Today's Word from Joel Osteen... " How Do You See Yourself?"

How Do You See Yourself?

Today's Scripture

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Your imagination is extremely powerful. God created you as a visual being. Choosing the right images in your mind's eye is important because your life will move in the direction of your thoughts. The way you see yourself in your mind's eye, over time, will drop down into your heart and become your reality. If you'll create a picture in your imagination of something you want, or a dream coming to pass and keep it in front of you, then you will move in that direction. I encourage you to get up every morning and picture yourself succeeding! Picture yourself healthy and whole! Picture yourself and your family not only being blessed, but being a bigger blessing to others. If you'll keep the right images in front of you, and always submit yourself to the Lord through prayer and thanksgiving, you’ll move forward into the life of victory God has promised you.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, I come to You today and submit every area of my mind and heart to You. Search my heart and show me what images I need to change in my mind. Thank You for equipping me with everything I need to live a life pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77027V

Copyright © 2007 by Joel Osteen Ministries

connecting with culture

the bourne-again identity

Can we escape our programming?

Can any of us really sail against the cultural tides that shape our minds, our hearts, our imaginations, our everyday decisions?

This is the question that lies behind the breathtaking car chases, visceral fight scenes and frenetic, Machiavellian machinations of Britain’s current number-one film, The Bourne Ultimatum.

Jason Bourne, the film’s central figure, may share initials with his rather more suave British forerunner James Bond, but he is altogether a different kind of secret agent. He is bereft of urbanity, eschews luxurious cars, forgoes casual carnality and has been neurologically reprogrammed to the point where he cannot remember his ‘real’ identity.

A ‘terminator’ of flesh and blood, conditioned to kill on demand. So, he kills. But conscience intervenes. Indeed, whoever Bourne may be, some residue of conscience, some smidgen of the noble patriotism that led him to volunteer for this extreme ‘black ops’ programme remain. He will kill for his country but not in a way that denies the principles his country stands for. Long before he rediscovers his real name, he has rediscovered his true self. He seeks forgiveness.

Redemption beckons.

Millions of people in our driven culture face similar, if less lethal, challenges. Can the real ‘us’ survive? Do we really have to work this way, buy this way, educate this way, pose this way to survive in 21st-century Western society? Can we escape the relentless programming of logo propaganda, the glorified idolatry of self, the genuflection to market forces, the enervating obsession with hollow celebrity, the dearth of enriching relationships? Can we really, as Paul instructs us in Romans 12, not be conformed to this world?

The short answer is ‘yes’. This is indeed the glory of the gospel of Christ. Paul, however, was under no illusions about the tenacity of old patterns of behaviour or the power of the dominant culture to continue to hold sway over our hearts and minds.

Or, indeed, about the cost of living the counter-cultural life. At best we will feel, as Peter puts it, like aliens and exiles (1 Peter 2:11). At worst we may lose our very lives. Being ‘born again’ is a wondrous beginning, but to flourish we need one another and we need ears ‘wifi’d’ to the voice of the Master and hearts filled, like tautened sails, with the Spirit’s breath.

May it be so for you today.

Mark Greene

do we really have to work this way, buy this way, pose this way to survive in 21st-century society?
we need ears ‘wifi’d’ to the voice of the master and hearts filled with the spirit’s breath

CLICK HERE - www.licc.org.uk/culture/the-bourne-again-identity- FOR MORE LINKS AND TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Blogging under Virus Attack

* Hi, I have just read this on the BBC News Website. *

Bloggers battered by viral storm

Some blogs have been found hosting booby-trapped linksGoogle's Blogger site is being used by malicious hackers who are posting fake entries to some blogs.

The fake entries contain weblinks that lead to booby-trapped downloads that could infect a Windows PC.

Infected computers are being hijacked by the gang behind the attacks and either mined for saleable data or used for other attacks.

The Blogger attack is the latest in a series by a gang that has managed to hijack hundreds of thousands of PCs.

Attack pattern

Security researcher Alex Eckelberry from Sunbelt Software first noticed the booby-trapped links turning up on Blogger on 27 August.

Now many hundreds of blogs on the site have been updated with a short entry containing the link.

Mr Eckelberry said it was not yet clear how the links were posted to blogs. The bogus entries could have exploited a Blogger feature that lets users e-mail entries to their journal.

The blogs themselves could also be fake and set up solely to act as hosts for spam.

Read More at the BBC News Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6970368.stm

Personal News,

You may be aware, that the last couple of days, I haven't blogged as much as usual, the reason being I've very busy, after much thought and consideration, I have decided that I need to update my skills and also develop some new skills.

I only applied yesterday, and had to spend some time at my local College, arranging various things for an exciting and challenging step in my life.

From this September, I will be studying for an HND in Computing (Information Systems), at the Neath Campus of Neath Port Talbot College. There has been quiet a lot of work involved in preparing for this, with visits to College and applying via UCAS and with Student Finance Wales.

Two really good friends of mine, helped me to come to this decision, my Pastor, Mike Sutton-Smith, who advised that with my experience with working with Computers, I should consider doing a Computer Course, and my mate Dave Bishop, who until recently was a mature student. Blessings to them Both.

I start on Monday 17th September, so just over 2 weeks to go. In one of my previous posts, I mentioned Paul Scanlon on " God is attracted to Movement." and be taking this step, God has blessed me.

I may add the feature. "The Diary of a Mature Student." to my blog, just think of a Christian version of "The Diary of Adrian Mole, aged 13 & a half" to get some idea.

Blessings

Blair

Seek First the Kingdom

Today's Scripture

“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33 AMP).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

What are you aiming at and striving for in life today? Are you seeking first His Kingdom? The Bible says that His Kingdom is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. When you seek righteousness, which is God’s way of doing things, you are seeking the Kingdom. When you seek peace, both in your heart and in your relationships with others, you are seeking the Kingdom. When you choose joy and invite the Holy Spirit to direct your steps, you are seeking the Kingdom. And just as this verse says, when you make God’s Kingdom a priority, all things will be given to you. What are all things? That’s everything else. That’s provision. That’s health. That’s strength. That’s direction. If you’ve been putting other things first, make the decision right now to change and seek God’s way. Put His Kingdom first. As you do, you’ll begin to experience fulfillment and peace in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today

Heaven Father, thank You for Your Kingdom which is righteousness, peace, and joy. I choose to seek Your Kingdom today. I choose to seek Your way of doing things. I invite You, Holy Spirit, to direct my steps and keep me close to You always.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77027

Copyright © 2007 by Joel Osteen Ministries

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria "Restoration Mentality"

Restoration Mentality




Today's Scripture



“And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten...” (Joel 2:25).

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

God is a God of Restoration! You may have had some disappointments or unfair things happen in your life, but instead of dwelling on the past and living defeated, take a stand and focus on God's promise of restoration. Draw a line in the sand and say, "I am a child of the Most High God, and I'm not going to live my life negative and defeated. This is a new day, and I’m taking back what belongs to me!" That's having a restoration mentality.





God wants to restore everything that's been stolen. He wants to restore your joy, restore your peace, restore your health, and restore your finances. But here's the key: you have to have a vision for it. You have to get your hopes up. You have to decide to get your thoughts and words going in the right direction. Focus on the future and release past hurts through forgiveness.





Decide today to get up every morning hoping, expecting, and believing. Know that God is going to pay you back. Thank Him for restoring everything that the enemy has stolen from you!



A Prayer for Today



Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing to restore my life. Thank You for the truth of Your Word that sets me free. Fill me with Your power today so that I may stand strong and move forward on the path You have for me today. I love You and bless Your Name. In Jesus' Name.





Amen.

Joel Osteen Ministries, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston TX 77027
Copyright © 2007 by Joel Osteen Ministries

Taleban release S Korean hostages "BBC News."

Taleban release S Korean hostages

These three women were the first to be freed on WednesdayTaleban rebels in Afghanistan have released 12 South Koreans - 10 women and two men - out of a group of 19 hostages that they have been holding.

The hostages have been released in three groups throughout the day. They are said to be in good health.

The three women and one man from the latest group to be freed were said to be "hugely relieved" at their release.

The Taleban said the remaining seven hostages would be released soon. The group was initially seized in July.

The hostages were released with the mediation of tribal elders in separate locations.
The first two groups of hostages were handed over to officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross and were then taken to meet South Korean government officials in Ghazni.

Haji Zahir, a tribal elder who has been acting as a mediator, told the BBC he and two other elders had travelled to meet the Taleban and bring the first three women by car to Ghazni.
The second group of hostages was then released in the Shabaz area of Ghazni province, close to the village of Ghazni itself.

Read More, at the BBC News Website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6968179.stm