Stand Up!
One of the most undervalued blessings is God's will to make every individual a unique creation. It takes all kinds of people to do the great work of the Lord's kingdom, and it's a good thing that each of us has special talents, callings, and gifts to serve this purpose. Working together, we can accomplish great things. Unfortunately, the world doesn't value unique character. In fact, being different often translates to being misunderstood.
Take it from one who's been there. I am certainly not like other people. I was raised in a Christian home where faith, hope, honesty and integrity still mean more than anything else in the world. Above all, my brother and I were taught to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit and not to compromise our faith for any "easy way out" the world may offer. I was lucky to marry a wonderful man that was raised with the same values. Then I entered the work force. Although college did prepare me to face working with people that hold different values, there was no way to brace myself for the harsh reality that waited.
At first things went well. I worked for a wonderful person that trained me well and had faith in my ability to learn and grow. After a year and a half in that position, I was promoted to another job that required me to move to a different office. This too went fairly well, until we consolidated three years later. Then everything changed. It went from a small, easy-going office to a large formal setting where cliques were common and conformity was prized above all else.
It didn't take me (and everybody else) long to find out something vital about my character: I'm a non-conformist. Although I tried blending in and making people happy, I eventually grew frustrated with putting on an act. My sense of right and wrong was tested at several points, and I found myself falling back on my faith. I was relieved to find that when I was put to the test, I turned to the Lord and not the easy way out ? but I was the only one happy about this personal discovery. To put it kindly, my sense of ethics was more sensitive than they liked, and their cliques frustrated me. Fortunately, we consolidated again two years later, and I was transferred to another section with wonderful people of faith that shared my interests and values. It took a while to flush the poison of conformity out of my system, but God bless them because they were patient and understanding. I still thank God every day for delivering me from that situation. Although I wore it as a badge of honor, two years as the office freak was quite enough.
That was a hard time for me, but I learned a lot about my faith and myself. One of the most important things I learned is that God values you as an individual, even if other people don't. What really matters is if He can use you, not if other people can use you to get ahead and make themselves look good.
Although the world may say, "the ends justify the means," God does not accept this excuse. Christians are the light of the world, and if you prayerfully follow the Lord's way and do what is right, He will always work things out for the best in the end.
God needs all kinds of people working for Him, and each of us meets certain requirements. If He can use a fiercely independent, non-conformist like me, He can use you as well. Christ died for us to have a union with God and an opportunity to be all we can be. Stand up, and be proud of who you are in Him! After all, "If God is for us, who is against us?" (Romans 8:31 RSV) It doesn't matter, because His opinion is really the only one that matters. The world may make us pay a price for doing what is right, but the Lord will always see us through to the eternal rewards.
Sherri Fulmer Moorer is a freelance Christian/Inspirational writer from Columbia, SC. Her writing focuses on applying faith to everyday living situations, and is based on her own personal experiences and the experiences of those around her. Her goal is to show people that the battles they face in life are shared by others, and how the Lord can use their experiences to build faith. She is the author of Battleground Earth - Living by Faith in a Pagan World (PublishAmerica 2004), which is a book about spiritual warfare and discovering faith in day-to-day living. For additional information, please visit the Battleground Earth web page at http://hometown.aol.com/bgearth/index.html
 Google News Updated : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:58:10 GMT Obama’s spending how much on ads? - Christian Science Monitor
Christian Science Monitor - By Jimmy Orr | 10.15.08 It’s been a week of non-surprises thus far. Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones has been suspended - again. McCain calls for 'voter fraud' inquiry A stolen election? Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:03:33 GMT Hurricane Omar gains strength and nears Puerto Rico - Reuters
Reuters - By John Marino SAN JUAN (Reuters) - Hurricane Omar strengthened on Wednesday as it bore down on Puerto Rico and the small islands of the northeastern Caribbean, and could be a "major" storm by the time it reaches them, US forecasters said. Omar on the Move. Paloma Next? Hurricane Omar heads for US Caribbean islands Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:12:36 GMT Polls: McCain forced to play defense in some red states - CNN
CNN - HEMPSTEAD, New York -- New polls out Wednesday in some crucial states that could decide the race for the White House suggest Sen. John McCain is having to defend himself in areas that once were reliably Republican. Union sues over policy banning political material at polling places Pollsters say odds of McCain winning election 'incredibly remote' Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:34:00 GMT It's officially over: Madonna and Guy Ritchie are divorcing - New York Daily News
New York Daily News - BY LEO STANDORA Madonna's marriage to Guy Ritchie really is kaput , her rep told the Daily News on Wednesday. "Madonna and Guy Ritchie have agreed to divorce after 7 l/2 years of marrige," Liz Rosenberg said in a statement. Video: AP Exclusive: Madonna, Guy Ritchie to Divorce It's Official: Madonna And Guy Ritchie To Divorce Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:56:56 GMT Jerry Jones exposed as gutless by Goodell's ruling - FOXSports.com
FOXSports.com - by Ian O'Connor Ian O'Connor is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry," which Kirkus Reviews calls an "exemplary sports history. Video: Dallas' Adam Jones Suspended Again Give Cowboys credit for not counting on Adam 'Pacman' Jones too much Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:52:30 GMT AMR Plan to Buy 787s Will Update Fleet, Bolster Boeing Program - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Susanna Ray and Mary Schlangenstein Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) -- AMR Corp.'s American Airlines said it may buy as many as 100 Boeing Co. AMR overcomes fuel costs to squeeze out small profit AMR 3Q Net Down 74%, To Buy Up To 100 Dreamliners Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:24:10 GMT Migraine-hit Janet Jackson to resume US tour - Reuters
Reuters - By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A rare form of migraine forced Janet Jackson to cancel several dates on her Rock Witchu concert tour but she planned to return to the stage on Wednesday in Washington, DC, her manager said. Jackson was laid low by migraines Janet Jackson: She's Baaaaack* Publ.Date : Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:02:47 GMT Increase Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... A young man in search of enlightenment had traveled to... Read More Forgiveness is a critical element in becoming self actualized and... Read More Q: I was wondering if you could recommend any books... Read More "Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the... Read More We set out walking along a route where one foot... Read More I'm writing to you with a completely shattered heart. I've... Read More I am an Angel artist on a passionate spiritual journey... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 7,... Read More I stared into those biggest of navy blue eyes and... Read More Over the years as I've sought out ideas, principles and... Read More I love you not because who you are, but... Read More In Corrogue I receive a gift of love.I awake to... Read More "A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 27,... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of March 31,... Read More When we talk about the Enchanted Self we are referring... Read More I live in a beautiful place.This is the village of... Read More Can we love our bodies? As the years go by,... Read More I have always wondered how the Red Sea parted as... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 8,... Read More How often do you have opportunities every day to exercise... Read More All of our lives we always seem to direct our... Read More "We come equipped with everything we need to experience a... Read More "I was washing my breakfast dishes one morning when it... Read More Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 2,... Read More
Adsense
websites
What is the Meaning of Life?
The Art of Forgiveness
Motivation and Inspiration: Illusions 101
Keep Hope Alive
Walking on a Path of Life
Happy Ending
What an Artist Experiences When Working With the Angels
False Start
The Tiniest of Gladiators
Four Words that Make Life Worthwhile
Important Things to Know / Remember About Life
Anam Cara - Going Beyond The Good
Mirror, Mirror -- What Do I See?
Case Closed
Long Odds
Coming To Your Senses, Again and Again!
Anamchara - Living From A Deep Place
Body Acceptance: The Secret to Weight Loss Success
Tsunamis in the Bible?
Repeat Offender
Borne Upon the Wings of Words
A Perspective on Life!
Humble Riches
Listening to Your Inner Voice May Save Your Life
Myth And Reality
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Pride Goeth
Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 25,... Read More
Keeping Faith
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 30,... Read More
Moment of Grace
The bedrock of the Christian faith is the good news... Read More
Discover How To Make The Success Generating Imagination Work For You
The secret power of positive thinkers is their faith. And... Read More
Fulfill Your Dreams: Believe in You
What we believe plays a very big role in outcomes... Read More
Moral Obligation & Responsibility
Chances are you have seen some type of disturbance in... Read More
I.Q. You Q. He, She, or It Qs.
I have, in recent years, come to believe that IQ... Read More
Create Your Own Self Esteem - Part 2
The good part of this story is that there is... Read More
Favorite Quotations... What Do They Say About Us?
Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are... Read More
A Little Blessing Changes Everything
"We're on a one-game winning streak!" That's what freshman Dawan... Read More
Beautiful Day Blues
The massive orb dominates the aqua crystalline backdrop of its... Read More
How Do You Read the Bible?
Here's a simple parable with an important moral.Each mirror, you... Read More
Go Ahead, Toss the Starfish!
There is an old story that tells of a man... Read More
Trust Yourself ? The Hero?s Way!
Buying a VCR may not seem like a noteworthy purchase... Read More
Begin With the End In Mind - Tips to Make Your Life More Meaningful
What would you change if you knew you would be... Read More
Courage That Changes Your Life
"The scars you acquire while exercising courage will never make... Read More
Such Love Transforms
Everything was arranged: once the funeral was over, all were... Read More
Unintended Consequences
Direct Answers - Column for the week of May 26,... Read More
Finding Hope In Trying Times
Growing up, as a child of the 60's, peace, love... Read More
Martial Arts CHARACTER And the Universal Law of Interdependence - The Keys to Life Mastery, Key #2
In the philosophical teachings which form the foundation for the... Read More
Aim High
Change is difficult for many people. Often times our whole... Read More
You Dont Find All Drunks in the Gutter: The Story of a Functional Alcoholic!
Today, August 22, 2005, I am clean and sober for... Read More
Doing the Remarkable
When it comes to meeting and conquering the negativity in... Read More
Duplicity
Direct Answers - Column for the week of January 26,... Read More
The Most Famous Line I Never Wrote
There is one line that can dramatically impact your life... Read More
Inspirational |