"Why not take those words off the paper - and starting living them?" I heard this last night and it has been echoing in my brain ever since.  So, who said it?  My wife. After she read my post about dreams we were talking about other things tied to it.  About my never ending search for God's plan for my life.  What's even more amazing about the words she spoke to me is that they echo something I had just read in Erwin McManus book "Seizing Your Devine Moment". I believe God speaks through other people.  He uses other people to speak words into our life - insights, thoughts, corrections, and even direction.  For the past 14 years God has continually used my wife to speak to me.  For some reason I am just now realizing it.  I've missed God's direction for my life because I haven't been paying attention to those around me.  Those that know me & love me and I would bet have much more insight into my life than I do.  They are on the outside looking in and often times that is the best place to gain the best perspective. God is talking.  Am I listening?  I haven't been.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ ...

I asked this question the other day on Twitter - Why do some people achieve/live their dreams and others just live? Why am I just living? Not to my suprise - I really didn't get a response.  So, I pose the question here.  What is the difference between those that live/achieve their dreams - and those that don't?  Is it purely lazines?  Lack of desire?  What is it? I feel like I'm just living right now.  Not really chasing a dream - not really trying to achieve anything specific in life.  Is that what some would call a rut?SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Just Living [Or Living a Dream?]", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/just-living-or-living-a-dream/" });

"22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."  Luke - 12:22-30 No ...

After writing this post yesterday - I ended up listening to that song a few more times.  One time was while I was making dinner - Chicken Enchiladas...YUM!  Anyway, the more I listened to the song - the more I started to think about times I've been in "disaster". Disaster can mean several things: disaster |diˈzastər| noun a sudden event, such as an accident or a natural catastrophe, that causes great damage or loss of life : 159 people died in the disaster | disaster struck within minutes of takeoff. • [as adj. ] denoting a genre of films that use natural or accidental catastrophe as the mainspring of plot and setting : a disaster movie. • an event or fact that has unfortunate consequences : a string of personal disasters | reduced legal aid could spell financial disaster. • informal a person, act, or thing that is a failure : my perm is a total disaster. That last one is too funny...... Moving on.  The one that I think of is the 2nd bullet point.  I have had many "personal disasters" in my life - all of them caused by....me.  As I think back to those times I can honestly say that I have never thanked God ...

I ran across this little addy for "Dog the Bounty Hunter" and it gots me to thinkin'..... Sure, I believe everyone deserves a second chance but ....what if the person is totally unrepentant?  Still give them a 2nd chance? What if the person never admits to doing anything wrong?  Do they get a 2nd chance? Where/when should that 2nd chance be given? What is the christian response to the unrepentant person? I have no answers.....so I ask YOU the question.... **This post was brought on after reading this post on the Deadly Viper blog.SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Everyone Deserves A 2nd Chance…[When?]", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/everyone-deserves-a-2nd-chance/" });

Lyrics: I'm right here i'm right here please come fall in my arms again i'll be here to catch you when you do never mind all the never ending struggles they only make me stronger everytime all all the everlasting troubles come i'm stronger than before thank God for disaster disaster and tears thank God for my reasons my reasons to fear everytime that i've lost it all and death is calling me i understand this is what saved my life again wake up wake up it seems like now i've got nothing left can you save me somehow with the rest never mind all the never ending struggles they only make me stronger everytime all the everlasting troubles come i'm stronger than before thank God for disaster disaster and tears thank God for my reasons my reasons to fear everytime that i've lost it all and death is calling me i understand this is what saved my life again wake up wake up i'm right here i'm right here thank God for disaster disaster and tears thank God for my reasons my reasons to fear everytime that i've lost it all and death is calling me i understand this is what saved my life againSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Thank God [For Disaster]", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/thank-god-for-disaster/" });

He speaks [I ignore] I know God is speaking. I know there are things I should do, but I don't. I know there are things He asks of me that I am unwilling to do. Unwilling to obey. Yet....I still call myself a follower of Him? A "Christian"? He must be crying. My disobedience is overwhelming, but I never shed a tear. He speaks. I ignore. TSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "He speaks [I ignore]", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/he-speaks-i-ignore/" });

My Girl [Talkin' 'Bout...My Girl] Yeah, that's my girl. I know.....she's hot. I know..... SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "My Girl [Talkin' 'Bout...My Girl]", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/my-girl-talkin-boutmy-girl/" });

Staring my morning off right.  Some drink coffee - some drink OJ - I prefer Monster.   Later, TSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Good morning beautiful.", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/good-morning-beautiful/" });

The hours seem to fly by. The days seem to go by in a flash. Weeks seem to not even exist anymore. Months have a way of just disappearing. Before you know it - another year is gone. Life seems to be moving by at such a fast pace for me.  Honestly, I'm not sure why - and that's the most frustrating part.  If I knew why life seems to be moving so fast - then I'd be able to try and remedy it.  But I can't. I don't have a stressful job.  I enjoy my job.  I don't have a jam packed social calendar....or any calendar.  Stress?  who doesn't have that.  But why does life move at such a fast pace - and how can I slow it down?SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "Life Is [A Speeding Bullet]", url: "http://caffeinatedfaith.com/Blog/2008/life-is-a-speeding-bullet/" });