“Rebooting”

Greetings! Let me give you a quick run down on what’s been happening over the past few months with life stuff:

• This site was essentially “hacked”. I lost all content in the post before this one and my username/password to administer this site was compromised. That’s what you get for using free - opensource software. I’ve upgraded to a newer version and cleaned up a lot of stuff here. Things should be better.
• All of the items I listed above took awhile to get working. I’ve been so busy with work over the past couple of months that I just did not have enough time to work on this site. Seeing it “hacked” was very upsetting and it took awhile to get motivated to get it back online.

Just because the site went down, doesn’t mean I have been sitting on my rump. I have been active in rebuilding my church life. During the past few months, a big part of my journey through life had come to an end. I realized that after staying away from the church, being confused about what religion to be a part of, etc., I needed to “come home” so to speak.

So, I began to attend Mass regularly back at my Catholic church. It’s as if a whole new journey has begun; discovering who I am, who God wants me to be, and what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. A huge undertaking!

I’m hoping to begin to share with you what new things I discover, experience, learn, etc. Both good and bad. Being back in the Catholic church as an adult is a wonderful and exciting thing. More to come!

Add Comment Posted on August 31st, 2006 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

Prayer Verse

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7, ESV)

2 Comments Posted on January 18th, 2006 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year. I hope all of you find peace in your hearts and Christ in your lives.

In all your ways Acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. (Proverbs 3:6)

p.s: Happy Birthday Mom!!!

2 Comments Posted on December 31st, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

I’m Baaaaaack!

Yes, yes, yes… Thank you! Please sit down…thank you.

I know it has been a long time since I have posted here. Honestly, I have no single excuse as to the reason; rather, I suspect there are several. First, I am fairly certain this part of the year plays a roll in my change of mood. There are many events that have taken place over the past few years that make this holiday not as “merry” as it should be. Second and most important, it’s hard being a Christian! Seriously people…being closer to God definitely places a lot of mental stress on someone. I feel as if I have been tested non-stop since I began my walk with Christ and it’s very hard not to “nap”:

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. (1 Peter 5:8, MSG)

Not that I’ve been napping but it has become increasingly harder to stay focused. Again, I believe my frustration with the holiday season has something to do with it. I’m upset how the true meaning of the Christmas Holiday has now been changed into something you would sell at Abercrombie and Fitch :

These are some big reasons of mine but one of the most important is (what seems to be) the lack of “doing” for others:

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10, ESV)

Don’t get me wrong… (more…)

1 Comment Posted on December 28th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

Testimony

A good friend of mine shared this website with me. It’s the testimony of a man who was an atheist for over 30 years and studied philosophy in college from professors who were obviously not Christian.

On a side note, I apologize for not writing lately. I was on vacation last week and was very lazy. Tonight I’m not feeling well…I think I’m fighting off the beginnings of a cold. Yuk.

Anyway(s) < -- (ha ha Mom), I hope you are doing well. If you are feeling a little down or alone because of the holiday's, try to remember that you're never by yourself. Jesus Christ is within you ALWAYS. Seeing that this is His holiday, maybe you should celebrate with Him!

As well, there is always someone around that can learn from you. Keep in mind that we are here on this Earth to serve the Lord...He has a plan for you, a purpose. Trust in the Lord when you are down and He will fill your heart with the peace of the Holy Spirit.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4, ESV)

3 Comments Posted on November 28th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

Being Thankful

On this day of Thanksgiving, I pray that each one of you takes just a few minutes of your time to Thank God for what you have been given over the past year. I’m sure some of you are thinking “yeah, but this year hasn’t been all that stellar…why would I give thanks for that?!” Because as a Christian, your faith should outweigh what your eyes see and your ears listen to everyday. What you have experienced or are currently experiencing is all part of God’s plan. Whether it is bad or good, he is in charge of your life and is continually saving you because you continue to have faith in him:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 4:12, ESV)

More than likely, you do not understand what it is you are going through. Remembering this verse will help you realize that everything the Lord does has a purpose and there is a lesson to be learned every second of the day:

Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (Proverbs 3:5-6, MSG)

Due to our limited understanding of life, it is very hard for us to clearly see what God’s intentions are. But guess what? We don’t have to worry about that!!! No matter how bad events in your life are, GOD IS IN CHARGE! The creator of the universe and all life within is with YOU and is guiding your life! Pray often that the Holy Spirit will continue to fill your hearts and allow you to give thanks for everything in your life.

So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live in him. (Colossians 2:6, ISV)

1 Comment Posted on November 24th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

What do you think?

This is a different post for me and this site, but I wanted to get your opinions on this woman. I came across a link with a video clip of the show “Trading Spouses” on FOX. Basically, two families “swap” the mom’s for a week and different games are played, etc. It’s horribly unrealistic and a total waste of time, yet it’s one of those shows where you watch 10 seconds - you’ve watched an hour.

Anyways, the woman in this video clip literally “freaks” out because the house she stayed in was not Christian. As you’ll see, she literally looses her mind because she feels she’s been to the “dark-side”. I wanted to get everyone’s take on this woman. Is this normal behavior when you’ve been exposed to an environment that isn’t Christian? Do you think she’s acting out?

You decide…click here to watch the clip.

4 Comments Posted on November 20th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

A verse I found…

I was at a Christian book store tonight and once again, I was flipping through a book and this passage really jumped out at me:

Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children. (Deuteronomy 4:9, ESV)

In short, share with others what you have learned from your walk with Christ. Never be ashamed to let others know what God has taught you and allowed you to experience…bad or good. Someone, somewhere can learn from you (hence this website). By always remembering to help others, God will always be in the forefront of your daily activities. This will help others protect themselves from Satan by teaching them to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit.

Add Comment Posted on November 19th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

Slaying your Goliath

A giant nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor–126 pounds of it! He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. His spear was like a fence rail–the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him. (1 Samuel 17:4-7, MSG)

Ten feet tall wearing over a hundred pounds of armor, huh? Sound like a description of a problem in your life, that’s staring you square in the eyes? I’ve been there and I’m willing to bet we all have faced this life challenge at some time or another. Before I started my walk with Christ, I often became angry and upset asking “why me,” which only clouded the path towards a resolution: God. You have to understand that most of us are geared not to see details, rather the “overall” picture. Because of this, problems in our lives (even the ones we can easily solve) often are viewed as overwhelming.

When David got to the battle, all he heard was the battle cry of the Philistine champion (your problem calling at you) and he saw his Brothers and other soldiers terribly afraid (you seeing your problems overwhelming). David had the Holy Spirit within him (was able to see details) and was unafraid of Goliath:

“Master,” said David, “don’t give up hope. I’m ready to go and fight this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:32, MSG)

My point to all this is that sometimes God tests you with various problems in your life, to see what you’ll do. He’s not punishing you, rather bringing you closer to him by teaching you lessons on life, love, friendships, etc. There is always, always, always something to learn. Pray to God and ask “what is it you want me to learn here?” You’ve all heard the phrase “God never gives you more than you can handle,” and that’s no lie.

Spend some time alone, talking to God. Let him place your problems in a light that you can see (in detail), so that they won’t seem so overwhelming. Allow him to fill your heart with the Holy Spirit and give you the courage and strength to overcome any problems you face in your lives. Most importantly, allow yourself to learn from the experiences you have been blessed with, be it bad or good. These attributes will allow you to conquer anything…even the problems that seem 10 feet tall.

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. (1 Samuel 17:48-50, ESV)

Add Comment Posted on November 19th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords:

Short post for Dad

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. (Matthew 21:22, ESV)

Heavenly Father, enter the hearts of those who are enduring difficult times right now. Fill their hearts with reassurance that you are in full control of their lives, and upon your decision, grant them the understanding of your intentions for these trials and tribulations. Surround their every waking moment with the Holy Spirit so that patience and faith will endure.

Amen.

5 Comments Posted on November 16th, 2005 by: Christopher
Share This Keywords: