Inspirational Message # 5E Week of Sunday, August 26, 2012 by Alfred Harrell Copyright 2012
Words of appreciation, commendation or actions denoting such from family, friends and even total strangers with regard to the smallest of our accomplishments as a human being uplift our hearts stirring up emotions within us that often generate a state of tranquility inside of us from which we can draw waters of peace when the difficulties of life find us. “The praise that comes from love does not make us vain, but more humble.”-James M. Barrie (1860 - 1937)
The power of praise is has been for myself like it has been for other people a test of character as much as a clarifier of the reasons I utilize words or give of myself freely for others. There was a time when I didn’t have a clear understanding of the aforementioned quote or the scriptures cited below that being the case therefore I ask that as you do as I have done as you read those text below: reflect as I do daily on the reasons you have for doing good things for family, friends and community in whatever form you make your contributions.
Proverbs 27:2 (NIV)-“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.”
Proverbs 27:21 (NIV)-“The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.”
Until next weeks message and thank your for reading, Alfred Harrell
Scriptures used in this article are from the (NIV) New International Version as used on http://www.biblestudytools.com/
https://www.facebook.com/#!/mraharrl
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
After stepping out of our “comfort zone”, what should we do next? Part 2
Inspirational Message # 4D Week of Sunday, August 19, 2012 by Alfred Harrell Copyright 2012
After stepping out of our “comfort zone”, what should we do next? Part 2
Stepping out of my comfort zone requires daily effort to remain focused not only on the day to day but also on future goals as well as plans and what works for me may not work for you however there are some things that I believe can empower each one of us in our effort to operate out of our comfort zone with regard to some of our wants, short-term and long-term goals or other things of concern to us.
(1) Former motivational speaker and entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." and 1 Corinthians 15:33 gives the following suggestion though it doesn’t suggest a number of people which is not really relevant, what is relevant is that we need people in our lives who are truly in our corner even when they don’t understand what we’re trying to achieve, “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.", so at the end the of the day it is not always about how much we have accomplished as much as it may be about the character of those we interacted with outside of our comfort zone and the way each of us was a positive influence upon each other.
(2) When people tell me they had a bad day or say to me for whatever reason it’s going to be a bad day, I respond by saying and those of you who know me have heard the following, “I don’t have bad days only days bad moments.” The Bible writer at 2 Corinthians 4:16,17 encourages us to keep a similar mindset, “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
(3) Make time for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual rejuvenation at some point in the day in a form that is best for you and your lifestyle. Ecclesiastes reminds us at Chapter 3:1,9-14 of the following: “1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: and 9-14 states 9 ‘What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.”
In conclusion while the suggestions presented may not apply to every step we take in stepping out of our comfort zone they are in themselves, I think, great guidelines that can help us maintain forward momentum even when our best step forward is requires the last little bit of energy that we seem to possess.
Until next weeks message and thank your for reading, Alfred Harrell
https://www.facebook.com/#!/mraharrl
Scriptures used in this article are from the (NIV) New International Version as used on http://www.biblestudytools.com/
After stepping out of our “comfort zone”, what should we do next? Part 2
Stepping out of my comfort zone requires daily effort to remain focused not only on the day to day but also on future goals as well as plans and what works for me may not work for you however there are some things that I believe can empower each one of us in our effort to operate out of our comfort zone with regard to some of our wants, short-term and long-term goals or other things of concern to us.
(1) Former motivational speaker and entrepreneur Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." and 1 Corinthians 15:33 gives the following suggestion though it doesn’t suggest a number of people which is not really relevant, what is relevant is that we need people in our lives who are truly in our corner even when they don’t understand what we’re trying to achieve, “Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character.", so at the end the of the day it is not always about how much we have accomplished as much as it may be about the character of those we interacted with outside of our comfort zone and the way each of us was a positive influence upon each other.
(2) When people tell me they had a bad day or say to me for whatever reason it’s going to be a bad day, I respond by saying and those of you who know me have heard the following, “I don’t have bad days only days bad moments.” The Bible writer at 2 Corinthians 4:16,17 encourages us to keep a similar mindset, “16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
(3) Make time for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual rejuvenation at some point in the day in a form that is best for you and your lifestyle. Ecclesiastes reminds us at Chapter 3:1,9-14 of the following: “1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: and 9-14 states 9 ‘What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.”
In conclusion while the suggestions presented may not apply to every step we take in stepping out of our comfort zone they are in themselves, I think, great guidelines that can help us maintain forward momentum even when our best step forward is requires the last little bit of energy that we seem to possess.
Until next weeks message and thank your for reading, Alfred Harrell
https://www.facebook.com/#!/mraharrl
Scriptures used in this article are from the (NIV) New International Version as used on http://www.biblestudytools.com/
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Stepping out of our “comfort zone”
Inspirational Message # 3C Week of Sunday August 12, 2012 by Alfred Harrell Copyright 2012
Stepping out of our “comfort zone”
Each and every person reading this has at some point in life, I believe, has experienced what I will call the “what if factor” or the “if only factor” because as an individual the choice was made to remain in our comfort zone when faced with a decision that posed an outcome different from a similar situation in our past whether it was to changes careers, jobs, place of residence or our place in a relationship. Oprah Winfrey once said, “I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”-O Magazine, September 2002
So if we as individuals have come to believe that we have a “personal calling” then that calling may require us to step out of our comfort zone in any of the aforementioned areas or perhaps one not stated above.
Stepping out of our comfort zone may bring us unimaginable blessings if the steps are done under prayerful reflection along with quiet time meditation upon the issue at hand; the reason I say this is because our ever wired minds are sometimes to noisy to hear GOD speaking. Now while it is true that GOD can do whatever He wants and chooses to do, think about this the time: when you had something to tell someone but they were too busy saying what they had to say to really hear what was on your mind and heart, nothing lasting coming out of your mouth was probably heard.
I’ve been that type of person and sometimes still am, so take it from me, important information does get lost in translation, information that could possibly create a positive outcome to the forefront while forcing possible negative outcomes involved with stepping out of the comfort zone into the background. Even if things do not turn out as hoped for there is still a life long lesson learned from whatever decision was made.
Genesis chapter 12:1-3 and Hebrews 11:8-10 talks about a certain man who chose to step out of his comfort zone and the results of his doing so, I invite you to read those texts and gain what personal life lessons from them as you see fit however remember this if you life long enough something in this world may challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.
Genesis chapter 12:1-3 1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Scriptures used in this article are from the (NIV) New International Version as used on http://www.biblestudytools.com/
Until next weeks message and thank your for reading, Alfred Harrell
Stepping out of our “comfort zone”
Each and every person reading this has at some point in life, I believe, has experienced what I will call the “what if factor” or the “if only factor” because as an individual the choice was made to remain in our comfort zone when faced with a decision that posed an outcome different from a similar situation in our past whether it was to changes careers, jobs, place of residence or our place in a relationship. Oprah Winfrey once said, “I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.”-O Magazine, September 2002
So if we as individuals have come to believe that we have a “personal calling” then that calling may require us to step out of our comfort zone in any of the aforementioned areas or perhaps one not stated above.
Stepping out of our comfort zone may bring us unimaginable blessings if the steps are done under prayerful reflection along with quiet time meditation upon the issue at hand; the reason I say this is because our ever wired minds are sometimes to noisy to hear GOD speaking. Now while it is true that GOD can do whatever He wants and chooses to do, think about this the time: when you had something to tell someone but they were too busy saying what they had to say to really hear what was on your mind and heart, nothing lasting coming out of your mouth was probably heard.
I’ve been that type of person and sometimes still am, so take it from me, important information does get lost in translation, information that could possibly create a positive outcome to the forefront while forcing possible negative outcomes involved with stepping out of the comfort zone into the background. Even if things do not turn out as hoped for there is still a life long lesson learned from whatever decision was made.
Genesis chapter 12:1-3 and Hebrews 11:8-10 talks about a certain man who chose to step out of his comfort zone and the results of his doing so, I invite you to read those texts and gain what personal life lessons from them as you see fit however remember this if you life long enough something in this world may challenge you to step out of your comfort zone.
Genesis chapter 12:1-3 1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. 2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Scriptures used in this article are from the (NIV) New International Version as used on http://www.biblestudytools.com/
Until next weeks message and thank your for reading, Alfred Harrell