One: Needful Rest

It's no surprise that many Christians are lethargic and physically drained, at times. More often than not, they're running on coffee, no-dose pills, and maybe (just maybe) 5 hours of good sleep. Unfortunately, one can't continue to go on just like the energizer bunny beating their drum to everyone's beck and call.

"Take the kids here, get the groceries there, be at the meeting then, etc." We're not machines, you know, but flesh and blood people, and even top quality machines eventually wear out after awhile. I do understand that we want to be used by God and for His purposes. I also realize that many want to be perceived as reliable, dependable, and faithful. I'm even aware of the fact that (in some small way) we want to be ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE. You know, that 'never say die attitude' or that 'never say NO demeanor.' But, the real fact of the matter is that we're able to do only so much before becoming burnt out.

In actuality, to be OPTIMALLY, EFFECTIVELY used by God on a continual basis, OUR REST MATTERS. That's right---our rest. And, it matters a whole lot more than we may think. Not only do we need rest, but we need proper rest.

Researchers at the University of Warwick and University College London have found that lack of sleep can more than double the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, but that too much sleep can also be associated with a doubling of the risk of death, though not primarily from cardiovascular disease. Professor Francesco Cappuccio said, "Short sleep has been shown to be a risk factor for weight gain, hypertension, and Type 2 diabetes, sometimes leading to mortality; but in contrast to the short sleep-mortality association, it appears that no potential mechanisms by which long sleep could be associated with increased mortality have yet been investigated. Some candidate causes for this include depression, low socioeconomic status, and cancer-related fatigue... In terms of prevention, our findings indicate that consistently sleeping around seven hours per night is optimal for health, and a sustained reduction may predispose to ill health."
Furthermore, sleep difficulties are closely associated with psychiatric disorders such as depression, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder. Up to 90% of adults with depression are found to have sleep difficulties. Bottom line, God is a strong advocate for resting. We all know He rested on the 7th day from all His work denoting it as a Sabbath for us. Hebrews 4 is dedicated almost entirely to the concept of rest. And, Psalm 127:2 reveals how good sleep is a way of God showing off some of His love towards us. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy sound sleep and needful rest. You'll be ever glad you did!

Overlooking the 7

I know many have heard of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs, the 7 deadly sins, the 7 wonders of the world, the magnificent 7, the movie: 7 pounds, the 7 churches of Asia Minor in the Revelation to John, the 7 major continents, and even the software I'm utilizing at this present moment: Windows 7. Goodness, there's just something about this number 7. So, I only thought it fitting to do something a bit different from the norm with this very number. I decided to come up with a Christian blog series surrounding this (oh so popular) number of 7. Overlooking the 7 is a new blog series that I'm embarking upon. There are some essential elements that many Christians overlook on a continuous basis. And, they still wonder why their life is so drained and lacking. It shouldn't be confusing to the least that if one refuses to operate in some basic things that are needful for daily, effective, and functional living problems will eventually occur. Without many of these 7 things being addressed it'll be difficult to honor God fully, love others unconditionally, and be an authentic & practical example of Jesus within this world. So, stay tuned, sit back, and get ready to dive into life-changing, common sense thinking wrapped up in Godly principles.

Finding Yourself...?

Exactly, "What in the world is being human?" Brandy has a new album out called HUMAN. Also, her album is about her ups and downs in life throughout her relationships, music career, and family. What's more, she is at a stage in life where I guess she's finding herself. So, my question is this, "Exactly, Who are you?" "Really, What is it that makes you you?" "Are you a Christian or borderline worldly? Are you courageous in faith or religiously fearful? Are you insecure in life or secure in Jesus?" We may have to go throughout our entire lifespan to address many of these types of questions. I have lived on this earth for 33 years and have truly found that you can't find yourself without truly knowing you. And, you can't know yourself without truly knowing your family history and past generations back. And, you really can't know your family history without knowing the first family (Adam & Eve) and where they came from. And, you can't seem to know the first family without fully knowing God. So, bottom line, we ALL need to know God in order to find ourselves. Notice, I didn't say that, "We need to know a god." But, rather, "We need to know---GOD!"

See, many Christians know about God and struggle with personally knowing God. We have people who are more willing to know the intricacies about their pet than they are in knowing God. Christians have to become more intentional on spending time with God---not just on Sundays or at a low point in one's life. Have you took out any time to know God on Monday through Saturday? Why or Why not? The Bible indicates that we should, "Search after God while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near!" Slow down and stop for planned moments within your week to do that very thing. Believe me; it'll make a world of a difference in your life and maybe (just maybe) you'll truly start to FIND YOURSELF.

Valuables

You know, a lot of people feel that they rarely have anything to offer. They're not the brightest, most famous, or even remotely famous. But, just because someone hasn't reached some idealistic pinnacle of worthiness doesn't necessarily mean they're not valuable. See, value is an intrinsic characteristic that's not truly defined by superficial preferences. So, What! You're not the head honcho, smartest, or most popular. So, What! You're not the wealthiest or most attractive. So, What! You're not the funniest or carry the most engaging personality. So, What! So, What! So, What! In-spite of all this YOU'RE STILL VALUABLE. God sees immense value from each and every person. Did you know that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Did you know that you were created just the way God desired. Did you even know that NO one can do what you can do the very way you can do it---with your personality, with your compassion, with your heart, with your focus, with your resiliency, etc.

God has made us all so valuable...He saw so much value in us that He was willing to die for it! Our potential, to Him, is on a grandiose scale. So, the next time you start to compare yourself to someone else at your job, on television, or elsewhere; STOP! Just remain being THE BEST YOU that you can possibly be and don't become distraught because you're not just like someone else. Stop saying things like, "I feel like a failure; I'll never be like ____________; I wish I had what ____________ has." Realize that you are completely who you are and be grateful for that! I can guarantee that someone else somewhere in the world would LOVE to be you. Please, understand how valuable you are on a daily basis and keep seeing the value in all others (not just the famous people), especially the one's you encounter everyday. It just may be the very thing your life as well as their lives were missing!

True Beauty...

I'm not an avid television viewer, when the programming isn't sports (i.e. ESPN). But, I'm starting to try to come around in being a bit more informed to what's going on in the world via television and additional media outlets. Now, I'm not saying become a television junkie, but I'm just referring to my personal position, at the moment. Anyway, there is a fairly new television show on local T.V. by the name of 'True Beauty'.
True Beauty is a television series in which contestants are competing to see who is the most beautiful. However, they think they are only being tested on outer beauty. The show is hosted by three judges, who judge the contestants on their inner beauty. The contestants are competing for $100,000 and to be "featured in People Magazine's 100 most beautiful people issue." The series is produced by Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher. premiered on ABC on January 5, 2009. The second season premiered May 31, 2010.^[1]
What's more, as Christians, we need to be more cognizant of inner beauty, as well. We should not be so caught up in mostly viewing people based on a pretty face or a banging body. See, both of those things can drastically change based on time, diet, pregnancy, or a danger.
Time - Over time one ages and not everybody ages gracefully. Yes, wrinkles start to become much more apparent. Flab starts to hang from your flesh and you could even end up with a double chin. Yikes! Even your hair can start to flee from your head or decide to take on a complexion of gray.

Diet - All the ding dongs, hot dogs, home cooked meals, and restaurant outings can start to take their toll. In your earlier years you could've probably got away with eating anything, but not as you age. As you age your fat intake usually increases and your kinetic activities usually decrease. You just want to eat and afterwards sit on the couch or go to bed. In your younger years it's a good guess to say, "you were probably a bit more active than that." I do realize that there are some exceptions to this rule, but this is the plight of the majority of people who may be reading this and they're pretty much not that exception.

Pregnancy - Wow, women, you have just allowed a bundle of joy to be birthed through you, entering into the world. You are so proud to have had a baby, but what about your figure? Nine months have earlier passed where you was constantly putting on weight, for two people. What's more, one of those persons is now out of you, but that excess weight is still there. Oh no, your perfect little figure now seems to be in peril and you begin to identify more with the group above.

Danger - In this stage, it doesn't matter how young you are, how well you diet, or if you're not pregnant. You can still fall prey to this area. This area is usually out of your control! A freak car accident, a slip and fall, an image affecting disease, etc. All of the sudden, your esteemed beauty goes out of the window.

Bottom line, we should never base our worth or anyone else's worth on false beauty, one's physical stature & makeup, their facial structure, or something else. Your beauty and my beauty should ALWAYS be based on God's image of us on the inside, the real you! Many people who look extremely beautiful can act awfully ugly. Let's not have that as our testimony...!

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30) NIV


1. Leach, Robin (2009), "Vanessa Minnillo’s Face of Vegas a Ruse for True Beauty", Vegas Deluxe, October 13, 2009

My First Book...!

Well, well, well...God is simply amazing! I have just officially published my first book---A 308 page step-by-step guide to a better Christian life. It highlights a faith journey to be walked upon by the brave and daring, as well as the clueless and fearful.

The book is entitled---FAITH, FOOLISHNESS, & FAMILIARITY: Why so many Christians are struggling with their walk.

Purchase a copy while supplies last...!


click on the link to order:https://www.createspace.com/3433834

Jerk Behavior...

As I go throughout life I realize abundant goals, awe-inspiring dreams, and budding potential that is highly reachable. But, there's also another thing I realize more and more along with my life progression. That is the misappropriation of my identity...or in other words, I start to lose myself---getting caught up in prospering pursuits. This idiosyncrasy I refer to as JERK BEHAVIOR!

New Boyz is a jerkin crew and hip-hop/rap duo made up of rappers Earl "Ben J" Benjamin and Dominic "Legacy" Thomas from Hesperia, California. They debuted in summer 2009 with their viral hit, "You're a Jerk", taken from their debut studio album Skinny Jeanz and a Mic, released in September 2009. The song peaked in the top thirty of the Billboard Hot 100, and it was the first song to bring the jerkin' style to the national forefront. ^[1]

Jerkin' or Jerk is a Los Angeles dance movement.^[2] The Jerk movement started in 2008 in Los Angeles and spread across Southern California. Since 2009, jerkin' has gained fans along the West Coast and is gaining popularity on the East Coast.^[3]
The dance itself consists of moving your legs in and out called the "jerk", and doing other moves such as the "reject", "dip", and "pindrop".^[4][5]
Now, I realize that our present day society likes to rephrase things away from their understood meaning. Bad means good. @#!*% means homeboy. Dope means fresh. Stupid means impressive. The funny thing though is you know down deep within that the word is still connected to its root meaning.

As far as I'm concerned, as well as much of society, "Jerk still means jerk!" And, during this past year I have had many episodes of jerk behavior. No, it didn't mean cool or a popular dance move, but it actually meant what it usually means. I was not expressing myself completely in a Godly manner. I'm not going to lie, I have experienced a heap of disappointments, deaths of loved ones, internal hurt, burnout, limitations, physical pain, intense frustration, etc. and it just seemed to hit me all at once. Furthermore, it's like it nearly even climaxed at the beginning of this year...Not a good feeling!

I have to be honest with myself...I was @#!*% ---at myself, at other people, and even pretty mad at life. Unintentionally, I ended up hurting a few people in search of some type of relief from my plight. Since then I have somewhat bounced back from this ordeal and is starting to become again my jubilant self. But, when life comes crashing down on you that's not necessarily a jubilant moment or laughing matter. In addition, when you're the one usually ALWAYS giving out you rarely find others who can put back into you what you've dispersed---comfort, joy, support, etc.---thus it just adds to the problem. Thankfully, I surrendered ALL of it to God and stopped trying to carry it all myself. To make a long story short, I am now at a point in my life where I have to make amends for the damage I caused---even if it was with only a few people.

I have to apologize in speech and action letting them know in no uncertain terms...that I was being a real JERK---with no excuses for it. Oh, what a freeing release to forgive, and make amends (even regardless of the response)! I pray that if you're anything like me you begin doing the same! C'mon, let's get back to our jubilant selves or the best part of us as individuals---ultimately making God look as good as He actually is (in our lives)!
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1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Boyz
2. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1615680/20090710/story.jhtml
3. http://www.laweekly.com/2009-08-06/music/we-8217-re-jerkin-8217/
4. http://www.examiner.com/x-971-LA-Pop-Media-Examiner~y2009m7d23-The-Ranger
5. http://news.tubefilter.tv/2009/07/31/skinny-jeans-movement-bringing-jerkin-online/