What Is Love?

Sings in his best techno voice... "What is love!? Baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more."
Now prompts the female with the wailing of "Whoa oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!"

So a little dude in a diaper gets credit for the love touch! The imperfect one always thought that little and diapered came after you were in love... shows you how much he knows right?
For some, today has been reserved for St. Valentine. Some call it, "The Day of Love." So what is "The Day of Love," all about?

No greater love has a person than this, that someone should lay their life down for them (their friends). St. John 15:13

That man/woman will say to you, "I love you!" But do they really? Your friends will try to explain their love for you, or for God, but what about a demonstration instead of a description? Thanks for the eye opener Uncle Zig!

On February 14th, 269 AD it was said that Valentinus a Bishop in the Central Church of Italy was leading the Emperor Claudius to Christ. But prior to this day, he had been summoned by Judge Asterius to heal his daughter's eyes, and restore her sight. Valentinus had just laid hands on the good judges daughter, and God had blessed his (Valentinus') hands to be present as He (God) used Valentinus' hands to restore sight to the judges daughter. Judge Asterius pardoned Valentinus (for serving God), and set him free. Valentinus baptized and led the judges entire house to Christ that day. Claudius the Roman Emperor heard that Asterius destroyed all of the idols in his home, and began serving Christ. Upon hearing this Claudius instructed Valetinus to come to him. Claudius then told Valentinus to denounce his God, or suffer being beaten to death with clubs, and then beheaded. Valentinus preached Jesus to Claudius and Claudius gave him one attempt to turn from God or face being beaten to death with clubs, and beheaded. Valentinus served Christ to the death...

So do you mean it when you say that you love someone?

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J

When You Really Matter...

One tends to think of themselves when someone mentions time. To be selfish, and say, "When will he/she make time for me!?" You want alone time, and can't seem to get it. They want to go party, and you just ain't wit' it... That's the theme song for an "opposites attract" couple-especially those with children.

Or for those of you on the dating scene... I'm going out with the guys this weekend, or it's girls night out... Yeah but what about ME!? They always make time for others, but never you. Yeah those words and actions are more likely than not, mood killers and ofttimes relationship destroyers.

The imperfect one has a Baby Girl that always asks for time, and you know... she's worth every second of it. There is a time however, when the demand is too great to fill. You can't raise a child to believe that anyone (no, not even daddy) can drop everything, every time, and attend to every request. It is foolish to raise, teach, make anyone to feel or believe that. How many times have you ever heard a mother from the hood say, "What's wrong with you!? Can't you see grown folks talkin'!?" The mothers in the hood will tell their spouses that, let alone their kids, get outta line she dares you!

Then there is the classic non-hood approach, where you ignore them until they tug your pants leg, use a louder voice, and force you to say, "You're being ignored for a reason."

There are those times when there are interruptions that do not get turned away, however. Therefore, in those occasions (children or peers) you have to be the bigger person, and just walk away. For sanity's sake, and for demonstration of what worth is all about, you just have to SHOW all parties involved that your time and effort are of worth.

The world would be more impressed by a demonstration of our faith than by a description of it! ~ via Zig Ziglar Daily Devo

How many people do you see post about faith in a social network, then turn around and brag about things that not only God has deemed inappropriate, but you as a parent would? Come on you know where this is going...

"I love the Lord, Jesus is so good to me!" in one post, then the next post is a picture of a nude, or might as well be nude woman on his/her page. Yes his/hers... Not to mention what the captions might say. Then there are those of us (Christians) that really show our hypocritical sides and paint a prettier (nastier, more evil) picture with words alone. But we are still Christians right? Imperfect or not we say that we believe... but what do we believe, and for how long?

I have witnessed lots of things via the bigger social networks, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. A young lady that I have had the privilege of coaching, and getting to know over the years posted on her wall for all to see, "Hopefully one day your life will be as cool as you make it appear on Facebook."

The imperfect one will play like the BASF of bloggers and be innovative with her quote... Hopefully one day your life will be as true, complete, and honorable as you ATTEMPT to make it in your stories, and on Facebook.

Do you really love that man/woman, do you really love yourself? Do you? Stop lying to yourself, and know that you can't lie to the One that always makes time for you, never lies to you, never makes excuses, and never breaks any promises. The imperfect one doesn't make promises anymore, and he also knows that there is only One that is capable of upholding such a standard and His name is Jesus.

Lord I don't want to be wrong. I don't want to think or hurt, or think of being hurt, but I know that only You can be that One...

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J

Are U 1st or Last?

What does it take to be number one? The imperfect one has to ask himself these questions, and minister to self before he can ever share anything with anyone else. So these are the questions he asked:

In a career, what makes you the top dog?
In a relationship, what does it take to make you the only one he/she has eyes for?
In life what does it take to make you number one with you?

You think you are ahead on the score card of life, then when you can't smile after take a swift kick in the teeth, or gut, you think... man I may need a knock out! Don't rest because you feel like you are ahead, or are in front. You have to keep pressing!



Matthew 20:16
"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

Flava Flav said about 9-1-1, "You think you are first, when you really are tenth!"

Sivart Pooknyw said, "When you look back smiling and think you're ahead, you're really just about to be lapped again."

Again, what does it take to be number one!? Ask yourself now, what goal are you working toward, and what do you want to be first in? Be true to yourself, and honor God, because self may be in denial, but God always knows the truth. He will lead you to the finish line, or take you instead, if that is His will, you just have to be a willing soul. Regardless of the situation, if He is with you, then you win. Stay strong, pray (and not just for self, but for others), and remain faithful (again not just for self, but for others), in every way.

Peace, Blessings, and Joy... that real PB&J

What Did You Mean By That?

Female David and Goliath! This could never happen because women wear there slingshots, and have to accessorize! That doesn't qualify for a "What did you mean by that!" If it does, then it's too heavy to handle right now...

How many times have you ever asked the question, "What did you mean by that!?" Ever felt like that question is followed by the person in front of you trying to tower over you like the very tall woman towering over the petite little lady in the picture?

Well if you want honesty, here's three places you can start...
1. The kiddy corner, because pre-schooler's are brutally honest.
2. The Corner Liquor store, or
3. Skip the corner and just inherit a drunk brother-in-law. Yes, a brother-in-law, because a sister-in-law will tell you what she thinks of you even when she's sober.
4. But wait there is the 4th option... You can be a man or woman of integrity, and no matter how bad it hurts you can just accept the truth, and be honest with yourself!

Paulie Pennino a.k.a. Rocky Balboa's brother in-law. Broke down and said, "I can't do this no mo' Rocko! You's was good ta her (Adrianne), I wasn't! I can't do this no mo'!" Paulie told the aged figther/best friend/brother-in-law that it was best to get the beast out! Let that fire burn one last time, but to get it out!!! Rocky had to move past Adrianne, and his will to get in the ring. Paulie was the God send to help him move on. (If you haven't seen Balboa -the final Rocky movie- you need to!)

Imperfect Christian's sometimes need to get the beast out! (Philippians 2:12) "Therefore, my beloved as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..."

Shep (a pastor/confidante/great friend/spiritual brother) once said, "We are truly who we are, when we are truly alone."

Another best friend writes, "The best proof of love is trust..." and the imperfect one would have to say also that the best proof of trust is love. That has to work both ways to make a secure bond. Insecurities breed unnecessary fear. Unnecessary fear leads a hurt person, to hurt people. The cliche's are endless. But at the end of the day, "What did you mean by that?" What are you really saying, or trying to say? Rock didn't want to get old, and see the most important things in his life come to an end. His wife had gone on, his career had gone on, and now it was time to accept the twilight. But he had one last fight in him. So what did he mean by still having a fire in the basement? "What did he mean by that?"

Rocky said, "Don't let anyone else tell you that they're better than you!" Are you hearing and believing the voices of others, or are you stead fast on hearing the voices that count? No one can blame anyone else, for a lack of communication. The pastor misread a verse. The study group had a misunderstanding with the group leader. Did you go to be blessed, or did you go to judge, and falsely accuse? You lose members that way, or force them to move on. So what did YOU mean by that. The imperfect Christian means, if you have to say it, or if someone has to ask you to say it, then you are probably too late! Apple got ahead of the curve, by showing you what to need, showing you what to want, showing you what to love. If you have to wait for an explanation, I am afraid what you meant, might be understood, a little too late.

There is nothing that you can do so bad, that it can't be fixed. Not encouraging any serial killers to spring forth, or thieves and the sort, just saying that even the thief on the day of the Cross was forgiven. Joy stealer, material possessor, destroyer of your own family... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, He listens, and He cares. From the fire in the basement, to the fire in the sky, get that beast out, and don't let anyone tell you that you are of no value!

Peace, blessings, and joy... that real PB&J