Every Sunday morning I grab a cup of coffee and stroll down to my office to spend time writing, reading e-mail and checking this forum to see if I need torespond. I turn on the TV to wait to watch CBS Sunday Morning. I have watched this show most Sundays since I was young...it was my father's favorite. But most times, I'm waiting at least an hour for the show to start and in that time I have discovered two shows that have spoken to me on many occasions.
First is Joel Osteen, who is the Pastor of the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. In the past, I had turned this show off because...to be honest...this guy smiles way too much...he's too happy! For some reason, I distrusted his smile and charismatic way of preaching. He wasn't referencing the bible enough, in fact he didn't even have a Bible in his hand to refer to while her was preaching. How could he preach without a Bible near by? Well, one Sunday last year, I got woken up by the voice of Joel Osteen preaching; my husband hadn't turned the TV off before he fell asleep. I can't remember exactly what he was preaching on, but what he was saying was speaking directly to me. I paid attention to his words AND I realised Mr. Osteen did indeed have a Bible perched on a podium off to his side that I hadn't seen in my previous quick viewings. His smiling face was actually comforting, as I hadn't been smiling much lately. He used simple humor and he placed himself in amongst the others of his congregation that were struggling with life's difficulties...speaking to how they, as he needed to learn life didn't need to be so difficult. He taught that God wanted to prosper His people, not to harm them...that through God all things are possible and that only through action will we see and be able to do what God has called us to do. It was a GOYA (Get Off Your A$$) moment for me. I was hooked! I welcomed this smiling man's face every Sunday in to my office as a way to jump start my weeks. I needed what he was he saying because it was not wrapped in a lot theology(though there is much within it, if you are knowledgeable in scripture...it is there)...it was plain speaking, life practical and useful for me at the time. Joel Osteen was just one of the many gifts that God gave me as I was healing from the storm of MLC.
Second is a new discovery and one that even I am surprised that I am watching. Life Outreach International with Jim and Betty Robison. Again, I would flip past this show thinking..."Oh boy, a modern day Jim and Tammy Faye...I don't think so"...CLICK! Anyways, Jimmy Kimmel makes fun of this couple all the time...they must be a farce. Believe it or not...Jim and Betty follow Joel and Victoria here where I live...and there I was caught up on my writing, Joel was over and I hadn't realised that the shows had changed. All of a sudden I hear Beth Moore speaking and who is interviewing Beth Moore ...but Jim and Betty...in fact, I discover that Beth is on this show all the time! Hmmmm?! Beth Moore doesn't affiliate with just anyone...maybe I should give this a chance. Well, admittedly not every week knocks me off my feet, but there has been some great shows with great writers and guests. You shouldn't dismiss Jim and Betty completely. Their organization is doing great works internationally and their show brings some of the top writers and motivational Christian speakers to the television studios. Today, was one of those days. Jim and Betty had Dr. Caroline Leaf on discussing the brain and how we allow our brains to grow negative thoughts. Much of what she was speaking on is exactly what John Assarf and Bill Harris discuss in their books, but this time Dr. Leaf presents it in a Christian perspective through a new product offered by Life Outreach called Your Body His Temple and her book "Who Switched Off My Brain:Controlling Toxic Thoughts and Negative Thinking". When you purchase this DVD or CD series you will receive three great books and audio/video versions of the authors prestentations....a portion of your purchase will go to helping people through Life Outreach International.
You can also find books and offerings by all the above mentioned authors or people at the Women in MLC Bookstore.
Lesson learned this Sunday...Never dismiss people or their purpose just because you are reacting to a stereotype or what others think of them or you have heard or briefly seen. Everyone has a message to deliver...give them the chance to deliver it...you may be surprised...it may be exactly what you have been looking for. Keep you eyes, ears and mind open to the possibilities.
Shepherdess
