Refocus - May 1st, 2013

Sometimes in life we get caught up on everything that's going on around us. Problems, problems, and more problems. Distractions, regrets, shiesty people, worries, and all the other cares of life I can't name. All of these are blindfolds from keeping our vision closed to God's purpose in our lives. Here in the United States alone, we are the most overworked and most mentally stressed people in world society. It's like we're doing all these things and still have no piece of mind. We think that PTSD is only for soldiers who've been in war but that's further from the trouble. Over here, we believe in multi-tasking and doing it big all the time. Eventually these acts of "business" breaks us down and in the long run we are broke down. A lot of times we allow good for nothing people and things run our lives. This can happen directly and indirectly, you know. We continue to align ourselves with these that only make us waste God's precious time and resources. We get nothing accomplished. We get nothing done. We lose focus. There's a man known as Samson who lost focus on his purpose, to lead a people out of bondage from their enemies. There was another man known as Eli who was a holy man called to lead a nation to relationship with God. However, these men lost their focus on who they were supposed to serve and what they were purposed to do. Many of us are like these men. We have lost our focus. Today it's time to refocus. It's time for us to cut off those people who year after year hinder what God is attempting to do in our lives. If we don't, we'll to be on a vicious cycle that will cause us to waste our lives. It's time discipline our eating habits so we can live healthier lives. It's time for us to take charge over our of financial matters from spending, saving, and investing (in the right things). It's time for us to build our families on the Rock. Most importantly, it's time we refocus our eyes on Jesus, who is the wise master builder of our lives. When we zone into reaching a goal we do whatever it takes to achieve it. We assassinate anything else that tries to stop from doing so (Satan knows this better than us and that's why he stays successful in what he does). My friends, it time to refocus. Let's get our vision back. Let's refocused on raising our kids and loving our spouses. Let's break the monotonous cycle of setbacks we can overcome with just one choice not to give in. This is going to cause us to feed people with a long handed spoon (love people who mean us no good from a distance-something my father would say). This means when we feel mess invading our lives we need to stop, fight, and pray. So much to say but I can't say it all.

Til next time, dgwo.

Reference: Habakkuk 2:1

Go Get Your Life Back!!!!

What's up my friends, it's been a while. I've been through a lot of changes in my life, a lot of challenges. However, I thank God because I've got a renewed purpose in my life and that's getting my life back on track. I've been low but now I'm climbing up the mountain, not in pride but in confidence in God. Sometimes, we allow the comments and childishness of others to pull us down from being who we need to be. We allow the circumstances of life to tear us down and stranded in the city called stuck. We allow past and even present predilections keep us from moving forward in life; now we're like Lot's wife. A lot of us have wasted time with wasteful things and wasteful people. But today is a new day. This is a new season. There is change all around us not because we're heading into spring. God has opened His mouth and waved His hands to open opportunities for us to grasp. You know, we like to judge people who are successful; such people like Donald Trump. The man has been through a lot y'all but he fought to reclaim the dream that he saw in his heart. Look at Joseph, over a decade living as a slave and a cellmate. He ended up recapturing the dream that was put in his heart to become. My friends, it's time for us to go get our life back. It's time for us to stop the nonsense and get to living again. Parents, it's time out for being selfish trying to reclaim the glory days of times past when we were younger. It's time to raise our kids and fight for our families. To married couples, husbands and wives, it's time to rekindle the romance in our relationships that God has put together. To those who've been used and abused, forgive those who've trespassed against you that bitterness doesn't harden your hearts. Let go of the hurt and the pain and live again. To business owners, pastors, politicians trying to affect change, and to those who've been down, go get your life back. It first starts with taking hold of the name of Jesus Christ, following His instructions, and moving forward from taking it one step at a time. God is able to redeem the time that we've wasted or has been stolen from us. It's time for us to live and not die and let the world know God strengthens those who've been beaten down. When we get our lives back, don't let nothing or nobody take what God gave to you.

Til next time, dgwo

Isaiah 40:28-31
Joel 2:25-27
Revelation 3:11

Handling Changes

I'm in a new place in my life. Some places in my life I buried deep in the dirt. Other places I allowed weeds to grow up and take residence. Some places I've neglected because of laziness. However, those days are @ a close. I'm learning that being an adult is taking responsibility of all that happens in your life the good and the bad. Many of us don't like that. We want to stay in baby stages so we can point the finger @ others when we mess up. It's easier to blame the man and woman who've done you wrong or gave you the wrong advice. But as the old schools say, it all boils down to what or who you let influence your life. Right now, I'm trying to surround and listen anyone with the voice of reason and wisdom. Without these, we won't make it in this cold world. God has given us His Holy Spirit to not only dwell in us but in others to lead us, guide us, and correct us in truth, righteousness, and judgement. I guess what I'm trying to say also is that we need to ensure we spend time in prayer, Gods word, and meditating on each enlightenment His gives us. David said His word is like a lamp unto our feet and light unto our paths. It's true. To all my people going through changes, know that God is with you. We have to put our trust in Him even when we don't see our next step and the bridges all around us have crumbled. God is here, we just have to make the time to seek Him.
Til next time, dgwo

References:
Psalms 27
Psalms 119

Sabotage!!!!

My friends, sabotage is in the air. It's floating around like a stench of baby poo in the trash can (laugh somebody). I can honestly say that my senses have been heightened to understand sabotage when it rears it's ugly face. We are seeing sabotage occurring more and more on planet Earth no matter where you go. For example look at President Obama. I didn't get a chance to see the 2013 State of the Union address but I can probably envision seeing certain congressmen hating on his views. He probably made some great points and some jokers in the audience probably didn't clap their hands or give honor to where it's due. Then after the man was finished, they "conspire" to stop every agenda he's trying to push (to help Americans) for their own dishonest gain (let's pray for our President). Now that's sabotage. We've seen sabotage occur throughout our world history. The Senate publicly killing Roman emperor Julius Caesar. The sergeant being left for dead by another soldier in Platoon movie. A new leader of a company trying to move it to new levels of innovation but his/her team members are irreverent in their disapproval. A father trying to instill discipline in his children to follow rules but they're cussing him out. A teacher in a high school classroom is trying to educate her students but has to deal with one knucklehead interrupting the whole class. It's crazy, dude. But that's the work of sabotage. I recall an instance of sabotage Jesus was marketing a new strategy of ageless principles in the land of Israel. He chopped it up with those who the Pharisees looked upon as rotten, grimy people. However, Jesus reached out to them and they listened. However, the Pharisees didn't like that because they felt their influence in Jewish society was being threatened. So what do these jokers say about Him. Oh, that dude must be a drunkard. Oh, he's this and he's that. Sabotage will try to ruin others' reputation through lies, deceit, which is all stemming from jealousy. Sabotage. Or what a a out that time when Aaron and Miriam spoke evil about Moses' leadership skills along with dissing his wife (probably called her everything under the sun, too)? They were trying to sabotage Moses from leading the people to the promised land. Even Paul dealt with religious leaders smacking him against the head while he was witnessing the grace of Jesus Christ to roman officials to keep him quiet about the truth. My friends, especially those who are destined for greatest, keep your antennas up, because sabotage is present around you. Like Paul says, we can't be ignorant of Satan's devices and they are readily made to sabotage destiny, purpose, and focus. Sabotage can come from anybody, anywhere, or anything. My friends, I allowed a whole year (2012) to be ruined because I allowed sabotage to take me not from behind but right in my face. Instead of fighting against it and strategies, I laid down and died. But now, I'm like a warrior, sort of like William Wallace, I'm fighting against sabotage. As my man Starnes told me, you've got to fight. So, let me leave you with these words from my man Peter and let it make you wise:

1st Peter 4:1-2:
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;  That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God."

As we commit more of ourselves to God, this means we've got to up our wisdom to war against sabotage. Stay alert. Stay alive. And remember, no matter who or what you are, sabotage is always looking to take you down. Through wisdom and strategy we will defeat this foe.

Til next time, esta luego, dgwo.

References:
Luke 7:33-35
1st Peter 4:1-2

Manipulation

Manipulation: 1 : to treat or operate with or as if with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a skillful manner
2 a : to manage or utilize skillfully
b : to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage
3 : to change by artful or unfair means so as to serve one's purpose

I think this is becoming more prevalent as the days go by in our society. I was just driving down the road and bam, the word manipulation gets into my head. This skill is used primarily to hide the track of a person's real agenda. A little while ago, I was talking about intentions. Well, I guess this is part two. Manipulation is a common skill used in warfare strategy to get the upper hand of one's enemies. We see the movies where a beautiful woman entertains a king, seduces him, and when opportunity knocks, they take his life. Nowadays, for certain people to get ahead in life, they play on the love and emotions of people. Some people use money or investment plans to get others to buy into their mumbo jumbo. Some people will use their supposed gift of fab and knowledge to overthrow one to gain position. Some people simply use their good looks to entice others; thereby keeping their sight from seeing the real picture. Some people love to get close to others and then ruin them. I've seen it, I've done it, and I've experienced it. Manipulation has the power to destroy. It's another form of rebellion against ones authority/leadership. It's a form of lust, pride, jealousy, and anger because somebody can't get it their way. Manipulation I believe is one of the top 10 destiny killers in the history of man. From Adam and Eve, to Genghis Khan, to Adolfo Hitler. I'm telling you my friends, we gotta be like one reggae artist St. Matthew says, Wise up. Like they used to say back in the day, it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. Even Nehemiah dealt with manipulation from his enemies but told those jokers he wasn't going to stoop to their level. You know, we live in an interpersonal relationship world. We have to be careful of the bones that's in our closet we share with others. They'll see them and tell everybody your "sacred" business. We have to be careful of how we conduct ourselves especially those of us in management positions. People are praying for our downfall and like vultures, will feed on the dead (I'm learning momma, I'm learning). So how do we overcome manipulation, this thing that will cause us to compromise, to lose heart, to castrate our purpose? We study the Word of God, we pray, we walk in the Spirit, we link up with those who've been where we're trying to go. Most importantly, we come to grips with the fact those who are employed with manipulation are trying to dominate you and make you feel less than. Trust me, I dealt with this all my life and now at 31, I'm standing up straight to confront it with ease. If your businessman and your successful at what you do, don't let nobody make you do anything different. If your an educator who's got a successful track record of teaching, don't let those who are jealous swipe you down with their lies. And married couples, don't let everybody in your business especially when your having "heated fellowship." I know this is a long post but I just couldn't put this in the back burner. Much luv to everybody and get manipulated; be educated!!! (Knowledge with love is power!!!!) Don't let nothing or nobody take away your purpose!!!!

Til next time, gdow

Reference:
Romans 16:19
Revelation 3:11

Grow Up

Maturity:
noun
1 her progress from childhood to maturity: adulthood, majority, coming-of-age, manhood, womanhood.
2 he displayed a maturity beyond his years: responsibility, sense, levelheadedness; wisdom, discrimination, shrewdness, sophistication.

This word is what we need. This is what we should aspire to achieve. This is what we should covet to become and discipline ourselves to obtain. But to be quite honest, a lot of us in American society aren't trying to get that at all. As the definition of this word maturity shows, "responsibility, sense, levelheadedness, wisdom, sophistication", is what we run away from. Maturity also entails accountability, an open mind (an expanded view of life), and learning new tricks (despite if we're old dogs). Why do we run from maturity? Why do we love the comforts of acting like 12 year-old middle school kids always starting something? Why do we hate to listen and apply the wisdom we receive on the daily? It's crazy but it's true. Within the past couple of years, maybe the past two years, I've seen immaturity in my immediate surroundings at an all time high, even within myself. The gossip. The lying. The cheating. The brown-nosing. The disrespect. Etc. Etc. We see this happen from the business world, to the college rooms, to the executive board meetings, and to the professional basketball team (i.e. - look at Kobe's plight with the Lakers {Dwight Howard}). Immaturity is like the worst form of malignant cancer for business relationships, friendships, church communities, and teachers providing valid information to his or her students. Those who are mature have to pray two hours more to deal with them and their complaining. Mature people can't hang with those who are immature because they already know it's like making a stubborn mule drinking fresh water from a well. Those who are mature are always in forward motion, looking to help someone as they as going somewhere, and desire to leave a mark of success (even in the midst of failure) before they're six feet deep. But let me give you all a bulleted list of immaturity:

• sensitive and takes offense when corrected
• shuns wisdom
• selfish and moody
• untrustworthy and messy
• busybody and unaccountable
• acting like a fool (in other terms, ghetto)
• no respect for authority (God, boss, laws, etc.)
• shameful and off the chiz-ain

So what is the definition of immaturity:
noun
the state of being immature or not fully grown.
• behavior that is appropriate to someone younger: they were shocked by such immaturity in a grown man.

My friends, I have some good news for us. It's time for us to grow up. It's time for us to be children and be men and women. It's time for us to step up to the plate and be responsible people (i.e. - taking care of our kids and making others raise them for us, admit when we're wrong, being real with ourselves, etc.). It's time for us to stop the gossip because on the real, our words of death are rendering death to the person we're yapping our lips about. It's time for us to stop disrespecting our bosses at our jobs and say yes sir/ma'am, no sir/ma'am (and if they're wrong, pray for them!). It's time for us to stop being and acting ghetto. Be respectful of ourselves and for others for a change. Ghetto-ness is keeping us from going to that next level. It's time for us to stop being so sensitive that people can't even tell us that our shoes are untied. Man, I can go on and on but I'm not inexhaustible. What I'm saying here guys, grow up. We need to do it now. Don't wait until tomorrow because it's not promised. Work towards maturity while its day. Jesus Himself could only achieve favor with God and with man through one thing, Maturity (Luke 2:52). So, let me leave you with these words from my long gone mentor Paul:

1st Corinthians 13:11:
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

As my man Stephen the Levite said years ago, "It's time for the children of God to grow up..."
Indeed my brother, indeed.

Til next time, Tchuss, gw (exit dgwo).

References:
Proverbs 17:25
1st Corinthians 13:11
Hebrews 6:12

Changes

We can (but some to many of us won't) agree about us homosapiens (humans) is that the word change scares us. I'm not talking about a political change or what we work (or dream) for to come into an abundance in our bank accounts. I'm talking about the change where we have to grow up, man up, make better decisions, take on responsibility(ies), and learn to stop keep the masks in our lives. Changes are something that we are afraid of seeing, of embracing, of walking into, and accepting. I know I am sometimes because I realize when one thing changes in my life, everything has to change. About 95% or more don't like and we don't like when people express views of changing "the way we do things." The Pharisees didn't like Jesus' message and come to find out, that some way of thinking hasn't changed much in 2013. Within the past couple of months, I've seen so much resistance to the change that He's bringing into the world (saved and unsaved) it's a dog-on shame. Why do we resist something that is made to better us? I know why. We don't like the inevitable, the unknown, the places and times we can't control. We don't like to have to let go of the past as well as the comforts of the present we worked so hard for to escape the hardships of our past; though we say we're working towards a better future (don't front). Food for thought, my friends, this is how we think and some of you may say, wow Dave, who are you to judge me? That means God's pricking tool is at work as He pricks me to write this (which I've tried to hold back for almost two weeks; the reason why I haven't posted a blog for so long). Change is essential for us to go to that next level in our lives. While the doors are open, why not move from where we are and walk through it? But we see that we have to leave those security features of messy friends, messy relationships, messiness, messy attitudes, messy bad habits, that we've become so accustomed to. Who woulda knew that thoughts like these are presently reigning in me and you (in correct terms, you and I)? I see more resistance to change more in our churches, more in our workplace, more in our school systems, more in our races, and more in our governments like never before. Like an old man tells me, some people who act idioticly intentionally create platforms from dissallowing necessary changes to make life better from happening. We are sabotagers of our own destiny that Christ desires so much to give to us. I think this is why Paul did so much in his life because he learned to adapt to wherever and whenever the Lord lead him. Now that sounds like an old tune by Robert Blair and the Fantastic Violinaires (extreme old school). We hate the fact we have to mature; meaning learning to trust God more in more tight situations, keeping our mouths shut when people have worked past the last strands our patience, and at times, you've got to pick up that book (Holy Bible) to input wisdom so we can overcome the comforts of laziness. Changes, changes in how we perceive things and how we treat even the worst of our enemies. Seeing our enemies can be closer to us because they put on sheep's clothing with the fairest of ease. Changes are in the air, can't you smell them? The call to maturity. The call to get closer, the call to leaving behind childish things? Even those friends we think are good for us but by our love they take advantage us and transfer poison, which is slowly killing our dreams. Then when our dreams are dead, oh now we realize they are, our supposed friends move on without apology, as we have to pray to pick up the pieces of our shattered lives. Don't be like me. Go ahead and accept the changes God is making in your life. We're all spiritual beings who have been given the power of free will to make a choice to listen to the voice of God or listen to the voice of the other lesser one(s).
Changes are necessary. Changes are good. Changes are God's purposes for man so that we don't become dependent on us. But that we learn to be dependent on Christ Jesus. Now let me leave so I can apply what I just shared with you all.

Til Next Time, FKA....

References:
Psalms 90:1-12
1st Corinthians 13:11
Philippians 4:11-13