See a list of prayers I have been collecting here.

My Review of Pisco Backpack

Originally submitted at Timbuk2

A wee, lightweight backpack for iPad with pockets for goodies.

Pisco Backpack

Another winner from Timbuk2

By Jason from Philadelphia, PA on 4/3/2012

 

4out of 5

Pros: Comfortable, Lightweight, Attractive Design

Cons: No water bottle pocket

Best Uses: Travel, Tablet computer, Commuting

Describe Yourself: Modern, Practical, Career, Comfort-Oriented, Stylish

Primary use: Personal

Was this a gift?: No

I use this bag for my commute into center city Philadelphia. The bag fits my small umbrella, lunch container, iPad (with Apple smart cover) and charger. This bags helps me pack light. The internal pockets are sufficient. It is quite functional, except for the missing water bottler holder. I will have to see if the Logitech wireless keyboard will fit when that arrives. And you cannot beat the price - $29!!! As with all Timbuk2 bags, I expect this to last me a long time. I may pass it down to my son when he is old enough (he is three years old as of this review).

(legalese)

10 Ten Grammar Myths (From GrammarGirl at Quick and Dirty Tips)

Check them out here: http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/top-ten-grammar-myths.aspx

I do recommend her book. I have my copy, why don't you?

What God Says...

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
for my path.
( Psalms 119:105 *NIV )

For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for us! For, When You say, "It's impossible".
God says: "All things are possible". ( Luke 18:27 )

When You say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest". ( Matthew 11:28-20 )

When You say, "Nobody really loves me".
God says: "I love you". ( John 3:16 & John 13:34 )

When You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." ( 2 Corin 12:9 &
Psalm 91:15 )

When You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." ( Proverbs 3:5-6 )

When You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things in Me." ( Phil 4:13 )

When You say, "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." ( Romans 8:28 )

When You say, "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." ( I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

When You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." ( Phil 4:19 )

When You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear."
( 2 Tim. 1:7 )

When You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated"..
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME ( 1 Peter 5:7 )

When You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith."
( Romans 12:3 )

When You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." ( 1 Corin 1:30 )

When You say, "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you."
( Hebrews 13:5 )

Always remember that; Every word of God is flawless;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
( PROVERBS 30:5 ) For the word of God is living
and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, Amen. ( HEBREWS 4:12 )

So why not pass this on, you never know
whose life may be in need of this today.

(Source unknown)

The Fellowship of the Blood

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!*

*Source: A young, unknown African pastor from Zimbabwe, martyred in 1990 for his faith.

Will You Take the Call?

Shalom.

Here is another nugget from the New Man Magazine website's Daily Tune-Up section.

This blessed me because it showed me that I still have work to do on this earth. I have to decide which call I am going to take. I can't let the "phone" keep ringing. I can't keep checking the caller id and ignoring the call. It is sad for me to say that I have not been preparing myself for the call, or I have been very slow with my preparations. I hope we all can make a decision to answer the call for not our sakes, but for those that are lost, that are in need of hope, direction and love.

There is a high calling and a low calling. The high calling is a life lived on earth according to heaven’s standards; it is see the kingdom of God manifested through an individual life. People who live in the high calling control their surroundings. By staying in their authority, they change the spiritual climate from oppression to liberty.

Darkness cannot overpower light. Light expels darkness. The brighter the light, the more the darkness is displaced. This is how it is when we walk in the authority of God’s kingdom. We place our surroundings under its rule.

Jesus could eat with sinners because He controlled the atmosphere. If you are stronger in God than the unbeliever is in the devil, you will control the atmosphere. If a sinner is more dominant in evil than the believer is in righteousness, the unbeliever will control the spiritual climate.

When you decide to live in the high call, you will face opposition and resistance. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12, NKJV). Again we are told, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22, NKJV).

Yet many Christians settle for and live in the low calling. Why? They do not want to face the resistance that accompanies pressing toward the high calling. They would rather conform to their surroundings than change them by godly confrontation. It is much easier to blend in than stand out. When faced with opposition, some settle for compromise and seek the path of least resistance.

—John Bevere

Lord, I don’t want to settle for less. Regardless of the consequences, let me answer the higher call of a true disciple of Jesus.

John Bevere, Breaking Intimidation (1995), 195–196.

Undiluted, Uninhibited Jesus

Shalom.

I found the following to be a blessing. It is from Newmanmag.com's DAILY TUNE-UP section. The information in the entry is a reminder for me about the type of husband, friend, father and son I need to be.

The eternal One who established His kingdom in men two millenia ago is fully capable of producing it in us today. All we need is undiluted, uninhibited Jesus. All we need are hearts that will not be satisfied with something or someone less than Him.

If we argue church government and peripheral doctrines, we will miss completely the true purpose of the church, which is to make disciples of Jesus. Some of you want a pastor; others want elders. Still others will not budge without a deacon’s board. A few of you will be unsatisfied until apostles and prophets function interdependently.

Let me make it plain: God is not raising up “ministries”; He is raising up bondslaves. After we recognize that the goal is not ministry but slavery, we will begin to see the power of Christ restored to the church.

The pattern for leadership in the years ahead is simple: Leaders must be individuals whose burning passion is conformity to Jesus Christ. Is this not becoming the very passion of your heart, to possess the likeness of Christ? The issue with our churches is not merely one procedure over another; the issue is, will we become people who are seeking hard after Christ?

—Francis Frangipane

Lord, the church needs leaders who are seeking God, not their own promotion. Give us shepherds who are willing to serve as bondslaves of Christ.

Francis Frangipane, The House of the Lord (1991), 37–38.