Inspiration Everywhere

In need of some inspiration? Just look around you. Inspiration comes in some many forms. That its hard not to be inspired.

I like to be inspired, it propels me to be better. Over the past couple of months, inspiration has been all over the place. Starting with ......

The young man who has a family of 3 and picks up trash for a living.His family pushes him to be a better person. He's currently enrolling in school. His determination inspires me.

12 indivduals who left for South Africa. Allowing God to wreck their lives forever. One of the 12 stayed behind, another source of inspiration. His obedience inspires me.

The pastor of 15 years. Seeing him cry on stage, to becoming a better leader, father, and husband. His growth inspires me.

To my father, who tirelessly studies the word. His yearning to study inspires me.

The homeless man who is stuck on the streets, in the cold. Without food, water, or shelter. Regardless, he's able to produce a smile of hope. His smile inspires me.

I have so many more stories. Inspiration is everywhere. If you need a direction to start with, just look up.

Look around inspiration is lingering waiting to be seen.
Be inspired.

Help!

I love to help people a lot. I go out of my way to help people. However, I do go out of way to avoid asking people for help. I don't want to inconvenience anyone. I put a barrier around myself. I begin to seclude myself, and think no one will help me. But I simply need to ask. This has been something that I have had a hard time with.

Especially, when I know I need help. Not to mention all the people who have said, that they are willing to help. It's just so difficult for me, to ask for help. The irony of the helper afraid to ask for help. So while I was thinking about how I can improve this. I started to sing the lyrics to Help! by the Beatles, most of us know the song. But the lyrics ring true to me and my situation and attitude towards the whole thing.

Help! by The Beatles


Help, I need somebody,
Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me?

And now my life has changed in oh so many ways,
My independence seems to vanish in the haze.
But every now and then I feel so insecure,
I know that I just need you like I've never done before.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me.

When I was younger, so much younger than today,
I never needed anybody's help in any way.
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured,
Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors.

Help me if you can, I'm feeling down
And I do appreciate you being round.
Help me, get my feet back on the ground,
Won't you please, please help me, help me, help me, oh.

As I looked at the lyrics to this song. I realize I need to ask for help more. I have to go out of my way, to get help. I been humbled, by this is lesson that I'm learning. It will definitely be a process. But I'm willing to ask for help, no matter what my mind is telling me. Its imperative, that I get this down. In the future, this will come in handy. I know I will be asking for help for the rest of my life.

I better get use to it.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

Haiti And My Place In The World

There I was sitting in my economics class learning about opportunity cost, comparative advantage, and all the fancy economic jargon you can think of, my mind was on the Haitians. The last thing Haiti needed was a earthquake, especially in their capital city Port - Au -Prince. As I started watching the coverage. All I could do is look on in sadness, the sheer chaos, the dead bodies.

I wanted to be there to shovel the rubble, to help the those who are seeking food. I much rather be in Haiti then in my economics class. But as soon as I thought that. I stopped myself, to recollect my thoughts.

For those who know me. I love helping people, especially those in dire need. I would love to help the people of Haiti. But its not my time, or place. What do I mean? Well, if it were up to me. I would be helping people all the time. But God has something else in mind. Currently, I'm in school and almost everyday. I think to myself, and ask, why am I in this class?!! I could be somewhere around the world help those in need. I would feel much more productive doing that.

But as I was humbled from my "I'm going to the change the world mentality" I'm finally beginning to see the reason for going to school. Education will allow me, to help the least of these even more. It will open doors, that I would have never thought of. The whole process of me, going to school is simply preparation. God in is all surpass wisdom, knows I'm not ready, equipped, for what he has for me.

Its a sobering reminder that God changes, not you or me. When I finish school I will mostly likely be in a different country helping the poor. I know the job will be difficult and at times I will want to quit. I will want to move back.

But as much as, I would love to go to Haiti and help. God is molding me, for another place in great need. When my number is called I will be ready, not completely, but much closer than right now.

My place in the world currently resides in the U.S.
Until further notice.

When Anticipation Becomes Reality

A 25 year old, single male waits to embark on a new journey to South Africa

A bride walks slowly in tears. Waited 6 years to say I do.

A married couple waits for their newborn baby. The wait continues, until March.

A church of 1000 members waits for the arrival of a new building.

We are, or will have anticipation for something, or someone. But when it, becomes a reality. That's when the magic happens. Over the last year. I have been able to see people's anticipation become a reality. Whether their newlyweds, expecting parents, or a missionary. The wait is what develops the character. We are never, fully prepared for what we are anticipating. Patience and understanding, are essential ingredients to this whole process.

We have different anticipations. Anticipations can also be negative. But let's focus on the positive. Its been amazing to see the different reactions when, it all becomes reality. The tears, the smiles, and all the energy surrounding the whole situation. It truly has been fun to watch. Anticipation is a process, but its not always a long process. Matter of fact the switch to anticipation to reality can happen in a matter of hours, minutes, or seconds.

One thing that stood out to me. Is the different ways, each individual handled the whole process. They became more focused, a lot more secure with who they are. The process helped them mature, to understand what the reality may be like.

But when the anticipation became reality. All of them were very pleased. Once the reality starts, it does not end the journey of anticipation. Once anticipation becomes reality, we set our sights to something else.

We will always have anticipation among us.

I have anticipated many things. We wait for those milestone moments like marriage, sport events, seeing family, or traveling to a foreign country. Whatever it is, anticipation is a great teacher.

Anticipation effects everyone. What are you anticipating? When its becomes a reality, how will you respond?

Super Bowl Pick

Here's how I see the NFL playoffs panning out.




NFC Round 1

Packers @ Cardinals- The Cards went to the super bowl last year and almost won. The Packers are a sleeper team that can make a lot of noise. I believe the Cards are starting to fall apart. The Packers are pretty balanced and Aaron Rodgers will play well against a banged up secondary. Packers win

Eagles @ Cowboys- The Boys are making some noise and there actually, backing it up with their play. The Eagles are still a very dangerous opponent. But the Cowboys are the most balanced team in the NFC. Home field will help the Boys a great deal. Cowboys win

AFC Round 1

Jets @ Bengals- The Bengals have home field and a solid QB in Carson Palmer. But I believe the Jets will pull the upset. The Jets D and running game is lethal. However, Mark Sanchez must play mistake free football. Gulp! I think he will do enough to get his first post season victory.

Ravens @ Patriots- Tom Brady and the Pats lost Welker. This loss will prove fatal, but not against the Ravens. The Ravens are just a middle in the road team. Nothing jumps out when think the Ravens. The Pats win in a close one.

NFC Round 2

Cowboys @ Vikings- The Vikings have been slumping the last couple of games. The Boys have been riding a wave of momentum. The Cowboys D will disrupts Brett Farve and Co. Cowboys ride their wave of momentum into the NFC Championship.

Packers @ Saints- The Saints will be rested and ready to go. The Packers will give the Saints a good fight. But Saints have to many options on the offensive side of the ball. The Packers will be overwhelmed. Saints win.

AFC Round 2

Patriots @ Chargers- The Pats have been the standard in the NFL for sometime. But now the Chargers seem to be on the rise, not just now, but in the future. I see a lot of the old Patriots in the Chargers. Brady and Co will be outplayed and outmatched. Wes Welker would have been very helpful against the Chargers. Chargers win.

Jets @ Colts- The Jets beat the Colts this season. But the Colts gave up in that game. The Colts will win in a landslide. Petyon Manning will dissect the D of the Jets.

NFC Championship

Cowboys @ Saints- This game will be a dogfight. The Boys will play good D against the Saints offense. But the Saints will still score. However, the Saints D will allow points too. This game will come down to who can score more. The Saints have more firepower and will win by a touchdown or less. Saints win.

AFC Championship

Chargers @ Colts- This game will also be a dogfight. But Peyton Manning has to do everything for the Colts to win. The Chargers have many players that they can rely on. The Chargers win because they are healthier, and have more talent on both sides of the ball.

Super Bowl

Chargers vs Saints- Brew Brees former team. The team let him go, so Phillip Rivers could be the starter. Brees will have a chip on his shoulder. The Saints offense will give the Chargers D a fit. But again, the Chargers play both sides of ball at a high level. the Saints D is very suspect. The Chargers win in a exciting shootout.

San Diego Chargers Super Bowl Champions!!!

Stephen A. Smith: On Gilbert Arenas

Gilbert Arenas brings a gun to the Washington Wizards locker room. All the guy can say about the whole deal, is laugh. Well the NBA is not laughing, neither is law enforcement. But most importantly this does not help the perception of black athletes. Regardless, Arenas will lost a lot more than he realizes. Stephen A. Smith's take on the situation.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Stephen-A-Smith-Arenas-analysis-010310