IT'S YOUR TIME!

I was graced with the opportunity of writing a portion of a new curriculum series and would like for you to experience a small piece of that portion...ENJOY!

Often times we admire so many people who excel in life or those accomplished in fulfilling lofty pursuits. You know; we would love to be the next Bill Gates with loads of cash. Or, the next Oprah Winfrey with a tantalizing ability to influence the social climate of our day. Better yet, how about the next Barack Obama with the skillset to break down political barriers with articulate proclamations of change and justice? More important than those 3, a greater example to follow is Jesus and Biblical influencers who impacted the world for God's glory. However, many of us are too comfortable with it being someone else's time to shine. We may see it as a longshot to be able to walk into our destiny. Why?

But, what about you and your shot? What about you and your destiny? What about you and your time? A famous phrase over the years has been, "There's more to life than just watching other people live it!" This speaks volumes on some of our views in fulfilling our dreams. The wonderful thing is that God is no respector of persons (Acts 10:34-35). He doesn't show partiality in choosing one individual to succeed over another (Romans 2:11). It's all a matter of faith, expectation, willingness, obedience, and perspective. One has to truly BELIEVE and RECEIVE from God everything He is willing to give. Instead of putting all of your dreams on hold or off to another day, you should realize that today could be your B-E-S-T day and really prove that "IT'S YOUR TIME!"

Heaven

Over the past decade we have experienced numerous tragedies within our world. The 9/11 attacks, the Haiti earthquake, and the U.S. housing recession just to name a few. But, recently Japan has just experienced a massive disaster in the form of an earthquake and nuclear explosion. Unfortunately, many lives were lost in this predicament and the area probably will never be the same again. Instead of one holding their head down low and being depressed at life, one should realize more often that this world is not our home. For the Christian, there is an eternity planned in a much better place---HEAVEN!

What's more tragic than the lives lost over the past decade are the lives that are continually lost over eternity. Many people may be at odds with salvation and religious rhetoric concerning the afterlife, but it definitely shouldn't be a subject that individuals are comfortable in playing a guessing game with. Regardless of one's opinion, everybody still dies and most things in life still have some type of explanation. There are reasons for why things are the way they are. Your heart pumps, nose smells, trees bloom, fish swim, and birds fly all for a purpose. It wouldn't be far-fetched to believe that, just like this world has a purpose, so does the world after life have a purpose. Get real with God and search out in detail this whole business about the afterlife. I DARE YOU...! You just might be surprised at what you find out---the facts and not the fiction.

An Ear-full

Well, last week was one of the roughest weeks I had in a long time. First, I started off with a stomach virus from something I ate. That virus lasted about 2 days. Next, I was victim to the flu. Following that, I had a lingering fever with a touch of Laryngitis (a severly sore throat). And just when I thought everything was over, I was hit with an ear infection. The ear infection was so bad that it kept me up for almost 3 days. By the way, it's still lingering even as I write this blog post. But it is quickly fading as of late. So I had to search out what went wrong so horribly that I had to endure a week as severe as this one. The answer was discomforting. I was told that this was normal, especially for children. Not only that, the earache probably was the cultprit that started everything else into motion. And trying to wrongly treat it may have led to the other ills. The solution was mainly simple rest, that's all---REST. Earaches and ear infections (especially to the middle ear--where the eardrum is located) can cause the eardrum to deteriorate from something as simple as the flu and grow back healthy after the old and swollen eardrum (from excessive mucus) is fused out through eardrop medication, antibiotics, and other treatments---such as simple rest. Also, I learned that stress, diet, and a lack of temperture control to the environment could add to these ailments.

What's more interesting is the fact that God puts so much emphasis on the ear. Matthew 11:15, Revelation 2:7, and Revelation 3:22 all place strong focus on those who have an ear should hear what the Spirit is saying. I finally get it..."God was wanting for me to slow down and simply rest." He was pretty clear about it. He also wanted me to begin paying even more attention to Him on a continual basis---something I thought that I was already doing enough of. If anything got my attention this week, that certainly did. But, enough about me,..."What about you?" What has God allowed in your life as an ATTENTION GETTER? My advice would be to start noticing Him even more and listening to His direction. It's NEVER too late!

Finally, Saying Something...!

People argue that God has given you 2 ears and only 1 mouth so you're suppose to listen twice as much as you speak. But, Christians should speak when they truly have something pertinent to say that can save a life, change a heart, or renew a mind.

"WISE people speak because they have something to say; FOOLS speak because they have to say something...!" There's a distinct difference.

I have been running my mouth for as long as I could remember. I come from a family of talkers, so I got it honest. I've often heard this statement from many editorial platforms:

"Everyone has a right to speak, but not everyone has a right to be heard."

I desire to definitely be one saying something WORTH hearing. I have sought this stance over the years and gained somewhat of a reputation as an individual with something to say, especially when it comes to Godly matters. Fortunately, I've had a good track record within this area of teaching. Evidently, God has graced me with a voice not merely for melodious song but for Biblical instruction. More importantly, I'm just a mouthpiece for God's glory and you can be one too. Just allow God to touch your heart in an undeniable way and get across to others how that simple touch has transformed your life for the better.

The Apple Syndrome

Everyone is apple crazy nowadays. I'm not referring to the delicious acidic red fruit with a white core but, I'm speakin about the Apple, Inc. fortune 500 corporation run by Steve Jobs. Apple is marketing designer of Macintosh computers, itunes, the iPod, the iPhone, and newly created iPads 1 & 2. The company is becoming so popular that they had to create 300 retail stores and counting just in order to keep up with the demand for their products. People are overly-in-love with what they're selling and take off of work as well as skip school in order to wait in long lines placing them in the position of having first dibs on Apple's products as soon as they are launched.

Writing about this ordeal won't give you the full feelings of hysteria while watching this take place. It's similar to Black Friday or December 26 if you know what I mean. On the contrary, when someone gets saved or there's an opportunity to attend a missions outreach event, much of that same hysteria is vitally lacking. The excitement is lagging and the expectation is fleeting. Sometimes, it comes off as stale and redundant. You know, the same old song and dance. Choir or praise team sings songs, preacher shouts or gives a 3-points sermon, and someone may or may not get saved within the experience. Just make sure it's brief so you can go and watch the game or stuff your face with food.

Wow! Hopefully, that's not your Sunday experiences. If so, psalms 100 should be a chapter you meditate on this week. God wants you to be excited about serving Him. Actually, when you gain the opportunity to worship God individually or in a group setting, you should consider operating just like the Apple crazies. Use the 'Apple Syndrome' for God's purposes and you'll find your relationship with Him growing fresher and more alive with each new coming day. You'll be ever grateful you did!

Robin's Photogenic Expression

I just had the delightful privilege of being shot by Robin Ewing. No, there were no bullets involved, this was a photoshoot. By far, this was my best photography experience to date. For a guy who doesn't really consider himself as being photogenic, Robin brought a lot out of me. She has a mastery skill-level with working with outdoor lighting, fashion, location, backgrounds, textiles, and textures.

More importantly, Robin loves Jesus and is a born again Christian! She is a 40's admirer and caters toward unique antigue looks of the past but with a modern twist. She is caught up in the realization that beauty can be found in anything, anywhere. God has revealed so much to her over the years about the importance of seeing life through His eyes and not just hers. She's not a photographer on the side but this is one of her primary passions. If you're in or near the city of Atlanta and need a phenomenal photographer, who'll make you feel like family, Robin is the one.

You can reach her at http://www.robinewingphotography.com/

True LOVE

Well, today is one day before VALENTINE'S DAY...! This is a time where couples go all out for each other with expensive gifts, enormous amounts of chocolate, dozens of flowers, and other heartfelt thoughts of love. This is a customary tradition in the U.S. and has somewhat of a following around the world. But, just like any other tradition day of celebration in the states, it is over-commercialized.

Businesses salivate at the opportunity to make loads of money on this day. Therefore, the love will come at an abundant cost. A cost many people really can't afford to pay. But, this is not the primary issue surrounding Valentine's Day.

There's a larger problem that is plaguing society concerning this day---the drastic need for a validating relationship. Many people will run to online dating sites, speed dating rituals, or bars/clubs seeking someone to help them not be alone on this day. It doesn't matter so much that the individual truly loves them or that they're someone God has approved of. The person just wants to have someone, anyone to show them they are loved. Worse off, if they can't find someone that will validate them in a relationship by that day they'll be depressed all day long, even for weeks at a time.

I have a question, "When did we start becoming lesser of an individual because we're not married, in a superficial relationship on Feb. 14, or dating somebody?"

The answer is quite simple, "Never...We didn't!"

On tomorrow, you'll be the same you regardless of who gave you flowers or not. To get depressed over this day shows that many of us need to start finding validation in God alone and stop looking for it in other people who may not even be with us a year from now. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise if they're with somebody else Feb. 14, 2012. Let's not get so caught up in seeking to be like everyone else in the world in being so needy for a dating relationship or something close to it. The breakup-get back together-breakup again-get back together lifestyle, song and dance is really old, overrated, and emotionally unhealthy. Try finding your TRUE LOVE in knowing the love that God has so graciously given you...When this is focused upon it puts you in a better position for an eventual committed relationship with the opposite sex---you won't have so much emotional baggage to carry over from lack of self-esteem, insecurity, a need for validation and additional needy issues. Believe me; it'll make a world of difference!