Keep Fellowship Alive

Tonight, as I was conducting our weekly Bible Study I thought about what we must do to keep our households strengthened. In building up our children, and maintaining that healthy balance we strive for this must be done. It's too often that we allow outside influences to convince us that this is not necessary, but these are not the persons that will be raising your children, and they are not the ones who will be there when your child gets into an altercation that involves the law. In the world we can make so much good if we just start with our own children. I understand that most peoples schedules these days do not permit a time for this fellowship that I'm talking about. In most cases though there aren't too many people out there who couldn't give 10 solid minutes to their child talking about the things that are ultimately going to be the traits they incorporate into their personality. Love, Drugs, Alcohol, Opposite Sex, Religion, Music, Friends. These are just the few things that will be coming up in your young ones life's. There are going to be numerous occasions where just bringing up one of these will trigger talking about the 6 or more. In life we get so chances to make a difference. Make a difference in your child's life. They deserve it, but most importantly they will honor you so much greater when they are older. 

Fellowship is the one thing that when we really share in this experience if only once a week will do wonderful things for our life's. It's intended to make us better people, and to see what others in our family are lacking, or are in control of. When we have a better understanding what are family, and friends are going through we have a better understanding of how we treat, support, and care for them. When sharing in this fellowship with the ones you care about don't hesitate to begin asking for God's help in understanding the situations, and the pitfalls others are going through. As human beings we all feel differently when confronted with adversity. God knows your heart, and only wants to see you push through whatever the adversity is to get through to the bright side. When engaging in fellowship smile to your friend, or family member. Let them know they are loved, and you want the very best for them. I thank God that he has given us such wonderful channels to be able to connect to our friends, and family. So go make the change of being involved for your family & friends. Take an interest in them, because our Lord has taken an interest in you!

 

Love All

I want to touch on a very touchy subject right now. Who thinks that we should be taking a negative stand against our neighbors? Who thinks we should not dine, buy, associate with these people? In reading many blogs, and delving deeper into social media. I'm starting to see a rise who are in favor of totally excommunicating these people from their lives. Are we not in sin ourselves? It is written. “None is righteous, no, not one (Roman 3:10 ESL, 2001).

I tell you now we must stop putting our hands in the air proclaiming to be the one with all the solutions. We may have good advice, and I'm sure it's better than good it's great! I must let you know now though. There is a being that does have all the answers. A being that knows how many hairs our on are heads. One that loves us with love EVERLASTING, and who gave his life so that we may have eternal life. What a blessing it is that we have such a wonderful, and powerful creator. A Lord that knows our hearts, and knows all our imperfections. He is guiding our paths putting you right where he wants you to be. 

There is only one judge that is capable of judging you."You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, My decisions are right, because I am not alone. I stand with The Father, who sent Me." (John 8:15-16). Don't allow yourselves to have to put up with the persecution of another. Believe in you, and all your abilities. Encourage your fellow man, because my brothers & sisters we need that encouragement. The world is tough, rough, and hard on Christians, and will do anything to sway their faith. We look at how Christians are no longer going to church as they used to, and the church has been declining in numbers now for the past several years. Build up your neighbors, friends, and family. Let them know your here to support them in the good, but more importantly the bad. Stay the course, because there is goodness in your future!

In conclusion my friends were all at fault. We aren't going to have the right answer 100% of the time. We won't say the things that always need to be said. We won't always honor the Lord like he has instructed us to do. I tell you now though. It is written that, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9). Be a beacon of light for those searching for their lighthouse. Instill in your neighbor that to find God all we must do is prey to our heavenly father. He is always ready to hear our prayers. So keep in mind that you must return this blessing to God. Let him guide your heart he will take you to places you'll have never dreamed of. Were all in this together united in Christ. 

Amen.

Run Your Race

Too many times I feel were looking to the side of us, and backwards to see what the people around us are doing instead of going off on our own accord, and running our race. I hear too many times what he, she, or the other is doing rather than what you should be doing to better yourself to finish your race strong. If you've never ran in a race (which is very unlikely, but for the sake you haven't) take a few minutes out of your day to run a couple laps. Believe that you are neck and neck with that someone else that you feel is tying you up, or restraining you from accomplishing what you need to get achieved.


In many cases if your dedicated worker, athlete, student your worst critic will be you. Make sure that your idea of yourself is positive. If mentally your not there. It's going to be ten times harder to reach that finish line physically.


Keep in mind that as we go through our journey in life. There are people who are supporting us to get where we know were going. I thank God everyday for the people he has set in my path. The people that are there to push me to my limit to make me the better man, husband, father. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV). I hope you go through your day happy, and with love in your heart for your fellow man. Stay focused on what is important for you now, and develop that plan for getting the most out of running your race today!

Just Natural

I want to put a visual in your mind right now. Imagine that you have everything that you've ever wanted, and could ever dream of. You've set your goals, put in the plan of action, and now are able to reap the benefits of your hard work, and dedication to your purpose. What does this look like for you? Do you have that sports car you've always wanted? The house that looks like it could give the "White House" a run for its money? Maybe it's the expensive watch that feels like your wearing a stapler on your wrist? Just maybe though it's none of those things. Perhaps it's not the materialistic things you set out to acquire, but really it was the things you never really thought about until they came to be. The sweet scents you first smell( the pleasant ones) when waking up next to the person you love. The smile on your little ones face when they see your there to rescue them in the morning from their play pen, or just knowing every morning you wake up that your heavenly father has given you another wonderful day to experience his beautiful world.

I understand that beautiful and world may sound extremely strange when these two are put next to each other, but it's true. We need to not focus on negative things that we see on a daily basis, but rather on the positive. Do you really need to watch the full report, and in-depth analysis on something that is completely out of your control, and 9 times out of 10 does not effect you in any way.....Readjust your vision, but more importantly readjust your thinking. The things we surround ourselves with we ultimately become like, and feel like. The report that is depressing, the child that is missing, the terrorist the media labels as the #1 bad guy...Do yourself a favor and exclude yourself of this stupidity that is running like a cancer in this nation. Think, and surround yourself with the Good, the Clean, and the Natural! 

In taking into account what we feed into our minds. Let's also think about the people we surround ourselves with. Is Tom, Dick, and Sally helping you become a better mother, husband, father, provider, or businessman? Are they contributing to the success of you? In sharing our aspirations, and goals we need to be especially cautious with sharing this information with the wrong people. Who are the wrong people you ask? Simply put anyone that hesitates to say something positive to you about your dreams and hopes for this better future. If nobody has said it to you today. I'd love to be the first. "Yes you can, you will, and your going to look Great while you do it! 

In life were going to
hit bumps, and we'll sometimes get worse than just bruises. We'll feel almost broken. When we feel like this that is when we need to open our eyes the biggest, because this is when it's going to matter most. "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”(Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV 2001).

Keep your head held high, and do not fret for our Lord is with you. He knows you better than you do. He's always waiting, and looking forward to your next discussion with him. Leave your worry behind, and go jump into your beautiful life!

New Tomorrow

When I look at what is going on in society today I see a great panic. An outcry for wanting to be a nation that is united together rather than divided against one another. It's not what the grand design for us was intended to be I don't believe. We are a people that want to see good come from bad. Watching my son take his first steps reminds me of what I think we all aspire to feel if only for a couple seconds. It's the feeling of great anticipation of what could be, and what might..Looking to the presidential election all I see are two men talking such horrible things about one another. We need to not worry so much about pointing the finger at each other, but rather point our fingers at the problem to which we must fix. It is nothing I feel more than just a slight tweak to get us to where we need to be. Instead of focusing on what "He or She" is doing we must think first on what "I" am doing. Taking a personal inventory would have tremendous long-term success for what I'm talking about. 

We must make ourselves a nation that is not worried with what others think, feel, need, hope, or wish us to be. To be the strong nation we were I feel we must get back to a time where we treated our neighbors like we did our family. We respected our families like they were not meant to be on this earth, but rather a place much more enlightened. Our children were reared in the way that it is written in the Bible. A way in which it's done out of pure love, and aspiring hope for their bright future. We were cut from perfection in such a way that no other being on this earth was. Yet we feel like inadequate spirits wondering aimlessly without a goal, or even a dream that would very well come true if we wanted it, or even needed it. "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27, New World Translation 2007). After examining that it is made quite clear that we were intended for something so much greater.

I feel that in so many instances these days we allow society to put chains, and tape over our mouths to censor the "good" that comes from even the smallest voices. For being placed on this earth your odds were around 23 billion to 1 that you would come into existence(given the genetic combinations a couple can produce) it would take around 600 years just to count that high.Make the most of your beautiful life today, because there will never be another you. We were designed for greatness, and meant to shine as bright as we will allow ourselves to. So shine bright, and make everyday a wonderful one!