My Days are Numbered

How to Live

This past weekend at church one of our pastors said something that caught me off guard. It was something that wasn't a part of a message or even a prayer, but it struck a chord with me and I can't stop thinking about it.

Pastor Q, said something to the effect of, "Live your life like your days are numbered."

Not in a morbid "your going to die in seven days for watching the wrong VHS tape" sort of way, but in a "time really is running out" sort of way. So what are we waiting for!

We go through this rat race of life chasing after fame, fortune, accolades, things that scream "Look at me! Look at me!" Look at my new TV, it's huge and yet so flat! Look at my new car, it's so shiny! Look at my new ________! (fill in the blank with whatever fits)

There is nothing wrong with a new TV or Car or House or any of that stuff, but where is our hearts desire? Who are we chasing after? Think back on the story of King Solomon. (Yes, the guy in the Bible)

When King David died, one of his sons, Solomon, became king. Now, Solomon was a young man and he didn’t feel very confident about being the king. One day he went to sacrifice some of his animals to God. This was a way that he could tell God how much he loved Him. That night something happened. While Solomon was asleep, he had a dream. In his dream God asked him a question. God said, “Ask for anything you want. I will give it to you.”

(Wow!! Can you believe it? Solomon could ask for ANYTHING he wanted, ANYTHING! The technology for a TV or new chariot, new kingdom, glory, literally anything)

Solomon answered, “God I am like a child. I do not have the wisdom I need to run the kingdom. I ask that you give me wisdom to rule Your kingdom.” God was so pleased with Solomon’s request. God was proud of Solomon because he didn’t choose a long life or riches. Because of this, God gave Solomon wisdom—AND riches and honor.

His heart was right were God wanted it. Solomon put God first. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you."

I say all this because what my pastor said really sparked all that in me! Time is running out, our days are numbered. Who knows when our last breathe will be, so in the mean time run after what God has and let's tell the world about His loving grace and peace and joy and kindness and all that HE is to you and I. Imagine if you only had one day left to tell your family about eternity, would you waste it chasing the glory of a new porche 911 turbo or would you spend it on plane tickets racing against time to tell everyone in your family about a love that knows no end?

Carlos

Finger Biter

How Cute

A home video of a toddler biting his brother's finger and then smiling broadly has become a YouTube hit, with more than 65 million views. How? I don't know. But it is kinda cute. Sort of.



Now I will say this. My sister is a toe biter! As a kid one day I was not paying her any attention and in an effort to get mine, she bit me. AND DREW BLOOD! No joke. It really happened.

Carlos

Interstate Batteries

Showing God's Love

How cool is this. Interstate Batteries Chairman Norm Miller is stepping and telling people about his faith and about God's amazing love. Check out the video:



Pretty neat and right before Christmas!

Carlos

Join The Conspiracy

Advent Conspiracy

Olivia from Mid-days got me turned onto this idea that I agree is pretty amazing! Check out the video below.

Join The Conspiracy!

Carlos

God is Good

Even on Black Friday!

So it took me a few days to write this blog about my BLACK FRIDAY experience mainly because this year it was so unbelievable. Let's go back a few days.......Buzzzz, Bleeep, Blooop, Bang! (Those are my time machine noises)

Ok, so Friday morning I go shopping and by shopping I mean hunting for a certain TV I've had my eye on since I first saw the ad in the paper Thursday afternoon. You know it's funny how on Black Friday, that's the only day you throw normal thought patterns out the window. Normally, I would mull over the decision of buying a TV or any purchase over $200 for a few days. But on Black Friday, oh no, you throw all that thought out the back door and you just go, go, go! So I did. Straight to Sears.

I'm in line now when the guy ahead of me asks me what I was eyeing in the store. I proudly point to my beautiful TV, a 46" LCD HD 1080p TV by Sharp on sale for $899. "Wow" he says, as he points to another TV which was to be his purchase. We small talk for a few moments and then just continue waiting in line.

He walks up to the cashier guy at the register to make his purchase of what I thought would be the 47" Sony he pointed out to me earlier. What I see next shocks me. HE POINTS TO MY TV! My 46" Sharp LCD HDTV in full 1o80p splendor! My TV! Not his Sony, My Sharp! But what can I do? Nothing! Just stop and stare at the sight laying before my very eyes. My heart skips a beat, my jaw hits the floor, my blood boiled a bit. But again, what can I do? Nothing. It's the rules of Black Friday. The early bird gets the worm, they say. I can up one worm short this morning. But I held on to hope that there may be a few more.

My turn. As I begin my walk over to the register, "Mr. Stealer of MY 46" Sharp LCD HDTV in full 1080p splendor" stops me and says, "Hey I just bought the last of those TV's you wanted, I'll sell it to you right now for $150 more than advertised. It's still a great deal, you want it?" I thought about it for maybe 2 seconds and said, "No thanks, I'll take my chances." I was thinking in my head, "NO WAY! HOW DARE YOU TAKE MY TV YOU JERK!" But a quick prayer calmed my head and I just said, "Lord if it's meant to be, let it be".

No more TV's. WHAT!?!?!?!?! "Can you check?", I ask the sales guy. The back room? Anywhere? Somewhere? He says he'll go back and make sure for me, sometimes we get lucky. About 5 minutes later he comes back with a smile and says, your a lucky man. I got one and it's yours! Sweet!!! DEAL!!! Or so I thought. I make my purchase, I'm a happy fellow and off I go to continue my black Friday shopping elsewhere telling the young man I would be back for my TV later in the day.

High Noon. I arrive to pick up my TV only to be told they gave my TV away to someone else! WHAT!?!?!?! God is SO GOOD!

My original TV that I wanted to purchase was a 52" Samsung HDTV that I could not afford. Even the 46" model was out of my price range. I settled for the Sharp because it, A. Fit my budget. B. Met my needs for a TV. and C. My wifey OK'd the purchase of the Sharp, not the Samsung. Refer back to point (A) for her reasoning on point (C).

Anyway, after giving away my Sharp the sales guy, not wanting to lose the commission on his sale tells me he will make up for the blunder on their part. He walks me over to the 46" Samsung HDTV in full 1080p splendor, 20,000 : 1 contrast ratio glory and says these magic words, "Sears would like to apologize for it's error and offer you this TV at the price you paid for the Sharp." I almost cried. Well not really, but it sounds about right.

God is always there in the big and small. This is a small. In the grand scheme of things the TV makes no difference in my life or my life for His glory. But looking back I could have done so many wrong things. I could have yelled or been rude to the guy who swiped my TV in line ahead of me, or to the sales guy, I could have let that whole situation get out of control. But what I did was give it to God. I said, Lord let your will be done. Maybe he rewarded me and set things in motion to bless me with my real hearts desire the Samsung I couldn't afford for a price I could. I'll give God the glory for that! My mom would always say a prayer before she went shopping. "Lord point me in the direction where I can best use the gifts you've given me to be a good steward with what I have."

Maybe God taught me a lesson that everything is His. So give it to Him first and He might just bless you going in and coming out!

Carlos