LifeChurch

In NY Times, Kate Zernkie writes “The Spa-fication of America.”

The International Spa Association reports the number of hotels or resorts offering spas have more than tripled: from 473 spas in 2000, to 1,662 spas in 2004.  Spas are offering exotic treatments indigenous to their location, including “lava rock massages in Hawaii, papaya scrubs in the tropics, grape seed facials in Sonoma, and maple body wraps in the Northeast.”

In Arizona, “A Native American shaman guides clients through meditation, smudging their bodies with sage, sweetgrass, and cedar.” Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa offers an experience for the whole family.  Girls as young as 4 can join their parents for “My First Manicure, My First Pedicure, and My First Facial.” The spa at Pennsylvania’s Hersheypark offers their signature “Chocolate Fondue Wrap.”

Anthropologist Robbie Blinkoff attributes the spa phenomenon to a desire to experience something of lasting value for money spent. Blinkoff says, “People feel ready for a transformation… which is exactly what a spa is offering.”

 Besides exotic spas; botox, facelift, rhinoplasty, liposuction, tummy tuck, and other types of cosmetic surgery help change people’s physical appearance which make people feel good about themselves.  More than ever this generation seems to focus on physical appearance.  Nothing wrong to look healthy and attractive but I believe people are over looking the real transformation.  Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  We are told to be transformed by renewing of our mind which means have renewed perspective in life, different thought pattern, embrace Biblical value and be mindful of Jesus Christ.  Let’s pend time building ourselves in renewing our mind, and then we will be more pleasing to God and to people around you.

Have a wonderful week!

Turning Point Daily Devotional had this last week.

On January 12, 1997, two Swiss men set out to be the first to circle the earth in a high-tech, solar-powered, pressurized, hot-air balloon.  Not long after launch, however, strong fumes from a kerosene leak forced the craft down in the Mediterranean Sea.  A failed fuel clamp, costing $1.16, brought down an aircraft costing $1.5 million.

While this event was unforeseen and accidental, it serves to make Solomon’s point in Ecclesiastes 10:1.  Something very small can ruin something very large.  More specifically, Solomon says a little act of foolishness can undo something you have taken a lifetime to build.  He compares the life of a person to a vial of costly perfume, something that gives off a beautiful fragrance and has great value.  All it takes to ruin that vial of ointment is for a fly to fall in it and drown.  Something beautiful is immediately transformed into something repugnant.  If you are toying with the idea of doing something foolish, thinking “it’s just a little thing” . . . don’t do it.  There are no little things.  If something seems little to you, it means you haven’t gotten close enough to it to see how big it really is.

Let this be a reminder to us that all the temptations, regardless of what type and how insignificant temptations may seem, are dangerous.  Fight, refuse, reject and flee from all.  May the shield of faith protect you from flaming arrows throughout this week.

Have a wonderful week!

In the Korean culture, people give their gifts with both hands, especially to older people to show respect.  However, there is another important meaning behind in two handed giving.  By giving with both hands, one communicates, “I am not holding anything back.  I am giving you all that I have to offer.”

Such a philosophy should permeate all of our giving whether it is to God or to others.

We teach out children to pray while holding hands folded together.  This is a small gesture that should remind us of our commitment to give God all that we have and hold nothing back.

Two hands!

Have a wonderful week!

Our Daily Bread told a story of  a man once spent a day installing large stone steps in his backyard.  His 5-year-old daughter saw and begged to help, but he suggested she just sing to encourage him in his work.  She said no.  She wanted to help.  Carefully, when it would not endanger her, he let her place her hands on the rocks as he moved them.

He could have built the steps in less time without her.  At the end of the day, though, he not only had new steps but also a daughter bursting with pride. “Me and Dad made steps,” she announced at dinner that night.

From the beginning, God has relied on people to advance His work. After equipping Adam to cultivate the land and supervise the animals, God left the work of the garden in his hands (Gen. 2:15-20).

The pattern has continued.  When God wanted a dwelling place on earth, a tabernacle and temple did not descend from the sky; thousands of artists and craftsmen worked to fashion them (Ex. 35–38; 1 Kings 6).  When Jesus proclaimed the new reign of God’s kingdom on earth, He invited human beings to help.  He told His disciples, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:38).

As a father does with his children, so does God welcome us as His kingdom partners.  What an honor and privilege it is to serve His Kingdom.

Prayerfully consider how will you be “helping” God during this week.  Have a great week!

Years ago, a music teacher at a very small countryside school needed a piano for her student.  So she decided to send a letter to Henry Ford of Ford Motor Corp. asking for a donation.

“Sir, our school is in need a piano to teach our children.  Please help us.”

Some time later, a letter came with $100 only.

Instead of complaining or disappointed that Ford could have given enough money to buy the piano, the teacher decided to buy peanuts with that $100 and do peanut farming.  After a few years gone by, she had enough money to buy the piano.

She sent a thank you letter to Henry Ford, “Sir, I was able to buy the piano with the money you sent.  Thank you!”

Then, the teacher received another letter from Ford with $10,000.  The following words were found in the letter:

I am so proud to have a teacher like you in our country.  In fact, I have never met someone like you.  Many ask for donations but more often than not, most people either complain that I haven’t given enough or don’t show appreciation. 

            On the other hand, even though the money I donated to you wasn’t near enough, you have worked that money to buy the piano you wanted and even thanked me.  So here is $10,000 for you to buy for your school and if there is anything else for whatever the amount, please don’t hesitate to contact me for I will take care it.

I hope we don’t get too comfortable receiving without showing gratitude.  Also I hope that thanksgiving will spill over to even little things in life.  I am reminded of Solomon’s word, “Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God”  (Eccl. 5:9).

Have a wonderful week!

A 10-year-old boy decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,”(Teacher in Japanese) the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the sensei replied.  Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches.  The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match.  Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals. This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced.  For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched.

Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out.  He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. “No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”  Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard.  Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament.  He was the champion.  On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match.  Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered.  “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo.  And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”  The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

When it comes to life, for some folks their biggest strength becomes their biggest weakness.    On the other hand, when we acknowledge our weaknesses and know that we need to depend on God for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and deliverance from temptation – this can become our greatest strength.

Have a wonderful week!

A man realized that he could not hear very well and that he had to buy a hearing aid.

But he did not want to spend much money on it.  So he went to the store and asked the clerk, “How much do hearing aids cost?”

“Well” said the salesman, “it depends.  They run from two dollars to two thousand.”

“Let me see the two dollar model,” the man said.  The clerk hung a string around the man’s neck. “Just put this button in your ear,” he said, “and stick this string in your pocket.”

“How does it work?” asked the customer.

“It doesn’t work.  But when people see it on you, they’ll speak louder.”

Actually most of our communication problems are not due to people speaking too softly, but because most of us are not good listeners.

Big companies know that people want to be listened to.  One company uses the motto: “We listen better, and another company says, “We hear you.”  As one little girl promised, “I’ll try to listen louder.”

It reminds me of how I listen to God.  God speaks clearly through His Word and through the indwelling the Spirit but it is my problem of not listening louder.  I need to learn to “turn off” other distracting noises around me so that I can listen to God louder.

May you all practice listening louder and have a wonderful week!

This is a story told by a very proud mom and I would be very proud of him, too.

My son, Gilbert, was eight years old and had been in Cub Scouts only a short time.  During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of wood and four tires and told to return home and give all to “dad”.

That was not an easy task for Gilbert to do.  Dad was not receptive to doing things with his son. But Gilbert tried.  Dad read the paper and scoffed at the idea of making a pine wood derby car with his young, eager son.  The block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.

Finally, mom stepped in to see if I could figure this all out.  The project began.  Having no carpentry skills, I decided it would be best if I simply read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did.  I read aloud the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn’t do.

Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car.  A little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom).  Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids’ cars and was feeling pretty proud of his “Blue Lightning”, the pride that comes with knowing you did something on your own.

Then the big night came.  With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride in his heart we headed to the big race.  Once there my little one’s pride turned to humility.  Gilbert’s car was obviously the only car made entirely on his own.  All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed.

A few of the boys giggled as they looked at Gilbert’s lopsided, wobbly, unattractive vehicle.  To add to the humility, Gilbert was the only boy without a man at his side.  A couple of the boys who were from single parent homes at least had an uncle or grandfather by their side, Gilbert had “mom”.

As the race began it was done in elimination fashion.  You kept racing as long as you were the winner.  One by one the cars raced down the finely sanded ramp.  Finally it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest looking car there.  As the last race was about to begin, my wide eyed, shy eight year old ask if they could stop the race for a minute, because he wanted to pray.  The race stopped.

Gilbert went to his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between his hands.  With a wrinkled brow he set to converse with his Father.  He prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half.  Then he stood, smile on his face and announced, ‘Okay, I am ready.”

As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car sped down the ramp.  Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy’s car.

Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud “Thank You” as the crowd roared in approval.  The Scout Master came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and asked the obvious question, “So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?”

To which my young son answered, “Oh, no sir.  That wouldn’t be fair to ask God to help you beat someone else.  I just asked Him to make it so I wouldn’t cry when I lost.”

Children seem to have a wisdom far beyond us.  Gilbert didn’t ask God to win the race, he didn’t ask God to fix the outcome.  Gilbert asked God to give him strength in the outcome.  What a lesson for all of us.  Let us all pray this prayer as we go through this week that God would grant us strength to overcome the challenges in life in faith.

Have a blessed week everyone!

I am not much of Craigslist user but I decided to use it again for selling our minivan.

When I posted the sale, about 20 people responded within 2 hours period.  Wow!  The power of Craigslist!

I picked the one with most enthusiastic reply with something like, “Consider it sold!  I have cash and you don’t need to call anyone” to give a call to arranged the meeting.  However, unlike of his enthusiasm, he didn’t show.  It reminded me of people who are showy without any substance.

The 2nd person I’ve met liked the van but wanted to cut the price too much.  This person reminded me of those who want things in life without having to pay the price.

While meeting and calling, I received another about 10 asking if the van was sold.

When I ended up selling the van to the 3rd person I have spoken with, I’ve decided to reply to ALL those who inquired of the minivan.  I am not sure if this is a typical way of doing business using Craigslist but I thought it would be nice thing to do.  So I did send emails to the other 27 people who emailed about the minivan that it was sold and no longer available.

Out of 27 people, only ONE person replied back saying, “Thank you for letting me know” and this made me feel good and reminded me of a small number of people who still show a common courtesy… the way we should behave.

Lord, help me to be a gentle, kind and loving person to EVERYONE.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: ‘Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help!  My baby is not even 1 year old and I’m pregnant again.  I don’t want kids so close together.

So the doctor said: ‘Ok and what do you want me to do?’

She said: ‘I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.’

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: ‘I think I have a better solution for your problem.  It’s less dangerous for you too.’

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: ‘You see, in order for you not to have to take care 2 babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms.  This way, you could rest some before the other one is born.  If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is.  There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.

The lady was horrified and said: ‘No doctor!  How terrible!  It’s a crime to kill a child!

‘I agree’, the doctor replied.  ‘But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.’  The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.  He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that’s already been born and one that’s still in the womb.  The crime is the same!

Love says, “I sacrifice myself for the good of the other person.”

Abortion says, “I sacrifice the other person for the good of myself.”