High Thought

LOVE TO ME

2011-12-10T15:30:00.001-08:00

Love is beautiful when it is true. It feels, it breathes…it wants and craves you. It understands you and seeks to know more. How childlike, yet so mature is love; young enough to chase you and old enough to stay. Why must love at times feel as if one has been stricken in heart, bleeding years of the unsaid and unfulfilled yearnings? The candor and whit of peace and harmony between two individuals is overwhelming. The heart aches, because a finite part of the anatomy tries to find a single place for love to reside. We want it to stay this way forever, but we know it can’t be. Love is clandestine. It lives and breathes beyond us. It searches for infant hearts and virgin like cul-de-sacs. It terminates and it begins; it rides the waves, and circles the skies. It travels to the farthest ends of the earth and never really explains itself. It almost always leaves its meaning to the involved; the two who dared to discover truth.

The essence of being with another is love; the drapery and tapestry of beautiful colors and light and purpose together in one place accomplishing the best possible outcome. Tears may accompany my love sometimes of pain and other times of joy. How is it that we can be with so many others and yet feel so misunderstood and estranged? But then, out of nowhere, love finds us amidst an experience we have for years been forcing to evolve. And we have yet to discover that love is like creation, it is born mature, yet has had all the experiences of a youth; it has missed nothing. It brings vibrancy and lament at the same time; and it knows that to enjoy it, you must leave something. We all have begun in one place, what we thought was love, only to discover that true love has not yet found us. But when it does, we must choose. Choose the life of familiar or risk, life of change or same, life of broad or narrow. The pain of the tear and the rip is enough to paralyze a strong man in the peak of his grip, and a subtle and gentle woman in her pool of tears. We don’t always ask for this experience, sometimes it simply befalls us. And there is no question when we experience it; it is what we would want! It must be what we want; this is why it is so alluring. But is it what we need? Can it be found anywhere else in this world? No! Only in this moment do we find the essence of our exposure and vulnerability to another. We call this intimacy.

While to some, once a-go with true love is enough; but to others, once can never be conclusive! They have the double entangle with what is now a familiar friend, instead of a stranger. To the lucky, love sometimes gets away, only to return another day. A different name, a different smell, different laughs and quirky ways, but nonetheless, it is love in its truest and purest form. Love often revisits and rekindles fires that have died down, but have not fizzled out. Oh rhapsody chambers; enlighten me through your corridors of ecstasy and plant me in the life of another’s dreams, so that the legacy of love will live on for my children and my children’s children. May there never be a dearth of this type of enchantment and enrichment. Every human being should experience this unconditional and delightful aspect of life, more fondly known as love. It is in my opinion the highest experience possible for all mankind. Nothing compares to it. Nothing ever has, and nothing ever will. I have seen true love, and yet I still pursue it; not because it is lost, but because it is meant to be shared. Every soul should have a love affair with love. The complete renewal of the spirit, defined in uncharted circumstances. No captain, no stagehands, no deck or crew; just the pure and simple odyssey of love.

Why do we try so hard to protect the wandering soul? Even in freedom, there is always the chance that tonight, maybe today; love will befall even the nomad. We seek to protect because we know the pain and disillusionment of the caricatures that falsely embody love. When the slightest appearance of love implodes our world, our initial response is to be on guard. We ask ourselves, “Is this real?” We instinctively seek to protect, when love does face us. But we can’t protect ourselves from truth; it will gain entry into the very pores of our being. We can’t protect our children from what we know will bring both pain and joy amidst life’s unconditional and unbiased parameters. Love will come, and will share pages and pictures that we haven’t seen, but we have known the truest essence of. While the times are different, the love is the same. It means well to all; but finite man cannot place eternity into that which dies. Love must come and go as it pleases, revolutionizing souls and hearts, cultures and nations. It is a travesty to give up on love; yet a triumph when you finally experience it!

Love! We love you; love us!

Postscript:

We can’t quite possibly understand you, though we try. You can be both elusive and at times evasive. To you, none of us are simple; we are all caveats for your elixir. You bring us joy and teach us change with frequency; and never to hold on to any one thing too long. You give yourself to all, yet to each of us, you are the only one. The realization of togetherness, is finding you or being found by you. Little do we know that when we walk outside, directly in front of us, is you. The bounds of the universe, the interpolation of things to one another shows your work of greatness, inspiring us to leave our domain and walk into your carefully calculated future. Somehow in all this we discover words like destiny and journey and purpose; items of simplicity to you, but a lifetime of searching for us.

Signed,

LoveMire

2009-08-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Just my thoughts at lunch…

Sitting on 15th and H St. in DC, the Nation’s Capital. This is the inner city. A place of work and commerce. People are needed to make it run. I’m listening to Kenny G while journaling. The temperature is nice, you know cool and breezy with an overcast, just before the rain begins, or storm hits. It reminds me of my trip to Jamaica. Ahhhhh the beautiful blue waters and scenery. But today I’m not there physically. Maybe one day soon, maybe one day soon. It’s tourist time where I am, countless families walk the streets, as lost as the dickens, but together, and that’s all that matters. I think often times just being together can cause the biggest of issues to shrink to a very dismal thought. I have three children. WONDERFUL are they all. We aren’t together right now. Sort of like Jamaica, there, but not there physically. True love can’t be killed. I think I’ll text my best friend today and tell him I love him. Physical location cannot be measured to the depth of spiritual presence. We often say things like, “The presence of the Lord is here.” We say this meaning He is present and in the moment, sensed and felt, but not there physically, or is He? God is Spirit, and we being made in His image are spirit. I believe this means we can be in more than one place at a time. There, but not there. There are times that I can sense family, friends, and children more than others. When this occurs I believe spirits cross. Meaning perhaps we think of one another at similar times. Or that our circumstance in life, or the moments so parallel each other, for the moment we have like sensibility. Incredible to know that though far away I can still be there. These are just my thoughts at lunch. May be next time I’ll write about the power of the physical touch. Physicality does have its advantages. However, I’ve often been told that many women have experienced the most intimate times with their mates when it was non-physical. Men are strong on physical, because many lack a depth of understanding and mature grasp of their spirituality. It takes too long to figure that kind of stuff out. Patience is not our (men) strongest trait. But you gotta love us! Burl and brawn, sensitivity and humor; bad enough to be feared, good enough to be loved. It’s the middle of those two that most women vie for; truth be told, men as well. But again these are just my thoughts at lunch.

2008-09-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

Definable & Memorable Moments:

Occasionally we run across people that change our lives forever. We don’t know that they will, in fact, as with most we’re pretty skeptical. Nonetheless, we trust our instincts and we embark on an experience or relationship that lasts a lifetime. Who would have thought your high school mates would ever come to hold such a delicate spot in your heart. Think for a moment about those days, and if you’re honest, most of us can remember the good ol’ days and smile. Why are memories so important? Why must we live with things that we can remember at anytime, solicited or unsolicited? I think the answer to that lies in our desire to connect and have meaningful relationships. Most of our lives are lived peripherally. We talk with people everyday, but we don’t know them. We see people, even do business with them repeatedly but we don’t connect. Therefore, when those rare moments occur, when you sense the other person understands you and can relate without explanation, you know you’re in for a real time of expression; operative word being “expression”. We have no problem expressing ourselves to those who understand. It’s those who don’t get it that we shut down and recoil towards. To be honest, most of us probably have more insignificant memories than we do significant ones. This is the case because more insignificant stuff happens in our lives more often than not. But the irony of this is that when you get one good significant memory, it can weigh a ton more than 3,000,000 undefinable moments. The type of memories that occur when you see a picture, hear a song, smell a cologne or perfume. Magic! The sweet bliss of definable moments. I share this with you to encourage you to hold on to your happy thoughts. They will get you through the tough days; and trust me, tough days are a comin’. Be joyful my friends; whoever or whatever gives you warm thoughts, those are your moments. Cherish them and smile until you again experience one of those Definable and Memorable moments....

Peace

2007-10-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

God Often Leads, Where There is Need!

In most cases people live from day to day, not knowing where life will lead them. But there are others who have become aware of patterns in their life, and have since become content with its direction. God often leads us where there is need. If you have chosen to partner with your Creator, who by the way had an original and intended purpose for your existence, He will lead you to the best place in which you can be used to satisfy a need. If you listen and pay attention closely; or even just look back over your lives, you will discover that when you were attuned to God, your transitions have been directly connected to the need in someone’s life. It’s not that where you were headed was bad, and you very well could have chosen that route. But somewhere in the course of your efforts in obedience to righteousness, you heeded the call from within, that there is another way I can go and the need for me there is greater. Wow, what a charge, what a call, to actually be needed. Many of us desire to be needed. But if we look at our lives, and our lives are in agreement with God, we will discover that where we are right now is directly related to need. You are on that job because there is a need. You are in that marriage because there is a need. God gave you that child because you were best suited for that need. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are not needed. The poster of old used to say Uncle Sam Wants You! But the poster I’m posting today is that God NEEDS You! In the truest sense God doesn’t need anything, but He wills to use what He has created, for His purposes can not fail. God can not create something for which it does not work. This is why we know it is true that God is at work in all things for the good of those who love the Lord and are THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. It has to work out for good. His purposes never fail. So my word to encourage you today is to fear not! Heed the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. Don’t fight the change; God is leading you to another need. Once you adequately supply a need, then you must move on to the next assignment. Hallelujah, someone ought to recognize their “Next Assignment”. Full steam ahead and adjust the rudders; hoist the main…God is calling me to another need, for which only I am best equipped. Pray this prayer with me right now. “Lead me Father to the place you desire for my life. I submit today, in Jesus Name!”

And everyone said…AMEN!

2007-10-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Why be encouraged?

Because you are alive! You could be in a hospital bed facing death. You have a computer with internet access, hundreds, even thousands don’t have computers. You can read. Many are illiterate and struggle just to understand their mail. Ultimately things will work out for good to those who love the Lord. Oh yea, baby, He is going to put it all in perspective. Justice will be served. But for now, just knowing that, doesn’t always feel as comforting. Well let me let you in on a little secret. The God of the entire universe cares about you. He is thinking about you every minute of each day (how many times a day do we think of Him???). He has not come to destroy us, but to heal us, of this dreadful existence with sin. Even I at times grow weary. Just last night I cried out to God saying Lord, if you care about me at all, just say something, send a sign or something. Within minutes I got a text from a person I call my personal angel, and the text said “Just thinking of you, (God Is With Us)”. I replied saying, “Are you my sign, did God tell you to think of me?” The reply was, “Know it! Believe It! You see my friend, I believe this was God’s way of saying I care, even though He didn’t have to respond, sometimes He does, simply because He cares. So be encouraged beloved, the day of our King is coming. The day of our salvation is upon us. Walk in His grace and know that no weapon formed against you shall be able to prosper!

C

2007-10-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

Truth is eternal movement forward, not a circle…

There are so many thoughts and ideas circulating, one could find themselves changing their mind and direction constantly. Though there are many suggestive proclamations and promises, there is only one truth. We as Believers, citizens and humans, must make a commitment to developing an eye, ear and heart for the truth. Some believe there are no absolutes. However, there must be one thing that remains constant; otherwise, we are all doomed to a cyclical pattern that amounts to meaningless actions. In other words, things just repeat themselves until they find their beginning again. I will be the first to admit that I enjoy starting things from the beginning, but not the same things again and again and again. But as I live, I continue to discover, that truth, once truly discovered is meaningfull, and stable and substantive. It seems to point toward a place far beyond a cyclical repetitive motion. It leads us somewhere. It takes us to a place within ourselves, and outside of ourselves that ebbs us toward things like patience, kindness, love, forgiveness, activism, change, etc. There are semblances of truth, and at times it seems easier to follow the semblances rather than being committed to the task of discovering the whole truth. The great deception of life is not often found in the outright lies or falsities of life, but rather in the things that have just enough truth to get you to believe it. It is when we believe it, that we begin to go astray. The quest for truth however, can be costly. It doesn’t hide, nor is it intentionally being evasive, but rather it is right upon us. To discover truth, one has to become vulnerable, make sacrifices, take risks to see if it pans out to be what it says it is. Who wants life with all that risk? Many would rather let others write about truth and just take their word for it and live life on the safe side. This is why many church goers simply accept what the teacher says, without confirming it as truth through further personal study and research. Consequently, when things go wrong in life, who do they blame??? The person they committed to follow! We must not be accepters only; we must be diligent searchers and doers of truth as well. While there is no guarantee, that once you begin to discover and develop discernment for truth, that life gets increasingly better for you; there is a guarantee that truth will lead you to freedom. Freedom is a place to live with your choices without regret. Truth takes you places you may not want to go before you get to the place it intends for us all. It lets you see pain so you can respect it, not fear it. It lets you experience losses so you can appreciate life not sorrow in it. It lets you see poverty so you’ll be moved to add to society, not take from it. Truth can be a temporary immobilizer. It will cause you to pause and ask the meaning of yours and other’s existence. Does life really matter anyway? Of course it does, but it matters because of a truth spoken years and years ago. That God created man in His image. God is Truth, hence we must conclude that life matters as we embrace the truth. I encourage you to develop your senses toward the truth, not the half lies, and hopefully as many of us as possible will arrive to that place of unity, respect, love, honor, significance and peace.

Love every man…

2007-09-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

Let Love Begin

Love has no where to go when guarded by anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness and pain. How can you even receive love while harboring such feelings? What has occurred was true, it was real, and you’ll perhaps never forget it. But in order to let love begin again, you must make a way for it. You must create a portal in your soul, through your heart to reach out to some soul in dire need of what you have to offer. Be reminded, that the soul on the receiving end is doing all they can to let love begin as well. Remember, the one to whom you are giving love has just let their portal open and is learning again the process of giving and receiving. Most of us know how to give things, but learning how to receive has a direct connection to how healthy we are internally. To be uncomfortable with receiving gifts, praises and accolades is a sign that there is yet some growth to be done on the inside. Perhaps your love is bound. Giving and receiving is a direct connection to love. Love gives always, and if love gives, then there must be someone to give it to. There is no such thing as being a loving person and always choosing to be alone. Loving people must have people to give and share that love with. Again, a sign that you must let love begin is when you find yourself isolated and sheltered from friends, family and people in general (not due to uncontrollable circumstances, but things that you can change). When it’s your choice to live the deeper life that doesn’t include anyone else, I question how deep that life really is. The deeper life is a more giving and thereby more loving life. People often say I deserve to be happy, I’m going to live my life for me so I can be happy. That statement in and of itself lets me know how unhappy you are. Catering to self will never bring happiness. Happiness comes when you love yourself enough to love others. So to say you are living for you, is to kill the possibility of happiness altogether. When you can say I’m living for others, is when you are really saying I’m okay with myself. But you may be saying, I’ve tried that, and people have taken advantage of me. And I would say yes this is true, and they will again. The key to letting love begin is not expecting the type of return you want. Because if you do, then there again you are living for you on your terms. You must let go and open this portal so that true love can pour out of you. True love is selfless. I know people who have great love in their hearts and are potentially wonderful people. But their unhappiness makes them mean and undesirable. The best way to get past this self life and let love begin is to get a relationship with God. He will teach you what it means to live for Him. This is awesome training for those who have to live in this world for others, who may or may not even appreciate what you have done for them. Just know that when you live for God, He never forgets or dishonors your life as a sacrifice. Once you can see and grasp His faithfulness toward you, how others treat your love will not matter. Blessings to you today my friends! I challenge you to let love begin, open a small portal until the floodgates pour out all that stored up love inside of you. Have a great day!

2007-09-19T06:15:00.000-07:00

HIS WAY, NOT MINE…

His Way, Not Mine, is a lifestyle, not a chore, task or duty. I have failed so many times at trying to be obedient. But obedience is not about complying with instruction; it is about surrendering to God. For most of the people I know, we have tried to live life our way, and it has had its moments of excitement and seemingly success, but deep within, we knew we were not in the place of true surrender. It is possible to know the Word of God, and simply try to apply willpower and disciplines to obey it. And for many disciplined and moral people this works. But still we are so very far from God. I used to think His way was to learn the Bible as best I could and try to not go against the things He wrote. But the closer I became to Him; I realized that I was still doing things my way. This had to change! What troubled me was how could I know so much of the Word, and still be losing battles, within and without. This didn’t add up. So rather than turn from the Word I turned to it again. But this time, I didn’t try to learn the letter of it, but the Spirit of it. WOW, this changed my life big time. It is hard to interpret the Spirit, so people prefer to interpret what is obvious. So often the Word is read and we are told to simply obey. Very few tell us how to obey it. So we live twenty years of our lives on a spiritual roller coaster ride failing and succeeding. It is easier to control others when things are in black and white. But when things are not, it requires each of us to be mature and apply the things we’ve learned in life. Most of us choose not to live this way, because it is easier to live the black and white. This way it is easier to judge others and condemn ourselves. My challenge to you, is to truly seek this lifestyle of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden, Not my will, Lord, but Your will be done. This is a way of life. It starts by surrendering old systems and selfish ways. Forget about how you used to do it, and be open to God’s unconventional ways of doing it. I guarantee that however God does it, it will be different. You will only be able to understand it by Spirit, not logic or reason. You may apply reason and logic in the application of it, but God’s purposes are beyond our comprehension. We must undo what church as the systemic religion has done. We must use the good as a foundation, and grow up into spiritual beings that operate from His unction, not the control of orders, instructions and systems. A truly surrendered heart does not act outside compliance of the systems which surround them, only when the system gets in the way of our doing things His way. Try it today. This is something you can start right now. Say today, it is not about getting things my way. Ask the Lord to help you and guide you in this day into His perfect and Holy will. I guarantee you will see a difference in the outcome. You haven’t known peace until you have learned surrender. And you haven’t learned surrender until you can embrace the lifestyle of HIS WAY, NOT MINE…

Be blessed!

2007-09-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

I LOVE HIM

We were made to love Him. Our souls should crave Him. He must be the very essence of our longing. He is truly “to die” for, after all, He died for us. To love Him, is to know Him. To know Him, is to love Him. What further depth can we go than to His love? He is deeper than our thoughts, feelings and emotions. He truly creates the chase. He ebbs us out with His tantalizing words that draw us, that create deeper intrigue and interest. Oh to know Him, just to be with Him, to hear from Him, to be desired of Him; to think that God would desire me. When others reject me, He calls me. When I fail, He calls me. When I do well, He calls me. When He needs, me He calls me. We are WE! Together, we are. He loves me and I love Him. Together we love each other. Ooh to love Him, to be surrounded by Him, His very essence causes my heart to flutter, and my thoughts to dance. I am at peace when with Him. He alone satisfies. I am satisfied with Him alone. If no other relationship works, mine with Him, does. He creates certainty of it working. He has promised never to leave me nor forsake me. He has promised to be with me through the good and the bad. He won’t divorce me. If anything changes, it will be because I forsook Him, not that He forsook me. Awake, awake my soul, and love your God. He is at your door knocking. Surrender unto the passion and kindness and depth of grace that He offers to you. Why fight what you don’t understand, and you can’t get anywhere else. Come to Him! Lay at His feet, like a damsel crowned as Queen. We are His bride, adorned for Him. He is pleased to unite with us. In worship we share, we talk, we laugh and we learn, we listen, we grow stronger. I love to talk to Him, and He loves to talk with me. Sometimes we open our mouths, sometimes we don’t, but always we understand. What mountain top, what a field with blades arrayed in rainbows, He alone offers this. Love on the mountain and love in the field. He increases my courage. I love Him. I adore Him, I honor Him. He is mine, and I am His. Together we create a solemn and sacred vow of trust that challenges me to be faithful, when I feel like it not. He is my mentor, and my peer. He is whom I aspire toward, and my teacher. He creates in me a desire to become, ever more like Him. At all costs, I strive, and continue on. When I am deep out of breath, I crawl on to victory, for it is already won. He simply came back to run with me; to be with me when I cross the finish line. He has already overcome, so that I may overcome, but He came back to run with me reminding me if His holy name, Immanuel “God with us”. What a treat to be held by the Master. To know He loves and He cares. He loves, and I love, we love! Today, I love Him, more than any other material, physical or spiritual essence, I love Him. No doubt in my mind I love Him, and He loves me. You know how I know? I told Him this morning, and He told me as well. And when I’m acting out in fear or flesh, He still tells me, He loves me. Create in me a clean heart oh God, and renew a right spirit within me. Awake, awake my soul, and love your God.

Loving you always, my Father,

Cherry
You son

2007-08-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

THE COLD HARD TRUTH…WITH A WARM FUZZY ENDING

Okay readers, the truth is this…after many, many, many years of study, I have come to the conclusion that in order to be great, or have a life of significance, you must be willing to loose all that you have. Excuse me, let me rephrase that, you stand to loose all that you have, we assume that you are willing, other wise it wouldn’t be happening. A life of greatness and significance is really only found in the one who is Great, and that is God. So in order to be like Him, you must be significantly connected to Him. And by the way, the best relationships by far, are relationships that are based on TRUST. So here is the catch, God flips everything backwards in your life so that you loose control and you have to find another source of dependence. He does things like making the first last; the poor rich; the weak strong and the blind are actually the ones who can see, etc. All the natural and logical scenarios of life all of sudden don’t make sense. He creates a journey marked by things that don’t go your way so that we can release the control, and truly, and I mean truly begin to depend on Him. In essence it is what the Bible says, “He who tries to save his life will loose it, and he who loses his life for the gospel’s sake, the same shall be saved.” Usually when God begins these incredible turnarounds, you go kicking and screaming. And you try desperately to keep things from changing. But all you do is prolong the process and actually set your course to destruction. Because remember, if you try to save your life, you actually lose it. This deeper life is marked by frustration, uneasiness, yearning for purpose, a low tolerance for meaningless activities, (sounds like mid-life crisis huh? Yep)! Anyway, you start desiring changes in every area of your life. Things that seemed important before all of a sudden don’t matter. People you used to fight with, no longer get your attention. But be prepared, you are headed for a painful arena. If you lived life loving anything or anyone at all, this transformation will be painful. This is why you feel God is unfair, because you think you have lived life caring and doing for others, which you may have, but your trust has been in your ability to do that. God wants your trust in Him. So, it’s usually the good people, who end up losing it all, and your neighbors and friends say God was never with you, or God has left you, or you’ve turned to a life of sin, etc. Just read the book of Job, He’ll explain it. Nonetheless, my friend the Cold Hard Turth is that, if you want to live influentially and significantly, you stand to lose it all. Material things, confidence, friends, family, career, self-esteem, anything that has been of value to you, He is going after. Now it doesn’t mean that you will lose them forever. Some things will return, some things will be replaced, but always, it will be better than before.

The Warm Fuzzy Ending is this…You wake up in the morning dependant on Him, you don’t eat your food without thanking Him for it, you are grateful for a nice day outside, you pray often for those who are really less fortunate, you look for Him during the day, you hesitate to speak if you haven’t heard Him tell you what to say, when He enters the room, you get goose bumps and you know inside that He’s close. These are just to name a few. I could go on all day. You see, I’m one of those who fought with Him, and wrestled, and lied and denied, and played the role, acting and looking better on the outside than I really was on the inside. But after the pain, and after the rain, it is the most remarkable relationship I have ever experienced. I’m not out of the woods yet, but I think I finally understand what it’s about. I have a relationship with God. Can you imagine that? Most people don’t understand it, because most people haven’t experienced it. They have experienced religion, but they haven’t experienced the deepened relationship. So don’t try to explain it, just let them observe your life until they desire such a life for themselves. And guess what, like the Rich Young Ruler, many will not want to change. They will conclude that the life they have is too much to part with. So don’t try to change them, leave that hard job up to God. After all He changed you didn’t He (smile)! Well, until another day, my friends, if you really want to matter in life and leave His legacy, then you have to accept the Cold Hard Truth, but you will ultimately experience His Warm Fuzzy Ending. It’s worth it, if you can go through it! God Bless!

Cherry

2007-08-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Open Windows…

Open windows left at bay. Pouring out or letting in? No reason at all, just open. I suppose it depends on the viewer as to the purpose of the open window. Exit or entry is the question. But who wants to leave and who wants to arrive? Again only the viewer can best answer this question. Check your surroundings, is it raining? Should the window be open because there is smoke inside? Is it a sunny day and fresh air is doing the inside good? Or is it hot and humid and the air is full of pollen? Again I suppose it depends on the viewer. Viewers don’t always explicate their reasons, they act, assuming that those around understand, when in actuality, no-one really knows what you are thinking; unless they have similar thoughts based on the general summations of the surroundings. Why can’t things just be simpler? We constantly have to think of others, being mindful of what they think, how they feel, how my actions will affect them, etc. Trust me, it’s all for a reason; again, a reason that affects the viewer the most.

If you were to pass an open window today, what would it mean? Would you as the viewer interpret it as a way to get in, or a way for something to get to you? Something like the smell of peach cobbler being slowly baked, or good old fashioned fried chicken. Each viewer has their own perspective, I’ll choose mine, and you choose yours. But in all things giving thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you.

I suppose open windows have saved lives. Families escaping from fire owe their lives to an open window. Perhaps carefully analyzing your window today could lead to a better understanding of why you are passing this way. Have a nice “VIEW!”

Peace…

2007-08-20T07:06:00.000-07:00

YES

In my prayer and worship time this morning, I heard the Lord whisper YES. Yes, to the things that were right for His people. Yes, to things that we have been praying for, that were according to His will. Yes to a place of freedom and serenity. Yes, to love and Yes, to healing. I can’t tell you how many need a YES from God today. Not for foolish things, but for places and spaces in our hearts that we have been yearning for, for months, years, decades. I heard God say YES. I don’t know what this means for each one who reads this, but you know. I certainly know what it means for me, but honestly when I heard Him say it, it wasn’t so much for me, as it was for those who I was in prayer. You see, for me, we I enter worship, I never really worship alone. I always take those I am responsible for into worship with me. Those for whom I am responsible to cover, they worship every time I worship. And during that time, God uses me to reach thousands. One of my gifts in worship is to be able to go in and call out those in need, who might not otherwise seek Him. In essence, I worship for those who may not worship on their own, not just that day, but probably not for the whole year. God shared with me, that each time I worshipped Him, this was an opportunity for Him to reach others. So I praise and worship not always for myself, but for thousands.

This morning I shared with Him, that I know that He doesn’t need Him, but I worship because I need Him. He has Angels in heaven to worship Him all day. He doesn’t need us. In fact if we all stopped worshipping Him, the rocks, or all of creation would begin to utter His praise. He doesn’t need us, we need Him. Lastly, as I worshipped I got the sense that worship is an OPPORTUNITY for us to experience Him and thereby grow and become more like Him. He said to me, ‘All day yesterday, I gave opportunities to people to worship me, and do you know that people didn’t even lift their hands when asked, they didn’t even open their mouths to utter my praise?’ But His point was, I believe, that He didn’t need the praise, we did. And for those of us who had the opportunity to go to church and worship, but chose not to; or those of us who did go to church and still didn’t worship Him, we missed an OPPORTUNITY. That was God’s way of saying, if you come to worship me, I will show up. God doesn’t need a worship leader to reach a hungry heart. The Psalmist said, “As the deer panteth for the water brooks, so my soul longeth after thee.” And in all this my friend, I still heard the Lord say YES. He is patient, He is love. Worship Him somewhere, somehow, today. You don’t have to be in a church, just close your eyes and search your heart. Find Him and tell Him, you’re there to worship Him, and He’ll do the rest. Let me know if you hear His whisper, “YES”. Blessings my beloved, blessings!

Worshipper

2007-08-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

GIVE PEOPLE THEIR SPACE PART II
(I’m giving you your space, so I can work on my space.)

As I was saying…

Giving people their space allows them to deal with themselves. Haven’t you ever noticed that argumentative people thrive off of arguing? It’s as if they need a fight to continue in their dysfunction. And that’s exactly what it is, an improper way of functioning. To argue with you continually means that we don’t have to work on the solution. We just keep fighting about the problem. This is what I believe was at the essence of Martin Luther King’s non-violent movement. To fight with another race, would only slow our progress. But to love our enemies, forces them to search within and discover their own insecurities. I don’t need to call anyone a racist. That fact that they are racist is self- indicting.

Here’s another twist… Most people deceptively believe that they are masters of their space. Yet they continue, out of desperation and need, to enlist others from outside of their space. Usually, the people outside enter reluctantly. These are people who become your saboteurs. They become your Judas or the next person who will hurt you. But remember, you invited this person in. Out of your own desperation and lack of patience, you invited your pain. Or, even if they pushed their way in, you still let them in your space. You are responsible for your space. My son is very active, and sometimes while playing outside, he would injure himself. I would often say to him, regardless as to whether mommy or daddy is around, you are responsible for you. Now ultimately as the parent I exercise proper parental guidance, but if you have any children at all, you too are aware that parents cannot always protect their children from bumping their heads on the table, or getting into something they shouldn’t have. My goal for my son was to teach him what I am trying to convey to you, that we all must learn to be aware of our surroundings and to be careful, because ultimately we are responsible for our actions.

Ultimately, let your space be the space that you create. Your space doesn’t need anyone else, unless the person willingly joins your space. There must be mutual agreement for two people to occupy the same space. (REPEAT THAT TO YOURSELF!) You don’t force people or give ultimatums, regarding people entering or staying in your space. It is their choice. This is why in relationships; one can never hold anyone beyond his or her desire to stay. When they are ready to leave, they will leave. We must learn how to create a space that allows others their space. And if destiny so orders, we can learn to join our spaces, for a period of time, or forever. But, for whatever time, it will be mutual. Decree today, that you are going to GIVE PEOPLE THEIR SPACE, so that you can work on your space. Instead of spending so much time on “My Space”, the computer space, spend a little time in your inner space, and learn how to give people theirs. Over time you will see the freedom it brings to yourself and how it enables you to love others without expectations or demands. People will begin to love you correctly, not abusively, simply because you have allowed them to, not ordered them to. Well gotta go. Tell me if you want more. I have lots of this… PEACE!

2007-08-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

GIVE PEOPLE THEIR SPACE

Yesterday, I had a conference call with about 30 people from all over the United States. We had East Coast, West Coast, way up North and way down South. But what was interesting was how each spoke so confidently about their home state. In addition to our diversity of locales, there was diversity of personalities. The call was only to last for about 30 minutes. So here are some notes I jotted down this morning about yesterday’s call.

First of all, people are territorial. Their lives involve a place that they have existed in, long before they even met you. They will protect and defend that space at all cost. Regardless as to whether that space is good for them or not, that’s their space. People get used to dysfunction, just as people get used to the nicer lifestyles as well. One lady was speaking about living in Houston where it was a wet and muggy 102 degrees. But her enthusiasm about such misery was shocking. She replied, that she wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. She was used to the heat now. But for those of us who have lived in better climates, we were thinking, YUCK, I’d never live there. But that was her space, and regardless of how we felt about it, we had to give "Houston" that space. At that moment, nothing we said or did would change her mind.

The second thing I noticed was that, even with all this diversity, the agenda had been set by the conference leader. To leave the thirty minutes open to the ideas and thoughts of 30 people from all over the United States would have lengthened the phone call to an unimaginable amount of time. My point is that you don’t change people in short periods of time. Short relationships should never really have the goal of changing another. Short relationships are for agendas that are already set. And once that agenda is complete, then hang up the phone, or rather, end the relationship or start a new contract. People often hope for long term relationships to work while entering them on short-term basis. In fact the conference leader had to at one point reply by saying for those who have specific questions, stay on the line after everyone hangs up or e-mail me. In other words, we can’t accomplish what you want specifically while everyone else is participating for a whole other agenda.

In a nutshell, we must give people their space. Don’t try to control others. Let them be who they are. If they want to change they will, but not because you forced them, but perhaps because you gave them an example to change toward. As a Christian, I don’t think people need to be told to change in a forceful or threatening way. Just live the Love of Christ in front of them, so that they can see your example and want to change for themselves. Well my friends, this is a blog, not a book (smile). If you want to hear more about this let me know, and I’ll pick it up tomorrow, If not, I’ll write about something else. Until next time, GIVE PEOPLE THEIR SPACE!

PEACE!

2007-08-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

The Power of The New

Something new often scares us because we like the familiar. Sometimes the familiar can be our worst enemy.

Newness! Do not fear it, but rather, as one of my friends would say, ‘brace’ it (ebonics for embrace it)… Here is why I believe we are to really begin to consider the new things to which we are introduced. The Bible says in Romans 6:4 that we should walk in the “newness of life”. Romans 7:6 says that we are dead to the law so that we can be married to another, Christ. We need to embrace The New so we can bring forth new fruit. The purpose of The New is to produce new fruit. If you’re a parent, you know that you can’t birth your son or daughter again. (Some of you wouldn’t want to anyway, smile). The point is that if you want another child, you have to have a new one. If the old, in your life keeps producing the same old things, you should be in the market for The New. God has commissioned us in His Word to walk in The New; The New is where life is.

But here’s the catch, you can’t get in The New if you are stuck on the old. This was Israel’s problem; they were so obsessed with the old, that when The New (Christ) came to earth, they didn’t even recognize Him. He was right before their eyes. What’s new in your life that you can’t even recognize because you’re fighting for things to stay the same old way? Be careful, that you don’t miss out on God’s way of deliverance and blessing because you can’t recognize The New. I say that there is power in The New. What is The New ultimately? The New is Christ. Christ is The New. Gal. 5:17 says, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new.” The system or cycle of God is to pass old things away, and we are to live life, continually grasping forward to that which is new. The reason God never gets old or passes away, is because He is perfect, He is infinite, He has no deterioration, He will not and cannot depreciate, He can not be enhanced, He is new and old at the same time, yet always holding equal value within himself. WOW! God is simply trying to teach us to stay young (in a sense) by not letting the old things of our lives define us, but regain new life, by embrace new things. It is wonderful to be loyal to something or someone for years, but if God introduces you to a new company, or order, or friendship, then at least let it be worth checking out. That promotion might be for you. Sure you’ve never done it before, but hey, Jesus had never gone to the cross before. But look at how many got saved because He embraced the new. I gotta’ go now friends, but The New is out there. “BRACE” it, don’t fear it. One Love!

Peace

2007-08-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

God’s grace truly is amazing (A Message for Men)

Last night I gave a testimony at a revival. My point was to encourage all men who are heads of households. Difficulties and trials will come to test and strengthen us men. God is always building us. So much so, it seems at times He is picking on us. Well, He is sort of. He has HIGH expectations for His men. Men are the image of Him. And when we give our lives to Him, He then is committed to building us into the strongest and best man we could ever become. Every man who has or had a good father should want to be like his dad. God is a good Father, and every man who believes in Him ought to want to be like Him. It’s just that plain and simple. God is ebbing you forward toward manhood. I know you think you are all that already, but you still have room to grow. All of us fall short of the glory God really has for us. Don’t let the trials, like bills, small arguments with you spouse, discontentment with your job, not having what you want, etc., keep you from focusing on what’s important. Say to yourself, whatever I’m going through, God has allowed it and it is for my good. God never does anything to destroy you. I will say that again, GOD WILL NEVER DO OR ALLOW ANYTHING TO DESTROY YOU. If it is in your life, God knows about it, and plans to use it for His glory. Hang in there man of God. Hold your head up. If He called you to lead, then He will provide what you need. Trust Him today. Don’t get frustrated over what you can’t control. I know we like to have things figured out. But why not let God worry about it for a change. Take a break from handling it all. Trick your wife into believing that you have it all under control, but just keep dumping it on Jesus. You’ll be amazed at how much energy you have left to love your family and kids, friends co-workers, etc. Just wanted to drop that message on all the believing brothers today. And if you don’t believe, wheeeeew, I don’t know how you live with all that pressure to measure up to society’s idea of a man. You need to connect with Jesus. It’s as simple as saying, Dear God; I believe that Jesus can save me from this sinful life of man. I believe that He is God enough to do it. You sent Him to get me, so here I am, come into my heart today and save me. ------That one little repetition, can not only keep you from going to hell, but can be the first step to having meaning in your life, releasing baggage in your life, and serving a God who absolutely promises to ALWAYS be on your side. I don’t know about you, but I’m one bad brother with God always on my side. Anyway, I got to run. Peace to you all. Take a stand my brothas, take a stand, you can do it. I am, and We’re winning.

2007-08-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

God’s Love Is Fair...

I’m not sure who you are out there feeling unloved and forgotten. It may even seem like God isn’t looking your way. I’m writing to let you know that there are times when God feels or appears to be so far away. But remember, distance doesn’t change a fact. Distance may alter a feeling, but never a reality. That fact is that God will always and continually does love you. Whether He seems close or far away, this reality and truth never changes. It could be that He loves you so much He is giving you room to grow. Every child who is coming of age needs room to fail and make blunders. Parents purposefully stand by (ready at any moment to intervene) to see how their children handle new situations. New situations call for new responses. God cannot respond the same way He did for you before, you’re in a new and different situation. And based on how you handle the situation, He as any parent would, determines whether or not to treat you with greater maturity and responsibility or to keep you in a childhood stage. When God does things for you the same way all the time, you are not growing. God giving you space is an act of love my friend, not abandonment.

Likewise, sometimes you have no control over where (as in location); people are in your life. But that doesn’t change the fact that you love them. Love is not a feeling. It is both a noun and a verb. It is an object, a state of being, an essence; it cannot be turned on or turned off, it always exists. Love also serves as an action, a way of demonstrating itself to others. God had so much love (noun) for us, that he gave (verb) his only son for us. Romans 5:8 states, “…God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (NLT).” What I’m trying to say my friend is that God not only loves you, but He will demonstrate it to you as well.

Let me leave you with this small demonstration of God’s love. The other day I needed to find the extra keys I had for my car. The same day I was cleaning out my trunk, I removed a jacket that had remained in my car for months. When I was hanging it up, I checked the pockets, and there were my extra keys. I never would have looked in the trunk, in my coat pocket. This small act of love, I felt was God’s way of demonstrating that His ever so personal love for me. God’s love is fair. Don’t you give up on His love! It is the real deal Holyfield. You may have been hurt by other’s love, but God’s love is fair and it never fails. Be encouraged today, he sent me to answer your question you asked in Him in prayer. Yes, He does still love you. Regardless of where you are.

Peace & God Bless!

2007-08-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Fear, you can overcome it!

Fear! A powerful word, yet it can be defeated. Fear stymies, it halts, confuses and oppresses. Why are so many overcome by that which can be overcome? Because we have not been taught the power of Trust. Trust is the foundation of love. Far too many of us are truly uneducated when it comes to understanding and applying real substantive love. True and enduring love always has a foundation and premise of trust. It is because I trust you that I give myself fully to you. It is because I trust you that I make the sacrifices I make with you.

Trust takes fear away. You literally can strip fear of its power when you decide to trust. For example, you prepare to sit in a chair but you’re afraid to sit in it because the leg is wobbly. But then the maintenance technician comes in and tightens the screw. Now you’re willing to sit down WITHOUT fear, because the tech tightened the screw. You now trust that it is safe. My point is, to get rid of any fear; you must replace it with a trust in something that can satisfy that present concern. And who can better satisfy most of your concerns and fears? God! His word encourages us to cast all of our cares upon Him, because He cares for us. Put your trust in God and your fears will subside. Easier said than done my friend. I suggest you take one fear at a time and try to overcome them progressively.

Hundreds, even thousands of believers will miss out on God’s purpose and plan for their lives because fear has talked them into not moving forward. Trust is a risk, but not when placed in God. He never fails. He will never destroy you. He wants only to see your good. And most of all He loved you first.

How can you say you love God, but do not trust Him? How can you say you love God and remain in fear? You’re afraid to take the job – TRUST GOD! You’re afraid to marry – TRUST GOD! You’re afraid to go to the doctor – TRUST GOD! You’re afraid you’ll lose your friends if you start living the way God wants you too – TRUST GOD! You’re afraid to let it go – TRUST GOD! You’re afraid of what will happen in court – TRUST GOD! Well, my friends, believe it or not, I have feared all of those things, but I TRUSTED GOD! And I can honestly agree with Hebrews 13:6 and Psalms 27:1 “…The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.” I implore you to not let FEAR get the best of you today. If you have prayed about it, and have received God’s commission for it, then just do it. Defeat fear with FAITH. You have the power, because you have His word.

Much fear, no faith! Much faith, no fear! We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!

Peace!

2007-08-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

What Does Worship Mean To You?

To me it means to...

Welcome Him into your life today. Make Him the first person with whom you communicate.

Offer your service to Him. Remind Him that you exist for His purpose not yours.

Remember what He has already done on your behalf. Remember how faithful He has already been to you.

Sing before Him the nearest melody you can. Grant Him the pleasure of your personal tune. Sing whatever is in the depths of your soul. He likes originals.

Hear His voice as He whispers direction for your life today. Know that God likes to speak also. Always take a moment to hear His voice; He never steers you wrong.

Invite others into your worship that you think may not be worshipping on their own. Worship for your mate, your children, your family, etc. You’ll be amazed at how God delights in personal worship that becomes corporate. It is an act of unselfishness and compassion.

Present yourself a living sacrifice before His throne. Literally lay out before Him and say here I am Lord to be slain, so that your life can be manifest in me. We all need an altar to be sacrificed upon. We still have too much of ourselves at work. Until God can get you to let go and let God, worship will still very much be about you. Worship MUST be all about HIM!

What does worship mean to you? Post your comment…

Peace

2007-08-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

Today’s challenge is COOPERATION…

What does it mean to cooperate? (Co-Operate)…It simply means to work with another, to operate with someone else toward a mutual end. The key words are work/operate. These are action words. In order to cooperate, you must exert some effort. Sometimes we think cooperating is simply agreeing to let the other party do the work. Agreement is just the first step, but that is not cooperation. To cooperate means you participate. And you participate in order to procreate. It is very difficult to work or participate with another toward something you don’t agree with. The goal of cooperation is to reach a mutually intended result. Anytime you intentionally exert energy or effort, you have a point or goal to accomplish. Your energy should always be used toward bringing something forth, producing, etc. No one should ever really exert effort toward nothingness. When God moves, He moves with intention. God is never doing something or allowing something in your life without a plan to produce that goes with it. But remember, results require the cooperation of at least two. God wants your COOPERATION. This is why God said it is not good for Adam to be alone, so He created Eve. He needed two to procreate. Fruitful businesses need cooperative staff. Fruitful seeds need cooperative soil. Fruitful relationships need cooperative partners.

Both marriages and relationships often fail, because there is not cooperation by both partners. Very often one-partner calls themselves cooperating by allowing the other to take control of the relationship, but very little is ever usually accomplished. You stay together, you go through the motions, but really over the past 5 years what have you accomplished together. I didn’t ask what did you as an individual accomplish, but what did you as a couple accomplish. Go ahead, say it with me, NOTHING, or very little. My point is that if you want positive productivity in your life, you have to find a partner, a company, a church, a friend, etc., to join energy with so you can reach your mutually intended results in life. I don’t know about you, but the older I get, the more selfish I am about my time. It literally begins to irritate me when I find myself working toward something that is going to bring no result. Many of you probably right now are working down a dead end street and you know there is nothing for you at the end of the alley. But you keep working because no one is around to guide you to a more fruitful place or partnership.

Well my friend that’s why I’m here! To help you with today’s challenge, take a few moments to read the very short book of Haggai. Haggai tells a story of God’s people working for themselves instead of COOPERATING with God. God told them because they were very busy building their own houses and lives; He was going to cause their blessings to dwindle away. Have you ever felt like you work more and more, but keep less and less? It’s probably because you’re partnered with someone or something that you can’t find cooperation. Or, more bluntly put, you may not be cooperating with God. I challenge you today, to choose to partner your energy toward a mutual result. Only agree to work toward what you agree is profitable not just for you, but for all those involved. Have a blessed day my friend as you struggle, as many of us are, with COOPERATION!

Leave me your comment anonymously and let me know if you’d like for me to pray for you regarding today’s blog challenge, “cooperation”.

Peace!

2007-08-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

BLANK PAGE…

As I prepared to blog today, I thought and thought and nothing significant captured my spirit. Then I thought, well if you don’t have anything to say, then don’t put up a blog for today. Then I said, but I do have something to say. So, what I have to say is, “Today, I don’t have much to say!” Maybe just saying that is enough for someone today. Sometimes it’s okay to say, I haven’t much to say. Oftentimes, this is when God speaks to us, when we aren’t speaking to others.

Perhaps today’s challenge for us all, is to just LISTEN!

Peace!

2007-07-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

You’ve changed, but you’re really no different…

Everyday we are changing whether we know it or not. But to God we are no different. Those who have placed their faith in His Son have always been and always will be perfect in His sight. His Holy Spirit has been sent to help us change, but we only change into the person God has already made us to be. On the flip side, God never changes, yet He is all the difference in our lives. God can’t change! He is perfect, so to change would mean a different need. God meets all needs, at all times simultaneously without ever having to adjust who He is. God says cooperate with His changes in our lives, but leave the difference up to Him. Yet, from His perspective He says, He’ll work on being our difference while he never changes toward His promises or us. Today you will change my friend, but ultimately, you are no different. God will not change at any point in this day; yet, He will make all the difference in your world. Have a blessed day!!!

2007-07-30T06:17:00.000-07:00

WHEN THINGS DON’T WORK OUT!

When things don’t work out the way we think they should, we may be wrong about how we think things should work out. We often know far to little about the way the future turns out in order to make perfect decisions today.

When things don’t work out, it could be that there is another way of getting it done. Or, it could mean that there is something ahead totally different and even better (or for that matter worse).

When things don’t work out, that sometimes means things may get worse before they get better. But sometimes the getting worse actually turns out better for us in the end. When things don’t work out, it’s all the more reason to begin to look at things from another perspective.

When things don’t work out, we often respond with fear because we cannot control the outcome. Control is one of the biggest deceptions among mankind. To actually think that we can control every facet of our lives is tomfoolery. There are so many facets and intricate details to the human make up, psyche, emotions, body and soul, that it is absolutely foolish to think our small decisions in the day can actually control another’s actions, let alone our actions.

So just remember, when things don’t work out, it simply means, there is more to it than you may not be aware of. But God willing, there will come another day, another shrivel of evidence, in new open door, a new lead, a new contact to resurge hope. Just know that all the pieces aren’t in place yet. So before you throw away the puzzle, just for the moment, get a glimpse of what you think it should look like, and in the end watch how close your picture turns out to your vision, even though things didn’t work out!

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 New Living Translation).”

Peace

2007-03-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

THE KINGDOM - “A world away from home”

At any point we can leave this place. We wonder where we will go. This question has been asked for many centuries; yet there remains a satisfactory answer upon which we all might agree. The remedy for this has been that many have chosen to hold to their own belief and can better rest at night with their personal convictions. However, there are others who believe, that there is no other world; that there is no place beyond this level of consciousness. It seems all to odd that such a uniquely and brilliantly designed human being would exist for some 60 or 70 years (sometimes 3, 18, 24, 30, these are real tragedies), only to find that there is nowhere else to exist but in this realm. Where is this place that people go when they daydream? Where is it that people go when they become really inspired and passionate? From whence do such incredible experiences emanate? I am led to believe that there is a world away from home as we know it. Aren’t there places we go and we feel more comfortable there, than we do in our own environment? Perhaps there is a Kingdom being built in another dimension directly among us. Have you ever felt the presence of another and you know that no one physically is in the room, but if you had to prove it you couldn’t? Why can’t we prove those valuable moments in life? Perhaps, those moments are not intended to be revealed, yet! This Kingdom is like a mustard seed that when planted is extremely small; yet it grows to benefit many. The Kingdom starts within, and works its way out. People who talk about hope and bright futures usually have tasted the Kingdom. But those of darkness and perpetual depression have yet to enter in. It is almost a for sure shun to speak openly about global unity, a moral humanity, brotherly love and peace. Today, people are more cynical than ever. We are buying more material things to numb the pain from the droves of lost relationships and lack of meaning and fulfillment in our lives. Jesus, the Christ taught His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10).” As I write, as I continue to create opportunities and atmospheres for this Kingdom to come, I find that this pleases God. If I exist, then my existence is for His Kingdom, not mine. I am slowly being dethroned, only to hear myself recite the very words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease (St. John 3:30).” Only this time I understand the meaning more deeply. Perhaps what you have often sensed or experienced is true; be consoled thereby. There is a world away from home as we know it today; there is ultimate Good, Peace, Unity and Love. It is simply being built in another world not very far away, until it manifests with those who have sensed it and choose to believe in it. Faith in Jesus Christ is the way to enter this Kingdom. It is the truest Kingdom of Power that will pay the greatest dividend; eternal life with complete rule and authority over the earth.

There is more to this story. I will be talking about this Kingdom all year, stay tuned…
Post a comment below and let me know what you believe!!!!!!

2007-01-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

Bold Trouble…Bold BLESSING…

I am always amazed at the splendor and wonderment of our God. Who would have thought that 2006 would have been as challenging or as rewarding as it was. That’s just it; with everyday of blessing for you, could be a day of trouble for another. The key to living successfully and peacefully in 2007 is learning to embrace both the trouble and the blessing. I am reminded of the words of Paul as he said in Philippians 4:11, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Paul had mastered the art of adjusting; being capable of living with enough, without enough and with just enough.

Every year people resolve to live their lives one way, and that way is LARGE. But frustration most often sets in because while trying to attain the LARGE lifestyle, they miss out on the “small” and the “medium” lifestyle, which prepares you oh so well for the LARGE. The Bible teaches us in the book of Zechariah chapter four, not to despise the day of small things; And I Timothy 5:22 encourages us to lay hands, (as in conferring authority and blessing), suddenly on no man. In other words, learn to let things run their course. Don’t be hasty to arrive, learn to enjoy the journey. I believe there to be great wisdom in this. We must not set out in 2007 looking to live LARGE; we must learn to live period. In this there is tremendous growth and satisfaction. Yes, there will be pain and loss, but my pastor once shared with me, that he has never seen a storm that did not pass. You must learn that if trouble is bold enough to confront you, then blessing will be bold enough to confront you as well. Deuteronomy 28:2 states, “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.” Just as we have oft times been overtaken in a fault, we can be overtaken in a blessing. Stand clear man or woman of God. This year, don’t just look over your shoulder in paranoia of trouble, but look over your shoulder as if the blessing of the Lord is pursuing you, and you can’t wait to greet it.

God did not create us to experience hardship only. Life has enough blessing for us all. It is not just for the wealthy, or the smart or the morally sound. Blessings come to us all. The rain falls on the just and the unjust. There are blessings that are due you just because you are alive. But when you are a child of God and have been following Him by faith, Hebrews eleven says that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God will reward you just for looking for Him. Tell yourself right now, if I stand to face trouble this year, then I stand to face blessing as well. Bold Trouble…Bold BLESSING!

Click on comment below and leave me your thoughts or experiences…

2006-12-28T09:38:00.000-08:00

If Heaven Weren’t Real…

If Heaven weren’t real, where would we rest in eternity? Why endure the hardships in this life only to live eternally in another city of turmoil. One would have to presuppose that if there were no Heaven, then there must be no Hell. But just existing without hope, bliss or rest, in utter nothingness is hell itself. If Heaven weren’t real, then the Angels have no home. They have no place to refresh and retrieve message in between rescuing and assisting humans on earth. While there are those who have reported having visited Heaven and returned to tell about it, their stories still remain suspect by both believers and non-believers. Nonetheless, heaven no doubt is true place for those with faith. Countless debates have emerged about this desired utopia, but few can substantially and evidentially proclaim with certainty that it exists. How about you, do you believe? And if so Why? Leave me a comment; I’d love to discuss it with you.

2006-12-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

It was tougher than I thought…

I can remember taking a test for which I actually had studied very intently. I had great enthusiasm, was well prepared and had plenty of rest. I thought for sure I would ace this exam. But much to my dismay, I faired worst than most in the class. I was devastated. I was confused. I was confused because sometimes as Christians we believe that if we finally do the right things, our situations in life will always turn out in our favor. However, throughout my experiences of living for the Lord, I have discovered that this clearly is not the case. There are some exams that are just tougher than you thought. It is not that you have sinned the night before; or that God is punishing you for something you did a week ago and did not confess. It is simply that the test was hard, and you barely passed. I was however able to realize that my studying did count for something. I didn’t fail the test; it was just tougher than I thought. Sometimes life can be tougher than you think. Hence, my word of encouragement to you is not to put the blame on yourself, but perhaps to just recognize that this one got the best of you. We all would be greater if we’d learn to grow from our mistakes rather than shrink in shame. Try to remember, that there are as many voices calling us up higher, as there are temptations ebbing us lower. The difference in our choice, is realizing that the mistakes we have made in life are not worth a step backward, but are every bit worth our stepping forward. Keeping the right perspective on events will help us be confident in this fact, that some things are just tougher than we thought!

2006-12-14T11:29:00.000-08:00

“A L G O” - And Life Goes On…

When you hit a snag in your zipper or sweater, you remove the piece that is caught, sometimes having to cut it loose, and life goes on…

When you made a mistake and others knew it but no-one judged you, you learned how important it is to not judge others, and life goes on…

When you wake up and realize there is a little more age on your face than yesterday, you smile anyhow, brush your teeth, and life goes on…

When you hurt someone you love, and you didn’t really mean it, but they forgive you and you are still friends today, you hug and embrace, and life goes on…

When you’re scared to love again because of your past, but you meet someone who truly and sincerely wants nothing from you, you love again, and life goes on…

When cowards steal from you some of your most valuable treasures, and you realize you’re still alive, you file a claim for what was lost, and life goes on…

When people ask you how you made it to be so successful; you turn to them and say, every morning I place my life in the care of the Life Giver, and life goes on…

A L G O 2007

2006-12-05T07:55:00.000-08:00

What Does Your Rain Mean?

Yesterday, I walked outside for a breath of fresh air. The day was clear and warm. But as soon as I walked outside it began to rain. My first response was a smile, as if to say, could this really be happening? Then I thought about it, and instead of seeing it as a negative, I saw it as a positive. To me, my rain meant that God was about to rain on me a myriad of blessings. I saw it as His outpour of favor on my life. Perhaps He waited for me to walk outside to communicate His rain to me personally. He wasn’t saying go back inside; It was His way of saying I have been holding the rain, waiting for you to come out, just to let you know the latter rain is coming. I smiled joyously and ran inside my office to journal this moment. Today, I share it with you. Have a Rainy Day!

2006-11-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

SING AS YOU GO!

“Yet even now, be free from your captivity! Leave Babylon, singing as you go; shout to the ends of the earth that the Lord has redeemed his servants, the Jews (Isaiah 48:20, TLB).”

As I was reading God’s Word today, I felt encouraged to share with someone, to SING AS YOU GO! Most times when God delivers us from some form of captivity, we wait until it is completely over before we begin to sing. I know from experience that after you have lived in something for so long, even when you get out of it, you have become so used to the dysfunction of it, that you continue in its action. God’s people had been in captivity in Babylon for 70 years, and God was saying to them, I have delivered you from your oppression, now SING AS YOU GO! In other words, don’t wait until you are out completely, sing while you are leaving. There’s an old song we used to sing in my church, it was called: “Don’t Wait until the Battle Is Over, Shout Now.”

Many of us, when we are traveling to our various destinations, often times turn on the radio. And when we know it’s going to be a long trip, we sing songs along the way. Well, God is saying two things to us in this text. First, He is saying your deliverance is sure, Sing Now! Don’t be afraid to trust that deliverance is actually happening. When you see the signs of God’s deliverance, claim it and start singing. Secondly, He is letting us know that we have a long journey ahead of us. Deliverance is only the beginning. To come out of is just the transition to being brought into. I don’t want to just shout over being brought out of, I want to sing all the way to being brought into. How about you?

I know many of you have experienced some sort of captivity to an old habit, bad relationship, etc. But know this, when you finally leave that job, sing as you go; when you leave that relationship, sing as you go; when you leave that sin, sing as you go. Whatever captivity you are in, God can get you out of it; and when He does, SING AS YOU GO! It is not as much a mockery to the enemy, as it is a certainty to the redeemed. The text said to shout to the ends of the earth that God has redeemed; it is the redeemed of the Lord that ought to say so. Remember, if God has allowed you to get in it, He has the power to get you out of it. Just remember to SING AS YOU GO!

2006-11-28T10:23:00.000-08:00

COMMUNITY THINKING

Paul’s Idea of Community…
The Apostle Paul’s idea of a church meeting seemed to be one with an emphasis on those gathered, as opposed to the church building in which they gathered.

When I first envisioned Community of Believers Ministries, its original design was to have no functional church as we know it today. It was only to have a sanctuary, used for corporate worship only. No meetings, committees, classes, etc. The ministry was designed to create a network of Believers, who connected with one another daily, weekly, monthly (more like the Lucan account expresses in Acts chs. 2 & 4). This design was emphasized to encourage personal development with like Believers; producing a more rapid and more efficient growth in each disciple. In relationships of trust, there is less to contend about, and more time to encourage growth. Note these excerpts taken from Paul’s Idea of Community, by Robert Banks; p.41:

“Paul’s rather vague way of referring to meetings of the whole church suggest that its meetings were less frequent. Since voluntary and cult associations met on a monthly basis, these larger Christian gatherings may well have followed suit.”

“…the term ekklesia consistently refers to actual gatherings of Christians as such, or to Christians in a local area conceived or defined as a regularly-assembling community….And never during this period is the term applied to the building in which Christians meet.”

“It was not until the third century do we have evidence of special buildings being constructed for Christian gatherings and, even then, they were modelled on the room into which guests were received in the typical Roman and Greek household.”

My point of emphasis is that I believe growth happens in communities, not necessarily in churches. (When I use the term church I use it as we know it today, the more structured and systematic version with a building and usually associated with a denomination or some form of hierarchy.) I see a lot of church gathering today, but often very little growth in the production of mature disciples. There is a whole new generation of children, youth and teens who know very little Bible, but they know praise and worship. Effective praise and worship has, in my experience, always been precipitated by a good foundation in the Word. Community is needed for growth, just as church is needed for worship. However, every community must have a connection to mature and healthy believers who have proven to produce fruit that lasts over time. Am I saying that Mega Churches are invalid? Not at all, I just think we need the Mega Church along with the community of Believers to help make Mega Disciples.

2006-11-17T08:01:00.000-08:00

WHAT IF:

What if people were grey with no variation in shade, and there was no color in our land. I bet we’d appreciate the different shades of color without prejudice then.

What if time stood still every time we made a mistake, so we could correct it?

What if all your lines in life were given to someone else, and you now have a non speaking role, what would you say?

What if you could spend one day on death row?

What if the stars cast no light, would the spirits be able to see?

What if tomorrow never came, would we be content to repeat the past?

What if the whole world was affected by a famine, would we all love one another then?

What if crime did pay? Would you become a criminal or remain moral because it’s right?

What if you were falling from a 30 story building verses a 3 story building, would your thoughts be different on the way down?

What if while trying to lose weight, you gained weight instead, would you still be positive?

What if you couldn’t walk, would you still treat people the same?

What if you got an urgent phone call from the coroner about your dad you never phoned? Would there be remorse?

2006-10-25T07:59:00.000-07:00

THE PAINS OF LIFE

Everything comes with a little pain with it. True or false? Many people would have different answers. But I believe that it all comes with pain. There is always pain; you just may not see it. For every action, someone somewhere pays for it. Here are just a few examples: In growth there is pain; In loss there is pain; In success there is pain; in failure there is pain; When you wake up there is pain; When you lie down, there is pain. And these are just a few that we all can identify with. Nonetheless, why does pain exist? I choose to believe that pain is a sign, a means of knowing that something has changed. There are minor pains, and major pains, but both serve as a sign that life has adjusted somewhere for you. Many of us live life trying to avoid pain, when in actuality; pain is just the messenger of a bigger or better problem or profit. Remember, pain is not only the sign of a bad thing, but the sign of a good thing as well. The increased pain of a pregnant woman could mean that she is ready for labor, and ooohhhh the joy of having a child. It hurts, but the reward is incomparable. If we learn how to see pain as a cohort rather than enemy, we might have better direction in life. The cancer may never have grown to the stage it is, if we would have heeded the warning of the pain in the previous months. The pain I feel right now is a sign of things shifting, a sign of great blessing. You don’t receive anything good without first experiencing the pain that precedes it. Even when you think you received something effortlessly, believe me, somewhere in that process, someone had a pain for it. At a very tumultuous time in my life I phoned a friend for comfort. The words of my friend were this, “It’s going to get worse, before it gets better”. I thought to myself, you are not the person I want to talk to. But my friend was right. Get worse it did. I suffered loss, confidence, friends, and the list goes on. However, I have learned that where loss occurs, there is an opportunity created for gain. When one quits, there is an opportunity for a new hire. When money is taken, new money can be gained. I remember losing a friend, she died in the hospital, but not before she had her baby. She died, but a life was given. God is in the business of exchange. He exchanges, joy for sorrow, comfort for pain, reason for confusion, abundance for lack. It just depends on how you see and register your pain. Pay attention to the pain, it could be God’s way of saying a change is coming for your good. No transition is comforting while you are in it. No one likes packing boxes and moving, but there also is nothing like arriving to your new home, or new office or new relationship. Pain has also indicated to me that things were wrong. But even in the negatives of life I have learned to be grateful for the pain, because I became aware that I needed to do something about it. Embrace pain, God is allowing it for your growth. Because the bottom line in all of this is that no pain comes without anticipating healing. The body is designed to recover from life’s unforeseen dilemmas. If God has allowed the pain, His remedy is healing. The goal of any pain is growth and renewal. Not simply restoration in all cases, because to be restored is to be only as good as you were. But God has brought pain to some of us to renew us, to make us better than we were before. Now that’s worth the suffering. “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen (I Peter 5:10, 11 NRSV)”.

2006-09-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

BE AWARE OF YOURSELF
It can make for a brighter day…

When I arose to meet the day, I thought to myself, what an awesome day. I commended God for His beauty in the atmosphere. I know that in all parts of the world, the day is not the same. For many, others may have looked outside into snow, or rain and storm. But a day doesn’t have to be reflective of only its outward observations. A day can be made by the climate of one’s soul; your inner conscience that gives you personal awareness. Your spirit gives you God consciousness, your body gives you world consciousness, but your soul gives you self consciousness. Why not choose to brighten up your soul today, even though your actual day is gloomy. It is a double advantage when the actual day matches the brightness of your soul. Many folks envy the all year round sunny Southern California weather. Many have lived there and have moved away. But the sun doesn’t have to stop shining just because you have moved away. Let the Son shine in your soul. Be aware of yourself. Be aware that there are more things well about you than bad. If you indeed are able to still sense your consciousness and recognize the day, you are miles ahead of many who wish they were in your shoes. Every situation is relative. There is always someone else out there who would love to be in your shoes. Let us be less judgmental and more grateful. Perhaps this in and of itself will make for a brighter day. Enjoy the Son, as He enjoins you! Peace…

2006-09-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

HOPE

In light of all that is happening in our world. Hurricanes, floods, fires, wars, terrorism, etc., have significantly of late created an atmosphere of fear and skepticism. For all of us, I offer these words of HOPE.

Psalms 46 (Quoted from the New Living Translation)

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! (Interlude)
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of he Most High.
God himself lives in that city; it cannot be destroyed. God will protect it at the break of day.
The nations are in an uproar, and kingdoms crumble! God thunders and the earth melts!
The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. (Interlude)
Come , see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world
and causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear in two; he burns the shields with fire.
“Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.

2006-09-18T07:40:00.000-07:00

Galatians 6:9

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart (NKJV)”.

The natural pressures, worries and cares of life are enough to cause anyone to let out a big SIGH! However, the Word of the Lord encourages us to not be weary. To be weary according to Webster’s Dictionary means to be exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor and freshness; having your pleasure exhausted. I would paraphrase it by saying you have run out of feeling good. Many times we feel this way for justifiably natural reasons. But let me remind you of the spiritual reason why you feel this way. It is because you are doing good; And because you are doing good, in your mind the cycle of reciprocity should bring some consistency, pay off, reward or benefit for doing so. As the Scripture stated, be not weary in well doing. It is the well doers who are feeling worn out. The non-well doers keep making it happen. It is those of us who know we have to wait when God says wait. We don’t’ want to start anything that God has not sanctioned. So it is pressure on us to trust God. God promised Abraham, He would bless him through his own loins. It took twenty five years before God birthed Isaac to Abraham and Sarah. Talk about weary in the meantime. Read his account and you’ll see some pretty foolish things they both did, while waiting. I write this to say, while waiting, try not to get weary. For the end account of Abraham was blessing. The final part of the text intimates that you will reap if you do not lose heart. Keep the faith my brothers and sisters. It may be taking a while, but it is sure to come. Post a comment below and tell me some things you are waiting for, and I will pray with you that your strength will be restored. Have a great day!

2006-09-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

How Long Can Bread Really Last?
John 7:26-29

The Word of the Lord says that many followers of Jesus were doing so because of the physical needs He was meeting in their lives. But His instruction to them was to not serve or follow Him for the natural food that perishes, but instead to follow for the food which endures unto everlasting life. They replied to Him by asking in what way can we labor to get this kind of bread? His response to them was to simply believe in Him, Christ, whom the Father has sent. At the time that I was studying this, I was quite hungry, and could physically sense the struggle one may have with having the physical needs satisfied. But Christ abruptly interrupted my hunger pains to say, my hunger should be for the food that doesn’t perish. For they that hunger and thirst for righteousness sake, shall be filled (Matt. 5:6). I have always thought that the prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 was asking God to give us our daily physical bread. But today, I realized that it is the daily bread of heaven that is needed to survive in this world. For Jesus is the Bread of Life, and all who feed from Him shall never hunger or thirst again. Recently, I threw away a couple of end pieces of bread that no-one likes to eat, and usually sits around until it molds. The bread couldn’t be eaten because it went bad. But Jesus teaches us today, that He is the bread that won’t go bad. And if you eat what won’t go bad, you won’t go bad. In fact you’ll live forever, spiritually that is. Mind you, I am still going to eat natural food today, but it certainly won’t take priority over the spiritual daily bread I need from my Father. Perhaps we should ask ourselves, why we are following Christ. Are we following only for the physical things He provides? God is pleased by our faith above anything else. Show Him you believe in Him today not just for the money, the house, the car or the fame; but rather show Him you trust Him for His spiritual provisions that give you life eternal. The Bible later states that many followers left following Him, because this was too hard a thing to do or understand. All they knew was the physical. But it takes stronger and deeper followers to see into the next dimension of The Daily Bread. There are provisions that satisfy greater than any physical parameter imaginable. Have you had your daily bread today? If so, how long does your bread last? Post your comment below!

2006-09-14T11:58:00.000-07:00

Psalm 31: 1-24

The Lord a Fortress in Adversity

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

New King James Version

1. In You, O Lord, I put my trust; Let me never be ashamed; Deliver me in Your righteousness. 2. Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me. 3. For Your are my rock and my fortress; Therefore, for Your name's sake, Lead me and guide me. 4. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. 5. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. 6. I have hated those who regard useless idols; But I trust in the Lord. 7. I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, For you have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities, 8. And have not shut me up into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a wide place. 9. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am in trouble; My eye wastes away with grief, Yes, my soul and my body! 10. For my life is spent with grief, And my years with sighing; My strength fails because of my iniquity, And my bones waste away. 11. I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me. 12. I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13. For I hear the slander of many; Fear is on every side; While they take counsel together agaist me, They scheme to take away my life. 14. But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." 15. My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. 16. Make Your face shine upon Your servant; save me for Your mercies' sake. 17. Do not let me be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon You; Let the wicked be ashamed; Let them be silent in the grave. 18. Let the lying lips be put to silence, Which speak insolent things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. 19. Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! 20. You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavillion From the strife of tongues. 21. Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! 22. For I said in my haste, "I am cut off from before Your eyes"; Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications When I cried out to You. 23. Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. 24. Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

2006-09-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Lower your Expectations; But Raise your Standards

Don't give to EXPECT; And don't EXPECT to give; Because God gives when you least EXPECT it! Most of us have learned that if we give something away, we should expect something in return. While this is a true semantic, when we finally recieve what we have been expecting, doesn't it seem less appreciated when we feel it is our just deserve? What if we learned instead to give away without expecting anything in return, perhaps life would be the sweeter. In fact I believe that true praise, appreciation and effective adulation comes from those who have learned to forsake the expectation. Many of us feel that people owe us, in fact even God owes us; And when we receive our just due, we actually feel better about life. But is not the contentment experienced, due to satisfaction of the once altered attitude with justice instead of the actual items recieved? This is something to look into a little further. Is life to be lived expecting apologies, affirmations and applauses just to make us feel better? If so, we will never really learn to appreciate what we receive due to our selfish desire of expecting. A very good example of this can be seen throughout the world in various races that feel, or in fact have experienced some form of injustice. Some races live expecting things from other races due to their past unfair treatments. Because these expectations are not yet completely met, the races develop increased hostility toward one another. While justice is warranted in many cases, perhaps the hostility would be reduced, if we simply reduced our expectations. I'm not suggesting that lowering the expectation means to become passive, I am simply pointing out how attitudes can quite possibly be negatively impacted when we don't get what we think we deserve or want. If in fact one may believe that God is the True, Just and Fair God, then if there is anything due to you, you will receive it when you least expect it. Lower your expectations, but raise your standards. Decide to live by a higher principle or code of ethics. Choose to have character enough for life to deal with both injustices and justice. Don't only live for what is right, for in doing so, you will be sorely disappointed. Your expectations will continue to increase, and you will continue to be let down. I am suggesting a coming up in thought (Higher Thought). Raise the level of your thinking and accept rather than expect what life offers you. Appreciate what you have. Everyday is a day with enough in it, to enjoy it. We often pass those experiences while looking for what may never come, simply because we're expecting it. Remember why you are here, not so much as to receive, as you are to give. But remember, don't give to expect, nor expect to give. Even giving is a privilege. There are thousands of people who would love to give, but don't have to give. The fact that you can give, is not something you should always expect to be able to do. Appreciate that you can give today, and pray that you will be able to tomorrow. Life becomes less weight for us when we don't carry what really isn't there anyway. Life is about trust; Trust that all we deserve is being calculated, and at the time that we need it most, it will be provided. God gives when we least expect it!

2006-09-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

Remembering 9/11

To thousands of families that suffered through this terrible terrorist tragedy some five years ago, the family of Faith offers its prayers, comforting wishes and condolences. We who did not experience such a loss can in no way imagine how you must feel. For this type of loss is different from any other loss. It was the act of terrorism. A crime of hate and senseless envy. It wasn't an accident, or a loss due to age in natural timing. But one of which the likes of us would never imagine or have even thought up in our minds to be prepared for. Our hearts are towards you, as our prayers are toward Heaven. To the heros who saved, fought and cried. We offer a whopping thanks. For your faithfulness and dedication, you are remembered. For many of you, that is why you signed on for the type of job you have, because you value safety. Just think, if you hadn't chosen your profession, perhaps even more lives would have been lost. From those of us who haven't a 1/3 of your courage we salute you and say "Job Well Done!" As survivors in the USA, we must go one, but we musn't forget! We remember this day not as a day of sadness and endless remorse, but as a day worth reflecting upon because out of such a bad event came so many points of honor! May the Grace of our God be our comfort and protection, both today and forever more.

2006-09-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

I remember learning in school about free writing. My professor instructed us to write whatever came to our minds. The free thinking alone, was self liberating. It inspired more critical writing in my future works. I was led to believe that good writing came from a really serious approach and therefore would take a lot of time to do. Because it was presented to be such a tedious task, I often chose not to write at all. However, once I began free writing from free thinking, I felt a fresh sense of inspiration and became less afraid of my own criticism. Of course my free writing was not my final draft, but it did give me a place to start and revisit. There is a scripture in the Bible that says, as a man thinks, so is he in his heart. Free writing helped me see myself more objectively. I began to see that some of what I was writing, was me on paper. Looking at myself from the outside, allowed me to better analyze some of my personal thoughts, belief systems, values, and patterns. I can't thank my college professors enough for turning me on to the world of free thinking and free writing. This tool has been valuable in solidifying my confidence to write more constructively.