Learning Daily

2010-05-26T00:15:00.001-04:00

OK I didn't get my hair cut yet... Will try in the morning. G'Nite All.

2010-05-25T17:40:00.001-04:00

Off to Sam's to shop for Wed Nite Supper. After That - Haircut

2010-05-25T14:52:00.001-04:00

I am ready for a Hair Cut! What do you think about me going bald? :-)

2010-05-25T12:50:00.001-04:00

Question: Mashed Potatoes OR Fried Potatoes with Onions? Reply or Email Me!

2010-05-22T12:58:00.001-04:00

Funny Pic...Dora the Explorer is Arrested

2010-05-21T14:19:00.001-04:00

How is it my son gets all these friend requests from GIRLS? When they can't even see his face.

2010-05-20T22:12:00.001-04:00

Slowly feeling better, not coughing 2 much & still a little stuffy Antibiotics seem 2 be working. @Cardinals5b gets a hair cut 2mrrow. YEAH!

2010-05-20T14:19:00.001-04:00

A Nice Pic of Brandon I found

2010-05-20T13:02:00.001-04:00

Went to the doc 2day. Now taking antibiotics for bronchitis.

PIXELS: Retro Gamers

2010-05-08T23:24:00.000-04:00

Blog Layout

2010-01-24T15:19:00.006-05:00

I wanted my blog to represent what my blog is about. Learning Daily. Walking with God. Life's distractions. Arising from Distractions. Putting God First. Trusting God completely. Giving all to Him.

The Picture at the top is a narrow straight road. It's the road we are to travel on.

Matthew 7:13-14

13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The signs in the background are distractions. It's easy to catch your eye on something that is NOT on the narrow road. Life can be a distraction sometimes to the purpose God laid out for us. There are people around that twist the truth. It sounds like the Gospel but its not. If we are not submerged in the word and not listening to those who speak the truth, its easy to get off the narrow road.

I find myself more and more looking things up for myself. Not because I don't trust the person, but I want to know what the Bible says verbatim. Sometimes we quote scripture and not meaning to will leave out a word that can change the whole context of what is supposed to be repeated. I also want to read the verses before it and after it. You get the full meaning that way. One verse sometimes can be used incorrectly to suit your own needs at the time. God never said use my words against me.

So as we walk through life we have distractions but its how we walk through those distractions that define us. Are we still on the narrow road to righteousness? Are we on the path that leads to the narrow gate? But finding truth in God's word is what helps guide us where we need to be at any point in life. God knew that we would struggle to stay with him. He knew and that's the reason he kept giving us chances. He gave us the ultimate chance in knowing his Son, Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate and only way we could ever be with God.

John 14:1-7

1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Funerals and Life

2010-01-23T22:47:00.004-05:00

Funerals are a funny thing sometimes. They make you sit back and reflect not only on your own life but the people around you.

Last fall we had a series of "Life Sentences". We looked at 18 characters from the Bible and what kind of "Life Sentence" summed up their lives. What did you think of first when you heard their name. What is my life sentence? When I leave this life on earth, what will people say? Will they say I lived a good life? Will they say I lived a selfish life? And although it's not what others think of me and what God sees in me... I still want my "Life Sentence" to reflect HIM!

These last few days have been a roller coaster of emotions. Even though it wasn't my father that passed this time, it was my wife's father. Several emotions that I went through were anger, sadness, confusion, helpless, happy, relieved and other emotions related to those. Those who read my blog and know the relationship that her and her father had will understand the happiness and being relieved. The anger was in part to it was the day before our Anniversary and "that man" had screwed up something else that was beautiful in our lives. He messed up a day of celebration. What a "JERK". I know that doesn't sound like something I should say and how hateful those words are. But it just reminded me of the man he was. If I was to summarize his life in a life sentence... it would have to be... "He never knew true joy because he chose to miss out on God, Life, and Family and wasted his life in misery." It's actually sad how miserable he was. Anyways... I don't know how he lived his final days. Maybe he made peace with God. Maybe he did ask Jesus to save him. I won't know until I pass this life. As much as I don't like the things he did, I don't know how he spent his final days. My hope is that when Michele tried to minister to him a few years ago, he took to heart what she said.

Of all the things that I have learned over the last several years have taught me that even when someone does us wrong and Jesus enters in they are never the same from that moment on. Even though we remember all the terrible things they did. We might have forgiven them but we have never forgotten. God's grace is so much better than that. God's grace not only forgives but He FORGETS our wrong. That is what we are to do. It's not easy. In fact for me I would say that is probably harder than "Loving my neighbor". It goes with the Pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 5:44

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

And...

Romans 9:14

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

When I started this I had planned on going a different direction but as you can see it went where God needed me to be.

I don't know if I have ever forgave that man for doing the horrible things he did to Michele.

As I read more of Matthew.. this is what I found...

Matthew 5:43-48

43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

As I reflect over the last few days... I am glad that I was able to be with Michele thru this. I hope that she finds closure thru all of this one way or another.

As I head to bed tonight... I have the words from Matthew to focus on. Change is hard but necessary!

Slip N Slide

2009-08-03T22:57:00.004-04:00

We had a great time at Luke and Leah's. They have a big back yard with a HILL. And on that HILL they have a GIANT Slip N Slide! Whoa what a bunch of fun we had. I didn't slide on the slide but I did slide down some mud and did mention to mess up my left knee some. Oh Well, the price you pay to take video and pictures!

Enjoy the Video I made.

Rain

2009-07-29T02:04:00.002-04:00

In Memory or Cecil Jones

2009-07-24T19:41:00.002-04:00

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=117084292856

See You Later

2009-07-24T19:13:00.002-04:00

The following is a poem written to my Father, Cecil Jones for the funeral service held on Thursday, July 23, 2009.

We often fool ourselves
Thinking our parents will live forever
Then we are reminded that
Our lives here on Earth are only temporary

I won't say Good-Bye
Because that would mean
I would never see you again.
So Instead I'll say, "I'll see you later in Heaven".

There are so many things
I want to say...
I love you
I miss you
I will see you later

Even though the pain of missing you is great
The joy of seeing you later is greater

You were loved by many
And many were loved by you
Your legacy of loving others
Is and example we ALL should do

You are such an inspiration
To never give up
To trust God completely
And to live life to the fullest

Until yesterday (July 21, 2009) I never really knew
That my dad wasn't just mine
He loved 3 more as his own
It was at that moment I realized
My dad was a Father
Not only to myself
But to Shannon, Ryan, and Jeff

To call him father
Meant he loved us first
Like God our Father in Heaven
God loved us first

Thank you father
For showing us
The meaning of love
The meaning of compassion
The meaning of faithfulness
And the meaning of meekness
Your reward is in Heaven
As our reward will be to see you again

New Year 2008

2009-01-03T23:40:00.002-05:00

New Years Eve Party with Friends and Family from WLBC
Love going to our friends house and getting a sugar rush on all the goodies.

Here is a short video I made. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AC712lY9SQ

Happy Birthday Brandon

2009-01-02T23:00:00.002-05:00

Here are some videos from Brandon's Birthday on 12-19-08.
Below each video is the link to the YouTube.com video in case you can't view it in your email or online.

Singing Happy Birthday at Red Lobster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fgm3KxjUNo

Pictures before entering Red Lobster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp5Lfvspt-I

Singing Happy Birthday at Home with the Cake and Candles...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfkme8bzNQQ

Learning Daily

2008-12-21T23:07:00.003-05:00

Would you or someone you know like to have my blog put in your email the next morning after I blog. It's easy. If you put your email in the subscribe box below, you will get my blog in your email the next morning after I blog. You won't even have to come to this website. You can read my blog in your email box. I have also put a copy of this on the side panel for others to subscribe to when visiting.

Thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to keep up with me.
Richard

Christmas Photo

2008-12-21T23:01:00.003-05:00

We had an opportunity to get our photo taken at church last week. We got our photo taken in the gym with a pretty cool background. They used this background for our Red Carpet Christmas the night before. This photo was taken on December 14, 2008.

This is our Christmas Card to everyone we know. Please share.

Enjoy the photo.
Richard

Christmas Dinner

2008-12-21T22:46:00.008-05:00

Christmas Dinner @ WLBC
December 21, 2008 6:00 p.m.

Dinner at Church is always a great event. It's a great time for fellowship and hanging out with people. With our busy lives, it is hard to spend time with each other. I love it when we all get together like this, even though I have to do some of the setup and cooking. It's just a lot of fun spending time with these people. I have never met a group of people who Love the Lord so much.

Our church has been through a lot of ups and downs over the last several years but we keep on going. God has a plan for us and we only continue to pray that we are doing His will. He has had His hand on our church and pushed us through many obstacles and bumps in the road. We just keep going. It is awesome.

Tonight the Bakers and Makers of WLBC cooked Roast and Ham and Dinner Rolls. The church family brought desserts, corn dishes, potato dishes, and even green bean casserole dishes.

Aaron and Hayden made a dessert to bring. They keep calling me "Richie". I guess in a way it's cool. Makes me feel loved by a couple of teenagers. I know it sounds weird, but you often expect adults to show love or "I like you" type things but not so much in teenagers. Teenagers can be hard to reach sometimes. But it is really neat to see these two open up and bring in a dessert and call me "Richie". I don't know if I am expressing the feelings I have towards these two or not very well. But hopefully you get the jest of the idea.

Enjoy the pictures of the food and the beautiful decorations Wanda and her team created on the little stage we have there in the gym. Wanda does such a great job with decorating for our events. It is fun to see all the little ideas she puts together for the tables etc...

Enjoy.
Richard

Ben Stein Said it Best...

2008-12-19T07:27:00.003-05:00

Remarks from CBS Sunday Morning ( hope we find God again before it is too late!! )

The following was written by Ben Stein and recited by him on CBS Sunday Morning Commentary.

My confession:

I am a Jew, and every single one of my ancestors was Jewish. And it does not bother me even a little bit when people call those beautiful lit up, bejeweled trees, Christmas trees.. I don't feel threatened. I don't feel discriminated against. That's what they are: Christmas trees.

It doesn't bother me a bit when people say, 'Merry Christmas' to me. I don't think they are slighting me or getting ready to put me in a ghetto. In fact, I kind of like it It shows that we are all brothers and sisters celebrating this happy time of year. It doesn't bother me at all that there is a manger scene on display at a key intersection near my beach house in Malibu If people want a crïeche, it's just as fine with me as is the Menorah a few hundred yards away.

I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat.

Or maybe I can put it another way: where did the idea come from that we should worship celebrities and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him? I guess that's a sign that I'm getting old, too. But there are a lot of us who are wondering where these celebrities came from and where the America we knew went to.

In light of the many jokes we send to one another for a laugh, this is a little different: This is not intended to be a joke; it's not funny, it's intended to get you thinking.

Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'

In light of recent events... terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found a few years ago) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school. The Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK.

Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK.

Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves.

Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with 'WE REAP WHAT WE SOW.'

Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace.

Are you laughing yet?

Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it.

Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.

My Best Regards, Honestly and respectfully,
Ben Stein

Wednesday Night Supper

2008-12-17T23:34:00.007-05:00

Supper was awesome tonight. For those who might have missed it, here are some pictures.
Tonights Menu:
Baked Ziti
Meatballs
Roasted Potatoes
Veggies
Texas Toast
Caesar Salad
Cheese Cake Bars
w/ Blueberries
w/ Cherries
w/ Strawberries
or Plain
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sweet Tea
Un-Sweet Tea
and Kool-Aid

Band Concerts

2008-12-17T00:57:00.002-05:00

1 Timothy 6:7

2008-12-10T22:51:00.005-05:00

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:7 NIV

I read that daily bible verse just a moment ago. It was posted here on my blog and just thought WOW! We really can be just content to have food and clothing. Nothing else is needed to be content. I am definitely happier with a full belly. LOL

Anyways... I saw that I just had to share it. God has really been working on my heart to be content with very little. I used to make almost 3 times what I do now and thought it was never enough and never had a contentment with most anything. These days, I am more content with less. Don't get me wrong, I love my internet and computers. I enjoy working on them. I am good at working with them and they bring a sense of accomplishment and a job well done.

I am finding that God is showing me more avenues to be content with His guidance. It is a really awesome feeling to feel this way and know God keeps us safe.

Tonight during cooking, I almost spilled a full pot of boiling water on myself when trying to pull it off the stove. I kid you not, that pot quit moving until I could grab it and push it back on the stove. For real, I should be in the hospital right now with 3rd degree burns. It was an amazing miracle. God's hand held that pot on the edge of the stove top until I could grab it and get control of it. There was definitely something miraculous about that moment. I can't believe I almost forgot to share that.

I can't stop thinking tonight about how mighty our God is. How awesome He is. And the fact He proves Himself over and over again. It's like I have seen the power God for the first time and the control He has over everything. Nothing we do is worth anything unless it comes from God and His guidance.

This just goes back to the "Listen and Obey". There is something umm.... extremely special about God's handy work.

Pray for me to listen more often. God has shown me a path of a future that is waiting for me. I don't know when I will get there or when it will happen, or for that matter know where it will happen. My thoughts and my heart and emotions feel like they have almost done a 180 and I am trying to keep up with it. I get a little lost along the way and then God does what He did today and I can see His light again.

I want to be willing to go when HE says "GO!" I want to ask the impossible and believe it. I want that Faith HE so freely gives to us. All we have to do is pray and we will receive. I also want to know the right things to say when someone asks me about my faith and my God. I want to be able to convey the importance of knowing Jesus. I want to be able to convey the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit when He speaks. I want to keep growing and learning.

I know sometimes I have a hard time getting across what I want to say and convey what is on my heart. I just hope you can read between the lines and understand the wholeness of what I am trying to say.

Good Night my Brothers and Sisters.
God Bless you and your loved ones.
Richard

$10 Can save a life

2008-12-10T22:26:00.002-05:00

This is so weird that I am not sure how to start.

Last week I felt that God was leading me to a "Gas" ministry of some sort. It was a heavy burden that I find a gas station that had gas gift cards. I hear Todd and Renee talk about how several people come to the church for help with groceries and/or gas needs. So I finally found a place that would do some pre-paid gas vouchers. They normally don't do anything like that but since I was getting them for the church and it was for a special type of need, they agreed to do it. So I purchased 3 $10 gas vouchers from Human's BP on Western Avenue here in Knoxville. I took them back to the church and Renee put them in an envelope somewhere so when someone came in for a need they could use those. It was important that the money was for gas and not anything else. With certain types of gift cards people can buy things they don't need. I used to do it myself. If I needed cash, sometimes I would purchase things that were NOT necessary to keep going. So again, I wanted to make sure it was very specific. Gas Only!

Today I asked if anyone had come in with a need yet for the gas. I wanted to make sure they didn't need more and also to see what kind of weekly need we might be looking at. Later Renee told me someone came to the church and they were on the way to the hospital with an immediate family member in the car that was having a heart attack and they did not have enough gas to get to the ER. They stopped at church to see if we could fill that need. (This part gave me chills) Because we had those vouchers, someone was able to get their loved one to the hospital. All because we were able to provide an immediate need. I still get chills and tears of gladness that we were able to help someone. $10 saved a life tonight by getting someone to the hospital at a most crucial moment.

I look back on this and think, God knew someone would need it. Even though I just felt an urge to fill a need for someone. This need was beyond just getting to the store or going to a family members house, ect... This was a medical emergency need. As I reflect on last Wednesday when this started, I didn't really know why I had such a burden to buy gas for someone. Tonight God saved another life. I am so overjoyed that I actually listened to God and He showed me why it was important to listen. I really don't want this to sound like it was me who did anything except listen and obey. God had his hand on this before anyone could see what would come of it.

I have this overwhelming emotion of joy and thankfulness. There are so many times I don't listen and this again just shows me what God can do when someone listens. What if we all just listened and obeyed? What if? My prayer is that I continue to listen and obey. God has continued to show me what He is capable of over the last several months. Its like a big NEON sign in the front of my face.

God has just really blessed our family. And I can see the great Joy it is to just listen and obey. Our blessings may not be monetary, but there is definitely no shortcomings of Joy lately and the awesome feeling of being thankful for all that we have and DON'T have.

Remember, to you it might be a strain on the pocket book, but to someone else it may be their loved one's life you can save.

$10 saved a life today. What else does God have in store for us? I can't wait to find out.

May God bless you and speak to you,
Richard

Staff Christmas Party

2008-12-06T23:00:00.000-05:00

Ha Ha, that is a funny one isn't it? Staff? Whoever thought I would be part of a Church Staff? I never did! It's amazing where God can take you and put in places you never thought of before. As I started helping and volunteering after we joined the church, I thought it would be could. I never thought the opportunity would present itself so boldly. It has been a roller coaster of emotions to get to this point.

Ok so back to the party... Have I mentioned yet that it was a blast? NO? Well it was. It was awesome to spend time more intimately with people you generally only see a few times a week. It was just awesome to sit and watch each other and have fun with each other. Even better yet, it was all kid free! Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my kid and our church family's kids are great too.

Ok so we did this gift swap thing. Everyone gets a number and we randomly choose a gift from the pile starting with number 1 then 2 then... you get the idea. What makes it more interesting is that the next person can take your gift instead of one from the pile. I was the first to "steal" a gift. And it was funny, I didn't do it nicely, I snatched it and ran back to my seat with it. HA HA HA! Everyone got a kick out of that one. As it went on other people were taking each other's gifts. Tammy got a gift that she really liked (salt and pepper shakers, she collects them) and it was taken from her and at one point she got to get them back, but towards the end, I knew she really wanted them so I went over and pretended to take them. LOL She about broke my arm off. LOL I wasn't going to take it, but it was fun to see her reaction. I wound up taking the last gift from the pile to end it all. What a blast. That was the first time I had ever done a gift swap like that. I finally ended up with a gift card from Cracker Barrel and some chocolate. I can't remember what Michele got. Oh well. After that, Todd gave out Christmas Ornaments. Another surprise. I didn't think that there would be so much going on at one party. This definitely tops all the other parties I have been to.

I was able to get a picture of all of us at the end. It is a little blurry, but I think its from all the Love over pouring in the room that blurred it.

Great Times.
Great People.
Great Food.
Awesome entertainment.
Awesome God!

Thanks
Richard

Photo Editing

2008-12-06T21:36:00.007-05:00

I thought I would show you something I created.

Recently Michele and I attended the staff party for WLBC. By the way... It was a blast!

Todd and LeeAnne had put up a beautiful tree and we all brought gifts. Now at one point these gifts were under the tree. I never got that picture. However... I did manage to recreate the scene.

First here is the original Tree Image.

Here is what I did to that image.

NEXT Here is the original Gift Image.

I then edited the Gifts Image and got this...

Then I added them together, did a couple more things and the final product looks like this.

From beginning to end, this took about 2 hours to do.
I hope you appreciate the hard work it takes for anyone to create an image.
Now of course I probably could have done it faster if I had better editing tools, but hey, all of my imaging software came free with something I purchased along the way.

Anyways... I like to create new images and add special effects and put other images on top of other images to make new ones. I thought this one was special because it came from a special night spent with Family.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Richard

I Scored a 47

2008-12-05T15:36:00.004-05:00

Dr. Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!

Below is Dr Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah -
she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!

Read on, this is very interesting!

Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends.

Don't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.

Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past.
Have pen or pencil and paper ready.

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees.. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score in the subject box.

Ready?

Begin.

1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon and early evening
c) late at night

2. You usually walk...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly

3. When talking to people you...
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

4. When relaxing, you sit with...
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you

5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6 When you go to a party or social gathering you...
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray

9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers

10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant

POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1

Now add up the total number of points.

OVER 60 POINTS : Others see you as someone they should 'handle with care. You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS : Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone w ho will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them u p and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS : Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you' re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Now forward this to others & put your score in the subject line.

Funny Happenings

2008-12-02T23:45:00.003-05:00

This last week has just been full of Funny Happenings.

I don't know if anyone else would call them funny, but they have definitely made me chuckle and smile a lot. I guess more so today things have been funny but anyways....

Today at work, I was walking by a co-worker and they asked me if I was having fun. Having just gotten off a call that we had a good time on, I of course said "Yes". My co-worker asked if I had an upgrade. I was totally tossed for a second, and thought he was referring to our software that we use. I looked back with confusement and said, "No". He then asked me why I was having fun, I said, Life is too short not to let all these little things bring us down. He nodded his head as if agreed and I went on my way smiling.

Anyone that knows me, knows I tend to be a smartelic often. Gee really? Ya think? HA HA.
Lately, I have been just cracking up with my customers. I had one the other day that was trying to get their modem activated with a CD we give them. It wasn't working. I asked them if they were eating peanut butter or not? They seemed to be confused, I continued with that they had to eat a peanut butter sandwich when installing our software because it held your mouth just right. Of course after that they started laughing. You know those times when you just keep trying and someone says you have to hold your mouth just right. HA HA. Anyways my customer seemed to get a kick out of it.

Lately, I have wanted to make people smile with me on the phone. Sometimes in the job I am in, the conversations can get so dull and dry and boring. Sometimes its harder with some people but I at least try and see if they bite. If they don't bite I just continue on with my dry boring self. **SIGH!**

Back to TODAY. This morning we had a flat tire. We have had no luck with tires this past year and it was just funny. Earlier this year I had a flat and lost it. I spent over 2 hours crying over something that just couldn't be avoided. Since then, I laugh every time it happens. Why Not laugh. Its funny. Who else do you know has to replace their tires over 12 times in a year. LOL So Michele was like, "How can you stay so calm?". I said, I am not sure. I just know that it will work out one way or another. I kept reassuring her that we had been through worse. I guess I just trusted that God would provide a way. The tire place behind us "Po-Boys Used Tires" is generally out of the size I need for my truck. This morning I decided to call them before driving on a flat to go see them. I didn't want to have to tow my truck a couple hundred feet back to the house. They did have the size I needed. So me and the truck bounced down the road. If any of you have ever had a flat tire and driven on it, you know it bounces you like a ride at the amusement park. LOL I got over there and got a tire. The tire they hooked me up with is almost as good as my 2 other New tires. LOL

Ok and the last thing that is making me chuckle these days besides saying the word "chuckle", LOL, is Brandon is E-Mailing people. More so his grandparents but still. His verbiage is so unlike what I expected. He can actually write a decent email and sound good doing it. He almost e-mails like a pro. Him and his Grammy and Grandma Jacque and been communicating back and forth and it's hilarious to read these emails. Brandon just thinks of the obvious things that we often seem to forget. Like there was a reference that my dad could not take his "hoveround' type wheel chair out in the snow because of the battery pack. So Brandon just pops up with, what about a cover for it. Gee why didn't we ever think of that. Of course they don't make covers to protect his battery, but what if they did? Sometimes I think we just need to ask our children what they think about things. They just state the obvious and the most simplest answers. We seem to over analyze and complicate things. Know I now why Jesus wants us to have faith like Children. Children just believe without question and they make it that simple and as adults we complicate things.

When I was a child, I was told that I would grow up and complicate things. I never thought I would complicate things. I always just had that simple faith. As an adult, I have to admit there are a lot of times I complicate things. There are so many reasons why, but mostly because our minds get poisoned by the TV and the computer and other things in our lives. People influence us on a daily basis. Anyways.... I have learned this week from my own child to remember to just keep it simple.

Brandon is truly amazing a lot of times. He just blows me away. I am so thankful and blessed that we have Brandon in our lives. He really is a gift from God. No one else but God can put someone that special in our daily paths of life.

Hope all is well with you and your families.
God Bless!
Richard

Kudos

2008-12-02T23:42:00.003-05:00

Have you ever worked at a place that publicly displays your "Kudos". If you are like most people, you're like, what's a kudo? Kudos is a job well done or a compliment.
I thought I would share this funny Kudo I got back on 9-18-08. It's Flippin Hilarious!

Anyways, you may have to click on the picture to see it better.
Later Gators!

WLBC Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T22:50:00.014-05:00

The Thanksgiving Crew - November 23rd, 2008

We had a blast Sunday evening. We were able to cook for about 200 people. We made Turkey, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Corn, Cranberry Sauce. We had volunteers bring desserts. That was a HUGE help and relief.

The Girls were fabulous. I was not able to help prep the food because of working at my main job during the day. They came in on Friday and Saturday that weekend and got everything ready. It was so awesome to work with some really dedicated people.

We also had a time of devotions that afternoon. I felt lead to make sure we were doing this for God's enjoyment besides our own. It was nice to share the following scriptures with the ladies.
Deuteronomy 12:7
There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Genesis 19:2-4
{2} "My lords,"he said, "please turn aside to your servant's house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning." "No," they answered, "we will spend the night in the square."
{3} But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.
{4} Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom both young and old surrounded the house.

Esther 9:22
As the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Philippians 2:1-11
Imitating Christ's Humility
{1} If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
{2} then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
{3} Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
{4} Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
{5} Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
{6} Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
{7} but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
{8} And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!
{9} Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
{10} that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
{11} and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Psalm 69:30
I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 95:2
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. Psalm 100
A Psalm of thanksgiving
{1} Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands.
{2} Serve Jehovah with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.
{3} Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
{4} Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name.
{5} For Jehovah is good; his loving kindness endureth for ever, And his faithfulness unto all generations. I know its a lot, but since I am still learning I really just let God do the talking. Anyways, after that we share some experiences of fellowshipping and learning from one another's experiences. We then followed with prayer. Each person prayed out loud and would give God thanks, pray for a need, and a prayer of focus for that evening’s festivities.

Since taking over cooking, I really don't believe it is me cooking anymore. I really believe God is cooking through me. The food is so much better than I used to make, but I am still using the same recipes ect... I think God is doing more of the talking and cooking than I. I just continue that God will allow me to continue to be bold in the Kitchen.God Bless! Richard

FIRED!

2008-11-11T20:23:00.002-05:00

Ok NOT REALLY!! But ha ha here is the pic my supervisor sent me today.

Anyways It was funny.
I sent my supervisor an email. I accidentally misspelled his name.
He told me because I misspelled his name he would not do what I needed.
So I replied with basically he might as well fire me for doing that.
He replied with that picture.

Who says you can't have fun with your supervisor at work? I used to think you couldn't until I started working for Comcast.

Later Gators!
Richard

Michele

2008-11-10T20:53:00.006-05:00

Michele is home! YEAH!!!!

Even though most of you know she returned home on Sunday, November 9, 2008. And for those who didn't know she had to go get some things straightened out at the hospital.

I was miserable without her here. I missed her so much. I never did say it much to her. In fact I was so wrapped up in my own feelings, at one point, I was mad with her for being selfish. I know that seems insensitive, which made me even more mad at myself for not being the supporting husband I thought I was supposed to be.

Michele always seems to amaze me with her life. I know we have been married for over 15 years but it seems like some days I just fall in love with her all over again. She inspires me to keep going on those days I wanna give up and throw the towel in.

During her adventure, she was able to witness to someone in the hospital. WOW! God takes a moment of darkness in our lives and shines through! Michele was introduced to some scriptures about the darkness and light.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

This verse is what lit a fire inside of Michele that I had never seen before. God really answers prayers. I asked God to reveal Himself to her and He did. Michele has been reading her Bible over the last week. I have never seen her so interested in the Bible before.

God continues to amaze me through other people and how He is working in all of our lives.

God Bless!
Richard

Trunk O Treat Video

2008-11-02T03:30:00.004-05:00

I took the Trunk O' Treat
Pictures and Put them to Music.
Oh Yeah...
There's a Surprise at the End.
ENJOY!

Trunk O' Treat 2008

2008-11-01T00:01:00.010-04:00

Thought I would Share some pics from tonights event. Enjoy

I promised I would take a picture of her front side.

The mini Drive In

Which one would you Kiss?

Love Shack? Or Shackin Up? or Hillbilly shack?? You decide!

Someone's Alter Ego?

Simple Halloween

Oh No, Look Out for the Pirates. ARRRG!

AAAHHH! Another satisfied family at Trunk O Treat!

Jackie say HEY!

Surfs Up!

Country Store

They drive their vehicle from the joystick in the back.

Christmas Time? Already? YES!

Good Witch or a Wicked Witch?

Fish Gone Wild

Jeff being stabbed by Darth Vader!

Ha Ha, Taking my Picture of Me taking a picture of You.

That Mermaid almost got away...

Who is the man? Who is the woman?

Box Head Boy

Mother and Daughter

Friends

Father (orange) and Son (camouflage)

This years 1st Place

Presenting the Award

It was a blast. If you missed it, well I am sorry you missed a good time. Oh well. There is always next year. Good Luck. And next year, Watch Out. You thought this year was tough! Competition? What competition?

Being Sick

2008-10-31T14:26:00.002-04:00

Being Sick is just horrible. Ask my wife, I hate being sick. Not only cannot I not do the things I want to do, I feel horrible while trying to do anything. I am a big baby when it comes to being sick. I whine a lot! I guess it's in my nature. When I was a kid, the more whining I did, the more stuff and attention I got from Mom and Dad. I guess it's still the kid in me whining. Anyways, Michele has been awesome this week. She has yelled at me for getting things for myself. I tell her I am sick of lying in bed and need to get up and move around.

So today I am at work after being off the last few days. I am still not back to 100% but feel better today than I have been. I am more dizzy today than anything. My head feels like it is going to float away. Like I said I am big whiner when I am sick. I am trying to get thru today but we will see how it goes. I am not sure if it is my medicine or just the sickness making me feel this way. Oh well, I know soon I'll be better. Good news from this I am down to smoking only 10 *1/2 cigarettes a day. So its like only smoking 5 a day. It chokes me to even light one up lately. I am hoping I can keep up with this so I can quit soon. That would be awesome.

I did mention to the doctor on Monday, that I have been sick like this 6 times since June. I had been to the doctor 4 times and to the ER 2 times. The doctor didn't seem too concerned about it at this time. I keep thinking, either she is not concerned because I smoke, the fact I get better with each dose of antibiotics, or she's a quack. I am starting to get concerned tho. One of the medications she had me on, singulair(sp?), has a side effect of upper respiratory infections and 2 of them that were back to back was during the time I was taking the allergy medicine. I stopped taking it and it my upper respiratory problems seemed to disappear until recently. I didn't have any problems for about 2 solid months. My concern is why I keep having these. Hopefully this dose of antibiotics will get rid of what ever it is that keeps causing it. If this doesn't do it, I will definitely ask to be referred to an allergist to diagnose it that way. I don't know. I am not a doctor, but it seem s to me that you would want to diagnose the cause of the symptoms and not just the symptoms.

I know what does this have to do with anything. I don't know, I just know I like to whine when I am sick.

So that's it, now you know.

Thanks

Richard

A Prayer for Jeff

2008-10-28T13:00:00.003-04:00

I usually don't talk about 1 person or people in general. Jeff however is one worth speaking about.

Back when I first met Jeff, He was special to my son. My son clinged to Jeff, like an older brother. I always thought that is was nice that Jeff purposely picked Brandon's name out of a drawing 3 years ago at Trunk O' Treat. Brandon still remembers that day like it was yesterday.

As I got to know Jeff, things were weird. Since Jeff and I process information and thoughts almost identically, it was hard to get to know him on a deeper level. Jeff is always focused on leadership and loving God. I had seemed to take it as something more stand-offish. I had a hard time understanding anything that man did. In fact I was so mad at him for a while, I didn't go to church. Sounds silly, don't it. Anyways...

As time went on and my heart really started changing, my eyes opened to the bigger picture. Once I could see the bigger picture, I didn't see Jeff the same way anymore. I saw Jeff as a Leader of God's Plan. Jeff was doing things, I wish I could do. So in a sense I guess, I was jealous. No let's just admit it and say Yes I was jealous. I was jealous that Jeff had it more together. I was jealous that he had more than I did. Along with other things, I was over all jealous.

I see Jeff differently now days. Jeff has inspired me with his love of God. I am thankful that Jeff is leading our church the way he does. He is always focused, or at least he seems to be always focused. Jeff has a big heart and South Korea is lucky to have Jeff for 3 months.

It kinda seems my thoughts are kinda jumbled, well it's because they are. I am fighting bronchitis and the meds are making me weirder than usual.

Ok so back to Jeff. My relationship with Jeff has always been like a roller coaster. Up and Down, loops and dips and cork screws. You get the idea. Until recently, I guess I just didn't get it. I didn't understand a lot of things that Jeff would do. I still don't understand a lot of things, but now I look at it as Jeff has his heart in the right place and in the long run it will turn out like it is supposed to. I know that Jeff has the bigger picture and even though I may not see it right away, it is usually correct. Recently since my heart has been more open to alot of things, I too can see the big picture. Maybe not as clear but I have a lot better understanding of what it is.

Jeff is getting ready to leave for South Korea. He is going to help lead in worship in a church that has English speaking congregation. I will miss Jeff as he goes to minister across the globe. I know he is returning (he better LOL), but he will truly be missed while he is gone. I have been thinking and praying a lot lately about Jeff. I thought I might share a prayer for Jeff.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Jeff.
Thank you for speaking to him and guiding him.
Thank you for allowing him to share your love with us.
Thank you for allowing him to lead us in worship.
Thank you for showing your wisdom to him.
Thank you for the blessings you have given him.
Thank you for allowing him to share those blessings with other.
God we just want to lift Jeff up to you.
He is getting ready to embark on a journey far away from home.
Keep your hand on him and protect him.
Keep him safe until he returns back to us.
We ask that you bring him back to us to continue sharing your wisdom with us.
Lord this is your will and not ours. Let your will be done.
If for some reason Lord you decide to take Jeff home to you,
Thank your for the time you have given us to spend with Jeff.
Thank you for allowing Jeff to be a blessing in the lives Jeff has touched.
If for some reason Jeff becomes homesick,
Remind him of your love and the love of his family at home.
Keep your loving arms around him.
Keep his heart warm with your love.
Allow yourself to be shown through Jeff as he leads others in worship to You.
Allows others to blessed that way we have been blessed by Jeff.
Allow others to learn your wisdom through his leadership.
Thank you for being the God of impossibilities.
Thank you for being our Father.
Keep Jeff safe.
In Your name we pray,
Amen.

So that is the prayer I have for Jeff. I know Jeff will be missed. I hope Jeff knows that none of us really want him to leave because we love him so much, but know that this is God's will and pray for his safe return.

Thanks
Richard

Prayer

2008-10-23T12:29:00.003-04:00

You know, For a long time I considered prayer to be, umm.... well not worth my time. I never really saw any results of my prayer in the past.

Over the last several months, I have had a change of heart.

I wish I could remember where it is, but God said to pray and to believe that you will receive. We can all pray and "believe" but deep down or even in the back of your mind if there is any doubt about what you are praying about, then you are not truly believing. Believing doesn't mean, you hope it will happen and in the back of your mind, there's no way this will happen, or this is too far of a stretch, or I don't deserve it, etc... All of these show that our Faith in our Prayers is not strong enough and that our Faith and Trust is God is Failing.

I don't doubt that you believe you love God. But our Trust and Faith are more determined by our actions and thought process. If you trust God to do certain things in your life but not others, you are selling yourself short of what a "God of Impossibilities" can do. God created the Earth and the Universe. If God can do these things, then why would He not be able to take of your simplest to the most complicated needs.

My heart lately has really just desired to listen to God. I think sometimes we need to just shut up and listen to God. He speaks to us in His creation, His word and sometimes He redirects our thinking to listening to Truths known by what we have learned in our past.

****Romans 8:26-27****

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

I Love verse 26. God tells us We don't know how to pray as we should. And God provides the Holy Spirit to Pray for Us. The Spirit GROANS too deep for words. That is my favorite part of the verse, GROANS TOO DEEP FOR WORDS. That just confirms the Awesomeness God IS! God prays for us! Of course we still have to pray, God wants us to communicate with him, but the Spirit takes our prayers to God and Prays for us in the way should be praying. God provides that connection. It is just so awesome to see how God just continues to Bless us in ways we never knew.

The more glimpses I get from the Bible, The more I want to know about God and his Awesomeness. There is a confidence that comes from knowing God's word. Our relationship with God grows as we listen and read. His word leads us closer to Him or corrects us or gives us another Promise of His Love for us.

I know it has been a long time since I have posted, but now that I have figured out a way to post from my e-mail I hope to be posting more often.

Thanks for reading

God Bless you and your Families

Richard

Happy Birthday - Long

2008-09-21T22:01:00.002-04:00

Ok here is the LONG version of the Happy Birthday Video

Happy Birthday

2008-09-21T22:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Michele
First Video is the Shorter Version of Everyone.
The Second Video is today's events and Michele's Reaction to the videos and the fun time we had at Wasabi's

Wednesday Nite Supper

2008-09-03T21:12:00.002-04:00

Oh WOW what a night. We started Wednesday Night Supper again. Although we are not sure exactly how many we served, we are estimating 90! WOW! We had Baked Ziti with Meatballs, Roasted Potatoes, Salad, and Dessert (Peach Cobbler). Oh MY! The food was awesome, the people were awesome and God was Awesome. How could such a simple thing like eating be about God? Well, It's Simple really!

When we let God be first in everything we do, God shows his greatness. Todd is always emphasizing "Expect More" from our God. Well I Expected 80 and we got 90! The girls in the kitchen with me were funny. They said, Richard why does your faith have to be so faithful? I laughed and mentioned it was Todd's Fault. HA HA! Even though it was a funny moment, I believed God would deliver 80 people for supper tonight. I expected God to handle the #'s and money! He DID! Everything fell in to place.

I mentioned money because sometimes, WNS is sometimes difficult to budget each week. Sometimes we have to get supplies and the funds are not always there. This week, I spent $14 over my budget. God provided enough adults and the income took care of the overages. Next week we have a little to work with to get some supplies now. God really worked this one out for us.

Recently Michele and I had our niece with us for 6 weeks. We had to travel to Illinois 2 times. Every time we travel to Illinois it usually costs around $400 - $500, depending on gas prices. My salary alone does not cover 2 trips to Illinois within 2 months time. Anyways... Money fell really short this week, with rent due along with other bills. Last week early on, I told Michele, God will provide a way. Somehow I really believed it this time. Other times in the past, it was like going through the motions. I wanted to believe it but in the back of mind, I had doubt. This time because I truly believed God would provide, he made a way.

In the last several weeks, I have learned that if you truly believe with all your heart, mind and soul, God amazes us. He continues to be faithful to those who trust Him and are faithful to Him.

I am still learning little by little, day by day, walking closer to God and trusting Him more everyday. The more I trust the More He shows me that He is watching and rewarding me in different ways. The rewards from Heaven surpass the rewards of men.

Although every part of my body is aching right now, I always enjoy serving my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at Church.

There is so much more that I want to Thank God for. I will write about those another time. ( if i remember to write that is... LOL )

As always Thank You for reading.
Your Brother In Christ
Richard

Friends

2008-08-28T23:00:00.004-04:00

Friends...
There are many songs, poems, stories ect... about Friends.

Today my heart is breaking for a dear friend of mine. I didn't know God could let me care about others the way I do now. It's amazing to feel this pain. I know it sounds weird that I like feeling this pain. But the pain let's me know that I care. I am so thankful that God has opened my heart to loving others. I still don't love all my "neighbors" yet though. That is a tough one. Still working on that one. Anyways...

This friend of mine has a big heart and has so much potential. My friend is struggling and it hurts to see my friend this way. If my friend is reading this, I don't want them to think that I am burdened, because I am NOT! My friend also is a good spouse and parent. I am trying to respect my friend's privacy here and not letting too much out of the bag. That is for them to decide. I do want my friend to know that I am honored by their trust that they can confide in me.

So this has taught me that the word friend is more than just a word. It's more than just actions or feelings but a connection. And when "Friends are Friends forever if the Lord's a Lord of them, and a Friend will not say never, cause the Friendship never ends." Who I used to call friends and who I call friends now have changed. There is one friend I still keep in contact before I moved to Tennessee. Friendships with God involved are more real than platonic ones. You know those old friends who you hung out with... before God. They are not around any more, or at least in my life they are not. Those were the friends that you did sin with. In the last few years I have met some amazing people who I am honored to call my Friends er... I mean Family. Because who I would call friends are now my Family with God.

Friends is one of those awesome gifts God has blessed us with, through Him. Only through Him do friendships flourish and last.

I am still learning and thankful that I can still learn and accept what God teaches us everyday through our experiences with friends and family.

Thanks for reading
Your Brother in Christ
Richard

Videos Of Brandon

2008-08-12T19:07:00.009-04:00

Thought I would share some videos of Brandon, Michele and I made on the computer. We took a bunch of pictures and animated them to music.

BRANDON - THE 1st DECADE
Ages 1 Day to 11 Years

BRANDON - Christmas 2007

BRANDON - Baseball Pics

BRANDON - NOW!

Spinning out of Control

2008-07-27T14:07:00.002-04:00

Spinning out of control....

Do you ever feel like your life is spinning out of control? Dumb question huh? Of course you have, if you haven't you're probably not human. The point to all of this is....

This week has been a hard week. If the devil really knows how to kick us down more at our weakest points then he is doing an amazing job right now. The past few weeks our car has been having issues with the clutch. I called a repair shop and they wanted $442 to fix it. Anyone that knows how much money I make will know that is not something we can fit into our budget within a few weeks. That kind of money would take several months to raise. So we decided that if we were going to spend that much money on this car, why not invest it into a down payment for another car. We went looking at cars and it was disappointing to find that apparently $300 or $500 is enough for a down payment. What is the purpose of financing if you have to have that much down? Whatever! So then we changed gears again and went back to just coming up with the money to fix the car. Ok no biggie right?
Today I took the car to church because I had to be there an hour earlier than Michele. I was invited to be part of the praise team this morning and didn't want to miss practice. On the way to church the car was acting up more. I was able to get to church ok. I was so excited about the praise team. I felt so honored to be part of leading worship. I really felt like God was calling me back to music again. Worship was really awesome.
Todd spoke today out of Galatians 5:13-25. To live of the world was condemnation but to live the life of God we would be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. It really kinda went with the thoughts I had earlier this week. What if we quit everything we were doing and totally depended on God for every need. Every need, clothing, food, a place to sleep, spiritual and anything else God may seem fitting to provide us. To totally just live our lives as Christ did. Christ had no home to call his own. Christ depended totally on God to provide every need as Christ traveled to teach to everyone who would listen. Jesus performed miracles so that people could see the wondrous power God had. To live as Christ, how much simpler would our lives be? We would never want or need anything.
I don't know if we would have to go to that extreme. I believe God can use us right where we are. But to let him take control would mean forgetting everything we knew about control and taking care of things and leaving it all up to Christ. If we just let God take us where we needed to be how much farther do you think we would be in our lives with that kind of GPS system.
I know that sometimes my life seems out of control especially right now. The car blew up on the way home from church. It's embarrassing as Husband and Father is supposed to provide safety and security to my family, not be able to afford getting the car fixed. The hardest part for me is swallowing my pride as a man of the world. Through all of this there is that comfort that God will provide a way for us to get a second vehicle again. Remember what I said about the devil? He is really trying to kick me harder when I am down and disappointed in myself. I am resting on the reassurance that God has always provided a way in the past and He will provide a way again. I know that money is not the cure all. I know that God has to change my heart about money. I have been trying to not let money control my actions and what I do in life. I must say it is difficult to not let money control my life when it seems that others around me think that money controls our lives. Its difficult because everything they need or want is dependent on me. If they need something for a special event or something special at the store, I want the people around me to feel loved so I say yes and then face the consequences later. That's like a bad apple ruining the basket almost.
So through all of this, the hardest part for me is to say NO to those I love the most. I just want them to be thankful and happy for what they have and not want everything that they don't have. Todd mentioned that sometimes we go through life sacrificing everything for moments of happiness. Why can't we just learn to sacrifice everything for a lifetime of JOY. Moments of happiness are just few and far between. They don't last long and we are always looking for the next big or new thing. I know in my life there are alot of things that I want that would satisfy me temporarily, but I have realized that if I am not content with what I have, then why would I waste my energy on something else that won't bring Joy either.
JOY is only found in the peace of God and his arms. JOY comes from letting God be God and not a fall back solution. JOY comes from letting go and letting God take care of us. JOY comes from letting GOD be our GPS in life.
I am crying out to God right now to let Him be in control.
I can't live like this anymore and I am not able to do this without Him.
So GOD I know you have been tearing at my heart alot recently about letting go. This is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Todd today said we needed to Die to Live again. So God I want my old self to Die and for you to bring Life back to me and be my GPS.
Thank you for Being the God of Everything!

In God's Love
Richard

Long Time

2008-07-21T00:26:00.003-04:00

Yes it has been a long time since I have written anything. I have come to the realization, that writing everyday was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I actually came to a point where I was uninspired, or had writers block. Whatever you wanna call it. Anyways, I thought I would share something about today.

This morning at church Todd talked about dreams. 1. We have to have "Courage" to voice our dreams and to share those dreams with others. 2. It takes "Action" to move our dreams into reality. 3. "Persistence", we must stay persistent, it is our dream and we must continue to keep the dream alive and inspire others to continue the dream.

How true is all of this? I believe it to be completely true. It really hit home to me. It really made me realize that I have not made any of my dreams a reality. I have never taken the courage to put my dream out there, let alone any action or persistence. I never got past the first part of making a dream a reality. You know those dreams we had as kids, the ones where we saved the world, go to the moon, sing as a rock star, or become the best sports player. As we grew older we let our limitations hold us back. But with GOD there are no limitations when we let God be in control of our dreams. Todd asked us to keep dreaming for the church. To allow God to direct us in ministries and new opportunities to reach out, serve, love and grow.

On of my dreams in the last year was to be able to sing at church. I know that really seems weird for some people that know me. But for me I have always enjoyed singing. God has gifted me with a fairly decent voice and the ability to sing to Him. I was able to share what God has given to me tonight. I sang a song by Rich Mullins. It was amazing to know how many people knew the song. I had just encountered the song about a month ago. So during practice, I was pretty nervous. And even during our worship time I was nervous, but when it was time, God gave me the strength to sing with out any nerves and God's voice rang through. It was pretty awesome.

I will share more about that song and why I chose it at another time. It's late but I wanted to get something out there again.

Thanks for reading.
God Bless
Richard
"Learning Daily"

Heroes #2

2008-05-27T13:12:00.000-04:00

I would like to continue sharing about my Heroes. I have realized that everyone in my life is a hero is some sort of fashion. I’ve learned that even though some people are ugly and not fun to be around, once you get to know them, there is a small part that we can learn from. I believe that most people want to be good in their lives, but lack guidance and/or encouragement.

Again no particular order.

Michele J. My wife. She loves me for me. She accepts me for who I am and still loves me. She allows me to be who I want to be and supports me. She has become an inspiration to me lately because everything she has gone through in the last several months, she continues to push forward. She continues to want to improve her way of life. She is an excellent mother and wife, even if she doesn’t think so. I love her more everyday.

Jacque J. My step-mom. She takes very good of my father. She loves my son with all of her heart. She even accepts me like family. She has a big heart and loves my Dad very much. I am thankful that my Dad has someone like Jacque. She is always trying to spoil my son. It drives me crazy with some things that she does for Brandon, but she does it with all her heart. She also does it to tease me too, which just goes to show how much she cares for me and Michele. And no I didn’t mean that sarcastically. I was being serious. Her way of showing affection is by teasing. It’s fun & harmless teasing.

Brandon. My son. He loves life. He is full of energy and loves the outdoors. I love watching him grow. Its amazing to see him change every day. He has friends and cares about them and wants to spend time with them. He loves God. Even when I think the little devil inside of him peeks through, he always seems to let his light show right after it. He really is an awesome kid. I am so lucky to have a special child as him in my life. Brandon just keeps surprising me with his interests and hobbies. I am proud to call him my son.

I know I have more heroes, but I am tired and ready to pass out for bed. Today was a very busy day at work. They offered overtime, but I declined again. I haven’t been feeling very good lately and the thought of working over or taking 1/2 hour lunches, I think would make me more tired. I am excited that I have this Saturday off from work. I get to watch Brandon play ball again. I hope I can remember to take my camera with me. He then has a party afterwards at Mr Gatti’s Pizza.

Thanks for reading.
God Bless you all.
In Christ’s Love,
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

Heroes

2008-05-26T13:11:00.000-04:00

Todd mentioned that we all have heroes. That made me start thinking of people I look up to. Even though one of my heroes is Jesus, I wanted to mention some heroes I see at church on a regular basis and why they are my heroes.

My hero basis is someone who continues to do the right thing, who does what others won’t do, and does it with all their heart. As I name off some of my heroes, I don’t want anyone to think that I have placed anyone above Jesus. These people have shown me strength in different areas. Some of them show strength in their faith and their relationship with Christ. Anyways, I think you get the point.

These are not in any particular order.

My Dad. He has gone through so many health obstacles and keeps on going. He has shown me that even though things may slow us down, it does not stop us. He has shown so much strength during so much. The man has lost both legs, has a heart condition, diabetes, blind in the left eye and other things. That seems like a lot for any one person to go through. He just continues to live and be an example of strength in my life.

Todd H. Todd is the pastor at WLBC. He continues to push and lead. I know he is not perfect. It’s actually nice to see someone come out strong through different obstacles in daily living. This last week especially, with all that happened at the beginning of last week. WOW. He is creative in leading. He continues to show his walk with Christ. You can see the relationship grow with in him. It’s amazing to watch anyone walk with Christ. They teach us how to get to the next step. Kind of like a ranking system. As a leader he always appears to be ahead of the group so we know where to go. I thank God for sending Todd to lead. Todd also is a great father and husband. I only wish to be a small fraction of what he does. I know that with time, and a closer walk with Christ that will come. In the mean time, Todd is an inspiration to that part of my life. Todd is just a simple guy who loves his family and God.

Jeff J. Jeff is funny. He is a lot like me in many ways. He reminds me of the things I do. He reminds me of the way I talk or present myself to others. Some times I try too hard and wind up leaving out the important stuff. I am learning how to present myself differently. Jeff also has an amazing love for Christ. You can see him also deal with daily temptations and obstacles and he relies on Christ for strength. He is so great with kids. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows.

My Mom. I miss my Mom. She passed away back in September of 1995. She was a woman of God. She loved Jesus more than life itself. She never stopped loving God. You could see that God was her strength. Even when she was crippled with her legs, she found ways of helping in church and working for God. She was great at typing and bookwork. She stayed at the same place of employment until her health kept her from it. She was married to one man all of her life. She was a good servant to her family. She planned the reunion for our family every year. She knew birthdays, anniversaries, and would keep everyone updated. She was also very good at balancing the check book and keeping the finances in order. She knew how to save every penny she could. When she passed she passed on a small but sufficient nest egg. She knew how to pray. She knew how to Love everyone unconditionally. She knew how to love until the end. Even during her last days, she continued to never doubt her faith in Jesus. She knew where she was going.

Sam R. What can I say about Sam? He is always busy with activities with his family and always seems to have a good ear. He is a good father and husband. He really knows how to listen. He is laid back and just seems at peace with everything around him. It’s almost like nothing could frazzle him. He seems to be the one who is always praying. You can tell he prays with expectations and that prayers are answered before they are asked. He kinda has like a prayer heart on his sleeve. Sam is almost like another father figure in my life. He has been where I have been or knows where I am coming from. He always seems to know the right thing to say.

So I have mentioned a few of my heroes and why. I learn from each of them every time I get to see, hear, or talk with them. I am so thankful God has placed me where I am today. God has surrounded me with his Warriors and Saints. I know that my heroes are also very humble and don’t categorize themselves in any such fashion as I just did. I just hope they realize that they are affecting others in their daily lives and that what they do, does matter and does make a difference. Even if it is only one person listening or paying attention. I hope they also know how much I appreciate them.

I have other heroes in my life and I will share some more later this week. I have many more. God has brought me to a place in my life where He is showing me His work in others and what I can learn from each of them. Like I said yesterday. God has me in training mode. I can’t wait to learn more.

God Bless you and your families.
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

Last Week

2008-05-25T13:10:00.000-04:00

It’s been a week since my last post. A lot has happened but it never seemed like it was enough to write about. Even though I didn’t feel like it was worth anything to maybe someone else, everything that happened in the last week meant something to me.

It’s almost impossible to write about everything that happened but here are a few highlights.

I was reading Todd’s blog on Tuesday and read some disturbing news that happened to him and his family that day. It wasn’t anything life threatening, but if you were in their shoes how would any of us reacted in this case. Every thing that could have gone wrong that day did. From sick children, to kids getting in dog poo, to getting a migrane, a presentation that would not save and had to be redone 3 times, one of the kids almost passing out on stage (because they were feeling ill and over heating), to a bloody nose, to the presentation that had been done 3 times not working when needed, and to top it all off the vehicle broken into and all of the electronics that were left in the van that also had priceless memories on them. They just didn’t lose stuff but memories on 2 cameras and movies and work on a laptop.

As you can see everything that would have gone wrong, did. But in all of that the family kept going through the day. They just let each thing pass behind them and moved on. I kept thinking to myself, am I strong enough to pull out a day like that? They were all in good spirits about it all. I don’t know that if that happened to me that I would have stayed that calm. It really goes to show you that how close you are to God the stronger you are when “Life Happens”.

As I evaluated my relationship with God, as I often do, I kept thinking about their day. How would have I responded throughout the day and how would I have responded the next morning to find all of the electronics missing with the precious memories from special events. I am sure I would have been saying to myself, that’s what I get for disobeying God. But, Todd and his family took it as a compliment. A compliment? Ok maybe not completely like a compliment but an encouragement that God had a hold of their life and it was a spiritual warfare going on that day. God kept a hold of them and helped them through the day while the devil kept trying to throw obstacles in front of them. Even after the day was over, the devil took one more shot by stealing their electronics. In the end God still prevailed and their faith was even stronger because of it. Now if you ask them, I am not sure what they would say but God used them as a testimony for other, including me. What I saw and heard was that all in all God is triumphant over all evil. That we Can do ALL things through Christ, who gives us strength. Phillipians 4:13.

I guess this is one of the main reasons I continue going to church, even tho some days I don’t feel like I have enough strength to move. It’s families like Todd’s and others at the church that continue to show me how their Faith and continued desire to follow Christ pulls each of them and us through anything and everything. Good and bad.

Served opened my eyes to ways to serve others. It has been an amazing week. I have actually thought about stepping out of my comfort zone instead of putting on the blinders. I know it’s not a complete turn around, but God also didn’t make the world in one day either. It also seems that I pray alot for others more lately too. I don’t necessarily get on my knees and take hours to do it, but someone will come to mind and I just say a quick prayer for each person I think about. It’s really cool to just tell God that I love these people and for God to help them where they need it most. I have prayed a lot for some co-workers and friends of mine this week. One of my co-workers had a death in the family and I know how that pain feels. It’s one of the worst feelings any one of us will ever go through. I kept thinking that if they Knew Christ they could celebrate instead of mourning. They would be able to celebrate that they were no long in pain and with God, and would one day get to see them again.

I also have been saying prayers for a family that is dear to me and my family. I don’t know how to help them and I know that they have to learn to let God do His thing, instead of them trying to do it all and letting God help a little. I know that if they would only get back into the swing of things at church, they would be closer to God. I just keep praying that the strength of God will work through them and guide them where they need to be in life. I just hope that I can continue to share what God is doing in my life and if they really start letting go they could really begin to live as God wants them to live.

I don’t remember ever feeling like loving people like this before. I don’t ever remember in my life, feeling like someone else is in control of my life and believing it. God has done so many things in my life. He continues to show me HE is REAL! He continues to take away my doubts and fears. He continues to bless me and my family. He continues being the One constant thing in my life. It’s awesome to know that I and you all have some one to lean on and trust that they will always be there. Even when our families and friends fail us, we have God as our constant.

God really worked some kind of miracle this week for my and my family in the finance department. We had over spent on the checking account and waiting for a check to clear. The check still had not cleared the bank and my pay check went in before all the late fees would have hit. Praise God for letting a business hold our check a couple days more. Now that it is memorial day weekend, I expect that check will clear next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Something else funny happened, ok maybe not funny but interesting to say the least. I had a run in with a bill this week. I told them I would pay on Friday when I got paid, now usually I tell collectors that I will and never do, and actually called on Friday and paid the bill. That itself is amazing. Now, I have to ask for forgiveness. I was dealing with a very large company, and their call center I think was in another country. The agents on the phone had horrible grammar and a very odd accent and I would have to ask the same question more than 2 times to get them to understand what I was asking. It was very frustrating. It was also frustrating that no one could give me any information about what the heck was going on or who they were. It was very frustrating not being able to verify anything that was documented or said. Finally, I was able to verify what the amount was and when I was going to pay it. I know I said some harsh things and questioned the integrity of the company. I spent probably about an hour and a half just trying to make arrangement and adjustments for a $22 bill. Yeah, a $22 bill. I think the point of all the conversations it was the principle and the integrity of what was right and wrong. No I should not have said some of the things I said, but I will say this, in the past, I would have tore them up worse than I did this time. So I guess that’s part of “Growing Up” and becoming more mature and also letting God keep me at bay during it. Don’t get me wrong here, I don’t condone what I did, but I did see the changes from my past behavior to this even. I am recognizing the change and growth. That’s another thing that I God has taught me, not to dwell on the negative things and to learn from our mistakes, move on and focus on the good that was in it.

I also have been doing a lot of thinking about where God is taking me in my journey of life. I know He has something awesome planned. I don’t know what yet, but I am learning patience. I have learned that in the the Bible, it took Paul (aka Saul) 12 years to start preaching. From the time of Saul’s encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus to the first Preaching of the Gospel. He studied God’s word. He learned to overcome fears. He also learned the Word well enough that any time he was persecuted he was still able to teach in prisons and become an inspiration to the new churches at that time. God doesn’t say, ok you are mine now and then push us out into the world without training. It took Paul 12 years to train. It took Jesus 30 years to prepare for his Greatness. Noah was 600 years old when built the ark. Moses wandered the dessert for years before his greatness. All the great men and women in the Bible didn’t just one day choose to follow God and then the next day show up with and ark, or part the Red Sea. They all trained. They all learned God’s word and God taught them first before heading out into historical greatness.What makes us think we can do in a week, month or just a year. Our hearts, minds and souls are in constant training mode with God when we let Him teach us. I am thankful that I am learning more and more everyday.

God continues to WOW me and Amaze me with his love and kindness. God continues to challenge my way of thinking and challenge me to Trust Him more. He continues to allow me to learn different types of emotions and pain to learn how to deal with things better the next time. I had an instance about 11 days ago, I had questions because I was confused about something, normally I would have not said anything, but I didn’t. I went to my brother in Christ and asked for clarification. I am so happy that I did otherwise I would have made myself miserable for weeks about it. I can see that God is changing me everyday. Little by little.

I am so glad I have chosen to be on God’s team. I am so thankful that he allows me to Serve and Praise Him. He is the Almighty, Everlasting, Counselor, Creator, and Father of ALL.

Thanks for catching up with me. I will try to get some entries in sooner instead of waiting for a week to write. Thank you for reading.

God Bless you and your Family
In Christ’s Everlasting Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

You've Been Served

2008-05-19T13:05:00.000-04:00

You’ve been Served. That was the motto for today at WLBC. We went out to the community and pumped gas, wrangled carts, picked up parking lots, picked up trash along the streets, washed windows, went to hospitals, went to the Ronald McDonald house and visited people who can’t get out. It looked like there was about 200+ there today. It was pretty awesome that everyone showed up. After last Sunday’s announcement, I was scared it would be very few. God has a way of making things happen.

God is serving WLBC as we served others. He continues to bless us as a church and as individuals within the church. In all my years of growing up and going to church, this is the first time I have experienced God work in these ways. God is not just another word, phrase or someone’s name. God is everything. And Everything belongs to Him. We were put on this earth to SERVE others as Christ did so many years ago.

Here is the Business card that we handed to people as we “SERVED” them.

Washing of the feet. John 13: 4-12

(4)so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. (5)After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

(6)He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

(7)Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

(8)”No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

(9)”Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

(10)Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” (11)For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

(12)When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.

Jesus Explains how to Serve Him through Servicing others. Matthew 25:35-40

(35)For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, (36)I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

(37)”Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? (38)When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (39)When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

(40)”The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Jesus served his disciples so that they may be a part of Him. Through servicing others, Jesus paved the way that we should all live by. Being Humble and Serving others. Every time you help someone else out of Christ’s Love, you are serving the Master and Creator of our massive Universe.

Keep Serving - God Bless! - Love you guys.

As always thank you for reading

In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
“Learning Everyday!”

M-n-M's

2008-05-16T12:46:00.000-04:00

HA HA…
I love the MnM characters. They are funny. Oh and tasty too. I hope you enjoy the MnM movies as much as I did and I also took the wallpapers they offer online and made a slide show of them. ENJOY!

Served

2008-05-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

Have you ever wandered if a church or organization stopped talking about how to make the world better and actually did it. Well that’s what our church is doing. Todd has decided to take our church to the streets. We will be doing all kinds of different things to make our community, city, state, country and world just a little better. The church doors will be LOCKED! NO ENTRANCE! Not even for potty breaks. Oh my! We are meeting in the parking lot and then heading out. We will be cleaning up parks, sitting with those who are not able to get out, cooking at the Ronald McDonald house, taking food to ICU and surgery waiting rooms, cleaning windshields on cars, putting up carts at Wal-Mart, and so much more. Can you imagine 150+ people from one organization going out and doing these things. We all talk about making the world a better place, Todd basically said, let’s put our money where our mouth is, shut up and get busy. Ok so he didn’t really say that, but basically that is what it boils down to.

I really believe God is moving Todd in a direction like no other. I really believe God has put Todd in front of us for a Revolution that has just begun. If this is only the beginning, I can’t wait to see what happens next. I have heard so many talking about this event, how excited they are and how ready they are to do this.

On another subject… Earlier this week, I let things get out of control in my head. I let my thoughts go to the worse scenario there was. You know when you get that “Constructive Criticism”. Well that’s what I got at first, but really didn’t understand what was going on. Normally in these types of cases, I just let things fester and build up and never say anything. Not this time! I went and asked for more clarification. Even though, I was thinking positive and negative thoughts, the negative thoughts were winning at that moment. I am glad I asked. I really did make a mountain out of a mole hill. The person I talked to explained to me what the vision was. Now that I understand, I started moving forward. I have a new focus on the task at hand and know better now where to go with it.

I know was vague in to what happened and who it involved, but the point I am trying to make is… (1) Don’t make mountains out of mole hills (2) Go to the person or persons involved and get clarification (3) Don’t be scared to ask for clarification, miscommunication happens all the time (4) Even though it’s harder to do the right thing, in the long run, things work out for the better, AND (5) If the criticism is coming from someone you care about, and you know they care about you, then even if the words don’t come out right, rely on the fact that they love you and would not give you advice if they feel you didn’t need it.

Sorry for not writing the last couple of days, I have not felt very well lately and have just not had the strength to talk about things lately. It was exhausting just getting through each day.

As always, thanks for reading.
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

I Lied

2008-05-11T12:43:00.000-04:00

Sorry, I thought I was gonna take the night off from writing, but I decided to write anyways. I lied. Sorry, at the time I had not planned on making an entry for today.

OH my what a day. Mother’s day! Woke up late this morning for church. But we did manage to finally get there. We also had to stop and pick up breakfast for Sunday School on our way. Ok, so Sunday School’s message was about Paul writing to the Corinthian church again. He was explaining how he put his life on the line for what he believed. He believed in the resurrection of Christ. He was teaching the Good News and was constantly persecuted by many because of his teachings. He had been put in jail, beaten, gone hungry for days, come close to death several times, and pushed away by many. He went through all of this to make sure the Good News was being told. Paul was challenging the Corinthians to evaluate their beliefs. If Christ didn’t rise on the 3rd day then all of Paul’s suffering was for nothing. He wanted the Corinthians to remember the first time they heard the Good News and re-commit to their beliefs.

Sunday morning Worship. Todd started a series called “SERVED” last week and this week continued. He showed us that we as Christians need to be serving others. To reach the lost we need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink and food to those who are thirsty, and to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others. Christ commanded us to do so. Christ wants us to be more like Him.

Matthew 25:35-36

•35• For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, •36• I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Anyways…. To come alive in our community we will be heading out into the community next Sunday, May 18. There will be no Sunday School or Morning Worship. Our Pastors and administration team have gathered information about places that need our attention in our community. We will be heading out to those places at 9am next Sunday. It will be an Interesting Day. I am already nervous, but I think that it will make a huge impact, not just on our lives, on the lives of the people we meet that day. In order to become more like Christ we must start doing the things Christ did. We must start learning and developing those habits that portray the Love of Christ in our lives.

We should all pray that this will impact everyones’ lives who are serving and being “SERVED”

In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

No Entry

2008-05-10T12:42:00.000-04:00

Exhausting Day….

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. Normally I would force myself to stay up and write something but tonight I am going to turn in early.

I hope you all have a great Happy Mother’s Day.

See you all on Monday 5-12-08.

In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

Poster

2008-05-09T12:29:00.000-04:00

I was thinking of something interesting to say, and well still haven’t thought of anything yet. I was checking out some other blogs and everyone’s entries seem to be a lot shorter than mine. I imagine the more I write the better I will become at conveying what I want to say with a few paragraphs. Oh well, in the mean time, I will just keep writing what my heart, mind and soul want to say.

Tomorrow is the Block Party “EXPECT MORE” 2008 at WLBC. We’ll have booths, games, food, music, basketball, rummage sale, and a whole bunch more stuff going on. It’s an awesome day for all of us as a church to get together and make this day happen. It’s awesome to see all of us working together. My wife is in charge of Angel Food Ministries and I helped her make a poster for the event.

Anyways that is how I spent most of my night tonight helping Michele with this poster. I think it turned out really well.

Thanks always for reading.
In Christ’s Love,
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

The Best Man

2008-05-09T12:27:00.000-04:00

Here are the lyrics to “The Best Man” by 33 Miles that was used in a video for WLBC’s Graduates 2007. It’s an awesome song.

:::VERSE 1:::
I have always dreamed
To be that superhero
To fly right in and somehow save the day
And I have always wanted
To be more than I could be
But see the fall and somehow lose my way

But the day your love stepped in
Was the day my life began

:::CHORUS:::
Cause you make me shine
You make me soar
You make me everything I never was
But so much more

You give me strength
You let me stand
And I don’t have to move a mountain but I know I can
Cause you make me the best man

:::VERSE 2:::
Even through my weakness
You know who I am
And you give me amazing grace
That I don’t understand
And there are no words that could ever describe
The glory of, the beauty of you in my life

Because you gave your love to me
I’m the best that I can be

:::BRIDGE:::
I will never be the same
Cause you have changed everything
From the man I was
To the man that’s standing by your side

I was really moved by the lyrics. The melody of this song was always awesome as well, but I never looked at the lyrics until tonight. I am glad I did.
First Verse….
I have always dreamed // To be that superhero // To fly right in and somehow save the day // And I have always wanted // To be more than I could be // But see the fall and somehow lose my way // But the day your love stepped in // Was the day my life began

This First verse… When we growing up we were unstoppable, not much scared us. We always wanted to be the best and save the world like Superman, Batman, Spiderman, or some other hero. And it’s true with God we would fall and come short. But when GOD came in. When HE came in my life was changed. He gives us a NEW beginning with HIM. If we allow him to show us the was we can never fail. God never forsakes us.

In the Chorus… He makes us soar, makes us everything we NEVER was and so much more. He gives us strength to stand. We can move mountains with our faith in HIM.
HE makes us “THE BEST (WO)MAN” HE makes us the Best. Not our jobs, not our family, not any of our friends. God is the only one who makes us who we are. And if we allow Him to control our lives, there is nothing We cannot do. “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who/which strengthens me” Philipians 4:13

The second verse….
Even through my weakness // You know who I am // And you give me amazing grace // That I don’t understand // And there are no words that could ever describe // The glory of, the beauty of you in my life // Because you gave your love to me // I’m the best that I can be

Even through my weakness, He knows who I am, HE gives me Amazing Grace, ~~ WOW - How awesome is that ~~ I don’t understand it, but its awesome, There are no words that can describe His grace, There are no words to describe the beauty He leaves in us of Him in our lives. Because HE loved us. He loved us soooo much. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Because HE loved us so much, I can be the Best that I can be.

The Bridge continues….
I will never be the same // Cause you have changed everything // From the man I was // To the man that’s standing by your side

I NOW will never be the same after He has come into my life. HE has changed ME and everything around me to Glorify Him. He changed the man I used to be to the man that is Here today. He transformed me into his Child. I am now His and nothing can ever separate us from Him. He is all Glorious and powerful. He is the almighty, the Ever Lasting Father. The beginning, The end. He is self existent. I don’t know if there is any other person I want worship that My Heavenly Father, who is constantly changing me.

What an awesome God we serve. What an honor to be loved by someone as great as He. No human or superhero can ever do what God does.
Thanks for reading. I hope you will seek out that song and listen to it. It’s pretty awesome.

In Christ’s AMAZING Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

Day Off

2008-05-08T12:26:00.000-04:00

Today is one of my day’s off from work each week. After 3pm it didn’t feel like it. My son helped me gather the trash together and pack it up in the truck, we then headed over to drop of the rent check, on the way back we dropped off the trash. After getting home, I straightened my wife’s hair, then we started off to church. There was no supper tonight at church, so we stopped by McDonald’s. After we got there, my wife went off with the kids to take water bottles out to parks to advertise the block party coming up this weekend. I headed off to wander around and wound up helping take, furniture, clothing racks, and other things to the gym for the rummage sale. After that it was finally time for choir practice. Then after choir practice we stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few groceries. Finally got home.

I kept hoping as I was getting ready to write, what God showed to me today. Well, with faith he showed me that my wife was able to work through calling a lot of doctors today to get an appointment to get her leg looked at. Her leg has progressively gotten worse over the last 3 weeks or so. Anyways, God showed me today that if I just let him take care of Michele’s doctor and leg, HE would. He also showed me that with patience, things start to happen. I am finally scheduled to sing a solo at church on July, 20 in the evening. After allowing God to work on my heart and waiting patiently and changing my attitude, I was finally put on the list. I was excited. I still am. Thanks Jeff!

This morning I even worked on some settings for this blog. I also setup an RSS feed with feedburner.com. That was kind of fun setting up the RSS feed. Anyways, I guess I got quite a bit done today. I am tired, my legs hurt, my arms hurt and my head hurts.

Physically tiring day, but it felt good to just keep busy and get all of things done today. Tomorrow it’s back to the grind. I know that tomorrow will bring more insights from God. Even if they only seem small, He is always looking out for us and helping us daily.

If we just let God help us each day, He will reveal Himself to us. When we are busy, it’s those small things that remind us God is with us. I also love quiet times, when I can sit back and just listen to God through scripture or in my daily thoughts and prayers.

Keep praying and following. He is always there.
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Everyday!

Mowing

2008-05-07T12:25:00.000-04:00

Mowing is a lot like our relationship with God.
OK so I want to make a point here but I think I am just going to point out the obvious.
Grass = our Lives or how we live
Weeds = Sin
Length of Grass = How we live - are we cut to the right length or are we growing out of control
When it’s time to get our yard back in order after it has grown 3 feet high and full of weeds, we have to work even harder at getting things back in order. If we take small sections of our lives (areas of grass) and mow, we can see how we have improved our lives. We trim next to the house and around bushes, driveways, ect… Cleaning up the yard is hard work sometimes. Once we get our grass back under control, we can then focus on keeping up with the yard. Keeping it cut regularly means discipline. Keeping our lives in check or in order. Even though we can cut the weeds down to size they are still there. Getting rid of weeds can take some work too. Different weeds take different killers and procedures to get rid of them. Sometimes we even kill the grass around the weeds. That is kind of like killing part of our self identity. When that part of the grass becomes dead we must seed it with good seed. Trading sin for good habits. Of course while focusing on the weeds we must continue to keep up with the rest of the yard. Keeping the grass mowed and trimmed so the rest of our lives don’t get out of control. It seems to be easier to tackle small areas of our lives at a time or small areas of our yards at a time. Can you imagine how tired you would be if you cut the tall grass all in one day? Ok maybe if you have a small yard it wouldn’t be to bad but think about the size of your yard compared to how long you have been alive. If you wait until you are 30ish to start trimming your yard. You will have a lot more work than maybe someone 1/2 your age (theoretically). Just follow me on this for now. Lets’ say a 30 year old has 1/4 acre. Now thats quite a bit of mowing to do compared to only 1/8 like a 15 year old would have. The longer we wait to get our lives in check with God the more mowing and weeding will have to be done to achieve righteousness with God.

So once we have our grass in order and our lives in order its easier to keep the grass mowed and focus on God. Once all the weeds have been killed and replaced with good seed or grass (good habits) it is easier to just keep the grass mowed. We also know that after all that hard work if we let the grass get too long, weeds start to show up again and we could be right back to where we started before we cleaned up our lives. We learn discipline and we learn how to let God guide us instead of sin. Of course letting the grass grow and the weeds grow requires no work, but think of how ugly your yard will look. If your life is full of sin and never pruned or taken care of, how lovable do you think you will be when you get older? How do you think your relationships with your family and friends will be?

God is our weed killer, lawn mower, gas and trimmer. He gives us all the tools, power, abilities and a User’s Manual (The Bible) to allow us to clean up our yards. He even gives us the desire to search Him out. Once we get started we get to have regular maintenance done. And every now and then we get an oil change. He is always filling us with gas to keep us going. As we get older with God and our lives clean God allows us to get riding lawn mowers that are bigger and better. He upgrades our tools to keep our grass mowed and clean. Sometimes, God even sends his helpers to mow our grass for us.

I don’t know anyone else that will show us how to manage our lives, how to keep our lives in order, how to cut sin out, how to keep our tools in good working order, how to achieve upgrades, and how to live life better for Him.

The next time you mow your lawn, ask yourself if you have weeds that need killing and where some good grass seed can go. Ask yourself if you need to have some maintenance done on your life. Ask to see if it is time for an upgrade or some hire help. If you ask you might just find yourself in a better place than before and closer to Him.

I am working on my yard, are you?

Thanks for reading
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster

Found

2008-05-06T12:23:00.000-04:00

First I wanna think everyone for reading my blog. I do not expect anyone to put up a comment. I know there are sometimes there really isn’t much to say or to comment on. That’s ok. I have a hard time responding to others myself sometimes. The only thing I want people to get from my blog is just a better understanding of me. I just wanna share my thoughts and daily ventures with anyone who wants to know about them. I wanna use this blog to open up conversations with people. I usually come off as the “Class Clown” or joker and I have so much more to give. It’s easier for me to be funny than serious. It’s easier to keep things on the lighter side of things so feelings and people don’t get hurt. I say the wrong things sometimes and don’t like confrontations. So I figured if I just keep it all light and funny then I won’t ever have to face disappointing someone I love.

Ok after yesterday’s posting, I made some realizations with some things that came across to me today. I thought I would share what started the turn around for my gloomy mood. My mood was basically compiled of several things. (1) Sunday School for 5-4-08 was about sharing my story of Christ and Christ’s Story… it frightened me that I could not come up with a story to tell others about Christ. I felt really lost, like I had invested all this time and effort for something in vain. Like I was trying, but not getting it, type of vain. I was doing it because I loved watching others at church get that relationship. I wanted that relationship, but my attitude for having the relationship was not the right one. (2) Finances, they have been extremely tight and toward the negative side this week. I still haven’t learned to give that to God yet. HA! If I had, that probably would not have affected me. (3) I hadn’t been to church for awhile and felt out of touch with people and disconnected from those relationships I hold dear. (4) I had made some wrong choices last week and was beating myself up for it. (5) I had messed up the online forum I worked so hard on for our Sunday School class. That was just disappointing to me. I tried to be cool and move things around and messed them up more. I was upset that I knew I was going to have to reinvest all that time again, setting it up again for what seems to me to be almost pointless. Pointless,
#1
Our Sunday School has a daily devotions and this is what was emailed to me today…
Cause for Hope
1 Corinthians 15:12-34

Monday – Read (1Corinthians 15:12-19; 1 Peter 3:15)
· The gospel proclaimed to the Corinthians revolved around the crucial facts Paul listed in today’s passage, culminating with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If the resurrection did not occur, then the consequence of that logic is that the Christian faith is useless and their belief in vain.
· It is important for Paul to push people to examine the logic of their beliefs. He desires for believers to have answers and clearly thought out reasons for what they confess they believe.
· If someone walked up to you in the grocery store today and asked you why you believed in Christ, what would your response be? Have you clearly thought out why you believe what you believe? Take today’s passages as a challenge to begin to develop your reasoning for your faith.
That phrase (from daily devotions provided by www.misitrypoint.org), hit home hard. I thought hard about my Faith. Was my faith in vain? NO i quickly thought. And then I felt God just reach down and touch me. I could feel His love consuming me. It was at that moment that I didn’t have to think about my faith that God just reached down and showed his love and mercy to me. At that moment I felt my heart fill with joy again. I was at work so it was somewhat difficult to contain my feelings. I was so overjoyed that tears started to well up. It seems like forever since I have felt that from God himself. I remember feeling that when I first asked God into my life, and asked Him to guide me. Since then I have felt love from people around me. I am sure God has shown his love to me on many other occasions but, it was like the First time again. It was so unbelievably AWESOME!

I recently shared my blog link with a lot of people that I love again. And I had some very encouraging replies to my email. Here is one of them…

Hey,
Interesting thoughts. The great thing I know about Christ is that once we are His…we are His forever. Just like our children. After they are born (get the similarity) they are ours forever. That helps me get up in the morning when it’s hard. I am His even when I don’t feel like I am His. I am saved even when I don’t “act” or feel saved. I am His no matter what I do. He won’t disown me or kick me out. That’s what I need to know!!!!

What an affirmation that was for me. I just kept thinking DUH!!!! Why didn’t I think of that. But then I remembered that’s why we have brothers and sisters in Christ. To encourage each other and to life each other up. Of course I replied to this person in response to remind them that they are very special people in my life and how much they mean to me and my family.
Here is the second response…

Richard,

I appreciate the fact that you consider me and my wife XXXXX not just as friends but family.
We miss you and your wife and the sense of humor you both bring into our Sunday School and our lives.
We have prayed for your wife and somehow failed to send her a card from class, but I’ve already talked to the teacher about this mistake.
Your courage is always to be admired.
Sincerely,
Your brother in Christ,
(p.s. Superman is Jesus)

I was touched that someone thought I had Courage. I have been told I have a lot of things in my life but Courage was not one of them until now. WOW! It reminded me of how I really affect other people’s lives. It also made me realize that God is doing something in my life. That joyful moment of over joy came back again. Wow! What an amazing God. What an amazing privilege it is to Honor someone that Awesome.

Then my wife told me that someone else read my blog but didn’t know how to reply but mentioned to her that what I had written was “DEEP”. I snickered when she told me. It was funny how most of the people that know me don’t think of me as a “DEEP” kinda person. I am not a deep person up front. I have know all of these people for over 2 1/2 years now and I don’t think that any of them thought I had a deep bone in my body.
Hearing these thoughts and reading these words was such an awesome encouragement today. I wonder how many of us feel like this and never reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ? Why are we not leaning on each other more? We all have so much to give each other in encouragement and love that sometimes our busy lives get in the way and we just rely on our spouses or closest friends to help us. We have so many brothers and sisters in our family at church and we are really not utilizing them as much as we should. What if? What if we all started reaching out to others that we don’t normally reach out to? What would happen? For real! What would happen?
You think about that. Until Tomorrow. Thanks for Reading.
Love you all so much.
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Learning Daily!

Writing / Money

2008-05-05T12:22:00.000-04:00

Writing blogs daily is little more than I had bargained for. It has become hard to get into the habit. I did read some blogs today that reminded me that I should write everyday and read everyday. Now both I have stuggled with for a very very long time. So reading and writting have always been a weakness.

I kinda messed up some things I had originally did for the Adult Sunday School class forum. I was trying to upgrade it and in the process lost it all. So basically I am back to square one with that project. I tried restoring it and I could not log in. So therefore I just deleted it. I still have all the files I posted and information, but the original setup took about 8 hours. I am not looking forward to have to redo it all over again. However this time, I think I will leave the theme colors alone. I think I spent a whole 3 days the last time just working on the colors. I have realized that it is the content that is more important. Oh well!

I watched a sermon today from Spring Hill Church about money. Spring Hill Church is a very large church, 8000 members. Now I don’t know if all of these people show up every week or what, but anyways, compared to the church I attend its extremely huge. OK so back to the point I wanted to make. The pastor made some very good points when it comes to our money. First, everything we have is on loan or borrowed, the cars, money, house, furniture, ect… We can’t take it when we die and we did not have it when we were born. We come and leave this world with nothing. Everything in our possesion was a gift from God. That’s right, God. God gave us the means and talents to earn what we have. God allowed us to have what we have. So if all of it is God’s then why aren’t some people giving it all to God. We often worship money before God. How do we worship money before God? Easy, do you worry about your financial situation, do always want a little more money, do we compare ourselves to what other people have, do we not allow God to tell us what to do with our money? If you answered “Yes” to any of these, then you could be worshiping money before God. Now I am guilty as the next person. It is hard to give God complete control of your wallet and finances. Money causes a lot of issues with so many people. The leading cause of marital problems is over money. What if we let God have complete control? What would happen? We don’t know. I know that scares me, not knowing. However, if we trully trust God to do what he said he would do, then we have nothing to worry about. Putting faith in God to take control of our finances is the only way we will ever have peace over money.
I know for me, I can’t stand money. I wish money didn’t exist. I have to let God take over. Sometimes I get so close and then I shy away. Why? Trust issues I imagine. I trust God with so many aspects of my life but I have not been able to give up complete control over money. I can only begin to let go of that control when I put God first in everything I do. EVERYTHING!
Thanks for reading.
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster

Lost

2008-05-05T12:21:00.000-04:00

Do you ever feel lost? Lost in the world or in life in general? I know I do sometimes. More so this past weekend.
This weekend, actually this past week, I have felt lost and just gloomy. I am not sure why. For several weeks before this, I felt on top of the world, ok maybe not that great but really good about life in general. There is not any one thing that is really bringing me down this week. I have not been able to really find the cause of it yet. I am hoping I do find it soon though. It has been very difficult to focus on God, Family, Church, finances, and daily routines. I think part of it has to do with my frustration with myself.
The frustration I have with myself, I seem to find myself dealing with on a regular basis. What frustration you might ask. Well let me see…
• Being overweight
•Smoking
•Finances
•Relationship with God
•Relationship with my wife
•Relationship with my son
•Relationships with the rest of my family
•Relationships with friends (or lack of friends)
•Impure thoughts
•Work
I think you get the drift. Basically everything in my life I am questioning myself about. Am I good enough? Why do I continue to struggle with so much sin? Why can’t I get close enough to God. Why does my relationships seem to be slipping away. Why can’t I feel love?
Good Grief, I am praying God will just let me get a grip on things. Or get a grip on me. Everything that is said or done, I analyze it and think the worst or add negativety to it. Oh my what a vicous circle I am in. I just feel like quitting everything sometimes. Not my life though, I still wanna live. Although if i quit everything there isn’t much to my life, is there?
I pray God will just slap this funk out of me or at least show me where my funk is coming from. I hate feeling like this. I just feel worthless and lost. It makes my head spin.
OK so I always wanted to share what is going on in my life and I think I will take this blog and put it under a different category. I don’t think this one counts as “Learning Daily”. Its more like “Daily Processing”. That doesn’t sound overly depressing and shows some optimism.
Well I think that is enough self wallowing for now.
I hope you don’t think less of me now, but pray for me.
Thanks for reading.
In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster
Processing

Drained

2008-05-01T12:20:00.000-04:00

Emotionally Drained…..

I have missed a few days since the last time I wrote. OK 3 days. Monday was emotionally draining at work and when I got home I just vegged out in front of the TV all night. Spent some time with my family and so forth.

Tuesday, My son had a game and we did not get home until late. We also got his pics back for his baseball photos.

He loves to play baseball. H

e does not like getting his picture taken though. Now if you know him like I know him, you can easily tell that his smile is not real. I

n a couple of weeks he is getting braces in his teeth. He is not looking forward to that at all. In the long run he’ll appreciate it but for now its a struggle. In the mean time he just wants to be a stinky boy

, who loves to play hard, live hard, and just be a kid.

Wednesday…. Well it was my day off. I spent most, ok all, of the day working on the church website. I received our monthly newsletter and was posting all the events and also making some graphics. Most of the time was making graphics. Here a couple…..

Anyways, the cookbook cover took the most time. I searched for pictures of food and then cropped them, put them together, then added the text and resized the image several times to get the right dimensions. Anyways, I thought I would share. I made some others but not quite as time consuming.

Thursday… Today… Well, I realized that I had not written in a few days and decided that I needed to make time. So I did. Which is the only reason I am here tonight.

So the point of this blog was to write about things I learn daily. I learned today, that there are some people that I deal with, that I don’t want to help because of their demeanor to me on the phone. Even though I am not supposed to take it personally, they treat me like I cannot help them. They act like they have no faith in me. Which some I don’t blame them. After speaking to several people and nothing getting done, I would too, be untrusting. I like to think of myself as (not better), more mindful ( I guess you would say) than some others. My goal is to take care of every person I come in contact with. But there are some people lately that just don’t listen and they really just want to complain alot. Its extremely hard to help some of these. I feel almost attacked and abused while on the phone. Its very discouraging when I am trying to help them and they just don’t want to let me do my job. I had an elderly gentleman that swore up and down he had a certain phone number. In fact he did at one time but his phone number changed when he moved and no one told him that it had changed. In fact all the contacts that this man had made up to this point, NO ONE told him that he had a different phone number. This guy has had a new phone number now for almost 6 weeks. I really did not get that. How can some of my co-workers continuously just not do their job. Although, he wanted me to do more, I didn’t. I told him he had a new number. He wanted me to get his old number back. At that point, he didn’t want to hear the truth of what it would take or how long it could take to get his number back. He wanted me to call him back but I never did. I had several calls drop today, and usually I will call them back. I didn’t. I don’t know, I guess I am just tired of doing this over and over and over and over again. It sometimes almost feels pointless. I know today was a day of just wrong choices. I just wanted to get through the day and go home most of the day. I guess we all have bad days like this. I am just hard on myself because I expect myself to be better than that. It’s humbling to know I am not perfect and scary.

It is scary to know that I am not perfect because then I have to work harder on myself to be a better person. Not only for my family, coworkers, and friends but God Himself. I am sure tomorrow will be better. Since I have realized that I need to do better, tomorrow I will ask God to help me along the way. I think today I forgot to do that. It’s amazing if we just ask God to help us throughout the day HE does. When we forget, we usually (or at least I do sometimes) get lost through the day and don’t make as many right choices.

I thought it might be interesting for me to focus my attention on one subject at a time and really dive into that subject. Kinda like a Bible Study blog. I was kinda looking over some of my past blogs and realized I had mentioned that I would talk more about it later. One of the subjects was about one of God’s Ten Commandments, "thou shall have no other gods before me". I am not sure what number that would be, but I really want to focus on the Ten Commandments and focus on what God says about them throughout the Bible and give you all some passages and reference. I am praying God will speak to me and guide me in my daily life as I review these Ten Commandments. Jesus mentioned an 11th commandment in the New Testament and I will include that one also. Jesus added to the original Ten. He needed to at the time to make a point. Jesus was a Master at telling stories to get his point across.

I hope you are all doing well. Thanks for reading.

God Bless!

WLBC-Webmaster

Learning Everyday!

Sunday Sunday

2008-04-27T12:19:00.000-04:00

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Well it is still Sunday for another hour or so. Went to church alone this morning. I had my Sunday school material all filled out and ready. Tammy and Sam brought bagels and sticky bun cake. They were both really good. Most of our class went to the Franklin Graham Festival Saturday night when Toby Mac and Group 1 Crew played. It was funny to hear how the their kids (teenagers) were not singing or dancing or doing anything crazy but sitting there listening. The parents were surprised to see their kids not get excited as they thought they would. They also said that had the parents not been there they are sure they would have been more loose and excited. Anyways…. The lesson started and Sam wanted me to read at the same time he was reading. I got shy and didn’t read with him. He called me out in the middle of it. LOL Anyways it was supposed to make a point of being disorderly. God is a God of order and peace. The lesson went on and we talked about how the Corinthians (Corinth Church) was being disorderly and that Worship would last all day. Paul was making a point to let only a couple speak and for the Worship to be to the point and not let drag on all day with chaos. Paul also mentioned that singing, preaching, and interpretation done for God will strengthen the church. Paul wanted the church to be strengthened by order during Worship.

Sunday morning service with Todd. Todd has been talking about being a "Breakout Church", not a mega church or a big church but a Church that follows God according to His Word and Will. During the sermon I realized that some of the things I have been struggling with have really been because of a mindset. I realized that the reason I am not moving forward is because of a mindset. I want to do things to be recognized by other members, to feel encouraged and to have them notice I am walking closer with God. Well, it is not for them to recognize that. It is for God to recognize it. Everything should be done because God inspires us with a passion to serve. Serving out of obligation doesn’t make God happy. God wants us to serve with a joyful heart. He wants us to serve because it pleases God not man.

Hearing Todd speak this morning was humbling. I pray that God will change my heart and mind. I know it will be a struggle, but as long as I continue to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide me each day He will. I believe God is still working on me and changing me just a little everyday. I can see that God has a purpose for my life. I can see that God is leading me in a direction, destination unknown. I don’t care where he takes me, because once I get there, I know God will say, "This is only the beginning". I will continue to learn but actually doing what God has put me here for. Sometimes I wish I could attend church everyday and just drown myself in God without distractions. I wish there was a God camp, so to speak. You know, like "The Biggest Loser" type of thing. I know the more I pray and listen the faster I change. God has revealed himself to me in so many ways this week. He continues to just show me where I need to change and where I need to refocus.

The biggest thing I struggle with the most is the commandment "Thou shall have no other Gods Before me". I think I will save this one also for another day. I would say I break this commandment more than any other everyday.

God Bless you all for reading. I pray that God uses me with this blog to touch other peoples lives and continue to show my struggles and God moments. Being a Christian was never promised to be easy, but to be continuous choices to follow our Father.

Good Nite,

WLBC-Webmaster

Learning Everyday!

Sat. 4-26-08

2008-04-26T12:16:00.000-04:00

What a day!

I missed writing 2 days now. So let’s catch up…

Thursday… Went to work for a half a day. I was supposed to go and practice singing in the Choir for The Franklin Graham Festival. However, My wife’s health took front seat that evening. She had some blood work at the doctor’s office on Wednesday and the results did not come back as good as hoped. They suggested we go the ER to get everything checked out. She was having some swelling in the legs, possible blood clot, and her blood test showed her kidneys were functioning slowly, possible kidney failure. So we spent several hour at the ER getting everything checked out. She had an ultra sound on her legs, and they did NOT find any blood clots. Her blood tests all came back negative in regards to the kidney thing. She was so worried, but at the same time did not want to be burden on me. She was so sweet. She wanted to make sure I got to my Choir practice. However with everything her and I have been through the last several months, I did not want to take any chances. Thank God that everything came back OK. Now she is still having some pain and swelling the legs. The doc told her to prop up her foot while sitting and not to sit with her right leg on top of her left leg (half indian style). That’s what was causing some blockage and not allowing the blood to flow back up like normal. She is still in pain, but the swelling has started to go down and she is doing much better.

Friday… Yesterday…. Well I also had this day off. I was supposed to sing at the Festival last night. I never made it there. Why? Well, several reasons why. First, I was scared and having some anxiety about being with all those people in a huge arena. I also am a Big Guy and my health could stand some major improvements. In retrospect, I could not fit in the stadium seating. I am either too wide or too tall. Very embarrassing on my part, that because of my size, I couldn’t sit with a choir. Yeah it’s been a long time dream of mine to be part of something of this magnitude. But dealing with the anxiety and not having a place to sit was like a double blow to my emotions. If it were one or the other, I am sure I would have been there. My wife, the sweet thing she is, thought it was her fault because I did not get to practice on Thursday night. Of course it wasn’t her fault, it was mine. I made a decision and I have to live with that decision. I am disappointed in myself that I just couldn’t do what I really wanted to do. It really broke my heart. Right then I learned that I have to do something with my health. I figured if I start taking care of my physical well being, my mental status will improve. It will be a long journey to say the least. Besides my size, I also smoke. Another double threat. One might think that because my father has heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, that one would take better care of themselves. No, that is not the case for me, I am completely doing all the things that I shouldn’t to prevent those things from happening to me. OK so enough of the negative things. God has always blessed me with over all good health. Despite my shortcomings.

OK so now on to TODAY, Saturday…. My child had a couple of friends spend the night last night. Needless to say we all had a long night but very little sleep. We all got up this morning to head out to the Xtreme Kids Live at the Franklin Graham Festival.
It was an awesome show for the kids. They had extreme sports bicycling, Little Tommy Toons, and "God Rocks" performing. If I was a kid this would have been the show to go to. My son and his friend enjoyed it very much. I on the other hand enjoyed the show, but not the seating arrangements. Again because of my size I had to sit in a folding chair so the experience was not the same. We all met at WLBC this morning and 3 vehicles took all of us over there. Our pastor and his family went, a couple other leaders and their kids went, and then my son and his friends (13 of us in all). Not a bad turn out. The stadium was about a third full. They had some seating blocked off. There was a kids choir that also performed.

After we got home, I took a 4 hour nap. I was exhausted from walking all over the stadium and it was getting hot outside when we were leaving. I don’t do well in hot weather and walking that much. Again there is that health thing. OK so anyways… After getting up, I helped fix supper. We had bar-b-que chicken with BBQ chips for the coating and then roasted red potatoes. YUM YUM!!!!

After getting refreshed and refilled, I sat down at the computer and did some homework to get ready for Sunday School. This week I was asked to put up our Sunday School handouts and discussion guides. So I went to the forum site and printed out the handouts and filled them all out. I took the time to read a couple versions of the same Scripture to better understand what Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians. This week’s lesson is focusing on how we should be orderly while worshiping in church. That we should take turns Speaking and Singing ect…. It also brings up that scripture that women are not to speak in church. Now the church Paul was speaking of was not Today’s churches at all. He was talking about the Church of Saints and Prophets. It was disorderly for a woman to speak up, God had commanded that women should discuss with their husbands at home so the husband could speak at the next gathering. In this lesson they do refer to another part of the Bible where Paul discusses the place women have in the church and that they do have vital roles and positions of leadership. Paul was saying women NEVER could speak, just in this type of setting, the Church of Saints. So beyond all of this, I still don’t know all the passages, but there are several places in the Bible talking about women and their roles in the church. Jesus had even mentioned it at least once during his teachings.

Another section related to our lesson, talked about false prophets in 2 Peter 2 and 1 John 4, warning believer of false Prophets and the anti-christ. These passages tell us how to distinguish the true Prophets and teachers from the fake ones. Basically what I have learned in this topic, is that God tells us to read His Word and not to depend on what others teach us. If they are teaching from the Word, then we should study the Word ourselves to ensure accuracy. It is our responsibility to read God’s word and not to believe everything that others tell us about the Bible. It’s like having a driver’s license. You may not know all the rules and laws, but that still doesn’t mean you won’t get a ticket for breaking one of those laws. It’s the same with the Bible. We have to read it and ask God to speak to us, to help us understand it. Ask God what he is teaching US not others about what He has to say. It is our responsibility read, learn and to know God’s word and plan for US. We cannot depend on others to translate the Word to us. Now why then do we have preachers, priests and others in leadership. These men are chosen by God to lead us. Some start out with the best intentions and truly preach what is written in the Bible and then later Falter. They are human like you and me and make mistakes the same way we do. Being in a leadership, they have even a bigger responsibility. They are dealt with by God in another manner. (for another day) If what they teach is wrong, they are Judged by God differently than us. We all have a responsibility to read and learn God’s Word on our own and also learn from each other. When learning from each other, it’s a time when God shows some of us a little something different in the same passage depending on what is going on in our lives that time.

I know some of this sounds confusing, but in the end, if we have a Bible, then WE are responsible to learn God’s Word, not a preacher’s or minister’s. God will judge us on what we have read and not read, done and not done, and obeyed and disobeyed. Not that it will matter to us when we make it to Heaven, but each of us will have different rewards in Heaven. Our lives here on earth are a test of our Love of God and willingness to Obey Him. When we leave this Earth, we have to face Him and that is all that matters.

I pray that what I wrote made some sense and that if you are struggling with the whole "GOD" thing, that you find something to inspire you to seek God more and not listen to the ways of our world. If this blog reaches only one person’s life then God has accomplished what He wanted me to do.

God Bless you all

WLBC-Webmaster

Learning Everyday!

Busy Day

2008-04-24T12:11:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone,

Today was sorta busy. It was my day off and just relaxed this morning. Now this evening, went to church for supper. Had a meeting to see a house across the street from the church. It was a nice looking house over all. It needs some work before we would think about trying to purchase it. God will lead us in the direction we need to go with this. Then choir practice. Then on the way home went to the store for groceries. That was an adventure.

Tomorrow I will be going to practice at the Thompson Bowling arena for the Franklin Graham Festival Choir. I am excited to be part of this huge event.

Oh if you missed the Dove awards, you missed an awesome God show. It was really cool to see Amy Grant and Michael W Smith singing together.

Yeah I am exhausted again today. Keeping it short and sweet tonight but wanted to write a little. Thank God for an amazing day! Thank God for the amazing weekend coming up.

Here’s a Pic that is so awesome. God really is the true Painter and Creator of our Universe and world.

Tuesday Night

2008-04-23T12:10:00.000-04:00

Ok so its not Tuesday Night anymore but Wednesday Morning. Anyways this one will be short. Its very late I have been working on our Forum for the website for the last 3 1/2 hours.

What did I learn today?

I learned today that as I write these Blogs, God is speaking to me. He is giving me insights about Him and what he as done in my life. When I discovered this today, I was in total AWE! I was overjoyed to know without a doubt that God is speaking to me. He is helping learn more about Him as I write. Or maybe it’s things I already knew but reaffirming them while writing. I knew that I had a deep Love for God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit, but God is reaffirming and reassuring me while writing. How AWESOME is HE, that he can remind us of how much HE really loves us. It is really hard to put into words, but I think you get the idea.

I also learned that if I post my goals publicly, I am more likely to stick to my goals and accomplish them each day with God’s help. I am not quite sure if I want to post my goals just yet other than writing daily here. I think I will work on this goal first until it becomes a habit. I am loving this, writing and listening to Him while writing.

Anyways, like I said this one would be short. I am squinting at the computer screen because I am so exhausted right now. Tomorrow is new day and a new start.

Praise Him for each NEW day. What an awesome God is He, who can keep our world from spinning out into the universe and giving us Sunlight each day to live and enjoy life and for giving us night to rest and be refreshed for the next day. Who else do you know can do all this? I don’t know of anyone else but Him. I told you He was awesome.

Come back tomorrow for more insights. Maybe I will actually get some reading done tomorrow to write about. I can’t wait to see what God does with that.

Good Night All and God Bless!

WLBC-Webmaster

Learning Everyday!

Learning Again

2008-04-22T12:08:00.000-04:00

Ok so day 2 of Learning Everyday

Ok so a few minutes a go I had this all done and I hit the "back" button on my web browser on accident and lost the whole thing. Lets see if I can remember what I wrote…..

What I learned today….
I learned that God allows us to go through difficult times to draw closer to Him. He prepares us for His plan! The only way we can share what we have been through and how God helped us through it, is to Live It!

Now you might be thinking… Why would God who is supposed to be protecting us from bad things, keeping us from danger, loving us no matter what, and show Mercy all the time, would allow us to go through those difficult times? How else are we to learn? Yeah you could read books, search the internet, and talk to others who have experienced tragedy in their lives, but HOW would you be able to share and testify to others your experience of tragedy and overcoming it? HOW? Real life experience is the true training of our lives! Learning how to trust God through these times. Learning how to live day to day. Learning how to overcome and become victorious on the other side. Sure going through these times sure does stink at times and some days are harder than others. But how else do you expect to learn it? You can only truly share the hard times and the triumph over them if you only live it.

Take my wife for example. Her childhood was extremely horrible to say the least. I wont go into details but for over 7 years of her teenage years, she lived through some pretty horrific things. I see her now still working with God. She has learned so much recently. God has really blessed her. She probably doesn’t feel that way sometimes, but when it comes time, she will look back and say, WOW, Thank you God for allowing me to live and to be able to share how God has changed her life over the years. Of course it didn’t happen overnight or in a few years. God has been working on her for many years now. She is at the edge looking over and is so close to spreading her wings to fly again. During her recent training sessions at a local facility, she was able to share insights to some of the other participants and was able to impact their lives. She was only able to do this because she had been there and has learned how to overcome so many obstacles. God put a lot of people in her life to get her where she is today!

So the next time you are having a rough day, ask God what he is trying to teach you. And when you ask don’t forget to listen. Now God doesn’t always answer in the way you and I would communicate, but if you look for it, pray for it, listen and wait for it, God will show you what it is he is teaching you. For me, most days, is patience and tolerance! I will get into that more later someday.

I pray that as I share my thoughts and things that I learn, that God uses me and this to His Plan for me and anyone who reads it.

Thanks for reading. God Bless!!!

In Christ’s Love
WLBC-Webmaster

Learning Everyday

2008-04-21T12:05:00.000-04:00

With all the blogging out there, I figured as much to blog also.

My mind works a little differently than a lot of others I know. HOW? you may ask? Well, that’s hard to explain but I will try. Maybe after reading this, you will say, hey… you think just like me.

With everything going on in my life, some days it’s easier to make right choices than others. The days with more wrong choices seems to lead to dissapointment in myself and mild depression. Now usually, I can work myself out of it by the next day, sometimes it doesn’t happen though. I like to put my self in a vicious cycle that continues to allow myself to spiral downward. Upon realization I can pull my self back up with God’s help. I often question why I do the things I do that does not please God. I also wander how God percieves me. Along with this, I usually try to analyze what some people, that I look up to, would say if they only knew.

I know I have to remember that everyone makes mistakes, but its so easy to look at others and just say, “They have it all together”, or “I really admire how they trust/worship God.”

Knowing this, I just ask God to tell me what I need to do. Whenever I look at others who “have it together”, I wander if what I am doing for God, is enough. I often wander if those that I look upto recognize the work I do. I also wander if they ever think I am good enough to take on more responsibilities. I also wander, what must I do to get to do certain things? Why am I not asked to be someone who can lead? God can only answer that for me. I know God uses me everyday in ways I never see or imagine. Am I truly doing everything I can for God? Probably not. What else do I need to do to feel more worthy of God? Sometimes its overwhelming to be everything to God and give Him everything in my Life, including all of ME. The expectations are so high that they almost seem out of reach. I do believe one day I will get there. I have to be patient, ask, read, and most of all just LISTEN. I remember a little poem or story where a guy who was fed up with life quit everything. Before committing suicide, he asked God one more time what he was missing. God replied that the man was like a Bamboo seedling, it remains a seedling for years before bursting up out of the ground and being comparable in size to the other Big Trees in the forest. God had to remind him that he loves us all the same but some people will stay a small seedling for years and then one day, burst at the seems and become complete in God’s glory. When the man realized he needed to be patient, he returned home and continued to grow with God and wait for God to show him when he was ready to burst forth.

It is intereseting, I can’t remember this all the time. It is all beyond me. Maybe its just God’s adversary, the devil, sneaking in and putting doubt in my mind. Yeah, I am sure it’s the devil’s fault.

I also keep waitng for the day when I think God has given me all I could ask for. Then I stop and think, maybe this is what God has planned for me. I also have to remember that this life is only temporary and NOT permanent. All I know is that I keep asking Him to show me. I know that God is working on me everyday and somedays, I wish it were more. I know God is working with me a little bit each time I stop to listen. Maybe I should stop and listen more often. With everything going on in the World, it is so easy to get wrapped up in worldly things. I know that God is working on me to recognize the worldly things and He is showing me what He does not approve of.

I know everything above might sound kinda depressing, but really its a lot of realization on my part of what God is taking me from and bringing me to. God has shown his mercy so many times, but when life has you down, it is so hard to remember those blessings. I am thankful for my friends at WLBC that they continue to show Love and remind me of my blessings.

I remember the time I asked Christ in my heart, repented of my sins, believed He was the only one who could bring me to God and the only way I would see him face to face in Heaven one day. I remember it like it was yesterday, the feeling of all the burdens had be released and taken from me. I remember how it felt to be God’s child for the first time. I remember that God started working with me on that first day. I remember the excitement of confessing that I believed in God and how awesome it was to be part of God’s family now. I also remember as a young child, my attention span did not last long. It really wasn’t til about 2 1/2 years ago that I began my walk with Christ again. For a long time, I said I belived but never trully lived it. In that couple of years, I have learned so much at WLBC. I have been watching God’s people work the way God and Jesus worked. They continue to love me despite the stupid things I do from time to time. They continue to show me the what God’s word says how to live. They continue to be a very important role in my life as I continue my journey with Christ. What probably makes me the most angry, is that I allow the devil to tarnish those blessings and puts doubt and hate in my heart. I am so thankful that I have learned how not to let that affect me for a very long time. Forgiving becomes easier with God’s love and guidence. Forgetting comes easier with God also. I am where I am today because I have not let God work completely in my life and also I am where I am today because I have let God work in my life. With God showing me where I have come from and where I am now, He reminds me that His hand is on my heart, mind and soul everyday.

The other day we (Sunday School Class) were discussing how 80%+ of Americans believe in God but how so many of those are not going to make it to Heaven. Getting to Heaven is not a one time prayer. It is a life of prayers and building the relationship with Christ and God. It is walking in His ways and moving away from sin. It is a continuous journey that never ends. Jesus points out in the New Testament (sorry cant remember the exact passage) that it is easy to travel the broad road that leads to darkness and there is One narrow path that leads to a narrow gate where Jesus will welcome us Home.

It is frightening to say that on the day of judgement, we all will see God’s Wrath and Glory! Personally I am shooting for Glory and Mercy. What path are you walking? What will be God’s judgement on you? Through all of this I have learned that Fearing God and trusting Him is the only way to get to Heaven. Step by Step God will lead us to his side. And yes God is still working on me. He’s got His work cut out for Him, but I trust Him and Believe He will guide me into His arms of Love and Forgiveness.

With all of that said….I keep learing how to focus on Him more and more each day.

In Christ’s Love

WLBC Webmaster

Learning Everyday!