I read this story and it made me very proud of this guy.
Imagine the earnings he took in in one week ?
Imagine the expensive toys, cars, boats, and jewels he once had at his disposal?
Imagine the control and power he used to have on the streets?
Imagine the people working for him; his business; his lifestyle.
All the above was from dealing and selling illegal drugs that people got hooked on and most likely to some degree ruined their lives.
When you serve others, I truly believe it's of the Lord.
There's a lot more to life than material things. Instead, focus on people. Being of service is where
you will discover true happiness.
So reach out, find what a person needs and help them.
I can promise you that you will be happy when you see people appreciating your service.
There's another name for this- it's called love.
And when you give it, it comes back to the giver in a way that touches the heart unlike any amount of money ever can. Priceless.
I salute you Tommy Mickens.
And please, someone ought to find what led this former convict to want to be a help to society.
This needs to be available so all prisoners can personally know there are choices that they can make to keep them out of the legal system, earn them a living and be of help to others.
Slowly, surely, methodically, man has evolved in his of things that were once considered 'wrong' to now being 'fair' and 'within their individual rights' and glamorized by television, celebrities, politicians and professors. One step leads to another and will come another and soon, 'w'e lose what was one reserved as being something sacred you shared with another person (in marriage) meant to be the physical and emotional and spiritual union of a married couple for a stable family unit in society. But now......
Does any one find this disturbing? This the 'intelligence' of man leading him further and further from the wisdom of God?
If this is intelligence, (aren't professors considered to be the most intelligent people in society?), then I think the word intelligent.has a meaning totally different from what I think is intelligence.
My summation- Man is using his 'intelligence' to reason their actions so they can believe their physical wants and needs are 'good' and justified'. This is very different from the intent God gave brains in the first place. Man is exercising his free will to maximum capacity taking giant steps in the direction leading away from God and right into the snare the 'Father of all lies' wants man to fall into. This one deceiving many, this charmingly convincing 'voice' goes by the name of Lucifer and he's the great master at lassoing many an intelligent mind away from the things of God which are holy, good and righteous. This feat can be done because the heart of man prefers sin. Plain and simple. What the heart of man desires, he will find a way, and Lucifer is having a hay day with his work being so easy, to keep man desiring things of ill-repute and believe it's their 'right' to seek and have it to enjoy, so he continues on to want more and more of the same. Is this intelligence at it's best? And more importantly, what's happened to wisdom? Has the pursuit of wisdom been hijacked?
My conclusion- The sidestepping of wisdom in his quest for more and more knowledge has given man a 'weird and ungodly' intelligence. If this continues, man will ultimately destroy himself.
His name finally came to me this morning. Years ago, in the 70's, I had picked up a book from the library and read about 'Pistol Pete'. Peter Maravich was a basketball player and a super good one at that with lightening fast reflexes. I haven't heard his name mentioned in a long time, so I couldn't remember it until a few minutes ago. I believe you will be blessed if you will take 15 minutes to read and hear a little about this man, especially the second video in which you'll see him spin a basketball and then speak to an audience. Be sure to listen. I know you'll be blessed.
I can't think of anything better to leave behind than being remembered as being a follower of Jesus. That alone is greater than all the riches, fame, or notoriety in the universe. For the name of Jesus is above all names. Scroll this list and see that the name of Jesus is above all names.
If you are short on time, at least view the YouTube video of his testimony. (Parts 1-4) It will be the best thing you'll see today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z31E7rBNx-M
Today, I've just read and learned about Jessica Cox. A fabulous young lady who's a pilot, a piano player, with a black belt in Taekwon-do , and a motivational speaker to boot. And by the way, she has no arms. Born that way.
Watch Jessica do her thing-looks like she's having fun
But her parents taught her to live and live she has. She's an inspiration to us with two arms. For anyone thinking they're deprived or don't have enough to pick themselves up in life, and crying for whatever pathetic reason, they just need to see Jessica and they will be without a leg to stand on with their excuses to not succeed.
What I also get from knowing about Jessica Cox is she faced her fear of flying head-on. Now her 'fear' is called 'fun'. She's my new hero just knowing about her.
I certainly have been motivated this morning just knowing of this young lady. She's a class act and a true hero in my book just because of her bravery about tackling life with seemingly less to start with. She's taught me what makes the difference is perspective, attitude and determination.
And, she's really brought home the point.....the sky's the limit !
So, can YOU trust your heart to always lead you right?
I have 3 questions for YOU to answer for yourself.
1. Can you understand and decipher the message your heart communicates to your brain?
2. Could the heart message actually be your intuition or a gut reaction rather than a heart message?
3. Did the outcome and results of past heart messages always lead you in 'right directions?
I've learned my heart can't 'think' rationally.
Once my heart's been engaged, it's not easy controlling my emotions so I can think and react rationally. For me, my brain needs to be in the pilot seat so I'm not all emotional, then I need
to stop a minute, and calmly evaluate what's happening rationally, and I need to step back
for a 'view from above' to get a better grasp of the situation. I need to get instructions of how
should I proceed so that my Lord is approving and God received the glory.
The emotional creatures we are, we're usually led into relationships by feelings we perceive within our hearts, and by what we see.
When in love, a person gives and shares the very core of their being to another. There's risk in trusting and sharing one's heart to another. In a situation like this, only that person can determine if their heart lead them right or wrong.
Don't misunderstand what I'm saying.
It's not a simple thing to tabulate and formulate all information presented with in every situation required to make a good choice.
I can confidently make the comment that we each want to think
we're making the best choice(s) when we listen to our hearts for guidance in the right direction.
If you want to trust our heart to always lead you right, I think it boils down to these two things.
What is the condition of the heart? And, what's the heart truly being influencing or lead by?
He gives to us his Living Word for what's good for us and teaching that it's the heart of man that causes us to sin against Him and his holiness and righteousness. We need a Savior.
Evil is going against the holiness of God, and that which comes forth from within a person's heart
is what defiles a person.
A heart with unforgiven sin in it isn't capable to be trusted.
The heart of Jesus ought to be our guide and model for the condition of our hearts instead of depending upon our heart for guidance into fulfilling or satisfying fleshly desires or habits that are unhealthy and/or aren't in accordance with God's desire for your well-being.
And by well-being, I'm referring to your body, spirit, heart and soul.
Bible scripture, Mark 7:21 tells it's from a person's heart where all sorts of evil thoughts come forth.
Yes, a heart can be filled with evil rather than love, tenderness, mercy, and forgiveness.
It's interesting that the source of evil thoughts comes from within the heart.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft/stealing, lying, and slander (Matthew 15:19)
Evil thoughts and deeds can be subtle and discreet, not necessarily out-and-out super evil.
In our society today, sexual immorality isn't looked upon or considered a sinful act.
Has God changed his position on what's evil?
If He doesn't like evil, there's reason it's harmful and not good for us.
If the heart is ruled by sin, it's hardened against trusting in God the Father and God the Son, so it's very, very susceptible of being influenced by the one whom I refer to as the Father of all things evil, dark, corrupt, and bad.
The heart can't be trusted to anything but what's in it.
(I'm factoring in what may be right for one person isn't necessarily right for another because
folks have different individual desires, wants and needs). What's important is do the desires and choices fall inside or outside the boundary of sin.
So, with the ever present sinful nature and humanly imperfections always in play,
only you can answer the question, 'can you always trust your heart to lead you right?' If your heart is leading you to trust it to the Lord, your heart IS leading you right. You can trust, believe and have faith that the Lord loves you unconditionally, and is forever faithful and true to you, and without question or fail has your best interest at heart. He's proven and demonstrated his love for you by sacrificing his life so that you may have life and peace with God the Father. The heart of Jesus is filled with more love for you than you can ever imagine, now and forever.
Video-Celine Dion singing, "Because you loved Me"
And this song about being loved, 'All the Way'-
The initial and always 'right' choice is to humbly, willingly and faithfully choose to invite Jesus into your heart.
This changes the condition of your heart into a beautiful, regenerated heart so it can be lead by the Holy Spirit to be influenced into godliness and righteousness.
A heart obeying the lead of the Holy Spirit is the only way and time a heart can be trusted.
So, can you always trust your heart?
I think first you should ask yourself what's the condition of your heart, and, what or who is your heart being influenced and lead by?
A few months ago I remember reading of a father upset because his cell phone provider deleted saved voice mail messages of his deceased daughter. I'm sure hearing her recorded voice was his way of keeping some sort of connection to her memory. I sure hope he has other recordings of his daughter. One's voice is unique and distinguishable, like fingerprints. He was holding on to a bit of his daughter he could dial up and revisit whenever he had a sense of longing for her presence once again. A father, missing his sweet little daughter.
It's interesting how we hold on to something which connects us with a loved one. A know of a widow who has kept the recording her late husband's voice on her answering machine. People also hang onto photos, jewelry, clothing, any object which links and gives a sense of closeness to the previous owner will suffice because of a lingering scent or memory associated with it.
My brother's wall-to-wall red carpeted bedroom, with his Bruce Lee posters and collection of James Brown albums, was over the garage. I didn't go up there much, but when I did, the first thing I noticed was a distinct, pleasing aroma which I'd never smelled but in his room. I've associated that pleasant aroma with my brother. To this day, when I want to heighten my memory of him, I open a small, round, tin canister, displaying artwork of old, Oriental scenery wrapping it's sides and on the lid, and inside is the treasure which can't be deleted, a small bag containing an exotic blend of potpourri. A deep, slow inhalation and immediately I'm transported back to my brother's bedroom when all was well.
It's amazing how aromas can trigger such vivid memories.
the window and lighting reminds me of my brother's room
The brain is amazing. In the brain, the 'glia' cells remembers everything. It helps in survival- the transmission of chemicals and nerves from the molecules we inhale through our nose sends a message to be interpreted by the glia or 'little brain'. There, the electrical pulse that's triggered recalls the last time that same trigger message was received and what it was associated with, even it it was decades ago, and immediately our brain links that event or person to that aroma. Amazing. Also, based upon other info and experiences, our brain can tell us to stay away from certain aromas which don't smell 'quite right', for it might be spoiled, so do not eat it. Or, it may recall a certain aroma linked to a past enjoyable event. We depend upon our noses all the time, but not quite as to the extent as our canine pets do. Aromas even assist in choosing a mate.
My brother and I were 'tight' despite a 6 year age difference. Even to this day I believe the world lost out on a great young man when God called him home. He bravely, and I mean bravely fought an invading battle, but after five years the foreign invading cells won and his body died before he turned 18. I was holding him when he took his last breath and even typing these words, tears fill my eyes because I feel joy for him...not that he had to physically suffer, but because suffering is the furthest thing from him since his last breath. He was freed from the unrelenting pain and from death. His body went limp, but he did not die. In the spirit I witnessed his heavenly escort charged to receive his soul, and take him home. I didn't 'see' them, but an awesome presence like no other I'd ever felt or sensed filled the room, no doubt about that. It's impossible to describe the beauty of the last moments of someone dear to you exhaling their last breath with great 'beings' about the room charged to take the saint, just freed from fleshly limitations, heavenward. It had to have been predestined for angelic being to know when to be in that hospital room and to have me there to experience and witness my brother's homecoming. It was beautiful and peaceful and quiet, and nothing to be afraid of at all. Beautiful is not wonderful enough a word to describe what happened in his hospital room late on St. Patrick's Day of 1983. His body was emaciated to skin covering his bones. It shocked to see such a drastic decline of his physical condition in a two week span. I cried all that day because reality sunk in me that my brother's condition didn't appear that he could pull through this time- his defenses and his body had become too severely weakened and damaged. He'd fought long and hard and his body was give out. I never knew tears couldbe so big and flow so hard until that day.
That entire St. Patrick's Day, for the first time, I had a deep knowing that my brother's time here was short. I was down the hall from his hospital room and I was suddenly overcome by a powerful thought to immediately drop what I was doing and hurry back to his room.. I can't really adequately describe how strong that urgent feeling overcame me. It was as if someone got into my brain and spoke to me to do what I had heard, and right then. There was no way to ignore it. And I really don't remember walking, just floating along that hallway as if I were being carried. I have been changed since. I held my brother and told him I loved him as he started to have difficulty breathing. There was an ethereal feeling about the room. It was beautiful beyond words. His heavenly escorts carried his soul leaving his limp. lifeless shell. His journey here was finished and he was released from the physical world and .he was on his way home. I knew that I knew and I still know he was fine and knowing that has helped me greatly from that night knowing the pain he had to endure was for a while, but no more. After all that happened, I am still here feeling so honored to have had a brother such as he. One day I would again see him and hear him call me, 'Trina' as only he did. I look forward to that day and in sharing, I hope you have your heart and spirit in agreement with our Heavenly Father so you'll be charged an angelic detail to escort you HOME!
Right after those last moments with my brother, I had an epiphany. Death isn't anything to fear. Physical death is actually the 'door' to your heavenly homecoming. If you're in Christ, the last breath you breathe opens the door to entering into a more glorious life on the other side- to being spiritually alive in the presence of our Lord, Jesus. How wonderful that's gonna be! To be ALIVE with Jesus!
Potpourri from my brother's room - still potent & magical
Inhaling deeply, my entire body smiles.
Important note-----
If you don't ever come to the saving grace of accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you will be left without any hope of everlasting LIFE in heaven. If you need guidance on knowing how to go about this, please don't a single day, Make it a priority, Seek a person you know who's saved or a church to have someone walk you through the scriptures and then lead you in a prayer something of the sorts and humbly pray to God that you know you're a sinner, you know you need a savior, you accept Jesus to be the Son of God and as your savior who died in your place on the cross and you thank him for saving your soul and you invite him into your heart. You will begin a new spiritual awakened life, and will require need learning and growing in Christ, for living and growing in your newness of life because you are spiritually and forever a child of God, and heir to His out-of-this-world wonderful blessing!
Your soul isn't anything to take lightly. Any day could be the day you physically breathe your last, and after that....you don't get a second chance do-over.. It's believing deep in your heart God has the best for you, Jesus, and it's for you to accept his love. It's a spiritual decision to make, and will determine your spiritual future forever. Don't allow the adversary to keep lying and delaying or hindering your decision. To say it bluntly, do you want forever life or death?
There's only One Way approved by God, only one, through Jesus and Jesus alone. That's why he's called, The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
In John 15:13, you can read that Jesus calls you 'friend' and loves you so much that he laid down his life for YOU!
And you can go here to view 2 videos of Billy Graham speaking. He shares humor with stories in saying you don't have to shoot for perfection, you don't need to be perfect and it's alright to fail...... but you need to know the One who can save your soul. Watch and listen, Your choice is to accept or reject the best God has to offer to you.
When I say, 'pink-eyed, purple-hull peas,' I think of a singer warming up her voice by practicing proper pronunciation of words. And purple-hull peas conjure up memories of a friend with bags of peas around her, intently happy watching her daytime soap while busy hulling, blanching and canning her 'mess of peas'. Her Summer-time ritual.
Anyway, another very good friend shared a bag with me to give to my Mom. Let me tell you... those purple-hull peas were yummy. I did some checking around and found purple-hull peas are popular peas. Please proceed to poke about how people in parts all over plant, prepare and plan to partake in plenty of purple-hull peas.
These peas can be called--purple hull, or pink-eyed, purple hull. Bur never you mind 'bout that. It's eatin' and tastin' them little darlins that has folks always wantin' more..no matter what these beauties are called, they're good ole fashun' good eatin'.
