Manners Matter

Most of the calls to our house phone are from tele-marketers and other sales persons. People who know us have access to our private numbers, through our mobile devices. With few exceptions, those who call the house phone begin by asking for a family member by first name only, or last name only. I recently received a call for my daughter, from someone who gave only my adult daughter's first name. No name given by the caller.

When I responded with "_____who?" the person failed to identify himself or leave a message. He said he'd try again later, then hung up.While understanding that he's trying to control the conversation, whatever happened to manners? Why didn't the caller first identify himself, before asking for my daughter?

Why am I saying all of this? We're living in a time where manners matter; good manners are an endangered species. A course in (good) manners would do people of all ages much good-besides what it would help. You get the point.

As a Christian I represent the Living God and His Kingdom, here on Earth. Although certainly not perfect I strive to be polite towards people of all ages, whether on the phone or in person. It's good for both them and myself: them because I'm showing respect; myself because showing good manners is another opportunity to walk in love-even when my feeling don't, well, feel like it. People like being on the receiving end of good manners.

Showing good manners is a subtle way to demonstrate the life of God through me. It's subtle, because I'm using right words and actions without being preachy. How many times have Christians been rude, unmannerly-even vulgar, only to be (rightfully) embarrassed when the other person(s) found out that Mr Rude or Ms. Potty Mouth is a Christian? Ouch!

I don't believe that this type of behavior leaves a good impression, or pleases God, do you?

As a child I was taught to identify myself when calling someone. I work at doing this today. Why? Because manners matter, starting with me.

In what ways could good manners open opportunities for sharing the Gospel?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

You and God Make a Majority

Being in the majority is not always right, but it's a good thing when what's right is in the majority. When someone gains the majority of votes in a campaign, it means that one person received more votes than the other person (s). It doesn't necessarily mean that the winner is right. Can you say Benito Mussolini ? How about Joseph Stalin? God is All Powerful, Ever Present, and All Wise. Pretty good combination of attributes. As Christians, God has become our very own Heavenly Father. His is dwelling/living/abiding in us in the Person of the Holy Spirit.Think about this: Everything God is is in us.

All of us, no matter who we are or where we live, have encountered situations where we've needed help. That doesn't make us weak or sissies, that makes us human. Everyone, at some point, faces moments where the circumstances facing them seem overwhelming. It's especially in these moments that we need to be reminded of the fact that we're never alone. In fact, in any given situation-no matter the circumstances-you and God make a majority.

You need to know that for yourself. You need to know that, no matter what is going on in your life-no matter what the devil is trying to throw at you (or already has thrown) the fact that God is with you, for you, and in you-makes all the difference in the world. It doesn't matter how big, strong, rich, educated, or smart you are, you are no match for the devil, by yourself, naturally speaking. But having God on the inside of you changes everything. You go from being in the minority to having a majority, the Holy Spirit in you making this so.

The Bible tells us, in I John 4:4 (towards the end of the Bible, not the Gospel of John) that greater is He (God the Holy Spirit) Who is in us than he (the devil and all of his demonic helpers) who is in the world. Having God living in us teaching, helping, strengthening, and being for us puts life in a new light. It assures us that we're never alone, without, or helpless when those challenging moments rear their ugly heads against us. Thank God!

Life is not a political campaign. Majority doesn't always make right. But with God working in and with you, right is a majority. And that makes all the difference in the world.

What difference is it-or will it make-knowing that God and you make a majority ? What are some areas in your life where this truth can be applied? How reassuring is it to know that you and God make majority-no matter what the circumstances "say?"

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

To Purge or Prune, That is the Question

Most Christians, at some point in their Christian walk, have heard someone say something about purging and/or pruning. For some it was part of a sermon; for others it was the whole message. For those who have never heard anyone ever say anything about either p word, keep living; your time is coming. Over the years I've heard more than one message about pruning; many involving purging. Both words can be seen as being negative words, but with different purposes, with vastly different outcomes. Let's take a brief look at both words, their purposes, and when to incorporate each or both in our lives. Let's start with purging.

The word purge means to remove, get rid of; to eliminate. Applied to our walk with God it means to examine our lives and remove, get rid of, and eliminate those thoughts, words, actions, and areas contrary to God's Word. These would include areas such as hatred, anger, lust, unforgiveness, and fear. Definite areas of purging here.

To prune means to cut back, cut off, to reduce (such as branches on a tree or plant) to improve shape or growth. One exception to this definition is the use of prune juice in the encouragement of,  shall we say,  elimination. I'll move on.

Purging is for total elimination, while pruning is cutting back to bring new growth. Example: television time. There's nothing wrong with watching some television, including an occasional sports program. But if you're watching hour upon hour of television-even Christian programs-it's time to prune. It's time to cut back/reduce-time spent in front of those square inches of (mostly) entertainment and invest it in doing something of more value, like spending time in improving your own life. Spend more time working to achieving your dreams than watching others live out theirs. 

How about consistently praying for others, including your pastor, or learning what those Sunday School lessons were really about? What about calling someone to give encouragement?  Cleaning your office-especially if it's in your home-could prove helpful in more ways than one. Improving life, starting with a clean room.

There are lots of ways to spend an additional hour or so a day that's been freed up by pruning back time with that one-eyed monster some call a television. Look around. Ask God to show you areas needing to be pruned. Him showing you is the easy part; doing what God says takes more effort-but it's worth it.

I can think of a few areas in my life needing purging; more needing pruning. What about you? What are some areas in your life needing some pruning? Maybe, just maybe, there's something that requires actual purging. Ask God to show areas needing adjustment, then trust Him to guide you in the process of either pruning or purging.

 © Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

LifeChange, Episode Eighty Three

[embed]https://vimeo.com/171968683[/embed]

Things God Can't Do

"God can do anything-after all, He's God."  I've heard that before, as many of you have, as well. It's sounds right, but is it true? Can God really do anything, simply because He's, well, God? Or are there some things even God can't do? Here are some things God can't do:

1. God can't make people confess Jesus as their Lord, thus becoming His children. If God did He'd be forcing some to do what they have no heart to do. God is Love; God's love never forces or makes someone do or say anything against their will.

2. God can't make people serve Him, even Christians. He won't make them pray, go to church, or walk in love towards others, for the same reason He doesn't make people believe on the Name of Jesus.

3. God won't make people tithe. This one touches a nerve, since most Christians don't tithe (the word tithe means 10%) their income. Tithing wasn't something done under just the Old Testament. Last time I checked, Hebrews 7:7,8 was in the New Testament. Tithing is a means of worship for getting the Gospel out while getting blessed-not for helping God out financially. Heaven doesn't need our money; the Gospel does.

These are but three quick examples of things God can't do. With these in mind what are some things you can think of which God can't do? Some things God wants to do but can't. Ask God to show you other things He can't do. You might be surprised at some of the things He'll show you. Then pass them along. What God shows you might help someone else to see God in a new way.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

What's In Your Budget?

A lot of people budget nowadays. Whether by a family, couple, or single person, budgets help to monitor how/where household income is spent. What's in your budget? If you're like most "budgeters" things like food, mortgage or rent (if applicable), utilities, vehicle fuel/maintenance, as well as cleaning supplies are on your budget list.

When something is outside your budget, at least for the moment, one has to decide whether that item is really needed. If yes, something else will need to be reduced or eliminated. Easier said than done, right?

But there's another kind of budget I want us to think about: it's our words budget. What about our words? What about those everyday words and phrases we've been saying for ever so long? Do they need changing, or even  elimination? Can our words be budgeted to speak positively, eliminating what's negative-even harmful?

Words are important to all of us. We either encourage or discourage with what we say. We either lift up or tear down with what comes out of our mouth. No one makes us say what we do; it's our choice. Every time.

You may or may not have a financial budget to monitor where your money goes-how it gets spent. But everyone can budget what comes out of their mouth. Perhaps it's time to think about prioritizing what you say, leaving off words which are unhealthy for you. I'm including myself in this as well, as I need to improve in this area.

What are some ways you know to reduce, change, eliminate, or improve your "word" budget. What would you recommend others do that, if you've already done this, worked for you? Remember, what helps/helped you can help someone else.

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024

LifeChange, Episode Eighty Two

[embed]https://vimeo.com/166544952[/embed]

Why People Won't Change

My previous post dealt with the subject of change, including the consequences of companies/organizations not changing. Regardless of their own reason(s), they're becoming further and further behind in maintaining their customer base-mainly because they're not reaching out to the next generation. No matter the purpose, structure, size, or product, every company/organization's commonality-Christian or secular-can be summed up in one word: People. Whether manufacturing, ministry, or media, people are the common denominator in every case. Whether with two or two million, no organization I know of can exist without having at least one person. With just one person, that one individual is the decision maker. Simply add on to or multiply that for larger organizations.

You can change without growing, but growing cannot come without change. And change requires decisions.

Change comes easier for some than others. For every one who's quick to change, there are multiplied others who are just plain slow, resistant-even opposed-to change. Why is this? Why won't some people change, especially when refusing to change puts the future of their organization at risk?

I believe the number one reason why people won't change is fear. Whether in the form of pride, fear of failure, or fear of losing one's influence or position fear is, in my opinion, the primary reason people won't change. They can; they just won't.

Change is all about having the right people making the decision to change, then leveraging available resources-including technology-to achieve the desired result. Since having the right people is crucial to change, removing the wrong people is often the first-and most painful-part of change. Owners, pastors, and company presidents who recognize this are doing everyone a favor and will be blessed. Those who fail in this area must prepare to reap the (potentially) disastrous consequences of their actions. I believe God has a better way.

Real love-God's love-wants what's best for all, not just one person. Walking in God's love means there's no place for fear to gain a foothold (1 John 4:18). And when decision makers walk in God's love everyone benefits.

While ignorance may hinder some from changing, that "condition" is easily cured by correct information. The willingness to change, without fear, makes for the possibility of positive change(s) to be made where you work, worship, and walk your dog.

What do you see as the reason(s) your place of employment isn't changing, at least like you think it should? If you were the chief decision maker what would be the first change you'd make? What other changes would you make?If you're not the chief decision maker what can you do to influence the ones who do make the decisions?

© Hubert Gardner Ministries 2016-2024