Celebrate Milestones

Last Friday, Leila and Farida came back home after their tennis training with a celebration mood saying their trainer congratulated them for reaching a “Milestone”: 10 consecutive Backhands shots all in the court…not one ball went out! Now they aim to the next one: 15 shots! Originally defined, a Milestone (used in project management as well) is one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road at intervals of one mile, constructed to provide Reference points along the road. This can be used to reassure travellers that they follow the proper path and indicate either distance travelled or remaining to a destination. In fact, I consider them moments of both self reflection on where we have reached and a needed pause, moments of celebration and encouragement, looking back with pride and looking forward with energy and greater confidence to the next milestone ahead of you. We do need these moments as they add sweet taste to the journey specially if obstacles and battles arise along the way. Yes, Keep celebrating your Milestones!

I wonder why don’t we act the same when it comes to our spiritual life! We tend to see it black to white, end to end swift change between two extremes…jumping from weakness to sainthood, from falling to running, from fear to total confidence all in one day. I have fallen in that trap many times and got discouraged along the way, doubted if I can make it through to the purpose I am created for, just because I ignored the simple pauses God puts along the way, the Milestones of growth in my relationship with Him, allowing me to look back and reflect and Thank HIM for the road crossed so far and knowing, by faith, that He will remain with me as He promised all along the way till the end of milestones. Be it fasting, changing of heart, or a new commitment to start fresh and stop falling, they all need “milestones" to catch your breath, smile and Thank HIM. On my milestone pauses, I remember this comforting and energising verse: 

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬ AMP)

واثِقًا بهذا عَينِهِ أنَّ الّذي ابتَدأَ فيكُم عَمَلًا صالِحًا يُكَمِّلُ إلَى يومِ يَسوعَ المَسيحِ. (‭1‬ ‮فيلِبّي‬:‭6‬ )

Dear Lord, I thank you for the milestones along the way, for over seeing each step along the way and allowing us to say with full confidence that the good work YOU began in my heart and the heart of every reader, throughout the “projects" of life, will go on to its next phase shining your Light. I pray for your Holy Spirit to strengthen us every morning, sitting with You, and guide us through a new day spreading your Love, winning our spiritual battles and accomplishing the purpose we were created for, milestone by milstone. AMEN!

Keep Shining my friends!

(I thank God for this Milestone…for reaching the 100th Post!)

The WHOLE Truth

She Told me the WHOLE Truth!

That moment in which I know Farida is hiding something, a moment of following anxiously her actions, of feeling she avoids direct contact with me. She knows perfectly what´s wrong yet she fears how unhappy I will be, so she decides to go along and act as if nothing happened. But still something shows behind that smile, behind this face trying to hide into this puzzle she is doing. I assure you parents out there know these awkward minutes and wait for that moment of truth. Finally Farida comes to me, opens up in tears and tells me the WHOLE STORY…tells me about how bad she feels not standing next to her sister at school when their friends decided to include only her in the game leaving Leila out. She knew her sister was sad but still chose to side with the friends. That moment of truth not only cleansed her heart but brought them together stronger than before realising that her happiness with friends is worthless if it is on the account of her sister. What a Moment to remember when she told me ALL THE TRUTH despite knowing it might annoy me and openly admitting her love to her sister…She believed in our forgiveness!

Reading in Mark 5 the famous incident of the woman with flow of blood-who sneaked in the crowd to touch the clothes, the hem of the garment of Jesus, knowing in her heart that this simple touch would heal her sickness and ailment that no doctor could take away for 12 painful years-I stood still noticing that same MOMENT of Truth I experienced with Farida:

But the woman, knowing what had been done for her, though alarmed and frightened and trembling, fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. (Mark 5:33 AMP)
وأمّا المَرأةُ فجاءَتْ وهي خائفَةٌ ومُرتَعِدَةٌ، عالِمَةً بما حَصَلَ لها، فخَرَّتْ وقالَتْ لهُ الحقَّ كُلَّهُ. (5 مَرقُسَ:33 )

She knew she did something wrong, touching THE Master while being impure and unclean with her bleeding, she might have been afraid and trembling…but she didn’t hide it…she did what His heart was looking for…she fell before Him and TOLD HIM ALL THE TRUTH…like a daughter into the arms of her father.

Dear friends, how often we keep things in our hearts in fear of shame and disgrace in the eyes of our Heavenly Father? I have been so many times hiding my feelings, my wrong doings and weaknesses believing life will go on…not wanting to tell Him THE WHOLE TRUTH in prayer. But then, his woman brought it clear to me…her healing was in her heart before her body…her faith in admitting her weakness and belief in His endless power to heal brought me to realize that the truth and ONLY the truth at His feet will set free.

Do not stand trembling in your prayer…open you heart...Bring Him THE TRUTH…the WHOLE truth…He wants to hear you and Heal you!

Keep shining my friends!

Something to Talk About...

Give them Something to Talk About...

As a parent, making my kids happy is priceless. We plan a lot of outings, activities, trips to hear their loud laughs and rejoice through their glittering joyful eyes. Their purity speaks out loud when something really touches them...I can see the proof when they pick up the phone and tell their grandma the fun they had in details and excitement. Suddenly, you ll realize, as a father and mother, that you gave your loved ones SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT... not just some hours or days, but a moment, a memory and a story to last as long as they live...a story that makes your heart dance with pride and love!

Reading Mark 5, a young man with a ruined life, living in tombs, deserted by his family and friends, feared by his town, had a transformational encounter with Jesus. This young man, once fully entrenched in evil, was finally delivered and freed. A Miracle, a moment and a great story to tell was created in this man's life, who wanted to stay along with Jesus, but our Lord had a different mission for him:

"And when He had stepped into the boat, the man who had been controlled by the unclean spirits kept begging Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus refused to permit him, but said to him, Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you. And he departed and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten cities] how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were astonished and marveled." (Mark 5:18-20 AMP)
ولَمّا دَخَلَ السَّفينَةَ طَلَبَ إليهِ الّذي كانَ مَجنونًا أنْ يكونَ معهُ، فلَمْ يَدَعهُ يَسوعُ، بل قالَ لهُ: «اذهَبْ إلَى بَيتِكَ وإلَى أهلِكَ، وأخبِرهُمْ كمْ صَنَعَ الرَّبُّ بكَ ورَحِمَكَ». فمَضَى وابتَدأَ يُنادي في العَشرِ المُدُنِ كمْ صَنَعَ بهِ يَسوعُ. فتعَجَّبَ الجميعُ. (5 مَرقُسَ:18-20 )

Yes, Our Father longs to see our joy in telling HIS stories in our lives. He is giving you and each one of us SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.. He has filled your days with blessings, encounters and experiences worth telling to your family, friends, and relatives. Your stories will melt His heart same as the stories of Leila and Farida melt mine. Imagine if your kids never talked about the love you gave them and the joy you add to their days! I will surely be grieved with sadness.

He gave you SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT... Don't keep it for yourself...Tell us your story...He asks you for it!

Keep Shining my friends!

Follow Me...

Technology changed the way we prepare our outings! Remember the good old days when we used to split roles agreeing who calls who and how to reach everyone . I remember we used to have list of friends and this was specially needed for big outings or birthdays. More specifically, I recall the concept of Group representative. To reach a certain circle of friends, I always looked for the pivotal one person among them to make sure he reaches them all and inform them on my behalf. “Hello Karim, please inform the rest of your group that we’ll meet in front of cinema Normandy at 8:00…mmm…yup…correct…all the names you mentioned are expected!”

"As he walked along, he saw Levi (Matthew) son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having DINNER at Levi’s HOUSE, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him." (Mark 2:14-15 NIV)
وفيما هو مُجتازٌ رأى لاويَ بنَ حَلفَى جالِسًا عِندَ مَكانِ الجِبايَةِ، فقالَ لهُ: «اتبَعني». فقامَ وتَبِعَهُ. وفيما هو مُتَّكِئٌ في بَيتِهِ كانَ كثيرونَ مِنَ العَشّارينَ والخُطاةِ يتَّكِئونَ مع يَسوعَ وتلاميذِهِ، لأنَّهُمْ كانوا كثيرينَ وتَبِعوهُ. (2 مَرقُسَ:14-15)

In Mark 2:14 I was amazed reading how Matthew (Levi) was found and called by Christ to follow Him, starting a whole new life of inspiring and shining His Lord’s Love to his friends and community. It didn’t take long for him to influence and reach (being the pivotal “Karim” I mentioned above), in fact right after his call, Matthew invited Jesus at his place for a DINNER along with his community and Circle of friends tax collectors and sinners whom Jesus came to reach out for and call to His Love (Mark 2:17). Matthew right away introduced them to the Messiah he will follow, he wanted to share with the them the love, peace, hope, righteousness, and forgiveness he found in His Lord.

Today, I pray that each one of us answer the call…look beyond himself seeking to reach out and spread Your Love and peace to the world truly bleeding and in need… I pray that we realise the role we have in our small family, group of friends, community, country and the world. Like Matthew inviting his friends for a meal with you.. a life changing meal for many, I pray that we have the pride, grace and power through your Spirit to realize that WE are CALLED and CHOSEN where we are for a reason…we are called to FOLLOW..and CHANGE the world!

Are you a follower? Then You are called to make a Difference.
Keep shining my friends!