Vacation in the Smokey Mountains

I went on vacation with my wife to the Smoky Mountains. We decided on October because we wanted to see the color change. We heard it was something to see. It was! Here a just a few pictures to share with you the experience we had. I hope you will enjoy these.

Psalms 139:7-10

v7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

v8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

v9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

v10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

Been a LONG Time

It has been a long time since I have written anything for my blog. Not that I haven't had anything to write. It's just that I haven't seem to have the time to write it down. Which brings me to my point. Are we so busy that we don't have time in our schedules to do what we should do.

There are thing we need to do. You know what these are - sleep - eat - work - daily health care like brushing our teeth, bathing and so on.

Things we like to do. This list can get really long and include such important things as watch TV, listen to music, surf the Internet, movies and even just sit and stare at your feet.

Then there are things we should do. This list will tell you a lot about a person. These items may include vacation. We all need to take a break and get away from the normal routine of life. Spending time with your family. Only talking in the car to school or work or the next sports event is not going to cut it. Going to church. Here is one that I feel most have placed on the bottom of this or any list. I can listen to radio, pod casts or TV and get my spiritual needs taken care of. This list and the items we place on it speaks of our values. Those internal things that tells others what is important to us and what kind of person we really are.

Of course, if you write out these list you then need to do something about them. And here is where the get really creative. Even the person that says they are not a creative person will demonstrate incredible creativity when it come to excuses for not doing the things on these lists.

So today I challenge you to first think about the items that should be on these three list. Be honest with yourself. Are you doing you lists or are you just making excuses about why you are not doing your list? Some of you may say, "Al, creating a list just adds to much pressure to my life. Plus if I can't get done the things on my list that makes me feel bad and like a failure." Well, the problem is not the list but maybe what you have put on them. You priorities are wrong and you need Godly guidance.

How you get Godly guidance? Matthew 6:33 says seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. In placing God first in your life I have found that the rest of life's list items seem to fall into the correct order. It is AMAZING how this works.

Psalms 90:12 NASB So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Never Again List

Yesterday we finished a series of teachings based on the book, "Search for Significance." Great series with much discussion and soul searching that I prayed ended in healing in our lives and a closer walk with God.

As we finished the class, we commented that once you accept Jesus as you Saviour you have answered THE most important question - where will you spend eternity. In answering this question there are some issues that you never have to confess again. Here are the ten I listed out in class.

1. Never again will I confess "Sickness" because by His stripes I am healed. Isaiah 53:5

2. Never again will I say "I Can't" because "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13. Another translation says it this way, "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." Philippians 4:13

3. Never again will I confess "Fear" because "God has not given me a spirit of fear but one of love and power and a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7

4. Never Again will I confess "Lack" for ' Because ". . my God will supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 or "You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus." Philippians 4:19

5. Never again will I confess "Weakness" because "the people that know God shall be strong and do exploits (take action.) Daniel 11:32

6. Never again will I confess "Worries or Frustrations" because I - Give all my worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1Peter 5:7

7. Never again will I confess "Bondage" because - "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom, AMP)" II Corinthians 3;17

8. Never again will I confess "Condemnation" because :There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Romans 8:1

9. Never again will I confess "Lack of knowing what to do." - because I can "ask God and he gives generously and without reproach. James 1:5. How about the way NLT says it. "But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James" 1:5 NLT

10. Never again will I confess "Defeat" - because God always causes me to triumph in Christ" II Corinthians 2:14 "And I got it, thank God! In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. (2Corinthians 2:14 - Message)

God bless

Women say, Men Say.

Going around the office today was one of those "when women say this, they really mean this" list. True as these may be I felt the need to rebuttal the meaning with what men are really saying to the same words. Let me know if you agree.

1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' ... that will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying Forget YOU! (9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Here are the Men’s rebuttal

1. FINE: Things are good, great looking car or we are talking about sand paper.
2. FIVE MINUTES: It is a barometer of our sexual desires if you get my drift.
3. NOTHING: Statement men usually get when we explain item 2.
4. GO AHEAD: Yellow at intersection or the light has been red to long and since on one is looking GO AHEAD and run the light.
5. LOUD SIGH: Didn’t see the cop at the corner when we ran the stop light.
6. THAT’S OK: Just consumed a double beef whopper with cheese but to offset the calories we order a diet coke. THAT’S OK.
7. THANKS: Proper response to Item 2.
8. WHATEVER: Man’s response to item 5. Usually followed by FINE from women.
9. DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, I GOT IT. Means man has forgotten something he was suppose to do and is now hoping that this response will delay the LOUD SIGH.

I hope you enjoyed the laugh. God bless.