Letter to a Grieving Family

(I recently wrote this letter to a family who just lost their young son. I felt that sharing it will be encouraging to us all)

Dear grieving family,

I am writing because I heard of the devastating news of your son’s death and needless to say that I am truly sorry for your loss. Your son was very young, and it was not his time. But sometimes I guess these things happen.

I wanted to write to encourage you because I know that there will be many people telling you that it was God’s will for your son to die, or else he would not have died, because God is “sovereign.” Please do not believe these people. God did not want your son to die at a young age. It is never God’s will for his children to die young (The length of our days is at least 70 or 80 years- Psalms 90:10). But because of this evil world that we live in there are many things that God wants for all of us that will not happen (It is God’s will for none to perish, but repent- yet many will perish 2 Peter 3:9).

With all that said, be encouraged because even what was meant for evil, God can still use for good (Genesis 50:20). I am convinced that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us, if you don’t lose heart (Romans 8:18). Keep yourself encouraged! Don’t let the devil even try to deceive you or make you doubt God’s love for you or for your family, because nothing (not even suffering or doubt or despair) can separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39).

I have prayed for you (and your family) and will continue to have faith that during this trying time, you will be sensitive to how good God really is. That you may know how great is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18), and that the peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and mind (Philippians 4:7). Because I know that my God shall indeed supply all your need according to his abundant riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

I look forward to hearing good news from and about you soon. But until then be encouraged!

Sincerely,

Me

Book Review: Cupidity

Cupidity: 50 stupid things people do for love (and how to avoid them)*

Authors: Haley & Michael DiMarco

List Price: 14.99

ISBN: 978-1-4143-2467-8

Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4
Binding: Softcover
Release: January 2010
“You’re a smart person. You really are. Most of the time. So why are you having such trouble making sense of your love life?”
The DiMarco’s (authors of dozens of Hungry Planet books) have done it again! If I had 5 thumbs I would give it “5 thumbs up!” (I mean the title is brilliant- Cupidity: Cupid & Stupidity)
This book is very relevant, very timely, and I like the way they speak to the married and single people, because even though the issues are different, the heart is still the same.
The Book is split into 5 sections
  1. Section 1: Emotional Acts of Cupidity
  2. Section 2: Mental (Gender-Specific) Acts of Cupidity
  3. Section 3: Physical Acts of Cupidity
  4. Section 4: Social Acts of Cupidity
  5. Section 5: Spiritual Acts of Cupidity
While I enjoyed every section of the book, especially since I realized that I had committed just about every act of cupidity, my favorite was probably Section 4: Social Acts of Cupidity. With titles like “Having Friends of the Opposite Sex,” “Giving Too Much Information,” “Making a big deal out of everything,” and “Refusing to Move Forward Emotionally,” it seemed as if the DiMarco’s were writing the book about the love life of (ahem) “a close friend” of mine.
Get it. Read it. You’ll enjoy it (and hopefully learn something as well)…
* Tyndale provided me with a free copy to review
To get more information and/or to purchase this book Click Here.

Views From the Third Floor (Feb. 2010)



P1000864, originally uploaded by iyasOStuff.

I just uploaded some pictures that I took during the Philadelphia Snow Storm 2010. These are all unedited pictures. Crisp and very descriptive.

Here is a link of all the other pictures as well
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47564400@N08/sets/72157623423156518/

Enjoy!

Uganda National Task Force Against Homosexuality…& Rick Warren

Just another proof that sometimes its better to listen before you speak.

Click here for the full letter to Rick Warren.

Click here for Rick Warren’s video to the Uganda pastors.

Here are some excerpts

Dear Rick Warren,

Christmas greetings from the Pro Faith, Family, and Human Rights Leaders here in Uganda. We acknowledge receipt of a letter from you in which you called on us (Ugandan Pastors) to “speak out” against the proposed “Anti-homosexuality Bill 2009” which is currently before our parliament. This bill has been greatly misrepresented by some homosexual activists causing hysteria and we take this opportunity to give you the background, facts and response to the concerns you raised. A special meeting of 20 denominational heads met on Thursday 17th Dec in the offices of the minister of Ethics and Integrity, examined your letter and formed a joint task force to respond to you as well as help support the parliament in the passage of this bill.  We are further distressed by your unwarranted abuse of our duly elected officials who are in the process of making laws in the fulfillment of their mission and make demand that you biblically issue an apology for having wronged us as demonstrated by the facts of this letter.

…

The question of human rights and privacy:

Some people have asked whether this law raises questions of human rights infringement. Some have asked whether it infringes the right to privacy, for example, asking what legitimate interest the state has in what

people do in the privacy of their bedrooms? But not all things done in private are free of negative consequences on the public. Most harmful behavior occurs in private: corruption, bribery, abortion, murder, rape, etc. Many laws prohibit these private practices. Practices like homosexuality and bisexuality are associated with serious, yet preventable public-health risks. The risk of HIV transmission in male homosexuality is for example about 10 times that of heterosexual sex, simply due to use of parts of the body for inappropriate functions. Other diseases and medical complications are also associated with these practices. Secondly, by its nature, behavior spreads in the population through experimentation, modeling and social affirmation. Increase in homosexual and bisexual practice could thus rapidly reverse Uganda’s success against HIV/AIDS. The state’s interest in public health requires that it takes action on these preventable health risks, not only through education, but also legal deterrents for those who misinform and mislead the public.

An organization recruiting and encouraging people to continue in homosexual practice lacks justification but one dealing in counseling and helping people with behavior management is justified. The clause requiring mandatory reporting of known offenses may therefore need an amendment to exempt disclosure made in counseling situations.

Soooo…What D’ya think?

Carly Fiorina vs. Tom Campbell…and the demon sheep

[digg=http://digg.com/politics/Carly_Fiorina_vs_Tom_Campbell_and_the_demon_sheep]
Politics should not be this complicated!

So I’m minding my own business this morning…checking up on the updates on WSJ.Com when I stumbled upon this article that talked about Carly Fiorina, Former HP CEO, and her Ad to help her win the Republican nomination for the California Senate seat.

Please watch the ad before progressing with the rest of this blog

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo7HiQRM7BA]

So…my first reaction was “what the devil!!!” seriously, the sheep was obviously demon possessed.

Now I’m not sure who was the person crawling about in “demon-possessed-sheep clothing,” but whoever it is – Carly Fiorina or Tom Campbell – let’s just say that I would be a little concerned about their ability to lead.

One thing I did take away was “FCINO*”

Now I have a new word that I can use with my friends…and to show my enemies how truly smart I am…

If you disagree with me you are obviously an FCINO!

(FCINO: Fiscal Conservative in Name Only)

Go Team Tebow! Go Superbowl!

[digg=http://digg.com/health/Go_Team_Tebow_Go_Superbowl]
Well who would have thunk that an Ad encouraging people to make the right choice would cause this much of a stir

Tebow’s “interesting” response to the controversy (you be the judge)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwSVcUaop5U]

Tebow just wants to express to all that if his mother had taken the doctor’s advice and gotten an abortion, he would not be here right now…but apparently pro-choicers don’t think that he should have the choice to express this opinion.

Ironic?…perhaps…Hypocritical?…Indeed!

So now for once in my life I actually know when and where the Super bowl will be…and I am on the edge of my seat trying to figure out if this Ad is really worth all the hullabaloo…

Planned Parenthood’s “interesting” ad response (you be the judge)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utcxpuHF7jg]

The Plan

  1. Watch the superbowl: February 7th, at 6:25pm on CBS
  2. Try to avoid watching all the raunchy ads
  3. Try to overcome the urge to buy everything that is advertised
  4. Watch the “Tebow & Focus on the Family” Ad
  5. Laugh at the paranoia of Planned Parenthood
  6. Pray that people begin to see a glimpse of truth

Never forget that a life is a life is a life…and everything else is just STUFF…and LIFE should always trump stuff.

Philadelphia at 3:00pm

Every weekday at about 3:00pm something phenomenal happens in Philadelphia.

It’s more amazing and more noticeable in North Philadelphia, which is the location of my current humble abode.

So what is this phenomenal thing? You may ask- well it seems that Philadelphia Police show up out of the woodwork, and are on every corner and every sidewalk you can think of.

“How awful! so there are protests every weekday around 3:00pm, or riots, or some cause for commotion?” you may ask, but you would be wrong.

So what really happens around 3:00pm in North Philadelphia?

Well if you will be a little patient you will realize that I am about to tell you…(sheesh)

Every weekday at about 3:00pm school kids get out of school…

I know – silence

It does not quite compute….

Well it seems that the same police that takes hours to show up in an emergency in North Philadelphia, and is capable of keeping you on hold for long periods of time depending on how serious your emergency is…this same police considers the school kids a threat…

Don’t get me wrong. I like the police being around. When I see them around, I feel safer. But it just makes me think about the way Philadelphia perpetuates this cycle and their views that school kids are “riffraff.”

It’s almost as if the bars on the doors and windows in the classroom are not enough (subject of a different blog). Instead we must make sure that these “animals” I mean children don’t destroy anything else…

The Cycle:

The more the police treat the kids like riffraff, the more the kids act like riffraff

The more the kids act like riffraff, the more the police treat them like riffraff

Book Review: How to Reach Your Full Potential for God

Author: Charles F. Stanley

Format: Jacketed Hardcover
Trim Size: 6.20 x 9.10 x 1.10
Page Count: 256
Retail Price: $21.99

ISBN: 140020092X
ISBN-13: 9781400200924

“In How to Reach Your Full Potential for God*, acclaimed pastor and speaker Charles Stanley connects readers with the plan and purpose God envisioned when He created them.”

Anyone who has ever watched “In Touch” with Dr. Charles Stanley is aware that this is a man that is passionate about God’s truths, and his passion is evident in this book.

Dr. Stanley is successful in making us aware of the power of God that works in us as believers, and the power of the word when applied to our thinking. Dr. Stanley begins the book asking “Do You Want God’s Best?” which is a very important question, since we can only have success according to the measure of faith that we have.

Faith, I must clarify, is not believing that you will receive what you seek, but believing that you have already received (in the spirit), and are expecting the manifestation in reality (the flesh).

I had some general concerns however:

My main concern was the idea that we needed to continually confess in order to access forgiveness – but the Bible states blatantly many times that Christ died for our sins, past, present and future. He will not die for our sins again, hence no matter how many times we sin – our sins have already been forgiven – therefore once we give our lives to Christ God sees Christ in us, so to God we will always be sinless – 1 Cor 1:30, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 2:15, 2 Cor 5:17… (unless, in the rare situation when we stop believing)

I would suggest this book to any reader, however the reader must supplement the book with the word, so that they can judge for themselves what is truth – because once we begin to understand the true attributes of God, we will not be easily deceived.

For more information about this book or to purchase this book click here.

*Thomas Nelson provided me with a free copy to review.