A Multi-Ethnic Ministry (Local, National and International) Touching Individual Hearts.
"Training And Equipping People To Fulfill Their Potential Through Love And Servanthood."
This is an area of CDM that is continually growing and changing. Our current resources and publications are:
Bookstore (Books, Tapes & Combination Packages)
Spirit of Hope article that is published in four weekly newspapers
Web site www.christ-discipleship-ministries.org
Quarterly publication
This page last updated on Saturday, January 09, 2010
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Consequences Of A Bad Attitude
by Carolyn Driver
Norman Vincent Peale tells a story in his book, Power Of The Plus Factor: "Once while walking through the twisted little streets of Kowloon in Hong Kong, I came upon a tattoo studio. In the window were displayed samples of the tattoos available. On the chest or arms you could have tattooed an anchor or flag or mermaid or whatever. But what struck me with force were three words that could be tattooed on one's flesh, Born to Lose."
"I entered the shop in astonishment and pointing to those words, asked the Chinese tattoo artist, 'Does anyone really have that terrible phrase, Born to Lose, tattooed on his body?' "
"He replied, 'Yes, sometimes.' "
" 'But,' I said, 'I just can't believe that anyone in his right mind would do that.' "
"The Chinese man simply tapped his forehead and in broken English said, 'Before tattoo on body, tattoo on mind.' "
Once minds are tattooed with negative thinking, chances for success are diminished. We often see people in counseling at our Training Center who are sabotaging themselves because of negative thinking. You probably have seen the plaques and posters which read:
If you think you are beaten, you are
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win but think you can't, it's almost certain you won't.
Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man,
but sooner or later, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.
In other words, you can if you think you can. Do you monitor your thoughts and feelings in order to determine your approach to life?
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by remembering we are responsible for our attitudes.
Satan Has Set A Trap For You
by Carolyn Driver
Second Timothy 2:24-26: "And the Lord's bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will" (NAS). According to this scripture we are held prisoners of Satan to do his will if we are in quarrels or opposition. No one wants to be Satan's prisoner doing his will. However, if we fall into his trap we are held captive. Satan sets a trap for you. He baits the trap with hidden offense and he hides the trap within relationships. When we become offended we are caught in his trap to do his will.
Offended people produce fruit. It is not the fruit of the Spirit as described in God's Word, but it is the fruit of offense: hurt, anger, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, hatred, and envy. When we become offended the consequences are insults, attacks, wounding, division, separation, broken relationships, betrayal and backsliding.
Do we always know when we are offended? Often not, because we become very focused on the actual wrong or the perceived wrong done to us. Others are in denial and can't see their offense and they rationalize and justify their feelings and actions.
Offense is a tool to bring people into captivity. While captive the person becomes deceived and believes he is right even though he is not. A person's perception is truth to them whether it is truth or not. Remember: just because it is your perception it doesn't mean you are right.
There are two categories of offended people. Those who have been treated unjustly and those who believe or think they have been treated unfairly. We can't judge by assumption, appearance or hearsay.
Offended people can't see that they are trapped and pride causes them to see themselves as victims. Offended people feel hurt, and people who hurt become more and more self-seeking and self-contained. They blame others for things not working out. Offended people react to the situation and do things that appear right even though they are not inspired by God. Offended people become like the person they are bitter toward.
If you are offended you must forgive. Forgiveness is not an option. You must forgive in order for God to forgive you of your transgressions. Forgiveness is a choice -- it is not a feeling. Response not offense is the major concern. Forgiveness looks at the wounds of the offense as God's way of drawing attention to the offender's needs. Forgiveness is having a greater concern for a person after he offends you than before the offense. It is using the hurts of others as hte basis of demonstrating Christ's love back to them.
Your degree of maturity determines how well you handle an offense without injury. Remember that testings, pressure and challenges reveal what is on the inside of you, reveals where you are spiritually and reveals the true condition of your heart.
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by choosing not to become offended and walk in love and forgiveness toward others.
Problems Give Meaning To Life
by Carolyn Driver
Sometimes our problems overwhelm us. I remember Susan jumping into a taxi after a morning of dealing with one crisis after another. She yelled to the taxi driver, "All right, let's get going!" "Where do you want me to take you?" asked the taxi driver. Susan yelled back, "I don't care where you take me, I've got problems everywhere."
Paul Harvey, a famous radio commentator once said we should remember in times like these it is always helpful to remember that there have always been times like these.
If we will allow it, problems can actually give meaning to life. For example, an eagle's only obstacle to overcome for flying with great speed and ease is the air. Yet, if the air were withdrawn, the egle would fall to the ground unable to fly at all. The very element that offers resistance to flying is at the same time the condition for flight. A bird that is about to be born has the obstacle of a shell in its way. Yet, it is the work of pecking through the shell that builds the strength of the bird for survival. If the bird did not have the struggle, it would die at birth.
The same law that obstacles are conditions for success holds true in human life as well. A life free of all obstacles and difficulties would reduce all possibilities and powers to zero. If all problems could be eliminated, life would lose its creative tension.
A story is told in the book, Lead On, that illustrates the principle that obstacles give life to creative solutions. "In the South, when cotton was 'king', the boll weevil crossed over from Mexico into the United States and destroyed the cotton plants. Farmers were forced to grow a variety of crops, such as soybeans and peanuts. They learned to use their land to raise cattle, hogs and chickens. As a result many more farmers became prosperous than in the days when the only crop grown was cotton."
"The people of Enterprise, Alabama, were so grateful for what had occurred that they erected a monument to the boll weevil. When they turned from a single-crop system to diversified farming, they became wealthier. The inscription on the monument reads, 'In profound appreciation of the boll weevil and what it has done to herald prosperity.' "
We all have a tendency to want to get out of problems and responsibilities. When that thought or temptation arises remember it is the struggle that creates the possibilities.
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by viewing problems as opportunities.
Hang On To Your Dreams
by Carolyn Driver
Twenty years ago, I got this impression. I saw myself on Christian television. I thought this was pretty stupid since I had just discovered that the epistles were not the apostles' wives. I was a new Christian and hardly knew the books of the Bible.
How ridiculous for me to think I would be hosting a television program. Through the years, I had other mental pictures and dreams of hosting a program for Christian television. However, what I wanted to do for a program was somewhat different from what was considered the standard programming. I wanted to do a round table discussion of "hot" topics that we as Christians should be addressing.
As the years rolled by, different people who operated in the gift of prophecy, would also say they saw me hosting a television program that would be different from what we now had. I knew if this happened it would have to be God. I certainly didn't know anything about television or know anyone connected with television.
In the past five years, I have had the opportunity to be a guest on various Christian television programs. I always thought how much fun. I have never been nervous or fearful. Well, in May of 1999, Atlanta Live (Channel 57) asked me to co-host, and soon after that I was asked by TBN (Atlanta) to host a round table discussion, and for me to choose the theme and guests. If this format was well received, they left the door open for the possibility of a regular program with myself as host.
I was so excited because I knew it had to be God -- because God had decided. For you see, in the Atlanta area there are so many people more qualified than me with larger ministries who would love to host this program. For twenty years I had a dream that I thought was impossible, but I knew deep within me that I had seen this within "my spirit". All I did was to be faithful to God and do all He asked me to do throughout the years.
Do you have a God-given dream that has not yet happened? If so, let me encourage you to hang on to your dream. Be faithful to God and His instructions. Don't be discouraged by how much time has gone by. Don't be discouraged that you (in the natural) are not the most qualified. If God gave the dream, though it tarries, wait -- for it shall surely come to pass.
Joseph of the Bible had a dream. Afterward he was rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused as a rapist and spent 13 years in jail. During these trials and hardships, Joseph did not give up. He did not let circumstances rob him of his God-given dream.
I don't know your God-given dream or the difficult circumstances you are going through, but God does. Respond in a proper way and allow it to prepare you for your destiny. Use your hardships as stepping stones to that vision you have within yourself. Yes, I know others may think you are crazy and you may think you're nuts at times, but if it is from God, it will happen.
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by never letting go of your dreams.
Is
There A Way To The Top?
by Carolyn Driver
Jesus said that if we would speak to the mountains in our life and not doubt in our heart that we could have whatever we say. In other words, you must take some sort of action to achieve the goal -- move the mountain, go around the mountain or go over the mountain.
Some people hear how hard and difficult the journey up the mountain would be and never try. Others start the climb and stop half-way. Some list all of the reasons they can't climb the mountain -- it's too hot, it's too cold, I'm not strong enough, what will people say, it takes too long and I don't think I have the time, or there are too many in front of me and I don't want to wait, there is no way to get to the top of this mountain.
You can miss a blessing and an opportunity when you think in ways that limit you. Why listen to those who say you can't why can't you continue the journey once started, why can't you take the time, why do the conditions have to stop you, how do you know there is no way to reach the top?
I once heard a little saying: "Those who say they can and those who say they can't are both right."
Zig Ziglar tells a story of visiting the Washington monument that illustrates there is always a way to get to the top if you are willing to do what it takes to get there. Zig Ziglar stated that as he and his party approached the monument, he heard a guide announcing loudly that there would be a two hour wait to ride the elevator to the top of the monument. However, with a smile on his face, the guide said, "There is no one waiting to go to the top if you are willing to take the stairs."
Are you willing to do what it takes to get to the top of the mountain?
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by taking the "stairs of life" to reach your goal.
Division is at the root of most problems among people. Division is the goal of Satan. He has come to divide husbands and wives, parents and children, men and women, employees and employers, the races and ethnic groups and church denominations.
John 10:10 tells us that Satan has come to kill, steal and destroy, and he will take every opportunity to do so. The enemy causes us to be easily offended and discouraged in order to distract us from the higher calling of love as described in 1 Corinthians 13.
Every day we must choose to walk in love to prevent the enemy from dividing us. To walk in love does not mean being a doormat for others. It means we have overcome the will of the flesh so our spirit can rule over our emotions and will.
Hopefully, there will come a day when we can value the other person, the other race and the other denominations in spite of our differences. I wonder what would happen if Whites, Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, Europeans, Far and Middle Easterners and American Indians, etc. decided to be a blessing to each other. I wonder what would happen if husbands and wives decided to be a blessing to each other. I wonder what would happen if parents and children decided to be a blessing to each other. I wonder what would happen if Evangelicals, Fundamentalists, Pentecostals and Charismatics decided to be a blessing to each other.
I believe we could change the fabric of the nation and the world if we would bless each other and make a decision to not allow the enemy to divide us. How do we bless each other? We bless by doing good one to another. We bless by speaking well of each other. We bless by encouraging each other.
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by making a decision to walk in love and be a blessing rather than allowing the enemy to continue to divide us and distract us because of our differences.
Hugs,
Hugs And More Hugs
by Carolyn Driver
Science tells us that one effective way to reach the heart (spirit) of a person is through physical touch, and one of the most important forms of touch is a hug. Hugs communicate on the deepest level. With a hug, we embrace the whole of life.
The language of hugs nourishes the spirit. In fact, hugs touch not only the spirit, but also the soul. Therapists tell us that "hug" therapy is for the purpose of curing or healing or preserving health. Hugs are a simple, physical way of treating diseases.
Because we live in an age of reason and technology, we are losing awareness of our senses. When we touch and hold each other in a spirit of compassion, we bring life to our senses and reaffirm our trust in our own feelings.
You can punctuate your verbal communication with a hug. We may say aloud, "Let me know if there's any way I can be of service or help to you." A hug adds, I really mean that! We may say aloud, "I like you." A hug adds, I care deeply about you. Hugs emphasize our message.
"When we touch and hold each other in a spirit of compassion, we bring life to our senses and reaffirm our trust in our feelings."
When words are awkward or hard to say, we may know the appropriate words, but find them really difficult to say out loud, especially if we are shy or overwhelmed with emotion. At times like this, you can use the language of a hug. A hug can say things like, "I am here for you"; "I really understand"; "Celebrate joy with me". Even every day words like hello or good-bye are sometimes very hard to say. A hug can say it for you.
"You can punctuate your verbal communication with a hug."
An e-mail I received reads:
Hugging is healthy: It helps the body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.
Hugging is all natural: It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients and 100 percent wholesome.
Hugging is practically perfect: There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic checkups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation-proof, non-fattening, no monthly payment, no insurance requirements, theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting and of course, fully returnable.
Sounds like something the Lord created, doesn't it? (Author unknown)
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by giving the gift of a hug.
Why Doesn't God Do Something?
by Carolyn Driver
Children go to bed hungry every night in this country and in other nations. Suicide is the highest among teens. Our children are killing each other. Drugs, alcohol, pornography and gambling are addictions of epidemic proportions.
Children are murdered every day by the minute through abortion. Spousal abuse is at the highest rate it has ever been. More people are in debt than ever before — 85 percent of the people who lost their job today would have to proclaim bankruptcy within two to three months. Schools are no longer a safe place to send our children. Churches split over the simplest changes. The divorce rate is soaring. It is no longer “correct” to love God and country. When we meditate on these tragedies we ask, “Why doesn’t God do something?”
God has told us in His Word that if His people would turn from their wicked ways and humble themselves and pray, He would hear from heaven and heal the land. So, we as Christians can pray and God will hear and heal. We can also examine ourselves to see what our part would be in healing the land.
There is a marvelous story of a man who once stood before God, his heart breaking from the pain and injustice in the world. ”Dear God,” he cried out, “look at all the suffering, the anguish and distress in the world. Why don’t You send help?”
God responded, “ I did send help. I sent you.”
One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like. The world, however, may be a little better because I was important in the life of another. I repented of my sins. I prayed and I did my part to help mankind.
Anyone can gripe and complain about the mess we are in as a nation, but what are you willing to do in order to make this a better place of peace and justice.
Start your day with the answer to these four questions:
What’s the best thing that can happen today?
What’s the worst thing that can happen today?
What can I do today to make sure that the best thing does happen?
What can I do today to make sure that the worst thing doesn’t happen?
Keep the Spirit of Hope alive by realizing that God has sent you as His representative to the world.
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