- friends... don’t just shake your hand, they hold it!
- friends... tell you when you’re off your game, and you think you’re on it!
- friends... don’t run away from challenges, they walk with you through challenges!
- friends... don’t leave you alone in an empty room!
- friends... will tell you there’s food stuck in your teeth!
- friends... don’t lose faith in you just because others do!
- friends... will stand with you, when others flee from you!
- friends... have thick skin while acquaintances have thin!
- friends... prioritize relationships above personal agendas!
- friends... play with you, pray for you, and stay by you!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
10 Characteristics of a True Friend
What are the characteristics of a true friend? The list could be endless and I'm quite sure more comprehensive list exists, but these are probably a part of most that exist. A true friend is an invaluable asset in life! Are your friends anything like this:
Monday, October 17, 2011
Small Things Count to God!
"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities." Luke 16:10
Everyone who goes into ministry has dreams of doing great things for God! Great things normally mean:
As a new church, at our first Easter, Resurrection Service were amazed as over 600 adults attended, and 150 kids showed up! We were running less than 200 per Sunday to that point. Yes we planned! Yes we prepared! Yes we promoted! But this exceeded even our expectations!
And what a service we had! In most cases like this, it simply usually just a case of the "Creasters" coming to church! (those who come on Christmas and Easter) All things looked like we were way ahead of schedule and on our way! Thousands soon would be flooding in to this new fledgling church in the Heights! To our surprise the next Sunday, most returned! We had moved to a larger facility space just on faith, and in week two of our move we were still full!
One difference was evident! Our follow up service did not have the same, preparation, passion and excellence! We weren't ready to receive the large crowd. We "hoped" they would come, be really didn't "expect" them to come back...and the service fell flat! By the following week we were back to our normal 200 adults in attendance, and soon back to our smaller meeting place! Early tough lessons had to be learned.
The first lesson I learned, was that God wants you to be just as faithful in the small things as you are in the big things!
God wants our very best in all aspects of our lives, especially in the small things! Will you give Him your best in the small things of your life? If you are faithful, you may see Him enlarge your territory! If you are not, take it from me, you may be a candidate for His remedial classroom curriculum!
LESSON:
Be Faithful in all the small things...AND WAIT ON THE LORD FOR THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT!
Everyone who goes into ministry has dreams of doing great things for God! Great things normally mean:
- Preaching to thousands!
- Winning lost souls to Christ every week!
- Bringing revival to people who have lost hope!
- Reaching your community, city, state, nation and even the world!
As a new church, at our first Easter, Resurrection Service were amazed as over 600 adults attended, and 150 kids showed up! We were running less than 200 per Sunday to that point. Yes we planned! Yes we prepared! Yes we promoted! But this exceeded even our expectations!
And what a service we had! In most cases like this, it simply usually just a case of the "Creasters" coming to church! (those who come on Christmas and Easter) All things looked like we were way ahead of schedule and on our way! Thousands soon would be flooding in to this new fledgling church in the Heights! To our surprise the next Sunday, most returned! We had moved to a larger facility space just on faith, and in week two of our move we were still full!
One difference was evident! Our follow up service did not have the same, preparation, passion and excellence! We weren't ready to receive the large crowd. We "hoped" they would come, be really didn't "expect" them to come back...and the service fell flat! By the following week we were back to our normal 200 adults in attendance, and soon back to our smaller meeting place! Early tough lessons had to be learned.
The first lesson I learned, was that God wants you to be just as faithful in the small things as you are in the big things!
- Would we minister with excellence if 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, or 1000 walked through the doors of our fellowship? It shouldn't change!!
- We need to be just as faithful in the small things as we would be in the large things!
- People are not numbers! If God brings them to you... to be ministered by you, for Christ sake, they deserve your very best!
- Most importantly God deserves your best in all things and faithfulness in everything you do in His name!
God wants our very best in all aspects of our lives, especially in the small things! Will you give Him your best in the small things of your life? If you are faithful, you may see Him enlarge your territory! If you are not, take it from me, you may be a candidate for His remedial classroom curriculum!
LESSON:
Be Faithful in all the small things...AND WAIT ON THE LORD FOR THE NEXT ASSIGNMENT!
Monday, October 3, 2011
My Breast Cancer Journey Pt. 5 (Final): Guest Blogger - Yvette Register (sister)
The following article is part five of a five part series on a personal experience with Breast Cancer written by Yvette Register
My Breast Cancer Journey: Radiation
ORLANDO I completed my final chemotherapy treatment the last week in August. I was so excited. I remember how I cried my first day. On the last day I grinned the whole time. When I was done I got a chance to ring the bell. It’s a ritual that everyone gets to do when they have completed their last treatment.
I had a three week break before starting radiation to let the side effects of chemotherapy subside. During that time I met with my Radiation Oncologist and radiation technicians who placed markings on the upper part of my body in preparation for treatment. With all the lines drawn on me with a marker, I thought I looked like a human Etch-A-Sketch by the time they finished.
Next, my doctor referred me to a lymphedema therapy specialist because of the swelling in my left arm due to the removal of lymph nodes during surgery. The specialist also works with me on stretching exercises to help restore the range of motion in my arms due to lack of movement over the past several months.
In addition to the above, I celebrated my birthday on September 3rd! I thank God for allowing me to be here for another birthday and for the peach fuzz like hair that is starting to grow back on my head. I’m seeing a lot of gray, though. I said to myself, “Lord I’m not trying to be ungrateful but can I have some brown hair, too?” Don’t worry I’m very grateful to see my hair slowly return.
On September 20th I started the first of 28 radiation treatments. I was done in 15 minutes. That was much better than my five hour chemotherapy treatments. I didn’t cry either. I was prepared for the possible side effects of fatigue and skin irritation. But I was a little nervous about the thought of possible damage to my heart and lung because of the location of the radiation treatment. As I lay on the table, for the first treatment, and the radiation machine started moving around my body I thought, “OK beam, please don’t damage my heart!” Then I realized that the Lord will take care of my heart, too!
Over the past five weeks I have taken you on my breast cancer journey. I’ve covered the diagnosis, assembling my medical and support team, the surgery and my chemotherapy experience. Now I have caught you up to my current radiation treatments. Next week I will begin my fourth week. I’m looking forward to completing my treatments on October 27th.
I’ve come a long way! In February, I came to a detour in the road of life. It was as if the Lord was asking me, “Will you still trust Me now that you have breast cancer?” My answer, “Yes, Lord, I trust You even more now!” He has wiped away my tears and conquered my fears. And He will walk with me in the upcoming years as I continue to go through follow up with my doctors.
As a breast cancer survivor you understand that there is a chance that it could return or show up in another part of the body. My colleague’s late wife, Cindy, taught me a valuable lesson that helps me stay focused. I call it the win/win situation. If I live I win because I get to be here with my family and friends. If I pass I win, because I get to spend eternity in heaven with the Lord.
I’m not worried about leaving just yet. I have to tell as many people as possible about the good news of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) I have to let as many breast cancer survivors as possible know that they can go through their journey boldly with faith in the Lord. And I pray that I’m here for my son, AJ’s many life experiences.
I thank the Lord for everyone He placed in my life to help me make it through these last nine months. My family and friends have been there every step of the way. Also, the prayers of many continue to help me through the healing process.
Last but not least, I would like to thank Dr. Calvin Collins of the Orlando Times who allowed me to share my journey in this five part series. Because of him I have been able to reach many people and share an experience that has helped strengthen my faith in the Lord. I hope my breast cancer story has been encouraging. Feel free to pass it on to the women you may know who are traveling a similar journey. Tell them Yvette said to live boldly and never stop trusting in the Lord.
(Yvette Register can be reached at yvetteregister@gmail.com
My Life is in Your Hands by Brooklyn Tabernacle
My Breast Cancer Journey: Radiation
ORLANDO I completed my final chemotherapy treatment the last week in August. I was so excited. I remember how I cried my first day. On the last day I grinned the whole time. When I was done I got a chance to ring the bell. It’s a ritual that everyone gets to do when they have completed their last treatment.
I had a three week break before starting radiation to let the side effects of chemotherapy subside. During that time I met with my Radiation Oncologist and radiation technicians who placed markings on the upper part of my body in preparation for treatment. With all the lines drawn on me with a marker, I thought I looked like a human Etch-A-Sketch by the time they finished.
Next, my doctor referred me to a lymphedema therapy specialist because of the swelling in my left arm due to the removal of lymph nodes during surgery. The specialist also works with me on stretching exercises to help restore the range of motion in my arms due to lack of movement over the past several months.
In addition to the above, I celebrated my birthday on September 3rd! I thank God for allowing me to be here for another birthday and for the peach fuzz like hair that is starting to grow back on my head. I’m seeing a lot of gray, though. I said to myself, “Lord I’m not trying to be ungrateful but can I have some brown hair, too?” Don’t worry I’m very grateful to see my hair slowly return.
On September 20th I started the first of 28 radiation treatments. I was done in 15 minutes. That was much better than my five hour chemotherapy treatments. I didn’t cry either. I was prepared for the possible side effects of fatigue and skin irritation. But I was a little nervous about the thought of possible damage to my heart and lung because of the location of the radiation treatment. As I lay on the table, for the first treatment, and the radiation machine started moving around my body I thought, “OK beam, please don’t damage my heart!” Then I realized that the Lord will take care of my heart, too!
Over the past five weeks I have taken you on my breast cancer journey. I’ve covered the diagnosis, assembling my medical and support team, the surgery and my chemotherapy experience. Now I have caught you up to my current radiation treatments. Next week I will begin my fourth week. I’m looking forward to completing my treatments on October 27th.
I’ve come a long way! In February, I came to a detour in the road of life. It was as if the Lord was asking me, “Will you still trust Me now that you have breast cancer?” My answer, “Yes, Lord, I trust You even more now!” He has wiped away my tears and conquered my fears. And He will walk with me in the upcoming years as I continue to go through follow up with my doctors.
As a breast cancer survivor you understand that there is a chance that it could return or show up in another part of the body. My colleague’s late wife, Cindy, taught me a valuable lesson that helps me stay focused. I call it the win/win situation. If I live I win because I get to be here with my family and friends. If I pass I win, because I get to spend eternity in heaven with the Lord.
I’m not worried about leaving just yet. I have to tell as many people as possible about the good news of Jesus Christ. (John 3:16) I have to let as many breast cancer survivors as possible know that they can go through their journey boldly with faith in the Lord. And I pray that I’m here for my son, AJ’s many life experiences.
I thank the Lord for everyone He placed in my life to help me make it through these last nine months. My family and friends have been there every step of the way. Also, the prayers of many continue to help me through the healing process.
Last but not least, I would like to thank Dr. Calvin Collins of the Orlando Times who allowed me to share my journey in this five part series. Because of him I have been able to reach many people and share an experience that has helped strengthen my faith in the Lord. I hope my breast cancer story has been encouraging. Feel free to pass it on to the women you may know who are traveling a similar journey. Tell them Yvette said to live boldly and never stop trusting in the Lord.
(Yvette Register can be reached at yvetteregister@gmail.com
My Life is in Your Hands by Brooklyn Tabernacle
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