Thought of the day

The caterpillar will never be the same again once it turns to a butterfly... It's physically impossible. When you get saved and start walking in Gods paths we are transformed into a beautiful creatures i.e. a butterfly. So we can't go back to living how we once lived, we can fly now!

Random Thinking

While I was at work today I had this interesting revelation. I was getting ice to put in the soda machine in the lobby. Normally, this task would take me no longer than 3 or 4 minutes. What I have to do is take two buckets specifically for ice and transfer them across the store. Being right handed I naturally grab the ice scoop with my right hand and start going to work. Halfway through my first bucket I think about using my left hand. No real reason, the thought just popped in my head and I went for it. Starting off it wasn't bad, but as I went for my second trip I began to feel a little tension in my left arm. The more and more I put ice in these big buckets, the more and more my arm started to hurt. I was shocked at what my arm was feeling. I know can do a lot more with my arm any other time, but at that moment it was hard for me to do this task.

Now it takes about four to five trips to fully fill the soda machine. Going into my third trip I really just wanted to switch arms and make it a lot easier for myself. Not only was my arm feeling weird, but it was also affecting my whole body. I was using a lot more effort from my entire body to get the ice in the buckets.
Yet, I didn't want to give up on myself. I kept thinking what if this was the only arm I could use. What if this applied to another area in my life. Would I just give up and try something else or would I hang in there and work it out.

These thoughts really challenged me and made me consider my spiritual walk. It made me think that if I don't think spiritually minded all the time. When I really needed to it might be hard and a real burden at first. So much that I would want to quit and try another path. It made me consider if I don't practice things I need to, how could I possibly use the skill I need in the time that would call for them. Back to the right and left hand thing. Those of us that are right handed automatically consider the left hand a lot weaker and less able to do things. We even will purposely do things with our right (or dominant), because we doubt our other hand can handle it.

I'm not sure about others, but the idea of my spiritual mindset being my weaker mind frightens me. I know this situation was small. Nevertheless it caused me to realize I can't slack in aspect of non-dominant attributes. And considering the spiritual aspect, I'm compelled to make this mindset/ way of life the more dominant from now.

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. (Colossians 3:2 HCSB)

What Do You Hunger For?

What Do You Hunger For?

"My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work," Jesus told them. (John 4:34 HCSB)

How many of you know and trust understand God is everything you will ever need? This verse is so powerful! Especially in today's society we eat so much. Many of us have the pleasure of eating three or four times a day. Simply we are always hungry. Now Jesus in this verse is say his food to serve God! Can you imagine the world we would live in today if we lived by that statement. That our food, (nourishment, satisfaction, pleasure, wants, pleasures, etc.) is found in God when we fulfill His will!
This verse makes me want to have a greater fire and passion for God. I don't want to be satisfied until I know I completed God's will.

"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. (Luke 13:24 NIV)

The bible tells us in many occasions to truly push hard to get into the kingdom. Like its not something taken lightly. Here in Luke it's saying push through the narrow door. Like don't take the easy way out, find a way to maneuver yourself through this door. For through God's door, after all the changes, trials, and struggles to get in, there is a promised heavenly after life with him.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV)

I want to encourage you all to keep pushing. As my frat brother keeps telling me, stay hungry for Jesus. Yearn for Christ to be completely filled with his presence. He is the living water and bread of life, through him we will never hunger or thirst again!

Stay blessed,

In ____ We Trust!

Trust is something we talk and think about everyday. We trust our chair will hold us up when we sit. Also we trust our teachers and bosses will give us good direction throughout the course of the day. We trust so much naturally but when something seems to be wrong we start to doubt. Like we see the chair has a bent leg we second guess sitting. Or if our boss writes us up for something small we question their authority. This unfortunately lingers over to the spiritual if we notice something wrong we start to trust God less. We question his abilities.

"... But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
"'If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:22-24 NIV)

How often do we question God's ability to do something? We will pray, I hope you can do this or we pray with doubt. Insulting him who can do all things and who created everything. And this is something that we all do. We will stress so much over the problem, that when we talk to God all we can think about is how we are going to get through it. Which is why that last verse really speaks to me,
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:24.
God knows we trust him and love him, he also knows that we have doubts. What he wants though is for us to come to him and ask to renew our faith. Ask him to help us trust in him more.

Psalm 118:6-9 (HCSB)
"The Lord is for me; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me? The Lord is my helper, Therefore, I will look [in triumph] on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in nobles."

We can't rely on ourselves and other people to solve our problems. Only our Jehovah Rapha can heal us and restore the things that need to be in our lives. He is always there in our corner just waiting for us to seek his face and advice. Waiting for us to fully trust him.

Are you lacking trust in God at times?
Take this time to pray and ask God to help your faith. Ask him to comfort you and show you what you need to move forward.

Scriptures to look at:
Proverbs 3:5,6
Jeremiah 17:7,8
Psalm 9:10
Psalm 32:10
Isaiah 26:3,4

Be blessed!

Behind The Mask!

The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways. (Proverbs 21:29 NIV)

We all have things that we hide from the world and each other. Things we don't think people will understand or care about. Yet, sometimes when we hide certain things we don't deal with them. We just put up a good front and hide behind our masks.

We are so prone to find a way out from dealing with our problems, but we can't continue to live like this. At some point we have to face our faults to truly over come them.
Think about this if you are about to buy a house and this house looks great; new paint, smells good, and new appliances. It's everything you wanted, but then through further inspection you notice a horrible pest problem, rotten wood, and mold under the paint. All these things hiding under the surface could be dangerous to you once you get it.

Just like our bodies we keep all these problems locked up in us and act like nothing's wrong, but these things could be slowly killing us. Like the common phrase God knows my heart. This is very true, he knows our hearts, the depths of our minds, and all the things we keep hidden. He sees these things and we are being judged by them the longer we keep secret. You never really know how small things can make a huge impact.


Questions for thought:
What things are you holding on to behind your mask?
Have you identified that you have a mask?
Who are you really?

How hard will you work?

Colossians 1:28-29
We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me.

When I sit back and think on the gifts God has given me. I can't help but to think about how much more I can use them. How much more passion and effort, power, I could be doing them with. This verse speaks on so many levels to me. Paul says I labor for this! That part there is just amazing. Labor being defined as physical or mental work, especially hard or fatiguing kind. He doesn't take the Gods business lightly he puts great effort in it. You can tell that he has passion for spearing the gospel anyway he knows how.
I personally took that as a challenge. Coming into this year I prayed for a new and stronger fire for Christ. I want to be more dedicated to him; and this verse sums up how I want to feel. How I want to respond to Gods calling, to work in His powerful strength that will flow through me. I offer the same challenge to you how much effort will you put to use God's gifts to you for his name? Will you push and work in your crafts to give him more glory and spread his name? I pray this year we all find a renewed passion and drive for Christ!

Worship!

Dance,
Dance like every step you take will give more praise to the father,
Like every twitch and movement you make will bring more glory to his alter,
You
Can captivate the masses with your movements
Let your rhythm be contagious like wild fire in the wilderness
And let your moves set the hearts of men a blaze

Or you can sing
Sing freely like the Lords gift to you to breathe
Not from your nose but from your feet
Engulfing your entire essence producing a melody that is sweet
You,
Have a voice that speaks volume
Let your lungs push out a song so beautiful that the birds will envy you
And let your praise lead the pathway to heaven
A chorus the whole world could get addicted to,

Or you can live
Live a life that's pleasing to him
Live a life that shines like the morning sun
That makes the world yearn for Him
So like you they can be one
You,
Can be the very connection to humanity
By walking in His likeness
Christ could use you to save them from depravity
of life
A life with him that is eternal
And filled with the love from the creator

So you
Yes you,
worship God with your whole heart
In moments of light and dim
For my God is an amazing one
And deserves all that we can give

Just worship!

Repetition Makes Perfect

I've noticed over the years that my cursive writing isn't what it use to be. I noticed that I've even forgot how some of the letters look and I couldn't figure out why. Then I realized without using it often or practicing what I knew, I ended up forgetting. That which I practiced over and over for years is now a fading memory.

Which makes me think on other aspects of my life. Things that I don't consistently work on will naturally be forgotten. That goes for everything like dancing, drawing, singing, and even our faith. Definitely in our generation today, we are the generation of everything is done for us. We have phones that will read to us and calculate simple problems for us that we don't think to touch up on our skills. But faith out of all these things is something went can't afford to fall short in. It's not something we can just put on the back burners. Most of us have learned the basics about God when we were younger, but that alone doesn't save us. We have to continuously work on our faith and get in God's word daily. Before we forget all about him and what he requires of us. I'm not saying if you don't read your bible everyday your not saved, but you are missing out on some blessings God has for you. Also that if you don't consistently seek him you will end up doing things and living life your own way and not the way he wants us to.
"A Bible that is falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t." — C.H. Spurgeon


Simply put maybe we should start getting back into those beneficial habits we let die in our lives!

“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our own minds”

Bob Marley

Now Thats Beautiful

Am I the only one that defines destruction as beautiful?

That can see past all the depravity

And see the new reality of life,

That can take a deep breath in all these ruins

And still smile

And you ask how?

Am I the only one that defines destruction asbeautiful?

See before the resurrection

My God had to pay the price for his affection,

Before the unity of a nation

We had to have 9/11,

And before we got a black president

Our people had to go through a depression,

See God said,

Trust in me and I will save you from all your transgressions

Jeremiah 38:18 God said I will rescue YOU

But yet our situations still seems so perplexing  

It’s like we are constantly in a battle of saving afaith that’s fading,

No longer trusting in the blueprint

We fall for the falsehood of man’s manuscript,

And wonder why we can’t find God’s beauty anymore

Sometimes we get deceived like wearing ignorance isthe new trend

Expect when sin seems to be sold out like on black Friday

People are still waiting in line for the nextshipment to come in

And I ask you

Where do we draw the line where we won’t seek for God’sglory anymore?

Where we won’t yearn for his beauty

Like it’s our divine call of duty

See God has called us collect

And already paid the price for our connection

It’s our rebellion that distorts the deliverance ofhis message,

Blessed is the man that trust in the Lord and whosehope the Lord is

So see if we can stay fixed on the creator

We can join the team of great debaters on howpowerful his love is

And because of this

From his word I will get heavy equip

Because no longer can I live foolish

God is the solution!

Am I the only one that defines destruction asbeautiful?

And can see past the moment of this course

And that God will get me through this,

Now that,

That’s beautiful! 

Hope

Moving out to the eastern shore of Maryland I've noticed a lot of things that are different from the city. One small thing but is the basis of my post is; I thought Blockbusters went out of business. Back in the city I thought all blockbusters went under, they either turned into a staples or just left. I felt as though the company just couldn't keep up with the times.
Then a commercial just crossed my screen on how the company is still alive and kicking. They were actually boasting on how they are now better than Redbox and Netflix. The fact that they were bold enough to make that statement requires them to have a lot of faith, a lot of hope in their company.
See sometimes when things look bleak you have to get to your quiet place, get centered with God, and wait your season out. Sometimes all it takes is patience. Ironically Blockbusters had the same type plan they waited out, planned, and created a plan to top their competitors. Just as this new rendition of this company so should we have hope and have a plan in our tough situations. Even if our plan is just waiting on God, Psalms 42:5 we have to have hope and faith in our most desperate times!

All things have a beginning and end. Yet, us humans yearn for things to last forever and we forget God is the only one that will suffice. Guaranteed he is the Alpha and Omega he will always be there.

Wheres your passion?

"Do it with passion or don't do it at all." ~ Anonymous

How often do you find yourself doing things half way of your potential. I feel like we inadvertently fall into an unconscious rhythm of just missing the mark. I remember times I would barely read my work just to make it to a party on time. To many times have we lacked the effort needed to succeed in this course we're in. It seems like we are only living life just to get by. Which concerns me because if your so lax in the world you'll be lax in the spiritual. It's proven how can you say you'll honestly chase after God with so much passion when we can't do it for earthly things we love or are required to do. We are born in sin and run from God daily; so I doubt it's a switch we can just turn on at our pleasure. In all of our endeavors we need to do it with the love and desire God wants from us. We need to be focused on the obstacle at hand push through without giving up. Without losing the passion we've once had for our subject.

Just my thoughts had it on my heart and had to say something...

Life is like chess, every move you make is crucial to your survival at the end of the day. At times I wonder if I'm making the right choices in life. I question if I'm on the right path or if I understood what I was supposed to be doing right. I wonder if my parents are looking down at me cheering me on from heaven. Can you imagine a bleacher of saints cheering for you once you make that right move? I can hear the hoorays now...

Life Goes On.. God Keeps Me Strong

Would you cry tears of sorrow and pain when someone gives their life to God? No right! Today is my father's birthday, he past 4 years ago and this year I find it harder to cry over him. I'm starting to deal with him and my mother not being here more and more each year. Today though I started to think about my question I stated earlier. If I am happy that someone came to Christ; shouldn't I be just as thankful and happy someone went to be with him. Death is a hard thing to deal with, but it eases my heart when I know the person knew and loved God. They went off to be free off pain and stresses. To be full of joy and happiness. I feel like I would be selfish to want them to stay and deal with this life just for me.

I know my mother, father, and brother are all in a better place. I can't imagine crying or feeling bad for them not being here anymore. I know God has them!

People say to me all the time I don't know how your still standing. But I've been leaning on God all these years it's like I've been floating all along.

Be Thankful!

A customer came to my store today and after she ordered she said keep the coins just give me the bills. It's amazing to me that we take for granted the little things. We are so eager to have the big things, but skip the small steps to get there. Same thing with life we want the big house, fancy cars, and loads of money yet, most aren't willing to work for it. We expect things just to happen for us. God has given us many gifts yet, rarely do we use them how he wants us to. We'll ask him for this, that, and the third, but we won't take advantage of the blessings we have now. I know God is saying how can I trust you with the world if you can't deal with what you have now. We really need to start making the best out of our situations and cherish the small things we have. I know Popeye's isn't where God wants me to stay nor the small town i'm in. Yet, I will cherish and be thankful for every opportunity and blessing he sends my way. I hope you fill the same; Cheers to collecting this "change".

How much do you love Him?

John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."

It's amazing the lengths people would go to please one another or a loved one. Yet, when God comes into play we run and question what He has to say. Or we even choose what and what not to believe in that He say. Like He said if we truly love him it should be like second nature to do His requests. A discussion with my fraternity brothers this morning brought me to the idea; that we are still like babies when dealing with God. We have to do certain things at first like a job because it's new to us. We have to mature for it to become a habit or a desirable task.

This then made me think about the statement at hand. If you love me you will obey my commandments. It's all centered around LOVE. You have to really love God or anyone to do something you aren't comfortable with at first. To push through your discomfort and continue to do what your asked or what you think is right, takes a lot out of you. Now the question arises, how much do you love God and what would you do for him?

I can't answer that question with out thinking about all the things God has done for me. I know that God expects so much from me and I love him enough to do all I need to to make Him happy. Cause He loved me enough to save my life and continue to be with me no matter how much I hurt him.

The Tie

Most countries off the Atlantic Ocean and Americanized countries see the tie as a symbol of professionalism. Putting on a tie is an act to show you took the time to prepare yourself. You care about how people perceive you. A professor of mine brought up the thought of how the tie came into existence. How did we all come in consensus on the tie being so powerful? I'm starting to question the origin and why we wear it yet, I can't stop putting it on. Zora Neale Hurston once said We are a people that decorate the decorations and I'm urged to agree. The tie has moved on from the formal perception, but is now an attribute to someones persona. It's a form of modern day art in some cases. Where you can present your sense of humour, style, authority, and so much more. It's a right of passage in our society, one of the first few tricks your dad, or mom, teaches you to advance in life. The practice of tying a tie teaches you patience and diligence since it never turns out right the first time. It teaches you the art of working with your hands. Certainly not last, but the last on my list, time management. You can't just throw on a tie and a few minutes before you walk out the house, you need time to prepare your self. Personally I feel the tie is a needed source of enlightenment that doesn't hurt to add to your style.

Happy Holidays, Merry X-Mas, and Seasons Greetings

I missed the memo when we agreed to take Christ out of Christmas

When we changed it to the holiday of pride and greed

I missed the message that read of how Santa became the new hero

And that he should get more praise than Jesus

Don’t look at me like I’m a Scrooge

Or like I’m trying to start a problem or something

I’m just saying why there are so many shows about Santa

But none about the birth or life of Jesus

Children all over staying up to the wee-hours of the night

Awaiting the Big Man baring gifts

Instead of praying or hearing stories about Jesus

And learning all his tales

I understand children need stuff to believe in

But who better to put their trust and faith in?

We make Santa this perfect idle

And made Christ’s birthday about us getting presents

When has it ever been cool to go to your friend’s birthday party

And steal their lime light and gifts

Make the entire event about them

Hey, I get it we all like receiving stuff

I like gifts just like the next guy

But let’s not obsess over it and make everything about us

Let us celebrate the gift of life, and

Celebrate our families and the time that you have with one another

Let us not forget who brought us together, and

Remember whose day it really is!

It not about us, don’t X-out Christ

Who you following?

"I'm following God, He got the GPS directions to true happiness!!! #stamp"

We get so used to following people who have no true value to us. We end up in a bad situations when we look to those who can do nothing for us. It's funny how we look to everyone else except God for directions and answers. When he knows exactly where we need to be to be happy. Why would we look pass the one who know the true directions, the true answers, without the bs from man. Just think how easier and/or less stressful life would be with ultimate help by your side! I'm just saying, who are you really following?

Isaiah 57:13

¹³ When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”