Finding My Way Back (A Work in Progress)

I have gotten away from writing on my main blog, Theology and Technology it's not funny. I've gotten away from reading God's word it's shameful. I haven't been to church in so long and now I'm seeing the result of it in my life. This is not a good thing. I'm finding myself feeling that opening the Bible I would be a hypocrite and I know that's a lie straight from Hell because once you give your life to Christ you never lose your salvation. I find myself letting my job get the best of me, I've lost my way of finding out what God wants for my life. I feel like I've done every type of job and now I'm at the end of not being what I should be. But again, that's a lie from Satan.

I know God wants me to turn back to His word, because He wants the best for me but it's up to me to make that move, make that first step. I need to begin putting things back in priority. I started early this morning making a schedule to listen/reading the word of God. I have the entire Bible on CDs. It's 66 books in the Bible and it's 52 weeks in a year so I will make it a habit listening to one CD a week of the word of God. I say this because it's good to listen to something over and over because that is how it gets in your heart, your soul, your mind. We watch some television programs over and over, movies over and over, music for sure we listen to the same track over and over so why not God's word?

Funny thing happened to me early this morning...very early this morning. I woke up about 3am so I got up, took me a shower, grabbed my ipod and listen to the first 19 chapters of Genesis. Funny how I tried to get sleepy listening to something that will enhance my life and as soon as I finished listening to Disc 1 of the Holy Bible (NIV) I couldn't get back to sleep for an hour. When it comes to reading books, or something that will help you in life we get sleepy our mind tries to wander, we try and get sleepy and something I found out, WE have control that. So again after work I will listen/read the first 19 Chapters of Genesis but it's something I have to do if I want my life to improve. And not only do I need to read it but get back to obeying His word.

It's amazing what God covers in just the first chapters of Genesis in regards marriage, quantity of marriage, what we can eat, capital punishment. The Bible is a wonderful guide for life and I'm sorry I allowed myself to drift away from it.

But again, as a friend used to say to me all the time, "I'm a work in progress, Darren." I'm that way too and I'm glad God loves me "just because". He knows my faults but it doesn't mean I have the right to stay in that condition I will force myself to move away from that day by day.

On to a better life.

Bring Back The Original PDA(you know, paper and pad)

  I truly dig technology and I mean I really ENJOY technology when it comes to gadgets, computers. It's been in my blood since my grandmother passed that down to me and I thank her for that. But I think...no, I know technology has made many of us really lazy when it comes to remembering very important information.

It used to be a time when calling to make reservations we would have information written down like the zip code, the address, the time of arrival and return from our destination. Now with computers, PDAs which has transcended to smartphones we have lost the use of plain common sense. We have given our brains a vacation for life when it comes to making arrangements. Don't get me wrong, we (customer service) are here to help you but you have to help yourself a little in order to make the transition smooth. People now act as if they are new born babies when it comes to making arrangements for trips.

What's more disturbing is some of the calls I get when it comes to looking up reservations. People are too lazy to first copy the information from their phone when it comes to looking up key information and then many get an attitude if we can't find the reservation in an nano second. We have lost the will to be considerate with one another in the post-technology era. We have forgotten the concept of "placing ourselves in the other person's shoes".

I have come to the fact that I'm keeping my gadgets but at the same time I'm going to begin carrying me an "paper" organizer again. To be honest it's a must because in my mind if I'm calling to get arrangements for a trip or confirmation on a reservation and if I don't have the key information at hand, it makes ME look bad and not the other way around but again we now live in the age of people are not considerate of one another.

In the world of planning events now, people now think company rules and policies do not apply to them. They feel that once you explain the process and just because their plans were changed of if they don't have the proper way of paying for an reservation we're the bad guys. Now I'm not going to say all in customer service are the best because again me being on the other side I've had my issues as well when it come to customer service (that's another post).

With technology we can store more but with technology it has made people very impatient and we people want information in real time but word of advise to customers...in order to receive information fast from humans you have to give correct information in real time.

Monday Devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley

Daily Devotional from In Touch Magazine

The Heart of the Cross

READ | 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Consider how illogical Jesus’ crucifixion looked to first-century observers. The Romans, who were concerned with power, probably wondered how a mighty God could allow enemies to kill Him. The Greeks valued wisdom and no doubt thought, There must surely have been a better way than the cross! And the Jews, who longed for victory over oppressors, probably felt bewildered to see Jesus humbly let Himself be brutally killed.

Yet, what seemed foolish was actually a brilliant plan. Through the cross, the Lord powerfully revealed His character. First, we see His unconditional love in dying for those who sinned against Him (John 3:16). Second, His righteousness is apparent—only the perfect sacrifice of His own blood could satisfy the penalty for sin. Third, He shows His faithfulness by redeeming us at so great a cost. And fourth, Jesus demonstrates power by conquering sin and death.

In addition to all this, the cross exposed and disarmed Satan (Col. 2:15), who no longer has authority over Christians. Though he can tempt and try followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit is there to strengthen and guide believers to victory.

One last benefit of God’s remarkable plan is that we are eternally secure because of the price Jesus paid. That gives us hope and confidence about our future.

Though the cross seems absurd to those who don’t understand, God’s children know it is the Father’s wise design. We have assurance for today and security for tomorrow only because of this amazing event that occurred over 2000 years ago. We have no need to fear, but every reason to hope.

Reflections From Today's Devotion

Today's Devotion: It Is My Business
Today's Passage: Leviticus 19:11-18

Sometimes devotions and passages when reading them do not register with me until later in a "ah-ha" moment; and then there are others that hit me right square in the face...this devotion is the latter. I'm not going to lie, what's going on in Haiti is terrible, the injured, the death, the loss of homes but it's one of these moments where I'm asking God, "why do I feel really bad about this tragedy?" and then it hits me and I know why.

Living in Florida was an eye-opening experience for me because of the many cultures and what I found out is that when living in the Midwest we as African-Americans encounter hatred toward Blacks every day one way or another and according where you live it's subtle or just blatant from White America but to live in a place where not only Whites but other races try to look down upon you kinda through me for a loop. I found out that many Haitians and Africans look down upon African-Americans and that's truly blows my mind at times. When living in Florida many times Haitians would bypass me to give wonderful customer service to a White person and give mediocre service to me. At first I thought this was just someone having a "bad day" but this would happen time and time again. It's sad in a way because in a way this has left a really bad taste with me because on one hand Haitians look down upon African-Americans but when disasters hit come their way we are all "one" and the older I become the more this bothers me.

In a way I can understand sometimes why they would feel this way toward African-Americans. If I lived in another country and when seeing the news and all the images I saw of African-Americans were negative I guess I would feel that way too, I guess their mindset is, "They are so lazy. They (Blacks) do not appreciate what they have in the states." But most Blacks do appreciate what we have every day. I guess the difference between African-Americans and other races is the when we see someone act un-neighborly we just chalk it up say, "That person" and we do not group a race in one barrel where with other races they lump us all together. It's been this way for years and I guess it will continue to be this way until the day I die but still it's hurtful because we as African-Americans are the first to lend a hand to others and many times we still get shunned but we keep going on with our lives, instilling in our children that you work hard for what you want, never give up, and just take one day at a time.

In Florida I met some wonderful people and I can't wait to get back there and touch base with friends I met there but at the same time now I know that in a melting pot you're going to encounter hurt and sometimes it will come at the hands of a culture or race you least expect. So my prayer to God is for my heart not to become harden as I get older but at the same time not to be surprised when dealing with people that look like me try and treat me like dirt. I will ask God to help me work through my feelings and not feel the way that I do because in the end it only hurts my walk with God and reflects on me as a Follower of Christ Jesus.

photo by paul.charles.k
interfaceLIFT.com

My Reflections From Monday's Devotion

Monday's Devotion: War . . . Then Peace
Monday's Passage: Luke 22:32-43

For some reason this devotion made me realize something in regards to other people action...when they are rude to me it reflects on them and not on me...now if I react rudely then it reflects on me. I'm not going to lie, it's easy to say and hard to do for me because I guess of the era I came up. I grew up in the 70s, that was a time when you respected your elders, when you were acting out in public and if someone that knew your parents they could say something to you and if they told your parents it was a good chance you get a whipping (or in my time a "whoppin'"). Those days are long gone and I have keep reminding myself those days are long gone.

You have people that if you do not tell them what they want to hear, even if the rules are spelled out to them in black and white they throw fits, speak harshly to you; when working in customer service I have customers that just "hang up". We live in an age where people don't want to read the fine print but are "surprised" when they hear the bottom line price. I'm realizing this is nothing new, Christ Jesus went through the same thing when it came to becoming a Christian.

We live in a time when people want you to be tolerant of the way they live but don't want to be tolerant of Followers of Christ. It's a catch 22 really, accept their views of the world, their rules of the game so to speak but don't tell me yours then when things begin to fall apart in their lives many cry out, "Why God did you let this happen!?!" The older I'm become the more I realize that it's better to live the Christian life instead of preaching the Christian life. When you do this either people will enquire about your life or they will reject you plain and simple...either way it's a win-win situation for your light to shine as a Follower of Christ and you will not have any regrets about the path you have chosen and at the same time you have not been rude to others around you and if people are rude to you know it reflects on them and not on yourself.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Monday

~DarrenKeith

photo: Unforgettable Bryce by Philippe Clairo/InterfaceLIFT

Love&Honest Letter To My Beautiful Black Sistas

{inspired by Fave's discussion with Doctor REALove}

I am so happy and blessed that I'm married...I really am. This is a post I've been thinking about this since downloading and listening to his his "G&SeXtra: Grown Folks ONLY" show. What started off as a question from a young man asking about which direction he should allow his interracial relation to take because of the looks and reactions he's receiving from some Black women and how he feels that when he was single no Black woman in his area would "give him the time of day" spiraled into a heart to heart discussion between Fave and Doctor REALove. It hit home for me, not because of the fact that I have been in a interracial relationship (and not to say at one time or another I haven't tried, I guess I frightened women because of my height and weight, who knows) but what Fave said really hit home for me when it comes some of my sistas in the workplace and how many times they will not speak, make eye contact with many Black men.

Let me say this is not ALL of my beautiful black women but I'm not going to lie, I have witnessed it time and time again when it comes to myself in my workplace today. I am so glad I am not single in this day and time because God forbid if anything would happen to my beautiful queen I think I would go into the priesthood (and I'm not even Catholic). I'm at a age now where at one end of the spectrum it makes me angry and on the other end I can do nothing but laugh when it comes to my beautiful sistas not wanting to say "hello" when passing me in the hallway, not making eye contact, not smiling...I just do not get it. What has we as Black men done to you(Black women) to make you act as if you just spoke we would try and jump your bones right there on the job. I can see if you were walking down the street or if you were in a bad neighbourhood or in a club but you are in the workplace. I have come to a place in my life where now I deliberatly sometimes look and smile at my Black sistas to see if they will make eye contact and just speak and to be honest 8 out of 10 times they will not make any type of jester to speak.

Now I'm a realist and I know some of us brothas are knuckleheads, some of us will try and hump anything with a hole. I know some of us have turned out to be real dawgs and many times my brothas are little boys inside grown men bodies. We sometime want to blame every Black woman for our downfall and in many cases we need to look inwardly...we need to look in the mirror and have a serious conversation with ourselves and ask, "what can I do to make myself a better person, a better man, a better Black man?" I was brought up by a single mom and coming up I did not have not one girlfriend growing up...NOT ONE!!! I tried, believe me I did and time and time again I was shot down but as I grew older and I look back I wasn't really ready for the opposite sex. I know if I would have had my way I would have had upten babies and probably living with my mom sleeping in that same little bed with the poster of Tony Dorsett on the wall.

{that's a lie. I hated the Cowboys so it would have been a poster of Franco Harris on the wall...but anyhow...}

I know some of us Black men have left a bad taste in out Black women mouths but you can not throw out the baby with the bath water. We all are not lepers, we are all not "no-good bastards". Many of us may not the corporate jobs but we work hard, put up with nonsense in the white and blue collar workforce just like you do. What I really loved the conversation between Fave and Doctor REALove was how open and honest she was about having date a White man and how Fave was honest when he dated outside his race...about how he went through the same dilemma the young man was going through and I feel both of them. If a person wished to date outside their race because of "love" so be it but they have to realize what they will face for a lifetime.

All relationships are work...yes work! And to date outside your race that is another culture class because let's be honest dating the opposite sex in my book is "opposite" enough so imagine when you bring someone into your life that is of a different culture. I also feel what DoctorREALove said when saying when you date outside your race because you think one race is better than another that is a problem. That person really, in my opinion does not love themselves and need to take a long, hard look at themselves before bringing someone in their lives.

I think what hurts me when seeing this behavior with some Black women (I have to keep stressing that because I know it's not all of my beautiful sistas) is how cozy they are with White men and will walk right past and not even speak to a brother. I just turned 44 and to me it's like in some ways we are going backwards and not forward. Just last night a sista received a note on her desk...a young man left his number and ask her to "text him". Some of the things she said I understood...she said, "Whoever it was needs to say something face to face...I'm not into playing games." I nodded my head in agreement; but when my sista said, "and besides, I don't date dark men...only light complexion guys." That was a quick, horrific flashback for me circa 1970s and I'm hoping we are not going back to that day and time. Now, she has every right to date only light complextion brothas because as she puts it, "I've only gotten along with light dudes" but at the same time that kind of stings because I went through that coming up because I'm a brown complexion dude and to here that took me back to the days of seeing groups like Switch, The Debarges(wait...they are from the 80s right? anyhow...) I couldn't do anything but shake my head.

To my beautiful sistas out there, I just ask one thing of you...when you see a Brotha in the hallway of your workplace at least speak. I know you have had it hard, I know at times you have been treated badly but sometimes we as people have to be honest with ourselves and say with some of those "losers" I hooked up with, "Did I ignore the warning signs when dating this person?" One thing I know that I know in my 44 years on this earth, God has given women the "golden touch" when it comes to judgment but I'm afraid many times you are lead by your heart and not your head. If your inner voice (I don't care what anyone says, it's the Holy Spirit) is telling you that hey walk away from that person....DO IT!!! If a man, while you are dating insults you on purpose privately or in public...LEAVE HIM ALONE!!! It's not going to get better. If a man puts his hands on your ONCE...leave him alone. You cannot love someone if they do not love themselves.

Okay, that's my rant...I'm getting off my soapbox. I love you my sistas but as the one brother said in "Dairy of a Mad Black Woman" said, "Don't make me pay for the mistakes of how you were treated in past relationships" It's a drain on you and the person that is trying to treat you the way you needed to be treated...like a queen.

{if you have not listened to Fave's podcast it is a MUST!!! Thank you again Fave and DoctorREALove for this insight show}

Reflections from Monday's Devotional

Devotional from Our Daily Bread: Gossip-Free Zone
Biblical Passage: Proverbs 25: 8-18

I know this is going to sound bias and I'm going to sound like a male chauvinist pig so I'm getting that out of the way right now but I often tell people that the only women I enjoy working around are geek women. With geek women gossip is truly at a minimum. They care about their appearance but I have never heard them tear down another woman, well at least while I'm around. They are not into dumb shows like Desperate Housewives, Girlfriends, Sex & the City, The Starters Wife (while USA Network airs that show I will never know), Tyler Perry movies...yes I said it.

Gossip is something I have heard men and women do from time to time and it's very easy to get caught up in it. Gossip is one of those subtle sins that before you know it you're right in the middle of that mess. You don't think you get caught up in it? Have you ever read PEOPLE, US, Star magazines? Have you ever watch any so called Reality shows?

*my hand goes up slowly

It's amazing so many things that are positive that surrounds us and many times we are drawn to the negative. There is the Travel Channel, Discovery Channel, TLC, National Geographic Channel, heck for me The Weather Channel is productive (they play some of the best smooth jazz when showcasing "The Local on the 8's"). Do you own a mp3 player? So many positive podcast are out here from pastor Greg Laurie, Paul Sheppard, Dr. Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, Tony Evans, the late Adrian Rogers & Dr. J. Vernon McGee, Michael Yousef, James McDonald...and these are national pastors and I'm sure that there are local pastors in your area that great teachers of God's word. You have some great music podcast (mine included...hint, hint), great tech shows and yet we sometimes get sucked into the gossip abyss.

I love the book of Proverbs. If you ever want sound, no nonsense every day advice this is the book to read a chapter a day. So much is written about gossip because God knows that is where the majority of all problems begin...word of mouth. If we want our children, our grandchildren gossiping or talking ill of people we as adults must lead by example when it comes to what we read, what we watch, what we say. Let's begin to make our home, our speech a "Gossip-Free Zone".

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Monday

Christian Podcast to check out:
Thru the Bible Questions & Answers - Dr. J. Vernon McGee
Broadcast for Saturday, November 08, 2008

Tech Podcast to check out:
Windows Weekly 82: Pocket Paul
Hosts: Paul Thurrott with Leo Laporte

Reflections from Monday's Devotional

Reflections for Monday

RBC Monday Devotion: God’s Catalog
Bible Gateway Passage: John 17:20-26

I love this devotion for Monday. It sums up how we are to represent Jesus Christ. It makes me wonder what do we as Followers of Christ have to do to make non-believers see that being a Christian is a wonderful life.

One thing we should do as Followers of Christ is that to get across that we do not try and keep up with the "Jones" when it comes to material things. I am not saying we cannot have nice things but I think many times as Christians how we go about obtaining them is another matter. We now have this "have to have it NOW" attitude and not saving little by little is now a thing of the past. Have you noticed how many get into debt? Little by little. We have to get the attitude and discipline back that our parents and grandparents had. When you true want something, you have to sacrifice to achieve it. Still enjoy and appreciate what you have at the moment while at the same time striving for your goal.

Another thing we as Followers of Christ feel we have to do is blend in with the world. Christ Jesus wants us to be a shining light for Him. We are in this world but we are not to become of this world. We have to know when to act and when to just pray. Many times we as Christians allow ourselves to be sucked into the way the world lives and once that happens our creditability is gone. We have to know when to jump in, when to let go, when not to get involved altogether because it's easier to be pulled down than to pull someone out of the abyss. Our job is to plant the seed, another will come along and "water" the seed and God will take care of the rest.

Reading the devotion for this morning makes me realize I need to do more in regards to my prayer life, how I carry myself and cutting away from things on the web that has slowly taken me away from being a better disciple for my Lord and Savior.

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

Christian podcast to check out for Monday: Thru the Bible Questions & Answers
tech podcast to check out for Monday: TWiT 167: More TWiT Than You Require

why do we still use twitter?

Sitting here early morning ready to post a link to share with all 200+ people in my twitter neighborhood and I'm getting the message I get at least twice a week, "Something went terribly wrong" or the new one, "Over capacity". Twitter has been around a little over a year now and it seems instead the quality of the application getting better it has become worse. Maybe the people over at twitter did not think it was take off as fast? Maybe people are trying to use it for what it is not? A while back I wrote a post on twitter and the other social networks and how i finally realized what is was and how to use it, or so I thought. Soon I became obsessed with twitter and more I used twitter the more I realized how time after time twitter was not stable. I mentioned yesterday how twitter is like this girlfriend that treats you like dirt but you keep allowing her in your home...this is what twitter is most of the time. Why do we keep coming back to it? It's not like we do not have other apps to use that are more stable. Heck, Pownce does not cap you at 140 characters, Jaiku is very stable but I guess us Americans are a glutton for punishment. Here is my "little two cents about twitter (again)...

what twitter is...
Twitter is a application that is really hard to explain to people. It's one of these web based programs that either you like or you don't. What I finally get about twitter is that it's a place to jot down a quick thought, a cool site that you have come across (what cool about twitter is that when you put the link in there most times it converts it to a tiny url). What I really dig about twitter is that the more your twitter neighborhood grows the more you can reach people in reference to sharing a blog post, a cool music site, or if you are funny as heck (like myself...I am so funny...really, I make myself laugh at least once a day) you can jot down a funny line or two and share with the twitter world. Like I said, twitter is hard to understand if you do not use it but it is truly a great social network tool to use because when using IM you just do not want to say, "hey! check out this link! Okay, buh bye." Twitter allows you to throw it out there and go about your business. You can use it from your computer or from your mobile device and from what I am seeing many people do this on a daily basis and I think maybe that might be the problem.

Maybe Evan Williams wanted to take this venture slow because Blogger was a huge success (which he sold to Google), Odeo is still hit and miss so to speak so maybe with Twitter he wanted to scale this slow. I think maybe after SXSW (South by Southwest festival) it really blew up and now he's playing catch up. I only have a little over 200 people following me but people like Leo Laporte, Robert Scoble, John C. Dvorak, Kevin Rose, Merlin Mann and yes even presidental hopeful Senator Barack Obama have thousands of people followers...now times that with the people that are joining each day (even some companies have thrown their hat in the ring in reference to using twitter to benefit them) and I can see why this network is down more times it is up. Maybe it may need to have Twitter pro accounts like Pownce, I'm sure we could cough up $15-$20 a year because most people spend more than that ever week on coffee alone (thank goodness I don't drink coffee anymore). I don't think that would be hard to do and maybe when businesses wish to use it he could charge them as well. One thing I can say is that the more twitter is down, soon or a later people will begin slowly moving away from this platform to find a more, stable place to use.

what twitter is not...
I think many people (I include myself in this category) began using this as kind of a chat room and I truly believe twitter is not made for that and maybe the problem lies there. Maybe people want to use it in this fashion...sort of like getting to know a person yet before giving them their IM handle. It's like, "let me test the waters with you here and if you are not too annoying here maybe we can take this to phase II and you can chat with me in real time via Instant Messenger." Sometimes I have seen tweets that may going on for about 3-4 tweets (again, I have been guilty of this). I have come to realize that if I have something in large volume to convey I need to go to my blog and write and it and then post a link to via twitter. I found myself needing to step back really far from twitter because I was spending more time on twitter than writing on my blogs. Once I stepped back from twitter I truly see what twitter should be used for and I appreciate it more. If I need to say something that is going to go on more than two tweets...write a post. Maybe some of us "Twitters" need to step back from it and see what exactly how it should be used because since I did this, and believe me, it was hard because as many times I would check to see if someone replied to my tweet or to see if my neighborhood has grown it was tiresome. But again, this is not twitter fault...this was on me.

Another thing is that sometimes people get hung up on how many people they can have in their neighborhood and some of these "tweeters" are nothing but bots and maybe there lies the problem as well. Maybe they could have something where if a person has not updated in a month or so their account will get suspended. I know this, people really dig twitter and I don't think it's going away but if something is not done to rectify this problem it will begin losing members.

In a Nutshell...
So, here it is in a nutshell in reference to twitter. Twitter is a electronic bulletin board really where you can post quick thoughts, links to other sites and blog post in a 140 characters. The reason for the 140 character is for people who are mobile so that is cool. Jaiku, Pownce and now friendfeed is on the block so the question to Mr. Evan Williams what are you going to do about this problem. Why do we still use Twitter with all of it's flaws when we could begin fleeing to other platforms? Some of us don't like change, some people are not fair weather friends, and many people have made friends through twitter. We are loving your product but even loyalist will get tired of putting up with a platform that is down more than it is up. We are hanging in here with you Evan, let us know what we need to do and many people that use twitter will do it.

reflections for Monday o4.14.o8

When In Doubt--->more
devotion from rbc ministries

One of the most cool things about being a follower of Christ is that my Heavenly Father covers all questions of life for me...even when I doubt. Yes, I said the "D" word.

This devotion is a great one and I will keep a couple of this in my wallet along side the bible passage as well. We as Christians have doubts from time to time and again God knows because he created us. No, not to doubt Him and to be honest we would not have doubt but we live in a fallen world so we at one time was separated from God but through the blood of his Son we have that connection again, but again we still have human emotions, love, hate, sorrow, sadness, anger, doubt.

What this devotion is saying to me is that when we are by ourselves sometimes, when we are going through something that is so heavy on our heart we tend to ask God, "Where are you? Is this pain worth me going through? What's the deal?" and it's okay to have questions like that for our Heavenly Father because one of the most import things is that He wants that closeness with His children. He wants us to know that He is there for us every step of the way and that He ALWAYS sees the end results of what we are encountering certain situations.

Now this is not to say that God puts us in harms way for His amusement because He is not like that at all. There are things we go through to make us stronger and if we were truly honest with ourselves most times we go through certain "valleys" in our lives because of the choices we have made and not being obedient to God's word. I said "most" not all. What about those who have been raped, molested? I would never say God planned something like that because again God does not plan evil for our lives and He does not tempt us "just because." I can say this for myself...

Being a child of molestation and ridicule growing up because of my stuttering it has made me the man that I am. I try to be a man that is more compassionate when it comes to children that are talked to harshly. There is a difference between "disciplined" and just plain meanness toward a child. When our grandchildren are over I make sure they are a gift from God, they are blessed with certain talents, gifts to make this world a better place. I make sure that they check out their surroundings, be very observant, and try to instill in them that "words" do matter and that life is precious because if you teach them to love and respect themselves they will see others in the same light.

My pain has also taught me that when I come across someone that has difficult with their speech to have patience, compassion for them because I know how hard it is when you want to say something and the words cannot come out fast enough or you stumble and stuttered. It's makes life unbearable at times and you dread to have someone call on you to speak or to read out loud. I am so thankful that God has taught me how to deal with stuttering and how to put myself in their shoes when it comes to speech because some people will stutter and stammer over their words for the rest of their lives. Coming up with those two blows against me you know I cried out to God "why me?" How could he allow someone to violate me that way and how could he allow me not be able to speak like other children? You talk about doubt, it was there in Spades.

But I am older, and I am wiser and I realize God did not allow me to get molested because that was his plan...that evil act was done by that person because of their own free will and I know in the end God will deal with that person in His own way , His own time. God did not want me to be laughed at when it came to my speech because like I said earlier, when Adam and Eve allowed Satan to become the ruler of this world imperfect crept into this world: disease, evil thoughts, evil acts, jealousy, murder, greed and so forth. My stuttering allowed me to fight for me find a way to overcome it and to be able share with the world that it can be teach you that words are truly important and that in a weird way to let you know, "yes, words do matter.

When doubting God it does not make you less of a follower of Christ, but a better Christian because it will draw you closer to Him and you will want a closer relationship with your Heavenly Father and in return you will become a brighter light for Him in the end. So ask away..He's always willing to listen and help you through your rough patches in life.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Monday

great messages for today:
Never Try to Catch a Falling Knife{Part I}{Part II}
A New Beginning-Greg Laurie

Thru the Bible Questions & Answers-o4.12.o8
Thru the Bible-Dr. J.Vernon McGee

"the fountain of content must spring up in the mind, and he who hath so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in the fruitless efforts and multiply the grief he proposes to remove."

~Samuel Johnson(1709-1784)
The Rambler

image:allposters.com

reflections for o4.o7.o8 Monday

Why? Why? Oh, Why?>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

This question has been ask by Christians and non-Christians, "Why does God allow suffering in our lives?" I'm not going to sit hear and say I have all the answers but I can tell you how I take disappointments in my life now. Even though times I may not like it, I may not agree with God's way of maturing me but I can say in the end it has made me a better person.

First and foremost I now step back and ask MYSELF, "Could I have had a different outcome if I would have chose a different path?" I say this because many times I could have had a better outcome if I would have listened and obeyed the Holy Spirit. I'm getting to the point now that I have to be honest with myself because most of the times I have brought this on myself and I have to take responsibility for my actions. Noticed I said most times because lets be honest, many times we do not want to do it God's way because (1) we do not like to admit we are not always in control (2) pride...plain and simple.

Sometimes God allows things to happen in my life because as the devotion says, sometimes we have to be matured in certain situations, certain trials because in the end it will make us a stronger Christian for His kingdom and we can also be there for someone who later down the road might be going through something similar. I am learning that when God is allowing something to happen in my life that may bring me pain I am learning when God allows this heartache it's only chastisement and not His wrath because if it was the latter I would have no where to turn because in the end I do not want him to turn me over to my own ways of living.

I remember being in the world and when this situation or that situation did not go my way I would cry out to Him and back then I thought I was being punished by God. But in essence God was trying to get me to come back into his loving arms because now that I look back they was nothing for me out in the clubs, trying to sleep with every woman I encounter; as the ol' folks would say to me, "there's nothin' out there those streets for you boy!" Having to go through trials and pain even as a Christian is not a fun thing to feel but saying to myself, "I don't understand why this is happening in my life at this moment God, but I know in the end it is for my own good." I have also learned that God will sometimes but rarely give me the answer to my "Why's" but he gives me the answer to my "What" questions. Many times God will flip the script and begin to ask me "Why" questions which I do not have the answers. I have stop asking why when my eyes were open in reference to reading the book of Job. If you noticed God never really answered Job questions but in the end Job understood what God was trying to bring out of him character wise and he[Job] also realized that God was with him throughout his ordeal. Painful for Job yes...did it make him a better person in the end...yes.

As a follower of Christ, next time instead of asking "why?" ask God, "What are you trying to have me do or learn from this situation?" The answer may just surprise you.

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


audio message for today...
Separating from Unbelievers -- Part 2
John MacArthur{Grace To You}

Reflections for Monday Morning o3.31.o8

Finding Jesus>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

It's amazing when I finally settled down and allow Jesus into my life. I know what the title of the devotion means but to honest Christ Jesus was never lost from me. It was one of those things where I finally stopped being a knucklehead and began allow true joy in my life. Once I stopped doing what DarrenKeith wanted to do and realized God has always wanted the best for me the for living became smoother. Noticed I did not say "easier" because it doesn't and there non believers ask, "why follow him[Jesus Christ]

I follow him because when I did not, I worried about what would happen to me when I died, worried about what people thought about me, wondered if I was good enough, did not love myself so my mood would swing from one end of the spectrum to the other. When I tried to go life alone I did not know if I was coming or going many days. Again some people will say, "there are other religions that can make you feel whole." For me I beg to differ...I tried other ways and in the end I realized that for me that of all of the religions Jesus Christ told me the truth about myself, what he gave up for me, how the road would be tough at times but in the end he would be with me no matter what I encounter.

One thing I truly love about God is that he tells you why we are fallen and how to reconnect with him. There is no mystery on why his Son is the only way. I am learning that when I get out of bed first thing in the morning that by giving thanks to Him and asking Him to direct my footsteps, to give me wisdom, discernment, and insight on his word it's a step in the right direction for me. For myself knowing that I am sinner and that nothing I do: my good deeds, how I treat people will not get me into heaven and to be honest by doing it God's way is the best way.

When allowing Christ into your life your restriction on some things in life is not to keep you from the good life, it enhanced it 100 fold because when you really think about it, life is more full when you have a road map to tackle your journey than going along blindly in life.

a wonderful message I heard from Dr. Charles Stanley yesterday was right on point for me and I have to share it with you in reference to getting back on track when it comes to Christ.

Intouch Ministries w/Dr. Charles Stanley
When Your Fire Goes Out
When Your Fire Goes Out(Pt. o1) Audio
{right click to download audio}

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

Reflections for October 30, 2007

reflection from Our Daily Bread's
Devotion, "Bon Voyage"

It's amazing how sometimes we think we can go over something numerous of times but you hear it taught another way and it gives new insight on that subject. I remember a while back writing a post on not fearing death because my believe in my Heavenly Father and knowing that He sent his Son to die just for me (that alone makes me joyful) but today's devotion makes me love life even more. It's really strange for me now that I do not pay much attention to our space program the way I did as a child. No, I'm not cynical about the program because last week I heard the teacher describe how the earth looked, how fast they travel around the earth (I believe she said they make a full rotation around the world in 90 minutes, that is so cool) but just knowing that who created this entire universe just blows me away.

When I look up at the sky, the clouds, the space on a clear night and just see the stars up there it just blows me away. Now imagine being in space and just seeing the entire earth, just sitting there, rotating in nothingness...I can not see how people can say they is no God. God is awesome, He is great, He loved us so much that He gives us free will not to follow Him nor believe in Him. Our pastor gave us a illustration on how God can not violate His own law. "If a person wished to get a ladder and climb to the top of the church and jump he will not and can break his law of gravity." By our pastor saying this he was giving an example on how sometimes people say, "If God was such a loving God, how could he send someone to hell?" God didn't create robots, he created you and to with free will, He has the angels for that just obeying everything he says.

When traveling you are more at ease when you know where you are going. Sure you can stray off the path from time to time for a scenic route, to check out things you have never seen before but knowing your true destination is a very good feeling. This is how I truly feel knowing that when I gave my life to Jesus Christ death has no victory over me. No, I do not carry myself in a way that I'm looking to "be with the Lord" right now and besides by Jesus Christ dying for me to be able to stand in God's presence when I die Jesus Christ also died for me to live life to the fullest here on earth. To be able to spread His Good News, to let people know that when God tells us "not to do something" He is not trying to keep it away from us but as our pastor said this past Sunday, "God knows what will bring us the most harm", at he's right and when I sit back and really ponder it. Everything I thought was "okay" to do but deep down I knew I did not need that in my life in the end it was truly a waste of my time. I'm not regretting or holding on to "shoulda, woulda, coulda"...on the contrary, I understand now when you get older how you try and let the younger generation know that there are some things they do not have to know by experience but learn from others mistakes.

For me when I realized that Christ Jesus died for me it allows me to live more freely because knowing that I do not have worry about where I go when I die and knowing that my life can be so fulfilling will here on earth is for me two major blessings for me.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, &
Have a Great Evening

devotion and reflections for Monday

"Fools think their own way is right,
but the wise listen to others."

~proverbs 12:15

Knock, Knock>>>more
devotional from our daily bread

leave comments here are at techmusicgospel

This is a pretty cool, very insightful devotion from rbc today. This makes me really realize how important my walk with Christ Jesus should be and how you should always carry yourself. As the late Will Rogers said, "You should be so confindant with your character where you could give your parrot to the local gossip." No one is perfect but I think the person should carry themselves in a way that...

• You believe in what you say
• You always try to find the good in people
• When you're right not to brag, when you're wrong you're big enough to admit
• Treat people the way you wish to be treated
• That your "yes" means yes and your "no" means no
• Be humble but not a doormat
• You do judge people but use Godly judgment when it comes to situations, the people you socialize with on a daily basis

The older I get I realize that less I trip off what people think of me because I'm realizing, I rather be "Christ's Loved and people hated" than the other way around. I have come to realize from the book of Proverbs is so true in most cases in my life...

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.
Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.

~Proverbs 3:3-4

What I have come to realize is that sometimes just speaking positive into someones lives is what that person needs at that time. True, it's up to the individual in the end to change their lives but doesn't hurt sometimes to let a person know how much God loves them and to let them they make a difference by walking this earth. So many of our great leaders had very rough beginnings but time and time again you read how someone spoke "positive" things in their lives because many times we are our own worse critic.

Speak something good in someone life today...you may be surprised how it comes back to you.

Be Blessed,
Be Safe, &
Have a Wonderful Monday

Praying For Our Children
Christian Embassy Church

Courage

"Lord, may my children always be strong and courageous in their character and their actions."

Deuteronomy 31:6

messages from Oneplace.com

• Conclusion of: It's All About Him
• Numbers 11:5—12:16
• The Worst Chapter in the Bible - Part 2

tech news for monday

• The human factor in gadget, Web design
• Lionsgate films now available on Apple's iTunes Store
• Toshiba's G900 and E01 with Windows Mobile 6

podcast from TWiT

• KFI Tech Guy 326

image:allposters.com

Happy Monday....Devotion & Reflection for today

"Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety."
~proverbs 29:25

Getting Your Life
Back on Course>>>more
from In Touch Ministries

Today's devotion hits on three things that is a must if we as Christians want the best from our Lord and Savior...

1. laying aside things we can not control
2. things we can control
3. maintaining our eye on God.

Sometimes we get things the first two intertwined. This year I keep hearing this in my mind and heart, "take care of what we can and God can take care of what we can not". If we can keep these two in perspective we are on our way of getting back on track with our lives.

With so much going on in our lives today we can sometimes muddy the waters and do not know if we are coming or going but Hebrews 12:1-3 from today's devotion reminds you and I who is in control in our lives always. One main important thing is that we have to cut things out of our lives that we know is doing us harm. Whether it's some music we should not listen to or people we have to let go it has to be done. I have to remind myself to step back and realize that God is not trying to keep me anything good. His main goal is for me to have a life free from "unnecessary drama" and that my friends is a very good thing. The last thing is maintaining our focus.

Throughout the scriptures we find that whenever someone kept there focus on God the end results good. He doesn't promise Followers of Christ Jesus a easy life because with some of the trials that come in our lives it makes our faith stronger, our love for Him greater. This is why we as Christians must start our day with pray and meditation, being open and honest with Him, letting Him know what we are going to face today, the people we will encounter, when to speak, when to listen, grant you and patience because situations are going to pop up throughout the day and we need that wisdom because we do not want to say something we will regret later down the road.

I pray for you today is that I hope everyone realize how much God loves you, how He wants the best for your life, and that we have to bend to His will...He will not bend to our will because His way will ALWAYS be the best way for our lives. Be Blessed, Be Safe, & have a Wonderful Day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Prayerfulness

"I ask that my children would be committed to prayer, and not faint, lose heart or give up."

Luke 18:1

To hear Dr. Stanley's message for today or previous messages....click here.

Devotion and Reflection for Monday

Jesus' Offering of Peace>>>more
devotion from In Touch Ministries

"What gives you peace?"
That is the question asked from the devotion today from Dr. Charles Stanley. Although I am still a baby Christian I seek His true meaning of peace each and everyday. By keeping my faith in Him instead of my surrounding, by talking and listening to Him each and everyday I try and maintain my faith in His word because I have not been let down by God yet. I know they will be times when it feels that nothing is going the way I wish for them to go or that my entire world is crumbling around me, that is when I have to realize that through the blood of Christ Jesus I am protected and that what I am going through is to grow me stronger in God, pull me closer to God so that my walk with Him is so ever close.

I am learning that when you put your trust for peace in the world it will throw you a curve time and time again. I am learning how to "be in the world" but "not of the world" each and every day. Learning to ask God for clarity, direction, to have Him be my guide makes my peace with people, situations that crop up much more stable, I can deal with this in a calmer manner because I'm being taught to be proactive instead of reactive.

When reading this devotion there is always a Bible passage Dr. Stanley suggest to read. One thing I have learned over time with my short walk with God is that when one translation you do not understand, read another to reach your heart, your spirit and the New Living Translation did that for me this morning.

My prayer for you this morning is that you find true peace in His word because in doing this He may not remove your trials that you go through day in/day out but knowing that by trusting in Him, instead of having your day direct your life, God will give you the knowledge, wisdom to learn from today and the days that follow...to appreciate the good and the bad.

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

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

other devotions for your spirit:
The Greatest Gift
Morning Corruption

messages from OnePlace.com
The Way to Heaven – Part 1
Life Lessons From The Christmas Story - Part 2
The Man Who Tried to Stop Christmas

"Spouting off before listening to the facts
is both shameful and foolish."
~proverbs 18:13

{read Proverbs Chapter 18 for wisdom for today}

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

other devotional readings:

• turning point
• in touch ministries
• back to the bible

audio sermons from OnePlace.com:

• In Touch
• Thru the Bible Questions & Answers
• A New Beginning

tech news articles:

• Think Before Pinging Your Ex
• Demand for Apple's new iPod shuffle outstripping supply
• 176 Newspapers to Form a Partnership With Yahoo

tech netcast for info & tips:

• TWiT 77: Kiss My Ring
• KFI Tech Guy 288
• dl.tv 103