Jon Guerra - I Will Follow ... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

When the sea is calm and all is right

When I feel Your favor flood my life

Even in the good, I'll follow You

Even in the good, I'll follow You

When the boat is tossed upon the waves

When I wonder if You'll keep me safe

Even in the storms, I'll follow You

Even in the storms, I'll follow You

I believe everything that You say You are

I believe and I have seen Your unchanging heart

In the good things and in the hardest part

I believe and I will follow You

I believe and I will follow You

When I see the wicked prospering

When I feel I have no voice to sing

Even in the want, I'll follow You

Even in the want, I'll follow You

I believe everything that You say You are

I believe and I have seen Your unchanging heart

In the good things and in the hardest part

I believe and I will follow You

I believe and I will follow You

When I find myself so far from home

And You lead me somewhere that I don't wanna go

Even in my death, I'll follow You

Even in my death, I'll follow You

When I come to end this race I've run

And I receive the prize that Christ has won

I will be with You in Paradise

I will be with You in Paradise

I believe everything that You say You are

I believe and I have seen Your unchanging heart

In the good things and in the hardest part

I believe and I will follow You

I believe and I will follow You

I believe everything that You say You are

I believe and I have seen Your unchanging heart

In the good things and in the hardest part

I believe and I will follow You

I believe and I will follow You

I believe and I will follow You

Pergunta # Question

Qual é a coisa que estás cansado de ver online?

Porque o Amor # Because Love

Porque o amor é justamente isso: É ficar muito inseguro. É ter aquele medo o dia todo de perder a pessoa. É ter medo o dia todo de se perder. É veres-te mergulhado, enredado… em algo que não tens mais controle.

 #

Because love is just that: It's becoming very insecure. It's having that fear all day of losing the person. It's having that fear all day of losing yourself. It's seeing yourself submerged, entangled... in something you have no control over.

Amor é... esperando que gostes de mim.

Para onde vais procurar ajuda se não vais olhar para o que é mais forte do que tu?

To what will you look for help if you will not look to what which is stronger than yourself?

* Jay Bryant Ward - Child of God

Imagem do Dia # Image of the Day

A Onda Rochosa (Rocky Wave) está localizada no Planalto do Colorado, perto da fronteira de Utah e Arizona, nos EUA.

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The Rocky Wave is located on the Colorado Plateau, near the Utah and Arizona border, USA.

Irritado, Sim. Pecar, Não. # Angry, Yes. Sinning, No.

Não somos chamados a um estado de passividade de impulsos, sem espinha dorsal, deitados como tapetes do nosso vizinho. Vivemos como pessoas, pessoas redimidas, mas como seres humanos. Sentimos todo o espectro de emoções que Deus criou: tristeza e felicidade, paz e descontentamento, amor e desdém, medo, ira, e ainda mais. David sabia disto, e temos inúmeros Salmos para prová-lo.

Um homem que viveu bem depois de David escreveu este quarto Salmo e sentiu estas muitas emoções. Neemias, depois de dedicar a muralha reconstruída de Jerusalém e completar uma tarefa quase intransponível, deixou a cidade em negócios com o rei Artaxerxes. Após o seu regresso ele encontrou a liderança que tinha abandonado o Senhor e foi permitindo que os incrédulos vivessem "nos átrios da casa de Deus" (Neemias 13:7). A resposta de Neemias: "isso muito me desagradou" (Neemias 13:8). Ele até chegou a ameaçar que se estas pessoas continuassem a pecar ele iria "lançar mão em vós" (Neemias 13:21), e não em oração! Há então uma ira justa que deve existir no coração dos redimidos. Tal como acontece com a indignação de Jesus para com os cambistas (João 2:15), e a ira de Paulo para com os falsos mestres (Gálatas 5:12).

A ira é uma resposta certa contra o mal e a injustiça. No entanto, há uma linha ténue entre a ira e o ódio; um profundo ressentimento leva ao ódio, e vai bem além da ira. Portanto, "irai-vos, e não pequeis" (Efésios 4:26), lembrando que "a ira do homem não produz a justiça de Deus" (Tiago 1:20).

~ Salmo 4:4-5

#

We are not called to a state of pulse-less passivity, no longer in possession of a backbone, lying down as our neighbor’s doormat. We live as people, redeemed people, but humans nonetheless. We feel the entire spectrum of God created emotion: sorrow and happiness, peace and discontent, love and disdain, fear, anger, and even more. David knew this, and we have numerous Psalms to prove it.

A man who lived well after David penned this fourth Psalm and felt these many emotions. Nehemiah, after dedicating the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem and completing an almost insurmountable task, left the city on business with King Artaxerxes. Upon his return he found the leadership had forsaken the Lord and was permitting unbelievers to live "in the courts of the house of God" (Nehemiah 13:7). Nehemiah’s response: "I was very angry" (Nehemiah 13:8). He even went on to threaten that if these people continued sinning he would "lay hands" on them (Nehemiah 13:21), and not in prayer! There is then a righteous anger that should exist in the heart of the redeemed. As with Jesus’ anger toward the money changers (John 2:15), and Paul’s anger toward false teachers (Galatians 5:12).

Anger is a right response to evil and injustice. It is a fine line however, between anger and hatred; deep seated resentment leads to hatred, and goes well beyond anger. So "be angry, and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26), remembering that "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).

~ Psalm 4:4-5

Tim Timmons - Cast My Cares ... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

In the middle of the night
When worry finds me
In the middle of the fight
When strength is gone
In the middle of a fire
When fear is closing in
You are, You are my song
You're my hope, when hope is gone

I will cast my cares on You the almighty
I will cast my cares on You 'cause You're good
I will cast my cares on You 'cause You love me, You love me
Oh, oh because You love me

In the middle of the night
When worry finds me
In the middle of the fight
When strength is gone
In the middle of a fire
When fear is closing in
You are, You are my song
You're my hope, when hope is gone

So I will cast my cares on You the almighty
I will cast my cares on You 'cause You're good
I will cast my cares on You 'cause You love me, You love me
Oh, oh because You love me
Oh, oh because You love me

God of glory
You are able
Through Your power
To be faithful
God of mercy
Every moment
You are near to me
[x2]

So I will cast my cares on You the almighty
I will cast my cares on You 'cause You're good
I will cast my cares on You 'cause You love me, You love me
Oh, oh because You love me
Oh, oh because You love me

In the middle of the night
I'll pray with confidence
In the middle of the fight
You're greater still
In the middle of a fire
Your love is holding me
You are, You are my song
You're my hope, when hope is gone

Pergunta # Question

Qual é a coisa que fazes mais frequentemente possível para te sentires VIVO?

Quando o sofrimento é tudo o que vejo, que eu possa caminhar Contigo pela fé e não pela vista.

When suffering is all that I see, may I walk with You by faith and not by sight.

Amor é... aquele que te ajuda a colocar os dias negros atrás de ti.

Quanto mais longa a explicação, maior a mentira. ~ Provérbio Chinês

The longer the explanation, the bigger the lie. ~ Chinese Proverb

Imagem do Dia # Image of the Day

O maior pato de borracha do mundo está a boiar em águas de Hong Kong, na China. O "brinquedinho" criado pelo artista holandês Florentijn Hofman tem 16,5 metros de altura.

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The largest rubber duck in the world is afloat in the waters of Hong Kong, China. The "toy" created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman is 16.5 meters tall.

O Lindo Escândalo # The Beautiful Scandal

É do conhecimento comum que os seres humanos são imperfeitos. Mesmo que não se aceite a doutrina Cristã da depravação do homem (pecado) um ditado cultural popular diz: "Somos apenas humanos". É ao mesmo tempo um reconhecimento e entendimento de que as pessoas falham e muitas vezes são imperfeitas. Como crentes devemos entender que este sentimento brota da realidade do pecado na vida de cada ser humano. Sem "a redenção que há em Cristo Jesus" não podemos fazer nada a não ser pecar (Romanos 14:23), relegando-nos a uma vida de forma consistente "destituídos da glória de Deus".

Aqui está a boa notícia, Paulo não parou no versículo vinte e três! Somos levantadas a partir de um lugar de condenação para um lugar de adopção. É como se estivéssemos no lugar do réu no julgamento e todos soubessem sem sombra de dúvida que somos culpados. Mas uma coisa maravilhosa aconteceu, em vez de condenados a pagar a penalidade pelo o nosso crime o Filho do Juiz tomou o nosso lugar, e fomos declarados justificados. Este é o belo escândalo da cruz, que o justo tome o lugar do injusto (1 Pedro 3:18). Entenda a sua redenção através de Jesus hoje e deixe a Sua bondade levá-lo ao arrependimento (Romanos 2:4).

~ Romanos 3:23-24

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It is common knowledge that humans are imperfect. Even if one doesn’t hold to the Christian doctrine of man’s depravity (sinfulness) a popular cultural saying is that, "We’re only human". It is both an admission and understanding that people fail often and are imperfect. As believers we should understand that this sentiment springs from the reality of sin in every human’s life. Without "the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" we can do nothing but sin (Romans 14:23), relegating us to a life consistently "short of the glory of God".

Here’s the good news, Paul didn’t stop at verse twenty three! We are raised from a place of condemnation to a place of adoption. It is as if we were on the stand in trial and everyone knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that we were guilty. But a marvelous thing occurred, and rather than send us to pay the penalty for our crime the Judge’s Son took our place and we were declared justified. That is the beautiful scandal of the cross, that the just would take the place of the unjust (1 Peter 3:18). Understand your redemption through Jesus today and let His kindness lead you to repentance (Romans 2:4).

~ Romans 3:23-24

Ed Sheeran - Photograph ... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

Loving can hurt
Loving can hurt sometimes
But it's the only thing that I know
When it gets hard
You know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive

We keep this love in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
Times forever frozen still

So you can keep me
Inside the pocket
Of your ripped jeans
Holdin' me closer
'Til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone
Wait for me to come home

Loving can heal
Loving can mend your soul
And it's the only thing that I know (know)
I swear it will get easier
Remember that with every piece of ya
And it's the only thing we take with us when we die

We keep this love in this photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Our hearts were never broken
Times forever frozen still

So you can keep me
Inside the pocket
Of your ripped jeans
Holdin' me closer
'Til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone

And if you hurt me
That's OK, baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go

Wait for me to come home [x4]

Oh you can fit me
Inside the necklace you got when you were 16
Next to your heartbeat
Where I should be
Keep it deep within your soul

And if you hurt me
Well, that's OK, baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages you just hold me
And I won't ever let you go

When I'm away
I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost
Back on 6th street
Hearing you whisper through the phone,
Wait for me to come home.

Pergunta # Question

Qual é a coisa que te deixa sempre a querer mais?

Bom Mesmo # What Is Really Good

Bom mesmo é quando te esqueces das redes sociais, ignoras todas as notificações, desligas o telemóvel para não incomodar, não ligas para nada que está a acontecer no mundo virtual e nem no real, o importante mesmo é o que está a acontecer ali, naquele momento, o resto torna-se apenas resto e quando acaba e cais em ti, foi tudo tão bom que nem te lembraste de tirar fotos.

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What is really good is when you forget the social networks, you ignore the notifications, you turn off your cell phone so it won’t interrupt, you don’t bother with nothing that’s happening in the virtual world not even in the real one, the important really is what’s happening here, in this moment, the rest becomes only the rest and when it’s over you realize, it was so good that you didn’t even remember to take pictures.

Amor é... (está) no ar.

Quem diz que tem apenas uma vida para viver não deve saber como ler um livro.

Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book.

Imagem do Dia # Image of the Day

O Museu Dalí, em St. Petersburg, na Flórida.
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The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg, Florida.

As Dificuldades da Liderança # The Hardships of Leadership

Ser um verdadeiro líder não é sempre fascinante. Não há sempre centenas de pessoas a fazer fila querendo ser como tu. Isto pode ser testemunhado no livro de Neemias. Lemos que os líderes viviam em Jerusalém e o resto tirava à sorte.

Neemias é o registo da reconstrução de Jerusalém. Durante a restauração, os inimigos ameaçavam atacá-la enquanto as paredes e portões eram reconstruídos; não era necessariamente o lugar mais seguro. Esta é uma razão porque o indivíduo vulgar não se inscrevia imediatamente para lá viver. Viver em Jerusalém também significava deixar um lugar anterior de residência, onde tinha a sua quinta e animais.

A esta altura, Jerusalém ainda não estava terminada e os negócios teriam sido lentos. Os líderes fizeram um sacrifício. Alguém tinha que lá viver e iniciar o processo de criação de uma cidade mais uma vez movimentada. Poderá ser isto o que muitas vezes significa liderança? Não pedir às pessoas para assumir um risco a teu favor, mas sim tomar um por elas? Jesus até disse que veio para servir e não ser servido (Mateus 20:28). Isto é o que é liderança. Aprendemos como fazer isto nas suas formas mais puras através de Jesus e a Sua morte substitutiva na cruz. Ele nos chama para darmos a nossa vida pelos outros, porque Ele deu a Sua por nós (João 15:13).

~ Neemias 11:1-2

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Being a true leader isn’t always glamorous. There are not always hundreds of people lining up, wanting to be just like you. This can be witnessed in the book of Nehemiah. We read that the leaders lived in Jerusalem and the rest drew lots.

Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem. During the restoration, enemies threatened to attack it as the wall and gates were rebuilt; it wasn’t necessarily the safest place. That is one reason the average Joe didn’t immediately sign up to live there. Jerusalem living also meant leaving a previous place of residence, which had one’s farm and lively hood.

At this point, Jerusalem was not yet finished and business would have been slow. The leaders made a sacrifice. Someone had to live there and start the process of creating a once again bustling city. Could this be what leadership is often about? Not asking people to take a risk for you, but rather taking one for them? Jesus even said that he came to serve and to not be served (Matthew 20:28). That is what leading is. We learn how to do this in its purest of forms through Jesus and His substitutionary death on the cross. He calls us to lay down our lives for others, because He has laid down His for us (John 15:13).

~ Nehemiah 11:1-2

Crowder - Come As You Are ... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

Come out of sadness
From wherever you’ve been
Come broken hearted
Let rescue begin
Come find your mercy
Oh sinner come kneel
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are

There’s hope for the hopeless
And all those who’ve strayed
Come sit at the table
Come taste the grace
There’s rest for the weary
Rest that endures
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t cure

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are
Fall in His arms
Come as you are

There’s joy for the morning
Oh sinner be still
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal
Earth has no sorrow
That heaven can’t heal

So lay down your burdens
Lay down your shame
All who are broken
Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home
You’re not too far
So lay down your hurt
Lay down your heart
Come as you are
Come as you are

Pergunta # Question

Se acordasses amanhã sem medo, o que farias primeiro?

...amor & paciência

Amor é... raspar a neve do pára-brisas dela.

Informação é informação não existe informação boa ou má, tem tudo a ver com o que fazes com ela.

Information is information there's no such thing as good or bad information, it's all what you do with it.

Imagem do Dia # Image of the Day

Norte-coreanos em homenagem a Kim Il Sung.
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North Koreans in honor of Kim Il Sung.

Caminhar com Fé # Walking in Faith

Já todos sonhámos em fazer algo de grande para Deus. Estes sonhos podem envolver alguma forma de sacrifício ou um grande salto de fé. Vemos os outros à nossa volta que venderam tudo para seguir Jesus como missionários nalgum canto do mundo e vê-mo-los como pessoas de grande fé, talvez até mesmo aspiramos ser como eles.

Considere isto, se tivéssemos sentados naquele barco com Pedro, teríamos pensado que ele estava cheio de fé ao começar a sair do barco e a caminhar em direcção a Jesus. Mas de repente, algo ainda mais estranho aconteceu e Pedro começou a afundar-se. Aquela coragem e fé que ele tinha em Jesus estava a diminuir ao ver o vento e as ondas cada vez maiores.

A verdadeira medida da fé de uma pessoa, então não é apenas o primeiro passo de sua caminhada de fé, mas os passos subsequentes depois disso. Lidamos com isto cada vez que ficamos animados sobre algo, começamos qualquer projecto só para pararmos a meio porque era muito mais difícil do que o previsto. A mesma coisa acontece quando cremos que Jesus quer que façamos alguma coisa. Mas à medida que começamos a fazê-lo e não sai como pensávamos, ou o ministério não está imediatamente a crescer, começamos a afundar-nos, perdendo a fé e o foco em Jesus. O que devemos entender é que se Jesus nos chamou para dar um primeiro passo, então Ele irá providenciar um caminho para cada passo em direcção a Ele depois disso.

~ Mateus 14:30-31

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We have all dreamt of doing something great for God. These dreams might involve some form of sacrifice or great leap of faith. We see others around us who have sold everything to follow Jesus as a missionary in some far corner of the world and view them as a person of great faith, maybe even aspiring to be like them.

Consider this, if we had been sitting in that boat with Peter we would have thought he was brimming with faith as he began to climb out of the boat and walk toward Jesus. But suddenly, something even stranger happened and Peter began to sink. That courage and faith he had in Jesus was getting smaller as he saw the wind and the waves getting bigger.

A true measure of a person’s faith then is not just the first step of their faith journey, but the subsequent steps thereafter. We deal with this every time we get excited about something, starting any given project only to stop halfway through because it was much more difficult than anticipated. The same thing happens when we believe Jesus would have us do something. But as we start doing it and it doesn’t turn out like we thought it would, or the ministry isn’t immediately growing we begin to sink, losing faith in and sight of Jesus. What we must realize is that if Jesus has called us to make a first step, then He will provide a path for each step toward Him after that.

~ Matthew 14:30-31

Danny Gokey - More Than You Think I Am ... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

You always think I'm somewhere on a mountain top
But never think behind bars
You'd be amazed the places that I'd go to be with you
Where you are

So forget what you've heard
What you think that you know
There's a lot about Me
That's never been told

I'm more than you dreamed
More than you understand
Your days and your times
Were destined for our dance
I catch all your tears
Burn your name on My heart
Be still and trust My plan
I'm more than you think I Am
More than you think I Am

Rumor has it there's a gavel in My hand
I'm only here to condemn
But let me tell you secrets you would've never known
I think of you as My best friend

So much has been said
Even done in My name
But I'm showing you now
Who I really Am

I'm more than you dreamed
More than you understand
Your days and your times
Were destined for our dance
I catch all your tears
Burn your name on My heart
Be still and trust My plan
I'm more than you think I Am
More than you think I Am

Let Me open your eyes to see the heart of Me, differently
Come closer than you've ever been
Let Me in like never before
Bring Me every broken part
The wounds and scars of who you are
And hide in Me and you will see

I'm more than you dreamed
More than you understand
Your days and your times
Were destined for our dance
I catch all your tears
Burn your name on My heart
Be still and trust My plan
I'm more than you think I Am
I'm more than you think I Am
More than you think I Am
More than you think I Am
I'm more than you think I Am

Pergunta # Question

Quem é que na tua vida gostarias de ter conhecido mais cedo?

Não olhes para trás a menos que seja uma boa vista.

Don't look back unless it's a good view.

Amor é... dizer-lhe que ele fica ainda mais irresistível de óculos.

De vez em quando, no meio de uma vida comum, o amor dá-nos um conto de fadas.

Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale.

Imagem do Dia # Image of the Day

Robins do Mar também conhecidos como Gurnard.
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Sea Robins also known as Gurnard.

Seja um Dador de Graça # Be a Grace Giver

A questão do perdão genuíno é de uma importância eterna. E porquê, pode perguntar, é tão crucial que os Cristãos perdoem? Para começar, a declaração de Jesus no texto de hoje é uma razão muito convincente, pois "se não perdoar os outros... tampouco vosso Pai vos perdoará as vossas ofensas." Basta dizer em seguida, é melhor ter a certeza de que estamos a perdoar os "nossos devedores"(Mateus 6:12). Aqui está a questão de fundo: o perdão é um elemento tão central para o Cristianismo que é um indicador da salvação! Não que sejamos salvos por quaisquer obras nossas, como perdoar os outros, mas que quando estamos reconciliados com Deus através de Cristo a nossa nova vida será marcada por dar graça e perdão. Lembre-se, o nosso pecado foi trocado pela justiça de Jesus (2 Coríntios 5:21), o nosso mal pelo Seu bem, a nossa injustiça pela Sua justiça. Deus encontra-Se com a nossa rebeldia e orgulho com a graça em e através da pessoa e obra de Jesus. Aqueles a quem a graça se estendeu também devem estender a graça, e aqueles a quem o perdão é estendido também devem estender o perdão.

~ Mateus 6:14-15

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The question of genuine forgiveness is one of eternal importance. And why is it, you may ask, so crucial that Christians forgive? For starters, Jesus’ statement in today’s text is quite a compelling reason, for "if you do not forgive others... neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Suffice it to say then, we had better make sure we are forgiving “our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Here’s the bottom line: forgiveness is such a central element to Christianity that it is an indicator of salvation! Not that we are saved by any works of our own, such as forgiving others, but that when we are reconciled to God through Christ our new life will be marked by grace giving and forgiveness. Remember, our sin was exchanged for Jesus’ righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21), our wrong for His right, our injustice for His justice. God meets our rebellion and pride with grace in and through the person and work of Jesus. Those to whom grace is extended should also extend grace, and those to whom forgiveness is extended should also extend forgiveness.

~ Matthew 6:14-15

The Nebblett Family - I Will Change Your Name ... ♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫

I will change your name

You shall no longer be called

Wounded, outcast,

Lonely or afraid

I will change your name

Your new name shall be

Confidence, joyfulness,

Overcoming one,

Faithfulness, Friend of God,

One who seeks My face

I will change your name

You shall no longer be called

Wounded, outcast,

Lonely or afraid

I will change your name

Your new name shall be

Confidence, joyfulness,

Overcoming one,

Faithfulness, Friend of God,

One who seeks My face

Confidence, joyfulness,

Overcoming one,

Faithfulness, Friend of God,

One who seeks My face

Pergunta # Question

O que mais se arrepende nunca ter dito a alguém?

Não Se Encontra o Que Se Procura # You Don't Find What You're Looking For

Se pudesse ter uma vida paralela, gostaria de ter a vida de um caracol, carregando comigo a casa e plantando-a onde houvesse sol e silêncio, onde houvesse mar e espaço, onde houvesse tempo e distância. Onde houvesse essa improvável e louca hipótese de ser feliz fora do mundo. ~ Miguel Sousa Tavares in Não Se Encontra o Que Se Procura

#

If I could have a parallel life, I would like to have the life of a snail, carrying with me my house and planting it where there was sun and silence, where there was sea and space, where there was time and distance. Where there could be this crazy and unlikely hypothesis to be happy outside the world. ~ Miguel Sousa Tavares in You Don't Find What You're Looking For

Amor é... uma viagem numa rua nova.

O abraço é a única coisa do mundo que quanto mais apertado ele é, mais alívio ele dá.

A hug is the only thing in the world that the tighter it is, the more relief it gives.

Imagem do Dia # Image of the Day

Bananas vermelhas, também conhecidas como Red Dacca bananas são uma variedade de banana com pele vermelho-púrpura. Elas são mais pequenas e mais gordas do que a banana Cavendish comum. Quando maduras, as bananas vermelhas podem ter um tom creme a cor-de-rosa clara. Elas também são mais suaves e mais doces do que as variedades amarelas Cavendish, com um leve sabor a framboesa. Muitas bananas vermelhas são importadas de produtores da Ásia e da América do Sul. Elas são as favoritas da América Central, mas são vendidas em todo o mundo.

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Red bananas, also known as Red Dacca bananas are a variety of banana with reddish-purple skin. They are smaller and plumper than the common Cavendish banana. When ripe, raw red bananas have a flesh that is cream to light pink in color. They are also softer and sweeter than the yellow Cavendish varieties, with a slight raspberry flavor. Many red bananas are imported from producers in Asia and South America. They are a favorite in Central America but are sold throughout the world.

A Prática da Auto-Disciplina # The Practice Of Self-Discipline

Os especialistas dizem que leva 21 dias para formar um hábito. Depois de ler isto, pode pensar, "Apenas 21 dias de acordar cedo para ler a minha Bíblia e depois vai ser fácil!" Muitos também têm pensado assim, mas, isto não funciona assim. A auto-disciplina espiritual não é um objectivo que nós simplesmente forçamos a tornar-se num hábito, pois se fosse esse o caso, não haveria nenhuma necessidade do Espírito Santo nas nossas vidas. Lembre-se então de Gálatas 5, auto-controle é um fruto do Espírito. Nós não o teríamos sem o Espírito a dar-nos e a trabalhar em nós. Esta constatação levanta então a questão, como podemos tornar-nos mais auto-disciplinados na nossa vida espiritual?

Considere o que Jeff Iorg coloca no seu livro O Carácter de Liderança: "Nenhum esforço carnal irá agradar a Deus ou construir verdadeira disciplina. A auto-disciplina refere-se a si como o objecto de disciplina em vez da sua fonte. Mesmo que a disciplina seja aprendida, e o eu seja o objecto da disciplina, a motivação e energia para desenvolver a disciplina vem do Espírito."

Para se tornar auto-disciplinado, precisa de parar de tentar assumir o papel do Espírito como a fonte do poder de mudança de vida, e contar com a força de que Ele vai trabalhar fielmente em nós. Paulo disse a Timóteo para ser fortalecido pela graça de Jesus (2 Timóteo 2:1). Se a nossa motivação não está a vir do Espírito Santo, então vamos continuar em vão e falhar na prática da auto-disciplina. A nossa motivação será de um alcance eterno quando pressionamos para o Espírito Santo, e Ele nos dá a força para "correr com perseverança a carreira que nos está proposta" (Hebreus 12:1).

~ 1 Coríntios 9:27

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The experts say it takes twenty one days to form a habit. After reading this, you may think, "Just 21 days of waking up early to read my Bible and then it will be easy!" Many others have thought that way too, but, it doesn’t work like that. Spiritual self-discipline isn’t a pursuit that we simply force into habit, for if that were the case, there would be little need for the Holy Spirit in our lives. Remember Galatians 5 then, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. We wouldn’t have it without the Spirit as it His gifting and work in us. This realization begs the question then, how do we become more self-disciplined in our spiritual lives?

Consider what Jeff Iorg puts forth in his book The Character of Leadership: "No fleshly effort will please God or build true discipline. Self-discipline refers to self as the object of discipline rather than its source. Even though discipline is learned, and self is the object of the discipline, the motivation and power to develop discipline comes from the Spirit."

In order to become self disciplined, we need to stop trying to take on the Spirit’s role as the source of life-changing power, and rely on the strength He will faithfully work in us. Paul told Timothy to be strengthened by the Grace of Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1). If our motivation isn’t coming from the Holy Spirit, then we will continue in vain and fail in the practice of self-discipline. Our motivation will be of an eternal scope when we press into the Holy Spirit, and He will give us the strength to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

~ 1 Corinthians 9:27