Reflection's on Today's Devotion

Today's Devotion: A Mutual Friend
Today's Passage: John 15:9-17

My wife sometime feels social networks like Facebook, Craig's List, Twitter are bad things but I say to her time and time again, "The social networks on the web are just like anything else, it's who hands it's in and how they are using them, that's the problem. Although a couple of years ago with the misuse of MySpace by a mother who pretended to make friends with a young girl and then tear her down resulted in the suicide of the young lady was a terrible thing again falls into the category of "the user" and not the site.

How did this tie in to my reflection for this devotion? Easy...connections

Many people feel that with today's technology with the World Wide Web (I know, I'm ol' school) people feel we are more in front of the computer than connecting with "real" people. Sometimes that can happen but what I have grown to learn is that by connecting with people from different places in the US and around the world via Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks I have now made connection with people that I would have never met and that is a very cool thing. Once I begin traveling I have connection from New York to California. These people can not only tell me and my wife where to go but also places to avoid.

True, you have to careful of who you meet on the web because there are scammers but for me what makes it so different is this, putting Christ Jesus first.

When you put Christ first in your life, study his Word, follow the Holy Spirit, He places people in your life with your same love of Him and love of life and the most important characteristic, people who loves themselves. When you connect with a person who loves themselves they treat you the way they wish to be treated. They are patient with you, they do not pass judgement. Is this person perfect? Of course not because we all have shortcomings but you look pass that because that is how friendships grow.

And look around now, many Christian organization are using these wonderful social networks because they are now realizing that you have to connect with young people a whole new way because this is where they are, on the web. We have to go where they are and when they see the older generation is trying to reach out to them and not writing them off and being negative of this new way of communication they will not only connect with their my generation but will connect with their peers showing them that people that are Followers of Christ are truly genuine people because trust me, the youth want to connect with people that are real, not perfect.

What Christ Jesus also tells you is who not to encounter because again Christ will never put His children in harms way as long as you obey the Holy Spirit and know Christ because one thing I have learned now that I'm older is that many times you lead not by your heart because feelings can sometime get you into trouble but I do know that when you turn your heart over to God's Son he gives you a heart of gold but wisdom for the streets so you will not fall into the pitfalls of life. You may pass through tough times because we live in a fallen world but Christ gives you the strength, the knowledge to get through tough times and tough situations.

When you connect with Christ Jesus with all your heart He connects you with people that are good to you and good for you.

photo: J.schobre
InterfaceLIFT.com

Reflection of Today's Devotion

Today's Devotion: "Never Satisfied But Always Content"
Today's Passage: "Philippians 3:7-14"

"Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
~Philippians 3:13(b)-14

The entire passage is on point for me today but the part of the passage above really jumped out at me because I have a hard time doing this in my life. When I stumble in life sometimes I have to realize this is going to happen as long as I keep living and just learn from my mistakes and move on and when I have great accomplishments I tend at times to rest on them instead of being grateful and happy in the moment and learn from that moment and continue on because sometimes what worked today may not have the same results tomorrow.

It's funny how we want a balance life but two things we do not practice on a daily basis being a Follower of Christ Jesus: first, read, study the word of God. (This part I'm really speaking to myself the loudest); second, we must learn to put our priorities in perspective. There is nothing wrong with doing your best, but when hang everything on that, trust me it's never enough...you will always want more. We should be happy when we accomplish a goal or overcome an obstacle but we can't rest on that moment and think, "I've done it all".

Why do I slip back in that frame of mind time and time again. I know from the past that when I do all that I can and let God do all that I can't that I have best day physically, mental, spiritually because I know I put the most important thing first: knowing Christ. When doing that you learn how to love yourself and the people in your life, to have patience, you learn to avoid the pitfalls of life, to receive love, constructive criticism, what to tolerate and what not to tolerate. It's really true, the Bible is the greatest instruction book for your life.

We have to balance in our lives. I've said this so many times, God is not our "Genie in the bottle", in order for God to give us the best we must trust Him with everything and that means being obedient, doing what we need to do ourselves while at the same time knowing where our strength comes from and where our wisdom lies because when we try and do everything on our own it will not work and at the same time when we just set back and do nothing our lives will be filled with regret.

With a balance life comes a fulfilled life.

photo: The Real7
InterfaceLIFT.com

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

Reflections on Friday's Devotion

Devotion for Today: Help With A Home Run
Passage for Today: 1 Peter 4:7-11 (New International Version)

This devotion hits me in a way that makes wonder why many churches...many Christians are not this way. I say "Christians" because I will never forget what Dr. Charles Stanley said years ago, "Anyone can call themselves a Christian but when you say "I'm a Follower of Christ" that draws a line in the sand to let people know that you truly love the word of God and depend on His guidance and His alone."

What I love about Christ Jesus and his teachings is that he did not sugar-coat it...he told it like it was. The same with Apostle Paul, Peter and so many of the true Followers of Christ. We as Followers of Christ have to let fellow followers that no one perfect, we are not perfect. We fall short but knowing that we cannot live this Christian life without the Holy Spirit and having Christ in our lives we will become full of ourselves and before long we will have the same attitude as the Pharasies. Our heart will become hardend with pride, arrogance and will live by rules instead of Christ's teaching.

People need to see that we are not just "mindless" followers but we are hard working people that know that we have do works and not just wait on our Lord and Savior to just do everything for us. We know that we have to do what we can and God will do what we cannot. We fail, we make mistakes but we do not dwell on our short-comings because we know as long as long as we are granted another day we have another day to do the right thing.

When we show we are not perfect and never will be perfect more people will come to Christ because true Christians "Do"...not just "Talk".

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

~DarrenKeith

message to check out today: Can you trust God? Part 2 from Dr. Charles Stanley 
photo: MasterChief/InterfaceLIFT

Reflections for Saturday, 14 February 2009

Devotional Reading: Our Daily Bread
Passage Reading: 1 John 4:7-19 (New Living Translation)

This past week two tragedies hit people families and it began to hit, "We truly do not know when our last day is on earth". I mean, the way people lose their lives and how sudden it can happen. A person can land a job in another state and can be happy one minute and the next a drunk driver can end their life or just yesterday a plane full of passengers can be headed to another destination only to crash. I'm not trying to sound morbid or be a downer on Valentine's Day but we can not take two things for granted, the people in our lives and our life eternity.

Last night at work I was talking to my supervisor at work and we were talking about how another relative (his aunt) has passed away and she died on her birthday! In 2007 he buried his father then in 2008 he buried his mother. He surprised that she lived this long because of how close his aunt and his mother were. It's amazing how death can truly make you realize how precious life is on earth and for me how even when living a long life once it's over it's over.

One thing brings me so much joy and comfort is that knowing Jesus Christ. For knowing Him, getting into His word, he teaches you how to live life to the fullest, how I learn each time I am in his word that following His commandments, His teachings, fearing Him(not fear as in, "Or my God if I do this wrong He will strike me dead" but fearing Him in revering His word, knowing that His word is truth), knowing that what He wants for my life is good and when He tells me no it's not to keep me from life but to have a peaceful life. Turning my life over to God takes the fear from me in reference to death because He sent his son for me, for ME. A person for years that lived my life outside of His will but was so patient with me to realize one day that He truly loved me for me, flaws and all.

Life is short, life can be taken away from you in an instant but having and KNOWING Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior makes life so sweet. For the me this Valentine's Day I have two great gift: The love of God and without Him bringing someone to share the rest of my life with here on earth (my beautiful wife). And even if I did not have that special someone in my knowing that Jesus died for someone like me who has made mistakes and will make mistakes in the future is one of the best Valentine's Day presents I could ever receive.

Be Blessed/Be Safe
& Have a wonderful Weekend.

great messages to check out this weekend
Dr. Charles Stanley
> The Pathway of Faith {Part 1 & Part 2}

Pastor Paul Shepperd
> Dead Man Walking {Part 1a & Part 1b}

photo: InterfaceLIFT Wallpaper

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 Friday's Devotional For 07 November 08

Our Daily Bread: Waiting
Biblical Passage : Psalm 70 (New Living Translation)

There are so many ways to approach this subject on patience. I thought I was a patient person but then a situation comes up from time to time and I see I have a long way to go. There are some things I can just sit back and wait and other things I wish it would come and be over with (like the election...thank goodness it is over). It's amazing when waiting on God to respond to certain things in my life I want him to act "right now, CHOP, CHOP!

But I realize I am on His time table and not the other way around and deep down I know in the end it is always in my best interest. I think back on past relationships that I knew "man she is right for me" and now I look back and say, "Thank you Jesus for not answering that prayer." I have to get this through my head day in and day out which is so true each day I am on this earth, God ways are not my own ways plain and simple. He knows what I need in my life, what I need to pursue, what I need to avoid but it's up to me that when I go His way that I learn how to realize that while I'm waiting, God is working.

Now waiting on God does not mean I just sit back at do nothing. This means I keep doing what is right for my family, for myself and just know that God is working it out in my favor and I'm not going to lie that is not easy to do many times but if I don't want to start from zero it's best to do it His way. The next time you read about Abraham or about Jonah read how when they did not do it God's way and not have patience how many times that they were placed at the very starting point where they began. I have had those kind of situations and let me tell you, the older you get the less fun that is beginning all over again. You begin to learn that doing it God's way, the right way saves you so much unnecessary grieve.

Not being patient, doing it your own way will work for you for a little while but when it falls apart, it falls apart hard and your ways breaks in sometimes a million pieces and sometimes you cannot put it back together again and in the end you are left with the three famous words many hate to say and go through, "shoulda, woulda, coulda". Learning not rush God is a lesson that will save you heartache in the very end...but being a Follower of Christ we already know this right?

RIGHT!?!

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Friday

Christian Podcast to check out...
Love Worth Finding - Dr. Adrian Rogers
Are You Fit to Be Tied?

Tech Podcast to check out...
TWiT - net@night with Amber and Leo
WeadWiteWeb

Reflections from Thursday's Devotional

Our Daily Bread Devotional: Serve Or Die
Biblical Passage: Mark 10:35-45 (New Living Translation)

You hear this all the time, "If God is a loving God, why does he allow suffering in the world?" Straightforward question and here is the straightforward answer: God has given HUMANS, yes, You and I, domain over the world. It's amazing how we forget things like this. We want to do want we want, live anyway we want to live but when trouble hits the world or our little part of world we want God to wipe the slate clean.

God has blessed us all with a very solid blueprint on how to handle things in the world...the Holy Bible. I have to be honest, whenever I have wholeheartedly obeyed God I can not say He has ever forsaken me. But I have to keep telling myself when I live God's way I am on his time table, not my own. I may get upset with him wondering why doesn't He move in my life when I want Him to but I am old enough now to know that many times I get myself in certain situations that has caused me grief. I was the one that went right when God told me and has taught me to go right. When you get real and honest with yourself it humbles you and you begin not to play the "blame game" so much which many Christians and non-Christians do now.

I'm I saying that all Christians have this "oh whoa is me" attitude? Of course not. But we have to get to a put that we as Followers of Christ can not disobey God and assume that we can treat Him as our own Genie in the bottle and wipe our mistakes away. He can do that but what would he have learned from our mistakes? There is the other scenario...there are things that popped up in our lives that we have no control over and it will bring us heartache and at the time it hurts like heck and we have every right to asked God why. Job asked God why, Many prophets in the Bible as God why. In the book of Psalms King David asked God why time and time again but what I have learned to ask God now is not "why" but "what can I learn from this situation." Now that I have learned that very important key it stops me from being a victim to becoming a conqueror.

We must come to the realization that God has put us in charge of the world. It is not God that fail people, we fail people but every day we have the power to correct this mistake when we wake up each morning.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Thursday

Christian podcast to check out for today...
Conclusion of: Dealing With Detractors- Paul E. Sheppard
net@night 73: WeadWiteWeb- Amber MacArthur and 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

reflections for Friday 18 April 2oo8

Forgiven!>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

This one word is so hard to do at time and so hard to believe at times and I guess it's according which side of the word you are on. Sometimes we hold people hostage with this word, sometimes we have so much guilt that we can't believe we are set free when someone says, "I forgive you." I have been on both sides of that word and to be honest neither side feels good. I have hurt, I have been hurt, I have carried the guilt of the hurt I have afflicted on someone and sometimes it's hard to let go of it.

But then I always remember what Dr. David Jeremiah says whenever I know I have went to God and asked for forgiveness but I still carry the "weight" of it. Whenever I get into one of those, "I know God is forgiven me but I just can't forgive myself" David Jeremiah's comment, "If your Heavenly Father has forgiven you and forgot it what gives you the right not to let it go...are you God?" and that shuts me down and makes me let it go. One thing my queen always says, "It's okay to be convicted but not condemned" because Christ Jesus has already paid that huge price for me. Knowing this in my heart I have no right and no reason to carry that burden with me because His blood has insured me that I can never be taken out of the loving arms of God.

Now, as I have always made it clear...does this mean I do not pay a consequence for my decision? Yes I have to because God is not a genie in a bottle, whenever I get myself in a mess I can just "wish" myself out of that situation. Adam and Eve paid for their decision, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, King David, King Solomon, Peter, Paul...I can go on and on because in the end God forgave them for their sins but God could not violate his own laws and principles. For me, the more I realize this the more I try and not make decisions that I know will hurt not only myself but my family in the end.

The wonderful love of God lets me know that when I come to him with a open heart, pride set aside, and ask for true forgiveness, He gives it to me and will forget it. I may have to still deal with the consequences but I would rather receive his chastisement than His wrath. In the end I try and be a wise man instead of a clever man because the older I become, I don't have time to keep coming up with ways to get out of situations and you realize day in and day out, time is too precious to waste.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Friday/Weekend

"For every thing that lives is holy, life delights in life."
~William Blake(1757-1827), America: A Prophecy

great audio message for Friday...
The Struggle With Unforgiveness
Dr. Charles Stanley-In Touch Ministries

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 Thursday o4.o3.o8

Right Place>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

Have you ever read a Biblical passage and every verse that you are acquired to read speaks to you? I mean ever verse is like it REALLy spoke to you? Reading the acquired reading for this morning (Proverbs 16:1 thru 9) did that for me. We are supposed to make plans, we are suppose to prepare for our future but sometimes things do not map out the way they that they should and we sometimes get bent out of shape...okay I get bent out of shape at times but in the end isn't it funny how they work themselves out many times. Now I not talking about just going through life and having a "what will be, will be" attitude, that's not good. I'm talking about sometimes how we may have planned something one day and got their a day early but you end up meeting someone you haven't seen in years and have a chance to catch up on old times. Or you may have left out of the house 5 minutes late thinking you are going to be miss out on the best opportunity of a lifetime only to find out if you may have left out on time you could have been in accident once you past a section of a road you normally travel.

For me today is a time to begin getting out of my own way. It's really cool how you can come across so many messages that tell you that it's time to take a different approach to situations. Last night before going to bed I finally had a chance to listen to brother in podcasting show (Clarence of "DoYouKnowClarence?") and he hit the nail on the head or as my queen says it, "You hit the nail on the head with the hammer."(I love it how she says the whole thing out like that, it's so cute). From what I took from Clarence's show is that we have to real with ourselves, we have to see ourselves for what we truly are and where we are at that moment so we can finally realize how our Heavenly Father sees us and for me when you do that you can begin focusing on how to improve yourself. I too have had those conversations with myself that I'm being interviewed by Tavis Smiley or Terry Gross, having my face on CNN chatting it up with Anderson Cooper or talking to Keith Olbermann but sometimes we live in that world and not take care of what we need to do in the present.

These 9 verses from Proverbs speaks volumes to my heart today. It tells me yes map out what you need to do for that day but don't get upset if it doesn't work out the way that you planned. We may say with our mouths and may be sincere when it comes to doing some things but God knows what in our heart what we are really seeking. The verses says to me, before my feet hit the floor thank God that he has given me another day to see to bring glory to him. Don't envy boastful people because in the end God knows what is best for them so keep living the way you need to live.

I have to really begin reading a chapter a day from Proverbs because just think if I truly read a chapter a day and followed out what the almighty says how far ahead I would be in this game called life? If just 9 verses from just one chapter woke me up spiritually like this just think what the rest of the book can do for me?

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Thursday

two great messages to get you started today...

"DYKC?™ #19 — No Other Gods, Before ME"
from DYKC

The Struggle With Temptation-Pt. o1
from Dr. Charles Stanley

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.

Devotion, Laundry, Scripture, and Dr. Charles Stanley

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

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

Honest Doubts from rbc ministries

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be Blessed, Be Safe
and Have a Wonderful Day.

Messages from Dr. Charles Stanley

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

Reflections for Wednesday

Peripheral Vision>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

This devotion and biblical passage speaks to me and me personally. I think sometimes we forget than when reading God's word we have to take personal and not just "words on pages". I have to remind myself of this. These past weeks I have truly taken my eyes off the prize and have been looking backward instead of looking forward, searching for approval and not doing what God wants me to do. But God is so patient with me and I thank him for that.

It blows me away how focus Christ was. Nothing took him by surprise. I'm not saying he did not get disappointed or he did not get tired or hungry or thirsty because as we know, he was all man and all God(and I still can't wrap my mind around that but it is awesome). Jesus knew and knows today that we as humans we can get caught up in people praises and their insults; we can be our own worse enemy when it comes to dwelling on mistakes (I'm still kinda stewing that I allowed 56 free songs go to waste from eMusic because I let the promotion expire on me last night but I got to shake it off). We as followers of Christ have to know the cost when it comes to following him and Jesus tells us time and time again in detail what that cost may be when deciding to do it his way instead of the world's way.

He[Jesus] also reminds me that when following him I can not take my eye off of him, his commands, his principles...not one second. It's amazing how little by little we drift away from him and before we know it we do not get on our knees or face to pray, we do not read God's word and before long we are wondering why we react to certain situations the way we do, why even in times of prosperity we are still not content and joyful. I can not stew in my failures or bask and glow in my successes...always have to give God his time, always have to move forward because life does not stand still, time is being that you can not bribe, cheat, bargain with no matter what we try and do and slow it down.

I have to do this...God[his word, his principles, me being obedient to him] first, wife second, me third. When doing that how can I lose?

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Wednesday

Spiritual audio for today:
The Consequences of Uncontrolled Weakness
from In Touch Ministries
{listen now or right click to download or subscribe thru iTunes}

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

Kingdom Living>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

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

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

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

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

My Wednesday tech Story Picks

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

Netcast Picks for this Wednesday

netcast to help you know:

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

netcast to help you grow:

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

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

Reflections & a "little" Tech News

Designed By God>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

When reading this devotion and the bible verses this truly spoke to my heart because sometimes I lose focus of my gift that God wants me to utilize. Sometimes I take my eyes off of what God wants me to do and I need to be guided by the "Shepard's staff" so to speak. I loved the part where the author writes,

"...As we observe the animals and people around us, we’re reminded that God made each of us unique for a purpose. One person’s natural tendency is to look up and see the “big picture,” while another looks down and focuses on details. Both are important. One is not better than the other."

That truly spoke to me because some followers of Christ Jesus are here to uplift people, some are here to teach, others are here to share the word of God. So many talents and yet we are supposed to use them as one. I love to learn new things but I know I will not become an expert at a certain vocation/task unless I truly have a passion for it and I am realizing that about myself more each day and that's okay with me. I realize that some things I pick up on quick and other things it will take time for me and by realizing this I am less critical of myself. God love me for me, no more...no less. Now this does not mean I just sit back and not try but to give it my all when it come to the gifts he has blessed me with because it is just not for me but for me to share with others and in doing so I learn along the way to make myself better.

Sometimes I am my own enemy and it is so cool that Christ Jesus reminds what is really important in my life, His love for me. If I keep my eyes on Him at all times, it does not matter what others think of me because by me living by God's principles whether if someone likes me, dislikes me, or hates me, God will in the end make them respect me because of how I carry myself.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Thursday

Uplifting Songs for Thursday

It's Right and Good Religious..........Tramaine Hawkins/Walter Hawkins
All About Love Religious.....Steven Curtis Chapman

My Tech Story Picks for Thursday

• Should AT&T police the Internet?
• Poll: Businesses in U.S. warm to Vista
• Ex-Brocade CEO Sentenced to 21 Months

My audio picks for Thursday
netcast to help you grow
Conclusion of: Kingdom First Living Vol. 1 -- P6
{Enduring Truth}

Antichrist, America and Armageddon
{Harvest Online}

netcast to help you know
MacBreak Weekly 72: Keynote Analysis
{TWiT}

*photographer...Jonathan Andrew

Saturday Reflections & Tech Gems

It Is Not Good>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

I have learned that the more you open to people the more you can get hurt, disappointed and do the same to others. But I have also learned that in the end we really do need one another. Over time you find out who will be in your life just for a season or a lifetime. Having someone to share your thoughts, your ideas, your likes and dislikes is a true blessing. For many years I had the problem of not opening up to people for fear of rejection because of my appearance, my speech (I stuttered really bad). It took me moving away from my small town to realize that (1) It was more than just Madison, Illinois (2) People will be people.

Over the years I have become more confident in myself, I have began to love myself more and more, trust in God more and to be true to myself. Learning to be true to myself was the biggest hurdle I had to jump and when doing so I believe that is when I truly found my true self. This is when I realized that God has blessed us all with different gift, different ways of communication with people. I have learned that it's okay to disagree on some issues but I have also learned to never compromise your integrity...it's about doing right and not being right all the time.

Surround yourself with people who "like you for you" is a great thing but sometimes being around someone who is totally opposite of you makes you realize what you will and will not tolerate in your life and many times you may find out you may have more in common with that person than you realize. One of favorite movies is "The Breakfast Club" where these five students realize that's it's cool to just be yourself and learn to open yourself up to people who on the outside you may not have things in common but later you may find out you do.

The main thing is seek God when it comes to meeting someone, you may be surprised who becomes a close friend.

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

Inspiration songs for today:
Bebe Norman
Praiz

My Saturday tech story picks:

• Google gets even more ambitious
• Netscape Browser to Die a Quiet Death in February 2008
• Warner picks Amazon, not Apple for DRM-free debut; more

"Fools vent their anger,
but the wise quietly hold it back."

~proverbs 29:11

My Audio Picks for Saturday:
Thru the Bible Questions & Answers
(Dr. J. Vernon McGee)

Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 416
(Leo Laporte)

Reflections for Thursday & Tech Nuggets

Family Stories>>>more
Devotion from RBC Ministries

Whenever I see an older person in their 70s and up I call them "libraries" because for me that is a wealth of information, wisdom. I am learning more and more how it is important to share wisdom and fun times with my grandchildren. When they come over it's their time to be "children". Sure the Mrs. and I give them chores but most of all it's really fun spending time with them. When spending time with them it takes me back to when I spent time with my grandmother and how she did not have much just her love, her attention toward me meant the world to me.

I have to admit not having any children of my own and coming into a blended family has at sometimes been a struggle but this year has been pretty good. Our Christmas get together went well, and Casey and I played the Wii (which I recommend every adult get one, loads of fun) but most important teaching him patience, showing that you care, and allowing him to see that you put God first always is the most important to me. I am learning and loving God's word more each day and I think another reason why my relationship with the grandchildren are much better. They see how much I love their grandmother(man that's sound really weird, but in a good way) and they know I go out of my way to respect, honor her.

Giving gifts is cool but showing respect for your elders and showing respect for the younger generation is more precious. Having these family stories are the true treasures for the very young and the very old.

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

"Don’t brag about tomorrow,
since you don’t know what the day will bring."

~proverbs 27:1

My Thursday Tech Story Picks:

• Amazon says 2007 holiday season strongest ever
• $40K to fill an iPod? One third of PCs use LimeWire instead
• Apple shares touch $200; new iPhone panels in spring?

My Thursday Podcasts Picks:

Signs of the Times Part 1(part B)
(Pastor Greg Laurie)

Daily Giz Wiz 469: DYMO DiscPainter
(Dick DeBartolo)



The Challenge to End Well-A(Dec 27 audio)
(Dr. Charles Stanley)

DL.TV Episode 209
(Roger Chang & Robert Heron)

Saturday Reflections & Tech Gems

Where's The Leash?>>>more
From RBC Ministries

I like the name of this devotion because so many people, Christians and non-Christians feel this way many times when it comes to following God's ways. I think many times people feel like God's ways keep us from having fun and for me that is the opposite. My opinion I wish I would have learned his ways years earlier. God does not want to keep us on a "tight leash" so to speak.

Think of it at times with our own children. We have one child that when we tell them something to do once, we tell them the consequences for their actions(good and bad) they get it and we rarely have to tell them again. We are not saying that this child is a saint but the responsible they are the more freedom they have because they can be trusted and we as parents do not mind giving them perks. Now the other child we have to stay on them constantly. They wish to do their own thing but do not wish to deal with the consequences for their actions. They complain, they whine assisting that life is not fair, they are always getting singled out but do not want to deal with the fact his troubles is his own causing and this is how are with God at times.

We know deep down the road choices we make will either bring us joy or pain and what's really sad many times we think we are pulling the wool over on God. I love how the devotion says that "God gives us a long leash" so to speak but if we do our best to live by his principles we do not have to worry about looking over our shoulder to see if God is "gonna zap us". And to be honest God is not that way, he has given you and I free will but has made it very clear of the blessings and curses we will receive if we live by his word of rebel against his word plain and simple. He knows we are going to make mistakes but I look at life like this...life is hard enough so why add unnecessary heartache to it?

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
and Have a Wonderful Weekend/Christmas.

"A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty"

~proverbs 22:16

Tech Stories for Saturday:

• Gems in the back of a closet
• Top 10 Gadgets of the Year
• Apple to adopt Intel's ultra-mobile PC platform

My Christian and Tech Audio Picks:
Christian Picks:
Thru the Bible Questions & Answers
(Dr. J. Vernon McGee)



Why the Shepherds?
(Dr. David Jeremiah)



Tech Pick:
Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 414
(Leo Laporte)