How a burnt out star can step out of the fire, victorious!!

it was something that well... sad to say.. expected..

Stars do burn out..
but leaders are more than stars..

Leaders have been annointed, appointed, and called.
Called into greatness,
But also called into the fire places.

And how a burn-ed leader responsed determined how he/she will come out of the fire.

Like sugar, we can turn black and harden..
we can start blaming everyone else for the things that didn't happened, nor what should happened..
we can be angry, and start to lash out at people, thinking that they didn't care..
We can form a wall against the very people whom we need to find comfort in...

OR

Like stones, we can remain lifeless..
we can start to be routinely...
without passion, without interest, without a desire to influence & impact.
we can still stay in the race, but its following the crowd.
there is no more stepping out.
everything that we can do is "safe",
but before long, we start to lose interest, and begin to look for greener pasture, usually outside the kingdom of God.

OR

Like bread, we can allow bitter yeasts to be fed into our lives, and help us grow..
we can be accountable, and allow our leaders to speak words of guidance.
words that may not sound nice, but surely, words that are Spirit-led.
words that like yeasts, help us to grow in our character.

there are times that i know i have to allow my leaders to speak to me..
to be more accountable,
to be more humble,
to be more willing to be invisible and let other lead,
to be more Christ like in my ministry,

to die to myself.

it wasnt always easy.
dying to my own desires or even feelings when i am feeling real bad, lousy and unappreciated.

even though my leaders may not be there for me, i MUST still share.
i MUST still listen to them, and pray through their words.
i MUST still serve, even though there is no fruits, becoz i MUST remain ready when God bring in the next harvest.
i MUST still seek God, even though God didn't answer my prayers, becoz i MUST remember that God is always bigger than my problems.

the heat may not decrease, but like bread,
when i allow God to move, the yeasts will grow, and out of the lump of flour, bread will start to form.

Bakers don't bake the bread in fire for the whole day.
God know how much heat we can take.
And when we are ready, God will surely take me out of the fire, and prepare me for the next level.

Leavened bread are life giving.
How?

Your personal stories & testimonies will encourage others.
Your personal victories will inspires others.
But more than your victories, how God was able to bring you out of your defeats will motivate others to keep trusting God, even when all fronts are lost.

Do you enjoy bread?
I do.

And every time I enjoy bread, i can't help but remember how God will use the fires of life to make me better,
as a leader,
as a minister,
as a friend,
as a husband,
and soon, as a father.

May this bless you!

DISC results for 2009

D: 56%
I: 40%
S: 0%
C: 4%

my goodness.. its a very big increase... and decreases!!!

the lion is roaring again,..
just don't let him bite you!

My Salvation is About Him

Who would look at the cross of Christ and say,
"Great work, Jesus. Sorry you couldn't finish it, but I'll take up the slack."?

Dare we question the crowning work of God?
Dare we think heaven needs our help in saving us?

Legalism discounts God and in the process makes a mess out of us.

To anyone attempting to earn heaven, Paul asks,
"How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles?
Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? ....
What has happened to all your joy?" (Galatians 4:19, 15 NIV).

Legalism is joyless because legalism is endless.
There is always another class to attend, person to teach, mouth to feed.
Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work but never joy.
How could they?
They never know when they are finished.
Legalism leaches joy.

Grace, however, dispenses peace.
The Christian trusts a finished work.

Grace offers rest.
Legalism never does.

Then why do we embrace it?
"Those who trust in themselves are foolish" (Proverbs 28:26 NCV).

Why do we trust in ourselves?
Why do we add to God's finished work?
But the truth is, we don't.

If we think we do, we have missed the message.
"What is left for us to brag about?" Paul wonders (Romans 3:27 CEV).

What is there indeed?
What have you contributed?
Aside from your admission of utter decadence, I can't think of a thing.

"By his doing you are in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Salvation glorifies the Savior, not the saved.
Your salvation showcases God's mercy.
It makes nothing of your effort but everything of his.

"I--yes, I alone--am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again" (Isaiah, 43:25, emphasis mine).

Can you add anything to this salvation?
No.
The work is finished.

Can you earn this salvation?
No.
Don't dishonor God by trying.

Dare we boast about this salvation?
By no means.
The giver of bread, not the beggar, deserves praise.
"Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).

It's not about what we do; it's all about what he does.

Max Lucado
It's Not About Me

from one of the FB quiz..

Hesitant, but forceful.
Usually a loner..

What Plastic Army Man Are You?"
Ans: Flame-thrower Guy!