The Fear Of Giants

I heard a quote from the writings of the Chinese Martyr, Watchman Nee yesterday...He stated that: "Giants will never destroy you...the fear of giants is what will destroy you!"

When I heard that quote I immediately felt like it was written for me alone. Sometimes I feel afraid to even face the problems in life and they end up destroying me anyways. Don't be like the Israelites in the desert when they got to the promised land...they were afraid of the huge giants that occupied the land. You know the rest of the story after that.

I'm Sore

If you look at my very revealing picture to the right...you probably aren't thinking...man, that guy is sexy! Well that picture was taken around Christmas time in '07 and I tipped the scales at 245 lbs. With Some inspiration from NBC's The Biggest Loser show, watching American Gladiators, and secretly wishing I had the fierceness of Batista from WWE...I began working out and exercising regularly since January. I am now down to 213 lbs. as of Tuesday and my clothes are starting to fall off me. Maybe I'll change that picture to a much leaner version of me...maybe I'll keep it up for a while to motivate me even more...In the meantime, I am very sore from my new workout routines I've started upon joining a gym here in town instead of using the cheesy equipment our apartment complex has.

Life Is Meaningless! Or Is It?

For My 100th post here on my blog I begin a series from the book of Ecclesiastes. I decided to do this because last night during my normal Bible reading time, I was compelled to read through the whole book at one time! Ecclesiastes was the next book in my reading straight through the scriptures and even though I have read it before, studied it in classes, etc. it never has opened my eyes more than it did last night! As we notice the decline of Christianity in our society, evil overtaking our politics and schools, families being destroyed by sinful desires, and the economy declining due to bad decisions...the reasons why are in this book!

Ecclesiastes was written by "The Teacher" who is general considered to be Solomon, the son of David. When you look at his life, his decisions, his sins, you can know he has authority on speaking on making wise decisions and placing the priority of earthly materials in life. Here are a few verses that popped out at me and bit me like a snake last night.

Ecc. 1:18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. I can relate to this being in the ministry. It seems it is best not to know everything about everything! The more you know, the more responsibility you have to deal with issues..."the more grief" as Solomon said.

Ecc. 2:24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too I see is from the hand of God. I have often heard about people who once they retired from working after 50+ years have gone into depression and have died! They lost the one thing that kept them going and "satisfied" The key to having satisfaction after retirement is to not stop working for the Lord!

Hard To Get Along With Someone?

We all have that someone at work, school, church, family, etc. that we just have a hard time loving and getting along with! What do you do with them? Click Here for the answer! You may not like it.

Wisdom From A Cracker Jacks Box

I always seem to find significance in the small things in life. I enjoyed a snack of Cracker Jacks yesterday, it had been a while and someone left some in the Fellowship Hall here at church so I grabbed them. Anyways...It was the prize inside that struck my interest. When I was a kid, the prize was actually a toy of some sort or maybe even a temporary tattoo, but all I got was a piece of paper with a picture on it that you are supposed to tape on your pencil as a "topper"

being rather irritated (I mean, who uses pencils anymore?) I was going to toss it all when I noticed some writing on the back of the prize wrapper about pencils. It says:

"Fun Fact" - A typical pencil can write 45,000 words or draw a continuous line for 35 miles! Having that information to me was more valuable than the pencil topper itself. I have a tendency to ponder on the meaning of ordinary things (see the oyster cracker post) so I came up with a spiritual comparisons on the Christian life and pencils.

1. I rarely use pencils...Christians rarely use God, the Bible, Prayer, Faith, etc.

2. Pencils need to be sharpened to work properly...Spiritual disciplines sharpen our lives to

help us fight the battle as is mentioned in Ephesians 6:10-20.

3. A good feature about pencils is that you can erase mistakes...God erases our sins when we

repent and ask forgiveness, bringing us back into right fellowship with Him.

Just as the fact that pencil can draw a line about 35 miles shows...it has to continually be pressed down and moving, keeping it s sharpness, and not quit working. Paul addressed this idea of perseverance in 1 Corinthian 9: 19-27 by using a race illustration. A runner must keep himself in training for the race, run with all the intention of winning the prize, and to win means he must finish. Are you quitting your race? Is your spiritual life dull and need sharpening? Almost all pencils get thrown away before their usefulness is over. We as Christians should not quit running this race in life, "keep on keeping on" as they say!

I'm Up Before the Firing Squad Today!

Tomorrow Evening at 6:00 p.m. I will be taking the next step in my ministry and becoming ordained. Many have chosen to be ordained before entering college and their first "jobs" at a church but I chose to wait. I had never been approached with being ordained by any of the churches I had been a part of and I feel it is the duty of the church to recognize, nominate and ordain someone. I've always felt that if I was the one to bring it up or ask to be ordained it would be selfish.
Today is my ordination counsel here at church. I'll be sharing with other pastors, deacons of the church, and others about my testimony, call to ministry, education goals, theological beliefs (which is the part I'm worried about answering...I know what I believe, but some of my views aren't the traditional Southern Baptist's), and whatever else they decide to hurl my way.
When someone gets ordained there is a orientation of praise, recognition of achievement, etc. and I don't want that. Yes I will have the "REV." before my name from now on, but it's a prefix I don't want to flaunt around like some in the media light do. Anyways...I hope I come out alive!

To Shave Or Not To Shave

One thing I lack when I am sick is the desire to shave, or comb my hair. For the last two weeks now, I have been getting over and re-catching the cold. Hopefully now, it will stay gone. I noticed this evening in the mirror that I'm looking a little rough! I guess it's time to dust off the old Norelco and make my face as smooth as a baby's ....ummm, anyways. I remember a time in my childhood when I envied my dad and older brother because they got to shave! I wanted ever so badly to be as cool as them. I was exctatic when I finally was able to shave. I hate it now! Why can't people go around with long beards like in Bible days? How come that fashion trend was lost? Now I must shave to keep an "image" of a civilized human being. After all, who wants a minister with a scruffy face? Did Jesus have a beard? I should shave my whole body...I heard that itches after a few days though so maybe not! I'd like to say "Thanks A Lot" to the person who invented the razor...you really did mankind a lot of good!

I Couldn't Help But Listen #3

I was getting coffee this morning before filling in for the Highscool Choir teacher and there was a gentleman on the phone talking to his wife. After hanging up...he yelled "woohoo! I have the best wife ever!" I was shocked at the outburst of excitement and wish I knew why she was amazing but that doesn't necessarilly matter. What I learned was that we should publicly praise our spouses no matter how crazy it may sound or what others may think! My wife is amazing too!

Reflections of Childhood Memories

Last night, Dan over at Jesus and Java and I were talking and for some reason we got on the subject of childrens' shows of the 80's and early 90's. It shocking how our memories make us feel when we realize how fast time has gone by. I absolutely loved this one show called "Today's Special" which was Canadian and ran on PBS from 1981-1987




it was about a department store manequine named Jeff that would come to life when the magic words were said at night.

Does anybody remember Bozo the Clown? I secretly wished I would go on his show and play a game with him.

Dan reminded me of the Nickelodian show "You Can't Do That On Television" does anyone remember the word you couldn't say or you'd get slimed? I feel like eating a "Barf Burger" for lunch!

There were some other shows that made the conversation like "Fraggle Rock" ,"Eureka's Castle", and "Double Dare"

What was your favorite Children's show growing up?

Married for Four

January 3rd was Jessica's and my fourth anniversary! We decided to spend this past weekend in Orlando, Fl. We spent Friday in Old Town and Downtown Disney checking out the shops and restaurants. For lunch we ate at Bongo's Cuban Cafe (owned by Gloria Estefan) it was excellent!

Saturday was spent at Seaworld. I hadn't been since a little boy and Jessica had never been so it was very cool. Jessica's Mom, Dad, Brother Matt and his girlfriend Samantha were all there too that day. If you've nver been before I suggest it. It is quite amazing how they can train the whales and dolphins to do those tricks.

Jessica and I then had the most amazing dinner at Seito Sushi in Celebration, Fl. I did have the yellowtail sushi of which I am a fan of. If you are in Orlando and love Japanese, you must try this place. Jessica had their terryaki chicken which was awesome!

Some Random Thoughts

Here are some random thoughts about the year in review, New Year's resolutions and goals.

This year was a year of transitions. I moved from my job at the funeral home to being back in full-time ministry at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, Fl. I am now the Youth and Music Minister here. Check out what FUSION is all about by clicking here.

I am now 26!

I enjoy life a lot more than before!

during this past year I have become more inquisitive on politics and society due to the fact that I had a 3000 dollar tax bill this year and got curious as to how government spends money. now I'm addicted to talk radio especially the Schnitt Show.

I began writing my book about Death this year but have put it off for some time now. I need to finish it before I die.

Jessica and I had to put our beloved cat Lucy to sleep due to the fact that she couldn't fight her infections and she was starving herself to death. (Lucy lost her immune system due to a herpes infection at birth)

We were given a cute little cat named Millie and we are growing to love her just as we did Lucy

Well, that's about all I can say about that...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone!

Ten Steps to Consider

I read this list today from another blog called the outflow. This is really cool. Hope you enjoy it.

10 Tips For Preventing Scandal
1. Live a humble, transparent life.
2. Stay open to correction.
3. Audit your actions regularly.
4. Stay in touch with the real world.Ministry is about loving people. But you will never develop compassion unless you are close enough to the grass roots to smell the poverty, lay hands on the sickness and cry with those who are in pain.
5. Don’t allow people to make you a celebrity.
6. Make family a priority.
7. Live modestly and give extravagantly.
8. Don’t build your own kingdom.
9. Develop keen discernment.
10.Maintain your spiritual passion.People who experience moral failure almost always lose their spiritual passion first.

Not only are these tips good for preventing scandal but they are just good principles to live by. Living this type of lifestyle is what God is calling us Jesus Followers to.
What do you think? Would you add to the list?