Special Selection - "I Call You Faithful"

Daily Reading - "If Anyone Will Not Work, Neither Shall He Eat." 2Th 3:10 NKJV

Here is how it read today...

Wed. Sept 30

"IF ANYONE WILL NOT WORK, NEITHER SHALL HE EAT." (2TH 3:10 NKJV)

Stewardship

The story's told of a guy who came to church looking very sad. "What's up?" his pastor asked. "Well, two weeks ago, my uncle died and left me $75,000. Then a week ago my aunt died and left me $50,000." His pastor asked, "Then why are you so sad?" The guy answered, "Because nobody died this week." Cute story; only one problem, the Bible says this man ought to "labor, working with his hands...that he may have something to give him who has need" (Eph 4:28 NKJV). The first job God gave Adam, was to take care of the garden and be productive. Even in a perfect environment, Adam had to work to do. If you want to be a good steward, taking your master's resources and increasing them, you must engage in productive work. To have "something to give," you need to have "something left over." That's what's wrong with gambling; you can't substitute luck for labor. Now, you're not supposed to help people who don't wan to work. Tony Evans writes: "Instead of wondering when he is going to get a slice of a handout pie, a good steward is busy baking pies, enjoying the results, and sharing what he has with others." Some people question investing because it doesn't fit their idea of work. No, God told Adam to plant seeds. Planting seed is an investment made in anticipation of a harvest. Ever since the fall we've been inventing ways to avoid honest, productive labor. Your job is part of your stewardship. Are you performing it as if God were your employer? He is!

Where I'm At/It Is What It Is

Trials & Tribulations of a 3% Child

When I first entered junior high things at home were filled with numerous forms of drama. Interestingly enough, they didn't bother me too much most of the time. You had my older brother and sister in high school, and one in college. My mother and father were in the process of splitting up, and I was basically all alone at a new school with few familiar faces. Fortunate for me I had other teammates from my football team and people I knew from the neighborhood P.A.L. who was at the school. Outside of that I basically leaned on my smarts and athletic ability to once again excel and become a recognizable or some would say person of interest.

I now realized that junior high is where you really make your "1st" valid choice on the kind of person you are going to be. I honestly failed in making that decision for myself. I always thought of myself as an easy going, nice person who may have gotten into a little trouble here and there but nothing truly serious. All I ever cared about was sports, video games, and eventually girls. I will never forget my first teacher I had in 6th grade. Her name was Mrs. Bressler. For most kids, she is the most annoying teacher to have. Interestingly enough, looking back on it, it's only because she cared the most. I was eventually not on a good path. I fell into the bad guy mentality because for whatever reason it was more glamorous. The smart and nice kid really didn't get any interest from anyone but the teachers, and what kid really wanted that. I still was the smart kid, but the nice part quickly faded and my naturally rebellious nature turned to a more negative tune.

I became the smart kid with the even smarter mouth. I still did ok in class and for the most part did my work until I personally didn't agree with it. If something didn't make sense to me I would almost always question it, and if your response wasn't convincing enough for me I almost always had a sarcastic response in which most cases lead to some form of discipline. Although I don't remember everything clearly it eventually lead to Mrs. Bressler and I having a lot of time to talk one on one because she couldn't understand why I was acting the way I was. She saw all the potential I had and she refused to let me go down the path I was on. I ended up having to see the school counselor which in my head was laughable. They thought my rebellious attitude arose from the fact that my parents were splitting up. I really didn't let that bother me much, because I looked at the benefits more than the negatives and that startled them and confused the hell out of them at the same time. The only time that would ever bother me was when I would have to see my mother cry every now and then. Outside of that, my father literally lived in walking distance so it's not like I didn't get to see him, he just wasn't with my mother anymore. That's more her problem than it is mines at the end of the day, that's how I looked at it.

Something eventually sunk in from Mrs. Bressler and I eventually held back on the bad boy image at least in her class and I still drove for excellence for the most part that year. Unfortunately good things don't always last when you're young and still trying to figure things out in this thing called life. While sports was going well outside of school via playing football and a number of other sports with the P.A.L., school became a very persuasive influence on most of my actions. There seemed to be no avoiding becoming a bad guy. Like I said earlier, it just was more glamorous. On top of that, I quickly learned of the rivalry between the different grade levels and if you weren't connected to a group then you were really putting yourself at risk of getting picked on. I ran with various groups, none of which were looked upon as the nice guy group at all, but were all considered cool and at the end of the day that's all you really cared about as a kid.

This would lead me down a path that eventually got me arrested for something I didn't even do, but due to my already rebellious reputation and the already built up tension between me and the teacher amongst other factors I just decided to plead guilty and deal with the consequences. Using my above average intelligence I got my mom to transfer me out the school before they kicked me out, this way I could return if I wanted to. Unfortunately she decided to send me to a school further away from my neighborhood because she didn't want me to go to the junior high my older brother went to because he became what some would call a bad kid during his time there, and she didn't want me to continue down that same path. Going through all of this obviously made me sit back and think on a lot of things and needless to say, my rebellious nature just got more fueled because of the nonsense I had to go through. To sum it up, I really started to gain a stronger disinterest with going with the flow, simply because I didn't agree with everything involved in the flow. It appeared that people never wanted to admit there was a grey area in life and I couldn't stand that, and I continuously fought for exposing nonsense until it lead me to my current status. Things would get even more interesting as time went on and I would learn so much even before hitting high school than I could bargain for.

special Selection - "Stand Up"

Daily Reading - "Well Done, Good And Faithful Servant." Mt 25:21 NKJV

Here is how it read today...

Tues. Sept 29

"WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT." (MT 25:21 NKJV)

Stewardship (3)

In Jesus' parable of the talents, the first two stewards were rewarded for multiplying what was entrusted to them. The first steward said, "I have gained" (v.20 NKJV). Now, when God entrusts something to us He doesn't sit up in heaven pulling all the strings, controlling how we handle our stewardship. We have a choice. We've the freedom to mess up His affairs, or maximize them. The first two servants did with their master's money what he expected them. God gives it to us - but we must handle it. God's not going to handle it for us! That's obvious from the fate of the third steward who said, "Lord, I knew you to be a hard man...And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground" (vs.24-25 NKJV). He was like those who say, "God's standards are too high. I'm afraid if I say yes to Him, He'll demand too much of me. I'll just stay here on the sidelines where it's safe." That's bad stewardship and even worse theology. Don't let anyone convince you that you can't do what God expects of you. By His grace, you can. The first two stewards knew their master's expectations; that's what being a good steward is all about. We know what God requires of us because He's put it in His Word for us to read. The reason the master's commendation meant something, is because the stewards' work meant something. They had authentic responsibility and they carried it out faithfully. So, where do you rank on the faithfulness charts today? If you're not sure, examine yourself!

Special Selection - "God Didn't Give Up"

Daily Reading - "The Lord Of Those Servants...Settled Accounts." Mt 25:19 NKJV

Here is how it read today...

Mon. Sept 28

"THE LORD OF THOSE SERVANTS...SETTLED ACCOUNTS." (MT 25:19 NKJV)

Stewardship (2)

In His famous parable of the talents, Jesus points out two things about our stewardship to God:
(1) "He gave...to each according to his own ability" (Mt 25:15 NKJV). God knows what you can handle and He won't give you more, so don't ask Him to. He knows what He's called you to do. The master didn't burden the one-talented guy with a five-talent responsibility or vice versa. Now we're not saying that those who have lots of stuff are the best stewards, or that those who have less must be poor stewards. But God knows each of us intimately, and He deals with us according to that knowledge. So you won't have to answer for what God didn't give you, or gave someone else. You're only responsible for yourself. Whatever God's entrusted to you to manage, He's done so knowing you're capable of handling it. (2) "After a long time the lord of those stewards came and settled accounts with them." It may seem like "a long time," but Jesus is coming again! He hasn't changed His mind or His plan. The first time He came to save, the next time He comes to reign - and reward His stewards. "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household...Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes" (Lk 12:42-43 NKJV). Don't get weary or sidetracked. Keep your eyes on the prize. Imagine the Master saying to you, "Well done!" That's what you want to hear, isn't it?

Special Selection - "It Aint Over"

Daily Reading - "Love One Another." Jn 15: 12 NKJV

Here is how it read today.

Sat. Sept 26

"LOVE ONE ANOTHER." (JN 15;12 NKJV)

Loving People

Loving people is only a vague concept, unless we do these five things: (1) People are insecure - give them confidence. Beneath their facade lie memories of a painful past and anxiety over what's coming their way next. Tell them God says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5 NKJV). When nothing else works, God's Word does. (2) People need to feel special - compliment them. Do it when they least expect it, and when it's clear you seek nothing in return. Mary Kary Ash said, "Everyone has an invisible sign hanging around their neck saying, 'Make me feel important!"' Notice how often God's Word tells us how much He loves us, how special we are, and His plans for us. (3) People are looking for a better tomorrow - give them hope. Let them know that when you put God in the center of your life, your future can be better than your past. "As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper" (2Ch 26:5 NKJV). (4) People need to be understood - listen to them. The trouble is, this takes more time than we're willing to give. We're in too much of a hurry to hand out advice and move on, and it doesn't work. Before people can be "fixed," they must feel understood. (5) People need role models - be one. Paul told the Corinthians, "You follow me as I follow Christ" (See 1Co 11:1 NIV). Too often we're unaware of the example we set and the impression we're making. Like it or not, what you do - and don't do - influences others. When you leave this world, what you leave behind is your influence.

Special Selection - "God Is Always There For Me"

Daily Reading - "Let Your 'Yes' Be Yes, And Your 'No,' No." Jas 5:12 NIV

Here is how it read today.

Fri. Sept 25

"Let you 'Yes' be yes and your 'No,' no." (Jas 5:12 NIV)

Mean What You Say (2)

Saying what you mean is just the beginning. Meaning what you say is the next step. When you say it, stick to with it. If you don't intend to, don't say it. We train others how to handle us, by how we handle them. By lying down, we train them to walk on us. If we promise discipline our kids but don't, we're training them to ignore our instructions. If our anger outbursts intimidate others, we're training them to be defensive around us or to avoid us. To break those negative patterns with others, begin doing these four things:
(1) Figure out what they do to you that you don't like. Be as clear as possible. "You treat me unfairly," isn't good enough. "You leave two thirds of the workload for me to do," is observable, measurable, and suggests possible solutions. (2) Figure out what you do, that invites them to do what they do to you. Complaining to them, or to the boss, is unlikely to produce positive change. Altering your contribution to the situation is what invites and motivates others to change. (3) Figure out how and when to say "no," then act on it. Instead of doing two thirds of the workload and resenting it, when you've done your share, stop! Others won't do what they should, if you're doing it for them. (4) Remember, retraining others takes persistence. Having changed your part of the old pattern, keep doing your new part until others make the desired adjustment. Mean what you say!

Special Selection - "Lord, You Are" w/Bible Verses

Daily Reading - "Let Your 'Yes' Be Yes, And Your 'No,' No." Jas 5:12 NIV

Here is how it read today...

Thurs. Sept 24

"LET YOUR 'YES' BE YES, AND YOUR 'NO,' NO." (JAS 5:12 NIV)

Mean What You Say (1)

Remember when people said what they meant? Maybe you didn't like it, but you understood what they meant, and you knew they meant it. The word "cool" meant somewhere between warm and cold, and if you said, "wicked good," someone would've asked which one it was. It seems like straightforward speech is going the way of horse and carriage. The Bible tells us, "Let your 'Yes' be yes, and you 'No,' no." In other words, mean what you say and say what you mean. Failing to do so damages relationships. We avoid saying "no," or we say "yes" when we don't want to, out of the fear of rejection. And what are the results?
(1) We live with stress, anger or resentment over feeling mistreated by others. (2) Our life becomes a classic double-bind where we feel trapped whichever way we go: "If I say no, you'll be mad at me; if I don't, I'll be mad at myself and you!" So we stay stuck in our own pressurized trap. (3) The other person will never know how we really feel, or understand why we act as we do. Unless you say what you feel, you'll never get what you need from others. People don't change, until you change how you interact with them. (4) Your choice to avoid what you fear is what makes you a victim, not other people's words or actions. (5) You become part of the problem, surrendering to others the power God gave you to determine your own direction and set your own boundaries. So start saying what you mean, whether it's "yes" or "no!"

Special Selection - "I Hate You"

Daily Reading - "Let There Be No Strife Between You And Me." Ge 13:8 NKJV

Here is how it read today...

Wed. Sept 23

"LET THERE BE NO STRIFE BETWEEN YOU AND ME." (GE 13:8 NKJV)

Try to avoid strife

When the grazing land they shared became too small for their flocks, Abraham said to his nephew Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me...for we are brethren." We learn two important lessons from this story:
(1) Don't wait, take initiative. Abraham didn't say, "I'm not getting involved in this." No, he realized that left unchecked it had the potential to drive a wedge between them, so he nipped it in the bud. Hindsight may be 20/20, but foresight is what's needed to build lasting relationships. God had just told Abraham, "I will bless you and make your name great" (Ge 12:2 NKJV). But growth and blessing call for wisdom. If God's plan for Abraham was to be fulfilled, this situation had to be dealt with. Nobody enjoys confrontation, but your future peace and prosperity require handling things wisely, before they get out of hand. (2) Don't worry about getting short-changed, God will make it up to you. Lot, the younger of the two men, chose the fertile, well-watered plains of Jordan, leaving Abraham with what looked like the short end of the stick. As senior partner, Abraham had the right to pull rank and demand the best land for himself, but he didn't. That's because he realized two things: (a) That he'd outgrown his relationship with Lot, now it was time to exit with grace, not contention. (b) That his goals and values were incompatible with Lot's. What Lot chose went up in smoke; what Abraham chose blessed all mankind. So be a peacemaker, and walk in God's blessing.

Special Selection - "Let Go, Let God." & "Lord, Don't Do It Without Me."

Daily Reading - "Do Not Withhold Good." Pr 3:27 NKJV

Here is how it read today.

Tues. Sept 22

"DO NOT WITHHOLD GOOD." (PR 3:27 NKJV)

"Doing good"

Dan Clark recalls when he was a teenager, he and his father once stood in line to buy tickets for the circus. They noticed a poor family immediately in front of them. The parents were holding hands. They had eight children, all probably under the age of twelve. He could tell that the circus was going to be a new adventure for them. The attendant asked how many tickets they wanted. The man proudly responded, "I'd like to buy eight children's tickets and two adult tickets." When the attendant quoted the price, the man's wife let go of his hand and her head drooped. The man leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?" The attendant quoted the price again. The man obviously didn't have the money. He looked crushed. Clark says his father watched all this, put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a twenty dollar bill and dropped it on the ground. His father then reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, I think this must be yours." The man knew exactly what was going on. He looked straight into Clark's father's eyes, took his hand, shook it, and with a tear streaming down his cheek, replied, "Thank you, thank you, sir. This really means a lot to me and my family." Clark and his father went back to their car and drove home. They didn't have enough money to go to the circus that night, but it didn't matter. They'd blessed a whole family, and it was something neither family would ever forget. That's called "doing good."

Special Selection - "The Blessing Of Abraham"

Daily Reading - "These All Died In Faith." Heb 11:13 NKJV

Here is how it read today...

Mon. Sept 21

"THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH." (HEB 11:13 NKJV)

Living by "The Faith Rule

The Bible says, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them." People of faith anticipate what God promised, whether they ever experience its fulfillment or not. "How can I believe in a promise I don't see fulfilled?" you ask. People like Abraham didn't live to see the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise in their lives, yet died believing it. Trusting God means banking on His Word, even when there's nothing visible to demonstrate that what He says if going to come true. Even when you're on your deathbed and it still hasn't happened, you still trust Him. That's living by faith. The words "in faith" in this Scripture are different from the words used in all the verses that read "by faith." The words "in faith" actually mean "according to faith." These people lived by "the faith rule." Faith was the ruling principle in their lives! So even if they went to their graces without seeing God's promises fulfilled, they exited saying, "God still told the truth." They knew that the fulfillment was coming, and they lived in anticipation of it. That's what God is asking of you today. He wants you to live before Him in such a way that you anticipate His promises, even when every circumstance seems opposite to what those promises say. It also means you don't manipulate the circumstances to "help God out" as Sarah did when she produced Ishmael. It means trusting God to do it His way, in His time, and for His glory.

Trials & Tribulations of a 3% Child

Early in my football career I had to learn how to cope with losing a lot. I truly gained a deep understanding of teamwork, discipline, and hard work. I also understood that although you may be doing everything you can to succeed, that it still may not be good enough and you have to understand that it may not be your fault. There are other factors that come into play in everything you do in life, and until you can coherently measure, examine and plan for, against, or with them, your chances for success grow slimmer.

While playing football in my early years my mother being as smart as she was made sure we stayed on top of our education. There was no practice unless the majority of your homework if not all was done. She would end up being the judge on what that was and we eventually gained a mutual understanding. So it was school, home for homework, and then off to football practice which started at 6. After that it was home for dinner, and if I had any homework to finish I did that and then went to bed. Seeing as how football came natural to me, I didn't understand at first why it was that our team lost so much. In my eyes I was doing everything I could, I mean I literally played whatever position the coach needed me to and I excelled at it. Somehow it was never good enough.

Every year we played a neighborhood rival team which I eventually learned was literally around the corner from my house. This team was feared amongst the league and threatened to win it all every season. I always looked forward to playing them so I could measure just how good I was and every time, once again, I excelled at doing my job, but it didn't matter, because my team still lost. Once I realized just how close they were to me amongst some other factors, being my mother becoming not able to take us to practice for my current team anymore, I eventually tried out for the rival team. I wasn't welcomed with open arms of course, but when they recognized the talent they couldn't deny it. I eventually earned a starting position and was an integral part of the team that year. The icing on the cake was the fact that we won every game and the championship my first year with the organization and I was awarded with a runner up MVP award.

So although nothing really changed about me, to reach a higher level of overall success I had to end up changing teams. Some would probably look at it as me quitting on the one team. I on the other hand look at it as this. If you wanted to go on a rather long road trip. You wouldn't take your car if it was a little shaky, you would rent a rather new one that you knew had a better chance of successfully getting you to your destination. Nothing changed about you, but changing vehicles would ensure a better chance for you to successfully get to your destination. The goal for me was to win, and now I was officially a winner. It felt truly wonderful at the end of the day to get that feeling of your hard work being rewarded.

I would go on to win a countless number of games, championships and personal awards with this organization. The coaches and team parents there were steadfast on being the best and didn't let education suffer at the cost of it. We had a rather nice network of people that truly cared about us and it followed us through high school and onto college. If it were one thing I could have changed it would be the fact that while others may not have felt this way, I may have gotten some lessons wrong. I was always under the impression that we needed to do good enough in class so that we could be eligible to play sports. Never was the thought of an academic scholarship really talked about. I figured if I didn't do good enough in class to play sports, I wouldn't play therefore I wouldn't be able to get to college. This would eventually lead me to develop skewed views once I hit junior high.

Special Selection - "One God"

Where I'm At/It Is What It Is - "Healing Praxis"

Special Selection - "Jesus Walks"

Where I'm At/It Is What It Is - "Simple Update 9/13"

Special Selection - "They That Wait"

Where I'm At/It Is What It Is - "Farewell to what yall want me to see"