The Big Big Blog

My Makeup and My Prayer Life

2010-05-27T08:21:00.006-04:00

Leave it to an analogy to makeup to lead me to a better understanding of how important daily prayer is. I guess you talk to a child in terms he understands, so the same goes for me. Talk to me about makeup and the clouds part, light bulbs go on, angels sing. I get it! I see the light!

In this blog from the Faith & Family website, the blogger, Heidi Bratton tells about a very special tube of Mary Kay foundation that she has on reserve for special occasions. It's her favorite- perfect color, perfect application, but kinda pricey. It collects dust because she uses it so seldom. One day she saw it and tried to recall the last time she used it. It was 18 months earlier. Here was her moment of clarity:

Pondering the mentality of my make-up use, I couldn’t refute the thought that it really wasn’t about the money.The cost difference between the two products is only about $7, and while I’m not a spendthrift, I’m pretty sure I’ve squandered at least that amount since our 20th and probably in just one impulse buy at Walmart. The longer I thought about it, the more my makeup economizing seemed to be more closely linked to a philosophy—really a heresy—that I’ve also heard applied to prayer.

I’ll call this heresy the “Economy of Prayer Heresy.” In a nutshell, it proposes that we really shouldn’t “bother” God by praying about the small details of our everyday lives. We should, instead, wait until we have a need that is big enough or special enough for God to get involved. Here’s the problem. Where does that leave us and our relationship with God in the meantime? It leaves us with the best possible product for addressing our real and ongoing spiritual needs—that is prayer—gathering dust on a shelf.

Heidi goes on to remind us that no prayer is too small or trivial for God to care and that the concern doesn't go away just because we choose to ignore the need for God's hand:
In the same way that our skin care needs don’t just go away because we choose not to address them, our spiritual needs don’t just go away because we choose not to bring them to God, either. In fact, when we choose not to “bother” God with our little needs and concerns, we most likely buy into poorer substitutes, that is people, products, or promises that aren’t anywhere near as effective as God’s help and guidance.

The good news, unlike the Mary Kay foundation, God has an abundance of grace and mercy and he won't run out. Even better, if he's been collecting dust and only been brought out for the "very special occasions," he's ready and willing to hear your prayers and answer them. Heidi posted Philippians 4:6 to her bathroom mirror as a perfect reminder:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Read her whole blog here.

- Abby

Amazing Music Video!

2010-05-05T18:28:00.004-04:00

I came across this sweet music video by the band, OK Go. A few things came to mind while I was watching it:

1. Mousetrap (that game lasts like a week before you start loosing pieces)

2. I didn't pay close enough attention in physics class

3. How many takes did this require before they got it right? Judging by the amount of paint on them, a few, but not too many. Again, amazing.

4. Kudos to the camera operator!

Enjoy!

- Abby

10AM on Wednesday

2010-04-21T10:22:00.009-04:00

Thank the Lord! It has come! Spread the Word is just three weekdays long (plus the weekend before), but it's a grueling few days. When the clock struck 10 this morning, Carlos and I breathed a sigh of relief. Our "shift" was over.

Thank you to everyone who called in with a faith promise. That term really came to life this week. So many callers asked for prayer for a job. How do you make a gift when you don't have a job? That's faith in action. We're gifted $1, $5 and $10 gifts, $500, $1500 and $5000 gifts. Each one helped us reach those hourly goals and get over those hurdles.

We do a lot of praying and thinking during these campaigns. What makes people give? Why do they pick up the phone? God, please move people to call. Help us to say the right thing. What is that statistic? Like 3% of people who listen to listener-supported radio actually give. That's disappointing. Do people just tune out? Do they go away during Spread the Word or Shareathon and then come back when the coast is clear? If you listen throughout the week, you know they are missing out on a lot of great moments. Moments of teaching, witnessing, cheering, laughing and most important, miracle moments.

If you tuned out and now you're back, welcome back! We're happy to have you. You're as much of a part of our Spirit FM family as the person who gave $500 or $1200. If you don't give to this ministry for whatever reason, I'm asking you to consider it. Consider what you get from the music, the prayer, the discussion and then ask yourself what it's worth to you. It doesn't have to be Spread the Word time for you to make a gift. You can make your gift here.

So many lives are touched through your Faith Promise. One man emailed us listening online in Ontario, Canada. He listened to prayer time and appreciated the Thought for the Day. Another woman said her husband always wanted her to listen and she never did. He passed away in August and on the way to the cemetery she turned on Spirit FM. She's listened ever since and it makes her feel connected to her husband. There are countless emails just like that, so don't think you're just giving to a radio station. That's the least of what your gifts do.

Thank you again for praying for us and this ministry. Know that your prayers were heard and answered.

-Abby

All I Need

2010-03-26T08:47:00.003-04:00

I love many (actually most) of the bands we play at Spirit FM and I've been to A LOT of concerts. It's an interesting role I play at these shows. I'm a Spirit FM employee but also a fan, so naturally I am more excited to see some artists than others. With that being said, I have a top 5 list of bands that I want to see live and will always go see no matter what. In no particular order, they are: Shawn McDonald, Needtobreathe, Article One, Mat Kearney and Mercy Me. I've had the pleasure of seeing Mercy Me a few times and two weeks ago I saw Needtobreathe. They were absolutely amazing. Last night I checked another off the list when I saw Mat Kearney at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Three down. Two to go!

Mat did not disappoint. I really was impressed. The band was great. His stage presence was great. His banter was great. And you can tell that even though his lyrics are "subtle-Christian" lyrics, that he loves to Lord. He told the back story on one of my favorite songs of his, "All I Need." He said he had friends from New Orleans who had just gotten married and had come to stay with him to avoid a storm. Turns out it was Hurricane Katrina. Here are some of the lyrics from "All I Need."

The walls are shaking, I hear them sound the alarm
Glass is breaking so don't let go of my arm
Grab your bags and a picture of where we met
All that we'll leave behind and all that's left
If everything we've got is blowing away
We've got a rock and a rock till our dying day
I'm holding on to you, holding on to me
Maybe it's all we got but it's all I need
You're all I need

And if all we've got, is what no one can break,
I know I love you, if that's all we can take,
the tears are coming down, they're mixing with the rain,
I know I love you, if that's all we can take.

The lyrics are great and the music is even better. If you've got a minute, check it out on iTunes. It's on the album "Nothing Left to Lose." Maybe you're not facing a hurricane or a flood, but we all face trials where we feel like we've lost everything. "All I Need" encourages us to hold on to the ones we love and to Christ Jesus, first and foremost. Just like the line: "We've got a rock and a rock 'til our dying day." He's all we need.

-Abby

Let It Rain

2010-03-11T11:13:00.003-05:00

The Leaky Roof

I just read this and had to share it: "Sharp afflictions are to the soul as a soaking rain to the house. We know not there are such holes in the roof till the showers come and then we see it drop down here and there. Perhaps we did not know that there was such unmortified cuts in our soul till the storms of affliction came, then we found unbelief, impatience and fear dropping down in many places."

That floored me. I just sat there mouth agape, blankly looking down at the page thinking to myself, "How true is that!"

The moment I read that a flood of a thousand memories past came pouring into my brain. Times when under the strain of the situation (the storm) I was dealing with, my spiritual roof began to leak. Its times just like those that test us as Christians. That test me and my faith in God. If there are any chinks in our armor, trust me, under pressure they show up.

I forget the Psalm that says something to the effect of, "Save me, God! The waters have reached my neck!" but it comes to mind now with all this water and leaky roof talk. Sorry, that was more side note for me than anything...

But something that I have learned in life is that when we go through these times of trouble, God is able to reveal to us the areas we need to address. As a home owner you don't even realize you have a leak until the roof of your home has a yellow stain pop up or you see water coming down from the ceiling. As Christians it can work the same way! We may not realize the areas where we have let holes open up in our lives until the storm comes and we are up to our necks in water. (I knew I could tie that verse in somewhere) Its during these times that God can deliver us from whatever the situation may be and show us places that by prayer and yielding to the Him we can make the repairs we so desperately need.

Troubled times are not always bad things. When we go through them with God, we grow in our faith, we deepen our commitment and we stretch those spiritual muscles a little bit. So if your roof is a little leaky, go to God and let the Master Craftsman get to work.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

My Addiction

2010-03-04T10:41:00.004-05:00

So I Love Coffee...

It was pointed out to me the other day that I may have an addiction to coffee. Like a real problem. Funny enough, as I write this I do it with a warm cup of delicious Starbucks Grande White Chocolate Mocha to my left. This man said to me that he has notice how often I speak about coffee and how he never really sees my without a cup in my hand. By the off chance he does catch me without one, I generally say, "I just finished a cup" OR "I'm heading out to get a cup." He said I have a real addiction problem. To which I laughed off...but I starting thinking about...

I found this on addiction...

A scientist conducted an experiment in which he made cocaine available to some
monkeys. These monkeys could pull a lever in their cages to release a little cocaine into their feeding tray. Not surprisingly, the monkeys became addicted to the drug. As the experiment continued, the scientist found that if the addicted monkeys could get additional cocaine hits any time they wanted by just pulling the lever, all of them would overdose. They all ended up killing themselves.

The scientist then tried another experiment with addicted monkeys. He began to
withhold the fix when the monkey pulled the lever. Over and over these monkeys pulled
the lever, trying to get cocaine. They continued to pull the lever not ten times, not a hundred times, or even a thousand times. Those addicted monkeys pulled it an average of 12,800 times!

Powerful addictions can rule the lives of people—addictions to work, food, gambling, sex, alcohol, or drugs. Some finally reach a point where they lose any hope of breaking free. Some even turn aside from help offered, convinced that they’re a hopeless case.

But there’s hope in Christ. He can set any person free from the addiction of sin. He can give you a fresh start on your life. When you invite Christ into your life, the change begins to take place—from the inside out. You can’t beat addictions on your own, but through the power of Christ, you can be set free. “It is not I who lives, but Christ in me”
(Galatians 2:20).

So after reading this I look back at my beautiful sand colored cup with its brown 60% post consumer fiber belt and think. Am I really a slave to you? The short answer was, No. The long answer was, Maybe. Its true, I cant start my days without it. I get headaches from lack of it. I get cravings for it. All signs of an addiction, a dependency on my espresso mocha goodness.

To be honest, in the grand scheme of things I highly doubt my coffee "addiction" is taking anything away from me spiritually. Its not robbing me of my time with God, or time with family or friends which addiction to things like, drugs or sex or alcohol can and will do. But it made me think that in earnest...the only thing I need or want to be addicted to is Him. My life should start with God, not a cup of coffee, His strength should be what gets me through, not a mid-day java jolt.

If anything, my conversation with a friend about my coffee intake has helped me see my life through a different pair of eyes. Which is a good thing. I see my need for Him, my need for a savior and I acknowledge how I should make sure my life is free of any addiction that would keep me from spending time with the things that matter most. God, family, work and friends.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

A Great Episode of Oprah

2010-02-23T11:41:00.005-05:00

I used to be a big Oprah fan. My college roommates and I would tune in most days and I longed to be a audience member on her "Favorite Things" episode (OK - I still long for that). In recent years, she's said some things about her faith and the idea of being "spiritual" that have kind of rubbed me the wrong way, so I'm not watching too much anymore. But a couple of weeks ago, I tuned in for an episode about people who live lifestyles that are out of the ordinary. Lisa Ling was the correspondent and first she went and learned about life as a geisha. Most of the show though, was dedicated to the Dominican Sisters of Mary. Lisa Ling stayed overnight at their convent in Ann Arbor, Michigan and then a few of the sisters were brought on the show.

I have to say the one thing that stood out the most to me was their happiness. These ladies were so joy-filled! I've met several nuns in my day. Some were very serious and others could be better described as "merry," but each of them in their own way to me is a model of dedication to Christ. It's not an easy life. In these times especially, the value of a woman is so heavily placed on beauty and her role as a wife and mother. To choose to live a celibate life and to never marry or have children (or make-up in most cases!) takes a true calling.

If you missed it, click here to see a portion of the segment. There is even a local girl, Gina in it. She's pals with Olivia. The after-the-show segment here talks about the importance of silence and meditation. What a great message forall of us who often have difficulty slowing down and spending some quiet time with God. It's also a reminder to pray for vocations to the religious life. There are plenty of people and things leading our kids into the complete opposite direction of a life dedicated to Christ. We need to be strong in our prayers and support as well.

-Abby

Meatless Meals

2010-02-19T06:41:00.005-05:00

This afternoon, I have to sit outside a Chick-fil-A for four hours. It's for a very worthy cause: we're collecting donations for Help Brings Hope for Haiti, Inc. Unfortunately, it's going to be a torturous time due to the fact that because it's Friday and Lent has begun, I can't eat meat! No chicken nuggets, fingers, sandwich with the yummy pickles on it... Sure, the waffle fries are fair game, but it's not the same. There's just something about holding a chicken nugget between my thumb and index finger and scanning the painters pallet of sauces I've laid out before me. Do I go Honey Roasted BBQ? Polynesian perhaps? or to the classic Ketchup? So many choices! It's beautiful.

OK, back to the issue. No meat today! It's Friday and it's Lent. If you've ever wondered why Catholics abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent, it's not because the Pope owns Long John Silver's. Abstinence from certain foods has been part of the history of man since the beginning. Abstaining from something helps us refocus on what is important and it cuts out things that might have seemed important. One belief on why meat was chosen is because most people feel that giving up meat (beef, chicken, pork) is an inconvenience. We should inconvenience ourselves from time to time to remind ourselves that God is the top priority and pleasures are a lesser priority.

So what's for dinner tonight? Of course, you can probably open the door to any Catholic church's social hall and belly up to a fish fry. And during Lent the fast food fish sandwich commercials seem to pop up more often than in other times of the year, but if you want to take a pass on the Fillet-o-Fish and make something at home, looking for a veggie recipe can really open up a world of options for you. The other night I made a Vegetable Lasagna that was scrumptious. Here's the recipe , and it's Weight Watchers (pictured above)! I also made this Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables last week and (thanks to the load of cheese in it) it was tasty as well.

Growing up, we would do the Long John Silver's thing most Friday nights. Looking back on that now, I cringe, but I can't lie - it was pretty good! No matter what you do for your Friday night dinner, try to do something as a family. You'll make meatless memories that can last a lifetime!

-Abby

The Air We Breathe

2010-02-16T11:41:00.004-05:00

How Desperate Our We For God?

I have a thing for cheesy Michael W. Smith music. The ones from back in the day when he had a mullet and looked like a Christian music version of Billy Ray Cyrus. It was glorious. He was like a Christian-Pop-80's-Synth-Mullet-Rockin version who was belting out tunes for Jesus telling me to go west young man. Awesome.

To steal a line from Smitty himself, if God really is "the air we breathe" do we really live every moment as if our lives depended on Him? John 15:5 says, "Apart from Me you can do nothing"

Why do we then try and live our lives like we can do it all ourselves? We press and push and fall and stumble and try to make it on our own. We struggle until when? We can't anymore. That is when we reach out to our Heavenly Father. For 11 rounds we have been fighting with something...depression, heartbreak, loss...whatever it is. We finally get knocked down and the referee is counting...5, 6, 7...we are on the brink of disaster when we cry out, "LORD! SAVE ME! DO SOMETHING!"

Did we have to get there?

Did we have to fall so far?

David, one of my absolute favorite Characters to me in the bible once wrote, "I seek You, my soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You." Desperate. But for David, it was a constant need. He worshiped God to satisfy his hearts desire. He recognized his own need for a Savior. Not just in the desperate times, but in all times. He desperately longed to spend time with his God. Our God. We should too.

Yes, God will come to your rescue when you are down on the mat about to be counted out. Yes, God will save and react to our most desperate hour. But God also longs for us when things are OK. When life is fine and we are walking through the sunflowers. We should all spend a few moments with Him. Not just asking God for help, but in worship. Remembering the One who saves, who heals, who lifts, who makes right, who is good, who loves so perfectly...

God is there. God is ready. God is willing be there to save you in your most desperate hour of need. But wouldn't it be nice to have God with you from the start of the fight and not just the last round. Might save us from the loss of a few teeth and a nose job.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Me vs Me

2010-02-09T20:10:00.007-05:00

Lent

Lent is a week from today. Ash Wednesday or better known to me as "dirty forehead day" is the official start to 40 days of sacrifice leading up to Easter Sunday. Not being Catholic the whole idea of lent was foreign to me up until a few years ago. Being that Abby and I were going to be the morning duo for Spirit FM I thought it would be a good thing if I did it as well. So I prayed and asked God what I should do and also if He could NOT ask me to give up coffee. A week later I gave up coffee. Not because the clouds parted and a voice from the heavens said "Carlos, give up your coffee addiction for me!" It was more because if I was going to do this, I needed it to be a real sacrifice.

So this morning we talked about Lent and an article I found in Relevant Magazine. A great website by the way. In the article this is something the author wrote:

So my Lenten theme this year will be 1 Samuel 3:9 (“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”). How will this play out? I don't know yet, which is why I'm asking Him for direction. I do know that the very act of asking, and turning things over to Him, changes things—and changes us. Whatever Christ asks me to give up, I’m guessing it won’t be chocolate (I’m sort of hoping not). I have a feeling it’ll be something more along the lines of Pride. And yet I’m also trusting Him to be more specific. For example, praying daily for humility. Or turning off my BlackBerry. Or both.

Who am I kidding? He's asking for Everything. To quote C.S. Lewis, “Christ says, ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it.’” (Mere Christianity) Funny how we never see this on an Easter card.

I love the idea of not so much giving up "something" for lent, like coffee or candy or something that in the grand scheme of things we can live without. But making a deep sacrifice and giving up the things that make me comfortable. I struggle with Pride, I struggle with my Ego, I struggle with my blackberry and the idea of truly becoming a servant for 40 days is tough! Opening up every morning and LOOKING for God to use me! Its a scary thought.

Imagine, everywhere you go looking for God to use you in some way. Walking around town with the intention of being a servant. I love what she wrote about C.S. Lewis, “Christ says, ‘Give me All. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it.’”

I know God appreciates our sacrifice of coffee for breakfast or candy for my snack, but can't we go deeper than just the surface? "I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it." That line keeps repeating in my head. For me, this lent, I am going to sacrifice myself, that God may use me how He wishes. Each day I am going to open up and start by looking for ways to be a servant. Daily giving up my Pride or my Ego and truly have that servants heart. Imagine the kind of world we would live in if we all had that heart. Its not going to be easy. I need to pray for wisdom and strength and Lord knows He's going to have to remind me of my sacrifice. Especially the day its pouring down rain and I drive by the guy with the flat tire and no umbrella and God gives me that tug on my heart to get out my comfy car and get wet.

Pray about maybe making a sacrifice for Lent this year. Maybe give up something small this time, like TV for an hour or coffee for breakfast. Or maybe go big this year and do something that could truly change your life.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

We Need Talking Cars

2010-02-07T09:11:00.003-05:00

The Car Horn

As much as you would like to think your car horn is a great way to communicate on the road, it really isnt. It has a very limited vocabulary. Not only that, its so hard to use the horn to communicate correctly. Think about it. You hold the horm down just a split second too long and you've gone from "Hello" to "HEY YOU! MOVE!"

So let's fix that. I found this system on how to properly use your car horn. Its similar to Morse code, in which the frequency and duration of beeps convey specific meanings. This will enable us to communicate with each other more clearly.

Here's the code:

• In a parking lot

Short honk: I seek your attention.
Medium honk: I seek your courtesy.
Long honk: I seek your doom for stealing my parking spot.

• On the freeway

Short honk: Caution! Your maneuver was unwise.
Short honk plus medium honk: Your maneuver was unwise, and I am carrying a grudge.
Two short honks and a long blast: Your maneuver was unwise, and all that keeps me from exacting revenge is the prison sentence of 25 years to life.
Three long blasts: Call a lawyer (I would add, PRAY! So you don't get here. I'd hate to see a listener of mine go to prison.)

• At a traffic light

Short tap: Perhaps you haven't noticed, but the light is green.
Two short taps: Perhaps if you weren't trying to drive, text and eat a takeout order of fettuccine Alfredo at the same time, you would have noticed that the light is green.
Two medium beeps: Perhaps if your parents had raised you to have consideration for someone besides your selfish, unintelligent self, you would have noticed that the light is green.
One prolonged blast: Perhaps you have fallen asleep, here let me help you. I will not stop the horn until you move.

• For other occasions

Short beep: Lighthearted salutation. It can be used to acknowledge passing neighbors or inform other people in your car pool that you have arrived to pick them up.
Short beep, medium beep: Punctuated signal of annoyance toward cyclists. The short beep warns; the medium beep adds emphasis. Similar to saying, "Hey you, MOVE!"
Medium beep, long beep: Excitement! It can be used to celebrate Buccaneers victories, support world-peace demonstrators or express appreciation for attractive pedestrians.

I found this list and thought it would help us all communicate just a little bit better. After the day that I had yesterday driving around Tampa. I need to make copies of this and start handing them out on a daily basis. Drive safe, take a deep breath and PRAY! Good luck on the roads.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Going Through The Fire

2010-02-02T19:50:00.006-05:00

The Refiners Fire

We had an interesting Thought for the Day today on the morning show. Its not often that one sticks with me throughout the day. But I haven't been able to get this one out of my head. All day its just been on replay in my head. So I figured I would write something on it. If not for your benefit, then mine.

This is the line that been running through my head: For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap: and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, and they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” Malachi 3:1-3

The actual process of purifying silver is a tedious job. I've seen discovery channel enough to know that. The silver goes into the fire, then out of the fire, into the fire, then back out of the fire. Over and over and over and over again...until all the impurities are removed. Leave the silver in the fire too long, the silver is destroyed. Not enough and what's the point, nothing changes. Sounds vaguely familiar huh? It did for me.

As I go through life's "fires" or trials in my life I realize that once I come out the other side I come out of it a slightly different person. If I had done things God's way and learned to trust in Him, lean on His wisdom and just basically do what I was supposed to have done, I come out of that fire a lot like that piece of silver. A little better, a little shinier, a little more pure.

The most amazing part of the silver purification process is the test to see if it is its purest form or not. This metal is perfect only when the ‘refiner’ is able to see His reflection in the silver. Jesus is looking for our lives to reflect His glory.

That's a pretty neat thought huh...I thought so. I wish I could claim it, but I can't.

Count it all joy when you face life's fires because its an opportunity for God to refine the work he is doing in you. Yes, I know it stinks when your in it. The fire can be hot and I've lived in Florida long enough to know that heat can be brutal. Makes me happy I'm going to heaven. If I can barely handle a Florida summer, a lake of fire forever is something I'm going to pass on. But its the going through that refining process that Gods majesty begins to reflect in our lives, in our speech and in our actions. Trust me I know the process isn't always fun, but you come out the other side a better person, a stronger person and with a faith that was deeper than before you went in.

My hope for me is that I continue to let the refiner work on me from the inside out. Each time becoming more and more the man he created me to be and if it gets too hot, Jesus Christ is our escape. We can run into His arms and feel His love and grace surround us. He is looking for His face to shine in our lives. I also pray he give me a little warning next time. If I'm going back in I'd like to put on my board shorts and sunglasses and maybe even a little SPF 45 on my nose.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Feeling Under The Weather

2010-01-24T10:02:00.003-05:00

Yes, I'm Sick...

For me, being sick is a lot like a three year old throwing a week long tantrum. I’m cranky, require constant attention and no matter how great something is, it’s never good enough. Ah yes, the joy that is Carlos…sick. Really, the only benefit to being sick is that I can get away with almost anything.

I can beg for a remote control that’s juuuuuuust out of arms reach.

I can ask for my favorite meal and ‘poof’ it just magically appears. Campbell’s Chicken and Stars if you’re wondering.

I can even throw all desire for personal hygiene out the window. (True story, as a teen I had the flu and didn’t shower for 3 days, my mom literally brought a hose in the house and sprayed me in bed so I would get up and take a shower. Sadly, I think I am proud of the fact that I made it three days)

The thing is…when I am sick, even though I am physically miserable, I almost enjoy it to a certain extent. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather be 100% healthy and know that having a head cold is nothing compared to something truly horrible that could befall me. But who wouldn’t love a few days of being pampered and waited on hand and foot.

Well today as I was basking in the glow of feeling under the weather and the smell of Campbell’s soup wafting in the air I realized that at times my prayer life can become a bit “spiritually” sick.

Think about how you act when something bad happens in your life. Maybe you didn’t get that promotion you wanted or a bonus you thought you would be getting doesn’t happen or worse. When bad things happen, we can fall into a “Sick Carlos” kind of prayer life. We find our favorite spot and have a pity party with God. Now there is nothing wrong with asking God why something happens or to fix the problems in our lives. Just don’t let that be the only reason you fall to your knees before the throne and don’t let that become the only way you pray. If its all about you, you, you and fix, fix, fix then you may be missing a real chance for God to do something truly great in your life.

Before I became full-time staff at Spirit FM. I thought I was ready for radio stardom. I thought my talents were not being recognized and that the world was missing out on ME! Carlos the next big radio star! I really did think that way for a time. And trust me, I would pray, God why is this happening? Why am I not working in radio yet? Lord, help me find a place in radio. Please God point me in the right direction to do radio. On and on and on…I’m actually surprised God didn’t zap me from heaven. My prayer life was all focused on me not getting what I thought I deserved. When we become so engulfed by what we don’t have, we miss out on what we do.

So you miss out on a promotion, happened to a friend of mine. He had the chance of a lifetime to become a very important person at a major financial firm. Everything seemed like the job was his. BUT, he didn’t get it. He did the pity party to God thing only to realize later that God had his best interest in mind. That financial firm had serious job cuts when the recession struck. That position he wanted was eliminated and the person who was promoted let go, while his job was held safe. Had he been promoted, he would have lost his job.

What I mean by this rant is one thing. Its not our place to understand everything that happens to us in life. God is not up in heaven with puppet master strings, casting lightning bolts down on us to see how we dance. When bad things happen. Look to God for direction and HIS will in our lives. Let Him guide our footsteps. He holds your best interest in His hands and wants to bless your life. Trust me. I know. The day I switched my attitude was the day I began to make the most of my part time status at Spirit FM. I began to take my time there more seriously, to practice my craft, to get better and then, when I was really ready. God opened the door. A BIG DOOR. I went from the night jock to morning show host in less than a year. Why? I don’t know. Only God does. So let Him guide your footsteps, turn your life over to His mighty hands and just hang on and enjoy the ride.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

I'm Back / Fringe

2010-01-18T17:53:00.003-05:00

Hello Again / Lessons from Sci-fi

So...I'm back...did you miss me? I missed the blog more than you know, I just took a little time to recharge my sarcasm, fine tune my antenna to God and make a little sense of a few things. So...hello again.

I love my DVR. Odd segue but its the best I could come up with.

I really do love that little guy. Sits there ever so quietly on my shelf just doing what its been told to do. I never have to check it, never have to remind it, only say to it, "SHOW ME" and out comes everything I ever wanted to see and hear in the 50 inch glory of my HDTV. (Insert angelic church choir here)

I was playing catch up on my DVR listings and made it a "Fringe" night. If your not familiar with the show its basically X-Files 2.0, only better and no David Duchovny constantly looking sad eyed even when he is trying to look happy.

This episode was all based around a tiny town called Edina where the inhabitants had been experimented on in the late 1970's by the U.S. government and been rendered horribly disfigured. One of the scientists at the time realizes what has happened and creates a giant transmitter that has the ability to conceals their true identity within the city limits of Edina. Meaning, if you were to wonder into Edina, you wouldn't see the people as they truly were, horribly disfigured, you would see them as looking as normal as you or I. Catch one outside the city limits and 'poof' the veil is lifted and the truth revealed.

How I made the jump to my faith I still dont know, but this made perfect sense to me...

As people, we are all little mad scientists in our own right. On the outside, you may see this perfect radio DJ, with the perfect life, always in the will of God. But you truly have no idea what is on the inside. What things I struggle with, where I fall short, or how. (Not that its any of your business) Romans 3:23 is all you need to know "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" and yes that means your pastor or priest and yes, even the Pope. Sorry to burst anyone's bubble.

Be it through our speech or our actions, we have all created our own little transmitters that hide who we really art to the rest of the world. Horribly disfigured people who dont deserve the grace of God.

The good news is that God sees right to the heart of the matter. He can see past all the fluff of our Christian walk, see through the facade of our daily actions and get right to the heart or it. Right to the heart of us. That dark little corner we try so desperately to hide. In the episode of Fringe, some residents even resort to murder to hide the truth.

Thankfully, our ever loving God already knows who we are and is ready to forgive. He sees me as I am and loves me regardless. He knew me before he made me, knew my strengths and knew my weaknesses, knew how I would rise and how I would fall and still loves me. Paul tells us, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, sanctified, justified in the name of Christ our Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit or our God"

So today, PRAY, let God get to work on the inside of your heart. In those deep, dark little nooks and crannies where we hide the hideous from the rest of the world. To be honest, I don't need to know, nor want to know what you struggle with. Find an accountability partner to help your walk and then give the rest to God. In the episode the town gets to keep their transmitter and keep their little secret; after the truth came out and the "sin" was removed. So let God work on you, I don't need to know how or when. Just don't try and hide it, hoping nobody ever finds out because someone already know...Eccl 12:14 "For God shall bring every work to judgement, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Random Thoughts

2010-01-11T08:44:00.003-05:00

A while back my husband forwarded this email to me and I passed it around the office. It had us rolling. I came across it the other day and I thought I'd share. These are just a few of the random thoughts from 25-35 year olds:

- Do you remember when you were a kid, playing Nintendo and it wouldn't work? You take the cartridge out, blow in it and that would magically fix the problem. Every kid in America did that, but how did we all know how to fix the problem? There was no internet or message boards or FAQ's. We just figured it out.

-How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

- I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

- Answering the same letter three times or more in a row on a Scantron test is absolutely petrifying.

- How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear what they said?

- MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. Pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

- I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

- Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after DVDs? I don'twant to have to restart my collection.

- Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I'm from, this shouldn't be a problem....

Hope this made you chuckle!

-Abby

A Day Of Victories

2009-12-18T07:13:00.008-05:00

On December 6th, my team of Spirit FM listeners and friends gathered for our inaugural race, the Sunshine Challenge to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and it was definitely a day of victories.

For most 5 Ks that I've signed up for, you sign up as an individual. On the Sunshine Challenge site, there was an option to form a team. I thought, "Why not?!" I figured I'd mention it on the air a couple of times and maybe a couple of listeners would join me. I was pleasantly surprised when, by race day, my team was thirteen strong!

We had small victories: Ashley ran farther than she ever had before and I had a personal-best time. Then there were some larger victories: My teammate, Sean was the first-place finishing male. I was so impressed and proud of my team! The biggest victory of all though was for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. As we ran, there were posters along the route of children whose lives had been taken by cancer. Talk about motivation to keep running. It was a great day for a great cause.

The plan is to sign up for another race next month and keep "Abby's Spirit FM Team" up and running (no pun intended). Hopefully the team number will grow. So feel free to join in. All are welcome!

-Abby

It About More than Rice Crispy Treats

2009-12-04T12:41:00.006-05:00

Over the past few months, you've probably heard me mention donating platelets. Many people are familiar with donating blood and even if you've never done it, you know how it works. The world of platelets is something different and foreign to many.

First, let me say that if you're not a blood donor, I encourage you to pray and think about why you're not doing it. If it's because you're scared, I understand, but let the fear go. If you don't have time, I understand, but make time. If you just don't find an interest in donating, I understand, but get interested, please. One of my closest friends gave birth a couple of weeks ago and had a very near death experience. She said after she had the baby and they wheeled her into surgery, she saw the bag of blood there, ready for a transfusion. She's just one of about 5 people in my life who have needed (or come very close to needing) a transfusion. If I can name 5, you probably can too. Right there... that's enough for me to let go of any excuse - pain, fear, schedules, indifference - and roll up my sleeve.

That's blood. Now, let's talk platelets. When I go to the Florida Blood Services Donor Center I always see people watching movies. I've always known that they were donating platelets, but I never considered it. I had my platelet count tested and it turns out I have a freakishly high count, which is good! So I made the appointment.

Platelets are tiny clotting agents found in blood that are vital to people recovering from leukemia, cancer, open heart surgery and transplant surgery. Also, because chemo and radiation therapy often destroy healthy cells, these people need platelet transfusions as well.

Donating platelets is sort of like donating blood. I do it through two arms. One needle takes blood out. The blood then goes through a computerized cell separator machine, which collects the platelets. The remaining plasma and red blood cells are then returned through the other arm. It can be done through one needle if you don't have good veins on both arms. It takes quite a bit longer than a regular blood donation. It's a nice time to sit back and enjoy a movie though, or talk with God. Here are more details about donating platelets.

To be truthful with you, while it's not painful, it is a little uncomfortable. But, sometimes, God calls us to do things that make us uncomfortable, right? There are perks though. They shower me with Rice Crispy Treats and soda and I always walk out with a sweet new t-shirt (the platelet t-shirts are way cooler than the blood donor shirts). I joke with the folks there (Luis, Karen, Rachel, Laura, Becky, and Arelis- all my FBS peeps!) about how I'm just there for the Rice Crispy Treats, but that's my cool-girl front. The truth is, I love that I'm making myself a little uncomfortable, a little pained, and a little inconvenienced for a stranger who needs my help. Science is amazing and the human body is remarkable. The fact that I can give something from my own body that can help save someone else's life is a miracle to me.

I walk out of the donor center on Kennedy Blvd. feeling like a million bucks and that I was just part of a miracle. Yes, the purse full of Rice Crispy treats is nice too, but I know that God will honor my time and my gift. It's part of being a steward and I hope you'll consider doing it too. If you have any questions, please email me: abby@spiritfm905.com. I'd be honored to speak on behalf of FBS and answer any of your questions.

Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-10-22T07:53:00.005-04:00

I heard this morning about the drummer from KISS being diagnosed with breast cancer. No, you're not crazy. I'm talking about KISS, the all-male band, well, males that put on make-up. Less than 1% of all new cases of invasive breast cancer occur in men. That equates to about 1,990 cases per year. So it CAN happen.

All forms of cancer are tragic, but breast cancer sends an extra blow. Women say it touches them emotionally because it's a direct hit to their feminine identity. Most of us have been personally touched by breast cancer. My grandmother and her sister, my wonderful Aunt Dolly, both had it. I remember playing with my grandmother's wigs as a little girl. Recently, my friend's aunt lost her battle with what started as breast cancer and then spread. She wasn't even 50 yet.

There are so many ways for you to get involved with this fight. There are activities all around town, purchases you can make that benefit breast cancer research and support groups about which you can help get the word out. Most importantly, pray for the women who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, the men who have been diagnosed and feel embarassed, for those who are wearing wigs or scarves on their heads and those who have undergone a mastectomy or lumpectomy. Pray for the husbands who will provide the emotional support for their wives. And don't just do these things in the month of October. There are eleven other months of the year that we can take advantage of and help put an end to this disease.

- Abby

Meet "Carlos" & "Abby"

2009-10-06T13:09:00.007-04:00

Every once in a while I have a moment where I'm reminded of how much of a responsibility I've been given from 6 to 10 am every Monday through Friday. Last Friday night I had the pleasure of emceeing the Todd Agnew/Building 429 concert at St. Andrew's UMC in Brandon. I went into the artist "holding" room and introduced myself to one of the musicians. When I said my name, I heard a woman say, "Ava! Do you know who that is? It's Abby from Spirit FM!" Ava is three and possibly one of the most preciously-cute little girls I've ever laid eyes on. See for yourself in the pic. Her mother, Rachel told me that Ava is a huge fan of "The Big, Big House Morning Show." In fact, she has dolls she's named "Carlos" and "Abby." I'm the Hello Kitty doll and Carlos is the red Dr. Seuss fox.

When I looked at this picture Rachel emailed me this morning, I thought two things. One, the Lord has given me a huge responsibility with this show. The little ears and hearts that tune in every day, many still strapped into a car seat, are so easily impressionable. I know how important it is that they hear positive, encouraging words and music. And that leads me to the second thought: What a blessing it is to be a part of a ministry that can form young hearts like this.

I'm sure there are other three year old little girls out there that have dolls they've named "Brittany" (no, I'm not trying to harp on Brittany Spears, but that's a recognizable name in pop culture) or "Mylie." I'm not saying I'm perfect or these girls are horrible roll models. I'm am saying that there are so many other things out there that want our kids' attention. It so great that Ava has been surrounded by the message and music on Spirit FM so much that she's found a friend in me and Carlos. I can only imagine the conversations she has with "Carlos" and "Abby." I wonder if the plush Abby corrects the plush Carlos' grammar too! Or if the plush Carlos has a funny laugh and the plush Abby has moments of air-headedness. Oh, to be a fly on the wall!

My prayer is that more parents in the Tampa Bay area can use Spirit FM to feed their children the message of Christ. I'd love it if every three year old in the tri-county area named their Hello Kitty, "Abby" and their funny red fox, "Carlos." Not because my name would be out there, but because then I'd know that these kids know the love and the friendship they have in Jesus. That would be pretty cool.

- Abby

3:1

2009-09-24T08:05:00.006-04:00

I've heard runners say that while running, they have very deep thoughts about life and how life is just like a run or a race. Even Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7 says "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith." It's true. Life is like a long run. Sometimes you get tired. Sometimes you want to quit. Other times you feel like you could conquer any hill.

As I've mentioned before, I've set a goal for myself of a 5K per month. So far I've done three. June, July and September (Couldn't find one in August that would work with my schedule). To train for these monthly races, I've been trying a 3:1 system. I'll run for three minutes and walk for one. I do that for about 32 minutes and cover about 2.7 miles. Yeah, I know. A 5K is 3.1 miles. For that leftover .4 of a mile, I'm just relying on God to move me towards the finish line. So I was run/walking last night and I was thinking about how much I love the one minute of walking and how much I hurt during the three minutes of running. That one minute flies by, while the three minutes of running seem to never end. This led me to think of several metaphors.

The one that made the most sense in my head though, is that life is often dealt out in threes and ones. Sometimes I feel like I only have one minute of good to breathe in before that watch timer beeps and I have to start back into the three minutes of discomfort. For you, maybe the one minute is the time you have in the evening with your family, sitting around the dinner table. Or maybe it's church on Sunday.

Here's what I'm thinking though: Amidst the pain and discomfort of the three minutes of running I can still find the good. Even though I was tired while I was running, I was thinking of how blessed I am to be able to go out and use my legs. I thought of how the walking might be easier, but the running is making my muscles and lungs stronger.

So next time the timer beeps and you have to start running again, try to focus on the good. I know it can be tough. You're never running alone though. Jesus is with you. The communion of saints is with you. We'll run the race together and reach our ultimate and beautiful goal.

-Abby

I Am Broken

2009-09-18T21:58:00.005-04:00

Yet Made Whole

It's so amazing to me...this LOVE we get from an awesome God. How it never ends. Never fails. So pure and so true. Incomprehensible, unimaginable, unwavering....love. No matter what.

I will fail : He will make a way
I will disappoint : He will forget it
I will letdown : He will love me anyway
I will stumble : He will right me
I will fall : He will catch me
I will run : He will chase after me
I will hide : He will wait for me
I will doubt : He will never waiver
I will sin : He will forgive me
I will hate : He will show me love
I will lose : He will win
I will need: He will supply
I will _______ : He will always be WHATEVER I NEED HIM TO BE.

I will always need Him. He is Jesus. The savior of the world. The Hero. My Hero. I admit this blog was birthed from the music from a group called Abandon. A really great indie Christian rock group. They penned the lyrics: I’m captured by the love and I have become Your own. Surrounded by my God I’m rising above the shadows. You want me to know. I’m not alone. You want me to come to Your throne. I know. It’s in Your atmosphere. Your spirit is here. I can’t explain this moment. In Your atmosphere.

We are all broken and its only in Jesus we are made completely and entirely whole. My hope is that you spend a few moments basking in the flow, in the atmosphere of Jesus. Savior. Hero of us all. He loves you.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

The Pedestal

2009-09-17T10:27:00.003-04:00

Life

Its funny how often when people find out what I do, they think I am this deep theologian who never sins and is constantly on his hands and knees worshipping at the feet of God. The funny thing is that I do it too! To others who are Pastors, Priests or even my favorite Christian artists. We pedestal them. We expect more from them because they are "up there" on the stage, in the lime light, working for the kingdom of God. In truth, if you've heard my radio show then you already know, I am just like you. I never went to bible college, I don't hold degrees in theology and while I do my daily devotionals and really enjoy my quiet time with God, I don't spent 20 hours a day at His feet. Although if I did, image how radically different I would be! Hmmm...

The truth is, I ride motorcycles, I have tattoos, I listen to really heavy hard rock and rap music that aren't always from "Christian" artists, I struggle with things in my life, I sin, I am a human being! I am just like you, just like Billy Graham, Joel Osteen, TobyMac and the rest. In God's eyes we are all the same. His children. We all struggle, we all fall, we all need a savior. We all need JESUS.

From time to time I get down on myself and I say, "Why cant I be more like so and so" and in truth I don't know why. God wants me to be, me. He created a Carlos, not a Carlos in a Billy Graham body. We all have a specific purpose in life. Mine right now is Spirit FM. Billy Graham's was his crusades. Toby has his music. All for the glory of God.

It is nice to have role models, people we can look up to. But we shouldn't pedestal them. Hold them to this untouchable standard because then we lose sight of how great we can be too. Maybe you won't grace the stage in concert for thousands or maybe you won't have a radio show heard all over the bay. But maybe, just maybe, you reach the one God called you to reach. Today, during my thought for the day I mentioned how one youth pastor took me out to a Christian dance club called Tidal Wave and that is where God birthed in me the desire to start DJing. Well a listener who heard me was from that club. She called up and told me how she had been struggling lately with that time in her life, asking God what good came from that place and if anybody was touched. Well, if not for that building, that Christian Club, that youth pastor all doing what God had called them to do, if they all chose to do their thing and not Gods things, maybe I am not where I am today. More in love with God than ever before, in the air at Spirit FM, doing Gods work.

No matter how big or how small the calling, in Gods eyes we are all crucial, all special, all loved and all needed. There is a big picture that only God can see. We are all role players. Some of us mouth pieces, some hands, some feet, some eyes, some ears, ALL apart of the same body of Christ. Remember we are all human, we all fall short and thankfully God loves us and is a savior to us all. We all have a calling and God is ready to get you in the game.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Embracing Uncertainty

2009-09-09T08:28:00.005-04:00

I don't remember when or where I first came across the popular excerpt from Thomas Merton's "Thoughts in Solitude," but it was one of those things that spoke right to me and I immediately became attached to it. In high school I posted it on my bulletin board in my bedroom and it traveled with me to my college dorm room. A few years ago it came up in conversation around my family and my dad told me he carries it around in his wallet. When that happened, I smiled and thanked God for being so awesome.

Lately it's been popping up all over the place. I saw it on a blog a few days ago. It was brought up at a staff retreat last week... (I get it Holy Spirit! Loud & clear!), so I think it's worth sharing. I've admitted that as a person who likes to make plans for everything and be in control, I struggle with worry and trust. But it can be liberating to embrace uncertainty through the practice of trust. I think it's called having faith!This is a great reminder of how important it is to trust in God's plan for you.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does, in fact, please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore, I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

-Abby

An Open Prayer to God

2009-09-01T10:28:00.005-04:00

Heavenly Father...

Won't you take this life from me. For fear from this has stolen so much time from it.

If my life's clock stops tonight, save a few souls with the legacy I leave.

In my hours of weakness give me strength to persevere.

In my doubts and unbelief give me light to see you with me.

When I fall away down a crooked path, send me a life line and rescue me.

Let my life song sing praise to you.

Let the words I say bring you joy.

Let actions speak of what I have inside.

Let my heart always be after you.

Carlos

A Rude Awakening

2009-08-25T08:13:00.010-04:00

The scene is set. It's 2:20 am on Tuesday. An unsuspecting, sound asleep Abby is woken up by a slap to the left arm. Who? What? Huh? The slap came from none other than Abby herself. Why? She knew there was something crawling on her. This wasn't a ghost creepy crawly. You know, the feeling that something is on you, but it's really not. This was the real deal. In fact, it was big enough to bring Abby out of her sleep.

Can I stop talking in 3rd person now? Thanks. So I wake up to my right arm slapping my left arm. I felt the bug. I hit it (note the good aim even during REM sleep mode), but it didn't die. I wanted to die, but my bug friend crawled down my arm. I sprang out of bed and because my light switch is across the room and I didn't want to let the little bugger get far away, I grabbed my cell phone and relied on the light of the screen to track him down. It felt like an investigative scene from CSI.

I assumed I was looking for a spider. Why? I don't know. I think it's because I could feel him crawling, so I figured there must have been a lot of legs involved. I looked under the bed, behind the bed, under the covers, on top of the covers, inside and on top of my pillow. Nothing. I find it necessary to mention that my husband, my protector was sound asleep this whole time AND my two cats, my hunters, were nowhere to be found. After a few minutes of searching, I was ready to give up the hunt and lie in fear for the rest of the night. What a horrible feeling. Getting back into bed knowing there is a creepy-crawly nearby, just waiting to crawl back under the covers with me. Why did I buy a bed so comfy and inviting?!?!

Just as I shut my phone, turning off the make-shift light, I felt something on my foot. I looked down and saw him. It was a beetle-like cockroachy thing. About an inch long. Ugh. Ew. Eeek... insert your own sound.

Instead of grabbing a book from the shelf behind me, I went into full survival mode and got down and started slapping the bug with my hand. The plushness of the carpet combined with the give of my palm made his death long and drawn-out. My husband finally woke up and I cried to him, "There was a bug on me!" and then I just said, "Finish the job." So he got up, grabbed some tissue and ushered the bug to its final resting place. As we got back into bed I just said to him, "This is why you need to sleep with your mouth shut."

- Abby

The Scenic Route

2009-08-24T19:10:00.007-04:00

Where Are We Going?

Its funny how often I think I know everything about everything. I hate to admit it, but at times I am that guy. "Mr. Yeah I Already Heard That One and I Know an Even Better Story Guy" I don't mean to be that guy, my life really is just that random. Abby once asked my wife about a story I told her just to make sure it was true because it was so crazy and because I've got so many. Of course it was a true story as my wife did attest, but I still get that funny look from Abby when I tell her the latest crazy thing that happened in my life. Oh well...

I've been on this whole "surrender" thing lately, in my prayer time, in my reading, in my research, just really delving into the depths of what God is putting on my heart. As I was cruising the net looking for show prep I had my iTunes player on random (the best way to listen to music by the way) and a song popped on and my full attention skipped from the Internet to my iTunes. I couldn't turn away from that song when I heard the words, "Why do we take the scenic route? Spend our days taking forever to get to you."

My mind spun on its axis for a moment and it's like God took me back to High School. I was just sitting there remembering how I would drive, nowhere really, just drive around Tampa. Talking to God. Asking Him to rid me of whatever it was I was dealing with at the time, yet always falling back to it because I didn't really want to let it go. I spent as much time crying wolf to God as I did in the sin I wanted away from. As I sat there in my memories I remember a verse that my dad gave me. But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62)

OUCH! Thanks Dad! No, really. Thank you.

What that verse means is, once you have become a child of the living God and you have been redeemed from the grip of sin, YOU ARE FREE! Free from whatever burdens life had attached to your boot heels. Free from the sins that clung to your backs, weighing you down. FREE! At that time in my life, as bad as I wanted away from my past, I kept looking back there just enough to dabble in that sin again and again. My life wasn't stuck in a rut, I was just on the wrong route. I got shifted over to the scenic route with God. Slowly meandering down the twisty trails taking my own sweet time to figure things out. To figure out that God has a higher purpose for me and my life if I would just surrender the wheel and slide over to the passenger seat.

Philippians 3:12 "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

That verse rocked me to the core. Why had I waited so long? So long to let go of the wheel, slide over and let God drive. I don't really remember exactly when or what day but it's like God slowly changed my road map. I was moved from the slow meandering scenic route to the fast lane. Speeding towards my goals, chasing after the prize, the upward calling that God has on my life.

Do we still make detours, yes. We are not perfect. Do our cars break down from time to time, yes. We need a saviour. Thankfully God has a towing service for when things really go wrong. Let go. Let go of the need to drive your way, your route, your directions and go with God. Let Him take the wheel and drive. I promise, you'll enjoy the ride. I have.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

So I Like Girl Music

2009-08-21T19:34:00.005-04:00

Britt Nicole

Apparently, I am not allowed to like the new Britt Nicole CD "The Lost Get Found". Or at least that is what the fellas are telling me. Earlier this week I was loading some new tunes on my iTouch when my friend called me. For the sake of this blog and my life after it I have changed their names to protect...well myself.

Brother X calls me to say whats up, chit-chat a bit about life and see how I was doing. I tell him life is good and that I was just hanging at the casa loading some new music on the iTouch. Brother X being as big a music buff as I am says, "What are you loading in right now?" Not thinking I say, "Well the new album from Britt Nicole, its hot!"

The sound of silence can be deafening. "What?" He says after a few seconds of digesting the news that I not only have the new Britt Nicole album on my iTouch, BUT that I actually like it, a lot.

Life has a funny way about itself with me. He couldn't have called 3 minutes earlier when I was loading in the new album from RED or 5 minutes later when I loaded in the last album from P.O.D. He called at the exact moment that I was loading in a more "feminine friendly" CD. Let me say this about the new album from Britt Nicole. YES, I LIKE IT!

Yes, its kind of a girl record. Yes, its Pop music. BUT, it is full of His truth and a message that we ALL need to hear. She breaks down some very intimate life issues we all face in a relevant and positive manner. Her final track "Have Your Way" really moved me to the core. I played that song over and over and over when I first heard it.

Sometimes in life I can feel so alone and so broken like I am never ever good enough, I search and cry out to God like He can't hear me and at times I think He doesn't. But He does, He is always there. In the dark where we hide, He sits and waits, in the cold where we try to wonder off on our own, He walks right behind us. From the wilderness to the desert we run astray and yet He is always there right behind us, waiting for us to turn around and run home. That song just shook me to the core. I found myself praying again a very basic prayer I have always prayed.

"Lord, Have YOUR way in me. I give in, I SURRENDER to your will. I trust you God with where I am right now, where you have placed me and what you are doing. I will NOT let life dictate who I am. I will NOT let circumstance tell me what is. I give my life fully to you and know that you will HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME. Lord, take me, all of me. I am yours."

So yeah, it may be a girly CD, but I don't care, if you look for God in everything you do. He'll show up. Even in a song.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

I Give Up

2009-08-20T11:51:00.004-04:00

Surrender

Okay, so a few days back I posted a blog on my horrible "Wrong Turn" and in it I said, "Being a guy I fall back things that leaders of men have said, one that pops into mind is from Winston Churchill, "Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty" and now, I'm going to write a blog on surrender. Go figure...

If you look up the word SURRENDER in the dictionary you get this definition:

Surrender, verb (used with object) 1. to give (oneself) up. 2. to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.: He surrendered himself to a life of hardship. 3. to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.). 4. to yield or resign (an office, privilege, etc.) in favor of another.

But if you look closely there is another definition to the word surrender, to yield to the power of another.

I felt like God has been hitting me with that word for a few days now. During my prayer time its been "Surrender, Surrender, Surrender" over and over again. I began asking God what? to whom? why? where? I didn't understand it, until I dug deeper...

Matthew 16:24-26

Jesus calls upon His followers to reject the natural human inclination toward self. The first step is to submit and surrender to God our will, our affections, our bodies, and our lives. Our own pleasures and happiness can no longer be primary goals. Instead, we must be willing to renounce all and lay down our lives, if required. Peter admonishes us to "no longer live . . . in the flesh for the lusts of men," meaning we should no longer pursue wrong desires. Are we willing to forsake all, to give up everything including our lives? Our Christian duty is to deny our lust of the flesh.

Me personally, I worry a lot about what people think about me and my morning show. I worry about my next career move or my next step in life. I over analyze, over think and generally over step God in my life. When things come my way I want to "be the man" and fix it or deal with it. My way. Instead of just tapping into the awesome power and might that we have access to as children of God.

Surrender: (v) to yield to the power of another. To yield to the power of God in our lives.

Why do we fight tooth and nail alone when we have an army behind us? Surrender is never an easy thing. Especially for me. I want to "be the man," I want to handle it and God is showing me the truth in the verse that says, His ways are higher than mine, His thoughts higher are than mine. It's like the song from Francesca Battistelli that says:

I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
I’m losing control
Of my destiny
It feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

Let's stop trying to run every aspect of our lives and learn to surrender, surrender to the awesome power of God, who knows what is best for each and everyone of us.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

New World

2009-08-15T18:31:00.004-04:00

Missouri

So I am blogging right now on the front porch of a little farm house located on over 200 acres of corn and soy bean fields. As I look out from my chair all I see are fields upon fields of corn and beans. THATS IT! The nearest house is about 2 miles away and down a dirt road. This is my weekend adventure on The Farm Life and so far, its been amazing.

First, everything is so much slower here. The people actually drive the speed limit and use their turn signals. Time seems to run at its actual pace. I never have once said to myself, "where has the day gone", its been more of, "What? It's only 3 o'clock?" This for me has been the definition of relaxation. Time just spent in the hammock, sipping sweet tea and watching the wind dance on the corn fields.

The food is amazing here. Fresh tomatoes and corn every meal, everything made from scratch, no quick mix powder concoctions full of salt and sodium. Just fresh from the farm, slow cooked goodness. Its amazing.

I don't think I could live here. I need the hustle and bustle of the big city, but for just a weekend to get away and truly RELAX. This is as close to heaven on earth as you could get. Either way, this is just a quick blog from the front porch. Why ruin this lack on connectivity by connecting to my Internet life again. Let me spend the rest of my weekend in the joy of nothingness. No phone, No Internet, No facebook, No anything. Just life, family, God and time. The time to do whatever I want or nothing at all.

I think we all need this from time to time. Just to get away and let time run. Get unhooked from our digital selves and reconnect to our real life families and friends. Next for me, another glass of sweet tea and a slice of home made angel food cake. And why not Angel food cake, as far as I'm concerned this is heaven.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Wrong Turn

2009-08-11T11:04:00.006-04:00

My Run

This all took place about a week ago and I have been meaning to write this blog since then. I guess the "trauma" of it all made me block out the writing of this blog until now.

So last week, Thursday I think it was, I decided to go for a quick run. I didn't plan on going to far since it was like 96 degrees outside and 100% humidity and I never run outside. I will run on a treadmill in 72 degrees of joyous air conditioning where the only humidity comes from the sweat on my shirt. One thing I learned very quickly in life is that gym running and outside running are two very different things. Either way, I embark on my run feeling great. Muscles rocking, feet pounding, music blasting, I was feeling pretty good as I passed my mental mile marker. Then it hit me...it's really hot!

I was starting to sweat now and I could see that I was coming up to a crucial decision on just how far I wanted to run. There are two street in my neighborhood that can double back towards my house. One, THE SECOND STREET leads me back up very near my home, maybe a two and a half mile total run. The other, THE FIRST STREET runs farther south adding another two plus miles for a round trip total of near five miles. Both those totals are easy to knock out on a treadmill in a perfect 72 degree setting, but that day, in that heat and with that humidity, my body was saying, "No way." So I made the decision to take the short way home, or so I thought, the problem came when I took the wrong street. I forgot that the first street, took me farther south, not closer to my home. I took the first street.

I didn't realize my mental mistake until I reached US19 and noticed just how far south I was. By that time, my ankle was starting to hurt a bit and the heat was really kicking in. I could feel the sun on my skin and cool of my sweat as it dripped past and I was a little worried if I going to be able to make it back home. Just then as I was weighing my options I felt this little voice inside say, "Go, you'll be fine." Now, to be honest I'm not sure if that was God saying I got you or my Puerto Rican machismo kicking my butt to just man up and finish this, but I pressed on and kept going.

All the way, I kept checking back to see if my wife would drive past. My run took me down her route home so I knew she may be coming by at any moment to save me from my mental lapse. No luck. But as I kept going I kept hearing, "Go" without much choice, I just kept on going. My ankle was really hurting now, my shirt was soaked, my skin was hot, my body was tired and just as I turn down the second to last street from my house, maybe 2/3 of a mile away from my house what do I see...HOPE.

My wife in her car was driving up behind me about to pass by, I give her what I thought to be the international symbol for pull over and help me. Two arms waving over my head. Mind you, I came to a complete stop and started waving. She in turn, waves her hand back and me, smiles and drives past! "YOU"VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME", I said to aloud. She drove right past me and never stopped. Even turned down my street and out of my sight. "Go" I heard it again. So I went.

Finally, I made it to my street and there parked on the side of the road is my wife, she tells me that she wasn't sure if I wanted her to stop so she waited to see if I was ok. I gave her a quick lesson on the international sign for HELP and she laughed at me. I laughed to, because I had made it and I was ok. It was hard, it wasn't very fun, but it was fulfilling to know that I had done it.

Looking back, whether or not you think that really was God letting me know that I would be ok or just my PR Machismo kicking in (I give this one to God). I can see how at times in our life we need to rely on that still small voice deep inside our hearts. Life is hard and isn't always fun so we need to rely on God and keep pressing on. When you fall, get back up, when you stop, get moving again. Being a guy I fall back things that leaders of men have said, one that pops into mind is from Winston Churchill, "Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty". To many times we let the enemy win. First in small little things, we give in some ground, then in more and more and more. Today, don't stop fighting, don't give in, get up, get moving and get with God. He is the rock and you can always rely on Him.

Be Blessed

Carlos

Great Brows!

2009-08-04T15:11:00.004-04:00

I love eyebrows. They can do so much in the way of expression and oh, how I love to pluck! Here's a cute video to brighten your day. I suspect that there is computer assistance involved, but even so, it's pretty clever. I love the little boy's chin/lower lip and how it puckers when the girl starts playing with the baloon. Too funny!

- Abby

Batman and Jesus

2009-08-03T13:19:00.003-04:00

Here is a great blog from the guys of Addison Road...

When I was in elementary school one of my favorite things in the world was getting to go to summer camp. I loved being out in the woods, going swimming in the lake, and inevitably falling in love with a girl by the end of the week.

I remember one incident at camp particularly well. My best friend Bryan came to camp with me – it was the year the movie Batman came out and we were both obsessed with it. I got a package in the mail from my Mom (always the highlight of camp), which included sunscreen, cookies, and a couple of Batman toy figures inside. I was really confused when I saw my Mom had sent me two of the same Batman figures. Why wouldn’t she have gotten me Batman and the Joker? Batman and anyone else would have worked, how did she miss the fact that she sent me two of the same toys? At that point I remember thinking, “Surely this extra Batman isn’t for Bryan? It was an accident and I’ll exchange it for something else when I get home.” So for the whole week I enjoyed having my Batman figures on the windowsill by my bed, one that was opened and one that stayed untouched in the package.

When Mom came to pick me up from camp at the end of the week the first thing I asked her was why she had sent me two of the same Batman figures. And then the answer I already knew inside came, “I sent one for you and one for Bryan. Didn’t you share it with him?” Gulp. No Mom, actually I kept it to myself and only let him hold the package for a minute before grabbing it out of his grubby little hands.

Oops...

Sometimes it’s so easy for me to live life this way. I hold on so tight to things I think are mine that I miss the point completely. For a long time I didn’t understand it. I knew God wanted me to give money back to Him but I had my hands clenched so tight around it that I couldn’t let it go. How selfish. Now every month when I send in our tithe I feel like I’m loosening my grip on what I say is mine. Isn’t it all God’s anyway? Who am I to say something is mine? James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” So doesn’t that mean every good thing in my life is a gift from God? My wife, my stuff, even my life, it’s all God’s anyway. It’s strange but there’s a freedom that comes when I let go of what I thought was mine all along.

We spent this whole last week in Nashville writing the final songs for our new album. It was an amazing week and we really wrote some incredible songs. Our last thing to do in town was for the band to sit down with our record label and talk about which songs would and wouldn’t make the final cut of the album. This sounded harmless enough, until some songs I had written started getting knocked off the list. All I kept thinking was, “I worked so hard on that one!” Or, “Oh not that one, don’t you see how good that one could be?” After the meeting I started feeling really selfish. My songs. Aren’t those songs God’s whether they ever end up on an album or not?A friend told me once that we’re supposed to live life with an open hand. It’s when we start gripping things too tightly that we miss the point and miss out on what God really has for us. I think that’s true. So I’m trying to loosen the grip on my Batman figures one finger at a time.

-Ryan Gregg

Fore more on Addison Road check out: http://www.addisonroad.com/

Be Blessed.

Carlos

The War Within Me

2009-07-28T12:57:00.004-04:00

The Saint and The Sinner

Nathan Hale, was a soldier for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Widely considered America's first spy, he volunteered for an intelligence-gathering mission, but was captured by the British. He is best remembered for his speech before being hanged following the Battle of Long Island, in which he said, "I only regret that I have but one life to give my country." This morning I was driving in to work and I was listening to the new Downhere album when a song came on with the lyrics, "I'll give you back the life you've given me, All you've given me." Those lines sent my mind spinning with thoughts on just how powerful our lives can be.

God gives us one life to live. Then He gives us a choice. We can live for Him or we can live for ourselves. It's an internal war we wage every moment of everyday. Take my typical day for instance...

On the road by 4:30am you see some really, really bad drivers. Do I curse them for being so sleepy behind the wheel and nearly causing an accident or do I pray for their safety and well being so they can continue to live the life they have? Remember that person is someone's father or mother or sister or brother.

The homeless man I see by the roadside near the station. Do I live out Matthew 25 or do I say to myself, "That bum should get a job. or Why give him anything, all he'll do is buy drugs or alcohol."

During the morning show when things go wrong or I miss an action or miss fire a sound effect do I blame others or Abby or the interns and let one small thing ruin my day or do I try to get better by seeing how things went wrong and learn from the situation. Do I stare at my problems or do I rise above it to see my blessings?

All these things happen from time to time and I'm not even done with the first part of my day! Every moment is a choice, every day a decision I make to live for Him. I'm on this Downhere kick right now because I just thought about the song "All At War" and the lines:

I'm learning to stand the more that I fall down,
It's the law of inversion, and it's all turned around,
And I'm staggered by the clash inside my soul,
So purposed for good but inclined for evil

It's justice and mercy the old dichotomies,
All along the frontlines of my heart in both doubt and belief
The sinner and saint, the old arch enemies,
All at war, in me

I was born depraved, but created for the divine,
With death in my bones, in my heart eternal life,
I'd love for Eden, but I'd kill for Rome,
I'm native in a land that is not my home

We have free will to choose every moment of everyday to live for Him. The Sinner and The Saint in the same person. So proposed for good but inclined for evil. Everyday wake up and choose to die to self and live in Christ. Find his grace again and again, a love so complete you could never explain it. His wonder and beauty and mystery and meaning. Every morning His mercy is new and His love knows no end. Find Christ in the meaning of your existance and you find the meaning of life. Let our life's cry to be, "I regret that I only have one life to give my God." Live for Him today.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

A Mood-and-a-Half

2009-07-27T11:55:00.016-04:00

That's what it's called in my house when I have "a moment." Sometimes the moment lasts for more than just a moment though. This past Saturday, it lasted from about 9am until 3pm. My poor, patient husband... I've been bitter with him lately. The reason? To sum it up, we bought a new car and I got his old car. Instead of counting my blessings that we can even afford to buy a car, I have been consumed with jealousy and a woe-is-me mentality. I am so dissappointed in myself for feeling this way and I'm trying hard to just let it go. I think I'm almost there. Almost.

On Saturday, he proposed that we go to the store to purchase car wash needs and then wash our cars. I mentioned that after we stopped at the store, we could go to McDonald's for a coffee. He said, "Then we'll take your car. No coffee in my car." My jaw dropped. No closed-lid coffee? I won't open it. I'll put a napkin around it. I'll hold it. Nope. No coffee in the car. I know this sounds silly, but in my female mind that I don't even understand sometimes, I associated the care that he has for his car with the care that he has for me and I saw one as being greater than the other. I'll let you guess which was on the losing end.

In sets the mood. The whole time we were washing our cars, I was foul. The poor guy couldn't make a correct move, say a correct sentence, nothing. God love him, he kept on truckin'. He was trying hard to be sweet, and I was turning everything sour. The afternoon proceeded the same way. I figured I'd try to keep myself busy, so I moved to ironing. Mid-chore, we got a call from friends inviting us to hang out. He wanted to go. I said I wasn't interested, but that he should go without me. Up to this point, we could ignore the mood, but now it was out in the open.

An hour later, I was done crying. God is so good to me. If he'd sent any other guy my way, I probably would've been left standing alone in my kitchen in tears. I don't take back the arguments I was making or the feelings I feel, but I do know that Josh is a special guy. He is patient just like my dad and I am (a little) neurotic, just like my mom. They just celebrated their 35th anniversary. My mom and dad always say that they are each other's best friend. I love that. In my hysteria, Josh told me that I'm his best friend. He doesn't know how much that meant to me. He loves me (and likes me) even when I'm in more than a mood: a mood-and-a-half. God help us all if it's ever a double-mood!

How did it end? Peacefully. I insisted that Josh go to our friend's house. I just wanted to calm down. I ended up going to chuch and the sacrament of reconciliation. It felt good. I wasn't done crying though. That poor priest! I hope you know that when you feel overwhelmed and down, God is waiting for you to reach out to him. He's patient, just like my husband (probably a little bit more) even when you're in a mood.

-Abby

Tal and Acacia

2009-07-24T13:24:00.002-04:00

Here is a great blog from their website...

HELP WANTED

Let me start off by saying that I love sleep. Many people struggle with insomnia while I battle the need to get out of somnia. (Sad joke, ignore it.) I am not one of those super humans (a.k.a. every parent) that can survive with only four hours of z's. No way- I am a solid "7 hours or bust!" kind of girl. (It's a rare breed, but we do still exist, be of good cheer.) However, my passion for sleep can conflict greatly with what I'm required to do...travel.Yes, breakdowns are much more predictable/common if you are me, and I am sleep deprived (or hungry, or if my hands feel dirty, or if I have to go in a bathroom with bare feet, or if I go to the bathroom and there's no soap! Oh gross-that's a recipe for breakdown.) Well two days ago, it happened...I had a meltdown.

This was the exact recipe for it:

2 cups of insomnia

1 cup of heavy luggage

½ cup of delayed flights

½ cup of Budget closing at 1 am (Even though we had a reservation for a car there that night after our flight arrived)

¼ cup of people on the phone telling me I can use Avis instead of Budget, and after walking to and fro, they discovered that they were wrong and sorry but that we were stuck until 6 am without a vehicle

¼ cup of impatience and frustration

¼ cup of begging the Avis man to help us- that was sad to watch3 tablespoons of two sisters together for too long- pure disaster

1 ½ teaspoons of feeling completely helpless

1 teaspoon of screaming in public- yeah let's forget that part

Put that in the oven at 350 degrees and you've got Acacia breakdown!

All of that happened (with much more drama than I mentioned) and I was not happy with God. I've been feeling so weak as it is, but now this!? Cut me a break! I was losing it fast, and wanting to quit the "obedience" thing right then and there. But then (it still makes me cry thinking of it,) God intervened. It was like I saw God touch the little Avis man, because all of a sudden he started helping us! He made the call to a manager, and told us we could have a car and didn't have to come back at 5:30 to exchange it for our reserved car. (It was already 3 am at that point.) It was so odd and so quick! We tried over an hour to work it out ourselves...we still had nothin.' YHWH took over and within 10 minutes, we were out and driving to the hotel! It was a miracle. I sat in that car, dumb-founded, and completely moved by His love.

His spirit spoke the truth to me. He still cares about me. He hasn't left me to sleep in an airport. (Even if their bathrooms do have soap.) He is still leading me, and He is still with me! I want to encourage you today, especially if you feel like you've got a recipe brewing for a breakdown. YHWH deeply loves and will always cherish you. (Even with all of our missing screws.) He wants to pave the way and let us drive to freedom...but do we want it!? Can we give up our need to be right, our need to be in control? I'll admit it, I didn't pray when everything was going wrong, I just tried to get smarter and solve it by myself. I called the supervisors, I chased down managers...but my strength had no fruit.

I just read in 1 Thessalonians 1 that works are only produced by faith, labor must be prompted by love, and endurance can only be inspired by hope in Jesus Christ. "For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction."That is Christianity, not just silly nilly words... but POWER!

Christianity is living life with the HOLY SPIRIT! I am convicted by my pride and ignorance. How do I forget that Jesus is Lord!? He is in control of everything! He offers me so many spiritual fruits and yet I try to grow them too often by myself. I am tired of feeling empty; I want fullness! It's not about my life being perfect; but about the perfect life being with me. This world would not affect me if I let myself be more affected by Jesus. It's my choice, and my responsibility to make that happen. It's time for me to pull over and ask for help. (That's not just hard for guys, believe you me.) We need real direction from a real Father and these days I'm thinking, what do I even have to lose? The Avis man already saw me scream. ;-0

So let the world know, let my heart put up the sign: HELP WANTED. I cannot solve this life by myself Lord...(so please- inquire within already!)

Ha. Much love to you.

Check Out: Talandacacia.com

Be Blessed.

Carlos

Correction

2009-07-22T20:18:00.007-04:00

Would You Mind if...

OH PLEASE! Gimme a break! Why do some people feel the need to correct every little misstep and mistake we make in life? It's a little annoying!

God knows I love Abby, she's great. She truly is a joy to work with and I wouldn't want to have any other person on air with me for four hours a day just to then go share an office for the rest of the day. But she is one of "those" people. People who feel the need to correct every grammatical mistake, every brain fart and every Freudian slip. For some of them they don't even realize they are doing it. It's like it is just a part of their make up. As if God himself embedded into their genetic code this inert desire to correct others their missteps. Did I mention it was annoying to the rest of us?

Now, I know, I know. I'm not exactly a shining star of perfection either, Lord knows I've got my problems too. This blog really isn't a jab at Abby either! She has recently told me that she is well aware of this minor imperfection in her personality as is actually working on it. I have suggested electro shock therapy or at least a visit to Tampa Bay Christian Counseling Center, but as far as I know she has not done either. But that's ok. We love her anyway.

So what sparked this tirade of a blog on those who feel the need to correct the rest of society?

Good question. Thanks for asking.

Earlier today I was feeling a little pale so I decided to go down to the pool and work on my tan at my neighborhoods clubhouse and rec center. The place was actually very packed and there wasn't much room to lay out, but I did see a spot to set up shop so I headed in that direction. There was a pool chair available, but it was right next to this lady. So I do the polite thing and asked, "Would you mind if I used this chair"? It really wasn't a question more or less a statement that I would be using this chair but her response was a little off. She says to me, "Would I? Well I don't know yet. Why don't you sit down and see if I do".

Huh?!?! (I know, my thoughts exactly.)

So I then just figure she is kidding and I quickly laugh off the comment and sit down. I lay out my towel, pull out my iPod, set my phone down and just as I am about to get comfortable she says to me, "Actually, I do mind. Be so kind as to move over a few feet, you are blocking my view of the pool and my grandchildren".

WHAT!?!? (I know, I know)

Her whole point to this line of conversation was geared around my apparent miss use of the phrase, Would you mind vs. Do you mind. She knew exactly what I meant when I said whatever it was that I said. Why even bother with anything else? Just say from the beginning, "You handsome stud of a man, I don't mind you using that chair as long as you move it over a few feet so I can see my grandchildren". Even if she drops the handsome stud part, that would have been enough!

There are days when I pray for peace and God decides to teach me patience. Today was a test of my patience. I was already in a stressed out mood and just wanted some quite time by the pool to relax. Instead I got a grandmothers mini trial of my patience and 3 little ones in the pool screaming bloody murder at each other for changing the rules to marco polo. Thankfully, God has a sense of humor about himself. First song on the iPod, Joy Williams, "One of those days". I said amen to that, spotted myself a quick time out, said a prayer and cranked that song up till I drowned out the shouting.

Life is good. Even when its just one of those days. Be Blessed.

Carlos

The End of Days

2009-07-21T20:17:00.003-04:00

Would You Want to Know When?

I just watched the movie "Knowing" with Nicolas Cage. It was actually pretty good. Granted we are talking about Nic Cage movies here so the bar is set pretty low, but I will say it was as good if not better than "The Rock" although Sean Connery really carried that one. The movie is based around this sheet of numbers that are correctly predicting catastrophic world events from their dates and total number dead, down to their exact location. Problem number one, there are only three dates left and then the letters EE. Which are later revealed to mean (SPOILER ALERT) everyone else. It is the end of days, Man's final hour.

This movie really got me thinking. One, there were a ton of Christian parallels I took from this film. The idea that only those who hear the call are chosen and saved, the rest perish. God is knocking on the hearts of those who are not His, if they never hear His call, a fiery oven awaits. There were a few more but in all truth, I have no idea if the man behind the film was a Christian or not and I may be seeing things that aren't really there, but I was psyched that the movie got my Christian mojo moving.

My first thought was, would I want to know when the final hour would arrive? Would I live my life differently if I knew the exact date and time that our Lord was set to return? Let's say I knew that 7 years from today God was to make His glorious reappearance and take us all home to be with Him. Would I party like it was 1999 and live like a wild man only to "come home" and repent of my wicked ways 3 days before He came? Maybe that is why God says in Matthew 24, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father". He wants a people who are ready to go at all times and live a life of service in love of Him.

I would love to think that even if I knew the exact time of the Lords return, I would still live a life according to what God's will was for me. But in truth, I doubt it. Think back to when you were kids. If you knew that you were not supposed to watch TV, but Mom and Dad weren't going to be home for 2 solid hours, you'd be watching "In Living Color" till you dozed off and got caught when you didn't hear the car pull up. (That was a true life experience for me) The temptation would be too great for many of us to bear.

There were a few more things that I would love to write on but this blog would get really, really long. Maybe another time. But, would I want to know the end date? Nah. Why spoil the surprise. 1 Thessalonians 5 says, "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night". Meaning, be ready at all times. Don't sleep on the will and love of our Savior. He is ready and waiting like the Father in the story of the prodigal son to take you back in and make you His son or daughter again. He loves you and wants you home.

Live Ready. Be Blessed.

Carlos

Open the Book!

2009-07-17T13:09:00.009-04:00

A lot of non-Catholics view people of the faith as not being Bible-readers. Catholics always respond with, "We read the Bible! Every Sunday we read the Old and New Testament, the Psalms and a gospel passage." And don't forget the prayers and acclamations that are full of Scripture like the Holy, Holy (a combo of Is 6 and Ps 118:26), the Our Father (Mt 6:9), and the Gloria (Lk 2:14).

Do you dive into your Bible at home though? Daily? I hope your answer is an enthusiastic "Yes!" and for many people, I'm sure it is. But I bet most of us would answer with, "Yes, but not as often as I should."

I have to admit that while I've been reading a lot more of the Bible than I ever have, I sometimes go into my reading time with the same attitude that I do with exercise. I know I need to do it. I know it's good for me. Sometimes the actual discipline of sitting still and being quiet can be tough though. BUT, just like a workout, once I start, I'm in it 100% and loving every minute of it. And, just like exercise, I see results!

A member of the USCCB wrote an article entitled, "The Bible is for Catholics." It's a great reminder of why and how we should read the scriptures. I encourage you to read the article here. Here are a couple of points that hit home with me:

- Prayer is the beginning and the end. At the start of your reading time, ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your mind. At the end, pray that His Word will bear fruit.

- The Bible isn't a book, it's a library. It's really fascinating to me that the Bible contains history, prophecy, poetry, advice and of course real life accounts. To know the genre of the book you're reading will help you understand the content.

- Reading isn't enough. If what's in the book stays in the book, then you're wasting your time. It must be put into action.

St. Jerome said, "Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ." I can't speak for you, but I want nothing more in life than to know Jesus better. We've got the way right in front of us. We just have to crack it open.

-Abby

I Love Finding New Music!

2009-07-16T07:14:00.005-04:00

I'm in L-U-V. I have a gift card for a free music download from a compilation album of up-and-coming Christian artists. I finally went online today to see what songs I have to choose from. I browsed the list of songs and stopped on "Future of Forestry." I thought to myself, "Never heard of 'em! They're probably going to be mediocre at best." See back to sentence #1 in this paragraph.

I find few things in life more rewarding than discovering a new artist, or an artist who is new to me at least. That especially pertains to bands that I think are different from the norm and present something that is like a breath of fresh air. I get giddy at the idea of sharing my new treasure with friends and fellow music-lovers. So, I decided, "I must blog about Future of Forestry!" If you've known about FoF and you're saying, "Uh, hello Abby! I've been a fan of them for a long time. Where have you been?" then shame on you for holding out on me!

I searched for Future of Forestry on iTunes and after listening to a few songs, I downloaded their entire album, Twilight. No, it has nothing to do with the movie about vampires. It came out in 2007 and they just released their EP Travel this past May (I had to come edit this blog to add that I ended up downloading Travel as well). The band is from San Diego and was formerly called, "Something Like Silas." In case you're like me and wondering where the name, "Future of Forestry" comes from, it’s the title of an obscure C.S. Lewis poem about an England overtaken by industrialization. Pretty heavy, huh? The band sees the words of the poem as more than just an environmental warning though. Lead singer, Eric Owyound said, "It's not about saving trees but about saving our lives from being taken over by technology. It's about asking if we are still able to see beauty."

I would describe FoF's sound as a mix of Mutemath, Jimmy Eat World, U2, Jars of Clay (who they are opening for next week) and something else I can't quite put my finger on. Some songs are definitely rock while others are more melodic and deep. It's a little dark, but I like that. No matter how you slice it, it's good music. Check out their songs on iTunes or click here for their MySpace music page and enjoy! Make sure that when you tell your friends about FoF you say, "I found out about these guys from Abby!" And quit holding out on me!

- Abby

When Good Food Goes Bad

2009-07-15T11:25:00.003-04:00

It's All About The Date

Call me crazy, but when it comes to the food I eat I check the date on everything. Milk, eggs, meats, can goods, it doesn't matter I check it all! And I don't really know why I do that or why I am such a freak about the dates on my food because I know the science behind it all.

Take Milk for instance...according to a CBS News report MILK CAN BE SAFELY USED UP TO A WEEK PAST THE SELL-BY DATE! I know, I know, that's crazy talk right there. But the truth is that yes, it can, if you keep in mind that your fridge has to remain at 40-degrees Fahrenheit, or below, at all times. Make the milk the last thing you pick up before you hit the store's checkout, to minimize the time it's left un-refrigerated, which can exacerbate the spoilage; then, store it at the very back of the shelf, where the air tends to be colder. If you follow that order things should be good for up to a week after the date on the jug.

Take Raw Meat...Raw poultry and pork, and beef in the form of steaks and roasts, will last up to 12 months. Ground beef will only be good for about three to four months. Cooked meat will last about three to four months, as well.

So I know all of this and I still can't get myself to eat anything that is past my standard of shelf life.

Carlos' Guide to Fresh Food

Milk = Gone on the next day after the date on the jug.
Meat = If it smells or looks funky, I two step it to the trash bin.
Left Overs = Two Days. Period.
Ice Cream = If its not frosted over in ice, its good.
Eggs = If they float, out they go.
Canned Goods = See Milk.
Rice, Pasta, Sugar = Looks good, its ok. Looks funny, garbage.

I know I may be a little extreme but that's just how I roll. I'd rather eat fresh, than eat something and wish later that I hadn't as I pray to God for healing over the toilet bowl calling for Ralph! Be blessed today and check out the complete guide to the sell by dates here if you want more info.

Carlos

Co-Op is Back!

2009-07-13T16:31:00.013-04:00

I sent my friend Nicole a text last week that felt eerily like a note a 15-year-old would pass to her ex during geometry class. It pleaded, "Will you take me back? Yes/No/Maybe So." Nicole knew exactly what I meant. About a month ago, I told her I wanted out of our Dinner Co-Op. I needed space, time to reflect, to figure out what I wanted. Nicole was sad and spread the word to the third member of our co-op, Cheryl. Cheryl is the newest member and she quickly asked, "Is it my fault? Did she not like my cooking?" When Nicole told me about Cheryl's concerns, I quickly replied, "It's not you. It's me."

I spent some time away, experiencing what could be called a "regular" cooking routine and I quickly saw the error of my ways. I wanted back in. Thank goodness Nicole and Cheryl are forgiving people because they welcomed me back with open arms. I only hope I haven't broken their trust. They might live each Dinner Co-Op week wondering if I've got one foot out the door. I guarantee it girls; I'm in it for the long haul.

If you're new to the Dinner Co-Op world, let me tell you how it works. Find a friend or two or three. It works best when everyone lives nearby. Designate a night of the week for each person to cook. We change it every week because our schedules change. When it's your night to cook, make a main course and deliver it to the homes of the other members of your group. Then the other nights, sit back, relax and wait for a home-cooked meal to arrive at your doorstep. It works out well for me, Nicole and Cheryl because the only child in the mix is under two years, so we don't have to worry about feeding multiple family members. Each of us cooks six servings: two per home. With that said, Dinner Co-Op is completely possible for families as well, it just takes a little bit more prep - just as it would if you were cooking for your own family instead of just you and your spouse.

The important part is to make sure everything is equal. That's what will keep the co-op alive. If you are just one of two people in your household, then don't join a co-op with someone who is going to want you to cook for her and her husband and their three kids. It's got to be fair. Nicole, Cheryl and I are all about the same caliber when it comes to cooking as well. None of us is Emeril, but we're not going to poison each other either. As long as you can work those details out, it's so simple. And talk about money saving! Buying ingredients for one meal with six servings is so much cheaper than three meals each with two servings. And did I mention you only cook once and eat three times???

We've been co-op'ing for almost a year now. I don't stick with much. I get bored easily and I kind of like change, so the fact that this co-op has been going on for so long (with the exception of the recent brief hiatus, shame on me), is a testament to it's convenience and effectiveness. I encourage you to try it out. Email me if you have any questions. It can be kind of confusing at first. Once you get the hang of it though, it's smooth, yummy sailing. Bon appetit!

- Abby

Moving Day

2009-07-11T21:03:00.004-04:00

The Art of Moving

So the big day finally came. My friends have bought and closed on their first home and I was on the moving team to help them get settled in. (By moving team, I mean I was one of three guys) No offense to any of the ladies present (2) but they did not even attempt to lift anything more than 15 pounds so I left them off the team. They were more like team managers or coordinators. Still important to the teams success, just not on the actual team.

You learn a lot about yourself on a moving day...

1. How much you really do or do not like the friend you are helping to move. You learn that pretty quickly when you judge whether or not you'll ever help them move again.

2. For guys you learn how much you can lift or hold up off the ground for any given time before snapping your hernia. For me, it was a lot more than I actually thought I could. My doctor would be proud.

3. And finally, how nice it is to give of yourself and just be a blessing to someone.

I know the bible talks about do unto others as you would have them do unto you and that truly applies on moving day. When I move houses, if I ever move again, I will call upon everyone I have ever helped move and guilt them into helping me. I will use that verse as a reference too. I'll be like, "HEY! Hey you! Remember when I lifted your 200 pound armoire across your living room 7 times? Time to do unto me and help me with mine!"

Honestly, I was just nice to be a blessing to my friends today, whether or not they ever have the chance to return the favor. Spending time with people in love and relationship is what God has called us to do. To love people, with nothing needed in return. To help people, without compensation needed. Was it fun to move a 200 pound armiore around a house, up a truck, then off a truck and around a house like 7 times. NO! But it was great spending time in fellowship with some friends I know needed my help.

So, in closing, I know I learned this today...I must really like these friends of mine. Because I would move them again in a heartbeat. And, just as God has called us to love people, I hope I had a chance to show that love to my friends today. Even if it cost me a pulled groin and strained back.

Carlos

Better Vision

2009-07-08T11:37:00.006-04:00

A Little Optimism Please...

So this morning Abby and I covered a news story on how being optimistic can actually improve your vision. Volunteers in the study were told to just focus on the faces they were to be shown. Those who were of the optimistic nature were able to make out more than just the faces, they saw location detail and expressions using their peripheral vision. Those who were of the pessimistic nature were only able to recall the face they were told to focus on.

When I read that, it was like God opened up my eyes in a sense to how spiritually relevant that was. How often in life, when something bad happens do we just focus down on only the problem? I do it all the time. Something bad, (we'll call it XYZ) happens in our life. We will spend countless hours in worry and stress and be so consumed by the XYZ situation, that we can't see anything else in our lives. All of the other blessings that God has done, how he provides and is a shield in the midst of trouble. We can become so consumed by the problem that we never see the solution.

I was talking to a man after the New Faces, New Music tour the other day and he told me he had lost his job 6 weeks earlier. But during all of it, he saw how God took care of his family, how God made a way and has been providing for them. He's taking an optimistic outlook on his very negative situation. Instead of being consumed by the situation of being unemployed he has turned it over to God and said, "I can't handle this alone, I need your help and provision over my life and my families life". Now he is able to see God's grace and goodness in the midst of a trial in his life and feels a whole lot better not being bogged down in stress and worry all the time.

If you're facing something large in your life, a situation XYZ, turn it over to God. No matter what it is and you'll SEE His grace and provision over your life.

1 Peter 5:7 says "Give all your worries to Him, because He cares for you"

Matthew 6:25 says "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Psalm 91:1 says "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Stop staring at whatever situation XYZ you've got going on in your life and look around you to see that God is there, He loves you and will forever take care of you.

Be Blessed.

Carlos

My Boy Barnabas

2009-06-30T09:52:00.003-04:00

Son of Encouragement

Encouragement, from time to time I sure could use a dose or two of it. Well let me introduce you to the man in scripture known as the son of it! My boy, Barnabas.

Barnabas doesn’t get very much press in the New Testament. He shows up in only 33 verses, but in those few verses, you get a pretty good picture about who he was in the body of Christ, one who is selfless when faced with the Gospel.

So, what can we learn from this cousin of John Mark? He’s of the tribe of Levi, from the island of Cyprus, and at one point he sold one of his fields and gave the proceeds to the apostles.
He’s no poor schlub, but a pretty well off guy with a solid Jewish heritage. Yet, he heard the proclamation of the Gospel of the Crucified and Risen Christ, and understood the importance of proclaiming that Gospel to the ends of the earth.

He was sent by the Jerusalem church to Antioch to keep the fledgling church there humming along. Eventually, he set off with Paul on his first missionary journey as his right hand man.

His name, “Barnabas”, means “son of encouragement.” It’s a rather appropriate name for one who would serve not as a proclaimer, but as one who accompanied and encouraged one of the greatest proclaimers of all on his Gospel missions.

Thank God that not everyone He calls is a preacher! Every Barnabas that pops up in the church is indeed a treasure. As Paul said, the Body of Christ needs more than mouths. It needs the hands and arms and hearts of the Barnabases of the world, too.

If not for someone in my life like Barnabas, I know I would have given up on my dream long ago. Why? Because life is hard. It's easy to give up especially when it's God that has called you to do something. It's like even more things come to get in the way. We all could use a Barnabas or two and I'm sure we know someone we could be like Barnabas for. Think about that. God Bless.

Carlos

Pillars of the Church

2009-06-29T09:53:00.010-04:00

Today we celebrate the feast of the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. I find it interesting that these two men share a feast day. Meanwhile, and this is no knock on him, St. Argymirus gets his own day, June 28th. Are you familiar with St. Argymirus? Me neither. But if you ask any Christian, chances are they can tell you quite a bit about Peter and Paul. These two men, pillars of our Church, share a day. I suppose that's because they both gave so much, yet so differently to the formation of Christianity. This goes to show that we're all in this together and we need to appreciate the different strengths and failings of one another.

I read this about P&P: Peter and Paul represent two strikingly different approaches to discipleship. Peter, our first pope had to learn slowly, make many mistakes along the way, but always experienced the compassionate forgiveness and encouragement of Jesus. Paul, on the other hand, came to the Faith immediately and never backed away from his zeal for Christ after that. Many of us can see both these great Apostles in ourselves. Like Peter, we sometimes fail yet persevere. Like Paul, we must always be on fire for the Lord, and proclaim Him to everyone and in every situation, no matter how difficult it can sometimes be to do so.

If you identify with Peter or Paul, or both, I encourage you to take sometime today to reflect on their journeys of faith and ask them to pray for you. Ask Peter to pray that your faith will increase or that you'll show more perseverance when tested. Ask Paul for help in witnessing to a friend or ask him to pray for a conversion in someone. They are so real in their sufferings, failings and trials, but more than anything, Peter and Paul loved Jesus. They would do anything in their power to get just one more person to know Him. If we can live each day like Peter and Paul then I think we'll be doing ok.

- Abby

OH! - and have you read about the testing on the bones of St. Paul? Off the AP Wire yesterday: "The first-ever scientific test on what are believed to be the remains of the Apostle Paul 'seems to confirm' that they do indeed belong to the Roman Catholic saint, Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday." Read the whole article here. This was released just after an article about scientists finding what they believe to be the oldest image of Paul. Pretty neat stuff!

He Knows Your Name

2009-06-25T11:05:00.003-04:00

Your Name Is...?

I am not very good with remembering someones name. I can remember a face, that I won't forget, but a name, no way. It's not for lack of trying, I do, I really try and want to be that person who seems to know everyone and everyone's name. I feel horrible when I meet listeners for the second or third or tenth time and I still can not recall their names. I know that if I were on the other end, I would want to be remembered. Did I mention that I'm trying to get better at that. You have my sincere apologies if I have ever not remembered your name, please know that I am trying...

This morning, Abby and I did a story on what Dave Meurer wrote for christianitytoday.com. He told his story of not remembering his own wife's parents names! Ouch. But he ended it with a great thought on God and how He knows us by name.

I therefore take enormous comfort in a moving passage from the Bible where God declares to his people, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" (Isaiah 43:1).

"I have called you by name."

He knows who I am. We are sometimes tempted to think of God as so lofty that he sees us as a mass of humanity, not as individuals. But here he is, calling us by name. Others may forget you, but the God of the universe knows your name. And he will never forgot.

After reading that thought, my entire outlook on my day changed. How great is it to know that the giant God of the universe who created all of mankind and all the heavens loves each and everyone of us as individuals, not as just a giant blob of His followers. The bible says, Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. That is how well our God knows us and loves us. Each.

Be blessed today,

Carlos

One Liners

2009-06-24T19:02:00.003-04:00

If Only Rodney Dangerfield Had Done Christian One Liners...

While I was doing my prep for the show tonight I came across a website loaded with "one liners" those classic quick jokes that Rodney Dangerfield was famous for. After the first few jokes I caught my self ending each one with "no respect...I gets no respect". The funny thing is that a few weeks ago a bunch of us at the radio station had the discussion, who was/is "The Greatest Comedian of All Time". Rodney's name came up. So in honor of who once was a great comedian, here is the list of Christian "one liners" that I found. Some are funny, made me laugh, some are not meant to be funny just make you think, but few can touch the level of Dangerfield. Enjoy!

Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?!

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God grades on the cross, not the curve.

God loves everyone, but probably prefers"fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given.

Carlos

Missions Trip

2009-06-23T13:06:00.003-04:00

Houston, We Are Go...

So a really neat thing happened to me a few weeks ago. I get to my office after the show and on my desk is a folder loaded with information about a mission trip headed to the Dominican Republic (from here on out simply called "The DR"). My first thought was that they wanted me to interview them about going to the DR and how they would be bringing down medical aid to that country. Attached to the folder I see a number, a name and a church: Jennifer Wright, 813--------, South Tampa Fellowship. Intrigued and thinking it might make a good interview I called the number hoping for voicemail, but Jennifer picked up, I didn't really know what to say so I just asked the dumb question, "So....why did I get this packet?" Jennifer goes on to tell me all about the trip and what they were going to be doing and how her team was praying one day for more men to go on this trip when my name came up. So she then threw this questions my way, "What do you think about going on a missions trip?"

STOP THE PRESSES! Me go to the DR with Doctors and Nurses who are treating people for God knows what, when I can barely handle needles and blood and other random bodily functions! No way, I don't do trips to the Caribbean unless they involve me sitting beach side in board shorts working on my tan lines. I know...a very sad first thought.

But the more I spoke with Jennifer the more I felt like I was meant to go on this trip. I kept thinking about the verse in Matthew, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Thankfully I'm not one to make rash decisions so I told Jennifer I would pray about it and see how I felt.

Now, two solid weeks later I have my answer....

I'm headed on my first real missions trip. I'm not really sure how I'm going to fund the trip, God is going to have to open up some doors for me, but I truly feel like God is calling me to go on this trip. I'm looking forward to some alone time with Him AND really putting my money where my mouth is for once.

It's really easy for me to sit in a comfy studio behind a mic and talk about what God is calling us to go and do and how we should strive to say yes to His calling in our life. But if God calls me and I say No, after I've been preaching about how you should say Yes, then I'm a hypocrite. And that's not me.

So please pray for me and the team I will be traveling with October 10 - 17 as we embark on a Medical Mission Trip to the DR. I will have more details coming as we prepare to go and a complete recap once I get back. Also, whatever calling it is that God lays upon your heart I pray that you would say Yes. Maybe it's not the missions field. Maybe it's something a whole lot easier or maybe a whole lot harder. Just know that if God brings you to it, He'll get you through it.

Carlos

Fatherly Advice

2009-06-20T14:09:00.004-04:00

Thank You Dad

I've been truly blessed to have a great father. My dad and I are really nothing alike and yet whenever I have any questions or doubts or fears or whatever, the first person I think about going to is him. It's really weird too, for being his son I don't know how I ended up so polar opposite. I love sports, my dad not so much. He loves computers, the programming and technological side of it all, I love the video games you can play on them. I love to travel and be outside, he loves his house and the computer in his office. But through all of our differences in personality and life, he has found a way to reach me and help me become the man I am today. He has always been there for me and I pray he always will be. My mom gave me all the nurturing and comfort, but it was my dad who gave me my foundation and guidance.

Best advice he ever gave me, "When in doubt, don't". Simple, yet so profound. That one line has kept me out of so much trouble. My dad always told me to think before I acted, have a plan and a strategy for all I did in life and when I had any doubt or a feeling in my gut, to follow it. I always have and it's almost always been the right thing to do.

Many thanks to my dad for always being the one I can count on and for never letting our very different styles get in the way of a friendship I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

Here is something that I was emailed Friday morning, a poem for fathers. I don't know who wrote it, but it was nice. Enjoy and have a blessed fathers day weekend.

A Father Is:

There in every memory

See his love and care

Strength and hands to count on

Freely he does share

Provider, toil so faithfully

To make our dreams come true

Give strong and tender discipline

Though it is hard to do

A Father is God's chosen one

To lead the family

And point it to

His will for life

Of love and harmony...

-Author Unknown

Carlos

I'm Not a Huge Fan of Sweating

2009-06-20T13:54:00.021-04:00

On Friday I told Carlos that my big plans for the weekend were to sleep. This was true, but I also had plans for a small challenge for myself, a 5K, specifically the "Race for Red Cross" at Al Lopez Park. That distance is equal to about 3.1 miles, not a cross-country feat by any means, but I've never been a runner and honestly, I'm not one of those people who can say "I love running! It makes me feel alive!" I'm the person who says, "It makes my lungs hurt and my knees ache." Oh, and when I run, I sweat, which I'm not a huge fan of.

So why did I sign up? Well, I wanted to give myself a fitness goal and I figured signing up for a race would get me to train for said race. I was talking with a friend who said she runs one 5K a month. That way she always has one on the calendar. It keeps her on track. I'm totally stealing her idea.

So race #1 was this morning. I went by myself and out of the couple hundred people there, I didn't recognize a soul (but I did see a mini-van with a Spirit FM sticker!). My goal was to run the entire distance. I told myself the finishing time didn't matter. I could try to improve on it for my next race. I just wanted to keep running.

Even though a 5K is a novice runner's distance, I was still very intimidated. It was a pretty small group, so I was fearful of coming in dead last. There were a lot of different types of people there, but all I could see were the people who looked like runners. One woman had an iron-girl t-shirt on. Others had rock-hard abs. There were two ladies that couldn't have been under 60 and as they walked by me I thought to myself, "Those ladies are going to smoke me." I could just tell. One girl in particular that kept catching my eye was blond, with a great tan, pink shorts and really cool ear buds for her iPod. I'll call her "Miss Pink Shorts." She looked to be about 21. She arrived with a guy who looked about the same age. From a distance, I watched them do a little warm up together and as I stretched alone, I thought, "They look like they belonge out here." Miss Pink Shorts was going to be good. We all lined up and I headed for the back of the pack.

The horn blew and we started running. The first song on my iPod was The Benjamin Gate, "Lift Me Up," a great song for running. This is going to sound silly, but as the pack moved along the first few yards, I almost started crying. Partly because I was really proud of myself, but mostly it was because as I looked around I saw things differently and I noticed that I totally fit in. The man right in front of me was probably about 70. A girl who had a really cute hair band on was right next to me and running a pretty slow pace. I didn't feel so bad anymore.

There was a group of about 50 guys and girls doing some Army workouts before the race started. As we ran along the path they were at the sidelines cheering. To have a group of guys with high & tight haircuts sporting Army shirts clapping for you, that's a good feeling.

So, as A Flock of Seagulls said, "I Ran." I did a pretty good job too. I don't know my finishing time because what I saw on the clock at the finish line didn't match up to the timer on my iPod. I'll have to check the website that is going to post our times. I don't really care though, because I ran the whole way, all 3.1 miles (or 5 kilometers if you're anywhere other than the U.S.). I actually passed people during the run and afterwards a girl came up to me to ask me if I knew my time because she noticed that I was in front of her. I was in front of someone! I was actually in front of a lot of someones. When I finished the race I went towards the food and grabbed an apple and a little protein bar. I milled around a bit and then went back towards the finish line. I saw people still crossing. One of those people was Miss Pink Shorts. Hmm.

I really had a good time this morning. I am proud that I didn't listen to the voice inside of me that said, "It was only $20 to enter. Consider it a donation to the Red Cross and go back to sleep!" I'm even more proud that I learned a valuable lesson today. I've always known not to judge a book by it's cover. I shouldn't have made assumptions about the people I saw today. But I also came to realize we shouldn't put labels or limits on ourselves. We could be robbing ourselves of a good time, a valuable friendship, a life changing experience, or a new challenge. You'll never know what obstacles you can overcome if you don't try. If anyone knows of a good 5K in July (I like it where there are bagels at the end - or hot dogs!), let me know. I'm in!

-Abby

Together We Can Do More

2009-06-19T08:58:00.011-04:00

Yesterday I attended an organizational meeting for Feed the Bay. I'm really excited for Spirit FM to be a part of this project again this year. Feed the Bay is an inter-denominational outreach project for churches in Hillsborough County designed to stock the shelves of area food banks. It all started at one church back in 2007 then expanded to include several churches in eastern Hillsborough and now, the goal is to involve the entire county.

The long and short of it is that on September 27th, each participating church will send their members out with a grocery list to local Publix and Sweetbay stores between 8am and 2pm. The stores provide trucks (pretty cool) which get loaded up and the food gets delivered to the banks on that same day. It's a huge undertaking, but great things come of it. Here are last year's stats: 22 churches were involved. About 20,000 people shopped. 823 people volunteered as sorters at the grocery stores or the 12 food banks. 270,000 pounds of food were donated.

Another really uniting part about Feed the Bay is that the participating churches can order t-shirts for their members to wear that day. Now imagine this: 20,000 shoppers all in Feed the Bay t's, all visiting Publix and Sweetbay stores in one concentrated area, all within a 6 hour period. Volunteers will be outside the stores in their shirts, loading up the trucks. It's even in the plans for the Publix employees to wear a Feed the Bay t-shirt that day as well. I don't know about you, but I imagine it will be quite a sight.

I encourage you, if you're in Hillsborough County, especially the eastern part, to ask your priest or pastor if your church is signed up for Feed the Bay. The deadline to sign up and be listed on the t-shirt as a participating church is August 1st. That's also the deadline to order the shirts for your congregation to wear while they shop, so it's time to get a move on! I want to see all denominations on that shirt: Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal... Along with feeding the hungry, Feed the Bay can make a huge impact by sending a message to non-believers that we as Christians are united and we have something that is worth being a part of. Get all the details and check to see if your church is signed up at http://www.feedthebay.org/.

- Abby

When nobody around you seems to measure up, it’s time to check your yardstick.

2009-06-16T08:17:00.009-04:00

Ever have one of those "ah-ha" moments? I had one yesterday. I've been told that I can be very critical of people. I am quick to point out people's mistakes, whether big or small. It can be a mistake in grammar or just a general misspeak. Yesterday it really sunk in. I know I'm not the only one who does this. I found this written about people like me: Many people feel that they need to tell everyone about every little fault that they find in every situation. They feel that they're doing people favors by pointing out what they see as flaws and problems, even though they may not be in a position in which people expect them to find mistakes.

I don't know why I do it. I admit that sometimes I am compelled to do it. I need to do it. For instance, when I hear incorrect grammar, I justify the correction in my head by thinking that I'm making the person sound more educated or I'm helping maintain the correct form of the English language. But it's got to be deeper than that. Is it because I have insecurities and pointing out that I know something another person doesn't makes me feel smarter? I think that's it, but the reason doesn't matter. It has to stop.

That same article that I quoted above said this about the danger in pointing out people's mistakes: If I know that someone is going to find fault with everything that I do, I will not share with that person unless I'm truly seeking criticism. As fewer people are willing to share with us, we lose much of the richness that comes from and through that sharing, and we become more isolated, less integrated. The loss of the sharing of others is one of the greatest losses we can cause ourselves, and it may even reach a point at which people just don't want to be around us at all. Fault-finding and criticizing, no matter what our intentions, tend to drive wedges between us and other people.

Ouch. I don't want to be that person. When I had this realization yesterday, I immediately sent my husband a text message. I should've called, but I knew he was on a conference call at work and I wanted to say what was on my mind at that moment. I apologized for being too critical of him. I know I point out mistakes a lot, and as much as I don't want to hurt my co-workers and friends, I don't want to drive a wedge between him and me even more.

Mother Theresa said "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." I am such a loving person, so I'm angry that my criticism is creating a unintentional barrier to that love. I think this is going to take some serious prayer and tongue-biting. If you find that you're critical of others, I encourage you to take this challenge with me. Let's try to look at ourselves and see how we can become better, more Christ-like people. Let's pray for the grace to see others as children of God who can enrich our lives, not people whose mistakes we can fix.

Abby

Why Me?

2009-06-12T11:47:00.007-04:00

God Doesn't Call The Equipped He Equips The Called

I've heard that line a dozen times. "God Doesn't Call The Equipped He Equips The Called". But it is so true. How often if life do we feel like we are not the right person for the job? I've felt that way before and more than once I've questioned why God uses me at all. I am a big screw up! We all are. The bible is very clear that none of us are perfect. Not me, not your pastor or priest, not even Mother Teresa. But that is what is so great about God. He doesn't care about what you have done or where you have been or anything about your past. Once you are forgiven all that old junk is forgotten. Forever.

Take Moses for instance, what a great story the bible tells us about a man who thought God was making a huge mistake in calling him to lead his people.

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”

First, I don't ever want to make God angry. (I see lightning bolts from the sky when I think of that) Second, Moses was a lot like me! God calls him and he says what? "God, I'm not eloquent and I'm a slow speaker" and then he asks God to send someone else. He is basically saying to God, "Are you crazy? Me? No Way! Send someone else!" But look at what God says, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? and then, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do."

Moses was the one God had chosen. Moses thought God was crazy but did what was commanded of him. God then gave to Moses everything he needed to be successful. He equipped the called. God still does this today. Take me for instance. As a young child I took speech classes to help my speech and my stuttering issue, God took care of that. As I got older, I had issues that I needed help with, again I cried out to God and he took care of that too. With the morning show, I was scared to death of what was going to happen, what it would be like alone on the air, could I really handle everything. God brought Abby into the picture and now things are going great. At every turn I was saying "Why me? Why now? Why this? Why? Why? Why?" but God just kept saying "Go, I got you".

He did. At every turn God has been there. I think about something Brother Ron once told me, "If God brings you to it, He'll take you through it". So true. If you feel like God is calling you to something, don't worry. He will equip you and guide you through whatever it is. And don't let whatever is in your past keep dragging you down, making you feel like you are never going to be good enough. You are. Just say yes to whatever God has for you. He will never let you down.

Carlos

Submission is Permission

2009-06-11T14:22:00.005-04:00

By Troma...

Tomorrow morning we are going to be interviewing Gotee Records newest artist Troma. In preping for the interview I came across this blog from her myspace page I thought was pretty neat. Enjoy!

I AM AFRAID OF SUBMISSION...

I dislike the word SUBMIT. I don't like to be TOLD what to do. Even by GOD. Why is it that we SOMEHOW think we know MORE than GOD. The boundary lines and LAWS and RULES ARE enforced due to the cause and effect rules of LIFE. Someone else fell before you. This is why the RULES are there in the FIRST place. I am not into repeating someone else's mistakes however, I guess my lack of submission is me really saying I think i'll go try it my own way GOD. I can do this on my OWN. Do it my own way. As if i know the outcome... lol sounds foolish I know... it is. I believe in myself to a fault and I'd rather not TRUST another with my FUTURE.

Can you imagine if you attempted to do everything without instructions. I am sad to say I have lived most of my LIFE this way. I've mostly thought... I CAN do it myself since I was just learning to play with toys... if you didn't want to play my game... then i'd play alone. I had no problem walking across campus alone - I was confident to take over the hallway at 3yrs old "EXCUSE ME MOMMY" i'd say walking past her... lol... I wish I could've learned that lesson as a CHILD. It's kinda like GETTING chicken POX as an ADULT... the pox always hurt way more as an adult. Just like the lesson hurts more - because it's harder to break the HABITS you've done all your life. Although "I can do it on my own" is a great attribute for leaders it can also be a huge set back and fault.

A fault to say "if you DON'T follow directions, then you can lose everything you've built with one choice." Is it worth it? NO IT'S NOT.

GOD will get all the GLORY IN THE END. He can turn it all around. BUT YOU WILL LEARN A VERY HARD LESSON and I WON'T LIE, IT HURTS!!!!!!! If you knew the pain for some of your decisions and how it would affect people around you YEARS later... i'm sure many of you would've chose different... I would have.

God - I am so tired of doing it MY WAY. MY WAY is lazy. MY WAY are shortcuts. MY WAY I think is better... but it is NOT... it's HARDER... TOUGHER... LONGER. And it hurts. Help me to trust you LORD. Help me to FOLLOW your words as written rules that really protect me. If i can't submit to you, then how can I submit to anyone else?

YOU HAVE BEEN BREAKING THIS INSIDE OF ME. ALTHOUGH IT HURTS, I WELCOME and WANT to TRUST YOU. YOU ARE TRUSTWORTHY.

Thank you... I LOVE YOU and I NEED YOU... YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE I NEED.

I DONT USE THE WORD "NEED" OFTEN... BUT I DO NEED YOU.

SUBMISSION IS PERMISSION FOR PROTECTION.

by Troma!

Check out myspace.com/tromamusic for more info.

Carlos

My Hero

2009-06-09T10:19:00.003-04:00

From last Friday...

I meant to write this blog last Friday but I was still feeling a bit under the weather and chose to spend my weekend sleeping on my couch and not in front of my computer writing. I did catch up on all of my DVR'd shows though, which was nice.

We talked last Friday about everyday people dressing up like "Superheroes" and trying to save the world one city at a time. Click Here for the full story from CNN.com. (It was a great read) Well during the bit we talked about whether of not you would want some random guy or gal in a crazy costume coming to your rescue and we also dolled out some superhero names for our staff. Now, I always want to hear what you have to say, by email or by phone even lately by twitter and facebook. That is one thing I really love about our morning show! Abby and I try to be as listener interactive as possible. Well, I got an email that caught me off guard. Here is a snippet:

"Carlos, during your discussion about heroes this morning you did a grave disservice to all those who listen to your radio program. You failed to mention the one can save every soul. Jesus Christ! How dare you on a Christian radio station forget to mention the one who saved you! Your misstep was foolish and unfortunate."

Again, during our talk we discussed the specific idea of random everyday people dressing up as Mr. Super Dude not who is the #1 hero of all time. But we can have that conversation now I guess and let this serve as my formal apology for my foolish misstep.

MY TOP 5 SUPERHERO LIST!

1. Jesus/God: The only one who can be in all places at all times and not only knows my past, but knows my future and if we would just accept him as our Lord and Savior he will save anyone from any place and at any point. Since he is all supreme, he reigns at #1.

2. Chuck Norris: Who but Chuck Norris would come in next! Chuck Norris doesn't sleep, he waits. There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist. Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door. When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants. There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live. Need I go on...

3. Superman: Endowed with brazen strength, speed, and senses, not to mention flight, heat vision, and the ability to blow hurricane force winds and near-invulnerability, he moved to Metropolis and started calling himself Superman, where he fights for truth, justice and the American way!

4. Batman: Though he really doesn't have any Superpowers. He makes up for this with his intelligence and impressive acrobatic skills. He is always one step ahead of the villain he is fighting. Batman uses many gadgets (Too many to name all of them). Another famous part of Batman is his Batmobile! This armored vehicle gets him around town so he can fight villains. Just Cool.

5. Yoda: Again, sort of super. He is widely considered to be the greatest Jedi of all time and trained many Jedi. Yoda was also responsible for much of Luke Skywalker's training in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Plus he lived to be 900 and can use the force to do just about anything.

So there you go, my official Top 5. Please note number one. He is the only one that actually exists and the only who can save the entire human race. God bless you.

Carlos

Born to Ride?

2009-06-03T10:57:00.006-04:00

I'm gonna find out!

I have finally done it. I finally stepped out and made the decision to go after a little dream of mine. I am going to learn to ride a motorcycle! Now, I completely understand that most people are either on one side of this or the other. When it comes to bikes it's almost like Cat vs Dog people, you either like bikes or you really don't like them.

I made mention this morning that I have officially signed my self up for a learn to ride course and immediately reaction hit the phone lines. It was almost 50 / 50 with those for and against my learning to ride. I even had people tell me that I was being irresponsible for discussing that on the air. That my talking about learning to ride could get someone else killed if they then decide to learn to ride and an accident happens!

REALLY?!?

My outlook on the morning show is this. I am going to be as real a person on the air as I am off the air. Carlos isn't a radio character, it is who I am. Want to know where I stand on something, just ask me. So I do discuss where my crazy life leads me and what I've got going on. When I stumble I share how God rescues me and when I get it right, I'll tell you how God lead me. Am I going to talk about motorcycle riding all the time? No. But I will share what I learned and my experiences in the hopes that you will learn a thing or two. Are bikes safe? No, not really. But they can be used safely and you will never ever hear me discuss popping wheelies or speeding 125 mph down the highway. That would be irresponsible of me and I would never do it. If someone gets hurt on a bike because they learned to ride after hearing me talk about, is that my fault? No. Every person makes their own decision and I won't take responsibility for someones own actions.

So my thing about my learning to ride is this. If you really don't like the idea of motorcycles and think I am an idiot for learning to ride, GREAT! Trust me, I completely understand. I've seen the pictures and heard the stories, I get that the danger is all too real and something bad can happen, but I have already chosen this path. Instead, pray for me. Pray for protection and peace as I learn to ride and safety over my life. If you choose to learn to ride because of something you heard on the morning show, tell me. I'll give you all the information I have to get you riding as safe as possible and we can lift each other up in prayer prior to our next trip on two wheels.

Be blessed, stay safe whether on two or four wheels and if you ever feel a certain way good or bad, email me. I love a good discussion and always enjoy letting people know right where I stand.

Carlos

The Power of Music

2009-05-28T13:09:00.016-04:00

I love music. I guess it's a requirement of working in radio. I've always loved music. I feel like it goes into my ears and makes a beeline straight to my heart and soul. I can think back to many big moments in my life and immediately, I think of the songs I was listening to at the time. When I was five and my family moved to Florida, my sister and I rocked out in our new house to "Take on Me" by a-ha. At ten, my grandparents were in a plane crash. I remember riding to school the next morning with my car-pool and "Sacrifice" by Elton John was playing. Even though it's about infidelity, not the loss of a loved one, I still tear up when I hear that song. My teen years were filled with more music than actual conversations and I'm making new music memories every day.

Carlos and I love sharing new music with each other and reminicing about old stuff too. We have very similar tastes which is neat. When you care a lot about music, discussing it with another person can be like asking for their personal approval. Carlos and I share an office, and we always have music on, so we both made a "mix tape" CD. We didn't have any guidelines on what to include, so everything was fair game! Talk about difficult! I had to choose just 18 songs from my entire library.

When I pressed play today, I wanted Carlos to love the songs he'd never heard before and stand up and cheer for the ones that were old school. What was cool is that the songs that were the memory triggers for me were for him as well. When "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men played we both stood there, stared into the distance and said, "Man, this song brings back some memories." He recalled a school dance and for me, it was the anthem of my 8th grade graduation where childhood friends all went separate ways. Oh, the drama! Then Brian McKnight's "Anytime" came on. We both immediately got sad. I don't think I was ever going through a break up when this song was out, but I still feel like I was. That song just cuts right to the core.

How does music do that? I suppose our sense of hearing deserves as much credit as our sense of sight. We don't think twice when a picture triggers a memory. I think our subconscious is like a file cabinet full of locked memories and some songs are the key to a memory. For me, music triggers are a lot deeper than pictures. With music, I can feel the moment, not just remember it.

Music is a pretty awesome gift that God has given us - lyrics, voices, instruments, composition. God didn't just give us a stagnant one time gift to keep going back to. There's new music every day! We get to love the old, all while discovering new artists, songs and feelings. I encourage you to share the music you love and to ask friends and family to share with you the music they love. It can be a great bond between us all, male and female, Protestants and Catholics, young and old, and here's a thought - Christian and non-Christian. Spirit FM is such a great tool for introducing our faith to someone who has a wall up. Like I said, it can make a beeline straight for the heart and soul. Jesus might hop on board and make it there too.

-Abby

The Duck Billed Platypus

2009-05-27T20:42:00.005-04:00

God's Crazy Ideas

Sometimes I look at my life and I just laugh. I really do. I think, how did I end up as the morning drive DJ on a Catholic radio station, in the 14th largest radio market in the country, with really no radio experience to speak of prior to starting at Spirit FM as an intern? It's ludicrous!

It's God.

Has to be. I don't believe in coincidence or accidents or cosmic happenstance. Divine Providence suits my tastes a little better.

Look at the Duck Billed Platypus. (This is what got my wheels turning by the way, thank you Discovery Channel) Some people call this animal mother natures mistake. One website wrote this about the little guy: "The bizarre appearance of this egg-laying, venomous, duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed mammal baffled European naturalists when they first encountered it, with some considering it an elaborate fraud."

Duck billed, otter footed, egg laying, FRAUD?!

Well that is not very nice. But I think a lot of us feel like the DBP (Duck Billed Platypus). We feel like God made this cosmic mistake with our lives. Like we should have been something else, or somewhere else, or worst of all, someone else. We feel unequipped, ill-prepared and even like a fraud. But we are wrong.

God has got a special plan for each and every one of us. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Hello! If he's got a plan for you, that means he has equipped you for the job.

Going back to the DBP, it is widely known as one of the worlds most unique creatures. With tools at it's disposal, most other animals would dream of. Imagine a duck that was venomous or an otter that had a beavers tail? Imagine how much more devastating an animal they would be. I'd never go near a lake again, if it had Viper Ducks! God created you with the same idea in mind!

You have tools at your disposal others could only dream of! Imagine if I could sing, I'd do it all morning long, or if I could dance, or draw, or design or whatever it is that you were created to do for the glory of God. You may feel like an odd, unequipped mess or a person, but you're not. Maybe you just haven't realized what it is God wants you to be doing.

It's simple. A pastor once dropped this nugget on me. Go PLAY.

P is for Pray. You probably could have figured that one out. It is only through Prayer that we will ever know what God wants us to do. Yes, he may give us signs along the way to help us figure out what to do, but it is through prayer that we discern those signs. God wants to be in communication with us (see Jeremiah 29:12-13) and prayer is our way of doing that.

L is for Listen. As we are praying over the course of days, weeks, and even years we must be listening to what God is telling us. We must listen to what He places in our minds and in our hearts and even through other people. We must be on the lookout for the signs and opened doors (and closed ones) that we find along the way. These are all ways that God will speak to us.

A is for Act. As we are Praying and Listening we must also Act. We must take Action. Begin to move in the direction God is leading you. Don't worry that you aren't completely sure what to do. You will continue to get signs and messages from God as you take each step.

Y is for Yearn. All the while you are Praying, Listening, and Acting you must also be Yearning. You must submit yourself to God's will in this process even if His will is not your own. You should be going to Church and reading His Word. If you are not growing closer to God through this process you are not doing it right. In Jeremiah 29:12-13 He tells us to "seek Me with all your heart."

So go play in God's wonderland, you Duck Billed Platypus of a person, you. You just might figure out why God made you so special and unique after all.

Carlos

We Need Each Other

2009-05-24T19:44:00.009-04:00

Make a New Friend

Today I spent the afternoon in the company of a few good friends. You know, the really good friends who make you feel like no matter how much time apart you may or may not spend its always like you just saw them. Two weeks or two months, doesn't matter. Good people and good conversation is truly just good for the soul.

I think that is why God says in Hebrews 10 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I know Pastors will often use this verse as reason why we should all go to church, I've heard it used that way before and for good reason. But when I read it, I see so much more.

I see Fellowship. Love. Togetherness. Hope. Peace. Encouragement. Strength. Unity. I see Jesus in the fellowship of His Saints.

We need each other. We really do. We need to love our brother or sister in Christ the way he calls us to. We need to put aside our denominational differences that divide the body of Christ and really start to show love. When all the pomp and circumstance of whatever style of church we attend is stripped away all we have is people, all we have is each other.

Working at Spirit FM has been such a blessing for me. I get to work on both sides of "The Fence" if you will. It's always funny when I go into a Catholic church and people find out I'm not Catholic. I always see a few who's eyes bug out a little and they kind of pause for a moment, just like they do when I meet people who are not Catholic realize that Spirit FM is owned by the Catholic diocese. Welcome to "The Fence" the divide between Catholic and Protestant.

If you ask me, it's stupid. I don't care if you are Black, White, Blue or Green, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic or Non-Denominational. Who do you serve? Jesus? Is He your Lord and Savior? Yes! Good. Let's go tell someone about him. These times are hard enough as they are, why add fuel to an already burning fire that we are never gonna put out? In these uncertain days we need each other. We need to pray for one another, to life each other up, to stand in the gap and to truly love each other.

As I was sitting there with my friends I thought about how great it is to work for Spirit FM. To see people just be love. When we have station events, it is such a beautiful thing to look out in the crowd and see the handiwork of a mighty God. To see the different races and colors, the different shapes and sizes and my favorite part, the different churches. Christ The King and The Crossing, Grace Family and St. Lukes, First Baptist and United Methodist, all coming together to worship Him. OUR LORD. OUR SAVIOR. Who died for each and everyone of us. That is my favorite part of Spirit FM. Seeing everyone coming together for Jesus, no matter what differences we may have. That to me is what makes Spirit FM so unique and so special to me.

We Need Each Other. We really do. Take the time to make a new friend and don't let your differences get in the way. You may find out that you have more in common than you once thought.

Carlos

God and 6 Pack Abs

2009-05-22T06:22:00.007-04:00

Why Do We Do What We Do?

We get caught up in soooo many stupid fads and trends, don't we? I can think back to the 80's and remember all kinds of dumb fashion ideas.

Remember 80's hair? Come on ladies, you know you do...

Or how about the Trucker Hat Fad? Thank you Ashton Kutcher for this one...

Why do certain items or styles become must have's in our lives? Did we see some sexy TV starlet wearing this or that, or some hunky movie star with the abs from the movie 300?

It's funny, I was at the gym and my iTouch was on shuffle and a song from Lecrae came on called "Identity". The lyrics from that song hit me, HARD. "He live in the gym and his hair stay faded, late model car so they think he made it, but he's Christian he gave his life, but he still ain't satisfied in the savior Christ. Still finds his identity in looks and cars, if he only knew that he ain't have to look so hard, If looked in God, though it may seem odd he be so satisfied he could leave it all."

As I'm running on the treadmill trying to get me a set of my own six pack abs from the movie 300, I had to ask myself, why and for whom am I doing this for?

The song goes on to say, "I'm not the shoes I wear, I'm not the clothes I buy, I'm am not the house I live in, I'm not the car I drive, I'm not the job I work, You can't define my worth, By nothing on God's green earth, my identity is found in Christ."

Haven't we all at some point wanted to be someone else or have what someone else had. The hot car, the hot wife, the big house, the perfect body. But for what? If we put all our efforts in these earthly things then we'll miss out on all the things God has for us. We chase what the world says will satisfy us, but it never truly does. The new car is only new for a year or so, then a newer one comes out. Fads and trends change all the time, brown has been the new black twice since 1990 and I think blue is the new red right now. We keep searching for new looks and trends and ideas so we can stand out from the crowd, a look at me, look at me world, but God says "I'm right here, I see you and you're perfect just the way I made you"

He doesn't care about the clothes we wear or the car we drive. Whether I've got 6 pack abs or a two liter stomach. If we would find our worth and value in God's eyes, I know that we would all be truly satisfied.

So you might be asking yourself, did I get off the treadmill and go eat a doughnut? No, I kept on running, finished my work out. I'm just making sure my priority is in place. The body needs to be healthy and it's nice to look fit. But my identity is in God, not the 6 pack abs.

Here is the song by the way, in case you want to give it a listen:

Carlos

Jars of Clay

2009-05-20T18:51:00.002-04:00

The Long Fall Back to Good Music

I admit I was a huge Jars fan about 15 years ago when they first dropped the still awesome album, "Jars of Clay". Flood, Liquid, Love Song for a Savior, all great tunes still ring soundly in between my ears. Loved that album. Everything since, in my opinion has been mediocre fluff at best. Until now.

The Long Fall Back to Earth for me is their greatest album since their first and people seem to be taking notice.

NEWS SOURCE: Provident Label Group

Propelled by a new multi-format radio hit, a national tour, ubiquitous coverage on The Gospel Music Channel, and, most importantly, an ardent fan base, three-time GRAMMY Award-winning and multi-Platinum band Jars of Clay once again finds itself at the very top of Nielsen SoundScan's Christian Albums chart.

Jars of Clay released The Long Fall Back to Earth, its 10th album and at the invitation of host Big Kenny (Big & Rich), performed the following night at a fundraiser for the African Children’s Choir with Faith Hill, Third Day, Keith Urban and others. Respected for its humanitarian efforts as much as its innovative, intellectual brand of rock, Jars of Clay was honored the night after the benefit during the 40th Annual Dove Awards for the band’s relentless commitment. Jars of Clay, who presented on the show, was bestowed with a Gospel Music Channel Gospel Angels Award during a special segment of the live broadcast. The band was recognized for its work in Africa through its Blood:Water Mission organization which has built more than 650 clean water wells positively impacting more than 500,000 people in 11 African countries.

Keep listening to the Big Big House Morning Show, we'll have more chances to win the album from Jars of Clay.

Carlos

Imagine the Possibilities

2009-05-13T18:57:00.014-04:00

Spoiler Alert! If you haven't watched the video on The Big, Big House Morning Show page titled, "New Pro-Life Video" check it out below, then come back to read this blog. It's much more moving if I don't spoil the ending. So go! I'll wait for ya!

Welcome back! Whew - what a great video, huh? It's scheduled to run during the season finale of American Idol. How great will that be!?! Every single life has the potential to be great. You never know if the baby growing inside his mother's womb is our next pope, Billy Graham, Michael W. Smith or Dave Thomas (I love me a Wendy's Frosty!). What's even more amazing is that in God's eyes, we are all just as great as those folks who are in the spotlight and have done things the world sees as notable. We don't have to become the next big revolutionary to make a difference in someone's life. When it's put that way, it's even more important to give each life a chance to be lived.

We as Christians focus a lot on telling women why they shouldn't have an abortion. But do we focus enough on promoting and supporting adoption? Sure, if you ask someone on the street if they think adoption is worthwhile and if they are pro-adoption, most would probably say, "Definitely!" But are we making it a viable option to people? Are we as a community supporting them in making the decision to give their baby up for adoption? I can't imagine how it would feel to know I would carry a child for nine months just to give it away. That would take a huge amount of maturity, sacrifice and strength. I like to think that the mother that would give her baby up for adoption is also a visionary. She can look to the future and see the possibilities, the potential, the promise for her child.

My husband's sister and brother-in-law, Megan and Matt struggled for years to conceive a child. Finally, after a lot of heartache, tears and money-spent, they chose to adopt. I love spending time with this family. The love they have for their daughter, Ella is so special. She has gorgeous blond hair in contrast to their dark brown locks. She is smart as a whip and has enough energy to power the city of Los Angeles. The picture above is of her with my husband, a.k.a, Uncle Josh trekking around Magic Kingdom. She's making Uncle Josh do all the leg work. Like I said, smart kid. I'm sure Megan and Matt are eternally grateful to Ella's birth mother who imagined the possibilities for her unborn child and chose to give her life.

Abby

No Accident

2009-05-08T18:23:00.006-04:00

Everyday Sunday

We recently had Trey from the band Everyday Sunday in studio. (By "recently" I mean almost a month ago) He came by to promote the new album, "Best Night of Our Lives" and during his time with us we talked about the car accident that could have easily ended the lives of everyone in the band. Watch the video to hear the full story:

A friend of mine recently saw this video and he called me a few hours after. Told me thank you for having him on. I never knew this but on his 17th birthday he went out with some friends and had a car accident eerily similar to the one Trey had with Everyday Sunday. He'd always chalked up his survival to "dumb luck" but after hearing the story he felt like God was pressing upon his heart that he had a plan for his life the same way he has plans for Trey's and that of Everyday Sunday. The accident he always called "dumb luck" he will now be calling a miracle.

I know that people have lost loved ones far to soon in life to car accidents like this one. I know many families have been ripped apart by tragic accidents. I know what it's like to ask God, why me? Why my family? Why my mother or father or son or daughter? I know what it's like to yell at God and ask the question, did you love them more than mine? Were they more special? Was mine not good enough to be saved?

If I had the answer, I'd give it to you. But I stand on this: God is good. All the time. No matter what.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

This does not mean that, if we entrust our lives to God, we will never suffer as a result of evil in the world. In fact, Jesus told His followers that they would certainly suffer, but that He Himself would give them the inner peace to have courage and joy in the midst of the suffering:

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

And for those of you who may read this and still think God is up there playing with our lives and really doesn't care who does and doesn't die, read this: Ezek 18:32 "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord God.

God loves you. Life is hard. But God is bigger. Be Blessed!

Carlos

How to Trust in God

2009-05-04T18:30:00.002-04:00

I Found This on eHow.com

As crazy as it may seem, I really did find this on a "How To..." website. According to them here is a step by step way to Trust in God.

Step 1

In 2 Corinthians 9:8, we're told, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Reading this carefully, we learn that God is able to make all things right. No matter how hopeless or futile a situation may be, if we understand this scripture we understand that God is able to take even the worst details of the worst situation and turn it into abounding grace. Why are we struggling with our pitiful attempts that continue to fail us when God is so fully capable of handling it so that we can "abound in every good work?" The answer to that is because we are cherry picking our trust in God.

Step 2

In Philippians 4:6, we read “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” While we lie awake, unable to sleep because of our worry and distress, God is waiting for our request. He is waiting for our prayer and petition so that He can be God and we can get some sleep!

Step 3

Logically, we are trying to solve issues that we simply do not have the skills nor the wisdom to solve. Enter, God. He knows what we want, what we need and the difference between the two. In Isaiah 41:13, He says, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Note that He offers His help. That help can come in many forms. How often have you gone through trials only to look back some time later and realize that you would never have believe things would work out that way? Maybe one of the reasons we have a hard time giving it up to God is because we will have to live in His answer instead of just having an answer given to us. That does take great trust. But God is worthy of great trust.

Step 4

When we go to God initially, we are prepared to act when He makes a way for us. We are prepared to make changes when He leads us in the right direction. In Psalm 32:7, we read “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” When we give our worries to God, we are protected, we are soothed with deliverance, and we have given Him back the power that we rob Him of when we stubbornly hang on to problems we will never be able to control on our own.

Step 5

At times, we can be afraid to let go. When we let go, we are giving up control. Most people don't like feeling a loss of control. But the truth is, we are not really in control at all; otherwise, we would not be struggling and worrying without progress. Isn't it wonderful to know that God is waiting for us to let Him bring us peace? As God said in Jeremiah 32:27 “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”

Who knew all this time as I was trying to figure it all out myself, all I had to do was go to eHow.com. Think of all the time I wasted...

Carlos

Heard The Word?

2009-04-30T19:50:00.002-04:00

The Bird is the Word!

TWITTER! Yes, we Twit. Or Tweet I should say. Another way to communicate has arrived and I'm less impressed than the last time some new Internet sensation hit. This time they ask the question everyone wants to know..."WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Makes me ask the question: Do you really want to know that I just picked up after my dog? That is what I just did prior to sitting here for a quick blog entry. I walked little Hope, she went, I cleaned up. She is such a little doggie diva. Once she is done she stops and stares at me for a good 10 seconds. Then kicks at the grass and marches off leaving me her mess. I love her though.

I read today that 60% of new tweeps drop the sensation because they get bored and really don't care all that much about what the tweeters they follow are doing. This doesn't surprise me. The more I use Twitter, the more I realize it isn't for everyone. Why? Because most people really don't care what you're doing. And you don't care what they're doing, either.

Twitter has gotten oodles of media attention lately, and I'm guessing that many users are signing up just to see what the ruckus is about. If Oprah and Ashton Kutcher use Twitter, it must be worth checking out, right? But once the newbies spend a few days telling the world what they're doing in 140-character bursts -- or reading mind-numbing "I'm-at-the-market" updates from friends and family -- the novelty wears off in a hurry.

I'm not trying to trash Twitter, which I think is valuable social networking tool for personal and professional use. Spirit FM has a Twitter page to tell you what is coming up next! But I get why Twitter's retention rate is below 40 percent.

And it is nice to know that those whose lives are as boring as mine see the benefits of using Twitter to keep in touch. Even though I know I am coming off a little on the negative side of this Twitter thing, it's because I am on social network site overload. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Youtube, My Blog all have me at their beck and call.

It's not all bad though. If God can use one twitter message to change a heart, then I'm OK with it. I just hope this Twitter thing phases out sooner rather than later.

Carlos

I Survived!

2009-04-09T13:05:00.010-04:00

Carlos was out and I did it! I survived running the morning show all on my own. I feel like the 5 year old girl who keeps peddling after her dad lets go of the bike seat, finally cruising down the sidewalk all on her own, wind in her hair, a tight hold on the rubber grips, denim jeans supported by a hot pink banana seat... How's that for a mental picture? In real life, that moment ended with me crashing into a chain link fence. But fast forward twenty-something years and switch out the bike for a control board at a radio station and my dad for Carlos... now this is just getting bizarre. This time I didn't crash. There were a couple of balance checks, but overall, I survived running the board (which by the way has about 200 little buttons on it!) and hosting the show alone.

I think back to December of '07. All I had on my mind was my upcoming wedding set for the following month, and my promotions responsibilities, of course. Then a total curve ball came my way: I'm going to be on the morning show. Come again? I thought I just heard you say that I am going to be on the morning show. Me, the girl with no on-air experience except for a three-hour weekend show that, incidentally, I'd only been doing for about two months. January 7th of '08 was the first "Big Big House Morning Show" and I stumbled through it as the co-pilot. Since then I've improved, but I still have my moments of total amateurness, if that's even a word.

I set a goal for myself then of learning how to run the board, but I didn't really want to know. It's way too scary. I'm nice and comfy on my side, clicking away on the lap top. Whenever Carlos is out on vacation, someone will fill in for him and I can stay in my comfort zone. Then a couple of months ago, Carlos said, "April 9th is the day. I'm going to be out. You're on your own. It's Holy Thursday, so it can be kind of low-key." As if that makes any difference. Even in a "low-key" show, I still have to push the buttons!

Nevertheless, I came in this morning to a dark, empty building and cracked open the mic, praying the whole time that I wouldn't totally screw up. I joked my way through it; "I've drank an entire bottle of Pepto Bismol!" "You might come in and find me in the corner in the fetal position, rocking back and forth." But the hours passed, 10AM finally came and not only did I make it through, I actually did a pretty good job. My mom even called in to tell me so!

I've said this before, but I know that God has me where He wants me. Not to say there haven't been ups and downs. There have! I didn't know days like today were in His plan, but I guess that's another thing God is good at- keeping us on our toes.

It's true. God doesn't call the equipped. He equips the called. I hope you can take this thought with you and apply it to your own life. If you're asked to do something for Him and you don't think you're qualified, able, courageous or worthy enough to pull it off, you're wrong. Just say a prayer, take a deep breath and keep peddling!

Have a very Happy Easter!

Abby

A Lesson in Conflict

2009-04-03T07:54:00.011-04:00

Palm Sunday

For Catholics, we'll go to church this Sunday and read the gospel of Mark recalling the Passion of Christ. It's a long one! But then we get a reward of a palm frond. Kinda like a lollipop after the doctor's visit. You may find yourself thinking, "We've read this so many times! I know it by heart!" My challenge to you: If you truly know it by heart, you'll have a real change in your heart.

I read a great reflection on Palm Sunday and what it can teach us about how to face conflict. The image of Jesus riding into town on this cute little donkey all seems so peaceful and joyful. But brewing just under the surface is conflict. Jesus willingly enters a place where people are plotting to kill him. We can take three big lessons away from this:

First, Jesus didn't avoid conflict. He faced it head on because he knew it was the road to our redemption. Thank God (literally) that Jesus didn't head the other direction.

Second, true power lies in humility. Jesus didn't show up in Jerusalem with an army or a lawyer with a defense team read to argue his point. He came as a humble servant, ready to lay his life down for those he loved, you and me. He showed us that humility is the most effective weapon in conflict.

Third, in the midst of a conflict, it can sometimes be difficult to see the forest from the trees a.k.a. the big picture. The disciples didn't know why Jesus had to go through this trial and suffering. We often react poorly to a situation because we don't have the foresight or patience to discover the purpose.

Let's use the example of Jesus riding into Jerusalem, straight into the mouth of the beast as an opportunity to learn about how to face conflict. Don't run away. Be humble before your enemy. Try to see the big picture. I bet we'll find that the resolutions will be much more pleasing to ourselves, and to God if we follow these simple rules.

- Abby

The Mini's

2009-04-01T14:56:00.005-04:00

Meet Mini Mike

So after the show today I had a few errands to run and while I was driving around town I decided to swing by "Mini Mike's" house. You may remember him. We talked about my friend who takes extra ketchup and mayo and mustard packets from fast food places and uses those to stock his fridge. When he's out of town he even helps himself to hotel mini's too. The mini soaps and shampoos and such.

Now I have changed his name to protect his identity from my friends who know him and read my blog or listen to the morning show.

First thing I do as I walk into his place is ask him, "So did you hear my show about a month ago". Now I know "Mike" pretty well and I knew he would never be upset about my talking about his habit of taking minis on the airwaves of Tampa Bay. But when I asked him that, he just started laughing a little bit. Not your typical "I'm thinking back to a funny memory" kind of chuckle, it was more of a "You have no idea what you have done" kind of chuckle.

As I follow him in to his kitchen he says to me, "When was the last time you've seen my fridge?" Thinking back I say, "Well since I was last here and discovered your love affair with mini packs of ketchup from Chick-fil-A." Again, with the same creepy laugh as he opens the door and says, "I want to show you something."

Honestly, for a split second I flashed to scene from a serial killer thriller movie which will remain nameless of when the main bad guy offers to show the main good guy something and of course that thing he wants to show the main good guy is something really terrible that throws the man in to an emotional spiral. As he opened the refrigerator door I was expecting something terrible, I was expecting to see the head of a Chick-fil-A cow costume or something. Instead I saw!

Nothing. No more mini's. The bowls of ketchup and mayo and mustard packets are gone. Replaced with actual bottles of the stuff. He looks up and laughs at me. I guess when he sees the look of shock on my face. To bad is was more of a look of relief from not seeing a Chick-fil-A costume cow head staring me in the face. He said that he did hear the segment and heard all the callers and realized that maybe what he was doing was a little wrong. That maybe it was taking advantage of the system. So he used up what he had left and at the age of 27 he went out and bought his first jar of mayo and bottles of mustard and ketchup. Of course I asked him, "You really went 27 years without buying a single bottle of ketchup?" Proudly, he says, "Yup. Sure did and now thanks to you that streak is over. But it's all good."

Amazing. One, that he went 27 years without purchasing a single bottle of ketchup and two, that my little morning show made a difference is someones life. Granted it wasn't one of those ground breaking or life changing events. But sometimes, some of God's greatest lessons come in the little things. Maybe one day he'll look back on me and this day and realize something really profound. Maybe not. Either way, it was cool to see that people are really out there, really listening to two people named Carlos and Abby just trying to be themselves and live out loud for the Glory of God in a crazy and sometimes messed up world.

Thanks for listening! God Bless.

Carlos

Matthias Probably Dreaded PE Class

2009-03-26T19:54:00.020-04:00

Part of my Lenten sacrifice this year is to avoid watching television when I get home from work. It's tough to fill that time. I find myself standing in a quiet, still room looking at my two cats and asking, "So what do YOU guys want to do?" They have yet to make a good suggestion. For a few weeks I was caught up in a certain book series that will remain nameless, but I made a promise to myself; Before I could open my fiction book, I would read from my non-fiction book, the Bible. I started Acts this week. I read about Matthias and got to really thinking about him in real-life terms.

In case you're not familiar with Matt (we're on a nickname basis), he was the one chosen to "replace" Judas after Judas' betrayal of Jesus. The apostles knew the number twelve was important - The twelve tribes of Israel. If they were going to complete the task to which Jesus commissioned them, they needed a twelfth man. They had to choose between Matt and Joseph called Barsabbas. Both men had been with Jesus since the beginning of his ministry, so the eleven cast lots to get God's take on whose heart was ready for this great mission. Sorry Joe. Matt's in.

Have you ever been the person who wasn't the first choice? Are you thinking back to choosing kickball teams in grade school PE class? I am. Or more recently, we you the second choice for a project at work? Were you the person who was given a task after someone else dropped the ball and you knew the whole time you could do it and do it well?

Back in '03, after about six months of interning at Spirit FM, I was told that there wouldn't be a position for me anytime soon and if I wanted to, I should just move on. Less than six months later, a position was created and given to someone else. Then, after I was finally hired at Spirit FM I found out that another candidate was offered my current position before me and she turned it down. Initially, my feelings were really hurt. I thought, "They didn't really want me! I'm their Plan B!" But looking back, the outcome couldn't have been better. I wasn't ready for the job at first. Heck, I'm still learning. But God has such amazing timing!

I wonder if that's how Matt felt. Maybe he wasn't ready when Jesus chose the original twelve. Maybe he wasn't even ready when those lots were cast, but what's pretty cool (and what I think happened in my case as well) is that God foresaw what he would become and chose him because he would become worthy. We don't hear from Matt again in scripture, but I bet he did great things. He had something to prove. He was a second-stringer. A Plan B. And I have a feeling he was OK with it.

If you ever feel like second choice or a latecomer, maybe even a latecomer to that group called "Christians," just think of Matthias and ask him to pray for you. And don't let when you were called allow you to forget why you were called.

-Abby

Hospitals Suck

2009-03-24T20:43:00.007-04:00

Why do we complain?

Today, I got the sad news that a friend of mine was heading back to the hospital. Not for himself, for a loved one. And not a loved one, in a way we love our friends who go in, but in the way of a mother or father, son or daughter. My friend knows this place as well as I did when my mom battled lupus years ago. Hospitals are cold.

I think back to my daily visits, the hours spent bed side. I think about the months my mom laid in ICU, in a medically induced coma. She never knew I was there, never knew the hours I spent just sitting next to her talking to her or reading next to her. Hoping. Praying. Crying. For the miracle that never came. I cried out to the God of Heaven, the creator who with a single breath can create new worlds, who's mere thought can craft light from darkness, who's single word could make my mother new again. I wanted our Lord and Savior to rip the roof off the hospital room, part the skies and send a ray of light so bright it could burn away the lupus from my mothers body, so she could walk out of that hospital and never return. That miracle never came. Instead, my mother lost her battle and went home to be with God. Even in writing this I can still feel the pinch, the hurt of her loss in my heart.

God has a funny way about him though. It took me sometime, but looking back on the last few weeks of life my mother had the things that feel into place, the people who came, the way she looked. That was the miracle. Family for no reason, showed up to just to be together, my mother said to me she felt the best she'd felt in ages that week. She looked like a million bucks to me. That was the miracle. We all, every cousin, every aunt, everyone from miles away had a chance to come and see my mom. The mom I knew before the lupus. Her time here was done and God called her home to her eternal reward. I learned a lot about God's love during that week.

My friend now is in a similar situation. His loved one faces an incurable disease that at any moment can claim the life of his beloved. Prior to getting the email about his situation, I was just complaining about a nagging situation I have and thinking about how nobody has it as bad as I do. I was almost like, "Really God! Really! Come on, haven't I had enough already". Then boom. Email. My friend is back in the hospital. Dealing with a situation 1000 times worse than mine. And I'm complaining. In retrospect, it's really not that big a deal. Yes, it is annoying to deal with, yes, it is no fun. But it's nothing I can't handle. Nothing, God can't help me with.

We complain so easily now. Our cell phone drops a call, we want a new cell phone company. How dare they drop MY call! Jerks! The internet doesn't connect fast enough, we want new internet service. If you think about it, your trying to connect your computer to another computer to another computer to another computer maybe spanning hundreds of miles in distance! Give it a minute! Heaven forbid YOUR time gets taken up for an extra 10 seconds. We have become so self involved, so self centered we forget what God calls us to be. Servants. To people. To show people love. To be kind, courteous, generous, LOVING!

If we would all take an extra moment of OUR time to be CHRIST to someone, we could change the world overnight. I truly believe that. Maybe tomorrow, as you go to work, or school or wherever your life leads you. Take a moment and ask God what He would have you do today. How you can be a reflection of who HE is in YOU.

And pray for my friend. His loved one can always use our prayers.

Carlos

Kings

2009-03-24T09:32:00.004-04:00

New Show / Old Story

Last night I finally got around to watching the premier episode of NBC's new drama KINGS. NBC says this about their new show: Kings is a riveting new drama about a modern day monarchy. A contemporary re-telling of the timeless tale of David and Goliath. This series is an epic story of greed and power, war and romance, forbidden loves and secret alliances -- and a young hero who rises to power in a modern-day kingdom.

Now the story of the biblical King David is enough to sell me on this new series. The bible says he was a righteous king, although not without fault, he committed adultery and murder. He was still an acclaimed warrior, musician and poet being traditionally credited with the authorship of many of the Psalms. The story of King David shows us that with all of his greatness came a very real sense of the weakness of humanity and overwhelming love of God.

Really think about the life of King David, take a good hard look at this man of God:

David is chosen to be the next KING of Israel as the YOUNGEST of the sons of Jesse. Normally, the eldest son is chosen from the lineage of the King himself. God went outside of that blood line and chose the youngest of seven sons to be the next King to rule over Israel. Later David walks out in front of the entire Philistine army to take on their best warrior with only a sling and a few stones in the Valley of Elah. Goliath is challenging the Israelites to send their own champion to decide the outcome in single combat. David is victorious, the Philistines flee in terror and the Israelites win a great victory. David KILLED a man with only a sling and a stone! A GIANT no less. Saul makes David a commander over his armies and David is successful in many battles, and the people cry out saying, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands." Saul then turns on David out of jealousy and fear and trys to KILL him. So David flees to the wilderness. Later Saul is killed, David is made King and begins to rule over Israel. Only to then commit adultery with Bathsheba and KILL her husband! WHAT!?!? YES, he really did that.

David, was a great man but still struggled with his own humanity. Yet in all of the murder and adultery, God still said of David, "he is a man after my own heart". David did turn away from God for a time, but God never turned away from David. Personally, I know I can get like David sometimes in my own life. Granted, I've never killed anyone or committed adultery and have no plans to do either, but I still struggle with things. At times get mad at God, turn away and do my own thing. But my heart never truly leaves what God wants in my life. I will always chase after the things that God has for me. Their delivery into my life may cause me to freak out sometimes and turn away, but I try to always come back and say, "sorry God, for my own weakness". To which I know I am forgiven by the grace he has for each and every one of us.

If you have turned away and have run from the things of God, it's never to late to turn back and run toward Him. Maybe you have done some really bad things like David did. If God can forgive him, why not you. It's not to late. Let God be God in your life today.

And watch Kings. I will be. And I'll be reading along to see what's next. The best thing is that the spoilers are already written. IN THE BIBLE!

Carlos

Life and Control

2009-03-18T06:20:00.005-04:00

Being the Co-Pilot

It is not the easiest thing for me to give up control over anything. Right now as I write this blog, Abby is running the control board, the computer, traffic, sound effects, everything! Everything I am usually in control over. It is a very weird feeling, NOT being the one driving the morning show. It is actually very hard for me to relinquish that control over to Abby. Not that she is not capable, she is very good at what she does, she is a very quick learner and can easily guide this ship with the same precision that I try to do it with. But I can't shake it. This feeling of anxiety. This feeling of not knowing what is next, or what Abby may or may not do.

The funny this is that during all this God took a quick second to show me something. The same way I'm feeling right now over Abby running the morning show, is how I treat God sometimes. When He takes me this way, I freak out, He directs me that way, I gripe. Why? Because I want to choose where I go and how I get there. I want to be my life's pilot, my life's director. It truly baffles me sometimes to think that I, Carlos, this young, fragile, stupid sheep, would basically tell God, the awesome, holy, loving creator of the universe, that I know better than He does.

So today, I'll let Abby drive our morning show and I'll take this lesson to heart and try once again to truly just let God be God over my life. Besides, I think Isaiah has it right, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Meaning: GOD KNOWS BETTER! Let him steer the ship of your life or direct the movie in which you are the star or whatever analogy fits you best. Just let him take control. He won't steer you wrong.

Carlos

New Look

2009-03-16T09:59:00.009-04:00

My So-Called Shave

It is a very well documented fact that, Carlos Hates To Shave! I know, hate is a very strong word that I do not throw around lightly, it's meaning: (courtesy of m-w.com) intense hostility, extreme dislike or antipathy, suits my feeling towards shaving quite well.

I had not shaved the fur growing from my face in about a week or so, maybe more. It's very sad when I lose track of when the last time I shaved was. Even worse is that I never actually shave. I use an electric razor and instead of using the close shave side, I use the beard trimmer and just run my the hair down to a 5 o'clock shadow.

Yesterday, I pulled out my trusty Braun electric shaver, flipped up the trimmer and got to work. For some reason I decided to goof around and get creative with my "beard". This was the out come of my handiwork:

Kind of a blurry picture but it's the best I could do for now. Not sure if I like it. It may be gone by tomorrow, but if you want to put your two cents into my face, feel free to leave a comment. Thanks for listening and all you do for Spirit FM.

Carlos

Being a Blogger

2009-03-11T12:48:00.009-04:00

Carlos is going to be mad at me for this, but I'm going to say it anyway. Shh, don't tell.

I didn't want to blog. I'm not a blogger. The fact that the word can be used as a noun and a verb bothers me a little bit. The reason I don't blog is that I've always felt like it's a bit... what's the word... self-involved. If you blog, please don't be mad at me. I just feel like having a blog would be my way of saying: "How I feel about topic X is interesting and important enough that other people should want to read it." It's bad enough that I talk on the radio and constantly hope (and pray) that people care enough to listen. It's the same thing with the MySpace and Facebook pages with the constant pictures and status updates. Do people care that "Abby is... thinking about what she's going to make for dinner?" I suppose if people don't want to know what I think, they don't have to read my blog or look at my Facebook updates (which I don't actually post). So what's the problem then?

I think the problem is that I know my weaknesses and in different periods of my life I've struggled with vanity and self-absorption. Think about it. Have you ever hung up the phone after a conversation with a friend or family member and wondered, "Did I talk just about myself that whole time?" I surely have and it scares me that too much of that behavior will push away my loved ones. Do I really need a blog to push me even further into Abby's World?

At 2008's World Youth Day in Australia, Pope Benedict XVI urged young people to create “a new age in which hope liberates us from the shallowness, apathy and self-absorption which deaden our souls and poison our relationships.” I hear you, loud and clear B-16! I only have so much space in this head and heart of mine. If it's too full of myself, will I really have room for anyone else?

I thought and prayed about it and I'm going to give blogging a try. I love writing. I don't think I'm great at it, but I think I can compose a pretty good sentence and I think God gave me that talent. So I'll do my best to write from my heart. Hopefully, I'll learn something about myself in the process and you'll come to know (and like!) me a bit more too. My new status: "Abby is... a blogger."

Jonny Diaz

2009-03-03T10:42:00.003-05:00

Album: Stand For You

Debut Single: More Beautiful You

Many thanks to Jonny Diaz for stopping by this morning. Check out http://www.jonnydiaz.com/ for more info and his new album and the latest news.

First, we learned that we've been mispronouncing his name all along. It's not Dee-ez, it's Die-az. Then Abby and Jonny had a little colegient tension building between them. Abby the UF alum and Jonny the FSU alum had a few football comments mentioned between them. I did my best to keep the peace. Though Abby did say we should do the interview by throwing a microphone out to them in the parking lot keep him from entering the building.

Jonny is a great guy with a bright future and from his own website Jonny writes about his radio promo tour:

So, this is the process we’re about to begin. For the next few weeks, when I’m not out of state playing a concert, I’ll be traveling to different radio stations (sometimes 4 or 5 cities a day). I have one day in particular where I’ll visit Nashville, fly to Tampa, drive to Orlando, drive to Jacksonville, and fly to Chicago.

As crazy as this sounds, I’m really excited about it. I believe in the song, and I believe that its message needs to be heard by as many people as possible. If this is what it takes, then so be it. I will surely let you know how you can help when we get to that point. For now I just ask for your prayers. Pray that the song will be well received by the station directors. Pray that my wife and I will stay strong as we spend so much time apart. Pray that I’ll stay healthy despite such a crazy schedule. Finally, pray that God will use the song however He sees fit! I’ll keep you posted.

Keep Jonny in your Prayers and of course Abby and I and The Big Big House Morning Show.

Carlos

Hugs

2009-02-23T11:18:00.002-05:00

Not So Much...

I'm not "Likes to Hug Guy". Sorry. I am, or at least think I am a very friendly, outgoing, fun-loving individual. I enjoy meeting new people, making new friends and try to be genuine. But, I'm not the huggy type guy. That being said...

TIME Magazine just did a an article that shows an increase in Hug giving and how in some places the Hug is replacing the Handshake. Really?!?! How does the Hug replace the Handshake? It baffles me.

The hug is actually a really complicated tactical maneuver. Think about it. What kind of hug is appropriate for the situation? Do you go for the full-on Hug or bear hug? Or do you do the shoulder hug or side hug? Maybe the more masculine guy hug? The worst is when you go for shoulder hug and they go for bear hug or any mixture of the hug types. You end up in this weird sort of dance not really sure who's leading or what direction to go next and you just try to not kiss or head butt each other.

Now I do agree a Hug is a very welcoming and loving way to greet someone and if you want to hug me feel free to. My mom was a very huggy person. Loved to greet people with a hug, loved to get hugs, she hugged me to death. To be honest, I'd give anything to get a hug from her right now. So the hug is not all that bad. It can just be a little confusing and needs to be given some rules or guidelines maybe. lol.

Have a Blessed Day. And feel free to hug me sometime.

Carlos

The Warm and Fuzzies

2009-02-19T10:50:00.004-05:00

Stop Hiding and Let God be God Already

Last night at High Dive, (my weekly bible study) Pastor Q said something that really hit me. He said something to the effect of, "Do we allow God to REALLY work in us? To work out the dark, the ugly, the secrets in our life. Or do we just like to get the warm and fuzzies we get from church or praise and worship?"

Ouch! What kind of hardball question was that! Who does Pastor Q think he is, Nancy Grace! That question hurt. But all the good questions do.

I love going to church on Saturday nights. I go in, chat up a few friends, sit down, praise and worship starts, we sing, we pray, Pastor Craig comes out, drops some knowledge, we pray, I chat up a few friends after service and then I'm out the door. I feel all warm and fuzzy. It's nice. But when did God have a chance to WORK in me? I was there. I talked with Him. I said "Hi God, Look at me. I'm at Church today. Hope your good. See you next week." But do I really give God the opportunity to pour into my life? During the week. Are we to busy for God? School, homework, kids, friends, family, work, where is God's time?

Some of the best conversation I have ever had with my dad have come when I've just sat down with him and started talking. Man to man, Father to Son. No TV, no anything, just me and my dad. I've learned some really tough lessons from my dad. Had some of the greatest truths ever told to me during those conversations. Why? Because I made the time. To let my earthly father drop some of his knowledge and experience on me. To let him work in my life and be my dad. Shouldn't it work the same with our Heavenly Father? I think so.

As our Heavenly Father, he is waiting for us to say, "I'm here. Let's talk." Not so he can drop kick us into submission for screwing up or telling us how dumb we are for failing again. We need to show up time and time again so he can begin fathering us, loving us. God isn't up there waiting for us to mess up so He can rain down eternal damnation on our forehead. He's waiting for us to run to him. So he can heal our hurts, mend our brokenness and be our father. In Love. Just like the story of the prodigal son. He ran off from home with his money, blew it all away, basically screwed up royally. Came limping back home, unsure of what his father would do. And like a gracious and loving father should do, he brought his son back in and welcomed him with open arms. That my friends is the love our God has for us. And then some.

Let God be God in your life. Let him work on "the ugly", "the secret" parts of your heart where the bad things we do lay. You know, the stuff we think we can hide from God. It might hurt a little. But in the end, I know, it will be the best for me and my God will take care of me. In Love.

Carlos

Getting Older

2009-02-11T17:21:00.005-05:00

The Secret to Long Life?

No, it's not going to the "Fountain of Youth" in St. Augustine. Although, I have been there and its a total waste of money. The water tastes like sulfur and I've got a bottle of it on my shelf to prove it. Thank you Ponce De Leon for that one.

No, the secret to long life is (according to Herbert Hamrol at least) "wild women and good liquor". Herbert Hamrol, 106, who survived San Francisco's Great Earthquake of 1906 and recalled for later generations how his mother carried him to safety that day, has died. He smoked cigars into his 90s, and told whoever wanted to know that his secret to a long life was "wild women and good liquor," said Janine Barrett, a manager at Andronico's Market in San Francisco.

WHAT!?!?!?!

I kill myself at the gym, 3 maybe 4 times a week. I eat healthy. Watch my weight. Take vitamins. I work hard to keep my body in tip-top shape. This guy smoked like a chimney, drank and did whatever and lived to 106!

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!

And he's not the only one. One lady lived to be 104. Said the secret was a great husband and lots of chocolate. Another said his secret to get to 105 was to only smoke NON filtered cigarettes and drink lots of beer. The kicker was a guy who lived to be 101. He said, "I've never taken a vitamin once in my life. I take everyday that God gives and I do whatever I please with it. A scotch in the morning. A scotch in the evening. Lord willing, I'll see 102".

I kill it at the gym for what? After reading these stories I should just hang up the sneakers and grab a snickers bar and chase it with a piece of marble fudge cake!

This is further proof that our lives are in God's hands!

Only God knows how long I'm going to last on this crazy planet called earth. I just hope that when I go home to be with him he can say to me, "Well done. My good and faithful servant." and my secret to long life will read something like this:

"Live everyday to serve the heart of God. Do His will and let Him take care of the rest"

Be Blessed Today!

Carlos

Tony Dungy

2009-02-09T09:59:00.004-05:00

Uncommon

That is one way to describe the man I met this past Saturday over at Ave Maria Bookstore in Brandon. It's uncommon to meet a man with all the accolades and accomplishments that Tony has, be so humble and so approachable.

It's uncommon to meet someone who really would walk away from it all to pursue what he feels God is leading him to do. Could you walk away from a championship caliber football team with arguably the best player in the game and the millions of dollars associated with that position to do what? Serve people? Help men be better men? Could you walk away from that? I pray that if I ever have a decision like that laid before me I would.

It was great to see over 1000 people come out to meet the man behind the New York Times bestseller, Quiet Strength and the new book, Uncommon.

Carlos

My Humble Beginnings

2009-02-05T11:21:00.006-05:00

The Friday Night Dance Jam

That my friends was the show that got me started here at Spirit FM. Back in 2002 or so, Olivia the host of Real Life Radio, asked me to come down and do a live Dance/Hip-Hop mix show with her. We did the mix show here at Spirit FM for 6 years. The only reason we stopped was because it was to much for me to do both The Big Big House Morning Show, Production for Spirit FM and the Friday Night Mix Show. But here is a picture of one of our first Friday nights!

That was Carlos, aka DJ Phokus seven years ago! (Side Note: That was one of my favorite shirts! Don't ask me why the bandanna. I don't know, it was a phase or something)

Shortly after I began the Friday Night Show I became an official Intern here at Spirit FM. Looking back, it's funny how God moves people into our lives and situations into our lives to complete His plan in us. Olivia, brought me in to Spirit FM. Between her and Bill Carl they trained me up. And if not for God, orchestrating it all and my obedience to His will in my life who knows where I would be. God is so good.

Carlos

So Funny

2009-02-04T10:36:00.006-05:00

Video File

Laughter: noun
(According to http://www.m-w.com/)

1: a sound of or as if of laughing
2: a cause of merriment

I love to laugh, it's the best thing. It's the Windex of life. It cures any bad mood, any foul feeling and can brighten any dull day. This made me belly laugh. Bear in mind, I'm the guy who loves AFV and will crack up uncontrollably when some guy trying to teach his 5 year old how to golf gets popped in the no-no's.

Enjoy a little laughter!

Carlos

A Different Approach

2009-02-03T08:02:00.005-05:00

Pro-Life

I am posting this video because it is breathtaking. The video is different from what you may be used to, but the message is powerful and the meaning is clear. It's awesome to see all the different vessels God can use to spread his message.

I don't know if the artist Flipsyde is a Christian or where his moral compass points, but I do know this. God can use anyone and anything to spread his message. The pro-life movement is something we as Christians should support and to see this guy create a video to reach a new generation, it's great. The video may not be your thing, but it can reach a generation of people in a way most others may not.

Carlos

Vota

2009-02-02T19:35:00.004-05:00

The Kids...

The Christian rock band Vota is using dirty tactics to get radio stations across the country to play their new single "Hard to Believe". Who could tell these adorable kids no? I can't!

That's cheating! And very cute. For more info on Vota check out: www.votaband.com

Carlos

Super Stuff

2009-02-02T10:06:00.003-05:00

Commercials and What-Not's

This years batch of super ads left me wanting more. What happened to that classic commercial that everyone talked about the next morning. Budweiser, self proclaimed "King of Beers" and one time "King of the Superbowl Ads" with their talking Frogs, Lizards and Whazup Guys is now nothing more than just another purveyor of 30 second fluff. Pepsi, tried to reclaim some of their Superbowl glory with this ad:

Made me laugh out loud, but still somewhat forgettable. I love the limo guy, by the way. I guess I just remember the old Pepsi vs Coke ads, with the Pepsi truck driver and the Coke truck driver. Those were clever and funny ads that stuck with you. The new "King of the Superbowl Commercial" has to be E-Trade.

Funny, cute and clever. A good commercial with staying power. One of the few this year. Gone may be the days of commercial after commercial that made me laugh out loud. Too bad. Commercials and the Superbowl. Maybe the only television event that successfully combines the two.

For more Super Ads check out: http://www.hulu.com/

Carlos

A Year Ago Today...

2009-01-29T19:57:00.006-05:00

Everything looks different from 13,500 feet

The horizon was breathtaking. Everything was just crystal clear. You could see for miles upon miles away. Everything was peaceful and serene. Life seemed to just float by so effortlessly. Life at 13,500 feet, looks amazing.

Until they open the airplane doors and your next in line to jump! That when everything changes...

The horizon is gone. All you see is the ground. A terrifying reminder of what awaits to catch you if things go wrong. Crystal clear becomes a blur of wind and sounds. It's cold. Like the hand of death slowing running it's finger up your spine. You trade peaceful and serene for tempestuous and angry. Life at 13,500 feet, is scary.

Yet with all this, the one thing I remember most of my entire jump was the 2 seconds before we dove from the plane. For two seconds I was between safety and dicey. In those two seconds, I think I learned more about God than in any other two seconds of my life. I remember specifically praying this one prayer. I said, "Lord, if this is the end of my line, I pray I wake up to find you holding me. If this isn't the end of my line, I pray I can look back on this day and see your hand in it. Lord, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I never got that last line out. We jumped.

Looking back though, I did see God's hand in all of it. I learned that sometimes our life can be a lot like skydiving. God leads us to places in our life where we either stay in the safety of where He has brought us. Something that is comfortable and routine or we take that next step or leap of faith, into the unknown. If God brings you to it, He'll see you through it. (Many thanks to Brother Ron for that line) It's in those leaps of faith where God really begins to stretch us, to mold us, into the person He has created us to be.

Looking back, the jump was the hardest part. But once I took my leap from the plane, that was when the fun really began! When you jump with Jesus, you can't go wrong.

Carlos

Where is God?

2009-01-28T09:47:00.005-05:00

Right By Your Side.

It can be easy to wonder, "God where are you! I'm drowning here and you're not around!" Sometimes the world does get the better of us and we're left feeling alone and confused. I can think of times when I've felt like everything in my life came crashing down on top of me all at once and everything just stopped. There was nothing. I was alone, afraid, confused, empty, feeling like I was in a big black abyss with no where to turn. Thankfully we serve a mighty, powerful and faithful God who is so good!

God came to earth to rescue us. "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."

God knows the pain and suffering we encounter in this world. Jesus left the safety and security of His home, and entered the hard environment we live in. Jesus got tired, knew hunger and thirst, battled accusations from others and was ostracized by family and friends. But Jesus experienced far more than daily hardships. Let's face it, this life ain't easy and He knows it.

Someone might shoot us. Or we might be hit by a car. Or we might have to jump from a building attacked by terrorists. Or any number of things that might happen to us in this harsh environment called Earth, the place where God's will is not always followed.

Yet, God is not at the mercy of people, but the other way around. We are at His mercy, fortunately. This is God who created the universe with its uncountable stars, simply by speaking the words, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky." This is God who says He "reigns over the nations." He is unlimited in power and wisdom. Though problems seem insurmountable to us, we have an incredibly capable God who reminds us, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Me?" Somehow He is able to maintain the freedom of sinful humans, yet still bring about His will. God clearly says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose." And we can draw comfort from that if our lives are submitted to Him. "For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

God has got you. Remember that. No matter the situation. No matter the magnitude. No matter what! God has got you in his righteous right hand and will keep you safe. He is our refuge and strength. An ever present help in times of trouble.

God Loves You! Stay Strong.

Carlos

100 - 0

2009-01-27T09:38:00.005-05:00

What Happened?

In case you missed it: The coach of a Texas high school basketball team that beat another team 100-0 was fired Sunday, the same day he sent an e-mail to a newspaper saying he will not apologize "for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity."

On its Web site last week, the Covenant School of Dallas, a private Christian school, posted a statement regretting the outcome of its Jan. 13 shutout win over Dallas Academy. "It is shameful and an embarrassment that this happened. This clearly does not reflect a Christlike and honorable approach to competition," said the statement, signed by Kyle Queal, head of school, and board chair Todd Doshier.

This is tough because I feel for both sides. The coach preaches to his players hard work, hard play, hustle, integrity of the game. On the other side you have to have compassion and mercy for the kids on the other team. A parent who attended the game said Covenant continued to make 3-pointers — even in the fourth quarter. She praised the Covenant players but said spectators and an assistant coach were cheering wildly as their team edged closer to 100 points.

If that is true, cheering wildly for 100 points on a team that can't make a shot! That's wrong. But according to others at the games the coach did sub in bench players and told his team to hold the ball to not score so quickly as a way to run the clock faster and end the game.

My questions is what else could he have done? You can't tell you team to miss every shot from here on out and you can't make the other team make theirs. You bench players don't get to play that often and when they finally get their opportunity you tell them to play soft and not try. That's not fair either. Just because their on a better team, they get punished in play.

Like I said, there is no right or wrong, there just is. I feel for the team that lost 100 - 0, but I praise them for finishing the game. If I were that school I would look to play in a different league or conference with schools who match them in size. Dallas Academy has eight girls on its varsity team and about 20 girls in its high school. It is win less over the last four seasons. Covenant on the other hand is a much larger school.

Carlos

My Love

2009-01-26T10:24:00.013-05:00

Coffee

I just love it. There is nothing quite like it. And it's sad to admit this; but my love affair with coffee began over a girl. True story.

Way back in the day I was dating a sweet young girl named April. From here on out we'll refer to her as "The Coffee Drinker". I was not into coffee at all. I thought it smelled funny and tasted like hot cough syrup mixed with milk.

Coffee Drinker and I decide to go out on a date. I'm going to date myself here but we went to the old Tampa Bay Mall. It's not even there anymore. The Bucs practice facility is on the spot where the old Tampa Bay Mall used to be. So Coffee Drinker and I are on said date and she wants what? A coffee. Being the sweet girl that she was she asked me first, "Do you drink coffee?" Being the guy that I was I say, "Of course, love it. Can't get enough of it." She orders me some crazy cappuccino concoction that I swear tasted like a tire iron dipped in death, yet smelled like sweet cinnamon and cream. Odd....

I stiff upper lip it and drink this liquid kick in the no-no's as a way to impress Coffee Drinker and since that day I just kept on with the habit. Partly because Coffee Drinker and I were dating, so the coffee kept coming. Eventually, I fell on the outs with Coffee Drinker and in love with Coffee. Crazy, but true. If not for a Coffee Drinker named April, I may never have fallen for the bean named Coffee.

Carlos

The "B" Word

2009-01-25T08:29:00.004-05:00

Budget, I've been put on one!

Last night at church (and by the way, I must say I love Saturday night church) Pastor Craig talked about finances. He covered questions like, do we control where our money goes or does it control how we feel? Even landed on the "B" word. Budget. Something I started as part of my New Years things to do list.

Since January, I put myself on a very strict budget. No frivolous spending, watch what and where I eat, I even cut back on some of the fun stuff I go and do. My goal is to really begin to save money and be a better steward of what God has given me. Basically, start to control my money and dictate what it does, not the other way around where money controls me and dictates what I can tithe, or where I can go eat, or what I can do. Think about it.

Lets say your living above your means, you're making X but spending Y and Y is of a higher amount than X. Eventually, your life will become dictated by money. You'll never have enough, you'll always need more, you may begin borrowing from Peter to pay the bank. My pastor said it best when he said, "There are 3 types of people when it comes to money now a days. The Have's, The Have Not's and the Have Not Paid For What They Have!" It's so true.

Back to my budget. The month isn't even over yet and I can already see the benefit of having a budget. I dropped the amount of spending on going out to eat (restaurants, drive-thrus, coffee shops) by over 60%! That's money that can now go directly into the savings account. And trust me, I still had a good time with my friends going out for dinner. I just cut out the fluff, the times when I could make something at the house instead of ordering Chili's take out or the quick stop at Panera.

If I can do it, I know you can too. Budget! And become a better steward of what God has given you. Because lets be honest here. It's His anyways. God given. So put it to good use. Be Blessed!

Carlos

We Miss You

2009-01-22T10:05:00.005-05:00

Ron McClelland

It was a sad day Monday for us all here at Spirit FM, as we broke the news of the passing of a dear friend. Ron McClelland of Storyside:B passed away from an apparent heart attack while on a cruise ship playing basketball. Over the last few days it has been truly amazing to see the complete body of Christ come together to support Ron’s family and friends during such a difficult time.

There will be two memorial services for Ron one in Jacksonville, FL and the other in Detroit, MI. Ron and Rebeca did not have life insurance. If you would like to help with funeral and expenses, go to any Bank Of America and ask for the: Account for Ron and Rebeca McClelland ending in #8678 or you can mail checks made out to Ron and Rebeca McClelland Fund P.O. Box 551379 Jacksonville, FL 32255.

It's never easy dealing with death, however we can rejoice in the fact that he is home. Ayeisha Woods had this to say about the passing of Ron and I think she said it best.

Our dear friend Ron McClelland with Story Side:B has gone on to be with Jesus. Please be in prayer for his family and the rest of the band. Ron will be deeply missed and never forgotten. His warm spirit and love for Jesus was truly evident and I’m encouraged to know that I’ll see him again after a while! I take comfort in the following:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (KJV) 13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

COMFORT ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS!

Thanks guys!~Ayiesha

Keep the McClellands in your prayers and the guys from Storyside:B.

Carlos

Sometimes I Just Don't Get It

2009-01-21T10:46:00.007-05:00

I'm still learning. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm still learning. God help me. I'm still learning.

Some days life hands you lemons and the best you can do is make a mess. That's how I feel every now and then and today is one of those "now's". Radio being the funny thing that it is has so many different personalities, so many different view points, so many different people and only one Abby and one me. Two to meet the thousands.

Some people who listen can appreciate sarcasm, thank the Lord for those people. Abby and I have to fight the use of sarcasm since we can both be very sarcastic from time to time. Some people want me to say something deep and meaningful every time I crack the mic. I apologize to those people. If I were that guy I'd write books and try to make millions with some form of pseudo self-help jargon. Some people want to hear me talk about God every time I talk about anything. Maybe not a 100% of the time, but I do it most of the time without having to say His name. The basic underlying principles of how he wants us to act or react or live and love it at the heart of what I say on air. I want people to see me and how I choose to live and see a reflection of the one I serve. Jesus.

What I'm learning is that I don't know anything. And that's ok. Because God does. For whatever reason he's got me here at Spirit FM, for whatever reason I get the task of being on the morning show. I may not always say what you want me to say or say the "right thing" but when I talk about a situation on the air, I speak from my heart. And God knows, I want to be a good representation of who he is in my life. The center, the core, the essence of who I am, the reason I breathe and the reason I get up at 4am to come to a little radio station and try to make someones morning/day/week. I may not be for everyone. I may not be your cup of tea. But I am for Jesus. 100%.

Carlos

My Days are Numbered

2008-12-09T11:26:00.006-05:00

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

2008-12-08T06:39:00.005-05:00

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

2008-12-04T05:48:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-03T10:06:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-02T19:08:00.008-05:00

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

My Dad

2008-11-17T20:22:00.005-05:00

I Love My Dad

Over the weekend my Dad and I had one of those great Father-Son heart to heart talks. The ones where you lay out everything. Life, Love, Faith, Friends and just talk to each other. We hadn't had one of those talks in a few years and after Sunday I think I may make this something we do a little more often. One thing we talked about was "Happiness" and the pursuit of it.

First, he hit me with this. "Son, everything we do here, we should do first to honor God. Because that and only that should be what we love first and foremost. Not your wife, not your job, not even me. God." I stopped to think about that and all I could say was, "Yeah, But......" But nothing he says, our first love should always be God.

Wow. I know right. How often do I put other things in front of the one who gave me life and gave his son to save it? How often to we put our careers, love, family, friends in front of the one who gave us everything?

(Again, I say, "wow"...but to myself this time...I didn't need another look of "Yeah, son I know I just blew your mind, type of looks")

Matthew 6:33 simply says, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

There is the pursuit of happiness in all its glory. In that simple phrase. God the Father of all is just up there waiting for us to truly put him where he belongs in our lives. Number One, Numero Uno.

Note: Psalm 37:25: Here is an observation of King David. "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging for bread."

God is faithful! He keeps His promises! Put Him first and then just watch Him bless you! And you'll find whatever it is you've been looking for.

Be Blessed and many thanks to my Dad.

Carlos

Skills Every Man Needs

2008-11-14T08:12:00.005-05:00

Before 30

Ok, ok to be fair Abby made me go over the list of 25 Skills every man needs to know before turning 30. Being that I am nearing that milestone as well I should get started on this list. I've got some work to do...

Here's the list:

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and a compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up computer data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

Wow...after going through that list I've got a lot of work to do. Thank you Popular Mechanics for making me feel inadequate. lol

Carlos

Skills Every Woman Needs

2008-11-14T07:12:00.004-05:00

Before 30

This morning Abby and I covered a list of 25 Skills every woman needs to know before she turns 30. Abby is nearing 30 and lets just say she's got her work cut out for her...lol.

Here's the list:

1. Hard Boil an Egg
2. Diplomatically tell Mom to butt-out
3. Ace a job interview
4. Send a thoughtful thank you note
5. Listen to a friend in need
6. Ask for help
7. Beautifully wrap a gift
8. Say "no" gracefully
9. Whip up a great dinner with the 5 items in the fridge
10. Sew a button
11. Apply lip gloss in the dark
12. Balance her checkbook
13. Create a budget
14. Find the best deal
15. Negotiate a salary and/or pay raise
16. Read a map
17. Hail a cab
18. Say something in French
19. Apologize when she's wrong
20. Dress for her body type
21. Change a flat
22. Spot a fake (Handbag, diamond, etc)
23. Know how to tip on a $25 dinner bill
24. Ask for forgiveness
25. Hold a baby

Have fun completing this list before you turn 30...if your already over 30 and haven't completed this list yet then you've got some work to do. lol.

Carlos

Music News :: Paramore

2008-11-12T11:55:00.003-05:00

Hayley Talks Faith and God

Paramore has been one of my favorite new artists in my iPod this year. They are Christians living out their dream on the mainstream stage, but are still open about who they believe in and why. Dont believe me? I found this blog entry from Hayley on Paramore’s Live Journal. She wrote about the book “The Shack” which she just finished reading. I have yet to read this book, but after her review I just might.

“Wow. I just finished a book that might have changed me.

We had a lay over in Dallas a couple days ago on our way to Brazil… (yeah, I dunno why we had to fly back to the states to get here, either!) and I decided to make a quick run to Starbucks. While I was waiting on my Pumpkin Spice Latte to descend from the heavens, I walked around the little book shop that was connected to Starbucks. My ipod was dead and i knew i would be pulling my hair out on a 10 hour flight if i had nothing to do. I saw this book I’d been wanting to read called The Shack. Some of my friends have read it and said it ruled… these are good people with fairly good taste most of the time, so I decided to trust ‘em and I bought the book. If the flight would have been an hour or so longer and I hadn’t fallen asleep for most of it, I woulda finished that book before I walked off the plane. It was so good. I might even say life changing, but I haven’t really lived THAT much so I’ll have to tell you later if it really changed my whole life.

Before I go saying you should all buy it and read it… I should say that it is a book having much to do with Jesus Christ. I know that might not be appealing to everyone here but before you go writing it off I wanna explain a little more. The Shack is not what you’d expect of Christian literature. I don’t think it should even be in that category. I am certainly a Christian. However, I am not one that waves the banner of religion or even feels the need to go around telling everyone what I believe even if it is just because I’m proud or excited. It is not a religious book… and if you are going to get into it be prepared to learn NOTHING of religion.

For me, this book has opened up a new way to look at my relationship with God. My faith has never had much of anything to do with any institution but it has always been about relationship. So when I really started getting into this book and realized what I was reading… I was so encouraged. I recommend it to anyone who does believe in Jesus and I definitely recommend it to people who put their faith in something or someone else. Hell, you might not believe in anything at all and I would still recommend it to you. Because it’s filled with really beautiful pictures of love and grace and EVERYONE can use that.

I want to share a part of the book with you guys that really got to me. It might not have the same affect on you but… well, here it is:

“So why create the poisonous plants at all?” Mack queried, handing back the twig.(Sarayu answers) “Your question presumes that poison is bad; that such creations have no purpose. Many of these so-called bad plants, like this one, contain incredible properties for healing or are necessary for some of the most magnificent wonders when combined with something else. Humans have a great capacity for declaring something good or evil, without truly knowing.”
Well, I’m off. Hope everyone’s doing well! See you guys tomorrow.

Love, haley… hallie… hailey… haylee… hayley”

Be Blessed today,

Carlos