Happy New Year to each and every one of you!! I pray for you all to have the most wonderful year ever, in every way possible. It’s been far too long…once again; since I have shared my thoughts with you all. I want you all to know that even though it seems like this disease has progressed, BUT...so has MY faith which still stands in our Father God, His miraculous healing powers and the knowledge that He is in charge of everything. With that said I hope that you are standing in your faith as well for whatever your personal situation is at this time.
The title for this blog comes from an experience that I had this past summer. It was when I was on my way out to Florida for the drug treatment/study that I am involved with for the ALS that has affected my earthly body presently. And I say “presently”, because I refuse to accept that my time is up here until God calls me home. Only God knows when our time is up here, so that is my stance, and I hope it is yours as well!
What I experienced this past summer however, was in the form of a song sung by a particular young man I met in Destin Florida. It’s an old song from the 70’s that was originally done by The Allman Brothers. I don’t believe that I had ever heard it prior to that, and if I had, I didn’t remember it. The young man I am making reference to is Forrest Williams. He, his wife Pherrel (who played keyboard) and Dwayne (the drummer) made up the Forrest Williams Band. I got inspiration from this song immediately, and I do still today. I’ll provide the lyrics below so you can read them. To me; at this particular juncture find myself at this time in my life…it really made an impression on me in a positive way.
The first lyrics that I noticed was the chorus…I guess that is the way it normally is, because they are repeated throughout the song. But this chorus is a powerful one – I think. It is a song about life and how “your soul shine” is so important, and that should be what people think of when they think of you. I personally hope that is what people think of us all when they think of us as humans…let alone as Christians.
This just rang true to my soul…I want this to be the way people see me, BUT I also want God to be a major portion of this equation. As a matter of fact I want it be HIS light that shines deep from my soul – God’s soul shine…I just want to be the bearer of His eternal light. Maybe that is something for us all to strive for!
Until next time…
Father God I come before you asking that you let ME be the bearer of YOUR LIGHT…let it shine from me to guide myself and whoever will follow me to Your side…I pray to you Father God to use me as You see fit, and that the strength that You provide for me to continue this journey will shine from my very soul for the world to see. I thank You Father, I love You with all heart and I am so glad you find me worthy to be a servant of Yours. All of this I pray in Your name, Amen.
Soul Shine
by: The Alman Brother's
When you can't find the light,
That got you through the cloudy days,
When the stars ain't shinin' bright,
You feel like you've lost you're way,
When those candle lights of home,
Burn so very far away,
Well you got to let your soul shine,
Just like my daddy used to say.
(Chorus)
He used to say soulshine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.
Yeah now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometime,
Got to let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.
I grew up thinkin' that I had it made,
Gonna make it on my own.
Life can take the strongest man,
Make him feel so alone.
Now sometimes I feel a cold wind,
Blowin' through my achin' bones,
I think back to what my daddy said,
He said "Boy, in the darkness before the dawn:"
[Chorus]
Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.
Yeah now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.
Sometimes a man can feel this emptiness,
Like a woman has robbed him of his very soul.
A woman too, God knows, she can feel like this.
And when your world seems cold, you got to let your spirit take control.
[Chorus]
Let your soul shine,
It's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.
Lord now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.
Oh, it's better than sunshine,
It's better than moonshine,
Damn sure better than rain.
Yeah now people don't mind,
We all get this way sometimes,
Gotta let your soul shine, shine till the break of day.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, November 18, 2010
God’s Surrogate Family for Us
Hello to all…I hope that you all are having the most awe inspired day of your life, and…more importantly; that if it doesn’t seem that it is right now – know that God is there, and you are right where He needs “you” to be. So make the most of each and every day always striving to move closer to Him.
Recently I had the honor of giving my testimony at my church, and if you have been reading my blog’s, or if you know me; you know that I am not able to speak clearly due to Bulbar ALS. A disease I was diagnosed with last March. But in our walk with God He expects you to overcome these minor obstacles by giving you options, and a choice to make once you have gotten the point where He needs you t make that choice. You see we are to push on no matter what our earthly body throws our way – keeping in mind that it is His plan all alone. So…
I asked a very dear friend of mine; Melonie (who is able to understand me most of the time), to speak for me…as she always does…lol, but I am so grateful that God has put her in my life. We knew each other in school, but as in so many cases we hung out with different groups of our piers. We were reacquainted in February when she was involved with a benefit for a classmate who had a brain tumor. Our classmate and friend has since passed away. But we know she is with God now…and is in a much better place even though we all miss her dearly. My point is…that even though we may not see it; God is going to put the people in our lives that He needs there…like Melonie was placed in my life by God.
And NOT just Melonie…He, God has placed so many people in my life. I think of them as my angels, an entire army of them!! And God had them all in place where they needed to be even before there was a need for them. One such angel is my friend Emmett. God place him in my life over 2 years ago…long before I was showing any signs of this illness. He has pretty much taken over the benefit organizational efforts, because he has been involved with benefits for other people this past year, so I sit here and think, "just how good is Our God"...He has everything in place before you or I could ever realize we need anything. Thank You Father God!!
And it doesn't stop with Melonie and Emmett, there are so many other angels...friend’s - old and new. Friends from High School, friends that I haven't seen in years...people that I have just met...people who love me enough to give of their time and efforts! All I can imagine is that it "HAS" to be the hand of God. And my family, I can’t begin to tell you all how supportive that they have been. And all these people who have come together in some strange way because of me, and to make it all better we are growing closer...we all have become a surrogate family. All this, and then God leads me to an awesome church through my friend Gwen (who I met in February at my classmates benefit), and my new church family who is full of some of the most loving, Godly people that I have ever met...who have also taken me in with open arms and an over abundant love.
I don't know if I am worthy of this attention, but as our pastor said on Sunday - God do with me as You will. I pray that I am able to uphold whatever God is using me for. I'm not perfect by any means, so I know this is the workings of God, and this is only one of the many things that He is doing through me...that He is doing through us all.
until next time...
Father God I ask You to continue the work that You have started in, and through me – for it is You Father and You alone that can do anything like what is going on in my life. Father I am not worthy, but I will continue this until You deem it not relevant any longer…until Your task is complete. I ask You to continue to guide me in all that I do, for You to continue to be my rock, my foundation and my stronghold. I thank You Father for finding something in me that is worthy, I praise You, I love You and I thank You for all You do for me...in Jesus' sweet name, Amen.
Recently I had the honor of giving my testimony at my church, and if you have been reading my blog’s, or if you know me; you know that I am not able to speak clearly due to Bulbar ALS. A disease I was diagnosed with last March. But in our walk with God He expects you to overcome these minor obstacles by giving you options, and a choice to make once you have gotten the point where He needs you t make that choice. You see we are to push on no matter what our earthly body throws our way – keeping in mind that it is His plan all alone. So…
I asked a very dear friend of mine; Melonie (who is able to understand me most of the time), to speak for me…as she always does…lol, but I am so grateful that God has put her in my life. We knew each other in school, but as in so many cases we hung out with different groups of our piers. We were reacquainted in February when she was involved with a benefit for a classmate who had a brain tumor. Our classmate and friend has since passed away. But we know she is with God now…and is in a much better place even though we all miss her dearly. My point is…that even though we may not see it; God is going to put the people in our lives that He needs there…like Melonie was placed in my life by God.
And NOT just Melonie…He, God has placed so many people in my life. I think of them as my angels, an entire army of them!! And God had them all in place where they needed to be even before there was a need for them. One such angel is my friend Emmett. God place him in my life over 2 years ago…long before I was showing any signs of this illness. He has pretty much taken over the benefit organizational efforts, because he has been involved with benefits for other people this past year, so I sit here and think, "just how good is Our God"...He has everything in place before you or I could ever realize we need anything. Thank You Father God!!
And it doesn't stop with Melonie and Emmett, there are so many other angels...friend’s - old and new. Friends from High School, friends that I haven't seen in years...people that I have just met...people who love me enough to give of their time and efforts! All I can imagine is that it "HAS" to be the hand of God. And my family, I can’t begin to tell you all how supportive that they have been. And all these people who have come together in some strange way because of me, and to make it all better we are growing closer...we all have become a surrogate family. All this, and then God leads me to an awesome church through my friend Gwen (who I met in February at my classmates benefit), and my new church family who is full of some of the most loving, Godly people that I have ever met...who have also taken me in with open arms and an over abundant love.
I don't know if I am worthy of this attention, but as our pastor said on Sunday - God do with me as You will. I pray that I am able to uphold whatever God is using me for. I'm not perfect by any means, so I know this is the workings of God, and this is only one of the many things that He is doing through me...that He is doing through us all.
until next time...
Father God I ask You to continue the work that You have started in, and through me – for it is You Father and You alone that can do anything like what is going on in my life. Father I am not worthy, but I will continue this until You deem it not relevant any longer…until Your task is complete. I ask You to continue to guide me in all that I do, for You to continue to be my rock, my foundation and my stronghold. I thank You Father for finding something in me that is worthy, I praise You, I love You and I thank You for all You do for me...in Jesus' sweet name, Amen.
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Friday, October 8, 2010
Acceptance and God’s Will For Us
Good day to you all and I hope that the Lord has you all wrapped up in His love today, because He is a good and gracious Lord That we all need and the good thing for us is that He wants us near Him…always.
”Acceptance”…I was given a bracelet with that one single word on it from a friend not too long ago, and I accepted it with honor, but I didn’t truly understand it; that word “Acceptance”, until just the other day. A dear friend of mine and I went to lunch…we are a suckers for grits, eggs over easy, and let’s not forget that crispy bacon from iHop in the middle of the day. Little did we know that God had something in store for us that day. See; He never stops, He never sleeps...kind of like the internet…He is a source of not just information – BUT the truth, and “it” is never ending. AND He just keeps moving forward with “His” plan, unfolding it as He goes.
We had been there the week before, and had a waiter that was not very charismatic at all, and he was just going through the motions of fulfilling his obligation to serve us. Now that waiter we had this day was full of life, he was very friendly, smiling all the time. He had a good spirit about him. You could tell he had “accepted” where he was in his life. Now just because we “accept” where we are in life; doesn’t mean that is where we are going to stay. I personally believe that it is just the opposite. Because acceptance is going to help bring us joy where we are right then and there…wherever we are in our lives; just as God wants us to live our lives. Because when we accept our position…we are able to allow God to work through us. He is able to shine in everything we do. And then God can bless us and move us to the next place we are suppose to be at in His Master Plan.
We went back to lunch there again this week…and we asked for Dwayne, our new friend (and I encourage you too also – he is a blessing to be around). The previous week I stayed behind and with the use of my iPad (a recent addition to my communication efforts with the general public). I was able to explain to him what was going on in my life. He shared with us how he was able to think about what I had told him about this disease that I have, and how “he” was able to gain some inspiration from my testimony. He told us about a guy he knew in High School who was disabled, BUT who was always happy…once again his High School classmate had “accepted” where he was, so he was able to get up each day and make the decision to be happy and let his inner light shine. Let his “Soul Shine”…the main thing is that if we accept where we are in our lives, and let out “Soul Shine”...we will be a walking billboard for Christ and His light will be the only light that people will be able to see emanating from "us"…
Until next time…
Father God I thank You for MY “acceptance” for where You have me presently. For I know You don’t intend for me to stay here at this place, that this is just a stepping stone on the journey that You have in store for me…Father I also thank You for allowing Your light to shine through me and that You are able to use me as an inspiration for others. We all are a part of Your master plan Father…I ask You to continue using me, continue to place me in peoples lives so that they can see my “Soul Shine”; which is nothing more than You living in my heart Father. These things we pray in Jesus’ name…Amen.
”Acceptance”…I was given a bracelet with that one single word on it from a friend not too long ago, and I accepted it with honor, but I didn’t truly understand it; that word “Acceptance”, until just the other day. A dear friend of mine and I went to lunch…we are a suckers for grits, eggs over easy, and let’s not forget that crispy bacon from iHop in the middle of the day. Little did we know that God had something in store for us that day. See; He never stops, He never sleeps...kind of like the internet…He is a source of not just information – BUT the truth, and “it” is never ending. AND He just keeps moving forward with “His” plan, unfolding it as He goes.
We had been there the week before, and had a waiter that was not very charismatic at all, and he was just going through the motions of fulfilling his obligation to serve us. Now that waiter we had this day was full of life, he was very friendly, smiling all the time. He had a good spirit about him. You could tell he had “accepted” where he was in his life. Now just because we “accept” where we are in life; doesn’t mean that is where we are going to stay. I personally believe that it is just the opposite. Because acceptance is going to help bring us joy where we are right then and there…wherever we are in our lives; just as God wants us to live our lives. Because when we accept our position…we are able to allow God to work through us. He is able to shine in everything we do. And then God can bless us and move us to the next place we are suppose to be at in His Master Plan.
We went back to lunch there again this week…and we asked for Dwayne, our new friend (and I encourage you too also – he is a blessing to be around). The previous week I stayed behind and with the use of my iPad (a recent addition to my communication efforts with the general public). I was able to explain to him what was going on in my life. He shared with us how he was able to think about what I had told him about this disease that I have, and how “he” was able to gain some inspiration from my testimony. He told us about a guy he knew in High School who was disabled, BUT who was always happy…once again his High School classmate had “accepted” where he was, so he was able to get up each day and make the decision to be happy and let his inner light shine. Let his “Soul Shine”…the main thing is that if we accept where we are in our lives, and let out “Soul Shine”...we will be a walking billboard for Christ and His light will be the only light that people will be able to see emanating from "us"…
Until next time…
Father God I thank You for MY “acceptance” for where You have me presently. For I know You don’t intend for me to stay here at this place, that this is just a stepping stone on the journey that You have in store for me…Father I also thank You for allowing Your light to shine through me and that You are able to use me as an inspiration for others. We all are a part of Your master plan Father…I ask You to continue using me, continue to place me in peoples lives so that they can see my “Soul Shine”; which is nothing more than You living in my heart Father. These things we pray in Jesus’ name…Amen.
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Monday, September 6, 2010
The Holy Spirit Puts Me At Peace; While Traveling At 80 mph
Good Day to you all!! I pray that you are all doing well today, and this finds you living and loving God the way He loves to be loved by us...His prized possessions. I have been expanding on this diagnosis that I received in March for a couple of blogs, and I hope that you all are not getting tired of hearing about it. Because this is where God has me right now. And I believe I will be here at this place until He totally heals my body, SO that I will be one of His many miracles and that I can move on to His next assignment that He has in store for me. As I had to tell my precious Mother not too long ago; "this is MY journey Mom...not yours. No matter HOW badly you want to take away my pain...this disease...you can't. This is what God designed ME for"...It truly hurt me to have to tell my Mom this because it is our Godly duty as parents to want the very best for our children, as it is with God. But, it is the truth. And no matter how badly she wants to take away this disease from me...and preserve it for me...it is my journey, not hers. Prior to having to tell her this I had gone for a motorcycle ride...and it was there on my bike....that the Holy Spirit put me at peace with my diagnosis.
I really don't know if it was at 80, but that sounds about right...lol...and I am at peace; not that I have every really worried about this disease, BUT to truly understand what the Holy Spirit shared with me that day...has given me total insight to where I am and how God works. And I am not scared now at all. As a matter of fact it is now my job to put all of you at ease about this disease. And that is how powerful this message is, so I ask you all to truly open your hearts as you read this and let God into the deepest parts of your hearts to do whatever it is He intends for you to receive from this message. It is so fundamentally simple too...as always, the most difficult thing is to listen to Him and "let" Him have complete control of your life.
He came to me, not in a physical form...but in my mind, and shared this with me. He knows every hair on my head. He is the beginning and the end...He has known me since I was in my Mother's womb. He knows what He has in store for my life...there is NO reason to be scared or worry about this, because no matter what, I will be in the presence of OUR Lord.
That was it...plain and simple and straight to the point - just the way I like it...LOL...He is a good God. This put me in such a relaxed frame of mind...total peace. Most likely for the first time in my life too. My life over the past almost 2 years has been leading me up to this point. He has been getting me ready for this very place. He removed all my distractions, (my home, my job...my bills - not that they are paid off, but we'll cover that in another blog). I feel as if I have been in the furnace this entire time and that God has been molding me into a totally different person...one that is much closer to Him than I would have been otherwise. You see by Him taking away all that I have had in the past, He has made me "depend" totally upon Him. It has been a process, and I would be lying if I told you that it was painless. BUT here I am today...in the worlds eyes, I have an incurable disease, but in my eyes I am living proof that if we trust God - He will take care of us...NO matter what we see happening in our lives.
This peace I now feel is overwhelming at times because I still see the hurt and pain in my loved ones eyes. The thought of them losing me hurts them...so I am grateful that God has given me this insight to share with them...BECAUSE it applies to them as well...to ALL of you for that matter, AND I so want you all to feel this peace that I now feel and have felt for quite some time now. And not only for me and where I am, BUT mainly for you all in your lives...this is such a blessing to have this freedom from worry...and you can apply it to everything in your life!!! No matter what...you can have this same gift from God if you can open your hearts to Him...and totally trust Him. Listen for guidance from the Holy Spirit...He is our gift from God so that we can hear from God Himself...and He brings peace whereever He goes.
until next time....
Father God I thank You with all my heart for allowing me to hear Your comforting words that day...thank You for allowing the Holy Spirit to come to me and give me this peace. I pray to You that whoever reads this will gain the "peace" that I know You intend for them ..I pray that You place a hedge of protection around every person who reads this so that satan will not be able to gain access into their hearts and torture them with doubt, worry and fear. Bless them all Father God with the same peace you have given me with whatever they presently face...Keep it simple and straight forward Lord so that we will all see the simplicity in all You do...Thank You Father for all You do...these things we pray in Jesus' sweet name, Amen
I really don't know if it was at 80, but that sounds about right...lol...and I am at peace; not that I have every really worried about this disease, BUT to truly understand what the Holy Spirit shared with me that day...has given me total insight to where I am and how God works. And I am not scared now at all. As a matter of fact it is now my job to put all of you at ease about this disease. And that is how powerful this message is, so I ask you all to truly open your hearts as you read this and let God into the deepest parts of your hearts to do whatever it is He intends for you to receive from this message. It is so fundamentally simple too...as always, the most difficult thing is to listen to Him and "let" Him have complete control of your life.
He came to me, not in a physical form...but in my mind, and shared this with me. He knows every hair on my head. He is the beginning and the end...He has known me since I was in my Mother's womb. He knows what He has in store for my life...there is NO reason to be scared or worry about this, because no matter what, I will be in the presence of OUR Lord.
That was it...plain and simple and straight to the point - just the way I like it...LOL...He is a good God. This put me in such a relaxed frame of mind...total peace. Most likely for the first time in my life too. My life over the past almost 2 years has been leading me up to this point. He has been getting me ready for this very place. He removed all my distractions, (my home, my job...my bills - not that they are paid off, but we'll cover that in another blog). I feel as if I have been in the furnace this entire time and that God has been molding me into a totally different person...one that is much closer to Him than I would have been otherwise. You see by Him taking away all that I have had in the past, He has made me "depend" totally upon Him. It has been a process, and I would be lying if I told you that it was painless. BUT here I am today...in the worlds eyes, I have an incurable disease, but in my eyes I am living proof that if we trust God - He will take care of us...NO matter what we see happening in our lives.
This peace I now feel is overwhelming at times because I still see the hurt and pain in my loved ones eyes. The thought of them losing me hurts them...so I am grateful that God has given me this insight to share with them...BECAUSE it applies to them as well...to ALL of you for that matter, AND I so want you all to feel this peace that I now feel and have felt for quite some time now. And not only for me and where I am, BUT mainly for you all in your lives...this is such a blessing to have this freedom from worry...and you can apply it to everything in your life!!! No matter what...you can have this same gift from God if you can open your hearts to Him...and totally trust Him. Listen for guidance from the Holy Spirit...He is our gift from God so that we can hear from God Himself...and He brings peace whereever He goes.
until next time....
Father God I thank You with all my heart for allowing me to hear Your comforting words that day...thank You for allowing the Holy Spirit to come to me and give me this peace. I pray to You that whoever reads this will gain the "peace" that I know You intend for them ..I pray that You place a hedge of protection around every person who reads this so that satan will not be able to gain access into their hearts and torture them with doubt, worry and fear. Bless them all Father God with the same peace you have given me with whatever they presently face...Keep it simple and straight forward Lord so that we will all see the simplicity in all You do...Thank You Father for all You do...these things we pray in Jesus' sweet name, Amen
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Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Community Within The Community
Hello all, may God continue to shine His light upon you each and every day...today I am going to continue to expand on the ALS diagnosis. BUT at the same time; in order to do that I am going to have to take a step back to February 5, 2010. This was the weekend of Donna Porterfield Sullivan's benefit. This happens to be the very same weekend that I move back to Nederland. It is before I knew what was wrong with me, but after the slur had set in and there was no denying that there was something wrong with me. So I rapidly went from one status to another...from being a participant of a benefit, a supporter at a benefit for a friend and classmate...to the one who the benefit's are for. One of my closest friends ask me the other day how long it took to write one of my blogs; my reply was - "it depends on how involved the Holy Spirit is with me while I write that blog". In this particular case I actually started this blog shortly after the benefit in February. BUT it was not time for me to write on this particular subject. Until now...
I will be the first to admit; I was not shy about wanting to get out of Nederland when I was younger, but now that I am older I realize just how important my "hometown" is to making me the person that I am today. This past February there was a benefit for one of our own. Donna had developed a brain tumor, and her family and friends put together a benefit in her honor; to help with her medical expenses, and to just spend some time with her. I know things like this happen everyday somewhere in the world, but this was in "our hometown"...and people came from all over to show their support. And here in Texas when you say people came from "all over" - I'm talking about driving for hours to get here to support our classmate in her time of need.
I didn't think of myself as very popular guy, but I was known "of" - I guess...maybe a little more than I have always imagined. I have always kidded that I was known as "Joey Mitchell's older brother", because he was the football player, and where I grew up - that seemed to be a mandatory part of life and being recognized. BUT as I have grown and matured I have learn so much more about the place I grew up in, and the most important thing is the love we all have for "community". There is true love for "community" in Nederland, Texas. I don't, nor will I pretend to know what the definition is of "community" is in Webster's dictionary, but for this blog I am going to assign this definition to it: "community" - the place where you are most at peace. Who would have ever imagined that I would now be in that same position...and that I would now be at the receiving end of that very same love that was demonstrated in February. And I must admit that it is a very different position to be in...and I say this because I had always been in the position of being a person that was the "helper", and not the person that was being "helped".
So, that was one of the first things that I had to learn: how to let the people that now wanted to bless me...by doing things for me to do so. That is a little harder to do than what one would imagine, and I have had to rely on God a little more than what you would think...BUT I am learning how to do just that. Because I have to let the ones around me do the blessings too. While it is a different place to be, it is such a blessing to allow God to work through this process. And our community isn't just where we grew up, or where we went to High School...work...or go to church. According to my definition...it is where we are "most" at peace. So let us take that definition and take it one step further: let's apply it to "where ever" are...and for us to use God's love while we are at our "most" peaceful place. Because if we are at peace...we are walking with God...that is just how He rolls...He is a good God. He is the Prince of Peace...s let us take Him where ever we go and share Him with who ever we can. All it takes is showing His love. Which brings us back to our community and the love we all have for where we live.
until next time...
Father, we love You and appreciate You and all You do. We all strive to become that which You have designed for us to be. You are our rock, our stronghold our place of peace. We come to You today and everyday seeking You and all Your glory Father God. We ask You to be with us always Father. To bring us the "peace" that You and only You can provide. We ask You to be in the center of our "community" where ever our "community" resides at that moment, because it is You Father that is at the center of that "community"...these things we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
I will be the first to admit; I was not shy about wanting to get out of Nederland when I was younger, but now that I am older I realize just how important my "hometown" is to making me the person that I am today. This past February there was a benefit for one of our own. Donna had developed a brain tumor, and her family and friends put together a benefit in her honor; to help with her medical expenses, and to just spend some time with her. I know things like this happen everyday somewhere in the world, but this was in "our hometown"...and people came from all over to show their support. And here in Texas when you say people came from "all over" - I'm talking about driving for hours to get here to support our classmate in her time of need.
I didn't think of myself as very popular guy, but I was known "of" - I guess...maybe a little more than I have always imagined. I have always kidded that I was known as "Joey Mitchell's older brother", because he was the football player, and where I grew up - that seemed to be a mandatory part of life and being recognized. BUT as I have grown and matured I have learn so much more about the place I grew up in, and the most important thing is the love we all have for "community". There is true love for "community" in Nederland, Texas. I don't, nor will I pretend to know what the definition is of "community" is in Webster's dictionary, but for this blog I am going to assign this definition to it: "community" - the place where you are most at peace. Who would have ever imagined that I would now be in that same position...and that I would now be at the receiving end of that very same love that was demonstrated in February. And I must admit that it is a very different position to be in...and I say this because I had always been in the position of being a person that was the "helper", and not the person that was being "helped".
So, that was one of the first things that I had to learn: how to let the people that now wanted to bless me...by doing things for me to do so. That is a little harder to do than what one would imagine, and I have had to rely on God a little more than what you would think...BUT I am learning how to do just that. Because I have to let the ones around me do the blessings too. While it is a different place to be, it is such a blessing to allow God to work through this process. And our community isn't just where we grew up, or where we went to High School...work...or go to church. According to my definition...it is where we are "most" at peace. So let us take that definition and take it one step further: let's apply it to "where ever" are...and for us to use God's love while we are at our "most" peaceful place. Because if we are at peace...we are walking with God...that is just how He rolls...He is a good God. He is the Prince of Peace...s let us take Him where ever we go and share Him with who ever we can. All it takes is showing His love. Which brings us back to our community and the love we all have for where we live.
until next time...
Father, we love You and appreciate You and all You do. We all strive to become that which You have designed for us to be. You are our rock, our stronghold our place of peace. We come to You today and everyday seeking You and all Your glory Father God. We ask You to be with us always Father. To bring us the "peace" that You and only You can provide. We ask You to be in the center of our "community" where ever our "community" resides at that moment, because it is You Father that is at the center of that "community"...these things we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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Sunday, August 8, 2010
Living On Faith; While Dealing With What God Has Put In Front Of You
Hello everyone...my prayers are with you all...I have a tough blog to tackle here, BUT once again this isn't about me personally, BUT my life in Christ. Most of you know about the my diagnosis that took place earlier this year, but I need to cross this bridge for me and you. My hope is that you will be put at ease about where I am at in my life presently. In March of this year...actually March 12 to be exact, I was told that I have ALS. This is an incurable disease that is attacking my nervous system and it is the medical professions belief that I will eventually die from this disease. MAN!! Just how much worse of a diagnosis could someone ever expect to hear in their life? I have to admit...THIS was numbing to hear and of course the first people to come to my mind were my sons...how was I going to tell them that I had gotten this diagnosis? My Mother and Father were next to surface and all my siblings followed closely behind them. Next came my friends and all the people I love in this world. Shock...was what I was going through. But these were my first thoughts. My oldest brother, my sister and my sister-in-law were there alongside me...and that helped ease the blow of these words...NOT to mention that it was my brother's birthday and we were going out to celebrate that. I would deal with this later.
Now this is where I could go into an in-depth reflection of how I felt, what this disease is and what the "medical profession" say it will do to me during the rest of my time here on earth. However, they obviously don't run with the same crowd I do, because the people I run with know in their heart of heart's that only God decides just when your time is up here on earth. Trust me, I am not being cocky here, BUT, I have never felt like this was "the end" for me, and I don't to this day. I feel as if God is just beginning to work here in my life and He expects me to be around for a while longer...I MAY be totally wrong here and I am ready for that "IF" that is what He desires of me. That is the way I have felt in my heart since I have gotten this diagnosis.
LOL..I have to laugh because one of my dearest friends told me, (before we got this diagnosis), that he felt like God figured I had talked enough in this lifetime...LOL...We laughed and laughed about this because if you know me...like he knows me...you know that I can weave a tale and I love doing just that!..lol...But, after quite a bit of reflection and prayer on this statement...I believe that God may have given this thought to my friend. LOL...God never takes us to a place where isn't going to deliver us from...true statement. We may not like what is happening to us, we may have had different plans...but God is in the driver seat here. He has ways of reminding us about that...AND He will, IF He decides that we need to be reminded.
So; I have been reminded Lord, what do You want of me? I am here for You to mold into any form that You need. Even in this diagnosis I have been able to find a silver lining. I say this because while my diagnosis is a horrible one - there are worse ones out there. There is a different form of ALS that is even more aggressive. The type I have is known as Bulbar ALS, it starts out in the throat and vocal chords. It effects my ability to swallow and speak, so in this I feel as if I am blessed!! I could have had the more aggressive type of ALS. I would like to impress on you that there are silver linings all around us. All we have to do is to be open- minded and to always look for that silver lining. It may seem bleak for you at that moment, but God has a plan for us all...and He is in the driver seat. So let Him drive. Now, getting back to what my friend said...I am truly moved by this and I truly feel that God is at work here. I continuously think about what He wants me to do and I believe that it is to write. So, this is what I am going to do. I believe that God had to shut me up, so I could hear Him...plain and simple. He is in control here, more now than ever.I depend on Him more and more every day. He is my source, The Creator of my blessings, my Light at the end of the tunnel. I will be sharing more with you about this and how God is working through me, effecting peoples lives like I could never have imagined, but He coud and did.
until next time...
Father God you and You alone are my source for everything that is in my life...and I thank You for being there for me. I look to You for my every need Father God...I love You more than life itself, and I know that You will not let me down. I come to You today asking that You will continue to show me the way, to be my personal guide from now on until I am no longer needed here...when I will be able to walk along side of You in that field of clover, and to give me the strength to continue down the path that You have in store for me...so that I will not falter or stray from that path...these things I pray to You my Heavenly Father in Jesus' name, Amen
Now this is where I could go into an in-depth reflection of how I felt, what this disease is and what the "medical profession" say it will do to me during the rest of my time here on earth. However, they obviously don't run with the same crowd I do, because the people I run with know in their heart of heart's that only God decides just when your time is up here on earth. Trust me, I am not being cocky here, BUT, I have never felt like this was "the end" for me, and I don't to this day. I feel as if God is just beginning to work here in my life and He expects me to be around for a while longer...I MAY be totally wrong here and I am ready for that "IF" that is what He desires of me. That is the way I have felt in my heart since I have gotten this diagnosis.
LOL..I have to laugh because one of my dearest friends told me, (before we got this diagnosis), that he felt like God figured I had talked enough in this lifetime...LOL...We laughed and laughed about this because if you know me...like he knows me...you know that I can weave a tale and I love doing just that!..lol...But, after quite a bit of reflection and prayer on this statement...I believe that God may have given this thought to my friend. LOL...God never takes us to a place where isn't going to deliver us from...true statement. We may not like what is happening to us, we may have had different plans...but God is in the driver seat here. He has ways of reminding us about that...AND He will, IF He decides that we need to be reminded.
So; I have been reminded Lord, what do You want of me? I am here for You to mold into any form that You need. Even in this diagnosis I have been able to find a silver lining. I say this because while my diagnosis is a horrible one - there are worse ones out there. There is a different form of ALS that is even more aggressive. The type I have is known as Bulbar ALS, it starts out in the throat and vocal chords. It effects my ability to swallow and speak, so in this I feel as if I am blessed!! I could have had the more aggressive type of ALS. I would like to impress on you that there are silver linings all around us. All we have to do is to be open- minded and to always look for that silver lining. It may seem bleak for you at that moment, but God has a plan for us all...and He is in the driver seat. So let Him drive. Now, getting back to what my friend said...I am truly moved by this and I truly feel that God is at work here. I continuously think about what He wants me to do and I believe that it is to write. So, this is what I am going to do. I believe that God had to shut me up, so I could hear Him...plain and simple. He is in control here, more now than ever.I depend on Him more and more every day. He is my source, The Creator of my blessings, my Light at the end of the tunnel. I will be sharing more with you about this and how God is working through me, effecting peoples lives like I could never have imagined, but He coud and did.
until next time...
Father God you and You alone are my source for everything that is in my life...and I thank You for being there for me. I look to You for my every need Father God...I love You more than life itself, and I know that You will not let me down. I come to You today asking that You will continue to show me the way, to be my personal guide from now on until I am no longer needed here...when I will be able to walk along side of You in that field of clover, and to give me the strength to continue down the path that You have in store for me...so that I will not falter or stray from that path...these things I pray to You my Heavenly Father in Jesus' name, Amen
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Friday, August 6, 2010
Turing 50 And Finding Happiness Under An Overpass
Hey guys and gals...I hope that you are all doing well today and enjoying your day, your life and feeling the presence of God in everything you do. I want to start out today by saying that I turned 50 yesterday...AND while I didn't have the ideal day...in many ways...I loved it!! I am presently in Florida taking part in a study for a new type of treatment for ALS (I was diagnosed with this disease in March of this year - blog coming covering this topic). I might add that it is going well and we all have seen improvements so far...I am nearing the end of my 3 week of a 4 week study. But this blog isn't about that; it is about my birthday and the experience that I had, on that all important day.
I have had so much support from my family and friend's during this time...one such instance of this support is...one of my friend's brought my bike out to me. There are so many more instances, but this one in particular is important to this blog. Because I wanted to take a "birthday ride"...I try to every year, and I didn't see why this year should be any different. So I rode down to Ft. Meyers, Florida. I am in Sarasota, and Ft Meyers is about 75 miles south...I did my treatment, cleaned the bike and then took off. It was a beautiful day and while I had no idea what I was going to do once I got there...in my mind - I was thinking that I would find a great little restaurant and have a nice meal, enjoy my day there and possibly go to the beach...anyhow I was just winging it, and I was excited about the possibilities.
Well when I got there I never found the beach, I never found that restaurant, so I never had that nice meal. To top that all off it was starting to cloud up, and I don't mean just a little rain cloud...it was what to me; looked like a good old fashion Texas thunderstorm. Black clouds, the wind was picking up...everything we Texans know to stay out of when we see it coming. Well I had ridden around and was starved (because I was holding out for that nice meal), so I settled for a roast beef sandwich from Subway...it was good, BUT not what I had envisioned as my birthday meal...lol...so I ate about half of it and got on my way trying to beat the rain. Needless to say I didn't make it...AND I ended up getting caught in a really heavy downpour. Of course I had my slicker with me, BUT I made a last minute decision to NOT put it on...LOL...I have to say that was the second time I have done that and hopefully the last, because I was soaked by the time I found any shelter...an overpass. I was so relieved. To give you an idea of just how hard it was raining...there was another vehicle under that very same overpass. A minivan with a family in it...I didn't approach them, because of the situation; and I didn't want them fear me or anything I may do. I was just happy to have some shelter...
So if this father felt like it was prudent that he pull over and seek refuge for his family, to keep them safe...you can only imagine just how hard it was raining. Remember I had made that dreadful decision to NOT put on my rain suit...so I was drenched inside and out by the time I got to the overpass and out of the rain. I set there for a few minutes and realized that I would need to dry off and protect myself from hypothermia. I actually had a beach towel with me (for the beach I never found), so I grabbed it and took my shirt off and dried off...as I did this I realized just how happy I was. Amazing just how God puts thoughts into our mind that puts us all at ease about the situation that we are in at that time. Here I was in the middle of Florida, trapped in a total downpour, under an overpass, I didn't get the meal I had hoped too, I didn't find that beach I had hopped to find, it was my birthday...and God lays this happiness on my heart like you would not believe. I was so happy to be living that experience at THAT moment in time...
I believe that if we all are patient, wait for God and listen for God that He provides everything we could ever need or want. He tells us in the bible that He provides for the sparrow, and that He loves us more than the sparrow, so why wouldn't He provide everything that we could ever want or need? And why do we let ourselves worry about things we have no control over? I am so happy that He finds me worthy of situations like this and gives me the ability and desire to share them with you. I know...I am learning - that He is "The Great Provider", He even provides happiness under an overpass in the pouring down rain in the middle of Florida.
until next time...
Father God I want to thank You for finding me worthy of all Your blessings...no matter how small they may seem to be. I know You are with us all and at any given moment. You will provide us with anything and everything that we could ever desire. I ask You to bless everyone this day and everyday Father God in ways that we can not imagine. That only You, OUR Great Provider could ever imagine. Show us happiness in the pouring rain, provide us with a never ending desire to search for You, listen for You and find it in our hearts to follow the path that You have put us on...these things we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
I have had so much support from my family and friend's during this time...one such instance of this support is...one of my friend's brought my bike out to me. There are so many more instances, but this one in particular is important to this blog. Because I wanted to take a "birthday ride"...I try to every year, and I didn't see why this year should be any different. So I rode down to Ft. Meyers, Florida. I am in Sarasota, and Ft Meyers is about 75 miles south...I did my treatment, cleaned the bike and then took off. It was a beautiful day and while I had no idea what I was going to do once I got there...in my mind - I was thinking that I would find a great little restaurant and have a nice meal, enjoy my day there and possibly go to the beach...anyhow I was just winging it, and I was excited about the possibilities.
Well when I got there I never found the beach, I never found that restaurant, so I never had that nice meal. To top that all off it was starting to cloud up, and I don't mean just a little rain cloud...it was what to me; looked like a good old fashion Texas thunderstorm. Black clouds, the wind was picking up...everything we Texans know to stay out of when we see it coming. Well I had ridden around and was starved (because I was holding out for that nice meal), so I settled for a roast beef sandwich from Subway...it was good, BUT not what I had envisioned as my birthday meal...lol...so I ate about half of it and got on my way trying to beat the rain. Needless to say I didn't make it...AND I ended up getting caught in a really heavy downpour. Of course I had my slicker with me, BUT I made a last minute decision to NOT put it on...LOL...I have to say that was the second time I have done that and hopefully the last, because I was soaked by the time I found any shelter...an overpass. I was so relieved. To give you an idea of just how hard it was raining...there was another vehicle under that very same overpass. A minivan with a family in it...I didn't approach them, because of the situation; and I didn't want them fear me or anything I may do. I was just happy to have some shelter...
So if this father felt like it was prudent that he pull over and seek refuge for his family, to keep them safe...you can only imagine just how hard it was raining. Remember I had made that dreadful decision to NOT put on my rain suit...so I was drenched inside and out by the time I got to the overpass and out of the rain. I set there for a few minutes and realized that I would need to dry off and protect myself from hypothermia. I actually had a beach towel with me (for the beach I never found), so I grabbed it and took my shirt off and dried off...as I did this I realized just how happy I was. Amazing just how God puts thoughts into our mind that puts us all at ease about the situation that we are in at that time. Here I was in the middle of Florida, trapped in a total downpour, under an overpass, I didn't get the meal I had hoped too, I didn't find that beach I had hopped to find, it was my birthday...and God lays this happiness on my heart like you would not believe. I was so happy to be living that experience at THAT moment in time...
I believe that if we all are patient, wait for God and listen for God that He provides everything we could ever need or want. He tells us in the bible that He provides for the sparrow, and that He loves us more than the sparrow, so why wouldn't He provide everything that we could ever want or need? And why do we let ourselves worry about things we have no control over? I am so happy that He finds me worthy of situations like this and gives me the ability and desire to share them with you. I know...I am learning - that He is "The Great Provider", He even provides happiness under an overpass in the pouring down rain in the middle of Florida.
until next time...
Father God I want to thank You for finding me worthy of all Your blessings...no matter how small they may seem to be. I know You are with us all and at any given moment. You will provide us with anything and everything that we could ever desire. I ask You to bless everyone this day and everyday Father God in ways that we can not imagine. That only You, OUR Great Provider could ever imagine. Show us happiness in the pouring rain, provide us with a never ending desire to search for You, listen for You and find it in our hearts to follow the path that You have put us on...these things we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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