Happiness

“Happiness is an empty dishwasher.”  (Anonymous)

A dishwasher is one of the most useful tools you can buy for your kitchen. It can save you more than twenty minutes when compared to washing the same amount of dishes by hand.  Dishwashers which were once thought to be a luxury appliance have evolved into must-have, time-saving kitchen appliance. Dishwasher prices are mainly affected by capacity and special features, but can also be influenced by certain dishwasher finishes such as stainless steel.  Below are some points to consider if you are in the market for a new dishwasher:

1.   Dishwasher Cutlery or Flatware Trays: The position of the silverware tray is usually a matter of preference and is generally not influenced by washing performance. I tend to prefer a compact tray that sits on the bottom rack, and that easily removes for loading and unloading cutlery. Others prefer a model that is attached to the inside of the dishwasher door which may take less room. 

 

2.   Dishwasher Performance Features: Performance is influenced by the number of washing levels - how and where the jets of water are distributed during the dishwashing cycle. A three-tier system will provide a good washing and more levels will ensure even better coverage, but the price will be influenced. A 'quiet' package is also a good feature. Dishwasher detergent and rinse agent dispensers are usually standard features and a detergent dispense system ensures the right amount to clean the load. Electronic dirt sensors are definitely nice-to-have features. A child safety lock is important if you have small children.

 

3.   Dishwasher Stacking & Racking Features: Standard dishwashers usually have two racks of dishes but some models now have three extending loading options and dishwasher capacity. Special dishwasher features can also include adjustable or removable tines, shelves, racks built to accommodate tall glasses or stemware, oddly shaped and tall items, or convertible racks for multi uses. A small closed basket for baby bottles and rings is also available on some dishwasher models.

 

4.   Dishwasher Washing Cycles: The most important dishwashing cycles are Light, Regular, Pots & Pans and Econo settings. The Econo cycle will air dry dishes saving on heating element energy costs. Enhanced cycles such as Glass or Stemware, Rinse, Quick Wash, Pots Scrub and Sanitize Wash are features you want to have but expect to pay more. A stainless steel dishwasher interior is a beautiful feature but will not improve washing performance. A stainless steel dishwasher washing arm will not rust and will be more durable.

 

5.   Dishwashers Energy Saving Considerations: A dishwasher that proudly displays the Energy Star symbol will save you energy dollars compared to non-qualified dishwasher models. Today's dishwashers have become much more efficient to operate, but cycles have become longer. Some dishwashers have low water features or 'quick wash' options which are handy if you're on metered water use. Another energy saver is a 'delay start' if your electricity usage is calculated on time-of-use rates - you set the dishwasher to wash later when energy is cheaper.

 

6.   Garburator or Hard Food Disposal Feature:  This is certainly a priority feature if you do not like to scrape, pre-wash or rinse your dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Installed right in the unit, it works to eliminate the food residue and grime so it doesn't return to your clean dishes during the rinse cycle. Some models have self-cleaning filters, while others have filters that must be removed and clean manually - you should confirm the type of filtration system with the dealer so you will know what to expect in way of maintenance.

7.   How Hot of Water Temperature Do You Need: The strength of your dishwasher and its efficiency will depend on the temperature it reaches. The market also features dishwashers with two temperature settings and some also include high sanitization settings, which let you protect your dishes from chemicals. Look at the dishwasher(s) you may be considering, and think about how much sanitation you need.

8.   How Many Gallons of Water Does it Use: After you’ve realized what capacity you want your dishwasher to have, you should also take a look at how many gallons of water the dishwasher uses for each cycle? This way you won’t have any surprises on your water bill. The dishwasher specs include the gallons of water used by the appliance, and you shouldn’t overlook these numbers. Don’t forget to consider the gallons per hour and per rack.

9.   What Are the Sound Levels: You don’t realize it until you get it installed, but some dishwashers can be loud if you have a small kitchen. You may not want a loud appliance while you’re trying to watch TV. Many dishwashers are advertised with a “quiet sound,” which can work perfectly for you. The sound you hear means the dishes are getting clean. Consider if you want a quiet dishwasher in an environment that needs to have a quiet atmosphere.

“Thank heaven for dirty dishes. They have a tale to tell. While other folks go hungry, we are eating very well. With home and health and happiness we should not want to fuss. By this stack of evidence, God is very good to us.” (Anonymous)[i]

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE 2018 FROM THE ADVICE BLOGGER

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[i] Sources used:

·        “5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Your Next Dishwasher” by  Consolidated Foodservice in Kitchen Equipment

·        “Before You Buy a Dishwasher - Buying Tips” by Mariette Mifflin

 

The Presence

“All the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” (David P. Jeremiah)

Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. ² They asked people, “Where is the child who has been born to be the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw it rise in the sky in the east and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard about this, it upset him as well as everyone else in Jerusalem. ⁴ Herod called a meeting of all the leading Jewish priests and teachers of the law.

 He asked them where the Messiah would be born. ⁵ They answered, “In the town of Bethlehem in Judea, just as the prophet wrote:  ⁶ ‘Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are important among the rulers of Judah. Yes, a ruler will come from you,   and that ruler will lead Israel, my people.’” ⁷ Then Herod had a private meeting with the wise men from the east. He learned from them the exact time they first saw the star. ⁸ Then he sent them to Bethlehem. He said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, come tell me. Then I can go worship him too.”

⁹ After the wise men heard the king, they left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east, and they followed it. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the child was. ¹⁰ They were very happy and excited to see the star. ¹¹ The wise men came to the house where the child was with his mother Mary. They bowed down and worshiped him.

Then they opened the boxes of gifts they had brought for him. They gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. ¹² But God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod. So they went home to their own country a different way. (Matthew 2:1-12, ERV)

In your worship of Jesus this Christmas, consider offering Him some simpler gifts:

1.   Contentment

“I am telling you this, but it is not because I need anything. I have learned to be satisfied with the things I have and with everything that happens.”  (Philippians 4:11, ICB)

2.   Love for Others

“Let love and kindness be the motivation behind all that you do.” (1 Corinthians 16:14, TPT)

3.   Spiritual Conversations

“In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, NOG)

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.” (Steve Maraboli) [i]

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[i] Inspired by the sermon “Christmas, Pure and Simple: Simpler Gifts” (installment four, final) Sunday December 23, 2018, Pastor Dave Jansen CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.

Homeland

“But our homeland is in Heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from Heaven.” (Philippians 3:20, ICB)

Philippians is the eleventh book in the New Testament. This Epistle from Paul of Tarsus happened as a result of his second missionary journey with Silas to Philippi in Greece (the first Christian community established in Europe) approximately between 49 and 51 AD. This Epistle was probably penned in Rome around 62 AD, which was about ten years after Paul's first visit to Philippi.

In the book of Philippians, we read a series of short vignettes revolving around the Messiah Poem in Philippians 2:6-11. The poem retells the gospel story and references Adam's rebellion from Genesis and the suffering servant in Isaiah. In each vignette, Paul uses words or ideas from the poem to show how living as a Christian means seeing our own story as a living expression of Jesus' story. While the main theme of this letter to the Philippians is all about joy, there are at least five helpful lessons about leadership in the letter as well:

1.   Boss or leader – Philippians 1:30 (ERV) says, “You saw the difficulties I had to face, and you hear that I am still having troubles. Now you must face them too.” Paul minimizes the distinction between himself as the lead apostle and those he is leading by identifying with them and “walking with them.” A boss says, “Go!” A leader says, “Let’s go!”

2.   Check your attitude – Philippians 2:3 (ERV) says, “In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. “ Just before he uses the example of Jesus’ self-sacrifice for our sins as our atoning substitute on the cross, Paul encourages those he’s leading to not think of others as lesser, or even as equals but actually “honor others more than yourselves.” That requires a degree of humility not usually found in most leaders who tend to think of themselves as “special.”

3.   Check your motives – Philippians 2:4 (ERV) says, “Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.” It is easy for a leader to get lost in their agenda, their goal, their passion, and totally miss the vital interests of those they are leading. No one wants to be the tool of a leader. Paul encourages leaders to take time to identify and address, even advocate for the interests of others.

4.   Every leader needs a mentor – Philippians 3:17 (ERV) says, “Brothers and sisters join together in following my example. Also, learn by watching those who are living the way we showed you.” It is frequently said, “Discipleship is best caught, not taught.” Paul understood that and encouraged would-be leaders to carefully, deliberately follow his example, and be willing to learn from other leaders who were also following Paul’s example.

5.   Lead by example – Philippians 4:9 (ERV) says, “And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” The primary way leaders lead others is not by their words but by their example. Jesus understood that principle: “I am your Lord and Teacher. But I washed your feet. So you also should wash each other’s feet. “(John 13:14, ERV)

 

Leading by example is the primary way that “Servant Leaders” — pastors, business executives, church elders, school and university teachers, deacons, group and team leaders, Bible teachers, volunteer coordinators influence others.”Don’t be like a ruler over those you are responsible for. But be good examples to them. “(1 Peter 5:3, ERV)

 “Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others.” (Philippians 2:3, VOICE)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “5 Leadership Lessons from Philippians” by Good News Bible Chapel

·        “About Philippians” by the Bible Project

·        “Epistle to the Philippians” from Wikipedia

 

Choices

“Think very carefully about your choices.” (Haggai 1:7, VOICE)

The older prophet, Haggai (somewhere age-wise in the range of seventy to eighty) recorded his four messages to the Jewish people of Jerusalem in 520 BC, eighteen years after their return from exile in Babylon (538 BC). Haggai explicitly dated his prophecies, down to the day. His name literally means “festival,” perhaps because he was born on the day of a major festival. He ministered during the reign of King Darius I (522-486 BC).

Haggai gave four separate messages, the first on August 29, 520 BC (Haggai 1:1); the second on October 17, 520 BC (2:1); and the final two on December 18, 520 BC (2:10, 20). These messages encouraged the people of Judah to finish building the temple and to have hope in God for the promise of blessings in the future. Haggai had an important message for the Jews who had recently returned from exile. They had forgotten their God, choosing instead to focus on their own interests. What can we learn from the book of Haggai? Here are three essential takeaways: 

1.   Bible prophecy can make all the difference spiritually-To instill a hope in the people, Haggai informed them that one day in the future, the Heavens will be shaken (Haggai 2:20-21). Evil people will be overthrown (2:22), and the Messiah will be exalted (Haggai 2:23). Zerubbabel, a leader among the people, was portrayed as a symbol of the Messiah who is coming.

This future hope motivated righteousness among Haggai’s contemporaries. The same is true of God’s people today. Titus 2:12-13 exhorts believers to “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great Savior Jesus Christ. The prophetic future gives hope to those living in the present. 

2.   It is good to review your priorities occasionally-Haggai reminded the people that while they busied themselves with their own houses, the house of God (the temple) was laying in ruins. The people cared more about themselves than they cared for God. This showed that their priorities were out of balance. Haggai put the people back on track, keeping God and His temple the top priority (Haggai 1:9-11). Haggai exhorts, “Think very carefully about your choices.” (Haggai 1:7, VOICE). Let us make every effort to keep our priorities straight on a daily basis.

 

3.   We pay a price when we procrastinate on spiritual matters-Haggai reprimanded the people for procrastinating in building the temple (Haggai 1:2-6). They had built their own houses, but were indifferent about God’s house. They were exhorted to begin rebuilding immediately (Haggai 1:7-8). Haggai said the reason God had not blessed them was because they had forgotten Him (Haggai 1:9-11). God rewards those who put Him first and seek to do His will. 

 “You have planted a large crop, but your harvest is small. You have food to eat, but it is never enough to satisfy. You have something to drink, but you are never filled. You have clothes to wear, but they are not enough to keep you warm. You earn a salary, but the money runs out quickly, as if there are holes in your pocket.” (Haggai 1:6, VOICE)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “3 Big Lessons from the Little Book of Haggai” by Harvest House

·        “Haggai” by Charles R. Swindoll

 

Faith and Works

“So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. You must also do good to prove that you have it. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good works is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.” (James 2:17, TLB)

The Epistle of James is a handbook to deal with every area of the Christian faith: who you are, what you do, what you say, what you feel, and what you have. A faith-filled life requires you to address each of these areas. James (one of the twenty-two epistles in the New Testament) gives you needed advice to experience the fullness of an active Christian life. Your life won’t change until you move your faith from abstract to concrete by acting on it.

James (the half-brother of Jesus) encourages believers to live consistently in what they have learned, but also to mature in their faith. Throughout the book, you will find a consistent theme of patience and perseverance during trials and temptations. James encourages believers to live humbly by godly insight rather than worldly wisdom and to pray in all situations. Here are ten lessons from the book of James on living out the Christian faith:

 

1.   Rejoice in Trials [James 1:2-4]: James calls us to rejoice in our suffering, but it’s easier to fuss. Fretting stirs the pot of anger, resentment, bitterness, and an unwillingness to forgive, and when those emotions control your behavior, sin is the result. Trials serve God’s purpose in our lives by giving us an opportunity to turn what we believe into action. Faith comes alive when we exercise trust and joy in God’s presence in our lives. Rejoicing in your trials becomes easier when you can focus on the reason for your hope. 

 

2.   Submit to God [James 4:7-10]: Our God is the God of love and victory, and the way to experience that love and victory is through submitting to Him. We submit to God’s love when we recognize that the only reason we live and move and be is because of His love. If we want to live from a place of victory, then we must submit to our commander-in-chief, which means that we might actually have to remove certain behaviors or patterns of thoughts from our lives. Submission leads us into a deeper grace with God because it requires us to humble ourselves before Him. God gives grace to the humble and opposes the proud.

 

3.   Control Your Tongue [James 3:9-12]: At first glance, James presents us with an impossible picture: the untamable tongue. He likens controlling the tongue to a forest set ablaze by a single spark. It’s like the time I participated in a paper lantern lighting event: real flames, dry ground, and paper. One wrong move or gust of wind, and the outcome would have transitioned from beautiful to devastating. Our words have the power to bring life or destruction. If, with your speech, you praise God and curse man, how can you truly say that your faith changes your life? Let God redeem your speech by thinking before you speak. 

 

 

4.   Accept Others [James 2:12-13]: James tells us that when we show favoritism we’ve discriminated amongst ourselves and become judges with evil thoughts. What do you do when you meet a cranky person in the store? Do you ignore her, but smile at the woman with the cute toddler because she seems more approachable? Both people need an encounter with the living God who is alive in you. Remember how God has accepted you, and then extend that acceptance to all. Mercy triumphs over judgment. You’ve received mercy, now extend it to others. 

 

5.   Resist Temptation [James 1:13-15]: Desire is a strong motivator in our lives, and temptation plays it like a bow on a fiddle. It’s as if it knows exactly which string to pluck at just the right moment. It’s tempting to respond with hatred to the person who makes your life miserable because they deserve what they dish out. When this occurs, be aware that your temptations are playing on the desire for revenge; remember, then, revenge doesn’t glorify God. What does glorify God is overlooking an offense instead. Be aware of the tricks of temptations, and don’t be deceived. 

  

6.   Rest in God [James 1:21-22]: Resting in God is not passive, but full of action and adventure. James instructs us that living righteously involves getting rid of moral filth and evil in your life. When our spirit is awakened to God’s truth and we choose to do nothing with it, our hearts are filled with unrest. We must decide to live righteously, but then we must act on that choice and follow through. Examine your life for areas where you know you may not be applying God’s principles for living right before Him, and as you make the changes to live righteously, your heart will know rest. 

 

7.   Assist Others [James 2:22]: James features Abraham and Isaac as proof that faith and actions work together to make faith complete. Would it have been faith if Abraham had waited to obey God before He provided the sacrifice? It’s obedience that grows, strengthens, and enlivens our faith. It takes faith to step out into the unknown as an act of obedience. But our faith grows as God shows up in our obedience. Do you believe God enough to obey Him in faith? He will equip, provide, and come through for you. Serve others as an act of obedience to God, and then watch your faith be strengthened. 

  

8.   Pursue Godly Wisdom [James 3:17-18]: If your tongue is the untamable member of your body, then what must you do? The bridle for our tongues starts in our hearts, moves to our minds, and comes out of our mouths. A changed heart is a heart refined by God’s wisdom, which is what gives us the right words to say at the right time. But how do we know the difference between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom? James provides us with the criteria to decipher between the two. Choose God’s wisdom and let what resides in your heart be pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, mercy-full, good, impartial, and sincere. Pursue Godly wisdom, and your heart will change. 

 

9.   Exercise Patience in Suffering [James 5:11]: Maturing in faith requires patience and perseverance when we suffer. Who wants to be patient in their suffering? We run to the closest thing that gives us relief. We numb our emotions with food, drink, shopping, entertainment, and the pursuit of pleasure. But when the numbness wears away, we feel the suffering again, so we run back to our vices. We could learn much from Naomi. She owned her suffering. She entered into it, and didn’t try to numb it away. We call her blessed because she persevered, but she called herself blessed because God redeemed her suffering. Be patient in suffering. Persevere in trusting God. God is moving even when we can’t see Him. 

 

10.       Pray in Faith [James 5:13-16]: James references Elijah, an ordinary man who God used to accomplish the extraordinary. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah prayed and God answered, stopping any rainfall for three years. Pray when you’re sad, happy, mad, joyful, hurt, or pleased. Confess your weaknesses to a trusted Bible-believing friend and ask for prayer. Confession stops shame's power and the prayer of faith bring healing. You might be ordinary, but you serve an extraordinary God who longs to rise up within you to do extraordinary things through you. 

“The tongue is a blazing fire seeking to ignite an entire world of vices. The tongue is unique among all parts of the body because it is capable of corrupting the whole body. If that were not enough, it ignites and consumes the course of creation with a fuel that originates in hell itself.” (James 3:6, VOICE)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “10 Lessons from the Book of James on Living Out Our Faith” by Jessica Van Roekel

·        “5 Things You Didn’t Know about the Book of James” by Beliefnet

·        “Epistle of James” from Wikipedia

 

Joyful

“A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul.  But the one whose heart is crushed struggles with sickness and depression.” (Proverbs 17:22, TPT)

The book of Proverbs is an example of the Biblical wisdom. It raises questions about moral behavior, the meaning of human life, and right conduct. The repeated theme is that "the fear of God (meaning submission to the will of God) is the beginning of wisdom. Seeking wisdom is the goal of the spiritual life. There is just so much wisdom in the book of Proverbs that it’s not a coincidence that there are thirty one chapters in this book.  Read one chapter for each day of the month. 

After a few years, these proverbs begin to become needed daily godly wisdom for your life.  The book of Proverbs contains many valuable lessons for the believer.  Below are five of the greatest lessons to be taken from this wisdom literature.

1.   “Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself.  Then every plan you make will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3, TPT) We know that God seeks to have us glorify Him. The key point is that if we commit our plans to His glory, for His purpose, and seeking to do His will, then God will bring us success in our endeavors.  God’s promises are sure and if you are seeking to glorify God in your plans, you can be certain that He will make those plans work out.  God’s will is to have us exalt Him in our words, our deeds, and in our thoughts and if we are committed to glorifying God then we knew that we must be truly committed to Him.  We have already learned that “Within your heart you can make plans for your future,  but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.” (Proverbs 16:9, TPT)

 

2.   “Every promise from the faithful God is pure and proves to be true.  He is a wrap-around shield of protection for all his lovers who run to hide in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5, TPT) The main point here is that every single word of God is true. It is pure. It is so perfect that it shields us from a lot of harm we would otherwise incur.  We can also take refuge in His Word for His Word has power.  There is zero chance of reading a part of the Word of God that is not perfect and it is always perfectly good for us.  This is what David knew and why he wrote “God’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls.  His laws lead us to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise.” (Psalm 19:7, TPT).  There is every chance that my words are imperfect, but no chance of God’s Word being imperfect.  His Word is like the old word document program: Word Perfect.

 

3.   “How then does a man gain the essence of wisdom?  We cross the threshold of true knowledge when we live in obedient devotion to God. Stubborn know-it-alls will never stop to do this, for they scorn true wisdom and knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7, TPT) The very beginning of wisdom is not necessarily Bible study, hearing sermons, or attending church, but devotion the Lord.  This devotion is not the kind of devotion of being struck dead but one of reverential respect, deep admiration, and awe of the glory of God for all wisdom comes from God.  He is the ultimate source of all wisdom.  If you want to have wisdom, you must be devoted to the Lord and to have this devotion you must continually abide in His Word, the Bible.  We cannot be devoted to what we do not know and the more we know about God the more we learn to be devoted to Him.  To despise wisdom and be a fool is to not to be devoted to the Lord. Where there is no fear there is no wisdom.

 

4.   “Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions.  With all your heart rely on Him to guide you, and He will lead you in every decision you make.” (Proverbs 3:5, TPT) If you want to see how things go wrong then look at some of this Bible verse in the Old Testament where it was written that ^“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25, NLT)  When mankind, just like Israel did, leaned on their own understanding they were sure to fail.  The idea of trusting in God is trusting in what He says, and what He says often is contrary to what humans believe.  The history of the nation of Israel shows times the results of their leaning on their own understanding.  When we lean on our own ideas then we are showing a lack of trust in God.  Lean on God. For if we lean on our own understanding, we are going to fall and fall hard.

 

5.   “You can rationalize it all you want and justify the path of error you have chosen, but you’ll find out in the end that you took the road to destruction.” (Proverbs 14:12, TPT) This is close to Proverbs 3:5 because what we think is right to us (leaning on our own understanding) ends up leading to death and Solomon could be talking about an eventual eternal death.  When you need to make an important decision, this is the time to get godly counsel and seek the advice of other Christians. You will know what is right if you are in the Word of God every day.  The greatest way to build discernment is to read the Word of God for it has the power to discern what the best path to take is.  This is because God’s “Word is like a lamp that guides my steps,  a light that shows the path I should take.” (Psalm 119:105, ERV)

 “Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed, but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13, VOICE)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·        “5 Great Lessons from the Book of Proverbs” by Jack Wellman

·        “Book of Proverbs” from Wikipedia