KNOWING WHEN NOT TO SPEAK

In the past I have been quick to say things that I would regret saying later. Since then I have learned sometime silence is golden. The Bible states, "A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be." Pretty simple keep your cool and remember Cooler heads prevail. The next time you are in a position where your emotions take hold you and you feel angry, take a step back remove emotion from the equation and please Try again. Short but to the point today!

Until Next Time

Long Live The Kane

INTEGRITY

Here is something that came up! My heart aches because for the first time in my life I truly feel like I have lost a part of my life. The bad part about this is I am at a point where I want to risk everything to regain that part of my life. I have been in several relationships in my life some good and some bad. However, when you realize that the one relationship you needed the most has gotten away from you, you have to do everything in your power to get it back. If it does not work out so be it, but at least you did everything in your power to get it back. (Ask God for guidance and He will direct your path) For all of you who have not experienced this type of loss consider yourself blessed and do everything in your power to never have to go through this. One time a person asked me, “How would it be different if they gave me another chance to be with them?” Honestly, I did not know what would be different other than I would try harder than before. Well trying harder does not cut it and you will fail. You have to change; not want to change, not try to change but you actually have to change. You have to change your thinking, your actions and reactions because if do not you are destined to repeat the same unhealthy trials that will cause you to lose. I have learned from my past mistakes, and from this very minute my integrity will never be in question. The Bible states, “Let me be weighed on honest scales, That God may know my integrity.”(Job 31:6 NKJV) If God knows, you have integrity imagine what others see. I want to make something clear many of us have integrity, it is sometime we tend not to display it depending on the circumstances we maybe facing. My integrity came into question because I was afraid of losing what I lost. No matter why I did some of the things I did, my integrity should have been intact. What upsets me more is that I had never had a problem with my integrity. My integrity has gotten me far in life and I let fear of losing what I lost change that. Ironic that I would lose the very thing that helped me gain the relationship. If there is anything you get from this post, please get this. INTEGRITY does not come in degrees – low medium or high. You either have it or you do not. There is a saying and it goes something like this, “It is easier to do the wrong thing, but it’s always better to do the right thing.” That is integrity. The choice between what is convenient and what is right. I have done some foolish things in my life, non as foolish as allowing my integrity to be subject to questioned by a loved one. Oh yeah, the person who asked me the question, well I finally have an answer. Things would be different because I see and feel what it is like without you in my life. People it is simple DO IT RIGHT ALL THE TIME. Character not reputation!

Until Next Time

Long Live The Kane

Remember – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Bowed Over, Upright, Bowed Over, Upright – Keep Trying

You ever want to do the right thing, but just seem to do whatever you want? In my lifetime and more importantly as of late, I have found doing the right thing is hard. Doing the right thing is hard when it’s not the popular thing to do or when it is not what I want to do. It is much easier: not to mention the right thing, usually more fun to not do the right thing, and do what everyone else is doing. It is some time safer also. Think about this, there usually is no danger of looking stupid, preachy or offending people. Seriously, let’s be real about this most of the choices we make on a day to day basis, most of the things we do, aren’t exactly life-shattering choices. Nobody dies and nobody’s soul is lost. Is that true? Every day I wake up with the intent to be the best person I can, however in some way or another I miss the mark. I may say the wrong thing (curse words aren’t good), I may break the law (speeding is breaking the law), or I may lust for a woman (this one usually gets me) being a visual person I’m naturally attracted to beautiful women. Anyway my point being no one was hurt by anything I just mentioned. No one was hurt, but me. SO WHY IS IT WRONG? Here lies the problem. The Bible states, “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”(2 Peter 2:21) OUCH! You see I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was in the 11th grade, so I know better. I was saved before I went to college (parties, women, and other things), and before I had children without being married. This troubles me, because now I don’t make as many mistakes, but I still have thoughts and act on some of those thoughts knowing it isn’t right. The good news is I know that God loves and forgives me. The Bible states, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-16 NIV) I’m sure He’s not happy with some of things I sometimes do. Thank God for Jesus! I used to tell myself, I may not always do things that are exactly right, but they’re not exactly wrong, either. That was and some time still is me justifying my falling. I used to tell myself that I was trying to resist doing the wrong things when in fact I was only choosing to do lesser things. The fact is most of us have not even made an honest attempt at resisting temptation. Some of us cave in immediately without much of a fight. "Well, I'll quit doing that next week." "Why struggle now when I know I am going to do it again anyway?" "It is just a matter of time, and now is as good a time as any." But temptation feeds on our weakness and bent desires. You see temptation is only the beginning. It is like a progression you start off small knowing that you’ll be forgiven, but if you aren’t careful things can get out of hand quick. When thoughts of doing something that is not right enter my mind I need to start seeing it for what it is, THE WRONG THING. I thought I had been putting up a noble fight looking for a pat on the back. Then I read this: In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. (Heb 12:4 NIV) I guess I haven’t been trying hard enough. I do know this and I say it not as an excuse but I offer it as a reality to all. GOD IS NOT FINISHED WITH ME YET! I know this because in the Word, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT) Now if he’ll do it for me, he’ll surely do it for you.
Until next time
Long Live The Kane
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Cor 10:13NIV)

Instant Replay

When I think about the journey I have been on in my lifetime, I am always reflecting on the decisions I have made. Unfortunately, hind sight is twenty-twenty. While I have no regrets, I could have handled so many situations differently. Looking back on certain behaviors or acts that I committed, I have no clue as to how that has helped me grow. Then there are other behaviors or acts that I can see their direct affect on my life. Now my life is not perfect, and by no means am I a guy who thinks he has it all under control. I just know that with God things are going to be alright. The Bible states, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”(Romans 8:28 NIV) When reading the Bile some people only read part of the scriptures. Let us look at Romans 8:28 carefully. I have heard this scripture quoted many times but hardly have I heard it quoted in it’s entirety. The key part of this scripture is the last part. “According to his purpose” Things do not always work out good for those who love the Lord. I believe the reason things do not work out, is because we (no one specifically) have made decisions that do not line up with God’s purpose. Now understand me please things will workout because God is a loving God, and all you have to do is ask for his help. We will endure a certain amount of hardship because of a decision made that do not line up with His purpose. As I see it, one of God’s greatest gifts can be our greatest weakness. God gave us the ability to make decisions for ourselves. I some time think, WHY LORD? Why will you not just tell me what to do. Life would be so much easier. I mean can you imagine just living in God’s purpose. Imagine the amounts of peace, joy and happiness that we would have. Well God will not take away our free will. It goes against His law, and that would make God fallible and He is perfect. With all that said, I have made some decisions that I thought were not even close to God’s purpose, but have turned out to be blessings in my life. Then there is the other side where I thought I was making Godly decisions. WAIT!!! I just said something that was crazy. Thank you Holy Spirit. I cannot make Godly decisions because I am not God. We can try make righteous decisions based on our knowledge of God. Read your Bible. Whoa, that was something serious. I am still amazed at the download I just received. I honestly never thought I was making Godly decisions. I was trying to make Godly decisions without having God’s abilities. We are humans, destined to make bad decisions, the key is the older you get and the more mature you become. The less bad decisions you should be making. The Bible tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV) From my experiences, (three children, one ex-wife, the different mothers) I have found that God will allow you to repeat the same test over and over again until you get it right. One other thing to remember is that just because you are repeating the same test does not mean that you will not fulfill God’s purpose. When you try to do the right thing, but make mistakes along the remember this: The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful. (Proverbs 12:5 NIV). My friends if you are trying to make righteous decisions and it is in God’s purpose things will workout. Maybe not the way you expected but who truly knows God’s ways. Be Righteous God sees your heart!

Until next time

Long Live The Kane

To Do or Not To Do

Okay day two of my new found therapy. Hmmmmmm is this working? Well as life goes on you learn that the trials never really stop coming, but you learn to deal with them, and as you mature you are suppose to make better decisions. I think that is true for people experiencing different crisis one at a time. My question is, what do you do when it seems that multiple trials come crashing down at the same time? Let me first of all thank God for allowing me to be here to experience the trials. I thank God because without God the other alternative isn’t very good. Now that I have thanked God for the opportunity to grow, I now petition Him for the strength to go through these trials without compromising who I am in Him. The Bible says, “God will bless you, if you don't give up when your faith is being tested. He will reward you with a glorious life, just as he rewards everyone who loves him.”(James 1:12 CEV) I’m holding on to my faith but I’m hanging on by a thread. When I was younger and didn’t know better my life seemed easy. I did whatever I wanted, when I wanted and with whom I wanted (sometimes with people I didn’t want to). Knowing better and trying to live the right way is painful, and tiring. Puffy, P Diddy, Diddy or Sean Combs once said “Mo Money Mo Problems” I never understood that or maybe I did understand, I just had no idea because I had no money. I have recently had a revelation on this concept. Without God money means nothing because there is no peace. Without God, life really sucks. So with all the money you can have it will be just money without God. My life is nothing like I thought it would be, but I have God and He keeps me from just losing my mind. People say let go and let God; I have a question for all, why do we wait for God to give us a blessing? Doesn’t the Bible state, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it”? (John 14:14 KJV) Once you ask, aren’t you supposed to go on with your life knowing that it is done? I mean all my life I have been taught: To read the Bible, To pray, To trust God for every need, To obey God, To be forgiving, To be persistent, To live by principle, not feelings, To have a servant spirit, To live an orderly life, To be an encourager, and To love unconditionally. I want to break these down and share where I have experienced issues.
I read my Bible daily– Not a problem
I pray every day – Not a problem
I trust God for my every need – Not a problem
I Obey God – I try, but I need to obey his word always
I am forgiving – I am truly forgiving – Not a problem
I am persistent – I don’t quit and keep trying and sometime this is a weakness
I live by principle, not feelings – While not a problem I think I should elaborate on this. My belief is that emotions are unreliable; I don’t let them dictate my actions.
I have a servant spirit – I’m always trying to help someone- Not a problem
I live an orderly life – Not a problem
I am an encourager – Not a problem
I love unconditionally – My heart hurts because I love unconditionally.
If you look at this you would think I would be on top of the world, but I believe this is exactly why my life is the way it is. When you try to live right life becomes very specific, there are very few gray areas. I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me I just need to vent about life and just how if I didn’t read my Bible I would be lost. Doesn’t mean I’m not getting tired of the trials, it just means I understand.
I leave this today in hope that my trials and sharing them with you all will in some way help someone.
Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. (1 Peter 4:1-13 NLT)
Until next time
Long Live The Kane

Someone told me that blogging is therapeutic; I pray that it is. My mind has been racing for the last three months with situations arising one after another. I don’t know who will read this but I thought I would attempt to release some of my frustration. Within the last four months I have lost the woman I love, accepted a promotion on my job, felt the strain of my family relationship, met some interesting new people only to realize that they are simply steps on the ladder and not meant to remain in my life, I have come to grips with my failed relationships and accepted responsibility for my actions; only to have the woman tell me she hates me, and to top it off I found a childhood friend after sixteen years only to realize that I can not have that friend in my life. Now all this is going on while I raise my two children as a single parent. I’m not sure were I’m going with this but I think I will feel better once I get this out. They say that God won’t put anything on you that you can’t handle. I haven’t broke yet but I’m struggling to remain upright. People also say that right before you have a breakthrough things look there darkest. Well things aren’t dark, I’m just not comfortable. I know I’m not the only person who feels like they have almost everything they want. I mean everything except that one thing. My one thing is a wife that is perfect for me, granted I had her and at that time didn’t know how to deal with my flaws, her flaws and her reactions to my issues. The bible says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect”. How is this possible? Everyday life stares you in the face, you deal with it go home pick up your bible and read the Word of God, then go back at it and face life again. This cycle never ends and is very tiring. Job had everything, lost it and regained it. I don’t feel like I have lost everything, not even close, but I do feel stripped of some things and I want them back. Well as you probably can tell I’m conflicted I know God loves me and will protect me. But He also promises to bless me beyond my wildest dreams. As I remain obedient to his word and try to live a righteous life. I pray that my struggle will be used to help someone understand that they are not alone. Until next time
Long Live The Kane