Personal thoughts - Continued from Blogspot: Archive

Sex, Money & Other Good Things Gone Bad →

Matt Chandler on the greatest barriers to spiritual growth.

Feb 5th

1 tag

Encouragement at work

NOTHING is more encouraging than getting complimented on good work!

Feb 2nd

Why not G+?

So, why aren’t all of the status update services including G+ as an option site?!

Feb 2nd

Not Google+ ?

:-( Posterous doesn’t have G+ !

Feb 2nd

1 tag

Community is “a social, religious, occupational, or other group sharing common characteristics or interests and perceived or perceiving itself as distinct in some respect from the larger society within which it exists (usually preceded by ‘the’)”. This is a natural and organic experience and, despite the good intentions of the Church, such experiences like this cannot be...

Jan 15th

Legalism

A tiny peek into the thought processes of my mind… When it comes to the area of personal Bible reading, I SUCK! No, really, I do. I can pick up a book of science fiction, history, or whatever genre and begin reading with no problem of my mind-wandering off the page. However, when I attempt to read God’s Word on a daily basis, it (not the Bible!) gets misplaced in the many things to be done in the...

Jan 11th

Christmas Gift Exchanges

I grew up as an only child http://twog.wordpress.com/2007/12/17/cs-lewis-on-christmas-and-xmas/

Dec 25th

2 tags

Dec 15th

2 tags

Dec 15th

2 tags

Nov 28th

3 tags

Gospel-centered Community REVISED POST

After a conversation with a acquaintance-soon-to-be-friend after posting “Gospel-centered Community, Such as It Is”, I have a little better understanding of what the true definition of “Gospel-centered community”: where two or more Christians can walk together in total transparency with each other, iron sharpening iron. With this new definition in mind, I have revised the...

Sep 15th

Gotta Get Gotten!

As most of you know, I work in Corporate America. Before I “made it”(!), I worked as a “temp” through a temporary agency. When I look at a project or task, I first ask myself a few questions: How soon does this task need to be done? What resources do I possess or have available to me in order to do the task? How quickly can this task be completed? What are the hardest...

Aug 21st

I read "Love Wins" and I LIKED it!

(and Trevor Joy freaked out!) Several months ago, I read Rob Bell’s “Love Wins”, the book which has sent the entire Judeo-Christian theological world into a tizzy. And I LIKED it! Let me explain (and please, someone get Pastor Trevor a glass of water!). While there were MANY parts of “Love Wins” which I disagreed with, I found that it did accomplish two things for...

Aug 21st

Can You Save Me? - Power

[These lyrics haunt me! —jmk2] When I collapse, will you forget? When I’m dead and gone, will you regret? All of the constant, mocking bitter slander I imposed when you were so upset When you grabbed your keys, said you were gone Couldn’t help myself, I passed the gun Inform my friends and family I lived well It’s just my choices They were wrong They were wrong, They were...

Aug 11th

Just rambling

I awoke at 0145 from a weird dream: me backing a boat into a lake, between the edge of a ramp and a motorhome. Very strange, but I WAS successful! As I was reading a friend’s blog, I realized that I hadn’t blogged myself lately. Over the past few days, I have been reading my aforementioned friend’s blog and noticed that a majority of his blog consists of Scriptures he finds...

Aug 3rd

3 tags

In-N-Out - Frisco

After 8 (+/-) weeks of it’s opening, Frisco’s newest addition of California’s famed In-N-Out STILL has a 20 car count in their drive-thru and a miraculously 5-7 minute wait in line! Ordering: In-N-Out’s menu is VERY simple — you can order either the individual burgers themselves OR one of 3 meals (I ordered the #1, which is the “Double-Double” burger...

Jul 9th

It's just surgery, right?

So, in about 24 hours, I will be going to bed and arising the following morning (0500, Wednesday, June 15) to have surgery to repair a ventral hernia. This morning at work, a fellow co-worker asked me, “Are you nervous?” Funny, a fellow brother in Christ asked me this past weekend how I could be so calm about writing my will, setting up an Advance Directive (“Living Will”)...

Jun 14th

Hernia & Mortality

Over the past few weeks, I have had to begin preparing for hernia surgery. Currently, many hospitals and surgery centers are requesting their patients to both have their affairs in order and to have a living will prepared. It was then that I was sobered to the seriousness and reality of my own mortality. I also began contemplating and writing my Last Will & Testament, thinking about my...

Jun 12th

3 tags

And they have fish too!

I enjoy eating fish at least once a week and have made it a part of my eating program for many years now. And tonight, after a long day at work, along with preparing for undergoing surgery next week, I just didn’t have the strength to make an attempt to cook tonight. So, where could I go out to eat and feel good afterwards? I recalled how, after eating my meals from My Fit Foods, that I...

Jun 10th

2 tags

My first dinner from My Fit Foods

When I got home from work Monday, I was hungry and, like for breakfast and lunch, curious as to what tasteful experience I would have with the small Ginger Chicken Delight. As I glance through the clear cover, I immediately thought that the two pieces of chicken were small potatoes and I got excited (I don’t often eat potatoes)! Then, after cracking the lid and heating for the recommended...

Jun 10th

2 tags

My first lunch from My Fit Foods

At eleven o’clock, I was eager to try “Mario’s Marine Corps Mash”. After loosening the lid and cooking for the recommended 1:30-2:00 minutes of microwave heat, the aroma of chili filed the oven and the air around me. Once I got it to my desk and began to eat, the taste reminded me of chili but yet, the meatiness was more of a firm consistency (made by the quinoa). And it...

Jun 7th

2 tags

My first breakfast from My Fit Foods

This morning, as I “cracked” the lid to my first My Fit Foods small “Good Morning Sunshine” breakfast, I smelled the distinct aroma of red onions, cheddar cheese and cilantro mixed with ground turkey, waft from within. For some reason, I was reminded of chili as I anticipated what these aromas would taste like after it was heated! After the recommended 1:30-2:00 minutes of...

Jun 6th

Untimely Death

On the morning of Tuesday, May 17, 2011, a co-worker in my office fell in her home and struck her head. It was minutes before another co-worker couldn’t get ahold of her on the phone and arrived at her home and called the husband, who found her with a faint pulse. After the ambulance and EMTs worked on her, she died en route to the hospital. Cynthia was at work Monday and all was well. And...

May 19th

My thoughts on the Kindle for me

So, I’ve recently gotten interested in the Kindle. And, I know many of you are probably going, “Why are you suddenly going all technical? Are you going to the “dark side” now?” Well, don’t worry, I’m not going to the “dark side” and going out and buying an iPad! (ha ha)”. But, I don’t know. Like I said on my Facebook Profile...

Mar 25th

Substance Over Image

In an attempt to review over some of this past weekend’s Men’s Conference, I have downloaded J. R. Vassar’s message, “Substance Over Image”, delivered at Apostles Church in NYC on January 30, 2011. It is identical to one of his messages to us men at The Village during the first session on Saturday morning. Like during the Men’s Conference, I again found myself...

Mar 2nd

3 tags

Did I enjoy the 2011 Men's Conference? Well . . .

[First, let me thank Chris Chavez for his insight into this weekend’s men’s conference (Note: NONE of the contents of this blog are his thoughts or opinions!). Also, read the DISCLAIMER to the RIGHT of this blog before continuing to read!] I have been asked on a few occasions since this weekend’s 2011 Men’s Conference, “So, have you enjoyed the Men’s...

Feb 27th

Coming out about our Society

Recently, an acquaintance wrote on Facebook that he’d “finally came out to [his] parents tonight … told them how [he] had no interest in college, degrees, careers, marriage, mortgages, kids, or any of the other bourgeois things that society values”. And it got me to thinking … (yep, uh-oh!). First, let me admit: I’m almost in the same boat! I’m 46,...

Feb 12th

2 tags

Bullying or Terrorism?

Since my last blog post on the subject of bullying, I have continued to contemplate. While, initially, the publicized bullying victims were those who had either declared themselves as “gay” or had been presumed or accused as such, it has unfortunately also spread to others as well. Bullying does not play favorites. Bullying victimizes anyone perceived to be weaker than the bully. In my...

Feb 7th

Community and Jesus

I believe that the obsession toward social networks like Facebook and blogs like Tumblr are more driven by society’s hunger/thirst for intimate community with others. Unfortunately, REAL community can only happen outside of our families, careers and education. Sadly, though, too many (including Christians) struggle with balancing their families, careers and education with REAL community....

Jan 15th

Lust and Temptation

Recently, I posted some photos to my Facebook account, with the spirit and attitude of humor. They depicted a young Hispanic female meteorologist in several different poses and outfits. Later photos then depicted a male meteorologist from the Middle East in a keffiyeh and the last photo of a Middle Eastern female meteorologist in a burqa. To me, I didn’t find the Hispanic female or her...

Jan 12th

4 tags

Christmas Gift Exchanges

I grew up an only child and during the Christmas holidays, got pretty much what I asked for (as well as new clothes from my Uncle Sherwin’s store). My parents and I didn’t really “exchange” gifts, since as a teenager, I didn’t have much money to spend outside of gas. Then, after leaving home on my own for college, our gift-giving as a family was just as nonexistent....

Dec 11th

Matt Chandler | One Year Later →

I’ll quote Twain, “Lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Also, Paul, “With God, all things are possible.” Matt, thank you SO much for your humility, humanity and manliness to admit what most would not be willing to do so! I love this brother SO much!

Dec 3rd

Nov 14th

7 tags

Advice for Apartment Dwellers

I have some practical advice for those of us living in apartments. I don’t know about the rest of you but, I don’t have the option of parking near my apartment (actually, it’s covered parking about 100-125 feet away!), so when it comes to getting my groceries from my vehicle to my apartment, it can become a real chore. My mother helped me when she herself was having...

Nov 14th

New peoples I met at Starbucks

So, it is interesting what new people you can meet at a Starbucks (in my case, Store #06312, located at FM 407 & Morriss Rd, Flower Mound, TX). Today, I will tell you of two (2) new acquaintances I have made. The first one (I don’t really want to use his name b/c I don’t have his permission!), to whom I will give the name “John”, has been a regular at this particular...

Nov 13th

To Where Do You Run After a Bad Day?

This past Sunday, our youth pastor, Blake Chilton, spoke on the text of 2 Timothy 2:22-26 ESV): 22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone,...

Nov 10th

This Maze we call Life

I awoke this morning thinking about Life being kind of like a maze. As a child, I enjoyed working certain puzzles, mostly search-a-word and mazes. I would sit for hours in the backseat while traveling with my parents, either reading or doing puzzles. Have you noticed that most if not all maze puzzles usually begin in the middle, where you work your way out? In life, however, I think that we...

Oct 27th

Since my move to Lewisville in February, 2010, I have travelled to Denton for six consecutive weeks to meet with friends but we only patronized the Square and what it had to offer. PROJECT DENTON, from the first episode here, has EXCITED me to explore more of Denton! EVERY scene change is ORIGINAL, seamless and seems unrehearsed (reality TV could take a few lessons here!). While I’m not...

Oct 27th

3 tags

The Absurdity of Being Known

While checking the news on my latest additions to news searches, www.trenspot.com, I noticed that Facebook has created and released into production (that’s IT shop talk for “released”) a new geo-location app for smartphones called Facebook Places, which will in real time (I think) show your actual location to your friends (or, at least to others who also have the Facebook Places...

Oct 27th

4 tags

HELL HOUSE?

Well (and I can’t even believe it myself!), I attended my first Hell House last night while serving a brother of mine who runs a youth group made up of youth from several churches (many of which don’t have youth leaders, but that’s another story for another time!). And, I am SO thankful that I am a Christian now before I witnessed what I saw last night. — SPOILER ALERT! — Each scene...

Oct 27th

yourhorcrux asked: Excuse me?
"(no, not that He loves the sin of homosexuality, but those who are either struggling against it and its temptation AND those who have been suckered into believing that that sin is “tolerable” to both God and society)"

Could you please explain to me HOW homosexuality is a sin? Quote Levitical law. Go ahead. Everyone does.
ARGUMENT...

Oct 4th

5 tags

Intolerance for Those Who God Loves

I read in today’s Dallas Morning News (Saturday, October 2, 2010) about a 13-year-old boy who committed suicide because of his religion and assumed sexual orientation. In the same paper was the story of a Rutgers graduate who committed suicide due to his sexual orientation. Finally, again in the same newspaper, an article on free speech concerning the Westboro Baptist Church. I’m...

Oct 3rd

Gossip, Rumors and Lies

The other day, I received an email from an acquaintance, which quite frankly, TICKED ME OFF! It wasn’t so much the contents and message but the ill-intent which caught my attention and raised my ire a bit. Growing up, I had heard of many churches imploding due to the amount of gossip, rumors and lies which would begin, fester and grow like a cancer. And, like cancer, parts would be...

Aug 27th

1 tag

"HANG THE FASHIONS"!

— an original quote by Richard J. Foster, author of the book, Celebration of Discipline I found the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” the other day on the FX Network (I’d seen the movie before!) and watched/recorded it again. I found myself totally amazed at the possibility (!) that there might actually be people who live for and dress like that (in Dallas, I rarely see...

Aug 18th

Lessons I have Learned about Christian Community

NOTE: For those who are hyper-non-ultimates*, please disregard this message! This message is for those who earnestly and sincerely are seeking Christian community, not as an alternative to their ultimate love for God but as an vehicle for others to walk with them in their spiritual walk with Christ! Having been raised in a Restoration Movement, non-denominational New Testament Christian church,...

Aug 5th

2 tags

Tech & Social Networking: Are They Hurting Real...

[20100722] First, RELAX! And take a deep, cleansing breath! I know, I know, you’ve hundreds, if not thousands, of blogs and articles about technology and social networking. Everyone’s got a different angle, from psychology to religion, from business to health. Hopefully, this will NOT be, in any way or fashion, like one of them. Let me explain. Growing up (I’m 46 and pre-...

Jul 22nd

Friendship

This past weekend (June 11-13, 2010), I watched the television adaptation of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer called “Tom and Huck”, starring Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Brad Renfro. As I watched the friendship expressed between Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, I wished that I could have a close friend like that, someone who wouldn’t mind hanging out all the time! I know, I know,...

Jul 18th

3 tags

Is it just me or community?

During my twelve years in a religious sect (read my profile above), I learned the value of friendships in community. Growing up, I had only one friend from third grade to high school graduation. All of my other classmates had grown up and attended church (and possibly church camp) together and did not extend friendship toward myself or my friend, Marvin. Shortly after I left the religious sect...

Jul 18th

3 tags

Death and Dying

DISCLAIMER: The following blog submission is NOT intended as professional advice or godly counsel. They are merely the views of this blogger and are intended for entertainment only. Please consult family members and legal advice when planning your own final arrangements. Over the years, I have seen my fair share of death and dying, from relatives to close friends’ relatives, both young and...

Jul 18th