Think Before You Do…

Think Before You Do…

Today before you say an unkind word -

Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food -

Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife -

Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life -

Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children -

Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep -Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive-

Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job -

Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another -Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER.

We all need to be reminded at timesthat no matter how bad things are that there arealways others that have it worse than we do.

Love you!....

A Father Who Trains

A Father Who Trains

Proverbs 22:1-6

Being a father can be thought of as an "investment opportunity." The spiritual leader of the home pours instruction and discipline into his children so that they mature into men and women after God's heart. At a father's knee, a child learns the importance of confessing failure, serving humbly, and living according to scriptural principles.

Teaching requires that we back up our instruction with sound reasoning. It is easy to say, "I'm your father; do as I tell you, "but don't be fooled into thinking that giving orders is the same as training. Children need to understand why they are expected to behave in a certain way. Taking extra time to explain the reason behind a request or a punishment builds authentic respect for authority and develops a child's recognition of wrong and right.

Children will test the boundaries we set for them, often deliberately misbehaving just to learn what our reaction will be. They will also act obediently and then look to us for support and praise. From the time they are very young, we should train them to expect rewards for obedience and disciplinary consequences for disobedience. This is easily done by discussing the choices made by men and women in Scripture stories or by making an example of a child's daily actions--"You cleaned your room as soon as I asked, so now we have time to play some basketball."

Training takes time and involves a commitment to godly principles. The reward is well worth the investment in consistent instruction: children who will not depart from the Lord's way.

On Life and Conduct
1. A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have a common bond,
The LORD is the maker of them all.

3 The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the naive go on, and are punished for it.

4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches, honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards himself will be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Cross references:

Proverbs 22:1 : Prov 10:7; Eccl 7:1
Proverbs 22:2 : Job 31:15; Prov 14:31
Proverbs 22:3 : Prov 14:16; 27:12; Is 26:20
Proverbs 22:5 : Prov 15:19
Proverbs 22:6 : Eph 6:4

The 6 Most Annoying Coworkers: Are You One?

The 6 Most Annoying Coworkers: Are You One?

Nearly every workplace has them: the Naysayer, who dismisses team members' ideas; the Spotlight Stealer, who claims credit for a colleague's efforts; and other annoying coworkers who make collaboration difficult. Following are six professionals whose irritating behaviors and irksome attitudes prevent them from forming productive relationships at work -- and what you should to do avoid following in their footsteps:

1. The Naysayer. This office dweller delights in shooting down ideas. Even during "blue sky" brainstorming sessions, where all suggestions are to be contemplated with an open mind, the Naysayer immediately pooh-poohs any proposal that challenges the status quo.

The right approach: Because great solutions often rise from diverse opinions, withhold comment -- and judgment -- until the appropriate time. Moreover, be tactful and constructive when delivering criticism or alternative viewpoints.

2. The Spotlight Stealer. There is definitely an "I" in "team" according to this glory seeker, who tries to take full credit for collaborative efforts and impress higher-ups. This overly ambitious corporate climber never heard a good idea he wouldn't pass off as his own.

The right approach: Win over the boss and colleagues by being a team player. When receiving kudos, for instance, publicly thank everyone who helped you. "I couldn't have done it without ..." is a savvy phrase to remember.

3. The Buzzwordsmith. Whether speaking or writing, the Buzzwordsmith sacrifices clarity in favor of showcasing an expansive vocabulary of cliched business terms. This ineffective communicator loves to "utilize" -- never just "use" -- industry-specific jargon and obscure acronyms that muddle messages. Favorite buzzwords include "synergistic," "actionable," "monetize," and "paradigm shift."

The right approach: Be succinct. Focus on clarity and minimize misunderstandings by favoring direct, concrete statements. If you're unsure whether the person you are communicating with will understand your message, rephrase it, using "plain English."

4. The Inconsiderate Emailer. Addicted to the "reply all" function, this "cc" supporter clogs colleagues' already-overflowing inboxes with unnecessary messages. This person also marks less-than-critical emails as "high priority" and sends enormous attachments that crash unwitting recipients' computers.

The right approach: Break the habit of using email as your default mode of communication, as many conversations are better suited for quick phone calls or in-person discussions. The benefit? The less email you send, the less you're likely to receive.

5. The Interrupter. The Interrupter has little regard for others' peace, quiet or concentration. When this person is not entering your work area to request immediate help, the Interrupter is in meetings loudly tapping on a laptop, fielding calls on a cell phone, or initiating off-topic side conversations.

The right approach: Don't let competing demands and tight deadlines trump basic common courtesy. Simply put, mind your manners to build healthy relationships at work.

6. The Stick in the Mud. This person is all business all of the time. Disapproving of any attempt at levity, the constant killjoy doesn't have fun at work and doesn't think anyone else should either.

The right approach: Have a sense of humor and don't be afraid to laugh at yourself once in awhile. A good laugh can help you build rapport, boost morale, and deflate tension when working under stressful situations.

It's fairly easy to spot the qualities that make the above individuals irritating -- at least when the behaviors are displayed by others. It can be a challenge to recognize when you exhibit them yourself. You may not realize, for instance, that you always pepper your communications with industry- or company-specific jargon, even when speaking with new employees or outside contacts. Though you may not be a full-fledged Interrupter or Stick in the Mud, take care to avoid heading down their paths.

The best advice: Remember common courtesy and act toward others as you want them to act toward you.