Success and Failure Blog

Does My Work Give Credit to God?

“Knowing someone” has taken on a new dimension. Facebook and the internet make it possible for a person to spread themselves in many directions. I have to confess that I get a thrill seeing all my stuff pop up when I Google “Ramona Taylor artist”. But at the same time it bugs me when I meet someone who knows who I am and I am confident that I have never met them. I recently read an interview of Dakota Fanning she said often she would meet people who would say on introduction, “I know who you are.” Dakota exhorted that she would still like the opportunity to introduce herself. I think the ability to put so much of ourselves out on the social network, makes it possible to relate to what Dakota is talking about. While those who know Dakota may only know her by her public profile, it can be the same for all of us. And in a sense it can feel like a double life. (A real life and a media life).

I have to ask myself if I live a double life. Am I using the gifts God has given me for personal gain or for Him? It is when I am in this dilemma that I wonder if I am even being used by God.

So I put myself in check. Of course I am a sinner, to say otherwise would be lying, and I am reminded each time I sit in an award reception hoping for a prize, that my heart (motives) are often impure. I am unstable when I am seeking recognition from the world and the desire to Glorify God. Not that fame is bad.. (more…)

Mark 1:14b-20 (NIV)   “The Calling of the First Disciples”

Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed him.  When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

What does it mean to follow Jesus today?

Are you following Jesus? How?

Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Taking into consideration the previous quote by John Wesley, is being a follower of Christ an obligation or an opportunity?

Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook explains our followship of Christ in this way, in her book,  Live Like You’re  Blessed,

“God wants us to love and trust Him despite our lack of understanding.  This is the definition of true devotion.  (Our) devotion to God requires steadfast love and loyalty to Him.”

God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing.

You have bedded me down in lush meadows,

you find me quiet pools to drink from.

True to your word,

you let me catch my breath

and send me in the right direction.

Even when the way goes through

Death Valley,

I’m not afraid

when you walk at my side.

Your trusty shepherd’s crook

makes me feel secure.

You serve me a six-course dinner

right in front of my enemies.

You revive my drooping head;

my cup brims with blessing.

Your beauty and love chase after me

every day of my life.

I’m back home in the house of God

for the rest of my life.

A while back I was at Jiffy Lube, sitting in the waiting room…waiting. I was on facebook when the lady next to me asked what People do on facebook. I told her I’m doing a daily bible reading and posting my thoughts on what I read that day. Then the conversation got interesting.. She asked me if I thought I was better because I was a Christian. Then proceeded to explain to me how a contractor she used had the “fish” on his card and proceeded to dupe her out of money(the whole fish or cross as a marketing device is another topic). I told her it sucked when people do that and apologized for “Christians” in general. Then she asked again “do you think you’re better because your a Christian?”   What tumbled through my head was few answers. one being yes, the bible says I am, I mean of coarse I am, I have the creator of the universe residing in me, of coarse I’m better than someone who doesn’t, but that didn’t come out.  Thank you God. I actually kind of flipped it “define good, your version of good, the worlds version of good, or God’s version of good? cause I figure on the world’s version I’m way above Hitler, but far below Gandhi. I can tell you this, I’m better than I was for sure!! I sometimes judge myself against other Christians and realize that scale is even broken… I don’t know what their starting points were, what trash was in their lives that isn’t now, what they are still battling.” at this time I realized I went into my not so famous “preacher mode” and had an audience of about 5.

So I closed with this “I know this, I’m not good, but I know the one who is, and I try everyday to follow him, and when I do, and when I’m obedient, not just good things, but awesome things happen” as if on Que the guy called my name handed me my keys and I walked out.