Real Life Training

I recently qualified as an AIIM ECM Specialist, however personally I will not go shouting about that as I feel I have not yet got the “real world experience” I feel need to be able to consider myself a specialist on ECM (Enterprise Content Management). Yes, I’ve been on the courses and passed the associated exams, but would my current level of ability reflect this?

This got me thinking about training in general and classifications we assign ourselves and others. In particular I was thinking about the fact that I call myself a Christian...yes I’ve read the “manual”, the bible, and I’ve been getting the “real world” experience ever since I was born, but is that enough to say I'm a Christian?

No it's not! As well as gaining the "real world" experience and reading the bible, we as Christians must live our lives according to God's plan for us. i.e. we must act as Christians in all we do and say, we must continue to read our bibles and most importantly we must pray regularly.

So, have you passed the Christian exam? I would love to say that I do, but if I'm honest, I do not always read my bible, pray or follow God's plan for me as often as I should.

Maybe we should treat our life as an exam, which if we pass will result in us spending eternity with God in heaven. If this is what you want, start your Christian training today and receive eternal life!

Place In This World (Michael W Smith)

The wind is moving

But I am standing still

A life of pages

Waiting to be filled

A heart that's hopeful

A head that's full of dreams

But this becoming

Is harder than it seems

Feels like I'm

Looking for a reason

Roamin' through the night to find

My place in this world

My place in this world

Not a lot to lean on

I need your light to help me find

My place in this world

My place in this world

If there are millions

Down on their knees

Among the many

Can you still hear me

Hear me asking

Where do I belong?

Is there a vision

That I can call my own?

Show me, I'm

Looking for a reason

Roamin' through the night to find

My place in this world

My place in this world

Not a lot to lean on

I need your light to help me find

My place in this world

My place in this world

Lookin' for a reason

Roamin' through the night to find

My place in this world

My place in this world

Not a lot to lean on

I need your light to help me find

My place in this world

My place in this world

Lookin' for a reason

Roamin' through the night to find

My place in this world

My place in this world

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Worthy

God is worthy of praise.
He does so much for us everyday.
Many of the things He does for us, we take for granted...our homes, food, friends, family, nature.
We may not always like the way God answers our prayers, but He has a plan for our lives, and everything He does for us is part of His plan for us.
Give God thanks today for all He does for you.


Worthy Is the Lamb!

Agnus Dei by Michael W Smith

Alleluia

Alleluia

For the Lord God Almighty reigns

Alleluia

Alleluia

For the Lord God Almighty reigns

Alleluia

Holy

Holy are You Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

You are holy

Holy are you Lord God Almighty

Worthy is the Lamb

Worthy is the Lamb

Amen

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

The Christ In Christmas

Everywhere we turn at the moment we're remind that it'll soon be Christmas - There's Christmas decorations going up in people's houses and in the street. Then there's all the pre-Christmas sales urging us to spend our money on "fantastic bargains" or "huge reductions".

Phew! It's exhausting just thinking about it all!

Well I've just spend today Christmas shopping with my Mum, buying the remainder of my presents. I quickly remembered when I got to the shops why Christmas is not my favourite time of year...I hate the shops being so busy and having to join endless queues to pay for one item. Bah Humbug I hear you say, but please be assured I like buying my family and friends presents, I simply dislike the commercialism that has overtaken all things Christmas.

Do you think the people in your community actually know and understand why we celebrate Christmas, and what it's really all about? I would be very surprised if many know what Christmas is really about. The standard answers would probably be "giving and receiving presents", "spending time with family" or "Santa". In other words they have taken Christ out of Christmas!

We as Christians have a great responsibility, particularly at this time of year, to make sure we tell the world about Jesus.

We must remind everyone that without Christ there would be no Christmas!

What Child Is This by Michael W Smith...

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com

P.S. I just about managed to finish all my Christmas shopping today, I hope your Christmas shopping expeditions are as successful.

Where Do I Belong?

"Where do I belong?"
"Is there a vision that I can call my own?"

Are these questions you find you asking yourself?

Sometimes life can make you feel like you don't belong here because you feel you have no purpose in your life. Don't worry you're not alone in having these feelings, many of us do...me included!

But don't despair, God has a purpose for each and every one of us! God planned our life's out for us before we were even born!

If we pray to God and most importantly, listen to God talking to us, He will tell us what our purpose in life is. Put your trust in God, ask Him to show you what He's planned for your life and then make it a reality with God's help.

Place In This World by Michael W Smith


The wind is moving
But I am standing still
A life of pages
Waiting to be filled

A heart that's hopeful
A head that's full of dreams
But this becoming
Is harder than it seems

Feels like I'm
Looking for a reason
Roamin' through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

If there are millions
Down on their knees
Among the many
Can you still hear me

Hear me asking
Where do I belong?
Is there a vision
That I can call my own?

Show me, I'm
Looking for a reason
Roamin' through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

Lookin' for a reason
Roamin' through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

Lookin' for a reason
Roamin' through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world

You can find out more about Michael W Smith at his website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Willing?

You are never too old for the Lord.
You are never too young either.
God only looks for a willing heart to do His Kingdom work.

Is your heart willing?

Give your heart to God today

Visit Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Friends Are Forever

We all need (and want) good friends in our life. What a blessing and support they can be to us. There above song is a beautiful song by one of my favourite Christian singers, Michael W Smith, which is all about the love of our friends.

To me there is one phrase in this song which always jumps out at me "And friends are friends forever If the lords the lord of them" - In other words, your friends will be good friends to you forever when God is at the centre of your relationship.

Good friends are very hard to find so don't take your friendships for granted, tell your friends regularly just how much they mean to you and how much you need them in your life.

Friends
Words: deborah d. smith
Music: michael w. smith

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Cant believe the hopes hes granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem you've gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.

With the faith and love gods given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show

But well keep you close as always
It wont even seem you've gone
cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the lords the lord of them
And a friend will not say never
cause the welcome will not end
Though its hard to let you go
In the fathers hands we know
That a lifetimes not too long to live as friends.

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Deep In Love

Have you ever been in love? It's a wonderful feeling isn't it.
If you have never been in love, you have missed out as it really is something wonderful.

What do you want/expect from someone in return when you both love each another? Love, affection, care, support, understanding - these are just a few qualities you might expect from a loving relationship.

John 16:27 (NIV)
No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God

There is only one person who can offer all these qualities and so much more and who will never ever let you down. Who is that person? Your husband, wife, Mother, Father, brother, sister, friend? No, they may all do there best for you but they will never be all you ever need. God is that person!

Are you deep in love with God? It's never too late to fall in love with God for the first time, so I'd urge you start your relationship with God today as He will love you unconditionally, forever!

Deep In Love with You
(lyrics by Michael W. Smith, Debbie Smith, Christa Black)
Sitting at Your feet is where I want to be
I'm home when I am here with You
Ruined by Your grace, enamored by Your gaze
I can't resist the tenderness in You

I'm deep in love with You, Abba Father
I'm deep in love with You, Lord
My heart, it beats for You, precious Jesus
I'm deep in love with You Lord

Humbled and amazed that You would call my name
I never have to search again
There's a deep desire that's burning like a fire
To know You as my closest friend

Lord, my redeemer, Your blood runs through my veins
My love for You is deeper than it was yesterday
I enter through the curtain, parted by Your grace
Oh, Your the lover of my soul

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

They Can't Wait Any Longer

Today I'd like to ask you to watch/listen to the following video. I'm sure like me you'll me moved/touched by it, so all I'd ask is that you let your heart be touch by the words/music.

The song is Michael W Smith's song "We Can't Wait Any Longer" - It is simply a call to us all to help the needy, poor, and homeless, the victims of war torn countries and the aids epidemic, the impoverished and enslaved.

A silent call from a distant land
Crying for a helping hand, so
How long will it go on?
Ignorance and vanity
Supercede humanity, so
How long it will go on?
I want to know how long will it go on?

We can't wait any longer
They crying out, doesn't matter
We can't wait any longer
No, no. Too long in a slumber
Shake it up,wake it up now.
We can't any longer. No, no.

Another child is laid to rest
Another day of hopelessnes, so
How long it will go on?
And every day we're on the fence brings
Another fatal consequence, so
How long will it go on?
I want to know, how long will it go on?

Yuko awezayo kusikia kilio chetu? (Can somebody hear us crying out?)
Twaomba msaada wenu (Somebody help us)
Aweko mwenye kuttuoka (Somebody save us)
Aweko mwenye kutupa uhuru (Somebody free us)

Checkout Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

All I Want

If you only had one thing in this world, what would you want it to be?

Money, home, family, friends, possessions are all things we often thank God for, or wish we had more of. But do we ever really acknowledge that God is all we need? My own answer would probably have to be a no. What about you?

We should not ever take God's presence in our life for granted, not because He will ever leave us, but simply because we must never forget the amazing and wonderful things God has done and continues to do in our lives.

Today I acknowledge and thank God for being "all I need in this world". I urge you to do the same.

All I Want (Michael W Smith)

All I have in this world
Is fire from above
All I have in this world
Is you
And all the journeys I have walked
I know you've walked them too
All I want is to be faithful
All I want is you

All I have is a love
That set my world on fire
Let it fall, let it burn in me
And oh to be a friend of God is all that I desire
All I want is to be faithful
All I want is you

All I want is you
All I want is you
All I want is you
Is you

All I have in this world
Is fire from above
All I have in this world
Is you
And all the journeys I have walked
I know you've walked them too
All I want is to be faithful
All I want is you

All I want is you
All I want is you
Da...oh oh oh
All I want is you
Is you

Checkout Michael W Smith's website:

http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Hold On

No matter what comes your way, don't give up...help is on the way!

People say that time will heal
But you know, they just don't feel what you feel
Times are hard but God is so good
He's never failed you, and He said He never would

He see's your tears
He fights your fears

Hold on, help is on the way
He said he'd never leave you or forsake you
Stay strong
Help is on the way
He'd said he'd help you
Just reach out and take his hand

He knows your heart, He lifts your head
He's always close enough to hear every word you said
When you're weak, He said He's so much more
His arm is long enough to reach you where you are

He see's your tears
He fights your fears

Hold on, help is on the way
He said he'd never leave you or forsake you
Stay strong
Help is on the way
He'd said he'd help you
Just reach out and take his hand

Help is on the way

Amen!

Visit Michael W Smith's website: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Photograph

Have you accepted God into your life?

If so, can you remember when you found God, and where you were?

I must admit that I don't really remember where I was when as a youngster of about 6 I decided to follow Jesus - I think it was during the Sunday school one week, although I think I was coerced into "making" my decision, by the friend sitting beside me.

Having said that, I definitely do remember where and what I was doing when at the age of 17, I felt compelled to make a public commitment to follow/serve God - It was on Sunday morning in the old Salvation Army hall at Rutherglen, before our Sunday morning service began...yes I did say before the meeting started! I'd been having a conversation with someone who was (and still is) a great support and encouragement to me, and it was during that time that I really felt God's presence and His will for my life.

I will never forget that particular morning. It's almost as if I've taken a photograph of that morning and stored it away in my personal photo album, in my mind.

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Don't deny letting God into your life just because you think now is not the right time. God does not care what time of the day or night it is, where you are, what you are doing or who you're with. God is with us every minute of every day so whenever that moment is right for you, take it. Memorise that moment, as it should a one of the most special moments in your life, so take a mental photo of it.

You can find another version of "Lord I Give You My Heart" on yesterday's blog.

True Friend

"You're my friend" - words we often say to people without really thinking about what that really means. Words that can mean the world to the person we say them to.

What qualities do you expect to find in a friend? Here's a few suggestions:

• friendship
• support
• encouragement
• confidant
• trust
• loyalty
• caring
• love
• understanding

How many of your friends possess all the qualities you'd want to find in a friend?

We are so fortunate when we find a true friend, one we can talk to about anything, one who will support and encourage us, one who will comfort us when we're upset. Those friendship do not happen very often, so when we find one like that say thank you to God for allowing us the opportunity to have these kind of friends.

Never take your friends for granted. Tell them often how much they mean to you, as you never know when it might be too late.

Michael W Smith's song I'll Be Your Friend expresses how even through the difficult times in our lives, our true friends will stick by us.

So many memories and so many miles

The road that stretches behind us

We've had some laughter and our share

Of tears

But all these moments unite us

Ill be your friend for a lifetime

Against the wind and the rain of every season

Wont walk away in the hard times

I will be your friend

I'm saying I will be your friend

Sure as the river runs to the sea

High as the mountain that reaches

You were there by my side till the end

(and) helped me on my feet again

So in the valley walk on

Don't have to face it alone

Cause in the hard times

We keep growing strong

As we learn, as we live

That we live when we give

Thank you God for your friends and what they mean to us.

Thank you Jesus for being the best friend we could ever wish to have.

Home

You've read the title of my today's blog post, so what images or memories has that conjured up to you?

To many of us, we will have thought of our home, a happy, warm, safe place where we live with our loved ones. Or maybe you thought of a specific occassion from recent times or from your childhood, which made you feel "at home".

Here is the dictionary definition of "Home":

• a house, apartment, or other shelter that is the usual residence of a person, family, or household.
• the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.
• an institution for the homeless, sick, etc.: a nursing home.
• the dwelling place or retreat of an animal.
• the place or region where something is native or most common.
• any place of residence or refuge: a heavenly home.
• a person's native place or own country.
• (in games) the destination or goal.
• a principal base of operations or activities: The new stadium will be the home of the local football team.

While we are all sitting somewhere in relative comfort and safety reading this blog, there are many people who have no place to call "home". Therefore, can I ask you today to spare a thought for those who are homeless. No matter what circumstances have resulted in someone ending up homeless, noone deserves to be homeless. No one should have to be homeless.

Please pray for those who are homeless or living rough in our streets. Pray that they will find a safe place to stay and that they get the help they need to change their fortunes.

There are many people who work with the homeless either full time or part time, many on a voluntary basis, so I ask for your prayers for these folk too. Please ask God to continue to help and guide these wonderful people as they try to help the homeless.

With God's help, we can end homelessness. God will help lead the homeless home.



There are so many people in need in our world, so today I just wanted to focus on the homeless. In the coming days I'll ask you to join with me in focusing on/praying for some other needy people in our world.

Thank you.

Come See

So yesterday I said God was my everything (yesterday's blog), but why should you let God be your everything too?

God can be everything you need him to be. He can show you what He wants you to do, what He needs you to be...It's all about God and what He can do for you.

God watches over all of us every minute of every day. He is waiting for each of us to give our lives to Him, so He can use us to spread the great news that He is alive and living in each of us.

God's arms are open and He's waiting for you...

The above song is called Come See and was written and sung by Michael W Smith

Purify

In order for God to work in our lives, we must ask him to do so. We must reject all things the Devil puts in our way to stop us from doing God's will.

We must ask God to purify our heart.

James 4:7-10 (The Message)
So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

The following video is of a fantastic song called Purified by Michael W Smith, which explains how if we give control of our life to God, he will purify us from within.

Purified (by Michael W Smith)

Where the angels see

You are praised as You should be.

But how can I express

My yearning for Your Holiness.

May it be (that)

I will open UP my heart

Search me in the deepest part.

And I will stand in cleansing fire,

By You, purified,

By You I'm purified.

Saviour of my soul

To your strength I yield control.

Purge me from my stain

Sin will lose it's mortal reign.

Make me free (and)

I will open UP my heart

Search me in the deepest part.

And I will stand in cleansing fire,

By You, purified,

By You I'm purified.

You are Holy

You are Holy

Yes You are Holy

You are Holy

You are Holy

Holy

And I will open my heart

Search me in the deepest part.

And I will stand in cleansing fire,

By You, purified,

By You I'm purified.

I'm purified for you.

You are Holy

You are Holy

Yes You are Holy

You are Holy

Give your heart to Jesus today and let him purify you.

The Book

How many "How To..." or "... for Dummies" manuals have you used over the last while?

Whenever we're tackling a new task or trying to work out to the best way to tackle a new job we all tend to find a helpful reference manual to guide us through the steps to succeed.

But what about life? Do you use a reference manual for that?

The following is an extract from the best Life manual ever written...
"Study this Book of Instruction continually. mediate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do"

So what book is the above referring too? It's the Bible. The above is taken from the book of Joshua chapter 1 and verse 8. Within the Bible you will find directions/guidance for all situations you will face in your life - Follow the instructions in the Bible and I guarantee you'll experience the full extent of God's love and support.

Michael W Smith's song entitled "Ancient Words" is all about the Bible and reinforces the message I was trying to give to you - that the answers to all we face can be found in God's book, the Bible. I personally find the words of the chorus very encouraging and very reassuring:

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

No matter whether you have never read the Bible before or whether you've read studied it before, I hope and pray that as you watch and listen to the following video, you are encouraged to open God's word.

Ancient Words (by Michael W Smith)

Holy words long preserved

for our walk in this world,

They resound with God's own heart

Oh, let the Ancient words impart.

Words of Life, words of Hope

Give us strength, help us cope

In this world, where e'er we roam

Ancient words will guide us Home.

Ancient words ever true

Changing me, and changing you.

We have come with open hearts

Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith

Handed down to this age.

Came to us through sacrifice

Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved

For our walk in this world.

They resound with God's own heart

Oh let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

We have come with open hearts

Oh let the ancient words impart.

Get reading now!

Find out more about Michael W Smith at: http://www.michaelwsmith.com/

Here I Am (Part 2)

This song by Michael W Smith tells us exactly what we are giving up for God when we tell Him "Here I Am":




Here I Am (by Michael W Smith)

There's a place where I can go
Where the angels hear me pray
I want to change
Yes I need Your touch
I'm waiting here for You

And I fall, at Your feet
I'll give it all, until the day we meet

Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Here I am
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son
Here I am

Here I come to Your threshing floor
Where the angels fear to tread
I'm waiting here for the King of love
And to hold the hands that bled

And I fall, at Your feet
I'll give it all, until the day we meet

Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Here I am
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son

Tell God today that you are ready to serve Him

DVD Players versus Bibles

So how many of you just came to read this blog because of its title?

Even if it was just the title that got you here, I hope you read on...

This whole post was instigated by a discussion that started at work today, when somehow or other the conversation got round to how many DVD players we each had in our houses. So we each got counting and came up with a number...compared our results, wondered how some had got so many, only to find we'd forgotten about some types of DVD player we had ourselves!

So how many DVD player do you have in your house?

Here's some of those you need to remember to count:

• DVD player
• DVD recorder
• pcs
• laptops
• games consoles

Well did you get them all? Are you surprised how many you have? I certainly was - the other guys at work were also surprised.

Well when I realised just how many DVD players we all have, I wondered how many of them we actually use on a regular basis. For us we certainly do not use all our DVD players on a regular basis, some we do, others I couldn't tell you the last time we used them!

So where am I going with this? Given the number of DVD players I'm sure we all possess but don't use very often, I wondered, is the same thing true of the Bibles we possess!

So, some questions for you to consider:

• How many bibles do you have in your home?
• How many of your Bibles do you use regularly?
• Do you use your DVD players more regularly than your Bibles?
• How often do you read your Bible?
• How long do you spend reading/studying your Bible?
  

Now I've thrown a number of questions at you, what's your reaction to your answers? I was quite shocked by my answers to the above questions. We spend a lot of time these days watch tv, dvds, playing computer games, using pcs/laptops, but do we spend enough of our time reading our bible and praying?

Because of my own answers to the above questions, I'm reevaluating how I spend my time, do you need to do that too?

We only grow spiritually when we read and understand God's Word, and spend time praying and listening to God speaking to us.

Enjoy the music but also acknowledge the message presented in the following video: "Thy Word" by Michael W Smith

Healing Rain

Today I just want to share with you another of Michael W Smith 's songs entitled "Healing Rain". I'm a big fan of all his songs and this is another of my favourites, I just love the words and the music.

Healing Rain (Michael W Smith)

Healing rain is coming down

It's coming nearer to this old town

Rich and poor, weak and strong

It's bringing mercy, it won't be long

Healing rain is coming down

It's coming closer to the lost and found

Tears of joy, and tears of shame

Are washed forever in Jesus' name

Healing rain, it comes with fire

So let it fall and take us higher

Healing rain, I'm not afraid

To be washed in Heaven's rain

Lift your heads, let us return

To the mercy seat where time began

And in your eyes, I see the pain

Come soak this dry heart with healing rain

And only You, the Son of man

Can take a leper and let him stand

So lift your hands, they can be held

By someone greater, the great I Am

Healing rain, it comes with fire

So let it fall and take us higher

Healing rain, I'm not afraid

To be washed in Heaven's rain

To be washed in Heaven's rain...

Healing rain is falling down

Healing rain is falling down

I'm not afraid

I'm not afraid...

God Will Carry You

This is a beautiful song by Michael W Smith, another one of the songs which I've turned to many times.

Don't know if you've picked up on the last few days that I'm feeling a bit low at present - I've a difficult few days ahead, so just been struggling to see past them.

The one of the lines of the above song says, "We were never meant to walk this road alone". There is only one person who can walk through every step of our life with us, pick us up when we fall and show us the right path to talk, and that is God.

So no matter what lies ahead for each of us, we can all be assured of God's presence with us, because He has promised that He "will carry you".

Please listen to/watch the video again or read the words of the song below, and just think about yourself, and your relationship with God and think about this question...

Have you placed your life fully in God's hands?

I Will Carry You
(Eric N Kisner, Michael W Smith)

Sometimes I wonder if my beating heart has a reason
The thought of breathing only takes my breath away
I've spent so many nights wrestling with this feeling
Do I have the strength to make it through the day
But I was never meant
To walk this road alone
I can always trust you
When you say

I will carry you
Be your strength
And pull you through
Reach for me
And take my hand
We will pray
And we will stand
In a world
Crying out for peace
Let your heart be strong
For when I am weak
You will carry me

Sometimes you wonder if the road you're on has a reason
It's hard to go on when you just don't know
We can shoulder all the weight of life between us
Until the fear of what we cannot see is
Cause we were never meant
To walk this road alone
We are bound together
When we say...

I will carry you
Be your strength
And pull you through
Reach for me
And take my hand
We will pray
And we will stand
In a world
Crying out for peace
Let your heart be strong
For when I am weak
You will carry me