Small Beginnings

Picture this...

It's the last day of school. I'm standing with my co-teacher, Ms. B. We are asking all the little kiddies what their plans are for the summer. Unbeknownst to me, I am asked this question by Ms. B herself. What do I say? I tell the class that I want to run a mile. Simple goal that I've had going on two years now. I have always started and stopped as the task seems fairly daunting to me, never having run in my life for any reason except MAYBE if I were being chased.

Before I finished my statement and while the classroom of hormonal pre-teens giggles, points and laughs, Ms. B is apparently searching for sporting events for us to join. Well, she found us one and now I'm training for a marathon. 

A. MARATHON. I don't RUN!! And not in MARATHONS!!

Well, needless to say, this has truly been a challenge for me on all levels. I won't go into great detail here, but I will say this is definitely more of a spiritual challenge than a physical one. And it's definitely a physical one.

I Corinthians 9:24 KJV reads: "Know ye not that those who run in a race all run, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain it." If you can't read French, The Message reads: "You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally."

I will be running (as soon as I raise some money to sign up for the event), with hundreds, maybe thousands of other people. My goal is to run the whole thing. SN: A marathon is just over 26 miles! What is my prize? To be called a good athlete? To get a shiny chunk of metal? To get that slap on the back when I'm done or be on TV for three seconds? All of these things would be neat and give me warm fuzzies, but for me, this is really about being spiritually discliplined.

This is about making a goal that is attainable and taking small steps to reach it. I have done this all my life. I set a goal to get a degree and I'm finishing a third. I set a goal to give spiritual and Biblical counsel to those needing it and I do that. I set a goal to leave Tennessee and I am working on living out my third year here. Big goals. I think big. Running a mile is likely chump change to some people I know. Some would scoff at such a small endeavour because they can do it without blinking or breaking a sweat. Luckily, this ain't about them! Why do I want to run a mile? Mostly, I think I'm crazy, but I know that running a mile means better health for me. Am I trying to be skinny? No. I like my big butt. But I do know that running a marathon, and even training for one, will cause weight loss. Hopefully, I will re-shape the caboose and develop less of a keg in the mid-section, but overall, I wanted to do something I have never done before. 

I wanted to blog about this journey, but hesitated because I had nothing to report. Well, I can report that I successfully ran a quarter mile this morning! I didn't stop or even hesitate until I had reached the set goal. I'm stoked. And I do not have a running partner to keep me accountable. It's just me and Jesus sweating it out. 

So, just for those who want to know the boring details: I run three mornings a week in a cul-de-sac in my neighborhood. The area is very quiet with little traffic. It is roughly one half mile from the street's stop sign all the way around. My friend M taught me to run between every other phone pole and I had started out doing that, but that was too much starting and stopping. So, I modified his suggestion and used the poles as markers to stop. I start at the street sign and stop at a phone pole I choose after I start to struggle. It works well for me. Today, I didn't get winded until halfway around the cul-de-sac!! I'm so proud. I didn't time myself. Right now, the goal is just to run the whole cul-de-sac without stopping. Then after I reach that goal, I will run on the sidewalk towards town. In public view of drivers. This is personally challenging to me for many reasons that I can share privately, if you really want to know.

Hebrews 12:1 KJV reads: "Therefore, seeing we also are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

The same verse in The Message reads: "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

The Essential Jesus-Day One

I use Youversion.com to read my Bible. It is a mobile Bible. It offers many reading plans on various topics of a Biblical nature as well as plans to help readers read through the Bible in a specific amount of time (3 months, 1 year, etc.) I am currently blogging about a plan called “The Essential Jesus.” It is my intention to simply create an understanding of Jesus on a basic level (for myself and anyone who wants to join with me in reading through this plan). It is also my intention to blog daily or at least several times per week.

Please feel free to comment (agree, disagree, whatever you wish). I only ask that you be respectful in your comments and avoid rudeness and vulgarity. An opinion can be shared without abuse. Also know that if a comment or opinion is given, it is given with the understanding that another person can share a comment or opinion about it.

A note about the format: I will post, in the King James translation, the daily verse, verse by verse. Afterwards, via the label “In Layman’s Terms,” I will address line by line a different way to read the verse, kind of spelling it out for understanding. I will also add some commentary on each verse as it comes to me. I will try to put it in a different color or font. If I have skipped a verse in the “In Layman’s Terms” section, I likely felt that verse was self-explanatory or needed no further explanation or simplifying.

I’m very excited about doing a Bible study online for friends and friends I’ve not met yet! God bless you all! I hope you enjoy!

The Essential Jesus-Day 1

Note: SD means Strongs Dictionary; SC means Strongs Concordance.

John 1:1-18 KJV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

In Layman’s Terms…

1. The "Word" refers to Jesus. "In the beginning was Jesus, and Jesus was with God, and Jesus was God."

2. The phrase “the same” refers, again, to Jesus. “Jesus was in the beginning with God.”

3. “All things were made by Jesus; and without Jesus was not any thing made that was made.” Everything, because Jesus is also God and was here from the beginning, was made by Him. Nothing that was made was created without Jesus.

4. “In Jesus was life; and the life was the light of men.” Jesus gives mankind life. That life is our light (see John 10:10).

5. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not comprehend it. “Comprehend” here means “to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, apprehend, attain, come upon, find, obtain, perceive, overtake (SD G2638).” “And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overtake it.” Scientifically speaking, light cannot be consumed by darkness. This is why our light comes from Jesus. Darkness cannot overtake the light of Jesus within us.

7. Light is capitalized here, meaning it refers to Jesus. “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of Jesus, that all men through John might believe.” John was sent as a messenger to share about the coming of Jesus so that they would believe before Jesus performed His miracles, kind of like a preview.

8. This verse makes it clear that John was not the Light, not Jesus, but was sent to bear witness, “give evidence or testimony (SD G3140)” of Jesus. “John was not Jesus, but was sent to bear witness of Jesus.”

9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. Jesus came to “enlighten, illuminate, make to see (SD G5461).”

10. This verse reiterates that the world did not know Jesus, hence the need for illumination or enlightenment.

11. Jesus came to His own people, the Jews. He was born into and lived as a Jew. But His own people did not receive Him.

12. “But to all those that received Jesus’ illumination, to all those, He gave power to become a “child, daughter, son (SD G5043)” of God, including those believe in the power of His name:”

13. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. “Which were delivered (SD G1080), not of blood (meaning kinship or lineage [SD G129]), nor by active choice or determination (SD G2307), nor by physical strength or prowess of a human person, but of God.” Based on the context of verses 12 and 13, as well as the passages prior, the meaning is that to all those that received Jesus’ illumination, God has given them the power to become a child of God; and this does not occur by birthright/lineage, by a choice on a human’s part, or even by human strength, but by God’s power alone.

14. “And Jesus was made flesh, and lived among us, (and we “looked closely at, perceived, saw (SD G2300)” Jesus’ “dignity, honour, praise, worship (SD G1391),” the glory as of the only “born (SD G3439)” of the Father,) full of “favour, especially the divine influence upon the heart, gift, pleasure, joy (SD G5485) and truth.

15. A paraphrasing: “John said, ‘This is who I was talking about. I’m letting you know beforehand but he is the one; he was here before me.’ ”

16. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. “And of his “completion, fulfilling, supplement (SD G4138)” have we all received (those who believe, that is) and grace for grace (see v. 14).”

17. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Moses was given the Ten Commandments (Exodus 34:28) on Mount Sinai. The Israelites’ behavior was such that they were disobedient to God, sacrificing to and worshiping other gods. The commandments were given so that the Israelites would have boundaries within which to operate. Disobeying God meant death to the Israelites. Most of the time it was immediate. Jesus came that we might have life more abundant (John 10:10). But Jesus came to take away that burden by putting it on Himself (grace) without removing the necessity for holiness (adherence to the law). See John, chapter 3.

18. “No one has seen God’s face or person. Jesus declares “tells of (SD G1834)” God.” We see God through Jesus. We come to God through Jesus. There is no other way. To approach God as we are would mean instant termination. He is that holy. We are not at all holy. UNLESS we have Jesus’ illumination and have received his gift, his grace. See John 14.6.

Birthday/Christmas Wish List

Ok, so I'm starting early this year, but it's on my mind. And should you be wondering what to get me for my birthday or for Christmas (exactly two weeks later), I have begun a list here that shall be periodically updated for your perusal.

1. Harvey Birdman, Attorney-At-Law, Season (all)
2. Venture Bros., Season (all)
3. Dexter, Season 5
4. Godiva Chocolates (all)
5. Queen-sized Sleigh Bed, Cherry/Cappuccino
6. Queen-sized bedding (green, rust)
7. DVR
8. Gift cards to iTunes, Target, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart
9. Anything from Pampered Chef
10. Godive Chocolates (just in case you missed #4)
11. More to come as the time draws nigh... ;)

Aged

A Facebook friend posted an aging app on my wall. The app was supposed to tell the user what he or she will look like in 20 years. I thought that I might look like my mother (I'm told I resemble her the most).

This caused me to think about her current age, which is roughly 60. I am about half her age. In another 30 years, I know basically what I will look like. Then I thought about how she was when I was 18 and realized she was close to my own current age. By that time, she had already raised her own three children and had participated in raising at least one of her own grandchildren.

I then began to realize that at my current age, she was raising three kids. I came to the conclusion that I am very behind. Not only do I not have any children; I don't have my own place; I don't own a vehicle; I don't own a bed. I don't have anything of real value except my electronics and my life.

I have persistently asked why I am so alone. Why am I *still* single? I'm not pretty. I'm short and round. I'm not the most outgoing. I generally smell ok. I scratch. I am diabetically-inclined. I have a great smile and an open personality (which is how ugly people are generally described on tv and in the movies). I'm very self-aware. I'm very intelligent. I'm even strong-willed when I need to be and accommodating the rest of the time.

So, I have persistently asked the Lord why I'm *still* single. I recognize that I'm "unique," "odd," "different," "eccentric," "quirky," and "weird." People that truly know me LOVE me. So, I am dumbfounded.

I thought all these things in the span of about 15 minutes on the way home from work.

My conclusion? To keep on keeping on. There is an answer and the Lord has it. He will share "why" with me eventually. Someday, I will get to raise some kids, even if I never birth them or get to raise them in a traditional family. Someday, I will own something of real value (like a house or vehicle; maybe even some furniture). Someday, I will have someone to come home to, someone who will be ever so excited to see me and hear about my day and figure out what makes me tick.

In the meantime, I will continue to go to work, go to school and snuggle with my Kitty Poo...

Match!

So, I have a free account on Match.com and this guy "winked" at me... Please enjoy. I certainly do...

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A little about me...
KEEP IT REAL OR KEEP IT MOVING. THAT'S MY PERSONALITY IN A NUT SHELL. I RULE MONEY, MONEY DON'T RULE ME. I MAKE MONEY, MONEY DON'T MAKE ME. I HAVE A (15)YEAR CAREER AND I LOVE IT .I WANT A BBW WITH PRETTY FEET! WHAT DOES THAT MEAN I'LL TELL YOU RIGHT NOW..NO CORNS, BUNIONS, HAMMERTOES AND FLAT FEET. I WILL NOT BEND ON THIS RULE SO DON'T ASK ME TOO YOU WILL GET YOUR FEELINGS HURT. SHALLOW, RUDE, HOSTILE?NO REAL. IT IS WHAT IT IS .YOU LIKE PRETTY TEETH AND I LIKE PRETTY FEET. I'M ON HERE LOOKING FOR A WIFE NOT A ONE NITE STAND SO WHO IN HELL WANTS TO WAKE UP TO CORNS AND BUNIONS FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE? NOT ME. I HAVE PRETTY FEET AND SO SHOULD MY WIFE. IF YOU'RE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS PLEASE DO NOT REPOND TO ME: PEN PAL, FRIENDS ONLY, CASUALDATING ,PHONEMATE AND JUST PLAIN BORED WITH NOTHING TO DO. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!I DON'T NEED TO HEAR WHAT DOES PRETTY FEET GOTTA DO WITH LOVE DON'T INSULT ME OR YOURSELF FOR THAT FACT. YOU LIKE PRETTY TEETH AND I LIKE PRETTY FEET. HEY IT IS WHAT IT IS GET OVER IT ALREADY. I WANT A BBW WITH PRETTY FEET!!I WANT TO FALL IN LOVE IT MAY SOUND DUMB AND CORNY BUT IT'S REAL. I'M NOT SAYIN THAT 50 IS THE NEW 30 ALL I'M SAYIN IS THAT IF YOU HAVE A AGE HANGUP, THEN KEEP IT MOVIN. I DON'T LOOK MY AGE AND YES THAT'S A RECENT PIC. THAT'S FOR REAL NO JOKE !! I'm not on here for games and one night stands..I'm looking for my soul mate a Wife my best friend..Many Men will catch your eyes... but only one will catch your Heart..that would be me thank you ! If you have a bunch of Male friends..NEXT..If you have ugly feet..NEXT...If your cell phone is more important than me..NEXT...If you don't agree with love at first sight...NEXT...If all of your pics are with a bunch of Men..NEXT...If you don't have no pictures of you by yourself and I cant tell who you are NEXT...If you don't want a Engagement Ring...NEXT...If you don't want a Husband...NEXT...If you got a problem with my age..NEXT... If your best friend is a Man...NEXT...If you are a Liar...NEXT...If you are not Serious...NEXT...If you are not ready to settle down...NEXT...If I can't be the only Man in your life...NEXT...If you are not looking for a long term relationship...NEXT...If you are no attracted to me and don't like what you see...NEXT... If you are not Drug and Disease free...NEXT...If you got a Corn on your baby toe...NEXT...If you got Flat feet or a Bunion...NEXT...If you think this profile is a Joke...NEXT... If you have wandering eyes...NEXT...If you think 3's Company....NEXT....If you are looking for a booty call...NEXT...If your Friends come before me...NEXT...If you think I'm Crazy...NEXT...If this profile is to real and too strong for you ...NEXT.. ...NEXT....NEXT.. A closed mouth don't get fed...If you want a one night stand or just Sex...NEXT... If you don't want to be in Love for real...NEXT...If you think E-mailing is the way to my Heart..NEXT...If you know you're full of it...NEXT...If you have nothing better to than read my profile because you're bored and can't sleep...NEXT...If you don't want me to put a Ring on it...NEXT...If you want to hide behind a Computer and sell Dreams and tell Lies...NEXT...If you think this profile is RUDE and not REAL...NEXT...If you are just surfing the net...NEXT...If you have a judgement call on this profile...NEXT...Rude ? No!..REAL !! ...If you have a comment about my profile...NEXT...If I left something out...NEXT...If this profile is too long...NEXT...If you read this long...long...profile and like what you see and read....STAY A WHILE...If you're not Real. that means Fake...NEXT...If you find this profile funny ..NEXT...You're not ready for me !If you got a bunch of pretty boys you call friends...You guessed it. ..NEXT... If you are full of it...NEXT...If you don't want a long distance relationship....NEXT...If you don't like what you're reading right now...NEXT...IT IS WHAT IT IS..I just know what I want and won't settle so on that note...NEXT....And oh yes Ladies I do have a College Degree

So dreamy... *sigh*

Engrish

So, as a teacher who specializes in language arts, I feel it is my duty to discuss it.

It is imperative, as American citizens, to understand that written language requires the proper usage of punctuation. For example, I have used a tiny jot called a period three times so far. The period is necessary so that the reader knows when to pause. It is necessary. Let me repeat, it is NECESSARY. The period means you have completed a thought. You have expressed it. Done. It is representative of the natural pause given when a person speaks.

Secondly, there is a tiny mark called a comma that is used to signify another pause. This little guy is mainly used to allow for a tiny transition from one thought to another. It may not be a complete thought to a complete thought, but the thoughts are there and there should be a pause. It's almost there for someone simply to take a breath and continue speaking.

People do not speak with commas and periods, but we do speak with natural pauses. Mostly. We are not (generally speaking) ramblers, speaking a flow of words with no end. We have to eat and sleep. Natural pause.

Let's look at a few examples.

"My name is Betty. I live in a house. I have a cat and a dog and I like to eat food that is warm and salty. I drive to work every day. I walk home every night."

"My name is Betty I live in a house I have a cat and a dog and I like to eat food that is warm and salty I drive to work every day I walk home every night."

The second paragraph is not as easy to read as the first. It is also more difficult to listen to, by the way. Imagine a cute kid with a button nose and doe eyes looking up at you with his two missing front teeth talking at top speed about the merits of space travel with no pauses. Cute but hard to follow (perhaps) and hard to endure (nearly always).

Use punctuation. It's our civic duty.

Satan

So, I’m starting a series, I think.

On Satan.

I have studied this guy for years. He’s very wily. But ultimately, he’s doomed. It’s my belief that one should know his or her enemy. He is truly the only enemy humans have, including those humans who do not believe in such a creature.

I will use the Bible as my main resource, but I will also interject other sources that I come across. I will try to make sure they are reliable sources as this is not about fear-mongering or bashing anyone except Satan himself.

If you are easily intimidated by such things or you are scared out of your mind about dark and evil things, I encourage you to think long and hard about participating in this study. I even encourage you to pray long and hard about participating in this study. Pray to God, Jesus AND the Holy Spirit, because you will need the support. This subject should not be taken lightly in any way. Satan is nothing to mess around with, especially out of ignorance or curiosity.

This study is not out of curiosity. It is what I do. It is what I am called by God to do. It is what Jesus leads me to do and the Holy Spirit empowers me to do it. My dad, a pastor for many years, says that “[E]veryone who is not saved is a practicing satanist… They fear you and who is in you.” This is true. However, I want to add to this thought that it is one thing to unknowingly be blinded by his deceptions (i.e. complete denial of all things spiritual, or denial of God or evil) and another to worship the devil himself and acknowledge it. It’s this latter point that I will be researching.

I will interview satanists that I come across and include portions of the interviews here. All names and identifying information will be changed or omitted in the interest of confidentiality.

Please read Romans 12 in your favorite translation (I will mostly use The Message translation here as it’s easy to read and understand). I encourage you to check out http://www.bible.com/ and read this passage in several translations just to get a “rounder” understanding of this Word. Romans 12, summed up, states that we should love. Period. It does not matter how many people a serial rapist has assaulted. He should still be loved. It doesn’t matter how rude a Facebook friend has been or will be towards you. He or she should still be loved. It doesn’t matter how hateful your supervisor is to you and your co-workers. He or she should still be loved. No one can come to Christ through our witness if we are hateful back. This is Romans 12. This is my attitude in general. And this is my attitude about this subject and towards those who are knowingly "in league with the devil."

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Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody. Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good (http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=romans+12&version1=65).
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I hope you enjoy this study/series as it develops. Feel free to comment! Just be respectful!