New Things

How do you prepare for something new?

From what I’ve observed, the answer to that question largely depends on the nature of the “new” object or change.

For instance, buying a “new” car may require cleaning the garage or new family rules about eating in the “new” car. Yet, buying a new outfit may require losing weight or tossing out a worn-out garment. This seems logical when the “new” is material. But what happens when the “new” is spiritual.

For instance, if you are feeling the Lord prepare you for another level, how do you personally get ready for that? How do you prepare for growth?

Well, I can tell you how that doesn’t happen. It doesn’t happen watching the latest episode of your favorite reality television show. It doesn’t happen gabbing on the phone with your BFF about the latest fashion trends and things posted by TMZ.

It does happen when we will set aside time to be alone with God. It does happen when we study our Bible. It does happen when we actively participate in the teachings and trainings about God that may be offered through our local church. Growth can happen if you/we will position yourself/ourselves to be near the Living Water. God’s truths will take root in your/our heart and given the proper attention and maintenance, they will flourish.

I’m preparing for something “new” in my spirit life. I don’t want to become so stagnated that I become a pool of standing water, infested with bug larvae. Umm…that’s gross.  Instead, I want to stay fresh, and current. A vessel that God can use for His glory. So, I’m getting closer to Him by reading and studying His Word. I’m preparing for a new season. And even as I prepare, I am excited to see where this will go – how it will twist and turn. I can’t see that far down the road and tomorrow is not promised, but I trust God. Cheers to “new” things!

Wrapping 2012

The books are almost closed on 2012.

I can't believe it.

Seems like the year just started and at the very least, seems like it should be mid-year. But no, it's been a full year - almost. So much has happened. So many things that shape our lives have been carried out in 2012. Some good - some not so good.

I think about the ways in which several lives were lost. That's the not so good.
I think about the ways in which several lives were changed by connecting with God. That's the so good.
I think about the ways in which I allowed defeat to beat me. That's the not so good.
I think about the ways in which I surrendered and allowed God to use me. That's the so good.

2012, just like any other year, will be summed up in our perspective. How we choose to remember it. I choose to remember it all - the good and the not so good because they both shaped me this year. And for that, I'm certain that I'm stronger. Wiser. Better. And as I look to 2013, should the Lord allow me to see it, I'm excited. I don't know what the year holds, but I do know Who holds it. And right now, that's enough.

You Are Always "Caught"

Sometimes, it appears that the paparazzo’s work is for the good. Sure, they want the money shot so that they can collect. That’s their line of work, training the camera on unsuspecting celebrity victims and then selling said photo(s) to the highest bidder. But there is another side. Sometimes, what they capture can shape your opinion, for better or for worse.

Recently, two relationships have been the victim of the paparazzo’s camera. Kristen Stewart, of Twilight fame, was caught in a very compromising position with her director, a married father of two. She, at the time, was living with her long-time boyfriend, and co-star, Robert Pattinson. The paparazzo brought their infidelity into the spotlight even though they had gone out of their way (they assumed) to avoid having their tryst made public. And while Robert Pattinson is heartbroken, and reportedly was about to propose, it is better that he knows now about her infidelity.


Google Search / Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1uh91mx5yao/UB-ElfjogpI/AAAAAAAAAyE/VSciUKzva-Q/s1600/'Kristen+Stewart'+Tells+Robert+Pattinson+Why+She+Cheated+in+Laura+McDonald+Video+Parody4.jpg


Then there is Anderson Cooper’s long-time lover who was also caught lip-locked with another man. And while I do take the same position as the Bible when it comes to same-sex relationships, this post is focused on the pictures. They too were reportedly about to marry, but now that relationship is done. And although it hurts now, it is for the best that Anderson Cooper knows about his lover’s infidelity.



Google Search/Source: http://www.radaronline.com/sites/radaronline.com/files/imagecache/350width/cooper-bf-sn.jpg


I would say that what is done in the dark will come to light as the old saying goes, however, in both of these cases, everything was done in parks out in the open – in the light. Most victims of the paparazzo are ashamed when their indiscretions become public knowledge. As it relates to these two stories, Gossip-rag TMZ  reports Kristen Stewart is “pissed” that her co-conspirator in adultery, Rupert Sanders, is not taking more public heat. And while he has more to lose, in theory, with his wife and kids to account for, there still is the bottom line – and it is this…If you do not want to be caught doing it, then do not do it. Don’t complain when the heat is on you for something you brought on yourself.

Celebrities and the rest of us may not like to have our photographs snapped at every turn for every thing we have done. Quite frankly, for most of us, it's not an issue because who really wants to take a picture of us! However, we can imagine that it may not be an easy feeling to have our lives documented in a way that is at best invasive. And with certain lines of public focused work, like movies and other media, this is the trade-off. Your privacy is not private after all. Just ask Ashton and Mila who in the privacy of his home patio thought they were away from the shutterbugs. Not so.

But have you considered this – as invasive as a photographer’s lens may be, they still cannot see everything. Yet, there is One that does see everything. He knows everything and you will not … CANNOT… hide from Him. There is no hiding from the Lord. Just ask Adam and Eve. While you may be caught by man’s lens on occasion, you are always in focus with God. You are always “caught” even if no one else knows what you are doing. You are always in His sight, and one day, you will stand before Him in judgment and give an account of all you’ve done. Me too. No one is excluded.

So, it seems to me then, that instead of getting wrapped up in whether or not we and/or our behaviors are reflected in a positive or negative way, it is a far better thing to concern ourselves with how well we live our lives before God who sees and knows everything we do.