Annual Memorial Service for Highway Fatality Victims – April 9, 2011

Too Many Names

Each year the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS) holds a memorial service to residents and visitors who have lost their lives on South Carolina highways. The memorial brings together families and friends of the deceased and hopes to educate the public in an effort to prevent future loss of life on the state’s roads. We lost more than 800 in 2010 in traffic collisions. They never returned home not even able to say goodbye. More than 700 people across South Carolina and other states attended this solemn service. You never know what people are going through, so always try to be understanding towards each other. There is more than enough pain and sorrow for all of us.

Something About That Name Jesus - Rance Allen Group

Old Minds In New Places!

Please go to this website and read the Pastor’s Update, click here. I enjoy talking to this pastor. His conversations are basic but still complex, woven with intricate, interconnected parts, which give us listeners something to think about long after the conversation has ended. I have quoted Reverend Colley before in this blog. In fact, you can reference the Wizard of Oz sometime ago. It was his discussion that caused me to dig deeper into what the featured characters were all about.

I know that I find myself using old thoughts in this new day and time of modern technology. We often talk of “back in the day” when everything seemed so good. But where were we “back in the day?” How old were we then? Did we have these burdens to carry and obstacles to deal with? Or were we younger with little or no responsibilities? I imagine that to some people “back in the day” wasn’t a very pleasant time and is glad that it’s over. Life’s experiences should have taught us something if we wanted to learn from it. But, I have to refer back to what Rev wrote in his update. Something that we all tend to forget when we overcome our problems and forget what we just been through. That is what do we have now compared to what we didn’t have? Just as the Israelites felt when they were led out of Egypt towards freedom and independence "they compared God’s grace and mercy with Pharaoh’s whips and chains and they preferred the whip." They forgot that they were traveling with God, Who makes all things possible! We can’t operate with the same mentality as we undergo internal and external changes. We must include God in our daily functions, even our most ordinary actions that we take for granted. They should always be done with faith and hope that we are serving a greater purpose than ourselves.

Can't Be Friends - Trey Songz

She Really Is Not Into You!

Fellows, I learned that no matter how much a man tries to appeal to a woman’s best interest, if she doesn’t want you, nothing is going to work.  She doesn’t want a relationship and she doesn’t want to be with you.  A “friend” is a term that she’ll use to keep you at arms distance.  In other words, “friends” don’t have to talk to you until they want to talk or need something.  Remember; she doesn’t want a relationship, she just got through a bad one.  She’s just not into you!  She really doesn’t want a friendship but she thinks that you might be a nutcase and do something stupid.  So, to avoid all of that getting to know each other and spending quality time doing so, she simply avoids talking to you during prescribed times.  Fellows, we’ll just need to fade out of their lives.  It’s not that they want us in it, anyway.  All the woman has to say is, “You don’t fit the profile of the type of man, I’m looking for.”  Or she can say, “You’re not my type and there is no chance in hell, I want you as a part of my life.  I don’t want to go to concerts or events with you.  I don’t want us to visit each other, and I definitely can’t see us as a couple.”  Understand that there is always one person in a potential relationship that loves the other more.  If you’re not compatible, drift away, my brother.  No use fooling yourself.  There’s no harm if you were buying her things, if you thought they she would look good in them.  You just might not ever see how your gifts would look on her but that’s life.  So regardless of how good you think she looks or how much she will make your life better, get out of the way and get a life.  Stop hoping, wishing, and praying that she’ll see the good in you.  She really is not into you!

My Heart Says Yes - Troy Sneed

"Breathe" by Tia D!

Breathing is a simple involuntary action that can be controlled by conscious thought but does not require it. At least for most of us. Apparently I’m the exception since at least 5 times in the last week people felt the need to remind me to do so.

I’m very much aware that when I get overly excited or overwhelmed the rate of the words coming out of my mouth tends to drastically increase (sometimes to the point of intelligibility). However, is it really necessary for you to remind me to breathe? I mean eventually I’ll have to take a breath…or risk passing out. Regardless, it brings to light a bigger question: Why am I so freakin’ neurotic?!

I am a hardcore worrier. I’m always worried about something. Like my appt this week. I worried about it for the last 2 weeks to the point that I was physically ill! Now, two days later I’m exhausted. And for what? It went better than I could’ve hoped! I was telling a co-worker of mine (whom I often confide in) how I felt like “the world had been lifted off my shoulders and I could breathe again.” Her response: “Knowing you, in the next 20 min you’ll find something new to worry about.” What the heck!? Why am I like this? And what is the world doing on my shoulders anyway?

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Phillipians 4:6-7 says “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Peace. That’s what I want! That’s what I need!! If Jesus is my savior why am I not at peace? That answer is actually quite simple. I’ve been searching for “the peace that surpasses all understanding” in all the wrong places. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with seeking help from a trusted friend/pastor/counselor, etc. BUT they are after all only humans. True peace comes from seeking the face of Jesus daily. Friends are meant to support you in your Christian walk…not define it. God created the path I’m on. He’s the One I need to seek for direction!