Chapters

As I often think about the many years of my life, I think of them as Chapters of a book. You may ask this question, "Why would one think of their years on Earth as Chapters"? Well for one every year brings a new or unique experience. I have discovered in my own life ,that it doesn't matter how old I have become or how much I may seem to know. There is always something new or someone that is unique in their own way that surprises me. As we grow older each of us experience things that we never thought would happen. As I speak for myself I never thought that I would grow old. I had this crazy notion that I would always look or be young forever. I also thought that everything I dreamed about becoming and everything I envision would come to pass. Many of us have those childhood dreams, believing that we may go to college, marry our high school sweethearts and live happy ever after. I had those same dreams, thought that when I got married to the woman of my dreams that I would stay that way forever or for a lifetime. Boy was I wrong! Now divorced its just another Chapter in my life and I had to moved on. I also had a dream that when I had children of my own, that they would be perfect children and I would be a perfect parent. But as you may know nothing in life is perfect but God. That is what life is really about moving on going through the good or the bad then leaving it behind. As my late grandmother would say it ," Baby you just  have to go on, but while going on use those past experiences to help shape you into a better man . She would go on to say ,"Never let those bad experiences scare or deter you". Always stay determine and never let or allow bad things from the past keeping achieving or accomplishing your dreams. Life is about over coming all of its obstacles. Climbing then reaching mountain top's, dreaming, then realizing your dreams. Yes life will present you with many obstacles, but if you are smart enough to avoid developing bad habits and strong enough to over come your fears, then with faith in God you can do almost anything. Its just a part of life and its already written. Those who handle life as it is are the ones that become successful. But those who complain are the ones that are stuck in the same place this time next year. Learn from your failures or mistakes and become better. Then forget about those bad chapters in your life and create good or new ones. Because as long as you live, you continue to write new chapters and  then create new beginnings. As I think about my late grandmother's very wise words, I now know that she is both wise and  right. I  know now, that I can not let my past effect my future and I shouldn't allow my bad experiences,  keep me from achieving my goals or from being blessed. I just  have too take everyday as it is or every year as a new learning experience. I have too  keep an opened mind, that way I allow myself to learn new things and open myself up to new possibilities .(Even the things that I am not interested in) Because what I have found is that sometimes past life experiences sometimes can help me avoid trouble and it may also let  me know if something or someone is good enough to pursue.

In all of our lives we have things or certain situations that could help or hinder our lives. In my own life I experienced a painful divorce, lost a job that paid me good money, had to move to another state, had car trouble and that's to name a few. But I didn't allow life circumstances or bad situations change me or who I was. Instead I  just kept my faith, believing in God and knowing one day soon it all would be better. I never gave up, because my son depended on me and just because my life was hard I didn't want that too affect my sons life. My advice to anyone who may read this, never use your past experiences as an excuse or a reason not to succeed, but instead use them as motivation. What do I mean by this statement? Many times many of us ,use our past as reasons why we haven't remarried, found someone special to love or we use them as reasons why we haven't been successful. When in fact those reasons are only an excuse and not a real reason not too go on with your life. Yes throughout every ones life, there will be many disappointments or failures. But instead of using our past experiences as reasons not to succeed, we all should instead become more determine not to fail.  Look at those experiences, like God looks at our lives, as another year or another Chapter in your life. If you are blessed to be still living, there is a good chance that you can or will change your life for the better. Look at your past experiences good or bad as learning experiences. Also look at your past years as a road map to help you avoid trouble or as a guide to help you take advantage of things that may make you a success.  Like my late grandmother would always say, the more you grow in knowledge, the more wise or successful you will become. As I look at my own life, I live it with this one positive thought in mind. I survived another year with the grace of God and now that I have learned from my past failures or mistakes I will not travel that same route or road again. What I have also learned is life itself, is a leap of faith. First you walk , then you fall, then you get right up and try harder again. My late grandmother used to always say, It doesn't matter in life how many times you fail. What really counts is how many times you get up from your failure. She would say, "Never give up, never stop trying, in fact try harder and pray more often" ! And when everything you do or try  fails, then lean on God for the strength and understanding. From the knowledge passed on to me from my late grandmother, parents and others, I  use that same knowledge or wisdom, to make the next Chapters or years of my life, the best ever.
Have a wonderful day,
Charles
Ezekiel 36:25-26
I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you ,your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Expect More

When I look at the world today its easy to determine that being ordinary or being just like everyone is normal. But if you happen to be a Christian or one that believes in God, then you should know that God expects more from you. In fact he doesn't want you to be just like everyone else in the world, he wants you to be different,knowledgeable, unique,extraordinary, fearless,confident and above anything petty that the world offers. In other words just because there are bad or terrible things going on in the world you shouldn't let that effect or change who you are. Never allow bad people or terrible situations ruin your mood or effect your personality. For the word says( John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.) Expect more, demand more from yourself, become a better father, mother,husband, wife, friend, Christian or what ever you chose to be in life, because God our Father in Heaven expects more or nothing less but the best from his believers.

Have a blessed day,

Charles

1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Limits

I remember while growing up as a child, my mother and father would ask me this question," What did I want to be when I grow up"? As a child I was eager to answer their question, because just like any other child, I had so many dreams, hopes or desires and I truly believed that anything was possible. My parents to their credit never dispelled, my beliefs and always told me that if I put my mind to it then all things were possible. As they would put it, Charles there is nothing in the world that you can't accomplish, if you are willing to study, do the work and go after your dreams then you can do anything. Now that I am older all I can say is wow! Why you may ask? Well because the Bible says the very same thing (Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.) As a child, I never had the fears, that I now have as an adult and I truly believed that anything was possible. I didn't place limits on myself, because at the time I wasn't aware that I could fail. I think that is why when I was a child, I would put a sheet on the back of my shirt and try to fly, because just like superman, because I believed that I could.

 Now that I am older I wonder what happened to my youthful enthusiasm. If I could fault my parents for anything while they were raising me, it would be that they didn't teach me how to deal with failure or to never forget that even though we all get older we should always believe that all things are sill possible despite our age. That's why I am encouraging you, if you happen to be reading this at this hour, to never place barriers or limits on your life. Don't let or allow your age or current situation  keep from achieving your dreams, goals or desires. Go after them just as you did as a child and as the Bible says, fear nothing but God. For the Bible also says if a man or woman has faith then all things are truly possible through God. (Mark 9:23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes.") Limits are only there for those who don't believe and have place them on themselves.

Have a blessed night,

Charles

Matthew 21:21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

What's Up God?

Have you ever wanted to ask God a question or have a conversation with him? Really? I am talking about a real conversation like two normal consenting adults. I know you may be saying to yourself, "Well if I wanted to ask him something, I would just ask him through prayer or I would ask my Pastor or Priest to speak to him on my behalf". But what I am talking about is a direct question that he would soon answer, just like Moses did back in his time. Sometimes when I read the Bible, I become a little envious, because despite all of our technology, our cell phones, I-pads, computers and other marvels from man, none of us have the ability to talk directly to God. There are no mountains to climb, no burning bushes or even angels to speak too our behalf. Our only connection is a brief minute or two on our knees when we pray to God and our hour or two in church on Sunday's. Of course many of us have Pastors, Priest or other type of religious leaders, but none of them have that same connection as past religious leaders had when there wasn't a need for such advance technology.

It makes one want to ask these question, What's up God? Why aren't you talking or saying anything directly to your believers? I know in your own way you speak to us or lead us where you would like us to go. But now we need you more than ever! I know that you are aware of the issues, the problems or troubles of the world today and I also understand that it is in your plan. (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.) I know we are not suppose live our lives in fear, but the world we live in is kind of scary. Our world is in turmoil and there is so much pain, we need the mighty hand of Jesus to heal our pain. I know that no man or woman knows the hour or the day when your Son Jesus will grace us with his presence again, but we need you in this hour, this day and through our week as we all deal with our everyday pain. I know you are there God speak to us, lead us , heal this world, take away forever, the hate, the lies and pain. What's up God? I know you hear each of us in our prayers, lead us so we won't be led astray, into temptation and far away from sin. Besides my questions Lord, I would like to say thank you! I appreciate every blessing and opportunity you have given me. Thank you Jesus for providing for me even when I wasn't deserving of your blessings.

Have a blessed day,

Charles
Psalm 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

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Psalm 139:18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

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Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

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Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.

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Spare The Rod Spare The Child

Yesterday I witness a daughter disrespecting her mother, she cursed out her mother and even had the nerve to suggest that she would harm her. I could tell that the mother was very embarrassed and didn't know what to do with her out of control daughter. So I walked up to the young lady and said," You shouldn't talk to your mother that way, after all she brought you into this world and has every right to take you out of it". Then I went on to say, "That you are not only embarrassing your mother, but you are bringing shame to yourself. Because anyone who disrespects their mother has no respect for themselves. After I was done talking to this young lady I could tell that her mother was happy that I said something to her daughter. This made me ask myself this question, Why are our children so out of control? Then a thought came to me and said , Its because they lack discipline, honor,don't fear God and have little respect for others, to survive in an ever changing world. These tools have to be taught in order for a child to become a respectable adult. 

What happen was so distasteful to me, that it brought back memories of when my then sixteen, year old son tried to disrespect me. One day his school called me and told me that my son was taking back to his teacher. So like any responsible father would do ,I promptly got into my car and drove to the school. I walked into his classroom and asked him to meet me outside. After I got through scolding him and telling him to never disrespect anyone of authority. When I was done, my son was in tears and was embarrassed, I think that for some reason he didn't think that he father would take time off his job to discipline him. Then he looked into my eyes huffing , puffing and mad , had his fist balled up like he wanted to fight. When I saw this I was kind of amused and then smiled. I said "Son, I love you with all my heart, that is why I am here". But I help bring you into this world and if you ever think about disrespecting me or anyone else I will help bring you out of it. Even though he was embarrassed by me coming to his school, I would rather him feel that way today, then being in jail tomorrow. For the Bible says, Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

With school being just around the corner, as adults we all should remember that our children are in training not only to learn subjects that will help them with college or beyond, but to also to prepare them to be adults. That is why I was very careful while raising my own son, never to treat him like a baby, but instead like a boy that soon became a young man. I always reminded him of who he was and prepared him for what he may become. I let him know that while he lived with me that I had certain expectations and when he ventured out on his own that he wasn't off the hook. Because not only should he meet his own goals, dreams or desires, but also that God our Father in Heaven also had expectations of his own for him to meet. I think that is why a lot of us loose our children so early , because we don't give them goals to achieve or expectations for them to meet. Also a lot of our children lack discipline, honor or respect that are needed to survive in today's world. I was always taught by my parents that if I didn't respect them, my elders or God then I wouldn't respect others when I became an adult. My parents always demanded respect, taught me what honor meant and never spared the rod. As my father would put it, "If I allow you to get away with doing something wrong today, then you will do something worse tomorrow". Spare the rod he would say, then spare the child. In other words, Proverbs 19:18 Chasten your son while there is hope, and let not your soul spare for his crying.

Have a blessed day,

Charles

Proverbs 13:24
He that spares his rod hates his son: but he that loves him chastens him betimes.
Proverbs 29:15
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame

Proverbs 22:15
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.