No not the Metallica song. Nothing else matters is the way I feel. That is when you fall in love. Certainly a far cry from Metallica. It is Valentine's day and many are out buying things for their significant other. I am actually watching my nephews for a few hours. Many are going out on a date, bringing them gifts that are completely over priced. All in the name of love. But is that really love? It is a sign of love. I guess it is in a way, I mean, it shows that you care. But is it really how some feel? Or are they just trying to get lucky? :) I am not saying that gifts are bad or that you should NOT buy ANYTHING for your loved one, but I am saying that to me, love is more than just a material gift.
Do you think that God just wants our gifts and talents and nothing more? I don't think so. I think that He gives gifts and talents for us, to use for the good of His name. If we are not willing to use our finances, our time, and our abilities for His purpose, there is something wrong. When it comes to God, nothing else matters. He is all I am concerned, obsessed, thinking about. Well, most of the time. I have to be honest and humble myself, I think about other things than God sometimes. We all do. But it has to change for me. And you. God wants our undivided attention. He wants all or none at all. He wants us to trust Him and Him alone. He wants a relationship continuous, unfiltered, and unending. When we give Him our attention, our heart, He can work the most in our lives. He doesn't want all the fake pretentious stuff, He wants our hearts, our lives to reflect Him. Nothing else should matter, because when He gets it all, He gives us everything we could ever imagine, and more. The vats are overflowing. It is not that He is taking from us, He wants to give to us.
I am not saying that we shouldn't love our spouse soo much that we give all we have to them that we can afford. God wants us to love them like Christ loves the Church. But what I am saying is, that nothing else should matter in a Christian life than to love God with all our heart. All else will work according to His will. Nothing else matters.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Not Affraid of Being Alive
I got this line from a fellow NC'er and musician John Mark Mcmillan. I was listening to his song the other day and really just couldn't get the thought out of my head. You see, my mother died when I was 17. Uncle Rick, the next year. My Grandfather the next. My neice the next. And my good friend Robert this week.
I have always hated going to funerals. Not really because I didn't want to participate, but because of the sadness that usually surrounds them. I never have been to a joy filled funeral until this week. On Sunday, Febuary 1, 2009, my friend was burried. Robert was a black man by the way, but color doesn't reflect in my eyes. We are all the same. But, his Church was so spirit filled and so joyous, I was so glad I went. He was the jollyest man I ever new. He had no strangers. He loved his family, friends, work, and most important; GOD! I was so sure that he was sitting up there with God in heaven and hearing; "Well done good and faithful servant!"
This got me thinking about my own mortality. I mean, we all die somtime. Could be now, could be later, but we spend so much time thinking about the future, or lack there of, that we forget the present. How are we making an impact in our community, culture, and world?? I think more now about what kind of legacy I will leave behind. Will people remember me for my money? I doubt it, I hope not. Will people remember me for being a bad person, cheater, liar, control freak?? I certainly hope not! I want to be known as humble, a servant of God, a great father and husband, and loving. I don't want my life to be on a stage, but rather in a back drop. I don't want to be know for what I say, but more of what I do. I think that everyday I will wake up with God and ask Him to humble me. To teach me how to be the least important. I will take up my cross dailey and surrender to His will. It is not about getting to heaven for me, although I long for that day. It is about how fruitful my life is and...........................Just kidding. I am still here.
peace ><>
I have always hated going to funerals. Not really because I didn't want to participate, but because of the sadness that usually surrounds them. I never have been to a joy filled funeral until this week. On Sunday, Febuary 1, 2009, my friend was burried. Robert was a black man by the way, but color doesn't reflect in my eyes. We are all the same. But, his Church was so spirit filled and so joyous, I was so glad I went. He was the jollyest man I ever new. He had no strangers. He loved his family, friends, work, and most important; GOD! I was so sure that he was sitting up there with God in heaven and hearing; "Well done good and faithful servant!"
This got me thinking about my own mortality. I mean, we all die somtime. Could be now, could be later, but we spend so much time thinking about the future, or lack there of, that we forget the present. How are we making an impact in our community, culture, and world?? I think more now about what kind of legacy I will leave behind. Will people remember me for my money? I doubt it, I hope not. Will people remember me for being a bad person, cheater, liar, control freak?? I certainly hope not! I want to be known as humble, a servant of God, a great father and husband, and loving. I don't want my life to be on a stage, but rather in a back drop. I don't want to be know for what I say, but more of what I do. I think that everyday I will wake up with God and ask Him to humble me. To teach me how to be the least important. I will take up my cross dailey and surrender to His will. It is not about getting to heaven for me, although I long for that day. It is about how fruitful my life is and...........................Just kidding. I am still here.
peace ><>
