NCarolinian

     The Disciples had occupations ranging from Fishermen, to Businessman, to Tax Collector, to Zealot or Political Revolutionalist and to Treasurer. The most common profession found among the majority of them was Fishermen. Andrew, Peter, James and John, the sons of Zebedee worked as fishermen according to Matthew 4:18-22 . Thomas, Nathaniel and Philip were found fishing after Jesus’ resurrection when He appeared to them, so they also may be fishermen. ( John 21:2-8 ) They at least knew how to fish. That is 7 out of 12 belonging to the Guild of Fishermen.      God calls us to be fishers of men and women just as we are – cracked pots and all. Notice Jesus did not go and call a Pharisee, Saducee or religious leader to be fishers of men? Perhaps that is a reason why they were Sad-U-See (insert groaning here). Jesus summoned those that knew they were imperfect. Paul mentions a quality that Jesus loves to capitalize on – weakness. In Paul’s second letter to ...

I believe appreciation of all your blessings keeps the right attitude. This focus on the affirmative is contagious as it forms a positive cloud around you. The challenge in this world is entering and sustaining that atmosphere of appreciation. Some steps that have helped me and perhaps they will help others are - (1) Enter into prayer with God by thanking Him first for your many blessings, then move into a time of praising Him for who He is in your life. ( Psalm 100:4 ) (2) Sow what you desire to reap. If you want the attitude of appreciation then appreciate someone in person who has blessed your life. ( Matthew 13 ) (3) And hang out with those individuals who are also positive, realistic and appreciative. ( Proverbs 13:20 ) So, practice this attitude with God, sow it with others to reap it in your own life and in the meantime surround yourself with those that already have an Attitude of Appreciation.

Jesus has always existed. Humankind knew Him as Jesus when He was born. That is the name Mary was instructed by the angel Gabriel to give her supernatural baby. However, He has always been and forever will be The Word of God. Father God's Word has always been with Him.  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." (John 1:1-2) The Father, Word, and Spirit of God all live in harmony within the mind and heart of Father God. Anytime Father God speaks, God's Word performs Father God's thoughts perfectly as He, The Word, is uttered from Father God's lips. "'Let there be light' and there was light... " - Genesis 1:3 "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:3). The first question I come to is - Why God? Why create this grand story to begin with? The only answer I keep coming back to is His display o...