Investment: The Risks And Rewards

I get a call at eight in the morning. I answer the unfamiliar number, as the sound of the voice echoes through my ears. I begin to roll my eyes out of the inconvenience that it will provide me. The voice sounds so desperate. The lady on the phone is asking a favor of me. I shake my head out of annoyance. Finally, the conservation ends.

I begin to make sense of things. What have I gotten myself into? Nothing extreme, I was just selfish. I didn't want to get out of bed. It finally dawned on me. What this opportunity could do, for someone in need.

A lot of times, we fear that someone who is in great need. Will call, ask for help, ask something of us, that will make us feel uncomfortable. Why are we so afraid? I will tell you why, investment. Every investment that we make has a risk or reward involved. I had a lady call me, to see if I could provide her and her family one way tickets to Brownsville.

Risk: I only met this family once. She asked that we go pick her up. I don't know their history, agenda. For all I know, they could rob me of my car. Or take advantage of someone helping them. I barley know this family.

Reward: I could use this to help a family in dire need. I could also use this to be a representative of Christ. Lastly, show the people that a complete stranger does care for them.

I elected to help the family. Everything went smoothly and I was able to help them. They were very thankful. The whole situation was a huge blessing for both parties. The whole thing really humbled me. The underline point is that sometimes we meet someone, people and we want to help. But only to a certain extent.

For example, going beyond just handing out some loose change from your window. To take the initiative to go beyond the window. What does that mean? That means putting yourself out there. Answering a call at two in the morning, going out on faith and lend money, time, or ears.

We at one time were in dire need and someone took a chance on us.

My New Years Resolution: Investing in those in need, but with an intention that surpasses all understanding. The source, just look above, you may be a victim of His investment, His love.

Happy New Years!!

Biases

We all have biases, our biases always show up so me how. I'm a history major, all my professors have stressed the importance of being objective in our papers. But no matter how hard we try, our biases will be revealed. Is that true? Are our biases that evident, are they that easy to detect

We have the right to hold our biases. But for some reason, we are either every adamant about sharing them, or terrified to share them.

So what are your biases?

Left or Right?

Coke or Pepsi?

God or No God?

Poor or Rich?

Is it that easy to categorize our biases? Are biases that black and white? We all have biases, but the really question is do we truly believe in them?

My Christmas Of Giving

The reason for the season is giving? Right? This Christmas has been special. I have been able to help out so many individuals. All I wanted for Christmas was to give. Sure it sounds, like I'm full of my self. But I truly, mean that.

I had the opportunity to help a family get back to Brownsville. Where they would have a home and food. I was also able to help, a man who is homeless find a job. I didn't find it for him. But I encouraged and prayed for him. Lastly, I was able to help an elderly, homeless woman over a large time span. Find a apartment that she can live in. Since staying there, her health has improved. She was in a wheelchair before, but now she is walking.

I'm thankful and blessed for those experiences. I get a lot at of it. The experiences truly have humbled me. I thank God, for the chance to help some awesome people.

I wanted to give and I got my wish.
I forgot to mention that I also received as well.

Don't Succeed, Just Try

Many of us, come to a point in our lives. When we think, we have everything figured out. We lose sight of the fact, of how insufficient we really are.

We become so consumed in our pride, our selfishness. For the longest time, I told myself that, I was a failure. That I was not successful at anything, whatsoever. I wanted to be, so successful. I became so consumed, with what I wanted. I want to do it, all on my own. I failed terribly on many occasions. But I had forgotten that its not about succeeding, but trying.

God is the one that allows, us to succeed. But only when we humble ourselves, to his will in our lives. Allowing our faith to slip in, which goes with us being obedient. Ultimately, showing how much we love him and how much He loves us. When we kick ourselves, out of our lives. All God requires of us, is to try, he will do the rest.

But when we succeed, it was Him and not us. We simply tried. God did the rest.

Mother Teresa said it best: "God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try."

Break The Mold: Keep Your Word

Oaths

³³"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' ³⁴But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. ³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Matthew 5:33-37

Why is it so hard to keep our word? Is it the commit issue? Is it, just lip service we give to people?

What is it?

From as far as I can go back in my life. My dad has always, pushed that I keep my word. That when I said yes, that I would follow through. Even when I have to say no, that I maintain what I said. Now that I have gotten older. I'm beginning to realize "keeping thy word" is hard for a lot of people. We say, we will, I'll be there, I will call you, Let's hang. But nothing happens. Why?

Death of many friendships is by not keeping your word. In an age, where its common to say "let's hang" but the expression is used in the heat of the moment. It sounds good at the time. Yet, after everything is done. We realize we didn't mean what we said. It's gotten to the point of it, being habitual to many. We obtain so many phone numbers, That we supposedly intended on calling. Yet, we allow the numbers to accumulate. That one person may have been waiting for a call. They may need help, a friend, shoulder to cry on. But it starts from the beginning, if you don't intend on hanging out. We are usually pretty good on making that happen.

We must change our mindset and be men/women of our words. A lot more would be accomplished. A lot of pain could be avoided.

We allow laziness to slip in. We become selfish, we don't see the point of keeping our word. For one moment, think about how you can improve this? We all love to give lip service, because its easy, it requires very little from us. We just simply move our mouths.

But putting our words in to actions. Requires that we sacrifice our time, our hearts, and ears. Keeping your word is an old custom, once held so high. Is now an after thought to many. So inconvenience yourself in a world where many have no concept of oaths, promises, or covenants.

Break the mold, keep your word!

Christmas Shoes

The song Christmas Shoes is played every December. But the song is a great reminder of what Christmas is about. That Christmas goes beyond the presents, sipping egg nog, and the pine smell of Christmas trees.

Put yourself in this kid's position. How would you react? Treat Christmas has if, a love one is slipping away into eternal sleep.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNsvE33pRSw

Holiday Identity Check

Every holiday has an identity, which defines the holiday. The identity usually dictates how, we approach the holiday. Have you ever thought that, maybe we have gotten the identities of holidays messed up? That we have been swayed to think that Christmas is really about Santa Claus, swiping the credit card, and fulfilling our urge to consume. What about Thanksgiving? Is it all about the food and football?

As Christmas gets closer, the madness gets even more maddening. Have we forgotten what holidays are about? Do we think that the holidays would be unfulfilling, if we didn't perform the "tradition flow" of the holidays. Are we scared to shake things up? Is it selfishness? You can only answer that yourself.

The holiday challenge:

Is to look at our identity for the holidays. Does it, need some revamping. Do you need, to throw it out completely?

I have been on both sides of the fence. Less is more and more is less. Be real, be the identity of the holiday and you will see what its truly about.