a new year, same purpose serve God and fellow man

failure is an option pt 2

failure at removing things that aren't pleasing to Him

CTRL-ALT-DEL

maybe i should

maybe i should get my fingers out of my ears and start listening.

starting in the path of Joseph

read the joseph story in Mattew involving the birth of Jesus. being rightous, just, honest, dwelling in the word.

http://www.verseoftheday.com/ will help you stay in the world

along with Daily Bread.

failure

repeat, vicious cycle, feeling down, wishing for better, want to get on a train and leave this struggle behind

a decision to make

my wife says last night something she has said at least a couple times. I want family devotions but I want you as the head of the household to lead. I don't comment because this is one of my struggles. I know I should but right now, I don't want to. Why? I don't know. mostly anxiety and apprehension. I will try Thursday and start from there. will I reach a point where I can say I am living the purpose of this life?

continuation

how long must one struggle with something before being victorious?

A continuation of a struggle. Is it lack of self-control? Why do I not question where is God's help in this?
Well, I don't question that but I most often question, What can I do about? Failure ..dum dum dum.. is not an option.

being thankful

focusing on the things one does have instead of what one does not have. Being Thankful. Black Friday is for the greedy hordes that try to get what one does not have and save money.

Happy Thanksgiving

what one is responsible for?

now you may think that the question is improperly worded. No. What one is responsible for is the reactions one exhibit to the situation they are in. It is not possible to rational all the time but kindness and self-control are necessary for one to be successful. Also, empathy and humility. What one is responsible for is helping others and serving God wherever one may.
That is what one is responsible for not stuck asking the question, "What is one responsible for?"

double standards

when one is reminded by another that one has to be responsible and organized with their things, one may comply with the observation. The hard part is when one knows one could observe back at the person who told them in the first place and see points where that person lacks accepting responsibility for their actions. Say car keys or cell phone as some examples for things to be responsible with. Habits can be formed so losing these items. But I hate when people have a double standard when it comes to this. It is impossible! But dealing with difficult people or situations are one of the purpose of this life that we are given to deal with.
argh.

progress

when you ask someone to help you out, and they say no. If you are okay with a 'no' answer, then one has reached a level of progress in maturity that most people stew over and try to manipulate the person to help out against their will.

My nephew's dog died

yesterday at 3 pm, my wife called me asked if I was almost home. I replied yes and she told that 'Duke' had died. My nephew's dog had died. My father in law had returned home from work at 2:15 - 2:30 pm. He accidently dropped his lunch pail and Duke didn't move. Now, Duke was getting hard at hearing for a 13 year old pure breed sheltie. He was rolly, polly, 'fat dog', and my nephew's first dog. My father in law knew something was up when Duke did not move from his 'sun' spot by the front door where he normally slept during the day while people were away. Crap, my nephew's dog just died. Yesterday was a beautiful sunny fall day. 50 degrees and no clouds. My nephew's dad wasn't answering his phone so I swung by with my car to see if he was home. Nope. My son was a half block away from our house so I honked. He doesn't know that his cousin's dog just died. Crap. Our dog is 14 and a pure breed wire fox terrier. Crap. My sister in law's car was already at our house. She's waiting for the kids to get home from school to tell him. It had to be a sunny, beautiful day. Crap. I go in and she has sunglasses on. My wife is crying also. My wife does daycare and the two year old girl, oblivious laughing and playing. 'Can you get the kids from school?' So, I take her van to the school which is 3 1/2 blocks away. I pull in and here the kids come ready to walk home. Cole, my 6 year old nephew, happy as a lark hops in along my daughter, Mallory, 8, into the van. Her friend, Kayana, hops in. There is my nephew with his friend from his grade, 6th, talking and walking. Crap his dog just died. He never hops in the van. He would rather walk. So I know the dog is dead why sound the alarm. Why tell him to get in the van? (He'll know something is up) Sure you can walk home. Every kid deserves a nice walk home on a sunny fall day oblivious that his dog just died. Crap. Get home and Cole says, 'Why is my mom here, she should be at work?' He knows something is up. He walks in the house. 'Why do you have a sad face mom? What is wrong?' My wife asks where Ty is. I say that I let him walk home. I don't want him to know yet that his dog just died. My sister-in-law, Ann, tells Cole she will tell him when Ty gets home. So Cole talks about his day to his mom knowing something is up but not knowing his dog just died. Crap. Takes about 5 minutes, seemed like 10, before Tyler gets home. As soon as Ty is in the door, Cole asks 'Okay mom what do you need to tell us now that Ty is here' Ty says, 'oh yeah, what's up mom?' 'Well, Duke died today at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Sadness hit both boys hard. Distraught, Anger, Tears. the next hour was horrible. They said their goodbyes to their dog Duke laying peaceful in his 'sun' spot next the front door. 'He hopped up into the house like normal this morning. like nothing was wrong' said Ann. 'I'll never get to feed again' Cole said. 'He was my friend.' said Ty. So yesterday on a bright beautiful fall day in Minnesota, Duke died and my nephews hearts were broke and everyone cried.

outreach ideas

i have thought of many outreach ideas. The funny thing is that I scored in a spiritual gifts assessment with evangelism being my lowest score, 1 point. I think I have a different idea on how one should evangelize to others than the makers of that survey. thinking of ways right now to reach out to my son's best friend's family. His mom just was arrested for drunk-driving, says my son. I hope I can teach him to emphathize with his friend and not blab it to everyone. Maturity is of the essence and my son lacks some basic components to keep his trap shut in certain matters. Godspeed, I know i'll need it.

Found this as the first link from ask.com

sometimes when one seeks the purpose of this life, one must purposely be random (as one can be).

So here is a link to that random decision.

and a copy of the verse of the day minus the description and discussion points.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.


— Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

vocabulary usage or the words I use

so as I am moving towards emotional maturity. Who is to say I am moving forward? That I am reading, Hugh Downs' book, Potential. Another goal I have set before is to use words that to whom I speak with will understand the words that I communicate. Effective Communication. Put my BA to work in real life. So this blog may transform. hmmhmmm. So this blog may change into a more simple way to tell others and tell myself how I am moving to the purpose of this life in which I live.

see you later

a lowly sinner's prayer

Listen to my words, O Lor, give heed to sighing and groaning. Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray. O Lord, rebuke me not in Your anger nor discipline and chasten me in your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me and be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am weak (faint and withered awa;y); O Lord, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My inner self as well as my body is also exceedingly disturbed and troubled. But you, O Lord, how long (until your return and speak peace to me?) Return, O Lord, deliver my life. Save me for the sake of Your steadfast love and mercy. For I am weary with my groaning. All night I soak my pillow with tears. I drench my couch with my weeping. My eyes grows dim because of grief. It grows old because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity(lying, stealing, sexual impurity) for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. I have acted wickedly and departed from your path. Lord, hear my supplication of prayer. Receive my prayer. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousnes. Renew my mind. Transform my spirit and will to your own. Have mercy O Lord. I now dedicate all of me: my mind, spirit and body: to you my God. This is my spiritual worship. Change me in all entirety with a new attitude and ideal. I am subject to You, My Lord. In the name of Jesus, I ask for purity and mental renewal. By the blood of Christ, I ask to be cleansed from my afflictions which are my iniquities. I worship in forgiveness and offer a sacrifice of praise. You alone are my Redeemer and Deliverer. In confidence I dwell in your safe arms and confidently trust You to answer me, a sinner.

Men: Are you emotionally immature?

So yesterday my wife and I were discussing about how I said something hurtful to her. I hope I quote this right since it was debated in our discussion. The topic of our nephew's football game and how the referees were chummy with the opposition's coach. That they were calling it one-sided and borderline ridiculous. The conversation between her dad, her, and I progressed to the point where I said, "You are not worth the comment. (or a comment)." Either way, poor choice of words. Later on that day, we progressed in the discussion. Mostly it is her talking and me trying to avoid the conversation because I know I said it wrong. I wanted to be spiteful and said it in a mean tone. Then towards the end of the conversation, she said something that has stuck and hopefully I will progress in this since she has said (might I add, said correctly) that I haven't progressed in 15 years on this topic and she is doubtful that I will. In the next coming days, weeks, months, and year: "You are just emotionally immature." Now husbands. Now men. I am talking to you. Guess what? I am. I am emotionally immature. So I decided to search 'emotionally immature' on the internet. Here is the link. Verbatim here's what the person said.

How to Become Emotionally Mature

1  Avoid getting easily offended. Immature, selfish people allow the behavior of others to make theme feel bad. They constantly dwell on who hurt and mistreated them but they never concern themselves with the people they have offended. Stop carrying anger or resentment in your heart against a person who more than likely didn't realize their actions or conduct caused you pain.

2. Stop giving your joy away. Everyday we are faced with circumstances beyond our control with the potential to rob us of our happiness. Are you going to give your joy away because someone cut you off in traffic? Are you going to give your joy away because the cashier at the grocery store was rude to you? If you keep doing that, at the end of the day you will have no joy left and the people you love the most will suffer because of it. Quit allowing strangers, people you will never see again, take your peace away. Make up your mind you are not going to get aggravated because another person is having a bad day or has bad manners. Be determined to stay in peace.



3. Use reason to govern your actions, instead of emotion. Do not allow your feelings or emotions to control you. If you continue letting your emotions rule you, you will never be free as there will always be something or someone to keep you on edge.
4. Do not bite the bait. The enemy loves to push our buttons and he uses people to trap us into mediocrity, but reacting the same way is just another trip around the same mountain. Cultivate a new way to react and watch how the people who love to aggravate you lose their power over you.
Tips & Warnings


If people are rude to you, be the bigger person and respond to their anger with dignity and kindness. Refuse their poison and give it right back to them.
 
Since I found this useful, ladies if you are reading this, then click on this link from eharmony because I thought you should know what an emotionally mature man should act like.

yes be yes, no be no

No truer words. Very few people live up to the old adage, 'your word is bond' I fail. the truth is difficult to face. I hope to change. I trust in God to help me change the habits that do not benefit the purpose in this life in which i am to live

new day, new approach

try, try, try again.

i'm not listening

it seems that I have not been listening for a very long time. This is the 'millionth' time I tried and failed. This course I have not changed for so long is still with me. No matter what I do, I cannot seem to shake these chains off of me. After all, am I failing in my purpose of this life if my faults are not corrected? give it up. Yes, giving it up to God. Some may think this is cliche. Some may say i am copping out. I say maybe this is progress. Maybe this time... And then every time up until this time, i have said that, i plunge deeper down with my chains dragging downwards. Easy said then. The voice inside is urging me onward. Tune my off-key notes. Change me. Change me. I seem to have not been listening. I may have missed out but I need to cease on trying solo so here I go towards the purpose of this life set before me. Hoping. Loved. Perserverance. One step. the path i choose is no longer my own. Guide me. Hoping in my hopelessness. Wanting more. I am ready to listen, O God. Here I am in my stained state. Cleanse me. Heal me. Lead me where I should go.

Quotes from Reinhold Pabel

'I hope America will remain a sanctuary for personal liberty as well as a bulwark of freedom against the slavemasters of the world"

" I cannot fail to observe that even in America, gov't restrictions of personal liberty, in an effort to safeguard security and the welfare of the people, are definitely on the increase. I hope with all my heart that America will never yield to the temptation to use methods of control and suppression that smack suspiciously of tidbits from the dictators' bill of fare."

"A rabbi (in 1950's) said during "Brotherhood Week" in Chicago, 'real brotherhood could be accomplished only if one group would rise and fight against injustices done to others, not only when their own rights have been violated."

"To joke and to laugh-even at one's own expense- is an excellent way to overcome tough situations"

failure is not an option

Unless, one wishes to ignore the obvious, failure is an option. One decides to take it or not. Hopefully, not. Reinhold Pabel stated something remarkable, Enemies are human. If one cannot see the ones that are not friends(enemies) as human, how can one exhibit one's own humanity? Befriend the friendless. Assist those who need it. Ask yourself, Is failing an option? One should answer yes, it is. But then after stating the logic answer, one should state that choosing failure over choosing what is right and good is the wrong choice. One should know, Each person that one encounters deserves dignity, respect, and know that God Almighty's spirit resides in them and God wishes for each person to impart into the ones who have given up a re-newed sense of purpose of this life which we live. Will you do that? Each person is a human and God wants us to help restore them into communion with Him.

words, choose them carefully

I have learned to listen but I fail in most regards.

I know which words to say but often put my foot in my mouth or later become hypocrite

progress is often not in leaps or bounds but in baby steps.

day two

back in the same slew

theday

there comes a day, where one says, i am going to change. I am going to start making stride to reach that level in which I will become the person I want to become.
Is today theday? (Can't you sense the urgency in the question?)

Notes from a summer sermon

May we always say, cleanse me O God. Restore me the joy of salvation so I may rejoice in God's Grace and see his work in every face.
Do we truly welcome sinners, poor and needy?
Do we honestly accept others as they are?
Are we willing to watch God's Grace work its' way?
As we observe our friends stumble, fall, and struggle, will we be able to remain humble, to be loving and uplifting, not criticizing or judging?
Abhor the sin but love the sinner?
Thru our actions, may we allure like a fisherman's spinner.

summer sermon

These are the note from one of the summer sermons. Your neighbor is anyone who needs help.
Rituals will not do. Ceremony is empty.
Transformation of being to act, Make a difference.
do something tangible to show others.
God is with us.
God is in us.
God is here.
God can hear.

Early Church Example still followed

Yesterday, I had a Church friend who hopefully will become a friend as I call him now. Last Saturday, my wife and I were unable to babysit their children because of prior commitments. One may wonder if one say they are able to do something and the first time they are asked to do something if 'said persons' will be asked again. I hope so. Back to the story.

Omar helped me out of his busy schedule of painting in his house to help move an entertainment center out of my house. This took a total of 20 minutes plus his drive time to our house.
I really appreciated this and it made think of the early Christian example of the early church members helping each other out as they had needs.

references:

Titus 3:14 (Whole Chapter) [Titus 2:8] Our people must also learn to [Titus 3:8] engage in good deeds to meet [Rom 12:13; Phil 4:16] pressing needs, so that they will not be [Matt 7:19; Phil 1:11; Col 1:10] unfruitful.

Romans 12:13 (Whole Chapter) [Rom 15:25; 1 Cor 16:15; 2 Cor 9:1; Heb 6:10] contributing to the needs of the saints, [Matt 25:35; 1 Tim 3:2] practicing hospitality.

Acts 2:45 (Whole Chapter) and they [Matt 19:21; Acts 4:34] began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Acts 4:34 (Whole Chapter) For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses [Matt 19:21; Acts 2:45] would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
Acts 4:35 (Whole Chapter) and [Acts 4:37; 5:2] lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be [Acts 2:45; 6:1] distributed to each as any had need.

Thank you

New Library Catalog

Tomorrow is the big day so I thought I would post a link to the Library website.

One of my favorite places.

change of direction

Have you made the choice today? you may say one way is as good as another.

stop the self-delusion. There is a void. It can only be filled with God's Love and the example in which He exhibited how much value is placed on our worth to be in the presence of His love.

Serve Him by serving others. Show others the better way to live this life. By word and deed. By the lives we live. Change or continue to be stagnant. The circle must be broken in order to be open to the limitless possibilities that awaits our live. Live it to the full.

Anything less will fail in living out the purpose of this (life).

no matter

no matter what u done

no matter where u been

no matter where u at

God is here and has always been there. He loves you in the place where u r.

Feel the Love.

The wandering soul

I notice how people of this modern area struggle with identity and place in this world. (I struggled with it.)

Humans are infected with a void inside. It eats at the psyche. A recent movie I watched, Into the Wild,

showed this void and one person's attempt to fill it. A favorite punk song touches on this subject.

r u a wandering soul or have you found the purpose of this life?

wishes to get out of the cycle he's in

Introspection is a weapon underutilized.

what u representin

hey next time you think that you and God are cool.
Check yourself. Is the event I am choosing to go to or host uplifting and pleasing towards God?
Is the thing am I about to on the computer doing the right thing?

Is my interactions with others the representation I would like it to b?

muddle

i believe this is what God has allowed for us as humans to do on this earth with our lives.

How we conduct ourselves as servants of God is the crux.

Ask thyself, How do I represent Christ in my daily life?

Bullies

Many of us have dealt with these personalities since childhood. I don't know about you but I have a hard time cracking this personality at the work place. It seems to be those in management that are these bully personalities. So what does one do, Cave. I know that this is not the right thing to do but how does one combat these bullies?
I don't want to combat them.

I want to be able to have them see what they are doing is bullying and that is counterproductive to a long-term cohesive work environment. Maybe I am optimist. I usually get teased by others saying, 'Good Luck with that' ,'You're dreaming'. Well, guess what. If we don't try to change the circumstances around us and try to live the purposes of this life set before us. What is the point?

To Muddle one's way through is what we do. if one has a direction in life then this aimless search to change our 'world' will change. We can do it if we try.

The problem is people don't group together and tackle the establishment to change because "The Man" does beat us down. After all, "The Man" has the power and the ability to do so. It sucks. If we get enough people and raise enough hell, maybe then we can change our 'world' and start to live out the purposes meant for our lives.

Truth, u can't handle the truth

Some times it is the most necessary and difficult thing for a person to live with.
We know we crave it. But seldom do we prepare ourselves to handle it. We get mad, frustrated, and discombobulated. I know what I am. I am what I don't want to be. I want to be someone better than what I am. That is my current purpose that I am striving to change. Yes, I can change. The road hopefully won't be long, but probably difficult. But I am willing to do it.

Failure- it's what we do

If you are like me, you understand why you did it. What most of us don't get why we didn't prevent it.

How many times must one fail at something in order to take the necessary steps so that the action is not repeated? I wish I wouldn't do it. But I do it anyway. Apostle Paul had something to say about that.

When I reach this crux, I wonder, Will I ever overcome this problem that keeps on coming up? Can I actually do anything about it? Why does it just go away and not bother me anymore? One solution I keep on trying is the replacement theory. 1) You do something you don't like. 2) You don't want to do it anymore. 3) Replace it with something better to occupy that space in your life. 4) Will I keep this new habit up? This is the question. If I would just ask for help maybe then I wouldn't fail so often. Often I just feel like

I am standing still or unable to walk away from the problem that keeps holding me back.

it's living that counts

Well, i was listening to the sermon today and received a few good things i can apply throughout this week. It's not about witnessing. It's about living. Living out ur faith. Human contact.

Jesus didn't just come to do his thing but to establish contact with humans again since sin has removed us from his presence. We can't as Christians live in our culture. Christian church. Christian activities. How many non-Christians do we know and how often do we hang out with them so that Christ is visible to us in our lives but to others? How we live our lives is more important then just saying it.
Living out the purpose set before us given in the example of Jesus is the point.

Stop holding on to the rock in the middle of the raging river, going whew! i am safe and can rest for awhile to get out of this raging river. God is the raging river and we need to flow where he takes us and stop doing things we do that are safe. We are not called to safety but a life of risk. After all, that is a worthwhile purpose. Risky prop, but well worth it.

Drive or Die

Most of us see each day in our homes, workplace, and other social settings.
We can usually cipher who has it and who does not. of course, i am talking about the drive to accomplish a task and take initiative to start a new one. Why is it that people don't have drive?
Maybe their parents removed too many challenges in front of them so as kids, the person wouldn't drive against the obstacles placed in front of them. Succeed or fail. But trying is the key battle in which one can test whether or not they have drive. I have been lacking it in sufficient amount so i think I will make a list to accomplish with imposed deadlines. After all this might be the start of becoming better, evolving to some higher, or living out this purpose we have been given to us from God.

don't wanna waste my life

Just went to lecrae and crew at Club 3 degrees on Saturday.

It was sold out. It had some very typical aspects of what a Christian Concert is. Good music. Good message about not wasting your life.

So this blog is about asking this question,

What are u doing w/ ur life?

It's not about me

This is common struggle that people tend to face when tackling an issue.

One classic example is the whole "it takes a village to raise a child" debate.

Whether one espouses to which side of this debate to me does not matter.

But I think it is a good example on how an "I" concept is versus a "we" concept.

I recently have been thinking that a 'we' concept is definitely better than an "I" concept.

Last Sunday, I particularly notice this. All the worship songs were "Here I am to Worship" and two other songs with "I" in the title. When has God ever centered his message and his church around me? Should it not be the other way around? We are here to worship and We are yours. "I" is often associated with an egotistical viewpoint. I think this is mostly correct. When one removes oneself from a situation and looks at it, one may be able to see that it is not all about me but about something greater than oneself. I remember a particular lady at church and what she said one time to somebody. "I am so glad the Wednesday night program is going so well. The kids must be coming because of my teaching." Now this isn't a verbatim quote but the concept is conveyed. So before you go and complain about something or say something, Is it better for you not to (voice a complaint) since it might be a better way for the 'we' that you are involved in, for you to ask this...

ask "Will it strengthen the 'we' if 'I' do what 'I' plan to do whether in word or deed?"

Whenever approaching a situation or be involved in an organization, one should have this concept in mind.

"It is not about me, it is about we."

So how can we come together to better our society, our families, our lives, us?

Can't we focus on something greater than ourselves?

After all, is this not the purpose of this (life)?

kick start in the morning

Routine.

Everyone has this habitual tendency. You repeatably follow the same pattern over and over.

Wake up. Get out of bed (if u decided to sleep in your bed (if u have one)). Follow the things that you do.

Go where u have to go. Go to your favorite websites. Yadah-yadah. blah. blah. uh-hunh uh-hunh.

Ask thyself. What can i do challenge myself today? What will I do for another today, selflessly?

Insert your favorite product tag line. Think Wayne's World with Nuprin.

What will u do when the boring and mundane run wild on you?

it sneaks up on u & bam! a defining event

had one of these events happen to me and just a warning to all those out there.

It changes things. The event in which one or a thing is transformed. Think a butterfly from a caterpillar.

vitriol

think sigourney weaver vs an alien lifeform;
the metal corroding from the vitriolic spit
is the core being challenged? not recently but recent enough

The purpose of this life is become a better person; to affect the good for all ; serve; etc...
add a cliche, a pun, sarcastic remark, quip

hey, don't give up.

no need to fear, God is here. I am not him.
my purpose is _________ .

well it's dragging

time seems to have been dragging, maybe i should attempt to finish the wiring project without the contractor. maybe i need to hang a light in the grage so i get it clean;
life is sometimes filled with too many maybes.
My wife likes the Yoda phrase 'do or do not, there is no try'
instead of trying i should be doing , a facebook friend has recently made this decision and may all of us follow this bold example.
After all is that not the purpose of this, get off your keister and get going!!

decisions one makes

If a person should decide to do something, one should stick with it. This has led me to re-affirm that overreacting to situations is not my forte nor will be. I let most things slide and if u should see overreacting realize it's an act to prove a point rather than be a pointless rant.
So i am off to make a dent in my ever-growing to-do list. Plant the perennial garden, fix up outside, Spring Clean inside on Saturday. and the rest is nonyah.
So get out there and fulfill one of the many purposes of this life.
After all we only have one life to live.

Learn something Jesus was Homeless

A house is not a home. so gotcha. A home is what u make. The earth is our home. it's the only one we got, so stop screwing it up.

Scrappy's

Now I have gone fairly regularly now to Scrappy's to recycle cans for Church. The church is trying to raise money for kids to go to camp. Now I think that recycling cans is a nice effort to be stewards of the earth just like God instructed us to do since the beginning of time. I however don't think they raise enough. I figure that per year, the 'Cans for Camp' fundraising effort raises enough to send 2 kids to camp. Now I think that is pretty great. That's over $300 dollars. So today, when i went and recycled 40.6 lbs of cans for 40 cents a pound. I saw the mascot.Now when i saw this guy, I had said, I have to put this on my blog. After we need to support unions when we can. Scrappy's is American Iron.

So thanks for the

and the
After all, saving our own little part of the earth with what we can do,
is the purpose of this... life

So that only took a week

"Long and Hard is the road out of hell?" What the f was I thinking? .... Well,
The garage is fixed and school is chugging. So What are you doing to improve the purpose of life that you living? I know I am changing and evolving. Gasp, He is a Christian and talks about evolution of being. Gasp. Get over it and evolve thyself already.

fooling myself

maybe i am fooling myself. I still hold out hope. Maybe things will be change. Long and hard is the road out of hell.

Things I wonder about

Why do women want to be cuddily most of the time? Why can't I finish a project all the way through without two separate times to complete it? Am I ever stop being such as a smart (you know what)? Will I evolve my marriage into something better? Will I ever get more physical fit?
Mature? Figure out why certain things happen?
Truthfully, I don't know. I figure time sorts out most of these things. Evolution of being. It is a natural thing to do, right?

Father of a pre-teen son

It happens every few weeks. My cell phone rings. Now no big deal, right?

Well, one would think so but one does not know my life. Now putting this into context. I need to set a few words straight. Complaining. Telling the facts is different than this particular word "complain". But truly I am expressing a point of pain for myself. My son is my joy and a source of pride and happiness. A fine reason to have kids. Now I figure you are anticipating a 'but'. And you would be right except I don't at this point to detail the 'but' of being a father to my son. How then are you suppose to know what is going on? You don't right now anyway will know what is going on. People develop at different rates and maturity is something to be desired of most adults and as most of us adults would say 'non-adults' alike. Maturity is something developed with guidance. Do I have a good example of how to be a good Dad? Not from my father and most likely not from yours as well. What does a father do when raising kids that messes us up so bad? I am sure my son will think the same thing when he is older. There is no handbook, no set rules, and luckily sometimes we as fathers have models from other men around us to draw upon on the "do's" and "don'ts" of raising kids. If you have kids, my advice is to love them and make sure they know it. Don't spoil them. Teach them responsibility and that to get anywhere you have to work for it. Those who don't manipulate the system and more than likely have had previous parents in position of power in the community or have more money to buy the opportunities most of us will not get. So here are some catch phrases I have used.

If you think I am cruel, just wait for the world to be cruel.
I love you.
Responsibility is something earned. So is respect.
Life will be unfair and people will bully, discriminate, and push you around. Develop thick skin and let it roll off of you.

Now I know there are plenty more but for right now, I will trod on into the many purposes of my life which one is being a dad, father, a Georgie.

Justice for the poor

Now most of us would agree that everyone deserves justice. Fair and as impartial as it can be justice. Now most of us know also that those who are rich usually can hire lawyers to circumvent justice by finding loopholes or clauses or appeal to some archiac law that bolsters their case. I wonder if Murdoch will see more than a couple years in prison. Or the Enron execs will spend the rest of their lives in the hole. We are in a whole lot of trouble. That starts with T that rhymes with P which stands for prostitution. Now put this in a file labeled child.

Child prostitution happens too often. Any time it happens IS too OFTEN!! Why this sudden outrage? Well, it's been festering and last weekend burst the puss bubble on the brain. Gross, but got ur attention. Context: Chaperoning a senior high school event for church with my wife. The theme is the same as this blog's title. We learned about the International Justice Mission. Basics: Too many people enslave other people. Too many people visit foreign countries and want 'sex acts' from girls as young as 5.

Thanks for returning to the blog after throwing up in the toilet. Okay, I will wait a few more minutes. The basic question is "What are you going to do about injustice in the world?" The Godhead does not want you to lolly-gag around and do nothing. So do something. I hope I can. After this seems like a good purpose to add to the purposes we are to fulfill in this life.

-It's a vicious cycle and then we live

Now anyone reading that title will go What is he talking about?

Any of my facebook friends might know this is one of the familiar sayings of a co-worker, Joyce.
She is 70 years old and still works. She has been a widow for 40+ years. Has numerous kids, grand kids, (they bug the hell out of me, but that is life, she always says). Now I wonder why I qualify her into the previous mentioned categories but I do. We all do this. Hey, I talked to so-and so. Follow-up question, "Whose that again?" Then one describes either a physical quirk about them or physical characteristics about that person. As many of you don't know, I hate categorizing people. Who is George? He's 30something, married, has kids, smart aleck. Many have told me I am a pain in the keester. I shrug it off. I like to make things lively. Don't know what I am talking about. Ask Joyce. That is right. You don't know Joyce. Your misfortune for sure. Some words to describe: gumption, spry, sassy, say-it-like-it-is, loves CSI crap. So since most of those who might end up eventually read this and not a facebook friend. Here are some favorite sayings.
Life's sucks, and then you live - J Lockhart
We work 2 pay our way 2 get 2 work. It's a vicious cycle - J Lockhart

Well, I hope to continue to improve my self.
Been failing lately but hopeful. After all, that is who I am. Trying to make the most of this life.
After that is one of our purposes.

Re-

Many of us see in our email about somebody replying to something we said or sent. Communication has definitely gone electronic and so has most of our lives. This blog is a fine example about electronic communication. I find a bit interesting to know how we live with technology that I wonder if we could live without it. I am going to try to decrease my dependence of technology to the minimum in hopes of finding the essence of communication and what interaction is necessary for getting through life. Now that being said, a few things will have to be not given up. A Telephone - to be used less. Car - a little as needed - appliances - now this is a killer is it not? So this blog will be silent maybe more than usual until I re-establish the re-vitalization of me. After all, this is a good purpose is it not?

what do you want to be known for?

I don't know about you but my brain starts going when I have finished reading a book or an idea pops into my head where it will occupy my thoughts for a while.
The book was The Shack. Now I never have thought as God as a matronly Black woman who says 'honey' way too much or the Holy Spirit as an Asian woman who one has to squint to see. Now I thought the book was good as it affirmed some thoughts I have about one's P.O.V. of God and neo-theoligical thinking about God as well.
Now I will not ever think as God as a woman just because of several reasons. Back in 1996ish at Bethel College, our campus pastor, Keith Anderson, introduced God as a mother figure. Now I listened and tried to see his point of view but he was wrong. God should not be viewed as a woman just because one's earthly father fails by neglect, abuse, or other things. In fact, God should be re-affirmed as a Father figure because we as dads may have our failings. One should take more comfort in the fact of God as father for strength, a soft-spoken guide, protector, nurturer, loving and firm parent. Most of the arguments I have heard have been along these lines and nothing biblical has contradicted my thinking about how a Father should act and care for one's children.
One of the questions in the book and many of us have heard it before. How do others view you and what would like people to say at your funeral? This is a good train of thought because introspection to how one lives out their purpose of this life is important. Live life, Live it to your standards in the light of God. You stumble and fall. But 'slow and steady' may be the better way to 'run the race set before us'.
I intend to.

Step 1: Admit you have a problem: I love to read

Now, I don't believe reading is a problem so I guess I will never get passed step 1:

I say that reading is a good way to gain knowledge about some topic you are interested in or would like to try to understand a different point of view (notice I did not say opposing even though many may assume this). Now reading can be a problem if it is one's substitute for experiencing normal life. Reading about a guy in west named Edge could help one understand the old west but mostly, I am quite entertained. Reading about the Great Depression, that's good because I was not able to experience it but know many who did. I take their lessons they learn and apply them to my life. That is purpose. To better oneself is a main purpose of this life that we live. Stagnantion is the crux of humanity.

So I ask 'will you remain a coach potato' or 'strive to help people thrive in this world'?
Time to write, read, and live life to the fullest I can. Hope that you can also.

Do you really care?

Now some might question the sincerity of this question but I am being straightforward with this question. At least that's my story (I'm sticking to it). Think about the friends, the acquaintances, and the strangers we meet. Are we passively engaging them or are we sincere in our interactions?

Friends - My father in law needs neck surgery or become a quadrapalegic? what a choice!

Acquaintance - My former co-workers, One still struggles with M.S. (What a dastardly disease!)
The other still trying to heal from her surgery and has to heal before having another surgery.

Strangers - Do we have the mentality of 'squeaky wheel gets the oil', 'passive attentive', or something else?

Can Anyone Really engage with another with sincerity and interest?

Or do we label people as "single-servings"?

Grab a kid or animal, It's time for a sacrifice

Lent

Now some of you might find it peculiar that I referenced an atheist link to Lent but do not be surprised. Have you reached paradise in the mind, body, soul already? Enlighten yourself and realize the reality. Sounds too eastern religious for you? Hmm.

I am Christian and I am in the world. I have been re-evaluating me. I know I am the typical Christian but not the typical Christian. I grew up in the church but loathe most of the structures of the Church. Have I ever questioned my faith? Honestly, yes.

So I have a question for you,

do you have a reason for

"Believing in Jesus"

Is it always so straightforward? I think not. One of my co-workers who is agnostic by choice is a great resounding board for me and really affirm I do believe what I believe.

The hardest thing to do is do what I have been trying to do.

Live it.

After all, is that not the purpose of this (life)?

A Steady Pace wins the Race

Image: A candle burning at both ends.
Lesson: Illuminates twice as much but have as long.

Image: You at the work place
Lesson: Let each day present itself with a new lesson.

Image: You thinking what is the point of this
Lesson: Introspection is a task few complete.

We as humans need to see that this life is like a race. Most of us start out strong but fade and fail to accomplish the task set before us. What went wrong? What obstacles did I allow to distract me from the goal set before me? How can I get back on track? Run the race set before us and focus our deeds on things that make an impact not only here but eternally.

Ask yourself, What is the purpose of this (life)?

...in memorandum..(insert name)., i hardly knew thee

Now, those who are in my immediate circle will know what my current rant has been.
To those who don't know, It's Universal Health Care.

Now, this may rile some of you who don't agree with this concept. But here is a quick summation of why I have at least one foot in this camp of thinking.

I start to think about why not Universal Health care instead the current system. The basic concept appears to be good. If you get sick, you go to the doctor. They treat you. You hopefully recover from what ailed you. How does the bills get paid? You pay a percentage of your income to the Universal System which dispenses the funds to the common good.
Left hook. Why should I be responsible for someone else's poor choice in dietary habits? Reply - Feed the orphans, widows, and help those in need. Now I am a stern advocate of not taking "Scrip" out of context but I think there are multiple references in which one can easily see we are suppose to do this. Why should someone else be forced to help others? Quip- It's the right thing to do.
Now I know I am not rich and wouldn't be able to contribute much. But Is it right if someone per se gets sick. Now if it is bad enough, they will loose everything. Why should it be that whenever we turn around, we see a glass jar at a restaurant, gas station, dept store, asking us to contribute to such-n-such fund to help someone trying to pay off a medical bill or survive an illness? We can do better as humans in this imperfect world to help our fellowman and guide them to live the Purpose of This Life in which we are suppose to live. We need to be able to Be Fit to Live With!
Now I am going to read more on this whole topic of Universal Health Care.
So in memorandum. (insert name) I hope you are doing well

I am tired

I am tired. Physically exhausted. To those out there, know that fulfilling one's obligations and helping others is exhausting. It is however rewarding so with this quick blog. Thanks for taking a break to read this. And take this advice, take a few minutes and rejuvenate thyself.
I know I am about to.

My brothers and sisters..

Now...I ...could...(unh)...say...today.. My brothers and sisters.. Can I get an AMEN ?


Can I... get a hallelujah? What..(unh)..I...(mmm)...going to...speak today...about...is...(unh)...what I...learned on Sunday..so I can ...(unh)...apply it to Monday...Tuesday...(random person shouts,"amen")...Wednesday...Thursday...(Praise the Lord)...Friday...Saturday... Every day of the week.. Praise God Almighty.

Now to some people might get upset at this. Take a pill and chill.

It was to make you laugh and remember somethings in your past or question the present.

Topic: Condemnation vs conviction

Nuances are not acceptable when one thinks about the topic.

Read the word, 'condemnation'.

First reaction - do not do it. Second reaction - do I do it? Third - what are u getting at?

When one deals with life's situations and notices someone not living a life with the rest of humanity in a reasonable manor, What do I do? Usually get pissed off. I am trying a different approach in trying to understand a person. Compassion comes to mind. Reason with the unreasonable. Return good for evil.

But sticking to my guns, about what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes don't have to be vocal as much as I used to be. After Jesus sat and ate and conversated with the outcasts of his day, why shouldn't I? He lived it so must I. He didn't change his convictions neither do I have to change mine. The methology of approach the situation is I think the key to dealing with people who don't see eye to eye about the basics of my belief. After all, I should be strive to serve others in the purpose of life.

Strive with a drive or a drone in the beehive

Now I like alliteration and poetry so those who read this will groan, chuckle, or "ain't that cute" responses will come up when reading the title.







Like most people, you will be left... scratching your head.





This blog is courtesy of last night's conversation with my wife. Now I don't usually talk about what has happened in my day just because I don't like to. But I bring it up to make a point.


She poised a situation in which my actions need to be possibly taken to change the current situation as she sees it. And after thinking about, she's right. How to go about this situation I need to figure out. After all, (she says) I'm the head of the house. Can't disagree with that but I still need to figure out the best way to 'strive to thrive' instead of being stagnant.

Is this not the dillemna that most of us face? How to thrive instead of being stagnant? I call this stagnantion state " A drone in the beehive. see Fight club. This is the crux that most of us face. Why do we continually settle for okay when we can achieve a better life?

Gotta go and swat this bug that has been buzzing in my ear. Strive to thrive.

Noise

Noise

If one clicks on the hyperlink, I particular liked the American Heritage Dictionary definition #3.

But think about this as a concept. Noise is where we are wherever we go. We block it out or eavesdrop. We seem to search for that moment of peace and quiet. Now most of us don't need a psychiatrist to take the baby steps needed to walk away from the noise that distracts us. But don't we all at one time or another want to just get away and be left in quietness for awhile.

If I didn't get you to stop reading and walk away with that, you are being affected too much by

the noise.

Hypothetical

Hypothetical

Most people would dismiss this line of reasoning because after all, "it is what it is." The "What if" scenario was introduced to us in the elementary and high school arenas. Do you remember them? Get into your groups. Play God. Now decide whose going to die or live? The racist, the retarded, the wheelchair, genetic disease carrier, the healthy person. Now I got an F in my 11th grade experiment because I refuse to participate. I want to elect that everyone dies including the people in our group or least we were able to eliminate ourselves if we wanted. After this decision, the teacher said we couldn't eliminate ourselves. "PlayGod"

I don't know about you but what ifs don't sit well with me. But reality is where we live and to digress from it into the hypothetical, I just don't know. Logical arguments about topics. Sure. Okay. It usually boils down with me anyway. What happened? Not what if this happened. And how can I change how I react and interact with that particular situation? After all, Evolving to a better you is really the purpose of this... life.

Offbeat, outofstep, ELI the ICE man

Many of us have heard the remarks before. Take the road less taken. Move to your own drumbeat. Go against the Flow. Fools them all I say. The illusion of controlling one's movement or path one travels is a common one. Coming to the realization that one cannot control everything should be enlightening. Many feed themselves the line of baloney, "I control my own destiny." Wake up, o ye Disillusioned. Your destiny upwards lies in the fact that the outside interactes with you and limits your mobility. Your born environmental conditions may limit the thinking needed to find the purpose of this life. Just remember the adage, "Who is your worst enemy and greatest ally? You." Remember that sci-fi book where scientist take a trip. One of them lands on a planet where a huge brain dictates the rhythm of the inhabitants. The scientist sees a little boy bouncing a ball offbeat. Next day, the boy is in a chamber forcibly made to conform.

When you feel out of sync and feel a trip to Schmitt Music is in order for a fine tuning, just remember. Timing is never right for whatever endeavor you are undertaking. The stars don't line up. You may be outofstep with those around you but remember to stay "You".

So to maintain this line of thinking that I am on, Farethewell.

To all the Techies, involving phase relationships.

ELI the ICE man

P.S. Al Gore's personality is finally actualized.

Things around me make me think

If you have ever had one of those days in which you question most things
and they pile up like a list of good books to read, you know what I am talking about.

Like how can I be a good dad? compile list...

How can I help others? Repeat first action

(Insert your question). Repeat 1st action.

A week later, one will have forgotten either because an effort wasn't made to accomplish the tasks to answer that particular question.

Shame.
Double Shame.

Or a person allows the business of life to erase the evolutionary steps we had thought about to improve.
Shame.
Shame. Shame. (You groaned.)
So I think this parade of letters forming words that you are reading can end with this.

What is the purpose of this (life)?
Compile a list.
After all,
what is the best thing that could happen?

Back in the saddle

Start singing the Gene Autry tune.
Well, it's the first night back at school. I can't find my bookbag with all my stuff. Argh! says Captain Pirate. Total loss, I hope not. Replaceable things: Oscilloscope and multimeter connectors; pens, pencils, books($120 a pop x2), calculator($15),
Irreplaceable: My Notes from past subjects(This is a year's worth) This will make studying a little harder but hopefully, it will show up. The Three choices: Misplaced, stolen, (okay so I can't count).
Hope things are going well on you the reader's end.
Here's to the struggle against the corporate and imperialist society we currently live in.

Grease the Gears, time to get rollin

Time to get rolling again. If any of you who read this, know that I am plugging away at work and school is about to start up again. At the age of 33, I am back in school after earning a BA in Media Communication in '98. I never have worked in that field of study. Hoping to achieve an A.A.S. (I think they doubled the wrong letter.) in Electronic Technology. I pre-emptively choose to go back to school, hoping keep the job I have worked up to longer. I can say that I enjoy the people I work with and despite managerial efforts, we laugh every day. My wife thinks that after I am done, I will earn a lot more money. Maybe but probably not. I hope to not have to change jobs again but it is anyone's guess how long a person is able to keep their jobs nowadays. Vegas should take bets on that. ....

As many know, I like to read books. The book I am reading is called "Straight Talk from the Heartland by Ed Schultz. Take some time during lunch and listen on 950 AM. Go get em, Ed.

Mainly, I hope to figure out how to start patenting my writing, a board game, keep my job, pass school, and more importantly, improve my relationships with family and friends. Now there's a new year's resolution that I didn't expect to write

If Silence is golden, then ...

If Silence is golden, then I should be a gazillionaire. Conflict resolution is not my strong suit. If there ever is conflict, I invoke silence. If not talking was an art form, I would be a famous artist.
I was told before I was married that there are things a couple will have problems involving. Money and Trust are two things that come to mind. Respect is another. A country song goes, "Two out of three ain't half bad." For the most part, it hasn't been half bad. But another song says "Money makes the world go 'round." This is usually the source of my problem. I usually don't have enough money. God has been good in providing. He will continue to do so, I am confident. It doesn't make it easier dealing with. Conflict seems to come about involving this issue. I hope to make it through. This about all I am going to tell you because after all, ...

Shh....

Silence is golden.

(I know I am going to strike it rich)

The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

The lion. A symbol of power, pride, and God. Yes, those of you who have read C.S. Lewis' Narnia series know this analogy. He does exist. Sorry, but I do believe God is a he.

We roar through each year and let the days pass by without much thought. Drift like wood in the ocean. Wake up! Start consciously tackling the issues that bother you. Evolve. Become better.

Steadfast must the steps one takes towards the goal set before you. The speck of driftwood will eventually be flushed from your eyes and maturity will set in.

The Witch. A symbol for an evildoer. One who would cast spells to thwart your activities to become a better person. What is good? What is nobler than the selfish desires of your heart? What is a selfless act? Beware the ones who will say it's okay. Do not fret. Go with the flow.

"I don't think so!"

Go against the flow of the superhighway everyone is traveling down to their own ends (and might I say to their own ruin). The purpose has already been set. Cast aside the doubt that you can achieve what has alluded you for so long.

Boldly go where no one has gone before.

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The Wardrobe. The symbol of the means(morally and ethically good) used to journey towards the desireable. What do I mean by morally and ethically good? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. These are two basic guiding principles one should use when addressing issues of concern in one's life journey. What is the desireable? To be in commune with the Almighty, I AM. How does one do this? What is the purpose of this? I wonder sometimes how much time does it take to answer 1 question? Because sometimes 1 ? leads to more ?s and dogpiles upon each other. Plan an attack to the issue that you are having. Do it. Step forward. Mature. Stop stagnating in the amoeba state. Be human. That passive verb really is active when one thinks about it.

Be.