Things I've learned during my 56th year on God's Earth

This year has been a year of reflection and change for me. Things were better this year, than they were last year for me.

In January, until February 1, I was in Midland, Texas. I had to come back to Texarkana in February, because I had a doctor's appointment, and I needed to get my tags renewed, taxes done, and car maintenance taken care of before I set out again. Plus, I needed to check my mail and storage unit.

When I came back, my brother, who is in prison, asked us to use his money to put a camper on the property he inherited from my dad. So, I did that, and had it all hooked up for him, so he would have a place to parole out to, because the house on the property is condemned.

Then, he told me I could stay there until he got out. He is due for a parole hearing in December.

So, I've enjoyed the air conditioner this summer, rather than spending money on a motel room or sleeping in my car. I also was able to use the refrigerator and stove, and save money I normally would have spent on eating out because of it.

I spent some of my brother's money getting some of my debts paid off. But, I have to make sure my brother has his money back by the time he gets out. I've got most of it made back, so far. I'd rather owe him than owe all the interest I was paying on the loans I had.

And, I'm staying here in Texarkana until he gets out. I have also enjoyed the ability to take one day a week off from work to rest.

Top 10 things I've learned this year:

10: It is easy to accumalate stuff when you have a place to put it.

9: It is easier to think when you are sitting still.

8: Travelling comes in all forms. You don't have to go to a different city to travel.

7: God is still in control. Sometimes, when you are at peace, you wonder if God is still there. He is. He leads you by the still waters just as He lead you through the stormy sea.

6: Sometimes I wonder when the dam will break again, and I will be barraged with the problems I had in 2023 again. My mechanic called it "shell shocked". PTSD. I think it fits. I have learned to just go with the flow, and trust that God knows where He is taking me.

5: I have learned that being a "plan B" person is not a bad thing. More often than not, I have to rely on plan B to get me where I am going in life.

4: Human nature is everywhere. It is at home as much as it is on the road. It is a force to be watched closely.

3: You can fight the good fight and love your enemy at the same time.

2: When you do everything in prayer and supplecation, every move that you make is direction from God.

and finally,

1: Just because you aren't where you were ten years ago, doesn't mean that God is finished with the work He did through you back then. And, it doesn't mean there isn't still work for you to be accomplished!

Things I have learned during my 55th year on this Earth

It's that time of year again. It is my birth month. So I'll start off by recapping the year, and then I'll list the 10 things that I learned this year. 

In January I was working in the Dallas area, in a rental vehicle that I was paying $350 a week on just so I can make a few bucks to pay towards my bills which had mounted up to $3,500 a month, due to the situation with my car during 2023. 

Needless to say it wasn't enough. 

In February I learned that I had congestive heart failure, my mom died, and I got a little bit of help from my inheritance from my dad who had died about 7 months before. 

I was able to catch up on my bills, and take a rest from all the stress, frustration, heartbreak, and illness that had struck me throughout the year. 

I paid back a bunch of people who helped me out in 2023, blessed my mechanic who had kept me on the road with a little bit of it, and invested what I had left after catching up on my bills. 

I use some of it to pay for a couple of months rent on a room at a local motel. 

The memory popped up on Facebook of the dream that I had of God telling me that he wanted me to travel. And how he wanted me to do it.

In March, I bought another car. I had to do some initial work on it to make sure it was Uber ready. And then I went back to the Dallas area, where I stayed with my cousin until the weather cooled off in September. 

I set out to see every city in the state of Texas. 

While I was in the Dallas area, I was able to see the Mary Kay building (which I expected to be pink but it wasn't), the Dallas Baptist University, The Potter's House, traders village in Grand Prairie, hurricane harbor and six flags and the Arlington AT&T stadium.

I tried a lot of new foods. 

I tried Thai food in Sherman, Korean food in Denton, Vietnamese food in Garland, Indian Pakistan food in Frisco, where I also saw the Ghostbusters car on July 4th, Salvadorian food in Irving, and I had the best Mexican buffet I've ever had in my life in Grand Prairie, and the best burger I ever had in my life in Fort Worth. 

In Fort Worth I also was introduced to the 11 lb burrito challenge at Badazz Burrito, which I declined to try to do. 

When I left Dallas, I went to Lubbock. 

I fell in love with Lubbock. 

I saw the prairie dog town, Lubbock lake, the windmill museum. 

I went to Amarillo and ate at The Big Texan where the 72 oz steak challenge is housed. I declined that as well. 

I saw the Helium Monument, and on the way to Amarillo I got to see the Palo Duro Canyon.

I slept at truck stops, and got a planet fitness membership so I could take showers for $25 a month instead of $18 every 2 or 3 days. I did laundry at the laundromat, paid all my bills online, and learned that there was nothing I can do in an apartment that I couldn't do in my car. 

It was not without its challenges, though.

When I bought the car, I had put spark plugs, cabin air filter, new tires, brakes, rotors, tie rod and control arms on it. 

I also replace the tire pressure monitoring system.

I had to replace the control arms on my car again, and the tires, then the cluster went out. Later I had to replace the transmission, the camshaft positioning sensor and exhaust solenoid.

God pulled me out of a very stuck situation. Just when I thought I was done for, again!

I paid off four of the loans that I had taken out the year before. 

And by the end of my 55th year, the God account started growing again. 

Even with some struggles, this year has been so much better than last year! 

Last year was a nightmare! This year I feel blessed. I know that 95% of the people that I know have not experienced and will not experience all I have experienced so far in my 55th year! 

Top 10 things I learned this year: 

1) God is always on time. 

2) When God wants you to do something, He will give you no choice.

3) When Satan slams a door shut, God opens a window.

4) People who try to talk you out of what God is calling you to do are not your friend.

5) Fear is not an option. 365 times in the Bible God said do not fear, and I will be with you. 

6) You don't have to have a lot of stuff to live in abundant life.

7) Forgiveness does not mean giving someone else permission to cross your boundaries again.

8) Once you realize that you are exactly where God wants you to be, it's easy to be thankful.

9) It's not your job to change the world. It is only your job to change your little piece of it for the better.

And finally, 

10) You are the church. You are not a religion. Each person you encounter on this journey of life is just as important as the next person you run into. What you say and do makes a difference in that person's life at that moment. Remember that.

Top 10 things I learned in 2023

My birthday is coming up on October 30th. I will be 55 years old.

It is tradition for me to post the top 10 things I learned at the end of each year of my life. I have been doing this for 20 years now. It seems like it, anyway.

I'm sure if you look at the links on the side here, you can find some of them.

So here goes:

1) When God wants you to do something, He makes it happen. Usually it's not when you think it should happen. And, it's probably not even the way you think it should happen.

2 years ago that I told everybody I was being called to put everything I have in storage and get a shipping post mailbox and travel and live in my car, doing what I do for a living.

I had planned to start doing it around December of this year. But, God decided I needed to be doing it sooner. My car broke down several times, throwing me into debt, forcing me to move out of my apartment and live in my car. So here I am doing what God called me to do to begin with.

I just wish it didn't come with so much debt. Because then I could afford to travel. But I think this is training.

2) Being a "Christian" and saying you are a "Christian"are totally different things. Going to church does not make you part of the church. I believe more in BEING the church than GOING to church.

3) Saying you will pray for someone's needs while doing nothing to help them is called dead faith. I didn't say that. The Bible did. James Chapter 2.

I have experienced a lot of that in this past year. It is very disheartening when you are drowning and instead of reaching out a hand to pull you ashore people just look at you and say they will pray for you.

4) Sometimes, no matter how far ahead you plan, circumstances can sometimes debilitate you.

I have said it over and over: don't think that you will never find yourself in the same situation that I am in. All it takes is one bad turn of events.

5) You should always cultivate new relationships, because people die, move away, or become distant.

This year, I lost my daddy. I lost my friend Gary. I lost my friend Elizabeth. My friend Fred moved away. And my family acts like I don't exist.

Which brings me to 

6) Your family is not your bloodline. Your family is those who are part of your life who show care and concern for you on a consistent basis.

Calling someone once every 3 months to find out what they're up to and if they're still alive is not enough to be considered family. Especially when you have no intention of helping them if they need it.

7) God is constant. He is always there, no matter how far away you feel from Him. He understands even when you are angry and want to be alone.

8) The term, "God will provide", does not apply to your rent or your ability to keep your job. 

I can't count the number of times in the past year someone said to me that I shouldn't worry and that God would provide. He did provide. At least I have my car to sleep in right now.

9) God's provision is dependent on His people, who are willing to serve him in ways other than cleaning the church after service.

If you are Christian, then you are part of the body of Christ. This means that you are His hands and feet. This means that when someone needs assistance of any kind, it is up to you to be the Jesus that they see.

And finally, I'm probably beating a dead horse here, but I'm going to say it anyway:

10) sending money to missions overseas is great, but priority should be placed on the need in your own back yard!

What I have learned in 2021

Every year, during my birth month, I take the time to write down the 10 top things I learned that year.

I nearly forgot all about it this year, I've been so busy!

For some, the COVID epidemic has been a curse that has brought depression among many. But, for me, COVID has created the way in which I now make my living as a courier and taxi driver.

Hey, if life gives you lemons...well, I did my best to make lemonade!

I have learned a lot this year. Not just in the way I make my living, but also in my relationships and my spiritual growth.

Here goes:

1. Don't waste your time and energy on people who don't appreciate what you have to offer. Make the offer, then walk away and hope they follow. If they don't, it's their loss.

2. It's best not to talk about what you are going to do. (yeah, FAIL) It's better to talk about what you have done and why.

3. Internet Dating is cheap and it devalues those involved. It is too easy to scam someone over the internet, or lie, or omit information. A relationship should always be based on REAL. (I already knew all this...I just found out a whole lot better about why this year).

4. Always have a plan B, and it doesn't hurt to have a plan C, too.

5. Stay objective when you find yourself intwined in a situation you are not sure about. Stepping outside the problem to look inside is the best way to see the whole picture.

6. Always follow your gut instinct...but make sure it is based on good information, and not on emotional fear.

7. Love is not something you say...it's something you do. (I think I included this on other years as well, but it is worth a re-do, because I was reminded of this over and again this year.

8. Sometimes the best respect you can give someone is to walk away from them.

9. When you pray, there are three possible answers: Yes, No, and Not right now. If you don't get what you want, it could mean "No", or it could mean "Not right now". Because you don't know which answer it is, you should always accept the answer as "No" right now, and act accordingly. Acceptance is the first step toward letting go and letting God.

and finally,

10. Letting go means moving on and leaving it behind. It means looking forward and not back. If what you let go of is meant to be there, it will catch up with you later.

The song that best describes this year for me is:

It's My Birthday...

Hello, World.

I was going to wait until tonight before I go to bed to say thank you, but I decided to say it now to all you who made my birthday special (including those on PM) by wishing me a happy birthday!

You guys have really made my day.

Well, I think my day was made this morning, on top of that...

I got to work and all the staff came out with cupcakes and a card and sang Happy Birthday to me. And, then, a nice gentleman who frequents the establishment brought donuts for the staff, and a bag of chocolate for me.

I had a really great (and busy) day at work today. I learned some new things, and I got my schedule for next week.

And, I made a few tips.

I am home now. When the guys come out of their rooms, I'll share a cupcake with them, and maybe some chocolate.

Ya'll have a blessed day! (The day isn't over for me, though. :-) )

A New Attitude for a New Year

Hello, World.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I've decided that I am going into my 51st year with a new attitude.

I deserve nothing. It's only by God's grace and mercy that I have all the good things I have. And, though I still pray for what I want, I think it is high time I stop focusing on what I want and start being happy with what He has already given me.

Being a high achiever who beats myself up unmercifully for not being who I want to be at times, it is hard for me to accept the here and now a lot of times. But, here is where I am, and now is the only time that truly matters, because then is gone and life is too short to hope "maybe tomorrow".

I have always been one to want it all "right now". THAT is where I have gone wrong, I think. I should never "want it all". I should be content with what I have.

If God doesn't think I deserve to have it all, then who am I to argue with Him?

So, here's to the start of the second half of my life. Hopefully I'll have as many years to live as I have the first half. I know that is unlikely, which makes this decision so important.

But, right about now, I wish I could just skip it and have it all right now.

Have a blessed night!

Celebrating My Birthday with Jesus!

Source: Ponder America's Homeless
October 27, 2019
After church, I decided to "step out in faith" and spend some of my money on celebrating my new job and my birthday, with Jesus. I would have taken the guys, but I couldn't afford both of them, and it wouldn't have been fair to only take one of them. So, I went to Randy Sam's Homeless Shelter and picked up Miss Wanda.

Read more...

Half a Century - 10 Things I've Learned this Year

On October 30, 2018 I will be a half-century old. Fifty years sounds like a long time, but it was only yesterday that I was playing with hoola-hoops and lemon twists, rubics cubes and spirographs.

But, each year I sum up all I have learned in ten statements. This is this year's summary:

1. God's will, done God's way, will never lack God's resources: When I thought I was going to lose everything, my faith saw me through.

2. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called: When I applied at the age of fourty-nine to become a corrections officer, I felt so unqualified. God saw different.

3. God presents the opportunity, it is our decision whether or not to take it: Yes, He can snap a finger to fix all your problems, but if we don't want them fixed it will be for nothing. So, He presents us with opportunities with which we can fix our problems, and appreciate God's grace and mercy at the same time.

4. God's protection sometimes requires us to sacrifice: One morning I had to break a window to get to work. On the way to work, I realized I could have been killed if I'd left 10 minutes earlier, the time it took me to break into my car.

5. God may not remove a mountain, but He will help you climb it. He may not quench the fire, but He'll walk through it with you: My recent gallbladder problems made me realize that if God was not in my life and in control, I would not have had what I needed to get through it, so I could remain where He wanted me.

6. When you act as God's hands and feet, communication with God is so much more clear. When God tells me to do something to bless others, usually it's because he wants to show me something or teach me something. I always come away feeling more blessed, as if I had received a lot more than I gave.

7. God's tests lead to restoration AND renovation. Sometimes where you are leads through some tough times, where you think you are giving up what you have. But if you allow God to continue to lead and guide you, then all you have to leave behind is just in front of you, with a LOT more to enjoy! I had to give up my baby dogs a couple of years ago because I was not where God needed me to be at that time to care for them. It is my decisions to follow God's lead that brought them back to me in a place where they and I will never have to leave again.

8. Patience is, indeed, a virtue. I've asked God for a lot of things. Sometimes the answer is "No." Most of the time, the answer is "Not right now, and not that way." My things I'm asking God for a list has dwindled. Some things I received immediately. Some things I had to wait 5 years for. I wanted to buy my grandma's property and was heartbroken because I couldn't. But God gave me something else that was better and put me in a much better place then what I would have had if I had done that.

9. Being spiritual, and being religious are two different things. Doing things to make you look like a child of God doesn't make you a child of God. There is nothing you can do to earn salvation. It is a gift that is only valued by giving it away.

10. Jesus has many faces, but one heart and one spirit. He has many hands and feet. You don't go to church, you ARE the church. Sometimes you are the only Jesus someone else will ever see. Represent him well so they too can become Jesus for someone else.

Ten things I learned during my 48th year on earth

Every year, during my birth month, I try to reflect and remember the things I have learned during the past year.

This is my list this year:

1. Being intelligent doesn't make you strong.

2. It takes a lot of strength to hold on to faith.

3. All relationships begin and end with one person: YOURSELF.

4. The true definition of patience is endurance beyond your self-perceived ability to endure.

5. Bullies are people who really ARE insecure.

6. When being defensive doesn't work, go on the offensive -- it confuses the opposition.

7. The only TRUE way to earn respect is to respect others even when they are unworthy of it.

8. You can't control life when it hits you in the head. You can only embrace the intertube, ride the river and learn to enjoy the ride.

9. Good memories tomorrow only happen because of great attitudes about bad things that happen to you today.

10. Negativity is repulsive.

In the Heat of the Battle...

Hello, World.

Today, I don't have to work. My birthday is on Sunday, but I have to work. I start my vacation on Tuesday. I don't go to work again until next Monday after that.

Today, I got paid, but it's all spent. Oh well.... I'm going to trust God to provide for me as He always does and today, I'm going on a date with Jesus and celebrating another year of my life.

I try to write down ten things I have learned this year, around my birthday.

1. God is my vengence. He fights my battles.

2. There is always room to love one more.

3. We are called to love, even if it disappoints.

4. We can not let our things get in the way of being who God has called us to be.

5. Sometimes, God's plan requires us to let go of everything, leave everything behind, in order to get to where He is taking us.

6. Sometimes we have to lose everything in order to be reminded of who we should depend on.

7. I might have gone down in the heat of the battle, but don't count me out of the fight.

8. There is no strength in me, except that which God gives me in order to endure.

9. Whenever night time comes, we must focus on the joy that comes in the morning.

10. Our want to depends on what we do when we are on our knees.