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Thursday, 23 October 2008

A short story of success

Once there was a teacher who had an apprentice. The teacher gave his apprentice a cup full of wine The Teacher said "Now take this cup and run around the city once without spilling a drop. If you spill one drop you will die." If you come back with it completely full, I will teach you a secret of success." So the apprentice went out and ran with the cup, passing a big party, a huge market sale, and the smell of fresh bread backing in the bakery." The apprentice finally arrived back to his teacher. " I did not spill a single drop." said the Apprentice. The Teacher said "didn't you see the big party going on? or stop to pick up some fresh bread for the morning? The Apprentice said "No sir, all i could focus on was the cup, because if I had dropped it, I would die." The Teacher said "Very good!." "Now I will teach you a secret to success." "The secret is to not get distracted, but to focus on the task at hand."

My sensei told this story to me in martial arts class. I thought It'd be cool to write it out on here.

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

The Shining Knight Lives On

This note is for the guys to practice and to the ladies who can't or haven't found they're Knight in Shining Armor.

The Army of Cardboard Cupids is hovering overhead.
Carnation sales are sweeping the hallways of nation's schools. Love is in the air---or at least infauation.
Wether Valentine's Day sweeps you into la-la-love land or drives you as far as possible from those red, lacy hearts, at some time
in lfe you've probably felt shortness of breath, butterflying stomach and knees buckling at the sight of her.
And if tortured long enough, you might even confess to seeing that far-off vison of romance and marriage
knight-in-shining armor style where you ride a white horse to rescue that beauiful maiden,who swoons with
all-consuming love as you slay the dragon, sweep her off and ride into the sunset to live happily ever after.

Don't worry,Knight in Shining Armor, it's OK to dream. Marriage may be a long way off for you or it could be closer than you think.
You still have plenty of time to prepare. Because here's the thing: Knights don't just happen.
The armored guys from the Round Table had some training to do before being whacked over the shoulder
by the king and dubbed a Knight.

The same is true for us. What we do today matters later in life. And now is the time for training to become that
Knightly future husband. Consider this a crash course in gallantry(even for me). (We always need to be reminded
to be Honorable, curtious, chivalrous and gentle to the princesses in your land.) You may be a Knight or a Knight in Training
(but God is the King. And also the true father of those Princesses. If their earthly Father is protective enough to have his shotgun by his side when you meet him. Just imagine how protective God is of his daughters.) (Listen young squires,and you may one day have your pick of all the fairest Princesses in the land.)

PUT PURITY INTO PRACTICE

God created sex as an amazing gift to be shared between husband and wife. What kind of present do you want
to be to your future wife? One carefully wrapped and unstained or carelessly dented and ripped open?
Honor her now by living out a commitment to sexual purity until marriage.

Set clear boundaries. Decide now how far is too far before the passion of the moment has a chance to carry you farther.
At the beginning of a relationship,talk about your limits and determine the consequences of failure, such as breaking up.
If you can't handle that, you aren't ready for a relationship.

SLAY the lust dragon. Don't think you can just delay all your lusts until after you are married.
Your Princess will not simply be your swimsuit model whose main purpose is to fulfill your every fantasy.
(Train your eyes to glance away from girl's bodies. Look into their eyes not their waist size.) (They're all already beautiful, now
confirm it by looking into they're eyes.If you can't look into her beauitful eyes because you are so mesmerized by them then at least look above her chin when you are talking to her. And listen, always always listen to what she has to say first.) Use scripture as your sword to slay the Lust Dragon. Memorize 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 "18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins people commit are outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. "and say it out loud.
Find a Band of Brothers. Memorize Scripture together. Pray for each other. Check up on each other even if it's every other day, a full phone bill is better than a full heart of lust. And stand strong, knowing you're not alone in the battle. If you're in a romantic relationship with a girl, seek out a youth pastor or youth leader who can provide the same type of support and accountability to you both.

CHIVALRY LIVES!!!
Knights haven't been around for centuries, but they're still known for their gentlemanly manners.Those guys knew how to treat a lady.
Build up your Buddies, Females especially. (Girls are different than guys,so treat them with extra dignity.Encourage and compliment you girl friends. Stand up for them,open doors for them, tone it down on the burping and the rudeness (ANY cussing,obscene jokes,just general immature acts, even hovering over them for a long period of time) around them.) Remember that until you say, "I do," every girl is potentially someone else's future wife, and she deserves the same respect that you want other guys out there to show your future wife.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY
If you've ever had a girlfriend, you know it's not all fun and games. Fights and disagreements happen. Marriage is the same way, and the strongest relationships are those in which BOTH people are able to talk and work through their feelings and emotions.
Learn to listen. Practice looking people in the eye. Ask questions that require more than yes or no answers, such as "What did you think of the Pastor's message on dating and courtship?" Let a friend say what is on his mind without you disagreeing, and don't laugh at him, especially if he's sharing a personal matter.
Express yourself. You don't have to get all gushy, but practice saying what's on your mind. The next time mom,girlfriend (Whoever) asks ("How was your day?" go beyond "Fine." Give her an example of something that happened, such as "I aced my algebra test even though I was nervous about it. )

LASTING A LIFETIME
(I've heard it said the way you treat your Mom is the way you'l treat your girlfriend or wife.) (So treat the Queen with respect and love. Just as you wolud with the Princess-in-waiting.) No one goes into marriage planning to have it end a few years down the road. Ensure your chance of a solid lifelong marriage now by useing your "single" time to find your security in your relationship with Christ and let him teach you through friendships with others. (If you're not ready for a relationship, don't focus on finding the right one but focus on BEING the right one.)
Learn women.(Even I've got alot more to learn) What opportunity! You're surrounded by tens, hundreds, maybe thousands of girls right now at school or church. Instead of waisting time worrying about how to lay claim to one of them as your girlfriend, (get to know a bunch of them as friends.) Go out in groups. Pay attention. learn personality traits you like or don't or what character traits are inspiring and attractive to you in a girl. (She maybe doing the samething to you so watch it!) Practice talking with them. You'll lay a solid foundation for when it comes time to considering finding a wife.
GET PAST THE BIG "I"'
You've probably heard it before: The world doesn't revolve around you. Do everyone a favor: Get your eyes off yourself every once in a while. One day, it'll be crucial to your marriage to serve your wife and put her and her needs above your own.
Practice service. You've got plenty of opportunities in your family to sacrifice what you want for someone else's benefit. Does your sister need to use your computer? Does you little brother need help with his homework?Could you clear the table or take out the trash without being asked? Change your attitudeand see these actions as chances to help those around you. As you make it a habit, you'll be surprised that those same loved ones may begin to go out of their way to repy the kindness and serve you. Then you'll be able to use your new found training an with sword in hand to slay the Lust Dragon, Rescue the Princess and impress the true King.

Some Do's and Don'ts to remember

((DO'S

Do: Always complement a lady even if she doesnt think she deserves it. Example --( tell her she looks nice)
Do: Always respect a lady
Do: Treat them as one of Gods daughters. (If her own father is protective, just imagine how GOD, the ultimate father is protective.)
Do: Be her warrior and treat her like a princess
Do: Protect her.
Do: always look above her chin and into her eyes when you speak and are being spoken to.
Do: use good, clean humor. Make her laugh not run away in disgust.
Do: always look on the inward (their Heart) appearance, not their waist appearance
Do: Look her in the eyes and smile.
Do: If your listening to music, let her listen too.
Do: be a "ladies-man-of- God".
Do: get upset if a guy is mistreating a lady
Do: Offer her your coat
Do: Offer her your chair
Do: Stand when she walks into the room
Do: open the door for her.
Do: Make your intentions nobel and respectful - not double minded
DO: wait on her and most importantly wait on God. don't rush anything at all!
DO: pay attention to her
DO: know when to back off and give her her space

DONT'S

Dont: take advantage of a lady
Dont: EVER hit a lady (even joking)
Dont: use profane language in front of a lady
Dont: use obscene gestures or comments around a lady
Dont: Be a jerk
Dont: be a sex-crazed maniac around her.
Dont: touch her inappropriately (even as a joke or an accident)
Don’t: and I mean DON'T! Stalk them
Don't: hover over them.

I would like to apologize to all the ladies for doing too many of the Don'ts rather than the Do's.))
My Testimony

You wanna know who or what I used to be. read this.I want to share this with everyone. and NO I am not perfect.

Well I have been brought up in the church since I was born, I still go the same church (Riverside).I'm a pastor's kid. (that doesn't mean we are better). I have no siblings. I actually accepted the Lord when I was 4 years old. I had gone through many illnesses. Pneumonia,Ear Tubes, Kidney infection, I split my head open when i was 2: I was in the Church Nursery and I was playing on a rocking chair. and it rocked me in to a divider and it split my head open. My Mom rushed in and laid her hand on my head and started praying. and when she took her hand off of my head it had healed. that injury should have killed me. (why God saved me,I have no clue) I officially (as in I took it alot more seriously) accepted the Lord when I was 13. I had alot of Anger issues. mostly because I was made fun of because I was different.But part of it was a friend of mine (a girl/friend) of mine was killed in a Tornado accident. She was my only real friend at the time. A part of me died that day. and I've barely begun to bring it back..And it got to the point where I was willing to kill the next person who made fun of me. I threw this kid 10 feet across a room and he was twice my size. it was almost "Evil" anger. I was ten seconds away from choking him to death. However at a youth Camp few years later, God cleansed me entirely of the rage inside me.I do however tend to bottle things up though. I've always been sensitive to spiritual and emotional Atmospheres.lol I guess you can say I got my Spiritual "powers" that day. and I always ask God if there is anyone in distress or going through high emotions. I ask him to put it onto me so I can get a grasp of what is going on then He takes it. I tend to hold on to the residue though.I've always felt lonely cause I'm so Abnormal. I grew up with "mild" Turets Syndrome (where you just go off the wall at random non stop) Deprestion, Turret Storms ( My Turrets Storm: Ok What a "Turrets Storm" is like a thunderstorm in my brain. I panic,i get hot, my heart races faster than anything, and my brain goes into overdrive and it clouds my judgement. I DO know how to control it alot of the time. it's just one of those things that happen once in a great while. and it makes me sensitive to ANYthing. )
weight issues, learning disabilities and ADD.

I took ever kind of brain medication you can think of: Prozac,Aderall,Ritalin you name it) I went to many doctors. I was a VERY annoying kid, not many people wanted to be my friend, I was hardly EVER as social as i am now and I came to realize why. I'm now cleansed by God and all my anger is subsided and because of him I have chosen not to have Sex until marraige (I'm waiting for my one and ONLY),neither drink or smoke. keep my body pure as much as possible.Granted I still go through trials (who dosen't?) I'm no way near perfect.And I do not deserve God,My One and only, or anything good. I try to help people as much as i can.I love going to Campus Crusade and BSU, they keep me from getting into trouble.lol

I have put up MANY walls around my heart, walls so thick they are virtually impenetrable because of the things that happened. girlfriends (if you can call them that) that weren't faithful,FRIENDS that weren't loyal, just all the Ridicule I got for being differrent when I was younger. I want to tear down the walls for good. I just need help. The best medicine for me, is my friends and Jesus