My Thoughts for Today {October 7, 2010}

Today's Devotion: Hold My Hand
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

With so much going on in the world today with the economy, the negativity toward our president, congress, just toward one another you would think there is no hope. Heck, sometimes I feel this way when watching the news but then I have to remember two things: One, I have the choice of what to watch and second: I'm putting my focus and trust in the wrong thing.

It's okay to keep in touch with what's going on in the world but I've come to realize that we 24/7 news which means that sometimes we don't let things develop fully and we as people sometimes jump the gun and have to take things into our own hands. We sometimes hear one situation and think this is the "end all/be all" but that is so not true. What I'm trying to get back to is the fact that nothing and I do mean nothing surprises my God. With everything that is going on today I have to remember to keep my focus on Him and Him alone.

God has given me common sense on what to do, how to handle situations, how to deal with people that mean me no good but again I have to remember to stay the course. I have to remember the more I bring my issues to Him, the more I realize the world and people are going to always have obstacles but when I fill myself with His promises and put them into actions the results are going to same: me being victorious. Sometimes I may not believe that when first pushing ahead but then I think about how many times I've allowed the world to dictate to me my outcome knowing that the world is fickle and will always be fickle.

For me, beginning my day with His words in my heart, spending quality time with God, being obedient to His commandments and surrounding myself with things that bring me joy and wisdom has always been the best way to go in regards to dealing with this world. Yes, God will not only hold my hand but he has my back each and every time, even when it doesn't feel like it.

Wisdom for Today: Proverbs Chapter 7
Message for Today: "The Man after God's Heart" from pastor Greg Laurie
Photo by Chris Gin from InterfaceLIFT

reflection & tech nuggets for Thursday

Apology Hotline>>>more
devotion from rbc ministries

At first reading this devotion a subtle sense of pride creped in whispering in my ear, "this doesn't apply to you DarrenKeith...move to another devotion to reflect on" but it does apply to me if not right now at this moment but it has happened to me. It's amazing how Christ Jesus know what we need whether we want to hear it or not. I can honestly say the more I read the Sermon on the Mount how true his teachings are right on point.

It has been time where I have wronged my wife and no matter how I try and read God's word, pray to God the Holy Spirit tells me, "you know you can't be open with your Father...you have some unfinished business to take care of so go do it." And that usually means to get up, go in there and sincerely ask for my wife forgiveness. It's amazing when doing that how a HUGE weight is lifted off my shoulder. And even if it may not receive a "I forgive you" at that moment, knowing I went out of my way to get forgiveness, I have done the best that I can.

I am learning each day that to forgive and to be ask to be forgiven is also good for me health wise because it allows me to move with my life, with my work, to focus clearly on God and myself. I am learning that when you allow a unforgiven heart to settle in your life, to hold on to those feelings that in the end it truly only effects you and not the party that has wrong you. I remember reciting this part of the Lord's Prayer(Matthew 6:9–13)

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us"

I have to be honest, I never really focus on that passage until I became older and really paid attention to it. I'm asking my Heavenly Father to forgive ME of my mistakes, MY wrong doings as I forgive people who has wrong me and what is going on when asking God this...

"Don't hold anything against me Lord of anything I have done wrong and I will not hold anything against the person who did me wrong and if I can't forgive them then do not forgive me."

When we hold grudges against people or if we are not man or woman enough to acknowledge our wrong doing it's like God presses the "pause" button on our lives until we get that matter straighten out. So the next time you pray the Lord's Prayer keep that in mind. I know I will.

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
& Have a Wonderful Thursday

My tech Story Picks for today:

• Roadblocks en route to free, legal music
• The Untold Story: How the iPhone Blew Up the Wireless Industry
• MySpace Subpoenaed In Megan Meier Case

My Audio Picks for Thursday:
Kingdom First Living Vol. 1, -- Part 4
(Enduring Truth)

Is the End of the World Near?
(Harvest.org)

Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy 416
(TWiT)


*check out wikipidea's passage on the Lord's Prayer

Thursday Devotion & Tech News

What Happened at the Cross>>>more
from In Touch Ministries

I love God's word, the mind of God. To me this is the only book you and I can read over and over and find new meaning, deeper revelation each and every time. Just when I think I know what happened at the Cross I may read the same passage and receive a better understanding of why Christ died for us. It's amazing of Christ true love for me, for you, for anyone that turns over their life to Jesus.

I am deep thinker, I'm not a brainy or anything but I think about certain situation and really ponder about them like with our Lord and Savior: to know that not only the anguish He was going to face, the friends you were going to make only to know in the end that one will betray you, one will deny you not only once but three times. Twelve men that walked with you for 2-3 years will now run for cover because they were afraid that they would receive the same fate Jesus did. To be riding on a donkey receiving praises one moment and being cursed at, spit upon the next. Knowing that your entire body would be ripped open down to the bone, beating so bad that you would not be recognized. Having to carry your own cross to the place you would hang for hours while people jeered at you, making fun of you. And all of this knowing that down the road that people to this day will say that you were a fake, a fairy tale, that people will think it's foolish to follow someone like yourself...why would Jesus put himself through this? He knew we could not save ourselves and most important His love for you and I.

I hear scholars try and explain the reason why we humans are the way that we are. As a child I was very interested in science and after all I have learned I have come to realize one thing more and more, to me the Holy Bible explains it all for me. It's amazing how I have done things and asked myself, "why in the heck did I do that?" Then I get into God's word and it makes it clear to me plain and simple...I was born into sin. I know I can not do anything without Him and I am so grateful. To me, atheists can call me foolish all they want but I know His goodness, His mercy, His grace for me, His love for me is true. Not because someone made me believe in Him, I grew up in church, walked away from God, tried other ways to feel that void in my life through reading horoscopes, reading Rune cards and stones but none of them performed the major thing that my Lord and Savior performed...He died for my sins so I live today and forever. To have happiness not only in heaven but on this earth as well and spread His Good News.

Thank you Lord for giving me another chance, for not giving up on me...Thank you.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, & Have a Great and Productive day everyone (you and yours)

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Patience

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

Galatians 5:22

other devotions: The Power of a Testimony, No Need to Pack, Ask More

tech news: Sports stay the same as technologies change, Security, Networks To Converge, And Move Offshore, Oracle to offer Red Hat Linux support

Christian netcast: Behaviors That Bind Us - Part 1, The Alternative, The 2nd Coming, Millennium and Final Judgment

tech netcast: Futures in Biotech 7: Dr. Ronald Desrosiers, Vickram’s View, KFI Tech Guy 289

for headlines news>>>click here

image: allposters.com

Devotions for Thursday

Abundantly Above>>>more
from Harvest Online

God's love and His timing is impeccable. When we ask and pray at times and He doesn't answer you and I we get upset and ask, "Why didn't you come when I needed you?" Just when we think it's hopeless or He didn't come through for us He comes another way and it's better than we would have ever dreamed of because "His ways are not are ways". What's so incredible is that many times we feel what we want or think we need, we really do not need in our lives. Aren't you glad He is the 'Author and Finisher' of things? I know I am.

There has been situations before I was married that I was searching for that special someone (or who I thought was that 'special' someone) that I knew was meant for me. I would pray, I would try and strike a deal with the Lord, make promises to the Lord(never, never do that...you may have to do something you may regret) the Lord would close the door and I would become down or upset with Him (oh it's ok to get upset with Him, He created you and I so He knows our emotions) because I thought I was pursuing the right young lady.

Sometimes this is God's way of preparing us or preparing the situation so it will fit like a glove for you and I. We think we are ready but sometimes God's has to shape us just a little bit more, it may be painful, it may seems like a lifetime to us but when He has taken you and I out of the furnace that deal you thought you lost...another one has come along twice as better. That Romeo you thought should have been yours, turned out to be one of the biggest jerks on this earth and the person that God has in your life you could have NEVER imagined.

There is a saying...run as hard as you can toward Jesus Christ and while you're racing to Him you happen to see another person running just as hard toward Jesus Christ...that's the one for you.

We think that God doesn't hear our prayers when we cry out to Him. He does and when He answers the way He choses to it beyond our wildest dreams.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, & Have a Productive Day. :-)

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Humility

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

Titus 3:2

other readings for today: The Holiness of God, A Gratitude Visit, Early Warnings

tech news: Microsoft releases new Internet Explorer, HP Passes Dell, Zombies try to blend in with the crowd

netcast for the spirit & mind: Two Fearless, Future Witnesses, Security Now 61: ISP Privacy, Is the End of the World Near?, NPR: Technology

headline news>>>click here

No Days Off>>>more
from Harvest Online

Yesterday I did not blog. I was tired, I needed the rest but I can't make a habit of it because I have a obligation to God. He gives us a day of rest and I need to follow His principles, because it worked for Jesus and I know it works for my life as well. I thank God doesn't take a day (or two) off like we do. He is always with us no matter what situation we are going through, what task is ahead of us, what trial we are going through.

I thank our Lord and Savior that He has granted you and I a day of rest because this gives us time to be truly be thankful for what we have in our lives and to work toward what our Savior's needs. I can't imagine what this world would be like if God took a hour off from watching over you and I. I am truly thankful that even when we take a day (or two, or three) away from God that He has not taking a day away from His children. When thinking of His love for me makes me want to work for Him, to spread His gospel through the web, through my life, through worship and praise.

Take time to think about His precious love and what would happen if He took a day off...on second thought, that's okay.

Have a Blessed, Safe, and productive day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Joy

"Heavenly Father, grant that my children would be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit".

1 Thessalonians 1:6

other devotions for today: Mars?, Tapping The Treasure, Invisible Bridges

tech news: Apple Mecca Posting Provokes Reaction, Microsoft's Vista Changes Could Backfire On Disgruntled Rivals, Microsoft limits Vista transfers, Install Vista, Buy Graphics Card

netcast for today: He Keeps His Word - Part 2, TWiT 73: Hello Armenia, PodTech.net, Trust Him - Part 1

headline news>>>click here

painting: allposters.com

Devotions for Thursday

Breaking Camp>>>more
from Harvest Online

It's good to know that we as Christians that once we depart this earth that our heavenly home awaits us. But they is one other thing I wish to share. So many of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus still live like paupers here on earth and I don't mean just material wise.

Our pastor once said when we were in the world you and I would not let anyone walk all over us but since we have given our lives to the Lord we become wimps. No, I'm not saying be a Christian bully but just because we have given our lives to our Lord and Savior does not mean we let anyone talk to us any kind of way. Why do you think non Christians still in the world. because when they think of us they think of wimpy, push overs, doormat. Even when thinking of Jesus Christ they think of this puny guy. Let me remind Jesus Christ was a carpenter and they did not have power tools back in their time. Also when He had to carry his cross to calvary for us that piece of wood had to at least weigh 200-300 pounds, and it wasn't varnished.

With His back ripped open, down to the bone, pieces of splinters entered his back whenever he walked to his finish paying for my sins and yours. Christ did not die for you and to have fear of preaching the gospel to the lost. And talk about persucution....

The early Christians were fed to the lions, used as human torches, cut in half(that is how the prophet Isaiah died), and we get upset when the call us "Jesus Freaks" or "Holy Rollers". My family will have what the world has and much more: a stable, very nice home, a loving husband toward my wife, a loving grandfather to my grandkids, a teacher to them, a disciplinary, a comforter to my grandchildren. We are suppose to be in the world and not act like the world. Jesus Christ gave up so much for me and I trying each and everyday to give it my all to please Him. There is so much more I have to do and I will try and accomplished because of my love for Him and for what He has done for me.

Have a Blessed, Safe, & Productive day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Self-Control

"Father, help my children not be like many others, but to be alert and self-controlled in all they do".

1 Thessalonians 5:6

Words to help you grow: The Privilege Corrupted, Means and Ends, Insight for Living

Words to help you know: Working out of a 'third place', Enterprise-class desktop computing, Singing the Praises of the Non-Nano

Christian & Tech podcast for today: God’s Work-God’s Way, Security Now! 59: Parallels

photo: google image

Apple Is Getting Me Angry

Pod People Ponder Litigation>>>more
from Wired.com/news

Leo Laporte once said that he's happy that Apple does not have the market shares as Microsoft because if they did, Steve Jobs would be twice as ruthless...I tend to agree;

this letter sent out by Apple this Wednesday to some companies not to use the word 'Pod' or 'Podcast' just proves sometimes how small and petty Jobs can be at times. I like Apple products, I still have my blue and white G3 tower, I have a couple of iPods, I like there hardware, how I have told many of people that Apple for me has made learning 'computing' fun again. But there are somethings I do not like.

I recently had a hard drive die on me, the Maxtor OneTouchII was not a year old when it went and died on me. I had many mp3s...no AAC downloads (this is Apple format for their downloads) and me being foolish did not back them all up.

Now I share part of the blame for my laziness but what gets under my skin is that Apple has a database showing that I purchased these songs yet if I lose them...too bad, and when I go and purchase the songs again (and I feel I shouldn't) a warning box will pop up stating, "Are you sure you wish to purchase this song, you have already downloaded before" or something to that effect. So you know my next question; if you have my information why should I have to buy them from you again?

This past Sunday Leo and the gang on TWiT mentioned that on Will Wheaton's blog that he lost his songs and contacted Apple and they let him retrieve them again. I will try and find out how Wil went about that miracle and when I find out, I will pass it on to you because it's a shame that first Apple put their stupid DRM codec on their downloads and second if you lose your downloads, you have to pay again for the songs "YOU" purchased.

I wrote about this I think earlier this month or last month about eMusic. I really hope they pass iTunes because it's cool how they have their system set up. I am going back to buying CDs because I will always have the hard copy.

Sorry about that...I was really suppose to comment on this stupid letter from Apple about trying to stop other companies from using the word 'Pod' or 'Podcast' and I go on about not being able to retrieve lost downloaded songs from Apple.

Just makes me mad.

other tech news for ya: Console war, Apple Fixes 15 Flaws, Fast start for Vista

christian news for your soul: A Capital "T", How Long is God's Arm?, Say It with Grace

christian & tech podcasts: a new beginning, dl.tv: episode 98

photo: google image