I cried for you today, my friend

I cried for you today, my friend

Not because of anything bad that had transpired between us, but because I desire so much for you to truly be eternally, happy

I long to share and spend time with you, but the physical distance disallows

I long to hear your laugh, see your smile, share in moments that create memories we shall recall when we are in our twilight years, and yes, even a hug now and then

I cried for us today my friend, as I know you to, miss even just our hanging and doing nothing, but just being friends

I cried for us today my friend, as I just miss you and love you

Every day is a blessing—another step on the path called, “Your Life.”

Every day is a blessing—another step on the path called, “Your Life.”

Every day is another step on the path called, “Your Life,” and thus a 24-hour time span of opportunities to grow, improve, and make positive decisions, which lead to actions of self-improvement, and to commit actions as well that make and or influence a positive change in the world in and through the lives of others.

“How are your actions of today helping you to achieve your dreams, goals, and desires of tomorrow? Your dreams, goals, and desires of tomorrow,  a month from now, a year from now, 2, 5, or 10 years from now, are all dependent upon your actions of today, your actions committed or not committed, now.”

Shaun Damon Hagler

Start today—for we may not have tomorrow, a month, a year, or 2, 5, or 10 years from now.  If we do not start, or do, today, we may not ever be blessed to see the materialization or actualization of these dreams, desires, and goals later for that door may end up permanently closed, for ourselves and the others we were called to be a blessing to.  

The Devil has done a number on me

The Devil has done a number on me

There are moments of revelation, enlightenment of which I am blessed to experience

Even though I am blessed to experience these, there are still moments of doubt, non-clarity, as well as rebellion

The Devil has, still does, and forever will attempt to do a number on me

I read and meditate upon the word to grow, learn, and be more the man GOD desires of me, the Son, Brother and Friend, the Writer and Kenpo teacher

All the while, the Devil still attempts to do a number upon me

Thwarting GOD'S will, choking dreams and desires, suppressing the manifestations of visions

To truly become...

To truly become something, anything, one must, dedicate and fully commit--discipline themselves to the actualization of truly, becoming.

To truly become something, anything, one must make all the necessary sacrifices to internalize the theories and philosophies required to internalize the things, ideals and philosophies that said thing embodies and personifies.

These ideals, philosophies, and qualities must truly, become you.

They must permeate your psyche, take up residence in your mind and dwell there—ooze from your pores, sweetly roll from your tongue and flow from your mouth as they are your truest thoughts and beliefs and thus be exemplified in your behavior(s).

There can be, not one iota of defiance to this ideal—there can be not one iota of a refusal to truly, becoming.

Chasing the Spirit-filled high

Preface:

     The analogy used in this piece, is by no means a “ringing endorsement,” for the abusive use of drugs, or drug addiction, however, it does effectively convey the ideal, conviction and belief that we as Christians need to be ever seeking, and communing with GOD through the Holy Spirit of GOD, as HE dwells within us when we become saved.

With drug usage/addiction, early on, the addict experiences a high, and after prolonged use/abuse, the instantaneous effect tapers off. This is known as the plateau effect, or in Non-technical Language, the same intensity of the high, or feeling of elation is no longer experienced.

     Thus, an addict must seek, or chase the high through using a new, and or stronger dosage and or greater usage of their drug(s) of choice.

     Much like an addict in some regards should be the conduct, or heuristic approach of the Christian—that is always seeking to experience GOD, and in new areas and arenas of life and thus growing in our walk of faith in, sacrifice for, and obedience and service to, HIM. Through new activities and or acquired behaviors in our lives, that Spiritual high can be obtained—here are a few suggestions:

·        Deeper enlightening, and frequency of  Bible study

·        Deeper and more frequency in Prayer time—which is truly our most significant means of communication with GOD

·        Outreach work, i.e., new means of sharing the Gospel of Christ. Either through ministry related groups and or just going door to door to our neighbors homes or even starting with family and friends we know are not saved

·        Share your testimony and or daily blessings from GOD on your facebook page and or on twitter—you are already on there a lot anyway—most of us are anyway—LOLOL

     I can speak from personal experience of how even the four prior mentioned helped me stay close to, and grow closer to GOD—and to share HIS Gospel on a local and global level.

     Simply stated, if we are not seeking GOD, and seeking to grow—constantly chasing the Spirit-filled high—we much like the addict, too shall cease to grow and mature spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We shall consequently find that our lives become mundane, or worse, fall into spiritual and moral decay and then depravity, again much like that of the addict.

"The Beauty of Character"

     "The Beauty of Character," which stems from "Quality of Character," far, far, transcends physical "hotness"--Males and Females are foremost concerned with physical hotness.

     Men and Women are concerned with Character and qualities another either does, or does not possess such as Integrity, Honesty and Trustworthiness, Loyalty and Faithfulness--and yes for me, GODLY Humility, and devotion to our Creator.

     These aforementioned qualities affect the Mind and thus influence one's actions, and if they do not have these, it matters not how, "Hot," they are, for they do not possess what makes a "Long-term Relationship" or "Never Ending LOVE" last. As they are incapable of weathering the storms and trials with you, and appreciating the prior mentioned qualities, you bring to the relationship--storms will surely arise and they will surely depart if the basis/foundation of the union is built upon the physical appearance of you or them rather than "Quality of Character.”

Life as a Christian requires the death of oneself

Life as a Christian requires the death of oneself

There is no room for the I, or the me

Life as a Christian requires one to die unto oneself and live for GOD

There is no room for selfish, morally corrupting wants and flesh fulfilling behavior stemming from the same structured thought or thoughts

Life as a Christian must be one of sacrifice for the glorification of GOD

There is no room for philosophical debate, and or rationalization of non-scriptural conduct

“Cogito, ergo sum—I think therefore I am,” (Rene Descartes’)

I think and thus I exist, and if I exist, I must strive to do so for GOD and HIS will for my life—this is the foremost task of a Christian and this again requires me, to die unto myself

Being right, so that GOD may be glorified

     When we disagree, and I debate with you, it is not about having to be right for the sake of one’s ego, as it is not about one, not one, pride related factor, issue or dynamic—it is however, about being right so that GOD may be glorified. This is the significant and utmost reason for my actions in word and deed, for my firm stance for Biblical precepts, and my conviction for and belief in them, and thus, my life in totality.

    I seek not to argue with you first and foremost, for I seek the love of GOD to abound between us.  I seek not to argue with you, and thus do not engage in debate merely so that I may prove a point or so, again, as misconceived, because I have to be right. I want to be right in GOD’S eyes first, and then in yours so that HE may be glorified, we enlightened and encouraged, and subsequently edified by and through the HOLY Spirit of GOD dwelling within us.

     It is the concept of, “The 4 Critical E’s:  Engage, so that we may Encourage and Enlighten, so that the Holy Spirit may Edify.” This is not merely a pontificating statement; it is an axiom, or postulate by which I choose to live by forever more. And with this being the  adage by which I ascribe, I must be right in GOD’S eyes, so that I may share GODLY wisdom , for if I share misleading, deceitful untruths , or refutable lies, I and others shall suffer, and if left unchecked we shall be judged unworthy of heaven and burn in hellfire for the rest of eternity.

     That, is to costly a consequence to pay to allow my motive to be of an ulterior and or self-gratifying nature—thus,  again I stress that my reason for desiring to be right, is so that GOD may be glorified and we blessed for our faithful obedience to HIM.

Despite my sins

Despite my sins

Despite my sins, oh GOD, YOU still strive to encourage, enlighten and inspire me…

Despite my sins, oh GOD, YOU never cease to seek to move me to accomplish your will for my life--as there are many an instance I see your involvement in my life--moving me to do that which you have called me to do--for YOUR glory and my blessing…

“Suffering with, lies become truth syndrome"

     Some people tell themselves lies so often and thus convince themselves the lies are truth. In some instances, I call this, “Suffering with, lies become truth syndrome.”

     Though they have been told, or even worse, know the lies are lies, or are not factual, they convince themselves otherwise.

     Sometimes in part due to a lack of knowledge of truth, i.e., ignorance, other instances due to a blatant wantonness for self-gain and or self-gratification.

     Let us describe the earlier as naive, and the later as self-absorbed with ulterior motives.

     Either case, there is truly nothing beneficial gained for them or the person or persons with whom they are dealing, as the interaction between them and whomever is based upon refutable errancies, and or full-blown lies.

     “What is the significance here Shaun?”, you may be asking this former and later question, “Why does this matter to you so much that you would write about it?”

     My answer to both questions is, “Truth.” How are we to interact and or live in falsehoods? How are we to grow spiritually, mentally, or emotionally, if our trust and faith are in lies? The answer to these two questions, “We cannot.”

Let us discuss the significance, of context

Let us discuss, "The significance, of context..."

The context of the time of an occurrence, the context of conditioning, the context within which things occur, context in regards to the individual or individuals, with whom we are dealing—the  influences that have shaped them mentally, emotionally and physically—all these, seeming random or irrelevant, are truly of profound significance.

It is often said that perception is everything, well I argue without comprehending the context within which things occur, that perception is often distorted, biased and thus potentially in accurate and thus why we experience discord in many instances.

Thus let us pay closer attention to context; let us not allow our perception to be skewed, as a result of not giving context its due consideration.

Because of a lack of faith

Because of a lack of faith, many subsequently lack the courage, discipline and obedience to walk in GOD'S will, and thus literally become accomplices to the devil and instruments of his sabotage and destruction of others in addition to their own lives.

“Limited in our scope,” or perception and understanding

The inability to be logical and reason, or chosen willingness to live in ignorance...the conscious decision to dwell there, at times makes it extremely difficult to hold a conversation with some individuals.

I find it more and more difficult to accept conditions I am forced to accept.

Why not “work at finding the solution,”-- instead of focusing upon, and or staying in the problem?

Why not operate with a “problem solving mindset,”-- rather than one of pessimism and constantly focusing on the negative(s) and using them as an excuse to remain in turmoil and struggle?

We know the obstacles exist--so why not work to "overcome" them, and or construct ways to move around them, and or lessen their impact(s), or better yet obliterate them all together?

Let us not be “Limited in our scope, perception and understanding”—let us seek resolution and thus growth, and shared prosperity and blessings for all involved, in all our dealings with one another.

Your priceless intangibles are my and our blessings

Your priceless intangibles are my and our blessings.

Your smile, laugh, touch, care, concern, love and GODLY character wrapped in GODLY integrity, enrich my life. 

Knowing you are happy brings me immeasurable happiness.

I could not, not reciprocate support, encouragement, enlightenment, nor myself, even if I desired to, as you have given all these—all of yourself—and deserve no less than all of me.

Your priceless intangibles are my and our blessings as we are one flesh.

I thank GOD for you daily, throughout the day. My life would not be the same without you--thank you for all you bring to my, and our life together. Thank you for loving and obeying GOD, for without you being you, I would not be me, nor we, us.

Stay the course--persevere

Stay the course--persevere, as there will be very lonely times--literal days and even years--the season must last as long as GOD deems necessary

There will be extreme alienation and ostracism

There will be extreme points of sadness and maybe even depression

However, you must never give up in regards to fulfilling GOD’S will--As well in areas of sin--repent as often as needed--but never fully give up

Persevere and keep moving toward GOD and striving to fulfill HIS will for your life

As one-day, your day of deliverance will arrive

The temporary pleasure of sin...

     The temporary pleasure, comfort, or satisfaction we derive from sin, or any rebellion in regards to GOD'S will or commandments will never, replace the blessings HE would have blessed us with if we had persevered and or turned from the sin we choose to commit. 

     Always seek GOD and HIS will; it will always be better for us in the end.

Real "Super-heroes" bleed

Real "Super-heroes" bleed...

Real "Super-heroes,” GODLY men and women, bleed, cry and experience pain, and accept they need GOD.

Foolish males, foolish females, believe the myths and try to go it alone never connecting, never opening up, never truly allowing someone else in.

They manipulate and deceive all the while telling themselves I am an island, I need no one, I, can do it, "alone.”

Wise GODLY men and women realize all humans hurt, cry, and need others—especially GOD.

"We all bleed"--Just as Jesus did...

It subsequently is our Spiritual conditioning and state, which affects our mental and emotional: Super-heroes, male and female acknowledge this. Without GOD, the effort of any-type is pointless--for without GOD it will fail.

I want to stop running LORD, running from YOUR will for my life

    I want to stop running LORD, running from your will for my life, the tasks and the desired end, you choose for me from before the beginning of time. I thus desire in many instances clarity, so that I may attain the necessary wisdom and discernment to move in the direction and directions that you desire.

     It is at times such a difficult task, not as much to obey, but to know and to believe. For in those moments of clarity I confidently walk in faith in the direction and ways I sense and at times do know, you desire. MY LORD-- there are other times, however, I am sure of nothing, not your will, whether this is yours or my will, will this lead to blessings or curses. The confusion, the lack of clarity, the doubt…it is not fear, it is a lack of knowing, “Is this Jehovah-GOD’S will?”

     Belief leads to confidence, which leads to commitment and action. From this stems completion and your glorification…in all things. The little things are less difficult, I smile and laugh thinking of these, but they are just as important to you as the things I deem huge.

     I pray for YOUR bestowing of wisdom and discernment upon me, YOUR humble servant LORD, so that I may fulfill YOUR will in confidence and in faith.