Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Constant Ride of Life. It's Killing Us!

There are many in this life that feel like their life is a constant ride on a ferris wheel.  They keep going in a circle that won't let them off.  They have no end to the ongoing drama in their life.  They have no peace, they just keep trying to answer life on their own terms.  They believe their life is their own and that they have to do it all by their selves.  Many have heard of the peace that God can give them, the rest and answers they are looking for are right there in front of them.  Stress keeps their mind at ruin.  They don't know how to slow down,  and the bad situations they are in have no end. 

We have an answer, an end to all this crud that has been put upon us.  I came to a point in my life where I just had to say enough is enough.  I had to humble myself and go to God and give it all to him. At that moment he came in and made it right.  There was alot in their he had to clean up.  Guilt, sin, loss of hope, fear and arrogance. It didn't happen over night it took a long time and a lot of prayer. Earnest prayer!  I didn't promise God anything I just asked for him to take over and transform me over time.  He has and continues  to do a good work in me.  I found the end of the ferris wheel, the world let me off and I met my Creator there.  Many in this world are hard hearted, they believe they have it all under control and that their decison of taking the steering wheel of life and driving it themselves will go in the right direction.  It won't!

I saw a sign the other day that read, "Do not conform but tranform."  We all conform to this world and follow what the planet says to do, but it doesn't make any sense.  We are just like the rest of the world, we conform.  Transform.  God wants us to transform in him.  That we might transform others into the way he wants us.  Nothing good comes out of the devils way of life.  It's amazing when you see the way God sees things.  Interest in money becomes less, helping others makes people happier. Thinking less of self and more of others makes things and life make sense.  Take your life to a higher standard.   Allow God to come into your life and feel his presence there right with you and in you.  He will never leave you,  when you have questions he has an answer.  Life is great when there is help in all things.

I have a list of books that I believe  God led me to. They are listed on the right hand column on my blog.  If you seriously have questions these books will give you the answers.  Many of them cleared up my questions that I had, they inspired me to believe in a God who is loving yet determined to keep me in line and give me all the insight I need to battle the pressures of Satan.  I have been transformed and in a life process to becoming what God wants me to be.  Allow him to get you off of the ferris wheel of life and become one with him.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Missing Oppurtunities From God. Lacking in Our Faith.

I don't give God the praise he deserves.  I get so wrapped up in the daily routine that I miss great oppurtunties to give praise to God the Father.  There are times in my life that I want to set the world on fire. To show others how many oppurtunities that God has given us.  Yet, I stayed away from them because I wanted to play it safe.  I didn't want to miss out, but I wanted to play the role of safety.  I believe God wants us to take the risks, he wants us to take a leap of faith and trust in him.  But we don't! Some do and have found great blessings by doing the leap. 

I don't want to play it safe anymore.  I want to be that person that takes a huge step out of my comfort zone and takes the risk.  If we fall on our face we can always get back up and take another punch or we can play it safe and duck the punch.  I usually am the person who is a day late and a dollar short.  That's how things have always panned out.  Maybe I missed the voice of God calling me to take a step toward an oppurtunity that he had planned for me.  Missing the chance to serve him through another person, is something i always play it safe with.  To me that is a very sad oppurtunity missed, and it saddens him because I had a small faith.  We as Christians need to look very closely at oppurtunities to grab an  offer from God.

I have been reading about how we should see with the eyes of Christ.  Our goals in life should not be about oppurtunties of making money, but chances to see others with the compassion of Christ.  To see somebody in need of love and a slight glimpse of hope.  We have been given more than our cup can hold from God.  He wants to be served and loved by serving others in the name of Christ. Money is nice, but it doesn't buy our complete satifaction and never will.  But serving others is how we will find a lot of satisfaction in life.  Satan wants nothing holy in our lives, so he takes us and makes us timid and selfish and we stay right where he wants us.  He keeps us focused on ourselves and keeps us from seeking the oppurtunity that God wants us to take on.  Our world wants us to be completely focused on our needs and satisfaction.  We need to take the leap of faith and seek God's oppurtunities as he presents them for us to do. May God bless us with a faith in him that will take on his unseen journey for us and others. 

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Go Steelers!

Well, it's that time again when the Steeler nation gathers around the TV and rejoices to see the greatest team on Earth.  My jersey is on and my Terrible Towel is in hand.  Here we go Steelers, Here we go!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

A Very Good Speech!

I usually watch these Presidential addresses when they are on.  I remember when I was little and I would complain because they were on and keeping me from watching a certain program.  I used to complain when Clinton or Bush were going to speak, but now I really don't complain.  Tonight was a great speech, I never really study these speeches ever, but I did tonight.  I knew there would be some tension in the room where Obama spoke this evening.  At one point somebody yelled out "It's a lie!"  It's the first time I have seen that happen.  It disrurpted his speech for a moment, but it did not stop Obama from making his point. 

It was very clear in the speech of what his intentions are for health care reform, and I agree with it.  It sounded really like a good plan.  Obama addressed the lies, which was a very good thing to do.  A lot of the fear and anger have been because of all the misleading accusations from others who don't want health care reform. 

I noticed something different about this President than all the former ones.  He fights for the underdog, he believes we can all be on the same page in life and he wants to help all who can't help themselves.  I also noticed that when people stood there and clapped he didn't stand there and enjoy the applause like former Presidents.  He wanted to speak ang not stand in the glory he was being given.  If you watch this speech with an open mind, and hear without prejudice ears you will hear and see what I heard.  I'm not an Obama praiser or do I support all his actions, but I did see something I liked about him though.  Hopefully, this reform on healthcare will pass and workout the way he thinks it will and will do all he says it will do, then maybe we can all rest and finally feel good about something he did!  May God Bless Us all

Monday, September 07, 2009

The Fear Against Our Freedom

I wrote on my status tonight on Facebook asking people to give me a topic to write about tonight. The only one I got was about the controversy facing Obama's speech in the schools tomorrow. Which I have read the text and see nothing but a man trying to do the job that the teachers and parents aren't doing. Bringing inspiration to the next generation, telling them to stay in school and take the responsibility on themselves to get an education. Basically, let's not have another generation of bums. Which is what we're seeing. I know a lot of people right now that have just dropped out of school for no apparent reason. You need an education or you will be seen in the world as a bum. I know that sounds mean and I know there are a lot of people who have been successful without an education. There are few though.

But the controversy drives me nuts! Somebody has decided that they don't like Obama, so they have turned against him and decided to start a fight. I don't completely agree with all of Obama's decision, but nobody gives anybody a chance anymore. We are a closed minded nation who wants nothing to do with change. We went through a lot of crap with Bush for 8 years I'm sure we can take a little more. But hopefully things will be better. Bush started the mess with the bailouts and we now have to grin and bare more bailouts.

We are so fearful of this guy turning our nation into a communist one. We live in fear, we are angered about health care so much, that fights are breaking out in the protest lines. It just doesn't make sense. If you look at our health care, it's a system of total greed! All this controversy is being driven by a bunch of money hungry lobbyists and insurance companies who don't want to lose any of that green paper we give so much value to. Stand back and pray about all these lies that are triggering through our nation. I don't do politics at all. There is to much noise going on between two sides that really don't have a clue of what they're really doing either. It's just a mess. I'm sure I will get a comment on here that will try to persuade me into believing the agenda of either party. But I won't listen, my life revolves around God not politics. If God wanted me to live on the streets I would. Because He would have a reason, so that his will be done. Don't live in the realm of this world and its lies, live to see what God's will is for all of us and then live by His guidance in great faith. Thanks Jim for the topic, I think I went a little farther than Obama's controversial speech though.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Just Believe!


If you are struggling with your faith right now, you are not the only one I am sure. We're buried in a lot here on earth, and Satan is a tricky and evil player. I know that every bad thing that occurs is derived from him. Because God doesn't want any harm to come to his children at all.
There are people in this world that are deciding a lot of different things right now. Making decisions that could harm themselves or destroy their lives forever. When temptation comes to knock on the door of our lives, it usually doesn't give us enough time to think about what we are doing. We just end up doing it and suffer the consequences later. We live in a world that is constantly trying to reach out to our sense of satisfaction. Money is what all people believe will satisfy our lives. It won't! We're always pressured to buy products that will satisfy all our needs in life. But they don't! So we continue to try and figure out what can bring hope in this life. Nothing that is touchable will ever bring us complete hope for satisfaction in life. Many go to the bars to hopefully put away their sorrows for a little bit, yet it never happens. We are seduced by sex from another person, and that doesn't do nothing, but create more caous. Where do we go? What do we do?
I know you know that I am probably going to say God. And I am! There is hope for a lot of satisfaction in the Living God. The past two days off I had, I got a chance to be alone with our creator. The house was peaceful, nobody was home. So I read a lot and wrote some more on this supposed book I am writing. It was nice because I learned a lot about satisfaction through reading and about asking God to give me his view of the world. To see what he values and what he wants my life to be. I read about how Jesus saw the world, compared to our lousy view. When you try to change your view of life and try to see the world as Christ saw it, it really brings a warmth to your heart.
WWJD (What would Jesus Do?) makes sense. How would Jesus handle our unsatisfied lives. What would he tell us to do? I'm sure if Jesus were here physically and I told him I was bored, what would he say to that? I can't imagine the to do list he would have for me. I believe He would take me on a tour that would blow my mind. The hurting people he would tell me about that needed help. The homeless people he would tell me to feed and clothe. The abandoned children he would tell me about that needed hugs. He would have a huge list of people who were mourning a loss of a loved one that needed comfort. The sick and shut ins he would tell me about who need a prayer and a good conversation. But, His number one rule and his only rule would be "Have great compassion." How would I have time for all that? I think He would make the time for me to do it all, a whole lifetime to get things done.
I have come to realize how compassionate Jesus was then and is today. Our decisions in life are probably not the choices He would make. I don't see Jesus worrying about his stocks going to pot or that his career is the most important thing in his life right now. I don't see Jesus making any of our decisions we make, except the one's that are selfless. The decisions we make about whether God or science has it right or wrong. He knows that answer because he is a major part of the Trinity. Our hopes and decisions in life need to be Christ like. What Would Jesus Do????? What is our first step in this messy world? I would first just "Believe" in Him and the rest will fall into order. We will still constantly be battled. For we our in a war between Heaven and Hell and our lives will continue to be flung around. But just "Believe in Him" and that will be the best decision ever and do what is on His list. There you will find a life satisfied.

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Seeing With God's Eyes


I learned in a book I am reading titled, "The Beautiful Fight" on how to see with the eyes of God. The things we see with our own eyes is materiel things. He was describing taking off in a plane and passing the huge houses zooming past as they launched off the runway. As the plane ascended the houses got smaller and smaller. They seemed to be so small in size that their importance became less important. In God's eyes that is how he sees things on this Earth. Our material possessions that seem to be so important to us and puff up our pride is of no importance to our Father in heaven. He states we cannot impress God.
So he prayed to God and asked, "Lord, help me to see this world with your eyes. Otherwise I might value what you despise and despise what you value." Our world has truly been corrupted by Satan. He has set our values on things seen and not on what God wants us to see. Our lives should be on the people who have been rejected by this world. We should give our lives to everyone in need, and not our needs. We need to look at the riches from God that surround us daily. We should always look to what God has given us spiritually and not be in want for more worthless things. We should always desire Him and look at the Earth and find there is nothing worth desiring but Him.
Have we stopped seeing people as important and instead stare persistently at possessions, power and pleasure? Have we become so vain in this world that we have become spiritually blind? We see the seen as more comforting than the spiritual things God has intended for us to see. When I write on topics like this I am not just writing to others I am also writing to myself. None of us are perfect, but we all fall into this category of loving the world and not seeing the real reason for being here. Our eyes need to see what God sees as important. We can't deny that we judge people by the way they act or look, it's Satan's game and he loves to deny us holy eyes and give us a false vision of our true selves.
It drives me nuts to see the TV evangelists ask for money and talk to their flock about gaining more money because they love God. God may bless us in some ways with money but there is a reason he gave us money. Not to comfort ourselves but to give others the comfort we are enjoying. God wants our lives to be comfortable but not to the point where we are looked up to as untouchable or more important for others to come to us for help. Live humbly, live Godly, live as Jesus did.
For he had no possessions to give. When asked to pay taxes to Caesar he pulled a coin not out of his pocket but out of the mouth of a fish. Jesus came so that he could allow the blind to see and those who saw to become blind. If you want to see like the living God read about the life of Jesus in the four gospels. You don't ever see Jesus talking about his new house he is building or about his new car he bought with the shiny thousand dollar rims. He doesn't pull out a gun and do a drive by shooting because the Pharisee's disrespected him. No Jesus lived for others! He lived to save the world from the grips of Satan and his demons. He came to give to those whom the world rejected to show the mighty power of God.
Jesus didn't Facebook all day he healed and preached till he was completely worn out. Jesus became the example of God's eyes here on Earth and 2000 years later we are still not seeing like he does. What is wrong with us? Let's put our lives on the back burner and give ourselves to those who need our help and then we will reap the rewards in heaven. God bless!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Been Awhile, sorry


It's been awhile since I posted anything. I haven't seen any reason to write because my readers have fallen off lately. So I felt I was just writing to myself. Today I looked at the amazing beauty of the clouds. God is amazing in his ability to give us a wondrous creation to look at. I stood in awe today. God is wonderful, and yet many still don't believe. If they would just open their eye's and look at what is in of them they would realize all that is, just didn't happen. It was created.
I am excited that college football kicks off this weekend and the NFL kicks off on the 10 th. Can't believe it's already that time of year. I am from West Virginia so that is who I route for and a little bit for Ohio State and very little for Arkansas. So go WVU!
I have learned a lot this past couple of weeks through some really good books. Some I have read are Through painted desserts, To own a dragon - both written by Donald Miller. Great writer.
Enjoying God, by SJ Hill. Very good book. And another author who's books are dated back in the 80's, but have been reading a book of his called- "Who switched the price tags.' by Tony Campolo. It has been a really good book. So, if you are looking for something to read here's a few.
I started working on the first chapter on a book the other night. It turned out pretty good, but it will be a long time bfore I will ever finish it. A work in progress. I need your prayers. Have a good tuesday,and God bless.

Been Awhile, sorry

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Twitter?????


You can follow me now on Twitter through my blog. I don't quite get Twitter. I thought it was like Facebook, but it isn't. I don't think my life is that interesting to follow. So, I guess I will give it a shot. Tweet away!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Our Fear


This is a picture of our cat Shelby. She has it made around here as you can tell by this picture. Her life seems to be so easy. She wakes up in the morning and waits by the back door for us to open it up. She stretches and makes a funny noise and heads right to her food and water. She sleeps a lot and lets us know when she wants to go out and roam. She'll come back and wants our attention by laying on the floor and rolling around. She really is a sweet cat. Very gentle with the kids and especially Macy. Macy is our middle child and is very focused on her tasks at hand. That being annoying her brothers or picking up the cat and carrying her around like a football. She reminds me of the little girl on the movie "Finding Nemo." That girl was rough with all her pets, but Macy is very good with the cat though.
I sometimes am jealous of the cat. I wish Iwas her and didn't have to deal with the problems in life. I'm sure when she goes outside she isn't worrying about other cats saying awful things to her. She doesn't have to listen to other cats talking bad about other cats either. Her only dilemma is not getting hit or being attacked by another cat or animal.
Our lives our different from cats though. We do sometimes have to worry about outside dangers also. But, we have to deal with and listen to all the junk the world and its inhabitants bring about all the time. I have come to realize why Christ said for us not to love the world or anything in it. I
am to the point that I really don't like anything in the world sometimes and I don't tolerate people in the world either. As an adult, you start to see the lies of Satan and man. You don't trust as much as you did when you were little. Every situation you look at it closer. You analyze it more. You don't allow certain people in your circle. Our trust has gone down the tubes as adults. We know more about hurt and sin. Emotions play more in our decisions than they did when we were young.
I have seen how "Fear" plays an important role in our in our country. The recent fight over health care reform is stirring the fears of many. I haven't had much fear about it though. Many are upset about it for many reasons though. The 3 factors I see in all this mess is three factors involving a fear about something. 1) Fear of losing their freedom in this department. There are so many people fearing this admistration is going to take away our freedom. People fearing communism is going to reign in our country. That is just crazy! If people would listen to the President and not listen to all the other crap everybody else is saying, things would make sense. He has clearly stated the reasons and it not communism or socialism.
2) Fear of losing money. Money is our driving force in our country. If we don't have it we will just die. I don't think we would die without having a lot of money. Money only has any value because we give it value. We love having it and fear when we don't. Money is the root of all evil but also the root for fear.
3) Fear of losing our status as a country and as human beings. When we were hit on 9/11 we feared everyone. Everyone who wasn't white or from this country we feared. I did too. But, then God knocked some sense into me and allowed me to quit being afraid. And I did!
So we started our ships and flew our planes over two countries and bombed the snot out of them. One to show our power in the face of fear and second to show them we were mad and scared all at once. Avenging the country instead of the persons involved in doing the awful act did nothing but stir up the hornets nest. So the hornets flew and got mad and started our fear again.
Fear gets us no where in life. Love will get us farther. Yes, it will take longer than just dropping a BOMB. But fear does not help us get to heaven, love does. All over the TV there is fear. We can't get over our fear, because people are constantly driving more fear. How do we get over our fear? It's easy trust God and read his words in the Bible. That is how I have gotten over this fear that the world tries to instill in us. When somebody says to fear something I don't. I pray and look for his answer. I guess you would call it a cat philosophy. But, there are things I do fear though, I just have to work it out. But, don't you see the fear out there in the world? Some of it is just to scare us, when it really is nothing to fear at all. Then there are some things that are legit to fear and I do fear them. And it is stupid to fear, but we do.
I think we should live like the cat. Don't have any fear and know someone is going to be there take care of our needs. She does and lives like a queen. If we would trust God and have great faith in him, things wouldn't be so scary. I saw a sign at a church that read, "Faith can see what eyes can't." That is so true! Can you imagine how much better we could see the world if we looked through the glasses of faith. We could see through all the lies and fears of the world. We could see what God sees. WOW! How easy is that?

Monday, August 10, 2009

Missing The True Meaning Of Being A Follower Of Christ


Lately I have been reading the writings of Donald Miller. He is the author of the book, "Blue Like Jazz." So far I have finished two of his books, and I have seen his point clearly. Our world is strapping us down and forcing us to swallow it's way of thinking. Through politics, advertising, Television and even the way we think as Christians. We are really missing the point of serving and loving The Son of God.
Many Christians have tried over the years to bring God in our government. Like falling to things like The Republican party as the Christian party. Trust me that party is far from a Christian party. Many fell for the crap that people made us to believe about Bush and his Christian party. It fell way short of Jesus and his teachings. Yet many are so hard headed into believing stuff like this, it just blows me away. Neither party is worth calling the Christian party. Those representatives are just out for their own good. So they thought they could use the term Christian to get elected. I never believed it one bit. I really feel God is not in the business of politics at all. Jesus wasn't! God wants a faithful relationship with us not a political party.
All of us over the years have had troubles with judging others. I have trouble with doing such an ugly thing. When I feel I am going to judge someone now I say to myself, "They are a child of God, and You have no right to judge." Because I am no one special. So why do I do I need to say anything against them. I often say, "They are more special than I am, But we are all Special in God's sight." It's hard, but we can all quit doing it.
The world constantly beats us down, with the ads of beauty. You never see anybody on ads that are somewhat ugly. In the TV world everybody is beautiful. That's why it is fictional, yet we fall for it. In God's world all humans are beautiful. He looks from the inside out, He sees what we can't see. We could easily see it if we looked the way he did. Miller told of a story about a church that used beauty to represent its youth group. This church hassled and recruited the most beautiful people they could to join the youth group. So all the jocks and cheerleaders and all the popular people joined this group. They figured if beauty would come and all the rest would follow suit, because the group was pretty and people desire beauty over ugly and nerdy.
So the youth group had games they played and competitions among the different groups within the youth group. As a team would win the trophy the crowd would cheer as the handsome jocks won it every year. But one year a group of less pretty people won it, and as they went to get the trophy the crowd wasn't so cheerful. Because the most popular didn't win. That just irritated me as I read that. Ignorant people!!!!!!!!!!! He also was told a story about a church that was rather large and had a huge TV following. He knew of an usher that worked the services. He said they would tell him to seat the rather good looking people toward the front in case the camera panned over that direction viewers would see the beautiful people. Crazy!!!!!!!!
Doesn't Christ teach us to sit at the back not to sit at the front where all the hypocrites sit so everybody can give them the praise they want. I don't like the spotlight at all. I shy away from it. I'm not saying I am the most humble person in the world, but I don't like the attention. Our world continually shows us that we need to be noticed. It puffs our pride to own the best of things, to have the best job or have the best looking at our side. When you read the 53 chapter in Isaiah it states that Jesus was probably not the best looking of people. That people would shy away from him. Another sign of humbleness of God. While many looked for Christ to roll down from heaven in a throne of glory, it shocked them to see that he didn't. Christ came in the most humble manner and left in the most surprising of all. Dying for others instead of saving himself.
God wants us to a humble people. To be content with what we are and what we have. Live within our means not our dreams. I will never be a Michael Jordan or a Tiger Woods, yet I have the most precious gift of all. An eternal contract of love sponsored by the loving creator himself.
Live as a humble person and live forever. Less of self and more of others and Christ.

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

A Crazy Way To Wake Up


I went to bed last night about 12:30. I sat up and finished reading the book by C S Lewis titled "The Great Divorce." It was about 1:30 am when I finished the book, so I turned out the lights and fell asleep. I was sleeping in Brayden's bed and Cayden was asleep on the floor beside me. I was sound asleep, I mean I was in deep sleep. Comatosed in sleep. I know I was dreaming something, but have no clue what it was about. Whatever it was I was peacefully dreaming it.
At 3:40 am Shannon came busting through the door yelling, "Get up!!!!!" Boy, did I! Without any haste, I sprang up as if a drill Sargent was in my face yelling at the top of his lungs at me. She said, "My mom called and said we need to take cover because a tornado was close by or heading in our direction!" I woke from a peaceful dream to a scene out of Wizard of Oz. Wind was blowing, thunder was rolling and cracking and the Sirens were going off.
So, I got up and got dressed and we headed out the door to go down to our safety room. We have to go outside to get to the room below us. As we headed out the door Macy had a blanket over her head I was holding Cayden and Shannon had the Storm Station in her hand. The lightning was so intense and the rain was just whipping around our heads. It was quite frightening. I kind of enjoyed it though. I was shaking not because of the possibility of a tornado hitting our house, but because of being awakened in such a Hellish way. I told her after it was over I have never been awakened like that ever. I still am laughing about it. I thought somebody had broke into the house the way she came storming into the room.
I didn't get back to sleep until 5:30 am and didn't wake up until 10:30. I do remember seeing the storm map up on the screen before I went to bed. I think I will pay attention for now on.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

The Amish


One of our trips while we were in West Virginia was the Amish country in Ohio. I have always had an interest in this culture. It seems to be a simple life they lead. They don't allow anything in their lives that is technologically advanced. No electricity, cars, Internet, television etc... They plow their land by hand and horses. Everything they do is old fashioned. It would be a tough life for any of us to live. Yet, they seem to do it very well.
Their children seem very behaved and seem to have no trouble living like they do. Some Amish have indoor plumbing and some don't. We toured a house that was very old fashioned. It had plumbing but no mirrors. They had a baby doll laying on one of the beds. I have one pictured above. None of their dolls have faces. The reason is they do not believe in graven images. My wife asked me why. Probably they feel that if they had mirrors or if their dolls looked like Barbie they would maybe become self absorbed by their image. They would not be living the life they are taught by worrying about what they looked like. I can see that. They believe that thinking of self is an evil that doesn't serve their family or their community needs. So, I wonder. Do they not no what they look like? I know they can't not no what they look like. There are many things that cause a reflection. Glass windows, looking into a stream of a river. They have to know. They don't have cameras and really don't like for people to take their pictures. Strange!
So, one thing that bothers me about the Amish is that they don't pay taxes. That kind of irritates me. Another thing that bothers me about them is their "Shunning." Once their children becomes a certain age they have the right to go out and experience the world. Anything goes. Drinking, sex, parties and anything that goes against their religion. But, the part of this that is not right is the shunning. If the child decides not to return to the Amish community to live, they shun them. They are forgotten entirely by their family and the entire Amish community. I mean complete abandonment. It's like moving into the witness protection program in our community. No contact with anybody. No forgiveness!
To me that defeats the whole life style they try to live. In Christianity, that is the base of God's love for us. We must forgive others like he forgave us through his Son Jesus. So if the Amish don't forgive a person who decides to choose the world instead of their life style is not following the life God has laid out for us. That bothers me.
But, I sometimes wish I could live a life without modern advances. I don't really want to go to that extreme though. They do say most children that leave and get a taste of this evil world normally come back. I guess the shunning does work in some ways. It is an interesting way of life. I like it because it allows me to see how things were back in time. I will choose this way of life any day, I'm not big on plowing my own fields or not being able to watch Sports. I think I will follow the route I'm on right now.

Monday, August 03, 2009

It Was Good To Go Home


I was in great need to go home to West Virginia. It had been a year and a half since I have seen or stepped foot on WV soil. I had a longing to be home. I really miss all my family and friends there. One of my main goals was to go to Pittsburgh and raid the Steeler store. I just bought a couple of things there though.
We did make it there and got to tour the Steelers stadium, which was awesome! But, I really needed to go home and see the people I have loved and grown up with. I really missed everybody up there. I don't know anybody in that town anymore. The only people I know are those who attend church with me there. They are the ones I really miss, especially my family. I feel I miss out on a lot with them.
So, I was glad to see them and talk to them.
When I grew up in Wheeling, WV. I always thought why anybody would spend their vacation there. Now I know. It's home and always will be for me.
As we arrived back in Arkansas. The first thing I noticed was the southern draw. I escaped it at least for a week. It was kind of good to hear it again. It's amazing the differences between the North and the South. Where we live, it's a very Christian town. So, there is a lot of good going on down here. A lot of church going people here mixed in with a lot of non church goers. Where in the North there's not a huge Christian environment. I sometimes wonder why? People here seem to be a little more kinder where in the North people are nice but don't have a great ability for personal communication. People here in the South will wave as they pass by you. Where up North you don't see that. It's weird!
I've noticed also, that it's hard to build a close friendship with people here in the South. They seem timid. Yet, in the north I've always had close personal friends. I guess they're not as timid. Again, weird?
Words that differ form the two regions. People in the south say "How y'all doing?" Northern people in my area say, "How yun's doin?" I prefer "Yun's" over "Y'all" any day. Southern people say, "Ya doing alright?" Northerners say, "How ya doin?" When I first arrived in the south back in 1994 someone asked me if I was doing alright? I was confused. I thought they thought something was wrong with me. Then I realized I was in Bizzaro's world and they meant something else. The south is strange to me this very day. I love the North and always will. "Yankee for life!"
I am very happy I was able to go north for my vacation though. This week I will be writing about my vacation and some things I have noticed about the north. I hope you will read it. To those back home it was nice to see you all again. You will always have a special place in my heart. Know that you are missed and loved. May God bless us all!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Vaction Hiatus


We will be on vacation this coming week. So my blogging will be halted during that time. If anybody really cares. We will be heading to West Virginia to visit family. I will be making a visit to the city of champions. That being of course Pittsburgh, very excited. My favorite city!
So until then may God bless you all and have a safe week.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Our LIving Shepherd


If you think our shepherd is not living. You are greatly mistaken. It's hard for us here to be able to visualize Christ by our side, but he is. We always feel that our living here is for us to do. Many live like they are the only one living their own lives. They feel that every decision is theirs. They feel that nothing or nobody is there to guide them through life. So every bad decision they make, they either blame themselves or somebody else. Their life is empty!
We as Christan's have a shepherd who will lead us if we allow him to. Yet, many of us fail in this also. I know a lot of times I feel it is my own will that will get me out of a bad decision. I bring it upon myself to be the decider of my life. Then I wake up and realize Jesus is right there to give me his guidance for my life. In life I have found that when I give it all to Jesus, things become better and less burdensome. He becomes my shepherd that he longs to be.
We all remember when the magic 8 ball was invented. We all wanted to ask a question or make a request. And then when you turned it upside down a little triangle in blue would show an answer. Many times it was what we wanted, but the answer never really came true. We've all asked the magic 8 ball a question and many of us really thought it would give a real answer, only to find it would never come to be true. There is no magic 8 ball or magic wand to make things the way we want them. Even with having Christ, things don't always become the way we want them. He will give us the answers in his own terms. Some answers may have to be tough for us to handle and a little more patience, prayer and faith on our part may be needed. In Christ he will comfort us until the real answer comes to us. Or he will provide us understanding of why we didn't get the answer we longed for. As Christians we can't be disappointed. We must ask him for understanding and be thankful for whatever solution he provides for us. He knows what he is doing. Any solution should suffice us and we must go to him constantly to be given hope in this world.
As our shepherd he will go after any sheep that is lost from the herd. He will keep us in his fold. He knows when we are lost, yet we sometimes have to let out a distress call or in our terms it would be called a prayer. He will seek us out and make us as complete and comfortable as only he can. Being a Christian is a great thing to me. I am thankful for my parents for laying a Christian foundation throughout my life. I am grateful for the people in my church back home for teaching me word of God. They have given me something to hold onto. I am eternally grateful to them.
I hear and see people every day looking to material things as their primary goal in life to satisfy them. Material things can't and never will be a margin for satisfaction. They are a dead end in life. Christ is a long road to travel. Offering wonderful things along the way, that will give us understanding and honest truth. Christ is the true highway to true life and love. Please travel the road to Christ in life and you will come to complete understanding and satisfaction in life. Because he is life. You won't need to take anything with you on the trip. Just a willing and open heart to fill with his unending gifts to a great life. I would leave your magic 8 ball at home you won't need it, true answers are included as part of the trip.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Peace Be Still


Mark 4: 39-40 Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and said to the waves, "Peace! Be Still!" Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm. Jesus said to his followers, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
This passage says a lot about the power of Christ. I can't imagine being in that boat and not having any fear. That is exactly what the disciples felt that night also. Freaking out about what to do and about what was occurring. It's hard to have faith when the boat in our life is rocking. Everybody is feeling their own personal boat rocking and feeling like it is going to sink. Where is our faith during these tough times in our lives?
It seems to shrink when the waves of life are slapping us back and forth. In my life I have noticed that my faith may not increase but has toughened up though. As we continue in daily life, there is always something bad that is going to happen. It seems the more we face, our belief increases and we become tougher in our faith from wavering. Christ is continually saying, "Peace Be Still!" Our lives become stronger as we approach the throne of God in prayer. Let the peace of Christ come to you. Allow him to come into our lives and become our solution for all of life's junk. We have to let him come into our hearts, he can't solve our problems unless we allow him in.
Jesus, is known as "The Great Physician." These days doctors don't make house calls, we have to go see them and we have to tell them our problems. Then they can give a solution to our problem. Same with Christ, yet he already knows what is ailing us, we still need to go to him in prayer and allow him to examine our lives and allow him to come in and give us a solution to our problem.
Our storms here in Arkansas are very dangerous a lot of times. Sometimes they contain tornadoes, which I am not a huge fan of. The many times we have had to go to the basement because of the sirens going off. Meaning a tornado has touchdown somewhere close to us. Our nerves are rattled and we are very fearful of what may happen. I sometimes wonder as I recall the many times we have faced such a situation. What it would be like for Jesus to stand and knock on my door and hold up his hand and say "Peace Be Still!" It would be amazing, to see something like that just become calm.
He can do the same thing with us. Calming storms in our lives and our world is what he is about. We must believe and remain faithful and we shall overcome with the power of Christ. Amazing!!!

Finally! Crocs Are Dead!


The company that brought these things into the shoe market are in debt. The "Croc's" are going to be history! God, has answered my prayers all day and he finally has answered this prayer of mine. I didn't actually ask a prayer for these things, but he says he knows all our thoughts and this one just happened to be one. When the medical field started wearing these things I just thought that was nasty.
Then every redneck wore them religiously, it ticked me off. There is a customer that comes in that wears a pair of these and she is a redneck. They are four times the size of her feet. It just irritates me when she comes in, plus she is very mean too. I just want to buy her some shoes that fit and don't look like she has walked through a sludge pond. I'm mean, but I just don't like these things and I'm glad they are on their way out.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Life; How Do You Balance It All Out?



How do you maintain sanity? Everything lately has just been coming at me like a freight train. I'm trying to figure out how to juggle it all. Family, work, the house and finding time to go to church. I work for Lowe's and they have really of late kept me from attending church. I hate it and I hate them. But I am not a quitter, I will stay in the game.

Even now while I am trying to write this Cayden my youngest is crying and wanting to sit on my lap. So I am writing with a three year old right now in my lap. Very difficult! But I am adjusting to it.

I pray to our Lord all the time and ask Him to please give me an answer to all this caous. Yet, there is still no answer. But I will be patient with him because he has been very patient with me.

The other night when I came home from work I was very stressed out. I couldn't get myself to calm down. So I finally ask God for some assistance and immediately I became calm and forgot about all the crap at work. It was useless to allow myself to be worried about work and everything else in life . When the only thing that mattered was my walk with him. That's all that matters. So I have decided to stick it out and I'm going to try something new. I'm going to write a book. Don't know when, I do know what is going to be about. I pray I can do this and that God will write through me. That's what he has been doing through me the past couple of years on this blog. I really feel he will do this through me in another way. Nothing I have written has been through my own accord. It has been God all along.

I have been feeling this pressure for quite some time to write a book about arrogance in our world. So now I need to figure where he will begin in me to write something. I might start next week and I might not start till I am 60 years old, but I will write this book some how.

As I read about the night the disciples were in the rocking boat it makes me feel comfortable that Jesus had all things under control. The boat was swaying and tossing about. The disciples were totally freaking out with great fear. Then we read that Jesus was asleep and thought nothing of the great storm. He was more alarmed at his followers and their lack of faith. He said with great might "Peace Be Still." And it was. Christ has it all under control. He knows all about this Earth all to well. He came as a human being to feel our pain and to take away our pain. We all need to go to him and ask him to come into our lives. And he will say "Peace Be Still." And it will be!

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Who Is To Be Blamed For Our Sin?



I don't know what or who you blame bad things or painful situations on. But I usually took the blame or fault upon myself. I often thought who else would I blame? I made the decision and I always felt it was my fault. So now as I grow older and maybe a little more wise in my life. I feel the blame is all Satan's.

I know we have a brain and if our lives are laid upon the foundation of Christ. Should we still blame ourselves for the stupid decisions we make? I really feel we should take some of the blame, yet Satan is at his best when we are weak. He can slide in at just the right time.

Someone said one time in Bible class that Satan strikes right when things are going good for us. When Satan sees us at our most spiritual point in our lives, he's poised and ready to strike. That is so true. Really he strikes at any time. But for him to see us at our closest to God, he despises it. He wants nothing Godly to come out of our lives. He wants us to be his victim.

The picture above really gets me. It makes me feel relief. To know that Jesus has become human to do what we couldn't, makes me rejoice. It makes me put the blame at the foot of the cross, and Christ erases it all. WOW!

I try not to judge anybody. Including myself. There are a few people I am thinking about right now. I see there selfishness destroying others around them. Dividing a family! It kills me and I am in great division right now. Who is to blame? Satan is a major factor right now, but I also believe another person is to blame for dividing up the family. It angers me, yet I don't know nothing else but to pray about the situation. This person needs to "bow" up and become the person they should be and put their selfishness aside and rid their life of Satan. I do blame Satan for this whole situation and hope the party responsible repents and does what they need to do, people are hurt and God can heal all involved. Let's get the world and Satan out of our lives and focus on the real reason we are here. Serving God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and serving others. That is our reason for being here. Not to party and live life to the fullest, but to serve a higher power!

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Michael Jackson?????


I wasn't going to write about Michael Jackson, but how can you not. I grew up listening to him most of my life. He was larger than life then. Thriller came out when I was in 5th grade. Everybody was singing it. I remember people wearing the diamond studded glove on one hand and others wearing the red jacket that he wore in the video. I never wore any of that junk. I thought it was stupid, but I do remember learning how to "Moon Walk" though. I was so excited when I finally figured out how to do it. Now I think it's dumb, but back then it was the cool thing to do.
I'm not going to rake the poor guy over the coals, like everybody has over the years. I don't know if he molested any children or not. That is for God to judge. I feel we should not judge anybody for their actions. Our actions are of equal value in the sight of God. I don't tolerate the actions of those that do such things to children, but if God sees my sins as equal as theirs. Then all I can do is forgive them. Ok, Enough of that!
I don't know why MJ acted the way he did. But I believe the price of being famous will make you freakish. Always trying to fit in to the eyes that are on you is tough. That's why you should never push your children into the life of being famous. It will mess them up bad! I think we should all push our children into the light of Christ and show them the value of being a servant. We're teaching our children in the wrong ways sometimes, me included. I don't want my children to be star struck by these people that are a bad influence. I don't think there is any value in famous people and their lives, including sports figures. The real heroes are in the Bible and in your church.
So Michael rest in peace and may we not remember him by the negative things, but for the entertainment you brought us over the years.

Friday, July 03, 2009

Jesus, The Fountain Of Life


John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside of that person, giving eternal life."
I took this picture at a restaurant in Heber Springs on Father's day. I never thought it would take as good as it did. Little did I know it would make a blog. But I think it has a lot of meaning, after you read this verse it does.
The setting of this passage is Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. He surprises the woman by him just talking to her. She was a Samaritan and he was Jew. Since they were not to talk to each other because of their beliefs. But it shows that Jesus is for all. For all, who are thirsting for something more than this planet and its hollow ways. Jesus asks for her a drink, and she is surprised by the question from him. Yet, she is surprised by all his knowledge of her life and how many husbands she has had over the years. As Jesus tells who he is, she is astounded and runs back into town and tells everyone about her little chat with the Christ. Wouldn't you? I would've never left his side. I would have been asking more questions.
Jesus the water of life and for life. I remember last week when it was so humid and hot and I had to work out in it. I just couldn't wait to get home and feel the cool air of our house. I couldn't wait to get something cool and refreshing to quench my thirst. When I did it was great!!!!! But the next day I was right out there again feeling the same way. Thirsty and hot. It was 118 degrees in the sun for 10 days straight. It was awful, but I took it on and cooled off as much as I could. Yet it didn't last very long, as I returned back into the heat again I felt the need again.
With Jesus it will last for all eternity. He will quench our thirst we search for. Our satisfaction is guaranteed in him always. While we are here on Earth we will face troubles. Even becoming or being a Christian doesn't keep us from troubles in life. We will suffer just like those who don't wear the name of Christ. But us having Christ in our lives will make it easier to deal with our troubles in life. Instead of trying to solve them for ourselves we can pray them away to him. Life is easier when Christ "The Fountain of life" is flowing through us. Accept Christ in your life and drink deeply- it will never run out!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Funny Newspaper Article

This is a funny article. You may have to click on the picture to make it bigger to read it. It's worth reading though!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Heaven



I just finished the book "90 minutes in heaven." Really a good read. His description of heaven was pretty much what I thought it might be. Over the past couple of years I have been thinking about the beauty of heaven. The after life is something we can't grasp and really have some descriptions of what it might be like. Yet we can't really get a feel for it though.


Don Piper's description told of a welcoming party waiting for him with great anticipation. He saw people their he knew and received hugs from them and claimed he had never felt such love, ever!

Here is a brief description of his time in heaven.


"In my next moment of awareness, I was standing in heaven. Joy pulsated through me as I looked around. And at that moment I became aware of a large crowd of people. They stood in front of a brilliant, ornate gate. I have no idea how far away they were; such things as distance didn't matter. As the crowd rushed toward me, I didn't see Jesus, but I did see people I had known. As they surged toward me, I knew instantly that all had died during my lifetime. Their presence seemed absolutely natural.

They rushed toward me, and every person was smiling, shouting and praising God. Although no one said so, intuitively I knew they were my celestial welcoming committee. It was as if they had all gathered outside heaven's gate waiting for me."


That is awesome! Think of all the people that have gone before you in death and think about them waiting for you outside of heaven's gate. Smiling and praising God. Smiling, that is something you don't see a whole lot. A smile, a real smile not a fake smile. A smile we will never really know until we reach heaven. A smile of completeness, happiness and pure fulfilled joy! I really have no clue of what that kind of smile is.


People praising God. We praise God every time we worship. We praise Him as much as we can. But earthly praise is nothing compared to Heavenly praise is it? Compete praise to our Lord is what we will be doing when we all get to heaven. He speaks of the music he heard and how wonderful it was. Music we have never heard on Earth.


He states he has never felt such joy and love ever. He was finally where he always longed to be, heaven. I don't know what you believe about this man's journey, but his description seems all to real for me. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident and he was gone for 90 minutes. You will have to read the book to see all that he went through during his recovery. It took him 2 years to finally talk about his journey to heaven. He was afraid to say anything about it, but after he did he helped a lot of people through his story. Nobody knows what God has planned for them. He will eventually show us the way or he already is showing us our Divine path, we just haven't opened up our hearts and our eyes yet to see it. Trust God with all you concerns and needs and He will open a door for you always. He did for Don.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

God Is Looking From Above



I found this picture on a friends Facebook page. I thought it was quite awesome. It has a Godly reference to it. I looked at it for awhile and thought is this what our Lord is doing right now. Looking down and watching His world from above.

Three things happened today. Obviously, the passing of Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. I was wondering as I listened to the MJ stuff about his death. I see all kinds of people gathering outside the hospital. People calling the news stations and crying of his death. Kind of crazy! I did like MJ's music but I would never adore any star like many people are right now.

So it made me think of the "King of Kings." How fast did it spread about his dying on the cross? How much jubilation was there when word of his resurrection got out? Was it like this media craze that it happening right now. Probably not! Those things didn't exist then. Word of mouth was the best way then.

Michael Jackson was probably well known because of his ability to do what he did, but he couldn't save us from our sins or even perform miracles. What I am getting at is that Jesus is my hero and will always be. Not any star! So what do you think God is seeing right now? A world that is in disarray! Many feel losing a pop star is more important than praising God.

Then I think about his feelings toward the way we act. Especially this stuff brewing with North Korea. Korea angers me! How will this work out? If anybody intercepts this ship they will send missiles in the direction of that country. North Korea's leader is a heartless person who's soul has been devoured by Satan! So what is God seeing as He oversees this crazy situation? I'm sure He is in control of it all. He has an answer for it all.

As I looked at this picture it just made think of how I would be sitting on the heavenly throne and seeing all that is happening in our world. How tough it would be to be in control of it all. How irritated you would be to see all that is going on. That is why I am here and God is God and can handle it all. It's my responsibility to bring God the praise He deserves. To bring about the best in people and tell them about my Hero. We can be in shock over someone popular dying or in shock over somebody threatening our world. Yet we can't worry about it all. Because God is watching and wanting us to go on with our lives and not forget him and not forget he is watching, hearing, saving, loving and forgiving us all right now. High above or right beside us he is on alert ready to defeat evil and cure our hearts. Praise God! He's done more than anyone has ever done here on Earth. Take him in and feel his love and show him to as many people as we can.

Did you get an email or a text today? How many people did you show it to? How many people did you send it to? Did you hear a joke today ? I did. I shared it with 5 people, I didn't share Christ with that many people today. I'm ashamed of it too! Last question. How many people did you tell about Michael Jackson dying? Me one! Still that is more people than who I shared Christ with. My score is not very good, tomorrow will hopefully be different. I hope! May God be first in our lives and other things last.

Friday, June 19, 2009

What Are Your Visions Of Heaven?


I've just started reading the book, "90 minutes in Heaven." I have been wanting to read for a long time, but I was skeptical. I always believed God doesn't reveal His heaven to anybody. I always thought it won't be seen until we die or until He comes to take us to Him.
I've always had my visions of what Heaven might be like. But they were nowhere near what He has planned for us to see. We just can't fathom such a glorious sight. We can have thoughts though and try our best to see it.
I often think of the pain many have suffered and are suffering right now. To think they will completely healed and have no pain at all. We will feel love like we have never have never felt before. The authors description of his 90 minutes in heaven is to well described to not be real. I just felt this overwhelming relief as he told of his experience. It's almost what I thought it might be and even more. I have no idea if he actually went there or not, but as you continue to read about the accident that false belief in his story really starts to become more real.
His description is so warming. It will make you think twice about what we are missing here on this planet. Love there is something we will never feel here at all. I long for heaven, I don't want to leave here until I accomplish God's work here first and then I will feel ready. God is so real. He is out there among us, don't deny it for one minute.
The author stated he felt so complete that he never worried about anybody back here on Earth, the light was so illuminating that it didn't bother him it just amazed him. The singing was nothing he had ever heard before. He couldn't tell where it was coming from but it just filled him. It was a constant singing of praise to God. I can't even imagine it!
As he entered a welcoming party was there waiting for him of relatives and people who have been an influence in his life. They hugged him and he said he has never felt so much love and their touch was so filling to him. Amazing!
Can you imagine how loving God is? Can you imagine being in his prescence? We know how excitement feels and what it's like to anticipate something good. But we will never feel the excitement here that we will feel when we stand in the light of the Almighty. I can't wait!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

A Loss Of A Friend


I was given some bad news the other night about a friend of mine. My friend Adam had been sick for some time and I hadn't known it. He died Monday from a brain tumor and lymphoma. I hadn't talked to Adam probably in 12 years. He worked with me at Beckett's garden center then and we became good friends.
I remember one time we got bored there and climbed up on the tall peat moss stacked on pallets and try to push each other off the top of them. One of us would usually fall between the pallets and get stuck. It was fun. I'm sure there were other things we did to try and pass the time.
He will be sadly missed. I am still in shock about him passing, and I really am going to be praying for his Mom, Dad and his sister Elizabeth. May you rest in peace my friend and be comforted by our loving God.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

To God Be The Glory, That's What He Desires


Sunday morning I could only attend Church for 40 minutes because of this unholy company I work for. But I was glad I was able to get that much time. So I came home and got dressed to go to work and sat down to eat something before I left. I turned on the TV and was watching the news. All they talked about was how Obama was going to try and solve the health care system and talked about the financial market and just sat there and argued about how each other disagreed on how things are not getting done.
So I thought, maybe they should instead give God the glory and praise, that He held this country together and hasn't allowed this country to go into another Great Depression. We don't know how to give God the glory and praise He deserves. That is what He wants. He gave His one and only Son on a cross, he wants praised for not wiping us off the face of the Earth and giving His precious son for us. When you are bailed out of a financial crisis or a major health problem don't just say it in a prayer, shout it out loud. Tell everybody you can about how God is alive and how he is healing still. When Jesus healed people they ran off and told all they could about the wondrous healing power of Christ.
I don't believe we are to be a bunch of Introverts and keep God's glory to ourselves. Our God is a "consuming fire." His love and mercy can spread through anybody if we tell people about Him. Many know of a higher being, yet they don't know how to reach him or don't think He really does anything for us. As Christians we need to tell our story about how God has done and continues to do for us every day. I've been reading this book titled, "Glimpses of Heaven." It was written by a former Hospice nurse who tells about her patients (who are near death) and shares there stories about leaving and going to their Creator. The stories are "Amazing!" He's ready for us to come to him, but he wants us first to share His story and what a beautiful story it is. Give God the glory and give others His Glory also.

Friday, June 12, 2009

The Pittsburgh Penguins 2009 Stanley Cup Champions


Well it's finally over! 2 months of playoffs and more excitement than I almost could bear. But I am glad to see my team finally raise the Cup. The last time they raised it was in 1993 and now finally they have done it. So I can say I have had a huge championship year. The Steelers and the Penguins both have made this Pittsburgh fan extremely happy!

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Forgiveness


I have been reading a book titled, "The Reason For God." It's my third time reading. There is so much in it, you have to read it a few times. I learned something new or found a new view on forgiveness. The writers definition of Forgiveness is: bearing the cost instead of making the wrongdoer do it, so you can reach out in love to seek your enemy's renewal and change. Or another definition: absorbing the debt of the sin yourself.
So basically we are doing the same thing Christ did on the cross for us, except He did it on a much greater scale. But I never really thought about this in great detail. When I forgive someone I just always thought it was just letting the sin go and forgetting about it. Letting by gones be by gones. Acting like it never happened. But acting like it never happened is where we are not like Christ. We can act like it never happened. Yet, we still remember it and we may act like it doesn't bother us but it really does still bother us. There are still things that have happened in my life that others have maybe said or done to me that I released them of the guilt by forgiving them. As it goes my memory doesn't fail me and I remember things and they bother me. I guess I really didn't forgive the act or sin the way Christ did. I didn't absorb it and take on the burden like I should have. Make sense? I hope so.
As we live life and are around other people we should be mindful that things are going to happen and people are going to wrong us and we too will wrong others. In order to forgive others we have to have the mind of Christ to be able to forgive others like we should. That being the way Christ did on the cross. He took it upon himself to take the burden of sin and absorb it instead of taking it out on the person who did it. US! The author of this book states this: We are absorbing the debt, taking the cost of it completely on ourselves instead of taking it out on the other person.
Instead of fighting over the wrong, we don't say anything about the sin or wrong doing and don't retaliate against the other person. By our forgiving Christian ability that God has given us we can be an example to others and they might be overwhelmed and want to change. God is amazing. How can anybody not believe in Him! Forgive and keep life happy for others and ourselves.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

The Pittsburgh Penguins Are Going To Game 7


I am a hockey "FREAK!" And also a huge Penguins fan. Tonight they forced a game 7 with Detroit on Friday. I can't wait! I have not missed one Penguins playoff game thanks to the D V R. But it has been a long ride since April. I love it ! Go Pens!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

God The Artist


I just really can't fathom how somebody can look at this picture of this tulip and not know it was created by a higher power. As I grow older I'm starting to realize more and more of when Christ talked about those whose hearts are hardened. Satan makes many people in this world blind to the beauty of God.
He fills them with with foolish schemes to not allow them to seek God but themselves. They deny the existence of a true Living Creator. They just seek a world that just happened and deny a world carefully planned out by a wonderful artist. Over the years I have seen many different plants from being in the plant business. I can't believe how many there are. How many different varieties there are of each plant. No way can all that just happen. It was planned!
To look at the earth and not see it's beauty is a mistake.
If in the final day when the horns are blaring and we see Jesus in the clouds, what will be his final word to those who don't believe? They will plead for mercy. He may say you never read my word or stepped foot in my worship services. But I gave you my Father's work to see and believe, and still it was not enough proof. That is proof of a hard heart. We may not see our heavenly Father, but His beauty is all around us. Look and Believe before it is to late!