Tribute to a legend...

On the 25th of this month the world has mourned (some still are) the loss of a legend. His name is Michael Jackson and was a man that changed the the face of the entertainment industry for generations. He influenced the lives of many men and women for generations. All he did was make music and sing and dance.

Obviously the latter sentence is an understatement, Mr. Jackson was a world influencing entertainer who helped to shape the life of others as he lived his life and fought his own personal battles. But why did he have such an impact on so many individuals? Is it possible for one person to have such an impact on so many people and why him of all people? The difference between Mr. Jackson and many others is that he spent many hours honing the gifts that where given to him at birth.

You see Mr. Jackson believed in himself and his gift enough to dedicate hours to it so when he performed the same conviction that he had about his gift was passed on to the people who watched him. As people we are naturally drawn to people who are passionate about what they do or believe in; so much so that the same passion that can cause someone to convince others to do good like Mother Teresa, can also convince others do evil like Hitler.

The question is what is your gift or skill or talent that you are so passionate about [or could become passionate about] that you need to share with the world? Everyone is equipped with something unique in them that if it is honed and sharpened will create a life that was never deemed possible. What has God given to you to share?

Mr. Jackson was absolutely the best at what he did but he wasn't so self focused that he didn't know how to help make the lives of others better by sponsoring humanitarian events, giving money to foundations and raising funds for those in needs.

What has been given to you that will benefit not only you but those in need?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltfqHMS03DI&feature=related

Under the influence

It seems to me as if the workplace or corporate structure is one of the most exceptional places to lose hold of our belief system. For the most part it's not done on purpose, it's a gradual loosening of the grip due to constant ungodly behaviors that we encounter at the workplace, a basic human need to be accepted and the desire for promotion/recognition. Let's face it, if you cant fit in with the current corporate culture it will be challenging to be promoted especially within an environment that you're deemed as different. At least that's what they want you to believe.

But if we think about it God has already made us a peculiar people so no matter how hard we try to fit in...it won't work. If we're honest with ourselves... we're only fooling ourselves to think that cussing along side our co-workers or gossiping and talking bad about others will be our key to advancement. Truthfully speaking the same Person who got us the job in the first place is the same Person who will give us the promotion or increase our salary and that's God.
Our main focus should be to go to work ON time, be productive and do as much as we can to fulfill the duties given to us at the job. As we are faithful to do the regular stuff, He will be faithful to be sure we are seen and rewarded. Our everyday duty, which is not listed within our job description, is to behave in such a manner that influences others to behave like us, God-fearing-loving-praising people not only with our words but with our actions too. The bible says that as we act in a way that glorifies or makes God proud we have the ability to influence someones eventual decision to receive Christ.

Does your behavior at the workplace influence people or are you being influenced to be someone you're not?

Not perfect, just parents

Our parents are given to us to give us instruction, guide us, and equip us with the essentials to do well in life and succeed. But many of us have different stories to tell about our parents and what type of impression they left on our lives. It seems nowadays that the negative aspects of parenting are more evident; some never met their mother/father, if their parent were in their lives they didn't provide for them emotionally, the type of example they left on us was less than favorable etc.

But they're people and no matter who they are they are not perfect.

Yet I'm not sure if we realize that our parents, though we expect so much from them, are only human. They have flaws, inconsistencies and deficiencies that they are working through just like we are. That is no excuse for bad parenting by any means but it is a reminder that as people whether parents, siblings, aunts, uncle, or grandparents they should all be given some leeway in their ability to be the type of role model or provider they are supposed to be. Our best bet is to look to God to be the perfect parent and allow Him to do what our parents either can't or didn't do.

How about we take responsibility for ourselves no matter what type of parenting we received. At the end of the day we are still responsible for what takes place in our own lives. Whether our experience with them was good or bad we should take our experiences and not only make the best of them but make up in our hearts to do better when our time comes.