New Blog

Hey It's Richard. The new blog for any future visitors can be found at:

http://www.illgivealittlebit.com/

see ya there...

Something called passion.

An opportunity came across to our family recently to be a part of an 'energy evangelist team' (is what I call it.) Basically going around trying to convert people to this new energy company and receiving compensation for each convert and trying to get other converts to become energy evangelists too. I'm sure you've heard of apple evangelist. Evangelism is something you have to be passionate about and have a certain zeal, it is a full time commitment and runs over into all of your relationships. I remember when courtney was in makeup evangelism too for a little while (Mary Kay). She talked to every female and some males we knew about mary kay, but it didn't last long because she wasn't really passionate about the products nor the company. passion...

Many times I find myself sharing about web-design or giving advice on things that I am passionate about or have mini passions about like mac books or drinking coffee black or some pet peeves ; I can be pretty zealous when I talk about them too. I was cut to the core when I realized that I am an evangelist... for myself... for the web... for things thats could be gone tomorrow. Here I am selling all of these things to people, mini passions daily, and they are definitely buying it. So the type of evangelism you do shows where your heart is or isn't. passion...

Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. NEW PASSION...


This hits me between the eyes..!CONVICTION!. If you could invert this passage I feel like I have been doing that. I'm very thankful I have a Father who cares and treasures my relationship with Him and he has made it possible for me to come back. thanks God, thanks Jesus, Thanks Holy Spirit. NEW PASSION..

Coming back...

I haven't written in forver wow it really has been a long time.  I have been so busy with school and have started to be consumed by webdesign... God has reminded me that web-design it what I do not who I am.  He reminded me ultimately I am doing it for Him.  I am starting the blog back up because one my friends from school took a peak at it and that reminded me I wanted to start posting more.  (babbling)  I look forward to writing more posts and will talk more soon.  I think I might make a new blog all custom baby.

Alone with Father

I was listening to Ravi in the car (with my new Granny smith green ipod nano courtesy of my father in-law.) Driving my friend John home. On the way back Ravi spoke of how people don't know how to be alone any more, alone with God, having time to think and really listen. When ever you are doing something if you have to have a radio on or the tv on just for background noise you may be one who doesn't know how to be alone any more. When he said this it really stuck with me because I have been trying to come before the Lord in a secluded area just to seek Him and I really am thinking I have forgotten how to be alone without some type of electronic or entertainment.  We are talking just God, me, and the floor.  I was reading in Luke today and I came upon this after Jesus was around a crowd and healing etc... "However, he made a practice of withdrawing to remote places in order to pray." (Luke 5:16 JNTP)

In other words 'Jesus was consistent in taking himself out of interaction with people and the man made things of the world, and bringing himself in to a place where nobody else was or was likely to come, so that he could talk to The Father.'(RAL)  Wow I really do need to withdraw!  Sometimes I go into my closet but that isn't enough, I hear my e-mail calling to me.  "Check me!' My Cell phone Rings "Important Call!" My Electronics battle for my attention.  No they don't I am just setting my self up for easy distraction, I am almost asking for distraction.  Please!!! entertain my mind I can't sit still and quiet for even a moment without some type of entertainment or stimulation! If this is A.D.D. I think we all have it.  Sounds like a self discipline issue that the world has contributed to that can not be resolved by a pill.

I really want to seek the Lord and today I am going to find a secluded place in the wilderness until I am self disciplined enough for my closet. You may say I don't have any secluded place near me!  Oh really, how hard are you looking or is it that you have to put effort into finding a secluded place outside of man made things.  C'mon You and I both know one is coming to mind plus If you aren't as easily distracted as I am maybe you can just lock your self in your closet.  either way Meet God there.  Go! Leave your phone in your car! Be still and listen to HIM

The Lord says "Desist, and learn that I am God, Supreme over the nations, Supreme over the earth." (Psalm  46:10 JNTP) In webster Desist is to cease to proceed or act, and synonym for desist is to "stop" Stop what? stop your day, stop your busyness, stop your self and think about God and His Truth and Speak to Him.

A Neglected Consideration

I went over to my father in-laws house tonight, he really is an interesting man. There is some crazy stuff going on with that side of the family right now and my wife is really handling it well, I admire her faith and trust. Having another child on the way I know we need to start saving up for our own place, It's tough though finding the right job and all, especially when you are trying to step out on faith, a lot more trusting than the "I can do it!" attitude. After talking with my wife for quite some time I was laying in bed thinking of  purpose and such, what it is to really do what I am created to do.

Laying there thinking what to do with this life, I am thinking about what Jesus was telling to his disciples, those he was leading in the way of life.  How they all lost faith in the end before his death, he knew it, and he loved them still. (Falling away)   He was very clear in his instructions to the disciples what they were to do.  I find myself asking am I doing what He has asked of me, Am I living out of compassion for others, but most importantly am I putting God first in everything, mind, heart, soul. (2 things)   Honestly how can all this technology, preoccupations, and nonsense really be coming between me and my Creator. Do I really know Him? am I really seeking Him with all my being? Do I really want to have a personal relationship with my God?  If I am honest, my actions say "no" my heart say yes.  Why this division? this battle,I see this division, a choice?, Will  you take time to consider this for yourself?   Ignorantly we stumble along crossroads, a professing christian with a choice still, Christ chose me a long time ago might I inform you. But again I am still having the option to allow the holy spirit to move or to ignore and turn away.  (Still a struggle)

Sometimes when I turn away I'm not sure I do it with truly considering what I am doing, these are extremely serious instances, the Garden?  It is clear to me that I want to choose God but what are my actions saying? Am I divided? Am I truly thinking about the choices I am making or am I just mal-functioning, existing, lazy short-cuts, making choices by whatever I feel at the moment or what I feel will benefit? 
My Creator, My God, My Father is waiting...Arms wide open...waiting for me to turn to Him. Embrace Him.  Let go of these frustrations, feeble plans, and things and just run into His arms...that is comforting and encouraging. (Prodigal Son)   It is because of the blood of Jesus, because God's Son paid a debt I could not pay, so I am Free and I have a restored relationship with my God, my Creator, my Father.

True Success comes from the Lord!

Put God in charge of your work,
then what you've planned will take place. (Proverbs 16:3) MSG

Do you ever try hard at something and work your little tail off to find out there was an easier way, better, and or more efficient way or end result.  Many times I struggle with submitting to the Lord my plans.  I start off thinking about what I am going to do, sometimes formulate a plan in my head then give it my best shot, some times I skip the planning part and go straight for the give it my best shot.  It never fails I learn a lot while giving it my best shot but many time I feel I the strive to accomplish something that I thought was necessary, cool, or important.  It wasn't necessarily top priority to God, do you ever get consumed with a task even if it is something simple.  Next thing you know your on to the next thing, then on to the next thing; without even thinking of God or really acknowledging your Creator and asking him what the best way or thing that should be done is. Like right now... I must be real in this moment...I am thanking God that he has revealed to me this truth that he wants me to succeed, but his plan has the right, best, and most fulfilling outcome.  I am aware of his presence even as I write and it is so much better when I remember he is here even now, I can actually feel Him and sense Him near me.  Not in the way you sense someone is near the is walking by, a more intimate near, an in my heart type of near, which overflows and I feel it in my mind and in my body, and sense it in my surroundings.

I am so thankful that my creator is so personal, he knows me by name, he has made plans to give me a hope and a future, plans to prosper me.  He has prepared good things for me to do today and forever.  He IS taking care of me and He IS near to me... and I hope that you are experiencing his nearness too right now ( :

 

Lord thank you so much that you have given me the gift of your self, as a Father, as your son Jesus, and as the Holy spirit.  I know I make my own plans but I really want to stop because your plans are so awesome because your love for me is immeasurable.  Thank you so much what a blessings It is to have you as my Father, my Friend, and my Counselor.  I love you, your son, richard.

Praying...

Today I check out matthew 6:5-13. I've been feeling really down and out. things seem to be falling apart, and it is not that what has been bothering me as much. This is what is bothering me too much, but rather the feeling of disconnect with God, notice I say feeling, Jesus says "Surely I am with you even until the very end."
Have you ever neglected a relationship and it caused a wierd tension, which resulted in a feeling that gives the hint something was wrong and it is painful.

Well, I have been neglecting my relationship with the Lord, "Doing my own thing" as many call it. I have fallen victim to busyness and when that left me empty I quickly ran to selfishness and neither of these satisfy. I am now at a place of honesty and much more sensitive because the Lord has showed me my pride and revealed to me that I am in need of being humbled. I do desire to be humble and completely humble. I feel like I have wasted so much time but all things work to the good of those who love Him. The Lord has used that time I feel like I wasted to teach me of His patience, His kindness and His Grace and Mercy and that I am not as "mighty" as I thought I was. I am reminded that I am always in need of His precious salvation. I must pause for a moment of gratitude.

He is my Father and I am His Son because he has forgiven me through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus. He restores our relationship so that I can live the Blessed life that he intended me to live, a life that will not end but will last forever. His Glory does not fade. He will never leave me and I never have to leave his presence.

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Break Down Verse by Verse
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. "
When I read this the Holy Spirit shows me that a hypocrite does receive what he wants and that is acknowledgement, to be seen, that is the reward he asks for and he receives it and only it. His Utmost Priority is not to speak with God but to be seen as if speaking to God, It comes down to an image thing which the Lord has interestingly enough been teaching me about lately as well. It is one thing to appear to be and another to be. Many times but not all times, when one tries to make an appearance it is because he is not and he wants to prove in some way that he is. It is the condition of his heart that determines this, his desire, his motive, purpose, and reason. Truth or Vanity. This Hypocrite may have had much pride and was concerned with status.

6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
It is the man who does it in secret because his heart has been transformed, His heart is seeking the Lord and desires to have a relationship with the Lord. This is the man that Jesus says the father rewards. He does what he does for God not for man: does it for The Creator not the creation. His Father not the crowd. It is done in secret not out of embarassment but out of intimacy and importance. Seek the Spritual unseen Father not the things of this world but Him who has plans for you and wants to use you to do great things. When we seek Him whole heartedly and get alone with Him on purpose than He will reward me...you.

7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

The Lord knows you better than you know yourself, He knows what you are going through. You do not need lengthy lofty speeches to express to God. Simply speak in your Father. He is listening, He wants to comfort you but I needn't use a multitude of words. There isn't need to explain to God he knows, He Knows.