I have enjoyed using my Apple products, but I have had a few frustrations lately. Some of the syncing mechanisms haven't been working the best. That has caused me to spend considerable time on the phone trying to get things back online and working correctly.
It is nice to have a cell phone, computer, and IPad that are all connected and share information. That makes life goes smoother and quicker. It generally works great, but not lately.
I think I have everything back in order, or at least I hope so.
It has taken lots of time, but even with that I can't complain. Apple products have worked extremely good for me. And, they help you on the phone and stay with you until it is fixed.
Sharing information is what the information age is all about. It happens so quickly. You can touch thousands and thousands of lives in a few moments and share incredible amounts of information between my devices. Amazing!
I love it, even when things are slow. Amazing! I'll write more on my next blog post.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
CITY ORDINANCE 296
For the past six months I have been working with other city leaders to defeat City Ordinance 296. It proposed to give "special rights" to homosexuals and lesbians. It was cloaked with the disguise of civil liberties, but how can you grant civil liberties for behavior?
Thankfully, and miraculously, it was defeated Wednesday night by the Jacksonville City Council by a vote of 17 to 2. That is a huge victory for our city.
The attempt was to make homosexual and lesbian relations "normal". It was an aggressive act to abuse the civil rights of Christians and others of faith who opposed immoral relationships. In the process it would have hurt children, youth, families, and our community.
All people should be loved and given respect, but that doesn't include all behavior. There are obviously many, countless acts of behavior that should not be tolerated by society, but that doesn't mean that the people doing them aren't loved.
Christians aren't biased or bigoted when they do not accept immoral behavior. What is more hateful: to condone sin or give a fair warning and offer redemptive help? The answer is simple.
Last night, Wednesday night, I felt that God's hand extended down into our City. I felt that God showed us mercy. Now, I pray that a revival of righteousness will rain down upon us. Not one of judgment, but one of love for God and His holiness.
Holiness is good. Purity is good. They both bring incredible blessing.
The battle is sure to be fought again, but the Lord is our victory and last night He won.
Thankfully, and miraculously, it was defeated Wednesday night by the Jacksonville City Council by a vote of 17 to 2. That is a huge victory for our city.
The attempt was to make homosexual and lesbian relations "normal". It was an aggressive act to abuse the civil rights of Christians and others of faith who opposed immoral relationships. In the process it would have hurt children, youth, families, and our community.
All people should be loved and given respect, but that doesn't include all behavior. There are obviously many, countless acts of behavior that should not be tolerated by society, but that doesn't mean that the people doing them aren't loved.
Christians aren't biased or bigoted when they do not accept immoral behavior. What is more hateful: to condone sin or give a fair warning and offer redemptive help? The answer is simple.
Last night, Wednesday night, I felt that God's hand extended down into our City. I felt that God showed us mercy. Now, I pray that a revival of righteousness will rain down upon us. Not one of judgment, but one of love for God and His holiness.
Holiness is good. Purity is good. They both bring incredible blessing.
The battle is sure to be fought again, but the Lord is our victory and last night He won.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY FACE
Men often do not see the obvious. I read that is one of our characteristics. We don't multi-task well. We don't listen well. We don't ask for directions. And, we don't see things that are right in front of our noses.
I can't tell you the number of times I have called Wanda to get her to help me find something, only to find in right in front of my face. Ha! I'm not sure what the problem is, but I don't think I'm the only one.
Women do it too.
Just ask Wanda.
Recently we were sitting together on the beach enjoying the ocean. She had her I-Phone and wanted to listen to her music. She tried and tried to get it to play, but it wouldn't work. Finally, she turned to me for help. I looked for a moment and quickly saw the problem. Her earplugs were in her lap and not in her ears! Ha!
It is hard to listen to music on an I-Phone if the earplugs are not in your ears!
All of us have that problem from time to time. We miss the obvious, the most important, the most evident and clearest. That happens over and over spiritually.
God's Word speaks clearly about every issue of life, but people miss it over and over. I think the problem is kind of like Wanda's problem with not hearing the music. They don't have their spiritual earplugs in. They're not listening. God is speaking but no one is paying attention.
May God help me today to open my eyes, my ears, and my heart and hear what He is saying and where He is leading. Then all will go well.
I can't tell you the number of times I have called Wanda to get her to help me find something, only to find in right in front of my face. Ha! I'm not sure what the problem is, but I don't think I'm the only one.
Women do it too.
Just ask Wanda.
Recently we were sitting together on the beach enjoying the ocean. She had her I-Phone and wanted to listen to her music. She tried and tried to get it to play, but it wouldn't work. Finally, she turned to me for help. I looked for a moment and quickly saw the problem. Her earplugs were in her lap and not in her ears! Ha!
It is hard to listen to music on an I-Phone if the earplugs are not in your ears!
All of us have that problem from time to time. We miss the obvious, the most important, the most evident and clearest. That happens over and over spiritually.
God's Word speaks clearly about every issue of life, but people miss it over and over. I think the problem is kind of like Wanda's problem with not hearing the music. They don't have their spiritual earplugs in. They're not listening. God is speaking but no one is paying attention.
May God help me today to open my eyes, my ears, and my heart and hear what He is saying and where He is leading. Then all will go well.
Monday, August 13, 2012
I'M BACK....
I'm back and I hope you are too!
I've been away celebrating Wanda's 60th B'day, enjoying a cruise, and spending a couple days on the beach. It was a great get-a-way. Wanda and I both needed some down time. We have returned home relaxed and ready to go again.
Someone told me that they couldn't believe Wanda was 60. They said that I had robbed the cradle. She sure looks younger and acts younger than 60 too. She is a primary reason I bought "Big Red". I couldn't believe that she would ride a motorcycle with me at our ages, but she is young at heart and energetic and ready to try new things. I like that!
We had a wonderful cruise to the Bahama's sailing to Cococay and Nassau. It was a quick four night cruise and was just right as far as the time sailing goes. We ate, and ate, and ate, and then ate some more. I did workout running around and around the ship to burn some of those calories. I also visited their workout center too.
Besides eating, we really enjoyed meeting new people, the shows at night, and visiting Cococay. Cococay is a very small island the ship visits for one day. We sat on the beach, enjoying a hammock, and just watching the sea.
Finally, we returned to Florida and spent another couple of days on St. Augustine Beach. I had never gone to St. Augustine Beach even though I've visited St. Augustine more times than I can count. It is a nice beach to ride bikes and relax. That is exactly what we did.
Now it is back to work. Can't wait to see all that God is going to do in our lives. My desire is to make my life count for eternity and bring glory to His name. I feel refreshed and ready to go at it again.
Thank you Lord for a few days away to renew body, mind, and spirit.
God is good!
I've been away celebrating Wanda's 60th B'day, enjoying a cruise, and spending a couple days on the beach. It was a great get-a-way. Wanda and I both needed some down time. We have returned home relaxed and ready to go again.
We had a wonderful cruise to the Bahama's sailing to Cococay and Nassau. It was a quick four night cruise and was just right as far as the time sailing goes. We ate, and ate, and ate, and then ate some more. I did workout running around and around the ship to burn some of those calories. I also visited their workout center too.Besides eating, we really enjoyed meeting new people, the shows at night, and visiting Cococay. Cococay is a very small island the ship visits for one day. We sat on the beach, enjoying a hammock, and just watching the sea.
Finally, we returned to Florida and spent another couple of days on St. Augustine Beach. I had never gone to St. Augustine Beach even though I've visited St. Augustine more times than I can count. It is a nice beach to ride bikes and relax. That is exactly what we did.
Now it is back to work. Can't wait to see all that God is going to do in our lives. My desire is to make my life count for eternity and bring glory to His name. I feel refreshed and ready to go at it again.
Thank you Lord for a few days away to renew body, mind, and spirit.
God is good!
Monday, August 6, 2012
I'LL BE BACK....
Taking a week's break from blogging. Doing some fun stuff. Spending time with Wanda. Just letting my mind and body rest. This is good. See you next Monday!
I'll be back....
I'll be back....
Friday, August 3, 2012
FASTING AND PRAYING
Some things only come about by prayer coupled with fasting. That is what our Lord taught. Prayer is talking and listening to God. Fasting is giving up something you love during a time of prayer. Fasting is mostly connected to giving up food for a period of time. Our Lord fasted forty days at least one time. There are many other examples in the Bible where prayer and fasting were done.
Why pray and fast?
1. It is a show of humility and surrender to God.
2. It makes us bring the flesh under subjection and pulls us closer to God.
3. It empowers our prayers as we surrender to His will.
4. God takes note of prayer and fasting.
5. The Devil is defeated through prayer and fasting.
Through the years the Lord has led me on numerous times of fasting. I have fasted as long as ten days at one time, but more often it is much shorter than that. Sometimes a day. Other times three days or a week. Admittedly it is painful and difficult. I love to eat! When you don't eat all kinds of hurts start. Headaches, stomaches, and weakness are all impacting. Ouch!
Yet, when we wait on God with prayer and fasting, something happens in the heavens. God takes note. In the Bible whole cities and nations were spared because of prayer and fasting. Individuals saw God's hand extended to them through prayer and fasting.
If you are facing a time of difficulty and don't know what to do. Or, if you feel your prayers are being hindered. Then add prayer with fasting.
It has helped me. I have seen God's hand extended through prayer and fasting. Hard problems are cracked through prayer and fasting. Jesus said so.
Why pray and fast?
1. It is a show of humility and surrender to God.
2. It makes us bring the flesh under subjection and pulls us closer to God.
3. It empowers our prayers as we surrender to His will.
4. God takes note of prayer and fasting.
5. The Devil is defeated through prayer and fasting.
Through the years the Lord has led me on numerous times of fasting. I have fasted as long as ten days at one time, but more often it is much shorter than that. Sometimes a day. Other times three days or a week. Admittedly it is painful and difficult. I love to eat! When you don't eat all kinds of hurts start. Headaches, stomaches, and weakness are all impacting. Ouch!
Yet, when we wait on God with prayer and fasting, something happens in the heavens. God takes note. In the Bible whole cities and nations were spared because of prayer and fasting. Individuals saw God's hand extended to them through prayer and fasting.
If you are facing a time of difficulty and don't know what to do. Or, if you feel your prayers are being hindered. Then add prayer with fasting.
It has helped me. I have seen God's hand extended through prayer and fasting. Hard problems are cracked through prayer and fasting. Jesus said so.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
EAT MORE CHIKIN'
How bigoted can one mayor get? The mayor of Chicago recently stated that Chick-fil-A is not welcome in his city due to the head of Chick-fil-A's support of traditional family values.
So Dr. George Wood, General Supt. of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, asked the mayor if he was opposed to Catholics, Evangelicals, Muslims, or many other pro-traditional family groups to live in his city?
How biased and bigoted can one mayor get?
Just because one doesn't support homosexual or lesbian lifestyles is basis enough to keep them out of "his" city? So tell me? Who is really bigoted here?
I plan on eating more chicken at Chick-fil-A and more regularly.
Last week I stopped by a Chick-fil-A and placed an order. As the cashier was filling it, I asked to speak to the manager. In a moment the manager came up and I told her how much I appreciate this company and its pro-tradistional family values. She beamed with gratitude.
Homosexuality and lesbianism are sin. They are wrong behavioral choices. They lead to hurt and shame. The Bible is very clear about sin's end result - death.
We can love the sinner and hate the sin. God loves sinners and so should we. Yet, God doesn't condone sin. He died so we can be free of sin.
May God have mercy on our Nation and help us to return to Him. That is our only hope. I will keep praying and believing and I also plan on eatin' more chikin.
So Dr. George Wood, General Supt. of the General Council of the Assemblies of God, asked the mayor if he was opposed to Catholics, Evangelicals, Muslims, or many other pro-traditional family groups to live in his city?
How biased and bigoted can one mayor get?
Just because one doesn't support homosexual or lesbian lifestyles is basis enough to keep them out of "his" city? So tell me? Who is really bigoted here?
I plan on eating more chicken at Chick-fil-A and more regularly.
Last week I stopped by a Chick-fil-A and placed an order. As the cashier was filling it, I asked to speak to the manager. In a moment the manager came up and I told her how much I appreciate this company and its pro-tradistional family values. She beamed with gratitude.
Homosexuality and lesbianism are sin. They are wrong behavioral choices. They lead to hurt and shame. The Bible is very clear about sin's end result - death.
We can love the sinner and hate the sin. God loves sinners and so should we. Yet, God doesn't condone sin. He died so we can be free of sin.
May God have mercy on our Nation and help us to return to Him. That is our only hope. I will keep praying and believing and I also plan on eatin' more chikin.
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