The Real Christmas Spirit - Jesus did it!

This advert came out last Christmas. I liked it and would like to share it with you as I did not get a chance last year...

This little boy thought of others, not himself... just like Jesus thought of us.

ENJOY!

What a child really wants

Parents have a tough time now more than ever. Though I do not have children myself, I have listened and seen the personal accounts from parents on what they have to go through in order make sure their kids are safe and well.

Growing up, of course there were things my mum worried about, nothing like today however.
I could go out and play around my block without being worried about being abducted. I was not scared of getting into a fight let alone being knifed or abused by children my age.
My worry was running to the kitchen window and shouting up to my mum to throw down some money before the ice cream van drove off.
Her concern was that I did not go on the main road on my skate board in. I broke that rule many times.

Havn't times changed so much now! Paedophiles, the internet, teenage gangs, drugs in its various form, teenage pregnancies, etc., etc. These are the dangers that every parent dreads will not affect their child, no matter their ethnic background, social status or religion.

There is one danger that I would like to address in this post. Something that is closer to home than many think. It affects children well into their adulthood and have follow-on effects on their children.
The perpetrators of this crime are never caught, arrested, put on trial and sentenced for their crime. It is usually hidden, almost invisible. Some recognise it when it too late if not at all.

And who are the perpetrators?

PARENTS!

This crime is neglect. I'm not talking about not feeding your child, not cleaning them, allowing them to live in unclean conditions while parents 'escape' and party over weekends leaving their children to fend for themselves. The neglect I'm talking about is not giving your child the attention they need in their formative as well as their teenage years.

This not only affects children of wealthy parents who throw money and give their child whatever they ask for, but also children living in poverty.

WHAT DOES A CHILD REALLY WANT?

I'll tell you what a child does not want. When they ask for or accept anything from sweets and money to the latest tablet or smartphone, they ask for or accept these things from their parents because that is what their parents are used to doing to 'sweeten' them up. They think material possessions will compensate for the things a parent should be giving to their child.

I have never seen or known a neglected child now in adulthood continue to say that they still want money, toys or the latest upgrade of that tablet or games console they received as a child.
What we all see is traumatised adults who are affected in their health, their personality or in their relationships with people. They are angry today not because they were spoilt with gifts but because of the lack of attention they so desperately needed.

"There is no toy, money or gadget that will EVER replace the time, the affection, the attention or the love of a parent." Even though no child will say no to these things, what they really want is the above. 

So my advice to parents reading this post.

It does not matter how busy you are, how tired you are, how down you are. You brought your children into this world. Give them the attention they need. Don't have your head buried in the sand thinking everything is rosy.

For some, the damage has been done. However you can still do something about it while there is time. Your children may be parents themselves, but deep down inside they still want mummy or daddy's attention.

If you find yourself being guilty of this neglect, do everything you can to change now.

Your actions can affect an entire generation and those that come after. Think about it!

P4L PROMO

Valentines Day Special  - Tues 14th Feb, 2012 - 7.30am & 00.30am

Insecurities in a relationship - Thurs 16th Feb, 2012 - 7.30am & 00.30am

SKY Channel 219 - 'Partners4Life'

The forward thinker

I recently got over a very bad flu that hit me unexpectedly. I hardly get the flu, but when it does happen, it hits me hard. Thank God I have my wife to look after me when I get like this.

Thinking back, I realise there were a few things that I could and should have done to avoid, or at least limit the chances of catching the flu.

Firstly, I could have avoided being close to that colleague of mine whom I suspected had the flu too. While working near me, he coughed unintentionally next to my face. Had I have known, things would have been different. I wouldn't have stayed as close to him when he was talking.

Secondly, I could have eaten more healthily, strengthening my immune system. I noticed that I hadn't been eating as many fruits and vegetables as I normally do. Also I hadn't been did drinking enough water, or orange juice, something that I personally know I need to drink.

Thirdly, I could have been more active, doing some sort of physical exercise to help strengthen my immune system also.

The thing is, we do not know when we will fall ill. If we did, we would do everything possible to avoid becoming sick. As the saying goes, prevention is better than a cure. Had I been more forward thinking and done all the things mentioned, I could have avoided becoming sick.

Why do people also do this when it comes to relationships?

Why is it that that a woman falls for the same type of man having had the 'x' number of previous relationships end because she could not see, or chose to believe that this time 'he' was different?

Why is it that although he is many years older than you are, you still end up in a relationship with him knowing like the others, he will eventually treat you like his child and not respect you or value your opinions?

Why is it that all women you are interested in or have been with in the past say the same thing about you - You are "stubborn", "proud", "arrogant", "mean", "jealous".

Is every woman you have been with wrong, including the Holy Spirit who says the same thing to you in the service?

Never think 'this time it will be different' when you have not thought, said, reacted to or done anything differently in relation to what you went through in your past. It doesn't work like that.

How can you end this repetition of failure that now makes you believe in your head it's everyone else's fault - even God's?

Firstly, learn from your mistakes! Listen to your gut instinct!

Learn from what you have heard in the church - the use of your faith with intelligence.

Be a forward thinker! Stop your feelings from guiding you to yet another disastrous relationship or even marriage.

By the way, have you been attending the Love Therapy on Saturdays? If not, what are you waiting for? Come and receive the Spirit of love.

If you have understood this message and are willing to attend or you are already attending, then you have caught the forward thinking spirit.

Finding love on the net

Many people have been emailing me asking whether it is OK to start a relationship over the internet. Because of this, I thought it would be appropriate to address this issue now.

While it is a fairly normal thing for non-christians to sign up to a dating website, I wouldn't advise the same for a Christian.
These websites will warn people about the dangers of internet dating, e.g. giving out personal details, meeting alone, etc., which applies to a Christian also. However, a Christian needs to consider a lot more than just saying 'I'm using my faith' and also accepting those words "I am a Christian too." I would even advise against using 'christian' dating websites also.

 I know church-goers who want to find a partner and are prepared to date non-christians because "God is taking too long". I have also heard many times "there is no one in the church for me," as if they dated everyone in the church and then came up with this conclusion.

This person follows what their eyes see in the church and doesn't believe there is anyone eligible for them and yet chooses to believe what that person said in those emails or that profile picture online and the section that says 'Religion, if applicable' which is filled in as - Christian.

Is this person really using their faith as they claim?
 
There are Christians so worried about finding someone that they disregard all the intellect and wisdom they asked God to give them and believe so much that that person is right for them, that they will not even bother meeting up face to face. They have already made the decision to get married. And what is this based on? Emails, letters, a few phone calls - Is that it?

There were no meetings face to face where you could get a much better impression of the person's reactions to questions that you ask them. How can you find this out by words in an email? There is no getting to know about their surroundings; their family, types of places they visit, friends they keep, if they really go to church, how they pray - nothing!
 
Unfortunately those that didn't use their intelligent faith are the ones emailing in and telling us about the consequences of their bad choices and decisions they made. And this will continue to happen to Christians who choose to ignore this advice, not from me, but from others who now have a terrible tale to tell. 

Look out for the warnings signs!
 
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?" -2 Corinthians 6:14,15. 

There is no association with someone whom you do not know properly yet, let alone an unbeliever.
 
So my advice is: Don't go down that road. If you say you have faith, then remember that the time it took for you to change, get serious with God and eventually start praying for someone for your love life, the same is also true for that person who you want to be with. And that person God has prepared for you may only have started attending the church - this week!
 
Think about this!

Attend the Love Therapy Meetings every Saturday at 6pm and learn how to find the right person - God's way

The 3 Worst Ways to Get What You Want - In a Relationship - Thurs 2nd June, SKY Ch 219 - www.partners4life.tv

5 love languages - Thurs 26th April, SKY Ch 219 - www.partners4life.tv

Has the fire fizzled out?

Everything was exciting in the beginning! Meeting for the first time; the butterflies in the stomach, your heart would beat excited at his voice over the phone.

You did things spontaneously too! The weekend getaway, the surprise dinners, romantic drives. You presented her with flowers.

You were so concerned about your appearance too. Hours spent in front of the mirror doing your hair, nails, make-up. Even longer trying to choose that killer outfit for the night ahead. You even cleaned places in your house you never touched in a long time – all this to make an impression on the one you hoped would one day be – The one!

It’s been years now. The children are in school, both of you are working all the shifts you can get.  No more butterflies. Now you can’t bear to hear him breathe ­­– let alone speak.

The weekend getaway? What’s that! Now you wish he would go away. Surprise dinners now are a takeaway one Saturday in a blue moon; Romantic drives - not anymore! Petrol prices are too high; Flowers! Why? – She’s got me for life.

Where’s the fire that once burned for each other.

Now you don’t take any pride in your appearance. Why do you think he had that affair? Because he kept coming home seeing you in a tracksuit, no make-up, hair tied-back and smelling of today’s dinner. You can’t even get rid of that muffin-top since your first child.

Are you going to wait until he decides to leave you and then make a change to your appearance, like so many women have done – When it’s too late!

Once their husband leaves them, they then say to themselves, “I’ll show him what he’s missing” and so they lose the weight, get their hair, nails and make-up done, buy the tightest jeans and high heels and act like they were 18 again. But it’s too late now. The damage has been done.

Here are my tips on how to avoid this ever happening to you:

1.      Put your partner first (After God, of course). Think of ways to please them and not yourself only. Sometimes this means allowing them to have their ‘me time’ eg. Football, reading a book. Respect their own space.

2.      Make time each day to spend with one another. Don’t let daily life come in the way of your relationship. Plan an evening alone. Make babysitting arrangements, if needed.

3.      Be spontaneous. Don’t always plan everything you are want to do. This makes it fun and exciting.

4.      Don’t be predictable. Your time together will always be new and exciting.

5.      Above all, ACT NOW before it’s too late.

Pastor Michael Boodram
love@uckg.org

Sex! - Why the Rush? - Part 2

Did you hear or read the lyrics to the song on my previous blog? - Well, here's the explanation.

Speak to anyone; your parents, relatives, best friend or colleagues about how their experience was of losing their virginity and you may be surprised at the answer you will get.
Like many of you who may have already 'lost it', you will no doubt give the same answer - "painful", "a flop", "it wasn't what I thought it would be", "I wish I had waited", "a disappointment" and "we just fumbled around".

These are replies from those who did not want to do as the title of the song advises 'Let's Wait..."

When you try to rush things, trying to be a grown-up before your time, you will experience pain and disappointment and wished you had waited for the right time and with the right person.

So... What's the rush? Stop trying to be grown up. This should be the best time of your life. Just ask your parents! They will tell you. There's plenty of time to do adult stuff  when you become an adult and are ready to face the consequences - in marriage.

So take my advice... wait for THE RIGHT TIME... OK?

Sex! - Why the Rush? - Part 1

Watch out for Part 2 of this blog!

There's something I want to tell you
There's something I think that you should know
It's not that I shouldn't really love you
Let's take it slow
When we get to know each other
And we're both feeling much stronger
Then let's try to talk it over
Let's wait awhile longer

Let's wait awhile
Before it's too late
Let's wait awhile
Before we go too far

Remember that special night
When all of the stars were shining bright
We made our first endeavor to stay together
We made our very first promise
To love, to share, and be real honest
But on that very first night
It wasn't quite right

Let's wait awhile
Before it's too late
Let's wait awhile
Our love will be great
Let's wait awhile
Before we go too far

I didn't really know not to let all my feelings show
To save some for later so our love can be greater
You said you would always love me
Remember I said the same thing to you
You don't have to be frightened with my love
Because, I'll never give up on you
Let's wait awhile
Ah well before it's too late
You know you can't rush love, love

Let's wait awhile
(Ooh hoo hoo)
Before it's too late
(Let's wait awhile)
Wait awhile
(Our love will be great)
Let's wait awhile
(Wait awhile, ooh)
Before we go too far, oh, oh, ooh

Let's wait awhile
(Let's just take our time)
Before it's too late
(Let's wait awhile)
Your love's so good
(Our love will be great)
We shouldn't rush in
(Let's wait awhile)
Slow it down
(Before we go too far)
Ooh

La da lee de da da de de de, da da da da la da
La da lee de da da de de de, da da da da la da da
La da lee de da da de de de

I promise, I'll be worth the wait

Love Therapy Nite - Saturday 30th April, 6pm (Rainbow Theatre only)