Life lesson, No Worries

"Hakuna Matata" what a wonderful phrase it means no worries for the rest of your days.  It’s our problem free, philosophyyy, "Hakuna Matata".

  

I’ve struggled with several circumstances of trials.  I’ve overcome fear, hate, depression, and many more obstacles throughout my life.  One thing that has remain constant in all the turmoil, all the rejection, all the wrong, is, was, and always will be God!

Psalm 18: 2-3, The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

I ain’t never had a friend like Jesus.  He stands with me through thick and thin.  Who was willing to call my name when things got tough; He will always see me through. 

Conflict Resolution

What is this?  Millions of people from all over the world ask themselves this question indirectly every day?  How to do properly or maybe inappropriately restore a relationship?  I’ve asked several people this very question, “How to resolve conflicts?” Giving the questionee an audience and scenario they each responded in their own unique way.

The curiousity came about for a solution for Conflict Resolution as pondered on the millions of thoughts the transpired through my membrane I call my brain.  To ditract…

The question was asked… Conflict resolution?  How do you restore a relationship with coworker, friend, family member and so on… 

Answers:

 PRAY

“Come on, man” “Knock it off”

"Do not consider the issue but the person."

The first two are generic but the third is the one I would like to focus on.  It is relative to your world view,  “What you put in is what you get out” like conflict resolution.  If you put up a fight that is what you get, an argument.  Like kids who bicker and fight over the smallest thing as to who is in line first to who get to play with the red fire truck or not.  Not saying you lay down and give in, but you take the person and you deal with them rationally depending on the situation.  Of course there are many variables to consider, i.e. the severity of conflict.  To maintain a biblical worldview with a Christian perspective on conflict resolution one must be willing to listen, trust, lead, and have a kingdom perspective. 

Conflict resolution is all about the person not about the conflict.  You must realize the bigger issue at hand.  If you would like to continue to have a strong and healthy relationship you must be willing to consider conflitee’s point of view.  It would be insanely stupid not to consider; if you have any interest in restoring said relationship.

Please, post comments I would like to see some feedback.

Please Watch Video

One7 Ministry 

“I cannot” seems to be trend going around.  Well I cannot believe how great a weekend I had.  Everything from start to finish was fabulous.  I know you can’t wait to hear about it.

On the way home I received a phone call from a leader at the church.  [See Saturday, I wrote it backward the important stuff was in this paragraph and I wanted to keep your attention.] He asked me to lead his class the following day as he was too tired from traveling.  So, of course I agreed as I thoroughly enjoy leading classes.  I had a great time with the folks there and giving my lesson on “Faith”.  After the 1^st lesson I was able to go see a drama with the youth put on by a ministry, “one7”.  The kids who performed were from a bad side of town who came from broken homes, but had a huge passion for God and His kingdom.  Afterwards they shared testimonies from their daily lives and how rough they have it but yet they still continue to worship God.  Sunday night I did some more chillen at the church with the youth group this time.  My 7^th and 8^th grade group of boys are such a great group of young men.  They love the Lord and always eager to share more. 

Saturday was spent hangin with the fam.  The whole family aunts uncles grandparent and everyone else you could think of got together for my cousin’s graduation party in SC.  This was a great time to get together, eat a burger and congratulate my cousin on his success.  His is going on to study at USC Med School.  That night was spent prepping for Sunday’s lesson.

Friday, I finished up work and begin to explore options for what I would do that evening as I typically do to start the weekend, [never planning ahead is the ideal thing to do if you’re a typical young person].  Anyways last minute I was able to get a hold of a friend to go play disc-golf with, (the new craze).  I shot probably the best game I’ve ever played racking up eagles and birdies on every hole.  Afterward we wandered over to where we could hear live music playing and lots of people gathering.  We found out quickly the Cancer Society was hosting a walk-a-thon at the park.  This turn out to be great we were able to eat lots of food and hang out with complete strangers playing music, football, frisbee, and of course walking.  This turned our average night into something above average. 

Please pray as next week I’ll be leading the group of boys.

Take a look at one7 ministries website, http://www.one7.org/?page=vision

Benefit Dinner at Fuddruckers

May 1 was a great day!  We had a good service then a great lunch following church service.  I was given an opportunity to host a benefit dinner for my ministry at Fuddruckers.  This great opportunity was giving to me by a fellow brother in Christ.  He happened to be a General Manager at Fuddruckers.

I met a number a new folks, but also was able to build on a lot of relationships already intact.  I spent the majority of the time socializing and talking with people.  It was great to see friends, family, and church come out in such a strong force.  I’m very blessed to have such a strong family of believers partnering with me to edify my ministry. 

I was very grateful and excited to be given such an awesome opportunity to promote my ministry. During the 1^st hour or so of the lunch rush I was able to have a few of the boys from the youth work busing tables; for the time afterwards I had group of friends from my Bible study help with the second shift.  This worked out great for both groups and myself.  Because they were able to work in shifts no one missed lunch.  I’m very thankful for my volunteer workers that helped me with all the hard work. 

Thank you, all of you!!!

What to do when you have a fever

I've recently contracted a pesky fever with some chest congestion. Treating a fever takes time and patience, two things I tend to run short of. This is no fun as I'm not able to do much.

How to treat a fever...

Step 1: You should start by taking off any excess clothes or blankets. The environment should be comfortably cool. 


Step 2: If you feel chilled dress in comfy clothes. Now is no time to be a fashion diva. Drag out your rattiest, most comfortable nightgown or pajamas and robe. Put on some socks. This isn't easy for me to lay around the house and be unproductive. Some of you would have no problem doing this, you know who you are.  I'm sure you probably have a list of DVD's prepared to watch just in case of such an occasion.


Step 3: Drink plenty of liquids. First drink water, and stick with it. If you feel good enough, try some Ginger Ale. This really feels cool and soothing on your throat. If you're over 21, enjoy a hot toddy made by adding honey, lemon, and whiskey to hot water. I've not tried a hot toddy before, maybe later though. For chest congestion drink hot drinks.


Step 4: Take Motrin (Ibuprofen) or Tylenol (Acetominophen) or Alleve (Naproxen) or Biogesic (Paracetamol) fever reducer. This really helps! There is a kind for kids and adults. Follow the directions on the package on dosage information. Call a doctor for doses on children not covered on the package directions.


Step 5: Put an ice pack on your forehead or damp rag. This also cools you down temporarily. Or, soak a washcloth in a bowl of cool water. Then bring it out and place it on your forehead. This will help your body to lower it's temperature, thus reducing the fever faster. I've also heard the opposite approach of sweating the fever out by laying in bed with multiple covers and rising your body temp on purpose to cause the fever to break or sweat out of you.  


Step 6: Get a bowl of ice cream or a Popsicle. This will take your temperature down. Don't worry about your diet; calories consumed while you are sick don't count. Your body is burning a ton of calories having a fever! Preferably you have someone else at home who can get this for you. If you have chills, you may want hot chocolate.  Take it easy and relax.  


Step 7: Get someone to massage your head, neck and back. If you can get them to do your arms, legs, hands and fingers it will feel really good, too. If you don't have someone to rub you then just use an electric massager.  I could handle this one. Any takers want to dish out a massage.


Enjoy more tips at, http://www.wikihow.com/Cure-a-Fever-at-Home

When Your In Love

When your in love you do crazy things.  Things you consider annoying or reckless when in another context.  Most of us have been there and seen this truths for ourselves.  I desire love, I desire to be madly in love with Christ.  How many of you are in LOVE with GOD?  

How many of you are running so hard each day towards Christ you never stop worshiping with HIM?  

Have you notice when we are with God in worship and striving to learn more about HIM we don't sin?  

I had the following question asked to me several times, "So why missions?".  I've always given the text book answer the truth but never really dug deeper into why I was having my calling.  Francis Chan says, "Seasons of giving are the most rewarding."  Acts 20:35/Jesus Christ, "it is better to give than to receive".  

Another aspect of giving is loving.  As Christians we are commanded to love one another.  In order to do that we must be willing to give everything we have for the kingdom to be furthered.  In doing this we are loving God and continually growing and learning about God.  

If asked the same question, Why missions?, I would take another approach. I would simply answer, "I love God" or "I want to be continually running towards God and this is the best way I know how to."

(above picture) quote by , Henry David Thoreau

Discovery

These past few months have been great.  Week after week another amazing week.  The Lord has been grateful in so many ways.

I've discovered a new confidence in so many different things, becoming bolder in my faith, and learning more every day.  I love my new lifestyle in ministry.  There seems to be so much to learn.  One thing my grandpa said was, "you can't learn when you tongue is wagging", meaning you learn mainly by listening.

Communication has been a big part of these new discoveries.  Proof of this lies all around.   My phone bill has been through the roof.  I went over my minutes for the first time; I can't remember the last time I had a Sunday when I didn't present in some fashion to a group of people, and so much more.  Thank you so much to my prayer partners who've been praying for me.

My ministry is growing rapidly.  As I become more involved with my community.  I am becoming more enthusiastic about my missions work.  I love service!

Psalm 149, (THIS GUY SPEAKS FUNNY)

Psalm 47:1, Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!