Jesus: My Tree of Life

Make my life a sacrifice
Planted in your tree of love
Prune the sin from within
And let your first fruits flow

For what is a branch in me
Without the root in You?
It can't have eternal life,
But only comes and goes.

Help me burn my spoiled fruit,
A cheap output of mine.
As I decrease, may you increase
A harvest to be sewed.

Lord, receive my ripe offspring
And feed it to the soil
Such grace I have in You
To help another seed grow.

(Inspired by John Chapter 15)

What I Consider Major Accomplishments :)

Read all the Harry Potter books and seen all the movies that have been made.

Read all the way through "Lord of the Rings"

Read the whole series of "Chronicles of Narnia"

I have read the Bible all the way through!

I have visited all of the these Southern states: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas

I have been to every state on the East Coast: Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Indiana, Ohio Excluding: Michigan

I have seen Niagara Falls

I have been to the top of the Empire State Building, Sears Tower, and the CN Tower.

I have been whitewater rafting and tubing.

I have flew on a plane between states but not internationally.

I have crossed into the Canadian border.

I've had a few speeding tickets in my time as well as automobile accidents and lived to tell the tale.

I have rode a spirited a horse and broke my arm in the process. There's a scar to prove it.

I have graduated from a small private college and a large public university.

I have been to a UGA football game.

I have stood on the field with a lost mouthpiece for my clarinet in the pouring rain during halftime at a local rivalry game.

I have been hiking around a lake in the pitch dark.

I have been camping on numerous occasions as well as camped out in a cave.

I have bobbed for apples during fall festivals and have been on many hayrides.

I have substitute taught for In School Suspension and Construction/Shop class and thought it to be a unique experience.

I have been a part of choir, orchestra, and concert band.

I can play the piano fairly well.

I learned to drive by letting my Dad pile hay on the back of the pick-up truck.

I can play a pretty mean game of UNO.

I have been asked to pass a drunk driving test while at a Visitor's Center.

I have rode backwards down a one-way highway in New York City.

(I'm sure they'll be more experiences to share)

Ending Domestic Violence

With the latest news about Chris Brown allegedly hitting Rihanna, there have been some important discussions come up on the news. Oprah has had a special on this issue for two weeks. I applaud her efforts greatly!

Oprah had a show on 3/12/09, that talked about the women being abused. This show was mostly directed toward teenagers. However, no woman or anyone should tolerate hitting, pushing, grabbing, threatening, or name calling. Oprah has said time and again, "If a man hits once, he will hit again." If a man does this in a relationship it is important for a woman to walk away for a time, until he receives treatment and recovery.

I am glad that Oprah, not only focused on the appropriate steps women should take, but she talked to the abusive men as well on 3/19/09. This is the core issue at hand. Sure, women can keep walking away, but it does not stop the cycle of abuse. The only way to stop the cycle is for the men to start dealing with the issues that led them to be abusive. I like the way Kevin Powell puts it on Oprah's show. ALL MEN need to step up to the plate, and educate their sons, friends, co-workers, how to be a real compassionate and peaceful man. You see, real men are not tough, but have the guts to back off and turn the other cheek, just as Christ did.

Here is Kevin Powell's seven steps ending violence against women:

1. Own up
to the mistakes. Take responsibility for your actions without blaming others for your own faults.
2. Seek Help
Go to therapy or counseling. Come to terms with the issues that caused you to be violent to begin with.
3. Listen with your eyes and your ears. Listen to the stories of women around you. Accept them as equal to men. Men are not made to dominate women despite what our culture may say to you.
4. Be the change
Give up the power and the addiction of thinking this is a male dominated society. In Kevin Powell's words, "And we men and boys need to come to a realization that sexism—the belief that women and girls are inferior to men and boys, that this really is a man's world, and the female is just here to serve our needs regardless of how we treat them—is as destructive to ourselves as it is to women and girls. As I've said in many speeches through the years, even if you are not the kind of man who would ever yell at a woman, curse at a woman, touch a woman in a public or private space without her permission, hit or beat a woman, much less kill a woman—you are just as guilty if you see other men and boys doing these things and you say or do nothing to stop them."
5. Become an Ally
Stand up to men who abuse their other women in relationships. Be a friend to a lady that is experiencing abuse. Lead her to do the right thing, in walking away from the confrontations.
6. Challenge Others
Challenge other males about their physical, emotional, and verbal abuse towards women. Have those difficult conversations, to prevent it from happening again.
7. Create a New Kind of Man
Your character will be defined by what you watch, you listen to, what you admire. Stand to be who you are, something that does not demean or put women down to be inferior.

It takes all of us working together to end this horrible nightmare. For further information on ending domestic violence go to.

Oprah.com
and
Menstoppingviolence.org

I See God

I see God in the face of a storm.
His bright eyes of lightning,
His wide mouth of thunder,
Speaks wisdom to my rainy life.

I see God in the bright day
His Son shines upon us
With calm soothing rays.
Pure creation divinely grows.

I see God in a prayer,
A desire of the heart,
Becomes reality for man
That rejoices in His existence.

I see God in a smile
Warming my presence,
Gazing with the eyes of a child,
Believing in me to draw closer.

I see God in a hopeless world
His tears fall on the crying,
Pleading us to come near,
To show the peace he surrounds.

Wanted: A Few Good Men and Women

Our society today probably has more failed marriages than successful ones. I suppose it is not like it used to be, where one truly did believe in sticking with his or her spouse forever and honor it as a covenant and not just a contract. I do realize women and men are both at fault. Fireproof has proven to be a big hit among many Christians with spouses. Is it possible to fireproof every marriage? What about those that have struggled with abuse and affairs, can they survive? I believe only with God and prayer they can. It takes work on both sides. Here are some things I think are important needs for both the man and woman to have met. Perhaps, the lack of these needs have given reason to failed marriages.

A woman needs for her partner to:

listen to her problems willingly without trying to fix them.

say I love you and suprise her on a day other than a holiday.

share the TV remote with her.

help her with the share of household cleaning.

always keep it cool when there is an argument or a conflict, and don't overreact. Be an adult, and keep control of your actions. Ask for some space if needed.

spend time with her once a week, even when you would rather be doing something for yourself.

take her out on a date every now and then.

cook her dinner or make her breakfast in bed on a rare occasion.

spend time reading scripture with her, and share God's word together.

let her go out with friends, while you babysit for a change.

encourage her and tell her how beautiful she is.

spends time with her family as she has spent time with yours.

ask her to dance, even though you may not know how.

give her a little money to spend on herself.

spend time going to Church with her.

give her affection without expecting anything in return.

A man needs for his partner to:

tell him how great he is at something.

give him space to cool off when there is a conflict or heated argument.

resist in nagging him constantly.

cheer him on throughout life.

encourage him to go for his dreams.

submit to him and seduce him on occasion.

let him spend " a little bit" on himself, aside from his family's needs

always treat him respectfully with words and actions.

befriend him during a game or a favorite hobby.

let him be the hero and gentleman sometimes.

pray for him daily.

talk about him kindly in his absence.

make him his favorite food once in a while.

not only tell him you love him, but show him with actions.


This article is based on what I've learned from relationship books and personal experience from friends and myself. This article is not an attempt to refer or condemn anyone specifically. It is written for a hope that men and women both will humble themselves and focus on the other person's needs. That is what the new film, Fireproof, and loving someone unconditionally is all about.

For those spouses that have come to love unconditionally and treat your spouse as so, many singles are watching and have hope because of you. Keep prayer in your marriage so you won't fall. Please feel free to add any tips of your own from your successful marriage or unsuccessful one.

Where is Cinderella Now?

The popular song "Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman has been a big hit with young and older girls and their fathers. His song and new album is about living in the moment. It has me thinking about a lot of things.

I believe the world has lost her Cinderella. Every woman wants to be that, but somehow they get caught in the trap of our busy world. Will a father let her be Cinderella, will her husband? I believe sometimes they do, but that is a very rare thing in our day and age.

Too many princesses have been wounded. They have traded their dream of a prince for a life slaving after work. The laundry has piled up. The dishes need to be washed. The children need to be taken care of. There are so many things to do for others, she has little to do for herself. Even after selfishly doing things for others, she has failed to be appreciated. Some princesses have been abused by their father or husband. Some have been neglected by her family. Some wives have traded their marriage for an affair, just to visit the ball again.

Most importantly, every princess wants to feel loved. Is she appreciated beyond her work and her duties? Have you spent time with her getting to know her soul? Have you danced with her? Have you taken her to the ball? Have you put her above your selfish needs to show her that you love her? Will you compromise your needs even a little? Will you take the time to tell her and show her how beautiful she is, and how much she is adored.

I believe Cinderella can find her love and appreciation from God foremost. But beyond that she needs a father to show her that love; a father or mother that believes in her so she can believe in herself. In her marriage, she needs her husband to show her that love as well. I challenge every man that reads this to take his princess to the ball again. Meaning, spend time with Cinderella, not necessarily go to a dance or ball. Indulge in the things she enjoys. Let her relax and just enjoy being in the moment with you. Treat her with all respect and much better than you would treat yourself. Send her an unexpected card, or roses and not just on an anniversary or holiday. Suprise her! Randomly, ask her to dance. Make her a nice candlelight dinner just because. Take her out to a nice dinner. No this is not an attempt get something for yourself, but to show her your love and appreciation.

You know I don't think Cinderella minds doing the work. She wants to do things for the family she loves. But let us not forget, that Cinderella does want to go to the ball again. It could be once a week, a month, at least 2 or 3 times a year. For all the husbands, if you can take her, I am positive she will take the time to seduce you. Isn't that what you want? Get to know her spiritually and emotionally and she will want to be with you sexually.

For all the fathers and husbands, or boyfriends that will not take her to the ball, Cinderella will find another way to get there. It may not be the safest way for her. She may seek an affair. It may lead her down a road with alcoholic, or drug abuse, or even toward unhealthy sexual relationships.

Cinderella needs to know that her Prince will come for her. She wants intimacy! She wants you to know her spiritually and emotionally. She wants to know that you'll never let her down, and that she can trust you with all of her being. Stand firm and be the man or Prince that she needs. Ask God for your strength to give it to her.

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.

Thanks, Steven Curtis Chapman for a great song! Many prayers to you and your family due to the loss of your daughter. May this song always be a memorial for her. Let us not forget to take Cinderella to the ball before she is gone.

Negative Ads

As election approaches,all the commercials on TV appear to be political ads. There appears to be more negative ads against the opponent instead of positive ones for the candidate. I am not saying they don't influence me or my vote, but some people have already made up their mind, who they are pulling for.

Why can't the candidate focus on positive things they stand for, instead of putting down the other person. It does make yourself look bad, when you keep poking at the other candidate. I remember one candidate making the promise to stay away from negative ads before the primary. No, this promise was not kept.

I do want to see some change in this country. But it will take whoever wins, to actually stand behind their beliefs and promises made to the people. If you are going to make a promise, you must stand by it.

As the election approaches, I will do my best to make an educated vote. I will look into the issues that the candidates stands for that have meaning to me. I can only pray that afterward, the candidate who wins will have a good run. We all need to pray for America. And perhaps not put all of our hope in this election, but to see what kind of good changes we can make for our country to make it a better place.

Happy Voting! Make it an educated one! Stand by your beliefs regardless of influences by coworkers, friends, family, and negative ads.

In Honor of my Great Aunt, Lillie Mae Timms

My aunt Lillie Mae, was like a grandmother to me. She didn't have any children of her own, but all of her neices and nephews she treated as her own children.

She was born on January 10, 1918 and passed April 12, 2008. Her brother was Robert Dennis McBrayer, who was a grandfather, that I never met. She worked with my Grandma at O.J. Mills, making rugs and bedspreads. She had introduced my grandfather and grandmother, Lois Millsap. Yes, it is another WWII love story. My grandmother and grandfather communicated through letters during the war. I would love to be able to read those letters today.

My aunt Lille Mae married Robert Rankin Timms. I'm not sure why they never had kids. They would have made great parents. Lillie Mae was very independant. She never wanted anyone to go out of their way for her. She always fixed my favorite foods, when I came over to her house, like purple hull peas and fried potatoes. Ask anyone, she had the best lemonade and chocolate pie around. She was a very beautiful lady inside and out.

Lillie Mae, I know your probably stirring up trouble in heaven, and having a grand ole time. Please know that you will be missed!