Lightning

This lightning shot didn't turn out too good because lightning is not quite as predictable as cars or the moon. 

Head/tail light trails

More timed exposures 

Bumblebee

 

Even plants cry too

 

This is a flower for you-It's from your secret admirer-but i'm not sure it's a secret anymore 

Do you qualify for our entrance exams??

Without going into any detail and only to preface my comments; I have been and am being forced to make alot of tough decisions in the past few days/weeks... And in dealing with different people who may not know what to do about certain things or may not know which end is up. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of a good friend I have come to this conclusion: We, as Christians, do not have to qualify under any beliefs to attend a church. We do not have to agree with what is taught. We do not have to abide by and/or do the teaching of the church we attend. We do not have to pass the exam of long time members who walk the straight line of the teaching. We are absolutely allowed to attend a church, worship with the Christians there, listen to the teaching and go home for a time of digesting what we heard, comparing it to scripture and asking God to show us the truth and the context it applies to our life. There is no reason that a person cannot attend a church and still make the decisions that the individual feels inspired to make. The individual cannot depend on the church leadership to lay down the rules and guidelines for life and then just do as they say and refrain from what they say we should refrain from. If we were to live like that and only basing it on the church's teaching it would have to fall under the catagory of a cult or at the least, legalistic. The explanation was given that it is a relationship with Christ, a walk of faith, and accepting grace. Now I write "accepting grace" and I will tell you that I do not fully understand that right now. I am not asking for an explanation however. Sometime when you hear someone explaining what the Christian life is all about. They make it sound so simple and each part is as easy and landing after you jump. But as you walk the walk you start to realize real fast that it's not quite that easy. If there were no evil it would be great. But that is not the case.


This is the song that I'm currently singing in my head-

Collapsing was much softer
Still falling always hurt
Only after sensing your love
For always ever burned

You justified my folly
My affluent disguise
Removed revealing nothing
Yet nothing unforgiven lies
Unforgiven lies

No one loves me like you
No one loves me the way you do
No one loves me like you
No one loves me the way
the way that you do

To touch the rose unfearful
Is to meet the thorn
And pierce the heart's emotion
And feel the emptiness no more
Emptiness no more

No one loves me like you
No one loves me the way you do
No one loves me like you
No one loves me the way
the way that you do

Took some time to realize I've fallen

On the Job-- #1

The following 7 photos were all taken today at work. This is what I do. Anyone care to take a guess at what the pics are or what I am doing in each picture?? I'll give you one hint, it's not a bakery. 

#2

 

#3

 

#4

 

#5

 

#6

 

#7

 

its life

Believe me if I were to journal the last few weeks of my life, you'd still be reading. But I can't write it. Something that I've learned over the past few years is that what concerns my home, stays in my home. And everyone is happier. So that is the reason I havent been heard from. But prayers are always appreciated because I need them now. I need wisdom to make the right decisions. And when you have to make them yourself, they are alot harder than telling someone else what to do.

Class of 06

I was attempting to take some pictures for their yearbook on Saturday. Here are a few of the ones I took, and no, Stephen is not the teacher! 

The Girls are Out

I think they are glad to be getting out! 

We Recycle

Guess she's done with that 

Love Park

The graduating class of 2006 

Jessica

Jessica at Love Park 

Anne

My cousin Anne also at Love Park 

Heavenly Roast Pork Sandwich

There is this place in the Reading Terminal Market in Center City that has roast pork sandwiches that are just out of this world.. Order loaded roast pork.. it has roasted peppers and sharp provolone cheese on it. I would seriously take the train down every day to get one that is how good they are!!

I had one today and just thought I'd let you know.

Still here

I don't like to put up posts like this because they are cheesy. BUT.... I'm still here, still pressin on. I feel like I'm walking through the foggy part right now but prayin while I walk. A song that keeps comin back to me almost every day is the one by Ginny Owens that goes like this

The pathway is broken
And The signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley
If You want me to

Chorus:
Cause I'm not who I was
When I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
so if all of these trials bring me closer to you
Then I will go through the fire
If You want me to

It may not be the way I would have chosen
When you lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone

So When the whole world turns against me
And I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the valley
If You want me to

When I cross over Jordon,
Gonna scream, gonna shout
Gonna look into Your eyes and see
You never let me down

If you don't know who she is.. google her name and read about her.

Anyway.. that's the scoop

lifE goeS oN

I heard a song tonight and it kinda sounded like what I was talking to a friend about recently. About a girl that I thought I had interest in until I found out where her values lied. They were not where mine were and the funny thing is since I found that out about her I haven't thought about her except in concern and prayer. Anyway, my friend wrote a line in a letter awhile back that made sense, he wrote;

"Motley Cru used to sing a song: Shot Down in Flames........ That song probably reflects how the girl felt. She doesn't realize you didn't shoot her down. Not her "herself". It's too hard for us to be able to change a person's values. We just can't do it. We can get people to be nicer, but not 'gooder'."

Life goes on.

Sun Pillar = Good Luck?

I saw a sun pillar today at sunset, does that mean good luck?

For all of you who actually noticed, I've been away for about two weeks. It was for two reasons actually one is my computer went south for the winter which I could blame on Shauna, but I won't. And the other is that I felt the like I had the inspiration of that fat guy in Mexico and the happiness of a man being sat on by a hippo. But I'm slowly coming back up to the surface (with some thanks to friends) and my computer just got out of the hospital and it is kicking and screaming like a newborn. (ah, brown/green eyes too) Anyway. I can't promise any mind warping posts anytime soon. But I can promise I am back online. I've been having better convo in person and via email. Although I do miss blogging immensly. hence the rambling.

That Being Said.......

In a follow up to my previous post (which, incase you are a pesimist, is a tribute to my pastor) That being said, I've been thinking about how much people, myself included, like to only point out the negative sides or sides they don't agree with. Like we could sit through a church service and the next couple days we discuss all the points that we think our pastor was wrong. Or,, we read a popular book and then discuss and point out all the places the author was wrong or off track with our beliefs. Well, I was made aware of that recently when my uncle called me and told me he had been reading Rick Warren's book "Purpose driven Life" and mentioned that there were a few things that he did not agree with but him and the family were enjoying the wisdom and good points that were in the book. I came away from the convo thinking, "That man just expounded on the good points and only made brief reference that there were some things he didn't agree with". I think that is a model to follow. Unless of course we search for the negative in others. I try not to but oh how easy it is to put down than lift up. Can I get an Amen to that?

Stand up Pastor Clark

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

Teddy Roosevelt

I may not always agree with my pastor. But one thing is for sure. He is in the arena, his face marred by dust and sweat and blood and he strives valianlty.........for a worthy cause.


And for those of you who have read it.. what book am I reading?

It's A New Year

I was sitting here thinking of a New Year post to write.. I had three things i wanted to say.. but i typed them all and deleted them.. Instead of writing what I was going to which you prob would have loved.. but was way to personal and revealing.. I opted to copy Shauna's blog entry and fill in my own answers. So with my fingers crossed (this is hard to type like this) ok, i'll uncross my fingers.. and type:...


i am not: a penguin with shaved legs
i hurt: Other people when I only look out for myself
i love: the way you look tonight
i hate: that I screw up so much
i hope: you understand before it's too late
i hear: you from across the room
i regret: that I can't tell you how I feel
i cry: at sad things
i care: about my fam N friends
i always: notice your smile
i long to: be closer to God
i feel alone: when I am not
i listen: when you talk (most of the time)
i hide: my feelings sometime
i drive: fast sometime
i sing: like frank sinatra (almost exact)
i dance: when no one's looking
i write: when there is no one to listen to me talk
i breathe: God's air
i play: my music loud and bassy
i miss: my mom N dad but am honored I was their son
i say: somethings that I regret
i feel: like some things will never change
i succeed: when I put it in God's hands
i fail: to love people like I should and give them the credit they deserve
i dream: of animals and people I love in the same dream.. Where is Joseph when I need him.. he could tell me what it means!!
i sleep: but wake up tired
i wonder: when things will change
i want: to be loved and to love
i worry: about what people think of me and deny it
i have: many thoughts and feelings i want to tell someone special
i give: you my heart Lord , I give you my soul
i fight: back the tears and fears
i wait: for what God has for me
i am: doing what I dont want to do and not doing what I want to do.. Paul I know what you mean!!
i think: it would be cool to be invisible.. but only for a day or something like that
i can't: stand ppl not getting along
i stay:ed when I didn't want to because I love my family!

Why 'once saved always saved' could actually be correct

There is always a big discussion/arguement going on between the osas proponents and perseverence people. I've been thinking. The term "Once saved always saved" could actually be correct. It is a long stretch to get to it but deep down it may be correct. The way I see it is this; How does a person know when they are really truly saved? And do we really really know? The Bible says to confess and believe in our hearts... But can another person really know when someone else is saved or not? I would think it is quite impossible for the simple reason that we cannot know somone elses mind or heart. And do we really know our own, for that matter? Could we be included in the "Be careful if you think you are standing firm...." Warning. Why would we have to be careful unless we could fall. I think that falling isn't always from a saved position.. it could be from another place.. such as a 'standing firm' or think we are standing firm place. The problem I have with osas is how many pastors present it. They present it in a way that makes it 'ok' to sin now. Once you confess with your mouth in public and pray the prayer. You then are able to do whatever you want, no matter how bad the sin with no fear of ever missing heaven. That is exactly what i've been told by pastors who teach that doctrine. So even if it were the case that once you are saved you are always saved.. There is no way it could be accepted now because of how many church leaders have exploited it into (as the Bible says) "a license for immorality". There is no benefit in believing osas except the benefit of believing you can sin without eternal consequence. The pastors have beguiled the Word of any authenticity. They have made it a book of mere suggestions, because either way you still get to heaven. "If you love me you will do what I command". That sounds clear to me.

Platonic!?

A friend and I were talking recently and I was asked (paraphrased) "Do you think there could be such as thing as a platonic relationship [between a guy and girl]?"

I've been thinking about it for a few days and I still do not know. Which brings me to my answer: "Yes". and "No". Both yes and no.

Allow me to explain; Being that a man and a woman are both complicated to begin with not to mention very complicated to each other, how would we know if it was infact 'platonic'? What I think is that there are a guy and a girl who have much in common and let's say the girl completely honestly does not have physical desires toward the man. She never once had the desire to touch or hug him, or kiss him or whatever else desires could lead to. Now she is staying the path of a platonic relationship. But the man on the other hand has to use a snorkel in his dreams and thoughts because they are swimming with desire for this girl. There goes Plato's theory. But now you have to take into consideration something else. How would anyone know if the relationship fit the criteria? Well, you might ask each other. The only problem with that is not that one might LIE. BUT that one might not tell the truth. The reason being is that in that same relationship mentioned above, the girl approaches the man oneday and something like the following takes place between them;

Sally: Joe, I've been thinking about some of the things you say and do, and I wanted to make sure we understand each other in terms of our relationship with each other.

Joe: What sort of things are you talking about?

Sally: I don't want to make a big deal about it, but just the way you talk to me and remarks that make. And sometime how when you hold a door for me you will put your hand on my back when I walk by. I'm sure it's nothing but I wanted to make sure.

Joe: Oh, that sort of thing. Nothing to worry about Sally. I'm just trying to be a gentleman. It's surely nothing to worry about.

Sally: Ok, good, I didn't want our friendship to end because one of us started having different feelings about the other. I mean you and I are great friends, don't get me wrong, but we agreed way back when that we were friends and nothing more. Because we weren't interested like that. And you know I love you to death, like a brother!

Joe: I know Sally, nothing's changed. I wouldn't want to mess up our friendship we've been through too much and need each other's support..

Blah blah blah blah blah.. etc. and so on!

Now Joe didn't necessarily lie, but he surely wasn't truthful with Sally. What happened there was Joe indeed did have more than friends feelings for Sally, he was falling in love with her. But he knew that if he were to tell her that, that she would either turn and run or it would seriously screw things up for them. So he chose the easy path. He agreed with her to avoid losing her altogether. Smart move on his part for not losing her but he just lied, uh er, untruthed her. (Remember what the Bible says about a woman's wrath, Joe)

So do I think there could be such a thing as a platonic relationship? I'm sure there are many of them out there. But I would think they would have to be few and far between. One of the definitions of 'platonic' is: Free from physical desire. So even tho there are alot of people that we know who are friends and both are 'not married', there is something that does not qualify them as platonic you all parties were to be honest. Some say they don't 'fall for a guy' until they know his intentions. In other words if the guy is just a pal and being friendly because of some common interest or whatever, the girl maybe would hold her feelings back until she is sure how this guy feels about her. Which would be 'guarding her heart'... BUT she would admit that somewhere inside her are feelings of a non-platonic nature. (out the window again Plato!)

So to answer the question: In the grand scheme of things I would have to say, It is possible BUT not usually the case, whether admitted or not. Now that does not mean that they want marriage or anything.. but just that one of the two usually has desires hidden away and would admit if they were honest.

So in conclusion, it can be, but rarely. So guys buy an extra snorkel if you want, but if she asks, BE HONEST. And same to you girls, BE HONEST. Sometime being honest can be the most painful thing for both parties but it gives you a much better feeling when you close your eyes at night thant that bad feeling in your stomach when you know you lied to someone who loves you!

Reality today

If you do not agree that the reality pictured above under the new Iraqi government is not a world better than the reality picture below under the former Iraqi government, I regret to tell you that you have your head firmly planted in a dark region of your body. That said, I do think the war is a wrong and a mistake. But in reality this good did come from it. Better quality of life for those who survived.

Reality under Saddam

Proud to be Humble!

I read a comment to one of Brandon's Posts over at BadChristian.com today. The comment read in part "False Humility is True Pride". Do people look at me and think "He is full of false humility" >. Well actually I don't think many people think that deep when forming an opinion on me. But for real.. I wonder ... well first of all do I even think of myself as humble?? I mean, I know we are all supposed to be humble and think not much of ourselves in comparison with person #2 but we are talking facts here.. not what should be, if ya know what I mean! It's like 'yes we should be humble, but in reality, are we? So in that context am I full of false humility which would indeed be true pride! Idk.. I'm not really sure. But I guarentee you that you could ask some of my family or friends and they could answer the question more accurately if they were to be brutally honest. Now we are at root an animal of sorts in the way that our first natural priority is self preservation, and in perserving ourself, we think more highly of ourselves than others sometime.

Wrap your presents to your darling from you

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue
Wrap your presents to your darling from you
Pretty pencils to write I love you
Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue

Crowded street, busy feet, hustle by him
Downtown shoppers, Christmas is nigh
There he sits all alone on the sidewalk
Hoping that you won't pass him by

Should you stop? Better not, much too busy
You're in a hurry, my how time does fly
In the distance the ringing of laughter
And in the midst of the laughter he cries

Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue
Wrap your presents to your darling from you
Pretty pencils to write I love you
Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue

ONE WORD

You know those emails going around that say something like "Describe me in one word" ? I was getting a bunch of them so I decided to send it on out to my address book.. A few ppl decided to reply.. THis is what I got back.

1. Religious
2. Jeffryish
3. Wonderful-Friend (can I hyphen things?)
4. Laudable
5. Insightful
6. Interesting
7. Opinionated
8. Unpredictable
9. Unpredictable
10. Neat-funny-understanding (that's a new word)
11. Funny!
12. Male
13. Purple-beard
14. Cousin.....
15. Ambitious
16. Perceptive
17. analytical
18. enigma
    

Maybe I'll add the rest if I get anymore back! They are interesting to say the least.

Weekend fun

I had a blast this loonngg weekend. which is ending today at 1pm. I will be late for work if I blog it all now. My fun weekend is in thanks to melissa betsy mj phil pete cin jessy curt ned derek aonch shauna misty aunt ginny N fam and i'm prob forgetting some but i'm sure i'll think of them later.

Who's responsibility is it Anyway??

I guess i'm half asking and half telling. But isn't there some un-written rule about where to draw the line on what is taught in church as 'fact'? Well, this is totally going against the grain to take up issue with my church. But the way that I look at it is, If I just do what they say without question then I would be "Following blindly" And even the apostles didn't do that. Some of them actually left each other due to their disagreements on issues. Well that's getting off the point. I believe we as believers have a big responsibility to make right choices and to be in prayer and decide for ourselves what is right or wrong for us. I know that my church sometime teaches against certain things and they go to the extreme of the exact thing and completely leaving any room for arguement saying this is "WRONG" or "No true believer would even think of doing this" or "Have this" or "Take part in this" etc. etc. I don't mean to be bad mouthing my church I am merely making a point and cannot do so without and example. Now what happens if we have 15 people sitting in church who take part in a certain thing with a completely clear conscience and then we hear over the pulpit that "No true Christian would even think of taking part in that". What does that say about those 15? But on top of that, those 15 are in a pickle. Do they just stop taking part because it was denounced in church? That would be following blindly in my opinion. But what does a person do in that situation? You can't argue the point with the pastor. At that point you would be trying to justify what you do or change his opionion OR worse yet, get his approval.. All which are not noble things to do! You don't need to justify your actions before men, you don't need to argue with your pastor, and you don't need to get your pastor's approval on anything. You are both mature independent minds alike in God's sight. We need God's approval, not mans. Although having man's approval feels good most of the time. If we need to justify our actions to ourselves or others, if we need to convince ourselves its 'ok' then something is fishy there, maybe we better take a closer look at what we believe. Following our pastor's every rule and preached message to a T will not get us to Heaven, neither will pleasing our pastor by going by every rule or denouncement of certain things or activities. We need to evaluate our lives, take spiritual inventory-take a good look at our priorities and then ask God to give us wisdom and teach us the right way. A pastor is like a shepherd watching a flock of sheep. The sheep know what the shepherd wants but does not always do what he says. But the shepherd understands that sheep will do that, they will wander, they will get lost but the shepherd does not give up or say "I might as well never try to save you again, its no use, you wandered off even tho I said stay".. neither can a pastor say that "I may as well not preach another lessson because it's done no good, you fell into sin again". It is not the pastor's fault if a person falls into sin, they are only the shepherd. They have to realize their responsibility and it's limits. I'm not saying it's easy to see a long time member fall into seriuos sin and live the way of the world after that with no time for the Lord. I think that it is the church's responsibility to teach principles and truth from the Bible, but when it comes down to specifics on some ''controversial'' issues, if there are so many different opinions on the matter and each one is revealed somethind different.. Why would God reveal the truth to only one man?? Why not just teach the principles of truth relevant to the issues and leave it up to God and the believer (US) to make the decisions for ourselves! We are mature individuals.. Or is it that the church does not want us to make the wrong one? I really don't know. I think they have gotten too extreme in getting to the nitty gritty details of telling us what we can and cannot do! Where does our power of choice come in. Oh I know we can still choose. But when specific things are taught as factually wrong in church and we are doing them with a clear conscience, what then? Do we stop for the sake of following our pastor's teaching? Do we stop for the sake of not looking 'wrong' in eyes of fellow church-goers? Or was it wrong for it to be taught like that? There is a great amount of resposibility that the believer has to take and pray and search for the answers to the questions. If we are taught to an extreme what is right N wrong and all as fact.. what is left to pray for as far as answers?? We don't need to pray for the answer of 'is it right or wrong' because we were just told in church distinctly that it was "WRONG"!!! There needs to be that great responsibility on every believer to pray and make right decisions on controversial issues instead of the church hand feeding us all the answers we need. The church is no doubt a vital part of every believers life but there has to be a line between the church's responsibility and our personal responsibility.

"A pastor preaching our every move and decision can never get us into Heaven just as attending church cannot. It is our own choices that show who we truly are, not our pastor's"

Pretty? Ugly? or Pretty Ugly?

I was thinking about people and how some of them look pretty to me and some of them look ugly. And thought that someone who I think is beautiful could be considered 'not' in someone elses opinion. Well, then I thought of my self and that I am 27 and not married. (Not that I need to be at 27) not to mention not dating and no prospects either. Well none that I would admit on here. Anyway, I know alot of people from alot of places and some girls who are the most beautiful to our human eyes can be some of the ugliest people i've known. They can be coniving or have ugly motives or just be hateful, annoying or just depressing people. While there are girls I know who most of the world would say "They aint no Britney Spears" and I see them as genuinely beautiful people. When it comes down to it, it all depends on your own motives. I sometime think that it could be a negative attribute to be beautiful in the worlds eyes. What I mean by that is 'most' guys will take them for their surface beauty and never get to know them beyond what they see. And in return it could lead that girl to respond to that and in order to keep that attention will play the game of getting a response from guys. It would obviously make a girl feel nice to have guys always coming up to her and asking her for her number or hitting on her. But coming along with that could lead to vanity and pride. And that would be for the reason that many guys make her out to be more than she is in reality. But on the other side is the girl who those same guys would not go up to as readily or who would fall into the catagory of 'your average girl' or some even fall into the catagory of 'unattractive'. BUT I think that those last two catagories are important and pose the biggest oppurtunity of producing a truly beautiful girl. You see, the girl who isn't necessarily a head turner when she walks into a club, or down the street cannot play off of the vanity that it leads to, they have to work to be beautiful. But the great thing about that is that they become a girl who is beautiful for the rest of her life, and not just until she washes off the make-up or her highlights grow out.. or she gains a little weight that makes her lose her anorexic look she's been honing in for two years. It is something that those inner-beauty girls will retain for the rest of their life. They are the ones who will marry a guy with the same inner-beauty and raise a happy family and grow old together and still be happy and love each other! But those shallow outter beauty girls could end up being bar flys or divorced ... three times.. Just looking for happiness in guys instead of in God. Finding God at a young age and becoming happy and content in Him is a BIG step in having a happy relationship with anyone let alone a happy marriage. I am (i'm not sure the word to use) But I am the kind of person where I could hang out with a girl and think to myself "Lord this is the girl for me, she and I got along great, she is beautiful she loves You and it just has the be right". But then after a few days I will reconsider and think.. well is she really the one for me? And then I'm not sure, and even more glad I waited to say anything more that would lead her to think of us as just buddies?or friends. Granted that I don't know how she feels I could ruin a good friendship over something that may never be. And that is why I do not take other's advice when they say "Ask her on a date, what can it hurt"? Well to start with.. alot of drama if it is not to be.. Anyway, I met a girl the other night who I think about often, and have seen her most of my life, but the questions are still there, "When, God, when?" But I am comforted in the answer I give myself.. "When God sees fit for me to have a friend, that's when it will be". Until then I pray I fulfill my responsibilities on this earth and become a more beautiful person for my future wife, if God blesses me in that way. The beauty that we see if only skin deep, it is what lies behind that deceptive covering that matters the most!!

What's goin on?

I don't like to post and say I havn't posted. But here it is. I know I haven't posted ANYTHING in the last month! And I don't like making personal posts, BUT, I've been struggling with things and really trying to find out things.. How do I put it.. searching for answers and looking for it myself and not taking other's words for it. It's a rough road but I have to find the answers my self or they will not stick! I'm sure everyone can relate to that.. It's like trying to learn from our parent's mistakes.. It just don't work.. we need to learn from our own.. and the same with God, He has to reveal it to us, convict us.. NOt convict someone else and then when they tell us we are just supposed to fall into line.. But more-so to search and read and let God speak to us be open willing and ready to accept whatever it is He reveals!

If only!

My Early attempts of portrait photography

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

???

Probably because, "The focus and goal would be zoned in on that instead of preaching the full Gospel of Jesus Christ."

"There other places than a church for it".

Forgiveness comments

Interesting post, Jon, as always. Jon mentioned in his post;

"This would seem to agree with what Becky's saying, that forgiveness is available but only post-repentance. "

Correct me if i'm wrong, Becky, but I don't think that is what you were saying. I think you and I agreed that forgiveness is always available, repentance or not.. It is only 'obtained' post-repentance. And maybe that's what Jon meant but it was un-clear.

Jon mentioned something about forgiveing 7 times if your brother sins against you and repents. I think to make it clearer we must remember what Jesus said also about forgiving. Matthew 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times." I believe what Jesus meant by that is "No Peter, not seven times, but unlimited times!! " As my pastor said in church once after reading that verse, "if you stopped to add that up, you missed the point". And the same for God, he will forgive us unlimited times when confess and forsake, as Jon mentioned.

Jon's last question on that post read; "If this man (forgive the gender assumption) doesn't come to me and repent, do I still need to forgive him? If so, for whose benefit, his or mine?"

Now I can't really speak for Jon, but if this were the case for me.. My reponse would be, that I am not directly responsible for that mans salvation,, BUT I do want to say the Lord's prayer each morning with a clear conscious and peace about what I am saying,, "Forgive me my sins as I have forgiven anyone who has sinned against me". I'd say it would be for my benefit. If our salvation depended on being forgiven by everyone we harmed or sinned against.... we'd be screwed. The only forgiveness that is eternally necessary, I believe, is God's.

"*-But that's Just One Man's Opinion-*"

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BackTalk

My brother and sister are in a band, they call themselves "Toolbox". Why? you ask! I don't really know. Maybe for lack of a better name. Well they do 8 or so songs and alot of them are about what bothers them, or not conforming to the world's standards and not following the world and it's ways. They don't really make references to Jesus, literally, but it is a positive message kind of a band. WEll anyway.. to get to my point... I started to think about it today and suggested to him the name "BackTalk" for a new band name. Like for instance the world tells you how to dress, what to say, what to think, what to do, where to go, what to buy etc. etc. and alot of it would not necessarily be the best thing for young kids to follow. And the name BackTalk which could also be the name of a song... would be the kids are backtalking the popular culture, backtalking the media and what they push.. Just backtalking society as a whole since it pushes on them what is new, hot and hip instead of considering God's will for them and their peers. It's pretty amazing how one person can influence many.. even in just friends situations, with no platform to speak from. If one does wrong.. alot follow.. if one does right and creates the same peer pressure.. I would almost have to do some good, right? So anyway he liked the name and he is thinking about it..

Shut up and listen! (for once)

You ever talk to those people who just talk and talk and talk...... and talk? I have! I makes me wonder if they even know what they are saying or even know they are still talking! They repeat themselves several times for the sake of not shutting up (it seems). Or there are those people who when in a group will get into this match of saying the greater thing. Like they will pick the best line of a show or repeat something a speaker on stage said. It comes down to no matter what it is.. they just talk non-stop!! Haven't you ever just stopped and listened to someone else? Try it, it may surprise you, you may learn something! We can learn a heck of alot more when we are listening than when we are talking. Oh wait there is a verse in the Bible, "Be quick to listen and slow to speak". Maybe there is something to it.

Do you hurt?

And I thought I hurt! You ever think of committing suicide? And then tell about it? Over and over? If you attempt and fail without an injury maybe you need a sure fire way! I thought that in the past that I hurt and when ppl would talk to me I felt sorry for myself.. But when I started to hear kids stories of when they tried to kill themselves and ended up almost bleeding to death or gunshot wounds ...... I realized that maybe I didn't hurt as much as I would have liked ppl to believe. There are kids who hurt so much that they will cut themselves to make the real pain go away for a moment! The pain of the cutting will ease the pain of their reality! To make that more real for you take a knife and try to cut your arm, on the top between your wrist and elbow. It would take a heck of alot of pain to cause self injury! We are like animals and our instincts are to self preserve. I don't know what else to say, but compared to these kids that i've had the privilege of hearing their stories,,,, I haven't hurt yet in my life!

Vaca. at the Mts.

-I was at the mountains this weekend-It rained until Saturday-then it looked like this-
Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Me

-This is me at the mountains-
Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

My shot of the week

-And finally my shot of the week-
Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

I've been gone

And alot has changed! My brother got married and I've found myself with alot less free time. But the Lord is faithful even when I think He's not!! All I could think is that it would be a rocky road trying to get back to our normal life with me in my brother's shoes. Because God is good and His grace abounds things are going smoothly. But it's only one week down infinity to go! I guess with my new found responsibilities it forces me to re-evaluate my life and, as my mom used to say, to "get my priorities in order". And then with all that, there is still always the devil puttin in his two cents. And as much as we'd like to say that 'that's in the past'. It is very much so in hte present and future. Because I believe that as long as I am on the earth there will be temptations and things from the devil to meet.
all in all i'm doin ok!
Thanks for asking!

Comments complaint

So, we've conquered the unwanted ads in our comments section with word verification. The excuse now?

Sunflower Dew

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Water Drip

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Heaven and Hell

I've heard some different things about who goes and who does not, concerning Heaven.
First question: does the Bible really tell us that it is our place to decide who is saved or going to heaven and who is not and is damned to hell?
Second: I heard recently in speaking about Noah's day and the ark, that there were only 8 ppl saved back then when the flood came and "It seems that there will only be 8 this time too". Meaning when Jesus comes back. 8 people saved out of 6 billion? Does that seem right to you? That's worse odds than the PowerBall Lottery!! Anyway, just a couple things that really boggled my mind and I thought I'd put them out there.

Egret??

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Lightning

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Cheetah

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Parrot

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

Yella bellied white faced monkeys?

Copyright 2005 Jeff Myers

One Nation Under God

Copyright Jeff Myers 2005

..................

interesting comments and terminology... Only a couple comments back.

The pledge won't get people to Heaven, nor will the Ten Commandments. But neither will church, or obeying God's commands.. SO to hell with them too?? I'm only kidding.

I think I completely understand where you are coming from, Jon. But I for one would like our nation to protect freedom of religion and the freedom to worship freely. And I'm not sure if you would agree, but I'm sure we can all see that the current trend is leading toward no freedom of religion and no freedom to worship. I mean we'd have to have our heads in a dark place to not know this is happening. The Bible speaks of a one world religion,,,, doesn't it? I would choose this country over China anyday, who' with me?
I think i understand what you said (even with your big words and phrases) but we just don't agree on all of it.

PEACE

Re: Jon's Comments

I'm not saying that the constitution was written with scripture to back it..... there are churches who's doctrines can't be backed by the Bible. I'm saying that it was written by Christian men and reflects their Christian principles.

Don't be silly, yes America was under God before 1954.. You tell me, does the fact taht we start admitting something that always was, mean that it wasn't so before that point?



Jon mentioned....

A high school boys says the pledge in the morning, claims to be "Under God." He gets his girlfriend pregnant in the afternoon. A month later, she says the pledge in the morning, gets her abortion in the afternoon. How is our nation acting as if it is "Under God?" How has that phrase helped our society?

Our lives are not the proof that the pledge is good. If that were the case, we should outlaw the Bible. A man gets up in the morning, reads his Bible, goes to work, on his way he hits another car, they get out and the Christian man beats up the other man. So much for the Bible,,,, What good does it do society???

The highschool boy and girl analogy is not proof that the pledge is 'worthy of being outlawed'. How can anyone expect every one who recites the pledge to act according to the Bible? We CANT! That absolutely true. So to day that a boy gets a girl pregnant and she gets an abortion after saying the pledge is evidence that the phrase 'under God' has not helped society, is not relevant.



The rest of the points raised don't warrant a response from me. I'm not concerned about history, I'm talking about today. I want my children and grand children to be able to worship God freely in this Country, don't you? If you do, we'd better start praying we keep as much mention of God legal as possible!! Just so I know your position,,, (in a breif reply) What do you think of taking the 10 commandments off of public buildings and property? You repsonse will help me understand your position on the pledge. Thanks Jon.

Politics/faith/pledge/jongetcomments

For those of you who don't read this, I am commenting (sort of) on Jon's Blog. First of all why should politics and faith not be intermingled?? You, Jon, being a person of faith would seem like the type of person who would realize the necessity of your faith playing a role in your politics, esp if you were a polotician. I think it is a bonus to the Christian population, most times, when senator takes into consideration his faith and the faith of others when he is considering a nominee or a bill. My thoughts on abolishing the pledge is this... The United States of America was founded on Christian principles, alot of the writers of the constitution were clergy of some sort. And our nation is still a Christian nation. Here is what I think-- If you have a problem with saying "One Nation Under God" then move the freak out of the nation that is under God. We are under God, not under Allah, not under Muhhamad, and not the little man who sits on top of the big hill with all the wisdom. We are One nation, we are Under God. If you are offended of being in a nation under God.. Move out!! Mexico or Canada would probably suit you!! And btw, leave the Money that says "In God We Trust" here when you leave. If they are offended by the phrase Under God.. why don't they burn their money which says "In God We Trust".. or is that next.. getting that slogan off of money.. Give it up!! We are under God and if you come to our Christian Nation, you too should admit we are under God! If you are offended.. TOO BAD>. I'll get you a hankie and tell you it's alright.. I'm offended with the quality of the people moving in my neighborhood.. do you think I could have them kicked out? No because it's not about suppressing religion and Christians at that.. Do we suppress the Muslim religion.. NO.. because we'd get sued for discrimination... You people are crazy!

When all else fails.... BLOG IT!

You know how you have those things, where, if you think about them they start to annoy you because no one will 'really' give you an answer. Well this is one of those. No one wants to touch the subject. Why? idk! But I'm questioning, not accusing. They feel that I'm accusing them of being wrong even when I explain that I am questioning and discussing. Even those in the position to change it don't give satisfactory answers and most of the time resort to something related to the Bible and therefore created a non-arguable point. The question is------- "Why are all the school teachers from only 2 familys in our church when their have been other oppurtunities for others with a 'felt' calling"? Is there an answer other than some obvious assumptions. I have asked several who may be in the place to explain, and all have dodged it in some way. I am curious and concerned. Any explanations?

BTW< I am in no way condeming the leadership of our church/school. Just asking a question. I think that the people of our church congregation should ask more questions when they are on their mind and get rid of the old thought that we cannot express our thoughts and opinions. We do not expect those questioned to just change what we question, but it may cause them to think about it in a different way. that's all.

Who's fault is it anyway?

You ever notice how everytime there is a problem or something happens the first thing all the people do is spend alot of time trying to find out 'who's fault it is'? There may be a big disaster (Like the Gulf Coast) or a simple problem at work or at home. The first thing everyone wants to do is find out who's fault it is, like that is going to make it all better or something. We have this problem at work with our wonderful neighbors. Well actually it is with mosquitos but the mosquitos breed on our wonderful neighbor's property. Anyway I bring the problem to my boss quite often because the flying insects like me the best. And everytime my boss says things like, "It's probably because you throw food out in the trash can". or "It's you who attract them not us". And many more.. so finally I got enough of him and told him that "When there is a problem present, and all the people want to do is find someone to blame, it is clear that they have no intensions of fixing the problem, but only affixing blame". And then they are happy. So it's not like we care to fix the problem, it's just that if we can blame someone else, we are no longer responsible to care. It's like some of the politicians blaming the President for the natural disaster. duh! it's natural! That goes to show you how dumb some of our elected officials are I guess. Anyway, who cares who is to blame, if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem if you are involved.

Jon's Comments section today

First of all Jon, what are you doing buying a 1987 car from an auction none the less.?

A word of advice. Never buy a car that's been through the auction esp. an old one. The reason I say that is because I work on alot of cars that are going to the auction and the people taking them to the auction say "Just make it run enough to sell it." And taht's what I do for my customer. I know that the work I do will last until the car is sold and then the buyer is technically screwed. Does it bother my conscience? (what conscience?) JK. No, it doesnt becuase I do what my customer pays me to do. But anyway.. Unless you know and trust your used car dealer and he has a reputation for dealing only good cars. I'd keep away from auction cars. THere is a guy in my neighborhood that i'd recommend to anyone.. but it's a bit far from you. Anyway.. good luck with the Sebring.

Psalm 116:16

"Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of one of His saints"

Open your eyes; PEOPLE

I was reading the Sept/Oct 2005 edition of 'Children's Ministry' magazine today and came across this story.

Sandy's Penguin

Recently I sorted through an accumulation of ministry stuff-props, musical tapes, songbooks, etc. ........(skipping useless stuff).........Then I came across Sandy's penguin. Sandy had brought her stuffed penguin to church a few years ago for our "Super cool" VBS. It came to us with a badly damaged wing, so we used it as a prop out of the way where its damaged wing wasn't so noticeable. Years stuffed in the closet hadn't healed the wing; it still hung askew from the penguin's body. As I tossed the old penguin into the dumpster I wept-not for the penguin, but for Sandy. Little Sandy also came to us with a badly damaged wing. Make that a badly damaged heart. Not a week went by without a volunteer coming to me about a problem with Sandy. She was unruly, she was mean, and she was occasionally dangerously out of control. Yet at other times Sandy showed herself to be sweet, loving, and very intelligent.

For awhile we didn't know if Sandy's issues were chemical, emotional, dietary, or simply poor choices. I talked with Sandy's guardian and discovered that Sandy lived with relatives because her abusive father was gone (finally) and Sandy's mother was either high or looking for someone to make her feel good. She had no time for Sandy, and relatives finally took her in. They loved her, and they tried their best with her. But Sandy's scars were deep; her wing WA s almost completely torn off.

sands problems could-at least partially- be explained by her environment. But finding a solution wasn't easy. When she became a danger to other kids we had to ask some tough questions. We had to decide whether to keep trying to repair sands wing or to let someone else worry about her.

I didn't tell Sandy she couldn't come back, but I feel bad that I even thought about it. If a child can't feel welcome at church, something terribly wrong! Yes-there were serious safety issues for other children, but I think part of our job is to find a solution other than discarding a child as if she were a damaged toy.

Before we had to come to a decision about whether to let Sandy come back, the decision was taken from us. Her abusive father came into the picture with promises for mom, and one day they just packed Sandy in the back seat of their car and drove away. We never saw her again. Her penguin remained at church where it was eventually stored in a closet. I guess peace was restored to our children's ministry how we wished for just one more month of trouble from Sandy. How we longed for one more opportunity to say, "Sandy, I love you, But I can't allow you to do that."

Inevitably we have to throw things out or give them away. But we must do everything in our power to hold onto children-even if they're tattered, bruised and broken

That story made me think of stories that I hear come out of our church school. Now I support the school, trust me I do, but supporting and agreeing with everything that is done in it are different things. There are too many stories that come out of there that kids who are unruly get sent home or sent out of the room. They are treated as the source of the problem. Without much thought or action that would show that they think about where the source might be. Or why this child may be acting like this. Does he come from a broken home? Does she get abused at home? The teachers sometime neglect to remember that not every child grew up in a 'perfect' family as they did and not every child has a mother and father that love them unconditionaly. Not every child gets a kiss goodnight and a hug and a 'i love you' from their parents. They don't all get that pat on the back for a job well done when they are home. But our 'Christian' school could be that place that these kids change because they get that pat on the back, that hug that 'i love you'. We are a private school, we are still allowed to hug our students and tell them we love them or pat them on the back. It's time we started looking out for the well being of the students, especially the ones struggling, and less of the peaceful classrooms all the time. When I questioned a teacher once about why they would send a student home immediately if he was unruly or caused a problem, instead of taking him aside and talking to him in private. I was told that one student can't disrupt the whole class and therefore must be sent home (paraphrased). But if we send them home all the time instead of loving them and showing we care, how will he learn. They say "from home, from parents" ... well if the problem was neglect in the first place,, it's an endless cycle!!! I've heard teachers say that they don't like their job! or they wish they weren't there. And I've also heard other people say "I wish I could be a teacher, I feel it is my calling">.. What I can't understand is why are the ones who want out, in there. And how come the ones who feel called are not allowed in? All the teachers are family. Does that not seem fishy to anyone else? It's amazing that out of all the families in church only people from 2 families are called by God to become school teachers. But it must be that the ones in charge must get the message from God because others who have felt a strong calling were turned away without much explanation. Anyway. I feel that a big change would come to our church school would be if all the teachers would consider their teaching positions "A MINISTRY" instead of a job that they do not look fwd. to going to. I am not talking about all teachers. Just what I've heard over the years. It may only include 1 or 2. The kids need to learn in school but also be loved. Stop throwing the kids out like an unwanted toy. They are not discardable or replaceable. They are eternal.