Godly Wisdom & Messages: devotions

Showing posts with label devotions. Show all posts

Jan 23, 2008

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

Netcast Picks for this Wednesday

netcast to help you know:

netcast to help you grow:

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

Dec 20, 2007

Thursday Reflections & Tech Gems

Doing Good>>>more
from RBC Ministries

I read this devotion, I read the passage and the life application notes in my Bible and I have to admit, not only staying positive but not speaking out is one of the hardest things to do especially when you have been accused of something false. You see it all the time played out in the public when one person has been accused of something and how one person goes either to the media and tries to clear their name. I am not going to lie that's a hard pill to swallow when you know you are innocent but that is what our Lord and Saviour tells us to do.

I don't think I have ever had to face something like the person in this devotion and I know I have never had to go through what Jesus Christ went through but I am realizing that it's best to remain quiet when someone tries to smear your reputation. I'm learning that so much energy gets waisted when trying to prove your point especially in this day and time. I have learned that no matter how you try and bury the truth it finds it way to the surface. Does this still means you do not suffer through that time? You will suffer because since we live in a fallen world sometimes we suffer for during the right thing.

When you strive to do it God's way it may cost you some friends along the way because your path may be different from the path you was once on and sometimes friends, family members may not like the path you are on but in Matthew 10 Jesus is clear in explaining the cost when following him and the road is not an easy road but to me it's worth the trials because in the end I know where I am going to end up when it's all said and done.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
and Have a Wonderful Thursday

Thursday Tech Story Picks:

Thursday Audio Picks

Christian:
Romans 12:12-13:1
(Thru the Bible)

Finding Sexual Fulfillment in Marriage (Part 2)
(HomeWord w/Jim Burns)

A gossip betrays a confidence;
so avoid a man who talks too much.
~Proverbs 20:19

Technology:

net@nite 41: w00t
(Amber MacArthur)

MacBreak Weekly 70: Happy Life Day
(Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, Chris Breen, Merlin Mann, and Scott Bourne)

Dec 17, 2007

Monday Morning Widsom & Other Gems

Forever Joyful>>>more
from RBC Ministries

I am beginning to realize more and more that I do not want to be happy and I am not seeking happiness anymore. I'm I am being a "downer"? Nope, far from it. I am learning that I wish to have joy in heart and my spirit and I wish to share joy with people more so than happiness. I am learning that when you have joy you are content with what you have in the moment. This is not to say that you do not strive to better yourself because God wants you and I to have fulfillment in our lives but He wants you and I to have our priorities in place when seeking to better ourselves.

When you focus on God's word first, read his word, do the best that can by living out his word the blessings are endless. He knows we are going to slip up from time to time but when you repent and truly mean it his mercy and grace is with you always. Where we go wrong is when we take our eyes, mind, heart away from his principles, striving just for material things is when we begin a downward spiral. We lose focus of family, friends, what is truly important to us day in and day.

The more you train yourself in God's word the more you realize that day by day you will be thankful for what you have, you are content with what you have and before you know you will not only be God centered but he will truly give you "the desires of your heart" while not losing focus on what truly brings you joy.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and
Have a Wonderful Monday

My Tech Stories Pick for this morning:

My Audio Picks for Monday Morning:
Christian

The New Jerusalem
(Back to the Bible) with Woodrow Kroll

Listening to this message this morning gave me more insight on the book of Revelation. It makes me strive to learn more about the last book in the bible. Dr. Woodrow Kroll for me has always has a "down to earth" way of teaching God's word.

What We All Got For Christmas
(Enduring Truth) with Paul Sheppard

I'm going to be honest, some people may not like this message and some may. Pastor Sheppard breaks it down giving the true meaning of Christmas. What's best about this message is that he encourages us to surround ourselves with people who walk with God is deeper than ours so we can really appreciate God's ways.

Technology:
Windows Weekly 44: 100 Million w00ts! &
Windows Weekly 43: The Release Candidate
(TWiT)

Yesterday while taking the grandkids to have their picture taking I had a chance to begin catching up on my tech podcast and I was drawn to Paul Thurrott's latest podcast with Leo Laporte. Love windows, hate Windows...we will come across this OS whether we want to or not. I truly enjoy the way Paul teaches the ins and outs of Windows. I have a Vista machine and while I have it I might as well try and learn some of the tricks on this OS. Whether or not it will be with us in the long time will tell but for now it never hurts to learn every now and then.

"Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends."

~proverbs 17:9

Mar 20, 2007

devotion & reflections for Tuesday

A Word From The Wise>>>more
devotional from odb>>>rbc ministries

We live in age of loose tongues now. We live in a age of people saying what they want when they want. This small little muscle in our mouth has cause people either pain or pleasure and it's to a point now that people do not care what is said because they feel, "I can say what I want to say". This is very true, you can say what you want, you have that right...my problem is many people now days feel that way but do not want to face the consequences that come behind their speech.

I work in customer service and by me hearing customers again and again call me every name in the book has actually humbled me, make me really think before I speak (I have always done this because 1. I stuttered so bad and 2. I know once words have left your mouth, you can not take them back.) I have learned that a certain tone in my voice no matter what can escalate or calm down a person. I am also learning at my age (finally) that when you constantly "go off" on people it shows "your" character...not theirs.

It is really true in this day and age how I hear so many young people can curse in front of older people and not blink an eye without thinking, without caring. At first I used to get upset with the young but God has matured me just this year that most of them hear their parents swear like a sailor so they feel it's normal. You here it and see it all in our television shows, in our music because it sells. All of us have done it from time to time...I was just never good at it, not that "I'm holier than thou", I'm just no good at it that's all and I am so happy.

It's really something how this little muscle inside our mouth can cause so much happiness for some and misery for others. Jesus Christ was telling the truth when he told his disciples, "...it's not what goes inside a man but what comes out of a man that tells his true character." I try to be as courteous as I can and I am not going to lie, it can be difficult at times. Some people make it hard, some people we just do not care like for good reasons, some we don't have a reason. But I am taking to heart more and more what my mother taught me..."If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." It saves me unnecessary grief down the road. I am truly learning the meaning of hurling "blessings" at people more so than "curse" words because in the end, people are going to be people and I can't control their speech but I can surely control mine.

Makes me feel better about myself in the end.

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

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

message from Oneplace.com for Tuesday:
The God of Second Chances...Part I
The God of Second Chances...Part II

tech podcast for today:
Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 333

tech news for today:
Jaxtr Opens Door to MySpace Calls
Apple TV Projected To Surpass TiVo And Netflix
Security Watch: Apple Takes Over Patch Tuesday With Massive Update

image: all posters.com

what's this?

Dec 16, 2006

Reflection and Devotion for Saturday

Living in the Center of God's Will>>>more
from In Touch Ministries

Hello everyone,

I have taking a long hiatus but I'm back ready to begin to share how God truly loves me, how He watches over me, how being obedient to Him gives me strength, courage, and peace in my life.

Right about now I'm coming back in a time of my valley right about now. This is my trying time right about now. I have to show how much I really trust in my Heavenly Father. Things has not been going so well for me in a while but I am really beginning to learn how much He loves me. I am learning how to be obedient to God because in the end it's not worth going against His will. I wonderful friend shared wisdom with me on how to pray. It's so good when you go to God and not only will He give you wisdom but many times God will have people enter your life to give you wisdom as well. She told me that when I pray for direction, understanding, thanksgiving also pray for clarity because God wants our specifics. He wants you and I to talk to Him as if you and I talk to a close dear friend that is right there with you in the flesh.

I remember the first time I read the passages where Abraham and God would have conversation and the one that really blew me away was when Abraham ask our Father to spare Sodom and Gomorrah(Genesis 18:. The conversation was so personal and direct. I had mentioned before in a post a wrote a while back, I could not believe how Abraham spoke with and to God in that manner but then I was taught an important lesson: when you obey God you can come to him like a son or daughter...not like a beggar.

God wants the very best for my life and I have to begin to put my time, my faith, my money where my mouth is because "faith with works is dead".

The devotion from Dr. Charles Stanley is so awesome this morning. He describes the the rewards and chastisement when it comes to living in the center of God's will. His audio messages from Dr. Charles Stanley, God Always Rewards Obedience-Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 is something to give a listen to...you will not regret it.

My prayer for you today is that you learn to trust in God and watch Him work awesome things in your lives.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Have a Wonderful Weekend.

Praying For Our Children

from Christian Embassy Church
Peace Loving

"Father God, help my children make every effort to do what leads to peace."

So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

~Romans 14:19

Other Devotions for today:

Messages from OnePlace.com

Tech News for today:

Netcast for today:

Nov 25, 2006

Devotions and Reflections for this Weekend

Emptiness Without God>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

The title of Saturday's devotion from Our Daily Bread says it all. It's amazing how when I didn't have God in my life how I tried so many things feel that void and at the end of my journeys I still came up empty inside. Only when I truly began honoring God, studying His word, being obedient to His will, asking Him to be the leader is of trying to treat Him like a genie in a bottle that I feel complete.

This past week has been a trying week for me, from dealing with family issues, people not caring about you are your possessions you work hard for to obtain them, I have had to ask God to give me strength, patience, calmness and I have slipped up from time to time this week and have lost my cool. But I will tell you this, by the Holy Spirit flowing through me now it would have been much worse for me, the people around me if God was not in my life right about now. When having God in my life He has given me the answering what I need to do, on how to handle my situations for this week. I'm I still angry from this week, a little(am not going to lie, this just happened Thursday and Friday)...am I in a better place, yes.

Having the word of God flow through me let's me know that some people in your life whether they are close friends, relatives, your children, your spouse will let you down from time to time and I will let people down from time to time because you and I are not perfect, we all are flawed. But God has also have given you and I common sense and sometimes we have to put our foot down on certain issues, certain matters. I thank my Lord and Savior for His love for me and by me doing His will He gives me new insight on how to not only put Him first but He allows me to have a peace within, to be able to enjoy my desires that are pleasing to Him.

This year has been an eye opener for me because I am learning why God should come first for when you put Him first in everything you do, He truly gives you the desires of your heart.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, & have a Wonderful Weekend.

DarrenKeith~

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Hope

"God of hope, grant that my children my overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Patience

"God, strengthen my children with all power, so that they may have great endurance and patience".

Galatians 5:22

other devotions for the weekend:

Godly messages for today:

tech news for today:

netcast for today:

"Don’t demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.

It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
than to be sent away in public disgrace."

proverbs 25:6-7

Nov 22, 2006

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:

audio messages from OnePlace.com

tech news for wednesday:

tech podcast for your noggin':

headline news:

Nov 21, 2006

Devotion and Reflections for Tuesday

Hearing Aid>>>more
from rbc ministries

I'm learning each day how to be obedient to my Heavenly Father. Being obedient is really simple, but it's not easy. Many things in life are simple but doing them...that's the hard part. Think about it, when we were young and someone wanted you or I to do something we knew was wrong, we could have said no...simple; but hearing the teasing and ridicule that would not have been easy. It goes for the way God wants you and I to live our lives and I'm going to be honest sometimes it's not easy because of my flesh wants what it wants.

By me working this 2nd job now has really opened my eyes on the tithing, on giving God His time through prayer, getting into His word, putting things in perspective. I'm so glad I am growing wiser instead of just growing older, that would be a very wasteful life. I have learned that whenever we try and manipulate our circumstances we're only manipulating ourselves in the end because we do not bend God to our will, we always bend to His, it's up to you and I when we will do it...sooner or later; I am learning to yield to the former because it takes too much out of me to keep trying do things my way.

I witness His grace in my life each and everyday. I'm learning to take responsibility for my choices in life each and everyday because again it's the best way, the less stressful way to go through life. I heard Pastor Paul Shepard say something that was so profound and it hit me like a ton of brinks.."people always say experience is the best teacher and that's not true many times because we do not have to go through everything to figure out if it's wrong or not". Growing up I didn't try drugs or drink for different reasons;

I didn't like the taste of liquor
Didn't like how liquor made me feel(got drunk and was hugging a toliet...one time is all it took for me.
A guy in our neighborhood had his drink "spiked" and the guy was never the same
My mother would kill me.

But there was plenty of dumb things I allowed myself to get into knowing the outcome would not be good, would set me back financially, I would have to work twice as hard to get back to where I needed to be and I guess that's what has really hit home with me this year. I am asking God each day for me not only to make wise choices but to follow through with them because I'm not old but I'm not in my late teen/early twenties any more, it's hard to bounce back from a set back, whether it's financially, from relationships we knew we should not have gotten involved in from the beginning, making friendship we know that will end badly.

Living God's way I am truly realizing is not restricting me from life, but freeing me to live a peaceful, thoughtful, very wise life. I have to choice...have trials, storms in my life with Jesus as my guide or toughing it out alone; I'm not a gambling man but my odds go up much to my favor with Christ Jesus. What about you?

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

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Responsibility

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

Galatians 6:5

other devotions to read:
Megafreeway or Narrow Way?
Praise Builds Courage
Back To The Bible

positive messages from OnePlace.com
In Touch
Enduring Truth
A New Beginning

tech news:
Looking For Popular Digital Cameras? Check Out Flickr
Six Notebooks That Don't Burn
Palm CEO brushes off Apple cell phone threat
When Beige Won’t Do

netcast shows & tech information:
KFI Tech Guy 284
FLOSS Weekly 15: Tarus Balog of OpenNMS
dl.tv 112

Nov 20, 2006

Devotions & Reflections for Monday

God’s Little Blessings>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

Today's devotion from rbc ministries asked do we see God's blessings everyday? As Christians you would automatically think "yes" but sometimes I think we all look over the tiny blessings that God puts before you and each day. I think I noticed them most of the time because I'm observant for the most part. I can sit, watch, and see the marvels of God when I watch animals, insects, highways, and yes technology. I found out about 6 months ago how our eyes are just like our fingerprints in a way because everybody eyes are different and I just don't mean by color. When I heard that it hit me that's why some places scan our eyes for identification. To know that God to the time out to make every person different on this earth blows me away.

I noticed his tiny blessing sometimes when I am lost or have misplaced something. I look and look and can not find it. Sometimes I call myself backtracking to find it and to no prevail. But when I stop, and say, "Now Lord, I know it's here and you know how much I need this item to complete my task, please direct me to it." Before I know it, He brings it do my mind and I find it. This past weekend I was reformatting my hard drive and I needed the new anti virus software I just received. I usually keep my software in my draw and it was not there. I looked everywhere and couldn't find it. I said a similar pray above and God brought it back to me where I placed my new software.

I noticed His huge blessings but I thank Him for the small blessing, the encounters, the timing of God. Sometimes when we think we may be running behind and we meet up with a person that not can help you and I but sometimes God may add a little something special to that encounter. Like the family in the devotion that met up at the Mexican restaurant in Disney World before the storm rolled in, God is awesome because as always His timing, His blessings when you sit back and think about it can have you smiling all day.

Be Blessed,
Be Safe, &
Have a Productive Short Work Week.

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

Nov 18, 2006

Weekend Devotion & Reflections

"Fools have no interest in understanding;
they only want to air their own opinions".
proverbs 18:2

Cleaning Out The Files>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries
messages: A must "listen to":
Dr. Charles Stanley's
How To Handle The Burdens We Bear - Part 1
How To Handle The Burdens We Bear - Part 2

This is one of the reasons why I am so glad I am a Christian, knowing God has forgiven me of my sins...past, present, future. Two of my favorite movies are Ray and Walk the Line. One thing that stands out to me about these movies are regrets, guilt. Ray Charles and Johnny Cash had past demons that kept haunting them, the tragedies that happened in their lives. Even though it was not there fault they could shake the fact they thought it was their burden what happened to their brothers. That is why so many people are on a road of self destruction. No matter how many times you tell how nice they look, how much of you enjoy their company, what joy they bring into your lives, those compliments fall to the wayside because of past memories, past regrets, past guilt. Many Christians do the same thing, my brothers and sisters in Christ say with their mouths that God has forgiven that but they still carry that "yoke" around their necks by themselves.

Once you truly give your life over to Christ Jesus, he is our advocate, he is our attorney, God does not and will bring up our sins no more and that is an awesome feelings. Knowing that Jesus comes along side of us, gives us new life to carry on each and every day gives me a pep in my step and smile to my face. They are things that's happened in my life I wish that never happened to me...some things I brought on myself, somethings I have no control over; things that were once a huge burden around my neck. This is where my moods swings would come into play. One day I would be happy, joyful, fun to be around...other days I would want to be all alone, mad at the world, all because I would dwell on how I was teased in school because of my stuttering, how I was dateless in high school, the names I was called growing up. That was my crutch, my safety place. I was a very unpredictable, miserable person to be around.

Then in year 2000 took a turn for the better. When I found out how much God loved me, what His gave up for me on calvary, the fact that how Christ wronged no one and went to the Cross to have His Father look away from Him for a moment because Christ Jesus took my sins, MY SINS...past, present and future to live a for Him and to have guilt free life? How can I not be a happy person. This does not mean that I'm Ned Flanders (even though he is my favorite character) everyday. Past regrets come to me but they do not stay. I heard pastor Greg Laurie make this statement last night while I was at work, "all Christians should wear a sign around their neck saying, 'Christians..Under Construction...work in progress'". I thought that hit the nail on the head. That is what I am everyday. I'm not perfect, I'm going to make mistakes, I'm going to say the wrong things every now and then but I do not have to hold on to those mistakes I will make in the future because I once I truly repent of my sins, God remembers them no more.

To people who are not saved, give it over to Christ, lay your burdens on Him and He will give you strength you can not believe. To be able to live your life knowing you are covered by the blood of Jesus is the best feeling in the world. Situations will come believe me but the load of past regrets, mistakes you make will not be a hindrance to your life, you repent with all your heart and truly believe that Christ died for your sins, the memories of past regrets will be there but not the weight of your mistakes. And to my brothers and sisters in Christ...for you and I to feel we are not forgiven is an insult to our Father. He would not have sent His son, His ONLY son to suffer the beaten, the humiliation, the suffering on the cross for you and if our sins could not be forgiving. We have made mistakes, we will make many more in our lives because we are a work in progress and it is a process we will go through until we see Him again. Jesus died for you and I to have a wonderful life here on earth, to be a example to others...yes we are flawed, we are sinners, we make mistakes...but those things are badges of honor because we let the world know, without Him...we are nothing; with Him, we are conquerors.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, and Have a Wonder weekend~

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Perseverance

"Lord, teach my children to persevere in all they do, and help them run with perseverance the race set before them".

Hebrews 12:1

Humility

"God, Please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility toward all."

Titus 3:2

other devotions for the weekend:

audio messages from OnePlace.com

tech news for Saturday:

tech netcast for Saturday:

local/national/world news:

"People ruin their lives by their own foolishness
and then are angry at the Lord".

proverbs 19:3

Nov 13, 2006

Devotions & Reflections for Monday

Fathers--A Loving Fact
or Unbelievable Fairy Tale?
click here to hear broadcast
from FamilyLife Today/Oneplace.com

God's word never grows old, the more you read His Word, the more you get out God's life principle. When I listen to the same teaching from OnePlace.com I get something new out of it each time. I'm listening to FamilyLife Today from an earlier broadcast. Dennis Rainey is interviewing a young man of Christ Jesus, Donald Miller(the author of To Own A Dragon). Donald talks about not having a father and this really hits home with me. I thank the Lord He has always had His hand on me even when I didn't realize it and was being rebellious.

Three times I remember seeing my father, once when he took me on his bus route, once when I went over to his home in St. Louis(he remarried) and I remember being served cabbage and I said I didn't not like cabbage and he hit me in the head with a large spoon(I grew to love cabbage...I told my grandmother, his mother, years later...she was not pleased what my dad did to me). the the last time, seeing him in the casket.

I never really knew him and he never really tried to get to know me, my mother never married again, even though his mother had to pay child support for him because he was not man enough to take responsibility for his action. Some of things Donald got involved in it jolted my memory to some of the mess I got into coming up as a child. Donald recall breaking into people homes taking lose change when he was in junior high, I remember breaking out windows in people's home, breaking into their homes, throwing rocks at people cars, I have been shot at with pistols as a youth, I have been shot by a young and to know how God has had His hand on me and carried me this far and has molded me into the man I am today.

It makes me so angry that even today how men create life and then just walk out of their lives, it's inexcusable. I never had a positive, Christian male roll model until my early 30's (Mr. Cleo Horton). God has brought me through so much and this is why I blog the way that I do...God put me here to be patient, to be kind, to be understanding toward people because that was never given to me coming up. I didn't have a traumatic childhood but it wasn't the best childhood either.

I may not have a physical father to teach me life principles but I had a Heavenly Father that not only taught me about life, but He taught me to keep my heart open to receive and give love. This is why I could never go back into the world, He has giving up so much for me to spread His Word, His love, His message to let people He has your back no matter what.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Great Evening

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Purity

"Create in my children pure hearts, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their lives".

Psalm 51:10

devotions for this evening:

spiritual messages from OnePlace.com

tech news for Monday:

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Nov 9, 2006

Thursday Devotions and Thoughts of My Own

Life’s Storm-Tossed Sea>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

Do you worry? Do I worry? Yes I do God's know our heart so their is no need of me putting on a front. Do I worry as much a I used to...no. This is because the more you lean on, just in and live by God's principles and commands you sleep much better.

When I used to live outside the will of God I found myself living by the way I wanted to live, spending money knowing that money was needed elsewhere, saying things I know I would live to regret or making promises I know I could not keep. Giving things away I know that I would need down the road. Then would get upset with God because He did not come through for me. Pleading for a miracle when knowing deep down it would not come to pass because of the way I was living. I hit rock bottom in latter part of 1997. I was living with a woman I was not married to and I knew she and i fell out of love with one another. I knew deep down she wasn't the one for me and I wasn't the man for her but wasn't man enough to tell her. We dated off and on for 7 years, living together off and on but we both knew it wasn't going anywhere. I was afraid of being alone, I was behind close to 3 months in the rent(I was trying to take care of everything on the meager salary I had, trying to be a man but was a scared little boy inside) and everything was spinning out of control.

I told her I didn't want to marry her because I knew I wasn't the man for her and she wasn't the woman for me. She was furious because she felt I wasted her time(and by right I did...we broke up, we made up, we broke up...that should have been a hint to me, right?). She moved out and I was stuck with everything. The meager job I had I just lost, the car I had...repossessed, me and mother was and never have had a great relationship and I was determined not to move back home to Madison, Illinois because it was more depressing there and I fought so hard to get away from there. Was I worried, every night and day.

But then I cried out to God...not for a miracle, this time it was different. I was tired of living the way I was living. I remember praying to God, "If I find someone good, if I don't, that's okay as well. I know I'm not living right and I'm tired of trying to do things my way. I'm tired of running and going around in circles". A big weight was lifted from me that night. Did someone with a big check come and wipe out my back rent and give me a brand new car? That would be great wouldn't it but no it did not happen that way.

I called my landlord(I prayed before I spoke with him) asked Him could he work with me. Told him my situation and God had mercy upon me because he had every right to evict me from his property but God touched his heart to give me a chance to work through this ordeal I put myself in...yes I put myself in because I could not blame no one but myself. I applied for a hotel job in December of 1997, received a call in early January 1998( I had the 3rd shift). I caught the bus but God shined down upon me again because the bus dropped me off in front of the hotel where I worked so I only had to catch one bus...left that job in a month to work as a contracted security guard at a large company, worked there for two years where I met my wife (a year and a half later we married). She had been there around the same time but we never noticed one another. I was living one day at a time. Some days were good, some were bad but one thing was different, I worried less because this time I was in partnership with my Lord and Savior. Did I slip up from time to time...yes because I'm human but God had my back so the bouncing back was much quicker for me because I was learning from my mistakes.

I'm been married for 6 years now and there are rough patches we go through from time to time but this time I am better prepared, a much better communicator, and much stronger in the Lord. I know that by doing His will, being in covenant with Him because He will not do everything for me because God is not my bellhop. I try to live according to His Word each and everyday. I sleep better now, because I know with Him, I would not be here sharing this with you today. This is my way of sharing how God has turned things around in my life and how He can change your life as well. One thing I come to realize, the same way I dug myself in that "hole" is the same way I got out that hole...one day at a time and by allowing God to lead and direct my steps and I had a inner peace I can not describe.

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

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Respect

"Lord, help my children to show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands ".

1 Peter 2:17

Nov 8, 2006

Wednesday Devotions...Good Morning

He Did It>>>more
from rbc ministries

I have been blessed wherever I have worked, God has put wonderful people in my life. I am truly thankful. It's so ironic because I was thinking of the people through the internet that I have had the privilege to meet many people through my web blogs. I may not have met them face to face but it makes me feel good knowing that God has chosen me to be a vessel not to spread the Good News but to learn, share, chat with people and to be open and honest with them.

One thing is that I try to live the life I talk about day in and day out. I am not perfect, far from it, I will not tell people I am not, "Holier Than Thou" and I have weaknesses. I think people appreciate when you tell them, "I don't know" or "I am not sure". To me that is another door of oppotunity to learn. I really owe all to my upbringing, not only seeing my mother being generous but the rough time I had growing up as a child. It wasn't that traumatic but I was a lonely kid most of my life. The life growing up makes me except people for who they are, not by their title. I do not approve of some people lifestyle but I try to get it across that God loves them and we are sent to hell not by who we are but by the choices we make in life. I try to get across that everyday is a new day to and a new opportunity to give their lives to Christ Jesus because in the end, He has our best interest at heart. And if they do not want to accept them, I pray for them and treat them with the utmost respect because in the God knows what is in a person's heart and if it is meant for them to find their way to them, he or she will.

Many people have been heart in life and some have chosen to become bitter and shut themselves off from the world so they will not encounter pain, betrayal, rejection...I tried that growing up and it's the loneliest feeling in the world. God has taught me that when you open your heart, you will get hurt along the way but you let so much love in as well. I have met and learned from so many people, Christians and non Christians...from Arthur (Big Art) from when I cleaned offices at night(He taught me how to just be myself, people gravitate to you when you are an original, not a carbon copy of someone else), from Mrs Barbara Graves, who taught me it's okay to be a Follower of Christ and still have a backbone, from Mr. Cleo Horton, who told me over an over again, "you got know that man(God)for yourself, this way you will know true and false teachings"; from Luis and Javier when I lived in Florida, my "geek brothers" that taught me more about the web, how to search it and being a geek is a cool thing (even though I knew this but it felt good being around your kind), the many people in Vox...too many to name(to see who is in my neighborhood, go to my neighborhood blog) I can go on about how many people that has impacted my life because when you let God choose people to come into your life, it's a win-win deal.

The people I have met through this web blog, and my Vox blog, I have learned so much and it makes my heart feel so good when I receive feedback saying how I have made their day. Through all the pain growing up, through all the things I love sharing, God has opened another door to share many things with so many people and to receive love and return. And as I write this I really get a deeper revelation...it is truly better to give than receive.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, and have a Productive day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Mercy

"Oh Father, grant that my children would be full of mercy and compassion as you are Lord ".

James 5:11

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Thursday Devotions and Thoughts of My Own

Nov 8, 2006

Wednesday Devotions...Good Morning

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