The year is officially over. This year for me has been like a rollercoaster of ups and downs and loops and sideways turns. It has taken the last bit of what I have left in me to be thankful and somewhat happy this holiday season. But enough about this year lets look toward the future.
I want this coming year to be the best in my life...So far. In fact I feel that it will be the best year so far. No matter what happens no matter what comes my way I am determined to make this the most fruitful year yet not only mentality, but physically and spiritually.
I hope that everyone that makes new years resolutions will be successful in going through with them. Good Luck and God Bless.
Happy New Year!!!!!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Mrs. Regina
A women of passion and abundant love. That is how I would describe one of my self declared second moms. I only knew her for a short time, but in that time she showed me enough love for a lifetime. She was an amazing women with a passion for God and helping people.
The first time I remember seeing Mrs. Regina was when she and her husband brought our class lunch from this wonderful place called artic snow. She reminded me a little of Sharon Osbourne the way her hair was styled. I thought whoa she looks like one tough cookie, but at the same time she had this atmosphere around her of love. I couldn't explain it.
Sometime later I became good friends with her daughter Payden. I would say more than good friends. She became to me a best friend.
I started to help out around Celebrate Recovery a Christ centered 12 step program that was started by Mrs. Regina and family after the sudden and tragic death of her son to a drug overdose. At Celebrate Recovery I got to see Mrs. Regina's passion and love spread and thrive in that place on Friday nights.
This women was a trooper for Christ. Her loss turned into a whole county's gain. Her Passion and love were so awesome.
I had the privilege to spending a good part of my senior year around her. She treated me like a son. She stood up for me and loved me like a mother. She through her actions taught me a great deal about Passion and love.
There are so many good memories, but I wished this story was full of happy memories, but sadly it is not.
Right after we graduated me and Mrs. Regina got into a argument over how I was teaching the children's class at celebrate recovery and after that I slowly started drifting away. I lost contact with them and only spoke to Payden on occasions.
I wanted to go back, but my pride got in the way. Thank God though that I got over it just in time. I got the chance in September to see Mrs. Regina at a wedding I was in. I told her I was sorry for how I left and how I was immature about the whole situation. I told her that I had lost a lot of friends and a best friend to me, payden. She hugged me and told me that she loved me and that it took real guts to tell her all that. We talked for a few minutes. And some of the last words she ever said to me were this and I will carry these to my grave. "My true friends will take me back".
Mrs. Regina died suddenly on November 15, 2006. Heaven has surely gained from earth's loss.
I got to see her a few days before she died at a Pageant that Payden was in. I got to hug her neck before I left.
There is so much I want to say more about this women. I loved her. I may have only known her a short time, but what a wonderful time it was.
I know my tears no matter how many I cry will not bring her back nor will they delete that period of time that I was away from her. Nor my words. In fact my words do not bring this women justice nor will any amount ever will.
My prayers go out to Mr. Donnie and Payden as they go through life without their wife and mother.
My prayer is that one day here on earth I will regain the full friendship with payden that I once had. If it be possible.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as a pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting you will make all things right if I surrender to Your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next. - Amen
The first time I remember seeing Mrs. Regina was when she and her husband brought our class lunch from this wonderful place called artic snow. She reminded me a little of Sharon Osbourne the way her hair was styled. I thought whoa she looks like one tough cookie, but at the same time she had this atmosphere around her of love. I couldn't explain it.
Sometime later I became good friends with her daughter Payden. I would say more than good friends. She became to me a best friend.
I started to help out around Celebrate Recovery a Christ centered 12 step program that was started by Mrs. Regina and family after the sudden and tragic death of her son to a drug overdose. At Celebrate Recovery I got to see Mrs. Regina's passion and love spread and thrive in that place on Friday nights.
This women was a trooper for Christ. Her loss turned into a whole county's gain. Her Passion and love were so awesome.
I had the privilege to spending a good part of my senior year around her. She treated me like a son. She stood up for me and loved me like a mother. She through her actions taught me a great deal about Passion and love.
There are so many good memories, but I wished this story was full of happy memories, but sadly it is not.
Right after we graduated me and Mrs. Regina got into a argument over how I was teaching the children's class at celebrate recovery and after that I slowly started drifting away. I lost contact with them and only spoke to Payden on occasions.
I wanted to go back, but my pride got in the way. Thank God though that I got over it just in time. I got the chance in September to see Mrs. Regina at a wedding I was in. I told her I was sorry for how I left and how I was immature about the whole situation. I told her that I had lost a lot of friends and a best friend to me, payden. She hugged me and told me that she loved me and that it took real guts to tell her all that. We talked for a few minutes. And some of the last words she ever said to me were this and I will carry these to my grave. "My true friends will take me back".
Mrs. Regina died suddenly on November 15, 2006. Heaven has surely gained from earth's loss.
I got to see her a few days before she died at a Pageant that Payden was in. I got to hug her neck before I left.
There is so much I want to say more about this women. I loved her. I may have only known her a short time, but what a wonderful time it was.
I know my tears no matter how many I cry will not bring her back nor will they delete that period of time that I was away from her. Nor my words. In fact my words do not bring this women justice nor will any amount ever will.
My prayers go out to Mr. Donnie and Payden as they go through life without their wife and mother.
My prayer is that one day here on earth I will regain the full friendship with payden that I once had. If it be possible.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as a pathway to peace. Taking as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it, trusting you will make all things right if I surrender to Your will, so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with you forever in the next. - Amen
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
We are the church......Part2
So, I've, for sometime have known that I look at the Bible and the Church and the Christian religion differently. Tonight I was reminded of that again. In a good way in my opinion, Ok so here is the deal. I was at a table with about 8-9 people and we were discussing a video we had just watched. Well, Things were cruising along I was keeping my mouth shut observing people and getting a feel for their beliefs, but in the middle of it I seen a trend. The comment popped up that it is not easy to be a Christian, but in our southern culture it is the "fad" to be a Christian cause we are such "religious" people down here. Now here It took me some effort from chiming in on what I'm about to say here.
Ok..So, I would agree with them on that part of being easy to "be" a Christian in the south, but I believe the rest of the United States has this problem and here is why....I think it is easier in the United States to claim Christianity because the church has slacked off in what is acceptable even when the Bible gives strict direction and law. WE (church) do not teach firm, true, Christian values anymore. WE have bent the rules so that we allow things in the church that never should be there. Listen I know I'm making some people made right now. That is fine by me. I want too. If you are not thinking then you cannot grow.
God has laid down rules that must be followed. They cannot be bent. Just because we are a society that tries to be sensitive doesn't mean the church should be. WE have gotten to a point where we cannot tell the true believers in Christ to those that are lying. We require so little of God's children now. As long as you come to church every Sunday, and maybe sometimes on wed, or other events and tithe then your good. NO, that is not ALL and will never be all. God commands us to be examples unto the world. Not to be slothful. He commands us to be LIGHTS!!!! I'm sick of the church feeding the mentality that a culture or the devil is the problem when it is our lack of strong hand and obedience is the reason for the lack of true God and the lack of true Christians to do "Gods work". I'm not hitting on any certain denomination. I am hitting on the entire church. Me, You (True Christians). I'm as guilty has you are. I want everyone to be a Christian and I know sometimes I want and have bent the rules to tell someone that its ok.. You are going to heaven. When really their actions earns them straight, one way tickets to hell. I know I am deserving of hell also, but I have the grace of God on me that he took away my punishment through Jesus dying on the cross.
CHURCH.. Being a Christian is not EASY that is for sure, but WE make it seem easy. WE got to buckle down get back down to SIN is SIN no matter what it is. From committing adultery to gossip.
We have to stop blaming our problems on our culture, nation's sensitivity issues, personal beliefs and start takeing responsibility and getting back to the church that will not stand for anything that is not in line with the Bible, no matter how hard it may seem to tell someone the Biblical truth.
Ok..So, I would agree with them on that part of being easy to "be" a Christian in the south, but I believe the rest of the United States has this problem and here is why....I think it is easier in the United States to claim Christianity because the church has slacked off in what is acceptable even when the Bible gives strict direction and law. WE (church) do not teach firm, true, Christian values anymore. WE have bent the rules so that we allow things in the church that never should be there. Listen I know I'm making some people made right now. That is fine by me. I want too. If you are not thinking then you cannot grow.
God has laid down rules that must be followed. They cannot be bent. Just because we are a society that tries to be sensitive doesn't mean the church should be. WE have gotten to a point where we cannot tell the true believers in Christ to those that are lying. We require so little of God's children now. As long as you come to church every Sunday, and maybe sometimes on wed, or other events and tithe then your good. NO, that is not ALL and will never be all. God commands us to be examples unto the world. Not to be slothful. He commands us to be LIGHTS!!!! I'm sick of the church feeding the mentality that a culture or the devil is the problem when it is our lack of strong hand and obedience is the reason for the lack of true God and the lack of true Christians to do "Gods work". I'm not hitting on any certain denomination. I am hitting on the entire church. Me, You (True Christians). I'm as guilty has you are. I want everyone to be a Christian and I know sometimes I want and have bent the rules to tell someone that its ok.. You are going to heaven. When really their actions earns them straight, one way tickets to hell. I know I am deserving of hell also, but I have the grace of God on me that he took away my punishment through Jesus dying on the cross.
CHURCH.. Being a Christian is not EASY that is for sure, but WE make it seem easy. WE got to buckle down get back down to SIN is SIN no matter what it is. From committing adultery to gossip.
We have to stop blaming our problems on our culture, nation's sensitivity issues, personal beliefs and start takeing responsibility and getting back to the church that will not stand for anything that is not in line with the Bible, no matter how hard it may seem to tell someone the Biblical truth.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
The Blitz of the Blogs
If you haven't been in a hole you probably know by now that blogging has taken the internet by storm. Professionals to ordinary people like me have helped feed this new wave of self expression and freedom of thought and speech. Well, the biggest question in the world "What has made blogging such a big thing". I have compiled a few points that are my personal opinions to why blogging has become so popular.
We as human beings are curious. We like to know what people are thinking, good or bad. Blogging is a way for people to speak up about their opinions on things ranging from news, life, clothing, religion, technology, etc. Anything that you can think of probably somewhere on the net is a blog that someone has posted about it on what they think of it. Granted we don't always have the same view points, but it's the fact that we are able to get a glimpse into someone else's idea on a subject is fascinating just in its self.
The next point is that blogging is a way for us to vent either to a specific people or person about how we feel about a subject or occurrences in the world. Some people know that their blogs won't ever be seen by anymore than just random web surfers or by maybe a family member or friend, but it is the fact that they can spread their opinion on the net is all that matters to them.
For my third and final point, blogging and reading blogs is addictive. I can't really explain it, but for you that understand what I'm talking about you know what I mean. There is something about setting down with a cup or earl grey and laying back in your big comfy leather chair or setting at your desk or even on your bed propped up or wherever it is you do your blogging/blog readings and just enjoying what other people have written on a subject or random thing that interests you.
Those are just a few reasons I believe blogging has taken the internet by storm. Of course I have several other ideas, but those are the major ones. I believe blogging is an awesome way for people to interact, gain ideas, analyze opinions, or just write down your thoughts about the day.
As far as why I blog, I blog for a couple reasons. I am doing it as a research project just to see how over the years when I look back how much my opinion on a matter has changed or my writing style, my approach, my beliefs, likes, dislikes change. I also blog because It is a way for me to give my thoughts on a matter. A place for me to rant and rave about how much I dislike or like something. But mostly a place for me to state what matters most to be, my opinions on something.
This (Blogging) is a movement of whatever it is you feel moved to post about.
We as human beings are curious. We like to know what people are thinking, good or bad. Blogging is a way for people to speak up about their opinions on things ranging from news, life, clothing, religion, technology, etc. Anything that you can think of probably somewhere on the net is a blog that someone has posted about it on what they think of it. Granted we don't always have the same view points, but it's the fact that we are able to get a glimpse into someone else's idea on a subject is fascinating just in its self.
The next point is that blogging is a way for us to vent either to a specific people or person about how we feel about a subject or occurrences in the world. Some people know that their blogs won't ever be seen by anymore than just random web surfers or by maybe a family member or friend, but it is the fact that they can spread their opinion on the net is all that matters to them.
For my third and final point, blogging and reading blogs is addictive. I can't really explain it, but for you that understand what I'm talking about you know what I mean. There is something about setting down with a cup or earl grey and laying back in your big comfy leather chair or setting at your desk or even on your bed propped up or wherever it is you do your blogging/blog readings and just enjoying what other people have written on a subject or random thing that interests you.
Those are just a few reasons I believe blogging has taken the internet by storm. Of course I have several other ideas, but those are the major ones. I believe blogging is an awesome way for people to interact, gain ideas, analyze opinions, or just write down your thoughts about the day.
As far as why I blog, I blog for a couple reasons. I am doing it as a research project just to see how over the years when I look back how much my opinion on a matter has changed or my writing style, my approach, my beliefs, likes, dislikes change. I also blog because It is a way for me to give my thoughts on a matter. A place for me to rant and rave about how much I dislike or like something. But mostly a place for me to state what matters most to be, my opinions on something.
This (Blogging) is a movement of whatever it is you feel moved to post about.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
The point of no return..
In 2 weeks I will start my journey into becoming a preacher. I am leaving my church and my worship team to pursue a life of ministry. I am a little sad, happy, angry, and relieved all at the same time. I hate leaving "the norm" it makes me uncomfortable. I like to have a plan, set my goals and know what I will be doing next Sunday. My prayers are with the church and the worship team as they do the missions they are called to do. I do not know where God will take me, but I'm sure I'm going to hang on, because I have no one else to hang on too besides him. I love my God, but I get angry at myself that I must be side swiped to pay attention sometimes. I will learn one day... infact I'm going to make it a point this time to learn it.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
We are the church......Part1
Everyone has their favorite verse, book, Apostle, story, or chapter in the Bible. For me, mine is a chapter its Romans 12. I love this chapter because it covers the basics for everything us Christians do in our day to day living.
I have a whole "sermon" on this chapter that I wrote when I was 16. Looking back at it now 3 years later I still find that my 16 year old mind still connects with me as an older young adult today. *man I was smart for my age*
Anyway I was reading the chapter and I thought about if we as a church could just follow this chapter in our day to day living both "in the world" and at our local churchs we would see a huge difference in attendance (for those who care about new members) a better walk with God, or just have a great understanding of how the body of the church works.
I went through all that to get to this.........
If we would start treating our local church house as seriously as we do our mon-fri jobs and use what God has given each of us. We would see God work in bigger ways than he already does. If we would all just get off of our "holy art us asses" and get to work then well.. I guess we wouldn't have to be worrying about how the church is gonna pay this months bills, or why we can't have that new projector we so desperatly need for the worship service or why we don't have alot of youth in the church. Or any number of things. This is just not about tithes and new members. It's about souls and where they will go. I hate that we treat church like a place to be seen or a routine place to hang out on Sunday.It's alot more than that.
I have a whole "sermon" on this chapter that I wrote when I was 16. Looking back at it now 3 years later I still find that my 16 year old mind still connects with me as an older young adult today. *man I was smart for my age*
Anyway I was reading the chapter and I thought about if we as a church could just follow this chapter in our day to day living both "in the world" and at our local churchs we would see a huge difference in attendance (for those who care about new members) a better walk with God, or just have a great understanding of how the body of the church works.
I went through all that to get to this.........
If we would start treating our local church house as seriously as we do our mon-fri jobs and use what God has given each of us. We would see God work in bigger ways than he already does. If we would all just get off of our "holy art us asses" and get to work then well.. I guess we wouldn't have to be worrying about how the church is gonna pay this months bills, or why we can't have that new projector we so desperatly need for the worship service or why we don't have alot of youth in the church. Or any number of things. This is just not about tithes and new members. It's about souls and where they will go. I hate that we treat church like a place to be seen or a routine place to hang out on Sunday.It's alot more than that.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Peeps who have changed my life.
In my life I have had alot of people I have looked up too and had a impact on my life, but only 2 have changed the way I look at life. I wish to honor them here.
The first one would have to be my DAD.
My dad was an awesome guy, He was what I wanted to be when I grew up. Unfortunatly he died when I was 11. I wish he was still here now, but I guess if he was then I wouldn't be where I am today or who I am today. He showed me by the way he lived that God is an awesome and fun God. He was the first to show me that a preacher could be one of the guys. I miss him. Love you Dad.
The Second would be a man by the name of Dave.
I will keep his last name to myself. He is a pastor of mine, well use to be. I respect this man with the highest repsect. He has shown me the side of God I thought only I ever thought about. He has given me hope that there is another Christian out there that does have a problem with the way we christians do church and the way we are a church. I could go on and on about how this guy has changed my way I look at things not only in the church, but about life. To him I owe a thanks that cannot ever be repaid. Thanks Dave, You have been a blessing and continue to be.
These are my two people who have changed my life. I hope I can change someone's life like they have changed mine.
The first one would have to be my DAD.
My dad was an awesome guy, He was what I wanted to be when I grew up. Unfortunatly he died when I was 11. I wish he was still here now, but I guess if he was then I wouldn't be where I am today or who I am today. He showed me by the way he lived that God is an awesome and fun God. He was the first to show me that a preacher could be one of the guys. I miss him. Love you Dad.
The Second would be a man by the name of Dave.
I will keep his last name to myself. He is a pastor of mine, well use to be. I respect this man with the highest repsect. He has shown me the side of God I thought only I ever thought about. He has given me hope that there is another Christian out there that does have a problem with the way we christians do church and the way we are a church. I could go on and on about how this guy has changed my way I look at things not only in the church, but about life. To him I owe a thanks that cannot ever be repaid. Thanks Dave, You have been a blessing and continue to be.
These are my two people who have changed my life. I hope I can change someone's life like they have changed mine.
Running from "IT"
IT for each person is different. The IT could be any number of things. Well IT finally caught up with me last Monday. I was at my old pastor's house and we were discussing stuff and I got all emotional (as sometimes I tend to do) and then he dropped IT. The one thing I had been trying to avoid for years. IT was to acknowledge a calling on my life to preach. The very thing I have a love/ hate relationship with PREACHERS. I understand why and what they do, just I can't stand most of them because of well, the way they sermonize and throw around OLD RELIGION ideals.
Yea, well I guess maybe God is being funny or maybe my prayers have been answered. I have always prayed that I could be a difference in the church (not just a denomination, but the whole protestant lot of us) I want to change the way we do "church" I want to show people that Jesus is awesome and that he isn't some old, uncool, 500 dollar suit wearing, on the edge of his throne ready to punish you God that we all have come to know him by. Mostly due to the fact that Preachers have rammed this in our minds for years. I want to get people to understand that Jesus was a human being, that he lived just like us.
IT (preaching) is what I've been running from, but now I guess I got to start running to. If ive been chosen by God to do his work to equip Christians for His service then I best do it to my best ability.
*chuckles* God and his humor. Gotta love him
Yea, well I guess maybe God is being funny or maybe my prayers have been answered. I have always prayed that I could be a difference in the church (not just a denomination, but the whole protestant lot of us) I want to change the way we do "church" I want to show people that Jesus is awesome and that he isn't some old, uncool, 500 dollar suit wearing, on the edge of his throne ready to punish you God that we all have come to know him by. Mostly due to the fact that Preachers have rammed this in our minds for years. I want to get people to understand that Jesus was a human being, that he lived just like us.
IT (preaching) is what I've been running from, but now I guess I got to start running to. If ive been chosen by God to do his work to equip Christians for His service then I best do it to my best ability.
*chuckles* God and his humor. Gotta love him
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