The hits just keep on coming …

Whining & complaining used to be a thing I would disdain others for (mostly to myself), but it’s a sadly humbling place to be when one finds himself in exactly that state of crumpled pantiness …
(Yeah I made that word up just now).

I recently read that Pride (Male pride) is actually fear. Fear, not something that keeps the machine of life well oiled, if you catch my drift. I’m currently in a position in which I need to revamp a system I developed by about 50%. I’m a little discouraged (and if I were honest) a little afraid of change.

My business’ vision, while mostly blurred, needs to be restructured and I’m not just talking about firing some people and believing to replace them. I’m talking about refocusing on proven techniques and methods that will yield fruit, benefits for us & our potential clientele and … I forgot what the last thing was … oh yeah, it will yield happier team members and a happier business owner (me).

today sucks …

We grow up, meet people, live life, get burned, enjoy successes, make asinine mistakes & walk into decisions that seemed of GOD in every heavenly way at one point in life and then after an event of great f-edness, you look at those decisions and think … “why am I here?”

Today was one of those days.

Sometimes I think people’s identity comes from their past. I know better than that, but after a few successes I think, damn – I’m a pretty good guy. And then I remember that I’m not much different than anyone else. (I really don’t believe that – for one second. But I’m depressed now …) I know I’m different and not just for sociological and ethnic reasons, but for spiritual ones. I’m truly, actually destined for greatness, for eternal rewards, but today … today I feel like ass.

There’s just no other way to put it.
I’m thankful for a Heavenly Father that cares for & loves me no matter what.
I’m grateful for my life and all the blessings thus far. People (present company included) are often the major problem. ” … no good thing in the flesh …” is what Paul wrote.
it’s true … dammit, it’s true.

This is a job for GOD. I really feel like throwing in the towel …
make it stop. I’d like to get off here please …

iPhone 3GS …

OK … so I can’t hide it anymore … I’m officially an iPhone fanatic. Too many people have told me that I promote this device so much, that I should work for Apple.

But honestly … it does what I need it to do & it’s Looks good (in just about every way) doin’ what it do Baby!!!
So Apple announced the iPhone 3GS four days ago at WWDC. ‘S’ means Speed. So it’s about 2X as fast in computing / processing ability, it now comes in a 32 Gigabyte capacity model and it finally, yes, finally has video capturing and vid cutting / expanding capability right inside the phone. So that’s about it as far as upgrades are concerned. iPhone 3.0 software upgrade which kicks off in 7 days has more than a little bit of upgrades such as:

- TomTom Navigation (actually that’s an App)
- Compass (Magnometer type o’ thingy)
- Voice Commands
- Spotlight for nearly every program on the iPhone
- You can track the location of the iPhone anywhere on the planet via Mobile Me (if you lose it) & erase it remotely.
- Tethering … Yay!!!! Now when I go overseas and have no internet I can tether my iPhone to my laptop and vwa-lah! Internet accsess!
- Blue tooth
- Focus, (Auto & semi manual), White Balance, Macro & Micro lens functionality with the new camera + low light adaptor – actually this might just be 3GS phones

Yeah well there’s more, but you get the point.
The App store adds like 10K more Apps with things like using the iPhone to remote unlock your car … c’mon seriously? Oh yeah!

So Apple got a little smarter and after the fiasco and long lines of last year Apple made pre – ordering a 3GS online possible today. So instead of say, waiting outside in the
elements (as some people did … including some people writing this Blog column … Ahem ….) you can stay within the comfort of your humble abode and simply get your new
iPhone shipped & delivered right to your doorstep. Yup.

So what happens to those of us now holding a not so old, still very competitive working 3G? I already sold mine online & I intend to hand it off to the purchasor when I’m eligible for
an AT&T upgrade … which happens to be July 12, 2009. So today marks exactly one month until I’m eligible, but in the meantime I get to play with 3.0 which arrives in 7 days.

OK – so one clear drawback to all of this hype & dazzle is … I still can’t friggin’ see Adobe Flash on the iPhone … not even with FlashLite. So Apple needs a smack in the head for that lack,
but otherwise it’s still a sleek pioneer in a few ways.

Ah yes … the iPhone 3GS!

iPhone 3G Goodness or Madness?

Oh yeah!

So it’s 5 days until the July 11th date of the long awaited iPhone 3rd Generation sale and I’m excited.

I was debating as to whether or not to wait in line early on the morning of July 11th to try and get a “good spot” in line so I could buy the famous iPhone 3G. I am and have been an AT&T (previously Cingular) customer for a couple years now and and avid Mac user for more than a few years.

While altruist to most Apple gadgets (particularly those that enhance my career) I think I fell a little short in the dedication / enthusiasm category when compared to certain recent citizens of New York City who *Two Days Ago*, began lining up outside the Apple store on Fifth Avenue in NYC, NY.

For those who don’t realize (at the writing of this post we are 5 days away from the first iPhone 3G sale) people in NYC began lining up 2 days ago making it 7 DAYS prior to the first iPhone sale! 7 DAYS!!! People were already lining up!

Imagine if people got excited about doing something for GOD and they got off their couches and away from their lives to cheerfully “go” and “do” something worth while. Really, what would the result be?

What moves us nowadays? What are we going to regret when we look back years from now and think … was that the best way to allot my time? Maybe … probably not …

That said however, it’s looking like I won’t be the first person in line (not that I thought I would be) to get the famed iPhone, even if I get up at 5AM July 11th and drive the 12 or so blocks to the nearest location to buy the iPhone seems now that it wouldn’t be a huge shock to find a line that began the night before.

Goodness or madness … ? You decide.

Today is über slow …

Most days at work I’m cursing the adversary because of an impossible deadline I was given yet again and the piles of work, not to mention the unending client calls that barrage me while I try to focus, numbingly trying to chip away at the mountain of work I have … but not today.

There are definitely things I could … should be doing now, but it’s Monday. There’s nothing ‘Due’ today & I’m just not feeling like starting a new project right now. Not to mention, I’m hungry.

Just re-read my buddy’s blog. He’s luvin’ Japan … well, he was sending us links to his blog like crazy while he was in and around Tokyo. Now that he’s about 5 hrs south in farm country, I’m thinking he’s lacking the excitement – although I could be wrong.

Ugh … is it 4:30pm yet?

Read Hebrews 1-4 yesterday and today. Good stuff … double edged sword cutting through the B.S.

That’s it for now …

Tagged …

Okay, so I guess I’m playing the “tagged” game …

Christian wrote: (Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write their own blog with their 7 things as well as these rules. You need to tag 7 others and list their names on your blog. Remember to leave a comment for them letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog.)

So here goes …

1. I can be somewhat addicted to working out. Although I’m in nowhere near the same shape I was when I ran two marathons back-to-back (‘96 & ‘97) if I don’t physically ‘do’ something at least twice a week, things just seems out of whack.

2. Every time I hop in the shower (every time) I write G-O-D on the door when it fogs up.

3. My favorite ice cream – hands down – is peanut butter & chocolate. And while I realize that grosses people out … it’s still damn good!

4. I was raised around a bunch of people i.e. at no point in my adolescent life was I living with less than 10 people usually averaging about 500 or more. I really enjoy being around people particularly when those people love GOD. (Last I checked, that was O.K. according to Eph. 3)

5. I’m (co) working on three websites now. One is for my Dad’s ministry. It’s a great reminder that the act of doing to bless people – “giving” – can often be a greater joy than people’s joyful response to what you give them.

6. I spent 11 years in the Army & got out 7 months ago … you know U.S. A.R.M.Y. stands for (Uncle Sam Aint Released Me Yet …) Well I’m out!!!

7. One of the single Most important things to me lately is Re-realizing The Mystery. It seems just about everywhere we’re not only falling like domino’s but we’re OK with separating ourselves from on another ultimately because no one wants to be the bigger person. Forgive.

OK that last entry wasn’t a happy one, but hey … that’s my 7.

I am tagging 7 people and expect right around 50% to post …

Dan-O, Stephen B, Justin K, Timeri, Cheri G, Mike and Cindy

Quick Note

How Great is GOD?!?

I put a couple of sections of GOD’s Word together today and got blessed – huge!

OK here they are:

1 Corinthians 3:9-15 and 1 John 1:7 & 9.

1Cor 3:9

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

1Cor 3:10

According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon

1Cor 3:11

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1Cor 3:12

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

1Cor 3:13

Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

1Cor 3:14

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1Cor 3:15

If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

1John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to *forgive us* our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Cor 3:9-15 – Basically states that our judgement day is going to be a Reward ceremony. All the bad works (wood, hay & stubble) are going to be burned away – toasted and up in smoke eternally.

1John 1:7 and 9 – Now state that … *Now* when we confess our sins to GOD (because we are gonna make mistakes) GOD (Right Now – at that moment) Forgives us AND cleanses us (Removes from us – forever) all sin & unrighteousness.

Future for us – Only the best works remain after our fiery trial.
Present for us – We ask GOD for forgiveness and immediately HE forgives – forever.

Is there ANY reason for us to keep guilt, regret OR for that matter concerning another born again (same promises made to them by GOD) Brother or Sister in Christ, hurt or past grudge or offense?
No way! C’mon!

GOD forgives (Forgave) we do the same [For others and ourselves] – Ephesians 5:1

Movies

So the Wife and I decided to go to the theaters last Sunday and watch “V for Vendetta”. It’s the latest by the Wachowski Brothers – you know the makers of the Matrix trilogy. The main character was even played and v.o. by Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith). I guess it was meant to be intellectually compelling and to relate to the ‘problems’ a post 9-11 world faces daily. I mean the ‘Bad Guy’ in this flick looked like Hitler, but resembled George W. It was so obvious what they were trying to say with this guy … Anyway, I was diggin’ the fight scenes, which there weren’t very many of actually. Like the Matrix the Wachowski Bros’ tried to layer the story line and lead the viewer toward an expectation all the while referencing nearly every major historically comparible event to the message of this movie. In other words, I give it 3 out of 5 stars mainly because I like the kung-fu and kept wanting to see “V” reveal his face beneath the mask … oops. Well, it’s definitely worth the price of a ticket, but don’t necessarily go in with high expectations.

What I did enjoy about the experience was watching the up & coming Sci-Fi trailers. Yes boys & girls X-Men III “The Last Stand” plays in a theater near you May 26. As most 3rd installment to Sci-Fi trilogies attemp to do, this one ends with a big battle scene. As you can imagine there are a lot of ‘new’ faces and dazzling effects. I’ll definitely buy a ticket.

X-Men III The Last Stand

Mo’ Stuff in March

OK so it’s the middle of March now. A lot to be thankful for actually. A lot to learn too. The Fellowship’s been good lately. A couple weeks back Wally shared on … well, I forget the title but basically he handled what things we trust in. He looked at 2 Kings 6 & 7 where Elisha walked and Isreal was protected from invaders. GOD prevailed and the most unlikely circumstances and characters were key to making known GOD’s results.

Today (Sunday) Gary shared on Focus. He bounced around the epistles but shared on being faithful. It was good. He really emphasized the One Body. Funny, he asked what the Mystery was and like … nobody responded. I muttered, “the one body,” virtually inaudible, then Beatrice gave a more scriptural definition. I do agree that as the b.o.c. we need to see the Mystery (Anyone, everyone living the more abundant life in its totality unified in agapeo constantly) a little bigger.
Hoppin’ on my soapbox –> Love seems to be the most obvious missing ingredient here. That and forgiveness. As I’ve said before it’s hugely important to ask yourself these three questions when you decide to walk with the Father:

1. Who am I?
2. Who do I work for?
3. Why am I doing what I do?

I was fortunate enough to share on Love at our place last week. Wow … I mean working this was XTRA cool. The focus of Mark 12:28 – 31 is love GOD 1st. We can mainly because GOD loved us 1st. We were of course unloveable, but that didn’t stop HIM.
Like I said, there’s lots to be thankful for.

What Future? Huh?

Pointless words. Angry person …  Time to get moving. Open doors that I need to walk through are swinging open figuratively speaking. It’s frustrating and debilitating sometimes. I can relate to Agent Smith’s character from Matrix I somtimes … you know, when he was complaining to a drugged up Morpheus and comapring humanity with a virus. The whole structure seems flawed, but complaining is Not apart of the solution but instead the opposite and then so is explaining what complaining is … Blah. What is the future out here? It’s quite obvious that it aint happening as it is now. Bitter is not the way.

So much possibility. OK stop yer’ whinin’ and think worse case scenerio. What if someone … a certain someone let’s say, were to rise up and start moving for GOD. Does it matter what obstacles they would meet? No. If you’re walkin’ then you’re unstoppable – you’ll know ahead of time and success will be common. Talking must occur 1st. Communication is vital in a marriage. That’s gotta go double for Fellowship & the Body.