Freedom in Love =)

Laugh a little

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Transformed

Four Steps to Defeating the Giants By Rick Warren — Jan 30, 2015 “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty …. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands …. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 NIV) How do you defeat the giants that are keeping you from being the man God wants you to be? How do you defeat the fears that keep you from being the woman God wants you to be? If you want to be a person of great faith with a great dream and a great life work, you do the very things that David did to defeat the giants of delay, discouragement, disapproval, and doubt.  Remember how God has helped you in the past. David says in 1 Samuel 17:37, “The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” (NLT) When you remember the ways that God has helped you in the past, it gives you confidence for the future. Use the tools that God has given you now. David used the tools that God provided that utilized his strengths: “Then Saul gave David his own armor …. ‘I can’t go in these,’ he protested to Saul. ‘I’m not used to them.’ So David took them off again. He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag” (1 Samuel 17:38-40a). Don’t wait for something you don’t have — money, education, or connections. Use the tools God has already given you to face your giants with confidence. Ignore the dreambusters. Later in life, when others were speaking against him, David had to encourage himself in the Lord: “David was seriously worried, for in their bitter grief for their children, his men began talking of killing him. But David took strength from the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6 TLB). When you encourage yourself in the Lord, it’s not just a positive mental attitude. There is a bedrock trust in God’s grace, provision, security, and power. Expect God to help you for his glory. David stormed the battlefield, shouting, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty …. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands …. And the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45-46 NIV). I made this decision when I was a young man. On the mountains of Northern California one night, I got down on my knees and said, “God, I’m not the smartest guy, the best educated, or the most talented. But I’m going to trust you. And I will do anything, anytime, anywhere in faith, even when it doesn’t make sense to me.” And what an adventure my life has been! I stand up and speak to a crowd every week that is about five times bigger than the town I grew up in. I’m a country boy — with a slingshot. God will use anybody who will trust him and expect to be used by him — not because of who you are, but for his glory. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What are the “giants” that are standing between you and your dream? Think of the tools that God has given you to accomplish your task. How are you using them to their full extent? How do you want to be used by God? Do you expect him to do it?

Laugh a Little TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (Proverbs 17:22, NLT) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria God has given you a great prescription for living a long, healthy, and happy life: Laugh, and laugh a lot! The “medicine” of laughter is within everyone, but you may need to start taking it. Recent studies have shown that laughter boosts the body’s immune system, reduces stress, reduces the risk of heart attack, and even acts as a natural tranquilizer. Those are health benefits everyone needs. That’s why it’s tragic to go through life with a stone face. The enemy has convinced too many into thinking that they need to be somber and serious in order to be a Christian. But don’t fall for that trick. God wants you to laugh and live well! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Lord, thank You for a sense of humor and for laughter. Teach me how to enjoy this wonderful gift and share it with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh4qiU6AFhs

I agree =)

The Writer and Poet =)

What makes man more attractive is his ability to write... 

like Bruce Lee and Shakespeare. =)

The Giants Between You and Your Dream

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The Giants Between You and Your Dream By Rick Warren — Jan 29, 2015 “Everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel17:47 NLT) In the story of David in 1 Samuel, he actually had to fight four other giants before he got to Goliath. They weren’t physical giants, but they were giants in his mind. You are far more likely to have to face those giants than a Goliath, but they can be just as big and intimidating and can keep you from becoming who God wants you to be and fulfilling the dream that God has put in your heart. The first giant in facing your dream is delay. No dream is fulfilled instantly. God gives you the dream on one day, but he doesn’t fulfill it the next day. It may be years before you see the fulfillment of your life dream. There is always a waiting period. In David’s case, his dad held him back from the dream. After Samuel anointed David as king, Jesse told David to get back to tending the sheep! When God’s plan contradicts somebody else’s plan, there’s going to be a delay, and people are going to try to hold you back — sometimes even the people who love you the most. But God is faithful, and he will complete his work in you in his time. The second giant you may face is discouragement. Goliath created a climate of fear in Israel, and everybody was convinced they were going to lose the battle. Who are you listening to who says it can’t be done? Who is putting down your dreams, saying it won’t ever happen? Sometimes you just need a fresh voice — a kid from the village with fresh eyes who says, “This guy’s nothing. We can take him down.” The third giant standing in your way is disapproval. In David’s case, his own brother questioned his motives and disapproved of him going after Goliath. When God gives you a dream that other people are afraid of and you go for it anyway, you will be misjudged, maligned, and misunderstood. You have to decide what matters more to you — the approval of other people or the approval of God. The fourth giant you may have to face is doubt. There was nobody who was a greater expert on war than King Saul, and he told David he was crazy for thinking a boy could fight a warrior like Goliath. Maybe the expert is saying you can’t do it, either. That’s enough to make you start doubting yourself. When I wrote “The Purpose Driven Life,” I got a letter from the editor (which I framed) that said, “This book will never work. Nobody’s going to read 40 chapters.” The experts are often wrong. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What have you learned about yourself and about God when a dream has been delayed? Who do the voices of discouragement that have kept you down belong to? Who do you need to listen to instead? What are God’s promises that you can use for encouragement when you start to doubt yourself or your dream? Pursuing the Dream TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14, KJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria If you want to live a joyful and fulfilling life, learn to celebrate each moment of each day. All it really takes is a decision on your part to relish the events, people, and tasks that make up everyday life. Of course, you should have goals. God has put dreams and desires in each person’s heart. And there will always be another dream, another challenge just over the horizon. Slow down and enjoy each stage of what He is doing in your life. You don’t have to make everything happen today. Pursue the goals that God has planted in you, but don’t forget to enjoy each stage of the journey! A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, I know that You have planted dreams and goals in me. Help me to pursue them with the awareness that they will happen in Your time, and give me the ability to enjoy where You have me today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtcBURtm5Aw

A very deep man, so respected, so lovable =)

Father's favorite =)

One of our father’s favorites is Bruce Lee. He’s fond of watching all his movies. Sometimes, because he likes him (his martial arts) so much he can even watch the one movie for several times. Now I know why he adored him, not only because of his character, but he admired him for his discipline, principles and philosophy. =)

The Strongest =)

Here’s What You Should Spend Your Money On

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Here’s What You Should Spend Your Money On By Rick Warren — Jan 28, 2015 “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (Luke 16:9 NLT) The best use of your money is to use it to get people into Heaven. Luke 16:9 is a problem verse that most people don’t understand. Jesus says, “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home” (NLT). Jesus is saying that, just like the shrewd manager who made friends he could count on later, you need to use some of your money to make eternal friends that you will have forever in Heaven and who will welcome you when you get there. He’s not saying you can buy your way into Heaven, because you can’t. Jesus has already paid the price on the cross. He’s not saying you can purchase your salvation, because you can’t. Salvation is a free gift by grace. Jesus is telling you to use your money to build friendships that are going to go on and on for eternity. When you use your money to help other people meet Jesus, you make friends for eternity and you gain rewards for eternity. One day you’re going to die. Imagine that when you get to Heaven, there’s a hundred people standing at the entrance, clapping and cheering and saying, “We’ve been waiting for you! We’re here because you spent some money to tell us the Good News. We’re your friends for life … no, eternity, because we’re in debt to you. If it weren’t for the way you used your money, we wouldn’t have heard how to get to Heaven.” Are you using any of your money for that kind of thing? Is anybody going to be in Heaven because of you? Because of the way you used your money? When you buy a Bible and you give it to somebody who doesn’t have one, you’ve stored up treasure in Heaven. When you support a program that shares the Good News around the world, you have stored up treasure in Heaven. When you help build a church, you have stored up treasure in Heaven. That is the highest and best use of your money. You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead by investing in people who are going to Heaven. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What are some of the things you spend money on that do not have an eternal impact? Who are the people God has already placed in your life with whom you can share the Good News? What are some ways you can use your money to invest in eternal friendships?

A Double Portion of Blessing TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” (Zechariah 9:12, ESV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria No matter what has been taken away from you, no matter what you’ve lost or experienced in the past, if you give it over to God, He will return to you more than you could ask or imagine. He’ll make things right and give you more than what was lost or stolen. The Bible says that when you put your hope in God, He blesses you with a double portion. God wants to multiply your joy, peace, wisdom, health, finances — a double portion of His favor in every area of your life! The first step in moving forward into this fresh future is forgetting the disappointments of yesterday. It’s time to turn loose those disappointments of your past and reach out in faith to God’s abundant future. A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, I praise You today because You are the God of the double portion! I give You the losses and disappointments of my past, trusting Your love and provision for me. In Jesus’ Name. ​PS... ​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-zJHgaoVa4

Wise Money Managers Look Ahead

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Wise Money Managers Look Ahead By Rick Warren — Jan 27, 2015 “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.” (Proverbs 14:8 TLB) Money is a tool to be used for God’s purposes. We’re not to hoard it. We’re not to stockpile it. We’re not to worship it. We’re to use it! Use temporary resources — what God has put in your hands — for permanent good. In the story of the dishonest but shrewd manager in Luke 16:1-13, Jesus made him the hero of the story. The manager knew he was going to be fired, so he decided to make some friends by lowering the debts owed to his master. What did Jesus like about this guy? He’s dishonest, but he did three things right, and they are lessons God wants you to learn and apply to your finances. The manager looked ahead. Most people never look ahead when it comes to their finances. The average savings in Europe is about 12 percent of income, and in Japan it’s about 25 percent. The average savings Americans had last year was minus one percent. We spent one percent more than we made! We’re not saving anything, and that’s not smart. Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts”(TLB). The manager made a plan. How do you know if you’ve got a financial plan? It’s real simple: Do you have a budget? A budget is simply planned spending. A budget is telling your money where you want it to go rather than wondering where it went. You’ve got to have a plan. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:9, “We should make plans — counting on God to direct us.” The manager acted quickly. Luke 16:4 says, “I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired” (NLT). The manager didn’t procrastinate; he didn’t delay. He set his plan in motion. He didn’t say, “Someday I’m going to get my finances in order” or “Someday I’m going to start saving for retirement.” “ Jesus is not commending the manager’s dishonesty but his attitude, which says, “I’m going to think ahead. I’m going to make a plan. And I’m going to invest in relationships that will benefit others and me in the future.” That’s smart! And Jesus wants you to do the same when it comes to your finances. Are you spending your treasure here on Earth or looking ahead and storing up treasure in Heaven? PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What facts do you need to face up to in your finances? How do you need to start planning for the future when it comes to your finances? What do you want to accomplish in the future with your money? In what ways have you procrastinated when it comes to taking steps to managing your finances and saving for the future? What can you do today to move forward in these areas?

You Are Made for a Purpose! TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Understanding why God put you here is one of the most important principles when it comes to discovering your unique purpose and calling in life. The reason is that knowing why you are here on earth helps you answer the question of why God has uniquely gifted you the way He has, and what He has called you to accomplish individually. There’s nothing more exciting than to discover your purpose, your area of calling and really focus on it! Don’t let the enemy tell you you’ve been forgotten or left out. God has not left anybody out. You have talents, you have abilities, you have natural strengths and you need to be aware of what they are and make sure that you’re taking advantage of them and using them for His glory. There is something important that only you can accomplish for God! A PRAYER FOR TODAY God, help me to understand clearly the reason You created me and gifted me the way You have, so I can fulfill my purpose and experience the joy and victory that comes from being in Your will. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. PS... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38EVco7eba0

♥ "When I look into your squinted eyes" =)

Where Is Your Treasure?

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES Transformed

Where Is Your Treasure? By Rick Warren — Jan 26, 2015 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19-21 NLT) God is using money to test you. He doesn’t just automatically give his blessings to anybody; he tests you first to see if you’re responsible. If he can trust you with material possessions, then he can trust you with spiritual power. But if you’re not even managing your money well, why in the world should he give you the stuff that really matters? God’s favorite tool to test you is your finances. He’s using your money to test several things. Money shows what you love most. If you really want to know what’s important to you, look at your calendar and your credit card statement, because the way you spend your time and money tells others what you love the most. Matthew 6:19-21 says, “Don’t store up treasures here on earth …. Store your treasures in heaven …. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (NLT). Wherever you want your heart to be, put your money in it, and you’ll get interested in it. Money shows what you really trust most. Do you trust in your money for security? Or do you trust in God? Do you trust in your happiness or do you trust in God for your happiness? Do you trust in money to make you feel good about yourself, or do you trust in God to make you feel good about yourself? Money is the acid test of faith. The Bible says in Proverbs 11:28, “Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf” (NIV). Money shows if God can trust you. Money doesn’t just show if you trust God; it also shows if God can trust you. Luke 16:11-12 says, “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. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (NLT) How you handle money determines how much God can bless your life. Once you understand that there is a direct connection between money management and God’s blessing, you will be motivated to get your finances in order so that God will bless you with spiritual power. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over What would you say is the desire of your heart? Does the way you spend your money support your answer? If you were to lose your job today, what would you do? Do you trust God to provide for you? How does the way you manage God’s resources show him that he can trust you?

Nothing is Beyond Your Reach

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT

TODAY'S WORD:

You must remember that God is not only with you, He is also for you and He is in you!His goodness and mercy follow you everywhere you go, no matter where you go. He has also promised that no matter what path life takes you on, He'll go ahead of you and make the crooked paths straight. As long as you're following His path, you simply can't lose! Once you begin to see the future through the eyes of faith, you'll discover that victory is within your grasp. Begin to see yourself the way God sees you, and it will change your perspective on everything.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

God, thank You for putting every good and perfect thing within my grasp. I know that when I see things the way You see them, I can revolutionize my life! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

​PS...​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBWTYLuvK8I