Christ is enough for me

I know I have blogged before on how I disagree with some of the lyrics of Hillsongs's Christ is Enough. I may have changed my mind but whatever it is, I needed the song today. 

I had to remind myself that Jesus is all I need and that I can definitely depend on him, one hundred percent. 

pearlie

How life should be

Today's sermon was on Proverbs 3:1-8. I find that this passage is divided into four parts, each with what we are called to do, what we are to do and what will happen when we do: peaceful, successful, good and content. 

(1) Do not forget God's teaching but to know it and obey it, and we will have long peaceful days

My son, do not forget my teaching, 

   but let your heart keep my commandments, 

   for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 

(2) Keep steadfast love and faithfulness as a way of life in whatever we do and we will succeed wherever we will be

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; 

   bind them around your neck;  

   write them on the tablet of your heart. 

   So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 

(3) Trust in God, not self, not materially, not abilities, but put our security completely in God, and our paths with be the right and good paths

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, 

   and do not lean on your own understanding. 

   In all your ways acknowledge him, 

   and he will make straight your paths. 

(4) Fear the Lord, for this is is our whole duty, and life will be full and content 

Be not wise in your own eyes; 

   fear the LORD, 

   and turn away from evil. 

   It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Sounds easy but if you think about it, it is a complete surrender to God, to deny self, to take up the cross and to follow Him. It's the only way it will work. It's the only way life will work. 

pearlie

What is trust when there is no transparency?

People are usually secretive to begin with and when we have an organisation of people grouped together for a purpose, secrets abound. 

The topic of transparency is quite widely talked about these days. But it is quite a complicated thing. And what more, in this era where we feel information is so easily attainable, most of us would expect that all information should to be made readily available. 

But is that so? And is it wise to do so?

We do feel frustrated when we are not able to think and decide when we are not given all the information, and yet we are expected to deliver. Can we ask and demand for it or do we accept the fact that we do not fall in the need-to-know-basis category?

I found this article quite interesting: Transparency - exactly what do you mean?

I understand the need for secrecy when it comes to competition. The article says, "transparency calls for the balancing between openness of processes, financial performance, and decision-making vs. the secrecy required for competitive advantage, to protect intellectual and invested capital, and strategic planning. Most people are naturally protective of a new idea, product or initiative, concerned about the potential that someone else might steal their idea and beat them to market, or even improve on it before they can sell it to others and achieve some personal benefit...However, in recent years, open systems and sharing networks have started to prove that transparency in a broader sense can actually help companies, industries and clients – and can lead to enhanced profitability for many different organizations and community elements." 

But the article concluded that, "Transparency is making life a little uncomfortable for a large majority of leaders, but those who embrace these principles and find ways of integrating them into the operational flow of their organizations should see great benefits returned to their organization, teams, and communities. And, who knows, we as leaders may even eventually regain the trust and respect of our communities!"

So when will we really see openness and transparency? 

pearlie