In this season Christ means everything.

Christ was not born on the 25th of December and history shows that the celebration of Christmas has its roots in pagan practices. In the Old testament God cursed Israel for adopting pagan feast days: "Behold, I will rebuke your seed, and will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your feasts; and ye shall be taken away with it" (Malachi 2:3, American Standard Bible). The Bible never reveals to us the day Christs was born, and not once do we see the apostles of Christ celebrating Jesus' birth. Yet Christmas is one of the most popular 'Christian' holidays today. Nonetheless I choose to celebrate this 'holiday' and I will explain why.

Just a few days ago before I had the idea of ever making this post I felt something I had never felt before during this season. Its the feeling of emptiness that comes after all the gifts have been unwrapped and hours, days, weeks have passed by. Pagan holiday or not most people who are not in the faith will forget about Christ or put him on the back burner. The gifts we give don't last. As I write this post I now understand what the Holy Spirit might have been trying to get me to understand all along. The greatest gift a man can give another is the knowledge and understanding that Christ is real, still living, loves us, and wants us to surrender ourselves to him. What more potent, lasting, and permanent gift can I give than igniting the spark that could lead my fellow family member or friend to finding God? What gift is more valuable than eternal life with our father? Celebrating the birth of Jesus will mean nothing if we don't celebrate his gift to us. Christmas means nothing, Christ means everything.

I pray that no matter what happens from this moment on that I continue to follow my King so that one day after this life is over I will forever give thanks and worship him the way it was always meant to be.

Source: Christmas?

HOW 'BOUT EM COWBOYS!!!!!!

LETS GO COWBOYS ALLLLL DAY!!!!! The Dallas Cowboys beat the best team in the NFl, the previously undefeated New Orleans Saints. Great offense, great defense, great special teams in all 4 quarters by the boys. Now lets finish of the season by blowing out Washington and Philadelphia. Way to go Dallas!

O Praise him

Lol, I promise this will be my last 'lazy' post. I will attempt to make my next 4 posts music free. Even before ever being saved I've been a big music fan, and what better way is there to express gratitude and love for my God. O praise him by (you guessed it) DCB.

Intoxicating by David Crowder band.

Fan-made video for the DCB song Intoxicating. I like it.

You make everything glorious- David Crowder band

Grant Turismo 5 & Merc SLS AMG

Random post of the week.

How he loves us- John Mark Mcmillan

I had always loved this song but never knew the back stoy behind it. John Mark was the writer and singer of this song, which would later be covered by the very talented David crowder band. The very first line 'He(God) is jealous for me' (Deutoronomy 4:24) refers to God being jealous of the love we give material possessions among other things, but do not give him. I pray to always keep God 1st.

Minister Facey talks to an athiest

Funny stuff, dropping a lot of truth though.

Check out P4CM.com in links section.

In love again

It's been a while since I've been in the word and in line with what God intends for me as a believer and his child. I had allowed myself to stray from my Christian walk and started to do my own thing, again. Not because I was bored or had lost my faith, no. God is almost always on my mind even while I am being disobedient. The trouble started when I refused to pray for what was on my heart for fear that he would not answer and it would in turn erode my faith. Instead of patiently waiting on God, I felt it best not to put 'pressure' on him. Ha.

This song 'Always' funny enough put into words how I feel about Christ. I'm in love again is a perfect way to sum up the way I'm feeling at this time. Every breath and every second I get to live on this earth is really a second chance for me to ask for God's forgiveness and get back to my walk with Christ. I know that everything happens in God's time not mine. Trying to rush the issue when I might not be ready for the answer may not be what I need. So for now I will continue with what I did when I first accepted Christ - reading the Bible and taking time out of my day to pray. I really do yearn to have the Holy Spirit with me again, it's a wonderful place to be.

***Switchfoots Hello Hurricane CD is out right now. I bought it off itunes and its an excellent work. My favorite tracks: yet, always, hello hurricane, the sound, Sing it out.

LETS GO COWBOYS!!!

Congratulations to the Cowboys for schooling the Philadelphia Eagles for the division lead and after a miserable loss to them at the end of last season. Cowboys beat the birds. Cowboys win. Dallas is FINALLY back in contention for a 2009 Playoff run.

Roy played a GREAT game tonight and if he can keep clicking with Romo the Cowboys will be really hard to beat.

Mess of me, by Switchfoot

Album set to release NOVEMBER 10 2009.

Cowboys win, but still no coach.

I'll be honest I didn't have too much faith in the Cowboys to win todays game against the Falcons. Cowboys win 37-21. I think what this game proves is that Romo is a better quarterback when he's allowed to move in the pocket, WR Miles Austin might just be the answer on offense, and RB Choice should be a starter. The defense played well enough as always but the penalties are just murdering this team. In both the Bronco game and the Giants game the Cowboys lost because of their lack of discipline. Too many dropped balls and way too many penalties. It all goes back to coaching. The Cowboys under a guy like Tomlin, Belichick, or maybe even Chidress are a Super Bowl team easily. No one can argue that point. They have the talent but not the Coach who will make it his job to fix the technique, timing, or quarterback-receiver chemistry problems the Cowboys have been having. I would love to be excited for this team but I know our chances of making it deep into the playoffs (if we make it at all) are slim to none.

Oh yeah and Cowboys WR Miles Austin is a beast, and the Vikings are still contenders regardless of their loss today.

I am Second: Colt and Sam

WOW! To see these two quarterbacks (University of Texas' Colt McCoy, and Oklahoma Sooners own Sam Bradford) opening up about Christ is truly inspiring. I haven't been as steadfast as I should be in my walk with Christ but seeing things like this really make me proud to know that no matter how far I stray I could never lose my faith and love for my heavenly father. Go Longhorns!

Solution by Hillsong

The NFL season is heating up, the basketball season is just getting started, I'm getting ready to run my first 5K, and the Cowboys are killing us in Dallas. I haven't blogged for a while but (hopefully) I'm back.

Solution by Hillsong is a great song by a great band. I have yet to buy an album from them, but I will sometime soon.

BEAT THE PACKERS!!! (2nd Half) 3 of 3

Storybook start to the second half!!!!! DID I SAY FAVRE WAS AWESOME, DID I? WELL THEN I SHOULD HAVE!!! He’s 39 years old (40 next week) and playing better than half his age. Aaron Rodgers, Favre’s protégé and replacement, has played very well for the Packs, and continued his attack on the Vikings defense in the second half, but sadly for cheesehead nation the Vike defense is too strong. HA! Score: 14-28, Vikings lead (of course).

It’s the third quarter and you know Adrian Peterson is set to break off a couple big plays soon, but for now he is shut down and this only hurts the Viking offense. The Viking defense are another story. They force the Packers to kick and the special teams take the ball to midfield. Even though Peterson is taken out of the equation for the offense again Favre stays solid, unfortunately he is not able to keep the chains moving. The Packs get the ball and they do nothing but fail on every possession. DE #69 Jared Allen does not let down, sacking Rodgers in the end zone. It’s a safety with 7.21 minutes remaining. 7 sacks on aaron Rodgers, with 4 hits from #69 Jared Allen. Unbelievable defense. I actually felt bad for the Packers for a few long seconds. Even the Vikings punt kicking was perfect, and mind you both teams are undefeated so the packers aren’t exactly a weak team.

The Vikings allow the Packs to score because Brad Childress is cool like that. LOL. We can’t have Packers fans crying in the Viking stands now can we? Just Kidding. I don’t think Coach Childress’s 3rd down play (to have Favre throw a deep ball instead of running the time down with a run) with 3:12 or so left was such a bad idea. If the ball were caught the play would have been perfect timing. But I’ll tell you there’s 2 minutes left and the game is still close. Score: 20, 30 Vikings lead. And just now Jared Allen has yet ANOTHER sack. The packers settle for a field goal making the score: 23, 30. There’s 55 seconds left and only a touchdown difference. Sidney Rice on the special teams makes another great play and grabs the side kick like he did previously in the game. The game ends with the Vikings running down the clock. The master schools the student. Mister miyagi putting the wax on the packers. Great game, perfect ending. THE VIKINGS BEAT THE PACKERS.

BEAT THE PACKERS!!! (Half-time) 2 of 3

COMMENTARY WAS DONE LIVE (and play by play) DURING GAME. It was a great way to start the game for Favre and Peterson (scoring a touchdown a few minutes into the first quarter) unfortunately it is followed quickly by a touchdown from QB Rodgers to WR Bailey. Having Peterson carry the team is always a no fail game plan for the Vikings and allowed Favre to make the quick and easy decisions passing the ball, because the last thing we want to see is #4 throwing an interception. What I have noticed though is once the run is taken away from the Vikings the focus is on Favre to play smart, and since he hasn't been with the team for long his mechanics with the other players is not perfect quite yet.

The Vikings INTERCEPTION made up for the freak 4th down play by the Packers WR Jennings just previous, and Favre takes advantage with his excellent throw for his second touchdown. Having a healthy DE Jared Allen doesn’t hurt either (with his third down Rodgers sack). A giant comeback blow is thrown when RB Peterson is stripped of the ball standing up which ends in a Vikings touchdown. Score: 14-14. Favre shows us some more Favre magic and Peterson finishes the job with a touchdown run. Sorry Rodgers no miracle touchdowns for you. Final score before halftime Greenbay 7, Vikings 14.

Now lets see the Vikings push the lead to a 21-7 romp and stay undefeated. The Vikings will be receiving the kick-off in the second half so lets see what happens. Great game by the way, a definite legendary game, my only regret is not recording it.

BEAT THE PACKERS!!! (Pre-game) 1 of 3

LETS GO VIKINGS, lets go favre! The Live game is playing right now on ESPN Monday night football between the Greenbay Packers and Minnesota Vikings! Its been a long time coming lets see if Favre can beat the team which essentially fired him in the Packers. I will be making a post during halftime, and then one more after the game.

Hello Hurricane trailer

Give glory to God- Dwayne Tryumf

Ha, here's yet another dwayne tryumf video. You should get used to it, since I'll probably be posting quite a few of his music :). I picked up his 'Mark of the Peace' EP album a few weeks ago and all 6 songs on it were great. This particular song did not make it to the EP but a full album is set to release (hopefully)on October 4th 2009 according to his youtube page. Since he is a UK artist the only way of buying the album would be via itunes or amazon. All the production on the CD I do have is top notch, rivaling the best the secular music industry has to offer. I would definetely encourage others who may be interested in urban music and have the heart to abandon secular rap to consider picking up a tryumf album. Consider this positive peer pressure.

Don't waste your life- Lecrae

Awesome. Great song and video by one of my favorite christian rappers. I loved the ending too.

Need for Speed Shift released today!

Great looking game, but I will not be picking this one up till I rent it first.

Jordans Hall of Fame speech

Wow! What a way to end a career. I kind of expected this from michael though because after watching a few Jordan 'greatest of' videos (a while ago) I came away with the impression that Jordan was every bit as arrogant as the next door Bully. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have one thing in common and that is the idea that they can win all by themselves without the help of any teammate. I will say though that Jordan was honest on the podium, but he was also selfish. Deliberately attacking the people he felt had crossed him in the past, when all he had to do was enjoy the moment. Jordan had an obligation to end his career (or at least his NBA legacy as a player) at a high note but became petty and showed the world his true colors. In my book he is still the greatest basketball player ever, but i wonder if this speech will tarnish his memory or not.

I Don't pack a matic: Dwayne Tryumf

This is one of my new favorite artists. Dwayne Tryumf leaves no room for doubt of his passion and love for our lord, Jesus Christ. The delivery is near perfect and is definetely a breath of fresh air for a young christian like myself. Check out his album on itunes and his myspace page below.

myspace.com/dwaynetryumf

America is changing...

Full blown off the charts propaganda ad promoting everything Obama plans to do to our Country sneaked in with a host of things we should be doing anyway. Health care and stem cell research being the topics that jumped out at me. America is changing alright, but not the way it should. Apparenly on Tuesday September 1st all american students in kindergarten to 6th grade were shown (or at least were instructed to be shown) this video.

Props to forwardthought. Thank God I know now what side I belong, and as for me the ONLY one I will serve is God. Government is supposed to be serving us, not the other way around. These hollywood actors and other celebrities are a joke.

Click here to see the blog post that inspired this.

Fail Blog

My guilty pleasure :)

Disney buys Marvel comics for $4 Billion

WOW! How is that for an earth shattering event. Ha.

Link to yahoo article

Mere Chrsitianity by C.S. Lewis

One of the most impactful books I have ever read on why Christians believe what they believe. I would suggest every christian read this book. Whether new in the faith or not, and especially those who don't know Christ but are curious. Its intelligent, its clear, it gives the non-beliver reason to believe. Mere Chrisitianity written by C.S. Lewis is a must read.

You can also 'listen' to the book on youtube FOR FREE!!! Listen to the first two parts below.

DJ AM rant

DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) was a prominent disk jockey who worked with the likes of Papa Roach, Madonna, Will Smith, among others and even presented last years MTV Music awards with Travis barker of rock band Blink 182. AM was found dead at around 5:20pm on Friday August 28th. Aparently he had just been through a breakup with his model girlfriend and couldn't bare it. He'd been battling a drug and alcohol addiction for some time and it all came to a head on friday as he died of a cocaine overdose. In our culture cocaine and celebrity almost go hand in hand.

We have become so desensitized to the use of hard drugs by secular 'idols' that hearing of a drug related death rarely gets the public thinking about the drug but more about the celebrity and their past accomplishments. It's very rare to see a cocaine related death such as this one be followed up by a strong wide-spread campaign led by one of the big teen TV stations denouncing drug use as deadly, life wrecking, and at the very least criminal (lol). No, MTV, E!, and VH1 for the next few weeks will probably air a series of DJ AM appearances on their respective channels with no word of the dangers of celebrity approved hard drug use. "End cocaine use in hollywood" and "So what Britney snorts crack doesn't mean I have to" are just two phrases you will never see in a celebrity magazine or TV show.

NOTW (Not of this world) clothing

You might have already heard of this clothing company and if not chances are you've come across someone wearing it. As for me I came across it while looking for some christ inspired clothing to buy online. NOTW has never dissapointed. Its a clothing line based out of Los Angeles CA, and goes by the name of C28 clothing (C28 being colosians 2:8). It's designs are always exciting and eye catching, never boring or plain. It is also one of the more popular christian youth brands out there. I just bought two shirts and something interesting and new happened at the end of the purchase. After paying I was asked if I wanted to DONATE part of my purchase to one of three C28 ministries: Evangelism, outreach, and mercy ships (a global charity that brings hope and healing to the worlds poorer nations). The best thing about it is that C28 doesn't ask you to donate more of your money but to tell them where you want a portion of the money you already used for the clothing to go. I think that's great.

I really encourage you to check out there stuff and maybe buy a few things. Check out NOTW at C28.com . Its also in my links section.

The Prosperity gospel: Creflo Dollar

Psalm 51- still sinning.

1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.
4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.
11 Don't throw me from your presence, and don't take your holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

*******

With the deepest regrets and hatred of my sins I pray oh Lord that you forgive me. Cleanse me so that I may once again be worthy of your love. I know the holy spirit inside me has made my struggles easier to bear but I still manage to fail. I honestly can't live without you Lord, even while languishing in the fleshly pleasures of sin I feel like I'm holding my breath, I can't stay that way for long. Once again I beg for forgiveness and I know that you can erase my sins. I thank you for saving me, always being with me, and always giving me that second chance. I will make it my goal to do the same for others as you have done for me. Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayers. Amen.

Dwayne Tryumf: 777 Intro rap

Thomas jefferson quotes

"A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference."

"The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers."

"An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens."

"Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment."

"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs."

I AM SECOND (2nd wave of vids)

Steven Baldwin (Actor)


Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys Tight End)


Greg Ellis (Dallas Cowboys Line Backer)


Chris Plekenpol (Army captain)


If you haven't visited the site yet, do. Iamsecond.com

God loves you

Spanish: Dios te ama
Norwegian: Gud elsker deg
Croatian: Bog te voli
Serbian: Бог те воли
Italian: Dio ti ama
French: Dieu vous aime
Portugese: Deus te ama
German: Gott liebt dich
Irish: Tá grá ag Dia duit
Scottish: Tha gaol aig Dia ort
Zulu: uNkulunkulu uyakuthanda
Yoruba: Jesu ni ife re




I hope this makes your day because it did mine.

Hello Hurricane by Switchfoot

P4CM ministry

Praise God. He truly is amazing. I'm really grateful to God that I came upon these videos and I am more than happy to share them.

p4cm.com

BET Interview 2007

I found this off a facebook friend. Very funny stuff, but real.

Even while I was lost I knew the music I was listening to wasn't Godly by any stretch of the imagination (If you want a taste of some of my former favorite types of music just look at my previous posts). I love the look on the faces of the 2 friends when they start getting the 'tough' questions. If I were in their shoes 2 years ago only one thing would have come to mind: '*Expletive* I'm trapped in a conversation about my religion with some stranger and I can't walk away because I'm on camera *Expletive*'. LOLOLOLOL. I would have felt guilty throughout the WHOOOOLE concert, (or in this case event).

The age of the earth

This is a video that proves why evolution is false and why the Bibles account of creation is indeed fact. I know this google clip has pretty crappy quality but you can go to Kent Hovind's website (freehovind.com) to see a much clearer version of the video. It's quite a bit of film but does just what Kent, in the first few minutes, promises- it strengthens your faith, convinces you of the Bible's truths, and challenges the saved to act.

Source: Freehovind.com and (youtube's very own)VenomfangX

Yet (acoustic)

Hooray to solving problems

As you can see from the video at the bottom I've learned how to modify youtube videos to fit the now relatively miniscule space blogger has allowed for them. After some detective work I learned... the solution was embarrasingly simple. I just had to go into the html code and change the width and height of the video to match the blogs layout. I took the original size of my Goodbye Iowa (switchfootpodcast) video from an original height of 340 to 290, and an original width of 560 to 400. So yeah, everything's back to normal, at least from now on. I won't bother changing the rest of my videos just yet:)

Also new addition to my links section: Treasuring-christ.blogspot.com. Check it out!

Hello Hurricane: Switchfoot tour dates

Can't wait for the new album. For the first time in my life I'm actually looking forward to going to a music concert, boy have things changed.

PS- Does anyone know how I can fix the problem of posting fully visible youtube videos on my current blogger setup. I can't seem to find a way to get these higher res videos (like this one)to fit. I love my current layout and have had it since I started blogging so I want to keep it but maybe tweaking would help.

Monster trucks and oil drills!

As I promised (watch above video) and for the oil drilling click here to take action! PS- the video was posted all in good fun and was not intended to offend in any way. In video: An episode from one of my favorite TV shows Top Gear. Title: Monster Truck Nuns challenge. Lol.

2 yr old recites the lords prayer...lol

Very cute, maybe too cute. UGGH WHAT HAVE I DONE!!! I guess my very next post will have to be something to do with monster trucks and the oil drilling profession. Its the only way I can reestablish the anti-cuteness persona of this blog. I promise.

Still sinning.

I've done well to fight off temptation for sin but still I continue to fall back into it. It sucks!!! I don't mean sin like lying to a friend or talking negatively about someone else. No, not that kind of sin. Even though those things are not to be taken lightly- no sin should. I'm talking about that drinking till you get wasted alone type sin, using hard drugs after 3 weeks of being sober type sin. The type of sin that is bound to you like an addiction and has a root cause that maybe hasn't been fixed yet. The type of sin only God can heal but you yourself hesitate to let him because you don't know how. Well I'm there, at least for the moment. I've always been able to get back up, dust myself off and continue walking in faith in the past, but this time is different. Always asking for forgiveness makes me sick to my stomach like the story of the prodigal son running away from home and then coming back to ask for mercy from his father. The father would always welcome him back. God's love is so full and deep that it brings me shame every time I have to beg for forgiveness. Obviously this ritual is and will forever be a part of my life and every other christians life till the end of time because we are yet human. But enough is enough! I am grateful that the God I serve is kind and forgiving. Never holds grudges against me and is always seeing me in the future and not in the past. I pray that God heals me of all my addictive behaviors and can forgive my sins one more time.

A new Direction (sort of)

I notice I've been doing a lot of random posting recently. Ever since I lost interest in street wear I've spent my time talking of any and all other things that interest me that I felt were blog worthy. This of course helped me lose a lot of my former reader base which is okay since I'm heading in a new direction. So in an attempt to better organize my main topics on this blog I will make an effort to strictly pursue 4 kinds of topics for every post. The first will be of my faith in Christ and my journey to be the perfect servant of God. The second topic will be music inspired by that same love. Third will be sports, and lastly random awesomeness posts, of course:).

Setting goals is always fun and I'm excited to see If I can keep it up. I'll try to post at least 3 times every week, but I can very well go beyond that. That's the plan and I'm sticking to it.

Handel: Messiah "For unto us a child is born"

One of the courses I'm taking at the moment is music appreciation and I thought I would post one of my favorite sections from the messiah by George Handel.

Jon Foreman: Equally skilled

Another great song this time from the Fall EP. There's soooo much more I could put up on this blog but I'll hold back.

Jon Foreman: Again

Great song by a great artist. It was written and sang by Jon foreman (lead singer of switchfoot) for his EP 'Summer'. I have been an avid switchfoot fan for some time now but I'd been growing tired of their secular sounding music and was considering tuning them out. It wasn't till late last year when I discovered Jon Foremans Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer LPs (released between November 2007 and June 2008) that I got excited again about switchfoots music. Every song serves a purpose and tells a story. This song in particular is special not just because of its clear christian message but because It stuck in my mind this morning driving back from school, and here I am posting a blog about it.

Interesting wikipedia noteables: The digital EP (Summer) peaked at #9 on the overall iTunes albums chart, and #2 on the "Rock" albums chart. It debuted and peaked on the Billboard Top 200 at #162. From Wikipedia.

Random awesomeness: F1 driver freaks wife out!

Former driver Riccardo patraese during a Honda event gets to drive his wife around and she gets caught on candid camera freaking out. The first video shows Riccardo in action and the second video is the purpose of this post. Very funny stuff, at least for me. Enjoy.

In the Details- a response to 'Do you know what freedom is?'

This is a response to forward thought's recent post Do you know what freedom is?. Click to read the post.

In order for the government to become smaller however the average working american will have to understand the problem we face and the freedoms we lose if big government should have their way. Taking from the rich and giving to the poor doesn't always work especially when by doing so you kill the spirit of capitalism and entrepreneurship this country was founded on. 'Change' towards a more socialist country is not the direction this country needs to go in, but is the direction some of our leaders believe we must. I've always believed that if our government really wanted to help foster progress they could. We are lead by some of the smartest people on the planet but at the same time we (the american people) aren't guaranteed honest leadership. America is quickly heading towards a new era of governement where every aspect of our lifes will be touched by Government control. The scariest part of it all is that once the dust settles the average american would have been brainwashed to think that it was all for their own good. The devil is in the details.

Random awesomeness: Paper towels

This might be pretty old, but I just found it and it's funny beyond belief. Look at all these squares...lol.

Not settling for a life of distractions

I think this video adequately confronts my issue from the previous post. After checking out my friend forward thoughts blog I realized what my real problem was. I truly am an infant in Christ and in order to take the next step I will have to completely give up all my fleshly ways.

In all of this so far, a question perhaps comes to mind, “Is there two types of Christians?” Indeed there are--Christians who are Spirit-filled (completely control by Christ’s Spirit) and Christian who are not Spirit-filled (still controlled by the human spirit). Paul makes the distinction in I Corinthians 3:1-3, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. (2) I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, (3) for you are still fleshly.”

Paul is clearly pointing out in this passage two types of Christians--“spiritual men” (Spirit-Filled Christians) and “men of flesh” (not Spirit-filled Christians). The Holy Spirit of Christ is equally indwelling both types of Christian (the “seal” of salvation in Christ); however, the “spiritual men” have went the step further to surround their human spirit completely to the control of Christ’s Spirit, whereas, the “men of flesh” still live under the control of their human spirit of fleshly desires; and until they complete surround is made, they will always be mere “infants in Christ” unable to eat “solid food” to gain their full potential as Christians. Source.

Once I give everything up and delve more into the reading and living of Gods word out I can finally become spirit-filled and have a much easier time dealing with my everyday struggles.

Goals, battles, and addictions.

When I gave myself to God for the very first time I was in dire circumstances. I was very sick, afraid for my life, and the only person I knew to turn to was God. I'm not the kind to fake things or play pretend so I felt if God were out there I needed him to help me and I was willing to go all the way- to give up myself. There are a lot of things that take up my time now that back then would have seemed foolish and a giant waste of time. Women, sports, sneakers, clothing, work, money and music all meant a great deal to me back then, but in the moment that I needed him the most those things meant nothing. That time has since passed and I believe I am still saved. What I find now however is that the hardest parts of my christian walk are the battles fought during the journey.



I remember several months ago debating with a friend of mine about the Bible's truth and peoples acceptance of it. If you and I, Kevin, Shiela, Mike, and Janice knew based on fact (and not faith) that God existed, would we accept him? The most logical answer to that question would be yes, but that's not the case. What many people don't understand is that following God means leaving yourself behind. It means that God comes first before the music, the clothes, the women and all those other things the world cherishes, and you once cherished. The truth is if you and I and the rest of the world knew God truly existed 70-90% or more of us would still choose ourselves over him whether deliberately or not.



We all want immediate gratification, and we need that something that will please our flesh whether temporarily or indefinetely. If we don't get that 'it' then our flesh starves. Getting saved is a lot like a drug addicts rehabilitation, there's always a withdrawal phase. You can know you have a problem, accept change, and have the work start in you to change but many a time get caught up in the withdrawal stage and have a hard time giving 'it' up. It is important for me to find peace in God everyday but sometimes it's easier to find 'peace' doing it my way. Money, clothes, and sneakers, among other things are old 'pleasures' that I am dependent on and serve as a much needed relief from my walk. The quesion now is how do I get up and take that next step when every second step I take feels like is a lost battle. This is where I am in my walk with God and I know some of my readers can relate.

Breaking news: Michael Jackson dies

Michael Jackson has been declared dead due to cardiac arrest. He was 50 years old. Regardless of what he might have done later on in life , he's still one of the greatest pop singers of all time and will be remembered as such. May he rest in peace.

Artie Lang wails on Joe Buck (HBO)

This is THE funniest thing I've seen in weeks. Watch while you still can, its hilarious.
Source: Deadspin.com , check it out for Joe Bucks reaction. Everyone from the Newyork times to USA today have an article released today about the off color antics of Howard Stern's Artie Lang. I was just lucky enough to see what all the fuss was about.

Congrats to the LA Lakers (08-09 Champions)

Great job guys, great job.

The Downfall of America- Jon Voight

I'm surprised Youtube posted this on their front page. Jon is on point with much of what he said in the speech, except blaming it all on Obama. I don't think you can blame one man for where the country is going but since he is the face of the party currently in power I can imagine why Jon (or anyone else) would. America is headed down the wrong path and you can see today how everything Jon is saying is happening. The government is gaining more and more control over us everyday while everyone in the media and those unaware of the situation cheer Obama on. Let me put it this way the last thing you want as a person, as a human being, is to see Israel fall, because if Israel should fall peace as you know it will cease to exist.

Random: Leroy Smith basketball

Inspire your basketball soul today. Do it now!
Getyourbasketballon.com

NBA Playoffs 2009 (Game1)

After all is said and done this playoff series might prove to be one of the most crucial series Kobe and the Lakers will play in the next few years and probably the rest of Kobe's career. With every NBA team getting better every season there are no guarantees on whether any one team will reach the finals each and every year. The Lakers managed to return this year mostly due to the Denver Nuggets lack of execution in game 6. The Lakers play has been inconsistent throughout the playoffs but after the finals game 1 it seems like the Lakers might have everything under control. Maybe. Kobe Bryant is 31 years old. If Kobe plans on winning he will have to do it sooner than later, a serious injury could cut his playing years short and leave the future of the Lakers in disarray.



This is Kobe's biggest Playoff series in his entire career because he does care about the Kobe-Shaq history. He cares about failing not once but twice in the finals. He cares about not being considered the greatest, and he desperately wants a ring while wearing the number 24. The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA when Garnett returns, and if they play like they did a year ago there is no doubt in my mind that they will continue to dominate for years to come. If Kobe can’t do it Garnett will, and that’s why Kobe sees this as a golden opportunity that cannot be squandered. Game 2 is tonight at 8pm ET, and the Magic better be ready for it because the Black Mamba will be. The Lakers have no choice but to win this series, the Kobe legacy depends on it.

Wale- Chillin

Ode to the hundreds (part 2)

If you've been reading my blogs for some time now you know how much of a fan I am of the Los Angeles streetwear 'the Hundreds'. In fact I was so inspired by the brand that I myself planned on starting my t-shirt company, starting this blog was the 1st step in my master plan (see original post here). Recenly however I've lost a huge chunk of respect for the brand, mostly because of this graphic design that first appeared in the hundreds' Fall 08 collection. The name affectionately given to the shirt (I'm sure) is 'Devil'.



I understand that the Hundreds is not a christian brand and I get that the design might not be a big deal to many, but it is to me. Having the face of a horned 'devil' prominently displayed on your chest with 'the Hundreds' stapled to his gums is not my idea of rad. Symbols such as the upside down star and skull and bones are as prominent in skateboarding as they are in Rock music. The point is to rebel, to throw up a middle finger to the conservative masses by doing something 'different', but it has become such a status quo that you probably can't find more than a handful of skate brands who don't have follow suit. Well the Hundreds just released their latest collection (summer 09) and again they show no shame in stealing from fellow streetwear brands (specifically Crooks'n'Castles) demonic illuminati conspiracy theme from THEIR last collection.



Great job THE HUNDREDS you've managed to take your devil tee one step further and will probably now get the attention of many a rapper/rocker/movie star/mogul/satanist/teen who either loves the idea of associating with something irrefutably rebellious or are stupid enough not to care.

New news! (Forward thought blog)

I just added a new link: Truth perceived aka 'Forwardthought.blogspot.com'!!! Forward Thought is very well written and would prove interesting to anyone serious about their faith. Topics range from the hotly debated time of creation to exactly what Gods will for the christian is. The commentary is not preachy or prententious but I dare you to not be inspired. The blogs background is a bit distracting, making it hard to read posts without moving the cursor up and down. Overall though I would rate the site 'links section worthy' and would encourage YOU to go check it out for yourself. See the links section>>>

Lebron vs Kobe Muppets

lol

New BMW 5 Series Gran turismo

Terminator Salvation

Now playing!

2008 M5 Review

Yay to the return of the stick shift!

New Mercedes E class ad

One of the first E-class ads aired in europe. Interesting premise and execution, but still waiting for the new 5 series though.

No government is the solution

I couldn't have said it better myself. On big governemnt, gay marriage, and the dem vs. rep distraction.

In your face

If you don't know that there's a spiritual warfare going on in the here and now maybe this might be a spark. This was taken straight from Macy's.com from a post made on october 2008. This tee has been sold out since its release but thanks to Marc Ecko from Ecko unlimited and streetwears very own Crooks 'n' Castles there are many more like these in stores right now. The evil is so in your face that you'd have to either really think there's no such thing as God to wear this shirt nonchalantly. Which is ironic because the main reason the illuminati exists is to defeat and eradicate God from the world and to put satan on a pedestal for 'the final fight'. To be an athiest is to be in denial. It's not that hard to imagine and if you're a streetwear addict like I was you know the power of hype and propaganda. Now imagine a billion dollar conglomerate shelling this message out subconsciously to young people ages 12-26.

Source

School suspends kid if he goes to prom!

Yahoo Article

A fundamental baptist/christian school threatens to suspend 17 year old Tyler frost if he attends the prom at his girlfriends school! This is the story on the front page of Yahoo.com and I think its ridiculous. Forcing a school of kids into not going to a prom for religious reasons is both pointless and ineffective. You can't(or shouldn't) force anyone to believe any one faith. I can see if the school doesn't hold its own proms but it has no right to control how the student spends his time outside of school. That however is not my goal in making this post. The reason I'm making this post is because I'm sick of the barrage of media that's been attacking the christian religion in the last few months.

From the recent TIME magazine to the new Angels & Demons movie, enough is enough. The Anti-christian propaganda machine keeps silently clunking on as we lose focus on the socialization of our country, big government getting bigger, and the destruction of our middle class, all while getting reminded that there's a black man in office. People aren't that stupid as to not notice what's going on behind the scenes. That things really aren't what they seem, and haven't been for years. Right?

IRON MAN 2 (first picture)

As seen on Rottentomatoes.com. Click on picture to see it in full size.

IRON FAVRE

Finally, finally what should have happened the first time will have a chance of happening sometime this week, or next, or the week after, but soon.

Favre's coming back, what more needs to be said.

Funniest running ad ever!

I'm not even sure its an official nike ad but its hilarious, especially the ending.

Go Cavs!!!

The cavs are stupid for this one. lol.

2010 Mercedes E-Class Ad

NBA Playoffs coming soon...

The playoffs start April 18th, way sooner than you think. So I figure why not start the hype machine now. You've probably seen all three of these clips at some point if you wacth as much sports as I do, but which one do you think is the best. At first I was going to award the best spot to the second clip (Paul Pierce and the celtics), but I changed my mind when I realized who they were playing against. lol. It takes more than 5 to stop #23, as seen in clip 3. CAVS are #1!

Random awesomeness: Curb your enthusiasm

One of the greatest shows of all time. At least for me.

People get ready

Love is a verb

Loving someone is more than a thought and more than words. Love is action. Love is putting that person first before anything else. Love is sticking around. Love is being a servant. Love is not ashamed. Love is not afraid. Love is honest, Love is faithful. Love is not sex, sex is not nearly as deep, nor as lasting. Love is forgiving, love sees past our shortcomings, and works through betrayal. Love is rare.

Love is God.

Mark 8:38

I AM SECOND (Jason Castro)

Iamsecond.com

I AM SECOND (Josh Hamilton)

Iamsecond

I AM SECOND (Brian Welch)

Iamsecond

I am second

Enter

JUST IN, Cowboys release T.O.

This move can only mean one of two things. The cowboys are set for a return to their glory days, or the boys are opening a new chapter of getting pwned by everyone else. Either way I CAN NOT WAIT for the 09 season to start. Lets go cowboys!

Lead the Charge

One of the Greatest Jordan ads ever. Nike does it again.

Just thought you'd like to know...

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Jesus is lord
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Nike Cocaine

It may supposed to be chalk, but lil wayne makes a cameo. you know what that means. Props to waterboy1628 on youtube, this is hilarious.

Why Hype kills: Jordan 2009

Introducing the Jordan 2009


Because you need to see more:


This is the classic example of why Hype kills. Nike releases a new shoe. Compared to its last few editions this new nike shoe's looks are average, and lets be honest so is its technology because how much more can you do with a basketball shoe after 23 years! So how can you get millions of kids to gather together and worship the next instalment of jordan? Well you hype it up! Except for the last part, the ad was great. Then the new designer (ja- something) tries to convince us that the shoe uses never before seen technology. Right.

All that being said I'm not hating on the shoe. In fact the more I watch the ad the more I like the shoe. You get the feeling after watching the ad alone that Jordan wants you to get hyped, but how hyped? $80 Blue chip hyped, or $150 Jordan 24 hyped? This shoe could very well be either- A stand alone(throw away) or part of a new collection. You have NO CLUE what to think of the shoe till the ja... guy tells you that the shoe's the next big thing and of course Jordan sponsors it with his presence, then you're hooked.

And THAT ultimately, my friend, is why hype kills.

Way of the intercepting Fist

WHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATT!!!!

Future of the World

I remember it like it were yesterday. This is by far the most memorable ad I have ever seen, and is the sole reason in my mind coke pwns pepsi EVERytime. lol.

ESPN and Bow Wow???

Is ESPN hurting in the viewership arena or what? Speak up Bow Wow, and please never use the phrase 'you have to understand...' when you are talking to PROFESSIONALS whose job is TO KNOW. lol. I'm not hating, I'm not hating. I'm just jealous.

Random post: Signature moves

The HUNDREDS: Nike caroline dunks

Interesting to say the least.

ESPN The Life: Lebron James

Lebron James before the NBA.

Like I said before (or maybe not) it took Michael Jordan 6 years before he won his first ring. Lebron is in his sixth year, and many would argue the cleveland cavs are one of the top two teams in the NBA at this time (#1 Cavs, #2 Lakers, #3 Celtics(booo)). So don't sleep on #23.

He stays on Jays jock harder than I used to. LOL. No HOMO like lil wayne.

Lebron James Playoffs ad

lol

Shepard Fairey on the Colbert report

Pretty cool. Props to hypebeast.

Lebron 08 birthday

Too much money can't possibly be a good thing. Wish I could borrow a couple of million.

Lil Wayne on ESPN!!!

I CAN NOT BELIEVE I MISSED THIS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I MISSED THIS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE I MISSED THIS. Dammit!

Funny AUDI R8 ad

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY 2009!!! I wish YOU health, safety, better relationships, and success in all your ventures. Nothing is impossible in 2009. Thanks for sticking with me for another year, thanks for reading. Ebbs out.

Oh and expect way more sappier stuff like this from me in 2009, I do what I want. lol.