11:59

11:59
On the brink of a…
By J.D. Gordon

We all experience it and some dread it
Buzzing with excitement or caged by fear
We are never the same once that time is near
Change gives rise to stress
Stress forces change

A change is looming at eleven fifty-nine
For we all experience change in our life, at some time, at some point
A change of day, a change of month or a change of year
We lose or gain something, someone dear

You could love it
You could hate it
One thing is natural
We all must have it

If the clock doesn’t stop ticking
You are bound to be changing
For even when your clock stops
A change even in death is happening

But why we say eleven fifty nine?
By no means maligned
A lot you can buy with dollar and dime
But not much can be exchanged for time

Change is certain not constant
For only time changes change
Only change changes time.
Whatever your story or whatever your fame
After Eleven fifty-nine
Things never remain the same
Copyright (c) 2007 J D Gordon All Rights Reserved.

Our Greatest Distraction

Sometimes it is not that our distractions have moved away, or suddenly decide to give us a break; rather it is really a case that we have either refocused or changed our focus.

What would you consider to be your greatest distraction throughout 2008?
As for me, my greatest distraction has been me. I tell myself I can’t and I have allowed my limitations to determine my end and my result.

I have even allowed others to discourage me by their responses to my ideas, my goals and the things which are of paramount importance to me. I lose focus when my wife is upset, my job becomes too pressuring or I become overly tired.

Reaching a point of greatest distraction sometimes is just what we need, a necessary evil you may call it, which forces us to make fundamental changes, only after we see ourselves in a way that no mirror could have showed us. We one day suddenly realize our life is going down a dangerous, unwanted path and only we can stop it and turn things around.

I have reached a point in my life where I now accept that if I have to get very angry, lose my temper or shout then I have lost my focus.
Once I remain conscious I fight my battles with wisdom, love and prayer not with the passion of fury.

Some persons will no doubt confess that their greatest distraction is either money, sex, lust, entertainment, loud music, their peers, worrying, their job, their spouse or life itself. Still others will say it has been a combination of these. I met a lady last week who was very honest enough to tell me that she was not functioning in her main purpose, because she was too busy with life. Talk about being too busy with life to live. Can you imagine your car doing absolutely everything else except what it was designed and made to do?

You know! Regardless of whether we are driving, standing by the road or sitting in our living room. There are some distractions which are always at us, tugging at our imaginations and our desires. In learning to return our energies and attention to where they really belong, we find great strength and are able to tap into that infinite creative realm.

I always use the starting of a new year to do some refocusing. It is the ideal time to revisit my plans and assess where I am and what I need to do to get me to where I desire to be.

I Love Christmas Time

I love the way I feel at Christmas time. It is not just my moment in time, but the experience of the time. It has always been one of my favorite times of the year. Furthermore, it was a day like this that my wife and I got married four years ago, yes we did, that early Christmas morning.

I love the coming together, the eating, the merry making, the fun, families close by and friends near, this always brings me great cheer. Except for those later years of being single when I became very lonely, Christmas is by far the most wonderful time of year for me.

I love the carols, the Christmas plays and pageants, the idea that the entire island take time out to acknowledge Jesus Christ and spend time away from work is no doubt a valuable one.

I have fond memories of my childhood Christmas years and this year, Joshua has certainly brought more Christmas into our Christmas. I hope yours will be filled with love, laughter, joy and peace.I wish God's richest blessings for you and your family.

LOVE FROM US TO YOU
Jermaine, Melesha and Joshua

Fruit Trees

On this Christmas Eve I want to share on fruit trees.

Do you have fruit tress in your yard or on your farm that were not planted by you? Please consider this for a moment. Perhaps too you know someone who has quite a few fruit trees in their yard that they inherited; whatever the case, please stay with me.

Think for a moment, someone actually took the time to plant those trees. They also no doubt, realized that some of the trees would never bear in their life time, yet they spent the time, labored and sweat to bring forth what you and I now enjoy today.

You perhaps think you know where I am going but, I guarantee that you will never see fruit trees the same after today, so read on.

Per chance you have heard the saying that if you succeed without work, it is because someone has already performed the work for you. Likewise, if you work without succeeding, then someone will succeed after you. Well, this is not what this blog is about today either.

There are several things or person in our lives which we could consider are like fruit trees. They are excellent representations of FRUIT TREES. They provide ‘fruit’ as ‘human food’ whether to lift us up when we are down, feed us when we are hungry or catapult us into the unknown as we become better and achieve that which we never imagined possible.

It is a fact that growers often times neglect the annual training and pruning of fruit trees. Without training and pruning, however, fruit trees will not develop proper shape and form. Properly trained and pruned trees will yield high quality fruit much earlier in their lives and live significantly longer.

If you happen to miss your reaping season whether by negligence, choice or adversities. Do not be troubled. I have seen trees which were battered by many storms, live to bear again. If you missed your season, another one will surely come. Pick fruit the first season, but if not, rest assured that some fruit trees bear more than once per year.
Know your time and move at it with haste.

The way things are we can’t afford to go through life without planting. I would like to encourage you to plant two types of fruit tree. Firstly, plant a fruit bearing tree that will mature in your lifetime, to bring new hope, food and life to someone. Then watch the reapers feast of the fruit you have planted and allow yourself to feel satisfied at your accomplishments and be encouraged.

Then secondly, plant a fruit tree that may never bear in your lifetime but will be around for many generations to come. The reapers will be able to find new life, hope and wisdom; strength and perseverance even long after you have gone.

Jesus, Mary his mother and Joseph his earthly father sowed so we could reap. The early disciples of Jesus also sowed what we are feasting of today. They planted fruit bearing trees from which we now partake. We can now celebrate for Jesus’ life He dedicated. We have redemption through the process of salvation. Many years after and many more years to come this hope will be with mankind.

My Parents did just that and today, their nine children, over ten grandchildren and seven great grand children are among the many reapers. The true planters are indeed the best givers, for those who always sow will always have something to reap, something from which they can also give. Those who fully understand this principle know how to live the best lives.

Christmas time is a huge fruit tree planted for you and me. Let us share it

‘Tis the season to spend

Christmas has traditional been the time of year to spend
With family, loved ones or friend
Their excess some would give or probably lend
This year, your time, how will you spend?

Others may spend time being grateful
For all the blessings, the many times God has been faithful
Perhaps bringing a little love to the hateful
A time relished by the peaceful


We all are spenders at one thing or another
What will you consume, fritter or squander?
How will you be spending it, I wonder?
Don’t make a blunder

For I have come to learn
There is so much to the meaning of the word ‘spend’
We could spend money to purchase gifts for ourselves or for others
For whom will you spend?

We could spend time doing specific activities
Embodied in the word ‘spend’ are exhaustion, discharging and completing
How will you be spending, what will you be discharging?

At the end of it all
Dog-tired, in their beds some will fall
Some bankrupt, will file
While others will be with child

Soon after the wine and dine
And you have spent your time
Be sure yourself you can find
An experience sublime

Whether you gave your money, time or kind
Spend time
Precious it is to the heart
And valuable to the mind

Say a word…Bring a little hope

I am amazed at just how many people these days could really use some encouragement.
It is only human nature that our spirits grow weary and faith faint, that is why the Prophet Isaiah said, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

I want you to know that regardless of your temporary state or your current ‘weather’ conditions. The sun is going to shine again. Be encouraged and be strong, God has not taken you this far to leave you. He is a friend to the friendless, father to the fatherless, a mother to the motherless and He cares about every one of us just the same.

I met a guy on the street a few years ago that felt like he was at the end of his rope. I shared a word of hope with him for just a few seconds. Four years later he stands to tell of his victory since that day. His story is one worthy of spreading to bring hope and purpose to other young men and women.

Today, someone might come to you for you to share a word and bring a little hope and a little light to their dark situation. Let us not become weary in well doing. The words you utter today could be just what someone needed to make it. Be encouraging and bring a little hope.

More than most - Be Inspired!

Christening Day

Sunday, December 14, 2008 on this ordinary day, in an ordinary church service our extra ordinary son was dedicated. Baby christening is a christian tradition we have always upheld in our family and community. In fact for most of Jamaica this is something parents do regardless of whether they are committed christians or not.

It is a special service where the child is offered up to God. In a similar way Jesus took the children and blessed them in the temple.

This day, for the first time our son was officially blessed by our minister, Rev. Albert Mais.

What looked like tear drops and crying, were merely him making it known that he was alive and well. Dressed in his white silk suit and boots to match, Joshua was ready to receive his blessings.

I wondered though just how much of what was happening he understood.

All in all, it was a blessed day and it was Joshua's day.

CONGRATULATIONS!

I know there were times when you certainly thought you couldn’t, you wouldn’t and perhaps shouldn’t.

Throughout the worrying moments; perhaps the pain, the tears, the sleepless nights and the battles you have had to fight. With all the skeptic voices shouting you can’t and you won’t, well you have done it.

You managed to swim against the tide, your success now can not be denied.

Whatever you didn’t know then, now you know, you surely can and you surely did it.

Congratulations!

No Sooner than - Revised

No sooner than I REALIZED that I was standing in the way of my own success
No sooner I succeeded

No sooner than I CHANGED my attitude towards my job
No sooner I found greater job satisfaction

No sooner than I LEARNT that the people who are impatient needs
My patience the most
No sooner I also became more patient with others

No sooner than I OBSERVED that whatever it is that we need we are going to find it difficult to give it
No sooner I tapped into a higher dimension of blessing by giving away what I needed

No sooner than I STOPPED making excuses for why some things just don’t work
No sooner I started resolving problems once considered ‘impossible’

No sooner than I STARTED a crusade to bring about a change
No sooner the change happened

No sooner than I ACCEPTED that the best leaders are indeed the best servants
No sooner I found great pleasure in helping others to discover the bigger purpose and meaning of their lives

No sooner than I PERFORMED my role with excellence
No sooner the world seemed a better place

No sooner than I BELIEVED it could work
No sooner did it happened

No sooner than I RECEIVED my Heavenly Father’s promise that He will provide my needs
No sooner I laid my worries down at His feet while on my knees

No sooner I REFUSED to judge and condemn others
No sooner I began seeing them through the eyes of God and without a tainted perception

No sooner than I LOVED others
No sooner love was returned to me multiplied

I realized it so I changed it, I learnt so I observed. I stopped to start afresh.
I accepted the terms so I needed to perform, I believed and so I received.
I refuse to yield power to the wrong forces because I love that which is righteous.
I now see sooner than later the power within my hands. Yes I can!

Love v Commitment

LOVE

has no boundaries

but

COMMITMENT

comes with limitations

Why are you being someone else?

I was reacting to how badly I was treated by a friend recently, but I soon realized that this wasn’t me at all. I was not being myself.
I wanted her to know how disappointed and hurt I was so I was reacting accordingly. My reactions were supposed to make her feel bad, ah! Or something like that.
The problem with that though is all that wasn’t me. That’s just not the way I behave or treat others.

Furthermore, I had a bigger, better role to play but because someone had done something to me which I didn’t like, I was now playing a minor role, a role totally different from the one God had ‘auditioned’ me for.

I then recognized that I was being distracted. In the wink of an eye I had made the wrongs right and moved on. The sooner I did, the sooner I started living again. My ill feelings, my hurt and my depression were all gone. It was an amazing change of attitude.

Whenever others do bad things to us, sometimes we behave the way we think we should respond and not necessarily the way we would want to. This has the tendency of creating greater conflict on the inside. So a small thing even appears much bigger than it really is. This internal struggle is a battle between the real you and the distracted you.

‘You are your worst enemy’, they say and this really embodies the struggle we face against ourselves.
These distractions come at us every now and again from all angles and in varying shapes and forms. Contended I am, having quit that other role, I am happier, free and I am enjoying the real me.

QUIET PLEASE! Healing Taking Place

Over the past few days I have been displaying this sign on my desk at work above my computer. Quite often we get a little cut and we seek to have the wound covered so it can go through the process of healing. Our aim is to protect it from festering into something else. But how often do we take steps to protect our emotional wounds from festering? It is possible that we feel hurt by things people say and do to us each day of our lives. However, if we are too easily offended, that is a matter all by itself for another time.

People will harm you today because of something you did or said to them 10 years ago. That is the power that unresolved, festered hurts will have over people’s lives. It controls your actions and your reactions. But I have been sieving my life and getting rid of both things and people who are toxic. It is a hard decision in some respects but a very important exercise. No one should go through life without doing this exercise every now and again.

As suspected it will take a little time to get the ‘toxic waste’ and residue out. This is similar to another emotional evaluation tool I created earlier this year called, “Emotional Inventory”.

I am not where I want to be and so I must make changes to my life in going looking forward to a new year. I am not perfect, on the contrary I am far from it. But God is faithful and He has promised to perfect that which concerns me. So as I am going through my healing, it is very important that I let others understand that.

The emotional scars we carry can do far more damage than a little cut on the finger or a cut on the forehead. So if you happen to pass by me, do not be alarmed, just remember to be quiet! - healing taking place

More than enough vs not enough

I thought I was sufficiently and adequately qualified to earn enough but it was just not enough, no never enough.

I figured with all my knowledge and experience I would be able to run my finances, but that was just not enough either.

I felt like I had a good handle on relating to others and had very good ingredients for creating and maintaining healthy and long lasting relationships, but again I was wrong, I just did not have enough.

I thought if I was nice, polite and kind to everyone then they in return would be nice, polite and kind to me. Well, that was the case most of the time, but still not enough.

I felt I had it within me to tackle my inadequacies, my fears and worries, YES! What I had was good enough to a point, after that it was just not good enough.

I knew my dreams and aspirations were many but in comparison to God’s perfect plan for me, my wishes were so small, less than enough.

I knew that the only way to please God was through faith, without which it is impossible to please Him. So I was able to believe and trust Him for the smaller things and surely he provided those but I thought God couldn’t handle the bigger stuff. I soon realized that once the problems grew bigger my faith and belief was not enough not even a mustard seed size.

So as I came to know Jesus more and more and trusted Him as my Lord and Saviour, I now turn over my finances to Him, my relations, my dreams and plans, my fears, worries and shortcomings for He is more than enough. My faith believes in the impossible and today I know there is absolutely nothing faith in an all powerful, all knowing God cannot achieve.

I am glad I have learnt that he is truly more than enough. In a world hard pressed for more of everything, I know a God who is everything and He is more than enough.