Servants Maintain a Low Profile

I would like to share with you one of the daily newsletters that I've received from Rick Warren.

Servants Maintain a Low Profile by Rick Warren

And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, "God resists the proud, but shows favor to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5 (TEV)

Real servants maintain a low profile. Servants don't promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they "put on the apron of humility, to serve one another" (1 Peter 5:5 TEV).

If recognized for their service, they humbly accept it but don't allow notoriety to distract them from their work. Paul exposed a kind of service that appears to be spiritual but is really just a put-on, a show, an act to get attention. He called it "eyeservice," serving in order to impress people with how spiritual we are (Ephesians 6:6 KJV; Colossians 3:22 KJV).

This was a sin of the Pharisees. They turned helping others, giving, and even prayer into a performance for others. Jesus hated this attitude and warned, "When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:1 CEV).

Self-promotion and servanthood don't mix. Real servants don't serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of One. As Paul said, "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10 NIV).

You won't find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it whenever possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Joseph is a great example. He didn't draw attention to himself, but quietly served Potiphar, then his jailer, then Pharaoh's baker and wine taster, and God blessed that attitude. When Pharaoh promoted him to prominence, Joseph still maintained a servant's heart, even with his brothers, who had betrayed him.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.

You may be serving in obscurity in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He has every hair on your head numbered, and he knows your address.

A Spiritual Journey by Wind Walker

For the past four months I've had very little desire to write on my blog. My spirit has been broken because of the trials I am experiencing. I cannot seem to focus. Occasionally I would post something I find interesting and enjoyable.

I came across this poem by Wind Walker

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A Spiritual Journey by Wind Walker

Across from the mountains,
A little house sits in the trees,
I'm lost in tranquility,
As my soul tries to breathe.

White clouds moving slowly,
The breeze a calm still,
I'm caught in the moment,
As my heart starts to heal.

A piece of me,
In the startling blue sky,
As I spread my wings,
My soul starts to fly.

I fly to unknown places,
Where pain and hurt once dwelled,
As the memories flow pass me,
My eyes start to swell.

Tear drops drip slowly,
Down my cheeks,
The wind wipes them dry,
And gives me some peace.

Soaring so free,
Over water and land,
My Spirit Guide gently,
Takes me by my hand.

He shows me what was,
And what's meant to be,
And why my life,
Is so important it seems.

A long soar,
Like the eagle high,
I bow my head,
And I start to cry.

Back on the land,
Across from the trees,
I began to realize,
What healing means.

It means not to forget,
Let the past flow,
Of all the horrors,
One soul had to go.

To take the strengths,
And apply them to life,
Is a valuable lesson,
I've learnt this flight.

Alone in the sunset,
I watch it go down,
When I finally realize,
What peace I have found.

A Spiritual Journey by Wind Walker @FamilyFriendPoems

Update on my mom after her stroke

It's been almost three months since my mom had a stroke. She is still in the hospital, waiting to go into a nursing home. She still cannot walk, talk (except for some mumbling sounds) nor eat. She recognizes me and other family members. Judging by the expressions on her face, she seem to understand when I tell her certain things. When I call her she would look at me, which means she understands me.

I've heard of people who have had strokes similar to the one my mom had and they were able to talk, eat and walk again. I was told by the doctor that my mom gets physical therapy twice a week, and they've tried to give her speech therapy but she is unable to follow direction.

It's a good thing that I live only five minutes away from the hospital. Because of that I've been visiting her every evening since she's been there.

Life is very unpredictable.

In Hours Of Discouragement God Is Our Encouragement

I came across this beautiful poem that will bring comfort to a sad and lonely heart:

Sometimes we feel uncertain, and unsure of everything,
Afraid to make decisions, dreading what the day will bring.
We keep wishing it were possible to dispel all fear and doubt,
and to understand more readily just what life is all about.
God has given us the answers, which too often go unheeded,
But if we search His promises, we'll find everything that's needed.
To lift our faltering spirits and renew our courage, too.
For there's absolutely nothing too much for God to do.
For the Lord is our salvation, and our strength in every fight.
Our redeemer and protector, our eternal guiding light.
He has promised to sustain us, he's our refuge from all harms.
And underneath this refuge, are the everlasting arms.
So cast your burden on Him, Seek His counsel when distressed.
And go to Him for comfort, when you're lonely and oppressed.
For God is our encouragement in trouble and in trials.
And in suffering and in sorrow, he will turn our tears to smiles.

Helen Steiner Rice

But they that wait upon the Lord....