Returning to the Basics and with others

So, "Hey! I'm back." Yep. It's been quite a while. You know, I've realized something over the last 3 years.

1.  Never take yourself so seriously.  If you do you'll mess up or do something stupid. If anyone knows me well enough they would agree I fit that bill. 

2.  If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.  Look up and you'll find your real friends.

3.  It's never too late to issue a re-boot.

 

I stopped taking myself so serious and decided to see if anyone wanted to join me.  I stopped digging a hole and realized there were some waiting.  Waiting to do some really cool stuff in life.  It's not all about me or only my ideas. Could it be about me accepting others and agreeing on a solution that attracts others to the path we're on?  A path where we all can live, love and learn together. 

Today, let's laugh at ourselves because who can tell any of us the next chapter of our lives?

 

posted by Chuck Collins

Re-Work

If you realized in that moment that God was beside you would you re-work your moment? We hold on to things that cause us to think of God but it really doesn't push us to change anything. So what,.. if we say to ourself What Would Jesus Do.

Is there something that will cause us to think of our action and then go back to make it better or correct it?

I believe that if we re-work the past moment we are being intentional about making a change.

Dreaming Now at the Age of Yesterday

My Dad would constantly remind me not to be too smart for my own good. That never really sunk in until lately. Do we stop the pursuit of dreams because of our fears? Fear of whatever?

So this is what I'm thinking. I want to dream like I'm 10 again. Then start playing and constructing. This should be fun. It's like returning from the future just to build something better.

"Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." -Jesus

What? What? What were they thinking?

I want to ask this entire nation some questions.
Are we living in the same nation?
Are you a human American?
Do you consider others born in America as a human American?
If you answered YES to all three questions then I have something else to say. Let's live, behave and love like we do. I
f you answered NO to any of the three questions well I would say you must be living a pretty sad and frustrating life.

The cartoon in the NY Post was totally revolting! Just when you think our country has come so far stupidity arises. I understand that ignorance will always have its place. This political cartoon was produced and put into place by a group that is supposed to be educated. This truly shows that media in any form comes with bias. Now blatant racism! My prayer is that our President turns out to be the best President this country has ever seen or written about. I would like to see every media outlet, politician and racist humbled. I know my human side is gaining over the spirit man right now.

If you voted for President Obama or not he is still the President and if you're not helping then you're hurting. Can we stop the racism? This question is asked to all races. Racism is the hate or discontent of another race. Racism doesn't stop or start with just the race in power. It's in the mind. Stop it. It's not helping. You're racism has been speaking for America far too long and frankly I'm "ticked". I ask don't lock every person of their race into revolting actions of ignorant ones.

"How could the Post let this cartoon pass as satire?" said Barbara Ciara, president of the National Association of Black Journalists. "To compare the nation's first African-American commander in chief to a dead chimpanzee is nothing short of racist drivel."
Agreed!

Day 50 - Rest (To go again)

It’s been 50 days in making it a habit to post a thought or an emotion. It could be suggested that some thoughts or emotions could’ve been left out.
Perhaps.

For me to inch a little closer to wisdom, its needed. Every thing that happens isn’t a coincidence. It’s my choice to make and my choice to learn. It’s possible that I’ll start another 50 days.

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. - James

Day 49 - Money (Mine)

A friend took our Sunday morning First Word set. Something he said perked my ears. This is a conversation he said took place between him and God.

God: So are we partners.
Friend: Yes.
God: You take 90% and I take 10%.
Friend: Really?
God: Yes. I’ll make sure you’ll stay in business because I want the 10% to go to my church.
Friend: Deal.
God: What about an offering?
Friend: Yes I’ll give that too.
God: Good.
Friend: It’s much better than giving more than 100% to the devil of my addiction.

He never gave us God’s reply. I guess we should imagine.
Here is what I imagine: ":)"

“Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me..” - God

Day 48 - Admit (Get to it)

Have you noticed how some people will get mad you because they think you’re upset. How wild is this? I know we must do this to God.

I call it the Adam Syndrome: “What? Well you’re the one who gave her to me!”

We know we are wrong but we yell anyway. Bully?
Will we ever just cut past the blame and admit when we’re wrong. Come on, don’t preface the truth with a blame. Just get to it. Time is valuable. Admit the mistake because your defense is starting to pierce.

“and, yes, I ate it.” – Adam

Day 47 - Dramatics (Coming Back)

Is there really a need to so dramatic in life? If we’re not careful, we’ll add “dramatic effect” to our checklist. Then we'll find ourselves waiting for the opportunity to explode into action when we haven’t had our “fit” for the day. I would like to put a challenge to everyone let’s take a moment to think before we spring into action.

Think: Is it necessary that I create a big dramatic scene over some spilt milk?

“Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.” - Solomon

Day 46 - Faith (New thoughts)

I love this place.
I love the people.
I love how the people want to participate.
I love their passion and compassion.
I love their spirit.
I love that people are excited to come back.
There can be many things to love and get excited about.

I’m glad there is NEW FAITH.
The excitement and freedom taught in this place is unheard of.

I believe God is pleased

When they said, "Let's go to the house of God," my heart leaped for joy. - David

Day 45 - Obama (Our President)

America is experiencing history. In spite of what others across our nation and this planet may think, we are progressing. It's still good to be an American today. Not every view, policy or value will match. Hopefully the great love of our brothers and sisters will be synchronized. With love, we will prevail in all things. May the direction of God be with our new President in a time when the world needs hope.

"Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear." - Paul

Day 44 - Anxious (For Nothing)

We pray for hope, peace, health, love and prosperity.

This request is for all peoples not groups.

“Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.” - Paul

Day 43 - Choice (In Everything)

Tomorrow we vote.
Or judge?
Or show favor?
Or do not care.
How do we choose?
Do we take the time to properly inform ourselves before we make a choice?

What if we carefully weighed each choice as much this one vote? I think we make these choices everyday we just don’t view them as the same.

Day 42 - Time (With Friends)

JaNonda and I had some time Saturday to just sit and have a conversation with Jeff and Tina. I must say to everyone. Having friends in the Kingdom is a great feeling. Jeff and Tina are great. Great Kingdom workers, parents, examples of Kingdom living, friends and finally yet importantly great God disbursed talent. Knowing Jeff, he would want me to mention the talent last. Saturday allowed me to see not only the quality of these friends but also friends that JaNonda and both enjoy.

“The antidote for fifty enemies is one friend.” – Aristotle
“The better part of one’s life consists of one’s friendships.” – Abraham Lincoln
“If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.” - Solomon

Day 41 - Thankful (Don't Quit)

I’m thankful for people who don’t give up.
I’m thankful for people who don’t sneak.
I’m thankful for people who are real.
I’m thankful for people who love even when its tough.
I’m thankful for people who don’t quit.
I’m thankful for people who remain faithful to what they’ve committed too.
I’m thankful for people who work and not just talk.
I’m thankful for people who don’t get mad and quit.
I’m thankful for people who don’t expect me to be perfect.
I’m thankful for people who don’t leave almost everything up to me to do.
I’m thankful for people who don’t quit.
I’m thankful for people who don’t feel they’ve done enough and decide to quit.
I’m thankful for people who don’t quit because they know the Kingdom is work
Have you quit anyone today? What reason did you give? Is your reason real or manufactured?Just be real don’t make anything up.

Special Note: Don't get mad at others when they don't quit.

Day 40 - Humbled (by Jesus)

Amazing! The things we need the most we resist the most. I guess because it’s humbling. If someone serves us, we feel the need to pay.

If you don't know the humbling experience of being served then how can you serve. Jesus loved all and served all. What an example.

"You're not going to wash my feet—ever!” - Peter

*

"If I don't wash your feet, you are not one of my people." - Jesus

Day 39 -Flower (Delivery)

God knows it all. I’ve been hearing the talk of all the wonderful things God does. Why do I try to get in the way? I guess it will take me the rest of my life to discover God, who knows all. He knows what takes in jobs, children, finances, relationships and even flowers. Flowers, you might ask. I heard Kathy say to someone tonight “All your faithfulness has been returned to you in roses!” What special way has God delivered for you lately?


"Come see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out.” – Woman at the Well (describing Jesus)

Day 38 -Friends (Looking Out)

No this picture isn't Chip n Dale. I think its an example of friends. One uncertain and the other on the look out while protecting.

Friend:

Is one who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection. That he/she seeks his/her welfare; a well-wisher; an intimate associate; sometimes an attendant. Is one not inimical or hostile; one not a foe or enemy. I re-discovered one today that I thought was extinct.

When there is no entertainment, a feast to sit at and all your choices seem to fail the ones that will still come by your side in adversity is a true friend. I understand you want a friend be one. Have you said "Hello." to a friend today?

“Some friends may ruin you, but a real friend will be more loyal than a brother.” - Solomon

Day 37 -Moods (Swinging thoughts)

Do you think we can get in a mood to provoke. Provoke anyone or anything. We don’t know why. We just get in that funk. Have you had anyone do it to you? You’re left sitting asking “What?”

The provocation goes so far the person or ourselves finds they’re mad.

Why are they mad?

Who knows how it starts.

It’s a mood swing taken too far. What was I thinking? Ask this: Do we take this behavior into our relationship with God too?

“The words of a good person are like pure silver, but the thoughts of an evil person are almost worthless.” -Solomon

Day 36 - Fed (From Where?)

My elementary school teachers were the first to teach me that I am what I eat. Something occurred while trying to look at this in a pastoral way. Do we allow anyone to feed us? Now I must give attention to what feeds me. What feeds me will feed others.

What are the different things that feed you?

“But I would feed you with the finest bread and with the best honey until you were full." -God

Day 35 -Anniversary (7teen)

This is the day I celebrate who and the things I love most.

"Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose." -Solomon