One of my dad’s favorite hobbies was photography. I remember him letting me use his camera when we were at church and I remember him developing some of his photos in our bathroom. I almost got in trouble once because I opened the door as he was taking the film out of his camera.

I’ve had the photography bug for a long time and  I think the time is right to give in to it. I enjoy taking pictures. It gives me a chance to slow down and pay attention to the special moments and details that we miss in our busy, fast-paced lives. Time stops for no one, but through photography you get a chance to capture that one second that will never return. This world we live in is an amazing place and there is beauty all around us. Take the time to stop and enjoy it. While you’re doing that read Genesis 1.

I know I haven’t posted to this blog in a while, but I hope to get back to it soon. I’ve been focusing my efforts on keeping the blog for the podcast running and got a little burnt out. I still like posting random thoughts, I just need to manage my time with it. Got more ideas coming so be on the lookout for them.

I’ve been in the process of beta testing a new social network website at cre8buzz.com. I just signed up this week, so I’ve been spending most of my time getting used to the navigation and making new friends. As a member, you belong to a community and within that community you can be ranked among your peers. I’m am a part of the African-American community and for right now I am the only one. As I play around with it some more, I will leave you all with more information. It’s cool though. If you are interested in checking it out, post a comment with your e-mail (or use the contact page) and I will give you an invitation.

Sent to me by a friend.

‘THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU THE LAND, AND HE WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL IN EVERYTHING YOU DO.’ DEUTERONOMY 28:8

When you’re a young person, a big thing you want to get sorted is a job. Whether it’s your future career or a Saturday job in the local shop, the Bible tells us how we can be happy in our work:

a) see work as God’s gift, not punishment. ‘When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God’ (Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV)

b) recognize God as your true boss. ‘Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the
Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does’ (Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV)

c) look for work that matches your gifts. ‘If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised’ (1 Peter 4:11 NIV)

d) learn everything possible about your job. ‘Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance’ (Proverbs 1:5 NIV)

e) use criticism to your advantage. In fact, make it work for you; ask for suggestions and correction: ‘A man’s riches may ransom his life, but a poor man hears no threat’ (Proverbs 13:18 NIV)

f) do more than is expected of you. ‘If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles’ (Matthew 5:41 NIV). Be an extra-miler!

g) make Jesus your work mate. Keep thinking about Jesus throughout the day as you get on will the job the best you can: ‘People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole’ (Isaiah 26:3 TM).

I was listening to the radio and heard Kobe Bryant may be ending his marriage of six years to his wife Vanessa. I hate to hear about marriages ending in divorce. Couples aren’t willing to stay in and work it out anymore. Sure they may have tried, but both people have to be in it for the long run. Kobe was wrong in the beginning for cheating and Vanessa played her cards right by having a couple of babies.

Since there was no prenupital agreement, Vanessa stands to get half of his assets. Talk about coming up! Those work from home, easy money, infomercial guys ain’t got nothin on her. Kobe definitely got played on this one. He messed it up and gave her some leverage when he cheated. What ever happened to real love? Sadly, society has lost the concept of that.

We’ll see what’ll come of it. Big ups to Nessa. Congrats on your new fortune.

SPLITTSVILLE!! KOBE BRYANT PREPARES TO FILE FOR DIVORCE!!

When I heard about this on the radio, I just about fell out of my chair. China is looking to make money from the sale of Olympic souvenirs made from Panda poo. They said since most of it is mainly undigested bamboo, the smell is not bad. Along with the profits from the sale of the items, they will also save money from not having to pay to dispose of it. It’s a win/win for everyone!

While the items may not be sold in the U.S., I don’t think I’d buy one if I had the chance. I’m big into recycling, but come on. Plus my kid still likes to put things in his mouth. This wouldn’t be a good item to have around the house.

China seeks profit from panda poo

I was listening to my mp3 player when thinking about a post for today and was inspired to leave the words to one of my favorite shows. The song is very simple, but the words have so much power. Whenever things are getting stressful and worry is about to set in, I remember the words to this song and realize everything is okay.

Artist: CHICAGO MASS CHOIR
Song: JESUS PROMISED CHORUS

OH HOW WONDERFUL IT IS
JESUS PROMISED HE’LL TAKE CARE OF ME

OH HOW MARVELOUS IT IS
JESUS PROMISED HE’LL TAKE CARE OF ME
(Repeat from beginning)

TENORS:
I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE THINGS AHEAD

ALTOS:
ALL I HAVE TO DO IS LIVE RIGHT

SOPRANOS:
AND BELIEVE IN WHAT HE SAID

EVERYONE:
I CAN CALL HIM IN THE MORNING
I CAN CALL HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

AND WHEN I CALL HIM
HE’LL MAKE EVERYTHING ALRIGHT

IT DOES NOT MATTER
HOW BIG THE PROBLEM MAY BE

JESUS PROMISED HE’LL TAKE CARE OF ME (Repeat)

Big news on the internet scene has to do with Remy Ma. If you haven’t heard, she was arrested for attempted murder due to a shooting in her Bronx neighborhood. The girl is said to be in stable condition and Ms. Ma is supposedly out on bail. Big news and big deal. Why do we have to put ourselves through this to maintain our image of keeping it real? Why can’t we all just get along?

Remy Ma, Victim Tell Very Different Stories About Shooting

From an e-mail sent to me:
‘WHEN HE HAS TESTED ME, I WILL COME OUT AS PURE GOLD.’

JOB 23:10

My favorite, Bishop Noel Jones says: ‘God has a purpose behind every problem. He uses circumstances to develop our character. In fact, He often depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than He does on our reading the Bible. And the reason is obvious: we face circumstances 24-hours-a-day.’ We learn things about God when having a tough time that we can’t learn any other way.

Tough times draw us closer to Him! ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted’ (Psalms 34:18). Problems force us to go to God and ask for His help. Paul writes, ‘we…saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God’ (2 Corinthians 1:9 TLB).

Giving the controls over to God and trusting Him with how it’s going to turn out is hard for most of us to do. Why? because we’re not used to trusting others and it turning out well; - so many of us have been let down by people we thought we could trust! If you feel as if
life is a test at the moment? This might sound a bit weird but have you ever stopped to think that God might somehow be in the testing? Listen: ‘the testing of your faith proves that it is genuine.’

Since God’s plan is to make us more like Jesus, He’ll take through some of the tough challenges Jesus went through. Like what? Temptation; rejection; putting others peoples needs first; criticism; and betrayal. None of these are fun, but if you let God help you through the tough times you will end up shining like gold! (Job 23:10)

Dedicated to my brother in Christ, RBJ.

Have a Blessed day,
Kyle

From an e-mail sent to me from Kyle:

‘PUT UP WITH EACH OTHER, AND FORGIVE ANYONE WHO DOES YOU WRONG.’

COLOSSIANS 3:13

This silly story appeared in a newspaper’s letters column: ‘A lady took my seat in church. My seat is on the right as you enter the sanctuary. I can rest my arm on the end. It’s a good seat, but I wouldn’t raise a fuss about a seat. Actually, it was three months ago she took it and I really don’t know why. I’ve never done anything to her, never taken her seat. I suppose I’ll have to come an hour early now to get my seat. She took it because it’s one of the best seats in the house. She had no business taking it and I’m not going to church two hours early to get what’s rightfully mine!

This is the way great social injustices begin: abusive people taking other people’s seats! It’s the way seeds of revolution are sown. A person can only stand so much. Where’s it all going to end? If somebody doesn’t stand up and be counted, nobody’s seat will be safe. People will sit where they please, and next they’ll take my parking place. World order will be in shambles!’ You smile, but it’s amazing how quickly you can get bent out of shape when what you think is’ rightfully yours’ is taken away. Paul writes, ‘Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong…as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything…It…ties everything… together.’ Plus if you let bitterness into your heart you’ll just end up hurting yourself.

If someone upsets you be quick to forgive them, so you don’t get stuck in a rut and you can move on and enjoy living.