People are people...

Yesterday (Friday) was not my best day- work was, well work, nothing terrible, just a very demanding day by some very demanding people. Driving home, and getting gas was also challenging. As I was sitting at the pump finally getting gas for my car after sitting behind a car that was done getting gas but not moving because the driver had very thoughtfully gone inside the Quick Chek. Anyway, I was thinking of how I follow Gods commands, and try my best to live an upright life, it seems people alway try to make my life more difficult, I feel that by doing what's right I make other peoples lives easier, but all I get in return is hassles, and inconveniences. Then I thought how happy I have Jesus, and what he's done for me. I am very thankful!!

Can't we all just get along...?

I watched the Memorial in Arizona last night, and several times throughout the night. I was impressed with the speeches, especially President Obama's, he took Just the right tone, I am glad he dove into the political aspect that has unfortunately has floated over this tragedy like a rain cloud. I was looking for anger from the president, as if to tell those people who blame everyone except the shooter that they were way off the mark. He didn't get angry, he calmly crafted tributes to those who lost their lives that day, and hope for those who were still in hospital fighting for their lives. He was not blaming people this night, no, he also wanted to heal wounds that had not been caused by bullets, but by words. We will get over this tragedy, but never forget what happened that day, I hope we can heal the wounds of words that have taken up far too much of our time. Our country must move forward, yes we are a two-party political system, but we are still One Nation under God, and that was made clear by all or most of the speakers, I also feel that some of the division not due to the shootings has slowly begun to close. Sure people can, and will disagree, it is just human nature. But the hurtful nature of some of these disagreements has to stop- if we are to truly grab the plow and keep looking forward. Thank you Mr. President for coming through on a night when your country needed you, you did not disappoint.

~L8R

AZ shootings

Bad enough is the tragic and senseless shooting that occurred at Gabrielle Giffords event in Arizona. There is no explanation for what happened except that a very sick, deranged man opened fire on the crowd that fateful day. What, I believe may be equally disturbing (in a different way of course) is the spin that certain people have put on this story, particularly blaming Sarah Palin for this tragic happening. I have seen the crosshairs on her website... and I did not get chills, I saw the word target... and I did not get chills. This is ridiculous!! Anybody with a shred of common sense knows what this image was intended for. Very sad that at a time when you think the country would pull together, and for the most part it has. The majority of the people see things for what they are- a senseless tragedy.

Arizona Tragedy - Whom to blame....?

Recently heard about the shooting in Arizona at a public appearance by Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, prayers go out from my family to all those families affected by this violent and senseless tragedy. What disturbs me deeper is the fact that there are some out there who blame Sarah Palin for this tragedy with her 'target' map (not going to post it here, you can find it yourself.) Her targets were pointing out where her followers needed to focus in order to for republicans to take back the house, nothing more. It did not take this tragedy for people to dislike Sarah Palin, as was stated in the movie Rocky- "Some people hate for no reason". This tragedy just gives people a soapbox on which to climb to spew their hatred to the world, the funny thing is that whomever their hatred is directed does not really matter- these folk have hatred in their hearts, in the cold dark emptiness where nothing lives... lives hatred. No matter what anyone does, or says this hatred still exists just waiting for it's next victim. I guess we should pray for these misguided folk also.

~L8R

The Choir Blues

I suck. But... I am not doing bad for someone who has absolutely not had any formal music training... ever. I got frustrated at practise today because I so want to be a viable member of the choir and I feel like I am never going to get this, ever. The gang has been great, the leader has been wonderful taking me aside and giving me pointers. I have to stop being so hard on myself, I will get it. With the help of the keyboard, I can and will do this.

~L8R

My Journey

So far so good reading the Bible, eventhough I have read these parts of the Bible before going through the Bible systematically is giving me a whole new experience, I am going through the Bible exactly as it was written. Reading New Testament, Old Testament, Proverbs and Psalms ties everything together, and is giving me a whole new perspective on the word!

~L8R

Cussing and the Cross

I saw two news stories literally within minutes of each other, and they left me speechless, but not word-less. First was a story about how, with the help of the ACLU, the PA State Police will no longer be able to hand out citations for foul language. The argument is that it is an infringement of free speech, fair enough, but when that speech is offensive to people in the near vicinity, or within ear shot, what about those peoples rights? I am someone who happens to believe what the bible says about what goes into your mouth does not make you unclean, but rather what comes out of your mouth that makes you so. I choose not to cuss because I think there are far better ways to express yourself than to drag yourself down by using foul language. Maybe, just maybe if a person got cited for abusive language thay would think about better ways to express themselves (hand gestures do not count as an acceptable alternative.) The ACLU talks about freedoms, how about the freedom of the authorities to protect the citizens, those who choose to use wholesome words when engaged in an argument?

Stry II- The second story revolves around a cross, a cross that was erected to honor those that fought in the Korean war, my father was one of them. They fought for my freedom, and I wasn't even born yet. The atheists and ACLU are (aside from being one in the same) trying to take away what we stand for, God. A cross is a symbol of hope, of a promise that manifested itself on the earth some 2,010 years ago. If the cross is offensive to those of a faith, and not of the christian faith, what about religious tolerance? I am afraid I am guilty of this also with the proposed mosque near ground zero, as I write this, I am also examining my own prejudices and intolerance, more on that in a later post. If I saw a Star of David over a memorial, I hope the first thing I thought of would be something positive, and how nice it was to honor those of Jewish faith that also fought for my freedom, even though i wasn not born yet. We all believe in something, we all, or most of us honor a God that has done great things for us. If anyone does not believe in a God, please do not try to take him from us. All you are doing is driving us closer to him, and yourselves further away from he, God loves all of us, and I pray for those who have yet to see his wonderful deeds.

~L8R

Not this time...

Well, the lottery drawing came and went... didn't hit the big, big jackpot with my work group. Big dreams, big hopes again are unrealized. I am thinking maybe this isn't the way to go, we are doing okay with the money my wife and I make, but it would be nice to have the piece of mind that all that money would have brought in. Maybe it isn't meant to be for me, maybe God wants more for me than that, I know whatever happens I have Jesus, and that is one thing that can NEVER be taken away from me, and I am overjoyed at that... I am rich already!

~L8R

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday- Celebrating my wifes's birthday with the boys and a nice dinner out. Ahead of the Bible reading schedule for day 4, it has been an eye opening experience. This is a wonderful journey I am on, I am enjoying every one of Gods words.
~L8R

Bible in a year.

I have taken to my journey of reading the Bible in a year!! I read my first 3 days worth this afternoon, and after just one day I realized what a wonderful piece of literature this is! I have made many New Years 'Resolutions' this year, and this is one of many that I plan to do my best to achieve. I will also blog about my journey through this wonderful book.

~L8R

The Kids

I vow to be there more for my kids, not just physically, but to be there for them completely. I will show them by example, I will teach them to do what I do!! I also need to teach them to listen to what I say also, it's going to be a great year.

L8R!

Thoughts on the New Year... and my God.

So far the new year has been good for me, I have definite plans for 2011, I want my plans to have an immediate effect on my christian life, family life, and work life. I want to tie them all together. This is going to be the best year of my life, God is in charge, and I take my lead from him.
~L8R

Football, Life and GOD.

Sitting on my sofa, watching football wondering what 2011 has in store for us. With God on our side it can only be a year full of wonder, a year full of promise. I will follow God's plan for my life this year, I have complete faith in my God. Jesus has my back as long as I keep looking ahead!!

Church Service, first of year

Great first Church service of 2011!! Sermon was spot on. I do however have some praying to do, I signed on to teach 3 to 4 year olds. However, I do really miss my adult class, I miss the exchange with the other members. I need a good bible class to deepen my scripture knowledge. I know God will direct my feet where to go.

Lamentations 3:22-24

"The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue, Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all i have, and so in him I put my hope."

One of my many resolutions this year entails reading the Bible in a year, I have probably already read the Bible a few times already, but that was jumping around from book to book. I have always wanted to read this wonderful book 'straight through.'

I truly hope that this new year has it's fill of hope and love for all people and nations. But I am going to, this year, be the change I want to see in the world. Let it begin with me, and all that. I just made sure my mobile blogging works on my phone... it does, so I will be doing alot of that this year. As I said- my goal is to blog more this year than ever, I fully believe I can do that this year. In fact, I may even blog more this year than I have in my past years COMBINED.

I also want to blog things that will be helpful to people, that they can learn from. First, I think I will Blog about the Bible and the wonders it holds, then I may get into social and/or political topics.

I also plan to apend more time blogging this year than social media'ing, I am getting to the point where Facebook's banality is beginning to show through. It would be cool to actually blog more than I change my status updates!!!

L8R!!

Mobile blogging

First mobile blog post for 2011, I may just use this for thoughts or ideas that bear posting.

Happy New Year!!!

Well, it is now officially 2011 here on the east coast. I plan to, and have every intention to make 2011 a more positive year. Not only for myself, but for others that are close to me (not only in my heart, but proximity as well) I hope that everyone will see the change and hopefully the positive effect I will have on others. I cannot worry about those who will still continue to drag themselves down by previous years mistakes. I can only pray for them and hope that the Holy Spirit comes upon them and 'shows them the light' then I must move on. Negativity has no place in my life, or what I consider negativity, others may not even see it as negativity, but rather the way things are. I refuse to believe this, I only hope that these folk will turn it around and go to the light... the ligt of truth. God Bless you all!!!!