Revelation 3:14-20
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You 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. I 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.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here 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 that person, and they with me.
I came across these verses during my Bible studies this past year and last week with a good friend of mine. Again, the message here is discussing people who are "nominal Christians" or lukewarm Christians. They claim they are Christians, but do not live a Christian lifestyle. This is not what God wants. I use to be lukewarm.
I witnessed this all the time during my Samford days. People claiming they were Christians and I saw them going out to bars all the time, getting drunk, sleeping around, cursing, etc etc...read Galatians 5. This was me. I was not living the Christian lifestyle. I knew I was sinning, but I felt that I could always ask for forgiveness. True, God forgives...but only if you truely Repent! I was clearly not living for God. I was clearly not in a repent mode. I struggled and I still struggle to this day. I have a hard time when I'm around friends sometimes or I'm at a happy hour with work or at a party. I try to resist any temptations (physical and mental) and I just try to surround myself around other Christians as much as possible. This is my family. These are my brothers and sisters.
This was the church that John was writing about in Revelation. The church and the believers were content, satisfied, half-full, not giving their life to Christ. And we shouldn't follow God in this manner. We should give Him 100%. Not just 50% or just worship Sundays. We need to give Him our all. Pray every single day. Serve people, serve the community. Read scripture every day. He's always listening to us. Always watching us and we should NOT be lukewarm because this is even worse than being a non-believer. We need to be fired up by the Word, about Christ...we need to be HOT!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Repentance
Ephesians 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Today as I was reading this verse, it made me think about my sin. There were many times in my life where I've cursed and had fits of rage. Both on the tennis court, at work, at school, and in my personal relationships with people.
The Bible warns us against this sin clearly. Specifically it warns us about unwholesome talk coming out of your mouths. That includes cursing, talking behind people's backs, slander, deceit, etc etc. These are things I've learned to control through the power of Jesus Christ. A lot of people don't think twice when they curse and I use to curse a lot honestly. It's such a common thing to do it that we tend to take it for granted. And now when I hear it both on television and from people, I try to turn myself away from it. I don't want to put myself in those situations. It's a sin. Yes Christian's sin, but Christians also repent and do everything that they can to turn away from sin. If you follow Jesus, you follow his teachings and that includes turning away from sin. Ridding yourself from sinful temptations and surrounding yourself with disciples - God's holy people.
Ephesians 5:3-7
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
Point clear. The Bible is warning us further of these sins including temptations and greed. These things should have no place in a Christian's life. There are many "nominal Christians" out there that believe that they can sin over and over again and just ask for forgiveness and be "forgiven". Yet, this is not what the Bible says. The principles of the Bible teach us to repent. How are you repenting if you sin and then ask for forgiveness, sin ask for forgiveness, and on and on. That's not repenting. Therefore, your truely not asking for forgiveness from God.
Repenting is turning away from sin and changing your mind. Taking a 180 degree turn and changing your life.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
It's deeper than just sinning and asking for forgiveness. If you sin and just ask for forgiveness, and then committ the same sins, then your without hope. This is fact when Jesus stated the Parable to two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
I thought this was a good lesson as I read this passage. Do God's will and repent. Change your MIND, your ATTITUDE, your THOUGHTS. Don't just go through the motions of asking for forgiveness. We need to match our actions with our words, including myself. Then someday we will have the blessing of being in God's kingdom. The door is narrow as Jesus said and people will knock and we won't know who they are. I don't want to be knocking.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Today as I was reading this verse, it made me think about my sin. There were many times in my life where I've cursed and had fits of rage. Both on the tennis court, at work, at school, and in my personal relationships with people.
The Bible warns us against this sin clearly. Specifically it warns us about unwholesome talk coming out of your mouths. That includes cursing, talking behind people's backs, slander, deceit, etc etc. These are things I've learned to control through the power of Jesus Christ. A lot of people don't think twice when they curse and I use to curse a lot honestly. It's such a common thing to do it that we tend to take it for granted. And now when I hear it both on television and from people, I try to turn myself away from it. I don't want to put myself in those situations. It's a sin. Yes Christian's sin, but Christians also repent and do everything that they can to turn away from sin. If you follow Jesus, you follow his teachings and that includes turning away from sin. Ridding yourself from sinful temptations and surrounding yourself with disciples - God's holy people.
Ephesians 5:3-7
But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
Point clear. The Bible is warning us further of these sins including temptations and greed. These things should have no place in a Christian's life. There are many "nominal Christians" out there that believe that they can sin over and over again and just ask for forgiveness and be "forgiven". Yet, this is not what the Bible says. The principles of the Bible teach us to repent. How are you repenting if you sin and then ask for forgiveness, sin ask for forgiveness, and on and on. That's not repenting. Therefore, your truely not asking for forgiveness from God.
Repenting is turning away from sin and changing your mind. Taking a 180 degree turn and changing your life.
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
It's deeper than just sinning and asking for forgiveness. If you sin and just ask for forgiveness, and then committ the same sins, then your without hope. This is fact when Jesus stated the Parable to two Sons in Matthew 21:28-32
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
“‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
I thought this was a good lesson as I read this passage. Do God's will and repent. Change your MIND, your ATTITUDE, your THOUGHTS. Don't just go through the motions of asking for forgiveness. We need to match our actions with our words, including myself. Then someday we will have the blessing of being in God's kingdom. The door is narrow as Jesus said and people will knock and we won't know who they are. I don't want to be knocking.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Narrow Door
Luke 13: 22-20
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
You know how some people have verses from the Bible that they remember or read over and over again? Well, this is the one that sticks out to me. This is probably one of the most powerful and eye opening verses in the Bible that I've ever read. And it's because this is probably the question that I've always asked myself and the question I probably would have also asked Jesus if I had come face to face with him..."are only a few people going to be saved?"
And His response is powerful and clear: He wants us to make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many will try to enter and will not be able to. Period. Point clear. Strait from Jesus. Strait from the Truth.
So what do you do? What did I do? The answers are all in the Word and these 5 steps. It may take a short period of time or it may take 29 years and specifically 7 months of studying like it did me. There's no time table.
(study with Charlie)
1) You hear the message (Romans 10: 17; Acts 2)
2) You come to your faith (Romans 10: 17; Hebrews 11:6, Acts 2)
3) You repent. Repent just doesn't mean asking for forgiveness. It means asking for forgiveness and turning away from sin. (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
4) You confess (Romans 10:9; Timothy 6:12)
5) Baptism = Salvation = Eternal Life
(Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-5; Matthew 28: 18-20; 1Peter 3:18-22; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-29)
There are many false doctrines and teachings out there. Books people write, their interpretations, their so-called beliefs. They are reading the Bible with a critical eye. This is not the way to read it. If you did read it with a critical eye, it becomes difficult, confusing, creates tension, guilt, debate etc etc.
The teachings then become difficult. It's simply not clear and this WAS the way I use to read it. I read into other people's views and followed them and the fact is that I should have had a critical on those books. Not the Bible and it's teachings.
The Word is meant to be clear. Clear enough for even a child to read. And it IS when you spend personal time studying the Bible. So I encourage people that do not know the TRUE meaning to sit down and study the Bible for themselves. It will change your life and you will have the opportunity to be born again because the DOOR IS NARROW and I honestly believe that. If you doubt it, then you are doubting GOD himself.
Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. 23 Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”
He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’
“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’
26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’
27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’
28 “There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. 29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. 30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”
You know how some people have verses from the Bible that they remember or read over and over again? Well, this is the one that sticks out to me. This is probably one of the most powerful and eye opening verses in the Bible that I've ever read. And it's because this is probably the question that I've always asked myself and the question I probably would have also asked Jesus if I had come face to face with him..."are only a few people going to be saved?"
And His response is powerful and clear: He wants us to make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many will try to enter and will not be able to. Period. Point clear. Strait from Jesus. Strait from the Truth.
So what do you do? What did I do? The answers are all in the Word and these 5 steps. It may take a short period of time or it may take 29 years and specifically 7 months of studying like it did me. There's no time table.
(study with Charlie)
1) You hear the message (Romans 10: 17; Acts 2)
2) You come to your faith (Romans 10: 17; Hebrews 11:6, Acts 2)
3) You repent. Repent just doesn't mean asking for forgiveness. It means asking for forgiveness and turning away from sin. (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38)
4) You confess (Romans 10:9; Timothy 6:12)
5) Baptism = Salvation = Eternal Life
(Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-5; Matthew 28: 18-20; 1Peter 3:18-22; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-29)
There are many false doctrines and teachings out there. Books people write, their interpretations, their so-called beliefs. They are reading the Bible with a critical eye. This is not the way to read it. If you did read it with a critical eye, it becomes difficult, confusing, creates tension, guilt, debate etc etc.
The teachings then become difficult. It's simply not clear and this WAS the way I use to read it. I read into other people's views and followed them and the fact is that I should have had a critical on those books. Not the Bible and it's teachings.
The Word is meant to be clear. Clear enough for even a child to read. And it IS when you spend personal time studying the Bible. So I encourage people that do not know the TRUE meaning to sit down and study the Bible for themselves. It will change your life and you will have the opportunity to be born again because the DOOR IS NARROW and I honestly believe that. If you doubt it, then you are doubting GOD himself.
Friday, September 17, 2010
its official
i'm a CPA! the day has finally come. i will post my story in another script. i could write a book about this.
if there's anything i learned from all this, its not the material that i studied, but its the fact to NEVER give up, EVER. God bless!
Update - My CPA license number is the following: CPA029074 issued on 11/23/2010
if there's anything i learned from all this, its not the material that i studied, but its the fact to NEVER give up, EVER. God bless!
Update - My CPA license number is the following: CPA029074 issued on 11/23/2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
RTR
well, Alabama opens the 2010 football season very soon. less than a month away. precisely 28 days, 8 hours, and 37 minutes aways :)
and guess what? they are currently ranked pre-season #1 which is pretty obvious. we lost a few guys on defense and that's pretty much it. but Alabama's depth is sick. they will probably have a better defense than last year just because of the experience and depth that they have. everyone is healthy. julio is healthy on offense. the offense is back which means ingram and richardson are back. i love ingram, but i can't wait to see what comes out of richardson. it will be a fun season. RTR and enjoy
and guess what? they are currently ranked pre-season #1 which is pretty obvious. we lost a few guys on defense and that's pretty much it. but Alabama's depth is sick. they will probably have a better defense than last year just because of the experience and depth that they have. everyone is healthy. julio is healthy on offense. the offense is back which means ingram and richardson are back. i love ingram, but i can't wait to see what comes out of richardson. it will be a fun season. RTR and enjoy
Sunday, July 25, 2010
July 25th - The Beginning
The Lord said to my Lord:
Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet
Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...save yourselves from this corrupt generation.
Today, July 25th, I was baptized. I never thought this day would ever happen to me in my wildest dreams. But I prayed and prayed, and I've finally received the gift of the Holy Spirit. A gift from God. The gift of eternal life!
I've confessed all my sins to God and I've made a covenent with Him. I will repent and keep the Truth alive. I know I won't be perfect and I know I will still of course sin...but I've done something the Bible asks us all to do - to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. I've been laughed at and laughed at those who followed Christ and asked me to repent and be "saved", made fun of, told to go to another church, told I was in a cult, told to change my ways, told its okay to do this and to do that, etc etc....these are all things the Bible says that will happen when you follow God. I'm prepared for this, because I'm prepared to live my life for God.
They think it is strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel is preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit....Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms....if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you....if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
I had my doubts for a long time, but the more scripture I read, the more it's real to me. I finally believe. But its not just believing in Jesus Christ and getting baptized. There's a lot more to it. There's a deeper meaning behind it. It's making a covenent with God. It's living your life each and every day for Him. It's repenting. It's serving. It's spreading the gospel. It's loving one another. It's avoiding being a worldly person and receiving the pleasures of a worldly world, and becoming a Godly person and living your life in a Godly way - just as Jesus Christ did. It's putting God first above everything else and trusting him. He provides the way. He makes the way for us. He provides the way out of everything if your lost, depressed, hopeless, addicted, etc. If I wasn't serious, I would NOT be writing this at all. People need to open their eyes, soften their hearts, and pray. This is REAL. People need to hear the message, repent, and be baptized. I'm not judging anyone. The Bible is clear. If Jesus came down from heaven right now, right this minute, right this second, and asked me why are you doing this Andres? I would read Scripture and ask Him, "isn't that what you asked us to do?"
I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit.
The Bible says to be baptized. Jesus was baptized. The end of one of the gospels talks about it. The whole book of Acts talks about it!
Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
How can people think that this isn't real? I can't answer that. All I know is that I'm trying to live my life for God. I'm trying to live my life and do what the Bible tells us to do. I think sometimes people forget the scriptures. They tend to get lost in translation and write their own books, comments, websites, etc....when in fact the Scriptures were written under the power of God and should not be questioned and made clear to everyone. I will not question that, and I will no longer question whether I'm a Christian anymore. I know what Christianity is and I am now officially a brother and disciple of Jesus Christ and I'm honored to be serving him.
Father, I thank you for this day. I thank you for everything you've done in my life. I thank you for everything you've provided in my life and making this day finally happen. You've been with me at every moment in my life and witnessed every sin I've committed...and I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to us so that all my sins may be forgiven.
Give me the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to keep your will done, because I know that this is just the beginning. Help me to serve YOU and keep YOU first each and every day. I pray for all those around me, both believers and non-believers. I pray that you soften their hearts just as you did mine, so that they may be revealed to You in the true sense. I pray for all my friends and family, and that you bless and be with each one of them.
I thank you for making Jesus both Lord and Christ.
Today I now live for You, in Him
Amen
Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet
Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...save yourselves from this corrupt generation.
Today, July 25th, I was baptized. I never thought this day would ever happen to me in my wildest dreams. But I prayed and prayed, and I've finally received the gift of the Holy Spirit. A gift from God. The gift of eternal life!
I've confessed all my sins to God and I've made a covenent with Him. I will repent and keep the Truth alive. I know I won't be perfect and I know I will still of course sin...but I've done something the Bible asks us all to do - to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. I've been laughed at and laughed at those who followed Christ and asked me to repent and be "saved", made fun of, told to go to another church, told I was in a cult, told to change my ways, told its okay to do this and to do that, etc etc....these are all things the Bible says that will happen when you follow God. I'm prepared for this, because I'm prepared to live my life for God.
They think it is strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel is preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit....Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms....if you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you....if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
I had my doubts for a long time, but the more scripture I read, the more it's real to me. I finally believe. But its not just believing in Jesus Christ and getting baptized. There's a lot more to it. There's a deeper meaning behind it. It's making a covenent with God. It's living your life each and every day for Him. It's repenting. It's serving. It's spreading the gospel. It's loving one another. It's avoiding being a worldly person and receiving the pleasures of a worldly world, and becoming a Godly person and living your life in a Godly way - just as Jesus Christ did. It's putting God first above everything else and trusting him. He provides the way. He makes the way for us. He provides the way out of everything if your lost, depressed, hopeless, addicted, etc. If I wasn't serious, I would NOT be writing this at all. People need to open their eyes, soften their hearts, and pray. This is REAL. People need to hear the message, repent, and be baptized. I'm not judging anyone. The Bible is clear. If Jesus came down from heaven right now, right this minute, right this second, and asked me why are you doing this Andres? I would read Scripture and ask Him, "isn't that what you asked us to do?"
I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. How can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born! Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to the Spirit.
The Bible says to be baptized. Jesus was baptized. The end of one of the gospels talks about it. The whole book of Acts talks about it!
Then Jesus came to them and said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
How can people think that this isn't real? I can't answer that. All I know is that I'm trying to live my life for God. I'm trying to live my life and do what the Bible tells us to do. I think sometimes people forget the scriptures. They tend to get lost in translation and write their own books, comments, websites, etc....when in fact the Scriptures were written under the power of God and should not be questioned and made clear to everyone. I will not question that, and I will no longer question whether I'm a Christian anymore. I know what Christianity is and I am now officially a brother and disciple of Jesus Christ and I'm honored to be serving him.
Father, I thank you for this day. I thank you for everything you've done in my life. I thank you for everything you've provided in my life and making this day finally happen. You've been with me at every moment in my life and witnessed every sin I've committed...and I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to us so that all my sins may be forgiven.
Give me the strength and power of the Holy Spirit to keep your will done, because I know that this is just the beginning. Help me to serve YOU and keep YOU first each and every day. I pray for all those around me, both believers and non-believers. I pray that you soften their hearts just as you did mine, so that they may be revealed to You in the true sense. I pray for all my friends and family, and that you bless and be with each one of them.
I thank you for making Jesus both Lord and Christ.
Today I now live for You, in Him
Amen
Monday, June 28, 2010
i don't get it.....
we just got back from montgomery this past weekend with Emma. we had a total blast! it was a fun road trip and i can't wait to take more with her in the future. we hung out at my brother and wife's tennis club and we went to the pool on saturday with some friends. saturday night we had a bunch of friends come over and we all celebrated Em's 4th birthday. it was so much fun and Em was clearly the entertainment of the night. we danced, laughed, cried, ate, and talked all night. it was complete.
this week is my last week at GE. my friend left today and moved back to Boston so its really quiet around here now. next week i have the whole week off before i start back at E&Y and i'm trying to decide what to do? i'm thinking i'm just going to fly somewhere random. maybe NYC or L.A. i just need to get away and relax before i start the grind again of public accounting. i need to just meditate a bit about everything.
which leads me to my next subject, God. my last post talked about how i get it now. well, i don't really. the only person that probably got it was Jesus and His followers. that's why i hold on to Christianity as my foundation though. its an on going battle with me and it has taken me to many eccentric places. i'm just trying to get it. not like the crazy women at church that look posessed when their singing or those people that throw their hands up in the air and wave 'em. i'm trying to get a feeling of purity, content, and amazingness. sort of a metaphoria high i think? the kind that wakes you up and i'm struggling with it right now. it's almost becoming something i've become obsessive about and i'm praying every day about it.
religion is just a structure and people/society like structure in their daily lives. i think we all need some form of structure and that's why different religions have different hours/days of meditation and prayer. when i go to the middle east, i hear prayer calls across the cities every 3 hours or so. when i go to a catholic or protestant church, there is structure to the service. there is structure at work. there is structure all around us. people have goals and create a so called "path" which parallels a certain structure to life. we never know what life holds for us in the future. or do we really?
we are all going to die someday. i remember when i was a kid growing up asking the priest in the Catholic school that i went to specifically how do i know that i'm going to heaven when i die? and the priest looked at me and said, you don't know and you won't know until the day you die. that response has kind of scared me and which is why i've been searching for so many years.
one of the things i've realized though is that i need to quit reading too much into this stuff and start looking at myself and not what other's say or say to believe. i analyze too much which is probably just the CPA in me. everything that i've read about religion, sects, cults, etc etc has been based on what other people have published or put up on their websites. it's their opinions, yes, and i respect them. but to me, Christianity and my knowledge of it is often described from someone else's point of view. and if it's from someone elses point of view, i guess i don't really know what i'm after or what i'm trying to feel or gain by all of this...or do i? i'm just going by what the Bible says and not what people say. if i want to validate something, i'm going to validate it through the Bible and not what others say.
what i've learned from the Bible thus far is that Christianity is based upon the belief that the man Jesus, was both Lord and Christ. what that means is that He is Master and Savior. and if you truely believe that he died for all of us and rose from the dead, then you are "saved". in the new testament, it says to repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...to make disciples of all nations...to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit....and when people hear or read this, they need to be cut to the heart. i'm waiting to be cut to the heart.
honestly, the closest i've felt to God or when i've felt cut to the heart is when Emma was born. i felt unconditional love for her and this is what the Bible preaches...this unconditional or agape Love that God has for you. this is probably the most difficult thing i struggle with also because there are so many evil things in the world today and there is so much hatred out there. when Jesus was crucified or when Stephen was stoned, they both said Lord, please forgive them or do not hold this sin against them.....really, how many of us would be saying that when we are put in that same situation?
i don't know if i'll ever get to that point in my life, but what i do know is that im on my own path and journey. i'm trying to just get it? is it really a feeling at all or is it just something people act out? i felt something when Emma was born that i can't compare to anything else. maybe this is what i'm waiting. or is it?
this week is my last week at GE. my friend left today and moved back to Boston so its really quiet around here now. next week i have the whole week off before i start back at E&Y and i'm trying to decide what to do? i'm thinking i'm just going to fly somewhere random. maybe NYC or L.A. i just need to get away and relax before i start the grind again of public accounting. i need to just meditate a bit about everything.
which leads me to my next subject, God. my last post talked about how i get it now. well, i don't really. the only person that probably got it was Jesus and His followers. that's why i hold on to Christianity as my foundation though. its an on going battle with me and it has taken me to many eccentric places. i'm just trying to get it. not like the crazy women at church that look posessed when their singing or those people that throw their hands up in the air and wave 'em. i'm trying to get a feeling of purity, content, and amazingness. sort of a metaphoria high i think? the kind that wakes you up and i'm struggling with it right now. it's almost becoming something i've become obsessive about and i'm praying every day about it.
religion is just a structure and people/society like structure in their daily lives. i think we all need some form of structure and that's why different religions have different hours/days of meditation and prayer. when i go to the middle east, i hear prayer calls across the cities every 3 hours or so. when i go to a catholic or protestant church, there is structure to the service. there is structure at work. there is structure all around us. people have goals and create a so called "path" which parallels a certain structure to life. we never know what life holds for us in the future. or do we really?
we are all going to die someday. i remember when i was a kid growing up asking the priest in the Catholic school that i went to specifically how do i know that i'm going to heaven when i die? and the priest looked at me and said, you don't know and you won't know until the day you die. that response has kind of scared me and which is why i've been searching for so many years.
one of the things i've realized though is that i need to quit reading too much into this stuff and start looking at myself and not what other's say or say to believe. i analyze too much which is probably just the CPA in me. everything that i've read about religion, sects, cults, etc etc has been based on what other people have published or put up on their websites. it's their opinions, yes, and i respect them. but to me, Christianity and my knowledge of it is often described from someone else's point of view. and if it's from someone elses point of view, i guess i don't really know what i'm after or what i'm trying to feel or gain by all of this...or do i? i'm just going by what the Bible says and not what people say. if i want to validate something, i'm going to validate it through the Bible and not what others say.
what i've learned from the Bible thus far is that Christianity is based upon the belief that the man Jesus, was both Lord and Christ. what that means is that He is Master and Savior. and if you truely believe that he died for all of us and rose from the dead, then you are "saved". in the new testament, it says to repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins...to make disciples of all nations...to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit....and when people hear or read this, they need to be cut to the heart. i'm waiting to be cut to the heart.
honestly, the closest i've felt to God or when i've felt cut to the heart is when Emma was born. i felt unconditional love for her and this is what the Bible preaches...this unconditional or agape Love that God has for you. this is probably the most difficult thing i struggle with also because there are so many evil things in the world today and there is so much hatred out there. when Jesus was crucified or when Stephen was stoned, they both said Lord, please forgive them or do not hold this sin against them.....really, how many of us would be saying that when we are put in that same situation?
i don't know if i'll ever get to that point in my life, but what i do know is that im on my own path and journey. i'm trying to just get it? is it really a feeling at all or is it just something people act out? i felt something when Emma was born that i can't compare to anything else. maybe this is what i'm waiting. or is it?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
i finally get it
well, its been a while since my last post and a lot has happened since. first of, i'm going back into public accounting and back to E&Y!! i'm really excited about the opportunity. traveling the world has been great and i've met so many people along the way. i feel very blessed and fortunate to have seen some of the places that i went. my last trip brought be back from Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia. Singapore is very much like the western world. Jakarta, Indonesia is 3rd world. lots of poverty and terrorism. Australia was by far the coolest what little time i spent there. country is beautiful and people are happy. hopefully someday i'll be back over there. its going to be tough now since i wont be traveling much anymore on business.
well, recently...i say recently but probably the last 6 months or so, i've been studying the Bible each and every night. i started really getting into it since my incident in Brazil. the more i read and study it's meanings, the more my life has been changing and turning toward a new direction. i've had ups and downs along the way of course. i know everyone is not perfect but i've met some really awesome people that have picked me up because thats what brothers and sisters do when friends have troubles.
i've been in a sort of denial for the last 10 years or so since i left college. i thought i knew it all and i was proud of my beliefs. i had a hard and heavy heart, the opposite of what God wants. i laughed at those who were religious and thought they were brainwashed. exactly like the people laughed at Christians in the Bible. i thought i knew it all. that was me. now my heart is soft and my life and attitude has changed dramatically.
yesterday i met a man named Scotty Spencer. he has had lou gehrig's disease for 12 years. people with this disease typically only live 5-7 years after they are diagnosed. i ate dinner over there and spent time with him and about 6 other people. we shared our beliefs and stories. Scotty shared his and it touched my heart. he was recently baptized and the documentary they showed put a tear in my eye. i feel very blessed and fortunate to be where i'm at today after last night. any one of us could easily not be here tomorrow and i want to make an impact. i want to be a spiritual leader to Emma and others. i want to be able to teach and reach out to others. i finally get it. it's taken 20 years, but i finally get it.
well, recently...i say recently but probably the last 6 months or so, i've been studying the Bible each and every night. i started really getting into it since my incident in Brazil. the more i read and study it's meanings, the more my life has been changing and turning toward a new direction. i've had ups and downs along the way of course. i know everyone is not perfect but i've met some really awesome people that have picked me up because thats what brothers and sisters do when friends have troubles.
i've been in a sort of denial for the last 10 years or so since i left college. i thought i knew it all and i was proud of my beliefs. i had a hard and heavy heart, the opposite of what God wants. i laughed at those who were religious and thought they were brainwashed. exactly like the people laughed at Christians in the Bible. i thought i knew it all. that was me. now my heart is soft and my life and attitude has changed dramatically.
yesterday i met a man named Scotty Spencer. he has had lou gehrig's disease for 12 years. people with this disease typically only live 5-7 years after they are diagnosed. i ate dinner over there and spent time with him and about 6 other people. we shared our beliefs and stories. Scotty shared his and it touched my heart. he was recently baptized and the documentary they showed put a tear in my eye. i feel very blessed and fortunate to be where i'm at today after last night. any one of us could easily not be here tomorrow and i want to make an impact. i want to be a spiritual leader to Emma and others. i want to be able to teach and reach out to others. i finally get it. it's taken 20 years, but i finally get it.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Asia/Pacific 2010 - Part 1: Singapore
after 20 hours of flying, i'm finally in Singapore. well, i think it was about 23-24 hours total travel time because of delays. we flew in a 747 this time. i havent been in one of those since my first trip abroad about 10 years ago. the first class/business class "looked" awesome (note the quotes)...but, since i flew coach this time around, that was by far the longest and most uncomfortable trip for me since i've been traveling. at least i had an aisle seat so i could get up when i wanted. i dont know if i can keep sacrificing my body in coach for a small incentive.
well, my first stop this trip takes me here...Singapore noted above. i forgot how nice it is here. weather is hot pretty much all year around, very clean (hence the no gum law), everyone speaks english, and first class service. maybe thats just because i stay in my hotel pretty much the whole time and i never wonder around. forgive me if i get cabin fever....i mean hotel fever. singapore always kinda reminded me of Miami. i think its just the hot humid weather, the skyscrapers, and the palm trees. definitely no cubans here though (the physical people, not the cigars)...well at least not that i know of.
i also feel very safe here. all criminal activity is strongly punished....either they give you the death penalty, they cane you, fine you, or give you very long jail time if you commit any crime. and they clearly remind you of this on the immigration form that you have to sign when you enter the country. so no gum or trafficking of gum for me to Singapore.
and a quick status update regarding the cpa exam...BEC. MUST PASS. im taking this last section on May 26th and then i'm heading out of town with someone i really like :) then my life will be free finally!! ahhhh it will be a good feeling...i hope to experience bliss!
also, Emma's 4th birthday is in 2 days (cinco de mayo)! i hate that i'm over here this year missing it. makes me numb, but i love you bunny and i miss you and think about you every day.
more to come on this trip....
well, my first stop this trip takes me here...Singapore noted above. i forgot how nice it is here. weather is hot pretty much all year around, very clean (hence the no gum law), everyone speaks english, and first class service. maybe thats just because i stay in my hotel pretty much the whole time and i never wonder around. forgive me if i get cabin fever....i mean hotel fever. singapore always kinda reminded me of Miami. i think its just the hot humid weather, the skyscrapers, and the palm trees. definitely no cubans here though (the physical people, not the cigars)...well at least not that i know of.
i also feel very safe here. all criminal activity is strongly punished....either they give you the death penalty, they cane you, fine you, or give you very long jail time if you commit any crime. and they clearly remind you of this on the immigration form that you have to sign when you enter the country. so no gum or trafficking of gum for me to Singapore.
and a quick status update regarding the cpa exam...BEC. MUST PASS. im taking this last section on May 26th and then i'm heading out of town with someone i really like :) then my life will be free finally!! ahhhh it will be a good feeling...i hope to experience bliss!
also, Emma's 4th birthday is in 2 days (cinco de mayo)! i hate that i'm over here this year missing it. makes me numb, but i love you bunny and i miss you and think about you every day.
more to come on this trip....
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Latin America 2010
im currently in Maracaibo, Venezuela right now. today is my last day. this has been a 3 week trip so far. its been a very eventful trip so far. in Sao Paulo, Brazil we got robbed at gunpoint and my co-worker got his laptop and personal stuff stolen. it was a pretty scary moment for all of us. i had flashbacks of when i got a gun put to my head in Montgomery. i remained calm and fortunately everyone was ok. right in the middle of broad daylight too in traffic. was crazy! otherwise, everyone i've come across has been very nice to us. its very hot down here and i've seen some pretty interesting places.
and right before this trip i took financial. i hope i passed because if i did, then the world and my future is mine! i miss Emmita a lot too. i think about her every single day. i can't wait to see you hunny and play tennis with you, read to you, and tuck you in at night. i love you and i'll see you soon.
some pics of Venezuela:
Monday, January 18, 2010
Viva Mexico!!
well, i'm currently in mexico city, mexico right now. kind of practicing my spanish....so SAD! i haven't been able to see much of the city or do anything at all just because i'm working all day and then i come back to the hotel, eat, and then study. financial is kicking my butt. sooooo much material. but i'm just trying to piecemeal it one at a time. i know i can do this and will do this. i'm also missing Emma a lot. i think about her every single day. she's always in my heart and i carry a photo of her everywhere i go so she's the last person i see before i go to bed. i love you em and i'll see you very soon....with lots of presents of course :)
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