God's way?

OPEN DOOR NOTES 072907 Huguenot Road Baptist Church

Consequences
Causality: Cause and Effect is a powerful concept…
Think about the consequences of having so many things, as well as the consequences of our trials.

Blessings
Who/What is the source of your success/blessing and your trials?
Wisdom and intention matter as we assess our blessings and options.
How do you use wisdom to ensure that blessings don't become a burden?

Choices
Who do you owe? How much and why?
How do Assets translate into action? Where then is the accountability?
How do you use your assets?

Faith
In all things, God works for our good. He has plans to prosper us, not to harm us.

Patience
Relationships with others are central. We need to demonstrate patience and understanding.


2 Chronicles 1
7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
8 Solomon answered God, "You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"
11 God said to Solomon, "Since this is your heart's desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have."

Luke 14
The Story of the Dinner Party
15That triggered a response from one of the guests: "How fortunate the one who gets to eat dinner in God's kingdom!" 16 -17Jesus followed up. "Yes. For there was once a man who threw a great dinner party and invited many. When it was time for dinner, he sent out his servant to the invited guests, saying, 'Come on in; the food's on the table.' 18"Then they all began to beg off, one after another making excuses. The first said, 'I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.' 19"Another said, 'I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.' 20"And yet another said, 'I just got married a_nd need to get home to my wife.' 21"The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, 'Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.' 22"The servant reported back, 'Master, I did what you commanded— and there's still room.' 23 -24"The master said, 'Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my dinner party.'"

James 5 -- Destroying Your Life from Within
1 -3 And a final word to you arrogant rich: Take some lessons in lament. You'll need buckets for the tears when the crash comes upon you. Your money is corrupt and your fine clothes stink. Your greedy luxuries are a cancer in your gut, destroying your life from within. You thought you were piling up wealth. What you've piled up is judgment.
4 -6All the workers you've exploited and cheated cry out for judgment. The groans of the workers you used and abused are a roar in the ears of the Master Avenger. You've looted the earth and lived it up. But all you'll have to show for it is a fatter than usual corpse. In fact, what you've done is condemn and murder perfectly good persons, who stand there and take it.
7 -8Meanwhile, friends, wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time.
9Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
10 -11Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.

1 Thessalonians 5:13
Honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out

Galatians 5:22
22 -23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

Image Reference

Ballroom Blitz

Another video by the Syncsta guys from England? I think they are...they're adorable and I actually never really listened to this song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's quite good. Work is still crazy and we are behind and people are getting cranky and I just trudge through it each day. I still like the job though. Nothing else has been happening. I used to live a life where I had drama and things to talk about and now it's just work and um...more work. I need a life. Hope everyone is well and I can't believe tomorrow is the end of the week already!! ;-) peace

Encouragement

It is midyear "development checkin time" in the corporate world. It is time to meet with my reports and provide them advice. I wonder if they know that while I do subscribe to the corporate value of do the right thing and excellence, I use the passage below from 1 Thessalonians as a much more accurate model for my own behavior. We call them competencies. I figure when I can do this, I'll be doing okay.


1 Thessalonians 5:13 (The Message)
Honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out

Oh wait, hot men...

....when I started this blog, it was a means for my friends to keep in touch with what was going on with me while I lived in S. Dakota. Um they never checked it so I decided to post hot men. Well, mostly for my own enjoyment! ;-) Well I've noticed that I haven't posted any lately...why break my own tradition? Enjoy ;-) peace

Finally, a cooking show for men!!

Ok, maybe it's not a cooking show, but it's about food and it's about adventure! So my roomie watches the Barefoot Contessa and Emril and Martha Stewart and blah blah...
Ok I've been watching Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. They travel the world and eat some weird shit, but at the same time it looks hella good. So my girl roomie can keep her FoodTV recipe shows and using basil and thyme, I'm watching Andrew eat Jellied Moose Nose and Anthony eating rotting fruit! Finally a food show for men! Oh and it's on the Travel Channel! ;-) peace

Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern


Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations

Return to reality

The experience at the Lasker Summer Music Festival was very special for Tracee and I both this weekend. Making music, being among some "adopted" family in Lasker and getting some solid quality time with Pastor Ricky.

My return to reality today was a shock to my system. The meetings, the quarrels, the stress, and the myriad of "balls in the air" made me long for the simplicity of preparing a concert for performance, and going for ice cream at Agnes' house.

I guess all retreats are like this. My parallel worlds seem to raise the intensity to a higher level and the shock exacts its toll on my faster than I would expect.

I pray Lord specifically for strength to persevere. I don't pretend that my choices make my life any easier than those around me. I choose to do so much and carry so much load. I choose the paths set before me.

Someday, I hope to return to simplicity of making music, but until I can find a financial model that will allow me to contribute without compromising my families' needs, I guess I am stuck or blessed. The choice here depends on my perspective of the moment.

I want my money bitch!

LOL, this is little baby girl is so cute yet it's kind of sad at the same time. I hope it's lip synced, could be?? It looks exactly like a niece of mine! Her parents are both on drugs, so it wouldn't surprise me if she does talk like this!! ;-) peace

Retreat

And they are off. Tracee and I leave for Lasker today to spend the weekend with colleagues, friends and the fine people of Lasker NC. This weekend is the beginning of my return journey to the "serious professional singer" world as I'll present the Liszt Petrarch Sonnets as well as my beloved Poulenc set on the recital on Sunday.

This year for the first time Tracee is joining me on the concert stage and will present part of Schumann's Frauenliebe und Leben.

Excited, nervous, content are just some of the feelings running through my mind.
We are leaving the kids for the entire weekend with family. That alone is stressful.

Man, I love the intensity and buildup just prior to a performance. The last few moments are "lenteur immemoriale"

My big gay heart...

...I found this on Kenneth's page. I wonder if they are going for the "gay is cool" thing or...maybe..they are wondering? Hmmm...would be good to know. I like the song though, when gay goes out of fashion..then we'll really know which bands are sincere. ;-) peace

Happy Monday

...it is Monday right? Was a long weekend, had my friend up for the weekend and was so glad to have her with me. Especially 'cause I had to take my roomie to the ER on Friday! I came home and she was doubled over in pain, turns out she had gall stones! So called 911 and followed the ambulance to the hospital. She had surgery this morning to remover her gall bladder and she's doing fine. The kicker? She is so happy to lose more weight (how much does a gall bladder weigh?) LOL! My friend Greg is doing well. Work is doing well, I've finally learned to step back and have a life. I didn't check email all weekend (big ass lie) but, I didn't answer any! ;-) Hope everyone has a good week, I'm up until my friend txt's me that she made it home ok. Rob over at Bent has some awesome pics of Chris Evans!! Here is just a sample... ;-) peace

Stop me

Just heard this song...ok, the vocals are by Daniel Merriweather and yet Mark Ronson's name is on there also and he seems to be more "famous" because he has a few more songs out there. So maybe he is like our Timbaland? produces and gets the talent to sing? Although Timbaland does have his own CD out now which, I hear is great! In any case, Daniel is a hottie...ok bottom line, lol should have started with that. Enjoy ;-) peace

Bucky Covington

A different world. I love this song (yes I listen to country too). I love the line "no bottled water, we drank from a garden hose" do you remember drinking from the garden hose? I swear that water tasted better than anything!! Now, oh no...if it's not Dasani I don't drink it!LOL or "we had three channels you got up to change" totally trued. I like the song because a lot of what he sings about is true...it was a different world growing up and we are still here, society has put so much anxiety into us about being healthy about being better. Listen to it, even if you're not a country fan...I like what he says. ;-) peace

As promised, Nunatak Videos!

Here they are, they were awesome! Enjoy

How Many People



Would you do it all again



I'm not sure which I like better...what do you think?
;-) peace

Nunatak

Ok, their video's are online from their performance on the Live Earth concert. Once they show up on youtube (and you know the will!) I'll post them. Until then, I can't wait for others to hear them...they're amazing. Enjoy ;-)

How Many People


Would you do it again


Matt Sings lead.


Tris Plays the violin.


Ali Plays sax.


Rob AWESOME drummer!


Roger Plays bass guitar.

LIVE EARTH

Just enjoying a Saturday afternoon and watching the Live Earth concert. Has anyone made a difference in trying to be Greener? Me and my roomie changed our light bulbs. It's a start. ;-) peace






2:15pm. I love Fall out Boy! and I love AFI, they rock. Ok, and who knew Akon had a body that fine! Dayum!!!

3:15pm Ok the BEST PERFORMANCE so far? Is by a band called Nunatak!! They rocked! The band is made up of scientists who actually are living in Antarctica studying the effects of Global Warming, you can check out more of what they do here and see interviews. It was a such a cool performance, here they are in rehearsal. AS SOON as their performance video is up, I'll get it on here. Great job Nunatak!!



5:02pm, I really should get off this couch at some point and at least poke my head outside!! Madonna just finished Ray of Light in London and it was a great performance. I didn't know she played the guitar! She did it in heels and a little black dress, that bitch still has it!!

Gay Barbie Song...

...I know I'm behind on what's cool and new on Youbtube, but I had to post this seeing as I just NOW found out! LOL
Life is wonderful, we are a bit behind at work so I've been working a lot of hours and trying to catch up. No new news, is there ever?? ;-) Hope everyone had a good week and a Happy 4th! ;-) peace

SICKO Sunday...

...So I just got back from watching Michael Moore's new documentary, Sicko. It was awesome, you will laugh and you will cry but more importantly you will begin to question. Why are we the only western country without universal health care? Canada has it, Britain does...hell even Cuba has it. Those countries have lower infant mortality rates and longer life expectancy for their citizens. Their doctors live a comfortable life in million dollar homes and driving nice cars...so it couldn't be the money right? I mean they are getting paid by the government and can still do quite well. For being the worlds richest country, we rate 37th on the list of best health care. It's disgusting really, and the government is such a big part of it. I don't think Michael Moore is anti-American nor is this film totally anti-bush (noticed I said totally ;-) but it will make you think, and it will give you knowledge. In any case if you see one movie this summer, see Sicko! and then see Transformers. ;-)

to fish or not to fish

I didn't write the following story. I don't know who did. I received the following story in email at some point in the past few years and it moved me enough to save it. After listening to the missionaries from Southeast Asia speak this morning at HRBC, I pulled it up and reviewed it. I am putting it here so that you might read it and think about it.

There's a Catch to It

Now it came to pass that a certain group called themselves "Fishermen." And, lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with hungry fish.

Week after week and month after month, these fishermen met to talk about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing. They carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared fishing to be a primary task of fishermen.

Continually they searched for new methods of fishing. Further they said, "The fishing industry exists by fishing as fire exists by burning." They loved slogans such as "Fishing is the task of every fisherman," and "Every fisherman is a fisher." They sponsored special meetings called "Fishermen's Campaigns" and "The Month for Fishermen to Fish." They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss and promote fishing as well as hear about all the new fishing equipment, fish calls, and bait.

These fishermen also built large, beautiful buildings called "Fishing Headquarters." They organized a board of men who had the great vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote catching fish of different colors in far-away streams.

The board also hired staffs and appointed committees to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be considered.

Large, elaborate and expensive training centers were erected to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, the psychological reactions of fish, and how to approach and feed fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology. After tedious training, many were graduated, given fishing licenses, and sent to do full-time fishing—some to distant waters.

Many spent much study and travel to learn the history of fishing and see faraway places where the Founding Fathers had great catches in centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of years before.

Further, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night, producing materials solely devoted to fishing methods, equipment, and programs for meetings to talk about fishing. Offices were set up to schedule special speakers on the subject of fishing.

Many who felt called to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. But, like the fishermen back home, they engaged in all kinds of other occupations. They built power plants to pump water for fish and tractors to plow new waterways. They traveled here and there to look at fish hatcheries, fish slaughter houses, and fishing boats. Some said they wanted to be part of the fishing party, but felt called to furnish fishing equipment.

Others felt their job was to relate to the fish, so they would know the difference between good and bad fishermen. Others felt that simply letting the fish know they were nice, land-loving neighbors was enough. A few felt that swimming lessons for the fish and better fish food would help. Some spoke of purifying the water, moving fish to other waters, or getting rid of their natural enemies.

After one stirring meeting on "The Necessity for Fishing," a young fellow left to go fishing. The next day he reported catching two outstanding fish. He was honored for his excellent catch and scheduled in big meetings to tell how he did it. So, to have time for sharing his experience with other fishermen, he quit fishing. He was also placed on the Fishermen's General Board as a person with considerable experience.

Almost no one on the Board ever fished. So those they sent out to fish did exactly as those who sent them. They formed groups and held meetings to talk about the great need for fishing. They prayed much that many fish might be caught. They analyzed the fish and discussed what is necessary to catch them. They waxed eloquent on how others fished wrongly and bemoaned the fact that fish were not processed properly when they were caught. But one thing they did not do. They did not fish.

However, they were still called fishermen by those who sent them. They wrote glowing letters back to the board and home fishing clubs about all the fishing potential. A little criticism came sometimes that no fish were caught. But because those who criticized didn't catch fish either, the criticism was not taken too seriously.

Now it's true many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen's clubs and the fact that they never fished. They wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not obeying the Master who said, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men?"

Imagine how hurt some were when it was suggested that those who don't catch fish are really not fishermen. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if year after year he never catches a fish? Is one following if he isn't fishing?