"Don't do this!" God says. Have you heard God speak to you? Was it what you expected? Did you expect God to go into a long explanation like He did in the Old Testament? We don't need God to tell us what will happen if we do this or that. We have God's word for that. We already know what will happen. God only needs to say to us "Do this." or "Don't do this." Every-time the thought or temptation comes, God is there telling me 'Don't do this.' I don't need him to tell me what will happen if I do follow through with the temptation. I already know. God speaks to me, giving me direction everyday even every hour because I asked God to.

Years ago God told me to go in one direction and I went in another. Like Jonah and Rebecca, I went my own way. Whatever God had planned for me if I did what He wanted, I will NEVER know. I ended up going my own way and now have to deal with an Ishmael. Not that I have any children, but like the descendants of Abraham, one being Rebecca's way and the other being God's way, they are still in conflict today. Not doing something God's way is going to result in something that will haunt you for a long time. As a result of going my own way, I still have those long term issues to deal with.

If Rebecca trusted in God and waited then the world would be a very different place. When God tells you to do something, don't ask why. Have you ever asked God for an explanation? What did He say? I have and God told me to trust Him. I simply need to do as God says. I don't need to know what God is going to do. Whatever God says to do, just go with it. You may think you have something better, but then you lose out on what God has for you. There are many people out there that go their own way despite what God is telling them, and they are miserable.

I have a friend who said once "It seems like 'this' is what God has for me, but I think I can do better." (Leaving out the particulars of what God has for this friend.)

Looking at the first part: (It seems like this is what God has for me.) If God has something for you, then just because you cannot see what it is that God will do with 'this' does not mean you can do better. One church service I attended last month talked about our 'but'. In other words our exceptions, excuses, own ideas. When we say to God or talk about God's plan then include 'but', we are trying to say that God is not doing what I WANT. Remember it is God's will, not our will. Even Jesus said "God's will be done." Jesus knew what was coming, He knew it was going to be painful and difficult, however, Jesus submitted to God's will. We know the glory that came from Jesus submitting to God's will. Why should you and I ever not submit to God's will?

If you find yourself torn between what God has for you and your desires, thoughts; go with God. You will like the results.

What is God telling you today? What does it look like God has for you now? Are you thinking you can do better?

Selfish nature! This is the core of our greatest battle. The war within. Our desire for pleasure battles against the spirit.

We are fallen messy people who struggle, but Jesus loves us all. The desires for pleasures is the cause for fights between us. When we long for ways that God has not provided we are given over to pleasure and war with God. Those who have gained much still are not happy and seek more. Our selfish desires will never be satisfied.

Yesterday I made my resolution. Part of that is to listen to God. God took me up on that soon after. I wanted to do one thing but God said do this. So I did as God said. Now I don't remember what it was I wanted to do. Going God's way turned my day around.

If we ask God then God will hear and answer. It may not be the answer you wanted but it is an answer. Many times we ask God for something that is not in God's will. The nature of our prayers come from the wrong desires. We should take our desires to God and ask if this is His will for us. I have often asked and God has answered. Despite how difficult life gets, we all should keep following God's word.

When our sinful passions get the best of us, God refers to it as adultery and murder. When our sinful passion becomes more important than our relationship with Him, God calls it as it is. We commit adultery or murder in our hearts and mind. God wants to be more important in our lives. God does not want to share us with the world.

I have allowed a relationship to take president over God. I rarely went to church, I did everything I could to serve the relationship, and other people were not very important. God put an end to that relationship. God caused to me step back and take an honest look. I know what I want, however, everyday I am putting that aside. I prefer to have my wants and desires to be filled God's way. It is fine to ask God about our desires, but we still have to do as God tells us.

You may ask what is the reason you are here or why. Regardless of where you are in life, no matter how difficult life becomes, no matter who God put in your life, God is working in your life. Yesterday God told me He is preparing my wife as He is preparing me for the time we are to be together. It takes time to work in each person's life. Getting her and I ready for that time God has to work in each person's life differently according to where we are and how to get us where He wants us to go. Not only is she not ready, but I still have work to do.

Just because you are single now does not mean that you are doomed. God is working in your life at the same time He is working in your future spouse's life. Getting the two of you on the same page takes work. You may think you are ready but is your future husband or wife ready? Despite how difficult things get, or what ideas we come up with, you need to go to God, ask Him what He would have you do. Ask Him to guide you in how to deal with people everyday.

I know I need this everyday. I was talking with my sister about how there are things I just don't understand about the way other people think. Everyone thinks differently and this is where we need God to guide us. We can't claim to know everything; go to God who does know everything.

God put us here to fulfill the purpose He has for our lives. Don't despair.

What's important to you? This came to me after a long day of work. I started out the morning having to be rushed to work. I remember looking at my watch while still on the road and noticing the time was time to be starting work. This set the day off. I was able to get through work without any issues, partly due to the fact the clocks at work are behind several minutes.

I feel like I need to rearrange my life. I am not feeling appreciated. What is a man to do?

The next day I got a call from my dear friend. She left me a message starting off calling me her favorite friend. This just makes my day. This came after talking on the telephone about an interview.

The interview sounded good but then that red flag phrase was mentioned. So I had to say I want more information on the job before I can come in. The HR woman could not answer my questions. This sounded very strange to me. HR NEEDS to know the particulars about every job they are trying to hire for. When HR personnel do not know what the job entails, then that is cause for alarm. There are many scams out there. Asking specific questions helps weed these scams out so you can get to the real employment.

Over the next few days I took care of getting my sister to school, getting my manuscript worked on, and bills. I received a call for a job offer as well.

The week ended with the last day of men's bible study. This was a breakfast with a commitment like that seen in the movie Courageous. My dear friend was there. It was such a great time and having my dear friend there meant SO MUCH to me. Although I had only known about the commitment thing for three weeks, I had been planning to take my dear friend to this breakfast since I heard about it at the beginning of the men's bible study.

The week was interesting. There were good and bad times allthoguthout the week. I have been talking with someone about getting my sister to an event she wants to go to. Know having all the details worked out is constantly on my mind. I can only pray God will make this all work out. With only three weeks to go, I do pray it will work out. I know my sister would love to go.

Back to my original question. What is important? I think serving God is most important. People come second. After all I have a new commitment to keep and pray God will show me and guide me in all I need to do.

May God bless you days!

I was listening to the radio this morning as I was moving the cars. The sermon was about waiting. He was mentioning about waiting for a marriage partner to come along, to have this baby, to have this job or for the boss to leave. to me this sounds like waiting for life to happen. Many people have done this, and still are doing this. I admit I have done this myself.

In America there is a brand of car where the symbol is a ram head. For years their slogan was
'Grab life by the horns.'

We need to stop 'waiting' for life to happen to us and 'take life by the horns'.  What I mean is get up and make things happen. True we have to wait for God's timing, but if we just sit around then life will pass us by. Eventually we wake up one morning and wonder what happened.

God said He wanted me to get moving and took action. He brought a beautiful and wonderful, perfect woman into my life. She is my dear friend. I don't see the flaws in her, even though Jesus said there is no one perfect not one. Yes I do see the flaws in her, but I choose to see the best in her. I don't hold her imperfections against her, even though she continues to ask me why I 'put up' with her. At church the pastor mentioned something during service that speaks directly to this. Although I can not remember the exact words or even put it as elegantly as he did, the basic point is to be full of mercy, make peace, and see your own wrongs asking for forgiveness. We should have a teachable spirit, being willing to yield.

My dear friend may not be perfect by God's standards, as for me I see a perfect woman whom I really care about greatly. There is no need to hold anything against her as we can have a wonderful time together by not dwelling on the little things. I can see in her the willingness to improve, and over time she has grown. She may still see all the flaws in herself, much like I see my own flaws, however, I will not dwell on her flaws and continue to see her as God sees her. This is what I strive for with everyone. As a song by Brandon Heath titled Give Me Your Eyes talks directly to this.

We all should strive to see people as God sees them.

Moving on. I went to church today. It was the same service as last night. Last night I went to church being distraught. Gong back today all those same feelings came back. So staying at church was difficult. I talked to a pastor after service and got some good advice.

Many dating experts warn you not to fall for someone who exhibit negative traits that you don't like in your parents. Well I have been guilty of that. Even though we are still friends I just can not continue. Last night and this morning adding on to all the other issues I have is not helpful.

The negative trait I am talking about is constantly being told over and over and over and over again, non-stop it seems, the same NEGATIVE thing. My mother did this as I was growing up, and still does this. I don't see the reason why she keeps telling me the same negative thing all the time. This has changed over the years, but she is still negative.

It is this same thing that has made going to church this weekend so difficult.

For people who do this, it is like one public school I went to. The teacher continued to repeat the same concept ALL DAY LONG. Then the next day was the next concept ALL DAY LONG. I understood the first time I heard it. So I never understood why the teacher felt everyone needed to hear the came thing constantly every day. It is like the broken record player. You know when something with the record keeps the needle from moving on and causes it to jump back continuously until someone does something. It quickly becomes annoying. Well that is how I feel and what it has been like. I just can't take it anymore. So I am moving on.

I think it is time to move into a homeless shelter. It is time to get away from this negative place.

Have you been involved in an affair? In Ephesians we learn that a man and woman become one flesh, their body belongs to their spouse. When you engage in an affair you are defiling your spouse's property. Have you ever owned something that you cared about greatly? Did you ever abuse it? Did you allow someone borrow it?

Being a man I understand the pride that developed in accomplishing something and having something to show for it. Some people have nice cars they like to drive and show off. For many their car becomes their precious possession. They would not allow something to happen to it. When something does happen it is like the whole world has fallen apart. They get very upset and outraged.

Men when you have an affair just think of how your wife feels. How you feel about your precious car pales in comparison to how she feels about you having sex with another woman. Women feel emotions at a much greater degree than us men. How would you feel if your wife was going out and having an affair with another man? Most men would go crazy. If you don't like is when your wife has an affair or if something happens to your precious car, then don't do it to your wife. Remember your body belongs to your wife just like her body belongs to you.

When you engage in an affair you are not mistreating yourself but your spouse. You are taking what belongs to them and using it without their permission. You are abusing it and dragging it through filth.

I know what this is like. Years ago, being involved in a sham marriage, this stuff did happen. After I found out I did not want to have anything to do with her. By the time I found out it was all too late. She had become abusive, there was a new baby, and things did not feel right. She tried to justify it by claiming I had a girlfriend and she was just respecting my space (although she gave a longer explanation 'space' is a simple summary). I felt disgusted. She had gotten pregnant from the affair and tried to pass the baby off as mine. Still, her words were not helpful. Even though men don't have to worry about getting pregnant, there are other things that can and often happen.

Just like I knew there was something going on well before she said anything, so too your wife can tell there is something going on long before you say anything. It is better to remain faithful. The cost of having and affair is just not worth it. All the time and effort I put into that relationship seems like a complete waste. However, I do have the benefit of knowledge I can use in all future relationships.

Keep all your relationships centered around God.

What is a friend? What is a friendship? My dictionary has several definitions.
One attached to another by feelings of personal regard. One who is on good terms with another.
Friendly feeling or disposition. State of being a friend; association as friends. A friendly relation or intimacy.
I went to singles group Monday night and we were trying to come up with what a friend is. One definition we came up with was: someone greater than family. Whatever your definition, we all agree that friends care about each other, know the good and bad about us and keep it secret, will be there for us in times of need.. But now a days we have different types of friends.

I have used the terms dear friend and long-time friend to describe certain friends in my life. There have been other terms used by other people. Such as best friend, good friend, great friend, and trusted friend. Recently I read a story posted by my dear friend about a couple. The story was titled something like: Marriage isn't for you. The point of this story is that being married is not for you, it is for your spouse. You marry someone: It’s about the person you love—their wants, their needs, their hopes, and their dreams. The opposite of being selfish.

All relationships are like this. Friendships, like all kinds of relationships, are about the other person you are friends with. Those who don't have this concept don't relate to other people. They are the ones who live isolated from other people. Life is full of problems, and those who have other people in their lives are better equipped to weather the storms of life. My dear friend told me that God my be taking your faith in a different direction than someone else. There is no need to compare. This is true. What is good for me to learn my not be what another person needs to learn. How we handle our trials in life does grow us. Advice, support, and care we receive from friends help us grow.

But what is the difference in the different types of friends?

Well to start with, the term Long Time Friend refers to my friend who I have known the longest. Other friends have come and gone, but this one we are still friends, longer than all the other friends I have, she is loyal. We are great friends. We have history going back almost twenty years. Aspects that define other types of friends apply to my long time friend. So lets look at the other friend categories and see where there is crossover.

Best Friend is a very well known term in friendship. This may be the kind of friend that will drop everything in your time of need. Loyalty is core.

Good Friend is quite new to me, and may have only been around for a few years. I don't see what the difference between a friend and good friend is. A friend is someone you have good relations with. So here I don't see what makes a friend into a good friend.

Great Friend is used by some to describe a friend who is there for them but now willing to drop everything to be there. This would be someone who will be there when it is convenient for them.

Trusted Friend has been used in recent years more and more. What I understand of what a trusted friend to be is someone who cam be trusted with anything. As for trust, it is just as much about expecting one to do something as much as not to overstep their bounds.

Dear Friend entails all these aspects and more from all the terms listed above. My dear friend has such an impact on me I am inspired to become a better man. She is the most wonderful, beautiful elegant woman I've ever known. As I continue to get to know her more and more, I am expanding on this definition. My dear friend can be trusted with anything, is there for me in a time of need, is not critical but deals with me in the love of God. There are times I see her faith and long to aspire to her level. She always has the correct word to say at the correct time. There are so many great things I can say about her. God uses her to teach others, including me, and in return she is blessed. Although she is not family, she is much more than family to me.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, (NIV) A friend is always loyal (New Living Translation)
Proverbs 18:24  One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (NIV)
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (New Living Translation)