Most of us know people who can rightfully be called a "Know-it-All". This person seems to know everything about anything and tends to dominate the conversation. They don't like being questioned and NEVER admit when they are wrong.
Being around this type of person can be tiring because nothing is shared between the two of you. In conversation, you will become the audience so that they can be the center of attention. Respect and attention are two things this type of person wants desperately and this is the only way they know to get them. In their minds, if we stand back and allow them to monopolize the conversation, it's obviously because they know so much more than the rest of us. It couldn't possibly be because no one can get a word in edgewise!
If you look underneath their mask of confidence you may well see fear. They tend to be afraid of listening to another. They mistakenly believe that if they're not speaking, people will think they are not smart and as long as they are in control, you cannot ask questions they can't answer. Even though it is ridiculous to believe that any one person could know everything there is to know in the world, they truly feel they must know the most or they don't measure up.
Although most of us tend to try to avoid the "Know-it-All" recognizing their fear may compel you to compassion and friendship. Recognizing their need and offering your friendship could well open their heart and give you the chance to contribute. Over time, with much patience and work, your friendship can become a two way street.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Jealousy
Jealousy is one of the toughest feelings we come up against in our lives. There is not much worse than the aching sense that somehow life has been unfair to us, while it has rewarded someone else. It's even worse if we're in contact with the other person on a daily basis. It may be a friend, sibling, a spouse, child or even someone famous. Whatever the case, we can begin the process of healing by understanding that jealousy is a common human emotion.
We cannot indulge this feeling for long nor should we encourage it by gossiping or feeling sorry for ourselves. To do so only increases the power it has over us. Even though it is not easy to get past being jealous of someone or something, you can! Start by recognizing that jealousy may offer us information about something we desire and unless it is a behavior we should avoid, this may be the first step toward obtaining our desire. Perhaps the most important step you can take is to realize that you have a life that is utterly unique to you. Your life is full of it's own meaning and beauty and could never be found in another. Your life is a sacred gift.
While no one is immune and we all become jealous to one degree or other the good news is we can all overcome and learn.
We cannot indulge this feeling for long nor should we encourage it by gossiping or feeling sorry for ourselves. To do so only increases the power it has over us. Even though it is not easy to get past being jealous of someone or something, you can! Start by recognizing that jealousy may offer us information about something we desire and unless it is a behavior we should avoid, this may be the first step toward obtaining our desire. Perhaps the most important step you can take is to realize that you have a life that is utterly unique to you. Your life is full of it's own meaning and beauty and could never be found in another. Your life is a sacred gift.
While no one is immune and we all become jealous to one degree or other the good news is we can all overcome and learn.
Witness
To speak about Jesus and His work of salvation shouldn't be a burden. When we go to people feeling that unless they accept our way of knowing Jesus they are lost and we are failures, it's hard to be a true witness.
When people come to Christ with our help, it is a cause for gratitude and celebration. But there can also be joy when people turn away. If you open your heart and the Word only to find it rejected, God sees and understands. Succeed or fail, God loves us and our efforts. Presenting the Word is our task, God will take care of the rest.
When people come to Christ with our help, it is a cause for gratitude and celebration. But there can also be joy when people turn away. If you open your heart and the Word only to find it rejected, God sees and understands. Succeed or fail, God loves us and our efforts. Presenting the Word is our task, God will take care of the rest.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Prayer
Throughout His public ministry, Jesus demonstrated the importance of prayer. It was central to His relationship with God and staying focused on God's will. Jesus was a pray-er. He prayed spontaneously and informally, matching His prayer to the moment. By word and deed, He encouraged others to pray and offered specific advice about how...The Lord's Prayer is a prime example. Four patterns emerge from the passages related to Jesus and His prayer life. He prayed alone and in the presence of others, He prayed persistently and simply. When the need arose, Jesus never hesitated to lift His hands to Heaven and ask God's wisdom and direction...no matter the situation and regardless of who was watching.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Gardens...
I've always enjoyed gardening. While I tend to spend more time in the vegetables than on flowers, just playing in the dirt is a joy. It may have something to do with the fact that no matter what I do (or don't do) to the soil, it never talks back!
Obviously my endeavors don't always yield the same results. If I have a bad crop, it may be beyond my control (such as the weather) but most of the time it's directly related to my efforts. There may be pests (particularly June Bugs and Rabbits), lack of fertilizer, perhaps I planted too early or too late...each of these present a problem but can be overcome if I am diligent. If the weather cooperates and I spend a sufficient amount of time caring for the plants, the harvest will be plentiful and delicious!
It recently dawned on me that my spiritual life is much like my garden. God is always willing and available but it depends on my efforts. If I endeavor to spend time in prayer and study, the results are obvious in my work and in my life. If not, I'm as empty and dry as a desert.
Next time you find yourself feeling empty, stop and think about the past few weeks have you spent time weeding and watering or are you just hoping things will grow?
Obviously my endeavors don't always yield the same results. If I have a bad crop, it may be beyond my control (such as the weather) but most of the time it's directly related to my efforts. There may be pests (particularly June Bugs and Rabbits), lack of fertilizer, perhaps I planted too early or too late...each of these present a problem but can be overcome if I am diligent. If the weather cooperates and I spend a sufficient amount of time caring for the plants, the harvest will be plentiful and delicious!
It recently dawned on me that my spiritual life is much like my garden. God is always willing and available but it depends on my efforts. If I endeavor to spend time in prayer and study, the results are obvious in my work and in my life. If not, I'm as empty and dry as a desert.
Next time you find yourself feeling empty, stop and think about the past few weeks have you spent time weeding and watering or are you just hoping things will grow?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Service...
Being United Methodists, on the first Sunday of each month we receive Communion during morning worship. As an act of service, after morning worship the Youth of our congregation take elements from the Altar and share this Communion with our shut in members (those who are unable to attend due to age or illness). This few hours spent once a month has a profound effect on everyone involved.
1. We go as a group and eat lunch together prior to visiting...breaking bread together a
second time! It is a time of fellowship and fun, just being ourselves but getting to know
each other on a personal level.
2. In the act of service, the Youth take turns reading a beautiful liturgy, serving the elements
and praying for the individuals being served. Teenagers are ministering to adults with
reverence and love and the adults accept the blessing with joy.
3. Over the course of time relationships are built not only within the Youth group but also
with those we visit. The young people are exposed to the faith of the elder members one
on one and growth occurs.
4. Of course, from time to time we loose one of our shut ins and feel the pain of the loss.
But loss is a part of life and what better way to learn to understand and accept it than
through experience surrounded by people who love you?
I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to spend time with all involved. It is a personal blessing to participate in Communion with young and old alike. It never fails to lift my spirits to see the young eager to visit and serve, to take time out of their weekend to do God's work. To also witness the joy, love and appreciation of the shut in members allows me to see the image of acceptance not commonly displayed in today's world. Thank you, Lord!
1. We go as a group and eat lunch together prior to visiting...breaking bread together a
second time! It is a time of fellowship and fun, just being ourselves but getting to know
each other on a personal level.
2. In the act of service, the Youth take turns reading a beautiful liturgy, serving the elements
and praying for the individuals being served. Teenagers are ministering to adults with
reverence and love and the adults accept the blessing with joy.
3. Over the course of time relationships are built not only within the Youth group but also
with those we visit. The young people are exposed to the faith of the elder members one
on one and growth occurs.
4. Of course, from time to time we loose one of our shut ins and feel the pain of the loss.
But loss is a part of life and what better way to learn to understand and accept it than
through experience surrounded by people who love you?
I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to spend time with all involved. It is a personal blessing to participate in Communion with young and old alike. It never fails to lift my spirits to see the young eager to visit and serve, to take time out of their weekend to do God's work. To also witness the joy, love and appreciation of the shut in members allows me to see the image of acceptance not commonly displayed in today's world. Thank you, Lord!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Be Yourself
Most of us are familiar with the idea of "being ourselves", being real. People who present their true selves to the world don't hide behind a mask to keep safe from how they might be perceived. They don't present a false self in order to be more perfect, more powerful or more independent. They show themselves as the truly are, the good parts and the parts that most of us would rather hide, sharing themselves fully with those of us who are lucky enough to know them.
This is not an easy thing to do as we live in a society that often shows us images of physical and material perfection. As a result, we all want to look younger, thinner, wealthier or more successful. We are rewarded externally when we succeed at this masquerade, but internally we suffer. When we feel that who we truly are is not enough and that we need to be bigger, better or more exciting, we send a message to ourselves that we are not good enough. Those who present their true selves to the world acknowledge their imperfections. After all, they are what makes us who we are as an individual.
People like this inspire us to let go of our own defenses and relax in the truth of who we really are...God's children. In their presence, we can feel safe enough to take off our own masks and experience the freedom of not hiding behind a barrier. We must work hard to go through life without a mask so that we may share the beauty of our real selves with others. Despite what the world would say, there is beauty in us all. Be willing to share yourself with others and then do not be surprised when others share with you.
This is not an easy thing to do as we live in a society that often shows us images of physical and material perfection. As a result, we all want to look younger, thinner, wealthier or more successful. We are rewarded externally when we succeed at this masquerade, but internally we suffer. When we feel that who we truly are is not enough and that we need to be bigger, better or more exciting, we send a message to ourselves that we are not good enough. Those who present their true selves to the world acknowledge their imperfections. After all, they are what makes us who we are as an individual.
People like this inspire us to let go of our own defenses and relax in the truth of who we really are...God's children. In their presence, we can feel safe enough to take off our own masks and experience the freedom of not hiding behind a barrier. We must work hard to go through life without a mask so that we may share the beauty of our real selves with others. Despite what the world would say, there is beauty in us all. Be willing to share yourself with others and then do not be surprised when others share with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)