What are excuses? Webster’s defines excuses as “to serve as excuse for: justify.” Why can’t we simply say, “I just didn’t want to do it,” when it applies. Someone may ask us to do something we don’t want to do and we agree because we don’t want to tell them “no” and risk them being disappointed or upset with us. Then we offer up an excuse when we don’t do it.

Sometimes we want to help others so much that we just agree to do too much and find ourselves in a delicate situation. Sometimes we do things for others for the wrong reasons. We are too afraid to say “no” because we don’t want to be rejected. This type of thinking puts us into more bondage than rejection ever could. If we can’t do something, and we explain our situation with compassion, we can generally let it go and then we are free. Most of the time the other person will understand anyway. Now, when this doesn’t happen we need to try and find the root of the problem. Why won’t the other person let us be free to choose? Is there an unholy relationship here?

Rejection is not always a bad thing. Rejection can reveal the truth of the relationship and save us a lot of heartache further down the line. If we want to do something for someone else, we need to do it for the right reasons. I used to be so wounded from rejection that I took on more than I could do. It was then that I also became more frustrated and began to get angry at those who demanded so much of me. It was my fault, because I could have said “no” at any point, but the rejection would have torn me apart. Eventually the rejection came anyway because the relationships were built on a lie. In the end, I suffered more than had I not offered or agreed in the first place. Some lessons come the hard way.

Jesus said something to the effect of, “let your yes be yes, and your no, be no.” Anything more than this opens the way for deceit, deception and all kinds of bad things to enter into the relationship. Ulterior motives have a way of being exposed, even if they take years to rise to the surface. Unfortunately, I am speaking from experience. It took a lot of years and a lot of healing to heal this broken heart. Divorce is a tragic thing. It is even worse when it happens more than once.

Forgiveness is an awesome thing. The Lord desires for us to have godly relationships, yet He gives us the right to choose. We can choose to judge and lock ourselves into a curse. It is like gravity. It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe in gravity, if you jump off of a cliff, you will fall. Judgments bind us. Forgiveness frees us. Let the past go. Don’t carry it on your back another step. It is too heavy. Be free. Walk tall. The Lord has good relationships for you. Trust Him. He will heal you IF you let Him.

How do I know? I’ve been there. I’ve done that. I’ve walked in these shoes and I am here to tell you if you want to change there is something better for you. You know that I am telling the truth because you can feel it in your heart.

Now, having said all of this, I believe in giving to others. Sometimes giving goes beyond our comfort zone. Sometimes it even hurts. My wife and I support this web site out of everything we have and will continue as long as we can even if no one else helps. We want to give to others. My main reason for going back to school after being out for 20+ years was so that this site could become reality. We didn’t have the money to pay someone to build this site, but I had the time to go to school to learn how to build it. We don’t mind giving all that we are able to give. However, I have learned something in our journey over the years. In order to complete the cycle of giving, we must be able to receive. If we can’t receive, we stop others from receiving their blessings. We provide material things on this site to encourage others. These things cost us more money than we have. We add in the cost of a profit to help in these projects and sometimes in our personal lives. Scripture says not to muzzle the ox as it is treading the grain. If you want to give into this endeavor, please do. If you don’t, that is more than okay with us. If you want to give a blessing, we will not hinder you. We will receive it, period. Please do it though, because you want to and not because you feel compelled to do it. The Lord loves a cheerful giver, who gives out of the willingness out of his heart.

We are on a quest. I want to try and out give the Lord. I know, it is impossible, but I plan to have a lot of fun along the way. It touches me so deeply to see a sparkle in someone else’s eyes. Sometimes it only takes a simple smile with eye contact. It is so easy and yet it means so much. We can change this world one smile at a time and one person at a time. God gave His only begotten Son so that He might receive us back to Himself. He gave and He is receiving. Give and then receive. We must receive from Him. We must receive from others to complete the cycle. Excuses! No more!

I hope this message blesses you. I hope it encourages you. I went to a meeting this week with people from more than 10 different countries around the world. We couldn’t even understand each other without interpreters. I experienced a wonderful thing. 10+ countries gave honor to the Lord. Was this a church? No! It was a Christian business. The Lord formed it and He is protecting it. It is expanding all over the world. He is the reason. He is the center. His love is spreading. We are giving and we are receiving. There is a new thing happening in the earth. Can you see it? Do you want to be a part of it? Do you want your life to change and more important do you want to see others change? No more excuses! Reach out and touch someone. If you want more information about this business, please use the form on our contact page. We are here to help. Would you like to help too?

Joseph

Comments

What do you do when you feel weak? What do you do when you need strength that you don’t have? How can you find the strength to overcome a weakness in your flesh? What do you do about these little areas in your life that bring you to your knees? Weakness & Strength!

2 Corinthians 12:7 “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.”

Paul had seen all of these visions, including seeing and speaking to Jesus, Himself. It must have been wonderful to have been blessed like this. But then we come to these words in the next sentences about a thorn in the flesh and a messenger of Satan to torment him. What is all of this about?

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”

Somehow Paul understood that weakness made him strong. Weakness in our culture is not a good thing. A lot of people look down on weakness like a sickness. Paul learned to boast in his weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on him. It took me a long time to understand this. When I was a teenager I thought I was invincible. I was in the process of buying a motorcycle one afternoon, when I had a wreck on my test drive. I had ridden for years and I was really happy about getting a new bike. I never made it back from that test drive and to make matters worse, I stopped by and picked up my sister to go with me. A few minutes later, we were in the ambulance on our way to the hospital. Miraculously, my sister was okay and I would spend 13 days in the hospital with a broken knee. It was as if the angels picked us up and placed us down on the roadway. Invincible, not in the least. I learned that day how precious and fleeting this life really is. The accident was bad, but now as I look back on it, I can see that it was truly a blessing. That was a huge turning point in my life and my relationship with Jesus Christ. I don’t know what would have happened had I not experienced that.

The focus of my life changed. What would have happened if that would have been my last day on earth? Did I finish everything I was supposed to finish or was there more? Did I let my loved ones know that I loved them? Did they really know how I felt? I felt like I was given a second chance. I was engaged to be married at the time and that fell apart quickly. I spent a lot of time and years searching after this. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been totally worth it. I understand the scriptures more and more as I walk them out.

I read the words of Paul in Philippians 3:10-11 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” I had heard a lot of people ask to know the power of His resurrection, but I didn’t hear anyone ask for the rest of the passage. I thought, “how can we know the power of His resurrection without fellowshipping in His sufferings first?”

I became determined to know the fellowship of His sufferings. I wanted understanding. Proverbs say that understanding costs us everything. We are told so much about prosperity these days. The power of His resurrection seems like a glorious place to be. However, a greater journey is the experience to understanding what His love is all about. What did He experience? How can I know except I touch it too? How can I know what my brothers and sisters are experiencing unless I touch them also? With understanding I found that I developed more patience. With more patience, I became more gentle. It became much easier to give others the benefit of the doubt before passing judgment. Have I attained it? No! However, I am a lot closer.

No matter what you have been through, don’t quit. Let these areas of weakness become places of God’s strength. Let Him shine through you and let others touch Him through you. Only through brokenness can His light shine through. If we keep bandaging and covering up the holes, His light can’t be seen. Let us be weak and let Him be strong. Glory!

I pray that you find His strength to guide you through this path. May you rest in His love, grace and mercy and come to peace. These weak places will become pillars of strength if you let them. Humble yourself and let Him lift you up with His resurrection power. You will never be the same.

Joseph

Comments

Are you hidden and protected? Do you feel safe and secure, or do you feel exposed and in danger? Have you ever been in the middle of a crowd with chaos all around and felt like you were in a peaceful bubble? This is a safe place. This is a secure place. Hidden!

Zephaniah 2:3 “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.” It is interesting that the name Zephaniah means “hidden in Jehovah” and he is the one prophesying this passage. Our names have meaning and when others call us by name they are also speaking the meaning back to us. Many throughout history have been given a new name by the Lord because of the new work He was doing in their lives. My name is Joseph which means, “the Lord will add.” I was also given a nickname at birth which I went by until four years ago. Now, I go by Joseph again because of what the Lord wants to do in my life. What about you?

Throughout the ages the Lord has hidden his people from danger. Jesus’ life was in danger and He simply walked right through their midst and escaped. There is a time for exposure, but that is at the right moment and in the Lord’s timing. The enemy’s plan is to expose us prematurely. He will try to get us to move out ahead of time. Not only is it alright for us to wait but it is also neccessary for us to wait and to be hidden until the appropriate time. Isaiah 49:2 “He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.” Psalm 18:14 “He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them.” As we can see in these two scriptures there is a special time to come out.

The Lord cares about us so much. Don’t be anxious to come out too soon. Let the workings of the Lord have their purpose. If we take a look at the life of Joseph, we can see how he was hidden until the Lord’s purpose matured inside of him. We might see this as a raw deal, however, when he emerged from prison he was ready to be second in command of an entire country. Not only was he second in command, but he led them through a serious time in history. There were to be seven years of plenty. The wisdom was in storing up food for the seven years of famine. Had they not stored up the food, they would have died. In addition to this, because of the dream and their obedience, Egypt had other countries coming to them and paying them for the excess food they had stored up. They gained notoriety and fame. There are rewards for doing things the Lord’s way. Joseph attained more because of his obedience and walked into his destiny and purpose.

Are you hidden? Does it seem like you are in prison? Are things not going your way and possibly going opposite of your dreams and visions? Rest assured, you are in a maturation process. As bad as it sounds, this is a good place. You are being protected and you will be brought out at the proper time. Rest! Take advantage of this opportunity to learn what you need to know for the day of exposure. Hidden!

I know it isn’t easy being here. I’ve been here for a long time. I kept getting glimpses of coming out and each time I was encouraged. Hold on to hope. There is a special time and a special season. May you find the strength you need. Embrace this time and get ready to walk in your purpose and destiny. Hidden!

Joseph

Comments

In this world, we are familiar with oppression. We see it every day and it happens to most people everyday. When will it all end? When can we be done with it? Emptiness, despair, depression, worry and anxiety are close friends to those who don’t walk with Jesus. These things even try to be friends with those who do walk with Him, however, we have the power through His Name to make Oppression Go Away.

There are two types of people; those who know Jesus and walk with Him and those who may or may not know of Him and do not walk with Him. Years ago Keith Green sang a song and in it he stated, “Just because you go to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to McDonald’s makes you a hamburger.” The scriptures are very clear on this matter. There is a choice to make. Just going to church and being part of the crowd or even helping doesn’t make you a Christian. You CANNOT become Christ-like unless you give your life to Christ and let Him change you to become like Him by His grace and through the power of Holy Spirit, period. There is no other way no matter what any one else says. No one else is accountable for your life, except you. At the end of our lives the Lord is not going to ask others about our walk with Him, He is going to ask us. It is our choices in this life that determine our place in eternity. We can’t blame it on our spouse, our parents, our pastors, or anyone else. We will stand alone, in front of Him on that day. How will we respond?

Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! Revelation 18:11-12 “The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more—cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.”

I like to go back to this verse and read it every now and then. Babylon The Great! The great city of oppression will be no more. This world system that is empowered by spiritual darkness will come down. Right now it is spinning out of control and it is oppressing people all over the world. The Lord warns us to come out of it. Don’t get all caught up in it. It will suck the life right out of us if we let it. Notice that some of the cargoes of the merchants is the bodies and souls of men. How is this so? People sell their souls to the system everyday usually for power, greed and riches. At the end of their lives they have nothing left.

I started writing this message yesterday and meditated on it overnight like I usually do and I awoke this morning not wanting to say the wrong thing or leave some stone unturned and then I realized this is impossible. My goal in writing is to encourage others and this happens to be me also when I go back and read them. If you find any encouragement, please take it and use it and pass it on to others if you can. If you are offended by anything I have said, please forgive me, it isn’t my intention. I am human also and I’ve made more than my share of mistakes and I am sure that there will be many more while I walk this earth in this frail flesh.

Oppression is a hard thing to get through alone. It is an outside force that seeks to destroy. If you are under its hold, ask someone you trust to pray for you. Use our contact form and let us know. Ask the Lord to help you through. You are not alone in this. If you are the cause of it, ask His forgiveness and those involved if possible. If you are not the cause of it, just hold on until you make it through. The Lord needs each of us to be where He wants us so that His plan will come to pass. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. Keep doing what you know to do. Keep your head up and your focus on Him. He won’t let you down. Enter His peace, love, rest, and protection. He is our Refuge in times of trouble. Oppression go away!

I pray that your life is blessed today and that you get filled with His anointing. May you be filled to overflowing with every blessing He has for you. May there be a sparkle in your eyes and a smile on your face as you realize that greater is He within you, than those who are in the world. It’s not for nothing, but for everything.

Joseph

Comments

Keeping up with the Jones? Staying in the clique? Let’s be fair now! Look at them! God’s not fair! Why do they get to do that? What’s it to you? What’s it to me? Everything!

John 21:17-22 “Jesus said (to Peter), ‘Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.’ Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, ‘Follow me!’ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is going to betray you?’) When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” NIV

The truth is that God is fair. He treats each one of us individually. We don’t need to be treated like someone else. He knows what I need and He knows what you need. I am so glad that we are not just a number with Him. He knows our deepest and darkest secrets. He knows how much we can take and He knows how to protect us. He knows the kind of discipline and training each of us needs and He does it personally. He knows which areas are our strengths and which are our weaknesses. We each have different talents and abilities. We were created for a specific purpose and destiny. He knows exactly where we fit in His plan. When we are doing what we were created to do, we are the happiest and fulfilled people around. If we allow Him, He will help us to find and fulfill His purpose and destiny in our lives.

Is our destiny like someone else’s? No, but it is ours. Is God fair when He treats us different from others? Yes, even if it seems like someone else is getting the better deal. Everyone has their share of heartaches, brokenness, trials and tribulations. Each individual must deal with their own thoughts and choices as well as their rewards and consequences.

Is life fair? No, it isn’t in the least. Some people get hurt, killed, die before their time, abused and cheated, while others seem to live the good life. What is fair? Are we talking about this time on earth or are we considering eternity also? When we stop and consider eternity, this time on earth takes on a new meaning. An 80 year lifetime suddenly seems small in comparison to eternity and forever. In fact, eternity is hard to comprehend when everything we know has a beginning and an end.

Why not just live life for the moment? That’s all great and good if there isn’t an eternity. Why not return hurt for hurt and just live for the pleasure? I mean, if there isn’t an eternity, why not just indulge? We could, but then again, even if there isn’t an eternity I prefer to help, encourage and love others. It makes me feel good to help someone else. Do I like everyone or want to help everyone? No, and I don’t. I help those I believe I am supposed to help. I know that I can’t help everyone so I won’t even go there. There are others who have different abilities and they can help in other ways. I simply want to do what I need to do every day. When I have done what I know to do, then I am at peace and rest. I can sleep at night. My conscience is clear and I go on to walk in another day. Everything that happens has a purpose, just like every weight I lift increases my natural strength. In every situation I have a choice to respond or react. I choose to respond. If for no other reason than this, I choose to live my life this way.

I choose to be thoughtful of others and what they might have gone through. A person, who has no fear of heights, can work up high on the edge of a skyscraper, but that same person might have a fear of close relationships. Someone who is too timid to walk into a dark room, might be great with close relationships. We all have our fears. We all have our ghosts. We have those secret places that loom in the dark and when we are alone. I have seen a lot of signs that say, “No Fear!” I don’t believe them for a moment. Everyone has something they fear. I believe that someone who tells me they have no fear, are simply living in an illusion.

I would like to share a story to illustrate a point. This is somewhat graphic, but it needs to be to illustrate the point. Suppose you and a group of people are on a mountain and close to the edge of a cliff. Now let’s say that your close friend starts walking towards the edge oblivious that they are in danger. Here’s the question. What extent would you go to keep your friend safe? Would you yell? And if that doesn’t work would you run over and hold them back? What if they still walk on? Would you grab the nearest board and knock them out and then pull them to safety? What would you do in that situation? Would you simply let them walk over the edge? What is fair in this situation? Would it be fair for you to hit them over the head and possibly seriously injure them to save their life? What would that person say after you saved them? Would they be grateful? This is how the Lord sees us. He sees the end from the beginning. We can’t see what’s fair from our side of eternity, but He can. Isaiah 55:9 His way is greater than our way. His thoughts are higher than ours. He already knows the end from the beginning and He knows how to save, heal and deliver us. He cares and He knows us each by name. He not only died to save us, but He lives on to walk with us and be our friend. So what’s it to you if someone else has a different path? Keep your focus on yours, it is the one that is good and fair for you.

I hope this encourages you to find your God-given purpose and destiny. I hope you don’t compare your life to others. I hope you don’t even judge how things are going. We can’t see the outcome, but we do have a choice to trust in the One Who can and has our best interest in His plan for us. Get to know Him if you don’t know Him and get to know Him better each and every day if you do know Him. May you see others in a better way from this day on. Reach out and touch someone today. Share in their life and be touched in yours. Choose carefully, and let your choices carve the paths for you to walk.

Go for the Greater Things! Don’t settle for less. You are welcome to use this image as a wallpaper. Just click on the image to go to our wallpapers page.

If you would like to use our free online Questionnaire to see if you can discover your talents, gifts and abilities just click here.

Joseph

Comments

The devil says, “I am going to be like God.” God simply smiles and replies, “I Am God!” End of story!

In the garden of Eden, the devil’s dialog to Adam and Eve went like this: Genesis 3:1-5 ‘Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”‘

This is the core of human struggle and it has been since the beginning. It wasn’t good enough for Lucifer to be an anointed guardian cherub, but he had to have more. Ezekiel 28: 13-17 “You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.”

How could one, who had so much splendor and glory, do what he did? It says that he became proud and that his wisdom was corrupted because of his splendor. Pride was the essence of his fall. When we look at the major problems with our world, pride is at the top. This same sin is repeated over and over again throughout the centuries. It started with the devil and was then introduced into humanity through Adam and Eve.

Humility, what a weapon it is. It has no hidden agendas. Those willing to obey the prophet’s orders in humility obtained their miracles. Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 22:4 “Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.”

In reality, there can be only one God. There can be only one creator. The rest are created beings and things. As humans, we create robots to help us and not to rule over us. We would immediately disconnect or destroy a rogue robot. Should we expect God to be any different?

God created each of us for a special purpose and destiny. He showed us how much He loves us through His Son, Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross for all of our sins, both past and future. We each have different talents and abilities. We each have the ability within us for greatness. It starts with humility. It starts by us acknowledging who we are and who He is. Without His grace and power, we are nothing and would cease to exist. God has a plan and a destiny for us. It is greater than we can ever imagine or comprehend. The question remains. Do we want to be like God, knowing good and evil or do we want Him to be God? Do we want to be on His level fighting against Him or can we trust Him to be Who He is?

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” The Lord is for us. He knows us each by name. We are not a number to Him. We have an enemy who would like us to join him in his rebellion. Be like God, no thanks! I enjoy letting the Lord be Himself. It’s a good place to be. It’s a safe and glorious place to be. What choice do we make?

Joseph

Comments

In the beginning . . . WHAT? What was in the beginning? There are a lot of people with a lot of theories. The big bang! I believe there was a big bang, but not like some teach it. Sooner or later the truth will come out. Science is proving it more and more every day. In The Beginning . . .

(This image is available to use as a wallpaper on your computer. Simply click on the image and then follow the instructions.)

“IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].” John 1:1-5 Amp

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” Genesis 1:1-5 NIV

The Big Bang. I believe that this really did happen. What about you? The universe was void. Even scientists think this. God spoke and all of a sudden it came into being. Maybe there was a loud clash. According to science, it is still happening. The universe is still growing. What power there is in words. It wasn’t random. There was a purpose and design to it. The universe is so intricate and perfect that it had to be by design. Look at the atom. Some say that it happened by coincidence or random action? Give me a break. I am not that dense. It would take more faith than I could ever attain to believe something so ludicrous as that. We don’t have to believe someone or group of people simply because they have a bunch of degrees. People with degrees also said that “whatever goes up, must come down.” Now we send spacecraft into space. And of course, it goes on and on. Who do we believe?

Spoken by design! These words still happen today. We hear the stories. To every good story there is an, “in the beginning.” In the beginning someone had an idea or dream. They wrote it down. They went after it. Then somewhere down the line it came into being. It was created by design. Only a fool says in his heart, “there is no God!” Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1 Look at the evidence.

In 2004, I wanted to create this web site, but I didn’t know much about the computer or the internet. I knew how to surf a little and I knew how to send and receive emails. I also didn’t have the money to pay someone to do it. The job I had went away. What was I going to do? It was time to change careers. Within two weeks I was back in school for the first time in many years. It was a school I couldn’t afford to go to financially, yet the Lord made a way. There were times during my time in school I questioned whether this was the right choice. A little over two years later I graduated with honors with an Associate of Applied Science in Multimedia and Web Design from the Art Institute of Dallas and all of this with a family. I felt so honored. The Lord is so good. What an understatement.

In the beginning there wasn’t even a chance for this site, only a vision. Now, in less than three years, it had become a reality. Then it started growing. The vision continues to grow. It’s more than just encouraging others. It is about building the kingdom His way. It is about helping His people, even those who don’t know they are His yet. It is about walking the walk and demonstrating His plan and purpose on this earth. It’s not about perfection, but about grace. How will they know? How will they see? Someone must not only tell them, but also show them. It’s not about us talking about the love. It is about us being the love and then sharing the love. Jesus said, “Greater things will you do than this, because I go to the Father.” Greater Things!

Jesus made a profound statement. He simply said, “I Am.” He didn’t preach a lot of empty words. He was what He spoke. We must become that which we speak. As He is, I am. If He is in us, we are. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. They were called that because they were Christlike. Let others call us Christians because of our love. Let us stop judging and start living and being the example. Let us be like the early church who became a model and the Lord added daily to their number. Be who you are and stop acting. If you aren’t there yet, that is okay, but admit it. I’m not there, and I don’t think I will attain it this side of eternity. This life is a journey. It is a growing process. A blossom on a tree isn’t a ripe peach until it grows and matures. Above all, be true to yourself. Don’t live a lie.

I have found that one of the most profound things in life is a smile and a kind word. It changes lives. That person across from us or standing next to us needs to be encouraged. Life is hard. Can we smile? Are they worth it? You are worth it. You are loved. You need to know that and so do I. I need to know that He loves me. We need to encourage each other, everyday. Yes, in the beginning! What is your, In The Beginning? What is it that beats with every breath you take? What is your passion? In the beginning . . . to where it becomes reality. You can get there. The Lord will make a way where there seems to be none. Be encouraged! Journey on!

Joseph

Comments

Have you ever wondered what your future looks like? If we look at the past, it is almost like a movie up to the present day and then it stops. What will the rest of today look like? Who will I meet and how will my life change? What choices will I make that will affect the rest of my life? Destiny Awaits!

“Destiny Awaits — No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (NIV) Click on the image to see more photomontages.

What a wonderful way to look at our future? If we haven’t liked the past, we simply make new and different choices and it is created. Of course, there are some choices we have already made that might have set us on a certain course, but that can be subject to change. What kind of future do we want? It’s not too late to find out from the Lord what His purpose and destiny is for our life. Everything can change and become brand new. Think about it. What would we like to see?

Have we made some wrong choices? Are we in a dead end space? Is all hope lost? No matter where we are today, the next few moments can redirect our lives. Make the choice to follow Him. Dare to see where this new path will lead. Has our way gotten us anywhere, anyway? What do we have to lose, or better yet, what do we have to gain?

I have created four photomontages now. After I created the first one, I shared it with a friend who was so encouraged that I decided to send it to others I knew to encourage them. The responses were great and it felt really good to be able to share this with others. I sent one to my publisher in Colorado and she asked me to create three more so that we can make posters out of them. So this is the story of the wallpapers. The rest is history and a new destiny has been created. I have this travel mug that has a paper insert behind clear plastic. Yesterday, I took the “New Thing” photomontage and printed it out and put it behind the plastic. We went to our local cafe hangout and others asked where they could get one. So I guess we’ll be offering these soon, too. The Lord is so good. When we start sharing encouragement and love with others, we don’t know what will happen next.

If you would like to see all four wallpapers just click on the image. You are welcome to copy and paste them to your computer and use as a wallpaper. If you like, you can also send the link to others you know. Maybe it will brighten their day and help them focus on the goodness of the Lord. I love the old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

As I am sitting here writing, I feel the love of the Lord pouring all over me. I can see people who are reading this and I see their lives being touched by Him. It feels so good to be able to touch others who I have never met and may never see in this lifetime. You are worth it. Your life has meaning. You are the reason I make the time to write in this blog twice a week. You are the reason this web site exists. That is another story in itself and Lord willing I may share it in my next post. I want you to know that your life matters not only to the Lord, but also to me. God doesn’t create throw-aways. Each of us has been created for a purpose and a destiny. I pray that you find the courage to stand up to the things that would try to keep you down and find yours. No one and nothing can keep you from your destiny except you. The Lord will move mountains to help you. He will even change the course of history. Just one of us can impact history, how much more a bunch of us. Feel free to comment on this post or use the contact page on this site to send me an email.

May you be blessed today. May the Lord pour out His love upon you today and may this be the start of a brand new future for you. It is never too late and the Lord is always on time. What does your future hold? Destiny Awaits!

Joseph

Comments

Are you tired? Are you weary? Do you not have much strength left? Maybe it’s time to rest a bit, regroup, refocus and receive a little peace. The scripture below has some instructions with it. Take a look at the whole chapter. There is a place of refreshing even in the midst of the desert. So if you are in the desert and you need a drink, just ask and then receive. Refreshing!

Isaiah 43:8-21 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.” (NIV)

“New Thing - Forget the former things, Do not dwell on the past! Behold, I do a new thing.”

Sometimes we can get weary in our journey even to the point of giving up, but this is not really what we’d like to do, it’s just that we are worn out. Sometimes as we are walking the way we need to go, other things come up and we think we need to carry them or they simply attach themselves on to our back. “I should have done this.” “I need to do that.” “I need to help this person.” All of these are burdens and if we let them pile up on our shoulders we will be weighted down and become tired. Each evening we need to make sure that we have let go of the cares of this world. Let the Lord do His part and let us do ours. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Guess what, that means that if what we are carrying isn’t light, we are carrying something that is not His. Take your sword and cut it off. Lighten your load. Drink from His stream and be refreshed and then share that refreshing with others and you will even receive more. We carry too many burdens that we don’t need to bear.

The physical world is very challenging and can be represented by a desert and solid rock. We just need to remember that while we are there, we can simply get the refreshing we need by tapping into the spiritual streams that are there to refresh us all the time.

This is the fourth photomontage I’ve created. The first is on the home page of this site and is available for use as a wallpaper by clicking on the image. Simply copy and paste to your computer. We will be adding the other three shortly and these 4 will be available to purchase as 13″ x 19″ poster prints on our site. These items help support this site as well as help fund ministry outreaches and projects we are developing. I hope you have been blessed and refreshed. Have a beautiful day.

Joseph

Comments