believes every child belongs to a family. The company helps adaptive families raise money for their own adoption, and provide jobs that create path way out of poverty for families, so they will be less likely to abandon their child. They also give 10% of the profit toward qualified adaptive families when they host a trunk show.

http://www.noondaycollection.com

Read earth trading company is a brand that is fashionable as well as life changing.  If you are looking for quality hand crafted Jewelry, accessories and leather goods you are in the right store. They work directly with artisans in a developing nation that creates exceptional products, value their employees, and desire to make a difference in the community. In exchange for their work they pay these companies at or above fair market prices in all products and help them to better manage and organize their businesses to be successful in every market.

http://www.redearthtradingco.com/category/earrings

"For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freeedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other." Galatians 5:13

See you next week for more...As usual please suggest if you know any companies that stand behind a cause so we can shop with a purpose.



Saved by Love

He used to be a drug addict,

He got stuck before he knew it.

When he first started it was just for fun,

But one thing led to another.

Let me tell you what; he became that man,

Who can't live one more day, unless he injects one?

 

He said to his body; "ask me no more!

I don't want this life; I am going to move on."

It wasn't as easy as he thought it would be,

He wanted some support but he couldn't get any.

People kept judging him and gave him some advice;

which  left him with sadness and so many regrets,

He kept asking himself; "What did I do?

How can I get out? Can somebody help me?

Can somebody love me? Why are you judging me?

I don't want this life; I need another chance,

I want to get out and become a different man."

Then he heard a voice and he felt the love he needs,

“Come to me my child let me set you free

Come out from among them,

And be separate says the Lord.

Do not touch what is unclean 

And I will receive you, 

I will be a father to you,

And you shall be my son."

2nd Corinthians 17-18

 

So, he did what he asked him

Now he can say “I am finally free!”

He is Free to love, he is free to give

The rest of my friends? The rest is history...

 

“He who judges me is the lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts.”  1 Corinthians 4-5

 

I dedicate this poem to all my brothers and sisters who suffered or suffering from addiction. May you be new again by his love and grace.  May the Lord touch your life and help you carry any burden or regrets you may have from your past… May your past life be a lesson to others and your future as bright as the stars…

Photo Credit: Shutterstock, abc preachers, mind motivation.com

The Delicate Flower

I am a delicate flower,

If I am not loved I die;

If I am not watered I cry.

Protect me from burning by the sun,

And from the coldness by night.

Make my heart beat fast and right;

That is the only way I stay alive.

I am a delicate flower,

The heat of your love makes me bloom,

When you are beside me;

I'm not afraid of a thunderstorm.

When the snow comes;

I hide underneath your brave heart,

I'm not moved by darkness or night.

When I hear the heavy rain outside,

It is a melody combined with a beat of your heart; 

Oh, what more can I want?

Please love me now,

And love me forever.

I will bloom and bloom;

Taking colors from the sky,

With a beauty that widens every eye;

My little sparks burning bright,

So you can enjoy my sight;

I happened to be one of a kind;

Only made for you by God.

"Husbands Ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one hated his own flesh but nourishes and cherishes it. Just as the Lord does the church." Ephesians 5:28-29

Photo credit:  Xymonau and Abiy Mamo Photography

Visible Love through Shopping: Part 2

Have you ever wondered if your favorite brands relates to trafficking and other labor abuses? If you do, I want to mention one of the most important company who provides consumers with information on how and where the products are made, and if it involves child and forced labor.  The name of the company is Free2work and all you have to do is download the app through your I phone or Android,  and You can scan the barcode of an item and instantly get access to information on the brands effort to prevent child and forced labor.  Through the site you can learn how your favorite brands are working to address forced and child labor.  You can additionally access in-depth information about industry issues through their industry pages and news feeds. Additionally through their blog posts you can learn more about trafficking and supply chains.

http://www.freetowork.

Weekly Picks of companies who stands behind a cause…let’s go shopping!!!

Raven+Lily: If you are in search of handmade eco-friendly jewelries, t-shirts, soaps, scarfs and bags from Cambodia, Ethiopia and India you should check out this guys. Raven+Lilly is a company who believes in creating sustainable economic opportunities for HIV positive, formerly trafficked and marginalized women. The company is dedicated to returning proceeds to their partner communities to fund education, healthcare, and micro-loans. By purchasing R+L products you will be able to break the cycle of poverty and transforming the lives of women and families.

http://ravenandlily.com

 

Groobs: Are you looking for unique tennis shoes that are also comfortable both for your feet and your mind?  You will have a peace of mind wearing this shoes because you will know for every pairs of groobs you buy you will give a new pairs of groobs to someone in need.  In addition to sending a new pairs of shoes to a needy individual you will also get to pick a charity of your choice to send 50% of the proceeds to your chosen charity.

www.Groobs.com

TOMS: TOMS is one of the most popular brand out there and still worth mentioning. TOMS shoes comes in variety of colors and styles for both men women and children. The company have similar programs as Groobs except that they are more selective to who they give it to.. They give one pair of shoes for every shoe you buy to a child in need in third world countries. TOMS has given over 200,000,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need to 40 countries around the world and still expanding.  The  one for one movment is about people making choices that improve the lives of children.
www.toms.com

To be continued.... 

  

"Encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing."

1Thessalonians 5:11

Special thanks to those of you who have suggested names of companies for this post. Please continue to suggest if you know any other companies who stand behind a cause. I am enjoying learning about this companies and I hope you do too.

Dancing with the Poor

Go out and dance with the Joyful,

Who are so poor but beautiful;

They enjoy life more than you do,

There is so much they can teach you.

They will tell you…

It doesn’t matter what you have,

How much money or what car you drive;

I will dance with you field with joy,

I will teach you how to rejoice.

They will tell you….

A piece of bread is all that you need,

You don’t live to eat, you eat to live;

Now let’s dance again and be thankful,

Our God is so wonderful.

They will tell you…

Be grateful for what you have,

Make the most of everyday life;

Let’s sing now and dance together,

You’re going to feel a lot better.

Enjoy your time with the reach in heart,

You will miss them when you come back;

Whenever you feel a little sad,

Just remember this joyful dance.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing: You have put off my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness; Psalm 30:11

 Photo Credit:  blogs.ft.dancing, Don Parrish, Skopje, Macedonia, come together trading

Join me in Prayer

Today I am praying for all the hungry men, women and children’s in the world  who just wish they have a little piece of bread to eat, but can’t find any.

To the women and children who are raped, beaten, abused, and live a life filled with fear.

To the people who are thinking about ending their life because they feel hopeless.

To the mothers who are crying and desperate because they couldn’t feed or protect their children.

To the orphans who are wandering around and don’t know what it means to have a family.

To the homeless people who lost more than a home, and are suffering from loneliness, despair, and shame.  

To the sick lying in hospital beds, and to the sick that don’t even have a hospital or a bed to lie on, and are in so much pain and agony.

To the soldiers who are wounded, in pain, and are in fear of losing their life, or a part of their body.

To the men who aren’t able to provide for their family, and feeling desperate and incapable.

To all abandoned children, men, women, because of their cast, color, religion….

To the teenagers and adults addicted to drugs and alcohol.

To the parents who are experiencing the loss of a child.

To men, women, and children who are being used as slaves and feeling trapped.

To the widow and the widower that just lost the love of their life and suffering from loneliness.

To the immigrants who are trying to assimilate, but feeling home sick and lonely.

To the oppressed who don’t know what it means to have freedom.

To all the people who are searching for the meaning of life, but haven’t found it yet because they haven’t found you….

And finally to the people who are the cause of the suffering of this world. Help us forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing and no matter how evil they are, they are still your children.

Thank you God for being hope to the hopeless and let us be hope through love.

“If enough of us decided to share, we would unleash a Torrance of justice to sweep away disparity, extreme poverty, and hopelessness. The world is waiting. Our kids are watching. Time is wasting. Are we willing? “   Jen Hatmaker

Photo credit: gramatisticblogspot.com, prayer_page_leadaimint.org

The fear of Love

When I loved I feared.

I feared of disappointments,

The sad truth of getting hurt.

I didn't know if I could handle,

The breaking of my heart.

They say love freely,

But I am not sure if I know-how;

How can I love freely?

When  it cost to love another.

Don't  they know it is too hard,

To give freely and suffer?

But they say it is worth it,

To suffer and to love another,

love is not about getting;

It is mostly about giving,

Giving as much as you can;

Without worrying about the return.

When you don’t make it about your self,

And it is all about the other;

Your love will be returned,

And you could truly say you loved another.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us”  1 John 4: 18

 Photo credit: Jeanwi Young, Frommetoyouwordopress.com

Visible love through shopping

I believe by simply redirecting our spending habits to shop from companies who are helping others  we can make a big difference. Why not make it a goal this year to make our Christmas Shopping count in both ways. We could make the people who are in needs as happy as the person we give the gifts to. By shopping from companies who stands behind a cause we are not only giving material gifts, but we are also giving spiritual gifts to others.  I will do my best each week to find three companies with a mission to help those who are in need and list them with the description of in what ways they are supporting others. If you know any companies please feel free to suggest, so I could put them in my next blog. Together we can educate ourselves and make it a habit to help others  while we shop.  

1) ComeTogetherTrading.com is an online marketplace. If you are looking for really cool looking accessories both men and women can wear as well as t-shirts with good messages this is a place to go. All of the products they sell are handmade with great love by wonderful amazing people who just happen to live in some of the most poverty stricken and difficult places in the world. By purchasing their products you are helping create and sustain jobs for them, which positively impacts all other areas of their life. Under each item for sale, you will find the inspiring stories of the incredible people who make the products and learn how your purchase is benefiting them and their communities.

http://www.cometogethertrading.com/

2) At tradeasone.com you can find anything.  When I say anything I really mean anything...Starting from honey, wood carved gifts, olive oils, to  coffee, cool accessories, Journal, and  Jim bags. I guess you got the Idea.  Trade as one is a company with a mission to provide as much fair-trade employment as possible to fight long term poverty. They believe the poor want what we do - not handouts or pity, but a chance to provide for their families in a dignified way. It means fair wages, honest employers, clean water, healthcare, education for children. Their first goal is to provide as many of these jobs as they can.

http://tradeasone.com

3) The open Arm Shop. If you are looking to buy one of a kind skirts or scarves that are made from recycled t-shirts you are in the right place.  Open Arms is a company that is  committed to providing refugee women in America a living wage to create one of a kind products using recycled t-shirts  (the baseline hourly income necessary for food and shelter [including housing and incidentals such as clothing and other basic needs]) which typically runs $3-$7 above the federal minimum wage. Combining ESL and enrichment classes on an as-needed basis with family-friendly hours, this meaningful work and living wage are intended to set these women and their families on an upward path of integration and prosperity.

http://www.theopenarmsshop.com

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrew 4:16