You came not for gifts of tinsel or gold, nor for fortune and fame. Instead, you came because of love.

Father , I celebrate your coming to earth through Jesus the Christ.  Amen.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Yet, there are a people who are called by my name, whom, if they would humble themselves, seek my face, pray, turn from their evil ways, I will see. I will hear and I will heal their land. Be it so that I will see. I will hear, and my heart will turn toward them, so that I will heal their land. They have fallen from grace, but I will see.  I will hear and I will heal their land, if they would turn their hearts toward me.

• It may not be many, but it only takes a few to turn this land around.

• It may not be many, for it only takes a sailor to turn the rudder and guide the ship safely into harbor.

• It only took one, the Son of God, to light up the world when he died on the cross.

• It only takes one to do this that I have called him to do to bring about needed change in this land, the United States of America.

“Strange”, some may say, but it is never about a crowd. It only takes a spark to get a fire going.

I have found that besides having hope for a good outcome, I can be thankful for the God of Peace – Jehovah Shalom, who  is with me in the middle of every storm.  The presence of His Spirit gives me peace, and for that I am thankful.

He calms the storm so that the waves are still. Psalm 107:29 NKJV

As I approach on foot what appears to be a wonderfully manicured lawn, I begin to see that what originally appeared to be a plant is instead a weed! In fact there are weeds growing in the flowerbeds, around the bushes and in the lawn.  I’m appalled that the homeowners have let their lawn become so marred by these unsightly weeds.  Surely they see them! Why don’t they make it a priority to pull them?  How long could it take to simply spray weed killer on them?

As I’m finishing my walk, still shaking my head about several of the lawns that need care and attention, I approach my own home.  Hmm…what’s that plant sticking up in the middle of my nicely shaped bushes?  Oh my! It’s a weed! Let me pull it!  Twenty minutes later, I’m still pulling weeds because once I pull the first one I see another, and another and another.  I find myself walking around bushes that I don’t typically get close to, and there are all sorts of small, medium and large weeds growing.  I couldn’t see them from the street or from the car as I drove into the garage.  I might have just pulled some a week ago, but with recent rains they’ve had more than enough time to grow again.  I sadly realize that my lawn looks just as bad as my neighbors’ lawns that I criticized.

My husband is always trying (unsuccessfully) to figure out how to permanently stop the weeds from growing. We alternate between removing them ourselves and paying someone to do it; between pulling them by hand and spraying them with weed killer. There’s never a break, we have to constantly stay on top of this chore or they’ll get out of hand.

As I’m pulling weeds I’m reminded how much they are like life. You can get all dressed up in your finest clothes, and from a distance your hair, makeup and nails may look just perfect.  People might look at you in awe as a result of something that you’ve accomplished, but if you’re not pulling your weeds, you may not want people to get too close to you.  They might see your heavy makeup trying to cover the flaws in your complexion, your slip hanging, the missing button on your jacket, and the run in your stockings; signs of trouble in your life. They might see that your smile is plastered on your strained face; signs of trouble in your spirit.  You may look great from afar, but if others get too close they might see that you’ve failed to keep the weeds out of your life.

Weeds are pesky little things…
….They’re little negative actions that left unchecked begin to grow into regular bad habits.  An occasional curse word under your breath when you’re rea­lly upset, turns into a convenient expression to use frequently.
….They’re the little white lie you told your boss, your stockholders, or the press, and then you had to keep lying to cover up the first lie; and now your character is shattered.
….They’re the things you neglect to do because you’re tired, like spending time with God, or respecting your spouse’s needs.  You don’t notice the difference at first, but after a while you realize that your attitude has changed, and not for the better.
….They’re the foods you eat because they taste sooo good, even though you know they’re not good for you, and they exacerbate your health problems….but you haven’t learned to control your appetite, physically or emotionally.
….They’re the unnecessary cluttered papers and dust in the corners of your home or office that resemble the cluttered people in the corners of your life.  They cause you to lose focus on God’s purpose.

I planted a vegetable garden last summer for the first time in my life.  It was just a small 4X4’ raised box, but I found that I had to go out almost every day and “tend” my garden.  I had to pull weeds; “harvest” the ripe tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers, pull any dead leaves, make sure the rabbits and squirrels weren’t getting into it, and of course keep it well watered.  It only took about 10 minutes, but it was a peaceful time, and that small commitment of time enabled my garden to grow bountiful fruit.

In the same way, as I properly tend my life, keep an eye out for the weeds when they’re little and remove them quickly, the positive gifts from God will have room to develop and grow in my life. A wonderful array of His Fruit will be on display for all to see God’s glory in me.

Copyright 2011 Priscilla Archangel, Ph.D.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3: 16, 17)

Thank you Lord for your greatest gift of  love!

You are more than just a chance happening, and you are not a mistake!

Before David became the king of Israel, he was a young shepherd boy who spent much time in the fields caring for his father’s sheep. He was barely considered important by his brothers. Yet, God had an important plan for his life, and sent the prophet Samuel to anoint him as a future king of Israel.

He was favored by God and in the process of time became the second king of Israel.
Who are you?  Who lives in you? If you are a child of the Lord Jesus Christ, then God lives in you and you can believe these words:

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4

Now, be whom God has made you. Do what He has called you to do, and give Him glory through Christ Jesus.

The previous article on Japan is not a story. It bears facts whether they are being reported via radio and television or not.  I am speaking from a spiritual point of view and ‘seeing’ prophetically.

If a map of Japan were to be compared to a malfunctioning traffic light signal,  there would be a pulsating red light over the entire map.  This would remind observers to stop and exercise extreme caution, when dealing with the island and its surrounding air and ocean.

Today, I am saying that Japan can be compared to a malfunctioning traffic light signal and there is a pulsating red light over the entire map.

Unfortunately, winds and tides are not static. They move from one place to another, following ancient routes around the earth. Although their speed may be unpredictable at times, they will get to their destination, wherever that may be.

This morning I was thinking about how a nuclear catastrophe at one location, could affect lives many miles away from its source.   Then I began to compare how the present, unfolding nuclear dangers in Japan, were like a hidden nightmare in a book whose story unfurled bit by bit through the turning pages.

But isn’t it so in many of our lives? Bit by bit, tales of disillusion and pain are revealed from situations both planned and unexpected.
It is often referred to as the journey of life.

In the Bible, Psalm 1 relates how a journey of destruction can proceed step by step until a life is ruined, and it offers an alternative route.

Listening to the wicked and following their advice
Hanging out with those who repeatedly break moral laws and joining with them to mock others who follow God’s guidelines for living.

These are some negative behaviors that if allowed to grow, will destroy a life. Once an individual’s life becomes plagued by sin and he self-destructs and is destroyed, he then becomes like dried grass that is blown away and is no more.

Choosing the wrong path lead to his destruction.  Although the damage in his life may have been seemed gradual, it was still a process that began as a pulsating blob which spread unchecked. Like a cancer, it annihilated him.

The pulsating red light is not only in Japan, but it is in our hearts. Today, may it be a signal that alerts us to turn from  self-centered, manipulative and wicked ways of living, and choose instead, to live in righteousness.  Afterall, doing unto others as you would have them do to you is still the greater way. This is what Jesus taught.

My Prayer: May courage, and the power of God deep within our souls, arise. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, may it cause us to stand for righteousness, and turn our backs on sin.
May our relatives and all people living in Japan be protected from the ills of radiation.

Two hedge fund managers who used to be employed by one of the world’s largest hedge-fund firms were recently charged with insider trading.  The charges came as part of the government’s wide ranging investigation into potential insider trading involving not only hedge-funds but also “expert-networks”.  According to an article by Alistair Barr on MarketWatch.com, these men kept a log of inside information stored on a USB flash drive, and destroyed the external drives when the government’s investigation began closing in on them. Their employer fired them in 2010 for poor performance, and is cooperating with the investigation.  One of the persons charged has already pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud, and a second count of securities fraud.

Throughout the course of time they were able to gather information on technology companies’ profit and loss statements, earnings, sales, product orders, and other information considered “material” or insider information.  They paid cash for the information, and allegedly netted millions of dollars as a result of their fraudulent activity. Other individuals have also been arrested on insider trading charges, and the government has raided several other hedge-fund companies beginning late last year.

I can almost guarantee you that these individuals never expected they would be charged with a crime. Their guilt will be determined by due process of the courts, but meanwhile, their lives have been changed, likely forever.  The world of hedge-fund managers is probably very similar to being in a pressure cooker.  Their role is to anticipate the future of the companies in which they invest in a way that maximizes profits for their funds, investors and employers.  Every bit of intelligence, every hint of information is critically analyzed and added to the equation of predicting the future.

They thrive in an environment of high risk and high stakes.  Their adrenalin rush comes from the huge sums of money they can make from a single transaction, the fortunes they control, and the sheer pleasure of winning.  The thrill from winning leads to the desire to do it again and again. They crave the spotlight of success. They love standing on a pedestal. If they aren’t careful, they may find themselves playing a dangerous game, walking a tightrope, finding it difficult to pull back and make investment decisions without that “expert” information.

Luke 14:11 (NKJV) says “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  People in positions of great power and influence are more vulnerable to making decisions or exhibiting behaviors that will ensure they not only remain in control, but that they increase in dominance and strength.  They may begin to feel that they’re above the normal rules by which others in their profession operate. They become addicted to the thrill of victory.  We’ve seen major political figures, corporate chiefs, entertainers and sports figures all go down this path.  One day they were heralded for their greatness, the next day they were shown on TV being led in handcuffs to a court arraignment….a process now known as the “perp” walk.

By the same token, those leaders in positions of great power who operate with humility, integrity, and a focus on giving to and serving others, will be lauded for their greatness.  Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are examples of such leaders. They’re worth billions of dollars, are shrewd businessmen, but have given more of their money away than they’ve kept.  They see their wealth as an opportunity to benefit those less fortunate than themselves. They understand the greater value of giving over receiving.

A familiar saying reminds us that “the higher you go, the harder you fall.”  So as a leader, make up your mind now whether you’re going to operate in piety or in humility, in receiving or in giving, in deceit or in honesty.

Copyright 2011 Priscilla Archangel, Ph.D.  Click on the following link to visit her website for more on Faith Centered Leadership. http://www.priscillaarchangel.com/

A licensed minister, Priscilla resides in Northville, Michigan with her husband, Evangelist Peter Archangel (www.PeterArchangelMinistries.org). They are available for team teaching on topics related to marriage and faith, and are active members of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, Michigan.