Great Message from Dr. Charles Stanley

if you wish to truly learn about God's grace Dr. Stanley breaks it down (as he usually does in his message, "A Second Chance Now". To me Dr. Stanley has the gift  of sharing God's word in a way that makes you stop what you're doing and listen.

reflections for Wednesday o4.o9.o8

The Oyster Man>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

Today's devotion and Bible passage speaks volume to my heart and spirit. It allows me to know that I do not need to be perfect in order to have Christ in my life or to share his Good News. Sometimes we a Followers of Christ get to a point where we begin to nit-pick others who has just giving their lives to Christ and forget sometimes where we were when we realized that we truly need God to help us in this fallen world.

It's so cool to know that of myself I may not be a scholar when it comes to words but God has given me other gifts when it comes to sharing His goodness, His love, His commandments for one's life. This does not mean I do not study His word, pray and have a close relationship with Him but this also means I do not look down upon others who's speak is not adequate or smooth flowing. Knowing God and sharing His word for me is to spread it the best I know how while continuing studying, meditating on His wonderful instructions for my life. Isn't it funny how Jesus Christ chose his disciples who not well known, well educated when it came to studying the scroll but had common sense work wise, street wise and did not go around saying that they were Christ but won people over by telling others how Christ Jesus changed their lives. I am learning every day that I am not perfect, never will be perfect. I can not speak for others when it comes to Jesus Christ but I can speak for myself when it comes to letting people where I was and where I am now because of knowing the Christ loved me when I was at my lowest.

This does not mean that all came to Christ when they were down and out. To many, I looked liked I had it "going on" so to speak, I did not smoke or drink, I gave up the night life long ago but in the inside I was and empty shell. Had mood swings because I truly did not love myself. I was lonely, I felt that I needed someone in my life to make me feel whole. I may not have ran the streets but I was still living outside the will of God by having sex outside of marriage, living with a woman. I thought I had the best of both worlds but every day more and more I was realizing it was a lie. Once I broke off that relationship, alone in my apartment, I cried out to Christ saying, "If I never find someone I am okay with that as well, I'm just tired of living this way." Those days were not easy but allowing God into my life each day made me realize that no person can make me feel whole the way his Son can.

Being a follower of Christ is not smooth living all the time because as passage says, "Satan is the God of this world[this is the cause by Adam & Eve...God gave us dominion over this earth and my forefather and mother gave it over to Satan in the garden and God can not violate His law once He has put it into place.] Being a Christians does not mean you have to be perfect in order to serve him. It takes work on our part every day and we will make mistakes and that's okay because when you are sincere about God, He knows at times we will "zig" when we are supposed to "zag". God's love us where we are but will not leave us where we are.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
and have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Beginning today I will be linking this site and podcast whenever I post here...

MoneyLife article...
Impulsive and compulsive spending
MoneyLife podcast from today and yesterday

great message for today from In Touch Ministries
Things That Cannot Be Shaken

Devotion, Laundry, Scripture, and Dr. Charles Stanley

This morning I did something that I have to admit I have not done in 2 months...get into God's word the way I should. This morning after Z went to work I made our bed, washed our dishes, grabbed the bag of dirty laundry Z separated last night, headed downstairs to our laundry facility and washed. Afterwards I came upstairs and opened the Our Daily Bread devotional book and read something that spoke to my heart, Honest Doubts. We all have them from time to time when it comes to Christ Jesus. As I was reading this it struck me that how come at times people can believe in life in another galaxy but can't believe Jesus Christ did not rise from his grave in 3 days? How come when it comes to worldly things we can believe whole heartily but when it comes to Christ "that's impossible" many will say?

Even before I truly gave my life to Christ, just looking out at nature, seeing images and pictures of our solar system for me it had to be a creator the did this? How our body is created, from the tiniest of insects to different birds, animals, reptiles, how can't believe this all just happened just by chance. For me it's amazing how we think we are so in control of our own lives and in an instant it can change. I mean at this moment while writing this I can just "drop dead". But one thing I am sure of is that if I do just "drop dead" I know where I will be...with my heavenly father.

Honest Doubts from rbc ministries

It amazing how many people believe that once you die that it. Many people may not admit it but I know it creeps in their mind at times what really happens to you when you die. And once you are gone just think, you're going for eternity and for me that is something I am not willing to take a chance but that my friends is for a very, very, very long time. And I will say this to my atheist and agnostic friends...what if there is a God and once you are gone and you have not giving your life to Christ, what then? Do you honest think there are "do overs"? He gives us that chance every day while we are six feet above ground.

We all have doubts from time to time, God knows this...he created us. We have doubts, fears, we feel anger, sadness but what I have grown to love about him that I can come to Him with anything and I do mean ANYTHING. People may crack jokes about most Christians but for me that's okay be being a follower of Christ gives me so much freedom to know that by honoring him, loving him, coming to him in time of sorrow and happiness he guides my footsteps on what to watch out for, who to let into my life, who to deal with a "long handle spoon" so to speak and who not to allow in my life period.

Maybe people think that when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior that all fun is zapped out of your life? I beg to differ. My queen and I recognized that one of the first thing you received is "unnecessary drama" in our life. Now noticed what I said, I say "unnecessary drama", I did not say that our lives are drama or pain free. My way of thinking is that we all are going to have troubles in our lives from time to time but what is better. Having troubles that you did not cause on yourself and having a wonderful God to help you through those times are having those troubles plus situations that we put ourselves in...for me that's double the work and I hate to work for no reason at all.

Another cool thing today was reading Proverbs Chapter 26. I have to admit, I need to really begin reading a chapter a day. There is no excuse for me not to because the book of Proverbs alone is a wonderful guide for one's life. Chapter 26 is a really good read because it teaches you how to deal with foolish people. While reading that chapter I realized that racism has been the world problem since the beginning of time. It has been here and it will continue to be here. That does not mean I roll over and just accept it but at the same time I will not allow to be a victim of this act of hatred. We live in a fallen world. When Eve and Adam took of the forbidden fruit every known sin crept into our world. Proverbs 26 teaches you to pick and choose your debates, your battles.

One other thing I have not done in a while was to sit still and allow God to speak to me, rather just in silence, or through the wonderful podcasts I download from Dr. Charles Stanley. I would get on my beautiful wife's case about turning on the television and began watching the news and for the past two months that is what I have down when it has come to the primaries. Today was the first time I can honestly say in a while that I started my day on a positive note. No news from the television...just listening to God speak to me, washing the dishes, emptying the trash, washing, drying our clothes, listening to 2 wonderful podcast from Dr. Charles Stanley, "A Fresh Encounter With God". It's amazing how one can let God's goodness slip from you little by little and before you know you begin to think that you have drifted from him so far that you can not come back to him. That my friend is a lie straight from hell. This 2 podcasts has let me know that when I slip from Christ I should be convicted and not condemned. While the clothes were washing I went outside and just sat on a bench by the pond and just let Dr. Stanley's words refresh my spirit to get me back on the right track to what is really important...listening and obeying God. I have to be truly honest, when I have completely turned everything over to him I have allows come out on top. Listening to his sermon let me know I have allowed the wrong thing to run my life.

We all get into a funk every now and then but one thing I can say, it's wonderful to be able to come back into God's fold so he can let you see that when He runs your life he's not keeping fun from me but allowing me to have the best fun ever without having regrets down the road.

Be Blessed, Be Safe
and Have a Wonderful Day.

Messages from Dr. Charles Stanley

• A Fresh Encounter With God(pt. o1)
• A Fresh Encounter With God(pt. o2)

Reflections for Wednesday{01/23} and a Little Tech News

Kingdom Living>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

When reading this devotion it makes me realize that many times how you win someone to Christ Jesus is not throwing Bible verses toward them but your walk with Christ. As one friend told me years ago, "you have to get down in the trenches with them." I come to realize that when you show people that you are vulnerable in some areas in your life, that you too have weakness but by trusting in God you overcome them "day by day" they realize that you are not painting yourself as a Holy Roller. There is a difference between "religion" and being "Christ like". Christ love the sinner but not the sin. Just about every miracle Christ Jesus performed he let them know how much he loved them but he also told them to "sin no more".

I have written on this before but it bares repeating that we have let the lost know we are there from them but at the same time we have to realize that we are not better than anyone but at the same time we can not allow ourselves to lose our way because our job is to plant the seed, God saves them. If a person wish to hear the Gospel that is great news, if they do not, we have to realize that God has given us free will to follow him or not but we keep them lifted up in prayer. This task may be hard at times but I always keep this in mind, "they are not rejecting me, they are rejecting Christ Jesus.

Jesus has told us that our walk with him will not be easy, we will have obstacles we will have to come across time and time in our lives but the reward in having God in our lives outweigh not have God in our lives. We will make connections and sometimes we will lose friendships but in the end we have to do what our Father tells us to do because in the end he knows what we need in our lives, what people we need to socialize with and what principles we need to live by in order to have a fulfilling life.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Wednesday.

My Wednesday tech Story Picks

• eBay CEO Meg Whitman to step down
• All Major Labels to Stream Free Music on Last.fm
• Former staffer: Apple currently averse to social apps, blogs

Netcast Picks for this Wednesday

netcast to help you know:

• Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 422
• MacBreak Weekly 74: Hot Lips and Hawkeye

netcast to help you grow:

• Conclusion of: Kingdom First Living Vol. 2 -- P2
• The Power to Change Your Life

Inspiration tracks for today:
My Heart Goes Out......Warren Barfield
Be Connected.......Jackie McCullough

Reflection for Wednesday and Tech Tid Bits

Wounds That Heal>>>more
devotion from RBC Ministries
Inspiration tracks for today:
CeCe Winans...Hallelujah Praise
Dewayne Woods...Let Go

Reading this devotion hits home for me in two ways...when losing my son and losing my job. To truly know that I can go to my Lord and Savior and to listen to his wisdom for when to spend time to myself and when to share with others was a true blessing. Many people may not understand this devotion from Our Daily Bread and the passage Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:1-7 about "being thankful for suffering from time to time" and I'm not going to lie when you are going through the storms, the pain you can not see the reason behind it and what I have learned to ask my Heavenly Father is not "why" but "okay, what do I learn from this?"

I learned a big lesson when reading the book of Job because if you really pay attention God did not answer Job why he was putting Job through the pain and loss of his family, property but in the end it made Job stronger. I will never tell someone to just "suck it up" or "There is a reason for this tragedy in your life" because 1. I do not know and can not know how that person is feeling and 2. That person has a right to grief, to be angry, to lash out. Sometimes just being in their presence is what they need. One thing I have learned that at the time when I have went through tough times I did not understand why but later down the road I have come across someone that I know were going through trials and I try and be there for them. If I can answer the question "why" and if I don't know, I let them know as well. I do not wish pain on anyone but I have said this before...be honest with yourself most times we learn from our lows more than our highs.

If you get angry with God, that's okay because he created us and by our falling world we are going to have things go wrong in our lives at times that's not by our causing I will ask "why?" Sometimes God will tell us why and sometimes he will not but in the end it will be a tool for you and I to help others down the road.

Be Blessed, Be Safe
& have a Wonderful day

My Tech Stories Pick for Wednesday:
Handshakes, not the Internet, win N.H. for Clinton and McCain
Best Buy to double number of stores selling Apple's Mac line
iTunes movie rental fire gets a poke: Warner Bros, Fox, Disney, Paramount and Lions Gate all on board?

Audio Picks for Wednesday:
Christian and Tech Netcast to check out...

Finding the Potential in Passion
(FamilyLife Today) Dennis Rainey

Delighting in Your Spouse's Differences 2
(Focus on the Family) Dr. James Dobson

Episode 212: We have Products Galore from CES 2008!
(dl.tv) Roger Chang & Robert Heron

*and when you have time....

these messages from Back To The Bible has been really on point in reference to reading the bible...

Freshman Orientation
Sophomore--Building Skills
Junior--Focus on the Core

Blogged with Flock

Wednesday Reflections & Tech Gems

A Real Christmas>>>more
from RBC Ministries

This devotion truly sums it up for me, Christ did not die on the cross so we could treat him like a "Genie in the bottle", to just snap our fingers to make our problems go away but he died for us to (1) have eternal life (2) To give us peace in time of conflict (3) To be the light for others. I have said this before but we as Christians sometimes get it twisted when it comes our heavenly Father. Sometimes even as Christians I think sometimes we treat God like he is an Monopoly "Get out of Jail" free card. The Holy Bible is an instruction book on how to live our lives.

There are so many awesome things about His word. First and foremost God used people with some serious flaws and I think that is where we as Christians has to get that point across. I mean really think about it, he used a man (Saul at the time) who was a persecutor of Christians, who gave the okay to arrest, imprison, and execute Christians. Peter who denied Christ 3 times in order to save face with the public. King David who not only slept with another man's wife but had the guy killed. So many others in the Bible who was flawed, who made mistakes by accident or on purpose God still used them to do great things and that is why I love God so much because goodness knows I have made so stupid mistakes.

We as followers of Jesus Christ have to let the world know that when you give your life over to him things are not going to get easier, to some degree the walk will become more tedious because we are going against the world tide now. We have to let people know we are not better than anyone because we are still flawed, we will make mistakes, we still from time to time will miss the mark but the great thing now is that more our walk becomes closer with God the more humble we become and that when we die we do not have to worry about where we will spend eternity. We also have to let people know that when God has told us things not to do he is not trying to keep anything away from us because he sees the end results and he does not want us to suffer unnecessary pain because we go through enough pain as it is when dealing with the world. The older I get the more I realize that though I do not wish to go through some things in my life it makes me stronger, wiser and it makes me more sensitive to others in need.

My Tech Stories Pick for Today:

• Widgets are the new ad kid on the block
• F.C.C. Reshapes Rules Limiting Media Industry
• David Byrne and Thom Yorke on the Real Value of Music

My Audio Picks for Wednesday
Christian:
Jesus, the Light of the World
(Love Worth Finding)

One thing I have always loved about the late Adrian Rogers teaching is not only his love for Christ but how he digs down and get facts about certain subjects. This message truly gives me an understanding that Jesus Truly is the "Reason for the Season"


Why did Jesus Become a Man?
(Turning Point)

If and when Zondra and I visit San Diego Pastor David Jeremiah will be one of the first churches we will visit. I truly like the way he teaches God's word with such conviction and such warmth.

Tech:

TWiT 125: John's Nuts

One of the funnest podcast from TWiT in a while when Leo talks about the Santa bot. Not only is this episode informative but when Dvorak is on board you never know what to expect.



net@nite 40: Fishing From The Company Pier

Not only was she voted the "sexiest female geek" but she has the smarts to back it up. I really do like this podcast because she keeps Leo on his toes and I love the websites she finds.

My Rant for this Wednesday at 5:29 in the morning

"For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever."

~1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 (New Living Translation)

As I read Our Daily Bread devotion and passage this morning these verses stuck out to me and it got me to thinking about the question every non believer ask, "If God loves everyone, how can he send someone to hell?" It's amazing how many people believers and non-believers think that there is no way God can send people to hell. God NEVER attended hell for you and I, that's for Satan and his cohorts. I don't think of being a Christian a burden, I think of being a big stress reliever but I think many in the body of Christ still do not truly believe this by our life styles. I know I can truly say whenever I have truly turned everything over to Christ he has never forsaken me. So why do go back to my old ways? It's something our pastor said last night, it's not the faith, it's the TRUST and that the truth plain and simple. Why do we waver?

One thing I believe is that we as Christians has gotten to the point where we think of God as our bellhop. We have the notion that "waiting on the Lord" means just that, to be still and do nothing. If you read all through Proverbs it tells Christians to TRUST in God but do not be lazy. For me I am beginning to learn that trusting in Christ means that I do what I need to do but at the same time I still have to be a provider for my wife and I while striving for what God has for my life.

Successful people in the Bible were always in motion because they realize that they were in covenant with God. They did not sit back and let God do all the work because even before the fall of Adam God put him to work in the garden. I am learning to strive what He wants me to do with time I have on this earth. Once I truly get the concept of obeying and trusting God in every area in my life things will become less stressful. It's a process but a process we as Christians have to partake of each and everyday.

The second thing I believe (and this really applies for myself) is to strive for what God has truly put in your spirit to do, something that you have a passion for day in and day out and not be afraid to work toward that vocation and this really ties into the first point I made. Something that brings you joy, something that makes you get the proper rest so you can begin that task refreshed, full of energy. A career that when Monday rolls around you can't wait to get started. I am learning that this brings honor and glory to Him and not only that the world can see it's cool to have your own business, your happy with it, your making a decent living and you're still acknowledging God in the process.

I think we as Christians dream big but are afraid to take that leap of faith so to speak. So we go into jobs we do not like, jobs that bring us stress and we complain about to our co-workers and by them seeing and hearing us complain they say to themselves, "if that is what is to be a Christian, I will take my chance with the world." I have been guilty of this and now I have stop complaining about my job and began doing something about it because we live in a "action" society. Our walk will be much more effective when they see us come in there, do our job but at the same time we are working toward what God truly has planned for our lives. I have come to the conclusion that if I'm going to work this hard for someones, I might as well work toward what I enjoy to do everyday but I have to make preparations toward that goal and not just sit back and wait for it to happen because it is so true that tomorrow is never promised to us.

This is my New Year goal(like I said in a previous post for me, October seems to be my New Year for some reason). If I have to go back out and get a job sweeping floors and if the pay is decent, as long as it helps me toward my degree, so be it because the last thing you want to do is work in a field that brings you stress, high blood pressure and just unhappiness Monday through Friday. That is not God purpose for our lives. I believe when the world sees more Christians strive for what God has put inside of them, truly trust in God, follow his principles, work toward what the desire God has put inside of them more people will come to God and they will see that Christians are more than just "bark".

Be Blessed, Be Safe and
Have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Devotion and Reflections for Wednesday

When coming up as a child I thought I was, well...kind of weird. I would listen to albums (they I go, dating myself again) and I would read the liner notes...which musicians played on which track, who produced what song, where the song was recorded, who mixed the song(s), things of that nature. I kept this to myself because after a while I didn't think it contributed to anything. I have always had gadgets thanks to my grandmother (she was and always will be my chief Geek, she bought me my first type writer, first digital watch, first Sony Walkman, first computer...Commodore 64, she was the greatest). I never thought I would use this "useless" information along with my passion for gadgets, and years to come the web. It's amazing how God puts a gift, a passion inside of each and every one of us and at the time we do not understand why we are drawn to certain hobbies but He puts it all together for us later in life that will come out okay if we allow Him to do so.

Now years later I am able to share my taste in music, my passion with technology (what little I know), gadgets, websites, and most important God's word through my blogs. I heard a pastor not to long ago say that God shows us on step at a time and if we complete that step He shows us the next step and the next step and so forth. Who knew I would be able to meet so many people across the world and not even leaving my home most of the time. I remember making PDF files when living in Florida with Our Daily Bread copied on them and sending them to people at work to get their morning started and when I think I was making a impact and kind of slacked off people would say, "Where's my Word for in the morning?" This is how today's devotion touched my heart this morning because what I may not understand or what other people think is weird, God's plan is always in order and if we keep allowing Him to nurture you and I we will blossom like a flower.

That is when I realized how God was truly using me. It's amazing how God plants the seed in each and every one of us and when seeking His wisdom he can truly grow us into something special. Most will never be famous but He will make sure we will be taking care of and most important we will have a passion for what we do day in and day out. When I began my blogs last year at times I didn't think I was having a impact and God had to remind me, "you trust in me...use your abilities the way I have giving them to you." I have to remind myself that everything takes time, it's like planting a seed. We may not see what the seed is doing underground but as long as we continue to care for it, water it, give it proper sunlight before you know it up it comes out of the ground. God has to remind me many days "Be God focus, not people focus." That is not in a negative way toward anyone because like I said earlier, I truly enjoy meeting people and what God tells me is that true, intelligent people know phonies. They know if you are there for them or to "toot your own horn" so to speak . I am learning every day to be God focus because in this way I can help people more and in return this is what draws people to God. To let people know that you have flaws, that you don't know everything and that you are willing to not only teach but to learn from others, no matter what the age will help build lasting relationship whether in person or on the web.

Now that so called "useless" information I share with people on my blogs and most days I may get a comment or two and most days I don't and you know what, why should I? It's good to hear from people but if I don't, God let's me know time and time again, "Whether you know it or not, you're touching people lives...Be God focus not people focus." As Dr. Charles Stanley always says...

"Trust in God, leave all the consequences to Him"

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Have a Great Wednesday.


"Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence,
and do not claim a place among great men;

it is better for him to say to you, "Come up here,"
than for him to humiliate you before a nobleman.
What you have seen with your eyes "

~Proverbs 25:6-7

devotion & reflections for Wednesday

The Blame Game>>>more
from rbc ministries|odb

This devotion from Our Daily Bread is really needed in this day and time in our lives. The Blame Game is really rapid today. No one wants to take responsibility for their actions any more. McDonald restaurants took Super Size fries off their menu because people blamed the restaurant of their weight gain, Oreo cookies had to change their ingredients because people complained about their weight gain, a representative in New York want to pass a $100 fine for people who wear or use their electronic devices while crossing the streets. As I heard Leo Laporte say, "you can't legislate stupidity."

Since the blame game began with Adam we have been sliding more and more into the abyss. From Abraham lying about Sarah, from David lying about Basheeba, from Peter lying about knowing Jesus it's not getting better. Even today how many of us (yes I did as well) living together without marriage for 6 or 7 years then when the subject marriage comes up we get offended..."I don't need a piece of paper to prove anything." No, that's called "Playing House". We have sex outside of marriage and then want to blame the woman for getting pregnant..."she tricked me dude!" and then walk away from a life you have created. No, that's called being a little boy. In this day and time we make choice and then we wish to blame others for our mistakes and get offended when someone points out our errors yelling, "Don't judge me man."

Here's the thing, the choice we make, we may not care about the outcome but it effects a ripple of people for decades to come. Men, we have children and do not care for them, that child grows up thinking you do not have to be responsible for bringing another life into this world. A mother can only do so much but children need a mother and father, that is the way God attended it to be...period. I'm I saying a single parent can not do it...no I am not because I am a product of a single parent. But I do know I did not have a positive male roll model in my life until my late twenties and thank God he had He put that "thorn" in my side through my teenage years because if I would have had my way, I would have had about 3-4 children right about now and would have done the same thing my father did, ran away from my responsibilities.

We get into relationships that we know is not healthy for us to begin with but we do it because we think "we can change that person". He is a tip, especially for Vox female neighbors out there, God has blessed you with a wonderful gift, I called the Holy Spirit, most people call it "instinct". If you come across a guy who loves to sleep around before you get marriage....it gets worse when you become man and wife so you have no right to complain to your girlfriends that your man is a Dawg. Do not be let by your feelings, be lead by the facts.

Last week I was watching a organization show on HGTV and the younger sister was...umm..very unorganized...okay a slob. It had gotten to the point where the mother and the older sister would not got into young lady's room. The host asked the mother, "why do you allow this?" and the mother response?

"She's really a sweet kid".

I think this is the new buzz word for parents not wanting to be a responsible parent but a popular parent. What the heck does that mean?

I have seen too many people come on Oprah telling her, "I don't know what I'm going to do with him...he gets upset whenever I turn off the television and he lays in bed all day". Then you find out the child is 3 years old. Question...why do some people have children? This may sound harsh but it's the truth. Having children are a true gift. Parenting does not come with a manual and I know it can be tough sometimes but in this day and age we make it much tougher than it is...we really do. Is it amazing back in the day when parents had about 5-6 children and most had manners? You may had one in the family that just would not do right but for the most part, the majority of the children respected their parents. Our parents may not have had the best education but they taught us right from wrong, taught us about consequences for our actions. Now we have parents that have the books smarts and no common sense...and they only have one child? What gives?!?

I have a grandson and my step daughter bought him a 30GB iPod and a cell phone...and he's 7 years old? What kind of sense does this make? Then she gets upset when the boy does not keep up with them. But you have to look at the parents of the grandchildren. They is a saying I heard which is so true..."Raise your children the way you would want your grandchildren to be raised."

There are plenty of parents or single parents that are doing great jobs when it comes to raising children and I keep you lifted up in prayer ALWAYS because of the fact that your children cross paths everyday with parents who are not doing what they should do when it comes raising their children and then these parents want to blame television shows, the music they listen to instead of going into the bedroom or bathroom, stand in front of that piece of glass that will show the true culprit....themselves.

I'm not letting the industry off the hook but we as adults have the power what comes into our homes each and everyday(Notice I said our homes...somebody will comment and say "we can't police what goes on outside our homes", but if we instill in our sons and daughters how to conduct themselves in private, they will be able to handle themselves in public). I tell parents all the time if you worried about what your children see on the computer when they are at home, put the computer in a central area of the home and not in their bedroom. We give our children gadgets to get them out of our hair but then get upset with people in the industry that put some ungodly content on the web. These are our children, not the entertainment industry children.

Isn't it funny how we as people put ask do not want Godly principles in our lives, in our businesses, in our schools but when chaos breaks out, the first thing comes out of our mouths, "How could God allow this to happen?" When God gave Adam dominion of the land, He gave us the responsibility to do the right thing and we gave dominion over to Satan that day in the garden of Eden. We have no one to blame but ourselves. As my pastor always says, "If you give Satan a ride he's going to want to drive."

It's that simple.

Be Blessed,
Be Safe, & as always
Have a Wonderful Wednesday

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Responsibility

"Lord grant my children would learn to be responsible, for each one should carry his own load."

Galatians 6:5

messages from Oneplace.com

• Show Me Your Glory
• Be Faithful - Part 2
• Numbers 22:6—24:14

tech news for Wednesday

• FAQ: Serious challenges for Sirius-XM merger
• Web Startups Reboot 'London 2.0'
• Upgrading Core Duo MacBooks with Apple 802.11n hardware
• The Best Free Software

my podcast pick for wednesday

• Daily Giz Wiz 253: The Databreaker

image:allposters.com

The next iPod...flash memory...well, maybe.

Will our next iPods be flash memory? According to a piece from the AppleInsider we may be close. Nothing has been confirmed but maybe the next generation iPod will have NAND flash memory instead of the HDD(Hard Disk Drive) beginning late 2007. Right now the iPod uses a 1.8-inch hard drive and giving the fact that it's has the capacity to have 80gigs is pretty amazing. But imagine having a lighter ipod(which weights what, 1pound or so) and the battery life longer what be a big plus.

From what I have read right now the largest in flash memory is 32GB (if I'm wrong please correct me) and the price tag would be>>>more

devotion & reflections for Today

The Power Of Influence>>>more
devotion from Our Daily Bread

to here the Gospel/Christian Songs for today
visit my Vox Blog

Coming up as a kid I really never had a positive male role model in my life. Being a only child has its highs and lows. Somethings I could not be influenced to do for the life of me like to drink (I never acquired a taste for liquor...to me all of it taste yucky) to smoke (as a child they would show how lungs in a healthy person looked and a smoker's lung looked...not for me). But they were things and people I was influenced by because I wanted to impress some girl or be in the "end crowd".

I never did fit in with anyone because of the things I enjoyed, the books I read, the music I listened to at that time (telling someone you like Glen Campbell growing up in a all black neighborhood was like wearing a sign, "Beat Me Down Now"). I felt all alone many times growing up, like I was born to the wrong mother or that I grew up in the wrong town.

But what I did not know was that my Heavenly Father was grooming me to an influencer. God has made each one of us a very "peculiar" individuals. This does not mean 'weird' or 'strange' but to bring something different to the table which in most cases is a great thing because we learn from one another, people bounce ideas off of one another. Some things people may not agree on and even in situation like that we still learn from one another.

Learning how much God loved me and how He has placed information inside me I now can share with world via blogs, interacting with people on my job, IM is a wonderful thing and to share the gospel is really awesome because not only do I teach and influence but I learn and get influenced as well. I am learning that learning the Word of God, studying His word how "Beautiful and Wonderfully" made I am. I love being me, I love being a Follow of Christ, I love being a geek, I love being nice to people because I can and not because I am looking for something in return.

Being an influencer is a wonderful thing but at the same time you have to be careful because you don't want to steer someone wrong because if that happens trust is broken and it makes it hard for the next person who comes along who means well. We see this everyday in the workplace, in relationships.

This is why it's best for me to keep my eyes focus on Christ Jesus because this way I can not go wrong when influencing people or being influenced by people.

Be Blessed,
Be Safe & as always,
Have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Praying for Our Children
Christian Embassy Church

Justice

"God, Help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do."

Psalm 11:7 & Micah 6:8

messages from Oneplace.com:

• Learning To Walk In Agreement
• Numbers 6:8—7:89
• The Battle for the Bible

tech news for wednesday:

• Chances of DRM-free iTunes Store are low, says firm
• Amazon and TiVo in Venture to Put Downloaded Videos on TV
• Senator to propose surveillance of illegal images

netcast for today from TWiT:

• MacBreak Weekly 28: iNconceivable

image: allposters.com

Devotion and Reflection for Wednesday

God's Pathway to Success>>>more
devotion from In Touch Ministries

Joshua 1:7 (New Living Translation)
"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do."

With how the world views success the above passage can hard to follow at times. We as Christians want the best but at the same time do want to seem we are money hungry. Let allow how many non Christians view us...either we are weak and always looking for God to do it all for us or we have too much, hiding behind God to make a profit. We as Christians see how the world is "successful" and wonder why should live right, follow rules. We see all the glamour, fame and wonder to ourselves, "what's wrong with having what they have? Didn't God said 'we are suppose to be the head and not the tail?' "

These are very loaded questions and even though I do not want to be famous I can't lie, I don't see anything wrong with being rich. It's not for just the money sake in my book, but I'm not going to lie, money makes things, situations a little bit better. Like Zig Ziglar always says..."Money isn't everything but it's the next big thing to oxygen." I'm learning what God means by success his way everyday.

Success God's way gives you peace at night, you don't have to look over your shoulder. I'm learning success His way is being obedient to God's word, paying your tithes, paying your bills on time, being patient when it comes to purchasing items, not promising people things you can not deliver, not worrying about keeping up with the Jones, being true to God and yourself.

Right now if everything goes according to plan, I will be starting school soon and I can't wait. Working at a job you have no passion for is the pits. I wish I would have been more stronger and more confidence in myself when it came to following the passion that God has placed in my heart. No, it's not too late because I'm following what He wants me to do with my life now. Satan is trying to beat my spirit down by saying, "you waited too late...how are you going to do it...you're 41, you have to work full time and trying to go to school...you waited too late...you're not smart enough...you're married with a wife...how are you going to accomplish this?"

But then God comes back and says, "I gave Abraham a child when he was 100 years old...scholarships are out there, you don't have any small children...manage your time wisely...pay now and play later....Obey ME(God) leave all the consequences to ME...you can do two things....keep working in field that brings you misery and headaches everyday or work toward what I placed in your spirit and it will bring me joy and praise and will bring you joy and peace of mind."

I had a hard time even writing this because sometimes defining success is not that simple. You want to have a balance in your life and I am finding that having God as my rock, having God as the center of my life is a great place to start. The bottom line is do I want to be successful and what I'm I willing to sacrifice for it? Sacrifice my time away from television and reading books that will help me along...yes. Managing my time, getting people out of my life and allowing people to assist me when I need help and not being prideful...yes. Placing my trust in God first and foremost no matter what and doing my part? What choice do I have.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Boldness

"I pray that my children would fearlessly make know the mystery of the gospel of Christ Jesus".

Ephesians 6:19

To listen to Dr. Stanley's devotion for today or previous messages....click here

image from allposters.com

To hear the songs by Lee Williams & the QC's go to my vox blog

Devotion & Reflections for Wednesday....I'm Getting Back To My Old Self

The Rewards of Waiting>>>more
from In Touch Ministries

At one time are another we hate waiting....I know I do. But I am realizing that sometimes when you get ahead of God's will the end results are not good. I am finding myself more and more that when I wait on God's timing everything is in line, everything runs smooth and I do not have keep "looking" over my shoulder wondering when the bottom is going to fall out. With anything, we have to train ourselves and not beat up on ourselves when we fall short from time to time.

Now this does not mean we just not carry on with our daily routines, we as Christians sometimes get lazy and think God is our bell hop or butler, as I have said and will continue to say...this is a partnership...we do what we can and God will do what we can not. We must wait on Him when it comes to relationships, when to buy and when to hold on to our money because sometimes it can burn a hole in a pocket, a business decision, which college to attend.

Another thing I am realizing is that the older I get I can not afford not to wait on Him because it's harder to bounce back from major setback, especially when I have caused them. He forgives us but sometimes we still have to pay for some decisions we have made outside of His will and I for you get tired of bumping my head of unnecessary choices.

Learn to wait on Him...it may seem like an enternity at times but the outcomes is so much more better.

Be Blessed,
Be Safe,
& have a Wonderful Wednesday

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

A Servant's Heart

"God, help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly."

Ephesians 6:7

to hear Dr. Stanley's message for today.....click here and scroll down to Jan 24th

Devotion and Reflections for Wednesday

The Lord Will Reveal His Will>>>more
from In Touch MInistries

"...We always need to be asking, "God, what are You teaching me today, and what would You have me do with that knowledge?"

Sometimes for me it's hard to pray, hard for me to know His will for my life, knowing what to say to Him, what questions to ask but reading today's devotion from Dr. Charles Stanley has helped me. I too am guilty of sometimes treating God like a "information clerk". We have to spend time in His word, talking and listening to Him. Too many times we talk and talk to God and not sitting still and listening to His answer for our lives. We have the television on or the music(that's my confession) and not letting the quietness be our music. Sometimes when I'm driving to work I have nothing turned on...no radio, no CD, nothing. That to me is my time with God, listening to Him to give clarity, give me direction, give me wisdom for that day or situation that I'm facing and just sometimes giving thanks to Him because of what Jesus has done for me.

Sometimes when driving I can look out the window and see someone standing on the bus stop and I give thanks to Him because at one time, I was that person standing, waiting for public transportation. I'm not saying ALL people that are on the bus line need transportation because sometimes it's better to ride the bus because it saves on gas, you do not have to concentrate and you can sit back and relax. But there are people that are on the bus line because they do not have a car and not being able to be on your own schedule can be tough to adjust to sometimes.

I'm finding everyday that learning to communicate with my Heavenly Father gives me peace, give me a much clearer direction for my life and less stress day in day out.

Be Blessed,
Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Wednesday.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Compassion

"Holy Father, I pray that You would clothe my children with the virtue of compassion."

Colossians 3:12

other devotions for today:
The “Mom Box”
Amazing Gift

Devotion and Reflections for Wednesday

Heartprints>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

This was a neat devotion. I try leave "heartprints" where ever I go. Not to be noticed but because coming up as a youth and going through the things I have went through, I always said to myself I will try and not treat people the way I was treated. Prime example, when first entering high school, I don't know where this tradition came from but juniors and seniors would call "freshman day" where that was some sort of hazing really; they stuff freshman in lockers, beat on them, make the run around the gym in the jockey garment (or as we called them jockey straps). I was blessed in many ways (well one was I was 6'4" and about 245lbs so that helped me a lot) but I said to myself whenever I became a senior I would not do this to incoming freshmen and I didn't.

Leaving "heartprints" is a choice of a individual plain and simple. I remember hearing a pastor talk about you want to leave a good feeling whenever someone mentions your name and I know what he's talking about because it happens in your church, at work, on campus each day. When we here some names it brings a smile to our faces and with other names of individuals mentioned, eyes get the rolling, HUGE sighs come out, smiles drop from our faces and comments like, "or...are you sure you want to have him or her over?"

One good way is just be yourself, I learned this about 15 years ago from a close friend. People would always gravitate around him and I always wandered why. I watched him day in and day out then God brought to me. He has made each and every one of unique to bring something to the table. God has giving us all gifts and that is how I began just being myself, and before I knew as time has passed by I see the same thing happening to me.

It makes me feel good when I'm able to bring a smile to another's face because in this day and time this world has really become superficial. We have a generation, young and older, with a attitude of "give me because I exist" not "help me because we can not be an island all to ourselves". I made it my mission that if someone does not know something and I do, whether it's something about God's word, how to surf the web better, anything...and if they are willing to learn, I will teach them and if I don't have the answer, I will try and direct to a individual who does know the answer.

I try to never make a person feel stupid because some of us learn quicker than others, you and I didn't come out knowing everything but we have come across people in our lives that think and act otherwise. I do not act this way because I wish to get a pat on the back, I do this because people took time out of their lives when I was coming up and showed me that there are people out here that's not always looking to get over on you or try to belittle you in front of others after they have shared knowledge or a skill with you.

Try and be a person today that when you leave your "heartprints" people are not trying to wash them away once you leave their presence.


Be Blessed,
Be Safe, &
Have a Great Day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Contentment

"Father, teach my children the secret of being content in every situation, through Him who gives them strength".

Philippians 4:12-13

other devotions for reading and meditation:

• turning point
• harvest online
• in touch ministries

audio messages from OnePlace.com

• He Uses Our Suffering - Part 3
• Praise Your Way Through
• Twelve Men Who Shook the World

tech news for wednesday:

• MacBook Core 2 Duo/1.83GHz and 2.0GHz
• Mac fans clamor for 'iPhone'
• Dell profit surges, but investigations cast pall
• Tiny springs keep Wii, PS3 under control

tech podcast for your noggin':

• net@nite 3: She Made Me A Web
• KFI Tech Guy 301
• Ten Ways to Ruin your Hard Drive

headline news:

• Local
• National
• World

Wednesday Devotion & Reflections

Truth That Transforms>>>more
daily devotions from rbc ministries

"Has belief in Jesus’ resurrection changed your life? Are your goals and priorities different than they were? Are you kinder, more patient, more forgiving? Ask God what He wants to do in you, and then cooperate with Him in that change."

That's the last section of the devotion from rbc's devotion for today...Has belief in Jesus changed me...yes, yes it has.

It has made me much more patient when tolerating people, especially at work. Many of work in a work environment that people are constantly gossip, backbite, lie, step over one person to receive recognition from their supervisors. It can get hectic, frustrating, bitter at times but when you have Christ in you live He has you zoom in what's really important...going in, doing your job to the best of your ability, getting the heck out of there because now you are living for Christ, not for approval from your co-workers, your boss. If you are doing what you supposed to either you will get recognized or God will open another door for you to move on, I have witnessed this in my life time and time again.

It has made me much kinder...It's amazing. I have being blessed in the sense where no matter where I have worked God has blessed me to be surrounded by kind people. I have learned that when Christ is the focus in your life, some people will think you are peculiar but for the most part, kind people will gravity to you and let me tell you, it is an awesome feeling to be surrounded by people where you can share how you feel and not worry about your business being circulated around the office as the latest gossip. To be have a close co-worker to talk with in time of need is a true gift from above.

More forgiving? I have grown in this area(but I'm still a work in progress...I can't lie) I have become more forgiving, hold less grudges and I wish I would have learned this concept years back because it is true...it only hurts you not the person that has wronged you. I have spoke many times that it's okay to voice your opinion when you have been wronged. You do forgive them and if they are sincere with their apology, praise God. If they continue to wrong you, you take the matter to them in a loving way and if that doesn't help, you forgive them, you pray for them then you have to deal with them as the old folks say, "with a long handle spoon".

Forgiving someone does not make you weak, does not make you a doormat. Having a unforgiving heart delays you from reaching your goal, it keeps you from God showing and giving you His best because you and I will keep dwelling on he or she that has wronged you and I. It's like driving on the highway and your head is turned looking out the back window you will not move forward.

Has my goals changed? Yes, yes, yes. It's amazing when I ask God what is His goal, His plan for me everyday and I am obedient to His will how it is less stressful because He is in control. When I constantly call upon Him to guide me my day is better. Situations pop up, plans change but I I'm less to get upset, or throw in the towel because in the end it's for His will and His way always turn out to be the best way in the end.

My belief in Him has brought me closer to Him and my eyes are less focus on how the world views me because in the end if I'm doing His will, He will make my enemies respect me, whether they want to or not.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, & as always
Have a Great Day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Generosity

"Lord, I pry my children would be rich in good deeds, generous and willing to share".

1 Timothy 6:18

other devotions for you today:

• Insight For Living
• Harvest Online
• In Touch Ministries

messages from OnePlace.com

• A New Beginning
• Enduring Truth
• In Touch

tech news for Wednesday:

• Harmony and discord in open source
• Court Shutters Spyware Outfit, Freezes Assets
• New Sony PS3 not in synch with older games

tech netcast for Wednesday:

• net@nite 2: Bring Out Your Dead
• KFI Tech Guy 299
• NerdTV - Show 13 - Judy Estrin

for headline news>>>click here