Little Cozy Corner

Note : An eye-opening LONG post ahead.

What is your definition of a Man? If you ask that question to a group of men you’ll hear many different answers depending upon environment and upbringing.

Some may say he is a man when he has reached a certain age, some may say when he has moved out from under mom’s roof and has his own car and apartment, and some believe that making a certain amount of money is attaining manhood. None of these things, however, are characteristics of a man.

Manhood is a process, a transition from maleness.

Below states some of the differences between a male and a man.

Are You A Male Or A Man?

Man - does not carry a grudge
Male - looks for ways to get even

Man - looks to better himself; he invests in his success
Male - complains that he has to stay where he is

Man - gives to his community
Male - takes from his community

Man - is measured by his character
Male - is measured by his sex drive

Man - is a protector of women in general and committed to one woman in particular
Male - views a woman as an object of pleasure, and isn’t committed to anything!

Man - word is his bond
Male - has no word, he will tell you what you want to hear

A Real man is a leader
Male - is a follower

Man - thinks with is big head
Male - thinks with his little head (This had me CRACKING up!!!! Bwaaahahahaha!!!! How so true..)

Man - uses his intellect and emotions to make decisions
Male - makes emotional decisions

Males Are Born But Men Are Made *Love this bit!*

As you can see there are some distinctions between males and men. Being a man is not easy, especially when you understand a man’s roles and responsibilities. I was speaking with a brother one day, and he said to me, “Bro, this being a man thing is hard!” I knew exactly where he was coming from. Walking in manhood can be overwhelming because we’re going through the process of being reshaped, renewed, restored and completely retrained.

Most of us have been operating as males with sprinklings of manhood. For example, some of us may find a good woman, marry her, provide for her financially, sometimes emotionally, and do most things right. After about nine months to a year when she starts “trippin” because we’re hanging out with the fellas, that’s when we meet the other woman and revert to being a male. You see, a man has emotions but is not ruled by them. So when his wife starts “trippin”, he doesn’t allow her actions to dictate his reaction. A man understands that he is held accountable by God for the way he treats his wife regardless of the way she may be treating him.

The Making Of A Man
God created man to have dominion, to be a ruler, and to master his environment. He created us in the beginning to be totally dependent on Him, He taught us directly. He instructed us and gave us our assignments. So, the making of a man was founded in and through Him. The only way this transition into manhood can take place is that we go back to Him.

1 Corinthians 13:11 states “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things”.

Keys To Becoming A Real Man
God created man to be a Provider, Protector, Cultivator, Visionary, and Leader

Provider : In Genesis 2:15 God put His man, Adam in a garden and gave him his first assignment, to work. Work was given to him to advance the purpose of God. God wanted Adam to have fulfillment, and to enable him to provide for his own needs as well as those for whom he would eventually be responsible for. Notice that before he gave the man a woman, He gave him work. Therefore a man needs work before he takes on a wife. A provider finds a way to supply for his family’s need. He plans ahead and anticipates needs before they arise.

Protector : When God put us in the garden to take care of it, not only did He want us to work in it and cultivate it, but He wanted us to also protect it, and all the animals, the plants, and the woman that He put there for us. We are natural protectors, designed by God to protect everything we are responsible for.

Cultivator: To cultivate means to make something better than it was when you first received it. Look at your woman, how many of us are really cultivating our women?

Single Brothers: You should be cultivating every woman that comes into your circle. They should leave you a better person, NOT Pregnant, or emotionally abused after we’ve run so much game on them.

Married Men: We have this picture in our minds of what we want our wives to be and when she doesn’t measure up to that we blame her. Ask yourself, what have you put into her? What kind of deposits have you made into her spirit? Have you cultivated her to be what you envision? Or what she envisions for herself? Do you know what her goals and dreams are? How are you helping her achieve them? A woman is like a seed, and we are water and light for her. If we pour into her and shine our light on her, she will blossom into a beautiful, compassionate, nurturing, submissive, help mate. Then you can look at her proudly and say “Look at what I have cultivated”.

Visionary: Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no vision the people perish”. To have vision means to conceive something in your mind and then move toward bringing that vision into reality. Every man should have a vision for his life. If he is married, he should have a vision for his family. The vision should include but not limited to Faith, Family, and Finances. We should have short term and long term goals, and they should be attainable. Most of us don’t have a vision for our family and we wonder why our wives and children won’t submit to us. Brothers, look at the word ’submission’, the prefix “sub” means under, and mission simply means goal or vision. So submitting is coming under one’s goals and vision. Well brother, she won’t submit if you don’t have a vision for her to submit under.

Leader: Every man is created by God to lead and a man should display leadership characteristics. Some men run away from the responsibility of leadership. They are selfish, only concerned about their own needs and not the needs of others.

Take a look at some leadership characteristics listed below:
A leader is a servant
A leader is disciplined
A leader is the first one up in the morning and the last one to go to bed
A leader sets the tone
A leader has integrity
A leader has character
A leader’s word is his bond
A leader is a role model
A leader provides, protects, cultivates, and has vision
A leader leads by example

Men, we are on our way. The first step was reading this article. Now you know what a man is, God winks at ignorance but holds us all responsible for what we know.

Let’s start the transition into manhood now!

*An email I received (hopefully) from a MAN. Thanks Poongan. Btw, I do hope no MAN or MALE has gotten their undies in a twist, I seriously do see some truth in this and would love to read if anyone has the oppposite version of this, that is about women and girlies. :wink:*

Funny quote for the day :
George Burns - “When I was a boy the Dead Sea was only sick.”

And funny VIDEO for the day - a MUST see!!! Handling gym euipment.

I have just gotten back from church - mass was FANTASTIC!!! Our choir was FANTASTIC!! Fuhyooo…..was exhilarating wei!! Yes….FINALLY, tis Christmas morning, Baby Jesus is born. I’m still feeling prayerful but of course, this prayerfulness was induced by me going to mass and all. Then again, what other better way to celebrate Christmas with loved ones (like me mama and me sistah) accompanied with a bottle of spirit? Vodka to b exact. Well, I best be getting back to my lonely shot of vodka lime - mmmm….mama mia!!!! Delicious lor!!!! *Dun worry, I won’t get drunk and even if I do, no driving will be involved but only to steer myself safely into bed. *

Here’s wishing you a blessed Christmas and a prayer to follow.

A Christmas Prayer
By Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.

By the way, I think I’m in the mood for some ripping off…. Yup, I’m off to rip open my hamper (which also doubles up as my Christmas present). ~ What were you thinking???

WOoooooHOOooooo!!

My first post full of prayers. This is the FIRST time in my life that I’ve been so prayerful about Christmas. Christmas was most of the time, the season of partying, having fun, drinking, eating…pretty much what youngsters do lar. I guess age must be catching up with me and I’m losing it!! *What a scary thought that I am getting old!!* But seriously speaking, Christmas has some how mellowed me down so much that I am hardly affected by the commercial aspect of it all. Yes, it’s nice to note the decor and the atmosphere in the shopping complexes but maybe it’s all just too much for me. I’ve been feeling this way about Christmas for the past few years now and the older I get, I seem to have lost that excitement - not to sure why though. Maybe I seriously am not paying enough attention to it. *Shrugs* O well….in any case, do enjoy the prayers.

Christmas Eve Prayer

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit…
Today is a day for celebrating gifts,
and we celebrate it with gifts.
But, Lord, help us to remember
that no gift we receive this season
can ever be as important
as those gifts we already possess.
We thank You for the gift of health,
and we remember and pray for those who are sick.
We thank You for the gifts of home and work,
and we remember and pray for those who are homeless or unemployed.
We thank You for the gift of plentiful food,
here today and every day,
and we remember and pray for those who are hungry.
We thank You for the gift of family,
those here with us today and those who are away,
and for the love of good friends.
We remember and pray for those who are alone.
We thank You for the gifts of Your constant guidance and numerous blessings,
and we remember and pray for those who do not know You.
Most importantly, Lord, we thank You
for the gift of Your Son,
whom You sent to us on this night so long ago.
Help us to remember
that it is for this reason alone
we gather here to celebrate.
Amen.

Did you know that even Santa has his OWN prayers?

Santa’s Prayer

On Christmas Eve I heard a sound
I’d never heard before.
A voice was softly speaking
And I wanted to hear more.
So very quietly I arose
From the bed where I was laying.
I tiptoed to the living room
Where I heard Santa praying.
“Dear Jesus, It’s your birthday
And I just want to say,
Thanks for letting me be a part
Of your very special day.”
“I always have believed in you
I know that you are real.
But there are some who don’t believe
And how sad that makes me feel.”
“Some houses have no Bible
They have no manger scene.
Some people speak of Christmas
But forget what it really means.”
“I pray someday they all will know
What Your love’s worth, and then
I know that they will understand
The importance of your birth.
Amen!”
I always knew Santa brought toys
Like my truck and my sister’s doll
But on this night I understood
Why Santa is the jolliest of all.
It is because he helps to spread
Good will and Christmas cheer.
And he helps Jesus celebrate
His birthday every year.
Then I quietly returned to my room
And snuggled back in my bed.
Knowing I’d always remember
The words that Santa had said.
In the morning I remembered
what I had heard and seen.
But I wasn’t sure if it was real
Or just a wonderful dream?
~Author unknown

And just before he steps leaves to carry out his duty and send presents to all the nice little girls and boys out there, he says another prayer too :

Santa’s Christmas Prayer
By Warren D. Jennings

The sleigh was packed,
the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
by the side of the bed.
“Dear Father,” he prayed
“Be with me tonight.
There’s much work to do
and my schedule is tight.
I must jump in my sleigh
and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
that a reindeer can’t fly.
I will visit each household
before the first light,
I’ll cover the world
and all in one night.
With sleighbells a-ringing,
I’ll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
of each little hoof.
To get in the house
is the difficult part,
So I’ll slide down the chimney
of each little heart.
My sack will hold toys
to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless
like the loaves and the fishes.
I will fill all the stockings
and not leave a track.
I’ll eat every cookie
that’s left for my snack.
I can do all these things Lord,
only through You,
I just need your blessing,
then it’s easy to do.
All this is to honor
the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us,
Your most Holy Son.
So to all of my friends,
lest Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them,
who gave me this job.”

Anyway, here’s wishing you a VERY blessed Christmas.

I’ll wait till 30/12/2005 to wish you a happy new year.

Christmas is around the corner, and some how EVERY year, it’s the same feeling everytime. The only thing I remember what Christmas is like year in, year out are the presents (which I hardly get anymore seeing that I’m quite a big buffalo now), feasting and parties. Nothing more to it really. I’ve failed MANY time to see that it’s the coming of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Yes, this is indeed viewing Christmas the right way.

This was in the mail when I checked it this morning, and it really had me thinking about Christmas and I hope that THIS year, it will be different.

“As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honour and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated.

During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me.

As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration.

Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don’t know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honour. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts.

But, do you want to know something? I wasn’t invited.

I was the guest of honour and they didn’t remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face.. And I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn’t surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn’t invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: “Santa Claus, Santa Claus” as if the party were in his honour!

At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know no one hugged me.

Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers me.

I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life.

I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn’t invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I’m still making the final arrangements….

Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party.

Those who don’t answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon. I Love you!
Jesus”

MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS WITH JESUS!!!!!

~Darn it!! Wanted to save this for Friday, but it couldn’t wait!!! Blek!

We all love art dont we? Art comes in MANY, MANY forms but how often do you see art so morbid yet at the same time, magnificent?? Can you believe that BONES could be made into beautiful artwork…? HUMAN bones that is.

If I could, I would LOVE to visit The Ossuary in Sedlec. Why you may ask? Well, simply because after seeing THESE…

The interior of the Church

The Chalice

The Chandeliar

Wall decor

…..I couldn’t resist NOT wanting to visit. I’m still in a daze after seeing these pictures. Not because I’m afraid, digusted or anything negative as that but because I think they are simply magnificent and the story behind it, my o my….how very interesting indeed. How can anyone NOT wanna visit this place??? I REALLY hope that one day I will have the chance to step foot in this maginificent piece of art. But only if my baby will take me. *Grins and shows off all my pearly whites.*

Wanna see more amazing art? Click HERE.

Photos © Lubos Stiburek, Ivan Ulrych, Frisco Ramirez, hackerzeven, Mark Bennett, John Morse.

Since it is the Sabbath, a day of resting in the Lord for us Christians, I think this is VERY appropriate with the day AND season. While searching for some Christmas .gifs & clipart, I came across this VERY sweet prayer by B. Muntz from The North Pole called…..

‘A Child’s Prayer for Christmas’.

Dear God, thank you for Christmas and Santa Claus
And the gifts he brings me each and every year
I know I have been good according to your laws
Even though I have made my parents shed a little tear

Keep Santa safe with sled and gifts packed
Bless the reindeer they are strong and fed
Thank you for the food I left Santa to snack
Let Santa know that the cookies are beside my bed

Please stop the wars in the world and people from fighting
Let them see your peace and a Christmas tree with lighting.
Bless all the poor children without Christmas or love
Let them know that Jesus is your gift to all from above.
(My favourite part of this prayer.)

Bless my family that I love so very dear
Let them know that in my heart they are near
Thank you God for all the gifts shiny and new
Be sure to tell Santa that I prayed for him too.

Amen.

Have a blessed week ahead!

Picture thanks to ScotWise.