Lazy Americans Put Me In a Bad Mood!

I have to say I have been in a horrible mood this week. I think I have hit burn out finally! I have been trying to figure what brought about this bad attitude of mine. I mean I have been to the point where I have just been trying to get away from people at work. We all know that is hard to do, especially when my fellow coworkers are used to seeing me joking around and really not ever being unfriendly. But I have been, I guess I have really seen the reality of things and the way people can be some times.

I think it is a lack of vacation and wondering why certain people get the perks in life and I don't. I really see how lazy and disrespectful people can be, especially when it comes to working. I wonder why some people get to where they are and they are really horrible workers and are just there for a paycheck. Many people who get promoted think that means they think they can get out of working, not in my world. In my world you get promoted, you get to work more. I finally told some that I work with I won't be doing their work anymore. If their stuff gets put in my department and they don't put it away too bad I'm not doing it. People just think they can get out of doing things because of a certain title. I'm not that kind of person I do what I am responsible for and more. But I am tired of their laziness.

I hate the phrase "Work smarter, not harder." My phrase is work smarter and harder! We Americans have become shallow and weak. We figure since we are Americans we have no need to work, just let the Mexicans do it. One day the Mexicans will figure it out and we will be working for them.

I don't want a pity party for my bad disposition, it's my problem. But I hope I have somewhat come out of it. I'm not a routine person, I get bored easily. I don't like down time when it comes to a job. I want to be busy the whole entire time I am there. Many like to go and socialize and not do their part of the work. I'm the opposite, I will talk and joke with people but I will only do it as I work. I don't have A.D.D when I work, I am focused and want things done and then move on to the next project. I guess it's cause I don't want to be there and would really like the time to go fast so I can get out of there.

Have you ever wondered why certain people gets the perks in life and there are those that work their tail off and get nothing? We all have thought about it and it just doesn't seem fair. I try to figure it out and come up with nothing. I guess it's who's tail you're smooching up to is where you get the perks. If I have to do that, then I don't want the perks. That is not me!

I've tried to find the Christian aspect of this, and can't see any answer for it. One story does come to mind though from the Bible. It's the story of the workers who go to work early in the morning and agree to a certain wages and work hard all day long, then other workers are hired and come later in the day and work only for a few short hours but get the same wages as the ones who worked all day. This is what I am talking about. As my friend Cliff says, "It all pays the same no matter what you do." Another phrase I hate. I know this verse has another meaning also, but it is so true. We all work with many who work less and make the same wages we do. Yet we're the ones who do most of the work. That's life! I don't agree, but who am I to change it. If they ever make me a manager there, I will make sure no one stands around and everybody does the same amount of work for the same wages. I don't play favorites! But if you work you will be my favorite. I'm dreaming!

To understand my point of all this, Americans and the world need to learn a lesson when it comes to our responsibilities and doing them instead of pushing them off on somebody else. No more pecking order, no more arrogance in our titles and no more laziness. Our world could become better.

Direspecting The Terrible Towel!

I'm surprised that I haven't written about this, but I feel like tonight is the proper time. I was "FUMED" when Lendale White of the Tennessee Titans disrespected the Terrible Towel. He took the towel and rubbed it into the ground after they had pretty much destroyed the Steelers.

To some it would be no big deal, but to Steeler fans it became a huge deal. It's just not a towel that is waved by every Steeler fan across the globe. But it is a man's legacy that was disrespected, especially when we lost the creator of that towel a few years ago.

So I think we Steeler fans need a boost for Sundays game. So I have posted a link of a video of this moron doing his dirty and foul deed. Watch it and we will be ready to de-feather the red bird. Click on the green arrow in the title box and enjoy.

Great Combinations In LIfe

As we were eating barbecue sandwiches at home the other night. I got to thinking of who the smart person was who made this combo such a great idea. The combo of pulled pork barbecue and coleslaw. It has to be one the greatest duo's of taste ever. I just love it!

There are so many good combo's that came to my mind that night as I thought about blogging about the subject. What great combo's can you think of that have just made life better? Here are some of mine.

1) Grilled cheese and Tomato soup.

2) Chips and dip.

3) Cheese and peperoni.

4) The Steelers and the Super Bowl. (I had to say that)

5) McDonald's double cheeseburger meal with a coke.

6) Onion rings and Ketchup.

7) Batman and Robin.

8) Americans and football.

9) Paper and the pen.

10) Singing and Worship.

11) Christ and our Holy Father!

I had some better combo's in my mind, but somehow I forgot them. I hope you understand what I am talking about. Life has things in it that has caught our attention and have made life better. Whether it has to do with taste or entertainment or just random things in life. It seems things come better in pairs. Hardly anything good comes from one thing or one person, a team effort is always the best choice and shows the best results. As I have been reading another John Elderedge book titled "Wild at Heart." It has made me see one combo that has always failed yet has had many results and then continues to fail consistently. It is the combination of "Our Heart and God." It seems to be our only combo that we just can't get right or understand.

Why is that? When you look at the duo's I listed above they all seem to go great together, but our heart just doesn't want to pair up with it's partner. I guess when it comes to dipping an onion ring into ketchup there is nothing between it and the ketchup to stop it. But when it comes to our heart we have Satan continuously keeping us from the grace and love of our Father in heaven. Satan is the defensive line between us and the holy end zone. He keeps us from being one with our Creator and reaching the eternal trophy of glory.

Our heart is what God wants. He wants to come in and heal our wounds and be one with us. God is reaching for us. He is cheering us on. He is the one holding the John 3:16 sign in the end zone seats. As I read this book it tells that we need to see our great divide or our wound. That which keeps us from allowing God in. Those of us that have accepted God through baptism and have received the grace of forgiveness still have a wound somewhere. A slight separation from God that allows us to not see our potential in Him or our oneness with Him. I laid in bed one night after reading this book and just thought what is my wound that does not allow this combination with my Lord to come together. I'm still working on it though, but I have a few ideas. Yet I still haven't found it, I will ask Him to come in and find the reason for the Grand Canyon that is between Him and I.

I really hope some will read this book and the others by John Elderedge and see what he is getting at. It has really opened my eyes. I pray we all can find our true oneness with God and His Son Jesus and see how incredible it will be to be complete in the Holy Trinity. To come to an understanding of what life means in general and see what it was all about. True oneness!

Things That Annoy Me!

I got annoyed by two things this morning that just ruffle my feathers. My number 1 annoyance is pictured to the left, but this didn't annoy me this morning because it's winter and there are no flies right now. They do annoy the snot out of me though. You could be in the worlds largest building and a fly will find you and fly around your food. No matter what.

Walmart is one place that just annoys me. As we were leaving this morning there were six cars lined up waiting on one car. Can you guess why they were tying up the parking lot? They were waiting on someone to pull out because they were parked in a close space. I just don't like that when people do that. My theory is quit being lazy and walk, for crying out loud!

My second annoyance today was as we were coming back from Walmart to get home. I passed the hospital and just got angered. There is a street that runs between the hospital and a shopping center. The ER is on this side. As you drive on this street you can always see a ton of smokers standing there smoking. But the real reason it bothers me is when you see a patient standing there with an IV bag along side them and they are dressed in a hospital gown. They are sitting there smoking. How stupid can you be? Do they know how dumb this is? Anyhow, there was an older lady there today and she was in a wheelchair and the wind is awful today and it is cold and she is trying to light one up. I almost stopped and said, "The smoking is the reason you are in here, are you just ignorant?" It's funny all the brains that are inside that hospital. You would think they would not allow them to go outside and smoke. Just plain STUPID! I feel better now. Please comment and tell me your annoying things that bother you. I need to hear them!

Change

I can honestly say I have lost a lot of faith in our government and political leaders over the past 8 years. I know we have had some great things to deal with within those years, but I just lost my faith in our leaders. Over the past 8 years I have strengthened my faith in our spiritual leader above and have come to see we all are here for a different reason.

We have become a nation of greed and material possession, a nation that once feared God and held him in high esteem. We once road the clouds with our Creator, and have lost our faith and fallen to the ground. I don't' know what the outcome of some of Obama's promises will be. But if government has its way none will come to pass, because of all the red tape. But I do pray for him and that his eagerness to lead our nation of the hole it is in will be great and good. I also believe our Father in heaven will lead us out if we allow him to come into our hearts and give him the love and praise he longs for. Then and only then will we be in the clear and live in the grace that only God can provide.

I love what our nation stands for and the way we have always defended our right to freedom. Our land is free because God allowed it to be free. Our people of the past were not given freedom, we earned it through many battles and loss. Yet we maintained it because God saw their passion to be free and he made it happen. A loss of our faith in our creator has brought us to see strife and pain. Many still don't see a creator and don't except that he is involved in our lives, our country and our freedom. God wants to be apart of our freedom and our lives, so that his glory will be praised and that his grace may be lavished on us.

I've heard all the arguments about our new President and how many fear and how many faithfully don't. Unity is what will help us all, and unity in a living God will be our greatest asset. I don't fear any new leader or any man because my faith has grown and I believe there is another Earth and a new heaven coming forth where there will be no fear and no pain or worry. We are just a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Our home is not here but in another place. But as long as I am here making tracks upon this earth I will put God first country second and everything else last. WE are Christians first and Americans there after. May God bless our country once again and may we bless our God forever.

What Will They Say About us?

I was sitting watching America's game on the NFL network. It was about the 75 Steelers and I listened to what the older players were saying of their teammates. Then something clicked in my mind. What will they say of us? What do people think of us?

I really don't have a clue about what people think of me. I really don't think much about it. I try my best to be a friendly person and entertain others with my humor. But it doesn't come across my mind of what others think of me. I'm not a person who thinks that nobody says anything bad about me. I'm sure there are a lot of people who may not care for me very much, but I believe that is their problem. I just go on daily and be me. We can't satisfy everybody and everybody can't satisfy us. I can't say I don't say things about others, especially about those I work with. I look everyday and look at how those around me just don't do their job and it bothers me that they're lazy, I know I can be lazy sometimes also.

But what will they say when we leave this Earth and go to the other side. What will they say of you? It always seems we all say things that we should've said when they were alive. While we remain here we degrade and belittle each other and then when someone passes we say good things about them. Why is that? The time is now when we should be saying good things and great things to each other, not when the person is dead and gone.

So my question is What are we telling each other? Are we tearing others down, or are we trying to tear down walls and make others happy by telling others how much they mean to us and how good of an example they have been to us. It's so hard to tell someone how we really feel about them. It's hard to go to someone and say you really inspire me and you are fine example of Christ. I know it's hard to break that wall down of fear and tell somebody how much they are appreciated. It's time we start. including myself!

My other reason for this post is what are we doing to be a fine example to others. What do people say of us? How can we change their perspective of us? None of us really want to hear what others think of us. My theory is I don't care. Which is not a good way to deal with it. I am what I am, and no one can change that. That's what I think of someone who might not like me. It's not a good attitude though, but I am not going to stress myself out about it. I have changed that a little bit though. I really need to change things I do everyday, but not to please everybody. But to at least show people I am trying to be a good Christian. I can be ignorant of people sometimes. I have trouble relating to quiet serious people a lot, or looking at people in the eye and saying hi to them. I guess that is my shy side. But there are many people I can relate too and really have a good relationship with, but they might see me differently than I think I do.

A fine example is something we all have been through, those of us that are married. In-laws!

I really don't think my in-laws don't like me and it shows sometimes. I sometimes don't let it bother me and sometimes it just drives me mad. But 90% of the time it doesn't bother me and I really don't care at all. Then there isthe other 10% percent that just makes me boil and it's wrong to let this kind of thinking rattle us, but it does. We all have been through this with our in-laws and I will probably be a bad in-law also. At least I have plenty of time to not become one of those in-laws, but this just an example of what I am talking about. How are we living our lives so that others will be proud to say something great of us when we pass on. Will it be good or horrible of what people say of us when we will be gone.

I want it to be good. We are not perfect and never will be, but at least that we followed God and acted in the right way of His will. A girl I work with has a horrible attitude for everything and I just want to slap her sometimes and say, "get with it, nobody says anything good about you and you need to change." She just lives a careless, wreck less life and it just bothers me. I get along with her though and she has it in her to climb out of this hole she has dug herself into, but she doesn't care. She makes our job harder because she doesn't want to do anything, and doesn't care if she offends anybody. She has a problem with alcohol, and is on the last string from being fired. I was told if she smells like alcohol to report her. She smelled like it the other day and I was wanting to report her, but I could feel God holding me back. It just didn't feel right. Maybe He's pushing to work with her, maybe he sees something in her like He does in all of us. Hope!

We all need a slap in the face to work on our attitude in life and how we live it. There is hope for us all. A chance to just be who we are and tweak it a little bit, so others can find something good about us and find hope in the way we live. Before we talk bad about someone let's find the good things about people and tell them how appreciated they are. Who knows they might have something good to say about us. Live like Christ and no one will say anything bad!

The Steelers- The Greatest Team Ever! Superbowl Bound!

The Steeler Nation is going to the Superbowl and I am just soaking it all in right now! You gotta Love 'em.

The AFC Championship game!!!!!!!!! Go Steelers!

Well, the big game is tomorrow and I am completely worried about it.. When the Ravens and the Steelers get together you don't know what's going to happen or who's going to win. I will have to work till 7 and then come home and watch it. I'm hoping for another trip to the Superbowl for the Steelers, but if they don't make it I will not cheer for the Ravens. I don't like them. Say a prayer for the Steelers and go to Church.

Michael Newdow Is A Great Pain For Christians and Our Nation!

I'm going to be very rude for a little bit. But I wish this guy would shut his mouth! Do you know who this guy is? He's Michael Newdow the idiotic Atheist. He's our problem in this country. He's tried in every way to take the name of God out of our nation. I believe he will fail on his new agenda to be more of a God hater. He wants to take the phrase "....so help me God," out of the inauguration. Obama wants those words in there. What is this guys agenda for life? He likes the attention and he knows he is going to get it.

I wonder why some good faithful people get certain terminal illnesses and want to be out there spreading the Word of God around the world. Yet people like this GOOBER are in good health and blaspheme the name of the Living God. Life isn't fair!

I shouldn't be like that, but it irritates me. If you wonder why things are going the way they are. Well, I would blame it on Godless people like Michael Newdow. He reminds me of the story of the Apostle Paul. Paul (Saul) was a Christian hater and enjoyed his work. But as we know the story he became the greatest instrument for God, and thrived on his new mission. Would it not be amazing if Newdow was filled with the spirit of Christ and became a leader like Paul. It would be amazing!

I think we should pray for people like Newdow and pray that their minds will be changed and become the one who spreads the Word of God across the world. Praise our Mysterious Lord.

Old Cars Renewed

I really like to look at old cars restored back to their original look. I wasn't alive when these cars were brand new. But I like to just look at them and think about those days, it looks like things were fun then. I've heard people talk about these old cars and how you could fix them and not have all the technology in them like today.

The past is something we all look back on and reminisce about. Some people look at their past and wish they could go back to certain times and relive those memories. Others look back at the past and things aren't worth going back and reliving. Some people relive their mistakes and don't ever let them go, others move forward and try to change their lives and not look back at all.

I look at these cars and see restoration. I think of what they did look like, all rusted and left in a junk yard to have the grass and weeds grow all through them. But somebody took their time to come to that junk yard and take them out of their misery and give them hope and made them shine again. Isn't that what Jesus did for us? He came to save the lost and show us true restoration. We are like these old cars. We can be renewed from the inside out every day. Put your past behind you and allow Jesus to give you complete restoration and once more we all can shine again.

Steelers Versus the Birds! Which Of The 3 Do We Take Out 1st?

What a nerve racking first half, and then the real team finally showed up. Way to go Steelers! Have you noticed the other three teams are all birds, that's weird. Especially when one of them is the Cardinals. Who would've thought the Cardinals would ever be in the NFC Championship game. What's next the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series? It's been a crazy year of football and it ain't over yet! The AFC Championship will be a bloodbath next week. I will definitely have it on my mind all week.

Will The Road To The Superbowl Go Through Pittsburgh????

Oh I wish I could predict the future! Now that one team is in the AFC championship game, what will the outcome be in tomorrow's game. I love the Steelers and really hope they play the Chargers better than they did early in the season. It will be awesome to be able to play our division rival Baltimore Ravens in next weeks game. I'm nervous! Go Steelers!!!!!!!!!

What Is Our Agenda For Christ Today?

In my life today I don't like to just learn from one certain thing, religion or person. I have decided to not not let walls come between me and my learning. I believe we can learn from every person and religion and still contain my own beliefs. I call my learning "The spread offense." I want to to try to learn about Christ in all aspects and see what I can find through the learning of others. I want to spread my learning out and attack knowledge in many ways. I just don't want to run the ball I want to pass the ball too.

I've always felt that there was only one way to learn about Christ, and that other religions were out of the question. I will always stay with the foundations of my teaching in Christianity, but I will not shut out other religions and the possibility to learn from them. But the foundation that has been laid for me will always be there and if I read something that contradicts those teachings I won't let it change me at all.

I know there are many who will criticize me for reading a book about a Catholic saint like Mother Teresa, but I believe she had it right. The book is titled "Finding Calcutta." Really she had the heart of Christ. She had her critics and we've all had ours. I feel horrible about myself as I read it. She had no political agenda for her life purpose, she saw all people as Christ. Every poor person she helped was as if she was helping out her Savior. Many criticized her for helping the poorest of the poor. They said she did nothing to get them out of the hole they were in. But she states she did what Jesus would have done served and fed them both physically and spiritually. I believe she was a good person that was filled with the love of God and found pleasure in her work.

I thought about what my agenda was today in Christ. I couldn't think of anything to do for anybody in need. I have today off and all I feel like doing is just laying around the house and resting.

Searcy has a lot of poor people that need a lot of help, but they're not visible. We have no Salvation Army or soup kitchen. We don't have visible people homeless on the streets that you can just walk up to and give them a five dollar bill and tell them to go get something to eat. It's hard to find the poor and help them here. I know there is a way to find those in need in this area. So today I am going to sit back and think of ways to serve those in need.

If you feel the need today to serve others as Jesus served others, I ask you to sit back today where ever you are and see the life of Mother Teresa and others you know and see how they do it. The Bible states to serve because you don't know when you will be helping out an angel. I believe that rule of thumb also goes with learning too. You might know a certain person that lives a horrible life, yet you might be able to learn something from them. They might not do the things that Christ might want them to do, but yet you might learn that they do something great in serving others. None of us are perfect, but we might find something in others that we wish we could do also. There is something good that lies in all of us. Spread your your learning and see with the eyes of Christ. Also if you have a chance read this book "Finding Calcutta.'

I'm Tired Of Israel And The Middle East!

I think I can honestly say I am tired of the Middle East conflict. We've all grown up hearing all the time about Israel and the Palestinians. They are old news, and I feel sorry for the innocent victims. If they would just move out of there the conflict would be resolved, maybe! I think battle and war is all those people know over there and it just will always be.

I got to thinking tonight about all this mess. When you come to think about there is no Jesus there. You've got the Jewish faith, who don't believe Jesus was the Savior and then you have the Muslims who hate Christians. Doesn't that make sense? Their hearts don't know Jesus so they don't know peace.

I was watching John Hagee a TV evangelist a couple of months ago. (I like to see what there up to) No that I endorse TV evangelists, and never will. But he is trying to help Russian Jews escape from Russia and move them to Israel. That makes no sense to me at all! Why would you want to send a person to a war zone. I know Russia is no heaven on earth, but I am sure they are safer there than in the Middle East.

It all just doesn't make sense in that region at all. But as long as the Jewish people reside there, there will never be any peace.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Happy New Year! I have been on my 6 day stretch at work so I really haven't much time to write about the new year. Our New Years eve consisted of me working until 6pm and then heading to have dinner with one of Shannon's friends from high school. I had never met before, and just didn't know what to expect. They turned out to be a very sweet couple and we had a great time with them. I was the only one awake to bring in the new year. Which is usually the case every year.

I left the past year with amazement, with this burrito of GREAT proportions. It broke the record for burritos. This was called "The Big Burrito!" My goodness it was huge, and no I didn't order it. Shannon's friends husband did, and he ate the whole thing. It was 12 inches long and about 4 inches wide and thick. I'm still amazed.

But I welcomed the new year with great anticipation and hope. I wanted to continue on with the blessed year of 2008 we had. I always look at a new year in the past as lousy. I always say "another year, I just got used to the past year." I have pledged some resolutions and I am going to keep them. I'm not going on any special diet or going to do anything crazy. I am going to eat less chocolate and get started on eating more fruit though. That has already 'flat lined."

But I decided to do some spiritual things, things I really want to do. Plus saving some money is also one. I feel like the one major project I have decided is to have more confidence in myself. I want to quit making excuses for things and just do them, and believe I can do them. I want to allow God to be my guide and instill in me what was supposed to be in me. No more excuses and allowing Satan to keep me from doing things because he makes me less confidence of my abilities. We think all that Satan does to us to sin is bad behavior, not going to church and making people feel bad. He does more by taking away our confidence, by stealing our hearts and keeping us from seeing our full potential in God. He steals us away from our God, and keeping us from seeing His fullness. We need to hear our Lord's direction for our lives and block out all negativity.

I started reading a book titled, "Finding Calcutta." It's a story about the mission work of Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa's phrase was, "Do something beautiful for God." What a way to mark out your path in life. Do something beautiful for our Creator. Let this quote be your direction for this year and the rest of our lives. Let's do something beautiful for God, and be beautiful for God in everything we do. It's not about us, it's about Him and bringing about His glory. Have a great 2009 and do something beautiful for God.

Nickelodeon, I'm tired of them saying Oh My GOD in their Childrens programming!

This is something that has been bothering for a few months, and today it just finally hit the right button. I was just in this kind of mood to just let things get to me.

My children love the shows on Nickelodeon, but I have noticed they use our Lord's name in vain a lot. A kids show saying this is completely ignorant. Especially when my 3 year old is saying it. We don't use such a phrase in our house, so I know he's picked it up from those shows. So I have decided to remove them from my TV. Disney does not use such a phrase in their programming so why should the competition use it.

So I found Nick's phone number on the Internet and tried to call them this morning, but they were closed for the holiday weekend. Of Course! So I am going to try them again on Wednesday. I have to work the early shift Monday and Tuesday so I can't call them until Wednesday. If you would like to make a call to them on the same day that would be great. Could you imagine a ton of Christians calling them on the same day at the same time. Don't you think they would remove that phrase from their programs. It would be amazing to try it. So if you think you might want to do something like this please leave me a comment and we can all call on the same day and see what happens. Please don't just ignore this I need your help. We as Christians have the power to change things let's all do it together. If the Atheist's can win their battles why can't we fight back too. Please help! Thanks, Clint

Dedication To A Great Man!

It's amazing to think of those that have recently passed onto the other side. Especially those who have ran the race of glory and came out victorious. What are they seeing? What are they doing? Can you imagine the satisfaction they are feeling?

They are complete in Christ. They are feeling love like we only wish we knew. Our world lost a great man this past week. He wasn't a world leader or a famous actor, but to me he was Superman. I never thought there was no way to take this man out of this world, but God felt it was time.

Our church back home lost a great man and Christian this past week. His name is Bob Cronin, and there is nothing that could keep me from writing about him. He was a definite example of Christ, a leader that made Jesus proud to have him on his team. To me he was one of my finest examples that helped shaped my life. When you would head to National Road Church of Christ you would find him at every service no matter what. I remember Bob from my childhood and remember he always had something to say to me and everyone that walked through those doors. A kind and funny man and a great song leader. I can still see him in the pulpit on many Sunday and Wednesdays giving announcements or doing his favorite thing, singing. I remember playing Church league softball with him and I was just amazed how he could still snag a ball at his age. I'm still amazed to this very day. When I heard he had past away, I thought it couldn't be.

There are people in our lives that make some type of impact in us. Bob was one of many for me. It's hard some times to believe that certain people leave your life and go to a higher place to be with the one that created them. Death is our final destination here, but another life is waiting for those of us who believe in a risen Savior. What a day that will be, to finally find what we have been looking for and have been trying to discover all our days. I heard a quote the other day that really made me think about life. It states, "Death is the only chapter man can not write for himself." It's so true for some. Those who believe in our God have been writing our chapter of life after death. Those of us that are faithful have completely written over the word "death" and have written the word "life." We know what the reality of after death is, we can't see it but we believe it. We don't know what it will look like, but we do know it's there. Complete satisfaction that we have been longing for since the loss of paradise in Eden. Only there, was life complete and satisfactory, until Satan broke the human race out of that dream. Now we only dream of Eden again until it is our time to go to the father.

Many Christians are there with God waiting for all things to be renewed. They are right now comfortable and living in the completeness of God. I believe Bob is there with God and seeing a beauty that we will one day know. No more tears, fears, pain or agony. Just the things our hearts long for, complete happiness.

While there is a hall of fame for every activity in our world. I think there should one created for great Christians. I know of thousands of people who belong in it. Our world would not ever think of creating a shrine like that, but don't worry God has created one that is awesome. It is Heaven!

My heart goes out to the Cronin family as they mourn a great loss, yet rejoice because Bob has gone to be with our Holy Father the safest place to be for all. I want to dedicate this post to those who have gone to be with the Lord and have had a great impact in my life. I want to list their names in remembrance.

John Massey

Bob Cronin

Opal Thomas

Harold Taylor

Vernina Beckett

Lucian Beckett

Bob Riley

These are people that have been a great influence in my life and for our Church back home. They were always people that stood out, and I always noticed how kind and Christ like they all were to me. Isn't it great that God blesses us with great people in life to bring us hope and a smile when we think of them. When I look back in the past I feel I am truly blessed to have been born in such a great community of Christians that reside in Wheeling, WV. Our life can truly be a blessing if you lived it right and have such a gift of people like this to be in our path of vision. It's time we look at life for what it is. If you choose the right way to live and gain God in your life you can truly get the best out of life. Don't complain, just live and find our Heavenly Father waiting at the door for us all. Choose Him and recieve true life, choose the world and all you get is the world, nothing else. Praise God for fine examples of Holy people!

A World At War

This is a picture of a man that was good and then he let his anger get the best of him. This is the guy who dressed as Santa on Christmas eve and took the lives of 9 people, including an 8 year girl. Who was shot in the face as she innocently answered the door. Bruce Pardo we forgive you and so does God.

The book I am reading is called "Waking the Dead," by John Elderedge. In it he talks about this world we live in and how we don't realize we are a world at war. That being against Satan. He is the destroyer of all that is good, and that is his goal. It seems that Satan got to Bruce Pardo really fast. He put all that he had into Bruce and Bruce released it all. Angry from a costly divorce that was finalized last week and then losing his job, Satan put it all out there for him. So Bruce with no past history of violence went ballistic and Satan was cheering him on as he destroyed the lives of 9 innocent people.

Anger is a sinful thing and can be controlled by the right person, but some have no control and just go the distance with it. People need to realize their actions, and realize they need God to control their rage. Their are so many people in this world today that just don't realize what their anger can do. It scares me!

The Bible states "Do not sin in your anger." We need to learn about our tempers and identify how far we can go with our anger. Violence is not the way, God is. Just let it go, and release your issues with our heavenly Father. We were born into a world at war. Yet if you think about it, if we choose God we are on the side of eternal victory!

Christmas 2008

As I write this it's 2 hours before Christmas 2008 arrives. The kids are nestled all snug in their beds, eagerly waiting for Santa. Shannon and I are trying to figure out how were going to get the presents laid out without somebody waking up. Our living room is right next to the bedrooms, so we worry about being noisy. I think we can pull it off though.

I really wish I was home in West Virginia this year for Christmas, we always feel like it's more Christmasy there. But we have had a good night being together with family and each other. It has felt like the evening has just slowly gone by, but now it is time to get things laid out and head to bed. I pray for those children who will wake up to nothing in the morning, and hope next year there will be something there for them. I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and thanks for allowing me to share my thoughts with you this year. Merry Christmas!

Is Fear Holding You Back?

I've been reading this book titled "Waking the Dead," by Christian author John Elderedge. This is the second book of his I have read and have really learned a lot from them.

The thing I read this morning was about letting fear hold us back from what we're really meant to do. Our heart is not being free to let God do with it what he wants.

We have abilities we have not yet discovered and God is calling us to open our hearts to him and allow him to get over the fear to lead and do other great things in His name.

There are so many things I want to do for him to further his word, but I don't do them because I allow fear to take over with excuses. Fear keeps us all from receiving our glory from God, we are allowing it to keep us from fully experiencing the great things he has planned for us to do.

In the book He says we are hiding from our real self. We have things in our inner being that we know we have, but were faking it and hiding from people what we really can do. He talks about an experience with a counselor in college. Here's is some of it from the book.

As part of our course requirement, we had to meet with a graduate assistant for an hour each week. This being a Christian program, I thought she would go after my sin. Instead, she went after my glory. No one had ever done that before.

"Why are you holding back?" she asked.

I hesitated, stalled. "I'm not sure what you're talking about." She said, "Yes, you do. You are holding back, playing it safe."

I was squirming. Is this the what Adam felt as he heard the voice of God coming closer to his hiding place in the bushes? Where are you? Now she said to me, "Now you are gifted enough to pull it off, make it look like you're engaged with us. But you are running on only six cylinders; I know you have eight. Come forward and lead us."

It was a more than a little unnerving, I'd been seen; I'd been found out. But not as a disappointment, not as a bad heart exposed. Rather it was my glory that had been seen. My gift needed to come forth.

I like what he wrote about that. That he had been discovered by someone else that he was playing it safe he was fearful of becoming a professional counselor because of fear. He needed to let his gift come forth. Are there things you feel that need to come forth and allow you to lead? Projects, talents that are burning inside you that you really feel you want to be doing. Fear holds us back. It may be the fear of others holding back your dreams. Fearful that they don't believe in you, that you can't do it. So you let those dreams or gifts melt away in your soul and they never come forth.

I like the phrase his counselor says in the book, "Come forward and lead us!" I was hesitant about doing this blog when my cousin John asked if I would do it. I didn't think anybody would want to read a bunch of blabber from me. But I jumped out of my fear and chose to write one and I lost my fear of being afraid of saying the wrong thing and maybe angering somebody. But I chose to not allow others to fear me away from this. I love it, and I think God's words that he writes through me have helped some and have maybe given a little light to those that were in darkness.

I have watched my daughter over the past couple of years and I can already predict her future being in God. She is bold in the things she says and has no fear of anybody. She is very nurturing to her little brother and just has so much love for her little friends at school. She is like me in many ways, I have really never met a stranger, I really have no fear of talking to anybody. But over the past few years I have really started to become a slight introvert. I really didn't think I had a lot in common with people. I kind of feared going to our Bible class party the other night, I just didn't feel I had anything to talk about with anybody. But that all changed when I decided to just walk through the door and let God take over. I had the best time and really had a lot in common with all of them. Shannon and I are just really blessed by our decision to attend College Church and glad we chose the class we did. These are great young people with a Godly desire to love, serve and help one another. Fear is our greatest enemy and Satan knows it's his best weapon. "Come Forth and Lead."