December Cheer!

Just thought I would take a moment to catch everyone up on some fun news. Joshua is walking!! Still stumbling a few times and unsure of his steps outside, but he is most definitely putting one foot in front of the other....Yippee!!

I'll have more to say before the Christmas holiday but just a quick log in for now.

God is good!!!

CJ

Last November Update

Well our destination city may not be San Antonio, how about Corpus Christi? Looks like the roller coaster of changes will not be stopping in the Alamo city after all. After December 1st, our family will be attempting to lay down roots in the beautiful "Sparkling City by the Sea". This is probably the last post I will make from Houston.

Please keep us in your prayers as we face whatever challenges these changes will bring.



God above all!!
CJ

San Antonio Bound

Well the winds of change have begun to blow and we are moving to San Antonio.

Even though there are challenges and obstacles to overcome, God is watching out for us and I know His hand is keeping us. So we will be packing up and heading that way. Our last day in Houston will be Dec. 5th. Please check back here to see what updates might be posted.

Until I get to post again,
God Bless!!


CJ

Tunnel Light

The light at the end of the tunnel is sometimes very hard to get to. We know it is there even if we can't see it. Sometimes it appears only as a pinpoint of light in the distance, still we know that we will get there if we can only keep moving forward. We have in other tunnels before, this is just another challenge we must overcome. But what happens when we get so tired, the light seems to be farther away than when we started? We've been walking, sometimes running for a long time. We collapse to our knees and exhaustion seems to squeeze the last bit of hope from us. How do we go on?

God's mercy, love and grace is sufficient to carry us to our destination time and again. We may not always acknowledge His part in our victories, but He is truly the only way we can overcome. In times past we relied on our bravery, intelligence, perseverance and charm to reach our goals. Where did those things come from? We are blessed with courageous hearts, wisdom to figure out where the next step should be, and strength of soul and character through God's abundance!

So if you find yourself slumped against the wall of a particularly long and dark tunnel, your energy sapped, eyelids heavy under a weary burden, look up. Look to our Father in Heaven and call on Him. He will comfort you in your time of need, send you just what you need to keep moving. Help may arrive in the form of a friend who comes to lend a helping hand. In your bed you may find a deep rest as God's spirit settles over you, waking in the morning to a brighter day.

Difficult challenges are a part of living in this world, but what a joy to realize that we are not alone. Sometimes the light is not only at the end of the tunnel, but right there inside you. God's love lighting the way. No matter how hard things may seem at any given time, God is there for you, just let him know that you need Him.


"Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me." - (Psalm 139: 7-10)


Glory to God,
Rev. Clyde Johnson

The Narrow Gate

Here's a little something to think about...

"Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7: 13-14

When I look back on some of the most troubling times in my life, I realize that it was often because I was going with the flow and making choices that required no courage or discomfort. Easy was the path that led me to places I would rather not have been in. I thought back then that stepping up to real challenges and embracing my faith in God was too much work. And because of that attitude, few were my blessings.

So we must turn against the tide of those around us following the broad path and choose the narrow gate. Knowing beforehand that it will not be easy, but God will be there with us as we struggle. We will find life in His grace, and life in His word.

Amen.

Rev. Clyde Johnson

An Honor to Serve

On Saturday, October 3rd, I was ordained as a minister. I consider it an honor and a privilege to answer the calling on my life with this dedication.

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
(Mark 16:15)

I know this is a very brief update, but I have not had a lot of computer time recently. Moving at the speed of life...;o)


Hope to have more soon,
Rev. Clyde Johnson

A Brief Word

I am not able to log in as often as I would like, but I did want to stop by and leave you with a brief word.

This is something that I just recently studying:


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths"
Proverbs 3:5-6

With so many life changes going on at once, it is easy to loose focus on what God has in store for you. However, He is there with you and watching over you as you make decisions and find your way. So maybe you have to let go of the doubt and the worry you may be experiencing as you face life's challenges. We may not understand why things happen they way they do, and that is okay. After all, if we are seeking God's will and grace for our life, we may not see the big picture as clearly as we think we need to.

So I am trusting God with all my heart and thankful for His blessings & the wonderous path he is guiding me through.

C.J.

Spring Cleaning in August?

Okay so we are in the process of moving, and that means there has to be some clean up. As you know, once your start packing you start finding things that you forgot you had. Then you ask yourself, "What was I saving this menu from Taco Bell for ?" .....trash can...."Oh look, there is that missing PART to that old vcr that we don't have anymore!".....trash can...."What exactly is THIS??"....trash can.

Aside from all of that stuff that you find you no longer need, you find something else amongst all the other stuff.....dust. Even if you may be vigilant in your Spring cleaning and get down on the floor and move heavy furniture to clean, over time the dust tends to collect anyway.

So it is a misadventure to say the least....:o)

The good news is we are on track and making fast progress to vacating our old apartment, are we moving to a new house??? Not yet, but we are holding on and buckling in because we know God has something great in store for us.

As I close this update, let me leave you with the prayer my oldest son says most often at dinner time:

"Thank you Father for this food,
Thank you Father for this day,
Thank you Father for blessing us,
And thank you Father for all the blessings to come.
Amen."


Amen, indeed!!
CJ

A Good Report.

To say life is kind of busy for me right now, is like saying a race car is kind of fast. You see my family is preparing to move, our youngest son (who is 8 months old) is now crawling, eating in the high chair & pulling himself up on the furniture, and we are about enroll our oldest son into public school for the first time.

We are moving at the speed of life indeed, but I had to take a moment to testify about how good God is.

I have no worries, God has taken care of everything as He promised.
I have more blessings than I can count, God has made our family prosper and be in health.
Any trials and tribulations set before me I have counted as Joy, for if He is and has been with me, who can be against me?
Everything is in Divine and perfect order according to His will. I comprehend this because I lean not unto my own understanding.

So today I am thankful & honored to give God the glory and wanted to take a brief moment to share it with you all.

Blessings!!

CJ

Great Mornings!

How do you start your day?

Is it that much anticipated first cup of coffee? A morning jog? Maybe you kick off your day with a full breakfast. Perhaps the best start to your day could be prayer. You can still have that cup of joe or that morning run, but before even those things prayer can set the tone for your entire day.

Consider what is written in (Psalm 5:3);

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."

God is always available to listen but we sometimes get too busy to talk to Him. In the morning before all the hustle and bustle, take a few moments to pray. Talking to God in prayer reminds us that we have direct access to Him and we can ask for guidance and support. Even if you have no requests to lay before Him and all is well with your life, be thankful. Our blessings flow more abundantly the closer our relationship to God.

So when you wake up in the morning, and begin to think about what your day may bring, spend a few moments talking to God and find a great start to every morning!

CJ

Thoughts into Actions

When you say you can or you can't, you are right!

At its root, the concept is pretty simple, your thoughts become words and your words become behavior. It happens spontaneously in most cases, you think about doing something and then you do it. However there is another component to be reviewed here. You see many times we don't realize how much time we spend on certain thoughts. So because we are not paying attention to the thoughts, our behavior just kind of happens and we find ourselves on automatic pilot.

This can be challenging if your thoughts are scattered or sunk in negativity. You can't think clearly, and positive thoughts escape you. Your behaviors are then scattered as well. You find yourself doing things out of habit that do nothing good for you, sometimes even hurting you.

Now imagine you are focused and concentrating on good things for your life like compassion, laughter and loved ones. Your actions will reflect those thoughts in kind. You'll discover yourself putting others' needs before your own. You'll see good behaviors flow as second nature. You might even find yourself willing and able to rise above adversity you previously thought insurmountable.

So keep your thoughts focused on what God has blessed you with and it will be apparent in your actions.

CJ

Spread the Word

One of the main purposes of this blog is to share words of love and support. In a world where there is way too much negativity in every direction you look, I wanted to create a place where people can stop by, read something positive, and hopefully be blessed.

As some of you know I am working on putting much of what I have written here along with additional material into book format. This would be another way to spread the good word. In order to reach more people who might benefit from these inspirations, I want to encourage every reader to tell a friend. If you feel so inclined, feel free to post the link to this blog on any websites you visit.

In the meantime, I will continue to do my best to work on my book, make postings here and follow that higher calling. Giving God the glory as I move to serve as a witness according to His will.

CJ

Divine and Perfect Order

The world moves around us and we have three options in response to it, we can fight against the movement and make our own way, we can join the flow and move with the universe, or we can do nothing and watch it all pass us by and let everything just happen to us. Where do you suppose the most reward will come from?

Making our own way often seems like a good idea. We are strong enough and intelligent enough to know what's best for our own lives, so why not make it happen? Well the only drawback to that philosophy is when we do so without acknowledging God's plan for our life. I have mentioned before that we certainly have free will, but we are not abandoned to it. In other words, we don't HAVE to make our own way. We can talk to God about His plan for our life and work in unison with it to bring about the outcomes most desirable and beneficial to our souls. Too often we make choices that go against the plan God has set for us, so we deviate and end up going through tougher times.

When we do nothing and just become spectators to our life, we find ourselves caught in a rut, dealing with issues like depression, anger, and fear all the time and in worse cases even blaming God for everything. What really happened? Things affected us as we remained stagnant. The free will we were given was not even used in any attempt to drive along on our path. We simply gave up or gave in and let the world happen to us, good or bad, up or down, it all comes and goes without our participation.

But when we agree and understand that God is in control, and that all transpires is according to His will, then we discover that everything is in divine and perfect order. Our choices lead us to our destiny, but as we make better choices we find favor in God's grace and the blessings flow in abundance! All the times in our lives when we made less productive choices, He was still watching over us. His will was still in place, it was we who walked away from his protection and found ourselves struggling more.

So today I share with you this one piece of wisdom, talk to God. Pray that he reveal His will to you that you may begin to make better choices. Choices that will enlighten you to his plan for you life.


Selah,
CJ

Being Humble

Too many times in our lives we fall into the habit of desiring to have our Egos stroked. Of course it is a great feeling to receive kudos for a job well done, to gain a bit of recognition for your hard work, or to know that others care about what you are doing and love you for it. However, sometimes we begin to thrive on the endorphins and begin seeking excessive opportunities to gain favor from our co-workers, friends and loved ones. This is when we run the risk of living only for the next victory or 'high'.

We are often challenged to be the best in many things we do. We are even taught at a young age that through competition we can be stronger. Of course competition certainly brings to our lives incentives and rewards. It is when this behavior becomes neurotic that we suffer unpleasant consequences like trying to define our entire self worth on competitive outcomes. Being number one is not a bad thing, it just needs to be tempered with some humility. To be humble is to accept accolades without vanity.

Remember that sometimes instead of competition, we should be offering cooperation. It is a testament to your humility to honor others in their endeavors and hard work. Offering a helping hand is an excellent way to embrace our talents and strengths. It is also paramount to identify out limitations and realize when we need assistance. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom.

When coupled with compassion and wisdom, you may find being humble helps you rise above negativity and enjoy more of your life.

CJ

Lifeline

"Lifeline"

Tears roll down my face,
My heart breaks,
Despair.

Everything is wrong.
No one understands.
Lost and alone.

Friends say "Hold on."
Family says "Be strong."
God says, "You are loved!"

Everything is in divine
and perfect order
according to His will.

Tears roll down my face,
My heart swells,
Hope.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This is something I wrote awhile back when I was struggling to find my way. I know that many times we find ourselves feeling so very lost. The world doesn't seem to make sense, things seem to be in chaos, and we feel hopeless. At these times we must remember that God brings people into our lives that will serve His will and His purpose. That friend that calls you out of the blue, that person in your family who always seems to know when you are down, these are not coincidences.

To those in need I say reach out and find that God has put people in your life to help and support you even when you least expect it. To those whom God is speaking to, directing you to reach out, follow His voice and you may just end up being someones lifeline when they need you most.

CJ

Count it all Joy

Today's post is inspired directly by Holy scripture.

• "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1 : 2-3)

It seems difficult to be in a challenging moment of your life and count it as joy. Moreover nearly impossible to be happy about many stressful, sad, or downright aggravating situations. Let's examine those moments as little closer. How many times has it truly been a benefit to whine and complain about a struggle? In the end we still have to go through it and when we come out on the other side we are physically exhausted and emotionally drained . The mere relief at the end is often the only reward.

Now consider what happens when we do take a moment to reflect on the opportunity of a challenge versus fretting over it. We know if we trust in God, he will bring us through our difficulties. We know that if even if we don't understand the process, it is part of a divine plan. Wouldn't it be better to come through a difficult time in our life and say we knew it would be alright? Through our increased patience we understand that God was with us the whole time and we are meant to learn and grow from our trials.

So stand in your adversity and know that God is working in your life. Smile and testify that God is great and rejoice in the knowledge that you are a living example of faith.

Count is all Joy!

CJ

Living in the Moment

Ever have that feeling that the clock was running fast and the hours were just flying by? You take a look at your To-Do list and realize that you didn't even break into the top 3?

What about when we are anticipating something or looking forward to some particular event, time always seems to drag out and be as slow as molasses. Are we there yet?

The biggest difference in these two sensations is our perspective. When we get involved in something that is deeply engaging or highly enjoyable the time does not actually speed up. We lose track of the passing of time because our attention is thoroughly focused on something. We find this happening when we are working hard, extremely busy, or having a lot of fun. The next thing you know the day has come closer to and end and you feel like it was too short.

When we are waiting for something significant to happen, time of course does not slow down. Like driving on a trip to a destination which holds something promising for us, it is the anticipation factor that makes the time feel longer than what we can measure. Gearing up for an important decision, sporting event, vacation, celebration or job change can bring a lot of anxiety in the waiting because our minds are already thinking ahead of the moment and making the sensation of time seem to pass slower.

So today I am advocating one simple step to help us better handle times like these.
Live in the moment.

By living in each moment we can appreciate that the things we are waiting for will arrive in their due time. Usually there is nothing we can do to speed up that which is on its way, so take a step back and let things happen as they are meant to happen. We can also appreciate that the times when things are seemingly moving at a faster pace, we are indeed vibrant and alive. Whether we are busy with work or play, we can mark that passing of time with understanding that we are not just sitting idly by but taking part in something that involves us.

Wait for it, enjoy it, it's coming, it's not yet gone,
Live in the moment.


CJ

Take a Penny, Leave a Penny

In every interaction with others we take a little of who me meet with us and leave a little of ourselves with them. What and how much we take and leave depends on a number of things, like time spent together, the level of relationship, and the depth of conversation.


Many times this interaction happens without much thought. For example, when we check out at the grocery store it may not catch our attention that there is a relationship occuring with the cashier for that brief moment. What we take from them may be the courtesy of their service, what we leave may be a bright spot in their day. We could be that one customer who doesn't give them a hard time about anything.

Other times it is the deepest, strongest connection possible and what we take and give has a much more significant impact, sometimes soul stirring and often life changing. Think of that special someone and how every time you hug them the world seems to melt away momentarily and all is good & perfect. What we are sharing are pieces of our soul that intermingle with the other person's and create a stronger bond.

Unfortunately there are those times when we interact with others and make choices that have negative consequences. When we get angry or yell, when we choose to ignore or belittle, and when we mistreat or talk down to someone what we are doing is taking away joy & leaving darkness. Also, when someone treats us that way, we are assaulted with the same negative emotions. What we have to do is learn to recognize these instances and choose to not take part in them. If we are the ones giving negativity, consider the moment and change that behavior. If we are on the receiving end, learn to walk away and take none of it with you.

In any case, you must think about your role. Whether you a stranger, co-worker, team-mate, family member, lover, or friend you have a wonderful opportunity to exchange a part of you and have it mean something good.

Take only positivity and leave only love.

CJ

How are you living?

They say life is short, so who would want this brief time on the planet to be filled only with stress and negativity? Since life is fleeting, we should try to live it with integrity, respect, love, and fun.

We live in integrity when we say what we mean and mean what we say. Yes I realize that sounds like Horton the elephant from the Dr. Suess stories, but you know what? Those stories were often spot on about doing the right thing. By definition integrity is consistently acting from a set of core values, beliefs and principles. The old saying goes “A man is as good as his word”. There was a time when you could give your word and it was enough to seal a deal. Now to agree on matters we have to have papers drawn up with our lawyers office…in triplicate!

We exhibit respect best when we actively listen to others. I think it is one of the highest forms of respect is to listen to someone when they are speaking to you. This means not just hearing the words, but also considering the content and weighing the meaning as it relates to the speaker & the situation. Sometimes you dont even have to reply, just the look in your eyes tells the speaker you are really listening.

Love is certainly one of the hardest words to define. Webster and company ended up with no less than 28 seperate meanings. The basic definition I am referring to right now is deep affection. Sharing deep affection with someone generates more love to be shared. I believe that when you allow love in and give love back it grows on both sides. So we definitely want to live this life with lots of love to share.

As for fun, I don't think I need to explain that much. Have fun more often and enjoy some of the things that make you smile and laugh. Writing, Games, Reading, Music, Shopping, Dancing,....I know you get the idea.

CJ

Checking In

I refuse to let another moment go by without letting my readers know I am super busy! The blessings are flowing and I find myself with more topics and ideas than time to write them down. As I suspected, I can no longer sit at a day to day regular job, too many interuptions...;-)

Stay tuned, most definitely more to come.

CJ

Where Are You?

Ever come to a place and suddenly realize you don't want to be there? Or worse yet, you find yourself in a place you were specifically trying to avoid?

Many times our journey takes us places we would not have imagined being. The plans we make sometimes take us away from our goals even though we try to steer things our way. Why is that? When I graduated from high school I remember saying "I'm never going to flip burgers for a living!" and I just knew that was true. You know that is exactly what I was doing within a year. I ended up at a delicatessen making sandwiches, mopping floors, washing dishes, and oh yes indeed...flipping burgers.

God's plans are not our plans, we struggle and fight to make our way through life, but we often forget that we should recognize God's will for our lives is not always clear to us. I ended up working food service to learn some valuable lessons that I carry with me to this day, lessons about service and integrity. I would never have learned them without that stretch of my life being placed before me.

On a daily basis we must center ourselves to what we know is true that includes understanding that our movements and plans need to come second to God's will. Yes we still have freedom of choice and we may still end up in strange places. However it won't seem as mind boggling if we rest assure in the fact that we are exactly where we are supposed to be.

CJ

Room to Grow

"I am not young enough to know everything" - Oscar Wilde

This year I turned 40....whoa!...*Pause*....seeing it in writing kinds opens your eyes...
Anyway, I am also the father of three children. These two bits of information do not necessarily make me feel old, but most certainly lends to a state of mind called "older".

With older usually comes wiser. Interestingly enough though, I don't accept that blindly. You see I know that I don't know all the things I want to know. I am thankful for all the wisdom I have accumulated and have been blessed to share.

There is so much more wisdom to be gained and shared. I am excited to continue moving forward and accepting my role as teacher and counselor even as I learn and grow.

CJ

It's Raining Sunshine

A little rain yesterday and a little this morning that was much needed here in Houston, reminds me of other kinds of rain. Like the rain of blessings on our lives. No matter where we are in our journey, good times, challenging times, or down-right bad times, there are blessings surrounding us.

In good times, let us not take our blessings for granted, let us appreciate and cherish the people that mean so much to us. Let us also be thankful for the situations that provide a smooth ride.

In challenging times, let us be thankful for the opportunity to grow beyond where we are; after-all no one plans on being stagnant. Let us be encouraged by the numerous times we have been blessed in the past to come through difficult times. And let us also look forward to the blessings we will enjoy after we overcome any current hardships.

In those times where we cannot see the end of the tunnel, we surely feel alone and lost, let us find the resolve within our spirit to find the sunshine inside. We do not have to succumb to the darkness of bad times, for they are only temporary. Even if it seems we have been stuck in confinement, sealed away from our joy, deep inside burns the light of love, and hope although it may be difficult to see them through the fog.

Count your blessings and find that most often you cannot reach the end of the list before another one is added.

CJ

Leap of Faith

Sometimes you have to do something that in even your own eyes might seem extreme, but you feel led to take that step.


What's stopping you? Is it fear, anxiety, worry, or doubt? These are all human emotions, but we are not just human. We are beings of light and those are not the emotions that we should embrace.

• God gives us courage: the courage to make decisions and follow through with them to their final outcome.


• He gives us joy: the joy in knowing that no matter what the circumstances, if He brought us to it, He will bring us through it.


• He gives us wonder: how exciting to forge a path with the understanding that all things currently unknown will be brought to light according to His will.

So we have the option to hold onto to all we know, trusting in the knowledge that we are not abandoned to chaos nor a mundane existence. We can choose to follow our calling, but sometimes that requires a leap of faith.

CJ

Wisdom for the Weekend

Have fun!! ...that is all.



~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Okay I sincerely considered leaving just that and logging out. Honestly though I do want to encourage all of my visitors and blog followers to get out and enjoy the weekend. Yes I know it is sweltering in the 100's, but we must look on the bright side. At least there has not been a black-out forcing us to remain indoors in the dark with no A/C.

As for me, I will be joining my wife and our family this weekend to celebrate our son's 9th birthday!! My, oh my but don't they grow up so very fast. Anyway, see you all next week.



CJ

Energy Not So Well Spent

Too often we find ourselves exhausted by day's end, or even mid-day and it is not because of over exertion in a physical sense. Many times throughout our day we spend a lot of our soul energy on things that either we cannot change, or might not even be in our realm of influence.

Worry and anxiety are troubling enough on our spirit, but when we add in emotional stress to that mental pressure we send our body, mind, and soul into overdrive.

Imagine how much more relaxed we would be if on a daily basis we shifted that energy to things more productive. Even if we didn't "do" anything the energy, having not spent it on those strains would at the very least give us a satisfying end to the day. We could go home and spend the evening on whatever else our lives are made up of without feeling wiped out so quickly.

I know that things find a way of dropping in our laps, interestingly enough at the worst possible time it seems, but it is in how we handle those things that can make the difference. What can we truly affect in the situation? What details can we influence? When we find that we are in no position to do anything about some challenges set before, we must at that point resolve to pay attention to the next step and it's outcome.

We fill our lives with so many tasks, many of which certainly need our attention, but if we can begin to identify where we are mis-directing our energy, we may find we ourselves less tired and more content, dare I say happy!!

CJ

Dawn

That moment just before sunrise....where you know that the long night has passed and a new day has been given to you.

Standing in the first light of dawn, your heart swells with Hope.

CJ

Darkest Hour

So many times we find ourselves in darkness and struggling to find the light. Even though we are usually good at stepping up and embracing our calling as beings of light, there are times. It is in these times that we struggle to hold onto what we know and who we are. The fear, the blackness of negativity, and the foreboding unknown threaten to extinguish all the light and love that we carry with us. We cry out, "God help me!" as we fall to our knees.

It is then, that the miracle happens. Our darkest hour passes, and the dawn awaits us there.

We finally realize that we were never alone. God and the angels He has called to be at our side have walked with us through it all. Dawn breaks in our understanding and we step back into the light, we strengthen our resolve for the future.

More darkness is always up ahead, but if we can just hold onto what we know to be the truth, we can stand even on our darkest hour.


CJ

Sometimes words escape you

Something I wrote this morning:

Sometimes Words Escape You

Sometimes words escape you.
You have so much to say,
but the words are not there.
You open your mouth,
but nothing comes out.
The thoughts swirl in your mind,
but can find no path to be spoken.
Passion burns deep in your soul,
Heart pounding,
Temperature rises,
Take a breath..........

Sometimes words escape you.

CJ

Poetic Essence

Some say there is a poet in all of us. To embrace this you may have to look beyond what is commonly understood to be poetry. Not every poem has rhyming words, not every poem is about love or nature, and not every poem makes logical sense at first reading. Sometimes poetry is about expressing your deepest emotions, and when we do that it is most often an imaginative awareness of experience brought through in words.

Aside from poetry, there are of course others forms of written expression. As writers, we sometimes pour our soul onto paper in journals, letters, or stories. In this cyber universe we also find expression through use of blogs, on-line journals, and web publishing.

Why is this so important? In some cases, our words have the power to transform lives. The words themselves inspire, encourage, and entertain not only others but ourselves as well. Perhaps our words are not vitally important to others, but writing down our thoughts can be such a fantastic tool for ourselves. Even if we are just venting, our words can help with healing.

You say you are not a writer? Think again. Remember that no one has to read what you write. If you do decide to share your expressions you may find others enjoy it as much or more than you do. But if you just can't see yourself having others read your thoughts, write for your own benefit.

Express yourself!

CJ

And away she goes...

Please join me in celebrating my wife's new website:

http://www.rosalietrevino.com

This is where you can follow her journey and the excitement of her first novel!!

CJ

Light in the Darkness

It is sometimes so very painful to read the headlines or watch the morning news. There is so much crime, death, and destruction; it can truly be heart breaking. But as I read a terrible news story this morning and felt it anger me and shake me to my core, I realized something. "We" are not just spectators.

Did I go too philisophical on you too fast?

We are connected on a higher level to something greater than ourselves, and in that bare an awesome resposibility. When we hear bad news or see injustice, we are called to action. Of course we cannot always be a direct participant in what we discover. Especially since most news stories are out of our physical reach. But what we can do is shine brighter with the love we have inside.

If you can't find yourself with the means or opportunity to go out and help that person you heard about, help someone else. So you read that story about a child's death and it ripped your emotions out of you, pray for the families involved. It sounds so insignificant on the surface, but imagine the energy, love, and effort you display in taking a moment to care. The power behind that shines brighter than we often realize.

It is not easy to walk in light and love when we are surrounded by so much darkness. However, for that reason alone we must shine brighter! How many other people will look at you and see you overcome the darkness? Inspired by your willingness to take a stance and hold your light up high, they will see that all hope is not lost. "They" will find themselves also not just spectators.

In God's love, shine on!

CJ

Listening

It is amazing how much information we pick up through auditory senses. I mean we hear noises, music, nature, television, and of course voices. Most often those voices are in conversation we have with people in our daily lives, but sometimes they are those inner voices.

Inner voices can be our memories, our friends, our enemies, our sub-conscious, our ego, or more excitingly God, the Divine. What can be most difficult at any given time is to shut out all the rest and listen to just the Divine.

We move through our day working, playing, and sometimes struggling to make it to the next one. Always the voices are there. So which do you listen to? Are they helping you?

I have come to understand that sometimes we are listening to a recording of our past. It is one that tells us of our short comings and fills us with doubt. At the the very least it causes us to stumble as we recall past mistakes or barriers, making us unsure of who we are or where we should be heading. It's time to turn off the voices of the past and listen to the voice of God.

Not everyone is good at meditating, but you know what? You don't have to be! Just take a moment to clear your mind. As you hear negativity echoing in your thoughts, know that they are not who you are. What you have gone through in your past is a part of you, but does not define you. Quiet those voices that would confuse you or frustrate you and listen. Listen past the traffic outside, past the rumbling thunder in the distance, and beyond the negative recordings of your past.

Listen. God is talking to you.

Listen.

CJ

Read any good books lately?

Well get ready for a grand adventure! My wife has completed her first novel and is the process of seeking publishing. Our family is anxiously waiting to see her book get published and hit the bookstore shelves!

Want to know what it is about? and when it will be available?
You can follow her journey on her blog:

http://onboardthenitsua.blogspot.com/


Sail on dearest!!

CJ

Making Mistakes

We sometimes get discouraged when we have a set back in life. It can be twice as difficult to bare if was a set back was directly resulting from a mistake we made. Too often, once we realize the mistake, we chastise ourselves. Even if we dont actively beat ourselves up over a bad choice, we still have emotional punishment that we heap upon our own spirit. Guilt, shame, despair and even depression can haunt us as we recall a misplaced word or action.

We need to learn how to accept mistakes as part of our journey. We most often don't make bad choices maliciously or in a conscious effot to cause someone else harm. We are taught that concept at a young age but we forget its impact. A child should not only be scolded for bad behavior but taught why they are being disciplined and how to avoid making the same choice in the future. The negative emotion of getting into trouble is temporary but the lesson is hopefully taken to heart.

As we become adults, we too must understand that those feelings we struggle with (like guilt and shame) associated with mistakes are also not permanent. Why not try to learn from our mistakes? It is from our mistakes we can truly learn to grow. Much like moving through a tunnel, we must pass through the darkness to exit into the light.

So begin to see mistakes as your classroom.

CJ

One Day at a Time

Not everyone has a mountain of trouble that must be handled on a daily basis, but some of us do. Not everyone wakes up scared and alone with no real sense of direction, but some of us do. Not everyone thinks that life is nothing more than a game of planning and strategy, but some of us do.

The phrase "One Day at a Time" is older than the Late 70's sitcom show, and surely older than the classic gospel tune by the same name. Our lives are full of potential as the future holds many "What-If's" but many times we really need to only focus on the here and now.

John Lennon is quoted as having said, "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans." A simplification of how reality is. You shouldn't sit around and worry about tomorrow and all the challenges you may have to face, or fail - afraid to even try. You also should not take up a view point that none of this life matters and spend your days doing nothing. And of course, there are a few of us who try to handle way too many of our tomorrows; today.

So maybe you are not sure how you are going to accomplish that ultimate goal you have created. Maybe you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe you believe that the more you can squeeze out of one day the less you have to do tomorrow and the next day.

But one day at a time is as fast as we can go.

Take a moment to appreciate what you have to do today, and who is in your life that matters today, and what things you CAN focus on today that will help you step foward and live each day not just plan for it or watch it pass you by.



CJ

No Pain, No Gain!

Not just an exercise mantra anymore.


This phrase can also describe the journey to health, well being, and happiness. Certainly not for everyone, but many of you reading this already understand what I am talking about.

Ever do any serious soul searching? You know that difficult, gotta dig deep, and clean out your closet type soul searching? If you have, chances are you had to face some unpleasent issues or concerns from your past. The pain is this case is emotional. Things we should have done, paths we should have chosen, opportunities we past up. Our own internal issues, like self-righteousness, fears, and unrealistic expectations of life also sting us with more difficulties than we are often willing to admit. Crying, screaming, frustration, and anger are often experienced when we struggle with an issue from our past that was not fully resolved. The gain is usually priceless. Some peace of mind, possible final resolution, but if nothing else you are likely to find a new perspective and take a step towards healing.

Another occasion in which I find people achieving real gain through some uncomfortable pain, is in cutting ties with negative relationships. That old boyfriend that you know you want to get rid of? That woman who calls you every week (sometimes every day) even though you have made no promise of connection? People you have been angry with years? Yeah, these can all be negative and painful especially the longer you hang on to them. So where is the gain? In letting go. The process of letting these people go and getting them out of your life is a difficult challenge to say the least. As unfair as it seems, more pain in tackling these relationships can result in huge gains. Freedom waits on the other side. The gain of a lighter heart, more restful sleep, less anxiety about the phone ringing, most definitely beneficial.

I can hear some of you now saying, "But I don't want to do that painful work." I can appreciate that, still the pain of assessing ourselves, considering our futures, and deciding to make some worthy changes, will bring immeasurable gain, a true benefit of doing the hard work.

What will you gain??

CJ

Ready to Fly?

Sometimes the universe provides synergy that is simply breath-taking!!

I was recently explaining to a friend how things in my life are coming to a powerful convergence. A time where changes are on the horizon. I have been here before, seeing a time of challenge where it seemed to be like rushing toward a perilous cliff. In the past when I have been in this position, I would turn and run. "Let me out of here!" when what i was really saying was..."I'm afraid."

However, this time the difference is I am ready to face this challenge with no fear. As I explained this to my friend I used the cliff analogy and told him that not only was I un-afraid of falling off the edge of the cliff, I was in fact ready to dive off because this time I know that I will fly.

Not three hours later another friend of mine was telling me that it seems like things are about to change on a grand scale and he compared the situation to an eagle who stirs the nest to prepare her young for flight. Wow! A perfectly unsolicited analogy mirroring my own...about time to fly.

It reminds me of an anonymous quote I read:

"Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the conquest of it"

Do you have the courage to fly?

CJ

High Energy

Did you ever notice some people tend to always have a ton of energy? Yeah some of us are a little A.D.D. self diagnosed, but I am referring something else. There are those of us who wake up and have their engine revving on high the rest of the day. Okay, okay sometimes it takes a gallon of coffee but what I mean is once we are up and at 'em-we seem to have extra energy for days & days.

What I dig most about having so much energy is that in my live of work, I need it! I work in a position of high customer service demand so having extra energy helps. When it seems like I cant give anymore, I find a little bit more. Then I go home and it seems like I am wiped out, and I find a little bit more to enjoy my family and help put the kids to bed.

What's that? You dont have that kind of energy?? Maybe you do and you are spending too much of it on non-essentials. Do you worry too much about things you cannot change? Do you try to force people to do things that are not 'in' them to do? Do you find yourself frustrated or angry at situations that are beyond your control? Time to let go of some that control mentality and embrace some groundedness. When you realize that many things are out of your control, you find yourself with more energy for the important things in life.......like singing, and writing, and music, and laughing, and reading,and.....

CJ

Manic Monday

Aside from being a fairly cool song from The Bangles (incidentially written by his Purple Majesty- Prince!!!), it describes Mondays for a lot of us. It's a little bit unpreparedness from the weekend, a little bit everyone trying to do things at once to start the week off. Those of us who have to report to work early on Mondays sometimes think we are the victims of some cruel joke. Traffic, time crunch, too many people, and a quickly filling IN box can certainly be overwhelming.

You know what? It's not that bad. It just seems that way. If you think about it, with a little preparedness and an attitude re-alignment Mondays would be a lot less hectic.

Something to think about.

CJ

A Song in Your Heart

I was recently reading a book of inspirational stories and came across this quote:


"People who love to sing always find a song"


It was associated to a story about a young child who had been having a horrible time in and out of multiple foster care. In the social worker's office the little girl asked if she could sing a song and sang a children's song just as sweet and innocent as any other child would. Even after terrible hardships her heart was still ready to sing.


That child-like innocence is in us all, we just have to remember who we really are. When we are young we have a zeal for life and embrace big dreams. Sometimes along the way we lose faith. We forget how we used to sing with our actions, the love we have for our talents whatever they may be. I'm not just talking about singing in the literal sense, although some of us have great voices. I am also talking about remembering what you love about life.

Having recently done some really deep soul searching, this quote shot straight to my soul and rang true and loud. I am lucky enough to have two songs. My first song is my song of service. I love to help people, its one of the main reasons I started this blog. What I have discovered is that there are no barriers or people negative enough to stop me. At work, in my personal interactions, and even with strangers I find myself eager to serve. I will no longer let anyone or any situation bring my level of positivity down.

The other song I sing is my creativity! Yes writing is one of my loves so I am looking forward to writing more on this blog and elsewhere. I am also excited to announce that I am looking for a saxophone so that I can indulge in one of my favorite past times; music. I have played one before and enjoyed it immensely. At this point I am ready to learn how to read and write music for the sax, and learn some of my favorite songs to play. Mostly for me, but as I get better I would love to let others hear.

So today's post is designed to remind you to take a look back into your past and see what song is waiting for you? What song is playing in your heart that you have neglected to listen to and as a result have forgotten to sing?

CJ

Vacation

A much needed break is upon me. I look forward to doing a whole of nothing and a little bit of something to enjoy life!!

CJ

Cinco De Mayo

Allow me to present an original poem I composed for today:


Cinco De Mayo


United the gathered in the warm morning sun
Underdogs, rebels, outnumbered two to one

They were fighting for liberty and knew the cost
So much blood would be shed, so many lives lost

General Zaragoza had a plan, and knew his enemy
Arrogantly they would fall to an ambush plain to see

The clanging of machetes, the rumble of the guns
They stood shoulder to shoulder, brothers...., fathers.... and sons

Againt all odds they stood to preserve freedom's light
And won the battle at Puebla because they never gave up the fight

So we take time to celebrate with music, dancing, and food
A fiesta of many colors to capture the mood

A celebration of culture and the spirit of that day
And what happened in 1862 on the 5th of May.

CJ

Library Egg

"No, you don't need to take your egg into the library sweetheart."

It's Sunday afternoon and we were all getting out of the family van to go to the local library, when I heard myself say those words. My 3 year old daughter got some large colorful plastic eggs for Easter and has been enjoying carry them around and playing with them since last week. As she tried to climb down from the van, she announced that she was proudly bringing one of her eggs with her.

My wife laughed out loud about it, as she heard me say that without having seen our exchange. Then we both laughed about it and I said, "Now there's a blog title!!"

It made me think about a lot of things all at once, but specifically how fleeting our moments can be. All the stress of work, all the demands of parenthood, and any of my individual concerns melted away in that moment. How sweet life can truly be when you embrace the simple innocence of life. It not just about a plastic colored egg, it's about how special life can be when you take a moment to listen.

Reminds me of the Great Satchmo's song: "What a wonderful world!"

CJ

The Way of Awakening

Today, a powerful quote:


"As long as space endures,
As long as sentient beings remain,
May I likewise remain
To dispel the sorrows of the world."

— Shantideva

Sacrifices

This is an original poem I composed in honor of Black History Month.

"Sacrifices" ©

From every sunrise,
Waking in liberty.
Fractured foundation.

Through the eyes of those left behind,
Shining light.
Blinding light,
Exposing shadows.

Land of the free, but not for free.
Broken spirits of our fathers.

Driven from our native lands,
Cursed with disease and death.
Shipped across an ocean,
In bondage.

A blood stained trail of tears.
Sorrow filled plantations.
Wounded Knee.
Civil War.
This country, our people.

Tears,
Pain,
Sacrifice.
We have fought for,
The Dream.
We fight for,
The awakening.

Our destiny,
Our hands,
Our choice.

We must never forget,
Generations to come.
Great have been the sacrifices.

Building our future,
Marching in freedom,
Towards every sunset.


CJ

Dec-Jan

Okay, so what have I been up to?
Taking care of our newborn!!! Our family was blessed with the arrival of our third child (second son) Joshua on December 18th.

:-)

So I have been understandably busy. Stay tuned as I plan to return to frequent posting as we adjust and return to a more balanced amount of chaos.

CJ