Sunday, July 31st

I did not go to church today. I could have, but decided not to, due to really being too tired. Once I started getting going during the day, I had some thoughts about church and my relationship with God. My thoughts are as followed.

com·mit·ment (noun)
1. A pledge to do.
2. Something pledged, especially an engagement by contract involving financial obligation.
3. the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action

This is going to be another one of my patented definition quiet times.

James 2:14-24
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

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.

So, I want to say that I am committed to my church, but let's be honest, I haven't been to a church function in a few weeks now. "Faith and deeds?" I say I may have faith, and maybe I do, but what actions am I using to back it up with? How hard is it to believe in God? Not hard if the demons believe it. The difference is that the demons don't follow God. They don't trust in him. So where do I stand? I may be heading down a road I don't want to go. Heading toward a wider path. I need to focus on getting back to a narrow road.

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Saturday, July 30th

Hey all, another day in paradise for sure. I am posting this late, but to let you all know, I have had my quiet times, I just haven't been posting them. Saturday, I had a busy day and ended up at a sleep study tht night. The thing went well, but I slept absolutely horrible. I was awakened at 6am Sunday morning, but I was so exhausted that I just went back home and slept some more, or as I call it, productive sleep. I find it difficult to sleep with probes and all sorts of things attached to myself. I ended up waking up 3 or 4 times over that night, and didn't have any steem for the upcoming day. Anyway, I don't mean to harp. Onto my quiet time that I had that night.

I read out of Cry of the Soul, yet again. It really hit me how Psalms is a book that God put into the bible, so that when we suffer, loss of a child, loss of a job, loss of a loved one (friend or family), we have something truly awesome to fall back on. I was in the hospital room, thinking that I would be in for a long night. I had done sleep studies before and knew that I would have a rough night of sleep. (I wasn't wrong - self fulfilling prophecy?) I was awakened the next morning and was out right exhausted. I have been a lot harder situations, though. Surgery I had in August 2004 was a bit hard to face. I wasn't so much worried up until I was told that I have a heart condition. Then I started to wonder about a lot of things in the short time ahead of me. There's a Psalm for that. Loss of a loved one? There's a Psalm for that. Feeling deserted by friends or loved ones? There's a Psalm for that. Hardship? There's a Psalm for that. God put the Psalms in there to help us not feel alone. I am greatful for that.

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How you doin'... (Adam)

Hey everyone!!

The question of the day:

HOW ARE YOU DOING??!!!

I wanted to get feedback from every one on how your week has gone.

• Did you have a good week? A bad week?
• Did you share your quiet time with anyone???
• Do you have any prayer requests? (I enjoy praying for all of my brothers and sisters!) Send back carefully if there are some deep personal requests. :)

I wanted to take some time to focus on you and further our relationships. I was reading this morning about unity in Romans 15:4-7

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

To me part of having one heart is definitly through communication, like the e-mail, or gathering together to know how each of us is doing. If we have one heart then we can be unified and with one Love (for God) we are able to praise God together with one mouth.

Well I hope you have an awsome day/weekend!! I will see most (if not all) of you on Sunday!!!

I love ya brothers and sisters!!

-Your brother in Christ-

Adam

Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.

So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. :)

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2005 Texas Evangelism Seminar - Special Events

Special Events
There are several events in connection
with the seminar this year.

Singles Mixer: Saturday morning at 10:30 AM there will be a Singles Mixer. We chose this time so that the singles who choose to attend will have time to meet and set up dates for the rest of the weekend. The cost of this event is only $5 to cover the cost of the refreshments.

Trip to the Children’s Museum: There will be chaperoned trip to the Houston Children’s Museum during the Saturday sessions of the Seminar. This is for children from the 1st – 6th grades. They will meet at 12:30 PM so the parents can check them in and be freed up for the beginning of the seminar at 1:00 PM. The cost for this is $10 per child and covers transportation, admissions and a snack.

Movie Night - One Step Ahead: In the past several months brothers and sisters from the Houston and Dallas churches have been relentlessly working on an original film entitled “One Step Ahead”. This is a full length feature film designed to entertain and convict. During the first showing of this film there will also be a children’s film showing for all the children of those viewing “One Step Ahead”. Admission is $9 for an advanced ticket and $12 at the door. There is no charge for the children’s movie.

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2005 Texas Evangelism Seminar - Hotel Info

Area Hotels

Holiday Inn Express
(200 yards from the GRBCC)
1810 Bell Ave
Houston, TX. 77003
(713) 652-9400

We found rates as low as $79.00 per night for this hotel on the internet.

Hilton Americas – Houston
(attached to the GRBCC)
1600 Lamar
Houston, TX.
(713) 739-8000

We have secured a rate of $95.00 per night for this hotel. Due to the location of the GRBCC on Hwy 59 there are many economy hotels within a 10 min. drive. Traffic should be light on the weekend.

Free Lodging!!!
The Greater Houston church is arranging free housing through our members. Please call Shawn at the church office at (832) 328-1720 for more information. This service will only be available through August 26th.

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Friday, July 29th

Week coming to a close, Month coming to a close, so many things, so little time. I just finished some school work and tomorrow I tackle a whole bunch of more. I agreed with Teach that I would jump ahead and turn in things before I go on the trip. Hopefully and prayerfully, I can live up to that. We shall see how things unfold as the time draws near. Well, onto my QT. Oh, one thing before I do, I just set up on this thing that anyone can post a message. Unfortunately, beforehand, you couldn't and I thought you could, but you couldn't. So, now you can. There you go. OK OK OK OK - now on to the QT.

Psalm 31:11-13
Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends—those who see me on the street flee from me. I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Psalm 102:6-11
I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

Going back to the word contempt, a post back on 7/26/05, am I as a christian supposed to allow other to regard me as worthless? Treat me as an inferior? In these two verses, this person is like demolished by things. Just re-reading them, It seams more like a trickle down sorta thing. He is treated with contempt, and in turn, he treats God with contempt. I have done this time and again. I am given grace and mercy and blessing upon blessing, and then I disregard what God has done for me by treating it with dishonor. I want to value God's blessings, but I pay them no mind. I pray for things to happen, and when they do, I do not thank God for them. I don't even notice them until later on in the day, if I am lucky.

Romans 7:24
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?

Wow, does that apply to me. I am feeling pretty dismal after reflecting on how poorly I have treated my God. But the next verse brings me back.

Next verse:
Romans 7:25
Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Christ is here for me. He is taking care of me in ways that I can not even fathom, and I am more than greatful. I mean, isn't it great to have a friend who takes care of you, meeting your every need, calling you up on a random basis, bringing you food when you need it, but don't tell anyone you do? I could go on and on about how great a friend Christ is, but let's just not. You get the idea. He rescues me from my own body of death. Let me say that again, he rescues me from my own body of death!! What better friend can you ask for in this world or the next?

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Thursday, July 28th

Wow, a good day to be alive. I found out my brother is going to get married, and I am happy for him. It's nice to see how his life is moving forward. I am just so excited for him. I am not fired from my job. Always a good thing. I got some advice as to what to do with the suicide hotline. I was thinking about volunteering to help it out. I am drawn to it. I want to do it SO bad. My schedule really isn't set up to do it right now. If I did the hotline, I would probably end up loosing another good chunk of sleep, and with my schedule so full as it is, just wouldn't be a wise thing to do. Well, hum.

Now, onto my quiet time.

Not much of one today. I read a little out of Cry of the Soul, prayed a lot. So much going on with my family and my wife's family, that I really just needed to sit down and pray and cry and collect my thoughts. Work has beet me down and school has already started to beat me down and family matters are starting to beat me down. Not to mention, I will be doing the school thing while I am at vacation. Will I enjoy it? I think I will find a way, but the thought of responsibility vs. enjoyment is tugging at my conscious. Very well, I really just needed the time to reflect and turn to God and place my worries on him.

A scripture I did look at, though:

Luke 12:22-34
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Verse 34 just comforts me. And today, that is what I needed.

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2005 Texas Evangelism Seminar Info

Family, I called The Greater Houston Church this week and got a call back this morning....... The Seminar is going to be held at the George R Brown Convention Center, more information below. There is a Hilton hotel attached and the convention center. The Houston church has room set up for $95.00 per night, more information below. Make sure when you call the Hilton you mention you are with the Texas Evangelism Seminar, that will get you the discount.

George R Brown Convention Center http://www.houstonconventionctr.com/
(713) 853-8000
1001 Ave De Las Americas
Houston, TX 77010
Cross Street:Between Chenevert St and Chenevert St

Hilton Americas - Houston
1600 Lamar
Houston, TX 77010
Tel: 713-739-8000
Fax: 713-739-8007

Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect, it means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.

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Good morning (Joseph)

Good morning brothers how is everyone this morning? I am fired up and ready to ride. We had a great midweek last night and talked abotu how we are all sinner and we all fall short of the Glory but through confession and prayer God will give us mercy. Today is payday for me and I need to be on my guard. I am going to take my contribution first and put it aside. I have to pay some bills and then I am going to give the rest to my mom so that we can buy Max some school clothes. I read an awesome scripture this morning in Hosea 14:9. This really impacted me because it shows me that if I have wisdom and understanding in what and why I do things then I can walk confidently with God. I love all of you and I pray that all of you has a great day. I do not have to work tomorrow so I will talk to you all on Monday. Love ya and God bless.

Joseph

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Loving your brothers... (from Adam)

Hi brothers!,

I wanted to take some time this morning to share a little of my quiet time with you. I had some "knee-time" [get it knee-time(hahaha)] in other words my prayer time this morning, and had to get off to work. I am reading thru scripture about loving your brother.

1 John 2: 9-10
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.

Like Rhett was talking about on this last Sunday how we need to not have any grievence towards our brother. If we do than according to scripture we are still living in darkness and cannot have the love of God in us. We would really need to search our hearts and look for any kind of slanderous thoughts, jealousy, malice, deceipt, envy, anger... all the things that are evil but sometimes hidden deep within our hearts behind self-justified "feelings" that we dismiss. If we search ourselves then, having the heart of a disciple, we submit to God and let our grievences come out in confession to our brothers.

1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

I'm just talking about what Dave always speaks of, and that being REAL with one another, and not taking any one of us for granted. I love you brothers and if you need anything please don't hesitate to call me and we will keep instep with the spirit together.

Love your brother in Christ: Adam G.

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Wednesday, July 27th

Another Day, another quiet time. Today was an extremely tough day. Challenging at work, to say the least, and I became a little depressed by all that happened. But I am known to say "if God closses a door, he opens a window" and my wife echoed that this evening as I told her my frustrating story. Very well. So be it. I still have a job to go to tomorrow, so I am grateful for that. So I have done a little digging on things, prayed, and studied out this.

shrewd - adj.

• Characterized by keen awareness, sharp intelligence, and often a sense of the practical.
• Disposed to artful and cunning practices; tricky.
• Sharp; penetrating: a shrewd wind.

Honestly, I had a completely different understanding of what shrewd meant. What prompted this study was the thought of these scriptures:

Psalm 18:26
To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

2 Samuel 22:27 (this one I stumbled across)
To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

Matthew 10:11-16
"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 16:1-12
Jesus told his disciples: "There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.'

"The manager said to himself, 'What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg— I know what I'll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.'

"So he called in each one of his master's debtors. He asked the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'

"'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,' he replied. "The manager told him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.'

"Then he asked the second, 'And how much do you owe?'"

'A thousand bushels of wheat,' he replied.

"He told him, 'Take your bill and make it eight hundred.'

"The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?

I had understood it that God wants me to be a shrewd businessman. I don't think I have been very good at that, at least not at my current job. I thought being a shrewd businessman meant that I had to be a jerk, basically - evil, mean, bad, and nasty. So, after the unfortunate meeting I had this afternoon, I decided that's what needed to happen. I became an instant jerk to the customers, completely opposite of what I had been before. I now see that I am wrong on both accounts, and am glad I discovered this now, so that I can repent properly. Worldly sorrow vs. Godly sorrow. I definately want Godly sorrow. I have been contacted by a number of companies this last few weeks wanting to hire me, but I just feel very comfortable at my current job, and honestly don't want or desire or feel any kind of need for a change in employment. I would prefer to stay here until I graduate school. I really like the people and feel that God has a plan for me here. I just need to make the adjustment to being shrewd, instead of being a push-over or dominating. The place in between is where I need to be, that's what I see that is commanded in the bible. Like money, not let it rule my life. Use it, don't abuse it. Be shrewd for my employer. These are things very attainable for me. Pray for a radical change for me. Johnny out.

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Tuesday, July 26th

Well, here I am again with my entry. I find with doing this blog comes all sorts of thoughts and feelings about it. One is the thought "WOW, I am going to be held accountable for my quiet times." Then another thought is "wow, I an GOING to be held accountable for my quiet times." But, as I have now done this for, I guess about two weeks now, I have seen another thing come into play. I am having some really DEEP quiet times. I am really getting a lot out of them. If there is anyone out there reading this, you know - great, let me know. If not, well I am still getting a lot out of this for myself, and I think that is probably the best thing for me and my relationship with God, and that is what really matters.

Anyway, on to what I learned today.

Contempt. Con·tempt. noun. meaning:

• The feeling or attitude of regarding someone or something as inferior, base, or worthless; scorn.
• The state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace.
• Open disrespect or willful disobedience of the authority of a court of law or legislative body.

There is so much more that I could have "bold-de-sized" (that is a johnny-ism) in there, but I thought I would stop before the whole thing was high-lighted. I saw this word and thought "how have I done this to God?" And then this scripture came to mind:

Matthew 25:31-46
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

So my thought is this... what I have done to any of my friends, co-workers, brothers and sisters in the church, and family - whether it be an attitude of "well, gosh, I knew that, you must be stupid for not knowing that," or anything of the like, that's something I will have to answer to God about when I knock on his door. AND, it goes further. What about those people who I see on the street, homeless? Broken down car on the side of the road? Whatever the situation may be, if there is any attitude about it, I need to repent and get that out of my character. Sometimes, going to dictionary.com can be so convicting to see the TRUE meaning of words. So, in conclusion, whatever I do to someone who isn't wearing a white robe, sandals, long beard (A-LA-SISTINE CHAPEL), well, I might as well be. That's how God looks at it. I got this all from a defination, how about that.

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Monday, July 25th

What a day!! So many things going on, I start a new class tomorrow, my wife and son are sick, and my mother-in-law is in the hospital. I could be boggled down with life's problems, but I truly believe things will work for the greater good. What that may be, I don't know, and really, is it my job to predict the future? Is it my job to decide what is best for God and his ways? Anyway, I digress. My quiet time was good. Here is a scripture I looked at:

Hebrews 2:9-10
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering.

Continuing on from my previous post, salvation is made perfect in suffering. What a thought. God is love. "God is good. God is great. Thank you for our food. Amen." God seems to be a lot of things. But in Hebrews, it says salvation is perfect through suffering. Which made me think of a scripture to follow up to this thought.

Hebrews 12:1-11
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Is discipline a form of suffering? Maybe for some. When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she became pregnant, David went through a form of discipline when God brought down judgment on him and took away the child. Did David suffer? I would think so. I mean, he ended up fasting for days on end when the child was sick. When the child finally passed away, David decided that God's decision would not be overturned and he returned back to his life an usual. Well, very good. That's all I have for now. Let me know your thoughts.

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Re: Sunday, July 24th

Hey Johnny Ray!!

How are you?!

Thank you for sharing your quiet time with us! I liked how you mentioned that a Love, worth anything, requires sacrifice. Deep insight, thank you!

I hope this e-mail finds you and your family well. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Have a good week!!!
love: your brother in Christ- Adam G.

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Sunday, July 24th

Hey All, How are you? My quiet time today, again out of "Cry of the Soul," was pretty good. I study the scriptures out more now, just to make sure I agree with what I am taking in, and if I do not, well, I will voice that as well along with my reasons. Anyway, here is what I studied today.

John 11:17-44
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. "Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"

But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days."

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Matthew 26:36-38
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Luke 22:39-44
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Psalm 22:14,16,18
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet.

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

In the subject of despair, these scriptures really bring it home. First, Jesus crys over Lazarus' death. What is the big deal about that, when Lazarus was dead and Jesus could just zippity him back to life? Well, Jesus wouldn't be with him forever. Think of it this way, Lazarus is one of those lucky few who get to go through physical death twice. How lucky is he? I am not sure if I want to face physical death twice myself. Wouldn't once be enough? Jesus knew he would bring him back, but how long will God let him live? It's not like he is going to live forever. And then he again would be seperated by the ones who love him in the world. Going through the pain of death yet a second time.

Jesus then rides into Jerusalem for his last time, being greated by those who say they love him, but then put him to death. And when I think of this, I think that I am one of those people. I chear for him as my king, but then forsake him just like everyone else. That makes me sad to think about it. Even those closest to him at the garden desert him. Sleeping on the job. Don't we all do that? Is it just me? "I can't keep watch forever" would be the thought. But that would be the job. Am I supposed to be a christian 24 hours a day? Fairweather fan maybe? Just be a christian when things are going well, and when things get bad, desert my God, my friends, my family. Such has been the temptation. I have seen friends of mine do it.

The last three scriptures are about how God deserted his own son. HIS OWN SON. Sometimes my thoughts are this: if God deserted his only son, what chance do I have? I mean, God did love me to sacrifice his son, but really, what is the commitment for God? And my answer comes to this: God sacrificed. I have to sacrifice. It isn't a one-way street where I just take and take and take. I have to give up something, just as God did for me. And what I have to give up is a life of sin. I won't live my life with the attitude of Jesus suffering on the cross for my sin and let it be for not. I have a love for God and that love has to take action. Anyway, that's what I got out of it today.

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From the Star-Telegram: Sexpod?

I was given this article and thought I would pass it along to you all, to let you know of the more dangers that are out there.

Apple's newly launched iTunes podcasts raise questions about risque audio shows

By Vauhini Vara

The Wall Street Journal

Now available for download through iTunes: raunchy sex banter, erotic storytelling sessions and reviews of pornographic Web sites.

Last month, Apple Computer's online music store launched a directory of podcasts -- audio shows that can be downloaded free from the Internet and usually feature amateurs discussing mainstream topics such as cars, sports and independent music. At the same time, it also opened its doors to a racier genre of audio files that some are calling "porncasts."

With names like "Fetish Flame" and "Open Source Sex," the adult podcasts are often created by self-proclaimed sex experts who have cheap recording software, a bit of free time and little or no professional radio experience. Many of the rambling audio shows focus on the creators' sex lives.

As podcasting reaches a more mainstream audience, the more risque audio shows -- and Apple's role in distributing them -- could come under greater scrutiny. Apple declined to say whether any of its users have complained about the adult podcasts, which can be downloaded by anyone regardless of age. The company said it could potentially pull programs that it deems too explicit but declined to say whether it has done so yet.

Apple allows podcasters to submit their own audio shows for inclusion in iTunes. Those who discuss adult material are asked to mark their podcasts as "explicit" by checking a box. Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris said the service has no specific guidelines as to what constitutes explicit content.

She said Apple tries to review as many submissions as it can for "really obvious" adult content. Listeners can click on a button marked "Report a Concern" to protest a podcast.

"If for some reason we miss it, customers usually catch it," Kerris said.

Ted Schadler, an analyst at Forrester Research who covers consumer technology and the music industry, says there are risks in Apple's willingness to accept content from amateur users.

"Apple needs to be careful to protect its brand here," he said. Apple declined to comment.

Podcasts are named after Apple's popular iPod music player, but they can be played on almost any portable music player, or on a computer. Apple doesn't host the broadcasts on its Web site, but it allows users to link to them through its software.

Although Apple doesn't generate revenue from the podcasts, it has other motivations to promote them. In addition to promoting iPods, the company hopes the free directory will encourage greater use of its iTunes software, which is closely linked to its music store. The company said it has already handled 5 million podcast subscriptions for its users.

As for those behind the adult broadcasts, there are also distinct draws.

Because they are transmitted through the Internet, podcasts are free of the Federal Communication Commission's indecency rules that govern traditional radio broadcasts. The FCC's restrictions on profanity and explicit sex talk played a role in Howard Stern's decision last year to move his show to the unrestricted Sirius Satellite Radio.

One of the most popular podcasts tagged as "explicit" on iTunes is "Open Source Sex," an audio show hosted by a woman called Violet Blue, who has written several sex books. A frequent guest on radio talk shows, Blue is often gently reminded before going on the air to keep her language G-rated and anatomy discussions vague.

On her podcast, meanwhile, nearly anything goes. In one episode, she read a story called "The Last Deduction," by erotica writer Alison Tyler, about an encounter between a novelist and her tax auditor.

While the distribution of adult material is big business on the Internet, many of the people behind the racy podcasts are often seeking little more than fame. There are no fees for listening to the broadcasts, though some have hooked up with sponsors to generate revenue.

On her weekly "MXL Podcast" -- the name stands for "maximum libido" -- Virginia Bytheway breathily reads erotic fiction and answers questions e-mailed by listeners about various racy acts, often using eyebrow-raising language.

Bytheway, a 48-year-old former phone-sex operator, records her podcasts using her computer at her Montreal home. She then sends them to Didier Sicaud, a psychologist who produces the podcasts.

Bytheway isn't paid for her work, but Sicaud uses her podcast to drive traffic to a Web site that advertises his sex-therapy services. In April, meanwhile, SSL International PLC paid Dawn Miceli and her husband, Drew Domkus -- the pair behind a popular, and raunchy, podcast called "The Dawn and Drew Show" -- to talk about its Durex condoms and lubricants over 10 episodes.

It is difficult to say just how popular the steamy broadcasts are. ITunes recently listed "Open Source Sex" as the 21st most popular of the 6,000 podcasts in its directory -- ahead of podcasts from Newsweek, ESPN and ABC News.

Of the 100 top podcasts, 13 were recently marked as explicit, though some earned that label largely for using profanity.

In a June interview with ABC News, Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said of the iTunes podcast directory, "We're not allowing any pornography."

Kerris declined to say how Apple defines audio porn, but she said Apple has removed podcasts that contain copyrighted material or were otherwise inappropriate.

Other technology companies have run into trouble over distribution of user-created content. In June, Google launched a video service that allows people to submit their own clips, but it has removed pornography and other adult content. Earlier that month, Yahoo closed all its user-created chat rooms after advocacy groups blamed it for allowing chats that promoted sex with minors.

Podcasters argue that by labeling their shows as "explicit," they should be free to say whatever they want.

"I don't have to censor my language or anyone else's language," said Blue of "Open Source Sex." "It's like the dog is off the leash."

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Saturday, July 23rd

This QT was really special. I spent a lot of time with my son today, we went to meet Lance Nix of the Texas Rangers, and he slept through the whole thing. I got him a poster, though, and took some pictures for him, so hopefully someday he will appreciate things. Anyway, my quiet time today was spent with my son. I read to him. Even though he really didn't understand much, I just thought it was special due to our first QT together. Hopefully, many more will follow. On to the goods.

Earthly Hope and Heavenly Hope

I read in "Cry of the Soul" with my son, and what I read to him was about earthly hope and heavenly hope. What I discovered is that it is much like earthly sorrow and godly sorrow. Earthly sorrow is like "sorry for being caught" whereas Godly sorrow is being sorry to the core. Wanting to make things right and doing what it takes to truely repent. Earthly hope is hope in people and that things will go right. What normally happens with earthly hope is that the thing you want to get better, does get better, but then something else falls apart, and hence the whole world falls apart. Heavenly hope, on the otherhand, is when there is a vision of redemption in the mist of the muck. It's relying on God through thick and thin, knowing that the light at the end of the tunnel is not a train. BUT WHAT IF IT IS A TRAIN? Then God knows that with hope in him, he can stop the train and give you a ride back to the train station. That is what Heavenly hope is all about.

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Friday, July 22nd

My quiet time for today, pretty good I think.

Jeremiah 7:1-7
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: "Stand at the gate of the LORD's house and there proclaim this message: " 'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD. This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD!" If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever."

What I saw in this is that the people were more into the title of things. I drive a Jag, so it's good. I live in a $500,000 dollar house, so it's good. I live in a city that has the temple of the Lord, so I'm saved. I wish it were that simple. These people followed God by name alone. Their actions didn't follow suit, and where did it lead them? Well, the story later tells us that they were demolished by the Babylonians. James tells us that with faith there will be deeds. Faith without deeds is useless. Anyway, this is what I got out of it today.

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Thursday, July 21st

Not too deep today, I read about maturity in the bible, something I have been studying off and on for the past few months.

James 1:2-8
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

When I persevere, I mature. At least I hope I do. That's what the bible says, although sometimes I don't really feel it at the time. Bud Price used to say that he graduated from the school of hard knocks. I think it we (or at least me) are going to truely mature, trials will have to come. And with those trials, we must walk away persevering, or it is all for not.

Wednesday, July 20th

"God Remembers"

I read in "Cry of the Soul" today and looked at a number of different scriptures. A few things that stood out:

Psalm77:11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

Psalm74:2 Remember the people you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance, whom you redeemed—Mount Zion, where you dwelt.

Somehow, we forget things. What we go to the store to get (IE: Milk) is classic for me. I tend to forget a lot of things. I always have to ask my wife every now and again if she loves me despite my short-comings. I do this for reassurance and it is good to hear sometimes. Verse 11 (above) is classic of me (and maybe I am the only one) to forget what God has done for me. God has done a lot for me. A LOT!! And despite it all, I forget about it and want more. Not only do I forget the deeds of long ago, but I forget the ones done yesterday. How sad am I? And yet, I can't get the lastest hit on the radio. Stuck into my brain. Where are my priorities? Now, with that said, what about Psalm 74:2? Do I need to ask God to remember anything? By no means. God remembers it all, unless we are cleaned of our sins. God will know what he needs to know. He remembers each of us. He knows each and every hair on my head. He knows me. He knows what I can and cannot handle. He protects me. And I don't deserve a thing.

Tuesday, July 19th

Personal Note: Rangers Win over the Yankees 2-1!

My quiet time today was over Psalm 77:10-20

10 Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
13 Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water, the skies resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

In this, I see how by turning to God, I can go from being depressed to feeling joyful. We are given miracles, but do we choose to see them? My son is an absolute miracle, that is easy to see. How about other things? My addiction, maybe? Most people would choose to see that as a curse, and in a sense, it is, but I choose to see the glass as half full. I was choosen by God to have this affliction, this thorn in my side, and I can take it a number of ways. I can look at it as a "wo-is-me" attitude, or as something to grow from and help others with the same affliction. Many wallow in their pity, and I have been guilty of that in the past. It is so easy to do. I think it is our nature to blow up our short-comings and turn them into a mountain. But Jesus said that with a mustard seed of faith, we can move that mountain. That is what I am going to do. Any thoughts, drop a line. Laterz.

Monday, July 18th

CR Message: Self-Control

Titus 1
1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,
4To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12Even one of their own prophets has said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons." 13This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth. 15To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Titus 2
1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Phillipians 3:12-16
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Proverbs 25:28
28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Luke 8:4-14
4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5"A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, " 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.'
11"This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.

Acts 2:46-47
46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

This message was about having self-control, being choaked out by life's worries and little things that build into big things. So many times do I let the everyday stresses get in my way. Do I have self-control? What things get in my way, causing me to stumble with my walk with God? Now I have a son, how will I respond with him? Will he be a stumbling block in my salvation or will he be inspiration to grow closer to God? Great questions to think about. I have put deep thought into these things, and will focus on them in the days, weeks, and months to come. I was having weekly family devotionals, but about a month and a half ago, just stopped. I think with the message, I thought about it, and life choaked out my conviction of having those family devotionals. I need to regain the conviction and gain focus on God again. What kind of city am I building for my family? Do I have my walls build for defense against the evil one or am I vulnerable? I think I am more vulnerable than not. This will have to change. Thanks for the message. Any thoughts, feel free to post.

Response from Todd Asaad's message on 7/17/05

I thought I would put my notes from the message today on here, as well as my thoughts.

1Kings21:1-19 Says:
1 Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreelite. The vineyard was in Jezreel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
3 But Naboth replied, "The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."
4 So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.
5 His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won't you eat?"
6 He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.' "
7 Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I'll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
8 So she wrote letters in Ahab's name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city with him. 9 In those letters she wrote: "Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
11 So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth's city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. 13 Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."
15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead." 16 When Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, he got up and went down to take possession of Naboth's vineyard.
17 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: 18 "Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth's vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. 19 Say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?' Then say to him, 'This is what the LORD says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!' "

Ahab coveted. To covet is to want something that isn't yours. What do we covet? Do we go after things like the best computer, stereo, car? I know for me, I like to go after things. Mostly sporting events. I am not so much to go after high class stuff, but I like my family to have the good life. I tend to sacrifice more for them, and not so much for me.

Genesis 4:6-7 Says:
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."

Sin desires to have me. Lust, drugs, deceit, they all want me, but somehow I must master it. How? God grant me the strength. Be open about my temptations, before sin has developed.

James 1:12-15 Says:
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

desire -> temptation -> sin -> death

1 John 2:15-17 Says:
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

The world and it's desires will pass away. Only God last forever. Naboth loved God more than money & people. Do I sell out my convictions for wealth or to please people? I don't know. I think sometimes I can be soft spiritually instead of having the Godly heart. I guess the first step would be the ackowledgment of the problem, and then the next step would be to take action.

Isaiah 40:28-31, 41:10 Says:
40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God strengthens those who are faithful. Do not be afraid. God will take care of me, give me hope, be my guiding light.

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 Says:
27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him.

If I want to be a chosen one of God, I will be foolish, weak, & despised by the world's standards.

*Thought Question: AM I WILLING TO DIE FOR MY CONVICTIONS? AM I WILLING TO LET ME CHILDREN DIE FOR MY CONVICTIONS?*

That challenges me HARD! Todd talked about how terrorists are willing to kill for their convictions, but if it came down to it, I really don't think they are willing to loose their families like Naboth did. Naboth has become a hero in my eyes for standing up for his convictions. I will have to pray and maybe even get into some fasting to get my heart on where God wants for it to be.

James 4:7-10 Says:
7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

I need to humble myself to have the convictions. To humble myself, I need to be open with my life.

Ephesians 6:10-18 Says:
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

The world desires to give me everything & have me stand for nothing. Where do I want to be in five years, an employer may ask. Where do I want to be in five years, God may ask as well. How do they differ?

Saturday, July 16th

I studied out of "Cry of the Soul" again today. I worked on Chapter 11, and what a good start. I find this book really helpful. We looked at Psalm 77:1-9, which states:

1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
4 You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days, the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
7 "Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"

The book quotes this scripture and talks about how God has done all sorts of horrible things to this person and this person in turn is questioning God. I disagree that God did these things, but I do believe that God allowed them to happen to bring something good for the future. These two scriptures came to mind:

Romans 8:28 says:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:13-15 Says:
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

When we find ourselves in a funk, it is because we somehow placed ourself in a bad situation. Granted Job didn't do anything wrong, so that's when Romans 8:28 comes to mind, but how often is God going to let Satan throw stuff like that on us? Only as much as we can handle:

1 Corinthians 10:13 says:
13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

So when we find ourself in a situation that we can not handle, then I would think that maybe we somehow unrighteously placed ourselves in it. I would like to hear some thoughts on this, but this is what my thoughts of my quiet time.

Dusting

This was a story sent to me, and I thought I would post it here. Something that needs to be talked about and the dangers need to be known about.

"Dusting" death: kids inhaling Dust Off

First I'm going to tell you a little about me and my family. My name is Jeff. I am a Police Officer for a city which is known nationwide for its crime rate. We have a lot of gangs and drugs. At one point we were # 2 in the nation in homicides per capita. I also have a police K-9 named Thor. He was certified in drugs and general duty. He retired at 3 years old because he was shot in the line of duty. He lives with us now and I still train with him because he likes it. I always liked the fact that there was no way to bring drugs into my house. Thor wouldn't allow it. He would tell on you. The reason I say this is so you understand that I know about drugs. I have taught in schools about drugs. My wife asks all our kids at least once a week if they used any drugs. Makes them promise they won't.

I like building computers occasionally and started building a new one in February 2005. I also was working on some of my older computers. They were full of dust so on one of my trips to the computer store I bought a 3 pack of DUST OFF. Dust Off is a can of compressed air to blow dust off a computer. A few weeks later when I went to use them they were all used. I talked to my kids and my 2 sons both said they had used them on their computer and messing around with them. I yelled at them for wasting the 10 dollars I paid for them. On February 28 I went back to the computer store. They didn't have the 3 pack which I had bought on sale so I bought a single jumbo can of Dust Off. I went home and set it down beside my computer.

On March 1st I left for work at 10 PM. At 11 PM my wife went down and kissed Kyle goodnight. At 530 am the next morning Kathy went downstairs to wake Kyle up for school, before she left for work. He was sitting up in bed with his legs crossed and his head leaning over. She called to him a few times to get up. He didn't move. He would sometimes tease her like this and pretend he fell back asleep. He was never easy to get up. She went in and shook his arm. He fell over. He was pale white and had the straw from the Dust Off can coming out of his mouth. He had the new can of Dust Off in his hands. Kyle was dead.

I am a police officer and I had never heard of this. My wife is a nurse and she had never heard of this. We later found out from the coroner, after the autopsy, that only the propellant from the can of Dust Off was in his system. No other drugs. Kyle had died between midnight and 1 Am.

I found out that using Dust Off is being done mostly by kids ages 9 through 15. They even have a name for it. It's called dusting. A take off from the Dust Off name. It gives them a slight high for about 10 seconds. It makes them dizzy. A boy who lives down the street from us showed Kyle how to do this about a month before. Kyle showed his best friend. Told him it was cool and it couldn't hurt you. Its just compressed air. It can't hurt you. Kyle's best friend said no.

Kyle was wrong. It's not just compressed air. It also contains a propellant. I think its R2. Its a refrigerant like what is used in your refrigerator. It is a heavy gas. Heavier than air. When you inhale it, it fills your lungs and keeps the good air, with oxygen, out. That's why you feel dizzy, buzzed. It decreases the oxygen to your brain, to your heart. Kyle was right. It can't hurt you. IT KILLS YOU. The horrible part about this is there is no warning. There is no level that kills you. It's not cumulative or an overdose; it can just go randomly, terribly wrong. Roll the dice and if your number comes up you die. IT'S NOT AN OVERDOSE. Its Russian roulette. You don't die later. Or not feel good and say I've had too much. You usually die as your breathing it in. If not you die within 2 seconds of finishing "the hit." That's why the straw was still in Kyle's mouth when he died. Why his eyes were still open. The experts want to call this huffing. The kids don't believe its huffing. As adults we tend to lump many things together. But it doesn't fit here. And that's why its more accepted. There is no chemical reaction. no strong odor. It doesn't follow the huffing signals. Kyle complained a few days before he died of his tongue hurting. It probably did. The propellant causes frostbite. If I had only known.

Its easy to say hay, its my life and I'll do what I want. But it isn't. Others are always affected. This has forever changed our family's life. I have a hole in my heart and soul that can never be fixed. The pain is so immense I can't describe it. There's nowhere to run from it. I cry all the time and I don't ever cry. I do what I'm supposed to do but I don't really care. My kids are messed up. One won't talk about it. The other will only sleep in our room at night. And my wife, I cant even describe how bad she is taking this. I thought we were safe because of Thor. I thought we were safe because we knew about drugs and talked to our kids about them.

After Kyle died another story came out. A Probation Officer went to the school system next to ours to speak with a student. While there he found a student using Dust Off in the bathroom. This student told him about another student who also had some in his locker. This is a rather affluent school system. They will tell you they don't have a drug problem there. They don't even have a dare or plus program there. So rather than tell everyone about this "new" way of getting high they found, they hid it. The probation officer told the media after Kyle's death and they, the school, then admitted to it. I know that if they would have told the media and I had heard, it wouldn't have been in my house.

We need to get this out of our homes and school computer labs. Using Dust Off isn't new and some "professionals" do know about. It just isn't talked about much, except by the kids. They know about it. April 2nd was 1 month since Kyle died. April 5th would have been his 15th birthday. And every weekday I catch myself sitting on the living room couch at 2:30 in the afternoon and waiting to see him get off the bus. I know Kyle is in heaven but I cant help but wonder If I died and went to Hell.

The Dart Board

Dart Test...

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says that Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day.

On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's friend drew a picture of who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased with the overall affect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target. Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced.

Dr. Smith said only these words... "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40.

No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says? Or is it scary? Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God). Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace. Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week? Are you laughing? Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them. Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me?

One the First Day...

On the First Day.....

On the first day God created the dog. God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give you back the other ten." So God agreed.

On the second day God created the monkey. God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks, make them laugh. I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "How boring, monkey tricks for twenty years? I don't think so. Dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do too, okay?" And God agreed.

On the third day God created the cow. God said, "You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. Let me have twenty and I'll give back the other forty."
And God agreed again.

On the fourth day God created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. I'll give you twenty years."

Man said, "What? Only twenty years! Tell you what, I'll take my twenty, and the forty the cow gave back and the ten the monkey gave back and the ten the dog gave back, that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God, "You've got a deal."

So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves; for the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family; for the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren; and for the last ten years...... we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

Friday, July 15th

I read this scripture:

Proverbs13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

I read this from a book called "Cry of the Soul" in Chapter 10, and it really brought it home how God gives hope. I think about my family, wife and son, my job, and school, along with other responsiblities, and I seem to take it on with a joy in my heart. However, when I read this, it hit why that is the case. God has given me hope in situations where I think if God wasn't in my life, there would be no hope. I would be stressed (and I am stressed now) beyond recognition. In high school, actually middle school, I had ulcers. I was sickly and in despair and turning to things that I shouldn't have been and my life was in a downward spiral. Now, though, things are so much better. I know it is because I turn to God for my troubles and relax knowing that whatever happens, it is for the good of God and his kingdom. That was my nugget.

Thursday, July 14th

What a long day it has been. My quiet time was short and brief today, mostly consisting of prayer and such. I have felt that things are starting to get a little out of hand in my life and really needed the time to reflect back to God and really let God take control. Maybe I have stepped up with pride and tried to take control and push God to the side. It sounds like that can be so easy to do, human nature to do so.

My wife and I had a D-Time with some elders earlier this evening and I really opened up with what's been going on in my life, my wife did the same, and our son, he was prideful and didn't really share much, except when he was hungry, he let us know about that. Anyway, I had some feelings and thoughts that were staggering up in my mind that I had briefly talked with my wife about, but I felt it was good to really get with them and talk to others outside of just me and my wife. I think this will need to become a staple in my marriage. I think we need to do more of that. Anyway, the night is short, so I will wrap it up and head off to bed. Love you all and hope to hear from you soon.

Wednesday, July 13th

Hello, all.

My QT for today was really interesting. I studied out Psalm 88. What I found interesting about it was how the writer was really in dispair and God let him "be." Usually, when you think of Psalms, you think of how in touch with emotions the writer is with himself. Psalm 88 is no different than that, however, when we also think of Psalms, you have a victorious ending to each Psalm. Well, with Psalm 88, I never really saw the silver lining on the proverbial cloud. God "let him be." And sometimes, I think that is how it should be. When we suffer, it is good to have friends and loved ones nurture us back to our true comfort zone, but then there are times when we need to feel our pain and really get real with ourselves. Writing this makes me think of the prodigal son story in the new testament. The son went out and had to hit bottom for him to really come back and get help. I think Psalm 88 may be more a prodigal son type story. Anyway, I would love to hear all of your thoughts. Below are the scriptures. Hope to hear from you all real soon.

Scriptures:

Psalm 88:1-18
1 O LORD, the God who saves me, day and night I cry out before you.
2 May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.
3 For my soul is full of trouble and my life draws near the grave.
4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.
5 I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.
6 You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.
7 Your wrath lies heavily upon me;you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. Selah
8 You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;
9 my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, O LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you.
10 Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do those who are dead rise up and praise you? Selah
11 Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction?
12 Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?
13 But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.
14 Why, O LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?
15 From my youth I have been afflicted and close to death; I have suffered your terrors and am in despair.
16 Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.
17 All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me.
18 You have taken my companions and loved ones from me; the darkness is my closest friend.

Side Note:
just something for fun, but I am doing the "beat the streak" with mlb.com and found it really entertaining to do. There are some really cool prizes, but I am more into for the bragging rights. Anyway, check it out if you are interested.

Tuesday - 7/12/05

An introduction, if you will:

This blog is just stating my thoughts of what I get out of my Quite Times (QT) each day. I pledge to write each day I am home (not on vacation), and if I do go out for a time, I will post an brief update of what went on and then continue on with the days learning. Of course, any thoughts and suggestions would be more than welcome.

On to today:

I studied briefly on access and what it means to have access to good and bad things. With the WWW, I found that I have all sorts of access to things. Being that I am an addict, I found that addiction to sexual things, chemical things, and everything else in the world is at my fingertips. Now, in regards to spiritual things, God obviously wants me to use the things given to me for the good of the world, to the good of the my family, the good for myself, and for the good of the kingdom. I found that the access can also mean obtain, and when I discovered that, I found a scripture that really brought it home for me. I will always list scriptures at the end of the post (for future reference). Anyway, I found my study today to be real eye opening. So without further ado, here are scriptures I studied today.

Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Proverbs 18:15The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out.

Revelation 13:14"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Proverbs12:2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.

John 5:31"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. 32There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
33"You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. 34Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be saved. 35John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
36"I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. 37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
41"I do not accept praise from men, 42but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. 43I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
45"But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. 46If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. 47But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Romans 7:14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Ephesians6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Helpful Links

I thought I would include a list of websites that have an abundance of information, whether about addiction or just for fun sort of stuff. After the link, I will provide some information as to what the website deals with.

Addiction Journal

A scientific journal about addiction. Covers all the bases. Really good if you want to do extensive research. Has links to other sites, as well, if you are interested in researching something else. Really useful site.

The Sex Addict

This should be straight forward based on the name. This site is good for those wanting to do more on recovery. This would not be for those who want to have the addiction, as I have heard people in the world joke about.

Chemical Recovery

Great for those who are looking for a recovery group. Has links to churchs all over the world, so if you go on vacation, you should be able to find a church close by. Also has tips and helpful things for the recovering addict.

The 3X Church

A really great site. Has accountability software that is free for those who struggle with the internet pornography.

Recovery Man

Good site. Geared for the sex addict to get pointers on recovery.

Recovery Website

Good site. Geared for the one helping a sex addict to get pointers on recovery.

Books on Sexual Addiction

Yet another good site. This one has books for the recovering sex addict.

Sharon O'Hara

Just a website on sexual addiction. A good article and gives some pointers for recovery.

The Anti-Drug

Tips and tools for the parents to help keep their kids from drugs. Good education website.

NIV Bible

The Bible's website. The best concordinance.

Atom Films

A link to the Star Wars fan films. Entertaining website.

The Force is with You

Another website for fan films for Star Wars. What you can't find on the first link, then use this one.

Power to Choose

A link to the cheapest power bill in the state of Texas.

Texas Tomorrow Funds

A link to the options for school for your little one. Lock in low rates.

Beat The Streak

A website to MLB. Get in on the "Beat the Streak" contest, which is FREE! I wouldn't do it otherwise.

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