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Not Necessarily Accepted

January 3, 2013 — Leave a comment

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You’re looking at a guy who was not necessarily accepted by the masses. I was pointed out as different by my peers, and they were right, I was different.

I didn’t like the same music kids my age listened too. I didn’t watch the same TV shows. I didn’t even read the same literature!

I was 11-years-old when I started watching the “State of the Union” address on TV and analyzing the speeches myself, literally rolling my eyes at the commentary.

But, there’s something kind of fascinating about that kind of experience growing up. You realize quickly that you won’t be fully accepted by EVERYONE!

And you know what, that’s fine! I have come to terms with it!

What about you?

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Letter To My Bullies

November 28, 2012 — 1 Comment

Dear Bullies:

You, yes you! I certainly hope you are doing well, wait, no, I hope you are doing great!

You know those times that you and your crew talked about me at the bus stop, on the school bus, in the classroom, in the hallway, in the cafeteria and even during recess!? How about the times you sought out to embarrass me and try to rip out the single bit of dignity and self-esteem that I had until I was in tears?

NOW you remember!? Good, great, I just wanted to solidify and clarify the history here.

Well, I just wanted to let you know that in spite of all the things that you did…I forgive you!

In fact, not only do I forgive you, but I thank you!

In fact, I rejoice! Besides, it wasn’t about me anyway, but what was being done and proven through me!

I know this sounds strange, but truth is, I’m stronger now because of it!

No, I haven’t been working out! I’m still kind of on the skinny side, wears glasses, read a lot and so forth!

How do I know I’m stronger!? Romans 5:3-5 says “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. “

My hope and prayer is that you and every bully out there knows that their strength comes not from brute force, harsh words or intimidation of others, but comes from knowing God and through His power and strength enduring through life’s issues, and in turn, becoming stronger.

And want to know something else!? Even after going through all of that…even after enduring the verbal and physical abuse…I don’t even look like I suffered!

So…Thanks! Because, as Joseph said in Genesis 5:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

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Insert Dream Here

For a long time, I stood over a giant gap in my life. I felt like I was on one side of a cliff and I needed to get across the other side.

When you get to a cliff, what do you do!? Do you turn around and walk away and find another way across? Do you try jumping across with the hope that you leap enough to get across safely? How about building something fancy like a bridge?

Dreams are a lot like that!

We have to create, develop and build things to get to our dream. We may even have to be a little creative in getting across. We have to create, develop and build to get across our dreams, our ideas, our thoughts and anything else that is sitting in our mind and heart.

Create a plan. Create a list of what you know you’re good at. List your strengths. List your weaknesses. List your talents and abilities.

Develop your strategy. Start looking into what kind of education you will need for what you want to do. Start considering how much money you will need (IF any) to make the dream happen! Actually figure out how long and how much you would have to commit to working on this dream of yours!

The building process can be difficult. People see what they have to do and suddenly the desire to be lazy sinks in. Let me encourage you…your laziness has to be fought with Faith! Others had to deal with the same struggle. Perhaps they fought just as hard if not harder because they didn’t want to stay in the same place for the rest of their life.

That though alone makes me work harder to pursue my dreams!

Posted on August 8, 2012 In Creative Talk, LIVE , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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"Adventure Time," A Cartoon Network Original Series (c) 2012

"Adventure Time," A Cartoon Network Original Series (c) 2012

For a few days I have had the topic of “Love” on my heart! No pun intended!

What is love anyway!? Can it possibly be “adventurous” as Finn made it out to be?

Monday evening I was watching an episode of the cartoon “Adventure Time” on Cartoon Network! In this episode, the main character, Finn, realizes that he really, REALLY likes the fire princess. Finn admits to her that he “likes her, like her,” but the fire princess is not buying it, especially after it seemed like Finn was playing with her heart.

The princess realizes that he’s totally opposite of her, confusing Finn to be a “water type.” Finn could care less that she’s a “fire type,” and that he’s human. Ultimately, they both say to each other something that moved me to write this article:

Princess: “Finn, Even if we like each other, we’re going to hurt each other!”

Finn: “No we don’t have too, I can take it, …I mean, can we try?”

Princess: “You will defy nature for me?”

Finn: “Uh yeah!”

With regards to love, you do stand a risk of being “burned.” You do stand the risk of getting hurt. But you also stand the risk of experiencing something powerful, special and beyond words. In fact, it takes LOVE for it to all to even be worth it!

I love Finn’s line because he looks past the obstacles between them and is willing to give it a try. He sees the best in this princess. He sees something that the viewing audience doesn’t. It was frustrating to me, but it wasn’t to Finn.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, and essentially saying that he could do tons of different activities and services for people, but if love was not a driving force, it was worthless. It all would be for nothing without love. Even to the sacrifice of his own life, if its not in love, its worthless ( verse 3 ).

So, what is Love. Love is outlined beautifully from 1 Corinthians 13:3-7 from the New King James Version:

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

So, ask yourself, how much can you take!? It doesn’t say anything about it being “easy,” but love has its benefits.

Love made Finn consider a seemingly unlikely match for a mate.

Love keeps me writing articles to help people.

Love moves and motivates us to do what we don’t want to do.

Love was involved when Jesus gave His life for us!

How Adventurous is your Love!?

Posted on April 2, 2012 In Lessons, LIVE , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Some Assembly Required

I’m so guilty of saying things like “I’ll do that tomorrow” or “maybe later” or “I’ll get around to it.”

These statements have often plagued me, but, as of late I have changed course and have begun fighting to keep my priorities straight. It wasn’t esay to begin and continue such a process either.

Probably becuase with anything you desire to do for success “some assembly is required.”

You ever buy a piece of furniture from the store, a small or large toy or some kind of equipment, and begin dreading the process of putting all of those pieces together?! You then see that label at the bottom that’s in the smallest print possible on the box that says “some assembly required.” You then shake your head in disgust, wondering why on earth did you buy this…this…this unfinished piece of work!
Projects that require assembly test my patience…greatly!

But recently, I realized something! “Some assembly required” is for more than just furniture, toys and electronics. “Some assembly” is also “required” for anything worth having and keeping.

Some assembly is still required in a job. Some assembly is required in relationships. Some assembly is required in developing and figuring out ones vocation…ones calling. This is where I know I struggle.

I wake up every morning, get cleaned up, dressed up and prepare for work, and as I prepare to march out of the door, I see my computer, my cartoons, my Bibles and books and my journals, and I sometimes feel that moment of sadness, frustration and even depression. Its many pieces, and I know that its “some assembly required.” I look at my college courses I’m taking to earn my Master’s. I’m looking at my job and where I hope to be in the future. I see where I am and the hope of where I could be. It all seems like so much sometimes…so many pieces. I wonder how long its going to take to put all of the pieces together.

Should I just pack all of my hopes and dreams in the box that it all seem to come from and just ask for a refund. NO! NEVER!

Bishop T.D. Jakes said something a while back in one of his sermons that really resonated with me a while back. To paraphrase, he made the point that God never made a chair, but he made a tree and he made wood. He also made steel. He also made all of these raw pieces of material that man took to innovate and come up with buildings, bridges and more.

So often we are waiting on God…what if He’s waiting on you. What if instead of worrying about being as good as the creators of “Phineas and Ferb” or “Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” you were called to write a book or start a cartoon series that would take its place once those shows have run its course.

Someone is waiting for you to complete those pieces. Someone is waiting for you to add a piece that you have that they need!

The point is this…some assembly is required not so they can confuse you…not so they can haunt you…but to help you! Some assembly is required for two reasons:

1. To teach you patience as you continue to strive!

2. So you won’t stop pursuing what is your vocation and calling!

3. So you and others can better appreciate the finished project once its all said and done!

Even you…you’re still a work in progress. What if people just toally gave up on you and decided to ask for a refund!? You came into existence needing some assembly required. Your whole life is “some assembly required.” The good news is, in patience and with hope and a focused, positive mindset, the putting together of the pieces can be as much fun as anticipating the epic finish!

Posted on March 31, 2012 In Lessons, LIVE , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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