Zone Perfect

The Forecast Calls For Pain

Seven days, one week, and precipitation is very likely. Today is an off day, only because life got in the way. Tomorrow life goes on, with or without us. Some have the hope in a miracle that allows them to see their families one more day. Some don't know what to believe, or how to believe in anything anymore. The imperfect Christian believes that there are a few left in the cluster that still have a little life in them. Isaiah 65:8.

Zone Perfect was the wine in the cluster for me. Zone Perfect is a division of Abbott Laboratories, and have given me hope. They made contact with me, and I may have the opportunity to work with them to fight cancer in the Trek 100. I am still able to take donations and need all of you that can help. Not for my sake, but for the sake of a parent that has a child that needs you to be that ray of hope.

zoneperfect.com

trek100.org

http://www.abbottstore.com/nutrition-for-cancer/icat/cancer/&source=leftnav

100 miles in the rain, in the rain, in ease or in pain, I will ride hard for these little ones, because it could've been me.

R U Up 2 That Call?

Are we up to the call? Is it a burning bush moment for you? Did God speak to you today at the voting booth? Did that ballot seem to be on fire, and did the ballot seem to endure the flame? Why didn't the fire consume it, why did like the bush keep on burning? Perhaps because You didn't hear the phone ring, so an inextinguishable bush or ballot should get our attention!

Did you go in to vote today to try and better your community? Did you pray before going? Did you pray after leaving. Pastors did you preach the Word of God, or did you preach the way we ought to vote according to the eyes of pastor? Congregates did we hear from God in service, or did we hear ourselves blocking Him out because we have taken the matter into our own hands?

Gamaliel said, "And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God." (Acts 5:38&39) So in other words, if it is of God there is nothing you can do about it except to accept it. If it is an act of men, then this too shall come to pass, or the end result will be all for nothing!

So are you up to the call? Perhaps rather than voting or being about what new laws passed, or did not pass, or what new Congress seat will be filled and by whom, we should instead pray about what we are doing personally to answer Gods' call in our lives.

How many hopefuls did we pass at the polling facilities today that could use more than just our vote? What if we called one of the hopefuls right now? Do you think they would answer? Perhaps, but more than likely not. But when you call on Jesus... (sorry had a Nicole C. Mullen moment there for a second), but when you call Jesus on the mainline (sorry had a Cheyanne -sweet little gal that used to sing in the imperfect ones church- moment there), He is always there to answer. Jeremiah 33:3 says, "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

He will not only answer but show you great and mighty things that you didn't have a clue about.

When we are down, if we will seek out someone else who has a problem and get involved in helping them solve theirs, we quickly forget our own. 

Dr. Karl Menninger

Jesus saw the concerned Christian's today. Those voting, and those seeking votes. He saw the soldier that gave his life years ago to bring forth a freedom that allowed all of us the liberty to vote today. He saw those disappointed and lacking in understanding about what laws that did and did not pass today. Now He wants us to learn from each day, and every event, and help someone else in a like struggle. Things may not seem to be going your way, but if you call on Jesus, He is guaranteed to be right there waiting to hear from you. He might actually put someone in your path to be a blessing to you as well. What you endure, may be a lesson, that you have to help someone else learn from later on in life. The imperfect Christian needs to take what he's learned today, and return the that call now! Time to give thanks. Goodnight all.

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

Waiting On A Special Call?

Mark Bishop has a song called, "I'm Listening For The Call." He based this song on 1Thessalonians 4:16. Waiting for "The Call," in this particular biblical pericope is one that is speaking about the rapture. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." But how many times in our lives has God spoken to us, and called out, only to find us ignoring Him? People say they believe in God, and then use Him like a genie in a bottle, or like a sin ticket. 

Are we really listening for "The Call?"

If we are true Christians then we know and understand fully, that our calling is not just a one time call, that we are waiting on. It should be an ongoing readiness, and eagerness that is waiting like one listening for the lottery selection to call their numbers after purchasing what they pray is the multi-million dollar winning selection.

God called out to Adam in the beginning before descending in Christ over 2,000 years ago. He called out to mankind again with Christ hear on earth, and with His (Jesus') crucifixion, and resurrection, He (Jesus) arose with all power and, God left His Holy Spirit with us and, has been calling us ever since.

God is calling you through that family member that just found out that they have cancer, and feel limited and alone. He is calling you through that friend that just lost their job, and is now searching for his/her career. He is calling you through that stranger that just had a near fatal accident right in front of you. Perhaps on a brighter note however, one of those above people could have something happen to them in a positive way. For example, one of those people could have just found out that they were having a baby, or they could have found out that they just won the lottery! In those situations you still have a decision to make... do you answer their call as though God is calling through them, or do you treat them like some do and ignore them and God altogether? How will you answer that call? By praising God, or by ignoring God? The imperfect Christian has taken some recent life lessons, and applied a few dos and don'ts to his "Call."

1. Always listen, no matter the situation.
You can observe the good and the bad. "Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16) Your listening could lead you to assist someone and glorify God, or it could allow you to be the one to receive the blessing in being assisted. It could keep you from having to go through heartache, or help prevent someone else that you love from going through heartache. Regardless, of the situation listen. Friends may indeed let you down, or be let down by you, but the important thing is that you take the time to listen. In doing so, you will learn, receive, or possibly be a true blessing. Listen to your friends, and your every encounter (they could possibly be a new friend), and listen to and, (equally as important) listen for GOD!

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

I Love To Dance Naked!

If the imperfect one could inspire you with Bible to put away every heartache, pain, and spiritual covering that hold you down, would you let it all go? Even if it meant to dance naked? Hope your drapes are closed or that you do it in a well gripped shower! 

Everyone needs to let their hair down sometimes, and kick their shoes off, and just dance naked!!! "I came into this world unclothed..." Nakedness is not a sin, it's what we do with it, that is sinful in some cases. Yes, the imperfect one has scripture keep reading...

Here is the imperfect tribute to the King and Psalmist David, whom by divine inspiration wrote this passage, and here is a tribute to a mainstream psalmist... John Cougar Mellencamp whom inspired the blog title. Psalm 30:11&12 poses this question. "Ever thought a mainstream, non-Christian sounding title, would be biblically inspired?"

"You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, To the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." (AMP Bible)

If there are a ton of December babies born after this blog, the imperfect Christian now claims a waiver, and cannot be held responsible for confusing praising the Lord for a pro-creation dance...

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

Fuel: Pre Paid & Paid 'N Full!

NC has the highest tax rate in our region for gasoline! What congress person should lose their job this year? NC officials charge us double the tax rate that the Feds are taxing us. West Virginia and Georgia are close, but West Virginia at 50.6 cents is still nearly 7 cents less costly with their taxation.

You ever look at sin that way? Where do you rank and who is in your region? A good friend of the imperfect Christian (a pastor), said (can't quote him exactly, but this is very close) We are a lot closer to being as sinful as Hilter and Bin Laden, than we are to being as righteous as Jesus.
We are lost without Jesus, and in our being lost, the Word says that we are unclean, and like filthy rags. The imperfect Christian thinks of the old gas rag that could potentially set a nice shop on fire. That's not the Holy Ghost fire that consumes, that's a sinfully, potential hazard. We need cleansing and the only cleaning agent strong enough to do that for us is Christ.  He paid in full with the blood that was shed, and through His resurrection, and rising with all power, we too may live eternally. Thank you Jesus.


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

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