Something New

I’m going to try this new format of blogging I noticed somewhere else. I thought it was inviting and figured it would help motivate me to stay current with entries and gain some followers (we’ll see!)

Local:

After yet another shooting resulting in the death of another youth, Bridgeport’s City Council has passed a youth curfew. According to CTPost.com, the ordinance effects youth under the age of 18. You can read about here. I don’t know, when I was a teenager (and it’s not that long ago!) there was no way I was allowed to be out at all hours of the night. My curfew was my fear of what would happen if I didn’t make it home by the time I was told. My mother didn’t even like me sitting on our front porch too late! My prayers are with the families of those teenagers that were shot, and for the ones that pulled the triggers.

Let The Games Begin!

The 2012 Olympics have kicked off with a BANG! How many of you watched the Opening Ceremony? On the grand scale of things, it was phenomenal! With over 7 thousand volunteers used for the performance, great British contributions were highlighted throughout extravaganza. The video is available online here, along with replays of the events. I think the Beijing opening was better…just my own little opinion (watch both and tell me what you think!)

I’ll try to keep up with the medals count over the next few days. In the top 5 as of now: US-17; China-17; Japan-11; Italy-8; France-7 I’m keeping my eye on the Men’s/Women’s basketball (of course!)  Allyson Felix (@allysonfelix), Lolo Jones (@lolojones), and Usain Bolt (@usainbolt) I’ll share more from Track & Field before they’re televised this weekend

National:

I will not use this a another platform to loop the repeatedly looped…I do want to officially offer my prayers for the Colorado victims, express my disgust at how such a tragedy could happen so casually, and voice my utmost repulsion at how some people are still trying to defend the right to bear arms of mass destruction that can be purchased with the ease of ordering them online. That’s it for me. How do you feel about the constant coverage? Are you for it? (not to minimize the tragedy by any means)

Wrap up…

Okay, this is the first of what I hope will be many. I welcome and encourage comments…I want to hear from you! I also want to stress that this is a ‘DRAMA-FREE ZONE” If you feel the need to demoralize, insult, or anything remotely close…I’m giving you a personal invitation to post it elsewhere (we’ll wait…)

Okay, I’m looking for to this – let’s have some fun!

On A High:

““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14,16 NIV)

Analysis: Spike Lee Should Know Better

Worth sharing...and I sincerely hope he has learned from this mistake. (What we don't need)
Analysis: Spike Lee Should Know Better

Set Aside Time To Hear…©

So often we expect God to crash into our lives thunderously and shake our foundation with His presence. How many times did we miss Him because He appeared in just the opposite?

Now, of course there are those times when God speaks loudly and clearly. But more often, He speaks to us in a quiet voice. In order for us to hear that Voice we must be in a position to listen, spiritually and physically. To accomplish that, we must designate “quiet time” each day. I’m sure most of you reading this are saying “I do that every morning when I pray and read my Bible!” How often do you actually take time out to just be in the Lord’s presence – silently, to hear and listen to Him?

I read an article recently that asked “Can you quiet yourself long enough to listen to your conscious?” I re-read the question and pondered it for a few and tried to answer it honestly. I won’t bore you with my discovery, but I challenge you to answer it for yourself (you’ll be amazed with your answer if you’re honest!) Further in the same article another question was asked that again halted me in my tracks; “Are you willing to pray sincerely and then to wait quietly for God’s response?” Did you catch the second part of that question? That’s the part we have the tendency to miss. Waiting has somehow been erased from our 4G, optimal speed lives.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Psalm 37. It speaks of trusting and waiting on the Lord. Verse 7 starts “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…” If we sincerely desire to hear His voice, we must listen carefully, and we must do so in the silent corners of a quiet, willing heart. Now before you start screaming, (so much for quietness!) I know that God can reach us in any state, but just think how much more effective and serenely beautiful it would be to receive His Word without life’s boisterous distractions?

If you’re anything like me, you have one hundred things on your daily agenda that all need your attention. The idea of setting aside time to sit quietly sounds absurd, but trust me – no, trust Him that it will be to your benefit if you do!