This Is The Hour



You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour.
And there are things to be considered:
Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader.
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold onto the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart
and they will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore,
push off into the middle of the river,
keep our eyes open and our heads above the water.
See who is in there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally.
Least of all, ourselves.
For the moment that we do,
our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.
These words of wisdom were handed down to us by the Hopi Nation Elders of Oraibi, Arizona.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

Matthew 16:24

Stack Every Bit of Criticism Between Two Layers of Praise



Shortly after graduation, Joe and Lana married.  One of their first marital discoveries was their very different understanding of "being on time."  Not wanting to end the honeymoon stage too early, Lana found herself mildly complaining about Joe's being late.  But Joe never took the hint, and soon her complaining turned to out-right criticism.

On the surface, there may not seem to be much difference between exposing a problem and criticizing, but in a relationship, the choice of words can bring very different responses.  Criticism attacks someone's personality and character.  When Lana criticized Joe, she would say, "You're only thinking about yourself!" 

Putting an issue on the table for discussion in a positive manner is the first step toward finding a resolution.  A person who asks gently, "Does it embarrass you when we are late?" is opening a dialog for finding the solution to the problem.  Criticism only wounds the spirit, puts the other person on the defensive, and usually ends up in a no-resolution argument.

Watch what you say!  Criticism can cause a wound that takes years to heal, but a kind and gracious attitude in problem-solving can save you years of tears.

Correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:2