Rebecca's Thoughts

Pearls of Wisdom

Patience - Every problem is resolveable with time and consideration. They are much easier to resolve if they are not blown out of proportion.

Empathy - Issues are easier to deal with if the focus is on others instead of self. If one attempts to understand others perspectives, whether or not one agrees with their views, therapeutic relationships can be built.

Attitude - There are very few things one has total control over, but one's attitude is completely under individual control. Nobody can make one happy, sad, angry, depressed, etc. Each individual chooses his or her own response to a stimulus and is responsible for that response.

Respect - It is amazing how the more respect one gives to self and others, the more respect he or she receives from others.

Love - Acknowledging the needs of others and enabling them to reach their goals is a form of love everyone can choose to be generous with.

Smile - Others will be quicker to respond positively to the gift of a smile. It will help your attitude to remain positive. Reflect each day on the minor and major accomplishments of the day and congradulate yourself on a job well done.

Moving from Genesis 1 to Genesis 2

Genesis 1 gives a straightforward account of creation, just the facts. God is identified as Elohim - meaning the supreme God. A plural form of God, it denotes the presence of God the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit.

In Genesis 2 the tone changes. The account is more detailed, personal. God is referred to as Jehovah Elohim. Jehovah means Self Existant or Eternal God. The Jewish people chose to refer to God by this name when identifying Him as their God. The God who they, as a nation, worshipped. They used His name Jehovah Elohim to identify their relationship with the Creator. He was now identified not as some distant entity but as their personal and national God. One with whom they have a relationship.

The essence of salvation is about going past the fact of Who God is and what He does to entering into a personal relationship with Him. Learning about Him so that His preferences and views are known, what He enjoys and what He detests.

As the Chistmas season approaches, I pray that you may move from a Genesis 1 to a Genesis 2 relationship with God. May the significance of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us to become the Perfect Sacrifice, to make a personal relationship with God possible, become real to you. May you know the blessings you obtained when Christ died for your sins, and rose again to stand at the right hand of the Father as your advocate. May your relationship with the Lord be the most important, real, and lasting relationship you will ever have.