|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dance with Your Heart! Inspiration from Child Prodigy Shirley Cheng, Author, Poet, Speaker, Advocate
|
| "We are God," or "the Messiah is us" is the belief many of us hold today. But is this belief correct? Can we, mere mortal beings who can die, be God, who alone is immortal and cannot die?
God, whose personal name is Jehovah, is absolutely holy and perfect and sinless. Jesus our Messiah, the one appointed and anointed by God to be our only Savior, is also absolutely sinless and
perfect, because he is the exact image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
On the other hand, the Bible specifically said that every human being is a sinner:
- "all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23, World English Bible)
- There is no one righteous; no, not one. There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God. They have all turned ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Is sex dirty? Some people view sexual love as dirty, but it, in fact, is a blessing from Jehovah God Almighty, our Creator.
However, while sex in itself is not dirty, it becomes polluted when it is not valued and when it is not shared in settings other than what it is intended for. Do you not agree that something good
(like medicine) can be harmful if not used for which it is intended?
The Value of Sexual Relation and Its Intended Setting
Sexual relation, like any other gift from God, should be valued and esteemed. When we value something, we would do our best to care for it and share it with our loved ones. Thus, if we value
sexual relations, we are to perform them with those we most care about.
As the Originator of sexual relations, Jehovah has reserved ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Happy July to you from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
When you wake up each morning to the sweet melodies of birds, how do you feel? When you admire the spectacular spectrum of sunsets, are you awed? When sunlight warms your skin and gentle summer
breezes softly kiss you, are you not delighted? Do you not enjoy the fragrance of wildflowers, the sound of ocean waves splashing, the chirps of crickets at night, and the claps of thunders during a
heavy storm?
How do all the elements of life reflect the Creator of life? Think about it carefully: "there is no good tree that brings forth rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that brings forth good fruit.
For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don't gather figs from thorns, ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| A jolly June to you from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
How do you feel when you picture your loved ones in your mind? Does thinking about your good friends and family bring a smile upon your face? Now, picture in your mind those you really don't like.
How do you feel when you think about your "enemies"? Do you feel angry, sad, hurt, frustrated, annoyed, or confused?
While many of us don't have real enemies, we do have people who we dislike greatly for whatever reason. Regardless of why we don't like them, we ought to love them.
Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies." Love our enemies? How in the world can we like ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Shirley Cheng, blind and physically disabled 27-year-old author and motivational speaker, has collected two more book awards for "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness," which has just been honored as a finalist in the 2010 International
Book Awards in two categories: Religion - Christianity and Religion - Christian Inspirational, making it this book's fifth and sixth awards and Cheng's 25th and 26th book awards overall. Earlier
this week, the book was placed as a finalist in the National Indie Excellence 2010 Awards in the Religion category.
Previously, "Do You Love Jehovah?" placed as a finalist in the National Best Books 2009 Awards in Christianity. It was also a Second Place winner in the 2010 Written Art Awards in
Spirituality/Religion sponsored ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness by blind and physically disabled author and motivational speaker
Shirley Cheng, has just placed as a finalist in the National Indie Excellence 2010 Awards in the Religion category, making it this book's fourth award and Cheng's 24th book award thus far.
Richard R. Blake, D.Min, former instructor at Bay Cities Bible College, commented regarding Cheng's book, "In poetic prose Shirley describes the nature of God and the character of Christ with
clarity, emotion, and passion. She boldly addresses traditional church doctrine giving her own personal insight and interpretation logically, using a common sense analysis. She includes foundational
doctrines for living the spiritual life courageously with determined intention. In a concise, yet complete, Bible summary, Cheng covers important events and a review of the ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Happy May from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
When life gets tough, how do you react? Do you throw your hands up in the air in resignation? Or do you patiently endure your difficult circumstances?
Tough times are unavoidable and inevitable; but you don't have to let them make you miserable! How can you defeat harsh days? With longsuffering.
What is longsuffering? Longsuffering is the ability to patiently and cheerfully endure an unbearable situation. Longsuffering is a quality of Jehovah God Almighty: "The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9, ASV)
Like our Creator, we are told to be "longsuffering, forbearing one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2, KJV) ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Happy April Fools Day from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Are you able to feel at peace even when life bombards you with hardship? If not, how can you achieve peace when life gets tough?
In January, Tammy Brackett, a music publicist/writer, experienced the financial pain that many Americans are going through now. "My income was reduced by 2/3 because of a job layoff," says Tammy.
Yet, she was able to feel at peace.
When Donna Ratner, a certified holistic health counselor, was 14, her 22-year-old brother died suddenly in a swimming pool accident. When she was 23, living in New York City, she got held up at
gunpoint. Donna recalls, "He followed me up to my apartment, stole my most precious belongings, made me strip naked and lie facedown in the hallway ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness by blind and physically disabled author and motivational speaker
Shirley Cheng, has just garnered Honorable Mention in 2009 Reader Views Annual Literary Awards in the Religion category, making it her 23rd book award thus far.
One of the judges, Dr. Richard R. Blake, D.Min, former instructor at Bay Cities Bible College, commented regarding Cheng's book, "In poetic prose Shirley describes the nature of God and the
character of Christ with clarity, emotion, and passion. She boldly addresses traditional church doctrine giving her own personal insight and interpretation logically, using a common sense analysis.
She includes foundational doctrines for living the spiritual life courageously with determined intention. In a concise, yet complete, Bible summary, Cheng covers important events and a review of the
...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| A joyous March greeting to you from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
If I grant you one wish, asking you, "Do you want money or joy?" which one would you choose? Yes, you can only pick one. Now, carefully think it over.
I know what's going through your mind; you're thinking, "If I pick money, I'll be able to have joy, too."
Certainly, money can buy you almost everything, but can it bring you true joy? Many years ago, a wealthy king named Solomon experimented on his riches and shared with others his findings in the
most popular book—the Bible; let us see what this king discovered in order to help us answer this question.
The king, whose annual income reached into the hundreds of millions of dollars by today's standards, used ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness, by blind and physically disabled prodigy Shirley Cheng, has just
been honored as a Second-Place winner in the Spring 2010 Written Art Awards sponsored by RebeccasReads.com in the spirituality/religion category, making it her 22nd book award thus far.
"I'm absolutely honored and thrilled to have such great honor bestowed upon me," says Cheng. "I've made it my life's mission to touch as many people as I possibly can to bring the Word of God. I'm
truly grateful to Jehovah for allowing me to receive the award for my book to assist me in my efforts. To God be all the glory and honor!"
Previously, Do You Love Jehovah? placed as a finalist in the National Best Books 2009 Awards in Christianity.
...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| A lovely February greeting to you from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Chocolate, flowers, a candlelit dinner for two. I feel love in the air. Yes, Valentine's Day in the US is just around the corner, so what better time to talk about love than now!
What is love? Is it a fluttering of the heart? A giddy feeling? A mind intoxicated by someone's charm? Many would answer yes to all three descriptions. We are all familiar with the story of
handsome guy meeting beautiful girl and falling in love in each other. But what if the girl grows old—and we all do—and loses her beauty? What if she gains weight, experiences mood swings, and
develops annoying little habits? Would the guy's love withstand the changes in her appearance, health, and behavior?
Too often, ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Happy 2010 from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
I hope 2010 is starting out splendidly for you! Have you made your New Year's resolution? If not, why not make it your goal to start gardening?
Are you already a gardener? If you are, you know that growing colorful flowers and crunchy veggies require your love, care, time, and effort. You need to work the soil to make it just right for
the seeds, water them regularly, and patiently wait for nature to do its work.
When I was around eleven, I planted a couple of marigold seeds in a flower pot that was small enough to be placed in front of me on my table next to ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Prayer is communication with Jehovah God Almighty; it is a two-way conversation. So when you pray to your Father in heaven, He will answer you according to His will.
However, there are hindrances to prayers—things and behaviors that will prevent an answered prayer. Here, let us briefly go over some of these hindrances, so we can learn to eliminate them in our
lives in order for our prayers to be answered next time.
Disbelief
"But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the
Lord." (James 1:6-7)
When we pray to Jehovah, we need to have the right heart attitude of belief. Jehovah is Almighty, and His very name means "He who chooses to ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Do you believe in God?
If you answered "Yes," your answer would match about half of the human population, because Christians, Muslims, and Jews, all believe in the same God, Jehovah (though Muslims use the name Allah
for God).
While I do not doubt the depth or strength of their belief, I do have to wonder: if so many people believe in God, why do we experience so many manmade problems in life? If we believe in God, that
means that we should know His principles for living in a good way, so we ought to be able to live well, right? Apparently, believing in God is not enough; or perhaps, we are not grasping what belief
actually is.
What does believing in God mean? Many would say that it is accepting that God exists and that He is the Creator ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| What is sin? Throughout the Bible, sin is a main topic. As a matter of fact, from the first story in Genesis to the last in Revelation, and even to this day, sin plays a crucial role. Since the topic
of sin is so important, it is wise to understand what it really is.
In the town where you live, its laws most likely include such prohibitions as murder, robbery, kidnapping, and rape. Breaking any of these laws means you have committed a crime. A crime is an
offense you commit against one another; it is an offense against your law. Those who commit crimes are called criminals.
Like your town, Jehovah God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, has also established laws to govern the people on Earth. Breaking any of His laws means you have committed a sin. So a sin is
...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| How do we get saved? What are required for us to receive salvation? Since salvation is a gift from Jehovah God Almighty through His Son, Jesus Christ, accepting this gift is easy, not tricky at all.
We are saved the moment we 1) repent of anything bad we've ever done and 2) accept Jesus as Savior. Accepting Jesus as Savior means that we have accepted his teachings and diligently applied them
to our lives. Simply believing in Jesus does not give us salvation. If belief is all that's needed, then Satan can be saved, too!
To be saved, we must know 1) the one and only true God, Jehovah, and 2) Jesus Christ. Jesus said: "And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst
send, even Jesus Christ." (John 17:3)
But note what Jesus ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? And how about the Holy Spirit? The entire Bible clearly supplies all the information we need in order to know about them, so here, I will briefly answer these basic
and fundamental questions using the Bible, God's final written authority for us.
Why is knowing about God important? Accurate knowledge about Him is vital to our salvation. Read on...
God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit comprise what we call the "Holy Trinity." The Holy Trinity is a spiritual unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are "one" in a spiritual sense. To understand this oneness, we need to understand what the Bible says about marriage. It says that when a man and woman
marry, they become "one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) That doesn't literally mean that ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| The very first two humans were made in the image of God. But what does that really mean?
Made in the "image of God" simply means that people are spiritually like Jehovah God Almighty to some extent. He has given humans some of the spiritual aspects He has: the ability to think and
reason, an innate knowledge of right and wrong, a conscience, a full spectrum of emotions, and the need for spiritual things in order to be truly happy. On top of all that, Jehovah has also
graciously granted us free will, the power to make up our own minds regarding things concerning us.
Beyond this, humans are not in the exact image of God. If we were exactly in Jehovah's image, we would be like His clones or something of a similar nature. If we were exactly in His image, we
would ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Happy Holidays from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
What are you thankful for in life? To whom are you most grateful? Even though Thanksgiving in the US has passed, it's never too late to be thankful. As a matter of fact, we should make each day a
day of giving thanks. And the end of the year is a great time to reflect on what we're most grateful of during the entire year. Therefore, for this issue, I would like us to take a moment to give
thanks to the people around us, and for the things we are blessed enough to have.
I will start the thanks-giving, shall I?
I am extremely thankful of three most important people in my life, and am thankful for too many things to list here, but below ...
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Teaching his disciples how to pray to God, God's beloved Son, Jesus Christ, began the model prayer with, "Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." (Matthew 6:9, American Standard Version)
When we pray "Hallowed be thy name," we are seeking sanctification and glory for God's name.
Putting this at the start of his model prayer, Jesus indicated that our first priority in life should be glorifying God's name.
But in order to glorify God's name, we first need to know what it is. The Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) tells us God's personal name nearly seven thousand times. His holy name is Jehovah, from Yahweh (YHWH), which means "He Chooses to Become" or "He Who Causes to Be." What a perfect name for this Awesome Creator! Truly, no other could rightfully own this name.
Now ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Happy November to you, from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Imagine your best friend has just invited you to his wedding, and told you to invite everyone you know to the special event. Those who hear of the event will be the ones who are lucky enough to attend it. If you do not share this good news, you will be guilty of not obeying the order.
So it is up to you to tell your friends, family, co-workers about the mandate. You may even need to travel out of your town or province to spread the word. The fate of your friends—whether they will be privileged enough to attend the wedding—lies in your hands.
What would you do? Would you ignore your friend's order and keep the news of the ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Is God everywhere? What does it mean to take God's name in vain? Is it okay to kill animals for food? Where did all the different languages and nationalities come from? How are the dinosaurs explained? Are we suffering just because Adam and Eve sinned? This page will answer all these questions, along with a few others. If you have questions about the Bible that are not answered here, please e-mail Shirley via www.shirleycheng.com and she'll be more than glad to do her best to answer them using the Bible!
Question 1: Is Jehovah male or female?
Answer: In the Bible, God, whose personal name is Jehovah (Yahweh from YHWH), always referred to Himself as a husband or father figure. Jesus Christ calls Him "Father," and told us to call Him "our Father" in our prayers. And God does have a masculine personality. ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Have you ever wanted to be a doctor or a nurse? Wanted to wipe away a tear and make the pain go away with a kiss? Well, now you can, without even going to medical school! How? By taking up the Great Commission of the Doctor in Chief, Jesus Christ.
Jesus' specific order to us is: "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:19-20)
First, let us study the experience our head Doctor had with his patients, so we can learn from the example he has set for us.
Throughout Jesus Christ's earthly ministry, he surrounded ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Did Jesus Christ and his disciples condone slavery? Yes, they did, and we must be thankful of it!
Thankful? I must be out of my mind, right? Actually, I would be out of my mind not to be thankful. Read on to see why.
One of the greatest apostles of Jesus was Paul, who had this to say to slaves and their masters:
"Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Question: What is the battle between good and evil all about? Why is it necessary?
Answer: Originally, there was no force of evil, because Jehovah God Almighty did not create anything evil. Evil was created only after a great angel rebelled against God.
Jehovah created countless number of angels, who are heavenly servants who do the will of God. One such angel was of great beauty and position. Because of his pride, he wanted to exalt himself even above his Creator, and wanted all to worship him—and still does. This rebellious angel became Satan, which means "adversary," and he is the devil we know today.
Soon, some other angels followed in Satan's footsteps. Satan uses his followers, who are now called demons, to do his will, just as good angels do the will of Jehovah. Their goal is to go against Jehovah in every way, through whatever ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Question: Why didn't God prevent Adam and Eve from eating the forbidden fruit?
Answer: I will have to answer this question in assumption, something I rarely do, because we often waste precious time when we speculate about things we don't know. To know every "why" and "how" would make us God. Remember, "the secret things belong unto Jehovah our God; but the things that are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29:29, American Standard Version)
If Jehovah God Almighty had stopped Adam and Eve from taking the fruit and eating it, everything would be fine and there would not be any sin or suffering, right? Perhaps, perhaps not.
Let us imagine that we are in a similar situation. Let us pretend that you are my boss, and you entrusted me to ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
You've read about Shirley Cheng's inspiring personal journey in getting to know God in Dr. Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Connection magazine in an article by Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist Tom Hallman, and you might have wanted to learn more about where that journey has taken her. Now you can. The 26-year-old blind and physically disabled author and motivational speaker has released an inspirational book on Christianity, "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness," which has just been honored as a finalist in the National Best Books 2009 Awards in the Christianity category, her 21st book award thus far.
"I'm absolutely honored and thrilled to have such great honor bestowed upon me," says Cheng. "I've made it my life's mission to touch as many people as I possibly can to bring the Word of God. I'm truly grateful to Jehovah for allowing me ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
What is so special about the Bible? Is it trustworthy? Here, I will briefly touch upon these questions that so many of us wonder about.
Question: The Bible's full of great stories but is there any convincing evidence for any of them?
Answer: Long before people proved it scientifically, the Bible indicated that Earth hangs in space: "He stretcheth out the north over empty space, and hangeth the earth upon nothing," (Job 26:7) and that Earth is round: "It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth…" (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible also confirms the scientific theory of the various stages of Earth's formation.
One of the best evidences of the Bible's validity is fulfilled prophecies. Most of the prophecies in the Bible have already been fulfilled or are being fulfilled, such as the ruining of Babylon: "And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
What is salvation? Why did Jesus Christ have to die in order to save us? And from what are we actually saved? Answers to these questions are the foundations of the Christian faith, and our eternal destiny entirely lies in knowing the answers.
First off, it is necessary to read the Old Testament, particularly the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, in order to understand why Jesus had to die for us, why the sacrifice was needed, why Jesus' death and resurrection is the foundation of Christianity, and why it is the most important thing we need to know in order to receive salvation. It is actually necessary to read the entire Bible to know about the main teachings of the Holy Scriptures and how everything fits together. I know it can be a daunting task at first to read the whole book, but after having read it ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
We often focus on the question: "Do you believe in God?" Yet we seldom go on to the crucial question: "Why is it important to KNOW God?"
Why do we desire or need to identify that there is a Creator? Why is it important to know Him?
We have the longing and the duty to know the one and only true God Almighty, whose personal name is Jehovah (Yahweh), in order to achieve complete and absolute fulfillment.
Knowing that we have a Creator satisfies our curiosity about our origins. It answers the most important questions we have about life: From where have we come? What is our purpose? Where will we go?
Knowing our Creator also fulfills our lives. It allows us to live the best life possible and guides us in achieving harmony with the laws of nature and the essence of life. ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| A good October 1 to you, from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Here's a riddle for you: throughout the history of humankind, people have been able to tame wolves, chimpanzees, tigers, lions, dolphins, killer whales, seals, and cobras. But there is one thing—one very small thing—each of us have that we have not been able to tame. Do you know what it is?
If you guess, "the tongue," you are absolutely correct.
How many times have you regretted saying something the instant you said it? How many times have your words hurt a friend or a family member without you meaning to? How many times have you said "yes" when you really wanted to say "no"?
Why is controlling this small beast, our tongue, so difficult?
First off, talking does not take much effort. Talking is quite an easy action to do. It does not take much energy to form our words. It does not need much brain power to work our tongue and lips into speech. Because of its simplicity, speaking can be done speedily and absent-mindedly. This is why many of us can even talk aloud while we're sleeping. Not talking takes more effort than talking!
Sometimes, we feel obligated to say a certain something. Have you been asked about how an outfit or hairdo looks? Have you ever said, "It looks great," when you think otherwise?
Occasionally, we say something when we do not even know it. For example, when we get intoxicated after heavy drinking, we may say something completely out of this world. In these cases, we let outside factors control our tongues.
How can you turn this control around, so you can be in control of your tongue? Below are some guidelines to help you tame your tongue.
1. First, get your heart right. Study this verse: "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." (Luke 6:45, ASV)
Your words reflect your heart—your inner being condition. If you're a happy-go-lucky person, your words will be soothing and pleasing to other people's ear; your words will make others around you happy. If you're a miserable person, what will come out of your mouth are complaints, "poor me" statements, pulling down the spirits of those around you.
So if you want to speak delightful, edifying words, make sure your inner condition is clean first. Getting your heart right with God is the best way to tidy up your spirit, for Jehovah is absolutely, 100% holy. Conforming to His holiness will definitely improve your inner nature, and in turn, your words. Ask Him to develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you: true love, peace, joy, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (self-control).
2. Avoid confrontational situations. When you feel a conversation will turn into an argument, change the subject. When you're in an argument, leave the room. Calm down first, and return to the discussion later when you have a clearer mind. This will help you avoid saying rash words that may hurt someone's feelings, or worse yet, end up hurting someone physically—or being hurt yourself. Of course, if you need to confront someone about an important matter, state the facts without the unnecessary remarks.
3. Avoid products that may cause you to speak absent-mindedly. This includes heavy alcohol use and illegal drugs.
4. Think before you speak. Before you talk, ask yourself:
Is what I'm about to say necessary?
Is it the truth?
How will this reflect on myself?
How will this help others?
Will I truly mean what I'm about to say?
Will I say this in front of little kids?
5. Most importantly, avoid using "God" or God's name in vain. How would you feel if someone used your name as a part of purposeless interjection or crude expletive? When we speak unmindfully of God and His name, we are showing great disrespect to our very Life-Giver. You wouldn't be here if Jehovah hadn't created humans. So would it be appropriate to say "God bless you" whenever someone sneezes, "Oh, my God!" as an interjection, and "God d*** it"? Is this the way to thank Him for giving you your life? There are many other ways you can use God's name in vain, including making a false oath in His name, doing something bad and saying that God let you do it, blaming Him for our troubles, etc. If you use God's name disrespectfully, without reverence, you would actually be breaking one of the Ten Commandments: "Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)
6. Always speak words...
*That build people up spiritually
*That are good and peaceful
*That teaches lessons
*That are the truths
*That glorify Jehovah and Jesus Christ
7. Separate yourself from those whose tongue speak rumors, slanderous and filthy words. Often enough, the associations we choose can influence us positively or negatively, so it's always wise to choose your friends carefully. Choosing the right association also includes choosing the various forms of entertainment wisely. If certain activity or media, like books and movies, condone bad speech or behavior, avoid them. The best book to pick out that will guarantee positive influence is the Bible.
8. Filter what you hear or see. It is impossible to hear or read pleasant, good words constantly. Therefore, it's important to not let the bad words you hear or read affect you. I cringe whenever I hear a curse word. I just mentally throw it away, and make sure it will not affect me, that I will not be influenced to mirror it.
9. If you said or did something wrong, apologize and mean it. Yes, saying "I'm sorry" is hard—but only hard when you make it hard!
10. Finally, ask Jehovah to help you tame your tongue. No, by our self-effort, we are really helpless against our tongue. Only when we let God assist us will we have control over our tongue.
Why is it important to speak good words? It is important because...
1. Our words determine our destiny. For example, we say, "I do," during marriage ceremonies. Those two small words determine whom we will spend with for the rest of our lives.
2. Our words can trap us and lead us to undesirable circumstances. When kids experience peer pressure, they may be forced into saying, "Okay, why not?" to trying drugs and smoke.
3. Are words are example for others to follow. As with everything we do, the way we speak and what we say can be examples after which others can model. Would you like your kids or grandchildren talk the way you do? If not, you have to change the way you talk first, in order to set the example you want them to follow. Remember, be the person you want others to be!
4. Above all, we will be judged on what we say. When Judgment Day comes, each of us will have to be accountable for what bad things we've ever said. To avoid being judged for bad words we say, we should not speak them in the first place, starting now!
~*~Q&A with Shirley~*~
My friend whose question I featured last month has another one for me, so here it goes:
Question: Lately I and my friends have discussed about Vanga's prophecy of World War III and things afterward. Most of her foretelling happened. Do you think all the predictions would come true?
Answer: It doesn't matter whether all of Vanga's future predictions will come true, because she wasn't a true prophet from God. She might have been a true fortune-teller, but that is different from being a prophet of God. Fortune-tellers are possessed by demons, and God specifically warned us about this. Please read Deuteronomy 18 and Acts 16.
What is a prophet? A prophet is a person who receives a prophecy, message from God, and then communicates that message to others. A divinely inspired message is always direct, specific, and tells exactly what will happen, to whom, and precisely what people should do. Moreover, a true prophecy from God always comes true in every detail. Predictions that "mostly" come true are not good enough.
Two opposite forces operate in our world: the good force and the evil force. The good force is lead by the one and only true God Almighty, whose personal name is Jehovah; His Son Jesus Christ, our Messiah; and the Holy Spirit, which is God's active force that He uses to perform every and any miraculous sign. Angels also belong to this good group, as they do the will of Jehovah both in the heavens and on Earth.
The evil force is run by Satan, the devil, and his demons, which were originally good angels who chose to rebel against God. Many people laugh at the idea of demons, dismissing them merely as part of children's ghosts stories. But demons are no laughing matter; they're real, and unless we take them seriously, we will fall victim to their schemes. These evil spirits' purpose is to go against God in every way, so it is important to know their tactics lest we are deceived. And one of their tactics is imitating God's prophets and prophecies.
How can you tell a true prophet of God from the false prophet of Satan? The below basic guidelines will assist your discernment:
• True prophets always speak in God's name with the authority given by God. False prophets speak in a name other than Jehovah's. This is the first and foremost test whether a prophet is from God or Satan. If someone cannot pass this test, there's no other reason to go on to the other tests. Vanga did not indicate that she spoke messages from God; instead, she said that other spirits and "creatures" gave her the messages. Therefore, she failed this first test.
• True prophecies, as mentioned, always come true exactly as they are told. False prophecies, on the other hand, do not come true, even if they are spoken in God's name. Some prophecies may appear to be fulfilled when they are told in an ambiguous way. For instance, if I say, "A dog will bark in two hours," and a dog does bark two hours later, does that make me a true prophet? No, because I did not indicate a specific dog. What I predicted could have spoken by anyone. A true message from God would have named a specific dog, giving no doubt to whether the prophecy had come true when it did indeed come true.
• True prophets exhibit godly qualities: true love, peace, joy, longsuffering, faith, goodness, gentleness, meekness, and temperance, which are the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in believers. (Read Galatians 5:22-23 in your Bible.) True prophets do good works and speak good words. False prophets do not possess this good nature. Even though Satan and the demons can perform miracles, they do not imitate God's good qualities, so this is one of the best ways to differentiate the true from the false prophets.
• True prophets glorify God through their words, action, and any supernatural signs they perform. They credit Jehovah for the power they receive. False prophets glorify spirits other than God.
• True prophets lead people to God and His teachings. False prophets do not.
If you would like to learn more about Jehovah and His ways, I strongly advise that you pick up a copy of the Bible. If you need a bit of guidance before and during your Bible study, you may enjoy my inspirational, non-denominational book, "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness," which can be ordered autographed directly from my site www.ShirleyCheng.com
~*~Shirley's Corner~*~
I'm here to help! Are you concerned about life in general? Do you have questions about our Heavenly Father and His Word? I would be more than happy to best answer your questions and give you a bit of direction, so please don't hesitate to e-mail me by replying to this newsletter. I'm merely a student, so of course, I don't have all the answers. But what I don't have, I'll lead you in the direction so you can find the answers yourself—or at least peace of mind.
My feature in Dr. Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Connection magazine is also posted online:
www.purposedriven.com/article.do?method=articlePage&contentId=201723&pageNumber=5
I'm pressed for room, so I'll end this issue here. Remember, if you want to yield right words, get your heart right, right now. "For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes." (Luke 6:43-44)
Enjoy your October!
Content Copyright by Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved
You are permitted to only give out or link to this website or post; all other distribution and copying is prohibited without the prior written permission of Shirley Cheng. Contact Shirley at www.shirleycheng.com
Did you get this from a friend's forward and would like to subscribe? Then send a blank e-mail to subscribe@shirleycheng.com from the e-mail address you'd like to sign up under.
Read previous issues of Inspiration from a Blind at blog.shirleycheng.com
Best regards,
Shirley Cheng
Award-Winning Author with 20 Book Awards
9-Time Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award Winner
Mom's Choice Awards Recipient
Miracle survivor, inspiring author and contributing author of 25 books by age 25, poet, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, advocate, and a co-author in the bestselling Wake Up...Live the Life You Love book series
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club
http://www.shirleycheng.com
Having a bad day? Then meet Shirley Cheng, A.K.A. the modern day Helen Keller, to inspire, empower, and motivate you to go for the gold medal in life!
"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope haul you high!"
Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to: subscribe@shirleycheng.com
Please sign the Parental Rights in Children's Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Ever wondered where you came from and where you will go? Is your life more than the cradle and grave?
Your origin, purpose, and future do not have to be enigmas. "Do You Love Jehovah? God Almighty's Infinite Love & Wisdom to Propel You to Greatness," the new inspirational Christian book by blind and physically disabled award-winning author Shirley Cheng, will help you discover your purpose and gently direct your way to align with the most sacred will: that of your Life-Giver, Jehovah.
"Are your enjoyments merely passing pleasures or everlasting treasures? Your answer to one ultimate question determines whether you will discover and be a part of the most sacred purpose: Do you love Jehovah?" says Cheng, whose secret to her happiness and success lies in her deep faith in, her love for, her gratitude toward, and her hope in Jehovah.
Cheng, ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
A jolly hello from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
I have some exciting news to share with you! But first...
Do you know that I am the happiest girl you will ever meet? Okay, maybe one of the happiest, but I tell you, you will not find many people happier than I.
Why am I so happy, you wonder? Do I have ten bank accounts, each filled to the maximum FDIC-insured amount? Does my countenance radiate such beauty that every guy drools whenever he simply glances my way? Or do I have the happily-ever-after marriage that girls dream of? No, none of those; for one, I am not married—yet. (Psst, do you happen to know a chap whose happiness matches mine?)
I am an individual who is both blind and physically disabled, with the severe juvenile rheumatoid ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
| Greetings from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com ! You are receiving this because you have personally signed up for it.
I want you to picture a paradise filled with happy people who do not have a care in the world, for they do not need to toil under the hot sun for life's necessities. They have nothing to fear; no doors need to be locked, no children will be abducted, and no parent will pass away, leaving their children behind, for there are no such things as death, diseases, or danger—all forces of evil have been abolished.
To top it off, the entire paradise is ruled by a loving Father-Son team, a King and a Prince who are the light for Their people; no sunlight or moonlight is necessary, for Their light of love and justice is more than sufficient.
Sound like a utopia, a fantasy world of which you can only dream? Of a certainty, it will be a utopia, but not a fantasy; it will be a dream come true forever.
Such a kingdom will soon exist, governed by the Almighty King Jehovah, who will temporarily entrust His Kingdom to His Son Jesus as the Prince of Peace; we can rest assured that love and justice will be served on end. Jesus will bring loving yet firm care to people in this Kingdom, which is Jehovah's promised paradise at last fulfilled, as he judges people in accordance to his Father's standards.
Here are some of the specific highlights of the Kingdom of God:
• People will no longer be victims of human imperfection. There will not be any illnesses, diseases, or discomforts. "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert." (Isaiah 35:5-6, American Standard Version)
• Earth will be restored into a paradise, with no more air, land, or water pollution. "And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes." (Isaiah 35:7)
• Abundant food and water will nourish all. "They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, even by springs of water will he guide them." (Isaiah 49:10)
• People will no longer work in vain. Instead, they will enjoy the fruits of their labor and be filled by the crops their fields yield. "And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them." (Isaiah 65:21)
• Animals will all be tame and friendly; none will eat or harm anyone. Little children can freely play with wild animals. "And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious." (Isaiah 11:6-10)
• Happiness, peace, and love will be the main components of everyday living. Sorrow and misery will be only memories from a past that will never be relived again. "…and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." (Isaiah 35:10)
• Any kind of discrimination will vanish. People of all nations and ethnicities will live together harmoniously. "…the time cometh, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and shall see my glory." (Isaiah 66:18)
• Finally, death is swallowed up forever. (Isaiah 25:8)
What a wonderful world it will be!
This Kingdom of God is a main reason why Jesus came to our world. He wisely used his time to proclaim the good message, not only focusing on how wonderful the heavenly government will be, but on how we can enter it.
How can you be privileged enough to step into this Kingdom, let alone live in it for eternity? What have you learned from the last several issues of my newsletter?
To recap what we have briefly gone through...
The Kingdom of God will be the home to those who...
1) Repent from their old, sinful way of living and embrace a new life, under a new Master: the Christ
2) Welcome the salvation God has graciously gifted us, through the shedding of His Son's innocent blood
3) Embrace Christian living, applying the teachings of the Christ, which are the teachings of God. Jesus was on Earth to teach, not his own messages, but of His Father—our Father. We are all sons and daughters of God and the co-heirs with Jesus when we welcome God into our daily living.
4) Are true Christians. Christians are those who accept Jesus, his ways, and apply his teachings to their everyday thoughts and actions. If a Christian is identified only by whom they believe in, then we can most certainly call Satan a Christian.
When the Kingdom of God comes, all the dead will be resurrected. Those who are alive then will naturally not be resurrected. But everyone will be changed—we will have a new body, not this earthly, physical body, but a spiritual, immortal body that will not decay or die.
Truly, this is the glorious hope that all Christians have. But we must not be selfish and keep this good news to ourselves.
When we receive good news, should we not share it? Therefore, get out there and shout to the whole world that the most wonderful paradise we could ever dream of is coming!
You may now wonder: Can we depend on Bible prophecy?
You bet! Most of the prophecies in the Bible have already been fulfilled or are being fulfilled, such as the ruining of Babylon; what was once a great city lies in ruins to this day. No other book has ever fulfilled their prophecies so accurately and completely.
However, the best reason to trust the Bible is the fact that this holy book is from Jehovah! He is the God of truth, who never lies and always fulfills His words: "For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Keeping this fact in mind will help wipe away any doubts about the Bible we have ever had, and strengthen our faith in God's promises and plans. The faithful Jehovah will never forget us: "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, these may forget, yet will not I forget thee." (Isaiah 49:15)
~*~Q&A with Shirley~*~
This month's question is from Ed Weinsberg, Ed.D., D.D., who is an ordained rabbi, gerontologist and healthcare educator. After his successful robotic surgery for prostate cancer at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in April, 2007, he was moved to share his and others' experiences by writing the award-winning book "Conquer Prostate Cancer." He wrote the book with his contributing author, Dr. Robert Carey,a urologist and a leading robotic surgeon. www.ConquerProstateCancer.com
Question: How can you utilize your faith to heal from within? As a rabbi I have often asked myself whether faith-healing comes from outside a person, in the form of a gifted preacher, or whether the faith that heals is purely an inner phenomenon. What do Christians believe: Are non-clergy empowered to bring about self-healing, as opposed to hearing the Word of God uttered in oracular fashion by a clergyman? Can laypeople expect to heal each other, without any training in Scriptures or medicine? And can the laity bring healing no matter how complex and advanced their disease or that of another they wish to heal?
Answer: A person, regardless of their educational background, can heal oneself or others of any illness or disease, no matter how severe the condition may be, only when that person has two essential components: faith in God and the Holy Spirit.
What does faith mean? The Amplified Bible tells us: "NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]." (Hebrews 11:1)
Therefore, faith in God is believing in and trusting Jehovah, for who He is, for His plans, purposes, and promises. As I wrote in an earlier issue, faith is really loving God. Without love, faith will be valueless. For instance, we believe the people around us—we see they exist with our own eyes; but if we do not love them, our faith does no one good.
Once we have faith in God, it is up to Him to give us His Holy Spirit. Without this gift of His power, we cannot perform any healing (unless the healing is not from God but from His opposing force). Jehovah performs everything and anything using His Holy Spirit, and He chooses to give it to anyone He wishes at any time.
How can you receive the Holy Spirit? In brief, you need to:
a) Build your life on the Word of God, on Jesus Christ, and on righteousness
b) Obey God's teachings by applying them to your daily living
c) Desire the gift of the Holy Spirit and pray for it
Then it is up to Jehovah to give you the Holy Spirit.
~*~Shirley's Corner~*~
Follow me on Twitter! www.twitter.com/shirleycheng
I am honored to say that my essay, "The Gift of Challenges," will be published in "Be the Star You Are! For Teens," the second book in the Be the Star You Are! series by New York Times bestselling author, radio/TV personality Cynthia Brian, whose not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation collects and distributes books and other positive media to youth at risk as a way to raise their life skills and self esteem. Please stop by her site to donate a bit of your heart to her great cause: www.bethestaryouare.org
This ends my August issue. Before September arrives, take this month to get out there to share with others the good news of our forthcoming brand-new life! I quote Jesus: "What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops." (Matthew 10:27)
Content Copyright by Shirley Cheng; All rights reserved
You are permitted to only give out or link to this website or post; all other distribution and copying is prohibited without the prior written permission of Shirley Cheng. Contact Shirley at www.shirleycheng.com
Did you get this from a friend's forward and would like to subscribe? Then send a blank e-mail to subscribe@shirleycheng.com from the e-mail address you'd like to sign up under.
Read previous issues of Inspiration from a Blind at blog.shirleycheng.com
Best regards,
Shirley Cheng
Award-Winning Author with 20 Book Awards
9-Time Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award Winner
Mom's Choice Awards Recipient
Miracle survivor, inspiring author and contributing author of 25 books by age 25, poet, motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, advocate, and a co-author in the bestselling Wake Up...Live the Life You Love book series
Board member of World Positive Thinkers Club
http://www.shirleycheng.com
Having a bad day? Then meet Shirley Cheng, A.K.A. the modern day Helen Keller, to inspire, empower, and motivate you to go for the gold medal in life!
"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains. Let the ropes of hope haul you high!"
Sign up to Inspiration from a Blind newsletter by sending an e-mail to: subscribe@shirleycheng.com
Please sign the Parental Rights in Children's Medical Care: Give Parents the Right to Say No Petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/parentr7/petition.html
|
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
A happy July to you! This is the first summer issue (at least, it's summer here in NY!) of Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Have you ever wondered where evil came from? Did God create evil?
No, of course not; Jehovah did not create evil itself; evil results only when His principles are not followed. Evil is simply the absence of goodness, just as darkness is the absence of light.
Long before Jehovah created Earth and humankind, He created spirit beings known as angels who lived with Him in the spiritual realm where He calls home. He gave angels the freedom to make their own decisions, the same kind of free will He has given to us. One of the angels, who is known as Satan the opposer, abused His gift and chose to rebel against Him. Subsequently, other ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
A warm hello from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
"Why do good people have to suffer?" is something I hear from time to time, and I am sure that you have heard similar complaints, or perhaps you, yourself, have uttered the very question. It does seem that so many innocent people suffer on a daily bases. There are the starving children in Africa and abused women behind closed doors, and let us not forget the sickly trapped on their hospital beds.
Yet, when people use the word "good," I'd have to raise an eyebrow. How do we actually define "good" people? Who are considered "good"? I know plenty of "good" people who tell lies, cheat on their school exams, break promises, and use curse words in everyday speeches. On the other hand, I've heard about "bad" people who are wonderful ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
A warm hello from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Last month, I said, "Everything passes, and so will your current negative situation. When you are angry or upset, keep in mind that it will pass, so why waste your energy on something that will be gone tomorrow?"
When you read that, you probably thought, "Wait a minute, does every negative situation really pass? Did your blindness pass?" If that was your line of thoughts, you are not alone—I've had some people bring up similar points.
Certainly, my blindness has not passed, nor have my physical disabilities. The severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis I've had since infancy will be with me for the rest of my life.
So what did I mean when I say everything will pass when I know that not everything will pass in our current lifetime? ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Hello from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Life is full of obstacles and challenges; you would be fooling yourself to think otherwise. What can you do when an obstacle bumps into you? Take the following steps to overcome it next time.
• Calm down so you can focus on what you want to achieve. Your problem requires more attention than your emotions, so give it the spotlight it deserves by putting your emotions aside. Focus your energy on how to improve your situation, not on how you are reacting to it.
When I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen, I first focused on making the most out of my situation and moving forward. I did not involve any negative emotions. I knew that it was not the end of my life, and that being miserable ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wins Twelfth Book Award
"Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide" by Shirley Cheng, 26-year-old blind and physically disabled award-winning author and motivational speaker, has been named among the winning titles of 2008 Reader Views Annual Literary Awards. The book won Honorable Mention for Body/Mind/Spirit, making it Cheng's twentieth book award.
"I'm absolutely honored and thrilled to have such great honor bestowed upon me," said Cheng.
Prior to receiving this award, Embrace Ultra-Ability! won eleven other awards:
• Nine Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards
• National Best Books 2008 Awards Finalist
• 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist
Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled award-winning author (with twenty awards, including nine Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Awards), motivational speaker, self-empowerment expert, poet, author and contributor to 25 books, has ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Hello from Inspiration from a Blind brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com ! You are receiving this because you have personally signed up for it.
What book was most influential in your life?
When I was asked of this, many of the 2,000 titles I've ever read swam through my head at lightning speed, yet my heart instantly singled out one among them. It's an all-time runaway international best seller, translated into over 2,400 languages. Not a single book has ever come close into matching its number of copies sold or freely distributed, nor has any book been ever studied, discussed, assimilated, criticized, loved, or hated, as much. No wonder, for I know it's a masterpiece that has not only greatly influenced my life but is the cornerstone of every person, past, present, and future.
The book is like a history textbook, when studied ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Greetings from Inspiration from a Blind, the newsletter for those who want to be spiritually ultra-abled, brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
What comes before a successful businessman, a successful doctor, or a successful teacher? A successful human being.
In order to be truly successful in life, you need to first establish three essential spiritual principles—your core values, gratitude, and faith—and these gems will help you create a successful you.
Values
What qualities do you hold highest? What traits do you want to have and be associated with? Think of what qualities are important to you, and then hold firm to them. Your values are what you will base your life's decisions on, and they will guide you in the right paths in life. two plus two equals four. If you think that two plus two equals everything and anything, you are bound to ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Shirley Cheng, 25-year-old blind and physically disabled award-winning author and motivational speaker, has been named 2009 Silver Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Awards® for her book Waking Spirit: Prose & Poems the Spirit Sings, in the Inspirational/Motivational category.
"I'm absolutely honored and thrilled to have such great honor bestowed upon me," said Cheng.
Prior to receiving this award, Waking Spirit won seven other words:
• Best books in Reader Views 2007 Literary Awards: First Place in Poetry, Second Place in Inspirational/Spiritual, and Second Place in New Age Non-Fiction
• The Avatar Award for Excellence in Spiritual Literature
• Finalist - National Indie Excellence 2007 Book Awards
• Honorable Mention - 2007 New York Book Festival
• 2007 DIY Book Festival
"This book is an amazing read by an amazing person." -ForeWord Magazine CLARION Reviews
"An inspirational miscellany from one of the braver souls ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Happy New Year 2009! A joyous greeting from Inspiration from a Blind, the newsletter for those who want to be spiritually ultra-abled, brought to you monthly by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Do you believe in God?
If you answered "Yes," your answer would match about half of the human population, because Christians, Muslims, and Jews, all believe in the same God, Jehovah (though Muslims use the name Allah for God).
While I do not doubt their belief (or how strong it is), I do therefore have to wonder: why are we experiencing so many manmade problems in life?
What does believing in God mean? Many would say that it is accepting that God exists and that He is the Creator of everything. Period.
If that is the case, then let us put Satan under the spotlight. Do you not agree with me that he is a ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Blind, Disabled Author Wins Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award™ in Five Categories
Shirley Cheng, a blind and physically disabled 25-year-old author, has garnished the prestigious Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award™ in five categories for her book, "Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide." The five categories are Adult Health & Well-being, Books - Inspirational/Christian, Gifts For Mom, Gifts For Dad, and Unique Products.
Established in 1998 by award-winning syndicated family/health columnist and bestselling author, Jodie Lynn, one of whose contributed books was featured on Oprah, the Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award honors products and websites of outstanding quality that support and help families and children grow ethically, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically.
"Embrace Ultra-Ability!" is also a finalist in both the National Best Books 2008 Awards in the Philosophy category and the 2008 Next Generation ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Happy Holidays! A jolly greeting from Inspiration from a Blind, brought to you monthly always on time by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
History's Miraculous Birth
One day, over two thousand years ago, God's great messenger, angel Gabriel, visited a home in the city of Nazareth, where Mary, who was a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, lived.
The angel greeted her and announced, "Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:30-33)
Imagine Mary's shock when ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Greetings! Welcome to another issue of Inspiration from a Blind, brought to you by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
Once upon a time, Jehovah created a paradise garden on the newly formed Earth, and in it, He created two people, and told them to be fruitful and multiply and be the masters over the Earth and all the living creatures of the skies, lands, and oceans. His purpose therefore was to fill the paradise with many, many happy people, who had everything they ever wanted—all without laboring or pains.
Yet, the people Adam and Eve deliberately (stupidly, I must add) disobeyed God by taking a route independent from Jehovah's loving guidance. Like rebellion teenagers, they thought they would be in much more freedom, but in reality, they lost freedom, just as if teenagers who choose to do drugs and smoke but ended up harming themselves. In return, They got much ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Shirley Cheng, a blind and physically disabled 25-year-old author, has been named a finalist in the national 2008 USA Best Books in the Philosophy category for one of her most recent books, "Embrace Ultra-Ability! Wisdom, Insight & Motivation from the Blind Who Sees Far and Wide."
Simon & Schuster, Tarcher/Penguin, HarperCollins, Hyperion, St. Martin's Press, McGraw- Hill, and John Wiley & Sons, are some of the publishers whose Titles are among the winners.
"After winning nine book awards, what else is there to say? How could I possibly describe how I feel write now? But don't be surprised if you see me dancing on a cloud," says Cheng.
"Embrace Ultra-Ability!" has received many rave reviews, including from Kirkus Discoveries and ForeWord Magazine Clarion Reviews.
"If there is ever to be a poster person for people with ultra-abilities, it would have to be twenty-four-year-old Shirley ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Greetings! Welcome to another issue of Inspiration from a Blind, brought to you by www.ShirleyCheng.com !
When we see a beautiful painting, we know an intelligent painter is behind the masterpiece. When we see a brick house, we know builders have built it. And when we talk on the phone, we are grateful for its invention.
But when we see a blossoming rose, a rainbow after a refreshing rain, and the soaring eagles amid blue skies, why do many of us deny a Creator of these magnificence?
Do these wonders far surpass the inventions us mere humans have created? Therefore, how could these fine-tuned creations, from the smallest bacteria to the gigantic universe, have come into existence on their own by chance? How could have they thrived and continue to flourish? How could they come in such multitude of kinds, and each kind reproducing after its ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
Greetings! Welcome to another issue of Inspiration from a Blind, brought to you by the one and only www.ShirleyCheng.com !
The big fish eats the small fish, the small fish eats the weak fish, and the weak fish eats the ill fish.
What am I referring to? No, I'm not talking about the food chain. This is what I call the bullying chain.
I am pretty sure, like me, you have witnessed the big guy bullying the small guy as the small guys does nothing to defend himself. Yet, the small guy turns around and bullies the weak guy. Like the small guy who didn't defend himself, the weak guy quivers with fear. But the next day, the weak guy becomes as much as a bully as the small guy when he meets an ill guy, who becomes this weak guy's victim.
Bullying is everywhere,—from ... |
| MORE >> |
|
Posted by Shirley Cheng at
| | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
