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Cure For the Common Life, by Max Lucado


""Sweet spot." Golfers understand the term. So do tennis players. Ever swung a baseball bat or paddled a Ping-Pong ball? If so, you know the oh-so-nice feel of the sweet spot. Life in the sweet spot rolls like the downhill side of a downwind bike ride. But you don't have to swing a bat or a club to know this. What engineers give sports equipment, God gave you.A zone, a region, a life precinct in which you were made to dwell. He tailored the curves of your life to fit an empty space in his jigsaw puzzle. And life makes sweet sense when you find your spot. But if you're like 87 percent of workers, you haven't found it. You don't find meaning in your work--or you're one of the 80 percent who don't believe their talents are used. What can you do? You're suffering from the common life, and you desperately need a cure. Best-selling author Max Lucado has found it. In Cure for the Common Life he offers practical tools for exploring and identifying your own uniqueness, motivation to put your strengths to work, and the perfect prescription for finding and living in your sweet spot for the rest of your life."

Going to school at UMM was a big transition in my life after living under my parents' roof all my life till 18 years old. During my years at UMM, I (Sal) was searching for "identity" and "purpose" in this world. My goal in life prior to UMM was to find a career, make money, raise a family, retire traveling around the world. I really didn't explore the world outside of my own neighborhood growing up in St. Paul. Yes, I did go on a family trip to the Philippines at age 3, went to New York City at age 14, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida the year before. However, I really never was independent at the time-until now (somewhat) making a living after college.

I may have found a career now-just for a season in my life, but I'll not be doing what I'm doing (group home) rest of my life-maybe! I would love to travel the world and visit every country I can imagine.

Is this possible? Yes, but is it God's purpose in my life? People question what is the purpose or meaning of life? Why can't God let me do what I want to do? I don't know the answer, but I can direct you to it-

Bible

What is the Bible? I heard this many times, "It's our Heavenly Father's Love Letter to us". It's more than a book of laws that God wants to obey-that was the Old Testament. The New Testament was written to show that Jesus replaced the "law" through dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins to have eternal life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you..."-Jeremiah 29:11-12


*see Bible

-Old Testament
*see GoodnewsEverybody.com Babies, Children, Kids, etc.. Outreach

Exodus 25

Offerings for the Tabernacle

" 1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give. 3 These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; 4 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 5 ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows [a] ; acacia wood; 6 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 7 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

8 "Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. 9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you."

Exodus 35

Materials for the Tabernacle

" 4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 6 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 7 ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows [a] ; acacia wood; 8 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 9 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

10 "All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded: ...

Bezalel and Oholiab

" 30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the LORD has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts- 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship. 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.

Exodus and the Tabernacle 1 of 3

Exodus 36

" 1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded."

2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work 5 and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done."

6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.

Related Sites:

  • The Materials and the Workmen (Exodus 25:1-7 & 31:1-6), domini.org

  • "However, a few months later, as God was revealing the design of the Tabernacle to Moses, He also revealed that the source of the materials with which to build it would be this newly acquired wealth among His people (Exodus 25:1-7). God realised this would take a willing heart (Exodus 25:2), but He wanted it to be offered of a free-will.

    The pattern of the Tabernacle design had been fully revealed to Moses, the names of the skilful workmen had been made known to him, but it remained necessary for the children of Israel to receive the same vision. Moses spoke to them in Exodus 35:4-29 laying before them all the requirements for materials and encouraging them to have a willing and wise heart (Exodus 35:5,10). The response among the children of Israel was that "every one whose heart stirred him up and every one whose spirit made him willing" brought the required materials to the Lord as a free-will offering (Exodus 35:21).

    This thought is closely mirrored in the apostle Paul's prayer in the New Testament letter to the Ephesians (1:17-18), that God "the Father of glory would give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your heart being enlightened that you may know the hope of His calling". It is a matter of revelation in our spirit and seeing His calling wisely and willingly in our heart that causes us to give all to God for His building.

    This same thought carries through to the skilful workmen and Bezalel and Aholiab (Exodus 31:2-6): "I have filled him (Bezalel) with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship" (v3) "and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all who are wise-hearted that they may make all that I have commanded you (Moses)" (v6). Without the Spirit revealing to our spirit the pattern and significance of the Tabernacle and making us spiritually wise, we have no way to be built up together as the dwelling place of God in spirit (Ephesians 2:22), that is the church. Unless our hearts are enlightened and made wise and willing, we will squander our days in trivial pursuits instead of devoting all to God's purpose and testimony. There were the few particularly gifted men working on the Tabernacle. There were also the many willing-hearted and wise-hearted people, women as well as men (Exodus 35:22,26). It should be that the gifted ones equip the willing and wise ones for the work of service, for the building up of the body of the Anointed One, Christ, Messiah (Ephesians 4:12), the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:9-11)."

    I try to read this in a daily basis as a guide (e.g. map) to live for God everyday. That is what I found is the purpose of life-to glorify God through my worship to Him (Romans 12) in a day to day basis through words and actions-please my Father! Many of us never had a father or didn't have a "good" father. Just picture our Heavenly Father as a dad that you wanted to have! He wants us to know him and seek him when we are in trouble.

    I got tired of living my life on my own-selfishly on my own ambition. I asked Jesus to be Lord of my-life towards the end of my first year in college (1996). Through reading Scriptures-this began the new found discovery of my "identity" and "purpose in life"-in Christ (John 10:10).

    Below is a link that a friend (Winston UMM 03'-Detroit, MI) e-mailed me today, which made me do this website (11.20.03). I pray that this will touch your heart and be put to action in a day to day basis...

    "Interview With God"

    After reading this, please feel free to contact me or better yet talk to Man upstairs!

    "Heavenly Father (Romans 9), I know you created me in your own image (Genesis 1)-perfectly and pleasing to your own eyes-in my mother's womb (Psalm 139:11). You said in your Word that You know the plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11). As I asked you to be the Lord of my life (Romans 10:9), please come reveal your heart to me through your Holy Spirit (John 10) because I want to know your ways in the life you gave me on earth...In Jesus' name-Amen!


    Recommended Resources

    God's Dream

    "What do you think God dreams about? Courtesy of TheFinalWord.TV (www.thefinalword.tv)"

    "Where there is no revelation (e.g. vision), the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. "-Proverbs 29

    Books

  • Chasing Daylight, by Erwin McManus, pastor

  • Chasing Daylight with Erwin McManus - Bluefish TV

    "A Video-Driven Bible Study on the Life of Jonathan Adventure awaits. Opportunity is all around us. In Chasing Daylight, city pastor Erwin McManus calls us to risk everything for a life of genuine purpose. Video teaching and creative learning materials make this a great Bible study for adults"

    Career

    "..In love 5he[c] predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.... 11In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory....-Ephesians 1

  • Career Position, free self assessment
  • Life Keys, discovering who you are, why you are here, what you do best?
  • *I have this book, which has been very helpful!
  • Self-Assessment Test from riley guide a variety of on-line tools to help discover your skills
  • Children

    He Knows My Name by Maranatha Singers

    "I have a Maker
    He formed my heart
    Before even time began
    My life was in his hands

    He knows my name
    He knows my every thought
    He sees each tear that falls
    and He hears me when I call ...

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com LA: Men, dad, father, "Heavenly Father", etc....

    Encouragement

    An Inspirational film that touches your Soul

    "A very well made movie about positive, vibrant and purpose driven living. I got this from www.leadoutloud.ca. "

    Internet Focus

  • Who Am I?, Where did I come from? Why Am I here? Where Am I going when I die?, good person test

  • *Are you going to Heaven?

    Life

  • Purpose Books, from Myles Munroe of Bahamas Faith Ministries Int'l

  • *saw interview with Benny Hinn on TBN on Monday-Tuesday of Nov 2005
  • "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" by Rick Warren, highly reccomended by my local church
  • Purpose Driven Life

  • *Before one knows what the purpose of life is, they ("created") needs to acknowledge their Creator (Genesis 1). Pastor Rick Warren suggests we then ask Him through seeking. Yes, we need to wait, which is very hard for us "busy Americans". Check the book out for more....
    Related Sites:
    -Videos:
    40 Days of Purpose

    "Grace Harvest Church in Moses Lake, WA goes through Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life " The Purpose Driven Life - Part #1, from youtube.com
    Purpose Driven Life Promo

    "promo for 40 days of purpose driven life book, shown at 2 different churchs in CT. "
    RE: The Purpose Driven Life By Rick Warren (Chapter 1)

    A Seminar inspired by Purpose Driven Life, from youtube.com
    "by:Pastor Balmis Diao"

    Movies

    I AM LEGEND TRAILER - IMAX HIGH DEFINITION, youtube.com
    "God had a purpose for you being alive still"-"I Am Legend"
    *see GoodnewsEverybody: Science-Biology

    -Animation

  • Happy Feet (2006) at IMDbPro »

  • "Into the world of the Emperor Penguins, who find their soul mates through song, a penguin is born who cannot sing. But he can tap dance something fierce!"

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Issues: "Low" Self-Esteem, -Image, -"ish", etc...
    *will be watching this on Special Touch on Saturday, February 6th of 2010

    Music

    Rich Mullins--Driving without Headlights

    "One of my favorite excerpts from a Rich Mullins conference. In case you miss the last sentence which is the best one he says, "He chose to give you your life, don't despair of it." "
    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Social Issues: Needy, Poverty, Poor, etc... & GoodnewsEverybody.com Native Indian Americans

    -Worship

    Hymns:

    Here I Am Lord

    "The song is sung by the "Celebrant Singers" you can google their name to find their CD's. It is the only place to buy their CD's."
    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Religious: Catholic, Catholicism, etc..

    -Pop

    Memories of Michael Jackson (This is it extra footage 2 of 2)

    Testimonies
    -Book

  • Ex-hostage: 'I wanted to gain his trust' Monday, March 14, 2005 Posted: 10:42 AM EST (1542 GMT) CNN=>from the author
  • Hostage's servanthood turns accused killer's heart, gains her freedom, from purposedriven.com

  • "During her 7 1/2-hour ordeal, she talked to her captor. They talked about the Bible. She showed him family photos. She told him about how her husband had died in her arms four years earlier. She asked him to not kill her because that would leave her daughter without a mother or a father. She was supposed to pick her up in a few hours. They hadn't seen each other in two weeks.
    Smith asked if she could read to him and picked up her copy of The Purpose Driven Life. Her reading for the day was chapter 33, which says in part:
    "We serve God by serving others. The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige, and position. If you can demand service from others, you�ve arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is not a popular concept. Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. ... To be like Jesus is to be a servant. That�s what he called himself."

    Workplace

  • Occupation, what's my purpose at work?
  • "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."-Philippians 1:6

    Global-Multicultural

    Health

    -Physically Challenged

    Nick Vujicic's Inspirational Talk-Life Without Limbs 1 of 4

    "Life Without Limbs, Gospel, Inspirational Talk, Hope"

    Ministry

  • "The Ministry Gifts" 1 Corinthians 12, bereanbiblechurch.org

  • "..Today we want to study the seven ministry gifts. These nine gifts are very important; your gift is made up of one or more of these nine.
    Recognizing our spiritual gifts can make service for God a real blessing instead of a burden. Let me try to illustrate.
    A group of animals decided to improve their general welfare by starting a school. The curriculum included swimming, running, climbing and flying. The duck, an excellent swimmer, was deficient in other areas, so he majored in climbing, running and flying, much to the detriment of his swimming. The rabbit, a superior runner, was forced to spend so much of his time in other classes that he soon lost much of his famed speed. The squirrel, who had been rated "A" as a climber dropped to a "C" because his instructors spent hours trying to teach him to swim and fly. And the eagle was disciplined for soaring to the treetop when he had been told to learn how to climb, even though flying was most natural for him. Point- when you use the gifts God gave you you'll be effective for Him. When you try to function in an area where you're not gifted you'll be ineffective and unhappy. We need to understand and function within our area of giftedness. ..
    c
  • Spiritual Gifts Bible Teaching for Christians , mintools.com

  • " Define and list the gifts, discover yours with a spiritual gifts test, learn to effectively use and recruit church workers based on gifting"

    Benny Hinn - Preparation for Ministry (1)

    "Matthew 22

    The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

    "1Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 2"The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

    4"Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.'

    5"But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. 6The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

    8"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' 10So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

    11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.

    13"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

    14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."

    2 Timothy 1

    Encouragement to Be Faithful

    "..6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

    8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace...

    -Prophecy

    Uzziah King of Judah

    1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, [a] who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah. 2 He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his fathers.

    3 Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear [b] of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success. -2 Chronicles 26

    *see GoodnewsEverybody.com Issues: Greed, Greedy, Elite, Power, Rich, Wealthy, etc...

    Ecclesiastes 9 A Common Destiny for All

    "I have seen something else under the sun:
    The race is not to the swift
    or the battle to the strong,
    nor does food come to the wise
    or wealth to the brilliant
    or favor to the learned;
    but time and chance happen to them all.

    12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come:
    As fish are caught in a cruel net,
    or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times
    that fall unexpectedly upon them...

    Music

    Al Jarreau - Trijntje Oosterhuis - God's Gift To The World

    Thank you for visiting GoodnewsEverybody.com! Please feel free to e-mail me (Sal) at info@goodnewseverybody.com on any comments, suggestions (e.g. any new websites),complaints, or anytype of feedback to improve this website or leave a comment on my blog

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