A Room with a View

One of the mysteries in the world of hotel reservations is the "Room View" Concept...I always considered it over-rated. Until a week ago, I booked a room with City view that literally had zero views (or in fact the view of our neighboring building balcony)..being in a city on the sea side, missing most of the day light and a bit of sea-blue was strange! We agreed to do something different and broke out concept of functionality to move to a Room with a View...WOW! The room was EXACTLY the same except for the view, the background, the backdrop of our stay in the room...We then rejoiced the scenery and the beauty of God's creation. Despite obviously we were not sticking our face to the window all day, yet filling your soul with it the first minutes of the day , even the rest of the day, with that backdrop, was a mood lifter bringing us to another state of indulging appreciation for the gifts of His Hands.

Despite it was the same room with all its benefits and carefully crafted touches, just living with this backdrop made our days happier, sunnier and more upbeat. Same for our days living with Him as a Backdrop, filling all your ground and surrounding you and your thoughts. God will bring another dimension to your life's fulfillment, to the purpose of your stay and the enjoyment of your goals. I always believe that that the minutes or the hour at the morning with Him are not ending there...yet it is setting the scene for the day to go with His presence. We can not limit God in our Khelwa (or prayer time), He is worthy Taking the Whole scene of your room, your Life.

Dear God, I come today putting in your hands the hours of my life, surrendering all to you, seeking to live consciously knowing your presence filling my days, and I know that you are bringing purpose to the cause and flavor to the tasteless. Lord, take away from my heart all fears of living in the sight of your eyes, I am not fearing you anymore, in fact I feel safe and comfort knowing you are watching me and over me all day. You are the Backdrop of our Lives...You are the Scene to make it full! In your hands, I place all that I am, AMEN!

Choose your life to be with a View, don't settle for side walk!

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 AMP)

كُفّوا واعلَموا أنّي أنا اللهُ. أتَعالَى بَينَ الأُمَمِ، أتَعالَى في الأرضِ. (46 المَزاميرُ:10)

The World Cup at Sight!

The World cup fever just reminds me of all the great sports events we enjoy throughout the year. Most of the final games, the trophy or cup is displayed at the entrance of the field...What a sight for the teams entering the arena, seeing this precious prize standing in front of their eyes (I mostly get in mind the Champions League Cup with its big Ears) calling them to give their utmost for that goal..to live the moment they fought for so far...to go the extra mile before lifting this cup in the air and writing history in glory. What a magical motivation and focus power, seeing their goal (cup), can bring. I specially like it when the coaches say: "We take every game as a new challenge, as a new chance to write the future, we do not get distracted by the past, as we look towards what awaits us...towards the cup we want to hold dearly. It is better to look ahead and prepare than look back and regret!" That's a spirit of seeing your Goal and marching on!

Believe me, our spiritual life is not different than those players on the field. Our souls need to see the prize, we need to know what are we marching towards and why we take that journey (a Tough Journey) of faith in our 21st Century. St. Paul wrote it perfectly in his letter to the Philippians:

"..but now I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death. I want to share in his sufferings and be like him even in his death. (Philippians 3:8, 10 ERV)

بل إنّي أحسِبُ كُلَّ شَيءٍ أيضًا خَسارَةً مِنْ أجلِ فضلِ مَعرِفَةِ المَسيحِ يَسوعَ رَبّي، الّذي مِنْ أجلِهِ خَسِرتُ كُلَّ الأشياءِ، وأنا أحسِبُها نُفايَةً لكَيْ أربَحَ المَسيحَ، لأعرِفَهُ، وقوَّةَ قيامَتِهِ، وشَرِكَةَ آلامِهِ، مُتَشَبِّهًا بموتِهِ، (فيلِبّي ٨،١٠:٣)

Did you ever deeply think what is the prize you are going after? Did you realize what is your faith useful for? Did you seek, focus, train, and dedicate your time to win the prize CLEARLY defined by the apostle Paul..The prize of Knowing Him PERSONALLY the way he was seeking in saying "Christ MY Lord"..Making it a PERSONAL relationship goal. I believe the prize of knowing Him is extending beyond a personal glory, it is a prize that will reflect on you, shine through you and extend its power to the world around you. As the family and friends of any sports champion live as well his prize-winning pride, fame and glory, so will the ones around you.

I urge you today in your personal time of prayer (if you didn't block it in your busy agenda, plz do it now) to reflect on the goal of you faith..to check if you can say with Paul "All I want now is Christ. All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him from death."

GO onto the Field, the World is watching, the World is Needing Goal-Seeking Players like you!

Communicate!

I have been watching the way we bring up our kids and noticed that it is all about Communication! Yes, even if they are 6 years old, we need to communicate to educate. I like it when Aline wants to give them a message, lesson of life, behavior or attitude, she just takes them aside, away from people, and have a face to face conversation grabbing their full attention. While our comments told to them when they're busy eating, watching tv or playing don't settle there or simply not taken seriously..too much distraction around them. They need to be fully attentive in a direct one to one conversation when they need to know how to act and behave. I guess you all do the same with your kids! Equally in corporate world, going into a new year and new objective setting phase, we look forward to sit with our manager, communicate face to face and start planning the year, set the goals to achieve and what attitudes or competency we need to develop. If you set your own targets alone without your boss..you might be doing what is not needed of you, end up being useless or even a burden to your company! To add value aligned to the bigger plan, you need to KNOW YOUR ROLE, DO IT and fulfill your purpose.

With 2014 about to start in few hours, I know that lots of you are preparing your famous New year's resolution, putting the goals and objectives of your personal life in 2014. When thinking about spirituality resolution, many face the same question "but i dont know what God wants from me throughout this new year? I am puzzled..what do you think i need to do?" My first question back is "At work, do you just wait until year end to sit with your boss and set your goals of 2014' or you dedicate the time needed and align early in the year? Same with God, did you sit with Him one to one meetings (personal praying hour) to read His emails (His Words), seek His Guidance and Coaching (through the Holy Spirit), and align your vision to the company's vision (God's Will in your life). Like at work where each has a role and purpose, God created YOU for a purpose to fulfill through your life"

So dear friends, if I have one thing To seek doing in 2014 it is to continue with all seriousness my One to One time with my Heavenly Father. These moments that opened my eyes for what I am doing now, and for sharing with you my thoughts about His Running Hugs, His daily gifts, His Coaching and much more! Before complaining that 2014 went fast as 2013...no changes..ma7alak ser..Do something different..because if you do what you did, you ll get what you got! Decide that it will be the year of Communication..the year you will not only know about God..but Know God..and His purpose through you..He is waiting for you every morning!

Even Jesus was connecting daily with His Father and the Holy spirit through Early rising prayer:

وفي الصُّبحِ باكِرًا جِدًّا قامَ وخرجَ ومَضَى إلَى مَوْضِعٍ خلاءٍ، وكانَ يُصَلّي هناكَ، (مَرقُسَ 1:35 AVDDV)

The next morning Jesus woke up very early. He left the house while it was still dark and went to a place where he could be alone and pray. (Mark 1:35 ERV)
Make 2014 a year of change..and start by your Hourly meeting...Just give Him a chance..a week, you ll be amazed...just 30 minutes at the beginning of your day..but doing with passion, hunger seeking change and impact..seeking a connection..a relationship!

Come on...join the Early Risers team! Are you in?
Have a blessed Communicative 2014 my friends!