Love is patient and kind: love does not envy or boast: it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice
at wrongdoings, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends....faith, hope, and love abide,
these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE..
In Crazy Love, Chan task us to replace love at the beginning and insert our names. I.E. Garrett is patient and kind...
Ponder:
After doing so just from the beginning how does it make you feel?
Are you truly patient and kind, do you not envy or boast, are you not arrogant or rude, etc. Maybe today we should strive to become those things.
Remember God loves us, he made us, but at the same time that means we are not perfect, we are human. We are going to mess up time after time, but we must learn from mistakes and seek to be better.
My mom has always told me that my Great Grandmother would always say. "Some of the best lesson are the bought ones." For a grandmother she was very insightful. So much in her saying, God feels the same way. We are going to fall short, but that doesn't mean we fall short and forget about it. We have to learn from it. We have to repent our sins, and keep on pushing forward to do better. Just remember we will never reach the place of perfection but we must strive to get as close to that level as possible, all while doing it the way that is pleasing to God.
My prayer for you today is to look at your current situtation and rise up from the ashes, dust yourself off and strive to live up to your potential.
Have a blessed day.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Since I Have My Life Before Me
I have been reading a wonderful book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan (which will be paraphrased below). First I need to tell you all that I am not a reader, I have read more pages in the past two weeks than I probably read between high school and college combined, but God has placed a love for reading in my life. In addition, reading brings about knowledge. Crazy Love does a great job of combining life lessons along with mixing Gods Word in the book. So, not only am I getting the great knowledge and growing via one mans accounts I am also growing spirtually within Gods Word. As I continue to aspire to be more of what God planned for me, I have been in deep reflection. I have started to face down some of my own issues: guilt, pride, faith, trust, etc. All of which we all face at some point in our life.
Lately, I have been stressing (which I have found means I am not having faith in God) about time. Earlier in the week God laid on my heart the conviction of time. As I continue to explore my purpose for God, He has placed some great ideas for doing possible church sermons on me,time being one. So I have created a 3 part series starting with Are You Ready? I am one of those people who feel that if your there at 9 and the appointment was set for 9, your late. I believe that when your ready your ready. Jetona can confirm this because I leave out all the time and arrive places so early I could have spent more time with her or doing something else. But as I started to read Crazy Love I came across a subtitle: Are You Ready? Fitting? I think so.
However, it was the story I read about a girl named Brooke Bronkowski that has touched me greatly and I would like to share it with you. Brooke was fourteen years old, she was in love with Jesus, while in Jr High she started a Bible study. She spent her money on Bibles that she could distribute to unsaved friends (she gave unselfishly). Youth pastors heard about this and donated boxes of Bibles for her to give out. But it is the essay that she wrote at age twelve that has been stuck in my memory bank all week long. Read Below
"Since I Have My Life Before Me"
By Brooke Bronkowski
I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I'll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In facts that's all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I'll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I'll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will gime me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!
It was during Brooke's freshman year that she was involved in an accident while heading to the movies. Her life was ended, but her impact didn't. 1500 people showed up at her service, they shared poems she had written about her love for God. Everyone spoke of her example and her joy. Almost 200 people gave their life to God all because of this girl. In one day she brought more people to the Lord that most ever will.
It is hard to phathom that one girl, a teenager at that made such an impact on so many around her. My question to you is what are you doing with your time? Are you ready? I have 1 nephew, 4 neices, 1 cousin all under the age of 10 years old. I have always heard be careful what you do because kids will look to you and will pickup your habits etc, I pray that they can only see the good in me and that I can be like Brooke and inspire people to come to Christ.
Before we can truly start to make a difference though we need to do a self examination and see where we can do more, become more for Christ. I am not saying we have to become radicals, but is part of why we are here on Earth is to please Him. He created us to bring pleasure to Him. He created us in His imagine. He knew us before we were born. Most importantly He has a plan for us. So family, friends, strangers, if tomorrow doesn't happen, if today is your last chance to say goodbye, the last time you take a breathe, the last sunrise/sunset, the last time you ride/drive in a car, last time you hold that loved one(s) in your arms I ask respectfully ARE YOU READY? Remember when it comes to your time God does not discriminate, baby, child, teen, adult, mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. My hope and prayer is that when your clock has ran out, that you WERE READY.
Lately, I have been stressing (which I have found means I am not having faith in God) about time. Earlier in the week God laid on my heart the conviction of time. As I continue to explore my purpose for God, He has placed some great ideas for doing possible church sermons on me,time being one. So I have created a 3 part series starting with Are You Ready? I am one of those people who feel that if your there at 9 and the appointment was set for 9, your late. I believe that when your ready your ready. Jetona can confirm this because I leave out all the time and arrive places so early I could have spent more time with her or doing something else. But as I started to read Crazy Love I came across a subtitle: Are You Ready? Fitting? I think so.
However, it was the story I read about a girl named Brooke Bronkowski that has touched me greatly and I would like to share it with you. Brooke was fourteen years old, she was in love with Jesus, while in Jr High she started a Bible study. She spent her money on Bibles that she could distribute to unsaved friends (she gave unselfishly). Youth pastors heard about this and donated boxes of Bibles for her to give out. But it is the essay that she wrote at age twelve that has been stuck in my memory bank all week long. Read Below
"Since I Have My Life Before Me"
By Brooke Bronkowski
I'll live my life to the fullest. I'll be happy. I'll brighten up. I will be more joyful than I have ever been. I will be kind to others. I will loosen up. I will tell others about Christ. I will go on adventures and change the world. I will be bold and not change who I really am. I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
You see, I'll be one of those people who live to be history makers at a young age. Oh, I'll have moments, good and bad, but I will wipe away the bad and only remember the good. In facts that's all I remember, just good moments, nothing in between, just living my life to the fullest. I'll be one of those people who go somewhere with a mission, an awesome plan, a world-changing plan, and nothing will hold me back. I'll set an example for others, I will pray for direction.
I have my life before me. I will give others the joy I have and God will gime me more joy. I will do everything God tells me to do. I will follow the footsteps of God. I will do my best!!!
It was during Brooke's freshman year that she was involved in an accident while heading to the movies. Her life was ended, but her impact didn't. 1500 people showed up at her service, they shared poems she had written about her love for God. Everyone spoke of her example and her joy. Almost 200 people gave their life to God all because of this girl. In one day she brought more people to the Lord that most ever will.
It is hard to phathom that one girl, a teenager at that made such an impact on so many around her. My question to you is what are you doing with your time? Are you ready? I have 1 nephew, 4 neices, 1 cousin all under the age of 10 years old. I have always heard be careful what you do because kids will look to you and will pickup your habits etc, I pray that they can only see the good in me and that I can be like Brooke and inspire people to come to Christ.
Before we can truly start to make a difference though we need to do a self examination and see where we can do more, become more for Christ. I am not saying we have to become radicals, but is part of why we are here on Earth is to please Him. He created us to bring pleasure to Him. He created us in His imagine. He knew us before we were born. Most importantly He has a plan for us. So family, friends, strangers, if tomorrow doesn't happen, if today is your last chance to say goodbye, the last time you take a breathe, the last sunrise/sunset, the last time you ride/drive in a car, last time you hold that loved one(s) in your arms I ask respectfully ARE YOU READY? Remember when it comes to your time God does not discriminate, baby, child, teen, adult, mom, dad, brother, sister, etc. My hope and prayer is that when your clock has ran out, that you WERE READY.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Additional Thoughts
Pilate gave Jesus over to be crucified. If Jesus lived in during this time How many of us would stand up and speak on behalf of Jesus? How many would face the outcome that would face a believer, a follower? Think about this while Pilate was up there trying to work around having to give Jesus up for crucifiction he brought out a notorious prisoner Barabbas (revolutionary/murderer) he asked the crowd that was gathered who they wanted to see released, the crowd responded Barabbas. Pilate asked what should be done and they all responded Crucify, Crucify.
Can you believe that yet today there are still so many that are still blind to Jesus being the Son of God, still to this day people would rather have a criminal released back into the world than have a believe, a follower, etc released. Please continue to pray that those that are lost will be moved to the point that they will choose to follow.
Can you believe that yet today there are still so many that are still blind to Jesus being the Son of God, still to this day people would rather have a criminal released back into the world than have a believe, a follower, etc released. Please continue to pray that those that are lost will be moved to the point that they will choose to follow.
Just A Few Great Songs About Today
These are just a few of my favorite songs that go along with this moment in history. I hope that you will listen and that you will be blessed by what God did with his son. Thank you Father.
Easter Sunday
I hope that Easter finds you all doing well. Today is professed by many as one of the most historical moments in all mankind. Today is the day that Jesus arose from a tomb. Many will argue that Christ birth might be the most significant part of the story, but to me it is in the book of Matthew starting with Chapter 26 that we get the greatest love story ever told. God sent his one and only Son to die for all of us so that one day we can live in Heaven for enternity. If all things that we ever knew came to an end today, do you know where you will be tomorrow? Ponder on this for just a little while.
As Jesus prepared himself after the last supper: there are many accounts on which he questioned his purpose. I know that we are always questioning our purpose our place, what we are here for but just imagine what one would have to endure when they knew that their time was limited. As Jesus prayed, he was not questioning the plan of God, but reaffirming the plan by saying Yet not my will, but as you will. I am one person that can not imagine what he was going through during this time. He knew from birth that God had a plan for him, he knew his days were limited, and he carried the burden knowing he would be tasked to die for all sins.
In Matt 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleepings. "Could you mean not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter, 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Moments later Judas arrived with armed men and turned Jesus over as Jesus had previously told him he would do. What was ahead has been dipicted in films and been repeated and told time and time again. We know the story.
As I was speaking with Jetona today I told her about my continued emotions that I have anytime I share my thoughts and beliefs with anyone. As I have moved closer and sought more from the word and decided to lay my life in his hands I have become more emotional, I am not afraid to say it I am an emotional Christian, I am proud of that. What makes me so emotional about it is God gave up his son to die for ME. I am not perfect, I am not without sin, yet he knew me before I was born and knew that one day I would pick up my cross for him, it was his knowing of this that he planned for his son to die for me. Moving? YES!
However, what gives my life most enjoyment is not the fact that he died for me (which I am forever grateful) what gives me assurance is the fact that he rose as he said he would and promised to come back again to take me home. Take me to that wonderful place of no more pain, no more sorrow, a place that is being prepared for me and my family not for how many good deeds I do here on Earth, not for how many I bring to him, but because I took his love that he gave years ago and ACCEPTED it. And upon my acceptance of that love all my imperfections were forgotten and I was cleansed.
I ask who of you out there have never accepted this unconditional love, who of you out there maybe once accepted but you have veered off the path, its not to late to come back to him. He is waiting with arms stretched open wide, he is waiting for you to come back home, there is nothing more joyous than this moment in life than now to hear is his calling and to say yes Lord, I will accepted your love.
My prayer is that my salt and light has started to show to you. I hope that my witness continues to touch you. I continue to hope that my words continue to create a stirring in you that you can no longer resist. I am not here to bringing you to Christ as that is your CHOICE, but I am here to present his life to you, hopefully in a way that resonates within you that you can only want to serve him throughout your remaining days. My prayer is that one day when the trumpet sounds, and we are all called home that I can find you in Heaven and we can have one of the greatest homecomings ever. I love each of you, those who will read this that I know, those of you who might be out there that can see this that are strangers to me. But most importantly know that God loves us so much that years ago he became flesh in Jesus, put him on a cross, had him mocked, beat, broken, etc so that we can accept him and have enteral life with him forever.
I hope God blesses you and your family greatly and you can (if haven't already) accept all the greatness he has for you and yours.
As Jesus prepared himself after the last supper: there are many accounts on which he questioned his purpose. I know that we are always questioning our purpose our place, what we are here for but just imagine what one would have to endure when they knew that their time was limited. As Jesus prayed, he was not questioning the plan of God, but reaffirming the plan by saying Yet not my will, but as you will. I am one person that can not imagine what he was going through during this time. He knew from birth that God had a plan for him, he knew his days were limited, and he carried the burden knowing he would be tasked to die for all sins.
In Matt 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleepings. "Could you mean not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter, 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." 43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Moments later Judas arrived with armed men and turned Jesus over as Jesus had previously told him he would do. What was ahead has been dipicted in films and been repeated and told time and time again. We know the story.
As I was speaking with Jetona today I told her about my continued emotions that I have anytime I share my thoughts and beliefs with anyone. As I have moved closer and sought more from the word and decided to lay my life in his hands I have become more emotional, I am not afraid to say it I am an emotional Christian, I am proud of that. What makes me so emotional about it is God gave up his son to die for ME. I am not perfect, I am not without sin, yet he knew me before I was born and knew that one day I would pick up my cross for him, it was his knowing of this that he planned for his son to die for me. Moving? YES!
However, what gives my life most enjoyment is not the fact that he died for me (which I am forever grateful) what gives me assurance is the fact that he rose as he said he would and promised to come back again to take me home. Take me to that wonderful place of no more pain, no more sorrow, a place that is being prepared for me and my family not for how many good deeds I do here on Earth, not for how many I bring to him, but because I took his love that he gave years ago and ACCEPTED it. And upon my acceptance of that love all my imperfections were forgotten and I was cleansed.
I ask who of you out there have never accepted this unconditional love, who of you out there maybe once accepted but you have veered off the path, its not to late to come back to him. He is waiting with arms stretched open wide, he is waiting for you to come back home, there is nothing more joyous than this moment in life than now to hear is his calling and to say yes Lord, I will accepted your love.
My prayer is that my salt and light has started to show to you. I hope that my witness continues to touch you. I continue to hope that my words continue to create a stirring in you that you can no longer resist. I am not here to bringing you to Christ as that is your CHOICE, but I am here to present his life to you, hopefully in a way that resonates within you that you can only want to serve him throughout your remaining days. My prayer is that one day when the trumpet sounds, and we are all called home that I can find you in Heaven and we can have one of the greatest homecomings ever. I love each of you, those who will read this that I know, those of you who might be out there that can see this that are strangers to me. But most importantly know that God loves us so much that years ago he became flesh in Jesus, put him on a cross, had him mocked, beat, broken, etc so that we can accept him and have enteral life with him forever.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
What if time was limited? Movie Review: Reconciliation
What if you found out information today that would bring up the ghost of your past, that could possibly lead to continued nightmares in your future if not dealt with properly? Would you do something about it? Would you let the chance pass you by? What would you do?
On Saturday I stopped by the Christian Bookstore in Campbellsville, I am not sure why I truly stopped but it was a great visit and I actually felt as if I was being tugged to the store. While I only purchased a minor book I received their circular with my purchase. While looking over the items, I was stopped by a movie that was for sale. The movie Reconciliation. So today while passing through Bowling Green, I was needing something exchanged at the mall, well Jetona asked I exchage something for her so I obliged. The mall visit was a blessing for me. While there I stopped by Life Way Christian and picked up my movie. This evening we watched what is in my opinion one of the most moving movies I have seen in a while. Not to give away all the goodness of the movie it was about a boy and his father Reconciling after 25 years of differences. As the description calls it Reconcilition is a groundbreaking, provocative story about an estranged father and son struggling to overcome the heartbreaking consequences of their past... I highly recommend this movie for the family, checkout the bio of the movie and the trailer at the following http://reconciliationmovie.com/home.html .
One of the biggest things the movie stressed is the fact that we are all sinners, but God loved us enough that he gave his son for us so that we can live eternally with him John 3:16. Very fitting as we head into Easter weekend.
Most importantly though it also makes you think about are there things we need to reconcile with individuals in our lives. So, use this time to call someone up, visit someone, to make sure that your relationship is on solid ground, mend any broken fences.
If you get the chance to watch this movie I hope you enjoy the greatness as it deals with many issues that society faces or even some issues that we face within our own lives.
As I stated yesterday I have an issue that I will be addressing in the future and I now know why I had such a strong sense of needing to watch this movie. In a day that we need signs from the Lord on what our purpose is or for a sign that leads us in another directions in life, this movie was my sign that I am doing exactly at this time what I am suppose to be doing.
Thank you Lord, I understand.
On Saturday I stopped by the Christian Bookstore in Campbellsville, I am not sure why I truly stopped but it was a great visit and I actually felt as if I was being tugged to the store. While I only purchased a minor book I received their circular with my purchase. While looking over the items, I was stopped by a movie that was for sale. The movie Reconciliation. So today while passing through Bowling Green, I was needing something exchanged at the mall, well Jetona asked I exchage something for her so I obliged. The mall visit was a blessing for me. While there I stopped by Life Way Christian and picked up my movie. This evening we watched what is in my opinion one of the most moving movies I have seen in a while. Not to give away all the goodness of the movie it was about a boy and his father Reconciling after 25 years of differences. As the description calls it Reconcilition is a groundbreaking, provocative story about an estranged father and son struggling to overcome the heartbreaking consequences of their past... I highly recommend this movie for the family, checkout the bio of the movie and the trailer at the following http://reconciliationmovie.com/home.html .
One of the biggest things the movie stressed is the fact that we are all sinners, but God loved us enough that he gave his son for us so that we can live eternally with him John 3:16. Very fitting as we head into Easter weekend.
Most importantly though it also makes you think about are there things we need to reconcile with individuals in our lives. So, use this time to call someone up, visit someone, to make sure that your relationship is on solid ground, mend any broken fences.
If you get the chance to watch this movie I hope you enjoy the greatness as it deals with many issues that society faces or even some issues that we face within our own lives.
As I stated yesterday I have an issue that I will be addressing in the future and I now know why I had such a strong sense of needing to watch this movie. In a day that we need signs from the Lord on what our purpose is or for a sign that leads us in another directions in life, this movie was my sign that I am doing exactly at this time what I am suppose to be doing.
Thank you Lord, I understand.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Maximum Impact
In January while sitting in the back of the church Bro Gary delivered a message on "Maximum Impact", he spoke from the 1 Samuel 1-16. This is the story of Hannah and her praying to the Lord to bless her with a son, as part of her prayer she also stated that she would give him over to the Lord. In Old Testament times women who were unable to conceive children were consider failures. However as you progress through the chapter you will see that Hannah was blessed with a child, Samuel. Hannah kept her promise and after Samuel was weaned she presented him to the Lord.
(Samuel is considered to be one of the greatest Old Testament Prophets to be and the world has ever known)
I guess sometimes you have to be careful for what you pray and ask for, because sometimes you will be held accountable and God will take you up on that promise. Its hard to phathom that someone (Hannah) would want a child so much that they would offer their unborn child up to the Lord so that they could only have the opportunity to be blessed.
Per the Life Application Bible Samuel was called like many before him, but God worked through Samuel because Samuel was willing to be one thing, God's Servant.
So I ask of you know are you willing to be God's Servant?
During the message I took away numerous points I would like to share with you:
1. Cry for the miraculous, wants more out life that just getting along.
2. Let the Devil know we are a FORCE to be reckon with
3. Perfecting of the saints, be more than just a believer.
God:
Equipped us to do much more than what we are doing.
How many people are you impacting with your life?
It was on this day that I left out of church convicted that I had not done anything to make an IMPACT. I have not impacted the world around, my family, my neighborhood, my church. Nothing!
As I sat in the car that day and me and Jetona drove off, I sat in silence letting everything soak in. Now I will be the first to tell you silence is not my thing. So after pondering Maximum Impact and what I could do, I asked Jetona what was her Maximum Impact? She responding what she thought her impact was. Then of course she asked me, and my simple response was this, Do I even have to tell you? She knew what I was talking about. Thats the great thing about marriage as I speak in short broken sentences Jetona knows exactly how to fill in the gaps. I spent the rest of the day pondering my impact and what I could do more to impact others. This blog is just one part of that step to provide an impact.
In coming post I will start to share a life altering moment that has haunted me some 15 years after the fact, and now I am starting to have the strength to face that moment and set it behind me as I move forward.
God Bless!
(Samuel is considered to be one of the greatest Old Testament Prophets to be and the world has ever known)
I guess sometimes you have to be careful for what you pray and ask for, because sometimes you will be held accountable and God will take you up on that promise. Its hard to phathom that someone (Hannah) would want a child so much that they would offer their unborn child up to the Lord so that they could only have the opportunity to be blessed.
Per the Life Application Bible Samuel was called like many before him, but God worked through Samuel because Samuel was willing to be one thing, God's Servant.
So I ask of you know are you willing to be God's Servant?
During the message I took away numerous points I would like to share with you:
1. Cry for the miraculous, wants more out life that just getting along.
2. Let the Devil know we are a FORCE to be reckon with
3. Perfecting of the saints, be more than just a believer.
God:
Equipped us to do much more than what we are doing.
How many people are you impacting with your life?
It was on this day that I left out of church convicted that I had not done anything to make an IMPACT. I have not impacted the world around, my family, my neighborhood, my church. Nothing!
As I sat in the car that day and me and Jetona drove off, I sat in silence letting everything soak in. Now I will be the first to tell you silence is not my thing. So after pondering Maximum Impact and what I could do, I asked Jetona what was her Maximum Impact? She responding what she thought her impact was. Then of course she asked me, and my simple response was this, Do I even have to tell you? She knew what I was talking about. Thats the great thing about marriage as I speak in short broken sentences Jetona knows exactly how to fill in the gaps. I spent the rest of the day pondering my impact and what I could do more to impact others. This blog is just one part of that step to provide an impact.
In coming post I will start to share a life altering moment that has haunted me some 15 years after the fact, and now I am starting to have the strength to face that moment and set it behind me as I move forward.
God Bless!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Who Am I: By Casting Crowns
Who Am I? I really like this song. It really puts life into perspective. When all else is against use just remember we are HIS. Enjoy.
A Brief Introduction
Hello All:
I hope that this finds you well. Over the past several months I have found conviction from the Lord to do something more for him. That conviction has grown more and more every week as I begin to strive for all the many blessings I know he has in store for me, my family, and the world around me. But before I start to blog about my journey I want to give you a little background about me. I am not striving for worldly possessions or to gain some type of nationwide prestigious opportunity by blogging about my journey. What I am trying to do is through my expressions of my walk help someone, somebody, or help you strengthen your walk as well.
While reading the introduction (my cleansing process as I like to call it) there will be a few things that come out that might sound like your life, they may upset/hurt some people, but at the same time you have to understand that I am trying to put myself out there for the better good. Its much like when you go to accept Christ as your personal savior, we must be humble in our approach. 1 Peter 5:6 says Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, also feel free to use this site http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_humble as it has several scriptures about being humble. This is also away for me to cleanse myself and deal with several of the demons from my past. I have never been an expressive person through spoken expression, written expression has always been my outlet. So as you read through my blogs in the future, I will be using several self reflections as I am doing internal therapy on myself to overcome my past and move forward with my future.
As you will notice the title of my blog is I Am A Salesman. I thought it to be catchy because I am indeed a salesman. I have been in professional sales of education since 2006. I have started to realize that this is just part of God's plan. He placed me in sales, because he is going to use my talents (being a people person, liking to talk, leadership, etc) for him to assist in bringing people to him and helping others who have left and are ready to come back home.
Now for the background:
My name is Garrett Milby, I am 28 years old, I am a son/son-in-law, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle and husband to some very amazing people in my life. I grew up in rural Kentucky, Greensburg, KY that is. Its a great little place, one of those places that everybody knows everybody. Its the type of place people (outsiders) like to make fun of but at the same time its a great place to grow up in. I am going to fast forward through all the genology stuff. I will spare you. However, I will bring you into to my world of about the age of 7. My parents were divorced, my maternal grandfather had cancer, my paternal grandmother was suffering from rheumatory arthritis (RA), I moved from in with my father, this list goes on. I suppose this is about the time that I first faced adversity in my life. Moving forward at the age of 10 my dad started dating and later remarried, I inherited a stepmother, and two step sisters. More adversity, more on that later. 10-16, things were good, I was blessed with a baby brother, my faith in Christ started to grow, things seemed good. At the great age of 16-21 I found myself lost, I felt as if I didn't belong anywhere in the world, I was all alone. So, like most teenagers I sought acceptance in places that I had no place belonging. I got my first set of wheels and started to rebell a little (nothing to major) just doing things that teenage boys do. My one release throughout high school was football, I was always the type of person who held all my emotions inside, I never spoke about what was bothering me, I just kept to myself and once my emotional cup filled up I would have those moments of unleash to empty the cup only to fill it up again. It was football though that let me unleash my anger, hatered, disappointments etc. On the football field the meaner you were, the harder you hit, the more acceptance and praise you received. After high school was over and dealing with bouts of minor depression over lost ones, the fact that it was over, failed relationships (puppy love), family moving away etc. I enlisted into the military, was it a good decision I am not sure, but in reflection it was away to run away from all the things of my life, to get out of that small town and start a new. I found out though that you can't run from everything. That life has away of going with you, and that God will find you no matter where you travel too. During my first stint in the military I found that being far, far away from home was not the place for me. I found that I loved my family more than anything, I also found that being accountable, well I didn't have accountability. It was through an error by my recruiter that I found my loophole to get out, or was it because God had another plan for me. I was released and came home in Feb 2002. Now, the real stuff began. I moved to Louisville, KY, I got a job and started on the process of going to college. That fall I started to community college with no purpose, I had a job working 40+ hours a week, I got back in with some of the friends of my past. Needless to say accountability still was not my strong point. I was placed on Academic Probation, my thought was who needs college anyway. I am smarter than most people who are there. Plus, working, making money was much more important. What a mindset to have. I was still lost. It wasn't until the Spring of 2003 that things really started to look up for me. It was in the Spring of 2003 that I started talking with my wife. We were friends from back in high school, she asked me to go to Prom with her as her date had backed out on here. Well I had nothing going on anyway so I accepted the invite. After Prom we didn't talk and later on that fall we started dating and have been together ever since (accountability maybe). It wasn't always easy, but now almost 8 years later it was the best blessing that I have had in my early adult years. In 2004 I reenlisted into the military after dealing with the way I left the military to begin with. I had been dealing with the internal conflict that I had let my country down, it was getting to the point that I could no longer look at myself in the mirror, I felt like a failure (accountability maybe) But it was all part of Gods plans, if I had never been released then I would have never met Jetona. Also, if it wasn't for rejoining the military I would have never realized my true educational potential and never went back to college. So, as you can see he has a plan for us all. In 2008 I was married to Jetona, we moved back to our hometown and have been here ever since. Any one who says marriage is easy is a bold face liar, dating is one thing but marriage is another. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I started attending Jetona's home church of Bethlehem Baptist it was a little different considering I grew up in the Nazarene Church. But I have always been one that said I do not follow a denomination I am a Christian. But it is here at Bethlehem Baptist that I have started to find my way, it is here that I have started to tap into my potential and God's true calling for my life. In 2010 during the Heaven's Gates/Hells Flames play on a Sunday evening is when things changed for me, I rededicated myself to him. It has been since that day that I have started to long for his guidance, his will and way, it is there that I found my ACCOUNTABILITY. Fast forward and it is 2011 and thanks to Bro Gary, I have now found part of my truest calling, to become A Salesman For Christ.
I look forward to having you as a follower and to start a wonderful spiritual journey together. I am not going to say it is going to happen overnight but I hope through my words, thoughts and sharing that I can help you along the journey.
Have a blessed day.
Garrett
I hope that this finds you well. Over the past several months I have found conviction from the Lord to do something more for him. That conviction has grown more and more every week as I begin to strive for all the many blessings I know he has in store for me, my family, and the world around me. But before I start to blog about my journey I want to give you a little background about me. I am not striving for worldly possessions or to gain some type of nationwide prestigious opportunity by blogging about my journey. What I am trying to do is through my expressions of my walk help someone, somebody, or help you strengthen your walk as well.
While reading the introduction (my cleansing process as I like to call it) there will be a few things that come out that might sound like your life, they may upset/hurt some people, but at the same time you have to understand that I am trying to put myself out there for the better good. Its much like when you go to accept Christ as your personal savior, we must be humble in our approach. 1 Peter 5:6 says Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, also feel free to use this site http://www.openbible.info/topics/being_humble as it has several scriptures about being humble. This is also away for me to cleanse myself and deal with several of the demons from my past. I have never been an expressive person through spoken expression, written expression has always been my outlet. So as you read through my blogs in the future, I will be using several self reflections as I am doing internal therapy on myself to overcome my past and move forward with my future.
As you will notice the title of my blog is I Am A Salesman. I thought it to be catchy because I am indeed a salesman. I have been in professional sales of education since 2006. I have started to realize that this is just part of God's plan. He placed me in sales, because he is going to use my talents (being a people person, liking to talk, leadership, etc) for him to assist in bringing people to him and helping others who have left and are ready to come back home.
Now for the background:
My name is Garrett Milby, I am 28 years old, I am a son/son-in-law, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle and husband to some very amazing people in my life. I grew up in rural Kentucky, Greensburg, KY that is. Its a great little place, one of those places that everybody knows everybody. Its the type of place people (outsiders) like to make fun of but at the same time its a great place to grow up in. I am going to fast forward through all the genology stuff. I will spare you. However, I will bring you into to my world of about the age of 7. My parents were divorced, my maternal grandfather had cancer, my paternal grandmother was suffering from rheumatory arthritis (RA), I moved from in with my father, this list goes on. I suppose this is about the time that I first faced adversity in my life. Moving forward at the age of 10 my dad started dating and later remarried, I inherited a stepmother, and two step sisters. More adversity, more on that later. 10-16, things were good, I was blessed with a baby brother, my faith in Christ started to grow, things seemed good. At the great age of 16-21 I found myself lost, I felt as if I didn't belong anywhere in the world, I was all alone. So, like most teenagers I sought acceptance in places that I had no place belonging. I got my first set of wheels and started to rebell a little (nothing to major) just doing things that teenage boys do. My one release throughout high school was football, I was always the type of person who held all my emotions inside, I never spoke about what was bothering me, I just kept to myself and once my emotional cup filled up I would have those moments of unleash to empty the cup only to fill it up again. It was football though that let me unleash my anger, hatered, disappointments etc. On the football field the meaner you were, the harder you hit, the more acceptance and praise you received. After high school was over and dealing with bouts of minor depression over lost ones, the fact that it was over, failed relationships (puppy love), family moving away etc. I enlisted into the military, was it a good decision I am not sure, but in reflection it was away to run away from all the things of my life, to get out of that small town and start a new. I found out though that you can't run from everything. That life has away of going with you, and that God will find you no matter where you travel too. During my first stint in the military I found that being far, far away from home was not the place for me. I found that I loved my family more than anything, I also found that being accountable, well I didn't have accountability. It was through an error by my recruiter that I found my loophole to get out, or was it because God had another plan for me. I was released and came home in Feb 2002. Now, the real stuff began. I moved to Louisville, KY, I got a job and started on the process of going to college. That fall I started to community college with no purpose, I had a job working 40+ hours a week, I got back in with some of the friends of my past. Needless to say accountability still was not my strong point. I was placed on Academic Probation, my thought was who needs college anyway. I am smarter than most people who are there. Plus, working, making money was much more important. What a mindset to have. I was still lost. It wasn't until the Spring of 2003 that things really started to look up for me. It was in the Spring of 2003 that I started talking with my wife. We were friends from back in high school, she asked me to go to Prom with her as her date had backed out on here. Well I had nothing going on anyway so I accepted the invite. After Prom we didn't talk and later on that fall we started dating and have been together ever since (accountability maybe). It wasn't always easy, but now almost 8 years later it was the best blessing that I have had in my early adult years. In 2004 I reenlisted into the military after dealing with the way I left the military to begin with. I had been dealing with the internal conflict that I had let my country down, it was getting to the point that I could no longer look at myself in the mirror, I felt like a failure (accountability maybe) But it was all part of Gods plans, if I had never been released then I would have never met Jetona. Also, if it wasn't for rejoining the military I would have never realized my true educational potential and never went back to college. So, as you can see he has a plan for us all. In 2008 I was married to Jetona, we moved back to our hometown and have been here ever since. Any one who says marriage is easy is a bold face liar, dating is one thing but marriage is another. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I started attending Jetona's home church of Bethlehem Baptist it was a little different considering I grew up in the Nazarene Church. But I have always been one that said I do not follow a denomination I am a Christian. But it is here at Bethlehem Baptist that I have started to find my way, it is here that I have started to tap into my potential and God's true calling for my life. In 2010 during the Heaven's Gates/Hells Flames play on a Sunday evening is when things changed for me, I rededicated myself to him. It has been since that day that I have started to long for his guidance, his will and way, it is there that I found my ACCOUNTABILITY. Fast forward and it is 2011 and thanks to Bro Gary, I have now found part of my truest calling, to become A Salesman For Christ.
I look forward to having you as a follower and to start a wonderful spiritual journey together. I am not going to say it is going to happen overnight but I hope through my words, thoughts and sharing that I can help you along the journey.
Have a blessed day.
Garrett
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