He can't remember
The times that he thought
Does my daddy love me?
Probably not
That didn't stop him
From wishing that he did
Didn't keep him from wanting
Or worshipping him

He guesses he saw him
About once a year
He could still feel the way he felt
Standing in tears
Stretching his arms out
As far as they'd go
Whispering dad
I want you to know

I love you this much
And i'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

He grew to hate him for what he had done
'cause what kind of father
Could do that to his son?
He said 'damn you daddy'
The day that he died
The man didn't blink
But the little boy cried

I love you this much
And i'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

Half way through the service
While the choir sang a hymn
He looked up above the preacher
And he sat and stared at him

He said
'forgive me father'
When he realized
That he hadn't been unloved
Or alone all his life
His arms were stretched out
As far as they'd go
Nailed to the cross
For the whole world to know

I love you this much
And i'm waiting on you
To make up your mind
Do you love me too?
How ever long it takes
I'm never giving up no matter what
I love you this much

“Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord”. Mac Powell said it best when he said; “Those words that were spoken and written by the Apostle Paul apply just as much to our lives today as they did 2000 years ago when he wrote them. That in our lives no matter where we could go, or who we could meet or what we could see or what we could earn or be given to us or accomplish, there is nothing in our lives that well ever even come close to the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ our Lord.”
And as the familiar song goes, “I’ve heard all the stories; I’ve seen all the signs; Witnessed all the glory; Tasted all that’s fine; Still nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord! I see all the people; wasting all their time; Building up their riches; for a life that’s fine; -- I find myself just living for today; Cause I don’t know what tomorrow’s gonna bring; So no matter if I rise or fall I’ll never be alone, oh no; Because, Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord!”
Sometimes it seems like our journey as followers of Christ is characterized by our ability to let go of things that were never in our control in the first place. Yet scripture encourages us to hold firmly to our faith. Ironically, we are unable to accomplish either goal in our own strength. It is vitally important that we have complete dependence on God for anything and everything.
Knowing our Lord Jesus Christ and knowing of Jesus are two different things. There are billions of people that know of Jesus, every demon that exists knows of Jesus and is terrified. Many people who call themselves Christians also know of Jesus and are content with just knowing of Him. But when we come to the realization that we need to put our complete dependence in Jesus Christ and live by His every word, it will have a profound impact on our lives.
There is nothing that this world could ever produce or imagine that could ever come close. . . to the greatness of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ. The reason for that statement could be broken down into one simple sentence; “Those who never know the Lord will not enter the kingdom of God”.
Matthew 5:20, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven”.
Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 18:3, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”
Matthew 19:23-24, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Those verses are all great reminders that, contrary to popular belief there are people who will not go to Heaven. There are many who say, “Lord, Lord” but never experience the greatness of really knowing Him.
If we truly know the Lord we will also love the Lord. John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.” How many of us do what we want instead of what Jesus commands and still claim to love Him? It was once said “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyles. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable!” How true it is though, we go to church and learn valuable Bible truths, then we walk out of church and from the very car we drive to the smallest thing at home, we take our own course of action and see the Bible truths we just learned as just ‘mere suggestions’. It ends up being a life of justification of why we act differently than the Bible teaches.
I guess it comes down to ‘where do we harbor what is great to us?’ Do we harbor it in Jesus Christ or in a house, a car, a person, a job or a host of other things that can become idols to us? The greatness that we harbor must be in the Son of God, Jesus Christ! There is greatness in knowing His son. That greatness begins with getting rid of looking out for ourselves and making sure we have everything we want and put that emphasis on knowing Jesus more intimately. It is a relationship, a bride and groom relationship. Now what relationship would be healthy if both parties just knew of each other? We want a healthy intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and the only way to have that is to rid ourselves of anything that is not in God’s will. It’s called radical amputation! These are things in our life that are luxuries, or just plain ‘not God’s will’ that we convince ourselves are ‘ok’ because we just want to have them. When we truly know the Lord we will have no desire to have these ‘questionable’ things. When we truly know the Lord we will not have to justify things and find scripture that ‘allows’ us to do or have something. Instead using the scriptures to back up our course of action to abstain from world influenced policies, forms of entertainment and convenience.
Many times we are tempted to do things that are contrary to God’s will in the name of convenience, or to avoid persecution. James 1:2-3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”. James is telling us that when, not IF, when we are persecuted for our faith in Christ, consider it pure joy. We are not to avoid doing what’s right or do something that is wrong, just so we aren’t persecuted. It’s called witnessing for the Lord and sharing our faith. When we truly know the Lord, we will understand that we cannot compromise our faith so that we do not get made fun of, receive a citation, or even get fired at work. A great Bible example is Daniel 3:13-15 13Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Those three were promised death by burning if they did not bow to the image that Nebuchadnezzar had made. Think how easy it would have been to just bend their backs to avoid death. The reason they did not is because they had faith in God, the truly experienced the greatness of knowing God! Listen to the response that they gave to the king; “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They stood up for their faith because they knew God and were witnessing and proclaiming the greatness of Him. So before we sign that policy, passively agree, or compromise scripture to avoid persecution we must think back to the decision that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego made and the mighty faith they had in a mighty God! They could have diluted what was really taking place and said “it is only bending our back, it is not worshiping”, But they chose not to. We could dilute our chance to witness for Christ and not compromise by saying things such as “it’s only a strap on my waist, I don’t depend on it for protection” when talking about a seatbelt. Or “it’s just so I can get a decent car, I would never claim insurance” when talking about insurance policies, all the while disregarding what we actually agreed to.
When we truly know the Lord, we will marvel over the greatness of it. Nothing can come close to the greatness! We will forget all the compromises that we previously made and give God the benefit of the doubt. When there is a doubt about something being scriptural or not, we may dwell on it for awhile and eventually convince ourselves to justify what we want instead of God’s will. That is a sign that we do not really know the Lord. The most important decision that we could ever make is to commit all, surrender all, and give up everything to the Lord Jesus Christ! There is nothing worth holding onto that is not in God’s will.
Knowing the Lord and living by the Word of God is so vitally important it
cannot be overstated! Psalm 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” It seems that more and more young people are throwing solid teaching to the wind and doing their own thing and calling it truth. Does what we do have to be justified as being right, or is what we do a witness for Christ and a statement of truth? If we spend more time justifying our actions and decisions than we do witnessing for Christ by our actions and decisions…. We do not know the greatness of knowing the Lord!! There is work in order indeed if that be the case.
No compromise, no luxury of convenience that is objectionable, nothing is worth sacrificing truly knowing Christ. We may feel like we know the Lord and say we love Him, but if there is an idol in our life or we habitually sin or we have or do something outside of God’s will, we do not really know the Lord Jesus Christ like we say we do.
1Corinthians 8:13 “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” If our choice or possession or policy (that was originally doubted) causes our brother in Christ to fall into sin because he also does it, “get rid of it and never visit the thought of it again” is what Paul is saying! You see, it does not matter that it is only I that is doing something. It actually affects a lot more than just me if I make questionable choices. There are a lot of choices in the Christian life and in all of our decisions it is of dire importance that we give God the benefit of the doubt! We may lose possessions, money, friends, or anything but will be blessed because it was for the glory of the Lord! Matthew 19:29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Humans by nature are stubborn. And when it comes time to choose between right and wrong, life and death, blessing or cursing, we stubbornly choose the worse of the two because it is camouflaged as truth! But if we are truly seeking God’s will and chasing after the heart of God with all we have, we will find it and we will be righteous through Jesus Christ.
Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord! When we reach the place of truly knowing the Lord Jesus, there will be a revival in our life. We will no longer doubt what God can do for us. We will have complete faith for healing, protection and guidance. There is no end to what God will do for us when we truly know, love and worship Him!
Psalm 18:1-3, “I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” Are they just words in your life, maybe good suggestions for living, or are they the words that you live by? God has to be number one in our lives there is no other way to live.
What It is a lot easier for a person to pull you down than for you to pull them up! Give up those who could pull you down. It’s time to be real, be honest and do it for your sake and the glory of God! What about the company that we keep? Do our close friends represent a life that really knows the Lord Jesus Christ? You may have good morals but if you keep bad company you will soon compromise them because the Bible says so. 1Corinthians15:33, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
Philippians 3:8, Paul says, “I consider everything a loss in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” Paul has come to the realization that next to the great privilege of knowing Jesus Christ, everything else is trash!
Luke 12 tells the story of the rich man who bragged about his riches and how he would kick back, relax and just take it easy. He planned to just live it up and enjoy all the things that he had accumulated. Verses 19-21 tell the rest of the story, "And I'll say to myself, 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry. "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Wouldn’t we rather be rich toward God than to be foolishly focused on material possessions or distracted by a relationship that keeps us from enjoying all that is ours in Jesus Christ? A rich person in the Bible is sometime thought of as someone who is far from us. But when we focus more on our money, making it and spending it and our spiritual life lacks, we are included in the category that the Bible calls rich. At that point all the verses that make reference to ‘the rich man’ now apply to us. Time for changes indeed! A popular belief is that those ‘rich man’ verses only apply to Bill Gates and Donald Trump, but it is more of an attitude toward money and possessions than the amount that we have. Just consider! The very Creator of the Universe, The King of Kings, Almighty God wants to fellowship with you. He wants you to know Him and He wants you to enjoy the riches of His grace! Eph. 1:7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. Now what could be greater than that?
A major step in getting to know God more intimately is resisting temptation and not giving into even the subtle suggestions of the devil. Many things that we do that are questionable started out as mere suggestions from the devil, a.k.a. major temptation. The next step was easy because if it looks good to this generation, generally we go for it! This more than any other is a generation out looking for pleasure and fun. Looking out for ourselves and at all costs satisfying ourselves. In our pursuit for pleasure, we have turned away from our Glorious God, the only One who can forever satisfy us. In fact, He is a fountain of living waters in which He longs to quench our every desire. Yet so many of us have turned away from Him, and tried finding pleasure in worldly things. Money will never satisfy. Sex will never satisfy. Cars, big houses, a simple life, volunteering, alcohol, drugs, the American dream: nothing can satisfy us except God. In fact, all things except God are "broken cisterns that can hold no water." We are fooled by pleasures that don't last. The things that we spend our time on and consume are the water we drink. Just as Jesus told the woman at the well that He could give her ‘living water’, He is offering us that same ‘living water’. We seek after bitter water when we spend our time in addiction, luxury, money and a host of other potential idols. We must replace the consumption of the bitter dead water with the Living Water of God’s word and God’s Truth!
I think that shedding light on the Devil's deceitful tactics can greatly help us in resisting him. We must realize that sin is anything we try to satisfy the longing of our soul with other than God. It’s time we drag our sin out into the light where it will die because sin loves the darkness! The pleasures of sin don't last. Only God can satisfy the desires of our heart. You'll never be satisfied with just dabbling in sin, just sipping the cup of sin. Sin begins as a pet, but quickly becomes your master. It will never have lasting satisfaction! We become tricked into thinking that if we dive deeper into the worldly things we pursue for pleasure, they will satisfy us. Yet, pretty soon we are drowning. The sin took a firm grip of our life and we are left wondering what happened. We can't allow the Devil to trick us into thinking that anything other than God can satisfy our soul. Many times we justify the things of the world that we do saying, “I am not depending on these things to satisfy my soul”. But that also is a tactic of the devil to get us thinking that these things are not harmful to us. “I am strong, I can stand up to this, it will not master or affect me, I am firm in Christ”. They are all haughty self assured statements and we are setting ourselves up for a big fall if we believe that! Knowing the Lord also includes resisting the devil. We cannot be a friend of the devil and claim to be a friend of the Lord. Revelation 3:16, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” With God you cannot even be lukewarm you are either for Him or against Him.
Never forget that God is a fountain of living water and He longs for us to come and quench the longing of our soul in Him.
King David was “A man after God’s own heart”, in other words he sought after the heart of God. King David had things in perspective in what he had to say about God: "Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth." (Psalm 73:25) "On You I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:5) "In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11) "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."(Psalm 37:4)
David did not desire anything on earth. His sole desire was for God. The one thing he asked for was to be in the presence of God. David knew that in Christ alone is where we find the fullness of joy.
We can't help but talk about what we are in love with! Be it a boyfriend or girlfriend, a video game, a favorite band, sports, money or Jesus Christ. What do we spend most of our time talking about? Is it sports, money, or a person? That is a sure indicator of what we really love. Only 2% of professing Christians share their faith regularly, talk about forgetting our First Love! Are we in that 2% of Christians? Do people point out that we are a Christian when we are around them, or do our language, tolerances, actions, and our disposition reflect more of the world than Christ? It’s time for a spiritual inventory.
Hebrews 11:25-26 “[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” Take a lesson from Moses, he knew that sin was unfulfilling and fleeting. Although it promises great things it will always leave us hanging in the end. As you might say to a friend, “Don’t leave me hangin”, it is impossible to say that to sin, although we say it every time we accept that it will make us contented.
Knowing our Lord, Jesus Christ is more than just frequenting church and doing good deeds. It is an intimate relationship with Him. "Have you discovered Jesus Christ as your treasure which you value more than everything else? The answer to this question is life changing, "because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt. 6:21). Every professing Christian will say ‘yes’ to that question, but statistics show that that is not true. “Only 2% of professing Christians share their faith regularly.” We talk frequently about what we are in love with. What do we talk regularly about?
In closing think about this: There are actually things that can and will keep a lot of people on this earth, out of heaven. These are people who professed and believed that they were saved and going to heaven. What will go wrong then, that they not make it to eternal life with Jesus Christ? They didn’t choose to know Jesus on a personal intimate level. They knew of Jesus and claimed they loved Him and that he was their personal savior. But when everything comes to an end there will be those who chose life and those who chose death. It is all a choice and our choice must be in Jesus Christ. When we think about the seriousness of our decisions and that they could land us in hell, they take on a whole new meaning. It is not just ourselves that we affect with unwise unscriptural decisions either. There are people, young people who look up to us and take everything we do as right and acceptable. How horrible would it be if we misled a young Christian with a decision that was not in line with scripture? Matthew 18:6 “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” You see, it could be a decision now that we know is wrong but will change it later. That decision could lead a young Christian down the wrong path. A son said to his father, “Dad I know this is probably not the best thing but this is how I want to do it for right now”. That son was soon to leave the truth of God and build his faith in God around what suited him best. We must be strong, standing firm, not wavering for our own sake, for the sake of those who look up to us, but ultimately for the glory of God!

“Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord!”

Lord grant us the ability to throw down our idols, to break off unscriptural fellowship, to put you first, to realize that everything we do affects us in one way or another. Dear Lord, the truth is that nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, help me to hold that at the forefront of my mind, to use it as a weapon of truth. Sure Lord, I know that there are a lot of things that I could do or things I could have, but when in comparison to the sheer magnificence of You and the fact that those things of the world would not bring glory to You, they are worthless. Lord let us all come to the realization that nothing will ever compare to You and nothing in this world is worth compromising our faith in You.

My thoughts

JF

June 10, 2004

It's a PK weekend. I won't be back til Sat. night. Finished writing tonight. If you'd like to see what I think, ask me to mail it.

:)

A long time ago,, my dad told me. "Don't dislike a person just because I may, you could be their best friend".

Did you notice that everyone has a serious problem with someone else.. but at the same time thinks that there is nothing that should be remotely annoying about themselves?

Ok, so the forum has been abused! but hey we all make mistakes. I just get a kick out of that fact that people read the rules, post contrary to them and then want an explanation of why I had to remove their post. Oh well. Some people just don't get it and some people just want to start controversy!!

Sometime I think I am the only blogger that actually blogs anymore.. I saw one that hasn't blogged in almost a month!! But maybe they actually got a life,, i'll get in line.. BTW for anyone who reads... Sunday night June 6th I think.. come sing praise & worship if your heart desires.. 630ish is cool !

JF

I went out tonight.. woohoo,, im not a hermit anymore! I went bowling and bowled 4 strikes and 3 spares.. but thats all.. i was bowling on someone elses game. I think it's uncool to push your religious beliefs on another person. A mutual discussion, yeh, but to get a person on a position of no retreat and then push your compromises on them.. that aint cool! Oh yeh, and btw, I cant bowl with real bowling shoes on.. i have to wear sneakers.. or actually tonight I wore my Sketchers.. the last time i bowled the guys watched me and kicked me off for not wearting hte right shoes.. they were uncool also! But hey thats the rules i guess.

Oh, and btw C ... Nothing like making me feel guilty!

sometime I wonder, why things happen how they happen. Or why things are as they are. But idk, the stuff I want to change won't and the stuff I want to stay, will change> That's called life, and I know that it is fair, no matter what anyone has ever said no matter who is was/is... life is fair!! Sometime we may think it is not.. But when we consider that God has EVERYTHING in control and knows what is best for our lives, how can it not be fair! God is trying to get us to repent, some of us are more stubborn than others so we need more 'prodding'. Yeh, I know, i'm insane and I make you sick, but think about it.. if i make you sick all you need to do is get rid of me and then you could get rid of the doctor too! ha . It's funny how people get their own ideas of God and salvation that are not fully supported by the Bible and then they stick to them and argue others out. Then they change their ideas and what they call truth to fit what they 'want' to do and what they 'want' to be God's will. Ok, the insanity stops here! :)

"I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing."

"You are my friends if you do what I command."

"Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?"

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

"As simple as it is and they still stray and find something to suit their own selfish ways they call truth, they want truth that tickles their ears"

I got my first letter back from Joe (the prisoner) in Florida. Man, prison life must get pretty depressing after awhile. That is after 12 years in Joe's case!

-26- !!

There was a little discussion today between a few ppl and myself about a "prison ministry" and out of that one of them suggested, "We could go into the prison (Holmesburg) and give them a concert type of praise & worship time! What a great idea I thought and then I thought, Oh the work that is cut out! But I still think it is a great idea. Alot of people think of prisoners as "they got what they deserved" or "they belong there". But thats all wrong, in reality they got what we all deserve, and we actuall deserve more!! We are all sinners and criminals and deserve death except for the fact that we know the saving grace of Jesus' blood!! And most of them desperately need that!! Just think of spreading the saving message of Jesus Christ to prisoners who need some kind of hope! What better hope than Jesus, right?

Politics are so corrupt I don't want to even think about them! If you were to talk to Bush, he would have a lot of negative to say about Kerry and alot of good to say about himself. If you were to talk to Kerry he would say mostly the opposite that Bush said and vice versa. Not saying that either of them is correct about the other or not. But if both candidates say that each is not telling the truth............my point.

Bought 3 Koi and 3 Shubunkins for my pond. along with the 8 or so cattails and a bunch of Water Hyacinth. also the water fall looks pretty good except it would have looked 'cooler' on the other end. But I'll wait till next year when I build my other pond and water fall.

There is a pretty thought provoking quote/question. "If you gave your life to the Lord, why do you hold so much back?"

If we call ourselves "Saved" then that means that we have dedicated our lives to Christ. If we have to make a decision, we may ask God to show us what to decide, which is the right thing to do. But when it comes time to make the decision, we just make our own decision and say "I prayed so this must be God's will". But praying and actually having faith are two different things. Real faith in God for ALL things (as God commands) is the biggest lack in most Christians lives.

Something interesting is that we have a hawk at work. It started living on a three story brick chimney. The chimney is not in use anymore and I think it may have a nest in there. It was pretty cool though we watched it dive down and attack a pigeon. Well that was cool except that it was some guys homing pigeon. Oh well. it didnt kill it but injured it! I think ill take a pic of it and maybe post here. I could shoot it.. but thats illegal!

New seat belt law in Philadelphia, they have check points set up throughout the city to check for seat belts or not. But, I still will not wear mine because I believe that if I put it on, I would be depending on that seat belt to protect me/save my life instead of God, as we are commanded to do.

Pastor Clark was a great comfort last night he said something that was good.
"If they hate you, remember they hated Me first"
"If they think you are nuts for your faith, remember they thought I was nuts for my faith first"

Speaking of Jesus Christ of course!

That could be applied to so many situations that the true Christian is faced with. When you do something in faith or stand up for what is right in Christ and you are persecuted or just looked at like you are nuts... The worst part about it is that some of the very people that persecute or put down your faith,,,, also call themselves Christians....... I guess that is why the Bible tells us that few will get to Heaven. The Bible says that in the days of the Lord (End of the world) it will be like the time of Noah. If you recall, in the time of Noah, think how many perished and only Noah and his family were saved.. of all the people on earth only a few, Noah's family, were saved! So it will be in the end of the world.. only a few will be saved.. how many is that 25? 250? 2500? 250,000 ?? No one knows because the Bible says that it will be as it was in the time of Noah, only how many were saved back then,,, 7 ? not many!!!!

"Find real faith in God! Find real dedication to Jesus Christ! Give up your control and hand it over to Jesus Christ! There is no other way to be saved than to surrender EVERYTHING that we have to Jesus Christ"

Just being labled a Christian and going to church and doing Christian things will not save us!!

It is real faith, real commitment, and real dedication!!!

The Bible says that Faith without actions is DEAD!!!

We are told by fellow Christians that actions and works are of the devil and they are wrong. BUT what is the proof of our faith? What we say? Absolutely not !! Words are cheap, words are worthless !! Our actions and how we live our life is the fruits or proof of the faith that we have in Jesus Christ !!

If we were to say "I have faith that if i step off this roof I will not fall to the ground" that is all good.. we could repeat that all day long and put up billboards and tell everyone.. BUT if we never stepped off.. there is no real faith.. it is just spoken, weak, no backbone faith.. because "Faith without works or actions is DEAD".

Is your faith Dead or alive?

My good friend's son was baptized tonight. An emotional night indeed!

A person can actually be provoked from sleep by saying one litte word. The secret is finding the one word that provokes them. Because the fact of the matter is, that no matter what state they are in, they can't help themselves from keeping tabs on what is being said around them.

Majority of the news media is controlled by the liberal left wing secular democrats

pastors are awesome people!

If you were to ask any 3rd or 4th grade kid what their dream is, most of them would tell you something like, a doctor, a firefighter, a police officer, an astronaut, a pilot, etc. The list goes on and on. But when a kid gets to 10th or 11th grade and drops out of high school gets into drugs, drinking and sex, then it's a different story. Somewhere between 4th and 10th grade kids are losing their dreams and plummeting. In people 15-24, suicide is the third leading cause of death! In 2000 there were almost twice as many suicides as homicides. Suicide is the last straw to any of the other things that these 'almost graduates' turn to. They turn to drinking, drugs, sex, they carry guns, they commit crimes, etc. But these are all done when they still have a hope. In one high school 28 kids committed suicide in one year. Two of them went under the bleachers and hung themselves together!

The remedy to all of this??

"Parents",, thats the answer. Too many parents get married and have kids and somehow think that life will not change for them. Somewhere down the line they forget about the kids that they brought into the world and figure they will take care of themselves. The blame is thrown in every direction and no one will own up to it.. But the responsibility to raise kids in a Godly way falls on the parents. Divorce is a leading cause of why kids turn. becuase once a divorce takes place, the kids usually only see one parent and then that parent is usually too caught up in fighting for something with the ex and everything else that they feel is important to 'them' disregarding their children!

So, parents, step up and take back the responsibility that accepted when you chose to have kids! your kids deserve it. Don't let them be another statistic!

"A kid who had a dream in 3rd grade and has lost that dream to something negative by 10th grade can almost always be linked to the parents being un-involved and not dedicated to that kid's life"

Hey Shauna's alive!! haha

Preface: I totally agree with your preface. Like I told my cousin who told me I was vain for blogging, "It's my choice to click, and my choice to read everyday".

You're too funny Shauna, the reason I even thought of posting politics that night was because I read Jon Carlson's blog!

I guess I will be held to that comment for the rest of my life now.. Oh wait, i'm beginning to know what its like to be a politician!!

To answer a few questions.

Yes, I'm above most taxes, but not all-

No, I do not have a DNR-

Yes, I drive, I obey most but not all of the laws-

Yes, I buy electricity-

My trash? I pay my sister to take it out! :)

back atcha-
Do you believe that voting for president (at least this term) is choosing the lesser of two evils?

Do you believe that by voting you are supporting the actions of the candidate?

Does that mean when you don't comment, you do agree? Wow, we have so much in common! haha

ok, ok, just three for you!

btw, you really ranted there!!

For the record: Anyone who knows me somewhat, knows that I do discuss politics alot and they know that I discuss them alot at work. So for anyone who is informed they would have caught on that it was a comment of humor!

Chow4Now!!

btw, I am one of healthy disagreement.. that one just got me more in shape.. but I almost blew my knee out on the stairmaster paragraph.

JF

My hope is in the Lord Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price for all my sin at Calvary.
No merit of my own His anger to suppress,
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.
And now for me He stands before the Father's throne,
He shows His wounded hands, and names me as His own.
His grace has planned it all, It's mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive!

Recognize that? How many of you skipped to the bottom?!

Anyone who calls themselves a Christian should believe that old hymn is true!

Also they could lay their life on the altar of sacrifice and die with Christ and then be raised to a life that is new and different from the old sin life! New and different from the world.. If they can't tell the difference from us and the world.. somethings wrong, right? I think it's time that we, as Christians, practiced "Radical Amputation" of the things that we KNOW are no in God's will! Put it this way, would Jesus do it with us? Would Jesus buy it too? Would Jesus listen to that music, would He watch that film? If we said no to any of those questions but then make an excuse that for some reason it's still ok for us to do.. We obviously aren't following Jesus Christ, to follow in His footsteps is to do as he would do if He were here! Would he pop pills or pray for healing, would he sue or pray for, would he borrow or pray for provisions, would he listen to music with unchristian themes or bad language or would he smash it as he did the money changers tables in the temple?? The answers are pretty obvious.. Now, are we Christians or do we like the benefits of calling ourselves, going through the motions but still living as the world??? It's truth time!

"I need no other argument, I need no other plea, It is enough that Jesus died, And the He died for me"

He died for me, I'll live for Him !!

Whew, ok, its been three days since I last blogged.. seems like a long time.. but then again.. I think I blog more than any of the other blogs I read. I'll give myself an award! But then again, maybe that means I have nothing to do.

Felt like crap all weekend and so far this week! Yippee, right? Right now I feel like im six feet outside of my own body! kinda like euphoric or something. But I won't go into details about how im not feeling well cause I really dont thinka anyone wants to hear it! But to say the least it was kinda cool beside that fact that I felt like i was going to die! I lost my smell, I lost my taste, and I feel like i've been using a straw and a razor blade for a week!

Working on updating my website learning new stuff like what CSS files are and what they do. That is definitely interesting stuff!

NO....NO.. to discuss politics means you are mentally disturbed and have too much free time!

Ahhhh,, sleep time! Maybe I feel better tomorrow!

When we become aquainted with a person, after a while I think that we subconsciously make assumptions and have expectations of that person. We sometime make them feel obligated or we feel they are obligated to act in a certain way or do a certain thing. And when they do not, we are offended. Although this person has their own personality and life, for some reason we feel that they have an obligation to meet on our end. Not to mention that with the amount of aquaintances that each person may have, it would seem pretty absurd to have one person be obligated to each of them. That is why each person is born with the irrevokable power of choice!

I need zzz's!

An influencial person has the responsibility of eternal souls in his care. If you are an influence on anyone, even one person. Be on your guard to lead them to Christ! There salvation could hinge on how your influence them. God does work in wierd ways sometime.(so it seems to us anyway)

Sigh, I've been thinking that its not good for me to get really pissed off because I get angry and soon rage sets in. And then I get my cousins involved and then they get their friends and then I get the 'African Americans' from the hood that "got my back" and we roll on the sorry ******'s that got us pissed in the first place. BUT, it didnt go that far so its all cool. :)

Ok, now that we are done with the drama.

What does the word 'vain' mean anyway.

If I speak my mind about something, does that mean I have an opinion? I believe that everyone has an opinion.

One of the coolest things around is the fact that we will always have our power of choice. And the fact that if we use our power of choice, we cannot blame the consequences of our choices on anyone else. Even if we are pressured or forced to decide a certain way,, if we make the choice, we are responsible. Got it?

Paintball has got to be one of the biggest adrenaline rushes ever! Besides being a white kid getting chased out of the ghetto of course.. but thats not fun either !!

If we say we too busy to do something.. does that mean that we realy try to fit it in and are just too busy.. or does it mean that it does not mean that much to us and we just dont want to offend anyone so we just say "Ive been really busy"..?
I think the latter !!

I changed my email address.

I no longer use dctineffect@safeplace.net
I now use JFM@safeplace.net ONLY!

Not that you have a use for it or nothin. But, you are informed!

I wonder who actually has the time to read this "El Material inútil" everyday? Maybe i'd be surprised.

Finished building the engine for the Monte Carlo tonight. Yes, I picked the hottest day yet to do it. But at least its done.

I think I'm going to have to work late Wed. and Thurs. night! It's crap we gotta get done because my boss wants to earn more money. Surprise!

Happy Birthday Mindy H. ! Not sure when your birthday is.. but I found out they had a party for you and I, your favorite cousin, was not even invited !! Horrors !! But maybe they didnt know I was "Favorite Cousin". Oh well!

Wow, look at the new posting format!

I will write to my new friend tonight, interesting anyway.

13 (i think)

Not much else new, I pressed for time :) But at least I write.

I'm trying to decide who would recieve the prize if there was a "longest without blogging award".

Ha, some ppl have gone over a week !!

There's nothing to get excited about anymore,,,,,, you'd think that after 7 years I'd get over it, yeh me too, But no, I'm the big baby that I am. Sometime it just makes me sad. But other times it makes me mad! Sometime I wish that there was a person that was responsible. That way I could phyisically do something about it and feel like there is something changed because of it. But no, nothing like that, It's just how it is. Things happen and things change, things are how they are and I have to just accept them and get over it, right? Wrong, I don't have to and will not 'get over it'. There is a void that I know God is supposed to fill in my life, buy why lie? Sometime it seems the hole is so big that God can't fill it. When is it going to be filled? What went wrong? If nothing went wrong, then why is this right? How about everyone who told me "Everything will be ok" 7 years later it's still not.. now what? Empty words . . . . . . . Empty words echo from the halls of 7 years . . . . . . . . . Oh sure, I get along fine, I'm not sure where'd I'd be if things never did change. But one thing is for sure, i'd give anything to have it back. I'd sleep in a box on the street , , , Sitting here thinking just amazes me that something like this is a reality and this many years later, I still won't believe it. There is a place in my heart that isn't supposed to be taken up by anything else and now it has to, but it can't. It alters a person's mind and changes them inside. Things like this aren't supposed to happen, or at least it seems that way. I don't know. But from day to day, there is nothing that I miss more.

I miss my Momma, Happy Mother's Day!

It was weird, I thought about my wife today.

I mean, yeh, i'm not married or nothing, now,, but someday yeh, and it was weird, I just started thinking about a family.. woo weird stuff there! I don't think i'm quite ready, although some faces did pass through my mind. Hmmm.

Random thought: I actually like my boss. Yeh, there are those who do not.

See I think that if you are employed by a person, that you should do whatever you are asked to do. Of course if it conflicts with Bible teaching then by all means, don't. But other than that, if it is just personal preference, i think you should do it anyway. Not only if it is hte boss , even a manager. I know what its like to be in charge of other ppl and them not want to listen. But that's life and that's other people. Oh well !!

JF

"Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you, Lord"

Man I love that song! It's like the whole meaning of why I exist. I think that knowing the Lord is the only thing that is worth living for. I mean, we can live for ourselves, and work to build up us and our stuff, but we cannot save ourselves. We could live for someone else, but they cannot save us. But if we live for the Lord and put our complete trust and faith in Him, He can and will save us. The Apostle Paul knew that even today even 2000 years after he lived on this earth, that there would still be nothing that could even come close to the greatness of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to challenge you now. Do you know the Lord? I mean do you just know of the Lord and frequent church and pray now and then, or do you really know the Lord and base your whole life and existence on the Lord Jesus Christ? Is every choice and decision you make based on the teaching of Jesus Christ, is everything that you set out to do, have the favor and blessing of the Lord. Do you live for Him alone? Do you have faith in the Lord for everything, or just the things that suit you? All that , would be the greatness of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ !! What a great thought !! Make it reality!!

Finally put the new liner in the pond tonight.. Betsy and I had a good time of yard work for a couple hours.. Got the liner and and the rocks put back in place and filled it up !!

Looks geat if i say so myself !!

Then I got the urge to make chocolate covered strawberries.. so i did.. mm mm good !!

-10-

1/6

May work late tomorrow night.. but don't mind. Picnic on Sat. And yo, Canst! Something is only as boring as you make it.. It was once said that only boring people get bored!!

JF

Nothing to blog about tonight, just lettin yall know im alive.

Today, I thought about the fact that I will die someday. Like, that fact that you dont have to be old to die. And that my next breath could be my last breath. I heard a commercial for some asthma medicine (however you spell it) and saying that "With asthma your next breath could be your last". I thought, "Duh you morons, everyone on earth can say that, our next breath could be our last". Only by the grace of God we will breathe one more time. "God or Medicine"? I'll choose God anyday, He has a better track record than any doctor or medicine could even dream of. There are those who believe in God, and there are those who do not. I hope I am always in the those who do catagory! Anyway, I'm sure I'll come under attack for those statements. and yes, ( ) I feel your pain !! oh oh, pain, should i get medicine.. ha. whatever!

I think I should read more of my book tonight.. for some reason books get put on the back burner when it's my time to read !!

Fixed the lawnmower
Mowed the grass
Cleaned up the yard
made it look it look nice!

Day 08

Found a great deal on Ebay for a better filter to treat my dirty dirty Oscars !! See I got a deal becuase.. in the store they are $170 and mail order they are $116 shipped! BUT, I found it on Ebay for $53 with an hour left so i bid.. with one minute left.. i bid $55 and was outbid right away.. with 23 seconds left... (drama) I bid $60.01 and won.. I beat the highbidder by 1 cent !! Now I may even be able to pick this thing up and save on shipping too !! Oh its great to be frugal.. but wait. im not frugal.. maybe just cheap.. ha.. idk. anyway.. now its been 24 hours and the guy aint email me back.. oh well.. i wait.

Too busy to blog tonight.. but never the less i think i blog more in a week than most of my daily reads post in a day !!


God is great and greatly to be praised !!

*HEADACHE*

But other than that, I worked in the morning and , WOW on the way to work it was awesome in more ways than one.. first it was awesome that God protected us from being involved in an accident and then it was awesome the reaction and the driving skills that I displayed. Quite proud of that. Some guy was stopped in the driving lane with his right turn signal on.. I was going about 40mph andjust as I went ot pass him on the left.. he put on his left turn signal and turned. I couldnt stop so i swerved to the other side of the street and he kept turning and then whipped the wheel back.. i think i did a squealing two wheeler.. when I looked at the other car right before I whipped the wheel back.. i could have swore that he was hitting me !! As soon as I swerved back and were clear.. Phil and I looked at each other and said "That was awesome, whooooo" !!! and Hi fived !!!!!

work was uneventful

stopped at Checkers on the way home... mmmm chili N cheese fries !!

went to Home Depot (love that place) and got a pond liner to replace the bad one.. then I couldnt resist some plants.. so i got 12 tomatoe plants 6 pepper plants and 6 egg plant .. hmmm now just where to put them... I actually pulled out my Kiwi plants to make room for 6 of the tomatoes and the peppers... Betsy got some flowers too but i forget what they are called.. I think I might get lettuce to plant in from of the peppers for a border. can't wait till next year when we renovate the whole yard into (well half the yard) into a garden and a pond for fishing... if anyone was wondering.. yes i do live in the city and yes my yard is kinda smal..but that wont stop me. !!!! Anyway..

Question of the Day: If you generalize and someone takes serious offense to it, does that mean that they feel guilty about the generalzation that you made?

Each person has the power of choice, no one can take that away, not even God (contrary to some beliefs).


Two things that are true:

1. Our most valuable possesion that we could ever have is our eternal soul. (which will spend an eternity in one of two places, Heaven or Hell) [[rethink your beliefs to be sure]]

2.No one can ever take from us, our power of choice. It is our choice to follow God or to 'fall away' from the faith !!

Day 3 and going strong with the mercy of God !!

Rethought my plans for the yard next spring! Took 191 pics of my fish,, about 40 turned out! Digital of course. Now all i have to do is get them on the web.. oh nevermind.. if you want to see them, come over and check them out.. its a standing invitation.. just let me know you'll be here !!

surf N turf for dinner tomorrow night !M MMMM


Good lookin out for the Phillies ticket Seth, but I had plans for dinner !! I got a date and I cant be late.. if ionly i wasnt typin, i woulda danced while saying that !

God is great and has been wonderful that last three days.

Some oriental ppl looked at our house tonight.. they seemed like they were really interested in it!

I was told that once you accept Christ into your heart, you are forgiven for all your past, present and FUTURE sins.. even if you do not repent of them.. although Jesus clearly said that IF>> IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.. Geez, ppl just want an easy life and a lazy life to Heaven, little do they know that they have to have continuing faith in Christ to inherit the free gift of eternal life! ! If I was to turn my back on God, why would he still save me,, thats right.. he wouldn't !! God is a kind and loving God, but he is also a jealous God !! So stop being so stupid and get on the straight and narrow road of continuing full faith in God.. Not just what suits your current life style.. I heard recently.. that alot of ppl who call themselves Christians just do so because it is what their friends/peers do, and they go through the motions to be accepted. How sad!

Pizza time

Sigh!

Long busy days at work make time fly. And that's what its been like!

Shauna, thank you for the Birthday wishes!! Yes, it was a good birthday although the party was Friday and my birthday dinner was on Sunday, it was almost all over by Monday!! But it was good!

Happy Birthday to me! Wow I feel special but i guess it is my birthday- I got 18 cards and 2 cakes! One cake from Candace and one from Melissa! Thanks both o you! Nice hearing from Erin D. tonight even tho i didnt get a chance to talk to her! Hmmm I wonder why it is that ppl like her live so far away? Oh well, idk, I guess someday I'll meet the right person. God must really want me to find just the right person if He is makin me wait this long! But I know its only in His time, if it were in mine, i'd screw it up! Not that i havent already or nothin. but anyhow, thanks for all the kind birthday wishes, I needed them, i was needing some encouragement about that time. And i kinda still do, sometime the little bit and little bit of sinking down catches up and sinks deeper. I'm not sure why, but it sneaks up on me and makes me feel worthless, although i know im not and never will be. No matter what anyone thinks! God made me with a specific purpose in mind and I intend with the help of the Holy Spirit to fulfill my calling when He reveals it to me! I thought of my rents today, dont know why, but just did. Maybe its the pic of my dad hangin on the wall at work. Somettime they seem so distant and i stop to remember them. But then sometime its like I'm there again, and I relive the last days. Sometime it really sucks because I feel like there is no one to impress, or whats the word, no one to say "Good Job" or "I'm proud of you". I guess its like whether they say it or not.. when they are there you know they watch what hyou do and are proud of you! Now its just I do it because I do it, there's no one there to get it from. idk, its just weird sometime, like its not supposed to be this way. but knowing that nothing comes my way without God allowing it first, I woould have it no other way! Cleaned out my filthy Oscar tank tonight, man are they dirty fish, and I gave them a new heater.. one that wont fry them! Not that you are interested in my fish or anything. I thought about going fishing tongith in the rain, but no one wanted to go with me! wahh.. oh well.

"Do you feel my heart beating, Do you understand"?


have a swell day.

Every morning when I wake up, I get on my knees and say, "Thank you Lord for letting me wake up one more day"!

I love rain, now if it would only start thunderin it would be great !!

The Prayer Room

I think my favoritest gift is the candy buttons from Lindsay, and hey, why would i give them to my little sis.. I love those things.. brings back memories.. you know I am old now.. I can sit my grand kids on my knee and talk about the good ol days. Back when we used to walk to school with bare feet in the snow up hill both ways, sometime naked, with no lunch, in the scorching heat.. man it was terrible..but we did it..

oh and Shauna, to answer your Q, I guess it's because I haven't talked to you in two months!! haha, yeh its been too long! And you weren't at my birthday party, although thats my sister's fault for not inviting you.. but then you're in LA.

that any help?

So you tell me, why do you rock?

I'm convinced that some parents are just sick in the head and never deserved to get married and be blessed with kids of their own! idk, They should gather all the abusive/neglectful parents up and put them in a big hole to abuse each other. that way no innocent kids are hurt in the process!

Why does AIM only let you have 200 buddies? I was over that limit a year ago. Anyone have any tips?

Too tired, long day and late night! I shall write more later! I promise!

Why is the writing in Shauna's blog so stinkin small?

I like thoughtful people! Lindsay was thoughtful tonight and she bought me some candy buttons !!! I love those things !! I mean hey, if you wanna get on my good side.. get me some candy buttons!!

PPL who rock:
-Lindsay, for the candy buttons
-Kelly for being cool (Although I only just remet her and that could change if i get to know her and she annoys the living stuff outta me and .. and.. ok, I'm JK I doubt that would happen so dont take offense to it.. dont take a gate either
-Tool, for helpin out today with all the stuff
-Ned for washin and vacuumin my van out!
-Aunt Val, for comin to my Bday party!
-Canst for the cool bday cake!!
-My sisters for havin the party!

btw, did I mention I like candy buttons? thanks to Lindsay i got me some now !! mmmm

see allayall @ church If im able to get up!!

Ok, so slacking on the book as I usualy do with reading! But I've been fishing.. went Thurs. night and only got a few bass and a catfish. Went all day today, almost 8 hours... Got BURNT!! but had a good time even tho we didnt catch ANYTHING!! But oh well, went back to Ned's and washed my dirty van, inside and out.. what a guy! I wasnt feeling the greatest, thinking about going home and hittin the sack.. but when I walked in the house,,,,,,,, they yelled SURPRISE!!!! Wow, what a surprise!! and I even forgot it was my birthday!! It got me out of my slump but now im beat !! I re-met Kelly tonight who showed up at the party! I like her! She's pretty cool! Not that i've hung around her.. but she seems like a fun person! -- Josh is home from the army for the weekend and stopped in.. all in all alot of ppl were here or just stopped in to say yo! btw, thanks to the ones who had the party.. not exactly sure who all it was.. but THANKS!! Thanks Kelly for stoppin by, nice to see her again! Got candy comin out my ears now.. i got some at work plus some for my bday.. bye bye teeth! I'm tired! The party was nice after seein a black man layin in the street shot! idk. i guess someone didnt like him! but the boy got wasted. It was exciting to see but kinda sad too that he pissed someone off enough to bust a cap in his a a a stomach... Anyway.. I think ill hit the sack now!!

Started my book tonight, interesting to say the least. Good lesson in Revelation 17-18 tonight @ church. and oh yeh, we sang "How big is God". I love singing that song. well my poor lil fishies survived an air freshener attack tonight.. Hey I cant help it if the fish smell.. talk to them about it.. not me! They prob thought the Exxon Valdez was sinking again. But they are ok and I got over my upsettedness. I think there is something wrong with me, but I dont like it when I know someone has been in my room or in my stuff while i was at work. It urks me for some reason. My sister wants to take me out for dinner for my birthday, hmm where should we go.. idk.. but thats not for a while anyway. btw, i accept cash and checks made out to 'cash'. Nice hearing from Shauna via post card from Seattle. And from what I hear, is almost done w/college. Speaking of college,, i was thinking today how incredibly stupid loans seem. Well first of all your rents prob take out a loan to send you to school, then you take a loan to go to college, and while paying that back you take a loan to buy a car and while paying both of them back you take a loan to buy a house all the while running up credit card debts... and then,,, spend the rest of your life paying loans and credit card debts. Hmmm, well let me tell you from experience, the feeling of being free from debt (as the Bible teaches that we all must be) Romans 13:8 NIV. But there are those who do not follow the teachings of Jesus Christ too closely and just hold onto the words "I am saved" with out giving much thought to the lack of faith their life has. Sunday morning's message in church should be a good one and enlightening at that. "The Believer". What is a true believer? Can't wait to hear the practical advice (from the Bible, of course) that is in store for us. That is Sunday morn @ 10:30 following the West African report.. BE DARE !!

Too tired! But found out some useful stuff tonight!

Got my book "Mere Christianity-C.S.Lewis" in the mail today. looking fwd to reading that.

It occurred to me that some people dont express their appreciation for other ppl. Someone (who was brought up well, and well reminded) got a loooong car ride with someone else and after beieng dropped off may have mumbled a 'thank you' but other than that! Nothing. Here is how I was raised: "When you get a ride with someone (esp. a long distance) you give them gas money, even if it is 2 bucks! But you'd better give it to them or dont ride with them! I mean I'm not realy strapped for cash or nothin, but you have a bunch of ppl call and ask you for a ride somewhere and the only reason you really go is to take the ppl who ask you.. and then they dont even really show their appreciation.. it really makes you wanna go the next time! But ok, I'll stop B'n N moanin! Think about it.. Not really for my sake , but geez, i know some parents slack on teachin their kids good virtues.. but use common sense instead!!

Basically, this: When you get a ride with someone e.g. down the shore, up the mts., Club worship, or a long distance for anything, when they drop you off, slip them a couple bucks.. it makes them appreciate you more and it shows you really appreciated it.. If you cant spare that.. then you shoulda just sat home.. and yes, im talkin about the o0nes who work and have pockets full... not the ones who are strapped now!! Now you cant say that no one ever told you so!

Whew, there's my fatherly deed for the day!

g'nite


(P.S. see I told you i'd blog about it)

There is one thing that God and I have in common, we both hate divorce! Don't you parents get it? Don't you have a clue to what you are doing to your kids, what you are teaching them by your actions? you took a vow in a sacred ceremony before God and said 'till death do us part' and now it means nothing! Let's see, this is what you are telling your kids through your actions:
1. that vows to God don't have to be kept
2. adultery is ok
3. get married to whoever you want, you can always change your mind later
4. we care about ourselves more than you

I think you need to get a freakin clue. don't you realize that when you get divorced you are screwing up more than just your own lives? Did you forget that you had kids whos lives are being turned inside out? Think about someone else besides your own selfish ambitions!
......"Do you take this woman (whose hand you now hold) to be your lawfully-wedded wife, and will you love her, and cherish her, and be true and faithful to her--to support and comfort her in illness and in health, in adversity as well as in prosperity, from this day forward, and as long as you both shall live?" (I do)!
......."Do you take this man to be your lawfully-wedded husband, and will you love him, and obey him, and be true and faithful to him--to support and comfort him in times of illness and in health, in adversity and in prosperity, from this day forward, and as long as you both shall live?" (I do)!
Those whom God has joined together, let not anyone separate."

Hmmm i guess its just been so long that you figure the Lord in whose presence you made those vows has forgotten them. Well I'm sorry i have to be the one that tells you this, but HE HASN'T!!

“Mom and Dad are fighting as little rosie lies there crying, cause once again she’s overheard regrets of their mistake. Christmas bells are ringing, little roie’d leave them greaving, the gift she’d give her family would be the pills she’d take”

May seem too far off to be your kids.. but I guarentee you taht if you keep on the track that you are going.. your kids will very soon start thinking on this same path because you are leaving them.

You could hate each others guts for the rest of your life!! But think of your kids and stick it out for them. Give them the same chance that someone gave you! They deserve it and you don't have the right to take it away from them. God help you if you do!(The parents that this is to, will probably never read this, but maybe they will, God only knows)

in other news, I drew a layout of my yard and am sketching plans for our "New yard" for next year when our dilapidated pool comes down and we take over the yard to make it a beautiful garden!

JF

I swear my computer has a virus. Idk, anyone know how to check for it? Norton doenst detect anything... but i still think i have one.. maybe i have someone come over and check my system registry tonight. "there are two kinds of people: those who complain, and those who complain and do something about it". which one are you? Ok, back to church, and yay, im wearing my new clothes, woohoo! i hate wearing that suit! bye



JF

I want get rid of our pool and make big pond.. but with 8 ppl wanting the broken down pool to stay up.. I think ill try my luck next year.. thats why i gave my poor gold fishies away today.. they would get pretty bored spending all summer in a rubbermaid tote .. Well at least i would, but hey, im not a fish! Oh yeh, and someone hung the Forsale sign back up. so i guess we gotta start praying again.. I want a Chevy Suburban. Anyone got one for me? Yeh I know.. i want alot of stuff. but i cant have any of it..

Didnt do anyting tonight.. i guess i coulda gone to Tronster's house party because I was supposed to go to the Potluck dinner but my wonderful family didnt wake me up and I didnt wake up until 1.5 hours after dinner so I didnt go. That sucked! But oh well. now I wait till my fam comes home and see if they were thoughtful enough to bring me some home. I doubt it! Anyway, took the fish to put in A.Ginnys pond .. wow their were about 50 including the babies. then went and bought a couple striped raphaels to put in with my wolf cichlids.. I guess we'll see if they survive! Hope so. Also bought 4 chinese algae eaters.. one for each tank! They are scared to death too! oh well, its life for a finned creature. find a hole and swim in.. what a life.. I think one of my oscars is retarded tho. It doesnt any sense of direction and cant even eat a piece of food like a normal fish. I put a piece of inanimate food in the tank and it attacks it like a man from the hood that needs some cash! But hey, maybe it grew up in bad times and needs to let out its pent up energy.. idk maybe Ill talk to it later or else send it to counseling. hmmmm. maybe! Anyway, thot the world forgot about .. but then no.. canst called me up and got the honors of hearing me shave with my hands free! Ok ok, ill stop complaining now.. im starting to sound like the blog that I dont read anymore! Thats enough of that! Don't want to scare ppl off! Think i'll go pick up my pants from getting them hemmed.. maybe ill wear my new clothes to church tomorrow if its warm enough.. I think i want an iPod. and a bookcase. Ok, nevermind. I dont want any of that. I'm gettin old! I really am.

Phillies won tonight. not that I care too much about them but it was cool to see their new ball park. I'm very tired and for the first time in ages, im not going trout fishing on opening day, April 17th. Good luck to Tronster for his house party on the 17th hope all goes well for you. I talked to TB from the Mayfair Lodge about a VF event. The first sat. open is July 3, but all Fridays are open. Hmm that tends to throw us a curve ball. Anyone know of a place that would handle us that is open on May 15th for a reasonable rate?? Oh well, that's what we want.. what does the Lord want? But Your will, not mine! Too tired to blog long. byeeee

JF

Didn't blog last night, but better yet, after a three hour conversation I made some things right with a friend! The feelings seemed to be mutual and it was a load off my mind that all apologies were made and accepted. I mean what do you do, you made mistakes and time goes by, it eats away at you and you wonder why. But God is in control and He presented the opportunity. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we both understood and were overjoyed that we got it cleared up! ANYWAY! Going to see the Phillies play the Expos, box seats and a parking pass on a clear Friday night! woohoo! I'm not totally into the Phillies but the new park, Pete, Ned, Curt and I will have a good time I'm sure! Maybe I'll catch a few fail balls. It's always cool when you send in for a rebate and then forget about it. I got a rebate for 49 bucks back that I had forgotten about, how cool is that! Thats like 2 weeks pay right there!! Called the Son's of Italy tonight to see about renting their lodge for the next VF event. But no call back yet. Keep your fingers crossed and keep praying because from what I remember of this place it may suit our needs. BUT it is left up to the Lord to find us a place that is suitable.. if not this place, then our options are opened again and we wait on the Lord! Ok, now I did know and still do know that all life is sacred,, even squirrels.. so i've cut back alot on the depopulation of them> BUT>. life isn't so sacred when it is rats and they are in your place of employment!!! Go ISCO!! Call me up!! I'll hunt them for FREE!! Oh, btw, forget the briefcase, i got one.. but i'm still looking for the bookcase.. Oh, and I ordered the book, which i think i already said "Mere Christianity". Now the second step, to put it in the bookcase.. oh wait actually step two is to read it!! I think i will tho. sooner or later. But I was thinking, why are people so stubbron? I mean, don't think it is only in my families genes, which, hey, i wont deny, they slipped on the measuring when they gave us our share. But anyone in general, if we did something and owed someone an apology, why did it take me 6 months or however long it was 1 year. or wahtever... idk.. weird ppl i guess! If ya find out.. lemme know! I stumbled across my potatoe gun tonight.. I think I may have to take it to work tomorrow and try it out.. man its great workin in the ghetto, you can test fire anything and the people dont really acknowledge. I think I have a new puerto rican best friend, thats what happens when you do them one favor.. they think you are Allah and keep coming back for more free favors.. Thats when you say, "Um, idk.. you have to see the boss". Hey speaking of which.. two lines that are good for work, if you are in the service industry.. are these:
1-if you are working on something for a customer and they call and ask if its done yet, you say, "Almost but I keep gettin interrupted by the phone".
2-And if they come to the shop and want something done while they wait, you say, "I cant I have to do this guys first, he tips more than you". Trust me they both work! ha.. actually they are kind of rude when you think about it.. arent they? But in my line of work they have a different motto: "The customer's always right, unless the boss is in"! But when is he ever in, right? I wonder what they'd do without me. But what do I care, if the Lord wants me to stay, I stay. If he wants me to leave, I leave! Simple as that. There is no need to worry about the futuer, what job you will have, where you will live, what you will eat, what you will wear, DUH, That's God's job, if we do that too what do we need him for? Oh right, he is just symbolic right, he is just the one that we SAY we have faith in.. but when asked what we have faith in Him for.. we say "Salvation" and then cant think of anything else>>!! But that's wrong!! It should be faith in God for everything!! Not just what we can't do for ourselves!! See somebody loves us! Someone ripped the for sale sign off our house, but wait, it coulda just been the wind.. oh well at least it was a thought. I think someone may still love us. Oh yeh, now i remember!

I've heard all the stories. I've seen all the signs, witnessed all the glory, tasted all that's fine, But nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord, Oh No. Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord, Oh No. I see all the people, wasting all their time, building up their riches, for a life thats fine, nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord, Oh no, nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord, oh No! --Those words that were spoken and written by the Apostle Paul apply just as much to our lives today as they did two thousand years ago when he wrote them. that in our lives. no matter where we could go, or who we could meet, or what we could see, or what we could earn, or be given to us, or accomplish, there is nothing in our lives that will ever even come close to knowing Jesus Christ our Lord-- And I find myself just living for today, cause i dont know what tomorrows gonna bring, so no matter if i rise or fall, i'll never be alone, no no !! no !! nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord, oh No! Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing you Lord! Oh NO !! Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You Lord, Nothing compares to you Lord, nothing compares to You Lord !! Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing You, Lord!

Knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is the most important thing in any person's life. Some peole just don't realize just how important it is. It's not about church, it's not about religion, it's not about work, it's not about good deeds. It is about knowing and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If we have a genuine love for the Lord all these things will be biproducts of our faith in Jesus Christ. And not just faith in Him for the little things, but faith in Him for the big things too. If He only wanted us to have faith in Him for little things would not he have said "have faith in me for the little things, but when it comes to things such as your health, finances, protection etc. just find a human way to do it because I cannot come close to matching up to the human efforts you mortals use. If we think that it is great now and we still depend on ourselves and human ways, man wait until our "All on the altar of sacrifice is laid". Why do we think it is called sacrifice. Because all in all, when judgement days comes. The deciding factor is going to be "Did you believe and have faith in my Son, Jesus Christ?" Now what could believe mean, well we know that most of us believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, But do we really have faith that Jesus Christ will provide, protect and heal? Nothing compares to the greatness, not even giving into temptation to go to man for the things that God promises. "He who has promised is faithful" Hebrews 10:23 NIV. Do we really believe what he promised us? Or just slip by and do it our way since it looks so much more logical? I wouldn't want to be caught doubting on that day when He comes back to see how many he will find watching and faithful!! because we do know what the Bible says in Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” I don't think that means the ones who did that years ago before they had a moment of saving faith, but that means ALL as it is all those people whether they did it long ago or today, if they never repent, that is where their place is, that is a good reminder to stay on the path that leads to eternal life! It is not just that we call ourselves Christians that will get us saved and it is not that we "got saved" one time a long time ago, that is our ticket to Heaven. But moreso it is a continuing life of faith in Jesus Christ and where there is genuine faith there will also be fruits of the Spirit. James 2:26"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead". The Lord Jesus Christ loves me and I love the Lord Jesus Christ. "Lord grant me the ability to love you more than ever and follow your precepts and ways, Lord, I dont know what tomorrow will bring, if i will rise or fall, or if everyone will like me or hate me, But Lord, one thing that I know is that You are Lord and if I remain in You, You will remain in me, John 15:4. Lord, there is nothing that I want to do more than to live for you a life that is pleasing to you and I can do it no other way than with the ability that You give me. I am nothing with out you and anything that I do, is just a reflection of you shining in me.

Ok, so forget the pizza i was hungry for, i settled for a bowl of Raisin Bran and a glass of tea. This was the most tiredest day of my life i think.. I couldnt really stay awake at work today, but that is ok we werent too busy anyway. But I got caught up on my sleep. I think I got 2 hours of sleep when i got home from work. not to mention that I was falling asleep while getting my hair cut. My sister asked me if they could have a party for me, like what am i supposed to say, yes?no? ha. idk whatever I guess. I'm one of those people who, when it comes to doing new things that arent necessary or be around new people, sometime I just skip it rather than bother trying to hack it. If that makes sense. Like, what is easier to go to sleep for an hour or two, or to try to socialize with your great aunt and her friends? ok so it was a bit extravagant but you get my point.. or maybe yo dont.. but too bad.

Still havent got by bookcase. But i did finally get my easter candy-A day late!

JF

Dinner was great at my cousins' house! They had more food than I could imagine! And it was all great! Alot of laughs and remembering good times! Its always great to spend time with family and remember the old times! I need a coffee house around here somewhere! Maybe I should start one, thats a great idea, a Christian coffee house! hmmm, don't even go there Jeff too much already, you dont need more! Ok, you're right, i don't. I'll forget it! Thanks to Tronster i'm considering reading a book! Oh the horrors, I have only read one or two books besides my Bible since I graduated high school 9 years ago! He recommended "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. So I'll consider reading it. BUT, I need to get myself a bookcase to replace the crappy one on my wall now! I refuse to buy a book to read if I don't have somewhere to put them. And no, I don't like to borrow books because then I can't keep them when i'm done. Oh, I actually have read somethings but I HATE fiction. If its like the story kind of fiction, i say just make the movie and i'll watch it instead. Next time Tronster is in town i'll have to catch him and we'll have to do lunch or dinner and do some catching up! Really good friend to have! Ha, I think it's great he prob thinks its a burden! J/K i know he don't! But definitely some good, deep talks.

ZZZ time, out!

JF

CW was excellent last night as usual! I was not going to go, but through a course of events including some ppl asking for rides and some who may not have gone, I went. I was glad I did even though i was not too active. I went with a down feeling, but that kinda picked up when I got into the night! Tronster showed up and we chatted a little bit. But, after CW was over I just wanted to hand Tronster some literature that I had for him and talk for 5 minutes, but the Lord used him and opened the way for us to spend 1.5 hours together in this really cool coffee house across the street. God used that night and used tronster to really bring peace to something that I have struggled with for a long time! I swear that every time I talk to this guy, the encouragement that he gives is amazing! I did apologize for the late start back to Maryland that he had, but I'm sure he realizes just as I do that that talk was put in place by none other than God our Father for the betterment of both of our spiritual lives. I definitely have to keep closer contact with him, well more than once every 2 months anyway. Jeff Stoltzfus was also a great encouragement, he talked about the youth group that his wife revived and now 11 years later, CW was birthed from that almost deceased youth group. That in itself is enough to say that God will use anything, anyone, anywhere to do great things IF------IF they are dedicated and have a true heart for the Lord ! I think that one of the things that could be detrimental to a group is if they plateau on their adventure with God. What I mean by that is that if you are growing and maturing with God through whatever means you have, be it youth group, events, volunteering etc. don't stop growing with the Lord, don't let what you do become monotonous and therefore spiritual growth come to a halt! Continue to pray and ask God to give you more and more learning experiences and to be used in greater ways by Him. If a person has a sincere heart for the Lord, or a 'heart of worship', I don't think there is a limit to the way that God will use them! I think that something that is done too often is someone will feel a calling to do something for the Lord and they hold off, or wait. Maybe hoping that someone else will take the initiative or whatever. But don't!! If you feel the Lord tugging, calling you to something, pray, and if it is where the Lord is sending you, GO! (As we rocked to last night with Andy Hunter) GO and do what the Lord wants you do to. BUT, don't think that its just another thing to do. It takes time, energy, interest, dedication, compromise, and sacrifice!! And, all worth it because it is for the Kingdom of God and helping people here on earth to hear about the love that Christ has for them !! Another thing is I think that too many times when we think we may have a calling, we sit back and wait,,,, instead of running after the heart of God! Louie Giglio speaks about that and has some good things to say.

Ohh time to head back to church for the Easter story!

Didn't get much sleep. But that's ok. Hung out with Shabana last night, we had a good time! And we got locked in the mall, how exciting! But we escaped we foudn an "authorized personnel" hallway that we got out of. But at least it wasn't boring! I don't think she is used to outlet malls like Franklin Mills tho, and yes she's a shopping freak. typical girl i guess. and yes, Shabana, i'm praying for your situation at home. So sad. But nothing we can do about it I guess. It was nice meeting her mom and aunt once again, they are cool ppl. Got a catfish for my wolf cichlid tank today, i'm not sure if he'll eat it or not.. I sure hope not. But we'll see. I leave around 430 to go to club worship I'm not exactly sure I wanted to go this month, but ppl asked me for rides... so, i'll go! Dang, there is just nothing in my yard to turn into a target today.. hmm maybe the squirrels are getting the hint.. idk!

I have an idea, lets put all the Liberal left wingers in the trenches in Iraq, if they survive, then we'll take up where we left off in their senseless chatter.

Thats the daily dose of politics.

I think that I am the only one working tomorrow (Good Friday). I've decided that what I look fwd to more than anything else each morning is that first drink of Pepsi when I get to work. My breakfest consists of a 20oz. Pepsi and a 99cent bag of Doritos, most of the time anyway. My prayers are with Jared & Beth! Have you ever tried to make a point and the person you are trying to make the point to just doesn't seem to care? Now I know how Dr. Rice felt during the hearings. I'm still waiting for the bookcase. I actually modified my wishes, it has to be one that I can hang on my wall. Random Fact: 60% of all successful suicides in the United States are committed with a gun. Not that you care about that or anything. If we had one chance to make a difference in a kids life, what would we do? Well for some kids we may have already blown it. I see it from where I am in my life. I am not quite a kid anymore and I still see traits in adults that could turn kids away. I think the biggest thing that turns kids off to talking to or putting trust in someone is when a person does not let them talk. A young person would be mustering up the courage to say something or ask something and all the while the adult feels the obligation to just spew all their vast knowledge out and rattle on and on to the kid. If we shut our mouth and opened our ears and minds we could make a wolrd of difference in a kids life! I know from experience, because I have been turned off by elders in my church. I got to talk to them, all they do is talk to me. I had too much respect to say, "I came to talk to you, not to listen to you blab, SHUT UP AND LISTEN". So eventually I stopped tlaking to that person. You see, you can drive them away by just talking too much. The best way to have a conversation with anyone is to listen to what they ahave to say, when they are done speaking wait a few seconds then respond. If you are constantly interrupting or speak as soon as they finish, they get the impression that you are not listening and do not care!

Shabana is coming on Friday night, no idea where we should go. Any suggestions? CW is Sat. no idea if im going. zz time

For some reason John Kerry just doesn't seem like a good candidate for president of the greatest nation on God's green earth. Basically he just hears Bush's side of the arguement and takes the other side. At this time in our nation we do not need a Liberal like John Kerry in office. Since we are already in Iraq, we cannot just 'pull out' like Kerry wants us to. We cannot redefine the institute of marriage, like Kerry wants us to. Oh, and I think Ted Kennedy is John Kerry's puppet. Ted Kennedy has nothing to lose, he is on his way out and no one really gives a hoot about him. He says all the things that a presidential candidate wants to say, but can't! Way to go U.S. troops for bombing the mosque, I say screw the place of worship if you are using it for a rebel hideout!

Ok, that is all the politics for today.

Finally got the Creation Newsletter done and sent out. Wow, June is fast approaching. I heard today that Tronster is having a house party on April 17th. I think i knew that before tho.. But I am assuming that there will be alcohol at this one too, that sucks. I'm not sure why he does have it there. We, as Christians, know that we can have a good time with out using substances. I'm not trying to assume his point, just scratching my head and typing with one hand, thats all. But April 17th is also the opening day of trout season in Pennsylvania, hmmm, maybe some good clean pennsylvania fun with my cousins in the woods. We could always blow our fish up with M80s when we catch them.. No, Jeff, leave the Myers instinct home for that day. Sigh, ok! As I read on I think, how depressing! I'll have to stop subjecting myself to the depressing writings. Realizing how very important is is to stay connected to Christ! Not jus in words, but in deeds! John 2:20-24 "You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." That completely throws out the window the false teaching that you only need one moment of saving faith and then you are saved for all eternity!! Faith without deeds is dead, A dead faith can save no one!! If that is true, what do they think that the must do some faithful deed while they are having their saving moment of faith? Insane! I think that if a person truly wants to live God's will, they will lose all their selfish thoughts, and totally give in to God! You cannot live your life how you want to then still expect to enter Heaven. God's word says that it is a life of continuous faith. If we are 'in Christ' we will show fruits of the spirit. And anyone who does not produce fruit [of the Spirit] will be cut off and thrown in the fire and burned! So I choose to 'continue' in faith in God! Not just a simple faith that no matter what sin I commit and regardless of my repentance that God will save me. Because that is Not true! IF we repent and have faith, we are saved. It truly amazes me that people would actually play with the truth in the Bible to suit their personal preferences. An eternal concept such as salvation and there are still some ppl so stubborn that they refuse to see God's true salvation plan. I guess also that some have never heard the truth and maybe just believe what they grew up believing. But the truth comes through when their beliefs are challenged and they back it with nothing but what seems right or what seems to be common sense.

They slapped a for sale sign on my house today. How exciting is that? I lived here for almost 20 years now and.. ok ill stop! We are praying that God is in control of the new owners and they want us to stay there for another 20 years also! I mean come on, the house has been sold 4 times in 20 years and we have never bothered the owners to fix anything. But I think the property taxes will go up because they just appraised it. Hmmm I wonder what it is worth.. prob like 100,000. or more.. idk.. i'd like to find out. But anyway, what would i do with my poor fishies if we moved.. put them in little baggies until the new house? OK forget taht. We are praying about it and we know that a prayer offered in faith in an answered prayer. Our prayer includes "Not my will but Yours, God". If it is not God's will for us to stay, then we are out!

Time to read. Speaking of which, I need a bookcase to hang on my wall. Please give me one.

After I sent out my thoughts/question of a youth group, I was surprised to get so many positive responses. Now just the hard task of choosing who would benefit the youth group the best. Hmmmm. haha. But only God knows.

FYI: Incase there is anyone who actually reads my blog on a regular basis or not. I will soon be pulling all personal stuff on of www.visionfellowship.com. So if you link to this from that website and you actually do read it on occasion, as surprising as that would be, put it in your favorites cause there will soon be no link from the site. thanks.

A senator in CA wants to lower the age to vote down to 14! That guy must be insane although he is like 70 something.. maybe he went off the deep end.. idk.

I need a mental note pad. I'm forgetting things, im supposed to call and see about getting a van for Creation but still havent.. maybe in a couple minutes i do that ! Oh yeh, and i gotta finish the newsletter too. which reminds me.. im out.. gotta get that stuff done.

yeh, Shauna, sometime they are fun. I'll post it also:

THREE NAMES YOU GO BY:
1. Jeff
2. JF
3. on occassion still Gump

THREE THINGS YOU LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. That I am confident to take initiative (on some things)
2. I'm not picky with food
3. I'm neat and organized (i know but sometime i am!)

THREE THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT YOURSELF:
1. my bad habits
2. I don't get up early enough for work
3. I can only hit 1 out of 4 squirrels i shoot at


THREE THINGS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND:
1. Death, well it't not that I don't understand it, but it fascinates me, have you ever sat with a dead person
2. Why someone would reject God's truth when they once knew it
3. How people can live like slobs 4. How pro sports are some people's lives (yoohoo, you have a family)

THREE THINGS THAT ANNOY YOU:
1. People who don't listen to instructions
2. People who talk over me like i'm not even there (but i've stopped talking to those people)
3. Cell phones, esp. mine when it breaks


THREE THINGS THAT SCARE YOU:
1. Not being accepted
2. Being pressured or pushed to do something that I already made clear my feelings on
3. Wrong influence on me and my peers

THREE OF YOUR EVERYDAY ESSENTIALS:
1. God
2. Music, christian of course
3. Food

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITE BANDS:(or artists/DJs)
AT THE MOMENT>>>>>.....
1. Third Day
2. Andy Hunter
3. Alice DeeJay

THREE OF YOUR FAVORITES SONGS @ THE MOMENT:
1. idk, ive been listening to iTunes Eurodance channel.. no fav. on them
2. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
3. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

THREE PEOPLE YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME WITH:
1. the ppl in my fam put together count as one
2. Ned
3. not really anyone in particular (see, I'm not avoiding you)

Did some reading tonight on "Servant Leadership" Hmmm idk if i'm ready to be a leader.. although there are a few ppl that say I am a leader and a good one. Ok, so now i finally have some kind of responsibility, but wait, i've had that for the last 7 years! Wow, its been 7 years. Hmmm isn't the Lord good! You bet He is! Anyway, I need an organizer, an no Jeremy, not a wife. Most of the girls I know are not organized anyway. Most, I dont know some of them too well to know whether they are organized or not! Papers all over the place.. you know.. of of those accordian things. or a brief case,, something to organize my papers nicely.. oh yay, thats what I want for my Birthday! But no hold the gifts, tell me happy birthday, shake my hand, hug me(if i like you) and you'll make my day. Give the gifts to someone who really needs something! I couldn't be more serious btw! Speaking of ppl who need things, I could show you some pictures of the homeless that I have befriended in Kensington (of all places) These people really need Christ in their life but just continue to reject the only thing that can save them!! It's hard to know someone like that and offer them the knowledge of salvation and have them walk away from it. But to get back, Ok, I am thrilled that Pastor Clark is thrilled about the talks of a youth ministry for 12/13/14/15 yr. old kids that need a positive activity in their week. Also, Betsy is thrilled about it too and is eager to lead worship with her amazing guitar playing skills! Peter and Ned also offer assistance if needed! Wow, when I think back at the way that God is using me it amazes me and I'm lost in wonder of what God will use me for next. It is a good feeling to know that God is using the gifts that He gave you. Not to earn salvation, because no one could ever do enough stuff to earn salvation (opposite to Jehovah's witnesses beliefs). But the truth is that salvation is a free gift, all we have to do is accept that gift and live a life of faith as the Bible says we will if we love the Lord. It amazes me that there are people such as Jehovah's witnesses who don't believe that Jesus is God! He is the most important part of our salvation, Him and his blood! Wow, the thanks that I give to God for the mom and dad that I had and the fact that they raised me in the truth of God's word! Nothing compares to the greatness of knowing the Lord!

Have you ever seen a girl (or guy) from across the room and your eyes meet and you both just stare? Hmm last night, there was this pretty girl walking out the door (not to mention i was chekcing her out) and just looked, then walked and then looked.. then went out the first door and looked.. then went out the second door and looked.. then opened her door and looked.. And I just stood there in my coolest stance I know how! HA,, and looked back. its one of those moments like in a movie when everything goes in slow motion then all the sudden speeds back up. Would have liked to have met the girl. but oh well, maybe i'll switch churches so i can see her again! Ha, J/K Mr. C.!! Although there are people who would like to see me switch churches, trust me, inside and outside my church. But trust me, everything that I do related to the church has people's best interest in mind with God's approval. So maybe, if you don't like me or what I do, chill, pray, and ask God to broaden your views and open your mind a little big wider. You know the road to Heaven is narrow that doesnt carry over to our minds! Just a thought. Not really directed at anyone personally, although now that I think about it..... Nah, I won't go there. It would sorta be like gossip and the Bible says not to gossip! Still lacking in getting VF2 pics up on the site. What I need more than an organizer is a person who knows how to use a picture editing program and who is willing to be my picture editor and post then on the site! That would be great! But for now, they sit on my desk staring up at me.

Tried to train my Oscars to eat out of my hand today.. the smaller one did great. came up the top nice and slow and took the food. The other one, bigger, tried three times and finally nipped my finger. So what do you do to a fish that bites you? fry him up.. what else.. But I felt like being nice.. so i fed him some more and let him live!