Archive for the ‘Christian Living’ Category
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on May 18, 2012
Darkness (Photo credit: Roberto F.)
Sometimes the darkness that surrounds us brings dread and doubtful thoughts of never seeing the light of day. And unfortunately, many give in to the hopelessness that pierces their soul. Then they are held hostage, caught in the mental crossfire between optimism and pessimism.
Felix Adler says it like this:
An optimist is a person who sees only the lights in the picture, whereas a pessimist sees only the shadows. An idealist, however, is one who sees the light and the shadows, but in addition sees something else: the possibilities of changing the picture, of making the lights prevail over the shadows.
But may I encourage you? As a Christian believer of Jesus Christ, know this: Not only should you be an idealist seeing the possibilities of changing the picture, of making the lights prevail over the shadows, you have been given the authority to command the change through the powerful energy the Light radiates through your life (John 1:9; 8:12).
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Posted in Christian Living, Faith, Inspirational | Tagged: believe, Christ, christian, Christianity, Darkness, Felix Adler, God, Idealism, Jesus, Jesus Christ, life, Light of the World, Pessimism, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on May 8, 2012
I’ve learned the best way to handle a problem person is to focus on what’s going on with me “internally” that makes me react to that person’s behavior, which I have no control over. Could it be that I have a problem, Lord? So then, I become the student, and the Holy Spirit my Teacher. God, the Holy Spirit, aka Spirit of Truth, uses the problem person as a “visual aide” in the classroom of my life to make sure I know the truth about myself, and comprehend the lesson being taught.
My prayer is: “Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws. Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. Yet you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true (Psalm 119:149-151).
The psalmist doesn’t claim that God makes problem people disappear. He merely points out that while they are near, so is God. Big problems gain a different perspective when we remember the nearness of a bigger God. The one thing that’s certain, no one or no-thing is bigger than my God. Moreover, I learn how to redirect my energy on what’s most important. I remind myself of God’s laws, and I am strengthened by His powerful presence in my space. When He’s in my space, problems and difficult people who may be causing the problems appear much smaller, insignificant compared to my relationship with Christ, and even disappears altogether. In other words, even if they’re there, I don’t see them; I only see my Big God. He’s magnified a thousand times over.
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Posted in Christian Living, Relationship, Spiritual Growth | Tagged: Christ, David, difficult people, Garden of Eden, God, HolySpirit, Lord, problem people, Psalm, relationship, Spirit of Truth | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on May 5, 2012
When we don’t, or can’t see how things will “work out” the inclination is to say, “Forget it! What’s the use.” We think our only option is to give up. Often others try to persuade us to see things from their viewpoint, or look at the brighter side, they tell us. But sometimes when all around you is darkness, you feel there’s no brighter side…there is no light at the end of the tunnel, it’s only a cliche. But there is! There’s a Light shining brightly. But you can’t always see it with the natural eye. Sure, this life brings unexpected challenges, unbelievable conditions, and unimaginable calamities…. But is it really the time to give up? Or could it be a time to step up and look up— a time to stop, reflect within and ask, “What am I to learn from this? What direction should I take that will lead me on the right path to purpose? After you ask these questions, then listen for the answers to come from within, and watch for the answers to be revealed from without in the many ways the Great Power of the Universe chooses to speak. But giving up…? Perhaps not. Coming from another perspective—a more spiritual one, we can’t be so quick to give up Think about this. It’s a perspective from Pamela McQuade that I agree wholeheartedly with:
When we are facing dire troubles, God never deserts us. As life ebbs away, He does not step back from our need. No, the Eternal One guides us every step of the way, whether life is joyous or discouraging. God never gives up on you and never fails you. So don’t give up on yourself.
Be encouraged! There is a Light! I pray that you will see it so that it will dispel the darkness that surrounds you, and that you will experience true happiness, and peace. You deserve it. Don’t give up on yourself, and don’t give up on Life and Truth.
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Posted in Christian Living, Faith | Tagged: believe, challenges, Faith, hope, Jesus Christ, life, love, options, purpose, trust | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on April 30, 2012
“One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian is that I don’t ever get up in the morning and wonder if what I do matters. I live every day to the fullest because I can live it through Christ and I know no matter what I do today, I’m going to do something to advance the Kingdom of God.” —Chuck Colson
Wow! What a powerful statement! Shouldn’t this be the declaration of all Christians? Reading this quote enlightened me, and inspired me to share my perspective.
Being a Christian presents us with some amazing opportunities to end our search for significance— because I was recreated in Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10). I can be confident that what I do matters. I am making a difference in my sphere of influence. Getting up morning after morning wondering if what I’m doing matters can cause discouragement, especially when I don’t see the desired outcomes immediately.
Moreover, since my search for significance has ended and I live my life through Christ, my daily reality is filled with potential and purpose. Therefore, I am intentional about the decisions I make every day. Thirdly, I’m certain about my call—be a witness of Christ in whatever I do. I resolve that I am going to do something to bring others into this magnificent Kingdom that I am a part of. I want someone else to experience relationship with the King.
Mr. Colson’s life is a testimony to God’s power to forgive, redeem, and transform lives.
His transformation reminds us that we should never give up on people, the fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose for their life. God’s desire is to see lives changed…souls converted and reconciled to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ. Mr. Colson’s life was also a perfect example of Romans 8:28 being manifested in the life of born-again believer of Jesus Christ. God will take the unpleasantness and even use the bad decisions that we often make, and cause them to work together, and bring about the good that He’s invested in all of His creation.
It is my sincere prayer that the legacy and work Mr. Chuck Colson started will continue. As a volunteer with Prison Fellowship, I know the impact this ministry has made in my personal life and that of inmates I’ve had the opportunity to minister to.
Portion of contents taken from The Colson Center website: www.chuckcolson.org
To read tributes visit www.chuckcolson.org/tributes/
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Posted in Christian Living, Faith, Inspirational, Tribute | Tagged: christian, Chuck Colson, Faith, Jesus Christ, life, prison fellowship, prison ministry, religion | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on April 12, 2012
How much time to you spend analyzing …trying to “figure out” life. To be truthful, we are not qualified to figure out life, even for those who call themselves life coaches. Being a life coach does not mean you have all the answers to the life’s complexities and challenges, but that as a coach you help others navigate the course of life with all its detours.
Even the Teacher of Ecclesiastes, a man who possessed brilliant powers of wisdom and observation had to conclude some things are beyond understanding. Failing in his attempt to “figure out” life, he fell back on simple advice: Fear God and obey him, no matter how things seem to you. In essence, he concluded in favor of a life of faith. For him, an old man, most of life had already passed; in eloquent poetry he describes the decay that was already at work in his body. Therefore, he stressed to us, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before your days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, ‘I find no pleasure in them.’ -Eccl. 12:1
The Preacher gives us wise advice to teach generation after generation. If we spend all of days trying to figure out life, by the time we’re mature in age, facing physical, mental and emotional challenges, we will have found no pleasure or delightfulness in living. Enjoy life! It’s short. You can be here today and gone today. Live. Laugh and love. Live each day with thanksgiving, trusting the all wise God to be the captain of your soul—the One who can navigate the course He has already charted for your life. And hopefully, at the end of your day you will have lived a purposeful life.
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Posted in Christian Living, Inspirational | Tagged: believe, Christ, Faith, healthy living, laugh, life, live, love | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on March 28, 2012
The book of Nahum is not a popular Old Testament and the author is not one of the Major Prophets because the book is very short in length—only three (3) chapters. However, there is a powerful message that can build our confidence in the character and power of God. Nahum predicts and describes Nineveh’s fall. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, a powerful empire during ancient times. The Assyrians were cruel and ruthless enemies of God’s people. But Nahum said:
“The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished. He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath his feet.” -Nahum 1:3
Few people can stare into the face of such raw power as that of the Assyrian empire and come away unimpressed. Nahum did so only because he had seen a far greater power—the power of a God whose wrath could shatter rocks. If God was angry, how could Nineveh stand? Nahum’s absolute confidence in God is underlined throughout his book. Nahum sounds unintimidated, almost lordly. He spoke with confidence because he knew God’s character.1
Like Nahum, there’s a sense of boldness and unintimidating confidence when you know a far greater power—the power of a God that spoke the Universe into existence, which we marvel at to this day. Yet, this same powerful God is a loving Father who delights in caring for us and obligates Himself to protect and provide for His people…those who trust and obey Him as their Lord and Savior.
Those who are confident in God’s power and love are not intimidated by others who parade themselves as equal in power to the only living and true God of the Universe. So, like Nahum, we can speak with confidence because we know God’s character.
Too often we fret over the guilty—those who take advantage of others—exploitation, extortion, and oppression. Too often we give up and retreat disheartened by the pain caused when the guilty go free. Too often we compromise our values and succumb to the influence of those guilty of promoting immorality, hatred and injustice. Too often we are guilty of being entertained by the slanderous remarks about those trying to enhance the quality of life for the poor and disadvantaged. Too often we are guilty of joining forces with those who devise plans to set themselves up as the great powers that be—do not fret over the guilty, neither be afraid. Trust in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Remember, the LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. Therefore, make sure you’re not among the “guilty.”
More important, if you find yourself among the guilty, there’s a way out. Jesus Christ. He died on the Cross among the
“guilty” although He was innocent. He was crucified with the guilty so that everyone could be declared “not guilty” although we all deserve the penalty of sin. Yet, God’s love is so incomprehensible that He made it as easy as ABC for us…. Admit/Acknowledge your guilt (I am a sinner). Believe in your heart that His Son, Jesus Christ died for our sin, and that He rose from the dead. Confess (declare) with thanksgiving by faith He is your Savior and Lord by asking Him to come into heart, take control of your life and change you from the inside out. It’s that simple to start your journey to learn more about God and become confident in His character just as Nahum. As a result, you won’t have to fret over the guilty.
1NIV Student Bible Journal
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Posted in Christian Living, Faith, Salvation | Tagged: believe, Christ, christian, Faith, guilty, heart, Salvation, sin, sinner | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on March 3, 2012
1 Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
2 One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known.
3 Of course, there’s no speech, no words—
their voices can’t be heard—
4 but their soundextends throughout the world; their words reach the ends of the earth.
Have you ever been talking to someone you thought was listening to you only to find out they weren’t? How did you know they weren’t listening? You knew they were listening because they didn’t respond, or their response was irrelevant. How did that make you feel? After all, you believed that what you were saying was important. You believed that the person you chose to share it with would be interested in what you had to say. Right? Chances are they weren’t listening because they were distracted by their personal concerns, ideas, and issues. Whatever the reasons for their inattentiveness, you were made to feel as if what you had to say was unimportant; it didn’t demand their attention. That is not a good feeling. We all want to believe that when we engage in serious conversation, we will get the respect and appropriate response from the other person, as they listen to what we have to say. We shouldn’t have to scream and yell to get someone’s attention! On occasion, our body language or facial expressions say, “Listen” to what I am saying.
The heavens speak the loudest at sunrise and sunset declaring God’s glory. Although these majestic moments are silent, their splendor screams glory to the heart that believes and knows there is a God. While man has been given the gift of scientific knowledge to explain these cosmic occurrences, when we behold the beauty of these wondrous signs of time changes throughout the globe, it should be evidence to remind us that God is in control of the Universe; and we should give heed to what He says and desires for us, trusting that He is well able to take care of His own. After all, it’s His world!
“Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities. All things were created by God’s Son, and everything was made for him. God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together” (Colossians 1:16-18).
Yet the question remains, “Are we listening?” Do we listen only when the roaring, destructive winds hurl heavy objects across 
blackened skies, and flatten the places of complacent comforts? Or do we only listen when the downpour of torrential rains floods our homes and streets bringing mobility to a halt? Or do we only listen when winter blizzards cover cities and shut down commercialized camaraderie? The One who wants to interact with His most precious creation, which He built for the purpose of communing with, desires that we listen attentively to what He has to say; and that we recognize His glory and honor Him with our lives. I pray that we listen while His voice can be heard in the silent splendorous of a sunrise or the majestic moment of a sunset. I pray that as we listen, our response will be an emphatic, “Yes, Lord!”
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Posted in Articles, Christian Living, Faith | Tagged: believe, Christ, christian, cosmic, creation, Faith, God, god is in control, scientific, spirituality, sunrise, sunset, time, Universe | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on February 24, 2012
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
The beautiful verses above in Psalm 139 describe God’s inescapable presence as a comfort and guide. I’m a witness to the comfort God’s presence brings. I’m convinced once you personally experience His presence in your life, especially in times of sorrow and grief, you will want to spend more time in His presence. Actually, it becomes habitual. People have a lot of habits; most of them are not good; most of them are harmful to the physical body, and emotional well being. So, why not start a habit that is good for the “whole” you— physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I go to run from your presence? Truth is at the point in my relationship with Jesus Christ, I don’t want to escape from His Spirit, or run from His presence; I want to run to Him. I want to run to Him like a child runs to her father with outstretched arms and unspoken words, but her daddy knows what she wants—pick her up.
And it is when I am emotionally frail and need to feel the loving arms of my Father that His presence rescues me, and I am strengthen.
I now have a good habit that I cannot break—running into God’s inescapable presence for comfort, peace and strength.
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Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on January 21, 2012
Hannah Whitall Smith, a speaker and author (February 7, 1832 – May 1, 1911) said,
“The things we think on are the things that feed our souls. If we think on pure and lovely things, we shall grow pure and lovely like them.”
How appropriate for the times in which we’re living. It’s so easy to get distracted by what we hear and see, and before you know it you’re eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The more we chew on the ugliness we see, and profane things we hear, the more likely we are to become spiritually infirmed and dis-eased. Do you realize some distractions are strategically placed and planned by the enemy to lure you off the right path of a healthy and peaceful life journey with Christ? And if you’re not sober and alert, before you realize what has happened, you will be on the pathway that leads to self destruction. The best way to avoid distractions is to feed your soul spiritual food. Start your day with a healthy breakfast to break your will so you don’t do things your way that day. For lunch enjoy a delightful mixture of Word, praise and worship to keep your spirit energized, and to hold your carnal mind in check. And then for dinner, enjoy a healthy and hearty full course meal with all the trimmings—meat and bread of the Word, prayer of thanksgiving, fruitful praise, truthful and spirited worship as your delicious dessert.
Remember, it’s easy to think on the naughty, negative, and not so nice things that cause fear and frustration. But make the decision to think on things that are pure and lovely. For example, the unconditional love and innocense of a child, the kind words of a stranger, the forgiveness of a friend you wronged, most of all, the breath of life and hope of eternity. Take the time to think on the small things that we often take for granted while trying to grab hold of the grand things in life. Dine on the healthy snacks rather than the junk food, and watch how you begin to cherish healthy living by exercising your faith. Watch how you will grow and become spiritually healthy and mature. Before you know you will be in the habit of thinking on those things that provide nourishment to your soul, and see how strong you will be in the Lord. You will become more like Christ—pure and lovely—when your eating habits become healthier, and you exercise your faith in Christ daily.
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Posted in Christian Living, Inspirational, Spiritual Growth | Tagged: appetite, Christ, eating habits, God, healthy living, spiritual food | 1 Comment »
Posted by Queen E. F. Phillips on January 14, 2012
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. —James 1:22
Attending Sunday morning worship services weekly and going to Bible study religiously can easily become habitual, with no life-changing results. Attendance is a good thing, but the ultimate purpose should be to experience change—spiritual growth. This is what James wrote about. We are not just hearers of the word, but doers.
When James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this letter the believers from Jerusalem had been scattered throughout Judea, Samaria, Phoenicia, and to Antioch in Syria and Cyprus. This scattering was due to persecution under Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-5), which began with the stoning death of Stephen. James’ letter addresses practical issues for Christians to demonstrate a lifestyle that exemplifies their Christian faith. James instructs and motivates Christians to develop a mature and consistent faith and to show how Christians can have a loyal friendship with God and with each other.
In essence, James is not writing about how to become a Christian, but instead how to act like a Christian; in other words “practice” what you preach. Having all the correct beliefs about Jesus Christ is not enough. Even demons believe. Real, life-changing faith should produce action. James is specific in his description of the spiritual actions expected of Christians. The primary concern expressed in James’ letter is that readers mature in their Christian walk of faith. And the way to DO that is to apply biblical principles, and obey His command. Conclusively, just do it! James’ words are just as easy to understand today; but the question of the day is: Are we doing what he says? What kind of behavior characterizes our spiritual lives?
Too often Christians choose to compare their works and spiritual growth to the actions of others who profess to be Christians. Apostle Paul addresses this misconception in Galatians 6:4-5 (CJB), So let each of you scrutinize his own actions. Then if you do find something to boast about, at least the boasting will be based on what you have actually done and not merely on a judgment that you are better than someone else; for each person will carry his own load.”
Be sure to keep attending Sunday morning worship services and scheduled Bible study religiously, just make sure your habitual attendance is producing habitual change in character and conduct. Then you’ll be well on the path to “powerful living” by doing (obeying) the word, not merely listening to it and deceiving yourselves.
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Posted in Christian Living, Spiritual Growth | Tagged: bible, Christ, church, Faith, Jesus Christ, mature, obedience, spiritual growth, Sunday worship, word of God | Leave a Comment »
