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SAUCA/SEDA AT TAIPERIA DAY 2008

Tune Mada!

The Word for Today Daily Devotional - How To Keep Your Job

Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

James 1:19 NIV

Eighty percent of the time people don't lose their job because of technical incompetence, but because of relational incompetence - they don't know how to get along with other people. If you master the three instructions that James gives, the likelihood of that happening to you will go down to just about zero.

(1) Be quick to listen! By staying calm and refusing to react, you gain insight - and respect! "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control" (Proverbs 29:11 NIV).
(2) Be slow to speak! If you talk too much or too fast, here are three tips to slow you down: (a) Stop. Just stop talking. Inhale. Count up to 10. Excuse yourself and go to the bathroom. (b) Practice not interrupting. Allow the other person to continue what they're saying until they're through. (c) Ask yourself: Why am I talking so much? Is it insecurity? Anxiety? The need to control? A desire to impress? The reason most of us try to convince, impress or control others is because we have a hard time trusting God to work things out. In other words, "our talk issue is a trust issue."
(3) Be slow to anger! If you observe the first two principles, you'll tend to come out all right on number three. It'll just happen.

You can make progress on these three things - and you can start today. And if you do it consistently year after year you'll get to the end of your life and say to yourself, "I'm so grateful that I took the wisdom of God seriously."

Daily Bible Reading:

Isaiah 40:1-31, John 9:1-39

DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES - Overcoming Your Pride

Proverbs 3:7 NIV
To overcome your pride you must: (1) Recognise your pride. Benjamin Franklin observed, "There is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. For even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility." In The Indispensable Man, Saxon White Kessinger writes: "Sometime when you feel that your going, would leave an un-fill-able hole, just follow these simple instructions, and see how they humble your soul. Take a bucket and fill it with water, put your hand in it up to the wrist; pull it out and the hole that's remaining, is the measure of how you'll be missed." It's humbling just how quickly the hole we think we're leaving, disappears or gets filled in by others.
(2) Express gratitude often. Paul writes, "No matter what happens, always be thankful" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 TLB). Oprah Winfrey suggests, "Keep a gratitude journal. Every night list five things that happened this day that you are grateful for. It will change your life. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you'll never have enough. If you focus on what you have, you will always see that the universe is abundant and you'll have more." Selfish people never think they get as much as they deserve. Continually expressing gratitude helps to break that kind of pride.
(3) Learn to laugh at yourself. The Chinese proverb says, "Blessed are they that laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be entertained." People who have the problem of pride rarely laugh at themselves. Engaging in humour at your own expense shows that pride isn't the problem, and that if it is, it's one you're determined to deal with!

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Nomu Siga Ni Sucu E Daidai

Bula Guys!
Ratu AEG, today is the day that you had announced previously in one of you emails last week I think. It is Mr Moce's Birthday!
I'm sure that all you TCO's members out there will join me in wishing Mack a Happy Birthday and tons of happy returns.
Come on Turaga, you have a Great Day today and may the Good Lord Richly Bless You and Your Family on your Birthday.
Heaps of love and best wishes from all your friends at TCO's.
Celebrations later .... your veranda or my porch ..... up to you!
Sa donu guys, have a great day and stay blessed.
Prez

DAILY BIBLE VERSE

Weeds Growing In The Wheat!

Weeds Growing In The Wheat!

An enemy did this.

Matthew 13:28 NIV - "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and gather them up?'

Matthew 13:24-30 is an eye-opening parable. Jesus warned that while we are planting wheat (God's Word), the enemy is planting weeds (deception). And it's happening in the same field!

Why? (1) Because we've fallen asleep. "While everyone was sleeping, his enemy … sowed weeds among the wheat" (Matthew 13:25 NIV - but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away.). Wake up! Dynamic personalities and big crowds don't guarantee truth is being taught. Paul warns the Ephesian church: "After I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock" (Acts 20:29 NIV - For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.).

(2) Because the sowers look and sound alike. Who are these people sowing bad seed? Paul answers: "From your own number men will arise and distort the truth" (Acts 20:30 NIV - Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.). Note, they started out right but went wrong. You say, "Should we pull up the weeds?" No. Jesus said, "While you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn" (Matthew 13:29-30 NIV- "But he said, 'No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, "First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"

There are many ‘voices’ speaking today and you need discernment at to the spirit that’s at work in them. Think it's no big deal? One degree off course may seem harmless enough, but stay on that trajectory and you'll end up far from where God wants you to be, then realise, "An enemy did this". Protect yourself by living in God's Word, staying filled with the Holy Spirit which will "guide you into all truth" (John 16:13 - However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.) and surrounding yourself with those of "like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1 - Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:).

OUR NEXT MEETING - 25/04/08

Bula guys!
I know it's been quite a while since I attended the last meeting, but I've really been busy occupied with my Saturday Classes.
I have now managed to master the technique of staying awake during classes and can now afford to stay up late on Friday nights for our club meetings.
I will not be able to attend the meeting at Osea's on the 25th and would like to wish you all a great time at the Batiweti's. OZ, moku mada ko iratou kece...!!

SETTING OUR OWN STANDARDS

Bula again form the Desk of The Prez!!

The sky is the limit people....I know we are all proud of JT for his achievement and if he can do it why can't we?.
We can not all be General Managers or Directors etc., but the point is.....we give it our best shot by setting standards not for the sake of being noticed by outsiders but rather for ourselves. We know our capabilities and what other people say or think should really not concern us so much beacause at the end of the day, we will be judged by our individual achievements.

Got this piece from the Vine @ http://www.thevine.co.nz ....it indeed is a great piece and a fitting one at that too considering the great news we've just received!

Set Higher Standards For Yourself!
The Lord tested Joseph's character.
Psalm 105:19 NLT
The life of Joseph teaches us that the road to success isn't easy. It involves having a dream nobody else believes in, and holding onto it through the hardest of times. It involves handling resentment from those closest to you and keeping a good attitude. It involves maintaining your integrity when faced each day with temptation. It involves being so honest that the prison warden would trust you with the keys. It involves being gracious when you have the power to retaliate. It involves saying the right things to yourself when those around you are saying the opposite. It involves staying so prepared that even though your dreams are delayed, when God opens the door you're ready to walk through it. That's what the Bible means when it says, "Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character" (Psalm 105:19 NLT)

Take a moment and read these profound words by Dianne Snedaker: "If you are interested in success, it's easy to set standards in terms of other people's accomplishments and then let other people measure you by those standards. But the standards you set for yourself are always more important. They should be higher than the standards anyone else would set for you, because in the end you have to live with yourself, and judge yourself, and feel good about yourself. And the best way to do that is to live up to your highest potential. So set your standards high and keep them high, even if you think no one else is looking. Somebody out there will always notice, even if it's just you."

The challenge is now on us, the ball is now in our courts so to speak and with the requested guidance of our Lord, nothing will be impossible!

MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF 2008

Bula TCO's .... I'm now posting the minutes our first meeting for the year 2008 that was held at Maika's Residence in Kartaram, Votualevu on the 25th Jan'08.

The minutes were the basis of discussions during our second meeting which was differed from the 08th Feb'08 as we were unable to form a quorum in that meeting.

Our secretary will be sending out the minutes of the 15th Feb'08 meeting by early next week.

Wishing you all a Great Weekend!

Moce Jo!


Minutes of the TCO's Meeting held on Friday, 25th Jan 2008 at Maika Moce’s Residence - Kataram @ 7.45pm

Present:
Nat Volavola - Present President
Maciu Bolaitamana - Present Secretary
Joe Dalituicama - Present Treasurer
Emosi Jale
Maika Moce
Eiji-san
Koba-san
Joe Tuamoto
Osea Batiweti

Apologies:
Braemen
Jale Vitoki
Vini Bennett

Meeting commence @ 7.45pm

1.Welcome
A special welcome by Mr. President to the members present at the first meeting 2008.
Especially to our new member joining this year Ms. Koba-san. Welcome to the TCO’s.

2.Prayer
Meeting lead with a prayer by our present Treasurer, Mr. Joe Dalituicama

3.Apologies
Received and conveyed apologies as per listed above.

4.Nomination of 2008 Club Committee
Maika moved to have the nomination in our next meeting when hopefully we should have all members present by then.
Motion seconded by JD.

5.Tressure’s Update
Mr. Treasurer will be able to provide a report by our next meeting.

Club Sub collected as of Friday, 08th Jan, 2008
Koba-san $50.00
Maika $20.00
Nat V $20.00
Eiji-san $50.00
Emosi Jale $5.00
JT $10.00
UT $10.00
Total $165.00

Treasurer – to have a receipt book and issue receipt on every sub paid.
Few points to be clarified in our next meeting;
a) If you loan your sub, the interest goes to your account
b) If you loan more than your sub, than the 20% interest goes to the club pool

6. General Business
Below issues raised for discussion during our next meeting.
a)Possibility if we can make an effort to visit Moape this year - MB
b)Suggested by Mr. President, if we can have one of our family day this year to visit either Old Peoples Home or School of Handicap instead of a family picnic. Seconded by JD.
c)Mr. Prez also raised few old rules to be instilled within members. The following were raised to be discussed in our next meeting.
- No Show without apology – fine $5.00
- Late Arrival without prior notification – fine $5.00
In line with penalties raised above, Emosi stated a good point.
Funds collected from penalties, to be accounted for separately which can go towards our club member visitation or any other donation that may be required.
d)An important point raised by JD, is to map out a ‘Club Activity Calendar of Events’ for the year.
e)In the Calendar of Events to include Family Retreat, Seafood or Lovo fundraising.
f)Year Planner to be drafted and presented during our next meeting.
g)Next meeting to confirm members of club, current and new members
h)Need household removal gang to assist Maika move to his dream house as stated by Master. Emosi Jale.
i)Visitation to new Talatala at Namaka
j)A word of encouragement by our present Chairman and concluded by a prayer from our present Treasurer.

7.Next meeting: Venue – 29th Feb’08 Venue: Eiji-san's Residence.
Time @ 0700rs
Vinaka & wishing you guys and your families a Great Weekend!

********************************************************

Facing The New Year With Courage!

Be strong and courageous.
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

Dr. John Maxwell writes: "When I began my career I was very ineffective as a leader. My problem was that I wanted to please everybody. Making people happy was the most important thing to me. The bottom line was, I lacked the courage to make right but unpopular decisions. How did I turn things around? By making small decisions that were difficult. With each one I gained more confidence and more courage, and I began to change. The process took me four years. At the end of that time I felt I had learned many valuable lessons, and I wrote the following to help me cement what I had learned:

"Courageous leadership simply means I've developed: (1) Convictions that are stronger than my fears. (2) Vision that is clearer than my doubts. (3) Spiritual sensitivity that is louder than popular opinion. (4) Self-esteem that is deeper than self-protection. (5) Appreciation for discipline that is greater than my desire for leisure. (6) Dissatisfaction that is more forceful than the status quo. (7) Poise that is more unshakeable than panic. (8) Risk-taking that is stronger than safety-keeping. (9) Actions that are more robust than rationalisation. (10) A desire to see potential reached more than to see people pleased."

If people-pleasing is your problem, you might want to go back and re-read those ten things. You don't have to be great to become a person of courage. You just have to want to fulfill God's plan and purpose for your life - and be willing to trade what seems good in the moment for what's best for your future! And that's something you can do this year, regardless of your level of natural talent.

ARE YOU READY FOR 2008

ARE YOU READY FOR 2008?

Bula TCO’s!

I’m writing this note at 16:24hours on the first working day of the year 2008 and I’m really amazed at the rate the day has passed.
I’m sure most of us will have made some sort of plans or set up goals and achievements for this year.
I think that is a very good and honorable idea as we have to have some sort of guideline set out in order for us to achieve our goals.
I, for one am planning to be more family focussed this year and get to know my families and spend more time with them especially my children. We all know how time flies as one day they are still with us and before we realise it they are out there in the world and how they perform on their own really depends on how we bring them up.
This of course does not mean that I will not want to be with you my friends from time to time but it’s just that I may not be spending more time with you.
On the subject of spending time together as friends, I think it’s now time that we start thinking of when to have our first meeting and I’ll leave to our Secretary to call one whenever he thinks it’s appropriate to have it.
I know that we have on more than 100 times during these last 3 or 4 years been talking about something together and I feel that we should never abandon the thought.
Lastly on these, my first posting this year, I would like to wish you and your families a Happy & Prosperous New Year.