Be Present And When Necessary Have The Courage To Speak Up And Speak Out

I am writing this at the beginning of 2008 before the first Sunday of the year, because I have just received an email regarding what is happening in some mega-churches across America and I understand that some major big-named ministries are being investigated regarding their financial affairs. I was aware that there were problems but I did not realise they were this serious. What happened to the simple preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

What is missing? And who are missing? If some men of integrity are missing then things can suddenly go very wrong. Let me correct that. They do not go wrong suddenly. They go wrong slowly bit by bit until the issue is immense and the Name of Jesus Christ is ridiculed and laughed at, as a consequence of the activity and behaviour of those who perhaps started well.

Let me illustrate this in a different way by looking at Thomas. You will find the actual account in John Chapter 20.

Nobody knows where he was nor why he was not present with the others, but he missed so much by being absent.

Thomas was not in the Upper Room on resurrection evening when Jesus Christ appeared to his baffled wondering men. He was the disciple who had been quick to ask questions, and now his mind seems to be racing, as he attempts to work out just what has been happening.

Did he go off to consider seriously all the various events of these past few days? Jesus had been betrayed, arrested, crucified and buried. Thomas had witnessed these facts.

But now some trustworthy women were saying that the tomb was empty and that Jesus had met them that morning, and Peter and John were adding to the irrationality of it all.

The risen Jesus had appeared to those who had gathered in the Upper Room in Jerusalem, and He had spoken to them and breathed upon them.

Thomas had missed seeing and hearing the risen Jesus, and receiving from Jesus, and this raised further questions in his questioning mind.

He would not accept the explanatory answers of Peter and John and the others. That was not good enough. Mere words were insufficient.

“For me to believe I will have to poke my fingers into His wounds!” Thomas wants evidence.

He has to wait another week, and that can be a long time when you have a heavy troublesome burdened heart.

One week later, through the same locked doors, Jesus Christ reappears, and now Thomas has his chance. He did not need to touch Him.

Realising who this is he blurts out, “My Lord and my God!”

By being absent a man can miss seeing that vital convincing evidence.

There is something further though. By remaining silent when you become aware that what is going is not quite right, then other things can go wrong. Money can be misused. Funds can be diverted from their original intention.

During this coming year, if you are a committed Christian, be present at all the Services you can. Be in the Word of God every day. Take time and make time to read it and pray. Know the Scriptures as well as you can. Keep yourself as pure as if possible in this soiled sinful fallen world.

If you serve on a Committee or Board and you see things going wrong or just beginning to go wrong, have the courage to speak up. God will honour that. But not only that – there will normally be someone else around who will have the spiritual insight to see the same issues and who will rise and speak to support you.

These things take courage. I remember someone saying to me when I was appointed to a very important committee forty years ago this year – I must have been a boy member! – now stay to the end of the meeting because it is when good Bible believing people slip away and absent themselves that bad decisions are made in the final minutes when there is no-one to speak up and speak out.

This calls for real leadership!

Much is at stake – even the glory of the Name of God, and of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children’s Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

Presenting – The Garden Gate Restaurant a.k.a. “The Goof” – Good Food in the Beach since 1952

It was time for lunch after my extensive interview at the Balmy Beach Club, and all I had to do was walk up the street and head into the first restaurant that presented itself to quench my hunger. The Garden Gate Restaurant, affectionately nick-named “The Goof”, is a true institution in the Beach, and the restaurant’s sign certainly is one of the most frequently photographed landmarks in this area.

I sat down in this busy place and looked over the menu which contains a wide selection of Chinese and Canadian specialties, all on offer at a very reasonable price. The restaurant was bustling with activity, and people were just streaming in for lunch. Since I had another appointment in the afternoon I was looking for speedy service, and sure enough, the waitress approached me promptly. I ordered the special of the day: “General Tso Chicken” features hot chunks of boneless chicken, sautéed with the chef’s special sauce. I started my meal with a steaming won-ton soup, a great way to warm up on a freezing winter day. The General Tso Chicken was very tasty, with a crispy texture and spicy sauce, and the portion was so generous I actually had to take half of my meal home.

All the waiters were very busy, but I just had to find out a bit more about this culinary institution in the Beach, so my waitress connected me with the owner: Raymond Lee. I could tell right away Raymond is a rather shy individual and not one who enjoys the limelight. In addition he was tied up with some work at the back of the restaurant, but he graciously took a few minutes and sat down with me to answer my questions.

Raymond has co-owned the Garden Gate Restaurant for about 15 years now with a partner. Before he became co-owner he used to work here, so he has a personal long-standing history with this restaurant. Way back in high school he worked part-time in the restaurant business already. After graduation he went to Brock University and completed a degree in business and economics and started to work in accounting with companies such as Famous Players and Petro Canada. Raymond describes his situation with the words that “he was a small clerk in a big corporation”, but he always wanted to be his own boss.

In 2006 Garden Gate underwent a major restoration: everything was changed, a new kitchen was installed – the main reason for the renovation. The bar and all the furniture are new. The only original components left are the floor and the ceiling tiles. Of course, the treasured street sign has stayed intact, although the façade of the building has changed and was replaced by big full-length glass windows.

Raymond describes his restaurant as a “Canadian – Chinese restaurant” because he features both Canadian and Chinese fare. The restaurant opens early in the morning, and the Canadian breakfast is extremely popular. Sandwiches, pork chops and steaks are also offered along with a long list of Chinese specialties. The restaurant is fairly large: it can hold 70 people inside and 30 people on the patio.

“The Goof” has about ten staff members today, and one of them is Hazel, who with 54 years of service, has been here virtually forever, and has become a treasured neighbourhood institution in her own right. Hazel usually comes in Wednesday to Saturday from five to ten pm, so I did not have a chance to meet her, but Raymond added that she works here because she wants to be here. She has fun interacting with the clientele, and the patrons love her.

Prices at the Garden Gate Restaurant are extremely reasonable, and portions are plentiful. The restaurant also offers takeout and delivery and is open 7 days a week from 8 am to midnight. Raymond succinctly summed up the philosophy of “The Goof” for me: “Friendly service, good prices, good food”.

Why You Should Become an Expert Negotiator

There are many people who begin to shiver when they hear the term expert negotiator as they believe that only some specific people can engage in it successfully. There are other people who even though are aware of their negotiation skills see no reason why they should venture into it.

The work of an expert negotiator is to make sure that two or more parties making a transaction reach a common ground that is not just satisfactory but comfortable for everyone involved. The demand for experienced negotiators are increasing at an alarming rate with each passing day and this means there are so many job opportunities available in the expert negotiation field in spite of the bad economic climate the whole world is experiencing at the moment. You will never run out of work as an efficient expert negotiator.

Unlike other kinds of jobs that pay fixed salaries, there are no limits on the amount of money you can earn as an expert negotiator. This means you can literally write your own paycheck working as an expert negotiator if only you build a reputation as a competent one. With an increasing number of negotiation jobs, you will be gaining more experience which will boost your income levels.

Anyone can be train to become an highly successful negotiator with commitment dedication and strong will to succeed. It doesn’t require you to have a high level of academic degrees to succeed in the negotiation world and you can certainly become a competent negotiator with confidence, patience and the desire to learn the ins and outs of the industry.

You can train to become a negotiator whether you work full time in the corporate world or work from home and this can be a great additional stream of income. Within a few months, your income from expert negotiation jobs could become even greater than your regular salary.

Becoming an expert negotiator will also be of tremendous help to you personally and to your friends and loved ones in business transactions such as when buying a home or car. You can utilize your negotiation skills to get huge discounts at the dealership or from a home owner whose house you are interested in buying. To find out more information about this great business opportunity follow the website link provided below.