Encouragement Facing the Giants - Bloom Where You're Planted

One of my many favorite scenes from Facing the Giants. It really illustrates what God can do if you're ready and willing to let God move through your life. Never underestimate the power of God to do great things.

Open Dialogue

Welcome Back Readers~

As I'm sure you guys have noticed, I haven't been writing with the same zeal that I had after my surgery. The same feelings I had are beginning to make their way back in my life and I am beginning to wonder whether I was blaming the medication because it was easier to do that than to face the deeper issues. Anyway, I am still struggling to find the truth behind these questions. As a result, you can imagine how difficult praying has become for me lately. Don't get me wrong, I know God will listen to me, no matter what I say to him because God not only cares for me but He wants the best for me. A good friend once told me," just keep the dialogue open, He just wants to hear from you." That's such good advice, however. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to say to Him. That being said, I keep my eyes on them promise of Jeremiah 29:11, which says: "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." (NIV)

This is a promise from the Lord himself to every Christian living in today's uncertain times: in light of Virginia's recent earthquake, it's a message. I will continue to cling to.. Because in the end, my friend, that's all we have!

I came across this blog while trying to figure out what to say about prayer because that was the topic on my heart today. Originally it was going to be verses on prayer but as you can see it turned out to be something completely different. Anyway, the blog belongs to the cast of Courageous, a movie that hopes to bring new honor when it comes to being a Christian father in today's society. In short, the website will be spending the next 30 days not only praying for movie, but asking others to join them in praying courageously for a change.. For more information on the movement, please go to the following URL: http://www.courageousthemovie.com/blog/2011/08/40-days-of-courageous-prayers/

Movies That Inspire..

As promised, here is my second installment of Movies that inspire continued... This one premieres on The Gospel Music Channel with three chances to watch this weekend.
　
　
This family friendly drama explores the power of hope to do the impossible
　
　
　
　
　

Movies That Inspire..

Dear Readers,
Sorry I haven't been as reliable as usual when it comes to writing this blog. I've experienced a lot of hills and valleys (trials and tribulations) when it came to returning to life as usual-starting with trying to train another personal assistant. To make a long story short, it didn't work out as we hoped and now we are looking for someone in the interim while my original personal assistant recoverers and eventually returns back to work for us. If there is one important lesson I've learned from all this is, "Be Grateful for What You Have or Someday It Might Be Gone."
　
That being said, I've also experienced a lull when it comes to my life in general. But I guess it's during these times that we are grateful for the road ahead of us. It's just hard. Coming off of such a great experience knowing that God supplied for your every need. It often makes you wonder, "Well, what's next for me, God?"

Anyway, that's where my head is at these days.. So I apologize if I'm not able to come up with anything life shatteringly "brilliant" or worth sharing with you. Lucky for me, I don't have to worry about that today because two movies are making their world premiere on DVD and across television screens. The first being, The Grace Card starring Louis Gossett, Jr., Michael Joiner and Michael Higgenbottom. This powerful drama explores what happens when life takes an unexpected turn and grace takes center stage.



In my next post, I will explore the simple message of hope in GMC's Trinity Goodheart..

Francesca Battistelli - This Is The Stuff

On Sunday morning, this song came to me as I was waking up to get ready for church. Many of my readers know me and can understand where I'm coming from when I say God uses the strangest circumstances to shift our focus... I will be the first to tell you the hospital is the last place I would have imagined getting closer to Him. But it did.

As rewarding as it is, I find myself more than ever susceptible to that of spiritual warfare: after all, anyone who is a Christian is a part of God's Army and a target of the Enemy. And although we're eternally protected, we're still vulnerable to schemes of this world. Below are just a few of the tactics highlighted in yesterday's sermon that proves my point:

• Distractions-Distractions can be anything from our circumstances, our job, and our family that consume our focus away from God. But in the end, the things of this world really don't matter. It's only the things done for God/Jesus that will last in eternity!




• Deception-Deception can be any lie/belief or anything else that is not supported by the Bible




• Discord-by discord, I mean arguments with anyone in your church body. Anger and disagreements make it even easier for the deceiver because we focuses more on ourselves, then our impact on the world at large!




• Disappointments-too often, we have high expectations for ourselves instead of focusing on what God intends for us. This can lead to jealousy if those around us receive things that we think we should have. Remember, God's timing is always best..
  And finally,




• dissertion-My pastor put it best by describing a soldier lost from his unit at war. In short, he said a church was the same way and when you leave because of a disagreement.. You are putting yourself at risk because we all need the support of a group of believers

Vacation reflections

Welcome Back Everyone~

My apologies for not writing anything sooner, but my life has been consumed by follow-up appointments with doctors and such. So much so that it took my mother's birthday vacation to the beaches of Virginia to get my bearings. To make a long story short, my central line is out now and blood counts remain normal. Now we wait.

That being said, I'm grateful for every day God gives me and understand now that good comes out of any circumstance. Just as Bethany Hamilton does.. Many of you may remember me mentioning about this brave young woman who overcame such impossible circumstances (a shark attack and the loss of an arm) and still managed to find her way towards accomplishing her dream of becoming a professional surfer.. Not to mention the added bonus of using her "celebrity" status to share the love of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.

Just an amazing testimony to look up to these days. That's probably one reason why I can't get enough of her movie, Soul Surfer, which was released on August 2nd.


I'd like to end this post with a few of my favorite quotes I missed the first time around...

"Life is a lot like surfing because if you get caught in the impact zone you've got to get back up because you never know what may be over the next wave."

" I don't know why terrible things happen to us sometimes, but I have to believe something good is going to come out of this."

In the future, you may notice a few new webpage additions to my inspirational section. If you look further into Bethany's life and journey, you will understand why!